FORSAKING WILD OATS

 

Based on the television characters created by David Dortort.

Written especially for Delci Marie Barkley at her request.

Rating:  T (32,430 words)

Forsaking Wild Oats

By Kyrila Scully

Delci Fuller rode her pony hard and fast into the corral just as the sun was beginning to set on Wild Oats Ranch.  The fiery glow in the sky matched her mood, as well as her hair as it waved freely in the wind.  The mountain for which the ranch was named stood watch over the land as it had for thousands of years, and stood watch over Delci now as she sewed a few wild oats of her own.

“Lazy son of a gun!“ She muttered, fuming over a ranch hand questioning her orders to check the fencing along the north border of the ranch.

“Come on, Strawberry,”  she led the horse into the barn and removed the saddle, throwing it over a sawhorse.  She removed the bit and massaged his nose a little as she removed the halter.

“Let’s get you into your stall, boy.”

She grabbed a brush as the horse made his way inside the stall.  The tub inside was dry of water and she knew her horse needed a drink.  She also knew the horse needed to be rubbed down before the lather from their exertions made him chilled.

“I’ll get you some water, boy,” Delci promised.  “First, we gotta rub you down.”

Working quickly, her focus on her horse, she didn’t notice another rider approach the corral.  He startled her as she carried a bucket toward the trough just outside the barn.

“Stop right where you are,”  Delci shouted.  “I’ve got a gun and I know how to use it.”

She was lying, but she hoped her bravado didn’t betray her.

“Sorry, miss, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“I’m not the kind of girl you can frighten, mister!” Delci slammed the bucket into the water trough, splashing the stranger just a little.  “And you didn’t answer my question!  Who are you, and what do you want?”

Delci’s quick temper sized him up quickly.  Dressed in black, the handsome man smirked as he tied his horse to the railing.

“The name’s Cartwright,” he told her.  “Adam Cartwright.”

“And what would be your business here?”  Delci demanded.

“I’m on an errand,” he explained.  “I’ve come to see Mr. Fuller, the man who owns this ranch.  This is the Wild Oats Ranch, is it not?  Would you be his daughter, Delci?”

“How do you know who I am?”  she fumed.

“Just a hunch,” Cartwright leaned against the rail and looked her over.  “It’s been a long time since I last saw you, but you’re about the same age as Delci would be now, and you certainly have the red hair I remember when your family’s wagon broke down on the Ponderosa.”

Delci barely remembered that wagon ride from Ohio to Nevada territory.  She nervously shifted her weight from one leg to the other and back again.  She swallowed hard and quelled her temper.

“Well, just what brings you down here from the Ponderosa, Mr. Adam Cartwright?”

She knew well the reputation of the Cartwrights.  Everybody in Nevada territory did.  Her father spoke well of them frequently.  But she had no remembrance of being on the Ponderosa, or of the people who lived there.

“I came to see your father,” Adam said.  “Is he here?”

“He’s here,” Delci said, nodding toward the house.  “Let me finish tending to my horse, and I’ll take you up to see him.”

“I’ll tend to my horse while you tend to yours.”

Delci was reluctant to accommodate the man.  She could see him from Strawberry’s stall as she gave the gelding water and put on his feed bag.

“Got some feed to spare?”  Adam asked.  Delci jumped.

“You sure have a way of sneaking up on people!”

Adam chuckled.  He grabbed an empty feed bag and helped himself to the oats.

“I suppose if you plan to stay the night, you could bunk your horse over there,” Delci pointed to an empty stall.

“Thank you, kindly,” Adam tipped his hat.

“You’re welcome to sleep out here with him, too!”  Delci pushed past him, deliberately bumping into him.  His body was solid as a rock, but he moved with the motion.  She stormed out of the barn and walked as fast as she could toward the house.  Adam followed close behind, quickly retrieving a leather satchel out of his saddle bag to bring along.

“Papa!” Delci called upstairs as she entered the front door of the clapboard house.  “Someone here to see you.  Says he’s Adam Cartwright.”

