Ghost Town at Sundown - Mary Pope Osborne [5]
“Thanks,” said Annie.
Jack cleared his throat. “A mustang needs his family,” he said. “The bond between a mare and her young is very strong.”
The cowboy looked at Jack. “Whoa, you’re pretty smart to know that, Shorty.”
“Shorty?” said Jack.
“Every cowpoke’s got to have a nickname,” said the cowboy.
“What’s yours?” said Annie.
“Slim,” said the cowboy. “My name is Slim Cooley. And this is Dusty.” He patted his horse.
“That fits,” said Annie.
Jack agreed. Slim was slim. And Dusty was dusty.
“So tell me,” Slim said. “How did you two brave, smart young’uns end up in Rattlesnake Flats?”
Jack caught his breath. He didn’t know how to explain it.
“Um … the stagecoach,” said Annie. “We begged the driver to let us off. But I think we made a mistake.”
Slim looked around. “I’ll say,” he said.
“When the next stage comes through, we’re leaving,” said Annie.
“I see,” said Slim. “Well, I’m going to take my colt now and find those rustlers. You didn’t hear where they were headed, did you?”
“They said they were going to camp over the rise,” said Jack.
“Hmm, must be over yonder,” said Slim. He looked at a low rise in the distance. The sun was a red ball above it.
“Better get going before dark,” he said.
“Can we go with you?” said Annie.
“No, we have to stay here,” Jack said quickly. Now that Slim could help Sunset, Jack wanted to look for the answer to the riddle. Plus, he still wanted to take off his boots.
“Shorty’s right to be scared,” Slim said to Annie. “This is no job for young’uns.”
“Scared?” said Jack.
“Oh, please! I want to go,” said Annie.
Slim looked at Jack. “And what do you want, Shorty?”
For starters, he wanted Slim to stop calling him Shorty. And he wanted Slim to think he was brave.
“Sure, I want to go,” said Jack.
“What about your stagecoach?” asked Slim.
“It’s not coming until tomorrow,” Annie said quickly.
“Well … ” Slim scratched his chin. “I reckon I could use some brave, smart help. But you have to do everything I say.”
“We will!” said Annie. “Can I ride Sunset?”
“I wouldn’t say ‘yes’ to many kids, Smiley, but you seem to have a knack with horses,” said Slim. “Now, hang on tight to his mane, I’ll just pull him along behind me.”
Slim slipped the rope off the post. Then he held his hand out to Jack.
“Put your foot in the stirrup, Shorty. And grab my hand,” said Slim.
Jack did as Slim said. Slim pulled him onto the front of his saddle.
Jack held on to the saddle horn.
“Sit tight,” said Slim. “It’s not far.”
Slim snapped his reins. Dusty took off with Sunset right behind him.
Jack bounced up and down. His boots hurt. The sunlight blinded him.
“Giddy-up!” said Slim.
“Giddy-up!” said Annie.
The horses galloped across the prairie, dust flying from their hooves.
“Ah-choo!” Jack sneezed as he bounced along into the setting sun.
The sky was dark by the time they got to the rise. The wind was cool, almost cold.
“Whoa,” said Slim.
Dusty slowed to a halt.
“They’re camped down there,” Slim said in a low voice. “In that patch of trees.”
Jack saw a campfire at the bottom of the slope. He saw the horses gathered in a dark clump. One let out a loud whinny.
“Hear that?” said Slim. “The mare. She senses Sunset is nearby.”
The mare whinnied again.
“Sounds like she’s tied to a tree,” said Slim. “I think the rest of the herd are loose.”
“What’s our plan?” whispered Jack.
“Smiley, you stay here and guard Sunset,” said Slim.
“Right,” said Annie.
“Shorty, you and I ride down near their camp,” said Slim. “You keep Dusty quiet while I cut the mare loose.”
How do you keep a horse quiet? wondered Jack.
“Once the mare’s loose, she’ll break for Sunset,” said Slim. “Then you and Sunset take off, Smiley.”
“Got it,” said Annie.
“Then we’ll split the wind,” said Slim.
What’s that mean? wondered Jack.
“Till we get to Blue Canyon,” said Slim.
Where’s that? wondered Jack.
“All set? Any questions?” asked Slim.
“Nope,” said Annie cheerfully.
Yup, about a million, thought Jack.
“Okay, pardners,” said Slim. “See ya soon, Smiley. Come on, Shorty.”
“Have fun,” said Annie.