SINGLE TREE 14

as single drove on through the night toward tucson, he had a lot running through hiss mind. he was prepared for bandits, his rifle stood on the floor boards and leaned against the arm rest of the wagon seat. he was thinking about the load of ore in the wagon. that it was copper he knew and that a thread of gold ran through the ore he also knew. what was it woorth? the temptation to sell the ore, the wagon, and team and leave the area was great. hanford and clara had showen a lack of common sense. he was starting to think he owed them nothing. but the farther he drove and the more he thought on it he was obligated to do the right thing. he shook his head in trying to clear it. around 2 a.m. he could no longer stay awake. he pulled the wagon off to one side of the road. after unhitching the horses he tieed them along the sides of the wago. then takeing a blanket and his rifle he crawled under the wagon and went to sleep. the snorting and stomping of the horses woke him in the gray dawn. he slowley turned his head and peered between the horses legs. he saw the legs of a human standing off to one side of the wagon.pushing the rifle ahead of him he crawled out from under the wagon to find a tall indian standing there. the man held his hand out palm toward single. the indian was dressed as a peon from mexico. his hair hung shoulder length and a head band held it back from his face. single nodded and held his hand out in the same way. the indian had gathered a small stack of wood and was building a fire. single rummaged in the wagon and brought out a coffee pot and coffee along with a canteen. when the coffee boiled single poured a cup and anded it to the indian the man hadnt said a word or made a sound. when he got the cup he held his hand iver the top and useing his index finger made a stirring motion' single smiled at him" sorry i have no sugar. " he sipped the black strong brew. the indian sipped his coffee. the looked up" where do you go white man?" he asked. " i deliver this load to tucson. where do you go?"single asked back. " i go there to look for work." the indian answered. : do you savy the work in a mine?"single asked. the indian nodded. " back behind me is the mine this comes from. they are hireing men for the work there.. it would be closer to mexico than tucson."single explained. the indian finished his coffee. " i go there. "he stood and started walking back toward the mine. single watched him until he was out of sight. then hooked his team, there was a water hole ahead that he could water his horses at. he felt he was out of range of any bandits he might take a few hours there.