THE TRAIL TO TOMBSTONE 25

before sun up billy went to antonio. he shook him awake then told him to be very quiet. "saddle your horse.. ride to the jk and tell dale that jonas is following us.. you stay there of sight.. in case jonas shows up there." antonio nodded and went to his horse and quietly saddled. then rode away into the dark at a flat footed walk.billy stood there watching the dark form disapear into the darkness. he then turned to his bed..the pin point of light from the night before wasnt visiable. come day light billy made a pot of coffee and as the vaqueros woke they came and filled a cup when francisco came up billy explained to him why antonio was gone. francisco nodded "thats a good idea. we will act as we planned. but when we turn off to mexico we will circle around to the jk just in case."-fransico spoke between sips of the bitter coffee.. in just a bit every man was saddled and ready to go. billy poured the last of the coffee on the fire ashes and stashed it in a pannier on the pack horse. then mounted and rode off toward gleeson. off to the south they could see a occasional puff of dust where a sngle horse was passing. francisco watched for a while then turnned to billy " i should ride over there and kill that man. i dont like being followed like this." francisco murmmered. billy shook his head" remember we promised to keep it above the law. he needs to make the first move. be patient, i will make that move soon we just need to be ready." antonio rode into the yard at the jk. dale was just stepping out the cabin door with a cup of coffee,"que pasa amigo?" he called as antonio jerked the saddle from his sweated horse. antonio explained why billy sent him ahead.. dale listened then shrugged" come have some coffee, we will wait" jonas was ggetting impatient.. he was close to getting that wad of cash and then it would be days of whooping it up in tombstone.if he did away with billy and dale maybe his phony deed would hold up and give him the ranch. he pushed his horse to get ahead of the cavvelcade . he found a spot just pass where the group would split he wanted to be sure the mexicans were headed south before he went on to the jk. after a short wait he saw the group approaching. he stayed out of sight as they sll shook billys hand and then turned south to mexico. billy continued on toward gleeson and the jk. jonas was becoming over confident billy wore no side arm, dale was stove up fro the clubbing he had got. this would be a peice of cake. billy rode by jonas hideing spot whistling a happy tune adding to jonas impatience.