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+Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch
+       Schoolgirls Among Cowboys
+
+Author: Alice B. Emerson
+
+Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36398]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank, David Edwards and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRECKLES LEAPED UP, FRIGHTENED AND SNORTING.]
+
+
+
+
+                             Ruth Fielding
+                            At Silver Ranch
+
+                                   OR
+
+                     SCHOOLGIRLS AMONG THE COWBOYS
+                                   BY
+
+                            ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+               Author of “Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill,”
+                “Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall,” Etc.
+
+                             _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                         CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Books for Girls
+                          BY ALICE B. EMERSON
+                          RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+                       12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL
+                   Or, Jasper Parloe’s Secret.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL
+                   Or, Solving the Campus Mystery.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP
+                   Or, Lost in the Backwoods.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT
+                   Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+                   Or, Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys.
+
+                          Copyright, 1918, by
+                         Cupples & Leon Company
+
+                     Ruth Fielding in the Red Cross
+
+                          Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+        CHAPTER                                               PAGE
+             I. “Old Trouble-Maker”                              1
+            II. Bashful Ike                                     11
+           III. In Which Things Happen                          18
+            IV. The Fire Fight                                  30
+             V. “Old Trouble-Maker” Turned Loose                40
+            VI. The Roping Contest                              51
+           VII. Jane Ann Turns the Trick                        57
+          VIII. What Was on the Records                         66
+            IX. The Fox Is Reckless                             75
+             X. Ruth Shows Her Mettle                           83
+            XI. An Ursine Hold-Up                               89
+           XII. The Man From Tintacker                          97
+          XIII. The Party at the Schoolhouse                   103
+           XIV. Bashful Ike Comes Out Strong                   112
+            XV. “The Night Trick”                              123
+           XVI. The Joke That Failed                           136
+          XVII. The Stampede                                   143
+         XVIII. A Desperate Case                               150
+           XIX. The Man at Tintacker                           157
+            XX. The Wolf at the Door                           164
+           XXI. A Plucky Fight                                 171
+          XXII. Service Courageous                             178
+         XXIII. Bashful Ike Takes the Bit in His Teeth         185
+          XXIV. Coals of Fire                                  192
+           XXV. At the Old Red Mill Again                      199
+
+
+
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I—“OLD TROUBLE-MAKER”
+
+
+Where the Silver Ranch trail branches from the state road leading down
+into Bullhide, there stretch a rambling series of sheds, or “shacks,”
+given up to the uses of a general store and provision emporium; beside
+it is the schoolhouse. This place on the forked trails is called “The
+Crossing,” and it was the only place nearer than the town of Bullhide
+where the scattered population of this part of Montana could get any
+supplies.
+
+One of Old Bill Hicks’ herds was being grazed on that piece of rolling
+country, lying in the foothills, right behind the Crossing, and two of
+his cow punchers had ridden in for tobacco. Being within sight of rows
+upon rows of tinned preserves (the greatest luxury extant to the cowboy
+mind), and their credit being good with Lem Dickson, who kept the store,
+the two cattle herders—while their cayuses stood with drooping heads,
+their bridle-reins on the road before them—each secured a can of
+peaches, and sitting cross-legged on the porch before the store, opened
+the cans with their knives and luxuriated in the contents.
+
+“Old man’s nigh due, ain’t he?” asked Lem, the storekeeper, lowering
+himself into a comfortable armchair that he kept for his own particular
+use on the porch.
+
+“Gittin’ to Bullhide this mawnin’,” drawled one of the cowboys. “An’
+he’s got what he went for, too.”
+
+“Bill Hicks most usually does git what he goes after, don’t he?”
+retorted the storekeeper.
+
+The other puncher chuckled. “This time Old Bill come near goin’ out
+after _rabbit_ an’ only bringin’ back the _hair_,” he said. “Jane Ann is
+just as much of a Hicks as Bill himself—you take it from me. She made
+her bargain b’fore Old Bill got her headed back to the ranch, I reckon.
+Thar’s goin’ to be more newfangled notions at Silver Ranch from now on
+than you kin shake a stick at. You hear me!”
+
+“Old Bill can stand scattering a little money around as well as any man
+in this State,” Lem said, ruminatively. “He’s made it; he’s saved it;
+now he might’s well l’arn to spend some of it.”
+
+“And he’s begun. Jane Ann’s begun for him, leastways,” said one of the
+cowboys. “D’ye know what Mulvey brought out on his wagon last Sat’day?”
+
+“I knowed he looked like pitchers of ‘movin’ day’ in New York City, or
+Chicago, when he passed along yere,” grunted the storekeeper. “Eight
+head o’ mules he was drivin’.”
+
+“He sure was,” agreed the cow puncher. “There was all sorts of trucks
+and gew-gaws. But the main thing was a pinanner.”
+
+“A piano?”
+
+“That’s what I said. And that half-Injun, Jib Pottoway, says he kin play
+on the thing. But it ain’t to be unboxed till the boss and Jane Ann
+comes.”
+
+“And they’ll be gittin’ along yere some time to-day,” said the other
+cowboy, throwing his empty tin away. “And when they come, Lem, they’re
+sure goin’ to surprise yuh.”
+
+“What with?”
+
+“With what they sail by yere in,” drawled the puncher.
+
+“Huh? what’s eatin’ on you, Bud? Old Bill ain’t bought an airship, has
+he?”
+
+“Mighty nigh as bad,” chuckled the other. “He’s bought Doosenberry’s big
+automobile, I understand, and Jane Ann’s brought a bunch of folks with
+her that she met down East, and they’re just about goin’ to tear the
+vitals out o’ Silver Ranch—now you hear me!”
+
+“A steam wagon over these trails!” grunted the storekeeper. “Waal!”
+
+“And wait till Old Bill sees a bunch of his steers go up in the air when
+they sets eyes on the choo-choo wagon,” chuckled Bud. “That’ll about
+finish the automobile business, I bet yuh!”
+
+“Come on, Bud!” shouted his mate, already astride his pony.
+
+The two cowboys were off and lashing their ponies to a sharp run in half
+a minute. Scarcely had they disappeared behind a grove of scrub trees on
+the wind-swept ridge beyond the store when the honk of an automobile
+horn startled the slow-motioned storekeeper out of his chair.
+
+A balloon of dust appeared far down the trail. Out of this there shot
+the long hood of a heavy touring car, which came chugging up the rise
+making almost as much noise as a steam roller. Lem Dickson shuffled to
+the door of the store and stuck his head within.
+
+“Sally!” he bawled. “Sally!”
+
+“Yes, Paw,” replied a sweet, if rather shrill, voice from the open
+stairway that led to the upper chamber of the store-building.
+
+“Here comes somebody I reckon you’ll wanter see,” bawled the old man.
+
+There was a light step on the stair; but it halted on the last tread and
+a lithe, red-haired, peachy complexioned girl looked into the big room.
+
+“Well, now, Paw,” she said, sharply. “You ain’t got me down yere for
+that bashful Ike Stedman, have you? For if he’s come prognosticating
+around yere again I declare I’ll bounce a bucket off his head. He’s the
+biggest gump!”
+
+“Come on yere, gal!” snapped her father. “I ain’t said nothin’ about
+Ike. This yere’s Bill Hicks an’ all his crowd comin’ up from Bullhide in
+a blamed ol’ steam waggin.”
+
+Sally ran out through the store and reached the piazza just as the
+snorting automobile came near and slowed down. A lithe, handsome, dark
+girl was at the wheel; beside her was a very pretty, plump girl with
+rosy cheeks and the brightest eyes imaginable; the third person crowded
+into the front seat was a youth who looked so much like the girl who was
+running the machine that they might have changed clothes and nobody
+would have been the wiser—save that Tom Cameron’s hair was short and his
+twin sister, Helen’s, was long and curly. The girl between the twins was
+Ruth Fielding.
+
+In the big tonneau of the car was a great, tall, bony man with an
+enormous “walrus” mustache and a very red face; beside him sat a rather
+freckled girl with snapping black eyes, who wore very splendid clothes
+as though she was not used to them. With this couple were a big, blond
+boy and three girls—one of them so stout that she crowded her companions
+on the seat into their individual corners, and packed them in there
+somewhat after the nature of sardines in a can.
+
+“Hello, Sally!” cried the girl in the very fine garments, stretching her
+hand out to greet the storekeeper’s daughter as the automobile came to a
+stop.
+
+“Hi, Lem!” bawled the man with the huge mustache. “Is Silver Ranch on
+the map yet, or have them punchers o’ mine torn the face of Nater all to
+shreds an’ only left me some o’ the pieces?”
+
+“I dunno ‘bout that, Bill,” drawled the fat storekeeper, shuffling down
+the steps in his list slippers, and finally reached and shaking the hand
+of Mr. William Hicks, owner of Silver Ranch. “But when some of your cows
+set their eyes on this contraption they’re goin’ to kick holes in the
+air—an’ that’s sartain!”
+
+“The cows will have to get used to seeing this automobile, Lem Dickson,”
+snapped the ranchman’s niece, who had been speaking with Sally. “For
+uncle’s bought it and it beats riding a cayuse, I tell you!”
+
+“By gollies!” grunted Bill Hicks, “it bucks wuss’n any critter I ever
+was astride of.” But he spoke softly, and nobody but the storekeeper
+noticed what he said.
+
+“Mean to say you’ve bought this old chuck-waggin from Doosenberry?”
+demanded the storekeeper.
+
+“Uh-huh,” nodded Mr. Hicks.
+
+“Wal, you’re gittin’ foolish-like in your old age, Bill,” declared his
+friend.
+
+“No I ain’t; I’m gittin’ wise,” retorted the ranchman, with a wide grin.
+
+“How’s that?”
+
+“I’m l’arnin’ how to git along with Jane Ann,” declared Mr. Hicks, with
+a delighted chortle, and pinching the freckled girl beside him.
+
+“Ouch!” exclaimed his niece. “What’s the matter, Uncle Bill?”
+
+“He says he’s bought this contraption to please you, Jane Ann,” said the
+storekeeper. “But what’ll Old Trouble-Maker do when he sees it—heh?”
+
+“Gee!” ejaculated the ranchman. “I never thought o’ that steer.”
+
+“I reckon Old Trouble-Maker will have to stand for it,” scoffed the
+ranchman’s niece, tossing her head. “Now, Sally, you ride out and see
+us. These girls from down East are all right. And we’re going to have
+heaps of fun at Silver Ranch after this.”
+
+Helen Cameron touched a lever and the big car shot ahead again.
+
+“She’s a mighty white girl, that Sally Dickson,” declared Jane Ann Hicks
+(who hated her name and preferred to be called “Nita”). “She’s taught
+school here at the Crossing for one term, too. And she’s sweet in spite
+of her peppery temper——”
+
+“What could you expect?” demanded the stout girl, smiling all over her
+face as she looked back at the red-haired girl at the store. “She has a
+more crimson topknot than the Fox here——”
+
+There came a sudden scream from the front seat of the automobile. The
+car, under Helen Cameron’s skillful manipulation, had turned the bend in
+the trail and the chapparel instantly hid the store and the houses at
+the Crossing. Right ahead of them was a rolling prairie, several miles
+in extent. And up the rise toward the trail was coming, in much dust, a
+bunch of cattle, with two or three punchers riding behind and urging the
+herd to better pasture.
+
+“Oh! see all those steers,” cried Ruth Fielding. “Do you own _all_ of
+them, Mr. Hicks?”
+
+“I reckon they got my brand on ’em, Miss,” replied the ranchman. “But
+that’s only a leetle bunch—can’t be more’n five hundred—coming up yere.
+I reckon, Miss Helen, that we’d better pull up some yere. If them cows
+sees us——”
+
+“See there! see there!” cried the stout girl in the back seat.
+
+As she spoke in such excitement, Helen switched off the power and braked
+the car. Out of the chapparel burst, with a frantic bellow, a huge black
+and white steer—wide horned, ferocious of aspect—quite evidently “on the
+rampage.” The noise of the passing car had brought him out of
+concealment. He plunged into the trail not ten yards behind the slowing
+car.
+
+“Goodness me!” shouted the big boy who sat beside Bill Hicks and his
+niece. “What kind of a beast is that? It’s almost as big as an
+elephant!”
+
+“Oh!” cried the girl called “The Fox.” “That surely isn’t the kind of
+cattle you have here, is it? He looks more like a buffalo. See! he’s
+coming after us!”
+
+The black and white steer _did_ look as savage as any old buffalo bull
+and, emitting a bellow, shook his head at the automobile and began to
+cast the dust up along his flanks with his sharp hoofs. He was indeed of
+a terrifying appearance.
+
+“It’s Old Trouble-Maker!” cried Jane Ann Hicks.
+
+“He looks just as though his name fitted him,” said Tom Cameron, who had
+sprung up to look back at the steer.
+
+At that moment the steer lowered his head and charged for the auto. The
+girls shrieked, and Tom cried:
+
+“Go ahead, Nell! let’s leave that beast behind.”
+
+Before his sister could put on speed again, however, the big boy, who
+was Bob Steele, sang out:
+
+“If you go on you’ll stampede that herd of cattle—won’t she, Mr. Hicks?
+Why, we’re between two fires, that’s what we are!”
+
+“And they’re both going to be hot,” groaned Tom. “Why, that Old
+Trouble-Maker will climb right into this car in half a minute!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II—BASHFUL IKE
+
+
+The situation in the big automobile was quite as serious as Tom and Bob
+believed, and there was very good reason for the girls to express their
+fright in a chorus of screams. But Ruth Fielding, and her chum, Helen,
+on the front seat, controlled themselves better than the other Eastern
+girls; Jane Ann Hicks never said a word, but her uncle looked quite as
+startled as his guests.
+
+“I am sartainly graveled!” muttered the ranchman, staring all around for
+some means of saving the party from disaster. “Hi gollies! if I only had
+a leetle old rope now——”
+
+But he had no lariat, and roping a mad steer from an automobile would
+certainly have been a new experience for Bill Hicks. He had brought the
+party of young folk out to Montana just to give his niece pleasure, and
+having got Ruth Fielding and her friends here, he did not want to spoil
+their visit by any bad accident. These young folk had been what Bill
+Hicks called “mighty clever” to his Jane Ann when she had been castaway
+in the East, and he had promised their friends to look out for them all
+and send them home in time for school in the Fall with the proper
+complement of legs and arms, and otherwise whole as to their physical
+being.
+
+Ruth Fielding, after the death of her parents when she was quite a young
+girl, had left Darrowtown and all her old friends and home associations,
+to live with her mother’s uncle, at the Red Mill, on the Lumano River,
+near Cheslow in York State. Her coming to Uncle Jabez Potter’s, and her
+early adventures about the mill, were related in the first volume of
+this series, entitled “Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper
+Parloe’s Secret.”
+
+Ruth had found Uncle Jabez very hard to get along with, for he was a
+miser and his kinder nature had been crusted over by years of hoarding
+and selfishness; but through a happy turn of circumstances Ruth was
+enabled to get at the heart of her crotchety old uncle, and when Ruth’s
+dearest friend, Helen Cameron, planned to go to boarding school, Uncle
+Jabez was won over to the scheme of sending the girl with her. The fun
+and work of that first term at school is related in the second volume of
+the series, entitled “Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; Or, Solving the
+Campus Mystery.”
+
+For the mid-winter vacation Ruth accompanied Helen and other school
+friends to Mr. Cameron’s hunting camp, up toward the Canadian line. In
+“Ruth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the Backwoods,” the girls and
+some of their boy friends experience many adventures and endure some
+hardship and peril while lost in the snow-shrouded forest.
+
+One of Ruth’s chums, Jennie Stone, otherwise known as “Heavy,” invited
+her to Lighthouse Point, with a party of young people, for part of the
+summer vacation; and although Uncle Jabez was in much trouble over his
+investment in the Tintacker Mine, which appeared to be a swindle, the
+old miller had allowed Ruth to accompany her friends to the seashore
+because he had already promised her the outing. In “Ruth Fielding at
+Lighthouse Point; Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway,” is narrated all the fun
+and delightful experiences the girl of the Red Mill and her friends had
+at the seaside; including the saving of a girl from the wreck of a
+lumber schooner, a miss who afterward proved to be Jane Ann Hicks, the
+niece of a very wealthy Montana ranch owner. The girl had run away from
+the ranch and from her guardian and calls herself Nita, “because the
+girl in the paper-covered novel was called Nita.”
+
+That was just the sort of a romantic, foolish girl Jane Ann Hicks was;
+but she learned a few things and was glad to see her old uncle, rough as
+he was, when he came hunting for her. And Mr. Bill Hicks had learned a
+few things, too. He had never seen people spend money before he came
+East, and he had not understood Jane Ann’s longing for the delicate and
+beautiful things in life. He saw, too, that a girl could not be properly
+brought up on a cattle ranch, with nothing but cow punchers and Indians
+and Mexican women about, and Mr. Hicks had determined to give his niece
+“a right-down good time,” as he expressed it.
+
+It was to give Jane Ann pleasure, and because of the kindness of Ruth
+and her friends to his niece, that Mr. Bill Hicks had arranged this trip
+West for the entire party, on a visit to Silver Ranch. But the old
+gentleman did not want their introduction to the ranch to be a tragedy.
+And with the herd of half-wild cattle ahead, and Old Trouble-Maker
+thundering along the trail behind the motor car, it did look as though
+the introduction of the visitors to the ranch was bound to be a
+strenuous one.
+
+“Do go ahead, Helen!” cried Madge Steele, Bob’s elder sister, from the
+back seat of the tonneau. “Why, that beast may climb right in here!”
+
+Helen started the car again; but at that her brother and Ruth cried out
+in chorus:
+
+“Don’t run us into the herd, Helen!”
+
+“What under the sun shall I _do_?” cried Miss Cameron. “I can’t please
+you all, that’s sure.”
+
+“Oh, see that beast!” shrieked The Fox, who was likewise on the back
+seat. “I want to get out!”
+
+“Then the brute will catch you, sure,” said Bob Steele.
+
+“Sit still!” commanded Mr. Hicks. “And stop the car, Miss! Better to be
+bunted by Old Trouble-Maker than set that whole bunch off on a
+stampede.”
+
+“Mercy me!” cried Mary Cox. “I should think it would be better to
+frighten those cows in front than to be horned to death by this big
+beast from the rear.”
+
+“Sit still,” said Jane Ann, grimly. “We won’t likely be hurt by either.”
+
+Old Trouble-Maker did look awfully savage. Bellowing with rage, he
+thundered along after the car. Helen had again brought the automobile to
+a stop, this time at Bill Hicks’ command. The next moment the girls
+screamed in chorus, for the car jarred all over.
+
+Crash went a rear lamp. About half a yard of paint and varnish was
+scraped off, and the car itself was actually driven forward, despite the
+brake being set, by the sheer weight of the steer.
+
+“If we could git the old cart turned around and headed the other way!”
+groaned the ranchman.
+
+“I believe I can turn it, Mr. Hicks,” cried Helen, excitedly.
+
+But just then the steer, that had fallen back a few yards, charged
+again. “Bang!” It sounded like the exploding of a small cannon. Old
+Trouble-Maker had punctured a rear tire, and the car slumped down on
+that side. Helen couldn’t start it now, for the trail was too rough to
+travel with a flattened tire.
+
+The black and white steer, with another furious bellow, wheeled around
+the back of the car and then came full tilt for the side. Heavy screamed
+at the top of her voice:
+
+“Oh, take me home! I never did want to go to a dairy farm. _I just
+abominate cows!_”
+
+But the crowd could not laugh. Huddled together in the tonneau, it
+looked as though Old Trouble-Maker would certainly muss them up a whole
+lot! Jane Ann and her uncle hopped out on the other side and called the
+others to follow. At that moment, with a whoop and a drumming of hoofs,
+a calico cow pony came racing along the trail toward the stalled car. On
+the back of this flying pony was a lanky, dust-covered cowboy, swinging
+a lariat in approved fashion.
+
+“Hold steady, boss!” yelled this apparition, and then let the coils of
+the rope whistle through the air. The hair line uncoiled like a writhing
+serpent and dropped over the wide-spread horns of Old Trouble-Maker.
+Then the calico pony came to an abrupt halt, sliding along the ground
+with all four feet braced.
+
+“Zip!” the noose tightened and the steer brought up with a suddenness
+that threatened to dislocate his neck. Down the beast fell, roaring a
+different tune. Old Trouble-Maker almost turned a somersault, while Jane
+Ann, dancing in delight, caught off her very modern and high-priced hat
+and swung it in the air.
+
+“Hurrah for Bashful Ike!” she shouted. “He’s the best little old boy
+with the rope that ever worked for the Silver outfit. Hurrah!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III—IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN
+
+
+The cow puncher who had rescued them was a fine looking, bronzed fellow,
+with heavy sheepskin chaps on his legs, a shirt open at the throat, his
+sleeves rolled up displaying muscular arms, and twinkling eyes under the
+flapping brim of his great hat. While he “snubbed” the big steer to his
+knees again as the bellowing creature tried to rise, he looked down with
+a broad smile upon the sparkling face of the Western girl.
+
+“Why, bless yo’ heart, honey,” he said, in a soft, Southern droll, “if
+you want me to, I’ll jest natwcher’ly cinch my saddle on Old
+Trouble-Maker an’ ride him home for yo’. It certainly is a cure for sore
+eyes to see you again.”
+
+“And I’m glad to see you, Ike. And these are all my friends. I’ll
+introduce you and the boys to them proper at the ranch,” cried the
+Western girl.
+
+“Git that bellowin’ critter away from yere, Ike,” commanded Mr. Hicks.
+“I ’low the next bunch that goes to the railroad will include that black
+and white abomination.”
+
+“Jest so, Boss,” drawled his foreman. “I been figurin’ Old Trouble-Maker
+better be in the can than on the hoof. He’s made a plumb nuisance of
+himself. Yo’ goin’ on, Boss? Bud and Jimsey’s got that bunch out o’ the
+way of your smoke-waggin.”
+
+“We’ve got to shift tires, Mr. Hicks,” said Tom Cameron, who, with his
+chum, Bob Steele, was already jacking up the rear axle. “That steer
+ripped a long hole in this tire something awful.”
+
+Bashful Ike—who didn’t seem at all bashful when it came to handling the
+big black and white steer—suddenly let that bellowing beast get upon his
+four feet. Then he swooped down upon the steer, gathering up the coils
+of his rope as he rode, twitched the noose off the wide horns, and
+leaning quickly from his saddle grabbed the “brush” of the steer’s tail
+and gave that appendage a mighty twist.
+
+Bellowing again, but for an entirely different reason, the steer started
+off after the bunch of cattle now disappearing in the dust-cloud, and
+the foreman spurred his calico pony after Old Trouble-Maker, yelling at
+the top of his voice at every jump of his pony:
+
+“Ye-ow! ye-ow! ye-ow!”
+
+“I declare I’m glad to see those cattle out of the way,” said Helen
+Cameron, with a sigh.
+
+“I believe you,” returned Ruth, who was still beside her on the front
+seat. “I just didn’t realize before that cattle on the range are a whole
+lot different from a herd of cows in an eastern pasture.”
+
+Tom and Bob got the new tire in place and pumped up, and then the
+automobile started again for the ranch house. Jane Ann was quite excited
+over her home-coming; anybody could see that with half an eye. She clung
+to her uncle’s hand and looked at him now and again as though to assure
+the old fellow that she really was glad to be home.
+
+And Bill Hicks himself began to “fill into the picture” now that he was
+back in Montana. The young folks had seen many men like him since
+leaving Denver.
+
+“Why, he’s just an old dear!” whispered Ruth to Helen, as the latter
+steered the car over the rough trail. “And just as kind and considerate
+as he can be. It’s natural chivalry these Western men show to women,
+isn’t it?”
+
+“He’s nice,” agreed Helen. “But he never ought to have named his niece
+‘Jane Ann.’ That was a mean trick to play on a defenseless baby.”
+
+“He’s going to make it up to her now,” chuckled Tom, who heard this,
+being on the front seat with the two chums. “I know the ‘pinanner’ has
+gone on ahead, as he promised Nita. And carpets and curtains, too. I
+reckon this ranch we’re coming to is going to ‘blossom like the rose.’”
+
+When they came in sight of Silver Ranch, just before evening, the guests
+from the East were bound to express their appreciation of the beauty of
+its surroundings. It was a low, broad verandahed house, covering a good
+deal of ground, with cookhouses and other outbuildings in the rear, and
+a big corral for the stock, and bunkhouses for the men. It lay in a
+beautiful little valley—a “coulie,” Jane Ann, or Nita, called it—with
+green, sloping sides to the saucer-like depression, and a pretty,
+winding stream breaking out of the hollow at one side.
+
+“I should think it would be damp down there,” said Madge Steele, to the
+ranchman. “Why didn’t you build your house on a knoll?”
+
+“Them sidehills sort o’ break the winds, Miss,” explained Mr. Hicks. “We
+sometimes git some wind out yere—yes, ma’am! You’d be surprised.”
+
+They rode down to the big house and found a wide-smiling Mexican woman
+waiting for them on the porch. Jane Ann greeted her as “Maria” and Hicks
+sent her back to the kitchen to hurry supper. But everybody about the
+place, even Maria’s husband, the “horse wrangler,” a sleek looking
+Mexican with rings in his ears and a broken nose, found a chance to
+welcome the returned runaway.
+
+“My! it’s great to be a female prodigal, isn’t it?” demanded Heavy,
+poking Jane Ann with her forefinger. “Aren’t you glad you ran away
+East?”
+
+The Western girl took it good-naturedly. “I’m glad I came back, anyway,”
+she acknowledged. “And I’m awfully glad Ruth and Helen and you-all could
+come with me.”
+
+“Well, we’re here, and I’m delighted,” cried Helen Cameron. “But I
+didn’t really expect either Ruth or Mary Cox would come. Mary’s got such
+trouble at home; and Ruth’s uncle is just as cross as he can be.”
+
+Ruth heard that and shook her head, for all the girls were sitting on
+the wide veranda of the ranch-house after removing the traces of travel
+and getting into the comfortable “hack-about” frocks that Jane Ann had
+advised them to bring with them.
+
+“Uncle Jabez is in great trouble, sure,” Ruth said. “Losing money—and a
+whole lot of money, too, as he has—is a serious matter. Uncle Jabez
+could lose lots of things better than he can money, for he loves money
+so!”
+
+“My gracious, Ruth,” exclaimed Helen, with a sniff, “you’d find an
+excuse for a dog’s running mad, I do believe! You are bound to see the
+best side of anybody.”
+
+“What you say isn’t very clear,” laughed her chum, good-humoredly; “but
+I guess I know what you mean, and thank you for the compliment. I only
+hope that uncle’s investment in the Tintacker Mine will come out all
+right in the end.”
+
+Mary Cox, “The Fox,” sat next to Ruth, and at this she turned to listen
+to the chums. Her sharp eyes sparkled and her face suddenly grew pale,
+as Ruth went on:
+
+“I expect Uncle Jabez allowed me to come out here partly because that
+mine he invested in is supposed to be somewhere in this district.”
+
+“Oh!” said Helen. “A real mine?”
+
+“That is what is puzzling Uncle Jabez, as I understand it,” said Ruth
+soberly. “He isn’t sure whether it is a _real_ mine, or not. You see, he
+is very close mouthed, as well as close in money matters. He never said
+much to me about it. But old Aunt Alvirah told me all she knew.
+
+“You see, that young man came to the mill as an agent for a vacuum
+cleaner, and he talked Uncle Jabez into buying one for Aunt Alvirah.
+Now, you must know he was pretty smart to talk money right out of
+Uncle’s pocket for any such thing as that,” and Ruth laughed; but she
+became grave in a moment, and continued:
+
+“Not that he isn’t as kind as he knows how to be to Aunt Alvirah; but
+the fact that the young man made his sale so quickly gave Uncle Jabez a
+very good opinion of his ability. So they got to talking, and the young
+man told uncle about the Tintacker Mine.”
+
+“Gold or silver?” asked Helen.
+
+“Silver. The young fellow was very enthusiastic. He knew something about
+mines, and he had been out here to see this one. It had been the only
+legacy, so he said, that his father had left his family. He was the
+oldest, and the only boy, and his mother and the girls depended upon
+him. Their circumstances were cramped, and if he could not work this
+Tintacker Mine he did not know how he should support the family. There
+was money needed to develop the mine and—I am not sure—but I believe
+there was some other man had a share in it and must be bought out. At
+least, uncle furnished a large sum of money.”
+
+“And then?” demanded Helen Cameron.
+
+“Why, then the young man came out this way. Aunt Alvirah said that Uncle
+Jabez got one letter from Denver and another from a place called Butte,
+Montana. Then nothing more came. Uncle’s letters have been unanswered.
+That’s ever since some time last winter. You see, uncle hates to spend
+more money, I suppose. He maybe doesn’t know how to have the mine
+searched for. But he told me that the young man said something about
+going to Bullhide, and I am going to try to find out if anybody knows
+anything about the Tintacker Mine the first time we drive over to town.”
+
+All this time Mary Cox had been deeply interested in what Ruth said. It
+was not often that The Fox paid much attention to Ruth Fielding, for she
+held a grudge against the girl of the Red Mill, and had, on several
+occasions, been very mean to Ruth. On the other hand, Ruth had twice
+aided in saving The Fox from drowning, and had the latter not been a
+very mean-spirited girl she would have been grateful to Ruth.
+
+About the time that Ruth had completed her story of the Tintacker Mine
+and the utter disappearance of the young man who had interested her
+Uncle Jabez in that mysterious silver horde, Jane Ann called them all to
+supper. A long, low-ceiled, cool apartment was the dining-room at Silver
+Ranch. Through a long gallery the Mexican woman shuffled in with the hot
+viands from the kitchen. Two little dark-skinned boys helped her; they
+were Maria’s children.
+
+At supper Mr. Hicks took the head of the long table and Jane Ann did the
+honors at the other end. There were the Cameron twins, and Madge and
+Bob, and Jennie Stone and Mary Cox, beside Ruth Fielding herself. It was
+a merry party and they sat long over the meal; before they arose from
+the table, indeed, much shuffling and low voices and laughter, together
+with tobacco smoke, announced the presence of some of the cowboys
+outside.
+
+“The boys is up yere to hear that pinanner,” said Mr. Hicks. “Jib’s got
+it ready to slip out o’ the box and we’ll lift it into the other
+room—there’s enough of us huskies to do it—and then you young folks can
+start something.”
+
+Jane Ann was delighted with the handsome upright instrument. She had
+picked it out herself in New York, and it had been shipped clear across
+the continent ahead of the private car that had brought the party to
+Bullhide. The jarring it had undergone had not improved its tone; but
+Helen sat down to it and played a pretty little medley that pleased the
+boys at the windows.
+
+“Now, let Ruth sing,” urged Jane Ann. “The boys like singing; give ’em
+something they can join in on the chorus like—that’ll tickle ’em into
+fits!”
+
+So Ruth sang such familiar songs as she could remember. And then Helen
+got her violin and Madge took her place at the piano, and they played
+for Ruth some of the more difficult pieces that the latter had learned
+at Briarwood—for Ruth Fielding possessed a very sweet and strong voice
+and had “made the Glee Club” during the first half of her attendance at
+Briarwood Hall.
+
+The boys applauded from the veranda. There was at least a dozen of the
+ranchman’s employes at the home corral just then. Altogether Mr. Hicks
+paid wages to about sixty punchers and horse wranglers. They were coming
+and going between the home ranch and the ranges all the time.
+
+The girls from the East gave the Silver Ranch cowboys a nice little
+concert, and then Jane Ann urged Jib Pottoway to come to the piano. The
+half-breed was on the veranda in the dusk, with the other fellows, but
+he needed urging.
+
+“Here, you Jibbeway!” exclaimed Mr. Hicks. “You hike yourself in yere
+and tickle these ivories a whole lot. These young ladies ain’t snakes;
+an’ they won’t bite ye.”
+
+The backward puncher was urged on by his mates, too, and finally he came
+in, stepping through the long window and sliding onto the piano bench
+that had been deserted by Madge. He was a tall, straight, big-boned
+young man, with dark, keen face, and the moment Tom Cameron saw him he
+seized Bob by the shoulder and whispered eagerly:
+
+“I know that fellow! He played fullback with Carlisle when they met
+Cornell three years ago. Why, he’s an educated man—he must be! And
+punching cattle out on this ranch!”
+
+“Guess you forget that Theodore Roosevelt punched cattle for a while,”
+chuckled Bob. “Listen to that fellow play, will you?”
+
+And the Indian could—as Mr. Hicks remarked—“tickle the ivories.” He
+played by ear, but he played well. Most of the tunes he knew were
+popular ditties and by and by he warmed the punchers up so that they
+began to hum their favorite melodies as Jib played them.
+
+“Come on, there, Ike!” said the Indian, suddenly. “Give us that ‘Prayer’
+you’re so fond of. Come on, now, Ike!”
+
+Bashful Ike evidently balked a little, but Jib played the accompaniment
+and the melody through, and finally the foreman of Silver Ranch broke in
+with a baritone roar and gave them “The Cowboy’s Prayer.” Ike possessed
+a mellow voice and the boys hummed in chorus in the dusk, and it all
+sounded fine until suddenly Jib Pottoway broke off with a sudden
+discordant crash on the piano keys.
+
+“Hel-lo!” exclaimed Bill Hicks, who had lain back in his wicker lounging
+chair, with his big feet in wool socks on another chair, enjoying all
+the music. “What’s happened the pinanner, Jib? You busted it? By jings!
+that cost me six hundred dollars at the Bullhide station.”
+
+But then his voice fell and there was silence both in the room and on
+the veranda. The sound of galloping hoofs had shut the ranchman up. A
+pony was approaching on a dead run, and the next moment a long, loud
+“Ye-ow! ye-ow!” announced the rider’s excitement as something
+extraordinary.
+
+“Who’s that, Ike?” cried Hicks, leaping from his chair.
+
+“Scrub Weston,” said the foreman as he clumped down the veranda steps.
+
+Jib slipped through the window. Hicks followed him on the jump, and Jane
+Ann led the exodus of the visitors. There was plainly something of an
+exciting nature at hand. A pony flashed out of the darkness and slid to
+a perilous halt right at the steps.
+
+“Hi, Boss!” yelled the cowboy who bestrode the pony. “Fire’s sweeping up
+from Tintacker way! I bet it’s that Bughouse Johnny the boys have chased
+two or three times. He’s plumb loco, that feller is—oughtn’t to be left
+at large. The whole chapparel down that a-way is blazin’ and, if the
+wind rises, more’n ha’f of your grazin’ll be swept away.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV—THE FIRE FIGHT
+
+
+The guests had followed Mr. Hicks and Jib out of the long window and had
+heard the cow puncher’s declaration. There was no light in the sky as
+far as the girls could see—no light of a fire, at least—but there seemed
+to be a tang of smoke; perhaps the smoke clung to the sweating horse and
+its rider.
+
+“You got it straight, Scrub Weston?” demanded Bill Hicks. “This ain’t no
+burn you’re givin’ us?”
+
+“Great piping Peter!” yelled the cowboy on the trembling pony, “it’ll be
+a burn all right if you fellows don’t git busy. I left Number Three
+outfit fighting the fire the best they knew; we’ve had to let the cattle
+drift. I tell ye, Boss, there’s more trouble brewin’ than you kin shake
+a stick at.”
+
+“‘Nuff said!” roared Hicks. “Get busy, Ike. You fellers saddle and light
+out with Scrub. Rope you another hawse out o’ the corral, Scrub; you’ve
+blamed near killed that one.”
+
+“Oh! is it really a prairie fire?” asked Ruth, of Jane Ann. “Can’t we
+see it?”
+
+“You bet we will,” declared the ranchman’s niece. “Leave it to me. I’ll
+get the horse-wrangler to hitch up a pair of ponies and we’ll go over
+there. Wish you girls could ride.”
+
+“Helen rides,” said Ruth, quickly.
+
+“But not our kind of horses, I reckon,” returned Jane Ann, as she
+started after the cowboys. “But Tom and Bob can have mounts. Come on,
+boys!”
+
+“We’ll get into trouble, like enough, if we go to this fire,” objected
+Madge Steele.
+
+“Come on!” said Heavy. “Don’t let’s show the white feather. These folks
+will think we haven’t any pluck at all. Eastern girls can be just as
+courageous as Western girls, I believe.”
+
+But all the time Ruth was puzzling over something that the cowboy, Scrub
+Weston, had said when he gave warning of the fire. He had mentioned
+Tintacker and suggested that the fire had been set by somebody whom Ruth
+supposed the cowboys must think was crazy—otherwise she could not
+explain that expression, “Bughouse Johnny.” These range riders were very
+rough of speech, but certainly their language was expressive!
+
+This Tintacker Mine in which she was so deeply interested—for Uncle
+Jabez’s sake—must be very near the ranch. Ruth desired to go to the mine
+and learn if it was being worked; and she proposed to learn the whole
+history of the claim and look up the recording of it, as well. Of
+course, the young man who had gotten Uncle Jabez to invest in the silver
+mine had shown him deeds and the like; but these papers might have been
+forged. Ruth was determined to clear up the mystery of the Tintacker
+Mine before she left Silver Ranch for the East again.
+
+Just now, however, she as well as the other guests of Jane Ann Hicks was
+excited by the fire on the range. They got jackets, and by the time all
+the girls were ready Maria’s husband had a pair of half-wild ponies
+hitched to the buckboard. Bob elected to drive the ponies, and he and
+the five girls got aboard the vehicle while the restive ponies were held
+by the Mexican.
+
+Tom and Jane Ann had each saddled a pony. Jane Ann rode astride like a
+boy, and she was up on a horse that seemed to be just as crazy as he
+could be. Her friends from the East feared all the time that Jane Ann
+would be thrown.
+
+“Let ’em go, Jose!” commanded the Silver Ranch girl. “You keep right
+behind me, Mr. Steele—follow me and Mr. Tom. The trail ain’t good, but I
+reckon you won’t tip over your crowd if you’re careful.”
+
+The girls on the buckboard screamed at that; But it was too late to
+expostulate—or back out from going on the trip. The half-wild ponies
+were off and Bob had all he could do to hold them. Old Bill Hicks and
+his punchers had swept away into the starlit night some minutes before
+and were now out of both sight and hearing. As the party of young folk
+got out of the coulie, riding over the ridge, they saw a dull glow far
+down on the western horizon.
+
+“The fire!” cried Ruth, pointing.
+
+“That’s what it is,” responded Jane Ann, excitedly. “Come on!”
+
+She raced ahead and Tom spurred his mount after her. Directly in their
+wake lurched the buckboard, with the excited Bob snapping the
+long-lashed whip over the ponies’ backs. The vehicle pitched and jerked,
+and traveled sometimes on as few as two wheels; the girls were jounced
+about unmercifully, and The Fox and Helen squealed.
+
+“I’m—be—ing—jolt—ed—to—a—jel—ly!” gasped Heavy. “I’ll be—one sol—id
+bruise.”
+
+But Bob did not propose to be left behind by Jane Ann and Tom Cameron,
+and Madge showed her heartlessness by retorting on the stout girl:
+
+“You’ll be solid, all right, Jennie, never mind whether you are bruised
+or not. You know that you’re no ‘airy, fairy Lillian.’”
+
+But the rate at which they were traveling was not conducive to
+conversation; and most of the time the girls clung on and secretly hoped
+that Bob would not overturn the buckboard. The ponies seemed desirous of
+running away all the time.
+
+The rosy glow along the skyline increased; and now flames leaped—yellow
+and scarlet—rising and falling, while the width of the streak of fire
+increased at both ends. Luckily there was scarcely any wind. But the
+fire certainly was spreading.
+
+The ponies tore along under Bob’s lash and Jane Ann and Tom did not
+leave them far behind. Over the rolling prairie they fled and so rapidly
+that Hicks and his aides from the ranch-house were not far in advance
+when the visitors came within unrestricted view of the flames.
+
+Jane Ann halted and held up her hand to Bob to pull in the ponies when
+they topped a ridge which was the final barrier between them and the
+bottom where the fire burned. For several miles the dry grass, scrub,
+and groves of trees had been blackened by the fire. Light smoke clouds
+drifted away from the line of flame, which crackled sharply and advanced
+in a steady march toward the ridge on which the spectators were perched.
+
+“My goodness me!” exclaimed Heavy. “You couldn’t put _that_ fire out by
+spilling a bucket of water on it, could you?”
+
+The fire line was several miles long. The flames advanced slowly; but
+here and there, where it caught in a bunch of scrub, the tongues of fire
+mounted swiftly into the air for twenty feet, or more; and in these
+pillars of fire lurked much danger, for when a blast of wind chanced to
+swoop down on them, the flames jumped!
+
+Toiling up the ridge, snorting and bellowing, tails in air and horns
+tossing, drifted a herd of several thousand cattle, about ready to
+stampede although the fire was not really chasing them. The danger lay
+in the fact that the flames had gained such headway, and had spread so
+widely, that the entire range might be burned over, leaving nothing for
+the cattle to eat.
+
+The rose-light of the flames showed the spectators all this—the black
+smooch of the fire-scathed land behind the barrier of flame, the
+flitting figures on horseback at the foot of the ridge, and the herd of
+steers going over the rise toward the north—and the higher foothills.
+
+“But what can they do?” gasped Ruth.
+
+“They’re back-firing,” Tom said, holding in his pony. Tom was a good
+horseman and it was evident that Jane Ann was astonished at his riding.
+“But over yonder where they tried it, the flames jumped ahead through
+the long grass and drove the men into their saddles again.”
+
+“See what those fellows are doing!” gasped Madge, standing up. “They’re
+roping those cattle—isn’t that what you call it, _roping_?”
+
+“And hog-tieing them,” responded Jane Ann, eagerly. “That’s Jib—and
+Bashful Ike. There! that’s an axe Ike’s got. He’s going to slice up that
+steer.”
+
+“Oh, dear me! what for?” cried Helen.
+
+“Why, the butchering act—right here and now?” demanded Heavy. “Aren’t
+thinking of having a barbecue, are they?”
+
+“You watch,” returned the Western girl, greatly excited. “There! they’ve
+split that steer.”
+
+“I hope it’s the big one that bunted the automobile,” cried The Fox.
+
+“Well, you can bet it ain’t,” snapped Jane Ann. “Old Trouble-Maker is
+going to yield us some fun at brandin’ time—now you see.”
+
+But they were all too much interested just then in what was going on
+near at hand—and down at the fire line—to pay much attention to what
+Jane Ann said about Old Trouble-Maker. Bashful Ike and Jib Pottoway had
+split two steers “from stem to stern.” Two other riders approached, and
+the girls recognized one of them as Old Bill himself.
+
+“Tough luck, boys,” grumbled the ranchman. “Them critters is worth five
+cents right yere on the hoof; but that fire’s got to be smothered. Here,
+Jib! hitch my rope to t’other end of your half of that critter.”
+
+In a minute the ranchman and the half-breed were racing down the slope,
+their ponies on the jump, the half of the steer jumping behind them. At
+the line of fire Hicks made his frightened horse leap the flames, they
+jerked the half of the steer over so that the cloven side came in
+contact with the flames, and then both men urged their ponies along the
+fire line, right in the midst of the smoke and heat, dragging the
+bleeding side of beef across the sputtering flames.
+
+Ike and his mate started almost at once in the other direction, and both
+teams quenched the fire in good shape. Behind them other cowboys drew
+the halves of the second steer that had been divided, making sure of the
+quenching of the conflagration in the main; but there were still spots
+where the fire broke out again, and it was a couple of hours, and two
+more fat steers had been sacrificed, before it was safe to leave the
+fire line to the watchful care of only half a dozen, or so, of the range
+riders.
+
+It had been a bitter fight while it lasted. Tom and Bob, and Jane Ann
+herself had joined in it—slapping out the immature fires where they had
+sprung up in the grass from sparks which flew from the greater fires.
+But the ridge had helped retard the blaze so that it could be
+controlled, and from the summit the girls from the East had enjoyed the
+spectacle.
+
+Old Bill Hicks rode beside the buckboard when they started back for the
+ranch-house, and was very angry over the setting of the fire. Cow
+punchers are the most careful people in the world regarding fire-setting
+in the open. If a cattleman lights his cigarette, or pipe, he not only
+pinches out the match between his finger and thumb, but, if he is afoot,
+he stamps the burned match into the earth when he drops it.
+
+“That yere half-crazy tenderfoot oughter be put away somewhares, whar he
+won’t do no more harm to nobody,” growled the ranchman.
+
+“Do you expect he set it, Uncle?” demanded Jane Ann.
+
+“So Scrub says. He seen him camping in the cottonwoods along Larruper
+Crick this mawnin’. I reckon nobody but a confounded tenderfoot would
+have set a fire when it’s dry like this, noways.”
+
+Here Ruth put in a question that she had longed to ask ever since the
+fire scare began: “Who _is_ this strange man you call the tenderfoot?”
+
+“Dunno, Miss Ruth,” said the cattleman. “He’s been hanging ‘round yere a
+good bit since Spring. Or, he’s been seen by my men a good bit. When
+they’ve spoke to him he’s seemed sort of doped, or silly. They can’t
+make him out. And he hangs around closest to Tintacker.”
+
+“You’re interested in _that_, Ruth!” exclaimed Helen.
+
+“What d’you know about Tintacker, Miss?” asked Old Bill, curiously.
+
+“Tintacker is a silver mine, isn’t it?” asked Ruth, in return.
+
+“Tintacker used to be a right smart camp some years ago. Some likely
+silver claims was staked out ‘round there. But they petered out, and
+ain’t nobody raked over the old dumps, even, but some Chinamen, for ten
+year.”
+
+“But was there a particular mine called ‘Tintacker’?” asked Ruth.
+
+“Sure there was. First claim staked out. And it was a good one—for a
+while. But there ain’t nothin’ there now.”
+
+“You say this stranger hangs about there?” queried Tom, likewise
+interested.
+
+“He won’t for long if my boys find him arter this,” growled Hicks.
+“They’ll come purty close to running him out o’ this neck o’ woods—you
+hear me!”
+
+This conversation made Ruth even more intent upon solving the mystery of
+the Tintacker Mine, and her desire to see this strange “tenderfoot” who
+hung about the old mining claims increased. But she said nothing more at
+that time regarding the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V—“OLD TROUBLE-MAKER” TURNED LOOSE
+
+
+After getting to bed at midnight it could not be expected that the young
+people at Silver Ranch would be astir early on the morning following the
+fire scare. But Ruth, who was used to being up with the sun at the Red
+Mill—and sometimes a little before the orb of day—slipped out of the big
+room in which the six girls were domiciled when she heard the first stir
+about the corrals.
+
+When she came out upon the veranda that encircled the ranch-house,
+wreaths of mist hung knee-high in the coulee—mist which, as soon as the
+sun peeked over the hills, would be dissipated. The ponies were snorting
+and stamping at their breakfasts—great armfuls of alfalfa hay which the
+horse wranglers had pitched over the fence. Maria, the Mexican woman,
+came up from the cowshed with two brimming pails of milk, for the Silver
+Ranch boasted a few milch cows at the home place, and there had been
+sweet butter on the table at supper the night before—something which is
+usually very scarce on a cattle ranch.
+
+Ruth ran down to the corral and saw, on the bench outside the bunkhouse
+door, the row of buckets in which the boys had their morning plunge. The
+sleeping arrangements at Silver Ranch being rather primitive, Tom and
+Bob had elected to join the cowboys in the big bunkhouse, and they had
+risen as early as the punchers and made their own toilet in the buckets,
+too. The sheet-iron chimney of the chuckhouse kitchen was smoking, and
+frying bacon and potatoes flavored the keen air for yards around.
+
+Bashful Ike, the foreman, met the Eastern girl at the corner of the
+corral fence. He was a pleasant, smiling man; but the blood rose to the
+very roots of his hair and he got into an immediate perspiration if a
+girl looked at him. When Ruth bade him good-morning Ike’s cheeks began
+to flame and he grew instantly tongue-tied! Beyond nodding a greeting
+and making a funny noise in his throat he gave no notice that he was
+like other human beings and could talk. But Ruth had an idea in her mind
+and Bashful Ike could help her carry it through better than anybody
+else.
+
+“Mr. Ike,” she said, softly, “do you know about this man they say
+probably set the fire last night?”
+
+Ike gulped down something that seemed to be choking him and mumbled that
+he supposed he had seen the fellow “about once.”
+
+“Do you think he is crazy, Mr. Ike?” asked the Eastern girl.
+
+“I—I swanny! I couldn’t be sure as to that, Miss,” stammered the foreman
+of Silver Ranch. “The boys say he acts plumb locoed.”
+
+“‘Locoed’ means crazy?” she persisted.
+
+“Why, Miss, clear ‘way down south from us, ’long about the Mexican
+border, thar’s a weed grows called loco, and if critters eats it, they
+say it crazies ’em—for a while, anyway. So, Miss,” concluded Ike,
+stumbling less in his speech now, “if a man or a critter acts batty
+like, we say he’s locoed.”
+
+“I understand. But if this man they suspect of setting the fire is crazy
+he isn’t responsible for what he does, is he?”
+
+“Well, Miss, mebbe not. But we can’t have no onresponsible feller
+hangin’ around yere scatterin’ fire—no, sir!—ma’am, I mean,” Ike hastily
+added, his face flaming up like an Italian sunset again.
+
+“No; I suppose not. But I understand the man stays around that old camp
+at Tintacker, more than anywhere else?”
+
+“That’s so, I reckon,” agreed Ike. “The boys don’t see him often.”
+
+“Can’t you make the boys just scare him into keeping off the range,
+instead of doing him real harm? They seemed very angry about the fire.”
+
+“I dunno, Miss. Old Bill’s some hot under the collar himself—and he
+might well be. Last night’s circus cost him a pretty penny.”
+
+“Did you ever see this man they say is crazy?” demanded Ruth.
+
+“I told you I did oncet.”
+
+“What sort of a looking man is he?”
+
+“He ain’t no more’n a kid, Miss. That’s it; he’s jest a tenderfoot kid.”
+
+“A boy, you mean?” queried Ruth, anxiously.
+
+“Not much older than that yere whitehead ye brought with yuh,” said Ike,
+beginning to grin now that he had become a bit more familiar with the
+Eastern girl, and pointing at Bob Steele. “And he ain’t no bigger than
+him.”
+
+“You wouldn’t let your boys injure a young fellow like that, would you?”
+cried Ruth. “It wouldn’t be right.”
+
+“I dunno how I’m goin’ to stop ’em from mussin’ him up a whole lot if
+they chances acrost him,” said Ike, slowly. “He’d ought to be shut up,
+so he had.”
+
+“Granted. But he ought not to be abused. Another thing, Ike—I’ll tell
+you a secret.”
+
+“Uh-huh?” grunted the surprised foreman.
+
+“I want to see that young man awfully!” said Ruth. “I want to talk with
+him——”
+
+“Sufferin’ snipes!” gasped Ike, becoming so greatly interested that he
+forgot it was a girl he was talking with. “What you wanter see that
+looney critter for?”
+
+“Because I’m greatly interested in the Tintacker Mine, and they say this
+young fellow usually sticks to that locality,” replied Ruth, smiling on
+the big cow puncher. “Don’t you think I can learn to ride well enough to
+travel that far before we return to the East?”
+
+“To ride to Tintacker, Miss?” he asked.
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Why, suah, Miss!” cried Ike, cordially. “I’ll pick you-all out a nice
+pony what’s well broke, and I bet you’ll ride him lots farther than
+that. I’ll rope him now—I know jest the sort of a hawse you’d oughter
+ride——”
+
+“No; you go eat your breakfast with the other boys,” laughed Ruth,
+preparing to go back to the ranch-house. “Jane Ann says we’re all to
+have ponies to ride and she maybe will be disappointed if I don’t let
+her pick out mine for me,” added Ruth, with her usual regard for the
+feelings of her mates. “But I am going to depend on you, Mr. Ike, to
+teach me to ride.”
+
+“And when you want to ride over to Tintacker tuh interview that yere
+maverick, yo’ let me know, Miss,” said Bashful Ike. “I’ll see that yuh
+git thar with proper escort, and all that,” and he grinned sheepishly.
+
+Tom and Bob breakfasted with the punchers, but after the regular meal at
+the ranch-house the two boys hastened to join their girl friends. First
+they must all go to the corral and pick out their riding ponies. Helen,
+Madge and The Fox could ride fairly well; but Jane Ann had warned them
+that Eastern riding would not do on the ranch. Such a thing as a
+side-saddle was unknown, so the girls had all supplied themselves with
+divided skirts so that they could ride astride like the Western girl.
+Besides, a cow pony would not stand for the long skirt of a riding habit
+flapping along his flank.
+
+Now, Ruth had ridden a few times on Helen’s pony, and away back when she
+was a little girl she had ridden bareback on an old horse belonging to
+the blacksmith at Darrowtown. So she was not afraid to try the nervous
+little flea-bitten gray that Ike Stedman roped and saddled and bridled
+for her. Jane Ann declared it to be a favorite pony of her own, and
+although the little fellow did not want to stand while his saddle was
+being cinched, and stamped his cunning little feet on the ground a good
+bit, Ike assured the girl of the Red Mill that “Freckles,” as they
+called him, was “one mighty gentle hawse!”
+
+There was no use in the girls from the East showing fear; Ruth was too
+plucky to do that, anyway. She was not really afraid of the pony; but
+when she was in the saddle it did seem as though Freckles danced more
+than was necessary.
+
+These cow ponies never walk—unless they are dead tired; about Freckles’
+easiest motion was a canter that carried Ruth over the prairie so
+swiftly that her loosened hair flowed behind her in the wind, and for a
+time she could not speak—until she became adjusted to the pony’s motion.
+But she liked riding astride much better than on a side-saddle, and she
+soon lost her fear. Ike had given her some good advice about the holding
+of her reins so that a sharp pull on Freckles’ curb would instantly
+bring the pony down to a dead stop. The bashful one had screwed tiny
+spurs into the heels of her high boots and given her a light quirt, or
+whip.
+
+The other girls—all but Heavy—were, as we have seen, more used to riding
+than the girl of the Red Mill; but with the stout girl the whole party
+had a great deal of fun. Of course, Jennie Stone expected to cause
+hilarity among her friends; she “poked fun” at herself all the time, so
+could not object if the others laughed.
+
+“I’ll never in this world be able to get into a saddle without a kitchen
+chair to step upon,” Jennie groaned, as she saw the other girls choosing
+their ponies. “Mercy! if I got on that little Freckles, he’d squat right
+down—I know he would! You’ll have to find something bigger than these
+rabbits for _me_ to ride on.”
+
+At that she heard the girls giggling behind her and turned to face a
+great, droop-headed, long-eared roan mule, with hip bones that you could
+hang your hat on—a most forlorn looking bundle of bones that had
+evidently never recovered the climatic change from the river bottoms of
+Missouri to the uplands of Montana. Tom Cameron held the mule with a
+trace-chain around his neck and he offered the end of the chain to Heavy
+with a perfectly serious face.
+
+“I believe you’d better saddle this chap, Jennie,” said Tom. “You see
+how he’s built—the framework is great. I know he can hold you up all
+right. Just look at how he’s built.”
+
+“Looks like the steel framework of a skyscraper,” declared Heavy,
+solemnly. “Don’t you suppose I might fall in between the ribs if I
+climbed up on that thing? I thought you were a better friend to me than
+that, Tom Cameron. You’d deliberately let me risk my life by being
+tangled up in that moth-eaten bag o’ bones if it collapsed under me. No!
+I’ll risk one of these rabbits. I’ll have less distance to fall if I
+roll.”
+
+But the little cow ponies were tougher than the stout girl supposed. Ike
+weighed in the neighborhood of a hundred and eighty pounds—solid bone
+and muscle—and the cayuse that he bestrode when at work was no bigger
+than Ruth’s Freckles. They hoisted Heavy into the saddle, and Tom
+offered to lash her there if she didn’t feel perfectly secure.
+
+“You needn’t mind, Tommy,” returned the stout girl. “If, in the course
+of human events, it becomes necessary for me to disembark from this
+saddle, I’ll probably want to get down quick. There’s no use in
+hampering me. I take my life in my hand—with these reins—and—ugh! ugh!
+ugh!” she finished as, on her picking up the lines, her restive pony
+instantly broke into the liveliest kind of a trot.
+
+But after all, Heavy succeeded in riding pretty well; while Ruth, after
+an hour, was not afraid to let her pony take a pretty swift gait with
+her. Jane Ann, however, showed remarkable skill and made the Eastern
+girls fairly envious. She had ridden, of course, ever since she was big
+enough to hold bridle reins, and there were few of the punchers who
+could handle a horse better than the ranchman’s niece.
+
+But the visitors from the East did not understand this fact fully until
+a few days later, when the first bunch of Spring calves and yearlings
+were driven into a not far distant corral to be branded. Branding is one
+of the big shows on a cattle ranch, and Ruth and her chums did not
+intend to miss the sight; besides, some of the boys had corraled Old
+Trouble-Maker near by and promised some fancy work with the big black
+and white steer.
+
+“We’ll show you some roping now,” said Jane Ann, with enthusiasm. “Just
+cutting a little old cow out of that band in the corral and throwing it
+ain’t nothing. Wait till we turn Old Trouble-Maker loose.”
+
+The whole party rode over to the branding camp, and there was the black
+and white steer as wild as ever. While the branding was going on the big
+steer bellowed and stamped and tried to break the fence down. The smell
+of the burning flesh, and the bellowing of the calves and yearlings as
+their ears were slit, stirred the old fellow up.
+
+“Something’s due to happen when that feller gits turned out,” declared
+Jib Pottoway. “You goin’ to try to rope that contrary critter, Jane
+Ann?”
+
+“It’ll be a free-for-all race; Ike says so,” cried Jane Ann. “You wait!
+You boys think you’re so smart. I’ll rope that steer myself—maybe.”
+
+The punchers laughed at this boast; but they all liked Jane Ann and had
+it been possible to make her boast come true they would have seen to it
+that she won. But Old Trouble-Maker, as Jib said, “wasn’t a lady’s cow.”
+
+It was agreed that only a free-for-all dash for the old fellow would
+do—and out on the open range, at that. Old Trouble-Maker was to be
+turned out of the corral, given a five-rod start, and then the bunch who
+wanted to have a tussle with the steer would start for him. Just to make
+it interesting Old Bill Hicks had put up a twenty dollar gold piece, to
+be the property of the winner of the contest—that is, to the one who
+succeeded in throwing and “hog-tieing” Old Trouble-Maker.
+
+It was along in the cool of the afternoon when the bars of the small
+corral were let down and the steer was prodded out into the open. The
+old fellow seemed to know that there was fun in store for him. At first
+he pawed the ground and seemed inclined to charge the line of punchers,
+and even shook his head at the group of mounted spectators, who were
+bunched farther back on the hillside. Bashful Ike stopped _that_ idea,
+however, for, as master of ceremonies, he rode in suddenly and used his
+quirt on the big steer. With a bellow Old Trouble-Maker swung around and
+started for the skyline. Ike trotted on behind him till the steer passed
+the five-rod mark. Then pulling the big pistol that swung at his hip the
+foreman shot a fusilade into the ground which started the steer off at a
+gallop, tail up and head down, and spurred the punchers into instant
+action, as well.
+
+“Ye-yip!” yelled Bashful Ike. “Now let’s see what you ’ombres air good
+for with a rope. Go to it!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI—THE ROPING CONTEST
+
+
+With a chorus of “co-ees” and wild yells the cowboys of Silver Ranch
+dashed away on the race after the huge black and white steer. And Jane
+Ann, on her bay mustang, was right up with the leaders in the wild rush.
+It was indeed an inspiring sight, and the boys and girls from the East
+urged their own mounts on after the crowd with eagerness.
+
+“See Nita ride! isn’t she just wonderful?” cried Helen.
+
+“I don’t think there’s anything wonderful about it,” sneered The Fox, in
+her biting way. “She was almost _born_ on horseback, you know. It’s as
+natural to her as breathing.”
+
+“Bu—bu—but it shakes—you up—a good—bit more—than breath—breathing!”
+gasped Heavy, as her pony jounced her over the ground.
+
+Tom and Bob had raced ahead after the cowboys, and Ruth was right behind
+them. She had learned to sit the saddle with ease now, and she was
+beginning to learn to swing a rope; Ike was teaching her. Tom could
+really fling the lasso with some success; but of course he could not
+enter into this mad rush for a single steer.
+
+A twenty dollar gold piece was not to be scorned; and the cowboys were
+earnest in their attempt to make that extra twenty over and above their
+monthly stipend. But Jane Ann Hicks worked for the fun of it, and
+because she desired to show her Eastern friends how she excelled in
+horsemanship. There were so many other things which her friends knew, in
+which she was deficient!
+
+She was up with the leaders when they came within casting distance of
+the big steer. But the steer was wily; he dodged this way and that as
+they surrounded him, and finally one of the punchers got in an awkward
+position and Old Trouble-Maker made for him. The man couldn’t pull his
+pony out of the way as the steer made a short turn, and the old fellow
+came head on against the pony’s ribs. It was a terrific shock. It
+sounded like a man beating an empty rainwater barrel with a club!
+
+The poor pony was fairly lifted off his feet and rolled over and over on
+the ground. Luckily his rider kicked himself free of the stirrups and
+escaped the terrible horns of Old Trouble-Maker. The steer thundered on,
+paying no further attention to overturned pony or rider, and it was Jib
+Pottoway who first dropped a rope over the creature’s horn.
+
+But it was only over one horn and when the galloping steer was suddenly
+“snubbed” at the end of Jib’s rope, what happened? Ordinarily Old
+Trouble-Maker should have gone down to his knees with the shock; but the
+Indian’s pony stumbled just at that anxious moment, and instead of the
+steer being brought to his knees, the pony was jerked forward by Old
+Trouble-Maker’s weight.
+
+The cowboys uttered a chorus of dismal yells as Jib rose into the
+air—like a diver making a spring into the sea—and when he landed—well!
+it was fortunate that the noose slipped off the steer’s horn and the
+pony did not roll over the Indian.
+
+Two men bowled over and the odds all in favor of the black and white
+steer! The other cowboys set up a fearful chorus as Jib scrambled up,
+and Old Trouble-Maker thundered on across the plain, having been
+scarcely retarded by the Indian’s attempt. Bellowing and blowing, the
+steer kept on, and for a minute nobody else got near enough to the beast
+to fling a rope.
+
+Then one of the other boys who bestrode a remarkably fast little pony,
+got near enough (as he said afterward) to grab the steer by the tail and
+throw him! And it was too bad that he hadn’t tried that feat; for what
+he _did_ do was to excitedly swing his lariat around his head and catch
+his nearest neighbor across the shoulders with the slack! This neighbor
+uttered a howl of rage and at once “ran amuck”—to the great hilarity of
+the onlookers. It was no fun for the fellow who had so awkwardly swung
+the rope, however; for his angry mate chased him half a mile straight
+across the plain before he bethought him, in his rage, that it was the
+steer, not his friend, that was to be flung and tied for the prize.
+
+The others laughed so over this incident that the steer was like to get
+away. But one of the fellows, known to them all as “Jimsey” had been
+working cautiously on the outside of the bunch of excited horsemen all
+the time. It was evident to Ruth, who was watching the game very
+earnestly from the rear, that this Jimsey had determined to capture the
+prize and was showing more strategy than the others. He was determined
+to be the one to down Old Trouble-Maker, and as he saw one after the
+other of his mates fail, his own grin broadened.
+
+Now, Ruth saw, he suddenly urged his pony in nearer the galloping steer.
+Standing suddenly in his stirrups, and swinging his lariat with a wide
+noose at the end, he dropped it at the moment when Old Trouble-Maker had
+just dodged another rope. The steer fairly ran into Jimsey’s noose. The
+puncher snubbed down on the rope instantly, and the steer, caught over
+the horns and with one foreleg in the noose, came to the hard plain like
+a ton of bricks falling.
+
+“He’s down! he’s down!” shrieked Bob, vastly excited.
+
+“Oh, the poor thing!” his sister observed. “That must have hurt him.”
+
+“Well, after the way that brute tried to crawl into the automobile, I
+wouldn’t cry any if his neck was broken!” exclaimed Mary Cox, in sharp
+tones.
+
+Jimsey’s horse was well broken and he swung his weight at the end of the
+rope in such a way that the huge steer could not get on his feet again.
+Jimsey vaulted out of the saddle and ran to the floundering steer with
+an agility that delighted the spectators from the East. How they cheered
+him! And his mates, too, urged him on with delight. It looked as though
+Jimsey had “called the trick” and would tie the struggling beast and so
+fulfill the requirements of the contest.
+
+As the agile puncher sought to lay hold of the steer’s forefeet,
+however, Old Trouble-Maker flung his huge body around. The “yank” was
+too much for the pony and it was drawn forward perhaps a foot by the
+sheer weight of the big steer.
+
+“Stand still, thar!” yelled Jimsey to the pony. “Wait till I get this
+yere critter tied up in a true lover’s knot! Whoa, Emma!”
+
+Again the big steer had jerked; but the pony braced his feet and swung
+backward. It was then the unexpected happened! The girth of Jimsey’s
+saddle gave way, the taut rope pulling the saddle sideways. The pony
+naturally was startled and he jumped to one side. In an instant the big
+steer was nimbly on his feet, and flung Jimsey ten feet away! Bellowing
+with fear the brute tore off across the plain again, now with the wreck
+of Jimsey’s saddle bounding over the ground behind him and whacking him
+across the rump at every other jump.
+
+If anything was needed to make Old Trouble-Maker mad he had it now. The
+steer sped across the plain faster than he had ever run before, and in a
+temper to attack anything or anybody who chanced to cross his trail.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII—JANE ANN TURNS THE TRICK
+
+
+“Oh, Ruth! that man is hurt,” cried Helen, as the chums rode as hard as
+they dared after the flying bunch of cattle punchers.
+
+Jimsey lay on the ground, it was true; but when they came nearer they
+saw that he was shaking both fists in the air and spouting language that
+was the very reverse of elegant. Jimsey wasn’t hurt; but he was awfully
+angry.
+
+“Come on! come on, girls!” called Tom. “That old steer is running like a
+dog with a can tied to its tail! Did you ever see the beat of that?”
+
+“And Nita is right in with the crowd. How they ride!” gasped Madge
+Steele. “She’ll be killed!”
+
+“I hope not,” her brother shouted back. “But she’s just about the
+pluckiest girl I ever heard of.”
+
+“She’s swinging her rope now!” gasped Heavy. “Do you suppose she intends
+to try and catch that steer?”
+
+That was what Jane Ann Hicks seemed determined to do. She had ridden so
+that she was ahead of the troop of other riders. Bashful Ike, the
+foreman, put spurs to his own mount and tried to catch the boss’s niece.
+If anything happened to Jane Ann he knew that Old Bill would call him to
+account for it.
+
+“Have a care there, Jinny!” he bawled “Look out that saddle don’t give
+ye a crack.”
+
+The saddle bounded high in the air—sometimes higher than Jane Ann’s
+head—and if she ran her mount in too close to the mad steer the saddle
+might knock her off her pony. Nor did she pay the least attention to
+Bashful Ike’s advice. She was using the quirt on her mount and he was
+jumping ahead like a streak of light.
+
+Jane Ann had coiled her rope again and it hung from her saddle. She had
+evidently formed a new plan of action since having the field to herself.
+The others—all but Ike—were now far behind.
+
+“Have a care thar, Jinny!” called the foreman again. “He’ll throw you!”
+
+“You keep away, Ike!” returned the girl, excitedly. “This is my chance.
+Don’t you dare interfere. I’ll show those boys I can beat them at their
+own game.”
+
+“Sufferin’ snipes! You look out, Jinny! You’ll be killed!”
+
+“I won’t if you don’t interfere,” she yelled back at him.
+
+During this conversation both their mounts were on the keen jump. The
+saddle was bounding high over the plain as the steer still bellowed and
+ran. Jane Ann urged her pony as close alongside the steer as she dared,
+leaned sideways from her saddle, and made a sharp slash in the air with
+the hunting knife that had hung from her belt in its sheath. The keen
+blade severed Jimsey’s best hair rope (there would be a postscript to
+Jimsey’s remarks about that, later) and the saddle, just then bounding
+into the air, caromed from the steer’s rump against Jane Ann’s pony, and
+almost knocked it off its legs.
+
+But the girl kept her seat and the pony gathered his feet under him
+again and started after the relieved steer. But she did not use her rope
+even then, and after returning her knife to its sheath she guided her
+pony close in to the steer’s flank. Before that saddle had beaten him so
+about the body, Old Trouble-Maker might have made a swift turn and
+collided with the girl’s mount; but he was thinking only of running away
+now—getting away from that mysterious thing that had been chasing and
+thumping him!
+
+Ike, who cantered along just behind her (the rest of the crowd were many
+yards in the rear) suddenly let out a yell of fear. He saw that the girl
+was about to try, and he was scared. She leaned from her saddle and
+seized the stiff tail of the steer at its base. The foreman drew his gun
+and spurred his horse forward.
+
+“You little skeezicks!” he gasped. “If you break your neck your uncle
+will jest natcherly run me off’n this range!”
+
+“Keep away, Ike!” panted the girl, letting the tail of the maddened
+steer run through her hand until she felt the bunch of hair—or brush—at
+the end.
+
+Then she secured her grip. Digging her spurs into the pony’s sides she
+made him increase his stride suddenly. He gained second by second on the
+wildly running steer and the girl leaned forward in her saddle, clinging
+with her left hand to the pommel, her face in the pony’s tossing mane.
+
+The next moment the tail was taut and the jerk was almost enough to
+dislocate her arm. But she hung on and the shock was greater to the big
+steer than to Jane Ann. The yank on his tail made him lose his stride
+and forced him to cross his legs. The next moment Old Trouble-Maker was
+on his head, from which he rolled over on his side, bellowing with
+fright.
+
+It was a _vaquero_ trick that Jane Ann had seen the men perform; yet it
+was a mercy that she, a slight girl, was not pulled out of her saddle
+and killed. But Jane Ann had done the trick nicely; and in a moment she
+was out of her saddle, and before Ike was beside her, had tied the
+steer’s feet, “fore and aft,” with Jimsey’s broken rope. Then, with one
+foot on the heaving side of the steer, she flung off her hat and shouted
+to the crowd that came tearing up:
+
+“That double-eagle’s mine! Got anything to say against it, boys?”
+
+They cheered her to the echo, and after them came the party of Jane
+Ann’s friends from the East to add their congratulations. But as Ruth
+and the others rode up Heavy of course had to meet with an accident.
+Hard luck always seemed to ride the stout girl like a nightmare!
+
+The pony on which she rode became excited because of the crowd of
+kicking, squealing cow ponies, and Heavy’s seat was not secure. When the
+pony began to cavort and plunge poor Heavy was shaken right over the
+pommel of her saddle. Her feet lost the stirrups and she began to
+scream.
+
+“My—good—ness—me!” she stuttered. “Hold him—still! Stop! Ho—ho—ho——”
+
+And then she slipped right over the pony’s rump and would have fallen
+smack upon the ground had not Tom and Bob, who had both seen her peril,
+leaped out of their own saddles, and caught the stout girl as she lost
+her hold on the reins and gave up all hope.
+
+The boys staggered under her weight, but managed to put her upright on
+her feet, while her pony streaked it off across the plain, very much
+frightened by such a method of dismounting. It struck the whole crowd as
+being uproariously funny; but the good-natured and polite cowboys tried
+to smother their laughter.
+
+“Don’t mind me!” exclaimed the stout girl. “Have all the fun you want
+to. But I don’t blame the pony for running away. I have been sitting all
+along his backbone, from his ears to the root of his tail, and I have
+certainly jounced my own backbone so loose that it rattles. I believe
+I’d better walk home.”
+
+It was plain that Jennie Stone would never take a high mark in
+horsemanship; but they caught her pony for her and boosted her on again,
+and later she rode back to the ranch-house at an easy pace. But she
+declared that for the remainder of her stay at Silver Ranch she proposed
+to ride only in the automobile or in a carriage.
+
+But Ruth was vastly enamored of this new play of pony riding. She had a
+retentive memory and kept in mind all that Bashful Ike told her about
+the management of her own Freckles. She was up early each morning and
+had a gallop over the prairie before her friends were out of their beds.
+And when Mr. Hicks stated one day that he had to ride to Bullhide on
+business, Ruth begged the privilege of riding with him, although the
+rest of the young folks did not care to take such a long trip in the hot
+sun.
+
+“I’ve some business to attend to for my uncle,” Ruth explained to the
+ranchman, as they started from the ranch-house soon after breakfast.
+“And I want your advice.”
+
+“Sure, Ruthie,” he said, “I’ll advise ye if I can.”
+
+So she told him about Uncle Jabez’s mixup with the Tintacker mining
+properties. Bill Hicks listened to this tale with a frowning brow.
+
+“Bless your heart, Miss!” he ejaculated. “I believe you’re chasin’ a
+wild goose. I reckon your uncle’s been stung. These wildcat mining
+properties are just the kind that greenhorn Easterners get roped into. I
+don’t believe there’s ten cents’ worth of silver to the ton in all the
+Tintacker district. It played out years ago.”
+
+“Well, that may be,” returned Ruth, with a sigh. “But I want to see the
+records and learn just how the Tintacker Mine itself stands on the
+books. I want to show Uncle Jabez that I honestly tried to do all that I
+could for him while I was here.”
+
+“That’s all right, Ruthie. You shall see the records,” declared Mr.
+Hicks. “I know a young lawyer in town that will help you, too; and it
+sha’n’t cost you a cent. He’s a friend of mine.”
+
+“Oh, thank you,” cried Ruth, and rode along happily by the big
+cattleman’s side.
+
+They were not far from the house when Bashful Ike, who had been out on
+the range on some errand, came whooping over the low hills to the North,
+evidently trying to attract their attention. Mr. Hicks growled:
+
+“Now, what does that feller want? I got a list as long as my arm of
+things to tote back for the boys. Better have driv’ a mule waggin, I
+reckon, to haul the truck home on.”
+
+But it was Ruth the foreman wished to speak to. He rode up, very red in
+the face, and stammering so that Bill Hicks demanded, with scorn:
+
+“What’s a-troubling you, Ike? You sputter like a leaky tea-kettle. Can’t
+you out with what you’ve got to say to the leetle gal, an’ let us ride
+on?”
+
+“I—I was just a thinkin’ that mebbe you—you could do a little errand for
+me, Miss,” stammered Bashful Ike.
+
+“Gladly, Mr. Stedman,” returned Ruth, hiding her own amusement.
+
+“It—it’s sort of a tick-lish job,” said the cowboy. “I—I want ye should
+buy a leetle present. It’s—it’s for a lady——”
+
+Bill snorted. “You goin’ to invest your plunder in more dew-dabs for
+Sally Dickson, Ike? Yah! she wouldn’t look at you cross-eyed.”
+
+Bashful Ike’s face flamed up redder than ever—if that was possible.
+
+“I don’t want her to look at me cross-eyed,” he said. “She couldn’t look
+cross-eyed. She’s the sweetest and purtiest gal on this range, and don’t
+you forgit that, Mr. Hicks.”
+
+“Sho, now! don’t git riled at me,” grunted the older man. “No offense
+intended. But I hate to see you waste your time and money on a gal that
+don’t give two pins for ye, Ike.”
+
+“I ain’t axin’ her to give two pins for me,” said Ike, with a sort of
+groan. “I ain’t up to the mark with her—I know that. But thar ain’t no
+law keepin’ me from spending my money as I please, is there?”
+
+“I dunno,” returned Bill Hicks. “Maybe there’s one that’ll cover the
+case and send a feller like you to the foolish factory. Sally Dickson
+won’t have nothing to say to you.”
+
+“Never mind,” said Ike, grimly. “You take this two dollar bill, Miss
+Ruthie—if you will. And you buy the nicest box o’ candy yo’ kin find in
+Bullhide. When you come back by Lem Dickson’s, jest drop it there for
+Sally. Yo’ needn’t say who sent it,” added the bashful cowboy,
+wistfully. “Jest—jest say one o’ the boys told you to buy it for her.
+That’s all, Miss. It won’t be too much trouble?”
+
+“Of course it won’t, Mr. Stedman,” declared Ruth, earnestly. “I’ll
+gladly do your errand.”
+
+“Thank you, Miss,” returned the foreman, and spurring his horse he rode
+rapidly away to escape further remarks from his boss.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII—WHAT WAS ON THE RECORDS
+
+
+“Now, what can you do with a feller like that?” demanded Mr. Hicks, in
+disgust. “Poor old Ike has been shinning around Sally Dickson ever since
+Lem brought her home from school—from Denver. And she’s a nice little
+gal enough, at that; but she ain’t got no use for Ike and he ought to
+see it. Gals out here don’t like fellers that ain’t got sperit enough to
+say their soul’s their own. And Ike’s so bashful he fair hates hisself!
+You’ve noticed that.”
+
+“But he’s just as kind and good-natured as he can be,” declared Ruth,
+her pony cantering on beside the ranchman’s bigger mount.
+
+“That don’t help a feller none with a gal like Sally,” grunted Mr.
+Hicks. “She don’t want a reg’lar _gump_ hanging around her. Makes her
+the laffin’ stock of the hull range—don’t you see? Ike better git a move
+on, if he wants her. ’Tain’t goin’ to be no bashful ’ombre that gets
+Sally Dickson, let me tell ye! Sendin’ her lollipops by messenger—bah!
+He wants ter ride up and hand that gal a ring—and a good one—if he
+expects to ever git her into double harness. Now, you hear me!”
+
+“Just the same,” laughed Ruth, “I’m going to buy the nicest box of candy
+I can find, and she shall know who paid for it, too.”
+
+And she found time to purchase the box of candy while Mr. Hicks was
+attending to his own private business in Bullhide. The town boasted of
+several good stores as well as a fine hotel. Ruth went to the railroad
+station, however, where there was sure to be fresh candies from the
+East, and she bought the handsomest box she could find. Then she wrote
+Ike’s name nicely on a card and had it tucked inside the wrapper, and
+the clerk tied the package up with gilt cord.
+
+“I’ll make that red-haired girl think that Ike knows a few things, after
+all, if he is less bold than the other boys,” thought Ruth. “He’s been
+real kind to me and maybe I can help him with Sally. If she knew beans
+she’d know that Ike was true blue!”
+
+Mr. Hicks came along the street and found her soon after Ruth’s errand
+was done and took her to the office of the young lawyer he had
+mentioned. This was Mr. Savage—a brisk, businesslike man, who seemed to
+know at once just what the girl wished to discover.
+
+“You come right over with me to the county records office and we’ll look
+up the history of those Tintacker Mines,” he said. “Mr. Hicks knows a
+good deal about mining properties, and he can check my work as we go
+along.”
+
+So the three repaired to the county offices and the lawyer turned up the
+first records of the claims around Tintacker.
+
+“There is only one mine called Tintacker,” he explained. “The adjacent
+mines are Tintacker _claims_. The camp that sprang up there and
+flourished fifteen years ago, was called Tintacker, too. But for more
+than ten years the kiotes have held the fort over there for the most
+part—eh, Mr. Hicks?”
+
+“And that crazy feller that’s been around yere for some months,” the
+ranchman said.
+
+“What crazy fellow is that?” demanded Lawyer Savage, quickly.
+
+“Why, thar’s been a galoot around Tintacker ever since Spring opened. I
+dunno but he was thar in the winter——”
+
+“Young man, or old?” interrupted Savage.
+
+“Not much more’n a kid, my boys say.”
+
+“You’ve never seen him?”
+
+“No. But I believe he set the grass afire the other day, and made us a
+heap of trouble along Larruper Crick,” declared the ranchman.
+
+The lawyer looked thoughtful. “There was a young fellow here twice to
+look up the Tintacker properties. He came to see me the first time—that
+was more than a year ago. Said he had been left his father’s share in
+the old Tintacker Mine and wanted to buy out the heirs of the other
+partner. I helped him get a statement of the record and the names of the
+other parties——”
+
+“Oh, please, Mr. Savage, what was his name?” asked Ruth, quickly.
+
+“I don’t know what his name really _was_,” replied the lawyer, smiling.
+“He called himself John Cox—might have been just a name he took for the
+time being. There wasn’t any Cox ever had an interest in the Tintacker
+as far as I can find. But he probably had his own reasons for keeping
+his name to himself. Then he came back in the winter. I saw him on the
+street here. That’s all I know about him.”
+
+“Tenderfoot?” asked Hicks.
+
+“Yes, and a nice spoken fellow. He made a personal inspection of the
+properties the first time he was here. That I know, for I found a guide
+for him, Ben Burgess. He stayed two weeks at the old camp, Ben said, and
+acted like he knew something about minerals.”
+
+Mr. Savage had found the proper books and he discovered almost at once
+that there had been an entry made since he had last looked up the
+records of Tintacker a year or more before.
+
+“That fellow did it!” exclaimed the lawyer. “He must have found those
+other heirs and he’s got possession of the entire Tintacker Mine
+holdings. Yes-sir! the records are as straight as a string. And the
+record was made last winter. That is what he came back here for. Now,
+young lady, what do you want to know about it all?”
+
+“I want a copy, please, of the record just as it stands—the present
+ownership of the mine, I mean,” said Ruth. “I want to send that to Uncle
+Jabez.”
+
+“It is all held now in the name of John Cox. The original owners were
+two men named Symplex and Burbridge. It is Burbridge’s heirs this fellow
+seems to have bought up. Now, he told me his father died and left his
+share of the Tintacker to him. That means that ‘Symplex’ was this young
+Cox’s father. One, or the other of them didn’t use his right name—eh?”
+suggested the lawyer.
+
+“But that doesn’t invalidate the title. It’s straight enough now. The
+Tintacker Mine—whether it is worth ten cents or ten thousand
+dollars—belongs to somebody known as John Cox—somebody who can produce
+the deeds. You say your uncle bought into the mine and took personal
+notes with the mine for security, Miss?”
+
+“That is the way I understand it,” Ruth replied.
+
+“And it looks as though the young man used the money to buy out the
+other owners. That seems straight enough. Your uncle’s security is all
+clear as far as the title of the mine goes——”
+
+“But according to what I know,” broke in Mr. Hicks, “he might as well
+have a lien on a setting of hen’s eggs as an interest in the Tintacker
+Mine.”
+
+“That’s about it,” admitted Mr. Savage. “I don’t believe the mine is
+worth the money it cost the young fellow to have these records made.”
+
+“Well,” said Ruth, with a sigh; “I’ll pay you for making the copy, just
+the same; and I’ll send it home to uncle. And, if you don’t mind, Mr.
+Savage, I’ll send him your name and address, too. Perhaps he may want
+you to make some move in the matter of the Tintacker property.”
+
+This was agreed upon, and the lawyer promised to have the papers ready
+to send East in two or three days. Then Mr. Hicks took Ruth to the hotel
+to dinner, and they started for the ranch again soon after that meal.
+
+When they came in sight of the Crossing, Ruth saw that the little red
+painted schoolhouse was open. All the windows were flung wide and the
+door was ajar; and she could see Sally Dickson’s brilliant hair, as well
+as other heads, flitting back and forth past the windows.
+
+“Hi Jefers!” ejaculated Bill Hicks. “I reckon thar’s goin’ to be a dance
+at the schoolhouse Saturday night. I nigh forgot it. We’ll all hafter go
+over so that you folks from Down East kin see what a re’l Montany
+jamboree is like. The gals is fixin’ up for it now, I reckon.”
+
+“I want to see Sally,” said Ruth, smiling.
+
+“Huh!” grunted Bill, with a glance at the big box of candy the Eastern
+girl held so carefully before her. “You kin see her all right. That red
+head of hers shines like a beacon in the night. And I’ll speak to Lem.”
+
+Ruth rode her pony close to one of the open windows of the little
+schoolhouse. She could see that the benches and desks had been all moved
+out—probably stacked in a lean-to at the end of the house. The floor had
+been swept and mopped up and the girls were helping Sally trim the walls
+and certain pictures which hung thereon with festoons of colored paper.
+One girl was polishing the lamp chimneys, and another was filling and
+trimming the lamps themselves.
+
+“Oh, hullo!” said the storekeeper’s daughter, seeing Ruth at the window,
+and leaving her work to come across the room. “You’re one of those young
+ladies stopping at Silver Ranch, aren’t you?”
+
+“No,” said Ruth, smiling. “I’m one of the girls visiting Jane Ann. I
+hope you are going to invite us to your party here. We shall enjoy
+coming, I am sure.”
+
+“Guess you won’t think much of our ball,” returned Sally Dickson. “We’re
+plain folk. Don’t do things like they do East.”
+
+“How do you know what sort of parties we have at home?” queried Ruth,
+laughing at her. “We’re not city girls. We live in the country and get
+our fun where we can find it, too. And perhaps we can help you have a
+good time—if you’ll let us.”
+
+“Well, I don’t know,” began Sally, yet beginning to smile, too; nobody
+could be _grouchy_ and stare into Ruth Fielding’s happy face for long.
+
+“What do you do for music?”
+
+“Well, one of the boys at Chatford’s got a banjo and old Jim Casey plays
+the accordion—when he’s sober. But the last time the music failed us,
+and one of the boys tried to whistle the dances; but one feller that was
+mad with him kept showing him a lemon and it made his mouth twist up so
+that he couldn’t keep his lips puckered nohow.”
+
+Ruth giggled at that, but said at once:
+
+“One of my friends plays the piano real nicely; but of course it would
+be too much trouble to bring Jane Ann’s piano away over here. However,
+my chum, Helen, plays the violin. She will bring it and help out on the
+music, I know. And we’d _all_ be glad of an invitation.”
+
+“Why, sure! you come over,” cried Sally, warming up to Ruth’s advances.
+“I suppose a bunch of the Silver outfit boys will be on hand. Some of
+’em are real nice boys——”
+
+“And that reminds me,” said Ruth, advancing the package of candy. “One
+of the gentlemen working for Mr. Hicks asked me to hand you this, Miss
+Dickson. He was very particular that you should get it safely.” She put
+the candy into the red-haired girl’s hands. “And we certainly will be
+over—all of us—Saturday evening.”
+
+Before Sally could refuse Ike’s present, or comment upon it at all, Ruth
+rode away from the schoolhouse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX—THE FOX IS RECKLESS
+
+
+When Ruth arrived at Silver Ranch that afternoon she found that the
+ranchman’s niece and the other girls had planned an outing for the
+following day into the hills West of the range over which Mr. Hicks’
+cattle fed. It was to be a picnic jaunt, the object being mainly to view
+the wonderful “natural bridge” in a small cañon, some thirty miles from
+the ranch.
+
+A sixty-mile drive within twenty-four hours seemed a big undertaking in
+the minds of the Eastern young folk; but Jane Ann said that the ponies
+and mules could stand it. It was probable, however, that none of the
+visitors could stand the ride in the saddle, so arrangements had been
+made for both buckboards to be used.
+
+Tom and Bob were each to drive one of the vehicles. Jib Pottoway was to
+go as guide and general mentor of the party, and one of the little
+Mexican boys would drive the supply wagon, to which were hitched two
+trotting mules. The start would be made at three in the morning;
+therefore the ranch-house was quiet soon after dark that evening.
+
+Maria had breakfast ready for them as soon as the girls and Bob and Tom
+appeared; and the wagon was laden with provisions, as well as a light
+tent and blankets. Tom and Bob had both brought their guns with them,
+for there might be a chance to use the weapons on this jaunt.
+
+“There are plenty of kiotes in the hills,” said Jane Ann. “And sometimes
+a gray wolf. The boys once in a while see cats about—in calving time,
+you know. But I reckon they’re mighty scarce.”
+
+“Cats?” cried Heavy. “Do you shoot cats?”
+
+“Pumas,” explained Jane Ann. “They’re some nasty when they’re re’l
+hungry.”
+
+“Oh, I don’t want to see any more of the wildcat tribe,” Ruth cried. “I
+had my fill of them last winter at Snow Camp.”
+
+Tom of course was to drive the buckboard in which his twin and Ruth
+rode; but the chums certainly would not have chosen Mary Cox for the
+fourth member of the party. However, The Fox usually knew what she
+wanted herself, and got it, too! She liked Master Tom and wished to ride
+beside him; and the instant she learned which pair of ponies he was to
+drive, she hopped into the front seat of that buckboard.
+
+“I’m going to sit with you, Tom,” she said, coolly. “I believe you’ve
+got the best ponies. And you can drive better than Bob, too.”
+
+Tom didn’t look overjoyed, and Helen, seeing the expression of her
+twin’s face, began to giggle. There was, however, no polite way of
+getting rid of The Fox.
+
+In a few minutes they were off, Jib Pottoway heading the procession, and
+Ricardo, the Mexican, bringing up the rear with the mule cart.
+
+“You keep a sharp eye on them younguns, Jib!” bawled Bill Hicks, coming
+to the door of the ranch-house in his stocking feet and with his hair
+touseled from his early morning souse in the trough behind the house.
+“I’ll hold you responsible if anything busts—now mind ye!”
+
+“All right, Boss,” returned the Indian stolidly. “I reckon nothin’ won’t
+bite ’em.”
+
+Driving off thirty miles into the wilderness was nothing in the opinion
+of these Westerners; but to the girls from Briarwood Hall, and their
+brothers, the trip promised all kinds of excitement. And they enjoyed
+every mile of the journey through the foothills. There was something new
+and strange (to the Easterners) to see almost every mile, and Jane Ann,
+or Jib, was right there to answer questions and explain the wonders.
+
+At first they saw miles upon miles of range, over which fed the Silver
+Ranch herds. Heretofore Ruth and her friends had not realized the size
+of the ranch itself and what it meant to own fifty thousand cattle.
+
+“Why!” exclaimed Heavy, with some awe. “Your uncle, Nita, is richer than
+Job—and the Bible says he was the greatest of all the men of the East!
+He only owned seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and a
+thousand oxen and five hundred she-asses. Why, I believe there are more
+creatures in that one herd yonder than poor old Job owned.”
+
+“I guess that was a pretty good herd for ’way down there in Arabia, and
+so long ago,” returned Jane Ann. “But cattlemen have learned a lot since
+those times. I expect Uncle Bill has got more ponies than Job had
+mules.”
+
+“And the men who looked after Job’s cattle were a whole lot different
+from those fellows,” cried Helen, from the forward buckboard, pointing
+to a couple of well-mounted punchers spurring after a score of strays
+that had broken away from the main herd. “Dear me, how recklessly they
+ride!”
+
+“But I guess that all cowboys have been reckless and brave,” said Ruth,
+quickly. “Somehow, herding cattle on the open plains and hills seems to
+make for rugged character and courage. Think of King David, and lots of
+those Biblical characters. David was a cowboy, and went out and slew
+Goliath. And I expect any of these punchers we see around here wouldn’t
+be afraid of a giant,” she concluded.
+
+“Huh!” snapped The Fox, who usually found something sharp to say in
+comment upon Ruth’s speeches, “I guess these cowboys aren’t any better
+than the usual run of men. _I_ think they’re rather coarse and ugly.
+Look at this half Indian ahead of us.”
+
+“What do you mean—_him_?” exclaimed Tom Cameron, who was pretty well
+disgusted with The Fox and her sly and sneering ways. “Why, he’s got a
+better education than most of the men you meet. He stood high at
+Carlisle, in his books as well as athletics. You wouldn’t scoff at any
+other college-bred fellow—why at Jib?”
+
+“Indian,” said Mary Cox, with her nose in the air.
+
+“His folks owned the country-the whole continent!” cried the excited
+Tom, “until white men drove them out. You’d consider an Englishman, or a
+German, or a Belgian, with his education, the equal of any American. And
+Jib’s a true American at that.”
+
+“Well, I can’t say that I ever could admire a savage,” sniffed The Fox,
+tossing her head.
+
+For the most part, however, the girls and their drivers had a very jolly
+time, and naturally there could not be much “bickering” even in the
+leading buckboard where The Fox rode, for Ruth was there, and Ruth was
+not one of the bickering kind. Helen was inclined to think that her chum
+was altogether too “tame”; she would not “stand up for herself” enough,
+and when The Fox said cutting things Ruth usually ignored her
+schoolfellow’s ill-nature.
+
+Tom was not entirely happy with The Fox on the seat beside him. He had
+hoped Ruth would occupy that place. When Mary spoke to him perhaps the
+young fellow was a bit cold. At least, before they came to the cañon,
+through which flowed Rolling River, Master Tom had somehow managed to
+offend The Fox and her eyes snapped and she held her lips grimly shut.
+
+The trail became narrow here and it rose steeply, too. The roaring river
+tumbled over the rocks on the left hand, while on the right the sheer
+cliff rose higher and higher. And while the ponies climbed the rather
+steep ascent Jib Pottoway spurred his horse ahead to see if the path was
+all clear to the place where the cañon became a veritable tunnel under
+the “natural bridge.”
+
+“Go slow, Tom Cameron!” shouted the ranchman’s niece from the second
+carriage. “There are bad places when we get to the upper level—very
+narrow places. And the river is a hundred feet below us there.”
+
+“She’s trying to scare us,” snapped The Fox. “I never saw such people!”
+
+“I guess it will be best to take care,” grunted Tom. “She’s been here
+before, remember.”
+
+“Pah! you’re afraid!”
+
+“Perhaps I am,” returned Tom. “I’m not going to take any chances with
+these half wild ponies—and you girls in the wagon.”
+
+In a minute more they were at the top of the rise. Jib had disappeared
+around a distant turn in the path, which here was straight and level for
+fully a mile. The muffled roar of the river came up to them, and the
+abrupt cliff on the right cast its shadow clear across the cañon. It was
+a rugged and gloomy place and Helen hid her eyes after glancing once
+down the steep descent to the river.
+
+“Oh! drive on, Tommy!” she cried. “I don’t want to look down there
+again. What a fearful drop it is! Hold the ponies tight, Tommy.”
+
+“Pshaw, you are making a great adieu about nothing,” snapped Mary Cox.
+
+“I’ll have a care, Nell; don’t you fear,” assured her brother.
+
+Ruth was as serious as her chum, and as she had a quick eye she noticed
+a strap hanging from the harness of one of the ponies and called Tom’s
+attention to it.
+
+“There’s a strap unbuckled, Tom,” she cried. “Do you see it hanging?”
+
+“Good for you, Ruthie!” cried the boy, leaning out of his seat to
+glimpse the strap. “Here, Mary! hold these reins, please.”
+
+He put the reins into the hands of The Fox and hopped out. She laughed
+and slapped them across the ponies’ backs and the beasts reared and
+snorted.
+
+“Have a care what you’re doing, Mary Cox!” shrieked Helen.
+
+“Whoa!” cried her brother, and leaped to seize the nearest pony by the
+bit. But the half wild animals jerked away from him, dashing across the
+narrow trail.
+
+“Pull up! pull up!” shouted Tom.
+
+“Don’t let them run!” cried Jane Ann Hicks, standing up in the carriage
+behind.
+
+But in that single moment of recklessness the ponies became
+unmanageable—at least, unmanageable for The Fox. She pulled the left
+rein to bring them back into the trail, and off the creatures dashed, at
+headlong speed, along the narrow way. On the right was the unscalable
+wall of rock; on the left was the awful drop to the roaring river!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X—RUTH SHOWS HER METTLE
+
+
+Shouting after the runaway, and shrieking advice to The Fox, who still
+clung to the reins, was of no particular use, and Tom Cameron realized
+that as well as did Jane Ann. The boy from the East picked himself up
+and leaped upon the rear of the second buckboard as it passed him, and
+they tore on after the frightened ponies.
+
+Mary Cox could not hold them. She was not a good horsewoman, in any
+case; and a moment after the ponies broke loose, she was just as
+frightened as ever she could be.
+
+She did not drop the lines; that was because she did not think to do so.
+She was frozen with terror. The ponies plunged along the narrow trail,
+weaving the buckboard from side to side, and Mary was helpless to stop
+them. On the rear seat Helen and Ruth clung together in the first shock
+of fear; the threatening catastrophe, too, appalled them.
+
+But only for the first few seconds was Ruth inactive. Behind the
+jouncing vehicle Tom was shouting to them to “pull ’em down!” Ruth
+wrenched herself free from her chum’s grasp and leaned forward over the
+seat-back.
+
+“Give the reins to me!” she cried in Mary’s ear, and seized the leathers
+just as they slipped from the hands of The Fox.
+
+Ruth gripped them firmly and flung herself back into her own seat. Helen
+seized her with one hand and saved her from being thrown out of the
+pitching vehicle. And so, with her chum holding her into her seat, Ruth
+swung all her weight and force against the ponies’ bits.
+
+At first this seemed to have not the least effect upon the frightened
+animals. Ruth’s slight weight exercised small pressure on those iron
+jaws. On and on they dashed, rocking the buckboard over the rough
+trail—and drawing each moment nearer to that perilous elbow in the
+cañon!
+
+Ruth realized the menacing danger of that turn in the trail from the
+moment the beasts first jumped. There was no parapet at the outer edge
+of the shelf—just the uneven, broken verge of the rock, with the awful
+drop to the roaring river below.
+
+She remembered this in a flash, as the ponies tore on. There likewise
+passed through her mind a vision of the chum beside her, crushed and
+mangled at the bottom of the cañon—and again, Helen’s broken body being
+swept away in the river! And The Fox—the girl who had so annoyed
+her—would likewise be killed unless she, Ruth Fielding, found some means
+of averting the catastrophe.
+
+It was a fact that she did not think of her own danger. Mainly the
+runaway ponies held her attention. _She must stop them before they
+reached the fatal turn!_
+
+Were the ponies giving way a little? Was it possible that her steady,
+desperate pulling on the curbs was having its effect? The pressure on
+their iron jaws must have been severe, and even a half-broken mustang
+pony is not entirely impervious to pain.
+
+But the turn in the road was so near!
+
+Snorting and plunging, the animals would—in another moment—reach the
+elbow. Either they must dash themselves headlong over the precipice, and
+the buckboard would follow, or, in swerving around the corner, the
+vehicle and its three passengers would be hurled over the brink.
+
+And then something—an inspiration it must have been—shot athwart Ruth’s
+brain. The thought could not have been the result of previous knowledge
+on her part, for the girl of the Red Mill was no horsewoman. Jane Ann
+Hicks might have naturally thought to try the feat; but it came to Ruth
+in a flash and without apparent reason.
+
+She dropped the left hand rein, stood up to seize the right rein with a
+shorter grip, and then flung herself back once more. The force she
+brought to bear on the nigh pony by this action was too much for him.
+His head was pulled around, and in an instant he stumbled and came with
+a crash to the ground!
+
+The pony’s fall brought down his mate. The runaway was stopped just at
+the turn of the trail—and so suddenly that Mary Cox was all but flung
+headlong upon the struggling animals. Ruth and Helen _did_ fall out of
+the carriage—but fortunately upon the inner side of the trail.
+
+Even then the maddened, struggling ponies might have cast themselves—and
+the three girls likewise—over the brink had not help been at hand. At
+the turn appeared Jib Pottoway, his pony in a lather, recalled by the
+sound of the runaways’ drumming hoofs. The Indian flung himself from the
+saddle and gripped the bridles of the fallen horses just in season. Bob,
+driving the second pair of ponies with a firm hand, brought them to a
+halt directly behind the wreck, and Tom and Jane Ann ran to Jib’s
+assistance.
+
+“What’s the matter with these ponies?” demanded the Indian, sharply.
+“How’d they get in this shape? I thought you could drive a pair of
+hawses, boy?” he added, with scorn, looking at Tom.
+
+“I got out to buckle a strap and they got away,” said Tom, rather
+sheepishly.
+
+“Don’t you scold him, Jib!” commanded Jane Ann, vigorously. “He ain’t to
+blame.”
+
+“Who is?”
+
+“That girl yonder,” snapped the ranchman’s niece, pointing an accusing
+finger at Mary Cox. “I saw her start ’em on the run while Tom was on the
+ground.”
+
+“Never!” cried The Fox, almost in tears.
+
+“You did,” repeated Jane Ann.
+
+“Anyway, I didn’t think they’d start and run so. They’re dangerous. It
+wasn’t right for the men to give us such wild ponies. I’ll speak to Mr.
+Hicks about it.”
+
+“You needn’t fret,” said Jane Ann, sternly. “I’ll tell Uncle Bill all
+right, and I bet you don’t get a chance to play such a trick again as
+long as you’re at Silver Ranch——”
+
+Ruth, who had scrambled up with Helen, now placed a restraining hand on
+the arm of the angry Western girl; but Jane Ann sputtered right out:
+
+“No! I won’t keep still, Ruth Fielding. If it hadn’t been for you that
+Mary Cox would now be at the bottom of these rocks. And she’ll never
+thank you for saving her life, and for keeping her from killing you and
+Helen. She doesn’t know how to spell gratitude! Bah!”
+
+“Hush up, Jinny,” commanded Jib, easily. “You’ve got all that off your
+mind now, and you ought to feel some better. The ponies don’t seem to be
+hurt much. Some scraped, that’s all. We can go on, I reckon. You ride my
+hawse, Mr. Cameron, and I’ll sit in yere and drive. Won’t trust these
+gals alone no more.”
+
+“I guess you could trust Ruth Fielding all right,” cried the loyal Tom.
+“She did the trick—and showed how plucky she is in the bargain. Did you
+ever see anything better done than the way she threw that pony?”
+
+Jane Ann ran to the girl of the Red Mill and flung her arms around her
+neck.
+
+“You’re just as brave as you can be, Ruthie!” she cried. “I don’t know
+of anybody who is braver. If you’d been brought up right out here in the
+mountains you couldn’t have done any better—could she, Jib?”
+
+“Miss Fielding certainly showed good mettle,” admitted the Indian, with
+one of his rare smiles. “And now we’ll go on to the camping place. Don’t
+let’s have any more words about it, or your fun will all be spoiled.
+Where’s Ricardo, with the camp stuff? I declare! that Greaser is five
+miles behind, I believe.”
+
+With which he clucked to the still nervous ponies and, Tom now in the
+lead, the procession started on in a much more leisurely style.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI—AN URSINE HOLD-UP
+
+
+The party of young people were so excited by the adventure that they
+were scarcely in mind to appreciate the rugged beauty of the cañon. The
+opposite wall was covered with verdure—hardy trees and shrubs found
+their rootage in the crevices between the rocks. Some beds of moss, far
+down where the spray from the river continually irrigated the thin soil,
+were spangled so thickly with starlike, white flowers that the patches
+looked like brocaded bedspreads.
+
+Around the elbow in the trail—that sharp turn which had been the scene
+of the all but fatal accident—the driveway broadened. Far ahead (for the
+cañon was here quite straight again) they could see the arching roof of
+rock, surmounted by the primeval forest, which formed the so-called
+natural bridge. The river tumbled out of the darkness of the tunnel,
+fretted to a foaming cascade by battling with the boulders which strewed
+its bed under the roof-rock. The water’s surface gleamed ghostly in the
+shadow of the arch, and before the opening the arc of a rainbow shone in
+the spray.
+
+As the girls’ excitement subsided, Ruth saw this scene far ahead and
+cried aloud in rapture:
+
+“Look! Oh, just look! Isn’t that beautiful?”
+
+“The waterfall,” agreed her chum, “or cascade, or whatever they call it,
+is just a picture, Ruthie!”
+
+“Mighty pretty,” said Tom, reining in the pony beside them.
+
+“The cavern is so black and the water is so white—like milk,” cried
+Madge from the second carriage. “What a contrast!”
+
+“I tell you what it looks like,” added Heavy, who sat beside her. “A
+great, big chocolate cream drop that’s broken and the cream oozing out.
+M—m!”
+
+They all laughed at the stout girl’s figure of speech, for Jennie
+Stone’s mind seemed always to linger upon good things to eat, and this
+comparison was quite characteristic.
+
+“I’d be afraid to go down under that bridge,” said Helen. “It’s so dark
+there.”
+
+“But there’s a path through the tunnel, Miss,” said Jib, the Indian.
+“And there’s another path by which you can climb out on the top of the
+bridge. But the trail for a waggin’ stops right yonder, where we camp.”
+
+This spot was a sort of cove in the wall of the cañon—perhaps half an
+acre in extent. There was a pretty lawn with a spring of sweet water,
+the overflow of which trickled away to the edge of the precipice and
+dashed itself to spray on the rocks fifty feet below.
+
+They had become used to the sullen roar of the river now and did not
+heed its voice. This was a delightful spot for camping and when Ricardo
+came up with the wagon, the boys and Jib quickly erected the tent,
+hobbled the ponies, and built a fire in the most approved campers’
+fashion.
+
+Never had a picnic luncheon tasted so good to any of the party. The
+mountain air had put an edge on their appetites, and Heavy performed
+such feats of mastication that Helen declared she trembled for the
+result.
+
+“Don’t you trouble about me,” said the stout girl. “You want to begin to
+worry over _my_ health when I don’t eat at all. And I can’t see where I
+have got so far ahead of any of the rest of you in the punishment of
+this lunch.”
+
+But afterward, when the other girls proposed to climb the rocky path to
+the summit of the natural bridge, Heavy objected.
+
+“It’s injurious to take violent exercise after eating heavily,” she
+said.
+
+“I never knew the time when Heavy considered it safe to exercise,” said
+The Fox, who had gradually recovered her usual manner since the runaway.
+“The time between meals isn’t long enough, in her opinion, to warrant
+anybody’s working. Come on! let’s leave her to slothful dreams.”
+
+“And blisters,” added Heavy. “My shoes have hurt me for two days. I
+wouldn’t climb over these rocks for a farm—with a pig on’t! Go on—and
+perspire—and tell yourselves you’re having a good time. I’ve a book here
+to read,” declared the graceless and lazy stout girl.
+
+“But aren’t the boys going?” asked Ruth.
+
+“They’ve started for the tunnel down there—with Jib,” said Jane Ann,
+with a snap. “Huh! boys aren’t no good, anyway.”
+
+“Your opinion may be correct; your grammar is terrible,” scoffed Mary
+Cox.
+
+“Never you mind about my grammar, Miss Smarty!” rejoined the Western
+girl, who really couldn’t forget the peril into which The Fox had run
+her friends so recently. “If you girls are comin’ along to the top of
+the bridge, come on. Let the boys go down there, if they want to. The
+rocks are slippery, and they’ll get sopping wet.”
+
+“There isn’t any danger, is there?” queried Helen, thinking of her
+brother.
+
+“No, of course not,” replied Jane Ann. “No more danger than there is up
+this way,” and she led the way on the path that wound up the rocky
+heights.
+
+The girls were dressed in corduroy skirts and strong, laced walking
+boots—a fitting costume for the climb. But had Jib been present at the
+camp perhaps he would not have allowed them to start without an escort.
+Ricardo had to remain at the camp. This was a wild country and not even
+Jane Ann carried any weapon, although when the ranchman’s niece rode
+about the range alone she carried a gun—and she knew how to use the
+weapon, too.
+
+But they could hear the shouts of the boys, rising above the thunder of
+the river, when they left the plateau and began to climb the heights,
+and danger of any kind did not enter the minds of the girls. It was like
+picnicking along the Lumano River, at home, only the scenery here was
+grander.
+
+Ruth and Helen assumed the lead after a very few minutes; they were even
+better climbers than the Western girl. But the way was steep and rugged
+and it wasn’t long before their chatter ceased and they saved their
+breath for the work in hand. Madge and Jane Ann came along after the
+chums quite pluckily; but The Fox began clamoring for rest before they
+had climbed half the distance to the top of the cliff.
+
+“Oh, come on, Mary!” ejaculated Madge. “Don’t be whining.”
+
+“I don’t see anything in this,” grumbled The Fox. “It’s no fun
+scrambling over these rocks. Ouch! Now I’ve torn my stocking.”
+
+“Aw, come on!” said Jane Ann. “You’re a regular wet blanket, you are.”
+
+“There’s no sense in working so hard for nothing,” snapped The Fox.
+
+“What did you start out for, Mary?” demanded Madge. “You might have
+remained at the camp with Heavy.”
+
+“And she had sense.”
+
+“It’s too bad _you_ haven’t a little, then,” observed Jane Ann, rudely.
+
+Ruth and Helen, who really enjoyed the climb, looked down from the
+heights and beckoned their comrades on.
+
+“Hurry up, Slow Pokes!” cried Ruth. “We shall certainly beat you to the
+top.”
+
+“And much good may that do you!” grumbled Mary Cox. “What a silly thing
+to do, anyway.”
+
+“I do wish you’d go back, if you want to, Mary,” declared Madge,
+wearily.
+
+“She’s as cross as two sticks,” ejaculated Jane Ann.
+
+“Well, why shouldn’t I be cross?” demanded The Fox, quite ready to
+quarrel. “This place is as dull as ditch-water. I wish I hadn’t come
+West at all. I’m sure, _I’ve_ had no fun.”
+
+“Well, you’ve made enough trouble, if you haven’t had a good time,” Jane
+Ann said, frankly.
+
+“I must say you’re polite to your guests,” exclaimed Mary Cox,
+viciously.
+
+“And I must say you’re anything but polite to me,” responded the ranch
+girl, not at all abashed. “You’re pretty near the limit, _you_ are.
+Somebody ought to give you a good shaking.”
+
+Ruth and Helen had gotten so far ahead because they had not wasted their
+breath. Now they were waiting for the other three who came puffing to
+the shelf on which the chums rested, all three wearing frowns on their
+faces.
+
+“For pity’s sake!” gasped Helen; “what’s the matter with you all?”
+
+“I’m tired,” admitted Madge, throwing herself upon the short turf.
+
+“This girl says it’s all foolishness to climb up here,” said Jane Ann,
+pointing at The Fox.
+
+“Oh, I want to reach the very summit, now I’ve started,” cried Ruth.
+
+“That’s silly,” declared Mary Cox.
+
+“You’re just as cross as a bear,” began the Western girl, when Helen
+suddenly shrieked:
+
+“Oh, _oh_! Will you look at that? _What is it?_”
+
+Ruth had already started on. She did not wish to have any words with The
+Fox. A rod or more separated her from her mates. Out of an aperture
+heretofore unnoticed, and between Ruth and the other girls, was thrust
+the shaggy head and shoulders of a huge animal.
+
+“A dog!” cried Madge.
+
+“It’s a wolf!” shrieked Mary Cox.
+
+But the Western girl knew instantly what the creature was. “Run,
+Ruthie!” she shouted. “I’ll call Jib and the boys. _It’s a bear!_”
+
+And at that moment Bruin waddled fully out of the hole—a huge, hairy,
+sleepy looking beast. He was between Ruth and her friends, and his
+awkward body blocked the path by which they were climbing to the summit
+of the natural bridge.
+
+“Wu-uh-uh-uff!” said the bear, and swung his head and huge shoulders
+from the group of four girls to the lone girl above him.
+
+“Run, Ruth!” shrieked Helen.
+
+Her cry seemed to startle the ursine marauder. He uttered another grunt
+of expostulation and started up the steep path. Nobody needed to advise
+Ruth to run a second time. She scrambled up the rocks with an awful fear
+clutching at her heart and the sound in her ears of the bear’s
+sabre-like claws scratching over the path!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII—THE MAN FROM TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth was just as scared as she could be. Although the bear did not seem
+particularly savage, there surely was not room enough on the path for
+him and Ruth to pass. The beast was ragged and gray looking. His little
+eyes twinkled and his tongue lolled out of his mouth, like that of an ox
+when it is plowing. Aside from a grunt, or two, he made at first no
+threatening manifestation.
+
+Helen could not remain inactive and see a bear chase her chum over the
+rocks; therefore she picked up a good-sized stone and threw it at the
+beast. They say—at least, boys say!—that a girl can’t throw straight.
+But Helen hit the bear!
+
+The stone must have hurt, for the beast let out a sudden growl that was
+in quite a different tone from the sounds he had made before. He turned
+sharply and bit at the place on his flank where the stone had hit him,
+and then, in a perfectly unreasonable manner, the bear turned sharp
+around and scampered after Ruth harder than ever. It was plain that he
+blamed her for throwing the stone. At least, she was nearest to him, and
+the bear was anxious to get out of the way of the screaming girls below.
+
+Ruth did not give voice to her fear. Perhaps if she had shrieked as The
+Fox did the bear would have been afraid of her. As it was, he came on,
+growling savagely. And in half a minute he was fairly upon her heels!
+
+The way up the height was in a gully with steep sides. Ruth, casting
+back over her shoulder a single terrified glance, saw the lumbering
+beast right upon her heels. The rocks on either hand were too steep to
+climb; it seemed as though the bear would seize her in a moment.
+
+And then it was that the miracle happened. It seemed as though the girl
+_must_ be torn and mangled by the bear, when a figure darted into sight
+above her. A voice shouted:
+
+“Lie down! Lie down, so I can shoot!”
+
+It was a man with a gun. In the second Ruth saw him she only knew he was
+trying to draw bead on the pursuing bear. She had no idea what her
+rescuer looked like—whether he was old, or young.
+
+It took courage to obey his command. But Ruth had that courage. She
+flung herself forward upon her hands and knees and—seemingly—at the same
+instant the man above fired.
+
+The roar of the weapon in the rocky glen and the roar of the stricken
+bear, was a deafening combination of sound. The bullet had hit the big
+brute somewhere in a serious spot and he was rolling and kicking on the
+rocks—his first throes of agony flinging him almost to Ruth’s feet.
+
+But the girl scrambled farther away and heard the rifle speak again. A
+second bullet entered the body of the bear. At the same time a lusty
+shout arose from below. The boys and Jib having explored the
+river-tunnel as far as they found it practicable, had returned to the
+camp and there discovered where the girls had gone. Jib hastened after
+them, for he felt that they should not be roaming over the rocks without
+an armed escort.
+
+“Hi, yi!” he yelped, tearing up the path with a rifle in his hand. “Keep
+it up, brother! We’re comin’!”
+
+Tom and Bob came with him. Jib saw the expiring bear, and he likewise
+glimpsed the man who had brought bruin down. In a moment, however, the
+stranger darted out of sight up the path and they did not even hear his
+footsteps on the rocks.
+
+“Why, that’s that feller from Tintacker!” cried the Indian. “Hey, you!”
+
+“Not the crazy man?” gasped Jane Ann.
+
+“Oh, surely he’ll come back?” said Helen.
+
+Ruth turned, almost tempted to run after the stranger. “Do you really
+mean to say it is the young man who has been staying at the Tintacker
+properties so long?” she asked.
+
+“That’s the feller.”
+
+“We’d ought to catch him and see what Uncle Bill has to say to him about
+the fire,” said Jane Ann.
+
+“Oh, we ought to thank him for shooting the bear,” cried Madge.
+
+“And I wanted to speak with him so much!” groaned Ruth; but nobody heard
+her say this. The others had gathered around the dead bear. Of a sudden
+a new discovery was made:
+
+“Where’s Mary?” cried Helen.
+
+“The Fox has run away!” exclaimed Madge.
+
+“I’ll bet she has!” exclaimed Jane Ann Hicks. “Didn’t you see her, Jib?”
+
+“We didn’t pass her on the path,” said Tom.
+
+Ruth’s keen eye discovered the missing girl first. She ran with a cry to
+a little shelf upon which the foxy maid had scrambled when the
+excitement started. The Fox was stretched out upon the rock in a dead
+faint!
+
+“Well! would you ever?” gasped Madge. “Who’d think that Mary Cox would
+faint? She’s always been bold enough, goodness knows!”
+
+Ruth had hurried to the shelf where The Fox lay. She was very white and
+there could be no doubt but that she was totally unconscious. Jib lent
+his assistance and getting her into his arms he carried her bodily down
+the steep path to the camp, leaving Tom and Bob to guard the bear until
+he returned to remove the pelt. The other girls strung out after their
+fainting comrade, and the journey to the summit of the natural bridge
+was postponed indefinitely.
+
+Cold water from the mountain stream soon brought The Fox around. But
+when she opened her eyes and looked into the face of the ministering
+Ruth, she muttered:
+
+“And _you_ saw him, too!”
+
+Then she turned her face away and began to cry.
+
+“Aw, shucks!” exclaimed the ranchman’s niece, “don’t bawl none about it.
+The bear won’t hurt you now. He’s dead as can be.”
+
+But Ruth did not believe that Mary Cox was crying about the bear. Her
+words and subsequent actions _did_ puzzle the girl of the Red Mill. Ruth
+had whispered to Tom, before they left the scene of the bear shooting:
+
+“See if you can find that man. If you can, bring him into camp.”
+
+“But if he’s crazy?” Tom suggested, in surprise.
+
+“He isn’t too crazy to have saved my life,” declared the grateful girl.
+“And if he is in his right mind, all the more reason why we should try
+to help him.”
+
+“You’re always right, Ruthie,” admitted Helen’s brother. But when the
+boy and Jib returned to camp two hours later, with the bear pelt and
+some of the best portions of the carcass, they had to report that the
+stranger who had shot the bear seemed to have totally disappeared. Jib
+Pottoway was no bad trailer; but over the rocks it was impossible to
+follow the stranger, especially as he had taken pains to hide his trail.
+
+“If you want to thank that critter for saving you from the b’ar, Miss
+Ruthie,” the Indian said, “you’ll hafter go clear over to Tintacker to
+do so. That’s my opinion.”
+
+“How far away is that?” demanded Mary Cox, suddenly.
+
+“Near a hundred miles from this spot,” declared Jib. “That is, by wagon
+trail. I reckon you could cut off thirty or forty miles through the
+hills. The feller’s evidently l’arnt his way around since Winter.”
+
+Mary asked no further question about the man from Tintacker; but she had
+shown an interest in him that puzzled Ruth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII—THE PARTY AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE
+
+
+The bear fight and the runaway together so disturbed the minds of the
+picnicking party in the cañon that nobody objected to the suggestion of
+an early return to the ranch-house. Ruth was secretly much troubled in
+her mind over the mysterious individual who had killed the bear. She had
+not seen her rescuer’s face; but she wondered if Mary Cox had seen it?
+
+The girls never did get to the top of the natural bridge. Jib and the
+boys in trying to trace the stranger had gone over the summit; but they
+did not tarry to look around. The girls and Ricardo got supper,
+immediately after which they set out on the return drive.
+
+Jib insisted upon holding the lines over the backs of the team that had
+run away—and he saw that Mary Cox rode in that vehicle, too. But The Fox
+showed no vexation at this; indeed, she was very quiet all the way to
+Silver Ranch. She was much unlike her usual snappy, sharp-tongued self.
+
+But, altogether, the party arrived home in very good spirits. The
+wonders of the wild country—so much different from anything the
+Easterners had seen before—deeply impressed Ruth and her friends. The
+routine work of the ranch, however, interested them more. Not only Tom
+and Bob, but their sisters and the other girls, found the free,
+out-of-door life of the range and corral a never-failing source of
+delight.
+
+Ruth herself was becoming a remarkably good horsewoman. Freckles carried
+her many miles over the range and Jane Ann Hicks was scarcely more bold
+on pony-back than was the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+As for the cowboys of the Silver outfit, they admitted that the visitors
+were “some human,” even from a Western standpoint.
+
+“Them friends o’ yourn, Miss Jinny,” Jimsey said, to Old Bill’s niece,
+“ain’t so turrible ‘Bawston’ as some tenderfoots I’ve seen.” (“Boston,”
+according to Jimsey, spelled the ultra-East and all its “finicky” ways!)
+“I’m plum taken with that Fielding gal—I sure am. And I believe old Ike,
+here, is losin’ his heart to her. Old Lem Dickson’s Sally better bat her
+eyes sharp or Ike’ll go up in the air an’ she’ll lose him.”
+
+It was true that the foreman was less bashful with Ruth than with any of
+the other girls. Ruth knew how to put him at his ease. Every spare hour
+Bashful Ike had he put in teaching Ruth to improve her riding, and as
+she was an early riser they spent a good many morning hours cantering
+over the range before the rest of the young people were astir at Silver
+Ranch.
+
+It was on one of these rides that Bashful Ike “opened up” to Ruth upon
+the subject of the red-haired school-teacher at the Crossing.
