CHAPTER PAGE

I. Ruth in peril                         1
II.  A perfect shot                       10
III.  In the ring                          18
IV.  Smoking the peace pipe               26
V. Inspiration                          34
VI.  Everybody agrees but Dakota Joe      43
VII.  Dakota Joe’s wrath                   50
VIII.  A wonderful event                    59
IX.  The plot develops                    65
X. One new York day                     75
XI.  Evading the traffic police           89
XII.  Bound for the Northwest              96
XIII.  Dakota Joe makes A demand           104
XIV.  The Hubbell ranch                   112
XV.  Pursuing danger                     122
XVI.  NEWS and A threat                   130
XVII.  The prologue is finished            138
XVIII.  An accident threatening             146
XIX.  In deadly peril                     154
XX.  Good news                           160
XXI.  A bull and A bear                   168
XXII.  In the canyon                       175
XXIII.  Reality                             183
XXIV.  Wonota’s surprise                   192
XXV.  Other surprises                     198

RUTH FIELDING IN THE GREAT NORTHWEST

CHAPTER I

RUTH IN PERIL

The gray dust, spurting from beneath the treads of the rapidly turning wheels, drifted across the country road to settle on the wayside hedges.  The purring of the engine of Helen Cameron’s car betrayed the fact that it was tuned to perfection.  If there were any rough spots in the road being traveled, the shock absorbers took care of them.

“Dear me!  I always do love to ride in Nell’s car,” said the plump and pretty girl who occupied more than her share of the rear seat.  “Even if Tom isn’t here to take care of it, it always is so comfy.”

“Only one thing would suit you better, Heavy,” declared the sharp-featured and sharp-tongued girl sitting next to Jennie Stone.  “If only a motor could be connected to a rocking-chair—­”

“Right-o!” agreed the cheerful plump girl.  “And have it on a nice shady porch.  I’d like to travel that way just as well.  After our experience in France we ought to be allowed to travel in comfort for the rest of our lives.  Isn’t that so, Nell?  And you agree, Ruthie?”

The girl at the wheel of the flying automobile nodded only, for she needed to keep her gaze fixed ahead.  But the brown-haired, brown-eyed girl, whose quiet face seemed rather wistful, turned to smile upon the volatile—­and voluble—­Heavy Stone, so nicknamed during their early school days at Briarwood Hall.

“Don’t let’s talk about it, honey,” she said.  “I try not to think of what we all went through.”

“And the soup I tasted!” groaned the plump one.  “That diet kitchen in Paris!  I’ll never get over it—­never!”