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