Chapter 8

So… halfway through this chapter I realized I named a character Harrison and Ford… it hit me like a ton of bricks… I swear on everything that's precious and holy, I did NOT do that on purpose. I just liked the names and they were popular at the time (1800s) lol - sooooo… fun fact of the day!

Everyone was asleep when Matt, Festus, Newly, Mitch, and his boys made it to the tree line. Mitch motioned for half his boys to ride over to the other side to keep an eye on the horses. Matt watched Mitch as he took over the situation. He was impressed, "You act like you've down this before."

Mitch smiled, "All in a good day's work, Marshal." He whispered.

"Honest day's work?" Matt questioned knowingly.

Mitch winked. He stood from the crouched position, "Marshal, I'm going to head around the other way, near the tent. Festus and Newly can have you back, I'll have your front, and my boys with take our blindsides. You'll be able to walk right in the middle of their camp and be completely covered."

Matt turned to Festus and Newly. They both shrugged their shoulders, "Sounds like a plan to me." Newly whispered.

Matt nodded, "Okay." Mitch went to leave. Matt grabbed him by the arm, "If you're setting em up…"

"You still don't trust me after all of this, Marshal?" Mitch clicked his teeth, "You're more stubborn than I thought." He smiled. Matt released his arm and watched him make his way through the wooded area. When he saw Mitch had made it to the back of the tent, Matt stood. He turned to Festus and Newly, "Here goes nothing."

"We're here, Matthew." Festus reassured him.

Matt sighed and walked out into the middle of the camp. He looked to Mitch. Mitch motioned the other half of his boys to make their way to the closest sleeping cowboy they could find. Matt waited for all to be covered before he yelled out for Ford. Mitch nodded to Matt. With that, Matt called out, "Ford! US Marshal."

All the sleeping cowboys opened their eyes to see pistols and shotguns pointed at their faces. Matt ordered each to hand over their firearms and for Mitch's boys to take them. Ford stood at the opening of his tent… he looked around, "Marshal Matthew Dillon. You're some sight for sore eyes." He shook his head, "My cousin didn't give you this much credit." He chuckled, "Said you'd be an easy match."

"Give it up, Ford." Matt demanded, "Harrison is going to hang and you all are going to jail."

Ford stepped out and looked around at his sad group of cowboys, "You all failed Paul Harrison... miserably." He turned to Matt, "I'm not going back to jail, Matt."

"You're coming with me, Ford." Matt reminded.

"Over my dead body." Ford pulled his gun, blazing Matt across the arm… Matt's bullet hitting him square in the heart. Ford's body hit the ground with a thump. Mitch watch Matt re-holstered his gun and a slight sadness filling his eyes as he held his arm.

Matt turned to Festus and Newly as they ran out of the bushes, "Make sure these boys are all tied up and make it back to Dodge."

"Sure thing, Matthew." Festus answered, "You okay?"

Matt nodded, "I'm going to go see Doc." Newly nodded. Matt climbed on Buck and turned toward home.

Mitch stepped out to help round up everyone. That happened way quicker than he thought and way smoother. He was bankin' on some fun. He shrugged his shoulders. He walked over to Festus, who was loading a cowboy up on a horse to take back to the jail, and noted, "Well, that was easy."

Festus looked over his shoulder but continued looping the rope around the saddle horn, "Don't always go so smooth, you know. Matthew isn't always so lucky."

Mitch looked around, "Well, at least he got the horses back." He pointed at Ford's body that was laid across a horse's back, "And he killed him an outlaw, horse thief." Mitch grinned.

Festus turned around to face him, "He killed an old friend." Mitch turned to look Festus in the eye but didn't say anything. Festus turned to Newly, "Lets get these boys to the jail and we'll come back for Mr. Lowe's horses."

Mitch stood in silence for a moment. He blamed Katie for making him an honest man. He sighed, "My boys and I can take these horses back." Festus turned to Mitch, "I mean, it's only about two miles, right?"

Festus looked at Newly. Newly nodded, "It would save us a trip, Festus."

Festus thought for a moment, "How do I know you aren't going to steal the horses yourself?"

Mitch rolled his eyes, "Jeez, this town. What does a man have to…?" He paused, "How about my sidekick, Riley, goes with your man, and you go with me and my boys?" Festus pondered for a second. Mitch cleared his throat, "You got a mile into Dodge and two to the farm." He pointed at the tied-up cowboys attached to their horses, "I think Newly and Riley will be okay."

Festus nodded, "If you try anything, mister…"

Mitch held his hand up, "I'll shoot my own foot." Festus eyed him for a moment. Mitch smiled, "Deal?" He reached his hand out, "Hell, I'll even buy ya a drink at The Long Branch tonight."

Festus looked at his hand. He wiped his forehead, "Well, now that you mentioned it… a cool beer sounds pretty good." Mitch chuckled as Festus shook his hand. Everyone climbed up on their horses.

Mitch sent five of his boys back to his own herd of horses, while the other five stayed and helped divvy out the Lowe yearlings. Newly and Riley both ponied the Harrison Gang back to Dodge as Festus and Mitch headed over the hill.

Matt made it back to Dodge in one piece. His shoulder was killing him. He dropped Buck off at the jail and walked across the street to Doc's office. He knocked on the door.

"Come in." Doc called out from his desk.

Matt walked in, "Can you patch me up real quick, Doc?"

Doc looked up, "Oh, Matt." He grabbed his arm and helped him to the table, "What on earth?"

Matt removed his vest and shirt to let Doc do his usual, "Got Harrison's group…"

Doc grunted, "I see they got you as well…" Matt didn't say anything. Doc looked around to see Matt's face, "You okay?"

Matt looked up, not noticing he zoned out. He looked at his arm, "Oh, Doc, this is nothing."

Doc taped his arm, "I'm not talking about this, Matt."

Matt dropped his head, "Ford drew first."

Doc laid his suture material down, "I figured." Doc pulled his chair up as Matt pulled his shirt back on. He removed his glasses, "I know that was hard, Matt… but you can't change them all."

Matt nodded, "I know, Doc. He buttoned his shirt, "He was raised the same way. Learned under Kimbro … just like me..."

"But he turned, Matt." Doc reminded him, "He had no interest in or respect for the law." He stood and walked over to his desk, "You've told me that yourself."

Matt put his vest back on and changed the subject, "How's Kitty?"

Doc handed him a glass of water, "She's fine. Still sleeping, but she'll live." He smiled.

"Well, good." Matt smiled and drank his water, "Maybe I should go take a bath before this party tonight."

"You going?" Doc asked with a mischievous grin, "You have such a tarnished record… why try to polish it now."

Matt cut his eyes. He stood and headed to the door, "Thanks, Doc." He opened the door, "You may want to get some sleep before tonight."

"Why?" Doc furrowed his brow.

"It's coming of age party… you don't want to be showing yours." Matt smiled.

"Oh, get out of here!" Doc waved him away as Matt chuckled and shut the door.

TBC