Ruth Fielding in the Great Northwest | Page 6

here to watch the automobile now," went on
Helen, who was more nervous than her chum.
"Yes," Jennie remarked. "Here comes 'Silas Simpkins, the
straw-chewing rube,'" and she giggled.
The farmer was at hand, puffing and blowing. He assured them that
"that critter" was tightly housed and would do no more harm.
"Hope none o' you warn't hurt," he added. "By jinks! that bull is jest as
much excited by this here Wild West Show as I be. Did you pay me for
your ortymobile, young ladies?"
"I most certainly did," said Ruth. "Your bull did not drive all memory
away."
"All right. All right," said the farmer hastily. "I thought you did, but I
wasn't positive you'd remember it."
With which frank confession he turned away to meet another motor-car
party that was attempting to park their machine on his land.
The four girls got out into the dusty road and marched to the ticket
wagon that was gaily painted with the sign of "Dakota Joe's Wild West
and Frontier Round-Up."
"This is my treat," declared Ruth, going ahead to the ticket window
with the crowd. "I certainly should pay for all this excitement I have
got you girls into."
"Go as far as you like," said Jennie. "But to tell the truth, I think the
owner of the black bull should be taxed for this treat."
Dakota Joe's show was apparently very popular, for people were

coming to it not only from Longhaven and Cheslow, but from many
other towns and hamlets. This afternoon performance attracted many
women and children, and when the four young women from Cheslow
got into their reserved seats they found that they were right in the midst
of a lot of little folks.
The big ring, separated from the plank seats by a board fence put up in
sections, offered a large enough tanbark-covered course to enable steers
to be roped, bucking broncos exhibited, Indian riding races, and various
other events dear to the heart of the Wild West Show fans. And the
program of Dakota Joe's show was much like that of similar exhibitions.
He had some "real cowboys" and "sure-enough Indians," as well as
employees who were not thus advertised. The steers turned loose for
the cowboys to "bulldog" were rather tame animals, for they were used
to the employment. The "bronco busters" rode trick horses so well
trained that they really acted better than their masters. Some of the
roping and riding--especially by the Indians--was really good.
And then came a number on the program that the four girls from
Cheslow had impatiently awaited. The announcer (Dakota Joe himself,
on horseback and wearing hair to his shoulders à la Buffalo Bill) rode
into the center of the ring and held up a gauntleted hand for attention.
"We now offer you, ladies and gentlemen, an exhibition in rifle
shooting second to none on any program of any show in America
to-day. The men of the old West were most wonderful shots with rifle
or six-gun. To-day the new West produces a rifle shot that equals Wild
Bill Hickok, Colonel Cody himself, or Major Lillie. And to show that
the new West, ladies and gentlemen, is right up to the minute in this as
in every other pertic'lar, we offer Wonota, daughter of Chief Totantora,
princess of the Osage Indians, in a rifle-shooting act that, ladies and
gentlemen, is simply marv'lous--simply marv'lous!"
He waved a lordly hand, the band struck up a strident tune, and on a
"perfect love of a white pony," as Helen declared, Wonota rode into the
ring.
She looked just as calm as she had when she had shot the bull which

threatened Ruth. Nothing seemed to flutter the Indian girl's pulse or to
change her staid expression. Yet the girls noticed that Dakota Joe
spurred his big horse to the white pony's side, and, unless they were
mistaken, the man said something to Wonota in no pleasant manner.
"Look at that fellow!" exclaimed Helen. "Hasn't he an ugly look?"
"I guess he didn't say anything pleasant to her," Ruth rejoined, for she
was a keen observer. "I shouldn't wonder if that girl was far from
happy."
"I shouldn't want to work for that Dakota Joe," added Mercy Curtis.
"Look at him!"
Unable to make Wonota's expression of countenance change, the man,
who was evidently angry with the Indian girl, struck the white pony
sharply with his whip. The pony jumped, and some of the spectators,
thinking it a part of the program, laughed.
Unexpecting Dakota Joe's act, Wonota was not prepared for her
mount's jump. She was almost thrown from the saddle. But the next
instant she had tightened the pony's rein, hauled it back on its haunches
with a strong hand, and wheeled the animal to face Dakota