the jack ass ropers 11

since dans cattle wernt scheduled to sell until late in the sale he was forced to hang around the sale barn all day. but that seemed to work in his favor. he driftd around and visited with other ranchers put the word out he would be needing a couple of jackass ropers for he hoped not more than a month. a couple of young men approached him about the jobs but when they found out the location they backed away. dan knew those men were town coboys who liked to rope but when it came to rough country or brushy and cactus thickets their skin was a bit thin for the job. finally when his yearlings hit the ring he sat up and watched as the bidding started. these yearlings were big framed and empty. and if given the chance would fatten fast. when they sold it was a bit more than dan had hoped for. the man who bought them came over to him. "you gonna have any more of those yearlins?" he asked. " yes but i dont know when. i just took a job gathering another out fit. mine are scattered on a rock pile."dan explained. "heres my card and number. you get some more call me. i can always use that kind of cattle in my feed yard." the buyer turned and walked away to watch some other cattle sell. dan pocketed the card and went into the office and collected his check he had just enough time to get to the bank before it closed. as he came out of the bank there was a man leaning against the front of truck with stock racks and faded paint. the man was about the same age as dan. his clothes were clean but had numerous patches his boots were brush scared and his hat was a black felt that was greasy around where the brim attatched to the crown. as dan walked up the man stepped out" i hear your lookin for a couple hands to catch jackasses over at lake pleasent?" dan nodded"yes sir it wont start for a couple weeks, i need to put some things in order first." " my name is travis jepperson, i got a boy about seventeen and we arnt afraid of a little hard work. the boy can rope good and he likes to chase the wild brute. we sure need to go to work we got a good string of rock hoppin ponys. "the man sounded hopeful. he had a hungry look to him. dan figgured his ropin arm itched all the way to his shoulder" where you staying right now?" " we got a camp just out side of town. the boy is there keeping a eye on it. his name is dusty." travis was standing square looking dan right in the eye. dan liked him. "i cant pay much until we start catchin donkeys but go break camp and follow me home. i got a pile of rock with some hard to gather cattle on it. we can work on that until we get everything squared away." dan peeled a few bills from the bank roll and handed them over to travis." i gotta go to the store and make a phone call or two. theres a road side rest area just out side of town meet me there." at the store dan called the number on the blm agents card. when he answered dan explained they would need a set of portable corrals and a truck load of hay at the lake pleasent camp site. they would be there in two weeks and ready to rope jackasses. when he hung up the phone dan had put the whole deal together. and with two extra mouths to feed he figgured he better get busy in the store. it was late and they would be midnight getting back to the ranch.