So engrossed had been the cowboys that they did not observe the Major and Uncle John clamber upon the table and stand beside Myrtle.
The procession was half way up the hall on its return when Patsy said abruptly: "Now, Beth!" and darted away from her partner's side and toward the table.

Beth followed like a streak, being an excellent runner, and for a moment Knuckles and Tobey, thus deserted by their partners, stopped to watch them in amazement.

Then their comrades bumped into them and recalled them to their senses.
By that time the two girls had reached the table and leaped upon it.
Uncle John was waving his handkerchief from the window as a signal to Wampus; Dan'l had laid aside his fiddle and seized a revolver in either hand, and the Major had caught up two more of the discarded weapons.
As Beth and Patsy turned, panting, and from their elevation looked up the room, the cowboys gave a bellow of rage and rushed forward.
"Keep back!" shouted the Major, in stentorian tones, "I'll shoot the first man that interferes." Noting the grim determination in the old soldier's eye, they hesitated and came to a halt.
"What do you mean by this infernal nonsense ?" cried Tobey, in disgust.
"Why, it's just checkmate, and the game is up," replied Uncle John amiably.

"We've decided not to hold the proposed dance, but to take our departure at once." He turned and passed Myrtle out of the window where Wampus took her in his arms, crutches and all, and carried her to the automobile.

The remittance men, unarmed and confronted by their own revolvers, stood gaping open-mouthed and seemingly dazed.
"Let's rush 'em, boys!" shouted Handsome Tim, defiantly.
"Rush 'em alone, if you like," growled Knuckles.