"The bullet's lodged in his shoulder," Newly said packing the wound with a clean bandana. "If I can get the bleeding to stop, he'll make it back to Dodge alive."
Matt nodded as he stood up from the now unconscious deputy and watched Newly turn around to check Shad for a pulse before turning back to Matt.
"This one's still alive," he said before nodding toward Keno. "That one's dead!"
"Alright," Matt said with a nod before pulling a clean bandana from his pocket. "You get Festus and Shad ready to travel back to Dodge while I bury that one!"
"Yes, sir," Newly said taking the bandana from Matt and using it to pack Shad's chest wound.
(Dodge)
"Take it easy now," Doc said helping Kitty take a seat on her own bed.
"I'm alright, Doc," Kitty said taking a quick breath. "It only hurts when I breathe."
"All the more reason, coming back here wasn't a good idea," Doc said swiping at his mustache. "I shouldn't have let you talk me into bringing you home!"
"Oh shush," Kitty said making herself more comfortable by sliding further onto the bed. "I'm a woman, and women need privacy. Where am I going to get that up in your office!"
"Well," Doc said with a wink. "As long as you stay put and don't move around two much, that wound should heal nicely."
"Doc!"
The physician turned around as Sam called his name and quickly made his way to Kitty's door.
Stepping out onto the landing, he peered over the railing as the barkeep pointed outside.
"Marshal's back! And he says you better come quick! Festus is hurt bad!"
Doc did a fast shuffle to the stairs and quickly made his way to the bottom.
"Marshal's taking him up to your office," Sam said following the doctor outside.
Doc noticed Newly struggling with an unconscious man he hadn't seen before.
"Sam," Doc said meeting the big man's eyes. "Help Newly, will ya!"
"Sure Doc," Sam said going over to the deputy's horse as Doc headed up the stairs to his office.
"Matt," he said entering the office as the Marshal stepped back from Doc's exam table.
The hill man lay on his stomach as Doc took a moment to remove the bloody bandana from the gaping wound behind Festus's left shoulder blade.
"What happened," Doc asked putting on his glasses before reaching into his black bag.
"We surprised them," Matt said watching the doctor take out his stethoscope. "Festus stepped between me and the gun!"
Doc's head turned sharply to look at Matt before he placed the instrument on the hill man's back. The unsteady rhythm worried the physician as he let the instrument go.
"Is he gonna make it?" Matt asked quietly once Doc stepped away from the table.
"Hard to say right now," Doc replied digging into his bag. "I'm going to have to try and get that bullet out."
"Doc," Matt said meeting the physician's eyes. "He saved my life tonight."
"I know that!" Doc said impatiently with a slight nod. "I'll do everything I can, Matt. You know that!"
"I know," Matt said with a sigh. "Just promise me, you won't lose him!"
"I promise," Doc said reaching for a clean towel and his instruments. "Now get out of here and let me work on that promise!"
Matt nodded as he headed for the door. "I'll send Newly up to help you."
"Yeah," Doc said as he picked up a probe. "You do that!"
The Marshal watched the older man's intent expression for just a moment before he shut the door to Doc's office and headed down the stairs.
Newly was coming down the boardwalk from the jail at the same time.
"I got Shad locked up," the deputy said stopping at the bottom of Doc's stairs. "Burke's watching the jail."
"Alright," Matt said indicating Doc's office. "Why don't you go see if you can help Doc with Festus while I check on Kitty."
Newly nodded as he passed the Marshal and headed up the stairs while Matt headed over to the Long Branch.