That the boot conquered was evident when the man crawled into the creaking bed, announcing defiantly, "If the landlord wants them boots off, let him come an' pull 'em off." Across the hall was a rattle of chips, and the voices of several men, occasionally raised in anger.

Now and then they would stamp on the floor as an order for liquid refreshments from below.

From somewhere beyond, the long-drawn melancholy howl of a distressed dog greeted the rising moon.
Out from all this pandemonium Keith began to unconsciously detect the sound of voices talking in the room to his left.

In the lull of obstructing sound a few words reached him through the slight open space between wall and ceiling.
"Hell, Bill, what's the use goin' out again when we haven't the price ?" "Oh, we might find Bart somewhere, and he'd stake us.

I guess I know enough to make him loosen up.