Pete Samuels didn't know who was approaching his camp he lifted his rifle as Matt Dillon came towards him.
"Hold it I'm friendly I just need to water my horse and fill my canteen."
Pete relaxed a little and let his rifle rest across his body as he noticed the badge on Matt's chest.
"Come ahead. You're a marshal aren't you?"
"Matt Dillon based out of Dodge City. You heading towards Dodge we could ride together."
"How far is Dodge from here?"
"Around sixty miles this horse has already carried me thirty miles today so we'll have to camp overnight."
"I could stand the company my name's Pete Samuels."
Pete mounted waiting while Matt filled his canteen and watered Buck. Matt mounted and joined Pete as they headed west to Dodge.
"You got a job in Dodge?" Matt asked.
"Yeah I've been offered a job on the Bowers spread heard he was good to work for."
"Yes he's a good man pays well too."
They had been travelling for some time when Pete noticed how pale Matt had become.
"You alright Marshal?"
"Sure just tired." Matt said.
Pete suspected that Matt wasn't telling the complete truth about how well he felt. Then he thought the Marshal wasn't the type of man to complain about his troubles unless he was out of choices. The thirty miles were nearly over when Matt slumped forward in his saddle Buck stopped. Pete reached out and took Buck's reins he eased Matt down from the saddle Matt was aware enough to help Pete ease him down to the ground.
"Had a feeling you weren't telling the exact truth when you said you was just tired."
Pete checked Matt over the heat from Matt's face was fairly scorching in its intensity. Pete soaked his bandana using it to wipe Matt's face. He scanned the area until he spotted a light flickering through the trees he wrapped Matt in both of their blankets.
"There's a light off in the distance I'll ride over see if I can get some help."
Matt didn't respond Pete hadn't expected him to. He tethered Buck and mounted his horse riding in the direction of the light until he came upon a cabin.
"Hello the cabin I need your help."
An old man and woman emerged from the cabin the man carried a rifle its barrel pointed right at Pete.
"You lost or something?"
"No sir my friend is sick real sick he needs doctoring."
The man handed his rifle to the woman.
"I'll get our wagon. My name's Tom Benson my wife Meg will get a room ready for your friend."
Pete dismounted and followed him to a barn.
"You can put your horse up over there."
The man indicated a couple of empty stalls Pete led his horse into the next to the stall holding the couple's cow then helped the man harness his team to the wagon.
"Sure appreciate your help I hope we ain't disturbing your family too much?"
"We haven't got any family here there's just us our son was killed at Gettysburg fighting for the Union army and our daughter died of the small pox five years ago."
"Sorry to hear that my Ma always said that children were a mother's pride."
"Oh we get along this farm and my wife's family is enough for us."
Pete indicated the way he'd come and the old man drove quickly to where Pete had left Matt wrapped in their blankets. Matt stirred as they lifted him into the wagon though he wasn't any help and if anything Pete thought he was hotter than before. He untethered Buck and tied him to the rear of the wagon getting in the back to sit at Matt's side while the old man drove the horses on toward the farm and a bed.
"He's Matt Dillon I recognized him from the time or two we've been to Dodge City for supplies."
"Yeah, I've only just met him he was showing me the way to Dodge Emmett Bowers offered me a job on his spread."
When they arrived back they carried Matt into the house. The elderly woman led the way to what had obviously been their son's room. She pulled the covers down they lay Matt down and stripped him down.
"He's going to need Doc Adams. Tell him the Marshal has a high fever."
"My wife will look after him. Take my saddle horse you ride north up to the stage road then head east that'll take you right into Dodge. Tell Doc to come to the Benson Farm he'll know the way."
Pete helped unharness the team then took the proffered saddle horse and rode out north quickly heading for Dodge and Doc Adams.