Miles finally has the injured Marshal Todd Johnson of Silverton on the train and headed down the canyon towards Durango. At least two of Johnson’s men have boarded the train. What awaits Miles on the trip? Will Johnson’s men make a move with all the passengers on board to free their boss? Miles is ready, but the rocking of the train could lull him into dozing. Come with me to those days of yesteryear and see what happens in the furthering Saga of Miles Forrest.
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I could tell that Johnson was hurting. The jostling of the train over the tracks hurt his shoulder and broken wrist. He was in and out of sleep and I wasn’t concerned much about him trying to do anything to get away, but I was keeping my eyes on the two men that boarded and were sitting at the other end of the car. From what I could tell they were the only two that had boarded, but someone I didn’t see or know might also be among the passengers.
It was hard to stay awake with the rocking of the train, and I was bone tired. I didn’t dare go to sleep with the two men aboard. Sleep would have to wait until Johnson was safely behind bars in Durango. I know it was all in my mind, but the trip seemed to take much longer than normal. My eyes kept shutting until finally I stood up and leaned up against the door.
I must have been dozing standing up, but when the final whistle blew I came wide awake. I moved back to the seat with Johnson and let all the passengers depart, not seeing where the two deputies of Johnson went. I nudged Johnson with the barrel of the Greener to get up. His face was worn, and etched in pain. Looking away from him I saw someone standing on the platform right at the steps. I couldn’t tell who it was, but I was going to keep Johnson between me and the newcomer.
A big sigh of relief came from me when I recognized Mateo. “Am I glad to see you,” I remarked, then looked around for the other two men. They weren’t to be seen. I informed Mateo of the men as we walked down the street toward the jail.
Groaning, Johnson stopped, “I need a doctor.”
“Doc Jones will be up to see you after I get you settled in a cell,” I informed him, then nudged him to continue.
He refused to move. “Up to you,” I charged. “You can walk or I can drag you which I’m sure will hurt you more.” He groaned again, then slowly started to walk again.
When he was settled in the cell, Mateo left to get Doc Jones. I sat down with Lucas to inform him of the situation and the two men. He had grown as a man in the past few months. I knew he would do the best he could, but I also knew of the ruthlessness of Johnson’s men.
Within the hour, Doc had splinted his wrist, but he said there wasn’t much he could do for the collarbone except to keep it in a sling. He turned his gaze to me, “You did know that he had broken bones?”
I pulled at my moustache before answering. “I reckoned the wrist was broken, wasn’t sure about his shoulder,” I replied, then smiled. “Sure kept him from causin’ any trouble.”
Doc let out a snort and shook his head. “I’ll be back in the morning to check on him,” he paused, giving me a stare. “You are going to feed him, aren’t you?”
“I’ll bring him his food, but he’ll have to feed himself,” I replied.
It was time for me to head down to the diner. I wanted to see Molly and tell her I was back, plus hoped that she might have a piece of pie for me. I had settled down at the table sipping on coffee and talking with Molly. It had probably been fifteen, maybe twenty minutes when gunfire sounded from…