The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-02-15
Continued.)

ucFS WIS uO sOuEcT duy AcChklS Vi
reaching up or reaching down between
the two men-they were equals Weth-
erford. altogether admirable. seemed
to have regained his manhood as he
stood In the door Of the tent CONFRONT
ing the ranger. This Basque amt
much Of find: but. as you say. he's
human. and we can't let him lie here
and die I'll stay with him till you
can fnd a doctor or till he dies"
81 take or my hat to you" respond
ed Cavanagh "You are a man."
Once back at his cabin after leaving
iwetherford. Cavanagh set himself to
cooking some food to take back with
him to the peak. He brought in his
pack horse and burdened him with
camp OUTFIT and utensils and extra
clothing He filled his pockets with
such medicines as he possessed. and
% mt 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
Chrisf's service.
~How Is hep 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"
tive 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 don't
ike II 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 ana withdrew a little way
down the slope and without putting
up his tent rolled himself In his blan-
kets aud went to sleep.
4 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 10 build fire and cook some
breakfast for Wetherford. and as he
put 1t 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 q prisoner. Only a few
words like go home" and sheep
were ineligible to either the nurse or
the ranger.
Cavanagh waited till a 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 Tar IL II
to the nearest doctory'
Il could reach one by phone from
the Kettle ranch. about twenty miles
below here"
If he don't. get better today / reck.
on well have to have a doctor" he
looked so white and old that Cava.
nagh said:
"You need rest. Now. / think I've
had the smallpox. l know I've been
vaccinated. and IL 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
20 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 Gomez asked Ross
quite huskily. moved by Wetherford's
words. Its a hard climb. Would
they think the dago worth itT
Wetherford's face darkened with a
look Of doubt .'It Is a hard trip for q
city man. but maybe he would come
for you-for the government"
II doubt II. even II | were to offer
my next months salary as a 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 fol
wetherford himself than for the
Basque. IF the fever IN something
malignant we must have medical aid.
he said and went slowly back to hi.
own camp to ponder his puzzling prob
lem.
One thing could certainly be done
and that was TO inform Gregg anf
Murphy Of their herder's illness Sure
" they would come TO the rescue o.
the collie and his flock. To reach {
telephone involved either a ride owe
into Deer Creek or a return to thu
Fork. He was tempted to ride all thu
Ray 70 the Fork. for to do 80 woult
permit another meeting with Lee. Blu
TO do this would require many hour:
longer. ard half days delay nigh
prove fatal to the Basque. and, be
.eides. each hour Of loneliness and tot
rendered wetherford just so mucl
more open to the deadly attack of TIT
disease
II was hard 70 leave an old ant
6enken msn In s1cn drear and vim
contested spot. and yet II had to b.
done: 30. fastening bis tent secured.
behind c,ump of jumpers. Cavanagl
mounted his horse and rode ava,
across the boundary of the forest int
Deer Greek basin. which had been tn
bone Of much contention for ueari.
four years. 1t had once been part o
the forest. but under pressure the pres
taent had permitted Il 70 be restored q