A FRESH START 5

three days later bill rode back into his yard with two horses following him packed as high as ws possible. as he rode into the yard the first thing he noticed was the ground covered in horse tracks. piles of horse manure were about. who ever was here had hung around a while.when he rode up to the cabin he saw the door partially open. under his breath he swore a oath. stepping down he pulled his rifle from the boot on his saddle and started to the door. pushing it open with the barrel of the rifle , when his eyes adjusted to the dark inside he saw that nothing was disturbed. he stepped in and looked around, some one had surely been here but everything was in its place and nothing taken. when he turned to go back out side he saw a peice of paper on the table held in place by the salt celler. when he pulled it up to the light to read it he saw it simply said " we are the kt outfit. we live in dos cabezas, your on our graze. move on." bill snorted and dropped the letter back on the table and went out to unload his horses. by dark he had his horses unloaded and was sitting down to a hastily prepared supper. the letter lay before him, and the words written there were beginning to wear on him he wanted to get along with everyone but he wouldnt take a threat or bullying. he figgured to ignore this KT outfit unless they pressed thing s farther. the next morning he caught one of the new horses and saddled him. he pushed the rifle into the boot and strapped it down. he rode out of the yard as day light creeped across the vally from the east.he planed to make a good circle checking on his cattle. for the better part of the day he rode onto bunches of cattle mixedwith KT beanded cows. some of them had fresh branded calves sucking them. a couple times he found a pile of ashes where a branding fire had been built. but all the time he was rideing he saw no one. as he approached the trail that led up onto the mountain he was above his cabin. cow tracks started up the trail. horse tracks were over them. it was late in the day going after the cattle would be a all night chore. he decided tomorrow would be soon enough. when he turned toward the house he saw a buggy parked in front of the cabin. he rode on down the slope into the yard. there he saw slauhter sitting on his porch. his attractive wife stood to one side. " howdy sheerrif" bill waved as he rode up. he tipped his hat to mrs. slaughter. " i say jeffrys, i say you been busy about the country. i had a visit from the three kearny brothers. they claim your stealing their grass.. not cattle mind you, grass. " slaughter explained with a bit of aggrivation in his voice. bill stepped past slaughter and went in the house and brought out the letter that had been left and handed it to the sheriff." yeah they been here to i just didnt see them." when slaughter was through reading the letter he looked up at bill" kinda pushy huh? you got your deed and brand certificate.?" bill turned and went back in the house. presently he returned and handed slaughter a couple sheets of paper." while you read that ill fix us some supper." he then went back inside.soon slaughter and viola came in the door. " your a better house keeper than ole bond was. " slaughter pulled a chair from out from under the table and seated his wife then pulled out one for him self he laid the documents on the table before him." are these recorded?" he asked. " yes sir, all legal and proper" bill stated dishing up the food and putting it in front of viola first then the sherrif." its not fancy but it will fill a hollow corner of your belly " was all bill said as he set down with his own plate.