GO EN RODEO EN 3

joe rode into the rodeo grounds north of prescott.. his pack horse came along on a slack rope.. the pine trees that encircled the rodeo grounds kept the area cool and shaded. contestants were camped in every direction around the arena everything from wall tents to just plain old canvas covered bed rolls spread on the green grass next to a camp fire. joe didnt see any one who he knew on a first name basis.as he rode through the camp area he saw some contestants who he knew by reputation.. at the far north edge he passed a old dodge truck with wooden racks built on the back it was hooked to a home made trailer that turned out to be the very first such trailer for hauling horses. it all belonged to three brothers from safford who had traveled from the west coast to madison square garden rodeoing, calgary to prescott. joe got a hard knot in his belly as he rode by. maybe he was stepping into a world above his ability.. on into the large pines he rode until he came to a open space with a lot of grass.. here he stopped. he unsaddled his horses and led them out into the little park and hobbled them. then he returned to his camp and began putting things together for a semi permenant camp.in a short time he had a rig of rocks for a fire, a stack of wood and his panniers set up for a kitchen. he sat back on his bed roll and watched his horses graze the good green gramma grass, he would need to go scare up the rodeo office and get entered.the 4 th was just two days away. as he sat there waitting for his coffee pot to bubble he saw two of the three mcfarland brothers walk out of the trees and stand there looking and talking about his horses. they were just far enough away to not be able to hear what was being said.. they never once looked his way but concentrated their stares on his two horses.soon they turned and started to walk away but that was when they saw joe pouring a cup of coffee. the two looked at each other then came walking over to joe s camp. " can i offer you fellas a cup of coffee?"joe called out as they approached. the taller of the two shook his head" no thank you. where did you get those two horses? if you dont mind me asking?" " tucson, my cow ponys."joe didnt offer to much information. " are they for sale?"the tall man asked. "no,, i worked a good year for them two just so i would have good horses instead of the scrubbs you see around." joe was slowley getting to his feet he stuck a hand out" ime joe brown. its a honor you picked them out to ask about." the tall man shook joes hand" ime ed mcfarland and this is my brother jerry. our other brother mike will be along tomorrow.. we just lost one of our horses.. thats why we were asking.. i wouldnt sell them either" ed grinned. " are you entered here ?" "i just got here today.. no ime not entered yet. where is the office?"joe asked. " under the grand stands. theres a sighn over the door. they will open at 7 in the morning.. i would get there early, the line will be long."ed pointed over at the grand stands. " thanks ill be there."joe was likeing these two cowboys. " what events you going to enter?"jerry asked. " just the steer roping i guess.. i dont do to bad with a rope."joe told them " your not gonna rope calves? or team rope and bull dog?"jerry asked surprised. " i never done those things other that team rope. but i might try it if i can watch them before i gotta go." joe was a bit embarrased not knowing about them. " well tell the secretary that tomorrow she can set you up." ed turned to go " see you tomorrow."