HIDDEN SPRINGS 9

latigo was pulling back onto the dirt road leading to the ranch when he noticed to the sout west a line of black clouds building on the horizon.while a rancher never complains or wishes against rain at any time he felt this was comming at a bad time. it could cover the coyotes comming up from mexico and crossing the bombing range. if he didnt catch them in the act the rain might wipe out their tracks. he could see a long , wet night ahead. in any case the only ones on this side of the border to profit by it would be his cows. at the ranch he rolled to a stop in front of the house the sky was darkening and a breeze was building. he could feel moisture in the air. irene came from the house and started picking up bags and carrying them back to the house. latigo carried the last into the house. he was shocked at what he found. another bunk was built against a wall. a pot of stew was bubbling on the stove. the wood box for the stove was full. curtins covered the two windows. he stood in the middle of the room stareing in disbelief. "the rain comes soon. we are ready now"irene stated as she put canned goods on a shelf. " yes and we have word a big group of coyotes are moveing up tonite. i must stand watch, rain or no rain. ime heaed out to catch a horse. the house looks nice, thank you."latigo nodded around the room, then turned and went out the door and headed down to the corrals. irene stood there watching him walk away. she shook her head and returned to her chores. rain was just starting to fall when latigo rode up to his favorite look out spot. he pulled his slicker snug around his shoulders and buttoned it all the way up beneath his chin. he wasnt looking forward to this night. he found a spot that was slightly sheltered from the rain and setttled down with his spotting glasses. they had night vision capabilitys and he started glassing the country immediatly. but so far nothing showed to be moveing. the rain came slowley building to a strong down pour. he thought to him self what a blessing for the ranch. irene had made him some sandwiches and he brought a thermose of hot coffee. as he wiggled into a comfortable position he thought how without her he would be doing with out. a half hour later a bolt of lightning hit out in front of him throwing up dust and sending a clap of thunder that deafened him. he could no longer avoid the downpour. rain cascaded off the hat brim in front of his face. another bolt of lightning struck, illuminating the landscape. it showed a line of people trudging along single file. all were wraped in panchos and had back packs. they were still a long ways out in the bombing range . the rain was makeing it slow going for them with mud building up on their feet. latigo made the call on the sat phone. and then huddled down in his spot. with in a few moments a war plane screamed over head. " they must have been air borne before i called" he thought to himself. with the night vision glasses laatigo watched as the plane screamed over the coyotes he could see them trying to scatter and take cover. but a massive explosion shook everything and everyone. the plane banked and circled the area. with the night vision glasses latigo couldnt see a liveing thing on the bombing range. the plane finally turned and headed back to the north. " well, i guess i ought to be as smart as that fly boy." latigo stood and shook the collected rain from his slicker and hat. it was then he realized the rain had quit. he pointed his horse back to the ranch . it would be after mid night when he got home.he dozed off in the saddle to the sound of the horses hooves slopping through the mud.