+
+“I’ve jest plumb doted on that gal since she was knee-high to a Kansas
+hopper-grass,” the big puncher drawled. “An’ she knows it well enough.”
+
+“Maybe she knows it too well?” suggested Ruth, wisely.
+
+“Gosh!” groaned Ike. “I _gotter_ keep her reminded I’m on the job—say,
+ain’t I? Now, them candies you bought for me an’ give to her—what do you
+s’pose she did with ’em?”
+
+“She ate them if she had right good sense,” replied Ruth, with a smile.
+“They were nice candies.”
+
+“I rid over to Lem’s the next night,” said Ike, solemnly, “an’ that
+leetle pink-haired skeezicks opened up that box o’ sweetmeats on the
+counter an’ had all them lop-eared jack-rabbits that sits around her
+pa’s store o’ nights he’pin’ themselves out o’ _my_ gift-box. Talk
+erbout castin’ pearls before swine!” continued Bashful Ike, in deep
+disgust, “_that_ was suah flingin’ jewels to the hawgs, all right. Them
+’ombres from the Two-Ten outfit, an’ from over Redeye way, was stuffin’
+down them bonbons like they was ten-cent gumdrops. An’ Sally never ate
+a-one.”
+
+“She did that just to tease you,” said Ruth, sagely.
+
+“Huh!” grunted Ike. “I never laid out to hurt her feelin’s none. Dunno
+why she should give me the quirt. Why, I’ve been hangin’ about her an’
+tryin’ to show her how much I think of her for years! She must know I
+wanter marry her. An’ I got a good bank account an’ five hundred head o’
+steers ter begin housekeepin’ on.”
+
+“Does Sally know all that?” asked Ruth, slyly.
+
+“Great Peter!” ejaculated Ike. “She’d oughter. Ev’rybody else in the
+county does.”
+
+“But did you ever ask Sally right out to marry you?” asked the Eastern
+girl.
+
+“She never give me a chance,” declared Ike, gruffly.
+
+“Chance!” gasped Ruth, wanting to laugh, but being too kind-hearted to
+do so. “What sort of a chance do you expect?”
+
+“I never git to talk with her ten minutes at a time,” grumbled Ike.
+
+“But why don’t you _make_ a chance?”
+
+“Great Peter!” cried the foreman again. “I can’t throw an’ hawg-tie her,
+can I? I never can git down to facts with her—she won’t let me.”
+
+“If I were a great, big man,” said Ruth, her eyes dancing, “I surely
+wouldn’t let a little wisp of a girl like Miss Dickson get away from
+me—if I wanted her.”
+
+“How am I goin’ to he’p it?” cried Ike, in despair. “She’s jest as sassy
+as a cat-bird. Ye can’t be serious with her. She plumb slips out o’ my
+fingers ev’ry time I try to hold her.”
+
+“You are going to the dance at the schoolhouse, aren’t you?” asked Ruth.
+
+“I reckon.”
+
+“Can’t you get her to dance with you? And when you’re dancing can’t you
+ask her? Come right out plump with it.”
+
+“Why, when I’m a-dancin’,” confessed Ike, “I can’t think o’ nawthin’ but
+my feet.”
+
+“Your feet?” cried Ruth.
+
+“Yes, ma’am. They’re so e-tar-nal big I gotter keep my mind on ’em all
+the time, or I’ll be steppin’ on Sally’s. An’ if I trod on her jest
+wunst—wal, that would suah be my finish with her. She ain’t got that red
+hair for nawthin’,” concluded the woeful cowpuncher.
+
+Ike was not alone at the Silver Ranch in looking forward to the party at
+the schoolhouse. Every man who could be spared of the —X0 outfit
+(“Bar-Cross-Naught”) planned to go to the Crossing Saturday night. Such
+a rummaging of “war-bags” for fancy flannel shirts and brilliant ties
+hadn’t occurred—so Old Bill Hicks said—within the remembrance of the
+present generation of prairie-dogs!
+
+“Jest thinkin’ about cavortin’ among the gals about drives them ’ombres
+loco,” declared the ranchman. “Hi guy! here’s even Jimsey’s got a bran’
+new shirt on.”
+
+“’Tain’t nuther!” scoffed Bud. “Whar’s your eyes, Boss? Don’t you
+reckernize that gay and festive shirt? Jimsey bought it ‘way back when
+Mis’ Hills’ twins was born.”
+
+“So it’s as old as the Hills, is it?” grunted Mr. Hicks. “Wal, he ain’t
+worn it right frequent in this yere neck o’ woods—that I’ll swear to!
+An’ a purple tie with it—Je-ru-sha! Somebody’ll take a shot at him in
+that combination of riotin’ colors—you hear me!”
+
+The girls too were quite fluttered over the prospect of attending the
+party. Helen had agreed to take her violin along and Bob offered to help
+out with the music by playing his harmonica—an instrument without which
+he never went anywhere, save to bed or in swimming!
+
+“And I can’t think of anything more utterly sad, Bobbie,” declared his
+sister, “than your rendition of ‘the Suwanee River’ on that same
+mouth-organ. When it comes to your playing for square dances, I fear you
+would give our Western friends much cause for complaint—and many of
+them, I notice, go armed,” she continued, significantly.
+
+“Huh!” sniffed Bob. “I guess I don’t play as bad as all that. Busy Izzy
+could dance a jig to my playing.”
+
+“That’s what I thought,” responded Madge. “You’re just about up to
+playing jig-tunes on that old mouth-organ.”
+
+Just the same, Bob slipped the harmonica into his pocket. “You never can
+tell what may happen,” he grunted.
+
+“It’ll be something mighty serious, then, Bobbie, if it necessitates the
+bringing forth of that instrument of torture,” said his sister, bound to
+have the last word.
+
+At dusk the big automobile got away from Silver Ranch, surrounded by a
+gang of wall-eyed ponies that looked on the rattling machine about as
+kindly as they would have viewed a Kansas grain thrasher. The visitors
+and Jane Ann all rode in the machine, for even Ruth’s Freckles would
+have turned unmanageable within sight and sound of that touring car.
+
+“That choo-choo cart,” complained Bud, the cowboy, “would stampede a
+battalion of hoptoads. Whoa, you Sonny! it ain’t goin’ tuh bite yuh.”
+This to his own half-crazy mount. “Look out for your Rat-tail, Jimsey,
+or that yere purple necktie will bite the dust, as they say in the
+storybooks.”
+
+The hilarious party from Silver Ranch, however, reached the Crossing
+without serious mishap. They were not the first comers, for there were
+already lines of saddle ponies as well as many various “rigs” hitched
+about Lem Dickson’s store. The schoolhouse was lit brightly with
+kerosene lamps, and there was a string of Chinese lanterns hung above
+the doorway.
+
+The girls, in their fresh frocks and furbelows, hastened over to the
+schoolhouse, followed more leisurely by their escorts. Sally Dickson, as
+chief of the committee of reception, greeted Jane Ann and her friends,
+and made them cordially welcome, although they were all some years
+younger than most of the girls from the ranches roundabout.
+
+“If you Eastern girls can all dance, you’ll sure help us out a whole
+lot,” declared the brisk little schoolmistress. “For if there’s anything
+I do dispise it’s to see two great, hulking men paired off in a reel, or
+a ‘hoe-down.’ And you brought your violin, Miss Cameron? That’s fine!
+You can play without music, I hope?”
+
+Helen assured her she thought she could master the simple dance tunes to
+which the assembly was used. There were settees ranged around the walls
+for the dancers to rest upon, and some of the matrons who had come to
+chaperone the affair were already ensconced upon these. There was a buzz
+of conversation and laughter in the big room. The men folk hung about
+the door as yet, or looked in at the open windows.
+
+“Did that big gump, Ike Stedman, come over with you-all, Miss Fielding?”
+Sally Dickson asked Ruth, aside. “Or did he know enough to stay away?”
+
+“I don’t believe Mr. Hicks could have kept him on the ranch to-night,”
+replied Ruth, smiling. “He has promised to dance with me at least once.
+Ike is an awfully nice man, I think—and so kind! He’s taught us all to
+ride and is never out of sorts, or too busy to help us out. We
+‘tenderfoots’ are always getting ‘bogged,’ you know. And Ike is right
+there to help us. We all like him immensely.”
+
+Sally looked at her suspiciously. “Humph!” said she. “I never expected
+to hear that Bashful Ike was so popular.”
+
+“Oh, I assure you he is,” rejoined Ruth, calmly. “He is developing into
+quite a lady’s man.”
+
+Miss Dickson snorted. Nothing else could explain her method of
+emphatically expressing her disbelief. But Ruth was determined that the
+haughty little schoolmistress should have her eyes opened regarding
+Bashful Ike before the evening was over, and she proceeded to put into
+execution a plan she had already conceived on the way over from Silver
+Ranch.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV—BASHFUL IKE COMES OUT STRONG
+
+
+Ruth first of all took Jane Ann into her confidence. The ranchman’s
+niece had been going about the room renewing her acquaintance with the
+“neighbors,” some of whom lived forty miles from Silver Ranch. The
+Western girl was proud of the friends she had made “Down East,” too, and
+she was introducing them all, right and left. But Ruth pinched her arm
+and signified that she wished to see her alone for a moment.
+
+“Now, Nita,” the girl from the Red Mill whispered, “we want to see that
+Mr. Stedman has a good time to-night. You know, he’s been awfully good
+to us all.”
+
+“Bashful Ike?” exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+“Yes. And we must give him so good a time that he will forget to be
+bashful.”
+
+“He’s a right good feller—yes,” admitted Jane Ann, somewhat puzzled.
+“But what can we do for him?”
+
+“Every one of us girls from the ranch must dance with him.”
+
+“Oh, crickey!” chuckled Jane Ann, suddenly. “You want to try to make
+Sally Dickson jealous, don’t you?”
+
+“No. I only want to make her see that Ike is popular, even if she
+doesn’t think him worth being kind to. And Ike _is_ worth being kind to.
+He’s a gentleman, and as kind-hearted a man as I ever saw.”
+
+“He’s all of that,” admitted the Western girl. “But he’s so clumsy—”
+
+“Forget that!” exclaimed Ruth. “And make _him_ forget his clumsiness.
+He’s as good as gold and deserves better treatment at the hands of Sally
+than he has been getting. Of course, she won’t be jealous of us young
+girls——”
+
+“Humph! ‘Young girls,’” scoffed Jane Ann. “I don’t think we’re so awful
+young.”
+
+“Well, we’re too young to be accused of trying to take Sally’s beau away
+from her,” cried Ruth, merrily. “Now, you’ll make him dance with you—and
+first, too. He’ll have to if you say so, for he’s your uncle’s foreman.”
+
+“I’ll do it,” agreed Jane Ann.
+
+Ruth of course found Helen ready and willing to agree to her plan, and
+Madge did not need much urging. They all liked Ike Stedman, and although
+the brisk little schoolmistress seemed to be a very nice girl, the
+foreman of Silver Ranch was quite worthy of her.
+
+“If he dares to dance with me,” chuckled Heavy, “I am willing to keep it
+up all the evening. That is, if you think such a course, Ruthie, will
+awaken Miss Dickson to poor Ike’s good points.”
+
+“And how about those blisters you were complaining about the other day?”
+asked Madge, slyly.
+
+“Pshaw! what girl ever remembered blisters when she could dance?”
+responded the stout girl, with scorn.
+
+Ruth had all but The Fox in line when the violin struck up the first
+number; she did not think it wise to speak to Mary about the plan, for
+she feared that the latter would refuse to coöperate. The boys came
+straggling in at the first notes of Helen’s violin, and there were no
+medals on Ike Stedman for bashfulness at first. Tom Cameron, spurred on
+by his sister, broke the ice and went at once to the school-teacher and
+asked for the dance. Bob followed suit by taking Mary Cox for a partner
+(Mary engineered _that_), and soon the sets began to form while Helen
+played her sprightliest.
+
+The young men crowded in awkwardly and when Jane Ann saw the tall figure
+of Ike just outside the door she called to him:
+
+“Come on in, Mr. Stedman. You know this is our dance. Hurry up!”
+
+Now Ike usually didn’t get up sufficient courage to appear upon the
+floor until half the evening was over, and there was a deal of chuckling
+and nudging when the foreman, his face flaming, pushed into the room.
+But he could not escape “the boss’ niece.” Jane Ann deliberately led him
+into the set of which Tom and Sally Dickson were the nucleus.
+
+“My great aunt!” groaned Ike. “Just as like as not, honey, I’ll trample
+all over you an’ mash yo’ feet. It’s like takin’ life in your han’s to
+dance with me.”
+
+“Mebbe I better take my feet in my hands, according to your warning,
+Ike,” quoth Jane Ann. “Aw, come on, I reckon I can dodge your feet, big
+as they are.”
+
+Nor did Bashful Ike prove to be so poor a dancer, when he was once on
+the floor. But he went through the figures of the dance with a face—so
+Jane Ann said afterward—that flamed like a torchlight procession every
+time he came opposite to Sally Dickson.
+
+“I see you’re here early, Mr. Stedman,” said the red-haired
+schoolmistress, as she was being swung by the giant cow puncher in one
+of the figures. “Usually you’re like Parson Brown’s cow’s tail—always
+behind!”
+
+“They drug me in, Sally—they just drug me in,” explained the suffering
+Ike.
+
+“Well, do brace up and look a little less like you was at your own
+funeral!” snapped the schoolmistress.
+
+This sharp speech would have completely quenched Ike’s desire to dance
+had Ruth not laid her plans so carefully. The moment the music ceased
+and Ike made for the door, Heavy stopped him. She was between the
+bashful cow puncher and all escape—unless he went through the window!
+
+“Oh, Mr. Stedman! I do so want to dance,” cried the stout girl, with her
+very broadest and friendliest smile. “Nobody asked me to this time, and
+I just know they’re all afraid of me. Do I look as though I bite?”
+
+“Bless you, no, Miss!” responded the polite foreman of Silver Ranch.
+“You look just as harmless as though you’d never cut a tooth, as fur as
+that goes!”
+
+“Then you’re not afraid to dance the next number with me? There! Helen’s
+tuning up.”
+
+“If you re’lly want me to, Miss,” exclaimed the much-flurried foreman.
+“But I won’t mislead ye. I ain’t a good dancer.”
+
+“Then there will be a pair of us,” was Heavy’s cheerful reply. “If the
+other folk run off the floor, we’ll be company for each other.”
+
+Carefully rehearsed by Ruth Fielding, Jennie Stone likewise picked the
+group of dancers of which Sally Dickson and a new partner were members;
+and once again Bashful Ike found himself close to the object of his
+adoration.
+
+“Hullo, Ike! you back again?” demanded Sally, cheerfully, as they
+clasped hands in a “walk-around.” “I believe you are getting to be a
+regular lady’s man.”
+
+“Aw—now—Sally!”
+
+“So that Ruth Fielding says,” laughed Sally. “You’re sure popular with
+those youngsters.”
+
+Ike grinned feebly. But he was feeling better. He had actually forgotten
+his feet—even in Sally’s presence. Jennie Stone, although an all too
+solid bit of humanity, was remarkably light upon her feet when it came
+to dancing. Indeed, she was so good a dancer that she steered Ike over
+the floor to such good purpose that he—as well as other people—began to
+believe that Bashful Ike was no more awkward than the next man off the
+range.
+
+“Why, Ruthie!” whispered Madge Steele, who was the next “victim” in
+line. “Ike is a regular Beau Brummel beside some of these fellows. Look
+at Heavy steering him around! And look at the teacher watching them.
+Humph! young lady I believe you’re got a ‘great head on you,’ to quote
+Master Bobbie.”
+
+“Now, you be real nice to him, Madge,” Ruth urged.
+
+“Of course I shall, child,” replied Miss Steele, with her most
+“grown-uppish” air. “He’s nice anyway; and if we can ‘wake teacher’ up
+to his importance, I’ll gladly do my part.”
+
+“If it only gives him a grain of confidence in himself, I shall be
+satisfied,” declared Ruth. “That is what Ike lacks.”
+
+The foreman of Silver Ranch was coming out pretty strong, however. The
+Virginia Reel was the favorite dance, and when Helen stopped playing the
+applause was so great, that she responded with a repetition of the whole
+figure; so Ike and Heavy continued on the floor for a much longer
+period, and the big cowpuncher gained more ease of manner. When they
+ceased dancing the stout girl led her escort right into the clutches of
+Madge Steele.
+
+Now, Madge was taller than the schoolmistress and in her city-made gown
+looked years older. The boys were rather afraid of Madge when she “put
+on the real thing,” as her brother inelegantly expressed it, for she
+seemed then quite a young lady grown!
+
+“I really believe you Western men are gallant, Mr. Stedman,” she
+announced. “Chivalrous, and unafraid, and bold, and all that. I am
+deeply disappointed.”
+
+“How’s that, Miss?” exclaimed poor Ike.
+
+“I haven’t had an invitation to dance yet,” pursued Madge. “If I had
+scarletina, or the measles—or even the mumps—I do not think I should be
+more avoided by the male portion of the assembly. What do you suppose is
+the matter with me, Mr. Stedman?”
+
+“Why, I—I——”
+
+Ike was on the verge of declaring that he would find her a partner if he
+had to use a gun to get one to come forward; but he was inspired for
+once to do the right thing. He really bowed before Madge with something
+of a flourish, as the tinkle of the violin strings began again.
+
+“If you think you can stand _me_, Miss Steele,” declared the big
+foreman, “I’d be near about tickled to death to lead you out myself.”
+
+“You are very good,” said Madge, demurely. “But are you sure—I think
+that pretty little teacher is looking this way. You are not neglecting
+any old friends for _me_ I hope, Mr. Stedman?”
+
+Ike’s face flamed again furiously. He stole a glance at Sally Dickson,
+who had just refused Jimsey for a partner—and with sharpness.
+
+“I’m pretty sure I’ll be a whole lot better off with you, Miss,” he
+admitted. “Jest now, especially.”
+
+Madge’s ringing laugh caught Sally’s ear, as the Eastern girl bore the
+foreman of Silver Ranch off to join the next set of dancers. The teacher
+did not dance that number at all.
+
+Mrs. “Jule” Marvin, the young and buxom wife of the owner of the Two-Ten
+Ranch, caught Ike’s hand and whispered loudly:
+
+“I never suspected you was such a heart-breaker, Ike. Goodness me!
+you’re dancing every dance, and with a new partner each time. I haven’t
+got to be left out in the cold just because I’m married to Tom, I hope?
+He can’t dance with that game leg, poor old man! You going to save a
+dance for me, Ike?”
+
+“Suah’s your bawn, honey!” responded the foreman, who was beginning to
+enjoy his prominence and had known Mrs. Jule for years. “The next one’s
+yours if you say the word.”
+
+“You’re my meat, then, Ike,” declared the jolly Western matron, as she
+glided away with her present partner.
+
+So there was a little rift in Ruth Fielding’s scheme, for Ike danced
+next with the ranchman’s wife. But that pleased the girl from the Red
+Mill and her fellow conspirators quite as well. Ike was no neglected
+male “wall-flower.” Sally only skipped one dance; but she watched the
+big foreman with growing wonder.
+
+A rest was due Helen anyway; and Bob Steele was at hand with his
+never-failing harmonica. “The heart-rending strains,” as Madge termed
+the rather trying music from the mouth-organ, were sufficiently lively
+for most of the party, and the floor was filled with dancers when Helen
+captured Ike and he led her into a set just forming.
+
+“You must be the best dancer among the men, Mr. Ike,” declared Ruth’s
+chum, dimpling merrily. “You are in such demand.”
+
+“I b’lieve you gals have jest been ladlin’ the syrup intuh me, Miss
+Cam’ron,” Ike responded, but grinning with growing confidence. “It’s
+been mighty nice of you.”
+
+“You’d better give Sally a chance pretty soon,” whispered Helen. “There
+is surely fire in her eye.”
+
+“Great Peter!” groaned Ike. “I’m almost afraid to meet up with her now.”
+
+“Pluck up your spirit, sir!” commanded Helen. And she maneuvered so
+that, when the dance was done, they stood right next to Sally Dickson
+and her last partner.
+
+“Well, ain’t you the busy little bee, Ike,” said the school-teacher, in
+a low voice. “Are you bespoke for the rest of the evening? These
+young-ones certainly have turned your head.”
+
+“Me, Sally?” responded her bashful friend. “They like tuh dance, I
+reckon, like all other young things—an’ the other boys seem kinder
+backward with ’em; ’cause they’re Bawston, I s’pose.”
+
+“Humph!” ejaculated Miss Sally; “you ain’t such a gump as to believe all
+that. That little Smartie, Ruth Fielding, planned all this, I bet a
+cent!”
+
+“Miss Ruth?” queried Ike, in surprise. “Why, I ain’t danced with her at
+all.”
+
+“Nor you ain’t a-goin’ to!” snapped Sally. “You can dance with me for a
+spell now.” And for the remainder of that hilarious evening Sally
+scarcely allowed Bashful Ike out of her clutches.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV—“THE NIGHT TRICK”
+
+
+The party at the schoolhouse was declared a success by all Jane Ann
+Hick’s Eastern friends—saving, of course, The Fox. She had only danced
+with Tom and Bob and had disproved haughtily of the entire proceedings.
+She had pronounced Ruth’s little plot for getting Ike and Sally
+together, “a silly trick,” although the other girls had found
+considerable innocent enjoyment in it, and the big foreman of Silver
+Ranch rode home with them after midnight in a plain condition of
+ecstacy.
+
+“Ike suah has made the hit of his life,” Jimsey declared, to the other
+cowboys.
+
+“He was the ‘belle of the ball’ all right,” chimed in another.
+
+“If I warn’t a person of puffectly tame an’ gentle nature, I’d suah be a
+whole lot jealous of his popularity,” proceeded he of the purple
+necktie. “But I see a-many of you ’ombres jest standin’ around and
+a-gnashin’ of your teeth at the way Ike carried off the gals.”
+
+“Huh!” grunted Bud. “We weren’t gnashin’ no teeth at old Ike. What put
+our grinders on edge was that yere purple necktie an’ pink-striped shirt
+you’re wearin’. Ev’ry gal that danced with you, Jimsey, was in danger of
+gettin’ cross-eyed lookin’ at that ne-fa-ri-ous combination.”
+
+Sunday was a quiet day at the ranch. Although there was no church nearer
+than Bullhide, Bill Hicks made a practice of doing as little work as
+possible on the first day of the week, and his gangs were instructed to
+simply keep the herds in bounds.
+
+At the ranch house Ruth and her girl friends arranged a song-service for
+the evening to which all the men about the home corral, and those who
+could be spared to ride in from the range, were invited. This broke up
+several card games in the bunk house—games innocent in themselves,
+perhaps, but an amusement better engaged in on week days.
+
+The boys gathered in the dusk on the wide porch and listened to the
+really beautiful music that the girls had learned at Briarwood Hall.
+Ruth was in splendid voice, and her singing was applauded warmly by the
+cowboys.
+
+“My soul, Bud!” gasped Jimsey. “Couldn’t that leetle gal jest sing a
+herd of millin’ cattle to by-low on the night trick, with that yere
+voice of hers?”
+
+“Uh-huh!” agreed Bud. “She could stop a stampede, she could.”
+
+“Oh, I’d love to see a real stampede!” exclaimed Helen, who overheard
+this conversation.
+
+“You would eh?” responded Jane Ann. “Well, here’s hoping you never get
+your wish—eh, boys?”
+
+“Not with the Bar-Cross-Naught outfit, Miss Jinny,” agreed Bud,
+fervently.
+
+“But it must be a wonderful sight to see so many steers rushing over the
+plain at once—all running as tight as they can run,” urged the innocent
+Helen.
+
+“Ya-as,” drawled Jimsey. “But I want it to be some other man’s cattle.”
+
+“But do you really ever have much trouble with the cattle?” asked Helen.
+“They all look so tame.”
+
+“Except Old Trouble-Maker,” laughed her twin, who stood beside her.
+
+“Looks jest like a picnic, herdin’ them mooley-cows, don’t it?” scoffed
+Jimsey.
+
+“They’d ought to be on the night trick, once,” said Jane Ann. “It’s all
+right punching cows by daylight.”
+
+“What’s the night trick?” asked Heavy.
+
+“Night herding. That’s when things happen to a bunch of cows,” explained
+the ranchman’s niece.
+
+“I believe that must be fun,” cried Ruth, who had come out upon the
+porch. “Can’t we go out to one of the camps and see the work by night as
+well as by day?”
+
+“Good for you, Ruth!” cried Tom Cameron. “That’s the game.”
+
+“Oh, I wouldn’t want to do that,” objected Mary Cox. “We’d have to camp
+out.”
+
+“Well, them that don’t want to go can stay here,” Jane Ann said,
+quickly. If anything was needed to enlist her in the cause it was the
+opposition of The Fox. “I’ll see what Uncle Bill says.”
+
+“But, will it be dangerous?” demanded the more careful Madge.
+
+“I’ve ridden at night,” said Jane Ann, proudly. “Haven’t I, Jimsey?”
+
+“Just so,” admitted the cowboy, gravely. “But a whole bunch o’ gals
+might make the critters nervous.”
+
+“Too many cows would sure make the girls nervous!” laughed Bob, grinning
+at his sister.
+
+But the idea once having taken possession of the minds of Ruth and her
+girl friends, the conclusion was foregone. Uncle Bill at first (to quote
+Jane Ann) “went up in the air.” When he came down to earth, however, his
+niece was right there, ready to argue the point with him and—as usual—he
+gave in to her.
+
+“Tarnashun, Jane Ann!” exclaimed the old ranchman. “I’ll bet these yere
+gals don’t get back home without some bad accident happening. You-all
+are so reckless.”
+
+“Now Uncle Bill! don’t you go to croaking,” she returned, lightly.
+“Ain’t no danger of trouble at all. We’ll only be out one night. We’ll
+go down to Camp Number Three—that’s nearest.”
+
+“No, sir-ree! Them boys air too triflin’ a crew,” declared the ranchman.
+“Jib is bossing the Rolling River outfit just now. You can go over
+there. I can trust Jib.”
+
+As the rest of the party was so enthusiastic, and all determined to
+spend a night at Number Two Camp on the Rolling River Range, Mary Cox
+elected to go likewise. She declared she did not wish to remain at the
+ranch-house in the sole care of a “fat and greasy Mexican squaw,” as she
+called the cook.
+
+“Ouch! I bet that stings Maria when she knows how you feel about her,”
+chuckled Heavy. “Why let carking care disturb your serenity, Mary? Come
+on and enjoy yourself like the rest of us.”
+
+“I don’t expect to enjoy myself in any party that’s just run by one
+girl,” snapped Mary.
+
+“Who’s that?” asked the stout girl, in wonder.
+
+“Ruth Fielding. She bosses everything. She thinks this is all her own
+copyrighted show—like the Sweetbriars. Everything we do she suggests——”
+
+“That shows how good a ‘suggester’ she is,” interposed Heavy, calmly.
+
+“It shows how she’s got you all hypnotized into believing she’s a
+wonder,” snarled The Fox.
+
+“Aw, don’t Mary! Don’t be so mean. I should think Ruth would be the last
+person _you’d_ ever have a grouch on. She’s done enough for you——”
+
+“She hasn’t, either!” cried Mary Fox, her face flaming.
+
+“I’d like to know what you’d call it?” Heavy demanded, with a good deal
+of warmth for her. “If she wasn’t the sweetest-tempered, most forgiving
+girl that ever went to Briarwood, _you’d_ have lost your last friend
+long ago! I declare, I’m ashamed of you!”
+
+“She’s not my friend,” said Mary, sullenly.
+
+“Who is, then? She has helped to save your life on more than one
+occasion. She has never said a word about the time she fell off the
+rocks when we were at Lighthouse Point. You and she were together, and
+_you_ know how it happened. Oh, I can imagine how it happened. Besides,
+Nita saw you, and so did Tom Cameron,” cried the stout girl, more hotly.
+“Don’t think all your tricks can be hidden.”
+
+“What do you suppose I care?” snarled Mary Cox.
+
+“I guess you care what Tom Cameron thinks of you,” pursued Heavy,
+wagging her head. “But after the way you started those ponies when we
+drove to Rolling River Cañon, you can be sure that you don’t stand high
+with him—or with any of the rest of the boys.”
+
+“Pooh! those cowboys! Great, uneducated gawks!”
+
+“But mighty fine fellows, just the same. I’d a whole lot rather have
+their good opinion than their bad.”
+
+Now all this was, for Jennie Stone, pretty strong language. She was
+usually so mild of speech and easy-going, that its effect was all the
+greater. The Fox eyed her in some surprise and—for once—was quelled to a
+degree.
+
+All these discussions occurred on Monday. The Rolling River Camp was
+twenty miles away in the direction of the mountain range. Tuesday was
+the day set for the trip. The party would travel with the supply wagon
+and a bunch of ponies for the herders, bossed by Maria’s husband. On
+Wednesday the young folk would return under the guidance of little
+Ricarde, who was to go along to act as camp-boy.
+
+“But if we like it out there, Uncle Bill, maybe we’ll stay till
+Thursday,” Jane Ann declared, from her pony’s back, just before the
+cavalcade left the ranch-house, very early on Tuesday.
+
+“You better not. I’m going to be mighty busy around yere, and I don’t
+want to be worried none,” declared the ranchman. “And I sha’n’t know
+what peace is till I see you-all back again.”
+
+“Now, don’t worry,” drawled his niece. “We ain’t none of us sugar nor
+salt.”
+
+“I wish I could let Ike go with ye—that’s what I wish,” grumbled her
+uncle.
+
+Ruth Fielding secretly wished the same. The direction of the Rolling
+River Camp lay toward Tintacker. She had asked the foreman about it.
+
+“You’ll be all of thirty mile from the Tintacker claims, Miss Ruth,”
+Bashful Ike said. “But it’s a straight-away trail from the ford a mile,
+or so, this side of the camp. Any of the boys can show you. And Jib
+might spare one of ’em to beau you over to the mine, if so be you are
+determined to try and find that ‘bug’.”
+
+“I _do_ want to see and speak with him,” Ruth said, earnestly.
+
+“It’s pretty sure he’s looney,” said Ike. “You won’t make nothing out o’
+him. I wouldn’t bother.”
+
+“Why, he saved my life!” cried Ruth. “I want to thank him. I want to
+help him. And—and—indeed, I need very much to see and speak with him,
+Ike.”
+
+“Ya-as. That does make a difference,” admitted the foreman. “He sure did
+kill that bear.”
+
+The ponies rattled away behind the heavy wagon, drawn by six mules. In
+the lead cantered Ricarde and his father, herding the dozen or more
+half-wild cow-ponies. The Mexican horse-wrangler was a lazy looking,
+half-asleep fellow; but he sat a pony as though he had grown in the
+saddle.
+
+Ruth, on her beloved little Freckles, rode almost as well now as did
+Jane Ann. The other girls were content to follow the mule team at a more
+quiet pace; but Ruth and the ranchman’s niece dashed off the trail more
+than once for a sharp race across the plain.
+
+“You’re a darling, Ruthie!” declared Jane Ann, enthusiastically. “I wish
+you were going to live out here at Silver Ranch all the time—I do! I
+wouldn’t mind being ‘buried in the wilderness’ if you were along——”
+
+“Oh, but you won’t be buried in the wilderness all the time,” laughed
+the girl from the Red Mill. “I am sure of that.”
+
+“Huh!” ejaculated the Western girl, startled. “What do you mean?”
+
+“I mean that we’ve been talking to Uncle Bill,” laughed Ruth.
+
+“Oh! you ain’t got it fixed for me?” gasped the ranchman’s neice. “Will
+he send me to school?”
+
+“Surest thing you know, Nita!”
+
+“Not to that boarding school you girls all go to?”
+
+“Unless he backs down—and you know Mr. Bill Hicks isn’t one of the
+backing-down kind.”
+
+“Oh, bully for you!” gasped Jane Ann. “I know it’s your doing. I can see
+it all. Uncle Bill thinks the sun just about rises and sets with you.”
+
+“Helen and Heavy did their share. So did Madge—and even Heavy’s aunt,
+Miss Kate, before we started West. You will go to Briarwood with us next
+half, Nita. You’ll have a private teacher for a while so that you can
+catch up with our classes. It’s going to be up to you to make good,
+young lady—that’s all.”
+
+Jane Ann Hicks was too pleased at that moment to say a word—and she had
+to wink mighty hard to keep the tears back. Weeping was as much against
+her character as it would have been against a boy’s. And she was silent
+thereafter for most of the way to the camp.
+
+They rode over a rolling bit of ground and came in sight suddenly of the
+great herd in care of Number Two outfit. Such a crowd of slowly moving
+cattle was enough to amaze the eastern visitors. For miles upon miles
+the great herd overspread the valley, along the far side of which the
+hurrying river flowed. The tossing horns, the lowing of the cows calling
+their young, the strange, bustling movement of the whole mass, rose up
+to the excited spectators in a great wave of sound and color. It was a
+wonderful sight!
+
+Jib rode up the hill to meet them. The men on duty were either squatting
+here and there over the range, in little groups, playing cards and
+smoking, or riding slowly around the outskirts of the herd. There was a
+chuck-tent and two sleeping tents parked by the river side, and the
+smoke from the cook’s sheet-iron stove rose in a thin spiral of blue
+vapor toward that vaster blue that arched the complete scene.
+
+“What a picture!” Ruth said to her chum. “The mountains are grand. That
+cañon we visited was wonderful. The great, rolling plains dwarf anything
+in the line of landscape that we ever saw back East. But _this_ caps all
+the sights we have seen yet.”
+
+“I’m almost afraid of the cattle, Ruthie,” declared Helen. “So many
+tossing horns! So many great, nervous, moving bodies! Suppose they
+should start this way—run us down and stamp us into the earth? Oh! they
+could do it easily.”
+
+“I don’t feel that fear of them,” returned the girl from the Red Mill.
+“I mean to ride all around the herd to-night with Nita. She says she is
+going to help ride herd, and I am going with her.”
+
+This declaration, however, came near not being fulfilled. Jib Pottoway
+objected. The tent brought for the girls was erected a little way from
+the men’s camp, and the Indian stated it as his irrevocable opinion that
+the place for the lady visitors at night was inside the white walls of
+that tent.
+
+“Ain’t no place for girls on the night trick, Miss Jinny—and you know
+it,” complained Jib. “Old Bill will hold me responsible if anything
+happens to you.”
+
+“‘Twon’t be the first time I’ve ridden around a bunch of beeves after
+sundown,” retorted Jane Ann, sharply. “And I’ve promised Ruth. It’s a
+real nice night. I don’t even hear a coyote singing.”
+
+“There’s rain in the air. We may have a blow out of the hills before
+morning,” said Jib, shaking his head.
+
+“Aw shucks!” returned the ranchman’s niece. “If it rains we can borrow
+slickers, can’t we? I never saw such a fellow as you are, Jib. Always
+looking for trouble.”
+
+“You managed to get into trouble the other day when you went over to the
+cañon,” grunted the Indian.
+
+“‘Twarn’t Ruthie and me that made you trouble. And that Cox girl
+wouldn’t dare ride within forty rods of these cows,” laughed the
+ranchman’s niece.
+
+So Jib was forced to give way. Tom and Bob had craved permission to ride
+herd, too. The cowboys seemed to accept these offers in serious mood,
+and that made Jane Ann suspicious.
+
+“They’ll hatch up some joke to play on you-all,” she whispered to
+Ruthie. “But we’ll find out what they mean to do, if we can, and just
+cross-cut ’em.”
+
+The camp by the river was the scene of much hilarity at supper time. The
+guests had brought some especially nice rations from the ranch-house,
+and the herders welcomed the addition to their plain fare with gusto.
+Tom and Bob ate with the men and, when the night shift went on duty,
+they set forth likewise to ride around the great herd which, although
+seemingly so peacefully inclined, must be watched and guarded more
+carefully by night than by day.
+
+Soon after Jane Ann and Ruth rode forth, taking the place together of
+one of the regular herders. These additions to the night gang left more
+of the cow punchers than usual at the camp, and there was much hilarity
+among the boys as Jane Ann and her friend cantered away toward the not
+far-distant herd.
+
+“Those fellows are up to something,” the ranchman’s niece repeated. “We
+must be on the watch for them—and don’t you be scared none, Ruthie, at
+anything that may happen.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI—THE JOKE THAT FAILED
+
+
+The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out
+of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the
+subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd
+lay.
+
+At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence. There was the
+uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one
+lapped its body with its great tongue—again horns clashed—then a big
+steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.
+There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.
+
+A large part of the herd was lying down. Although stars flecked the sky
+quite thickly the whole valley in which the cattle fed seemed
+over-mantled with a pall of blackness. Shapes loomed through this with
+sudden, uncertain outline.
+
+“My! it’s shivery, isn’t it?” whispered Ruth.
+
+“There won’t nothing bite us,” chuckled the Western girl. “Huh! what’s
+that?”
+
+The sudden change in her voice made Ruth giggle nervously. “That’s
+somebody riding ahead of us. _You’re_ not afraid, Nita?”
+
+“Well, I should say not!” cried the other, very boldly. “It’s one of the
+boys. Hello, Darcy! I thought you were a ghost.”
+
+“You gals better git back to the camp,” grunted the cowboy. “We’re going
+to have a shower later. I feel it in the air.”
+
+“We’re neither sugar nor salt,” declared Jane Ann. “We’ve both got
+slickers on our saddles.”
+
+“Ridin’ herd at night ain’t no job for gals,” said Darcy. “And that
+cloud yander is goin’ ter spit lightnin’.”
+
+“He’s always got a grouch about something. I never did like old Darcy,”
+Jane Ann confided to her friend.
+
+But there was a general movement and confusion in the herd before the
+girls had ridden two miles. The cattle smelled the storm coming and, now
+and then, a faint flash of lightning penciled the upper edge of the
+cloud that masked the Western horizon.
+
+“’Tain’t going to amount to anything,” declared Jane Ann.
+
+“It just looks like heat lightning,” agreed Ruth.
+
+“May not rain at all to-night,” pursued the other girl, cheerfully.
+
+“Who’s that yelling?” queried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+“Huh! that’s somebody singing.”
+
+“Singing?”
+
+“Yep.”
+
+“Way out here?”
+
+“Yep. It’s Fred English, I guess. And he’s no Caruso.”
+
+“But what’s he singing for?” demanded the disturbed Ruth, for the sounds
+that floated to their ears were mournful to a degree.
+
+“To keep the cattle quiet,” explained the ranch girl. “Singing often
+keeps the cows from milling——”
+
+“Milling?” repeated Ruth.
+
+“That’s when they begin to get uneasy, and mill around and around in a
+circle. Cows are just as foolish as a flock of hens.”
+
+“But you don’t mean to say the boys sing ’em to sleep?” laughed Ruth.
+
+“Something like that. It often keeps ’em quiet. Lets ’em know there’s
+humans about.”
+
+“Why, I really thought he must be making that noise to keep himself from
+feeling lonely,” chuckled Ruth.
+
+“Nobody’d want to do that, you know,” returned Jane Ann, with
+seriousness. “Especially when they can’t sing no better than that Fred
+English.”
+
+“It is worse than a mourning dove,” complained the girl from the East.
+“Why doesn’t he try something a bit livelier?”
+
+“You don’t want to whistle a jig-tune to keep cows quiet,” Jane Ann
+responded, sagely.
+
+The entire herd seemed astir now. There was a sultriness in the air
+quite unfamiliar on the range. The electricity still glowed along the
+horizon; but it seemed so distant that the girls much doubted Darcy’s
+prophecy of rain.
+
+The cattle continued to move about and crop the short herbage. Few of
+them remained “bedded down.” In the distance another voice was raised in
+song. Ruth’s mount suddenly jumped to one side, snorting. A huge black
+steer rose up and blew a startled blast through his nostrils.
+
+“Gracious! I thought that was a monster rising out of the very earth!
+And so did Freckles, I guess,” cried Ruth, with some nervousness. “Whoa,
+Freckles! Whoa, pretty!”
+
+“You sing, too, Ruthie,” advised her friend. “We don’t want to start
+some foolish steer to running.”
+
+The Eastern girl’s sweet voice—clear and strong—rang out at once and the
+two girls rode on their way. The movement of the herd showed that most
+of the cattle had got upon their feet; but there was no commotion.
+
+As they rode around the great herd they occasionally passed a cowboy
+riding in the other direction, who hailed them usually with some
+witticism. But if Ruth chanced to be singing, they broke off their own
+refrains and applauded the girl’s effort.
+
+Once a coyote began yapping on the hillside near at hand, as Ruth and
+Jane Ann rode. The latter jerked out the shiny gun that swung at her
+belt and fired twice in the direction of the brute’s challenge.
+
+“That’ll scare _him_,” she explained. “They’re a nuisance at calving
+time.”
+
+Slowly, but steadily, the cloud crept up the sky and snuffed out the
+light of the stars. The lightning, however, only played at intervals,
+with the thunder muttering hundreds of miles away, in the hills.
+
+“It is going to rain, Nita,” declared Ruth, with conviction.
+
+“Well, let’s put the rubber blankets over us, and be ready for it,” said
+the ranch girl, cheerfully. “We don’t want to go in now and have the
+boys laugh at us.”
+
+“Of course not,” agreed Ruth.
+
+Jane Ann showed her how to slip the slicker over her head. Its folds
+fell all about her and, as she rode astride, she would be well sheltered
+from the rain if it began to fall. They were now some miles from the
+camp on the river bank, but had not as yet rounded the extreme end of
+the herd. The grazing range of the cattle covered practically the entire
+valley.
+
+The stirring of the herd had grown apace and even in the thicker
+darkness the girls realized that most of the beasts were in motion. Now
+and then a cow lowed; steers snorted and clashed horns with neighboring
+beeves. The restlessness of the beasts was entirely different from those
+motions of a grazing herd by day.
+
+Something seemed about to happen. Nature, as well as the beasts, seemed
+to wait in expectation of some startling change. Ruth could not fail to
+be strongly impressed by this inexplicable feeling.
+
+“Something’s going to happen, Nita. I feel it,” she declared.
+
+“Hark! what’s that?” demanded her companion, whose ears were the
+sharper.
+
+A mutter of sound in the distance made Ruth suggest: “Thunder?”
+
+“No, no!” exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+Swiftly the sound approached. The patter of ponies’ hoofs—a crowd of
+horses were evidently charging out of a nearby coulie into the open
+plain.
+
+“Wild horses!” gasped Jane Ann.
+
+But even as she spoke an eerie, soul-wracking chorus of shrieks broke
+the oppressive stillness of the night. Such frightful yells Ruth had
+never heard before—nor could she, for the moment, believe that they
+issued from the lips of human beings!
+
+“Injuns!” ejaculated Jane Ann and swung her horse about, poising the
+quirt to strike. “Come on——”
+
+Her words were drowned in a sudden crackle of electricity—seemingly over
+their very heads. They were blinded by the flash of lightning which,
+cleaving the cloud at the zenith, shot a zigzag stream of fire into the
+midst of the cattle!
+
+Momentarily Ruth gained a view of the thousands of tossing horns. A
+chorus of bellowing rose from the frightened herd.
+
+But Jane Ann recovered her self-confidence instantly. “It’s nothing but
+a joke, Ruthie!” she cried, in her friend’s ear. “That’s some of the
+boys riding up and trying to frighten us. But there, that’s no joke!”
+
+Another bolt of lightning and deafening report followed. The cowboys’
+trick was a fiasco. There was serious trouble at hand.
+
+“The herd is milling!” yelled Jane Ann. “Sing again, Ruthie! Ride close
+in to them and sing! We must keep them from stampeding if we can!” and
+she spurred her own pony toward the bellowing, frightened steers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII—THE STAMPEDE
+
+
+Be it said of the group of thoughtless cowboys (of whom were the wildest
+spirits of Number Two camp) that their first demonstration as they
+dashed out of the coulie upon the two girls was their only one. Their
+imitation of an Indian attack was nipped in the bud by the bursting of
+the electric storm. There was no time for the continuance of the
+performance arranged particularly to startle Jane Ann and Ruth Fielding.
+Ruth forgot the patter of the approaching ponies. She had instantly
+struck into her song—high and clear—at her comrade’s advice; and she
+drew Freckles closer to the herd. The bellowing and pushing of the
+cattle betrayed their position in any case; but the intermittent flashes
+of lightning clearly revealed the whole scene to the agitated girls.
+
+They were indeed frightened—the ranch girl as well as Ruth herself. The
+fact that this immense herd, crowding and bellowing together, might at
+any moment break into a mad stampede, was only too plain.
+
+Caught in the mass of maddened cattle, the girls might easily be
+unseated and trampled to death. Ruth knew this as well as did the
+Western girl. But if the sound of the human voice would help to keep the
+creatures within bounds, the girl from the Red Mill determined to sing
+on and ride closer in line with the milling herd.
+
+She missed Jane Ann after a moment; but another flash of lightning
+revealed her friend weaving her pony in and out through the pressing
+cattle, using the quirt with free hand on the struggling steers and
+breaking them up into small groups.
+
+The cowboys who had dashed out of the coulie saw the possibility of
+disaster instantly; and they, too, rode in among the bellowing steers.
+With so many heavy creatures pressing toward a common center, many would
+soon be crushed to death if the formation was not broken up. Each streak
+of lightning which played athwart the clouds added to the fear of the
+beasts. Several of the punchers rode close along the edge of the herd,
+driving in the strays. Now it began to rain, and as the very clouds
+seemed to open and empty the water upon the thirsty land, the swish of
+it, and the moaning of the wind that arose, added greatly to the
+confusion.
+
+How it _did_ rain for a few minutes! Ruth felt as though she were riding
+her pony beneath some huge water-spout. She was thankful for the
+slicker, off which the water cataracted. The pony splashed knee-deep
+through runlets freshly started in the old buffalo paths. Here and there
+a large pond of water gleamed when the lightning lit up their
+surroundings.
+
+And when the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun, the cattle began
+to steam and were more troublesome than before. The lightning flashes
+and thunder continued, and when a second downpour of rain began it came
+so viciously, and with so great a wind, that the girls could scarcely
+ride against it.
+
+Suddenly a shout came down the wind. It was taken up and repeated by
+voice after voice. The camp at the far end of the herd had been aroused
+ere this, of course, and every man who could ride was in the saddle. But
+it was at the camp-end of the herd, after all, that the first break
+came.
+
+“They’re off!” yelled Darcy, riding furiously past Ruth and Jane Ann
+toward where the louder disturbance had arisen.
+
+“And toward the river!” shouted another of the cowboys.
+
+The thunder of hoofs in the distance suddenly rose to a deafening sound.
+The great herd had broken away and were tearing toward the Rolling River
+at a pace which nothing could halt. Several of the cowboys were carried
+forward on the fore-front of the wave of maddened cattle; but they all
+managed to escape before the leaders reached the high bank of the
+stream.
+
+Jane Ann screamed some order to Ruth, but the latter could not hear what
+it was. Yet she imitated the Western girl’s efforts immediately. No such
+tame attempts at controlling the cattle as singing to them was now in
+order. The small number of herdsmen left at this point could only force
+their ponies into the herd and break up the formation—driving the mad
+brutes back with their quirts, and finally, after a most desperate
+fight, holding perhaps a third of the great herd from running wildly
+into the stream.
+
+This had been a time of some drought and the river was running low. The
+banks were not only steep upon this side, but they were twenty feet and
+more high. When the first of the maddened beeves reached the verge of
+the bank they went headlong down the descent, and some landed at the
+edge of the water with broken limbs and so were trampled to death. But
+the plunging over of hundreds upon hundreds of steers at the same point,
+together with the washing of the falling rain, quickly cut down these
+banks until they became little more than steep quagmires in which the
+beasts wallowed more slowly to the river’s edge.
+
+This heavy going did more than aught else to retard the stampede; but
+many of the first-comers got over the shallow river and climbed upon the
+plain beyond. All night long the cowboys were gathering up the herd upon
+the eastern shore of the river; those that had crossed must be left
+until day dawned.
+
+And a very unpleasant night it was, although the stampede itself had
+been of short duration. A troop of cattle had dashed through the camp
+and flattened out the tent that had sheltered the lady visitors.
+Fortunately the said visitors had taken refuge in the supply wagon
+before the cattle had broken loose.
+
+But, led by The Fox, there was much disturbance in the supply wagon for
+the time being. Fortunately a water-tight tarpaulin had kept the girls
+comparatively dry; but Mary Cox loudly expressed her wish that they had
+not come out to the camp, and the other girls were inclined to be a
+little fractious as well.
+
+When Jane Ann and Ruth rode in, however, after the trouble was all over,
+and the rain had ceased, a new fire was built and coffee made, and the
+situation took on a more cheerful phase. Ruth was quite excited over it
+all, but glad that she had taken a hand in the herding of the cattle
+that had not broken away.
+
+“And if you stay to help the boys gather the steers that got across the
+river, to-morrow, I am going to help, too,” she declared.
+
+“Tom and Bob will help,” Helen said. “I wish I was as brave as you are,
+Ruth; but I really am afraid of these horned beasts.”
+
+“I never was cut out for even a milkmaid, myself,” added Heavy. “When a
+cow bellows it makes me feel queer up and down my spine just as it does
+when I go to a menagerie and hear the lions roar.”
+
+“They won’t bite you,” sniffed Jane Ann.
+
+“But they can hook you. And my! the noise they made when they went
+through this camp! You never heard the like,” said the stout girl,
+shaking her head. “No. I’m willing to start back for the ranch-house in
+the morning.”
+
+“Me, too,” agreed Madge.
+
+So it was agreed that the four timid girls should return to Silver Ranch
+with Ricarde after breakfast; but Ruth and Jane Ann, with Tom Cameron
+and Bob Steele, well mounted on fresh ponies, joined the gang of cow
+punchers who forded the river at daybreak to bring in the strays.
+
+The frightened cattle were spread over miles of the farther plain and it
+was a two days’ task to gather them all in. Indeed, on the second
+evening the party of four young folk were encamped with Jib Pottoway and
+three of the other punchers, quite twenty miles from the river and in a
+valley that cut deeply into the mountain chain which sheltered the range
+from the north and west.
+
+“It is over this way that the trail runs to Tintacker, doesn’t it, Jib?”
+Ruth asked the Indian, privately.
+
+“Yes, Miss. Such trail as there is can be reached in half an hour from
+this camp.”
+
+“Oh! I do so want to see that man who killed the bear, Jib,” urged the
+girl from the Red Mill.
+
+“Well, it might be done, if he’s over this way now,” returned Jib,
+thoughtfully. “He is an odd stick—that’s sure. Don’t know whether he’d
+let himself be come up with. But——”
+
+“Will you ride with me to the mines?” demanded Ruth, eagerly.
+
+“I expect I could,” admitted the Indian.
+
+“I would be awfully obliged to you.”
+
+“I don’t know what Mr. Hicks would say. But the cattle are in hand
+again—and there’s less than a hundred here for the bunch to drive back.
+They can get along without me, I reckon.”
+
+“And surely without me!” laughed Ruth.
+
+And so it was arranged. The Indian and Ruth were off up the valley
+betimes the next morning, while the rest of the party started for the
+river, driving the last of the stray beeves ahead of them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII—A DESPERATE CASE
+
+
+Jane Ann and Tom Cameron had both offered to accompany Ruth; but for a
+very good—if secret—reason Ruth did not wish any of her young friends to
+attend her at the meeting which she hoped would occur between her and
+the strange young man who (if report were true) had been hanging about
+the Tintacker properties for so long.
+
+She had written Uncle Jabez after her examination with the lawyer of the
+mining record books at Bullhide; but she had told her uncle only that
+the claims had been transferred to the name of “John Cox.” That was the
+name, she knew, that the vacuum cleaner agent had given Uncle Jabez when
+he had interested the miller in the mine. But there was another matter
+in connection with the name of “Cox” which Ruth feared would at once
+become public property if any of her young friends were present at the
+interview to which she now so eagerly looked forward.
+
+Freckles, now as fresh as a pony could be, carried Ruth rapidly up the
+valley, and as the two ponies galloped side by side the girl from the
+Red Mill grew quite confidential with the Indian. She did not like Jib
+Pottoway as she did the foreman of the Bar Cross Naught ranch; but the
+Indian was intelligent and companionable, and he quite evidently put
+himself out to be entertaining.
+
+As he rode, dressed in his typical cowboy costume, Jib looked the
+full-blooded savage he was; but his conversation smacked of the East and
+of his experiences at school. What he said showed that Uncle Sam does
+very well by his red wards at Carlisle.
+
+Jib could tell her, too, much that was interesting regarding the country
+through which they rode. It was wild enough, and there was no human
+habitation in sight. Occasionally a jackrabbit crossed their trail, or a
+flock of birds flew whirring from the path before them. Of other life
+there was none until they had crossed the first ridge and struck into a
+beaten path which Jib declared was the old pack-trail to Tintacker.
+
+The life they then saw did not encourage Ruth to believe that this was
+either a safe or an inhabited country. Freckles suddenly shied as they
+approached a bowlder which was thrust out of the hillside beside the
+trail. Ruth was almost unseated, for she had been riding carelessly. And
+when she raised her eyes and saw the object that had startled the pony,
+she was instantly frightened herself.
+
+Crouching upon the summit of the rock was a lithe, tawny creature with a
+big, round, catlike head and flaming green eyes. The huge cat lashed its
+tail with evident rage and bared a very savage outfit of teeth.
+
+“Oh! what’s that?” gasped Ruth, as Freckles settled back upon his
+haunches and showed very plainly that he had no intention of passing the
+bowlder.
+
+“Puma,” returned the Indian, laconically.
+
+His mount, too, was circling around the rock with mincing steps, quite
+as unfavorably disposed toward the beast as was Freckles.
+
+“Can it leap this far, Jib?” cried Ruth.
+
+“It’ll leap a whole lot farther in just a minute,” returned the Indian,
+taking the rope off his saddle bow. “Now, look out, Miss!”
+
+Freckles began to run backward. The puma emitted a sudden, almost human
+shriek, and the muscles upon its foreshoulders swelled. It was about to
+leap.
+
+Jib’s rope circled in the air. Even as the puma left the rock, its four
+paws all “spraddled out” in midair, the noose dropped over the savage
+cat. The lariat caught the puma around its neck and one foreleg, and
+before it struck the ground Jib had whirled his horse and was spurring
+off across the valley, his captive flying in huge (but involuntary)
+leaps behind him. He rode back in ten minutes with a beaten-out mass of
+fur and blood trailing at the end of his rope, and that was the end of
+Mr. Puma!
+
+“There isn’t any critter a puncher hates worse than a puma,” Jib said,
+gruffly. “We’ve killed a host of ’em this season.”
+
+“And do you always rope them?” queried Ruth.
+
+“They ain’t worth powder and shot. Now, a bear is a gentleman ‘side of a
+lion—and even a little old kiote ain’t so bad. The lion’s so blamed
+crafty and sly. Ha! it always does me good to rope one of them.”
+
+They rode steadily on the trail to the mines after that. It was scarcely
+more than fifteen miles to the claims which had been the site, some
+years before, of a thriving mining camp, but was now a deserted town of
+tumble-down shanties, corrugated iron shacks, and the rustied skeletons
+of machinery at the mouths of certain shafts. Money had been spent
+freely by individuals and corporations in seeking to develop the various
+“leads” believed by the first prospectors to be hidden under the surface
+of the earth at Tintacker. But if the silver was there it was so well
+hidden that most of the miners had finally “gone broke” attempting to
+uncover the riches of silver ore of which the first specimens discovered
+had given promise.
+
+“The Tintacker Lode” it had been originally called, in the enthusiasm of
+its discoverers. But unless this strange prospector, who had hung about
+the abandoned claims for so many months, had struck into a new vein, the
+silver horde had quite “petered out.” Of this fact Ruth was pretty
+positive from all the lawyer and Old Bill Hicks had told her. Uncle
+Jabez had gone into the scheme of re-opening the Tintacker on the
+strength of the vacuum-cleaner agent’s personality and some specimens of
+silver ore that might have been dug a thousand miles from the site of
+the Tintacker claims.
+
+“Don’t look like there was anybody to home,” grunted Jib Pottoway, as
+they rode up the last rise to the abandoned camp.
+
+“Why! it’s a wreck,” gasped Ruth.
+
+“You bet! There’s hundreds of these little fly-by-night mining camps in
+this here Western country. And many a man’s hopes are buried under the
+litter of those caved-in roofs. Hullo!”
+
+“What’s the matter?” asked Ruth, startled as she saw Jib draw his gun
+suddenly.
+
+“What’s that kiote doing diggin’ under that door?” muttered the Indian.
+
+The skulking beast quickly disappeared and Jib did not fire. He rode his
+pony directly to the shack—one of the best of the group—and hammered on
+the door (which was closed) with the butt of his pistol.
+
+“Hullo, in there!” he growled.
+
+Ruth was not a little startled. “Why was the coyote trying to get in?”
+she asked.
+
+“You wait out here, Miss,” said Jib. “Don’t come too close. Kiotes don’t
+usually try to dig into a camp when the owner’s at home.”
+
+“But you spoke as though you thought he might be there!” whispered the
+girl.
+
+“I—don’t—know,” grunted Jib, climbing out of his saddle.
+
+He tried the latch. The door swung open slowly. Whatever it was he
+expected to see in the shack, he was disappointed. When he had peered in
+for half a minute, he stuck the pistol back into its holster and strode
+over the threshhold.
+
+“Oh! what is it?” breathed Ruth again.
+
+He waved her back, but went into the hut. There was some movement there;
+then a thin, babbling voice said something that startled Ruth more than
+had the puma’s yell.
+
+“Gee!” gasped Jib, appearing in the doorway, his face actually pale
+under its deep tan. “It’s the ‘bug’.”
+
+“The man I want to see?” cried Ruth.
+
+“But you can’t see him. Keep away,” advised Jib, stepping softly out and
+closing the door of the shack.
+
+“What is the matter, Jib?” cried Ruth. “He—he isn’t _dead_?”
+
+“Not yet,” replied the Indian.
+
+“What is it, then?”
+
+“Mountain fever—or worse. It’s catching—just as bad as typhoid. You
+mustn’t go in there, Miss.”
+
+“But—but—he’ll die!” cried the girl, all her sympathy aroused. “Nobody
+to help him——”
+
+“He’s far gone. It’s a desperate case, I tell you,” growled Jib. “Ugh! I
+don’t know what we’d better do. No wonder that kiote was trying to dig
+under the door. _He knew_—the hungry beast!”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX—THE MAN AT TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth waited for her companion to suggest their course of action. The man
+she had come to see—the mysterious individual whom she believed had
+taken her uncle’s money to buy up the property known as the Tintacker
+Claim—was in a raging fever in that old shack near the site of the mine.
+She had heard his delirious babblings while Jib was in the hut. It never
+entered her mind that Jib would contemplate leaving the unfortunate
+creature unattended.
+
+“You can’t talk to him, Miss. He don’t know nothing,” declared the
+Indian. “And he’s pretty far gone.”
+
+“What shall we do for him? What needs doing first?” Ruth demanded.
+
+“Why, we can’t do much—as I can see,” grumbled Jib Pottoway.
+
+“Isn’t there a doctor——”
+
+“At Bullhide,” broke in Jib. “That’s the nearest.”
+
+“Then he must be got. We must save this man, Jib,” said the girl,
+eagerly.
+
+“Save him?”
+
+“Certainly. If only because he saved my life when I was attacked by the
+bear. And he must be saved for another reason, too.”
+
+“Why, Miss Ruth, he’ll be dead long before a doctor could get here,”
+cried Jib. “That’s plumb ridiculous.”
+
+“He will die of course if he has no attention,” said the girl,
+indignantly.
+
+“Well?”
+
+“Surely you won’t desert him!”
+
+“About all we can do for the poor fellow is to bury him,” muttered Jib.
+
+“If there was no other reason than that he is a helpless fellow-being,
+we could not go away and leave him here unattended,” declared the girl,
+gravely. “You know that well enough, Jib.”
+
+“Oh, we’ll wait around. But he’s got to die. He’s so far gone that
+nothing can save him. And I oughtn’t to go into the shack, either. That
+fever is contagious, and he’s just full of it!”
+
+“We must get help for him,” cried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+“What sort of help?” demanded the Indian.
+
+“Why, the ranch is not so awfully far away, and I know that Mr. Hicks
+keeps a big stock of medicines. He will have something for this case.”
+
+“Then let’s hustle back,” said Jib, starting to climb into his saddle.
+
+“But the coyote—and other savage beasts!” exclaimed Ruth.
+
+“Gee! I forgot that,” muttered Jib.
+
+“One of us must stay here.”
+
+“Well—I can do that, I suppose. But how about you finding your way to
+the Rolling River outfit? I—don’t—know.”
+
+“I’ll stay here and watch,” declared Ruth, firmly. “You ride for
+help—get medicine—tell Mr. Hicks to send for a doctor at Bullhide, too.
+I have some money with me and I know my Uncle Jasper will pay whatever
+it costs to get a doctor to this man. Besides—there are other people
+interested.”
+
+“Why, Miss, I don’t know about this,” murmured Jib Pottoway. “It’s risky
+to leave you here. Old Bill will be wild at me.”
+
+“I’m going to stay right here,” declared Ruth, getting out of the
+saddle. “You can leave me your gun if you will——”
+
+“Sure! I could do that. But I don’t know what the boss’ll say.”
+
+“It won’t much matter what he says,” said Ruth, with a faint smile. “I
+shall be here and he will be at Silver Ranch.”
+
+“Ugh!” muttered Jib. “But what’ll he say to _me_?”
+
+“I believe Mr. Hicks is too good-hearted to wish to know that we left
+this unfortunate young man here without care. It would be too cruel.”
+
+“You wait till I look about the camp,” muttered Jib, without paying much
+attention to Ruth’s last remark.
+
+He left his pony and walked quickly up the overgrown trail that had once
+been the main street of Tintacker Camp. Ruth slipped out of the saddle
+and ran to the door of the sick man’s hut. She laid her hand on the
+latch, hesitated a moment, and then pushed the door open. There was
+plenty of light in the room. The form on the bed, under a tattered old
+blanket, was revealed. Likewise the flushed, thin face lying against the
+rolled-up coat for a pillow.
+
+“The poor fellow!” gasped Ruth. “And suppose it should be _her_ brother!
+Suppose it _should_ be!”
+
+Only for a few seconds did she stare in at the unfortunate fellow. His
+head began to roll from side to side on the hard pillow. He muttered
+some gibberish as an accompaniment to his fevered dreams. It was a young
+face Ruth saw, but so drawn and haggard that it made her tender heart
+ache.
+
+“Water! water!” murmured the cracked lips of the fever patient.
+
+“Oh! I can’t stand this!” gasped the girl. She wheeled about and sent a
+long shout after Jib: “Jib! I say, Jib!”
+
+“What’s wantin’?” replied the Indian from around the bend in the trail.
+
+“Bring some water! Get some fresh water somewhere.”
+
+“I get you!” returned the cowboy, and then, without waiting another
+instant, Ruth stepped into the infected cabin and approached the
+sufferer’s couch.
+
+The sick man’s head moved incessantly; so did his lips. Sometimes what
+he said was audible; oftener it was just a hoarse murmur. But when Ruth
+raised his head tenderly and took out the old coat to refold it for a
+pillow, he screamed aloud and seized the garment with both hands and
+with an awful strength! His look was maniacal. There were flecks of foam
+on his lips and his eyes rolled wildly. There was more than ordinary
+delirium in his appearance, and he fought for possession of the coat,
+shrieking in a cracked voice, the sound of which went straight to Ruth’s
+heart.
+
+The sound brought Jib on the run.
+
+“What in all tarnation are you doing in that shack?” he shouted. “You
+come out o’ there!”
+
+“Oh, Jib,” said she, as the man fell back speechless and seemingly
+lifeless on the bed. “We can’t leave him alone like this.”
+
+“That whole place is infected. You come out!” the puncher commanded.
+
+“There’s no use scolding me now, Jib,” she said, softly. “The harm is
+done, if it _is_ to be done. I’m in here, and I mean to stay with him
+till you get help and medicine.”
+
+“You—you——”
+
+“Don’t call me names, but get the water. Find a pail somewhere. Bring
+plenty of cool water. He is burning up with fever and thirst.”
+
+“Well, the hawse is stole, I reckon!” grunted the Indian. “But you’d
+ought to be shaken. What the boss says to me about this will be
+a-plenty.”
+
+“Get the water, Jib!” commanded Ruth Fielding. “See! he breathes so
+hard. I believe he is dying of thirst more than anything else.”
+
+Jib grabbed the canteen that swung at the back of his saddle, emptied
+the last of the stale water on the ground, and hurried away to where a
+thin stream tumbled down the hillside behind one of the old shaft
+openings. He brought the canteen back full—and it held two quarts.
+
+“Just a little at first,” said the girl, pouring some of the cool water
+into her own folding cup that she carried in her pocket. “He mustn’t
+have too much. And you keep out of the house, Jib. No use in both of us
+running the risk of catching the fever. You’ll have to ride for help,
+too. And you don’t want to take the infection among the other boys.”
+
+“You _are_ a plucky one, Miss,” admitted the cowboy. “But there’s bound
+to be the piper to pay for this. They’ll say it was my fault.”
+
+“I won’t let ’em,” declared Ruth. She raised the sick man’s head again
+and put the cup to his lips. “I wish I had some clean cloths. Oh! let
+somebody ride over from the camp with food and any stimulants that there
+may be there. See if you can find some larger receptacle for water
+before you go.”
+
+“She’s a cleaner!” muttered the Indian, shaking his head, and walking
+away to do her bidding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX—THE WOLF AT THE DOOR
+
+
+Ruth had the old coat folded and under the sick man’s head again when
+Jib returned with a rusty old bucket filled with water. He set it down
+just outside the open door of the cabin—and he did not come in.
+
+“What d’ye s’pose he’s got in the pocket of that coat that he’s so
+choice of, Miss?” he asked, curiously.
+
+“Why! I don’t know,” returned Ruth, wetting her cleanest handkerchief
+and folding it to press upon the patient’s brow.
+
+“He hollered like a loon and grabbed at it when I tried to straighten it
+out,” the Indian said, thoughtfully. “And so he did when you touched
+it.”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“He’s got something hid there. It bothers him even if he is delirious.”
+
+“Perhaps,” admitted Ruth.
+
+But she was not interested in this suspicion. The condition of the poor
+fellow was uppermost in her mind.
+
+“You let me have your pistol, Jib,” she said. “I can use it. It will
+keep that old coyote away.”
+
+“And anything else, too,” said Jib, handing the gun to her and then
+stepping back to his pony. “I’ll hobble your critter, Miss. Don’t go far
+from the door. I’ll either come back myself or send a couple of the boys
+from camp. They will bring food, anyway. I reckon the poor chap’s hungry
+as well as thirsty.”
+
+“He is in a very bad way, indeed,” returned Ruth, gravely. “You’ll
+hurry, Jib?”
+
+“Sure. But you’d better come back with me.”
+
+“No. I’m in for it now,” she replied, trying to smile at him bravely.
+“I’d better nurse him till he’s better, or——”
+
+“You ain’t got no call to do it!” exclaimed the Indian.
+
+“There is more reason for my helping him than you know,” she said, in a
+low voice. “Oh! there is a very good reason for my helping him.”
+
+“He’s too far gone to be helped much, I reckon,” returned the other,
+mounting into his saddle. “But I’ll be going. Take care of yourself.”
+
+“I’ll be all right, Jib!” she responded, with more cheerfulness, and
+waved her hand to him as the cow puncher rode away.
+
+But when the patter of the pony’s hoofs had died away the silence
+brooding over the abandoned mining camp seemed very oppressive indeed.
+It was not a pleasant prospect that lay before her. Not only was she
+alone here with the sick man, but she _was_ afraid of catching the
+fever.
+
+The patient on the couch was indeed helpless. He muttered and rolled his
+head from side to side, and his wild eyes stared at her as though he
+were fearful of what she might do to him. Ruth bathed his face and hands
+again and again; and the cool water seemed to quiet him. Occasionally
+she raised his head that he might drink. There was nothing else she
+could do for his comfort or betterment until medicines arrived.
+
+She searched the cabin for anything which might belong to him. She did
+not find his rifle—the weapon with which he had killed the bear in the
+cañon when Ruth had been in such peril. She did find, however, a worn
+water-proof knapsack; in it was a handkerchief, or two, a pair of torn
+socks and an old shirt, beside shaving materials, a comb and brush, and
+a toothbrush. Not a letter or a scrap of paper to reveal his identity.
+Yet she was confident that this was the man whom she had hoped to meet
+when she came West on this summer jaunt.
+
+This was the fellow who had encouraged Uncle Jabez to invest his savings
+in the Tintacker Mine. It was he, too, who had been to Bullhide and
+recorded the new papers relating to the claim. And if he had made way
+with all Uncle Jabez’s money, and the mining property was worthless,
+Ruth knew that she would never see Briarwood Hall again!
+
+For Uncle Jabez had let her understand plainly that his resources were
+so crippled that she could not hope to return to school with her friends
+when the next term opened. Neither she, nor Aunt Alvirah, nor anybody
+else, could make the old miller change his mind. He had given her one
+year at the boarding school according to agreement. Uncle Jabez always
+did just as he said he would; but he was never generous, and seldom even
+kind.
+
+However, it was not this phase of the affair that so troubled the girl
+from the Red Mill. It was the identity of this fever-stricken man that
+so greatly disturbed her. She believed that there was somebody at Silver
+Ranch who must have a much deeper interest in him than even she felt.
+And she was deeply troubled by this suspicion. Was she doing right in
+not sending word to the ranch at once as to her belief in the identity
+of the man?
+
+The morning was now gone and Ruth would have been glad of some dinner;
+but in leaving the other herders she and Jib had not expected to remain
+so many hours from the Rolling River crossing. At least, they expected
+if they found the man at Tintacker at all, that he would have played the
+host and supplied them with lunch. Had Jib been here she knew he could
+easily have shot a bird, or a hare; there was plenty of small game
+about. But had she not felt it necessary to remain in close attendance
+upon the sick man she would have hesitated about going to the outskirts
+of the camp. Even the possession of Jib’s loaded pistol did not make the
+girl feel any too brave.
+
+Already that morning she had been a witness to the fact that savage
+beasts lurked in the locality. There might be another puma about. She
+was not positively in fear of the coyotes; she knew them to be a
+cowardly clan. But what would keep a bear from wandering down from the
+heights into the abandoned camp? And Ruth had seen quite all the bears
+at close quarters that she wished to see. Beside, this six-shooter of
+Jib’s would be a poor weapon with which to attack a full-grown bear.
+
+It must be late in the afternoon before any of the boys could ride over
+from the Rolling River outfit. She set her mind firmly on _that_, and
+would not hope for company till then. It was a lonely and trying watch.
+The sick man moaned and jabbered, and whenever she touched the old coat
+he used for a pillow, he became quite frantic. Perhaps, as Jib
+intimated, there was something valuable hidden in the garment.
+
+“Deeds—or money—perhaps both,” thought the girl nurse. “And maybe they
+relate to the Tintacker Mine. Perhaps if it is money it is some of
+Uncle’s money. Should I try to take it away from him secretly and keep
+it until he can explain?”
+
+Yet she could not help from thinking that perhaps Jib was right in his
+diagnosis of the case. The man might be too far gone to save. Neither
+physician nor medicines might be able to retard the fever. It seemed to
+have already worn the unfortunate to his very skeleton. If he died,
+would the mystery of the Tintacker Mine, and of Uncle Jabez’s money,
+ever be explained?
+
+Meanwhile she bathed and bathed again the fevered face and hands of the
+unfortunate. This was all that relieved him. He was quiet for some
+minutes after each of these attentions. The water in the bucket became
+warm, like that in the canteen. Ruth thought she could risk going to the
+rivulet for another supply. So she stuck the barrel of the gun into her
+belt and taking the empty pail set out to find the stream.
+
+She closed the door of the sick man’s cabin very carefully. It was not
+far to the water and she had filled the pail and was returning when she
+heard a scratching noise nearby, and then a low growl. Casting swift
+glances of apprehension all about her, she started to run to the cabin;
+but when she got to the trail, it was at the cabin door the peril lay!
+
+It was no harmless, cowardly coyote this time. Perhaps it had not been a
+coyote who had dug there when she and Jib rode up to the camp. She
+obtained this time a clear view of the beast.
+
+It was long, lean and gray. A shaggy beast, with pointed ears and a long
+muzzle. When he turned and glared at her, growling savagely, Ruth was
+held spellbound in her tracks!
+
+“A wolf!” she muttered. “A wolf at the door!”
+
+The fangs of the beast were exposed. The jaws dripped saliva, and the
+eyes seemed blood-red. A more awful sight the girl had never seen. This
+fierce, hungry creature was even more terrifying in appearance than the
+bear that had chased her in the cañon. He seemed, indeed, more savage
+and threatening than the puma that Jib had roped that forenoon as they
+rode over to Tintacker.
+
+He turned squarely and faced her. He was not afraid, but seemed to
+welcome her as an antagonist worthy of his prowess. He did not advance,
+but he stood between Ruth and the door of the sick man’s cabin. She
+might retreat, but in so doing she would abandon the unfortunate to his
+fate. And what that fate would be she could not doubt when once she had
+glimpsed the savage aspect of the wolf.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI—A PLUCKY FIGHT
+
+
+Ruth had already set down the bucket of water and drawn the heavy pistol
+from her belt. The girls had been trying their skill with six-shooters
+at the ranch at odd times, and she knew that she stood a good chance of
+hitting the big gray wolf at ten or twelve yards. The beast made no
+approach; but his intention of returning to the door of the cabin where
+the sick man lay, if she did not disturb him, was so plain that Ruth
+dared not desert the helpless patient!
+
+The wolf crouched, growling and showing his fangs. If the girl
+approached too near he would spring upon her. Or, if she fired and
+wounded him but slightly she feared he would give chase and pull her
+down in a few seconds. She very well know that she could not hope to
+distance the beast if once he started to pursue her.
+
+This was indeed a dreadful situation for a tenderly nurtured girl. The
+wolf looked to be fully as large as Tom Cameron’s mastiff, Reno. And
+Ruth wished with all her heart (as this comparison flashed through her
+mind) that the mastiff was here to give battle to the savage beast.
+
+But it were vain to think of such impossibilities. If anything was to be
+done to drive off the wolf at the cabin door, she must do it herself.
+Yet she dared not make the attack here in the open, and afoot. If she
+approached near enough to him to make her first shot sure and deadly,
+the beast gave every indication of opening the attack himself.
+
+And, indeed, he might spring toward her at any moment. He was growing
+impatient. He had scented the helpless man inside the shack
+and—undisturbed—would soon burrow under the door and get at him.
+Although not so cowardly as a coyote, the wolf seldom attacks human
+beings unless they are helpless or the beast is driven to desperation by
+hunger. And gaunt as this fellow was, there was plenty of small game for
+him in the chapparel.
+
+Thus, Ruth was in a quandary. But she saw plainly that she must withdraw
+or the wolf would attack. She left the bucket of water where it stood
+and withdrew back of the nearest hut. Once out of the wolf’s sight, but
+still holding the revolver ready, she looked hastily about. Her pony,
+hobbled by Jib, had not wandered far. Nor had Freckles seen or even
+scented the savage marauder.
+
+Ruth spied him and crept away from the vicinity of the wolf, keeping in
+hiding all the time. She soon heard the beast clawing at the bottom of
+the door and growling. He might burst the door, or dig under it, any
+moment now!
+
+The last few yards to the pony Ruth made at a run. Freckles snorted his
+surprise; but he knew her and was easily caught. The frightened girl
+returned the revolver to her belt and removed the hobbles. Then she
+vaulted into the saddle and jerked the pony’s head around, riding at a
+canter back toward the cabin.
+
+The wolf heard her coming and drew his head and shoulders back out of
+the hole he had dug. In a few minutes more he would be under the door
+and into the cabin, which had, of course, no floor but the hard-packed
+clay. He started up and glared at the pony and its rider, and the pony
+began to side-step and snort in a manner which showed plainly that he
+did not fancy the vicinity of the beast.
+
+“Whoa, Freckles! Steady, boy!” commanded Ruth.
+
+The cow pony, trained to perfection, halted, with his fore feet braced,
+glaring at the wolf. Ruth dropped the reins upon his neck, and although
+he winced and trembled all over, he did not move from the spot as the
+girl raised the heavy pistol, resting its barrel across her left
+forearm, and took the best aim she could at the froth-streaked chest of
+the wolf.
+
+Even when the revolver popped, Freckles did not move. The wolf sprang to
+one side, snarling with rage and pain. Ruth saw a streak of crimson
+along his high shoulder. The bullet had just nicked him. The beast
+snapped at the wound and whirled around and around in the dust, snarling
+and clashing his teeth.
+
+But when the girl tried to urge Freckles in closer, the wolf suddenly
+took the aggressive. He sprang out into the trail and in two leaps was
+beside the whirling pony. Freckles knew better than to let the beast get
+near enough to spring for his throat. But the pony’s gyrations almost
+unseated his rider.
+
+Ruth fired a second shot; but the bullet went wild. She could not take
+proper aim with the pony dancing so; and she had to seize the lines
+again. She thrust the pistol into the saddle holster and grabbed the
+pommel of the saddle itself to aid her balance. Freckles pitched
+dreadfully, and struck out, seemingly with all four feet at once, to
+keep off the wolf. Perhaps it was as well that he did so, for the beast
+was maddened by the smart of the wound, and sought to tear the girl from
+her saddle.
+
+As Ruth allowed the pony to run off from the shack for several rods, the
+wolf went growling back to the door. He was a persistent fellow and it
+did seem as though he was determined to get at the sick man in spite of
+all Ruth could do.
+
+But the girl, frightened as she was, had no intention of remaining by to
+see such a monstrous thing happen. She controlled Freckles again, and
+rode him hard, using the spurs, straight at the door of the shack. The
+wolf whirled and met them with open jaws, the saliva running from the
+sides of his mouth. His foreleg was now dyed crimson.
+
+Freckles, squealing with anger, jumped to reach the wolf. He had been
+taught to ride down coyotes, and he tried the same tactics on this
+fellow. The wolf rolled over, snapping and snarling, and easily escaped
+the pony’s hard hoofs. But Ruth urged the pony on and the wolf was
+forced to run.
+
+She tried her best to run him down. They tore through the main street of
+what had been Tintacker Camp, and out upon the open ridge. The wolf, his
+tail tucked between his legs, scurried over the ground, keeping just
+ahead, but circling around so as to get back to the abandoned town. He
+would not be driven from the vicinity.
+
+“I must try again to shoot him,” exclaimed the girl, much worried. “If I
+ride back he will follow me. If I hobble Freckles again, he may attack
+the pony and Freckles could not defend himself so well if he were
+hobbled. And if I turn the pony loose the wolf may run him off
+entirely!”
+
+She drew Jib’s pistol once more and tried to get a good shot at the
+wolf. But while she did this she could not keep so sharp an eye on the
+course the pony took and suddenly Freckles sunk one forefoot in a hole.
+
+He plunged forward, and Ruth came very near taking a dive over his head.
+She saved herself by seizing the pommel with both hands; but in so doing
+she lost the gun. Freckles leaped up, frightened and snorting, and the
+next moment the wolf had made a sharp turn and was almost under the
+pony’s feet!
+
+The wolf let out an unmistakable yelp of pain and limped off, howling.
+Freckles kept on in pursuit and the revolver was soon far behind. The
+beast she pursued was now in a bad way; but the girl dared not ride back
+to search for her lost weapon. She did not propose that the wolf—after
+such a fight—should escape. Ruth was bent upon his destruction.
+
+The wolf, however, dodged and doubled, so that the pony could not
+trample it, even had he wished to come to such close quarters. The
+clashing teeth of the savage animal warned Freckles to keep his
+distance, however; and it was plain to Ruth that she must dismount to
+finish the beast. If only she had some weapon——
+
+What was that heap on the prairie ahead? Bones! hundreds of them! Some
+accident had befallen a bunch of cattle here in the past and their
+picked skeletons had been flung into a heap. The wolf ran for refuge
+behind this pile and Ruth immediately urged Freckles toward the spot.
+
+She leaped from the saddle, tossing the bridle reins over his head upon
+the ground and ran to seize one of the bigger bones. It was the leg bone
+of a big steer and it made a promising club.
+
+But even as she seized upon this primitive weapon the wolf made a final
+stand. He appeared around the far side of the pile. He saw that the girl
+was afoot, and with a snarl he sprang upon her.
+
+Ruth uttered an involuntary shriek, and ran back. But she could not
+reach Freckles. The wolf’s hot breath steamed against her neck as she
+ran. He had missed her by a hair!
+
+The girl whirled and faced him, the club poised in both her hands,
+determined to give battle. Her situation was perilous in the extreme.
+Afoot as she was, the beast had the advantage, and he knew this as well
+as she did. He did not hurry, but approached his victim with
+caution—fangs bared, jaws extended, his wounds for the moment forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII—SERVICE COURAGEOUS
+
+
+There was no escape from the wolf’s attack, even had Ruth desired to
+evade the encounter. The beast’s flaming eyes showed his savage
+intention only too plainly. To turn and run at this juncture would have
+meant death for the brave girl. She stood at bay, the heavy bone poised
+to strike, and let the creature approach.
+
+He leaped, and with all her strength—and that was not slight—she struck
+him. The wolf was knocked sideways to the ground. She followed up the
+attack with a second and a third blow before he could recover his
+footing.
+
+The wound in his shoulder had bled a good deal, and Freckles’ hard hoofs
+had crippled one leg. He could not jump about with agility, and although
+he was no coward, he was slow in returning to the charge.
+
+When he did, Ruth struck again, and with good effect. Again and again
+she beat him off. He once caught her skirt and tore it from the
+waist-binding; but she eluded his powerful claws and struck him down
+again. Then, falling upon him unmercifully, she beat his head into the
+hard ground until he was all torn and bleeding and could not see to
+scramble at her.
+
+It was an awful experience for the girl; but she conquered her
+antagonist before her strength was spent. When he lay, twitching his
+limbs in the final throes, she staggered back to where her pony stood
+and there, leaning upon his neck, sobbed and shook for several minutes,
+while Freckles put his soft nose into her palm and nuzzled her
+comfortably.
+
+“Oh, oh, Freckles! what a terrible thing!” she sobbed. “He’s dead! he’s
+dead!”
+
+She could say nothing more, nor could she recover her self-possession
+for some time. Then she climbed into the saddle and turned the pony’s
+head toward the deserted huts without once looking back at the
+blood-bedabbled body and the gory club.
+
+At the camp, however, she was once more her own mistress. The fact that
+she must attend the sick man bolstered up her courage. She hobbled
+Freckles again and recovered the bucket of water. John Cox (if that was
+his name) raged in his fever and clutched at his precious coat, and was
+not quiet again until she had cooled his head and hands with the fresh
+water.
+
+After that he fell into a light sleep and Ruth went about the cabin,
+trying to set the poor furniture to rights and removing the debris that
+had collected in the corners. Every few moments she was at the door,
+looking out for either enemy or friend. But no other creature confronted
+her until the sound of pony hoofs delighted her ear and Tom Cameron and
+Jane Ann, with two of the cowboys from the Rolling River outfit, dashed
+up to the shack.
+
+“Ruth! Ruth!” cried the ranchman’s niece, leaping off of her pony. “Come
+out of that place at once! Do as I tell you——”
+
+“Don’t come here, dear—don’t touch me,” returned her friend, firmly. “I
+know what I am about. I mean to stay and nurse this man. I do not
+believe there is so much danger as Jib says——”
+
+“Uncle Bill will have his hide!” cried Jane Ann, indignantly. “You wait
+and see.”
+
+“It is not his fault. I came in here when he could not stop me. And I
+mean to remain. But there is no use in anybody else being exposed to
+contagion—if there is any contagion in the disease.”
+
+“Why, it’s as bad as small-pox, Ruth!” cried Jane Ann.
+
+“I am here,” returned Ruth, quietly. “Have you brought us food? And is
+that spirits in the bottle Mr. Darcy has?”
+
+“Yes, Miss,” said the cowboy.
+
+“Set it down on that stone—and the other things. I’ll come and get it. A
+few drops of the liquor in the water may help the man a little.”
+
+“But, dear Ruth,” interposed Tom, gravely, “he is nothing to you. Don’t
+run such risks. If the man must be nursed _I’ll_ try my hand——”
+
+“Indeed you shall not!”
+
+“It’s a job for a man, Miss,” said Darcy, grimly. “You mount your pony
+and go home with the others. I’ll stay.”
+
+“If any harm is done, it’s done already,” declared the girl, earnestly.
+“One of you can stay outside and help me—guard me, if you please.
+There’s been an awful old wolf about——”
+
+“A wolf!” gasped Tom.
+
+“But I killed him.” She told them how and where. “And I lost Jib’s gun.
+He’ll be furious.”
+
+“He’ll lose more than his little old Colts,” growled the second cowboy.
+
+“It was not Jib’s fault,” declared the girl. “I could not so easily find
+my way back to the river as he. I had to stay while he went for help.
+Has word been sent on to the ranch?”
+
+“Everything will be done that can be done for the fellow, of course,”
+Jane Ann declared. “Uncle Bill will likely come over himself. Then there
+_will_ be ructions, young lady.”
+
+“And what will Helen and the other girls say?” cried Tom.
+
+“I wish I had thought,” murmured Ruth. “I would have warned Jib not to
+let Mary know.”
+
+“What’s that?” asked Tom, in surprise, for he had but imperfectly caught
+Ruth’s words.
+
+“Never mind,” returned the girl from the Red Mill, quickly.
+
+The others were discussing what should be done. Ruth still stood in the
+doorway and now a murmur from the bed called her turn back into the
+shack to make the unfortunate on the couch more comfortable—for in his
+tossings he became more feverish and hot. When she returned to the outer
+air the others had decided.
+
+“Darcy and I will remain, Ruth,” Tom said, with decision. “We’ll bring
+the water, and cook something for you to eat out here, and stand guard,
+turn and turn about. But you are a very obstinate girl.”
+
+“As long as one is in for it, why increase the number endangered by the
+fever?” she asked, coolly. “You are real kind to stay, Tom—you and
+Darcy.”
+
+“You couldn’t get me away with a Gatling gun,” said Tom, grimly. “You
+know _that_, Ruth.”
+
+“I know I have a staunch friend in you, Tommy,” she said, in a low
+voice.
+
+“One you can trust?”
+
+“To be sure,” she replied, smiling seriously at him.
+
+“Then what is all this about Mary Cox? What has _she_ got to do with the
+fellow you’ve got hived up in that shack?” shot in Master Tom, shrewdly.
+
+“Oh, now, Tommy!” gasped Ruth.
+
+“You can’t fool me, Ruth——”
+
+“Sh! don’t let the others hear you,” she whispered. “And don’t come any
+nearer, Tom!” she added, warningly, and in a louder tone.
+
+“But The Fox has something to do with this man?” demanded Tom.
+
+“I believe so. I fear so. Oh, don’t ask me any more!” breathed the girl,
+anxiously, as Jane Ann and the cowboy rode up to say good-bye.
+
+“I hope nothing bad will come of this, Ruth,” said the ranch girl. “But
+Uncle Bill will be dreadfully mad.”
+
+“Not with me, I hope,” rejoined Ruth, shaking her head.
+
+“And all the girls will be crazy to come out here and help you nurse
+him.”
+
+“They certainly _will_ be crazy if they want to,” muttered Tom.
+
+“They would better not come near here until the man gets better—if he
+ever _does_ get better,” added Ruth, in a low tone.
+
+“I expect they’ll all want to come,” repeated Jane Ann.
+
+“Don’t you let them, Jane Ann!” admonished Ruth. “Above all, don’t you
+let Mary Cox come over here—unless I send for her,” and she went into
+the shack again and closed the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII—BASHFUL IKE TAKES THE BIT IN HIS TEETH
+
+
+There was great commotion at Silver Ranch when Jib Pottoway (on a fresh
+horse he had picked up at the riverside cow camp) rode madly to the
+ranch-house with the news of what was afoot so far away across Rolling
+River. From Old Bill down, the friends of Ruth were horror-stricken that
+she should so recklessly (or, so it seemed) expose herself to the
+contagion of the fever.
+
+“And for a person who is absolutely nothing to her at all!” wailed
+Jennie Stone. “Ruth is utterly reckless.”
+
+“She is utterly brave,” said Madge, sharply.
+
+“She has the most grateful heart in the world,” Helen declared. “He
+saved her life in the cañon—you remember it, Mary. Of course she could
+not leave the poor creature to die there alone.”
+
+The Fox had turned pallid and seemed horrified. But she was silent while
+all the others about the ranch-house, from Old Bill Hicks down to Maria
+the cook, were voluble indeed. The ranchman might have laid violent
+hands upon Jib Pottoway, only there was so much to do. Such simple
+medicines as there were in the house were packed to take to Tintacker.
+Old Bill determined to go over himself, but he would not allow any of
+the young folks to go.
+
+“And you kin bet,” he added, “that you’ll see Jane Ann come back here
+a-whizzin’!”
+
+The unfortunate Jib had enough to do to answer questions. The girls
+would not let him go until he had told every particular of the finding
+of the man at Tintacker.
+
+“Was he just _crazy_?” queried Heavy.
+
+“I don’t know whether he’s been loony all the time he’s been hanging
+around the mines, or not,” growled the Indian. “But I’m mighty sure he’s
+loco _now_.”
+
+“If that was him who shot the bear up in the cañon that day, he didn’t
+appear to be crazy enough to hurt,” said Helen.
+
+“But is this the same man?” queried Mary Cox, and had they not all been
+so busy pumping Jib of the last particular regarding the adventure, they
+might have noticed that The Fox was very pale.
+
+When Jib first rode up, however, and told his tale, Bashful Ike Stedman
+had set to work to run the big touring car out of the shed in which it
+was kept. During the time the young folk had been at Silver Ranch from
+the East, the foreman had learned from Tom and Bob how to run the car.
+It came puffing up to the door now, headed toward the Bullhide trail.
+
+“What in tarnashun you goin’ ter do with that contarption, Ike?” bawled
+Mr. Hicks. “I can’t go to Tintacker in it.”
+
+“No, yuh can’t, Boss. But I kin go to Bullhide for the sawbones in it,
+and bring him back, too. We kin git as far as the Rolling River camp in
+the old steam engine—if she don’t break down. Then we’ll foller on arter
+yuh a-hawseback.”
+
+“You won’t git no doctor to come ‘way out there,” gasped the ranch
+owner.
+
+“Won’t I?” returned the foreman. “You wait and see. Ruthie says a
+doctor’s got to be brought for that feller, and I’m goin’ to git Doc.
+Burgess if I hafter rope an’ hogtie him—you hear me!”
+
+The engine began to pop again and the automobile rolled away from the
+ranch-house before Mr. Hicks could enter any further objections, or any
+of the young folk could offer to attend Ike on his long trip.
+Fortunately Tom and Bob had seen to it that the machine was in excellent
+shape, there was plenty of gasoline in the tank, and she ran easily over
+the trail.
+
+At the Crossing Ike was hailed by Sally Dickson. Sally had been about to
+mount her pony for a ride, but when the animal saw the automobile coming
+along the trail he started on the jump for the corral, leaving Miss
+Sally in the lurch.
+
+“Well! if that ain’t just like you, Ike Stedman!” sputtered the
+red-haired schoolma’am. “Bringin’ that puffin’ abomination over this
+trail. Ain’t you afraid it’ll buck and throw yuh?”
+
+“I got it gentled—it’ll eat right off yuh hand,” grinned the foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+“And I was going to ride in to Bullhide,” exclaimed Sally. “I won’t be
+able to catch the pony in a week.”
+
+“You hop in with me, Sally,” urged Ike, blushing very red. “I’m goin’ to
+Bullhide.”
+
+“Go joy-ridin’ with _you_, Mr. Stedman?” responded the schoolma’am. “I
+don’t know about that. Are you to be trusted with that automobile?”
+
+“I tell yuh I got it gentled,” declared Ike. “And I got to be moving on
+mighty quick.” He told Sally why in a few words and immediately the
+young lady was interested.
+
+“That Ruth Fielding! Isn’t she a plucky one for a Down East girl? But
+she’s too young to nurse that sick man. And she’ll catch the fever
+herself like enough.”
+
+“Hope not,” grunted Ike. “That would be an awful misfortune. She’s the
+nicest little thing that ever grazed on _this_ range—yuh hear me!”
+
+“Well,” said Sally, briskly. “I got to go to town and I might as well
+take my life in my hands and go with you, Ike,” and she swung herself
+into the seat beside him.
+
+Ike started the machine again. He was delighted. Never before had Sally
+Dickson allowed him to be alone with her more than a scant few moments
+at a time. Ike began to swallow hard, the perspiration stood on his brow
+and he grew actually pale around the mouth. It seemed to him as though
+everything inside of him rose up in his throat. As he told about it long
+afterward, if somebody had shot him through the body just then it would
+only have made a flesh-wound!
+
+“Sally!” he gasped, before her father’s store and the schoolhouse were
+out of sight.
+
+“Why, Ike! what’s the matter with you? Are you sick?”
+
+“N-no! I ain’t sick,” mumbled the bashful one.
+
+“You’re surely not scared?” demanded Sally. “There hasn’t anything
+happened wrong to this automobile?”
+
+“No, ma’am.”
+
+“Are you sure? It bumps a whole lot—Ugh! It’s not running away, is it?”
+
+“I tell yuh it’s tame all right,” grunted Ike.
+
+“Then, what’s the matter with you, Ike Stedman?” demanded the
+schoolmistress, with considerable sharpness.
+
+“I—I’m suah in love with yuh, Sally! That’s what’s the matter with me.
+Now, don’t you laugh—I mean it.”
+
+“Well, my soul!” exclaimed the practical Sally, “don’t let it take such
+a hold on you, Ike. Other men have been in love before—or thought they
+was—and it ain’t given ’em a conniption fit.”
+
+“I got it harder than most men,” Ike was able to articulate. “Why,
+Sally, I love you so hard _that it makes me ache_!”
+
+The red-haired schoolmistress looked at him for a silent moment. Her
+eyes were pretty hard at first; but finally a softer light came into
+them and a faint little blush colored her face.
+
+“Well, Ike! is that all you’ve got to say?” she asked.
+
+“Why—why, Sally! I got lots to say, only it’s plugged up and I can’t
+seem to get it out,” stammered Ike. “I got five hundred head o’ steers,
+and I’ve proven on a quarter-section of as nice land as there is in this
+State—and there’s a good open range right beside it yet——”
+
+“I never _did_ think I’d marry a bunch o’ steers,” murmured Sally.
+
+“Why—why, Sally, punchin’ cattle is about all I know how to do well,”
+declared Bashful Ike. “But you say the word and I’ll try any business
+you like better.”
+
+“I wouldn’t want you to change your business, Ike,” said Sally, turning
+her head away. “But—but ain’t you got anything else to offer me but
+those steers?”
+
+“Why—why,” stammered poor Ike again. “I ain’t got nothin’ else but
+myself——”
+
+She turned on him swiftly with her face all smiling and her eyes
+twinkling.
+
+“There, Ike Stedman!” she ejaculated in her old, sharp way. “Have you
+finally got around to offering _yourself_? My soul! if you practiced on
+every girl you met for the next hundred years you’d never learn how to
+ask her to marry you proper. I’d better take you, Ike, and save the rest
+of the female tribe a whole lot of trouble.”
+
+“D’ye mean it, Sally?” cried the bewildered and delighted foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+“I sure do.”
+
+“Ye-yi-yip!” yelled Ike, and the next moment the big touring car wabbled
+all over the trail and came near to dumping the loving pair into the
+gully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV—COALS OF FIRE
+
+
+Once Bashful Ike had taken the bit in his teeth, his nickname never
+fitted him again. He believed in striking while the iron was hot, Ike
+did. And before the touring car ran them down into Bullhide, he had
+talked so hard and talked so fast that he had really swept Miss Sally
+Dickson away on the tide of his eloquence, and she had agreed to Ike’s
+getting the marriage license and their being wedded on the spot!
+
+But the foreman of Silver Ranch found Dr. Burgess first and made the
+physician promise to accompany him to Tintacker. The doctor said he
+would be ready in an hour.
+
+“Gives us just about time enough, Sally,” declared the suddenly awakened
+Ike. “I’ll have that license and we’ll catch Parson Brownlow on the fly.
+Come on!”
+
+“For pity’s sake, Ike!” gasped the young lady. “You take my breath
+away.”
+
+“We ain’t got no time to fool,” declared Ike. And within the hour he was
+a Benedict and Sally Dickson had become Mrs. Ike Stedman.
+
+“And I’m going over to Tintacker with you, Ike,” she declared as they
+awaited before the doctor’s office in the big automobile. “That poor
+fellow over there will need somebody more’n Ruth Fielding to nurse him.
+It takes skill to bring folks out of a fever spell. I nursed Dad through
+a bad case of it two year ago, and I know what to do.”
+
+“That’s all right, Sally,” agreed Ike. “I’ll make Old Bill give me muh
+time, if need be, and we’ll spend our honeymoon at Tintacker. I kin fix
+up one of the old shacks to suit us to camp in. I don’t wish that poor
+feller over there any harm,” he added, smiling broadly at the pretty
+girl beside him, “but if it hadn’t been that he got this fever, you an’
+I wouldn’t be married now, honey.”
+
+“You can thank Ruth Fielding—if you want to be thankful to anybody,”
+returned Sally, in her brisk way. “But maybe you won’t be so thankful a
+year or two from now, Ike.”
+
+Dr. Burgess came with his black bag and they were off. The automobile—as
+Sally said herself—behaved “like an angel,” and they reached Silver
+Ranch (after halting for a brief time at the Crossing for Sally to pack
+_her_ bag and acquaint Old Lem Dickson of the sudden and unexpected
+change in her condition) late at night. Old Bill Hicks was off for
+Tintacker and the party remained only long enough to eat and for Bob
+Steele to go over the mechanism of the badly-shaken motor-car.
+
+“I’ll drive you on to the river myself, Ike,” he said. “You are all
+going on from there on horseback, I understand, and I’ll bring the
+machine back here.”
+
+But when the newly-married couple and the physician had eaten what Maria
+could hastily put before them, and were ready to re-enter the car, Mary
+Cox came out upon the verandah, ready to go likewise.
+
+“For pity’s sake, Mary!” gasped Heavy. “You don’t want to ride over to
+the river with them.”
+
+“I’m going to those mines,” said The Fox, defiantly.
+
+“What for?” asked Jane Ann, who had arrived at the ranch herself only a
+short time before.
+
+“That’s my business. I am going,” returned The Fox, shortly.
+
+“Why, you can’t do any such thing,” began Jane Ann; but Mary turned to
+Ike and proffered her request:
+
+“Isn’t there room for me in the car, Mr. Stedman?”
+
+“Why, I reckon so, Miss,” agreed Ike, slowly.
+
+“And won’t there be a pony for me to ride from the river to Tintacker?”
+
+“I reckon we can find one.”
+
+“Then I’m going,” declared Mary, getting promptly into the tonneau with
+the doctor and Sally. “I’ve just as good a reason for being over
+there—maybe a better reason for going—than Ruth Fielding.”
+
+None of her girl friends made any comment upon this statement in Mary’s
+hearing; but Madge declared, as the car chugged away from the
+ranch-house:
+
+“I’ll never again go anywhere with that girl unless she has a change of
+heart! She is just as mean as she can be.”
+
+“She’s the limit!” said Heavy, despondently. “And I used to think she
+wasn’t a bad sort.”
+
+“And once upon a time,” said Helen Cameron, gravely, “I followed her
+leadership to the neglect of Ruth. I really thought The Fox was the very
+smartest girl I had ever met.”
+
+“But she couldn’t hold the Up and Doing Club together,” quoth the stout
+girl.
+
+“Ruth’s Sweetbriars finished both the Upedes and the Fussy Curls,”
+laughed Madge, referring to the two social clubs at Briarwood Hall,
+which had been quite put-out of countenance by the Sweetbriar
+Association which had been inaugurated by the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+“And The Fox has never forgiven Ruth,” declared Heavy.
+
+“What she means by forcing herself on this party at Tintacker, gets my
+time!” exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+“Sally will make her walk a chalk line if she goes over there with her,”
+laughed Helen. “Think of her and Ike getting married without a word to
+anybody!”
+
+Jane Ann laughed, too, at that. “Sally whispered to me that she never
+would have taken Ike so quick if it hadn’t been for what we did at the
+party the other night. She was afraid some of the other girls around
+here would see what a good fellow Ike was and want to marry him. She’s
+always intended to take him some time, she said; but it was Ruth that
+settled the affair at that time.”
+
+“I declare! Ruth _does_ influence a whole lot of folk, doesn’t she?”
+murmured Heavy. “I never saw such a girl.”
+
+And that last was the comment Dr. Burgess made regarding the girl of the
+Red Mill after the party arrived at Tintacker. They reached the mine
+just at daybreak the next morning. Mary Cox had kept them back some, for
+she was not a good rider. But she had cried and taken on so when Sally
+and Ike did not want her to go farther than the river, that they were
+really forced to allow her to continue the entire journey.
+
+Dr. Burgess examined the sick man and pronounced him to be in a very
+critical condition. But he surely had improved since the hour that Ruth
+and Jib Pottoway had found him. Old Bill Hicks had helped care for the
+patient during the night; but Ruth had actually gone ahead with
+everything and—without much doubt, the doctor added—the stranger could
+thank her for his life if he _did_ recover.
+
+“That girl is all right!” declared the physician, preparing to return
+the long miles he had come by relays of horses to the ranch-house, and
+from thence to Bullhide in the automobile. “She has done just the right
+thing.”
+
+“She’s a mighty cute young lady,” admitted Bill Hicks. “And this
+chap—John Cox, or whatever his name is—ought to feel that she’s squared
+things up with him over that bear business——”
+
+“Then you have learned his name?” queried Tom Cameron, who was present.
+
+“I got the coat away from him when he was asleep in the night,” said Mr.
+Hicks. “He had letters and papers and a wad of banknotes in it. Ruth’s
+got ’em all. She says he is the man with whom her Uncle Jabez went into
+partnership over the old Tintacker claims. Mebbe the feller’s struck a
+good thing after all. He seems to have an assayer’s report among his
+papers that promises big returns on some specimens he had assayed. If he
+dug ’em out of the Tintacker Claim mebbe the old hole in the ground will
+take on a new lease of life.”
+
+At that moment Mary Cox pushed forward, with Sally holding her by the
+arm.
+
+“I’ve got to know!” cried The Fox. “You must tell me. Does the—the poor
+fellow say his name is Cox?”
+
+“Jest the same as yourn, Miss,” remarked Old Bill, watching her closely.
+“Letters and deeds all to ‘John Cox.’”
+
+“I know it! I feared it all along!” cried The Fox, wringing her hands.
+“I saw him in the cañon when he shot the bear and he looked so much like
+John——”
+
+“He’s related to you, then, Miss?” asked the doctor.
+
+“He’s my brother—I know he is!” cried Mary, and burst into tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV—AT THE OLD RED MILL AGAIN
+
+
+The mist hovered over the river as though loth to uncover the dimpling
+current; yet the rising sun was insistent—its warm, soft September rays
+melting the jealous mist and uncovering, rod by rod, the sleeping
+stream. Ruth, fresh from her bed and looking out of the little window of
+her old room at the Red Mill farmhouse, thought that, after all, the
+scene was quite as soothing and beautiful as any of the fine landscapes
+she had observed during her far-western trip.
+
+For the Briarwood Hall girls were back from their sojourn at Silver
+Ranch. They had arrived the night before. Montana, and the herds of
+cattle, and the vast cañons and far-stretching plains, would be but a
+memory to them hereafter. Their vacation on the range was ended, and in
+another week Briarwood Hall would open again and lessons must be
+attended to.
+
+Jane Ann Hicks would follow them East in time to join the school the
+opening week. Ruth looked back upon that first day at school a year ago
+when she and Helen Cameron had become “Infants” at Briarwood. They would
+make it easier for Jane Ann, remembering so keenly how strange they had
+felt before they attained the higher classes.
+
+The last of the mist rolled away and the warm sun revealed all the river
+and the woods and pastures beyond. Ruth kissed her hand to it and then,
+hearing a door close softly below-stairs, she hurried her dressing and
+ran down to the farmhouse kitchen. The little, stooping figure of an old
+woman was bent above the stove, muttering in a sort of sing-song
+refrain:
+
+“Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!”
+
+“Then let somebody else save your back and bones, Aunt Alviry!” cried
+Ruth, putting her arms around the old housekeeper’s neck. “There! how
+good it is to see you again. Sit right down there. You are to play lady.
+_I_ am going to get the breakfast.”
+
+“But your Uncle Jabez wants hot muffins, my pretty,” objected Aunt
+Alvirah.
+
+“And don’t you suppose anybody can make muffins but you?” queried Ruth,
+blithely. “I made ’em out to Silver Ranch. Maria, the Mexican cook,
+taught me. Even Uncle Jabez will like them made by my recipe—now you see
+if he doesn’t.”
+
+And the miller certainly praised the muffins—by eating a full half dozen
+of them. Of course, he did not say audibly that they were good.
+
+And yet, Uncle Jabez had a much more companionable air about him than he
+had ever betrayed before—at least, within the knowledge of Ruth
+Fielding. He smiled—and that not grimly—as the girl related some of her
+experiences during her wonderful summer vacation.
+
+“It was a great trip—and wonderful,” she sighed, finally. “Of course,
+the last of it was rather spoiled by Mary Cox’s brother being so ill.
+And the doctors found, when they got the better of the fever, that his
+head had been hurt some months before, and that is why he had wandered
+about there, without writing East—either to his folks or to you, Uncle
+Jabez. But he’s all right now, and Mary expects to bring him home from
+Denver, where he stopped over, in a few days. She’ll be home in time for
+the opening of school, at least,” and here Ruth’s voice halted and her
+face changed color, while she looked beseechingly at Uncle Jabez.
+
+The miller cleared his throat and looked at her. Aunt Alvirah stopped
+eating, too, and she and Ruth gazed anxiously at the flint-like face of
+the old man.
+
+“I got a letter from that lawyer at Bullhide, Montana, two days ago,
+Niece Ruth,” said Uncle Jabez, in his harsh voice. “He has been going
+over the Tintacker affairs, and he has proved up on that young Cox’s
+report. The young chap is as straight as a string. The money he got from
+me is all accounted for. And according to the assayers the new vein Cox
+discovered will mill as high as two hundred dollars to the ton of ore.
+If we work it as a stock company it will make us money; but young Cox
+being in such bad shape physically, and his finances being as they are,
+we’ll probably decide to sell out to a syndicate of Denver people. Cox
+will close the contract with them before he comes East, it may be, and
+on such terms,” added Uncle Jabez with a satisfaction that he could not
+hide, “that it will be the very best investment I ever made.”
+
+“Oh, Uncle!” cried Ruth Fielding.
+
+“Yes,” said Uncle Jabez, with complacency. “The mine is going to pay us
+well. Fortunately you was insistent on finding and speaking to young
+Cox. If you had not found him—and if he had not recovered his health—it
+might have been many months before I could have recovered even the money
+I had put into the young man’s scheme. And—so he says—_you_ saved his
+life, Ruthie.”
+
+“That’s just talk, Uncle,” cried the girl. “Don’t you believe it.
+Anybody would have done the same.”
+
+“However that may be, and whether it is due to you in any particular
+that I can quickly realize on my investment,” said the miller, rising
+suddenly from the table, “circumstances are such now that there is no
+reason why you shouldn’t have another term or two at school—if you want
+to go.”
+
+“_Want to go to Briarwood!_ Oh, Uncle!” gasped Ruth.
+
+“Then I take it you _do_ want to go?”
+
+“More than anything else in the world!” declared his niece, reverently.
+
+“Wall, Niece Ruth,” he concluded, with his usual manner. “If your Aunt
+Alviry can spare ye——”
+
+“Don’t think about me, Jabez, don’t think about me,” cried the little
+old woman. “Just what my pretty wants—that will please her Aunt Alviry.”
+
+Ruth ran and seized the hard hand of the miller before he could get out
+of the kitchen. “Oh, Uncle!” she cried, kissing his hand. “You _are_
+good to me!”
+
+“Nonsense, child!” he returned, roughly, and went out.
+
+Ruth turned to the little old woman, down whose face the tears were
+coursing unreproved.
+
+“And you, too, Auntie! You are too good to me! Everybody is too good to
+me! Look at the Camerons! and Jennie Stone! and all the rest. And Mary
+Cox just hugged me tight when we came away and said she loved me—that I
+had saved her brother’s life. And Mr. Bill Hicks—and Jimsey and the
+other boys. And Bashful Ike and Sally made me promise that if ever I
+could get out West again I should spend a long time at their home——
+
+“Oh, dear, me Aunt Alvirah,” finished the girl of the Red Mill, with a
+tearful but happy sigh, “this world is a very beautiful place after all,
+and the people in it are just lovely!”
+
+There were many more adventures in store for Ruth, and what some of them
+were will be related in the next volume of this series, to be entitled:
+“Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter’s Treasure Box,” in
+which will be related the particulars of a most surprising mystery.
+
+“Only one Ruthie!” mused old Jabez. “Only one, but she’s quite a
+gal—yes, quite a gal!”
+
+And we agree with him; don’t we, reader?
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL _or Jasper Parole’s Secret_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL _or Solving the Campus Mystery_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP _or Lost in the Backwoods_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND _or The Old Hunter’s Treasure Box_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE _or The Missing Examination Papers_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_
+
+RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND _or A Red Cross Worker’s Ocean Perils_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST _or The Indian Girl Star of the
+Movies_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand
+Islands_
+
+RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING _or A Moving Picture that Became Real_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH _or The Lost Motion Picture Company_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS _or The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche_
+
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BILLIE BRADLEY SERIES
+
+By JANET D. WHEELER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER INHERITANCE _or The Queer Homestead at Cherry
+Corners_
+
+Billie Bradley fell heir to an old homestead that was unoccupied and
+located far away in a lonely section of the country. How Billie went
+there, accompanied by some of her chums, and what queer things happened,
+go to make up a story no girl will want to miss.
+
+2. BILLIE BRADLEY AT THREE-TOWERS HALL _or Leading a Needed Rebellion_
+
+Three-Towers Hall was a boarding school for girls. For a short time
+after Billie arrived there all went well. But then the head of the
+school had to go on a long journey and she left the girls in charge of
+two teachers, sisters, who believed in severe discipline and in very,
+very plain food and little of it—and then there was a row! The girls
+wired for the head to come back—and all ended happily.
+
+3. BILLIE BRADLEY ON LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND _or The Mystery of the Wreck_
+
+One of Billie’s friends owned a summer bungalow on Lighthouse Island,
+near the coast. The school girls made up a party and visited the Island.
+There was a storm and a wreck, and three little children were washed
+ashore. They could tell nothing of themselves, and Billie and her chums
+set to work to solve the mystery of their identity.
+
+4. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER CLASSMATES _or The Secret of the Locked Tower_
+
+Billie and her chums come to the rescue of several little children who
+have broken through the ice. There is the mystery of a lost invention,
+and also the dreaded mystery of the locked school tower.
+
+5. BILLIE BRADLEY AT TWIN LAKES _or Jolly Schoolgirls Afloat and Ashore_
+
+A tale of outdoor adventure in which Billie and her chums have a great
+variety of adventures. They visit an artists’ colony and there fall in
+with a strange girl living with an old boatman who abuses her
+constantly. Billie befriended Hulda and the mystery surrounding the girl
+was finally cleared up.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BETTY GORDON SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_Author of the Famous “Ruth Fielding” Series_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A series of stories by Alice B. Emerson which are bound to make this
+writer more popular than ever with her host of girl readers._
+
+1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM _or The Mystery of a Nobody_
+
+At the age of twelve Betty is left an orphan.
+
+2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON _or Strange Adventures in a Great City_
+
+In this volume Betty goes to the National Capitol to find her uncle and
+has several unusual adventures.
+
+3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL _or The Farm That Was Worth a
+Fortune_
+
+From Washington the scene is shifted to the great oil fields of our
+country. A splendid picture of the oil field operations of to-day.
+
+4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL _or The Treasure of Indian Chasm_
+
+Seeking the treasure of Indian Chasm makes an exceedingly interesting
+incident.
+
+5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP _or The Mystery of Ida Bellethorne_
+
+At Mountain Camp Betty found herself in the midst of a mystery involving
+a girl whom she had previously met in Washington.
+
+6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK _or School Chums on the Boardwalk_
+
+A glorious outing that Betty and her chums never forgot.
+
+7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS _or Bringing the Rebels to Terms_
+
+Rebellious students, disliked teachers and mysterious robberies make a
+fascinating story.
+
+8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH _or Cowboy Joe’s Secret_
+
+Betty and her chums have a grand time in the saddle.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LINGER-NOT SERIES
+
+By AGNES MILLER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_This new series of girls’ books is in a new style of story writing. The
+interest is in knowing the girls and seeing them solve the problems that
+develop their character. Incidentally, a great deal of historical
+information is imparted._
+
+1. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE MYSTERY HOUSE _or The Story of Nine
+Adventurous Girls_
+
+How the Linger-Not girls met and formed their club seems commonplace,
+but this writer makes it fascinating, and how they made their club serve
+a great purpose continues the interest to the end, and introduces a new
+type of girlhood.
+
+2. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE VALLEY FEUD _or The Great West Point Chain_
+
+The Linger-Not girls had no thought of becoming mixed up with feuds or
+mysteries, but their habit of being useful soon entangled them in some
+surprising adventures that turned out happily for all, and made the
+valley better because of their visit.
+
+3. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THEIR GOLDEN QUEST _or The Log of the Ocean
+Monarch_
+
+For a club of girls to become involved in a mystery leading back into
+the times of the California gold-rush, seems unnatural until the reader
+sees how it happened, and how the girls helped one of their friends to
+come into her rightful name and inheritance, forms a fine story.
+
+4. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE WHISPERING CHARMS _or The Secret from Old
+Alaska_
+
+Whether engrossed in thrilling adventures in the Far North or occupied
+with quiet home duties, the Linger-Not girls could work unitedly to
+solve a colorful mystery in a way that interpreted American freedom to a
+sad young stranger, and brought happiness to her and to themselves.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES
+
+By LILIAN GARIS
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost
+organizations of America form the background for these stories and while
+unobtrusive there is a message in every volume._
+
+1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS _or Winning the First B. C._
+
+A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway
+girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence.
+The story is correct in scout detail.
+
+2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE _or Maid Mary’s Awakening_
+
+The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other
+girls’ activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she
+was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as “Maid
+Mary” makes a fascinating story.
+
+3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST _or The Wig Wag Rescue_
+
+Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious
+seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping
+all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.
+
+4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_
+
+The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake
+Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing
+up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.
+
+5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE _or Nora’s Real Vacation_
+
+Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike
+for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to
+appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes
+a problem for the girls to solve.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RADIO GIRLS SERIES
+
+By MARGARET PENROSE
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A new and up-to-date series, taking in the activities of several bright
+girls who become interested in radio. The stories tell of thrilling
+exploits, outdoor life and the great part the Radio plays in the
+adventures of the girls and in solving their mysteries. Fascinating
+books that girls of all ages will want to read._
+
+1. THE RADIO GIRLS OF ROSELAWN _or A Strange Message from the Air_
+
+Showing how Jessie Norwood and her chums became interested in
+radiophoning, how they gave a concert for a worthy local charity, and
+how they received a sudden and unexpected call for help out of the air.
+A girl wanted as witness in a celebrated law case disappears, and the
+radio girls go to the rescue.
+
+2. THE RADIO GIRLS ON THE PROGRAM _or Singing and Reciting at the
+Sending Station_
+
+When listening in on a thrilling recitation or a superb concert number
+who of us has not longed to “look behind the scenes” to see how it was
+done? The girls had made the acquaintance of a sending station manager
+and in this volume are permitted to get on the program, much to their
+delight. A tale full of action and fun.
+
+3. THE RADIO GIRLS ON STATION ISLAND _or The Wireless from the Steam
+Yacht_
+
+In this volume the girls travel to the seashore and put in a vacation on
+an island where is located a big radio sending station. The big brother
+of one of the girls owns a steam yacht and while out with a pleasure
+party those on the island receive word by radio that the yacht is on
+fire. A tale thrilling to the last page.
+
+4. THE RADIO GIRLS AT FOREST LODGE _or The Strange Hut in the Swamp_
+
+The Radio Girls spend several weeks on the shores of a beautiful lake
+and with their radio get news of a great forest fire. It also aids them
+in rounding up some undesirable folks who occupy the strange hut in the
+swamp.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE CURLYTOPS SERIES
+
+By HOWARD R. GARIS
+
+_Author of the famous “Bedtime Animal Stories”_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM _or Vacation Days in the Country_
+
+A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.
+
+2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND _or Camping out with Grandpa_
+
+The Curlytops were delighted when grandpa took them to camp on Star
+Island.
+
+3. THE CURLYTOPS SNOWED IN _or Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds_
+
+The Curlytops, with their skates and sleds, on lakes and hills.
+
+4. THE CURLYTOPS AT UNCLE FRANK’S RANCH _or Little Folks on Ponyback_
+
+Out West on their uncle’s ranch they have a wonderful time.
+
+5. THE CURLYTOPS AT SILVER LAKE _or On the Water with Uncle Ben_
+
+The Curlytops camp out on the shores of a beautiful lake.
+
+6. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PETS _or Uncle Toby’s Strange Collection_
+
+An old uncle leaves them to care for his collection of pets.
+
+7. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PLAYMATES _or Jolly Times Through the
+Holidays_
+
+They have great times with their uncle’s collection of animals.
+
+8. THE CURLYTOPS IN THE WOODS _or Fun at the Lumber Camp_
+
+Exciting times in the forest for Curlytops.
+
+9. THE CURLYTOPS AT SUNSET BEACH _or What Was Found in the Sand_
+
+The Curlytops have a fine time at the seashore, bathing, digging in the
+sand and pony-back riding.
+
+10. THE CURLYTOPS TOURING AROUND _or Delightful Days in Pleasant Places_
+
+The Curlytops fall in with a moving picture company and get in some of
+the pictures.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS SERIES
+
+By MABEL C. HAWLEY
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT BROOKSIDE FARM
+
+Mother called them her Four Little Blossoms, but Daddy Blossom called
+them Bobby, Meg, and the twins. The twins, Twaddles and Dot, were a
+comical pair and always getting into mischief. The children had heaps of
+fun around the big farm.
+
+2. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT OAK HILL SCHOOL
+
+In the Fall, Bobby and Meg had to go to school. It was good fun, for
+Miss Mason was a kind teacher. Then the twins insisted on going to
+school, too, and their appearance quite upset the class. In school
+something very odd happened.
+
+3. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AND THEIR WINTER FUN
+
+Winter came and with it lots of ice and snow, and oh! what fun the
+Blossoms had skating and sledding. And once Bobby and Meg went on an
+errand and got lost in a sudden snowstorm.
+
+4. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS ON APPLE TREE ISLAND
+
+The Four Little Blossoms went to a beautiful island in the middle of a
+big lake and there had a grand time on the water and in the woods. And
+in a deserted cabin they found some letters which helped an old man to
+find his missing wife.
+
+5. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
+
+The story starts at Thanksgiving. They went skating and coasting, and
+they built a wonderful snowman, and one day Bobby and his chums visited
+a carpenter shop on the sly, and that night the shop burnt down, and
+there was trouble for the boys.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 36398-0.txt or 36398-0.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/3/9/36398/
+
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diff --git a/36398-0.zip b/36398-0.zip
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+++ b/36398-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6150 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch
+       Schoolgirls Among Cowboys
+
+Author: Alice B. Emerson
+
+Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36398]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank, David Edwards and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRECKLES LEAPED UP, FRIGHTENED AND SNORTING.]
