THE BORDER SEARCH 3

del waqs still not feeling well about this trip to ruby. he knew it wasnt a total ghost town but the mines were played out and the only folks there were prospecters who were scratching a liveing from the slag piles and rock remnents of each mine. maxine hadnt said ten words the whole day. they made camp past the plundered wagon but did it in a place that was open to approach but that had a couple of large cotton wood logs in case cover was needed. del had staked the horses in closer to camp than was a usual custom but his concern over the mexican bandits made him overly caustious. what had happened to the driver of the frieght wagon? it was understood the bandits took the team, the goods and carried them away. but the blood at the wagon wheel? where was the driver? maxine sat with her back to a log nurseing a cup of coffee and watching del as he moved about the camp. " why dont you set down and rest a bit del, your like a worm on a hot rock." she said. " maam, i dont think you understand the situation. and yes i would rather be that worm and be able to squirm as not. we could be accosted at anytime. i hope you understand that."del had been carrying his rifle under his arm as he walked about checking the horse stock, stacking fire wood and other little chores. from out in the brush came a soft call" hello the camp! can i come in?" del quick stepped behind a log, maxine didnt move but said " yes come in and welcome" del looked at her like she was crazy" lady you better be care ful. this isnt central park in new york." from out of the brush walked a man in bib overalls. his hat a shapeles mass of felt and grease was pulled low over his eyes. a smear of blook was along his left sleeve of his white shirt. his hair was black and stringy," thank you, i was about all in." del realized this was the driver of the wagon they had passed. he came around the log and pored a cup of coffee for the man who had leaned his rifle against the log and sat down heavily next to it. " i tried to track the bandidos who stole my team and plundered my wagon, but they traveled much to fast. what pray tell are you folks doing out here?" " we are going to ruby to see my brother. is that where you came from?" maxine answered. " no i had thought about going there. i been in tubac, my business is dry goods. i sell from myy wagon. i travel to out of the way places. in five years ive never had a problem but this day proved to be the end of that." del had dished up what was left of supper and handed the man the tin plate. " where did you quit the bandits trail?" with his mouth full he pointed to the south " there was five of them. they came so fast i got one shot off. then i had to take to the brush. they took my........" del broke in" yes they took your team and everything else of any value in the wagon . we came by there earlier." when maxine stood up the mans eyes bulged, he was obviously surprised and impressed. del took it in without saying anything. " you think they kept going? or would they still be about somewhere?"maxine asked " i think they were traveling so fast as to be gone from the area. but you can never tell." he answered" my name is andy rohnstadt." " ime maxine collier and this is del. we are going to ruby to find my brother." del looked at maxine again with distaste. he wasnt sure of andys story yet. it did sound plausable. but del wasnt a trusting soul in the enviroment they were in. " tomorrow i can ride over to tubac and get you a team if you want me to." del proposed. " that sounds fair. i can pay for them the bandits didnt get my poke, i had that on me." andy patted his belly. he wasnt apprehinsive of del and maxine. maxine had set back down and was listening to the two me makeing plans. smilling sweetly she said " but that will put us behind on our trip del" del looked at her with a scowel on his face" we wont leave this man here with no team it wont take that much time thats the one thing we have a lot of is time." maxine settled back against the log and nodded.