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Tierra Y Libertad
   
 Vera Cruz, 1914

      Ramón took Serafina's two boys with him,
                                                    keeping Domingo's bloodline a secret.



While General Obregón marched his rebels down the west coast,

the wife and child Ramón believed he had lost forever
                                                               yet waited, praying for deliverance.

                                       Townhouse of El General    



 Obregon sent Ramón's patrol south.

                                               Rio Culiacan      

"If I get a gun,"  Paz bargained,  "will you go with me?"
The farther they went, the less confident Domingo felt.    

    The road south        



                                         The thorn forest                                                     

 Three shapes burst from the underbrush near him.
 "Shoot, Paz!"   he screeched.   "Shoot!"


                                                Blue mountains encircled a wide valley.

El Valle de Los Mestenos                                 

"A la cola del mundo,"   Paz said.
                                                                                                            At the tail of the world.

        "But those mustangs are beautiful."
"Food would be beautiful,"   Paz retorted.


A hawk sailed on an air current.                  



           "Major, I think your lost ones are in the village of Cosala."
Luis  in Cosala


                      Sudden tears spilled over                             
                                 before Ramón could take the few steps
                                                                                                                        out into the drizzle.  

........................

.................
   Townhouse, Merida, Yucatan

As the sun dropped below the high wall,

Sereno hurried along the darkening avenues.

   Warships from the United States


In the Invasion of Vera Cruz, don Miguel was killed.

 Sereno had to continue alone.

                                           Over terrifying heights

and through choking black tunnels.    



A fitful night wind sprang up, carrying the faint sound
         of a cane whistle.





  "The house is white stucco, and there are big trees in front."


  Upstairs, Ramón found clothing Anita must have worn.       

        And objects she must have touched.


       From time to time, he lifted the stolen bottle of brandy
and took a drink.




Anita  waited with fearful anticipation
                                               for Ramón's return.
   Headquarters of General Obregón

                      The morning came                   

"Go away,"  Ramón pleaded.  "Tell them all to leave me alone."   

      


Then Anita was beside him on the bed,
saying his name and kissing his face tenderly.


The Stories   |    Forty Grains of Black Powder   |   Legend of the Sierra Madre   |   Los Pobres   |   La Puerta del Sol   |   A Lion Against the Wind   |   Bitter Victory   |   Tierra Y Libertad   |   The Horse Tamers   |   Tesoro

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