Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-09

10 at last, Just 40 night was fAlNn8, ~
started back over his dimcult trail.
wetherford met him at the door, No
longer the poor old tramp. but priest.
one who has devoted himself to
Christ's service.
"How n hep asked the ranger.
"Delirious." replied the herder. "1've
had to hold him TO his bed. I'm glad
you've come. It's lonesome up hero.
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"
"I've 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
like 1t 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 It all.'
Ross did as Wetherford commanded
him to do ana withdrew little way
down the slope and without putting
up his tent relied himself in his bian-
kets and went to sleep.
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 to build u fire and cook some
breakfast for Wetherford. and as he
heard the wild pleading Of the Basque.
who was struggling with his nurse,
doubtless in the belief that be was
being kept a prisoner. Only a few
words like "go hame" and sheep"
| were Ineligible to either the nurse or
the ranger.
| Cavanagh waited till silence came,
then called softly. "ilere's your brenk-
fast. Wetherford."
"Move away" retortcd the man
| within. Keep your distance
Ross walked away Il little space,
and Wetherford came to the door.
'The dago is sure sick. There's no
two ways about that. How far is it
to the nearest doctor?"
II could reach one by phone from
the Kettle ranch. about twenty miles
! below here"
"1f he don't get better today reck-
on we'll have to have Il 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 If you 30 to bed
"If you're saying all that preliminary
to Offering to come in here you're
wasting your breath. 1 don't intend
to 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 doctor Gomez asked Ross
quite huskily, moved by Wetherford's
words. Its hard climb. Would
they think the dago worth it7" 81
Wetherford's face darkened with q
look Of doubt. 1T il hard trip for q
city man, but maybe he would come
for You-for the government"
II doubt it. even If 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 Ill see what I
can do"
Ross was really more concerned for
Wetherford himself than for the
BASQUE. III the fever is something
malignant we must have medical aid. =
he said aud went slowly back to his
own camp to ponder his puzzling prob
lem.
One thing could certainly be done.
and that was to inform Gregg ana
Murphy Of their herder's illness. Sure
~ they would come to the rescue OF
the collie and his flock. To reach q
telephone involved either a ride over
into Deer Creek or return to the
Fork. He was tempted to ride all the
way to the Fork. for to do so would
permit another meeting with Lee. But
to do this would require many hours
longer. and half a days delay might
prove fatal to the Basque. and, be-
rendered Wetherford Just so much
more open to the deadly attack Of the
disease.
It was hard to leave an old and
broken man In Ruch drear and wind
contested spot, aud yet 1t had to b
done; SO. fastening his tent securely
behind cIump Of jumpers, Cavanagh
mounted his horse and rode away
across the boundary Of the forest into
Deer Greek basin. which had been the
bone of much contention for nearly
four years. 1t had once been a part Of
the forest. but under pressure the pres
ident had permitted it to be restored to
the public lands open for entry. 1t
was not agricultural grounds" as
eertain ranchers claimed. but it was
excellent summer pasture. and the
sheepmen and cattlemen had leaped
at once into warfare to possess 1t.
Sheep were beaten to death with clubs
by hundreds. herdcrs were hustled out
Of the park with ropes about their
necks and their outfits destroyed, and
all this within few miles of the for
est boundary. where one small sentinel
kept effective watch and ward.
Cavanagh had never been over this
trail but once. and he was trying to
locate the cliff from which a flock Of
sheep had been hurled by cattlemen