Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-09
CHAPTER XIV.

canyons were filed with Ice. 1t was q
savage and tempest swept spot IN
which to pitch a 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 rimy
| powders almost unnoticcable in their
silent immobility) 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, there. 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. 'Loolss as if
Ambro has pulled out and left the col.
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 If to kiss his cheek. Ross
| put him down gently. you're almost
too glad to see me. old fellow. l won
der how long you've been left here
alone"
Thereupon he opened the tied nap.
but started back with instant percep-
ton Of something wrong, for there, on
his 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. 1t
may be smallpox"
Wetherford recoiled q step. Small
pox! What makes you think that?"
"Well, these Basques have been hav-
ing it over in their settlement, aud, be-
sides, it smells like It" He listened a
moment. I'm afraid Joe's in for It.
He's crazy with 1t. But he's human
being, and we can't let him die here
alone. You rustic some wood for the
stove, and I'll see what can do. for
him"
thin blooded. but he had never been a
coward. and in his heart there still
burned small flame of his youthful,
reckless, generous daring. Pushing
Cavanagh 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"
s'Got awovfs Shoyfol fho <,l1nr vno~
''Gregg hired ME to do this work. and
1t don't matter whether l live or die.
But you've got something to do In the
world. My girl needs you. and she
don't need me, so get out Of here and
stay out. Go bring me that wood and
I'll 60 in and see hats the matter"
Cavanagh looked him in the face an
instant. every WELL" said he, "I'n do
as 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
IRE in the little 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-
fsrer's feet. and when Wetherford ap-
peared at the door Of the tent his face
was almost happy. Kill q sheep.
&.,~s 4, H>,,k ~ fHn-
con and little -four In the place"
Twenty miles Of most difficult trail
lay between Cavanagh's cabin and
this spot. To carry the sick man on
his horse would not only be painful to
the sufferer, but dangerous to the res
cuer. for If the Basque were really Ill
Of smallpox contagion would surely
follow. On the other hand. to leave
him to die here upaiied seemed inhu
man, impossible. 80
There is only one thing to do" he
called to Wetherford, land. that is for
me to ride back to the station and
bring up some extra bedding and my
own tent and so camp down beside
you"
can right, but remember I've estab-
lished a quarantine. I'll crack your
head If you break over the line an
inch.''
There was no longer any feeling Of
reaching up or reaching down between
the two mep-they were equals. Weth-
erford, altogether admirable. seemed
to have regained his manhood az he
stood in the door Of the tent confront.
ing the ranger. This Basque amt
much Of find: but. a. you say. he's
human, and we can't let Elm lie here
and die. I'll stay with him till you
can find Z doctor or till he dies"
Il take OF my hat to you" respond.
ed Cavanagh. You are man."
Once back 1t his cabin after leaving
Wetherford. Cavanagh set himself to
cooking some food to take back with
him TO the peak. He brought n bic
pack horse ana burdensd him With
camp out1t and .utsasils and extra
cloth1nG. No AKA hie pocksts With,
sucA fcsol ga1E - ps1sd SD
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