|
 |
The day was hot and dusty when the Death Riders came into the town. They noticed that even the cactus was wilting. They parked their horses at the hitchin’ rail and entered the local cantina. As they bellied up to the bar to quench the parching their throats, they noticed someone in the shadows working on a plate of frijoles and sipping cerveza. He wasn’t much to look at, kinda’ scrawny little Mex., a little bowed in the leg, his eyes tho’ hidden by a sombrero, were piercing. He had a droopy mustache, which he wiped on his sleeve. What caught their eyes was the two pistolas with worn wooden handles in holsters that were equally worn. As he turned to leave after finishing his meal, he looked every Death Rider in the eye and touched his sombrero in a salute as he walked to the door his spurs jingling at each step. Then he was gone, almost as if he vanished.
A few days later on the trail from town, the Death Riders heard shooting nearby as if someone had started a mini war. As they appeared over the rise, here was the little Mex from the cantina, his back was to a cliff and nearby was a stagecoach that a band of Outlaws had held up. Later, after helping run off the banditos, they discovered that Tuco Rattone had come along to defend the stage, even tho’ he was out numbered. In his younger years, Tuco had lived on the edge of the law and after nearly being killed in an ambush, decided to go straight and be a help to those in need. But because of his size and his past life, he never got away from his nick name "Rattone", "mean rat." Now in his later years, they call him Tuco Rattone Viejo, "old mean rat." But, he doesn’t give a rip. Tuco believes that actions speak louder than words. When trouble is in the wind, then Tuco is near to help. He rides from town to town, working for food and clothes and lending a hand as needed. Or, lending hands filled with pistolas and lead poisoning for the muchachos at the end of the barrels.
Well, the leader of the Death Riders, Outlaw DR, talked with his pards and then offered Tuco a home. They even let him keep his name as a reminder of his past life. Of course, Tuco could not turn down the offer. He is now a part of a gang that helps others and each other. No more lonely campfires and conversations with his horse. Tuco Rattone DR is Home.
|
|
| Tuco_Rattone_DR |
|
