THE JACKASS ROPERS 30

the next morning when dan came in the kitchen ellen stood at the wood stove and was frying bacon. a kerosene laqmp sat on the table as well as one hanging over the stove on a ceiling hook. dan got a cup down from the cupboard and poured a cup of coffee. as he turned to walk away he nuzzled ellens neck and said good morning. " dont, lizzy may hear you or worse see you doing that. "ellen shruged. " well she ought to know some time ime thinkin." dan was shocked. " when the time is right . we tell her together. what you going to do today?"ellen cracked a egg into the skillet. "going to the back side and see what i can find. theres a pocket back there i havent been in yet.pack me a snack because its a long way there and back." dan explained. ellen handed him a plate of breakfast" well get started on this, ill scratch up something for you a lunch." it was still dark a hour later when dan whistled up the dogs and headed out. a smile on his grizzled face. ellen had brought his lunch out to him in the dark and had stood close and kissed him in the dark" i hope lizzy dont have xray vision " she whispered. dan chuckled to him self as he mounted. " and if you want that to continue SHAVE in the mornings!" ellen turned and went in the house. the dogs all fell in behind dans horse as they took the signal trail up the rocky mountain side.he had left ellen a handfull of cash incase her and lizzy went to town. he knew this day would be long and hoped he would make it profitable. he felt almost guilty for neglecting the ranch. that mess with the wild horse annies he wanted behind him. madilyn hooker was worse than haveing a infected thunb, every thing you did you banged it on something to cause pain. two hours later he stopped on the lip of a basin. below was a spring with a few willow trees growing around it. as he sat there he could make out a string of cattle traveling single file walking to the spring. pulling his little glass from his chap pocket he could see there was four maybe five unbranded animalsin the bunch. looking at the dogs he said" ok time to go to work " he stepped up on his horse and picked up his rope and started down the trail. when the cattle saw him they stopped and threw thier heads up. before they could run dan had sent the dogs. they were circling the cattle and holding them where they stood. dan would heel one and drag them to a flat spot and tie it down then repeat the process untill all four of the long ears were tied close together. he called the dogs then built a fire and put his running iron in the flames. a hour after dark dan rode his give out horse into the yard and steped down . his knees buckled a bit but he stood a minute to get them to steady. the dogs had all flopped at the saddle room. dan mused," we all are give out. ill try not to do that again in the future." as he pulled the saddle from the give out horse he heard a door slam. looking up he saw the outline of a woman coming toward him , back lit by a lantern at the door. " this is livin" dan thought to him self.