Unshown Moments for Hostage (2) S 18

"Festus, I know what you're saying." Matt sighed. "But this is just something I have to do alone. Now the Dodge men are no match for Bonner's gang. So turn them around and take them home."

Festus and Newly exchanged troubled glances as Matt rode off and the towns people finally came riding up.

"Whoa!" Festus hollered as they neared. "Hold up there."

"What's wrong, Festus?" Sam questioned. "Why aren't you still with the Marshal?"

"He doesn't want us with him." Newly answered. "He wants to go in alone, thinks he can get Bonner to fight him without the rest of his gang joining in."

"You don't believe that, do you?" Sam was usually a very mild mannered man but this was about all he could take. The torture his beloved friend and boss had gone through was more than enough to anger him down to the bone but the thought of the Marshal riding into a gang of cut throats and his certain death without help was right out painful.

"That's the way he wants it." Festus answered coolly. "He appreciates you all a followin' him and all but he wants to do this alone."

"And you're just going to let him?" Sam's voice showed how he felt about that idea.

"Well, that depends on you fellers." Festus answered. "Now me, I jes as soon ride into hell with Matthew as to sit by and watch them yahoos kill em and that's jes what I'm fixin' on doing. But what about you all? I cain't make ya go and I cain't promise ya, that we'll come out of there alive if ya do go."

"I never asked for promises." Sam answered. "I saw what those animals did to Miss Kitty, Festus. I was there the same as you were when Doc operated on her. The only thing that kept her alive through all of that was the thought that the Marshal would be there for her. Now, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure he comes back to her."

"Festus?" Burke spoke up just then in a thin and nervous voice. "Do you really think it's going to be dangerous going in there?"

Festus squinted one eye at him. He understood that Burke wasn't the bravest of men in most circumstances nor the smartest. But he also understood that the situation they might be riding into was beyond any danger any of them had ever faced before.

'Yes, Burke, that's what I'm a tellin' ya. We ain't gonna know nothing about how it is up there until we git there. Bonner jes might have a couple of lookouts a waiting fer us."

Burke swallowed hard but he didn't vocally object the way he was expected to. Festus looked around at the rest of the men. All of them, except for Sam and Newly were clearly nervous and even a little frightened.

"Now, I aint gonna force none of ya to go up there. As a matter of fact, Ol' Matthew don't want none of ya going like I tolt ya. He wanted me and Newly here to take ya all back to town."

"But we're not going to do that." Newly spoke up. "Festus and I are going on. The Marshal may not want us with him, but we're going anyway. What the rest of you all do is up to you."

Sam quickly steered his horse close to both of the deputies. His voice and his expression were deadly serious. "I'm going on with you two. If Bonner gets past the Marshal and you, he won't get by me."

Festus locked eyes with the bar man, understanding completely what he was saying. With a nod, he turned and looked at the rest of the men. "You all kin go on back if'n ya want. We're a goin' on."

The men of Dodge sat quietly for just a few moments before one by one, they spurred their horses and rode forward. "We owe them." Burke spoke up. "We're going."

Festus and Newly looked at each other and then at the face of each man. They saw no fear. They saw only determination to help and defend two of the most important people in their town.

"Lets git set to go give em a surprise." Festus said as he turned Ruth around and they rode on, following Matt to what fate was there.

End