DENTON CROUCH 11

three hours later the three riders rode up to the mouth of a narrow canyon that fed down off the chirachua mountain.slaughter drew rein and looked at the horse tracks going in and comming out of ther canyon. "thats a dead in in there, they could be waitting back in there. i dont see fresh tracks comming back out of there." denton was leaning over his saddle horn. they had hustled along in getting here and he wasnt ready for such a ride but he never whimpered or complained. he drew his rifle from under his leg." you all coveer me, ill go see about will." he booted his horse forward but kept him along the wall of the canyon. the mexican vaquero looked at slaughter with a look of disbelief. then pulled his rifle and stepped down from his horse and slowley started creeping along behind denton. about a hundred yards into the canyon they came upon a dead horse. the saddle still on it. the animal had been dead a few days, the the scavangers haveing worked on the carcas. denton rode to one side along the canyon wall and chuy walked on the opposite side. both men had their rifles at the ready. as they came to a bend in the canyon they stoped before makeing the turn. chuy held up his hand to denton telling him to wait. he disapeared around the bend and in a few minutes returned. he waved for denton to come. behind denton slaughter came leading the horses. around the bend the canyon opened up. the ground was tore up with horse tracks. as denton rode forward chuy pointed to a jumble of noulders, a booted foot could be be seen. when denton rode up on the man he realised this was one of the outlaws. but will still wasnt to be found. chuy went tinto a pile of boulders and returned leading four horses that were starveing for water. " hombres vaya ariba." he pointed up the mountain. "will must be trying to follow them" was all that slaughter said. denton looked up the mountain it was steep and inhospitable. he knew he couldnt follow ." whats up there?' he asked slaughter. "rustler park, thats where braxton runs his cows. but its a long ways up that mountain to get there. we better go back and make a fresh start tomorrow."slaughter shook his head." i hope those outlaws dont turn on will"