Summary: What do a nutty professor, an ancient Indian legend, and a dusty sea chest from the attic have in common. Come spend Christmas with the Cartwrights and find out what awaits in this zany, action packed adventure.

Rated: K  (Words 52,169)

 

 

Buried Treasure

Chapter 1

Adam Cartwright shivered and scrunched further down into his thick fleece lined jacket. It was bitterly cold. As a matter of fact it was one of the coldest winters he could ever remember experiencing in the Sierra Mountains, and winter had only just begun. A ferocious wind storm in late October had ushered in freezing temperatures that had grown steadily colder since. Christmas was now just a week away, and although there was still no snow Adam was bundled up from head to toe. He had put on two pairs of his winter long johns that morning, even though at the time he hadn’t known he would be in town within the next few hours. He was glad now that he had taken the extra precautions in dressing that morning. Two shirts and the new sweater, that Widow Davis had knitted and sent him for Christmas, were now keeping him fairly comfortable. He wondered again why he had allowed his father to talk him into coming to meet the stage.

One of his father’s business friends from San Francisco had asked Ben to play host to his daughter and son in law for a few days. He had offered his son-in-law a position in his law firm and the young couple had started making their way west some months ago. The couple had planned to be in San Francisco long before now, but the young woman was expecting, and complications in the pregnancy had slowed their progress. Adam thought they were taking an awful chance trying to get over the pass at this time of year, but he had kept his opinions to himself. His father had gotten out of the assignment to go into town and fetch the couple by reminding Adam that the package his grandfather sent him every year had still not arrived, and that it would be prudent to check in at the post office in case they got snowed in soon.

Adam stamped his feet against the cold and looked about for any sign of Little Joe. His youngest brother had disappeared almost the instant they reached Virginia City. Adam hoped he wasn’t getting into any trouble. At fifteen, his brother was an explosive combination of trying to become a man and wanting to remain a little boy. At times Joe would knuckle down and prove he could work just as hard and fast as his two older brothers; at other times it took those same two brothers working together just to get him out of bed. Little Joe had begged Adam that morning to take him into town with him, and Adam had finally relented after making Joe promise to be on his best behavior. After personally inspecting his spirited young brother to make sure he was dressed warmly enough, the two of them had headed into town.

“There he is,” thought Adam to himself. He had just caught sight of Little Joe’s blue sweater heading toward the town’s local watch shop with his friend, Pete. Adam frowned as he realized Joe was no longer wearing his coat.

“He’d better not have lost it,” thought Adam. “I’m sure Pa will have a few things to say to him if he has. Oh well, at least he still has his sweater on.”

The Widow Davis had been making the Cartwright boys sweaters every year since that first Christmas after Joe’s mother had died. She and Marie Cartwright had become good friends over the years and the sweaters were a small testament to their friendship. She always knitted them in the same colors: deep burgundy for Adam, forest green for Hoss, and dusty blue for Little Joe. For Pa she always knitted a pair of matching mittens, a scarf, and a hat in a bright cherry red.

Adam clapped his gloved hands together and tried running in place for a few minutes in a vain effort to warm himself. He wasn’t going to be able to wait outside for the stage much longer.

“Hey, Judd,” he addressed the man in the stage office through the small window. “Are you expecting the stage to be delayed?”

“Not expectin’ them to be, but never can tell,” the aging man answered slowly. “Been awful cold lately. Horses get a might edgy in this type of weather.”

“Well, look,” Adam said. “It’s too cold for me to stand out here and wait. I’m going over to the hotel across the street for some coffee. Can you send someone over to let me know when the stage gets in? I’ll just be in the dining room.”

“I ain’t supposed to leave once the stage gets in,” Judd answered, scratching his chin. “I got to open the door for the passengers, and take down the luggage, and give directions to newcomers, and . . .”

“Never mind,” Adam said, waving his hand in surrender. “I’ll figure something out.”

Adam turned and made his way across the street to the hotel, needing a quick cup of coffee to warm up his insides before returning to his vigil. He quickly sat down at a table in the dining room and waved to one of the waitresses to get her attention. He grimaced when the girl turned and he recognized her as Heidi Johnson. The girl was just a little older than Joe, and yet she was hopelessly infatuated with Adam. He usually tried to keep an adequate distance between himself and the young woman, and thought about just getting up to leave, but Heidi had already seen him and he didn’t want to appear rude. He managed to paste what he hoped was a pleasant expression on his face as Heidi made her way across the room toward him.

“Why, Adam Cartwright,” she gushed. “Imagine you in here on a day like this. I thought for sure we wouldn’t be seeing any of you boys until spring. I’m so glad you did come though. Are you picking up supplies or just doing some shopping for Christmas? You know Mr. Cass over at the mercantile just got in a whole new shipment of material with all kinds of pretty Christmas colors. I’ve been thinking of making a new dress for the town Christmas party. Will you all be attending that? Of course, you won’t, how silly of me. I know you don’t all come down into town much once the snow starts…”

“Nope, she doesn’t even breathe,” Adam thought to himself. He had been watching carefully to see if she took a quick breath between sentences, but now he was sure the girl just had lungs of steel.

“Heidi,” Adam interrupted. “I hate to cut you short, but I’m in a bit of a hurry. I just came in for a quick cup of coffee.”

“Oh, of course, Adam, I’m so sorry. I’ll bring that right out for you.” With that Heidi whirled around and headed for the kitchen.

Adam sighed and leaned back in his chair. He glanced around the room observing his fellow customers. With the cold weather and not many people traveling this time of year, he wasn’t surprised that there were so few people in the small, homey dining room. Adam smiled across the room at Jim Dawson; a man that had worked for them a few summers ago. He had been a good worker, but Jim had decided he wanted more than the modest income of a ranch hand and had left to make his fortune working in the mines. There were a few older ladies Adam knew from around town having tea near the window. Adam nodded in their direction when one of the ladies waved at him. The only other people in the room were a handsome looking couple seated at the table directly across from him. The young man was completely absorbed in a book and the young woman with him was toying with the food on her plate looking quite bored. The young woman was large with child and obviously uncomfortable. She sighed trying in vain to get the attention of the gentleman in her company.

“More tea dear?” the man asked, in response to her sigh, without looking up.

Adam coughed lightly to avoid chuckling as he watched.

The girl, seeing a chance to gain some attention, quickly drank her full cup of tea and then held it out to the young man.

“Yes, dear,” she said coyly. “Would you please fill it for me?”

“Of course, my dear,” he answered. Then without setting down his book he took his still full tea cup and passed it to her. “Here you are.”

“Thank you,” said the young woman dryly. She sighed again and looking down began absently picking at her muffin.
Adam marveled at the young man. Here he was in the company of a beautiful young woman and he was ruining the opportunity by keeping his nose in a book. Adam himself understood the powerful draw of the written word but there was a time and a place for everything, and while in the presence of a lovely lady was not the time for reading. His thoughts were interrupted by a certain other young lady who was after his attention.

“Here’s your coffee, Adam,” came Heidi’s cheerful voice. “I didn’t bother bringing you the cream and sugar because I know you like it black. At least that’s the way you drank it at the Harvest Festival. Course I did see you take sugar once at a church social. Did you want some sugar, Adam? I can get it for you quick as a wink.”

“No, no, black is fine,” he answered.

After a few minutes of her incessant rambling, Adam wished he had sent her back for sugar after all. At least then he could have drunk his coffee in peace. He was relieved when the young couple beckoned Heidi over to them. She told Adam goodbye and then began clearing dishes at the couple’s table. The young woman sat waiting patiently for her husband to pull out her chair, but when she realized he was too caught up in his book, she got up and marched around the table to him.

“May I help you up?” she said sarcastically, and reached for his chair.

“Why, thank you, dear,” the absent minded man replied. “Did you leave a tip? I seem to have forgotten my wallet.”

The young woman blinked at him a few times and then, mumbling, reached into her bag and withdrew a few coins. She slapped them noisily onto the table and then marched, as daintily as she could, out of the dining room toward the stairs. The young man was already deeply engrossed in his book once again and Adam winced slightly as he barely avoided colliding with Heidi whose arms were full of dishes. He chuckled to himself and then reached into his pocket for some change. He left Heidi a generous tip and then headed back out into the cold to wait for his father’s guests. Adam quickly made his way across the street and was delighted to see the stage rounding the corner.

“Hey, Joe,” he called to his brother, who was just exiting the watch shop. “Come on. Stage is here.”

Joe quickly ran across the street to meet his brother. Adam was relieved to see that he had his coat draped over his arm.

“You know that coat’s capable of keeping more than just your arm warm,” Adam chided gently.

“Are you kidding?” scoffed Joe. “I’m so hot I just might take my sweater off. I’ve been running all over town since we got here. You’re package from Grandpa Stoddard came, by the way. I put it in the back of the buggy for you.”

Adam smiled. At least coming into town hadn’t been a total waste. He instinctively reached out and pulled Joe farther back on the board walk as the stage approached. They waited patiently for Judd to open the door and help the passengers out. Adam became alarmed when only two business-looking gentlemen stepped off the stage.

“I’m supposed to be meeting a couple on this stage,” he looked up at the driver in concern.

“No couples on this stage,” said the driver. “Dropped one off yesterday though. Pretty little lady; young man had his nose buried in a book the whole trip.”

Adam paused for a moment confused, and then remembered the couple from the dining room.

“That must be them,” he thought. “I wonder why they’re a day early? Pa just received the wire that they were coming a few days ago.”

Adam looked to Joe and began giving instructions. “You go to the livery and get the buggy hitched up, then meet me outside the hotel. Did you already pick up the things on Hop Sing’s list?”

“Yeah, I got them,” replied Joe. “I also picked up the mail, dropped off a note for Doc Martin, and got Hoss his order from the bakery. I told you I’ve been running around like a crazy person ever since we got here.”

“Good man,” said Adam, patting Joe on the shoulder. “Now go get the buggy and don’t dawdle.” With that Adam turned Joe around and gave him a gentle shove in the direction of the livery.

“Okay, okay, I’m going already,” Little Joe laughed, then quickly made his way down the street.

Adam, putting his hands under his arms, hurried back across the street to the hotel. He walked up to the desk and rang the bell.

“Oh, Adam, what can I do for you?” asked the hotel manager, coming out of his office. “I imagine you and your family must be just about settled in for the winter.”

“Yes, Mr. Clark, thank you,” he replied. “I’m looking for a young couple by the name of Wells. I think they might be staying here.”

“Oh,” stated Mr. Clark. “Now let’s see here . . . Ah, yes, a Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Wells. They’re in room number five. Just turn right at the top of stairs.”

Adam nodded his thanks and then bounded up the steps two at a time. He was glad this couple had turned out to be the ones he was supposed to be meeting. He had found their interactions in the dining room fascinating and he was looking forward to observing them for the next couple of days. He approached room number five and was about to knock when an enormous explosion sounded from behind the door. Adam jumped away from the door, his back to the wall. After a few moments he thought it safe to approach and knocked forcefully.

“Is everything all right in there?” he called.

“What is it? What’s going on?” came the breathless questions of Mr. Clark as he reached the top of the stairs.

“I’m not sure,” answered Adam.

He knocked a second time and tried to open the door. It was locked. He was about to knock again when he heard a soft moan coming from inside the room. Without a moment’s hesitation he took a step back, and then using his shoulder as a battering ram, he forced the door open. He stopped short at the scene that greeted him. A thick grey smoke filled the room and billowed out of the now open doorway. Adam pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and covering his face, entered the room in search of survivors from whatever catastrophe had occurred. He noticed the young gentlemen, Elliot, face down on the floor near the bed.

“I’ll see to him,” said Mr. Clark. “You look for the young lady.”

Adam darted around the room searching for the woman. His eyes were red and tearing from the stinging smoke and he was coughing violently. Finally, he saw her, half buried under the upturned loveseat. He rushed over to her and tossing the couch aside, he gently rolled her over. When he saw that she was unconscious, he gingerly picked her up and carried her out into the hall.

“Miss, Miss,” he called softly, setting her down. Adam patted her cheek and then tried again a little more forcefully. “Are you all right, Miss?”

The young woman moaned softly and blinking slowly, she opened her eyes. She looked up into his concerned face and then turned towards the room which was just beginning to clear of smoke.

“Oh, no,” she groaned. “Not again!”

Chapter 2

“Brave Pony, wait up,” called Hoss Cartwright. At twenty-one Hoss Cartwright was already a giant of a man. His towering six-foot-four frame was packed with muscle, not at all unusual for a young man having grown up on a hard working ranch. But despite the great shape he was in he couldn’t keep up with his young Indian friend.

Brave Pony stopped just at the top of a small hill and turned to wait for his comrade.

“Hoss, I told you not to eat so many of Hop Sing’s donuts this morning. You’re becoming as sluggish as an old mule.” He laughed, and put a hand out to help his friend up the last few steps.

“Don’t have nothin’ to do with donuts,” gasped Hoss. “It’s all these dang hills we’ve been climbing. How much longer til we reach your village anyhow?”

“Well, Hoss,” Brave Pony started. “It’s just over this . . .”

“Next hill,” Hoss finished for him. “That’s what you said after the last three hills we climbed.”

Hoss collapsed onto the ground and chucked a small stick at his friend.

“I think we should stop for lunch,” he whined.

“Lunch!” Brave Pony echoed incredulously. “How can you possibly be hungry again after the huge breakfast you had?”

“That was hours ago,” retorted Hoss. “’sides I’ve got a lot more to fill up than you do.”

“That’s for sure,” said Brave Pony. “I suppose we can stop now. My village really is just over the next hill though.”

Hoss chuckled and answered, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Hoss looked over at his friend and thought back to the day when they had first met . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eleven year old Hoss ducked down behind the huge sagebrush and quietly watched the deer grazing in the distance. He was a bundle of nerves as he quietly lifted the rifle to his shoulder and took aim; partly because he had never killed a living creature before and partly because he knew he wasn’t supposed to be out alone with his new rifle. Pa, who had given him the rifle for his birthday, had gone on and on about gun safety and making sure you were always with a partner, but Hoss wanted to prove he was old enough to do things on his own.

He hadn’t even had a chance to try his new gun yet. Pa kept promising they would practice right after the branding season, but Hoss had a better plan. He had waited until Pa had left that morning for the branding and then had carefully taken his rifle off the rack. He tried to hurry, afraid that Adam or Little Joe might walk in on him. He was a little worried at first about disobeying Pa, but he was sure that once he brought home a big beautiful buck his father would be proud of him. Now, as he looked through the gun’s site at the timid animals, blissfully unaware of their impending danger, he wasn’t sure if he would be able to go through with it.

Hoss lowered his rifle and sat on the ground. He took several deep calming breaths and tried to remind himself what Pa always said: “It’s a man’s job to provide for his family, son. We don’t take life callously, but rather accept that life as a gift.” Hoss determinedly took up his position once again, and with a renewed sense of courage, took aim at a large six point buck and pulled the trigger.

The world seemed to explode for Hoss Cartwright as he was thrown to the ground by the unanticipated backfire of his weapon. A moment later he moaned in agony due to the searing pain coming from his right shoulder. He began to panic when his vision suddenly became red and blurry. He realized with dread that it was blood dripping into his eyes from a gash on his forehead. Instinctively he called out for help, but he knew in his heart that no answer would come. He had disobeyed his father and for that he was sure he would now have to pay the ultimate penalty. Hoss lay quietly for several minutes.

He was startled as he heard footsteps coming toward him. A fuzzy form bent over him and gently laid a cloth on his head. Hoss wiped at his eyes and was surprised to see a young Indian boy looking back at him. Without saying a word, the boy carefully helped Hoss into a sitting position. He placed several large leaves against the wound on Hoss’s head and then tied them securely with a string. He peeked carefully at Hoss’s very tender shoulder. He grunted disapprovingly at the angry red marks that would soon be turning black and blue. He helped Hoss to his feet and started to guide him towards his home. Hoss wasn’t sure how this boy knew where he lived, but he did know that he was grateful.

Hoss was stiff from his fall and still a bit dizzy, so the journey was slow going. As it started to get dark, he sat down on a log, too exhausted to keep going. He was tired, sore, and hungry, and wished like anything that his Pa were there to help him. He tried desperately to be brave, but a single tear making its way down his cheek gave away the inner turmoil he was experiencing. He looked to the Indian boy, embarrassed at the thought of being caught crying, but the boy simply smiled at him. Reaching into a small pouch hanging at his side, the boy drew out his hand and handed Hoss a few pieces of some type of dried meat. Just as Hoss finished accepting the gift he heard a wonderfully familiar voice calling his name.

“Over here, Pa,” Hoss yelled.

He was overjoyed at the prospect of being found and quickly turned to his new friend. He was surprised to find that he was gone. Hoss looked at the food in his hand and then out into the woods.

“Thank you,” he called out as loudly as he could.

It would be some time before he saw the boy again, but that day had started a friendship that was destined to continue over the course of many years.

“Well,” said Brave Pony. “Have you had enough to eat now?”

“Oh, I think I can last until we get to your village. I haven’t had any of your mama’s cookin’ in a long time,” replied Hoss.

The two companions quickly repacked their gear and then once more took off at a brisk pace towards Brave Pony’s village.

In honor of that first fateful hunting trip, Hoss and Brave Pony had made a yearly hunting trip together. Each determined to outdo the other, it had become a sort of contest every year to see which one of them could bring down the biggest game. Brave Pony’s father, Chief White Bear, had become good friends with Hoss’s own father after Ben had found out who it was that had helped his son. In the years since, Ben Cartwright had become a friend and helper to this Indian Village and Hoss, like his father, felt very warmly towards these people. Whatever game he caught when they hunted each year he left in the village for the hungry people.

Hoss sighed in relief as they reached the top of the next hill and he saw the friendly campfires of Brave Pony’s village nestled down below in a small valley.

“See, Hoss, what did I tell you?” said Brave Pony as he jovially slapped his friend on the back.

“I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Brave Pony. Now come on, I can smell some of your mama’s stew cookin’ right now.”

As the pair made their way down into the village, Hoss was surprised to see just how destitute the tribe was becoming. Even in these freezing cold temperatures, the villagers didn’t have much more than rags to dress themselves in. Most of the women and children were huddled together in their tepees trying to stay warm. Hoss knew that with so many new white settlers coming to the area, it was getting harder and harder for the Indians to find a good food source. All the activity in these parts was driving the game higher into the hills. As he and Brave Pony neared the center of the village, Hoss could see a few sparse meals being prepared over the open flames of the small campfires.

“Welcome, Hoss Cartwright,” greeted Brave Pony’s father. “My son has been looking forward to this hunt for some time now. Our village wishes you both great success.”

“Yes, sir, thank you,” answered Hoss. “Course, I can’t speak for your son there, but what I’m planning on bringing back should be enough to feed your village for the whole winter.”

“Ha,” answered Brave Pony, “that little bitty deer you killed last year wasn’t even enough to feed my baby sister. However, thanks to me and my amazing prowess as a hunter; my tribe did not go hungry.”

“Little deer!” cried Hoss emphatically. “It took four horses and the buckboard just to get the critter back to your village, if I remember correctly.”

“Yes, well, your memory just isn’t what it used to be,” quipped Brave Pony.

Hoss laughed at his friend and playfully jabbed at his arm. The two hurried along to greet the rest of Brave Pony’s family. Hoss noted in concern the thin soup bubbling over the fire as they approached. He hadn’t realized things were getting this bad for his friend and his people. He resolved to talk to his father about the situation as soon as possible. His father already gave to these people several times a year in the way of beef and occasionally flour or sugar, but surely there had to be a way to get together some clothes and blankets. Hoss smiled at Brave Pony’s mother and caught his little sister up, swinging her through the air. The young girl, only about nine or ten years old, squealed in delight and giggled as she wrapped her arms around her capture in a big bear hug. He waved off the offer of food from the girl’s mother, informing her that he had already eaten. Brave Pony gave Hoss an appreciative grin and they both stooped to enter the large tepee that was the home to Chief White Bear and his family. Brave Pony motioned for Hoss to sit down and the two began to plan which route they would take for this year’s hunting trip.

“Well,” began Hoss, “if we want to be getting some bigger game, we’ll need to go farther up into the mountains then we usually do.”

“I agree,” confirmed Brave Pony. “I’m a little worried about the cold weather though, and this time of year you never know when a blizzard may come up suddenly. We will have to be well prepared.”

“That’s for sure,” said Hoss. “And with Little Joe joining us this time we’ll have to keep an extra sharp eye out. He’s not such a bad hunter, but he has a nasty habit of wandering off. I promised Pa we wouldn’t let him out of our sight.”

Brave Pony looked skeptical for a few moments and then leaned over toward Hoss speaking in a conspiratorial whisper and said, “Do you think your father would mind if we just tied him to one of the horses? Then we would know for sure where he is at all times.”

Hoss smiled mischievously at the idea, then shook his head slowly.

“I’m afraid not,” he said. “Joe is an awful sneaky little fellow. He’d figure out a way to get loose and then we’d have to be keeping an eye out for game and watching our backs at the same time.”

“And what schemes are you boys conspiring in here?” asked the Chief as he entered the structure.

“No schemes,” answered Hoss. “Just trying to come up with a way to keep my little brother out of trouble on this hunting trip.”

“I see,” said Chief White Bear. “A task I do not envy you.” He winked at the two young hunters and then started rummaging through a large hand-woven basket.

“Ah, here it is,” he said as he drew out a smaller basket. He slowly sat down next to his son and, almost reverently, lifted the lid. “I have something I would like to show you both.”

Hoss wondered curiously what the chief might have to show them and scooted just a bit closer in anticipation. He was surprised when the chief pulled out a single smooth stone. “A rather plain ordinary looking stone,” Hoss thought. The chief turned the object over in his hand and held it out for the boys to inspect more closely. Hoss noted an odd sort of symbol had been scratched onto the surface.

“There is a story behind this stone,” said Chief White Bear. “Would like to hear the tale?”

Hoss looked to Brave Pony and saw that his friend was smiling at him. He guessed that Brave Pony must have heard this story before. Hoss looked at the Chief and nodded his head excitedly. Besides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there weren’t many things that Hoss liked better than a good story. He sat back and waited for the Chief to begin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Long ago, in ancient times, a small tribe of Indians worked and played in the gentle sunshine of a warm spring day. A small child from the village played not too far off near an angry rushing river. The young boy had been warned never to go near the water alone, as a small child might accidentally fall in and be carried fast away; never to be seen again. Like many young children, the boy thought he knew better than his elders. He cautiously approached the edge of the river bank and dipped just his foot into the water. The stream was swift and cold, but he felt sure that it wasn’t strong enough to carry him away. He slowly put both feet into the water and was soon up to his knees in the icy current. The further out he went, the stronger the current grew and the colder the water became. He was about to turn back to the shore when suddenly he slipped on a mossy stone. The boy fell headlong into the freezing waters and, without so much as a cry, was carried swiftly away.

A young woman from the village just happened to be approaching the water when the boy fell, and her screams brought the villagers running to the riverside. The tribe searched in vain for many days and nights. At last they knew the time had come to inform the Chief that his son had been lost to the river. The Chief fell to his knees and, in his grief and despair, he asked his people to sacrifice all they had that was precious and costly to the gods of the river. He felt that if they could give a large enough offering that maybe the gods would return his son to him. The people of the village loved their brave and wise Chief very much and were more than willing to give all they had. Gold and jewels, pottery and baskets, anything of value was thrown into the river so as to appease the gods. Each day, as the sun would rise over the mountain tops spreading its promises of a bright future, the Chief would make his way down to the banks of the river and wait for his son.

After many months, the Chief once again approached the waters. As he neared the edge of the river, he noticed a glittering just below the surface. He reached into the frigid water and drew out a large golden shield. His heart sank as he realized that this was the first item he himself had thrown into the river as a sacrifice. Now it seemed the gods had decreed their offering unworthy and, over the course of the next few weeks, all the treasures the village had sacrificed appeared on the shores of the riverbank. The Chief, full of sorrow, declared that his tribe would move away from the river.

On the last day, as his tribe waited in the distance to begin their journey, the Chief once more stood beside the rushing waters. Tears slid down his cheeks as he prayed once more; a desperate plea for the recovery of the son he had lost. At last he turned back to his people and made his way slowly toward them. Suddenly a small voice cried out to him. He turned quickly, afraid to hope, and yet there, as plain as day, was the boy he had thought lost to him forever. Never has there been a more joyful reunion than that of the Chief and his son on that day. As a final offering of thanks, the Chief took the most precious of all his possessions, a small smooth stone, given to him by his own father. The stone bore the symbol of his people and had been handed down for generations. He took the stone and threw it out into the river, and then he and his people, after a joyous celebration, departed into the mountains never to be seen again.

Months passed into seasons, seasons into years, and years into centuries. One day a new Indian tribe made their home along the banks of the powerful river and it is said that on the day of their arrival, the Chief’s son, playing near the shores, found the small stone and brought it to his father. His father took the stone with the strange symbol and placed it in his tepee. That night he dreamed of the legend of the first Chief.

“So, you see,” finished Chief White Bear. “That is how we know the story, and it has been passed down for generations.”

“Wow,” said Hoss, his eyes wide. “That’s quite a story. I thank you for sharing it, but, uh…”

“What does it have to do with your hunting trip?” the chief asked for him.

“Yes, sir,” answered Hoss sheepishly.

“Well,” replied the Chief, “it is said that the treasure the Chief had collected from the river was hidden somewhere up in the mountains and remains there to this day.”

Brave Pony interrupted his father, caught up in the excitement of the story. “Yes, it is said that there are clues along the path to the treasure. They are all supposed to be marked by the symbol on the stone.”

“Oh, you’re joshin’ me,” said Hoss. “I can see Little Joe going for a story like that, but I’m too old to be believing in any old legends.”

“You boys keep a look out just the same,” admonished Chief White Bear. “I’m much older than you are Hoss, but I’m not too old to dream about hidden treasures.”

Chief White Bear laughed at the look of astonishment on Hoss’s face and then rose to leave.

After he had gone, Hoss looked to his friend.

“You don’t actually believe that story do you?” he asked incredulously.

Brave Pony hesitated for just a moment and then slapped Hoss on the back.

“Of course not,” he replied, “but grab that rock just in case will you?”

Hoss chuckled at his companion and then tucked the object into his pocket; if nothing else, it would make a great story to tell Little Joe. He had no idea that a short time from now he would wish he had never laid eyes on the small stone.

Chapter 3

Ben Cartwright threw the last piece of the firewood onto the pile by the porch. It had been quite a while since he had done the job of cutting and stacking the firewood himself. He stretched his arms above his head, his muscles screaming at him for the abuse they had taken. Ben knew that morning that Adam hadn’t particularly wanted to go into town and he had felt it only fair to get some of Adam’s chores done for the day. He was trying his best not to become worried, as Adam was now several hours overdue.

“It’s a father’s job to worry,” he reminded himself.

Ben was about to enter the barn when he noticed the axe he had been using was lying on the ground next to the chopping block.

“Now wouldn’t that be a fine example,” he thought. “I’m the one always getting on the boys about being responsible.”

Ben cleaned and then sharpened the axe before putting it back in the tool shed, then headed to the barn to clean out the stalls. Cleaning the stalls was Little Joe’s job this week, but he was in a benevolent mood that day. Ben cleaned the stalls and then began to straighten the barn. He stopped himself after a short while, realizing that this was a job better saved for when the winter snows decided to close them in.

Winter came with a vengeance up in these mountains and there had been many a year when he and his boys had been snowed in for months at a time. During these periods of isolation, sending one or more of the boys out to the barn to do some “straightening” had become a peace keeping necessity.

Ben nimbly climbed the ladder up to the loft and was quite pleased with the stacking job the boys had done with the hay. He hoped they had worked as diligently filling the other sheds scattered in various places on the Ponderosa. It often became necessary during the harsh winters for them to bring hay out to the herds in order to keep them alive until the warmer weather set in.

Ben glanced around the barn one last time and then, deciding he had done enough of his boys’ chores for the day, he headed wearily back into the house. He still had some paperwork left to do and he hoped to be able to finish that before supper. Ben entered the house closing the door softly behind him. He smiled at his friend, sheriff Roy Coffee, who was seated in front of the warm fireplace.

“Well, Ben, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me on purpose,” Roy chuckled.

“Don’t be silly, Roy,” answered Ben, with a wave of his hand. “The boys are a little late in getting home so I was out doing a few of their chores for them. I’m just on my way to finish some paperwork so that you and I will have time for a game of chess after dinner. We’re tied at two for two if I remember correctly.”

“Two for two it is,” replied Roy. “I sure do appreciate you letting me stay here, Ben, what with this busted foot and all, I’d have been just plain miserable staying home alone.”

“It’s been our pleasure, Roy,” Ben assured him.

