Matt strolled along the board walk in front of the Long Branch. He stopped abruptly when he saw a clown run past him with a net. He actually did a double take and his eye brows rose up. He didn't know what to think of what he'd just seen. With a shrug and a shake of his head he kept on going.
It was when he got to the General Store and an elephant charged down Front Street did he know something had gone terribly awry!
By now, Doc and Kitty were standing next to Matt. "What in thunder is going on!" Doc exclaimed while looking down the street.
Kitty pointed down the street in almost a state of shock. "Was...was that an elephant I just saw?"
Both Matt and Doc looked at Kitty. "Uh huh..." was all Matt could utter as his head turned back down the street. It wasn't until the small group saw two men running toward them that Matt decided to do anything. "Whoa. Can you fellas tell me just what is going on here?"
One man huffed out of breath, "Some idiot set the chimpanzees free and they've been setting just about every other animal free." The man continued. "Did you see an elephant come this way?"
Matt, Doc and Kitty all pointed down the street in unison and the men chased after it.
"That "idiot" would be henry Haggen!" Doc barked.
"You can't be sure of that, Doc." Kitty said in a protective manner knowing that Doc had past issues with Hard Luck Henry.
"Oh, yes I can..." Doc's tone held his statement solid.
"How so, Doc?" Matt was curious as he folded his arms across his chest waiting for the answer.
"I have Festus up in my office. He's been shot in the behind because of Henry!" Doc declared. "I bet you a week's worth of lunches that it was him that caused this!"
Matt looked at Kitty and said in a slightly humourous way. "Doesn't sound like a safe bet, does it?" Kitty only shook her head no.
Matt adjusted his hat. "Is Festus okay?"
"Oh sure. Mighty sore though. He'll be fine." Doc swiped his hand across his moustache.
Matt looked from Kitty to Doc. "Well I better find Henry before he burns the town down." He walked toward the fair grounds.
"Good idea, Matt!" Doc encouraged the marshal.
"Poor Festus." Kitty muttered with a look of sadness on her face.