SINGLE TREE 11

when single reached the mine he found hanford laying by the partly completed crusher and a few sacks of the copper ore. he had been cut a few times but was breathing. single sat him up and tried to stop the bleeding. " they wanted the gold, i told them there was none but they kept sliceing me trying to make me tell. when they saw you comming they took off." hanford almost whispered. " they got no ammunition for their guns. they know i do. i already shot one of them. we got to stay together until they give up." single helped hanford to his feet. " lets get back to camp."single supported hanford back down to the compound. there clara went to work on the cuts. ramundo was starting to set up he showed a nickles worth of bravery. single didnt know if it was from the beating or from the fact he knew the bandits had no ammunition for their guns. but he had a weapon handy. clara was a better nurse than camp cook. the one meal she tried to cook was burned and almost not edable. ramundo stated he thought he would be able to do some cooking if he had some wood for the fire. just at dark single eased out into the desert and started collecting some fire wood as he was picking up a arm load of wood at the base of a dune he heard voces argueing. he layed down his load and cradling his rifle crawled up the dune to the top. there below him the four bandits were arranged around a fire argueing. the leader wanted to stick it out and maybe get the gringos to give them some gold. the other three were for takeing all the horses and heading back across the border. they were hungry. they had no ammunition and had no way to feed them selves. single knew he could kill one maybe two from where he lay, but something kept him from doing that. he couldnt allow them to steal their horses and they had plenty of supplys, they could out last the bandits if need be. back at camp single dropped a arm load of fire wood next to the fire ring. it was good and dark and he told ramundo to keep the fire small. and not stand to close to it.clara and hanford were asleep in the tent. single was getting mad. he hadnt hired on to be the armed force for these dudes. but here he was. if he wanted to maintain his own health he had to care for them also. he told himself he should take a horse and get out. but deep down inside he knew that wasnt a option.after a quick meal from ramundo he went up to the horses and catching them he led them all back to camp where they could be better watched. he tied them along the side of the wagon and ramundos cart. when he was done he noticed ramundo was asleep. he would have to set up and watch . he was tired, he needed some sleep but didnt dare close his eyes. maybe tomorrow.