The night grew darker and Festus sat next to the fire and tossed the last of the fish bones into the little flame and he licked his fingers, "When I get my hands on the rat that stole ol Ruth, I'll string him up by his toenails...and I hope he yelps like a mad fiend." But the thought of Ruth leaving without a sound also puzzled the deputy as he stood and looked around, "Dangest thing Ruth not even fussing..."

Festus rubbed his hands together and returned to the warmth of the fire and as he settled in he felt he was being watched. Carefully his eyes cast around and then he stood slowly and stepped beyond the light of the fire. Trying to see into the brush, "Who's out there?" he called. His heart jumped as there was a sound of snapping brush behind him and he turned, "Whoever you are...this ain't funny..." he peered into the dark and with his hand in his gun he walked carefully toward where the bushes rattled, "Come on out, you!?" he pulled his gun out of his holster and continued to peer into the blackness and stepped forward. Just then a large black bear rose up from the bushes and growled. The smell of the fish brought him into the camp. Festus froze with his eyes and mouth wide open. He backed away slowly and then like a flash he bolted into the night, leaving his fire burning.

The bear grunted and poked around and after pawing through the burnt fish remains, it lumbered across the stream and into the night.

Festus sat on a branch in a small tree and could see the bear leave, but he was not too certain that he wanted to get back to the camp anytime soon. "Foot. I ain't going down thar til sun-up. Last thag I need to be is a bear's midnight snack, and then wouldn't Doc laugh...phuff..." Festus said as he watched his warm fire from the tree limb.

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Matt sat with Kitty in the Long Branch Saloon. "Do you think Festus is actually going to take that much time to get back?" Kitty asked.

Matt shrugged with a slight smile, "I don't think so, but you know him, once the offer is there, he'll take it."

Kitty laughed, "I hope he gets home soon enough to go fishing with Doc. I've never seen him so..." Matt looked up to Kitty, "So what?"

"Well, I'm not sure how to described it..." she pursed her lips and then stopped, "Oh, we better change subjects, here comes Doc now," she placed her hand on Matt's forearm and smiled.

Doc pushed through the swing doors of the saloon and spotted Matt and Kitty at the back table. With a tick of this head and a quick swipe of his moustache, he stepped down and made his way to their table, "I figured you'd be here," Doc said to Matt as he took a seat at the table.

Matt nodded, "well, Doc, it is almost eleven o'clock in the night..." he looked at Kitty before he looked over to Doc.

"Well, I guess you missed the ruckus at the Lady Gay earlier..." Doc brushed his hand across his moustache and sat.

Matt nodded and smiled, "No, Doc. I didn't. It so happens that I separated those two cowboys about an hour ago and I told the one he'd better go and see you."

Doc looked unimpressed, "hum..." He leaned forward, "He sure did, and all he did was say how much he planned to get even with his so-called friend. And I really think he means it."

Matt shrugged again, "I can't follow everyone around Doc, you know that."

Doc nodded, "I know, but he sure seemed persistent about what he said."

Kitty leaned her chin on her hand, "Doc, aren't you making a mountain out of a moll hill?"

Doc was caught off guard and looked at Kitty, "Not you too?!"

Kitty's eyebrows shot up, "Me what? I was just asking a question!"

Matt smiled, "Look, to rest everyone's conscience. I'll go and see the cowboy..." Matt stood, "Thanks for the drink Kitty," he winked and Kitty smiled as she watched Matt leave the saloon. Then her eyes rested on Doc, "You certainly have a way of breaking up a good time..." she frowned.

Doc made a face, "I guess I've been a bit needy lately..."

Kitty rolled her eyes, "If there was ever an understatement award, you would have just won it," she said resting her chin on her hand.

Doc looked up to Kitty, "I bet you five dollars that right now Festus is sitting by a nice warm fire and has had three fish by now..."

Kitty smiled, "You really are jealous!"

Doc looked her straight in the eye, "Of course I am!" Kitty could only laugh.

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Festus shook from the chill in the air and he thought that maybe getting back to his little would be okay. As the deputy started to climb down from the tree, the branch he was on broke away and with a great yelp he fell to the ground with a thud landing on his back, "This ain't my day..." Festus gasped and tried to push himself to his feet. However, he had pretty much knocked the wind out of himself with the fall and even moving was difficult and painful, "Oh, Doc will be yucking it up now..." Festus said as his head fell back to the ground and he moaned.