s
were decisive. Kit translated it to the girls as a flat refusal. Flat
refusals always spurred Bet on to further efforts.

"I'll get those baskets yet," she declared. "I want them. What's more
I've got an idea."

"Go ahead Bet and dream your little dream. You never dealt with an
'injun' before. Now you've met your Waterloo." Kit laughed. At heart
she was rather pleased to see Bet go up against a losing proposition
for once.

Bet tossed her head impudently at her friend but made no answer. The
determination in her glance proved that she had not given up the
struggle.

And late in the afternoon when the girls again walked down the canyon,
Bet was decked out in such brightly colored beads that she might have
been mistaken for an Indian girl herself. Strings of red, blue, amber,
green and orange encircled her neck.

"What are you trying to do, Bet?" exclaimed Shirley with a laugh. "Are
you trying to show off in front of the squaws to make them jealous?"

Enid laughingly began to count the strings.

"Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like this," Kit interrupted.

"Oh, keep quiet, all of you! I can wear as many strings of beads as I
want to. It's the latest style," she retorted with a grimace. "I have
an object in wearing them."

"It's a bribe to get those baskets!" cried Kit delightedly. "And maybe
you will, at that. Your methods are sound and business-like. I
thought you'd met your match, but now I'm inclined to think they have."

They were nearing the Indian camp and Bet noticed with pleasure the
surprised glances of the squaws. They did not look at the other girls.
Bet was the center of attraction.

Finally one Indian woman drew near and put out a brown finger to touch
the bright objects. Bet smiled and waited. "You like beads?" she
asked.

The squaw nodded and was joined by another one. Soon Bet was
surrounded. "You want them?" There were as many grunts of acceptance
as there were women there.

"You sell me some baskets?" asked Bet. "Then you can have the beads."

The squaws looked at each other then back at the bright beads. They
sidled away, without a word.

Bet's heart stood still. She had lost! Kit's eyes were shining with
triumph.

But only for a moment. The Indian women were busily at work emptying
the contents of their baskets into blankets. They were evidently
preparing to give her the best they had. Bet got several small
jar-like baskets besides two lar