DENTON CROUCH 30

the next few days denton was back out at the fw. he had taken a pack horse with supplys and planned to stay for a few days. every day he rode and looked at the cattle. but hadnt found any more mis branded calves. if he ran onto a big heifer or young cow qith no brand he would take the time to brand her and her calf. he decided he would take about 50 pairs into town to seel. he ha a verbal commitment from harry kipnis to buy them. when he found any K3 stock he made a point to turn them back and maybe drive them into a area where his cattle wernt to thick. denton wanted to sell some of the older cows. the third day he was at the ranch he had pretty much gathered up the fifty he wanted to sell. he drove them on west as far as possible then turned back to the ranch house and picked up his pack horse then went back to the cattle. he figured it would be two days drive to town. instead of leading the pack horse he turned him loose and drove him along with the cows.he knew that if he didnt keep a tight watch on the cows they would turn and walk back to their home range. he knew if he kept them walking west but didnt push to hard he would get to willcox with a tires shrunk set of cows but he would have them there. the fact that he would be give out never entered his mind. late the afternoon abe kraft rode up on his drive and went to the front and stopped the cows. he did all that without a word said. he started rideing through the cows looking at them . "what you think your doing abe?"denton called. "checking brands, makeing sure you dont drive off any of my cows."abe called back with a surley tint to his voice. "look all you want, or come to willcox and look there in the railroad corrals. but these are going to willcox, now move over and let us go." " you just dont come into a man s country and start driveing stock off." abe threw it at denton. " get out of the way big mouth, we are going to willcox, now you can ride along or get out of the way." denton had his handon his rifle stock. abe saw that his bluster wasnt going to work. he rode to the edge of the cattle and glared at denton as pushed his cattle on to the west." ill have the law on you! you just dont........" denton stopd and turned back in his saddle" abe I AM THE LAW! if you will check in willcox you will find that out." denton rode on. he hadnt seen any fire arm on abe or his saddle. but he still had a uneasy feeling rideing away.he knew he would see him at the court hearing again. that was going to be intresting. he hadnt planed on taking a side arm to court but maybe to be on the safe side he waould. when could he ever get away from all this?