Semi-weekly herald., 1911-03-20
CHAPTER XIV.
PLAGUE AND MURDER.


Y Upon leaving timber line Cav
anagh and wetherford entered
upon wide and sterile slope
high on the rocky breast OF
the great peak whose spllntered crest
lorded the range. Snow fields lay all
about. and few feet higher up the
canyons were filed with Ice. 1t was
savage and tempest swept spot In
which to pitch tent. but there among
the rocks shivered the minute canvas
home of the shepherd. and close be-
side It, guarded by lone dog and ly-
ing like thick spread flock of rlmy
powders almost unnoticeable in their
silent immobillty) huddled the sheep.
There's your house." shouted Ross
to Wetherford
The older man, with white face of
dismay, looked about him. unable to
make reply.
Hello, therev' shouted Ross. won
dering at the absence of human life
about the camp. Hello. the housed"
Receiving no answer to his hail. he
turned to Wetherford. Looks as if
<As1hO hao puiiSo out iclt Tue CUE
lie to tend the flock. He's been kind of
seedy for some days"
Dismounting he approached the tent
The collie. who knew him. seemed to
understand his errand, for he leaped
upon him as II to kiss his cheek. Ross
put him down gently. You're almost
too glad to see me. old fellow / won
der hnxu I.St
alone"
Thereupon he opened the tied flap.
but started back with instant percep-
tion Of something wrong, for there on
bis pile of ragged quilts, lay the
Basque herder, with flushed face and
rolling eyes, crazed with fever and en-
tirely helpless. You'd better not come
In here, Wetherford," Ross warned
Joe is here. horribly sick. and I'm
afraid it's something contagious II
may be smallpox"
Wetherford recoiled step. Small.
pox! What makes you think thatr
well. these Basques have been hay-
ing 1t over In their settlement, and, be
sides. 1t smells ike it,. He listened Il
moment. I'm afraid Joe's in for 1t.
Hes crazy with It, But he's a human
being, and we can't let him die here
alone You rustic some wood for the
stove. and I'll see what l can do for
him"
Wetherford was old and wasted and
thin blooded, but he had never been "A
coward. and In his heart there still
burned small dame Of his youthful,
reckless, generous daring. Pushing
Cayanagh one side, he said with firm
decision: you keep out Of there I'm
the one to play nurse This is my
job"
Nonsense! am younger and
stronger than you"
Oct awayw shouted the older man.
Gregg hired me to do this work, and
It don't matter whether live OF die
But you've got something to do In the
world. My girl needs you. and sh,
don't need me, 30 get out of here and
stay out. Go bring me that wood ana
I'll go In and see hats the matter"
Cavanagh looked him in the face an
instant. Very WELL" said he. "I'll do
~ you say. There's no use Of our
both taking chances"
1t was beginning to rain, and the
tent was dark and desolate. but as the
nre In the liNle stove commenced to
snarl and the smoke to pour out Of
the pipe the small domicile took on
cheer. Wetherford knew how to care
for the sick and In the shelter of the
canvas wall developed unforeseen Wig
or and decision. 1t was amazing to
Cavanagh to witness his change of
manner.
Soon a pan of water was steaming.
and some hot stones were at the suf
ferers feet. and when Wetherford ap-