DELBERT BRIGGS 32

delbert topped out a low rise where he could look down country. below was a small cloud of dust. under it he could make out cattle and to one side norma was keeping pace at a long trott. she was holding the little bunch of remnents together. in just a bit they would come in sight of the home corrals. delbert booted his horse down off the ridge and into a long lope. just as he loped up on the drags a big two year old maverick bull split off from the drive and ducked behind normas horse, headed back to the hills. delbert watched in aw as norma wheeled her horse and went in pursuit of the maverick. in just a few jumps he saw her loop sail out and settle around the horns of the fleeing ox. about then the whole bunch scattered to the four winds. delbert picked the nexxt biggest slick and roped it just a scant hundred yards from the corral gate. with in the hour he and norma had drug and skidded their catches into the corral with the gate shut they went about removeing their ropes from the cattle. delbert estimated six had gotten away. tomorrow they would have to go lead the fighting cow down to the corrals. they were pulling the saddles from their give out, sweated horses when the sound of a car comming over the cattle guard caught delberts attention. he didnt recognize the fancy car. he absently minded feeling his chap pocket for the 38 pistol that he had been carrying for a few weeks. he kept his horse between him and the car as it rolled to a stop.delbert didnt look behind him , he knew norma had stepped into the shadow of the barn. he waitted for the approach of the slick haired men who got out of the car. as the men walked up delbert waved his left hand and said" howdy boys, what can i do for you?" the man who had been driveing stopped and looked all around" for starters you can give us that check you got for the cattle the other day. then we will talk about some other things." the mans head was as if it was on a swivel looking all about. "well i dont know why i would do something that foolish. i dont even know you.besides that check is in the bank. i couldnt give it to you if i wanted to." delberts right hand was slipping the 38 from his chap pocket as he spoke. " well your pal jackson said you had it. ill give you just 24 hours to go get it."the man demanded. " well first, he s not my pal, second i dont owe you or him a dime. so you go find him and whistle for your cash. now looks to me like you better haul yer frieght back to town, and dont come at me again with this."delbert leaned a little forward over the back of his horse. the pistol in his right hand pust below the horses top line. the grease ball stood rooted a temper tantrum forming. behind him his companion had opened his coat and pulled it to one side revealing a pistol stuck in the waist band of his pants. from behind him delbert heard norma"you touch that pistol and ill kill you!" her voice was firm and hard. delbert didnt look back but didnt know if she had a weapon or not. but the two men in front of him dropped their hands to their sides." we arnt through with this we will see you again."the front man said as he backed away. " careful mister, you might see me one time more than you need. go talk to jackson you got nothing here."delbert declared. when the big car rolled out of the yard delbert slipped the pistol back into his chap pocket. he turned to see norma walk out of the barn." and just what do you think you were going to kill that guy with?your good looks?" " no just the sawed off twelve guage your daddy left me hidden in the barn."she was visably shaken" those are some bad men right there!" " ill turn the horses loose. go fix some lunch ill be right there." delbert was untying the horses as he watched norma march to the house.