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94 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

to. Rosemarie found Raul and asked him to follow Ramon to see that he did not get in trouble.

Raul, did as he was asked. That was the way with loyal people and Raul was as loyal to the

entire Guerra family, as one could get. Raul watched Ramon and stayed out of sight. He felt a

little guilty following the young man but those were his orders. Soon Ramon rode up to a place

he felt was secure, and tied the Buckskin to a small brush. Horses were used to hearing gun fire,

because a rifle or pistol, were almost part of a man’s uniform in those days. A vaquero in

Mexico that could afford one, kept it with him always. Raul watched in silence as Ramon

practiced shooting the pistol and was close enough to hear what he said.

“You filthy gringo, now you will die! You have stolen my father’s cattle and my mother, so

you will die first. Then I will find the gringo that steals my father’s mares and takes them to

America! I, Ramon, will get good with the pistola and I will see that these things happen!”

When Raul reported his findings to Rosemarie, she just stood there wondering what to do.

She went looking for Ramon and found him in the corral with some young horses.

“Ramon,” she said.

“I want to talk to you. I want to tell you to leave the pistol for shooting rabbits and deer. Do

not try to use the gun on another human being.”

“Who have you been talking to?” He asked.

“It is plain to see that you think you hate all gringos,” she said.

“Yes, I do hate ALL gringos and I will see that the two who have stolen from my father, will

pay with their lives,” he said.

“But what if you can not kill them? What if they kill you?” She asked.

“No one is better with the pistola than Ramon!” He said.

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