Arizona Territory by Dusty Richards Page A

think he was that old. Five eight or so. Pick could have been Pike, I never heard it right. He’s a bean pole, maybe six foot tall.”
    â€œThe horses and brands they took?”
    â€œThey all wore our KT brand on their right shoulder, mostly bays, one sorrel. Seven head. They took all our horses but that pony the boy rode over to your place.”
    â€œThe pony’s at our Verde place. Brant’s riding one of our horses. No problem. If need be, I’ll trade for it. My nephews and nieces can ride the pony. Let’s see when it’s over.”
    â€œYour wife can stay here,” Doris said.
    Chet shook his head. “She expects to go with us. Thanks, anyway.”
    The woman frowned in disbelief at him. “Does she know how cold and bad it can get up there?”
    â€œShe won’t stay unless I tie her up.”
    Liz stood there and nodded. “Thank you. I want to be with him.”
    Doris shook her head.
    â€œWe will stay here tonight. Maybe sleep on your floor.”
    â€œOh, you are most welcome to stay here.”
    â€œMy men are checking for tracks. If they get a good trail to follow, we’ll leave before dawn.”
    â€œI’ll send Brant to get a buckboard, then fix supper.”
    â€œI will help you,” Liz said.
    Doris started to say something, but instead nodded. “Thanks.”
    Chet and Andy talked about cattle. His neighbors were feeding his cattle hay.
    Jesus and Cole came in.
    â€œThey went north. That many horses leave lots of prints. We can follow them,” Cole said.
    â€œBefore sunup, we’ll take up their tracks.”
    The men agreed. Andy was napping. The women worked on food preparation. In the warmth of the stove, Chet sat on the couch in the warm room and catnapped.
    The wind in the morning came off the North Pole. They were on the move before the sun crept up. Clouds were rolling in and Chet was concerned that it would soon be snowing. If it reached any depth, that could sure halt their tracking them.
    He checked on Liz several times to be sure she was warm enough. She scoffed at his worrying. “I’m fine. I have lots of clothes on and if I fall off this horse, you will need a rope and pulley to get me back in the saddle.”
    The men laughed. After a noon break, the snow started. Before dark on the short winter day in the rolling high country, they found an abandoned soddy with firewood and a fireplace.
    â€œYou own this?” Cole asked.
    â€œI may. Bo buys these places all the time.”
    â€œHow far is your ranch from here?” Liz asked.
    â€œMaybe twenty-thirty miles west. I’m not real certain. At least we have shelter tonight.”
    She agreed and helped Jesus cook while he and Cole brought in the saddles and packs. The house had a particular odor he noticed as it warmed. It wasn’t the horse gear, either. Smelled more like old socks to him.
    â€œWe may not be this lucky tomorrow night.”
    She hugged his arm. “Stop worrying about me. I am a big girl and proud to be riding with you. I know a woman along has you concerned. Don’t be.”
    â€œFine, you can just be one of the boys.”
    â€œGood. I want to be.” They both laughed.
    â€œHow far are they ahead of us?”
    â€œNot over two days, Jesus?”
    â€œTwo days. They aren’t going as fast as we did today. Driving those horses slows them down.”
    â€œDid they ever say how much money they got?” Liz asked.
    â€œAll I heard was they robbed them.”
    Cole shook his head. “No, I never heard.”
    Jesus rose from his cooking. “I bet they didn’t get much.”
    Chet agreed. “Not much cash in ranching cattle. We buy cattle from those folks, but aside from making a drive to some mining camp, cattle are not a large profit item.”
    â€œWhat do people do for money?”
    â€œMost do without.”
    She nodded. “How many cattle do you buy in a