THE BRONC PEELER 17

bill nodded at jim as he rode past the house to the barn. jim nodded. at the barn bill eased down off the snorty bronc. that horse was sweaty and angry from carrying the wolf tails. but bill wasnt in any mood to pamper the bronc. but just as pulled the wolf tails from the front of his saddle the bronc snorted and jumped side ways cow kicking at him in the process. the kick didnt make contact to bill but it did kick the wolf tails from his hand.they landed in the dust at the broncs feet, he began to stomp the tails and bite at them. bill got a hold of the horse and led him to one side.he unsaddled the bronc and turned him into a corral. when bill picked up the wolk tails jim was standing there." that ole pony dont like wolves i think. takes it kind of personal ." bill chuckled" its ben touch and go all the way home. he just named him self i think. WOLF KILLER!" " lim started laughing.when he stopped he looked at bill" i heard what you and kate were talking about this morning. i wasnt trying to dictate what you do. if you enter that bronc rideing its your business. we will be behind you 100%. we just dont want you hurt or layed up. kate especially. and anything this ranch hands you ANYTHING, you have already arned. keep that in mind.. kate rode out to meet the white face herd. they dont move to fast.. i wasnt apologiseing, just clearing the air." bill stood there twisting the wolf tails in his hands" i know, but if ime going to quit peelin broncs i need to put a period to it. rideing the blue would do it . if he bucks me off ill know ime done for sure. if i ride him i go out on a high note. i think you understand. maybe you can get kate to?" " ill do what i can. but she lost one man to a bad horse, she just sees another one going that way. ill talk to her."jim slowley turned to go to the house." i think that herd is about 5 miles out." bill hung the wolf tails and grabbed a loose rope and went back to the corral and caught angel. when he got saddled he left the head quarters in a long trott. but while he did feel better about jim he struggling with kate. he didnt want to hurt her, but he couldnt let her feelings dictate his life. no man could do that. he had to be true to his own heart. he topped out a low rise and there below him strung out was the herford cows and calves. four cowboys had them lined out and comming toward him. he could make out kate on the right point. he rode to one side giveing them lots of room to pass. the cows were walking along a bit better than bill had envisioned. at the rate they were traveling they would be at the headquarters in a couple hours. as they came abreast of him he rode up a little behind kate and eased up on her. when she noticed him she smilled. "we are progressive ranchers now!" bill nodded. he like the look of the cows. they wernt the short legged toads he had envisioned. they actually had some leg and height to them.he mentioned it to kate. " they are crossed on native cows this bunch has the best of both breeds, we just got to be careful and not let the shrink to the shorter cattle every year." she turned out to bring a wandering cow back to the drive. " you still mad at me? she said when she rode back up to him. " me and jim had a talk. ime not mad, wasnt before really, talk to jim later, maybe he can explain it better than me. but first lets get these cows home." billy turned back toward the drags.