Ben chuckled at the memory of that day, just a week ago, when the sheriff had broken his foot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Now, Roy, calm down.” Ben tried again to subdue the outraged sheriff.

“I will not calm down!” answered Roy. “You know as well as I do that I’ve never once taken a vacation in all the years I’ve been sheriff, and the one time I ask for a few weeks off I get nothing but flack. I tell you it’s enough to make me just want to turn in my badge, that’s what.” Roy continued his frenzied pacing back and forth in front of the few empty jail cells . “Of all the self-centered, ungrateful, self-righteous . . .”

Ben rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders in surrender. There was no stopping the rampage the sheriff was on. Not that he could find any fault with him on the subject. The man had been working tirelessly and unselfishly for the people for years and now when he had asked for a small reprieve, those same people had been the first to refuse his modest request. When the sheriff had made it clear that he intended to take some time off with or without their blessing, a few of the local business men had even threatened to file a complaint with the local circuit judge.

“Roy, why don’t you let me send Adam into Carson City and see if they can send someone out to act as sheriff while you’re gone? The men here are only concerned about the safety of their businesses. I’m sure that once they know their interests are going to be protected they’ll have no objections to your taking some time off.”

“Ben, don’t you think that’s what I had planned all along? I had it all arranged for Deputy Heimer to come and take my place while I was gone. Nothing much goes on this time of year, and that’s why I waited until now to make my request.”

“Well, why didn’t you tell them all that in the meeting?” asked Ben in exasperation.

“Because I shouldn’t have had to!” The sheriff ranted. “They should’ve trusted me. After all, they’ve known me for years. I wouldn’t leave this town without some form of law and order. It’s the principle of the thing, Ben.”

Ben sighed and rubbed his hand wearily over his eyes before answering.

“Well, principle or no, Roy, you need to take some time off. I’ll call another meeting for you and you can tell the men the preparations you’ve made.”

“No, Ben,” said Roy decidedly. “I’m not gonna go crawling over to those ingrates and beg for what’s rightfully due me. No, sir!”

“Well, dad-blast it all, I’ve already said I would go and talk to them for you, “retorted Ben, his own temper starting to flare.

“Oh, no, you won’t, Ben Cartwright.” Roy turned and stalked towards Ben. “I won’t have you go groveling over there either. If that’s all the thanks those men have for all the years of service I’ve given, then maybe it is time for me to just turn in my badge.”

“Roy,” Ben tried desperately, “you’re being unreasonable. Now if you’ll just listen to some sense…”

Ben never got a chance to finish his statement. Roy, in an effort to release his pent up frustrations, turned and kicked one the bars on one of the cell doors as hard as he could. Ben heard a sickening crack and a pop and then his friend was on the ground holding his foot and bellowing like a bull calf.

After making Roy as comfortable as possible, Ben had run over to get Doc Martin. The doctor, after a thorough examination, pronounced the foot had been broken in two places and within the hour had it in a cast. The sheriff, by default, was given a six-week vacation, under the doctor’s strict orders to keep the offending appendage as still as possible. Ben had insisted that Roy come stay and enjoy the holidays with him and his family. Roy had accepted, somewhat shamefacedly, and after arranging for the deputy from Carson City to come out during the Sherriff’s absence, the two had headed for the Ponderosa.

“What are you laughing at?” questioned Roy.

“Hmm, oh nothing,” said Ben and quickly wiped the smile from his face. He didn’t want to get Roy all heated up again.

Ben sniffed appreciatively at the wonderful smells wafting in from the kitchen. Hop Sing was both delighted and overwhelmed at the prospect of having so many visitors staying at the Ponderosa. The industrious housekeeper had been cooking, cleaning, and baking for days. No one dared to enter the kitchen unless given express permission. No one that is, except for Hoss. He had tried on several occasions under the cover of darkness to sneak in and steal
a small sample of one treat or another. Every time he was chased out by an angry chef, yelling his rebuke in Chinese and waving a wooden spoon.

Hungry after a hard day’s work, Ben decided to brave the wrath of Hop Sing. Tentatively he entered the kitchen and with the busy cook nowhere in sight Ben called out his name before moving any further. Receiving no answer, he walked to the stove with its many sizzling and bubbling pots and pans. He gingerly lifted the lid to one of the bigger pots and inhaled deeply the aroma of apples and cinnamon stewing together. Next he took a peek into the pan closest to him and discovered a large mess of fried chicken crackling away. It was just beginning to turn a golden brown and Ben was sorely tempted to take just a small piece. He was about to give in to temptation when Hop Sing came up the steps from the cellar.

“What Mr. Cartwright doing in Hop Sing’s kitchen?” he demanded, setting down the armload of potatoes he was carrying.

Ben flustered for a moment, embarrassed at having been caught snooping.

“I just came in to get a snack for myself and Roy,” he answered finally.

“You need snack, you call for Hop Sing. I bring to you. Now, put back lid and get out of kitchen.” With that Hop Sing turned and began putting some slices of gingerbread onto a plate, while mumbling under his breath in Chinese.

For a moment Ben balked at the idea of being thrown out of his own kitchen, but then decided that arguing would be a useless endeavor. He turned instead and went to his desk.

Ben was just getting a good start on his paperwork when Hop Sing walked in with a tray of warm gingerbread and a pot of hot coffee. He set the tray on the large wooden table in front of Roy.

“Are you going to join me, Ben?” Roy asked.

“I’ll be right there,” he answered.

Laying aside his pen, Ben joined Roy in the spacious living room. The fire was dancing warmly in the large stone fireplace and the two men sat quietly for a few moments enjoying the peaceful setting.

“Ben,” Roy interrupted the silence. “You gonna finish telling me the story of your first Christmas with Adam’s mother?”

Ben smiled softly as the memories came flooding back to him. During the last week that Roy had been with the family, Ben had been entertaining his guest with tales from the past. He knew his friend was often lonely and enjoyed hearing all the stories of his and his boys’ past. Yesterday, Roy had asked to hear about some of the families’ early Christmases and Ben had decided to start at the very beginning.

“Where did I leave off?” he asked Roy.

“Well,” started the sheriff. “you had just decided what you were going to get her for Christmas, but didn’t know if you would make it to the shop in time.”

“Oh, yes, now let me see,” Ben began. “I was just closing up the chandlery for the night when the idea came to me of a gift she might like . . .”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Nathan,” young Ben Cartwright called out to his assistant. “Will you please finish closing up the shop? I want to try and make it to Nicolson’s before they close.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Cartwright. You have a good night and be safe,” answered Nathan.

Ben smiled gratefully at the man and quickly slid into his thick woolen coat. He wrapped the scarf Elizabeth had made for him securely around his neck and then, donning his cap, he headed out into the cold, frosty evening. Ben walked briskly down the street. He knew the item he was looking for could be found at Nicolson’s store and in his excitement to reach the establishment before they closed, he almost tripped over a small ball of fluff lying in the street.

“What have we here?” he questioned lifting the tiny pitiful creature into his arms. “A kitten!”

Ben looked around for any sign of the kitten’s mother lingering about, but the streets were empty and he wasn’t near any houses at the moment. Ben didn’t have the heart to just leave the creature out in the cold and the snow, so for the time being he tucked it into this jacket and continued hastily on his journey. He was sorely disappointed when he discovered that not only was the store closed, but that it would remain so until after the holidays. Ben slowly made his way home, once again in a dilemma over what to get his new wife for Christmas. This would be their first Christmas together and he wanted everything to be just right. He made his way up the walk toward their door and the soft light from the windows seemed to be cheerfully welcoming him home.

“Elizabeth,” he called out as he entered the house.

“Why, darling, you’re late,” she gently scolded as she greeted him at the door. “But never mind, because now you’re home and I have the most wonderful news to tell you. She started to help him out of his jacket and then suddenly squealed with delight.

“Oh, Benjamin, a kitten! Is it for me? However did you know that I wanted one? Isn’t it just darling?” she cooed.

Ben had quite forgotten about the kitten, as the poor creature had promptly fallen asleep once snuggled inside the warmth of his jacket. His wife’s joy was so great that he decided to just play along.

“Ah, my dear, I know you like a book, you see,” he answered, giving her a gentle kiss. “Now, what is this exciting news you have for me?”

Ben was soon overjoyed to learn that he was to become a father. The blissfully happy couple settled in front of the fireplace later that evening and chattered excitedly about the new blessing coming their way. As Elizabeth tenderly stroked the head of the now contented kitten, she looked to her husband.

“Ben, you’ve given me such a wonderful present. I feel a bit guilty as I’ve only gotten you a small gift in return. Ben looked lovingly into the large dark eyes of his beloved wife and answered.

“Dear Elizabeth, each day that I spend with you is the greatest gift I could ever ask for, and what’s more, you are giving me a child. At this moment I am the happiest man alive.”

Ben’s voice started to fade as distant memories began calling him away.

“You know, I envy you, Ben,” said Roy softly.

Ben snapped out of his reverie and turned his attention back to his friend. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” Roy answered. “You have so many happy memories. I appreciate you sharing some of them with me.”

“Well, I have a lot of memories to be sure,” said Ben. “Some I wish I didn’t have; others I will hold onto forever.”

Ben poured each of them another cup of coffee, and then ambled back to his desk to finish the paperwork. He glanced anxiously out the window at the graying sky. Having been a man of the sea for so many years, he had a knack for predicting the weather, and right now he was predicting that it would snow before the evening was over. He hoped his boys would soon be home.

Chapter 4

Adam paced anxiously back and forth in Doc Martin’s waiting room. Belle, the young lady he’d rescued, turned out to be just fine other than a few scrapes, bruises, and a slight concussion. There had been some concern for the baby, but after a careful examination, the doctor had pronounced that the baby was just fine. Elliot, however, had still not awakened, which was giving the conscientious doctor some cause for concern. Adam turned toward the office expectantly when he heard the door open. Belle entered the room and gave him a weak smile.

“Mr. Cartwright,” she began.

“Please, call me Adam,” he insisted.

“Very well then, Adam,” she replied bashfully. “You’ve already done so much for us. I do hate to impose further, but my husband has still not awakened and the hotel manager will be anxious for us to settle for the damages. I was wondering if . . . well that is . . .”

“Think nothing of it,” Adam interrupted pleasantly. “I’ll go over and take care of things with Mr. Clark. He’s an old friend of the family and I’m sure I can get everything straightened out.”

“Thank you so much,” said Belle, the worry vanishing from her face. “You are so kind. My father said the Cartwrights were a special brand of people and if you are any indication as to what the rest of your family is like, I see that he was quite accurate in his assessment.”

“It’s my pleasure, ma’am.” Adam nodded and then began to bundle up.

“Oh, no, you must call me Belle. I insist,” she said.

“I’ll be back in a bit then, Belle,” he replied and exited once again out into the cold streets.

Adam decided to check in on Joe and make sure the boy was staying out of mischief. When things at the doctor’s office had taken longer than anticipated, Joe had begun to get antsy, and Adam had wisely decided to let him go spend some more time with his friend, Pete.

Adam entered the watch shop and ,seeing no one in the front room, proceeded to the back of the store. He knocked on the slightly open door and then entered. The Hirsch family were old friends to the Cartwrights. Pete and Little Joe had gotten along instantly at their first meeting in the second grade, and the small home off the back of the shop had become one of Adam’s favorite places to visit. He and Mr. Hirsch had spent many an evening together designing and then assembling many different kinds of watches and clocks. Adam loved all things technical and intricate and found the work of a watchmaker fascinating.

Adam called out a greeting and was answered with a cheerful, “hello,” coming from the kitchen.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hirsch,” said Adam as he entered the warm and cozy room.

Mrs. Hirsch smiled at him, her plump cheeks rosy from her afternoon chore of baking. She beckoned him to have a seat at a small wooden table covered in a festive red and gold cloth. As soon as he sat down, a hot cup of tea was set before him.

Adam smiled gratefully and wrapped his frozen hands around the steaming cup.

“I can only stay a minute,” he told her. “I have some business over at the hotel, and I just wanted to make sure Joe wasn’t causing you any trouble.”

“Oh, don’t be silly,” scoffed Mrs. Hirsch. “Papa is keeping them busy in the work shop sorting through gears and polishing glass. I haven’t heard a peep out of any of them since lunch.”

“Well, I appreciate your letting Little Joe stay over for a while.”

Adam made short work of the pleasant tasting tea and then stood up, handing her his cup and saucer.

“I’d better be getting over to the hotel now. I’m hoping we can leave for home soon. We’ll be lucky to make it back before it gets dark, and my father will be getting worried.”

“If you are still in town during the supper hour, you and your friends must come and join us, Adam,” Mrs. Hirsch kindly offered.

“Thank you, ma’am,” answered Adam, “as much as I appreciate the offer, I hope we won’t have to take you up on it. Hop Sing is preparing a regular banquet for tonight and I would hate to have to face him if we missed it.”
He waved goodbye to the motherly woman and then, after quickly letting Joe know his plans and reminding him to stay put, he exited the tiny shop.

Adam entered the hotel and briefly thought about ordering a quick bite to eat. He hadn’t had anything except for some tea and a cup of coffee since early that morning, but as he looked toward the dining room he saw that there were no other customers at the moment, and the last thing he wanted was to be the sole audience for Heidi’s incessant prattle.

He quickly turned and made his way up the stairs, his stomach growling in protest.

Adam let out a low whistle as he surveyed the amount of destruction in the small hotel room. The window was shattered and glass was everywhere. Most of the furniture was in a shambles and the mattress from the bed had exploded, leaving the room in a shower of goose feathers. Adam thoroughly and deliberately sorted through the mess making a mental inventory of what things could be repaired and what items would need to be replaced. The room would also need a thorough cleaning.

Belle had given him pieces of information about the accident. From what he’d been able to decipher Elliot had constructed a sort of chamber where he would place coal and then attempt to create an environment of extreme pressure. He did this using various methods, including heat. Belle had explained that Elliot was sure this was how diamonds were made, and that he had been experimenting with the chamber for months. There had been previous explosions, but today’s had been the most devastating. Adam found himself even more intrigued by the couple and hoped that Elliot would make a sufficient recovery so that he would be able to find out more about them before they left for San Francisco.

Adam made arrangements with the hotel manager to pay for the damages and then headed back over to the doctor’s office. He was pleased to discover that the instigator for the day’s events was sitting up and sipping some broth.

Adam stepped up to Doc Martin and asked quietly, “How is he?”

“Well, as near as I can tell he’s in about the same shape as his wife. A few bruises and cuts along with a slight concussion. Just took him a bit longer to wake up is all. I think it’s okay for you to take them on out to the Ponderosa. I would suggest keeping a good eye on them this evening. If either of them seem overly drowsy or complain of headache or nausea, then send for me right away. I’ve given Mrs. Wells some powders to take with her in case they have any pain, but I don’t expect them to have any trouble.”

Adam thanked the doctor then approached Elliot. For the first time since seeing him that morning, he was able to speak to him.

“Well, how are you feeling?” he asked, and extended his hand in welcome.

“Just fine, thank you.” Elliot answered, not even glancing in his direction. Instead, he absently patted at his shirt pocket and then looked forlornly around the room.

“Belle, dearest, have you seen my glasses?” he asked his wife.

“Yes, dear, they’re right here.” She picked up a mangled pair of glasses from the stand beside the bed and handed them to her husband.

Elliot took the remains of his glasses and tried them on. Adam had to bite his tongue to keep from chuckling out loud. The young man looked truly comical. The frame was all askew, one of the lenses was completely gone, and the other was cracked in such a way that it made him look as if he had one hundred tiny eyeballs.

When Elliot finally turned and looked in his direction, it was all Adam could do not to burst into a fit of laughter. As serious as could be, Elliot said to him. “My wife said you went back over to the hotel. I don’t suppose you happened to save any of my equipment?”
“I’m afraid there wasn’t much of anything worth saving,” Adam answered, wondering if the man might have hit his head just a little harder than the doctor had figured.

Elliot sighed and his shoulders sagged, “I was afraid of that,” he said mournfully.

“Darling, don’t be upset. I’m sure we can get new supplies once you start working for Father,” his wife soothed. “Now, come on, darling, and let’s get ready to leave. Poor Adam has just about wasted his whole day waiting for us.”

Elliot slipped off the bed and looked absently around the room.

“I seem to have misplaced my coat, love,” he said.

“Our coats didn’t survive the explosion, dear,” Belle answered, with as cheerful a tone as she could muster.

Adam, realizing that the couple had probably lost all of their possessions, quickly offered up a solution.
“Look, I have to go to the livery and get the buggy ready to go. Why don’t you two do a little shopping and get what you think you’ll need for the next few days. Just tell the store clerk that Adam Cartwright said to add the bill to my family’s account. When you’re all done, you can meet me in front of the hotel. Does that sound alright?”

Elliot and Belle seemed to hesitate for a moment and then looked to each other.

“That’s most generous of you Mr. Cartwright . . . I mean, Adam,” Belle answered finally. “I will send a wire to my father before we leave town for him to send us some money. We should be able to pay you back before we leave.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Adam assured them. “My brother and I will be waiting as soon as you’re ready to leave.”

Belle nodded gratefully and then took her husband’s hand. “Elliot, why don’t you just throw those glasses away? I’m sure they’re not doing you any good now.”

“What . . . oh yes,” Elliot replied absently. He took off the ruined glasses and put them into his pocket. As the couple approached the door Belle stopped, waiting for her husband to open it for her.

“Did you forget something, Belle?” he asked.

Belle gave an exasperated sigh and then, opening the door herself, she stormed out in a huff.

Elliot hung back for a couple of moments wringing his hands. He looked after her somewhat mystified and then clearing his throat, he followed his miffed counterpart down the street toward the local dress shop.

“That one needs a few lessons in courtesy,” said Doc Martin, suddenly coming up behind Adam.

“I think what he really needs are a few lessons in reality, Doc,” Adam said, making his goodbyes to the doctor before returning to the watch shop to collect Joe.

“Hello, Adam,” greeted Mr. Hirsch, as he entered the shop. “If you’re looking for Joseph, he left a few minutes ago. Said something about wanting to get a last minute Christmas present before you left town.”

Adam was not pleased that his brother had disobeyed him, but he managed to smile at Mr. Hirsch and thank him before setting off after his little brother. He checked in first at the local mercantile on the off chance that Joe really was buying a Christmas present.

“No, such luck,” he thought to himself, after finding the store empty.

He tried the livery next, and then the bakery, but still no sign of the young scamp. Adam was starting to wish he had never come to town; package or no package. He was hungry, cold, and becoming increasingly annoyed. As he walked up and down the boardwalk looking in store windows for any sign of his brother, he was almost bowled over as a man suddenly came flying through the doors of the tavern. Adam started to step around the man to continue his search when he heard an all-too-familiar voice coming from inside the saloon.

“That’s for callin me a kid!” came the cocky voice of his youngest brother.

Adam was instantly furious. He marched through the doors and was taken aback to see Joe standing in the middle of the room surrounded by broken glass that had fallen from an upturned table. He was holding the remains of a wooden chair in his hands. Adam advanced on Little Joe, his face a cloud of doom.

“A-Adam . . .” Joe stammered. “You’re done already? I was just…”

“You were just what?” Adam snapped as he grabbed the trouble maker by the back of his collar. “What possible explanation could you have for being in this saloon? Especially when I told you to stay put!”

“Well, if you stop shaking me and give me a chance, I’ll explain,” said Joe, as he tried to get loose from his brother’s fierce grip.

Adam loosened his hold on Joe and took a moment to calm himself.

“Alright, what happened?” he asked.

“Well, a couple of weeks ago when I was in town with Pa,” Joe began, “I snuck over here and asked Sam to order me some of that fancy French wine that Pa likes. I wanted to give it to him for Christmas. I came in here to pick it up. I was just getting ready to leave when that lousy drunk backed into me and made me drop the bottle. Then he had the nerve to yell at me! Called me a “dumb kid”. Guess I got kind of mad and sort of hit him with this chair.”
Joe looked at the smashed remains he was holding and made a futile attempt to hide the object behind his back.

“Honest, Adam, I wasn’t trying to cause any trouble. It just sort of happened.”

Adam sighed and leaned against the bar for support.

“It just sort of happened?” he repeated. “I feel this is a good time to point out that it most certainly would not have happened if you had stayed where I told you to!”

He continued to pin his fidgety brother with his fiery gaze until finally, Adam rolled his eyes, sighed, and said,

“Oh, get going. We have to get the buggy ready and over to the hotel.”

Joe started toward the door when the man that he had hit with the chair came flying back in, his eyes wild. He looked around the room and then, seeing Little Joe, charged toward him with clenched fists.

Adam stepped in between the two and tried to calm the enraged man.

“Mr.” he started. “I’m sorry about my kid brother here, but…”

“That brat hit me,” the man screamed, spittle flying in all directions from his slightly disfigured mouth. “Nobody touches me and gets away with it!”

He tried to push his way through Adam toward Joe, who was once again fuming.

Adam firmly held back the much shorter but stocky man and ordered Joe out the door. The man continued to struggle, all the while screaming obscenities at Joe.

When Joe had gone he turned his fury on Adam.

“You got no right to interfere. That kid has it coming and if I don’t get him now, I’ll just get him later.”

The man gave Adam a menacing look and once again tried to free himself from Adam’s strong grip.

“Look,” Adam said, giving the man a shake. “I’m sorry about him hitting you. He’s got a bad temper, but I don’t appreciate your threatening him, and if I were you I would just let it drop.”

Adam fixed the angry man with an intimidating stare of his own and the man decided to back down.

“Why don’t you let me buy you a drink?” offered Adam, slowly releasing his captive.

“I don’t need anything from the likes of you,” the man spat vehemently, before turning toward the back room.

“But you’ll be seeing me again. That I promise you.”

Adam watched the man as he entered the small room off the side of the bar and shook his head. He turned to Sam and reluctantly pulled a small wad of bills out of his pocket.

“This should cover the damages,” he said.

Sam pocketed the money and then motioned for the janitor to start cleaning up the mess. Adam turned and started to leave, stopping suddenly before turning back to Sam.

“Hey, Sam. Do you happen to have another bottle of that wine that Joe dropped?”

Adam knew that Sam liked to save a buck whenever possible and would probably have put in an order for a few extra bottles, since Joe would be covering the shipping.

“I might just happen to have one,” he answered. “But it’s gonna cost you, same as the first one.”

Adam pulled out the remainder of his cash and reluctantly handed it over to the now grinning bartender. This day was getting to be awfully expensive. Adam accepted the new bottle from Sam and tucked it into his coat. He wouldn’t tell Joe about it just yet. His little brother needed to learn a lesson about doing as he was told, and it wouldn’t hurt him to sweat a little bit.

As Adam left the bar and headed down the street, he was unaware of the menacing figure following secretly from a distance.

Chapter 5

“Finally,” said Ben, when he heard the sound of a buggy pulling into the yard.

It was now dark outside, and Hop Sing was all set to serve supper in less than half an hour. Ben had been debating whether or not to send out a search party when he’d heard the commotion outside. He anxiously glanced out the window and then sighed with relief when he saw that Hoss and Brave Pony had arrived along with the buggy. He quickly started for the stairs to get ready for supper, waking up Roy, who was snoozing in a chair, as he went by.

“Kids are back, Roy,” he said pleasantly.

As Ben entered his room he breathed a silent prayer of thanks that all his boys were home safe. He knew he tended to be somewhat of a mother hen at times. Life had dealt Ben some painful losses and the memory of that pain caused him to be a little over protective. He shivered as he thought back to the winter many years ago when he had almost lost his boys. He knew then beyond a shadow of a doubt that without them, his life would be
meaningless…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Adam, I’m cold,” said almost six-year-old Joe.

Adam checked once again to make sure Joe was wrapped as securely as possible. He looked to Hoss and tried his best to appear in control and confident. Hoss knew his older brother better.

“Adam, we’re lost ain’t we?” he asked, a slight tremble to his voice.

“Of course we’re not lost, Hoss,” Adam answered with a wry smile. “I know exactly where we are.”

“Well, where are we then?” Hoss demanded.

“We’re about a half a mile from over there,” he said pointing towards a large group of Cedar trees. “And just a bit off the trail from there,” he pointed the other direction toward the path they had just decided to detour from. “And that puts us precisely right here!”

Hoss looked up at his big brother, a doubtful expression on his face.

“Yeah,” piped Little Joe. “Pweciselely, right here.”

Joe looked adoringly at Adam. His oldest brother had never let him down, and he was full of childlike faith that everything would be okay.

Adam exuded confidence to his younger brothers, but inside his hope of their reaching home before they froze to death was rapidly diminishing. He mentally kicked himself yet again for letting his younger brothers talk him into taking this trip. Little Joe had pled so pitifully and Hoss had just looked at him silently with those big sad eyes. He didn’t have the heart to tell them no. He wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone, but he too wanted to go visit Marie’s grave. Tomorrow was Christmas and this was their first year to try and celebrate the holiday without her.

Her death had been sudden and unexpected, leaving in its wake a forlorn and grieving family. His father had been becoming more and more withdrawn and distant. Adam had taken a lot of the responsibilities of both running the ranch and taking care of his siblings upon himself. He dealt with his grief by burying himself in work and taking care of his brothers. Spending time with the two young boys had done wonders in helping him heal. Their innocent and carefree approach to life gave him a new perspective. A few hours a day of childish games and pranks, bickering and tattle telling, along with jokes and contagious giggling, had gone a long way in keeping Adam’s spirits up. He wished his father would spend more time with them also.

Adam was now wishing he had listened to his father. Ben had left early that morning to go find the family a tree for Christmas and he had told the boys to stay around the house. Ben had told Adam he was sure a storm was coming and he didn’t want the boys wandering too far from home. Adam knew better than to doubt his father where the weather was concerned, but the sky had been so blue and the sun was shining brightly. He had thought for sure they could make it there and back long before nightfall.

Each of the boy’s had left a gift at their mother’s grave. Little Joe had drawn a picture of himself with a large gap in his smile. The little boy had lost his two front teeth a week ago and was proud as a peacock over it. Adam had shown Hoss how to dry a flower between the pages of a book and Hoss had dried some blooms from the Christmas cactus Marie had kept. He placed these tenderly on her grave and then stood waiting patiently for Adam to give his gift. To Adam there was no greater gift than that of a kind word. He had decided to write a poem for her and took the paper from his pocket. He started to lay it on her grave when he felt Hoss’s hand on his arm.
“Read it out loud, Adam. Please.” Hoss’s large sad eyes begged in a way that words never could.
Adam cleared his throat and began to read

I thought the world was whole and then you came along,
I found out then that everything I’d believed was wrong.
I thought we could be happy; just Pa, and Hoss, and me,
Then you came into our lives and us three plus you made we,
Our lives became much brighter when you entered in the scene,
I thought we didn’t need you, but on you I learned to lean.
Once again I thought that life could not be better,
But soon came the day when you gave me a little brother.
I realize now you’ve left him here as a part of you to share,
I’ll treasure him forever, and your memory I’ll always hold dear.

Adam finished reading and folded the paper. He set it on the ground next to the other gifts and the three brothers stood in silence for a few moments.

“How will Mama get the presents?” Joe asked.

“The angels will bring them to her. Isn’t that right Adam?” Hoss looked to his brother for confirmation.

“Yes, Hoss, I’m sure the angels will bring her our gifts. Now let’s get going. We don’t want Pa to get home and find us missing.”

Adam had scooped Little Joe into his arms and was making his way back to the wagon, when he first noted the change in the weather. A stiff breeze started and the sky was quickly turning dark. He urged Hoss to move faster, and once they were all settled, he started at a brisk pace for home. They were only about half way there when suddenly, there was a loud crack. Adam stopped the team and inspected the wagon.

“Great!” he shouted, kicking at the broken wheel. “Just great!”

Adam, realizing the need to hurry, ran and unhitched the horses. He was intending for he and his brothers to ride them home and worry about getting the wagon later when once again, the unexpected happened. Large pieces of hail started to fall from the sky, scaring the horses and causing them to bolt. Adam shouted and tried in vain to run after them. When he saw that there was no chance of catching the frightened animals, he hurried back to the wagon. Joe was screaming and Hoss was trying his best to protect his little brother from the onslaught of the heavy hailstones.

Adam grabbed Joe and motioned for Hoss to follow. The brothers huddled closely together under the wagon for shelter. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the hail stopped. A thick, blinding snow came in its place. Adam debated what to do and decided that if there was any hope of surviving the night, they would have to try and make it home. He took off his own coat and wrapped Little Joe as tightly as he could. He picked Joe up in his arms and had to shout at Hoss to be heard above the storm.

“Hold onto my belt,” he had yelled. “Don’t let go!”

The threesome had wandered aimlessly for over an hour before there was any break in the storm. Adam had to set Joe down for a bit and rest. He was freezing and he pulled Hoss to him, hoping their combined body heat would provide a little relief from the cold.

