Artie woke and the clock on the sideboard read 2am, at least it looked like 2am to his bleary eyes. He tried to raise his head but it felt like molten lead. His body felt like a fire poker left in the flames too long. Must be running a fever, he thought, can't let Jim find out he'll want to Mother Hen me to death. Artemus gingerly raised his left hand and felt the thick bandages on his head, shoulder, chest and thigh. The leg hurt like hell and he could feel the heat radiating through the heavy bandage. He was thirsty and spotted a pitcher and glass next to the bed. Good thing Jim left this on the left side of the bed; I'd be sunk if he had left it on the other side.

Artemus reached out for the pitcher and pulled it toward him. He reached back for the glass and had to stretch to get it. He winced, drew in a breath and made a final grab for the glass. It slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor. Jim came barreling into the room at breakneck speed and rushed to his side.

"Hey, pal, what happened to you just laying there and relaxing?" Jim asked as he picked up the broken glass.

"Sorry, Jim, I was thirsty and there was no one around so I thought I'd get a drink myself."

"I'm sorry, I should have been here when you woke up."

"Where were you anyway, you going to a costume ball? I haven't seen you dressed like a lumberjack since, well, never," Artie wondered.

"I was out helping the men clear the track so we can get moving. The rain is letting up and we have a long way to go. I'd like to get to Fredericksburg as soon as possible," Jim replied as he checked Artie's bandages and he let his forearm gently brush his forehead, checking for fever.

"Are you that eager to get rid of me, James?" Artie asked, trying his best to sound hurt.

"Not at all, Artie. Not at all. I just want to get you to the doctor and have you checked out."

"I'm feeling a lot better, Jim, honest," Artie lied.

"Sure you are, pal. I just felt your forehead and I'd say you were feeling worse if I had to guess."

"Well, you always were a bad guesser."

"Artie, I may not be a doctor but I know a man with a fever when I feel his forehead. Now no arguing, you are going to rest until we get to Fredericksburg. We got the trees off the tracks and the rain has slowed down enough Alex thinks he can get the train going."

"Well, that's a relief. For a minute there I thought we'd be spending the next few days battened down out here in the middle of nowhere."

"No way I'd let that happen, pal. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it. There, see the train is moving. We'll be in Fredericksburg before you know it."

"Well, wake me when we get there will ya, I'm kind of tired," Artemus drifted back to sleep.

James took his seat by the bed and prepared for his vigil when Artemus began to stir. At first Jim thought he was moaning then he realized his partner was talking in his sleep. Jim listened as Artie replayed some sort of conversation between what appeared to have been Artie and a couple of strangers. Jim listened closely, hoping this might give him some clues into what had happened to his friend. After a while Artie drifted off into a deep sleep and Jim got no more information but he did have some new leads to look into after he had deposited Artie in the hospital in Fredericksburg.

FREDERICKSBURG —

"We gotta find a doctor, Nate. I hurt something awful," Zeke cried.

"We been riding for 2 days straight so' I can find ya one, Nate. I asked back at the last town and they said there was on this street…yeah here it is."

They tied their horses to the post, looked around and went inside.

TRAIN—

Jim checked on Artie again and was not happy; his fever still hadn't broken. At least Artie's still asleep, he won't be awake when I change his bandages, Jim thought as he opened Artie's shirt to get at the bandages. He paused when he felt the train slowing down.

"Now what? I better to talk to Alex before I change these," Jim pulled the blankets up carefully and went in search of Alex.

"Sorry, Mr. West, but we have to stop again. We ran into some more fallen trees. I have two teams out there; one clearing the tracks and the other one is cutting some of the trees to use as fuel. I'm on my way to join them."

"Good thinking, Alex, I'll grab an axe and come with you."

"No, Mr. West, you need to stay here on the train with Mr. Gordon. If he's still asleep you should get some sleep too. We're probably gonna be stuck here for a day or two and Mr. Gordon will need you fully rested."

"A day or two? Are you sure? I thought it was just some fallen trees and mud."

"Oh here it is, but I sent Collins ahead and he came back here just before you got here. There was a real bad mud slide a few miles ahead. They have men on it but it will take at least two days to clean the tracks and with that first storm behind us I don't want to risk trying to back this train up."

"Damn, I better go check on Artie and let him know what's going on. If things change anytime soon, Alex, don't come looking for me just get this train moving full speed for Fredericksburg."

"Yes, sir. Mr. West, is Mr. Gordon that bad off? I mean you fixed him up didn't you?"

"I did my best, Alex, but I'm no doctor. I think he's running a fever now and I'd just feel better with a real doctor tending to him."

"Well, I'll get out there and see if I can't get the men working any faster and I think I can spare a few to go on ahead and help with that mud slide."

"I'll go check on Artie and the horse. Thanks for all your help, Alex, you and the men have really outdone yourselves this time."

"No problem, Mr. West. We really enjoy working for you and Mr. Gordon. Never a dull moment when you two are around," Alex chuckled as he left the cab.

