COCHISE COWBOYS 21

after moveing the cattle to the far end of the pasture denton and slaughters crew rode back to the cabin. from a distance a stream of smoke could be seen .evidence of a forthcomeing meal. upon reaching the house the cowboys all hobbled their horses and headed for a bench holding a wash pan and towel. behind the house the two rock masons had unloaded their burros and had alreaady laid out the outline of the new room. denton decided things were hustling right along. in the house inez and mrs. slaughter were happily chatting as they prepared a meal for the cowboy crew. slaughter stated that everything was going to well, he feared a blow up. he and denton laughed. after eating the cowboys all caught their horses and headed out back to the slaughter ranch at san bernadino. slaughter waitted for his young wife while she helped inez clean up and wash dished. the female chatter hadent stopped all the time they were together. " i dont think we know what this meaqns those two haeing each other this close so they can visit. ill try to bring inez over to see her soon."denton told slaughter as they sat in front of the cabin smokeing slaughter agreed. " we tend to forget they have a different view of thing s than us. ime the worse one about it." slaughter chuckled while puffing his pipe. behind them they could hear the rock masons working away. they already had one wall up and were working on the back wall for the addition.. as they looked out across the basin toward the canyon entrence a lone horse man loped into the basin and was comming straight toward the men at the cabin. when he pulled up they saw it was a black hat ruales. his horse ready to collapse. he held out a folded scrap of paper. slaughter stepped down and took it from the mexicans hand. then told him to dismount. when the rider stepped down the horse nearly fell over into him. slaughter opened the paper and read slowly then a second time" emillio says that myles grabbed a small bunch of mexican cattle last night and rushed them across the border. this is as much a warning as a anything." slaughter was glum. " i better try and catch my cowboys and see if i can find their trail with those cows. i would appreciate it if the mrs could stay here ot you escort her home?" slaughter was already heading to his horse. the messenger stood looking lost. his horse was done but he wanted to go. denton pointed out one of the outlaws horses grazeing a short didtance away. he told the boy to take that horse and go with slaughter. inez and mrs. slaughter came out of the cabin. denton handed her the note. slaughter and the black hat were lopeing away . inez smailled" well we have a house guest." denton nodded in agreement.