Chapter 7 [High Chaparral]

Buck rode Rebel at a hard gallop across the desert. Frustration soured his mood. From Dawn's first glimpses, he and the Boys had scoured the range. They found no sign of the Comancheros amidst the cacti and heat.

The Comancheros, however, had found their herds again. They claimed at least another fifty prize steers and horses. Then they melted away to their hiding place once more.

Don Sebastian knows this is happening. Yet he won't admit it! He's got to be losing 'em too! Buck glanced back at Joe, Pedro and the other two ranch hands following him. At least we'll be back at the Chaparral any minute! Brother John can decide what to do after that!

Rebel veered slightly to the left aligning himself with the path running into the Chaparral. His hooves barely seemed to touch the ground. In no time at all, he'd guided Buck under the wooden sign and toward the corral.

Buck pulled up on the reins. He dismounted and tied the reins to the fence post. Then he waited for his companions to reach him. "Hey, Boys! Make sure that the horses are rubbed down. I got to let Big John know about those stolen horses and cattle. We'll have another early start in the morning."

"Si, Señor Buck. Maybe we'll find them then?" Pedro supposed.

"We'd better," Joe affirmed. "We'll get them set. You let Big John know," Joe affirmed.

Buck shook his head. "Oh yeah. I'll do that all right." He patted Rebel's flank. "Rest. Got it?" Purpose hastened his progress toward the house. Oh, he's going to love this. He stopped only to bang the trail's dust and dirt from his hat. His hands dusted off his dark outfit. Then he marched through the door.

Victoria glanced up from her dusting. "Buck! Did you find anything?"

Buck shook his head. "Nope. Sorry, Victoria. Wish I had better news." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Big John in the back?"

"Yes. He's going over his ledgers." She bowed her head. From what Buck and Blue had reported after their return from her father's rancho, Don Sebastian still held to his quid pro quo arrangements with the banditos on his land. She could not believe her father didn't take the situation more seriously especially after Manolito had to rescue the two travelers from Sanchez and his raiders. Papa, you cannot ignore these threats. They will bleed us and you dry! "Have you heard from Manolito?"

"He ain't due back until tomorrow, Victoria. Wish he was here right now. We could really use his tracking out there on the trail. He could translate with the Apach too," he presumed.

Just then Blue stuck his head into the living room. "Hey, Uncle Buck! You okay?"

Buck shrugged at his nephew. "It's been a real long day, Blue Boy. Always glad to see you though. You stayin' out of trouble?"

"I watched the herds close to here as Joe and you asked." Blue pointed toward the office. "Pa wanted to see us when you got back."

"Wanted to see us? Now what? Well might as well. I've got news of my own. Let's go." Buck gave Blue a gentle push back into John's office. "Hey, Big John! Got a minute?"

John glanced up from his books. "Hmm? Oh, Buck! Get in here and bring Blue with you." He glanced over his brother's shoulder. "Get the door will you, Boy?"

"Got it," Blue agreed. He shut the door behind himself. "What's going on, Pa?"

John exhaled a deep breath. "Those comancheros are leading us on a wild goose chase. When we do run into them, we're using up a lot of bullets shooting at them." He rubbed his forehead.

"Then you aren't going to like my news either, Brother John," Buck told him. "We lost more today."

"More? Where?" John narrowed his eyes.

"Southern herds lost more horses and stock. We better hope Mano's having better luck convincing his Daddy than we are at finding those comancheros." Buck tossed his hat down hard on a chair. "Can't believe Don Sebastian's not seeing it!"

"Even if he does, he's not about to admit it to me," John reminded him. "We're on our own. He made that clear to you both. I'll talk to Manolito when he gets back here tomorrow night. Anyhow I need you both to head into Trail's End."

"Now? Pa, it's almost dark," Blue questioned.

"The mercantile ain't going to be open until morning," Buck added.

John frowned. Consternation flared in his eyes. "Everyone thinks they know better on this ranch, don't you all? Well it just happens that the mercantile in Tucson's plumb out. I want you to see what they have in Trail's End. Got it?" He huffed.

Blue nodded. "Sorry, Pa. Just thinking about those banditos and running into them in the dark is all."

"Right. We'll be real careful. Get your horse saddled, Blue Boy. I'll need a fresh horse," Buck noted.

"Pick one out and get moving, you both. Just be careful." John handed him an envelope. "That'll buy you a few boxes of shells. Anything else of use against the comancheros you can charge."

"Got it, Big John," Buck concurred.

"And, Buck, try to stay out of trouble in the bars," John insisted.

Buck bit his lip. Frankly he wanted to blow off some steam in the bars while in Trail's End. Besides he fancied some cards and maybe a bit of information over the poker hands. "I'll be like that ol' angel, John."

Blue coughed. Amusement lit up his face.

"Did I say something funny, Blue Boy?" Buck glared at his nephew. "Think you got some horses to get saddled. Get!"

Blue exchanged looks with his father. Then he hustled out of the room.

"Just make sure you stay out of trouble, Buck. We've got enough problems without you busting up a bar tonight. I'd send Joe with you but I need the boys back here. We're all going early," John informed him.

"Will do, Brother John. Hell, Mano's probably having a better time with that Señorita down there," Buck grunted.

"What?" John ground his teeth. "I send him there to talk with his father and he's with a woman?"

"You know Manolito." Buck shrugged. "He saves her, sweeps her off of her feet and then…well…it's him."

"He'd better have his head on straight." John filed a few thoughts toward (another) lecture in that regard. "You and Blue'd better get going. Just be careful."

"You bet. I'll watch Blue Boy like a hawk," Buck promised. "We'll be back here tomorrow as soon as we can. Maybe Mano might have something else by then too."

"He'd better." John motioned toward the door.

"He will," Buck assured. He turned and walked back out into the living room. There he saw Victoria handing a sack to Blue. "Hey, Victoria. What's that?"

"I made some sandwiches for Blue and you. Especially after riding all day, you're going to be hungry during the trip there. Just be careful," she explained.

"That's mighty kind of you. Thank you," Buck expressed. "Let's get, Blue Boy. We've got a long way to go."

"Thanks, Victoria." Blue smiled at her before leading Buck out the door.

First Manolito and now Blue and Buck out there with those bandits! Be careful! Victoria shook her head. A deep frown cut into the sides of her mouth. Papa, what are you doing?