The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-11

which was crowded with men ans
voicing deep excitement.
A half dozen men were standing be
fore the counter talking with Lie. bu
Lee pushed in to inquire with white
inquiring face: What is 1t all about
What has happenedT
Nothing much" Lie replied con
temptuously. "but you'd think horse
had been stole. Ross has nipped jos
Gregg and one of his herders for kill
ing mountain sheep"
''Do you mean he shot themT
Eyes: he took their heads"
Lee stood aghast. What do you
mean? Whose heads?"
Lie laughed. 1.-The sleeps heads
Oh. don't be scared! No one is huri
yet"
The girl flushed with confusion as
the men reared over her blunder. ION,
Of the girls told me Mr.. Cavanaxh hat
killed a man." she explained. "Whers
is he?"
Lie betrayed annoyance. "They sa!
he's taking supper at Mike Halsey's
though why he didn't come here /!
don't see. What's he going to do?'
she asked. Wont the marshal taxi
the men off his hands?'
mot without warrant from Higley
and Higley is out Of town. Ross J
have to hold 'em till Higley gets back
or else take 'em over to Chauvenet.'
Lie snorted. "Old Higley! Yes. he's
been known to disappear before whel
there was some real work to be DONE
a vague sense OF alarm. 'tCertaini.
they will not dare to interfere with al
officer in the discharge OF his duties
she thought. She was eager to SEE
him, and the thought that he might be-
obliged to ride away to Chauvene,
without word to her gave her deep
er feeling of annoyance and unrest
That he was in any real danger she
could not believe.
1t was dishea rtening to Cavanagh to
see how some Of the most influential
citizens contrived to give encourage
ment to the riotous element OF the
town. A wink, gesture. a careless
word to the proper messenger, con-
veyed to the saloon FOUNDERS an assur-
ance Of sympathy which inflamed their
resentment to the murderous point. 1t
was confesscdly one OF the worst COM
munities in the state.
Lets run ,Cavanaghv' was the sug-
gestion Of several Of Gregg's friends.
The fact that the ranger was a COM
missioned officer Of the law and that
the rams head had been found on the
poacher's pack made very little diff
ference to these irresponsible insti-
gators to assault. 1t was wonderful
how highly that loaflng young rascal
Joe Gregg. was priced at the moment.
Its an outrage that the son Of a lead
ing citizen should be held up in this
way by one of the forestry Cossacks,'
declared one Of the merchants.
The discussion which took. place
over the bars Of the town was at the
riot heat by 8 O'Clock. and soon after
10 a crowd Of bowling, whooping bad
boys and disreputable ranch hands
were parading the walks. breathing
out vile threats against the ranger.
Accustomed to men of this type, Cav
anagh watched them come and go at
Halsey's bar with calculating eyes.
There will be no trouble for an hour
or two, but meanwhile what is to be
done? Higley is not to be found, and
the town marshal is also out Of
town." To Halsey he said: II am
acting, as you know. under both fed
eral and state authority. and I call
upon you as law abiding citizen to
aid me in holding these men prisoners.
shall camp right here till morning
or until the magistrate or the marshal
relieves me of my culprits."
Halsey was himself sportsman-a
genuine lover Of hunting and fairly
consistent upholder Of the game laws:
but. perceiving that the whole town
had apparently lined up In opposition
to the ranger. ne lost courage. His
consent was half hearted. and he edg-
ed away toward the front window OF
his barroom. nervously seeking to be
neutral-"to carry water on both shout
ders." as the phrase goes.
The talk grew less jocular as the
drinks took effect. and Neill Ballard.
separating himself from the crowd.
came forward, calling loudly: "Come
out o. there. Joe! Come out and have
q drink"
His words conveyed less Of battle
than his tone. He was. in fact. urging
q revolt. and Cavanagh knew it.
Gregg rose as II to comply. The
ranger stopped him.
Keep your seat" said he. and to
Ballard he warningly remarked. And
you keep away from my prisoners"
do you own this saloon?'' retorted
the fellow truculently. II reckon Hal
sey's customers have some rights.
What are you doing here. anyway
This is no Jail"
"Halsey has given me the privilege
OF holding my prisoners here till the
Justice is found. 1t isn't my fault that
the town is without judge or jail"
He was weakened by the knowledge
that Halsey had only half consented to
aid justice. but his pride was reused.
and he was determined upon carrying
his arrest to its legitimate end. I'm
going to see that these men are pun
ished If have to carry them to Sui
phur City" he added.
Smash the lightsr' shouted some
one at the back
Here was the first real note Of war.
and RosS cried ont Sha rplv ssIf a ma n