Jim stopped at the stable car and looked in on his horse. He listened to the storm rage outside while he tried to work things out. He knew he couldn't do anything about getting the train running again. But he still felt like he had to do something. He had sent telegrams to Jeremy detailing his theories and asking for any help he could give him looking into them. Jim had also told Jeremy not to arrest the men if he found them. He would be the one to do that. It was the least he could to for Artie. Thinking about his partner made Jim realize he had been away from him for far too long.

Jim made his way back to Artie's room. He entered quietly and immediately remembered that he had been about to change Artie's bandages when he had left. He pulled a chair up to the right side of the bed and began to gently peel the bandage off his shoulder. The wound seemed to be healing and there was no sign of infection. Jim rebandaged the shoulder and moved on to his ribs. Jim cringed at the sight of the hideous bruise and vowed he would find those men and damn the consequences.

After he cleaned and redressed Artie's chest, he placed his arm back in the sling and moved down to his side. Jim was amazed at how strong his partner was. All this damage and he was still fighting to live. Redressing this wound, Jim shook his head and went down to his leg. His worried look intensified when he placed his hand on the bandage. The heat was still radiating from Artie's leg. He removed the bandage and his jaw dropped. The wound had become infected and very red. Jim gently placed his hand over the wound and felt a hard lump. Damnit, he would have to reopen that wound and drain the infection and they had no more ether. He was about to leave and get the instruments from the lab when his "patient" woke.

"Jim?"

"Artie, how are you feeling, pal?"

"You tell me, you're the doctor," Artie smiled.

"If only I were, Artie. If only I were."

"What's wrong, Jim? It's my leg isn't it?"

"Yeah, pal, it's your leg. I think there's an infection building up in it. I have to open it and drain it…" Jim let his voice trail off.

"I hear a but in there, James," Artie said prodding him.

"But, we don't have any more ether," Jim stated simply.

"I see," Artie said as he stared at the ceiling.

"I see? That's all you have to say?"

"No, that's not all I have to say. I can also say that it appears we have no choice, James my boy, but to do what needs to be done."

"What needs to be done," Jim repeated, "Artie, it was hard enough operating the first time but this…"

"I can't begin to imagine what you went through, Jim, but you, what must have been going through your mind, it must have been terrible."

"You have no idea, pal, and I hope you never do."

"Jim, I've got an idea, it's a little radical but I think it might work."

"Artie, I don't like it when you say that."

"Just hear me out, Jim. You have to open my leg up anyway and it can't hurt try my theory."

"Okay, I'll listen to your theory, but if I don't like it we don't do it."

"Fair enough," Artie gestured for a glass of water and Jim helped him drink. Artie settled back onto the pillows.

"It won't be fun for either of us but I think it will work. When you open my leg you will have to drain the infection out, then cut away any bad tissue. Then I want you to cauterize the wound."

"Cauterize? Artie, you want me to stick a red hot knife in your leg? Are you crazy?"

"Maybe, but I think it's the only way to stop the infection and save my leg."

"But, Artie, we don't have any more ether and I gave you the last of the sleeping medicine this morning. All we have left if headache powder and I don't think that's enough."

"So that's why I've been so tired. James, you are a sneaky little devil."

"I have my moments my friend. But without anything to put you under…"

"That's why I said it won't be fun for either of us. But, Jim, if we don't try this I could lose the leg. Then you'd have no choice but to train a new partner," Artie winked.

"Well, when you put it that way I guess I have no choice," Jim rose and moved to the door, "I'll go get the instruments and be right back. You do what ever you can do to get ready."

Jim returned within a few short minutes and he had brought Collins back with him. Artie didn't seem surprised, in fact he seemed to welcome the added help. He tried to reposition himself and winced and groaned. Jim called Collins over to help. Jim told him to let them move him into position.

Collins lifted Artie's leg, causing him to clench his teeth to keep from screaming. Jim placed several thick towels under his leg and motioned Collins to put his leg down. Sweat had already broken out on Artie's face. Jim told him they could take a break but Artie shook his head and told Jim to get started before he changed his mind. Jim took the scalpel and, after giving his friend an apologetic look, began to open the wound. Collins held on tightly when Artie tensed and drew in a sharp breath.

"Hold him tight, Collins, we can't afford for him to break his ribs again."

"Yes, sir," was the strained reply, as Collins tightened his hold.

Jim again leaned in toward Artie's leg. He opened the wound and the smell of the infection radiated throughout the room. Jim had to turn his head for a moment. When he turned back his eyes locked with Artie's. He saw the raw determination mixed with pain. He's done it again, Jim thought, he's given me the strength and courage to do what needs to be done. I don't know how he does it.

Jim pulled his eyes from his partner's and focused on the job at hand. He spread the wound open and carefully cut away at the growing infection, the puss oozing out, running down Artie's leg onto the towel. Both Collins and Artie were sweating profusely at his ministrations. Finally, after Artie was sure Jim had cut his leg completely off, Jim announced that he was ready to cauterize the wound.

"Are you sure you're ready for this part, pal?"

"No, but it's too late to change my mind now, let's just do it and get it over with."