The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-10-16

when remembered that II had all
been decided IN my stable and the
committee appointed there ! began to
trpmble. You believe I'm telling the
truth. don't your he again asked. with
piteous accent.
"Yes. I believe you. You must tell
this story to the judge. II will end
the reign OF the cattlemen."
"Oh. no: I can't do that
~You mus. do that II Is your duty
a. a Christian man and citizen"
"No. no: I'll stay and help you-rll
DO anything hut that I'm afraid to
tell what I know. They would burn
me alive I'm not western man
I've never been In a criminal court ]
don't belong to 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 to find his way back over
the rough trail that night. spoke to
him gently. "Tll 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
thereT' he asked. "ls II the marshall"
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. filed 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
whole country should be obliged to
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 II they find out
that I have told. We were all sworn
to secrecy. and II ] had not seen that
Ore. that pile OF bodies
II know. know! II horrifed me.
II made me doubt humanity" respond
ed Cavanagh I'VE Of the north cry
out against the south for its lynchings.
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 Is a 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 punishment"
Dunn could only SILVER In his horror
and repeat his fear. They'll kill me
II 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 Redfeld 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 rancher promised to
10 this. but his tone was that Of bro
ken and distraught dotard. All the
Of his life 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 Redfeld 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," be
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-
tity. At times he lost the sense of his
surroundings and talked Of his prison
life or Of he long ride northward.
Once he rose In his bed to beat OF
the wolves which he said were attack
ing his pony.
He was a piteous figure as he strug-
gled thus. and 1t needed neither his
to Lee nor his bravery In
caring for the Basque herder to all
the rangers heart with a desire to re-
lieve his suffering. Perhaps ] 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. unseeing eyes and muir
INJURED. II don't seem to know you"
"Pm friend. My name Ii Cava-
nagh-"
81 can't place you" he sadly admit
ted. 81 feel pretty bad. II ] ever get
out of this place I'm going back to the
Fork. I'll get gold mine: then I'll
go back and make up Tor what Lie
has gone through. I'm afraid 70 80
back now"
-An right" Ross soothingly agreed.
But you'll have to keep quiet till you
get over tbs fever you're suffering