COCHISE COWBOYS 16

that morning on leaveing the canyon ranch inez had pulled on a pair of dentons canvas pants and shirt. she had folded her dress up into a small package and was tieing it behind her saddle when denton stepped up " it looked like you didnt use this ole horse to hard so i saddled him again. i hope thats alright?" inez nodded and smiled and led the horse out in the yard. the animal was on his tip toes but didnt hump up again. when she mounted he spun a tight circle and tried to buck, she picked his head up useing one rein pulled him around. looking at denton she smiled" ime ready." a few hours later they rode into the ranch yard at the san bernadino ranch of john slaughter.he can marching from the barn hand extended to denton. from the house his young wife almost ran to inez. and helped her untie her dress" i hardly ever have a woman to talk to!" she exclaimed"i have coffee in the house, come in!" inez looked over her shoulder as she was led away. denton smiled and nodded his approval. the sherrif led him over to a large shade tree with a olla hanging in the branches. a bench sat under the tree. they had a cool drink then sat down. "what brings this visit deputy?"the sherrif asks. denton started explaining his many concerns and with each one slaughter had a positive res olution. denton had relaxed and was laughing and jokeing with slaughter when mrrs. slaughter called out the kitchen door that lunch was ready. when denton and slaughter stepped into the kitchen they were greeted by inez in her dress, her black hair brushed and shinning and her brilliant smile . denton almost took a step back. slaughter turned to him"i see why you want to enlarge your cabin." denton went to inez and pulled a chair out for her. she looked at him with a question in her eyes. " its the gentelmanly thing to do my dear." slaughter said as he did the same for his wife. everyone laughed. after lunch denton and slaughter were back under the shade trree. slaughter was packing tobacco into apipe. " i know some mexican boys down at santa cruz village. they do excellent work with stone. ill send word to them. as for your ten steers emillio kosterlinsky brought them here. i didnt ask how he came by them nor did he say. i sent them to pearce.. heres the cash payment." john pulled it from his pocket and handed it to denton" it should just about pay for the labor on the addition to your cabin." as for the hundred head of cows you need i have thought it over, and here is my proposition, i will front you 150 cows, you pay me fifty percent of the calf crop for the first year. then you own them. is that agreeable?" " thats great for me, but is it enough for you?" denton was shocked. "ime over stocked right now. i need to lighten up my herd. if it will help you and that young woman ime glad to do it. ill have my boys bring the cows next week if thats ok?" slaughter was rambling. he was looking out across the flats toward the mountain as he talked" we are about to have more company. there comes the black hats and kosterlinsky."