4

Finally they arrived back at the starting point. They barely got one day of rest and then headed right back onto the plains to do it all over again. This time they herded from the west back towards the the ranch again.

The terrain this time was quite a bit different; Steep hills and sharp craggy valleys. Lots of large rocks sticking out of the ground to trip over or rip your leg open for the unwary person or critter brushing past. The dense thorny brush so high, that even a man's head on horseback's was mostly invisible, blanketed most of the area.

The stock must love this area, as there were lots of them hiding in small canyons and washes. They had to be coaxed out gently one by one.

Old Tom did his best to maintain his plan of keeping his riders in sight. Sometimes Jack lost sight of Ennis for an hour, so it seemed. But every now and then all there was would only be the sound of the horse's hoofs or a mere glimpse of the horse's rump. Jack constantly did his best to see Ennis as well as the cowboy to his right. The steepness, heavy brush and branches kept trying to knock his hat off, plus figuring out where to lead the horse, made for tough slow going.

Suddenly these activities were rudely interrupted by a series of three shrill blasts of a boat horn, nearby. Jack had wondered about the horns hanging on the bosses saddles.

That was the planned signal to indicate someone was hurt or missing. Everyone headed to the sound of the horn. Hurriedly Jack arrived to find Old Tom holding Ennis's horse, but no Ennis was in sight. What the?

Tom hurriedly explained to the growing crowd that Ennis's horse had come towards him but with no rider. The poor horse's eyes were glazed over, ears held back in terror, breathing hard. Something bad must have spooked his horse, but what happened to Ennis? Joe immediately directed that a search party should start looking, shoulder to shoulder and holler loudly when he is found. Jack beside himself with panic, knew where he'd ridden and pretty much where Ennis seemed to be riding, lead the searchers.

After about 20 minutes one of the men shouted that they found him. Jack rushed to the sound of their excited voices and found Ennis on the ground unconscious and with an obvious broken left leg.

Someone that was called a medic came rushing on the scene with a first aid kit, directed that the comatose Ennis be carefully placed on a stretcher as he continued to examine his patient.

Jack was going crazy at the pitiful sight on the ground. Men held him back so the medic guy could do his work. The medic sent a runner to tell the trail boss that a man was down with a broken leg and a rattle snake strike on his hand; Needed to get to a hospital immediately.

The one good thing is that the medic-man did have anti-venom serum with his first aid kit and had administered it immediately. However the leg was a different story. It was immobilized with a limb of a small bush. There was a known road about a mile away so Ennis on that stretcher would have to be hand carried through the heavy brush and rough ground. Jack grabbed a firm hold of one corner of the stretcher, never feeling the sharp thorns ripping at his own clothes and skin, as they scrambled towards the sound of a truck engine and the now welcome sound of that bullhorn.

Jack was the first one to jump inside the old Army truck pulling the victim and the stretcher inside with him. He didn't seem to notice the rough ride of the old truck, while holding Ennis and praying that they would get him safely to a hospital in time.

But when they got to the ranch there sat a real ambulance with it's red lights flashing. Without even a word Jack helped move Ennis's moaning body to the ambulance.

Off they went, siren wailing as the paramedics radioed the doctor with Ennis's vital signs and condition to the Cody City Hospital.

Finally there, the ER staff took a quick look at Ennis and they all quickly disappeared behind closed the doors of the Emergency Room, leaving Jack and Tom standing there. Soon a clerk came and asked questions as to who this was and who is his next of kin, as she filled in the paperwork form from a stuttering Jack Twist.

Tom, it's lucky he was able to be there, had came along behind the ambulance in his own truck, explained that Ennis was hurt on the job and yes, there is insurance to cover any and all the care necessary.

Somewhat more composed now, Jack volunteered that he was Ennis's next of kin.

He and Jack nervously waited in the visitor's lounge till the doctor came out of the ER area.

Said, "Guys, your buddy is going to be one sick man for awhile. Sure a good thing that medic administered that anti-venom in time.

The orthopedic surgeon is setting the leg right now. He should be out shortly with his report."

Tom let out a big 'phew' at the news, Jack however continued to pace back and forth in his dusty trail clothes, muttering to himself. About an hour later, another doctor in a white gown came into the waiting area asking for the delMar party. Jack, looking very worried, jumped to his feet, said "I'm his partner, Jack Twist and this is Joe, our boss!"

The doctor said " I think Mr. delMar is going to do just fine.

We put a plate and some pins in that badly busted ankle. After the incision heals, probably in about a week, we will put a walking cast on that leg.

But right now he is still in the recovery area, my guess is for about an hour, and then he'll be moved into a regular room.

When they get him settled you may do a short visit.

This man has been through a lot today, he's real lucky to be alive."