BACK FROM THE SIERRA 8

for the next few days j.t. stayed around the cabin. adele had a lot of sewing to do and charlie hadnt been back. he cut weeds and raked and cleaned up around the little cabin. he found some scrap lunber scattered around and knocked together a bed frame. he ysed some old rope and wove a center to it and with a few blankets had put together a reasonably useable bed. adele seemed happy with him about singing low while she swed and cooked. j.t. had settled into a decent life style and had pretty much quit looking over his shoulder and acting like a wild mustang watching the horizon. he had borrowed some shoeing tools from the local blacksmith and was shoeing the 76 horse when a tall horse man rode into the yard. j,t, looked up with a mouth full of horse shoe nails and nodded to the well dressed man. he was middle aged and rode a horse that could be related to the 76 brown. the man said nothing but st epped down from his horse and leaned up against the wall of the little barn while j.t finished the foot he was working on. when he set the foot down and spit the nails into a empty bean can the man stepped up" my name is gilbert webb" he stuck his hand out. "j,t, lane sir, i assume you came to claim your horse?" j.t. didnt waant to give up the brown but didnt want a scandle to draw attention to himself either. " i heard you had him. how did you come by him?" webb asked. " my horse had played out when the apaches ambusched those mexican vaqueros.. i hid out while they fought it out. when the apaches left this horse was wandering around loose. i left the mexican horse there and rode this one home. he is sure a good one.." j.t. explained. " he is a full brother to the one ime rideing, well bred horses. but i dont want to put you afoot. its enough knowing he isnt roasting over a apache fire in the mountain some where. all i would ask is you dont trade him off without asking me first."webb laid his hand on the good brown horses hip. " if you would price him i may be able to pay for him. but i do appreciate your generosity."j.t. said. " no price, but i may come get yopu to help me at the ranch some time. would you be willing to do that?" webb asked. " yes sir! il be hunting work soon. i want to make sure my sister is safe and sound tho." j.t. explained. " its my understanding that charlie foure has been keeping time with her, i can say that she couldnt be in better hands." webb turned to his horse. " if you should ever want me for anything the telegrapher in willcox can get a message to me at fort grant. they are my neighbors." he waved a loose wave and turned his horse back into dragoon and rode away. j.tt. patted the brown on the hip"well one less worry put to bed." the brown cocked a ear back toward the cowboy.