," as Helen declared, Wonota rode into the
ring.

She looked just as calm as she had when she had shot the bull which
threatened Ruth. Nothing seemed to flutter the Indian girl's pulse or to
change her staid expression. Yet the girls noticed that Dakota Joe
spurred his big horse to the white pony's side, and, unless they were
mistaken, the man said something to Wonota in no pleasant manner.

"Look at that fellow!" exclaimed Helen. "Hasn't he an ugly look?"

"I guess he didn't say anything pleasant to her," Ruth rejoined, for she
was a keen observer. "I shouldn't wonder if that girl was far from
happy."

"I shouldn't want to work for that Dakota Joe," added Mercy Curtis.
"Look at him!"

Unable to make Wonota's expression of countenance change, the man, who
was evidently angry with the Indian girl, struck the white pony sharply
with his whip. The pony jumped, and some of the spectators, thinking it
a part of the program, laughed.

Unexpecting Dakota Joe's act, Wonota was not prepared for her mount's
jump. She was almost thrown from the saddle. But the next instant she
had tightened the pony's rein, hauled it back on its haunches with a
strong hand, and wheeled the animal to face Dakota Joe.

What she said to the man certainly Ruth and her friends could not
understand. It was said in the Osage tongue in any case. But with the
words the Indian girl thrust forward the light rifle which she carried.
For a moment its blue muzzle was set full against the white man's
chest.

"Oh!" gasped Jennie. And she was not alone in thus giving vent to her
excitement. "Oh!"

"Why doesn't she shoot him?" drawled Mercy Curtis.

"I--I guess It was only in fun," said Helen rather shakingly, as the
Indian girl wheeled her mount again and rode away from Dakota Joe.

"I wouldn't want her to be that funny with me," gasped Jennie Stone.
"She must be a regular wild Indian, after all."

"I am sure, at least, that this Dakota Joe person would have deserved
little sympathy if she had shot him," declared Mercy, with confidence.

"Dear me," admitted Ruth herself, "I want to meet that girl more than
ever now. There must be some mystery regarding her connection with the
owner of the show. They certainly are not in accord."

"You've said something!" agreed Jennie, likewise with conviction.

If Wonota had been at all flurried because of her treatment by her
employer, she no longer showed it. Having ridden to the proper spot, she
wheeled the