Matt and the posse decided to leave the cabin and work their way back to Dodge in search of the remaining two outlaws. One of the men that helped gather saplings noticed the track of two horses that followed the stream and the seemed fairly fresh, so that was the route they decided to take. Matt knew that the trail eventually hooked up with one of the roads that lead into town, now he wondered just what the two were up to. The falling snow was making it harder to track, although for the most part it was melting after a few seconds of contact with the earth near the open water.
Newly, Festus, and Jonas were ready to move Doc out to the wagon. Jonas used his military training and fashioned a simple stretcher from two saplings and one of the wool blankets. It would be a matter of moving the doctor from the table to the stretcher that was likely going to be the most painful for Doc.
Each man knew what to do after Newly instructed them on how to move and support the unconscious man from the table to the impromptu stretcher. "Alright, on the count of three we lift and move," Newly said as he looked from Jonas to Festus and back again – both men nodded.
Newly drew a breath, "Okay, one, two, three," he said with that the three men gently lifted Doc easily off the table and down gently to the stretcher on the floor. Newly wiped the sweat from his brow as he was nervous that something would happen, but it seemed all right. He covered Doc with another blanket, "Let's get him into the wagon and home," the young deputy said as he lifted one end of the stretcher while Festus took the other. Jonas guided the men to the door, opened it and watched them gently load Doc in the back and cover him.
Jonas' job now was to make sure the fire was out before they left. He quickly walked to the hearth and shuffled the ambers around before he poured some water on them...they hiss as they died. With a quick look around, Jonas spotted the whiskey bottle and grabbed it, knowing Doc will need it. He walked quickly to the wagon just as Newly and Festus got the doctor bedded down and snugged in. he pushed the door shut, "Where do you want me to be, Newly?" he asked.
"You drive your wagon, I'll be in the back with Doc to monitor him," Newly stated. Jonas nodded and climbed up onto the snow covered wagon, brushed the seat and took the reins before he sat down. He watched over his shoulder as Newly took his place under the canvas cover that they'd made. "Let's go, Mister Jonas," Newly stated.
Festus led the way, and Jonas flicked the reins – the wagon lurched slightly, but then things seem to even out.
The snow was falling harder now.
Sloane stood at the front doors of the saloon, which were still closed. He grabbed the latch and pulled the main door open as he stepped through into the establishment. Winslow waited outside. He knew what Sloane had on his mind.
Sam looked up from the bar where he was finishing with some glasses, "We're not open yet," he said in a friendly but firm voice.
Sloane stood in the doorway, "You might not be open to the town folks, but you'll be open for me," he said as he strolled to the bar.
"Now look mister, we don't offer any alcohol before or after out hours of operation," Sam said firmly. "You'll have to find yourself another place to drink if that's what you need," Noonan stated.
"What I need is a drink from you. Now," Sloane pulled his gun aiming it at Sam.
Sam's eyes narrowed, "Take this and get out of here," he said as grabbed and slid a half bottle of whiskey across the bar toward the gunman. "That should get you through until we open," he held himself calm.
Oh gee, thanks. Now where's that redhead I saw?" Sloane sneered. "I hate drinking alone."
Sam was getting madder by the minute, "I said leave. You got your bottle," he snapped.
"And I said where's the lady," Sloane rolled the hammer back on his gun.
Sam shook his head, "You won't get away with this," he growled.
"Ha!" Sloane laughed and fired a shot just wide of the barkeep. Sam flinched but kept his eyes on the gunman. "The next one goes though you," Sloane warned.
Sam straightened and moved slightly closer to the bar where he could grab the shot gun.
By now, Kitty was peeking out of the door of the room that she was getting ready for Doc's arrive. She didn't recognize the man that was waving a gun in Sam's face. Her mind raced as she tried to figure a way to help Sam. She remembered the gun she kept in her room, but that meant walking along the open landing. Kitty frowned and decided that if she was fast enough she'd make it.
"I'm asking you one more time, barkeep. Where's the redhead?" Sloane shouted, and this time creased Sam's shoulder causing to duck down behind the bar.
Kitty saw that as her best opportunity; as quietly as she could he moved along the landing to her room undetected by Sloane. Sam saw her move and figured she went to her gun. Noonan grabbed the shotgun and popped up behind the bar, "Leave!" he pulled the two hammers back.
Sloane smiled sarcastically, "Alright, you win this one, but mark my words, I'll be back. I'll have me that woman, over your dead body," he hissed and took the bottle. He spat on the floor before he left.
Kitty now had her gun and watched carefully from the balcony. Sloane backed out of the saloon and disappeared.
Kitty held the gun on the door as she moved along the balcony, "Sam?" she quickly moved down the stairs.
"I'll be all right, Miss Kitty," Sam stated as he eased the hammers off and place the gun on the top of the bar. He looked down at the blooded stained sleeve realizing how close the situation was. By now, Kitty was on the main floor and a few towns folk had entered the saloon wondering what the problem was.
"Come and sit down, Sam," Kitty guided Noonan to her table at the back. She pulled his sleeve open and placed a clean cloth over the bullet graze, "Hold that in place," she said as he looked at the small crowd, "There's nothing to see here. And I'm not open yet," she shooed them out the door, all but Louie Pheeters. He stood watching, "Miss Kitty, that man that left here shoved me to the ground without a thought. He's mean. Real mean," he stated.
"I know," Kitty tried to smile. "I may need your help today, Louie," she stated as she gathered more cloth and what ever near empty bottle of whiskey was available.
Louie nodded, "You know I can do it," he smiled as he stepped further into the saloon.
"I know you can," Kitty smiled as he went back to Sam. "Could you finish with the glasses behind the bar," she asked. Louie nodded and went straight to work.
Down the street and in an alley, Sloane pulled the cork from the bottle and took a swig, "I can't believe that barkeep got me. I should have had him," he growled. "I'm going to have that woman," he sneered and took another mouth full. His eyes were locked on to the street – he was focusing on how to get into the saloon and how to get to the redhead. It was then that Matt and the posse rode by. Sloane's teeth clenched together, "God damn that marshal. He's back with that posse," he growled.
"Maybe we should just move on," Winslow suggested.
"I'm not going anywhere without that dame," Sloane stated with another big gulp. "I'll figure away to get her. You just wait," he laughed.