Fences and Good Neighbors
by Jo and Atonia
with Cort, Maximus and Jimmy Kelp
It was Jock the elder of the two hands Jimmy Kelp worked that came riding up to the barn in a hurry. He jumped down from his horse and called out for Jimmy.
"Boss, the upper pasture…fence cut…cattle are out," he said breathlessly
"Fence cut!" Jimmy quickly saddled up and rode out with Jock.
"Yes sir see here and about fifty feet along its cut again," Jock pushed his hat back hands on hips.
Jimmy got down from his horse and examined the fence, "it’s cut all right…deliberately cut…where’s the herd?"
"Ian’s gone lookin’ looks like they headed for the ridge," he pointed up the hill.
"Shit…that’s Meridius property," Jimmy mounted followed by Jock they rode toward the hill.
The cattle had ploughed up a trail making it easy to follow over the ridge where the land gently sloped down and flattened out into cultivated fields. Jimmy could see Ian desperately trying to head off about fifty head of cattle from a wheat field. Soon Jimmy and Jock had joined him racing around and turning most of the herd.
Busy as they were they didn’t notice the lone rider approaching from the direction of the Meridius Stables
Cort had just gotten saddled when he'd seen the cattle heading for Maximus' wheat. The General had left a narrow riding path through the center of the huge field and Cort spurred his mount into a gallop. Out of the corner of his eye he saw three men trying to turn the herd. Good! He didn't think he could manage it all on his own. By the time he reached the far side of the field, only three or four of the cattle had actually gotten down into the wheat. He rode smoothly, expertly, aware how comfortable he was doing what he was doing. Curving in front of the cattle, he stopped their forward progress, turning them back toward the fence line that marked the boundary of the Meridius land. One of the riders approached him, helping guide the cattle into the main herd.
With the help of the stranger Jimmy had the herd together and Jock and Ian drove them over the ridge back onto McGee property. He rode over to the man, "Sure 'preciate the help," Jimmy looked around the wheat field where the cattle had been, "Sorry 'bout the damage. Somebody cut the fence.. I'm Jimmy Kelp, foreman at the Glenridge Station."
"Cort,Cort Wells. I'm staying at the Meridius house. Doesn't look like they trampled all that much. Think we got to them just in time. I'd better let the General know what's happened, though."
"Yeah, mind if I ride with you I'd like him to know any damages are paid for and also about the cut fences in case it spreads over the hill. I noticed you knew what you were doin'. Have you worked cattle before?"
Damn, there it was again. A
question for which he had no sure answer. "Not droving specifically, but I'm
used to bein' around them." He guessed he was. It seemed like he might be
anyway. "But come on with me and I'll introduce you to the General. You'll find
him a fair and honorable man."
Jimmy rode behind him down the narrow path through the field. He thought he
might have seen the General when that scumbag Sweeny was shot. After living in
Australia for five years an American accent caught his ear, "You're from the
southwest somewhere, ain't ya, Cort? Reason I ask is cause I'm from Arizona
myself. I recognize the drawl."
"Somewhere, yes," Cort replied vaguely, really uncomfortable about answering questions for which he had no answers. The man did speak in a similar way. Maybe he could be from Arizona himself? Maybe? This not knowing was beginning to get to him. Something in him didn't like the dishonesty he felt with his own unsatisfactory answers.
"Look, Kelp," he said, reining his horse in. "The plain truth is I don't know how to answer you.
I would if I could, but I can't. I simply don't remember where I'm from, what I used to do."
He turned his gaze from Kelp, staring off across the tops of the wheat. "I simply don't remember."
Jimmy looked at him, "Sorry I didn't know...some kind of amnesia I reckon,"
Jimmy was a little embarrassed now. "Anyhow I know you must be from my neck of
the woods...the accent ya know."
"I appreciate that," Cort sighed. "Any little piece of my puzzle is a help."
Jimmy decided not to press it, poor guy must be awful not remembering anything.
"I seem to know my way around horses," Cort added, "so landing here at the Meridius' has been perfect for me. Ah, there he is!" Cort pointed to the stable door where Maximus was standing, watching them ride across the field.
"Maximus," he said as they
reined in near him, "there's a bit of trouble on the far side of the wheat near
the boundary fence with the McGee station. Jimmy Kelp here works for McGee. Says
somebody took down a section of fencing and about 50 head of their cattle got
onto your land."
"The wheat?" Maximus asked quickly.
"Not bad. Only 3 or 4 of them got down that far. Kelp and two other McGee hands
managed to head the other off."
Maximus looked up at Kelp. "You have my thanks for that." He turned and called
into the barn for East to saddle Legion.
Jimmy nodded his head, "a bit of mischief I reckon goin’ on I just wanted you to know Mr. McGee is good for whatever damage has been done. The fence was cut in two places…second time we’ve had a strange happening on the station, somebody let the calves out one night…just wanted you t be aware Mr. Meridius in case it spills over the ridge."
"Thank you for the warning," Maximus nodded. "I shall keep my eyes well open." East brought Legion out and Maximus swung easily up into the saddle. "Thank you," he said as East turned back into the barn. "I would like to ride out and see for myself just what has happened."
There wasn’t anything else Jimmy could do so he rode back over the ridge. Later he rode the entire length of the fence double checking it was intact. He was beginning to think they might be targeted for some reason…by somebody.
.