“Adam,” Joe said once again. “I’m cold! I want to go home now.”

“I know, buddy, we will soon.” Adam prayed that he would be able to follow through with those words. “I just need to rest for a few more minutes.”

“Adam, I’m sleepy,” said Hoss.

“Don’t you go to sleep, Hoss! We’re just going to rest for a minute more and then we’ll get going again.”

Adam knew that if they were to fall asleep they would most likely never wake again. He kept telling himself to get up and move, but he was so cold; so tired; so scared.

“I want Pa!” Little Joe started to wail.

Adam tried his best to comfort his little brother, but Joe only seemed to get louder. He was startled when Hoss suddenly pushed at his arm.

“Adam, did you see that?” asked Hoss excitedly.

“See what?” asked Adam, straining into the dark.

“A light! It was coming from over there.” Hoss pointed in the direction of the path.

Adam tried to stand, but the added weight of Little Joe was making the effort too strenuous. He put Joe down and stood slowly, his legs feeling stiff and heavy. Little Joe did not like the idea of being set down and if it was even possible, his cries seemed to rise in volume. Hoss covered his ears and shouted for Little Joe to pipe down. Adam then turned and shouted at Hoss for shouting at Joe.
“Boys! Is that you?” came the wonderful, deep voice of their father.

All three boys ran to his side and soon they were wrapped up tight in the sleigh on their way home. That night as Adam sat in front of the fire, his brothers snug in their beds, he finally spoke to his father.

“I’m sorry, Pa,” he started. “I shouldn’t have disobeyed you. I put us all in danger. I . . . I would never forgive myself if anything had happened to Hoss or Joe.”

Adam hung his head in shame and waited for whatever angry words his father might have to say to him. He was surprised when instead of a heated lecture his father placed a hand on his shoulder and, with his other hand, gently lifted Adam’s chin so that their eyes met. He saw tears in his father’s eyes and fought hard to keep his own at bay.

“I haven’t been here for you like I should, but tonight has shown me that I haven’t lost everything. I have my sons, and you all mean the world to me.”

Adam rose and swiftly embraced his father. After a few moments he stepped back and then headed for the stairs. It had been a long night and he was exhausted.

Pausing for a moment, he turned and asked, “By the way, Pa, how did you find us?”

Ben laughed long and hard and then answered his son, “Between Joe’s crying and your and Hoss’s shouting, I would have to have been deaf not to hear you. But I’ll tell you, son, those were sounds I’ve never been happier to hear.”

Adam gave his father a beaming smile. “Merry Christmas, Pa.”

“Merry Christmas, son,” Ben replied.

Ben hurried down the stairs to greet what was now a house full of visitors. He extended his hand toward Elliot.

“So, glad to meet you,” he said enthusiastically. He then turned to Belle. “You’ve had a long trip. I hope you’ll both be comfortable while you’re here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright,” she answered.

Ben helped get everyone situated in the living room and then pulled Adam aside.

“What happened?” he asked. “Why were you so late in getting back?”

“It’s a long story, Pa. I’ll tell you about it later tonight.” Adam rolled his eyes, indicating to Ben that the story should prove to be an interesting one.

The room was abuzz with happy chatter when Hop Sing entered and declared that supper was ready.

The meal that evening was a joyous occasion. Hoss and Brave Pony talked of nothing but their upcoming hunting trip. Joe was behaving so wonderfully that Ben made a mental note to ask Adam what kind of trouble the boy had managed to get himself into. Roy was keeping Elliot busy with his inquiries about their travels. Adam as usual just sat back and absorbed everything going on around him, occasionally adding in a comment or some sarcastic remark to one of his brothers. When everyone had finished stuffing themselves on the succulent roast beef, mashed potatoes, and freshly made applesauce, Ben suggested they all retire to the living room for some hot coffee.

Hoss and Brave Pony immediately began to set up the checker board. Hoss had taught Brave Pony to play when the two were quite young, and whenever Brave Pony came to visit they would spend hours playing game after game.

Belle had become entranced with Hop Sing’s cooking. She had followed him into the kitchen hoping to gain the recipe for his buttered carrots and mashed sweet potatoes.

Adam had taken Elliot upstairs to look through his books. Elliot’s own books had been lost in the explosion and the poor man was just beside himself. When Adam suggested he might have a few interesting science books from college, Elliot had jumped at the invitation. It was the most excited Ben had seen Elliot the whole evening.

Ben motioned for Joe to come over to him as he set up the chessboard for himself and Roy.

“You’ve been awfully quiet this evening, young man. Is there anything you want to tell me about?” Ben gave Joe a knowing look.

Joe looked guilty for just a moment before managing to hide his emotions.

“No, Pa,” he answered carefully. “There’s nothing I want to tell you.”

Ben took note of Joe’s exact way of answering, but decided not to press the issue. He knew that Adam would inform him sooner or later if anything serious had happened; besides, after years of experience he had learned not to ask too many questions so close to Christmas.

“Have you finished getting everything ready for your trip tomorrow?” he asked instead.

“I’m going up to my room right now to pack,” Joe answered excitedly. “I made a list of everything I’ll need just like you told me too.”

“And a few things I’m sure you won’t need as well,” he thought to himself.

“Well, you better get to it then,” Ben told Joe and chuckled as the boy practically skipped up the stairs.

He noticed that Adam had wandered over to where Hoss and Brave Pony were sitting. The three boys were huddled together, deep in some mysterious conversation. He wandered over to see what they were up to.

“And what is that has you boys whispering together like a bunch of school children with a secret?”

“Hoss was telling me about an old legend of hidden treasure. The Chief says they should keep an eye out for it when they’re up in the mountains hunting tomorrow,” Adam said in mock seriousness and then winked at his father.

“Ah, we don’t believe in no treasure,” Hoss told his father. “But that don’t mean we won’t be using the idea to have some fun with Joe.” He laughed as he nudged Brave Pony. His smile quickly faded when he saw the look on his father’s face.

“Now, listen,” said Ben. “I have enough to worry about with Joe getting into trouble on his own. He doesn’t need any help from you two.”

“Yes, sir,” answered Hoss swallowing.

Ben helped Roy over to the chess table and the two settled down for the evening. Ben’s mind wasn’t totally on the game as he occasionally glanced over at the three boys who still seemed to be quietly conspiring. He was beginning to regret having given Joe permission to go. Maybe he should have waited just one more year.

Out in the barn the stranger settled himself for the night in the loft. He, like Joe, was making plans, and he had remembered to pack everything he would need for his errand.

Chapter 6

Hoss woke early the next morning and hastily dressed. Holding his boots in his hand, he tiptoed down the hall, careful not to waken anybody else. He stopped at the door and then, putting on his boots and bundling up, he headed out to the barn. It wasn’t even light yet, but he wanted to get his chores done quickly in order to leave as soon as possible. He almost laughed when he saw Brave Pony already in the barn. All of the animals had been fed and he was clumsily trying to milk the cow.

“That’s Hop Sing’s job,” he said leaning casually over the stall.

Brave Pony looked up in frustration. “Well, then I think I will just leave it to him. This is the orneriest cow I’ve met!”

“Careful now,” Hoss chuckled. “That’s Hop Sing’s special cow. Feeds her all kinds of herbs and expensive feed. I’ve gotta admit though, she turns out some the best tasting butter I’ve ever eaten.”

Together Hoss and Brave Pony made short work of the morning’s chores, and then headed in for some breakfast.

“Now, comes the hard part,” said Hoss.

Brave Pony looked at Hoss in apprehension. “What hard part?”

“We’ve gotta get Little Joe out of bed.”

Brave Pony shook his head sadly, “You’re sure you don’t want to just sneak out now?”

Hoss laughed, “Wouldn’t do no good. He’s too good a tracker. Ought to be, I taught him myself.”

The twosome entered the kitchen through the side door and stood in amazement as they saw Little Joe, awake, clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the small kitchen table.

“Hey fellows,” he greeted brightly. “What took ya so long? Had my chores done a half hour ago. Hop Sing made us some flapjacks for breakfast. Now hurry and eat so we can get going.”

“Well, little brother,” said Hoss gaping. “If I’d have known a hunting trip would get you out of bed this early, with your chores done to boot, I would’ve planned a trip for every weekend.”

“Ha, ha,” said Little Joe, unamused. “Now hurry up. Come on!”

Hoss and Brave Pony laughed at his eagerness and then sat down to eat. When they had finished, Hop Sing traded them their dirty dishes for two sacks full of provisions.

“That’s enough food to feed my whole tribe,” said Brave Pony, eyes wide.

“One sack for you and Little Joe,” answered Hop Sing. “Other sack for Mr. Hoss.”

“Hop Sing, did you get some of your famous fried chicken in here?” asked Hoss.

“Yes. Fried up yesterday. You have that and left over gingerbread for lunch.”

The boys thanked Hop Sing and then, double checking their supplies one last time, headed out to get the animals ready. In addition to their horses, Hoss had borrowed two mules from Jigger Therman. After last year’s fiasco with the buckboard they had opted for pack mules to bring back their game.

“Hey, Hoss,” said Joe, using that tone of voice Hoss had come to recognize as trouble. “Why don’t we leave Pa a note telling him we’re going to stay with Brave Pony for a few days after we hunt?”

“Why would we do that?” asked Hoss, worried Joe was up to something.

“Well, one day isn’t long enough to do any real hunting, and we want to get lots of game for the Indians, so I was thinking that if . . .”

“You were thinking that if Pa thinks we’re really with Brave Pony’s people that we can stay out a few extra days, is that it?” Hoss interrupted.

“Now you’re catching on Hoss,” said Little Joe, patting Hoss on the back.

“Yeah, I’m catching on,” answered Hoss. “Catching on to your sneaky tricks. You must be crazy! This is the first time Pa has let you come hunting with us and the first thing you do is cook up some hair-brained scheme. Well, Pa’s made me responsible for you and I’m telling you no note!”

“Alright, fine! Have it your way!” pouted Little Joe. “I was just thinking of those poor Indians is all.”

“Sure ya are,” Hoss said sarcastically. “Well, no need for you to go worrying yourself over those poor Indians. We’ll bring back plenty of game, and if not, I’m sure Pa will give them a few of our beeves.”

Joe acknowledged Hoss’s speech by throwing his hands into the air and stomping off toward the barn.

“Upset him already, have you, Hoss?” queried Brave Pony, walking towards him.

“You just pay him no mind,” answered Hoss hotly. “Him and his dad-burned ideas.”

The trio was soon ready to leave and just as the first rays of light started to peek over the hill tops, they made their way toward the snow covered mountain peaks.

They had traveled without stopping for most of the morning when curiously, at about the same time Hoss decided he was getting hungry for some lunch, Little Joe decided that he couldn’t stay in his saddle for another minute. They were now high in the mountains and a thin layer of snow covered the ground. Hoss hopped down off of Chubb and pulled a thick canvass from the pack on his mule. He spread it on the ground and the boys felt as if they were on a picnic as they ate their lunch. They were chattering away, each one trying to out-brag the other when suddenly, they were interrupted by a spine tingling howl.

Brave Pony jumped up in alarm. “Wolves!” he said.

Hoss was on his feet in a flash yelling at Little Joe to quickly gather their supplies and saddle up. The horses immediately turned skittish, sensing danger as their owners rushed about.

“Hoss, why are we running from some old wolves? We’ve got guns, can’t we just scare them off?” asked Little Joe breathlessly.

Hoss paused for a moment and then decided answering Joe would be faster than arguing with him.

“When I was over at Jigger Thermans yesterday, he told me about a pack of wolves he saw up here. Said they were the biggest meanest timber wolves he’s ever seen. On top of that, it was a large pack. He counted at least fifteen of them. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t come up here to use all my ammunition shootin’ at wolves. Now, let’s get going. If we can get across the river we should be safe.”

Unfortunately, the wolves were closer than they had guessed and it wasn’t long before they realized that the animals were in pursuit. Hoss instinctively held back just behind Joe, making sure he was between the boy and the ravenous animals. The frightened horses ran swiftly toward the river. For one awful moment Hoss thought that Joe was going to fall off his horse when the petrified animal slipped on a patch of ice. But even at such a young age Joe was already a master horseman and within seconds he and his mount were upright and once again racing toward safety. Two of the wolves were approaching so fast that if Hoss hadn’t known any better he would’ve sworn they had wings. They came up on his left side so quickly he barely had time to grab his rifle. He used the weapon as a club and sent the first giant wolf snapping at his heels into the brush. The second wolf had moved to his right side and after a powerful jump, managed to thrust his razor sharp teeth into Hoss’s thigh. The vicious animal clamped down tight like a bull dog and refused to let go. Hoss yelled out while trying desperately to free himself from the jaws of the monster dog. Chubb, terrified and with the added weight of the wolf, had slowed down considerably. Hoss finally managed to get in one good hit with the butt of his rifle and, with a snarl, the wolf fell to the ground. Hoss, ignoring the searing pain in his leg, concentrated on making it to the river. He looked ahead and saw that Brave Pony had already made it across and that Joe was halfway there. He chanced a look behind him and noted with dread that he would never make it in time. The pack was advancing on him from all directions. He had one hope; he quickly grabbed his hunting knife from his belt and cut the rope that was leading his pack mule. The animal upon being freed took off in another direction and Hoss prayed the wolves would change their course toward the poor creature. Hoss heard gun fire and saw one of the closer wolves bite hard into the ground. Another shot rang out as Brave Pony fired from the other side of the river. Deterred by the shots, the animals changed targets and went after the lone mule. Hoss’s horse plunged head long into the freezing waters and within moments Hoss was on the other side. He tried hard to shut out the pitiful screams of the mule that was now giving its life for his.

“Hoss, Hoss,” cried Little Joe, in alarm. “You’re bleeding!”

The boy was in a near state of panic and Hoss quickly tried to reassure him. “It’s just a scratch, Short Shanks.” He grimaced as Brave Pony cut open his pants and began to examine the wound. Hoss was very glad he had worn his thick pair of jeans and had on two pairs of long johns.

“That’s quite a scratch,” said Brave Pony, looking at the angry red marks.

Joe offered up a handful of snow to clean the wound and Hoss was relieved when, after a moment, Brave Pony declared it only a superficial wound. He took a bandage from his saddle bag and carefully wrapped Hoss’s thigh. When he was done Hoss tried his weight on it and was pleased to discover the pain was not too bad.

“Do you want to go back, Hoss,” Joe asked. “I wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather not keep going.”

Hoss smiled at Joe appreciatively. He knew how much Joe wanted to continue, and he found his offer very generous.

“Ah, don’t be ridiculous,” he snorted. “I’m not gonna let you two have all the bragging rights this year just because of some measly little old cut. Sides if we go back now, we’re gonna run into them wolves again, and I’d just as soon not tangle with them for a spell.”

The three boys decided to continue on their journey. Hoss was feeling very bad about the mule and was a little worried about what they would tell Old Jigger. He was pretty sure their neighbor wouldn’t be too upset under the circumstances, but Hoss hated to have to tell him just the same.

After several more hours they decided to make camp for the night. The higher elevation made breathing a little more difficult. That, coupled with their scare from that afternoon, had caused them to become tired a bit earlier than was usual.

Brave Pony immediately set to making a shelter. Little Joe watched in fascination for a few moments as he expertly fitted together nearby branches and used the canvass to make a sturdy structure.

“Hey, Joe,” called Hoss. “Why don’t you see if you can make yourself useful and go collect some wood for a fire?”

As Joe ambled away scanning the ground for suitable firewood, Hoss slowly stretched out the aching muscles in his injured leg. The cold was causing it to cramp up a bit and he walked around trying to shake it off. After a few minutes, Joe returned with an armload of fairly dry wood. They soon had a roaring fire going and Hoss kept busy frying up some bacon to go with their hard biscuits and coffee. One of their sacks of food had been lost along with the mule and they wouldn’t be able to feast as heartily as they had wished. There was plenty of cornmeal for mush, along with jerky and beans, but the rest of the chicken as well as the more palatable foods were gone. The three ate their meager meal in relative silence, reflecting on the events of the day. A breeze suddenly picked up and Hoss noticed Brave Pony sniffing the air.

“Watcha doin’?” he asked, in consternation.

“It smells like snow,” answered Brave Pony.

“That’s silly,” giggled Little Joe. “How can you smell snow?”
Brave Pony picked up some snow from the ground and chucked it at Little Joe. “Go ahead and laugh if you want to, but I’m telling you I smell snow coming.”

Joe made a snowball of his own and returned Brave Pony’s gesture. Hoss intervened before a real war broke out.

“Well, I don’t know about smelling any snow coming, but it is for sure getting colder.” He stoked the fire as he spoke and the flames crackled loudly in the cold frosty air. “Let’s say we build up this fire nice and big and then try to get some sleep?”

Brave Pony and Joe wandered out a ways and brought back enough wood to see them through the night. Thankfully, Brave Pony had come prepared and they had many thick warm furs to snuggle under against the cold. The three huddled close together in their secure tent with their feet stretched out toward the comforting flames and fell fast asleep.

Back along the trail they had come, a shady figure crossed the river, moving ever closer to the three figures lying peacefully unaware of the danger they were in.

Chapter 7

Adam sat alone by the huge fire place and strummed quietly on his guitar. The soft music did as much to relieve the tenseness in his shoulders as the warm bath had a short time ago. He had spent the whole morning chopping wood, trying to get ahead for the winter. It had snowed last night, just as his father had predicted, and it had made his work just that much more difficult. He hadn’t even bothered to eat lunch. Instead, after heating some water and filling the tub, he anxiously rid himself of his sweaty clothes and slid into the soothing bath. He had soaked for a good long while and now was enjoying his solitude.

Roy, who was taking every inch advantage of his vacation, was taking a long afternoon nap. Pa was spending the day with Hop Sing and their ranch foreman curing and smoking the meat from a pig that had recently been butchered. Adam looked forward to supper, knowing they were having roast pork. This meal was a favorite of his brother, Hoss, and he felt a little sorry for him knowing he would miss out.

Adam heard some heated voices coming from upstairs and stopped his playing to listen. He shook his head when he realized that Belle and Elliot were arguing once again. He had heard them bickering through their bedroom door that morning as he’d made his way outside. He flinched as the door upstairs slammed and then someone came stomping noisily down the stairs. He sunk deeply down into his favorite blue chair and waited quietly for them to pass. He was surprised when Belle brushed swiftly past, well, as swiftly as a woman in her eighth month of pregnancy could, and then headed out the front door. He immediately jumped up, grabbed her wrap, and followed her outside.

“Belle, wait up,” he called, jogging to catch up with her. “It’s much too cold for you to be out here without a covering.”

“Thank you, Adam,” she answered, sniffing and dabbing at her eyes. “I just felt that I needed some fresh air is all.”

Adam’s heart went out to the poor woman, and as much as he knew he shouldn’t get involved in the couple’s personal affairs, he felt as though she needed a friend to confide in.

“Is everything alright?” he asked. “I mean . . . I couldn’t help but overhear the two of you. Guess that’s my fault. I should have designed the walls of our house a little better, huh.” He chuckled lightly.

Belle looked at him, tried a pathetic smile, and then abruptly burst into tears.

“Oh, Adam, I’m so . . . so . . . miserable,” she wailed as she flung her arms around Adam’s neck and sobbed into his jacket.

Adam was taken aback. His dealings with women thus far in life had been purely from a romantic perspective and he had never had one crying on his shoulder before.

“There, there,” he soothed lamely, while patting her back gently.

“Well, it always used to work with Little Joe,” he thought to himself.

Out loud he said, “Look, why don’t we go into the barn and talk? It’s much warmer in there.” He fished his handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to the tear-streaked young woman.

“Thank you,” she whimpered softly, and then blew her nose loudly.

When they entered the barn she handed the soggy handkerchief back to Adam.

“No, no, you keep it,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “I insist. Now, what seems to be the trouble? Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Oh, Adam,” Belle began between noisy hiccups. “Elliot is just so unhappy. He’s always wanted to be an inventor you see. He has some of the most wonderful ideas. He’s is always trying new experiments of some kind or the other, but Father insists that he get what he calls a ‘proper job’. Elliot’s always been a little afraid of my father and so he’s agreed to go and work for him, but I know he doesn’t really want to.”

“If you don’t mind my asking,” Adam said. “Why doesn’t Elliot just say no? He could go to college and study in Math or the Sciences. Both of those would be useful in his inventions.”

“Oh, he wants to go to college very much,” Belle answered. “But it’s rather expensive. He does have money, but . . . well, you see, Elliot was an only child. His parents were quite wealthy and when they died they left everything to him. However, until he turns twenty-five, he can’t touch any of it. It was a stipulation of the will, and he’s only just turned twenty. My father has offered to pay his way through college, but only if he’ll major in Law. He’s been so depressed lately that all he does anymore is read those stale, old books and keep trying his different experiments, but you’ve seen for yourself how that’s turned out. He’s lost all of his supplies and equipment now, so he’s become even more withdrawn. He’s so preoccupied all the time. He never even notices me.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Adam,” she continued. “I love my husband dearly, but sometimes it would be nice to just spend some time alone with him, just the two of us, with him thinking only of me.” She stopped and blushed shyly. “I must sound silly to you, don’t I?”

“Not at all,” Adam answered quickly. An idea was coming to him and he was quite excited to get started on it. “Listen, why don’t we go back to the house? I’ll make you a nice cup of tea, and you really should take it easy.”

Belle agreed and the two headed for the house. After Adam had settled the young woman with her tea and a plate of Hop Sing’s famous carrot cookies with orange icing, he hurried up the stairs to the attic. He entered the cold dusty room and headed straight for a large chest buried in the corner. He knew exactly what he was looking for. He opened the trunk, the rusty hinge groaning in protest. He dug around for a moment and, then with a shout of triumph, grabbed the item and headed back down the stairs.

“I thought this old thing was still around,” he said and proudly handed Belle a good sized basket.

Belle opened the lid and squealed with delight. Inside were all manner of yarns, and soft cloths in many different colors; also needles and thread, buttons, and a thimble. The basket was brimming with enough goodies to keep her busy the whole winter if need be.

“They belonged to my late stepmother,” Adam explained. “None of us had the heart to part with it after she died. As a matter of fact it sat by her chair near the fireplace for months before we finally packed it away. She used a lot of the materials in there to make clothes for Little Joe when he was just a tyke. I know she would be happy for you to use it.”

Belle’s eyes misted as she looked at Adam. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I know these things must mean a lot to you. Are you sure the rest of your family won’t mind?”

“I’m positive they won’t,” he answered confidently, although he made a mental note to let his father know ahead of time. He didn’t want him walking in unawares, as memories of Marie were still much of the time painful for him.

Adam noticed with amusement the empty plate of cookies.

“I’ll have to tell Hop Sing to make a double batch of those next time,” he teased, picking up the plate.

Belle’s cheeks turned a bright red as she answered, “I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. You must think me a glutton with all the eating I’ve been doing.”

Adam laughed, “If anyone’s got a good excuse to be eating, it’s you. I wouldn’t worry too much, Hop Sing would be terribly offended if any of his baked goods sat around for very long. Besides, you eat like a bird compared to Hoss. That boy can eat better than I can read.”

Adam brought the dish into the kitchen and refilled it. He popped one of the cookies into his mouth as he entered the room, and was pleased to hear Belle humming merrily as she sorted through the materials.

“Now for phase two,” he thought to himself, and then headed up the stairs to find Elliot.

Adam paused just outside the door, once again running over in his mind what he wanted to say. When he was sure he had his plan down, he knocked. When there was no answer he knocked again more loudly. After a third try with still no answer, he slowly opened the door.

“Hello, Elliot?” he called.

He entered the room and noticed Elliot in the corner hunched over a nightstand that seemed to have been turned into a makeshift work station. Adam approached him warily, taking a peek over his shoulder. He was intrigued when he saw that Elliot had pulled apart a lantern, the insides of his pocket watch, and, from the looks of it the small table clock that had been on the dresser was also in pieces. He was busily fitting miscellaneous parts together and mumbling to himself.

“What are you making?” asked Adam.

Adam became a bit annoyed when Elliot still didn’t answer and tapped him a bit roughly on the shoulder. Elliot gave a frightened yip and then jumped up about three feet in the air. He spun around in surprise, then breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Adam. He quickly pulled something out of his ears.

“Sorry, you surprised me,” he said. “I didn’t you hear come in.”

“I guess not,” Adam replied, sorry that he had scared the man. “What are the ear plugs for?”

“Oh, these,” said Elliot, fumbling with the bits of cotton. “I always use ear plugs while I’m working. It helps me to concentrate.”

“Oh, well,” Adam began. “I thought you might want to know I’ve just been out in the barn talking to Belle.”

Elliot looked sheepishly down at the floor and started wringing his hands. Adam decided it must be a nervous habit of his.

“I guess she’s pretty upset,” he said finally. “I know I should have asked her before taking apart her bustle, but I just got so caught up in my experiment it slipped my mind.”

Adam bit hard into the side of his cheek so as not to explode in laughter.

“I don’t think that’s really what she’s upset about,” Adam answered, his voice a bit wobbly.

Elliot looked genuinely puzzled, and Adam realized that the man truly was out of touch with reality.

“Look,” he told Elliot. “I don’t want to pry into your affairs, but when it comes to matters of the heart I do have quite a bit of experience. I’ve made my fair share of woman swoon. If you’d like some advice I’d be happy to help you.”

Elliot paused for a moment, and Adam thought for sure the man was going to refuse him. He was relieved when Elliot began to slowly nod his head.

“Yes,” said Elliot deliberately. “I would be indebted to you if you would assist me. I’ve never been very good at romantics.”

Adam was pleased, “Hang on for just a minute,” he said, then ran out the door.

After a few moments he returned, book in hand.

“This book has all kinds of great advice on how to treat a young woman. My father got it for me when I was sixteen. Adam handed Elliot his copy of ‘Advice to Young Men’ by T.S. Arthur. Adam and Elliot spent the next hour going over the book of etiquette. Adam told Elliot what Belle had said to him in the barn, about wanting his undivided attention. Adam was convinced that a private romantic dinner was just the boost the young couple needed. He left Elliot with the etiquette book and also a book of poems. He had pointed out one in particular he wanted Elliot to memorize.

“Hop Sing,” he called out, when he had located the cook. “I need your expertise in the culinary arts for an exploit I’m planning,” he crossed his arms and looked at Hop Sing expectantly.
Hop Sing stared blankly back at him, “Hop Sing be happy to help, but have no idea what you say.”

Adam rolled his eyes impatiently, “why do I always have to repeat everything twice?” he asked himself.

“I said I need your help in preparing a special dinner for the Wells tonight. I want them to have a private dinner, just the two of them.” He explained patiently.

“Hop Sing already have roast in oven, beside father and Sherriff need eat too. You plan special supper some other night.” Hop Sing swung the blade he was holding randomly as he spoke, and Adam had to jump back to keep from being sliced.

“But Hop Sing,” Adam plead desperately. “They’re supposed to leave the day after tomorrow and I have other plans for tomorrow night. It has to be this evening!” Adam raised his hands in defense as Hop Sing spun around knife blazing. He hurried on, “Pa, Roy, and I can all eat dinner an hour early and then afterward I’ll help you serve Belle and Elliot.”

“You crazy! Hop Sing have no time cook two dinners!” the irate cook shouted.

“I just told you I’ll help!” Adam replied, in just as much of a temper.

The two stubborn parties went back and forth for about the next ten minutes: Adam pleading in earnest, all the while ducking Hop Sing’s sharpened instrument and Hop Sing adamantly refusing, alternating his ranting between English and his native Chinese. Finally the two came to an agreement. Hop Sing would cook two meals and help serve for the couple if Adam would cut, peel, wash, and pluck in preparation and then do all the cleaning afterwards. The two walked away happy with their arrangement.

After about an hour of peeling carrots and potatoes, and other assortments of food for the evening, he was beginning to feel as if he had made a bad bargain. Hop Sing was very fond of duck and always kept a few in with the chickens to use on special occasions. Adam decided that tonight would qualify and so had the nasty chore of butchering, cleaning, and plucking the animal. Hop Sing joined him a short time later and the team set to work making two separate meals. Adam was acutely aware of the large amount of dishes Hop Sing seemed to be using and complained under his breath anytime the temperamental cook was out of hearing range.

Adam managed to excuse himself half an hour or so before the first dinner was ready, so that he could run up and check on Elliot. He was pleased when Elliot recited off to him a good portion of the chapter on dining with a young lady. He also told Adam that he had memorized the poem in its entirety and that he felt quite ready to recite it for his wife at supper that evening.