+
+
+
+
+                             Ruth Fielding
+                            At Silver Ranch
+
+                                   OR
+
+                     SCHOOLGIRLS AMONG THE COWBOYS
+                                   BY
+
+                            ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+               Author of "Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill,"
+                "Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall," Etc.
+
+                             _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                         CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Books for Girls
+                          BY ALICE B. EMERSON
+                          RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+                       12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL
+                   Or, Jasper Parloe's Secret.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL
+                   Or, Solving the Campus Mystery.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP
+                   Or, Lost in the Backwoods.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT
+                   Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+                   Or, Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys.
+
+                          Copyright, 1918, by
+                         Cupples & Leon Company
+
+                     Ruth Fielding in the Red Cross
+
+                          Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+        CHAPTER                                               PAGE
+             I. "Old Trouble-Maker"                              1
+            II. Bashful Ike                                     11
+           III. In Which Things Happen                          18
+            IV. The Fire Fight                                  30
+             V. "Old Trouble-Maker" Turned Loose                40
+            VI. The Roping Contest                              51
+           VII. Jane Ann Turns the Trick                        57
+          VIII. What Was on the Records                         66
+            IX. The Fox Is Reckless                             75
+             X. Ruth Shows Her Mettle                           83
+            XI. An Ursine Hold-Up                               89
+           XII. The Man From Tintacker                          97
+          XIII. The Party at the Schoolhouse                   103
+           XIV. Bashful Ike Comes Out Strong                   112
+            XV. "The Night Trick"                              123
+           XVI. The Joke That Failed                           136
+          XVII. The Stampede                                   143
+         XVIII. A Desperate Case                               150
+           XIX. The Man at Tintacker                           157
+            XX. The Wolf at the Door                           164
+           XXI. A Plucky Fight                                 171
+          XXII. Service Courageous                             178
+         XXIII. Bashful Ike Takes the Bit in His Teeth         185
+          XXIV. Coals of Fire                                  192
+           XXV. At the Old Red Mill Again                      199
+
+
+
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I--"OLD TROUBLE-MAKER"
+
+
+Where the Silver Ranch trail branches from the state road leading down
+into Bullhide, there stretch a rambling series of sheds, or "shacks,"
+given up to the uses of a general store and provision emporium; beside
+it is the schoolhouse. This place on the forked trails is called "The
+Crossing," and it was the only place nearer than the town of Bullhide
+where the scattered population of this part of Montana could get any
+supplies.
+
+One of Old Bill Hicks' herds was being grazed on that piece of rolling
+country, lying in the foothills, right behind the Crossing, and two of
+his cow punchers had ridden in for tobacco. Being within sight of rows
+upon rows of tinned preserves (the greatest luxury extant to the cowboy
+mind), and their credit being good with Lem Dickson, who kept the store,
+the two cattle herders--while their cayuses stood with drooping heads,
+their bridle-reins on the road before them--each secured a can of
+peaches, and sitting cross-legged on the porch before the store, opened
+the cans with their knives and luxuriated in the contents.
+
+"Old man's nigh due, ain't he?" asked Lem, the storekeeper, lowering
+himself into a comfortable armchair that he kept for his own particular
+use on the porch.
+
+"Gittin' to Bullhide this mawnin'," drawled one of the cowboys. "An'
+he's got what he went for, too."
+
+"Bill Hicks most usually does git what he goes after, don't he?"
+retorted the storekeeper.
+
+The other puncher chuckled. "This time Old Bill come near goin' out
+after _rabbit_ an' only bringin' back the _hair_," he said. "Jane Ann is
+just as much of a Hicks as Bill himself--you take it from me. She made
+her bargain b'fore Old Bill got her headed back to the ranch, I reckon.
+Thar's goin' to be more newfangled notions at Silver Ranch from now on
+than you kin shake a stick at. You hear me!"
+
+"Old Bill can stand scattering a little money around as well as any man
+in this State," Lem said, ruminatively. "He's made it; he's saved it;
+now he might's well l'arn to spend some of it."
+
+"And he's begun. Jane Ann's begun for him, leastways," said one of the
+cowboys. "D'ye know what Mulvey brought out on his wagon last Sat'day?"
+
+"I knowed he looked like pitchers of 'movin' day' in New York City, or
+Chicago, when he passed along yere," grunted the storekeeper. "Eight
+head o' mules he was drivin'."
+
+"He sure was," agreed the cow puncher. "There was all sorts of trucks
+and gew-gaws. But the main thing was a pinanner."
+
+"A piano?"
+
+"That's what I said. And that half-Injun, Jib Pottoway, says he kin play
+on the thing. But it ain't to be unboxed till the boss and Jane Ann
+comes."
+
+"And they'll be gittin' along yere some time to-day," said the other
+cowboy, throwing his empty tin away. "And when they come, Lem, they're
+sure goin' to surprise yuh."
+
+"What with?"
+
+"With what they sail by yere in," drawled the puncher.
+
+"Huh? what's eatin' on you, Bud? Old Bill ain't bought an airship, has
+he?"
+
+"Mighty nigh as bad," chuckled the other. "He's bought Doosenberry's big
+automobile, I understand, and Jane Ann's brought a bunch of folks with
+her that she met down East, and they're just about goin' to tear the
+vitals out o' Silver Ranch--now you hear me!"
+
+"A steam wagon over these trails!" grunted the storekeeper. "Waal!"
+
+"And wait till Old Bill sees a bunch of his steers go up in the air when
+they sets eyes on the choo-choo wagon," chuckled Bud. "That'll about
+finish the automobile business, I bet yuh!"
+
+"Come on, Bud!" shouted his mate, already astride his pony.
+
+The two cowboys were off and lashing their ponies to a sharp run in half
+a minute. Scarcely had they disappeared behind a grove of scrub trees on
+the wind-swept ridge beyond the store when the honk of an automobile
+horn startled the slow-motioned storekeeper out of his chair.
+
+A balloon of dust appeared far down the trail. Out of this there shot
+the long hood of a heavy touring car, which came chugging up the rise
+making almost as much noise as a steam roller. Lem Dickson shuffled to
+the door of the store and stuck his head within.
+
+"Sally!" he bawled. "Sally!"
+
+"Yes, Paw," replied a sweet, if rather shrill, voice from the open
+stairway that led to the upper chamber of the store-building.
+
+"Here comes somebody I reckon you'll wanter see," bawled the old man.
+
+There was a light step on the stair; but it halted on the last tread and
+a lithe, red-haired, peachy complexioned girl looked into the big room.
+
+"Well, now, Paw," she said, sharply. "You ain't got me down yere for
+that bashful Ike Stedman, have you? For if he's come prognosticating
+around yere again I declare I'll bounce a bucket off his head. He's the
+biggest gump!"
+
+"Come on yere, gal!" snapped her father. "I ain't said nothin' about
+Ike. This yere's Bill Hicks an' all his crowd comin' up from Bullhide in
+a blamed ol' steam waggin."
+
+Sally ran out through the store and reached the piazza just as the
+snorting automobile came near and slowed down. A lithe, handsome, dark
+girl was at the wheel; beside her was a very pretty, plump girl with
+rosy cheeks and the brightest eyes imaginable; the third person crowded
+into the front seat was a youth who looked so much like the girl who was
+running the machine that they might have changed clothes and nobody
+would have been the wiser--save that Tom Cameron's hair was short and his
+twin sister, Helen's, was long and curly. The girl between the twins was
+Ruth Fielding.
+
+In the big tonneau of the car was a great, tall, bony man with an
+enormous "walrus" mustache and a very red face; beside him sat a rather
+freckled girl with snapping black eyes, who wore very splendid clothes
+as though she was not used to them. With this couple were a big, blond
+boy and three girls--one of them so stout that she crowded her companions
+on the seat into their individual corners, and packed them in there
+somewhat after the nature of sardines in a can.
+
+"Hello, Sally!" cried the girl in the very fine garments, stretching her
+hand out to greet the storekeeper's daughter as the automobile came to a
+stop.
+
+"Hi, Lem!" bawled the man with the huge mustache. "Is Silver Ranch on
+the map yet, or have them punchers o' mine torn the face of Nater all to
+shreds an' only left me some o' the pieces?"
+
+"I dunno 'bout that, Bill," drawled the fat storekeeper, shuffling down
+the steps in his list slippers, and finally reached and shaking the hand
+of Mr. William Hicks, owner of Silver Ranch. "But when some of your cows
+set their eyes on this contraption they're goin' to kick holes in the
+air--an' that's sartain!"
+
+"The cows will have to get used to seeing this automobile, Lem Dickson,"
+snapped the ranchman's niece, who had been speaking with Sally. "For
+uncle's bought it and it beats riding a cayuse, I tell you!"
+
+"By gollies!" grunted Bill Hicks, "it bucks wuss'n any critter I ever
+was astride of." But he spoke softly, and nobody but the storekeeper
+noticed what he said.
+
+"Mean to say you've bought this old chuck-waggin from Doosenberry?"
+demanded the storekeeper.
+
+"Uh-huh," nodded Mr. Hicks.
+
+"Wal, you're gittin' foolish-like in your old age, Bill," declared his
+friend.
+
+"No I ain't; I'm gittin' wise," retorted the ranchman, with a wide grin.
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"I'm l'arnin' how to git along with Jane Ann," declared Mr. Hicks, with
+a delighted chortle, and pinching the freckled girl beside him.
+
+"Ouch!" exclaimed his niece. "What's the matter, Uncle Bill?"
+
+"He says he's bought this contraption to please you, Jane Ann," said the
+storekeeper. "But what'll Old Trouble-Maker do when he sees it--heh?"
+
+"Gee!" ejaculated the ranchman. "I never thought o' that steer."
+
+"I reckon Old Trouble-Maker will have to stand for it," scoffed the
+ranchman's niece, tossing her head. "Now, Sally, you ride out and see
+us. These girls from down East are all right. And we're going to have
+heaps of fun at Silver Ranch after this."
+
+Helen Cameron touched a lever and the big car shot ahead again.
+
+"She's a mighty white girl, that Sally Dickson," declared Jane Ann Hicks
+(who hated her name and preferred to be called "Nita"). "She's taught
+school here at the Crossing for one term, too. And she's sweet in spite
+of her peppery temper----"
+
+"What could you expect?" demanded the stout girl, smiling all over her
+face as she looked back at the red-haired girl at the store. "She has a
+more crimson topknot than the Fox here----"
+
+There came a sudden scream from the front seat of the automobile. The
+car, under Helen Cameron's skillful manipulation, had turned the bend in
+the trail and the chapparel instantly hid the store and the houses at
+the Crossing. Right ahead of them was a rolling prairie, several miles
+in extent. And up the rise toward the trail was coming, in much dust, a
+bunch of cattle, with two or three punchers riding behind and urging the
+herd to better pasture.
+
+"Oh! see all those steers," cried Ruth Fielding. "Do you own _all_ of
+them, Mr. Hicks?"
+
+"I reckon they got my brand on 'em, Miss," replied the ranchman. "But
+that's only a leetle bunch--can't be more'n five hundred--coming up yere.
+I reckon, Miss Helen, that we'd better pull up some yere. If them cows
+sees us----"
+
+"See there! see there!" cried the stout girl in the back seat.
+
+As she spoke in such excitement, Helen switched off the power and braked
+the car. Out of the chapparel burst, with a frantic bellow, a huge black
+and white steer--wide horned, ferocious of aspect--quite evidently "on the
+rampage." The noise of the passing car had brought him out of
+concealment. He plunged into the trail not ten yards behind the slowing
+car.
+
+"Goodness me!" shouted the big boy who sat beside Bill Hicks and his
+niece. "What kind of a beast is that? It's almost as big as an
+elephant!"
+
+"Oh!" cried the girl called "The Fox." "That surely isn't the kind of
+cattle you have here, is it? He looks more like a buffalo. See! he's
+coming after us!"
+
+The black and white steer _did_ look as savage as any old buffalo bull
+and, emitting a bellow, shook his head at the automobile and began to
+cast the dust up along his flanks with his sharp hoofs. He was indeed of
+a terrifying appearance.
+
+"It's Old Trouble-Maker!" cried Jane Ann Hicks.
+
+"He looks just as though his name fitted him," said Tom Cameron, who had
+sprung up to look back at the steer.
+
+At that moment the steer lowered his head and charged for the auto. The
+girls shrieked, and Tom cried:
+
+"Go ahead, Nell! let's leave that beast behind."
+
+Before his sister could put on speed again, however, the big boy, who
+was Bob Steele, sang out:
+
+"If you go on you'll stampede that herd of cattle--won't she, Mr. Hicks?
+Why, we're between two fires, that's what we are!"
+
+"And they're both going to be hot," groaned Tom. "Why, that Old
+Trouble-Maker will climb right into this car in half a minute!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II--BASHFUL IKE
+
+
+The situation in the big automobile was quite as serious as Tom and Bob
+believed, and there was very good reason for the girls to express their
+fright in a chorus of screams. But Ruth Fielding, and her chum, Helen,
+on the front seat, controlled themselves better than the other Eastern
+girls; Jane Ann Hicks never said a word, but her uncle looked quite as
+startled as his guests.
+
+"I am sartainly graveled!" muttered the ranchman, staring all around for
+some means of saving the party from disaster. "Hi gollies! if I only had
+a leetle old rope now----"
+
+But he had no lariat, and roping a mad steer from an automobile would
+certainly have been a new experience for Bill Hicks. He had brought the
+party of young folk out to Montana just to give his niece pleasure, and
+having got Ruth Fielding and her friends here, he did not want to spoil
+their visit by any bad accident. These young folk had been what Bill
+Hicks called "mighty clever" to his Jane Ann when she had been castaway
+in the East, and he had promised their friends to look out for them all
+and send them home in time for school in the Fall with the proper
+complement of legs and arms, and otherwise whole as to their physical
+being.
+
+Ruth Fielding, after the death of her parents when she was quite a young
+girl, had left Darrowtown and all her old friends and home associations,
+to live with her mother's uncle, at the Red Mill, on the Lumano River,
+near Cheslow in York State. Her coming to Uncle Jabez Potter's, and her
+early adventures about the mill, were related in the first volume of
+this series, entitled "Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper
+Parloe's Secret."
+
+Ruth had found Uncle Jabez very hard to get along with, for he was a
+miser and his kinder nature had been crusted over by years of hoarding
+and selfishness; but through a happy turn of circumstances Ruth was
+enabled to get at the heart of her crotchety old uncle, and when Ruth's
+dearest friend, Helen Cameron, planned to go to boarding school, Uncle
+Jabez was won over to the scheme of sending the girl with her. The fun
+and work of that first term at school is related in the second volume of
+the series, entitled "Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; Or, Solving the
+Campus Mystery."
+
+For the mid-winter vacation Ruth accompanied Helen and other school
+friends to Mr. Cameron's hunting camp, up toward the Canadian line. In
+"Ruth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the Backwoods," the girls and
+some of their boy friends experience many adventures and endure some
+hardship and peril while lost in the snow-shrouded forest.
+
+One of Ruth's chums, Jennie Stone, otherwise known as "Heavy," invited
+her to Lighthouse Point, with a party of young people, for part of the
+summer vacation; and although Uncle Jabez was in much trouble over his
+investment in the Tintacker Mine, which appeared to be a swindle, the
+old miller had allowed Ruth to accompany her friends to the seashore
+because he had already promised her the outing. In "Ruth Fielding at
+Lighthouse Point; Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway," is narrated all the fun
+and delightful experiences the girl of the Red Mill and her friends had
+at the seaside; including the saving of a girl from the wreck of a
+lumber schooner, a miss who afterward proved to be Jane Ann Hicks, the
+niece of a very wealthy Montana ranch owner. The girl had run away from
+the ranch and from her guardian and calls herself Nita, "because the
+girl in the paper-covered novel was called Nita."
+
+That was just the sort of a romantic, foolish girl Jane Ann Hicks was;
+but she learned a few things and was glad to see her old uncle, rough as
+he was, when he came hunting for her. And Mr. Bill Hicks had learned a
+few things, too. He had never seen people spend money before he came
+East, and he had not understood Jane Ann's longing for the delicate and
+beautiful things in life. He saw, too, that a girl could not be properly
+brought up on a cattle ranch, with nothing but cow punchers and Indians
+and Mexican women about, and Mr. Hicks had determined to give his niece
+"a right-down good time," as he expressed it.
+
+It was to give Jane Ann pleasure, and because of the kindness of Ruth
+and her friends to his niece, that Mr. Bill Hicks had arranged this trip
+West for the entire party, on a visit to Silver Ranch. But the old
+gentleman did not want their introduction to the ranch to be a tragedy.
+And with the herd of half-wild cattle ahead, and Old Trouble-Maker
+thundering along the trail behind the motor car, it did look as though
+the introduction of the visitors to the ranch was bound to be a
+strenuous one.
+
+"Do go ahead, Helen!" cried Madge Steele, Bob's elder sister, from the
+back seat of the tonneau. "Why, that beast may climb right in here!"
+
+Helen started the car again; but at that her brother and Ruth cried out
+in chorus:
+
+"Don't run us into the herd, Helen!"
+
+"What under the sun shall I _do_?" cried Miss Cameron. "I can't please
+you all, that's sure."
+
+"Oh, see that beast!" shrieked The Fox, who was likewise on the back
+seat. "I want to get out!"
+
+"Then the brute will catch you, sure," said Bob Steele.
+
+"Sit still!" commanded Mr. Hicks. "And stop the car, Miss! Better to be
+bunted by Old Trouble-Maker than set that whole bunch off on a
+stampede."
+
+"Mercy me!" cried Mary Cox. "I should think it would be better to
+frighten those cows in front than to be horned to death by this big
+beast from the rear."
+
+"Sit still," said Jane Ann, grimly. "We won't likely be hurt by either."
+
+Old Trouble-Maker did look awfully savage. Bellowing with rage, he
+thundered along after the car. Helen had again brought the automobile to
+a stop, this time at Bill Hicks' command. The next moment the girls
+screamed in chorus, for the car jarred all over.
+
+Crash went a rear lamp. About half a yard of paint and varnish was
+scraped off, and the car itself was actually driven forward, despite the
+brake being set, by the sheer weight of the steer.
+
+"If we could git the old cart turned around and headed the other way!"
+groaned the ranchman.
+
+"I believe I can turn it, Mr. Hicks," cried Helen, excitedly.
+
+But just then the steer, that had fallen back a few yards, charged
+again. "Bang!" It sounded like the exploding of a small cannon. Old
+Trouble-Maker had punctured a rear tire, and the car slumped down on
+that side. Helen couldn't start it now, for the trail was too rough to
+travel with a flattened tire.
+
+The black and white steer, with another furious bellow, wheeled around
+the back of the car and then came full tilt for the side. Heavy screamed
+at the top of her voice:
+
+"Oh, take me home! I never did want to go to a dairy farm. _I just
+abominate cows!_"
+
+But the crowd could not laugh. Huddled together in the tonneau, it
+looked as though Old Trouble-Maker would certainly muss them up a whole
+lot! Jane Ann and her uncle hopped out on the other side and called the
+others to follow. At that moment, with a whoop and a drumming of hoofs,
+a calico cow pony came racing along the trail toward the stalled car. On
+the back of this flying pony was a lanky, dust-covered cowboy, swinging
+a lariat in approved fashion.
+
+"Hold steady, boss!" yelled this apparition, and then let the coils of
+the rope whistle through the air. The hair line uncoiled like a writhing
+serpent and dropped over the wide-spread horns of Old Trouble-Maker.
+Then the calico pony came to an abrupt halt, sliding along the ground
+with all four feet braced.
+
+"Zip!" the noose tightened and the steer brought up with a suddenness
+that threatened to dislocate his neck. Down the beast fell, roaring a
+different tune. Old Trouble-Maker almost turned a somersault, while Jane
+Ann, dancing in delight, caught off her very modern and high-priced hat
+and swung it in the air.
+
+"Hurrah for Bashful Ike!" she shouted. "He's the best little old boy
+with the rope that ever worked for the Silver outfit. Hurrah!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III--IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN
+
+
+The cow puncher who had rescued them was a fine looking, bronzed fellow,
+with heavy sheepskin chaps on his legs, a shirt open at the throat, his
+sleeves rolled up displaying muscular arms, and twinkling eyes under the
+flapping brim of his great hat. While he "snubbed" the big steer to his
+knees again as the bellowing creature tried to rise, he looked down with
+a broad smile upon the sparkling face of the Western girl.
+
+"Why, bless yo' heart, honey," he said, in a soft, Southern droll, "if
+you want me to, I'll jest natwcher'ly cinch my saddle on Old
+Trouble-Maker an' ride him home for yo'. It certainly is a cure for sore
+eyes to see you again."
+
+"And I'm glad to see you, Ike. And these are all my friends. I'll
+introduce you and the boys to them proper at the ranch," cried the
+Western girl.
+
+"Git that bellowin' critter away from yere, Ike," commanded Mr. Hicks.
+"I 'low the next bunch that goes to the railroad will include that black
+and white abomination."
+
+"Jest so, Boss," drawled his foreman. "I been figurin' Old Trouble-Maker
+better be in the can than on the hoof. He's made a plumb nuisance of
+himself. Yo' goin' on, Boss? Bud and Jimsey's got that bunch out o' the
+way of your smoke-waggin."
+
+"We've got to shift tires, Mr. Hicks," said Tom Cameron, who, with his
+chum, Bob Steele, was already jacking up the rear axle. "That steer
+ripped a long hole in this tire something awful."
+
+Bashful Ike--who didn't seem at all bashful when it came to handling the
+big black and white steer--suddenly let that bellowing beast get upon his
+four feet. Then he swooped down upon the steer, gathering up the coils
+of his rope as he rode, twitched the noose off the wide horns, and
+leaning quickly from his saddle grabbed the "brush" of the steer's tail
+and gave that appendage a mighty twist.
+
+Bellowing again, but for an entirely different reason, the steer started
+off after the bunch of cattle now disappearing in the dust-cloud, and
+the foreman spurred his calico pony after Old Trouble-Maker, yelling at
+the top of his voice at every jump of his pony:
+
+"Ye-ow! ye-ow! ye-ow!"
+
+"I declare I'm glad to see those cattle out of the way," said Helen
+Cameron, with a sigh.
+
+"I believe you," returned Ruth, who was still beside her on the front
+seat. "I just didn't realize before that cattle on the range are a whole
+lot different from a herd of cows in an eastern pasture."
+
+Tom and Bob got the new tire in place and pumped up, and then the
+automobile started again for the ranch house. Jane Ann was quite excited
+over her home-coming; anybody could see that with half an eye. She clung
+to her uncle's hand and looked at him now and again as though to assure
+the old fellow that she really was glad to be home.
+
+And Bill Hicks himself began to "fill into the picture" now that he was
+back in Montana. The young folks had seen many men like him since
+leaving Denver.
+
+"Why, he's just an old dear!" whispered Ruth to Helen, as the latter
+steered the car over the rough trail. "And just as kind and considerate
+as he can be. It's natural chivalry these Western men show to women,
+isn't it?"
+
+"He's nice," agreed Helen. "But he never ought to have named his niece
+'Jane Ann.' That was a mean trick to play on a defenseless baby."
+
+"He's going to make it up to her now," chuckled Tom, who heard this,
+being on the front seat with the two chums. "I know the 'pinanner' has
+gone on ahead, as he promised Nita. And carpets and curtains, too. I
+reckon this ranch we're coming to is going to 'blossom like the rose.'"
+
+When they came in sight of Silver Ranch, just before evening, the guests
+from the East were bound to express their appreciation of the beauty of
+its surroundings. It was a low, broad verandahed house, covering a good
+deal of ground, with cookhouses and other outbuildings in the rear, and
+a big corral for the stock, and bunkhouses for the men. It lay in a
+beautiful little valley--a "coulie," Jane Ann, or Nita, called it--with
+green, sloping sides to the saucer-like depression, and a pretty,
+winding stream breaking out of the hollow at one side.
+
+"I should think it would be damp down there," said Madge Steele, to the
+ranchman. "Why didn't you build your house on a knoll?"
+
+"Them sidehills sort o' break the winds, Miss," explained Mr. Hicks. "We
+sometimes git some wind out yere--yes, ma'am! You'd be surprised."
+
+They rode down to the big house and found a wide-smiling Mexican woman
+waiting for them on the porch. Jane Ann greeted her as "Maria" and Hicks
+sent her back to the kitchen to hurry supper. But everybody about the
+place, even Maria's husband, the "horse wrangler," a sleek looking
+Mexican with rings in his ears and a broken nose, found a chance to
+welcome the returned runaway.
+
+"My! it's great to be a female prodigal, isn't it?" demanded Heavy,
+poking Jane Ann with her forefinger. "Aren't you glad you ran away
+East?"
+
+The Western girl took it good-naturedly. "I'm glad I came back, anyway,"
+she acknowledged. "And I'm awfully glad Ruth and Helen and you-all could
+come with me."
+
+"Well, we're here, and I'm delighted," cried Helen Cameron. "But I
+didn't really expect either Ruth or Mary Cox would come. Mary's got such
+trouble at home; and Ruth's uncle is just as cross as he can be."
+
+Ruth heard that and shook her head, for all the girls were sitting on
+the wide veranda of the ranch-house after removing the traces of travel
+and getting into the comfortable "hack-about" frocks that Jane Ann had
+advised them to bring with them.
+
+"Uncle Jabez is in great trouble, sure," Ruth said. "Losing money--and a
+whole lot of money, too, as he has--is a serious matter. Uncle Jabez
+could lose lots of things better than he can money, for he loves money
+so!"
+
+"My gracious, Ruth," exclaimed Helen, with a sniff, "you'd find an
+excuse for a dog's running mad, I do believe! You are bound to see the
+best side of anybody."
+
+"What you say isn't very clear," laughed her chum, good-humoredly; "but
+I guess I know what you mean, and thank you for the compliment. I only
+hope that uncle's investment in the Tintacker Mine will come out all
+right in the end."
+
+Mary Cox, "The Fox," sat next to Ruth, and at this she turned to listen
+to the chums. Her sharp eyes sparkled and her face suddenly grew pale,
+as Ruth went on:
+
+"I expect Uncle Jabez allowed me to come out here partly because that
+mine he invested in is supposed to be somewhere in this district."
+
+"Oh!" said Helen. "A real mine?"
+
+"That is what is puzzling Uncle Jabez, as I understand it," said Ruth
+soberly. "He isn't sure whether it is a _real_ mine, or not. You see, he
+is very close mouthed, as well as close in money matters. He never said
+much to me about it. But old Aunt Alvirah told me all she knew.
+
+"You see, that young man came to the mill as an agent for a vacuum
+cleaner, and he talked Uncle Jabez into buying one for Aunt Alvirah.
+Now, you must know he was pretty smart to talk money right out of
+Uncle's pocket for any such thing as that," and Ruth laughed; but she
+became grave in a moment, and continued:
+
+"Not that he isn't as kind as he knows how to be to Aunt Alvirah; but
+the fact that the young man made his sale so quickly gave Uncle Jabez a
+very good opinion of his ability. So they got to talking, and the young
+man told uncle about the Tintacker Mine."
+
+"Gold or silver?" asked Helen.
+
+"Silver. The young fellow was very enthusiastic. He knew something about
+mines, and he had been out here to see this one. It had been the only
+legacy, so he said, that his father had left his family. He was the
+oldest, and the only boy, and his mother and the girls depended upon
+him. Their circumstances were cramped, and if he could not work this
+Tintacker Mine he did not know how he should support the family. There
+was money needed to develop the mine and--I am not sure--but I believe
+there was some other man had a share in it and must be bought out. At
+least, uncle furnished a large sum of money."
+
+"And then?" demanded Helen Cameron.
+
+"Why, then the young man came out this way. Aunt Alvirah said that Uncle
+Jabez got one letter from Denver and another from a place called Butte,
+Montana. Then nothing more came. Uncle's letters have been unanswered.
+That's ever since some time last winter. You see, uncle hates to spend
+more money, I suppose. He maybe doesn't know how to have the mine
+searched for. But he told me that the young man said something about
+going to Bullhide, and I am going to try to find out if anybody knows
+anything about the Tintacker Mine the first time we drive over to town."
+
+All this time Mary Cox had been deeply interested in what Ruth said. It
+was not often that The Fox paid much attention to Ruth Fielding, for she
+held a grudge against the girl of the Red Mill, and had, on several
+occasions, been very mean to Ruth. On the other hand, Ruth had twice
+aided in saving The Fox from drowning, and had the latter not been a
+very mean-spirited girl she would have been grateful to Ruth.
+
+About the time that Ruth had completed her story of the Tintacker Mine
+and the utter disappearance of the young man who had interested her
+Uncle Jabez in that mysterious silver horde, Jane Ann called them all to
+supper. A long, low-ceiled, cool apartment was the dining-room at Silver
+Ranch. Through a long gallery the Mexican woman shuffled in with the hot
+viands from the kitchen. Two little dark-skinned boys helped her; they
+were Maria's children.
+
+At supper Mr. Hicks took the head of the long table and Jane Ann did the
+honors at the other end. There were the Cameron twins, and Madge and
+Bob, and Jennie Stone and Mary Cox, beside Ruth Fielding herself. It was
+a merry party and they sat long over the meal; before they arose from
+the table, indeed, much shuffling and low voices and laughter, together
+with tobacco smoke, announced the presence of some of the cowboys
+outside.
+
+"The boys is up yere to hear that pinanner," said Mr. Hicks. "Jib's got
+it ready to slip out o' the box and we'll lift it into the other
+room--there's enough of us huskies to do it--and then you young folks can
+start something."
+
+Jane Ann was delighted with the handsome upright instrument. She had
+picked it out herself in New York, and it had been shipped clear across
+the continent ahead of the private car that had brought the party to
+Bullhide. The jarring it had undergone had not improved its tone; but
+Helen sat down to it and played a pretty little medley that pleased the
+boys at the windows.
+
+"Now, let Ruth sing," urged Jane Ann. "The boys like singing; give 'em
+something they can join in on the chorus like--that'll tickle 'em into
+fits!"
+
+So Ruth sang such familiar songs as she could remember. And then Helen
+got her violin and Madge took her place at the piano, and they played
+for Ruth some of the more difficult pieces that the latter had learned
+at Briarwood--for Ruth Fielding possessed a very sweet and strong voice
+and had "made the Glee Club" during the first half of her attendance at
+Briarwood Hall.
+
+The boys applauded from the veranda. There was at least a dozen of the
+ranchman's employes at the home corral just then. Altogether Mr. Hicks
+paid wages to about sixty punchers and horse wranglers. They were coming
+and going between the home ranch and the ranges all the time.
+
+The girls from the East gave the Silver Ranch cowboys a nice little
+concert, and then Jane Ann urged Jib Pottoway to come to the piano. The
+half-breed was on the veranda in the dusk, with the other fellows, but
+he needed urging.
+
+"Here, you Jibbeway!" exclaimed Mr. Hicks. "You hike yourself in yere
+and tickle these ivories a whole lot. These young ladies ain't snakes;
+an' they won't bite ye."
+
+The backward puncher was urged on by his mates, too, and finally he came
+in, stepping through the long window and sliding onto the piano bench
+that had been deserted by Madge. He was a tall, straight, big-boned
+young man, with dark, keen face, and the moment Tom Cameron saw him he
+seized Bob by the shoulder and whispered eagerly:
+
+"I know that fellow! He played fullback with Carlisle when they met
+Cornell three years ago. Why, he's an educated man--he must be! And
+punching cattle out on this ranch!"
+
+"Guess you forget that Theodore Roosevelt punched cattle for a while,"
+chuckled Bob. "Listen to that fellow play, will you?"
+
+And the Indian could--as Mr. Hicks remarked--"tickle the ivories." He
+played by ear, but he played well. Most of the tunes he knew were
+popular ditties and by and by he warmed the punchers up so that they
+began to hum their favorite melodies as Jib played them.
+
+"Come on, there, Ike!" said the Indian, suddenly. "Give us that 'Prayer'
+you're so fond of. Come on, now, Ike!"
+
+Bashful Ike evidently balked a little, but Jib played the accompaniment
+and the melody through, and finally the foreman of Silver Ranch broke in
+with a baritone roar and gave them "The Cowboy's Prayer." Ike possessed
+a mellow voice and the boys hummed in chorus in the dusk, and it all
+sounded fine until suddenly Jib Pottoway broke off with a sudden
+discordant crash on the piano keys.
+
+"Hel-lo!" exclaimed Bill Hicks, who had lain back in his wicker lounging
+chair, with his big feet in wool socks on another chair, enjoying all
+the music. "What's happened the pinanner, Jib? You busted it? By jings!
+that cost me six hundred dollars at the Bullhide station."
+
+But then his voice fell and there was silence both in the room and on
+the veranda. The sound of galloping hoofs had shut the ranchman up. A
+pony was approaching on a dead run, and the next moment a long, loud
+"Ye-ow! ye-ow!" announced the rider's excitement as something
+extraordinary.
+
+"Who's that, Ike?" cried Hicks, leaping from his chair.
+
+"Scrub Weston," said the foreman as he clumped down the veranda steps.
+
+Jib slipped through the window. Hicks followed him on the jump, and Jane
+Ann led the exodus of the visitors. There was plainly something of an
+exciting nature at hand. A pony flashed out of the darkness and slid to
+a perilous halt right at the steps.
+
+"Hi, Boss!" yelled the cowboy who bestrode the pony. "Fire's sweeping up
+from Tintacker way! I bet it's that Bughouse Johnny the boys have chased
+two or three times. He's plumb loco, that feller is--oughtn't to be left
+at large. The whole chapparel down that a-way is blazin' and, if the
+wind rises, more'n ha'f of your grazin'll be swept away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV--THE FIRE FIGHT
+
+
+The guests had followed Mr. Hicks and Jib out of the long window and had
+heard the cow puncher's declaration. There was no light in the sky as
+far as the girls could see--no light of a fire, at least--but there seemed
+to be a tang of smoke; perhaps the smoke clung to the sweating horse and
+its rider.
+
+"You got it straight, Scrub Weston?" demanded Bill Hicks. "This ain't no
+burn you're givin' us?"
+
+"Great piping Peter!" yelled the cowboy on the trembling pony, "it'll be
+a burn all right if you fellows don't git busy. I left Number Three
+outfit fighting the fire the best they knew; we've had to let the cattle
+drift. I tell ye, Boss, there's more trouble brewin' than you kin shake
+a stick at."
+
+"'Nuff said!" roared Hicks. "Get busy, Ike. You fellers saddle and light
+out with Scrub. Rope you another hawse out o' the corral, Scrub; you've
+blamed near killed that one."
+
+"Oh! is it really a prairie fire?" asked Ruth, of Jane Ann. "Can't we
+see it?"
+
+"You bet we will," declared the ranchman's niece. "Leave it to me. I'll
+get the horse-wrangler to hitch up a pair of ponies and we'll go over
+there. Wish you girls could ride."
+
+"Helen rides," said Ruth, quickly.
+
+"But not our kind of horses, I reckon," returned Jane Ann, as she
+started after the cowboys. "But Tom and Bob can have mounts. Come on,
+boys!"
+
+"We'll get into trouble, like enough, if we go to this fire," objected
+Madge Steele.
+
+"Come on!" said Heavy. "Don't let's show the white feather. These folks
+will think we haven't any pluck at all. Eastern girls can be just as
+courageous as Western girls, I believe."
+
+But all the time Ruth was puzzling over something that the cowboy, Scrub
+Weston, had said when he gave warning of the fire. He had mentioned
+Tintacker and suggested that the fire had been set by somebody whom Ruth
+supposed the cowboys must think was crazy--otherwise she could not
+explain that expression, "Bughouse Johnny." These range riders were very
+rough of speech, but certainly their language was expressive!
+
+This Tintacker Mine in which she was so deeply interested--for Uncle
+Jabez's sake--must be very near the ranch. Ruth desired to go to the mine
+and learn if it was being worked; and she proposed to learn the whole
+history of the claim and look up the recording of it, as well. Of
+course, the young man who had gotten Uncle Jabez to invest in the silver
+mine had shown him deeds and the like; but these papers might have been
+forged. Ruth was determined to clear up the mystery of the Tintacker
+Mine before she left Silver Ranch for the East again.
+
+Just now, however, she as well as the other guests of Jane Ann Hicks was
+excited by the fire on the range. They got jackets, and by the time all
+the girls were ready Maria's husband had a pair of half-wild ponies
+hitched to the buckboard. Bob elected to drive the ponies, and he and
+the five girls got aboard the vehicle while the restive ponies were held
+by the Mexican.
+
+Tom and Jane Ann had each saddled a pony. Jane Ann rode astride like a
+boy, and she was up on a horse that seemed to be just as crazy as he
+could be. Her friends from the East feared all the time that Jane Ann
+would be thrown.
+
+"Let 'em go, Jose!" commanded the Silver Ranch girl. "You keep right
+behind me, Mr. Steele--follow me and Mr. Tom. The trail ain't good, but I
+reckon you won't tip over your crowd if you're careful."
+
+The girls on the buckboard screamed at that; But it was too late to
+expostulate--or back out from going on the trip. The half-wild ponies
+were off and Bob had all he could do to hold them. Old Bill Hicks and
+his punchers had swept away into the starlit night some minutes before
+and were now out of both sight and hearing. As the party of young folk
+got out of the coulie, riding over the ridge, they saw a dull glow far
+down on the western horizon.
+
+"The fire!" cried Ruth, pointing.
+
+"That's what it is," responded Jane Ann, excitedly. "Come on!"
+
+She raced ahead and Tom spurred his mount after her. Directly in their
+wake lurched the buckboard, with the excited Bob snapping the
+long-lashed whip over the ponies' backs. The vehicle pitched and jerked,
+and traveled sometimes on as few as two wheels; the girls were jounced
+about unmercifully, and The Fox and Helen squealed.
+
+"I'm--be--ing--jolt--ed--to--a--jel--ly!" gasped Heavy. "I'll be--one
+sol--id bruise."
+
+But Bob did not propose to be left behind by Jane Ann and Tom Cameron,
+and Madge showed her heartlessness by retorting on the stout girl:
+
+"You'll be solid, all right, Jennie, never mind whether you are bruised
+or not. You know that you're no 'airy, fairy Lillian.'"
+
+But the rate at which they were traveling was not conducive to
+conversation; and most of the time the girls clung on and secretly hoped
+that Bob would not overturn the buckboard. The ponies seemed desirous of
+running away all the time.
+
+The rosy glow along the skyline increased; and now flames leaped--yellow
+and scarlet--rising and falling, while the width of the streak of fire
+increased at both ends. Luckily there was scarcely any wind. But the
+fire certainly was spreading.
+
+The ponies tore along under Bob's lash and Jane Ann and Tom did not
+leave them far behind. Over the rolling prairie they fled and so rapidly
+that Hicks and his aides from the ranch-house were not far in advance
+when the visitors came within unrestricted view of the flames.
+
+Jane Ann halted and held up her hand to Bob to pull in the ponies when
+they topped a ridge which was the final barrier between them and the
+bottom where the fire burned. For several miles the dry grass, scrub,
+and groves of trees had been blackened by the fire. Light smoke clouds
+drifted away from the line of flame, which crackled sharply and advanced
+in a steady march toward the ridge on which the spectators were perched.
+
+"My goodness me!" exclaimed Heavy. "You couldn't put _that_ fire out by
+spilling a bucket of water on it, could you?"
+
+The fire line was several miles long. The flames advanced slowly; but
+here and there, where it caught in a bunch of scrub, the tongues of fire
+mounted swiftly into the air for twenty feet, or more; and in these
+pillars of fire lurked much danger, for when a blast of wind chanced to
+swoop down on them, the flames jumped!
+
+Toiling up the ridge, snorting and bellowing, tails in air and horns
+tossing, drifted a herd of several thousand cattle, about ready to
+stampede although the fire was not really chasing them. The danger lay
+in the fact that the flames had gained such headway, and had spread so
+widely, that the entire range might be burned over, leaving nothing for
+the cattle to eat.
+
+The rose-light of the flames showed the spectators all this--the black
+smooch of the fire-scathed land behind the barrier of flame, the
+flitting figures on horseback at the foot of the ridge, and the herd of
+steers going over the rise toward the north--and the higher foothills.
+
+"But what can they do?" gasped Ruth.
+
+"They're back-firing," Tom said, holding in his pony. Tom was a good
+horseman and it was evident that Jane Ann was astonished at his riding.
+"But over yonder where they tried it, the flames jumped ahead through
+the long grass and drove the men into their saddles again."
+
+"See what those fellows are doing!" gasped Madge, standing up. "They're
+roping those cattle--isn't that what you call it, _roping_?"
+
+"And hog-tieing them," responded Jane Ann, eagerly. "That's Jib--and
+Bashful Ike. There! that's an axe Ike's got. He's going to slice up that
+steer."
+
+"Oh, dear me! what for?" cried Helen.
+
+"Why, the butchering act--right here and now?" demanded Heavy. "Aren't
+thinking of having a barbecue, are they?"
+
+"You watch," returned the Western girl, greatly excited. "There! they've
+split that steer."
+
+"I hope it's the big one that bunted the automobile," cried The Fox.
+
+"Well, you can bet it ain't," snapped Jane Ann. "Old Trouble-Maker is
+going to yield us some fun at brandin' time--now you see."
+
+But they were all too much interested just then in what was going on
+near at hand--and down at the fire line--to pay much attention to what
+Jane Ann said about Old Trouble-Maker. Bashful Ike and Jib Pottoway had
+split two steers "from stem to stern." Two other riders approached, and
+the girls recognized one of them as Old Bill himself.
+
+"Tough luck, boys," grumbled the ranchman. "Them critters is worth five
+cents right yere on the hoof; but that fire's got to be smothered. Here,
+Jib! hitch my rope to t'other end of your half of that critter."
+
+In a minute the ranchman and the half-breed were racing down the slope,
+their ponies on the jump, the half of the steer jumping behind them. At
+the line of fire Hicks made his frightened horse leap the flames, they
+jerked the half of the steer over so that the cloven side came in
+contact with the flames, and then both men urged their ponies along the
+fire line, right in the midst of the smoke and heat, dragging the
+bleeding side of beef across the sputtering flames.
+
+Ike and his mate started almost at once in the other direction, and both
+teams quenched the fire in good shape. Behind them other cowboys drew
+the halves of the second steer that had been divided, making sure of the
+quenching of the conflagration in the main; but there were still spots
+where the fire broke out again, and it was a couple of hours, and two
+more fat steers had been sacrificed, before it was safe to leave the
+fire line to the watchful care of only half a dozen, or so, of the range
+riders.
+
+It had been a bitter fight while it lasted. Tom and Bob, and Jane Ann
+herself had joined in it--slapping out the immature fires where they had
+sprung up in the grass from sparks which flew from the greater fires.
+But the ridge had helped retard the blaze so that it could be
+controlled, and from the summit the girls from the East had enjoyed the
+spectacle.
+
+Old Bill Hicks rode beside the buckboard when they started back for the
+ranch-house, and was very angry over the setting of the fire. Cow
+punchers are the most careful people in the world regarding fire-setting
+in the open. If a cattleman lights his cigarette, or pipe, he not only
+pinches out the match between his finger and thumb, but, if he is afoot,
+he stamps the burned match into the earth when he drops it.
+
+"That yere half-crazy tenderfoot oughter be put away somewhares, whar he
+won't do no more harm to nobody," growled the ranchman.
+
+"Do you expect he set it, Uncle?" demanded Jane Ann.
+
+"So Scrub says. He seen him camping in the cottonwoods along Larruper
+Crick this mawnin'. I reckon nobody but a confounded tenderfoot would
+have set a fire when it's dry like this, noways."
+
+Here Ruth put in a question that she had longed to ask ever since the
+fire scare began: "Who _is_ this strange man you call the tenderfoot?"
+
+"Dunno, Miss Ruth," said the cattleman. "He's been hanging 'round yere a
+good bit since Spring. Or, he's been seen by my men a good bit. When
+they've spoke to him he's seemed sort of doped, or silly. They can't
+make him out. And he hangs around closest to Tintacker."
+
+"You're interested in _that_, Ruth!" exclaimed Helen.
+
+"What d'you know about Tintacker, Miss?" asked Old Bill, curiously.
+
+"Tintacker is a silver mine, isn't it?" asked Ruth, in return.
+
+"Tintacker used to be a right smart camp some years ago. Some likely
+silver claims was staked out 'round there. But they petered out, and
+ain't nobody raked over the old dumps, even, but some Chinamen, for ten
+year."
+
+"But was there a particular mine called 'Tintacker'?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Sure there was. First claim staked out. And it was a good one--for a
+while. But there ain't nothin' there now."
+
+"You say this stranger hangs about there?" queried Tom, likewise
+interested.
+
+"He won't for long if my boys find him arter this," growled Hicks.
+"They'll come purty close to running him out o' this neck o' woods--you
+hear me!"
+
+This conversation made Ruth even more intent upon solving the mystery of
+the Tintacker Mine, and her desire to see this strange "tenderfoot" who
+hung about the old mining claims increased. But she said nothing more at
+that time regarding the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V--"OLD TROUBLE-MAKER" TURNED LOOSE
+
+
+After getting to bed at midnight it could not be expected that the young
+people at Silver Ranch would be astir early on the morning following the
+fire scare. But Ruth, who was used to being up with the sun at the Red
+Mill--and sometimes a little before the orb of day--slipped out of the big
+room in which the six girls were domiciled when she heard the first stir
+about the corrals.
+
+When she came out upon the veranda that encircled the ranch-house,
+wreaths of mist hung knee-high in the coulee--mist which, as soon as the
+sun peeked over the hills, would be dissipated. The ponies were snorting
+and stamping at their breakfasts--great armfuls of alfalfa hay which the
+horse wranglers had pitched over the fence. Maria, the Mexican woman,
+came up from the cowshed with two brimming pails of milk, for the Silver
+Ranch boasted a few milch cows at the home place, and there had been
+sweet butter on the table at supper the night before--something which is
+usually very scarce on a cattle ranch.
+
+Ruth ran down to the corral and saw, on the bench outside the bunkhouse
+door, the row of buckets in which the boys had their morning plunge. The
+sleeping arrangements at Silver Ranch being rather primitive, Tom and
+Bob had elected to join the cowboys in the big bunkhouse, and they had
+risen as early as the punchers and made their own toilet in the buckets,
+too. The sheet-iron chimney of the chuckhouse kitchen was smoking, and
+frying bacon and potatoes flavored the keen air for yards around.
+
+Bashful Ike, the foreman, met the Eastern girl at the corner of the
+corral fence. He was a pleasant, smiling man; but the blood rose to the
+very roots of his hair and he got into an immediate perspiration if a
+girl looked at him. When Ruth bade him good-morning Ike's cheeks began
+to flame and he grew instantly tongue-tied! Beyond nodding a greeting
+and making a funny noise in his throat he gave no notice that he was
+like other human beings and could talk. But Ruth had an idea in her mind
+and Bashful Ike could help her carry it through better than anybody
+else.
+
+"Mr. Ike," she said, softly, "do you know about this man they say
+probably set the fire last night?"
+
+Ike gulped down something that seemed to be choking him and mumbled that
+he supposed he had seen the fellow "about once."
+
+"Do you think he is crazy, Mr. Ike?" asked the Eastern girl.
+
+"I--I swanny! I couldn't be sure as to that, Miss," stammered the foreman
+of Silver Ranch. "The boys say he acts plumb locoed."
+
+"'Locoed' means crazy?" she persisted.
+
+"Why, Miss, clear 'way down south from us, 'long about the Mexican
+border, thar's a weed grows called loco, and if critters eats it, they
+say it crazies 'em--for a while, anyway. So, Miss," concluded Ike,
+stumbling less in his speech now, "if a man or a critter acts batty
+like, we say he's locoed."
+
+"I understand. But if this man they suspect of setting the fire is crazy
+he isn't responsible for what he does, is he?"
+
+"Well, Miss, mebbe not. But we can't have no onresponsible feller
+hangin' around yere scatterin' fire--no, sir!--ma'am, I mean," Ike hastily
+added, his face flaming up like an Italian sunset again.
+
+"No; I suppose not. But I understand the man stays around that old camp
+at Tintacker, more than anywhere else?"
+
+"That's so, I reckon," agreed Ike. "The boys don't see him often."
+
+"Can't you make the boys just scare him into keeping off the range,
+instead of doing him real harm? They seemed very angry about the fire."
+
+"I dunno, Miss. Old Bill's some hot under the collar himself--and he
+might well be. Last night's circus cost him a pretty penny."
+
+"Did you ever see this man they say is crazy?" demanded Ruth.
+
+"I told you I did oncet."
+
+"What sort of a looking man is he?"
+
+"He ain't no more'n a kid, Miss. That's it; he's jest a tenderfoot kid."
+
+"A boy, you mean?" queried Ruth, anxiously.
+
+"Not much older than that yere whitehead ye brought with yuh," said Ike,
+beginning to grin now that he had become a bit more familiar with the
+Eastern girl, and pointing at Bob Steele. "And he ain't no bigger than
+him."
+
+"You wouldn't let your boys injure a young fellow like that, would you?"
+cried Ruth. "It wouldn't be right."
+
+"I dunno how I'm goin' to stop 'em from mussin' him up a whole lot if
+they chances acrost him," said Ike, slowly. "He'd ought to be shut up,
+so he had."
+
+"Granted. But he ought not to be abused. Another thing, Ike--I'll tell
+you a secret."
+
+"Uh-huh?" grunted the surprised foreman.
+
+"I want to see that young man awfully!" said Ruth. "I want to talk with
+him----"
+
+"Sufferin' snipes!" gasped Ike, becoming so greatly interested that he
+forgot it was a girl he was talking with. "What you wanter see that
+looney critter for?"
+
+"Because I'm greatly interested in the Tintacker Mine, and they say this
+young fellow usually sticks to that locality," replied Ruth, smiling on
+the big cow puncher. "Don't you think I can learn to ride well enough to
+travel that far before we return to the East?"
+
+"To ride to Tintacker, Miss?" he asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why, suah, Miss!" cried Ike, cordially. "I'll pick you-all out a nice
+pony what's well broke, and I bet you'll ride him lots farther than
+that. I'll rope him now--I know jest the sort of a hawse you'd oughter
+ride----"
+
+"No; you go eat your breakfast with the other boys," laughed Ruth,
+preparing to go back to the ranch-house. "Jane Ann says we're all to
+have ponies to ride and she maybe will be disappointed if I don't let
+her pick out mine for me," added Ruth, with her usual regard for the
+feelings of her mates. "But I am going to depend on you, Mr. Ike, to
+teach me to ride."
+
+"And when you want to ride over to Tintacker tuh interview that yere
+maverick, yo' let me know, Miss," said Bashful Ike. "I'll see that yuh
+git thar with proper escort, and all that," and he grinned sheepishly.
+
+Tom and Bob breakfasted with the punchers, but after the regular meal at
+the ranch-house the two boys hastened to join their girl friends. First
+they must all go to the corral and pick out their riding ponies. Helen,
+Madge and The Fox could ride fairly well; but Jane Ann had warned them
+that Eastern riding would not do on the ranch. Such a thing as a
+side-saddle was unknown, so the girls had all supplied themselves with
+divided skirts so that they could ride astride like the Western girl.
+Besides, a cow pony would not stand for the long skirt of a riding habit
+flapping along his flank.
+
+Now, Ruth had ridden a few times on Helen's pony, and away back when she
+was a little girl she had ridden bareback on an old horse belonging to
+the blacksmith at Darrowtown. So she was not afraid to try the nervous
+little flea-bitten gray that Ike Stedman roped and saddled and bridled
+for her. Jane Ann declared it to be a favorite pony of her own, and
+although the little fellow did not want to stand while his saddle was
+being cinched, and stamped his cunning little feet on the ground a good
+bit, Ike assured the girl of the Red Mill that "Freckles," as they
+called him, was "one mighty gentle hawse!"
+
+There was no use in the girls from the East showing fear; Ruth was too
+plucky to do that, anyway. She was not really afraid of the pony; but
+when she was in the saddle it did seem as though Freckles danced more
+than was necessary.
+
+These cow ponies never walk--unless they are dead tired; about Freckles'
+easiest motion was a canter that carried Ruth over the prairie so
+swiftly that her loosened hair flowed behind her in the wind, and for a
+time she could not speak--until she became adjusted to the pony's motion.
+But she liked riding astride much better than on a side-saddle, and she
+soon lost her fear. Ike had given her some good advice about the holding
+of her reins so that a sharp pull on Freckles' curb would instantly
+bring the pony down to a dead stop. The bashful one had screwed tiny
+spurs into the heels of her high boots and given her a light quirt, or
+whip.
+
+The other girls--all but Heavy--were, as we have seen, more used to riding
+than the girl of the Red Mill; but with the stout girl the whole party
+had a great deal of fun. Of course, Jennie Stone expected to cause
+hilarity among her friends; she "poked fun" at herself all the time, so
+could not object if the others laughed.
+
+"I'll never in this world be able to get into a saddle without a kitchen
+chair to step upon," Jennie groaned, as she saw the other girls choosing
+their ponies. "Mercy! if I got on that little Freckles, he'd squat right
+down--I know he would! You'll have to find something bigger than these
+rabbits for _me_ to ride on."
+
+At that she heard the girls giggling behind her and turned to face a
+great, droop-headed, long-eared roan mule, with hip bones that you could
+hang your hat on--a most forlorn looking bundle of bones that had
+evidently never recovered the climatic change from the river bottoms of
+Missouri to the uplands of Montana. Tom Cameron held the mule with a
+trace-chain around his neck and he offered the end of the chain to Heavy
+with a perfectly serious face.
+
+"I believe you'd better saddle this chap, Jennie," said Tom. "You see
+how he's built--the framework is great. I know he can hold you up all
+right. Just look at how he's built."
+
+"Looks like the steel framework of a skyscraper," declared Heavy,
+solemnly. "Don't you suppose I might fall in between the ribs if I
+climbed up on that thing? I thought you were a better friend to me than
+that, Tom Cameron. You'd deliberately let me risk my life by being
+tangled up in that moth-eaten bag o' bones if it collapsed under me. No!
+I'll risk one of these rabbits. I'll have less distance to fall if I
+roll."
+
+But the little cow ponies were tougher than the stout girl supposed. Ike
+weighed in the neighborhood of a hundred and eighty pounds--solid bone
+and muscle--and the cayuse that he bestrode when at work was no bigger
+than Ruth's Freckles. They hoisted Heavy into the saddle, and Tom
+offered to lash her there if she didn't feel perfectly secure.
+
+"You needn't mind, Tommy," returned the stout girl. "If, in the course
+of human events, it becomes necessary for me to disembark from this
+saddle, I'll probably want to get down quick. There's no use in
+hampering me. I take my life in my hand--with these reins--and--ugh! ugh!
+ugh!" she finished as, on her picking up the lines, her restive pony
+instantly broke into the liveliest kind of a trot.
+
+But after all, Heavy succeeded in riding pretty well; while Ruth, after
+an hour, was not afraid to let her pony take a pretty swift gait with
+her. Jane Ann, however, showed remarkable skill and made the Eastern
+girls fairly envious. She had ridden, of course, ever since she was big
+enough to hold bridle reins, and there were few of the punchers who
+could handle a horse better than the ranchman's niece.
+
+But the visitors from the East did not understand this fact fully until
+a few days later, when the first bunch of Spring calves and yearlings
+were driven into a not far distant corral to be branded. Branding is one
+of the big shows on a cattle ranch, and Ruth and her chums did not
+intend to miss the sight; besides, some of the boys had corraled Old
+Trouble-Maker near by and promised some fancy work with the big black
+and white steer.
+
+"We'll show you some roping now," said Jane Ann, with enthusiasm. "Just
+cutting a little old cow out of that band in the corral and throwing it
+ain't nothing. Wait till we turn Old Trouble-Maker loose."
+
+The whole party rode over to the branding camp, and there was the black
+and white steer as wild as ever. While the branding was going on the big
+steer bellowed and stamped and tried to break the fence down. The smell
+of the burning flesh, and the bellowing of the calves and yearlings as
+their ears were slit, stirred the old fellow up.
+
+"Something's due to happen when that feller gits turned out," declared
+Jib Pottoway. "You goin' to try to rope that contrary critter, Jane
+Ann?"
+
+"It'll be a free-for-all race; Ike says so," cried Jane Ann. "You wait!
+You boys think you're so smart. I'll rope that steer myself--maybe."
+
+The punchers laughed at this boast; but they all liked Jane Ann and had
+it been possible to make her boast come true they would have seen to it
+that she won. But Old Trouble-Maker, as Jib said, "wasn't a lady's cow."
+
+It was agreed that only a free-for-all dash for the old fellow would
+do--and out on the open range, at that. Old Trouble-Maker was to be
+turned out of the corral, given a five-rod start, and then the bunch who
+wanted to have a tussle with the steer would start for him. Just to make
+it interesting Old Bill Hicks had put up a twenty dollar gold piece, to
+be the property of the winner of the contest--that is, to the one who
+succeeded in throwing and "hog-tieing" Old Trouble-Maker.
+
+It was along in the cool of the afternoon when the bars of the small
+corral were let down and the steer was prodded out into the open. The
+old fellow seemed to know that there was fun in store for him. At first
+he pawed the ground and seemed inclined to charge the line of punchers,
+and even shook his head at the group of mounted spectators, who were
+bunched farther back on the hillside. Bashful Ike stopped _that_ idea,
+however, for, as master of ceremonies, he rode in suddenly and used his
+quirt on the big steer. With a bellow Old Trouble-Maker swung around and
+started for the skyline. Ike trotted on behind him till the steer passed
+the five-rod mark. Then pulling the big pistol that swung at his hip the
+foreman shot a fusilade into the ground which started the steer off at a
+gallop, tail up and head down, and spurred the punchers into instant
+action, as well.
+
+"Ye-yip!" yelled Bashful Ike. "Now let's see what you 'ombres air good
+for with a rope. Go to it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI--THE ROPING CONTEST
+
+
+With a chorus of "co-ees" and wild yells the cowboys of Silver Ranch
+dashed away on the race after the huge black and white steer. And Jane
+Ann, on her bay mustang, was right up with the leaders in the wild rush.
+It was indeed an inspiring sight, and the boys and girls from the East
+urged their own mounts on after the crowd with eagerness.
+
+"See Nita ride! isn't she just wonderful?" cried Helen.
+
+"I don't think there's anything wonderful about it," sneered The Fox, in
+her biting way. "She was almost _born_ on horseback, you know. It's as
+natural to her as breathing."
+
+"Bu--bu--but it shakes--you up--a good--bit more--than breath--breathing!"
+gasped Heavy, as her pony jounced her over the ground.
+
+Tom and Bob had raced ahead after the cowboys, and Ruth was right behind
+them. She had learned to sit the saddle with ease now, and she was
+beginning to learn to swing a rope; Ike was teaching her. Tom could
+really fling the lasso with some success; but of course he could not
+enter into this mad rush for a single steer.
+
+A twenty dollar gold piece was not to be scorned; and the cowboys were
+earnest in their attempt to make that extra twenty over and above their
+monthly stipend. But Jane Ann Hicks worked for the fun of it, and
+because she desired to show her Eastern friends how she excelled in
+horsemanship. There were so many other things which her friends knew, in
+which she was deficient!
+
+She was up with the leaders when they came within casting distance of
+the big steer. But the steer was wily; he dodged this way and that as
+they surrounded him, and finally one of the punchers got in an awkward
+position and Old Trouble-Maker made for him. The man couldn't pull his
+pony out of the way as the steer made a short turn, and the old fellow
+came head on against the pony's ribs. It was a terrific shock. It
+sounded like a man beating an empty rainwater barrel with a club!
+
+The poor pony was fairly lifted off his feet and rolled over and over on
+the ground. Luckily his rider kicked himself free of the stirrups and
+escaped the terrible horns of Old Trouble-Maker. The steer thundered on,
+paying no further attention to overturned pony or rider, and it was Jib
+Pottoway who first dropped a rope over the creature's horn.
+
+But it was only over one horn and when the galloping steer was suddenly
+"snubbed" at the end of Jib's rope, what happened? Ordinarily Old
+Trouble-Maker should have gone down to his knees with the shock; but the
+Indian's pony stumbled just at that anxious moment, and instead of the
+steer being brought to his knees, the pony was jerked forward by Old
+Trouble-Maker's weight.
+
+The cowboys uttered a chorus of dismal yells as Jib rose into the
+air--like a diver making a spring into the sea--and when he landed--well!
+it was fortunate that the noose slipped off the steer's horn and the
+pony did not roll over the Indian.
+
+Two men bowled over and the odds all in favor of the black and white
+steer! The other cowboys set up a fearful chorus as Jib scrambled up,
+and Old Trouble-Maker thundered on across the plain, having been
+scarcely retarded by the Indian's attempt. Bellowing and blowing, the
+steer kept on, and for a minute nobody else got near enough to the beast
+to fling a rope.
+
+Then one of the other boys who bestrode a remarkably fast little pony,
+got near enough (as he said afterward) to grab the steer by the tail and
+throw him! And it was too bad that he hadn't tried that feat; for what
+he _did_ do was to excitedly swing his lariat around his head and catch
+his nearest neighbor across the shoulders with the slack! This neighbor
+uttered a howl of rage and at once "ran amuck"--to the great hilarity of
+the onlookers. It was no fun for the fellow who had so awkwardly swung
+the rope, however; for his angry mate chased him half a mile straight
+across the plain before he bethought him, in his rage, that it was the
+steer, not his friend, that was to be flung and tied for the prize.
+
+The others laughed so over this incident that the steer was like to get
+away. But one of the fellows, known to them all as "Jimsey" had been
+working cautiously on the outside of the bunch of excited horsemen all
+the time. It was evident to Ruth, who was watching the game very
+earnestly from the rear, that this Jimsey had determined to capture the
+prize and was showing more strategy than the others. He was determined
+to be the one to down Old Trouble-Maker, and as he saw one after the
+other of his mates fail, his own grin broadened.
+
+Now, Ruth saw, he suddenly urged his pony in nearer the galloping steer.
+Standing suddenly in his stirrups, and swinging his lariat with a wide
+noose at the end, he dropped it at the moment when Old Trouble-Maker had
+just dodged another rope. The steer fairly ran into Jimsey's noose. The
+puncher snubbed down on the rope instantly, and the steer, caught over
+the horns and with one foreleg in the noose, came to the hard plain like
+a ton of bricks falling.
+
+"He's down! he's down!" shrieked Bob, vastly excited.
+
+"Oh, the poor thing!" his sister observed. "That must have hurt him."
+
+"Well, after the way that brute tried to crawl into the automobile, I
+wouldn't cry any if his neck was broken!" exclaimed Mary Cox, in sharp
+tones.
+
+Jimsey's horse was well broken and he swung his weight at the end of the
+rope in such a way that the huge steer could not get on his feet again.
+Jimsey vaulted out of the saddle and ran to the floundering steer with
+an agility that delighted the spectators from the East. How they cheered
+him! And his mates, too, urged him on with delight. It looked as though
+Jimsey had "called the trick" and would tie the struggling beast and so
+fulfill the requirements of the contest.
+
+As the agile puncher sought to lay hold of the steer's forefeet,
+however, Old Trouble-Maker flung his huge body around. The "yank" was
+too much for the pony and it was drawn forward perhaps a foot by the
+sheer weight of the big steer.
+
+"Stand still, thar!" yelled Jimsey to the pony. "Wait till I get this
+yere critter tied up in a true lover's knot! Whoa, Emma!"
+
+Again the big steer had jerked; but the pony braced his feet and swung
+backward. It was then the unexpected happened! The girth of Jimsey's
+saddle gave way, the taut rope pulling the saddle sideways. The pony
+naturally was startled and he jumped to one side. In an instant the big
+steer was nimbly on his feet, and flung Jimsey ten feet away! Bellowing
+with fear the brute tore off across the plain again, now with the wreck
+of Jimsey's saddle bounding over the ground behind him and whacking him
+across the rump at every other jump.
+
+If anything was needed to make Old Trouble-Maker mad he had it now. The
+steer sped across the plain faster than he had ever run before, and in a
+temper to attack anything or anybody who chanced to cross his trail.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII--JANE ANN TURNS THE TRICK
+
+
+"Oh, Ruth! that man is hurt," cried Helen, as the chums rode as hard as
+they dared after the flying bunch of cattle punchers.
+
+Jimsey lay on the ground, it was true; but when they came nearer they
+saw that he was shaking both fists in the air and spouting language that
+was the very reverse of elegant. Jimsey wasn't hurt; but he was awfully
+angry.
+
+"Come on! come on, girls!" called Tom. "That old steer is running like a
+dog with a can tied to its tail! Did you ever see the beat of that?"
+
+"And Nita is right in with the crowd. How they ride!" gasped Madge
+Steele. "She'll be killed!"
+
+"I hope not," her brother shouted back. "But she's just about the
+pluckiest girl I ever heard of."
+
+"She's swinging her rope now!" gasped Heavy. "Do you suppose she intends
+to try and catch that steer?"
+
+That was what Jane Ann Hicks seemed determined to do. She had ridden so
+that she was ahead of the troop of other riders. Bashful Ike, the
+foreman, put spurs to his own mount and tried to catch the boss's niece.
+If anything happened to Jane Ann he knew that Old Bill would call him to
+account for it.
+
+"Have a care there, Jinny!" he bawled "Look out that saddle don't give
+ye a crack."
+
+The saddle bounded high in the air--sometimes higher than Jane Ann's
+head--and if she ran her mount in too close to the mad steer the saddle
+might knock her off her pony. Nor did she pay the least attention to
+Bashful Ike's advice. She was using the quirt on her mount and he was
+jumping ahead like a streak of light.
+
+Jane Ann had coiled her rope again and it hung from her saddle. She had
+evidently formed a new plan of action since having the field to herself.
+The others--all but Ike--were now far behind.
+
+"Have a care thar, Jinny!" called the foreman again. "He'll throw you!"
+
+"You keep away, Ike!" returned the girl, excitedly. "This is my chance.
+Don't you dare interfere. I'll show those boys I can beat them at their
+own game."
+
+"Sufferin' snipes! You look out, Jinny! You'll be killed!"
+
+"I won't if you don't interfere," she yelled back at him.
+
+During this conversation both their mounts were on the keen jump. The
+saddle was bounding high over the plain as the steer still bellowed and
+ran. Jane Ann urged her pony as close alongside the steer as she dared,
+leaned sideways from her saddle, and made a sharp slash in the air with
+the hunting knife that had hung from her belt in its sheath. The keen
+blade severed Jimsey's best hair rope (there would be a postscript to
+Jimsey's remarks about that, later) and the saddle, just then bounding
+into the air, caromed from the steer's rump against Jane Ann's pony, and
+almost knocked it off its legs.
+
+But the girl kept her seat and the pony gathered his feet under him
+again and started after the relieved steer. But she did not use her rope
+even then, and after returning her knife to its sheath she guided her
+pony close in to the steer's flank. Before that saddle had beaten him so
+about the body, Old Trouble-Maker might have made a swift turn and
+collided with the girl's mount; but he was thinking only of running away
+now--getting away from that mysterious thing that had been chasing and
+thumping him!
+
+Ike, who cantered along just behind her (the rest of the crowd were many
+yards in the rear) suddenly let out a yell of fear. He saw that the girl
+was about to try, and he was scared. She leaned from her saddle and
+seized the stiff tail of the steer at its base. The foreman drew his gun
+and spurred his horse forward.
+
+"You little skeezicks!" he gasped. "If you break your neck your uncle
+will jest natcherly run me off'n this range!"
+
+"Keep away, Ike!" panted the girl, letting the tail of the maddened
+steer run through her hand until she felt the bunch of hair--or brush--at
+the end.
+
+Then she secured her grip. Digging her spurs into the pony's sides she
+made him increase his stride suddenly. He gained second by second on the
+wildly running steer and the girl leaned forward in her saddle, clinging
+with her left hand to the pommel, her face in the pony's tossing mane.
+
+The next moment the tail was taut and the jerk was almost enough to
+dislocate her arm. But she hung on and the shock was greater to the big
+steer than to Jane Ann. The yank on his tail made him lose his stride
+and forced him to cross his legs. The next moment Old Trouble-Maker was
+on his head, from which he rolled over on his side, bellowing with
+fright.
+
+It was a _vaquero_ trick that Jane Ann had seen the men perform; yet it
+was a mercy that she, a slight girl, was not pulled out of her saddle
+and killed. But Jane Ann had done the trick nicely; and in a moment she
+was out of her saddle, and before Ike was beside her, had tied the
+steer's feet, "fore and aft," with Jimsey's broken rope. Then, with one
+foot on the heaving side of the steer, she flung off her hat and shouted
+to the crowd that came tearing up:
+
+"That double-eagle's mine! Got anything to say against it, boys?"
+
+They cheered her to the echo, and after them came the party of Jane
+Ann's friends from the East to add their congratulations. But as Ruth
+and the others rode up Heavy of course had to meet with an accident.
+Hard luck always seemed to ride the stout girl like a nightmare!
+
+The pony on which she rode became excited because of the crowd of
+kicking, squealing cow ponies, and Heavy's seat was not secure. When the
+pony began to cavort and plunge poor Heavy was shaken right over the
+pommel of her saddle. Her feet lost the stirrups and she began to
+scream.
+
+"My--good--ness--me!" she stuttered. "Hold him--still! Stop!
+Ho--ho--ho----"
+
+And then she slipped right over the pony's rump and would have fallen
+smack upon the ground had not Tom and Bob, who had both seen her peril,
+leaped out of their own saddles, and caught the stout girl as she lost
+her hold on the reins and gave up all hope.
+
+The boys staggered under her weight, but managed to put her upright on
+her feet, while her pony streaked it off across the plain, very much
+frightened by such a method of dismounting. It struck the whole crowd as
+being uproariously funny; but the good-natured and polite cowboys tried
+to smother their laughter.
+
+"Don't mind me!" exclaimed the stout girl. "Have all the fun you want
+to. But I don't blame the pony for running away. I have been sitting all
+along his backbone, from his ears to the root of his tail, and I have
+certainly jounced my own backbone so loose that it rattles. I believe
+I'd better walk home."
+
+It was plain that Jennie Stone would never take a high mark in
+horsemanship; but they caught her pony for her and boosted her on again,
+and later she rode back to the ranch-house at an easy pace. But she
+declared that for the remainder of her stay at Silver Ranch she proposed
+to ride only in the automobile or in a carriage.
+
+But Ruth was vastly enamored of this new play of pony riding. She had a
+retentive memory and kept in mind all that Bashful Ike told her about
+the management of her own Freckles. She was up early each morning and
+had a gallop over the prairie before her friends were out of their beds.
+And when Mr. Hicks stated one day that he had to ride to Bullhide on
+business, Ruth begged the privilege of riding with him, although the
+rest of the young folks did not care to take such a long trip in the hot
+sun.
+
+"I've some business to attend to for my uncle," Ruth explained to the
+ranchman, as they started from the ranch-house soon after breakfast.
+"And I want your advice."
+
+"Sure, Ruthie," he said, "I'll advise ye if I can."
+
+So she told him about Uncle Jabez's mixup with the Tintacker mining
+properties. Bill Hicks listened to this tale with a frowning brow.
+
+"Bless your heart, Miss!" he ejaculated. "I believe you're chasin' a
+wild goose. I reckon your uncle's been stung. These wildcat mining
+properties are just the kind that greenhorn Easterners get roped into. I
+don't believe there's ten cents' worth of silver to the ton in all the
+Tintacker district. It played out years ago."
+
+"Well, that may be," returned Ruth, with a sigh. "But I want to see the
+records and learn just how the Tintacker Mine itself stands on the
+books. I want to show Uncle Jabez that I honestly tried to do all that I
+could for him while I was here."
+
+"That's all right, Ruthie. You shall see the records," declared Mr.
+Hicks. "I know a young lawyer in town that will help you, too; and it
+sha'n't cost you a cent. He's a friend of mine."
+
+"Oh, thank you," cried Ruth, and rode along happily by the big
+cattleman's side.
+
+They were not far from the house when Bashful Ike, who had been out on
+the range on some errand, came whooping over the low hills to the North,
+evidently trying to attract their attention. Mr. Hicks growled:
+
+"Now, what does that feller want? I got a list as long as my arm of
+things to tote back for the boys. Better have driv' a mule waggin, I
+reckon, to haul the truck home on."
+
+But it was Ruth the foreman wished to speak to. He rode up, very red in
+the face, and stammering so that Bill Hicks demanded, with scorn:
+
+"What's a-troubling you, Ike? You sputter like a leaky tea-kettle. Can't
+you out with what you've got to say to the leetle gal, an' let us ride
+on?"
+
+"I--I was just a thinkin' that mebbe you--you could do a little errand for
+me, Miss," stammered Bashful Ike.
+
+"Gladly, Mr. Stedman," returned Ruth, hiding her own amusement.
+
+"It--it's sort of a tick-lish job," said the cowboy. "I--I want ye should
+buy a leetle present. It's--it's for a lady----"
+
+Bill snorted. "You goin' to invest your plunder in more dew-dabs for
+Sally Dickson, Ike? Yah! she wouldn't look at you cross-eyed."
+
+Bashful Ike's face flamed up redder than ever--if that was possible.
+
+"I don't want her to look at me cross-eyed," he said. "She couldn't look
+cross-eyed. She's the sweetest and purtiest gal on this range, and don't
+you forgit that, Mr. Hicks."
+
+"Sho, now! don't git riled at me," grunted the older man. "No offense
+intended. But I hate to see you waste your time and money on a gal that
+don't give two pins for ye, Ike."
+
+"I ain't axin' her to give two pins for me," said Ike, with a sort of
+groan. "I ain't up to the mark with her--I know that. But thar ain't no
+law keepin' me from spending my money as I please, is there?"
+
+"I dunno," returned Bill Hicks. "Maybe there's one that'll cover the
+case and send a feller like you to the foolish factory. Sally Dickson
+won't have nothing to say to you."
+
+"Never mind," said Ike, grimly. "You take this two dollar bill, Miss
+Ruthie--if you will. And you buy the nicest box o' candy yo' kin find in
+Bullhide. When you come back by Lem Dickson's, jest drop it there for
+Sally. Yo' needn't say who sent it," added the bashful cowboy,
+wistfully. "Jest--jest say one o' the boys told you to buy it for her.
+That's all, Miss. It won't be too much trouble?"
+
+"Of course it won't, Mr. Stedman," declared Ruth, earnestly. "I'll
+gladly do your errand."
+
+"Thank you, Miss," returned the foreman, and spurring his horse he rode
+rapidly away to escape further remarks from his boss.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII--WHAT WAS ON THE RECORDS
+
+
+"Now, what can you do with a feller like that?" demanded Mr. Hicks, in
+disgust. "Poor old Ike has been shinning around Sally Dickson ever since
+Lem brought her home from school--from Denver. And she's a nice little
+gal enough, at that; but she ain't got no use for Ike and he ought to
+see it. Gals out here don't like fellers that ain't got sperit enough to
+say their soul's their own. And Ike's so bashful he fair hates hisself!
+You've noticed that."
+
+"But he's just as kind and good-natured as he can be," declared Ruth,
+her pony cantering on beside the ranchman's bigger mount.
+
+"That don't help a feller none with a gal like Sally," grunted Mr.
+Hicks. "She don't want a reg'lar _gump_ hanging around her. Makes her
+the laffin' stock of the hull range--don't you see? Ike better git a move
+on, if he wants her. 'Tain't goin' to be no bashful 'ombre that gets
+Sally Dickson, let me tell ye! Sendin' her lollipops by messenger--bah!
+He wants ter ride up and hand that gal a ring--and a good one--if he
+expects to ever git her into double harness. Now, you hear me!"
+
+"Just the same," laughed Ruth, "I'm going to buy the nicest box of candy
+I can find, and she shall know who paid for it, too."
+
+And she found time to purchase the box of candy while Mr. Hicks was
+attending to his own private business in Bullhide. The town boasted of
+several good stores as well as a fine hotel. Ruth went to the railroad
+station, however, where there was sure to be fresh candies from the
+East, and she bought the handsomest box she could find. Then she wrote
+Ike's name nicely on a card and had it tucked inside the wrapper, and
+the clerk tied the package up with gilt cord.
+
+"I'll make that red-haired girl think that Ike knows a few things, after
+all, if he is less bold than the other boys," thought Ruth. "He's been
+real kind to me and maybe I can help him with Sally. If she knew beans
+she'd know that Ike was true blue!"
+
+Mr. Hicks came along the street and found her soon after Ruth's errand
+was done and took her to the office of the young lawyer he had
+mentioned. This was Mr. Savage--a brisk, businesslike man, who seemed to
+know at once just what the girl wished to discover.
+
+"You come right over with me to the county records office and we'll look
+up the history of those Tintacker Mines," he said. "Mr. Hicks knows a
+good deal about mining properties, and he can check my work as we go
+along."
+
+So the three repaired to the county offices and the lawyer turned up the
+first records of the claims around Tintacker.
+
+"There is only one mine called Tintacker," he explained. "The adjacent
+mines are Tintacker _claims_. The camp that sprang up there and
+flourished fifteen years ago, was called Tintacker, too. But for more
+than ten years the kiotes have held the fort over there for the most
+part--eh, Mr. Hicks?"
+
+"And that crazy feller that's been around yere for some months," the
+ranchman said.
+
+"What crazy fellow is that?" demanded Lawyer Savage, quickly.
+
+"Why, thar's been a galoot around Tintacker ever since Spring opened. I
+dunno but he was thar in the winter----"
+
+"Young man, or old?" interrupted Savage.
+
+"Not much more'n a kid, my boys say."
+
+"You've never seen him?"
+
+"No. But I believe he set the grass afire the other day, and made us a
+heap of trouble along Larruper Crick," declared the ranchman.
+
+The lawyer looked thoughtful. "There was a young fellow here twice to
+look up the Tintacker properties. He came to see me the first time--that
+was more than a year ago. Said he had been left his father's share in
+the old Tintacker Mine and wanted to buy out the heirs of the other
+partner. I helped him get a statement of the record and the names of the
+other parties----"
+
+"Oh, please, Mr. Savage, what was his name?" asked Ruth, quickly.
+
+"I don't know what his name really _was_," replied the lawyer, smiling.
+"He called himself John Cox--might have been just a name he took for the
+time being. There wasn't any Cox ever had an interest in the Tintacker
+as far as I can find. But he probably had his own reasons for keeping
+his name to himself. Then he came back in the winter. I saw him on the
+street here. That's all I know about him."
+
+"Tenderfoot?" asked Hicks.
+
+"Yes, and a nice spoken fellow. He made a personal inspection of the
+properties the first time he was here. That I know, for I found a guide
+for him, Ben Burgess. He stayed two weeks at the old camp, Ben said, and
+acted like he knew something about minerals."
+
+Mr. Savage had found the proper books and he discovered almost at once
+that there had been an entry made since he had last looked up the
+records of Tintacker a year or more before.
+
+"That fellow did it!" exclaimed the lawyer. "He must have found those
+other heirs and he's got possession of the entire Tintacker Mine
+holdings. Yes-sir! the records are as straight as a string. And the
+record was made last winter. That is what he came back here for. Now,
+young lady, what do you want to know about it all?"
+
+"I want a copy, please, of the record just as it stands--the present
+ownership of the mine, I mean," said Ruth. "I want to send that to Uncle
+Jabez."
+
+"It is all held now in the name of John Cox. The original owners were
+two men named Symplex and Burbridge. It is Burbridge's heirs this fellow
+seems to have bought up. Now, he told me his father died and left his
+share of the Tintacker to him. That means that 'Symplex' was this young
+Cox's father. One, or the other of them didn't use his right name--eh?"
+suggested the lawyer.
+
+"But that doesn't invalidate the title. It's straight enough now. The
+Tintacker Mine--whether it is worth ten cents or ten thousand
+dollars--belongs to somebody known as John Cox--somebody who can produce
+the deeds. You say your uncle bought into the mine and took personal
+notes with the mine for security, Miss?"
+
+"That is the way I understand it," Ruth replied.
+
+"And it looks as though the young man used the money to buy out the
+other owners. That seems straight enough. Your uncle's security is all
+clear as far as the title of the mine goes----"
+
+"But according to what I know," broke in Mr. Hicks, "he might as well
+have a lien on a setting of hen's eggs as an interest in the Tintacker
+Mine."
+
+"That's about it," admitted Mr. Savage. "I don't believe the mine is
+worth the money it cost the young fellow to have these records made."
+
+"Well," said Ruth, with a sigh; "I'll pay you for making the copy, just
+the same; and I'll send it home to uncle. And, if you don't mind, Mr.
+Savage, I'll send him your name and address, too. Perhaps he may want
+you to make some move in the matter of the Tintacker property."
+
+This was agreed upon, and the lawyer promised to have the papers ready
+to send East in two or three days. Then Mr. Hicks took Ruth to the hotel
+to dinner, and they started for the ranch again soon after that meal.
+
+When they came in sight of the Crossing, Ruth saw that the little red
+painted schoolhouse was open. All the windows were flung wide and the
+door was ajar; and she could see Sally Dickson's brilliant hair, as well
+as other heads, flitting back and forth past the windows.
+
+"Hi Jefers!" ejaculated Bill Hicks. "I reckon thar's goin' to be a dance
+at the schoolhouse Saturday night. I nigh forgot it. We'll all hafter go
+over so that you folks from Down East kin see what a re'l Montany
+jamboree is like. The gals is fixin' up for it now, I reckon."
+
+"I want to see Sally," said Ruth, smiling.
+
+"Huh!" grunted Bill, with a glance at the big box of candy the Eastern
+girl held so carefully before her. "You kin see her all right. That red
+head of hers shines like a beacon in the night. And I'll speak to Lem."
+
+Ruth rode her pony close to one of the open windows of the little
+schoolhouse. She could see that the benches and desks had been all moved
+out--probably stacked in a lean-to at the end of the house. The floor had
+been swept and mopped up and the girls were helping Sally trim the walls
+and certain pictures which hung thereon with festoons of colored paper.
+One girl was polishing the lamp chimneys, and another was filling and
+trimming the lamps themselves.
+
+"Oh, hullo!" said the storekeeper's daughter, seeing Ruth at the window,
+and leaving her work to come across the room. "You're one of those young
+ladies stopping at Silver Ranch, aren't you?"
+
+"No," said Ruth, smiling. "I'm one of the girls visiting Jane Ann. I
+hope you are going to invite us to your party here. We shall enjoy
+coming, I am sure."
+
+"Guess you won't think much of our ball," returned Sally Dickson. "We're
+plain folk. Don't do things like they do East."
+
+"How do you know what sort of parties we have at home?" queried Ruth,
+laughing at her. "We're not city girls. We live in the country and get
+our fun where we can find it, too. And perhaps we can help you have a
+good time--if you'll let us."
+
+"Well, I don't know," began Sally, yet beginning to smile, too; nobody
+could be _grouchy_ and stare into Ruth Fielding's happy face for long.
+
+"What do you do for music?"
+
+"Well, one of the boys at Chatford's got a banjo and old Jim Casey plays
+the accordion--when he's sober. But the last time the music failed us,
+and one of the boys tried to whistle the dances; but one feller that was
+mad with him kept showing him a lemon and it made his mouth twist up so
+that he couldn't keep his lips puckered nohow."
+
+Ruth giggled at that, but said at once:
+
+"One of my friends plays the piano real nicely; but of course it would
+be too much trouble to bring Jane Ann's piano away over here. However,
+my chum, Helen, plays the violin. She will bring it and help out on the
+music, I know. And we'd _all_ be glad of an invitation."
+
+"Why, sure! you come over," cried Sally, warming up to Ruth's advances.
+"I suppose a bunch of the Silver outfit boys will be on hand. Some of
+'em are real nice boys----"
+
+"And that reminds me," said Ruth, advancing the package of candy. "One
+of the gentlemen working for Mr. Hicks asked me to hand you this, Miss
+Dickson. He was very particular that you should get it safely." She put
+the candy into the red-haired girl's hands. "And we certainly will be
+over--all of us--Saturday evening."
+
+Before Sally could refuse Ike's present, or comment upon it at all, Ruth
+rode away from the schoolhouse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX--THE FOX IS RECKLESS
+
+
+When Ruth arrived at Silver Ranch that afternoon she found that the
+ranchman's niece and the other girls had planned an outing for the
+following day into the hills West of the range over which Mr. Hicks'
+cattle fed. It was to be a picnic jaunt, the object being mainly to view
+the wonderful "natural bridge" in a small ca�on, some thirty miles from
+the ranch.
+
+A sixty-mile drive within twenty-four hours seemed a big undertaking in
+the minds of the Eastern young folk; but Jane Ann said that the ponies
+and mules could stand it. It was probable, however, that none of the
+visitors could stand the ride in the saddle, so arrangements had been
+made for both buckboards to be used.
+
+Tom and Bob were each to drive one of the vehicles. Jib Pottoway was to
+go as guide and general mentor of the party, and one of the little
+Mexican boys would drive the supply wagon, to which were hitched two
+trotting mules. The start would be made at three in the morning;
+therefore the ranch-house was quiet soon after dark that evening.
+
+Maria had breakfast ready for them as soon as the girls and Bob and Tom
+appeared; and the wagon was laden with provisions, as well as a light
+tent and blankets. Tom and Bob had both brought their guns with them,
+for there might be a chance to use the weapons on this jaunt.
+
+"There are plenty of kiotes in the hills," said Jane Ann. "And sometimes
+a gray wolf. The boys once in a while see cats about--in calving time,
+you know. But I reckon they're mighty scarce."
+
+"Cats?" cried Heavy. "Do you shoot cats?"
+
+"Pumas," explained Jane Ann. "They're some nasty when they're re'l
+hungry."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to see any more of the wildcat tribe," Ruth cried. "I
+had my fill of them last winter at Snow Camp."
+
+Tom of course was to drive the buckboard in which his twin and Ruth
+rode; but the chums certainly would not have chosen Mary Cox for the
+fourth member of the party. However, The Fox usually knew what she
+wanted herself, and got it, too! She liked Master Tom and wished to ride
+beside him; and the instant she learned which pair of ponies he was to
+drive, she hopped into the front seat of that buckboard.
+
+"I'm going to sit with you, Tom," she said, coolly. "I believe you've
+got the best ponies. And you can drive better than Bob, too."
+
+Tom didn't look overjoyed, and Helen, seeing the expression of her
+twin's face, began to giggle. There was, however, no polite way of
+getting rid of The Fox.
+
+In a few minutes they were off, Jib Pottoway heading the procession, and
+Ricardo, the Mexican, bringing up the rear with the mule cart.
+
+"You keep a sharp eye on them younguns, Jib!" bawled Bill Hicks, coming
+to the door of the ranch-house in his stocking feet and with his hair
+touseled from his early morning souse in the trough behind the house.
+"I'll hold you responsible if anything busts--now mind ye!"
+
+"All right, Boss," returned the Indian stolidly. "I reckon nothin' won't
+bite 'em."
+
+Driving off thirty miles into the wilderness was nothing in the opinion
+of these Westerners; but to the girls from Briarwood Hall, and their
+brothers, the trip promised all kinds of excitement. And they enjoyed
+every mile of the journey through the foothills. There was something new
+and strange (to the Easterners) to see almost every mile, and Jane Ann,
+or Jib, was right there to answer questions and explain the wonders.
+
+At first they saw miles upon miles of range, over which fed the Silver
+Ranch herds. Heretofore Ruth and her friends had not realized the size
+of the ranch itself and what it meant to own fifty thousand cattle.
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Heavy, with some awe. "Your uncle, Nita, is richer than
+Job--and the Bible says he was the greatest of all the men of the East!
+He only owned seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and a
+thousand oxen and five hundred she-asses. Why, I believe there are more
+creatures in that one herd yonder than poor old Job owned."
+
+"I guess that was a pretty good herd for 'way down there in Arabia, and
+so long ago," returned Jane Ann. "But cattlemen have learned a lot since
+those times. I expect Uncle Bill has got more ponies than Job had
+mules."
+
+"And the men who looked after Job's cattle were a whole lot different
+from those fellows," cried Helen, from the forward buckboard, pointing
+to a couple of well-mounted punchers spurring after a score of strays
+that had broken away from the main herd. "Dear me, how recklessly they
+ride!"
+
+"But I guess that all cowboys have been reckless and brave," said Ruth,
+quickly. "Somehow, herding cattle on the open plains and hills seems to
+make for rugged character and courage. Think of King David, and lots of
+those Biblical characters. David was a cowboy, and went out and slew
+Goliath. And I expect any of these punchers we see around here wouldn't
+be afraid of a giant," she concluded.
+
+"Huh!" snapped The Fox, who usually found something sharp to say in
+comment upon Ruth's speeches, "I guess these cowboys aren't any better
+than the usual run of men. _I_ think they're rather coarse and ugly.
+Look at this half Indian ahead of us."
+
+"What do you mean--_him_?" exclaimed Tom Cameron, who was pretty well
+disgusted with The Fox and her sly and sneering ways. "Why, he's got a
+better education than most of the men you meet. He stood high at
+Carlisle, in his books as well as athletics. You wouldn't scoff at any
+other college-bred fellow--why at Jib?"
+
+"Indian," said Mary Cox, with her nose in the air.
+
+"His folks owned the country-the whole continent!" cried the excited
+Tom, "until white men drove them out. You'd consider an Englishman, or a
+German, or a Belgian, with his education, the equal of any American. And
+Jib's a true American at that."
+
+"Well, I can't say that I ever could admire a savage," sniffed The Fox,
+tossing her head.
+
+For the most part, however, the girls and their drivers had a very jolly
+time, and naturally there could not be much "bickering" even in the
+leading buckboard where The Fox rode, for Ruth was there, and Ruth was
+not one of the bickering kind. Helen was inclined to think that her chum
+was altogether too "tame"; she would not "stand up for herself" enough,
+and when The Fox said cutting things Ruth usually ignored her
+schoolfellow's ill-nature.
+
+Tom was not entirely happy with The Fox on the seat beside him. He had
+hoped Ruth would occupy that place. When Mary spoke to him perhaps the
+young fellow was a bit cold. At least, before they came to the ca�on,
+through which flowed Rolling River, Master Tom had somehow managed to
+offend The Fox and her eyes snapped and she held her lips grimly shut.
+
+The trail became narrow here and it rose steeply, too. The roaring river
+tumbled over the rocks on the left hand, while on the right the sheer
+cliff rose higher and higher. And while the ponies climbed the rather
+steep ascent Jib Pottoway spurred his horse ahead to see if the path was
+all clear to the place where the ca�on became a veritable tunnel under
+the "natural bridge."
+
+"Go slow, Tom Cameron!" shouted the ranchman's niece from the second
+carriage. "There are bad places when we get to the upper level--very
+narrow places. And the river is a hundred feet below us there."
+
+"She's trying to scare us," snapped The Fox. "I never saw such people!"
+
+"I guess it will be best to take care," grunted Tom. "She's been here
+before, remember."
+
+"Pah! you're afraid!"
+
+"Perhaps I am," returned Tom. "I'm not going to take any chances with
+these half wild ponies--and you girls in the wagon."
+
+In a minute more they were at the top of the rise. Jib had disappeared
+around a distant turn in the path, which here was straight and level for
+fully a mile. The muffled roar of the river came up to them, and the
+abrupt cliff on the right cast its shadow clear across the ca�on. It was
+a rugged and gloomy place and Helen hid her eyes after glancing once
+down the steep descent to the river.
+
+"Oh! drive on, Tommy!" she cried. "I don't want to look down there
+again. What a fearful drop it is! Hold the ponies tight, Tommy."
+
+"Pshaw, you are making a great adieu about nothing," snapped Mary Cox.
+
+"I'll have a care, Nell; don't you fear," assured her brother.
+
+Ruth was as serious as her chum, and as she had a quick eye she noticed
+a strap hanging from the harness of one of the ponies and called Tom's
+attention to it.
+
+"There's a strap unbuckled, Tom," she cried. "Do you see it hanging?"
+
+"Good for you, Ruthie!" cried the boy, leaning out of his seat to
+glimpse the strap. "Here, Mary! hold these reins, please."
+
+He put the reins into the hands of The Fox and hopped out. She laughed
+and slapped them across the ponies' backs and the beasts reared and
+snorted.
+
+"Have a care what you're doing, Mary Cox!" shrieked Helen.
+
+"Whoa!" cried her brother, and leaped to seize the nearest pony by the
+bit. But the half wild animals jerked away from him, dashing across the
+narrow trail.
+
+"Pull up! pull up!" shouted Tom.
+
+"Don't let them run!" cried Jane Ann Hicks, standing up in the carriage
+behind.
+
+But in that single moment of recklessness the ponies became
+unmanageable--at least, unmanageable for The Fox. She pulled the left
+rein to bring them back into the trail, and off the creatures dashed, at
+headlong speed, along the narrow way. On the right was the unscalable
+wall of rock; on the left was the awful drop to the roaring river!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X--RUTH SHOWS HER METTLE
+
+
+Shouting after the runaway, and shrieking advice to The Fox, who still
+clung to the reins, was of no particular use, and Tom Cameron realized
+that as well as did Jane Ann. The boy from the East picked himself up
+and leaped upon the rear of the second buckboard as it passed him, and
+they tore on after the frightened ponies.
+
+Mary Cox could not hold them. She was not a good horsewoman, in any
+case; and a moment after the ponies broke loose, she was just as
+frightened as ever she could be.
+
+She did not drop the lines; that was because she did not think to do so.
+She was frozen with terror. The ponies plunged along the narrow trail,
+weaving the buckboard from side to side, and Mary was helpless to stop
+them. On the rear seat Helen and Ruth clung together in the first shock
+of fear; the threatening catastrophe, too, appalled them.
+
+But only for the first few seconds was Ruth inactive. Behind the
+jouncing vehicle Tom was shouting to them to "pull 'em down!" Ruth
+wrenched herself free from her chum's grasp and leaned forward over the
+seat-back.
+
+"Give the reins to me!" she cried in Mary's ear, and seized the leathers
+just as they slipped from the hands of The Fox.
+
+Ruth gripped them firmly and flung herself back into her own seat. Helen
+seized her with one hand and saved her from being thrown out of the
+pitching vehicle. And so, with her chum holding her into her seat, Ruth
+swung all her weight and force against the ponies' bits.
+
+At first this seemed to have not the least effect upon the frightened
+animals. Ruth's slight weight exercised small pressure on those iron
+jaws. On and on they dashed, rocking the buckboard over the rough
+trail--and drawing each moment nearer to that perilous elbow in the
+ca�on!
+
+Ruth realized the menacing danger of that turn in the trail from the
+moment the beasts first jumped. There was no parapet at the outer edge
+of the shelf--just the uneven, broken verge of the rock, with the awful
+drop to the roaring river below.
+
+She remembered this in a flash, as the ponies tore on. There likewise
+passed through her mind a vision of the chum beside her, crushed and
+mangled at the bottom of the ca�on--and again, Helen's broken body being
+swept away in the river! And The Fox--the girl who had so annoyed
+her--would likewise be killed unless she, Ruth Fielding, found some means
+of averting the catastrophe.
+
+It was a fact that she did not think of her own danger. Mainly the
+runaway ponies held her attention. _She must stop them before they
+reached the fatal turn!_
+
+Were the ponies giving way a little? Was it possible that her steady,
+desperate pulling on the curbs was having its effect? The pressure on
+their iron jaws must have been severe, and even a half-broken mustang
+pony is not entirely impervious to pain.
+
+But the turn in the road was so near!
+
+Snorting and plunging, the animals would--in another moment--reach the
+elbow. Either they must dash themselves headlong over the precipice, and
+the buckboard would follow, or, in swerving around the corner, the
+vehicle and its three passengers would be hurled over the brink.
+
+And then something--an inspiration it must have been--shot athwart Ruth's
+brain. The thought could not have been the result of previous knowledge
+on her part, for the girl of the Red Mill was no horsewoman. Jane Ann
+Hicks might have naturally thought to try the feat; but it came to Ruth
+in a flash and without apparent reason.
+
+She dropped the left hand rein, stood up to seize the right rein with a
+shorter grip, and then flung herself back once more. The force she
+brought to bear on the nigh pony by this action was too much for him.
+His head was pulled around, and in an instant he stumbled and came with
+a crash to the ground!
+
+The pony's fall brought down his mate. The runaway was stopped just at
+the turn of the trail--and so suddenly that Mary Cox was all but flung
+headlong upon the struggling animals. Ruth and Helen _did_ fall out of
+the carriage--but fortunately upon the inner side of the trail.
+
+Even then the maddened, struggling ponies might have cast themselves--and
+the three girls likewise--over the brink had not help been at hand. At
+the turn appeared Jib Pottoway, his pony in a lather, recalled by the
+sound of the runaways' drumming hoofs. The Indian flung himself from the
+saddle and gripped the bridles of the fallen horses just in season. Bob,
+driving the second pair of ponies with a firm hand, brought them to a
+halt directly behind the wreck, and Tom and Jane Ann ran to Jib's
+assistance.
+
+"What's the matter with these ponies?" demanded the Indian, sharply.
+"How'd they get in this shape? I thought you could drive a pair of
+hawses, boy?" he added, with scorn, looking at Tom.
+
+"I got out to buckle a strap and they got away," said Tom, rather
+sheepishly.
+
+"Don't you scold him, Jib!" commanded Jane Ann, vigorously. "He ain't to
+blame."
+
+"Who is?"
+
+"That girl yonder," snapped the ranchman's niece, pointing an accusing
+finger at Mary Cox. "I saw her start 'em on the run while Tom was on the
+ground."
+
+"Never!" cried The Fox, almost in tears.
+
+"You did," repeated Jane Ann.
+
+"Anyway, I didn't think they'd start and run so. They're dangerous. It
+wasn't right for the men to give us such wild ponies. I'll speak to Mr.
+Hicks about it."
+
+"You needn't fret," said Jane Ann, sternly. "I'll tell Uncle Bill all
+right, and I bet you don't get a chance to play such a trick again as
+long as you're at Silver Ranch----"
+
+Ruth, who had scrambled up with Helen, now placed a restraining hand on
+the arm of the angry Western girl; but Jane Ann sputtered right out:
+
+"No! I won't keep still, Ruth Fielding. If it hadn't been for you that
+Mary Cox would now be at the bottom of these rocks. And she'll never
+thank you for saving her life, and for keeping her from killing you and
+Helen. She doesn't know how to spell gratitude! Bah!"
+
+"Hush up, Jinny," commanded Jib, easily. "You've got all that off your
+mind now, and you ought to feel some better. The ponies don't seem to be
+hurt much. Some scraped, that's all. We can go on, I reckon. You ride my
+hawse, Mr. Cameron, and I'll sit in yere and drive. Won't trust these
+gals alone no more."
+
+"I guess you could trust Ruth Fielding all right," cried the loyal Tom.
+"She did the trick--and showed how plucky she is in the bargain. Did you
+ever see anything better done than the way she threw that pony?"
+
+Jane Ann ran to the girl of the Red Mill and flung her arms around her
+neck.
+
+"You're just as brave as you can be, Ruthie!" she cried. "I don't know
+of anybody who is braver. If you'd been brought up right out here in the
+mountains you couldn't have done any better--could she, Jib?"
+
+"Miss Fielding certainly showed good mettle," admitted the Indian, with
+one of his rare smiles. "And now we'll go on to the camping place. Don't
+let's have any more words about it, or your fun will all be spoiled.
+Where's Ricardo, with the camp stuff? I declare! that Greaser is five
+miles behind, I believe."
+
+With which he clucked to the still nervous ponies and, Tom now in the
+lead, the procession started on in a much more leisurely style.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI--AN URSINE HOLD-UP
+
+
+The party of young people were so excited by the adventure that they
+were scarcely in mind to appreciate the rugged beauty of the ca�on. The
+opposite wall was covered with verdure--hardy trees and shrubs found
+their rootage in the crevices between the rocks. Some beds of moss, far
+down where the spray from the river continually irrigated the thin soil,
+were spangled so thickly with starlike, white flowers that the patches
+looked like brocaded bedspreads.
+
+Around the elbow in the trail--that sharp turn which had been the scene
+of the all but fatal accident--the driveway broadened. Far ahead (for the
+ca�on was here quite straight again) they could see the arching roof of
+rock, surmounted by the primeval forest, which formed the so-called
+natural bridge. The river tumbled out of the darkness of the tunnel,
+fretted to a foaming cascade by battling with the boulders which strewed
+its bed under the roof-rock. The water's surface gleamed ghostly in the
+shadow of the arch, and before the opening the arc of a rainbow shone in
+the spray.
+
+As the girls' excitement subsided, Ruth saw this scene far ahead and
+cried aloud in rapture:
+
+"Look! Oh, just look! Isn't that beautiful?"
+
+"The waterfall," agreed her chum, "or cascade, or whatever they call it,
+is just a picture, Ruthie!"
+
+"Mighty pretty," said Tom, reining in the pony beside them.
+
+"The cavern is so black and the water is so white--like milk," cried
+Madge from the second carriage. "What a contrast!"
+
+"I tell you what it looks like," added Heavy, who sat beside her. "A
+great, big chocolate cream drop that's broken and the cream oozing out.
+M--m!"
+
+They all laughed at the stout girl's figure of speech, for Jennie
+Stone's mind seemed always to linger upon good things to eat, and this
+comparison was quite characteristic.
+
+"I'd be afraid to go down under that bridge," said Helen. "It's so dark
+there."
+
+"But there's a path through the tunnel, Miss," said Jib, the Indian.
+"And there's another path by which you can climb out on the top of the
+bridge. But the trail for a waggin' stops right yonder, where we camp."
+
+This spot was a sort of cove in the wall of the ca�on--perhaps half an
+acre in extent. There was a pretty lawn with a spring of sweet water,
+the overflow of which trickled away to the edge of the precipice and
+dashed itself to spray on the rocks fifty feet below.
+
+They had become used to the sullen roar of the river now and did not
+heed its voice. This was a delightful spot for camping and when Ricardo
+came up with the wagon, the boys and Jib quickly erected the tent,
+hobbled the ponies, and built a fire in the most approved campers'
+fashion.
+
+Never had a picnic luncheon tasted so good to any of the party. The
+mountain air had put an edge on their appetites, and Heavy performed
+such feats of mastication that Helen declared she trembled for the
+result.
+
+"Don't you trouble about me," said the stout girl. "You want to begin to
+worry over _my_ health when I don't eat at all. And I can't see where I
+have got so far ahead of any of the rest of you in the punishment of
+this lunch."
+
+But afterward, when the other girls proposed to climb the rocky path to
+the summit of the natural bridge, Heavy objected.
+
+"It's injurious to take violent exercise after eating heavily," she
+said.
+
+"I never knew the time when Heavy considered it safe to exercise," said
+The Fox, who had gradually recovered her usual manner since the runaway.
+"The time between meals isn't long enough, in her opinion, to warrant
+anybody's working. Come on! let's leave her to slothful dreams."
+
+"And blisters," added Heavy. "My shoes have hurt me for two days. I
+wouldn't climb over these rocks for a farm--with a pig on't! Go on--and
+perspire--and tell yourselves you're having a good time. I've a book here
+to read," declared the graceless and lazy stout girl.
+
+"But aren't the boys going?" asked Ruth.
+
+"They've started for the tunnel down there--with Jib," said Jane Ann,
+with a snap. "Huh! boys aren't no good, anyway."
+
+"Your opinion may be correct; your grammar is terrible," scoffed Mary
+Cox.
+
+"Never you mind about my grammar, Miss Smarty!" rejoined the Western
+girl, who really couldn't forget the peril into which The Fox had run
+her friends so recently. "If you girls are comin' along to the top of
+the bridge, come on. Let the boys go down there, if they want to. The
+rocks are slippery, and they'll get sopping wet."
+
+"There isn't any danger, is there?" queried Helen, thinking of her
+brother.
+
+"No, of course not," replied Jane Ann. "No more danger than there is up
+this way," and she led the way on the path that wound up the rocky
+heights.
+
+The girls were dressed in corduroy skirts and strong, laced walking
+boots--a fitting costume for the climb. But had Jib been present at the
+camp perhaps he would not have allowed them to start without an escort.
+Ricardo had to remain at the camp. This was a wild country and not even
+Jane Ann carried any weapon, although when the ranchman's niece rode
+about the range alone she carried a gun--and she knew how to use the
+weapon, too.
+
+But they could hear the shouts of the boys, rising above the thunder of
+the river, when they left the plateau and began to climb the heights,
+and danger of any kind did not enter the minds of the girls. It was like
+picnicking along the Lumano River, at home, only the scenery here was
+grander.
+
+Ruth and Helen assumed the lead after a very few minutes; they were even
+better climbers than the Western girl. But the way was steep and rugged
+and it wasn't long before their chatter ceased and they saved their
+breath for the work in hand. Madge and Jane Ann came along after the
+chums quite pluckily; but The Fox began clamoring for rest before they
+had climbed half the distance to the top of the cliff.
+
+"Oh, come on, Mary!" ejaculated Madge. "Don't be whining."
+
+"I don't see anything in this," grumbled The Fox. "It's no fun
+scrambling over these rocks. Ouch! Now I've torn my stocking."
+
+"Aw, come on!" said Jane Ann. "You're a regular wet blanket, you are."
+
+"There's no sense in working so hard for nothing," snapped The Fox.
+
+"What did you start out for, Mary?" demanded Madge. "You might have
+remained at the camp with Heavy."
+
+"And she had sense."
+
+"It's too bad _you_ haven't a little, then," observed Jane Ann, rudely.
+
+Ruth and Helen, who really enjoyed the climb, looked down from the
+heights and beckoned their comrades on.
+
+"Hurry up, Slow Pokes!" cried Ruth. "We shall certainly beat you to the
+top."
+
+"And much good may that do you!" grumbled Mary Cox. "What a silly thing
+to do, anyway."
+
+"I do wish you'd go back, if you want to, Mary," declared Madge,
+wearily.
+
+"She's as cross as two sticks," ejaculated Jane Ann.
+
+"Well, why shouldn't I be cross?" demanded The Fox, quite ready to
+quarrel. "This place is as dull as ditch-water. I wish I hadn't come
+West at all. I'm sure, _I've_ had no fun."
+
+"Well, you've made enough trouble, if you haven't had a good time," Jane
+Ann said, frankly.
+
+"I must say you're polite to your guests," exclaimed Mary Cox,
+viciously.
+
+"And I must say you're anything but polite to me," responded the ranch
+girl, not at all abashed. "You're pretty near the limit, _you_ are.
+Somebody ought to give you a good shaking."
+
+Ruth and Helen had gotten so far ahead because they had not wasted their
+breath. Now they were waiting for the other three who came puffing to
+the shelf on which the chums rested, all three wearing frowns on their
+faces.
+
+"For pity's sake!" gasped Helen; "what's the matter with you all?"
+
+"I'm tired," admitted Madge, throwing herself upon the short turf.
+
+"This girl says it's all foolishness to climb up here," said Jane Ann,
+pointing at The Fox.
+
+"Oh, I want to reach the very summit, now I've started," cried Ruth.
+
+"That's silly," declared Mary Cox.
+
+"You're just as cross as a bear," began the Western girl, when Helen
+suddenly shrieked:
+
+"Oh, _oh_! Will you look at that? _What is it?_"
+
+Ruth had already started on. She did not wish to have any words with The
+Fox. A rod or more separated her from her mates. Out of an aperture
+heretofore unnoticed, and between Ruth and the other girls, was thrust
+the shaggy head and shoulders of a huge animal.
+
+"A dog!" cried Madge.
+
+"It's a wolf!" shrieked Mary Cox.
+
+But the Western girl knew instantly what the creature was. "Run,
+Ruthie!" she shouted. "I'll call Jib and the boys. _It's a bear!_"
+
+And at that moment Bruin waddled fully out of the hole--a huge, hairy,
+sleepy looking beast. He was between Ruth and her friends, and his
+awkward body blocked the path by which they were climbing to the summit
+of the natural bridge.
+
+"Wu-uh-uh-uff!" said the bear, and swung his head and huge shoulders
+from the group of four girls to the lone girl above him.
+
+"Run, Ruth!" shrieked Helen.
+
+Her cry seemed to startle the ursine marauder. He uttered another grunt
+of expostulation and started up the steep path. Nobody needed to advise
+Ruth to run a second time. She scrambled up the rocks with an awful fear
+clutching at her heart and the sound in her ears of the bear's
+sabre-like claws scratching over the path!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII--THE MAN FROM TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth was just as scared as she could be. Although the bear did not seem
+particularly savage, there surely was not room enough on the path for
+him and Ruth to pass. The beast was ragged and gray looking. His little
+eyes twinkled and his tongue lolled out of his mouth, like that of an ox
+when it is plowing. Aside from a grunt, or two, he made at first no
+threatening manifestation.
+
+Helen could not remain inactive and see a bear chase her chum over the
+rocks; therefore she picked up a good-sized stone and threw it at the
+beast. They say--at least, boys say!--that a girl can't throw straight.
+But Helen hit the bear!
+
+The stone must have hurt, for the beast let out a sudden growl that was
+in quite a different tone from the sounds he had made before. He turned
+sharply and bit at the place on his flank where the stone had hit him,
+and then, in a perfectly unreasonable manner, the bear turned sharp
+around and scampered after Ruth harder than ever. It was plain that he
+blamed her for throwing the stone. At least, she was nearest to him, and
+the bear was anxious to get out of the way of the screaming girls below.
+
+Ruth did not give voice to her fear. Perhaps if she had shrieked as The
+Fox did the bear would have been afraid of her. As it was, he came on,
+growling savagely. And in half a minute he was fairly upon her heels!
+
+The way up the height was in a gully with steep sides. Ruth, casting
+back over her shoulder a single terrified glance, saw the lumbering
+beast right upon her heels. The rocks on either hand were too steep to
+climb; it seemed as though the bear would seize her in a moment.
+
+And then it was that the miracle happened. It seemed as though the girl
+_must_ be torn and mangled by the bear, when a figure darted into sight
+above her. A voice shouted:
+
+"Lie down! Lie down, so I can shoot!"
+
+It was a man with a gun. In the second Ruth saw him she only knew he was
+trying to draw bead on the pursuing bear. She had no idea what her
+rescuer looked like--whether he was old, or young.
+
+It took courage to obey his command. But Ruth had that courage. She
+flung herself forward upon her hands and knees and--seemingly--at the same
+instant the man above fired.
+
+The roar of the weapon in the rocky glen and the roar of the stricken
+bear, was a deafening combination of sound. The bullet had hit the big
+brute somewhere in a serious spot and he was rolling and kicking on the
+rocks--his first throes of agony flinging him almost to Ruth's feet.
+
+But the girl scrambled farther away and heard the rifle speak again. A
+second bullet entered the body of the bear. At the same time a lusty
+shout arose from below. The boys and Jib having explored the
+river-tunnel as far as they found it practicable, had returned to the
+camp and there discovered where the girls had gone. Jib hastened after
+them, for he felt that they should not be roaming over the rocks without
+an armed escort.
+
+"Hi, yi!" he yelped, tearing up the path with a rifle in his hand. "Keep
+it up, brother! We're comin'!"
+
+Tom and Bob came with him. Jib saw the expiring bear, and he likewise
+glimpsed the man who had brought bruin down. In a moment, however, the
+stranger darted out of sight up the path and they did not even hear his
+footsteps on the rocks.
+
+"Why, that's that feller from Tintacker!" cried the Indian. "Hey, you!"
+
+"Not the crazy man?" gasped Jane Ann.
+
+"Oh, surely he'll come back?" said Helen.
+
+Ruth turned, almost tempted to run after the stranger. "Do you really
+mean to say it is the young man who has been staying at the Tintacker
+properties so long?" she asked.
+
+"That's the feller."
+
+"We'd ought to catch him and see what Uncle Bill has to say to him about
+the fire," said Jane Ann.
+
+"Oh, we ought to thank him for shooting the bear," cried Madge.
+
+"And I wanted to speak with him so much!" groaned Ruth; but nobody heard
+her say this. The others had gathered around the dead bear. Of a sudden
+a new discovery was made:
+
+"Where's Mary?" cried Helen.
+
+"The Fox has run away!" exclaimed Madge.
+
+"I'll bet she has!" exclaimed Jane Ann Hicks. "Didn't you see her, Jib?"
+
+"We didn't pass her on the path," said Tom.
+
+Ruth's keen eye discovered the missing girl first. She ran with a cry to
+a little shelf upon which the foxy maid had scrambled when the
+excitement started. The Fox was stretched out upon the rock in a dead
+faint!
+
+"Well! would you ever?" gasped Madge. "Who'd think that Mary Cox would
+faint? She's always been bold enough, goodness knows!"
+
+Ruth had hurried to the shelf where The Fox lay. She was very white and
+there could be no doubt but that she was totally unconscious. Jib lent
+his assistance and getting her into his arms he carried her bodily down
+the steep path to the camp, leaving Tom and Bob to guard the bear until
+he returned to remove the pelt. The other girls strung out after their
+fainting comrade, and the journey to the summit of the natural bridge
+was postponed indefinitely.
+
+Cold water from the mountain stream soon brought The Fox around. But
+when she opened her eyes and looked into the face of the ministering
+Ruth, she muttered:
+
+"And _you_ saw him, too!"
+
+Then she turned her face away and began to cry.
+
+"Aw, shucks!" exclaimed the ranchman's niece, "don't bawl none about it.
+The bear won't hurt you now. He's dead as can be."
+
+But Ruth did not believe that Mary Cox was crying about the bear. Her
+words and subsequent actions _did_ puzzle the girl of the Red Mill. Ruth
+had whispered to Tom, before they left the scene of the bear shooting:
+
+"See if you can find that man. If you can, bring him into camp."
+
+"But if he's crazy?" Tom suggested, in surprise.
+
+"He isn't too crazy to have saved my life," declared the grateful girl.
+"And if he is in his right mind, all the more reason why we should try
+to help him."
+
+"You're always right, Ruthie," admitted Helen's brother. But when the
+boy and Jib returned to camp two hours later, with the bear pelt and
+some of the best portions of the carcass, they had to report that the
+stranger who had shot the bear seemed to have totally disappeared. Jib
+Pottoway was no bad trailer; but over the rocks it was impossible to
+follow the stranger, especially as he had taken pains to hide his trail.
+
+"If you want to thank that critter for saving you from the b'ar, Miss
+Ruthie," the Indian said, "you'll hafter go clear over to Tintacker to
+do so. That's my opinion."
+
+"How far away is that?" demanded Mary Cox, suddenly.
+
+"Near a hundred miles from this spot," declared Jib. "That is, by wagon
+trail. I reckon you could cut off thirty or forty miles through the
+hills. The feller's evidently l'arnt his way around since Winter."
+
+Mary asked no further question about the man from Tintacker; but she had
+shown an interest in him that puzzled Ruth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII--THE PARTY AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE
+
+
+The bear fight and the runaway together so disturbed the minds of the
+picnicking party in the ca�on that nobody objected to the suggestion of
+an early return to the ranch-house. Ruth was secretly much troubled in
+her mind over the mysterious individual who had killed the bear. She had
+not seen her rescuer's face; but she wondered if Mary Cox had seen it?
+
+The girls never did get to the top of the natural bridge. Jib and the
+boys in trying to trace the stranger had gone over the summit; but they
+did not tarry to look around. The girls and Ricardo got supper,
+immediately after which they set out on the return drive.
+
+Jib insisted upon holding the lines over the backs of the team that had
+run away--and he saw that Mary Cox rode in that vehicle, too. But The Fox
+showed no vexation at this; indeed, she was very quiet all the way to
+Silver Ranch. She was much unlike her usual snappy, sharp-tongued self.
+
+But, altogether, the party arrived home in very good spirits. The
+wonders of the wild country--so much different from anything the
+Easterners had seen before--deeply impressed Ruth and her friends. The
+routine work of the ranch, however, interested them more. Not only Tom
+and Bob, but their sisters and the other girls, found the free,
+out-of-door life of the range and corral a never-failing source of
+delight.
+
+Ruth herself was becoming a remarkably good horsewoman. Freckles carried
+her many miles over the range and Jane Ann Hicks was scarcely more bold
+on pony-back than was the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+As for the cowboys of the Silver outfit, they admitted that the visitors
+were "some human," even from a Western standpoint.
+
+"Them friends o' yourn, Miss Jinny," Jimsey said, to Old Bill's niece,
+"ain't so turrible 'Bawston' as some tenderfoots I've seen." ("Boston,"
+according to Jimsey, spelled the ultra-East and all its "finicky" ways!)
+"I'm plum taken with that Fielding gal--I sure am. And I believe old Ike,
+here, is losin' his heart to her. Old Lem Dickson's Sally better bat her
+eyes sharp or Ike'll go up in the air an' she'll lose him."
+
+It was true that the foreman was less bashful with Ruth than with any of
+the other girls. Ruth knew how to put him at his ease. Every spare hour
+Bashful Ike had he put in teaching Ruth to improve her riding, and as
+she was an early riser they spent a good many morning hours cantering
+over the range before the rest of the young people were astir at Silver
+Ranch.
+
+It was on one of these rides that Bashful Ike "opened up" to Ruth upon
+the subject of the red-haired school-teacher at the Crossing.
+
+"I've jest plumb doted on that gal since she was knee-high to a Kansas
+hopper-grass," the big puncher drawled. "An' she knows it well enough."
+
+"Maybe she knows it too well?" suggested Ruth, wisely.
+
+"Gosh!" groaned Ike. "I _gotter_ keep her reminded I'm on the job--say,
+ain't I? Now, them candies you bought for me an' give to her--what do you
+s'pose she did with 'em?"
+
+"She ate them if she had right good sense," replied Ruth, with a smile.
+"They were nice candies."
+
+"I rid over to Lem's the next night," said Ike, solemnly, "an' that
+leetle pink-haired skeezicks opened up that box o' sweetmeats on the
+counter an' had all them lop-eared jack-rabbits that sits around her
+pa's store o' nights he'pin' themselves out o' _my_ gift-box. Talk
+erbout castin' pearls before swine!" continued Bashful Ike, in deep
+disgust, "_that_ was suah flingin' jewels to the hawgs, all right. Them
+'ombres from the Two-Ten outfit, an' from over Redeye way, was stuffin'
+down them bonbons like they was ten-cent gumdrops. An' Sally never ate
+a-one."
+
+"She did that just to tease you," said Ruth, sagely.
+
+"Huh!" grunted Ike. "I never laid out to hurt her feelin's none. Dunno
+why she should give me the quirt. Why, I've been hangin' about her an'
+tryin' to show her how much I think of her for years! She must know I
+wanter marry her. An' I got a good bank account an' five hundred head o'
+steers ter begin housekeepin' on."
+
+"Does Sally know all that?" asked Ruth, slyly.
+
+"Great Peter!" ejaculated Ike. "She'd oughter. Ev'rybody else in the
+county does."
+
+"But did you ever ask Sally right out to marry you?" asked the Eastern
+girl.
+
+"She never give me a chance," declared Ike, gruffly.
+
+"Chance!" gasped Ruth, wanting to laugh, but being too kind-hearted to
+do so. "What sort of a chance do you expect?"
+
+"I never git to talk with her ten minutes at a time," grumbled Ike.
+
+"But why don't you _make_ a chance?"
+
+"Great Peter!" cried the foreman again. "I can't throw an' hawg-tie her,
+can I? I never can git down to facts with her--she won't let me."
+
+"If I were a great, big man," said Ruth, her eyes dancing, "I surely
+wouldn't let a little wisp of a girl like Miss Dickson get away from
+me--if I wanted her."
+
+"How am I goin' to he'p it?" cried Ike, in despair. "She's jest as sassy
+as a cat-bird. Ye can't be serious with her. She plumb slips out o' my
+fingers ev'ry time I try to hold her."
