she could see those carts , dusty swatches of canvas tied down over bales of cloth on some and pyramids of tarred barrels on others ; could see the oxen , double-yoked and straining patiently , flicking their ears at the flies buzzing around their huge heads ; could hear voices , and laughter , and the piano in the saloon pounding out a lively tune like `` buffalo gals '' or `` darlin ' katy . ''