Something unexpected

The winding road led down into the foothills, the going easier but more alarming as the ill made cart stressed the harness. The ill tended track wound directly through a dense cluster of silver oaks, their leaves starting to yellow as the summer came to a close. Looking forward to some shade the mules pulled even faster and and Hump had to trot to keep up with the ill tempered beasts. Hopefully the seep his father showed him was still running clear and he'd be able to refill his empty water skin when he reached it. And it would be nice to wash the acrid dust out of his mouth, maybe even take a nap in the cool shade.

As he approached the gully bottom where the seasonal stream bed lay the well worn side track made it obvious there where others here before him. Unhitching and using a few well placed branches to make sure the corn was still there when he got back he led the smelly pair down to see if there was enough for them to drink as well. Careful not to loose the path he pushed his way through the thick underbrush that had grown up around the water way.