Rivers End

Old Friends

The two decided to stay in the line cabin until Rin could travel. He was weak with blood loss, but his body was young and strong, used to the harsh conditions of outdoor life and self-doctoring. Every day he grew a little stronger, his body storing strength and endurance. On the ninth day they ran out of food and had only enough coffee left for two days, at most. It was time to move.

"Head for home?" asked Hank as they restocked the firewood inside the cabin then headed for the horses.

"Yes, but slowly," Rin took his time explaining about the cattle, the rustlers, and his suspicions.

"I reckon you're onto somethin' there," Hank gravely nodded his head. "I bet our boys are chompin' at the bit wonderin' what become of us!"

"I figure we'll have some explaining to do, yes," Rin agreed. "Think the others will go for the plan?"

Hank considered that while he saddled his chestnut.

"I think only Candy would take issue with it for himself, but if Gates gave the go ahead, he'd see it through."

Rin pondered that while he saddled the roan, noticing the stallion was looking fit and mighty sassy. When he cinched the saddle in place, he saw the large bulge in the horse's stomach and grinned. So, back to that are we? He chuckled.

Hank Bale had been some broncs in his time, and he'd seen his fair share of cowboys who could saddle and ride a twister, but the roan put them all to shame. He was in fine shape, and had been itching to move for days. Rin stayed in the saddle like he was glued to it, his body whipping around in rhythm with the stallion. There was grimness on his lean face lightened only by the wicked gleam in his eye. He loved it as much as the blue roan.

When at last the stallion came back to earth again he was tossing his head and bugling loudly. Only the slight tremor in his legs betrayed the fact he'd been deathly ill a short time ago. Temple tugged his hat more securely around his head and slapped the roan's neck affectionately.

"You got more fight in you than the Devil himself amigo," he commented softly "Glad to see you're fit again."

Hank let loose with a soft curse, a wide smile on his face.

"Of all the jumpin' jacks I ever did see! That horse has springs in his legs!"

"Let's ride then!"

It was a friendly challenge, and the two were off, taking the hills and trails at breakneck speed. The roan was fighting for his head, breathing fire but Rin held him back. Two days was a lot of travel, and he didn't want to overwork the stallion, especially after his illness. But when the men reached the flatland and the chestnut flattened out and sprinted ahead the roan fairly screamed at being held back. Rin let him go.

As if suddenly given wings, the stallion took flight, his hooves barely touching the earth as he raced up behind the chestnut gelding. Hank had a quick sense of presence, and then all he could see was a cloud of kicked up dust and the flying black stream of the roan's tail.

Temple was waiting for him at a spring fed pond about half a mile up the trail, letting the roan drink his fill. Hank jumped off his horse and slapped his thigh excitedly.

"I thought you was on wings back there!"

"That old boy, he can't ever take a friendly challenge!" Rin grinned back proud of his horse.

As they watered and rested the horses Hank talked excitedly and knowledgably about the wild mustang, and their capabilities. He had a vast appreciation for the animal, and his eyes blazed with joy at having witnessed the horse in its purest form. Temple let him talk, listening with the easy friendliness of a man who enjoyed interesting conversation.