Matt looked over to Jonas who was busy with the wood stove. He then looked back at the doctor, "I'll find Newly," he said knowing that Doc might need another pair of skilled hands.

Doc quickly looked up over his glasses, "Thanks, Matt," he returned his attention to the probe he held in his hands.

Matt quickly left the office and Jonas watched the marshal through the window near the stove. Matt took two stairs at a time, "He's going to break a leg one day," he muttered to himself.

Doc over heard him, "It would be my luck he'd break both or his neck," he grumbled. Jonas was embarrassed about his comment, "Oh, I didn't really mean that," he thumbed over his shoulder out the window.

"I know, but you are right," Doc stated. "If you have any hot water ready, could you please pour it into this tray," Doc pointed to the white enamelled tray on the little table next to where he was working.

"Certainly, Doc," Jonas used his apron to pick up the hot pot and carefully he poured the water.

"Thanks," Doc said. "Now over there on that dresser," Doc looked across the room as Jonas moved in the direction of his gaze, "is a set of instruments. Bring them over and put them in the tray, if you would," Doc looked back down at what he was doing with the probe.

Jonas reached the dresser and looked down at the chrome-plated tools of the doctor's trade. Jonas twisted his mouth as he carefully picked up the instruments and wondered what they were used for, as he quickly walked back to the tray and set the tools in the hot water. "Anything else, Doc?" he said as he tried not to look at the wound in the deputy's back. The sight made his stomach flip.

Doc shook his head, "Not for now. Thanks Jonas," he said as he continued to push the probe deeper into Festus' back. Doc bit at his lower lip as he concentrated on the angle of the bullet's entry.

Jonas went back to the stove and refilled the pot. Somehow, his store wasn't important to him at the moment - as sense of grief swept over him as he tried not to watch Doc labour over the deputy who lay completely motionless on the examination table.

Newly ran up the stairs and opened the door to the doctor's office, "Doc?" he looked at the doctor and then acknowledged Jonas' presence. Jonas had a look of worry and nervousness about him as he tried to busy himself with the stove.

Newly took several long calculated steps and stood next to Doc, "The marshal said it's real bad," he looked down at Festus.

"The marshal is right," Doc stated. He wanted to apologize for the way the words tumbled out of his mouth, but his mind was quickly onto other things when he felt the bullet, "I think I've found it," he said in a hushed voice, "Hand me the forceps," he looked over to Newly who already held the instrument in his hand. Doc grasped it with his blood-covered hand and quickly inserted the long tool into the opening of the wound. The larger end caused Festus to groan and stir slightly.

Doc slowed his movements and asked for Newly and Jonas to hold Festus still. Jonas took Festus' legs and held them tight while Newly moved around Doc to take Festus' shoulders, "Okay, Doc," Newly spoke calmly.

Doc nodded as he drew a deep breath and began to push the forceps into the wound. Again Festus flinched. Even in an unconscious state he was as strong as his mule and it surprised Jonas who almost let go of the deputy's legs. "Hold him tight, Jonas," Doc barked.

Never before had Wilbur Jonas witnessed such a sight - he tried not to watch, but was equally fascinated with what the doctor was doing - that was until a spurt of blood gushed out of the wound and covered Doc's arm. Doc ticked his head and continued on. Jonas felt his knees weakening so he quickly looked away and tried to think of something other than what he just saw.

Newly looked up at the store owner, "You all right, Mr. Jonas?"

Doc's eyes shifted to the store owner who merely nodded in acknowledgement of Newly's question. Doc looked up to Newly and shook his head - he was actually amazed that Jonas was still on his feet. Doc winked at the young deputy and then returned his work. Newly knew the wink was for him to keep an eye on Jonas - the last thing he needed was for the store owner to faint.

"I'm fine, Newly," Jonas stated, although his voice wavered slightly.

"Got it!" Doc exclaimed as he tightened his hold on the forceps and pull the lead slug out of the wound. Jonas turned and watched. Newly looked at the store owner and recognized the signs. He quickly let go of Festus' shoulders and stepped to Jonas' side as he wavered on his feet from the bloodied sight he starred at. Newly lowered Jonas into a chair near by, "Take some deep breaths," he told Jonas as he unbuttoned his shirt collar.

Jonas was white, "I've never seen anything like that..." he stammered.

"And by the looks of you, you'd better not see it again," Doc quipped as he placed the forceps with the bullet into the tray.

"How's he going to be Doc?' Jonas asked as he drew his sleeve across his brow.

Doc looked down at the deputy, "I think he'll be fine," he ticked his head, "but he has a long way to go yet," Doc added. Jonas sighed with relief.

Doc then looked over to Newly, "Two of the troopers that robbed the stagecoach are over in the jail. They both need attention. Would you take my bag over and see to them?" Doc asked.

Newly nodded, "Sure Doc," the young deputy said as he walked to Doc's desk and picked up the black leather medical bag. Jonas watched Newly from his chair as Newly began to leave the doctor's office, "I'm glad you didn't ask me!" he quipped to no one in particular, which caused both Doc and Newly to chuckle.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The mood inside the jail house was less happy cordial than at the doctor's office. Sergeant Cox stood facing the bars of the two cells which held two men from Fort Dodge. He wondered what Major Shayne was going to say. He further wondered what Shayne was going to say about sergeant Williams - Cox's mind was filled with mixed thoughts on what to say knowing that both Hodgson and Elcombe knew of William's intentions. Cox sighed.

Matt sat at his desk and finished up some paperwork. His head lifted as the door opened and Newly stepped into the law office. "How's Festus?"

Newly walked closer to Matt, "Doc says he thinks he'll be fine," the young deputy stated.

Matt stood, "Glad to hear that," he said.

Sergeant Cox moved out into the main office, "I'm equally glad to hear," he said.

"I'm here to look at your men," Newly stated and didn't mice words. Cox nodded, "I think you'll find Hodgson in the worse shape," he pointed to the end cell. Newly nodded and proceeded.

"This will be interesting, on how all this works out," Matt said as he stood next to the sergeant.

"Yes. Yes, it will," Cox stated as he watched Newly looking over trooper Hodgson.