The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-08

Cavanagh one side, BE said with nrm
decision: you keep out of there I'm
the one to play nurse. This Is my
job"
NONSENSE! 1 am younger and
stronger than you"
Get away" shouted the older man
Gregg hired me to do this work, and
it don't matter whether / live or die.
But you've got something to do in the
world. Ny girl needs you, and she
don't need me, so get out Of here and
stay out. Go bring me that wood and
I'll go in and see what's the matter"
Cavanagh looked him In the face an
instant. VERY WELL" said he, I'm do
as you say. There's no use Of our
both taking chances
1t was beginning to rain, and the
tent was dark and desolate, but as the
fire in the little stove commenced to
snarl and the smoke to pour out OF
the pipe the small domicile took on
cheer. Wetherford knew how to care
for the sick and in the shelter OF the
canvas wall developed unforeseen Wig
or and decision. 1t was amazing to
Cavanagh to witness his change Of
manner.
Soon a pan Of water was steaming,
and some hot stones were at the suf-
ferer's feet. and when Wetherford ap-
peared at the door of the tent his face
was almost happy. xiii sheep.
There isn't a thing but heel of ba-
con and little flour In the place"
Twenty miles OF most difficult trail
lay between Cavanagh's cabin and
this spot. To carry the sick man on
his horse would not only be painful to
the sufferer, but dangerous to the res
cuer, for if the Basque were really Ill
of smallpox contagion would surely
follow. On the other hand. to leave
him to die here unaided seemed inhu-
man, impossible.
There is only one thing to do" he
called to Wetherford, '.and that is for
me to ride back to the station and
bring up some extra bedding and my
own tent and so camp down beside
you"
"AIl right, but remember I've estab-
lished a quarantine. I'll crack your
head If you break over the line an
inch"
There was no longer any feeling of
reaching up or reaching down between
the two men--they were equals. Weth-
erford, altogether admirable, seemed
to have regained his manhood as he
stood in the door of the tent confront
ing the ranger. This Basque amt
much Of ind; but, as you say, he's
human, and we can't let him lie here
and die. III stay with him till you
can find doctor or till he dies"
81 take of my hat to you," respond
ed Cavanagh. "You are a man."
Once back at his cabin after leaving
Wetherford, Cavanagh set himself to
cooking some food to take back with
him TO the peak. BE brought in his
pack horse ana burdened hinn with
camp outfit and utensils, and extra
! clothing. He filled his pockets with
such medicines as he possessed, and
/ 30 at last, just az night was falling, he
! started back over his difficult 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 is hep asked the ranger.
"Delirious," replied the herder I've
had to hold him to his bed. I'm glad
you've come. It's lonesome up here
Don't come too near. Set your tent
down there by the trees. I can't have
you infected. Keep clear Of me and
this camp"
1--WE 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 it 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 and withdrew a little way
down the slope and without putting
up his tent rolled 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 fire and cook some
! breakfast for Wetherford, and as he
put it down beside the tent door he
heard the wild pleading of the Basque.
who was struggling with his nurse,
doubtless In the belief that he was
being kept prisoner. Only a few
words like "go home and sheep
were ineligible to either the nurse or
the ranger.
Cavanagh waited till silence came,
then called softly, Heres your break
! fast, Wetherford."
Move away" retorted the man
within. Keep your distance
Ross walked away 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 doctorT
Il could reach one by phone from
the Kettle ranch, about twenty miles
below here
IF he don't get better today 1 reck-
"a 30 -