Ruth Fielding in the Great Northwest | Page 9

of the way and her guardian is the Indian Agent at Three Rivers
Station in Oklahoma where the Osages have their reservation. As I say,
this gal has writ to the agent and told him a pack o' lies about how bad
she is treated. And she ain't treated bad a mite."
"Well, Mr. Fenbrook?" demanded Ruth again.
"Why, see now. This Injun gal thinks well of you. I know what she's
told the other performers. And I see her looking at you. Naturally,
being nothin' but a redskin, she'll look up to a white lady like you. You
tell her she's mighty well off here, all things considered--will you? Just
tell her how hard some gals of her age have to work, while all she does
is to ride and shoot in a show. All them Injuns is crazy to be play-actors,
you know. Even old Chief Totantora was till he got mixed up with
them Germans when the war come on.
"Huh? You savvy my idee, Miss? Jest tell her she's better off with the
show than she would be anywhere else. Will you? Do as I say, Miss,
and I'll slip you a bunch of tickets for all your friends. We're showin' at
Great Forks on Friday, at Perryville Saturday, and at Lymansburg fust
of the week. You can take your friends in and have fust-class seats to
all them places."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Fenbrook," said Ruth, having difficulty to
keep from laughing. "But owing to other engagements I could not
possibly accept your kind offer. However, I will speak to the girl and
advise her to the best of my ability."
Which was exactly what Ruth did when, later, she and her friends were
met by the Princess Wonota at the exit of the big tent. The girl of the
Red Mill had had no opportunity to explain to Helen and Jennie and
Mercy in full about her interview with Dakota Joe. But she was quite
decided as to what she proposed to do.
"Let us go on to the automobile, girls," Ruth said, taking Wonota's
hand. "We want to talk where nobody will overhear us."
It was Mercy, when they arrived at Helen's car, who put the first

question to the Indian maid:
"Why didn't you shoot that man? I would have done so!"
"Oh, hush, Mercy!" ejaculated Jennie Stone. "She will think you are
quite a savage."
Helen laughed gaily and helped Wonota into the tonneau.
"Come on!" she cried. "Let us smoke the peace-pipe and tell each other
all our past lives."
But Ruth remained rather grave, looking steadily at the Indian girl.
When they were seated, she said:
"If you care to confide in us, Wonota, perhaps we can advise you, or
even help you. I know that you are unhappy and unkindly treated at this
show. I owe you so much that I would be glad to feel that I had done
something for you in return."
The grave face of the Indian girl broke into a slow smile. When she did
smile, Ruth thought her very winsome indeed. Now that she had
removed her headdress and wore her black hair in two glossy plaits
over her shoulders, she was even more attractive.
"You are very kind," Wonota said. "But perhaps I should not trouble
you with any of my difficulties."
"If you have troubles," interposed Jennie, "you've come to the right
shop. We all have 'em and a few more won't hurt us a bit. We're just
dying to know why that man treats you so mean."
"He wouldn't treat me that way!" put in Mercy vigorously.
"But you see I--I am quite alone," explained Wonota. "Since Father
Totantora went away I have been without any kin and almost without
friends in our nation."
"That is it," said Ruth. "Begin at the beginning. Tell us how the chief

came to leave you, and how you got mixed up with this Dakota Joe. I
have a very small opinion of that man," added the girl of the Red Mill,
"and I do not think you should remain in his care."
CHAPTER V
INSPIRATION
It was on the verge of evening, and a keen and searching wind was
blowing across the ruffled Lumano, when Helen Cameron's car and its
three occupants came in sight of the old Red Mill. Mercy Curtis had
been dropped at the Cheslow railway station, where she had the
"second trick" as telegraph operator.
For the last few miles of the journey from the Wild West Show there
had been a good-natured, wordy battle between Ruth and Helen as to
which of the twain was to have Jennie Stone for the night.
"Her trunk is at my house," Helen declared. "So now!"
"But her toilet bag is at