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16 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

The coffee water was on and I threw the last of my bacon in the skillet. While drinking my

second cup of coffee and eating the last of my bacon, I noticed my horses became alert. They

weren’t spooked but they were interested in something out there. I had the feeling that I get

sometimes when I sense something or someone within a close distance. At first I thought there

might be some cattle close by but my horses were telling me there were other horses nearby. I

stood up and hollered.

“Come on in to the fire”. When I got no response I repeated it in Spanish. Still there was no

response.

Next morning I drank my coffee, saddled up and headed out for my destination. Not knowing

what I might find up ahead, I watched the trail both in front of me and behind me. There were

horse tracks here but I could tell most of them were a couple days old. I finally decided there

was one fresh horse track and I followed the lone set of unshod pony tracks right to an old gate.

The faded sign read, Ranch Seco. I knew I was at the right place.

The old man that stood in the yard with a big sombrero and serape looked mean. He just

stood there glaring right through me. I felt uncomfortable but I got off my horse and walked up

to him. “Buenos Días Señor,” I said. He grunted something and turned toward the big adobe

house and kept walking without so much as a backward glance. I stood out in the yard until a

young man walked out from the corral and offered me a seat out on the veranda. I spotted a

water trough out in the middle of the yard when I rode in but I knew to wait till I was greeted the

proper way and offered a chance to use it. I accepted the seat, although no words were spoken. I

noticed that this young feller was sure admiring my horses. He then got up without a word, went

over to them and led them to the big wooden trough full of water. I noticed he was careful to not

let them drink too much at first.

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