Adam brought Elliot into his room to finish getting ready. He lent him his best suit which fit relatively well. Elliot though tall was rather gangly and lacked Adam’s more muscular physique. The two decided that Elliot should wait in Adam’s room so that when the time came, Elliot could pick up his date in a more formal fashion. Adam promised to come back up and help him dress after he had eaten and made sure everything was ready, then he quickly ran downstairs to find Belle.

He found her sitting with Sherriff Coffee enjoying a game of checkers. He watched the game for a few moments and noted that Roy was quite obviously letting the young woman win. She didn’t seem to notice and was quite pleased with herself as she double jumped his last two kings.

“Belle,” Adam said, the game now finished. “I wonder if I could have a word with you?”

“Of course, Adam,” she answered amiably.

Adam took her aside and explained to her that he had had quite a long talk with Elliot that afternoon, and that the two of them had planned a special evening just for her. Belle was beside herself with excitement as Adam led her up the stairs to her room.
“Now, you take your time and get all gussied up,” he told her. “Elliot will come to fetch you promptly at seven o’clock.”

Belle thanked Adam with a quick kiss to his cheek and the two parted ways.

Adam rushed back downstairs and picked up his guitar. He had an idea for a special song he could play while the couple enjoyed their dinner. He took just a few moments to make sure he remembered all the chords.

Adam explained the evening’s events to Ben and Roy as they hurriedly ate their early supper; consisting mainly of slightly undercooked pork. They both agreed to make themselves scarce for the evening in honor of young love. Adam barely took time to swallow his food let alone chew. Hop Sing was already in a mood and he didn’t want to risk further aggravating the cook.

When his father and Roy had finished, eating they retired for the evening saying something about getting the Christmas boxes down from the attic. Adam quickly cleared the table. Hop Sing following closely behind him resetting it with their best china and silverware.

Hop Sing sent Adam into the kitchen to check on the duck while he added candles and some last minute touches to the table. Adam opened the oven and took a peek at the duck. It was turning a nice golden brown and smelled wonderful. He turned and kicked the oven shut behind him not realizing that part of the apron he was wearing had caught in the door. It came off as he reached for some glasses, and he continued out to the dining room unawares. He had just finished setting the specially folded napkins in the glasses when Hop Sing stopped suddenly, sniffing the air.

“Hop Sing tell you check duck. What burning?” he yelled as he ran for the kitchen.

Adam following closely on his heels and was shocked to see smoke billowing out of the oven. Hop Sing opened the door and removed the apron, which was now on fire, and opening the side door, threw it out into the snow. It went out with a sizzle and when Hop Sing whirled around raving loudly in Chinese, Adam briefly wondered if throwing Hop Sing into the snow might help douse some of the fire he was now spitting at him.

If Adam had only known how the rest of the evening was going to progress, he would have given up and gone to bed on the spot. But unfortunately, he did not possess the gift of foresight, and so continued to rush about furiously. The flaming apron turned out to be only the first in of long line of disasters set for the evening.

Chapter 8

Ben had managed, with some degree of difficulty, to get Roy up the stairs without putting any pressure on his foot. The two had decided to spend their evening sorting through boxes from the attic in search of Christmas decorations. Ben hosted a large party every year on Christmas Eve and he used that as an excuse to get the house decorated early. He situated the invalid in a rocker in his bedroom, making sure to keep the injured foot elevated, then went up to the attic. He was glad Adam had been up there earlier that day as he had already cleared a good deal of the cobwebs. Hop Sing took great pride in keeping the house immaculate, but even he rarely went into the cramped dusty attic. Ben grabbed several boxes and took them back to his room. He and Roy enjoyed going through each box, sorting things into piles: ornaments in one pile, decorations in another, and a box for things that were broken or were missing pieces. Ben left Roy dusting and polishing while he went up to grab some more boxes. As he passed near the stairs on his last trip up to the attic he thought he heard some strange noises coming from the room below, but he firmly decided to stay out of whatever was happening. He, unlike Adam, had learned long ago never to get involved in lover’s quarrels. He chuckled silently to himself and wondered how long it would be before Adam came asking for his help. Ben looked around the attic carefully for anymore boxes having to do with Christmas when he noticed a small box near the window, lying half covered with an old sheet. He bent down to retrieve the object and when he realized what it was a wave of nostalgia came over him. He tenderly traced the delicate carvings on the surface and debated opening the box now or saving it for another time. He thought of Roy and the man’s enjoyment of his stories from the past and decided to bring the box out after all.

“What have you got there?” questioned Roy, when Ben entered the room.

“Something I’d almost completely forgotten about,” Ben told his old friend. “You remember I told you I was a sailor years ago? Well, I sailed under Adam’s grandfather, Captain Abel Stoddard, and he gave me this chest when I turned seventeen. Told me to keep anything that I valued in it, and if anything ever happened to me he would see it got sent back to my family.”

“Is that so?” queried Roy, becoming curious.

“I took his advice,” answered Ben. “For years anytime I had something special that I wanted to keep, I tucked it away in this old sea chest. I put it away when-”

“-When Marie died,” Roy finished softly.

“Yes,” said Ben. He took a deep breath and tried to shake off the sadness which still had the ability to steal over him if he wasn’t careful.

“So you gonna show me what’s in that box?” asked Roy jovially.

Ben held his memories dear and didn’t often open up to people outside the family, but Roy had been a friend for a long time now, and he knew that Roy treasured his stories as much as he did.

“I will if you give me a chance. What do you think I brought it down here for?” Ben said in mock annoyance.

He opened the chest, stealing himself against the wave of emotions he knew would come. The first thing his eyes lighted on brought back a flood of memories. He held the tiny pair of baby boots up to the light . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“They’re so tiny,” he said incredulously.

She laughed at his look of disbelief. “Well, babies are small,” she told him, and gently laid a hand on her large belly.

“Not my babies,” he answered firmly, propping his elbow up on his pillow. “Why you should have seen Hoss when he was born. That boy was so big, I half expected him to get up and start trying to walk.”

Marie smiled a sleepy smile at Ben. “I’m sure we will love him, no matter what his size.”

As it turned out, Joe never got to wear the little boots made so lovingly by his mother. He was born prematurely and was so tiny that they hadn’t fit. Marie had tucked them away and by the time she found them again he had

outgrown them. Ben had noticed them one day in a pile of things to give to the orphanage over in Carson City. He had rescued them to keep as a reminder of the tiny boy that had fought with such tenacity to live.

“Ben,” said Roy, tossing his pillow at his friend. “Wake up and share the story.”

Ben laughed and threw the pillow back. “Sorry,” he said then turned back to the chest.

He dug through the box carefully looking for something in particular.

“Ah ha,” he said, when he’d found it.

Roy looked at Ben then at the item in his hand. “Ah ha, what? That ain’t nothin but a jar full of dirt!”

“Do you want to hear the story, or don’t you?” asked Ben, as he started to put the jar back in the chest.

“Okay, okay, I’ll be good,” Roy appeased him.

Ben didn’t miss the wistful expression that came over his friend’s face. He looked at the jar thoughtfully and smiled as the memories once again swam over him . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pa, when’s Adam coming home?” asked seven year old Joe.

Ben patted his curly haired head and answered the boy’s question for what he was sure was the fiftieth time.

“When he’s done with his schooling,” Ben said, hoping the answer to be true.

“When will that be?” Joe puzzled.

“Well, at least three years, maybe longer,” his father replied with a sigh, realizing the young boy couldn’t understand such a long span of time.

Truth be told, Ben missed his eldest son just as much as Adam’s brothers did. He had been worrying secretly ever since Adam had left for college that he may decide not to come back at all. He knew his son loved to learn and travel; experiencing knew things. He had given him as many opportunities for adventure as he could on their isolated ranch, but he knew he could never compete with the lure of the big city in which his son now lived.

Little Joe tapped his father’s leg to get his attention.

“Pa, where you off to?” He repeated the phrase his father often asked of him whenever he was caught daydreaming.

“I was just thinking about your brother,” he answered.

Hoss wandered into the room from the kitchen, sandwich in hand.

“What you two talkin’ about,” he said between bites.

“We’re just thinkin’ of Adam,” Joe answered him brightly, then bounced onto his father’s knee.

“Pa,” started Hoss.

“Don’t talk with food in your mouth,” his father interrupted.

“Pa, you interrupted Hoss,” said Joe, placing his hands on his hips. “That’s not very polite.”

“Neither is correcting your elders,” his father answered, giving him a stern glare.

Little Joe gulped and nodded his understanding to his father.

Hoss who had now finished chewing tried once again, “Pa, we still don’t know what to send Adam for Christmas.”

A Christmas gift for Adam had been the topic of discussion for his two youngest sons for weeks now. He had tried in vain to help them come to a decision. Offering suggestions such as, a picture they had drawn, or a nice long letter. He was even willing to chip in money if they wanted to send him a new book or some small article of clothing, but the boys were determined that they send him the “best Christmas present ever”.

“I still say we should send him a-”

“Joseph!” his father said firmly. “I already told you we’re not going to send him locks of our hair, the horse’s hair, or anyone else’s hair. Is that clear? And I’d better not find out you’ve been playing with the scissors again!”

Little Joe slunk down in his father’s lap and crossed his arms unhappily.

“No one ever likes my ideas,” he complained.

“That’s ’cause your ideas are dangerous,” said Hoss, rubbing at a small jagged cut on his forehead.

Little Joe had tried while Hoss was asleep the night before to cut a lock of his brother’s hair and had missed. Hoss’s scream had woken the entire household along with the ranch hands out in the bunkhouse. Because it was a head wound the cut had bled a great deal, which had scared Ben considerably, but Hop Sing had assured him it wasn’t anything to worry about. Hop Sing bandaged the cut then gave Hoss some tea to help him sleep and about twenty minutes later Hoss was snuggled down with only a slight pain coming from his head. However Joe, having been marched firmly back to his room by his father, was now experiencing pain coming from quite the opposite end of his body.

The boys continued to argue and discuss what gift to send their brother for most of the evening. Finally, Ben, needing a few moments of peace and quiet, sent the pair of them upstairs.

Ben paused a moment to explain to Roy how he had come to find out the rest of the story of how his boy’s spent their evening.

“I must confess,” Ben said, “I read the letters the boys wrote to their brother and that’s how I found out what happened later that night.”

Roy gave him an encouraging smile and Ben continued . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Hoss’s room the two boys sat down and resumed their discussion.

“I want Adam to come home,” Little Joe said pitifully after a few moments.

“Yeah, me too,” answered Hoss.

“Maybe if we send him something that reminds him of home, he’ll decide he misses us so much that he’ll come back,” said Joe, jumping up and down in excitement.

“Like what?” asked Hoss.

“Well what’s something great that we have here that they don’t have in Boston?” Joe answered his brother’s question with another question.

The two boys set to work thinking, faces screwed up in concentration.

“How about some of Hop Sing’s cookin’,” said Hoss finally, looking quite pleased with himself.

“Adam don’t care about food, Hoss!” Joe answered emphatically. “We got to think of something he would like, not you.”

“He likes to eat as much as me,” Hoss defended himself, but tried to think of something else just the same.

“Hey, I know,” said Little Joe, eyes wide with anticipation.

Hoss knew that look and tried to prepare himself for whatever scheme Joe might have come up with.

“Dirt!” shouted Little Joe.

“Dirt?” repeated Hoss. “What do you mean dirt?”

“Adam said in his last letter that he misses the smell of the dirt when it rains,” Joe answered him. “Remember

Pa said that over there in Boston most the dirt is covered up with grass and stones.”

Hoss thought about this for a moment and then decided he liked the idea. He too loved the smell of the dust rising in the air as the droplets hit the parched earth.

“Well, come on,” he said, jumping up. “Let’s ask Pa to light a lantern and we’ll go get some right now.”

“Not now, Hoss! We have to wait til it rains, so’s the dirt will smell right,” Little Joe insisted.

“But Pa said we have to mail his package next week so that it will get there in time for Christmas,” Hoss explained. “What if it don’t rain by then?”

Little Joe didn’t say anything at first; he just stood pointing up to the ceiling.

“What are you pointing at?” asked Hoss.

Little Joe sighed and stomped over to Hoss, placing his hands on his hips and looking up at his brother he stated slowly, so as to be sure he would understand. “We’ll pray and ask God to let it rain.”

“Oh,” said Hoss. “Well, I guess that will be okay.”

The boys, happy with their plans, started up a lively game of pillow fighting which ended up in Hoss’s window being broken. After a stern lecture and a list of extra chores for the next day, so that they could pay for the window, they were both sent to bed in little Joe’s room. Ben stopped at Little Joe’s door, as he did every night, and listened to his young son’s prayers. He waited through the boy’s long list of “please bless so and so” and was just about to head to his own room when suddenly Joe’s voice stopped him.

“Oh yes, God,” he added. “I almost forgot. Please let it rain so we can give Adam the bestest Christmas present ever. Amen.”

Ben wasn’t quite sure what rain had to do with a present for Adam, but promised himself he would find out first thing tomorrow.

But he never got the chance to ask them how because that night around midnight a sudden rain storm blew in over the mountains.

Joe awakened at the sound of the heavy pellets beating down on the roof and jumped out of bed, running to the window.

“Hoss, Hoss,” he whispered, shaking his brother in his excitement.

“Leave me alone, Joe,” Hoss replied, rolling over onto his stomach. One arm flopped lazily over the side of the bed. “It ain’t even light out yet.”

“But, Hoss,” Little Joe whined. “It’s raining! We have to go get some dirt.”

Hoss, only slightly more awake now, looked at Joe in consternation. “We can’t go outside now,” he said. “It’s the middle of the night!”

“Hoss! We gotta go now. I prayed for rain and God sent it. We would be ungracious if we don’t go get it.”
Joe folded his arms across his chest and Hoss could feel his icy glare, though he couldn’t see it in the darkness.

“I think you mean ungrateful,” answered Hoss, slowly lowering his feet onto the cold wooden floor.

“Alright, we’ll go get some dirt,” he said finally. “But we have to be sure not to wake Pa. I don’t think he’d be too happy about us goin’ out at this time of night, even if God is the one that sent the rain.”

The two boys quickly put on some socks, grabbed their boots, and tiptoed down the stairs. The noise from the rain covering their escape.

Joe, being the sneakier of the two, not to mention quieter, retrieved a small glass canning jar from the kitchen, and after the boys had donned their slickers they quietly snuck out the front door.

Hoss, only having gone as far as the edge of the porch, reached over and grabbed a handful of moist dirt.

“Here now let’s go,” he said, his teeth chattering slightly from the chilly air.

He was surprised when Little Joe leaned over and sniffed the dirt in his hand.

Nuh, uh,” he stated firmly. “Don’t smell right.”
“What do you mean it don’t smell right?” said Hoss in exasperation. “It all smells the same!”

“It don’t either,” insisted Little Joe. “Let’s try over by the barn.” Without waiting for Hoss to respond he took off across the yard.

Hoss grumbled and stepped out from the cover of the porch. “Dad-blame it!” he huffed.

By the time Hoss had crossed the yard, Little Joe had already declared that dirt unfit and was heading around the barn towards the corral. Hoss reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Where do you think you’re goin’?” he questioned. “We gotta hurry and get back inside before someone catches us out here.”

“Adam’s present has to be just right,” said Joe. “Or else it won’t make him want to come home!”

Little Joe yanked his arm from Hoss and continued on. Hoss turned and looked back towards the house. Somewhere in the back of his mind the voice of reason was shouting at him to grab Joe and make him go back to bed, but Hoss tuned it out and ran wearily after his brother.

Hoss finally decided he had had enough when they got as far as the small pond about a quarter of a mile from the house.

“Joe, this is far enough!” he stated emphatically. “Either you go back with me now, or I’m gonna go get Pa and tell him you’re out here.”

“You won’t either,” said Little Joe. “You’d be in just as much trouble as me.”

Hoss could barely make out what his brother was saying, his teeth were chattering so badly. He decided to try a different tactic.

“Look, why don’t we go back to bed and tomorrow we’ll come look some more? The ground will still be wet and you can find the perfect spot then.” He looked at Joe hopefully.

“Nope,” he answered with a shake of his head. “Adam said dirt when it’s raining, not after it’s rained!”

Joe was just about to turn and run further when both boys suddenly noticed a strange light in the distance.

“What’s that?” asked Joe, grabbing Hoss’s arm.

“I don’t know,” said Hoss. “But it’s coming this way. Quick let’s hide in these reeds.”

The boys waded a little ways out into the cold water and ducked down into the reeds. The strange light was weaving back and forth as it grew steadily brighter.

“It’s a man,” Hoss said finally, squinting into the darkness.

“It’s probably a cattle rustler,” Joe said, shivering.

“It ain’t no cattle rustler,” answered Hoss. “He don’t even have a horse.”

“Maybe it’s a ghost,” whispered Joe, sending chills down Hoss’s spine.

“Well, whatever it is let’s get out of here,” Hoss said, grabbing Joe’s hand.

Just as the boy’s turned to head back to the house, the person holding the lantern suddenly started running towards them. Joe screamed and took off as fast as his legs would carry him. The frightening hooded stranger caught up to him in a flash grabbing him up off the ground. Joe flailed widely managing several strong kicks to the stranger’s legs, in his terror he almost thought he heard someone yelling his name. The man abruptly dropped Joe, when Hoss having come up from behind him, hit him over the head with a large stick. The two boys together managed to push the dazed abductor into the pond and then high-tailed it for home.

They didn’t stop until they were inside with the front door locked behind them. They stood breathlessly in the entrance wide eyed and dripping wet. They both gave a terrified scream when someone started to jiggle the handle of the front door and, finding it locked, started pounding ferociously. They ran for cover behind the settee and were relieved when Hop Sing appeared, meat cleaver in hand. He flung open the front door and suddenly, dropping the cleaver to his side, started ranting loudly in Chinese. Hop Sing quickly lit a lantern and held it up to inspect the visitor. Hoss and Little Joe froze instantly, and not from the cold, as they watched their father enter the house. Dripping wet and covered with slime and mud, he bellowed their names.

Hoss looked at Joe and Joe looked at Hoss, the two rose from their hiding spot, but didn’t dare go any nearer to the furious figure.

Ben pointed one long ominous finger and said, “Upstairs! Now!”

The boys made it to their rooms in record time.

It was a long night for those in the Cartwright household. Hoss for the first time in over a year and Little Joe for the second time in less than a week went to bed feeling as though their hind end was on fire. Ben, having a ferocious headache, had opted to spend the night on a chair in the living room, claiming that lying down caused the blood to rush to his head making him feel worse. And Hop Sing was up until the early hours of the morning trying to get all the mud and rain water off his clean floors.

The next day Hoss, Little Joe, and Ben all came down with a nasty cold, which Joe later told Hoss was a good thing, “because it had gotten them out of all those extra chores.”

Ben had to stop his story, Roy was laughing so loudly.

“Ben it’s a wonder to me you ever survived your boy’s childhoods,” he finally said when he could breathe again.

Ben joined in his laughter and once again held up the jar of dirt.

“The boys went out a few days later and ended up taking this dirt from Hop Sing’s garden,” Ben explained. “Little Joe said it was just right. Adam kept it the whole time he was in college and brought it back home with him. I’ve saved it all these years.

“That was a great story, Ben. You know, I’m having such a good time here, it was almost worth breaking my foot,” the sheriff said with a soft sigh.

“We’ve enjoyed having you here, Roy,” Ben replied. “You’re welcome anytime. With or without broken bones.”

Roy laughed as he wobbled up from the bed with his crutch.

“Well, I think the kids have all gone to bed now, Roy,” Ben said, and yawned. “Why don’t I help you back downstairs and us “old” men can get some sleep.”

“Who you callin’ old,” retorted Roy.

As Ben went to sleep that night he thought of his boys and how they were growing up to become fine men. He looked forward to the day when he would be telling his grandchildren these stories.

Little did he know that at that moment, each of his sons were busy creating another story for him to tell.

Chapter 9

“Hoss,” said Little Joe.

“Let me guess,” interrupted Hoss. “You’re either cold, hungry, or tired, right?”

Hoss was trying hard not to be grouchy, but things just seemed to be going from bad to worse on this hunting trip. First of all they had awakened that morning to no fire, thanks to the snowfall during the night. Secondly, Hoss’s leg had swollen considerably and was causing him a great deal of discomfort, and finally, Joe, in his eagerness to snag an eight point buck, had fired his rifle into the small herd of deer without even so much as taking the time to aim. The deer, as a consequence, had run even higher up into the mountains and the weary hunters were now following in pursuit.

“I was just going to say,” Little Joe began dejectedly, “that we might want to stop soon and have some lunch. I’ll cook,” he volunteered in an effort to make amends.

Hoss tried to make himself smile, but only managed a lopsided grin. “Good idea, Joe,” he said. “I am getting’ a might hungry at that.”

The trio dismounted and Joe pulled the firewood that they had stored in the lean-to the night before off the lone pack mule.

He and Brave Pony worked to make a small clearing, digging through what was now at least a foot and a half of snow. They had followed the tracks from the deer herd into a small canyon and were now surrounded on all sides by steep towering rocks. The snow was piled precariously on top of the jagged rocks and the boys instinctively kept their voices low.

The walls of the canyon provided a welcome relief from the chilling breeze that was blowing over the snowcapped mountains, and Little Joe was easily able to get a fire going. He put the beans in a pot over the flames and then started scooping clean snow into the coffee pot for water. Hoss and Brave Pony munched on some dried jerky while they waited for the beans to cook. Joe, ever full of energy, started wandering farther and farther from the fire.

“Joe,” Hoss called as loudly as he dared.

He cringed as his voice echoed throughout the canyon. Joe bounded back to Hoss, blowing out puffs of frosty air, his cheeks bright red from the cold.

“Don’t you be wandering off,” Hoss scolded. “The last thing me and Brave Pony need is to have to go looking for you. We’re gonna be a day late at least already. I just hope Pa don’t come looking for us.”

Little Joe looked at the ground and scuffed at the snow with the toe of his boot.

“Umm, Hoss,” he started.

But Hoss was no longer paying any attention to him. The beans were done and he was busily dishing them out for the three of them to eat. As he quickly filled the void in his stomach with the hot beans, he failed to notice how quiet Joe had become.

Little Joe finished his meal quickly and it didn’t take long before he once again started to wander from the camp.

“Brave Pony,” Hoss said to his companion. “Why don’t you go ahead and tell Joe the story of that Indian treasure while I scout ahead a ways? I need to stretch out this dad-gum leg, and it will keep Joe out of trouble for awhile.”

Brave Pony agreed that it was in everyone’s best interest and so, regardless of the warnings his father had given the other night, Hoss called Joe over once again.

Hoss left a wide eyed, open mouthed Little Joe sitting by the fire absorbing the details of the story while he took off following the tracks of the deer. After about twenty minutes, he sensed rather than saw that the heard of deer was holed up a short way ahead. He ducked behind a bush and, as quietly as possible, crept forward. He spotted the herd about a few dozen yards ahead huddled under a small overhanging rock formation. It looked like they were settled in for a while and he quickly turned, making his way back to their camp.

“Brave Pony,” he said excitedly as he approached. “The deer are about twenty minutes from here still in the canyon. We might make it home tonight after all.” Hoss rubbed his hands together in his eagerness to return to the warmth and comfort of his solid log cabin home.

“Hoss,” said Little Joe. “I was thinking that maybe I could stay back for a bit and go exploring.”

Hoss saw the infamous look of trouble plastered all over his younger brother’s face and groaned inwardly. He never should have let Brave Pony tell him that story. Now Joe would have only one thing on his mind. Treasure!

“Joe, whatever you’re planning,” Hoss interrupted. “Just put it clean out of your head.”

“But, Hoss,” Joe tried.

“Pa put me in charge of keeping you out of trouble,” he ignored Joe and continued. “And that’s what I aim to do. Now get your gear packed up and let’s move out.”

“Hoss!” Joe demanded stamping his foot.

“Shhhh!” Hoss and Brave Pony shushed him at the same time, looking warily overhead. “Keep your voice down,” admonished Hoss.

“Well, I wouldn’t have to shout if you’d just listen to me,” retorted Joe. “I was going to say that you two can leave me here to explore a bit while you go and get those deer. I’m only in your way anyway, and,” he hurried to continue before Hoss could stop him. “I promise not to leave the canyon. I just want to have a look at those caves over there.”

Hoss thought things over for a minute and then decided it would probably be easier getting the deer if Joe wasn’t along. Adam and his father had taught both of the brothers to be good hunters, but Joe didn’t always have the patience it required.

“Alright,” he agreed, pointing a finger in Joe’s face, “But you’d better not even think of leaving this canyon, and when it’s time to go you come right away, no arguments. And you be careful around them caves! You never know if some animal is holed up in one for the winter.”

Joe rolled his eyes, “Sheesh, Hoss, what do you think I am, a little kid or something? I know the signs to look for if an animal is hibernating, and I’ll be ready to go by the time you get back.”

With that he gave a wave and headed off toward the closest cave along the side of the canyon wall.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Brave Pony.

“No, I’m not,” answered Hoss. “So let’s hurry and go get us a deer. The longer we’re gone the more time he has to get into trouble.

Hoss showed Brave Pony the trail he had taken and they soon were back to the spot where the deer were huddled. He started to grab his rifle when Brave Pony reached over and stopped him. He looked quizzically at his friend and then up as Brave Pony pointed overhead. He remembered suddenly the mountains of snow piled high above them and could have kicked himself over the dumb mistake he had almost made. Brave Pony held up his bow to show Hoss, and the two quietly made their way within range of the herd. Brave Pony took several arrows from his quiver and laid two of them on the ground next to him. The third he inserted into his bow and took careful aim. He released his arrow and it sailed noiselessly through the air hitting its intended target. The large animal fell to the ground instantly dead. So quiet was the whole proceeding that the other deer barely jumped as the animal hit the ground. Before Hoss even had time to blink, Brave Pony had another arrow sailing through the air. When he expertly hit the second target, the animal crashed to the ground, this time causing the herd to scatter. Hoss and Brave Pony stood from their hiding place pleased with the success of their trip and went to claim their prize.

After cleaning the deer they packed the insides with snow to preserve the meat. They planned to go back for the mule and load the deer there rather than trying to lug the massive animals back to camp. After cleaning their knives, the young hunters patted each other on the back and started for their camp.

Suddenly from up ahead, Hoss heard Joe yelling and in the next instant felt as if the entire world were crashing down around him.

“Hoss, hey Hoss!” Joe called loudly.

Hoss spun around to shush his little brother but it was too late. He heard a loud crack as if someone had just finished felling a tree, and he watched in horror as huge drifts of snow came crashing down the side of the mountain.

“Joe!” he screamed, his voice lost in the horrible deafening noise of an avalanche.

He tried to yell out again but his throat was constricted in terror as he watched the wall of white come down on the figure running toward them. As suddenly as it had started, all was once again still and quiet. Almost in slow motion, Hoss and Brave Pony moved as one to the piles of soft powdery snow. Hoss hit the mound with a surge of energy. Digging into the freezing substance, he frantically searched for his brother. He and Brave Pony worked tirelessly, moving snow in the last place they had seen Joe. Hoss heard heart rending sobs as he flailed wildly at the snow; finally, he realized that the cries were coming from him.

“Joe!” he screamed into the snow over and over again. He was about to move positions when suddenly, his hand hit against something hard. He dug ferociously and gave a cry of relief when he saw Joe’s boot. He called to Brave Pony and the two soon had Joe pulled out of the heap. His face was blue and Hoss quickly ripped open his jacket, pressing an ear to Joe’s chest.

“He’s breathing,” gasped Hoss, “but he’s nearly frozen. We need to get him back to the fire.”

Hoss effortlessly picked his brother up in his arms and carried him over the snow, almost running to get back to their camp, the injury to his leg all but forgotten in his concern for his baby brother.

When they reached the fire, Brave Pony quickly added several more logs to the now tiny flames and went to grab some of the warm skins off the horses.

“Hoss,” he said frantically. “Where are the horses?”

Hoss was busy rubbing Joe’s hands and legs, trying to warm him.

“I don’t know,” he said looking about for just a moment. “They must of spooked when the avalanche happened.”

Brave Pony took off toward the entrance of the canyon in search of their mounts, leaving Hoss alone with Joe.

“Come on, buddy,” he said to his too still brother. “You need to wake up for old Hoss now.”

He carefully felt Joe’s head looking for any signs of injury. He felt a small bump starting on the back of his head, and was pleased to find no open wounds. He noted with some satisfaction that Joe’s color seemed to be returning to normal. After several more agonizing minutes Joe gave a slight cough and then groaned. Hoss was never so glad to hear his brother’s voice, even if he was complaining.

“Easy does it,” soothed Hoss, helping Little Joe to sit up slowly.

Joe groaned again and rubbed the back of his head.

“Guess I forgot I wasn’t supposed to yell,” he said looking at Hoss sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

“Well you oughta be,” said Hoss, giving him a playful grin, then sobering, added, “I’m just glad you’re okay. Don’t you ever scare me like that again, little brother!”

