Matt was pleased that Thompson's men were doing a good job at controlling the cattle, and that the ones who weren't working were behaving – for the time being – the day was still young.
The marshal felt he had spent enough time watching the drovers move the cattle into the paddocks and decided to walk back into town; he was glad that there would only be two days and not a week to wait for the train to take the animals away. For some reason, he thought, this year's cattle drive seemed to go faster, perhaps it was due to the so few incidents. Never the less, it always brought good business to town.
As Matt wandered back along Front Street, he spotted Farley Sutton and Charlie Hayton, who had just come from the bath house. The two drovers looked like two entirely different people – clean clothes and shaven. Charlie nudged Sutton, "Here comes the marshal," he whispered.
Farley looked up from rolling his cigarette, "So? I haven't done anything wrong," he grunted, sticking the cigarette into his lips watching the marshal walk toward them.
"Howdy," Hayton was the first to speak.
Matt stopped in front of the two drovers and tucked his thumbs into his waistband; his eyes shifting back and forth at the men, "Another successful drive, I see," he said.
"That it was, marshal," Hayton smiled.
"Your boss said he warned you both to behave while in town, and I hope you do," Matt growled.
Farley rubbed his cheek, which still ached from time to time, "Believe me, I'm not getting my self into any trouble," he said remembering how painful his face was after tangling with Matt last year.
Matt nodded, "Good. You are also banned from the Long Branch Saloon," he said, dropping his hands back to his sides before he stepped past the two men and continued on his way back to town.
Farley and Charlie watched the tall marshal walk away, "That seemed to go well," Hayton said in a hushed voice. Sutton frowned at the comment, "Well what did you expect him to do? Hit me?" he gruffly asked. Hayton twisted his lips and shrugged.
"Come on, lets get a drink," Sutton said as he gave Charlie a sharp push to get him moving. "I saw a saloon down the street," he added.
It was now getting on in the day, and people were now planning on what they were going to do for the evening, including Jeff Mitchell and Bruce Long – they had their eyes sighted on Elwood Robinson's wallet. Mitchell was pleased with himself and the sizable pot he took in the last game. He was certain that he could win back to back games against the rancher, and he also knew the old man was hungry to get his money back – all in all, it should be an entertaining evening.
"Let's get something to eat," Mitchell suggested.
"Good. I'm about starved half to death," Long said rubbing his stomach in a circular motion as the pair walked back into town having tried Mitchell's new gun.
"You like it, don't you?" Jeff asked as he patted the gun in his holster.
"Yeah, but, I like my one on just as well," Long said. "One day I might get a new one," he smiled at his friend.
"Well, when I win again tonight, we'll buy you one tomorrow," Jeff laughed.
"Thanks but no thanks," Bruce laughed. "I'd rather spend money on a big steak and some eggs," he added as they entered Del Monico's.
Elwood Robinson saw the two men enter the restaurant and scowled at them as they sat at a table near the back of the room, "I'll get my money back," he snarled across the table at his friend, Murray Batten.
"The guy just had a good night. You are way better than him," Batten stated.
"I guess we'll find out later," Robinson said as he finished with this meal, wiped his mouth with the napkin and stood up.
Mitchell spotted the man across the room, "Well look who is coming for visit," he said kicking Long in the shin, under the table. Bruce looked up, "He's one mean looking hombre," he snorted.
Robinson stopped at the table where the two drovers sat, "I'll see you later tonight," he growled.
"You can bet on it," Mitchell smiled. "And that will be on bet you won't lose tonight," he chuckled, angering Robinson further. "Two hours at the Lady Gay," Robinson growled before he left Del Monico's. Jeff's eyes trailed over to Bruce's, "That old boy just doesn't learn," he smiled picking up the paper menu.
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Jeff stood up from the table and placed money near his plate, paying for both meals. He drank the last of his coffee and wiped his mouth with the napkin, motioning got Brice to follow. The two drovers left the restaurant and headed to the Lady Gay saloon, anxiously waiting to play Elwood Robinson and whoever else felt lucky enough to play.
The streets of Dodge were busier than usual, with the influx of Morgan Thompson's men. Mitchell and Lone quietly walked up the street to the Lady Gay, which was a hustle and bustle of activity. The saloon girls were busy with a barrage of thirsty drovers. Jeff pushed his way through the crowd and over to the table where Elwood Robinson sat with three of his friends, they all had their eyes on the drover as he took a seat across from them. Jeff motioned to the bar for a drink as the card game got under way.
It wasn't long into the game when one of Elwood's friends dropped out, having lost enough money to the drover. The tensions at the table were as high as the stakes, and they kept mounting. And another of Robinson's friends quit, leaving Elwood and Jeff to battle it out.
Farley Sutton and Charlie Hayton watched on, then Sutton nudged Hayton, I'm going to enter that game if I can. That old cowboy doesn't look likes about to give up anytime soon and that other fellow looks like a good match for me," he said standing.
Sutton walked over to the table and smiled at the men, "Mine if I join in?" he asked.
"Next hand," Robinson growled, "And as long as you have a deep pocket," he sneered across the table to Mitchell. "Keep your eyes on him," he warned the newcomer to the table.
An hour had passed when Robinson threw down his cards, having lost two nights in a row, "I'll beat you yet!" he angrily wagged his index finger at Mitchell, who smiled back. "Later," he said causing Robinson to push the table again. Sutton watched on, and felt he had the other man cornered – his luck couldn't last forever. It was now Farley Sutton and Jeff Mitchell, and the game began and Farley was right, Mitchell began to struggle and was down to his last few dollars.
Sutton paused, "Are you sure you want to go one?" he asked Mitchell.
Jeff checked his pockets, "I'll be back with more money," he said greedily staring at the large pot at the centre of the table. "Bruce, you watch my cards," he said as he quickly stood up from the table.
"Where you going?" Long asked.
"To get some one," Jeff said as he left the saloon, his mind searching for a money source. He dashed out to Front Street and thought hard as he scanned the street for an answer, and there he was, just leaving the Long Branch Saloon down the street.
Jeff swiftly walked along the street gaining on the man while keeping an eye out for the law or other watchers.
Wilbur Jonas paused at his store, shaking his head as he fought with the lock, again. The lamp light offered little help. Jeff pulled a bandana out of his pocket and quickly tied it over his face as he stepped up beside the store owner, sticking his gun in his ribs, "Inside," Mitchell ordered. Jonas froze for a second, but quickly opened the door with the man behind him. Mitchell closed the door and locked it, the keys still in the lock outside.