BATTLE AX REMNENT 16

when every one finished eating lunch they all saddled fresh horses and rick starteed sorting. a hour later he had everything split the way he wanted. they had gathered another 55 head of steers. along with what they were holding it barely made a full truck load. there was a bunch of older branded cattle some with the A diamond from the ranch to the south. but mostly they were a assortment of brands that no one had any knowledge of duane had his state brand book out trying to figgure who owned the cattle. another hand full of slicks was added to the pen already holding slicks.there was now 18 pairs, 5 young yearling bulls and 4 slick kiefers. . connie, rick and barry were sitting their horses talking about the steers and where the rest of them might be. barry was rattling on about the river thicket, but rick was stareing at bronco mesa. one trail up, one trail down. connie was looking at rick. "you think up there ?" she asked. rick broke his gaze free" yep, there maybe a few along the river but i think the mesa is the hidey hole. when we go back to the river i want us all to go. that stinkin bull cant be let to get away again. i dont think he hit mickey on purpose. mickey just didnt have time to move like i did. but its gonna be a chore for sure. but bronco mesa, i dont know what to expect up there." duane came walking over from his pick up. he had a hand ful of papers. he handed them to rick." theres for the truck for the steers. the rest are stray returns on the A DIAMOND. i cant come up with owners for the rest of them old nellies. ill have to check with the main office as to what to do with them. i got a to go tend to some other inspections but i can be back here in the morning." " you come back and we will make a run at the river. maybe get that bull. you gonna get word to jason on this truck load?" rick asked. " yep. i dont know what to tell you about the money deal tho. but if you take his check and it bounces ill help you all i can. but i think them california folks at the walking 7 will make it good. from everything i can find thea are good people."duane nodded and headed for his truck. " not all cow cops are as good as he is huh?" barry asked. " its because he was a cowman first then a brand inspecter. most of the rest its the other way around." rick spoke low as he turned his horse away.