Joe returned the grin, though somewhat painfully, and leaned against his big brother for a few moments shutting his eyes.

The two waited for Brave Pony to return, conscious of the fact that it would soon be getting dark, and that they needed to arrange some sort of shelter for the night.

Just as Hoss was about to go and look for the Indian, they saw him approaching the fire. Hoss’s face fell when he realized that he was only leading one animal, and that looked to be the mule.

“I would suspect the horses are halfway home by now,” said Brave Pony, approaching quietly.

He plopped down on the ground and warmed his hands near the fire. He looked at Hoss and the two seemed to be silently communicating about the danger they were in.

“I’m glad to see you’re alright, Little Joe,” Brave Pony smiled in his direction, with no hint of condemnation in his voice.

Joe poked nervously at the fire. Hoss knew he was feeling bad about their situation.

“Hoss,” Little Joe said suddenly. “I just remembered what it was I was coming to tell you. I found a cave just a little ways from here. It almost seemed like there was heat coming from inside of it, so I went in and followed it for a bit. I found a marking like the one from the stone on the wall of the cave.

Hoss and Brave Pony shared a glance.

“Well,” Hoss spoke up, “I don’t know what that marking means, but if you say this cave was warm then I think we need to find it, and quick. Hoss shivered and pulled his jacket tighter around him. He wasn’t surprised when a moment later snow began to fall in large flurries.

“It’s just right over here,” said Joe excitedly. He was still a little wobbly on his legs, but managed to lead the sorry group to the entrance. Hoss stepped closer and agreed with Little Joe. Heat was definitely emanating from the inside of the cave; although what the source for that heat was remained a mystery. The trio entered, glad for the warmth regardless of where it was coming from, and settled down for the night. They were just beginning to feel the tug of sleep when Brave Pony spoke up.

“Well, it shouldn’t be too long before a search party finds us. We’re already a day overdue and if I know your father, he will be here in the morning giving us all a stern lecture.” He chuckled softly trying to brighten everyone’s spirits.

“Yeah, and I’m gonna need my strength to make it through that lecture, so let’s get some sleep,” said Hoss groggily.

“Umm, Hoss,” Little Joe began timidly. “I wouldn’t be expecting anyone to come look for us just yet.”

The cave was absolutely silent for several moments.

“What are you talkin’ about, Joe,” Hoss demanded finally, his voice rising.

“Well, see . . . I . . . that is I went ahead and left Pa that note. You know the one saying we were going to Brave Pony’s village after the hunt. I know you told me not to, but at the time it seemed like a really good idea.”

“You what!” Hoss roared, and moved menacingly toward Little Joe.

“Hoss!” Brave Pony yelled and reached out to restrain his irate friend.

Hoss stood and paced in the dark for what seemed like ages. Little Joe shrunk back quietly against the wall of the cave.

“Joe,” Hoss finally whirled around and spoke, “I don’t know how I can go from being so glad that you’re alive one minute to mad enough to pound you the next. You beat all, you know that!”

“Ah, settle down, Hoss,” said Brave Pony. “There’s nothing we can do about it now. Let’s just try and get some sleep. Everything will look much clearer in the morning.”

“Humph,” replied Hoss, and once again settled himself on the hard ground. He winced as the day’s events caught up with him and his injured leg pounded in retaliation.

No one else talked and soon exhaustion claimed its three victims.

Chapter 10

After the incident with the apron, Adam made a conscious effort to slow down and be more careful. It was ten minutes to seven when he again made his way up the stairs to Elliot. He helped him to adjust the string tie and reminded him of some of the more customary courtesies when in the presence of a woman. Elliot seemed a bit nervous which Adam found humorous; after all the couple had been married for almost two years now. He had Elliot put on some of his new expensive cologne that he had ordered all the way from New York and then, standing back, admired the finished product.

“Elliot, you look simply dashing,” said Adam, stepping back to glance him over.

Elliot turned red as a beet and turned to examine himself in the mirror. Clearing his throat loudly Adam could hear him practicing his first line for the evening under his breath.

Adam reminded him that supper was in five minutes and backed out the door. Once back in the kitchen he folded a clean apron in half and tied it around his waist. Hop Sing, even on such short notice, had outdone himself. The roast duck sat triumphantly in the middle of a platter surrounded by roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions. A bowl of creamed peas and a gravy boat full of a wonderful pan sauce completed the ensemble. Adam was quite pleased with the job they had done setting the table. He had managed somehow to find time to go out and cut several green branches from a cedar tree and formed them into a small wreath. He decorated it with some dried cranberries and a few small pinecones and used it as a centerpiece placing a large white candle in the middle. With the moment of truth approaching, Adam stood back, admiring his handiwork.

“Humph,” Hop Sing grunted as he walked by. “You make very nice housewife, now get back in kitchen.”

Adam marched behind the sarcastic cook shooting daggers at his back with his icy stare.

After helping Hop Sing finish the dessert, he stood waiting anxiously near the entrance to the kitchen. He gasped a moment later when he saw the young couple enter the dining room. Belle had swept her long raven black hair up into a loose bun with a cascade of ringlets flowing down her back. Her cheeks were pink, and her wide smile seemed to light up her eyes as she held the arm of her uneasy escort. When they reached the table, Belle paused in front of her chair. Adam was relieved when Elliot remembered to pull it out for her, then cringed as he practically smashed her into the table.

He turned back to the kitchen and he and Hop Sing brought in the food. There were exclamations of delight from Belle, and a raised eyebrow from Elliot. Adam, after making sure the couple had everything they needed, retreated into the kitchen, but not so far as to not be able to hear the conversation from the next room. He was impressed with Elliot. The young man seemed not only to have studied the part of the book on light conversation, but to have memorized a good portion of it as well. He returned to the kitchen reluctantly when Hop Sing called to him.

After giving the couple sufficient time to enjoy their meal, Adam brought in the dessert. He noticed Elliot was standing and clearing his throat nervously and figured he was getting ready to recite for Belle. Adam had selected a very romantic passage from one of Shakespeare’s sonnets. He set the dish on the table and then gave Elliot a wink. Elliot, taking courage, launched into his performance whole heartedly.

My flocks feed not,
My ewes breed not,
My rams speed not,
All is amiss:
Love is dying,
Faith’s defying,
Heart’s denying causer of this.
All my merry jigs are quite forgot,
All my lady’s love is lost, God wot:
Where her faith was firmly fix’d in love,
There a nay is plac’d without remove.
One silly cross,
Wrought all my loss;
O, frowning Fortune, cursed, fickle, dame!
For now I see,
Inconsistency
More in women than in men remain.

Elliot stopped, looking quite pleased with himself. Adam and Belle both stared unmoving, neither sure what to say. Elliot, becoming nervous, reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

“Oh,” he said apprehensively. “Did I quote the wrong one? Here, I have another.”

Why, I’ faith, methinks she is too low for a high praise,
Too brown for a fair praise,
And too little for a great praise:
Only this commendation I can afford her;
That were she other than she is,
She were unhandsome;
And being no other but as she is,
I do not like her?
Belle stood outraged and slammed her napkin onto the table. Adam realized with a sinking heart that Elliot had memorized the wrong portion of the book. Belled turned to march away, but Elliot reached out to catch her arm. He bumped the table as he did so and the bowl of creamed peas ended up all over the floor.

“Belle, darling,” Elliot pleaded. “I don’t understand why you’re angry.”

“That’s just the trouble,” fumed Belle and once again, turning away, shook Elliot’s hand from her arm. Elliot’s hand flew, accidently knocking over the lighted candle on the table. The dry leaves from the pine boughs immediately caught on fire. Adam rushed to the table, forgetting about the mess on the floor, and slipping on the peas, flew into the air. He landed with a smack, hitting the back of his head against a chair.

He could vaguely hear the sounds of a woman’s high pitched voice and some rambling in Chinese. He heard someone calling his name, and was abruptly brought back to the present by a glass of cold water being splashed in his face. Elliot helped him to his feet and Adam surveyed the ruined scene before him. He rubbed the back of his head then turned toward the stairs. He could just see the tip of Belle’s skirt as she angrily swished around the corner. He looked at Elliot in confusion.

“If you don’t mind,” said Elliot tersely. “I will be sleeping in your room tonight. I don’t think I will be welcome in mine!”

With that, Elliot too stalked away, leaving behind a battered and bewildered Adam.

Adam was about to sit down at the table when he was assaulted from behind by the now enraged Hop Sing. He slowly sank into the chair covering his ears to avoid the onslaught of angry words. Hop Sing went on for a good ten minutes before storming angrily into the kitchen. Adam hoped he had gone to bed, but luck was not with him that evening; instead Hop Sing returned with a bucket of soapy water and a rag.

“Hop Sing keep his end of deal, now you keep yours. Clean up dining room and kitchen. I go to bed!”

Hop Sing spun on his heels and exited the room, muttering sharply under his breath.

Adam sighed and once again rubbed his aching head. He wearily began clearing the table. Leftover creamed peas on the floor, a broken glass, and the charred tablecloth were the only casualties of the evening, besides a few bruised egos.

Adam finally got the dining room in order and then entered the kitchen. He stopped short, dropping the bucket of now filthy water onto the floor. He gaped, open mouthed at the mess that awaited him. There were piles of dishes from the two meals. Every inch of counter and table top were covered in filth, and the floor was a sight to behold. He walked aimlessly into the center of the kitchen and dropped his head into his hands.

He breathed deeply for a few moments and then, unable to contain himself any longer, let out an angry roar as he kicked the leg of the table. He flinched as pots and pans fell noisily to the floor and, groaning loudly, began a very long night of washing dishes, wiping counters, and mopping floors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam awoke with a groan. Holding his aching head, he tried hard to remember the cause of his pounding headache. He sat up stiffly and glanced around Hoss’s room wondering why he wasn’t in his own bed. His pants lay in a heap on the floor; one boot was visible against the far wall, the other nowhere to be seen. His shirt was crumpled up at the end of the bed. He picked it up and sniffed at it tentatively. He wrinkled his nose and tossed the offensive garment across the room; it reeked of spoiled food and smoke. Smoke…events from the night before were all coming back to him now. Accustomed to waking early, Adam was surprised to learn just how late it was. He went to his door and knocked quietly and when there was no answer he gently pushed it open, peeking his head inside.

“Good,” he thought. “Elliot isn’t here.”

He quickly grabbed some clean clothes and then headed to the washroom. He was pretty sure he still had some smashed peas stuck in his hair. Adam emerged a short time later much cleaner and feeling quite a bit better. He placed a hand over his stomach, which was gurgling noisily, but he dreaded the thought of asking Hop Sing for any breakfast. With the mood the cook was in last night, he wouldn’t put it past him to poison his food. He opted to just head out to the barn, figuring that he could grab a few of Sport’s carrots. Sport hated carrots and only ate them as a last resort.

When he entered the barn he was surprised to see Elliot sitting dejectedly on a bale of hay. Adam sauntered over slowly, not quite sure what to say, and slid onto the bale next to him. The two sat in melancholy silence for a few moments.

“I’m sorry, Elliot,” Adam said humbly.

He looked over at Elliot and searched his face, trying to gage his reaction.

Elliot’s shoulders slumped even more and he put his head in his hands.
“It’s not your fault, Adam, it’s mine,” he answered miserably. “I should be apologizing to you, after all the work you did.”

Adam was relieved to know that Elliot wasn’t angry with him. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Things will work out,” he tried. “Maybe, I was wrong to push you into a certain way of doing things. Belle obviously loves you the way you are. I would definitely finish up that chapter on how to treat a lady, but as for Shakespeare and reciting the poems and all…Let’s just say it’s not your style.”

Elliot sighed and gave a mocking laugh.

“I’ll never know what it is she saw in me,” he said mournfully.

He remained silent for a few moments then Adam watched curiously as a slow smile began to spread across his face.

“I remember the first time I saw her,” he said softly. “It was a church social and she was with a group of friends near the pond. I was heading over to the water to get a sample for an experiment I was conducting. She turned around when she heard me approach, and her beauty took my breath away. She was just sixteen at the time, but she stole my heart that day.”

Adam watched in amazement as a slow transformation came over Elliot. He smiled deeper and Adam found he was anxious for him to continue his story.

“Of course,” Elliot continued. “I was a bumbling idiot and slipped, falling up to my waist into the water. She laughed along with all the other girls, but there was a kindness in her eyes. She came up to me and offered her hand to help me up.”

Adam felt Elliot might finally be cheering up when he laughed out loud.

“I ended up pulling her in with me, and by the time we got out we were both soaking wet,” he chuckled. “I thought for sure she would never speak to me again, but she just started laughing, that wonderful sweet sound and I joined in. I asked her to the town dance the next week, and a year later we were married.”

Elliot shook his head as if in wonder.

“Elliot,” questioned Adam. “Have you ever told Belle any of this?”

“No, of course not,” replied Elliot. “She would think it silly I’m sure.”

“You might be surprised,” Adam answered. “I’m sure she would like to know how you feel about her, and the words you spoke just now were from your heart. I think it would mean a lot to her.”

Elliot looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I’ve never been very good at expressing my feelings,” he said. “I end up getting all tongue tied and tripping over my words. You heard me last night. I can’t even pick an appropriate poem. I thought she would be so impressed by my having memorized Shakespeare that I didn’t even give any thought to the sections I was memorizing.”

“Have you ever tried writing down your feelings?” asked Adam. “Sometimes when I have something really important to say I write it down first, then I can change anything that doesn’t sound right. It’s a habit of mine that’s kept me out of quite a bit of trouble over the years.”

Elliot chewed his bottom lip in concentration for a moment.

“I think I might try that, Adam,” he said finally.

“Why don’t you go start now?” encouraged Adam, “while the thoughts are still fresh in your mind.”

Elliot gave Adam a grin and then jumped up. “I’ll do that,” he replied and left the barn in much better spirits than he had entered a short while ago.

Adam stood and reached over to pat Sport in his stall. He noticed with disappointment that Sport had already eaten his carrots for that morning.

“You ornery thing,” he said, pushing the horses head away from him in a huff.

“You never eat your carrots, except for the one time I don’t want you to.”

He realized that if he wanted to fill the growing void in his stomach he would have to face Hop Sing. He hoped the cleanup job he had done last night would be enough to placate the cook, but he wasn’t too hopeful.

“Hop Sing,” Adam said timidly, as he peeked his head into the kitchen through the side door.

Hop Sing stood by the small table. Adam saw that he was in the middle of baking bread, and was suddenly so hungry he would gladly have eaten some of the raw dough.

“Look,” he started, when Hop Sing said nothing. “I know you’re mad at me, and I don’t blame you. I did clean up though, just like I said I would.”

He entered the kitchen the rest of the way and closed the door.

“I was just wondering if you might make me a little breakfast?” he questioned pensively.

Hop Sing continued to stare in cold silence.

“Or I could just make it myself, if I won’t be in the way,” Adam suggested quickly.

Complete silence and the icy glare Adam was receiving were almost enough to make him want to turn and run, but hunger prevailed and he tried one last desperate attempt.

“If I promise to get you that new carving knife you wanted in Virginia City next time I go, could I maybe just have an apple?” Adam looked at Hop Sing hopefully.

He was relieved when a huge smile broke across Hop Sing’s face.

“Now you speak Hop Sing’s language,” he said. “You also get new apron in place of one you burn up and I cook you nice big breakfast.”

Adam awarded the crafty cook with a beaming smile and said, “Hop Sing, you’ve got yourself a deal.”

Adam waltzed happily into the living room and, grabbing the latest paper he had bought the last time he was in town, he sat at the dining table to await his breakfast.

He looked out the window before sitting down. The sky was getting dark and he didn’t have to be an expert on the weather to know a snow storm was coming.

“Well, it looks like Elliot and Belle are going to be here quite a bit longer then they figured,” he thought to himself.

Chapter 11

Hoss tossed and turned on the hard floor of the cave. His leg felt like it was on fire and his stomach was grumbling fiercely in protest to the meager amount of food they had rationed out last night. Finally, he decided that he may as well just get up. He fumbled in the dark for the pack they had brought in off their single mule. He hoped Chubb and Cochise had managed to make it back to the ranch, and that they hadn’t run into that pack of wolves. He knew he shouldn’t worry. Chubb was a big strong horse and without the weight of a rider should be able to outrun them or fight them off if necessary, and Cochise could run like the wind even when Joe was riding him.

“Where are them dad-blame matches,” he grumbled to himself.

After a few minutes of fumbling around, he found the matches and lit the only lantern they had left. He took a moment to glance around the cave that had been their shelter for the night. He wasn’t surprised to see Brave Pony sitting up against the far wall.

“How long you been awake?” he asked his friend.

“Oh, since about the time you started moaning in your sleep,” he answered, looking at Hoss with some concern.

“How is that leg of yours doing anyway?” he questioned.

“It’ll be fine,” answered Hoss. “Just need to get home and clean it out some is all. Course sleepin’ on a softer bed might help a little too.”

“I wanted to go look around the cave a little, but I was afraid I’d wake you and Little Joe if I lit the lantern,” said Brave Pony.

Hoss looked over at the curled up, peaceful figure of his brother. He softened as he always did when he watched his brother sleep.

“You couldn’t wake that one up if you lit a hundred lanterns,” Hoss replied tossing his head in Joe’s direction. “He sure do look cute when he’s sleepin’ though, don’t he?”

“Ah, but we know better,” Brave Pony answered sarcastically.

Hoss dug into his jacket and pulled out his pocket watch. He was shocked to see how late in the day it actually was. There was hardly any light coming from the cave entrance, so he had assumed it was still early morning.

“It’s been snowing for a couple of hours,” Brave Pony said when he noticed Hoss’s anxious expression. “I went out awhile ago and gathered what little wood I could find for a fire. The sky is pretty dark and it’s very cold. I think we may be in for a blizzard.”

“Well, that’s just dandy,” said Hoss in disgust. “As if we didn’t have enough to worry about, trying to get home with the horses being gone. Now we’re gonna have to face a snow storm?”

“No, Hoss,” Brave Pony answered emphatically. “We wait here until the storm passes. My father was expecting me back some time ago. He will come searching for us as soon as the weather clears.”

“My Pa would have already found us and we’d be home eatin’ roast pork right now if Joe had just done what I told him,” Hoss retorted sending a hostile glance in Joe’s direction.

“We will get home, Hoss, don’t worry,” soothed Brave Pony.

He paused a moment then looking at Hoss skeptically said, “How do you know it would be roast pork we’d be eating?”

“Cause I could smell it cookin’ last night. Scent of it was driving me near crazy with hunger,” he answered with confidence.

Brave Pony just shook his head and chuckled at his friend.

“Well, let’s get a fire going and then we can cook up some mush. There might even be a little bit of salt pork left. We’ll have to ration it a little tighter since we don’t know how long the storm will last,” Brave Pony said trying hard not to make eye contact with Hoss.

Hoss sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew he should be thankful that they had anything to eat at all, and he knew Brave Pony was trying his best to keep the mood light. But his leg was killing him and he was as hungry as a bear, which always seemed to make him act like one. He decided to help Brave Pony with the fire and when they had it going nicely he sat down, unwrapping his leg to examine the wound. It was an angry red and pretty swollen, but he didn’t see any signs of serious infection yet. He knew in order to avoid that, he would have to get it properly taken care of soon. He noticed Brave Pony looking over his shoulder at the injury.

“Looks painful,” his friend said compassionately, “but it’s not too badly infected. That’s a good thing.”

“Yeah,” Hoss agreed. “Now come on and let’s get some breakfast cooked up. Might even make some for the little trouble maker over there,” Hoss yelled in Joe’s direction. “If he ever decides to get his sorry carcass out of bed that is.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” said Joe grumbling, as he sat up.

He rubbed the back of his head and winced slightly.
“Come here and let me take a look at that,” said Hoss.

Little Joe wandered over and Hoss was relieved to find that a small lump was all Little Joe had received from his near catastrophe yesterday.

The three boys ate in relative silence, each one pondering over what was to be done.

“Here, Hoss, you can have the rest of mine,” said Joe, handing over his dish to his brother.

“Joe,” Hoss said with concern. “You hardly ate anything. Are you feeling all right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” answered Joe with a shiver. He coughed lightly into his hand.

“No you ain’t,” stated Hoss emphatically. “You’re comin’ down with something sure as shootin’.”

He reached out and tried to feel Joe’s forehead.

Little Joe pulled away and pushed at Hoss’s arm.

“Hoss, I said I’m fine,” Joe stated crossly.

Hoss knew his little brother well and just the fact that he was cranky was a sign that he was getting sick, but considering the fact that there was nothing he could do about it at the moment he kept silent. Hoss looked around again. It seemed that the cave went pretty far back and he was curious as to what was causing it to stay so warm. He thought about suggesting they go and explore a bit, but he didn’t think he would be able to make it too far on his leg. Little Joe, seeming to read his mind, spoke up.

“Hoss, why don’t you stay here and rest your leg up, while Brave Pony and I go explore further back?”

Hoss looked at Brave Pony and Brave Pony just shrugged his shoulders at Hoss. They both knew that if they said no, Joe would just sneak off on his own eventually anyway. Hoss knew there was one thing he could count on his little brother for sure, and that was that he couldn’t stay still very long.

“I guess it’s alright,” answered Hoss, “but, you will stay with Brave Pony at all times and do what he tells ya.”

Joe was so excited he didn’t even bother to argue. “Come on, Brave Pony,” he said, jumping up. “Let’s get started. I’ll show you that first marking I saw. Maybe that treasure you told me about is hidden in here somewhere.”

Brave Pony looked at Hoss despairingly and then let himself be dragged off down one of the tunnels.

“We’ll check back in soon,” he called over his shoulder.

Hoss chuckled at his friend. He knew firsthand what a ball of energy Joe could be. He had heard Adam describing Joe one time to a friend, he’d said, “Trying to control Joe is like trying to control the weather. Better to just let the storm blow and ride it out.” There were times when Hoss wished he had half the energy his young brother possessed, and now was one of them.

Hoss sat back against the wall of the cave and stretched out his leg, it was now throbbing and he rested his head against the wall and shut his eyes to the pain. He had only planned to rest his eyes for a moment, but it was in fact several hours later when he awoke with a start. The cave was considerably darker and he could hear the roaring of the storm outside. The fire was growing weaker and he added a few logs stoking it to get it going again. Reaching for his pocket watch, he was alarmed to see that it was way past time for his brother and Brave Pony to check back in.

“Something is wrong,” his thoughts were in turmoil. “They should have been back ages ago.”

Hoss quickly packed the supplies he thought would be useful in an emergency and, using a stick for the fire, managed to put together a makeshift torch. He took off down the tunnel they had followed at as fast a pace as his aching leg would let him. He continued straight down the long tunnel for about twenty minutes. He was amazed at how far back the tunnel went. As he hurried along he noticed it was getting considerably warmer. Just when he thought about taking off his jacket he noticed a familiar sight. Little Joe’s coat and sweater along with Brave Pony’s furs he had been wearing were resting over a large rock.

“They must have had the same thought as me,” he told himself.

He left his outer clothes with Joe and Brave Pony’s and continued on. A short time later he came to an impasse.

The tunnel branched off in two different directions.

“Now what do I do?” he wondered anxiously.

He moved the torch slowly back and forth between the tunnels.

“Now if I was Little Joe, which way would I go?” he asked himself.

He had no doubt that Little Joe was leading the expedition. He had seen the look in Little Joe’s eye when he had mentioned the treasure and he knew that Brave Pony would be lucky to keep up with him. Hoss carefully scanned the area again, looking along the floor this time for signs of footprints. The rocky ground made it impossible to distinguish any. Just as he was about to give up and make a wild guess, he noticed a strange looking pile of rocks just inside the tunnel to the left. Upon closer examination he saw that it was a marker. He smiled to himself; at least Joe had paid attention to some of the things he and Adam had tried to teach him. He knew Little Joe had made the marker due to its haphazard appearance; a quickly thrown together pile of rocks with a stick pointing their direction lying on top.

Hoss started down the dark passage way. He tried hard to ignore the fire burning in his leg. Just when he was beginning to think he might have chosen the wrong tunnel after all, the hard rock gave way to a softer earth and he shined the torch toward the floor.

“There they are,” he smiled to himself.

He was glad for the footprints; somehow they made him feel as if he wasn’t all alone. The darkness and the silence almost seemed to close in around him and he started to sing just for the sound of a voice. “Sky Ball Paint” was the newest song he had learned from one of their ranch hands and he sang it now at the top of his lungs. He had gone a good distance when suddenly he stopped short, ceasing his music.

“What was that?” he said to himself.

He was sure he had heard a scuffling sound from somewhere behind him. He waited in the tunnel, absolutely still for several minutes, straining to hear any noise.

“Pull yourself together, Hoss,” he thought, shaking his head and continued on, still listening closely. “We’re lookin’ for sounds coming from up ahead, not from behind.”

He continued on a bit longer and was once again starting to relax when he heard the definite sounds of rocks crunching, as if under a foot, somewhere back down the tunnel. Whatever it was, it was getting closer. Hoss hated the thought of someone or something sneaking up on him.

“Maybe the storm’s ended, and Brave Pony’s tribe has found us,” he tried, but couldn’t make himself believe his own story.

He waited again in silence. He decided he had to make a choice; either keep going and hope his exposed back would stay safe, or give up and go back to wait alone. Squaring his shoulders and mustering all the courage he possessed, he turned away from whatever dangers lurked behind and continued on in search of his brother and comrade.

The farther on he went the more he became convinced that something had gone wrong. He kept on steadily until all at once, the long passage way ended and opened up into a giant cavern. He held the light out in front of him and then quickly jumped back. Directly in front of him the pathway ended abruptly and dropped down into a cavern. Hoss felt around and found a good sized stone. Dropping it over the edge he listened for it to hit the bottom. His heart sank when what seemed ages later, he heard the tiny echo of the stone hitting the floor.

“Please, God,” he prayed. “Please don’t let them be down there, please!”

He looked around frantically for any sign of Joe or Brave Pony. He almost leapt for joy when he saw a narrow path going around the gaping cavern, and two sets of footprints on them. He stepped out to follow them and realized shortly that his size was going to make continuing on difficult. He had to turn putting his back against the wall and scoot along the path slowly. Sweat was pouring off his forehead as the temperature had continued to rise the farther along he went. His leg was starting to cramp fiercely and just when he was sure he couldn’t go on any longer he felt and opening behind him. He ducked inside yet another tunnel and was relieved to see that the footprints led down the passage way. Hoss hadn’t gone far when he came to another fork in the path. This time, the marker pointed to the right. He was starting to grow weary and if he wasn’t so worried about his brother, almost would have been angry at him. This tunnel was a good deal shorter than the last, and seemed to end suddenly in an open area not much bigger than their barn back home. He heard the trickling of water and examined the room closely. There was definitely water dripping from somewhere. He made his way over to one of the walls and reached out to touch it. He instantly drew his hand back. It was wet and the water was hot. He followed the stream and saw where it ended in a small pool. The water almost boiled and a heavy steam was rising from it.

“So that’s why it’s so warm in here,” he wondered in amazement. “Hot springs! I’ve heard there’s hundreds of them all over Utah Territory.”

Hoss looked around a bit more and discovered at least two other pools. Near the last one, he saw a small opening in the rock wall. He hunched down, holding the torch out to see where it led. It looked as if just a short way down it opened up again into a bigger tunnel. He noticed with despair that his brother’s footprints, along with Brave Pony’s, went this way, and he sucked in his stomach and inched his way in through the tiny entrance. For one fearful moment he thought he was going to get stuck, but he tried releasing all the breath he was holding and it gave him just enough room to maneuver out and into the larger area. He stood gasping, and rubbed gingerly at his swelling leg.. He blinked and rubbed the dust from his eyes.

Up ahead he was sure he could see a light, just a tiny pin prick of one. He blinked again to make sure it wasn’t an illusion and then when he was positive it wasn’t, raced ahead as fast as caution would allow. He came out of the tunnel into now a third cavern, this one much larger than the last. He saw the lantern dangling precariously over the edge of a steep drop off. The ground around it was soft and crumbling, indicating to Hoss that the earth around the area had recently been disturbed.

“Joe, Brave Pony,” he shouted, and then instantly regretted it.

He quickly covered his ears; the echo from the cavern was so great.

“Hoss, is that you,” he heard a whisper coming from over the side.

Hoss leaned his torch against the wall and hurried to the edge, careful to test his weight so as not end up down below with his brother.

“Is Brave Pony down there with you?” he questioned softly, as he hung the lantern over the side.

“Right here, Hoss,” came the quiet answer. “Be sure you don’t speak too loudly.”

“Yeah, I know,” he replied. “The echo in here is terrible.”

