DENTON CROUCH 8

will and denton headed south toward the mexican border from willcox. they went on the east side of the playa stayed in the better part of the sulphur springs valley. to the east of them was the chirchua mountains riseing 11 thousand feet. up in the top was rustler basin where braxton ran his cows. they rode slow for two reason, one they didnt want to miss any tracks that might cross their trail and second denton was still tender and didnt think he could take a hard ride. late that afternoon they rode into a spot called soldier holes. here water seeped to the surface in a number of pot holes. the cavalry had camped here numerous times in their pursuit of the apache. the sun was just setting when the two lawmen rode up to the camp site. they watered their horses then moved off to the north of the water holes and unsaddled and began to make a camp. denton took the horses off a hundred yards or so where the gramma grass was untouched and hobbled the horses there. when he got back to camp will had a fire going and a skillitt on it. denton plopped down with his back to his saddle. "i knew i was outta shape but but not this bad. in any case it feels good to get out and among them." " its better than being cooped up in town. thats for sure." will was stirring the skillett. they had just finished eating a sprse meal and darkness had set in when they heard voices, then they could smell dust and hear horses passing. will sat up with his rifle in his hands. he couldnt see but denton had taken his rifle and walked out toward the sound into the dark. presently it became quiet again. denton came back into camp. " i dont know for sure if that was our boys, but it was the right number of horses. i couldnt make out what they were saying they kept going west" denton reported. " we cant do anything tonite. we will have to follow them up tomorrow." will laid his rifle aside. denton said no more, but he let a sigh of relief. the last thing they needed was gun battle in the dark. he laid back down and stared up at the stars.