DENTON CROUCH 5

will sloan had ridden on, he would go through middle march pass to tombstone. everyone knew thaat jed walkers ranched in middle march pass. sloan would try to recruit him . denton heaved himself to his feet and stood there for a few moments swaying. braxton stepped up and placed his hand on dentons shoulder. " you gonna make it back to bed ?" braxton asked. " ill get there, lets not rush it tho."denton smiled a ragged smile . " thanks brad for takeing care of my knot head. he s like me , getting a little long in the tooth. ill be back for him soon." denton nodded to braxton" lets go" the ten minute walk took the two men a good half hour with denton stoping to catch his breath. he didnt realize he was this weak. back in his room he unbuckld his gun belt and hung it within arms reach on a chair back.he sat down heavily on the bed. braxton could see a rain spot on his shirt . "you get in that bed, ime going for the doc.we might have over did it." braxton pulled dentons boots and then turned to the door.there he almost bumped into the young chambermaid who was comming to check on denton. " he s right there, he s all yours. ime going for the doctor. we will be back soon" the young woman smiled at braxton" ill keep him down until you get back."the girl said. denton looked up, "normally i wouldnt let a wore out ole ranger and a little slip of fluff tell me what to do, but today ime not in the mood to argue" the young girl steped up to denton as braxton left. she started unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off his shoulders. it was then she saw the seeping blood from the bbullit wound. " ill have to soak this shirt to get the blood stain out so dont plan on going out in public any time soon." the girl said. " ime not going anywhere until the gang of plunderers show up. i got a few days i guess." denton laid back down and the girl put his feet up on the bed." you shouldnt have gone out today."the girl preached. the girl was gathering up soiled sheets and dentons shirt when the doctor came in braxton stood just behind him. as the girl turned to go with her arms full of laundry denton looked around the doctor." whats your name girl?" she looked back over her shoulder as she went out the door" jody" was all she said.