THE BIG HORN 13

the next morning con stepped out of his trailer house to see ernesto at the hay stack forking hay into the feeders for the cows. his horses had already been fed. he stopped dead in his tracks and watched a moment then turned and went back in the house. there he poured another cup of coffee and sat down next to a window and watched earnesto finish feeding he had a small rough looking travel trailer hooked to his little truck. and had it parked out away from everything. con just sipped his coffee and watched. when earnesto finished con got up and went out. when he got to the hay stack he saw all the loose hay had been raked up and fed. a barrel sat near by and the hay twine was all throwen in. he walked on toward the barn. he could hear some one whistling a tune. as he entered the old barn he was met with earnesto sweeping out the saddle room, a plume of dust raised from his broom. " man earnesto, you could make some one a great wife!" con chided him. earnesto didnt slow down sweeping" i hope ime a great husband." con showed him where to set up his trailer. then had him load some salt blocks in his truck while he was putting out the salt earnesto could set his house up, and keep a eye on the place. when con returned there was a man standing next to a white truck with a blue star on the door, a brand inspecter. con rolled to a stop and stepped out. he could see earnesto at the hay stack watching. " what can i do for you?" con asked as he walked up. " its what ime going to do for you." the man said" ive come to inspect the cattle your sending to town." "ime not sending anything to town. who sent you out here? george?"con asked. " well by the way he called the front office then they dispatched me . the inspecter put on his official face. " george is married to the owner. she tells me what she wants done. leave me your number and ill ask her. if she says to then we will do it. george dont run things here."con laid it out but was polite about it. the inspecter turned to get in his truck" ill have to ask the higher ups about all this. we may hve to come look things over here. george says you could be stealing cattle as there are lots of slicks." the inspecter explained it all. con stepped up close to the man" becareful who you tell that to. it could come back to haunt you.george is running his mouth just to see where the words fall. yes, theres lots of slicks here. fawn , the owner, told me to brand and hold them until the brand peels according to the law.when they are ready ill call you. "con was talking through clenched teeth. the inspecter drove out of the yard a sheepish look on his face. earnesto came walking over with his pitch fork "i didnt know what to tell him except for him to wait for you. he wanted to go walk through all the cattle. but he saw the pitchfork and waitted." " you did right. ime going to town to get roy out of the hospital and bring him home. maybe we need a gate across that cattle guard so we can lock it. ill bring a lock and some chain when i come back"con patted earnesto on the shoulder then turned to his truck. the clock was ticking.

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.