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26 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

“Jim you can have him as a gift with my blessings! After what you did for me on the battlefield,

he’s yours”!

“Now Gideon, you would have done the same thing for me. Shoot! You don’t owe me

nothing for that….we have been through all this before,” he said.

After supper, I told him a little about old Juan Torres. I didn’t know much except what I had

heard. I still didn’t tell him that I met him down in old Mexico. I told him that Juan used to be a

faithful companion to Uncle Trent for many years and how he just disappeared one time. I told

the story about how Juan Torres was responsible for naming Tamale.

“You know,” He said, “I always thought “Tamale” was a funny name for a horse and

“Tamale Ridge” was even a funnier name for a ranch. Now that I see the place, the name seems

to fit.”

“I guess it is a strange name for a ranch but they say the old timers started callin’ it that when

they would come over the trail to the ranch and see all the mares and their Tamale colts,” I

continued,

“When I got the letter telling me that Uncle Trent died and left me the ranch and all the horses

and cattle, I was sad to hear that he had passed on. Then there was the fact that I wasn’t sure I

wanted a ranch and all the responsibilities that go with it.

“Also,” I continued, “I just wanted to ride buckin’ horses. It’s getting to be bigger all the time

but, you can’t hardly do both and do ‘em both good.”

“I’m not sure you made the right choice. I saw that ride you made down to Vera Cruz! And

in a McClellen!” Big Jim said.

“Well, they wasn’t any American saddles to be found till after the ride!” I retorted.

“Yeah, too bad you didn’t meet that old Americano before that bet!” Said Big Jim,

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