THE BRONC PEELER 9

just at sun up the next day a buggy came into the yard , the horse limber legged and covered in sweat. the driver jumped to the ground with a valise in hand bill and another horseman were right behind and when bill stepped down he snapped a hitch weight to a bit riing. but he didnt have to worry because the horse was shakeing and sweating right where he stood. the second rider wentton to the corral he dismounted and tied his mount to the fence and came stumping back. it was the horse buyer . when he told bill there were no horses in the corral bill shook his head and told him the brood mares were still at the horse camp. they would get fresh horses and go there a bit later. bill was watching the door of the house. a hour later the doctor followed by kate came from the house. when he got down to where bill stood at the buggy he explained" its his heart alright. he probably had a minor seizure. but he looks almost normal just dont let him lift anything heavy or try to raise something above his head. i left him some syrup and a bottle of pills. he just needs to take it easy for a while and he will be with us a long time yet." " ok, you come back in and have a meal then get some sleep.or you will be in the same shape!" kate had the doctor by the arm. bill started unharnesing the buggy horse and took him to the corral that held feed and water. later he and the horse buyer left on fresh horses. they would stay at the horse camp and be back the next morning. when the horse buyer and bill returned the next day they found the doctor harnesing his horse. " thanks boys form takeing care of old dan here. if you need me again you know where to find me." he climbed in the buggy and turnned him toward town. bill and the buyer whose name was fast dean went in the house. they found jim sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee before him. kate was washing dishes. bill got cups and poured coffee all around then sat down with the two horsemen in front of him. thirty minutes later fast dean had bout the mares except for the 5 head bill was to with hold for the ranch. a two week delivery time was set. dean even made a cash deposit on the mares. telling them the broncs were the best rodeo horses he had.now he could raise more of the same. he would stay one more night then return to town. the ranch was slowley returning to normal. jim spent almost all his time on the porch . he would walk down to the corrals and find a fresh stick to whittle. when they were sure jim would be ok bill and kate made plans to bring the brood mares to the head quarters for the horse buyers crew to take delivery. the stress was takeing its toll on kate. bill tryed to help all he could but she just shooed him out the door. finally at supper one night jim looked at the two of them. " in the morning , go get them mares. and get them back here. when you do bill can go to prowling our cows. i bet they think they been abandoned. ill be fine just get back to working this ranch!" kate looked across the table at bill. " in the morning?" bill nodded and sipped his coffee.