BATTLE AX REMNENT 21

later that day after they got through sorting, and duane was trying to figure the owners of some of the cattle. everyone sat back and drew a long breath. while sitting around the cook tent they were discussing what the next move would be. connie was watching rick who kept looking up at bronco mesa. she wanted to ask the obvious question but barry kept jabbering about catching the bull frieght train. finally duane sat up" ok , heres the run down. theres 16 walking 7 steers. we gathered another 27 head of slicks, and there is 14 branded cows i cant determine who owns them. what a mess." looking at connie he asked" what you going to do with those slicks? theres darn near a truck load all total. you dont want to turn them back out do you?" connies eyes got as round as saucers" no way, not and have to go through all this again." she looked at rick" what you think partner?" " rick jerked his head around" partner? hmp. if the state wont let us sell them right away i would send them to a feedlot some place until the brands peel but thats gonna cost a bunch." " let me get a hold of the directer. he s the only one who can waive the rule on unbranded cattle. and that bunch of old cows that the brands are bad on and we cant determine the owners the state may let us sell them you can lein them for a gathering fee if it goes that way. i suggest we leave everything right here until you all make another run at the remnents. then maybe i can get the directer down here to help sort this thing out.that sound ok with you two partners?" duane was trying to keep things under control. everyone nodded in agreement. when it got quiet again barry chimmed in"when we going up on the mesa?" rick looked at connie and said " in the morning. you better fill yer pockets with rocks so you dont fly off the top." nobody laughted . the next morning the crew left in the dark . the moon still shown just a bit in the western sky 6to show them the trail.when they rode down into the sand bed of johnny long rick stoped for a moment and looked around, then turned up the canyon toward the wind mill in johnny long. asm they rode up to the wind mill it seemed deserted. but barry and duane rode a circl around the water trough in different direction. very softly barry called " here they go" pointing up the canyon. the four came together on the up hill side and continued on. soon they came to a trail that came down off the mesa. it was churned up with tracks where the cattle had come down to the mill for water then returned back up. rick stoped and looked at the trail with some trepidation. " ok, one stays here and turn the down country. when we get off one of us will try to get up ahead and help turn them to the cholla trail. duane simply said " ill stay, dont be late." he turned and rode on up the canyon a ways. rick looked to barry then connie" this isnt going to be a trail ride in the park. you sure you wanna go?" " i own it, i better see what we bought." connie naswered . barry looked up the steep and loose rock trail" well lets get to it before my heart fails me." rick turned his horse onto the trail and clucked to him. he started scrambling . for every two steps he slid back one but he kept at it. connie followed then barry. half way up they stoped to let the horses catch their breath, connie looked back down and duane was visiable but looked to be the size of a matel horse and rider. "when we top out we will let them blow again, reset your saddles. be quiet until we see what we are up against."rick instructed. then set off again for the last leg of the climb. rick wasnt sure the size of the ground on top of the mesa, he thought it was some where between 200 acres and maybe 400. he hoped it was flat as it looked from below. when they finally topped out they rode forward a dozen feet then rick steped down and loosened his cinchas. the other two did the same. the ground was a mess of cattle track s and manure, some of it fresh.when the horses had caught their breath and seemed relaxed rick reset his saddle and cinched up. steping back up on the good horse he looked at barry," well, you been wanting to see this out fit heres your chance". barry gulped." yeah" pointing to the right rick told barry to follow the rim around, they would meet on the far side and start everything back to this point. barry nodded and turned his horse and started off. " you stick with me partner, if some one has to call your dad they can tell about both of us being laid up." connie smiled and followed rick as they started following the rim the opposite direction of what barry took. the mesa was dotteed with scrub mesquite and clumps of cholla. a good stand of gramma grass was eveident but had been eaten down to the rocks. as they rode along rick could see small groups of cattle grazing or laying out across the mesa top. they hadnt been seen yet. the mesa was a little larger than rick had thought it would be. it ewas flat on top tho. across the way he could see barry comming around a few cattle had seen barry and were trotting and running toward the middle of the mesa. when they were about half way around rick stopped and told connie to wait a bit the start across the mesa throwing all the cattle toward the trail. connie nerley nodded. rick rode on to get closer to barry. the cattle barry had stired up were watching him. they hadnt seen rick or connie.