Sangre De Rio

Dead man’s river

Elizabeth Laird

1

Jonas Clark comes into the bank. “Hetty, my dear,” he says. Hetty smiles. “I love you”, says Jonas. “Marry me.” “Oh Jonas,” says Hetty, “I …”

Mr. Gray comes out of his office. “who’s this?” he says. “Oh, it’s Jonas! Oh no, Jonas. My daughter is not for you. She can’t marry a poor man. Go away and get some money. Then let’s see …”

2

Jonas is sad. He walks down the street and into bar.

He buys a drink and sits down. He wants to get some money, but how?

Old Harry is sitting near Jonas. There is a bag of gold on the table. Old Harry is not happy. Two men are standing above him. They are talking to him. They are angry. They do not see Jonas.

3

“Where does this gold come from?” the big man says.

Harry does not answer. “Hit him, Bernie,” says the little man. Bernie hits Harry.

“It’s – from Dead man’s River,” Harry says. “I can take you there.” Bernie looks at Pete. “I don’t like this,” he says. “There are ghosts in Dead Man’s River.” “Don’t be a fool,” says Pete.

4

Pete and Bernie take old Harry out of the bar. “Take us to Dead Man’s River,” Bernie says, “or …” “Yes, yes,”

Harry says quickly. “Come with me.” “Wait,” says Pete, “first we’re going to the store. We can’t take gold from the river with our hands.”

Pete and Bernie buy spades and trays for the gold, and also some food. They do not see Jonas behind them.

5

The three men get on their horses. They ride out of town along the river. Jonas runs behind them, but they still do not see him.

The river goes up into the mountains. The men go on for hours. The old Harry stops. “It’s here,” he says.

The men take their spades and trays. They take sand from the river and wash it. They are looking for gold.

6

Jonas watches them. Then he goes on, up the river. He takes his spade and his tray. He takes sand from the river and washes it. The sand is brown and grey. He cannot see yellow gold in the sand.

It is late now. The sun is going down. Jonas wants to eat and sleep. But he does not stop. Then he sees two boots in the water beside him. Who is it?

7

Jonas looks up. Bernie is standing beside him. Who are you Bernie says. “What are you doing?” He comes near to Jonas. He puts his hand inside his jacket. “Has he got a gun?” Jonas thinks.

Jonas stands up. Bernie is very big, and very angry.

Jonas turns and runs. “Don’t come back,” says Bernie, “or you are a dead man!”

8

The sun is going down. Jonas cannot find the road. He listens to the river and stays near it.

What is that? Jonas hears something. He listens. A man is near. A man is calling. A wants help!

“Where are you?” Jonas calls.

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