Matt waited for Silverson to get to his horse - the cattle baron was a little slower due to his leg. The marshal had the two prisoners already on their mounts and ready for their journey back to Dodge. Silverson finally pulled himself up onto the saddle with a slight groan. He held his hand over his thigh where the bullet grazed him, "Which one of you shot me?" he said as he glared at his two employees. Neither man spoke. "Come on Matt. Lets get these two dandies back to town," he grumbled.
"You led the way," Matt said to Silverson. "I'll follow along and make sure these two don't try anything," Matt stated. The marshal kept his rifle out, and held it across his lap. His steel-blue eyes were locked on the two drovers. "Get a move on," he ordered.
Larry Bishop looked over to Mike Hamilton, "This sure got loused up," he mumbled. Hamilton could only shake his head in disappointment, "So much for money and freedom," he growled.
Matt watched the two men closely, "I don't want any chatting," he stated. Bishop looked back over his shoulder and eyed the marshal, "I'd love to tangle with him," he said under his breath enough that Hamilton could hear. Hamilton smiled at the thought. Bishop turned back and looked down at the shackles that where attached to the saddle. He glared at them, "Damn," was all he could say.
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Kitty Russell quickly crossed the alley to meet Ellen Jonas, who stood in front of her husband's store with a confused look on her face. Festus stood just behind the saloon owner, "Ellen?"
Ellen Jonas looked over to Kitty, "Where's Wilbur?" she asked as she looked back at the store. "He should be in the store," she said.
Kitty nodded, "Yes, he should be, however, we need to talk," she stated and took Ellen by the forearm.
Ellen froze. She didn't want to move. Her eyes were locked onto Kitty's "What has happened to Wilbur?" a panic filled her voice as she knew by just looking at Kitty and Festus that something was wrong.
Festus looked over to Kitty to see how she was going to break the news. "Lets go to the Long Branch," she smiled. "I'll explain what happened," she said guiding Ellen along the boardwalk. "But where's Wilbur?" Ellen again asked as she looked around.
Kitty stopped momentarily, "He's going to be just fine," Kitty patted Ellen on the forearm in support.
"Going to be?" Ellen repeated. Festus gently took Ellen's other arm and walked with Ellen and Kitty to the swing-doors of the saloon. He released Ellen's arm as Kitty and the store owner's wife stepped down into the room.
Festus shook his head, "Those young drovers have no idea how much they have upset this here town," he said to himself. He looked down at his shirt and decided that perhaps he would look a sight better if he changed the shirt with a cleaner one.
Just as Festus reached the livery stable, he saw Matt and Silverson with the two drovers. They pulled their horses to a stop in front of the jail house. Newly stepped out side, "I'm glad you were able to find them," he said to the marshal.
Matt assisted Bishop down off his horse, "We'll need Doc. This one has your bullet in his leg and Louie's bullet broke Hamilton's arm," Matt stated.
"I'll do what I can for then, marshal. Doc's still not getting around that good. Plus he still has Mr. Jonas and Festus up in his office…" Newly's voice trailed off when he saw the hill man deputy crossing the street. Matt noted the look on the young deputy's face and turned to see what Newly was staring at, "Festus?" Matt questioned the hill man.
"Matthew," he smiled as he slowly walked toward the group of men, "I see you rounded up the no-goods," he looked over to the two drovers. Both men glared back.
"What are you doing here?" Matt asked.
"I'm just goin' to change my shirt," he said thumbing over his shoulder toward the livery stable.
"Does Doc know you are up and around?" Newly asked.
"Sure he does! He might not be happy about it, but I just couldn't take laying in that lumpy bed of his," Festus grumbled.
"Are you well enough?" Matt asked.
"Foot! Have you ever seen a Haggen jist laying around cause he got him self shot?" Festus made a sound with his lips as he motioned with his arm.
Matt frowned and looked at Newly, "Get these two inside," he said as he walked toward Festus. "Festus, you may feel all right, but I can't ask you to do any work right now! You where shot last night!" Matt said as he tucked his thumbs behind his belt.
"I know that. But, Matthew, I feel all right. Or I wouldn't be here!" the hill man's eyebrows rose up toward the brim of his hat.
"Find. Just go and get some rest, right now," Matt placed his right hand on Festus' shoulder.
"Sure, Matthew," the hill man looked down at the toe of his boot and turned away. He knew that Matt was looking out for him, and in fact that he was not really that well after all. Matt sighed as he looked over his shoulder to see Bishop and Hamilton enter the jail house. His eyes came back to Festus who had just entered the livery stable. Matt looked skyward hoping that somewhere soon he too was going to be able to get some rest. His eyes then spotted Kitty and Ellen Jonas as they left the Long Branch Saloon.
Matt hurried across the street and quickly stepped up on to the boardwalk just as Kitty and Ellen reached the stairs that led up to Doc's office, "Ellen," Matt acknowledged.
Ellen's eyes were red. She had been crying, "Miss Kitty told me everything," she said looking up to the door at the top of the stairs.
Matt nodded, "Ellen, Wilbur did a very brave thing last night," he said in a tender voice. Ellen nodded, "Miss Kitty told me," she said as she tried to smile as she dabbed a handkerchief over her wet eyelids.
Kitty smiled, "Come on Ellen. Let's see how Wilbur is doing," she hooked her arm around Ellen's and the two climbed the stairs together. Matt followed by several paces.
Doc had just finished redressing the incision while Jonas watched with interest. The store owner exhaled and layed his head back down onto the examination table. "Sorry if that hurt," Doc said as he finished tying the strip of gauze.
"That's okay, Doc," Jonas swallowed and sighed.
Doc looked over his shoulder just as the door opened. A slight smile curled under his moustache, "Ellen. Kitty. Matt," the greeted all three.
Wilbur Jonas lifted his head and saw his wife - he smiled, "Ellen," he said in a hushed voice as Ellen moved quickly to his side. She cradled his head and kiss his forehead, "Oh, Wilbur! Miss Kitty told me everything," she continued to fuss with her husband, who grew increasingly red from the public showing, "I only did what I thought was right," he smiled.
Doc limped top the door, "Kitty, I sure could use a drink," he winked.
"Me too," Matt stated as he took the hint.
"Come on boys, this drink is on me," Kitty smiled and looked back at the Jonases.