THE JACKASS ROPERS 19

dan was closeing the gate on the horse corral when he heard ellen walk up. "you gonna stay this time boss?" she asked. "for a few days, then i gotta go back.. there maybe a donkey or two left there. but i got home sick for you all."dan turned to face ellen. down at the hiway he could make out a set of headlights on their road. but as he looked they blinked out. he didnt think much of it." everything been ok here?" he asked. " not a sould has come by. no more varmits. i think the dogs take care of that little problem. supper is over but ill warm something up for you." she spun on her heel and marched toward the back door of the house. when dan came in the kitchen lizzie was sitting at the table playing solitare with a dog eared set of playing cards. she looked up then went back to her game. " you look like you could use a drink cowboy." ellen said as she set a bottle of jim beam on the table along with a glass. she went back to the stove. dan poured a short shot of bourbon and sipped at it.when ellen put a plate of food in front of him she smiled" probably not as good as camp food ." " travis is a fine cook, but he gets ashes in the pots and he dont have a good figgure. "dan laughed as he dug into the food. when he finished eating he pushed the plate back and shook his head at the offer of more. he refiled the glass with the jim beam. then looking to the two women he unbuttoned the two buttons in the middle of his shirt and brought out the bank bag. he unzipped it and pulled out the cash. lizzy dropped her cards and ellen fell into a chair next to her. " we did alriht catchin donkeys."dan explained. " i would say you did a little better than alright." lizzy exclaimed. dan started counting the money into a pile when he reached a certain spot he pushed it over to ellen" you havent been paid since you been her. that should square us up." ellen stared at that the pile in disbelief. then dan counted out another pile and pushed it in front of lizzy" i imagine you girls need a shopping trip in town for some girly things. you all take off tomorrow , ill watch the ranch. i been gone enough." ellen looked to lizzy" you want to go to town?" lizzy nodded" i need a new deck of cards." everyone broke up laughing. out side the dogs were heard growling then barking. dan gott up and walked to the door. the dogs were standing staring into the dark their hackles raised. behind dan ellen said" another varmit, you want the rifle or you want me to tend to it?" dan turned to look at her"smart alec" was all he said. the dogs went quiet and laid down.