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

| when | remembered that IL had all
been decided In my stable and the
committee appointed there I began TO
trcmble. You believe I'm telling the
! truth. don't your" he again asked. with
pitcous accent.
Yes. believe you. You must tell
this story TO the judge. II will end
the reign OF the cattlemen."
"Oh. no: | can't do that"
"You must do that II IL your duty
az a Christian man and citizen
"Nc. no: I'll stay and help youth
do anything but that. I'm afraid Ia
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 90 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 10 find his way back over
the rough trail that night. spoke TO
him gently. I'm get you something 10
eat" he said. "Slt down here and
rest and compose yourself"
Wethcrford turned Wild eye on the
ranger as he re-entered. Who's out
therer' he asked lis Il the marshal r
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. oiled with a 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 90 me. shall send
your Information 60 Supervisor Red
field"
Don't use my name" he begged
They will kill me II they find out
that ! have told We were all sworn
10 secrecy. and IL ! had not seen that
fire. that Pile OF bodies
| II know. I know! II Mortified me.
II made me doubt humanity" respond
ed Cavanagh. we OF the north cry
out against the south for It's lynehings.
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 II a federal resource
something which belongs neither 10
one claimant nor TO the other. but TO
the people. and should be OF value 10
the people You must bring these men
10 punishment"
Dunn could only SILVER In his horror
and repeat his fear. They'll kill me
II I do"
Cavanagh at last said: you must
not attempt to ride back tonipht.
can't give you lodging In the cabin
because my patient is sick of small
pox. but you can camp In the barn till
morning. then ride straight back to
my friend Redheld 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:.nchrI PROMISED to
do this. but his tone was that Of bro
ken and distraught dotard. Ali the
landmarks OF his lffe seemed suddenly
shifted.
Meanwhile the sufferings OF wether-
ford were increasing. and Cavanagh
was forced TO give up all hope Of get
ting him down the trail next morn.
ing. and when Swenson, the forest
guard from the South Fork. knocked
at the door to say that he had been TO
the valley and that the doctor was
coming up with Redneld and the dis.
trict forester Ross thanked him. but
ordered him to go into camp across
the river and TO warn everybody TO
keep clear OF the cabin. Put your
packages down outside the door," he
added. "and take charge Of the situa-
ton on the outside. I'll take care of
the business inside"
Wetherford was In great pain. but
the poison OF the disease had misted
his brain. and he no longer worried
over the possible disclosure Of his iden-
tlty. At times he lost the sense of his
surroundings and talked Of his prison
life or Of the long ride northward.
Once he rose in his bed to beat Off
the wolves which he said were attack
ing his pony.
He was a piteous figure as he strug-
gled thus. and II needed neither his
relationship to Lee nor his bravery I'm
caring for the Basque herder to Ill
the rangers heart with desire to re-
lieve his suffering Perhaps l should
have sent for Lie at once" he unused
as the light brought out the red sig
natures of the plague.
Once the old man looked up with
wide. dark. unseelng eyes and MUIR
INJURED. IL don't seem to know you"
I'm fr' d. My name Is Cava-
N, oh -