“Not just the echo, Hoss,” Little Joe hissed. “Look up.”

Hoss looked up and lifted the lantern high. His mouth dropped open at the sight before him. Hundreds, no, thousands of bats hung from the ceiling up above. He knew, thankfully, that bats hibernated at this time of year, but if they disturbed them enough, they would wake up.

Hoss motioned for Joe to sit tight and then stepped back from the ledge. He carefully set down the lantern and then removed the pack he’d been carrying. He had packed for emergencies, so he had come prepared with a good length of rope. He tied one end around himself securely and then lowered the other below.

“Have Joe climb up first,” he called to them quietly. “Once I get Joe up here he can help me pull you up, Brave Pony.”

Joe was young and limber and was up beside Hoss in moments. The two of them working together quickly pulled Brave Pony off the ledge that had saved them from almost certain death.

Hoss looked between the two and placed his hands on his hips. Brave Pony immediately pointed at Little Joe and Joe pointed to Brave Pony. Hoss held up his hands.

“I don’t even want to know,” he said emphatically. “Now let’s get going, I’m near starvin’ again and we’ve got some beans back at the campfire to cook up.”

“Hoss, we can’t quit now,” whined Joe. “We’ve seen the markings all down this path. I know we’re getting close to the treasure.

“Joe, you can’t be serious!” Hoss answered incredulously. “You could have been killed falling over that ledge. This place is too dangerous to explore without the right gear. Now let’s go!”

“No!” stated Joe emphatically and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m telling you we’re getting close to the treasure and I’m not leaving.”

“Joe,” Hoss started, trying desperately to be patient. “There ain’t really any treasure. Brave Pony and I just told you that story ’cause we thought you’d find it interesting. Now, I’m tired and hungry and I say let’s go, now!”

“And I say, let’s go find the treasure!” Joe retorted, just as stubbornly.

“Joseph! I don’t want to have to use force, but I will if you make me!” Hoss met his brother’s fierce gaze with one of his own.

“You lay one hand on me and I’ll yell so loud every bat in the territory will wake up!” Joe replied. He was not backing down.

The two brother’s stood facing each other, like David and Goliath on the battlefield. They were locked in a battle of wills, and it was anyone’s guess who would emerge the victor.

Chapter 12

Ben and Roy sat near the fireplace roaring with laughter, Adam’s misfortunes from dinner the night before being the source of their amusement.

“I guess young people have to learn things the hard way,” Roy said, when he could speak again.

“I suppose I could have warned him,” Ben answered. “But Adam’s pretty headstrong. Once he gets it in his mind to do something, he won’t give up until he’s either accomplished it or realizes on his own that it’s just not possible.”

“Now, I wonder where he gets that from,” teased Roy, with a mischievous smile on his face.

Ben chuckled and then feigned a look of pure innocence. “Surely you’re not saying his stubborn nature comes from me are you?”

“Oh no, why you’re one of the most meek and mild men I know,” Roy replied, just as innocently.

The two friends continued to trade witty remarks for the next few minutes. Hop Sing interrupted their banter, when he entered with a tray of delectable treats.

“Hop Sing, you’ll spoil us rotten if you’re not careful,” Ben said rubbing his hands together.

He and Roy enjoyed immensely the spiced apple cider and plate of fresh donuts dusted with cinnamon and sugar. They soon sat back feeling full and contented.

“Ben, when you gonna bring down that chest and tell me another story?” Roy questioned eagerly.

“Well, I think now is as good a time as any,” Ben answered, heading toward the stairs.

Ben returned a short time later with the chest and opened it up. He pulled a few items out, laying them on the table for Roy to examine: a letter of commendation from his days in the army, a spyglass from his years at sea, and a small wooden box that contained three gold wedding rings.

“These are some fine treasures you have here,” Roy said, setting the box with the wedding bands back on the table.

Ben smiled softly and pulled out the next item for Roy to admire.

Roy let out a low whistle as he gingerly accepted a small glass bottle. Inside was the tiniest, most intricate replica of a ship he had ever seen.

“Now, I know there must be some kind of story behind this,” Roy looked to Ben quizzically.

“There most certainly is,” he answered. “It’s funny we were talking about Adam being so stubborn a minute ago, it was that same stubbornness that created what your holding in your hand now.”

“You mean Adam made this?” Roy looked genuinely impressed.

“He sure did,” Ben replied. “When he was eight!”

“Eight!” Roy exclaimed. “You’re joshin’ me.”

Ben chuckled over his friend’s disbelief as he let his mind wander back to that Christmas so long ago…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben paused by the door of his son’s room and listened to the sounds of his oldest boy’s serious voice. Adam had developed the habit over the last year of talking to his baby brother about anything and everything. Hoss was the perfect sounding board for Adam’s worries, questions, and complaints. He never argued or passed judgment; only cooed merrily and agreed whole heartedly in his happy baby chatter. Ben was glad Adam had someone to confide in, and he wished he himself had someone he could turn to when things were tough, and things had been tough this last year.

Shrugging off his melancholy mood, he tapped on the door and then entered.

“Well, and what mischief are you boys planning this evening?” he asked casually.

Adam who was just beginning to understand sarcasm and getting quite good at using it, a little too good in Ben’s opinion, only grinned up at his father.

“Ah, Pa, you know you’re not supposed to ask those kinds of questions so close to Christmas,” Adam stated.

“Christmas,” Ben said in mock disbelief. “Is it that time of year already? Why I’d almost completely forgotten.”

“Chismus, Chismus,” Hoss babbled happily. “Tanta come down chimmy.”

“Yes, Hoss,” Ben replied, scooping the hefty toddler up into his arms. “Christmas is when Santa comes down the chimney. I see your big brother’s been busy filling you in on all the details.”

Ben smiled at Adam and patted his head softly. Hoss reached toward the floor grunting and Ben set him down. Hoss immediately ran to the dresser and started pulling out clothes haphazardly. Hoss was just getting to the age where he was into everything and it was becoming quite a chore trying to keep up with him.

“Hoss!” scolded Adam. “Leave those alone. Don’t make a mess!”

Hoss turned and faced Adam. He placed his little hands on his hips and stamped his foot. “Hoss play!”

“Hoss!” it was now Ben’s turn to scold. “You mind your big brother. Santa doesn’t bring presents to little boy’s that don’t do as they’re told.”

Hoss looked back and forth between his father and brother. Much to their relief, he turned and began putting the clothes back into the drawer.

“Hoss be good,” he said, all trace of rebellion gone.

Ben sighed and relaxed his shoulders. Hoss was so much easier to handle than Adam had been at that age. Adam had always been stubborn, wanting to do things his way and in his own time. Ben knew the day would come eventually when Hoss would challenge him and he would have to get firm. But for now he would just enjoy Hoss’s easy going nature and let the future worry about itself.

“Pa,” Adam interrupted his thoughts.

Ben looked to Adam. The boy seemed to have something on his mind, but was hesitant to speak.

“Yes, son,” he encouraged.

“Well, Pa,” he tried again. “I was wondering if . . . well, if you had a little money I could use.” He hurried on looking slightly embarrassed. “I can work real hard to pay you back, and it’s not for somethin’ for me.”

Adam almost never asked for anything and Ben couldn’t remember a time when he’d ever asked for money. He figured that whatever it was his son desired must be pretty important.

“Is there something at the store you have your eye on, son?” he asked.

Adam nodded his head and replied, “Yes, sir, it’s somethin’ real special for Christmas. That’s all I can tell ya.”

“Well,” Ben said thoughtfully, “I do need someone to stack all that wood I’ve been chopping lately. I need it stacked real neat against the side of the house. Do you think you can do that?”

“I can do it, Pa,” Adam answered earnestly.

Adam’s face looked so serious and Ben’s heart went out to the young boy who had already suffered so much heartache in his short lifetime. At that moment he would have given anything to make his son smile.

“Alright then, it’s a deal,” Ben stated jovially. “You help me get all that wood stacked in the morning and I’ll take you boys into town in the afternoon.”

Ben was rewarded with a smile so deep it brought out Adam’s dimples. He reached out and ruffled his dark hair.

Adam pulled back and swatted at Ben’s hand.

“Oh, ho,” Ben said. “So that’s the way it’s going to be is it?”

Adam squealed and got up to run, but Ben caught him up swiftly. Tossing him on the bed, he proceeded to tickle him severely. Adam, between fits of laughter, begged for mercy and finally was saved when Hoss ran over and grabbed his father by the leg.

“Be nice Adam,” he stated firmly.

Ben scooped the toddler into his arms and threw him in the air. Hoss squealed with delight.

“And what are you going to do about it if I don’t,” he asked and wiggled a finger as if to tickle Hoss.

Hoss hugged his arms over his tummy to protect himself and answered, “You be nice. Tanta no come!”

Ben laughed and hugged the boy to him.

“Alright, Pa will be good so Santa will come. Now, it’s time for you boys to get to bed. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.”

Ben carried Hoss to his bed, as Adam went to change into his night shirt. He read Hoss his story, got him his drink, and then tucked him in. When he was sure he was asleep, he went to say goodnight to Adam. He was surprised to see the boy under his bed with just his feet poking out.

“You know, the bed is a lot softer if you sleep on top of it, instead of under it,” he said clearing his throat.

Adam quickly ducked out from underneath and looked sheepishly at his father. Ben saw him shove a piece of paper under the mattress. He was tempted to investigate, but in light of the Christmas season chose not to be nosey.

Adam crawled into bed and Ben stepped over to the dresser to blow out the lamp.

“Pa,” Adam stopped him. “Do you miss being at sea?”

Ben was taken slightly aback over the unexpected question. “I miss it sometimes,” he replied finally.

“What do you miss the most?” Adam asked propping himself up on one elbow.

Ben sat on the edge of his son’s bed and pondered for a moment.

“Well,” he answered thoughtfully. “I guess I miss being out on a big ship in the ocean with the salty breeze blowing and the sun shining brightly. Sometimes if you watched real close you would see some dolphins, a few times I even saw a whale.”

“A spam whale?” Adam questioned.

Ben chuckled softly, “a sperm whale, son.”

“Oh, yeah. Sperm whale,” he repeated carefully. “I remember that story, Pa. Do you ever wish you were back on a ship, instead of out here in the west?”

Adam watched his father’s face, waiting patiently for an answer.

“No, son,” he answered confidently.

He knew that Adam was probably thinking of the hardships they had endured and of the recent loss of the only mother he had ever known. He took Adam’s hand in his.

“Son, I want you to listen to me carefully,” Ben started gently. “Sometimes bad things happen, and sometimes those things hurt very much. But we can’t spend all our time wishing things were different. We have to make the best of the way things are. As much as I loved sailing, if I had stayed at sea I never would have met Inger, and we wouldn’t have Hoss here with us now.” He paused to see if Adam was understanding, and then satisfied, he continued, “All things happen for a purpose, son, even if we don’t understand what that purpose is at the time. Things have a way of working out alright in the end. Memories are one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Whenever we’re missing things we used to have or someone that we loved, all we have to do is remember and those things don’t seem quite so far away.”

Adam listened intently and nodded his head when his father had finished. Suddenly he reached out taking hold of both sides of his father’s face staring hard at him.

“What are you doing, Adam,” he asked in puzzlement.

“Sometimes, I almost forget what she looked like,” he said referring to Inger. “I want to make sure that I never forget you.”

Ben hugged Adam to him for a moment.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere, son,” he replied gently. “But I’m glad you want to remember me.”

Ben told Adam goodnight and then blew out the lamp. As he made his way to his room, he couldn’t stop the tears from coming to his eyes. He didn’t have his son’s problem when it came to remembering his wives. He knew that he could never forget what they looked like, for he saw them every time he looked into the eyes of his sons.

“Thank you, Lord,” he prayed silently. “Thank you for the memories.”

The next morning went quickly. Adam, true to his word, worked hard and Ben was pleased with his determination. They soon finished the stacking as well as the other chores. Ben bundled the boys up against the cold and the trio headed to town shortly after lunch.

Adam kept his arms tight around Hoss and soon the weary toddler fell asleep, his head in his brother’s lap.

Ben noticed that Adam seemed a bit preoccupied. He always knew Adam was deep in thought when he chewed his bottom lip. Ben usually enjoyed talking with his boys, but today he took advantage of the silence to go over the list of supplies he needed in his head. Things were tight this year and he had spent many long hours going over the budget that week, trying to save a penny wherever possible, so as to get the boy’s a few presents for Christmas. He knew for sure he could get them each a bag of candy and they both needed some new gloves. He also planned to get Adam some marbles for his stocking. Hoss he knew would be content with some small toy, but the book he wanted to get for Adam was expensive and he hoped that the furs he had brought to trade would be enough to get their food supplies as well as the book.

By the time they reached the store Hoss was awake and chattering happily. Adam hopped out of the wagon and Ben set Hoss next to him.

“Now, you boy’s stay together and don’t leave the store,” Ben admonished.

“Yes, Pa,” Adam answered and the two boys entered the store hand in hand. Ben grabbed the furs and his list then headed to the counter to talk to the owner. After several minutes of small talk and bartering Ben was pleased with the amount he was given for the furs. He had a feeling the owner was being a little generous due to the holidays, but this was one time he was happy to take advantage. He could hear Hoss babbling somewhere near the back of the store and used the few minutes of privacy to make his special purchases. He ended up with enough money to get each of the boys a new pair of socks as well as a scarf and even purchased some tablets and pencils. He knew Adam would be thrilled as paper was a luxury they could seldom afford. He added a handful of nuts for the boy’s stockings and then finished getting all the supplies they would need for the next few months.

“Adam,” he called on his way out to the wagon. “You mind your brother and then come meet me as soon as you’re done.”

“I will, Pa,” Adam called back.

Ben had given him some money before they had left for town and he had noticed that Adam was holding back waiting for him to leave. He chuckled to himself and wondered what Adam could possibly be planning. This was the first year that Adam had wanted to purchase him a gift. Usually he received a drawing or some homemade decoration. Last year’s gift had been a large rock that Adam had painted in bright red. It had been the only color around since they had just painted the barn. Adam had explained that it was a paperweight and Ben still had it proudly displayed on his desk.

A few moments later, Adam emerged with a tearful Hoss, trying hard to juggle a package in one hand while holding onto his struggling brother with the other.

“What’s going on here?” Ben questioned, picking up the unhappy little boy.

“Hoss wan tandy!” he wailed.

“I told Hoss I might have enough to get him some candy, but I guess I didn’t. I’m sorry, Pa.” Adam looked at his father sorrowfully.

“Now, Hoss,” Ben admonished gently. “You’ll never get what you want by crying, but you stop your tears and show me a smile, and we just might go on over to the hotel and have a piece of pie.”

In an instant Hoss went from tears to smiles. Ben laughed and hugged the boy. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face.

“That’s better,” he said, and then placing a hand on Adam’s shoulder, the three walked across the street to the hotel.

Later that afternoon as they headed home, Ben smiled when he noticed Adam’s head nodding. He rarely took a nap anymore, but he had worked hard that morning and it was catching up with him. Ben almost laughed out loud when he saw Hoss reach over and grab his brother protectively, trying hard to hold him up.

Ben took Hoss in his lap and then scooted Adam closer to him. Usually Adam would protest, saying he was too big for such things, but he was so tired that he just laid his head against his father’s shoulder and was soon fast asleep.

Adam awoke when Ben brought the wagon to a stop in front of the barn and, stretching his arms over his head, suddenly remembered his secret. Ben watched as Adam grabbed his package and, taking Hoss’s hand, quickly ran for the house.

Ben understood his excitement, and so unloaded the supplies himself. Usually the boys were constantly underfoot as he carried in the boxes, wanting to examine each and every item he had purchased. He was especially glad this time that they had something else to occupy themselves with, as it gave him a chance to hide their presents.

A little later that evening, Ben was in the middle of peeling some potatoes for supper when he heard a crash and then a wailing coming from Adam’s bedroom.

As he approached the door he could hear Adam’s stern voice,” Hoss I told you not to stand on that chair,” he said trying to help his brother up.

Hoss was on the floor holding his head and crying at the top of his lungs. Ben entered the room and picked up the squalling boy, examining his head for cuts or bumps.

“What happened?” he asked Adam, when he was satisfied Hoss wasn’t seriously hurt.

“He wants to see what I’m doing,” Adam answered in exasperation. “I told him it’s a secret, but he kept trying to get up on the chair. He fell off of it when I accidently bumped it.”

Ben raised a skeptical eyebrow. He had his doubts about it being an accident, but he knew that Adam would never intentionally hurt his brother, so he let it slide.

Adam looking a bit guilty, quickly changed the subject, “Pa, do you think Hoss could stay with you for a while? Just till I finish what I’m working on?” He looked at his father, his eyes silently pleading.

“Certainly, son,” Ben answered amiably. “Come on, Hoss, you can help me get supper ready and we’ll leave your brother to his work.”

“Hoss wan Adam,” he said through his tears.

“You can play with Adam later,” Ben answered patiently.

“Hoss wan Adam, now,” he exclaimed, his crying increasing considerably in volume.

Ben sighed and turned from the room. Hoss’s crying turned to screaming and Ben quickly marched him into his room depositing him onto his bed.

“You may come out when you’re done throwing a fit,” he said firmly, before closing the door on the irate toddler.
Ben waited by the door knowing it wouldn’t take long and sure enough within minutes the cries turned to sniffles. Hoss emerged a moment later and held his arms up to his father. Ben picked him up and held him close for a moment.

“Hoss, sorry,” he hiccupped leaning back to see his father’s face.

“I forgive you, son,” Ben answered and the two proceeded to the kitchen where they finished preparing supper without any further incident…

Ben’s story was suddenly interrupted by a sharp cry coming from upstairs. He jumped up and was halfway up the stairs when he was met by Elliot barreling down. The two collided, and Ben almost flew backwards managing to grab the rail at the last second.

“It’s Elliot,” he yelled frantically. “She’s having the baby. I mean the baby’s having an Elliot. I mean the Belle is having an Elliot.”

Ben held up a hand trying to subdue the frightened husband.

“Do you mean Belle is having the baby?” he asked calmly.

“Yes,” he answered breathlessly. “She started having some pain right after lunch. We thought it would go away, but it’s gotten stronger. The baby’s coming!”

“You go make your wife comfortable,” he told Elliot taking command of the situation. “I’ll get Hop Sing to start boiling some water.”

“Right,” said Elliot, only slightly less distraught.

As he turned and headed back up the stairs Ben thought he could hear Elliot mumbling under his breath, “I’ll boil my wife while you make Hop Sing comfortable.”

Chapter 13

Adam entered the house in a flurry of snow. The storm that had started that morning had turned into a first class blizzard. His father had advised that he get the ropes tied between the house and any outbuildings they might need access to before they lost full visibility. Adam had just finished securing the last of the ropes to the barn when the wind had picked up and he was suddenly surrounded in a sea of white. He took a few minutes before leaving the barn to check the stock and make sure they were set up to make it through the night. He bundled up as best he could, and then using the rope as a guide, made his way slowly back to the house. By the time he got to the front door, having to put all his weight against it in order to fight the wind, he was nearly frozen. The door slammed shut behind him and for a few moments he just stood in the entryway shivering. Finally, when he felt he could move again he headed over toward the fire.

He slowly peeled off his layers of clothing and stood in front of the fire for a good while warming his hands. He turned when he heard a tapping sounding on the floor behind him. Ben had made Roy a makeshift crutch and the sheriff had immediately started making good use of it.

“Where is everyone?” asked Adam, blowing into his still partially numb hands.

“Upstairs with Belle,” he answered quickly. “Seems she’s up and gone into labor. Your Pa’s up their trying to calm Elliot and Hop Sing’s in the kitchen puttin’ together some kind of concoction to help with her pain.”

Adam stood dumbfounded, rooted to his spot.

“You mean Belle is going to have the baby today?” he asked in disbelief, after he’d regained the power of his speech.

“Well, now, that’s usually what happens when a woman’s time comes,” Roy replied sarcastically.

Adam flinched and quickly turned toward the stairs when he heard a cry come from up above. He ran up the steps taking them two at a time and arrived out of breath at the door to the guest bedroom. He could hear Belle moaning softly and the low voice of his father as he tried in vain to settle Elliot. He backed away from the door suddenly when Hop Sing came flying past him carrying a tray of various teas and herbs. Hop Sing quickly took charge of the situation.

“Mr. Ben, you take father downstairs out of way. Mr. Adam, you stay help Hop Sing.”

Adam watched almost as if in a trance as Hop Sing ushered Elliot and his father out of the room.

“It you job wait,” he called after them. “No, worry. Hop Sing help deliver baby.”

Adam tried escaping out the door explaining to Hop Sing that he really should go and get the doctor.

“Outside blizzard. You go out there you no come back. You level head in family, you stay help Hop Sing,” he said, as he advanced on Adam finally pinning him against the wall.

Adam looked over at Belle. She was watching him, her eyes large and frightened.

“Please, Adam, I’m afraid,” she whispered pitifully.

Her plea was all it took for Adam to collect his nerves and he quickly walked over to her, gently taking her hand.

“It will be all right, Belle,” he soothed. “Hop Sing’s delivered lots of babies, haven’t you?” he said to the cook over his shoulder.

Hop Sing grunted and turned to his tray, mumbling in Chinese.

Adam turned back to Belle and tried giving her a reassuring smile.

“But, Adam,” she said weakly. “It’s too soon, the baby isn’t supposed to come yet.”

“Shhh,” he hushed her gently. “Now, I told you not to worry, didn’t I? That baby’s just anxious to be here in time for Christmas is all.”

He moved aside as Hop Sing brought her over some tea.

“You drink this,” he told her. “You feel much better.”

“What do you want me to do,” Adam asked after Belle had finished with her tea.

“You go put water on stove to boil. Get plenty clean towel,” Hop Sing ordered while he mixed yet another bunch of herbs.

“I’ll be right back,” Adam assured Belle as he rose to leave.

Hurrying down the stairs, Adam headed for the kitchen. He was surprised to find a variety of large pots and pans already on the stove full of water.

“I’ve done this a few times before,” he heard his father’s voice from behind him.

“Pa, I’m not sure I can do this,” Adam said, looking to his father in concern.

“You can do anything you set your mind to, son,” Ben replied assuredly. “You know, Roy and I were just talking about you, when all this started.”

“Oh,” said Adam, looking dubiously at his father.

“I’m not telling him anything you wouldn’t want him to know,” his father reassured. “I was telling him about that Christmas when you gave me that ship in a bottle.”
Adam rolled his eyes and groaned. “You don’t still have that old thing do you?” he asked.

“Of course, I do,” Ben replied with a twinkle in his eye. “You know that Christmas you set yourself a pretty difficult task, but you stuck with it and you succeeded.”

Adam looked at his father while rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“What Belle needs most right now is someone to be strong and to help her stay calm. There aren’t many people who would be any better at that job than you.”

Ben clapped Adam on the back as he made his way back out to Elliot.

Adam, feeling inspired, grabbed as many clean towels as he could carry and hurried out of the kitchen. He was halfway across the living room when there was another sharp cry from upstairs. Adam started to run at the same instant that Elliot jumped up from his chair and the two collided, ending up in a shower of towels. They both stooped to gather them up and there was a loud crack as they bumped heads.

Ben came to the rescue telling Adam to go get some new towels and that he and Elliot would see to the mess.

Adam ran to the kitchen and then again flew past them as he hurried up the steps.

He forced himself to slow down as he reached the door and entered as calmly as he could manage. Hop Sing immediately took the towels and Adam headed back over to Belle’s side.

Her contraction had passed and she was breathing heavily. She looked up at him as he neared.

“How is Elliot?” she asked softly.

“Oh, he’s a real champ,” Adam lied and then rubbed his forehead. He was going to have quite a bruise.

“The real question is how are you holding up?” Adam questioned her, the concern showing in his eyes.

“The medicine Hop Sing gave me is definitely helping,” she answered, and gave him a weak smile.

Adam rose and filled the small basin near the bed with water. He grabbed one of Hop Sing’s rags and used it to gently bathe Belle’s flushed face. She closed her eyes and Adam was relieved to see her breathing become less labored. Hop Sing approached and checked her from over Adam’s shoulder.

“She rest for while, tea slow contraction, make her more comfortable,” Hop Sing explained.

“What should I do now?” Adam whispered, being careful not to disturb her.

“Hop Sing need string, scissor, and small blanket for when baby come,” he answered.

Adam nodded his head and left to collect the supplies. As he passed through the living room once again, he shook his head at the scene before him. Ben had Elliot in a chair with his head between his knees, patting him on the back. He shared a brief glance with Roy, who was sitting quietly on the settee. They both chuckled softly and Adam continued to the kitchen. He found the scissors and proceeded to set them in one of the smaller pots that already had some water boiling. He had enough experience in treating minor injuries to know that the instrument should be sterilized. It took him a little longer to locate the string, finally he remembered that Belle had been using Marie’s sewing basket and found it setting near the fireplace.

“Everything going okay, son?” Ben asked.

Elliot’s head shot up anxiously and Ben looked as if he regretted asking the question. Adam noticed that Elliot seemed a little green in color and answered his father reassuringly. “She’s just fine. Hop Sing’s given her some tea and she’s resting right now.”

Elliot looked considerably relieved and Ben gave Adam a grateful smile. Adam wondered for a moment where to find a blanket small enough for the new baby when a thought suddenly struck him. He once again dug through the old sewing basket and found a good sized piece of soft yellow flannel material. He figured they could cut it to the right size and it should do nicely. He also saw that Belle had been keeping herself busy and picked up a small garment that was lying in the basket. He tucked it in with the material and once again headed up the stairs. He could feel Elliot’s eyes following him and felt a little sorry for the distraught father.

He entered the room quietly, but saw that Belle was no longer asleep. She tossed and turned lightly and Hop Sing was bringing her another cup of tea.

“She have lot of pain,” Hop Sing told Adam. “This tea help her.”

Adam pulled over a chair and sat down next to Belle, as he did so he saw her face contort and realized she was having another contraction. He quickly grabbed her hand and then immediately regretted it. She squeezed so hard he thought for sure it would break. The two waited painfully for the contraction to end and then gasped with relief when it was finally over. Adam rubbed his aching hand gingerly and tried not to let Belle see that he was in pain.

When her breathing once again evened out she looked at Adam, her eyes glassy.

“You know,” she started. “What you did this morning was wonderful.”

Adam looked at her his expression puzzled, “What I did?” he questioned.

“Yes,” she answered quietly. “You told him to write me this letter.”

She reached over toward the night stand and for the first time, Adam noticed an opened envelope sitting there. He handed it to Belle and she clutched it tightly to her chest.

“I’ve never had him say such sweet words to me before,” she said, her eyes tearing slightly. “Elliot said you encouraged him to put his feelings down on paper and I’m so glad you did. I will treasure this letter forever. Adam, thank you.”

Adam smiled and shrugged his shoulders, “You’re welcome,” he replied humbly.

Belle gave a small cry as another contraction came over her. This time Adam was wiser and handed over a small pillow for her to clutch. He talked soothingly to her until it passed and she let her head fall back wearily on the bed.

Adam looked to Hop Sing in concern, “They’re coming much closer together now, aren’t they?” he questioned.

Hop Sing nodded, “It not be long now. You go get kettle and bowl, bring up hot water.”

As Adam left the room to do as he was bid, he winced as Belle again cried out. He didn’t remember Marie being in so much pain when Little Joe was born, of course he’d been sent out to the barn with Hoss fairly early on, and had only been allowed back in once it was all over. He tried hard to remember what things had been like when Hoss was born, but it was so long ago. What he did remember was afterward looking into his baby brother’s eyes and holding out a finger to those tiny hands. All of a sudden he was lonesome for his two brothers and he hoped they were doing all right with Brave Pony’s people. Little Joe’s note had said the he and Hoss would be spending a few days in the village after they hunted. He was grateful for his warm house knowing that even in the well-built tepees it still got very cold at night.

Elliot jumped up once again as Adam rushed down the steps. Adam held up his hands to stay the anxious father, and then upon returning from the kitchen, informed him that it would be soon. He was glad his father was there to help; the poor boy looked like he was going to have a stroke.

Adam entered the room and set the water on the small table where Hop Sing was working. It looked like he had everything he would need all laid out. At this moment, Adam was very glad for Hop Sing and patted his shoulder as he passed him on the way to his chair. Suddenly Belle cried out and began thrashing around. Adam quickly reached out to try and comfort her and she once again clamped onto his hand. He gritted his teeth and bore the pain silently, knowing it was nothing compared to what she was going through. Hop Sing moved about quietly and when he lifted the blankets to examine Belle, Adam turned his head.

“Baby coming now,” said Hop Sing, and Adam and Belle exchanged an excited smile.

“You push when I tell you,” Hop Sing told her and she nodded in comprehension.