Adam entered the home and made a quick survey as he removed his hat and hung it on a post.  The front room looked as if it had been cared for at one time, but was now in disarray.

“Papa’s upstairs in his room,” Delci started up the stairs ahead of him.  “But I warn you, mister.  He isn’t well and you’d better not upset him, or you’ll have me to contend with!”

“I’m here on a friendly call, miss,” he assured her.

“Delci?” A weak voice called from behind a closed door.  “You say Mr. Cartwright is here?”

Delci walked over to the bed and kissed her father on the forehead, then proceeded to light the lamps as Adam approached her father.

“Pa sent me, Mr. Fuller,”  Adam reached for the sick man’s extended hand and gently shook it.  “He sends his regrets that he couldn’t come himself.”

“That’s fine,” Ethan Fuller admired the man Adam had become.  “Why, it’s been at least twelve years since I last saw you folks.  How is your pa?  Your brothers?”

“They’re all well, sir,” Adam took a seat near the bed as Delci leaned against the door frame and watched carefully.  “And how are you feeling these days?”

“Well, that heart attack nearly done me in, son,”  Ethan replied.  “Delci here has taken over the running of the ranch, but it’s no job for a girl like her.  She needs to be around people her own age, having a good time.”

Adam glanced at the girl, dressed more like a boy than a girl.

“She does seem formidable, though.”

Delci muttered an oath and left the two alone.  But she stayed in her own room across the hall in case her father needed her, and so that she could keep an eye–and an ear–on what was going on in her father’s room.

“Adam, I’ll be frank,”  the old man intimated.  “Since Delci’s sweet mother died, I’ve done the best I could by her, but I’ve let her work beside me like she was a son, not a daughter.  I’m too sick to get out of this bed and keep the ranch going.  Delci’s done the best she could, but I have to face facts.  We can’t keep this ranch any longer.  As I wrote your father, I need to sell the place and set Delci up in a nice house in town near people I can trust.  The town here is all right, but it doesn’t have near what she could find in a big town like Virginia City.”

“Pa sent a letter for you, responding to your request.”  Adam pulled the letter out of the satchel and handed it to Mr. Fuller.  The man held it up close and tried to read it.

“It’s no use, Adam,” he handed the letter back to the younger man.  “My eyes have gotten worse in the last couple of weeks.  I can’t hardly read anything any more.”

“Allow me,” Adam cleared his throat.

“Dear Ethan,” Adam began reading.  “I was glad to hear from you after so long a time, yet grieved to hear of your misfortune.  After giving your request proper consideration, I believe I have found a solution for you.  There is a family just arrived in Virginia City, looking for some land…”

“Sell the ranch?”  Delci interrupted.  “Papa, how could you?  This ranch means everything to us!”

“Quiet down, Delci,” her father waved his hand at her as best as he could.  “It’s not your decision to make.  Let the man finish the letter.”

Adam continued, once Delci sat down next to her father on the bed and took his hand in hers.  He noticed tears in her eyes as he read.

“They’re a good family of hard-working people, and they have the means to meet your price.  In addition, I spoke to a widow who has plenty of room in her home to accommodate both you and Delci. She is quite willing to help nurse you during your recovery and to introduce Delci to the people of Virginia City.  I believe you will be quite satisfied with the arrangements.”

“Well, I’m not satisfied!” Delci complained in a subdued tone.  She turned her back to Adam.  “Papa, do we have to sell Wild Oats and move to Virginia City?”

Ethan raised his good arm and placed a loving hand on his daughter’s shoulder.  She rested against his chest, and he stroked her unkempt hair.

“My darling girl,” Ethan said.  “This is not the dream your mother and I had for you.  We wanted you to enjoy your youth with socials and pretty dresses and plenty of beaux around to choose a good husband to take care of you.  We never meant for you to run this ranch like a cowhand.”

“But, Papa!”  Delci protested.

