It was bitterly cold and Festus was grateful for the warmth of his buffalo coat. The open prairie was no place to be in the winter and he thought longingly of the light and warmth of the Longbranch. His friends were probably all there right now and he wondered wistfully if they were missing him. Well, it sure would be a nice surprise when he got back with all the gifts he'd bought. He patted the bulging saddlebags. He'd been away from Dodge for far too long but it had been worth it. Five hundred dollars for taking that blooded bull from Texas to Kansas. That was enough to pay for Letty's schooling for another year with a nice present for her thrown in and plenty left over for things for the folks back home. He ran over his purchases-a hat direct from Paris (wherever that was) for Miss Kitty and a fancy silver belt buckle for Matthew. He'd got something for Sam and Newly and even Ma Smalley and Louie. And for Doc he'd bought a heavy wool sweater-what the feller at the store called a cardigan. Old Doc was looking a little peaked these days and he could use something to keep him warm. Festus only had about fifty dollars left, but he couldn't think of a better way to have spent his money.
