COCHISE COWBOYS 4

the next morning denton is eating breakfast in the small dinning room of the pearce hotel. the window in front of him opens to the east and the sun is shining into the room. just as he forked the last bite of his meal a shadow fell across his table. he looked up to see a tall man with a rifle in his hand, his hat pushed back from his face onto the back of his head. a smile was spread across his face. " hello denton, they told me you were here its good to see you."the man pulled out a chair opposite of denton. " what you doing here this morning jed? am i in trouble with the law?" denton grinned back. " not yet, but i heard a story from them miners back there butchering your beef you had some problems getting here."jed walker was the local deputy who ranched to the west of pearce in middle march pass. " yes but i got by and came on to here. i lost 10 head to the rustlers. ill have to make them up to these folks." denton explained the circumstances from the night the rustlers went through his camp but he left out the part about shooting the one rustler. " those boys are getting to be a real problem. ever since curly bill and ringo cashed in everyone thought they would scatter. but if anything they are worse. they usually dont steal on this side of the line but raid into mexico and bring back a herd from down there. which way did they go when they took your cattle?"jed sipped a cup of coffee the waiter brought him. " i didnt see but one of them, just heard the others . they pushed on north. the one i saw up close wont be a problem, he left the country that night." denton explained calmly. " mmmm, one less to chase i guess.when you starting back home?"jed looked out the window. " as soon as i pack up my horse i dont plan on comming back here for a while. my cows are starting to calve and i want to stay close to home and keep the damned ole lions off them." denton was wiping his mouth with the napkin. "ime going to ride over to tomstone and send a wire to john slaughter and report this. i bet that herd was brought across close to his outfit. he will want to know." jed got up and stuck out his hand" until next time pard." denton shook jeds hand and they walked out together. jed mounted a good sorrel horse and turned him toward gleeson. tombstone lay just beyond the end of the mule mountains. jed waved as he rode away. denton gave the store keeper his list of supplys to put together while he went for his horses. a good breakfast under his belt, a little cash comming his way and a pack horse loaded with supplys. life just couldnt be much better.