THE HIDDEN SPRING 3

the next morning latigo was setting under the brush arbor at his house when the army pickup rolled into his yard. he had stayed up a good portion of the night thinking of what it was he could request from the army. when capitanlouis got out of his truck he brought a cardnoard box with him he walked up to latigo. " i brought you a sat phone and a pair of spotting glasses just so you know........" latigo broke in" i know all about both. used them a lot. did you bring a map?" the capitan stood ramrod straight but sat the box on the little table next to latigo." yes i have a map here" he pulled a folded map from out of the front of his shirt. " since ill be spending my time on uncle sam, the things i need are for the ranch. heres a list. ill need a number to call with that phone to report in. ill have to charge it with my truck ." so ill only call dureing the day. if i spot something and call it in how you gonna deal with them?" latigo was being all business. " thats classified you just spot them and call in the coordinates."louis didnt want to give away to much. " forget it then. if your bringing in air strikes i want to be long gone. some clown at head quarters is lible to use the sat phone location for coordinates."latigo pushed the box back toward louis. " you know to much now mister but just so you know if the smugglers are in the bombing range , yes it will be a air strike. if they are on your side of the fence then we will send a platoon of rangers to get them. is that good enough?" he pushed the box back. " ok, ill start in the morning. keep a line open. i wont mess with red tape." latigo looked in the box. in the bottom was a army issue 45 automatic. " what do you think ime going to do wwith that?" " we thought it might come in handy. " louis was almost apologetic. " ive got my own weapon, one that shoots true. but i dont expect to have to use it.if you guys would have taken the time to read my file you would know ime a weapons expert. yes its been a few years since i needed anything like all this but the skills are still there."latigo wasnt very friendly" if these bad guys wernt crossing my ground i wouldnt do this , just so you know." the capitan nodded" we knew that going in. ill be your contact person any time day or night. ill get this list filled and out here tomorrow." " i wont be here. ill be at the south fence line. who ever brings that stuff just have them put it inside. and the truck load of hay for my horses stack it where the last few bales are at the barn. and you tell those fly boys from luke to keep a eye out for me! i dont want no bombs close at all!" latigo threw the dreggs from his cup into the dust of the yard. louis stood and watched latigo walk to the barn leaveing him standing there with the list in hand. he shook his head and turned to leave.