The Delta independent., 1911-03-24

ASs VI ANoaAihS oin ~ sh ~
ample CT you fellows"
There was nothing for Gregg to say
and nothing for Edwards to do but
obey. for resolute ranger with an
excellent weapon of the latest and
most approved angular pattern stood
ready to enforce his command. and
when the pack was recinched Cava-
nagh waved an imperative hand. Il
guess I'll have to take charge of your
guns" he said. and they yielded with
out a word of protest Now march!
Take the left hand trail"
A couple of hours of silent travel
brought them to the rangers cabin.
and there he ordered a dismount
AS the coffee was boiling he lectured
them briefly. You fellows are not
entirely to blame" he remarked philo-
sophically. you've been educated to
think a game warden a joke and I'm
Gle Sam a long way Off. But things
have changed bit. The law of the
state has made me game warden. and
I'm going to show you how it works.
It's my duty to see that you go down
the road-and down you go!'
Edwards. the guide. was plainly
very uneasy and made several at
tempts to reach Cavanagh's private
ear and at last succeeded. I've been
fooled into this" he urged. 81 was
hard up and stranger in the country.
and this young fellow hired me to
guide him across the range. i didn't
shoot thing. l swear l didn't. II
you'll let me off I'll hit the trail to
the west and never look back. Don't
take me down the road. Let me off,
IL can't do that" replied Cavanagh,
but his tone was kindlier. for he per-
ceived that the old fellow was thin,
hollow chested and poorly clad. You
knew you were breaking the laws.
didn't youY'
This the cuprit admitted But |
was working for Sam Gregg. and when
Joe asked me to go show him the trail
l didn't expect to get cinched for kill
ing game. | didn't fire a shot-now
that's the truth
Nevertheless" retorted Ross, you
were packing the head. and l must
count you in the game
Edwards fell silent then. but some
thing in his look deepened the rangers
pity. His eyes were large and dark,
and his face so emaciated that he
seemed fit only for a sanitarium.
The trip to the Fork (timed to the
gait of lazy pack horseI was tedious
eight hours march, and it was nearly
Z o'clock when they arrived at the out
skirts of the village.
To the casual observer in town of
this character there was nothing spe-
cially noticeable in three horsemen
driving a pack horse. but to those
whose eyes were keen the true rela-
tionship of the ranger to his captives
was instantly apparent, and when they
alighted at Judge Higley's Office
bunch of eager observers quickly col
lected.
Hello. Joe! What luck 2" called Bal
lard.
"Our luck was a little too good-we
caught a game warden" replied the
young scapegrace.
Th, ranger was chagrined to find the
office of the justice closed for the day
and. turning to his captives. said: I'm
hungry, and I've no doubt you are.
I'm going to take you into Mike Hal
sey's saloon for supper. but remember
you are my prisoners"
In fifteen minutes the town was rum
bling with the news. Under Billiards.
devilry all the latent hatred of the
ranger and all the concealed opposition
to the forest service came to the sur
face like the scum on a pot of broth.
The saloons and eating houses boiled
with indignant protest. What busi-
l., - D.e,.
demanded What call has he to in
terfere? He's not a game warden
Yes. he is. All these rangers are
game wardens." corrected another.
NO. they're not. They have to be
commissioned by the governor"
We'll. he's been commissioned. He's
warden all right"
Il don't believe 1t. Anyhow. he's too
fresh. He needs to have halt. Let's
do him. Let's BLUM him out"
Lee Virginia was in the kitchen su-
perintendIng the service when one of
the walters came in breathless with
excitement. ROSS Cavanagh has shot
Joe Gregg for killing Sheep
Lee faced her with blanched face.
who told you so?"
They're all talking about 1t out
there. Gee. but they're hot! Some of
'em want to lynch him."
Lee hurried out into the dining room.
which was crowded with men and
voicing deep excitement.
A half dozen men were standing be-
fore the counter talking with Lie. but
Lee pushed in to inquire with white.
inquiring face: What is 1t all about?
What has happened?'
Nothing much" Lie replied con-
temptuously. but you'd think a horse
had been stole. Ross has nipped Joe
Gregg and one Of his herders for kill
fpn In ahaanv