Chapter 4: A Decision to Make]
What are you going to do, Uncle Mac? It's almost five o'clock. I know, Naomi. ''McGary''. Jess wants you, Uncle Mac. I'm coming, Naomi. ''Mac, Mac''. ''Right here, Jess''. ''Don't let Vern go''. We don't have any choice, Jess''. He's not worth losing you. ''Don't think about it, Jess''. ''That's for me to decide''. ''No, Mac''. ''I got a say-so in this, too''. ''Please, don't make this all for nothing''. ''I have'nt got a chance now''. Yes you do, Jess. I know it hurts but please hang on a little while longer. Help's coming. ''Don't, don't waste me, Mac''. ''Jess, I can't.. I won't trade you for'' ''Too far gone to hear you''. I hope not, Patches. Please don't slip away from us, Jess. We love you. Please hang on. ''I'm sorry, Marshal''. ''We've had everybody in town looking for him''. ''Well, you did your best''. ''I know what you think of us, and well, we deserve it''. ''But I want to tell you, if you decide to let Vern go, we'll do our best to help you track him down again''. ''Thanks''. We''ll talk about that later''. ''Right now I think you better get out of here''. ''If Clint sees you''... ''Let him''. ''Good luck, Marshal''. Someone should shut that braying donkey up, Patches. I agree, Naomi. Naomi? I'm here, Jess. We're all here. Just rest now. I'm here with you. Buckner's coming, Marshal. I see, Patches. ''McGary, it's five o'clock, how bout' it''? ''You said you'd bring the doctor''. ''When I see Vern come out that door, not a second before. ''All right, Patches bring him out''. ''No don't do it, Branch''! ''I've got the doctor up here and he's''- ''Why, you dirty''- Take it easy, Jess. It's alright. Nothing for you to worry about. ''What's goin' on, Naomi? Nothing for you to worry about, Jess. Sssh, rest now. I's just Uncle Mac and Reb teaching some cowboys manners. Please Jess, hang on for me. The doctor's coming now, Naomi. Thank heavens. Thank heavens you're here, Doctor. Please hurry. Would you assist me, miss? Yes, just tell me what to do. Help me get his shirt open and the wound cleaned. Now hand me that instrument there. Hold him steady, sir. Can you get it, Doctor? There, I've got it now. Thank God. Will he be alright, Doctor? Only God can say now, miss? Naomi. Keep him still and try to get his fever down. This will help with the pain. And it would'nt hurt to pray. Thank you, Doctor. I'll send some men over with a stretcher to move him to the hotel. And you get some rest as well, Miss Naomi. I will, Doctor. Thank you again. No need to thank me, dear. It's my job. How is he, Doc? He should make it, Marshal. Thanks, Doc. How is he, Naomi? His fever's still high, Uncle Mac. The doc said if it had taken another hour for him to get here, we would have lost him. I'm trying to get his fever down. Some men with a stretcher are coming, Naomi. They're going to move him over to the hotel. Be gentle with him, please. We will, miss. Come on, Uncle Mac. Take right up to number seven, boys. You all are welcome to a room free of charge, miss? Naomi, ma'am. And thank you. You're very welcome, Naomi. Let's get him settled, Uncle Mac. Thanks for your help, boys. Our pleasure, miss. We''ll be leaving now. If you want to sit up with Jess tonight Naomi, you'd best eat something and get some rest. Alright, Uncle Mac. I'll sit with him for awhile, Patches. You and Naomi go and eat. Alright, McGary. Come along, Naomi. Jess will be alright until we come back. [Some Time Later]
I'm going to go to my room and rest now, Patches. Tell Uncle Mac to wake me later. I will, Naomi. See you later. How is he, McGary? Still feverish, Patches. He keeps calling for different people in his sleep. ''Naomi, Naomi''. She'll be here in a little bit, Jess. I promise. The doctor told us that most likely he's aware of everything we say to him, McGary. That's good, Patches. You go and get some rest now.