Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-03-09


human. and we can't let him lie here
and die. I'll stay with him I'LL you
can find doctor or till he dies
Il take off my hat TO you" respond
ed Cavanagh. "You are a man.
Once back at his cabin after wing
Wetherford. Cavanagh set himself to
cooking some food to take back with
him to the peak. He brought IN his
pack horse and burdened him with
camp outfit and utensils and extra
clothing. He filed his pockets with
such medicines as he possessed. and
so mt last. just as night was falling. lie
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. Il We
had to hold him to his bed. I'm glad
you've come. It's lonesome w here.
Don't come too near. Set your tent
down there by the trees. l can't have
you infected. Keep clear Of me and
this camp"
ave 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 little way
up his tent rolled himself in his blan-
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 few
words like Ego home and sheep
were ineligible to either the nurse or
the ranger.
then called softly Here's 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 ii
to the nearest dOctor?
II could reach one by phone from
the Kettle ranch. about twenty miles
below here"
IF he don't get better today l reck
on We'll have to have a 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 beer
vaccinated. and if you go to bed
IF you're saying all that preliminary
to Offering to come In here you're
wasting your breath. l don't intent
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 ROs.
quite huskily. moved by Wetherford'.
words. Its hard climb. Would
they think the dago worth it,"
Wetherford's face darkened with {
look Of doubt. 1T is hard trip for :
city man, but maybe he would com,
for you-for the government"
II doubt it, even II were to offel
my next months salary as fee
These hills are very remote to thu
townsfolk and one dago more or les'
Of no Importance. but I'll see what
can do"
Ross was really more concerned TO
Wetherford himself than for tn
Basque. "If the fever is somethin:
malignant we must have medical aid.
he said and went slowly back to hi
own camp to ponder his puzzling prob
lem.
One thing could certainly be done
and that was to inform Gregg an,
Murphy'of their herder's illness. Sure
ly they would come to the rescue o
the collie and his flock. To reach
telephone involved either a ride owe
into Deer Creek or return to tn
Fork. He was tempted to ride all tn
way to the Fork. for to do so woul
permit another meeting with Lee. Blu
to do this would require many hour
longer. and half a days delay nigh
prove fatal to the Basque, and, bt
sides. each hour of loneliness and TO
rendered Wetherford just so niue
more open to the deadly attack Of tn
disease.
1t was hard to leave an old an
broken man In such drear and win
contested spot. and yet it had to
Q done: so. fastening his tent secured
}. behind c.ump of jumpers. Cavanag
l. | mounted his horse. and rode aw:,