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I'd just checked out of a hotel in the town of Santa Fe Went to the store to collect supplies and went on my way I was heading for the gold rush in the state of California And had registered a claim at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. I arrived in Arizona and knew there was desert up ahead I'd heard many folks who'd tried to cross it had ended up dead But I'd prepared myself well and had brought plenty of water Because temperatures were rising and it was going to get hotter. I took it easy and walked my horse slowly, along with my mule Pushing them in this heat would have been the actions of a fool An old- timer I'd met in town had crossed this desert once before And had drawn me a map showing a water hole, in a canyon floor. It was about a two-day ride in and I'd see three tall rocks he'd said But my plans were about to change soon because trouble lay ahead It was now approaching noon and everywhere shimmered in the heat My horse and mule needed a rest and were looking dead on their feet. After about an hour I set off, and then noticed vultures circling I thought it must be an animal that was on the verge of dying It was then that I heard two loud gunshots in the far distance I thought someone's in distress and might need my assistance. Cautiously I headed off from my route to where I'd heard the sound To me someone firing shots meant that they wanted to be found I came across the scene, there was a covered wagon on its side Sat by the wagon was a young girl and when she saw me, she cried. The wagon had lost a wheel and had fallen ten feet down a divide Both the horses were dead, along with a man and woman inside With the fall and the injuries, I could see why they didn't survive The girl had been sleeping and the soft bedding, had kept her alive. The girl told me her name was Jenna and that she'd fired the gun She was badly dehydrated, and her face badly burnt from the sun I gave her some sips of water, but signs of heatstroke were showing I hope the old-timer had been right, but I had no way of knowing. I buried her folks in a shallow grave; it was the least I could do The shapes of the vultures circling stood out against the blue I managed to make crosses out of wood and put them side by side Then turned to the girl Jenna and said, "At sundown we'll ride". I then transferred some gear from my horse onto the mule Thought it would be better to travel at night when it was cool Luck was on our side with a full moon, as we headed into the night You could make out the features of the landscape in the bright light. We'd been travelling about seven hours and then straight up ahead Were three towering stacks of rock, just like the old-timer had said Standing majestic in the morning sunrise and were glowing a bright red I prayed the old-timer had been right or me and the girl would be dead. It was dark and cool in the canyon with towering walls either side Horse and mule were struggling now and wouldn't survive a long ride All my canteens were now empty, and I'd given Jenna the last drop Then my horse lifted his head snorting and came to an abrupt stop. Then over to my right there it was, crystal clear water in a well About three days ride from now we'd be out of this burning hell After a few hours resting in the canyon, we were completely revived And I knew that without water neither of us would have survived. I made sure horse and mule had drunk enough, and got ready to go But before any prospecting was done, I was going to Sacramento That's where Jenna and her folks had been going, she had told me To live on a farm of her father's brother, his wife, and their family. One thing I'd learnt on this trip was always prepare for the unexpected Or it would surely cost you your life and you could easily end up dead I was looking forward to some whiskey and a bath when we hit town And as we headed off out of the canyon the sun was going down. written 25th July 2022 Pick-A-Title, Vol 31 Poetry Contest Sponsored by Edward Ibeh

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