THE JACK ASS ROPERS 15

dan martin was sitting up the western slope looking down at the lake pleasent camp far below. for 3 weeks this little round up job had gone surprisingly smooth. travis turned out to be not just a top cowboy but a cook and pot rustler with no equal. the crew had dailey gathered anywhere from5 to twenty donkeys causeing the BLM to have to come every other day to haul the donkeys away. to where dan had no idea nor did he care. the hay stack was almost gone because it had drawn the jackasses like rats to cheeze. their dsaddle horses had actually gained waeight! but the donkey population was getting down close to the end and now they were haveing to ride into the hills to find them on each side of him dan had a rock rollin brush bustin cowboy sending the donkeys down to the camp when they got close it would be a run and rope one affair. as he waited for the boys to come by he was mulling over something in his mind. it had for the last few days preyed on his mind and he couldnt quite put his finger on what it was. but as he sat here in the early morning light it hit him right between the eyes, he was home sick. he missed the ranch in the boulders, he missed his dogs he missed his aunt lizzy and without a second thought he missed ellen. he was thunder struck. where had that come from? but there was no deniying it. he missed that stern look, that dry humor and her smile when she decided it was warrented. off to one side he could see three donkeys running down the slope rollin the rocks ahead of them. dan shook his head to clear it. he pushed the thought s to the back of his head and picked up his rope. time to make a buck! on the other side of him dusty came into sight. he didnt have any donkeys but was working hard to catch up. dan and the two boys rode hard to hit the flat just a jump behind the donkeys. dan rolled up on the hip of a big jack and cast his loop over the donkeys head, takeing a dally he started slowing things down the other boys went on past and each caught a donkey. sitting there letting his horse catch his breath dan could see a woman standing by the corral full of donkeys a camera hung around her neck. at that time the jack bared his teeth and run at dans horse popping his jaws. dans horse spun to escape the attack and the donkey followed not even tightning the rope. dan spured for the corral. the woman standing there waved her arms and screamed but dan came on. when close to the corral the donkey tried to turn off and go back to the hills. but the good sorrel under dans saddle had him anchored, he was going into the corral. from out of nowhere travis appeared and opened the gate allowing dan to drag the donkey inside. the woman with the camera was clicking away all the time, cussing dan and travis and all thier family. dusty came right behind dan with his donkey in tow. once in the corral travis shut the gate and remounted. he then heeled each one in turn and got the ropes off their heads. dans jack made a try at travis arm but he was able to avoid it. the woman was danceing around the outside of the corral clicking away. and useing some abusive language toward the three cowboys. when his rope was off the jack dan rode to the fence" lady. and i use the term loosly what can i do for you?" " you need to turn these poor animals loose. your tortuteing them , chokeing them dragging them TURN THEM LOOSE!"the womans hair was standing up and her face a mask of anger. " you need to leave here, your trespassing this is a BLM camp. WE ARE JUST EMPLYEES DOING OUR JOB! dan was picking up the coils of his rope. travis rode up and reached over and grabbed dans ar," lady go, the BLM office is where you need to go. you could get hurt around here, if you understand my meaning." the womans face was bleached white but she turned and walked away toward the hiway. dan ducked his head" thanks travis i about lost it right there." " we still got one more donkey to pen i tied her to that palo verde yonder." travis reined his horse away. but dan had that familar knot in the pit of his stomach.