GO EN RODEO EN 16

as joe was walking back to the stable he could see a lone rider come onto the street from the north. the man rode with his head bowed and his hat drawen down over his eyes. when joe turned into the barn he could see his saddled and packed horses still in stalls munching contentedly. the hostler sat to one side a shot gun across his knees. just as joe was going to speak a form blocked the door and the sunlight. he turned to see a man on a give out bay horse sitting there. after a moment the man slid to the ground. " can you take careof him?" he handed the reins to the hostler the hostler sat there a moment frozen in place" ime a arizona ranger/ i just came straight through from florence. ime afraid i used this good poney a little shamlessly. but dutch is reported in the vicenity."at the name dutch the hostler jumped to his feet and grabbed the reins to the good horse and led him to the back of the barn. the ranger collapsed onto a stool exhausted. joe stepped up. "we heard dutch was comming this way. i was going to leave town today but if he is close, i would rather meet him here in town with all these folks around as to meet him out on the road." ' " THATS GOOD THINKING. THAT DUTCHMAN IS A BAD HOMBRE. THAT DEPUTY HE BEAT UP ESCAPEING DIED.. THATS WHAT HAPPPENS WHEN YOU GIVE SOME ONE LIKE DUTCH A DECENT BREAK. it cost the kid his life. ime assuming your that rodeo hand dutch is chaseing. good horses and a pockeet full of cash. from what i hear he blames you for getting caught in prescott." the ranger shook his head " my name is blain norris. i was in florence gettting ready to testify in a robbery case when i got the word on dutch.. i would advise you to sit tight until we know where that snake is." the ranger was nearly asleep on his feet. joe grabbed him and helped him to a stall with a covering of straw. the ranger slumped to it and was snoreing before his head hit the straw. when the hostler came back joe told him "i guess ime staying here a while. lets un pack and unsaddle my horses. " the hostler nodded. when done joe slipped the man a few extra dollers for his help.then he went back to momma arviso s kitchen and told her about blain.. she said she would have a meal for him when he woke. joe laid cash on the counter and smilled at her. he was almost back to the stable when a older mexican man stopped him. " its told you come from the border and return there to set up a rancho. is that right?"" yes, i was born there, and i want to buy a ranch there. why do you ask?"joe explained. " there is much land here why not stay here and ranch. there is ground along the san pedro you could plant and build a home. we need a young man such as your self. i only ask you consider it. if you wish to look at the ground along the river have momma arviso contact me, ill take you there."the old ranchero explained.. " lets deal with this out law first ill think on it." joe was being polite. but he had his heart set on the border country.. but these people here were polite and seemed to be good rancheros. the old ranchero nodded and stuck out his hand " my name is don pedro amivisca. joe shook the old mans hand and told him his name. they parted company in the street.

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.