SINGLE TREE 5

after he crossed the mass of horse tracks that crossed the wagon trail tree glanced back behind him, ramundo was stopped looking at the trail and the horse tracks. single started to pull his team to a stop but ramundo restarted his burros and followed along. a hour later they came in sight of the mine. there were a cluster of canvas tents and a bit of activity of people scurrying around the mine site. single tree drove the wagon right into the middle of the camphanford and clara came from one of the tents and pushed through the crowd. " you made good time mr. tree." clara looked up at him. " well we had a pretty good incentive, there was a mass of horse tracks crossed the wagon tracks a ways back. so we stirred things up and came on." single explained with a smile. he stepped down and started un hooking the team from the wagon.. ramundo had driven his cart over close to a stained tent with a fly to one side that shaded benches and tables. while he was unhooking the miners had attacked the wagon load of equipment , pulling bags and gear out the back. single looked all around and finally saw a corral behind hanford and claras tent. he took the team to the corral and on the way passed a hollowed out tree trunk with a pipe trickling water into it. he stopped and was letting the team drink. " theres a little seep yonder. we damned it up and cleaned it out then piped the water here. so far it has been enough. " clara had come up behind him. single tree looked over at her" i was wondering how you kept every one from getting thirsty." clara walked on by toward the corral. when the team had slaked their thirst he led them to the corral which held the two sorrel horses. " we dine at 6, hanford and i would like you to join us." clara stated as she walked away single tree watched her walk away then he started walking around the camp takeing a tour. the mine labors all seemed to be mexican there were a number of tents scattred around besides the cook tent and the owners tent. everyone he saw was dresed well and seemed clean and well apportioned. when he reached the far side of the camp he came to a pile of ore that it was copper was no doubt. he picked up a good size chunk and saw a fine thread of gold running through it. he grunted then dropped the chuunk back on the pile. to one side was a dark hole boreing into a rocky hill side. as he approached the mine a mexican came from out of the tunnel. he carried a rifle. . the guard simply waved the rifle barrel back toward camp. it was plain what he meant. singl turned and walked back toward the camp. as he got near the wagon he could see it was almost empty. hanford stood to one side directing the labors in what he wanted. " ime impressed sir. its a heck of a operation. how sttrong is the mine do you believe?" single asked. " the vein seems to be getting wider and is dropping down into the earth. we took this day off in anticipation of your arrival.we will rest the horses one day . while they are resting we will sack and load the wagon with the oar. another group will be assembling the crusher and hauling wood to feed the furnace to power it. your next load will be sacked gold. the bandits watch us close. i think they are waitting for that load. but we will send a armed escort with that load." " well you seem to have it all in hand." single commented. clara left her tent and walked over to the two me" supper is ready wash up ill await you at the tent." hanford nodded and turned toward the tent where he slept. a bench with a wash pan of water and a towel hanging on a nail. when single got there hanford was drying his face and hands, " you all have thought of everything. ime impressed." " like i said before it only cost a bit more to go first class." hanford turned and walked toward claras tent.. single watched him retreat" the hell you say." he muttered under his breath.