Matt wanted to move, but he dare not, as he had no idea where the shot that ripped through his left shoulder had come from - it was obvious that it was meant for him. It was too dark to see anyone on the hill, and he hoped that whoever was there would leave soon. Matt strained his hearing as he listened into the night for the hooves of a departing horse. It took a few minutes, but finally a rider left the ridge.
"Are you sure you got him?" Bret Ashley asked John Calder as Calder caught up to his waiting friend.
"I got him good," Calder stated. "The only way he's going to come back to Dodge is draped over the back of his horse," he said spurring his mount. "Let's get into Dodge as soon as we can. I want out of this saddle," he said as the two men rode into the night.
Matt struggled to his knees and shuffled closer to the fire to inspect the wound. He could tell it was bad as his left hand felt partly numb. With his right hand, Matt unbuttoned his shirt enough to see his blood coated shoulder. He quickly pulled a bandana out of his back pocket and gently pushed it into the bullet hole. He grimaced in pain and sweat beads formed on his brow.
Slowly Matt stood up to look for Buck who was last seen tied to the brush at the fringe of the firelight. However, the report from the gun must have spooked the animal - Matt swore out loud. Holding his shoulder tight, he walked a little further into the darkness hoping to spot the large buckskin horse.
With each step, a stabbing pain ripped through Matt's shoulder. The marshal could feel himself swaying and became desperate to locate the horse. Matt leaned against a tree and looked around. Finally he spotted the animal and pushed off from the tree staggering toward Buck.
The large horse was preoccupied with the patch of grass it had found, which helped Matt snag the reins before Buck tried to jerk away; he feared he was going to loose grip of the leather strap with his blood-coated hand, but he managed to hold tight and pull the horse away from the grass and back to the camp.
Matt's feet felt like lead weights as he moved back to the fire; his left arm hanging at his side. As best as he could, he tied the reins to a thicker branch before he went about trying to saddle the horse with one hand. He slung the saddle over the back of the horse and paused as he took a dizzy spell.
After a few minutes, Matt managed to buckle the cinch, using what strength he had in his left hand. The pain in his shoulder was growing and he knew he had to get back to Dodge sooner than later. Satisfied that the saddle was going to stay in place, Matt untied the reins and pulled himself up onto the horse. The movement caused another stab of pain to rip through his shoulder and he grabbed the saddle horn tightly trying to push the pain away – his teeth were tightly clenched together as a wave of nausea washed over him.
Matt estimated that he'd get to Dodge in roughly four hours, if he was able to remain conscious and on his horse; this would get him in town around three in the morning if he pushed it but the likelihood of that. Although he didn't like traveling at night, he knew he had no choice and his biggest fear would be to run into the person who had just shot him and in his current state that would most certainly mean death. Reluctantly, Matt had to take his time.
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John Calder and Bret Ashley were on the outskirts of Dodge. They could see from the hill they were on that some lights were still on in the frontier town, which was encouraging, "Maybe we can still get a drink," Calder smiled.
"That sure would be tasty," Ashley said smacking his lips purposely. Calder shook his head at his friend, "Are you ever going to grow up?" he snorted.
"There's no fun in that," Ashley retorted.
"That's for sure," Calder replied. "Come on. I want a drink before the bars close," he said urging his horse forward. Ashley followed close behind. The men made good time and were able to push their horses.
Front Street still showed some signs of life with a few patrons either leaving or going to the Long Branch Saloon, where Calder and Ashley were headed. Both men stopped their horses at the hitching post and looked at each other – they recognized the two horses further down, "Looks like Baker and Wilson made it," Calder said as he stepped down from his mount.
"Maybe we should go to another saloon," Ashley suggested.
"If you do just like Baker said, then we'll be alright. Just pretend you don't know them," Calder warned.
"I sure wish we'd get his over with," Bert Ashley said as he dismounted and tied his horse to the post.
"I'll be over soon enough and a lot easier now that the marshal is out of the equation," Calder smiled and stepped up to the saloon. "We'd better hurry, it looks like they might be closing soon," he added.
The men stepped through the swing doors and noted Baker and Wilson at the back of the saloon. Their eyes connected for a brief second, but it was long enough for Kitty to notice – she leaned closer to Doc, I think more have just arrived," she whispered. Doc wanted to look but she told him not to bring attention to himself. Doc nodded in acknowledgement, "Would you like another drink?" he asked loud enough that Baker and Wilson could hear.
"That would be lovely, Doc," Kitty smiled knowing exactly what the physician was up to.
Doc drew his right hand across his moustache and stood up from the table, glancing quickly at Baker and Wilson, before he turned and walked slowly to the bar. He spotted the other two men down at the end of the bar, and tried not to look like he was eyeing them, "Two drinks, Sam," he said and placed the money on the bar.
Sam quickly poured the drinks, "Lasts ones for the night, Doc," he smiled and quickly attended the two men that had just arrived.
"We'd like a bottle and two glasses," Calder stated.
"You'll have to take the bottle with you. We are soon going to close," Sam stated as he placed the bottle on the bar next to the glasses. He waited for the money, which was slow in coming. Calder dropped the coins on the counter in a manner to show his disapproval. Sam scowled as he picked the coins up and watched the men leave the saloon.
Doc had moved back to the table and handed Kitty's drink to her, "I think you're right," he said as he lowered to his seat.
Sam stepped out from behind the bar and walked to one table that had a few men and announced to them it was closing time and without any fuss, the men finished their drinks. Sam then moved to the back table where Baker and Wilson continued to sit, "It's time for you to leave," the barkeep stated.
Baker cocked his jaw, "What about them?' he said poking his finger toward Doc and Kitty.
"Miss Kitty owns the Long Branch," Sam stated.
"Interesting," Baker said as he swallowed back the rest of his drink and stood swatting his left hand across Wilson's shoulder, "Let's go," he said staring at Kitty. Kitty noticed the man's gaze and quickly looked away. Baker pursed his lips in thought as he slowly looked back at Sam, "We'll be back tomorrow," he said in a hushed voice and left the saloon with Wilson in tow.
Sam, Doc and Kitty watched the two men leave. Slowly Doc looked back at Kitty, "Matt had better get back here soon," he said solemnly.
