Matt looked over the wanted posters that came in once a week. Most were nondescript criminals but one in particular stood out!
"Festus," Matt said as the hill man came from cleaning a cell or so that's what he wanted Matt to believe. In actuality he was napping instead of cleaning.
"What can I do ya fer Matthew," he said looping his thumbs into his vest. The shiny tin badge evident on his chest.
"Take a look at this," he said flipping the wanted poster in Festus direction.
Festus looked over the poster but didn't recognize the man in the picture. "Don't think I recollect seeing him before Matthew."
"You probably haven't," he said leaning back in his chair. "But I have. His name is Bill Jacobs, and I know where he's holed up at. But I have to stay here in Dodge for that murder trial coming up. So that means I've got to send someone out after him."
"Well ya know I can get yer man for you Matthew," Festus replied confidently.
"I know you can Festus," Matt replied with a grin. "The problem is, I'm not so sure he'll be alone."
"Don't you worry none bout that Matthew," Festus said pointing his finger. "I guarante ya I can flush him out and when he's alone I'll take him right in."
"Good man," Matt said. "Make what ever preparations you need and I'll tell you where to find him."
Later that afternoon, Festus had Ruth all packed up and ready to go as Matt gave him final instructions on where to find Jacobs.
"Now remember what I told you," Matt reiterated. "If there's to many men there, leave Jacobs until you get some help!"
"Don't ya worry Matthew," he said with a nod. "I'll bring him in."
"He's trying to tell you to be careful," Doc yelled from Matt's side. "Stubborn old mule."
"Careful my foot," Festus said from atop Ruth. "I know what I'm a doing, you don't worry bout any thing but that fishing trip were gonna take when I get back."
"No you should be the one who should be worried," he said swiping at his mustache. "Remember what I told you, the one who catches the least amount of fish has to clean them all and cook them."
"Awe your just saying that cause you don't think I can use that fancy new reel and pole ya got me," Festus said leading Ruth down Dodge's Main Street.
Doc tugged at his earlobe as Festus rode out of sight. "I sure hope you know what your doing Matt."
Matt sighed as he headed back toward his office. "So do I Doc," he said. "So do I."
Festus headed west into the foot hills where Matthew told him he'd find Bill Jacobs.
Making camp after the second day, Festus left the camp at sunset and rode the half mile or so to Jacob's hide out.
Leaving Ruth in a grove of trees, Festus watched the cabin, his eyes narrowed as the door opened and the man in the picture stepped out of the cabin and lit a cigar.
As near as Festus could tell there was no one else inside. With drawing his gun from its holster, he quietly made his way down to the cabin and slid along the wall to peek into a window.
The hill man grinned, he was right! There was no one but Jacobs inside the cabin.
Looking around, he picked up a good size stone and threw it toward the trees.
As Jacobs opened the door, gun drawn, Festus slid in behind him. "Drop the gun," he said pointing his own gun at the outlaw.
Jacobs laughed as he uncocked his gun and dropped it behind himself.
Festus bent down and retrieved the revolver as the outlaw spoke. "Who the hell are you?" He asked as Festus place shackle on his wrists.
"Deputy Marshal Festus Haggen," he said leading the man into the stable. "Saddle up a horse, you're under arrest!"
"Where we headed Deputy, he said leading the horse out of the barn.
"Dodge," Festus replied pointing in the direction he had come from.
"Dillion sent you," Jacobs groused. "I shoulda killed him when I had the chance"
"Well now ya will never get the chance," Festus said. "Move along we got two days of traveling."
