Pneumonia was often a deadly illness in the 19th century. Sir William Osler, considered by many to be the father of modern medicine, described pneumonia in the late 1800s as "the most fatal of all acute diseases."

Doc watch Louie shuffle out the door to go get Matt as he reached into the pocket of his coat and retrieved his pocket watch. Taking the time to examine his friend, he lifted each of Festus eyelids and sighed when he seen both pupils were fixed.

Taking a seat on the cot beside Festus, he placed two fingers inside his wrist and then counted the number of beats along with watching the second hand on the watch.

Snapping the watch shut he put it back into his pocket and then ran a hand over his mustache. 'Too fast,' Doc thought to himself as he sighed. He was helpless at the moment to do anything for the hill man and he knew it.

(Long Branch)

Matt nodded in Kitty's direction as he walked into the Saloon and she smiled broadly which immediately melted his heart.

"Evening," he said returning the smile.

"Good evening cowboy," she said handing him a cup of fresh coffee. "Everything quite?"

Matt sipped the strong black coffee before he replied. "Sure is, too quite. Where is everyone?"

"I think this cold weather's gotten to everyone," Kitty said. "Doc came in a couple of hours ago and then headed off to bed."

Matt nodded. "I figured he'd be tired when he got back. But I haven't even seen Festus all day."

"Well to be honest Matt," Kitty said concerned. "I thought Festus looked a little sick."

"Marshal!" Louie yelled banging on the door of the jail. "Marshal!"

Matt heard the commotion outside the Long Branch and with a sigh he placed his cup on the bar and headed for the double doors as Louie busted inside.

"Well Louie," Matt said taking the man's arm. "What's all the hollering for don't you know it's the middle of the night."

"Sorry Marshal," Louie said out of breath. "But I had to find you for Doc!"

"What's wrong with Doc?" Matt asked looking toward Kitty.

"Nothing Marshal," Louie said pointing toward the stable. "It's Festus who's sick!"

"Sick?" Kitty said joining the conversation. "What's wrong with him?"

"Doc said he had mumonia, neumonia, something like that," Louie replied jumbled.

"Pneumonia?" Kitty gasped. "Oh Matt, I told Doc he was sick!"

Matt nodded as he turned back toward Louie. "Go wake up Newly over at the blacksmiths, Doc may need his help as well."

Louie nodded and turned to leave as Matt took Kitty's hand. "Lock up and we'll head on over to the stable and see if we can help!"

Kitty nodded and quickly retrieved the keys to the Saloon. "I sure hope Festus is going to be alright Matt."

"So do I Kitty," Matt replied while thinking of Doc as well.

(Stable)

Doc took note of the shallow breaths Festus was expelling at an alarmingly slow rate combined with the watery gurgle emanating from his chest. His lungs were filling with fluid and the doctor in him knew there was little that could be done.

"Doc," Matt said from the door way of the tack-room. "How is he?"

"Not good Matt," Doc said slowly rising and looking in Kitty's direction. "He's got pneumonia, a high fever and..."

"And what Doc?" Kitty pressed after the medical man paused. "What are you not wanting to say?"

"He's comatose Kitty, his lungs are already filled with fluid," Doc replied sullenly. "In every situation I've encountered so far with a case of pneumonia this bad, there isn't much that can be done, the patient usually dies within a matter of hours."