The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-21

BITTERLY.
 prisal," and as the broken man deliv- cred himself of these accusing facts he grew calmer. "I didn't know--I couldn't believe-that the men on that committee could chop and burn His utterance failed him again, and he fell silent abruptly.
 "They must have been drunk-mad drunk" retorted Cavanagh. And yet who would believe that even drink could infiame white men to such devils work? When did you first know what had been doneY'
 "That night after it was done one of the men, my neighbor. who was drawn on the committee, came to my house and asked me to give him a bed. He WIS afraid to go home. T can't face my wife and children he said. He told me what he'd seen, and then when I remembered that 1t had all been decided in 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. believe you. You must tell this story to the judge. It will end the reign of the cattlemen."
 "Oh, no: can't do that"
 ."You must do that. It is your duty as a Christian man and citizen"
 ''No. no; I'll stay and help you-I'n do anything but that. I'm afraid to tell what I know. They would burn me alive. I'm not a western man. I've never been in a criminal court. I don't belong to this wild country. came out here because my daughter Is not strong, and .nOw"- He broke down altogether and. leaning against his horses side. sobbed pitifuIly.
 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'n get you something to eat" he said. "Sit down here and rest and compose yourself.'
 Wetherford turned wild eye on the ranger as he re-entered. "Who's out thereY' he asked. "Is it the marshall F'
 "No; it's only one of the ranchers from below. He's tired and hungry. and I'm going to feed him." Ross re- piled. filled 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 you for your visit to me. I shall send your information to Supervisor Red field"
 Don't use my name," he begged 'They will kill me if they find out that I have told We were all sworn to secrecy, and If I had not seen that fire, that pile of bodies"-
 T know. I know! It mortified me. It made me doubt humanity" respond ed Cavanagh. I've of the north cry out against the south for it's lynchings, but here under our eyes goes on an equally horrible display of rage over the mere question of temporary ad- vantage, oyer the appropriation of free grass, which is federal resource something 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 punishnn ent"
 Dunn could only shiver in his horror and repeat his fear. They'll kill me If 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 morning. 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 if you are afraid to remain
 In the end the rancher promised to do this, but his tone was tSat of bro ken ans distraught dotard. All the landmarks of his life seemed suddenly shifted
 Meanwhile the sufferings of Wether- ford were increa sing, 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 tha valley and that the doctor was