Matt dropped his gun and relaxed into the pillow. "Did I get him?"

Doc peered at Sinclaire's motionless body in the doorway. "Doesn't look like he'll be any more trouble." He checked the stitches in the marshal's back. "Fortunately you didn't undo any of my good work."

Matt turned his head. "How's Festus?"

Doc went to the deputy. He was still trying to sit up, his face twisted with pain, and the old man knelt beside him. "Festus, take it easy."

Festus lay back. "Matthew?"

Matt reached out a long arm and touched his friend's shoulder. "I'm all right, Festus. Do what Doc tells you."

The deputy flinched as Doc examined his side. "Well," said the old man, "I've got another bullet to remove. This one doesn't look too serious but I'm not going to tackle it now." The old man rummaged in his bag. "I'll give you some laudunum for the pain...Kitty, I need some bandages, and can you find another blanket?"

Kitty nodded. "Right away, Doc."

She left the baggage car. Doc gave Festus enough laudunum to put him out for several hours, then folded his coat under the deputy's head. "Now I want you to rest." Exhausted by the past night and day, Festus succumbed to the drug before Kitty returned with a blanket. She ripped up what was left of her petticoat, then helped Doc bandage the deputy's side. Finally they carefully tucked the blanket around the unconscious man and stood up.

Doc rubbed his forehead. "Kitty, I don't think I can keep my eyes open another minute. Think you can stay with these two?"

Kitty smiled fondly at her old friend. "I think so."

"Then I'm going to the passenger car and get some rest." Doc looked sternly at Matt. "I want you to rest too...no moving around. Kitty, you can sit on him if you have too."

Kitty ran her fingers through Matt's hair. "Don't worry, Doc. He isn't going anywhere. What about Festus?"

Doc ran his hand over his face. "I want him to sleep. We should get into Denver sometime tomorrow and if he's kept warm and quiet he should be all right. Have Newly spell you when you get tired and call me if Festus starts to come around."

Kitty nodded. Doc started for the door and she suddenly threw her arms around him and buried her face on his shoulder. "Oh, Doc..."

He felt her tears soaking through his shirt and patted her gently on the back. "Now, Kitty, everything's going to be all right."