A pile of fresh-cut wood beside a clay and stone fireplace. A single bunk in each of two corners, filled with pine needles pressed to the shape of a man’s body. The earthen floor marked by the pointed heels of riding boots. Otherwise it contained nothing of significance. A rude, bare shelter with cold ashes on the hearth. They went outside.
“I wonder what she spells?” Tex murmured.
“We might find out. Maybe some hombre’s startin’ a cow camp, an’ craves privacy,” Robin smiled. “Maybe this is where Mark an’ Thatcher are gettin’ in some good licks on the Block S. I’d sure like to know.”
But it was not on the cards that Robin should learn what he wanted to know in the immediate future. They talked a minute or two longer. It was mid-afternoon. They had ridden far. It was a cold day and night would be colder. Finding the cabin they sought in that network of canyons was a slim chance now, would be merely a gracious smile of fortune. Only those who haunted the Bad Lands could say where each spring and meadow and deserted cabin stood. Even they might not always find such spots as they sought.
“We might have passed within a hundred yards of this more’n once an’ never seen it,” Tex remarked. “I’d say this building was done last year. Funny none of our riders come on it. The Pool worked this country last spring, too.”
“There aren’t ten men in Montana,” Robin said, “that know every hole in the Bad Lands. Likely enough,” he snorted, “Shinin’ Mark would lead a circle right past here, wouldn’t he?”
“It’s a right good spot,” Tex drawled. “Central location. You bet. Halfway between Boiler Bottom an’ Cow Island. Yeah—for stuff that was missed in the breaks on round-up——”
“There was some missed, I rise to remark,” said Robin. “Between me an’ Mayne I guess we’ve spotted two hundred Block S calves unbranded. Most of ’em range within fifteen miles of this corral. This place was made to order for them that’s draggin’ the long rope.”
“Well, do we stay here, or do we make camp in the next likely place we strike?” Tex inquired.
“I wouldn’t sleep good if I stayed here,” Robin smiled. “Let’s go down this draw. I don’t want to hang around this place. I’m goin’ to spot it so I can find it again, though. We sure want to cast our gaze on this from time to time to see what goes on.”