Autumn of the Gun by RALPH COMPTON

alive,” said Vivian.
    â€œThank ... God ...” Barnabas mumbled. His eyes closed and he was again lost to a burning fever.
    It seemed hours before Vivian heard the welcome rattle of the approaching buckboard. Vivian had a blanket ready, and they lifted Barnabas onto it and took him to the buckboard first. Bess was within the ruins of the cabin and would have to be carried farther. When they had her in the buckboard beside Barnabas, Nathan climbed to the seat, flicked the reins, and started the team toward town. Vivian rode alongside while Empty followed. Nathan turned on to St. Charles and soon reined up before the Le Croix Hospital. By the time Nathan was off the box, attendants were there with stretchers. Empty remained with the buckboard while Nathan and Vivian followed the stretcher-bearing attendants into the hospital. A nurse approached Nathan with pad and pencil.
    â€œBarnabas and Bess McQueen,” said Nathan. “They’ve been shot.”
    â€œWho are you?” the nurse asked. “Are you responsible for them?”
    â€œA friend of theirs, Nathan Stone, and yes, I’ll be responsible for them. Do what you must. They’re burning up with fever.”
    Barnabas and Bess were taken away, and it was almost an hour before Nathan and Vivian had any word. Finally a doctor approached them.
    â€œI’m Dr. McKendree. I have removed the lead, and fortunately their vitals have been spared. But they’ve lost a lot of blood, and infection has already taken hold. We’re doing our best to save them. Have you notified the police?”
    â€œNo,” said Nathan. “We have no idea who shot them. There’ll be time enough for that when they’re able to talk. When will you have another report on their condition?”
    â€œWe should know something by noon tomorrow,” McKendree said.
    Nathan and Vivian returned to the buckboard, and only then did Nathan speak.
    â€œWait here until I return the buckboard and get my horse. Then we’ll find us a hotel or boardinghouse. We’ll be here until Barnabas and Bess are able to talk. I’m hoping they can tell us who’s responsible for this.”
    â€œAnd then?”
    â€œThen we go after the varmints,” said Nathan.
    They found a boardinghouse with a stable across the alley, not far from the Le Croix Hospital. While Nathan and Vivian approached the front desk, Empty sat near the door. The old lady looked at Nathan, at the dog, and back to Nathan.
    â€œHe makes a mess,” she said, “you clean it up or pay to have it done. Two dollars a day. Meals is extra.”
    Nathan paid for two days in advance and accepted the key; then the pair left to stable their horses. That done, they returned to the boardinghouse. Their room was in the rear with an outside entrance.
    â€œWe might as well get some rest,” Nathan said. “I don’t know of anything to do in this town except visit the saloons, drink, and gamble.”
    â€œI think we can do better than that,” said Vivian. “Besides, if you’ve had trouble here, you shouldn’t be seen any more than necessary.”
    â€œMy thoughts, exactly,” Nathan said. “I don’t know that I still have enemies here, but I don’t want to confirm it by being shot in the back.”
    Â 
    Rather than attract too much attention, Nathan and Vivian left their horses stabled and walked back to the Le Croix Hospital. They waited half an hour before the doctor could see them.
    â€œAnother day,” said McKendree, “and the infection would have been too far advanced. But you got them here in time, and unless they take an unexpected turn for the worse, I believe they’ll recover.”
    â€œHow long before we can talk to them?” Nathan asked.
    â€œNot for another forty-eight hours,” said McKendree, “and maybe not then. It will depend on their progress.”
    McKendree ended the conversation and went