It was evident that Mr. Hammond had been apprised of Dakota Joe’s attempt to bring the Indian girl into court.  Of course, the judge would deny his appeal; but a court session would delay the party’s journey westward.

Ruth saw the other girls ahead of her, and she ran to the car.  Mr. Hammond himself was on the platform to welcome them.

“That fellow is a most awful nuisance.  I had to make an arrangement with the railroad company to get us out of here at once.  Luckily I have a friend high up among the officials of the company.  Come aboard, Miss Ruth.  Everybody else is here and we are about to start.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE HUBBELL RANCH

“You see, Miss Ruth,” Mr. Hammond told the girl of the Red Mill as the special car rolled out of the railroad yard, “this Dakota Joe has become a very annoying individual.  We had to fairly run away from him.”

“I do not understand,” Ruth said.  “I think he should be shown his place—­and that place I believe is the police station.”

“It would be rather difficult to get him into that for any length of time.  And in any case,” and the picture producer smiled, it would cost more than it would be worth.  He really has done nothing for which he can be punished—­”

“I don’t know.  He might have had me killed that time his auto ran me down,” interrupted Ruth, indignantly.

“But the trouble is, we cannot prove that,” Mr. Hammond hastened to repeat.  “I will see that you are fully protected from him hereafter.”

Mr. Hammond did not realize what a large undertaking that was to be.  But he meant it at the time.

“The man is in trouble—­no doubt of it,” went on the producer reflectively.  “He has had a bad season, and his winter prospects are not bright.  I gave him an hour of my time yesterday before I advised you that we would better get away from Chicago.”

“But what does he expect of you, Mr. Hammond?” asked Ruth in surprise.

“He claims we are the cause of his unhappy business difficulties.  His show in on the verge of disintegrating.  He wanted me to back him with several thousand dollars.  Of course, that is impossible.”

“Why!” cried Ruth, “I would not risk a cent with such a man.”

“I suppose not.  And I felt no urge to comply with his request.  He was really so rough about it, and became so ugly, that I had to have him shown out of the house.”

“Goodness!  I am glad we are going far away from him.”

“Yes, he is not a nice neighbor,” agreed Mr. Hammond.  “I hope Wonota will repay us for all the bother we have had with Dakota Joe.”

“It seems too bad.  Of course, it is not Wonota’s fault,” said Ruth.  “But if we had not come across her—­if I had not met her, I mean—­you would not have been annoyed in this way, Mr. Hammond.”

“Take it the other way around, Miss Ruth,” returned her friend, with a quizzical smile.  “We should be very glad that you did meet Wonota.  Considering what that mad bull would have done to you if she had not swerved him by a rifle shot, a little bother like this is a small price to pay.”