BIG HORN 15

A FEW hours later con rode up to a tank named 13. just a number. no one knew why it was named such a thing but it was a big tank with lots of water. i was south west of the head quarters. the moralis crew had just finished the fenceing and corral work there. the water lot took in a good 3 acres with a corral built from stacked mesquite in the north east corner. cattle tracks were abundant. con rode around to where the triggers were built the tracks were thick , no telling how many cattle watered here. he decided to set the triggers and work this area.. when he got off his horse he found fresh foot prints going through the triggers on top of the cattle tracks. he carefully stepped through the triggers on one side of the fresh foot prints. he followed them through the water lot toward the corral. as he neared the corral the smell of mesquite smoke was in the air. he opened the gate to the corral to find the ashes of a small fire built inside the corral, sheltered and hidden by the solid stacked mesquite fence. there were foot prints for one person only. a few food wrappers scattered about but on one side of the fire he found a cigarette butt. like the ones he saw on the side of the road. he fished in his shirt pocket and came up with the one george had throwwen at his feet. it was short and he couldnt tell if they matched. he pocketed both butts. he would pass them on to the border patrol. who ever had been here had climbed over the fence to leave. con sould see the foot prints going away to the north. he returned to his horse and set the triggers. then rode over to the single set of tracks and started following them north toward the hi way. he needed the border patrol. it looked like the smugglers were scouting a new trail. late that aternoon he rode back into the headquarters. he saw fawns car parked over by the bender where thecarpenters were putting a roof over the adobe walls. as he pulled the saddle from his horse he saw fawn comming toward him behind her he could see roy standing in the door of the trailer house watching. earnesto was no place to be seen. he put his saddle on a rack and stepped back out side. earnesto had taken his horse to the corral fawn was almost to him. he leaned back against the barn wall and waited. " things look good con." fawn said as she walked up. " but why the locked gate?" " george told the brand inspecters i might be stealing cattle from you. i locked the gate to keep him out."con answered. fawns face blushed immediatly, her temper riseing." dont let him back in again. i didnt even think that. ime sorry." " dont be, i knew you wouldnt have insinuated that. ill try to get some more cattle to the sale this comming week." con then explained about roy being beaten and his hireing earnesto. fawn stood there nodding and listening. " if you want start going armed. i dont want anyone treated that way. earnesto seems like a good har working man. as soon as the house is liveable ime moveing in here. do you have any idea how many cattle are here, any idea at all?" fawn inquired. "not a number, but plenty. george told me he had made a deal with the brand department to sell the fresh branded cattle.i dont trust either one, him or them. but you might follow up on that because we could end up holding as lot of cattle here before being able to sell them."con told her. fawn looked him in the eye, " you think george is trying to steal some cattle or the money they are worth dont you?"fawn asked. " hes up to something i just dont know yet. i didnt want to acuse him yet. but he has made it hard for me to ignore." con scuffed his boot in the dust. " i didnt want to start this, your married to him but i think he will try to take advantage of you.. you been straight up with me. he hasnt." fawn nodded," ok, when the adobe crew show up get them started on the bunk house and your bungalow. i hate that trailer sitting there.ill be back in a day or so. ill have george served with seperation papers tomorrow. the divorce might be worse and take a while. but dont let him on the place."with that fawn turnned and started back to her car. earnesto materialized from no where" go let the patrona out then lock it up better." con told earnesto. con broke into a trott and caught fawn"when you get to town tell the border patrol i need to talk to some one." " you know something i should know?" fawn asked. "ime not sure. it maybe nothing you will be the first to know if we nail something down."con nodded. earnesto passed them on the way to the gate. fawn watched him pass" ill get you some one right away"