COCHISE COWBOYS 1

he left the ranch in the dark. he pushed 25 fat steers in front of him while dragging a pack horse. west across the valley he could just make out a line of sky islands, his destination. the miners in pearce were beef hungry, and they paid in gold they had mined. the floor of the sulphur springs valley was a dry dust bowl he drove his steers slow so as not to raise a dust cloud. denton crouch had left the texas rangers a few years before. a friend, braxton starr had helped him homestead his little ranch is the rocky canyon of the chirichoua mountains and had staked him to a little bunch of cows. he had worked hard and built his rock cabin with his own hands, developed the small spring there for a water source and rode herd on his little bunch of cows. he was content. this twenty five steers would be his first income since he started. dragging the pack horse along made it hard but he was in no hurry and the steers were gentle. they grazed on the dry, dusty gramma grass as they ambled along. half way to pearce was a spot called soldier holes.. a series of pot holes where water surfaced made it a good camp spot. he planned on over nighting there then going on into pearce. his steers would fill up on the water, graze the surrounding area and bed down well. denton had a contented feeling. he didnt miss law enforcement in the least. the sky was over cast, the air was heavy and still. his saddle horse had broke a sweat as had denton. in the west a line of black clouds covered the sky line. rain was needed and it looked to be on the way. denton only hoped it would wait until he was into pearce. once his steers were sold he planned on going north east to willcox to buy supplys at the comercial general store there. then complete the circle back to his home in the rocky canyon. the fact that he was a loner didnt even enter his mind. while a ranger he had found he had a terrible temper.. not a hot one but acold calculating temper that he couldnt control.. staying by himself he found it didnt surface very often. if became lonley he could always ride down to the san benadino ranch and see his friend sheriff john slaughter. or even go up on the moutain to paradise and see braxton starr and his wife.. braxton had left law enforcement behind and had a good life. denton was wanting the same thing. the steers were slowing down. they wanted to shade up and lay down, they were full and being lazy. the soldier holes were still a couple of miles ahead. denton used the tail of his rope and popped it off the hind quarters of the steers to keep them moveing. the mid afternoon heat was bearing down he didnt blame the steers but wanted to make camp up ahead. dragging the pack horse was being a real hassle.. he knew if he turned the horse loose he wwouldnt follow, but turn back to the ranch. in a earlier time denton would have had a temper tantrum over the aggrivation. but now he gritted his teeth and just drug the reluctant animal along while he drove the steers. as the leaders in the little drive reached the holes they fell to drinking and filling up.. denton held back until all the steers had drank their fill. and as the drifted to the north side began to lay down and rest. the he came on into the area. he watered his horses then found a spot where others had camped before him, he unsaddled his horses and hobbled them out for the night. denton no longer carried a side arm but he did have a rifle and he had layed his saddle over on its side with the rifle underneth. he took note of it and shakeing his head he wouldnt have need of it here. there wasnt a sould in sight.. he kind of wished there would have been it would be nice to have some one to share the camp with and visit with. building a amall fire he began putting a meal together all was peaceful.