BACK FROM THE SIERRA 13

when the deputy stepped out side the jail and took in the sight of the three rustlers he ducked his head and shook it. he looked over at billy" what gives mr. foure?" i found these three driveing twenty of my cows comming this way. ime charging them with attempted theft. you can lock them up." billy told him. the deputy drew his pistol and told the three to dismount and go into the jail. as they trooped inside billy waved at j.t. and dismounted. they followed the deputy into the office. j.t. stacked the pistol belts on the desk. when he straightened up he sw a bulliten board in front of him a hand bill with his name and hand sketched picture was pinned right in front. the deputy was busy locking up the rustlers, billy stepped behind the desk and pulled the hand bill down and folded it and put it inside his shirt. " i might need this to start a fire some time" was all he said. when billy had completed his paper work for the deputy he and j,t, went out side to their horses. you head on back to the ranch. ill stay a bit and do a little business. just keep your head down until your out of town , ill see you at home."billy smilled at him. j.t. didnt say a word but mounted his horse and struck a jog trot back toward the ranch. as he passed boot hillhe noticed a pretty blond haired girl sitting by a grave in a solom pose. he shook his hed and trotted on. it was late when j.t. trotted into the ranch yard. his horse was tired and he was tired, when he pulled up at the barn he saw a short chunky roan horse whosse tail almost drug the ground and his mane hung past the bottom of his neck. when j.t dismounted shug stepped out of the barn, "wheres billy?" he asked without preamble. " in tombstone. we took some rustlers there. he stayed . sent me home." j.t. explained "did billy check on carrie while he was there?"shug almost demanded. "i dont know, who is carrie?" j.t.asked "she is my intended. as soon as i catch enough lions we will be married, billy will let us run a few cows. did you see her?"shug asked. " i dont know any one in tombstone the only woman i saw was at the boot hill sitting next to a grave." j.t. was uncinching his horse. " did she look ok?" shug leaned in. " yeah i guess, i just saw her there alone thought it was a sad site."j.t.pulled the saddle froom the horse and carried it inside the barn. shug seemed to relax a bit." that was my dads grave, she takes care of it.. i wanted to draw some cash from billy so i could go see her. i been worried about her. ill wait for billy here." j.t. said" ill tell the cook to fix you something to eat while you wait." and headed to the house.