Matt clamped the shackles closed over Larry Bishop's wrists. Bishop glared at the marshal, "You liked that didn't you?" he growled.
"Shut up," Matt said in return.
Bishop had no choice but to hug the tree as Matt was making damn sure the drover wasn't going anywhere while he looked for Mike Hamilton.
Matt took several steps when Bishop yelled out, "Mike! Dillon has me!"
Matt looked sharply back at the drover. The marshal's eyes narrowed, but he could deduce the general location of his friend by where he was looking. Matt carefully moved over and through the rocks.
Mike Hamilton heard his friend and ducked down behind some rocks. The glint of the sun off his rifle barrel caught Silverson's attention above. Silverson stopped in his track and watched for a few seconds before his brought the Winchester up to his shoulder and look down the sight as he aimed up to his last known sign of one of the wanted drovers. He prayed it was Larry Bishop. Without another thought, Silverson pulled the trigger.
The bullet hit the rock near Mark Hamilton and he ducted for cover as the rock bursted into shards and sprayed everywhere. Hamilton made a face and tried to see where the shot came from. His broken arm was useless as he tried to manoeuver the rifle he held to get a shot off at the man on the road below. He wasn't sure if it was the marshal or not, but he fired back as best as he could.
Silverson now had the sun in his eyes and could only see some movement above, he didn't see the gun, but the whole area heard the report as Hamilton pulled the trigger.
The bullet grazed Silverson's left thigh and it was enough to have the cattle rancher spin to the ground. "Matt, get that bastard!" Silverson yelped as he held his leg.
Matt saw where the shot came from, but now Hamilton was aware that it wasn't Dillon down on the road. The drover turned and moved to another location upon the rocks, but Matt spotted him before he saw the marshal, "Hold it right there, Hamilton," Matt's rifle was levelled and there was no way that Hamilton could fire back with his bloodied busted arm. He slowly dropped the rifle to the ground and put his hand in the air.
"Drop the gun belt and come down here," Matt ordered. The young drover complied and slowly made his way back down to where Matt stood. Matt drew a breath and looked at the drover. He decided not to say a word. Instead he took the young man by his good arm and led him back to where Bishop was shackled to the tree.
"Don't say anything!" Bishop warned.
"I didn't and won't" Hamilton growled as Matt placed the other shackled on the drover.
Frank Silverson limped slowly forward, "There you are you..." he was about to continue with a verbal clash when Matt stopped him, "Frank, let Judge Brooker take care of this now," he stated firmly. Silverson's eyes were black with furry, "Sure, Matt," he said as he went back down the hill for his horse. The men were heading back to Dodge.
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Newly had gone to tend to the wounded prisoner, Dawson Clark, while Doc stayed in his office. He was napping at his desk as usual.
Festus Haggen's eyes fluttered open and he looked around the room. It took him a few moments to remember where he was and why, "The bank," he muttered and pushed himself up to a sitting position. He didn't remember being shot, but he sure felt like he had.
The hill man held his hand over his ribs as he got his feet underneath him as he slowly stood. Festus didn't know why it was so quiet in the office. Usually Doc and Matt were discussing one thing or another, especially if he was wounded. Festus ticked his head, "This don't seem right at all," he grumbled and walked to the doorway.
Doc was still asleep at his desk, and Wilbur Jonas remained on the examination table. The sight of Jonas caught Festus by surprise, "Mr. Jonas?" he said and walked over to the store owner.
The sound of Festus' voice woke Doc from a deep slumber. Doc lifted his head from his crossed arms, "Festus?"
"I'm here, Doc! Don't you fret now. I'll get them bank robbers. Looks like they shot Mr. Jonas too," the deputy looked down at the gauze covering the incision in Jonas' side.
Doc blinked as he tried to clear his head and eyes, "What in thunder," he said in a raised voice before he realized that Jonas was still unconscious, "what in thunder, do you think you are doing?" Doc finally asked in a hushed voice.
"Wall, I'm going after bank robbers," Festus frowned. "I'm doing my job," he said with his scrunched up left eye.
"But you been shot!" Doc protested.
Festus looked down at his side, "I know, and it hurst a tinge, but Matthew has no idea what he's up against with them cowpunchers," Festus stated as he thumbed over his shoulder.
Doc's eyebrows narrowed, "You are not getting on a mule, or a horse with that wound," he pointed to Festus' side.
The hill man's mouth dropped open, "But Doc..."
"No but 'Doc's'", Doc said angrily. "If you must, you can sit at the jail and relieve Newly," Doc huffed. "And I mean sit," he said with an added finger wag.
"Pshaw," Festus huffed. "You never will understand us Haggens," he said as he turned to the door.
Doc drew his hand across his moustache, "You are most likely right about that fact. And I'm just as happy not to," Doc grumbled as he watched Festus leave the office. Doc picked up a cane he had found in his back room and limped to the door. In awe he shook his head, "I don't understand it at all. He must have the constitution of an ox," he said as he watched Festus go down the stairs and cross the street. He drew his hand again across his moustache and ticked his head before he went back into his office.
Festus stepped up onto the boardwalk near the Doge House, and he held his side. Certainly had pain, but it wasn't anything that was going to keep in a bed for a few days. He knew Doc would watch him like a hawk. A slight smile curled the corner of his mouth.
Festus began his walk toward the jail when his attention was drawn to the stagecoach that had just pull in - and on time. The deputy watched as passengers go off when he noticed Ellen Jonas. He remembered the store owner had said his wife was out of town visiting her sister.
Festus looked down at his blood-stained shirt and then quickly over to the Long Branch Saloon. He knew someone had to tell Mrs. Jonas about what had happened. Festus quickly stepped down and wove his way through the traffic on Front Street. He busted through the swing-doors, "Miss Kitty!"
Kitty looked up, "Oh, my God. Festus!" she stated thinking that some thing else had happened. She raced forward, "What happened?" Kitty asked looking the deputy over. "Is Doc okay?"
Festus frowned, "Of course Doc is okay," he squawked. "It's Mrs. Jonas, I'm worried about," he said as they watched the store owner's wife crossing the street while looking at the closed store.