Adam continued to talk comforting words to Belle throughout the exhausting process and a short while later the room was filled with the sounds of a healthy new baby’s cries.

Belle instantly broke down into joyful sobs and reached out for her infant.

“It a girl,” Hop Sing said smiling. Adam laughed and watched as Belle snuggled her newborn closely.

Hop Sing joined in his laughter and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You go tell father he have beautiful baby girl,”

Adam eagerly headed down the hall, and then was stopped cold as he heard a piercing cry come from Belle.

“That’s not right,” he told himself, and turned to run back to the room.

He entered and saw that Hop Sing was leaning over Belle a concerned look on his face.

“Something wrong,” Hop sing said, his face grave. “I stay here you take baby down stairs by fire to keep warm.”

Adam felt his heart sink as he looked into Belle’s face. It was obvious she was once again in great pain. He gently took the tiny infant and wrapped her securely in the makeshift blanket they had made.

His heart broke as he listened to the sounds of Belle’s pain as he made his way down the stairs. As he rounded the corner, Elliot, who had been pacing, looked over. His eyes were wide with wonder as he intently watched the small bundle in Adam’s arms.

“It’s a girl,” he said and extended his arms for Elliot to take the baby.

His father approached and Adam cast a worried glance in his direction. Ben stopped, his face turning grey.

Elliot accepted the tiny baby and was oblivious to the looks being exchanged. He held his daughter close and then looked smiling to the men in the room. He was just about to say something when a strangled cry came from upstairs. Elliot’s face drained of color and he looked to Adam in confusion.

“I’m not sure,” Adam answered the unasked question, “But the baby needs to stay warm. I’m going back up to see what I can do.”

Adam tried not to look at the despair coming over Elliot’s face as he raced again towards Belle’s room. He entered and steeled himself against the pitiful cries that were emanating from her. He looked to Hop Sing for direction.

“Another baby coming,” he had to yell to be heard over Belle.

Adam blinked back at him in disbelief, “You mean she’s having another baby?” he gasped.

“Yes, two babies,” answered Hop Sing. “But this one much more difficult than first. This baby come with legs first.”

“It’s breech,” Adam asked. “Is that why she’s in so much pain?

“Yes, need you to hold her while I try get baby out,” Hop Sing explained quickly.

Adam had witnessed many breech births during his years on the ranch and knew that without some outside assistance, most of the time both mother and baby would die.

He went to Belle and took hold of her arms. He gently held her down and tried to talk to her. She was almost incoherent from the amount of pain she was in. Adam began to sing softly to her an old lullaby he had learned from Marie. The words were in French and though Belle couldn’t understand them, his low, soothing voice helped to calm her. He continued to sing as Hop Sing worked. Belle did her best not to push just as Hop Sing had told her, and it wasn’t long before Adam felt her body slowly begin to relax. She let out a low moan and fell into an exhausted sleep. Adam pulled the blankets up around her and then turned anxiously toward Hop Sing. He noted with dread that he had not heard any cries from the new baby yet. He watched as Hop Sing took the tiny babe in his arms and begin to briskly rub it all over with a clean towel. The baby’s entire body was a pale blue and Adam quickly brushed away the tears that were coming to his eyes. Hop Sing worked tirelessly and Adam was about to intercede and take the stillborn baby from him when suddenly, he saw the baby’s arms begin to flail. A moment later the happiest sounds they had ever heard entered the room as the new baby screamed in outrage over his rough treatment. Adam and Hop Sing both collapsed in a fit of delirious laughter. Hop Sing carefully handed the baby to Adam and then thoroughly checked over Belle. The young girl was exhausted, but other than that, appeared to have made it through the ordeal just fine. Hop Sing cut another blanket from the flannel material and they cleaned and wrapped the new infant.

Adam descended the stairs once again and was greeted with exclamations of surprise.

“Congratulations,” he said to Elliot, smiling. “You have a boy! And Belle is just fine.”

Ben and Roy both jumped up laughing and clapped each other on the back. Elliot quickly caressed the cheek of his new son and then handing Ben his daughter ran up the stairs to his wife. Adam and Ben settled carefully near the fire, each with a tiny babe in their arms.

Adam felt his father’s gaze upon him and looked up to meet him in the eyes.

“You did good, son,” he said softly. “I’m proud of you!”

Adam rewarded him with a beaming smile, “Well, there was really nothing to it you know. I don’t know what all the fuss was about,” he replied sarcastically.

Ben and Roy chuckled and then all further attention was given to the two newest members of the Wells family.

About nine o’clock that night things finally seemed to settle down. The blizzard, though fierce, had been brief and now there was just a soft snowfall outside the house. The two babies were settled up in their room with the happy parents, and the other men in the family were all around the dining room table enjoying a late night snack. Hop Sing had even consented to join them as they feasted on leftover duck and roast pork sandwiches.

Chapter 14

After Hop Sing had gone to bed, Ben and Adam once again settled before the fireplace. Ben was much too excited to sleep, his mind a tumult of memories all swirling about at random. He was overjoyed at the way things had turned out.

“Mind if I join you?” Roy asked, coming into the room.

“Not at all,” replied Ben. “Guess I’m too worked up to try and sleep just yet.”

“Nothing like telling a story to help bring your mind into focus,” Roy tried casually.

Ben laughed at his friend, “I suppose that’s your way of saying you want to hear the rest of the story?” he questioned.

“Well, now that you mention it, yeah,” Roy replied.

“Let’s see,” began Ben. “I believe I was just telling you how Adam had asked me to take charge of Hoss, so that he could work without interruption.”

Ben stopped and looked to his oldest.

“Son, why don’t you tell the rest of this story?” he asked, “you know more of the details then I do.”

“Ah, Roy,” Adam answered, “you don’t really want to hear this story do you? Now I can tell you a really good one about the time Hoss was curious about where the spring calves came from every year…”

“Adam!” Ben interrupted, “Let’s just stick to the story I started, shall we.”

“Sure, Pa, anything you say,” he answered, sending a quick wink to Roy who was chuckling softly.

Adam sat back in his chair and continued the tale from his childhood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Adam,” Ben called for the second time. “Supper is ready. You need to come and eat.”

“Coming, Pa,” Adam replied and tried to hurry. This was the second time his father had called.

He wasn’t fast enough, however for within a few minutes he heard his father’s heavy footsteps coming down the hall and then one quick knock on his door.

“Young man,” Ben stated firmly, “when I call you, I expect you to come right away.”

Adam had had just enough time to cover his desk with a sheet and now spun to face his father.

“I’m sorry, Pa,” he said sincerely. “I just wanted to finish one more thing.”

Ben nodded, “Well, next time you be sure and save that one more thing for after you’ve obeyed me. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Adam answered meekly.

After the family had finished supper and the table was cleared, Ben allowed Adam to return to his secret project while he played with Hoss by the fire.

Upstairs in his room, Adam looked over the specs from his book once again. He had used the money he had earned that morning to by a small glass bottle and some paint. He had been working for weeks to build a replica of a ship from a picture in one of the books his grandfather had sent to him. Once he finished painting it, he would slide it into the bottle and it would be the perfect Christmas gift for his father.

The next morning he awoke bright and early and jumped out of bed. Quickly dressing, he didn’t even bother putting on his socks before trotting over to his desk. The first thing he noticed was that the cap to his paint can was missing. The second thing he noticed was that someone had not only spilled paint all over his desk, but that there was a trail of it leaving his room. Tiny finger prints left plain evidence as to who the culprit was, and taking the paint cap with him Adam stormed out of his room in search of his younger brother. By following the drops of paint, he found him in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by an enormous mess. Hoss had also gotten into the new sacks of flour and sugar, and was busy making a mixture of some sort of sticky yellow paste.

“Hoss, No, no!” Adam yelled.

Hoss looked up in surprise, his lower lip starting to tremble over his brother’s angry exclamation. Adam saw that Hoss was still in his long johns and guessed that he had slipped out of his room without their Pa hearing. He quickly marched over to Hoss and, taking him by the arm, escorted him over to the wash basin. He had done a pretty good job of getting him cleaned up before his father entered the kitchen. Adam had hoped to have the mess all cleaned up to spare Hoss from his certain fate if Pa found out, but he hadn’t had enough time. Ben sent Adam upstairs and took over Hoss and the cleaning of the kitchen. Adam tucked the nearly empty paint can into his shirt and covered his ears as he made his way to his room so as not to hear Hoss’s cries.

Adam spent a good portion of the morning, along with his father, cleaning up all of the paint. He had just finished scrubbing his desk when a thoroughly chastened Hoss walked up to him.

“Hoss make mess,” he said sorrowfully.

“Yeah, you did,” Adam answered not unkindly.

“Hoss bad boy,” Hoss continued, shaking his head sadly.

“You didn’t mean to be,” Adam told him gently.

“Tanta not come?” Hoss questioned his eyes wide and pleading.

“Did you tell Pa you’re sorry?” Adam asked.

Hoss responded by nodding his head emphatically.

“Then Santa will still come,” he reassured him.

He gave Hoss a wink and a quick hug then sent him out of the room. Adam turned anxiously to his desk and picked up the small ship. He was quite satisfied with the work he had done and was eager to finish the project. Taking the bottle in one hand, he carefully tried inserting the ship. He realized with despair that it was much too big to fit into the tiny hole. Adam set down the objects and stared at them mournfully. After several moments, a new look came over his face and he clenched his jaw determinedly. He took the ship and carefully broke off the small sticks that were supposed to be the poles and rigging. This made the ship much shorter and he once again tried getting it into the bottle. He now realized that the sides were too wide and knew he would have to run to the shed for a scrap of sandpaper.

His father, seeing him outside, had stopped him, asking him to do a few chores. Adam rushed through them quickly and then ran back to his room. He carefully sanded the sides of the ship until he was sure it was narrow enough. He sighed when he realized it was still too tall. He took the sandpaper and began to sand the bottom of the ship. After several more attempts, he finally managed to get the ship in the bottle. The only trouble now was that it no longer looked like a ship.

“Well,” he thought with despair. “It sort of looked like a ship that had been through a very bad storm. Adam dumped the ship out of the bottle and threw it onto the desk. Hot, angry tears slid down his cheeks and he roughly wiped them away. After several minutes he came to the conclusion that he would make another ship and that he would have to buy a bigger bottle. He didn’t know how he was going to get the money for another bottle, but he would worry about that after he finished the new ship.

With Christmas being only three days away Adam worked constantly on the new ship. To the consternation of his father, he continuously ignored his chores, his brother, and his bedtime to the point where Ben had to threaten punishment if he didn’t start becoming more responsible. After two days, and a close call with his father when he had forgotten to milk the cow that morning, he was finally finished with the ship.

He begged, pleaded, and cajoled and finally managed to convince his father to take him into town one last time. He had carefully tucked away the first bottle he had purchased in his jacket, with plans to return it. He had also brought along three of his best marbles and hoped it would be enough to trade for a bigger bottle.

The store owner was once again generous and traded him the small bottle and, to Adam’s relief, only one marble for the next size up.

As soon as they arrived home, Adam jumped from the wagon, earning himself an angry yell from his father, and ran to his room. He eagerly unwrapped the new bottle and picked up the ship. He was devastated to find that it wouldn’t fit into this one any easier than it would have the first. He carefully set down the objects and turned and threw himself onto his bed, giving way to tears of frustration. When his sobs finally subsided he slid down off his bed landing on the floor with a thump. He knew he needed to wash his face or his father would know he’d been crying. He reluctantly got up and trudged over to the small pitcher and basin on his night stand. As he washed his face, a thought suddenly came to him. He turned and grabbed the bottle, then stuffing it into his shirt, quickly ran out to the shed. He searched through the tools. Finally, he found what he was looking for high on a shelf. He’d had to drag over a stool to reach it. Looking anxiously over his shoulder, he carefully grabbed the tool and slid it into his pocket.

Once again, in the safety of his room, he removed the tool and examined it. It was a special type of blade that his father used to cut glass. He knew he was forbidden to touch the dangerous object, but he was desperate. He quickly took the bottle and the blade and slid under his bed as far against the wall as he could manage so as not to get caught should his father enter the room. He slowly and painstakingly began to cut the bottle at the base of the neck. He was almost finished when he heard the soft thumping sounds of Hoss’s feet as he ran towards Adam’s door. Adam held his breath as Hoss threw his door open and entered.

“Adam,” Hoss called. “Pa says come.”

Adam felt his blood turn to ice as Hoss approached the bed. He thought for sure at any moment his little brother would look under and catch him with the blade. Hoss would never intentionally get him in trouble, but he was notorious for accidently spilling the beans and landing his big brother in hot water.

Relief flooded all through Adam when Hoss turned and ran back out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
He quickly finished slicing through the bottle and then slid out from under his bed. He left the pieces of his secret project under the bed and then ran outside. He had just finished returning the tool and was leaving the shed when he ran into his father.

“Adam,” he said in irritation. “I’ve been looking all over for you. What were you doing in the tool shed?”

Adam froze, he hadn’t been expecting that question. He knew better than to tell his father a lie, so he tried the next best thing.

“I was getting a piece of sandpaper,” he answered hesitantly.

Technically that information was true, or at least it would have been true yesterday. Adam had a feeling that telling half a lie would get him in just as much trouble as a whole one if he were found out, so he kept his fingers crossed behind his back.

“Oh,” replied Ben. “Well, I need you to keep an eye on Hoss for a little while I cut some more wood.”

“Sure thing, Pa,” Adam agreed in relief. He quickly collected Hoss off the front porch where he’d been playing and was so anxious to finish his project that he opted to bring Hoss up to his room.

He promised his little brother that he could look at his special book, the one with the pictures of animals, if he would sit quietly on the bed and be very careful not to tear any pages.

Hoss promised, and soon became engrossed in the book; he loved animals.

Adam took the glue he had picked up from the shed out of his pocket and collected the two pieces of the bottle. He put a dab of glue on the bottom of the ship and set it carefully inside the bottle, then used the glue to reattach the top. He set the bottle between two small wooden blocks that he had prepared and then stood back to admire the finished product. He was overwhelmed with pride over his accomplishment and, after locating a box, he set the present aside to await Christmas morning.

The boys were thrilled when a short time later, Ben came in announcing it was time for them to go cut a Christmas tree. The afternoon was spent combing the hills for just the right tree. It was Hoss that finally pointed one out that was to everyone’s satisfaction. The trio spent the remainder of the evening decorating the tree with popcorn and bits of colored paper that had been slid onto a string. Ben lit a few candles that they enjoyed for about an hour before blowing them out. With two smalls boys about he didn’t like the idea of having them lit for too long.

The next morning was one of the merriest the three Cartwrights had experienced thus far. The boys were overjoyed with their stockings and presents and Ben watched happily as they shouted and exclaimed over each treasure.

Finally the time came when Adam presented him with his gift and he slowly opened the lid.

“Adam, this is wonderful,” he said in amazement, examining the detail of the small ship.

Adam beamed with pride as his father hugged him, and then carefully set the decoration on his desk, next to the rock paperweight.

“It was years later, when Adam was a teenager, before I told him how they really get those ships into a bottle,” Ben explained to Roy, laughing. “You should have seen his face.”

Adam grunted and folding his arms turned away from the two older men.

“We did have a serious discussion a few days later about borrowing certain tools without permission, and about telling half truths,” Ben said glancing in his son’s direction, “but I couldn’t help but be impressed by his determination.”

Ben was glad to see Adam give in to a small smile.

“Your boys are somethin’ to be proud of, Ben,” Roy complimented.

“Well, not that I would tell them too much for fear of it going straight to their heads,” Ben answered, lowering his voice, “but I couldn’t be any prouder of my boys if I tried. They’re turning into fine young men.”

“You’re lucky to have those boy’s you know,” Roy said softly. “I wonder sometimes what will become of me when I get too old for sheriffin’.”

“Aw, you’ve got years and years before you need to worry about that,” Ben replied. He watched his friends face and could see concern hidden behind his usually sparkling eyes. An idea was starting to come to him and he hoped his sons would be home soon so that he could discuss it with them.

“Yes, Ben Cartwright,” he thought to himself, “your boys are something to be proud of.”

Ben sat back smiling. If he could have seen his two youngest boys at that moment, he would have had to eat his words.

Chapter 15

“Hoss, Joe!” Brave Pony yelled again at the two scuffling on the ground.

The brothers continued to roll around, grunting and panting, occasionally landing a mild blow. Hoss finally managed to put a stop to the fight by sitting on Joe, pinning his hands underneath him. How he had let himself get talked into going this far he wasn’t sure. He knew he should have just gagged Joe back in that cavern. His brother was infamous for talking him into things and after a few minutes of listening to his silver tongued reasoning Hoss had been persuaded to continue on.

“Hoss,” screamed Little Joe, trying his best to struggle. “Let me up!”

“Not until you agree to go back,” stated Hoss emphatically.

“But we’re almost there,” Joe answered, his voice desperate. “I can feel it.

Hoss sighed and dropped his head wearily into his hands. He was tired and felt stiff and achy. This scrap he’d just had with Joe didn’t help his situation any either. He knew that no matter which way they ended up going, he wouldn’t be able to make it much farther.

He slowly stood up and Little Joe rolled out from under him. He stood facing Hoss, his fists clenched tight to his side.

“I hate it when you do that!” he yelled angrily.

“Then stop pickin’ fights with me,” Hoss retorted.
It had always made Little Joe furious when one of his brothers got him pinned down.

“Joe,” Hoss said wearily. “I’ll make you a deal. You stop and let me and Brave Pony rest awhile and then we’ll go a little further. But I’ve got to take a break, my leg’s killing me.”

Hoss watched as Little Joe’s face softened from anger to concern.

“Gee, Hoss,” he replied. “I forgot all about your leg. I’m sorry for fighting with ya.”

Hoss wished he could forget about his leg. He leaned against the wall of the wide tunnel they were now in and let himself slide onto the ground.

“Little Joe,” Brave Pony put a hand on Joe’s shoulder then continued. “We need to get back. Your brother is not well. I think he may have a fever, and you’re not looking too good either.”

As if in response to Brave Pony’s evaluation, Hoss began to shiver, his teeth chattering slightly. Hoss closed his eyes, “Only for a minute he told himself.” He could hear the soft voices of Brave Pony and his brother and then sleep claimed him.

When Hoss awoke all was quiet. It took him a minute to remember where he was and why his leg felt as if it had just been branded. He looked around, and saw a small circle of light up ahead, around the corner. He rose shakily, and headed toward the light. When he rounded the corner he was greeted by Brave Pony. There was no sign of Little Joe anywhere.

“Where’s Joe?” he asked, his voice dry and raspy.

“I’m assuming he went on ahead,” Brave Pony answered sounding slightly irritated. “His tracks head off in that direction.”

He pointed toward a narrow tunnel that branched off the larger one they were on. In the dim light from the lantern ,Hoss could just make out the symbol from the stone scratched onto the wall, seeming to be leading any followers along that path. Hoss was feeling terrible and knew Little Joe probably wasn’t feeling that great either, but his stubborn brother would never admit to that.

“How’d he get past you?” Hoss asked, trying to ignore his hot aching body.

“I fell asleep too,” Brave Pony admitted. “I took a look at your pocket watch when I woke up and it was nearly three o’clock in the morning. I would guess it’s around five now.

Hoss’s tummy gurgled at just that moment letting him know that he had definitely missed more than one meal.

“Well, I guess we better go and find him,” Hoss said starting down the tunnel. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed to rebuild your strength,” Brave Pony answered. “I took the lantern around the corner up here, so you could sleep a little longer.”

Hoss thanked his friend with a weak smile and then took up the rear as they headed down yet another tunnel. The two hadn’t traveled long when the tunnel opened up into a small cavern. There was water trickling down the walls into various pools all over the room. Hoss watched as Brave Pony looked into each pool. He stopped over one in particular and plunged his hand into it.

“Don’t!” Hoss cried out.

He was surprised when Brave Pony pulled out his hand unharmed.

“Some of the pools are cool,” he explained.

Hoss and Brave Pony took a moment to fill their canteens and Hoss pulled out the last few pieces of dried jerky that he had packed. He divided it into three even portions, tucking Joe’s share away for later.

“Why don’t you let me carry that?” his friend offered. “You know I could go and get Joe on my own, while you stay here and rest. You’re not looking so good.”

“Thanks,” answered Hoss, attempting sarcasm. “It’s just the lighting. ‘Sides, it’s gonna take the two of us to get him roped.”

Brave Pony chuckled, and then taking the pack from Hoss, the pair once again set off.

After a few moments, they found the tunnel Joe had followed out of the room behind a rather large stream of water. They had to scoot flush against the wall to keep from being burned, and Hoss tried hard not to whimper when splashes of the hot water hit his face and hands.

They followed this latest tunnel for about ten minutes when they saw a light up ahead.

“Finally,” Hoss gasped.

He gingerly rubbed at his injury and then quickly drew his hand back, hissing in pain. The two headed quickly toward the light and came out into a cavern that was similar to the first one Hoss had come across. A small narrow path followed along the wall and in the center was a straight drop off. Hoss held the lantern high and then gasped as he saw where Little Joe was. With a torch in one hand and using his other to grab onto crag rocks or holes, he was halfway up the side of a very steep incline.

Hoss was about to shout out at Joe when he felt Brave Pony put a restraining hand on his arm.

“Look,” he said pointing up.

Hoss held the lantern up even higher and felt his stomach churn as he saw the sharp jagged spikes that hung down from the ceiling. He knew that if he yelled there was a possibility that the rocky spears could come crashing down. He wondered how his brother had managed to get up so high. Little Joe had always been afraid of heights. Hoss decided his thirst for treasure must have been stronger than his fears.

“You wait here,” he told Brave Pony. “I’ll go get him.”

“No, Hoss,” Brave Pony answered once again reaching out to restrain his friend. “You shouldn’t climb with that injury. I’ll go.”

“No sense in you riskin’ your neck to save my hair brained brother,” Hoss tried. But Brave Pony had already started up the steep trail.

“At least take the lantern,” Hoss called after him softly.

“I’ll just follow Joe’s light,” he answered.

Soon Brave Pony was out of Hoss’s view. He anxiously watched the light that he knew was Joe, heading higher and higher. Just when he was sure that if Joe went any further he would reach the ceiling, the light was suddenly gone. A cold fear struck through Hoss’s being and he started to race as fast as he could up the steep narrow hill. He was sure Joe must have fallen and he had to fight with all his being not to call out. He moved with amazing speed, his abused, aching body not even a consideration. A few times the path became so steep that he had to lie flat on his belly and crawl forward, grasping at rocks and digging in his heels so as not to slide backwards. Finally after what seemed an eternity, the ground evened out onto a small platform. He was about to run to the edge to look for his brother when he noticed an opening in the wall off to the left. He realized that Joe hadn’t fallen, but that when he had taken the new tunnel his light had been hidden.

Hoss fell onto the ground and fought hard against tears of frustration mingled with relief.

“Little Joe,” he thought to himself. “You’re going to be the death of me!”

Hoss’s leg was screaming at him and he knew he could no longer ignore it. He set the lantern on the ground and untied the makeshift bandage. His badly swollen leg was filled with puss and he groaned, knowing what he needed to do. He carefully lifted the glass on the lantern and taking out his hunting knife, he held it in the flame for a few moments. Then gritting his teeth, he quickly scraped open the wound. He had to jam his fist into his mouth to keep from crying out. Slowly the fluids, which had been building up in his leg, started to flow relieving some of the pressure and making the pain more bearable. He used some of the water from his canteen to carefully wash out the wound and then wrapped it up again. He was trembling uncontrollably when he rose to continue on and, through all his pain and worry, for some reason, the only thing he could think about was Hop Sing’s homemade chicken soup with rice and dumplings. He pushed his physical pain aside and concentrated instead on the happy thoughts of good, hot food.

Suddenly, Hoss heard excited voices up ahead and quickened his pace a bit. He came out of the tunnel into a good sized room. It was definitely more of a room than a cavern. Someone had tunneled into the sides of the walls and made what looked to be beds. There were also shelves carved out with various objects scattered around. In the center of the room was a chest which Little Joe and Brave Pony were both huddled over talking excitedly.

“Don’t tell me,” Hoss started in disbelief.

“Hoss,” Little Joe interrupted spinning around to face him. “It’s the treasure! I told you, I told you!”

Hoss leaned over the chest and exhaled sharply as he watched the light bounce off of the many golden items.

“I’ll be,” he whistled. “Joe you sure were right.”

“And it’s our treasure, right, Hoss,” Little Joe questioned excitedly. “Yours, mine, and Brave Pony’s. Cause we found it.”

“Well, Little Joe,” Hoss answered, never taking his eyes off the golden trinkets. “We’ll have to talk to Pa, but I’m sure we’ll get to keep some of it at least.”

Little Joe looked upset momentarily, but then his carefree nature took over, “Well, even some of this treasure is enough to make us rich,” he said happily.

The boys dug through the chest, examining the various objects. There was a large golden shield and several golden arrows. Jewels and finely carved statues of different shapes and sizes and, to Joe’s extreme delight, a beautiful golden head ornament.

Joe put on the headpiece and stood up crossing his arms.

“How do I look?” he asked his two companions.

Hoss and Brave Pony exchanged amused glances before answering.

“Oh, great and noble chief,” said Brave Pony, standing up and bowing at the waist. “What do you wish us, your humble servants, to do with this glorious treasure?”

Little Joe stood looking baffled for a few minutes while Hoss burst into a fit of laughter.

“Huh?” he questioned. “You aren’t my servants. But we should take the treasure with us, don’t you think?” He asked.

Hoss rose and the three put all the objects they’d been admiring back in the chest, closing the lid tightly. Then each taking a side, they lifted the chest and moved forward. Hoss noticed two things right away. First, the chest was quite a bit heavier than he had figured and, second, that moving the chest had probably not been a good idea.

There was a loud popping noise and the three boys froze. A large stone block that they hadn’t noticed before, came crashing down from the ceiling, blocking the exit. Brave Pony began running toward the door when suddenly the ground started to shake. Hoss dropped the chest and quickly reached out to grab Joe as the ground around them began falling away. The room itself seemed to widen and expand, creating a deep trench between the boys near the treasure and the small path that remained against the wall.

Brave Pony, making a wild leap, managed to grab onto the ledge and was now hanging precariously above the pit.

Hoss watched in horror as his friend’s hands began slipping. Joe stood beside him unmoving. Brave Pony, in an incredible feat of strength, threw one of his arms up onto the ledge and swung the rest of his body after it. He quickly rolled toward the wall and lay gasping for breath. After a moment he looked across the trench at Hoss.

“A sink hole,” Hoss yelled across to him. “They must have rigged the room somehow, in order to protect the treasure.”

“I’ll walk around the edge and look for a way out,” he told Hoss.

Hoss watched Brave Pony as he slowly made his way around the room. The torch Little Joe had brought was halfway over the edge of trench, and Brave Pony picked it up. Finding nothing along the path, he held up the light to examine the walls.

There was a thin crevice dug into the side of the rock wall that seemed to go all the way around the room. Brave Pony stood on a large rock and peered into it.

Hoss wondered what his friend was doing when he took the torch and stuck it into the crevice. Suddenly the flame erupted and quickly spanned across the room, lighting it up for the three forlorn figures.

Hoss looked around and marveled at the ingenious set up. He turned to speak to Little Joe, when he heard an odd sound beside him. He turned and saw Little Joe frozen in fear. His breath was coming in short wheezing gasps, as he looked down into the trench separating them from Brave Pony.

“Little Joe,” he said with concern. “You need to calm down. Just back away from the edge, that’s right,” said Hoss, taking hold of his terrified brother.

He had seen Joe like this a few times before. Once when they had raced to see who could get to the top of a particularly high tree. He tried to remember now how his pa had handled the situation.

“Joe sit down and put your head between your knees,” he spoke reassuringly.

Little Joe obeyed his brother, and after a few moments was breathing evenly again, although steadfastly refusing to open his eyes.

When Joe seemed calmer, Hoss questioned him, “Joe, you just came up one of the steepest hills I’ve ever climbed. This isn’t nearly as high up as that. What are you scared of?”

“Hoss,” Joe answered, still looking down; his voice trembling. “It was so dark out there. I couldn’t see how high up I was.”

His eyes were teary and he looked at Hoss pleadingly.

Hoss spun around quickly when a loud bang sounded behind him. It seemed that Brave Pony had found an old board on one of the shelves and had spread it across the trench as a walkway.

“Joe,” he said excitedly. “Come on. We can get across.”

Little Joe slowly raised his head and then paled as he saw the rickety pathway that had been devised. He started shaking his head, no, vehemently, and Hoss tried again to calm him.

“Joe, now listen!” Hoss stated firmly. “We can’t stay here. We’re gonna have to cross. Now, look at me.”

