DELBERT BRIGGS 35

with the okd fighting cow in the corral delbert and norma had to work from out side the corral to move her and the other slicks into the ally leading to the squeeze chute. it was touch and go for a few times but they got the bunch loaded into the lead up to the chute. as each was branded it was turned back into the main corral. just as they branded the old fighting cow there came a car into the yard. delbert turned the old cow loose she was madder than ever. from the car came the two loan sharks from vegas. they walked up to the corral gate and stood there grinning." we told you we would be back. jackson skipped the state so that leaves you two to pony up the cash." " and i told you, we have no deal, i borrowed no money from you. so just move along." delbert called outover the fence. " you aint got a gun today shit kicker and i do." the grease ball produced his pistol and slid the bar back on the gate to open it. " DONT OPEN THAT GATE! delbert warned. " like hell " the men walked through the gate into the corral with pistols drawn. back in the corner the mad cow had her head down she shook her horns and pawed the ground. " you best get out of that corral! NOW! " delbert yelled. he raised a branding iron, his only weapon. norma ducked down behind a fence post. with a gush of green hot manure and bawl of anger the cow charged. the two men had reached the middle of the corral. the cow hit one then the other in about four jumps, then turned back and started hooking their still forms. when ever one of the men moved she started the war all over again.norma turned away from watching. delbert ran along the fence line to the gate and got the cows attention. she charged him but he stepped around the gate post and let her run on out into the ranch. delbert got the gate shut to keep the rest of the cattle in the corral. then he went to the two prone bodys. they were breathing, just barely. he picked up their pistols and threw them to norma. then he got a bundle of hay twine and bound the mens hands behind their backs. he pulled them over to the fence and propped them up in a sitting position. " that should keep you comfortable until the law gets here." the two were covered in washy green smelly manure. their cloths ripped and torn . delbert thought one may have had some broken ribs but didnt show much concern. " get the truck and go call the law. maybe a ambulance. ill baby sit these birds." he called to norma. she climbed the fence and broke into a trott to the truck. in just a few seconds she roared out of the yard. " i told you not to open the gate dumb butt. you were warned." delbert went to the barn and returned with the shot gun. he turned a five gallon bucket over accrooss the corral and sat down." you really shouldnt call people names. shit kicker? mmmmm who has the cow shit on them now?"