“No, my girl,” Ethan continued.  “It’s no use.  I’m never going to be well enough to work this ranch again.  I did the best I could by you, but you need a better life than I can give you now.  We’re going to sell the ranch and move to Virginia City.  I’m going to get the doctoring and nursing I need to stick around long enough for you to get yourself married and maybe have a grandchild or two for me to spoil in the time I have left.  Let me do this for you.”

“Oh, Papa!”  Delci didn’t want the stranger–even if he was Adam Cartwright–to see her cry.  She ran from the room and threw herself on her own bed.  She could hear the two men talking further, but she didn’t want to hear any more.  She wept bitterly, as she reminisced about this home her parents had built together, and the ranch he loved.  She didn’t hear Adam knocking on her door at first.

“Delci,” Adam caught her attention.  “There’s someone on the porch asking to see you.”

Delci quickly wiped her face on her sleeve and headed for the front door.  It was that no good ranch hand who refused to take orders from her.

“Well, what is it?” Delci stood straight and as tall as she could muster to face the lazy buzzard.

“I came for my pay,” the man barked.  “I ain’t working here any more.”

“You never worked much while you were here!” Delci snapped back at him.  “You just sat around on your…”

Adam came up behind her and pulled out his wallet.

“How much does she owe you?”  Adam began counting out bills.

“Fifteen dollars!” the man said.

“That’s a lie!” Delci shouted. “You only worked one week, if you could call it work!  You agreed to five dollars a week!  But you only worked a day’s worth, so you only deserve a dollar!”

Adam handed some cash to the man.  “Here’s ten dollars,” he said.  “Your services won’t be needed any more.”

The man counted the bills and smiled.  “Thank you, mister!  I’ll be seeing you, miss”  The man tipped his hat and turned to ride off.

“Don’t count on it!”  Delci shouted after him.  “Really, Mr. Cartwright, why on earth would you pay that lousy bastard so much money?”

“Sometimes you have to pay a little more to avoid a lot of trouble,”  Adam folded his wallet and put it away.  “And a lady doesn’t use such language.”

“Well, you’re a fool!”  Delci followed him into the house.  “But I intend to pay you back every last penny!  We don’t need your charity!”

He walked back up the stairs, ignoring her comment, and Delci marveled after him.

Adam stopped halfway up the stairs and turned around.  “I nearly forgot to tell you.  Your father wishes to speak with you.”

Delci passed Adam on the stairs.  Her steps were slow and her thoughts were in a jumble.  She hesitated before she entered her father’s room, not sure if she wanted to hear what he had to say.

“Come in, child, and close the door.”

Delci obeyed, and Adam walked back down the stairs and waited in the front room.

After some time, Delci emerged from her father’s room and closed the door behind her in her own room.  Adam wondered if he should return to speak further with Ethan, but didn’t hear him call out, so he remained in the chair and continued reading the book he had found on the shelf against the wall.

More time passed, and Delci came down the stairs looking much different than she had before.  Her hair was brushed and tied back.  She had washed and put on a pretty dress of white cotton and pink flowers with just a little lace at the collar and cuffs.

Adam smiled, but dared not speak.

“I’ll just get supper going,”  Delci stepped quickly past the man and headed for the kitchen.

“May I help you?”  Adam offered.

“You know how to pluck a chicken?”

“It’s been awhile,” Adam admitted.

Delci pointed to a shed outside the back door.  “There’s the coop.  You’ll find an axe hanging on the side.”

As Delci selected a few potatoes from the bin in the pantry, Adam complied.

“I’ll get my hat.”

Adam went out in the darkness and made his way to the chicken coop.  He selected a young rooster and apologized to him for what he was about to do.  With a snap, the neck was broken and he used the axe to trim the bird.  It took awhile to pluck the chicken, as his plucking days ended when Pa hired Hop Sing to cook their meals, but he managed to complete the task.  Pumping a little water, he washed the carcass and shook off the excess water.

“Here you go,” Adam placed the bird on the butcher’s block.  “Shall I filet it?”

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Delci’s hands were covered in flour as she kneaded the dough for biscuits.  She nodded toward the knives hanging from nails next to the window.

