Putnam patriot., 1911-04-28

HE AWAITED THE APPROACHING Hohsk-
 MEN, ABSOLUTE AND READY TO ACT
 Gregg threw out hand in com mand "Open 1t up. Edwards" he said sulenly
 of came the outfit. and under the tent lay the noble head of a wild ram. n look of reproach still in his splendid yellow eyes.
 CaVanagh's face hardened 'I thought SO Now heave it back and rineh up. It's you to the nearest magistrate. which happens to be Hig- Icy of Roaring Fork I'll make an ex- ample of you fellows"
 There was nothing for Gregg to say md nothing for Edwards to do but abey. for Il resnlute ranger with an excellent weapon of the latest and most approved angular pattern stood ready 10 enforce his command and when the pack was reeinehed Gaya- aagh waved an imperative hand. 'I guess FIl have to take charge of your guns" he said. and they yielded with out word of protest Now march! Take the left hand trail"
 \ couple of hours of silent travel brought them 10 the rangers cabin. and there he ordered a dismount
 As the coffee was boiling he lectured them briefly. You fellows are not entirely to blame" he remarked philo- sophlcally. You've been educated to think a game warden a joke and Un- cle Sam d long way off. But things have changed bit. The law of the state has made me game warden. and I'm going to show you how it works It's my duty to see that you go down the road-and down you go.'
 Edwards. the guide was plainly very uneasy and made several at tempts to reach Cavanagh's private ear and at last succeeded. ''I've been fooled into this" he urged. "I was hard up and a stranger in the country. and this young fellow hired me to guide him d, ross the range. didn't shoot thing. 1 swear 1 didn't. If vou'u let me off I'll hit the trail to the west and never look back. Don't take me down the road. Let me off
 Il can't do that" replied Cavanagh, but his tone WAS kindlier. for he per eeived that the old fellow was thin, hollow ehested and poorly clad. You knew you were breaking the laws, didn't youE'
 This the cuprit admitted But l was working for sam Gregg. and when T.... ,I al him fhn trail | didn't expect to gel cinched for kill ing game. didn't fire a shot-now that's the truth"
 Nevertheless. retorted Ross. you were packing the head, and I must count you in the game.
 Edwards fell silent then. but some thing in his look deepened the rangers pity His eyes were large and dark. and his face so emacinted that he seemed fit only for Il sanitarium,
 The trip to the Fork ttimed to the gait of lazy pack horsel was tedious eight hours march. and il was nearly : o'clock when they arrived at the out skirts of the village.
 To the casual observer in town of this character there was nothing spe- ,ially noticeable in three horsemen driving u pack horse but to those whose eyes were keen the trne rela- ttonShip of the ranger to bis captiyes was instantly apparent, and when they aishted at Judge Higley's office d bunch ef eager observers quickly col. ieeted
 Hello. Joe. What luek2s called Bal lard
 "Orr luck was little too good-we caught game warden replied the young seapegrace
 The ranger was chagrined to find the office of the justice closed for the day and. turning to his captives, said; Tn hungry. and I've no doubt you are I'm going to take you into Mike Hal sey's saloon for supper. but remember you are my prisoners.
 In fifteen minutes the town WAS rum bling with the news Under Ballard's ranger and all the concealed opposition to the forest service came to the sur face like the scum on a pot of broth rhe saloons and eating houses boiled with indignant protest. What busi ness k ii of Ross Cavanagh' 2' they demanded What call has he to ill Jerfere? He's not a game warden"
 Yes. he k. All these rangers art game wardens," corrected another.
 No. they're not. They have to b, commissioned by the governor" Well. he's been commissioned. Hes warden all right"
 T don't believe it. Anyhow, he's too fresh. He needs to have halt Let: do him. Let's hlun him out" Lee Virginia was in the kitchen su perintending the service when one oi | the walters came in breathless witl excitement. Ross Cavanagh has sho | Joe Gregg for killing. sheepr' -~-s.h