Matt and Festus walked back to the jail house after they had discovered the tracks behind the building where Crawford and his men made their escape. Festus noticed the human foot prints and recognized Doc's boots. "They have him, Matthew," the hill man said as he stood up from the tracks and looked Matt in the eyes. He didn't like what he saw, and it was liked mirrored to what he was thinking himself.

Festus watched Matt walk way. The marshal's head hung low. Festus looked down at the tracks and decided that he would round up a few men to go after Crawford and his group. He'd been around Matt long enough that he knew that is exactly what Matt was thinking.

Twenty minutes had passed and Matt had finally organized enough men to set out a search party or posse, whichever term worked the best. He was thankful that Festus showed the initiative he did as Matt was slightly disappointed with himself allowing emotions to cloud his thoughts.

Sam Noonan was always a willing precipitant for a posse, but Matt asked him to say behind this time, "Sam, I'd feel a lot better if you could say and keep a watch on things in Dodge," Matt stated knowing he was placing the town in good hands. Noonan was a solid citizen and painfully loyal to Miss Kitty and the marshal.

"Certainly, Marshal," Sam smiled which caused his weathered face to crease.

Matt thanked the barkeep before he walked over to where Kitty remained seated with Wilbur Jonas.

"We're ready to go," Matt stated.

"I hope you find them, marshal, "Jonas' voice was still coarse but firm.

"I plan to do my best," Matt stated. "Kitty, I've asked Sam to keep an eye on things while we're gone. I hope you don't mind," Matt said.

Kitty shook her head no, "We'll all work together," Kitty said as she stood. "Matt. Find Doc," she said as her lower lip quivered and unshed tears built up in her blue eyes.

"I will," Matt forced a smile and then turned to his men, "Let's get going," he ordered as he pulled himself up into his saddle and spurred Buck. "Festus, you lead," he stated as the group of five men left town.

All eyes were watching the saddled men as they rode down Front Street. Wilbur Jonas, however, felt like all eyes where on him as he slowly stood and walked across Front Street to his store. He stood looking into the darkened chard storefront, "Saved, huh," he said with an overtone of discouragement. Jonas swallowed as he looked from the scene of the fire to the men on horse backs. He sighed, "I hope you get every last one of them, marshal," Jonas growled, "and not just for my sake, for what they have done to Doc and God knows who else," his jowls flexed in anger.

Jonas' intense blue eyes came back and stared at the building. He stood there for some time before Kitty stepped up beside him. "Let me buy you a drink," she smiled and looped her arm around Jonas' and pulled him way from the scene of the fire. He was almost numb now as the reality of the whole situation began to sink in. "Thank you, Miss Kitty," he smiled weakly.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Crawford raised his left hand in the air, "Let's take a break," he said as he pulled his horse to a stop. He rubbed his aching leg, "How far in there did you dig," he glared at Doc.

Doc said nothing at first then replied, "As far as it took to get the bullet out," he said back. He didn't care how Crawford took it. He turned away from the outlaw and looked around.

"Everyone get down and stretch for a few minutes. Give your mounts a few minutes," Crawford ordered as he slid down off his saddle. He limped over to the doctor, "You can be pretty smug when you want, can't you?" he sneered at Doc.

Doc looked Crawford in the eyes and said nothing. He drew his right hand across his moustache instead. His crystal blue eyes glared at the man who stood before him.

"Remind me why we brought him?" Crawford yelled at his men.

"He said you were in rough shape, so I thought we could use him to get you better," Talbot stated.

"Do I look like I'm in rough shape?" Crawford limped over to his right-hand man. Talbot shrugged and then shook his head no, "I guess not."

"Are you a doctor?" Crawford asked Talbot?"

"No."

"Then how is it you took it upon yourself to figure that I was in such bad shape and that we needed him?" Crawford pointed at Doc. Doc watched the conversation with intense interest.

Again Talbot shrugged, "So if you don't want him, leave him here. It's no sweat off my back what happens to old pill-pusher."

Crawford straightened his back and slowly looked over in Doc direction. He paused in thought. Doc didn't like the look in Crawford's eyes. As Crawford stepped forward, Doc took a step back, "I think you'd better think through whatever it is you are planning on doing," Doc warned.

Crawford said nothing yet he kept advancing. Doc was now about ten feet way from the horse he was riding - and bad decision he thought in hindsight. Doc swallowed as he watched Crawford slowly pull his gun from his holster. Doc's eyes widened and he decided to make a run for it, any think was better then being shot dead without some sort of fight.

Doc bolted toward a grove of trees, but Crawford's aim was good. He pulled the trigger and Doc dropped just short of the trees. He didn't move.

The rest of Crawford's men all nodded. Ben Preston pulled the doctor's medical bag from the horse and threw it to the ground. The sterile instruments scattered into the dirt.

"All right, let's ride," Crawford said as he limped back to his horse.

"How do you know he's dead?" White asked.

"Who cares? If he's still alive, he won't last long out here," Crawford pulled himself up onto his saddle. "Let's get a move on," he ordered. The group rode off down the road and the only thing following them was the dust their horses kicked up.