GO EN RODEO EN 15

joe had taken a seat next to a window looking back out on the street. he was sipping his beer and watching folks walk by.. one thing he noticed was all the men seemed to be carrying side arms. now this was a time that was no longer something considered needed. he himself carried a rifle but it was for prediters or long range game. deer, elk and such. a side arm was considered personal protection.. but this quiet little town of winkleman didnt seem to have a personal problem to proyect from. it was like he had stepped back in time ten years. when momma arviso brought his carne asada he asked her why everyone was armed. she simply turned to another table and picked up a weathered news paper and layed in front of joe. she pointed out a article that was on the front page. joe took a bite of the food and started reading the article. it told of a prisoner who being transported to prison in florence had while his hands were shackled in front of had beaten a sherriffs deputy nearly to death before escapeing into the desert from a moveing train. he was discribed as a mountain of a man with a slight limp from a leg wound when he was captured. his name was dutch girven. joe almost choked on what was in his mouth when he read the name. he had almost lost his appatite. he looked to momma arvizo"you believe he is comming this way?" " he was seen going through the desert comming this way. it is told he is a bad man." she stated. " i believe he is a bad man. is there a place here i can purchase a hand gun?"joe asked as he finished the meal. " across the street a few doors to the north. old alfredo repairs hand guns, he may have one to sell."the woman picked up the empty plate " more coffee?" she asked. joe just shook his head and pulled some cash from his shirt pocket and payed for his meal" very good thank you." when joe reached the shop of the gun smith he found the door standing open and a old gray haired man behind a counter poloshing a scofield 45 caliber pistol. " the old man looked upp as joes shadow fell across him" yes? may i help you? he asked slowley. " do you have a side arm for sale?" joe asked slowley. the old man got to his feet and walked to the end of the counter. there he reached inside and brought out a pistol in a belt. it was a colt 36 caliber. very old."this was brought to me to repair but the owner never came back. i have ammunition for it also. 50 dollers." joe dug out the cash in his pocket and counted out the required amount. it didnt leave him very much . he told himself he would need to get some from his money belt later. alfredo worked the action on the old pistol to show it was operational.he picked up the cash and pushed the pistol over to joe along with the box of ammunition. joe belted on the gun belt then opened the ammunition and started loading the pistol. when he had the gun loaded he pushed it down into the well oiled holster. he didnt put the hammer string on it. he wanted it ready to use. alfredo took not of all of that, ne nodded his approval. " thank you"was all that joe said as he walked out the door and headed back to the stable. he had planned on sleeping in a bed this night but had changed his mind, he would sleep with his horses.then he would get a early start toward home. he liked winklman but the fact that dutch might be near was enough to stir his feet into action.

GO EN RODEO EN 14

two days later joe brown was loading his pack horse.the 3 foot tall trophy proclaiming him the all around cowboy of the prescott rodeo was laid on top and lashed down . ed was on the far side of sox makeing sure the load was well balanced joe waas walking on cloud nine. he had placed in the bull dogging, the calf ropeing and won the steer ropeing. when all was said and done he was named the top money winner and the all around champion of the rodeo/ the winnings was safe in a money belt strapped around his waist. ed had given him the mount money for letting him and jerry ride sox. joe had never in his life dreamed he would have this much cash . he was headed home to put himself in the cow business. jerry was recovering slowley from the broken rope and ed told joe they would load up their dodge truck and start to cheyenne that afternoon. the trip back south for joe was pleasent. it was mid summer with afternoon thunder storms comming up from the south west every afternoon. joe knew that cow country along the mexican border would be lush and green when he got back. but he was in no big hurry. at every little town he passed through he became a instant celebrity when folks saw that monsterous trophy. but deep down joe knew he wouldnt have that and the money he had tucked away with out that sorrell , stocking leged rocket packing his bed roll and camp gear. the horse was a step quicker than any other joe had seen. plus he was broke far better than just about any horse out there. joe was takeing his time ambling back south toward his home country. the village of winklman sat on a small flood plain where the san pedro river met the gila. all along each river there were small truck farms and gardens mexican familys had come here some years before and established ranches and subsistance farming. two weeks out of prescott joe brown rode slowley into this small village. the few people on the street all smilled and waved at him. just good friendly country folks. about half way along the little street was a sighn that reead livery. he turned in the gate and rode into the hall way of a rough built barn.when he stopped a hostler came from a room to one side. joe asked for two stalls for the night and possibly two. the young man assured him he could stay as long as he wished. they unpacked joes horses and stacked his saddles and packs in a empty stall. they put each of his horses in a tie stall and fed them a measure of corn. when the hostler saw the trophy he whislted. joe had to explain how he came by it. he then asked for a good place to get a meal. the hostler stepped out into the street and pointed to a sighn on a small adobe house. COMIDA was all it said. joe thanked the hostler and marched over to the resteraunt. inside it was clean with the smell of good food cooking. a plump woman stood in the kitchen and came to the table. joe asked for beer and carne asada. the woman giggled and turned back to the kitchen. joe thought to him self" now this is liveing, good horses, good people and good food. a belt full of cash and nowhere he HAD to be. he had it made.