BORDER SEARCH 17

the people of ruby as few of them as there was were anxious to see andy return. they were on the verge of starvation.del had about reached the limit of his supplys he and maxine had brought along and now with harry there they were stretched even farther. on this morning maxine was still pouted and not talking. she wandered around the abandoned buildings and talked to the woman who lived on the outskirts of town. del and harry were puttering about checking gear and moveing the horses to a fresh patch of grass. along around mid day del saw maxine comming from the south end of town at a trott. she turned into the vacent lot where thier camp was located and ran up to del. " riders comming down there five or six " she blurted out between gasping for air. del picked up his rifle and started to the road. maxine this time stayed back. harry took his rifle and went to the opposite corner of the lot faceing the road. del rested his rifle in the crook of his arm and leaned against the corner of a abandoned building watching the group as they came on at a long trott. slightly in the lead of the group a tall, rail thin old man rode a blood bay horse of a notch or two better quality than all the rest. the old man had white flowing hairunder a flat brimmed sombrero. his goattee was impecably trimmed and white. his eyes darted around apraising the ghost town.he stopped in front of del and his five followers spread out behind him. del could see the store keeper walk out of his empty store with a long tom shot gun behind the group in the street. "i am hector elias, are you the gringo who denied my mayordomo the collection of my tribute?"the thin old man demanded. " yes thats me."del responded. del smoothly turned the rifle he held to bear on the old mans chest" if you touch the pistol ill kill you." del said matter of factly. the old mans hand froze. harry stepped into the street with his rifle pointing toward the group.the old man stared about at del, harry and the store keeper behind him. he moved his hand back to the saddle horn in front of him. "these people owe me thier tribute of silver. i have let them mine my land they need to pay me."the old man demanded. this is america, you own no land here. go back to mexico. these people arnt slaves to your demands any longer. if you dont want to do that we can accomidate you here." del lifted the barrel of his rifle slightly. the anger that flashed across the old mans face was obvious. then he looked past del and saw maxine standing there. " i will let the tribute go but let me entertain that woman."he nodded toward her. the letcherous intent in his voice was pure eveil. " you have nothing here but your grave. you are long past the time of useing i think. the international border is south, when you cross it see that you or none of your people return." maxine had taken a step back and the color drained from her face. elias turned to harry" your mine is vacent you should return to it." " i return the mine to you. i dont want it. find another to work it. i remain here. harry answered. still the old man didnt move. his escort though were squirming in their saddles and looking from one to the other. suddenly the mayordomo turned and rode out of town back toward mexico. the old man turned his head and watched them ride away. then slowley he reined his horse around and followed at a flat footed walk. he slumped in the saddle , beaten for the first time in his life. the store keeper waved his hat and hollered YAHOO! he pointed to the north end of town. when everyone turned to look they saw andys wagon heave into sight. a span of horses at the wheels and the little mules hitched in front. andy sat in the seat a big smile crossing his face. he waved,