Matt reread the message that he was about to send to Newly in Dodge. He was satisfied that it got the point across clearly; he handed it to the telegraph operator, "Send this now, please. It's urgent," he added as he pulled some money from his vest pocket to pay for the telegram.
The clerk went straight to work, pounding on the key with speed and accuracy, "Do you want a reply?" he quickly asked.
Matt shook his head no, "I hope to be back in Dodge before midnight," he stated before he left the telegraph office. The marshal quickly strolled up the street to the livery stable, where Cecil was in the process of cleaning several empty stalls, while feeling the horses that remained in the building.
Matt walked through the door, over to his horse. The marshal picked up his saddle and flung it over Buck's back, "Thanks for feeding my horse," he spoke across the room.
Cecil acknowledged with a wave of his right hand, "I gave him plenty of oats and water. He should be ready to go," he stated. Matt nodded as he adjusted the flak cinch of the saddle. He then pulled the fender and stirrup down into place, before he took hold of the reins and led the large buckskin out of the stall. Once out on the street, Matt grabbed the saddle horn and pulled himself up on the horse and began his long ride back to Dodge; at least this time, he was leaving at a relatively early hour and the sun seemed to be a little warmer. But first he had to stop in to see the sheriff, as a matter of common courteously, before he left town. Confident that the telegram had reached Dodge, it was imperative to get back to town as soon as possible.
Barney frantically copied out the message as it was being received. He then notified the sending station that the message had been received as per policy. He folded the piece of paper and tucked it into his shirt pocket before he picked up his coat to search for the young deputy; he'd start with the jail house.
The telegraph operator opened the door into the little jail house, but there was no one in sight. The turned and looked out onto the street and wonder if Newly, being a part time doctor, was helping Doc with Festus. The word around town was that the hill man was in really serious condition. Barney headed to the doctor's office, hoping to fine the young deputy there.
Danches climbed the stairs and knocked gently on the door. Doc told whom ever it was to enter. Barney stepped into the doctor's office, "Doc?"
"What is it Barney?" the doctor asked as looked up from his desk and noticed the look on the telegraph operator's face.
"I'm looking for Newly. Have you seen him? It's important," Danches stated.
Doc ran his hand across his chin, "He was here about a half hour ago, or so," he stated as he stood.
"I'll look over at the Long Branch," Barney then said. "How's Festus, by the way?" he had to ask as he looked at the prone hill man.
"He's a tough old bird. He'll be fine in a few weeks," Doc mused, slightly. "I don't know how he does it," he ticked his head.
"Well, that's good news," Barney said as he then hurried to the door, "Talk to you later, Doc," he said as he left.
Newly was in fact at the Long Branch Saloon, enjoying a morning cup of coffee with Kitty, "I'll be glad when the marshal's back in town," the young deputy lamented.
"So will I. I wasn't keen on him riding all the way to Hays in this weather," Kitty exclaimed as she sipped on her coffee. The saloon owner looked up at the front doors as Barney stepped through and into the establishment.
"Newly!" the telegraph operator said as he rushed to the table as he pulled the telegraph from his pocket and handed it to O'Brien.
Newly placed his coffee cup down and quickly unfolded the message. Slowly the young deputy looked up at Kitty, "I hope the marshal's back even sooner," he sighed. Kitty looked from Newly to Barney and back again, "What is it, Newly?" she asked.
"According to this, those buffalo hunters are planning on robbing the bank," Newly said flatly.
"Why can't you just throw the lot in jail?" Kitty growled as she watched the telegraph operator leave the saloon.
"Wouldn't I like to," Newly fussed with the telegram, "But they haven't done anything wrong, except rough up Mr. Jonas," the deputy stated.
"Well, we all know where Jonas stands on that," Kitty lamented as she crosser her arms on the table and frowned. "Unfortunately, I can't blame him," she sighed.
"Well, I could try talking to him again," Newly shrugged.
"Good luck with that," Kitty snorted. "Jonas has stated several times now that he wants nothing to do with those hunters."
Newly nodded, "Well, this might persuade him to change his mind," the young deputy flashed the piece of paper in his hand as he got to his feet. Kitty's eyebrows lifted as if to reiterate her good luck comment; Newly looked perplexed by the whole situation. "Why don't you ask Doc, first? Maybe he can talk Jonas into charging them," she then offered.
Newly nodded, "I like that idea better, than me asking Mr. Jonas," O'Brien smiled and left the saloon. The young deputy crossed the alley and immediately climbed the stairs to talk to the doctor. He knew that Doc and Jonas had grown closer in friendship over the years, so maybe a voice of reason from someone near his own age would sway the store owner's thinking on the buffalo hunters, at least long enough for the marshal to get back before anything happened.
O'Brien rapped lightly on the door before he opened it, and much to delight, Festus was finally conscious, "Doc. Festus," he acknowledged as he entered the doctor's office.
Festus didn't say anything, he merely waved, slightly.
"Now you rest, again," Doc spoke softly to the hill man. Festus nodded and closed his eyes again. The doctor shifted his attention to the young deputy, "Newly?"
Without hardly a breath in between, Newly launched into what he came to see the doctor about, "Doc, I got this telegram for the marshal just a few minutes ago. He's on his way back as quickly as he came, but I think we need to pressure Mr. Jonas into laying charges before something serious happened," he stated as he handed the doctor slip of paper.
Doc took the message and read it. He didn't look at Newly for a few minutes and when he did he handed the paper back to the young deputy, "I'll see what I can do, but you have to see this from Jonas' side of things," he warned as he gathered his coat.
"Of course, Doc, but he's the only one that can really put a stop to this right now," Newly stated.
Doc ticked his head and pulled on his coat, "Let's go and see," he said as he quickly glance back at the sleeping deputy before he opened the office door. Newly was close behind.