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Ours is a lonely existence. We are so forgotten here on the border and so undermanned and underpaid. So drink up and we will enjoy each other’s company this evening!”
    He raised his glass in salute and the others did likewise.
    â€œAh yes,” agreed Don Pedro. “Yours must be a dedicated life, to submit to such indignities. It is a shame that you cannot be adequately repaid for your loyalty to the Crown.”
    Almost unnoticed, a small bag of soft leather had appeared on the desk top in front of Garcia. The contents clinked softly as the old man gently poked it forward a short way with a gnarled forefinger. The lieutenant appeared to pay no attention, but continued to talk.
    â€œYes, we do our best. But with such few troops, what can I do?” He spread his palms in a helpless gesture. “We cannot even adequately patrol the river crossing. Why, even tomorrow, it must remain unguarded for most of the morning while we scout the lower crossing!”
    Garcia saw with satisfaction that somewhere during the exaggerated gesturing, the bag of silver had disappeared. The contract was complete.
    â€œOne of my men will show you to an area where you may
spend the night,” the lieutenant was continuing. “After you are settled, we will resume our conversation. I trust you three will dine with me?”
    They followed a soldier in a shabby uniform toward an open area where their party was already preparing camp. Cabeza was plodding along at Garcia’s elbow, puzzling over the scene just past.
    â€œForgive me, Don Pedro,” he mused at length. “Did the lieutenant take a bribe to allow us to cross?”
    At Garcia’s other albow, Sanchez snickered at the young man’s naivete. The old don glanced at him with irritation, then turned to Ramon.
    â€œOf course not, lieutenant. You heard no mention of a bribe, did you?”
    â€œBut money changed hands.”
    â€œOnly a gift. A young officer in the service of the Crown is woefully underpaid.”
    â€œBut, I—”
    â€œCabeza,” snapped Don Pedro, becoming a trifle irritated, “you heard no mention of anything to be done in exchange for money, did you?”
    â€œNo, señor .”
    â€œVery well, there is nothing more to be said.”
    So, there was not. The three were royally entertained with the best dinner to be afforded on the frontier and no word was said of the coming day.
    Early next morning, the now-friendly young lieutenant made a big show of good-byes and wished them a pleasant sea journey. Then he summoned his small platoon and marched stiffly through the village street and out of sight down the trail. There was silence in the encampment, except for the occasional cry of one of the native children at play.
    â€œCome,” Garcia motioned to no one in particular. “We go.”
    Quickly, they packed the baggage of the expedition and splashed across the shallow water of the ford, heading north into the unknown. The level landscape, dotted with scrubby trees, stretched away into shimmering distance. Don Pedro kneed his smooth-stepping mare up beside Sanchez.
    â€œWhich way?”

    Sanchez had by now had time to reflect on his course of action. He had begun to remember some almost forgotten details of the previous expedition.
    How could he have forgotten, he now wondered, day after day of the hot sun beating down on his back as they traveled? Of course, their primary direction had been north and the sun had swung in its merciless arc across the southern sky each day. He had started each morning with the sun on his right shoulder and had slumped exhausted at night with its coppery orb sinking into the horizon at his left. It would be easier this time on horseback.
    A gust of hot wind struck his face as he turned to look at the straggling column behind. Yes, that had been the other thing. The wind had never ceased to blow, that livelong summer. Each day, the steady south breeze had struck