THE JACKASS ROPERS 25

dan left the corrals took a little used trail to the west. it took him up high in the hills fairley quick. it was steep and rocky but he knew he could peruse a large peice of desert when he topped out. all most to the top of the grade was a level spot. it was a good place to let your horse catch his breath and look the country over. dan stepped down from his mount and loosened the cinchas to reset his saddle. the steep climb had slid it back some.dan took his little binoculars from his chap pocket and while his horse was catching his breath began glassing the country around. to the north maybe a mile he could make out a dozen head of cattle grazeing on a hill side among the cholla. he snuffed. he kept looking but found no sign of jackasses. he started to put his glass away when he caught out of the corner of his eye some one walking along a trail leading to camp. it didnt bother him much but it was the wild haired wild horse annie. he jerked his cinchas snug , mounted and turnned down hill back to camp. hw wanted a little visit with that woman because he thought maybe she was the one who trashed his camp. half way down the slope he saw the blm car leaveing camp. he hated to abuse his horse but with no one there there was no telling what might transpire. his horse was jumping and slideing in the worst spots with loose rock but he kept pushing the animal . he had lost sight of the wild horse annie but when he hit the flat he felt maybe he was ahead of her. he trotted his over to his trailer and tyed the horse behind it. he waitted. madalyn hooker was intent on makeing this cowboy pay for the embarresment she had suffered. never mind it was her own fault, in her mind the jackass ropers were to blame. when she marched into camp she didnt even slow down at the truck and kept on marching toward the corrals. if there was a donkey there she was going to free it for starters. then she would trash the camp again. she would do it every day until this jackass roper left. at the corral she found nothing but saddle horses. she knew by turning them loose the roper would stay longer. as she turned to march back to camp she came face to face with a jacket and chap wearing , hard faced cowboy, the one who had laughed so hard at her bare butt. "what do you think your up to sister?" dan asked. " just hikeing, its a national park i can hike here all i want."she was defiant. "well i dont think so, were you hiking when you were at my ranch perched on top of that boulder?" dan leaned into her, dareing her to tell another lie. "like hell, my house keeper knew you by name. ime giveing you fair warning lady, no matter where i am or what ime doing, if you interfere i wont call the blm, the fbi, the local law, ill tend to you myself. and it wont be pleasent. that is if my house keeper dont get you first. i wouldnt want to cross her. NOW GIT! dan was mad and doing his best to not let his temper get away from him. slowly madelyn started to walk away but looked back and said" ill take that as a threat shit kicker." "you better take it as one, NOW GIT!" dan kicked a toe full of dirt in her direction as she sauntered away. he didnt realize it but he was shakeing he was so mad. dan went to his camp and go a glass full of water. he was sitting there when he heard a far off donkey hee haw, " aw hell" he threw the water out and went to his horse.