Brooks and Samuel simultaneously threw down their weapons as Matt grinned. "What about it Jack!"
Jackson Carter turned his gun toward Matt as Newly leveled his rifle from the opposite direction and Festus trained his gun on the man as well.
But at the last moment, Carter chucked his gun toward the ground and raised his hands in defeat.
Matt stood up and took Jackson Carter by the arm and shoved him toward Newly as the young deputy did the same with Samuel and Brooks.
"Get them down to the jail, Newly," Matt said looking at Bucko. "Anything you got to say?"
"Only that they admitted they killed that man, Marshal," Bucko said looking at Jackson.
"He did it for the poker winnings!" Brooks yelled.
"He did, huh," Matt said looking at Newly. "Get some statements from these two if they're so willing to talk."
"Sure thing, Marshal," Newly said leading the three outlaws toward the jail.
"Well, Bucko," Matt said holstering his gun. "We might just be able to clear your name after all."
"Thanks, Marshal," Bucko said looking up as Festus slowly made his way toward them.
Matt crossed his arms as Festus stopped in front of the lawman, still holding the wound on his stomach, Matt sighed. "I don't think I want to know why you were out of bed or how you ended up down here in a gun fight, do I?"
"Aw foot, Matthew," Festus stammered. "I was just a tryin ta help Bucko, don't ya see."
"Hmmmm," Matt said scowling he turned to Bucko. "Get him back up to Doc's office for me will you. And make sure he stays there!"
"Sure will, Marshal," Bucko said taking Festus arm.
Matt shook his head as the two slowly made their way down the street.
A few days later, Judge Brooker came to bid Doc and Matt goodbye. "And while I'm here," he said handing some paper work to Matt. "This is the finding of the courts in Texas, Mr. Taos name is clear."
"Well that's good news, Judge," Matt said folding up the paper work the two men stepped into Doc's spare room where Bucko was engaged in a lively game of checkers with Festus.
"As for Mr. Haggen's misconduct," the Judge said crossing his arms. "I think at least a suspension is in order, don't you Matt?"
"Oh yeah," Matt said watching the shocked expression on the deputy's face.
"Wal," Festus said slowly. "I didn't mean ta do anything wrong, Matthew!"
"How long did you say his recovery would take, Doctor?" Judge Brooker said as Doc stopped in the doorway.
"Four weeks aught to do it," Doc said with a wink while he swiped at his mustache.
"Alright," Judge Brooker said looking at the hillman. "Four weeks it is!"
"Wal, that there is cruel and unusual punishment," Festus said angrily. "Ain't there a law against that!"
"Overruled," Brooker said smiling as he headed for the door. "And I told Matt to leave the doctor a set of shackles just in case the prisoner gets any more ideas about taking off!"
"Might as well be locked up," Festus said glaring at Doc. "Even people in jail get better food then what he feedin me!"
"People locked up don't have holes in their belly's either," Doc replied harshly. "And you wouldn't be in this mess if you had stayed in bed and did like I told you!"
Bucko nodded in agreement as Festus scoffed.
"And I thought you was ma friend," Festus said angrily.
"Oh, I am," Bucko said nodding. "But Doc's right!"
"Well," Doc said breaking into a smile. "At least he knows I'm right!"