THE TRAIL TO TOMBSTONE 15

the next morning billy left with a wave . the surveyor had camped on the opposite rige from the house.. dale had walked up to him when he went to bring the horses in. he had offered him supper and a bed for the night but he had declined. when billy rode out that morning dale caught the remaining horses and was leading them up the ridge to graze. he passed the surveyors camp sit. a small pile of ashes from his fire was all that was there. dale was impressed as there was no trash. he led his horses on and started hobbling them so they could graze.dale thought to himself he was starting to take these horses maybe a bit to far from the house. but they had had no problems everything seemed calm. the little race horse was the last to get hobbled. he had been ignored the past few weeks. dale checked his shoes and ran his hand down each front leg checking for any bumps or bruises. the little horse seemed to enjoy the attention. while dale was kneeling there the surveyor walked up slowley behind him. the horse snorted and took a step back before dale had the hobbles tied. " thats a pretty good little horse.. to bad he is so small."the man stated. " he earned a place here. this out fit is his earnings." dale finished tying the hobbles. " the small size is only on the outside.. that heart in there is as big as the sky. he will give you every once of it when you ask for it."as dale started to stand the surveyor brought a peice of shovel handle down on dales head right behind his ear. the blow laid dale out flat. when dale came to it was almost dark.. his head was pounding and blood had dried on his shoulder and down his neck.he slowley rolled over then sat up. the pain in his head was liveing thing. slowley he looked around, not a horse in sight. a pile of hobble rope and the survey gear lay in a pile close by. " i felt there was something fishy about that guy." dale spoke to himself. dale slowley got to his feet. he staggered trying to get his balance. his head was swimming. he slowley started staggering down the slope to the house. all the way there he was muttering to him self the things he would do to a horse theif.. but he was going nowhere until billy got back with saddle horses. but tonite he was makeing use of the bed he used, but first he washed the dried blood from his head and neck. he couldnt tell by feeling it just how bad was the cut behind his ear. he found a rag and wet it the folded it and layed over the cut then laid down with his head laying on the rag. he went to sleep.

THE TRAIL TO TOMBSTONE 14

the next morning dale stepped out of the house to put the horses out to graze. just as he reached the corral he saw a man leading a pck horse comming toward him from gleesons direction. he stopped and waited for the rider to come into the yard. as he rode up dale could see a tripod of some sort lashed to the back of the pack horse. " is this the dale little outfit?" the rider asked in a friendly manner. " dale stepped up"ime dale little, what can i do for you? your out early can i offer you some breakfast or coffee?" " thank you , no, ime from the state land department, ime here to survey your home stead."the man laid it out on the line. " well thats great! what do i need to do?"dale was excited. " just look at these papers and tell me they are correct." the man held out a sheif of papers. after reading through them dale handed them back" yes sir they are correct.what now?" if you will allow me to tie horses here ill get started. ill stake the corners of your property and leave a flag at each corner so as you can see the property lines if you ever decide to fence your property."the man had dismounted and was tieing his horses.. he then unlashed the tripod from the pack horse and set out walking. dale stood there in shock. when billy walked up he had a question on his lips but dale explained before he could ask. dale asked as they caught their horses" where do you think we might find some saddle horses to buy? if the mexicans come back we will be left behind i fear.?" " ime not sure.. uncle billy four ranches north of here along the west slope of the dragoons. he might have a idea if not a horse or two for sell."billy answered. " maybe tomorrow you better go see what you can find out. i got a little cash left. and we will have to feed that bunch also. unless you want to cook for them maybe scout us up a camp cook too. we got some cattle to sell so we can pay some one."dale explained as they hobbled the horses out on on a fresh patch of grass. " if i dont find anyone ill cook . ill leave in the morning." billy slapped dale on the shoulder as they walked back to the corral. on the opposite ridge they could see the surveyer with his tri pod set up . " i wanna keep a eye on that bird.. make sure he knows what he is doing."dale stated.