Adam went to work cutting up the bird. He watched Delci deftly roll out the dough and cut out biscuits with a drinking glass.  It impressed him that she knew her way around a kitchen.  She had the potatoes on to boil, and a jar of green beans ready to put in a pot.

“Did you can those beans yourself?”  Adam asked.

“Bought them down the road from a farmer’s wife,” she admitted.  “Running the ranch, well, I was just too busy to do any canning, you see.  Besides, I haven‘t done any canning since Mama died.  I‘m not sure I could do it by myself.”

“How long ago did your mother pass away?”  Adam already knew the answer.  He wanted to keep the conversation going.

“Almost two years ago,” Delci said.  “I had just turned fifteen.  I’ll be seventeen in a couple of months.”

Delci paused from laying the biscuits on the baking pan.  “It just doesn’t seem like that long ago.”

“I know what you mean,” Adam sympathized.  “I lost my mother and two step-mothers.  Time passes both quickly and slowly, when you’re grieving.”

“Why, that’s it, exactly!”  Delci said.  She set the biscuits aside to rise while she tended to the chicken.  “I’ll just fry these up and we can eat in a bit.  Would you check on Papa?”

“I’d be pleased to,” Adam washed his hands and left her to her work.  He climbed the stairs and visited with Mr. Fuller.

“Ah, Adam,” Ethan smiled.  “Sit down a spell.  I talked with Delci, and she thinks we can get everything packed in a week or less.”

“I’ll head out early tomorrow to round up some men to help us load a couple of wagons,” Adam offered.  “I’ll wire Pa to have your money set up in an account for you in Virginia City.  I brought the papers with me, if you’d like to sign them before we leave.”

“That’s very smart, Adam,” Ethan patted his arm.  “You never know what could happen on the road.  I know it’s only a three day trip by wagon, but I’m a very sick man.”

“We’ll do everything we can to make your journey comfortable,” Adam promised.  “I’ll arrange for two wagons, so you can ride inside out of the sun, and in your own bed.”

“You’re a good man, Adam Cartwright,” Ethan nodded approval.  “Just like your father.”

Adam waved off the compliment.

“Supper’s ready!” they heard Delci call up.  Adam stood up to leave, but Ethan weakly tugged at his sleeve.

“Just one thing, Adam,”  the older man looked at him in earnest.  “I’d like you to help me over to my wife’s grave, so I can say good bye to her before we go.”

Adam nodded.  “It will be done.”

Delci entered with a tray of food for her father as Adam started to leave the room.

“I’ll be down as soon as I feed Papa,” Delci said.  “You help yourself downstairs.”

“I’ll be happy to wait for you,” Adam offered.

“No need,” Delci sat the tray on the chair and helped her father sit up to eat.  “This may take awhile and I’m sure you’re hungry.  You go on ahead.”

Adam hesitated by the door, trying to be discreet, as he watched the young girl lovingly tend to her father.  Not wanting to embarrass either one of them, he sauntered on down to the dining room where Delci had set out the food.

 

***   ***   ***

With Adam’s help, and the help of the men he hired, the Fullers’ belongings were packed in the wagons in just two days.  All that was left to do was to move into the wagons and head out on the road.

The morning sun was still behind Wild Oat Mountain as they hitched up the horses.  Delci couldn’t remember being anywhere except in the shadow of this mountain and the small town of Topaz Lake.  She stopped for a moment and took it all in.

Adam carried Ethan Fuller from the house and carried him to his late wife’s grave.  The frail man seemingly weighed no more than a bale of hay in his arms.  As Ethan paid his respects, Delci joined him and embraced her father as she gazed one last time at the small tombstone that marked her mother’s final resting spot.

Ethan’s emotions got the best of him, and Delci used the corner of her shawl to wipe away his tears.  Her own tears fell down her cheeks and she laid her head on her father’s shoulder; her arms wrapped around him tightly.

