h 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 _a 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