Meanwhile in Tombstone Scattered Thumbs woke up again only to find two men by his bed. One of them was rather short but fierce looking, the other one much taller, and rather young with an embarrassed look on him. The first man spoke. Morning Mister, glad to see you’re feeling better. My name is John Slaughter and I’m the Deputy Sheriff for the Cochise County. I was investigating the place where you got shot, when a bullet passed whizzing over my head. Then I found this dime novel readin’ would be gunslinger practicing with his guns. He admitted he’d been practicing also the day you were shot, so most likely it was him who shot you, but he wasn’t meaning to shoot you.
At this the young fellow stammered. Ah, I’m very sorry about that Mister it was not my intention. I’ve already arranged with the doctor to bill me for all your expenses. Once again I’m very sorry.
Scattered Thumbs smiled weakly as he said. Well, there was no permanent harm done, and you didn’t mean to shoot no one.
After that the two men left, leaving Scattered Thumbs with his own thoughts. Shot by mistake by a teenage boy, I really must be getting old.