Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/105

Rh haven't had a good time," Jane Ann said, frankly.

"I must say you're polite to your guests," exclaimed Mary Cox, viciously.

"And I must say you're anything but polite to me," responded the ranch girl, not at all abashed. "You're pretty near the limit, you are. Somebody ought to give you a good shaking."

Ruth and Helen had gotten so far ahead because they had not wasted their breath. Now they were waiting for the other three who came puffing to the shelf on which the chums rested, all three wearing frowns on their faces.

"For pity's sake!" gasped Helen; "what's the matter with you all?"

"I'm tired," admitted Madge, throwing herself upon the short turf.

"This girl says it's all foolishness to climb up here," said Jane Ann, pointing at The Fox.

"Oh, I want to reach the very summit, now I've started," cried Ruth.

"That's silly,' declared Mary Cox.

"You're just as cross as a bear," began the Western girl, when Helen suddenly shrieked:

"Oh, oh! Will you look at that? What is it?"

Ruth had already started on. She did not wish to have any words with The Fox. A rod or more separated her from her mates. Out of an aperture heretofore unnoticed, and between Ruth and