He grasped Little Joe by the shoulders and forced his frightened brother to look him in the eyes, “I’m not gonna let you fall. I promise.”

Joe looked unsure for several moments, and then slowly nodded his head. He sniffed and wiped at a tear sliding down his cheek.

Hoss patted him reassuringly on the shoulder then stood and called to Brave Pony, “You still got the pack?” he asked.

Brave Pony, guessing at his needs, took off the pack and quickly withdrew the rope. He took a moment to aim and then swung it across to Hoss’s waiting hands.

“Okay, Joe,” Hoss said soothingly. “I’m gonna tie this rope around you and toss the other end back to Brave Pony. He’ll hang onto it, so nothing can happen to you, okay?”

Little Joe, still unable to speak, just nodded miserably.

Hoss finished securing the rope around his little brother and then tossed the other end to Brave Pony. He helped Joe to stand and, placing him in front, started toward the board. When they approached the edge, Little Joe instantly seized up and tried to scramble back to the center. Hoss grabbed him and the two wrestled for a few moments.

“Joe,” Hoss yelled, finally shaking him out of his hysteria. “Okay, okay,” he said softly to his brother. “We’ll try this a different way. You close your eyes and I’m going to put you over my shoulder and carry you across. Do you understand?”

Little Joe nodded and then squeezed his eyes shut tight. Hoss picked up his brother and winced as the added weight sent a fire coursing through his leg. He started out over the board and took small cautious steps. The board was old and rotted and he prayed that it would hold them. When he reached the center, his heart sank as he heard the board begin to creek and snap. Little Joe whimpered and his body stiffened. Hoss decided that if they were going to get across he would have to make a run for it. He started to sprint when suddenly there was a sickening crack. The board snapped and then gave way.

“Hoss!” Brave Pony yelled as he hung onto the rope holding Joe with all his might.

Chapter 16

“Pa, Pa!” yelled Adam as he ran toward the house. “Pa, come quick!”

Ben bounded out of the front door and caught Adam running towards him, “Adam what is it?” Ben questioned, sensing the panic in his son’s voice.

“Something’s wrong, it’s the horses,” he answered gasping.

Adam grabbed his father’s arm and ran back to the barn dragging him along.

Ben gasped as he saw the cause of Adam’s distress. His two youngest son’s horses were in the barn and they were in bad shape. Chubb had deep, bleeding gashes along his right flank and his saddle was gone. His bridle was broken and torn in several places and there were numerous cuts on his legs.

“They’ve been attacked,” said Adam examining the large horse. “I’d say wolves! Big wolves, from the looks of these teeth marks.”

Ben had been going over Cochise. His saddle was still intact and it looked like he had fared better than the larger, slower horse. He did have several bites on his two hind legs, however.

“Adam,” Ben said in his booming voice, immediately taking command of the situation. “Go and get Hop Sing and have the foreman gather the men.”
Adam hurried to follow his instructions and Ben quickly saddled their horses. He hated to leave the two injured horses unattended, but his sons came first. He had also saddled a horse for Hop Sing, and was approaching the house with the three readied animals when Hop Sing emerged carrying several rifles. Elliot, following fast behind Hop Sing out onto the porch, volunteered to help.
“I need someone to stay behind, in case Hoss and Joe show up here,” Ben answered quickly. “If you know anything about first aid, you can look to the horses in the barn.”
Elliot nodded and quickly ran to the barn.
Adam rushed back into the yard, followed by the foreman and the two extra hands that were staying on through the winter. The group mounted swiftly and rode out. It didn’t take them long to find the horses tracks from the night before. Thankfully, there had been no new snow since yesterday evening, so the horses’ tracks were easy to follow.
The rescue party went as quickly as they could over the soft slippery snow. Ben had to work hard to push the pictures of his boys lying out in snow, their bodies ravaged by wolves, out of his mind. Adam seeming to read his father’s thoughts looked over to him, “They’re okay, Pa,” he said, with a firm conviction.

Ben just returned his gaze for a moment and then set his face forward, clinging to the hope that his eldest had offered him. The tracks started to fade the farther they traveled but given the direction they were headed, Ben was sure he knew where his boys had been going.

“There’s a river about ten miles up ahead,” he shouted to the men.

He looked again at the hoof prints on the ground and, taking note of the blood stains, yelled further instructions before speeding up, “Keep your rifles handy. There’s no telling if we’ll meet up with that wolf pack.”

Ben felt his throat closing up in fear for his sons’ lives. He had heard the rumors circulating the area about the large pack of wolves. Up in these mountains, there were a few small packs and the occasional lone wolf, but this pack was said to have come in from California. They were large and vicious. Up until now, he had assumed the stories were exaggerated, but after seeing the injuries to his boy’s horses, he knew the wolves were definitely much bigger than the ones he was used to seeing.

They rode along in relative silence over the next half hour. Ben, seeing something strange up ahead, signaled the men to slow down. They approached with caution a large mound on the ground, partially covered with snow. Ben grimaced when he saw the gruesome remains of a pack mule. He was about to turn away when suddenly, recognizing something near the carcass, he jumped from his horse, running over to the gory scene.

“What is it?” cried Adam, quickly following after his father.

Ben held up a saddle bag, the Ponderosa brand clearly visible on the back. He turned pale and for a moment felt as if he might collapse.

Adam called to the men, “Spread out. Search the area.”

The men quickly scattered in different directions, eyes searching and rifles held at the ready. Faces were grim as they set out to find the two lost boys.

“Pa,” Adam said softly, reaching out to touch his father’s shoulder. “They’re fine! I know they are.”

“How can you be so sure?” Ben asked, the agony he was experiencing coming through his voice. “They could have been dragged off, or they could be buried somewhere under the snow.”

Ben stopped and shuddered slightly, placing his hand over his eyes and breathing deeply.

“Pa,” Adam tried again, putting his arm over Ben’s shoulders. “Search inside yourself. If they were gone you would feel it. You would just know.”

Ben looked at Adam and saw nothing but sincerity in his face. He took a few deep breaths and then did as his son suggested, searching deep inside himself. After a few moments there was one thing he was absolutely sure of, and that was that he was not going to quit looking until he found his boys!

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Hoss felt the board break beneath him and knew with a certainty that he would fall. Several thoughts floated through his mind in an instant. First, he knew Joe would be safe, as the rope was tied around him. Second, he saw images of his father, older brother, and his beloved Hop Sing; they would all miss him terribly. Third, he hated the thought of leaving this world on an empty stomach.

He felt himself falling and wondered if it would hurt much when he hit the bottom. Suddenly he felt a sharp jerk and then his body slammed into the side of the wall. He opened his eyes. He hadn’t even realized that they were shut, and as he looked around realized he hadn’t fallen very far. It took a moment for his brain to register what had happened. Little Joe, in his fright, was clinging to Hoss so tightly that he was keeping Hoss from falling. Hoss heard Brave Pony scream from above, “I can’t hold on! Too heavy.”

Hoss realized that his and Joe’s combined weight was too much for Brave Pony and if he didn’t do something quick, both he and Joe would be lost.

“Joe,” he yelled. “You have to let go!”

“No!” Joe screamed.

“Joe, listen to me,” Hoss tried desperately. “Brave Pony’s got you, you’re not gonna fall. You don’t have to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” answered Joe, with a sob in his voice. “But I’m not letting you go!”
Hoss felt tears well up into his eyes as he pleaded with his brother, “Joe, he can’t hold us both. You’ve got to let me go. Pa and Adam are gonna need you!”

“We stay together, Hoss,” Little Joe managed through his tightly clenched teeth.

Hoss didn’t know how his puny little brother was managing to hold on, but he was determined that he would not let him fall. He could hear Brave Pony up above them gasping from the strain.

“Brave Pony,” he called. “Just hang on!”

There was no answer and Hoss realized he must be using all his energy and concentration just to hang on to the rope.

Hoss looked around quickly for some sort of solution. In the semi darkness, he was able to make out a small ledge, just big enough for him to get his feet on. He stepped onto the ledge and searched along the wall for a hand hold. He managed a grip on some rocks and, putting all his weight on the small ledge, was able to relieve the strain on the rope.

“Brave Pony,” he called again. “Is there something up there you can wind the rope around to use as leverage?”

“Yes,” his friend yelled down.

After a moment, he looked up and saw Brave Pony peering down at them.

“I need you to pull Joe up.” He told Brave Pony.

He could feel Joe shaking his head no, but knew he had to remain firm.

“Joe, I need you to get up there so that you can throw the rope back down to me. Brave Pony can’t pull us both up. It’s gonna take both of you just to get me up there.”

Joe was panting heavily and Hoss was worried that his fear had once again taken over.

“Joe,” he said forcefully. “If you want us both to make it out of this you’ve got to do as I tell you!”

“Okay,” Joe answered quietly. “Hoss . . . I love you.”

“I know you do, little brother,” Hoss replied gently. “I love you too. Now everything is gonna be just fine.”

“Are you ready?” he called to Brave Pony.

“Go ahead,” said Hoss, bracing himself the best he could.

He almost lost his balance when Little Joe was slowly lifted off his shoulder. Clinging desperately to the side of the cliff, he prayed they would hurry.

A moment later he felt the rope hit against his back.

“Grab on,” yelled Brave Pony. “Joe and I will pull you up!”

Hoss realized that he would have to let go of the rocks he was grasping in order to grab the rope and the thought filled him with a cold fear.

“Come on, Hoss,” he heard his brother’s voice mimicking his own words of encouragement. “We won’t let you fall.”

Hoss found the courage somewhere inside of him and let go with one hand, managing to clasp the dangling rope. Quickly, he wrapped it once around his arm and then, letting go with the other hand, frantically clutched the rope.

He immediately felt himself being pulled up and in a few moments felt the welcome hands of his friend and brother as they lifted him onto solid ground. The three collapsed in a heap and lay panting and gasping for breath.

They took turns slowly rising, Hoss being the last. Sheer adrenaline was all that was keeping him going. He fought hard not to lose control of himself now. He heard Joe coughing across the room and knew that whatever it took he had to find a way to get them home, quick.

He lay still as Brave Pony and Joe walked toward the door to see if there was a way around the huge stone block. He was bone tired, fiercely hungry, and his body was racked with pain that was no longer coming from just his leg. After a moment he carefully sat up. He watched wearily as Little Joe dug at the side of the wall near the block. Suddenly he was gone and Brave Pony was motioning for Hoss to join them.

Calling on a strength from deep inside, he once again picked himself up and joined his friend. The shaking of the room had apparently slid the block away from the door, leaving an escape. He had to suck in his stomach quite a bit to get through, but he made it to the other side. They paused a moment in the short tunnel, and Hoss watched bleary eyed as Little Joe turned back to the room.

“Joe,” he started, worried that his brother had ideas of going back for the treasure.

His fears were unnecessary as he watched Little Joe shaking his head emphatically.

“Don’t worry, Hoss,” he answered. “I’m not going anywhere near that room again.”

Hoss nodded in satisfaction and they continued out into the larger cavern. Hoss gasped when they exited the tunnel. Apparently the ground shaking in the other room had affected this cavern as well. Many of the sharp dangerous spikes had fallen from the ceiling and were now littered all over the path. Many other spikes were dangling precariously ready to fall at the least provocation.

Brave Pony signaled for them all to remain quiet and together, they started slowly down the path. They had made considerable progress down the steep incline before encountering any difficulty. One of the spikes had landed with its sharp end digging deep into the ground and it was now blocking the path. They were busy trying to figure a way around when suddenly Little Joe sneezed. The sound was slight, but it was all that was necessary to start a cascade of the deadly daggers falling from the ceiling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The eerie sounds of a wolf’s howl floated through the trees toward the group of men, causing the hair on the back of their necks to stand up.

“Get the rifles!” Ben yelled, running toward Buck.

Ben grabbed his firearm and then turned to await the arrival of the beasts responsible for the carnage they had just finished examining. Aaron and Caleb, two brothers the Cartwrights had hired on as part of their winter team, stood together near a large boulder. Suddenly, one of the biggest wolves Ben had ever seen appeared on top of the rock. Before Ben could call out a warning, the animal gave a savage growl and sprang from the rock onto Aaron. The young man fell to the ground under the weight of the animal and screamed as it viciously attacked. Caleb spun around, hearing his younger brother’s cries and, using his rifle as a club, with a well aimed blow to the head sent the animal flying.

The wolf was back up in an instant and shaking itself, it started forward again snarling and snapping. A shot rang out and Ben spun around to see that Adam had fired from behind him. The wolf lay dead at the feet of the young hand, but there was no time to celebrate, for within moments they were surrounded by the remainder of the pack. The animals circled the men forcing them into a tighter group.

“Shoot!” Ben yelled.

The sounds of gunfire could be heard clear to Lake Tahoe as the men obeyed the command. Five of the wolves were down, but the rest, seeming to understand they couldn’t fight against the rifles, charged into the men. The last thing Ben saw before an enormous animal knocked him to the ground was Adam trying to fight off two of the massive animals with the butt of his rifle. With the wolf on top of him, its razor-sharp teeth just inches from his face, Ben struggled to push the vicious animal away. The animal’s razor sharp teeth, near inches from his face. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a jagged rock lying next to him. He risked letting go of the wolf and reached for the rock. The wolf took advantage of his release and bit viciously into Ben’s shoulder. Ben yelled out and then with all his strength hit the animal in the side of the head with the sharp stone. The wolf was knocked cold and Ben quickly got to his feet. He picked up his rifle which had fallen a few feet away and made sure the savage animal would never rise again.

“Adam!” he called for his son, looking frantically around him.

He saw Caleb still near the large boulder lying unmoving on the ground his brother doing his best to hold off three of the large predators.

“Pa!” Ben whirled around when he heard his son’s call and saw Adam dangling from the limb of a tree. He had been trying to get up onto one of the lower branches when one of the wolves had grabbed his leg. It was holding on tugging fiercely trying to pull him to the ground. Ben aimed his rifle, but just as he was about to fire the animal was struck with an arrow. Letting go of Adam, the animal staggered a short distance before falling to the ground.

Ben was overjoyed as he heard the shouts and cries of a small band of Indians coming onto the scene. Within moments the few wolves still left alive fled, their tails tucked between their legs.

Ben was about to welcome the party when a call from Hop Sing, leaning over Caleb’s unmoving body, sent him running in the opposite direction. He bent over Caleb’s limp figure and looked to Hop Sing. The sorrowful brown eyes that met his didn’t offer much hope and Ben turned to comfort the younger man sobbing beside him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little Joe dodged as one of the gigantic spikes came crashing down. It barely missed him as it crashed into the rock blocking their path. The two spears fell off the edge, crashing and banging down the side of the cliff.

“Run!” yelled Hoss.

The three young men took off full speed down the steep hill. Their speed ended up being their undoing, however, and soon they were slipping and sliding down the steep narrow path. The sharp pointed rock formations continued to fall all around them. When they reached the bottom, miraculously unscathed, they quickly darted into the tunnel leading the way back. Driven by fear and adrenaline, they continued their frenzied pace for a good while before finally collapsing onto the ground.

It was a good half hour later before any of them had the strength or will to try and stand.

The room seemed to spin for Hoss. His head felt as if it was on fire and his throat was screaming for water. A moment later he felt small hands gently lifting his head and then blessed cool drops of water flowed from a canteen onto his parched lips. He drank greedily and as he slowly came around, finally managed to focus on the face of his younger brother.

“Hoss, you alright?” Little Joe questioned between fits of coughing.

“Oh, great,” thought Hoss. “He’s sick! Pa’s gonna kill me.”

Brave Pony came over and helped him to sit up. The weary group rested for a bit longer and then decided, because it was the only thing left to do, to continue on.

They refilled their canteens in the same pool Brave Pony had found in the room with the waterfall earlier, and had been making fairly good progress, when they once again entered the enormous cavern where the bats were hibernating. They were stirring restlessly and Hoss was sure because of all the earlier crashing that they would awaken at any moment. The farther they traveled the more he struggled and Brave Pony draped an arm over his shoulder, lending a helping hand. They were just about to exit the room when they heard the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

“Not so fast boys,” came a menacing voice.

A short dark figure stepped out of the tunnel and Joe held up the lantern.

The lamp illuminated the man. He was husky, but only about the same height as Joe. His brown, stringy hair was wild and unkempt, and that, combined with a few day’s worth of beard stubble, gave the man a grotesque appearance. The most prominent of his features, however, was an ugly scar that started just below his eye and continued all the way down his face to his mouth.

“It’s you!” Little Joe hissed, and took an angry step toward the man.

“Not another step!” the man retorted, raising his gun and aiming it straight at Joe’s chest.

“Who are you?” Hoss managed to gasp, before stepping in front of his little brother.

“It’s that man I told you about,” answered Joe, peeking round the side of Hoss’s broad back. “The one from the bar, that ran into me and then called me a kid!”

“That’s right kid,” the man overly pronounced the word with a sneer. “I told that brother of yours back in town that I’d get even sooner or later. I’ve been following you for days waiting for just the right moment. I thought nature would take care of you for me, what with those gigantic wolves and then the avalanche, but seems you’re one lucky little son of a gun. Or maybe not so lucky after all.”

The man gave a wicked laugh and the room suddenly seemed to stir. There was a flutter of wings and the chirping of bats protesting the noisy party.

“Shhh,” admonished Hoss. “Them bats aren’t gonna be happy if we wake them up.”

The man gave Hoss a deadly glare, “Nobody tells me what to do,” he snapped, although Hoss noted he had lowered his voice considerably.

“Where’s the treasure?” he questioned, seeming to be quickly losing his patience.

Little Joe looked to Hoss and Brave Pony quizzically.

“That’s right,” the man scoffed. “I heard you all talking about that treasure left by them injuns. I started to follow you, but when I saw how dangerous things were getting, I figured I’d just sit back and let you all bring the treasure to me.”

He twisted his misshapen mouth into an ugly smile.

Hoss suddenly remembered the strange sounds he had heard when he had started his journey to find Joe.

“So there was someone following me,” he thought to himself.

“Well, you can just go get that treasure yourself,” Little Joe piped up angrily. “Its way back there hanging off the edge of a cliff!”

The man’s sneer turned instantly to an angry glare and he took a few steps toward Joe, the spit flying from his mouth as he spoke. “I told you, kid, nobody tells me what to do. Now the three of you just turn right around and go get me that treasure!”

Hoss and Brave Pony looked at each other desperately. Hoss knew Little Joe wouldn’t be able to keep his temper in check for much longer. This man holding them at gunpoint was volatile and Hoss was sure if he was pushed far enough, the man wouldn’t hesitate to shoot. He quickly made a decision.

“Duck!” he yelled at his little brother and amazingly enough, Little Joe obeyed instantly, Brave Pony also fell to the ground. Hoss lunged for the startled man and, grabbing his arm roughly, pointed the weapon away from the group. Hoss, Brave Pony, and Little Joe cringed as a shot rang out, and then nothing could be heard except for the piercing screeches of thousands of angry bats and the deafening roar of whooshing wings.

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Ben had talked to Brave Pony’s people and discovered that the boys had never shown up at the village, causing him even greater concern. Chief White Bear had become worried when his son hadn’t returned and had sent out a search party.

With the added men and the threat of the wolves now alleviated, he had sent Hop Sing home with the gravely injured ranch hand and his inconsolable brother. The men’s horses had scattered with the attack of the wolves, and the braves spent a good deal of time collecting them for their owners again.

After a bit more searching of the area, they found the body of the wolf that had been shot days ago. Its close proximity to the river gave Ben the hope that maybe the boys had managed to get across.

The much subdued group crossed the icy river and continued on. Ben had a feeling the boys had headed toward a large canyon he knew was near the area. They would have had some protection from the storm there.

As they entered the canyon, Ben immediately noticed the odd arrangement of snow high up on one of the walls of the canyon. He recognized immediately the signs of an avalanche and he once again filled with dread.

The group headed silently up the canyon looking for any signs that the trio had somehow survived.

“Look,” Adam whispered excitedly, pointing towards the remains of the boy’s small camp. Ben jumped from his horse and ran to the scene. After a moment he realized the site hadn’t been used for quite a while. He turned, his shoulders slumped, to carry on with the search when suddenly he heard an odd sound coming from one of the walls along the canyon.

“What is that?” he questioned, turning in the direction of the mysterious noise.

“It sounds like bats screeching,” Adam answered, looking puzzled.

“I thought bats hibernated in the winter,” Ben said, looking to Adam.

“They do,” he replied. “Unless something wakes them up.” He turned to Ben suddenly, eyes shining. “Or someone!”

Ben began to run toward the wall of the canyon and, within moments, had found the entrance to the cave. He raced inside shouting his boy’s names, Adam and the Indians following closely behind him. The cave was dark except for a small fire glowing toward the center of the room. They quickly picked up sticks and formed makeshift torches and then, following the sounds of the angry bats, they headed down a long tunnel. The men hurried as quickly as they dared. The sound of the bats was growing considerably louder and then, suddenly, they were surrounded by the irate creatures. Ben, along with the other men, waved their torches in the air in an effort to ward off the onslaught, but there were too many of the winged animals. He finally turned to go back and saw that the other men were already running back down the tunnel. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought that he saw a familiar large figure mixed in the huddle of men up ahead of him.

The tangled mesh of men and bats exited the tunnel at a frenzied pace. The bats circled around the cave for a few minutes and then, instead of exiting the cave into the bright sunlight, they slowly started making their way back down the tunnel.

After what seemed an eternity, enough of the animals were gone so that Ben could make some sense of the situation. He stood from where he’d been crouched near the floor with his hands over his head and surveyed the scene before him.

“Pa!” he heard a shout and turned to see his youngest flying towards him.

“Joseph!” he yelled in joy and relief.

His son rushed into his arms and clung tightly to the father he adored. Ben laughed and, picking him up, spun him around a few times.

“Where’s your brother?” he questioned when he felt he could speak again.

“Right here, Pa,” came the hoarse voice of his middle boy.

Ben released Joe and hugged his large son to him. He could feel the heat radiating from his body and quickly drew him back, looking into his eyes.

“I’ll be fine, Pa,” Hoss said weakly before suddenly collapsing onto the ground.

“Adam,” Ben cried out. “Come help me with your brother!”

The men quickly helped to carry Hoss out of the cave and, after hurriedly putting together a travois, placed Hoss onto it. Little Joe lay next to his brother all through the long journey home, and for the second time that day, held onto him tightly so that he wouldn’t fall.

Adam followed closely behind the party. Little Joe had pointed out the man that had attacked him in town, and after filling Adam in on the whole story, his older brother had roughly taken the villain and tied him to the back of the mule.

Ben, even though filled with concern for his sick son, hurried toward home with a much lighter heart then when he had left.

Chapter 17

Two days later Christmas came upon the Cartwrights, and the family celebrated in the style to which they had become accustomed. Numerous gifts, some purchased from hoarded savings and some put together with diligent loving hands, were passed to each member of the Cartwright family. Each and every gift was received with a thankfulness of heart toward the giver, and those thanks made any efforts put forth well worth the trouble.

Adam smiled as he looked around the room of people he was privileged to call family. Of all the gifts he had received that day, he was most proud of the gift he now held in his arms. Belle and Elliot, in their gratefulness to him for all he had done, had named one of their children in his honor. The boy was named Elliot Jr. which was the family tradition; he was the fourth in the proud line. That had left the baby girl to be the recipient of his honor.

Smiling, he thought back to that morning when Belle had explained to him excitedly, “You are the first born son in your family and your father named you Adam. In honor of you we thought it would be appropriate to name our first born daughter, Eve. I hope you’ll accept it as a compliment.”

She had then stood back, looking anxiously into his eyes. Adam remained serious for a moment, then when he could contain himself no longer he let out a merry laugh.

“Belle, I think it’s a wonderful name,” he told her reassuringly.

He had taken the baby from her and now he was enjoying sitting by the fire holding the tiny infant close to him as he sang that same French melody he had sung to Belle during her difficult labor. He looked into the fire as the sounds of happy voices rose all around him and sighed with contentment. He had, in his own bungling way, managed to help bring two of life’s greatest treasures into the world and as a consequence, it had brought Belle and Elliot closer together. He looked at the small bundle wrapped snuggly in her warm yellow flannel blanket and whispered to her, “Merry Christmas, Eve.”

Hoss sat wrapped from head to toe with blankets in his father’s red leather chair near the fire. He had been deemed, by Hop Sing, well enough to join the family for a short time and he was greatly enjoying all the activity going on around him. His leg was feeling much better since Hop Sing had cauterized the wound. He shuttered at the painful memory and then worked to place it out of his head.

He looked across the room at Little Joe, who was animatedly retelling the story of their adventure to Roy. The sheriff listened patiently and made sure to gasp or groan in all the appropriate places. Hoss knew they would be hearing the story over and over for a good long while, but listening to Joe recount the tale was the least he could do after his brother had saved his life. He would never know how Little Joe had managed to hang onto him for so long.

Hoss thought of Brave Pony, now back with his people, and he smiled at the way things had turned out. They hadn’t gotten the treasure, but when they had arrived home with the man that had almost been their undoing, tied up on the back of the pack mule, Roy had recognized him instantly as a man wanted in at least four states. Tony Houston was the infamous murderer’s name and it turned out there was a five thousand dollar reward for his capture. Little Joe had been absolutely beside himself. Of course, once Pa found out that the whole adventure happened because of the deceptive note Little Joe had left, as punishment, he wasn’t allowed to keep any of the money. Hoss had suggested they use a good portion of it to help stock up the Indians with their needed supplies for the winter. Several of Brave Pony’s men had retrieved the deer that had been shot by Brave Pony in the canyon, and Ben offered them their pick of beeves for their help in rescuing his sons, but they still desperately needed things like clothing and blankets.

Adam had spent much of Christmas Eve at Hoss’s side, keeping him company and had given him and idea for what to do with the rest of the money. It was decided then that after he set aside a small portion of the money to buy a new mule for Jigger Thurman, they promised the remainder to Elliot.

“So, you can go to college, and become a world famous inventor,” Hoss had explained to the bewildered young man.

After some hard convincing and with numerous promises to repay the money as soon as he came into his inheritance, Elliot graciously accepted. He and his wife were now busy making plans to leave for Boston as soon as it was safe to travel. Ben had arranged for the couple to move into the hotel in Carson City after the new babies were a bit stronger. Hoss had a sneaking suspicion that if his father had anything to do with it, those babies wouldn’t be “strong” enough to leave for a good couple of months yet. Everyone was enjoying them immensely.

Regardless of the fact that a chest of gold was still deep inside of a dangerous mountain, Hoss knew that most of life’s greatest treasures were already all around him. He snuggled down inside his toasty warm blankets and as sleep came over him, he smiled and whispered, “Merry Christmas, Cartwright family.”

Later that night, after everyone had gone to bed, Ben stood alone in the great room reminiscing over the day’s events. Usually they had a huge party inviting all of their friends and neighbors, but with his son’s being sick and Hop Sing busy tending to the injured ranch hand, they had postponed the party until the New Year. Caleb had somehow managed to pull through the attack and Ben was overwhelmed with relief. His brother Aaron had refused to leave his side all day yesterday, and when Caleb had awoken that morning, asking for some of Hop Sing’s eggnog, everyone had rejoiced over his amazing recovery. Ben had winked at the two brothers on his way back to the house and reminded them that Christmas was the time of year for miracles.

He noticed the yellow gleam of light coming from the guest room where Roy had been staying. He was glad his friend would be staying with them for a while longer. He smiled as he remembered how touched Roy had been over the gift he and the boys had given him for Christmas. Ben had managed to find time to talk with each of his sons and they had whole heartedly agreed to make Roy an honorary member of the family. Adam had written up a certificate in his fancy writing and Ben had sealed it with the family crest. They had agreed that Roy spending Christmas with them should become a yearly tradition. Ben assured him that as a member of the family, his future would be secure and that he would always have a place with them. Roy had guffawed and huffed, but Ben had seen the tears glistening in his eyes before he had hurriedly wiped them away.

Ben stood now gazing into the fire sending its soft glow over the room. He rubbed his injured shoulder tenderly. The wolf’s bite had not pierced his skin, thanks to his thick coat, but it had left him quite a bruise. This had been a Christmas to remember, and he had certainly been doing a lot of that lately. He suddenly noticed his old sea chest tucked under the tree and pulled it out. Once again he opened the lid and let his mind wander back over a lifetime of happy memories: memories that had brought him and his old friend hours of enjoyment, and that was a much greater treasure than any his boys could have found in that cave. He reached for the small wooden box that contained his wives’ wedding rings. He picked up each golden band and held it up to the fire. He gently kissed each one before setting it back in its box, and then, closing the lid, he set it back in the chest. Carefully he carried the treasured chest up the stairs to be stored away until the next time he wanted to reminisce.

“Merry Christmas, my loves,” he whispered and softly closed the door to his bedroom.

The End