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84 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

place to get. I decided to lay low for a while and see who it was. I rode behind some large brush

to wait. I waited no more than twenty minutes before I saw two horsemen and several mares and

foals. It was Raul and Diego. They were two of Guerra’s most loyal men. I could tell by the

dirt and dried sweat, that they had ridden hard and long. I stood up and lead my horse from

behind the brush. They spotted me and waved to me. Then they started in my direction. I

waited and tried to appear calm. Deep down inside I was a little worried.

“Hola, Señor Thacker,” Raul said.

“Buenos días senores,” I called to them.

“La Señorita sends you eight of her finest mares with their potrillos to take back to your

rancho,” Raul said.

“I am much honored,” I spoke.

“She says if you do not have the money with you now, that you may be trusted to send it

after you reach the rancho,” he said.

I decided I’d better save some money for any emergency that might come up.

“I can send some of the money back with you now, Señor and send the rest when I get

home,” I said.

“Thank the Señorita for me if you will, Señor. Tell her I am very pleased with her choices.”

“We will see you to your compadre, Señor Thacker. We do not wish you to take too long in

leaving Mexico,” he said.

We rode along with them leading the mares while the colts followed their mothers. I didn’t ask a

lot of questions and they never let on whether they knew I had spoken to Rosemarie after I was

told not to.

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