A FRESH START 15

it wasnt fear but caution that caused bill to stay around the ranch houses. out on the range it would be easy for a shooter to back shoot him from ambusch. he stayed busy around the ranch buildings makeing repairs and up grades to the barn, corrals and house. but in all things he stayed aware of where he was and what he was doing. and he wore the pistol. his rifle he left where he could get to it easily. this went on for two days. and still there was no contact from anyone in any manner. bill became impatient. he was almost to the point and going out hunting a kearney. being cooped up wasnt a good thing. late in the afternoon of the third day he could see a lone rider approaching the ranch. he waklked to the end of the barn, and stood his rifle just inside the door. anyone out side of the barn couldnt see it. the rider came into the yard with a brazen appearence. he rode right up to bill and stopped his horse and sat there. bill saw a smal round badge pinned on his shirt. he was another brand inspecter. " ime clay judson livestock investigater" the man introduced himself. \" its my understanding you might have been the last person to see bryce alive, is that right?" " as far as anyone knows yes. what can i do for you?" bill didnt relax. " ime trying to retrace his steps while he was in the area before he was murdered. do you mind answering a few questions? i wont take to much of your time" judson asked. " ask away, get down ans we can make ourselves comfortable bill had relaxed a little and dropped his guard. as he turned to go back in the barn he caught sight of a man at the other end of the barn with a gun pointed at him. he dived into a stall just as that gun went off. a horse screamed behind him and bill looked back under his arm. judsons horse was down judson wasnt moveing next to him. bill returned his attention to the shooter at the back of the barn he needed his rifle. it was still across the barn at the door. bill stole a peek around the end post of the stall he was in. he saw nothing. he waited a count of ten and started to break for the door where the rifle stood. but before he could start judson spoke " dont do it. make him make the first move. i got my rifle pulled free. let him think we are dead." judson hadnt moved a muscle but only his lips worked just above a whisper.soon they heard a horse walking slow toward them. bill cocked his pistol and crouched in the stall. still judson hadnt moved. the hore rounded the corner of the barn and walked over to the water trough and started drinking. he had no rider and was dragging the long split bridle reins. still no one moved. a good hour passed. the loose horse stood at the water trough his reins tangled in a bush . bill spoke "ime going to look around we cant sit here all day can you cover me?" " keep low, i got you covered." judson was still stretched out. bill worked his way around the barn s interior. stall to stall and finally the saddle room. as he approached the door to the saddle room he could see a booted foot laying across the threshhold. as drew near he could see the man was dead. his face a mass of drying blood. bill called to judson the coast was clear. a few moment later judson walked up he had a slight limp but other wise was inscathed. he kelt next to the dead man and looked closely. " we didnt kill him, i think his gun blew up in his face. its laying here in peices. " clay pointed the battered gun out. they covered the body up where it lay he had no identification so they walked out to his horse. he was a good quality anumal but carried no brand a unusaual thing for that day and time. they were going through the saddle pockets when they found the letter, offering a cash sum if bill was eliminated. the ranger looked at bill" i wonder how many of these they sent out? yhey didnt even sighn them." bill was starting to boil. he came here wanting a quiet life and these people were going to keep that from happening. he was ready to ride to the kearneys and clean house. he told the ranger so.