Eaton's gang along with his wife rode hard for several hours before stopping next to an embankment along the river.
"See anyone?" Susie said as Pete kept a look out.
"Nope," Pete said coming down into the gully. Looking at Festus, he took his hat off and ran a hand though his hair. "What ya planning on doing with whiskers there?"
"Well," Susie said looking at the tied up hill man. "I'm not planning on taking him all the way to Mexico."
"Don't seem like we need him anymore," Pete said drawing his revolver. "I say we leave him here."
Matt, Newly and Doyle followed the tracks that Eaton's gang left behind for several miles before stopping to rest their horses.
"There's a river up ahead," Doyle said pointing. "We could water the horses."
"Alright," Matt said tipping his hat up, they rode in silence toward the river, the sound of running water growing louder as they got closer.
The three riders crested the embankment and stopped, unknown to Suise or Eaton's gang, Matt, Newly and Doyle had just happened upon them by accident.
Matt moved his horse into a grove of trees with Newly and Doyle following. Sliding off his horse, he grabbed his rifle and headed for the brush.
"Newly," Matt said pointing toward two of Eaton's gang near the river.
Newly nodded as he took aim and waited for Matt to give the order.
"Doyle," Matt whispered pointing at the other two men nearest to Eaton's wife.
Meanwhile, Matt focused on Pete directly in front of Festus who had just drawn his revolver.
"Fine," Suise said crossing her arms. "Just be quick about it!"
"Now," Matt said as Pete brought his pistol level with Festus head.
Festus heard the gunshot but as Pete fell at his feet, he quickly realized it had not come from the outlaws gun and he sighed in relief.
Suise looked around as the gunshots rang out around her and Eaton's men dropped like flies.
Turning to pick up Pete's gun, she swirled around to use it on Festus but the hill man made a move for the weapon.
Even though Festus was still tied up, they fought each other for control of the weapon as Matt ran down the embankment toward them. The Marshal was only a few feet away, when he heard the gun go off.
"Matthew!" Festus said surprised as the hill man rolled to his knees.
"You alright," Matt asked using his knife to cut the ropes.
Festus nodded as Matt turned around to where Newly was kneeled next to Susie Eaton. "She's dead," Newly said as Matt nodded.
"So are the others," Doyle stated making his way toward them with the outlaws guns.
"I think it's safe to say," Matt said evenly. "That now it's really over."
"Ya," Festus replied softly turning away from the confused look on Matt's face.
Newly and Doyle finished tying the last two outlaws to their horses as Matt slowly made his way to where Festus tightened the saddle on Matt's horse.
"Much obliged, Matthew," he said taking a canteen from the Marshal. "And fer lending me yer horse."
"Where you going?" Matt said crossing his arms.
"Don't rightly know yet," Festus said meeting Matt's eyes. "Take care of Ruth for me?"
"You know I will," Matt said gently as Festus climbed onto the back of his horse. "I don't know what I'm going to tell Kitty and Doc."
"Tell Miss Kitty that I'll think of her," Festus said with a slight smile. "Tell that ol scudder ta take care of his self."
"Festus, you'll be coming back won't you?" Matt said putting out his hand.
"Well," Festus said taking Matt's hand. "I reckon I will one of these days."
Festus nodded to Doyle and Newly as he headed in the opposite direction.
"C'mon," Matt said looking at Newly who was watching the hill man ride away. "Let's get back."