The H&R Cattle Company Read Free

most women would have considered him handsome, they did not flirt, giggle and chase after him shamelessly as they sometimes did Bret.
    Zack had known Bret most of his life, but would never have anything to do with him because he had pegged him as a sissy. Then came the day, when they were eighteen, that Bret fought Zack to a draw on the school playground. Though Zack used everything his Cousin Billy had taught him, Bret took everything he could dish out, and dished out just as much of his own. Zack realized early in the fight that he had misgauged his opponent. No, sir, Bret Rollins was no damn sissy. Not by a long shot. They fought till neither of them could stand without holding on to something, then called it a draw. They had been inseparable friends ever since.
    Hunter held his position on the hillside for the next two days, moving about only when it became necessary to lead the bay to a new grazing area. He had just done this when he saw the ferry tie up on the west side of the river. He watched as a man leading two horses scrambled up the bank and stood looking in his direction. Still standing in the clearing, Zack began to wave his hat. The rider mounted and headed up the hill.
    A few minutes later, Bret Rollins rode into the clearing. He was astride a beautiful roan that stood at least sixteen hands at the withers, followed by a heavily loaded packhorse. Smiling broadly, he dismounted beside Hunter.
    â€œI see you made it,” Hunter said.
    Bret motioned toward the horses and the pack carried by the smaller of the two. “I got lucky, Zack. I believe I’ve got about everything we’ll be needing.”
    Hunter answered with a broad smile of his own. He stood looking at the animals and the new packsaddle admiringly. When his eyes resettled on the roan, he chuckled, for he recognized the animal. Smiling again, he turned to Rollins. “I’m not gonna ask you what all you did for the good doctor’s wife to get that roan, Slick. It’s a well-known fact in Ellisville that she plays around, but I never heard it said that she pays a stud fee.”
    â€œDammit, Zack, a man has to work with whatever tools he’s got. She didn’t need these animals anyway, they’ve got several more.” Rollins began to pat his hip pocket. “She also decided that I needed a hundred dollars to buy things.”
    Hunter walked around the animals again, chuckling and shaking his head. “I guess you’ve pulled it off, Bret. I just can’t help wondering how she’s gonna explain it to the good doctor. I mean, a man is bound to miss something as big as a damn horse.”
    Rollins nodded. “I asked her that question. She assured me that she knew exactly how to handle the doctor.”
    They unburdened the animals at the spring, then picketed them on good grass. The packhorse had been carrying more than a hundred pounds. Indeed, Rollins seemed to have everything they were likely to need: food, cooking utensils, blankets, a two-man tent and several changes of clothing. He had a Colt six-shooter in his saddlebag, and a double-barreled, ten-gauge shotgun in the saddle scabbard.
    They spent the night at the spring. They did not set up the tent. The absence of rain clouds and the pleasing temperature of the June night made it unnecessary.
    They talked till late. Though neither man had a particular destination in mind, each agreed that they would not slow down until they reached Texas. Then they would simply wander about till they found something that struck their fancy. Finding work was not an immediate concern, for they had both provisions and money, and plenty of green grass for their animals.
    They headed southwest at daybreak, a route that would take them directly to northeast Texas. During the ride, Bret explained exactly how he had come by the horses and provisions. Aside from an occasional chuckle and a short comment, Hunter said little. He was not a long-winded talker, usually