Matt made his way along the bank of the stream. He figured the wet sand and rocks would make less noise than thrashing through the brush. There was just enough of the moon light left that made his navigation fairly easy.

Matt paused and looked around as he stood now knee-deep in water. The smell of smoke was now much thicker in the air. He was almost close enough to the camp to make out individual voices. Carefully the marshal lifted his left foot and stepped up onto the edge of the stream bed. Though the brush, he could now see the fire and a group of men.

Matt crouched down and tried to listen. Matt adjusted his position trying to get a better look when he heard the sound of the hammer of a gun being rolled back behind his ear, "Now what have we here?" White snarled. The outlaw motioned for Matt to stand.

Matt held his hands including the rifle. White snatched it out of his hand and threw it into the bushes, "You won't be needing that," White said as he reached forward to pull Matt ivory-handled pistol from his holster. Matt quickly swung his elbow into the man's face causing him to reel backward into the shrubs.

Matt regained his footing and grabbed for the rifle when White gabbed forward with his long knife which caught Matt across the left forearm. Matt grit his teeth in pain then kicked White in the ribs as the grizzled man tried to pull himself up from the shrubs. White grunted and continued to charge Matt.

Matt reached his rifle and with a mighty swing he caught White across the temple with the stock. White dropped the knife before he too dropped to his knees and rolled to his side into the shrubs.

Matt set the rifle down and pulled his bandana from his back trouser pocket and wrapped it tightly around his left forearm. He used his teeth to hold one end while tying it with his right hand.

Once he was satisfied that he had the bleeding under control, he examined the man who attacked him. He could clearly make out White's face in the darkness, but knew that the blow to his head killed him. Matt picked up his rifle just as another man from the camp called out, "White? What the hell is taking you so long?"

Matt stood still.

"White?" the outlaw called again. "Stop messing around, will ya?" he stepped away from the fire, "Crawford's gonna have your head," he warned.

Matt heard murmured voices as likely those around the fire discussed the likely scenarios that White was in. Some of the men laughed out loud - likely as someone said something crude. The marshal pursed his lips in thought and decided that he had better move from the spot. Carefully he moved back to the water's edge and walked back into the stream. His only hope was to get back to his camp before the others set out in search of White.

Matt moved down stream and as he got further from the camp, he moved slightly faster. The faster he moved the more his heart beat and the more his arm throbbed.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kitty had finished washing the instruments from Doc's medical bag and had they layed out on a clean bar towel next to Newly on the table where Doc lay unconscious. Her eyes were filled with sadness and fear. Her attention turned to the front doors of the saloon as Festus and Sam stepped through with a few things in their arms, "Ol Doc's office it one terrible sight," Festus said as he carefully placed his arm load down on a near by table.

"We're not sure if what we got will help you Newly," Sam said as he placed his items down next to Festus' stack. "There is soot and ashes everywhere. Jonas id going to have his hands full fixing up his store too," Sam stated.

Kitty nodded, "We'll all work together to get Doc back in his office and Jonas in his store," she said as she turned to Newly who held the long metal bullet probe in his hands. "Hold him still, I don't think he's fully out and I don't want him moving around while I look for the bullet," the young deputy said as he prepared to insert the probe into the wound.

Festus and Sam took a hold of Doc by the shoulders and legs and watched as Newly gently guided the probe into Doc abdomen. The young deputy moved slowly and tried to picture in his head where the bullet might be located.

Newly shook his head as he looked at the probe, which was now at least four inches into Doc's side. Doc winced and groaned, "Hold him still, "Newly ordered. Festus and Sam took a tighter hold on the doctor. Kitty watched on and prayed.

Newly leaned forward and listened to Doc breath. The physician seemed to be doing well, at least so far. Newly's big concern is the loss of blood Doc has suffered, aside from the fact the bullet remained inside him somewhere. Newly swallowed and pushed the probe further. Again Doc winced and moaned and each time Kitty gasped.

Festus was holding Doc's shoulders, "You can do it Newly," he tried to encourage Newly to keep trying. "Ol' Doc might look like a little runt, but he's as strong as an ox," the hill man winked at Newly. Newly smiled back and nodded, "I know. But the bullet is so deep," he said and looked back down to the probe which was now almost in as far as it could go. "I think I found it!" Newly looked up at the small group.

"Go fer it, Newly," Festus smiled.

Quickly Newly picked up the bullet forceps and dipped them into the alcohol solution. Once he noted the depth of the probe, he removed the object and inserted the forceps to retrieve the bullet. Again Doc wriggled and then stopped suddenly. Kitty gasped.

Newly looked up at Festus and then to Kitty. Panic ran across the young deputy's face. There was nothing but silence in the room. Festus slowly released his hands from Doc's shoulders, "Doc?" the said as he looked down at the man on the table before him. "Doc?"

Festus looked up to Newly who stood staring down at the doctor.