Cox walked over to where two other troopers sat with Hodgson and Elcombe, "You two have a lot to answer for," he said with an unusual edge to his tone.

"Why don't you just leave us," Hodgson sneered as he held his bleeding side. Elcombe cowered in the corner with his arm dangling in an odd manner - likely the bone was shattered by the bullet.

Cox drew a calculated breath and released it, "I'm wearing the uniform of the United State army. I may only be a lowly sergeant, but I'm still proud of it. What I am not proud of, are you two and sergeant Williams. I intend to take you back to Dodge and then to the fort where you'll face charges yet to be determined," Cox said. The sergeant was about to add to his comment when trooper Kelly arrived, "Serge, sergeant Williams just died. I thought you better know," Kelly said.

"Thanks Kelly," Cox nodded. "Prepare to transport his body back to the fort," he added.

"Will do," trooper Kelly said as he turned and left just as trooper Dodds arrived at the lean-to, "We have that travois ready for the deputy," he said hastily.

"Good. Find Reynolds and Bale to watch over these two and get them on their horses. We don't have the luxury of waiting here tonight," Cox said as the rain continued to pour down as the lightening and thunder continued to roll across the night sky.

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Doc sat alone at the table in the Long Branch - the one where he had sat many times with his friends. However, there was no one tonight. Newly was busy doing Matt and Festus' job, while Kitty was still on the mend. He sighed and just about to leave when a tired looking Wilbur Jonas poked his nose through the door. The store keep smiled when he spotted the doctor.

Jonas made his way down the to the main floor of the saloon and over to Doc's table, "Doc?" he smiled.

"Jonas? I didn't expect to find you here at this time of night," Doc stated.

Jonas looked at Doc strangely, "It's only nine o'clock, Doc," he said as he pulled out a chair and lowered himself into it.

"Seems a lot later for some reason. Sorry," Doc said as he gently drummed the table top with his fingers.

"Maybe because it's so quiet," Jonas looked around the saloon.

"Could be," Doc looked over to the man who was sitting opposite him, "You don't often come here," he said.

"No," Jonas said with a slightly nervous laugh, "I don't," he looked around again.

Doc chuckled, "How was your day," Doc asked as he sat up in his chair and motioned to Sam for two drinks.

"Oh, business was good and steady," Jonas said. "I forgot how much time en energy goes into running that store," he quipped.

"I know what you mean," Doc said as Sam delivered the drinks and before Doc knew it, Jonas place the coins on Sam's tray. Doc paused and then thanked the store owner who just brushed it off as he settled in to enjoy his drink.

Doc toasted the merchant and sipped on his own beverage, "I'm sure things will pick up once Festus returns," Doc joked.

"Oh, now Doc," Jonas chuckled. "I know he can be a handful and you have to watch him, but he's one of Dodge's most loyal citizens," Jonas stated.

Doc ticked his head, "There's no doubt about that. I just wish he would learn to read," Doc smiled.

"Now that would make him down right dangerous," Jonas added having done business in the past with the hill man. "I almost lost my shirt over that advertising scheme he came up with a few years ago," Jonas grew red with embarrassment.

"He tries to look out for his friends, I'll give him that. But sometimes, he just goes too far," Doc stated.

"Well, it's a good thing we have Marshal Dillon to watch out for him. How is the marshal anyway?" Jonas asked with a smile under his white moustache.

Doc shrugged, "Ask him for your self, he's right over there," Doc pointed to the marshal who just stepped down into the saloon. His light blue eyes spotted Doc and Jonas and he made his way over to their table.

"I half expected to find Festus back by now," Matt said as he stood next to Jonas.

"Oh, knowing him, he's helped those two sergeants and sent them on their way and then decided to take his time getting back here by doing some late season fishing or hunting," Doc grumbled as he screwed his finger in his ear.

Jonas stood, "Well, I best get home," he said with a touch of nervousness about him.

"See you later, Jonas," Doc lifted the half filled glass and thanked the store owner again for the drink.

"You two seem to be hitting it off," matt smiled and lowered himself into a chair.

Doc chuckled, "He's all right once you understand him," he sipped on his drink.

"I suppose," Matt said as he narrowed his eyes, "Just when did Festus leave here?"

Doc had to think. Everything was a blur, "It was mid-day yesterday," Doc finally answered. "He left with two sergeants small a small group troopers.

Matt twisted his lips in thought, "I don't like it," he huffed. "The army has good trackers, they didn't need Festus," Matt added.

"There didn't seem much of a way to stop him," Doc stated. "Festus was determined to help bring in the three men that held up the stagecoach," Doc concluded as he finished his drink and stood, "I'm sure Festus will be back in town tomorrow wreaking havoc as usual," Doc snorted as he drew his hand across his greying moustache. "Good night, Matt," he said as he left the marshal sitting at the table shaking his head. Matt held a slight smile on his face, knowing Doc was likely right.

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The group was heading back to Dodge. The body of sergeant Williams was draped over his horse while troopers Hodgson and Elcombe rode their horse with two men each flanking them. The two wayward troopers also found themselves in iron shackles and given their injuries the complained of ill treatment before Cox told them to shut up. They did.

One of the other troopers led Ruth along the road with the travois and Festus behind. Other than the sound of the driving rain and thunder there wasn't another sound. Cox wanted to make sure they reached Dodge by morning and if by that time the deputy was still alive, he might have a chance of surviving his wounds.