Chapter 15 [An Hour Before Sunset—Horsehead Ravine]

Enrique considered the clouds streaking the sky. His eyes watched the herd with care. Boredom nagged at him. He picked up his rifle and sized up a target on the far ridge with it. He sighed.

"Long day, Amigo," Diego complained. "Wish that Sanchez had taken us with him."

"Someone has to watch them. Big money from someone. We'll get some of that," Enrique supposed.

"If Sanchez gives us part," Diego disagreed.

Enrique coughed. "Again with the doubts? He will treat us well. Have faith!" He turned back toward their camp. "I'll make the beans. Just watch."

"Gracias. I am hungry," Diego expressed.

Enrique nodded. He disregarded his companion's attitude at least for the present. Other things needed doing.

Diego resumed his vigil. Once more, his eyes scanned the ravine's rocky walls. Nerves kept him on edge. His finger sat on the rifle's trigger. Even if Sanchez rode quickly to Tucson and back, he knew it would a few more days at least.

The vigil continued….

[A Half Mile Away]

Unbeknownst to Diego, Foresight told the truth.

Francisco lay strewn across the rocks. His blank eyes stared skyward. His rifle fell from his hand onto the ground.

Rafael holstered his pistol. His eyes narrowed. He shook his head.

"He fired on us. You had no choice, Amigo," Manolito assured him. He closed the dead Comanchero's eyes with his fingers. "He could have given us something." He glanced down into the ravine. He stiffened; his mind imagining his beloved's suffering down there.

"The Señorita is close by. Until we see, we have to believe!" Rafael reminded him.

Manolito nodded. "Night will make it hard to see."

"We don't want to rush down there either," John reminded him. He moved the rifle away from the dead man's body. "This trail's the only way in or out of there. I've already sent the other vaqueros down there."

Manolito nodded. He knew Sanchez could hurt Mercedes further. Still, if he and the others did nothing, the Comancheros would escape with the stolen herd and her both. "You are right. It is time to end this. No?" Determination prodded him back toward Makadoo. "I want Sanchez."

"Mano…." John started to disagree.

"John, he will take Mercedes with him! He will not escape again!" Manolito jumped up into the saddle. He urged his horse down the trail and into the ravine.

"Of all the….!" John groused. "Come on!" He rushed to get back to his own horse. Within a few heartbeats' time, he was riding hot on Mano's tail and Rafael right behind him in turn. He pushed the pace.

Still, Manolito rode faster and faster down that dirt road. Within a few minutes, he'd reached the herd. His eye looked over the area.

Lots of livestock. Off to the right, the horses grazed. Still no Comancheros…no Mercedes….

He frowned. Where are you? He skirted the horses. He rode into the trees. There he tied Makadoo. "Stay. I will be back." He crept under the trees' cover.

Diego looked left and right. Instinct told him to keep an eye on his surroundings. Still, he only watched the water, animals and ravine walls.

Manolito set his pistol. "Put it down. Slowly." He stepped out of the trees with the weapon aimed at the other man.

Diego put the rifle on the ground.

"Now step away por favor," Manolito instructed.

Diego turned to face him. "Montoya?" He spat on the ground. "You should be dead!"

"And you might be if you speak like that. That was most uncalled for." Manolito supposed. "Do not test me."

"Or what? Sanchez is not here. The woman…Ella está muerta."

"You're lying." Manolito frowned. Outrage burned like a short fuse. Vengeance wanted Satisfaction. He held the gun to Diego's head slowly and in deliberate motions.

"MANO! STOP!"

Manolito rolled his eyes. He didn't even turn to face his brother-in-law. "John, I will make him tell us the truth!"

"His friend already did." John approached Manolito slowly. Caution would prove a valued tactic in that regard. "I'm sorry, Manolito."

"Sorry….¿Que dices? No! She is not dead! She can't be!" Manolito denied.

"Es verdad," Diego frowned. "That bruja ruined everything! Sanchez wanted her! He did not think! The horses got loose and blew up our supplies! She burned to death. Three of our amigos were trampled to death!"

Manolito shuddered. He bowed his head.

"I got him." John stepped up with his own pistol drawn. "Go and have some beans. Meal will do you good."

"Eat?" Manolito sniffed. Mourning shattered his heart like a rock striking a glass window. He bowed his head. "Not…hungry." He shuddered. A stray tear streaked his cheek. He stood up slowly. "Mercedes did not deserve that."

"Nobody deserves that death." John released a heavy breath. He motioned with his gun toward the campsite. "All right. Move. I won't ask you a second time."

"Amigo, do not test us," Manolito advised. Fire and Iron weighed on his tone. "It is not wise." He drew his pistol. "I would do as Big John says. Vamanos."

Diego marched off with his hands up toward the former campsite.

Manolito shook his head. He couldn't feel anything. His mind struggled to comprehend the Comancheros' news. After everything, they'd come up short. He'd have to explain to Don Ricardo. Si. They had the stolen animals. Still, he couldn't have his love.

Sometimes that Life's one string could make everything else meaningless….