Chapter 2 [Noon—About Twenty Miles North of the Mexican Border]
Sol baked the desert landscape. Heat shimmered into the air from the dirt under hoof and the turning wheels. What little breeze felt akin to a baking oven. Thirst parched riders and passengers alike in the Cannon convoy that mid day.
John focused on the road straight ahead. He'd wanted to get out of Tucson early that morning. At least they'd be across the border by that point. He knew the next water hole lay just south of the border. He couldn't press the horses any harder than he had to. "How's our water holding out?"
"We still have some, John." Victoria handed him the canteen with her free hand. Her hat and parasol provided a measure of shade.
"Make sure them horses don't get too tired, Brother John," Buck reminded him.
"Yeah I got it." John tried to bite down Terseness' accent in his voice. "We can refill our canteens at the next water hole. The horses can get a good drink too."
"Best hope that water hole has not gone dry, John," Manolito interjected.
"Yes I suppose we should." John squinted back at Manolito. He knew the water hole in question was fairly deep. Most times of the year, he'd bank on there being enough water there. At the height of the Sonoran Summer however, Care needed to be taken into account. "That's why we brought extra canteens."
"Use your hat and parasol, Mercedes. You do not want to burn," Ricardo advised.
"Si, Papa." Mercedes pulled her hat's brim lower over her forehead. She raised her parasol. She glanced back toward Manolito. "I wish you could share this shade with you, Manolo."
"I am fine, Mercedes. Gracias." Manolito expressed. He grinned for her benefit. Sweat beaded on his own forehead. He glanced ahead down the road toward the border and subsequent water hole. Anticipation parched his throat a bit more. He knew Thirst clamped down on Makadoo's throat as well. "We ride all day in these conditions. Papa will have plenty of water. I am sure of that."
"Manolito, drink some water por favor," Victoria told him from the buckboard's driver's seat.
"You see?" Manolito shook his head. He looked to Blue. "This is what we have to look forward to."
"I don't mind. I can deal with more water myself." Blue shrugged. He took a mouthful from his canteen. He handed it off to Penny. "Your turn. Don't take too much."
Penny nodded. The cool water took the edge off of Thirst's bite. "That's great, Blue. Thanks." She capped the canteen and handed it back to Blue. "You okay, Buck?'
"Hmmm?" Buck stirred from Reverie's daydream. He mulled over the situation. "Oh yeah. I'm fine! Just waiting for that watering hole though! Sure would look good!"
"Compadre, drink." Manolito handed him his canteen. He noted Sunburn streaking its crimson tone across Buck's face. Insistence shoved the canteen at Buck.
"Guess that'd be an idea." Buck took the canteen. He took a heavy draught to ease his parched mouth and throat. "That's good. Thanks." He handed it back. "That fifteen miles' going to be the longest. That's for sure."
Manolito spied a group of riders coming up the road in the other direction. "John, look!"
"I see them! Don't draw but be ready!" John frowned. Now what? He watched the others come toward them.
Victoria pointed. "John, they're Papa's vaqueros!" Relief allowed her lungs to exhale Anxiety's tensed breath.
"Wonder what they want? We're real close to the Rancho," Buck noted.
"Papa wishes us to have a bigger escort? Given what has happened, we should not take chances," Manolito guessed.
Rafael put his hand up to his comrades behind himself. "¡Buenas tardes! I am glad to see you!"
"And you, Rafael. Is everything all right at Papa's rancho?" Victoria asked.
"Si, Señora. Don Sebastian sent us to escort you the rest of the way. Doña Lupe is there," Rafael reported.
Ricardo bowed his head. He muttered a silent prayer. "Gracias, Señor."
"De nada." Rafael looked over the horses and passengers. "We will stop at the watering hole on the way." He turned and motioned to John and the other vaqueros. "¡Vamanos!"
Water and Relief loomed just ahead it seemed….