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Show Page 20 A triumphant Ann took Dixie Burr home, telling no one but Slippery Jim what had happened. But Dixie Burr still wasn't safe as long as she wore the Middlesex brand. So one afternoon Ann secretly led Dixie Burr to an out-of-the-way spot. There she built a fire. Then, even though she knew it was like cattle rustling and against the law, Ann heated a branding iron and added two more bars to Dixie Burr's brand. Protecting her calf was more important to the young Ann than obeying the law. Afterward, her brother, Sam, helped her hide Dixie Burr in the Zenobia Basin, about twelve miles from the ranchhouse, until her new brand could heal. Ann's attempt at brand blotting did not remain a secret for long, however. Roark, angry that he had received a beating because of a Bassett, was snooping around the ranch and found the calf with her clumsily altered brand. Seeing a chance to get even, he accused everyone in Brown's Park of cattle rustling and had Sheriff Sam Walker swear out warrants for their arrest. A roving Englishman, who was just visiting the valley, and Mrs. Sears, the area's most innocent, law-abiding lady, received a warrant, along with everyone else in Brown's Park except Herbert Bassett, who was away at the time. It was a surprise to them all since none had heard about the Bassett-Roark-Martin fight and didn't know why Roark was carrying a grudge. Of course there wasn't enough evidence for anyone to be found guilty. But thanks to Ann and her Dixie Burr, the rumor |