COCHISE STATION 22

the west bound slowed to a walking speed as it came abreast of cochise station. a man in white shirt and black fedora hat stepped off the last car and trotted toward the hotel. but before he reached it jeb intersected him and ushered him to the mesquite tree where the wagon was parked. petra was sitting on the end of the wagon bed but slid to the ground as the doctor reached the wagon.petra, ignacio and adrianna along with jeb stood to one side. ellis came from the station and walked up behind the group" whats the doc say?" he asked. " he hasnt said yet. what you hear on the wire?"jeb asked. "they are trying to get word to alvord. and nobody knows where slaughter is" the telegrapher said. "slaughter is on his way to sulphur springs station. ill be surprised if this guy makes it very much farther. he s in bad shape." jeb almost whispered the answer. the doctor finally got down from the wagon bed he slowley walked over to the group standing in the shade."i dont think he will live much longer, he is infected pretty bad its taken him over. i did what i could but i think all you can do is keep him comfortable. i removed four silver coins from his back. they were festering pretty bad i drained a lot of pus from the wounds but i fear his time is near. " petra went over to their camp fire and poured the doctor a cup of coffee and brought it to him. the doc took a sip and looked at jeb" do you know this man? he knows you and this fellow" he pointed to ignacio. " yes he and his friend whipped ignacio when he he tried to stop the three c from driveing off my cattle. but every time i came in sight of them he and his friend ran. but i suspicion ive been looking for them a couple of years. but , whats done is done and i cant go back. do your best doctor." jeb explained. in the distance to the south east was a dust cloud. it proved to be slaughters buggy as it drew near. the team were at a long trott with mrs. slaughter holding a snug rein and a buggy whip in her hands. the sherrif sat to one side of the buggy one hand holding the long tom shot gun and the other holding his hat snug on his head.the team came to a slideing stop just back from the fire. the station agent and ignacio went to the team and held them by the bridle bits. slaughter steped down and with a glance at his wife walked over to jeb. " his trail turnned back before we reached the station have you......." " he is over there in the wagon. he is the last train robber. doc dont think he is long for this world. i sent word for alvord when i wired for the doctor. but he hasnt appeared." jeb reported. slaughter walked over to the wagon and looked in on the man who was wheezing as he slept. the doctor stepped up next to slaughter. " he is riddled with wounds from the explosion, infection has taken him in a untreatable form all i can do is maybe keep him comfortable." on the floor boards lay the bloody adobe dollers the doctor had removed from the bandits back. slaughter picked up one and turnned it over in his hand. "well this pretty much finishes this off i dont think anyone will argue any thing different. ill need you to make a sworn statement when you get to willcox." he said to jeb. jeb ducked his head and nodded.