DELBERT BRIGGS 10

after breakfast the father and son rode out toward the windmill. delbert explained to his dad about norma being there and bringing the files for them. they didnt have any idea what kind of crooked plan they would try to pull but they now knew to watch out for it. as they neared the wind mill they started seeing cattle bedded down and many sound asleep. del looked to his dad who was ginning ear to ear. they rode on past about a half a mile until the found no cattle . then they spread out and turnned back. whistling and popping their chaps legs with the tail of their ropes. slowley the cattle got to their feet and started wobbling along toward the wind mill. when they passed the wind mill del noticed the lick tubs were almost empty. the cattle wobbled and staggered on toward the home corrals. it was hard to tell how many they had because of the dust the drive raised. but there were baby calves, yearlings and a number of grown bulls. all that del could see were long eared. the closer they drew to the home corrals the cattle got slower, almost stalling out the cowboys had to work at keeping the cattle moveing. at the home corrals del had broke a number of bales of hay in the corral and propped the gate open. as the cattle drew near they slowed almost to a stop. the cowboys would ride into the herd and yell and pop their chaps. soon the leaders staggered into the corral and the rest lined out in behind. when the drags entered the corral del fell off his horse and swung the heavy wooden gate shut. he was tying it shut with his piggin string when a chunk of chain landed at his feet. " use that del, i got the padlock right here." dad held up the lock when the gate was securely locked up the two unsaddled their sweated out horses." lets have some lunch dad" del told his father. as they were eating sandwiches and washing them down with soda del asked his dad" how long does the drug last?" " ime not sure maybe 24 hours. the vet said just keep a eye on them. ill leave my horses and come back tomorrow. if they are sober ill help you sort up and brand the slicks." ill go to the feed mill and pick up some more tubs. i dont think we got all of the cattle today" delbert nodded. " i wish we didnt have to sell them at this auction barn. i wonder how much it would cost for a semi truck to ship them down south?" " ill check on that when i get home. ill call a brand inspecter too. i think we need to clean this deal up before the bank finds out what we pulled." " ill give you those papers that norma brought. maybe take them to mr. jensons office for safe keeping." del explained. the plan was comming together.