Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-16

"You won't have far to CO." remark
ed Ross significantly.
what do you meanY asked the
| sheriff
Il mean this slaughter, like the 9TH
ers that have taken place, was the
work Of cattlemen who claim this
range. Their names are known to us
ALL"
A silence followed-so deep a silence
that the ranger was convinced of the
TACT that In the circle Of his listeners
stood those who. II they had not
shared In the slaughter. at least knew
the names of the guilty men.
| At last the sheriff spoke. this time
with a sigh. Il hope you're all wrong.
Cavanagh. I'd hate to think any con-
stituent Of mine had sanctioned this
Job. Give me that lantern. Curtis"
The group Of ranchers dismounted
and followed the sheriff over to the
grewsome spot. but Redfield stayed
with the ranger.
| "Have you any suspicion, Ross%'
mo. hardly a suspicion. However,
you know as well as l that this was
not a sudden outbreak. This deed was
planned. 1t represents the feeling Of
many cattlemen-in everything but the
extra horror Of its execution. That
was the work Of drunken, Infatuated
men. But am more deeply concern
ed over Miss Wetherford's distress.
Did she reach you by telephone to-
night?'
mo. What's the trouble?
"Her mother is down again. tele-
phoned her. and she asked me to come
to her. but l cannot go. for have
case Of smallpox up on the hill. Am
bro. the Basque herder, Is down with
It, and another herder is up there alone
with him. must go back to them.
But meanwhile wish you would 60 to
the Fork and see what you can do for
her."
His voice. filled with emotion. touch
ed Redfield. and he said. Cant so to
the relief of the herder?'
mo; you must not think Of it. You
are a man with family. But If you
can find any one who has had the
smallpox send him up. The old herder
who is nursing the patient is not strong
and may drop at any moment. Then
it's up to me-"
The men came back to the campfire
conversing in low tones, some Of them
cursing in tones Of awe. One or two
of them were small farmers from Deer
Creek, recent corners to the state. or
men with punches of milk cows, and
to them this deed was awesome.
The sheriff followed. saying: "Well
there's nothing to do but wait till
morninu The rest of you men better
go home. You can't be of any use
here
For more than three hours the sher
if and Redtield sat with the ranger
! waiting for daylight. and during this
time the name of every man in the re
gion was brought up and discussed
Among others. Ross mentioned the ole
man in the ditch.
HE wouldn't hurt bumblebee. de
clared the sheriff. Hes got a buncl
; Of cattle. but he's the mildest ola MAJ
in the state. He's the last rancher IL
the country to even stand for suci
work. What made you mention him!
. 81 passed him as l was riding back.
replied Cavanagh. land he had scarce
look in his eyes,"
The sheriff grunted. "You Imagined
, all that The old chap always has
. kind of meek look"
1t was nearly noon of glorious ia.
! as Cavanagh. very tired and very nun
: gry. rode up to the sheep herders tent
9 Wetherford was sitting in the sui
a calmly smoking his pipe. the sheel
+ were feeding not far away, attenue
n by the dog, and an air of peace covere
y his sunlit rocky world.
How is the Basque? asked tn
g ranger.
: Wetherford pointed upward. IA
5 over"
n "Then it wasn't smallpox
: 81 reckon that's what it was;
r sure was fierce. l judge its a cas-
of Injun burial-no ceremony-rigf
r here in the rocks. I'll let you dig th
" hole Q'm just about all I'M, but min
you keep to the windward all the TIM
If | don't want you spotted
d Cavanagh understood the necesslt
l. for these precautions, but first OF
l. came his own need of food and res
e Turning his tired horse to grass, L
stretched himself along grassy, SUI
o nv Granny between the rocks and thel
N ate and afterward slept, while all aDo'
$. him the lambs called and the come
t. whined.
1t He was awakened by pebble tosse
A. upon him, and when he arose, st1n an
" sore, but feeling stronger and IN be
D. ter temper. the sun was wearing 10Y
l Setting to work at his task, he tire
y the loose rock out of hollow in ii
ladpa near by. and to this rude sepu