THE JACKASS ROPERS 24

with a burlap bag dan was walking around the mess of his camp icking up canned goods that could be salvaged. he was muttering curses under his breath. it was a low life who would do this to a mans camp. as he picked up a can of peaches and dropped it in the sack the blm car rolled across the cattle guard and stopped in a cloud of dust in front of him. the agent got out and looked around in amazement."what the hell?' he asked. " i guess some one dont like me catchin jack asses. but ime through any way. she is in the corral now. if you want to look at her."dan sat the sack down where it was and started walking toward the corrals. the blm agen stumbled along behind. as he neared the corral dan realized the burro colt was in the corral with the open gate. " well some thing is going right " he said to himself. dan walked up and shut the gate locking the colt in. as he chained the gate the agent walked up. he pointed to the colt and said" thats it?" " no his momma is in the next corral but they are all thats here ime sure, i got two of the slicks also. i might stay long enough to get the others if you dont mind,"dan explained. " ill send the wagon for the donkeys in the morning. help your self to the cattle if they arnt branded. who do you think trashed your camp?"the agent asked. " i have no idea. but they dont want be to catch them. i might need bail money if i do." dan said through gritted teeth. if you wanna help run into town and bring me some supplys i dont want to leave camp. who ever did this might turn the stock back out." " if you catch them or can i.d. them ill file charges against them. this is a goverment facility. ill burn their butt for interfearing." the agent was firm " ill go get you some stuff if youll make a list.if i need to ill come stay here tomorrow while your out horse back. " " thanks lets go see what i can salvage and ill make a list. "dan turnned and started back to what was left of camp. the next morning the blm car rolled into the yard followed by a brand inspecter and a blm truck and trailer. when the trailer was spotted for loading dan opened the gate and hazed the burro pair into the trailer. shutting a divider gate locking them in the front of the trailer. the inspecter ws looking over the fence at the two heifers" what you gonna do with those?' he asked both men. the agent looked at dan" i told you they are yours." " i would like to send them to the sale barn. if i turn them out on my rock pile i might not see them again ."dan said. the inspecter nodded and began scribbling in his inspection book. the agent told dan to load the heifrs in the trailer because the burros mwere being held at the sale barn until a truck going to texas was set up. dan nodded and shifted the cattle around they were in the loading ally then ran them up in the trailer shutting the gate behind them. the inspector handed the driver a set of papers for the burros and the cattle then gave dan a copy and the agent a copy.he bid them good by and left. " ill make a circle today, if i see nothing else ill break camp and go home if thats ok with you?" dan asked the agent. " if theres no more donkeys thats fine. but you dont want the cattle. ?" the fed asked. " i do but they arnt worth fussing with some one who has a grudge against me or the goverment. if you can stay a few hours ill get out and see what i can find." dan was untying his horse and pulling on his chaps. the agent nodded. " i got some paper work to do so this gives me some quiet time."