SINGLE TREE 7

the second day away from the mine single and ramundo had been on the road less than a hour when 6 mexican horse men came out of the brush in front of them and stopped singles team. his henry rifle lay on the seat next to him. he didnt reach for it but didnt think the horsemen could see it either. " hey gringo, what you got in the wagon?" the mexican on a scrawny paint horse asked. " copper ore. " single replyed. " you have no gold?" the leader asked. " nope, just these green rocks, wanna see?" single leaned back and reached into one of the bags. he pulled a green colored piece of ore out and held it up. "green rocks wont buy nothing gringo. we were told you would have some gold in the wagon."the man said. when single leaned back to replace the rock he noticed that ramundos cart and mules stood close behind his wagon but ramundo was no where in sight. " well your welcome to look up here but there is no gold. " single was resting his hand on the henry s stock. " where do you take this load of rocks gringo?" the man asked " tucson, then i come back with supplys for the mine. what can i bring you my friend?" single was smiling a wicked smile. one of the other riders had ridden back to the cart and was peering under the tarp at what was in it. he came back shakeing his head. " we will see you another time gringo." the mexican started to turn his horse. " you might see me one time to many amigo. dont stop me again."single smiled at the mexican who had stopped for a instant. the group kicked up their horses and went into the brush. single loked back for ramundo and saw him walking back from out of the brush." do you know anything about that bunch?" ramundo shook his head" banditos" was all he said. two days later single rolled his wagon to a halt at the frieght platform of the tucson station for the rail road. he went over to the window where the station master was sitting and handed him the envelope the agent opened it and read the contents.he looked up at single" leave the wagon parked there. ill get some men to unload it in a hour or two. you can pick it up in the morning." single nodded and turned to the team and started unhitching them he looked around but ramundo had droppd from site. he drove the horses on foot over to the railroad corrals there he put them inone corral on feed and water. he went on down the street to a boarding house. there he took a room for the night . then went out to find a meal and maybe a drink. of whiskey.tomorrow would be a load up day. then a fresh start the day after. as he was walking down the street he saw ramundos cart parked in a ally. he stood there a moment trying to make sense of what was going on. then started on up the street.as he passed a mexican cantina there standing tied in front of it was the scrawny paint horse the bandit leader rode. again single stopped . he couldnt see inside the cantina but there was a lot of loud talk and laughter comming from it. single decided he needed a plan for the return trip .