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79 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

I knew Raul to be a man who was loyal to a fault. I believed that he didn’t like the orders he

was carrying but he would do his best to carry them out.

“Gilberto!” I said. “Let’s get our things and go back to New Mexico.”

Gilberto knew me well enough to know that I was going to try to talk to Rosemarie. We got

our stuff and left out of there with our string of horses. We kept to the trail and I thought of

turning back but we hadn’t gone far enough yet.

As if he could read my mind, Gilberto said. “Señor, what you are planning to do, will be your

death.”

“Who says I’m planning to do something?” I asked.

“You are no different from myself. Señor. I would not leave without the one that matters. I

do not think you will go back without La Señorita.”

“I guess you got me figured pretty good Amigo,” I said.

“Tell Gilberto your plans and I will help you Señor! The patron has been as a father and I

can think of no other I would offer to die with.”

“No Gilberto”. I said.

“You will keep taking the mares and foals to El Paso. Wait for no more than three days.

Then if I do not return, you will board the train and go to Tamale Ridge. You and Juan will own

it to do with as you wish.”

When it was dark I slipped away and headed back toward Rancho Seco and Rosemarie. I

rode along in the dark and kept a watchful eye. A few nights ago, a full moon would have shown

the way but now by this time of the night, it was pretty dark. In a few hours the moon would

climb up in the east and I would have to be very careful. I traveled ‘til full daylight and stopped

for a few hours and watched my back trail, as well as keeping an eye on the direction I wanted to

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