Wilbur Jonas smiled to himself as he left the post office. He felt that what he had just done was the best thing, at least for Doctor Adams at this juncture in the man's life. With a drawn breath through his nose, Jonas practically marched across the street and stood before his store; he had to face reality sometime. The sight did sadden him as he crossed his arms across his chest and looked at the blackened hull that was once the front of his general store.

With a slight huff, Jonas lowered his arms and walked over to the storefront and kick off a burnt piece of wood. Then pried another piece from around the door. He examined the chard wood to see if anything could be salvaged and if not, he tossed it aside.

As Jonas worked away, Louie Pheeters stepped up next to the store owner, "Can I give you a hand?"

Jonas turned and looked at Louie. He almost said no, but then smiled, "Thanks Louie. That would be very kind of you," Jonas smiled. "I'll even buy you a beer or two," he smiled as Louie smiled back, "You don't have to buy me any beer," the older man said as he tucked into the work.

Jonas looked over his shoulder and smiled, "Thanks, Louie," he turned back to the work of rebuilding his store.

Louie looked over to Jonas who was struggling with a piece of lumber. The older man left what he was doing and helped Jonas and the board came free. Jonas looked down at the piece of wood and then up into the always-caring eyes of the town drunk. "I hope you stay," Louie said.

Jonas stood speechless. He looked at the chard wood in his hands, then at Louie before he looked back at the building. A lump formed in his throat. It seemed weird to him that the town's folk of Dodge gave him any sympathy or show of concern. Jonas smiled, "I think I will."

Louie smiled back, "I like your honesty," he said to Jonas.

Jonas half laughed, "I'm glad you do. Most don't like what I have to say half the time," he mused.

"Most don't know what they're talking about and sometimes people do like to hear the truth," Louie said as he pulled a piece of wood free into his work.

Jonas thought for a moment and then smiled, "Well, there have been times I may have over stepped my boundaries. I just want what's best for the town,' Jonas stated. However, Louie's words meant more than what Louie ever thought they might have to the store owner.

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Matt knelt down next to Festus and Halligan. Halligan held his hands on Festus' upper left chest near is shoulder, "He's bleeding bad," Halligan said as he looked up at the marshal. Matt moved Halligan's hands away from Festus' wound and he grit his teeth.

Festus moaned, "I hope you got him Matthew. Ol' Doc will be happy," he said in a hushed voice as he grit his teeth together trying to stop the pain.

"Don't you worry about that right now. We need to get you back to Dodge," Matt said as he used the bandana that Halligan was using to push into the wound. Festus squirmed but allowed Matt to continue.

"Are you going to be able to ride?" Matt asked as he and Halligan helped Festus to his feet. Festus held his shoulder and nodded as Matt fashioned a sling for Festus from his large bandana, "Let's get back to Dodge before I have other thoughts fer them," Festus glared down at Crawford and Preston.

The three men walked back down to the other men. Dyer had died by the time they reached Burke and O'Connor and the two remaining outlaws stood near the stream.

Matt walked over to Crawford and ordered him and Preston to get on their horses, "get mounted, now." Matt was in no mood to mince words. His arm hurt, Festus was hurt as was Burke, and he wondered how Doc was doing back in Dodge.

"What about them?" Crawford looked down at the dead men before he climbed up onto his horse.

"I'll send some other men out to retrieve their bodies once we're back in Dodge," Matt growled at Crawford who was clearly upset with Matt's reply. Matt watched as the men climbed up onto their horses. Halligan and O'Connor helped both Festus and Burke onto their mounts. He left Crawford and Preston to suffer alone.

Matt took a hold of Buck's reins and then pulled himself up onto the horse. His arm throbbed more now than ever. With the day half gone, matt felt they would get back to Dodge before nightfall.

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The ride back to Dodge was faster than the one out to where Matt and the others met up with Crawford and his gang. The sun hung just above the horizon and the day grew cooler as the hours past.

The group rounded a curve in the road and headed into Dodge. Their pace was much slower and the wounded men seem to wilt in their saddles. Halligan and O'Connor were now in charge of making sure that Roy Crawford and Ben Preston didn't stray from the law.

As they all rode along Front Street, those who were there stopped and watched as the lawmen guided their mounts and the outlaws to the jail down the way.

Wilbur Jonas set the pry bar down that he held in his hand. Louie Pheeters walked to the edge of the boardwalk. "We better get over to the jail, Louie," Jonas said as he stepped down and started across the street, "it looks like the marshal needs some help," he continued.

Louie set the plank down he held in his hands and followed Jonas across the street and down to the jail house.

Kitty was now out on the boardwalk in front of the saloon. She could see from where she stood that some of the men were wounded, just by the way they dismounted. Kitty gathered up the front of her dress and stepped down off the boardwalk and walked swiftly toward the jail. As she got closer, Kitty noticed Matt's arm and she drew her lips tight. Again the big marshal was injured.

Then Kitty's attention turned Festus and Burke, "Oh, Matt, what happened?" she asked as she stepped closer to matt.

Matt sighed, "If you know where newly is, Festus and Burke could use his help," Matt said.

"What about your arm?" Kitty looked at the bloodied wrap.

"It can wait. Crawford and Preston also need help," Matt stated jest as Jonas and Louise approached.

"Is there anything we can do marshal?" Jonas asked with Louie standing slightly behind him.

Matt smiled slightly, "I'd really appreciate if you could look after the horses," he sighed.

Jonas wasn't really a horse lover, but he agreed when Louie spoke up, "We can do that for you marshal!"