Setting Up An Ambush For Smugglers On The Rio Grand

Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!

We're in a series about one of the best Texas Rangers to ever wear the badge, the great Frank Hamer, who was brought out of retirement to take down Bonnie and Clyde.

Recap

In the last post Frank and Gladys finished their long, luxurious vacation in California and by that time Frank was chompin at the bit to get back to work.

He rejoined the Texas Rangers and was stationed in Brownsville, Texas just 20 miles from the border with Mexico. The region was hot. Two Rangers had been killed just two weeks before he got there.

Today's story

One of the dead Rangers was killed by a drug runner by the name of Encarnacion Delgado who'd murdered lots of people and was smuggling opium and mescal into the States. He was the number one target of the Rangers.

One day they got a tip that Delgado was bringing a load of mescal across the Rio Grand at Los Tomates bend. The Ranger team left after dark because the crossing was to take place late at night.

While they were riding out there Frank was shocked to learn that the Sheriff, who was leading the team, told them he wanted to try and take Delgado alive.

A side note..

By the way, some people don't know that the Texas Rangers are still in operation. Not only that, they still have mounted patrols working along the Rio Grand in terrain too rough for vehicles:

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As in times past they'd been struggling with insufficent funding but thank goodness the current administration in Washington now has them fully funded so they can run their operation at top efficiency.

A heated disagreement

Franks says. "Sheriff, you know that sidewinder Delgado isn't going to surrender as long as he has a chance to shoot his way out of the trap. If you try to arrest him, you'll get yourself shot for sure."

The Sheriff said he wasn't going to take a chance of shooting an innocent person.

"Now, what in hell is an innocent person going to be doing down at Tomates at this time of night? Frank said. I'm in favor of giving him the works first and the orders afterwards."

Don't give a vicious murderer any quarter

But the Sheriff insisted that they try to talk to them and get 'em to surrender. Frank knew they were dealing with a cold-blooded killer who was too dangerous to talk to. He was fuming. But he wasn't in charge.

The informant that they got their intel from explained to them that Delgado would come across the river to the American side first, then make the sound of a bleating goat if the path was clear.

The Rangers got to the crossover spot on the river with the Sheriff and the sergeant closest to the river, Frank and the rest were scattered along the trail farther up.

The sergeant's name was Timberlake and he was Frank's closest friend in the Rangers, they'd known each other for years.

A somber premonition

The bizarre aspect of this operation is that Sergeant Timberlake was packing his belongings up when Frank came into his tent while everyone was getting ready for the mission.

Frank asked him what he was doing and he said he wouldn't be needing his things after tonight!

Timberlake said, "I've got a funny notion that things are going to end for me down at Tomates." Frank tried to change his attitude but Timberlake was firm about that night being his last.

On the way down to the Rio Grand Frank noticed that Timberlake was carrying a shotgun and says to him. "What do you mean coming out on a deal like this with a shotgun?"

The shotgun issue

Frank was concerned because the ambush they were setting up may not end up in a close combat situation which means if it wasn't, then the shotgun would be ineffective because of it's limited range of 40 or 50 yards with buckshot. (I hope this is making sense to the non-gun audience!)

The Ranger who had just been killed by Delgado a few weeks before was a brand new recruit and had made the mistake of using a shotgun with just birdshot loads when trying to stop Delgado.

He'd fired twice and Delgado had caught a few birdshot pellets but he'd killed the Ranger with two bullets from his rifle.

And Timberlake said, "Well Pancho(Frank's nickname), the way I feel tonight, one gun will do me about as much good as another. I have a feeling that I'll get mine any way you take it."

The team in hiding waited in silence as the half-moon rose in the night sky, the scrub brush casting faint shadows along the smugglers path.

It wasn't as dark as a stack of black cats but it wasn't exactly well lit neither. A bead of sweat trickled down Frank's forehead.

Of course the story continues on the next post.

Thanks for reading folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas

PS- Hey guys remember the old fishing worms vending machine that looked like it was from the 50's or 60's?

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I thought they were an anomoly and not successful but I just found a new one so I guess they were!

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I assume they have an interior climate control feature or else it's just a seasonal thing. I wish I had a closeup of the price and selection. Either way worms are great right? lol.