Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/173

 Momentarily the resentment deepened in the sullen faces of the Mexicans who leaned against the wall, twirling their mustaches or fingering brass watch-chains.

Ben himself had passing twinges of uneasiness as he noted their ill-temper and increasing jealously; but with the cowboy's characteristic carelessness and his share of the overweening American self-confidence, he dismissed the feeling with the thought that although they were outnumbered three to one, there were enough Americans present to cope with twice that number if necessary.

Then the floor-manager signaled the orchestra to stop; the cook commanded it to continue. The floor-manager repeated his signal, and the cook promptly lifted his hand and cuffed the oiled and plastered head of the village beau.

Instantly there was confusion. Both Americans and Mexicans made a rush for the wood-box, but the Mexicans acted together, as though it were a prearranged maneuver.

Blocking the way of the Americans they reached it first, with the result that not a single American obtained possession of a