"I can't afford to take a chance by putting in any more capital," said Roosevelt. "I haven't the right to do it."
And there the discussion ended.
There was a matter beside the wreck of his cattle business which required Roosevelt's immediate attention. George Myers was under suspicion (honest George Myers, of all men!) of being a cattle-thief. Roosevelt would have jumped to George's defense in any case, but the fact that the man who brought the charges against him was Joe Morrill, whom the forces of disorder had elected sheriff the previous April, added an extra zest to the fight.
George had, for some years, "run" a few cattle of his own with the Maltese Cross herd. Of these, two steers had, through an oversight, remained unbranded and been sent to Chicago with what was known as a "hair-brand" picked on the hide. Morrill was stock inspector as well as sheriff and allowed the animals to pass, but when Myers, shortly after, went East to visit his family, Morrill swore out a warrant for his arrest and started in pursuit.
He found Myers at Wooster, Ohio, arrested him, obtained his extradition and then, to the amazement of the local judge, released him.
"You can go now, George," he said. "When will you be ready to start back?"
"Oh, in a day or two, I guess," said George.
"That's a hell of a way to use a prisoner," exclaimed the judge.
"Thanks, judge," Morrill replied coolly, "but he's my prisoner."