The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-09-18

II mean this slaughter. like the 9th.
ers that have taken place. was the
work Of cattlemen who claim this
range Their names are known TO us
ALL"
A silence followed-so deep n silence
that the ranger was convinced OF the
fact that in the circle Of his listeners
stood those who. II they had not
shared in the slaughter. at least knew
the names of the guilty men.
At last the sheriff spoke. this time
with sigh. II hope you're all wrong.
Cavanagh. I'd hate TO think any con.
stituent Of mine had sanctioned this
job. Give me that lantern. Curtis"
The group OF ranchers dismounted
and followed the sheriff over 20 the
grewsome spot, but Redheld stayed
with the ranger
Have you any suspicion. Rossy'
"No. hardly suspicion. However.
you know as well as I that this was
not sudden outbreak. This deed was
planned. IL represents the feeling OF
many cattlemen-in everything but the
was the work OF drunken, Infatuated
men. But am more deeply concern
ed over Miss Wetherfords distress
Did she reach you by telephone to-
nightT'
mo. What's the troubler
"IIer mother is down again. I tele-
phoned her. and she asked me TO come
TO her, but | cannot go. for have a
case OF smallpox up on the hill. Am
bro. the Basque herder. Is down with
II, and another herder is up there alone
with him must go back to them.
But meanwhile | wish you would go TO
the Fork and see what you can do for
her."
His voice. filed with emotion. touch.
ed Redfield. and he said. Cant / 60 to
the relief Of the herdcr?"
mo; you must not think OF IL. You
are a man with a family. But II you
can find any one who has had the
smallpox send him up. The old herder
who is nursing the patient is not strong
and may drop at any moment Then
it's up to me"
The men came back TO the campfire
conversing In low tones. some OF them
Of them were small farmers from Deer
Greek. recent corners to the state. or
men with punches Of milk cows. and
10 them this deed was awesome.
The sheriff followed. saying: well
there's nothing TO do but wait till
morning The rest OF you men better
60 home. You can't be Of any use
here"
For more than three hours the sher
III and Redtied sat with the ranger
waiting for daylight. and during this
time the name Of every man in the re-
gion was brought up and discussed.
Among others. Ross mentioned the old
man In the ditch.
"He wouldn't hurt n bumblebee." de-
clared the sheriff. He's got bunch
Of cattle. but he's the mildest old man
in the state. He's the last rancher in
the country TO even stand for such
work. What made you mention himT'
81 passed him as was riding back"
replied Cavanagh. "and he had scared
look in his eyes"
The sheriff grunted. you imagined
all that The old chap always has a
kind OF meek look"
II was nearly noon OF n glorious day
as Cavanagh. very tired and very hun
CRY. rode up to the sheep herder's tent
wetherford was sitting in the sun
calmly smoking his pipe. the sheep
were feeding not far away, attended
by the dog, and an air of peace covered
his sunlit rocky world.
How is the BasqueT" asked the
ranger.
wetherford pointed upward. "An
over"
"Then 1t wasn't smallpox
81 reckon that's what IL was; 1t
sure was fierce. judge it's a case
of Injun burial-no ceremony-right
here in the rocks. I'll let you dig the
hole Q'm Just about all i'm. but mind
you keep 10 the windward all the time.
] don't want you spotted"
Cavanagh understood the necessity
for these precautions, but first of all
came his own need OF food and rest
Turning his tired horse 10 grass, he
stretched himself along a grassy. sun
ny Granny between the rocks and there
ate and afterward slept. while all about
him the lambs called and the comics
whined
He was awakened by pebble tossed
upon him. and when he arose, stiff and
sore. but feeling stronger and In bet
ter temper, the sun was wearing low
Setting to work at his task, he threw
the loose rock out OF a hollow In the
ledge near by. and to this rude sepul-
cher WetherfOrd dragged the dead
man, refusing all aid, and there piled
q cairn of rocks above his grave.
The ranger took a hand at the end
and rolled some huge powders upon
the grave TO insure the wolves defeat
Now burn the bedding" he Gem
handed The whole camp has got TO
go, and your clothing, too, after we
get down the hill"
what will we do with the sheepT'
hn ditFIHn and