The Delta independent., 1911-04-14

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such medicines as he possessed, and
so at last. just as night was falling. he
started back over his difficult trail
Wetherford met him at the door, no
longer the poor old tramp but priest.
one who has devoted himself to
Christs service.
How is he?" asked the ranger.
"Delirious." replied the herder "I've
had to hold him to his bed I'm glad
you've come. It's lonesome up here
Don't come too near. Set your tent
down there by the trees. can't have
you infected. Keep clear of me and
this camp"
"I've got some food and some extra
clothing for you.''
Put 'em down here. and in the
morning drive these sheep away That
noise disturbs the dago. and I don't
like 1t myself: they sound lonesome
and helpless. That dog took 'em away
for awhile. but brought 'em back
again. Poor devil, he don't know what
to think of 1t ALL"
Ross did as Wetherford commanded
him to do and withdrew a little way
|
up his tent rolled himself In his blan
| ketS and went to sleep.
The rangers first duty in the morn
ing was to feed the faithful collie and
to send him forth with the flock. His
next was to build n fire and cook some
breakfast for Wetherford. and as he
put it down beside the tent door he
heard the wild pleading of the Basque.
who was struggling with his nurse.
doubtless in the belief that he was
being kept prisoner. Only few
words like "go home" and sheep
We're intelligible to either the nurse or
the ranger.
Cavanagh waited till silence came.
then called softly. Here's your break
fast. Wetherford"
Move away" retorted the man
within. Keep your distance"
Ross walked away a little space.
and Wetherford came to the door
The dago is sure sick. There's no
two ways about that. How far is 1t
TO the nearest doctor?"
Il could reach one by phone from
the Kettle ranch, about twenty miles
below here
on We'll have to have doctor" He
looked so white and old that Cava-
nagh said:
You need rest. Now. / think I've
had the smallpox. | know I've been
vaccinated. and if you go to bed
If you're saying all that preliminary
to Offering to come in here you're
wasting your breath. l don't intend
to let you come any nearer than you
are. There is work for you to do. Be
sides. there's my girl. You're detailed
to look after her.
Would a doctor come?' asked Ross
quite huskily. moved by Wetherford's
words. Its hard climb. Would
they think the dago worth it?'
Wetherford's face darkened with a
look of doubt. 1T is a hard trip for a
| city man, but maybe he would come
for you-for the government"
Il doubt 1t, even If were to offer
my next months salary as fee
These hills are very remote to the
townsfolk and one dago more or less
| Of no Importance. but I'll see what /
can do"
| Ross was really more concerned for
Wetherford himself than for the
Basque. .'If the fever Is something
malignant we must have medical aid
he said and went slowly back to his
pwn camp to ponder his puzzling prob
lem.
One thing could certainly be done.
and that was to inform Gregg and
Murphy of their herder's Illness. Sure
| lv hny m hn nf
the collie and his flock. To reach a
telephone involved either ride over
into Deer Creek or a return to the
Fork. He was tempted to ride all the
way to the Fork. for to do so would
permit another meeting with Lee. But
20 do this would require many hours
longer. and half days delay might
| prove fatal to the Basque, and, be-
sides. each hour OF loneliness and toll
rendered Wetherford Just so much
more open to the deadly attack of the
disease.
1t was hard to leave an old and
contested spot, and yet II had to be
done; so. fastening his tent securely
behind clump of jumpers, Cavanagh
mounted his horse and rode away
across the boundary of the forest into
Deer Creek basin, which had been the
bone Of much contention for nearly
four years. 1t had once been part of
the Forest. but under pressure the pres
ident had permitted 1t to be restored to
the public lands open for entry. 1t
was not agricultural grounds" as
certain ranchers claimed, but it was
excellent summer pasture, and the
sheepmen and cattlemen had leaned
at once into warfare to possess n