The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-01-24


that we were to continue where
ever the trail led. 1t had begun
to rain again, but fortunately we
were in a sand country and the
going was infinitely better. At 4
p. m. that evening we came into
Cooper's New Ranch, on the bor-
der. Cooper could give us no in
formation, but he provided us
with what at that minute we
needed most. Here again l want
to call attention to the loyalty
with which settlers stood by the
police. Cooper had just buried
his wife the day before. With
feeble apology for his ability as
a cook, ne set us down to a feast
of corn bread and cracklings. He
was a kindly old man, typical of
the old stamp of rancher-active,
keen-eyed and alert. Both OF us
realized the agony that ragged IN
that stalwart old pioneer, but
there never was a whimper. After
he had fed us, he packed up some
stale biscuits for our lunch. An
hour before dusk the following
day, We pulled in to Thompson's
ranch. The settlers information
was of such a nature that it de-
cided us to push On that night.
He described for us some old
ranch buildings farther on, where,
it was more than probable, we
would find our man encamped.
Upon nearing the deserted
ranch we could see we'll enough
to determine that its outbuildings
would affrod a fugitive excellent
opportunities for making a stand
against pursuers. Leaving the
horses and the blackboard some
half-mile away, Mundy took his
position behind a rise of ground
commanding a view of the sheds.
He was to remain there and COW
er my approach to the buildings.
I crawled to a point where con-
cealment was no longer possible,
and then rushed to the first of
the structures, an old chicken
The trail was getting warm,
and literally so, for in the cent
er of the house was a small pile
of ashes, the ground beneath
still. retaining some of the heat
from the fire. Against a side
wall rested a board on which the
camper had leaned as he dried
his clothing. Immediately outside
| found the place where the horse
had been tethered. found no
more traces in an examination of
the other buildings.
Go To Glasgow, Montana
Owing to the nature of the
country through which we were
now travelling, it was impossible
to proceed farther that night. The
rails were hardly distinguishable
in broad daylight, much less i'll
he dark of a moonless night. We
there, removing the rear
from the democrat and
anchoring the horses to them, a
precaution that was probably
needless due to the fatigued con-
iition OF the animals. Placing a
on the ground, and my
blanket over us, we lay back to
back beneath the blackboard.
One indication Of the approach
If complete exhaustion is a chill
hat wracks the victims body.
Both of us shook. as with the
ague during the night despite the
,act that the weather was mild
md we each benefited by the
leat of the others body. Weary
is we were, our sleep was inter-
'upted by the violence with which
shivered. At the break OF
lawn, we were on the trail again.
We travelled all day through a
barren country. The water was
contaminated with alkali to the
that the horses refused to
ouch it, although their tongues
we're by this time protruding and
wollen. The sun beat down up
n that staggering outfit unmerci-
ully, and each of us, taking turns
t driving, frequently fell forward
n the horses as we dozed off.
Along in the afternoon we
anne upon a ranch. A horse was
razing in the yard, and from the
oint where we first espied it,
re were sure it was the animal
reel had been riding. We rush
d the house, Mundy taking the
'ont and myself the rear door. !
We found four persons asleep on
ne floor in one of the two rooms |
f the shack, but our man was
OF among them. The owner OF I
ne ranch, once his surprise was
yer. told us that a man answer !
lg Preel's description had ridden !
he horse into the ranch at IL |
clock that morning. The visitor
ad said that he was on his way {
!, Glasgow, Mont, a distance OF 7
venty-three miles farther south. I
1t was my first introduction to
mericans on their native heath, {
nd it was a pleasant one, for 3
fn1,r man trnated lis gener- 3