The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-11
g CHAPTER xI.

] given up hope of rescuing her and as | he made his way down one of the | passages. her voice reached him. Running back he seized a pick and shovel. determined to dig through the ! wall and save her from being buried ] alive. It was done none too soon. l The sand was beginning to pour in around her neck just as the myster- dous horsenlan reached her. As they emerged wearily. he asked ! the girl if she knew why she was be- ing pursued. 1T am sure they are l after this amulet" she told him. "'It ] is the key to the cipher on the sacred ! Wannpum Belt, the only solution to the problem of the Golden Pool. But who are you, and why do you take ! such an interest in me?" she asked. 1 T am not at liberty to tell you," he smiled. 'but now I must take you
 back to the ranch house. Leaving the chamber they walked out the ! passageway which led to the spot { where their horses were resting. Then Sthey, started for the ranch. As they 5 rode aeross the plain. the girl saw 1 Phil coming toward them- She glee- fully announced it to the White Rider. He waited until the young man had ksighted his sweetheart. and then bade Ruth goodbye and galloped off madly. Back at the ranch house. Jim kuloonds and Julia were in ernest con- sultatfon- Loomis insisted on obtain ing possession of the amulet. so as to secure the Golden Pool.
 eff we fail to get the amulet" he said, we can still obtain large share of the wealth by keeping Ruth k from going back to the Golden Can yon in the next thirty days. That is the time allotted to her to decide wh ether the pool is to be the prop khrty of the Buffaloes or Blue Hawks. AS she ds hostile to our friends, the Blue Hawks, we stand a poor chance of prodtins by her decision. But if sshe should fail to appear at the can- tyon in time. the pool will be equally divided, and we will not be left out entirely.''
 +The only person who can read the kcipher the Wampum Belt is Stone Ear declared Julia, "and she won't read the belt unless she is given the ] amrlet.' The conspirat tors then agreed that Stone Ear must be found 9mm ediateiy.
 | At that moment Ruth and Phil ar krived at the ranch. They were greet ed warmly by the deceItf1l Julia and tIsoomis, who listened in feigned sur prise as they told of their experiences. AS they sat talking and chatting, ECroucting Mole suddenly made his Eappearance. Going up to Ruth. he said:
 "Only one moon remains wherein you must decide the ownership of Ethe Golden Pool. Our people are be I coming restless and demand that you tfeturn at once-'
 l But I have lost my only protec- ktion, the Wampum Belt replied the Egir7, and I fear your treachery. I Twill not return to the canyon until Ethe belt is found"
 I "T can promise you, Princess White Gagle.' he answered, that you will Ebe perfectly. safe We all have learn Ted a lesson from Standing Bear in EE our long absence, and only await the ! opportunity to prove 1t to you by a Etremendous welcome Much against come the next day. As 1he hour was
 getting late, and Ruth was weary | after the days experiences, they all Fdecided to retire for the night
 As Ioomis and Julia were about to follow, there was d knock at the door. -'Now show her the Wampum Belt, |" Ut was Henley bringing Stone Ear. .srute> signs" Stone Ear was shown ahe belt, after which she made signs to Henley.
 .'She says; she refuses to read the tcipher without a certain amulet which Miss Rand oIph possesses" explained the cowpuncher.
 I.oomis was dismayed. eve must get hold of that amulet some way
 ale said.
 r'I will get 1t tonight" Julia assur-
 ej him. we can't afford to waste any }-rnore time"
 At midnight Ruth suddenly awoke
 and sat up in bed. She could have tsworn someone had been in the. room. She felt about her neck. The amulet
 a droSSi0 q gown she opened the door of her ! room and stepped out into the hall
 inst in time to collide with Stone Ear,
 who had the amulet in her hand. The l old squaw had just escaped from t4dovn stairs and had snatched the token from Julia as the latter came
 from Ruth's room-
 ! The excitement in the hallway t4woke the entire household. All came running into Ruth's room, Phil anx-
 iously and Loomis and Julia feigu- fdng innocence. This is Stone Ear,''
 Ruth told them. '1he only person twho can read the Wampum Belt
 1T will take charge of the 'woman,' g
 declared the crafty Loomis, and if sthe belt is found later you can send
 for her" With that. the excitement psubsided.
 In the morning. as Ruth and Phil were getting into the stage coach, l I.oonfs took the driver aside and
 said If any accident should hap kpen to delay this trip it won't make kane feel badly at aH.' A bill Of gen. ferrous proportions changed hands and hShe driver wfnked at Loomis.
 In a few moments, the coach was on it's way After a drive of about a
 aniIe they approached a small bridge l which crossed a creek near the edge
 of the woods. Without kenins Isspeed-indeed the driver urged his
 horses faster - they rounded the tcorne, and started across the bridge But the turn was too sharp. The hind l wheels of the coach were hurried Earound and the stage coach slowly E1uYnbled from the bridge to the creek ENo one was injured, as the fall wa: