Once a Ranger by Dusty Richards Page A

a wagon.”
    â€œGuess you were about like I was last June—a little anxious.” Guthrey shook his head, recalling those days.
    â€œYes, sir. But the preacher married us and we came out and I was going to boost her on her horse.
    â€œNow, she had on a pretty wedding dress that Mrs. Neal and her husband had bought for her. She grasped the horn and flipped into the saddle. Perfect deal, but I guess the horse saw this flying white thing land on his back and he went to bucking. My heart stopped, and she flew off. We rushed down there to help her up and she was laughing.
    â€œâ€˜What’s so funny?’ I asked.
    â€œâ€˜I have never been thrown off a horse in my entire life. You go catch him.’
    â€œAnd she did ride him that next time. I blamed the dress for not being the proper attire. But she sure got mad about being bucked off. We both laugh about it today.”
    â€œI can tell she’s a great lady. You’re a lucky man to have her.”
    Thayer agreed.
    â€œWhy are we going to Portal?”
    â€œAn Apache buck that Thayer knows, who we met on the trail, told him that the horses we were after had been over there. Thayer knows all them Apaches,” Noble said.
    Thayer agreed. “They all know Nell. They stop by for food and she feeds them. They have never taken a thing and I think I live in a safe place up there with them being around there like the wind. They come and go.”
    Guthrey smiled at him. “I don’t know if anyone told you, Thayer, but you’re one of the good guys.”
    â€œAw, hell, I never figured I’d ever have a real wife. Nell is a wonderful woman and she fits in my life. You know what I mean.”
    â€œYes, I do. I have one of my own at home.”
    Dan smiled and said, “Thayer, she about ran him off the day of my gun-fighting experience I told you about.”
    They all laughed and drank more coffee. Finally Guthrey paid for their meal and they found a place in the dry wash to spread out their blankets, and they hitched their horses, which had been grained and watered. There was no feed in the brush-choked canyon, so they tied the horses up. Then they slept till before sunup. Maria, the lady at the stage stop, had breakfast ready for them before they rode on.
    When they headed east on Wednesday, they took off their badges and pocketed them, now being simply citizens looking for stolen horses. Everyone agreed. Activity at Fort Bowie was minimal and they hardly stopped except to water their horses at the fort’s spring. By midday they were close to their goal. The Apache didn’t know the names of the property owners near Portal, but he did make a map in the dirt that Dan copied. There were many small places in that country and they rode right up to the adobe house and corrals where the Apache had seen the horses. Dogs barked. A man came out, putting up his suspenders and unarmed.
    â€œWhat’cha need?”
    â€œFour stolen horses,” Guthrey said. “Mind if we look?”
    â€œThey ain’t here.”
    â€œWhere did they go? They were here two days ago.”
    â€œListen, I ain’t no damn horse thief.”
    â€œDid I say that? We’ve rode several days and an eyewitness told us they were here.”
    â€œWho told you that?” The man scowled, looking them over.
    â€œA reliable witness. Now where are they?”
    â€œI ain’t—”
    Guthrey spurred the roan up against the man and he staggered back.
    â€œWhat the hell are you doing?”
    â€œI want an answer. Those horses were here. Who moved them?”
    â€œYou ain’t the damn law. I don’t have to tell you nothing.”
    â€œDo you like your teeth?”
    â€œSure, why?”
    â€œHow would you like them in your hand?”
    â€œAll right. All right. There were some horses—here earlier this week. How would I know they were stolen?”
    â€œWho brought them here?”
    â€œTwo