The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-01
CHAPTER II

was in full sway at the Wigwam. Phil Stanton and his cowpunchers were so
 busIly engaged in fighting off the In
 dians that they did not notice the white horseman. In fact it was not
 until Jim Loom:s and Julia Wells rode up that the hostilfties showed any signs of cessation. Loomis and
 Gray Wolf were on friendly terms,
 however, and although the chieflain was highly indignant over the inva- sion of his sanctum he called a truce
 Why did you permit this attack ?'' he asked Loomis.
 'It happened withou my knowl . edge" came the answer. 'I feel just
 as indignant over it as you do. These cowpunchers are mysmen, but I don't know what brought them here
 He was interrupted by the approach of four redskins leading Phil. The young man was securely tied but none the worse for the fray. A smile spread over his face as he recognized his friend
 Call off these nuts, will you?" he said to his partner. I've spanked several of them and now I suppose they want to scalp me-"
 What do you mean by pulling off a. scrap like this, Phil" the older man asked. This attack was out rageOus."
 Stanton was about to answer when Moonlight ran up to them crying, f'the Princessi-White EagIe-has disappeared,'
 LOomis and Julia took Crouching Mole aside and it was decided that LOOmis would go with the latter and his men rGo look for Ruth Ran dolph, while Julia would take another direction alone She mounted her horse and galloped off. Loom!s and Phil quickly called the men together. and all mounting, rode away. Before leaving, however Loonis whispered some words to Gray Wolf which Phil could not hear. He wondered at the frienGlinesS between his partner and 1he Indian.
 Julia Wells had ridden for about half an hour when she caught a glimpse of white a short distance ahead of her. Uurging her horse to greater speed she shortened the dis tance, and saw that it was the White Rider, bearing Ruth in his arms. The mysterious horseman had reached a canyon completely boxed in except for the entrance. He stopped for a moment before a huge tree which blocked an exit to the canyon, and the next moment a door. cut in the tree, swung open, admitting the rider and the girl The tree closed again just as Julia rode up. She was mysti- fled and could not fathom out how the horseman disappeared.
 Meanwhile, the White Rider car ried Ruth through a tunnel and into his cave-lilxe dwelling. It was a chamber furnished in extremely good taste with elegant simplicity He laid the girl upon couch and pro ceeded to bathe her forehead In a moment she recovered and looked at the surroundings with startled eyes
 Have no fear" the man said, "you are safe here, but danger awaits you outside, Remain until I return. T am your friend" He left the room | through the passa geway, mounted his | horse, and rode into the canyon the | same way in which he had entered l Ruth rose to her feet and quickly ex- | aTnined the room The door was | locked and there was no way for her | to escape.
 She walked hopelessly toward the | single table in the room and picked | up a book which lay on it. Its title was Gold The girl turned over a few pages and an unusual passage | struck her eye. Thus if ever an | unlimited supply of gold were dis l covered" she said, tits possesso1 l would absolutely control the finances | of the world until gold became so cheap it would be practically value Iess''
 
 smiled to herself, closing the book and again examining the room for a possible means of escape. She dis c)|errd q narrow window up nea. the top of the chamber. Taking a coil of rope. she fastened one end to the table. climbed to a chair on top of the table, and threw the other rope-end through the window. Then she let herself out of the window and started down the rope, hand over hand.
 At that moment, an Indian attend ant entered the room with some food, and, seeing the table arrangement, quickly surmised that the girl was making her escape. He ran to the climbed up and out with sur prising agility, and started down after her. The weight of two people was too much for the rope, and when Ruth was about twenty feet from the ground it broke, tumblins both of them to the earth. The Indian re- covered himself first and started for the girl. but Ruth picked up a good sized rock and struck him with it With a moan. he sank to the ground, stunned.
 Ruth decided the best thing to do would be to make a quick getaway, so she ran swiftly through the old for-s est trafl- She was almost out of oreatn when she came to an adobe hut. and looking cautiously she started to enter when a shout caused her to hesitate. Her name was being cauet Recognizing Phirs voice. the girl an swered and they soon found the way to each other Stanton greeted Ruth ioyfully and affectionately-whi she noted with pleasure-and she told him of her escape from the hiding place of the White Rider.
 It was after nightfan before they reached the ranch house. Jim Loomis, glad to see Ruth back, greeted her and apologized for the days excite ment.
 Tt was merely a misunderStand-1 ng," he explained. The Indians in -his neck of the woods are really quite anne and mean harm to no one
 After he had left, the girl turned to Phil. ''1 really think shsll re- turn to Frisco" she said. T think