DELBERT BRIGGS 33

when delbert got in the house norma was makeing sandwiches from a left over roast beef, she was still quaking. when the sandwiches were on the table delbert sat down and looked accross the table at her. " would you have reallt shot those guys?" he asked as he took a bite. " if i thought they were going to harm you, yes. ive not done anything like that in my life. but i wont stand for them to hurt some one who means a lot to me" norma was trying to steady her hands. " if you want me to talk to the investigaters i will. maybe it will stop some of this." " when we get through eating lets go back up country and get that ole blister i left tied down. then tomorrow we can go to town. that ok with you?"belbert wolfed down his sandwich and went out to saddle fresh horses. when they rode up to the old cow she was laying on her belly and mad as they come. delbert had norma drop her loop on the cows hind feet and stretch her out. he looped her front feet and she was held snug. he took a folding saw from his saddle pocket and started sawing off about 5 inches of horn on each side. the cow struggled but didnt make a sound. he then built a fire and put his running iron in to heat. when it was red hot he used it to scald the raw stumps and stop the bleeding from the fresh sawed hornes. when untied the cow lay sulled. . delbert used that oppertunity to get her as close to his horse as possible. norma yelled at the cow which caused her to moan and struggle to her feet. delbert had her dallyed up close to his horse. she circled around the horse and when they came back in line with the trail back home delbert spured the horse down the trail with the cow wringing her tail but leaning up against the horse . they scrambled down the trail with delbert giveing the cow the trail and his horse haveing to walk through the raw desert. but everything moved along. norma hung back so as not to draw the cows attention from delbert. just at sundown they came into the yard. norma loped ahead and opened the gate to the main corral by now the old cow was leading like a pack horse. delbert, cow and all went right into the corral norma swung the gate shut. delbert leaned over and took the lead rope from the cows horns. she stood there rooted to the ground. she took a step to follow delberts horse when he turned to ride away. the ranch was quiet that evenning. all the stock was fed and watered. norma and delbert were haveing supper, neither one had much to say. thinking about the next day .norma had lost the shakes but still had a hard , grim look on her face. delbert decided talk might not be the best thing right then there would be plenty of that the next day.