Adam stood a short distance away with his hat in his hand, as he gave the two the time they needed.  Who knew if and when they would ever return to this spot?  Delci hummed a hymn her mother had taught her.  Adam recognized it and turned away.  It reminded him of the song they sang at the grave of his step-mother, Marie Cartwright.  The two straightened out the rocks that outlined the grave, and pulled at wild grass and weeds that had grown inside the border.  Delci gathered a few wild flowers together and bound them with one of the weed stems, then placed it at the stone marker.  Ethan muttered a short prayer, and the two Fullers bade their final farewells.

Adam helped Ethan to his feet, then picked him up and carried him to the wagon with Delci close behind.

It was a little awkward getting Ethan into the wagon, but Adam managed.  With Delci’s help, they settled Ethan into his soft bed near the seat, where Delci could keep a close watch on her father.

“Are you comfortable, Mr. Fuller?”  Adam asked.

“So far,” Ethan nodded.

“Those men will be back this morning to round up your cattle,” Adam told Ethan.  “They’ll keep the herd safe until the new owners arrive.”

“You’re a good man, Adam,”  Ethan smiled.  “You’ve thought of everything.  Perhaps we’ll pass the people who bought the ranch?  I sure would like to meet them.”

“It’s a possibility,” Adam nodded as Delci tucked the blankets around her father.  “Although we probably wouldn’t know it, if we did.  I’ve never met them, myself.”

“Just as well,” Delci stated.  The tone of her voice indicated that she was still not happy about the whole affair.

Adam walked around the wagon for a final inspection of the ropes, gears and hitches.  He made sure the brake lever was within Delci’s reach.

“It‘s more than fifty miles to Virginia City,” Adam explained to Ethan and Delci.  “We have a good road, and if the weather holds out, we can make twelve or fifteen miles a day.  But if it gets too rough for you, Ethan, we’ll slow down.  There won’t be any doctors until we reach Dresslerville.  It‘s only twenty miles away, or just a bit farther.”

“I understand, Adam,”  Ethan nodded.

“I think we should push on to Dresslerville for the night, Adam,” Delci frowned.  “Papa would be more comfortable in a hotel, and if he should need a doctor, we could find one quite easily.”

“Delci, I’ll be fine!”  Ethan insisted.

“At least, for the first night, we’ll stop in Dresslerville,” Delci argued.  “We can have a doctor look you over to make sure you can undergo the rest of the journey.”

“Delci makes a good point, Ethan,” Adam conceded.  “But that means making two miles per hour, and it’s an incline that will be hard on the horses hauling these wagons.  I‘m not sure we should push the animals harder than we need to, especially on the first day.”

“But could we try, Adam?” Delci pleaded.

Adam put his hand on his hips and let go a sigh.

“All right,” Adam conceded.  “Let’s see how it goes.  But if the horses start having any problems, we’ll stop and rest them.”

“Thank you!” Delci’s eyes twinkled with delight.

“I won’t kid you, Ethan,” Adam warned.  “Even on the best roads, it’s going to be a rough trip.  You’ll be jostled around quite a bit, and this good feather mattress won’t cushion you from any potholes in the road.”

“All right, then,” Ethan turned his head away from them.  “Let’s get going.  Daylight is burning away.”

Adam hesitated before giving Delci the reins.  “Are you sure you can handle a covered wagon like this?  The load is much heavier than a cargo wagon.  Twenty miles is a long haul in one day.”

“I reckon if I need help, you’ll be close by to give me a hand,”  Delci’s tone had softened, if not her words.

“That I will,” Adam laughed to himself as he walked to the other wagon and tied his horse behind it.  “Just stay close behind me and holler if you need anything.”

He mounted the larger wagon and gave the horses their lead in an easy trot.  Looking behind him, he made sure he could see Delci trailing behind.  He didn’t want to get too far ahead of them, so that he could hear if she called to him.  Adam knew this trip would be hard on Ethan, and he hoped the frail man could survive it.

The sun crested at the top of Wild Oat Mountain.  Adam knew they had daylight for about twelve hours.  He worried to himself about the effects of driving through to Dresslerville.   Twenty-one and a half miles in one day was possibly foolhardy and Adam shook his head, questioning his own wisdom in making such an agreement.  It would be hard on the horses, and hard on Ethan.  He wondered if it would also be hard on Delci, but she seemed determined.

