Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-03

""' NAAN'N A@IfEs Aha+a sHSNPs
There isn't thing but heel OF ba-
con and II 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
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"
IAN right, but remember I've estab-
lished a quarantine. I'll crack your
head II 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 find; but, as you say. he's
human, and we can't let him lie here
and die. I'll stay with him till you
can find doctor or till he dies"
II take off my hat to you," respond
ed Cavanagh. You are man."
Once back at his cabin after leaving
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 filled his pockets with
such medicines as he possessed, and
so at last. just as 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 he?" asked the ranger.
"Delirious," replied the herder. "Ive
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. 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 1t 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 1t ALL
Ross did as Wetherford commanded
him to do and withdrew little way
down the slope and without putting
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 1t 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 a 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. 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 it
to the nearest doctorW
81 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, l think I've
had the smallpox. l know I've been
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 intend
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 a doctor Gomez" asked Ross
quite huskily. moved by Wetherford's
words. Its hard climb. Would
they think the dago worth itf'
Wetherford's face darkened with Q
look of doubt. 1T is hard trip for Q
city man, but maybe he would come
for you--for the government"
II doubt it, even If | were to offel
my next months salary as a fee
These hills are very remote to the
townsfolk and one dago more or less
Of no Importance. but I'll see what
can do"
Ross was really more concerned fo
Wetherford himself than for tn,
Basque 'If the fever is something
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 ant
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 ride owe
into Deer Creek or return to th
Fork. He was tempted to ride all th
way to the Fork, for to do so woult
nnrnnit another meeting with en Rn