+
+"You are going to the dance at the schoolhouse, aren't you?" asked Ruth.
+
+"I reckon."
+
+"Can't you get her to dance with you? And when you're dancing can't you
+ask her? Come right out plump with it."
+
+"Why, when I'm a-dancin'," confessed Ike, "I can't think o' nawthin' but
+my feet."
+
+"Your feet?" cried Ruth.
+
+"Yes, ma'am. They're so e-tar-nal big I gotter keep my mind on 'em all
+the time, or I'll be steppin' on Sally's. An' if I trod on her jest
+wunst--wal, that would suah be my finish with her. She ain't got that red
+hair for nawthin'," concluded the woeful cowpuncher.
+
+Ike was not alone at the Silver Ranch in looking forward to the party at
+the schoolhouse. Every man who could be spared of the --X0 outfit
+("Bar-Cross-Naught") planned to go to the Crossing Saturday night. Such
+a rummaging of "war-bags" for fancy flannel shirts and brilliant ties
+hadn't occurred--so Old Bill Hicks said--within the remembrance of the
+present generation of prairie-dogs!
+
+"Jest thinkin' about cavortin' among the gals about drives them 'ombres
+loco," declared the ranchman. "Hi guy! here's even Jimsey's got a bran'
+new shirt on."
+
+"'Tain't nuther!" scoffed Bud. "Whar's your eyes, Boss? Don't you
+reckernize that gay and festive shirt? Jimsey bought it 'way back when
+Mis' Hills' twins was born."
+
+"So it's as old as the Hills, is it?" grunted Mr. Hicks. "Wal, he ain't
+worn it right frequent in this yere neck o' woods--that I'll swear to!
+An' a purple tie with it--Je-ru-sha! Somebody'll take a shot at him in
+that combination of riotin' colors--you hear me!"
+
+The girls too were quite fluttered over the prospect of attending the
+party. Helen had agreed to take her violin along and Bob offered to help
+out with the music by playing his harmonica--an instrument without which
+he never went anywhere, save to bed or in swimming!
+
+"And I can't think of anything more utterly sad, Bobbie," declared his
+sister, "than your rendition of 'the Suwanee River' on that same
+mouth-organ. When it comes to your playing for square dances, I fear you
+would give our Western friends much cause for complaint--and many of
+them, I notice, go armed," she continued, significantly.
+
+"Huh!" sniffed Bob. "I guess I don't play as bad as all that. Busy Izzy
+could dance a jig to my playing."
+
+"That's what I thought," responded Madge. "You're just about up to
+playing jig-tunes on that old mouth-organ."
+
+Just the same, Bob slipped the harmonica into his pocket. "You never can
+tell what may happen," he grunted.
+
+"It'll be something mighty serious, then, Bobbie, if it necessitates the
+bringing forth of that instrument of torture," said his sister, bound to
+have the last word.
+
+At dusk the big automobile got away from Silver Ranch, surrounded by a
+gang of wall-eyed ponies that looked on the rattling machine about as
+kindly as they would have viewed a Kansas grain thrasher. The visitors
+and Jane Ann all rode in the machine, for even Ruth's Freckles would
+have turned unmanageable within sight and sound of that touring car.
+
+"That choo-choo cart," complained Bud, the cowboy, "would stampede a
+battalion of hoptoads. Whoa, you Sonny! it ain't goin' tuh bite yuh."
+This to his own half-crazy mount. "Look out for your Rat-tail, Jimsey,
+or that yere purple necktie will bite the dust, as they say in the
+storybooks."
+
+The hilarious party from Silver Ranch, however, reached the Crossing
+without serious mishap. They were not the first comers, for there were
+already lines of saddle ponies as well as many various "rigs" hitched
+about Lem Dickson's store. The schoolhouse was lit brightly with
+kerosene lamps, and there was a string of Chinese lanterns hung above
+the doorway.
+
+The girls, in their fresh frocks and furbelows, hastened over to the
+schoolhouse, followed more leisurely by their escorts. Sally Dickson, as
+chief of the committee of reception, greeted Jane Ann and her friends,
+and made them cordially welcome, although they were all some years
+younger than most of the girls from the ranches roundabout.
+
+"If you Eastern girls can all dance, you'll sure help us out a whole
+lot," declared the brisk little schoolmistress. "For if there's anything
+I do dispise it's to see two great, hulking men paired off in a reel, or
+a 'hoe-down.' And you brought your violin, Miss Cameron? That's fine!
+You can play without music, I hope?"
+
+Helen assured her she thought she could master the simple dance tunes to
+which the assembly was used. There were settees ranged around the walls
+for the dancers to rest upon, and some of the matrons who had come to
+chaperone the affair were already ensconced upon these. There was a buzz
+of conversation and laughter in the big room. The men folk hung about
+the door as yet, or looked in at the open windows.
+
+"Did that big gump, Ike Stedman, come over with you-all, Miss Fielding?"
+Sally Dickson asked Ruth, aside. "Or did he know enough to stay away?"
+
+"I don't believe Mr. Hicks could have kept him on the ranch to-night,"
+replied Ruth, smiling. "He has promised to dance with me at least once.
+Ike is an awfully nice man, I think--and so kind! He's taught us all to
+ride and is never out of sorts, or too busy to help us out. We
+'tenderfoots' are always getting 'bogged,' you know. And Ike is right
+there to help us. We all like him immensely."
+
+Sally looked at her suspiciously. "Humph!" said she. "I never expected
+to hear that Bashful Ike was so popular."
+
+"Oh, I assure you he is," rejoined Ruth, calmly. "He is developing into
+quite a lady's man."
+
+Miss Dickson snorted. Nothing else could explain her method of
+emphatically expressing her disbelief. But Ruth was determined that the
+haughty little schoolmistress should have her eyes opened regarding
+Bashful Ike before the evening was over, and she proceeded to put into
+execution a plan she had already conceived on the way over from Silver
+Ranch.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV--BASHFUL IKE COMES OUT STRONG
+
+
+Ruth first of all took Jane Ann into her confidence. The ranchman's
+niece had been going about the room renewing her acquaintance with the
+"neighbors," some of whom lived forty miles from Silver Ranch. The
+Western girl was proud of the friends she had made "Down East," too, and
+she was introducing them all, right and left. But Ruth pinched her arm
+and signified that she wished to see her alone for a moment.
+
+"Now, Nita," the girl from the Red Mill whispered, "we want to see that
+Mr. Stedman has a good time to-night. You know, he's been awfully good
+to us all."
+
+"Bashful Ike?" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+"Yes. And we must give him so good a time that he will forget to be
+bashful."
+
+"He's a right good feller--yes," admitted Jane Ann, somewhat puzzled.
+"But what can we do for him?"
+
+"Every one of us girls from the ranch must dance with him."
+
+"Oh, crickey!" chuckled Jane Ann, suddenly. "You want to try to make
+Sally Dickson jealous, don't you?"
+
+"No. I only want to make her see that Ike is popular, even if she
+doesn't think him worth being kind to. And Ike _is_ worth being kind to.
+He's a gentleman, and as kind-hearted a man as I ever saw."
+
+"He's all of that," admitted the Western girl. "But he's so clumsy--"
+
+"Forget that!" exclaimed Ruth. "And make _him_ forget his clumsiness.
+He's as good as gold and deserves better treatment at the hands of Sally
+than he has been getting. Of course, she won't be jealous of us young
+girls----"
+
+"Humph! 'Young girls,'" scoffed Jane Ann. "I don't think we're so awful
+young."
+
+"Well, we're too young to be accused of trying to take Sally's beau away
+from her," cried Ruth, merrily. "Now, you'll make him dance with you--and
+first, too. He'll have to if you say so, for he's your uncle's foreman."
+
+"I'll do it," agreed Jane Ann.
+
+Ruth of course found Helen ready and willing to agree to her plan, and
+Madge did not need much urging. They all liked Ike Stedman, and although
+the brisk little schoolmistress seemed to be a very nice girl, the
+foreman of Silver Ranch was quite worthy of her.
+
+"If he dares to dance with me," chuckled Heavy, "I am willing to keep it
+up all the evening. That is, if you think such a course, Ruthie, will
+awaken Miss Dickson to poor Ike's good points."
+
+"And how about those blisters you were complaining about the other day?"
+asked Madge, slyly.
+
+"Pshaw! what girl ever remembered blisters when she could dance?"
+responded the stout girl, with scorn.
+
+Ruth had all but The Fox in line when the violin struck up the first
+number; she did not think it wise to speak to Mary about the plan, for
+she feared that the latter would refuse to co�perate. The boys came
+straggling in at the first notes of Helen's violin, and there were no
+medals on Ike Stedman for bashfulness at first. Tom Cameron, spurred on
+by his sister, broke the ice and went at once to the school-teacher and
+asked for the dance. Bob followed suit by taking Mary Cox for a partner
+(Mary engineered _that_), and soon the sets began to form while Helen
+played her sprightliest.
+
+The young men crowded in awkwardly and when Jane Ann saw the tall figure
+of Ike just outside the door she called to him:
+
+"Come on in, Mr. Stedman. You know this is our dance. Hurry up!"
+
+Now Ike usually didn't get up sufficient courage to appear upon the
+floor until half the evening was over, and there was a deal of chuckling
+and nudging when the foreman, his face flaming, pushed into the room.
+But he could not escape "the boss' niece." Jane Ann deliberately led him
+into the set of which Tom and Sally Dickson were the nucleus.
+
+"My great aunt!" groaned Ike. "Just as like as not, honey, I'll trample
+all over you an' mash yo' feet. It's like takin' life in your han's to
+dance with me."
+
+"Mebbe I better take my feet in my hands, according to your warning,
+Ike," quoth Jane Ann. "Aw, come on, I reckon I can dodge your feet, big
+as they are."
+
+Nor did Bashful Ike prove to be so poor a dancer, when he was once on
+the floor. But he went through the figures of the dance with a face--so
+Jane Ann said afterward--that flamed like a torchlight procession every
+time he came opposite to Sally Dickson.
+
+"I see you're here early, Mr. Stedman," said the red-haired
+schoolmistress, as she was being swung by the giant cow puncher in one
+of the figures. "Usually you're like Parson Brown's cow's tail--always
+behind!"
+
+"They drug me in, Sally--they just drug me in," explained the suffering
+Ike.
+
+"Well, do brace up and look a little less like you was at your own
+funeral!" snapped the schoolmistress.
+
+This sharp speech would have completely quenched Ike's desire to dance
+had Ruth not laid her plans so carefully. The moment the music ceased
+and Ike made for the door, Heavy stopped him. She was between the
+bashful cow puncher and all escape--unless he went through the window!
+
+"Oh, Mr. Stedman! I do so want to dance," cried the stout girl, with her
+very broadest and friendliest smile. "Nobody asked me to this time, and
+I just know they're all afraid of me. Do I look as though I bite?"
+
+"Bless you, no, Miss!" responded the polite foreman of Silver Ranch.
+"You look just as harmless as though you'd never cut a tooth, as fur as
+that goes!"
+
+"Then you're not afraid to dance the next number with me? There! Helen's
+tuning up."
+
+"If you re'lly want me to, Miss," exclaimed the much-flurried foreman.
+"But I won't mislead ye. I ain't a good dancer."
+
+"Then there will be a pair of us," was Heavy's cheerful reply. "If the
+other folk run off the floor, we'll be company for each other."
+
+Carefully rehearsed by Ruth Fielding, Jennie Stone likewise picked the
+group of dancers of which Sally Dickson and a new partner were members;
+and once again Bashful Ike found himself close to the object of his
+adoration.
+
+"Hullo, Ike! you back again?" demanded Sally, cheerfully, as they
+clasped hands in a "walk-around." "I believe you are getting to be a
+regular lady's man."
+
+"Aw--now--Sally!"
+
+"So that Ruth Fielding says," laughed Sally. "You're sure popular with
+those youngsters."
+
+Ike grinned feebly. But he was feeling better. He had actually forgotten
+his feet--even in Sally's presence. Jennie Stone, although an all too
+solid bit of humanity, was remarkably light upon her feet when it came
+to dancing. Indeed, she was so good a dancer that she steered Ike over
+the floor to such good purpose that he--as well as other people--began to
+believe that Bashful Ike was no more awkward than the next man off the
+range.
+
+"Why, Ruthie!" whispered Madge Steele, who was the next "victim" in
+line. "Ike is a regular Beau Brummel beside some of these fellows. Look
+at Heavy steering him around! And look at the teacher watching them.
+Humph! young lady I believe you're got a 'great head on you,' to quote
+Master Bobbie."
+
+"Now, you be real nice to him, Madge," Ruth urged.
+
+"Of course I shall, child," replied Miss Steele, with her most
+"grown-uppish" air. "He's nice anyway; and if we can 'wake teacher' up
+to his importance, I'll gladly do my part."
+
+"If it only gives him a grain of confidence in himself, I shall be
+satisfied," declared Ruth. "That is what Ike lacks."
+
+The foreman of Silver Ranch was coming out pretty strong, however. The
+Virginia Reel was the favorite dance, and when Helen stopped playing the
+applause was so great, that she responded with a repetition of the whole
+figure; so Ike and Heavy continued on the floor for a much longer
+period, and the big cowpuncher gained more ease of manner. When they
+ceased dancing the stout girl led her escort right into the clutches of
+Madge Steele.
+
+Now, Madge was taller than the schoolmistress and in her city-made gown
+looked years older. The boys were rather afraid of Madge when she "put
+on the real thing," as her brother inelegantly expressed it, for she
+seemed then quite a young lady grown!
+
+"I really believe you Western men are gallant, Mr. Stedman," she
+announced. "Chivalrous, and unafraid, and bold, and all that. I am
+deeply disappointed."
+
+"How's that, Miss?" exclaimed poor Ike.
+
+"I haven't had an invitation to dance yet," pursued Madge. "If I had
+scarletina, or the measles--or even the mumps--I do not think I should be
+more avoided by the male portion of the assembly. What do you suppose is
+the matter with me, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+"Why, I--I----"
+
+Ike was on the verge of declaring that he would find her a partner if he
+had to use a gun to get one to come forward; but he was inspired for
+once to do the right thing. He really bowed before Madge with something
+of a flourish, as the tinkle of the violin strings began again.
+
+"If you think you can stand _me_, Miss Steele," declared the big
+foreman, "I'd be near about tickled to death to lead you out myself."
+
+"You are very good," said Madge, demurely. "But are you sure--I think
+that pretty little teacher is looking this way. You are not neglecting
+any old friends for _me_ I hope, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+Ike's face flamed again furiously. He stole a glance at Sally Dickson,
+who had just refused Jimsey for a partner--and with sharpness.
+
+"I'm pretty sure I'll be a whole lot better off with you, Miss," he
+admitted. "Jest now, especially."
+
+Madge's ringing laugh caught Sally's ear, as the Eastern girl bore the
+foreman of Silver Ranch off to join the next set of dancers. The teacher
+did not dance that number at all.
+
+Mrs. "Jule" Marvin, the young and buxom wife of the owner of the Two-Ten
+Ranch, caught Ike's hand and whispered loudly:
+
+"I never suspected you was such a heart-breaker, Ike. Goodness me!
+you're dancing every dance, and with a new partner each time. I haven't
+got to be left out in the cold just because I'm married to Tom, I hope?
+He can't dance with that game leg, poor old man! You going to save a
+dance for me, Ike?"
+
+"Suah's your bawn, honey!" responded the foreman, who was beginning to
+enjoy his prominence and had known Mrs. Jule for years. "The next one's
+yours if you say the word."
+
+"You're my meat, then, Ike," declared the jolly Western matron, as she
+glided away with her present partner.
+
+So there was a little rift in Ruth Fielding's scheme, for Ike danced
+next with the ranchman's wife. But that pleased the girl from the Red
+Mill and her fellow conspirators quite as well. Ike was no neglected
+male "wall-flower." Sally only skipped one dance; but she watched the
+big foreman with growing wonder.
+
+A rest was due Helen anyway; and Bob Steele was at hand with his
+never-failing harmonica. "The heart-rending strains," as Madge termed
+the rather trying music from the mouth-organ, were sufficiently lively
+for most of the party, and the floor was filled with dancers when Helen
+captured Ike and he led her into a set just forming.
+
+"You must be the best dancer among the men, Mr. Ike," declared Ruth's
+chum, dimpling merrily. "You are in such demand."
+
+"I b'lieve you gals have jest been ladlin' the syrup intuh me, Miss
+Cam'ron," Ike responded, but grinning with growing confidence. "It's
+been mighty nice of you."
+
+"You'd better give Sally a chance pretty soon," whispered Helen. "There
+is surely fire in her eye."
+
+"Great Peter!" groaned Ike. "I'm almost afraid to meet up with her now."
+
+"Pluck up your spirit, sir!" commanded Helen. And she maneuvered so
+that, when the dance was done, they stood right next to Sally Dickson
+and her last partner.
+
+"Well, ain't you the busy little bee, Ike," said the school-teacher, in
+a low voice. "Are you bespoke for the rest of the evening? These
+young-ones certainly have turned your head."
+
+"Me, Sally?" responded her bashful friend. "They like tuh dance, I
+reckon, like all other young things--an' the other boys seem kinder
+backward with 'em; 'cause they're Bawston, I s'pose."
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated Miss Sally; "you ain't such a gump as to believe all
+that. That little Smartie, Ruth Fielding, planned all this, I bet a
+cent!"
+
+"Miss Ruth?" queried Ike, in surprise. "Why, I ain't danced with her at
+all."
+
+"Nor you ain't a-goin' to!" snapped Sally. "You can dance with me for a
+spell now." And for the remainder of that hilarious evening Sally
+scarcely allowed Bashful Ike out of her clutches.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV--"THE NIGHT TRICK"
+
+
+The party at the schoolhouse was declared a success by all Jane Ann
+Hick's Eastern friends--saving, of course, The Fox. She had only danced
+with Tom and Bob and had disproved haughtily of the entire proceedings.
+She had pronounced Ruth's little plot for getting Ike and Sally
+together, "a silly trick," although the other girls had found
+considerable innocent enjoyment in it, and the big foreman of Silver
+Ranch rode home with them after midnight in a plain condition of
+ecstacy.
+
+"Ike suah has made the hit of his life," Jimsey declared, to the other
+cowboys.
+
+"He was the 'belle of the ball' all right," chimed in another.
+
+"If I warn't a person of puffectly tame an' gentle nature, I'd suah be a
+whole lot jealous of his popularity," proceeded he of the purple
+necktie. "But I see a-many of you 'ombres jest standin' around and
+a-gnashin' of your teeth at the way Ike carried off the gals."
+
+"Huh!" grunted Bud. "We weren't gnashin' no teeth at old Ike. What put
+our grinders on edge was that yere purple necktie an' pink-striped shirt
+you're wearin'. Ev'ry gal that danced with you, Jimsey, was in danger of
+gettin' cross-eyed lookin' at that ne-fa-ri-ous combination."
+
+Sunday was a quiet day at the ranch. Although there was no church nearer
+than Bullhide, Bill Hicks made a practice of doing as little work as
+possible on the first day of the week, and his gangs were instructed to
+simply keep the herds in bounds.
+
+At the ranch house Ruth and her girl friends arranged a song-service for
+the evening to which all the men about the home corral, and those who
+could be spared to ride in from the range, were invited. This broke up
+several card games in the bunk house--games innocent in themselves,
+perhaps, but an amusement better engaged in on week days.
+
+The boys gathered in the dusk on the wide porch and listened to the
+really beautiful music that the girls had learned at Briarwood Hall.
+Ruth was in splendid voice, and her singing was applauded warmly by the
+cowboys.
+
+"My soul, Bud!" gasped Jimsey. "Couldn't that leetle gal jest sing a
+herd of millin' cattle to by-low on the night trick, with that yere
+voice of hers?"
+
+"Uh-huh!" agreed Bud. "She could stop a stampede, she could."
+
+"Oh, I'd love to see a real stampede!" exclaimed Helen, who overheard
+this conversation.
+
+"You would eh?" responded Jane Ann. "Well, here's hoping you never get
+your wish--eh, boys?"
+
+"Not with the Bar-Cross-Naught outfit, Miss Jinny," agreed Bud,
+fervently.
+
+"But it must be a wonderful sight to see so many steers rushing over the
+plain at once--all running as tight as they can run," urged the innocent
+Helen.
+
+"Ya-as," drawled Jimsey. "But I want it to be some other man's cattle."
+
+"But do you really ever have much trouble with the cattle?" asked Helen.
+"They all look so tame."
+
+"Except Old Trouble-Maker," laughed her twin, who stood beside her.
+
+"Looks jest like a picnic, herdin' them mooley-cows, don't it?" scoffed
+Jimsey.
+
+"They'd ought to be on the night trick, once," said Jane Ann. "It's all
+right punching cows by daylight."
+
+"What's the night trick?" asked Heavy.
+
+"Night herding. That's when things happen to a bunch of cows," explained
+the ranchman's niece.
+
+"I believe that must be fun," cried Ruth, who had come out upon the
+porch. "Can't we go out to one of the camps and see the work by night as
+well as by day?"
+
+"Good for you, Ruth!" cried Tom Cameron. "That's the game."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't want to do that," objected Mary Cox. "We'd have to camp
+out."
+
+"Well, them that don't want to go can stay here," Jane Ann said,
+quickly. If anything was needed to enlist her in the cause it was the
+opposition of The Fox. "I'll see what Uncle Bill says."
+
+"But, will it be dangerous?" demanded the more careful Madge.
+
+"I've ridden at night," said Jane Ann, proudly. "Haven't I, Jimsey?"
+
+"Just so," admitted the cowboy, gravely. "But a whole bunch o' gals
+might make the critters nervous."
+
+"Too many cows would sure make the girls nervous!" laughed Bob, grinning
+at his sister.
+
+But the idea once having taken possession of the minds of Ruth and her
+girl friends, the conclusion was foregone. Uncle Bill at first (to quote
+Jane Ann) "went up in the air." When he came down to earth, however, his
+niece was right there, ready to argue the point with him and--as usual--he
+gave in to her.
+
+"Tarnashun, Jane Ann!" exclaimed the old ranchman. "I'll bet these yere
+gals don't get back home without some bad accident happening. You-all
+are so reckless."
+
+"Now Uncle Bill! don't you go to croaking," she returned, lightly.
+"Ain't no danger of trouble at all. We'll only be out one night. We'll
+go down to Camp Number Three--that's nearest."
+
+"No, sir-ree! Them boys air too triflin' a crew," declared the ranchman.
+"Jib is bossing the Rolling River outfit just now. You can go over
+there. I can trust Jib."
+
+As the rest of the party was so enthusiastic, and all determined to
+spend a night at Number Two Camp on the Rolling River Range, Mary Cox
+elected to go likewise. She declared she did not wish to remain at the
+ranch-house in the sole care of a "fat and greasy Mexican squaw," as she
+called the cook.
+
+"Ouch! I bet that stings Maria when she knows how you feel about her,"
+chuckled Heavy. "Why let carking care disturb your serenity, Mary? Come
+on and enjoy yourself like the rest of us."
+
+"I don't expect to enjoy myself in any party that's just run by one
+girl," snapped Mary.
+
+"Who's that?" asked the stout girl, in wonder.
+
+"Ruth Fielding. She bosses everything. She thinks this is all her own
+copyrighted show--like the Sweetbriars. Everything we do she suggests----"
+
+"That shows how good a 'suggester' she is," interposed Heavy, calmly.
+
+"It shows how she's got you all hypnotized into believing she's a
+wonder," snarled The Fox.
+
+"Aw, don't Mary! Don't be so mean. I should think Ruth would be the last
+person _you'd_ ever have a grouch on. She's done enough for you----"
+
+"She hasn't, either!" cried Mary Fox, her face flaming.
+
+"I'd like to know what you'd call it?" Heavy demanded, with a good deal
+of warmth for her. "If she wasn't the sweetest-tempered, most forgiving
+girl that ever went to Briarwood, _you'd_ have lost your last friend
+long ago! I declare, I'm ashamed of you!"
+
+"She's not my friend," said Mary, sullenly.
+
+"Who is, then? She has helped to save your life on more than one
+occasion. She has never said a word about the time she fell off the
+rocks when we were at Lighthouse Point. You and she were together, and
+_you_ know how it happened. Oh, I can imagine how it happened. Besides,
+Nita saw you, and so did Tom Cameron," cried the stout girl, more hotly.
+"Don't think all your tricks can be hidden."
+
+"What do you suppose I care?" snarled Mary Cox.
+
+"I guess you care what Tom Cameron thinks of you," pursued Heavy,
+wagging her head. "But after the way you started those ponies when we
+drove to Rolling River Ca�on, you can be sure that you don't stand high
+with him--or with any of the rest of the boys."
+
+"Pooh! those cowboys! Great, uneducated gawks!"
+
+"But mighty fine fellows, just the same. I'd a whole lot rather have
+their good opinion than their bad."
+
+Now all this was, for Jennie Stone, pretty strong language. She was
+usually so mild of speech and easy-going, that its effect was all the
+greater. The Fox eyed her in some surprise and--for once--was quelled to a
+degree.
+
+All these discussions occurred on Monday. The Rolling River Camp was
+twenty miles away in the direction of the mountain range. Tuesday was
+the day set for the trip. The party would travel with the supply wagon
+and a bunch of ponies for the herders, bossed by Maria's husband. On
+Wednesday the young folk would return under the guidance of little
+Ricarde, who was to go along to act as camp-boy.
+
+"But if we like it out there, Uncle Bill, maybe we'll stay till
+Thursday," Jane Ann declared, from her pony's back, just before the
+cavalcade left the ranch-house, very early on Tuesday.
+
+"You better not. I'm going to be mighty busy around yere, and I don't
+want to be worried none," declared the ranchman. "And I sha'n't know
+what peace is till I see you-all back again."
+
+"Now, don't worry," drawled his niece. "We ain't none of us sugar nor
+salt."
+
+"I wish I could let Ike go with ye--that's what I wish," grumbled her
+uncle.
+
+Ruth Fielding secretly wished the same. The direction of the Rolling
+River Camp lay toward Tintacker. She had asked the foreman about it.
+
+"You'll be all of thirty mile from the Tintacker claims, Miss Ruth,"
+Bashful Ike said. "But it's a straight-away trail from the ford a mile,
+or so, this side of the camp. Any of the boys can show you. And Jib
+might spare one of 'em to beau you over to the mine, if so be you are
+determined to try and find that 'bug'."
+
+"I _do_ want to see and speak with him," Ruth said, earnestly.
+
+"It's pretty sure he's looney," said Ike. "You won't make nothing out o'
+him. I wouldn't bother."
+
+"Why, he saved my life!" cried Ruth. "I want to thank him. I want to
+help him. And--and--indeed, I need very much to see and speak with him,
+Ike."
+
+"Ya-as. That does make a difference," admitted the foreman. "He sure did
+kill that bear."
+
+The ponies rattled away behind the heavy wagon, drawn by six mules. In
+the lead cantered Ricarde and his father, herding the dozen or more
+half-wild cow-ponies. The Mexican horse-wrangler was a lazy looking,
+half-asleep fellow; but he sat a pony as though he had grown in the
+saddle.
+
+Ruth, on her beloved little Freckles, rode almost as well now as did
+Jane Ann. The other girls were content to follow the mule team at a more
+quiet pace; but Ruth and the ranchman's niece dashed off the trail more
+than once for a sharp race across the plain.
+
+"You're a darling, Ruthie!" declared Jane Ann, enthusiastically. "I wish
+you were going to live out here at Silver Ranch all the time--I do! I
+wouldn't mind being 'buried in the wilderness' if you were along----"
+
+"Oh, but you won't be buried in the wilderness all the time," laughed
+the girl from the Red Mill. "I am sure of that."
+
+"Huh!" ejaculated the Western girl, startled. "What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that we've been talking to Uncle Bill," laughed Ruth.
+
+"Oh! you ain't got it fixed for me?" gasped the ranchman's neice. "Will
+he send me to school?"
+
+"Surest thing you know, Nita!"
+
+"Not to that boarding school you girls all go to?"
+
+"Unless he backs down--and you know Mr. Bill Hicks isn't one of the
+backing-down kind."
+
+"Oh, bully for you!" gasped Jane Ann. "I know it's your doing. I can see
+it all. Uncle Bill thinks the sun just about rises and sets with you."
+
+"Helen and Heavy did their share. So did Madge--and even Heavy's aunt,
+Miss Kate, before we started West. You will go to Briarwood with us next
+half, Nita. You'll have a private teacher for a while so that you can
+catch up with our classes. It's going to be up to you to make good,
+young lady--that's all."
+
+Jane Ann Hicks was too pleased at that moment to say a word--and she had
+to wink mighty hard to keep the tears back. Weeping was as much against
+her character as it would have been against a boy's. And she was silent
+thereafter for most of the way to the camp.
+
+They rode over a rolling bit of ground and came in sight suddenly of the
+great herd in care of Number Two outfit. Such a crowd of slowly moving
+cattle was enough to amaze the eastern visitors. For miles upon miles
+the great herd overspread the valley, along the far side of which the
+hurrying river flowed. The tossing horns, the lowing of the cows calling
+their young, the strange, bustling movement of the whole mass, rose up
+to the excited spectators in a great wave of sound and color. It was a
+wonderful sight!
+
+Jib rode up the hill to meet them. The men on duty were either squatting
+here and there over the range, in little groups, playing cards and
+smoking, or riding slowly around the outskirts of the herd. There was a
+chuck-tent and two sleeping tents parked by the river side, and the
+smoke from the cook's sheet-iron stove rose in a thin spiral of blue
+vapor toward that vaster blue that arched the complete scene.
+
+"What a picture!" Ruth said to her chum. "The mountains are grand. That
+ca�on we visited was wonderful. The great, rolling plains dwarf anything
+in the line of landscape that we ever saw back East. But _this_ caps all
+the sights we have seen yet."
+
+"I'm almost afraid of the cattle, Ruthie," declared Helen. "So many
+tossing horns! So many great, nervous, moving bodies! Suppose they
+should start this way--run us down and stamp us into the earth? Oh! they
+could do it easily."
+
+"I don't feel that fear of them," returned the girl from the Red Mill.
+"I mean to ride all around the herd to-night with Nita. She says she is
+going to help ride herd, and I am going with her."
+
+This declaration, however, came near not being fulfilled. Jib Pottoway
+objected. The tent brought for the girls was erected a little way from
+the men's camp, and the Indian stated it as his irrevocable opinion that
+the place for the lady visitors at night was inside the white walls of
+that tent.
+
+"Ain't no place for girls on the night trick, Miss Jinny--and you know
+it," complained Jib. "Old Bill will hold me responsible if anything
+happens to you."
+
+"'Twon't be the first time I've ridden around a bunch of beeves after
+sundown," retorted Jane Ann, sharply. "And I've promised Ruth. It's a
+real nice night. I don't even hear a coyote singing."
+
+"There's rain in the air. We may have a blow out of the hills before
+morning," said Jib, shaking his head.
+
+"Aw shucks!" returned the ranchman's niece. "If it rains we can borrow
+slickers, can't we? I never saw such a fellow as you are, Jib. Always
+looking for trouble."
+
+"You managed to get into trouble the other day when you went over to the
+ca�on," grunted the Indian.
+
+"'Twarn't Ruthie and me that made you trouble. And that Cox girl
+wouldn't dare ride within forty rods of these cows," laughed the
+ranchman's niece.
+
+So Jib was forced to give way. Tom and Bob had craved permission to ride
+herd, too. The cowboys seemed to accept these offers in serious mood,
+and that made Jane Ann suspicious.
+
+"They'll hatch up some joke to play on you-all," she whispered to
+Ruthie. "But we'll find out what they mean to do, if we can, and just
+cross-cut 'em."
+
+The camp by the river was the scene of much hilarity at supper time. The
+guests had brought some especially nice rations from the ranch-house,
+and the herders welcomed the addition to their plain fare with gusto.
+Tom and Bob ate with the men and, when the night shift went on duty,
+they set forth likewise to ride around the great herd which, although
+seemingly so peacefully inclined, must be watched and guarded more
+carefully by night than by day.
+
+Soon after Jane Ann and Ruth rode forth, taking the place together of
+one of the regular herders. These additions to the night gang left more
+of the cow punchers than usual at the camp, and there was much hilarity
+among the boys as Jane Ann and her friend cantered away toward the not
+far-distant herd.
+
+"Those fellows are up to something," the ranchman's niece repeated. "We
+must be on the watch for them--and don't you be scared none, Ruthie, at
+anything that may happen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI--THE JOKE THAT FAILED
+
+
+The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out
+of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the
+subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd
+lay.
+
+At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence. There was the
+uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders' left hand--here one
+lapped its body with its great tongue--again horns clashed--then a big
+steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.
+There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.
+
+A large part of the herd was lying down. Although stars flecked the sky
+quite thickly the whole valley in which the cattle fed seemed
+over-mantled with a pall of blackness. Shapes loomed through this with
+sudden, uncertain outline.
+
+"My! it's shivery, isn't it?" whispered Ruth.
+
+"There won't nothing bite us," chuckled the Western girl. "Huh! what's
+that?"
+
+The sudden change in her voice made Ruth giggle nervously. "That's
+somebody riding ahead of us. _You're_ not afraid, Nita?"
+
+"Well, I should say not!" cried the other, very boldly. "It's one of the
+boys. Hello, Darcy! I thought you were a ghost."
+
+"You gals better git back to the camp," grunted the cowboy. "We're going
+to have a shower later. I feel it in the air."
+
+"We're neither sugar nor salt," declared Jane Ann. "We've both got
+slickers on our saddles."
+
+"Ridin' herd at night ain't no job for gals," said Darcy. "And that
+cloud yander is goin' ter spit lightnin'."
+
+"He's always got a grouch about something. I never did like old Darcy,"
+Jane Ann confided to her friend.
+
+But there was a general movement and confusion in the herd before the
+girls had ridden two miles. The cattle smelled the storm coming and, now
+and then, a faint flash of lightning penciled the upper edge of the
+cloud that masked the Western horizon.
+
+"'Tain't going to amount to anything," declared Jane Ann.
+
+"It just looks like heat lightning," agreed Ruth.
+
+"May not rain at all to-night," pursued the other girl, cheerfully.
+
+"Who's that yelling?" queried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+"Huh! that's somebody singing."
+
+"Singing?"
+
+"Yep."
+
+"Way out here?"
+
+"Yep. It's Fred English, I guess. And he's no Caruso."
+
+"But what's he singing for?" demanded the disturbed Ruth, for the sounds
+that floated to their ears were mournful to a degree.
+
+"To keep the cattle quiet," explained the ranch girl. "Singing often
+keeps the cows from milling----"
+
+"Milling?" repeated Ruth.
+
+"That's when they begin to get uneasy, and mill around and around in a
+circle. Cows are just as foolish as a flock of hens."
+
+"But you don't mean to say the boys sing 'em to sleep?" laughed Ruth.
+
+"Something like that. It often keeps 'em quiet. Lets 'em know there's
+humans about."
+
+"Why, I really thought he must be making that noise to keep himself from
+feeling lonely," chuckled Ruth.
+
+"Nobody'd want to do that, you know," returned Jane Ann, with
+seriousness. "Especially when they can't sing no better than that Fred
+English."
+
+"It is worse than a mourning dove," complained the girl from the East.
+"Why doesn't he try something a bit livelier?"
+
+"You don't want to whistle a jig-tune to keep cows quiet," Jane Ann
+responded, sagely.
+
+The entire herd seemed astir now. There was a sultriness in the air
+quite unfamiliar on the range. The electricity still glowed along the
+horizon; but it seemed so distant that the girls much doubted Darcy's
+prophecy of rain.
+
+The cattle continued to move about and crop the short herbage. Few of
+them remained "bedded down." In the distance another voice was raised in
+song. Ruth's mount suddenly jumped to one side, snorting. A huge black
+steer rose up and blew a startled blast through his nostrils.
+
+"Gracious! I thought that was a monster rising out of the very earth!
+And so did Freckles, I guess," cried Ruth, with some nervousness. "Whoa,
+Freckles! Whoa, pretty!"
+
+"You sing, too, Ruthie," advised her friend. "We don't want to start
+some foolish steer to running."
+
+The Eastern girl's sweet voice--clear and strong--rang out at once and the
+two girls rode on their way. The movement of the herd showed that most
+of the cattle had got upon their feet; but there was no commotion.
+
+As they rode around the great herd they occasionally passed a cowboy
+riding in the other direction, who hailed them usually with some
+witticism. But if Ruth chanced to be singing, they broke off their own
+refrains and applauded the girl's effort.
+
+Once a coyote began yapping on the hillside near at hand, as Ruth and
+Jane Ann rode. The latter jerked out the shiny gun that swung at her
+belt and fired twice in the direction of the brute's challenge.
+
+"That'll scare _him_," she explained. "They're a nuisance at calving
+time."
+
+Slowly, but steadily, the cloud crept up the sky and snuffed out the
+light of the stars. The lightning, however, only played at intervals,
+with the thunder muttering hundreds of miles away, in the hills.
+
+"It is going to rain, Nita," declared Ruth, with conviction.
+
+"Well, let's put the rubber blankets over us, and be ready for it," said
+the ranch girl, cheerfully. "We don't want to go in now and have the
+boys laugh at us."
+
+"Of course not," agreed Ruth.
+
+Jane Ann showed her how to slip the slicker over her head. Its folds
+fell all about her and, as she rode astride, she would be well sheltered
+from the rain if it began to fall. They were now some miles from the
+camp on the river bank, but had not as yet rounded the extreme end of
+the herd. The grazing range of the cattle covered practically the entire
+valley.
+
+The stirring of the herd had grown apace and even in the thicker
+darkness the girls realized that most of the beasts were in motion. Now
+and then a cow lowed; steers snorted and clashed horns with neighboring
+beeves. The restlessness of the beasts was entirely different from those
+motions of a grazing herd by day.
+
+Something seemed about to happen. Nature, as well as the beasts, seemed
+to wait in expectation of some startling change. Ruth could not fail to
+be strongly impressed by this inexplicable feeling.
+
+"Something's going to happen, Nita. I feel it," she declared.
+
+"Hark! what's that?" demanded her companion, whose ears were the
+sharper.
+
+A mutter of sound in the distance made Ruth suggest: "Thunder?"
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+Swiftly the sound approached. The patter of ponies' hoofs--a crowd of
+horses were evidently charging out of a nearby coulie into the open
+plain.
+
+"Wild horses!" gasped Jane Ann.
+
+But even as she spoke an eerie, soul-wracking chorus of shrieks broke
+the oppressive stillness of the night. Such frightful yells Ruth had
+never heard before--nor could she, for the moment, believe that they
+issued from the lips of human beings!
+
+"Injuns!" ejaculated Jane Ann and swung her horse about, poising the
+quirt to strike. "Come on----"
+
+Her words were drowned in a sudden crackle of electricity--seemingly over
+their very heads. They were blinded by the flash of lightning which,
+cleaving the cloud at the zenith, shot a zigzag stream of fire into the
+midst of the cattle!
+
+Momentarily Ruth gained a view of the thousands of tossing horns. A
+chorus of bellowing rose from the frightened herd.
+
+But Jane Ann recovered her self-confidence instantly. "It's nothing but
+a joke, Ruthie!" she cried, in her friend's ear. "That's some of the
+boys riding up and trying to frighten us. But there, that's no joke!"
+
+Another bolt of lightning and deafening report followed. The cowboys'
+trick was a fiasco. There was serious trouble at hand.
+
+"The herd is milling!" yelled Jane Ann. "Sing again, Ruthie! Ride close
+in to them and sing! We must keep them from stampeding if we can!" and
+she spurred her own pony toward the bellowing, frightened steers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII--THE STAMPEDE
+
+
+Be it said of the group of thoughtless cowboys (of whom were the wildest
+spirits of Number Two camp) that their first demonstration as they
+dashed out of the coulie upon the two girls was their only one. Their
+imitation of an Indian attack was nipped in the bud by the bursting of
+the electric storm. There was no time for the continuance of the
+performance arranged particularly to startle Jane Ann and Ruth Fielding.
+Ruth forgot the patter of the approaching ponies. She had instantly
+struck into her song--high and clear--at her comrade's advice; and she
+drew Freckles closer to the herd. The bellowing and pushing of the
+cattle betrayed their position in any case; but the intermittent flashes
+of lightning clearly revealed the whole scene to the agitated girls.
+
+They were indeed frightened--the ranch girl as well as Ruth herself. The
+fact that this immense herd, crowding and bellowing together, might at
+any moment break into a mad stampede, was only too plain.
+
+Caught in the mass of maddened cattle, the girls might easily be
+unseated and trampled to death. Ruth knew this as well as did the
+Western girl. But if the sound of the human voice would help to keep the
+creatures within bounds, the girl from the Red Mill determined to sing
+on and ride closer in line with the milling herd.
+
+She missed Jane Ann after a moment; but another flash of lightning
+revealed her friend weaving her pony in and out through the pressing
+cattle, using the quirt with free hand on the struggling steers and
+breaking them up into small groups.
+
+The cowboys who had dashed out of the coulie saw the possibility of
+disaster instantly; and they, too, rode in among the bellowing steers.
+With so many heavy creatures pressing toward a common center, many would
+soon be crushed to death if the formation was not broken up. Each streak
+of lightning which played athwart the clouds added to the fear of the
+beasts. Several of the punchers rode close along the edge of the herd,
+driving in the strays. Now it began to rain, and as the very clouds
+seemed to open and empty the water upon the thirsty land, the swish of
+it, and the moaning of the wind that arose, added greatly to the
+confusion.
+
+How it _did_ rain for a few minutes! Ruth felt as though she were riding
+her pony beneath some huge water-spout. She was thankful for the
+slicker, off which the water cataracted. The pony splashed knee-deep
+through runlets freshly started in the old buffalo paths. Here and there
+a large pond of water gleamed when the lightning lit up their
+surroundings.
+
+And when the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun, the cattle began
+to steam and were more troublesome than before. The lightning flashes
+and thunder continued, and when a second downpour of rain began it came
+so viciously, and with so great a wind, that the girls could scarcely
+ride against it.
+
+Suddenly a shout came down the wind. It was taken up and repeated by
+voice after voice. The camp at the far end of the herd had been aroused
+ere this, of course, and every man who could ride was in the saddle. But
+it was at the camp-end of the herd, after all, that the first break
+came.
+
+"They're off!" yelled Darcy, riding furiously past Ruth and Jane Ann
+toward where the louder disturbance had arisen.
+
+"And toward the river!" shouted another of the cowboys.
+
+The thunder of hoofs in the distance suddenly rose to a deafening sound.
+The great herd had broken away and were tearing toward the Rolling River
+at a pace which nothing could halt. Several of the cowboys were carried
+forward on the fore-front of the wave of maddened cattle; but they all
+managed to escape before the leaders reached the high bank of the
+stream.
+
+Jane Ann screamed some order to Ruth, but the latter could not hear what
+it was. Yet she imitated the Western girl's efforts immediately. No such
+tame attempts at controlling the cattle as singing to them was now in
+order. The small number of herdsmen left at this point could only force
+their ponies into the herd and break up the formation--driving the mad
+brutes back with their quirts, and finally, after a most desperate
+fight, holding perhaps a third of the great herd from running wildly
+into the stream.
+
+This had been a time of some drought and the river was running low. The
+banks were not only steep upon this side, but they were twenty feet and
+more high. When the first of the maddened beeves reached the verge of
+the bank they went headlong down the descent, and some landed at the
+edge of the water with broken limbs and so were trampled to death. But
+the plunging over of hundreds upon hundreds of steers at the same point,
+together with the washing of the falling rain, quickly cut down these
+banks until they became little more than steep quagmires in which the
+beasts wallowed more slowly to the river's edge.
+
+This heavy going did more than aught else to retard the stampede; but
+many of the first-comers got over the shallow river and climbed upon the
+plain beyond. All night long the cowboys were gathering up the herd upon
+the eastern shore of the river; those that had crossed must be left
+until day dawned.
+
+And a very unpleasant night it was, although the stampede itself had
+been of short duration. A troop of cattle had dashed through the camp
+and flattened out the tent that had sheltered the lady visitors.
+Fortunately the said visitors had taken refuge in the supply wagon
+before the cattle had broken loose.
+
+But, led by The Fox, there was much disturbance in the supply wagon for
+the time being. Fortunately a water-tight tarpaulin had kept the girls
+comparatively dry; but Mary Cox loudly expressed her wish that they had
+not come out to the camp, and the other girls were inclined to be a
+little fractious as well.
+
+When Jane Ann and Ruth rode in, however, after the trouble was all over,
+and the rain had ceased, a new fire was built and coffee made, and the
+situation took on a more cheerful phase. Ruth was quite excited over it
+all, but glad that she had taken a hand in the herding of the cattle
+that had not broken away.
+
+"And if you stay to help the boys gather the steers that got across the
+river, to-morrow, I am going to help, too," she declared.
+
+"Tom and Bob will help," Helen said. "I wish I was as brave as you are,
+Ruth; but I really am afraid of these horned beasts."
+
+"I never was cut out for even a milkmaid, myself," added Heavy. "When a
+cow bellows it makes me feel queer up and down my spine just as it does
+when I go to a menagerie and hear the lions roar."
+
+"They won't bite you," sniffed Jane Ann.
+
+"But they can hook you. And my! the noise they made when they went
+through this camp! You never heard the like," said the stout girl,
+shaking her head. "No. I'm willing to start back for the ranch-house in
+the morning."
+
+"Me, too," agreed Madge.
+
+So it was agreed that the four timid girls should return to Silver Ranch
+with Ricarde after breakfast; but Ruth and Jane Ann, with Tom Cameron
+and Bob Steele, well mounted on fresh ponies, joined the gang of cow
+punchers who forded the river at daybreak to bring in the strays.
+
+The frightened cattle were spread over miles of the farther plain and it
+was a two days' task to gather them all in. Indeed, on the second
+evening the party of four young folk were encamped with Jib Pottoway and
+three of the other punchers, quite twenty miles from the river and in a
+valley that cut deeply into the mountain chain which sheltered the range
+from the north and west.
+
+"It is over this way that the trail runs to Tintacker, doesn't it, Jib?"
+Ruth asked the Indian, privately.
+
+"Yes, Miss. Such trail as there is can be reached in half an hour from
+this camp."
+
+"Oh! I do so want to see that man who killed the bear, Jib," urged the
+girl from the Red Mill.
+
+"Well, it might be done, if he's over this way now," returned Jib,
+thoughtfully. "He is an odd stick--that's sure. Don't know whether he'd
+let himself be come up with. But----"
+
+"Will you ride with me to the mines?" demanded Ruth, eagerly.
+
+"I expect I could," admitted the Indian.
+
+"I would be awfully obliged to you."
+
+"I don't know what Mr. Hicks would say. But the cattle are in hand
+again--and there's less than a hundred here for the bunch to drive back.
+They can get along without me, I reckon."
+
+"And surely without me!" laughed Ruth.
+
+And so it was arranged. The Indian and Ruth were off up the valley
+betimes the next morning, while the rest of the party started for the
+river, driving the last of the stray beeves ahead of them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII--A DESPERATE CASE
+
+
+Jane Ann and Tom Cameron had both offered to accompany Ruth; but for a
+very good--if secret--reason Ruth did not wish any of her young friends to
+attend her at the meeting which she hoped would occur between her and
+the strange young man who (if report were true) had been hanging about
+the Tintacker properties for so long.
+
+She had written Uncle Jabez after her examination with the lawyer of the
+mining record books at Bullhide; but she had told her uncle only that
+the claims had been transferred to the name of "John Cox." That was the
+name, she knew, that the vacuum cleaner agent had given Uncle Jabez when
+he had interested the miller in the mine. But there was another matter
+in connection with the name of "Cox" which Ruth feared would at once
+become public property if any of her young friends were present at the
+interview to which she now so eagerly looked forward.
+
+Freckles, now as fresh as a pony could be, carried Ruth rapidly up the
+valley, and as the two ponies galloped side by side the girl from the
+Red Mill grew quite confidential with the Indian. She did not like Jib
+Pottoway as she did the foreman of the Bar Cross Naught ranch; but the
+Indian was intelligent and companionable, and he quite evidently put
+himself out to be entertaining.
+
+As he rode, dressed in his typical cowboy costume, Jib looked the
+full-blooded savage he was; but his conversation smacked of the East and
+of his experiences at school. What he said showed that Uncle Sam does
+very well by his red wards at Carlisle.
+
+Jib could tell her, too, much that was interesting regarding the country
+through which they rode. It was wild enough, and there was no human
+habitation in sight. Occasionally a jackrabbit crossed their trail, or a
+flock of birds flew whirring from the path before them. Of other life
+there was none until they had crossed the first ridge and struck into a
+beaten path which Jib declared was the old pack-trail to Tintacker.
+
+The life they then saw did not encourage Ruth to believe that this was
+either a safe or an inhabited country. Freckles suddenly shied as they
+approached a bowlder which was thrust out of the hillside beside the
+trail. Ruth was almost unseated, for she had been riding carelessly. And
+when she raised her eyes and saw the object that had startled the pony,
+she was instantly frightened herself.
+
+Crouching upon the summit of the rock was a lithe, tawny creature with a
+big, round, catlike head and flaming green eyes. The huge cat lashed its
+tail with evident rage and bared a very savage outfit of teeth.
+
+"Oh! what's that?" gasped Ruth, as Freckles settled back upon his
+haunches and showed very plainly that he had no intention of passing the
+bowlder.
+
+"Puma," returned the Indian, laconically.
+
+His mount, too, was circling around the rock with mincing steps, quite
+as unfavorably disposed toward the beast as was Freckles.
+
+"Can it leap this far, Jib?" cried Ruth.
+
+"It'll leap a whole lot farther in just a minute," returned the Indian,
+taking the rope off his saddle bow. "Now, look out, Miss!"
+
+Freckles began to run backward. The puma emitted a sudden, almost human
+shriek, and the muscles upon its foreshoulders swelled. It was about to
+leap.
+
+Jib's rope circled in the air. Even as the puma left the rock, its four
+paws all "spraddled out" in midair, the noose dropped over the savage
+cat. The lariat caught the puma around its neck and one foreleg, and
+before it struck the ground Jib had whirled his horse and was spurring
+off across the valley, his captive flying in huge (but involuntary)
+leaps behind him. He rode back in ten minutes with a beaten-out mass of
+fur and blood trailing at the end of his rope, and that was the end of
+Mr. Puma!
+
+"There isn't any critter a puncher hates worse than a puma," Jib said,
+gruffly. "We've killed a host of 'em this season."
+
+"And do you always rope them?" queried Ruth.
+
+"They ain't worth powder and shot. Now, a bear is a gentleman 'side of a
+lion--and even a little old kiote ain't so bad. The lion's so blamed
+crafty and sly. Ha! it always does me good to rope one of them."
+
+They rode steadily on the trail to the mines after that. It was scarcely
+more than fifteen miles to the claims which had been the site, some
+years before, of a thriving mining camp, but was now a deserted town of
+tumble-down shanties, corrugated iron shacks, and the rustied skeletons
+of machinery at the mouths of certain shafts. Money had been spent
+freely by individuals and corporations in seeking to develop the various
+"leads" believed by the first prospectors to be hidden under the surface
+of the earth at Tintacker. But if the silver was there it was so well
+hidden that most of the miners had finally "gone broke" attempting to
+uncover the riches of silver ore of which the first specimens discovered
+had given promise.
+
+"The Tintacker Lode" it had been originally called, in the enthusiasm of
+its discoverers. But unless this strange prospector, who had hung about
+the abandoned claims for so many months, had struck into a new vein, the
+silver horde had quite "petered out." Of this fact Ruth was pretty
+positive from all the lawyer and Old Bill Hicks had told her. Uncle
+Jabez had gone into the scheme of re-opening the Tintacker on the
+strength of the vacuum-cleaner agent's personality and some specimens of
+silver ore that might have been dug a thousand miles from the site of
+the Tintacker claims.
+
+"Don't look like there was anybody to home," grunted Jib Pottoway, as
+they rode up the last rise to the abandoned camp.
+
+"Why! it's a wreck," gasped Ruth.
+
+"You bet! There's hundreds of these little fly-by-night mining camps in
+this here Western country. And many a man's hopes are buried under the
+litter of those caved-in roofs. Hullo!"
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Ruth, startled as she saw Jib draw his gun
+suddenly.
+
+"What's that kiote doing diggin' under that door?" muttered the Indian.
+
+The skulking beast quickly disappeared and Jib did not fire. He rode his
+pony directly to the shack--one of the best of the group--and hammered on
+the door (which was closed) with the butt of his pistol.
+
+"Hullo, in there!" he growled.
+
+Ruth was not a little startled. "Why was the coyote trying to get in?"
+she asked.
+
+"You wait out here, Miss," said Jib. "Don't come too close. Kiotes don't
+usually try to dig into a camp when the owner's at home."
+
+"But you spoke as though you thought he might be there!" whispered the
+girl.
+
+"I--don't--know," grunted Jib, climbing out of his saddle.
+
+He tried the latch. The door swung open slowly. Whatever it was he
+expected to see in the shack, he was disappointed. When he had peered in
+for half a minute, he stuck the pistol back into its holster and strode
+over the threshhold.
+
+"Oh! what is it?" breathed Ruth again.
+
+He waved her back, but went into the hut. There was some movement there;
+then a thin, babbling voice said something that startled Ruth more than
+had the puma's yell.
+
+"Gee!" gasped Jib, appearing in the doorway, his face actually pale
+under its deep tan. "It's the 'bug'."
+
+"The man I want to see?" cried Ruth.
+
+"But you can't see him. Keep away," advised Jib, stepping softly out and
+closing the door of the shack.
+
+"What is the matter, Jib?" cried Ruth. "He--he isn't _dead_?"
+
+"Not yet," replied the Indian.
+
+"What is it, then?"
+
+"Mountain fever--or worse. It's catching--just as bad as typhoid. You
+mustn't go in there, Miss."
+
+"But--but--he'll die!" cried the girl, all her sympathy aroused. "Nobody
+to help him----"
+
+"He's far gone. It's a desperate case, I tell you," growled Jib. "Ugh! I
+don't know what we'd better do. No wonder that kiote was trying to dig
+under the door. _He knew_--the hungry beast!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX--THE MAN AT TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth waited for her companion to suggest their course of action. The man
+she had come to see--the mysterious individual whom she believed had
+taken her uncle's money to buy up the property known as the Tintacker
+Claim--was in a raging fever in that old shack near the site of the mine.
+She had heard his delirious babblings while Jib was in the hut. It never
+entered her mind that Jib would contemplate leaving the unfortunate
+creature unattended.
+
+"You can't talk to him, Miss. He don't know nothing," declared the
+Indian. "And he's pretty far gone."
+
+"What shall we do for him? What needs doing first?" Ruth demanded.
+
+"Why, we can't do much--as I can see," grumbled Jib Pottoway.
+
+"Isn't there a doctor----"
+
+"At Bullhide," broke in Jib. "That's the nearest."
+
+"Then he must be got. We must save this man, Jib," said the girl,
+eagerly.
+
+"Save him?"
+
+"Certainly. If only because he saved my life when I was attacked by the
+bear. And he must be saved for another reason, too."
+
+"Why, Miss Ruth, he'll be dead long before a doctor could get here,"
+cried Jib. "That's plumb ridiculous."
+
+"He will die of course if he has no attention," said the girl,
+indignantly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Surely you won't desert him!"
+
+"About all we can do for the poor fellow is to bury him," muttered Jib.
+
+"If there was no other reason than that he is a helpless fellow-being,
+we could not go away and leave him here unattended," declared the girl,
+gravely. "You know that well enough, Jib."
+
+"Oh, we'll wait around. But he's got to die. He's so far gone that
+nothing can save him. And I oughtn't to go into the shack, either. That
+fever is contagious, and he's just full of it!"
+
+"We must get help for him," cried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+"What sort of help?" demanded the Indian.
+
+"Why, the ranch is not so awfully far away, and I know that Mr. Hicks
+keeps a big stock of medicines. He will have something for this case."
+
+"Then let's hustle back," said Jib, starting to climb into his saddle.
+
+"But the coyote--and other savage beasts!" exclaimed Ruth.
+
+"Gee! I forgot that," muttered Jib.
+
+"One of us must stay here."
+
+"Well--I can do that, I suppose. But how about you finding your way to
+the Rolling River outfit? I--don't--know."
+
+"I'll stay here and watch," declared Ruth, firmly. "You ride for
+help--get medicine--tell Mr. Hicks to send for a doctor at Bullhide, too.
+I have some money with me and I know my Uncle Jasper will pay whatever
+it costs to get a doctor to this man. Besides--there are other people
+interested."
+
+"Why, Miss, I don't know about this," murmured Jib Pottoway. "It's risky
+to leave you here. Old Bill will be wild at me."
+
+"I'm going to stay right here," declared Ruth, getting out of the
+saddle. "You can leave me your gun if you will----"
+
+"Sure! I could do that. But I don't know what the boss'll say."
+
+"It won't much matter what he says," said Ruth, with a faint smile. "I
+shall be here and he will be at Silver Ranch."
+
+"Ugh!" muttered Jib. "But what'll he say to _me_?"
+
+"I believe Mr. Hicks is too good-hearted to wish to know that we left
+this unfortunate young man here without care. It would be too cruel."
+
+"You wait till I look about the camp," muttered Jib, without paying much
+attention to Ruth's last remark.
+
+He left his pony and walked quickly up the overgrown trail that had once
+been the main street of Tintacker Camp. Ruth slipped out of the saddle
+and ran to the door of the sick man's hut. She laid her hand on the
+latch, hesitated a moment, and then pushed the door open. There was
+plenty of light in the room. The form on the bed, under a tattered old
+blanket, was revealed. Likewise the flushed, thin face lying against the
+rolled-up coat for a pillow.
+
+"The poor fellow!" gasped Ruth. "And suppose it should be _her_ brother!
+Suppose it _should_ be!"
+
+Only for a few seconds did she stare in at the unfortunate fellow. His
+head began to roll from side to side on the hard pillow. He muttered
+some gibberish as an accompaniment to his fevered dreams. It was a young
+face Ruth saw, but so drawn and haggard that it made her tender heart
+ache.
+
+"Water! water!" murmured the cracked lips of the fever patient.
+
+"Oh! I can't stand this!" gasped the girl. She wheeled about and sent a
+long shout after Jib: "Jib! I say, Jib!"
+
+"What's wantin'?" replied the Indian from around the bend in the trail.
+
+"Bring some water! Get some fresh water somewhere."
+
+"I get you!" returned the cowboy, and then, without waiting another
+instant, Ruth stepped into the infected cabin and approached the
+sufferer's couch.
+
+The sick man's head moved incessantly; so did his lips. Sometimes what
+he said was audible; oftener it was just a hoarse murmur. But when Ruth
+raised his head tenderly and took out the old coat to refold it for a
+pillow, he screamed aloud and seized the garment with both hands and
+with an awful strength! His look was maniacal. There were flecks of foam
+on his lips and his eyes rolled wildly. There was more than ordinary
+delirium in his appearance, and he fought for possession of the coat,
+shrieking in a cracked voice, the sound of which went straight to Ruth's
+heart.
+
+The sound brought Jib on the run.
+
+"What in all tarnation are you doing in that shack?" he shouted. "You
+come out o' there!"
+
+"Oh, Jib," said she, as the man fell back speechless and seemingly
+lifeless on the bed. "We can't leave him alone like this."
+
+"That whole place is infected. You come out!" the puncher commanded.
+
+"There's no use scolding me now, Jib," she said, softly. "The harm is
+done, if it _is_ to be done. I'm in here, and I mean to stay with him
+till you get help and medicine."
+
+"You--you----"
+
+"Don't call me names, but get the water. Find a pail somewhere. Bring
+plenty of cool water. He is burning up with fever and thirst."
+
+"Well, the hawse is stole, I reckon!" grunted the Indian. "But you'd
+ought to be shaken. What the boss says to me about this will be
+a-plenty."
+
+"Get the water, Jib!" commanded Ruth Fielding. "See! he breathes so
+hard. I believe he is dying of thirst more than anything else."
+
+Jib grabbed the canteen that swung at the back of his saddle, emptied
+the last of the stale water on the ground, and hurried away to where a
+thin stream tumbled down the hillside behind one of the old shaft
+openings. He brought the canteen back full--and it held two quarts.
+
+"Just a little at first," said the girl, pouring some of the cool water
+into her own folding cup that she carried in her pocket. "He mustn't
+have too much. And you keep out of the house, Jib. No use in both of us
+running the risk of catching the fever. You'll have to ride for help,
+too. And you don't want to take the infection among the other boys."
+
+"You _are_ a plucky one, Miss," admitted the cowboy. "But there's bound
+to be the piper to pay for this. They'll say it was my fault."
+
+"I won't let 'em," declared Ruth. She raised the sick man's head again
+and put the cup to his lips. "I wish I had some clean cloths. Oh! let
+somebody ride over from the camp with food and any stimulants that there
+may be there. See if you can find some larger receptacle for water
+before you go."
+
+"She's a cleaner!" muttered the Indian, shaking his head, and walking
+away to do her bidding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX--THE WOLF AT THE DOOR
+
+
+Ruth had the old coat folded and under the sick man's head again when
+Jib returned with a rusty old bucket filled with water. He set it down
+just outside the open door of the cabin--and he did not come in.
+
+"What d'ye s'pose he's got in the pocket of that coat that he's so
+choice of, Miss?" he asked, curiously.
+
+"Why! I don't know," returned Ruth, wetting her cleanest handkerchief
+and folding it to press upon the patient's brow.
+
+"He hollered like a loon and grabbed at it when I tried to straighten it
+out," the Indian said, thoughtfully. "And so he did when you touched
+it."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He's got something hid there. It bothers him even if he is delirious."
+
+"Perhaps," admitted Ruth.
+
+But she was not interested in this suspicion. The condition of the poor
+fellow was uppermost in her mind.
+
+"You let me have your pistol, Jib," she said. "I can use it. It will
+keep that old coyote away."
+
+"And anything else, too," said Jib, handing the gun to her and then
+stepping back to his pony. "I'll hobble your critter, Miss. Don't go far
+from the door. I'll either come back myself or send a couple of the boys
+from camp. They will bring food, anyway. I reckon the poor chap's hungry
+as well as thirsty."
+
+"He is in a very bad way, indeed," returned Ruth, gravely. "You'll
+hurry, Jib?"
+
+"Sure. But you'd better come back with me."
+
+"No. I'm in for it now," she replied, trying to smile at him bravely.
+"I'd better nurse him till he's better, or----"
+
+"You ain't got no call to do it!" exclaimed the Indian.
+
+"There is more reason for my helping him than you know," she said, in a
+low voice. "Oh! there is a very good reason for my helping him."
+
+"He's too far gone to be helped much, I reckon," returned the other,
+mounting into his saddle. "But I'll be going. Take care of yourself."
+
+"I'll be all right, Jib!" she responded, with more cheerfulness, and
+waved her hand to him as the cow puncher rode away.
+
+But when the patter of the pony's hoofs had died away the silence
+brooding over the abandoned mining camp seemed very oppressive indeed.
+It was not a pleasant prospect that lay before her. Not only was she
+alone here with the sick man, but she _was_ afraid of catching the
+fever.
+
+The patient on the couch was indeed helpless. He muttered and rolled his
+head from side to side, and his wild eyes stared at her as though he
+were fearful of what she might do to him. Ruth bathed his face and hands
+again and again; and the cool water seemed to quiet him. Occasionally
+she raised his head that he might drink. There was nothing else she
+could do for his comfort or betterment until medicines arrived.
+
+She searched the cabin for anything which might belong to him. She did
+not find his rifle--the weapon with which he had killed the bear in the
+ca�on when Ruth had been in such peril. She did find, however, a worn
+water-proof knapsack; in it was a handkerchief, or two, a pair of torn
+socks and an old shirt, beside shaving materials, a comb and brush, and
+a toothbrush. Not a letter or a scrap of paper to reveal his identity.
+Yet she was confident that this was the man whom she had hoped to meet
+when she came West on this summer jaunt.
+
+This was the fellow who had encouraged Uncle Jabez to invest his savings
+in the Tintacker Mine. It was he, too, who had been to Bullhide and
+recorded the new papers relating to the claim. And if he had made way
+with all Uncle Jabez's money, and the mining property was worthless,
+Ruth knew that she would never see Briarwood Hall again!
+
+For Uncle Jabez had let her understand plainly that his resources were
+so crippled that she could not hope to return to school with her friends
+when the next term opened. Neither she, nor Aunt Alvirah, nor anybody
+else, could make the old miller change his mind. He had given her one
+year at the boarding school according to agreement. Uncle Jabez always
+did just as he said he would; but he was never generous, and seldom even
+kind.
+
+However, it was not this phase of the affair that so troubled the girl
+from the Red Mill. It was the identity of this fever-stricken man that
+so greatly disturbed her. She believed that there was somebody at Silver
+Ranch who must have a much deeper interest in him than even she felt.
+And she was deeply troubled by this suspicion. Was she doing right in
+not sending word to the ranch at once as to her belief in the identity
+of the man?
+
+The morning was now gone and Ruth would have been glad of some dinner;
+but in leaving the other herders she and Jib had not expected to remain
+so many hours from the Rolling River crossing. At least, they expected
+if they found the man at Tintacker at all, that he would have played the
+host and supplied them with lunch. Had Jib been here she knew he could
+easily have shot a bird, or a hare; there was plenty of small game
+about. But had she not felt it necessary to remain in close attendance
+upon the sick man she would have hesitated about going to the outskirts
+of the camp. Even the possession of Jib's loaded pistol did not make the
+girl feel any too brave.
+
+Already that morning she had been a witness to the fact that savage
+beasts lurked in the locality. There might be another puma about. She
+was not positively in fear of the coyotes; she knew them to be a
+cowardly clan. But what would keep a bear from wandering down from the
+heights into the abandoned camp? And Ruth had seen quite all the bears
+at close quarters that she wished to see. Beside, this six-shooter of
+Jib's would be a poor weapon with which to attack a full-grown bear.
+
+It must be late in the afternoon before any of the boys could ride over
+from the Rolling River outfit. She set her mind firmly on _that_, and
+would not hope for company till then. It was a lonely and trying watch.
+The sick man moaned and jabbered, and whenever she touched the old coat
+he used for a pillow, he became quite frantic. Perhaps, as Jib
+intimated, there was something valuable hidden in the garment.
+
+"Deeds--or money--perhaps both," thought the girl nurse. "And maybe they
+relate to the Tintacker Mine. Perhaps if it is money it is some of
+Uncle's money. Should I try to take it away from him secretly and keep
+it until he can explain?"
+
+Yet she could not help from thinking that perhaps Jib was right in his
+diagnosis of the case. The man might be too far gone to save. Neither
+physician nor medicines might be able to retard the fever. It seemed to
+have already worn the unfortunate to his very skeleton. If he died,
+would the mystery of the Tintacker Mine, and of Uncle Jabez's money,
+ever be explained?
+
+Meanwhile she bathed and bathed again the fevered face and hands of the
+unfortunate. This was all that relieved him. He was quiet for some
+minutes after each of these attentions. The water in the bucket became
+warm, like that in the canteen. Ruth thought she could risk going to the
+rivulet for another supply. So she stuck the barrel of the gun into her
+belt and taking the empty pail set out to find the stream.
+
+She closed the door of the sick man's cabin very carefully. It was not
+far to the water and she had filled the pail and was returning when she
+heard a scratching noise nearby, and then a low growl. Casting swift
+glances of apprehension all about her, she started to run to the cabin;
+but when she got to the trail, it was at the cabin door the peril lay!
+
+It was no harmless, cowardly coyote this time. Perhaps it had not been a
+coyote who had dug there when she and Jib rode up to the camp. She
+obtained this time a clear view of the beast.
+
+It was long, lean and gray. A shaggy beast, with pointed ears and a long
+muzzle. When he turned and glared at her, growling savagely, Ruth was
+held spellbound in her tracks!
+
+"A wolf!" she muttered. "A wolf at the door!"
+
+The fangs of the beast were exposed. The jaws dripped saliva, and the
+eyes seemed blood-red. A more awful sight the girl had never seen. This
+fierce, hungry creature was even more terrifying in appearance than the
+bear that had chased her in the ca�on. He seemed, indeed, more savage
+and threatening than the puma that Jib had roped that forenoon as they
+rode over to Tintacker.
+
+He turned squarely and faced her. He was not afraid, but seemed to
+welcome her as an antagonist worthy of his prowess. He did not advance,
+but he stood between Ruth and the door of the sick man's cabin. She
+might retreat, but in so doing she would abandon the unfortunate to his
+fate. And what that fate would be she could not doubt when once she had
+glimpsed the savage aspect of the wolf.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI--A PLUCKY FIGHT
+
+
+Ruth had already set down the bucket of water and drawn the heavy pistol
+from her belt. The girls had been trying their skill with six-shooters
+at the ranch at odd times, and she knew that she stood a good chance of
+hitting the big gray wolf at ten or twelve yards. The beast made no
+approach; but his intention of returning to the door of the cabin where
+the sick man lay, if she did not disturb him, was so plain that Ruth
+dared not desert the helpless patient!
+
+The wolf crouched, growling and showing his fangs. If the girl
+approached too near he would spring upon her. Or, if she fired and
+wounded him but slightly she feared he would give chase and pull her
+down in a few seconds. She very well know that she could not hope to
+distance the beast if once he started to pursue her.
+
+This was indeed a dreadful situation for a tenderly nurtured girl. The
+wolf looked to be fully as large as Tom Cameron's mastiff, Reno. And
+Ruth wished with all her heart (as this comparison flashed through her
+mind) that the mastiff was here to give battle to the savage beast.
+
+But it were vain to think of such impossibilities. If anything was to be
+done to drive off the wolf at the cabin door, she must do it herself.
+Yet she dared not make the attack here in the open, and afoot. If she
+approached near enough to him to make her first shot sure and deadly,
+the beast gave every indication of opening the attack himself.
+
+And, indeed, he might spring toward her at any moment. He was growing
+impatient. He had scented the helpless man inside the shack
+and--undisturbed--would soon burrow under the door and get at him.
+Although not so cowardly as a coyote, the wolf seldom attacks human
+beings unless they are helpless or the beast is driven to desperation by
+hunger. And gaunt as this fellow was, there was plenty of small game for
+him in the chapparel.
+
+Thus, Ruth was in a quandary. But she saw plainly that she must withdraw
+or the wolf would attack. She left the bucket of water where it stood
+and withdrew back of the nearest hut. Once out of the wolf's sight, but
+still holding the revolver ready, she looked hastily about. Her pony,
+hobbled by Jib, had not wandered far. Nor had Freckles seen or even
+scented the savage marauder.
+
+Ruth spied him and crept away from the vicinity of the wolf, keeping in
+hiding all the time. She soon heard the beast clawing at the bottom of
+the door and growling. He might burst the door, or dig under it, any
+moment now!
+
+The last few yards to the pony Ruth made at a run. Freckles snorted his
+surprise; but he knew her and was easily caught. The frightened girl
+returned the revolver to her belt and removed the hobbles. Then she
+vaulted into the saddle and jerked the pony's head around, riding at a
+canter back toward the cabin.
+
+The wolf heard her coming and drew his head and shoulders back out of
+the hole he had dug. In a few minutes more he would be under the door
+and into the cabin, which had, of course, no floor but the hard-packed
+clay. He started up and glared at the pony and its rider, and the pony
+began to side-step and snort in a manner which showed plainly that he
+did not fancy the vicinity of the beast.
+
+"Whoa, Freckles! Steady, boy!" commanded Ruth.
+
+The cow pony, trained to perfection, halted, with his fore feet braced,
+glaring at the wolf. Ruth dropped the reins upon his neck, and although
+he winced and trembled all over, he did not move from the spot as the
+girl raised the heavy pistol, resting its barrel across her left
+forearm, and took the best aim she could at the froth-streaked chest of
+the wolf.
+
+Even when the revolver popped, Freckles did not move. The wolf sprang to
+one side, snarling with rage and pain. Ruth saw a streak of crimson
+along his high shoulder. The bullet had just nicked him. The beast
+snapped at the wound and whirled around and around in the dust, snarling
+and clashing his teeth.
+
+But when the girl tried to urge Freckles in closer, the wolf suddenly
+took the aggressive. He sprang out into the trail and in two leaps was
+beside the whirling pony. Freckles knew better than to let the beast get
+near enough to spring for his throat. But the pony's gyrations almost
+unseated his rider.
+
+Ruth fired a second shot; but the bullet went wild. She could not take
+proper aim with the pony dancing so; and she had to seize the lines
+again. She thrust the pistol into the saddle holster and grabbed the
+pommel of the saddle itself to aid her balance. Freckles pitched
+dreadfully, and struck out, seemingly with all four feet at once, to
+keep off the wolf. Perhaps it was as well that he did so, for the beast
+was maddened by the smart of the wound, and sought to tear the girl from
+her saddle.
+
+As Ruth allowed the pony to run off from the shack for several rods, the
+wolf went growling back to the door. He was a persistent fellow and it
+did seem as though he was determined to get at the sick man in spite of
+all Ruth could do.
+
+But the girl, frightened as she was, had no intention of remaining by to
+see such a monstrous thing happen. She controlled Freckles again, and
+rode him hard, using the spurs, straight at the door of the shack. The
+wolf whirled and met them with open jaws, the saliva running from the
+sides of his mouth. His foreleg was now dyed crimson.
+
+Freckles, squealing with anger, jumped to reach the wolf. He had been
+taught to ride down coyotes, and he tried the same tactics on this
+fellow. The wolf rolled over, snapping and snarling, and easily escaped
+the pony's hard hoofs. But Ruth urged the pony on and the wolf was
+forced to run.
+
+She tried her best to run him down. They tore through the main street of
+what had been Tintacker Camp, and out upon the open ridge. The wolf, his
+tail tucked between his legs, scurried over the ground, keeping just
+ahead, but circling around so as to get back to the abandoned town. He
+would not be driven from the vicinity.
+
+"I must try again to shoot him," exclaimed the girl, much worried. "If I
+ride back he will follow me. If I hobble Freckles again, he may attack
+the pony and Freckles could not defend himself so well if he were
+hobbled. And if I turn the pony loose the wolf may run him off
+entirely!"
+
+She drew Jib's pistol once more and tried to get a good shot at the
+wolf. But while she did this she could not keep so sharp an eye on the
+course the pony took and suddenly Freckles sunk one forefoot in a hole.
+
+He plunged forward, and Ruth came very near taking a dive over his head.
+She saved herself by seizing the pommel with both hands; but in so doing
+she lost the gun. Freckles leaped up, frightened and snorting, and the
+next moment the wolf had made a sharp turn and was almost under the
+pony's feet!
+
+The wolf let out an unmistakable yelp of pain and limped off, howling.
+Freckles kept on in pursuit and the revolver was soon far behind. The
+beast she pursued was now in a bad way; but the girl dared not ride back
+to search for her lost weapon. She did not propose that the wolf--after
+such a fight--should escape. Ruth was bent upon his destruction.
+
+The wolf, however, dodged and doubled, so that the pony could not
+trample it, even had he wished to come to such close quarters. The
+clashing teeth of the savage animal warned Freckles to keep his
+distance, however; and it was plain to Ruth that she must dismount to
+finish the beast. If only she had some weapon----
+
+What was that heap on the prairie ahead? Bones! hundreds of them! Some
+accident had befallen a bunch of cattle here in the past and their
+picked skeletons had been flung into a heap. The wolf ran for refuge
+behind this pile and Ruth immediately urged Freckles toward the spot.
+
+She leaped from the saddle, tossing the bridle reins over his head upon
+the ground and ran to seize one of the bigger bones. It was the leg bone
+of a big steer and it made a promising club.
+
+But even as she seized upon this primitive weapon the wolf made a final
+stand. He appeared around the far side of the pile. He saw that the girl
+was afoot, and with a snarl he sprang upon her.
+
+Ruth uttered an involuntary shriek, and ran back. But she could not
+reach Freckles. The wolf's hot breath steamed against her neck as she
+ran. He had missed her by a hair!
+
+The girl whirled and faced him, the club poised in both her hands,
+determined to give battle. Her situation was perilous in the extreme.
+Afoot as she was, the beast had the advantage, and he knew this as well
+as she did. He did not hurry, but approached his victim with
+caution--fangs bared, jaws extended, his wounds for the moment forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII--SERVICE COURAGEOUS
+
+
+There was no escape from the wolf's attack, even had Ruth desired to
+evade the encounter. The beast's flaming eyes showed his savage
+intention only too plainly. To turn and run at this juncture would have
+meant death for the brave girl. She stood at bay, the heavy bone poised
+to strike, and let the creature approach.
+
+He leaped, and with all her strength--and that was not slight--she struck
+him. The wolf was knocked sideways to the ground. She followed up the
+attack with a second and a third blow before he could recover his
+footing.
+
+The wound in his shoulder had bled a good deal, and Freckles' hard hoofs
+had crippled one leg. He could not jump about with agility, and although
+he was no coward, he was slow in returning to the charge.
+
+When he did, Ruth struck again, and with good effect. Again and again
+she beat him off. He once caught her skirt and tore it from the
+waist-binding; but she eluded his powerful claws and struck him down
+again. Then, falling upon him unmercifully, she beat his head into the
+hard ground until he was all torn and bleeding and could not see to
+scramble at her.
+
+It was an awful experience for the girl; but she conquered her
+antagonist before her strength was spent. When he lay, twitching his
+limbs in the final throes, she staggered back to where her pony stood
+and there, leaning upon his neck, sobbed and shook for several minutes,
+while Freckles put his soft nose into her palm and nuzzled her
+comfortably.
+
+"Oh, oh, Freckles! what a terrible thing!" she sobbed. "He's dead! he's
+dead!"
+
+She could say nothing more, nor could she recover her self-possession
+for some time. Then she climbed into the saddle and turned the pony's
+head toward the deserted huts without once looking back at the
+blood-bedabbled body and the gory club.
+
+At the camp, however, she was once more her own mistress. The fact that
+she must attend the sick man bolstered up her courage. She hobbled
+Freckles again and recovered the bucket of water. John Cox (if that was
+his name) raged in his fever and clutched at his precious coat, and was
+not quiet again until she had cooled his head and hands with the fresh
+water.
+
+After that he fell into a light sleep and Ruth went about the cabin,
+trying to set the poor furniture to rights and removing the debris that
+had collected in the corners. Every few moments she was at the door,
+looking out for either enemy or friend. But no other creature confronted
+her until the sound of pony hoofs delighted her ear and Tom Cameron and
+Jane Ann, with two of the cowboys from the Rolling River outfit, dashed
+up to the shack.
+
+"Ruth! Ruth!" cried the ranchman's niece, leaping off of her pony. "Come
+out of that place at once! Do as I tell you----"
+
+"Don't come here, dear--don't touch me," returned her friend, firmly. "I
+know what I am about. I mean to stay and nurse this man. I do not
+believe there is so much danger as Jib says----"
+
+"Uncle Bill will have his hide!" cried Jane Ann, indignantly. "You wait
+and see."
+
+"It is not his fault. I came in here when he could not stop me. And I
+mean to remain. But there is no use in anybody else being exposed to
+contagion--if there is any contagion in the disease."
+
+"Why, it's as bad as small-pox, Ruth!" cried Jane Ann.
+
+"I am here," returned Ruth, quietly. "Have you brought us food? And is
+that spirits in the bottle Mr. Darcy has?"
+
+"Yes, Miss," said the cowboy.
+
+"Set it down on that stone--and the other things. I'll come and get it. A
+few drops of the liquor in the water may help the man a little."
+
+"But, dear Ruth," interposed Tom, gravely, "he is nothing to you. Don't
+run such risks. If the man must be nursed _I'll_ try my hand----"
+
+"Indeed you shall not!"
+
+"It's a job for a man, Miss," said Darcy, grimly. "You mount your pony
+and go home with the others. I'll stay."
+
+"If any harm is done, it's done already," declared the girl, earnestly.
+"One of you can stay outside and help me--guard me, if you please.
+There's been an awful old wolf about----"
+
+"A wolf!" gasped Tom.
+
+"But I killed him." She told them how and where. "And I lost Jib's gun.
+He'll be furious."
+
+"He'll lose more than his little old Colts," growled the second cowboy.
+
+"It was not Jib's fault," declared the girl. "I could not so easily find
+my way back to the river as he. I had to stay while he went for help.
+Has word been sent on to the ranch?"
+
+"Everything will be done that can be done for the fellow, of course,"
+Jane Ann declared. "Uncle Bill will likely come over himself. Then there
+_will_ be ructions, young lady."
+
+"And what will Helen and the other girls say?" cried Tom.
+
+"I wish I had thought," murmured Ruth. "I would have warned Jib not to
+let Mary know."
+
+"What's that?" asked Tom, in surprise, for he had but imperfectly caught
+Ruth's words.
+
+"Never mind," returned the girl from the Red Mill, quickly.
+
+The others were discussing what should be done. Ruth still stood in the
+doorway and now a murmur from the bed called her turn back into the
+shack to make the unfortunate on the couch more comfortable--for in his
+tossings he became more feverish and hot. When she returned to the outer
+air the others had decided.
+
+"Darcy and I will remain, Ruth," Tom said, with decision. "We'll bring
+the water, and cook something for you to eat out here, and stand guard,
+turn and turn about. But you are a very obstinate girl."
+
+"As long as one is in for it, why increase the number endangered by the
+fever?" she asked, coolly. "You are real kind to stay, Tom--you and
+Darcy."
+
+"You couldn't get me away with a Gatling gun," said Tom, grimly. "You
+know _that_, Ruth."
+
+"I know I have a staunch friend in you, Tommy," she said, in a low
+voice.
+
+"One you can trust?"
+
+"To be sure," she replied, smiling seriously at him.
+
+"Then what is all this about Mary Cox? What has _she_ got to do with the
+fellow you've got hived up in that shack?" shot in Master Tom, shrewdly.
+
+"Oh, now, Tommy!" gasped Ruth.
+
+"You can't fool me, Ruth----"
+
+"Sh! don't let the others hear you," she whispered. "And don't come any
+nearer, Tom!" she added, warningly, and in a louder tone.
+
+"But The Fox has something to do with this man?" demanded Tom.
+
+"I believe so. I fear so. Oh, don't ask me any more!" breathed the girl,
+anxiously, as Jane Ann and the cowboy rode up to say good-bye.
+
+"I hope nothing bad will come of this, Ruth," said the ranch girl. "But
+Uncle Bill will be dreadfully mad."
+
+"Not with me, I hope," rejoined Ruth, shaking her head.
+
+"And all the girls will be crazy to come out here and help you nurse
+him."
+
+"They certainly _will_ be crazy if they want to," muttered Tom.
+
+"They would better not come near here until the man gets better--if he
+ever _does_ get better," added Ruth, in a low tone.
+
+"I expect they'll all want to come," repeated Jane Ann.
+
+"Don't you let them, Jane Ann!" admonished Ruth. "Above all, don't you
+let Mary Cox come over here--unless I send for her," and she went into
+the shack again and closed the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII--BASHFUL IKE TAKES THE BIT IN HIS TEETH
+
+
+There was great commotion at Silver Ranch when Jib Pottoway (on a fresh
+horse he had picked up at the riverside cow camp) rode madly to the
+ranch-house with the news of what was afoot so far away across Rolling
+River. From Old Bill down, the friends of Ruth were horror-stricken that
+she should so recklessly (or, so it seemed) expose herself to the
+contagion of the fever.
+
+"And for a person who is absolutely nothing to her at all!" wailed
+Jennie Stone. "Ruth is utterly reckless."
+
+"She is utterly brave," said Madge, sharply.
+
+"She has the most grateful heart in the world," Helen declared. "He
+saved her life in the ca�on--you remember it, Mary. Of course she could
+not leave the poor creature to die there alone."
+
+The Fox had turned pallid and seemed horrified. But she was silent while
+all the others about the ranch-house, from Old Bill Hicks down to Maria
+the cook, were voluble indeed. The ranchman might have laid violent
+hands upon Jib Pottoway, only there was so much to do. Such simple
+medicines as there were in the house were packed to take to Tintacker.
+Old Bill determined to go over himself, but he would not allow any of
+the young folks to go.
+
+"And you kin bet," he added, "that you'll see Jane Ann come back here
+a-whizzin'!"
+
+The unfortunate Jib had enough to do to answer questions. The girls
+would not let him go until he had told every particular of the finding
+of the man at Tintacker.
+
+"Was he just _crazy_?" queried Heavy.
+
+"I don't know whether he's been loony all the time he's been hanging
+around the mines, or not," growled the Indian. "But I'm mighty sure he's
+loco _now_."
+
+"If that was him who shot the bear up in the ca�on that day, he didn't
+appear to be crazy enough to hurt," said Helen.
+
+"But is this the same man?" queried Mary Cox, and had they not all been
+so busy pumping Jib of the last particular regarding the adventure, they
+might have noticed that The Fox was very pale.
+
+When Jib first rode up, however, and told his tale, Bashful Ike Stedman
+had set to work to run the big touring car out of the shed in which it
+was kept. During the time the young folk had been at Silver Ranch from
+the East, the foreman had learned from Tom and Bob how to run the car.
+It came puffing up to the door now, headed toward the Bullhide trail.
+
+"What in tarnashun you goin' ter do with that contarption, Ike?" bawled
+Mr. Hicks. "I can't go to Tintacker in it."
+
+"No, yuh can't, Boss. But I kin go to Bullhide for the sawbones in it,
+and bring him back, too. We kin git as far as the Rolling River camp in
+the old steam engine--if she don't break down. Then we'll foller on arter
+yuh a-hawseback."
+
+"You won't git no doctor to come 'way out there," gasped the ranch
+owner.
+
+"Won't I?" returned the foreman. "You wait and see. Ruthie says a
+doctor's got to be brought for that feller, and I'm goin' to git Doc.
+Burgess if I hafter rope an' hogtie him--you hear me!"
+
+The engine began to pop again and the automobile rolled away from the
+ranch-house before Mr. Hicks could enter any further objections, or any
+of the young folk could offer to attend Ike on his long trip.
+Fortunately Tom and Bob had seen to it that the machine was in excellent
+shape, there was plenty of gasoline in the tank, and she ran easily over
+the trail.
+
+At the Crossing Ike was hailed by Sally Dickson. Sally had been about to
+mount her pony for a ride, but when the animal saw the automobile coming
+along the trail he started on the jump for the corral, leaving Miss
+Sally in the lurch.
+
+"Well! if that ain't just like you, Ike Stedman!" sputtered the
+red-haired schoolma'am. "Bringin' that puffin' abomination over this
+trail. Ain't you afraid it'll buck and throw yuh?"
+
+"I got it gentled--it'll eat right off yuh hand," grinned the foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+"And I was going to ride in to Bullhide," exclaimed Sally. "I won't be
+able to catch the pony in a week."
+
+"You hop in with me, Sally," urged Ike, blushing very red. "I'm goin' to
+Bullhide."
+
+"Go joy-ridin' with _you_, Mr. Stedman?" responded the schoolma'am. "I
+don't know about that. Are you to be trusted with that automobile?"
+
+"I tell yuh I got it gentled," declared Ike. "And I got to be moving on
+mighty quick." He told Sally why in a few words and immediately the
+young lady was interested.
+
+"That Ruth Fielding! Isn't she a plucky one for a Down East girl? But
+she's too young to nurse that sick man. And she'll catch the fever
+herself like enough."
+
+"Hope not," grunted Ike. "That would be an awful misfortune. She's the
+nicest little thing that ever grazed on _this_ range--yuh hear me!"
+
+"Well," said Sally, briskly. "I got to go to town and I might as well
+take my life in my hands and go with you, Ike," and she swung herself
+into the seat beside him.
+
+Ike started the machine again. He was delighted. Never before had Sally
+Dickson allowed him to be alone with her more than a scant few moments
+at a time. Ike began to swallow hard, the perspiration stood on his brow
+and he grew actually pale around the mouth. It seemed to him as though
+everything inside of him rose up in his throat. As he told about it long
+afterward, if somebody had shot him through the body just then it would
+only have made a flesh-wound!
+
+"Sally!" he gasped, before her father's store and the schoolhouse were
+out of sight.
+
+"Why, Ike! what's the matter with you? Are you sick?"
+
+"N-no! I ain't sick," mumbled the bashful one.
+
+"You're surely not scared?" demanded Sally. "There hasn't anything
+happened wrong to this automobile?"
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+"Are you sure? It bumps a whole lot--Ugh! It's not running away, is it?"
+
+"I tell yuh it's tame all right," grunted Ike.
+
+"Then, what's the matter with you, Ike Stedman?" demanded the
+schoolmistress, with considerable sharpness.
+
+"I--I'm suah in love with yuh, Sally! That's what's the matter with me.
+Now, don't you laugh--I mean it."
+
+"Well, my soul!" exclaimed the practical Sally, "don't let it take such
+a hold on you, Ike. Other men have been in love before--or thought they
+was--and it ain't given 'em a conniption fit."
+
+"I got it harder than most men," Ike was able to articulate. "Why,
+Sally, I love you so hard _that it makes me ache_!"
+
+The red-haired schoolmistress looked at him for a silent moment. Her
+eyes were pretty hard at first; but finally a softer light came into
+them and a faint little blush colored her face.
+
+"Well, Ike! is that all you've got to say?" she asked.
+
+"Why--why, Sally! I got lots to say, only it's plugged up and I can't
+seem to get it out," stammered Ike. "I got five hundred head o' steers,
+and I've proven on a quarter-section of as nice land as there is in this
+State--and there's a good open range right beside it yet----"
+
+"I never _did_ think I'd marry a bunch o' steers," murmured Sally.
+
+"Why--why, Sally, punchin' cattle is about all I know how to do well,"
+declared Bashful Ike. "But you say the word and I'll try any business
+you like better."
+
+"I wouldn't want you to change your business, Ike," said Sally, turning
+her head away. "But--but ain't you got anything else to offer me but
+those steers?"
+
+"Why--why," stammered poor Ike again. "I ain't got nothin' else but
+myself----"
+
+She turned on him swiftly with her face all smiling and her eyes
+twinkling.
+
+"There, Ike Stedman!" she ejaculated in her old, sharp way. "Have you
+finally got around to offering _yourself_? My soul! if you practiced on
+every girl you met for the next hundred years you'd never learn how to
+ask her to marry you proper. I'd better take you, Ike, and save the rest
+of the female tribe a whole lot of trouble."
+
+"D'ye mean it, Sally?" cried the bewildered and delighted foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+"I sure do."
+
+"Ye-yi-yip!" yelled Ike, and the next moment the big touring car wabbled
+all over the trail and came near to dumping the loving pair into the
+gully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV--COALS OF FIRE
+
+
+Once Bashful Ike had taken the bit in his teeth, his nickname never
+fitted him again. He believed in striking while the iron was hot, Ike
+did. And before the touring car ran them down into Bullhide, he had
+talked so hard and talked so fast that he had really swept Miss Sally
+Dickson away on the tide of his eloquence, and she had agreed to Ike's
+getting the marriage license and their being wedded on the spot!
+
+But the foreman of Silver Ranch found Dr. Burgess first and made the
+physician promise to accompany him to Tintacker. The doctor said he
+would be ready in an hour.
+
+"Gives us just about time enough, Sally," declared the suddenly awakened
+Ike. "I'll have that license and we'll catch Parson Brownlow on the fly.
+Come on!"
+
+"For pity's sake, Ike!" gasped the young lady. "You take my breath
+away."
+
+"We ain't got no time to fool," declared Ike. And within the hour he was
+a Benedict and Sally Dickson had become Mrs. Ike Stedman.
+
+"And I'm going over to Tintacker with you, Ike," she declared as they
+awaited before the doctor's office in the big automobile. "That poor
+fellow over there will need somebody more'n Ruth Fielding to nurse him.
+It takes skill to bring folks out of a fever spell. I nursed Dad through
+a bad case of it two year ago, and I know what to do."
+
+"That's all right, Sally," agreed Ike. "I'll make Old Bill give me muh
+time, if need be, and we'll spend our honeymoon at Tintacker. I kin fix
+up one of the old shacks to suit us to camp in. I don't wish that poor
+feller over there any harm," he added, smiling broadly at the pretty
+girl beside him, "but if it hadn't been that he got this fever, you an'
+I wouldn't be married now, honey."
+
+"You can thank Ruth Fielding--if you want to be thankful to anybody,"
+returned Sally, in her brisk way. "But maybe you won't be so thankful a
+year or two from now, Ike."
+
+Dr. Burgess came with his black bag and they were off. The automobile--as
+Sally said herself--behaved "like an angel," and they reached Silver
+Ranch (after halting for a brief time at the Crossing for Sally to pack
+_her_ bag and acquaint Old Lem Dickson of the sudden and unexpected
+change in her condition) late at night. Old Bill Hicks was off for
+Tintacker and the party remained only long enough to eat and for Bob
+Steele to go over the mechanism of the badly-shaken motor-car.
+
+"I'll drive you on to the river myself, Ike," he said. "You are all
+going on from there on horseback, I understand, and I'll bring the
+machine back here."
+
+But when the newly-married couple and the physician had eaten what Maria
+could hastily put before them, and were ready to re-enter the car, Mary
+Cox came out upon the verandah, ready to go likewise.
+
+"For pity's sake, Mary!" gasped Heavy. "You don't want to ride over to
+the river with them."
+
+"I'm going to those mines," said The Fox, defiantly.
+
+"What for?" asked Jane Ann, who had arrived at the ranch herself only a
+short time before.
+
+"That's my business. I am going," returned The Fox, shortly.
+
+"Why, you can't do any such thing," began Jane Ann; but Mary turned to
+Ike and proffered her request:
+
+"Isn't there room for me in the car, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+"Why, I reckon so, Miss," agreed Ike, slowly.
+
+"And won't there be a pony for me to ride from the river to Tintacker?"
+
+"I reckon we can find one."
+
+"Then I'm going," declared Mary, getting promptly into the tonneau with
+the doctor and Sally. "I've just as good a reason for being over
+there--maybe a better reason for going--than Ruth Fielding."
+
+None of her girl friends made any comment upon this statement in Mary's
+hearing; but Madge declared, as the car chugged away from the
+ranch-house:
+
+"I'll never again go anywhere with that girl unless she has a change of
+heart! She is just as mean as she can be."
+
+"She's the limit!" said Heavy, despondently. "And I used to think she
+wasn't a bad sort."
+
+"And once upon a time," said Helen Cameron, gravely, "I followed her
+leadership to the neglect of Ruth. I really thought The Fox was the very
+smartest girl I had ever met."
+
+"But she couldn't hold the Up and Doing Club together," quoth the stout
+girl.
+
+"Ruth's Sweetbriars finished both the Upedes and the Fussy Curls,"
+laughed Madge, referring to the two social clubs at Briarwood Hall,
+which had been quite put-out of countenance by the Sweetbriar
+Association which had been inaugurated by the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+"And The Fox has never forgiven Ruth," declared Heavy.
+
+"What she means by forcing herself on this party at Tintacker, gets my
+time!" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+"Sally will make her walk a chalk line if she goes over there with her,"
+laughed Helen. "Think of her and Ike getting married without a word to
+anybody!"
+
+Jane Ann laughed, too, at that. "Sally whispered to me that she never
+would have taken Ike so quick if it hadn't been for what we did at the
+party the other night. She was afraid some of the other girls around
+here would see what a good fellow Ike was and want to marry him. She's
+always intended to take him some time, she said; but it was Ruth that
+settled the affair at that time."
+
+"I declare! Ruth _does_ influence a whole lot of folk, doesn't she?"
+murmured Heavy. "I never saw such a girl."
+
+And that last was the comment Dr. Burgess made regarding the girl of the
+Red Mill after the party arrived at Tintacker. They reached the mine
+just at daybreak the next morning. Mary Cox had kept them back some, for
+she was not a good rider. But she had cried and taken on so when Sally
+and Ike did not want her to go farther than the river, that they were
+really forced to allow her to continue the entire journey.
+
+Dr. Burgess examined the sick man and pronounced him to be in a very
+critical condition. But he surely had improved since the hour that Ruth
+and Jib Pottoway had found him. Old Bill Hicks had helped care for the
+patient during the night; but Ruth had actually gone ahead with
+everything and--without much doubt, the doctor added--the stranger could
+thank her for his life if he _did_ recover.
+
+"That girl is all right!" declared the physician, preparing to return
+the long miles he had come by relays of horses to the ranch-house, and
+from thence to Bullhide in the automobile. "She has done just the right
+thing."
+
+"She's a mighty cute young lady," admitted Bill Hicks. "And this
+chap--John Cox, or whatever his name is--ought to feel that she's squared
+things up with him over that bear business----"
+
+"Then you have learned his name?" queried Tom Cameron, who was present.
+
+"I got the coat away from him when he was asleep in the night," said Mr.
+Hicks. "He had letters and papers and a wad of banknotes in it. Ruth's
+got 'em all. She says he is the man with whom her Uncle Jabez went into
+partnership over the old Tintacker claims. Mebbe the feller's struck a
+good thing after all. He seems to have an assayer's report among his
+papers that promises big returns on some specimens he had assayed. If he
+dug 'em out of the Tintacker Claim mebbe the old hole in the ground will
+take on a new lease of life."
+
+At that moment Mary Cox pushed forward, with Sally holding her by the
+arm.
+
+"I've got to know!" cried The Fox. "You must tell me. Does the--the poor
+fellow say his name is Cox?"
+
+"Jest the same as yourn, Miss," remarked Old Bill, watching her closely.
+"Letters and deeds all to 'John Cox.'"
+
+"I know it! I feared it all along!" cried The Fox, wringing her hands.
+"I saw him in the ca�on when he shot the bear and he looked so much like
+John----"
+
+"He's related to you, then, Miss?" asked the doctor.
+
+"He's my brother--I know he is!" cried Mary, and burst into tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV--AT THE OLD RED MILL AGAIN
+
+
+The mist hovered over the river as though loth to uncover the dimpling
+current; yet the rising sun was insistent--its warm, soft September rays
+melting the jealous mist and uncovering, rod by rod, the sleeping
+stream. Ruth, fresh from her bed and looking out of the little window of
+her old room at the Red Mill farmhouse, thought that, after all, the
+scene was quite as soothing and beautiful as any of the fine landscapes
+she had observed during her far-western trip.
+
+For the Briarwood Hall girls were back from their sojourn at Silver
+Ranch. They had arrived the night before. Montana, and the herds of
+cattle, and the vast ca�ons and far-stretching plains, would be but a
+memory to them hereafter. Their vacation on the range was ended, and in
+another week Briarwood Hall would open again and lessons must be
+attended to.
+
+Jane Ann Hicks would follow them East in time to join the school the
+opening week. Ruth looked back upon that first day at school a year ago
+when she and Helen Cameron had become "Infants" at Briarwood. They would
+make it easier for Jane Ann, remembering so keenly how strange they had
+felt before they attained the higher classes.
+
+The last of the mist rolled away and the warm sun revealed all the river
+and the woods and pastures beyond. Ruth kissed her hand to it and then,
+hearing a door close softly below-stairs, she hurried her dressing and
+ran down to the farmhouse kitchen. The little, stooping figure of an old
+woman was bent above the stove, muttering in a sort of sing-song
+refrain:
+
+"Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!"
+
+"Then let somebody else save your back and bones, Aunt Alviry!" cried
+Ruth, putting her arms around the old housekeeper's neck. "There! how
+good it is to see you again. Sit right down there. You are to play lady.
+_I_ am going to get the breakfast."
+
+"But your Uncle Jabez wants hot muffins, my pretty," objected Aunt
+Alvirah.
+
+"And don't you suppose anybody can make muffins but you?" queried Ruth,
+blithely. "I made 'em out to Silver Ranch. Maria, the Mexican cook,
+taught me. Even Uncle Jabez will like them made by my recipe--now you see
+if he doesn't."
+
+And the miller certainly praised the muffins--by eating a full half dozen
+of them. Of course, he did not say audibly that they were good.
+
+And yet, Uncle Jabez had a much more companionable air about him than he
+had ever betrayed before--at least, within the knowledge of Ruth
+Fielding. He smiled--and that not grimly--as the girl related some of her
+experiences during her wonderful summer vacation.
+
+"It was a great trip--and wonderful," she sighed, finally. "Of course,
+the last of it was rather spoiled by Mary Cox's brother being so ill.
+And the doctors found, when they got the better of the fever, that his
+head had been hurt some months before, and that is why he had wandered
+about there, without writing East--either to his folks or to you, Uncle
+Jabez. But he's all right now, and Mary expects to bring him home from
+Denver, where he stopped over, in a few days. She'll be home in time for
+the opening of school, at least," and here Ruth's voice halted and her
+face changed color, while she looked beseechingly at Uncle Jabez.
+
+The miller cleared his throat and looked at her. Aunt Alvirah stopped
+eating, too, and she and Ruth gazed anxiously at the flint-like face of
+the old man.
+
+"I got a letter from that lawyer at Bullhide, Montana, two days ago,
+Niece Ruth," said Uncle Jabez, in his harsh voice. "He has been going
+over the Tintacker affairs, and he has proved up on that young Cox's
+report. The young chap is as straight as a string. The money he got from
+me is all accounted for. And according to the assayers the new vein Cox
+discovered will mill as high as two hundred dollars to the ton of ore.
+If we work it as a stock company it will make us money; but young Cox
+being in such bad shape physically, and his finances being as they are,
+we'll probably decide to sell out to a syndicate of Denver people. Cox
+will close the contract with them before he comes East, it may be, and
+on such terms," added Uncle Jabez with a satisfaction that he could not
+hide, "that it will be the very best investment I ever made."
+
+"Oh, Uncle!" cried Ruth Fielding.
+
+"Yes," said Uncle Jabez, with complacency. "The mine is going to pay us
+well. Fortunately you was insistent on finding and speaking to young
+Cox. If you had not found him--and if he had not recovered his health--it
+might have been many months before I could have recovered even the money
+I had put into the young man's scheme. And--so he says--_you_ saved his
+life, Ruthie."
+
+"That's just talk, Uncle," cried the girl. "Don't you believe it.
+Anybody would have done the same."
+
+"However that may be, and whether it is due to you in any particular
+that I can quickly realize on my investment," said the miller, rising
+suddenly from the table, "circumstances are such now that there is no
+reason why you shouldn't have another term or two at school--if you want
+to go."
+
+"_Want to go to Briarwood!_ Oh, Uncle!" gasped Ruth.
+
+"Then I take it you _do_ want to go?"
+
+"More than anything else in the world!" declared his niece, reverently.
+
+"Wall, Niece Ruth," he concluded, with his usual manner. "If your Aunt
+Alviry can spare ye----"
+
+"Don't think about me, Jabez, don't think about me," cried the little
+old woman. "Just what my pretty wants--that will please her Aunt Alviry."
+
+Ruth ran and seized the hard hand of the miller before he could get out
+of the kitchen. "Oh, Uncle!" she cried, kissing his hand. "You _are_
+good to me!"
+
+"Nonsense, child!" he returned, roughly, and went out.
+
+Ruth turned to the little old woman, down whose face the tears were
+coursing unreproved.
+
+"And you, too, Auntie! You are too good to me! Everybody is too good to
+me! Look at the Camerons! and Jennie Stone! and all the rest. And Mary
+Cox just hugged me tight when we came away and said she loved me--that I
+had saved her brother's life. And Mr. Bill Hicks--and Jimsey and the
+other boys. And Bashful Ike and Sally made me promise that if ever I
+could get out West again I should spend a long time at their home----
+
+"Oh, dear, me Aunt Alvirah," finished the girl of the Red Mill, with a
+tearful but happy sigh, "this world is a very beautiful place after all,
+and the people in it are just lovely!"
+
+There were many more adventures in store for Ruth, and what some of them
+were will be related in the next volume of this series, to be entitled:
+"Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure Box," in
+which will be related the particulars of a most surprising mystery.
+
+"Only one Ruthie!" mused old Jabez. "Only one, but she's quite a
+gal--yes, quite a gal!"
+
+And we agree with him; don't we, reader?
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL _or Jasper Parole's Secret_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL _or Solving the Campus Mystery_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP _or Lost in the Backwoods_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND _or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE _or The Missing Examination Papers_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_
+
+RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND _or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST _or The Indian Girl Star of the
+Movies_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand
+Islands_
+
+RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING _or A Moving Picture that Became Real_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH _or The Lost Motion Picture Company_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS _or The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche_
+
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BILLIE BRADLEY SERIES
+
+By JANET D. WHEELER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER INHERITANCE _or The Queer Homestead at Cherry
+Corners_
+
+Billie Bradley fell heir to an old homestead that was unoccupied and
+located far away in a lonely section of the country. How Billie went
+there, accompanied by some of her chums, and what queer things happened,
+go to make up a story no girl will want to miss.
+
+2. BILLIE BRADLEY AT THREE-TOWERS HALL _or Leading a Needed Rebellion_
+
+Three-Towers Hall was a boarding school for girls. For a short time
+after Billie arrived there all went well. But then the head of the
+school had to go on a long journey and she left the girls in charge of
+two teachers, sisters, who believed in severe discipline and in very,
+very plain food and little of it--and then there was a row! The girls
+wired for the head to come back--and all ended happily.
+
+3. BILLIE BRADLEY ON LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND _or The Mystery of the Wreck_
+
+One of Billie's friends owned a summer bungalow on Lighthouse Island,
+near the coast. The school girls made up a party and visited the Island.
+There was a storm and a wreck, and three little children were washed
+ashore. They could tell nothing of themselves, and Billie and her chums
+set to work to solve the mystery of their identity.
+
+4. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER CLASSMATES _or The Secret of the Locked Tower_
+
+Billie and her chums come to the rescue of several little children who
+have broken through the ice. There is the mystery of a lost invention,
+and also the dreaded mystery of the locked school tower.
+
+5. BILLIE BRADLEY AT TWIN LAKES _or Jolly Schoolgirls Afloat and Ashore_
+
+A tale of outdoor adventure in which Billie and her chums have a great
+variety of adventures. They visit an artists' colony and there fall in
+with a strange girl living with an old boatman who abuses her
+constantly. Billie befriended Hulda and the mystery surrounding the girl
+was finally cleared up.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BETTY GORDON SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_Author of the Famous "Ruth Fielding" Series_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A series of stories by Alice B. Emerson which are bound to make this
+writer more popular than ever with her host of girl readers._
+
+1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM _or The Mystery of a Nobody_
+
+At the age of twelve Betty is left an orphan.
+
+2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON _or Strange Adventures in a Great City_
+
+In this volume Betty goes to the National Capitol to find her uncle and
+has several unusual adventures.
+
+3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL _or The Farm That Was Worth a
+Fortune_
+
+From Washington the scene is shifted to the great oil fields of our
+country. A splendid picture of the oil field operations of to-day.
+
+4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL _or The Treasure of Indian Chasm_
+
+Seeking the treasure of Indian Chasm makes an exceedingly interesting
+incident.
+
+5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP _or The Mystery of Ida Bellethorne_
+
+At Mountain Camp Betty found herself in the midst of a mystery involving
+a girl whom she had previously met in Washington.
+
+6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK _or School Chums on the Boardwalk_
+
+A glorious outing that Betty and her chums never forgot.
+
+7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS _or Bringing the Rebels to Terms_
+
+Rebellious students, disliked teachers and mysterious robberies make a
+fascinating story.
+
+8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH _or Cowboy Joe's Secret_
+
+Betty and her chums have a grand time in the saddle.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LINGER-NOT SERIES
+
+By AGNES MILLER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_This new series of girls' books is in a new style of story writing. The
+interest is in knowing the girls and seeing them solve the problems that
+develop their character. Incidentally, a great deal of historical
+information is imparted._
+
+1. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE MYSTERY HOUSE _or The Story of Nine
+Adventurous Girls_
+
+How the Linger-Not girls met and formed their club seems commonplace,
+but this writer makes it fascinating, and how they made their club serve
+a great purpose continues the interest to the end, and introduces a new
+type of girlhood.
+
+2. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE VALLEY FEUD _or The Great West Point Chain_
+
+The Linger-Not girls had no thought of becoming mixed up with feuds or
+mysteries, but their habit of being useful soon entangled them in some
+surprising adventures that turned out happily for all, and made the
+valley better because of their visit.
+
+3. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THEIR GOLDEN QUEST _or The Log of the Ocean
+Monarch_
+
+For a club of girls to become involved in a mystery leading back into
+the times of the California gold-rush, seems unnatural until the reader
+sees how it happened, and how the girls helped one of their friends to
+come into her rightful name and inheritance, forms a fine story.
+
+4. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE WHISPERING CHARMS _or The Secret from Old
+Alaska_
+
+Whether engrossed in thrilling adventures in the Far North or occupied
+with quiet home duties, the Linger-Not girls could work unitedly to
+solve a colorful mystery in a way that interpreted American freedom to a
+sad young stranger, and brought happiness to her and to themselves.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES
+
+By LILIAN GARIS
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost
+organizations of America form the background for these stories and while
+unobtrusive there is a message in every volume._
+
+1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS _or Winning the First B. C._
+
+A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway
+girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence.
+The story is correct in scout detail.
+
+2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE _or Maid Mary's Awakening_
+
+The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other
+girls' activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she
+was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as "Maid
+Mary" makes a fascinating story.
+
+3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST _or The Wig Wag Rescue_
+
+Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious
+seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping
+all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.
+
+4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_
+
+The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake
+Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing
+up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.
+
+5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE _or Nora's Real Vacation_
+
+Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike
+for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to
+appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes
+a problem for the girls to solve.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RADIO GIRLS SERIES
+
+By MARGARET PENROSE
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A new and up-to-date series, taking in the activities of several bright
+girls who become interested in radio. The stories tell of thrilling
+exploits, outdoor life and the great part the Radio plays in the
+adventures of the girls and in solving their mysteries. Fascinating
+books that girls of all ages will want to read._
+
+1. THE RADIO GIRLS OF ROSELAWN _or A Strange Message from the Air_
+
+Showing how Jessie Norwood and her chums became interested in
+radiophoning, how they gave a concert for a worthy local charity, and
+how they received a sudden and unexpected call for help out of the air.
+A girl wanted as witness in a celebrated law case disappears, and the
+radio girls go to the rescue.
+
+2. THE RADIO GIRLS ON THE PROGRAM _or Singing and Reciting at the
+Sending Station_
+
+When listening in on a thrilling recitation or a superb concert number
+who of us has not longed to "look behind the scenes" to see how it was
+done? The girls had made the acquaintance of a sending station manager
+and in this volume are permitted to get on the program, much to their
+delight. A tale full of action and fun.
+
+3. THE RADIO GIRLS ON STATION ISLAND _or The Wireless from the Steam
+Yacht_
+
+In this volume the girls travel to the seashore and put in a vacation on
+an island where is located a big radio sending station. The big brother
+of one of the girls owns a steam yacht and while out with a pleasure
+party those on the island receive word by radio that the yacht is on
+fire. A tale thrilling to the last page.
+
+4. THE RADIO GIRLS AT FOREST LODGE _or The Strange Hut in the Swamp_
+
+The Radio Girls spend several weeks on the shores of a beautiful lake
+and with their radio get news of a great forest fire. It also aids them
+in rounding up some undesirable folks who occupy the strange hut in the
+swamp.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE CURLYTOPS SERIES
+
+By HOWARD R. GARIS
+
+_Author of the famous "Bedtime Animal Stories"_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM _or Vacation Days in the Country_
+
+A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.
+
+2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND _or Camping out with Grandpa_
+
+The Curlytops were delighted when grandpa took them to camp on Star
+Island.
+
+3. THE CURLYTOPS SNOWED IN _or Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds_
+
+The Curlytops, with their skates and sleds, on lakes and hills.
+
+4. THE CURLYTOPS AT UNCLE FRANK'S RANCH _or Little Folks on Ponyback_
+
+Out West on their uncle's ranch they have a wonderful time.
+
+5. THE CURLYTOPS AT SILVER LAKE _or On the Water with Uncle Ben_
+
+The Curlytops camp out on the shores of a beautiful lake.
+
+6. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PETS _or Uncle Toby's Strange Collection_
+
+An old uncle leaves them to care for his collection of pets.
+
+7. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PLAYMATES _or Jolly Times Through the
+Holidays_
+
+They have great times with their uncle's collection of animals.
+
+8. THE CURLYTOPS IN THE WOODS _or Fun at the Lumber Camp_
+
+Exciting times in the forest for Curlytops.
+
+9. THE CURLYTOPS AT SUNSET BEACH _or What Was Found in the Sand_
+
+The Curlytops have a fine time at the seashore, bathing, digging in the
+sand and pony-back riding.
+
+10. THE CURLYTOPS TOURING AROUND _or Delightful Days in Pleasant Places_
+
+The Curlytops fall in with a moving picture company and get in some of
+the pictures.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS SERIES
+
+By MABEL C. HAWLEY
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT BROOKSIDE FARM
+
+Mother called them her Four Little Blossoms, but Daddy Blossom called
+them Bobby, Meg, and the twins. The twins, Twaddles and Dot, were a
+comical pair and always getting into mischief. The children had heaps of
+fun around the big farm.
+
+2. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT OAK HILL SCHOOL
+
+In the Fall, Bobby and Meg had to go to school. It was good fun, for
+Miss Mason was a kind teacher. Then the twins insisted on going to
+school, too, and their appearance quite upset the class. In school
+something very odd happened.
+
+3. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AND THEIR WINTER FUN
+
+Winter came and with it lots of ice and snow, and oh! what fun the
+Blossoms had skating and sledding. And once Bobby and Meg went on an
+errand and got lost in a sudden snowstorm.
+
+4. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS ON APPLE TREE ISLAND
+
+The Four Little Blossoms went to a beautiful island in the middle of a
+big lake and there had a grand time on the water and in the woods. And
+in a deserted cabin they found some letters which helped an old man to
+find his missing wife.
+
+5. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
+
+The story starts at Thanksgiving. They went skating and coasting, and
+they built a wonderful snowman, and one day Bobby and his chums visited
+a carpenter shop on the sly, and that night the shop burnt down, and
+there was trouble for the boys.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+    <meta content="Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch" name="DC.Title"/>
+    <meta content="Alice B. Emerson" name="DC.Creator"/>
+    <meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/>
+    <meta content="1913" name="DC.Created"/>
+    <meta name="generator" content="ppgen (1.13) generated Jun 12, 2011 03:17 AM" />
+    <title>Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch</title>
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch
+       Schoolgirls Among Cowboys
+
+Author: Alice B. Emerson
+
+Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36398]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank, David Edwards and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i001' id='i001'></a>
+<img src='images/dust.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i002' id='i002'></a>
+<img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="FRECKLES LEAPED UP, FRIGHTENED AND SNORTING." title=""/><br />
+<span class='caption'>FRECKLES LEAPED UP, FRIGHTENED AND SNORTING.</span>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>Ruth Fielding</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:1.6em;font-weight:bold;'>At Silver Ranch</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>OR</p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>SCHOOLGIRLS AMONG THE COWBOYS</p>
+<p>BY</p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>ALICE B. EMERSON</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;font-variant:small-caps;'>Author of “Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill,”</span></p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;font-variant:small-caps;'>“Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall,” Etc.</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><em>ILLUSTRATED</em></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+</div>
+<div class='figcenter' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i003' id='i003'></a>
+<img src='images/title.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>NEW YORK</span></p>
+<p>CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>PUBLISHERS</span></p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p>Books for Girls</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>BY ALICE B. EMERSON</span></p>
+<p>RUTH FIELDING SERIES</p>
+<p><span style='font-size:smaller;'>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</span></p>
+</div>
+<div style='font-size:smaller; margin:20px auto'>
+<table class='c' summary='centered block'><tr><td>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RUTH&#160;FIELDING&#160;OF&#160;THE&#160;RED&#160;MILL</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or,&#160;Jasper&#160;Parloe’s&#160;Secret.</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>&#160;</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RUTH&#160;FIELDING&#160;AT&#160;BRIARWOOD&#160;HALL</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or,&#160;Solving&#160;the&#160;Campus&#160;Mystery.</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>&#160;</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RUTH&#160;FIELDING&#160;AT&#160;SNOW&#160;CAMP</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or,&#160;Lost&#160;in&#160;the&#160;Backwoods.</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>&#160;</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RUTH&#160;FIELDING&#160;AT&#160;LIGHTHOUSE&#160;POINT</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or,&#160;Nita,&#160;the&#160;Girl&#160;Castaway.</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>&#160;</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>RUTH&#160;FIELDING&#160;AT&#160;SILVER&#160;RANCH</p>
+<p style='margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0'>Or,&#160;Schoolgirls&#160;Among&#160;the&#160;Cowboys.</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+</div>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1918, by</span></p>
+<p><span class='sc'>Cupples &amp; Leon Company</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p><span class='sc'>Ruth Fielding in the Red Cross</span></p>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>Printed in U. S. A.</p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p><span style='font-size:larger;'>CONTENTS</span></p>
+</div>
+<table class='c' summary='table of contents'>
+<tr><td style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>I.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Old Trouble-Maker”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chI'>1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>II.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bashful Ike</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chII'>11</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>III.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>In Which Things Happen</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIII'>18</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Fire Fight</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIV'>30</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>V.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“Old Trouble-Maker” Turned Loose</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chV'>40</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Roping Contest</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVI'>51</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Jane Ann Turns the Trick</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVII'>57</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>VIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>What Was on the Records</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chVIII'>66</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>IX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Fox Is Reckless</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chIX'>75</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>X.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Ruth Shows Her Mettle</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chX'>83</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>An Ursine Hold-Up</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXI'>89</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Man From Tintacker</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXII'>97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Party at the Schoolhouse</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIII'>103</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bashful Ike Comes Out Strong</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIV'>112</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>“The Night Trick”</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXV'>123</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Joke That Failed</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVI'>136</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Stampede</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVII'>143</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XVIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Desperate Case</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXVIII'>150</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XIX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Man at Tintacker</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXIX'>157</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XX.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>The Wolf at the Door</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXX'>164</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXI.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>A Plucky Fight</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXI'>171</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Service Courageous</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXII'>178</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIII.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Bashful Ike Takes the Bit in His Teeth</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIII'>185</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXIV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Coals of Fire</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXIV'>192</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td valign='top' style='text-align:right; padding-right:1em;'>XXV.</td><td valign='top' style='text-align:left; padding-right:3em;'><span style='font-variant:small-caps'>At the Old Red Mill Again</span></td><td valign='top' style='text-align:right;'><a href='#chXXV'>199</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<h1><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span>Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch</h1>
+<h2><a name='chI' id='chI'></a>CHAPTER I—“OLD TROUBLE-MAKER”</h2>
+<p>
+Where the Silver Ranch trail branches from
+the state road leading down into Bullhide, there
+stretch a rambling series of sheds, or “shacks,”
+given up to the uses of a general store and provision
+emporium; beside it is the schoolhouse.
+This place on the forked trails is called “The
+Crossing,” and it was the only place nearer than
+the town of Bullhide where the scattered population
+of this part of Montana could get any
+supplies.
+</p>
+<p>
+One of Old Bill Hicks’ herds was being grazed
+on that piece of rolling country, lying in the foothills,
+right behind the Crossing, and two of his
+cow punchers had ridden in for tobacco. Being
+within sight of rows upon rows of tinned preserves
+(the greatest luxury extant to the cowboy
+mind), and their credit being good with Lem
+Dickson, who kept the store, the two cattle herders—while
+their cayuses stood with drooping
+heads, their bridle-reins on the road before them—each
+secured a can of peaches, and sitting cross-legged
+on the porch before the store, opened the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span>
+cans with their knives and luxuriated in the contents.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Old man’s nigh due, ain’t he?” asked Lem,
+the storekeeper, lowering himself into a comfortable
+armchair that he kept for his own particular
+use on the porch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gittin’ to Bullhide this mawnin’,” drawled
+one of the cowboys. “An’ he’s got what he went
+for, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bill Hicks most usually does git what he goes
+after, don’t he?” retorted the storekeeper.
