They started at first light, Festus walking along peering carefully at the ground, Matt in the saddle casting his eyes over the prairie. They worked in an ever-widening circle around the tree and the marshal was beginning to feel discouraged when Festus called to him. He got down off his horse and knelt beside the deputy. "There. See that? There's the mark of her foot, plain as day."
Matt squinted at two broken stalks of grass turning brown. "You sure?"
"'Course I'm sure." The deputy got to his feet and into his saddle. "We must be real close too, so keep a sharp eye out."
The marshal mounted his big buckskin and they broke into a gentle trot. It was only a few minutes later, though it seemed much longer to Matt, that he spotted a flash of pink. "Festus! Over here!" The deputy turned and rode towards him as he jumped down. The little girl lay in the grass, sound asleep. Matt knelt next to her and touched her gently on the arm. "Clara?"
She started awake, then threw herself into Matt's arms, crying. "Oh, marshal, I was lost all night! I want to go home! I want my mommy!"
"It's all right, Clara. We're going to take you home right now." Matt picked up the little girl and handed her to Festus, then got back on his horse. They rode into Dodge around noon.
Jeff Miller and his wife Anne were waiting at the Dodge House and the young woman ran out into the street when she saw her daughter. Laughing and crying at the same time, she pulled the child into her arms. Jeff wrapped his arms around them both, then reached up to shake Matt's hand. Festus hung back, but when Jeff held out his hand he came up and took it. "I don't know how to thank you," said Jeff brokenly. His wife was absorbed in the little girl and he led her to the Dodge House, looking back gratefully at the two men.
The marshal turned to Festus. "I think this calls for a drink."
The deputy's face set and he turned Ruth. "Mebbe for you." Matt leaned over and caught the mule's rein and Festus drew his gun. "Turn that loose, marshal. I don't remember you, but I don't want to hurt you."
Matt dropped the rein. Keeping his hands where Festus could see them, he spoke very calmly. "Where do you think you're going, Festus?"
The deputy looked confused but determined. "Away from here'll do for a start. I found you that child and seen her safe to her mama, but I ain't goin' to jail."
Moving very slowly, Matt unbuckled his gun belt and dropped it. "All right, Festus. If you want to go, I won't try to stop you."
Festus nudged Ruth, then pulled up. The mule was not used to such indecision and sidled to one side. "Whoa, Ruth." A kaleidoscope of images flashed across the deputy's mind and he looked back at the tall marshal. He seemed to see him through a hazy wisp of memories-Matt talking, Matt laughing, Matt at a barn dance, Matt facing down an angry mob...Festus dropped his gun just as Doc and Kitty came out of the Longbranch. He reeled in the saddle and the marshal spurred his horse and caught his friend's arm. Festus held onto him, blinking painfully. "Matthew..."
Kitty started forward and Doc pulled her back, shaking his head. The marshal's throat was tight, but he managed to say, "Do you remember me, Festus?"
The deputy looked up. "I remember some, Matthew." He slowly moved to dismount and Matt swung down and helped him off his mule. Festus nodded his thanks, then bent for the marshal's gunbelt and handed it to him, smiling his old sweet smile. "Seems like I been away a while." Doc and Kitty came up now and the old man got the deputy's gun.
Matt smiled back. "Well, you're home now."