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beyond the stream. He could see no sign of the approaching Long Rail herd and make a rough estimation of how long it would be before Chisum's party reached the crossing. There would be ample time for what he planned to do happen Burt Alvord came up with the right answers. Slaughter studied the ground around him, noting its physical makeup and picking out points of use to him in his plan. Already an idea had formed and Slaughter spent a few minutes tying up its loose ends. With the plan decided upon, he turned and went to where his horse stood hidden. Moimting the black. Slaughter made good time back to his waiting men.
    With his men around him, and using a pointed stick and a piece of bare earth, Slaughter drew a map of the crossing area. While waiting for Alvord's return from the scout, he told his men of his plan and gave each his explanation, a rapidly approaching drumming of hooves announced the return of Alvord.
    "They crossed the river down there a ways, boss," Alvord announced as he swung from his horse. While never a man to chatter, he knew the need for making a full report in a matter of this land. "Kept on for maybe a mile, dien stopped. The smallest of 'em rode oflF toward where Chisum had his night camp. Must have been there nigh on half an hour, then come back and they took the cattle down to the Long Rail's bed ground."

    "Then Chisum's got our cattle, has he?" growled one of the hands.
    "It looks that way," Slaughter agreed; "and he's going to give them back."

    CHAPTER FOUR
    Cliisum's Bill Of Sale
    John Chisum tore down towards his halted chuck and bed wagons at a gallop. Behind him the Long Rail herd moved slowly along making for the water and he did not want any delay in moving the herd across.
    "Get them wagons rolling, blast you, Cookiel" he bellowed. "Don't stop us.'"
    Then he saw the reason for the cook's immobility and brought his horse to a rump-scraping halt alongside the chuck wagon. Across the stream, seated in line, were John Slaughter, Washita Trace and Burt Alvord. More significant to eyes which knew the West, each man sat with a Winchesters butt rested on his right knee, his right hand gripping the small of the butt, index finger inside the trigger guard while the other three fingers passed throu^ the loading lever. Men did not wait to welcome the visitors to their land with rifles in their hands, and a man who knew anything about the dangers of firearms never placed his forefinger on the trigger imless he aimed to use the weapon, or meant to use it should such an action be called for.
    Even if he was guilty of the heinous crime of cattle stealing, Chisxnn gave no sign of concern as he faced the three grim-faced men across the boundary stream. Shoving back his hat, Chismn mopped his brow with a cheap red handkerchief and then nodded a greeting.
    "Howdy, John," he said. "Can I ride through the water?"
    Normally the Cattle King would not have thought of asking permission even as a matter of basic courtesy. However, he knew he faced one man who the might of

    the Long Rail did not frighten or worry in the least.
    "Just you," Slaughter answered.
    Slowly Chisum rode through the water, at its deepest part it rose only as high as the level of his boots. On reaching Slaughter s shore, the Cattle King drew his horse to a halt.
    '*You waiting to be neighborly?'* he asked.
    '*WeVe come for them/' Slaughter answered, getting straight to the point without any fancy frills.
    "Who?"
    "That hundred head of my stock that's noixed in with your herd."
    "Oh, them."
    "Them. I'm taking them back."
    "Now just a doggone minute there," Chisum yelped in a tone of injured innocence. He dug a hand into his hip pocket and extracted a sheet of paper, handing it to Slaughter.
    TaJdng the paper. Slaughter read, "To whom it may concern. I, Samuel Smith, Lazy S Ranch, Blantyre Coimty, Texas, do sell one hundred (100) head of cattle to John Chisrnn, Long Rail, Bosque Grande, New Mexico Territory, for the sum of $3.00 (three