DELBERT BRIGGS 26

" well, lets look at the mess you boys got gathered" a grinning randy said. he took notice that three horses stood saddled . but he he didnt mention it. delbert took him to the corral that held the hand full of odd branded cattle. randy walked through them, turned them around and made notes in his note books. then they carefully eased through the main bunch of cattle. delbert explained they were going to finish branding the slicks that morning. randy was writting down numbers of each sex of cattle and was nodding as he listened to delbert. when he was satifyed wwith what he saw he went to the gate. " we got another batch turned in the holding trap but a lot of them are fresh branded too." delbert was being hopeful. randy was looking down at his boots" i understand you wouldnt want to turn this bunch back out until the brands peel you might play hell getting them back. but you know the law. ill send the state stray wagon for the strays you got branded. we will hold them at the auction barn and advertise them . i dont recognize any of those brands so it will take some research on those. when your done branding, cut off anything with a peeled brand. mother up the calves even if they are fresh branded. we can let those go. as for the rest ill see if i can get you a pass on them i wouldnt want to have to regather them either. no promises, but ill try."randy was useing the hood of his truck to write the inspection papers on. once he looked up at the house and saw a tall slender out line standing at the screen door watching. when he finished he turnned and handed the papers to delbert.."we know about the scam jackson the banker and mason have been pulling useing these snakey cattle to resell this ranch to another sucker. theyy just didnt figgure you suckers to be as good of hands as you were. we got a investigater going through all the paper work we can lay our hands on. if you come up with anything or any one who can help let us know"with that randy got in the truck. " that stray wagon will be here this afternoon" as he drove out of the yard bob walked up with a unasked question on his face delbert looked at him" yeah what did that mean. anyone?" the dust from randys truck hadnt settled when norma came from the house" i think that some one dad" delbert nodded toward her.