Mark and I had noticed one of our cows was missing and so we set off to look for her. We did come across a break in the fence and not too far from there was our cow. It looked as if she gave birth in the last two weeks, but no calf in sight. I knew the calf would not have wandered too far on it's own, especially from its mother. It had looked like the tracks where leading south to Cottonwood Ravine. So I told Mark we would go over to the Crown Ranch and ask around and see what we could find out.

I had heard that an Englishman by the name of Lord Ashford had bought the Crown Ranch. I also heard that young Ashford was a fair sort, so I was hoping for a fair explanation. What I didn't know at the time was that the neighboring ranch had found my calf and claimed it for their own and that they had been rustling other neighboring rancher's cattle. Or should I say the cattlemen who worked the Crown Ranch were rustling cattle for themselves.
So Mark and I set off to pay them a visit. Parker, one of the ranch hands, saw us riding up and was waiting for us. I told him that I wanted to see Lord Ashford. He informed me that Lord Ashford was the owner but his brother Jeremy was in charge of the ranch. So I said I wanted to talk to him. The 'Young Englishman' seemed nice enough, not like the other men. I told him that I had stock grazing in Pine Valley and that I had a calf missing. I told him how Waggoner, his foreman's stock had increased. I told him it didn't matter whether it was 100 head or one head of cattle, it was still rustling! He said that he wanted to help, but thought this was ridiculous and he would not stand to be badgered or cross examined. He assured me that he knew nothing about my calf and that it was nonsense. I told him I had him figured wrong. So I thought I better check things out for myself. Something wasn't right here and I was going to find out what it was.

I decided to take a run up to Cottonwood Ravine and check the situation there. Parker decided to ride ahead of me and warn the others that I was on my way. When Mark and I got there, Waggoner, and some other cowhands, were there with a herd of cattle. Several calves too. When I mentioned about the calves and the possibility of one of them being mine, Waggoner said there was no way that I could pick my calf out from the others. I told him I would be back tomorrow for my calf. Waggoner threatened me and said if I tried to take a calf he would gun me down like any other rustler. I told him that description fit him better then me. With that he took his whip and cracked it at me and hit me in the face. I decided this was not the time to start anything. I was already out numbered and they we're all waiting for me to start something. Mark and I rode off. Mark was puzzled why I would let them get away with this. And I explained to him that there is a time for fightin' and a backin' away...this was the backin' away time. We will get our calf tomorrow.

So the next day Mark and I rode out to Cottonwood Ravine to get our calf. I told Mark to stay back a ways while I go to the ravine below. I did not want him there in the line of fire. He asked me not to go, that it's just one little calf. I explained to him that wasn't the point here.  I took Bossie, the calf's mother along. I was sure that my calf would pick out its mother from all the others. I approached the herd with Bossie.  I started taking her from calf to calf. Waggoner and his men were watching me from a distance and when they saw that a calf had shown interest in Bossie they rode in. Waggoner reminded me that this herd of cattle has his brand on it and told me that he will shoot me if I put a rope on his calf. I informed him I have no intentions of putting a rope on my calf. I knew that when I leave the calf would follow Bossie home. As I started to leave, Waggoner and his cowhands started shooting. Ashford was already on his way in and the shots had Mark come running down the ravine and taking cover. As Wagner and his men were taking shots at me the 'Young Englishman' rode up.  He was shot in the shoulder. Mark grabbed Ashford's rifle and gave it to him. As they took cover I thought Mark had gotten hit and I went to check on Mark. All of a sudden a shot rang out, Ashford had saved my life, Waggoner was getting ready to kill me. I thanked Ashford.  The 'Young Englishman' apologized for all the harm they have caused and told me he was responsible for the others and that he was in on the rustling. He promised to make sure that everyone would get their cattle back. I told Jeremy he should consider acquiring 640 acres under the Homestead Act, even though he is not a citizen - everyone is welcome in this great land.

I mentioned to Mark as we were leaving to remember what I had told him - that I didn't want this to happen and that a rifle is a weapon of last resort and that I wish that it had not come to this.