WITH THE NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 68, 1 September 1911, Page 2

WITH THE NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE.

HUNTING HORSE STEALERS

Apart from the stealing of horses that have been sent out bn the ranges, and '“lifted” thence by night,' or that have been actually taken out of the corrals, a profitable form of theft was the seizure of “mavericks,” or young unbranded animals. These; 1 ' having been driven off, were eventually marked wish a new brand, which rendered identification difficult. Mahy stock owners in Canada—principally in Alberta—suSered heavy losses in this direction. In one district a gang of skilful thieves worked the g Line successfully for a long time, and it was only through the smartness of a N.W.M.P. officer that a stop was put to their practices. It had been suspected that the thieves were working in conjunction with some unscrupulous rancher. Their raids were so timed that it wad clear they received special information as to the various stock owners’ “round-ups,” the movements of the police, and so on. In order to get at the root of the mystery Sergeant Egap, who had done good detective ■ work of a similar kind before, was detailed to make investigations, At- ( tired in plain clothes, he watched the country closely until his suspicions fell upon a certain ranchman. It was a slight clue, but it might lead to something,, so he determined to follow it up. One day he appeared at the ranch in question, looking very much like the scores of other “hobos’ who drifted about more or less seeking employment. “Got a job for me, sir ?” he inquired. The rancher looked him up and down, and presumably was impressed in his favour. “What can you do?” he- asked,-“broncho-busting ?” '“No, I ain’t great shakes on bronchos. Not my line. I can cook a bit and do odd chores.” “Well, sling your bunk in the shed,”, said the other, ‘"As it happens, I want a fellow for light work just now/* s

So Egan was taken on. He stopped at the ranch four or five months, making himself generally useful all through the winter, and establishing himself in his employer’s confidence. One morning in the early spring the rancher -asked him, “Do you think you can ride a bit now ?” Egan replied that he thought by that time he had had enough practice to be able to stick on. “Very good, then,” said the ranchman, “come along with me ; I’ve got a job for you.”

A little later the tv/o men were riding out to the hills, and the sergeant felt there was a surprise in store for him. There was. In a corral, nicely sheltered from observation by a circle of low bluffs, was a bunch of “mavericks,” a very taking lot altogether, and certainly some one else’s property, for the sergeant was well aware of thfi extent of the stock on the ranch. He asked no questions however, hut proceeded to fellow his employer’s instructions, and assist in the branding of the animals. One •by one they were roped, thrown, and stamped with the rancher’s brand. After this had been accomplished' the horses were herded together, and they started back homewards. • At a certain point the trail divided, one fork leading on to the ranch, while the other led south to a place near which was a police post. When they came to this fork Egan steered th« horses into the south road. “Sec here, what are you doing ?” cried the rancher. “Swing ’em round, you fool ; that ain’t our way !”

"Guess it is,” came the answer. "Not it ! That’s the road to Twenty-Mile. This other’s our trail.” The sergeant turned in the saddle. ‘'T know v?hat I’m doing,” he said quietly. "We’re going to Twenty Mile. I guess its about time you knew who I am. I’m a Mounted Policeman. You’re the fellow we’ve been looking for, an’ 1 reckon we’ve got you all right.” He drew out his revolver, and the 'rancher said that the game was up. Egan- sent him on ahead; and in due course arrived with bis man at the post. It was a .true bill. The gang with which the prisoner was operating was broken up ; some were caught and at the subsequent trial exemplary sentences were indicted. And for a time that part of Alberta enjoyed a rest from the attention’s of horse thieves. —"Riders of the Plain,”