+</p>
+<p>
+The other puncher chuckled. “This time Old
+Bill come near goin’ out after <em>rabbit</em> an’ only
+bringin’ back the <em>hair</em>,” he said. “Jane Ann is
+just as much of a Hicks as Bill himself—you take
+it from me. She made her bargain b’fore Old
+Bill got her headed back to the ranch, I reckon.
+Thar’s goin’ to be more newfangled notions at
+Silver Ranch from now on than you kin shake a
+stick at. You hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Old Bill can stand scattering a little money
+around as well as any man in this State,” Lem
+said, ruminatively. “He’s made it; he’s saved it;
+now he might’s well l’arn to spend some of it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And he’s begun. Jane Ann’s begun for him,
+leastways,” said one of the cowboys. “D’ye
+know what Mulvey brought out on his wagon
+last Sat’day?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I knowed he looked like pitchers of ‘movin’
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span>
+day’ in New York City, or Chicago, when he
+passed along yere,” grunted the storekeeper.
+“Eight head o’ mules he was drivin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He sure was,” agreed the cow puncher.
+“There was all sorts of trucks and gew-gaws.
+But the main thing was a pinanner.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A piano?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s what I said. And that half-Injun, Jib
+Pottoway, says he kin play on the thing. But it
+ain’t to be unboxed till the boss and Jane Ann
+comes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And they’ll be gittin’ along yere some time
+to-day,” said the other cowboy, throwing his
+empty tin away. “And when they come, Lem,
+they’re sure goin’ to surprise yuh.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What with?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“With what they sail by yere in,” drawled the
+puncher.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh? what’s eatin’ on you, Bud? Old Bill
+ain’t bought an airship, has he?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mighty nigh as bad,” chuckled the other.
+“He’s bought Doosenberry’s big automobile, I
+understand, and Jane Ann’s brought a bunch of
+folks with her that she met down East, and they’re
+just about goin’ to tear the vitals out o’ Silver
+Ranch—now you hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A steam wagon over these trails!” grunted
+the storekeeper. “Waal!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And wait till Old Bill sees a bunch of his
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span>
+steers go up in the air when they sets eyes on the
+choo-choo wagon,” chuckled Bud. “That’ll about
+finish the automobile business, I bet yuh!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on, Bud!” shouted his mate, already
+astride his pony.
+</p>
+<p>
+The two cowboys were off and lashing their
+ponies to a sharp run in half a minute. Scarcely
+had they disappeared behind a grove of scrub
+trees on the wind-swept ridge beyond the store
+when the honk of an automobile horn startled the
+slow-motioned storekeeper out of his chair.
+</p>
+<p>
+A balloon of dust appeared far down the trail.
+Out of this there shot the long hood of a heavy
+touring car, which came chugging up the rise
+making almost as much noise as a steam roller.
+Lem Dickson shuffled to the door of the store and
+stuck his head within.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sally!” he bawled. “Sally!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, Paw,” replied a sweet, if rather shrill,
+voice from the open stairway that led to the upper
+chamber of the store-building.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here comes somebody I reckon you’ll wanter
+see,” bawled the old man.
+</p>
+<p>
+There was a light step on the stair; but it halted
+on the last tread and a lithe, red-haired, peachy
+complexioned girl looked into the big room.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, now, Paw,” she said, sharply. “You
+ain’t got me down yere for that bashful Ike Stedman,
+have you? For if he’s come prognosticating around yere
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span>
+again I declare I’ll bounce a
+bucket off his head. He’s the biggest gump!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on yere, gal!” snapped her father.
+“I ain’t said nothin’ about Ike. This yere’s Bill
+Hicks an’ all his crowd comin’ up from Bullhide
+in a blamed ol’ steam waggin.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sally ran out through the store and reached the
+piazza just as the snorting automobile came near
+and slowed down. A lithe, handsome, dark girl
+was at the wheel; beside her was a very pretty,
+plump girl with rosy cheeks and the brightest eyes
+imaginable; the third person crowded into the
+front seat was a youth who looked so much like
+the girl who was running the machine that they
+might have changed clothes and nobody would
+have been the wiser—save that Tom Cameron’s
+hair was short and his twin sister, Helen’s, was
+long and curly. The girl between the twins was
+Ruth Fielding.
+</p>
+<p>
+In the big tonneau of the car was a great, tall,
+bony man with an enormous “walrus” mustache
+and a very red face; beside him sat a rather freckled
+girl with snapping black eyes, who wore very
+splendid clothes as though she was not used to
+them. With this couple were a big, blond boy
+and three girls—one of them so stout that she
+crowded her companions on the seat into their
+individual corners, and packed them in there
+somewhat after the nature of sardines in a can.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hello, Sally!” cried the girl in the very fine
+garments, stretching her hand out to greet the
+storekeeper’s daughter as the automobile came to
+a stop.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hi, Lem!” bawled the man with the huge
+mustache. “Is Silver Ranch on the map yet, or
+have them punchers o’ mine torn the face of Nater
+all to shreds an’ only left me some o’ the
+pieces?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I dunno ‘bout that, Bill,” drawled the fat
+storekeeper, shuffling down the steps in his list
+slippers, and finally reached and shaking the hand
+of Mr. William Hicks, owner of Silver Ranch.
+“But when some of your cows set their eyes on
+this contraption they’re goin’ to kick holes in the
+air—an’ that’s sartain!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The cows will have to get used to seeing this
+automobile, Lem Dickson,” snapped the ranchman’s
+niece, who had been speaking with Sally.
+“For uncle’s bought it and it beats riding a cayuse,
+I tell you!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“By gollies!” grunted Bill Hicks, “it bucks
+wuss’n any critter I ever was astride of.” But he
+spoke softly, and nobody but the storekeeper noticed
+what he said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mean to say you’ve bought this old chuck-waggin
+from Doosenberry?” demanded the
+storekeeper.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Uh-huh,” nodded Mr. Hicks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wal, you’re gittin’ foolish-like in your old
+age, Bill,” declared his friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No I ain’t; I’m gittin’ wise,” retorted the
+ranchman, with a wide grin.
+</p>
+<p>
+“How’s that?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m l’arnin’ how to git along with Jane Ann,”
+declared Mr. Hicks, with a delighted chortle, and
+pinching the freckled girl beside him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ouch!” exclaimed his niece. “What’s the
+matter, Uncle Bill?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He says he’s bought this contraption to please
+you, Jane Ann,” said the storekeeper. “But
+what’ll Old Trouble-Maker do when he sees it—heh?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gee!” ejaculated the ranchman. “I never
+thought o’ that steer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon Old Trouble-Maker will have to
+stand for it,” scoffed the ranchman’s niece, tossing
+her head. “Now, Sally, you ride out and see
+us. These girls from down East are all right.
+And we’re going to have heaps of fun at Silver
+Ranch after this.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen Cameron touched a lever and the big
+car shot ahead again.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s a mighty white girl, that Sally Dickson,”
+declared Jane Ann Hicks (who hated her
+name and preferred to be called “Nita”).
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span>
+“She’s taught school here at the Crossing for one
+term, too. And she’s sweet in spite of her peppery
+temper——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What could you expect?” demanded the
+stout girl, smiling all over her face as she looked
+back at the red-haired girl at the store. “She has
+a more crimson topknot than the Fox here——”
+</p>
+<p>
+There came a sudden scream from the front
+seat of the automobile. The car, under Helen
+Cameron’s skillful manipulation, had turned the
+bend in the trail and the chapparel instantly hid
+the store and the houses at the Crossing. Right
+ahead of them was a rolling prairie, several miles
+in extent. And up the rise toward the trail was
+coming, in much dust, a bunch of cattle, with two
+or three punchers riding behind and urging the
+herd to better pasture.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! see all those steers,” cried Ruth Fielding.
+“Do you own <em>all</em> of them, Mr. Hicks?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon they got my brand on ’em, Miss,”
+replied the ranchman. “But that’s only a leetle
+bunch—can’t be more’n five hundred—coming up
+yere. I reckon, Miss Helen, that we’d better pull
+up some yere. If them cows sees us——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“See there! see there!” cried the stout girl in
+the back seat.
+</p>
+<p>
+As she spoke in such excitement, Helen switched
+off the power and braked the car. Out of the
+chapparel burst, with a frantic bellow, a huge
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span>
+black and white steer—wide horned, ferocious of
+aspect—quite evidently “on the rampage.” The
+noise of the passing car had brought him out of
+concealment. He plunged into the trail not ten
+yards behind the slowing car.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Goodness me!” shouted the big boy who sat
+beside Bill Hicks and his niece. “What kind of
+a beast is that? It’s almost as big as an elephant!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh!” cried the girl called “The Fox.”
+“That surely isn’t the kind of cattle you have
+here, is it? He looks more like a buffalo. See!
+he’s coming after us!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The black and white steer <em>did</em> look as savage as
+any old buffalo bull and, emitting a bellow, shook
+his head at the automobile and began to cast the
+dust up along his flanks with his sharp hoofs. He
+was indeed of a terrifying appearance.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s Old Trouble-Maker!” cried Jane Ann
+Hicks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He looks just as though his name fitted him,”
+said Tom Cameron, who had sprung up to look
+back at the steer.
+</p>
+<p>
+At that moment the steer lowered his head and
+charged for the auto. The girls shrieked, and
+Tom cried:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Go ahead, Nell! let’s leave that beast behind.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Before his sister could put on speed again,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span>
+however, the big boy, who was Bob Steele, sang
+out:
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you go on you’ll stampede that herd of
+cattle—won’t she, Mr. Hicks? Why, we’re between
+two fires, that’s what we are!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And they’re both going to be hot,” groaned
+Tom. “Why, that Old Trouble-Maker will
+climb right into this car in half a minute!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span><a name='chII' id='chII'></a>CHAPTER II—BASHFUL IKE</h2>
+<p>
+The situation in the big automobile was quite
+as serious as Tom and Bob believed, and there
+was very good reason for the girls to express their
+fright in a chorus of screams. But Ruth Fielding,
+and her chum, Helen, on the front seat, controlled
+themselves better than the other Eastern girls;
+Jane Ann Hicks never said a word, but her uncle
+looked quite as startled as his guests.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am sartainly graveled!” muttered the
+ranchman, staring all around for some means of
+saving the party from disaster. “Hi gollies! if
+I only had a leetle old rope now——”
+</p>
+<p>
+But he had no lariat, and roping a mad steer
+from an automobile would certainly have been a
+new experience for Bill Hicks. He had brought
+the party of young folk out to Montana just to
+give his niece pleasure, and having got Ruth
+Fielding and her friends here, he did not want to
+spoil their visit by any bad accident. These young
+folk had been what Bill Hicks called “mighty
+clever” to his Jane Ann when she had been castaway
+in the East, and he had promised their
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span>
+friends to look out for them all and send them
+home in time for school in the Fall with the proper
+complement of legs and arms, and otherwise
+whole as to their physical being.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth Fielding, after the death of her parents
+when she was quite a young girl, had left Darrowtown
+and all her old friends and home associations,
+to live with her mother’s uncle, at the Red
+Mill, on the Lumano River, near Cheslow in
+York State. Her coming to Uncle Jabez Potter’s,
+and her early adventures about the mill,
+were related in the first volume of this series, entitled
+“Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper
+Parloe’s Secret.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth had found Uncle Jabez very hard to get
+along with, for he was a miser and his kinder nature
+had been crusted over by years of hoarding
+and selfishness; but through a happy turn of circumstances
+Ruth was enabled to get at the heart
+of her crotchety old uncle, and when Ruth’s dearest
+friend, Helen Cameron, planned to go to boarding
+school, Uncle Jabez was won over to the
+scheme of sending the girl with her. The fun and
+work of that first term at school is related in the
+second volume of the series, entitled “Ruth Fielding
+at Briarwood Hall; Or, Solving the Campus
+Mystery.”
+</p>
+<p>
+For the mid-winter vacation Ruth accompanied
+Helen and other school friends to Mr. Cameron’s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span>
+hunting camp, up toward the Canadian line. In
+“Ruth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the
+Backwoods,” the girls and some of their boy
+friends experience many adventures and endure
+some hardship and peril while lost in the snow-shrouded
+forest.
+</p>
+<p>
+One of Ruth’s chums, Jennie Stone, otherwise
+known as “Heavy,” invited her to Lighthouse
+Point, with a party of young people, for part of
+the summer vacation; and although Uncle Jabez
+was in much trouble over his investment in the
+Tintacker Mine, which appeared to be a swindle,
+the old miller had allowed Ruth to accompany her
+friends to the seashore because he had already
+promised her the outing. In “Ruth Fielding at
+Lighthouse Point; Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway,”
+is narrated all the fun and delightful experiences
+the girl of the Red Mill and her friends had at
+the seaside; including the saving of a girl from
+the wreck of a lumber schooner, a miss who afterward
+proved to be Jane Ann Hicks, the niece of
+a very wealthy Montana ranch owner. The girl
+had run away from the ranch and from her guardian
+and calls herself Nita, “because the girl in
+the paper-covered novel was called Nita.”
+</p>
+<p>
+That was just the sort of a romantic, foolish
+girl Jane Ann Hicks was; but she learned a few
+things and was glad to see her old uncle, rough as
+he was, when he came hunting for her. And Mr.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span>
+Bill Hicks had learned a few things, too. He had
+never seen people spend money before he came
+East, and he had not understood Jane Ann’s longing
+for the delicate and beautiful things in life.
+He saw, too, that a girl could not be properly
+brought up on a cattle ranch, with nothing but
+cow punchers and Indians and Mexican women
+about, and Mr. Hicks had determined to give his
+niece “a right-down good time,” as he expressed
+it.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was to give Jane Ann pleasure, and because
+of the kindness of Ruth and her friends to his
+niece, that Mr. Bill Hicks had arranged this trip
+West for the entire party, on a visit to Silver
+Ranch. But the old gentleman did not want their
+introduction to the ranch to be a tragedy. And
+with the herd of half-wild cattle ahead, and Old
+Trouble-Maker thundering along the trail behind
+the motor car, it did look as though the introduction
+of the visitors to the ranch was bound to be a
+strenuous one.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do go ahead, Helen!” cried Madge Steele,
+Bob’s elder sister, from the back seat of the tonneau.
+“Why, that beast may climb right in
+here!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen started the car again; but at that her
+brother and Ruth cried out in chorus:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t run us into the herd, Helen!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What under the sun shall I <em>do</em>?” cried Miss
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>
+Cameron. “I can’t please you all, that’s sure.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, see that beast!” shrieked The Fox, who
+was likewise on the back seat. “I want to get
+out!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then the brute will catch you, sure,” said Bob
+Steele.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sit still!” commanded Mr. Hicks. “And
+stop the car, Miss! Better to be bunted by Old
+Trouble-Maker than set that whole bunch off on a
+stampede.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mercy me!” cried Mary Cox. “I should
+think it would be better to frighten those cows in
+front than to be horned to death by this big beast
+from the rear.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sit still,” said Jane Ann, grimly. “We won’t
+likely be hurt by either.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Old Trouble-Maker did look awfully savage.
+Bellowing with rage, he thundered along after the
+car. Helen had again brought the automobile to
+a stop, this time at Bill Hicks’ command. The
+next moment the girls screamed in chorus, for the
+car jarred all over.
+</p>
+<p>
+Crash went a rear lamp. About half a yard
+of paint and varnish was scraped off, and the car
+itself was actually driven forward, despite the
+brake being set, by the sheer weight of the steer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If we could git the old cart turned around
+and headed the other way!” groaned the ranchman.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe I can turn it, Mr. Hicks,” cried
+Helen, excitedly.
+</p>
+<p>
+But just then the steer, that had fallen back a
+few yards, charged again. “Bang!” It sounded
+like the exploding of a small cannon. Old
+Trouble-Maker had punctured a rear tire, and
+the car slumped down on that side. Helen
+couldn’t start it now, for the trail was too rough
+to travel with a flattened tire.
+</p>
+<p>
+The black and white steer, with another furious
+bellow, wheeled around the back of the car and
+then came full tilt for the side. Heavy screamed
+at the top of her voice:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, take me home! I never did want to go
+to a dairy farm. <em>I just abominate cows!</em>”
+</p>
+<p>
+But the crowd could not laugh. Huddled together
+in the tonneau, it looked as though Old
+Trouble-Maker would certainly muss them up a
+whole lot! Jane Ann and her uncle hopped out
+on the other side and called the others to follow.
+At that moment, with a whoop and a drumming
+of hoofs, a calico cow pony came racing along the
+trail toward the stalled car. On the back of this
+flying pony was a lanky, dust-covered cowboy,
+swinging a lariat in approved fashion.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hold steady, boss!” yelled this apparition,
+and then let the coils of the rope whistle through
+the air. The hair line uncoiled like a writhing
+serpent and dropped over the wide-spread horns
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span>
+of Old Trouble-Maker. Then the calico pony
+came to an abrupt halt, sliding along the ground
+with all four feet braced.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Zip!” the noose tightened and the steer
+brought up with a suddenness that threatened to
+dislocate his neck. Down the beast fell, roaring
+a different tune. Old Trouble-Maker almost
+turned a somersault, while Jane Ann, dancing in
+delight, caught off her very modern and high-priced
+hat and swung it in the air.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hurrah for Bashful Ike!” she shouted.
+“He’s the best little old boy with the rope that
+ever worked for the Silver outfit. Hurrah!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span><a name='chIII' id='chIII'></a>CHAPTER III—IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN</h2>
+<p>
+The cow puncher who had rescued them was a
+fine looking, bronzed fellow, with heavy sheepskin
+chaps on his legs, a shirt open at the throat,
+his sleeves rolled up displaying muscular arms,
+and twinkling eyes under the flapping brim of his
+great hat. While he “snubbed” the big steer to
+his knees again as the bellowing creature tried to
+rise, he looked down with a broad smile upon the
+sparkling face of the Western girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, bless yo’ heart, honey,” he said, in a
+soft, Southern droll, “if you want me to, I’ll jest
+natwcher’ly cinch my saddle on Old Trouble-Maker
+an’ ride him home for yo’. It certainly is
+a cure for sore eyes to see you again.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I’m glad to see you, Ike. And these are
+all my friends. I’ll introduce you and the boys to
+them proper at the ranch,” cried the Western
+girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Git that bellowin’ critter away from yere,
+Ike,” commanded Mr. Hicks. “I ’low the next
+bunch that goes to the railroad will include that
+black and white abomination.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Jest so, Boss,” drawled his foreman. “I been
+figurin’ Old Trouble-Maker better be in the can
+than on the hoof. He’s made a plumb nuisance
+of himself. Yo’ goin’ on, Boss? Bud and Jimsey’s
+got that bunch out o’ the way of your smoke-waggin.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ve got to shift tires, Mr. Hicks,” said
+Tom Cameron, who, with his chum, Bob Steele,
+was already jacking up the rear axle. “That
+steer ripped a long hole in this tire something
+awful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Bashful Ike—who didn’t seem at all bashful
+when it came to handling the big black and white
+steer—suddenly let that bellowing beast get upon
+his four feet. Then he swooped down upon the
+steer, gathering up the coils of his rope as he
+rode, twitched the noose off the wide horns, and
+leaning quickly from his saddle grabbed the
+“brush” of the steer’s tail and gave that appendage
+a mighty twist.
+</p>
+<p>
+Bellowing again, but for an entirely different
+reason, the steer started off after the bunch of
+cattle now disappearing in the dust-cloud, and
+the foreman spurred his calico pony after Old
+Trouble-Maker, yelling at the top of his voice at
+every jump of his pony:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ye-ow! ye-ow! ye-ow!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I declare I’m glad to see those cattle out of
+the way,” said Helen Cameron, with a sigh.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe you,” returned Ruth, who was still
+beside her on the front seat. “I just didn’t realize
+before that cattle on the range are a whole lot
+different from a herd of cows in an eastern pasture.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Bob got the new tire in place and
+pumped up, and then the automobile started again
+for the ranch house. Jane Ann was quite excited
+over her home-coming; anybody could see that
+with half an eye. She clung to her uncle’s hand
+and looked at him now and again as though to
+assure the old fellow that she really was glad to
+be home.
+</p>
+<p>
+And Bill Hicks himself began to “fill into the
+picture” now that he was back in Montana. The
+young folks had seen many men like him since
+leaving Denver.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, he’s just an old dear!” whispered Ruth
+to Helen, as the latter steered the car over the
+rough trail. “And just as kind and considerate
+as he can be. It’s natural chivalry these Western
+men show to women, isn’t it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s nice,” agreed Helen. “But he never
+ought to have named his niece ‘Jane Ann.’ That
+was a mean trick to play on a defenseless baby.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s going to make it up to her now,”
+chuckled Tom, who heard this, being on the
+front seat with the two chums. “I know the ‘pinanner’
+has gone on ahead, as he promised Nita.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span>
+And carpets and curtains, too. I reckon this ranch
+we’re coming to is going to ‘blossom like the
+rose.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+When they came in sight of Silver Ranch, just
+before evening, the guests from the East were
+bound to express their appreciation of the beauty
+of its surroundings. It was a low, broad verandahed
+house, covering a good deal of ground,
+with cookhouses and other outbuildings in the
+rear, and a big corral for the stock, and bunkhouses
+for the men. It lay in a beautiful little
+valley—a “coulie,” Jane Ann, or Nita, called it—with
+green, sloping sides to the saucer-like depression,
+and a pretty, winding stream breaking
+out of the hollow at one side.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I should think it would be damp down there,”
+said Madge Steele, to the ranchman. “Why
+didn’t you build your house on a knoll?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Them sidehills sort o’ break the winds,
+Miss,” explained Mr. Hicks. “We sometimes
+git some wind out yere—yes, ma’am! You’d be
+surprised.”
+</p>
+<p>
+They rode down to the big house and found a
+wide-smiling Mexican woman waiting for them
+on the porch. Jane Ann greeted her as “Maria”
+and Hicks sent her back to the kitchen to hurry
+supper. But everybody about the place, even
+Maria’s husband, the “horse wrangler,” a sleek
+looking Mexican with rings in his ears and a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span>
+broken nose, found a chance to welcome the returned
+runaway.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My! it’s great to be a female prodigal, isn’t
+it?” demanded Heavy, poking Jane Ann with
+her forefinger. “Aren’t you glad you ran away
+East?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The Western girl took it good-naturedly.
+“I’m glad I came back, anyway,” she acknowledged.
+“And I’m awfully glad Ruth and Helen
+and you-all could come with me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, we’re here, and I’m delighted,” cried
+Helen Cameron. “But I didn’t really expect
+either Ruth or Mary Cox would come. Mary’s
+got such trouble at home; and Ruth’s uncle is just
+as cross as he can be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth heard that and shook her head, for all
+the girls were sitting on the wide veranda of the
+ranch-house after removing the traces of travel
+and getting into the comfortable “hack-about”
+frocks that Jane Ann had advised them to bring
+with them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Uncle Jabez is in great trouble, sure,” Ruth
+said. “Losing money—and a whole lot of
+money, too, as he has—is a serious matter. Uncle
+Jabez could lose lots of things better than he
+can money, for he loves money so!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“My gracious, Ruth,” exclaimed Helen, with
+a sniff, “you’d find an excuse for a dog’s running
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span>
+mad, I do believe! You are bound to see the best
+side of anybody.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What you say isn’t very clear,” laughed her
+chum, good-humoredly; “but I guess I know what
+you mean, and thank you for the compliment. I
+only hope that uncle’s investment in the Tintacker
+Mine will come out all right in the end.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mary Cox, “The Fox,” sat next to Ruth, and
+at this she turned to listen to the chums. Her
+sharp eyes sparkled and her face suddenly grew
+pale, as Ruth went on:
+</p>
+<p>
+“I expect Uncle Jabez allowed me to come out
+here partly because that mine he invested in is
+supposed to be somewhere in this district.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh!” said Helen. “A real mine?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That is what is puzzling Uncle Jabez, as I
+understand it,” said Ruth soberly. “He isn’t
+sure whether it is a <em>real</em> mine, or not. You see,
+he is very close mouthed, as well as close in money
+matters. He never said much to me about it.
+But old Aunt Alvirah told me all she knew.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You see, that young man came to the mill as
+an agent for a vacuum cleaner, and he talked
+Uncle Jabez into buying one for Aunt Alvirah.
+Now, you must know he was pretty smart to talk
+money right out of Uncle’s pocket for any such
+thing as that,” and Ruth laughed; but she became
+grave in a moment, and continued:
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not that he isn’t as kind as he knows how to
+be to Aunt Alvirah; but the fact that the young
+man made his sale so quickly gave Uncle Jabez a
+very good opinion of his ability. So they got to
+talking, and the young man told uncle about the
+Tintacker Mine.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gold or silver?” asked Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Silver. The young fellow was very enthusiastic.
+He knew something about mines, and he
+had been out here to see this one. It had been
+the only legacy, so he said, that his father had
+left his family. He was the oldest, and the only
+boy, and his mother and the girls depended upon
+him. Their circumstances were cramped, and if
+he could not work this Tintacker Mine he did not
+know how he should support the family. There
+was money needed to develop the mine and—I
+am not sure—but I believe there was some other
+man had a share in it and must be bought out.
+At least, uncle furnished a large sum of money.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And then?” demanded Helen Cameron.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, then the young man came out this way.
+Aunt Alvirah said that Uncle Jabez got one letter
+from Denver and another from a place called
+Butte, Montana. Then nothing more came.
+Uncle’s letters have been unanswered. That’s
+ever since some time last winter. You see, uncle
+hates to spend more money, I suppose. He
+maybe doesn’t know how to have the mine
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span>
+searched for. But he told me that the young
+man said something about going to Bullhide, and
+I am going to try to find out if anybody knows
+anything about the Tintacker Mine the first time
+we drive over to town.”
+</p>
+<p>
+All this time Mary Cox had been deeply interested
+in what Ruth said. It was not often that
+The Fox paid much attention to Ruth Fielding,
+for she held a grudge against the girl of the Red
+Mill, and had, on several occasions, been very
+mean to Ruth. On the other hand, Ruth had
+twice aided in saving The Fox from drowning,
+and had the latter not been a very mean-spirited
+girl she would have been grateful to Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+About the time that Ruth had completed her
+story of the Tintacker Mine and the utter disappearance
+of the young man who had interested
+her Uncle Jabez in that mysterious silver horde,
+Jane Ann called them all to supper. A long, low-ceiled,
+cool apartment was the dining-room at
+Silver Ranch. Through a long gallery the Mexican
+woman shuffled in with the hot viands from
+the kitchen. Two little dark-skinned boys helped
+her; they were Maria’s children.
+</p>
+<p>
+At supper Mr. Hicks took the head of the long
+table and Jane Ann did the honors at the other
+end. There were the Cameron twins, and Madge
+and Bob, and Jennie Stone and Mary Cox, beside
+Ruth Fielding herself. It was a merry party and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span>
+they sat long over the meal; before they arose
+from the table, indeed, much shuffling and low
+voices and laughter, together with tobacco smoke,
+announced the presence of some of the cowboys
+outside.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The boys is up yere to hear that pinanner,”
+said Mr. Hicks. “Jib’s got it ready to slip out o’
+the box and we’ll lift it into the other room—there’s
+enough of us huskies to do it—and then
+you young folks can start something.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann was delighted with the handsome upright
+instrument. She had picked it out herself
+in New York, and it had been shipped clear across
+the continent ahead of the private car that had
+brought the party to Bullhide. The jarring it
+had undergone had not improved its tone; but
+Helen sat down to it and played a pretty little
+medley that pleased the boys at the windows.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, let Ruth sing,” urged Jane Ann. “The
+boys like singing; give ’em something they can
+join in on the chorus like—that’ll tickle ’em into
+fits!”
+</p>
+<p>
+So Ruth sang such familiar songs as she could
+remember. And then Helen got her violin and
+Madge took her place at the piano, and they
+played for Ruth some of the more difficult pieces
+that the latter had learned at Briarwood—for
+Ruth Fielding possessed a very sweet and strong
+voice and had “made the Glee Club” during the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span>
+first half of her attendance at Briarwood Hall.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys applauded from the veranda. There
+was at least a dozen of the ranchman’s employes
+at the home corral just then. Altogether Mr.
+Hicks paid wages to about sixty punchers and
+horse wranglers. They were coming and going
+between the home ranch and the ranges all the
+time.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls from the East gave the Silver Ranch
+cowboys a nice little concert, and then Jane Ann
+urged Jib Pottoway to come to the piano. The
+half-breed was on the veranda in the dusk, with
+the other fellows, but he needed urging.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Here, you Jibbeway!” exclaimed Mr. Hicks.
+“You hike yourself in yere and tickle these ivories
+a whole lot. These young ladies ain’t snakes;
+an’ they won’t bite ye.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The backward puncher was urged on by his
+mates, too, and finally he came in, stepping
+through the long window and sliding onto the
+piano bench that had been deserted by Madge.
+He was a tall, straight, big-boned young man,
+with dark, keen face, and the moment Tom Cameron
+saw him he seized Bob by the shoulder and
+whispered eagerly:
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know that fellow! He played fullback
+with Carlisle when they met Cornell three years
+ago. Why, he’s an educated man—he must be!
+And punching cattle out on this ranch!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Guess you forget that Theodore Roosevelt
+punched cattle for a while,” chuckled Bob. “Listen
+to that fellow play, will you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+And the Indian could—as Mr. Hicks remarked—“tickle
+the ivories.” He played by
+ear, but he played well. Most of the tunes he
+knew were popular ditties and by and by he
+warmed the punchers up so that they began to
+hum their favorite melodies as Jib played them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on, there, Ike!” said the Indian, suddenly.
+“Give us that ‘Prayer’ you’re so fond
+of. Come on, now, Ike!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Bashful Ike evidently balked a little, but Jib
+played the accompaniment and the melody
+through, and finally the foreman of Silver Ranch
+broke in with a baritone roar and gave them “The
+Cowboy’s Prayer.” Ike possessed a mellow
+voice and the boys hummed in chorus in the dusk,
+and it all sounded fine until suddenly Jib Pottoway
+broke off with a sudden discordant crash on
+the piano keys.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hel-lo!” exclaimed Bill Hicks, who had
+lain back in his wicker lounging chair, with his
+big feet in wool socks on another chair, enjoying
+all the music. “What’s happened the pinanner,
+Jib? You busted it? By jings! that cost me six
+hundred dollars at the Bullhide station.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But then his voice fell and there was silence
+both in the room and on the veranda. The sound
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span>
+of galloping hoofs had shut the ranchman up. A
+pony was approaching on a dead run, and the
+next moment a long, loud “Ye-ow! ye-ow!” announced
+the rider’s excitement as something extraordinary.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who’s that, Ike?” cried Hicks, leaping from
+his chair.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Scrub Weston,” said the foreman as he
+clumped down the veranda steps.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib slipped through the window. Hicks followed
+him on the jump, and Jane Ann led the
+exodus of the visitors. There was plainly something
+of an exciting nature at hand. A pony
+flashed out of the darkness and slid to a perilous
+halt right at the steps.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hi, Boss!” yelled the cowboy who bestrode
+the pony. “Fire’s sweeping up from Tintacker
+way! I bet it’s that Bughouse Johnny the boys
+have chased two or three times. He’s plumb
+loco, that feller is—oughtn’t to be left at large.
+The whole chapparel down that a-way is blazin’
+and, if the wind rises, more’n ha’f of your grazin’ll
+be swept away.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span><a name='chIV' id='chIV'></a>CHAPTER IV—THE FIRE FIGHT</h2>
+<p>
+The guests had followed Mr. Hicks and Jib
+out of the long window and had heard the cow
+puncher’s declaration. There was no light in the
+sky as far as the girls could see—no light of a fire,
+at least—but there seemed to be a tang of smoke;
+perhaps the smoke clung to the sweating horse
+and its rider.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You got it straight, Scrub Weston?” demanded
+Bill Hicks. “This ain’t no burn you’re
+givin’ us?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great piping Peter!” yelled the cowboy on
+the trembling pony, “it’ll be a burn all right if
+you fellows don’t git busy. I left Number Three
+outfit fighting the fire the best they knew; we’ve
+had to let the cattle drift. I tell ye, Boss, there’s
+more trouble brewin’ than you kin shake a stick
+at.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Nuff said!” roared Hicks. “Get busy, Ike.
+You fellers saddle and light out with Scrub. Rope
+you another hawse out o’ the corral, Scrub;
+you’ve blamed near killed that one.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! is it really a prairie fire?” asked Ruth,
+of Jane Ann. “Can’t we see it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You bet we will,” declared the ranchman’s
+niece. “Leave it to me. I’ll get the horse-wrangler
+to hitch up a pair of ponies and we’ll go over
+there. Wish you girls could ride.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Helen rides,” said Ruth, quickly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But not our kind of horses, I reckon,” returned
+Jane Ann, as she started after the cowboys.
+“But Tom and Bob can have mounts.
+Come on, boys!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll get into trouble, like enough, if we go
+to this fire,” objected Madge Steele.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on!” said Heavy. “Don’t let’s show
+the white feather. These folks will think we
+haven’t any pluck at all. Eastern girls can be
+just as courageous as Western girls, I believe.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But all the time Ruth was puzzling over something
+that the cowboy, Scrub Weston, had said
+when he gave warning of the fire. He had mentioned
+Tintacker and suggested that the fire had
+been set by somebody whom Ruth supposed the
+cowboys must think was crazy—otherwise she
+could not explain that expression, “Bughouse
+Johnny.” These range riders were very rough
+of speech, but certainly their language was expressive!
+</p>
+<p>
+This Tintacker Mine in which she was so deeply
+interested—for Uncle Jabez’s sake—must be
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span>
+very near the ranch. Ruth desired to go to the
+mine and learn if it was being worked; and she
+proposed to learn the whole history of the claim
+and look up the recording of it, as well. Of
+course, the young man who had gotten Uncle Jabez
+to invest in the silver mine had shown him
+deeds and the like; but these papers might have
+been forged. Ruth was determined to clear up
+the mystery of the Tintacker Mine before she
+left Silver Ranch for the East again.
+</p>
+<p>
+Just now, however, she as well as the other
+guests of Jane Ann Hicks was excited by the fire
+on the range. They got jackets, and by the time
+all the girls were ready Maria’s husband had a
+pair of half-wild ponies hitched to the buckboard.
+Bob elected to drive the ponies, and he and the
+five girls got aboard the vehicle while the restive
+ponies were held by the Mexican.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Jane Ann had each saddled a pony.
+Jane Ann rode astride like a boy, and she was up
+on a horse that seemed to be just as crazy as he
+could be. Her friends from the East feared all
+the time that Jane Ann would be thrown.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Let ’em go, Jose!” commanded the Silver
+Ranch girl. “You keep right behind me, Mr.
+Steele—follow me and Mr. Tom. The trail
+ain’t good, but I reckon you won’t tip over your
+crowd if you’re careful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls on the buckboard screamed at that;
+But it was too late to expostulate—or back out
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span>
+from going on the trip. The half-wild ponies
+were off and Bob had all he could do to hold
+them. Old Bill Hicks and his punchers had
+swept away into the starlit night some minutes
+before and were now out of both sight and hearing.
+As the party of young folk got out of the
+coulie, riding over the ridge, they saw a dull glow
+far down on the western horizon.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The fire!” cried Ruth, pointing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s what it is,” responded Jane Ann, excitedly.
+“Come on!”
+</p>
+<p>
+She raced ahead and Tom spurred his mount
+after her. Directly in their wake lurched the
+buckboard, with the excited Bob snapping the
+long-lashed whip over the ponies’ backs. The
+vehicle pitched and jerked, and traveled sometimes
+on as few as two wheels; the girls were
+jounced about unmercifully, and The Fox and
+Helen squealed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m—be—ing—jolt—ed—to—a—jel—ly!” gasped Heavy. “I’ll be—one sol—id bruise.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Bob did not propose to be left behind by
+Jane Ann and Tom Cameron, and Madge showed
+her heartlessness by retorting on the stout girl:
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’ll be solid, all right, Jennie, never mind
+whether you are bruised or not. You know that
+you’re no ‘airy, fairy Lillian.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+But the rate at which they were traveling was
+not conducive to conversation; and most of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span>
+time the girls clung on and secretly hoped that
+Bob would not overturn the buckboard. The ponies
+seemed desirous of running away all the time.
+</p>
+<p>
+The rosy glow along the skyline increased;
+and now flames leaped—yellow and scarlet—rising
+and falling, while the width of the streak
+of fire increased at both ends. Luckily there was
+scarcely any wind. But the fire certainly was
+spreading.
+</p>
+<p>
+The ponies tore along under Bob’s lash and
+Jane Ann and Tom did not leave them far behind.
+Over the rolling prairie they fled and so
+rapidly that Hicks and his aides from the ranch-house
+were not far in advance when the visitors
+came within unrestricted view of the flames.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann halted and held up her hand to Bob
+to pull in the ponies when they topped a ridge
+which was the final barrier between them and the
+bottom where the fire burned. For several miles
+the dry grass, scrub, and groves of trees had been
+blackened by the fire. Light smoke clouds drifted
+away from the line of flame, which crackled
+sharply and advanced in a steady march toward
+the ridge on which the spectators were perched.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My goodness me!” exclaimed Heavy. “You
+couldn’t put <em>that</em> fire out by spilling a bucket of
+water on it, could you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+The fire line was several miles long. The
+flames advanced slowly; but here and there,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span>
+where it caught in a bunch of scrub, the tongues
+of fire mounted swiftly into the air for twenty
+feet, or more; and in these pillars of fire lurked
+much danger, for when a blast of wind chanced to
+swoop down on them, the flames jumped!
+</p>
+<p>
+Toiling up the ridge, snorting and bellowing,
+tails in air and horns tossing, drifted a herd of
+several thousand cattle, about ready to stampede
+although the fire was not really chasing them.
+The danger lay in the fact that the flames had
+gained such headway, and had spread so widely,
+that the entire range might be burned over, leaving
+nothing for the cattle to eat.
+</p>
+<p>
+The rose-light of the flames showed the spectators
+all this—the black smooch of the fire-scathed
+land behind the barrier of flame, the flitting
+figures on horseback at the foot of the ridge,
+and the herd of steers going over the rise toward
+the north—and the higher foothills.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But what can they do?” gasped Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’re back-firing,” Tom said, holding in
+his pony. Tom was a good horseman and it was
+evident that Jane Ann was astonished at his riding.
+“But over yonder where they tried it, the
+flames jumped ahead through the long grass and
+drove the men into their saddles again.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“See what those fellows are doing!” gasped
+Madge, standing up. “They’re roping those
+cattle—isn’t that what you call it, <em>roping</em>?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“And hog-tieing them,” responded Jane Ann,
+eagerly. “That’s Jib—and Bashful Ike. There!
+that’s an axe Ike’s got. He’s going to slice up
+that steer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, dear me! what for?” cried Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, the butchering act—right here and
+now?” demanded Heavy. “Aren’t thinking of
+having a barbecue, are they?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You watch,” returned the Western girl,
+greatly excited. “There! they’ve split that
+steer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I hope it’s the big one that bunted the automobile,”
+cried The Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, you can bet it ain’t,” snapped Jane
+Ann. “Old Trouble-Maker is going to yield us
+some fun at brandin’ time—now you see.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But they were all too much interested just then
+in what was going on near at hand—and down
+at the fire line—to pay much attention to what
+Jane Ann said about Old Trouble-Maker. Bashful
+Ike and Jib Pottoway had split two steers
+“from stem to stern.” Two other riders approached,
+and the girls recognized one of them
+as Old Bill himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tough luck, boys,” grumbled the ranchman.
+“Them critters is worth five cents right yere on
+the hoof; but that fire’s got to be smothered.
+Here, Jib! hitch my rope to t’other end of your
+half of that critter.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+In a minute the ranchman and the half-breed
+were racing down the slope, their ponies on the
+jump, the half of the steer jumping behind them.
+At the line of fire Hicks made his frightened
+horse leap the flames, they jerked the half of the
+steer over so that the cloven side came in contact
+with the flames, and then both men urged their
+ponies along the fire line, right in the midst of
+the smoke and heat, dragging the bleeding side
+of beef across the sputtering flames.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike and his mate started almost at once in the
+other direction, and both teams quenched the fire
+in good shape. Behind them other cowboys drew
+the halves of the second steer that had been divided,
+making sure of the quenching of the conflagration
+in the main; but there were still spots
+where the fire broke out again, and it was a couple
+of hours, and two more fat steers had been sacrificed,
+before it was safe to leave the fire line to
+the watchful care of only half a dozen, or so, of
+the range riders.
+</p>
+<p>
+It had been a bitter fight while it lasted. Tom
+and Bob, and Jane Ann herself had joined in it—slapping
+out the immature fires where they had
+sprung up in the grass from sparks which flew
+from the greater fires. But the ridge had helped
+retard the blaze so that it could be controlled,
+and from the summit the girls from the East had
+enjoyed the spectacle.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Old Bill Hicks rode beside the buckboard when
+they started back for the ranch-house, and was
+very angry over the setting of the fire. Cow
+punchers are the most careful people in the world
+regarding fire-setting in the open. If a cattleman
+lights his cigarette, or pipe, he not only pinches
+out the match between his finger and thumb, but,
+if he is afoot, he stamps the burned match into
+the earth when he drops it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That yere half-crazy tenderfoot oughter be
+put away somewhares, whar he won’t do no more
+harm to nobody,” growled the ranchman.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do you expect he set it, Uncle?” demanded
+Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“So Scrub says. He seen him camping in the
+cottonwoods along Larruper Crick this mawnin’.
+I reckon nobody but a confounded tenderfoot
+would have set a fire when it’s dry like this, noways.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Here Ruth put in a question that she had
+longed to ask ever since the fire scare began:
+“Who <em>is</em> this strange man you call the tenderfoot?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Dunno, Miss Ruth,” said the cattleman.
+“He’s been hanging ‘round yere a good bit since
+Spring. Or, he’s been seen by my men a good bit.
+When they’ve spoke to him he’s seemed sort of
+doped, or silly. They can’t make him out. And
+he hangs around closest to Tintacker.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re interested in <em>that</em>, Ruth!” exclaimed
+Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What d’you know about Tintacker, Miss?”
+asked Old Bill, curiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tintacker is a silver mine, isn’t it?” asked
+Ruth, in return.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tintacker used to be a right smart camp some
+years ago. Some likely silver claims was staked
+out ‘round there. But they petered out, and ain’t
+nobody raked over the old dumps, even, but some
+Chinamen, for ten year.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But was there a particular mine called ‘Tintacker’?”
+asked Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure there was. First claim staked out.
+And it was a good one—for a while. But there
+ain’t nothin’ there now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You say this stranger hangs about there?”
+queried Tom, likewise interested.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He won’t for long if my boys find him arter
+this,” growled Hicks. “They’ll come purty close
+to running him out o’ this neck o’ woods—you
+hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+This conversation made Ruth even more intent
+upon solving the mystery of the Tintacker
+Mine, and her desire to see this strange “tenderfoot”
+who hung about the old mining claims increased.
+But she said nothing more at that time
+regarding the matter.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span><a name='chV' id='chV'></a>CHAPTER V—“OLD TROUBLE-MAKER” TURNED LOOSE</h2>
+<p>
+After getting to bed at midnight it could not
+be expected that the young people at Silver Ranch
+would be astir early on the morning following the
+fire scare. But Ruth, who was used to being up
+with the sun at the Red Mill—and sometimes a
+little before the orb of day—slipped out of the
+big room in which the six girls were domiciled
+when she heard the first stir about the corrals.
+</p>
+<p>
+When she came out upon the veranda that encircled
+the ranch-house, wreaths of mist hung
+knee-high in the coulee—mist which, as soon as
+the sun peeked over the hills, would be dissipated.
+The ponies were snorting and stamping at their
+breakfasts—great armfuls of alfalfa hay which
+the horse wranglers had pitched over the fence.
+Maria, the Mexican woman, came up from the
+cowshed with two brimming pails of milk, for
+the Silver Ranch boasted a few milch cows at the
+home place, and there had been sweet butter on
+the table at supper the night before—something
+which is usually very scarce on a cattle ranch.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth ran down to the corral and saw, on the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span>
+bench outside the bunkhouse door, the row of
+buckets in which the boys had their morning
+plunge. The sleeping arrangements at Silver
+Ranch being rather primitive, Tom and Bob had
+elected to join the cowboys in the big bunkhouse,
+and they had risen as early as the punchers and
+made their own toilet in the buckets, too. The
+sheet-iron chimney of the chuckhouse kitchen was
+smoking, and frying bacon and potatoes flavored
+the keen air for yards around.
+</p>
+<p>
+Bashful Ike, the foreman, met the Eastern girl
+at the corner of the corral fence. He was a
+pleasant, smiling man; but the blood rose to the
+very roots of his hair and he got into an immediate
+perspiration if a girl looked at him. When
+Ruth bade him good-morning Ike’s cheeks began
+to flame and he grew instantly tongue-tied! Beyond
+nodding a greeting and making a funny
+noise in his throat he gave no notice that he was
+like other human beings and could talk. But
+Ruth had an idea in her mind and Bashful Ike
+could help her carry it through better than anybody
+else.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mr. Ike,” she said, softly, “do you know
+about this man they say probably set the fire last
+night?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike gulped down something that seemed to be
+choking him and mumbled that he supposed he
+had seen the fellow “about once.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Do you think he is crazy, Mr. Ike?” asked
+the Eastern girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I—I swanny! I couldn’t be sure as to that,
+Miss,” stammered the foreman of Silver Ranch.
+“The boys say he acts plumb locoed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Locoed’ means crazy?” she persisted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Miss, clear ‘way down south from us,
+’long about the Mexican border, thar’s a weed
+grows called loco, and if critters eats it, they say
+it crazies ’em—for a while, anyway. So, Miss,”
+concluded Ike, stumbling less in his speech now,
+“if a man or a critter acts batty like, we say he’s
+locoed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I understand. But if this man they suspect
+of setting the fire is crazy he isn’t responsible for
+what he does, is he?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Miss, mebbe not. But we can’t have
+no onresponsible feller hangin’ around yere scatterin’
+fire—no, sir!—ma’am, I mean,” Ike hastily
+added, his face flaming up like an Italian sunset
+again.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No; I suppose not. But I understand the
+man stays around that old camp at Tintacker,
+more than anywhere else?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s so, I reckon,” agreed Ike. “The
+boys don’t see him often.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can’t you make the boys just scare him into
+keeping off the range, instead of doing him real
+harm? They seemed very angry about the fire.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I dunno, Miss. Old Bill’s some hot under
+the collar himself—and he might well be. Last
+night’s circus cost him a pretty penny.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did you ever see this man they say is
+crazy?” demanded Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I told you I did oncet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What sort of a looking man is he?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He ain’t no more’n a kid, Miss. That’s it;
+he’s jest a tenderfoot kid.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A boy, you mean?” queried Ruth, anxiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not much older than that yere whitehead ye
+brought with yuh,” said Ike, beginning to grin
+now that he had become a bit more familiar with
+the Eastern girl, and pointing at Bob Steele.
+“And he ain’t no bigger than him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You wouldn’t let your boys injure a young
+fellow like that, would you?” cried Ruth. “It
+wouldn’t be right.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I dunno how I’m goin’ to stop ’em from
+mussin’ him up a whole lot if they chances acrost
+him,” said Ike, slowly. “He’d ought to be shut
+up, so he had.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Granted. But he ought not to be abused.
+Another thing, Ike—I’ll tell you a secret.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Uh-huh?” grunted the surprised foreman.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I want to see that young man awfully!” said
+Ruth. “I want to talk with him——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sufferin’ snipes!” gasped Ike, becoming so
+greatly interested that he forgot it was a girl he
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span>
+was talking with. “What you wanter see that
+looney critter for?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Because I’m greatly interested in the Tintacker
+Mine, and they say this young fellow usually
+sticks to that locality,” replied Ruth, smiling
+on the big cow puncher. “Don’t you think I can
+learn to ride well enough to travel that far before
+we return to the East?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“To ride to Tintacker, Miss?” he asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, suah, Miss!” cried Ike, cordially.
+“I’ll pick you-all out a nice pony what’s well
+broke, and I bet you’ll ride him lots farther than
+that. I’ll rope him now—I know jest the sort of
+a hawse you’d oughter ride——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No; you go eat your breakfast with the other
+boys,” laughed Ruth, preparing to go back to the
+ranch-house. “Jane Ann says we’re all to have
+ponies to ride and she maybe will be disappointed
+if I don’t let her pick out mine for me,” added
+Ruth, with her usual regard for the feelings of
+her mates. “But I am going to depend on you,
+Mr. Ike, to teach me to ride.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And when you want to ride over to Tintacker
+tuh interview that yere maverick, yo’ let me know,
+Miss,” said Bashful Ike. “I’ll see that yuh git
+thar with proper escort, and all that,” and he
+grinned sheepishly.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Bob breakfasted with the punchers,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span>
+but after the regular meal at the ranch-house the
+two boys hastened to join their girl friends.
+First they must all go to the corral and pick out
+their riding ponies. Helen, Madge and The Fox
+could ride fairly well; but Jane Ann had warned
+them that Eastern riding would not do on the
+ranch. Such a thing as a side-saddle was unknown,
+so the girls had all supplied themselves
+with divided skirts so that they could ride astride
+like the Western girl. Besides, a cow pony would
+not stand for the long skirt of a riding habit flapping
+along his flank.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now, Ruth had ridden a few times on Helen’s
+pony, and away back when she was a little girl
+she had ridden bareback on an old horse belonging
+to the blacksmith at Darrowtown. So she
+was not afraid to try the nervous little flea-bitten
+gray that Ike Stedman roped and saddled and
+bridled for her. Jane Ann declared it to be a favorite
+pony of her own, and although the little
+fellow did not want to stand while his saddle was
+being cinched, and stamped his cunning little feet
+on the ground a good bit, Ike assured the girl of
+the Red Mill that “Freckles,” as they called him,
+was “one mighty gentle hawse!”
+</p>
+<p>
+There was no use in the girls from the East
+showing fear; Ruth was too plucky to do that,
+anyway. She was not really afraid of the pony;
+but when she was in the saddle it did seem as
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span>
+though Freckles danced more than was necessary.
+</p>
+<p>
+These cow ponies never walk—unless they are
+dead tired; about Freckles’ easiest motion was a
+canter that carried Ruth over the prairie so
+swiftly that her loosened hair flowed behind her
+in the wind, and for a time she could not speak—until
+she became adjusted to the pony’s motion.
+But she liked riding astride much better than on
+a side-saddle, and she soon lost her fear. Ike had
+given her some good advice about the holding of
+her reins so that a sharp pull on Freckles’ curb
+would instantly bring the pony down to a dead
+stop. The bashful one had screwed tiny spurs
+into the heels of her high boots and given her a
+light quirt, or whip.
+</p>
+<p>
+The other girls—all but Heavy—were, as we
+have seen, more used to riding than the girl of
+the Red Mill; but with the stout girl the whole
+party had a great deal of fun. Of course, Jennie
+Stone expected to cause hilarity among her
+friends; she “poked fun” at herself all the time,
+so could not object if the others laughed.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll never in this world be able to get into a
+saddle without a kitchen chair to step upon,” Jennie
+groaned, as she saw the other girls choosing
+their ponies. “Mercy! if I got on that little
+Freckles, he’d squat right down—I know he
+would! You’ll have to find something bigger
+than these rabbits for <em>me</em> to ride on.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+At that she heard the girls giggling behind her
+and turned to face a great, droop-headed, long-eared
+roan mule, with hip bones that you could
+hang your hat on—a most forlorn looking bundle
+of bones that had evidently never recovered the
+climatic change from the river bottoms of Missouri
+to the uplands of Montana. Tom Cameron
+held the mule with a trace-chain around his neck
+and he offered the end of the chain to Heavy with
+a perfectly serious face.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe you’d better saddle this chap, Jennie,”
+said Tom. “You see how he’s built—the
+framework is great. I know he can hold you up
+all right. Just look at how he’s built.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Looks like the steel framework of a skyscraper,”
+declared Heavy, solemnly. “Don’t
+you suppose I might fall in between the ribs if I
+climbed up on that thing? I thought you were a
+better friend to me than that, Tom Cameron.
+You’d deliberately let me risk my life by being
+tangled up in that moth-eaten bag o’ bones if it
+collapsed under me. No! I’ll risk one of these
+rabbits. I’ll have less distance to fall if I roll.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But the little cow ponies were tougher than the
+stout girl supposed. Ike weighed in the neighborhood
+of a hundred and eighty pounds—solid
+bone and muscle—and the cayuse that he bestrode
+when at work was no bigger than Ruth’s Freckles.
+They hoisted Heavy into the saddle, and Tom
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span>
+offered to lash her there if she didn’t feel perfectly
+secure.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You needn’t mind, Tommy,” returned the
+stout girl. “If, in the course of human events, it
+becomes necessary for me to disembark from this
+saddle, I’ll probably want to get down quick.
+There’s no use in hampering me. I take my life
+in my hand—with these reins—and—ugh! ugh!
+ugh!” she finished as, on her picking up the lines,
+her restive pony instantly broke into the liveliest
+kind of a trot.
+</p>
+<p>
+But after all, Heavy succeeded in riding pretty
+well; while Ruth, after an hour, was not afraid
+to let her pony take a pretty swift gait with her.
+Jane Ann, however, showed remarkable skill and
+made the Eastern girls fairly envious. She had
+ridden, of course, ever since she was big enough
+to hold bridle reins, and there were few of the
+punchers who could handle a horse better than
+the ranchman’s niece.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the visitors from the East did not understand
+this fact fully until a few days later, when
+the first bunch of Spring calves and yearlings
+were driven into a not far distant corral to be
+branded. Branding is one of the big shows on a
+cattle ranch, and Ruth and her chums did not intend
+to miss the sight; besides, some of the boys
+had corraled Old Trouble-Maker near by and
+promised some fancy work with the big black and
+white steer.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’ll show you some roping now,” said Jane
+Ann, with enthusiasm. “Just cutting a little old
+cow out of that band in the corral and throwing
+it ain’t nothing. Wait till we turn Old Trouble-Maker
+loose.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The whole party rode over to the branding
+camp, and there was the black and white steer as
+wild as ever. While the branding was going on
+the big steer bellowed and stamped and tried to
+break the fence down. The smell of the burning
+flesh, and the bellowing of the calves and yearlings
+as their ears were slit, stirred the old fellow
+up.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Something’s due to happen when that feller
+gits turned out,” declared Jib Pottoway. “You
+goin’ to try to rope that contrary critter, Jane
+Ann?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’ll be a free-for-all race; Ike says so,” cried
+Jane Ann. “You wait! You boys think you’re
+so smart. I’ll rope that steer myself—maybe.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The punchers laughed at this boast; but they
+all liked Jane Ann and had it been possible to
+make her boast come true they would have seen
+to it that she won. But Old Trouble-Maker, as
+Jib said, “wasn’t a lady’s cow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was agreed that only a free-for-all dash for
+the old fellow would do—and out on the open
+range, at that. Old Trouble-Maker was to be
+turned out of the corral, given a five-rod start,
+and then the bunch who wanted to have a tussle
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span>
+with the steer would start for him. Just to make
+it interesting Old Bill Hicks had put up a twenty
+dollar gold piece, to be the property of the winner
+of the contest—that is, to the one who succeeded
+in throwing and “hog-tieing” Old
+Trouble-Maker.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was along in the cool of the afternoon when
+the bars of the small corral were let down and
+the steer was prodded out into the open. The
+old fellow seemed to know that there was fun in
+store for him. At first he pawed the ground and
+seemed inclined to charge the line of punchers,
+and even shook his head at the group of mounted
+spectators, who were bunched farther back on the
+hillside. Bashful Ike stopped <em>that</em> idea, however,
+for, as master of ceremonies, he rode in suddenly
+and used his quirt on the big steer. With a bellow
+Old Trouble-Maker swung around and
+started for the skyline. Ike trotted on behind
+him till the steer passed the five-rod mark. Then
+pulling the big pistol that swung at his hip the
+foreman shot a fusilade into the ground which
+started the steer off at a gallop, tail up and head
+down, and spurred the punchers into instant action,
+as well.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ye-yip!” yelled Bashful Ike. “Now let’s
+see what you ’ombres air good for with a rope.
+Go to it!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span><a name='chVI' id='chVI'></a>CHAPTER VI—THE ROPING CONTEST</h2>
+<p>
+With a chorus of “co-ees” and wild yells the
+cowboys of Silver Ranch dashed away on the race
+after the huge black and white steer. And Jane
+Ann, on her bay mustang, was right up with the
+leaders in the wild rush. It was indeed an inspiring
+sight, and the boys and girls from the East
+urged their own mounts on after the crowd with
+eagerness.
+</p>
+<p>
+“See Nita ride! isn’t she just wonderful?”
+cried Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t think there’s anything wonderful
+about it,” sneered The Fox, in her biting way.
+“She was almost <em>born</em> on horseback, you know.
+It’s as natural to her as breathing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bu—bu—but it shakes—you up—a good—bit
+more—than breath—breathing!” gasped
+Heavy, as her pony jounced her over the ground.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Bob had raced ahead after the cowboys,
+and Ruth was right behind them. She had
+learned to sit the saddle with ease now, and she
+was beginning to learn to swing a rope; Ike was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span>
+teaching her. Tom could really fling the lasso
+with some success; but of course he could not enter
+into this mad rush for a single steer.
+</p>
+<p>
+A twenty dollar gold piece was not to be
+scorned; and the cowboys were earnest in their
+attempt to make that extra twenty over and above
+their monthly stipend. But Jane Ann Hicks
+worked for the fun of it, and because she desired
+to show her Eastern friends how she excelled in
+horsemanship. There were so many other things
+which her friends knew, in which she was deficient!
+</p>
+<p>
+She was up with the leaders when they came
+within casting distance of the big steer. But the
+steer was wily; he dodged this way and that as
+they surrounded him, and finally one of the
+punchers got in an awkward position and Old
+Trouble-Maker made for him. The man couldn’t
+pull his pony out of the way as the steer made a
+short turn, and the old fellow came head on
+against the pony’s ribs. It was a terrific shock.
+It sounded like a man beating an empty rainwater
+barrel with a club!
+</p>
+<p>
+The poor pony was fairly lifted off his feet and
+rolled over and over on the ground. Luckily his
+rider kicked himself free of the stirrups and escaped
+the terrible horns of Old Trouble-Maker.
+The steer thundered on, paying no further attention
+to overturned pony or rider, and it was Jib
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span>
+Pottoway who first dropped a rope over the creature’s
+horn.
+</p>
+<p>
+But it was only over one horn and when the
+galloping steer was suddenly “snubbed” at the
+end of Jib’s rope, what happened? Ordinarily
+Old Trouble-Maker should have gone down to
+his knees with the shock; but the Indian’s pony
+stumbled just at that anxious moment, and instead
+of the steer being brought to his knees, the
+pony was jerked forward by Old Trouble-Maker’s
+weight.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cowboys uttered a chorus of dismal yells
+as Jib rose into the air—like a diver making a
+spring into the sea—and when he landed—well!
+it was fortunate that the noose slipped off the
+steer’s horn and the pony did not roll over the
+Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+Two men bowled over and the odds all in favor
+of the black and white steer! The other
+cowboys set up a fearful chorus as Jib scrambled
+up, and Old Trouble-Maker thundered on across
+the plain, having been scarcely retarded by the
+Indian’s attempt. Bellowing and blowing, the
+steer kept on, and for a minute nobody else got
+near enough to the beast to fling a rope.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then one of the other boys who bestrode a remarkably
+fast little pony, got near enough (as he
+said afterward) to grab the steer by the tail and
+throw him! And it was too bad that he hadn’t
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span>
+tried that feat; for what he <em>did</em> do was to excitedly
+swing his lariat around his head and catch
+his nearest neighbor across the shoulders with the
+slack! This neighbor uttered a howl of rage and
+at once “ran amuck”—to the great hilarity of
+the onlookers. It was no fun for the fellow who
+had so awkwardly swung the rope, however; for
+his angry mate chased him half a mile straight
+across the plain before he bethought him, in his
+rage, that it was the steer, not his friend, that
+was to be flung and tied for the prize.
+</p>
+<p>
+The others laughed so over this incident that
+the steer was like to get away. But one of the
+fellows, known to them all as “Jimsey” had been
+working cautiously on the outside of the bunch of
+excited horsemen all the time. It was evident to
+Ruth, who was watching the game very earnestly
+from the rear, that this Jimsey had determined
+to capture the prize and was showing more
+strategy than the others. He was determined to
+be the one to down Old Trouble-Maker, and as
+he saw one after the other of his mates fail, his
+own grin broadened.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now, Ruth saw, he suddenly urged his pony in
+nearer the galloping steer. Standing suddenly in
+his stirrups, and swinging his lariat with a wide
+noose at the end, he dropped it at the moment
+when Old Trouble-Maker had just dodged another
+rope. The steer fairly ran into Jimsey’s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span>
+noose. The puncher snubbed down on the rope
+instantly, and the steer, caught over the horns
+and with one foreleg in the noose, came to the
+hard plain like a ton of bricks falling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s down! he’s down!” shrieked Bob,
+vastly excited.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, the poor thing!” his sister observed.
+“That must have hurt him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, after the way that brute tried to crawl
+into the automobile, I wouldn’t cry any if his neck
+was broken!” exclaimed Mary Cox, in sharp
+tones.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jimsey’s horse was well broken and he swung
+his weight at the end of the rope in such a way
+that the huge steer could not get on his feet again.
+Jimsey vaulted out of the saddle and ran to the
+floundering steer with an agility that delighted
+the spectators from the East. How they cheered
+him! And his mates, too, urged him on with delight.
+It looked as though Jimsey had “called
+the trick” and would tie the struggling beast and
+so fulfill the requirements of the contest.
+</p>
+<p>
+As the agile puncher sought to lay hold of the
+steer’s forefeet, however, Old Trouble-Maker
+flung his huge body around. The “yank” was
+too much for the pony and it was drawn forward
+perhaps a foot by the sheer weight of the big
+steer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Stand still, thar!” yelled Jimsey to the pony.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span>
+“Wait till I get this yere critter tied up in a true
+lover’s knot! Whoa, Emma!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Again the big steer had jerked; but the pony
+braced his feet and swung backward. It was then
+the unexpected happened! The girth of Jimsey’s
+saddle gave way, the taut rope pulling the saddle
+sideways. The pony naturally was startled and
+he jumped to one side. In an instant the big steer
+was nimbly on his feet, and flung Jimsey ten feet
+away! Bellowing with fear the brute tore off
+across the plain again, now with the wreck of
+Jimsey’s saddle bounding over the ground behind
+him and whacking him across the rump at every
+other jump.
+</p>
+<p>
+If anything was needed to make Old Trouble-Maker
+mad he had it now. The steer sped
+across the plain faster than he had ever run before,
+and in a temper to attack anything or anybody
+who chanced to cross his trail.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span><a name='chVII' id='chVII'></a>CHAPTER VII—JANE ANN TURNS THE TRICK</h2>
+<p>
+“Oh, Ruth! that man is hurt,” cried Helen, as
+the chums rode as hard as they dared after the
+flying bunch of cattle punchers.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jimsey lay on the ground, it was true; but when
+they came nearer they saw that he was shaking
+both fists in the air and spouting language that
+was the very reverse of elegant. Jimsey wasn’t
+hurt; but he was awfully angry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on! come on, girls!” called Tom.
+“That old steer is running like a dog with a can
+tied to its tail! Did you ever see the beat of
+that?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And Nita is right in with the crowd. How
+they ride!” gasped Madge Steele. “She’ll be
+killed!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I hope not,” her brother shouted back. “But
+she’s just about the pluckiest girl I ever heard
+of.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s swinging her rope now!” gasped
+Heavy. “Do you suppose she intends to try and
+catch that steer?”
+</p>
+<p>
+That was what Jane Ann Hicks seemed determined
+to do. She had ridden so that she was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span>
+ahead of the troop of other riders. Bashful Ike,
+the foreman, put spurs to his own mount and
+tried to catch the boss’s niece. If anything happened
+to Jane Ann he knew that Old Bill would
+call him to account for it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have a care there, Jinny!” he bawled
+“Look out that saddle don’t give ye a crack.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The saddle bounded high in the air—sometimes
+higher than Jane Ann’s head—and if she
+ran her mount in too close to the mad steer the
+saddle might knock her off her pony. Nor did
+she pay the least attention to Bashful Ike’s advice.
+She was using the quirt on her mount and
+he was jumping ahead like a streak of light.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann had coiled her rope again and it
+hung from her saddle. She had evidently formed
+a new plan of action since having the field to herself.
+The others—all but Ike—were now far
+behind.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have a care thar, Jinny!” called the foreman
+again. “He’ll throw you!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You keep away, Ike!” returned the girl, excitedly.
+“This is my chance. Don’t you dare interfere.
+I’ll show those boys I can beat them at
+their own game.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sufferin’ snipes! You look out, Jinny!
+You’ll be killed!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I won’t if you don’t interfere,” she yelled
+back at him.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+During this conversation both their mounts
+were on the keen jump. The saddle was bounding
+high over the plain as the steer still bellowed
+and ran. Jane Ann urged her pony as close
+alongside the steer as she dared, leaned sideways
+from her saddle, and made a sharp slash in the
+air with the hunting knife that had hung from her
+belt in its sheath. The keen blade severed Jimsey’s
+best hair rope (there would be a postscript
+to Jimsey’s remarks about that, later) and the
+saddle, just then bounding into the air, caromed
+from the steer’s rump against Jane Ann’s pony,
+and almost knocked it off its legs.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the girl kept her seat and the pony gathered
+his feet under him again and started after
+the relieved steer. But she did not use her rope
+even then, and after returning her knife to its
+sheath she guided her pony close in to the steer’s
+flank. Before that saddle had beaten him so
+about the body, Old Trouble-Maker might have
+made a swift turn and collided with the girl’s
+mount; but he was thinking only of running away
+now—getting away from that mysterious thing
+that had been chasing and thumping him!
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike, who cantered along just behind her (the
+rest of the crowd were many yards in the rear)
+suddenly let out a yell of fear. He saw that the
+girl was about to try, and he was scared. She
+leaned from her saddle and seized the stiff tail of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span>
+the steer at its base. The foreman drew his gun
+and spurred his horse forward.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You little skeezicks!” he gasped. “If you
+break your neck your uncle will jest natcherly
+run me off’n this range!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Keep away, Ike!” panted the girl, letting the
+tail of the maddened steer run through her hand
+until she felt the bunch of hair—or brush—at the
+end.
+</p>
+<p>
+Then she secured her grip. Digging her spurs
+into the pony’s sides she made him increase his
+stride suddenly. He gained second by second on
+the wildly running steer and the girl leaned forward
+in her saddle, clinging with her left hand to
+the pommel, her face in the pony’s tossing mane.
+</p>
+<p>
+The next moment the tail was taut and the jerk
+was almost enough to dislocate her arm. But she
+hung on and the shock was greater to the big steer
+than to Jane Ann. The yank on his tail made
+him lose his stride and forced him to cross his
+legs. The next moment Old Trouble-Maker was
+on his head, from which he rolled over on his
+side, bellowing with fright.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was a <em>vaquero</em> trick that Jane Ann had seen
+the men perform; yet it was a mercy that she, a
+slight girl, was not pulled out of her saddle and
+killed. But Jane Ann had done the trick nicely;
+and in a moment she was out of her saddle, and
+before Ike was beside her, had tied the steer’s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span>
+feet, “fore and aft,” with Jimsey’s broken rope.
+Then, with one foot on the heaving side of the
+steer, she flung off her hat and shouted to the
+crowd that came tearing up:
+</p>
+<p>
+“That double-eagle’s mine! Got anything to
+say against it, boys?”
+</p>
+<p>
+They cheered her to the echo, and after them
+came the party of Jane Ann’s friends from the
+East to add their congratulations. But as Ruth
+and the others rode up Heavy of course had to
+meet with an accident. Hard luck always seemed
+to ride the stout girl like a nightmare!
+</p>
+<p>
+The pony on which she rode became excited because
+of the crowd of kicking, squealing cow ponies,
+and Heavy’s seat was not secure. When the
+pony began to cavort and plunge poor Heavy was
+shaken right over the pommel of her saddle.
+Her feet lost the stirrups and she began to
+scream.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My—good—ness—me!” she stuttered. “Hold him—still! Stop! Ho—ho—ho——”
+</p>
+<p>
+And then she slipped right over the pony’s rump
+and would have fallen smack upon the ground
+had not Tom and Bob, who had both seen her
+peril, leaped out of their own saddles, and caught
+the stout girl as she lost her hold on the reins and
+gave up all hope.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys staggered under her weight, but managed
+to put her upright on her feet, while her
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span>
+pony streaked it off across the plain, very much
+frightened by such a method of dismounting. It
+struck the whole crowd as being uproariously
+funny; but the good-natured and polite cowboys
+tried to smother their laughter.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t mind me!” exclaimed the stout girl.
+“Have all the fun you want to. But I don’t
+blame the pony for running away. I have been
+sitting all along his backbone, from his ears to the
+root of his tail, and I have certainly jounced my
+own backbone so loose that it rattles. I believe
+I’d better walk home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was plain that Jennie Stone would never take
+a high mark in horsemanship; but they caught her
+pony for her and boosted her on again, and later
+she rode back to the ranch-house at an easy pace.
+But she declared that for the remainder of her
+stay at Silver Ranch she proposed to ride only
+in the automobile or in a carriage.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Ruth was vastly enamored of this new play
+of pony riding. She had a retentive memory and
+kept in mind all that Bashful Ike told her about
+the management of her own Freckles. She was
+up early each morning and had a gallop over the
+prairie before her friends were out of their beds.
+And when Mr. Hicks stated one day that he had
+to ride to Bullhide on business, Ruth begged the
+privilege of riding with him, although the rest of
+the young folks did not care to take such a long
+trip in the hot sun.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ve some business to attend to for my uncle,”
+Ruth explained to the ranchman, as they started
+from the ranch-house soon after breakfast. “And
+I want your advice.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure, Ruthie,” he said, “I’ll advise ye if I
+can.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So she told him about Uncle Jabez’s mixup
+with the Tintacker mining properties. Bill Hicks
+listened to this tale with a frowning brow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bless your heart, Miss!” he ejaculated. “I
+believe you’re chasin’ a wild goose. I reckon
+your uncle’s been stung. These wildcat mining
+properties are just the kind that greenhorn Easterners
+get roped into. I don’t believe there’s ten
+cents’ worth of silver to the ton in all the Tintacker
+district. It played out years ago.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, that may be,” returned Ruth, with a
+sigh. “But I want to see the records and learn
+just how the Tintacker Mine itself stands on the
+books. I want to show Uncle Jabez that I honestly
+tried to do all that I could for him while I
+was here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s all right, Ruthie. You shall see the
+records,” declared Mr. Hicks. “I know a young
+lawyer in town that will help you, too; and it
+sha’n’t cost you a cent. He’s a friend of mine.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, thank you,” cried Ruth, and rode along
+happily by the big cattleman’s side.
+</p>
+<p>
+They were not far from the house when Bashful
+Ike, who had been out on the range on some
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span>
+errand, came whooping over the low hills to the
+North, evidently trying to attract their attention.
+Mr. Hicks growled:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, what does that feller want? I got a
+list as long as my arm of things to tote back for
+the boys. Better have driv’ a mule waggin, I
+reckon, to haul the truck home on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But it was Ruth the foreman wished to speak
+to. He rode up, very red in the face, and stammering
+so that Bill Hicks demanded, with scorn:
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s a-troubling you, Ike? You sputter
+like a leaky tea-kettle. Can’t you out with what
+you’ve got to say to the leetle gal, an’ let us ride
+on?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I—I was just a thinkin’ that mebbe you—you
+could do a little errand for me, Miss,” stammered
+Bashful Ike.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gladly, Mr. Stedman,” returned Ruth, hiding
+her own amusement.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It—it’s sort of a tick-lish job,” said the cowboy.
+“I—I want ye should buy a leetle present.
+It’s—it’s for a lady——”
+</p>
+<p>
+Bill snorted. “You goin’ to invest your plunder
+in more dew-dabs for Sally Dickson, Ike?
+Yah! she wouldn’t look at you cross-eyed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Bashful Ike’s face flamed up redder than ever—if
+that was possible.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t want her to look at me cross-eyed,”
+he said. “She couldn’t look cross-eyed. She’s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span>
+the sweetest and purtiest gal on this range, and
+don’t you forgit that, Mr. Hicks.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sho, now! don’t git riled at me,” grunted the
+older man. “No offense intended. But I hate
+to see you waste your time and money on a gal
+that don’t give two pins for ye, Ike.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I ain’t axin’ her to give two pins for me,”
+said Ike, with a sort of groan. “I ain’t up to the
+mark with her—I know that. But thar ain’t no
+law keepin’ me from spending my money as I
+please, is there?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I dunno,” returned Bill Hicks. “Maybe
+there’s one that’ll cover the case and send a feller
+like you to the foolish factory. Sally Dickson
+won’t have nothing to say to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never mind,” said Ike, grimly. “You take
+this two dollar bill, Miss Ruthie—if you will.
+And you buy the nicest box o’ candy yo’ kin find
+in Bullhide. When you come back by Lem Dickson’s,
+jest drop it there for Sally. Yo’ needn’t
+say who sent it,” added the bashful cowboy, wistfully.
+“Jest—jest say one o’ the boys told you
+to buy it for her. That’s all, Miss. It won’t be
+too much trouble?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course it won’t, Mr. Stedman,” declared
+Ruth, earnestly. “I’ll gladly do your errand.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Thank you, Miss,” returned the foreman,
+and spurring his horse he rode rapidly away to
+escape further remarks from his boss.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span><a name='chVIII' id='chVIII'></a>CHAPTER VIII—WHAT WAS ON THE RECORDS</h2>
+<p>
+“Now, what can you do with a feller like
+that?” demanded Mr. Hicks, in disgust. “Poor
+old Ike has been shinning around Sally Dickson
+ever since Lem brought her home from school—from
+Denver. And she’s a nice little gal enough,
+at that; but she ain’t got no use for Ike and he
+ought to see it. Gals out here don’t like fellers
+that ain’t got sperit enough to say their soul’s
+their own. And Ike’s so bashful he fair hates
+hisself! You’ve noticed that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But he’s just as kind and good-natured as he
+can be,” declared Ruth, her pony cantering on beside
+the ranchman’s bigger mount.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That don’t help a feller none with a gal like
+Sally,” grunted Mr. Hicks. “She don’t want a
+reg’lar <em>gump</em> hanging around her. Makes her the
+laffin’ stock of the hull range—don’t you see? Ike
+better git a move on, if he wants her. ’Tain’t
+goin’ to be no bashful ’ombre that gets Sally
+Dickson, let me tell ye! Sendin’ her lollipops by
+messenger—bah! He wants ter ride up and hand
+that gal a ring—and a good one—if he expects to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span>
+ever git her into double harness. Now, you hear
+me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just the same,” laughed Ruth, “I’m going to
+buy the nicest box of candy I can find, and she
+shall know who paid for it, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And she found time to purchase the box of
+candy while Mr. Hicks was attending to his own
+private business in Bullhide. The town boasted
+of several good stores as well as a fine hotel.
+Ruth went to the railroad station, however, where
+there was sure to be fresh candies from the East,
+and she bought the handsomest box she could find.
+Then she wrote Ike’s name nicely on a card and
+had it tucked inside the wrapper, and the clerk
+tied the package up with gilt cord.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll make that red-haired girl think that Ike
+knows a few things, after all, if he is less bold than
+the other boys,” thought Ruth. “He’s been real
+kind to me and maybe I can help him with Sally.
+If she knew beans she’d know that Ike was true
+blue!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Hicks came along the street and found her
+soon after Ruth’s errand was done and took her
+to the office of the young lawyer he had mentioned.
+This was Mr. Savage—a brisk, businesslike
+man, who seemed to know at once just what
+the girl wished to discover.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You come right over with me to the county
+records office and we’ll look up the history of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span>
+those Tintacker Mines,” he said. “Mr. Hicks
+knows a good deal about mining properties, and
+he can check my work as we go along.”
+</p>
+<p>
+So the three repaired to the county offices and
+the lawyer turned up the first records of the claims
+around Tintacker.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There is only one mine called Tintacker,” he
+explained. “The adjacent mines are Tintacker
+<em>claims</em>. The camp that sprang up there and flourished
+fifteen years ago, was called Tintacker, too.
+But for more than ten years the kiotes have held
+the fort over there for the most part—eh, Mr.
+Hicks?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And that crazy feller that’s been around yere
+for some months,” the ranchman said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What crazy fellow is that?” demanded Lawyer
+Savage, quickly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, thar’s been a galoot around Tintacker
+ever since Spring opened. I dunno but he was
+thar in the winter——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Young man, or old?” interrupted Savage.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not much more’n a kid, my boys say.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’ve never seen him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No. But I believe he set the grass afire the
+other day, and made us a heap of trouble along
+Larruper Crick,” declared the ranchman.
+</p>
+<p>
+The lawyer looked thoughtful. “There was a
+young fellow here twice to look up the Tintacker
+properties. He came to see me the first time—that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span>
+was more than a year ago. Said he had been
+left his father’s share in the old Tintacker Mine
+and wanted to buy out the heirs of the other partner.
+I helped him get a statement of the record
+and the names of the other parties——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, please, Mr. Savage, what was his
+name?” asked Ruth, quickly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know what his name really <em>was</em>,” replied
+the lawyer, smiling. “He called himself
+John Cox—might have been just a name he took
+for the time being. There wasn’t any Cox ever
+had an interest in the Tintacker as far as I can
+find. But he probably had his own reasons for
+keeping his name to himself. Then he came back
+in the winter. I saw him on the street here.
+That’s all I know about him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tenderfoot?” asked Hicks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, and a nice spoken fellow. He made a
+personal inspection of the properties the first time
+he was here. That I know, for I found a guide
+for him, Ben Burgess. He stayed two weeks at
+the old camp, Ben said, and acted like he knew
+something about minerals.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mr. Savage had found the proper books and
+he discovered almost at once that there had been
+an entry made since he had last looked up the records
+of Tintacker a year or more before.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That fellow did it!” exclaimed the lawyer.
+“He must have found those other heirs and he’s
+got possession of the entire Tintacker Mine holdings.
+Yes-sir! the records are as straight as a
+string. And the record was made last winter.
+That is what he came back here for. Now, young
+lady, what do you want to know about it all?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I want a copy, please, of the record just as it
+stands—the present ownership of the mine, I
+mean,” said Ruth. “I want to send that to Uncle
+Jabez.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is all held now in the name of John Cox.
+The original owners were two men named Symplex
+and Burbridge. It is Burbridge’s heirs this
+fellow seems to have bought up. Now, he told me
+his father died and left his share of the Tintacker
+to him. That means that ‘Symplex’ was this
+young Cox’s father. One, or the other of them
+didn’t use his right name—eh?” suggested the
+lawyer.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But that doesn’t invalidate the title. It’s
+straight enough now. The Tintacker Mine—whether
+it is worth ten cents or ten thousand dollars—belongs
+to somebody known as John Cox—somebody
+who can produce the deeds. You say
+your uncle bought into the mine and took personal
+notes with the mine for security, Miss?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That is the way I understand it,” Ruth replied.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And it looks as though the young man used
+the money to buy out the other owners. That
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span>
+seems straight enough. Your uncle’s security is
+all clear as far as the title of the mine goes——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But according to what I know,” broke in Mr.
+Hicks, “he might as well have a lien on a setting
+of hen’s eggs as an interest in the Tintacker
+Mine.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s about it,” admitted Mr. Savage. “I
+don’t believe the mine is worth the money it cost
+the young fellow to have these records made.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Ruth, with a sigh; “I’ll pay you
+for making the copy, just the same; and I’ll send
+it home to uncle. And, if you don’t mind, Mr.
+Savage, I’ll send him your name and address, too.
+Perhaps he may want you to make some move in
+the matter of the Tintacker property.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This was agreed upon, and the lawyer promised
+to have the papers ready to send East in two
+or three days. Then Mr. Hicks took Ruth to the
+hotel to dinner, and they started for the ranch
+again soon after that meal.
+</p>
+<p>
+When they came in sight of the Crossing, Ruth
+saw that the little red painted schoolhouse was
+open. All the windows were flung wide and the
+door was ajar; and she could see Sally Dickson’s
+brilliant hair, as well as other heads, flitting back
+and forth past the windows.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hi Jefers!” ejaculated Bill Hicks. “I reckon
+thar’s goin’ to be a dance at the schoolhouse Saturday
+night. I nigh forgot it. We’ll all hafter
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span>
+go over so that you folks from Down East kin see
+what a re’l Montany jamboree is like. The gals
+is fixin’ up for it now, I reckon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I want to see Sally,” said Ruth, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” grunted Bill, with a glance at the big
+box of candy the Eastern girl held so carefully
+before her. “You kin see her all right. That
+red head of hers shines like a beacon in the night.
+And I’ll speak to Lem.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth rode her pony close to one of the open
+windows of the little schoolhouse. She could see
+that the benches and desks had been all moved
+out—probably stacked in a lean-to at the end of
+the house. The floor had been swept and mopped
+up and the girls were helping Sally trim the walls
+and certain pictures which hung thereon with festoons
+of colored paper. One girl was polishing
+the lamp chimneys, and another was filling and
+trimming the lamps themselves.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, hullo!” said the storekeeper’s daughter,
+seeing Ruth at the window, and leaving her work
+to come across the room. “You’re one of those
+young ladies stopping at Silver Ranch, aren’t
+you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No,” said Ruth, smiling. “I’m one of the
+girls visiting Jane Ann. I hope you are going to
+invite us to your party here. We shall enjoy coming,
+I am sure.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Guess you won’t think much of our ball,” returned
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span>
+Sally Dickson. “We’re plain folk. Don’t
+do things like they do East.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How do you know what sort of parties we
+have at home?” queried Ruth, laughing at her.
+“We’re not city girls. We live in the country and
+get our fun where we can find it, too. And perhaps
+we can help you have a good time—if you’ll
+let us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I don’t know,” began Sally, yet beginning
+to smile, too; nobody could be <em>grouchy</em> and
+stare into Ruth Fielding’s happy face for long.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you do for music?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, one of the boys at Chatford’s got a
+banjo and old Jim Casey plays the accordion—when
+he’s sober. But the last time the music failed
+us, and one of the boys tried to whistle the dances;
+but one feller that was mad with him kept showing
+him a lemon and it made his mouth twist
+up so that he couldn’t keep his lips puckered
+nohow.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth giggled at that, but said at once:
+</p>
+<p>
+“One of my friends plays the piano real nicely;
+but of course it would be too much trouble to
+bring Jane Ann’s piano away over here. However,
+my chum, Helen, plays the violin. She will
+bring it and help out on the music, I know. And
+we’d <em>all</em> be glad of an invitation.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, sure! you come over,” cried Sally,
+warming up to Ruth’s advances. “I suppose a
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span>
+bunch of the Silver outfit boys will be on hand.
+Some of ’em are real nice boys——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And that reminds me,” said Ruth, advancing
+the package of candy. “One of the gentlemen
+working for Mr. Hicks asked me to hand you this,
+Miss Dickson. He was very particular that you
+should get it safely.” She put the candy into the
+red-haired girl’s hands. “And we certainly will
+be over—all of us—Saturday evening.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Before Sally could refuse Ike’s present, or comment
+upon it at all, Ruth rode away from the
+schoolhouse.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span><a name='chIX' id='chIX'></a>CHAPTER IX—THE FOX IS RECKLESS</h2>
+<p>
+When Ruth arrived at Silver Ranch that afternoon
+she found that the ranchman’s niece and
+the other girls had planned an outing for the following
+day into the hills West of the range over
+which Mr. Hicks’ cattle fed. It was to be a picnic
+jaunt, the object being mainly to view the wonderful
+“natural bridge” in a small cañon, some
+thirty miles from the ranch.
+</p>
+<p>
+A sixty-mile drive within twenty-four hours
+seemed a big undertaking in the minds of the
+Eastern young folk; but Jane Ann said that the
+ponies and mules could stand it. It was probable,
+however, that none of the visitors could stand the
+ride in the saddle, so arrangements had been
+made for both buckboards to be used.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Bob were each to drive one of the vehicles.
+Jib Pottoway was to go as guide and general
+mentor of the party, and one of the little
+Mexican boys would drive the supply wagon, to
+which were hitched two trotting mules. The start
+would be made at three in the morning; therefore
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span>
+the ranch-house was quiet soon after dark that
+evening.
+</p>
+<p>
+Maria had breakfast ready for them as soon
+as the girls and Bob and Tom appeared; and the
+wagon was laden with provisions, as well as a
+light tent and blankets. Tom and Bob had both
+brought their guns with them, for there might be
+a chance to use the weapons on this jaunt.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There are plenty of kiotes in the hills,” said
+Jane Ann. “And sometimes a gray wolf. The
+boys once in a while see cats about—in calving
+time, you know. But I reckon they’re mighty
+scarce.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Cats?” cried Heavy. “Do you shoot cats?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pumas,” explained Jane Ann. “They’re
+some nasty when they’re re’l hungry.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I don’t want to see any more of the wildcat
+tribe,” Ruth cried. “I had my fill of them
+last winter at Snow Camp.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom of course was to drive the buckboard in
+which his twin and Ruth rode; but the chums certainly
+would not have chosen Mary Cox for the
+fourth member of the party. However, The Fox
+usually knew what she wanted herself, and got it,
+too! She liked Master Tom and wished to ride
+beside him; and the instant she learned which pair
+of ponies he was to drive, she hopped into the
+front seat of that buckboard.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to sit with you, Tom,” she said,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>
+coolly. “I believe you’ve got the best ponies.
+And you can drive better than Bob, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom didn’t look overjoyed, and Helen, seeing
+the expression of her twin’s face, began to giggle.
+There was, however, no polite way of getting rid
+of The Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+In a few minutes they were off, Jib Pottoway
+heading the procession, and Ricardo, the Mexican,
+bringing up the rear with the mule cart.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You keep a sharp eye on them younguns,
+Jib!” bawled Bill Hicks, coming to the door of
+the ranch-house in his stocking feet and with his
+hair touseled from his early morning souse in the
+trough behind the house. “I’ll hold you responsible
+if anything busts—now mind ye!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“All right, Boss,” returned the Indian stolidly.
+“I reckon nothin’ won’t bite ’em.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Driving off thirty miles into the wilderness was
+nothing in the opinion of these Westerners; but to
+the girls from Briarwood Hall, and their brothers,
+the trip promised all kinds of excitement.
+And they enjoyed every mile of the journey
+through the foothills. There was something new
+and strange (to the Easterners) to see almost
+every mile, and Jane Ann, or Jib, was right there
+to answer questions and explain the wonders.
+</p>
+<p>
+At first they saw miles upon miles of range, over
+which fed the Silver Ranch herds. Heretofore
+Ruth and her friends had not realized the size of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span>
+the ranch itself and what it meant to own fifty
+thousand cattle.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why!” exclaimed Heavy, with some awe.
+“Your uncle, Nita, is richer than Job—and the
+Bible says he was the greatest of all the men of
+the East! He only owned seven thousand sheep
+and three thousand camels and a thousand oxen
+and five hundred she-asses. Why, I believe there
+are more creatures in that one herd yonder than
+poor old Job owned.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess that was a pretty good herd for ’way
+down there in Arabia, and so long ago,” returned
+Jane Ann. “But cattlemen have learned a lot
+since those times. I expect Uncle Bill has got
+more ponies than Job had mules.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And the men who looked after Job’s cattle
+were a whole lot different from those fellows,”
+cried Helen, from the forward buckboard, pointing
+to a couple of well-mounted punchers spurring
+after a score of strays that had broken away from
+the main herd. “Dear me, how recklessly they
+ride!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I guess that all cowboys have been reckless
+and brave,” said Ruth, quickly. “Somehow,
+herding cattle on the open plains and hills seems
+to make for rugged character and courage. Think
+of King David, and lots of those Biblical characters.
+David was a cowboy, and went out and
+slew Goliath. And I expect any of these punchers
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span>
+we see around here wouldn’t be afraid of a giant,”
+she concluded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” snapped The Fox, who usually found
+something sharp to say in comment upon Ruth’s
+speeches, “I guess these cowboys aren’t any better
+than the usual run of men. <em>I</em> think they’re
+rather coarse and ugly. Look at this half Indian
+ahead of us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you mean—<em>him</em>?” exclaimed Tom
+Cameron, who was pretty well disgusted with The
+Fox and her sly and sneering ways. “Why, he’s
+got a better education than most of the men you
+meet. He stood high at Carlisle, in his books as
+well as athletics. You wouldn’t scoff at any other
+college-bred fellow—why at Jib?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Indian,” said Mary Cox, with her nose in the
+air.
+</p>
+<p>
+“His folks owned the country-the whole continent!”
+cried the excited Tom, “until white men
+drove them out. You’d consider an Englishman,
+or a German, or a Belgian, with his education, the
+equal of any American. And Jib’s a true American
+at that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I can’t say that I ever could admire a
+savage,” sniffed The Fox, tossing her head.
+</p>
+<p>
+For the most part, however, the girls and their
+drivers had a very jolly time, and naturally there
+could not be much “bickering” even in the leading
+buckboard where The Fox rode, for Ruth was
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span>
+there, and Ruth was not one of the bickering kind.
+Helen was inclined to think that her chum was
+altogether too “tame”; she would not “stand up
+for herself” enough, and when The Fox said cutting
+things Ruth usually ignored her schoolfellow’s
+ill-nature.
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom was not entirely happy with The Fox on
+the seat beside him. He had hoped Ruth would
+occupy that place. When Mary spoke to him perhaps
+the young fellow was a bit cold. At least,
+before they came to the cañon, through which
+flowed Rolling River, Master Tom had somehow
+managed to offend The Fox and her eyes snapped
+and she held her lips grimly shut.
+</p>
+<p>
+The trail became narrow here and it rose
+steeply, too. The roaring river tumbled over the
+rocks on the left hand, while on the right the sheer
+cliff rose higher and higher. And while the ponies
+climbed the rather steep ascent Jib Pottoway
+spurred his horse ahead to see if the path was all
+clear to the place where the cañon became a veritable
+tunnel under the “natural bridge.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Go slow, Tom Cameron!” shouted the ranchman’s
+niece from the second carriage. “There
+are bad places when we get to the upper level—very
+narrow places. And the river is a hundred
+feet below us there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s trying to scare us,” snapped The Fox.
+“I never saw such people!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess it will be best to take care,” grunted
+Tom. “She’s been here before, remember.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pah! you’re afraid!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Perhaps I am,” returned Tom. “I’m not
+going to take any chances with these half wild
+ponies—and you girls in the wagon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+In a minute more they were at the top of the
+rise. Jib had disappeared around a distant turn
+in the path, which here was straight and level for
+fully a mile. The muffled roar of the river came
+up to them, and the abrupt cliff on the right cast
+its shadow clear across the cañon. It was a rugged
+and gloomy place and Helen hid her eyes
+after glancing once down the steep descent to the
+river.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! drive on, Tommy!” she cried. “I don’t
+want to look down there again. What a fearful
+drop it is! Hold the ponies tight, Tommy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pshaw, you are making a great adieu about
+nothing,” snapped Mary Cox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll have a care, Nell; don’t you fear,” assured
+her brother.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth was as serious as her chum, and as she
+had a quick eye she noticed a strap hanging from
+the harness of one of the ponies and called Tom’s
+attention to it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s a strap unbuckled, Tom,” she cried.
+“Do you see it hanging?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good for you, Ruthie!” cried the boy, leaning out
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span>
+of his seat to glimpse the strap. “Here,
+Mary! hold these reins, please.”
+</p>
+<p>
+He put the reins into the hands of The Fox
+and hopped out. She laughed and slapped them
+across the ponies’ backs and the beasts reared and
+snorted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Have a care what you’re doing, Mary Cox!”
+shrieked Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Whoa!” cried her brother, and leaped to
+seize the nearest pony by the bit. But the half
+wild animals jerked away from him, dashing
+across the narrow trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pull up! pull up!” shouted Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t let them run!” cried Jane Ann Hicks,
+standing up in the carriage behind.
+</p>
+<p>
+But in that single moment of recklessness the
+ponies became unmanageable—at least, unmanageable
+for The Fox. She pulled the left rein to
+bring them back into the trail, and off the creatures
+dashed, at headlong speed, along the narrow
+way. On the right was the unscalable wall of
+rock; on the left was the awful drop to the roaring
+river!
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span><a name='chX' id='chX'></a>CHAPTER X—RUTH SHOWS HER METTLE</h2>
+<p>
+Shouting after the runaway, and shrieking advice
+to The Fox, who still clung to the reins, was
+of no particular use, and Tom Cameron realized
+that as well as did Jane Ann. The boy from the
+East picked himself up and leaped upon the rear
+of the second buckboard as it passed him, and
+they tore on after the frightened ponies.
+</p>
+<p>
+Mary Cox could not hold them. She was not
+a good horsewoman, in any case; and a moment
+after the ponies broke loose, she was just as frightened
+as ever she could be.
+</p>
+<p>
+She did not drop the lines; that was because she
+did not think to do so. She was frozen with terror.
+The ponies plunged along the narrow trail,
+weaving the buckboard from side to side, and
+Mary was helpless to stop them. On the rear seat
+Helen and Ruth clung together in the first shock
+of fear; the threatening catastrophe, too, appalled
+them.
+</p>
+<p>
+But only for the first few seconds was Ruth inactive.
+Behind the jouncing vehicle Tom was
+shouting to them to “pull ’em down!” Ruth
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span>
+wrenched herself free from her chum’s grasp and
+leaned forward over the seat-back.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Give the reins to me!” she cried in Mary’s
+ear, and seized the leathers just as they slipped
+from the hands of The Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth gripped them firmly and flung herself back
+into her own seat. Helen seized her with one
+hand and saved her from being thrown out of the
+pitching vehicle. And so, with her chum holding
+her into her seat, Ruth swung all her weight and
+force against the ponies’ bits.
+</p>
+<p>
+At first this seemed to have not the least effect
+upon the frightened animals. Ruth’s slight
+weight exercised small pressure on those iron
+jaws. On and on they dashed, rocking the buckboard
+over the rough trail—and drawing each
+moment nearer to that perilous elbow in the
+cañon!
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth realized the menacing danger of that turn
+in the trail from the moment the beasts first
+jumped. There was no parapet at the outer edge
+of the shelf—just the uneven, broken verge of the
+rock, with the awful drop to the roaring river
+below.
+</p>
+<p>
+She remembered this in a flash, as the ponies
+tore on. There likewise passed through her mind
+a vision of the chum beside her, crushed and mangled
+at the bottom of the cañon—and again,
+Helen’s broken body being swept away in the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span>
+river! And The Fox—the girl who had so annoyed
+her—would likewise be killed unless she,
+Ruth Fielding, found some means of averting the
+catastrophe.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was a fact that she did not think of her own
+danger. Mainly the runaway ponies held her attention.
+<em>She must stop them before they reached
+the fatal turn!</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Were the ponies giving way a little? Was it
+possible that her steady, desperate pulling on the
+curbs was having its effect? The pressure on their
+iron jaws must have been severe, and even a half-broken
+mustang pony is not entirely impervious to
+pain.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the turn in the road was so near!
+</p>
+<p>
+Snorting and plunging, the animals would—in
+another moment—reach the elbow. Either they
+must dash themselves headlong over the precipice,
+and the buckboard would follow, or, in swerving
+around the corner, the vehicle and its three passengers
+would be hurled over the brink.
+</p>
+<p>
+And then something—an inspiration it must
+have been—shot athwart Ruth’s brain. The
+thought could not have been the result of previous
+knowledge on her part, for the girl of the
+Red Mill was no horsewoman. Jane Ann Hicks
+might have naturally thought to try the feat; but
+it came to Ruth in a flash and without apparent
+reason.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+She dropped the left hand rein, stood up to
+seize the right rein with a shorter grip, and then
+flung herself back once more. The force she
+brought to bear on the nigh pony by this action
+was too much for him. His head was pulled
+around, and in an instant he stumbled and came
+with a crash to the ground!
+</p>
+<p>
+The pony’s fall brought down his mate. The
+runaway was stopped just at the turn of the trail—and
+so suddenly that Mary Cox was all but
+flung headlong upon the struggling animals. Ruth
+and Helen <em>did</em> fall out of the carriage—but fortunately
+upon the inner side of the trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+Even then the maddened, struggling ponies
+might have cast themselves—and the three girls
+likewise—over the brink had not help been at
+hand. At the turn appeared Jib Pottoway, his
+pony in a lather, recalled by the sound of the runaways’
+drumming hoofs. The Indian flung himself
+from the saddle and gripped the bridles of the
+fallen horses just in season. Bob, driving the second
+pair of ponies with a firm hand, brought them
+to a halt directly behind the wreck, and Tom and
+Jane Ann ran to Jib’s assistance.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the matter with these ponies?” demanded
+the Indian, sharply. “How’d they get
+in this shape? I thought you could drive a pair
+of hawses, boy?” he added, with scorn, looking
+at Tom.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I got out to buckle a strap and they got
+away,” said Tom, rather sheepishly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t you scold him, Jib!” commanded Jane
+Ann, vigorously. “He ain’t to blame.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who is?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That girl yonder,” snapped the ranchman’s
+niece, pointing an accusing finger at Mary Cox.
+“I saw her start ’em on the run while Tom was
+on the ground.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never!” cried The Fox, almost in tears.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You did,” repeated Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Anyway, I didn’t think they’d start and run
+so. They’re dangerous. It wasn’t right for
+the men to give us such wild ponies. I’ll speak to
+Mr. Hicks about it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You needn’t fret,” said Jane Ann, sternly.
+“I’ll tell Uncle Bill all right, and I bet you don’t
+get a chance to play such a trick again as long as
+you’re at Silver Ranch——”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth, who had scrambled up with Helen, now
+placed a restraining hand on the arm of the angry
+Western girl; but Jane Ann sputtered right out:
+</p>
+<p>
+“No! I won’t keep still, Ruth Fielding. If it
+hadn’t been for you that Mary Cox would now be
+at the bottom of these rocks. And she’ll never
+thank you for saving her life, and for keeping
+her from killing you and Helen. She doesn’t
+know how to spell gratitude! Bah!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hush up, Jinny,” commanded Jib, easily.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span>
+“You’ve got all that off your mind now, and you
+ought to feel some better. The ponies don’t seem
+to be hurt much. Some scraped, that’s all. We
+can go on, I reckon. You ride my hawse, Mr.
+Cameron, and I’ll sit in yere and drive. Won’t
+trust these gals alone no more.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess you could trust Ruth Fielding all
+right,” cried the loyal Tom. “She did the trick—and
+showed how plucky she is in the bargain.
+Did you ever see anything better done than the
+way she threw that pony?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann ran to the girl of the Red Mill and
+flung her arms around her neck.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re just as brave as you can be, Ruthie!”
+she cried. “I don’t know of anybody who is
+braver. If you’d been brought up right out here
+in the mountains you couldn’t have done any better—could
+she, Jib?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Miss Fielding certainly showed good mettle,”
+admitted the Indian, with one of his rare smiles.
+“And now we’ll go on to the camping place.
+Don’t let’s have any more words about it, or your
+fun will all be spoiled. Where’s Ricardo, with
+the camp stuff? I declare! that Greaser is five
+miles behind, I believe.”
+</p>
+<p>
+With which he clucked to the still nervous ponies
+and, Tom now in the lead, the procession
+started on in a much more leisurely style.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span><a name='chXI' id='chXI'></a>CHAPTER XI—AN URSINE HOLD-UP</h2>
+<p>
+The party of young people were so excited by
+the adventure that they were scarcely in mind to
+appreciate the rugged beauty of the cañon. The
+opposite wall was covered with verdure—hardy
+trees and shrubs found their rootage in the crevices
+between the rocks. Some beds of moss, far
+down where the spray from the river continually
+irrigated the thin soil, were spangled so thickly
+with starlike, white flowers that the patches
+looked like brocaded bedspreads.
+</p>
+<p>
+Around the elbow in the trail—that sharp turn
+which had been the scene of the all but fatal accident—the
+driveway broadened. Far ahead (for
+the cañon was here quite straight again) they
+could see the arching roof of rock, surmounted
+by the primeval forest, which formed the so-called
+natural bridge. The river tumbled out of the
+darkness of the tunnel, fretted to a foaming cascade
+by battling with the boulders which strewed
+its bed under the roof-rock. The water’s surface
+gleamed ghostly in the shadow of the arch, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span>
+before the opening the arc of a rainbow shone in
+the spray.
+</p>
+<p>
+As the girls’ excitement subsided, Ruth saw this
+scene far ahead and cried aloud in rapture:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Look! Oh, just look! Isn’t that beautiful?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The waterfall,” agreed her chum, “or cascade,
+or whatever they call it, is just a picture,
+Ruthie!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mighty pretty,” said Tom, reining in the
+pony beside them.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The cavern is so black and the water is so
+white—like milk,” cried Madge from the second
+carriage. “What a contrast!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I tell you what it looks like,” added Heavy,
+who sat beside her. “A great, big chocolate
+cream drop that’s broken and the cream oozing
+out. M—m!”
+</p>
+<p>
+They all laughed at the stout girl’s figure of
+speech, for Jennie Stone’s mind seemed always to
+linger upon good things to eat, and this comparison
+was quite characteristic.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’d be afraid to go down under that bridge,”
+said Helen. “It’s so dark there.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But there’s a path through the tunnel, Miss,”
+said Jib, the Indian. “And there’s another path
+by which you can climb out on the top of the
+bridge. But the trail for a waggin’ stops right
+yonder, where we camp.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This spot was a sort of cove in the wall of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span>
+cañon—perhaps half an acre in extent. There
+was a pretty lawn with a spring of sweet water,
+the overflow of which trickled away to the edge
+of the precipice and dashed itself to spray on the
+rocks fifty feet below.
+</p>
+<p>
+They had become used to the sullen roar of the
+river now and did not heed its voice. This was a
+delightful spot for camping and when Ricardo
+came up with the wagon, the boys and Jib quickly
+erected the tent, hobbled the ponies, and built a
+fire in the most approved campers’ fashion.
+</p>
+<p>
+Never had a picnic luncheon tasted so good to
+any of the party. The mountain air had put an
+edge on their appetites, and Heavy performed
+such feats of mastication that Helen declared she
+trembled for the result.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t you trouble about me,” said the stout
+girl. “You want to begin to worry over <em>my</em>
+health when I don’t eat at all. And I can’t see
+where I have got so far ahead of any of the rest
+of you in the punishment of this lunch.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But afterward, when the other girls proposed
+to climb the rocky path to the summit of the natural
+bridge, Heavy objected.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s injurious to take violent exercise after
+eating heavily,” she said.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never knew the time when Heavy considered
+it safe to exercise,” said The Fox, who had gradually
+recovered her usual manner since the runaway. “The
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span>
+time between meals isn’t long
+enough, in her opinion, to warrant anybody’s
+working. Come on! let’s leave her to slothful
+dreams.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And blisters,” added Heavy. “My shoes
+have hurt me for two days. I wouldn’t climb over
+these rocks for a farm—with a pig on’t! Go on—and
+perspire—and tell yourselves you’re having
+a good time. I’ve a book here to read,” declared
+the graceless and lazy stout girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But aren’t the boys going?” asked Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’ve started for the tunnel down there—with
+Jib,” said Jane Ann, with a snap. “Huh!
+boys aren’t no good, anyway.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Your opinion may be correct; your grammar
+is terrible,” scoffed Mary Cox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never you mind about my grammar, Miss
+Smarty!” rejoined the Western girl, who really
+couldn’t forget the peril into which The Fox had
+run her friends so recently. “If you girls are
+comin’ along to the top of the bridge, come on.
+Let the boys go down there, if they want to. The
+rocks are slippery, and they’ll get sopping wet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There isn’t any danger, is there?” queried
+Helen, thinking of her brother.
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, of course not,” replied Jane Ann. “No
+more danger than there is up this way,” and she
+led the way on the path that wound up the rocky
+heights.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls were dressed in corduroy skirts and
+strong, laced walking boots—a fitting costume for
+the climb. But had Jib been present at the camp
+perhaps he would not have allowed them to start
+without an escort. Ricardo had to remain at the
+camp. This was a wild country and not even Jane
+Ann carried any weapon, although when the
+ranchman’s niece rode about the range alone she
+carried a gun—and she knew how to use the
+weapon, too.
+</p>
+<p>
+But they could hear the shouts of the boys, rising
+above the thunder of the river, when they left
+the plateau and began to climb the heights, and
+danger of any kind did not enter the minds of
+the girls. It was like picnicking along the Lumano
+River, at home, only the scenery here was
+grander.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth and Helen assumed the lead after a very
+few minutes; they were even better climbers than
+the Western girl. But the way was steep and
+rugged and it wasn’t long before their chatter
+ceased and they saved their breath for the work
+in hand. Madge and Jane Ann came along after
+the chums quite pluckily; but The Fox began
+clamoring for rest before they had climbed half
+the distance to the top of the cliff.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, come on, Mary!” ejaculated Madge.
+“Don’t be whining.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t see anything in this,” grumbled The
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span>
+Fox. “It’s no fun scrambling over these rocks.
+Ouch! Now I’ve torn my stocking.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aw, come on!” said Jane Ann. “You’re a
+regular wet blanket, you are.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s no sense in working so hard for nothing,”
+snapped The Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What did you start out for, Mary?” demanded
+Madge. “You might have remained at
+the camp with Heavy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And she had sense.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s too bad <em>you</em> haven’t a little, then,” observed
+Jane Ann, rudely.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth and Helen, who really enjoyed the climb,
+looked down from the heights and beckoned
+their comrades on.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hurry up, Slow Pokes!” cried Ruth. “We
+shall certainly beat you to the top.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And much good may that do you!” grumbled
+Mary Cox. “What a silly thing to do, anyway.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I do wish you’d go back, if you want to,
+Mary,” declared Madge, wearily.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s as cross as two sticks,” ejaculated Jane
+Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, why shouldn’t I be cross?” demanded
+The Fox, quite ready to quarrel. “This place
+is as dull as ditch-water. I wish I hadn’t come
+West at all. I’m sure, <em>I’ve</em> had no fun.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, you’ve made enough trouble, if you
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span>
+haven’t had a good time,” Jane Ann said, frankly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I must say you’re polite to your guests,” exclaimed
+Mary Cox, viciously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I must say you’re anything but polite to
+me,” responded the ranch girl, not at all abashed.
+“You’re pretty near the limit, <em>you</em> are. Somebody
+ought to give you a good shaking.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth and Helen had gotten so far ahead because
+they had not wasted their breath. Now
+they were waiting for the other three who came
+puffing to the shelf on which the chums rested, all
+three wearing frowns on their faces.
+</p>
+<p>
+“For pity’s sake!” gasped Helen; “what’s the
+matter with you all?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m tired,” admitted Madge, throwing herself
+upon the short turf.
+</p>
+<p>
+“This girl says it’s all foolishness to climb up
+here,” said Jane Ann, pointing at The Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I want to reach the very summit, now
+I’ve started,” cried Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s silly,” declared Mary Cox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re just as cross as a bear,” began the
+Western girl, when Helen suddenly shrieked:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, <em>oh</em>! Will you look at that? <em>What is
+it?</em>”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth had already started on. She did not wish
+to have any words with The Fox. A rod or more
+separated her from her mates. Out of an aperture
+heretofore unnoticed, and between Ruth and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span>
+the other girls, was thrust the shaggy head and
+shoulders of a huge animal.
+</p>
+<p>
+“A dog!” cried Madge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a wolf!” shrieked Mary Cox.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the Western girl knew instantly what the
+creature was. “Run, Ruthie!” she shouted.
+“I’ll call Jib and the boys. <em>It’s a bear!</em>”
+</p>
+<p>
+And at that moment Bruin waddled fully out
+of the hole—a huge, hairy, sleepy looking beast.
+He was between Ruth and her friends, and his
+awkward body blocked the path by which they
+were climbing to the summit of the natural bridge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wu-uh-uh-uff!” said the bear, and swung his
+head and huge shoulders from the group of four
+girls to the lone girl above him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Run, Ruth!” shrieked Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+Her cry seemed to startle the ursine marauder.
+He uttered another grunt of expostulation and
+started up the steep path. Nobody needed to advise
+Ruth to run a second time. She scrambled
+up the rocks with an awful fear clutching at her
+heart and the sound in her ears of the bear’s
+sabre-like claws scratching over the path!
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span><a name='chXII' id='chXII'></a>CHAPTER XII—THE MAN FROM TINTACKER</h2>
+<p>
+Ruth was just as scared as she could be. Although
+the bear did not seem particularly savage,
+there surely was not room enough on the path for
+him and Ruth to pass. The beast was ragged
+and gray looking. His little eyes twinkled and
+his tongue lolled out of his mouth, like that of an
+ox when it is plowing. Aside from a grunt, or
+two, he made at first no threatening manifestation.
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen could not remain inactive and see a bear
+chase her chum over the rocks; therefore she
+picked up a good-sized stone and threw it at the
+beast. They say—at least, boys say!—that a
+girl can’t throw straight. But Helen hit the bear!
+</p>
+<p>
+The stone must have hurt, for the beast let out
+a sudden growl that was in quite a different tone
+from the sounds he had made before. He turned
+sharply and bit at the place on his flank where the
+stone had hit him, and then, in a perfectly unreasonable
+manner, the bear turned sharp around
+and scampered after Ruth harder than ever. It
+was plain that he blamed her for throwing the
+stone. At least, she was nearest to him, and the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span>
+bear was anxious to get out of the way of the
+screaming girls below.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth did not give voice to her fear. Perhaps
+if she had shrieked as The Fox did the bear would
+have been afraid of her. As it was, he came
+on, growling savagely. And in half a minute he
+was fairly upon her heels!
+</p>
+<p>
+The way up the height was in a gully with steep
+sides. Ruth, casting back over her shoulder a
+single terrified glance, saw the lumbering beast
+right upon her heels. The rocks on either hand
+were too steep to climb; it seemed as though the
+bear would seize her in a moment.
+</p>
+<p>
+And then it was that the miracle happened. It
+seemed as though the girl <em>must</em> be torn and mangled
+by the bear, when a figure darted into sight
+above her. A voice shouted:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Lie down! Lie down, so I can shoot!”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was a man with a gun. In the second Ruth
+saw him she only knew he was trying to draw
+bead on the pursuing bear. She had no idea what
+her rescuer looked like—whether he was old, or
+young.
+</p>
+<p>
+It took courage to obey his command. But
+Ruth had that courage. She flung herself forward
+upon her hands and knees and—seemingly—at
+the same instant the man above fired.
+</p>
+<p>
+The roar of the weapon in the rocky glen and
+the roar of the stricken bear, was a deafening
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span>
+combination of sound. The bullet had hit the big
+brute somewhere in a serious spot and he was
+rolling and kicking on the rocks—his first throes
+of agony flinging him almost to Ruth’s feet.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the girl scrambled farther away and heard
+the rifle speak again. A second bullet entered the
+body of the bear. At the same time a lusty shout
+arose from below. The boys and Jib having explored
+the river-tunnel as far as they found it
+practicable, had returned to the camp and there
+discovered where the girls had gone. Jib hastened
+after them, for he felt that they should not
+be roaming over the rocks without an armed
+escort.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hi, yi!” he yelped, tearing up the path with
+a rifle in his hand. “Keep it up, brother! We’re
+comin’!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Tom and Bob came with him. Jib saw the expiring
+bear, and he likewise glimpsed the man who
+had brought bruin down. In a moment, however,
+the stranger darted out of sight up the path
+and they did not even hear his footsteps on the
+rocks.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, that’s that feller from Tintacker!”
+cried the Indian. “Hey, you!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not the crazy man?” gasped Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, surely he’ll come back?” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth turned, almost tempted to run after the
+stranger. “Do you really mean to say it is the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span>
+young man who has been staying at the Tintacker
+properties so long?” she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s the feller.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’d ought to catch him and see what Uncle
+Bill has to say to him about the fire,” said Jane
+Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, we ought to thank him for shooting the
+bear,” cried Madge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I wanted to speak with him so much!”
+groaned Ruth; but nobody heard her say this.
+The others had gathered around the dead bear.
+Of a sudden a new discovery was made:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Where’s Mary?” cried Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The Fox has run away!” exclaimed Madge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll bet she has!” exclaimed Jane Ann Hicks.
+“Didn’t you see her, Jib?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We didn’t pass her on the path,” said Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth’s keen eye discovered the missing girl
+first. She ran with a cry to a little shelf upon
+which the foxy maid had scrambled when the excitement
+started. The Fox was stretched out
+upon the rock in a dead faint!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well! would you ever?” gasped Madge.
+“Who’d think that Mary Cox would faint? She’s
+always been bold enough, goodness knows!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth had hurried to the shelf where The Fox
+lay. She was very white and there could be no
+doubt but that she was totally unconscious. Jib
+lent his assistance and getting her into his arms
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span>
+he carried her bodily down the steep path to the
+camp, leaving Tom and Bob to guard the bear
+until he returned to remove the pelt. The other
+girls strung out after their fainting comrade, and
+the journey to the summit of the natural bridge
+was postponed indefinitely.
+</p>
+<p>
+Cold water from the mountain stream soon
+brought The Fox around. But when she opened
+her eyes and looked into the face of the ministering
+Ruth, she muttered:
+</p>
+<p>
+“And <em>you</em> saw him, too!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Then she turned her face away and began to
+cry.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aw, shucks!” exclaimed the ranchman’s
+niece, “don’t bawl none about it. The bear won’t
+hurt you now. He’s dead as can be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But Ruth did not believe that Mary Cox was
+crying about the bear. Her words and subsequent
+actions <em>did</em> puzzle the girl of the Red Mill. Ruth
+had whispered to Tom, before they left the scene
+of the bear shooting:
+</p>
+<p>
+“See if you can find that man. If you can,
+bring him into camp.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But if he’s crazy?” Tom suggested, in surprise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He isn’t too crazy to have saved my life,” declared
+the grateful girl. “And if he is in his
+right mind, all the more reason why we should
+try to help him.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re always right, Ruthie,” admitted
+Helen’s brother. But when the boy and Jib returned
+to camp two hours later, with the bear pelt
+and some of the best portions of the carcass, they
+had to report that the stranger who had shot the
+bear seemed to have totally disappeared. Jib
+Pottoway was no bad trailer; but over the rocks
+it was impossible to follow the stranger, especially
+as he had taken pains to hide his trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you want to thank that critter for saving
+you from the b’ar, Miss Ruthie,” the Indian said,
+“you’ll hafter go clear over to Tintacker to do
+so. That’s my opinion.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How far away is that?” demanded Mary
+Cox, suddenly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Near a hundred miles from this spot,” declared
+Jib. “That is, by wagon trail. I reckon
+you could cut off thirty or forty miles through the
+hills. The feller’s evidently l’arnt his way around
+since Winter.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Mary asked no further question about the man
+from Tintacker; but she had shown an interest in
+him that puzzled Ruth.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span><a name='chXIII' id='chXIII'></a>CHAPTER XIII—THE PARTY AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE</h2>
+<p>
+The bear fight and the runaway together so
+disturbed the minds of the picnicking party in the
+cañon that nobody objected to the suggestion of
+an early return to the ranch-house. Ruth was
+secretly much troubled in her mind over the mysterious
+individual who had killed the bear. She
+had not seen her rescuer’s face; but she wondered
+if Mary Cox had seen it?
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls never did get to the top of the natural
+bridge. Jib and the boys in trying to trace the
+stranger had gone over the summit; but they did
+not tarry to look around. The girls and Ricardo
+got supper, immediately after which they set out
+on the return drive.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib insisted upon holding the lines over the
+backs of the team that had run away—and he saw
+that Mary Cox rode in that vehicle, too. But
+The Fox showed no vexation at this; indeed, she
+was very quiet all the way to Silver Ranch. She
+was much unlike her usual snappy, sharp-tongued
+self.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, altogether, the party arrived home in very
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span>
+good spirits. The wonders of the wild country—so
+much different from anything the Easterners
+had seen before—deeply impressed Ruth and her
+friends. The routine work of the ranch, however,
+interested them more. Not only Tom and
+Bob, but their sisters and the other girls, found
+the free, out-of-door life of the range and corral
+a never-failing source of delight.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth herself was becoming a remarkably good
+horsewoman. Freckles carried her many miles
+over the range and Jane Ann Hicks was scarcely
+more bold on pony-back than was the girl from
+the Red Mill.
+</p>
+<p>
+As for the cowboys of the Silver outfit, they
+admitted that the visitors were “some human,”
+even from a Western standpoint.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Them friends o’ yourn, Miss Jinny,” Jimsey
+said, to Old Bill’s niece, “ain’t so turrible ‘Bawston’
+as some tenderfoots I’ve seen.” (“Boston,”
+according to Jimsey, spelled the ultra-East
+and all its “finicky” ways!) “I’m plum taken
+with that Fielding gal—I sure am. And I believe
+old Ike, here, is losin’ his heart to her. Old Lem
+Dickson’s Sally better bat her eyes sharp or Ike’ll
+go up in the air an’ she’ll lose him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+It was true that the foreman was less bashful
+with Ruth than with any of the other girls. Ruth
+knew how to put him at his ease. Every spare
+hour Bashful Ike had he put in teaching Ruth to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span>
+improve her riding, and as she was an early riser
+they spent a good many morning hours cantering
+over the range before the rest of the young people
+were astir at Silver Ranch.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was on one of these rides that Bashful Ike
+“opened up” to Ruth upon the subject of the red-haired
+school-teacher at the Crossing.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ve jest plumb doted on that gal since she
+was knee-high to a Kansas hopper-grass,” the big
+puncher drawled. “An’ she knows it well
+enough.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Maybe she knows it too well?” suggested
+Ruth, wisely.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gosh!” groaned Ike. “I <em>gotter</em> keep her
+reminded I’m on the job—say, ain’t I? Now,
+them candies you bought for me an’ give to her—what
+do you s’pose she did with ’em?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She ate them if she had right good sense,”
+replied Ruth, with a smile. “They were nice
+candies.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I rid over to Lem’s the next night,” said Ike,
+solemnly, “an’ that leetle pink-haired skeezicks
+opened up that box o’ sweetmeats on the counter
+an’ had all them lop-eared jack-rabbits that sits
+around her pa’s store o’ nights he’pin’ themselves
+out o’ <em>my</em> gift-box. Talk erbout castin’ pearls before
+swine!” continued Bashful Ike, in deep disgust,
+“<em>that</em> was suah flingin’ jewels to the hawgs,
+all right. Them ’ombres from the Two-Ten
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span>
+outfit, an’ from over Redeye way, was stuffin’
+down them bonbons like they was ten-cent gumdrops.
