They reached their first drop off point. Deputy Green got out and his squad followed.
"We'll go up the river here," he announced, "searching as we go. The other group will be dropped off in the second position and go up the other branch. We'll meet where the streams separate for night encampment, then we'll take two different routes to the nearest town tomorrow, and be picked up there. That way we'll cover as much ground as possible. Load your weapons, gentlemen. Remember the rules of engagement. Do not fire unless you are absolutely sure you're being fired upon, then defend yourself. These people play nasty. They have killed before, they WILL kill again. Let's move out!"
Sandy picked up her leash and trotted over to Samuel. "Well!" the deputy laughed, "Looks like you've made a friend, young man! You can take the lead, if you want it! She responds to verbal signals, the most important of which are search, return, and stand. I'll be close enough if any others are needed."
It was mostly a pleasant walk. They found no trace of any gardens, but twice encountered nasty booby traps, which had to be destroyed before they moved in.
"Why in the hell do they put those things out here?" Samuel asked.
"They don't want hikers using the trails," Arthur explained. "They put booby traps all over to discourage them. They've even sabotaged logging operations to keep people out of the forests. They consider them their private gardens."
They were making good progress and just about ready to stop for lunch when they came to a little bridge, that crossed the rapidly moving stream. Roger had taken Sandy and was in the lead. Everything was so beautiful and quiet the sudden shots took them completely by surprise!
They found cover and began to return fire.
"Sons of bitches!" somebody cried "Sandy and Roger are down! They're both hit!"
Samuel concentrated on making his fire precise. He had only fired six rounds, but was fairly sure all six had gotten somebody's attention on the far shore.
"Oh no!" somebody cried, "Roger's in the water! He's headed downstream!"
Without a moment's hesitation Samuel broke cover and headed back down the trail. A volley of bullets ripped into the trees and riccocheted off the rocks behind him. In the churning water of the stream he could see Roger bobbing. Suddenly he saw something else...a shotgun barrel emerged from the bushes on the far bank and discharged. The water around Roger exploded, but he was not hit. The shotgun moved further downstream and fired again.
"Bastards!" Samuel screamed. He brought his rifle up and fired four rounds, rapid, on both sides of the shotgun barrel, trying to judge where its user would be. He heard a loud moan and a sudden shriek, then only silence. He hurried on down the trail desperately seeking some place where he could get into the water.
Finally he spotted an open spot where animals came to drink.

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