Rustlers Part 2

As they sat on their horses, my three relatives came upon three young men hanging from their necks, tongues out and purple, with bluish, bloated faces. They smelled of death and appeared to have been there at least a couple days. Buzzards were flying high above the mesa which probably flagged other animals in the area that something was edible. My dad told me that he was sickened by the sight, as he knew what most likely happened. His father tried to shelter them and told them not to look, but it was too late as they had turned their horses in the path and saw them about 12 feet away. My dad said he could scarcely sleep from the impression it left on his mind, as two of the young men were almost his age, maybe 16 or 15 years old. He said it was even possible that the older one was an uncle or relative who had the younger males involved in rustling cattle. The problem was this, according to Papa Luis, to rustle livestock was considered complete and total treachery to a family or ranch, as their livelihood depended on the animals. He said it really wasn't the monetary value of the stolen goods, but more that anyone who engaged in rustling would have to be made an example.