Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1911-07-20

been decided I'm my stable and the
committee appointed there I began to
tremble. You believe I'm telling the
truth. don't your he again asked. with
piteOus accent.
Yes. l believe you. You must tell
this story to the judge. 1t will end
the reign of the cattlemen."
"Oh. no: can't do that"
"You must do that 1t Is your duty
as a Christian man and citizen
mo. no; I'll stay and help youth
do anything but that. I'm afraid To
tell what ] know. They would burn
me alive. I'm not western man
I've never been in a criminal court. I
don't belong to this wild country.
came out here because my daughter IL
not strong. and now He broke
down altogether and. leaning against
his horses side. sobbed pitifully.
Cavanagh. convinced that the old
mans mind was too deeply affected To
enable him to find his way back over
the rough trail that night, spoke to
him gently. I'll get you something to
eat" he said. "Sit down here and
rest and compose yourself"
Wetherford turned a wild eye on the
ranger as he re-entered. who's out
thereT he asked. us it the marshall"
mo; it's only one of the ranchers
from below He's tired and hungry.
and I'm going to feed him." Ross re-
piled. filed with vivid sense Of the
diverse characters OF the two men he
was serving.
Dunn received the food with an eager
hand. and after he had finished his re-
freshment Cavanagh remarked The
whole country should be obliged to
you for your visit to me. | shall send
your information to Supervisor Red
field"
Don't use my name" he begged.
''They will kill me if they find out
that have told. We were all sworn
to secrecy. and If had not seen that
fire, that pile of bodies
II know. | know, 1t Mortified me.
1t made me doubt humanity" respond
ed Cavanagh. I'VE of the north cry
out against the south for its lynchings,
but here under our eyes goes on an
equally horrible display of rage over
the mere question Of temporary ad-
vantage. over the appropriation of
free grass, which Is federal resource
which belongs neither to
one claimant nor to the other. but to
the people, and should be Of value to
the people. You must bring these men
TO punishment"
Dunn could only SILVER in his horror
and repeat his fear. They'll kill me
II do"
Cavanagh at last said: you must
not attempt to ride back tonight
can't give you lodging in the cabin
because my patient is sick Of small
pox. but you can camp In the barn till
then ride straight back to
my friend Redfield and tell him what
you've told me. He will see that you
are protected. Make your deposition
and leave the country II you are afraid
to remain"
In the end the r.Drhri PROMISED to
DO this, but his tone was that Of bro
ken and distraught dotard. All the
Of his life seemed suddenly
shifted.
Meanwhile the sufferings Of Wether-
ford were increasing. and Cavanagh
was forced to give up all hope Of get
ling him down the trail next MORN
ing. and when Swenson, the forest
guard from the South Fork, knocked
1t the door to say that he had been to
the valley and that the doctor was
coming up with Redfield and the dis
.rict forester Ross thanked him, but
ordered him to 60 into camp across
The river and to warn everybody to
Keep clear Of the cabin. Put your
packages down outside the door," he
added. land take charge Of the stua-
ion on the outside. I'll take care of
he business inside"
Wetherford was In great pain, but
he poison Of the disease had misted
MS brain. and he no longer worried
)ver the possible disclosure Of his iden-
lily. At times he lost the sense Of his
and talked Of his prison
life or Of the long ride northward.
Once he rose In his bed to beat Off
he wolves which he said were attack
ng his pony.
He was q piteous figure as he strug-
He'd thus, and 1t needed neither his
relationship to Lee nor his bravery in
airing for the Basque herder to fill |
he rangers heart with a desire to re-
ieve his suffering. Perhaps l should
AVE sent for Lie at once" he unused
10 the light brought out the red sig |
latures Of the plague.
Once the old man looked up with |
vide. dark. unseeing eyes and MUIR |,
nured. II don't seem to know you"
I'm a fr ID, My name IL Cava-
n~h" |
y