The Apaches had come in the night and stolen the horses out of the corral while the dogs slept. Though Parson’s eyes were wet, he didn’t have much to say about it, but Ma Hatcher was fit to be tied. “I want you to take them dang dogs into town with you,” she said to Cash, waving her arms the way she always did when she got mad. “They keep us awake nearly every night barking, but last night we didn’t hear a sound out of them all night long. This is the last straw. You get them sorry dogs away from here or I’ll take the shotgun and shoot every last one of them.” Cash gave Curly a mean look. “I reckon we know why they took them horses.” Curly shrugged. “What’s a few horses. We can steal plenty more.” “You’re mighty generous with horses that don’t belong to you,” Cash said. “That’s why I can afford to be generous with them.” Curly saw the bitter look old Parson gave him.
