And Bilbo comes storming into town! Hey, look there, shouts Calypso. Somebody’s kicking up a storm.
Yorkie looked out over the fence line. Sure enough, somebody was riding in fast.
Dust was kicked up behind, and there was locomotive speed on those hooves.
Bilbo came riding past full pelt, coat tails flying. She hauled up at the bunk house, launched herself out of the saddle and stood, breathing heavily for a minute. Then she strode over to the rain barrel and cupped some cooling water over her head before moving back to her horse. She smoothed and patted the sweaty mane and gently led her over to the water. While her horse drank, Bilbo took off the saddle and harness, laid them aside, then put her arms round her friend’s neck. Thanks for carrying me back, she whispered.
Bilbo turned and waved over to Calypso and Yorkie. Hey y’all, she shouted.
Hey yourself, yelled over Yorkie. Riviera and Steel emerged from the barn and shouted over. What’s happening Bilbo?
Bilbo smiled and started over to the Old One’s kitchen, and the others moved in to join her. As the walked together, already smelling the stew that Scotia had started earler, Bilbo updated them on the day.
Heck of a day! she said. I went out to check the mountain pass that the Old One got a feeling about. Woah, flash flood! Nearby got me and Firefoot swept over. But not Firefoot. She dug in those hooves and kept kicking. I love that horse. Got us close enough that I could throw the reins over a tree and between me and her, we hauled our @sses up and out of there. Phewweeee! That was close. Then, if you wouldn’t believe it, we’re riding back in and I glanced ahead to the Border. There’s a helluva dust trail comin’ up from the Boss’s side of the Border. Didn’t know what it was, so thought I’d better get back here licketysplit and see what we all thought.
The others turned and craned their necks to see what she might have been seeing. Nothing. Determination was blocking the view.
The five of them moved into the Old One’s kitchen, hung up their hats and jackets, and Riviera went to turn the spoon in the stew pot. The Old One came through from her parlour.
Well there young 'uns, hungry? Scotia set this to cooking and I’ve been having myself I nice, relaxing afternoon. Want an early bowlful before the rest get in?
Absolutely! said Calypso, and her stomach growled. Bilbo here saw something or someone looks like they’re coming across the border. Might as well get a good bellyful before we take a look.
Across the border you say, said the Old One. Oh well relax and rest up, there’s nothing to worry about there. It’s just the cowpokes bringing a new herd across. The Boss brings them in every year.
The Old One glanced round at the assembled table and narrowed her eyes, just a tad.
Now, young uns, she said, I just had me a feeling there, and I’m going to share it. You keep careful to yourselves now. Those cowpokes are mighty interesting to young uns, and mighty interested. You get my drift?
Hrmmmrpph,hmmph, said Steel. You don’t need to worry on that count Old One. Nobody’s interested in a bunch of cowpokes. We’ve got enough to be doing.
Riviera kept her head down, but grinned and looked up sideways and caught Scotia’s eye. She winked, then the Old One caught her eye, and she hrrmmmpphed in a good impression of Steel. Nope, nobody interested, she grunted, and then looked very focussed on her stew.
