The snow was coming down harder now, and the wind was pushing hard. Patty O'Shea pulled the old buckboard to a stop and hoped down. The sapling that the trio used to support the back left side needed readjusting, "It twould be a good thing if we found another wheel," his Irish accent slight. "We're lucky there's snow," he added.

"What do you want us to do? Make one?" Jackson Morrison asked from his horse.

"Well, you could be givin' me a wee hand here," O'Shea growled as he struggled with the ropes.

Morrison motioned to Marcus Kirkland to give the Irishman a hand to get the adjustments made. "We can't be too far out of Dodge," Morrison said as he held his right hand up to shield his eyes from the snow. All three men looked like Yeti's with their buffalo hide coats covered in snow.

"Maybe we'll pass a farm on the way there," Kirkland offered.

"Yeah, we might," Morrison grunted. "I think we'll steer clear of that. The last thing I want it to have that marshal from Dodge breathing down our necks. I'm sure he's already heard of us," he stated.

"He just needs to know the truth," Kirkland quipped.

"Will ya shut your gob and help," O'Shea snapped. "It twasn't me fault that the lady died," he then stated. "She's the one that was doin' the dancing," he stopped as he tried to remember the drunken night back in Ness City. "Damn shame," he said as he went back to work. "She was a pretty little ting," he nodded.

"That ain't the only reason the law isn't taking us kindly," Morrison stated. "Don't forget about a few missing head of cattle from Murdoch's place. He made enough of a stinks all of Kansas has heard about it now."

"No one can prove we did that," Kirkland stated as he lifted the back of the wagon enough that O'Shea could move the sapling and retie the rope.

"If someone starts asking the Indians where they got those hides from, they might," Morrison pointed out.

"We needed the meat, and they wanted the hides," Kirkland countered. "Seems to me that worked out just fine. No one should have more than they need. I don't see why we couldn't have a few of them cattle. He has enough and then some for himself," he released the back of the wagon and walked back to his horse and swung himself up onto the saddle.

"I know that, but if the Indians deny too much, then the law will be looking for who did it. And frankly I don't want my neck in a noose," Morrison stated.

"If we stick to our story, no one's neck will be in a noose," Kirkland smiled. "Remember we cut the brand off. No one will know those were Murdoch's cattle," he added.

Completely out of the blue the Irishman spoke, "May the Lord be shinin' a light upon us and give us a wheel," Patty smiled as he finished with the rope and climbed back up to the seat of the buckboard. With a clip from the reins, the buffalo hunters were on the move again.

Festus and Doc had to slow their pace with the snow falling harder, "I don't know, Festus," Doc stated. "Maybe we should turn back," the then said.

"It's six of one and half dozen of another, Doc. We appear to be right smack dab in the middle," the hill man noted. "We have ta keep moving," he stated firmly.

Doc said nothing for a few minutes until the buggy slid a little sideways, causing him to grab the side rail that supports the roof. He glanced over to the deputy, "It's getting dangerous."

"We should be back in Dodge in an hour. I recon we have about that much daylight left," Haggen spoke calmly as he tried to control the horse. Popcorn wasn't enjoying the weather at all and began to fight Festus' commands. The horse naturally wanted to seek shelter. "Your horse is a stubborn as you, Doc," Festus quipped garnishing a cold glare from the doctor. Festus slowly smiled ad Doc crossed his arms across his chest, "Next time I'm going on my own," he growled, which caused Festus to smile even more.

The two men travelled along for another few minutes, when suddenly Popcorn took an instant dislike to the weather and began to charge. Festus pulled hard to try and slow the animal down, but the horse had no intentions of stopping. Both men held tight t the buggy and eyes were wide as suddenly the horse went one direction and the buggy in another.

Festus did his best to hold onto the reins as he was dragged through the mounting snow – he finally let go of the leather as his bare hands cramped from the icy snow.

The hill man got to his feet and looked around. Through the swirling snow he could see the over turned buggy. The hill man followed his own path back to the rig, "Doc?" he asked as the physician groaned as he sat up.

"You okay, Doc?" Festus asked as he crouched down to be with his friend.

Doc didn't say much at first as he rolled over in the snow, within the buggy that was now on its side, "Where's the horse?" he asked holding his side.

Festus knelt down, "He got way, Doc. I tried holding on," the hill man stated.

Doc groaned more audibly, "My side hurts," he stated as he held his ribs with his arm.

"I be it does," Festus fussed. "Come on," he sighed as he pulled Doc to his feet. "We need to find cover in the woods. Hopefully it will shelter us until the snow storm lightens," he stated as he picked up the shot gun and blankets that were strewn about in the snow. Doc didn't put up an argument, which was an indication to Festus that something was wrong.

Festus helped the doctor through the deepening snow until they found a little clearing, "Easy now Doc," the hill man said as he assisted Doc to a nearby stump. He then placed a blanket over the doctor's shoulders – at least the wind wasn't as bad. Doc pulled the blanket closed around him as he watched Festus kick at the snow. "What are you planning on doing?" he finally asked.

Festus stopped, "I'm planning to make a fire," he looked at the doctor. "First I need to clear a spot. And then I need to find some wood," he added.

Doc drew a breath, "A fire would be good, Festus," he tried to smile. Festus nodded and handed the shot gun to the doctor. "I'll have to find some wood before we get that fire."

"Festus," Doc looked at the deputy.

"Doc?"

"You better come back here," Doc tried to hide his concern of the situation.

"You betcha, Doc. And then I'll rig up a lean-to to keep us warm until morning," Festus smiled before he dashed off.

Doc sighed as he looked down at the shot gun. "Thanks, Festus."