DELBERT BRIGGS 36

delbert sat in a wooden arm chair looking across the desk at the brand inspecter. behind him norma sat in a corner. behind the brand inspecter was two f b i agents. " and you didnt lay a hand on either one of those thugs?" the brand inspecter asked. " no it was just like i told you. i warned them to not come in the corral you have their weapns. i didnt go get mine until the cow left and i had them bound up. what are you guys gonna do with them?"delbert asked. " one has some federal warrents out of texas. he will go back to answer that. the other gets a fresh plot in the cemetary. one of his broken ribs punched a lung. he died on the ambulance ride, " one of the federal men explained. delbert bowed his head and slowly shook it" i tried to warn them. i tried!" "well you did all you could have done. we cant charge the cow with anything. but she probably saved you a beating or worse.we found out jackson is in brazile.maybe we could send the cow for him?" the brand inspecter laughed. " i want nothing more but to be left alone. when the brands peel on the slicks i want them gone so i can buy some gentle cows i just want to be left alone." delbert was talking slowley. " what about that cow, she s still running loose isnt she? the inspecter asked. " i think ill live with ole snot bucket , she saved our hides. she wont live many more years so ill let her live them out there if she doesent become a problem."delbert stood up" are you done with me?" " yes, keep your nose clean and you wont hear another word from us." the federal agents stepped up and shook delberts hand. norma stood up and stepped up close to delbert. "she smiled and issued a simple thank you. " thank that ole cow, she s the one did the chore!" the brand inspecter smiled.