SINGLE TREE 4

the little caravan moved slow the frieght wagon was heavy loadeed and even tho a six horse team was pulling it it moved slow in the sandy desert soil. single tree didnt push them they had a ways to go. three days into the trip single knew the town of ajo was just to the west of them, but hanford didnt seem intrested in stopping over there. he told single their mine was right on the international border with mexico. he didnt feel it would be wise to let to many folks know about it. they did set up a camp within sight od ajo s smoke from its smelter. the horses needed a days rest. the heavy , deep sandy soil was takeing a toll on them. the trail they were following showed sighns of wagon travel before them. single tree assumed the tracks were made from the last trip hanford had made through this world of mesquite and grease wood. the second morning they were there hanford and clara seemed nervous. while single was hitching his team hanford came to him. "clara and i are going to ride ahead to the mine. all you need to do is follow these tracks. ramundo will be with you. if we dont get back to you today we will tomorrow. just camp when you feel the need." before single could reply hanford turned and walked to his saddled horse that clara was holding. single stood there and watched them ride away into the early morning light. ramundo came to him. " bandidos near, , the patron shouldnt leave." single nodded. when ramundo was ready they pulled out of camp following the old tracks. single noted the nervousnes of ramundo. he had pulled his henry rifle from under the wagon seat and he kept a eye peeled .he almost wished the reason for his nervesnes was renagrade apaches . bandidos , while bloody could be much worse. they would hang to you like a dog to a bone. when single had asked ramundo about the mine or hanford amd clara he clamed up lost all his english and most of his spanish.if ramundo knew anything at all he wasnt talking. that made single tree even more nervous. as the sun got higher in the sky the team worked harder. the sweat rolled off those big horses. when single thought it was around noon he pulled to a stop. he didnt un hitch but let the horses rest standing hitched. ramundo brought him a bean burrito. single asked ramundo if he had been to the mine before. ramundo looked all around and nodded. " it isnt much farther, maybe half a days travel. i worked there at first. it is a good copper mine but there is some gold also. the patron dont care for the copper. the things in this wagon is for removeing the gold i think the bandidos will watch until there is much gold that has been removed. the patron is very greedy i think." single nodded agreement. then climbed on the wagon and started again. it wasnt far until a mass of horse tracks crossed the wagon trail. single took note of it but didnt stop,, the tension around that wagon was so thick you could cut it with a knife. single was starting to think all the high liveing and comfort might not have been worth what they were driveing into.