PT.8
“Lifeline Between The Hearts”
The rumbling of the ground… was overwhelming…. The sounds of cattle herds…this was the time of year
most cowboys made their living … ! And this year.. The numbers were round’ 300,000 moving north
amongst several outfits… and the majority of these cattle were driven right through Dodge…
One of the largest….. The Bar “A” !..that would be Allison’s camp ..Jack Allison! A hard but, fair man…
After riding a long hard day…on the trail…several of his group set up camp out where they run the heards to graze… the rest.. found an area.. Where they could make camp for the night ..for meals and sleep..
Four Men quickly rode into camp… Jack!… Jack! Whoa,.. Fellas slow down … what’s the problem?
We need Jonah?…he’s setting up for Chow… Why? … Jonah, not only was the Trail cook..,but, also took care of the men when they needed medical attention… too! We found us a man … hurt somin’ fearce’ Jack…pert near got himself trampled..? Which one? Dunno.?. not one of ours…! some of the men are bringin’um’in .. well then I guess we’ll see?
Jack Allison, explained to Jonah.. bout’ the man the others had found.. He set up and agreed to take a look… Jack sat off quietly ..with his coffee… this was something he often like to do.. at the end of a long days ride… he proped himself up against a tree … sat back… just as he exhaled…. he heard the snap of twigs… with a rapid motion. .and hand on his gun… cocking back the barrell … who’s there? Show yourself…! Relax Cowboy… been ridin’ all day …saw the fire… was hoping you might have a cup of coffee… ? Allison ..looked closer…Ahhh… hop on down from there Marshal, I’ll have Jonah, bring ya a cup. Here.. pull up a spot of dirt…as he smiled. So, where you headed? was trailin’ a prisoner…
And he got the jump on me… and I got the lump to show for it…. Well, in that case how bout’ I jolt that coffee up for ya a bit? Sounds good…to me. The two men laughed…. So, where bout did you lose um’? Out on the praire … but, he’s injuried so …that should slow him down…? Hefty fella.. Too.
Ain’t that always the way?… Names Allison!.. Call me Jack though… Names ..ahh Dillon…call me ..
Matt! So Matt ..where did you say you were headed? I didn’t ..but after I catch this cowboy…back to Dodge.. Can I ask what you want him for? Ahh.. He got in a scuffle in Dodge during a poker game..
Felt he was being cheated..an pulled a gun… well that not unusual Matt..is it? Especially not in a town like Dodge…? No, but some lil’ gal ..got in the way.. She’s dead! Ahhh I see! And you couldn’t arrest him then? I never saw it happen… so when I went to question him ..he was gone. Well that sounds like guilt to me…Allison said. Hey now wait a minute … he deserves to be heard…? Whoa… I’m just sayin’ ..Man runs… How bout’ another cup? You hungry? Jonah’s a great cook… maybe I will…?
Topeka,Kansas
Once again Festus’ had found Moran with the same gal at the Saloon…, Deputy ? Don’t mean to break up ,betwixt you and your shemale friend here ,but, I needs t’a jaw wit ya agin. What is it now Hagen?
I jest been over et’ yur stables… en jawing with yur man over there…. Ya and a problem Hagen?
Moran was annoyed. Yeah ther’ sur is….! You said Matthew was here en’ you jawed wit ‘um
..yeah that’s right…and I told you the next day he left the papers and we had breakfast and he left …so?
Yur Man et’ the stable says this here man was short and dark hair.. And ridin’ a Stallion…. Uh huh! And?
..what are you getting at ? You Ninny! Matthew is a Giant of a Fella! And he rides himself a Buckskin… No Stallion. Are you sure.. Hagen? Course I’m’a sure..I bin knowin’ Matthew a long time.
He’s bin the United States Marshal in Dodge fur more then 20 years…. Well, he had the Marshal Badge
and all the official papers…! I had no reason not to think…. Is there something I can do? We need to warn someone about this… look Hagen…I’m sorry about your friend.. I didn’t know… Really …
I send off some wires… see what help I can get… he stood up from the table…Ruby,, I’ll see you later..
Hagen .. Where will you be?…. I’ll be out findin’ Matthew….. Do you think you can? Moran ask.
If’n Matthew’s out ther’ … I’ll bring’um home..I promised Miz Kitty… Who? Never you mind who….
Festus’ stop again at the telegraph office…. He wanted to let kitty and doc know … what he found out…
I needs a tele wire sent to Dodge City… directly… well, whiskers write it up and I’ll send it… the man told him… look ..I’ma in a hurry.. This is U.S. Marshal business.. Need you to do et’ directly… rollin’ his eyes
the man looked around… ok .. Where to and what do you want to say? Festus’ began….
Miss Kitty Russell
Long Branch Saloon,Dodge City,Kansas
Matthew never made it to Topeka . Stop. Goin’ to look for him . Stop. Promise will bring him back. Stop .
Don’t you worry none. Stop . Will bring Matthew Home . Stop.
Festus’ Hagen ,Deputy Marshal
c/o/ sheriff Topeka Kansas
So that ‘s it huh? Yeah that et’ jest send it…. Ok… so he did!
Allison Camp
Jack, Jack… yeah, boys? Jonah says he needs to see ya….! Right there… Matt?… there’s plenty more ..
I’ll be right back… if you like… your welcome to make camp with us for the night? Thanks, Maybe I’ll take you up on that? Jack went looking for Jonah….. Jonah?…what do we have here? Boss.. Looks bad! Someone or something did a number on this one! Maybe several… he’s a hefty one! Can’t imagine
He went down without a fight? As Jack looked at this beaten man… he tended to agree…
Jack? ..Boss… who do you think he is? Allison looked….don’t know ..,but, then he’s in such bad shape….? Jonah, do you think he’s gonna make it? I’ll do my best Boss…
Dodge City
Burke , pushed through the batwing doors of the Long Branch… Sam?…Where is she ? Where is she Sam?
What is it Burke? I got a message for Miss Kitty… it about the Marshal! It ‘s about the Marshal! …Sam
You did say that was MY MESSAGE didn’t you Burke? Suddenly, Burke turned to see Kitty decending the stairs… Miss Kitty …well yeah! It about … Yes I heard you … and so did all of Dodge! Can I have it Now? Reaching out her hand. Well , Miss Kitty… I ..I … Burke Shut Up! I know what you were just doing…. And do you know there’s a law against reading other peoples mail? With a smirk on his face.. Miss Kitty .. It’s not exactly mail? Burke.. ! It’s addressed to me.. And it is sealed.. right? Well yes… then that makes it mail ..My mail and none of your business..! I swear…you men are worse then women … oh go away!
Kitty walked into the office…. Opened the wire…surprised..by what she read…. Oh Cowboy?
Please be alright?… I knew I could still feel you… that you were still with me… where are you?
I need you Cowboy… We need to talk… Where are you? Hold on … Please….
TBC
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