if there's any sign still here." With no hesitation, Jakob drew the .44 Smith & Wesson that rode on his hip. He intended to tranquilize the cat and fit it with a radio transmitter so Fish & Wildlife could monitor it, and then harass it until it decided to move on. However, that did not mean he was up for taking ridiculous chances.
Paying particular attention to the high ground and any points of concealment, he combed the area for sign, and found a crapload of it. The ground was torn all to hell, telling of an epic battle. Several horses had moved through, meandering and grazing at first, then bolting. The stallion's tracks were distinctive both for their size and because he'd favored his right hind.
He found where the cat had lain in ambush atop a slightly larger outcropping than the first, and the scene played out in his mind. The horses had come within range, and the lion quickly calculated the easiest kill, adjusted his position, and leapt. The horse had fought ferociously, but in the end, couldn't overcome the crushing jaws and slashing claws.
Jakob climbed back up to the top of the outcropping and took a good look around. The location seemed like a favorite, with the ground cover worn away where the cat had lain under the fringe of brush. The scent of heavy musk permeated the place, suggesting a male cat. Nothing he spotted seemed a likely spot for a den, but he didn't expect to find that anyway.
He climbed back down and returned to where Kate waited with the animals. Ajax picked up the scent of the cat on him and tossed his head, not happy about it. Jakob calmed him with a hand to his neck and some soft words. The horse was a veteran of many hunts, but he still preferred to keep his distance from the predators. Couldn't blame him.
"Is there a water source or good spot to camp within a mile or so?"
Kate nodded. "Cherry Creek is a mile and a half to the west. There's a good sheltered area there to camp, too. The hands use it regularly when they're over this way."
"Let's head over there, then, and get some rest. We'll come back here first light and get the dogs casting for a trail." He swung up on Ajax, letting the horse fidget for a moment. Just like old times, the bastard had gone all day and was still fighting for more. He'd missed that feeling, the way the horse dropped his haunches and engaged the turbo boosters to fly across even the roughest terrain. No other breed could duplicate that thrill.
Kate took the lead again and led them along a low ridge for a short distance, then dropped to a valley where Jakob spotted the ribbon of brush and trees that signaled a stream. The horses were eager to leave the scent of mountain lion far behind and moved quickly, so the distance closed fast. A well-used trail led down to the creekside and ended on broad gravel bar that merged into ankle deep water.
Kate swung down at the edge of a narrow strip of grass. "It's not a lot of graze for this many horses, but it'll work for a night or two, and there's room to tether them all close by."
Jakob looked around critically, and couldn't find anything wrong with the site. The small copse of trees along the creek would serve as a windbreak, but they shouldn't need that anyway. The horses could stay in a loose group and still graze, and the hounds would be comfortable too. He swung down and led the pack animals over to where a well-established firepit waited, with a small supply of firewood piled to the side.
He lifted the heavy packs off the horses and arranged them in a semi-circle to act as a sort of border for the side of the camp away from the creek, and Kate did the same with her horses, and reinforced the makeshift wall with the saddles. He stopped a moment, just to watch her. He'd never set up a hunting camp with anyone other than his Uncle Frank, and the experience was a just a bit unsettling.
She glanced up and caught him watching her and froze. "Am I doing something wrong?"
"Of course not. I was just…" Probably not a
Paying particular attention to the high ground and any points of concealment, he combed the area for sign, and found a crapload of it. The ground was torn all to hell, telling of an epic battle. Several horses had moved through, meandering and grazing at first, then bolting. The stallion's tracks were distinctive both for their size and because he'd favored his right hind.
He found where the cat had lain in ambush atop a slightly larger outcropping than the first, and the scene played out in his mind. The horses had come within range, and the lion quickly calculated the easiest kill, adjusted his position, and leapt. The horse had fought ferociously, but in the end, couldn't overcome the crushing jaws and slashing claws.
Jakob climbed back up to the top of the outcropping and took a good look around. The location seemed like a favorite, with the ground cover worn away where the cat had lain under the fringe of brush. The scent of heavy musk permeated the place, suggesting a male cat. Nothing he spotted seemed a likely spot for a den, but he didn't expect to find that anyway.
He climbed back down and returned to where Kate waited with the animals. Ajax picked up the scent of the cat on him and tossed his head, not happy about it. Jakob calmed him with a hand to his neck and some soft words. The horse was a veteran of many hunts, but he still preferred to keep his distance from the predators. Couldn't blame him.
"Is there a water source or good spot to camp within a mile or so?"
Kate nodded. "Cherry Creek is a mile and a half to the west. There's a good sheltered area there to camp, too. The hands use it regularly when they're over this way."
"Let's head over there, then, and get some rest. We'll come back here first light and get the dogs casting for a trail." He swung up on Ajax, letting the horse fidget for a moment. Just like old times, the bastard had gone all day and was still fighting for more. He'd missed that feeling, the way the horse dropped his haunches and engaged the turbo boosters to fly across even the roughest terrain. No other breed could duplicate that thrill.
Kate took the lead again and led them along a low ridge for a short distance, then dropped to a valley where Jakob spotted the ribbon of brush and trees that signaled a stream. The horses were eager to leave the scent of mountain lion far behind and moved quickly, so the distance closed fast. A well-used trail led down to the creekside and ended on broad gravel bar that merged into ankle deep water.
Kate swung down at the edge of a narrow strip of grass. "It's not a lot of graze for this many horses, but it'll work for a night or two, and there's room to tether them all close by."
Jakob looked around critically, and couldn't find anything wrong with the site. The small copse of trees along the creek would serve as a windbreak, but they shouldn't need that anyway. The horses could stay in a loose group and still graze, and the hounds would be comfortable too. He swung down and led the pack animals over to where a well-established firepit waited, with a small supply of firewood piled to the side.
He lifted the heavy packs off the horses and arranged them in a semi-circle to act as a sort of border for the side of the camp away from the creek, and Kate did the same with her horses, and reinforced the makeshift wall with the saddles. He stopped a moment, just to watch her. He'd never set up a hunting camp with anyone other than his Uncle Frank, and the experience was a just a bit unsettling.
She glanced up and caught him watching her and froze. "Am I doing something wrong?"
"Of course not. I was just…" Probably not a
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