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116 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

“Señor!” Raul said, “We must get you back to the cattle herd and I will lead some men back

here to continue the search for Ramon.”

“No, Raul, get me on my horse…”

He was having a hard time trying to breathe.

“I can ride…..” He was very weak and while trying to rise, he fainted.

With the help of the two other men, Raul tied the dead man known as Paco to his mount then,

they loaded the wounded Francisco Guerra aboard his buckskin. Raul issued his orders and the

other two men headed for the cattle herd, leading the dead man and the wounded Patron on their

horses. Raul went in search for the tracks of the horseman that fled earlier. He hoped he could

reach Ramon in time.

Miguel was holding the prized Winchester on his former friend, when they both heard the fast

approaching horseman. It was Geraldo, shouting at the top of his lungs.

“Vamanos! Miguel! Tomas es muerto!” Meaning, “Let’s go, Tomas has been killed!”

“How many are they?” Miguel wanted to know.

“I only saw five and two are dead.” said Geraldo. Francisco Guerra is dead and one other.”

“Are you sure that Francisco is dead?” asked Miguel.

“Si!” said Geraldo, “I put the bullet into him myself.”

Ramon was stunned at first then he began to weep. He tried to be brave. He did not want the

other men to see him cry. He loved his father, even if he was not good at showing it. He

always tried to act more grown up than he was but he couldn’t hold back the tears after hearing

this terrible news.

“What do we do with this… this ‘gusano’?” asked Miguel.

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