They met few travelers on the road that morning.  Adam could hear Delci singing to her father to pass the time.  He was glad for the warm spring breezes that kept the chill at bay.  Occasionally, he heard Delci chattering with her father and laughing at some joke between them.  He hoped it was an indication that Ethan was handling the journey just fine.

Delci wondered if Adam would ever stop the wagons for lunch.  She knew the horses would need water and rest, also.  Noon had already come and gone.  As they reached the top of Simee Dimeh Summit, Adam finally pulled off the road and stopped.

“Whoa, Strawberry,”  Delci called to her horse, and the gelding nudged the other horse to the side of the road where they stopped behind Adam’s wagon.  “Looks like we’ll be having lunch now, Papa.”

“That’s fine, Delci,”  Her father replied weakly.

Delci jumped off the wagon box and made her way to the front of the lead wagon.  As she approached Adam, she saw that he was still seated in the wagon, looking off to the side.  She followed his gaze and noticed a Washoe woman coming towards them.

“Hunga mi’ heshi,” the old woman said.  She pointed to the north.  “De ek Wadapush.  De ek Wadapush.”

“Hunga mi’ heshi,” Adam responded, nodding.

“What does she want, Adam?”  Delci climbed up on the wagon’s tongue for a better look.

“She said hello,” Adam explained.  “I think she wants to hitch a ride to Cave Rock.”

“But we’re not going to Cave Rock,” Delci protested.  Addressing the old woman, she continued.  “We are going to Virginia City.  You understand, Virginia City?”

The old woman nodded and looked the wagons over.  She had quite a bundle tied to her back, and she carried a beautiful willow basket filled with branches, leaves and roots.

Adam hopped off the wagon and spoke with the old woman.  She spoke very little English, but Delci couldn’t hear what was said.

Adam motioned for Delci, and the three walked back toward the wagon where Ethan was resting.

“This is Dabuda,” Adam told Delci.  “She was married to a Paiute, but he died, and she is returning to her own people.  It seems she is a healer woman, and knows how to help your father on his journey.  She wants to help, in exchange for a ride toward Lake Tahoe.”

The old woman nodded and pointed northwest.  “Da ow Aga.”

Delci knew that Cave Rock was revered among the Washoe people as a sacred place for the spiritual leaders of the tribe.  It overlooked Lake Tahoe, just west of Carson City.

“But, we’re not going to Lake Tahoe,” Delci reminded the woman, shaking her head.

“I told her,” Adam said.  He then climbed up on the wagon to explain it all again to Ethan.

“Do you think her roots and berries are safe?”  Delci asked.

The old woman laughed.  “Datsa shut?”

Adam chuckled as well and shook his head at the old Washoe woman.

“She thinks we might eat your father, like the Donner party.”

Ethan laughed a little, but Delci fumed.  “Why, I never!”

The old woman set her burden down and began gathering wood for a fire.

“Delci, why don’t you bring the lunch basket over and help Dabuda,” Adam suggested.  He turned to Ethan.  “Would you like to come down for lunch, or would you prefer to stay in bed.”

“I’ll stay in bed, if it’s all the same,” Ethan answered.

Adam nodded and left the wagon, then proceeded to make a place for them to camp for lunch.  He found some rocks nearby and pulled a log over for seating.

“You can put the basket on the rock,” Adam showed Delci.  “It makes a fine sideboard.”

He took the basket from Delci and led her to the rocks.  She pulled out a green cloth from the basket and spread it over the rocks.  Adam set the basket on top.

The old woman returned and dropped an armload of branches in a spot that Adam had cleared for a fire.  Adam helped her arrange the wood and then produced a match and lit some dry leaves to kindle a flame.  He left the old woman to tend to the fire while he tended the horses.  When he finished he found Delci filling plates with ham and bread and boiled eggs.

“I only have three plates, Adam,” Delci said.  “I wasn’t expecting guests.”

