BORDER SEARCH 20

the mexican riders were lined up faceing the mine entrance. all carried rifles and wore pistol belts bandolieirs criss crossed their chests. one rider rode forward just a bit. " what you do here gringo?" he asked. "i came here to get her and take her back to ruby."del nudged maxine. "and why has she come here?" the man asked. " her brother worked this mine. he left something here and she came to get it."del was being careful of the words he used. "is this woman your woman?"the man asked looking at maxine. " yes, , she is my woman and ive told her to not come here. but she didnt listen."del explained. "a woman who wont listen to her man needs to be beaten until she does.gringo, take your woman and go back to ruby and do not cross into mexico again. does this mine belong to elias?"the man asked. " yes her brother gave it back to elias. he doesent want it." del answered maxine kept trying to speak but del held her by the arm and would sqweeze it hard trying to shut her up. when he said she was his woman she turned on him to protest but del wrenched her arm and glared at her. " get your horses and go back to ruby. four of my men will accompany you, do not come back. this land and all of elias land in mexico is now belonging to the revolution army of villa. go!"the man pointed to del and maxines horses. del jerked maxine toward the horses and started walking to them. " what about the sack? we need to take the sack? maxine protested. " shut up ! del jerked her along. " "but i want......" del turned and slaped her across the mouth. "i told you to shut up!and he pushed her to her horse. when they were mounted the revolution ary spoke." every thing here belongs to the revolution, everything. " as they turned to leave two riders took the lead and two more fell in behind to escort them back to ruby. maxine was mad clear through. "you had no right to hit me," she blurted. " if you dont shut up ill do it again. ime trying to keep us alive. now shut up until we cross the border."del didnt look at her but only straight ahead. the rest of the trip maxine did her usual pout. del decided she was at her prettiest pouted and the slap enhanced it he wanted to chuckle but the escort seemed serious.