DENTON CROUCH 4

as they started to the door denton stoped and picked up his gun belt off the back of a chair. with practiced ease he swung it aroundhis hips and buckled it in place. braxton watched with questioning look on his face. " i guess its habit, i still wear a star and i dont want to be caught unawares."denton explained when he saw braxtons look. "i quit carrying mine ten years ago, but i still tuck the winchester under my leg on the saddle. old habits are hard to break i guess."braxton answered dentons look and explaination.. the two friends walked out the door of the hotel into the sunshine. denton stood a moment and let the rays soak into his face." you dont know how much that means to you until you dont get it first thing in the morning. man i sure missed it." its for sure one of the simplist things a man get get to start his day." braxton agreed. braxton watched denton as they walked down rail road avenue to the stable. denton didnt walk fast and he didnt seem very stable on his legs. at the stable brad met them at the door" glad to see you up and around. that ole pony has been missing you but he hasnt missed a meal yet."brad laughed denton ambled down through the aisle way to the stall his horse was in. he leaned on the door and scratched the horses muzzle. turning to brad he smiled" he looks great, i bet my bill will be a big one." " nope, the riggs said because you brought back their horses they were going to cover it."brad explained. denton turned to walk back but his legs felt rubbery. he saw a chair by the stable office door and he made it to it by braceing against the wall. he eased down onto the chair and looked up at braxton" i might have pushed this a little. let me rest a minute." " you take all the time you want. we got nothing waitting on us except that beer and its always there." braxton smiled. from out of the south end of town a lone horseman came jogging up the street. all three men at the stable saw him and watched as he came on. when he pulled up in front of the stable he steped down and tied his horse. he was the sherriff of cochise county will sloan. he stepped inside the stable and looked at the three men then recognizing dento he seemed surprised" deputy, what you doing out of bed?i was told you would be down another week." " i dont stay down long. dont want the mattress takeing root in my back." denton snswered. " he needed some sun so i sided him this far will. but i think when he rests a little he better go back to the bed,"braxton explained. the sherriff nodded." i came to see you anyway braxton. i was in paradise last night and your good wife said you were here. i may need your experise in a few days, and with deputy crouch laid up i need a good man." " i retired ten years ago will, ime just a peaceful rancher now. i think you need to spend some time recruiting young men . denton ought to retire. like me he dont recover very fast any more." sloan stood there as though rooted" theres a gang of california looters and plunderers comming this way. they plundered a ranch in gila bend. when the sherriff and a possee took to them they just skipped across the border and went to caborca. its told they are working their way east returning to texas. i dont have time to recruit young men. can i count on you?" " ime with you sherriff, " denton said without looking up. braxton looked at denton in shock" alright will, if anything just to keep a eye on this deputy. he cant even stand up and he wants to buy into this deal" " as soon as i hear more on this gang ill wire you here. deputy, get back to bed. youll need all the rest you can get. braxton thank you, i know this wont be easy for you. " " we will make do the best we can will." braxton sanswered while looking at denton.