Doc dabbed the damp cloth across Festus' dry lips and returned the cloth to the cold basin of water. The Dodge City doctor had only known a few times that either of his law men friends were in such a bad way and the sorrow and feeling of helplessness tugged at his heart each time. However, this time his own guilt nagged at his soul for having thought that Festus was taking his time getting back to Dodge and was spending idle hours fishing. Doc twisted his lips in thought - maybe, all along he's been too hard on Festus with everything. He just hoped that there would a day soon that he'd be able to say something to the hill man.

Doc pulled the cloth from the basin and wrung it slightly before he folded it and placed over Festus' forehead - he was now feverish. Doc sighed and then pulled his glasses from his face and folded the arms to place them in the metal case Doc kept in his left breast pocket of his vest.

The doctor stood and looked around the room before his saddened eyes gazed back down at the unconscious man on the day bed. There was nothing more he could do for Festus at this time. Doc desperately needed to get him back to the office so he could find the projectile and stop the bleeding. He now hoped that Daniel made it to Dodge and was able to locate Matt to tell him what had happened. He knew Daniel was in an awkward position with the marshal - having been sent to the Hayes jail just a few days before.

Doc slowly walked to the door of the little farm house to pull it open - the brightness of the sun stung his eyes. Once he stepped outside, he raked his right hand through his wavy curly greying hair. Doc slowly stepped down from the veranda and ambled to the wooden bench that sat under a large willow tree. His thoughts were a jumbled mess as he waited for Matt to arrive with a wagon. Doc sat and draped his forearms over his knees allowing his hands to hang loosely between them. Doc's shoulders sagged as he bowed his head in thought and sadness - mentally he went through the steps he'd have to take once he got Festus home. He ticked his head knowing that it was going to be tricky.

Emma stood in the doorway and watched the doctor. She wished that there was something she could do for him and for Festus. Emma turned and walked to the table and picked up the large white ceramic pitcher and poured a glass of lemonade, "Clay, why don't you take this out to Doc?"

Clay slid off the wooden chair and took the glass from his mother, "He sure looks sad, don't he?" Clay said as he turned and carefully walk to the door trying not to spill the contents of the glass, Emma smiled gently as she watched him leave the house she thought for a child his age he was very perceptive - maybe Doc is right and Clay just make a fine doctor one day.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Matt had Daniel drive the wagon ahead of him and the two men travelled as quickly as their horses would gallop and canter. The horse that was pulling the wagon almost slowed to a trot, "How much farther?" Matt inquired as he too slowed Buck down.

"Another coupled of miles. I can't make this horse go any faster," Daniel stated.

Matt nodded, "I know..." he pursed his lips in frustration, "Tell me again where you found Festus," he looked over to the farmer.

"Emma, Clay - he's our boy - and I were coming home from Hayes. We got a pretty good start and just as we rounded the bend just north of our place, there he was. Can't begin to tell you how long he might have been there 'cause he left town before we did."

"Was there anyone in Hayes that might have said something to Festus?" Matt continued to ask questions hoping to put some pieces of the puzzle together.

"No sir," Daniel shook his head, "There were a lot of happy farmers and cattlemen when they saw the cat he killed. They hung it in the tree at the centre of town."

Matt adjusted himself in his saddle, "Did many people know he got one hundred and fifty dollars reward?"

Daniel shrugged, "Yeah, I guess so..." he twisted his mouth trying to figure out how he was ever going to replay Festus for his help.

Matt noted the look on the farmer's face, "How much money did he spend in town?" Matt's eyes remained on Daniel.

"I expect most of it..." Daniel looked up to Matt, "and most of that was on us..."

Matt's eyebrows rose upward, "How do you mean?"

"He paid for my gettin' out of jail and then he bought us a horse for the plough - Clay stole Festus' mule..."

"What?!" Matt further questioned.

"That's how he met my Emma..." Daniel flicked his reins and the horse trotted a little faster, "The farm is just around this bend."

Matt was still trying to fit the story together and he was beginning to wonder if he should ever let Festus out of his sight again.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doc looked down at the glass of lemonade, he'd drank about half. Clay sat quietly next to him but then he broke the silence, "You're thinking about how to help Festus, aren't you?"

Doc looked over his shoulder to the young boy, "Partly. And I'm hoping your Pa shows up really soon with the wagon and the Marshal."

"The Marshal!? What for? My Pa ain't in trouble again, is he?" Clay's eyes were wide.

Doc smiled and placed his reassuring hand on the boy's knee, "No, nothing like that. The Marshal will be trying to find out who shot Festus," he winked.

"Oh..." Clay relaxed, "I hope he does too. Sneaking up on someone and shooting them is really rotten..." Clay crossed his arms.

Doc was about to comment when he and Clay heard the sound of a wagon quickly approaching the farm. Doc was swift to his feet as he turned to watch Daniel with the wagon and Matt riding Buck right behind. The tall marshal had a way of swinging down from his saddle in a very fluid motion, "Doc?" Matt's voice held deep concern.

"Matt, I'm glad you got here when you did. Festus is in pretty bad shape and we have to get him back to my office," Doc said as he started to the house and then spotted Clay, "This is Clay Jackson, Matt. My newest helper," Doc smiled at the boy who gazed up, and up to Matt.

"Wow..." Clay swallowed, "A real live Marshal!"

Matt smiled at the youngster and then followed Doc to the farm house.