Shall we try a dance? asked Jack Baxter of Polly. She glanced at Mrs. Courtney with a questioning expression.
Better not, Jack. These dancing girls and their Spanish cavaliers are only too willing to pick an acquaintance with any one who appears to have money. Dancing here might prepare the way for familiarity, for you actually descend to their plane in taking the floor while they are on it, advised Mrs. Courtney.
That sounds a little far-fetched, Lady Fair, but I will abide by your commands, laughed Jack, though he was keen to get out on the superb floor and dance to the inspiring music.
Not five minutes later Mrs. Courtney had her quiet little revenge on Jack for his light laugh at her advice.
Ray and Eleanor had not waited to hear Mrs. Courtneys hint about dancing, and had enjoyed the waltz to the utmost till the orchestra concluded the piece. An encore loudly continued induced the musicians to resume the waltz. But a handsome Spaniard approached Eleanor who was standing with Ray at one end of the hall, and bowing politely offered his arm to finish the dance with her.
Eleanor flushed confusedly and Ray haughtily stared at the daring young man, then turned on his heel and tried to escort Eleanor to her party which was seated at one of the balcony tables. Polly, Jack, and Mrs. Courtney were watching the episode, and Polly murmured: Glad I wasnt in Nolls shoes! Id have spoken my mind to the fellow.
No sooner had Eleanor found her friends than Mrs. Courtney got up and said: Are we ready to return to the White Crest?
And those who had witnessed the incident of Eleanors experience with the strange Cuban man instantly
followed Mrs. Courtneys lead.
The next day proved to be one of almost unbearable tropical heat. The tourists found it necessary to drive to the race-course in rickety old carriages, because Jack had forgotten to engage automobiles for his party and other American sportsmen had anticipated the demand and had commandeered every form of auto to be found.
Mid merry jests and amused calls to each other, the girls managed to finally dispose themselves in the worn-cushioned, shaky seats of the century old victorias, and at last Jack decided they were ready to start.
As these vehicles carry but few passengers at a time, it was necessary for so large a party to have four carriages, one after the other, as in a parade. The dark drivers grinned and displayed glistening white teeth at the wind-fall which would come their way that day, in driving these New Yorkers to the races.
The Dalken party was rattled along under long avenues of bamboo trees; past crowds of native holiday makers dressed in all their gala finery, who waved and shouted joyously at every passing vehicle; through banana plantations where the road led over slight knolls, or down through woods to ford a stream where the wheels of the laden carriages threatened to sink to the hubs in sand; then up again and over a dusty road where the heavy hoofs of the lazy horses caused choking clouds of dust to settle upon the passengers crowded so uncomfortably in the small equipages.
Finally the leading carriage in which sat Jack and Polly, with Mrs. Courtney as chaperone, reached a fenced in area where a number of uniformed guards tried to keep peepers from securing their view of the races for nothing. The darky driver knew exactly where to halt, and then he held out his hand for his fee.
You wait here where we can find you after the races, said Jack, without a move to take any money from his pocket.
Ah, no! You get drive here, me get money for it, retorted the driver.
But I hired you for the entire afternoon! You have only fulfilled part of the contract. When you deliver us at the wharf I pay in full, explained Jack.
Meanwhile Mr. Dalken had been having the same experience, but he paid the fee without stopping to consider the reason for the untimely demand. Finally, Jacks driver capitulated and resigned himself to the inevitable, and his three passengers hurriedly joined the rest of their party.
Jack came up just as Mr. Dalken counted out the last bill.
Good gracious, Dalky! Dont tell me you paid him! called Jack, impatiently.
The fellow was ready to call one of those ridiculous policemen over and arrest me, explained Mr. Dalken.
Hed have done nothing of the sort! Now you will have to walk back or crowd in with us. That rascal will hang about here until after the races end, then pick up the highest bidder for his rickety old chaise back to the city. If he had been made to wait for his fee he would have been too glad to take you back as agreed upon.
Never mind, Dalky, you shall sit upon my knee! laughed Eleanor, teasingly.
You may regret this kindly offer, Nolla, when the long dusty trip begins, retorted Mr. Dalken.
But further argument on the situation was interrupted by a vendor of cocoanut juice. Closely following this peddler came a bookmaker who had been forbidden an entrance to the course. He was sent the way of the vendor of drinks; and then came a gayly garbed black who invited the party to win great stakes at a new game but it was merely a decoy of the three-card monte gamble.