THE BIG HORN 12

when con rolled into the yard at the big horn george was standing next to his suv, leaning against the door. con idled on down to the barn and parked. as he was getting out of his truck he saw george walking toward him. " things are looking good con. you been busy. but do you think you would do better if you had some help?" george had a sly smile crossing his face. " i got help but he got hurt so he s in the hospital in casa grande. he gets out tomorrow. we been getting a good bunch together."con was breaking a hay bale to feed his horses. " well i talked to the brand department about the mavericks, they said to just ship them to the sale barn and they would inspect them there save a lot of feed that way."georges slimey lawyer was showing. " yeah they will inspect them all right, after they seize them then the feed bill will be fawns until the brand peels. i know that game to well. our feed here is cheaper. and the cattle stay owned by fawn."con said it matter of factly. " well ime a officer of the court. you can trust what i say." george puffed up. " if fawn tells me to ship them i will, but not until then. ive got my orders. " con kept feeding his horses. " in the mean time ill keep gathering all i can. theres lots of cattle out there." with that george turned around and started stumping to his car, obviously mad.when he got to his car he turnned and said" ill send a brand inspecter out here to tell you. you will ship them then!" " have him tell fawn, thats who i work for, not the state or some inspecter or anyone else."con made it firm. when george jerked the door to his car open it reveiled a woman sitting in the front seat.he slammed the door behind him , started the car and roared out of the yard, over the cattle guard. " yep adviseing a client all right." con muttered. just as georges car squeeled onto the pavement a older model economy pickup turned into the yard and coasted down to where con was filling the feed bunks for the cattle. a stout mexican man in his 20 s got out and walked up to con. " ime told you need a chore boy. some one to feed and take care of the place. ime ernesto, cano. i want the job" the man sood on stocky legs with his hands on his hips. " i got no place for you to stay unless you want to share my trailer house with me and one more cowboy."con stuck the pitch fork in the hay stack. " i got my own little trailer. i need the job bad, you wont be sorry."ernesto didnt back up a step. " ok be here before day light tomorrow. ill show you what needs doingpark your trailer next to mine." con explained. ernesto stood there and didnt say anything else.con looked at him then asked. "you need some up front money? you need some food when you come." "i need gas and some food. ill leave as much as i can with my wife and kid. i wont cheat you or take off." ernesto didnt whine but spoke firmly. con liked him. con dug out some cash and counted out 200 dollers. " take care of the woman first. then get here." ernesto folded the money caefully and put it in his shirt pocket. then turned to his truck and got in. as he drove away con shook his head" i hope he shows back up in the morning." was all he said.

BIG HORN 11

about half way into casa grande it suddenly hit him, why that cigarette but george had throwen away bothered him. con couldnt believe he had let it slip past him that easy. he hoped it would still laying there when he got back. when he unloaded his cows at the sale barn he went in and borrowed a phone and called fawen. he told her of the cows selling and he was haveing the check mailed to her. but she flatley said no to that. she didnt go into details but told him she would take the time to come pick it up when the sale was over. con suspicioned she wasnt leaveing anything to chance conserning george. . he stopped at the hospitall to check on on his cowboy. he found nurses scurring in and out of his room , lookin over their shoulder as they left. con had a feeling this cowboy was much better. when he walkeed through the door to roys room he found him sitting up in bed, his arms crossed and his hair standing on end. " its about time you come got me out of here" roy demanded. " doc will say when that will be.just sit back and relax. and leave those nurses alone. ill bet good money you been pestering them."con laid down the law. " they wont let me get up. i want out of here!" roy was adament. "thats all i need is getting you out to the big horn and have you cave in. just relax, and keep your hands off the nurses!" con pointed his finger at roy. con stayed a good half hour with roy and in all that time no nurse came in. he did notice one cutting a sideways glance as she walked by the open door. it was hard to keep a straight face. when con did leave he told roy he would be back soon. roy wanted a pint of bourbon. con said that will be the day. out in the hall con ran into the doctor. " how much longer doc? will he live?" " ime afraid so if the nurses dont poison him first! they cant get close to him, he pinches their butts, tugs on theior skirts and makes a general pain of himself. if he continues to improve come for him tomorrow afteernoon. he wont be able to do much for a while. but you can take him home."the doctor was shakeing a clip board at roys door. " ill be here around 4 tomorrow, that be ok?" con asked. the doctor nodded as he was walking away" dont be late." was all he said. con was still snickering on his way to his truck.