Spanish Gold by Kevin Randle Page A

store, but they were busy buying their goods. No one was watching him or Freeman. Lowering his voice slightly, he said, “How we going to do this?”
    â€œWe’ll just hang back and see what direction they go. We can catch them outside of town and follow them.”
    â€œBe easier if we knew where they were going to go,” said Crosby.
    â€œOf course,” answered Freeman. “But I was right about this, wasn’t I? They did come into El Paso just as we thought they would.”
    â€œSo we let them lead us right to the gold and then take it away from them?”
    â€œThat about covers it.”

Chapter Fourteen
North Of El Paso, Texas
August 25, 1863
    The spot was perfect for a camp. Close to the road, but with enough cover that no one else would be able to see the wagon unless he came looking for it. A rocky shelter for the fire and protection from the wind if it picked up. As Travis climbed from the wagon, he saw the remains of a fire on the ground. Others had used the site in the past.
    Travis walked around it slowly, checking it carefully. No rocks for snakes to hide under, no signs of scorpions or tarantulas. The ground was free from debris. The others who had used the spot had cleaned up after themselves, so that there was nothing left to draw insects or scavengers.
    â€œWe’ll spend the night here,” said Travis. “I’ll unhitch the horses and get them fed and watered.”
    â€œI could start a fire,” said Crockett.
    â€œFine. Just not too big.” He grinned. “Though I doubt you’ll find any firewood close by or enough to make a big fire.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œSomebody else will have already picked it up.”
    She shrugged. She moved around the rock and then began walking along, searching for firewood.
    Travis unhitched the horses and lead them around behind the wagon. He got them some water and then opened one of the sacks of oats for them. With the horses taken care of, he dropped back to the ground.
    Crockett had found a little wood and dropped it at the point where the other fires had been built. “You’re right. That’s all I could find.”
    â€œWait here,” said Travis. He climbed up over on outcropping of rock and swept the area there. He picked up a couple of logs and dragged them over. He pushed them to the ground below and scrambled down after them. Using the ax, he cut them in pieces and then stacked them over the wood that Crockett had found.
    Travis worked to get a fire started as Crockett crouched close to him. She watched him light the wood, shielding the tiny flame with his hands as it began to spread.
    â€œThere.”
    â€œWhat are we going to eat?” she asked.
    â€œBeans,” he said. He stood and moved to the wagon, found a pot and the beans. He prepared them, dumped them into the pot, and carried it to the fire, setting it in the center of it.
    Grinning, he said, “Maybe not the tastiest of meals, but it will be filling.”
    She sat down on the sand and stared into the flames. She was quiet for a moment and then looked up at Travis. “What are you going to do with your share of the gold?”
    Travis shrugged. “I haven’t thought about it.” He glanced at her and said, “When I heard your father talking about it, I didn’t believe it. I’ve heard stories of lost treasures all my life and have never seen anything to prove that there are lost treasures.”
    â€œYou’ve never told me exactly what happened to my father,” she said.
    â€œYou never asked.”
    She nodded slowly and then said, “I’d like to know. Exactly.”
    Travis continued to stare into the fire. He was watching the beans. Finally he said, “I don’t know exactly what happened. I found him in an alley.”
    â€œWith two other men.”
    â€œWith two other men,” repeated Travis. They were trying to get him to give up the