"The Farrington brothers, Henry and Levi," Matt said passing a poster to Newly and Festus. "I just received a telegram from the Marshal in Hayes. It seems they robbed the train as it passed though, killed three people, stole a cash box with $10,000 in it and they're headed this way."
Festus sipped a cup of coffee before he spoke. "So we just going to sit and wait for them Matthew," he said knowingly watching Dillion stand up.
"No," Matt said picking up his gun belt and put it on. "I'm not risking Dodge. Burke will keep an eye on things here, I need you both with me!"
"Sure thing Marshal," Newly said with a nod.
"Will do Matthew," Festus replied. "When do we leave?"
"In an hour," he said grabbing his hat. "I'll meet you here."
Stepping out onto the boardwalk, he crossed the dirt street and entered the Long Branch though the double doors.
The hardest part of his job wasn't the endless chasing of criminals or the seemingly endless shoot outs, it was the saying goodbye each time to Kitty.
"Hi Cowboy," she said looking up from her ledger.
"Kitty," Matt replied tipping his hat up.
"Can I buy you a cup of coffee," she asked with a smile.
"Afraid not," Matt said quietly.
"Where now," Kitty said with a sigh.
"Not sure," Matt replied brushing her hand with his. "Some where between here and Hayes."
"Do you have to," she said softly already knowing the answer.
"Yes," he said making eye contact with the woman he loved. "I do. Festus and Newly are going with me."
Kitty nodded as she closed her eyes a moment. "Just be careful," she said once she opened them again.
Matt took her hand and grinned mischievously. "I always am," he said brushing the hand with his lips. "When I get back, I'll make it up to you."
"Promise?" Kitty said with a smile.
Matt nodded as he turned and headed out the door.
"Doc," Matt said meeting the doctor on the boardwalk in front of the Long Branch.
"Matt," Doc said putting his hands in his pockets. "Festus tells me your going after the Farrington brothers?"
"That's right," Matt said.
"Well," Doc said tugging at his earlobe. "I've read a few stories about those boys in the paper."
"Don't worry Doc," Matt said. "We'll be careful."
Doc swiped his mustache as Matt crossed the street and climbed onto his horse.
Kitty came thought the double doors just in time to see the three lawmen leave town.
"It never gets any easier," she said once they were out of site.
"It sure dont," Doc replied stepping into the Long Branch.
Setting up camp that night, Festus fed the fire while Matt and Newly cleaned their revolvers and rifles.
"Where do you suppose we'll find them boys Matthew," Festus said accepting his freshly cleaned gun from Newly.
"Don't really know Festus," Matt said thoughtfully. "I would stick to the canyons and foothills out by the old mines if it were me."
"Harder to track," Festus replied in agreement.
"Course that's why I got you," he said.
"Ain't nobody can track them boys like I can," Festus replied. "They got no more chance than a cricket in a hen house."
"That's what I'm talking about," Matt said lying back on his bedroll. "We'll leave at first light."
The next morning the three lawmen took the trail less traveled in search of the two wanted criminals.
"Look here Matthew," Festus said leading Ruth by his tether. "Fresh tracks."
"Let's go," Matt said galloping with Newly and Festus close behind.
As the horses hooves clicked and clacked the sound reverberated along the canyon walls.
Coming to a split in the middle of the canyon, Matt stopped. "Which way Festus?" Matt asked looking around.
Festus climbed down off his mule and kneeled down to check the track marks but before he could a shot rang out from the canyon above just barely missing Festus by a few inches.
Festus slapped Ruth in the flank to get him to run out of harms way as he ran for cover behind a few large boulders.
Watching Matt and Newly take cover as well, he looked up scanning the cliffs for who ever fired the shot.
"Festus," Matt said pointing to the hill man's left.
Festus caught a glimpse of a figure as it went over the edge of the canyon.
Matt watched as his friend gave chase. "Newly," he said looking around. "Do you see the other one?"
"Not yet," he said as Matt stood up.
"Marshal," Newly said as a second figure headed in the opposite direction Festus had gone.
"Follow Festus," Matt said. "I'm going after this one!"
Newly nodded and headed in the direction Festus had gone.
As Matt chased the outlaw though the canyon, they traded shots back and forth.
Sliding on the shale and the pebbles on the canyon floor made for dangerous footing and one wrong move could send either man over the edge.
"Stop Farrington," Matt yelled. "If you give yourself up now, it'll go easier on you!"
"Not a chance Marshal," the man yelled swinging around, he fired off a shot.
Matt dogged the bullet easily and fired off his own shot which caught the outlaw mid section.
As the man went down, he turned, gun drawn, and waited for Dillon to caress the ridge.
"Not so fast," Matt said kicking the gun away.
Farrington laughed as Matt leveled his gun at the outlaw. "At least you won't have to see me hang Marshal," the man said before closing his eyes.
Matt leaned down and made sure the outlaw was dead before rising.
Scanning the cliffs, he slowly made his way down and went in search of Festus and Newly.
Newly had followed as Festus lead the chase for the remaining Farrington brother.
Festus ducked behind a boulder as the boy returned fire.
From his vantage point above where Festus and the boy were engaged in a fire fight, Newly could see that Festus had the advantage of being higher in the canyon.
As Newly slowly made his way down, the boy darted for an old mine entrance with Festus following.
Newly heard the gunshots only moments before a thunderous roar filled the canyon walls and as he watched the entrance to the mine disappeared in a hail of boulders and dust.