The night grew cooler and Matt fought hard to remain conscious. He'd been riding for close to three hours, when Buck took a bad step in the dark causing him to stumble slightly. Normally Matt would have stayed in saddle, but in his weakened condition, he pitch sideways off the horse, landing hard on his wounded shoulder – the pain was enough to cause him to pass out.

Buck paused for a moment, but he was close enough to Dodge, on the well traveled path, that he moseyed along as if nothing was wrong.

Matt lay sprawled on the rocky cold ground and the night breeze licked his face. Eventually his eyes fluttered open and he stared up at the night sky- had had no idea how long he'd been there, but he was shivering slightly. At first he wasn't sure what to think but he quickly realized he wasn't on his horse. He jolted to a sitting position, causing pain to rip through his shoulder, reminding him why he was there in the first place.

The marshal grabbed his left shoulder hand held it tight to stop any unwarranted movement while he got to his feet. Matt looked around and couldn't see Buck causing him to mutter under his breath. He now had to walk to find help, but first he had to figure out where he was as he wasn't paying too much attention while on his horse.

Matt squinted into the night, and with a hint of dawn beginning, he could see slightly better even though the low light levels made it tricky to navigate. He was careful with his footing, trying not to jar his shoulder – the going was slow and painful. Making matters worse, Matt was thirsty and he knew that there were few creeks in the area that he was.

After what seemed like hours, Matt decided he needed to stop and rest. He was loosing blood and strength. His breathing was more laboured than normal as the stress on his body was taking hold. He found a small patch of grass under a tree that suited his needs. Slowly and carefully Matt lowered himself to the ground and rested his back and head against the tree. Unfortunately he had only walked a little over a half a mile. His left arm was colder than the right as the night air chilled the wet blood that soaked his sleeve. Matt grit his teeth together as he tried to make himself comfortable and warm.

Matt wet his lips and closed his eyes. He began to feel that his only hope was for someone to come across him and take him to Dodge, and the way he was feeling he prayed that would happen very soon. It wasn't long before Matt lapsed into unconsciousness again.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Charles Downie and William Mathias were the next two to arrive in Dodge. They quietly road up Mill Street, having just crossed the bridge, "I think the main street is one over," Downie pointed into the night. Very few street lights remained light and Dodge was slowly waking up.

"I hope the others are here already," Mathias said in a hushed voice.

"We'll find out soon enough," Downie replied. "I guarantee that Baker and Wilson got here last night," he added.

"I just hope that Baker remembers where the bank is," Mathias said as he looked around.

"I'm sure he does," Downie said as the two continued to ride along Mill Street, then turned toward Front Street. "There are a few other places here too," he smiled. "I've heard a lot about the Long Branch Saloon. I'm sure there's good money there," he smiled.

"Let's find a place to get some sleep," Downie yawned. "Morning will be on us before we know it," he mumbled. Mathias couldn't help but agree with a yawn.

The two men rode their horses to Front Street and spotted the livery stable at the end of the street, "There's the stable," Downie pointed.

"Can't say I like what's opposite it," Mathias said looking at the red brick jail house.

Downie chuckled, "Well, if all goes to plan, we won't see it from the inside," he stated causing Mathias to half laugh.

Once they reached the livery stable, both men dismounted and pulled their horses into the large wooden building. There were a few stalls available, including Buck's. Mathias and Downie led their horses into the empty stalls and tied the reins to the side-boards before removing their saddles and saddle bags.

Downie looked up, "Let's go to loft to sleep he suggested as he flung his saddle bags over his shoulder and walked tot he ladder. Downie followed. At the back of the stable, Louie quietly sat with this cat and kitten, watching. In his gut he felt that the two men were up to something, but he knew enough not to pass judgement, and further he didn't want the men to know about him or his cats. It wasn't long before William Mathias and Charles Downie we asleep.

It was going on five thirty in the morning and some of the stores were beginning to open, such as Wilbur Jonas' General Store. Jonas was a hard worker and his ethics were strong, giving him a better competitive edge than some of the other slightly more seedy stores on the outskirts of Dodge.

It was the store owner who first spotted the lone horse wandering down Front Street without a rider. Jonas could see that the animal had a saddle and bridle on, but clearly no rider. The morning light wasn't bright enough for the store owner to see what kind of horse it was, but it still struck him odd. Jonas set the bushel basket down and wiped his hand on the long white apron as he walked up the street wondering if the rider had fallen off in a drunken daze – he didn't see anyone else on the street.

Something unsettling swept over Jonas the closer he got, he strained his eyes in the dime light of dawn. His heart skipped a beat when he realized he was looking at Matt's horse, "Easy now," he said as he reached out and took the large buckskin by the reins that trailed on the ground. Jonas held the reins for a moment then pulled his right hand back and looked at the sticky red goo that coated it, "Good lord!" he exclaimed as he realized that it was drying blood.

The store owner panicked and looked around for help but he didn't see anyone. Jonas bit his bottom lip and pulled the marshal's horse over to his store and quickly tied the reins around a post. Again, he looked up and down the street hoping to see Festus or Newly, but no one was in sight. "Damn," he muttered and turned to the stairs at the side of his building.

Doc was just barely up when Jonas knocked on the door, "What?" Doc barked.

"Doc you'd better see this. I think Matt's in real trouble," Jonas said through the locked door.

Doc made a face and walked to the door unlocking it, "What?" he said staring at the tore owner.

"I said you'd better see this," Jonas pointed down the stairs. "I think Matt's in trouble," he repeated.

Doc noticed Jonas' blood-coated hands and quickly pushed past the store owner to get to the stairs. As Doc reached the boardwalk, he could clearly see what Jonas meant, "Go and find Festus," Doc ordered.

Jonas nodded and darted off down the street, hoping to find the deputy in the jail house.

Doc examined the saddle and the horse and the looked up the street, "What the hell is going on here?" he asked himself as a growing dread welled up in his stomach as his eyes scanned the street.