The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-12
Cavanaqh. : Forest = Ranger
By HaMfiN GARLAND
copvrsC.s. s9so. - E'amia1 ozssaad

6tituenE Of -m1ns had sanctioned this
Job. Give me that lantern. Curtis"
The group Of ranchers dfsmounted
and followed the sheriR over to the
grewsome spot, but Red1eld stayed 4
with the ranger.
'Have you any suspicion. Rossr'
No, hardly suspicion. However,
you know as well as that this was
not a sudden outbreak. This deed was
planned It represents the feeling of
many ca<tiemen-in everything but the
extra horrer Of it's execution. That
was the work OF drunken, Infatuated
men. But am more deeply concern
ed over Miss wetherford's distress.
Did she reach you By telephone TO-
nightT
mo. WHAT'S the trOubleTs
'Her' mother is down again. / teae-
phoned her, ana she asked me 10 come
to her. but cannot 50. for have q
ease Of smallpox up on the hin. Am-
bro, the Basque herder, is down with
II. and smother herder is up there alone
with him. must 90 back to them.
But meanwhile I wish you would go to
the Fork and see what you can do for
her"
His voice. filed with emotion, touch
ed Reaheld, and be said, -Can,t 60 to
the relief Of the hendsrP
mo; Jon must not think OF IT. You
are a man with a family. But Il you
can ind any one who has had the
smallpox send him mp. The old herder
who Is nursing the patient is not strong
and may drop st any moment. Then
it's up TO me-"
The men Game back 10 the campfire
converstng IN low tones, some OF them
curszng In tones Of awe. One or two
of them were sman farmers from Deer
Greek, recent corners 10 the state, or
men with punches Of milk cows, and
to them this deed was awesome.
The sheriff followed, saying: 'TWen.
there's nothing to do but wait TN
morning. The rest Of you men better
90 home. You can't be Of any use
here"
For more than three hours the sher-
| iR ana Redneld sat with the ranger,
waiting for dayiieizt, and during this
time tue name OF every man IN the re
gion was brought UP and discussed.
Among others, Ross mentioned the old
man In the ditch
HE wouldn't hurt . bumhlebee," de
clared the sheriff. Hes got bunch
OF cattle, but he's the mildest old man
In the state. He's the last rsncher IN
the country to even stand for such
i WORK What made you mention han1T'
Tpassed him as was riding back"
replied Caxanagh, '.and he had scared
look N his eyes"
The sheetff grunted. sYou IMAGINED
all that The old chap always has a
kind Of meek look"
It was nearly noon Of glorious day
as Cawanagh, very tired and very hum
cry, rode M to the sheep heeder's tent.
Wetherfcrd was sitting In the sun
calmly smoking Ids pipe. the sheep
were feeding not lar away, attended
by the dog, and an air of peace covered
bis sunkit rocky world.
How Is. the BasQuef' asked the
ranger.
wethefford pointed upward. IAN
over"
s1Then 1t wasn't smallpox"
81 reckon that's what it was: it
sure was fierce. I fudge It's a case
OF Injun burial-no ceremony-right
here In the rocks. IN let you dig the
hole Qm just about all in), but mind
you keep TO the wandwaEd all the time.
don't want you spotted"
CaYanagh understood the necessity
for these precautions. but first Of all
came his own need OF food and rest.
Turning his tired horse to grass, he
stretched himself along q grassy, sun
ny Granny between the rocks and there
ate and afteward slept while all about
him the lambs called and the comics
whinSd. s'6 -
II he was awakened by-a pebble tossed
upon him, and when he arose, stiff and
sore, but feeling stronger and In bet
ter temper, the sun was wearing how.
Setting 10 work at his task, he threw
the loose rock ont OF a hollow in the
ledge near by, and to this rude sepul-
cher Wetherford dragged the dead
AkAa4AB Dc4acAAH6 oAA d4up anu InerG QlleQ
catrn OF rocks above his grave.
The ranger took a hand at the end
and rolled some huge powders upon
the grave 20 insure the wolves defeat.
Now burn the bedding" he COM
manded. The whole camp has got to
60. and your clothing, too, after we
. get down the hin"
"What win we do with the sheepY'
~Drive them over the divide and
leave them"
An these things Wetherford did, and,
leaving the camp In ashes behind him,
Oavanagh drove the sheep before him
on his homeward way. As night fell
the dog, at his command, rounded them
. up and put them to bed, and the men
! went on down the valley, leaving
, the brave brute On guard, pathetic fig
ure OF faithful guardianship.
at hurts me to desert you, old fell
CONTINUED on Page Seventeen)