The Mexican, Jose Mendez—“Joe” to the other two—saw the rifle barrel sticking out the back. “We gonna let them get away with that?” Dee Cain asked. “No, we are not,” Mendez said. “Get my sombrero, Stretch.” Stretch Conroy knew Mendez asked him to get the hat because with his long reach, he’d be able to pick it up off the ground without dismounting. He rode over and plucked the hat from the ground and brought it back to Mendez. “Gracias,” the Mexican said. “Should we get ahead and take ’em?” Dee asked. “No,” Mendez said. “We will allow them to camp and settle in. Then we will go in and take them.” “I hope there’s more women in the back of that wagon,” Stretch said. “Me, too,” Dee said, “but that one handlin’ the team would do for me. The other one was too old.” “Do not worry, amigos,” Mendez said. “We will find out what is in the back of that wagon. I guarantee it.” Clint rode the rest of the day looking out the back of the wagon.