+An’ Sally never ate a-one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She did that just to tease you,” said Ruth,
+sagely.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” grunted Ike. “I never laid out to
+hurt her feelin’s none. Dunno why she should
+give me the quirt. Why, I’ve been hangin’ about
+her an’ tryin’ to show her how much I think of
+her for years! She must know I wanter marry
+her. An’ I got a good bank account an’ five
+hundred head o’ steers ter begin housekeepin’
+on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Does Sally know all that?” asked Ruth,
+slyly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great Peter!” ejaculated Ike. “She’d
+oughter. Ev’rybody else in the county does.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But did you ever ask Sally right out to marry
+you?” asked the Eastern girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She never give me a chance,” declared Ike,
+gruffly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Chance!” gasped Ruth, wanting to laugh,
+but being too kind-hearted to do so. “What sort
+of a chance do you expect?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never git to talk with her ten minutes at a
+time,” grumbled Ike.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But why don’t you <em>make</em> a chance?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great Peter!” cried the foreman again. “I
+can’t throw an’ hawg-tie her, can I? I never can
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span>
+git down to facts with her—she won’t let me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If I were a great, big man,” said Ruth, her
+eyes dancing, “I surely wouldn’t let a little wisp
+of a girl like Miss Dickson get away from me—if
+I wanted her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How am I goin’ to he’p it?” cried Ike, in
+despair. “She’s jest as sassy as a cat-bird. Ye
+can’t be serious with her. She plumb slips out o’
+my fingers ev’ry time I try to hold her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You are going to the dance at the schoolhouse,
+aren’t you?” asked Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can’t you get her to dance with you? And
+when you’re dancing can’t you ask her? Come
+right out plump with it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, when I’m a-dancin’,” confessed Ike,
+“I can’t think o’ nawthin’ but my feet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Your feet?” cried Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, ma’am. They’re so e-tar-nal big I gotter
+keep my mind on ’em all the time, or I’ll be
+steppin’ on Sally’s. An’ if I trod on her jest
+wunst—wal, that would suah be my finish with
+her. She ain’t got that red hair for nawthin’,”
+concluded the woeful cowpuncher.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike was not alone at the Silver Ranch in looking
+forward to the party at the schoolhouse.
+Every man who could be spared of the —X0
+outfit (“Bar-Cross-Naught”) planned to go to
+the Crossing Saturday night. Such a rummaging
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span>
+of “war-bags” for fancy flannel shirts and brilliant
+ties hadn’t occurred—so Old Bill Hicks said—within
+the remembrance of the present generation
+of prairie-dogs!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Jest thinkin’ about cavortin’ among the gals
+about drives them ’ombres loco,” declared the
+ranchman. “Hi guy! here’s even Jimsey’s got
+a bran’ new shirt on.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“’Tain’t nuther!” scoffed Bud. “Whar’s your
+eyes, Boss? Don’t you reckernize that gay and
+festive shirt? Jimsey bought it ‘way back when
+Mis’ Hills’ twins was born.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So it’s as old as the Hills, is it?” grunted Mr.
+Hicks. “Wal, he ain’t worn it right frequent in
+this yere neck o’ woods—that I’ll swear to! An’
+a purple tie with it—Je-ru-sha! Somebody’ll
+take a shot at him in that combination of riotin’
+colors—you hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls too were quite fluttered over the prospect
+of attending the party. Helen had agreed
+to take her violin along and Bob offered to help
+out with the music by playing his harmonica—an
+instrument without which he never went anywhere,
+save to bed or in swimming!
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I can’t think of anything more utterly
+sad, Bobbie,” declared his sister, “than your rendition
+of ‘the Suwanee River’ on that same
+mouth-organ. When it comes to your playing for
+square dances, I fear you would give our Western
+friends much cause for complaint—and many of
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span>
+them, I notice, go armed,” she continued, significantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” sniffed Bob. “I guess I don’t play
+as bad as all that. Busy Izzy could dance a jig to
+my playing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s what I thought,” responded Madge.
+“You’re just about up to playing jig-tunes on that
+old mouth-organ.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Just the same, Bob slipped the harmonica into
+his pocket. “You never can tell what may happen,”
+he grunted.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’ll be something mighty serious, then, Bobbie,
+if it necessitates the bringing forth of that
+instrument of torture,” said his sister, bound to
+have the last word.
+</p>
+<p>
+At dusk the big automobile got away from Silver
+Ranch, surrounded by a gang of wall-eyed
+ponies that looked on the rattling machine about
+as kindly as they would have viewed a Kansas
+grain thrasher. The visitors and Jane Ann all
+rode in the machine, for even Ruth’s Freckles
+would have turned unmanageable within sight and
+sound of that touring car.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That choo-choo cart,” complained Bud, the
+cowboy, “would stampede a battalion of hoptoads.
+Whoa, you Sonny! it ain’t goin’ tuh bite
+yuh.” This to his own half-crazy mount. “Look
+out for your Rat-tail, Jimsey, or that yere purple
+necktie will bite the dust, as they say in the storybooks.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The hilarious party from Silver Ranch, however,
+reached the Crossing without serious mishap.
+They were not the first comers, for there
+were already lines of saddle ponies as well as
+many various “rigs” hitched about Lem Dickson’s
+store. The schoolhouse was lit brightly
+with kerosene lamps, and there was a string of
+Chinese lanterns hung above the doorway.
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls, in their fresh frocks and furbelows,
+hastened over to the schoolhouse, followed more
+leisurely by their escorts. Sally Dickson, as chief
+of the committee of reception, greeted Jane Ann
+and her friends, and made them cordially welcome,
+although they were all some years younger
+than most of the girls from the ranches roundabout.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you Eastern girls can all dance, you’ll sure
+help us out a whole lot,” declared the brisk little
+schoolmistress. “For if there’s anything I do
+dispise it’s to see two great, hulking men paired
+off in a reel, or a ‘hoe-down.’ And you brought
+your violin, Miss Cameron? That’s fine! You
+can play without music, I hope?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Helen assured her she thought she could master
+the simple dance tunes to which the assembly
+was used. There were settees ranged around the
+walls for the dancers to rest upon, and some of
+the matrons who had come to chaperone the affair
+were already ensconced upon these. There
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span>
+was a buzz of conversation and laughter in the
+big room. The men folk hung about the door as
+yet, or looked in at the open windows.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Did that big gump, Ike Stedman, come over
+with you-all, Miss Fielding?” Sally Dickson asked
+Ruth, aside. “Or did he know enough to stay
+away?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t believe Mr. Hicks could have kept
+him on the ranch to-night,” replied Ruth, smiling.
+“He has promised to dance with me at least
+once. Ike is an awfully nice man, I think—and
+so kind! He’s taught us all to ride and is never
+out of sorts, or too busy to help us out. We ‘tenderfoots’
+are always getting ‘bogged,’ you know.
+And Ike is right there to help us. We all like
+him immensely.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sally looked at her suspiciously. “Humph!”
+said she. “I never expected to hear that Bashful
+Ike was so popular.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I assure you he is,” rejoined Ruth, calmly.
+“He is developing into quite a lady’s man.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Miss Dickson snorted. Nothing else could explain
+her method of emphatically expressing her
+disbelief. But Ruth was determined that the
+haughty little schoolmistress should have her eyes
+opened regarding Bashful Ike before the evening
+was over, and she proceeded to put into execution
+a plan she had already conceived on the way over
+from Silver Ranch.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span><a name='chXIV' id='chXIV'></a>CHAPTER XIV—BASHFUL IKE COMES OUT STRONG</h2>
+<p>
+Ruth first of all took Jane Ann into her confidence.
+The ranchman’s niece had been going
+about the room renewing her acquaintance with
+the “neighbors,” some of whom lived forty miles
+from Silver Ranch. The Western girl was proud
+of the friends she had made “Down East,” too,
+and she was introducing them all, right and left.
+But Ruth pinched her arm and signified that she
+wished to see her alone for a moment.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, Nita,” the girl from the Red Mill
+whispered, “we want to see that Mr. Stedman
+has a good time to-night. You know, he’s been
+awfully good to us all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bashful Ike?” exclaimed Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes. And we must give him so good a time
+that he will forget to be bashful.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s a right good feller—yes,” admitted Jane
+Ann, somewhat puzzled. “But what can we do
+for him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Every one of us girls from the ranch must
+dance with him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, crickey!” chuckled Jane Ann, suddenly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span>
+“You want to try to make Sally Dickson jealous,
+don’t you?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No. I only want to make her see that Ike is
+popular, even if she doesn’t think him worth being
+kind to. And Ike <em>is</em> worth being kind to. He’s
+a gentleman, and as kind-hearted a man as I ever
+saw.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s all of that,” admitted the Western girl.
+“But he’s so clumsy—”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Forget that!” exclaimed Ruth. “And make
+<em>him</em> forget his clumsiness. He’s as good as gold
+and deserves better treatment at the hands of
+Sally than he has been getting. Of course, she
+won’t be jealous of us young girls——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Humph! ‘Young girls,’” scoffed Jane Ann.
+“I don’t think we’re so awful young.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, we’re too young to be accused of trying
+to take Sally’s beau away from her,” cried Ruth,
+merrily. “Now, you’ll make him dance with you—and
+first, too. He’ll have to if you say so, for
+he’s your uncle’s foreman.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll do it,” agreed Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth of course found Helen ready and willing
+to agree to her plan, and Madge did not need
+much urging. They all liked Ike Stedman, and
+although the brisk little schoolmistress seemed to
+be a very nice girl, the foreman of Silver Ranch
+was quite worthy of her.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If he dares to dance with me,” chuckled
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span>
+Heavy, “I am willing to keep it up all the evening.
+That is, if you think such a course, Ruthie,
+will awaken Miss Dickson to poor Ike’s good
+points.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And how about those blisters you were complaining
+about the other day?” asked Madge,
+slyly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pshaw! what girl ever remembered blisters
+when she could dance?” responded the stout girl,
+with scorn.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth had all but The Fox in line when the violin
+struck up the first number; she did not think it
+wise to speak to Mary about the plan, for she
+feared that the latter would refuse to coöperate.
+The boys came straggling in at the first notes of
+Helen’s violin, and there were no medals on Ike
+Stedman for bashfulness at first. Tom Cameron,
+spurred on by his sister, broke the ice and went at
+once to the school-teacher and asked for the dance.
+Bob followed suit by taking Mary Cox for a partner
+(Mary engineered <em>that</em>), and soon the sets
+began to form while Helen played her sprightliest.
+</p>
+<p>
+The young men crowded in awkwardly and
+when Jane Ann saw the tall figure of Ike just outside
+the door she called to him:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Come on in, Mr. Stedman. You know this
+is our dance. Hurry up!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Now Ike usually didn’t get up sufficient
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span>
+courage to appear upon the floor until half the
+evening was over, and there was a deal of chuckling
+and nudging when the foreman, his face flaming,
+pushed into the room. But he could not escape
+“the boss’ niece.” Jane Ann deliberately
+led him into the set of which Tom and Sally
+Dickson were the nucleus.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My great aunt!” groaned Ike. “Just as
+like as not, honey, I’ll trample all over you an’
+mash yo’ feet. It’s like takin’ life in your han’s
+to dance with me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mebbe I better take my feet in my hands, according
+to your warning, Ike,” quoth Jane Ann.
+“Aw, come on, I reckon I can dodge your feet,
+big as they are.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Nor did Bashful Ike prove to be so poor a
+dancer, when he was once on the floor. But he
+went through the figures of the dance with a face—so
+Jane Ann said afterward—that flamed like
+a torchlight procession every time he came opposite
+to Sally Dickson.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I see you’re here early, Mr. Stedman,” said
+the red-haired schoolmistress, as she was being
+swung by the giant cow puncher in one of the figures.
+“Usually you’re like Parson Brown’s
+cow’s tail—always behind!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“They drug me in, Sally—they just drug me
+in,” explained the suffering Ike.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, do brace up and look a little less like
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span>
+you was at your own funeral!” snapped the
+schoolmistress.
+</p>
+<p>
+This sharp speech would have completely
+quenched Ike’s desire to dance had Ruth not laid
+her plans so carefully. The moment the music
+ceased and Ike made for the door, Heavy stopped
+him. She was between the bashful cow puncher
+and all escape—unless he went through the window!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Mr. Stedman! I do so want to dance,”
+cried the stout girl, with her very broadest and
+friendliest smile. “Nobody asked me to this
+time, and I just know they’re all afraid of me.
+Do I look as though I bite?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bless you, no, Miss!” responded the polite
+foreman of Silver Ranch. “You look just as
+harmless as though you’d never cut a tooth, as fur
+as that goes!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then you’re not afraid to dance the next
+number with me? There! Helen’s tuning up.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you re’lly want me to, Miss,” exclaimed
+the much-flurried foreman. “But I won’t mislead
+ye. I ain’t a good dancer.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then there will be a pair of us,” was Heavy’s
+cheerful reply. “If the other folk run off the
+floor, we’ll be company for each other.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Carefully rehearsed by Ruth Fielding, Jennie
+Stone likewise picked the group of dancers of
+which Sally Dickson and a new partner were
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span>
+members; and once again Bashful Ike found himself
+close to the object of his adoration.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hullo, Ike! you back again?” demanded
+Sally, cheerfully, as they clasped hands in a
+“walk-around.” “I believe you are getting to be
+a regular lady’s man.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aw—now—Sally!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“So that Ruth Fielding says,” laughed Sally.
+“You’re sure popular with those youngsters.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike grinned feebly. But he was feeling better.
+He had actually forgotten his feet—even in Sally’s
+presence. Jennie Stone, although an all too solid
+bit of humanity, was remarkably light upon her
+feet when it came to dancing. Indeed, she was
+so good a dancer that she steered Ike over the
+floor to such good purpose that he—as well as
+other people—began to believe that Bashful Ike
+was no more awkward than the next man off the
+range.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Ruthie!” whispered Madge Steele,
+who was the next “victim” in line. “Ike is a
+regular Beau Brummel beside some of these fellows.
+Look at Heavy steering him around!
+And look at the teacher watching them. Humph!
+young lady I believe you’re got a ‘great head on
+you,’ to quote Master Bobbie.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, you be real nice to him, Madge,” Ruth
+urged.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course I shall, child,” replied Miss Steele,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span>
+with her most “grown-uppish” air. “He’s nice
+anyway; and if we can ‘wake teacher’ up to his
+importance, I’ll gladly do my part.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If it only gives him a grain of confidence in
+himself, I shall be satisfied,” declared Ruth.
+“That is what Ike lacks.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The foreman of Silver Ranch was coming out
+pretty strong, however. The Virginia Reel was
+the favorite dance, and when Helen stopped playing
+the applause was so great, that she responded
+with a repetition of the whole figure; so Ike and
+Heavy continued on the floor for a much longer
+period, and the big cowpuncher gained more ease
+of manner. When they ceased dancing the stout
+girl led her escort right into the clutches of Madge
+Steele.
+</p>
+<p>
+Now, Madge was taller than the schoolmistress
+and in her city-made gown looked years older.
+The boys were rather afraid of Madge when she
+“put on the real thing,” as her brother inelegantly
+expressed it, for she seemed then quite a young
+lady grown!
+</p>
+<p>
+“I really believe you Western men are gallant,
+Mr. Stedman,” she announced. “Chivalrous,
+and unafraid, and bold, and all that. I am
+deeply disappointed.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“How’s that, Miss?” exclaimed poor Ike.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I haven’t had an invitation to dance yet,”
+pursued Madge. “If I had scarletina, or the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span>
+measles—or even the mumps—I do not think I
+should be more avoided by the male portion of
+the assembly. What do you suppose is the matter
+with me, Mr. Stedman?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I—I——”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike was on the verge of declaring that he would
+find her a partner if he had to use a gun to get
+one to come forward; but he was inspired for once
+to do the right thing. He really bowed before
+Madge with something of a flourish, as the tinkle
+of the violin strings began again.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If you think you can stand <em>me</em>, Miss Steele,”
+declared the big foreman, “I’d be near about
+tickled to death to lead you out myself.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You are very good,” said Madge, demurely.
+“But are you sure—I think that pretty little
+teacher is looking this way. You are not neglecting
+any old friends for <em>me</em> I hope, Mr. Stedman?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike’s face flamed again furiously. He stole a
+glance at Sally Dickson, who had just refused
+Jimsey for a partner—and with sharpness.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m pretty sure I’ll be a whole lot better off
+with you, Miss,” he admitted. “Jest now, especially.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Madge’s ringing laugh caught Sally’s ear, as
+the Eastern girl bore the foreman of Silver Ranch
+off to join the next set of dancers. The teacher
+did not dance that number at all.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Mrs. “Jule” Marvin, the young and buxom
+wife of the owner of the Two-Ten Ranch, caught
+Ike’s hand and whispered loudly:
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never suspected you was such a heart-breaker,
+Ike. Goodness me! you’re dancing
+every dance, and with a new partner each time.
+I haven’t got to be left out in the cold just because
+I’m married to Tom, I hope? He can’t
+dance with that game leg, poor old man! You
+going to save a dance for me, Ike?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Suah’s your bawn, honey!” responded the
+foreman, who was beginning to enjoy his prominence
+and had known Mrs. Jule for years. “The
+next one’s yours if you say the word.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re my meat, then, Ike,” declared the
+jolly Western matron, as she glided away with her
+present partner.
+</p>
+<p>
+So there was a little rift in Ruth Fielding’s
+scheme, for Ike danced next with the ranchman’s
+wife. But that pleased the girl from the Red
+Mill and her fellow conspirators quite as well.
+Ike was no neglected male “wall-flower.” Sally
+only skipped one dance; but she watched the big
+foreman with growing wonder.
+</p>
+<p>
+A rest was due Helen anyway; and Bob Steele
+was at hand with his never-failing harmonica.
+“The heart-rending strains,” as Madge termed
+the rather trying music from the mouth-organ,
+were sufficiently lively for most of the party, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span>
+the floor was filled with dancers when Helen captured
+Ike and he led her into a set just forming.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You must be the best dancer among the men,
+Mr. Ike,” declared Ruth’s chum, dimpling merrily.
+“You are in such demand.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I b’lieve you gals have jest been ladlin’ the
+syrup intuh me, Miss Cam’ron,” Ike responded,
+but grinning with growing confidence. “It’s been
+mighty nice of you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’d better give Sally a chance pretty soon,”
+whispered Helen. “There is surely fire in her
+eye.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Great Peter!” groaned Ike. “I’m almost
+afraid to meet up with her now.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pluck up your spirit, sir!” commanded
+Helen. And she maneuvered so that, when the
+dance was done, they stood right next to Sally
+Dickson and her last partner.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, ain’t you the busy little bee, Ike,” said
+the school-teacher, in a low voice. “Are you bespoke
+for the rest of the evening? These young-ones
+certainly have turned your head.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Me, Sally?” responded her bashful friend.
+“They like tuh dance, I reckon, like all other
+young things—an’ the other boys seem kinder
+backward with ’em; ’cause they’re Bawston, I
+s’pose.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Humph!” ejaculated Miss Sally; “you ain’t
+such a gump as to believe all that. That little
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span>
+Smartie, Ruth Fielding, planned all this, I bet a
+cent!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Miss Ruth?” queried Ike, in surprise.
+“Why, I ain’t danced with her at all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nor you ain’t a-goin’ to!” snapped Sally.
+“You can dance with me for a spell now.” And
+for the remainder of that hilarious evening Sally
+scarcely allowed Bashful Ike out of her clutches.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span><a name='chXV' id='chXV'></a>CHAPTER XV—“THE NIGHT TRICK”</h2>
+<p>
+The party at the schoolhouse was declared a
+success by all Jane Ann Hick’s Eastern friends—saving,
+of course, The Fox. She had only danced
+with Tom and Bob and had disproved haughtily
+of the entire proceedings. She had pronounced
+Ruth’s little plot for getting Ike and Sally together,
+“a silly trick,” although the other girls
+had found considerable innocent enjoyment in it,
+and the big foreman of Silver Ranch rode home
+with them after midnight in a plain condition of
+ecstacy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ike suah has made the hit of his life,” Jimsey
+declared, to the other cowboys.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He was the ‘belle of the ball’ all right,”
+chimed in another.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If I warn’t a person of puffectly tame an’
+gentle nature, I’d suah be a whole lot jealous of
+his popularity,” proceeded he of the purple necktie.
+“But I see a-many of you ’ombres jest
+standin’ around and a-gnashin’ of your teeth at
+the way Ike carried off the gals.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” grunted Bud. “We weren’t gnashin’
+no teeth at old Ike. What put our grinders on
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span>
+edge was that yere purple necktie an’ pink-striped
+shirt you’re wearin’. Ev’ry gal that danced with
+you, Jimsey, was in danger of gettin’ cross-eyed
+lookin’ at that ne-fa-ri-ous combination.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Sunday was a quiet day at the ranch. Although
+there was no church nearer than Bullhide,
+Bill Hicks made a practice of doing as little work
+as possible on the first day of the week, and his
+gangs were instructed to simply keep the herds
+in bounds.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the ranch house Ruth and her girl friends
+arranged a song-service for the evening to which
+all the men about the home corral, and those
+who could be spared to ride in from the range,
+were invited. This broke up several card games
+in the bunk house—games innocent in themselves,
+perhaps, but an amusement better engaged in on
+week days.
+</p>
+<p>
+The boys gathered in the dusk on the wide
+porch and listened to the really beautiful music
+that the girls had learned at Briarwood Hall.
+Ruth was in splendid voice, and her singing was
+applauded warmly by the cowboys.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My soul, Bud!” gasped Jimsey. “Couldn’t
+that leetle gal jest sing a herd of millin’ cattle
+to by-low on the night trick, with that yere voice
+of hers?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Uh-huh!” agreed Bud. “She could stop a
+stampede, she could.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I’d love to see a real stampede!” exclaimed
+Helen, who overheard this conversation.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You would eh?” responded Jane Ann.
+“Well, here’s hoping you never get your wish—eh,
+boys?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not with the Bar-Cross-Naught outfit, Miss
+Jinny,” agreed Bud, fervently.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But it must be a wonderful sight to see so
+many steers rushing over the plain at once—all
+running as tight as they can run,” urged the innocent
+Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ya-as,” drawled Jimsey. “But I want it to
+be some other man’s cattle.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But do you really ever have much trouble
+with the cattle?” asked Helen. “They all look
+so tame.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Except Old Trouble-Maker,” laughed her
+twin, who stood beside her.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Looks jest like a picnic, herdin’ them mooley-cows,
+don’t it?” scoffed Jimsey.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’d ought to be on the night trick, once,”
+said Jane Ann. “It’s all right punching cows by
+daylight.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the night trick?” asked Heavy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Night herding. That’s when things happen
+to a bunch of cows,” explained the ranchman’s
+niece.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe that must be fun,” cried Ruth, who
+had come out upon the porch. “Can’t we go
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span>
+out to one of the camps and see the work by night
+as well as by day?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Good for you, Ruth!” cried Tom Cameron.
+“That’s the game.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, I wouldn’t want to do that,” objected
+Mary Cox. “We’d have to camp out.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, them that don’t want to go can stay
+here,” Jane Ann said, quickly. If anything was
+needed to enlist her in the cause it was the opposition
+of The Fox. “I’ll see what Uncle Bill
+says.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But, will it be dangerous?” demanded the
+more careful Madge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ve ridden at night,” said Jane Ann, proudly.
+“Haven’t I, Jimsey?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just so,” admitted the cowboy, gravely.
+“But a whole bunch o’ gals might make the critters
+nervous.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Too many cows would sure make the girls
+nervous!” laughed Bob, grinning at his sister.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the idea once having taken possession of
+the minds of Ruth and her girl friends, the conclusion
+was foregone. Uncle Bill at first (to
+quote Jane Ann) “went up in the air.” When
+he came down to earth, however, his niece was
+right there, ready to argue the point with him
+and—as usual—he gave in to her.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tarnashun, Jane Ann!” exclaimed the old
+ranchman. “I’ll bet these yere gals don’t get back
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span>
+home without some bad accident happening.
+You-all are so reckless.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now Uncle Bill! don’t you go to croaking,”
+she returned, lightly. “Ain’t no danger of
+trouble at all. We’ll only be out one night. We’ll
+go down to Camp Number Three—that’s nearest.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, sir-ree! Them boys air too triflin’ a
+crew,” declared the ranchman. “Jib is bossing
+the Rolling River outfit just now. You can go
+over there. I can trust Jib.”
+</p>
+<p>
+As the rest of the party was so enthusiastic,
+and all determined to spend a night at Number
+Two Camp on the Rolling River Range, Mary
+Cox elected to go likewise. She declared she did
+not wish to remain at the ranch-house in the sole
+care of a “fat and greasy Mexican squaw,” as
+she called the cook.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ouch! I bet that stings Maria when she
+knows how you feel about her,” chuckled Heavy.
+“Why let carking care disturb your serenity,
+Mary? Come on and enjoy yourself like the rest
+of us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t expect to enjoy myself in any party
+that’s just run by one girl,” snapped Mary.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who’s that?” asked the stout girl, in wonder.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ruth Fielding. She bosses everything. She
+thinks this is all her own copyrighted show—like
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>
+the Sweetbriars. Everything we do she suggests——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That shows how good a ‘suggester’ she is,”
+interposed Heavy, calmly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It shows how she’s got you all hypnotized
+into believing she’s a wonder,” snarled The
+Fox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aw, don’t Mary! Don’t be so mean. I
+should think Ruth would be the last person <em>you’d</em>
+ever have a grouch on. She’s done enough for
+you——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She hasn’t, either!” cried Mary Fox, her face
+flaming.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’d like to know what you’d call it?” Heavy
+demanded, with a good deal of warmth for her.
+“If she wasn’t the sweetest-tempered, most forgiving
+girl that ever went to Briarwood, <em>you’d</em>
+have lost your last friend long ago! I declare,
+I’m ashamed of you!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s not my friend,” said Mary, sullenly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who is, then? She has helped to save your
+life on more than one occasion. She has never
+said a word about the time she fell off the rocks
+when we were at Lighthouse Point. You and
+she were together, and <em>you</em> know how it happened.
+Oh, I can imagine how it happened. Besides,
+Nita saw you, and so did Tom Cameron,” cried
+the stout girl, more hotly. “Don’t think all your
+tricks can be hidden.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What do you suppose I care?” snarled Mary
+Cox.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I guess you care what Tom Cameron thinks
+of you,” pursued Heavy, wagging her head.
+“But after the way you started those ponies when
+we drove to Rolling River Cañon, you can be sure
+that you don’t stand high with him—or with any
+of the rest of the boys.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Pooh! those cowboys! Great, uneducated
+gawks!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But mighty fine fellows, just the same. I’d
+a whole lot rather have their good opinion than
+their bad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Now all this was, for Jennie Stone, pretty
+strong language. She was usually so mild of
+speech and easy-going, that its effect was all the
+greater. The Fox eyed her in some surprise and—for
+once—was quelled to a degree.
+</p>
+<p>
+All these discussions occurred on Monday. The
+Rolling River Camp was twenty miles away in the
+direction of the mountain range. Tuesday was
+the day set for the trip. The party would travel
+with the supply wagon and a bunch of ponies for
+the herders, bossed by Maria’s husband. On
+Wednesday the young folk would return under
+the guidance of little Ricarde, who was to go
+along to act as camp-boy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But if we like it out there, Uncle Bill, maybe
+we’ll stay till Thursday,” Jane Ann declared,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span>
+from her pony’s back, just before the cavalcade
+left the ranch-house, very early on Tuesday.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You better not. I’m going to be mighty busy
+around yere, and I don’t want to be worried
+none,” declared the ranchman. “And I sha’n’t
+know what peace is till I see you-all back again.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Now, don’t worry,” drawled his niece. “We
+ain’t none of us sugar nor salt.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wish I could let Ike go with ye—that’s what
+I wish,” grumbled her uncle.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth Fielding secretly wished the same. The
+direction of the Rolling River Camp lay toward
+Tintacker. She had asked the foreman about it.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’ll be all of thirty mile from the Tintacker
+claims, Miss Ruth,” Bashful Ike said. “But it’s a
+straight-away trail from the ford a mile, or so,
+this side of the camp. Any of the boys can show
+you. And Jib might spare one of ’em to beau you
+over to the mine, if so be you are determined to
+try and find that ‘bug’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I <em>do</em> want to see and speak with him,” Ruth
+said, earnestly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s pretty sure he’s looney,” said Ike. “You
+won’t make nothing out o’ him. I wouldn’t
+bother.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, he saved my life!” cried Ruth. “I
+want to thank him. I want to help him. And—and—indeed,
+I need very much to see and speak
+with him, Ike.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ya-as. That does make a difference,” admitted
+the foreman. “He sure did kill that bear.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The ponies rattled away behind the heavy
+wagon, drawn by six mules. In the lead cantered
+Ricarde and his father, herding the dozen or more
+half-wild cow-ponies. The Mexican horse-wrangler
+was a lazy looking, half-asleep fellow; but he
+sat a pony as though he had grown in the saddle.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth, on her beloved little Freckles, rode almost
+as well now as did Jane Ann. The other
+girls were content to follow the mule team at a
+more quiet pace; but Ruth and the ranchman’s
+niece dashed off the trail more than once for a
+sharp race across the plain.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re a darling, Ruthie!” declared Jane
+Ann, enthusiastically. “I wish you were going to
+live out here at Silver Ranch all the time—I
+do! I wouldn’t mind being ‘buried in the wilderness’
+if you were along——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, but you won’t be buried in the wilderness
+all the time,” laughed the girl from the Red
+Mill. “I am sure of that.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh!” ejaculated the Western girl, startled.
+“What do you mean?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I mean that we’ve been talking to Uncle Bill,”
+laughed Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! you ain’t got it fixed for me?” gasped
+the ranchman’s neice. “Will he send me to
+school?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Surest thing you know, Nita!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not to that boarding school you girls all go
+to?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Unless he backs down—and you know Mr.
+Bill Hicks isn’t one of the backing-down kind.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, bully for you!” gasped Jane Ann. “I
+know it’s your doing. I can see it all. Uncle
+Bill thinks the sun just about rises and sets with
+you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Helen and Heavy did their share. So did
+Madge—and even Heavy’s aunt, Miss Kate, before
+we started West. You will go to Briarwood
+with us next half, Nita. You’ll have a
+private teacher for a while so that you can catch
+up with our classes. It’s going to be up to you
+to make good, young lady—that’s all.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann Hicks was too pleased at that moment
+to say a word—and she had to wink mighty
+hard to keep the tears back. Weeping was as
+much against her character as it would have been
+against a boy’s. And she was silent thereafter
+for most of the way to the camp.
+</p>
+<p>
+They rode over a rolling bit of ground and
+came in sight suddenly of the great herd in care
+of Number Two outfit. Such a crowd of slowly
+moving cattle was enough to amaze the eastern
+visitors. For miles upon miles the great herd
+overspread the valley, along the far side of which
+the hurrying river flowed. The tossing horns,
+the lowing of the cows calling their young, the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span>
+strange, bustling movement of the whole mass,
+rose up to the excited spectators in a great wave
+of sound and color. It was a wonderful sight!
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib rode up the hill to meet them. The men
+on duty were either squatting here and there over
+the range, in little groups, playing cards and smoking,
+or riding slowly around the outskirts of the
+herd. There was a chuck-tent and two sleeping
+tents parked by the river side, and the smoke
+from the cook’s sheet-iron stove rose in a thin
+spiral of blue vapor toward that vaster blue that
+arched the complete scene.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What a picture!” Ruth said to her chum.
+“The mountains are grand. That cañon we
+visited was wonderful. The great, rolling plains
+dwarf anything in the line of landscape that we
+ever saw back East. But <em>this</em> caps all the sights
+we have seen yet.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m almost afraid of the cattle, Ruthie,” declared
+Helen. “So many tossing horns! So
+many great, nervous, moving bodies! Suppose
+they should start this way—run us down and
+stamp us into the earth? Oh! they could do it
+easily.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t feel that fear of them,” returned the
+girl from the Red Mill. “I mean to ride all
+around the herd to-night with Nita. She says
+she is going to help ride herd, and I am going with
+her.”
+</p>
+<p>
+This declaration, however, came near not being
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span>
+fulfilled. Jib Pottoway objected. The tent
+brought for the girls was erected a little way
+from the men’s camp, and the Indian stated it as
+his irrevocable opinion that the place for the lady
+visitors at night was inside the white walls of
+that tent.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ain’t no place for girls on the night trick,
+Miss Jinny—and you know it,” complained Jib.
+“Old Bill will hold me responsible if anything
+happens to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Twon’t be the first time I’ve ridden around
+a bunch of beeves after sundown,” retorted Jane
+Ann, sharply. “And I’ve promised Ruth. It’s
+a real nice night. I don’t even hear a coyote
+singing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s rain in the air. We may have a blow
+out of the hills before morning,” said Jib, shaking
+his head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Aw shucks!” returned the ranchman’s niece.
+“If it rains we can borrow slickers, can’t we? I
+never saw such a fellow as you are, Jib. Always
+looking for trouble.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You managed to get into trouble the other
+day when you went over to the cañon,” grunted
+the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+“‘Twarn’t Ruthie and me that made you
+trouble. And that Cox girl wouldn’t dare ride
+within forty rods of these cows,” laughed the
+ranchman’s niece.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+So Jib was forced to give way. Tom and Bob
+had craved permission to ride herd, too. The
+cowboys seemed to accept these offers in serious
+mood, and that made Jane Ann suspicious.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’ll hatch up some joke to play on you-all,”
+she whispered to Ruthie. “But we’ll find
+out what they mean to do, if we can, and just
+cross-cut ’em.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The camp by the river was the scene of much
+hilarity at supper time. The guests had brought
+some especially nice rations from the ranch-house,
+and the herders welcomed the addition to their
+plain fare with gusto. Tom and Bob ate with
+the men and, when the night shift went on duty,
+they set forth likewise to ride around the great
+herd which, although seemingly so peacefully inclined,
+must be watched and guarded more carefully
+by night than by day.
+</p>
+<p>
+Soon after Jane Ann and Ruth rode forth,
+taking the place together of one of the regular
+herders. These additions to the night gang left
+more of the cow punchers than usual at the camp,
+and there was much hilarity among the boys as
+Jane Ann and her friend cantered away toward
+the not far-distant herd.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Those fellows are up to something,” the
+ranchman’s niece repeated. “We must be on the
+watch for them—and don’t you be scared none,
+Ruthie, at anything that may happen.”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span><a name='chXVI' id='chXVI'></a>CHAPTER XVI—THE JOKE THAT FAILED</h2>
+<p>
+The two girls rode into the melting darkness
+of the night, and once out of the radiance of the
+campfires became suddenly appreciative of the
+subdued sounds arising from the far-extending
+valley in which the herd lay.
+</p>
+<p>
+At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful
+cadence. There was the uncertain movements
+of the cattle on the riders’ left hand—here one
+lapped its body with its great tongue—again
+horns clashed—then a big steer staggered to its
+feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.
+There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many
+cuds.
+</p>
+<p>
+A large part of the herd was lying down. Although
+stars flecked the sky quite thickly the
+whole valley in which the cattle fed seemed over-mantled
+with a pall of blackness. Shapes loomed
+through this with sudden, uncertain outline.
+</p>
+<p>
+“My! it’s shivery, isn’t it?” whispered Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There won’t nothing bite us,” chuckled the
+Western girl. “Huh! what’s that?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+The sudden change in her voice made Ruth giggle
+nervously. “That’s somebody riding ahead
+of us. <em>You’re</em> not afraid, Nita?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, I should say not!” cried the other,
+very boldly. “It’s one of the boys. Hello,
+Darcy! I thought you were a ghost.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You gals better git back to the camp,”
+grunted the cowboy. “We’re going to have a
+shower later. I feel it in the air.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We’re neither sugar nor salt,” declared Jane
+Ann. “We’ve both got slickers on our saddles.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ridin’ herd at night ain’t no job for gals,”
+said Darcy. “And that cloud yander is goin’ ter
+spit lightnin’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s always got a grouch about something.
+I never did like old Darcy,” Jane Ann confided
+to her friend.
+</p>
+<p>
+But there was a general movement and confusion
+in the herd before the girls had ridden two
+miles. The cattle smelled the storm coming and,
+now and then, a faint flash of lightning penciled
+the upper edge of the cloud that masked the
+Western horizon.
+</p>
+<p>
+“’Tain’t going to amount to anything,” declared
+Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It just looks like heat lightning,” agreed
+Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“May not rain at all to-night,” pursued the
+other girl, cheerfully.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Who’s that yelling?” queried Ruth, suddenly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Huh! that’s somebody singing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Singing?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yep.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Way out here?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yep. It’s Fred English, I guess. And he’s
+no Caruso.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But what’s he singing for?” demanded the
+disturbed Ruth, for the sounds that floated to
+their ears were mournful to a degree.
+</p>
+<p>
+“To keep the cattle quiet,” explained the ranch
+girl. “Singing often keeps the cows from milling——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Milling?” repeated Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s when they begin to get uneasy, and
+mill around and around in a circle. Cows are
+just as foolish as a flock of hens.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But you don’t mean to say the boys sing ’em
+to sleep?” laughed Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Something like that. It often keeps ’em quiet.
+Lets ’em know there’s humans about.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I really thought he must be making that
+noise to keep himself from feeling lonely,”
+chuckled Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nobody’d want to do that, you know,” returned
+Jane Ann, with seriousness. “Especially
+when they can’t sing no better than that Fred
+English.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is worse than a mourning dove,” complained the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span>
+girl from the East. “Why doesn’t
+he try something a bit livelier?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You don’t want to whistle a jig-tune to keep
+cows quiet,” Jane Ann responded, sagely.
+</p>
+<p>
+The entire herd seemed astir now. There was
+a sultriness in the air quite unfamiliar on the
+range. The electricity still glowed along the horizon;
+but it seemed so distant that the girls much
+doubted Darcy’s prophecy of rain.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cattle continued to move about and crop
+the short herbage. Few of them remained “bedded
+down.” In the distance another voice was
+raised in song. Ruth’s mount suddenly jumped
+to one side, snorting. A huge black steer rose
+up and blew a startled blast through his nostrils.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gracious! I thought that was a monster rising
+out of the very earth! And so did Freckles,
+I guess,” cried Ruth, with some nervousness.
+“Whoa, Freckles! Whoa, pretty!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You sing, too, Ruthie,” advised her friend.
+“We don’t want to start some foolish steer to
+running.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The Eastern girl’s sweet voice—clear and
+strong—rang out at once and the two girls rode
+on their way. The movement of the herd showed
+that most of the cattle had got upon their feet;
+but there was no commotion.
+</p>
+<p>
+As they rode around the great herd they occasionally
+passed a cowboy riding in the other direction, who
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span>
+hailed them usually with some witticism.
+But if Ruth chanced to be singing, they broke
+off their own refrains and applauded the girl’s
+effort.
+</p>
+<p>
+Once a coyote began yapping on the hillside
+near at hand, as Ruth and Jane Ann rode. The
+latter jerked out the shiny gun that swung at her
+belt and fired twice in the direction of the brute’s
+challenge.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’ll scare <em>him</em>,” she explained. “They’re
+a nuisance at calving time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Slowly, but steadily, the cloud crept up the sky
+and snuffed out the light of the stars. The lightning,
+however, only played at intervals, with the
+thunder muttering hundreds of miles away, in
+the hills.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is going to rain, Nita,” declared Ruth, with
+conviction.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, let’s put the rubber blankets over us,
+and be ready for it,” said the ranch girl, cheerfully.
+“We don’t want to go in now and have
+the boys laugh at us.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Of course not,” agreed Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann showed her how to slip the slicker
+over her head. Its folds fell all about her and,
+as she rode astride, she would be well sheltered
+from the rain if it began to fall. They were now
+some miles from the camp on the river bank, but
+had not as yet rounded the extreme end of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span>
+herd. The grazing range of the cattle covered
+practically the entire valley.
+</p>
+<p>
+The stirring of the herd had grown apace and
+even in the thicker darkness the girls realized that
+most of the beasts were in motion. Now and
+then a cow lowed; steers snorted and clashed
+horns with neighboring beeves. The restlessness
+of the beasts was entirely different from those
+motions of a grazing herd by day.
+</p>
+<p>
+Something seemed about to happen. Nature,
+as well as the beasts, seemed to wait in expectation
+of some startling change. Ruth could not
+fail to be strongly impressed by this inexplicable
+feeling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Something’s going to happen, Nita. I feel
+it,” she declared.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hark! what’s that?” demanded her companion,
+whose ears were the sharper.
+</p>
+<p>
+A mutter of sound in the distance made Ruth
+suggest: “Thunder?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, no!” exclaimed Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+Swiftly the sound approached. The patter of
+ponies’ hoofs—a crowd of horses were evidently
+charging out of a nearby coulie into the open
+plain.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wild horses!” gasped Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+But even as she spoke an eerie, soul-wracking
+chorus of shrieks broke the oppressive stillness
+of the night. Such frightful yells Ruth had never
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span>
+heard before—nor could she, for the moment, believe
+that they issued from the lips of human beings!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Injuns!” ejaculated Jane Ann and swung her
+horse about, poising the quirt to strike. “Come
+on——”
+</p>
+<p>
+Her words were drowned in a sudden crackle
+of electricity—seemingly over their very heads.
+They were blinded by the flash of lightning which,
+cleaving the cloud at the zenith, shot a zigzag
+stream of fire into the midst of the cattle!
+</p>
+<p>
+Momentarily Ruth gained a view of the thousands
+of tossing horns. A chorus of bellowing
+rose from the frightened herd.
+</p>
+<p>
+But Jane Ann recovered her self-confidence instantly.
+“It’s nothing but a joke, Ruthie!” she
+cried, in her friend’s ear. “That’s some of the
+boys riding up and trying to frighten us. But
+there, that’s no joke!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Another bolt of lightning and deafening report
+followed. The cowboys’ trick was a fiasco.
+There was serious trouble at hand.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The herd is milling!” yelled Jane Ann.
+“Sing again, Ruthie! Ride close in to them and
+sing! We must keep them from stampeding if
+we can!” and she spurred her own pony toward
+the bellowing, frightened steers.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span><a name='chXVII' id='chXVII'></a>CHAPTER XVII—THE STAMPEDE</h2>
+<p>
+Be it said of the group of thoughtless cowboys
+(of whom were the wildest spirits of Number
+Two camp) that their first demonstration as they
+dashed out of the coulie upon the two girls was
+their only one. Their imitation of an Indian attack
+was nipped in the bud by the bursting of the
+electric storm. There was no time for the continuance
+of the performance arranged particularly
+to startle Jane Ann and Ruth Fielding. Ruth
+forgot the patter of the approaching ponies. She
+had instantly struck into her song—high and clear—at
+her comrade’s advice; and she drew Freckles
+closer to the herd. The bellowing and pushing
+of the cattle betrayed their position in any case;
+but the intermittent flashes of lightning clearly revealed
+the whole scene to the agitated girls.
+</p>
+<p>
+They were indeed frightened—the ranch girl
+as well as Ruth herself. The fact that this immense
+herd, crowding and bellowing together,
+might at any moment break into a mad stampede,
+was only too plain.
+</p>
+<p>
+Caught in the mass of maddened cattle, the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span>
+girls might easily be unseated and trampled to
+death. Ruth knew this as well as did the Western
+girl. But if the sound of the human voice would
+help to keep the creatures within bounds, the
+girl from the Red Mill determined to sing on and
+ride closer in line with the milling herd.
+</p>
+<p>
+She missed Jane Ann after a moment; but another
+flash of lightning revealed her friend weaving
+her pony in and out through the pressing cattle,
+using the quirt with free hand on the struggling
+steers and breaking them up into small
+groups.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cowboys who had dashed out of the coulie
+saw the possibility of disaster instantly; and they,
+too, rode in among the bellowing steers. With
+so many heavy creatures pressing toward a common
+center, many would soon be crushed to death
+if the formation was not broken up. Each streak
+of lightning which played athwart the clouds
+added to the fear of the beasts. Several of the
+punchers rode close along the edge of the herd,
+driving in the strays. Now it began to rain, and
+as the very clouds seemed to open and empty
+the water upon the thirsty land, the swish of it,
+and the moaning of the wind that arose, added
+greatly to the confusion.
+</p>
+<p>
+How it <em>did</em> rain for a few minutes! Ruth felt
+as though she were riding her pony beneath some
+huge water-spout. She was thankful for the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span>
+slicker, off which the water cataracted. The pony
+splashed knee-deep through runlets freshly started
+in the old buffalo paths. Here and there a large
+pond of water gleamed when the lightning lit up
+their surroundings.
+</p>
+<p>
+And when the rain stopped as abruptly as it had
+begun, the cattle began to steam and were more
+troublesome than before. The lightning flashes
+and thunder continued, and when a second downpour
+of rain began it came so viciously, and with
+so great a wind, that the girls could scarcely ride
+against it.
+</p>
+<p>
+Suddenly a shout came down the wind. It was
+taken up and repeated by voice after voice. The
+camp at the far end of the herd had been aroused
+ere this, of course, and every man who could ride
+was in the saddle. But it was at the camp-end
+of the herd, after all, that the first break came.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They’re off!” yelled Darcy, riding furiously
+past Ruth and Jane Ann toward where the louder
+disturbance had arisen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And toward the river!” shouted another of
+the cowboys.
+</p>
+<p>
+The thunder of hoofs in the distance suddenly
+rose to a deafening sound. The great herd had
+broken away and were tearing toward the Rolling
+River at a pace which nothing could halt. Several
+of the cowboys were carried forward on the
+fore-front of the wave of maddened cattle; but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span>
+they all managed to escape before the leaders
+reached the high bank of the stream.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann screamed some order to Ruth, but the
+latter could not hear what it was. Yet she imitated
+the Western girl’s efforts immediately. No
+such tame attempts at controlling the cattle as
+singing to them was now in order. The small
+number of herdsmen left at this point could only
+force their ponies into the herd and break up the
+formation—driving the mad brutes back with
+their quirts, and finally, after a most desperate
+fight, holding perhaps a third of the great herd
+from running wildly into the stream.
+</p>
+<p>
+This had been a time of some drought and the
+river was running low. The banks were not only
+steep upon this side, but they were twenty feet
+and more high. When the first of the maddened
+beeves reached the verge of the bank they went
+headlong down the descent, and some landed at
+the edge of the water with broken limbs and so
+were trampled to death. But the plunging over
+of hundreds upon hundreds of steers at the same
+point, together with the washing of the falling
+rain, quickly cut down these banks until they became
+little more than steep quagmires in which the
+beasts wallowed more slowly to the river’s edge.
+</p>
+<p>
+This heavy going did more than aught else to
+retard the stampede; but many of the first-comers
+got over the shallow river and climbed upon the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span>
+plain beyond. All night long the cowboys were
+gathering up the herd upon the eastern shore of
+the river; those that had crossed must be left
+until day dawned.
+</p>
+<p>
+And a very unpleasant night it was, although
+the stampede itself had been of short duration.
+A troop of cattle had dashed through the camp
+and flattened out the tent that had sheltered the
+lady visitors. Fortunately the said visitors had
+taken refuge in the supply wagon before the cattle
+had broken loose.
+</p>
+<p>
+But, led by The Fox, there was much disturbance
+in the supply wagon for the time being. Fortunately
+a water-tight tarpaulin had kept the girls
+comparatively dry; but Mary Cox loudly expressed
+her wish that they had not come out to
+the camp, and the other girls were inclined to be
+a little fractious as well.
+</p>
+<p>
+When Jane Ann and Ruth rode in, however,
+after the trouble was all over, and the rain had
+ceased, a new fire was built and coffee made, and
+the situation took on a more cheerful phase. Ruth
+was quite excited over it all, but glad that she
+had taken a hand in the herding of the cattle that
+had not broken away.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And if you stay to help the boys gather the
+steers that got across the river, to-morrow, I am
+going to help, too,” she declared.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Tom and Bob will help,” Helen said. “I
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span>
+wish I was as brave as you are, Ruth; but I really
+am afraid of these horned beasts.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never was cut out for even a milkmaid, myself,”
+added Heavy. “When a cow bellows it
+makes me feel queer up and down my spine just as
+it does when I go to a menagerie and hear the
+lions roar.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“They won’t bite you,” sniffed Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But they can hook you. And my! the noise
+they made when they went through this camp!
+You never heard the like,” said the stout girl,
+shaking her head. “No. I’m willing to start back
+for the ranch-house in the morning.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Me, too,” agreed Madge.
+</p>
+<p>
+So it was agreed that the four timid girls should
+return to Silver Ranch with Ricarde after breakfast;
+but Ruth and Jane Ann, with Tom Cameron
+and Bob Steele, well mounted on fresh ponies,
+joined the gang of cow punchers who forded the
+river at daybreak to bring in the strays.
+</p>
+<p>
+The frightened cattle were spread over miles
+of the farther plain and it was a two days’ task
+to gather them all in. Indeed, on the second
+evening the party of four young folk were encamped
+with Jib Pottoway and three of the other
+punchers, quite twenty miles from the river and
+in a valley that cut deeply into the mountain chain
+which sheltered the range from the north and
+west.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is over this way that the trail runs to Tintacker,
+doesn’t it, Jib?” Ruth asked the Indian,
+privately.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, Miss. Such trail as there is can be
+reached in half an hour from this camp.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! I do so want to see that man who killed
+the bear, Jib,” urged the girl from the Red Mill.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, it might be done, if he’s over this way
+now,” returned Jib, thoughtfully. “He is an
+odd stick—that’s sure. Don’t know whether he’d
+let himself be come up with. But——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Will you ride with me to the mines?” demanded
+Ruth, eagerly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I expect I could,” admitted the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I would be awfully obliged to you.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know what Mr. Hicks would say. But
+the cattle are in hand again—and there’s less than
+a hundred here for the bunch to drive back. They
+can get along without me, I reckon.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And surely without me!” laughed Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+And so it was arranged. The Indian and Ruth
+were off up the valley betimes the next morning,
+while the rest of the party started for the river,
+driving the last of the stray beeves ahead of them.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span><a name='chXVIII' id='chXVIII'></a>CHAPTER XVIII—A DESPERATE CASE</h2>
+<p>
+Jane Ann and Tom Cameron had both offered
+to accompany Ruth; but for a very good—if secret—reason
+Ruth did not wish any of her young
+friends to attend her at the meeting which she
+hoped would occur between her and the strange
+young man who (if report were true) had been
+hanging about the Tintacker properties for so
+long.
+</p>
+<p>
+She had written Uncle Jabez after her examination
+with the lawyer of the mining record books
+at Bullhide; but she had told her uncle only that
+the claims had been transferred to the name of
+“John Cox.” That was the name, she knew,
+that the vacuum cleaner agent had given Uncle
+Jabez when he had interested the miller in the
+mine. But there was another matter in connection
+with the name of “Cox” which Ruth feared
+would at once become public property if any of
+her young friends were present at the interview to
+which she now so eagerly looked forward.
+</p>
+<p>
+Freckles, now as fresh as a pony could be, carried
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span>
+Ruth rapidly up the valley, and as the two
+ponies galloped side by side the girl from the
+Red Mill grew quite confidential with the Indian.
+She did not like Jib Pottoway as she did the foreman
+of the Bar Cross Naught ranch; but the
+Indian was intelligent and companionable, and he
+quite evidently put himself out to be entertaining.
+</p>
+<p>
+As he rode, dressed in his typical cowboy costume,
+Jib looked the full-blooded savage he was;
+but his conversation smacked of the East and of
+his experiences at school. What he said showed
+that Uncle Sam does very well by his red wards
+at Carlisle.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib could tell her, too, much that was interesting
+regarding the country through which they rode.
+It was wild enough, and there was no human
+habitation in sight. Occasionally a jackrabbit
+crossed their trail, or a flock of birds flew whirring
+from the path before them. Of other life
+there was none until they had crossed the first
+ridge and struck into a beaten path which Jib declared
+was the old pack-trail to Tintacker.
+</p>
+<p>
+The life they then saw did not encourage Ruth
+to believe that this was either a safe or an inhabited
+country. Freckles suddenly shied as they
+approached a bowlder which was thrust out of
+the hillside beside the trail. Ruth was almost
+unseated, for she had been riding carelessly. And
+when she raised her eyes and saw the object that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span>
+had startled the pony, she was instantly frightened
+herself.
+</p>
+<p>
+Crouching upon the summit of the rock was a
+lithe, tawny creature with a big, round, catlike
+head and flaming green eyes. The huge cat
+lashed its tail with evident rage and bared a very
+savage outfit of teeth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! what’s that?” gasped Ruth, as Freckles
+settled back upon his haunches and showed very
+plainly that he had no intention of passing the
+bowlder.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Puma,” returned the Indian, laconically.
+</p>
+<p>
+His mount, too, was circling around the rock
+with mincing steps, quite as unfavorably disposed
+toward the beast as was Freckles.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Can it leap this far, Jib?” cried Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’ll leap a whole lot farther in just a minute,”
+returned the Indian, taking the rope off his
+saddle bow. “Now, look out, Miss!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Freckles began to run backward. The puma
+emitted a sudden, almost human shriek, and the
+muscles upon its foreshoulders swelled. It was
+about to leap.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib’s rope circled in the air. Even as the puma
+left the rock, its four paws all “spraddled out”
+in midair, the noose dropped over the savage cat.
+The lariat caught the puma around its neck and
+one foreleg, and before it struck the ground Jib
+had whirled his horse and was spurring off across
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span>
+the valley, his captive flying in huge (but involuntary)
+leaps behind him. He rode back in ten
+minutes with a beaten-out mass of fur and blood
+trailing at the end of his rope, and that was the
+end of Mr. Puma!
+</p>
+<p>
+“There isn’t any critter a puncher hates worse
+than a puma,” Jib said, gruffly. “We’ve killed
+a host of ’em this season.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And do you always rope them?” queried
+Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They ain’t worth powder and shot. Now,
+a bear is a gentleman ‘side of a lion—and even
+a little old kiote ain’t so bad. The lion’s so
+blamed crafty and sly. Ha! it always does me
+good to rope one of them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+They rode steadily on the trail to the mines
+after that. It was scarcely more than fifteen
+miles to the claims which had been the site, some
+years before, of a thriving mining camp, but was
+now a deserted town of tumble-down shanties, corrugated
+iron shacks, and the rustied skeletons of
+machinery at the mouths of certain shafts.
+Money had been spent freely by individuals and
+corporations in seeking to develop the various
+“leads” believed by the first prospectors to be
+hidden under the surface of the earth at Tintacker.
+But if the silver was there it was so well
+hidden that most of the miners had finally “gone
+broke” attempting to uncover the riches of silver ore
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span>
+of which the first specimens discovered had
+given promise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The Tintacker Lode” it had been originally
+called, in the enthusiasm of its discoverers. But
+unless this strange prospector, who had hung about
+the abandoned claims for so many months, had
+struck into a new vein, the silver horde had quite
+“petered out.” Of this fact Ruth was pretty positive
+from all the lawyer and Old Bill Hicks had
+told her. Uncle Jabez had gone into the scheme
+of re-opening the Tintacker on the strength of the
+vacuum-cleaner agent’s personality and some
+specimens of silver ore that might have been dug
+a thousand miles from the site of the Tintacker
+claims.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t look like there was anybody to home,”
+grunted Jib Pottoway, as they rode up the last
+rise to the abandoned camp.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why! it’s a wreck,” gasped Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You bet! There’s hundreds of these little
+fly-by-night mining camps in this here Western
+country. And many a man’s hopes are buried under
+the litter of those caved-in roofs. Hullo!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s the matter?” asked Ruth, startled as
+she saw Jib draw his gun suddenly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s that kiote doing diggin’ under that
+door?” muttered the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+The skulking beast quickly disappeared and Jib
+did not fire. He rode his pony directly to the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span>
+shack—one of the best of the group—and hammered
+on the door (which was closed) with the
+butt of his pistol.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hullo, in there!” he growled.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth was not a little startled. “Why was the
+coyote trying to get in?” she asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You wait out here, Miss,” said Jib. “Don’t
+come too close. Kiotes don’t usually try to dig
+into a camp when the owner’s at home.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But you spoke as though you thought he
+might be there!” whispered the girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I—don’t—know,” grunted Jib, climbing out
+of his saddle.
+</p>
+<p>
+He tried the latch. The door swung open
+slowly. Whatever it was he expected to see in the
+shack, he was disappointed. When he had
+peered in for half a minute, he stuck the pistol
+back into its holster and strode over the threshhold.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! what is it?” breathed Ruth again.
+</p>
+<p>
+He waved her back, but went into the hut.
+There was some movement there; then a thin, babbling
+voice said something that startled Ruth more
+than had the puma’s yell.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gee!” gasped Jib, appearing in the doorway,
+his face actually pale under its deep tan. “It’s
+the ‘bug’.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“The man I want to see?” cried Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But you can’t see him. Keep away,” advised Jib, stepping
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span>
+softly out and closing the door
+of the shack.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is the matter, Jib?” cried Ruth. “He—he
+isn’t <em>dead</em>?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not yet,” replied the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What is it, then?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Mountain fever—or worse. It’s catching—just
+as bad as typhoid. You mustn’t go in there,
+Miss.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But—but—he’ll die!” cried the girl, all her
+sympathy aroused. “Nobody to help him——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s far gone. It’s a desperate case, I tell
+you,” growled Jib. “Ugh! I don’t know what
+we’d better do. No wonder that kiote was trying
+to dig under the door. <em>He knew</em>—the hungry
+beast!”
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span><a name='chXIX' id='chXIX'></a>CHAPTER XIX—THE MAN AT TINTACKER</h2>
+<p>
+Ruth waited for her companion to suggest
+their course of action. The man she had come to
+see—the mysterious individual whom she believed
+had taken her uncle’s money to buy up the property
+known as the Tintacker Claim—was in a raging
+fever in that old shack near the site of the
+mine. She had heard his delirious babblings while
+Jib was in the hut. It never entered her mind
+that Jib would contemplate leaving the unfortunate
+creature unattended.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You can’t talk to him, Miss. He don’t know
+nothing,” declared the Indian. “And he’s pretty
+far gone.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What shall we do for him? What needs
+doing first?” Ruth demanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, we can’t do much—as I can see,” grumbled
+Jib Pottoway.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Isn’t there a doctor——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“At Bullhide,” broke in Jib. “That’s the nearest.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then he must be got. We must save this
+man, Jib,” said the girl, eagerly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Save him?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Certainly. If only because he saved my life
+when I was attacked by the bear. And he must
+be saved for another reason, too.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Miss Ruth, he’ll be dead long before a
+doctor could get here,” cried Jib. “That’s plumb
+ridiculous.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He will die of course if he has no attention,”
+said the girl, indignantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Surely you won’t desert him!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“About all we can do for the poor fellow is to
+bury him,” muttered Jib.
+</p>
+<p>
+“If there was no other reason than that he is
+a helpless fellow-being, we could not go away and
+leave him here unattended,” declared the girl,
+gravely. “You know that well enough, Jib.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, we’ll wait around. But he’s got to die.
+He’s so far gone that nothing can save him. And
+I oughtn’t to go into the shack, either. That fever
+is contagious, and he’s just full of it!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We must get help for him,” cried Ruth, suddenly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What sort of help?” demanded the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, the ranch is not so awfully far away,
+and I know that Mr. Hicks keeps a big stock of
+medicines. He will have something for this case.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then let’s hustle back,” said Jib, starting to
+climb into his saddle.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“But the coyote—and other savage beasts!”
+exclaimed Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gee! I forgot that,” muttered Jib.
+</p>
+<p>
+“One of us must stay here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well—I can do that, I suppose. But how
+about you finding your way to the Rolling River
+outfit? I—don’t—know.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll stay here and watch,” declared Ruth,
+firmly. “You ride for help—get medicine—tell
+Mr. Hicks to send for a doctor at Bullhide, too.
+I have some money with me and I know my Uncle
+Jasper will pay whatever it costs to get a doctor
+to this man. Besides—there are other people
+interested.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Miss, I don’t know about this,” murmured
+Jib Pottoway. “It’s risky to leave you
+here. Old Bill will be wild at me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to stay right here,” declared Ruth,
+getting out of the saddle. “You can leave me
+your gun if you will——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure! I could do that. But I don’t know
+what the boss’ll say.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It won’t much matter what he says,” said
+Ruth, with a faint smile. “I shall be here and
+he will be at Silver Ranch.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ugh!” muttered Jib. “But what’ll he say to
+<em>me</em>?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe Mr. Hicks is too good-hearted to
+wish to know that we left this unfortunate young
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span>
+man here without care. It would be too cruel.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You wait till I look about the camp,” muttered
+Jib, without paying much attention to Ruth’s
+last remark.
+</p>
+<p>
+He left his pony and walked quickly up the
+overgrown trail that had once been the main street
+of Tintacker Camp. Ruth slipped out of the
+saddle and ran to the door of the sick man’s hut.
+She laid her hand on the latch, hesitated a moment,
+and then pushed the door open. There was
+plenty of light in the room. The form on the
+bed, under a tattered old blanket, was revealed.
+Likewise the flushed, thin face lying against the
+rolled-up coat for a pillow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“The poor fellow!” gasped Ruth. “And suppose
+it should be <em>her</em> brother! Suppose it <em>should</em>
+be!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Only for a few seconds did she stare in at the
+unfortunate fellow. His head began to roll from
+side to side on the hard pillow. He muttered
+some gibberish as an accompaniment to his fevered
+dreams. It was a young face Ruth saw, but
+so drawn and haggard that it made her tender
+heart ache.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Water! water!” murmured the cracked lips
+of the fever patient.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh! I can’t stand this!” gasped the girl. She
+wheeled about and sent a long shout after Jib:
+“Jib! I say, Jib!”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s wantin’?” replied the Indian from
+around the bend in the trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Bring some water! Get some fresh water
+somewhere.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I get you!” returned the cowboy, and then,
+without waiting another instant, Ruth stepped into
+the infected cabin and approached the sufferer’s
+couch.
+</p>
+<p>
+The sick man’s head moved incessantly; so did
+his lips. Sometimes what he said was audible;
+oftener it was just a hoarse murmur. But when
+Ruth raised his head tenderly and took out the
+old coat to refold it for a pillow, he screamed
+aloud and seized the garment with both hands and
+with an awful strength! His look was maniacal.
+There were flecks of foam on his lips and his eyes
+rolled wildly. There was more than ordinary delirium
+in his appearance, and he fought for possession
+of the coat, shrieking in a cracked voice,
+the sound of which went straight to Ruth’s heart.
+</p>
+<p>
+The sound brought Jib on the run.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What in all tarnation are you doing in that
+shack?” he shouted. “You come out o’ there!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Jib,” said she, as the man fell back speechless
+and seemingly lifeless on the bed. “We can’t
+leave him alone like this.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That whole place is infected. You come
+out!” the puncher commanded.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There’s no use scolding me now, Jib,” she
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span>
+said, softly. “The harm is done, if it <em>is</em> to be
+done. I’m in here, and I mean to stay with him
+till you get help and medicine.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You—you——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t call me names, but get the water. Find
+a pail somewhere. Bring plenty of cool water.
+He is burning up with fever and thirst.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, the hawse is stole, I reckon!” grunted
+the Indian. “But you’d ought to be shaken.
+What the boss says to me about this will be
+a-plenty.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Get the water, Jib!” commanded Ruth Fielding.
+“See! he breathes so hard. I believe he is
+dying of thirst more than anything else.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jib grabbed the canteen that swung at the back
+of his saddle, emptied the last of the stale water
+on the ground, and hurried away to where a thin
+stream tumbled down the hillside behind one of
+the old shaft openings. He brought the canteen
+back full—and it held two quarts.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Just a little at first,” said the girl, pouring
+some of the cool water into her own folding cup
+that she carried in her pocket. “He mustn’t have
+too much. And you keep out of the house, Jib.
+No use in both of us running the risk of catching
+the fever. You’ll have to ride for help, too. And
+you don’t want to take the infection among the
+other boys.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You <em>are</em> a plucky one, Miss,” admitted the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span>
+cowboy. “But there’s bound to be the piper to
+pay for this. They’ll say it was my fault.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I won’t let ’em,” declared Ruth. She raised
+the sick man’s head again and put the cup to his
+lips. “I wish I had some clean cloths. Oh! let
+somebody ride over from the camp with food and
+any stimulants that there may be there. See if
+you can find some larger receptacle for water before
+you go.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s a cleaner!” muttered the Indian, shaking
+his head, and walking away to do her bidding.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span><a name='chXX' id='chXX'></a>CHAPTER XX—THE WOLF AT THE DOOR</h2>
+<p>
+Ruth had the old coat folded and under the
+sick man’s head again when Jib returned with a
+rusty old bucket filled with water. He set it down
+just outside the open door of the cabin—and he
+did not come in.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What d’ye s’pose he’s got in the pocket of
+that coat that he’s so choice of, Miss?” he asked,
+curiously.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why! I don’t know,” returned Ruth, wetting
+her cleanest handkerchief and folding it to press
+upon the patient’s brow.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He hollered like a loon and grabbed at it
+when I tried to straighten it out,” the Indian said,
+thoughtfully. “And so he did when you touched
+it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s got something hid there. It bothers
+him even if he is delirious.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Perhaps,” admitted Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+But she was not interested in this suspicion.
+The condition of the poor fellow was uppermost
+in her mind.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“You let me have your pistol, Jib,” she said.
+“I can use it. It will keep that old coyote away.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And anything else, too,” said Jib, handing
+the gun to her and then stepping back to his
+pony. “I’ll hobble your critter, Miss. Don’t go
+far from the door. I’ll either come back myself
+or send a couple of the boys from camp. They
+will bring food, anyway. I reckon the poor chap’s
+hungry as well as thirsty.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He is in a very bad way, indeed,” returned
+Ruth, gravely. “You’ll hurry, Jib?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sure. But you’d better come back with me.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No. I’m in for it now,” she replied, trying
+to smile at him bravely. “I’d better nurse him
+till he’s better, or——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You ain’t got no call to do it!” exclaimed
+the Indian.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There is more reason for my helping him
+than you know,” she said, in a low voice. “Oh!
+there is a very good reason for my helping him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s too far gone to be helped much, I
+reckon,” returned the other, mounting into his
+saddle. “But I’ll be going. Take care of yourself.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll be all right, Jib!” she responded, with
+more cheerfulness, and waved her hand to him as
+the cow puncher rode away.
+</p>
+<p>
+But when the patter of the pony’s hoofs had
+died away the silence brooding over the abandoned mining
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span>
+camp seemed very oppressive indeed.
+It was not a pleasant prospect that lay
+before her. Not only was she alone here with
+the sick man, but she <em>was</em> afraid of catching the
+fever.
+</p>
+<p>
+The patient on the couch was indeed helpless.
+He muttered and rolled his head from side to
+side, and his wild eyes stared at her as though
+he were fearful of what she might do to him.
+Ruth bathed his face and hands again and again;
+and the cool water seemed to quiet him. Occasionally
+she raised his head that he might drink.
+There was nothing else she could do for his
+comfort or betterment until medicines arrived.
+</p>
+<p>
+She searched the cabin for anything which
+might belong to him. She did not find his rifle—the
+weapon with which he had killed the bear in
+the cañon when Ruth had been in such peril. She
+did find, however, a worn water-proof knapsack;
+in it was a handkerchief, or two, a pair of torn
+socks and an old shirt, beside shaving materials,
+a comb and brush, and a toothbrush. Not a letter
+or a scrap of paper to reveal his identity. Yet
+she was confident that this was the man whom
+she had hoped to meet when she came West on
+this summer jaunt.
+</p>
+<p>
+This was the fellow who had encouraged Uncle
+Jabez to invest his savings in the Tintacker Mine.
+It was he, too, who had been to Bullhide and
+recorded the new papers relating to the claim.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span>
+And if he had made way with all Uncle Jabez’s
+money, and the mining property was worthless,
+Ruth knew that she would never see Briarwood
+Hall again!
+</p>
+<p>
+For Uncle Jabez had let her understand plainly
+that his resources were so crippled that she could
+not hope to return to school with her friends when
+the next term opened. Neither she, nor Aunt
+Alvirah, nor anybody else, could make the old
+miller change his mind. He had given her one
+year at the boarding school according to agreement.
+Uncle Jabez always did just as he said he
+would; but he was never generous, and seldom
+even kind.
+</p>
+<p>
+However, it was not this phase of the affair
+that so troubled the girl from the Red Mill. It
+was the identity of this fever-stricken man that
+so greatly disturbed her. She believed that there
+was somebody at Silver Ranch who must have a
+much deeper interest in him than even she felt.
+And she was deeply troubled by this suspicion.
+Was she doing right in not sending word to the
+ranch at once as to her belief in the identity of
+the man?
+</p>
+<p>
+The morning was now gone and Ruth would
+have been glad of some dinner; but in leaving the
+other herders she and Jib had not expected to
+remain so many hours from the Rolling River
+crossing. At least, they expected if they found
+the man at Tintacker at all, that he would have
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span>
+played the host and supplied them with lunch.
+Had Jib been here she knew he could easily have
+shot a bird, or a hare; there was plenty of small
+game about. But had she not felt it necessary to
+remain in close attendance upon the sick man she
+would have hesitated about going to the outskirts
+of the camp. Even the possession of Jib’s loaded
+pistol did not make the girl feel any too
+brave.
+</p>
+<p>
+Already that morning she had been a witness
+to the fact that savage beasts lurked in the locality.
+There might be another puma about. She
+was not positively in fear of the coyotes; she knew
+them to be a cowardly clan. But what would keep
+a bear from wandering down from the heights
+into the abandoned camp? And Ruth had seen
+quite all the bears at close quarters that she
+wished to see. Beside, this six-shooter of Jib’s
+would be a poor weapon with which to attack a
+full-grown bear.
+</p>
+<p>
+It must be late in the afternoon before any of
+the boys could ride over from the Rolling River
+outfit. She set her mind firmly on <em>that</em>, and would
+not hope for company till then. It was a lonely
+and trying watch. The sick man moaned and
+jabbered, and whenever she touched the old coat
+he used for a pillow, he became quite frantic.
+Perhaps, as Jib intimated, there was something
+valuable hidden in the garment.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Deeds—or money—perhaps both,” thought
+the girl nurse. “And maybe they relate to the
+Tintacker Mine. Perhaps if it is money it is
+some of Uncle’s money. Should I try to take it
+away from him secretly and keep it until he can
+explain?”
+</p>
+<p>
+Yet she could not help from thinking that perhaps
+Jib was right in his diagnosis of the case.
+The man might be too far gone to save. Neither
+physician nor medicines might be able to retard
+the fever. It seemed to have already worn the
+unfortunate to his very skeleton. If he died,
+would the mystery of the Tintacker Mine, and
+of Uncle Jabez’s money, ever be explained?
+</p>
+<p>
+Meanwhile she bathed and bathed again the
+fevered face and hands of the unfortunate. This
+was all that relieved him. He was quiet for some
+minutes after each of these attentions. The water
+in the bucket became warm, like that in the canteen.
+Ruth thought she could risk going to the
+rivulet for another supply. So she stuck the barrel
+of the gun into her belt and taking the empty
+pail set out to find the stream.
+</p>
+<p>
+She closed the door of the sick man’s cabin
+very carefully. It was not far to the water and
+she had filled the pail and was returning when
+she heard a scratching noise nearby, and then a
+low growl. Casting swift glances of apprehension
+all about her, she started to run to the cabin;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span>
+but when she got to the trail, it was at the cabin
+door the peril lay!
+</p>
+<p>
+It was no harmless, cowardly coyote this time.
+Perhaps it had not been a coyote who had dug
+there when she and Jib rode up to the camp. She
+obtained this time a clear view of the beast.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was long, lean and gray. A shaggy beast,
+with pointed ears and a long muzzle. When he
+turned and glared at her, growling savagely, Ruth
+was held spellbound in her tracks!
+</p>
+<p>
+“A wolf!” she muttered. “A wolf at the
+door!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The fangs of the beast were exposed. The jaws
+dripped saliva, and the eyes seemed blood-red. A
+more awful sight the girl had never seen. This
+fierce, hungry creature was even more terrifying
+in appearance than the bear that had chased her
+in the cañon. He seemed, indeed, more savage
+and threatening than the puma that Jib had roped
+that forenoon as they rode over to Tintacker.
+</p>
+<p>
+He turned squarely and faced her. He was
+not afraid, but seemed to welcome her as an
+antagonist worthy of his prowess. He did not
+advance, but he stood between Ruth and the door
+of the sick man’s cabin. She might retreat, but
+in so doing she would abandon the unfortunate
+to his fate. And what that fate would be she
+could not doubt when once she had glimpsed the
+savage aspect of the wolf.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span><a name='chXXI' id='chXXI'></a>CHAPTER XXI—A PLUCKY FIGHT</h2>
+<p>
+Ruth had already set down the bucket of
+water and drawn the heavy pistol from her belt.
+The girls had been trying their skill with six-shooters
+at the ranch at odd times, and she knew
+that she stood a good chance of hitting the big
+gray wolf at ten or twelve yards. The beast
+made no approach; but his intention of returning
+to the door of the cabin where the sick man lay,
+if she did not disturb him, was so plain that Ruth
+dared not desert the helpless patient!
+</p>
+<p>
+The wolf crouched, growling and showing his
+fangs. If the girl approached too near he would
+spring upon her. Or, if she fired and wounded
+him but slightly she feared he would give chase
+and pull her down in a few seconds. She very
+well know that she could not hope to distance the
+beast if once he started to pursue her.
+</p>
+<p>
+This was indeed a dreadful situation for a tenderly
+nurtured girl. The wolf looked to be fully
+as large as Tom Cameron’s mastiff, Reno. And
+Ruth wished with all her heart (as this comparison
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span>
+flashed through her mind) that the mastiff
+was here to give battle to the savage beast.
+</p>
+<p>
+But it were vain to think of such impossibilities.
+If anything was to be done to drive off the wolf
+at the cabin door, she must do it herself. Yet
+she dared not make the attack here in the open,
+and afoot. If she approached near enough to
+him to make her first shot sure and deadly, the
+beast gave every indication of opening the attack
+himself.
+</p>
+<p>
+And, indeed, he might spring toward her at any
+moment. He was growing impatient. He had
+scented the helpless man inside the shack and—undisturbed—would
+soon burrow under the door
+and get at him. Although not so cowardly as a
+coyote, the wolf seldom attacks human beings
+unless they are helpless or the beast is driven to
+desperation by hunger. And gaunt as this fellow
+was, there was plenty of small game for him in
+the chapparel.
+</p>
+<p>
+Thus, Ruth was in a quandary. But she saw
+plainly that she must withdraw or the wolf would
+attack. She left the bucket of water where it
+stood and withdrew back of the nearest hut.
+Once out of the wolf’s sight, but still holding the
+revolver ready, she looked hastily about. Her
+pony, hobbled by Jib, had not wandered far. Nor
+had Freckles seen or even scented the savage marauder.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth spied him and crept away from the vicinity
+of the wolf, keeping in hiding all the time. She
+soon heard the beast clawing at the bottom of
+the door and growling. He might burst the door,
+or dig under it, any moment now!
+</p>
+<p>
+The last few yards to the pony Ruth made at a
+run. Freckles snorted his surprise; but he knew
+her and was easily caught. The frightened girl
+returned the revolver to her belt and removed
+the hobbles. Then she vaulted into the saddle
+and jerked the pony’s head around, riding at a
+canter back toward the cabin.
+</p>
+<p>
+The wolf heard her coming and drew his head
+and shoulders back out of the hole he had dug.
+In a few minutes more he would be under the
+door and into the cabin, which had, of course, no
+floor but the hard-packed clay. He started up
+and glared at the pony and its rider, and the pony
+began to side-step and snort in a manner which
+showed plainly that he did not fancy the vicinity
+of the beast.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Whoa, Freckles! Steady, boy!” commanded
+Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+The cow pony, trained to perfection, halted,
+with his fore feet braced, glaring at the wolf.
+Ruth dropped the reins upon his neck, and although
+he winced and trembled all over, he did
+not move from the spot as the girl raised the
+heavy pistol, resting its barrel across her left
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span>
+forearm, and took the best aim she could at the
+froth-streaked chest of the wolf.
+</p>
+<p>
+Even when the revolver popped, Freckles did
+not move. The wolf sprang to one side, snarling
+with rage and pain. Ruth saw a streak of crimson
+along his high shoulder. The bullet had just
+nicked him. The beast snapped at the wound
+and whirled around and around in the dust, snarling
+and clashing his teeth.
+</p>
+<p>
+But when the girl tried to urge Freckles in
+closer, the wolf suddenly took the aggressive. He
+sprang out into the trail and in two leaps was
+beside the whirling pony. Freckles knew better
+than to let the beast get near enough to spring
+for his throat. But the pony’s gyrations almost
+unseated his rider.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth fired a second shot; but the bullet went
+wild. She could not take proper aim with the
+pony dancing so; and she had to seize the lines
+again. She thrust the pistol into the saddle holster
+and grabbed the pommel of the saddle itself
+to aid her balance. Freckles pitched dreadfully,
+and struck out, seemingly with all four feet at
+once, to keep off the wolf. Perhaps it was as
+well that he did so, for the beast was maddened
+by the smart of the wound, and sought to tear
+the girl from her saddle.
+</p>
+<p>
+As Ruth allowed the pony to run off from the
+shack for several rods, the wolf went growling
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span>
+back to the door. He was a persistent fellow
+and it did seem as though he was determined to
+get at the sick man in spite of all Ruth could do.
+</p>
+<p>
+But the girl, frightened as she was, had no
+intention of remaining by to see such a monstrous
+thing happen. She controlled Freckles again, and
+rode him hard, using the spurs, straight at the
+door of the shack. The wolf whirled and met
+them with open jaws, the saliva running from the
+sides of his mouth. His foreleg was now dyed
+crimson.
+</p>
+<p>
+Freckles, squealing with anger, jumped to reach
+the wolf. He had been taught to ride down
+coyotes, and he tried the same tactics on this
+fellow. The wolf rolled over, snapping and
+snarling, and easily escaped the pony’s hard
+hoofs. But Ruth urged the pony on and the
+wolf was forced to run.
+</p>
+<p>
+She tried her best to run him down. They
+tore through the main street of what had been
+Tintacker Camp, and out upon the open ridge.
+The wolf, his tail tucked between his legs, scurried
+over the ground, keeping just ahead, but circling
+around so as to get back to the abandoned
+town. He would not be driven from the vicinity.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I must try again to shoot him,” exclaimed the
+girl, much worried. “If I ride back he will follow
+me. If I hobble Freckles again, he may attack
+the pony and Freckles could not defend himself
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span>
+so well if he were hobbled. And if I turn the
+pony loose the wolf may run him off entirely!”
+</p>
+<p>
+She drew Jib’s pistol once more and tried to
+get a good shot at the wolf. But while she did
+this she could not keep so sharp an eye on the
+course the pony took and suddenly Freckles sunk
+one forefoot in a hole.
+</p>
+<p>
+He plunged forward, and Ruth came very near
+taking a dive over his head. She saved herself
+by seizing the pommel with both hands; but in so
+doing she lost the gun. Freckles leaped up,
+frightened and snorting, and the next moment the
+wolf had made a sharp turn and was almost under
+the pony’s feet!
+</p>
+<p>
+The wolf let out an unmistakable yelp of pain
+and limped off, howling. Freckles kept on in
+pursuit and the revolver was soon far behind.
+The beast she pursued was now in a bad way;
+but the girl dared not ride back to search for her
+lost weapon. She did not propose that the wolf—after
+such a fight—should escape. Ruth was
+bent upon his destruction.
+</p>
+<p>
+The wolf, however, dodged and doubled, so
+that the pony could not trample it, even had he
+wished to come to such close quarters. The clashing
+teeth of the savage animal warned Freckles to
+keep his distance, however; and it was plain to
+Ruth that she must dismount to finish the beast.
+If only she had some weapon——
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+What was that heap on the prairie ahead?
+Bones! hundreds of them! Some accident had
+befallen a bunch of cattle here in the past and
+their picked skeletons had been flung into a heap.
+The wolf ran for refuge behind this pile and
+Ruth immediately urged Freckles toward the
+spot.
+</p>
+<p>
+She leaped from the saddle, tossing the bridle
+reins over his head upon the ground and ran to
+seize one of the bigger bones. It was the leg
+bone of a big steer and it made a promising club.
+</p>
+<p>
+But even as she seized upon this primitive
+weapon the wolf made a final stand. He appeared
+around the far side of the pile. He saw
+that the girl was afoot, and with a snarl he sprang
+upon her.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth uttered an involuntary shriek, and ran
+back. But she could not reach Freckles. The
+wolf’s hot breath steamed against her neck as
+she ran. He had missed her by a hair!
+</p>
+<p>
+The girl whirled and faced him, the club poised
+in both her hands, determined to give battle. Her
+situation was perilous in the extreme. Afoot as
+she was, the beast had the advantage, and he
+knew this as well as she did. He did not hurry,
+but approached his victim with caution—fangs
+bared, jaws extended, his wounds for the moment
+forgotten.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span><a name='chXXII' id='chXXII'></a>CHAPTER XXII—SERVICE COURAGEOUS</h2>
+<p>
+There was no escape from the wolf’s attack,
+even had Ruth desired to evade the encounter.
+The beast’s flaming eyes showed his savage intention
+only too plainly. To turn and run at this
+juncture would have meant death for the brave
+girl. She stood at bay, the heavy bone poised to
+strike, and let the creature approach.
+</p>
+<p>
+He leaped, and with all her strength—and that
+was not slight—she struck him. The wolf was
+knocked sideways to the ground. She followed
+up the attack with a second and a third blow
+before he could recover his footing.
+</p>
+<p>
+The wound in his shoulder had bled a good
+deal, and Freckles’ hard hoofs had crippled one
+leg. He could not jump about with agility, and
+although he was no coward, he was slow in returning
+to the charge.
+</p>
+<p>
+When he did, Ruth struck again, and with
+good effect. Again and again she beat him off.
+He once caught her skirt and tore it from the
+waist-binding; but she eluded his powerful claws
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span>
+and struck him down again. Then, falling upon
+him unmercifully, she beat his head into the hard
+ground until he was all torn and bleeding and
+could not see to scramble at her.
+</p>
+<p>
+It was an awful experience for the girl; but
+she conquered her antagonist before her strength
+was spent. When he lay, twitching his limbs in
+the final throes, she staggered back to where her
+pony stood and there, leaning upon his neck,
+sobbed and shook for several minutes, while
+Freckles put his soft nose into her palm and
+nuzzled her comfortably.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, oh, Freckles! what a terrible thing!”
+she sobbed. “He’s dead! he’s dead!”
+</p>
+<p>
+She could say nothing more, nor could she recover
+her self-possession for some time. Then
+she climbed into the saddle and turned the pony’s
+head toward the deserted huts without once
+looking back at the blood-bedabbled body and
+the gory club.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the camp, however, she was once more her
+own mistress. The fact that she must attend the
+sick man bolstered up her courage. She hobbled
+Freckles again and recovered the bucket of water.
+John Cox (if that was his name) raged in his
+fever and clutched at his precious coat, and was
+not quiet again until she had cooled his head and
+hands with the fresh water.
+</p>
+<p>
+After that he fell into a light sleep and Ruth
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span>
+went about the cabin, trying to set the poor furniture
+to rights and removing the debris that had
+collected in the corners. Every few moments she
+was at the door, looking out for either enemy or
+friend. But no other creature confronted her
+until the sound of pony hoofs delighted her ear
+and Tom Cameron and Jane Ann, with two of the
+cowboys from the Rolling River outfit, dashed up
+to the shack.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ruth! Ruth!” cried the ranchman’s niece,
+leaping off of her pony. “Come out of that place
+at once! Do as I tell you——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t come here, dear—don’t touch me,” returned
+her friend, firmly. “I know what I am
+about. I mean to stay and nurse this man. I do
+not believe there is so much danger as Jib
+says——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Uncle Bill will have his hide!” cried Jane
+Ann, indignantly. “You wait and see.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It is not his fault. I came in here when he
+could not stop me. And I mean to remain. But
+there is no use in anybody else being exposed to
+contagion—if there is any contagion in the disease.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, it’s as bad as small-pox, Ruth!” cried
+Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I am here,” returned Ruth, quietly. “Have
+you brought us food? And is that spirits in the
+bottle Mr. Darcy has?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes, Miss,” said the cowboy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Set it down on that stone—and the other
+things. I’ll come and get it. A few drops of
+the liquor in the water may help the man a little.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But, dear Ruth,” interposed Tom, gravely,
+“he is nothing to you. Don’t run such risks.
+If the man must be nursed <em>I’ll</em> try my hand——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Indeed you shall not!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“It’s a job for a man, Miss,” said Darcy,
+grimly. “You mount your pony and go home
+with the others. I’ll stay.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If any harm is done, it’s done already,” declared
+the girl, earnestly. “One of you can stay
+outside and help me—guard me, if you please.
+There’s been an awful old wolf about——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“A wolf!” gasped Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But I killed him.” She told them how and
+where. “And I lost Jib’s gun. He’ll be furious.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’ll lose more than his little old Colts,”
+growled the second cowboy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It was not Jib’s fault,” declared the girl. “I
+could not so easily find my way back to the river
+as he. I had to stay while he went for help.
+Has word been sent on to the ranch?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Everything will be done that can be done for
+the fellow, of course,” Jane Ann declared.
+“Uncle Bill will likely come over himself. Then
+there <em>will</em> be ructions, young lady.”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“And what will Helen and the other girls
+say?” cried Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wish I had thought,” murmured Ruth. “I
+would have warned Jib not to let Mary know.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“What’s that?” asked Tom, in surprise, for
+he had but imperfectly caught Ruth’s words.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Never mind,” returned the girl from the Red
+Mill, quickly.
+</p>
+<p>
+The others were discussing what should be
+done. Ruth still stood in the doorway and now
+a murmur from the bed called her turn back into
+the shack to make the unfortunate on the couch
+more comfortable—for in his tossings he became
+more feverish and hot. When she returned to the
+outer air the others had decided.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Darcy and I will remain, Ruth,” Tom said,
+with decision. “We’ll bring the water, and cook
+something for you to eat out here, and stand
+guard, turn and turn about. But you are a very
+obstinate girl.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“As long as one is in for it, why increase the
+number endangered by the fever?” she asked,
+coolly. “You are real kind to stay, Tom—you
+and Darcy.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You couldn’t get me away with a Gatling
+gun,” said Tom, grimly. “You know <em>that</em>,
+Ruth.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know I have a staunch friend in you,
+Tommy,” she said, in a low voice.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“One you can trust?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“To be sure,” she replied, smiling seriously
+at him.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then what is all this about Mary Cox? What
+has <em>she</em> got to do with the fellow you’ve got
+hived up in that shack?” shot in Master Tom,
+shrewdly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, now, Tommy!” gasped Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You can’t fool me, Ruth——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sh! don’t let the others hear you,” she whispered.
+“And don’t come any nearer, Tom!”
+she added, warningly, and in a louder tone.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But The Fox has something to do with this
+man?” demanded Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I believe so. I fear so. Oh, don’t ask me
+any more!” breathed the girl, anxiously, as Jane
+Ann and the cowboy rode up to say good-bye.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I hope nothing bad will come of this, Ruth,”
+said the ranch girl. “But Uncle Bill will be
+dreadfully mad.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Not with me, I hope,” rejoined Ruth, shaking
+her head.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And all the girls will be crazy to come out
+here and help you nurse him.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“They certainly <em>will</em> be crazy if they want to,”
+muttered Tom.
+</p>
+<p>
+“They would better not come near here until
+the man gets better—if he ever <em>does</em> get better,”
+added Ruth, in a low tone.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I expect they’ll all want to come,” repeated
+Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t you let them, Jane Ann!” admonished
+Ruth. “Above all, don’t you let Mary Cox come
+over here—unless I send for her,” and she went
+into the shack again and closed the door.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span><a name='chXXIII' id='chXXIII'></a>CHAPTER XXIII—BASHFUL IKE TAKES THE BIT IN HIS TEETH</h2>
+<p>
+There was great commotion at Silver Ranch
+when Jib Pottoway (on a fresh horse he had
+picked up at the riverside cow camp) rode madly
+to the ranch-house with the news of what was
+afoot so far away across Rolling River. From
+Old Bill down, the friends of Ruth were horror-stricken
+that she should so recklessly (or, so it
+seemed) expose herself to the contagion of the
+fever.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And for a person who is absolutely nothing
+to her at all!” wailed Jennie Stone. “Ruth is
+utterly reckless.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She is utterly brave,” said Madge, sharply.
+</p>
+<p>
+“She has the most grateful heart in the
+world,” Helen declared. “He saved her life in
+the cañon—you remember it, Mary. Of course
+she could not leave the poor creature to die there
+alone.”
+</p>
+<p>
+The Fox had turned pallid and seemed horrified.
+But she was silent while all the others about
+the ranch-house, from Old Bill Hicks down to
+Maria the cook, were voluble indeed. The ranchman
+might have laid violent hands upon Jib Pottoway,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span>
+only there was so much to do. Such simple
+medicines as there were in the house were
+packed to take to Tintacker. Old Bill determined
+to go over himself, but he would not allow any
+of the young folks to go.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And you kin bet,” he added, “that you’ll see
+Jane Ann come back here a-whizzin’!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The unfortunate Jib had enough to do to answer
+questions. The girls would not let him go
+until he had told every particular of the finding
+of the man at Tintacker.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Was he just <em>crazy</em>?” queried Heavy.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I don’t know whether he’s been loony all the
+time he’s been hanging around the mines, or not,”
+growled the Indian. “But I’m mighty sure he’s
+loco <em>now</em>.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“If that was him who shot the bear up in the
+cañon that day, he didn’t appear to be crazy
+enough to hurt,” said Helen.
+</p>
+<p>
+“But is this the same man?” queried Mary
+Cox, and had they not all been so busy pumping
+Jib of the last particular regarding the adventure,
+they might have noticed that The Fox was
+very pale.
+</p>
+<p>
+When Jib first rode up, however, and told his
+tale, Bashful Ike Stedman had set to work to run
+the big touring car out of the shed in which it was
+kept. During the time the young folk had been
+at Silver Ranch from the East, the foreman had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span>
+learned from Tom and Bob how to run the car.
+It came puffing up to the door now, headed toward
+the Bullhide trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What in tarnashun you goin’ ter do with that
+contarption, Ike?” bawled Mr. Hicks. “I can’t
+go to Tintacker in it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, yuh can’t, Boss. But I kin go to Bullhide
+for the sawbones in it, and bring him back, too.
+We kin git as far as the Rolling River camp in
+the old steam engine—if she don’t break down.
+Then we’ll foller on arter yuh a-hawseback.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You won’t git no doctor to come ‘way out
+there,” gasped the ranch owner.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Won’t I?” returned the foreman. “You
+wait and see. Ruthie says a doctor’s got to be
+brought for that feller, and I’m goin’ to git Doc.
+Burgess if I hafter rope an’ hogtie him—you
+hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The engine began to pop again and the automobile
+rolled away from the ranch-house before
+Mr. Hicks could enter any further objections, or
+any of the young folk could offer to attend Ike on
+his long trip. Fortunately Tom and Bob had seen
+to it that the machine was in excellent shape, there
+was plenty of gasoline in the tank, and she ran
+easily over the trail.
+</p>
+<p>
+At the Crossing Ike was hailed by Sally Dickson.
+Sally had been about to mount her pony for
+a ride, but when the animal saw the automobile
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span>
+coming along the trail he started on the jump for
+the corral, leaving Miss Sally in the lurch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well! if that ain’t just like you, Ike Stedman!”
+sputtered the red-haired schoolma’am.
+“Bringin’ that puffin’ abomination over this trail.
+Ain’t you afraid it’ll buck and throw yuh?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I got it gentled—it’ll eat right off yuh hand,”
+grinned the foreman of Silver Ranch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I was going to ride in to Bullhide,” exclaimed
+Sally. “I won’t be able to catch the pony
+in a week.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You hop in with me, Sally,” urged Ike, blushing
+very red. “I’m goin’ to Bullhide.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Go joy-ridin’ with <em>you</em>, Mr. Stedman?” responded
+the schoolma’am. “I don’t know about
+that. Are you to be trusted with that automobile?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I tell yuh I got it gentled,” declared Ike.
+“And I got to be moving on mighty quick.” He
+told Sally why in a few words and immediately
+the young lady was interested.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That Ruth Fielding! Isn’t she a plucky one
+for a Down East girl? But she’s too young to
+nurse that sick man. And she’ll catch the fever
+herself like enough.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Hope not,” grunted Ike. “That would be
+an awful misfortune. She’s the nicest little thing
+that ever grazed on <em>this</em> range—yuh hear me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well,” said Sally, briskly. “I got to go to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span>
+town and I might as well take my life in my hands
+and go with you, Ike,” and she swung herself into
+the seat beside him.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ike started the machine again. He was delighted.
+Never before had Sally Dickson allowed
+him to be alone with her more than a scant few
+moments at a time. Ike began to swallow hard,
+the perspiration stood on his brow and he grew
+actually pale around the mouth. It seemed to him
+as though everything inside of him rose up in his
+throat. As he told about it long afterward, if
+somebody had shot him through the body just
+then it would only have made a flesh-wound!
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sally!” he gasped, before her father’s store
+and the schoolhouse were out of sight.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, Ike! what’s the matter with you? Are
+you sick?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“N-no! I ain’t sick,” mumbled the bashful
+one.
+</p>
+<p>
+“You’re surely not scared?” demanded Sally.
+“There hasn’t anything happened wrong to this
+automobile?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“No, ma’am.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Are you sure? It bumps a whole lot—Ugh!
+It’s not running away, is it?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I tell yuh it’s tame all right,” grunted Ike.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then, what’s the matter with you, Ike Stedman?”
+demanded the schoolmistress, with considerable
+sharpness.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I—I’m suah in love with yuh, Sally! That’s
+what’s the matter with me. Now, don’t you
+laugh—I mean it.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, my soul!” exclaimed the practical
+Sally, “don’t let it take such a hold on you, Ike.
+Other men have been in love before—or thought
+they was—and it ain’t given ’em a conniption fit.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I got it harder than most men,” Ike was able
+to articulate. “Why, Sally, I love you so hard
+<em>that it makes me ache</em>!”
+</p>
+<p>
+The red-haired schoolmistress looked at him
+for a silent moment. Her eyes were pretty hard
+at first; but finally a softer light came into them
+and a faint little blush colored her face.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Well, Ike! is that all you’ve got to say?” she
+asked.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why—why, Sally! I got lots to say, only it’s
+plugged up and I can’t seem to get it out,” stammered
+Ike. “I got five hundred head o’ steers,
+and I’ve proven on a quarter-section of as nice
+land as there is in this State—and there’s a good
+open range right beside it yet——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I never <em>did</em> think I’d marry a bunch o’ steers,”
+murmured Sally.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why—why, Sally, punchin’ cattle is about all
+I know how to do well,” declared Bashful Ike.
+“But you say the word and I’ll try any business
+you like better.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I wouldn’t want you to change your business,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span>
+Ike,” said Sally, turning her head away. “But—but
+ain’t you got anything else to offer me but
+those steers?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why—why,” stammered poor Ike again. “I
+ain’t got nothin’ else but myself——”
+</p>
+<p>
+She turned on him swiftly with her face all
+smiling and her eyes twinkling.
+</p>
+<p>
+“There, Ike Stedman!” she ejaculated in her
+old, sharp way. “Have you finally got around to
+offering <em>yourself</em>? My soul! if you practiced on
+every girl you met for the next hundred years
+you’d never learn how to ask her to marry you
+proper. I’d better take you, Ike, and save the
+rest of the female tribe a whole lot of trouble.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“D’ye mean it, Sally?” cried the bewildered
+and delighted foreman of Silver Ranch.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I sure do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ye-yi-yip!” yelled Ike, and the next moment
+the big touring car wabbled all over the trail and
+came near to dumping the loving pair into the
+gully.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span><a name='chXXIV' id='chXXIV'></a>CHAPTER XXIV—COALS OF FIRE</h2>
+<p>
+Once Bashful Ike had taken the bit in his teeth,
+his nickname never fitted him again. He believed
+in striking while the iron was hot, Ike did. And
+before the touring car ran them down into Bullhide,
+he had talked so hard and talked so fast
+that he had really swept Miss Sally Dickson away
+on the tide of his eloquence, and she had agreed
+to Ike’s getting the marriage license and their
+being wedded on the spot!
+</p>
+<p>
+But the foreman of Silver Ranch found Dr.
+Burgess first and made the physician promise to
+accompany him to Tintacker. The doctor said
+he would be ready in an hour.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Gives us just about time enough, Sally,” declared
+the suddenly awakened Ike. “I’ll have
+that license and we’ll catch Parson Brownlow on
+the fly. Come on!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“For pity’s sake, Ike!” gasped the young lady.
+“You take my breath away.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“We ain’t got no time to fool,” declared Ike.
+And within the hour he was a Benedict and Sally
+Dickson had become Mrs. Ike Stedman.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And I’m going over to Tintacker with you,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span>
+Ike,” she declared as they awaited before the doctor’s
+office in the big automobile. “That poor
+fellow over there will need somebody more’n
+Ruth Fielding to nurse him. It takes skill to
+bring folks out of a fever spell. I nursed Dad
+through a bad case of it two year ago, and I know
+what to do.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s all right, Sally,” agreed Ike. “I’ll
+make Old Bill give me muh time, if need be, and
+we’ll spend our honeymoon at Tintacker. I kin
+fix up one of the old shacks to suit us to camp in.
+I don’t wish that poor feller over there any
+harm,” he added, smiling broadly at the pretty
+girl beside him, “but if it hadn’t been that he got
+this fever, you an’ I wouldn’t be married now,
+honey.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“You can thank Ruth Fielding—if you want to
+be thankful to anybody,” returned Sally, in her
+brisk way. “But maybe you won’t be so thankful
+a year or two from now, Ike.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Burgess came with his black bag and they
+were off. The automobile—as Sally said herself—behaved
+“like an angel,” and they reached
+Silver Ranch (after halting for a brief time at the
+Crossing for Sally to pack <em>her</em> bag and acquaint
+Old Lem Dickson of the sudden and unexpected
+change in her condition) late at night. Old Bill
+Hicks was off for Tintacker and the party remained
+only long enough to eat and for Bob
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span>
+Steele to go over the mechanism of the badly-shaken
+motor-car.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll drive you on to the river myself, Ike,”
+he said. “You are all going on from there on
+horseback, I understand, and I’ll bring the machine
+back here.”
+</p>
+<p>
+But when the newly-married couple and the
+physician had eaten what Maria could hastily put
+before them, and were ready to re-enter the car,
+Mary Cox came out upon the verandah, ready to
+go likewise.
+</p>
+<p>
+“For pity’s sake, Mary!” gasped Heavy.
+“You don’t want to ride over to the river with
+them.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’m going to those mines,” said The Fox, defiantly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“What for?” asked Jane Ann, who had arrived
+at the ranch herself only a short time before.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s my business. I am going,” returned
+The Fox, shortly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, you can’t do any such thing,” began
+Jane Ann; but Mary turned to Ike and proffered
+her request:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Isn’t there room for me in the car, Mr.
+Stedman?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Why, I reckon so, Miss,” agreed Ike, slowly.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And won’t there be a pony for me to ride
+from the river to Tintacker?”
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“I reckon we can find one.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then I’m going,” declared Mary, getting
+promptly into the tonneau with the doctor and
+Sally. “I’ve just as good a reason for being over
+there—maybe a better reason for going—than
+Ruth Fielding.”
+</p>
+<p>
+None of her girl friends made any comment
+upon this statement in Mary’s hearing; but Madge
+declared, as the car chugged away from the
+ranch-house:
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ll never again go anywhere with that girl
+unless she has a change of heart! She is just as
+mean as she can be.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s the limit!” said Heavy, despondently.
+“And I used to think she wasn’t a bad sort.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“And once upon a time,” said Helen Cameron,
+gravely, “I followed her leadership to the
+neglect of Ruth. I really thought The Fox was
+the very smartest girl I had ever met.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But she couldn’t hold the Up and Doing Club
+together,” quoth the stout girl.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Ruth’s Sweetbriars finished both the Upedes
+and the Fussy Curls,” laughed Madge, referring
+to the two social clubs at Briarwood Hall, which
+had been quite put-out of countenance by the
+Sweetbriar Association which had been inaugurated
+by the girl from the Red Mill.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And The Fox has never forgiven Ruth,” declared
+Heavy.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+“What she means by forcing herself on this
+party at Tintacker, gets my time!” exclaimed
+Jane Ann.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Sally will make her walk a chalk line if she
+goes over there with her,” laughed Helen.
+“Think of her and Ike getting married without a
+word to anybody!”
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann laughed, too, at that. “Sally whispered
+to me that she never would have taken Ike
+so quick if it hadn’t been for what we did at the
+party the other night. She was afraid some of
+the other girls around here would see what a good
+fellow Ike was and want to marry him. She’s
+always intended to take him some time, she said;
+but it was Ruth that settled the affair at that
+time.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I declare! Ruth <em>does</em> influence a whole lot of
+folk, doesn’t she?” murmured Heavy. “I never
+saw such a girl.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And that last was the comment Dr. Burgess
+made regarding the girl of the Red Mill after the
+party arrived at Tintacker. They reached the
+mine just at daybreak the next morning. Mary
+Cox had kept them back some, for she was not a
+good rider. But she had cried and taken on so
+when Sally and Ike did not want her to go farther
+than the river, that they were really forced
+to allow her to continue the entire journey.
+</p>
+<p>
+Dr. Burgess examined the sick man and pronounced him
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span>
+to be in a very critical condition.
+But he surely had improved since the hour that
+Ruth and Jib Pottoway had found him. Old Bill
+Hicks had helped care for the patient during the
+night; but Ruth had actually gone ahead with
+everything and—without much doubt, the doctor
+added—the stranger could thank her for his life
+if he <em>did</em> recover.
+</p>
+<p>
+“That girl is all right!” declared the physician,
+preparing to return the long miles he had
+come by relays of horses to the ranch-house, and
+from thence to Bullhide in the automobile. “She
+has done just the right thing.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“She’s a mighty cute young lady,” admitted
+Bill Hicks. “And this chap—John Cox, or whatever
+his name is—ought to feel that she’s squared
+things up with him over that bear business——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then you have learned his name?” queried
+Tom Cameron, who was present.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I got the coat away from him when he was
+asleep in the night,” said Mr. Hicks. “He had
+letters and papers and a wad of banknotes in it.
+Ruth’s got ’em all. She says he is the man with
+whom her Uncle Jabez went into partnership
+over the old Tintacker claims. Mebbe the feller’s
+struck a good thing after all. He seems to have
+an assayer’s report among his papers that promises
+big returns on some specimens he had assayed.
+If he dug ’em out of the Tintacker Claim mebbe
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>
+the old hole in the ground will take on a new
+lease of life.”
+</p>
+<p>
+At that moment Mary Cox pushed forward,
+with Sally holding her by the arm.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I’ve got to know!” cried The Fox. “You
+must tell me. Does the—the poor fellow say his
+name is Cox?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Jest the same as yourn, Miss,” remarked Old
+Bill, watching her closely. “Letters and deeds
+all to ‘John Cox.’”
+</p>
+<p>
+“I know it! I feared it all along!” cried The
+Fox, wringing her hands. “I saw him in the
+cañon when he shot the bear and he looked so
+much like John——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s related to you, then, Miss?” asked the
+doctor.
+</p>
+<p>
+“He’s my brother—I know he is!” cried
+Mary, and burst into tears.
+</p>
+<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span><a name='chXXV' id='chXXV'></a>CHAPTER XXV—AT THE OLD RED MILL AGAIN</h2>
+<p>
+The mist hovered over the river as though
+loth to uncover the dimpling current; yet the rising
+sun was insistent—its warm, soft September
+rays melting the jealous mist and uncovering, rod
+by rod, the sleeping stream. Ruth, fresh from
+her bed and looking out of the little window of
+her old room at the Red Mill farmhouse, thought
+that, after all, the scene was quite as soothing and
+beautiful as any of the fine landscapes she had
+observed during her far-western trip.
+</p>
+<p>
+For the Briarwood Hall girls were back from
+their sojourn at Silver Ranch. They had arrived
+the night before. Montana, and the herds of
+cattle, and the vast cañons and far-stretching
+plains, would be but a memory to them hereafter.
+Their vacation on the range was ended, and in
+another week Briarwood Hall would open again
+and lessons must be attended to.
+</p>
+<p>
+Jane Ann Hicks would follow them East in
+time to join the school the opening week. Ruth
+looked back upon that first day at school a year
+ago when she and Helen Cameron had become
+“Infants” at Briarwood. They would make it
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span>
+easier for Jane Ann, remembering so keenly how
+strange they had felt before they attained the
+higher classes.
+</p>
+<p>
+The last of the mist rolled away and the warm
+sun revealed all the river and the woods and pastures
+beyond. Ruth kissed her hand to it and
+then, hearing a door close softly below-stairs, she
+hurried her dressing and ran down to the farmhouse
+kitchen. The little, stooping figure of an
+old woman was bent above the stove, muttering
+in a sort of sing-song refrain:
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then let somebody else save your back and
+bones, Aunt Alviry!” cried Ruth, putting her
+arms around the old housekeeper’s neck. “There!
+how good it is to see you again. Sit right down
+there. You are to play lady. <em>I</em> am going to get
+the breakfast.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“But your Uncle Jabez wants hot muffins, my
+pretty,” objected Aunt Alvirah.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And don’t you suppose anybody can make
+muffins but you?” queried Ruth, blithely. “I
+made ’em out to Silver Ranch. Maria, the Mexican
+cook, taught me. Even Uncle Jabez will like
+them made by my recipe—now you see if he
+doesn’t.”
+</p>
+<p>
+And the miller certainly praised the muffins—by
+eating a full half dozen of them. Of course,
+he did not say audibly that they were good.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+And yet, Uncle Jabez had a much more companionable
+air about him than he had ever betrayed
+before—at least, within the knowledge of
+Ruth Fielding. He smiled—and that not grimly—as
+the girl related some of her experiences during
+her wonderful summer vacation.
+</p>
+<p>
+“It was a great trip—and wonderful,” she
+sighed, finally. “Of course, the last of it was
+rather spoiled by Mary Cox’s brother being so ill.
+And the doctors found, when they got the better
+of the fever, that his head had been hurt some
+months before, and that is why he had wandered
+about there, without writing East—either to his
+folks or to you, Uncle Jabez. But he’s all right
+now, and Mary expects to bring him home from
+Denver, where he stopped over, in a few days.
+She’ll be home in time for the opening of school,
+at least,” and here Ruth’s voice halted and her
+face changed color, while she looked beseechingly
+at Uncle Jabez.
+</p>
+<p>
+The miller cleared his throat and looked at her.
+Aunt Alvirah stopped eating, too, and she and
+Ruth gazed anxiously at the flint-like face of the
+old man.
+</p>
+<p>
+“I got a letter from that lawyer at Bullhide,
+Montana, two days ago, Niece Ruth,” said Uncle
+Jabez, in his harsh voice. “He has been going
+over the Tintacker affairs, and he has proved up
+on that young Cox’s report. The young chap is
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span>
+as straight as a string. The money he got from
+me is all accounted for. And according to the
+assayers the new vein Cox discovered will mill as
+high as two hundred dollars to the ton of ore.
+If we work it as a stock company it will make us
+money; but young Cox being in such bad shape
+physically, and his finances being as they are,
+we’ll probably decide to sell out to a syndicate of
+Denver people. Cox will close the contract with
+them before he comes East, it may be, and on
+such terms,” added Uncle Jabez with a satisfaction
+that he could not hide, “that it will be the
+very best investment I ever made.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, Uncle!” cried Ruth Fielding.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Yes,” said Uncle Jabez, with complacency.
+“The mine is going to pay us well. Fortunately
+you was insistent on finding and speaking to young
+Cox. If you had not found him—and if he had
+not recovered his health—it might have been
+many months before I could have recovered even
+the money I had put into the young man’s scheme.
+And—so he says—<em>you</em> saved his life, Ruthie.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“That’s just talk, Uncle,” cried the girl.
+“Don’t you believe it. Anybody would have
+done the same.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“However that may be, and whether it is due
+to you in any particular that I can quickly realize
+on my investment,” said the miller, rising suddenly
+from the table, “circumstances are such
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span>
+now that there is no reason why you shouldn’t
+have another term or two at school—if you want
+to go.”
+</p>
+<p>
+“<em>Want to go to Briarwood!</em> Oh, Uncle!”
+gasped Ruth.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Then I take it you <em>do</em> want to go?”
+</p>
+<p>
+“More than anything else in the world!” declared
+his niece, reverently.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Wall, Niece Ruth,” he concluded, with his
+usual manner. “If your Aunt Alviry can spare
+ye——”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Don’t think about me, Jabez, don’t think
+about me,” cried the little old woman. “Just
+what my pretty wants—that will please her Aunt
+Alviry.”
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth ran and seized the hard hand of the
+miller before he could get out of the kitchen.
+“Oh, Uncle!” she cried, kissing his hand. “You
+<em>are</em> good to me!”
+</p>
+<p>
+“Nonsense, child!” he returned, roughly, and
+went out.
+</p>
+<p>
+Ruth turned to the little old woman, down
+whose face the tears were coursing unreproved.
+</p>
+<p>
+“And you, too, Auntie! You are too good to
+me! Everybody is too good to me! Look at the
+Camerons! and Jennie Stone! and all the rest.
+And Mary Cox just hugged me tight when we
+came away and said she loved me—that I had
+saved her brother’s life. And Mr. Bill Hicks—and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span>
+Jimsey and the other boys. And Bashful Ike
+and Sally made me promise that if ever I could
+get out West again I should spend a long time at
+their home——
+</p>
+<p>
+“Oh, dear, me Aunt Alvirah,” finished the
+girl of the Red Mill, with a tearful but happy
+sigh, “this world is a very beautiful place after
+all, and the people in it are just lovely!”
+</p>
+<p>
+There were many more adventures in store for
+Ruth, and what some of them were will be related
+in the next volume of this series, to be entitled:
+“Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old
+Hunter’s Treasure Box,” in which will be related
+the particulars of a most surprising mystery.
+</p>
+<p>
+“Only one Ruthie!” mused old Jabez. “Only
+one, but she’s quite a gal—yes, quite a gal!”
+</p>
+<p>
+And we agree with him; don’t we, reader?
+</p>
+<div class='center'>
+<p>&#160;</p>
+<p>THE END</p>
+</div>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> ALICE B. EMERSON
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i004' id='i004'></a>
+<img src='images/ad1.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL</b>
+<em>or Jasper Parole’s Secret</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL</b>
+<em>or Solving the Campus Mystery</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP</b>
+<em>or Lost in the Backwoods</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT</b>
+<em>or Nita, the Girl Castaway</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH</b>
+<em>or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND</b>
+<em>or The Old Hunter’s Treasure Box</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM</b>
+<em>or What Became of the Raby Orphans</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES</b>
+<em>or The Missing Pearl Necklace</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES</b>
+<em>or Helping the Dormitory Fund</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE</b>
+<em>or Great Days in the Land of Cotton</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE</b>
+<em>or The Missing Examination Papers</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE</b>
+<em>or College Girls in the Land of Gold</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS</b>
+<em>or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT</b>
+<em>or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND</b>
+<em>or A Red Cross Worker’s Ocean Perils</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST</b>
+<em>or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST</b>
+<em>or The Indian Girl Star of the Movies</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE</b>
+<em>or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand Islands</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING</b>
+<em>or A Moving Picture that Became Real</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH</b>
+<em>or The Lost Motion Picture Company</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS</b>
+<em>or The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>BILLIE BRADLEY SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> JANET D. WHEELER
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b><em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em></b>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i005' id='i005'></a>
+<img src='images/ad2.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<b>1. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER INHERITANCE</b>
+<em>or The Queer Homestead at Cherry Corners</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Billie Bradley fell heir to an old homestead
+that was unoccupied and located far away in
+a lonely section of the country. How Billie
+went there, accompanied by some of her
+chums, and what queer things happened, go
+to make up a story no girl will want to miss.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. BILLIE BRADLEY AT THREE-TOWERS HALL</b>
+<em>or Leading a Needed Rebellion</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Three-Towers Hall was a boarding school for girls. For a short
+time after Billie arrived there all went well. But then the head of
+the school had to go on a long journey and she left the girls in charge
+of two teachers, sisters, who believed in severe discipline and in very,
+very plain food and little of it—and then there was a row! The girls
+wired for the head to come back—and all ended happily.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. BILLIE BRADLEY ON LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND</b>
+<em>or The Mystery of the Wreck</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+One of Billie’s friends owned a summer bungalow on Lighthouse
+Island, near the coast. The school girls made up a party and visited
+the Island. There was a storm and a wreck, and three little children
+were washed ashore. They could tell nothing of themselves, and
+Billie and her chums set to work to solve the mystery of their
+identity.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER CLASSMATES</b>
+<em>or The Secret of the Locked Tower</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Billie and her chums come to the rescue of several little children
+who have broken through the ice. There is the mystery of a lost
+invention, and also the dreaded mystery of the locked school tower.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>5. BILLIE BRADLEY AT TWIN LAKES</b>
+<em>or Jolly Schoolgirls Afloat and Ashore</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+A tale of outdoor adventure in which Billie and her chums have a
+great variety of adventures. They visit an artists’ colony and there
+fall in with a strange girl living with an old boatman who abuses her
+constantly. Billie befriended Hulda and the mystery surrounding
+the girl was finally cleared up.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE BETTY GORDON SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> ALICE B. EMERSON
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Author of the Famous “Ruth Fielding” Series</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i006' id='i006'></a>
+<img src='images/ad3.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<em>A series of stories by Alice B. Emerson which
+are bound to make this writer more popular
+than ever with her host of girl readers.</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE
+FARM</b> <em>or The Mystery of a Nobody</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+At the age of twelve Betty is left an
+orphan.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON</b>
+<em>or Strange Adventures in a Great City</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+In this volume Betty goes to the National
+Capitol to find her uncle and has several
+unusual adventures.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL</b>
+<em>or The Farm That Was Worth a Fortune</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+From Washington the scene is shifted to the great oil fields of
+our country. A splendid picture of the oil field operations of to-day.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL</b>
+<em>or The Treasure of Indian Chasm</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Seeking the treasure of Indian Chasm makes an exceedingly interesting
+incident.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP</b>
+<em>or The Mystery of Ida Bellethorne</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+At Mountain Camp Betty found herself in the midst of a mystery
+involving a girl whom she had previously met in Washington.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK</b>
+<em>or School Chums on the Boardwalk</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+A glorious outing that Betty and her chums never forgot.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS</b>
+<em>or Bringing the Rebels to Terms</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Rebellious students, disliked teachers and mysterious robberies
+make a fascinating story.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH</b>
+<em>or Cowboy Joe’s Secret</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Betty and her chums have a grand time in the saddle.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE LINGER-NOT SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> AGNES MILLER
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i007' id='i007'></a>
+<img src='images/ad4.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<em>This new series of girls’ books is in a new
+style of story writing. The interest is in knowing
+the girls and seeing them solve the problems
+that develop their character. Incidentally, a
+great deal of historical information is imparted.</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>1. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE MYSTERY HOUSE</b>
+<em>or The Story of Nine Adventurous Girls</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+How the Linger-Not girls met and formed
+their club seems commonplace, but this
+writer makes it fascinating, and how they
+made their club serve a great purpose continues
+the interest to the end, and introduces
+a new type of girlhood.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE VALLEY FEUD</b>
+<em>or The Great West Point Chain</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Linger-Not girls had no thought of becoming mixed up with
+feuds or mysteries, but their habit of being useful soon entangled
+them in some surprising adventures that turned out happily for all,
+and made the valley better because of their visit.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THEIR GOLDEN QUEST</b>
+<em>or The Log of the Ocean Monarch</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+For a club of girls to become involved in a mystery leading back
+into the times of the California gold-rush, seems unnatural until the
+reader sees how it happened, and how the girls helped one of their
+friends to come into her rightful name and inheritance, forms a fine
+story.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE WHISPERING CHARMS</b>
+<em>or The Secret from Old Alaska</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Whether engrossed in thrilling adventures in the Far North or
+occupied with quiet home duties, the Linger-Not girls could work
+unitedly to solve a colorful mystery in a way that interpreted
+American freedom to a sad young stranger, and brought happiness
+to her and to themselves.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> LILIAN GARIS
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i008' id='i008'></a>
+<img src='images/ad5.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<em>The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated
+by the foremost organizations of America
+form the background for these stories and while
+unobtrusive there is a message in every volume.</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS</b>
+<em>or Winning the First B. C.</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania
+town. Two runaway girls, who
+want to see the city, are reclaimed through
+troop influence. The story is correct in scout
+detail.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE</b>
+<em>or Maid Mary’s Awakening</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in
+other girls’ activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals.
+How she was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her
+own as “Maid Mary” makes a fascinating story.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST</b>
+<em>or The Wig Wag Rescue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious
+seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping
+all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG</b>
+<em>or Peg of Tamarack Hills</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of
+Lake Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and
+the clearing up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE</b>
+<em>or Nora’s Real Vacation</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her
+dislike for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to
+appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif,
+becomes a problem for the girls to solve.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE RADIO GIRLS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> MARGARET PENROSE
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b><em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em></b>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i009' id='i009'></a>
+<img src='images/ad6.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<em>A new and up-to-date series, taking in the activities of
+several bright girls who become interested in radio. The stories
+tell of thrilling exploits, outdoor life and the great part the
+Radio plays in the adventures of the girls and in solving their
+mysteries. Fascinating books that girls of all ages will want to
+read.</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>1. THE RADIO GIRLS OF ROSELAWN</b>
+<em>or A Strange Message from the Air</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Showing how Jessie Norwood and her chums became interested in
+radiophoning, how they gave a concert for a worthy local charity,
+and how they received a sudden and unexpected call for help out
+of the air. A girl wanted as witness in a celebrated law case
+disappears, and the radio girls go to the rescue.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. THE RADIO GIRLS ON THE PROGRAM</b>
+<em>or Singing and Reciting at the Sending Station</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+When listening in on a thrilling recitation or a superb concert
+number who of us has not longed to “look behind the scenes” to see
+how it was done? The girls had made the acquaintance of a sending
+station manager and in this volume are permitted to get on the program,
+much to their delight. A tale full of action and fun.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. THE RADIO GIRLS ON STATION ISLAND</b>
+<em>or The Wireless from the Steam Yacht</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+In this volume the girls travel to the seashore and put in a vacation
+on an island where is located a big radio sending station. The big
+brother of one of the girls owns a steam yacht and while out with a
+pleasure party those on the island receive word by radio that the
+yacht is on fire. A tale thrilling to the last page.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. THE RADIO GIRLS AT FOREST LODGE</b>
+<em>or The Strange Hut in the Swamp</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Radio Girls spend several weeks on the shores of a beautiful
+lake and with their radio get news of a great forest fire. It also aids
+them in rounding up some undesirable folks who occupy the strange
+hut in the swamp.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>THE CURLYTOPS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> HOWARD R. GARIS
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Author of the famous “Bedtime Animal Stories”</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i010' id='i010'></a>
+<img src='images/ad7.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<b>1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM</b>
+<em>or Vacation Days in the Country</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND</b>
+<em>or Camping out with Grandpa</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Curlytops were delighted when grandpa
+took them to camp on Star Island.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. THE CURLYTOPS SNOWED IN</b>
+<em>or Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Curlytops, with their skates and sleds,
+on lakes and hills.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. THE CURLYTOPS AT UNCLE FRANK’S RANCH</b>
+<em>or Little Folks on Ponyback</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Out West on their uncle’s ranch they have a wonderful time.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>5. THE CURLYTOPS AT SILVER LAKE</b>
+<em>or On the Water with Uncle Ben</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Curlytops camp out on the shores of a beautiful lake.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>6. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PETS</b>
+<em>or Uncle Toby’s Strange Collection</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+An old uncle leaves them to care for his collection of pets.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>7. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PLAYMATES</b>
+<em>or Jolly Times Through the Holidays</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+They have great times with their uncle’s collection of animals.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>8. THE CURLYTOPS IN THE WOODS</b>
+<em>or Fun at the Lumber Camp</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+Exciting times in the forest for Curlytops.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>9. THE CURLYTOPS AT SUNSET BEACH</b>
+<em>or What Was Found in the Sand</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Curlytops have a fine time at the seashore, bathing, digging
+in the sand and pony-back riding.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>10. THE CURLYTOPS TOURING AROUND</b>
+<em>or Delightful Days in Pleasant Places</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Curlytops fall in with a moving picture company and get in
+some of the pictures.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+<p>
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+&#160;<br />
+</p>
+<p>
+<span style='font-size:larger;font-weight:bold;'>FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS SERIES</span>
+</p>
+<p>
+<span class='sc'>By</span> MABEL C. HAWLEY
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</em>
+</p>
+<div class='figleft' style='padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='i011' id='i011'></a>
+<img src='images/ad8.jpg' alt='' title=''/><br />
+</div>
+<p>
+<b>1. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT BROOKSIDE FARM</b>
+</p>
+<p>
+Mother called them her Four Little Blossoms, but Daddy Blossom
+called them Bobby, Meg, and the twins. The twins, Twaddles and
+Dot, were a comical pair and always getting into mischief. The
+children had heaps of fun around the big farm.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>2. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT OAK HILL SCHOOL</b>
+</p>
+<p>
+In the Fall, Bobby and Meg had to go to school. It was good fun,
+for Miss Mason was a kind teacher. Then the twins insisted on
+going to school, too, and their appearance quite upset the class.
