While one man holds a gun on him, the other signs a statement that he will dance a cake-walk whenever the other insists; which means, when he is pointing a gun at him.
The cake walk arose among the Black slaves in America in imitation of the European dances their masters danced. It was very silly, and eventually caught on in theatrical performances, and early movies. As such, such dances formed parts of the musical programs of early movies. It was standard to have musical accompaniment of some sort; one can easily imagine standard music being ramped up for the actual dance sequences in this short.
The cake walk arose among the Black slaves in America in imitation of the European dances their masters danced. It was very silly, and eventually caught on in theatrical performances, and early movies. As such, such dances formed parts of the musical programs of early movies. It was standard to have musical accompaniment of some sort; one can easily imagine standard music being ramped up for the actual dance sequences in this short.