BATTLE AX REMNENT 17

just at day light the next morning a semi cattle truck turned off the hiway and started down to the corrals. rick barry and connie stood at the cook tnt with coffee watching. behind the truck came jasons truck. as the truck was setting up at the loading chute jason got out and came walking over. "you got the paper work on this load?"he demanded looking at rick his attude set rick on edge that was no way to start a day" yeah i got the papers, you got a check?"' "when you get the rest of them ill pay off." jason said throug clenched jaw, " we had this debate before. no check no cattle. thats final." rick stood his ground. jason walked a circle cussing under his breath. " i want those steers!" rick didnt answer or say anything. but behind jason he could make out duanes truck comming off the hiway. he pulled up behind ricks truck and parked. rick still didnt say anything. jason took a stance in front of rick" just what do i gotta do to get this truck loaded? are you stealing the steers?" he accused. from behind him duane quietly said" we know who is trying to steal the steers. you want the cattle write the check or if you want ill go to a phone and call oakdale to get this straightened out." jason spun around and looked at duane with fire in his eye.then he stormed back to his truck and pulled his brief case out . duane looked at the three cowpunchers. " good morning" jake stepped out of the tent and handed him a cup of coffee. we maynot get down river very early this morning, but ime glad you were a bit late . i was getting ready to dot that gunsils eye!" rick was starting to relax. " if that check is bad you may get to any way." duane took a sip of coffee." i got a little news tho that half a truck load of hay you been feeding hasnt been paid for. kenneth ambrose the man who owns the walking 7 is flying in here today. he said this whole thing stinks. i told him he ought to smell it from this end!" jason came back with the check and held it just out of reach. rick pulled from his posket the inspection papers and handed them to duane. jason beached white but handed the check to duane who gave it to rick.. rick turned to barry and connie." get that truck loaded with every steer in the corrals. ime gonna visit with duane here a bit." barry nodded and looked at conniee who was smilling " ready lady?" " wheels under them smoke over them make em roll!" connie handed her cup to rick as did barry and they headed to the corral. rick turned to jason. " we are done bub. DONE! do you understand ? if i get more steers in the corral ill deal with the man who owns them. dont come back here while ime here.!" jason spun on his heel and went to his truck and ploped into the seat and pouted. rick looked at duane" from here on we work for sharack oil and that lady in the yellow chaps yonder. if theres any steers left there arnt many not enough to make the count. but as we find them you can decide what to do. if i need to deal with that guy over there much more i may end up in the crowbar hotel." duane turned to the tent laughing, " whats for breakfast jake?" he called out.