Garrett looked up into the clear summer sky. The cool light blue was offset by the scorching heat of the sun. He dragged his left forearm across his forehead as the sweat began to run into his eyes. Slowly he lifted his canteen to his lips - careful not to spill a drop of the life-giving liquid. He swallowed just one mouthful of the warm water, reserving the rest for later.
Garrett's eyes came to rest on his remaining two partners. Red and Dutch. He huffed and shook his head. Dutch sagged in his saddle. The bullet he took in the shoulder after the Spearville bank heist was taking its toll. Red looked up to Garrett. "We gotta get out of this heat."
Garrett lifted his hat and scratched his head while looking around at the shimmering horizon. "I think Old Dodge Town is just over those hills. Last time I was through most of the buildings were still there. Don't think there's any water though."
Red nodded. "Least there's shade." He then steadied Dutch in his saddle. They had been on the run for two days straight.
Garrett spurred his horse toward the hills. "Come on...I've already left Smitty to die. I'll do the same to you too, if ya don't move." He liked Dutch, but he wasn't above allowing the wounded man to die right there on the spot.
Red urged Dutch to hang on and the three road off toward the hills.
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Matt had just arrived back in Dodge, having come from Spearville. He was thankful that the banker wasn't killed and would make a full recovery. He trotted Buck up to the jail house and dismounted. Festus and Doc greeted him.
"How'd ya make out, Matthew?" Festus took hold of the horse's reigns and looped them over the railing for the marshal. Doc listened on with interest.
"Well Mr Dodds will be okay. He was pretty shaken up by the robbery and wasn't hurt too badly. I thought that I'd come back for some rest and go back out tomorrow. I don't think they will get far. Witnesses said that at least two of them have been shot, and I found one dead on my way back here." Matt talked while removing his saddle from his horse.
"Do you think I should go over to Spearville and look at Mr Dodds, Matt?" Doc asked with concern in his voice.
Matt shook his head. "I don't think you need to worry, Doc. Some other doctor was waiting in line at the bank when this all happened. He looked after Dodds." Matt smiled at his friend who somehow looked relieved to hear the news.
"Festus. Could you see that Buck gets fed and meet me back here in an hour or so?" Matt pulled the saddle off his buckskin horse and flopped it down onto the board walk.
"Sure thing Matthew." Festus loosen the reigns and pulled the horse toward the livery stable.
Doc stood aside as Matt entered the jail house. "I assume you'll be forming a posse." He asked Matt.
Matt set his things on the desk. "Yeah, but not a big one. It's pretty hot out there and if I can keep a few fellas as backup, we'll be better off." Matt placed his hat on the peg next to the door. "I think first off, I'll just ask Festus to come along. He's the finest tracker I know."
Doc ticked his head and rubbed his hand across his moustache. "I've heard a lot of things about Johnny Garrett. You be careful."
Matt smiled. "You know I always try to be."