Lawman
The Birdcage saloon was not as lively as a Saturday night, but there were still patrons sitting at the tables and some leaning at the bar. Deputy Johnny McKay was sitting, sipping coffee with Lily Merrill, who owned the saloon. He was trying to reassure her that Marshall Troop was safe. "He should be back soon. I'll bet that he has already caught those scoundrels that robbed the Wells Fargo". He didn't wait for her response, but stood up saying he had better get back to work, heading for the doorway. Lily shook her head slightly and smiled. Marshal Dan Troop was a good mentor. Johnny was getting to be more of a lawman everyday.
Johnny moved a couple of steps outside, and turned to holler back inside. "He's back". Lily scampered quickly to the doorway. "Johnny, he looks hurt". Dan Troop was riding slowly, slumped in the saddle, with two horses in tow. One rider had his hands tied, resting on the saddle horn. The second was tied down across the saddle and definitely dead. Together, Johnny and Lily headed to the Marshals office, just as Dan Troop reached the tie hitch. He looked at Johnny with tired eyes, and said "take care of them, Johnny". "Money is in the saddlebags" Johnny starred at the marshal, surprised by his raggedy appearance, then quickly took charge of the situation. He tied the horses to the hitch rail, grabbed the saddlebags, instructed one of the onlookers to bring the body to undertakers and pushed the prisoner into the office. Lily looked at Dan with concern as he started to slump forward. He started to slide off of his horse, to be caught by a couple of the Birdcage patrons who came out to see the commotion. Blood stained Dan's shirt on the left side, just above his belt line. He said "I need the doctor", before loosing consciousness.
When Marshal Dan Troop awoke, he blinked, and rubbed his eyes with his right hand. He started to move, but then stopped as he felt a pang of pain in his left side. He turned his head and glanced around his surroundings to determine he was at the doctor's house. The doctor must have heard him stirring, as he suddenly was at his side. He held Dan's wrist, checking his pulse. He knew Dan enough to say "stay quite". He continued "your wound isn't that bad, but you lost a lot of blood and I am guessing you're exhausted". He must have fallen asleep again, because when he opened his eyes again, Lily and Johnny were standing near his bedside. Lilly anxiously asked "how do you feel Dan?" Dan smiled and said "I will be alright". "How long?" Lily smiled " you rode in Tuesday. That was two nights ago." Johnny brought a glass of water to his bedside and helped him enjoy a couple of sips. Dan then started to explain what had happened after he began to chase the Wells Fargo bandits. He told of the long days trailing two horses and then the gunfight with what he thought were only two men, and how he was back shot by a third. Despite the wound, he managed to shot one and capture a second. The third got away, but not with the stolen $8000 in the saddlebags. Dan was concerned that the missing man would try to break his friend out of jail. He was starting to speak slowly, his eyes closing, and the doctor decided he needed more rest. The doctor shuffled Lily and Johnny out. Dan was left him alone to rest.
Johnny took the marshals'warning seriously and began planning how to deal with a potential breakout, as he escorted Lily back to the Birdcage.
The sound of gunshots awoke Dan Troop. His first thoughts went to Johnny alone at the marshal's office. He pulled his pants on, but when he attempted to get his boots on, he grabbed his side and he nearly passed out. He pulled his shirt on without buttoning the front. He grabbed his gun from his gun belt and quickly left the doctor's house. The first thing he saw was two riders with guns in hand, fleeing from the direction of the marshal's office. Dan took aim and fired one shot. The first rider fell backwards out of the saddle onto the dirt street, not moving after one bounce. Dan blinked as he saw the ruffles of a ladies dress on the second rider. The second rider pulled up and took aim at Dan. The shot rang out, but it was the rider who went down in a heap. Dan turned his head to see Johnny standing unsteadily in front of the Marshals office with his rifle in hand. Dan leaned against the rail post, and started to falter as the doctor suddenly appeared at his side. He shuttled Dan inside to toward the bed. Dan growled "see to the boy". The doctor quickly responded "when you get into bed and stay there". Dan compiled and watch as the doctor grabbed his bag, hurrying toward the marshal's office and Johnny.
A few hours later, Johnny McKay was sitting relaxed, in a comfortable chair in the doctor's house. His head hurt a bit from a blow he had taken during the prisoner escape attempt, but no real damage. The two bandits were dead. It was the youngest brother who had fled after shooting Dan Troop in the back on the trail. Today, he had been dressed in ladies clothing to perform the almost successful escape. He had surprised Johnny, who did not expect a lady, or a man dressed as a lady, as part of the gang. He received a knock on the head for his naivety.
Johnny was sipping on a fresh cup of coffee that Lily had just brought him. Dan was back in bed, resting, with a pile of pillows propping him up. Fresh bandages were wrapped around his waist and lower chest. He smiled and thanked Lily for his coffee. Lily looked at the two men and gave them both an exasperated look, and said "what were you two thinking? Johnny you could have been killed. And you too, Dan. You opened your wound again. Why?" Both Dan and Johnny responded together almost in unison "It's my job, I am lawman".
Lily shook her head slightly and smiled. Lawman!