If he had to do any more running, he would have to buy some shoes. These boots were going to cripple him. He passed through the belt of trees and out into the open beyond. He turned in the direction of the shed, but Bones’s barks were coming from the direction of the corral, so he changed course. What could Roger be doing at the corral? Surely he wasn’t stupid enough to try to steal the unbranded cows. He couldn’t get away with that many cows alone, much less brand them. He met Dobie coming from the direction of the wagon he shared with Arnie. “What the hell is going on?” the young man asked. “I never heard Bones act so crazy.” Arnie followed at a distance, putting on his shirt as he ran. “I don’t know, but he’s over by the corral.” “You think Roger’s trying to steal the horses?” Roger could sell Salty’s two horses for at least a hundred dollars each.
