Sam pushed Ruth hard and saw a man on horse with something behind him. The pulled the mule to a stop and waited for the approaching rider to make himself known.

Matt on the other hand recognized the gait of the mule ahead of him, but the form sitting on the animal was certainly not Festus. He slowed his horse down and approached with caution. "Marshal? Is that you?" Sam's voice cut the early dawn.

"Sam!" Matt spurred Buck to move again. "What are you doing out here?"

"Looking for you and Doc." the big barkeep said.

"Why? What's happened?" Matt pushed for answers.

"Marshal. Dodge was hit by several tornados and now some young buck calling himself "Mad Dog" Cooper and his mangy gang are in town. They want only money and they shot Thad."

Matt adjusted himself in his saddle - all of a sudden he wasn't tired anymore. "What about Festus?"

"Last time I saw him, he was helping Miss Kitty with people that were injured with the tornados." Sam leaned over and looked at the empty buggy. "Where's Doc?"

"I'm heading in to Dodge to get him help. That storm blew half of the MacKay homestead down and Doc is trapped under some rubble." Matt was now trying to figure out his next step. "Sam. You take the buggy and go out to the MacKay place and stay with Doc until I can round up enough men to help." Matt handed the reigns to the barkeep who nodded then the lawman started toward Dodge.

"Marshal? What are you going to do?" Sam asked with deep concern in his voice.

"I'm going to stop Mad Dog and then help Doc..."

Before Sam could say anything else Matt spurred Buck and they were off into the grey of early morning. Sam returned his thoughts to the town doctor. "Come on Ruth. Let's go help Doc." He nudged the mule who bounced to attention.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mad Dog and his pup brother stood with their guns pointing at Harry Bodkin. With the devastation in the city, money seemed the last thing he was worried about. Further more, he was almost positive that the marshal would get every cent back when he got the chance...or when he returned.

Bodkin swallowed deeply. "That's everything." He held his hands in the air and stepped away from the empty safe. Mad Dog smiled, "Too bad the other folks in this flea trap aren't so obliging." The turned to his younger brother and smiled. "See. I told ya that it would be good pickin's."

Jeb smiled back. "Pa would be some proud of you now."

With that, Mad Dog grabbed Jeb by his shoulder causing him to wince. "What? What did you say?"

Jeb started to shake. "I only meant that Pa would be proud that you are..." he stammered.

"Shut up! I don't ever want to hear you say nothing about that no good piece of..." his attention turned to Festus who was now standing at the door of the bank. "You okay Mr Bodkin?" The hill man's eyes never left the two men.

"Yes, Festus. I'm fine..." Bodkin said as he slowly made his way toward Festus and then scooted out on to the street passed him.

Mad Dog pushed Jeb away and turned to Festus. "What the hell do you want!" He barked.

Festus squinted his eyes and glared at the man before him. "I want you to finish yer business and get out of Dodge..." he said thumbing over his shoulder. "These folks have enough to deal with besides the likes of your lot..."

Mad Dog stepped forward. "Did I hear you right?"

Festus took one step forward. "Depends on what you heard. If it was me telling you to hike it outta here, then that would be right..." He watched the man in front of him. He was a ticking time bomb and his hand itched to reach his gun. Jeb then cut in, "He's right Jake...let's do what we came here to do and leave..." he looked at Festus knowing that he wouldn't back down. "It'll be light soon..."

Mad Dog pulled away from Jeb and took a deep breath. As he passed Festus he spoke in a low tone, "I'll get you yet..." And then he left with Jeb following him. Festus remained standing in the empty bank. He fidgeted with the pockets on his vest and swallowed hard. He knew Mad Dog meant what he said.