“It wouldn’t matter to her,” Adam said.  “She’s not used to fine china.“

He folded a piece of ham in a slice of bread and gathered a couple of the boiled eggs. He carried the food to the Washoe woman.  She smiled and ate it immediately.  Then she produced a satchel of pine nuts and offered them to Adam and Delci.  Adam accepted a handful graciously, but Delci only took a few.

The old woman pointed to a pot hanging on the side of one of the wagons.  Adam nodded and the old woman took the pot and filled it with some of the water from the barrel tied to the wagon.  She then began to boil the water over the fire.  When the water was hot, she threw in some of the bark and leaves and berries in her basket.

Delci returned from taking food to her father and watched with fascination.

“What is she doing?

“Making a tincture for your father to drink,” Adam told her.  “The Washoe healers know just which plants can cure your ails.  I think she’s using black willow bark and soap weed root.  Those red berries are rose haw, I think.”

“Does she know Papa has a heart condition?”  Delci worried what the concoction might do to her father.

“I told her, in so many words and gestures,”  Adam took another bite from his sandwich.  “You really have nothing to worry about.  If I thought she would put your father in any danger, I wouldn’t have let her get this far.  Washoe medicine is good medicine.  It‘s helped my family many times.”

The old woman asked for a cup and Adam found one for her.  She strained the hot liquid into the cup and motioned for Adam to give it to Ethan.

“Shall I take it to your father, or will you?”

Delci shook her head, not wanting to trust the Washoe woman’s ability to help her father with a tea made from tree bark and berries.

Adam carried the cup to Ethan and encouraged him to drink it.  It was bitter, but he managed to get half of it down.  Discreetly, Adam tossed the rest on the other side of the wagon.

“We better get going,” Adam looked up at the sun’s position.  “We still have about ten miles to go before sunset.”

Delci wiped the plates and packed them up, placing the basket back inside the wagon.  Adam and Dabuda put out the fire and cleaned up the camp.  Dabuda pointed to Delci and Ethan’s wagon, wanting to ride with the sick man, but Adam shook his head and pointed to his wagon, then helped the old woman up to the seat.

“If you have any trouble on the way down this summit, don’t hesitate to call out,” Adam advised Delci.  “Keep your horses slow, because you have a heavy wagon behind them.  Brake, if you feel the wagon pushing the horses.”

“I know, Adam,” Delci assured him.  “I’ve driven loaded wagons in the hills before, when Papa was able to drive the cattle to market.”

“Good to know,” Adam smiled.  “I’ll stay close, just in case.”

As they started down the road again, Delci had hoped the mile high vista would allow her to see Dresslerville, but she couldn’t see the town yet.  She wondered what Adam and the native woman would talk about for the next ten miles, and if she would continue on with them to Carson City.  She worried about her father, having drunk the elixir made by the old woman.

“How are you feeling, Papa,” Delci asked.

“I’m not having as much pain as I had this morning,” Ethan told her.  “Whatever she put in that water must have helped some.”

Delci felt better and smiled.

Sunset came and went with a brilliant display of color in the western sky.  The Washoe woman had bid them good bye and went on their way.  They still had half a mile to go before they reached Dresslerville, but Ethan was resting comfortably, so Delci wanted to keep going.  Before long, they entered the town and found the hotel, and Adam helped Ethan to a room before leaving to see about the wagons and horses for the night.  Delci got her father ready for bed and made herself comfortable on the floor next to him.  Adam would stay with the wagons.

Just before Delci blew out the lamp for the night, there was a knock at the door.  Adam had found a doctor and sent him over to look in on Ethan.

After listening to his heart, the doctor assured Delci that Ethan was strong enough to continue on to Virginia City, and suggested that Ethan try sitting up during the next leg of the trip.

He left, and Delci gave her father a hug before she blew out the lamp and settled on her pallet to sleep.

The morning came all too soon, and Adam knocked on the door to wake them for the next day’s journey.  He was anxious to put another day’s worth of miles behind them.  Delci told him what the doctor said as Adam carried her father down the stairs to the dining room, where breakfast was already set out for them at a table.

