Page 94 - Tamale Ridge_113017

92 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

“He want be big man. He talk all time how he going to join Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa no

need man like heem,” Juan said.

I told Juan all about digging up Marcelo and finding the Journal. I had told Gilberto all about it

too while we were driving the mares and colts home. I didn’t want to keep anything from either

one of them. I trusted them with my life and everything I owned.

“Where did you get that journal, Juan?” I asked him.

“Ju ancle he was write in it. Sometimes ever night, sometimes he no write nothink for long

time. He write in another book and then one time he start write this one again. He write,

sompthink the noche before he geet sick. I see he put it ander hees bed, and when Juan leave for

Mexico, I take it. Juan no can read, but is importante, no?”

“Yes Juan, it is important. I found out the man who bought Tamale lives near Barela and I

think he changed Tamales name. That is why I haven’t heard much about him. Then I asked,

“Juan, do you know how to get in touch with Lucinda?”

“I know thees girl, che leev in Colorado, purty far north and I see her when che cam to see

Trent but I not know how to find her.”

We all went to bed early that night. The next morning I asked a lot more questions and found

out that Emilio Sanchez had come to have a look at the young horses and ate with Uncle Trent.

“Was he the man who could have poisoned Uncle Trent?” I asked.

“No se, Señor.” Juan said.

“I was coming to the campo and he was eat weeth ju ancle and I no see nothink but he was

here. Emilio, he take the government job, to kill the coyotes. He haf the coyote poison

weeth heem always.”

“Is that what you meant when you said I was looking for coyote bait?” I said.

92