Free Hook 'Em Snotty by Gary Paulsen Page B

of twirls, aimed, and let go. The rope landed easily around the calf’s neck. Bobbie dallied around the saddlehorn and backed Sonny upa few steps. Then she turned and started up the trail, leading the calf, with the cow following close behind. “Bring ’em up, Wolf.”
    Alex was back on the roan, waiting in the middle of the trail. When she saw the cow she smirked and said, “Find one of your long-lost relatives?”
    “The only relative I have up here is a mud hen, and she’s fixing to get run over if she’s stupid enough to stay in the middle of the trail.”
    Bobbie didn’t wait for Alex to get out of the way. She pushed past, dragging the calf. The roan pinned Alex’s leg against the side of the embankment. The excited cow ran past and kicked backward. She nailed Alex square on the kneecap.
    “It’s not too late for you to turn back, Al.” Bobbie smiled sweetly over her shoulder. “Just follow the canyon down and you’ll be fine.”
    Alex gritted her teeth and tried not to show how much her knee hurt. “Listen, Bobbie, I’m in. Get it through your thick head, there’s nothing you can do to get rid of me.”
    “Why is it so important for you to be up here? You obviously like me about as well as I like you, so what’s the big attraction?”
    “Maybe it’s because I know how much it bothers you that I’m here.”
    Bobbie shrugged. “It’s your funeral.” She trotted ahead. The cow and calf had to run to keep up, which meant that Alex had to ride in a cloud of choking dust.
    A mile and a half later, they topped out in a meadow completely surrounded by a thick wall of trees. Ancient run-down wooden corrals stood in the middle of the grassy pasture.
    Bobbie rode her horse into one of the pens, closed the gate, and let the calf go. She stepped off and led Sonny to the water tank. It was bone-dry. She reached down and turned a valve. Clear spring water gushed into the tank.
    “If I were you, Al, I’d water my horse. He’s had a long trip.” Bobbie let Sonny have a long cool drink.
    Alex slid out of the saddle. She walked a bit stiffly and bowlegged as she led the roan to water. Bobbie couldn’t help smiling.
    “What are you laughing at?” Alex snapped.
    “How long have you had it?”
    “What?”
    Bobbie pointed at her and laughed harder. “Arthritis of the rump.”
    “I’ve had enough.” Alex let go of her horse and hit Bobbie like a tigress, driving her back and knocking her on her rear. “Now we’ll see if
you
have problems with
your
rump.”
    Bobbie leapt to her feet. Her lips were tight. She stalked past Alex and as she did reached out and shoved her backward.
    Into the water tank.
    Alex stood up. Her clothes were sopping wet. She shook the water off, pushed her hair out of her eyes, and climbed out. Bobbie was doubled over, laughing.
    Alex was steaming. She swung at Bobbie, clipping her on the jaw. Bobbie tried to grab her arm but missed. Alex punched her again, this time in the face. Blood spurted from Bobbie’s nose.
    The fight was on. Wolf ran back and forth barking furiously as the girls rolled on the ground, each one trying to get a better grip onthe other, until they wound up underneath the roan. The horse snorted and danced nervously, trying to avoid them. Suddenly he jumped sideways and came down hard with his front hooves.
    Right on Bobbie’s ankle.

C HAPTER 4
    The orange flame of the fire flickered against the dark night. Bobbie dug her spoon into a can of cold pork and beans. She put some on the grass for Wolf.
    Alex studied Bobbie’s wrapped ankle in silence. Then she lay back on her bedroll and closed her eyes. “My dad didn’t tell me being a cowboy was so much
fun
.”
    “Your dad?” Bobbie put down the spoon. “I thought he was some kind of bank executive.”
    “He is, but he used to work this ranch when he was a kid—along with your dad. That’s the real reason I’m here. He’s always had this bigguilt thing about not being around for Gramps when your dad