+In school something very odd happened.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>3. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AND THEIR WINTER FUN</b>
+</p>
+<p>
+Winter came and with it lots of ice and snow, and oh! what fun
+the Blossoms had skating and sledding. And once Bobby and Meg
+went on an errand and got lost in a sudden snowstorm.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>4. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS ON APPLE TREE ISLAND</b>
+</p>
+<p>
+The Four Little Blossoms went to a beautiful island in the middle
+of a big lake and there had a grand time on the water and in the
+woods. And in a deserted cabin they found some letters which helped
+an old man to find his missing wife.
+</p>
+<p>
+<b>5. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS</b>
+</p>
+<p>
+The story starts at Thanksgiving. They went skating and coasting,
+and they built a wonderful snowman, and one day Bobby and
+his chums visited a carpenter shop on the sly, and that night the shop
+burnt down, and there was trouble for the boys.
+</p>
+<p>
+<em>Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</em>
+</p>
+<p>
+CUPPLES &amp; LEON COMPANY, <em>Publishers</em> NEW YORK
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
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+Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch
+       Schoolgirls Among Cowboys
+
+Author: Alice B. Emerson
+
+Release Date: June 12, 2011 [EBook #36398]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank, David Edwards and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: FRECKLES LEAPED UP, FRIGHTENED AND SNORTING.]
+
+
+
+
+                             Ruth Fielding
+                            At Silver Ranch
+
+                                   OR
+
+                     SCHOOLGIRLS AMONG THE COWBOYS
+                                   BY
+
+                            ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+               Author of "Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill,"
+                "Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall," Etc.
+
+                             _ILLUSTRATED_
+
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                         CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Books for Girls
+                          BY ALICE B. EMERSON
+                          RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+                       12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.
+
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL
+                   Or, Jasper Parloe's Secret.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL
+                   Or, Solving the Campus Mystery.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP
+                   Or, Lost in the Backwoods.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT
+                   Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway.
+
+                   RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+                   Or, Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys.
+
+                          Copyright, 1918, by
+                         Cupples & Leon Company
+
+                     Ruth Fielding in the Red Cross
+
+                          Printed in U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+        CHAPTER                                               PAGE
+             I. "Old Trouble-Maker"                              1
+            II. Bashful Ike                                     11
+           III. In Which Things Happen                          18
+            IV. The Fire Fight                                  30
+             V. "Old Trouble-Maker" Turned Loose                40
+            VI. The Roping Contest                              51
+           VII. Jane Ann Turns the Trick                        57
+          VIII. What Was on the Records                         66
+            IX. The Fox Is Reckless                             75
+             X. Ruth Shows Her Mettle                           83
+            XI. An Ursine Hold-Up                               89
+           XII. The Man From Tintacker                          97
+          XIII. The Party at the Schoolhouse                   103
+           XIV. Bashful Ike Comes Out Strong                   112
+            XV. "The Night Trick"                              123
+           XVI. The Joke That Failed                           136
+          XVII. The Stampede                                   143
+         XVIII. A Desperate Case                               150
+           XIX. The Man at Tintacker                           157
+            XX. The Wolf at the Door                           164
+           XXI. A Plucky Fight                                 171
+          XXII. Service Courageous                             178
+         XXIII. Bashful Ike Takes the Bit in His Teeth         185
+          XXIV. Coals of Fire                                  192
+           XXV. At the Old Red Mill Again                      199
+
+
+
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I--"OLD TROUBLE-MAKER"
+
+
+Where the Silver Ranch trail branches from the state road leading down
+into Bullhide, there stretch a rambling series of sheds, or "shacks,"
+given up to the uses of a general store and provision emporium; beside
+it is the schoolhouse. This place on the forked trails is called "The
+Crossing," and it was the only place nearer than the town of Bullhide
+where the scattered population of this part of Montana could get any
+supplies.
+
+One of Old Bill Hicks' herds was being grazed on that piece of rolling
+country, lying in the foothills, right behind the Crossing, and two of
+his cow punchers had ridden in for tobacco. Being within sight of rows
+upon rows of tinned preserves (the greatest luxury extant to the cowboy
+mind), and their credit being good with Lem Dickson, who kept the store,
+the two cattle herders--while their cayuses stood with drooping heads,
+their bridle-reins on the road before them--each secured a can of
+peaches, and sitting cross-legged on the porch before the store, opened
+the cans with their knives and luxuriated in the contents.
+
+"Old man's nigh due, ain't he?" asked Lem, the storekeeper, lowering
+himself into a comfortable armchair that he kept for his own particular
+use on the porch.
+
+"Gittin' to Bullhide this mawnin'," drawled one of the cowboys. "An'
+he's got what he went for, too."
+
+"Bill Hicks most usually does git what he goes after, don't he?"
+retorted the storekeeper.
+
+The other puncher chuckled. "This time Old Bill come near goin' out
+after _rabbit_ an' only bringin' back the _hair_," he said. "Jane Ann is
+just as much of a Hicks as Bill himself--you take it from me. She made
+her bargain b'fore Old Bill got her headed back to the ranch, I reckon.
+Thar's goin' to be more newfangled notions at Silver Ranch from now on
+than you kin shake a stick at. You hear me!"
+
+"Old Bill can stand scattering a little money around as well as any man
+in this State," Lem said, ruminatively. "He's made it; he's saved it;
+now he might's well l'arn to spend some of it."
+
+"And he's begun. Jane Ann's begun for him, leastways," said one of the
+cowboys. "D'ye know what Mulvey brought out on his wagon last Sat'day?"
+
+"I knowed he looked like pitchers of 'movin' day' in New York City, or
+Chicago, when he passed along yere," grunted the storekeeper. "Eight
+head o' mules he was drivin'."
+
+"He sure was," agreed the cow puncher. "There was all sorts of trucks
+and gew-gaws. But the main thing was a pinanner."
+
+"A piano?"
+
+"That's what I said. And that half-Injun, Jib Pottoway, says he kin play
+on the thing. But it ain't to be unboxed till the boss and Jane Ann
+comes."
+
+"And they'll be gittin' along yere some time to-day," said the other
+cowboy, throwing his empty tin away. "And when they come, Lem, they're
+sure goin' to surprise yuh."
+
+"What with?"
+
+"With what they sail by yere in," drawled the puncher.
+
+"Huh? what's eatin' on you, Bud? Old Bill ain't bought an airship, has
+he?"
+
+"Mighty nigh as bad," chuckled the other. "He's bought Doosenberry's big
+automobile, I understand, and Jane Ann's brought a bunch of folks with
+her that she met down East, and they're just about goin' to tear the
+vitals out o' Silver Ranch--now you hear me!"
+
+"A steam wagon over these trails!" grunted the storekeeper. "Waal!"
+
+"And wait till Old Bill sees a bunch of his steers go up in the air when
+they sets eyes on the choo-choo wagon," chuckled Bud. "That'll about
+finish the automobile business, I bet yuh!"
+
+"Come on, Bud!" shouted his mate, already astride his pony.
+
+The two cowboys were off and lashing their ponies to a sharp run in half
+a minute. Scarcely had they disappeared behind a grove of scrub trees on
+the wind-swept ridge beyond the store when the honk of an automobile
+horn startled the slow-motioned storekeeper out of his chair.
+
+A balloon of dust appeared far down the trail. Out of this there shot
+the long hood of a heavy touring car, which came chugging up the rise
+making almost as much noise as a steam roller. Lem Dickson shuffled to
+the door of the store and stuck his head within.
+
+"Sally!" he bawled. "Sally!"
+
+"Yes, Paw," replied a sweet, if rather shrill, voice from the open
+stairway that led to the upper chamber of the store-building.
+
+"Here comes somebody I reckon you'll wanter see," bawled the old man.
+
+There was a light step on the stair; but it halted on the last tread and
+a lithe, red-haired, peachy complexioned girl looked into the big room.
+
+"Well, now, Paw," she said, sharply. "You ain't got me down yere for
+that bashful Ike Stedman, have you? For if he's come prognosticating
+around yere again I declare I'll bounce a bucket off his head. He's the
+biggest gump!"
+
+"Come on yere, gal!" snapped her father. "I ain't said nothin' about
+Ike. This yere's Bill Hicks an' all his crowd comin' up from Bullhide in
+a blamed ol' steam waggin."
+
+Sally ran out through the store and reached the piazza just as the
+snorting automobile came near and slowed down. A lithe, handsome, dark
+girl was at the wheel; beside her was a very pretty, plump girl with
+rosy cheeks and the brightest eyes imaginable; the third person crowded
+into the front seat was a youth who looked so much like the girl who was
+running the machine that they might have changed clothes and nobody
+would have been the wiser--save that Tom Cameron's hair was short and his
+twin sister, Helen's, was long and curly. The girl between the twins was
+Ruth Fielding.
+
+In the big tonneau of the car was a great, tall, bony man with an
+enormous "walrus" mustache and a very red face; beside him sat a rather
+freckled girl with snapping black eyes, who wore very splendid clothes
+as though she was not used to them. With this couple were a big, blond
+boy and three girls--one of them so stout that she crowded her companions
+on the seat into their individual corners, and packed them in there
+somewhat after the nature of sardines in a can.
+
+"Hello, Sally!" cried the girl in the very fine garments, stretching her
+hand out to greet the storekeeper's daughter as the automobile came to a
+stop.
+
+"Hi, Lem!" bawled the man with the huge mustache. "Is Silver Ranch on
+the map yet, or have them punchers o' mine torn the face of Nater all to
+shreds an' only left me some o' the pieces?"
+
+"I dunno 'bout that, Bill," drawled the fat storekeeper, shuffling down
+the steps in his list slippers, and finally reached and shaking the hand
+of Mr. William Hicks, owner of Silver Ranch. "But when some of your cows
+set their eyes on this contraption they're goin' to kick holes in the
+air--an' that's sartain!"
+
+"The cows will have to get used to seeing this automobile, Lem Dickson,"
+snapped the ranchman's niece, who had been speaking with Sally. "For
+uncle's bought it and it beats riding a cayuse, I tell you!"
+
+"By gollies!" grunted Bill Hicks, "it bucks wuss'n any critter I ever
+was astride of." But he spoke softly, and nobody but the storekeeper
+noticed what he said.
+
+"Mean to say you've bought this old chuck-waggin from Doosenberry?"
+demanded the storekeeper.
+
+"Uh-huh," nodded Mr. Hicks.
+
+"Wal, you're gittin' foolish-like in your old age, Bill," declared his
+friend.
+
+"No I ain't; I'm gittin' wise," retorted the ranchman, with a wide grin.
+
+"How's that?"
+
+"I'm l'arnin' how to git along with Jane Ann," declared Mr. Hicks, with
+a delighted chortle, and pinching the freckled girl beside him.
+
+"Ouch!" exclaimed his niece. "What's the matter, Uncle Bill?"
+
+"He says he's bought this contraption to please you, Jane Ann," said the
+storekeeper. "But what'll Old Trouble-Maker do when he sees it--heh?"
+
+"Gee!" ejaculated the ranchman. "I never thought o' that steer."
+
+"I reckon Old Trouble-Maker will have to stand for it," scoffed the
+ranchman's niece, tossing her head. "Now, Sally, you ride out and see
+us. These girls from down East are all right. And we're going to have
+heaps of fun at Silver Ranch after this."
+
+Helen Cameron touched a lever and the big car shot ahead again.
+
+"She's a mighty white girl, that Sally Dickson," declared Jane Ann Hicks
+(who hated her name and preferred to be called "Nita"). "She's taught
+school here at the Crossing for one term, too. And she's sweet in spite
+of her peppery temper----"
+
+"What could you expect?" demanded the stout girl, smiling all over her
+face as she looked back at the red-haired girl at the store. "She has a
+more crimson topknot than the Fox here----"
+
+There came a sudden scream from the front seat of the automobile. The
+car, under Helen Cameron's skillful manipulation, had turned the bend in
+the trail and the chapparel instantly hid the store and the houses at
+the Crossing. Right ahead of them was a rolling prairie, several miles
+in extent. And up the rise toward the trail was coming, in much dust, a
+bunch of cattle, with two or three punchers riding behind and urging the
+herd to better pasture.
+
+"Oh! see all those steers," cried Ruth Fielding. "Do you own _all_ of
+them, Mr. Hicks?"
+
+"I reckon they got my brand on 'em, Miss," replied the ranchman. "But
+that's only a leetle bunch--can't be more'n five hundred--coming up yere.
+I reckon, Miss Helen, that we'd better pull up some yere. If them cows
+sees us----"
+
+"See there! see there!" cried the stout girl in the back seat.
+
+As she spoke in such excitement, Helen switched off the power and braked
+the car. Out of the chapparel burst, with a frantic bellow, a huge black
+and white steer--wide horned, ferocious of aspect--quite evidently "on the
+rampage." The noise of the passing car had brought him out of
+concealment. He plunged into the trail not ten yards behind the slowing
+car.
+
+"Goodness me!" shouted the big boy who sat beside Bill Hicks and his
+niece. "What kind of a beast is that? It's almost as big as an
+elephant!"
+
+"Oh!" cried the girl called "The Fox." "That surely isn't the kind of
+cattle you have here, is it? He looks more like a buffalo. See! he's
+coming after us!"
+
+The black and white steer _did_ look as savage as any old buffalo bull
+and, emitting a bellow, shook his head at the automobile and began to
+cast the dust up along his flanks with his sharp hoofs. He was indeed of
+a terrifying appearance.
+
+"It's Old Trouble-Maker!" cried Jane Ann Hicks.
+
+"He looks just as though his name fitted him," said Tom Cameron, who had
+sprung up to look back at the steer.
+
+At that moment the steer lowered his head and charged for the auto. The
+girls shrieked, and Tom cried:
+
+"Go ahead, Nell! let's leave that beast behind."
+
+Before his sister could put on speed again, however, the big boy, who
+was Bob Steele, sang out:
+
+"If you go on you'll stampede that herd of cattle--won't she, Mr. Hicks?
+Why, we're between two fires, that's what we are!"
+
+"And they're both going to be hot," groaned Tom. "Why, that Old
+Trouble-Maker will climb right into this car in half a minute!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II--BASHFUL IKE
+
+
+The situation in the big automobile was quite as serious as Tom and Bob
+believed, and there was very good reason for the girls to express their
+fright in a chorus of screams. But Ruth Fielding, and her chum, Helen,
+on the front seat, controlled themselves better than the other Eastern
+girls; Jane Ann Hicks never said a word, but her uncle looked quite as
+startled as his guests.
+
+"I am sartainly graveled!" muttered the ranchman, staring all around for
+some means of saving the party from disaster. "Hi gollies! if I only had
+a leetle old rope now----"
+
+But he had no lariat, and roping a mad steer from an automobile would
+certainly have been a new experience for Bill Hicks. He had brought the
+party of young folk out to Montana just to give his niece pleasure, and
+having got Ruth Fielding and her friends here, he did not want to spoil
+their visit by any bad accident. These young folk had been what Bill
+Hicks called "mighty clever" to his Jane Ann when she had been castaway
+in the East, and he had promised their friends to look out for them all
+and send them home in time for school in the Fall with the proper
+complement of legs and arms, and otherwise whole as to their physical
+being.
+
+Ruth Fielding, after the death of her parents when she was quite a young
+girl, had left Darrowtown and all her old friends and home associations,
+to live with her mother's uncle, at the Red Mill, on the Lumano River,
+near Cheslow in York State. Her coming to Uncle Jabez Potter's, and her
+early adventures about the mill, were related in the first volume of
+this series, entitled "Ruth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper
+Parloe's Secret."
+
+Ruth had found Uncle Jabez very hard to get along with, for he was a
+miser and his kinder nature had been crusted over by years of hoarding
+and selfishness; but through a happy turn of circumstances Ruth was
+enabled to get at the heart of her crotchety old uncle, and when Ruth's
+dearest friend, Helen Cameron, planned to go to boarding school, Uncle
+Jabez was won over to the scheme of sending the girl with her. The fun
+and work of that first term at school is related in the second volume of
+the series, entitled "Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; Or, Solving the
+Campus Mystery."
+
+For the mid-winter vacation Ruth accompanied Helen and other school
+friends to Mr. Cameron's hunting camp, up toward the Canadian line. In
+"Ruth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the Backwoods," the girls and
+some of their boy friends experience many adventures and endure some
+hardship and peril while lost in the snow-shrouded forest.
+
+One of Ruth's chums, Jennie Stone, otherwise known as "Heavy," invited
+her to Lighthouse Point, with a party of young people, for part of the
+summer vacation; and although Uncle Jabez was in much trouble over his
+investment in the Tintacker Mine, which appeared to be a swindle, the
+old miller had allowed Ruth to accompany her friends to the seashore
+because he had already promised her the outing. In "Ruth Fielding at
+Lighthouse Point; Or, Nita, the Girl Castaway," is narrated all the fun
+and delightful experiences the girl of the Red Mill and her friends had
+at the seaside; including the saving of a girl from the wreck of a
+lumber schooner, a miss who afterward proved to be Jane Ann Hicks, the
+niece of a very wealthy Montana ranch owner. The girl had run away from
+the ranch and from her guardian and calls herself Nita, "because the
+girl in the paper-covered novel was called Nita."
+
+That was just the sort of a romantic, foolish girl Jane Ann Hicks was;
+but she learned a few things and was glad to see her old uncle, rough as
+he was, when he came hunting for her. And Mr. Bill Hicks had learned a
+few things, too. He had never seen people spend money before he came
+East, and he had not understood Jane Ann's longing for the delicate and
+beautiful things in life. He saw, too, that a girl could not be properly
+brought up on a cattle ranch, with nothing but cow punchers and Indians
+and Mexican women about, and Mr. Hicks had determined to give his niece
+"a right-down good time," as he expressed it.
+
+It was to give Jane Ann pleasure, and because of the kindness of Ruth
+and her friends to his niece, that Mr. Bill Hicks had arranged this trip
+West for the entire party, on a visit to Silver Ranch. But the old
+gentleman did not want their introduction to the ranch to be a tragedy.
+And with the herd of half-wild cattle ahead, and Old Trouble-Maker
+thundering along the trail behind the motor car, it did look as though
+the introduction of the visitors to the ranch was bound to be a
+strenuous one.
+
+"Do go ahead, Helen!" cried Madge Steele, Bob's elder sister, from the
+back seat of the tonneau. "Why, that beast may climb right in here!"
+
+Helen started the car again; but at that her brother and Ruth cried out
+in chorus:
+
+"Don't run us into the herd, Helen!"
+
+"What under the sun shall I _do_?" cried Miss Cameron. "I can't please
+you all, that's sure."
+
+"Oh, see that beast!" shrieked The Fox, who was likewise on the back
+seat. "I want to get out!"
+
+"Then the brute will catch you, sure," said Bob Steele.
+
+"Sit still!" commanded Mr. Hicks. "And stop the car, Miss! Better to be
+bunted by Old Trouble-Maker than set that whole bunch off on a
+stampede."
+
+"Mercy me!" cried Mary Cox. "I should think it would be better to
+frighten those cows in front than to be horned to death by this big
+beast from the rear."
+
+"Sit still," said Jane Ann, grimly. "We won't likely be hurt by either."
+
+Old Trouble-Maker did look awfully savage. Bellowing with rage, he
+thundered along after the car. Helen had again brought the automobile to
+a stop, this time at Bill Hicks' command. The next moment the girls
+screamed in chorus, for the car jarred all over.
+
+Crash went a rear lamp. About half a yard of paint and varnish was
+scraped off, and the car itself was actually driven forward, despite the
+brake being set, by the sheer weight of the steer.
+
+"If we could git the old cart turned around and headed the other way!"
+groaned the ranchman.
+
+"I believe I can turn it, Mr. Hicks," cried Helen, excitedly.
+
+But just then the steer, that had fallen back a few yards, charged
+again. "Bang!" It sounded like the exploding of a small cannon. Old
+Trouble-Maker had punctured a rear tire, and the car slumped down on
+that side. Helen couldn't start it now, for the trail was too rough to
+travel with a flattened tire.
+
+The black and white steer, with another furious bellow, wheeled around
+the back of the car and then came full tilt for the side. Heavy screamed
+at the top of her voice:
+
+"Oh, take me home! I never did want to go to a dairy farm. _I just
+abominate cows!_"
+
+But the crowd could not laugh. Huddled together in the tonneau, it
+looked as though Old Trouble-Maker would certainly muss them up a whole
+lot! Jane Ann and her uncle hopped out on the other side and called the
+others to follow. At that moment, with a whoop and a drumming of hoofs,
+a calico cow pony came racing along the trail toward the stalled car. On
+the back of this flying pony was a lanky, dust-covered cowboy, swinging
+a lariat in approved fashion.
+
+"Hold steady, boss!" yelled this apparition, and then let the coils of
+the rope whistle through the air. The hair line uncoiled like a writhing
+serpent and dropped over the wide-spread horns of Old Trouble-Maker.
+Then the calico pony came to an abrupt halt, sliding along the ground
+with all four feet braced.
+
+"Zip!" the noose tightened and the steer brought up with a suddenness
+that threatened to dislocate his neck. Down the beast fell, roaring a
+different tune. Old Trouble-Maker almost turned a somersault, while Jane
+Ann, dancing in delight, caught off her very modern and high-priced hat
+and swung it in the air.
+
+"Hurrah for Bashful Ike!" she shouted. "He's the best little old boy
+with the rope that ever worked for the Silver outfit. Hurrah!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III--IN WHICH THINGS HAPPEN
+
+
+The cow puncher who had rescued them was a fine looking, bronzed fellow,
+with heavy sheepskin chaps on his legs, a shirt open at the throat, his
+sleeves rolled up displaying muscular arms, and twinkling eyes under the
+flapping brim of his great hat. While he "snubbed" the big steer to his
+knees again as the bellowing creature tried to rise, he looked down with
+a broad smile upon the sparkling face of the Western girl.
+
+"Why, bless yo' heart, honey," he said, in a soft, Southern droll, "if
+you want me to, I'll jest natwcher'ly cinch my saddle on Old
+Trouble-Maker an' ride him home for yo'. It certainly is a cure for sore
+eyes to see you again."
+
+"And I'm glad to see you, Ike. And these are all my friends. I'll
+introduce you and the boys to them proper at the ranch," cried the
+Western girl.
+
+"Git that bellowin' critter away from yere, Ike," commanded Mr. Hicks.
+"I 'low the next bunch that goes to the railroad will include that black
+and white abomination."
+
+"Jest so, Boss," drawled his foreman. "I been figurin' Old Trouble-Maker
+better be in the can than on the hoof. He's made a plumb nuisance of
+himself. Yo' goin' on, Boss? Bud and Jimsey's got that bunch out o' the
+way of your smoke-waggin."
+
+"We've got to shift tires, Mr. Hicks," said Tom Cameron, who, with his
+chum, Bob Steele, was already jacking up the rear axle. "That steer
+ripped a long hole in this tire something awful."
+
+Bashful Ike--who didn't seem at all bashful when it came to handling the
+big black and white steer--suddenly let that bellowing beast get upon his
+four feet. Then he swooped down upon the steer, gathering up the coils
+of his rope as he rode, twitched the noose off the wide horns, and
+leaning quickly from his saddle grabbed the "brush" of the steer's tail
+and gave that appendage a mighty twist.
+
+Bellowing again, but for an entirely different reason, the steer started
+off after the bunch of cattle now disappearing in the dust-cloud, and
+the foreman spurred his calico pony after Old Trouble-Maker, yelling at
+the top of his voice at every jump of his pony:
+
+"Ye-ow! ye-ow! ye-ow!"
+
+"I declare I'm glad to see those cattle out of the way," said Helen
+Cameron, with a sigh.
+
+"I believe you," returned Ruth, who was still beside her on the front
+seat. "I just didn't realize before that cattle on the range are a whole
+lot different from a herd of cows in an eastern pasture."
+
+Tom and Bob got the new tire in place and pumped up, and then the
+automobile started again for the ranch house. Jane Ann was quite excited
+over her home-coming; anybody could see that with half an eye. She clung
+to her uncle's hand and looked at him now and again as though to assure
+the old fellow that she really was glad to be home.
+
+And Bill Hicks himself began to "fill into the picture" now that he was
+back in Montana. The young folks had seen many men like him since
+leaving Denver.
+
+"Why, he's just an old dear!" whispered Ruth to Helen, as the latter
+steered the car over the rough trail. "And just as kind and considerate
+as he can be. It's natural chivalry these Western men show to women,
+isn't it?"
+
+"He's nice," agreed Helen. "But he never ought to have named his niece
+'Jane Ann.' That was a mean trick to play on a defenseless baby."
+
+"He's going to make it up to her now," chuckled Tom, who heard this,
+being on the front seat with the two chums. "I know the 'pinanner' has
+gone on ahead, as he promised Nita. And carpets and curtains, too. I
+reckon this ranch we're coming to is going to 'blossom like the rose.'"
+
+When they came in sight of Silver Ranch, just before evening, the guests
+from the East were bound to express their appreciation of the beauty of
+its surroundings. It was a low, broad verandahed house, covering a good
+deal of ground, with cookhouses and other outbuildings in the rear, and
+a big corral for the stock, and bunkhouses for the men. It lay in a
+beautiful little valley--a "coulie," Jane Ann, or Nita, called it--with
+green, sloping sides to the saucer-like depression, and a pretty,
+winding stream breaking out of the hollow at one side.
+
+"I should think it would be damp down there," said Madge Steele, to the
+ranchman. "Why didn't you build your house on a knoll?"
+
+"Them sidehills sort o' break the winds, Miss," explained Mr. Hicks. "We
+sometimes git some wind out yere--yes, ma'am! You'd be surprised."
+
+They rode down to the big house and found a wide-smiling Mexican woman
+waiting for them on the porch. Jane Ann greeted her as "Maria" and Hicks
+sent her back to the kitchen to hurry supper. But everybody about the
+place, even Maria's husband, the "horse wrangler," a sleek looking
+Mexican with rings in his ears and a broken nose, found a chance to
+welcome the returned runaway.
+
+"My! it's great to be a female prodigal, isn't it?" demanded Heavy,
+poking Jane Ann with her forefinger. "Aren't you glad you ran away
+East?"
+
+The Western girl took it good-naturedly. "I'm glad I came back, anyway,"
+she acknowledged. "And I'm awfully glad Ruth and Helen and you-all could
+come with me."
+
+"Well, we're here, and I'm delighted," cried Helen Cameron. "But I
+didn't really expect either Ruth or Mary Cox would come. Mary's got such
+trouble at home; and Ruth's uncle is just as cross as he can be."
+
+Ruth heard that and shook her head, for all the girls were sitting on
+the wide veranda of the ranch-house after removing the traces of travel
+and getting into the comfortable "hack-about" frocks that Jane Ann had
+advised them to bring with them.
+
+"Uncle Jabez is in great trouble, sure," Ruth said. "Losing money--and a
+whole lot of money, too, as he has--is a serious matter. Uncle Jabez
+could lose lots of things better than he can money, for he loves money
+so!"
+
+"My gracious, Ruth," exclaimed Helen, with a sniff, "you'd find an
+excuse for a dog's running mad, I do believe! You are bound to see the
+best side of anybody."
+
+"What you say isn't very clear," laughed her chum, good-humoredly; "but
+I guess I know what you mean, and thank you for the compliment. I only
+hope that uncle's investment in the Tintacker Mine will come out all
+right in the end."
+
+Mary Cox, "The Fox," sat next to Ruth, and at this she turned to listen
+to the chums. Her sharp eyes sparkled and her face suddenly grew pale,
+as Ruth went on:
+
+"I expect Uncle Jabez allowed me to come out here partly because that
+mine he invested in is supposed to be somewhere in this district."
+
+"Oh!" said Helen. "A real mine?"
+
+"That is what is puzzling Uncle Jabez, as I understand it," said Ruth
+soberly. "He isn't sure whether it is a _real_ mine, or not. You see, he
+is very close mouthed, as well as close in money matters. He never said
+much to me about it. But old Aunt Alvirah told me all she knew.
+
+"You see, that young man came to the mill as an agent for a vacuum
+cleaner, and he talked Uncle Jabez into buying one for Aunt Alvirah.
+Now, you must know he was pretty smart to talk money right out of
+Uncle's pocket for any such thing as that," and Ruth laughed; but she
+became grave in a moment, and continued:
+
+"Not that he isn't as kind as he knows how to be to Aunt Alvirah; but
+the fact that the young man made his sale so quickly gave Uncle Jabez a
+very good opinion of his ability. So they got to talking, and the young
+man told uncle about the Tintacker Mine."
+
+"Gold or silver?" asked Helen.
+
+"Silver. The young fellow was very enthusiastic. He knew something about
+mines, and he had been out here to see this one. It had been the only
+legacy, so he said, that his father had left his family. He was the
+oldest, and the only boy, and his mother and the girls depended upon
+him. Their circumstances were cramped, and if he could not work this
+Tintacker Mine he did not know how he should support the family. There
+was money needed to develop the mine and--I am not sure--but I believe
+there was some other man had a share in it and must be bought out. At
+least, uncle furnished a large sum of money."
+
+"And then?" demanded Helen Cameron.
+
+"Why, then the young man came out this way. Aunt Alvirah said that Uncle
+Jabez got one letter from Denver and another from a place called Butte,
+Montana. Then nothing more came. Uncle's letters have been unanswered.
+That's ever since some time last winter. You see, uncle hates to spend
+more money, I suppose. He maybe doesn't know how to have the mine
+searched for. But he told me that the young man said something about
+going to Bullhide, and I am going to try to find out if anybody knows
+anything about the Tintacker Mine the first time we drive over to town."
+
+All this time Mary Cox had been deeply interested in what Ruth said. It
+was not often that The Fox paid much attention to Ruth Fielding, for she
+held a grudge against the girl of the Red Mill, and had, on several
+occasions, been very mean to Ruth. On the other hand, Ruth had twice
+aided in saving The Fox from drowning, and had the latter not been a
+very mean-spirited girl she would have been grateful to Ruth.
+
+About the time that Ruth had completed her story of the Tintacker Mine
+and the utter disappearance of the young man who had interested her
+Uncle Jabez in that mysterious silver horde, Jane Ann called them all to
+supper. A long, low-ceiled, cool apartment was the dining-room at Silver
+Ranch. Through a long gallery the Mexican woman shuffled in with the hot
+viands from the kitchen. Two little dark-skinned boys helped her; they
+were Maria's children.
+
+At supper Mr. Hicks took the head of the long table and Jane Ann did the
+honors at the other end. There were the Cameron twins, and Madge and
+Bob, and Jennie Stone and Mary Cox, beside Ruth Fielding herself. It was
+a merry party and they sat long over the meal; before they arose from
+the table, indeed, much shuffling and low voices and laughter, together
+with tobacco smoke, announced the presence of some of the cowboys
+outside.
+
+"The boys is up yere to hear that pinanner," said Mr. Hicks. "Jib's got
+it ready to slip out o' the box and we'll lift it into the other
+room--there's enough of us huskies to do it--and then you young folks can
+start something."
+
+Jane Ann was delighted with the handsome upright instrument. She had
+picked it out herself in New York, and it had been shipped clear across
+the continent ahead of the private car that had brought the party to
+Bullhide. The jarring it had undergone had not improved its tone; but
+Helen sat down to it and played a pretty little medley that pleased the
+boys at the windows.
+
+"Now, let Ruth sing," urged Jane Ann. "The boys like singing; give 'em
+something they can join in on the chorus like--that'll tickle 'em into
+fits!"
+
+So Ruth sang such familiar songs as she could remember. And then Helen
+got her violin and Madge took her place at the piano, and they played
+for Ruth some of the more difficult pieces that the latter had learned
+at Briarwood--for Ruth Fielding possessed a very sweet and strong voice
+and had "made the Glee Club" during the first half of her attendance at
+Briarwood Hall.
+
+The boys applauded from the veranda. There was at least a dozen of the
+ranchman's employes at the home corral just then. Altogether Mr. Hicks
+paid wages to about sixty punchers and horse wranglers. They were coming
+and going between the home ranch and the ranges all the time.
+
+The girls from the East gave the Silver Ranch cowboys a nice little
+concert, and then Jane Ann urged Jib Pottoway to come to the piano. The
+half-breed was on the veranda in the dusk, with the other fellows, but
+he needed urging.
+
+"Here, you Jibbeway!" exclaimed Mr. Hicks. "You hike yourself in yere
+and tickle these ivories a whole lot. These young ladies ain't snakes;
+an' they won't bite ye."
+
+The backward puncher was urged on by his mates, too, and finally he came
+in, stepping through the long window and sliding onto the piano bench
+that had been deserted by Madge. He was a tall, straight, big-boned
+young man, with dark, keen face, and the moment Tom Cameron saw him he
+seized Bob by the shoulder and whispered eagerly:
+
+"I know that fellow! He played fullback with Carlisle when they met
+Cornell three years ago. Why, he's an educated man--he must be! And
+punching cattle out on this ranch!"
+
+"Guess you forget that Theodore Roosevelt punched cattle for a while,"
+chuckled Bob. "Listen to that fellow play, will you?"
+
+And the Indian could--as Mr. Hicks remarked--"tickle the ivories." He
+played by ear, but he played well. Most of the tunes he knew were
+popular ditties and by and by he warmed the punchers up so that they
+began to hum their favorite melodies as Jib played them.
+
+"Come on, there, Ike!" said the Indian, suddenly. "Give us that 'Prayer'
+you're so fond of. Come on, now, Ike!"
+
+Bashful Ike evidently balked a little, but Jib played the accompaniment
+and the melody through, and finally the foreman of Silver Ranch broke in
+with a baritone roar and gave them "The Cowboy's Prayer." Ike possessed
+a mellow voice and the boys hummed in chorus in the dusk, and it all
+sounded fine until suddenly Jib Pottoway broke off with a sudden
+discordant crash on the piano keys.
+
+"Hel-lo!" exclaimed Bill Hicks, who had lain back in his wicker lounging
+chair, with his big feet in wool socks on another chair, enjoying all
+the music. "What's happened the pinanner, Jib? You busted it? By jings!
+that cost me six hundred dollars at the Bullhide station."
+
+But then his voice fell and there was silence both in the room and on
+the veranda. The sound of galloping hoofs had shut the ranchman up. A
+pony was approaching on a dead run, and the next moment a long, loud
+"Ye-ow! ye-ow!" announced the rider's excitement as something
+extraordinary.
+
+"Who's that, Ike?" cried Hicks, leaping from his chair.
+
+"Scrub Weston," said the foreman as he clumped down the veranda steps.
+
+Jib slipped through the window. Hicks followed him on the jump, and Jane
+Ann led the exodus of the visitors. There was plainly something of an
+exciting nature at hand. A pony flashed out of the darkness and slid to
+a perilous halt right at the steps.
+
+"Hi, Boss!" yelled the cowboy who bestrode the pony. "Fire's sweeping up
+from Tintacker way! I bet it's that Bughouse Johnny the boys have chased
+two or three times. He's plumb loco, that feller is--oughtn't to be left
+at large. The whole chapparel down that a-way is blazin' and, if the
+wind rises, more'n ha'f of your grazin'll be swept away."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV--THE FIRE FIGHT
+
+
+The guests had followed Mr. Hicks and Jib out of the long window and had
+heard the cow puncher's declaration. There was no light in the sky as
+far as the girls could see--no light of a fire, at least--but there seemed
+to be a tang of smoke; perhaps the smoke clung to the sweating horse and
+its rider.
+
+"You got it straight, Scrub Weston?" demanded Bill Hicks. "This ain't no
+burn you're givin' us?"
+
+"Great piping Peter!" yelled the cowboy on the trembling pony, "it'll be
+a burn all right if you fellows don't git busy. I left Number Three
+outfit fighting the fire the best they knew; we've had to let the cattle
+drift. I tell ye, Boss, there's more trouble brewin' than you kin shake
+a stick at."
+
+"'Nuff said!" roared Hicks. "Get busy, Ike. You fellers saddle and light
+out with Scrub. Rope you another hawse out o' the corral, Scrub; you've
+blamed near killed that one."
+
+"Oh! is it really a prairie fire?" asked Ruth, of Jane Ann. "Can't we
+see it?"
+
+"You bet we will," declared the ranchman's niece. "Leave it to me. I'll
+get the horse-wrangler to hitch up a pair of ponies and we'll go over
+there. Wish you girls could ride."
+
+"Helen rides," said Ruth, quickly.
+
+"But not our kind of horses, I reckon," returned Jane Ann, as she
+started after the cowboys. "But Tom and Bob can have mounts. Come on,
+boys!"
+
+"We'll get into trouble, like enough, if we go to this fire," objected
+Madge Steele.
+
+"Come on!" said Heavy. "Don't let's show the white feather. These folks
+will think we haven't any pluck at all. Eastern girls can be just as
+courageous as Western girls, I believe."
+
+But all the time Ruth was puzzling over something that the cowboy, Scrub
+Weston, had said when he gave warning of the fire. He had mentioned
+Tintacker and suggested that the fire had been set by somebody whom Ruth
+supposed the cowboys must think was crazy--otherwise she could not
+explain that expression, "Bughouse Johnny." These range riders were very
+rough of speech, but certainly their language was expressive!
+
+This Tintacker Mine in which she was so deeply interested--for Uncle
+Jabez's sake--must be very near the ranch. Ruth desired to go to the mine
+and learn if it was being worked; and she proposed to learn the whole
+history of the claim and look up the recording of it, as well. Of
+course, the young man who had gotten Uncle Jabez to invest in the silver
+mine had shown him deeds and the like; but these papers might have been
+forged. Ruth was determined to clear up the mystery of the Tintacker
+Mine before she left Silver Ranch for the East again.
+
+Just now, however, she as well as the other guests of Jane Ann Hicks was
+excited by the fire on the range. They got jackets, and by the time all
+the girls were ready Maria's husband had a pair of half-wild ponies
+hitched to the buckboard. Bob elected to drive the ponies, and he and
+the five girls got aboard the vehicle while the restive ponies were held
+by the Mexican.
+
+Tom and Jane Ann had each saddled a pony. Jane Ann rode astride like a
+boy, and she was up on a horse that seemed to be just as crazy as he
+could be. Her friends from the East feared all the time that Jane Ann
+would be thrown.
+
+"Let 'em go, Jose!" commanded the Silver Ranch girl. "You keep right
+behind me, Mr. Steele--follow me and Mr. Tom. The trail ain't good, but I
+reckon you won't tip over your crowd if you're careful."
+
+The girls on the buckboard screamed at that; But it was too late to
+expostulate--or back out from going on the trip. The half-wild ponies
+were off and Bob had all he could do to hold them. Old Bill Hicks and
+his punchers had swept away into the starlit night some minutes before
+and were now out of both sight and hearing. As the party of young folk
+got out of the coulie, riding over the ridge, they saw a dull glow far
+down on the western horizon.
+
+"The fire!" cried Ruth, pointing.
+
+"That's what it is," responded Jane Ann, excitedly. "Come on!"
+
+She raced ahead and Tom spurred his mount after her. Directly in their
+wake lurched the buckboard, with the excited Bob snapping the
+long-lashed whip over the ponies' backs. The vehicle pitched and jerked,
+and traveled sometimes on as few as two wheels; the girls were jounced
+about unmercifully, and The Fox and Helen squealed.
+
+"I'm--be--ing--jolt--ed--to--a--jel--ly!" gasped Heavy. "I'll be--one
+sol--id bruise."
+
+But Bob did not propose to be left behind by Jane Ann and Tom Cameron,
+and Madge showed her heartlessness by retorting on the stout girl:
+
+"You'll be solid, all right, Jennie, never mind whether you are bruised
+or not. You know that you're no 'airy, fairy Lillian.'"
+
+But the rate at which they were traveling was not conducive to
+conversation; and most of the time the girls clung on and secretly hoped
+that Bob would not overturn the buckboard. The ponies seemed desirous of
+running away all the time.
+
+The rosy glow along the skyline increased; and now flames leaped--yellow
+and scarlet--rising and falling, while the width of the streak of fire
+increased at both ends. Luckily there was scarcely any wind. But the
+fire certainly was spreading.
+
+The ponies tore along under Bob's lash and Jane Ann and Tom did not
+leave them far behind. Over the rolling prairie they fled and so rapidly
+that Hicks and his aides from the ranch-house were not far in advance
+when the visitors came within unrestricted view of the flames.
+
+Jane Ann halted and held up her hand to Bob to pull in the ponies when
+they topped a ridge which was the final barrier between them and the
+bottom where the fire burned. For several miles the dry grass, scrub,
+and groves of trees had been blackened by the fire. Light smoke clouds
+drifted away from the line of flame, which crackled sharply and advanced
+in a steady march toward the ridge on which the spectators were perched.
+
+"My goodness me!" exclaimed Heavy. "You couldn't put _that_ fire out by
+spilling a bucket of water on it, could you?"
+
+The fire line was several miles long. The flames advanced slowly; but
+here and there, where it caught in a bunch of scrub, the tongues of fire
+mounted swiftly into the air for twenty feet, or more; and in these
+pillars of fire lurked much danger, for when a blast of wind chanced to
+swoop down on them, the flames jumped!
+
+Toiling up the ridge, snorting and bellowing, tails in air and horns
+tossing, drifted a herd of several thousand cattle, about ready to
+stampede although the fire was not really chasing them. The danger lay
+in the fact that the flames had gained such headway, and had spread so
+widely, that the entire range might be burned over, leaving nothing for
+the cattle to eat.
+
+The rose-light of the flames showed the spectators all this--the black
+smooch of the fire-scathed land behind the barrier of flame, the
+flitting figures on horseback at the foot of the ridge, and the herd of
+steers going over the rise toward the north--and the higher foothills.
+
+"But what can they do?" gasped Ruth.
+
+"They're back-firing," Tom said, holding in his pony. Tom was a good
+horseman and it was evident that Jane Ann was astonished at his riding.
+"But over yonder where they tried it, the flames jumped ahead through
+the long grass and drove the men into their saddles again."
+
+"See what those fellows are doing!" gasped Madge, standing up. "They're
+roping those cattle--isn't that what you call it, _roping_?"
+
+"And hog-tieing them," responded Jane Ann, eagerly. "That's Jib--and
+Bashful Ike. There! that's an axe Ike's got. He's going to slice up that
+steer."
+
+"Oh, dear me! what for?" cried Helen.
+
+"Why, the butchering act--right here and now?" demanded Heavy. "Aren't
+thinking of having a barbecue, are they?"
+
+"You watch," returned the Western girl, greatly excited. "There! they've
+split that steer."
+
+"I hope it's the big one that bunted the automobile," cried The Fox.
+
+"Well, you can bet it ain't," snapped Jane Ann. "Old Trouble-Maker is
+going to yield us some fun at brandin' time--now you see."
+
+But they were all too much interested just then in what was going on
+near at hand--and down at the fire line--to pay much attention to what
+Jane Ann said about Old Trouble-Maker. Bashful Ike and Jib Pottoway had
+split two steers "from stem to stern." Two other riders approached, and
+the girls recognized one of them as Old Bill himself.
+
+"Tough luck, boys," grumbled the ranchman. "Them critters is worth five
+cents right yere on the hoof; but that fire's got to be smothered. Here,
+Jib! hitch my rope to t'other end of your half of that critter."
+
+In a minute the ranchman and the half-breed were racing down the slope,
+their ponies on the jump, the half of the steer jumping behind them. At
+the line of fire Hicks made his frightened horse leap the flames, they
+jerked the half of the steer over so that the cloven side came in
+contact with the flames, and then both men urged their ponies along the
+fire line, right in the midst of the smoke and heat, dragging the
+bleeding side of beef across the sputtering flames.
+
+Ike and his mate started almost at once in the other direction, and both
+teams quenched the fire in good shape. Behind them other cowboys drew
+the halves of the second steer that had been divided, making sure of the
+quenching of the conflagration in the main; but there were still spots
+where the fire broke out again, and it was a couple of hours, and two
+more fat steers had been sacrificed, before it was safe to leave the
+fire line to the watchful care of only half a dozen, or so, of the range
+riders.
+
+It had been a bitter fight while it lasted. Tom and Bob, and Jane Ann
+herself had joined in it--slapping out the immature fires where they had
+sprung up in the grass from sparks which flew from the greater fires.
+But the ridge had helped retard the blaze so that it could be
+controlled, and from the summit the girls from the East had enjoyed the
+spectacle.
+
+Old Bill Hicks rode beside the buckboard when they started back for the
+ranch-house, and was very angry over the setting of the fire. Cow
+punchers are the most careful people in the world regarding fire-setting
+in the open. If a cattleman lights his cigarette, or pipe, he not only
+pinches out the match between his finger and thumb, but, if he is afoot,
+he stamps the burned match into the earth when he drops it.
+
+"That yere half-crazy tenderfoot oughter be put away somewhares, whar he
+won't do no more harm to nobody," growled the ranchman.
+
+"Do you expect he set it, Uncle?" demanded Jane Ann.
+
+"So Scrub says. He seen him camping in the cottonwoods along Larruper
+Crick this mawnin'. I reckon nobody but a confounded tenderfoot would
+have set a fire when it's dry like this, noways."
+
+Here Ruth put in a question that she had longed to ask ever since the
+fire scare began: "Who _is_ this strange man you call the tenderfoot?"
+
+"Dunno, Miss Ruth," said the cattleman. "He's been hanging 'round yere a
+good bit since Spring. Or, he's been seen by my men a good bit. When
+they've spoke to him he's seemed sort of doped, or silly. They can't
+make him out. And he hangs around closest to Tintacker."
+
+"You're interested in _that_, Ruth!" exclaimed Helen.
+
+"What d'you know about Tintacker, Miss?" asked Old Bill, curiously.
+
+"Tintacker is a silver mine, isn't it?" asked Ruth, in return.
+
+"Tintacker used to be a right smart camp some years ago. Some likely
+silver claims was staked out 'round there. But they petered out, and
+ain't nobody raked over the old dumps, even, but some Chinamen, for ten
+year."
+
+"But was there a particular mine called 'Tintacker'?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Sure there was. First claim staked out. And it was a good one--for a
+while. But there ain't nothin' there now."
+
+"You say this stranger hangs about there?" queried Tom, likewise
+interested.
+
+"He won't for long if my boys find him arter this," growled Hicks.
+"They'll come purty close to running him out o' this neck o' woods--you
+hear me!"
+
+This conversation made Ruth even more intent upon solving the mystery of
+the Tintacker Mine, and her desire to see this strange "tenderfoot" who
+hung about the old mining claims increased. But she said nothing more at
+that time regarding the matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V--"OLD TROUBLE-MAKER" TURNED LOOSE
+
+
+After getting to bed at midnight it could not be expected that the young
+people at Silver Ranch would be astir early on the morning following the
+fire scare. But Ruth, who was used to being up with the sun at the Red
+Mill--and sometimes a little before the orb of day--slipped out of the big
+room in which the six girls were domiciled when she heard the first stir
+about the corrals.
+
+When she came out upon the veranda that encircled the ranch-house,
+wreaths of mist hung knee-high in the coulee--mist which, as soon as the
+sun peeked over the hills, would be dissipated. The ponies were snorting
+and stamping at their breakfasts--great armfuls of alfalfa hay which the
+horse wranglers had pitched over the fence. Maria, the Mexican woman,
+came up from the cowshed with two brimming pails of milk, for the Silver
+Ranch boasted a few milch cows at the home place, and there had been
+sweet butter on the table at supper the night before--something which is
+usually very scarce on a cattle ranch.
+
+Ruth ran down to the corral and saw, on the bench outside the bunkhouse
+door, the row of buckets in which the boys had their morning plunge. The
+sleeping arrangements at Silver Ranch being rather primitive, Tom and
+Bob had elected to join the cowboys in the big bunkhouse, and they had
+risen as early as the punchers and made their own toilet in the buckets,
+too. The sheet-iron chimney of the chuckhouse kitchen was smoking, and
+frying bacon and potatoes flavored the keen air for yards around.
+
+Bashful Ike, the foreman, met the Eastern girl at the corner of the
+corral fence. He was a pleasant, smiling man; but the blood rose to the
+very roots of his hair and he got into an immediate perspiration if a
+girl looked at him. When Ruth bade him good-morning Ike's cheeks began
+to flame and he grew instantly tongue-tied! Beyond nodding a greeting
+and making a funny noise in his throat he gave no notice that he was
+like other human beings and could talk. But Ruth had an idea in her mind
+and Bashful Ike could help her carry it through better than anybody
+else.
+
+"Mr. Ike," she said, softly, "do you know about this man they say
+probably set the fire last night?"
+
+Ike gulped down something that seemed to be choking him and mumbled that
+he supposed he had seen the fellow "about once."
+
+"Do you think he is crazy, Mr. Ike?" asked the Eastern girl.
+
+"I--I swanny! I couldn't be sure as to that, Miss," stammered the foreman
+of Silver Ranch. "The boys say he acts plumb locoed."
+
+"'Locoed' means crazy?" she persisted.
+
+"Why, Miss, clear 'way down south from us, 'long about the Mexican
+border, thar's a weed grows called loco, and if critters eats it, they
+say it crazies 'em--for a while, anyway. So, Miss," concluded Ike,
+stumbling less in his speech now, "if a man or a critter acts batty
+like, we say he's locoed."
+
+"I understand. But if this man they suspect of setting the fire is crazy
+he isn't responsible for what he does, is he?"
+
+"Well, Miss, mebbe not. But we can't have no onresponsible feller
+hangin' around yere scatterin' fire--no, sir!--ma'am, I mean," Ike hastily
+added, his face flaming up like an Italian sunset again.
+
+"No; I suppose not. But I understand the man stays around that old camp
+at Tintacker, more than anywhere else?"
+
+"That's so, I reckon," agreed Ike. "The boys don't see him often."
+
+"Can't you make the boys just scare him into keeping off the range,
+instead of doing him real harm? They seemed very angry about the fire."
+
+"I dunno, Miss. Old Bill's some hot under the collar himself--and he
+might well be. Last night's circus cost him a pretty penny."
+
+"Did you ever see this man they say is crazy?" demanded Ruth.
+
+"I told you I did oncet."
+
+"What sort of a looking man is he?"
+
+"He ain't no more'n a kid, Miss. That's it; he's jest a tenderfoot kid."
+
+"A boy, you mean?" queried Ruth, anxiously.
+
+"Not much older than that yere whitehead ye brought with yuh," said Ike,
+beginning to grin now that he had become a bit more familiar with the
+Eastern girl, and pointing at Bob Steele. "And he ain't no bigger than
+him."
+
+"You wouldn't let your boys injure a young fellow like that, would you?"
+cried Ruth. "It wouldn't be right."
+
+"I dunno how I'm goin' to stop 'em from mussin' him up a whole lot if
+they chances acrost him," said Ike, slowly. "He'd ought to be shut up,
+so he had."
+
+"Granted. But he ought not to be abused. Another thing, Ike--I'll tell
+you a secret."
+
+"Uh-huh?" grunted the surprised foreman.
+
+"I want to see that young man awfully!" said Ruth. "I want to talk with
+him----"
+
+"Sufferin' snipes!" gasped Ike, becoming so greatly interested that he
+forgot it was a girl he was talking with. "What you wanter see that
+looney critter for?"
+
+"Because I'm greatly interested in the Tintacker Mine, and they say this
+young fellow usually sticks to that locality," replied Ruth, smiling on
+the big cow puncher. "Don't you think I can learn to ride well enough to
+travel that far before we return to the East?"
+
+"To ride to Tintacker, Miss?" he asked.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Why, suah, Miss!" cried Ike, cordially. "I'll pick you-all out a nice
+pony what's well broke, and I bet you'll ride him lots farther than
+that. I'll rope him now--I know jest the sort of a hawse you'd oughter
+ride----"
+
+"No; you go eat your breakfast with the other boys," laughed Ruth,
+preparing to go back to the ranch-house. "Jane Ann says we're all to
+have ponies to ride and she maybe will be disappointed if I don't let
+her pick out mine for me," added Ruth, with her usual regard for the
+feelings of her mates. "But I am going to depend on you, Mr. Ike, to
+teach me to ride."
+
+"And when you want to ride over to Tintacker tuh interview that yere
+maverick, yo' let me know, Miss," said Bashful Ike. "I'll see that yuh
+git thar with proper escort, and all that," and he grinned sheepishly.
+
+Tom and Bob breakfasted with the punchers, but after the regular meal at
+the ranch-house the two boys hastened to join their girl friends. First
+they must all go to the corral and pick out their riding ponies. Helen,
+Madge and The Fox could ride fairly well; but Jane Ann had warned them
+that Eastern riding would not do on the ranch. Such a thing as a
+side-saddle was unknown, so the girls had all supplied themselves with
+divided skirts so that they could ride astride like the Western girl.
+Besides, a cow pony would not stand for the long skirt of a riding habit
+flapping along his flank.
+
+Now, Ruth had ridden a few times on Helen's pony, and away back when she
+was a little girl she had ridden bareback on an old horse belonging to
+the blacksmith at Darrowtown. So she was not afraid to try the nervous
+little flea-bitten gray that Ike Stedman roped and saddled and bridled
+for her. Jane Ann declared it to be a favorite pony of her own, and
+although the little fellow did not want to stand while his saddle was
+being cinched, and stamped his cunning little feet on the ground a good
+bit, Ike assured the girl of the Red Mill that "Freckles," as they
+called him, was "one mighty gentle hawse!"
+
+There was no use in the girls from the East showing fear; Ruth was too
+plucky to do that, anyway. She was not really afraid of the pony; but
+when she was in the saddle it did seem as though Freckles danced more
+than was necessary.
+
+These cow ponies never walk--unless they are dead tired; about Freckles'
+easiest motion was a canter that carried Ruth over the prairie so
+swiftly that her loosened hair flowed behind her in the wind, and for a
+time she could not speak--until she became adjusted to the pony's motion.
+But she liked riding astride much better than on a side-saddle, and she
+soon lost her fear. Ike had given her some good advice about the holding
+of her reins so that a sharp pull on Freckles' curb would instantly
+bring the pony down to a dead stop. The bashful one had screwed tiny
+spurs into the heels of her high boots and given her a light quirt, or
+whip.
+
+The other girls--all but Heavy--were, as we have seen, more used to riding
+than the girl of the Red Mill; but with the stout girl the whole party
+had a great deal of fun. Of course, Jennie Stone expected to cause
+hilarity among her friends; she "poked fun" at herself all the time, so
+could not object if the others laughed.
+
+"I'll never in this world be able to get into a saddle without a kitchen
+chair to step upon," Jennie groaned, as she saw the other girls choosing
+their ponies. "Mercy! if I got on that little Freckles, he'd squat right
+down--I know he would! You'll have to find something bigger than these
+rabbits for _me_ to ride on."
+
+At that she heard the girls giggling behind her and turned to face a
+great, droop-headed, long-eared roan mule, with hip bones that you could
+hang your hat on--a most forlorn looking bundle of bones that had
+evidently never recovered the climatic change from the river bottoms of
+Missouri to the uplands of Montana. Tom Cameron held the mule with a
+trace-chain around his neck and he offered the end of the chain to Heavy
+with a perfectly serious face.
+
+"I believe you'd better saddle this chap, Jennie," said Tom. "You see
+how he's built--the framework is great. I know he can hold you up all
+right. Just look at how he's built."
+
+"Looks like the steel framework of a skyscraper," declared Heavy,
+solemnly. "Don't you suppose I might fall in between the ribs if I
+climbed up on that thing? I thought you were a better friend to me than
+that, Tom Cameron. You'd deliberately let me risk my life by being
+tangled up in that moth-eaten bag o' bones if it collapsed under me. No!
+I'll risk one of these rabbits. I'll have less distance to fall if I
+roll."
+
+But the little cow ponies were tougher than the stout girl supposed. Ike
+weighed in the neighborhood of a hundred and eighty pounds--solid bone
+and muscle--and the cayuse that he bestrode when at work was no bigger
+than Ruth's Freckles. They hoisted Heavy into the saddle, and Tom
+offered to lash her there if she didn't feel perfectly secure.
+
+"You needn't mind, Tommy," returned the stout girl. "If, in the course
+of human events, it becomes necessary for me to disembark from this
+saddle, I'll probably want to get down quick. There's no use in
+hampering me. I take my life in my hand--with these reins--and--ugh! ugh!
+ugh!" she finished as, on her picking up the lines, her restive pony
+instantly broke into the liveliest kind of a trot.
+
+But after all, Heavy succeeded in riding pretty well; while Ruth, after
+an hour, was not afraid to let her pony take a pretty swift gait with
+her. Jane Ann, however, showed remarkable skill and made the Eastern
+girls fairly envious. She had ridden, of course, ever since she was big
+enough to hold bridle reins, and there were few of the punchers who
+could handle a horse better than the ranchman's niece.
+
+But the visitors from the East did not understand this fact fully until
+a few days later, when the first bunch of Spring calves and yearlings
+were driven into a not far distant corral to be branded. Branding is one
+of the big shows on a cattle ranch, and Ruth and her chums did not
+intend to miss the sight; besides, some of the boys had corraled Old
+Trouble-Maker near by and promised some fancy work with the big black
+and white steer.
+
+"We'll show you some roping now," said Jane Ann, with enthusiasm. "Just
+cutting a little old cow out of that band in the corral and throwing it
+ain't nothing. Wait till we turn Old Trouble-Maker loose."
+
+The whole party rode over to the branding camp, and there was the black
+and white steer as wild as ever. While the branding was going on the big
+steer bellowed and stamped and tried to break the fence down. The smell
+of the burning flesh, and the bellowing of the calves and yearlings as
+their ears were slit, stirred the old fellow up.
+
+"Something's due to happen when that feller gits turned out," declared
+Jib Pottoway. "You goin' to try to rope that contrary critter, Jane
+Ann?"
+
+"It'll be a free-for-all race; Ike says so," cried Jane Ann. "You wait!
+You boys think you're so smart. I'll rope that steer myself--maybe."
+
+The punchers laughed at this boast; but they all liked Jane Ann and had
+it been possible to make her boast come true they would have seen to it
+that she won. But Old Trouble-Maker, as Jib said, "wasn't a lady's cow."
+
+It was agreed that only a free-for-all dash for the old fellow would
+do--and out on the open range, at that. Old Trouble-Maker was to be
+turned out of the corral, given a five-rod start, and then the bunch who
+wanted to have a tussle with the steer would start for him. Just to make
+it interesting Old Bill Hicks had put up a twenty dollar gold piece, to
+be the property of the winner of the contest--that is, to the one who
+succeeded in throwing and "hog-tieing" Old Trouble-Maker.
+
+It was along in the cool of the afternoon when the bars of the small
+corral were let down and the steer was prodded out into the open. The
+old fellow seemed to know that there was fun in store for him. At first
+he pawed the ground and seemed inclined to charge the line of punchers,
+and even shook his head at the group of mounted spectators, who were
+bunched farther back on the hillside. Bashful Ike stopped _that_ idea,
+however, for, as master of ceremonies, he rode in suddenly and used his
+quirt on the big steer. With a bellow Old Trouble-Maker swung around and
+started for the skyline. Ike trotted on behind him till the steer passed
+the five-rod mark. Then pulling the big pistol that swung at his hip the
+foreman shot a fusilade into the ground which started the steer off at a
+gallop, tail up and head down, and spurred the punchers into instant
+action, as well.
+
+"Ye-yip!" yelled Bashful Ike. "Now let's see what you 'ombres air good
+for with a rope. Go to it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI--THE ROPING CONTEST
+
+
+With a chorus of "co-ees" and wild yells the cowboys of Silver Ranch
+dashed away on the race after the huge black and white steer. And Jane
+Ann, on her bay mustang, was right up with the leaders in the wild rush.
+It was indeed an inspiring sight, and the boys and girls from the East
+urged their own mounts on after the crowd with eagerness.
+
+"See Nita ride! isn't she just wonderful?" cried Helen.
+
+"I don't think there's anything wonderful about it," sneered The Fox, in
+her biting way. "She was almost _born_ on horseback, you know. It's as
+natural to her as breathing."
+
+"Bu--bu--but it shakes--you up--a good--bit more--than breath--breathing!"
+gasped Heavy, as her pony jounced her over the ground.
+
+Tom and Bob had raced ahead after the cowboys, and Ruth was right behind
+them. She had learned to sit the saddle with ease now, and she was
+beginning to learn to swing a rope; Ike was teaching her. Tom could
+really fling the lasso with some success; but of course he could not
+enter into this mad rush for a single steer.
+
+A twenty dollar gold piece was not to be scorned; and the cowboys were
+earnest in their attempt to make that extra twenty over and above their
+monthly stipend. But Jane Ann Hicks worked for the fun of it, and
+because she desired to show her Eastern friends how she excelled in
+horsemanship. There were so many other things which her friends knew, in
+which she was deficient!
+
+She was up with the leaders when they came within casting distance of
+the big steer. But the steer was wily; he dodged this way and that as
+they surrounded him, and finally one of the punchers got in an awkward
+position and Old Trouble-Maker made for him. The man couldn't pull his
+pony out of the way as the steer made a short turn, and the old fellow
+came head on against the pony's ribs. It was a terrific shock. It
+sounded like a man beating an empty rainwater barrel with a club!
+
+The poor pony was fairly lifted off his feet and rolled over and over on
+the ground. Luckily his rider kicked himself free of the stirrups and
+escaped the terrible horns of Old Trouble-Maker. The steer thundered on,
+paying no further attention to overturned pony or rider, and it was Jib
+Pottoway who first dropped a rope over the creature's horn.
+
+But it was only over one horn and when the galloping steer was suddenly
+"snubbed" at the end of Jib's rope, what happened? Ordinarily Old
+Trouble-Maker should have gone down to his knees with the shock; but the
+Indian's pony stumbled just at that anxious moment, and instead of the
+steer being brought to his knees, the pony was jerked forward by Old
+Trouble-Maker's weight.
+
+The cowboys uttered a chorus of dismal yells as Jib rose into the
+air--like a diver making a spring into the sea--and when he landed--well!
+it was fortunate that the noose slipped off the steer's horn and the
+pony did not roll over the Indian.
+
+Two men bowled over and the odds all in favor of the black and white
+steer! The other cowboys set up a fearful chorus as Jib scrambled up,
+and Old Trouble-Maker thundered on across the plain, having been
+scarcely retarded by the Indian's attempt. Bellowing and blowing, the
+steer kept on, and for a minute nobody else got near enough to the beast
+to fling a rope.
+
+Then one of the other boys who bestrode a remarkably fast little pony,
+got near enough (as he said afterward) to grab the steer by the tail and
+throw him! And it was too bad that he hadn't tried that feat; for what
+he _did_ do was to excitedly swing his lariat around his head and catch
+his nearest neighbor across the shoulders with the slack! This neighbor
+uttered a howl of rage and at once "ran amuck"--to the great hilarity of
+the onlookers. It was no fun for the fellow who had so awkwardly swung
+the rope, however; for his angry mate chased him half a mile straight
+across the plain before he bethought him, in his rage, that it was the
+steer, not his friend, that was to be flung and tied for the prize.
+
+The others laughed so over this incident that the steer was like to get
+away. But one of the fellows, known to them all as "Jimsey" had been
+working cautiously on the outside of the bunch of excited horsemen all
+the time. It was evident to Ruth, who was watching the game very
+earnestly from the rear, that this Jimsey had determined to capture the
+prize and was showing more strategy than the others. He was determined
+to be the one to down Old Trouble-Maker, and as he saw one after the
+other of his mates fail, his own grin broadened.
+
+Now, Ruth saw, he suddenly urged his pony in nearer the galloping steer.
+Standing suddenly in his stirrups, and swinging his lariat with a wide
+noose at the end, he dropped it at the moment when Old Trouble-Maker had
+just dodged another rope. The steer fairly ran into Jimsey's noose. The
+puncher snubbed down on the rope instantly, and the steer, caught over
+the horns and with one foreleg in the noose, came to the hard plain like
+a ton of bricks falling.
+
+"He's down! he's down!" shrieked Bob, vastly excited.
+
+"Oh, the poor thing!" his sister observed. "That must have hurt him."
+
+"Well, after the way that brute tried to crawl into the automobile, I
+wouldn't cry any if his neck was broken!" exclaimed Mary Cox, in sharp
+tones.
+
+Jimsey's horse was well broken and he swung his weight at the end of the
+rope in such a way that the huge steer could not get on his feet again.
+Jimsey vaulted out of the saddle and ran to the floundering steer with
+an agility that delighted the spectators from the East. How they cheered
+him! And his mates, too, urged him on with delight. It looked as though
+Jimsey had "called the trick" and would tie the struggling beast and so
+fulfill the requirements of the contest.
+
+As the agile puncher sought to lay hold of the steer's forefeet,
+however, Old Trouble-Maker flung his huge body around. The "yank" was
+too much for the pony and it was drawn forward perhaps a foot by the
+sheer weight of the big steer.
+
+"Stand still, thar!" yelled Jimsey to the pony. "Wait till I get this
+yere critter tied up in a true lover's knot! Whoa, Emma!"
+
+Again the big steer had jerked; but the pony braced his feet and swung
+backward. It was then the unexpected happened! The girth of Jimsey's
+saddle gave way, the taut rope pulling the saddle sideways. The pony
+naturally was startled and he jumped to one side. In an instant the big
+steer was nimbly on his feet, and flung Jimsey ten feet away! Bellowing
+with fear the brute tore off across the plain again, now with the wreck
+of Jimsey's saddle bounding over the ground behind him and whacking him
+across the rump at every other jump.
+
+If anything was needed to make Old Trouble-Maker mad he had it now. The
+steer sped across the plain faster than he had ever run before, and in a
+temper to attack anything or anybody who chanced to cross his trail.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII--JANE ANN TURNS THE TRICK
+
+
+"Oh, Ruth! that man is hurt," cried Helen, as the chums rode as hard as
+they dared after the flying bunch of cattle punchers.
+
+Jimsey lay on the ground, it was true; but when they came nearer they
+saw that he was shaking both fists in the air and spouting language that
+was the very reverse of elegant. Jimsey wasn't hurt; but he was awfully
+angry.
+
+"Come on! come on, girls!" called Tom. "That old steer is running like a
+dog with a can tied to its tail! Did you ever see the beat of that?"
+
+"And Nita is right in with the crowd. How they ride!" gasped Madge
+Steele. "She'll be killed!"
+
+"I hope not," her brother shouted back. "But she's just about the
+pluckiest girl I ever heard of."
+
+"She's swinging her rope now!" gasped Heavy. "Do you suppose she intends
+to try and catch that steer?"
+
+That was what Jane Ann Hicks seemed determined to do. She had ridden so
+that she was ahead of the troop of other riders. Bashful Ike, the
+foreman, put spurs to his own mount and tried to catch the boss's niece.
+If anything happened to Jane Ann he knew that Old Bill would call him to
+account for it.
+
+"Have a care there, Jinny!" he bawled "Look out that saddle don't give
+ye a crack."
+
+The saddle bounded high in the air--sometimes higher than Jane Ann's
+head--and if she ran her mount in too close to the mad steer the saddle
+might knock her off her pony. Nor did she pay the least attention to
+Bashful Ike's advice. She was using the quirt on her mount and he was
+jumping ahead like a streak of light.
+
+Jane Ann had coiled her rope again and it hung from her saddle. She had
+evidently formed a new plan of action since having the field to herself.
+The others--all but Ike--were now far behind.
+
+"Have a care thar, Jinny!" called the foreman again. "He'll throw you!"
+
+"You keep away, Ike!" returned the girl, excitedly. "This is my chance.
+Don't you dare interfere. I'll show those boys I can beat them at their
+own game."
+
+"Sufferin' snipes! You look out, Jinny! You'll be killed!"
+
+"I won't if you don't interfere," she yelled back at him.
+
+During this conversation both their mounts were on the keen jump. The
+saddle was bounding high over the plain as the steer still bellowed and
+ran. Jane Ann urged her pony as close alongside the steer as she dared,
+leaned sideways from her saddle, and made a sharp slash in the air with
+the hunting knife that had hung from her belt in its sheath. The keen
+blade severed Jimsey's best hair rope (there would be a postscript to
+Jimsey's remarks about that, later) and the saddle, just then bounding
+into the air, caromed from the steer's rump against Jane Ann's pony, and
+almost knocked it off its legs.
+
+But the girl kept her seat and the pony gathered his feet under him
+again and started after the relieved steer. But she did not use her rope
+even then, and after returning her knife to its sheath she guided her
+pony close in to the steer's flank. Before that saddle had beaten him so
+about the body, Old Trouble-Maker might have made a swift turn and
+collided with the girl's mount; but he was thinking only of running away
+now--getting away from that mysterious thing that had been chasing and
+thumping him!
+
+Ike, who cantered along just behind her (the rest of the crowd were many
+yards in the rear) suddenly let out a yell of fear. He saw that the girl
+was about to try, and he was scared. She leaned from her saddle and
+seized the stiff tail of the steer at its base. The foreman drew his gun
+and spurred his horse forward.
+
+"You little skeezicks!" he gasped. "If you break your neck your uncle
+will jest natcherly run me off'n this range!"
+
+"Keep away, Ike!" panted the girl, letting the tail of the maddened
+steer run through her hand until she felt the bunch of hair--or brush--at
+the end.
+
+Then she secured her grip. Digging her spurs into the pony's sides she
+made him increase his stride suddenly. He gained second by second on the
+wildly running steer and the girl leaned forward in her saddle, clinging
+with her left hand to the pommel, her face in the pony's tossing mane.
+
+The next moment the tail was taut and the jerk was almost enough to
+dislocate her arm. But she hung on and the shock was greater to the big
+steer than to Jane Ann. The yank on his tail made him lose his stride
+and forced him to cross his legs. The next moment Old Trouble-Maker was
+on his head, from which he rolled over on his side, bellowing with
+fright.
+
+It was a _vaquero_ trick that Jane Ann had seen the men perform; yet it
+was a mercy that she, a slight girl, was not pulled out of her saddle
+and killed. But Jane Ann had done the trick nicely; and in a moment she
+was out of her saddle, and before Ike was beside her, had tied the
+steer's feet, "fore and aft," with Jimsey's broken rope. Then, with one
+foot on the heaving side of the steer, she flung off her hat and shouted
+to the crowd that came tearing up:
+
+"That double-eagle's mine! Got anything to say against it, boys?"
+
+They cheered her to the echo, and after them came the party of Jane
+Ann's friends from the East to add their congratulations. But as Ruth
+and the others rode up Heavy of course had to meet with an accident.
+Hard luck always seemed to ride the stout girl like a nightmare!
+
+The pony on which she rode became excited because of the crowd of
+kicking, squealing cow ponies, and Heavy's seat was not secure. When the
+pony began to cavort and plunge poor Heavy was shaken right over the
+pommel of her saddle. Her feet lost the stirrups and she began to
+scream.
+
+"My--good--ness--me!" she stuttered. "Hold him--still! Stop!
+Ho--ho--ho----"
+
+And then she slipped right over the pony's rump and would have fallen
+smack upon the ground had not Tom and Bob, who had both seen her peril,
+leaped out of their own saddles, and caught the stout girl as she lost
+her hold on the reins and gave up all hope.
+
+The boys staggered under her weight, but managed to put her upright on
+her feet, while her pony streaked it off across the plain, very much
+frightened by such a method of dismounting. It struck the whole crowd as
+being uproariously funny; but the good-natured and polite cowboys tried
+to smother their laughter.
+
+"Don't mind me!" exclaimed the stout girl. "Have all the fun you want
+to. But I don't blame the pony for running away. I have been sitting all
+along his backbone, from his ears to the root of his tail, and I have
+certainly jounced my own backbone so loose that it rattles. I believe
+I'd better walk home."
+
+It was plain that Jennie Stone would never take a high mark in
+horsemanship; but they caught her pony for her and boosted her on again,
+and later she rode back to the ranch-house at an easy pace. But she
+declared that for the remainder of her stay at Silver Ranch she proposed
+to ride only in the automobile or in a carriage.
+
+But Ruth was vastly enamored of this new play of pony riding. She had a
+retentive memory and kept in mind all that Bashful Ike told her about
+the management of her own Freckles. She was up early each morning and
+had a gallop over the prairie before her friends were out of their beds.
+And when Mr. Hicks stated one day that he had to ride to Bullhide on
+business, Ruth begged the privilege of riding with him, although the
+rest of the young folks did not care to take such a long trip in the hot
+sun.
+
+"I've some business to attend to for my uncle," Ruth explained to the
+ranchman, as they started from the ranch-house soon after breakfast.
+"And I want your advice."
+
+"Sure, Ruthie," he said, "I'll advise ye if I can."
+
+So she told him about Uncle Jabez's mixup with the Tintacker mining
+properties. Bill Hicks listened to this tale with a frowning brow.
+
+"Bless your heart, Miss!" he ejaculated. "I believe you're chasin' a
+wild goose. I reckon your uncle's been stung. These wildcat mining
+properties are just the kind that greenhorn Easterners get roped into. I
+don't believe there's ten cents' worth of silver to the ton in all the
+Tintacker district. It played out years ago."
+
+"Well, that may be," returned Ruth, with a sigh. "But I want to see the
+records and learn just how the Tintacker Mine itself stands on the
+books. I want to show Uncle Jabez that I honestly tried to do all that I
+could for him while I was here."
+
+"That's all right, Ruthie. You shall see the records," declared Mr.
+Hicks. "I know a young lawyer in town that will help you, too; and it
+sha'n't cost you a cent. He's a friend of mine."
+
+"Oh, thank you," cried Ruth, and rode along happily by the big
+cattleman's side.
+
+They were not far from the house when Bashful Ike, who had been out on
+the range on some errand, came whooping over the low hills to the North,
+evidently trying to attract their attention. Mr. Hicks growled:
+
+"Now, what does that feller want? I got a list as long as my arm of
+things to tote back for the boys. Better have driv' a mule waggin, I
+reckon, to haul the truck home on."
+
+But it was Ruth the foreman wished to speak to. He rode up, very red in
+the face, and stammering so that Bill Hicks demanded, with scorn:
+
+"What's a-troubling you, Ike? You sputter like a leaky tea-kettle. Can't
+you out with what you've got to say to the leetle gal, an' let us ride
+on?"
+
+"I--I was just a thinkin' that mebbe you--you could do a little errand for
+me, Miss," stammered Bashful Ike.
+
+"Gladly, Mr. Stedman," returned Ruth, hiding her own amusement.
+
+"It--it's sort of a tick-lish job," said the cowboy. "I--I want ye should
+buy a leetle present. It's--it's for a lady----"
+
+Bill snorted. "You goin' to invest your plunder in more dew-dabs for
+Sally Dickson, Ike? Yah! she wouldn't look at you cross-eyed."
+
+Bashful Ike's face flamed up redder than ever--if that was possible.
+
+"I don't want her to look at me cross-eyed," he said. "She couldn't look
+cross-eyed. She's the sweetest and purtiest gal on this range, and don't
+you forgit that, Mr. Hicks."
+
+"Sho, now! don't git riled at me," grunted the older man. "No offense
+intended. But I hate to see you waste your time and money on a gal that
+don't give two pins for ye, Ike."
+
+"I ain't axin' her to give two pins for me," said Ike, with a sort of
+groan. "I ain't up to the mark with her--I know that. But thar ain't no
+law keepin' me from spending my money as I please, is there?"
+
+"I dunno," returned Bill Hicks. "Maybe there's one that'll cover the
+case and send a feller like you to the foolish factory. Sally Dickson
+won't have nothing to say to you."
+
+"Never mind," said Ike, grimly. "You take this two dollar bill, Miss
+Ruthie--if you will. And you buy the nicest box o' candy yo' kin find in
+Bullhide. When you come back by Lem Dickson's, jest drop it there for
+Sally. Yo' needn't say who sent it," added the bashful cowboy,
+wistfully. "Jest--jest say one o' the boys told you to buy it for her.
+That's all, Miss. It won't be too much trouble?"
+
+"Of course it won't, Mr. Stedman," declared Ruth, earnestly. "I'll
+gladly do your errand."
+
+"Thank you, Miss," returned the foreman, and spurring his horse he rode
+rapidly away to escape further remarks from his boss.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII--WHAT WAS ON THE RECORDS
+
+
+"Now, what can you do with a feller like that?" demanded Mr. Hicks, in
+disgust. "Poor old Ike has been shinning around Sally Dickson ever since
+Lem brought her home from school--from Denver. And she's a nice little
+gal enough, at that; but she ain't got no use for Ike and he ought to
+see it. Gals out here don't like fellers that ain't got sperit enough to
+say their soul's their own. And Ike's so bashful he fair hates hisself!
+You've noticed that."
+
+"But he's just as kind and good-natured as he can be," declared Ruth,
+her pony cantering on beside the ranchman's bigger mount.
+
+"That don't help a feller none with a gal like Sally," grunted Mr.
+Hicks. "She don't want a reg'lar _gump_ hanging around her. Makes her
+the laffin' stock of the hull range--don't you see? Ike better git a move
+on, if he wants her. 'Tain't goin' to be no bashful 'ombre that gets
+Sally Dickson, let me tell ye! Sendin' her lollipops by messenger--bah!
+He wants ter ride up and hand that gal a ring--and a good one--if he
+expects to ever git her into double harness. Now, you hear me!"
+
+"Just the same," laughed Ruth, "I'm going to buy the nicest box of candy
+I can find, and she shall know who paid for it, too."
+
+And she found time to purchase the box of candy while Mr. Hicks was
+attending to his own private business in Bullhide. The town boasted of
+several good stores as well as a fine hotel. Ruth went to the railroad
+station, however, where there was sure to be fresh candies from the
+East, and she bought the handsomest box she could find. Then she wrote
+Ike's name nicely on a card and had it tucked inside the wrapper, and
+the clerk tied the package up with gilt cord.
+
+"I'll make that red-haired girl think that Ike knows a few things, after
+all, if he is less bold than the other boys," thought Ruth. "He's been
+real kind to me and maybe I can help him with Sally. If she knew beans
+she'd know that Ike was true blue!"
+
+Mr. Hicks came along the street and found her soon after Ruth's errand
+was done and took her to the office of the young lawyer he had
+mentioned. This was Mr. Savage--a brisk, businesslike man, who seemed to
+know at once just what the girl wished to discover.
+
+"You come right over with me to the county records office and we'll look
+up the history of those Tintacker Mines," he said. "Mr. Hicks knows a
+good deal about mining properties, and he can check my work as we go
+along."
+
+So the three repaired to the county offices and the lawyer turned up the
+first records of the claims around Tintacker.
+
+"There is only one mine called Tintacker," he explained. "The adjacent
+mines are Tintacker _claims_. The camp that sprang up there and
+flourished fifteen years ago, was called Tintacker, too. But for more
+than ten years the kiotes have held the fort over there for the most
+part--eh, Mr. Hicks?"
+
+"And that crazy feller that's been around yere for some months," the
+ranchman said.
+
+"What crazy fellow is that?" demanded Lawyer Savage, quickly.
+
+"Why, thar's been a galoot around Tintacker ever since Spring opened. I
+dunno but he was thar in the winter----"
+
+"Young man, or old?" interrupted Savage.
+
+"Not much more'n a kid, my boys say."
+
+"You've never seen him?"
+
+"No. But I believe he set the grass afire the other day, and made us a
+heap of trouble along Larruper Crick," declared the ranchman.
+
+The lawyer looked thoughtful. "There was a young fellow here twice to
+look up the Tintacker properties. He came to see me the first time--that
+was more than a year ago. Said he had been left his father's share in
+the old Tintacker Mine and wanted to buy out the heirs of the other
+partner. I helped him get a statement of the record and the names of the
+other parties----"
+
+"Oh, please, Mr. Savage, what was his name?" asked Ruth, quickly.
+
+"I don't know what his name really _was_," replied the lawyer, smiling.
+"He called himself John Cox--might have been just a name he took for the
+time being. There wasn't any Cox ever had an interest in the Tintacker
+as far as I can find. But he probably had his own reasons for keeping
+his name to himself. Then he came back in the winter. I saw him on the
+street here. That's all I know about him."
+
+"Tenderfoot?" asked Hicks.
+
+"Yes, and a nice spoken fellow. He made a personal inspection of the
+properties the first time he was here. That I know, for I found a guide
+for him, Ben Burgess. He stayed two weeks at the old camp, Ben said, and
+acted like he knew something about minerals."
+
+Mr. Savage had found the proper books and he discovered almost at once
+that there had been an entry made since he had last looked up the
+records of Tintacker a year or more before.
+
+"That fellow did it!" exclaimed the lawyer. "He must have found those
+other heirs and he's got possession of the entire Tintacker Mine
+holdings. Yes-sir! the records are as straight as a string. And the
+record was made last winter. That is what he came back here for. Now,
+young lady, what do you want to know about it all?"
+
+"I want a copy, please, of the record just as it stands--the present
+ownership of the mine, I mean," said Ruth. "I want to send that to Uncle
+Jabez."
+
+"It is all held now in the name of John Cox. The original owners were
+two men named Symplex and Burbridge. It is Burbridge's heirs this fellow
+seems to have bought up. Now, he told me his father died and left his
+share of the Tintacker to him. That means that 'Symplex' was this young
+Cox's father. One, or the other of them didn't use his right name--eh?"
+suggested the lawyer.
+
+"But that doesn't invalidate the title. It's straight enough now. The
+Tintacker Mine--whether it is worth ten cents or ten thousand
+dollars--belongs to somebody known as John Cox--somebody who can produce
+the deeds. You say your uncle bought into the mine and took personal
+notes with the mine for security, Miss?"
+
+"That is the way I understand it," Ruth replied.
+
+"And it looks as though the young man used the money to buy out the
+other owners. That seems straight enough. Your uncle's security is all
+clear as far as the title of the mine goes----"
+
+"But according to what I know," broke in Mr. Hicks, "he might as well
+have a lien on a setting of hen's eggs as an interest in the Tintacker
+Mine."
+
+"That's about it," admitted Mr. Savage. "I don't believe the mine is
+worth the money it cost the young fellow to have these records made."
+
+"Well," said Ruth, with a sigh; "I'll pay you for making the copy, just
+the same; and I'll send it home to uncle. And, if you don't mind, Mr.
+Savage, I'll send him your name and address, too. Perhaps he may want
+you to make some move in the matter of the Tintacker property."
+
+This was agreed upon, and the lawyer promised to have the papers ready
+to send East in two or three days. Then Mr. Hicks took Ruth to the hotel
+to dinner, and they started for the ranch again soon after that meal.
+
+When they came in sight of the Crossing, Ruth saw that the little red
+painted schoolhouse was open. All the windows were flung wide and the
+door was ajar; and she could see Sally Dickson's brilliant hair, as well
+as other heads, flitting back and forth past the windows.
+
+"Hi Jefers!" ejaculated Bill Hicks. "I reckon thar's goin' to be a dance
+at the schoolhouse Saturday night. I nigh forgot it. We'll all hafter go
+over so that you folks from Down East kin see what a re'l Montany
+jamboree is like. The gals is fixin' up for it now, I reckon."
+
+"I want to see Sally," said Ruth, smiling.
+
+"Huh!" grunted Bill, with a glance at the big box of candy the Eastern
+girl held so carefully before her. "You kin see her all right. That red
+head of hers shines like a beacon in the night. And I'll speak to Lem."
+
+Ruth rode her pony close to one of the open windows of the little
+schoolhouse. She could see that the benches and desks had been all moved
+out--probably stacked in a lean-to at the end of the house. The floor had
+been swept and mopped up and the girls were helping Sally trim the walls
+and certain pictures which hung thereon with festoons of colored paper.
+One girl was polishing the lamp chimneys, and another was filling and
+trimming the lamps themselves.
+
+"Oh, hullo!" said the storekeeper's daughter, seeing Ruth at the window,
+and leaving her work to come across the room. "You're one of those young
+ladies stopping at Silver Ranch, aren't you?"
+
+"No," said Ruth, smiling. "I'm one of the girls visiting Jane Ann. I
+hope you are going to invite us to your party here. We shall enjoy
+coming, I am sure."
+
+"Guess you won't think much of our ball," returned Sally Dickson. "We're
+plain folk. Don't do things like they do East."
+
+"How do you know what sort of parties we have at home?" queried Ruth,
+laughing at her. "We're not city girls. We live in the country and get
+our fun where we can find it, too. And perhaps we can help you have a
+good time--if you'll let us."
+
+"Well, I don't know," began Sally, yet beginning to smile, too; nobody
+could be _grouchy_ and stare into Ruth Fielding's happy face for long.
+
+"What do you do for music?"
+
+"Well, one of the boys at Chatford's got a banjo and old Jim Casey plays
+the accordion--when he's sober. But the last time the music failed us,
+and one of the boys tried to whistle the dances; but one feller that was
+mad with him kept showing him a lemon and it made his mouth twist up so
+that he couldn't keep his lips puckered nohow."
+
+Ruth giggled at that, but said at once:
+
+"One of my friends plays the piano real nicely; but of course it would
+be too much trouble to bring Jane Ann's piano away over here. However,
+my chum, Helen, plays the violin. She will bring it and help out on the
+music, I know. And we'd _all_ be glad of an invitation."
+
+"Why, sure! you come over," cried Sally, warming up to Ruth's advances.
+"I suppose a bunch of the Silver outfit boys will be on hand. Some of
+'em are real nice boys----"
+
+"And that reminds me," said Ruth, advancing the package of candy. "One
+of the gentlemen working for Mr. Hicks asked me to hand you this, Miss
+Dickson. He was very particular that you should get it safely." She put
+the candy into the red-haired girl's hands. "And we certainly will be
+over--all of us--Saturday evening."
+
+Before Sally could refuse Ike's present, or comment upon it at all, Ruth
+rode away from the schoolhouse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX--THE FOX IS RECKLESS
+
+
+When Ruth arrived at Silver Ranch that afternoon she found that the
+ranchman's niece and the other girls had planned an outing for the
+following day into the hills West of the range over which Mr. Hicks'
+cattle fed. It was to be a picnic jaunt, the object being mainly to view
+the wonderful "natural bridge" in a small canyon, some thirty miles from
+the ranch.
+
+A sixty-mile drive within twenty-four hours seemed a big undertaking in
+the minds of the Eastern young folk; but Jane Ann said that the ponies
+and mules could stand it. It was probable, however, that none of the
+visitors could stand the ride in the saddle, so arrangements had been
+made for both buckboards to be used.
+
+Tom and Bob were each to drive one of the vehicles. Jib Pottoway was to
+go as guide and general mentor of the party, and one of the little
+Mexican boys would drive the supply wagon, to which were hitched two
+trotting mules. The start would be made at three in the morning;
+therefore the ranch-house was quiet soon after dark that evening.
+
+Maria had breakfast ready for them as soon as the girls and Bob and Tom
+appeared; and the wagon was laden with provisions, as well as a light
+tent and blankets. Tom and Bob had both brought their guns with them,
+for there might be a chance to use the weapons on this jaunt.
+
+"There are plenty of kiotes in the hills," said Jane Ann. "And sometimes
+a gray wolf. The boys once in a while see cats about--in calving time,
+you know. But I reckon they're mighty scarce."
+
+"Cats?" cried Heavy. "Do you shoot cats?"
+
+"Pumas," explained Jane Ann. "They're some nasty when they're re'l
+hungry."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to see any more of the wildcat tribe," Ruth cried. "I
+had my fill of them last winter at Snow Camp."
+
+Tom of course was to drive the buckboard in which his twin and Ruth
+rode; but the chums certainly would not have chosen Mary Cox for the
+fourth member of the party. However, The Fox usually knew what she
+wanted herself, and got it, too! She liked Master Tom and wished to ride
+beside him; and the instant she learned which pair of ponies he was to
+drive, she hopped into the front seat of that buckboard.
+
+"I'm going to sit with you, Tom," she said, coolly. "I believe you've
+got the best ponies. And you can drive better than Bob, too."
+
+Tom didn't look overjoyed, and Helen, seeing the expression of her
+twin's face, began to giggle. There was, however, no polite way of
+getting rid of The Fox.
+
+In a few minutes they were off, Jib Pottoway heading the procession, and
+Ricardo, the Mexican, bringing up the rear with the mule cart.
+
+"You keep a sharp eye on them younguns, Jib!" bawled Bill Hicks, coming
+to the door of the ranch-house in his stocking feet and with his hair
+touseled from his early morning souse in the trough behind the house.
+"I'll hold you responsible if anything busts--now mind ye!"
+
+"All right, Boss," returned the Indian stolidly. "I reckon nothin' won't
+bite 'em."
+
+Driving off thirty miles into the wilderness was nothing in the opinion
+of these Westerners; but to the girls from Briarwood Hall, and their
+brothers, the trip promised all kinds of excitement. And they enjoyed
+every mile of the journey through the foothills. There was something new
+and strange (to the Easterners) to see almost every mile, and Jane Ann,
+or Jib, was right there to answer questions and explain the wonders.
+
+At first they saw miles upon miles of range, over which fed the Silver
+Ranch herds. Heretofore Ruth and her friends had not realized the size
+of the ranch itself and what it meant to own fifty thousand cattle.
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Heavy, with some awe. "Your uncle, Nita, is richer than
+Job--and the Bible says he was the greatest of all the men of the East!
+He only owned seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and a
+thousand oxen and five hundred she-asses. Why, I believe there are more
+creatures in that one herd yonder than poor old Job owned."
+
+"I guess that was a pretty good herd for 'way down there in Arabia, and
+so long ago," returned Jane Ann. "But cattlemen have learned a lot since
+those times. I expect Uncle Bill has got more ponies than Job had
+mules."
+
+"And the men who looked after Job's cattle were a whole lot different
+from those fellows," cried Helen, from the forward buckboard, pointing
+to a couple of well-mounted punchers spurring after a score of strays
+that had broken away from the main herd. "Dear me, how recklessly they
+ride!"
+
+"But I guess that all cowboys have been reckless and brave," said Ruth,
+quickly. "Somehow, herding cattle on the open plains and hills seems to
+make for rugged character and courage. Think of King David, and lots of
+those Biblical characters. David was a cowboy, and went out and slew
+Goliath. And I expect any of these punchers we see around here wouldn't
+be afraid of a giant," she concluded.
+
+"Huh!" snapped The Fox, who usually found something sharp to say in
+comment upon Ruth's speeches, "I guess these cowboys aren't any better
+than the usual run of men. _I_ think they're rather coarse and ugly.
+Look at this half Indian ahead of us."
+
+"What do you mean--_him_?" exclaimed Tom Cameron, who was pretty well
+disgusted with The Fox and her sly and sneering ways. "Why, he's got a
+better education than most of the men you meet. He stood high at
+Carlisle, in his books as well as athletics. You wouldn't scoff at any
+other college-bred fellow--why at Jib?"
+
+"Indian," said Mary Cox, with her nose in the air.
+
+"His folks owned the country-the whole continent!" cried the excited
+Tom, "until white men drove them out. You'd consider an Englishman, or a
+German, or a Belgian, with his education, the equal of any American. And
+Jib's a true American at that."
+
+"Well, I can't say that I ever could admire a savage," sniffed The Fox,
+tossing her head.
+
+For the most part, however, the girls and their drivers had a very jolly
+time, and naturally there could not be much "bickering" even in the
+leading buckboard where The Fox rode, for Ruth was there, and Ruth was
+not one of the bickering kind. Helen was inclined to think that her chum
+was altogether too "tame"; she would not "stand up for herself" enough,
+and when The Fox said cutting things Ruth usually ignored her
+schoolfellow's ill-nature.
+
+Tom was not entirely happy with The Fox on the seat beside him. He had
+hoped Ruth would occupy that place. When Mary spoke to him perhaps the
+young fellow was a bit cold. At least, before they came to the canyon,
+through which flowed Rolling River, Master Tom had somehow managed to
+offend The Fox and her eyes snapped and she held her lips grimly shut.
+
+The trail became narrow here and it rose steeply, too. The roaring river
+tumbled over the rocks on the left hand, while on the right the sheer
+cliff rose higher and higher. And while the ponies climbed the rather
+steep ascent Jib Pottoway spurred his horse ahead to see if the path was
+all clear to the place where the canyon became a veritable tunnel under
+the "natural bridge."
+
+"Go slow, Tom Cameron!" shouted the ranchman's niece from the second
+carriage. "There are bad places when we get to the upper level--very
+narrow places. And the river is a hundred feet below us there."
+
+"She's trying to scare us," snapped The Fox. "I never saw such people!"
+
+"I guess it will be best to take care," grunted Tom. "She's been here
+before, remember."
+
+"Pah! you're afraid!"
+
+"Perhaps I am," returned Tom. "I'm not going to take any chances with
+these half wild ponies--and you girls in the wagon."
+
+In a minute more they were at the top of the rise. Jib had disappeared
+around a distant turn in the path, which here was straight and level for
+fully a mile. The muffled roar of the river came up to them, and the
+abrupt cliff on the right cast its shadow clear across the canyon. It was
+a rugged and gloomy place and Helen hid her eyes after glancing once
+down the steep descent to the river.
+
+"Oh! drive on, Tommy!" she cried. "I don't want to look down there
+again. What a fearful drop it is! Hold the ponies tight, Tommy."
+
+"Pshaw, you are making a great adieu about nothing," snapped Mary Cox.
+
+"I'll have a care, Nell; don't you fear," assured her brother.
+
+Ruth was as serious as her chum, and as she had a quick eye she noticed
+a strap hanging from the harness of one of the ponies and called Tom's
+attention to it.
+
+"There's a strap unbuckled, Tom," she cried. "Do you see it hanging?"
+
+"Good for you, Ruthie!" cried the boy, leaning out of his seat to
+glimpse the strap. "Here, Mary! hold these reins, please."
+
+He put the reins into the hands of The Fox and hopped out. She laughed
+and slapped them across the ponies' backs and the beasts reared and
+snorted.
+
+"Have a care what you're doing, Mary Cox!" shrieked Helen.
+
+"Whoa!" cried her brother, and leaped to seize the nearest pony by the
+bit. But the half wild animals jerked away from him, dashing across the
+narrow trail.
+
+"Pull up! pull up!" shouted Tom.
+
+"Don't let them run!" cried Jane Ann Hicks, standing up in the carriage
+behind.
+
+But in that single moment of recklessness the ponies became
+unmanageable--at least, unmanageable for The Fox. She pulled the left
+rein to bring them back into the trail, and off the creatures dashed, at
+headlong speed, along the narrow way. On the right was the unscalable
+wall of rock; on the left was the awful drop to the roaring river!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X--RUTH SHOWS HER METTLE
+
+
+Shouting after the runaway, and shrieking advice to The Fox, who still
+clung to the reins, was of no particular use, and Tom Cameron realized
+that as well as did Jane Ann. The boy from the East picked himself up
+and leaped upon the rear of the second buckboard as it passed him, and
+they tore on after the frightened ponies.
+
+Mary Cox could not hold them. She was not a good horsewoman, in any
+case; and a moment after the ponies broke loose, she was just as
+frightened as ever she could be.
+
+She did not drop the lines; that was because she did not think to do so.
+She was frozen with terror. The ponies plunged along the narrow trail,
+weaving the buckboard from side to side, and Mary was helpless to stop
+them. On the rear seat Helen and Ruth clung together in the first shock
+of fear; the threatening catastrophe, too, appalled them.
+
+But only for the first few seconds was Ruth inactive. Behind the
+jouncing vehicle Tom was shouting to them to "pull 'em down!" Ruth
+wrenched herself free from her chum's grasp and leaned forward over the
+seat-back.
+
+"Give the reins to me!" she cried in Mary's ear, and seized the leathers
+just as they slipped from the hands of The Fox.
+
+Ruth gripped them firmly and flung herself back into her own seat. Helen
+seized her with one hand and saved her from being thrown out of the
+pitching vehicle. And so, with her chum holding her into her seat, Ruth
+swung all her weight and force against the ponies' bits.
+
+At first this seemed to have not the least effect upon the frightened
+animals. Ruth's slight weight exercised small pressure on those iron
+jaws. On and on they dashed, rocking the buckboard over the rough
+trail--and drawing each moment nearer to that perilous elbow in the
+canyon!
+
+Ruth realized the menacing danger of that turn in the trail from the
+moment the beasts first jumped. There was no parapet at the outer edge
+of the shelf--just the uneven, broken verge of the rock, with the awful
+drop to the roaring river below.
+
+She remembered this in a flash, as the ponies tore on. There likewise
+passed through her mind a vision of the chum beside her, crushed and
+mangled at the bottom of the canyon--and again, Helen's broken body being
+swept away in the river! And The Fox--the girl who had so annoyed
+her--would likewise be killed unless she, Ruth Fielding, found some means
+of averting the catastrophe.
+
+It was a fact that she did not think of her own danger. Mainly the
+runaway ponies held her attention. _She must stop them before they
+reached the fatal turn!_
+
+Were the ponies giving way a little? Was it possible that her steady,
+desperate pulling on the curbs was having its effect? The pressure on
+their iron jaws must have been severe, and even a half-broken mustang
+pony is not entirely impervious to pain.
+
+But the turn in the road was so near!
+
+Snorting and plunging, the animals would--in another moment--reach the
+elbow. Either they must dash themselves headlong over the precipice, and
+the buckboard would follow, or, in swerving around the corner, the
+vehicle and its three passengers would be hurled over the brink.
+
+And then something--an inspiration it must have been--shot athwart Ruth's
+brain. The thought could not have been the result of previous knowledge
+on her part, for the girl of the Red Mill was no horsewoman. Jane Ann
+Hicks might have naturally thought to try the feat; but it came to Ruth
+in a flash and without apparent reason.
+
+She dropped the left hand rein, stood up to seize the right rein with a
+shorter grip, and then flung herself back once more. The force she
+brought to bear on the nigh pony by this action was too much for him.
+His head was pulled around, and in an instant he stumbled and came with
+a crash to the ground!
+
+The pony's fall brought down his mate. The runaway was stopped just at
+the turn of the trail--and so suddenly that Mary Cox was all but flung
+headlong upon the struggling animals. Ruth and Helen _did_ fall out of
+the carriage--but fortunately upon the inner side of the trail.
+
+Even then the maddened, struggling ponies might have cast themselves--and
+the three girls likewise--over the brink had not help been at hand. At
+the turn appeared Jib Pottoway, his pony in a lather, recalled by the
+sound of the runaways' drumming hoofs. The Indian flung himself from the
+saddle and gripped the bridles of the fallen horses just in season. Bob,
+driving the second pair of ponies with a firm hand, brought them to a
+halt directly behind the wreck, and Tom and Jane Ann ran to Jib's
+assistance.
+
+"What's the matter with these ponies?" demanded the Indian, sharply.
+"How'd they get in this shape? I thought you could drive a pair of
+hawses, boy?" he added, with scorn, looking at Tom.
+
+"I got out to buckle a strap and they got away," said Tom, rather
+sheepishly.
+
+"Don't you scold him, Jib!" commanded Jane Ann, vigorously. "He ain't to
+blame."
+
+"Who is?"
+
+"That girl yonder," snapped the ranchman's niece, pointing an accusing
+finger at Mary Cox. "I saw her start 'em on the run while Tom was on the
+ground."
+
+"Never!" cried The Fox, almost in tears.
+
+"You did," repeated Jane Ann.
+
+"Anyway, I didn't think they'd start and run so. They're dangerous. It
+wasn't right for the men to give us such wild ponies. I'll speak to Mr.
+Hicks about it."
+
+"You needn't fret," said Jane Ann, sternly. "I'll tell Uncle Bill all
+right, and I bet you don't get a chance to play such a trick again as
+long as you're at Silver Ranch----"
+
+Ruth, who had scrambled up with Helen, now placed a restraining hand on
+the arm of the angry Western girl; but Jane Ann sputtered right out:
+
+"No! I won't keep still, Ruth Fielding. If it hadn't been for you that
+Mary Cox would now be at the bottom of these rocks. And she'll never
+thank you for saving her life, and for keeping her from killing you and
+Helen. She doesn't know how to spell gratitude! Bah!"
+
+"Hush up, Jinny," commanded Jib, easily. "You've got all that off your
+mind now, and you ought to feel some better. The ponies don't seem to be
+hurt much. Some scraped, that's all. We can go on, I reckon. You ride my
+hawse, Mr. Cameron, and I'll sit in yere and drive. Won't trust these
+gals alone no more."
+
+"I guess you could trust Ruth Fielding all right," cried the loyal Tom.
+"She did the trick--and showed how plucky she is in the bargain. Did you
+ever see anything better done than the way she threw that pony?"
+
+Jane Ann ran to the girl of the Red Mill and flung her arms around her
+neck.
+
+"You're just as brave as you can be, Ruthie!" she cried. "I don't know
+of anybody who is braver. If you'd been brought up right out here in the
+mountains you couldn't have done any better--could she, Jib?"
+
+"Miss Fielding certainly showed good mettle," admitted the Indian, with
+one of his rare smiles. "And now we'll go on to the camping place. Don't
+let's have any more words about it, or your fun will all be spoiled.
+Where's Ricardo, with the camp stuff? I declare! that Greaser is five
+miles behind, I believe."
+
+With which he clucked to the still nervous ponies and, Tom now in the
+lead, the procession started on in a much more leisurely style.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI--AN URSINE HOLD-UP
+
+
+The party of young people were so excited by the adventure that they
+were scarcely in mind to appreciate the rugged beauty of the canyon. The
+opposite wall was covered with verdure--hardy trees and shrubs found
+their rootage in the crevices between the rocks. Some beds of moss, far
+down where the spray from the river continually irrigated the thin soil,
+were spangled so thickly with starlike, white flowers that the patches
+looked like brocaded bedspreads.
+
+Around the elbow in the trail--that sharp turn which had been the scene
+of the all but fatal accident--the driveway broadened. Far ahead (for the
+canyon was here quite straight again) they could see the arching roof of
+rock, surmounted by the primeval forest, which formed the so-called
+natural bridge. The river tumbled out of the darkness of the tunnel,
+fretted to a foaming cascade by battling with the boulders which strewed
+its bed under the roof-rock. The water's surface gleamed ghostly in the
+shadow of the arch, and before the opening the arc of a rainbow shone in
+the spray.
+
+As the girls' excitement subsided, Ruth saw this scene far ahead and
+cried aloud in rapture:
+
+"Look! Oh, just look! Isn't that beautiful?"
+
+"The waterfall," agreed her chum, "or cascade, or whatever they call it,
+is just a picture, Ruthie!"
+
+"Mighty pretty," said Tom, reining in the pony beside them.
+
+"The cavern is so black and the water is so white--like milk," cried
+Madge from the second carriage. "What a contrast!"
+
+"I tell you what it looks like," added Heavy, who sat beside her. "A
+great, big chocolate cream drop that's broken and the cream oozing out.
+M--m!"
+
+They all laughed at the stout girl's figure of speech, for Jennie
+Stone's mind seemed always to linger upon good things to eat, and this
+comparison was quite characteristic.
+
+"I'd be afraid to go down under that bridge," said Helen. "It's so dark
+there."
+
+"But there's a path through the tunnel, Miss," said Jib, the Indian.
+"And there's another path by which you can climb out on the top of the
+bridge. But the trail for a waggin' stops right yonder, where we camp."
+
+This spot was a sort of cove in the wall of the canyon--perhaps half an
+acre in extent. There was a pretty lawn with a spring of sweet water,
+the overflow of which trickled away to the edge of the precipice and
+dashed itself to spray on the rocks fifty feet below.
+
+They had become used to the sullen roar of the river now and did not
+heed its voice. This was a delightful spot for camping and when Ricardo
+came up with the wagon, the boys and Jib quickly erected the tent,
+hobbled the ponies, and built a fire in the most approved campers'
+fashion.
+
+Never had a picnic luncheon tasted so good to any of the party. The
+mountain air had put an edge on their appetites, and Heavy performed
+such feats of mastication that Helen declared she trembled for the
+result.
+
+"Don't you trouble about me," said the stout girl. "You want to begin to
+worry over _my_ health when I don't eat at all. And I can't see where I
+have got so far ahead of any of the rest of you in the punishment of
+this lunch."
+
+But afterward, when the other girls proposed to climb the rocky path to
+the summit of the natural bridge, Heavy objected.
+
+"It's injurious to take violent exercise after eating heavily," she
+said.
+
+"I never knew the time when Heavy considered it safe to exercise," said
+The Fox, who had gradually recovered her usual manner since the runaway.
+"The time between meals isn't long enough, in her opinion, to warrant
+anybody's working. Come on! let's leave her to slothful dreams."
+
+"And blisters," added Heavy. "My shoes have hurt me for two days. I
+wouldn't climb over these rocks for a farm--with a pig on't! Go on--and
+perspire--and tell yourselves you're having a good time. I've a book here
+to read," declared the graceless and lazy stout girl.
+
+"But aren't the boys going?" asked Ruth.
+
+"They've started for the tunnel down there--with Jib," said Jane Ann,
+with a snap. "Huh! boys aren't no good, anyway."
+
+"Your opinion may be correct; your grammar is terrible," scoffed Mary
+Cox.
+
+"Never you mind about my grammar, Miss Smarty!" rejoined the Western
+girl, who really couldn't forget the peril into which The Fox had run
+her friends so recently. "If you girls are comin' along to the top of
+the bridge, come on. Let the boys go down there, if they want to. The
+rocks are slippery, and they'll get sopping wet."
+
+"There isn't any danger, is there?" queried Helen, thinking of her
+brother.
+
+"No, of course not," replied Jane Ann. "No more danger than there is up
+this way," and she led the way on the path that wound up the rocky
+heights.
+
+The girls were dressed in corduroy skirts and strong, laced walking
+boots--a fitting costume for the climb. But had Jib been present at the
+camp perhaps he would not have allowed them to start without an escort.
+Ricardo had to remain at the camp. This was a wild country and not even
+Jane Ann carried any weapon, although when the ranchman's niece rode
+about the range alone she carried a gun--and she knew how to use the
+weapon, too.
+
+But they could hear the shouts of the boys, rising above the thunder of
+the river, when they left the plateau and began to climb the heights,
+and danger of any kind did not enter the minds of the girls. It was like
+picnicking along the Lumano River, at home, only the scenery here was
+grander.
+
+Ruth and Helen assumed the lead after a very few minutes; they were even
+better climbers than the Western girl. But the way was steep and rugged
+and it wasn't long before their chatter ceased and they saved their
+breath for the work in hand. Madge and Jane Ann came along after the
+chums quite pluckily; but The Fox began clamoring for rest before they
+had climbed half the distance to the top of the cliff.
+
+"Oh, come on, Mary!" ejaculated Madge. "Don't be whining."
+
+"I don't see anything in this," grumbled The Fox. "It's no fun
+scrambling over these rocks. Ouch! Now I've torn my stocking."
+
+"Aw, come on!" said Jane Ann. "You're a regular wet blanket, you are."
+
+"There's no sense in working so hard for nothing," snapped The Fox.
+
+"What did you start out for, Mary?" demanded Madge. "You might have
+remained at the camp with Heavy."
+
+"And she had sense."
+
+"It's too bad _you_ haven't a little, then," observed Jane Ann, rudely.
+
+Ruth and Helen, who really enjoyed the climb, looked down from the
+heights and beckoned their comrades on.
+
+"Hurry up, Slow Pokes!" cried Ruth. "We shall certainly beat you to the
+top."
+
+"And much good may that do you!" grumbled Mary Cox. "What a silly thing
+to do, anyway."
+
+"I do wish you'd go back, if you want to, Mary," declared Madge,
+wearily.
+
+"She's as cross as two sticks," ejaculated Jane Ann.
+
+"Well, why shouldn't I be cross?" demanded The Fox, quite ready to
+quarrel. "This place is as dull as ditch-water. I wish I hadn't come
+West at all. I'm sure, _I've_ had no fun."
+
+"Well, you've made enough trouble, if you haven't had a good time," Jane
+Ann said, frankly.
+
+"I must say you're polite to your guests," exclaimed Mary Cox,
+viciously.
+
+"And I must say you're anything but polite to me," responded the ranch
+girl, not at all abashed. "You're pretty near the limit, _you_ are.
+Somebody ought to give you a good shaking."
+
+Ruth and Helen had gotten so far ahead because they had not wasted their
+breath. Now they were waiting for the other three who came puffing to
+the shelf on which the chums rested, all three wearing frowns on their
+faces.
+
+"For pity's sake!" gasped Helen; "what's the matter with you all?"
+
+"I'm tired," admitted Madge, throwing herself upon the short turf.
+
+"This girl says it's all foolishness to climb up here," said Jane Ann,
+pointing at The Fox.
+
+"Oh, I want to reach the very summit, now I've started," cried Ruth.
+
+"That's silly," declared Mary Cox.
+
+"You're just as cross as a bear," began the Western girl, when Helen
+suddenly shrieked:
+
+"Oh, _oh_! Will you look at that? _What is it?_"
+
+Ruth had already started on. She did not wish to have any words with The
+Fox. A rod or more separated her from her mates. Out of an aperture
+heretofore unnoticed, and between Ruth and the other girls, was thrust
+the shaggy head and shoulders of a huge animal.
+
+"A dog!" cried Madge.
+
+"It's a wolf!" shrieked Mary Cox.
+
+But the Western girl knew instantly what the creature was. "Run,
+Ruthie!" she shouted. "I'll call Jib and the boys. _It's a bear!_"
+
+And at that moment Bruin waddled fully out of the hole--a huge, hairy,
+sleepy looking beast. He was between Ruth and her friends, and his
+awkward body blocked the path by which they were climbing to the summit
+of the natural bridge.
+
+"Wu-uh-uh-uff!" said the bear, and swung his head and huge shoulders
+from the group of four girls to the lone girl above him.
+
+"Run, Ruth!" shrieked Helen.
+
+Her cry seemed to startle the ursine marauder. He uttered another grunt
+of expostulation and started up the steep path. Nobody needed to advise
+Ruth to run a second time. She scrambled up the rocks with an awful fear
+clutching at her heart and the sound in her ears of the bear's
+sabre-like claws scratching over the path!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII--THE MAN FROM TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth was just as scared as she could be. Although the bear did not seem
+particularly savage, there surely was not room enough on the path for
+him and Ruth to pass. The beast was ragged and gray looking. His little
+eyes twinkled and his tongue lolled out of his mouth, like that of an ox
+when it is plowing. Aside from a grunt, or two, he made at first no
+threatening manifestation.
+
+Helen could not remain inactive and see a bear chase her chum over the
+rocks; therefore she picked up a good-sized stone and threw it at the
+beast. They say--at least, boys say!--that a girl can't throw straight.
+But Helen hit the bear!
+
+The stone must have hurt, for the beast let out a sudden growl that was
+in quite a different tone from the sounds he had made before. He turned
+sharply and bit at the place on his flank where the stone had hit him,
+and then, in a perfectly unreasonable manner, the bear turned sharp
+around and scampered after Ruth harder than ever. It was plain that he
+blamed her for throwing the stone. At least, she was nearest to him, and
+the bear was anxious to get out of the way of the screaming girls below.
+
+Ruth did not give voice to her fear. Perhaps if she had shrieked as The
+Fox did the bear would have been afraid of her. As it was, he came on,
+growling savagely. And in half a minute he was fairly upon her heels!
+
+The way up the height was in a gully with steep sides. Ruth, casting
+back over her shoulder a single terrified glance, saw the lumbering
+beast right upon her heels. The rocks on either hand were too steep to
+climb; it seemed as though the bear would seize her in a moment.
+
+And then it was that the miracle happened. It seemed as though the girl
+_must_ be torn and mangled by the bear, when a figure darted into sight
+above her. A voice shouted:
+
+"Lie down! Lie down, so I can shoot!"
+
+It was a man with a gun. In the second Ruth saw him she only knew he was
+trying to draw bead on the pursuing bear. She had no idea what her
+rescuer looked like--whether he was old, or young.
+
+It took courage to obey his command. But Ruth had that courage. She
+flung herself forward upon her hands and knees and--seemingly--at the same
+instant the man above fired.
+
+The roar of the weapon in the rocky glen and the roar of the stricken
+bear, was a deafening combination of sound. The bullet had hit the big
+brute somewhere in a serious spot and he was rolling and kicking on the
+rocks--his first throes of agony flinging him almost to Ruth's feet.
+
+But the girl scrambled farther away and heard the rifle speak again. A
+second bullet entered the body of the bear. At the same time a lusty
+shout arose from below. The boys and Jib having explored the
+river-tunnel as far as they found it practicable, had returned to the
+camp and there discovered where the girls had gone. Jib hastened after
+them, for he felt that they should not be roaming over the rocks without
+an armed escort.
+
+"Hi, yi!" he yelped, tearing up the path with a rifle in his hand. "Keep
+it up, brother! We're comin'!"
+
+Tom and Bob came with him. Jib saw the expiring bear, and he likewise
+glimpsed the man who had brought bruin down. In a moment, however, the
+stranger darted out of sight up the path and they did not even hear his
+footsteps on the rocks.
+
+"Why, that's that feller from Tintacker!" cried the Indian. "Hey, you!"
+
+"Not the crazy man?" gasped Jane Ann.
+
+"Oh, surely he'll come back?" said Helen.
+
+Ruth turned, almost tempted to run after the stranger. "Do you really
+mean to say it is the young man who has been staying at the Tintacker
+properties so long?" she asked.
+
+"That's the feller."
+
+"We'd ought to catch him and see what Uncle Bill has to say to him about
+the fire," said Jane Ann.
+
+"Oh, we ought to thank him for shooting the bear," cried Madge.
+
+"And I wanted to speak with him so much!" groaned Ruth; but nobody heard
+her say this. The others had gathered around the dead bear. Of a sudden
+a new discovery was made:
+
+"Where's Mary?" cried Helen.
+
+"The Fox has run away!" exclaimed Madge.
+
+"I'll bet she has!" exclaimed Jane Ann Hicks. "Didn't you see her, Jib?"
+
+"We didn't pass her on the path," said Tom.
+
+Ruth's keen eye discovered the missing girl first. She ran with a cry to
+a little shelf upon which the foxy maid had scrambled when the
+excitement started. The Fox was stretched out upon the rock in a dead
+faint!
+
+"Well! would you ever?" gasped Madge. "Who'd think that Mary Cox would
+faint? She's always been bold enough, goodness knows!"
+
+Ruth had hurried to the shelf where The Fox lay. She was very white and
+there could be no doubt but that she was totally unconscious. Jib lent
+his assistance and getting her into his arms he carried her bodily down
+the steep path to the camp, leaving Tom and Bob to guard the bear until
+he returned to remove the pelt. The other girls strung out after their
+fainting comrade, and the journey to the summit of the natural bridge
+was postponed indefinitely.
+
+Cold water from the mountain stream soon brought The Fox around. But
+when she opened her eyes and looked into the face of the ministering
+Ruth, she muttered:
+
+"And _you_ saw him, too!"
+
+Then she turned her face away and began to cry.
+
+"Aw, shucks!" exclaimed the ranchman's niece, "don't bawl none about it.
+The bear won't hurt you now. He's dead as can be."
+
+But Ruth did not believe that Mary Cox was crying about the bear. Her
+words and subsequent actions _did_ puzzle the girl of the Red Mill. Ruth
+had whispered to Tom, before they left the scene of the bear shooting:
+
+"See if you can find that man. If you can, bring him into camp."
+
+"But if he's crazy?" Tom suggested, in surprise.
+
+"He isn't too crazy to have saved my life," declared the grateful girl.
+"And if he is in his right mind, all the more reason why we should try
+to help him."
+
+"You're always right, Ruthie," admitted Helen's brother. But when the
+boy and Jib returned to camp two hours later, with the bear pelt and
+some of the best portions of the carcass, they had to report that the
+stranger who had shot the bear seemed to have totally disappeared. Jib
+Pottoway was no bad trailer; but over the rocks it was impossible to
+follow the stranger, especially as he had taken pains to hide his trail.
+
+"If you want to thank that critter for saving you from the b'ar, Miss
+Ruthie," the Indian said, "you'll hafter go clear over to Tintacker to
+do so. That's my opinion."
+
+"How far away is that?" demanded Mary Cox, suddenly.
+
+"Near a hundred miles from this spot," declared Jib. "That is, by wagon
+trail. I reckon you could cut off thirty or forty miles through the
+hills. The feller's evidently l'arnt his way around since Winter."
+
+Mary asked no further question about the man from Tintacker; but she had
+shown an interest in him that puzzled Ruth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII--THE PARTY AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE
+
+
+The bear fight and the runaway together so disturbed the minds of the
+picnicking party in the canyon that nobody objected to the suggestion of
+an early return to the ranch-house. Ruth was secretly much troubled in
+her mind over the mysterious individual who had killed the bear. She had
+not seen her rescuer's face; but she wondered if Mary Cox had seen it?
+
+The girls never did get to the top of the natural bridge. Jib and the
+boys in trying to trace the stranger had gone over the summit; but they
+did not tarry to look around. The girls and Ricardo got supper,
+immediately after which they set out on the return drive.
+
+Jib insisted upon holding the lines over the backs of the team that had
+run away--and he saw that Mary Cox rode in that vehicle, too. But The Fox
+showed no vexation at this; indeed, she was very quiet all the way to
+Silver Ranch. She was much unlike her usual snappy, sharp-tongued self.
+
+But, altogether, the party arrived home in very good spirits. The
+wonders of the wild country--so much different from anything the
+Easterners had seen before--deeply impressed Ruth and her friends. The
+routine work of the ranch, however, interested them more. Not only Tom
+and Bob, but their sisters and the other girls, found the free,
+out-of-door life of the range and corral a never-failing source of
+delight.
+
+Ruth herself was becoming a remarkably good horsewoman. Freckles carried
+her many miles over the range and Jane Ann Hicks was scarcely more bold
+on pony-back than was the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+As for the cowboys of the Silver outfit, they admitted that the visitors
+were "some human," even from a Western standpoint.
+
+"Them friends o' yourn, Miss Jinny," Jimsey said, to Old Bill's niece,
+"ain't so turrible 'Bawston' as some tenderfoots I've seen." ("Boston,"
+according to Jimsey, spelled the ultra-East and all its "finicky" ways!)
+"I'm plum taken with that Fielding gal--I sure am. And I believe old Ike,
+here, is losin' his heart to her. Old Lem Dickson's Sally better bat her
+eyes sharp or Ike'll go up in the air an' she'll lose him."
+
+It was true that the foreman was less bashful with Ruth than with any of
+the other girls. Ruth knew how to put him at his ease. Every spare hour
+Bashful Ike had he put in teaching Ruth to improve her riding, and as
+she was an early riser they spent a good many morning hours cantering
+over the range before the rest of the young people were astir at Silver
+Ranch.
+
+It was on one of these rides that Bashful Ike "opened up" to Ruth upon
+the subject of the red-haired school-teacher at the Crossing.
+
+"I've jest plumb doted on that gal since she was knee-high to a Kansas
+hopper-grass," the big puncher drawled. "An' she knows it well enough."
+
+"Maybe she knows it too well?" suggested Ruth, wisely.
