Doc was in his office studying a medical journal when he heard the heavy thump of boots pounding up the stairs. He sighed and closed the book, adjusting his glasses as the door burst open and Matt hurried in with Festus in his arms. Doc's mouth went dry as the marshal laid their friend on the examining table.

"Matt, what happened to him?" asked the old man, taking the deputy's wrist. Festus was unconcious but his pulse was steady and strong and Doc's own heartbeat slowed down.

Matt looked nervous. "He was struck by lightning."

"Lightning!" Doc peered closely at the deputy's eyes. Festus was beginning to blink and mutter and the old man said gently, "Festus, can you hear me?"

"Doc?" The deputy's eyes fluttered open. "Where's Matthew at?"

"Right here, Festus." The marshal came forward. "How you feeling?"

Festus rubbed his forehead. "Like my head's 'bout to bust wide open. What happened? I remember we wuz out yonder on the prairie and the rain came..." He started to sit up but Doc held him down.

"Take it easy, Festus," said the old man. "You were struck by lightning."

The deputy's eyes widened in alarm. "I wuz?"

Matt nodded and Doc said gruffly, "I think you're all right, but I want to examine you a little more thoroughly. Matt, I'm going to keep him here tonight."

"All right, Doc. Festus, I'll see you in the morning. Don't give Doc any trouble, you hear?"

"I won't, Matthew." The deputy seemed uncharacteristically subdued and Matt hesitated, but Doc nodded reassuringly and he left without another word.

Festus watched him go, then said quietly, "Doc, I reckon you better get some paper and a pencil."

Doc ran his hand over his face. "What for?"

The deputy looked surprised. "Didn't you say I wuz hit with lightnin'?" The old man nodded. "Well, I got to make a will before I die."

Doc's mustache twitched. "Festus, you're not going to die."

"Doc, you don't got to try'n soften the blow," said Festus mournfully. "My Aunt Fredulia wuz the closest to a doctor us Haggens ever had and she tolt me all 'bout doctorin' folks that wuz hit with lightnin' and how they alwuz died."

The old man snorted. "And what college did she get her medical degree from?"

"Oh, Doc, Aunt Fredulia didn't need no schoolin'...she was a nat'ral born healer. She wuz a fine cook too. Why, that woman's squirrel stew'd just 'bout raise the dead."

"Maybe she should have given it to her patients so they wouldn't all die on her."

The deputy sat up, glaring, and this time Doc didn't try to stop him. "All right, you ornery old scutter! You just ain't got no heart a'tall, have you?" He lay down again and rested his arm over his eyes. "Pokin' fun at a feller what's been mortally wounded and waitin' on his deathbed to take his last breath..."

Doc shook down his thermometer. "Before you take your last breath would you mind if I examine you so I'll know what to write on the death certificate?" Festus opened his mouth to make a retort and Doc jammed the thermometer in. "Now keep that under your tongue and be quiet."