Both of the buffalo hunters exchanged glances as they too were trying to figure away around Ryan Hudson. Philips looked over to Brown and ticked his head toward an empty bottle that sat on the table he was standing next to. Brown's eyes slowly glanced over and then back to Philips again. He deemed that the bottle wasn't sufficient enough to do anything.
Brown then slowly slid his right hand down his side to his waist where he kept his skinning knife. With a slight smile, he quickly pulled the knife and flung it at Hudson catching the ranch hand in the upper left arm. Ryan yelped and dropped the gun in his left hand.
The distraction was great enough that Festus was able to over take Ryan and the gun his clutched in his right hand and both men tumbled to the floor. Festus grabbed Ryan's right wrist and smashed his knuckles hard upon the floor until he released the gun.
Finally Festus heaved and staggered to his feet, "On yer feet Hudson," he glared at Ryan Hudson who was slow to get up.
The young ranch hand grabbed the knife with his right hand and pulled it from his arm and dropped it to the floor. His eyes were black with hate as the starred at the deputy and then to the two hunters, "I'm not through with you yet," he snarled as Festus pushed him toward the front door of the saloon where Matt stood watching.
"Move it," Festus prodded the young man with his pistol.
"Good job, Festus," Matt stepped aside to allow the hill man through the door to take his prisoner over to the jail house. Both buffalo hunters had returned to their seats and one parton even returned Brown's knife. Matt pushed though the swing door and stood next to the table where the two hunters sat.
Philips slowly looked up to the marshal, "I guess you saw what happened," he said as his eyes then looked around the room as the other men in the Bull's Head gathered into small groups to discuss the event.
"I did," Matt rocked slightly on his heels.
"Well, you have a lot of witnesses," Brown said as he studied his cards, "I think you have your man."
Matt tucked his thumbs into his waistband, "Perhaps I do, but until I hear it from Elaine Dunlop, I want you two to stay around Dodge," Matt warned.
"Come on marshal! Sitting here is costing us our livelihood!" Brown chirped.
Matt frowned, "I realize that, and I'm sorry. But if you really want to clear your names, you better stay around town for a few more days."
Both Philips and Brown sighed. "Fine. Just speed things up, will you. City life is making my skin crawl," Brown growled. Matt understood. He'd seen their kind time and time again and it was in both their best interests that he finds out who was responsible for the rape of Elaine Dunlop.
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Doc gently opened the door into Jonas' room. The store owner rolled his head to look at Doc, "Hi Doc," his voice was quite and tired sounding.
"How are you feeling Jonas?" Doc walked over to the bed and looked Jonas in the eyes.
Jonas huffed with a light laugh, "I've been better, I can tell you that," he the looked at his left forearm, "This hurts like blazes."
Doc drew his hand across his moustache, "I'll give you something for the pain. I'd like for you to get a good solid night of sleep. You'll feel better tomorrow," Doc smiled as he opened his medical bag.
"Doc?" Jonas looked over to the physician.
"Yes?"
"When can I get back to my store?" Jonas asked.
Doc turned to the mercantile owner, "Oh, in a week, maybe," Doc answered and he knew Jonas was going to take exception, "And those are my orders!" Doc said gruffly in order to make Jonas understand. "You've been shot and you've got busted ribs, and I'm not about to let you out of that bed until I'm stratified that you won't do yourself more personal injury by wandering around in your store."
Jonas frowned, "A week?" he asked meekly.
"Maybe," Doc added as Jonas' blur eyes looked up to his, "Maybe?"
Doc handed Jonas several pills, "Would you just take these and go to sleep?" he grumped as Jonas took the pills and swallowed them. Doc could see in the man's eyes that he was disappointed at the news, "And if you behave, I just might let you out earlier," he added as a compromise to help make Jonas feel a little bit better. He watched Jonas relax and sigh with slight satisfaction.
Doc turned and picked up his medical bag and turned down the lamp, "Good night Jonas," he said over his shoulder knowing that Jonas was already asleep. Doc chuckled to himself and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Doc walked along the balcony and looked down on to the main floor of the saloon. Both Matt and Kitty watched him. Kitty looked over to Matt, "I told you so," she smirked.
Matt shook his head, "Doc? What are you doing out of bed?" he said to the town doctor was Doc walked down the stairs.
"My job. How about you?" Doc huffed.
"I can see you are doing your job, but you are sick," Matt stated.
"I am?" Doc said as he walked to the bar and placed his black leather doctor's bag on the top.
"Well," Matt looked at Kitty and she shrugged, "You're on your one with that one cowboy," she smiled and joined Doc at the bar.
Matt made a face and pursed his lips as he too joined Doc at the bar. "Well, then how's Jonas?"
Doc looked over to Matt, "He's uncomfortable, but he'll be all right in a few days. I still can't get over what he did!" Doc sort of chuckled.
Kitty smiled, "Maybe, once he's feeling better we could do something for him."
"Say that's a fine idea, Kitty!" Doc smiled.
"It sure is, and I think it calls for a drink, don't you Doc?" Matt nudged the doctor with his elbow.
"Oh, yes. Of course!" Doc nodded. Kitty rolled her eyes. "You too are incorrigible, you know that, don't you?"
Doc sipped his right hand across his moustache, "It's a vicious rumour." Both Matt and Kitty laughed.
The jovial moon was short lived as Festus stepped through the swing doors, "Matthew. Dunlop is coming up the street with his daughter," he thumbed over his shoulder.
Doc frowned, "I better take a rain check on that drink, Kitty," he said as he pushed off the bar pulling his medical bag along with him, "I'll see them up in my office," he said to Festus who nodded and left.
Both Matt and Kitty exchanged looks, "Well I hope we get to the bottom of this mess soon," he said in a hushed voice and headed to the door. Kitty sighed, "So do I."