Joe grinned.
‘You got us wrong. We ain’t Barrett’s boys. We’re a little private party all on our own.’
The five other men came pounding up, panting and gasping for breath. They closed round me threateningly, but Joe waved them back.
‘Mac, take these guys and finish the job. I’m taking him to the cabin. When you’re through, come on back.’
Mac nodded, motioned to the other five men and set off across the sand towards the mine, leaving me alone with Joe.
‘Look, pally,’ Joe said, making a stabbing movement with his gun, ‘just do what you’re told, and you’ll be all right. I don’t want to make a hole in you, but if you tempt me, I’ll do it.’
I was now calm enough to study him. He was about forty, with a round, fleshy face, small eyes, thin lips and the heaviest five o’clock shadow I’ve ever seen. Although he was short, I could tell by the build of his shoulders, by the short neck and the size of his hands, that he was as powerful as a gorilla.
‘Go ahead,’ he said, ‘and keep moving. I’ll tell you when to stop.’ He waved vaguely towards the foothills. ‘You’ve got quite a nice little walk, so stretch your legs. If you even look over your shoulder, I’ll plug you. Understand?’
I said I understood.
‘Get going, then.’