+
+"Gosh!" groaned Ike. "I _gotter_ keep her reminded I'm on the job--say,
+ain't I? Now, them candies you bought for me an' give to her--what do you
+s'pose she did with 'em?"
+
+"She ate them if she had right good sense," replied Ruth, with a smile.
+"They were nice candies."
+
+"I rid over to Lem's the next night," said Ike, solemnly, "an' that
+leetle pink-haired skeezicks opened up that box o' sweetmeats on the
+counter an' had all them lop-eared jack-rabbits that sits around her
+pa's store o' nights he'pin' themselves out o' _my_ gift-box. Talk
+erbout castin' pearls before swine!" continued Bashful Ike, in deep
+disgust, "_that_ was suah flingin' jewels to the hawgs, all right. Them
+'ombres from the Two-Ten outfit, an' from over Redeye way, was stuffin'
+down them bonbons like they was ten-cent gumdrops. An' Sally never ate
+a-one."
+
+"She did that just to tease you," said Ruth, sagely.
+
+"Huh!" grunted Ike. "I never laid out to hurt her feelin's none. Dunno
+why she should give me the quirt. Why, I've been hangin' about her an'
+tryin' to show her how much I think of her for years! She must know I
+wanter marry her. An' I got a good bank account an' five hundred head o'
+steers ter begin housekeepin' on."
+
+"Does Sally know all that?" asked Ruth, slyly.
+
+"Great Peter!" ejaculated Ike. "She'd oughter. Ev'rybody else in the
+county does."
+
+"But did you ever ask Sally right out to marry you?" asked the Eastern
+girl.
+
+"She never give me a chance," declared Ike, gruffly.
+
+"Chance!" gasped Ruth, wanting to laugh, but being too kind-hearted to
+do so. "What sort of a chance do you expect?"
+
+"I never git to talk with her ten minutes at a time," grumbled Ike.
+
+"But why don't you _make_ a chance?"
+
+"Great Peter!" cried the foreman again. "I can't throw an' hawg-tie her,
+can I? I never can git down to facts with her--she won't let me."
+
+"If I were a great, big man," said Ruth, her eyes dancing, "I surely
+wouldn't let a little wisp of a girl like Miss Dickson get away from
+me--if I wanted her."
+
+"How am I goin' to he'p it?" cried Ike, in despair. "She's jest as sassy
+as a cat-bird. Ye can't be serious with her. She plumb slips out o' my
+fingers ev'ry time I try to hold her."
+
+"You are going to the dance at the schoolhouse, aren't you?" asked Ruth.
+
+"I reckon."
+
+"Can't you get her to dance with you? And when you're dancing can't you
+ask her? Come right out plump with it."
+
+"Why, when I'm a-dancin'," confessed Ike, "I can't think o' nawthin' but
+my feet."
+
+"Your feet?" cried Ruth.
+
+"Yes, ma'am. They're so e-tar-nal big I gotter keep my mind on 'em all
+the time, or I'll be steppin' on Sally's. An' if I trod on her jest
+wunst--wal, that would suah be my finish with her. She ain't got that red
+hair for nawthin'," concluded the woeful cowpuncher.
+
+Ike was not alone at the Silver Ranch in looking forward to the party at
+the schoolhouse. Every man who could be spared of the --X0 outfit
+("Bar-Cross-Naught") planned to go to the Crossing Saturday night. Such
+a rummaging of "war-bags" for fancy flannel shirts and brilliant ties
+hadn't occurred--so Old Bill Hicks said--within the remembrance of the
+present generation of prairie-dogs!
+
+"Jest thinkin' about cavortin' among the gals about drives them 'ombres
+loco," declared the ranchman. "Hi guy! here's even Jimsey's got a bran'
+new shirt on."
+
+"'Tain't nuther!" scoffed Bud. "Whar's your eyes, Boss? Don't you
+reckernize that gay and festive shirt? Jimsey bought it 'way back when
+Mis' Hills' twins was born."
+
+"So it's as old as the Hills, is it?" grunted Mr. Hicks. "Wal, he ain't
+worn it right frequent in this yere neck o' woods--that I'll swear to!
+An' a purple tie with it--Je-ru-sha! Somebody'll take a shot at him in
+that combination of riotin' colors--you hear me!"
+
+The girls too were quite fluttered over the prospect of attending the
+party. Helen had agreed to take her violin along and Bob offered to help
+out with the music by playing his harmonica--an instrument without which
+he never went anywhere, save to bed or in swimming!
+
+"And I can't think of anything more utterly sad, Bobbie," declared his
+sister, "than your rendition of 'the Suwanee River' on that same
+mouth-organ. When it comes to your playing for square dances, I fear you
+would give our Western friends much cause for complaint--and many of
+them, I notice, go armed," she continued, significantly.
+
+"Huh!" sniffed Bob. "I guess I don't play as bad as all that. Busy Izzy
+could dance a jig to my playing."
+
+"That's what I thought," responded Madge. "You're just about up to
+playing jig-tunes on that old mouth-organ."
+
+Just the same, Bob slipped the harmonica into his pocket. "You never can
+tell what may happen," he grunted.
+
+"It'll be something mighty serious, then, Bobbie, if it necessitates the
+bringing forth of that instrument of torture," said his sister, bound to
+have the last word.
+
+At dusk the big automobile got away from Silver Ranch, surrounded by a
+gang of wall-eyed ponies that looked on the rattling machine about as
+kindly as they would have viewed a Kansas grain thrasher. The visitors
+and Jane Ann all rode in the machine, for even Ruth's Freckles would
+have turned unmanageable within sight and sound of that touring car.
+
+"That choo-choo cart," complained Bud, the cowboy, "would stampede a
+battalion of hoptoads. Whoa, you Sonny! it ain't goin' tuh bite yuh."
+This to his own half-crazy mount. "Look out for your Rat-tail, Jimsey,
+or that yere purple necktie will bite the dust, as they say in the
+storybooks."
+
+The hilarious party from Silver Ranch, however, reached the Crossing
+without serious mishap. They were not the first comers, for there were
+already lines of saddle ponies as well as many various "rigs" hitched
+about Lem Dickson's store. The schoolhouse was lit brightly with
+kerosene lamps, and there was a string of Chinese lanterns hung above
+the doorway.
+
+The girls, in their fresh frocks and furbelows, hastened over to the
+schoolhouse, followed more leisurely by their escorts. Sally Dickson, as
+chief of the committee of reception, greeted Jane Ann and her friends,
+and made them cordially welcome, although they were all some years
+younger than most of the girls from the ranches roundabout.
+
+"If you Eastern girls can all dance, you'll sure help us out a whole
+lot," declared the brisk little schoolmistress. "For if there's anything
+I do dispise it's to see two great, hulking men paired off in a reel, or
+a 'hoe-down.' And you brought your violin, Miss Cameron? That's fine!
+You can play without music, I hope?"
+
+Helen assured her she thought she could master the simple dance tunes to
+which the assembly was used. There were settees ranged around the walls
+for the dancers to rest upon, and some of the matrons who had come to
+chaperone the affair were already ensconced upon these. There was a buzz
+of conversation and laughter in the big room. The men folk hung about
+the door as yet, or looked in at the open windows.
+
+"Did that big gump, Ike Stedman, come over with you-all, Miss Fielding?"
+Sally Dickson asked Ruth, aside. "Or did he know enough to stay away?"
+
+"I don't believe Mr. Hicks could have kept him on the ranch to-night,"
+replied Ruth, smiling. "He has promised to dance with me at least once.
+Ike is an awfully nice man, I think--and so kind! He's taught us all to
+ride and is never out of sorts, or too busy to help us out. We
+'tenderfoots' are always getting 'bogged,' you know. And Ike is right
+there to help us. We all like him immensely."
+
+Sally looked at her suspiciously. "Humph!" said she. "I never expected
+to hear that Bashful Ike was so popular."
+
+"Oh, I assure you he is," rejoined Ruth, calmly. "He is developing into
+quite a lady's man."
+
+Miss Dickson snorted. Nothing else could explain her method of
+emphatically expressing her disbelief. But Ruth was determined that the
+haughty little schoolmistress should have her eyes opened regarding
+Bashful Ike before the evening was over, and she proceeded to put into
+execution a plan she had already conceived on the way over from Silver
+Ranch.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV--BASHFUL IKE COMES OUT STRONG
+
+
+Ruth first of all took Jane Ann into her confidence. The ranchman's
+niece had been going about the room renewing her acquaintance with the
+"neighbors," some of whom lived forty miles from Silver Ranch. The
+Western girl was proud of the friends she had made "Down East," too, and
+she was introducing them all, right and left. But Ruth pinched her arm
+and signified that she wished to see her alone for a moment.
+
+"Now, Nita," the girl from the Red Mill whispered, "we want to see that
+Mr. Stedman has a good time to-night. You know, he's been awfully good
+to us all."
+
+"Bashful Ike?" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+"Yes. And we must give him so good a time that he will forget to be
+bashful."
+
+"He's a right good feller--yes," admitted Jane Ann, somewhat puzzled.
+"But what can we do for him?"
+
+"Every one of us girls from the ranch must dance with him."
+
+"Oh, crickey!" chuckled Jane Ann, suddenly. "You want to try to make
+Sally Dickson jealous, don't you?"
+
+"No. I only want to make her see that Ike is popular, even if she
+doesn't think him worth being kind to. And Ike _is_ worth being kind to.
+He's a gentleman, and as kind-hearted a man as I ever saw."
+
+"He's all of that," admitted the Western girl. "But he's so clumsy--"
+
+"Forget that!" exclaimed Ruth. "And make _him_ forget his clumsiness.
+He's as good as gold and deserves better treatment at the hands of Sally
+than he has been getting. Of course, she won't be jealous of us young
+girls----"
+
+"Humph! 'Young girls,'" scoffed Jane Ann. "I don't think we're so awful
+young."
+
+"Well, we're too young to be accused of trying to take Sally's beau away
+from her," cried Ruth, merrily. "Now, you'll make him dance with you--and
+first, too. He'll have to if you say so, for he's your uncle's foreman."
+
+"I'll do it," agreed Jane Ann.
+
+Ruth of course found Helen ready and willing to agree to her plan, and
+Madge did not need much urging. They all liked Ike Stedman, and although
+the brisk little schoolmistress seemed to be a very nice girl, the
+foreman of Silver Ranch was quite worthy of her.
+
+"If he dares to dance with me," chuckled Heavy, "I am willing to keep it
+up all the evening. That is, if you think such a course, Ruthie, will
+awaken Miss Dickson to poor Ike's good points."
+
+"And how about those blisters you were complaining about the other day?"
+asked Madge, slyly.
+
+"Pshaw! what girl ever remembered blisters when she could dance?"
+responded the stout girl, with scorn.
+
+Ruth had all but The Fox in line when the violin struck up the first
+number; she did not think it wise to speak to Mary about the plan, for
+she feared that the latter would refuse to cooperate. The boys came
+straggling in at the first notes of Helen's violin, and there were no
+medals on Ike Stedman for bashfulness at first. Tom Cameron, spurred on
+by his sister, broke the ice and went at once to the school-teacher and
+asked for the dance. Bob followed suit by taking Mary Cox for a partner
+(Mary engineered _that_), and soon the sets began to form while Helen
+played her sprightliest.
+
+The young men crowded in awkwardly and when Jane Ann saw the tall figure
+of Ike just outside the door she called to him:
+
+"Come on in, Mr. Stedman. You know this is our dance. Hurry up!"
+
+Now Ike usually didn't get up sufficient courage to appear upon the
+floor until half the evening was over, and there was a deal of chuckling
+and nudging when the foreman, his face flaming, pushed into the room.
+But he could not escape "the boss' niece." Jane Ann deliberately led him
+into the set of which Tom and Sally Dickson were the nucleus.
+
+"My great aunt!" groaned Ike. "Just as like as not, honey, I'll trample
+all over you an' mash yo' feet. It's like takin' life in your han's to
+dance with me."
+
+"Mebbe I better take my feet in my hands, according to your warning,
+Ike," quoth Jane Ann. "Aw, come on, I reckon I can dodge your feet, big
+as they are."
+
+Nor did Bashful Ike prove to be so poor a dancer, when he was once on
+the floor. But he went through the figures of the dance with a face--so
+Jane Ann said afterward--that flamed like a torchlight procession every
+time he came opposite to Sally Dickson.
+
+"I see you're here early, Mr. Stedman," said the red-haired
+schoolmistress, as she was being swung by the giant cow puncher in one
+of the figures. "Usually you're like Parson Brown's cow's tail--always
+behind!"
+
+"They drug me in, Sally--they just drug me in," explained the suffering
+Ike.
+
+"Well, do brace up and look a little less like you was at your own
+funeral!" snapped the schoolmistress.
+
+This sharp speech would have completely quenched Ike's desire to dance
+had Ruth not laid her plans so carefully. The moment the music ceased
+and Ike made for the door, Heavy stopped him. She was between the
+bashful cow puncher and all escape--unless he went through the window!
+
+"Oh, Mr. Stedman! I do so want to dance," cried the stout girl, with her
+very broadest and friendliest smile. "Nobody asked me to this time, and
+I just know they're all afraid of me. Do I look as though I bite?"
+
+"Bless you, no, Miss!" responded the polite foreman of Silver Ranch.
+"You look just as harmless as though you'd never cut a tooth, as fur as
+that goes!"
+
+"Then you're not afraid to dance the next number with me? There! Helen's
+tuning up."
+
+"If you re'lly want me to, Miss," exclaimed the much-flurried foreman.
+"But I won't mislead ye. I ain't a good dancer."
+
+"Then there will be a pair of us," was Heavy's cheerful reply. "If the
+other folk run off the floor, we'll be company for each other."
+
+Carefully rehearsed by Ruth Fielding, Jennie Stone likewise picked the
+group of dancers of which Sally Dickson and a new partner were members;
+and once again Bashful Ike found himself close to the object of his
+adoration.
+
+"Hullo, Ike! you back again?" demanded Sally, cheerfully, as they
+clasped hands in a "walk-around." "I believe you are getting to be a
+regular lady's man."
+
+"Aw--now--Sally!"
+
+"So that Ruth Fielding says," laughed Sally. "You're sure popular with
+those youngsters."
+
+Ike grinned feebly. But he was feeling better. He had actually forgotten
+his feet--even in Sally's presence. Jennie Stone, although an all too
+solid bit of humanity, was remarkably light upon her feet when it came
+to dancing. Indeed, she was so good a dancer that she steered Ike over
+the floor to such good purpose that he--as well as other people--began to
+believe that Bashful Ike was no more awkward than the next man off the
+range.
+
+"Why, Ruthie!" whispered Madge Steele, who was the next "victim" in
+line. "Ike is a regular Beau Brummel beside some of these fellows. Look
+at Heavy steering him around! And look at the teacher watching them.
+Humph! young lady I believe you're got a 'great head on you,' to quote
+Master Bobbie."
+
+"Now, you be real nice to him, Madge," Ruth urged.
+
+"Of course I shall, child," replied Miss Steele, with her most
+"grown-uppish" air. "He's nice anyway; and if we can 'wake teacher' up
+to his importance, I'll gladly do my part."
+
+"If it only gives him a grain of confidence in himself, I shall be
+satisfied," declared Ruth. "That is what Ike lacks."
+
+The foreman of Silver Ranch was coming out pretty strong, however. The
+Virginia Reel was the favorite dance, and when Helen stopped playing the
+applause was so great, that she responded with a repetition of the whole
+figure; so Ike and Heavy continued on the floor for a much longer
+period, and the big cowpuncher gained more ease of manner. When they
+ceased dancing the stout girl led her escort right into the clutches of
+Madge Steele.
+
+Now, Madge was taller than the schoolmistress and in her city-made gown
+looked years older. The boys were rather afraid of Madge when she "put
+on the real thing," as her brother inelegantly expressed it, for she
+seemed then quite a young lady grown!
+
+"I really believe you Western men are gallant, Mr. Stedman," she
+announced. "Chivalrous, and unafraid, and bold, and all that. I am
+deeply disappointed."
+
+"How's that, Miss?" exclaimed poor Ike.
+
+"I haven't had an invitation to dance yet," pursued Madge. "If I had
+scarletina, or the measles--or even the mumps--I do not think I should be
+more avoided by the male portion of the assembly. What do you suppose is
+the matter with me, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+"Why, I--I----"
+
+Ike was on the verge of declaring that he would find her a partner if he
+had to use a gun to get one to come forward; but he was inspired for
+once to do the right thing. He really bowed before Madge with something
+of a flourish, as the tinkle of the violin strings began again.
+
+"If you think you can stand _me_, Miss Steele," declared the big
+foreman, "I'd be near about tickled to death to lead you out myself."
+
+"You are very good," said Madge, demurely. "But are you sure--I think
+that pretty little teacher is looking this way. You are not neglecting
+any old friends for _me_ I hope, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+Ike's face flamed again furiously. He stole a glance at Sally Dickson,
+who had just refused Jimsey for a partner--and with sharpness.
+
+"I'm pretty sure I'll be a whole lot better off with you, Miss," he
+admitted. "Jest now, especially."
+
+Madge's ringing laugh caught Sally's ear, as the Eastern girl bore the
+foreman of Silver Ranch off to join the next set of dancers. The teacher
+did not dance that number at all.
+
+Mrs. "Jule" Marvin, the young and buxom wife of the owner of the Two-Ten
+Ranch, caught Ike's hand and whispered loudly:
+
+"I never suspected you was such a heart-breaker, Ike. Goodness me!
+you're dancing every dance, and with a new partner each time. I haven't
+got to be left out in the cold just because I'm married to Tom, I hope?
+He can't dance with that game leg, poor old man! You going to save a
+dance for me, Ike?"
+
+"Suah's your bawn, honey!" responded the foreman, who was beginning to
+enjoy his prominence and had known Mrs. Jule for years. "The next one's
+yours if you say the word."
+
+"You're my meat, then, Ike," declared the jolly Western matron, as she
+glided away with her present partner.
+
+So there was a little rift in Ruth Fielding's scheme, for Ike danced
+next with the ranchman's wife. But that pleased the girl from the Red
+Mill and her fellow conspirators quite as well. Ike was no neglected
+male "wall-flower." Sally only skipped one dance; but she watched the
+big foreman with growing wonder.
+
+A rest was due Helen anyway; and Bob Steele was at hand with his
+never-failing harmonica. "The heart-rending strains," as Madge termed
+the rather trying music from the mouth-organ, were sufficiently lively
+for most of the party, and the floor was filled with dancers when Helen
+captured Ike and he led her into a set just forming.
+
+"You must be the best dancer among the men, Mr. Ike," declared Ruth's
+chum, dimpling merrily. "You are in such demand."
+
+"I b'lieve you gals have jest been ladlin' the syrup intuh me, Miss
+Cam'ron," Ike responded, but grinning with growing confidence. "It's
+been mighty nice of you."
+
+"You'd better give Sally a chance pretty soon," whispered Helen. "There
+is surely fire in her eye."
+
+"Great Peter!" groaned Ike. "I'm almost afraid to meet up with her now."
+
+"Pluck up your spirit, sir!" commanded Helen. And she maneuvered so
+that, when the dance was done, they stood right next to Sally Dickson
+and her last partner.
+
+"Well, ain't you the busy little bee, Ike," said the school-teacher, in
+a low voice. "Are you bespoke for the rest of the evening? These
+young-ones certainly have turned your head."
+
+"Me, Sally?" responded her bashful friend. "They like tuh dance, I
+reckon, like all other young things--an' the other boys seem kinder
+backward with 'em; 'cause they're Bawston, I s'pose."
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated Miss Sally; "you ain't such a gump as to believe all
+that. That little Smartie, Ruth Fielding, planned all this, I bet a
+cent!"
+
+"Miss Ruth?" queried Ike, in surprise. "Why, I ain't danced with her at
+all."
+
+"Nor you ain't a-goin' to!" snapped Sally. "You can dance with me for a
+spell now." And for the remainder of that hilarious evening Sally
+scarcely allowed Bashful Ike out of her clutches.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV--"THE NIGHT TRICK"
+
+
+The party at the schoolhouse was declared a success by all Jane Ann
+Hick's Eastern friends--saving, of course, The Fox. She had only danced
+with Tom and Bob and had disproved haughtily of the entire proceedings.
+She had pronounced Ruth's little plot for getting Ike and Sally
+together, "a silly trick," although the other girls had found
+considerable innocent enjoyment in it, and the big foreman of Silver
+Ranch rode home with them after midnight in a plain condition of
+ecstacy.
+
+"Ike suah has made the hit of his life," Jimsey declared, to the other
+cowboys.
+
+"He was the 'belle of the ball' all right," chimed in another.
+
+"If I warn't a person of puffectly tame an' gentle nature, I'd suah be a
+whole lot jealous of his popularity," proceeded he of the purple
+necktie. "But I see a-many of you 'ombres jest standin' around and
+a-gnashin' of your teeth at the way Ike carried off the gals."
+
+"Huh!" grunted Bud. "We weren't gnashin' no teeth at old Ike. What put
+our grinders on edge was that yere purple necktie an' pink-striped shirt
+you're wearin'. Ev'ry gal that danced with you, Jimsey, was in danger of
+gettin' cross-eyed lookin' at that ne-fa-ri-ous combination."
+
+Sunday was a quiet day at the ranch. Although there was no church nearer
+than Bullhide, Bill Hicks made a practice of doing as little work as
+possible on the first day of the week, and his gangs were instructed to
+simply keep the herds in bounds.
+
+At the ranch house Ruth and her girl friends arranged a song-service for
+the evening to which all the men about the home corral, and those who
+could be spared to ride in from the range, were invited. This broke up
+several card games in the bunk house--games innocent in themselves,
+perhaps, but an amusement better engaged in on week days.
+
+The boys gathered in the dusk on the wide porch and listened to the
+really beautiful music that the girls had learned at Briarwood Hall.
+Ruth was in splendid voice, and her singing was applauded warmly by the
+cowboys.
+
+"My soul, Bud!" gasped Jimsey. "Couldn't that leetle gal jest sing a
+herd of millin' cattle to by-low on the night trick, with that yere
+voice of hers?"
+
+"Uh-huh!" agreed Bud. "She could stop a stampede, she could."
+
+"Oh, I'd love to see a real stampede!" exclaimed Helen, who overheard
+this conversation.
+
+"You would eh?" responded Jane Ann. "Well, here's hoping you never get
+your wish--eh, boys?"
+
+"Not with the Bar-Cross-Naught outfit, Miss Jinny," agreed Bud,
+fervently.
+
+"But it must be a wonderful sight to see so many steers rushing over the
+plain at once--all running as tight as they can run," urged the innocent
+Helen.
+
+"Ya-as," drawled Jimsey. "But I want it to be some other man's cattle."
+
+"But do you really ever have much trouble with the cattle?" asked Helen.
+"They all look so tame."
+
+"Except Old Trouble-Maker," laughed her twin, who stood beside her.
+
+"Looks jest like a picnic, herdin' them mooley-cows, don't it?" scoffed
+Jimsey.
+
+"They'd ought to be on the night trick, once," said Jane Ann. "It's all
+right punching cows by daylight."
+
+"What's the night trick?" asked Heavy.
+
+"Night herding. That's when things happen to a bunch of cows," explained
+the ranchman's niece.
+
+"I believe that must be fun," cried Ruth, who had come out upon the
+porch. "Can't we go out to one of the camps and see the work by night as
+well as by day?"
+
+"Good for you, Ruth!" cried Tom Cameron. "That's the game."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't want to do that," objected Mary Cox. "We'd have to camp
+out."
+
+"Well, them that don't want to go can stay here," Jane Ann said,
+quickly. If anything was needed to enlist her in the cause it was the
+opposition of The Fox. "I'll see what Uncle Bill says."
+
+"But, will it be dangerous?" demanded the more careful Madge.
+
+"I've ridden at night," said Jane Ann, proudly. "Haven't I, Jimsey?"
+
+"Just so," admitted the cowboy, gravely. "But a whole bunch o' gals
+might make the critters nervous."
+
+"Too many cows would sure make the girls nervous!" laughed Bob, grinning
+at his sister.
+
+But the idea once having taken possession of the minds of Ruth and her
+girl friends, the conclusion was foregone. Uncle Bill at first (to quote
+Jane Ann) "went up in the air." When he came down to earth, however, his
+niece was right there, ready to argue the point with him and--as usual--he
+gave in to her.
+
+"Tarnashun, Jane Ann!" exclaimed the old ranchman. "I'll bet these yere
+gals don't get back home without some bad accident happening. You-all
+are so reckless."
+
+"Now Uncle Bill! don't you go to croaking," she returned, lightly.
+"Ain't no danger of trouble at all. We'll only be out one night. We'll
+go down to Camp Number Three--that's nearest."
+
+"No, sir-ree! Them boys air too triflin' a crew," declared the ranchman.
+"Jib is bossing the Rolling River outfit just now. You can go over
+there. I can trust Jib."
+
+As the rest of the party was so enthusiastic, and all determined to
+spend a night at Number Two Camp on the Rolling River Range, Mary Cox
+elected to go likewise. She declared she did not wish to remain at the
+ranch-house in the sole care of a "fat and greasy Mexican squaw," as she
+called the cook.
+
+"Ouch! I bet that stings Maria when she knows how you feel about her,"
+chuckled Heavy. "Why let carking care disturb your serenity, Mary? Come
+on and enjoy yourself like the rest of us."
+
+"I don't expect to enjoy myself in any party that's just run by one
+girl," snapped Mary.
+
+"Who's that?" asked the stout girl, in wonder.
+
+"Ruth Fielding. She bosses everything. She thinks this is all her own
+copyrighted show--like the Sweetbriars. Everything we do she suggests----"
+
+"That shows how good a 'suggester' she is," interposed Heavy, calmly.
+
+"It shows how she's got you all hypnotized into believing she's a
+wonder," snarled The Fox.
+
+"Aw, don't Mary! Don't be so mean. I should think Ruth would be the last
+person _you'd_ ever have a grouch on. She's done enough for you----"
+
+"She hasn't, either!" cried Mary Fox, her face flaming.
+
+"I'd like to know what you'd call it?" Heavy demanded, with a good deal
+of warmth for her. "If she wasn't the sweetest-tempered, most forgiving
+girl that ever went to Briarwood, _you'd_ have lost your last friend
+long ago! I declare, I'm ashamed of you!"
+
+"She's not my friend," said Mary, sullenly.
+
+"Who is, then? She has helped to save your life on more than one
+occasion. She has never said a word about the time she fell off the
+rocks when we were at Lighthouse Point. You and she were together, and
+_you_ know how it happened. Oh, I can imagine how it happened. Besides,
+Nita saw you, and so did Tom Cameron," cried the stout girl, more hotly.
+"Don't think all your tricks can be hidden."
+
+"What do you suppose I care?" snarled Mary Cox.
+
+"I guess you care what Tom Cameron thinks of you," pursued Heavy,
+wagging her head. "But after the way you started those ponies when we
+drove to Rolling River Canyon, you can be sure that you don't stand high
+with him--or with any of the rest of the boys."
+
+"Pooh! those cowboys! Great, uneducated gawks!"
+
+"But mighty fine fellows, just the same. I'd a whole lot rather have
+their good opinion than their bad."
+
+Now all this was, for Jennie Stone, pretty strong language. She was
+usually so mild of speech and easy-going, that its effect was all the
+greater. The Fox eyed her in some surprise and--for once--was quelled to a
+degree.
+
+All these discussions occurred on Monday. The Rolling River Camp was
+twenty miles away in the direction of the mountain range. Tuesday was
+the day set for the trip. The party would travel with the supply wagon
+and a bunch of ponies for the herders, bossed by Maria's husband. On
+Wednesday the young folk would return under the guidance of little
+Ricarde, who was to go along to act as camp-boy.
+
+"But if we like it out there, Uncle Bill, maybe we'll stay till
+Thursday," Jane Ann declared, from her pony's back, just before the
+cavalcade left the ranch-house, very early on Tuesday.
+
+"You better not. I'm going to be mighty busy around yere, and I don't
+want to be worried none," declared the ranchman. "And I sha'n't know
+what peace is till I see you-all back again."
+
+"Now, don't worry," drawled his niece. "We ain't none of us sugar nor
+salt."
+
+"I wish I could let Ike go with ye--that's what I wish," grumbled her
+uncle.
+
+Ruth Fielding secretly wished the same. The direction of the Rolling
+River Camp lay toward Tintacker. She had asked the foreman about it.
+
+"You'll be all of thirty mile from the Tintacker claims, Miss Ruth,"
+Bashful Ike said. "But it's a straight-away trail from the ford a mile,
+or so, this side of the camp. Any of the boys can show you. And Jib
+might spare one of 'em to beau you over to the mine, if so be you are
+determined to try and find that 'bug'."
+
+"I _do_ want to see and speak with him," Ruth said, earnestly.
+
+"It's pretty sure he's looney," said Ike. "You won't make nothing out o'
+him. I wouldn't bother."
+
+"Why, he saved my life!" cried Ruth. "I want to thank him. I want to
+help him. And--and--indeed, I need very much to see and speak with him,
+Ike."
+
+"Ya-as. That does make a difference," admitted the foreman. "He sure did
+kill that bear."
+
+The ponies rattled away behind the heavy wagon, drawn by six mules. In
+the lead cantered Ricarde and his father, herding the dozen or more
+half-wild cow-ponies. The Mexican horse-wrangler was a lazy looking,
+half-asleep fellow; but he sat a pony as though he had grown in the
+saddle.
+
+Ruth, on her beloved little Freckles, rode almost as well now as did
+Jane Ann. The other girls were content to follow the mule team at a more
+quiet pace; but Ruth and the ranchman's niece dashed off the trail more
+than once for a sharp race across the plain.
+
+"You're a darling, Ruthie!" declared Jane Ann, enthusiastically. "I wish
+you were going to live out here at Silver Ranch all the time--I do! I
+wouldn't mind being 'buried in the wilderness' if you were along----"
+
+"Oh, but you won't be buried in the wilderness all the time," laughed
+the girl from the Red Mill. "I am sure of that."
+
+"Huh!" ejaculated the Western girl, startled. "What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that we've been talking to Uncle Bill," laughed Ruth.
+
+"Oh! you ain't got it fixed for me?" gasped the ranchman's neice. "Will
+he send me to school?"
+
+"Surest thing you know, Nita!"
+
+"Not to that boarding school you girls all go to?"
+
+"Unless he backs down--and you know Mr. Bill Hicks isn't one of the
+backing-down kind."
+
+"Oh, bully for you!" gasped Jane Ann. "I know it's your doing. I can see
+it all. Uncle Bill thinks the sun just about rises and sets with you."
+
+"Helen and Heavy did their share. So did Madge--and even Heavy's aunt,
+Miss Kate, before we started West. You will go to Briarwood with us next
+half, Nita. You'll have a private teacher for a while so that you can
+catch up with our classes. It's going to be up to you to make good,
+young lady--that's all."
+
+Jane Ann Hicks was too pleased at that moment to say a word--and she had
+to wink mighty hard to keep the tears back. Weeping was as much against
+her character as it would have been against a boy's. And she was silent
+thereafter for most of the way to the camp.
+
+They rode over a rolling bit of ground and came in sight suddenly of the
+great herd in care of Number Two outfit. Such a crowd of slowly moving
+cattle was enough to amaze the eastern visitors. For miles upon miles
+the great herd overspread the valley, along the far side of which the
+hurrying river flowed. The tossing horns, the lowing of the cows calling
+their young, the strange, bustling movement of the whole mass, rose up
+to the excited spectators in a great wave of sound and color. It was a
+wonderful sight!
+
+Jib rode up the hill to meet them. The men on duty were either squatting
+here and there over the range, in little groups, playing cards and
+smoking, or riding slowly around the outskirts of the herd. There was a
+chuck-tent and two sleeping tents parked by the river side, and the
+smoke from the cook's sheet-iron stove rose in a thin spiral of blue
+vapor toward that vaster blue that arched the complete scene.
+
+"What a picture!" Ruth said to her chum. "The mountains are grand. That
+canyon we visited was wonderful. The great, rolling plains dwarf anything
+in the line of landscape that we ever saw back East. But _this_ caps all
+the sights we have seen yet."
+
+"I'm almost afraid of the cattle, Ruthie," declared Helen. "So many
+tossing horns! So many great, nervous, moving bodies! Suppose they
+should start this way--run us down and stamp us into the earth? Oh! they
+could do it easily."
+
+"I don't feel that fear of them," returned the girl from the Red Mill.
+"I mean to ride all around the herd to-night with Nita. She says she is
+going to help ride herd, and I am going with her."
+
+This declaration, however, came near not being fulfilled. Jib Pottoway
+objected. The tent brought for the girls was erected a little way from
+the men's camp, and the Indian stated it as his irrevocable opinion that
+the place for the lady visitors at night was inside the white walls of
+that tent.
+
+"Ain't no place for girls on the night trick, Miss Jinny--and you know
+it," complained Jib. "Old Bill will hold me responsible if anything
+happens to you."
+
+"'Twon't be the first time I've ridden around a bunch of beeves after
+sundown," retorted Jane Ann, sharply. "And I've promised Ruth. It's a
+real nice night. I don't even hear a coyote singing."
+
+"There's rain in the air. We may have a blow out of the hills before
+morning," said Jib, shaking his head.
+
+"Aw shucks!" returned the ranchman's niece. "If it rains we can borrow
+slickers, can't we? I never saw such a fellow as you are, Jib. Always
+looking for trouble."
+
+"You managed to get into trouble the other day when you went over to the
+canyon," grunted the Indian.
+
+"'Twarn't Ruthie and me that made you trouble. And that Cox girl
+wouldn't dare ride within forty rods of these cows," laughed the
+ranchman's niece.
+
+So Jib was forced to give way. Tom and Bob had craved permission to ride
+herd, too. The cowboys seemed to accept these offers in serious mood,
+and that made Jane Ann suspicious.
+
+"They'll hatch up some joke to play on you-all," she whispered to
+Ruthie. "But we'll find out what they mean to do, if we can, and just
+cross-cut 'em."
+
+The camp by the river was the scene of much hilarity at supper time. The
+guests had brought some especially nice rations from the ranch-house,
+and the herders welcomed the addition to their plain fare with gusto.
+Tom and Bob ate with the men and, when the night shift went on duty,
+they set forth likewise to ride around the great herd which, although
+seemingly so peacefully inclined, must be watched and guarded more
+carefully by night than by day.
+
+Soon after Jane Ann and Ruth rode forth, taking the place together of
+one of the regular herders. These additions to the night gang left more
+of the cow punchers than usual at the camp, and there was much hilarity
+among the boys as Jane Ann and her friend cantered away toward the not
+far-distant herd.
+
+"Those fellows are up to something," the ranchman's niece repeated. "We
+must be on the watch for them--and don't you be scared none, Ruthie, at
+anything that may happen."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI--THE JOKE THAT FAILED
+
+
+The two girls rode into the melting darkness of the night, and once out
+of the radiance of the campfires became suddenly appreciative of the
+subdued sounds arising from the far-extending valley in which the herd
+lay.
+
+At a great distance a coyote howled in mournful cadence. There was the
+uncertain movements of the cattle on the riders' left hand--here one
+lapped its body with its great tongue--again horns clashed--then a big
+steer staggered to its feet and blew through its nostrils a great sigh.
+There was, too, the steady chewing of many, many cuds.
+
+A large part of the herd was lying down. Although stars flecked the sky
+quite thickly the whole valley in which the cattle fed seemed
+over-mantled with a pall of blackness. Shapes loomed through this with
+sudden, uncertain outline.
+
+"My! it's shivery, isn't it?" whispered Ruth.
+
+"There won't nothing bite us," chuckled the Western girl. "Huh! what's
+that?"
+
+The sudden change in her voice made Ruth giggle nervously. "That's
+somebody riding ahead of us. _You're_ not afraid, Nita?"
+
+"Well, I should say not!" cried the other, very boldly. "It's one of the
+boys. Hello, Darcy! I thought you were a ghost."
+
+"You gals better git back to the camp," grunted the cowboy. "We're going
+to have a shower later. I feel it in the air."
+
+"We're neither sugar nor salt," declared Jane Ann. "We've both got
+slickers on our saddles."
+
+"Ridin' herd at night ain't no job for gals," said Darcy. "And that
+cloud yander is goin' ter spit lightnin'."
+
+"He's always got a grouch about something. I never did like old Darcy,"
+Jane Ann confided to her friend.
+
+But there was a general movement and confusion in the herd before the
+girls had ridden two miles. The cattle smelled the storm coming and, now
+and then, a faint flash of lightning penciled the upper edge of the
+cloud that masked the Western horizon.
+
+"'Tain't going to amount to anything," declared Jane Ann.
+
+"It just looks like heat lightning," agreed Ruth.
+
+"May not rain at all to-night," pursued the other girl, cheerfully.
+
+"Who's that yelling?" queried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+"Huh! that's somebody singing."
+
+"Singing?"
+
+"Yep."
+
+"Way out here?"
+
+"Yep. It's Fred English, I guess. And he's no Caruso."
+
+"But what's he singing for?" demanded the disturbed Ruth, for the sounds
+that floated to their ears were mournful to a degree.
+
+"To keep the cattle quiet," explained the ranch girl. "Singing often
+keeps the cows from milling----"
+
+"Milling?" repeated Ruth.
+
+"That's when they begin to get uneasy, and mill around and around in a
+circle. Cows are just as foolish as a flock of hens."
+
+"But you don't mean to say the boys sing 'em to sleep?" laughed Ruth.
+
+"Something like that. It often keeps 'em quiet. Lets 'em know there's
+humans about."
+
+"Why, I really thought he must be making that noise to keep himself from
+feeling lonely," chuckled Ruth.
+
+"Nobody'd want to do that, you know," returned Jane Ann, with
+seriousness. "Especially when they can't sing no better than that Fred
+English."
+
+"It is worse than a mourning dove," complained the girl from the East.
+"Why doesn't he try something a bit livelier?"
+
+"You don't want to whistle a jig-tune to keep cows quiet," Jane Ann
+responded, sagely.
+
+The entire herd seemed astir now. There was a sultriness in the air
+quite unfamiliar on the range. The electricity still glowed along the
+horizon; but it seemed so distant that the girls much doubted Darcy's
+prophecy of rain.
+
+The cattle continued to move about and crop the short herbage. Few of
+them remained "bedded down." In the distance another voice was raised in
+song. Ruth's mount suddenly jumped to one side, snorting. A huge black
+steer rose up and blew a startled blast through his nostrils.
+
+"Gracious! I thought that was a monster rising out of the very earth!
+And so did Freckles, I guess," cried Ruth, with some nervousness. "Whoa,
+Freckles! Whoa, pretty!"
+
+"You sing, too, Ruthie," advised her friend. "We don't want to start
+some foolish steer to running."
+
+The Eastern girl's sweet voice--clear and strong--rang out at once and the
+two girls rode on their way. The movement of the herd showed that most
+of the cattle had got upon their feet; but there was no commotion.
+
+As they rode around the great herd they occasionally passed a cowboy
+riding in the other direction, who hailed them usually with some
+witticism. But if Ruth chanced to be singing, they broke off their own
+refrains and applauded the girl's effort.
+
+Once a coyote began yapping on the hillside near at hand, as Ruth and
+Jane Ann rode. The latter jerked out the shiny gun that swung at her
+belt and fired twice in the direction of the brute's challenge.
+
+"That'll scare _him_," she explained. "They're a nuisance at calving
+time."
+
+Slowly, but steadily, the cloud crept up the sky and snuffed out the
+light of the stars. The lightning, however, only played at intervals,
+with the thunder muttering hundreds of miles away, in the hills.
+
+"It is going to rain, Nita," declared Ruth, with conviction.
+
+"Well, let's put the rubber blankets over us, and be ready for it," said
+the ranch girl, cheerfully. "We don't want to go in now and have the
+boys laugh at us."
+
+"Of course not," agreed Ruth.
+
+Jane Ann showed her how to slip the slicker over her head. Its folds
+fell all about her and, as she rode astride, she would be well sheltered
+from the rain if it began to fall. They were now some miles from the
+camp on the river bank, but had not as yet rounded the extreme end of
+the herd. The grazing range of the cattle covered practically the entire
+valley.
+
+The stirring of the herd had grown apace and even in the thicker
+darkness the girls realized that most of the beasts were in motion. Now
+and then a cow lowed; steers snorted and clashed horns with neighboring
+beeves. The restlessness of the beasts was entirely different from those
+motions of a grazing herd by day.
+
+Something seemed about to happen. Nature, as well as the beasts, seemed
+to wait in expectation of some startling change. Ruth could not fail to
+be strongly impressed by this inexplicable feeling.
+
+"Something's going to happen, Nita. I feel it," she declared.
+
+"Hark! what's that?" demanded her companion, whose ears were the
+sharper.
+
+A mutter of sound in the distance made Ruth suggest: "Thunder?"
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+Swiftly the sound approached. The patter of ponies' hoofs--a crowd of
+horses were evidently charging out of a nearby coulie into the open
+plain.
+
+"Wild horses!" gasped Jane Ann.
+
+But even as she spoke an eerie, soul-wracking chorus of shrieks broke
+the oppressive stillness of the night. Such frightful yells Ruth had
+never heard before--nor could she, for the moment, believe that they
+issued from the lips of human beings!
+
+"Injuns!" ejaculated Jane Ann and swung her horse about, poising the
+quirt to strike. "Come on----"
+
+Her words were drowned in a sudden crackle of electricity--seemingly over
+their very heads. They were blinded by the flash of lightning which,
+cleaving the cloud at the zenith, shot a zigzag stream of fire into the
+midst of the cattle!
+
+Momentarily Ruth gained a view of the thousands of tossing horns. A
+chorus of bellowing rose from the frightened herd.
+
+But Jane Ann recovered her self-confidence instantly. "It's nothing but
+a joke, Ruthie!" she cried, in her friend's ear. "That's some of the
+boys riding up and trying to frighten us. But there, that's no joke!"
+
+Another bolt of lightning and deafening report followed. The cowboys'
+trick was a fiasco. There was serious trouble at hand.
+
+"The herd is milling!" yelled Jane Ann. "Sing again, Ruthie! Ride close
+in to them and sing! We must keep them from stampeding if we can!" and
+she spurred her own pony toward the bellowing, frightened steers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII--THE STAMPEDE
+
+
+Be it said of the group of thoughtless cowboys (of whom were the wildest
+spirits of Number Two camp) that their first demonstration as they
+dashed out of the coulie upon the two girls was their only one. Their
+imitation of an Indian attack was nipped in the bud by the bursting of
+the electric storm. There was no time for the continuance of the
+performance arranged particularly to startle Jane Ann and Ruth Fielding.
+Ruth forgot the patter of the approaching ponies. She had instantly
+struck into her song--high and clear--at her comrade's advice; and she
+drew Freckles closer to the herd. The bellowing and pushing of the
+cattle betrayed their position in any case; but the intermittent flashes
+of lightning clearly revealed the whole scene to the agitated girls.
+
+They were indeed frightened--the ranch girl as well as Ruth herself. The
+fact that this immense herd, crowding and bellowing together, might at
+any moment break into a mad stampede, was only too plain.
+
+Caught in the mass of maddened cattle, the girls might easily be
+unseated and trampled to death. Ruth knew this as well as did the
+Western girl. But if the sound of the human voice would help to keep the
+creatures within bounds, the girl from the Red Mill determined to sing
+on and ride closer in line with the milling herd.
+
+She missed Jane Ann after a moment; but another flash of lightning
+revealed her friend weaving her pony in and out through the pressing
+cattle, using the quirt with free hand on the struggling steers and
+breaking them up into small groups.
+
+The cowboys who had dashed out of the coulie saw the possibility of
+disaster instantly; and they, too, rode in among the bellowing steers.
+With so many heavy creatures pressing toward a common center, many would
+soon be crushed to death if the formation was not broken up. Each streak
+of lightning which played athwart the clouds added to the fear of the
+beasts. Several of the punchers rode close along the edge of the herd,
+driving in the strays. Now it began to rain, and as the very clouds
+seemed to open and empty the water upon the thirsty land, the swish of
+it, and the moaning of the wind that arose, added greatly to the
+confusion.
+
+How it _did_ rain for a few minutes! Ruth felt as though she were riding
+her pony beneath some huge water-spout. She was thankful for the
+slicker, off which the water cataracted. The pony splashed knee-deep
+through runlets freshly started in the old buffalo paths. Here and there
+a large pond of water gleamed when the lightning lit up their
+surroundings.
+
+And when the rain stopped as abruptly as it had begun, the cattle began
+to steam and were more troublesome than before. The lightning flashes
+and thunder continued, and when a second downpour of rain began it came
+so viciously, and with so great a wind, that the girls could scarcely
+ride against it.
+
+Suddenly a shout came down the wind. It was taken up and repeated by
+voice after voice. The camp at the far end of the herd had been aroused
+ere this, of course, and every man who could ride was in the saddle. But
+it was at the camp-end of the herd, after all, that the first break
+came.
+
+"They're off!" yelled Darcy, riding furiously past Ruth and Jane Ann
+toward where the louder disturbance had arisen.
+
+"And toward the river!" shouted another of the cowboys.
+
+The thunder of hoofs in the distance suddenly rose to a deafening sound.
+The great herd had broken away and were tearing toward the Rolling River
+at a pace which nothing could halt. Several of the cowboys were carried
+forward on the fore-front of the wave of maddened cattle; but they all
+managed to escape before the leaders reached the high bank of the
+stream.
+
+Jane Ann screamed some order to Ruth, but the latter could not hear what
+it was. Yet she imitated the Western girl's efforts immediately. No such
+tame attempts at controlling the cattle as singing to them was now in
+order. The small number of herdsmen left at this point could only force
+their ponies into the herd and break up the formation--driving the mad
+brutes back with their quirts, and finally, after a most desperate
+fight, holding perhaps a third of the great herd from running wildly
+into the stream.
+
+This had been a time of some drought and the river was running low. The
+banks were not only steep upon this side, but they were twenty feet and
+more high. When the first of the maddened beeves reached the verge of
+the bank they went headlong down the descent, and some landed at the
+edge of the water with broken limbs and so were trampled to death. But
+the plunging over of hundreds upon hundreds of steers at the same point,
+together with the washing of the falling rain, quickly cut down these
+banks until they became little more than steep quagmires in which the
+beasts wallowed more slowly to the river's edge.
+
+This heavy going did more than aught else to retard the stampede; but
+many of the first-comers got over the shallow river and climbed upon the
+plain beyond. All night long the cowboys were gathering up the herd upon
+the eastern shore of the river; those that had crossed must be left
+until day dawned.
+
+And a very unpleasant night it was, although the stampede itself had
+been of short duration. A troop of cattle had dashed through the camp
+and flattened out the tent that had sheltered the lady visitors.
+Fortunately the said visitors had taken refuge in the supply wagon
+before the cattle had broken loose.
+
+But, led by The Fox, there was much disturbance in the supply wagon for
+the time being. Fortunately a water-tight tarpaulin had kept the girls
+comparatively dry; but Mary Cox loudly expressed her wish that they had
+not come out to the camp, and the other girls were inclined to be a
+little fractious as well.
+
+When Jane Ann and Ruth rode in, however, after the trouble was all over,
+and the rain had ceased, a new fire was built and coffee made, and the
+situation took on a more cheerful phase. Ruth was quite excited over it
+all, but glad that she had taken a hand in the herding of the cattle
+that had not broken away.
+
+"And if you stay to help the boys gather the steers that got across the
+river, to-morrow, I am going to help, too," she declared.
+
+"Tom and Bob will help," Helen said. "I wish I was as brave as you are,
+Ruth; but I really am afraid of these horned beasts."
+
+"I never was cut out for even a milkmaid, myself," added Heavy. "When a
+cow bellows it makes me feel queer up and down my spine just as it does
+when I go to a menagerie and hear the lions roar."
+
+"They won't bite you," sniffed Jane Ann.
+
+"But they can hook you. And my! the noise they made when they went
+through this camp! You never heard the like," said the stout girl,
+shaking her head. "No. I'm willing to start back for the ranch-house in
+the morning."
+
+"Me, too," agreed Madge.
+
+So it was agreed that the four timid girls should return to Silver Ranch
+with Ricarde after breakfast; but Ruth and Jane Ann, with Tom Cameron
+and Bob Steele, well mounted on fresh ponies, joined the gang of cow
+punchers who forded the river at daybreak to bring in the strays.
+
+The frightened cattle were spread over miles of the farther plain and it
+was a two days' task to gather them all in. Indeed, on the second
+evening the party of four young folk were encamped with Jib Pottoway and
+three of the other punchers, quite twenty miles from the river and in a
+valley that cut deeply into the mountain chain which sheltered the range
+from the north and west.
+
+"It is over this way that the trail runs to Tintacker, doesn't it, Jib?"
+Ruth asked the Indian, privately.
+
+"Yes, Miss. Such trail as there is can be reached in half an hour from
+this camp."
+
+"Oh! I do so want to see that man who killed the bear, Jib," urged the
+girl from the Red Mill.
+
+"Well, it might be done, if he's over this way now," returned Jib,
+thoughtfully. "He is an odd stick--that's sure. Don't know whether he'd
+let himself be come up with. But----"
+
+"Will you ride with me to the mines?" demanded Ruth, eagerly.
+
+"I expect I could," admitted the Indian.
+
+"I would be awfully obliged to you."
+
+"I don't know what Mr. Hicks would say. But the cattle are in hand
+again--and there's less than a hundred here for the bunch to drive back.
+They can get along without me, I reckon."
+
+"And surely without me!" laughed Ruth.
+
+And so it was arranged. The Indian and Ruth were off up the valley
+betimes the next morning, while the rest of the party started for the
+river, driving the last of the stray beeves ahead of them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII--A DESPERATE CASE
+
+
+Jane Ann and Tom Cameron had both offered to accompany Ruth; but for a
+very good--if secret--reason Ruth did not wish any of her young friends to
+attend her at the meeting which she hoped would occur between her and
+the strange young man who (if report were true) had been hanging about
+the Tintacker properties for so long.
+
+She had written Uncle Jabez after her examination with the lawyer of the
+mining record books at Bullhide; but she had told her uncle only that
+the claims had been transferred to the name of "John Cox." That was the
+name, she knew, that the vacuum cleaner agent had given Uncle Jabez when
+he had interested the miller in the mine. But there was another matter
+in connection with the name of "Cox" which Ruth feared would at once
+become public property if any of her young friends were present at the
+interview to which she now so eagerly looked forward.
+
+Freckles, now as fresh as a pony could be, carried Ruth rapidly up the
+valley, and as the two ponies galloped side by side the girl from the
+Red Mill grew quite confidential with the Indian. She did not like Jib
+Pottoway as she did the foreman of the Bar Cross Naught ranch; but the
+Indian was intelligent and companionable, and he quite evidently put
+himself out to be entertaining.
+
+As he rode, dressed in his typical cowboy costume, Jib looked the
+full-blooded savage he was; but his conversation smacked of the East and
+of his experiences at school. What he said showed that Uncle Sam does
+very well by his red wards at Carlisle.
+
+Jib could tell her, too, much that was interesting regarding the country
+through which they rode. It was wild enough, and there was no human
+habitation in sight. Occasionally a jackrabbit crossed their trail, or a
+flock of birds flew whirring from the path before them. Of other life
+there was none until they had crossed the first ridge and struck into a
+beaten path which Jib declared was the old pack-trail to Tintacker.
+
+The life they then saw did not encourage Ruth to believe that this was
+either a safe or an inhabited country. Freckles suddenly shied as they
+approached a bowlder which was thrust out of the hillside beside the
+trail. Ruth was almost unseated, for she had been riding carelessly. And
+when she raised her eyes and saw the object that had startled the pony,
+she was instantly frightened herself.
+
+Crouching upon the summit of the rock was a lithe, tawny creature with a
+big, round, catlike head and flaming green eyes. The huge cat lashed its
+tail with evident rage and bared a very savage outfit of teeth.
+
+"Oh! what's that?" gasped Ruth, as Freckles settled back upon his
+haunches and showed very plainly that he had no intention of passing the
+bowlder.
+
+"Puma," returned the Indian, laconically.
+
+His mount, too, was circling around the rock with mincing steps, quite
+as unfavorably disposed toward the beast as was Freckles.
+
+"Can it leap this far, Jib?" cried Ruth.
+
+"It'll leap a whole lot farther in just a minute," returned the Indian,
+taking the rope off his saddle bow. "Now, look out, Miss!"
+
+Freckles began to run backward. The puma emitted a sudden, almost human
+shriek, and the muscles upon its foreshoulders swelled. It was about to
+leap.
+
+Jib's rope circled in the air. Even as the puma left the rock, its four
+paws all "spraddled out" in midair, the noose dropped over the savage
+cat. The lariat caught the puma around its neck and one foreleg, and
+before it struck the ground Jib had whirled his horse and was spurring
+off across the valley, his captive flying in huge (but involuntary)
+leaps behind him. He rode back in ten minutes with a beaten-out mass of
+fur and blood trailing at the end of his rope, and that was the end of
+Mr. Puma!
+
+"There isn't any critter a puncher hates worse than a puma," Jib said,
+gruffly. "We've killed a host of 'em this season."
+
+"And do you always rope them?" queried Ruth.
+
+"They ain't worth powder and shot. Now, a bear is a gentleman 'side of a
+lion--and even a little old kiote ain't so bad. The lion's so blamed
+crafty and sly. Ha! it always does me good to rope one of them."
+
+They rode steadily on the trail to the mines after that. It was scarcely
+more than fifteen miles to the claims which had been the site, some
+years before, of a thriving mining camp, but was now a deserted town of
+tumble-down shanties, corrugated iron shacks, and the rustied skeletons
+of machinery at the mouths of certain shafts. Money had been spent
+freely by individuals and corporations in seeking to develop the various
+"leads" believed by the first prospectors to be hidden under the surface
+of the earth at Tintacker. But if the silver was there it was so well
+hidden that most of the miners had finally "gone broke" attempting to
+uncover the riches of silver ore of which the first specimens discovered
+had given promise.
+
+"The Tintacker Lode" it had been originally called, in the enthusiasm of
+its discoverers. But unless this strange prospector, who had hung about
+the abandoned claims for so many months, had struck into a new vein, the
+silver horde had quite "petered out." Of this fact Ruth was pretty
+positive from all the lawyer and Old Bill Hicks had told her. Uncle
+Jabez had gone into the scheme of re-opening the Tintacker on the
+strength of the vacuum-cleaner agent's personality and some specimens of
+silver ore that might have been dug a thousand miles from the site of
+the Tintacker claims.
+
+"Don't look like there was anybody to home," grunted Jib Pottoway, as
+they rode up the last rise to the abandoned camp.
+
+"Why! it's a wreck," gasped Ruth.
+
+"You bet! There's hundreds of these little fly-by-night mining camps in
+this here Western country. And many a man's hopes are buried under the
+litter of those caved-in roofs. Hullo!"
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Ruth, startled as she saw Jib draw his gun
+suddenly.
+
+"What's that kiote doing diggin' under that door?" muttered the Indian.
+
+The skulking beast quickly disappeared and Jib did not fire. He rode his
+pony directly to the shack--one of the best of the group--and hammered on
+the door (which was closed) with the butt of his pistol.
+
+"Hullo, in there!" he growled.
+
+Ruth was not a little startled. "Why was the coyote trying to get in?"
+she asked.
+
+"You wait out here, Miss," said Jib. "Don't come too close. Kiotes don't
+usually try to dig into a camp when the owner's at home."
+
+"But you spoke as though you thought he might be there!" whispered the
+girl.
+
+"I--don't--know," grunted Jib, climbing out of his saddle.
+
+He tried the latch. The door swung open slowly. Whatever it was he
+expected to see in the shack, he was disappointed. When he had peered in
+for half a minute, he stuck the pistol back into its holster and strode
+over the threshhold.
+
+"Oh! what is it?" breathed Ruth again.
+
+He waved her back, but went into the hut. There was some movement there;
+then a thin, babbling voice said something that startled Ruth more than
+had the puma's yell.
+
+"Gee!" gasped Jib, appearing in the doorway, his face actually pale
+under its deep tan. "It's the 'bug'."
+
+"The man I want to see?" cried Ruth.
+
+"But you can't see him. Keep away," advised Jib, stepping softly out and
+closing the door of the shack.
+
+"What is the matter, Jib?" cried Ruth. "He--he isn't _dead_?"
+
+"Not yet," replied the Indian.
+
+"What is it, then?"
+
+"Mountain fever--or worse. It's catching--just as bad as typhoid. You
+mustn't go in there, Miss."
+
+"But--but--he'll die!" cried the girl, all her sympathy aroused. "Nobody
+to help him----"
+
+"He's far gone. It's a desperate case, I tell you," growled Jib. "Ugh! I
+don't know what we'd better do. No wonder that kiote was trying to dig
+under the door. _He knew_--the hungry beast!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX--THE MAN AT TINTACKER
+
+
+Ruth waited for her companion to suggest their course of action. The man
+she had come to see--the mysterious individual whom she believed had
+taken her uncle's money to buy up the property known as the Tintacker
+Claim--was in a raging fever in that old shack near the site of the mine.
+She had heard his delirious babblings while Jib was in the hut. It never
+entered her mind that Jib would contemplate leaving the unfortunate
+creature unattended.
+
+"You can't talk to him, Miss. He don't know nothing," declared the
+Indian. "And he's pretty far gone."
+
+"What shall we do for him? What needs doing first?" Ruth demanded.
+
+"Why, we can't do much--as I can see," grumbled Jib Pottoway.
+
+"Isn't there a doctor----"
+
+"At Bullhide," broke in Jib. "That's the nearest."
+
+"Then he must be got. We must save this man, Jib," said the girl,
+eagerly.
+
+"Save him?"
+
+"Certainly. If only because he saved my life when I was attacked by the
+bear. And he must be saved for another reason, too."
+
+"Why, Miss Ruth, he'll be dead long before a doctor could get here,"
+cried Jib. "That's plumb ridiculous."
+
+"He will die of course if he has no attention," said the girl,
+indignantly.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Surely you won't desert him!"
+
+"About all we can do for the poor fellow is to bury him," muttered Jib.
+
+"If there was no other reason than that he is a helpless fellow-being,
+we could not go away and leave him here unattended," declared the girl,
+gravely. "You know that well enough, Jib."
+
+"Oh, we'll wait around. But he's got to die. He's so far gone that
+nothing can save him. And I oughtn't to go into the shack, either. That
+fever is contagious, and he's just full of it!"
+
+"We must get help for him," cried Ruth, suddenly.
+
+"What sort of help?" demanded the Indian.
+
+"Why, the ranch is not so awfully far away, and I know that Mr. Hicks
+keeps a big stock of medicines. He will have something for this case."
+
+"Then let's hustle back," said Jib, starting to climb into his saddle.
+
+"But the coyote--and other savage beasts!" exclaimed Ruth.
+
+"Gee! I forgot that," muttered Jib.
+
+"One of us must stay here."
+
+"Well--I can do that, I suppose. But how about you finding your way to
+the Rolling River outfit? I--don't--know."
+
+"I'll stay here and watch," declared Ruth, firmly. "You ride for
+help--get medicine--tell Mr. Hicks to send for a doctor at Bullhide, too.
+I have some money with me and I know my Uncle Jasper will pay whatever
+it costs to get a doctor to this man. Besides--there are other people
+interested."
+
+"Why, Miss, I don't know about this," murmured Jib Pottoway. "It's risky
+to leave you here. Old Bill will be wild at me."
+
+"I'm going to stay right here," declared Ruth, getting out of the
+saddle. "You can leave me your gun if you will----"
+
+"Sure! I could do that. But I don't know what the boss'll say."
+
+"It won't much matter what he says," said Ruth, with a faint smile. "I
+shall be here and he will be at Silver Ranch."
+
+"Ugh!" muttered Jib. "But what'll he say to _me_?"
+
+"I believe Mr. Hicks is too good-hearted to wish to know that we left
+this unfortunate young man here without care. It would be too cruel."
+
+"You wait till I look about the camp," muttered Jib, without paying much
+attention to Ruth's last remark.
+
+He left his pony and walked quickly up the overgrown trail that had once
+been the main street of Tintacker Camp. Ruth slipped out of the saddle
+and ran to the door of the sick man's hut. She laid her hand on the
+latch, hesitated a moment, and then pushed the door open. There was
+plenty of light in the room. The form on the bed, under a tattered old
+blanket, was revealed. Likewise the flushed, thin face lying against the
+rolled-up coat for a pillow.
+
+"The poor fellow!" gasped Ruth. "And suppose it should be _her_ brother!
+Suppose it _should_ be!"
+
+Only for a few seconds did she stare in at the unfortunate fellow. His
+head began to roll from side to side on the hard pillow. He muttered
+some gibberish as an accompaniment to his fevered dreams. It was a young
+face Ruth saw, but so drawn and haggard that it made her tender heart
+ache.
+
+"Water! water!" murmured the cracked lips of the fever patient.
+
+"Oh! I can't stand this!" gasped the girl. She wheeled about and sent a
+long shout after Jib: "Jib! I say, Jib!"
+
+"What's wantin'?" replied the Indian from around the bend in the trail.
+
+"Bring some water! Get some fresh water somewhere."
+
+"I get you!" returned the cowboy, and then, without waiting another
+instant, Ruth stepped into the infected cabin and approached the
+sufferer's couch.
+
+The sick man's head moved incessantly; so did his lips. Sometimes what
+he said was audible; oftener it was just a hoarse murmur. But when Ruth
+raised his head tenderly and took out the old coat to refold it for a
+pillow, he screamed aloud and seized the garment with both hands and
+with an awful strength! His look was maniacal. There were flecks of foam
+on his lips and his eyes rolled wildly. There was more than ordinary
+delirium in his appearance, and he fought for possession of the coat,
+shrieking in a cracked voice, the sound of which went straight to Ruth's
+heart.
+
+The sound brought Jib on the run.
+
+"What in all tarnation are you doing in that shack?" he shouted. "You
+come out o' there!"
+
+"Oh, Jib," said she, as the man fell back speechless and seemingly
+lifeless on the bed. "We can't leave him alone like this."
+
+"That whole place is infected. You come out!" the puncher commanded.
+
+"There's no use scolding me now, Jib," she said, softly. "The harm is
+done, if it _is_ to be done. I'm in here, and I mean to stay with him
+till you get help and medicine."
+
+"You--you----"
+
+"Don't call me names, but get the water. Find a pail somewhere. Bring
+plenty of cool water. He is burning up with fever and thirst."
+
+"Well, the hawse is stole, I reckon!" grunted the Indian. "But you'd
+ought to be shaken. What the boss says to me about this will be
+a-plenty."
+
+"Get the water, Jib!" commanded Ruth Fielding. "See! he breathes so
+hard. I believe he is dying of thirst more than anything else."
+
+Jib grabbed the canteen that swung at the back of his saddle, emptied
+the last of the stale water on the ground, and hurried away to where a
+thin stream tumbled down the hillside behind one of the old shaft
+openings. He brought the canteen back full--and it held two quarts.
+
+"Just a little at first," said the girl, pouring some of the cool water
+into her own folding cup that she carried in her pocket. "He mustn't
+have too much. And you keep out of the house, Jib. No use in both of us
+running the risk of catching the fever. You'll have to ride for help,
+too. And you don't want to take the infection among the other boys."
+
+"You _are_ a plucky one, Miss," admitted the cowboy. "But there's bound
+to be the piper to pay for this. They'll say it was my fault."
+
+"I won't let 'em," declared Ruth. She raised the sick man's head again
+and put the cup to his lips. "I wish I had some clean cloths. Oh! let
+somebody ride over from the camp with food and any stimulants that there
+may be there. See if you can find some larger receptacle for water
+before you go."
+
+"She's a cleaner!" muttered the Indian, shaking his head, and walking
+away to do her bidding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX--THE WOLF AT THE DOOR
+
+
+Ruth had the old coat folded and under the sick man's head again when
+Jib returned with a rusty old bucket filled with water. He set it down
+just outside the open door of the cabin--and he did not come in.
+
+"What d'ye s'pose he's got in the pocket of that coat that he's so
+choice of, Miss?" he asked, curiously.
+
+"Why! I don't know," returned Ruth, wetting her cleanest handkerchief
+and folding it to press upon the patient's brow.
+
+"He hollered like a loon and grabbed at it when I tried to straighten it
+out," the Indian said, thoughtfully. "And so he did when you touched
+it."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He's got something hid there. It bothers him even if he is delirious."
+
+"Perhaps," admitted Ruth.
+
+But she was not interested in this suspicion. The condition of the poor
+fellow was uppermost in her mind.
+
+"You let me have your pistol, Jib," she said. "I can use it. It will
+keep that old coyote away."
+
+"And anything else, too," said Jib, handing the gun to her and then
+stepping back to his pony. "I'll hobble your critter, Miss. Don't go far
+from the door. I'll either come back myself or send a couple of the boys
+from camp. They will bring food, anyway. I reckon the poor chap's hungry
+as well as thirsty."
+
+"He is in a very bad way, indeed," returned Ruth, gravely. "You'll
+hurry, Jib?"
+
+"Sure. But you'd better come back with me."
+
+"No. I'm in for it now," she replied, trying to smile at him bravely.
+"I'd better nurse him till he's better, or----"
+
+"You ain't got no call to do it!" exclaimed the Indian.
+
+"There is more reason for my helping him than you know," she said, in a
+low voice. "Oh! there is a very good reason for my helping him."
+
+"He's too far gone to be helped much, I reckon," returned the other,
+mounting into his saddle. "But I'll be going. Take care of yourself."
+
+"I'll be all right, Jib!" she responded, with more cheerfulness, and
+waved her hand to him as the cow puncher rode away.
+
+But when the patter of the pony's hoofs had died away the silence
+brooding over the abandoned mining camp seemed very oppressive indeed.
+It was not a pleasant prospect that lay before her. Not only was she
+alone here with the sick man, but she _was_ afraid of catching the
+fever.
+
+The patient on the couch was indeed helpless. He muttered and rolled his
+head from side to side, and his wild eyes stared at her as though he
+were fearful of what she might do to him. Ruth bathed his face and hands
+again and again; and the cool water seemed to quiet him. Occasionally
+she raised his head that he might drink. There was nothing else she
+could do for his comfort or betterment until medicines arrived.
+
+She searched the cabin for anything which might belong to him. She did
+not find his rifle--the weapon with which he had killed the bear in the
+canyon when Ruth had been in such peril. She did find, however, a worn
+water-proof knapsack; in it was a handkerchief, or two, a pair of torn
+socks and an old shirt, beside shaving materials, a comb and brush, and
+a toothbrush. Not a letter or a scrap of paper to reveal his identity.
+Yet she was confident that this was the man whom she had hoped to meet
+when she came West on this summer jaunt.
+
+This was the fellow who had encouraged Uncle Jabez to invest his savings
+in the Tintacker Mine. It was he, too, who had been to Bullhide and
+recorded the new papers relating to the claim. And if he had made way
+with all Uncle Jabez's money, and the mining property was worthless,
+Ruth knew that she would never see Briarwood Hall again!
+
+For Uncle Jabez had let her understand plainly that his resources were
+so crippled that she could not hope to return to school with her friends
+when the next term opened. Neither she, nor Aunt Alvirah, nor anybody
+else, could make the old miller change his mind. He had given her one
+year at the boarding school according to agreement. Uncle Jabez always
+did just as he said he would; but he was never generous, and seldom even
+kind.
+
+However, it was not this phase of the affair that so troubled the girl
+from the Red Mill. It was the identity of this fever-stricken man that
+so greatly disturbed her. She believed that there was somebody at Silver
+Ranch who must have a much deeper interest in him than even she felt.
+And she was deeply troubled by this suspicion. Was she doing right in
+not sending word to the ranch at once as to her belief in the identity
+of the man?
+
+The morning was now gone and Ruth would have been glad of some dinner;
+but in leaving the other herders she and Jib had not expected to remain
+so many hours from the Rolling River crossing. At least, they expected
+if they found the man at Tintacker at all, that he would have played the
+host and supplied them with lunch. Had Jib been here she knew he could
+easily have shot a bird, or a hare; there was plenty of small game
+about. But had she not felt it necessary to remain in close attendance
+upon the sick man she would have hesitated about going to the outskirts
+of the camp. Even the possession of Jib's loaded pistol did not make the
+girl feel any too brave.
+
+Already that morning she had been a witness to the fact that savage
+beasts lurked in the locality. There might be another puma about. She
+was not positively in fear of the coyotes; she knew them to be a
+cowardly clan. But what would keep a bear from wandering down from the
+heights into the abandoned camp? And Ruth had seen quite all the bears
+at close quarters that she wished to see. Beside, this six-shooter of
+Jib's would be a poor weapon with which to attack a full-grown bear.
+
+It must be late in the afternoon before any of the boys could ride over
+from the Rolling River outfit. She set her mind firmly on _that_, and
+would not hope for company till then. It was a lonely and trying watch.
+The sick man moaned and jabbered, and whenever she touched the old coat
+he used for a pillow, he became quite frantic. Perhaps, as Jib
+intimated, there was something valuable hidden in the garment.
+
+"Deeds--or money--perhaps both," thought the girl nurse. "And maybe they
+relate to the Tintacker Mine. Perhaps if it is money it is some of
+Uncle's money. Should I try to take it away from him secretly and keep
+it until he can explain?"
+
+Yet she could not help from thinking that perhaps Jib was right in his
+diagnosis of the case. The man might be too far gone to save. Neither
+physician nor medicines might be able to retard the fever. It seemed to
+have already worn the unfortunate to his very skeleton. If he died,
+would the mystery of the Tintacker Mine, and of Uncle Jabez's money,
+ever be explained?
+
+Meanwhile she bathed and bathed again the fevered face and hands of the
+unfortunate. This was all that relieved him. He was quiet for some
+minutes after each of these attentions. The water in the bucket became
+warm, like that in the canteen. Ruth thought she could risk going to the
+rivulet for another supply. So she stuck the barrel of the gun into her
+belt and taking the empty pail set out to find the stream.
+
+She closed the door of the sick man's cabin very carefully. It was not
+far to the water and she had filled the pail and was returning when she
+heard a scratching noise nearby, and then a low growl. Casting swift
+glances of apprehension all about her, she started to run to the cabin;
+but when she got to the trail, it was at the cabin door the peril lay!
+
+It was no harmless, cowardly coyote this time. Perhaps it had not been a
+coyote who had dug there when she and Jib rode up to the camp. She
+obtained this time a clear view of the beast.
+
+It was long, lean and gray. A shaggy beast, with pointed ears and a long
+muzzle. When he turned and glared at her, growling savagely, Ruth was
+held spellbound in her tracks!
+
+"A wolf!" she muttered. "A wolf at the door!"
+
+The fangs of the beast were exposed. The jaws dripped saliva, and the
+eyes seemed blood-red. A more awful sight the girl had never seen. This
+fierce, hungry creature was even more terrifying in appearance than the
+bear that had chased her in the canyon. He seemed, indeed, more savage
+and threatening than the puma that Jib had roped that forenoon as they
+rode over to Tintacker.
+
+He turned squarely and faced her. He was not afraid, but seemed to
+welcome her as an antagonist worthy of his prowess. He did not advance,
+but he stood between Ruth and the door of the sick man's cabin. She
+might retreat, but in so doing she would abandon the unfortunate to his
+fate. And what that fate would be she could not doubt when once she had
+glimpsed the savage aspect of the wolf.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI--A PLUCKY FIGHT
+
+
+Ruth had already set down the bucket of water and drawn the heavy pistol
+from her belt. The girls had been trying their skill with six-shooters
+at the ranch at odd times, and she knew that she stood a good chance of
+hitting the big gray wolf at ten or twelve yards. The beast made no
+approach; but his intention of returning to the door of the cabin where
+the sick man lay, if she did not disturb him, was so plain that Ruth
+dared not desert the helpless patient!
+
+The wolf crouched, growling and showing his fangs. If the girl
+approached too near he would spring upon her. Or, if she fired and
+wounded him but slightly she feared he would give chase and pull her
+down in a few seconds. She very well know that she could not hope to
+distance the beast if once he started to pursue her.
+
+This was indeed a dreadful situation for a tenderly nurtured girl. The
+wolf looked to be fully as large as Tom Cameron's mastiff, Reno. And
+Ruth wished with all her heart (as this comparison flashed through her
+mind) that the mastiff was here to give battle to the savage beast.
+
+But it were vain to think of such impossibilities. If anything was to be
+done to drive off the wolf at the cabin door, she must do it herself.
+Yet she dared not make the attack here in the open, and afoot. If she
+approached near enough to him to make her first shot sure and deadly,
+the beast gave every indication of opening the attack himself.
+
+And, indeed, he might spring toward her at any moment. He was growing
+impatient. He had scented the helpless man inside the shack
+and--undisturbed--would soon burrow under the door and get at him.
+Although not so cowardly as a coyote, the wolf seldom attacks human
+beings unless they are helpless or the beast is driven to desperation by
+hunger. And gaunt as this fellow was, there was plenty of small game for
+him in the chapparel.
+
+Thus, Ruth was in a quandary. But she saw plainly that she must withdraw
+or the wolf would attack. She left the bucket of water where it stood
+and withdrew back of the nearest hut. Once out of the wolf's sight, but
+still holding the revolver ready, she looked hastily about. Her pony,
+hobbled by Jib, had not wandered far. Nor had Freckles seen or even
+scented the savage marauder.
+
+Ruth spied him and crept away from the vicinity of the wolf, keeping in
+hiding all the time. She soon heard the beast clawing at the bottom of
+the door and growling. He might burst the door, or dig under it, any
+moment now!
+
+The last few yards to the pony Ruth made at a run. Freckles snorted his
+surprise; but he knew her and was easily caught. The frightened girl
+returned the revolver to her belt and removed the hobbles. Then she
+vaulted into the saddle and jerked the pony's head around, riding at a
+canter back toward the cabin.
+
+The wolf heard her coming and drew his head and shoulders back out of
+the hole he had dug. In a few minutes more he would be under the door
+and into the cabin, which had, of course, no floor but the hard-packed
+clay. He started up and glared at the pony and its rider, and the pony
+began to side-step and snort in a manner which showed plainly that he
+did not fancy the vicinity of the beast.
+
+"Whoa, Freckles! Steady, boy!" commanded Ruth.
+
+The cow pony, trained to perfection, halted, with his fore feet braced,
+glaring at the wolf. Ruth dropped the reins upon his neck, and although
+he winced and trembled all over, he did not move from the spot as the
+girl raised the heavy pistol, resting its barrel across her left
+forearm, and took the best aim she could at the froth-streaked chest of
+the wolf.
+
+Even when the revolver popped, Freckles did not move. The wolf sprang to
+one side, snarling with rage and pain. Ruth saw a streak of crimson
+along his high shoulder. The bullet had just nicked him. The beast
+snapped at the wound and whirled around and around in the dust, snarling
+and clashing his teeth.
+
+But when the girl tried to urge Freckles in closer, the wolf suddenly
+took the aggressive. He sprang out into the trail and in two leaps was
+beside the whirling pony. Freckles knew better than to let the beast get
+near enough to spring for his throat. But the pony's gyrations almost
+unseated his rider.
+
+Ruth fired a second shot; but the bullet went wild. She could not take
+proper aim with the pony dancing so; and she had to seize the lines
+again. She thrust the pistol into the saddle holster and grabbed the
+pommel of the saddle itself to aid her balance. Freckles pitched
+dreadfully, and struck out, seemingly with all four feet at once, to
+keep off the wolf. Perhaps it was as well that he did so, for the beast
+was maddened by the smart of the wound, and sought to tear the girl from
+her saddle.
+
+As Ruth allowed the pony to run off from the shack for several rods, the
+wolf went growling back to the door. He was a persistent fellow and it
+did seem as though he was determined to get at the sick man in spite of
+all Ruth could do.
+
+But the girl, frightened as she was, had no intention of remaining by to
+see such a monstrous thing happen. She controlled Freckles again, and
+rode him hard, using the spurs, straight at the door of the shack. The
+wolf whirled and met them with open jaws, the saliva running from the
+sides of his mouth. His foreleg was now dyed crimson.
+
+Freckles, squealing with anger, jumped to reach the wolf. He had been
+taught to ride down coyotes, and he tried the same tactics on this
+fellow. The wolf rolled over, snapping and snarling, and easily escaped
+the pony's hard hoofs. But Ruth urged the pony on and the wolf was
+forced to run.
+
+She tried her best to run him down. They tore through the main street of
+what had been Tintacker Camp, and out upon the open ridge. The wolf, his
+tail tucked between his legs, scurried over the ground, keeping just
+ahead, but circling around so as to get back to the abandoned town. He
+would not be driven from the vicinity.
+
+"I must try again to shoot him," exclaimed the girl, much worried. "If I
+ride back he will follow me. If I hobble Freckles again, he may attack
+the pony and Freckles could not defend himself so well if he were
+hobbled. And if I turn the pony loose the wolf may run him off
+entirely!"
+
+She drew Jib's pistol once more and tried to get a good shot at the
+wolf. But while she did this she could not keep so sharp an eye on the
+course the pony took and suddenly Freckles sunk one forefoot in a hole.
+
+He plunged forward, and Ruth came very near taking a dive over his head.
+She saved herself by seizing the pommel with both hands; but in so doing
+she lost the gun. Freckles leaped up, frightened and snorting, and the
+next moment the wolf had made a sharp turn and was almost under the
+pony's feet!
+
+The wolf let out an unmistakable yelp of pain and limped off, howling.
+Freckles kept on in pursuit and the revolver was soon far behind. The
+beast she pursued was now in a bad way; but the girl dared not ride back
+to search for her lost weapon. She did not propose that the wolf--after
+such a fight--should escape. Ruth was bent upon his destruction.
+
+The wolf, however, dodged and doubled, so that the pony could not
+trample it, even had he wished to come to such close quarters. The
+clashing teeth of the savage animal warned Freckles to keep his
+distance, however; and it was plain to Ruth that she must dismount to
+finish the beast. If only she had some weapon----
+
+What was that heap on the prairie ahead? Bones! hundreds of them! Some
+accident had befallen a bunch of cattle here in the past and their
+picked skeletons had been flung into a heap. The wolf ran for refuge
+behind this pile and Ruth immediately urged Freckles toward the spot.
+
+She leaped from the saddle, tossing the bridle reins over his head upon
+the ground and ran to seize one of the bigger bones. It was the leg bone
+of a big steer and it made a promising club.
+
+But even as she seized upon this primitive weapon the wolf made a final
+stand. He appeared around the far side of the pile. He saw that the girl
+was afoot, and with a snarl he sprang upon her.
+
+Ruth uttered an involuntary shriek, and ran back. But she could not
+reach Freckles. The wolf's hot breath steamed against her neck as she
+ran. He had missed her by a hair!
+
+The girl whirled and faced him, the club poised in both her hands,
+determined to give battle. Her situation was perilous in the extreme.
+Afoot as she was, the beast had the advantage, and he knew this as well
+as she did. He did not hurry, but approached his victim with
+caution--fangs bared, jaws extended, his wounds for the moment forgotten.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII--SERVICE COURAGEOUS
+
+
+There was no escape from the wolf's attack, even had Ruth desired to
+evade the encounter. The beast's flaming eyes showed his savage
+intention only too plainly. To turn and run at this juncture would have
+meant death for the brave girl. She stood at bay, the heavy bone poised
+to strike, and let the creature approach.
+
+He leaped, and with all her strength--and that was not slight--she struck
+him. The wolf was knocked sideways to the ground. She followed up the
+attack with a second and a third blow before he could recover his
+footing.
+
+The wound in his shoulder had bled a good deal, and Freckles' hard hoofs
+had crippled one leg. He could not jump about with agility, and although
+he was no coward, he was slow in returning to the charge.
+
+When he did, Ruth struck again, and with good effect. Again and again
+she beat him off. He once caught her skirt and tore it from the
+waist-binding; but she eluded his powerful claws and struck him down
+again. Then, falling upon him unmercifully, she beat his head into the
+hard ground until he was all torn and bleeding and could not see to
+scramble at her.
+
+It was an awful experience for the girl; but she conquered her
+antagonist before her strength was spent. When he lay, twitching his
+limbs in the final throes, she staggered back to where her pony stood
+and there, leaning upon his neck, sobbed and shook for several minutes,
+while Freckles put his soft nose into her palm and nuzzled her
+comfortably.
+
+"Oh, oh, Freckles! what a terrible thing!" she sobbed. "He's dead! he's
+dead!"
+
+She could say nothing more, nor could she recover her self-possession
+for some time. Then she climbed into the saddle and turned the pony's
+head toward the deserted huts without once looking back at the
+blood-bedabbled body and the gory club.
+
+At the camp, however, she was once more her own mistress. The fact that
+she must attend the sick man bolstered up her courage. She hobbled
+Freckles again and recovered the bucket of water. John Cox (if that was
+his name) raged in his fever and clutched at his precious coat, and was
+not quiet again until she had cooled his head and hands with the fresh
+water.
+
+After that he fell into a light sleep and Ruth went about the cabin,
+trying to set the poor furniture to rights and removing the debris that
+had collected in the corners. Every few moments she was at the door,
+looking out for either enemy or friend. But no other creature confronted
+her until the sound of pony hoofs delighted her ear and Tom Cameron and
+Jane Ann, with two of the cowboys from the Rolling River outfit, dashed
+up to the shack.
+
+"Ruth! Ruth!" cried the ranchman's niece, leaping off of her pony. "Come
+out of that place at once! Do as I tell you----"
+
+"Don't come here, dear--don't touch me," returned her friend, firmly. "I
+know what I am about. I mean to stay and nurse this man. I do not
+believe there is so much danger as Jib says----"
+
+"Uncle Bill will have his hide!" cried Jane Ann, indignantly. "You wait
+and see."
+
+"It is not his fault. I came in here when he could not stop me. And I
+mean to remain. But there is no use in anybody else being exposed to
+contagion--if there is any contagion in the disease."
+
+"Why, it's as bad as small-pox, Ruth!" cried Jane Ann.
+
+"I am here," returned Ruth, quietly. "Have you brought us food? And is
+that spirits in the bottle Mr. Darcy has?"
+
+"Yes, Miss," said the cowboy.
+
+"Set it down on that stone--and the other things. I'll come and get it. A
+few drops of the liquor in the water may help the man a little."
+
+"But, dear Ruth," interposed Tom, gravely, "he is nothing to you. Don't
+run such risks. If the man must be nursed _I'll_ try my hand----"
+
+"Indeed you shall not!"
+
+"It's a job for a man, Miss," said Darcy, grimly. "You mount your pony
+and go home with the others. I'll stay."
+
+"If any harm is done, it's done already," declared the girl, earnestly.
+"One of you can stay outside and help me--guard me, if you please.
+There's been an awful old wolf about----"
+
+"A wolf!" gasped Tom.
+
+"But I killed him." She told them how and where. "And I lost Jib's gun.
+He'll be furious."
+
+"He'll lose more than his little old Colts," growled the second cowboy.
+
+"It was not Jib's fault," declared the girl. "I could not so easily find
+my way back to the river as he. I had to stay while he went for help.
+Has word been sent on to the ranch?"
+
+"Everything will be done that can be done for the fellow, of course,"
+Jane Ann declared. "Uncle Bill will likely come over himself. Then there
+_will_ be ructions, young lady."
+
+"And what will Helen and the other girls say?" cried Tom.
+
+"I wish I had thought," murmured Ruth. "I would have warned Jib not to
+let Mary know."
+
+"What's that?" asked Tom, in surprise, for he had but imperfectly caught
+Ruth's words.
+
+"Never mind," returned the girl from the Red Mill, quickly.
+
+The others were discussing what should be done. Ruth still stood in the
+doorway and now a murmur from the bed called her turn back into the
+shack to make the unfortunate on the couch more comfortable--for in his
+tossings he became more feverish and hot. When she returned to the outer
+air the others had decided.
+
+"Darcy and I will remain, Ruth," Tom said, with decision. "We'll bring
+the water, and cook something for you to eat out here, and stand guard,
+turn and turn about. But you are a very obstinate girl."
+
+"As long as one is in for it, why increase the number endangered by the
+fever?" she asked, coolly. "You are real kind to stay, Tom--you and
+Darcy."
+
+"You couldn't get me away with a Gatling gun," said Tom, grimly. "You
+know _that_, Ruth."
+
+"I know I have a staunch friend in you, Tommy," she said, in a low
+voice.
+
+"One you can trust?"
+
+"To be sure," she replied, smiling seriously at him.
+
+"Then what is all this about Mary Cox? What has _she_ got to do with the
+fellow you've got hived up in that shack?" shot in Master Tom, shrewdly.
+
+"Oh, now, Tommy!" gasped Ruth.
+
+"You can't fool me, Ruth----"
+
+"Sh! don't let the others hear you," she whispered. "And don't come any
+nearer, Tom!" she added, warningly, and in a louder tone.
+
+"But The Fox has something to do with this man?" demanded Tom.
+
+"I believe so. I fear so. Oh, don't ask me any more!" breathed the girl,
+anxiously, as Jane Ann and the cowboy rode up to say good-bye.
+
+"I hope nothing bad will come of this, Ruth," said the ranch girl. "But
+Uncle Bill will be dreadfully mad."
+
+"Not with me, I hope," rejoined Ruth, shaking her head.
+
+"And all the girls will be crazy to come out here and help you nurse
+him."
+
+"They certainly _will_ be crazy if they want to," muttered Tom.
+
+"They would better not come near here until the man gets better--if he
+ever _does_ get better," added Ruth, in a low tone.
+
+"I expect they'll all want to come," repeated Jane Ann.
+
+"Don't you let them, Jane Ann!" admonished Ruth. "Above all, don't you
+let Mary Cox come over here--unless I send for her," and she went into
+the shack again and closed the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII--BASHFUL IKE TAKES THE BIT IN HIS TEETH
+
+
+There was great commotion at Silver Ranch when Jib Pottoway (on a fresh
+horse he had picked up at the riverside cow camp) rode madly to the
+ranch-house with the news of what was afoot so far away across Rolling
+River. From Old Bill down, the friends of Ruth were horror-stricken that
+she should so recklessly (or, so it seemed) expose herself to the
+contagion of the fever.
+
+"And for a person who is absolutely nothing to her at all!" wailed
+Jennie Stone. "Ruth is utterly reckless."
+
+"She is utterly brave," said Madge, sharply.
+
+"She has the most grateful heart in the world," Helen declared. "He
+saved her life in the canyon--you remember it, Mary. Of course she could
+not leave the poor creature to die there alone."
+
+The Fox had turned pallid and seemed horrified. But she was silent while
+all the others about the ranch-house, from Old Bill Hicks down to Maria
+the cook, were voluble indeed. The ranchman might have laid violent
+hands upon Jib Pottoway, only there was so much to do. Such simple
+medicines as there were in the house were packed to take to Tintacker.
+Old Bill determined to go over himself, but he would not allow any of
+the young folks to go.
+
+"And you kin bet," he added, "that you'll see Jane Ann come back here
+a-whizzin'!"
+
+The unfortunate Jib had enough to do to answer questions. The girls
+would not let him go until he had told every particular of the finding
+of the man at Tintacker.
+
+"Was he just _crazy_?" queried Heavy.
+
+"I don't know whether he's been loony all the time he's been hanging
+around the mines, or not," growled the Indian. "But I'm mighty sure he's
+loco _now_."
+
+"If that was him who shot the bear up in the canyon that day, he didn't
+appear to be crazy enough to hurt," said Helen.
+
+"But is this the same man?" queried Mary Cox, and had they not all been
+so busy pumping Jib of the last particular regarding the adventure, they
+might have noticed that The Fox was very pale.
+
+When Jib first rode up, however, and told his tale, Bashful Ike Stedman
+had set to work to run the big touring car out of the shed in which it
+was kept. During the time the young folk had been at Silver Ranch from
+the East, the foreman had learned from Tom and Bob how to run the car.
+It came puffing up to the door now, headed toward the Bullhide trail.
+
+"What in tarnashun you goin' ter do with that contarption, Ike?" bawled
+Mr. Hicks. "I can't go to Tintacker in it."
+
+"No, yuh can't, Boss. But I kin go to Bullhide for the sawbones in it,
+and bring him back, too. We kin git as far as the Rolling River camp in
+the old steam engine--if she don't break down. Then we'll foller on arter
+yuh a-hawseback."
+
+"You won't git no doctor to come 'way out there," gasped the ranch
+owner.
+
+"Won't I?" returned the foreman. "You wait and see. Ruthie says a
+doctor's got to be brought for that feller, and I'm goin' to git Doc.
+Burgess if I hafter rope an' hogtie him--you hear me!"
+
+The engine began to pop again and the automobile rolled away from the
+ranch-house before Mr. Hicks could enter any further objections, or any
+of the young folk could offer to attend Ike on his long trip.
+Fortunately Tom and Bob had seen to it that the machine was in excellent
+shape, there was plenty of gasoline in the tank, and she ran easily over
+the trail.
+
+At the Crossing Ike was hailed by Sally Dickson. Sally had been about to
+mount her pony for a ride, but when the animal saw the automobile coming
+along the trail he started on the jump for the corral, leaving Miss
+Sally in the lurch.
+
+"Well! if that ain't just like you, Ike Stedman!" sputtered the
+red-haired schoolma'am. "Bringin' that puffin' abomination over this
+trail. Ain't you afraid it'll buck and throw yuh?"
+
+"I got it gentled--it'll eat right off yuh hand," grinned the foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+"And I was going to ride in to Bullhide," exclaimed Sally. "I won't be
+able to catch the pony in a week."
+
+"You hop in with me, Sally," urged Ike, blushing very red. "I'm goin' to
+Bullhide."
+
+"Go joy-ridin' with _you_, Mr. Stedman?" responded the schoolma'am. "I
+don't know about that. Are you to be trusted with that automobile?"
+
+"I tell yuh I got it gentled," declared Ike. "And I got to be moving on
+mighty quick." He told Sally why in a few words and immediately the
+young lady was interested.
+
+"That Ruth Fielding! Isn't she a plucky one for a Down East girl? But
+she's too young to nurse that sick man. And she'll catch the fever
+herself like enough."
+
+"Hope not," grunted Ike. "That would be an awful misfortune. She's the
+nicest little thing that ever grazed on _this_ range--yuh hear me!"
+
+"Well," said Sally, briskly. "I got to go to town and I might as well
+take my life in my hands and go with you, Ike," and she swung herself
+into the seat beside him.
+
+Ike started the machine again. He was delighted. Never before had Sally
+Dickson allowed him to be alone with her more than a scant few moments
+at a time. Ike began to swallow hard, the perspiration stood on his brow
+and he grew actually pale around the mouth. It seemed to him as though
+everything inside of him rose up in his throat. As he told about it long
+afterward, if somebody had shot him through the body just then it would
+only have made a flesh-wound!
+
+"Sally!" he gasped, before her father's store and the schoolhouse were
+out of sight.
+
+"Why, Ike! what's the matter with you? Are you sick?"
+
+"N-no! I ain't sick," mumbled the bashful one.
+
+"You're surely not scared?" demanded Sally. "There hasn't anything
+happened wrong to this automobile?"
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+"Are you sure? It bumps a whole lot--Ugh! It's not running away, is it?"
+
+"I tell yuh it's tame all right," grunted Ike.
+
+"Then, what's the matter with you, Ike Stedman?" demanded the
+schoolmistress, with considerable sharpness.
+
+"I--I'm suah in love with yuh, Sally! That's what's the matter with me.
+Now, don't you laugh--I mean it."
+
+"Well, my soul!" exclaimed the practical Sally, "don't let it take such
+a hold on you, Ike. Other men have been in love before--or thought they
+was--and it ain't given 'em a conniption fit."
+
+"I got it harder than most men," Ike was able to articulate. "Why,
+Sally, I love you so hard _that it makes me ache_!"
+
+The red-haired schoolmistress looked at him for a silent moment. Her
+eyes were pretty hard at first; but finally a softer light came into
+them and a faint little blush colored her face.
+
+"Well, Ike! is that all you've got to say?" she asked.
+
+"Why--why, Sally! I got lots to say, only it's plugged up and I can't
+seem to get it out," stammered Ike. "I got five hundred head o' steers,
+and I've proven on a quarter-section of as nice land as there is in this
+State--and there's a good open range right beside it yet----"
+
+"I never _did_ think I'd marry a bunch o' steers," murmured Sally.
+
+"Why--why, Sally, punchin' cattle is about all I know how to do well,"
+declared Bashful Ike. "But you say the word and I'll try any business
+you like better."
+
+"I wouldn't want you to change your business, Ike," said Sally, turning
+her head away. "But--but ain't you got anything else to offer me but
+those steers?"
+
+"Why--why," stammered poor Ike again. "I ain't got nothin' else but
+myself----"
+
+She turned on him swiftly with her face all smiling and her eyes
+twinkling.
+
+"There, Ike Stedman!" she ejaculated in her old, sharp way. "Have you
+finally got around to offering _yourself_? My soul! if you practiced on
+every girl you met for the next hundred years you'd never learn how to
+ask her to marry you proper. I'd better take you, Ike, and save the rest
+of the female tribe a whole lot of trouble."
+
+"D'ye mean it, Sally?" cried the bewildered and delighted foreman of
+Silver Ranch.
+
+"I sure do."
+
+"Ye-yi-yip!" yelled Ike, and the next moment the big touring car wabbled
+all over the trail and came near to dumping the loving pair into the
+gully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV--COALS OF FIRE
+
+
+Once Bashful Ike had taken the bit in his teeth, his nickname never
+fitted him again. He believed in striking while the iron was hot, Ike
+did. And before the touring car ran them down into Bullhide, he had
+talked so hard and talked so fast that he had really swept Miss Sally
+Dickson away on the tide of his eloquence, and she had agreed to Ike's
+getting the marriage license and their being wedded on the spot!
+
+But the foreman of Silver Ranch found Dr. Burgess first and made the
+physician promise to accompany him to Tintacker. The doctor said he
+would be ready in an hour.
+
+"Gives us just about time enough, Sally," declared the suddenly awakened
+Ike. "I'll have that license and we'll catch Parson Brownlow on the fly.
+Come on!"
+
+"For pity's sake, Ike!" gasped the young lady. "You take my breath
+away."
+
+"We ain't got no time to fool," declared Ike. And within the hour he was
+a Benedict and Sally Dickson had become Mrs. Ike Stedman.
+
+"And I'm going over to Tintacker with you, Ike," she declared as they
+awaited before the doctor's office in the big automobile. "That poor
+fellow over there will need somebody more'n Ruth Fielding to nurse him.
+It takes skill to bring folks out of a fever spell. I nursed Dad through
+a bad case of it two year ago, and I know what to do."
+
+"That's all right, Sally," agreed Ike. "I'll make Old Bill give me muh
+time, if need be, and we'll spend our honeymoon at Tintacker. I kin fix
+up one of the old shacks to suit us to camp in. I don't wish that poor
+feller over there any harm," he added, smiling broadly at the pretty
+girl beside him, "but if it hadn't been that he got this fever, you an'
+I wouldn't be married now, honey."
+
+"You can thank Ruth Fielding--if you want to be thankful to anybody,"
+returned Sally, in her brisk way. "But maybe you won't be so thankful a
+year or two from now, Ike."
+
+Dr. Burgess came with his black bag and they were off. The automobile--as
+Sally said herself--behaved "like an angel," and they reached Silver
+Ranch (after halting for a brief time at the Crossing for Sally to pack
+_her_ bag and acquaint Old Lem Dickson of the sudden and unexpected
+change in her condition) late at night. Old Bill Hicks was off for
+Tintacker and the party remained only long enough to eat and for Bob
+Steele to go over the mechanism of the badly-shaken motor-car.
+
+"I'll drive you on to the river myself, Ike," he said. "You are all
+going on from there on horseback, I understand, and I'll bring the
+machine back here."
+
+But when the newly-married couple and the physician had eaten what Maria
+could hastily put before them, and were ready to re-enter the car, Mary
+Cox came out upon the verandah, ready to go likewise.
+
+"For pity's sake, Mary!" gasped Heavy. "You don't want to ride over to
+the river with them."
+
+"I'm going to those mines," said The Fox, defiantly.
+
+"What for?" asked Jane Ann, who had arrived at the ranch herself only a
+short time before.
+
+"That's my business. I am going," returned The Fox, shortly.
+
+"Why, you can't do any such thing," began Jane Ann; but Mary turned to
+Ike and proffered her request:
+
+"Isn't there room for me in the car, Mr. Stedman?"
+
+"Why, I reckon so, Miss," agreed Ike, slowly.
+
+"And won't there be a pony for me to ride from the river to Tintacker?"
+
+"I reckon we can find one."
+
+"Then I'm going," declared Mary, getting promptly into the tonneau with
+the doctor and Sally. "I've just as good a reason for being over
+there--maybe a better reason for going--than Ruth Fielding."
+
+None of her girl friends made any comment upon this statement in Mary's
+hearing; but Madge declared, as the car chugged away from the
+ranch-house:
+
+"I'll never again go anywhere with that girl unless she has a change of
+heart! She is just as mean as she can be."
+
+"She's the limit!" said Heavy, despondently. "And I used to think she
+wasn't a bad sort."
+
+"And once upon a time," said Helen Cameron, gravely, "I followed her
+leadership to the neglect of Ruth. I really thought The Fox was the very
+smartest girl I had ever met."
+
+"But she couldn't hold the Up and Doing Club together," quoth the stout
+girl.
+
+"Ruth's Sweetbriars finished both the Upedes and the Fussy Curls,"
+laughed Madge, referring to the two social clubs at Briarwood Hall,
+which had been quite put-out of countenance by the Sweetbriar
+Association which had been inaugurated by the girl from the Red Mill.
+
+"And The Fox has never forgiven Ruth," declared Heavy.
+
+"What she means by forcing herself on this party at Tintacker, gets my
+time!" exclaimed Jane Ann.
+
+"Sally will make her walk a chalk line if she goes over there with her,"
+laughed Helen. "Think of her and Ike getting married without a word to
+anybody!"
+
+Jane Ann laughed, too, at that. "Sally whispered to me that she never
+would have taken Ike so quick if it hadn't been for what we did at the
+party the other night. She was afraid some of the other girls around
+here would see what a good fellow Ike was and want to marry him. She's
+always intended to take him some time, she said; but it was Ruth that
+settled the affair at that time."
+
+"I declare! Ruth _does_ influence a whole lot of folk, doesn't she?"
+murmured Heavy. "I never saw such a girl."
+
+And that last was the comment Dr. Burgess made regarding the girl of the
+Red Mill after the party arrived at Tintacker. They reached the mine
+just at daybreak the next morning. Mary Cox had kept them back some, for
+she was not a good rider. But she had cried and taken on so when Sally
+and Ike did not want her to go farther than the river, that they were
+really forced to allow her to continue the entire journey.
+
+Dr. Burgess examined the sick man and pronounced him to be in a very
+critical condition. But he surely had improved since the hour that Ruth
+and Jib Pottoway had found him. Old Bill Hicks had helped care for the
+patient during the night; but Ruth had actually gone ahead with
+everything and--without much doubt, the doctor added--the stranger could
+thank her for his life if he _did_ recover.
+
+"That girl is all right!" declared the physician, preparing to return
+the long miles he had come by relays of horses to the ranch-house, and
+from thence to Bullhide in the automobile. "She has done just the right
+thing."
+
+"She's a mighty cute young lady," admitted Bill Hicks. "And this
+chap--John Cox, or whatever his name is--ought to feel that she's squared
+things up with him over that bear business----"
+
+"Then you have learned his name?" queried Tom Cameron, who was present.
+
+"I got the coat away from him when he was asleep in the night," said Mr.
+Hicks. "He had letters and papers and a wad of banknotes in it. Ruth's
+got 'em all. She says he is the man with whom her Uncle Jabez went into
+partnership over the old Tintacker claims. Mebbe the feller's struck a
+good thing after all. He seems to have an assayer's report among his
+papers that promises big returns on some specimens he had assayed. If he
+dug 'em out of the Tintacker Claim mebbe the old hole in the ground will
+take on a new lease of life."
+
+At that moment Mary Cox pushed forward, with Sally holding her by the
+arm.
+
+"I've got to know!" cried The Fox. "You must tell me. Does the--the poor
+fellow say his name is Cox?"
+
+"Jest the same as yourn, Miss," remarked Old Bill, watching her closely.
+"Letters and deeds all to 'John Cox.'"
+
+"I know it! I feared it all along!" cried The Fox, wringing her hands.
+"I saw him in the canyon when he shot the bear and he looked so much like
+John----"
+
+"He's related to you, then, Miss?" asked the doctor.
+
+"He's my brother--I know he is!" cried Mary, and burst into tears.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV--AT THE OLD RED MILL AGAIN
+
+
+The mist hovered over the river as though loth to uncover the dimpling
+current; yet the rising sun was insistent--its warm, soft September rays
+melting the jealous mist and uncovering, rod by rod, the sleeping
+stream. Ruth, fresh from her bed and looking out of the little window of
+her old room at the Red Mill farmhouse, thought that, after all, the
+scene was quite as soothing and beautiful as any of the fine landscapes
+she had observed during her far-western trip.
+
+For the Briarwood Hall girls were back from their sojourn at Silver
+Ranch. They had arrived the night before. Montana, and the herds of
+cattle, and the vast canons and far-stretching plains, would be but a
+memory to them hereafter. Their vacation on the range was ended, and in
+another week Briarwood Hall would open again and lessons must be
+attended to.
+
+Jane Ann Hicks would follow them East in time to join the school the
+opening week. Ruth looked back upon that first day at school a year ago
+when she and Helen Cameron had become "Infants" at Briarwood. They would
+make it easier for Jane Ann, remembering so keenly how strange they had
+felt before they attained the higher classes.
+
+The last of the mist rolled away and the warm sun revealed all the river
+and the woods and pastures beyond. Ruth kissed her hand to it and then,
+hearing a door close softly below-stairs, she hurried her dressing and
+ran down to the farmhouse kitchen. The little, stooping figure of an old
+woman was bent above the stove, muttering in a sort of sing-song
+refrain:
+
+"Oh, my back! and oh, my bones!"
+
+"Then let somebody else save your back and bones, Aunt Alviry!" cried
+Ruth, putting her arms around the old housekeeper's neck. "There! how
+good it is to see you again. Sit right down there. You are to play lady.
+_I_ am going to get the breakfast."
+
+"But your Uncle Jabez wants hot muffins, my pretty," objected Aunt
+Alvirah.
+
+"And don't you suppose anybody can make muffins but you?" queried Ruth,
+blithely. "I made 'em out to Silver Ranch. Maria, the Mexican cook,
+taught me. Even Uncle Jabez will like them made by my recipe--now you see
+if he doesn't."
+
+And the miller certainly praised the muffins--by eating a full half dozen
+of them. Of course, he did not say audibly that they were good.
+
+And yet, Uncle Jabez had a much more companionable air about him than he
+had ever betrayed before--at least, within the knowledge of Ruth
+Fielding. He smiled--and that not grimly--as the girl related some of her
+experiences during her wonderful summer vacation.
+
+"It was a great trip--and wonderful," she sighed, finally. "Of course,
+the last of it was rather spoiled by Mary Cox's brother being so ill.
+And the doctors found, when they got the better of the fever, that his
+head had been hurt some months before, and that is why he had wandered
+about there, without writing East--either to his folks or to you, Uncle
+Jabez. But he's all right now, and Mary expects to bring him home from
+Denver, where he stopped over, in a few days. She'll be home in time for
+the opening of school, at least," and here Ruth's voice halted and her
+face changed color, while she looked beseechingly at Uncle Jabez.
+
+The miller cleared his throat and looked at her. Aunt Alvirah stopped
+eating, too, and she and Ruth gazed anxiously at the flint-like face of
+the old man.
+
+"I got a letter from that lawyer at Bullhide, Montana, two days ago,
+Niece Ruth," said Uncle Jabez, in his harsh voice. "He has been going
+over the Tintacker affairs, and he has proved up on that young Cox's
+report. The young chap is as straight as a string. The money he got from
+me is all accounted for. And according to the assayers the new vein Cox
+discovered will mill as high as two hundred dollars to the ton of ore.
+If we work it as a stock company it will make us money; but young Cox
+being in such bad shape physically, and his finances being as they are,
+we'll probably decide to sell out to a syndicate of Denver people. Cox
+will close the contract with them before he comes East, it may be, and
+on such terms," added Uncle Jabez with a satisfaction that he could not
+hide, "that it will be the very best investment I ever made."
+
+"Oh, Uncle!" cried Ruth Fielding.
+
+"Yes," said Uncle Jabez, with complacency. "The mine is going to pay us
+well. Fortunately you was insistent on finding and speaking to young
+Cox. If you had not found him--and if he had not recovered his health--it
+might have been many months before I could have recovered even the money
+I had put into the young man's scheme. And--so he says--_you_ saved his
+life, Ruthie."
+
+"That's just talk, Uncle," cried the girl. "Don't you believe it.
+Anybody would have done the same."
+
+"However that may be, and whether it is due to you in any particular
+that I can quickly realize on my investment," said the miller, rising
+suddenly from the table, "circumstances are such now that there is no
+reason why you shouldn't have another term or two at school--if you want
+to go."
+
+"_Want to go to Briarwood!_ Oh, Uncle!" gasped Ruth.
+
+"Then I take it you _do_ want to go?"
+
+"More than anything else in the world!" declared his niece, reverently.
+
+"Wall, Niece Ruth," he concluded, with his usual manner. "If your Aunt
+Alviry can spare ye----"
+
+"Don't think about me, Jabez, don't think about me," cried the little
+old woman. "Just what my pretty wants--that will please her Aunt Alviry."
+
+Ruth ran and seized the hard hand of the miller before he could get out
+of the kitchen. "Oh, Uncle!" she cried, kissing his hand. "You _are_
+good to me!"
+
+"Nonsense, child!" he returned, roughly, and went out.
+
+Ruth turned to the little old woman, down whose face the tears were
+coursing unreproved.
+
+"And you, too, Auntie! You are too good to me! Everybody is too good to
+me! Look at the Camerons! and Jennie Stone! and all the rest. And Mary
+Cox just hugged me tight when we came away and said she loved me--that I
+had saved her brother's life. And Mr. Bill Hicks--and Jimsey and the
+other boys. And Bashful Ike and Sally made me promise that if ever I
+could get out West again I should spend a long time at their home----
+
+"Oh, dear, me Aunt Alvirah," finished the girl of the Red Mill, with a
+tearful but happy sigh, "this world is a very beautiful place after all,
+and the people in it are just lovely!"
+
+There were many more adventures in store for Ruth, and what some of them
+were will be related in the next volume of this series, to be entitled:
+"Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure Box," in
+which will be related the particulars of a most surprising mystery.
+
+"Only one Ruthie!" mused old Jabez. "Only one, but she's quite a
+gal--yes, quite a gal!"
+
+And we agree with him; don't we, reader?
+
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+THE RUTH FIELDING SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+RUTH FIELDING OF THE RED MILL _or Jasper Parole's Secret_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT BRIARWOOD HALL _or Solving the Campus Mystery_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SNOW CAMP _or Lost in the Backwoods_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINT _or Nita, the Girl Castaway_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SILVER RANCH _or Schoolgirls Among the Cowboys_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON CLIFF ISLAND _or The Old Hunter's Treasure Box_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT SUNRISE FARM _or What Became of the Raby Orphans_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AND THE GYPSIES _or The Missing Pearl Necklace_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN MOVING PICTURES _or Helping the Dormitory Fund_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN IN DIXIE _or Great Days in the Land of Cotton_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT COLLEGE _or The Missing Examination Papers_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE SADDLE _or College Girls in the Land of Gold_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE RED CROSS _or Doing Her Bit for Uncle Sam_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT THE WAR FRONT _or The Hunt for a Lost Soldier_
+
+RUTH FIELDING HOMEWARD BOUND _or A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils_
+
+RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST _or The Hermit of Beach Plum Point_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST _or The Indian Girl Star of the
+Movies_
+
+RUTH FIELDING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE _or The Queer Old Man of the Thousand
+Islands_
+
+RUTH FIELDING TREASURE HUNTING _or A Moving Picture that Became Real_
+
+RUTH FIELDING IN THE FAR NORTH _or The Lost Motion Picture Company_
+
+RUTH FIELDING AT GOLDEN PASS _or The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche_
+
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+BILLIE BRADLEY SERIES
+
+By JANET D. WHEELER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER INHERITANCE _or The Queer Homestead at Cherry
+Corners_
+
+Billie Bradley fell heir to an old homestead that was unoccupied and
+located far away in a lonely section of the country. How Billie went
+there, accompanied by some of her chums, and what queer things happened,
+go to make up a story no girl will want to miss.
+
+2. BILLIE BRADLEY AT THREE-TOWERS HALL _or Leading a Needed Rebellion_
+
+Three-Towers Hall was a boarding school for girls. For a short time
+after Billie arrived there all went well. But then the head of the
+school had to go on a long journey and she left the girls in charge of
+two teachers, sisters, who believed in severe discipline and in very,
+very plain food and little of it--and then there was a row! The girls
+wired for the head to come back--and all ended happily.
+
+3. BILLIE BRADLEY ON LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND _or The Mystery of the Wreck_
+
+One of Billie's friends owned a summer bungalow on Lighthouse Island,
+near the coast. The school girls made up a party and visited the Island.
+There was a storm and a wreck, and three little children were washed
+ashore. They could tell nothing of themselves, and Billie and her chums
+set to work to solve the mystery of their identity.
+
+4. BILLIE BRADLEY AND HER CLASSMATES _or The Secret of the Locked Tower_
+
+Billie and her chums come to the rescue of several little children who
+have broken through the ice. There is the mystery of a lost invention,
+and also the dreaded mystery of the locked school tower.
+
+5. BILLIE BRADLEY AT TWIN LAKES _or Jolly Schoolgirls Afloat and Ashore_
+
+A tale of outdoor adventure in which Billie and her chums have a great
+variety of adventures. They visit an artists' colony and there fall in
+with a strange girl living with an old boatman who abuses her
+constantly. Billie befriended Hulda and the mystery surrounding the girl
+was finally cleared up.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE BETTY GORDON SERIES
+
+By ALICE B. EMERSON
+
+_Author of the Famous "Ruth Fielding" Series_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A series of stories by Alice B. Emerson which are bound to make this
+writer more popular than ever with her host of girl readers._
+
+1. BETTY GORDON AT BRAMBLE FARM _or The Mystery of a Nobody_
+
+At the age of twelve Betty is left an orphan.
+
+2. BETTY GORDON IN WASHINGTON _or Strange Adventures in a Great City_
+
+In this volume Betty goes to the National Capitol to find her uncle and
+has several unusual adventures.
+
+3. BETTY GORDON IN THE LAND OF OIL _or The Farm That Was Worth a
+Fortune_
+
+From Washington the scene is shifted to the great oil fields of our
+country. A splendid picture of the oil field operations of to-day.
+
+4. BETTY GORDON AT BOARDING SCHOOL _or The Treasure of Indian Chasm_
+
+Seeking the treasure of Indian Chasm makes an exceedingly interesting
+incident.
+
+5. BETTY GORDON AT MOUNTAIN CAMP _or The Mystery of Ida Bellethorne_
+
+At Mountain Camp Betty found herself in the midst of a mystery involving
+a girl whom she had previously met in Washington.
+
+6. BETTY GORDON AT OCEAN PARK _or School Chums on the Boardwalk_
+
+A glorious outing that Betty and her chums never forgot.
+
+7. BETTY GORDON AND HER SCHOOL CHUMS _or Bringing the Rebels to Terms_
+
+Rebellious students, disliked teachers and mysterious robberies make a
+fascinating story.
+
+8. BETTY GORDON AT RAINBOW RANCH _or Cowboy Joe's Secret_
+
+Betty and her chums have a grand time in the saddle.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE LINGER-NOT SERIES
+
+By AGNES MILLER
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_This new series of girls' books is in a new style of story writing. The
+interest is in knowing the girls and seeing them solve the problems that
+develop their character. Incidentally, a great deal of historical
+information is imparted._
+
+1. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE MYSTERY HOUSE _or The Story of Nine
+Adventurous Girls_
+
+How the Linger-Not girls met and formed their club seems commonplace,
+but this writer makes it fascinating, and how they made their club serve
+a great purpose continues the interest to the end, and introduces a new
+type of girlhood.
+
+2. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE VALLEY FEUD _or The Great West Point Chain_
+
+The Linger-Not girls had no thought of becoming mixed up with feuds or
+mysteries, but their habit of being useful soon entangled them in some
+surprising adventures that turned out happily for all, and made the
+valley better because of their visit.
+
+3. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THEIR GOLDEN QUEST _or The Log of the Ocean
+Monarch_
+
+For a club of girls to become involved in a mystery leading back into
+the times of the California gold-rush, seems unnatural until the reader
+sees how it happened, and how the girls helped one of their friends to
+come into her rightful name and inheritance, forms a fine story.
+
+4. THE LINGER-NOTS AND THE WHISPERING CHARMS _or The Secret from Old
+Alaska_
+
+Whether engrossed in thrilling adventures in the Far North or occupied
+with quiet home duties, the Linger-Not girls could work unitedly to
+solve a colorful mystery in a way that interpreted American freedom to a
+sad young stranger, and brought happiness to her and to themselves.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE GIRL SCOUT SERIES
+
+By LILIAN GARIS
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_The highest ideals of girlhood as advocated by the foremost
+organizations of America form the background for these stories and while
+unobtrusive there is a message in every volume._
+
+1. THE GIRL SCOUT PIONEERS _or Winning the First B. C._
+
+A story of the True Tred Troop in a Pennsylvania town. Two runaway
+girls, who want to see the city, are reclaimed through troop influence.
+The story is correct in scout detail.
+
+2. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT BELLAIRE _or Maid Mary's Awakening_
+
+The story of a timid little maid who is afraid to take part in other
+girls' activities, while working nobly alone for high ideals. How she
+was discovered by the Bellaire Troop and came into her own as "Maid
+Mary" makes a fascinating story.
+
+3. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT SEA CREST _or The Wig Wag Rescue_
+
+Luna Land, a little island by the sea, is wrapt in a mysterious
+seclusion, and Kitty Scuttle, a grotesque figure, succeeds in keeping
+all others at bay until the Girl Scouts come.
+
+4. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP COMALONG _or Peg of Tamarack Hills_
+
+The girls of Bobolink Troop spend their summer on the shores of Lake
+Hocomo. Their discovery of Peg, the mysterious rider, and the clearing
+up of her remarkable adventures afford a vigorous plot.
+
+5. THE GIRL SCOUTS AT ROCKY LEDGE _or Nora's Real Vacation_
+
+Nora Blair is the pampered daughter of a frivolous mother. Her dislike
+for the rugged life of Girl Scouts is eventually changed to
+appreciation, when the rescue of little Lucia, a woodland waif, becomes
+a problem for the girls to solve.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE RADIO GIRLS SERIES
+
+By MARGARET PENROSE
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+_A new and up-to-date series, taking in the activities of several bright
+girls who become interested in radio. The stories tell of thrilling
+exploits, outdoor life and the great part the Radio plays in the
+adventures of the girls and in solving their mysteries. Fascinating
+books that girls of all ages will want to read._
+
+1. THE RADIO GIRLS OF ROSELAWN _or A Strange Message from the Air_
+
+Showing how Jessie Norwood and her chums became interested in
+radiophoning, how they gave a concert for a worthy local charity, and
+how they received a sudden and unexpected call for help out of the air.
+A girl wanted as witness in a celebrated law case disappears, and the
+radio girls go to the rescue.
+
+2. THE RADIO GIRLS ON THE PROGRAM _or Singing and Reciting at the
+Sending Station_
+
+When listening in on a thrilling recitation or a superb concert number
+who of us has not longed to "look behind the scenes" to see how it was
+done? The girls had made the acquaintance of a sending station manager
+and in this volume are permitted to get on the program, much to their
+delight. A tale full of action and fun.
+
+3. THE RADIO GIRLS ON STATION ISLAND _or The Wireless from the Steam
+Yacht_
+
+In this volume the girls travel to the seashore and put in a vacation on
+an island where is located a big radio sending station. The big brother
+of one of the girls owns a steam yacht and while out with a pleasure
+party those on the island receive word by radio that the yacht is on
+fire. A tale thrilling to the last page.
+
+4. THE RADIO GIRLS AT FOREST LODGE _or The Strange Hut in the Swamp_
+
+The Radio Girls spend several weeks on the shores of a beautiful lake
+and with their radio get news of a great forest fire. It also aids them
+in rounding up some undesirable folks who occupy the strange hut in the
+swamp.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+THE CURLYTOPS SERIES
+
+By HOWARD R. GARIS
+
+_Author of the famous "Bedtime Animal Stories"_
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. THE CURLYTOPS AT CHERRY FARM _or Vacation Days in the Country_
+
+A tale of happy vacation days on a farm.
+
+2. THE CURLYTOPS ON STAR ISLAND _or Camping out with Grandpa_
+
+The Curlytops were delighted when grandpa took them to camp on Star
+Island.
+
+3. THE CURLYTOPS SNOWED IN _or Grand Fun with Skates and Sleds_
+
+The Curlytops, with their skates and sleds, on lakes and hills.
+
+4. THE CURLYTOPS AT UNCLE FRANK'S RANCH _or Little Folks on Ponyback_
+
+Out West on their uncle's ranch they have a wonderful time.
+
+5. THE CURLYTOPS AT SILVER LAKE _or On the Water with Uncle Ben_
+
+The Curlytops camp out on the shores of a beautiful lake.
+
+6. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PETS _or Uncle Toby's Strange Collection_
+
+An old uncle leaves them to care for his collection of pets.
+
+7. THE CURLYTOPS AND THEIR PLAYMATES _or Jolly Times Through the
+Holidays_
+
+They have great times with their uncle's collection of animals.
+
+8. THE CURLYTOPS IN THE WOODS _or Fun at the Lumber Camp_
+
+Exciting times in the forest for Curlytops.
+
+9. THE CURLYTOPS AT SUNSET BEACH _or What Was Found in the Sand_
+
+The Curlytops have a fine time at the seashore, bathing, digging in the
+sand and pony-back riding.
+
+10. THE CURLYTOPS TOURING AROUND _or Delightful Days in Pleasant Places_
+
+The Curlytops fall in with a moving picture company and get in some of
+the pictures.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS SERIES
+
+By MABEL C. HAWLEY
+
+_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_
+
+_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid_
+
+1. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT BROOKSIDE FARM
+
+Mother called them her Four Little Blossoms, but Daddy Blossom called
+them Bobby, Meg, and the twins. The twins, Twaddles and Dot, were a
+comical pair and always getting into mischief. The children had heaps of
+fun around the big farm.
+
+2. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AT OAK HILL SCHOOL
+
+In the Fall, Bobby and Meg had to go to school. It was good fun, for
+Miss Mason was a kind teacher. Then the twins insisted on going to
+school, too, and their appearance quite upset the class. In school
+something very odd happened.
+
+3. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS AND THEIR WINTER FUN
+
+Winter came and with it lots of ice and snow, and oh! what fun the
+Blossoms had skating and sledding. And once Bobby and Meg went on an
+errand and got lost in a sudden snowstorm.
+
+4. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS ON APPLE TREE ISLAND
+
+The Four Little Blossoms went to a beautiful island in the middle of a
+big lake and there had a grand time on the water and in the woods. And
+in a deserted cabin they found some letters which helped an old man to
+find his missing wife.
+
+5. FOUR LITTLE BLOSSOMS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
+
+The story starts at Thanksgiving. They went skating and coasting, and
+they built a wonderful snowman, and one day Bobby and his chums visited
+a carpenter shop on the sly, and that night the shop burnt down, and
+there was trouble for the boys.
+
+_Send for Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_
+
+CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, _Publishers_ NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch, by Alice B. Emerson
+
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