COCHISE STATION 27

jed was nearing dragoon, he could see the roof tops of the village and still he hadnt found burts tracks. when he rode into the one street he looked every where for the horse that alvord had been rideing. but he wasnt there. a man wearing a apron stood on the porch of the little general store. as jeb rode up the man was lighting a pipe stuck between his teeth, "you look like a man looking for some one. can i help you?" the man said. " do you know burt alvord?"jeb asked. "yes sir. he left here about two hours ago headed toward cochise.was in a awful good mood to."the store man pointed back toward cochise. it dawned on jeb then that alvord had set him up. he never intended to follow the train tracks any farther than dragood knowing that jed and slaughter would hurry to get in front of him. jed ducked his head and chuckled." thank you. ill see about finding him later." jed turned his tired horse and started toward cochise. alvord was going to mexico right throuh the middle of the sulphur springs valley and there wasnt anyone between cochise and the border to stop him. he wasnt near as dumb as every one thought. just at dark jeb rode up to the cochise station. he went to the station house and tied his give out horse . inside he asked ellis to send a wire for him.it was going to slaughter but would be to late to intercept alvord. when the wire was sent jeb led his horse to the rail road corrals and unsaddled then fed him. back at the station house he told ellis he needed a bed for the night. "ill deduct the cost of it from what burt left here for you."ellis started counting out green backs on the bar in front of jeb. "what you talking about?"jeb asked. " when burt came by a while ago he left this for you and told me to give it to you. he said to tell you thanks for the loan." ellis finished counting the money . alvord had set jeb up by takeing his money he knew jeb would try to get it back and makeing him think he was going to dragoon sent jeb in the wrong direction giveing burt a shot at a head start to mexico. again jeb chuckled.right or wrong he had to admit burt had set the deal up just right. he would be safe across the border out of reach of slaughter and jeb. jeb picked up the money and stuffed it down in his pants pocket just as the telegraph went to clicking. ellis went over and started writting. when done he looked over at jeb " that was slaughter. he s some mad. said he would see you tomorrow at the ranch." he he he well i better get some sleep if i gotta deal with him huh?"jeb got up and went to a bed room and went to sleep. he slept sound knowing alvord was gone, he had his money back and if slaughter got to nasty he would resighn and still be happy. he turnned over in bed and started snoreing