Wilbur Jonas pulled the nightshirt tighter around his neck. The garment offered little warmth. The store owner had managed to block part of the opening that Doc had made with a piece of the paneling, but it still wasn't enough to block the cold night breeze.
Jonas' eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he could see that Matt has now slumped sideways. He hoped Doc and the others would come back soon, as he knew the marshal was loosing blood and there was little more he could do for the man.
On the other hand, there was little he could do for Miss Kitty as well. He attempted to make her comfortable and warm, but that was all he could do – not knowing the full extent of her injuries.
Jonas himself was no feeling the full affects of the accident as he left knee hurt, as did the other bumps and bruises he sustained. He sighed and decided to try and get some sleep. He moved to the area across from where he was sitting and laid on his side, and curled up as tight as he could. He shivered from the cold, and perhaps shock – he didn't know which. Slowly he lowered his head on his arm and he eyes slid shut. He let out a long slow breath before he fell asleep.
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Newly was kneeling next to Doc, and patting him gently on the cheek trying to rouse the doctor, "Doc?" he said in a hushed voice. Festus and Sam hovered over the doctor and waited for him to wake up.
"Doc? Come on, open your eyes," Newly spoke and nudged the doctor. Doc groaned and his eyes slowly opened in a blur. He was startled at the sight of the three figures as he assumed they were the three troopers.
"Easy now, Doc," Festus' twang was thick and tired. "What happened?" the deputy asked.
Newly looked up at Festus, "Wait until he fully gains consciousness," he scolded the hill man as he carefully helped the doctor up to a sitting position. Doc held his aching jaw. "Easy now, Doc," Newly cautioned Doc as he tried to get his feet under himself.
Doc looked around his office and then over to the three men, "Where did they go?"
"Them troopers?" Festus asked.
"Yes," Doc answered curtly.
Newly made a face, "They ran off through the alley. We decided to check on you, rather than going after them," he stated.
"Well, thank you," Doc said as he rubbed his jaw. He was annoyed at the situation.
"Doc, I hate to rush you, but Matthew, Miss Kitty and Mr. Jonas are still needing your help," Festus said with hurt in his tone. He knew Doc was tired and concerned for the three individuals out at the accident site.
Doc nodded, "I know," he said wearily as he picked up his medical bag, coat and hat. "Let's get out there," he said slowly. "How's your head?" Doc asked Festus while looking at the hill man in the eyes.
"My head is fine," Festus grumbled. He was more concerned for the other three at the stagecoach than his own health.
Doc nodded, "I'll look you over later," he stated. He was equally concerned for the deputy but he could keep an eye on him, he couldn't at the moment with the others. He was anxious.
Newly gently rested his hand on the doctor's shoulder, "I'm sure they are all fine," he tried to smile and make the doctor feel better. He could see the distress the accident was causing the physician.
"Thanks, Newly," Doc winked at the young deputy.
Festus stopped Sam, "Could I ask you keep an eye out on town until we get back, Sam?"
Sam nodded, "Of course, Festus. Now go and take care of Miss Kitty, the marshal and Jonas," his craggy face wrinkled with a slight smile. "Thanks, Sam," Festus patted the barkeep in the shoulder before he turned on his heels and followed Doc and Newly down the stairs to the wagon that was parked in the alley.
The three men climbed up into the wagon. Festus took the reins and Doc sat next to him. Newly knelt down in the back, behind the others. It was going on four in the morning and the night air was at its coolest. Festus had the team of horses back out of the alley and turned down Front Street.
"The accident site is about three hours up old Grand Bend Trail Road," Doc pointed off into the darkness.
"That will get us there just about dawn," Newly spoke.
"Yeah, about dawn," Festus muttered. He wanted the horses to go faster, however, it was also much darker with the moon now gone from the night sky. Clouds were also creeping in which blocked the stars. Doc was thankful that the hill man's eyes could adapt to the darkness so easily – for he, himself strained he eyes into the night trying to see the road ahead.
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Frank Elcombe rode closely with James Doris who was doubled over in his saddle. Doris groaned with every canter. "Just a little while longer," Elcombe said as he pushed Doris back up into his saddle.
Dwight Hodgson was quite a bit ahead of his two friends. He finally stopped his horse, "Come on, will you?" he barked. "They won't be following us right now. That doctor has his hands full," Hodgson laughed maliciously.
"Jimmy Boy is in a lot of pain," Elcombe stated as the two troopers join their friend. "If you think we're not being followed, why not stop for a few hours and give him a chance to rest?" Elcombe asked.
Hodgson huffed, "Maybe we should have left him behind," he grumbled as he slowly stepped down from his saddle. He knew that they were all in the plan together and would stay that way. "Help me with him," Hodgson ordered and waited for Elcombe to dismount and help to get James Doris down from his horse.
Hodgson and Elcombe carefully walked Doris to a small clearing and sat him down against a large rock. Elcombe knelt down and took a quick look at this friend's side. The wound was bleeding again.
"We'll stay here for a few hours," Hodgson stated.
"He's bleeding again," Elcombe replied.
Hodgson didn't want to hear that news. He pursed his lips in thought. He said nothing and set to work getting a fire going. Maybe the warmth would make Doris feel slightly better – he didn't know.
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The sun had begun to peek up over the hills. Doc had fallen asleep against Festus' shoulder. The hill man didn't mind. He knew that the doctor needed sleep and he'd be no help to anyone if he was fatigued himself.
The wagon rounded the bend and Festus could see the over turned stagecoach ahead. "Doc?" Festus said and nudged the doctor. Doc stirred and opened his eyes. He was almost embarrassed that he had fallen asleep against the deputy, "Why did you let me fall asleep?" he grumbled to hide his gratitude. Festus snorted, "'Cause you needed it," he looked at the doctor who ran his hand over his face to wake up.
Festus pulled the wagon to a stop and set the brake. There was no one in sight. Doc quickly scrambled down and approached the coach, "Matt? Kitty? Jonas?" he called out as he moved the piece of panelling away for the opening.
All three occupants were sleeping. Festus and newly stood waiting and watching as Doc entered the stagecoach. "Jonas?" he said to the store owner who stirred slightly.
Jonas' eyes slowly opened and he looked at the doctor, "Doc?" Jonas spoke quietly.
"Yeah, it's me," the doctor shuffled himself around to get a better look at the store owner, "How are you feeling?" he asked while lifting the bandana that covered the deep cut on Jonas' forehead. Doc shook his head knowing Jonas needed sutures to close the wound.
"I ache everywhere," Jonas stated as he slowly sat up and looked around at the wreckage.
"I bet you do," he patted his friend on the shoulder and the motioned for Festus and Newly to help get Jonas out to the wagon. Carefully Newly and Festus assisted a thankful Jonas to the wagon and wrapped him in some blankets. Jonas laid down again in the back of the rig.
Doc's attention then turned to Matt. Kitty stirred and looked over at Doc as he examined the marshal's chest wound. "How is he, Doc?" her voice seemed harsh.
Doc looked over to Kitty, "How are you?" he asked without answering Kitty's question.
"I hurt all over and it's hard for me to breath," she said holding her side.
Doc nodded, "I know. I had a look at you last night. You've got a few broken ribs," he stated. Kitty tried to smile and then eyes looked over to Matt. "How is he?"
Doc paused and then sighed. "He's not good, Kitty. He's lost a lot of blood," the doctor's voice trailed off.