CHAD’TU

The woman had fought hard. The three had ridden in slowly. Upon hearing the snorting of horses she had come out onto the porch, and raising a hand to her forehead, shielding the bright morning sun from her eyes.

To her eye the three riders looked apprehensive and a little uneasy. They looked more like gunslingers than cowboys. Jaydeen was apprehensive and worried about these riders.

Chad was out taking care of the cattle, but was suppose to be back by sundown.

The three men kept looking about nervously. They especially kept an eye out, looking toward the barn as if expecting someone to come from it at any moment. The men acted more like gun hands than cowpokes.

She called for Track with a whistle of her soft lips. Instantly a large grey wolf came through the open door and sat by her side. He watched the riders with his large yellow eyes. Mouth open with his tongue hanging out across large white teeth from a head that reached higher than the women's waist. He was a fearful sight. He sensed Jaydeen’s nervousness, and let out a low growl.

Startled upon seeing the wolf, the three riders pulled up their horses and stopped. The biggest of the three removing his hat said, "Ma’am, we didn't mean to startle you. We saw the smoke rising from your chimney and thought maybe we could water our horses and maybe get a drink for ourselves?"

"I suppose its okay." She answered uneasily looking at the men. Something about the way these men acted was not normal. "I'll get you some drinking water from the house." she said, stepping hack into the house. The wolf followed.

Out of sight of the men, she reached for the Winchester that sat in a rack beside the door.

Ackerman grabbed her from behind and pulled her back. At that instant Track let out a deep, loud growl, as he leaped to attack Ackerman.

Shorty was right on Ackerman's heels as Track lunged at the man who held a screaming Jaydeen. Shorty hit Track in the head with his rifle butt. Dazed Track hit the floor and rolled. As he tried to get up and attack again, Shorty ran over and kicked him in the ribs.

Jaydeen broke lose and tried to get Shorty off of Track. Then Ackerman was there, she grabbed a plate from the table and threw it at him. It hit Ackerman in the head slowing him for the moment.

She jumped on Shorty's back and he fell backwards. Then Ackerman had a hold of her again. His grip was like iron, there would be no getting away this time.

Shorty was trying to get up from where he had fallen. Track getting back on his feet leaped for the man who had kicked him. With a blood chilling growl Track sunk his teeth deep into Shorty's leg and jerked it trying to pull it off. Shorty let out an even louder yell as Track tore at his leg.

Slade who was waiting outside and keeping watch for anyone that might catch them, heard the yelling and a lot of noise coming out of the house. He jumped down from his horse and rushed through the doorway at the same time that Track had sunk his teeth deep into Shorty.

Shorty was yelling! "Get this damn wolf off me for god’s sake." Slade took his rifle and hit Track in the head. This time Track just lay there not moving.

Slade helped Shorty get to his feet. Shorty hobbled over and tried to kick the wolf that he assumed was dead. He almost fell as the badly bitten leg would not support him.

"To hell with it," Shorty said, and pulled his gun to shoot the wolf. Ackerman yelled at Shorty, "No shooting, remember what the boss said." Shorty hobbled over to a chair and tied his bandanna around his leg to stop the blood flowing from the wound.

Dragging the fighting, kicking, biting, clawing, hellcat of a woman, Ackerman said, "Slade help Shorty to his horse then come help me with this wildcat, so we can saddle her horse and get the hell out of here, before her husband comes back. Get a move on.”

Shorty’s bloodied leg brushed against the door frame leaving a smear of blood on it, as Slade staggered, followed by a groan from Shorty. He helped Shorty onto his horse.

Slade hurried to the barn and saddled Jaydeen’s horse, while Ackerman tried to hold her still. Ackerman gruffly said, "Be still lady we ain't gonna hurt ya if you behave." Slade took a strip of leather and while Ackerman held Jaydeen he tied her hands.

Together they lifted her onto her horse then tied the leather strip holding her hands to the saddle horn.

Ackerman led Jaydeen's horse out of the barn, he and Slade then mounted up. The four riders turned and headed down the mountain. They rode swiftly, not speaking, with an occasionally glance thrown back to see if any one followed.

Awhile after the four riders had gone the beaten and almost dead wolf dragged himself through the open door.

He lay on the porch of the ranch house, whimpering and moaning.

After a short rest he crawled on, towards the barn, resting several times he made it into the barn.

He looked for Jaydeen but didn't find her. He finally crawled into a far corner and collapsed. His eyes watched the door, the thought of Jaydeen keeping him alive.