The Delta independent., 1911-05-19

this story to the judge. 1t will end
the reign of the cattlemen."
"Oh. no: can't do that"
"You must do that. 1t is your duty
as a Christian man and citizen"
mo. no: I'll stay and help you-rll
do anything but that. I'm afraid to
tell what l know. They would burn
me alive. I'm not a western man
I've never been in a criminal court. |
don't belong to this wild country
came out here because my daughter is
not strong. and now He broke
down altogether and. leaning against
his horses side. sobbed pitifully.
Cavanagh. convinced that the old
mans mind was too deeply affected to
enable him to find his way back over
the rough trail that night. spoke to
him gently. "I'll get you something to
eat" he said. "Sit down here and
rest and compose yourself
wetherford turned wild eye on the
ranger as he re-entered. Who's out
there" he asked. "Is it the marshal %
No: it's only one of the ranchers
from below. He's tired and hungry.
and I'm going to feed him." Ross re-
piled. filed with u vivid sense of the
! diverse characters Of the two men he
was serving.
Dunn received the food with an eager
hand and after he had finished his re-
freshment Cavanagh remarked: The
whole country should be obliged to
you for your visit to me. shall send
your information to Supervisor Red
field
Don't use my name" he begged
They will kill me if they find ou,
that | have told. We were all sworn
to secrecy. and if had not seen that
fire. that pile of bodies
II know | know. 1t Mortified me.
1t made me doubt humanity" respond
ed Cavanagh. We of the north cry
out against the south for it's lynchings.
but here under our eyes goes on an
equally horrible display of rage over
the mere question of temporary ad-
vantage. over the appropria ton of
free grass. which is federal resource
something which belongs neither to
one claimant nor to the other. but to
the people. and should be of value to
the people. You must bring these men
to punishment"
Dunn could only shiver in his horror
and repeat his fear. They'll kill me
If do"
Cavanagh at last said: You must
not attempt to ride back tonight.
can't give you lodging in the cabin
because my patient is sick of small
pox. but you can camp In the barn till
morning. then ride straight back to
INV friand PadiaId and toll him what
you've told me. He will see that you
are protected. Make your deposition
and leave the country II you are afraid
to remain"
In the end the rancher promised to
do this. but his tone was that of bro
ken and distraught dotard. All the
landmarks of his life seemed suddenly
shifted.
Meanwhile the sufferings of wether-
| ford were increasing. and Cavanagh
| was forced to give up all hope of get
ting him down the trail next morn
ing. and when Swenson. the forest
guard from the South Fork. knocked
at the door to say that he had been to
the valley and that the doctor was
Up Will Itcuutlu Tue us
trict forester Ross thanked him. but
ordered him to go into camp across
the river and to warn everybody to
keep clear of the cabin. Put your
packages down outside the door" he
added, and take charge of the situa-
ton on the outside. I'll take care OF
the business inside"
Wetherford was in great pain. but
the poison of the disease had misted
his brain. and lie no longer worried
over the possible disclosure of his iden-
tity. AT times he lost the sense of his
surroundings and talked of his prison
life or of the long ride noI Inward
Once he rose In his bed to beat off
the wolves which he said We're anack-
ing his pony.
| He was a piteous figure as he strug-
gled thus, and it needed neither his
relationship to Lee nor his bravery In
caring for the Basque herder to fill
the rangers heart with desire to re-
lieve his suffering perhaps | should
have sent for Lie at once" he mused
as the light brought out the red sig
natures of the plague.
Once the old man looked up with
wide, dark, unseeing eyes and mur-
INJURED. 81 don't seem to know you"
''Fm a friend My name is Cava-
nagh."
II can't place you" he sadly admit
ted. 81 feel pretty bad. II / ever get
out Of this place I'm going back to the
Fork. I'll get gold mine; then I'll
go back and make up for what Lie
has gone through. I'm afraid to go
back now"
"All right" Ross soothingly agreed.
But you'll have to keep quiet till you