Final answer:
In the novel, the Virginian executes a prank where he deceives someone into believing a sack of flour is a dead baby as part of a fake ritual for killing a man, showcasing his cleverness and the book's rich characterizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the pranks played by the Virginian in the novel is when he tricks a newcomer into believing that a sack of flour is a deceased baby. The Virginian claims to be carrying out a ritual as punishment for killing a man, which involves toting the sack around. This vivid description of the prank moves the plot towards its climax and highlights the ingenuity of the Virginian's character. The unaware individual is both shocked and sympathetic until the truth is revealed, leading to uproarious laughter from the group who were in on the prank. This example serves to illustrate the novel's rich character portrayals and contributes to the complexities of the Virginian's character within the narrative.