As the rain and storm passed, Newly and Sam decided that it was really too late in the day to start out again.
"Newly?"
Newly turned to the barkeeper. "What is it Sam?"
"Where do you think Doc is?" Sam's voice was low and cutting.
Newly rubbed the back of his neck. "Seems like all the way here, the tracks are heading to Old Dodge Town. We'll head out at first light. I would like to do it now, but with the amount of rain we had, the roads are a soupy mess."
Sam agreed. "Sure hope Doc is okay. Who do you think he's with?"
Newly thought and his mind went through a list of names that hung on the jail wall back in Dodge. "Most likely Johnny Garrett's gang. They've come fresh off that holdup in Spearville. The Marshal said one or two of them were shot."
"Johnny Garrett! I sure hope Doc's not mixed up with his gang. He wouldn't stand a chance..." Sam slowly shook his head. He didn't like the thoughts that were going through him mind.
Newly's facial expression was frozen in deep concern. "I hope you're right..."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Festus had gathered enough wood to start a small fire in the mouth of the cave. "This here'll take the chill off, Matthew."
"Hope it does more than that!" Matt quipped.
Festus looked up to the marshal's eyes. "Huh?"
"I hope we can cook on it. I'm starved!" Matt knelt down and held his open palms over the small flickering flame.
Festus smiled. "I'll have supper ready in a tick!" He then went to his mule and pulled several small pans and some supplies from his saddle bags before returning to the fire. "Do ya suppose Johnny Garrett's still hold up in Old Dodge Town?"
Matt adjusted his hat and sat down. His blue eyes watched the horizon as the sun set. "I would wager a good bet on it."
With that, Festus started to prepare supper. He hoped Matt was right and that they caught up to the bandits the following morning.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Doc slowly pushed himself up into a more comfortable sitting position. Every move he made and ever breath he drew caused great pain in his ribs. He then realized that there was something wrong with his left forearm. Slowly he looked down to find a large sliver of broken chair spindle protruding through this shirt sleeve that was now soaked with blood.
Heart sank even further as he then realized that no-one in Dodge knew where he was. The darkness and the coolness of night engulfed him.