Delci got up and gave her father a hug and a kiss after Adam placed him in the chair.

“Good morning, Papa!  My, it’s good to see you up like this!  I hope your appetite has come back.  Look at all this good food they brought us.”

“Delci, you’d better stop your chattering and eat while you have the chance,” Ethan chuckled.  It had been a long time since Ethan had eaten a meal at a table, and he was enjoying his second cup of coffee.

“Just look at him, Adam!”  Delci gushed.  “I haven’t seen Papa looking this good in months!”

Adam smiled.  The proprietor came by with their basket loaded with provisions.  Adam paid the bill and stood up.

“I’ll tote this to the wagon and come back for you, Ethan,” Adam told the man.  “Maybe Delci will have finished her breakfast by then.”

He winked, tipped his hat and walked out of the dining hall with the basket.

“Hurry up now, child,” Ethan said.  “Daylight’s burning already!”

Delci gulped down the last of the fried eggs and toast and wiped her mouth.  She grabbed an apple out of a fruit bowl and stuffed it in her pocket.  Then she stuffed a second apple.

“For later,” she whispered.

Adam soon returned and picked Ethan up from his chair.  He carried the man out with Delci close behind.  When Ethan was settled, he helped Delci into the wagon seat.

“Why don’t you take the lead today,” Adam suggested.  “I’ll be right behind you, if you need anything.”

Soon they were off.  The road was a little more interesting this second day of traveling.  Before noon, they had passed through Gardnerville and Minden, and were headed toward Carson City.  They stopped for lunch at the Hot Springs Station, where a stage coach was just leaving as they arrived.  It was headed south, and the driver spoke to Adam asking about any trouble that might be on the road ahead of them.  Assured all was well, the driver climbed to his seat and snapped the reins.  They left a cloud of dust in their wake, and Delci leaned over her father, shielding him from it.  After they were gone, Ethan gently pushed his daughter aside and began to sit up.

“Adam, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to go inside the station for lunch today,” Ethan said.  Delci made no protest.  She was pleased to see her father looking so well.

Adam climbed into the wagon and helped the man out.  It was always an awkward maneuver, since Ethan was bedded next to the wagon seat, and not the tailgate.  Once again, Adam carried the man inside and set him in a chair at the table.

“Hello,” the station master said to them as they entered the shack.  “Got some coffee on to boil.”

“Sounds good,” Adam said.  “We’ve brought our own provisions, if that’s all right.”

“Suits me,” the man told him.  “Those stage people done eat up everything anyways.  I might have a bowlful or two of rabbit stew left, though, if anyone wants it.”

Delci struggled with the basket of food at the door and Adam rushed to her aid.

“I think we’ve got plenty,” Adam replied.  He set the basket on the table and helped Delci unpack the food.  There was cold chicken and potato salad, boiled eggs and pickles, and a couple of jars of peaches.

Delci noticed the station master looking over their feast.  “Would you care to join us?”

“Don’t mind if I do!” the man sat down next to her father.  “The name’s Cooper.  Chester Cooper.”

He shook Ethan’s hand and then reached over the table to shake Adam’s hand.

Another man entered the station.  “Got any more grub to spare?”

Adam and Delci sized up the stranger.  He was a young man, covered in dust.  The man took off his hat, revealing his thick, curly red hair.  Delci could tell through the dirt caked on his face that he was a fair looking fellow, probably cursed with freckles.

“I suppose we have enough,” Delci offered.

“I’ll just wash the road off my face and be right back,” the young man said.

“You got a name, young fella?” Ethan asked.

“Declan O’Malley,” the man replied.  “Everybody just calls me Deke.”

He closed the door behind him, but Adam decided to follow him out.

“I’ll be right back,” he put his hat on and closed the door.

“Where are you headed, O’Malley?”  Adam asked the young man.

“Heard they were hiring up at the Ponderosa,” he replied.  “Thought I’d try my luck up there.  You know anything about the Ponderosa?”

“I know something about it,”  Adam was reserved.

“Are they good people to work for?  Do they pay a fair wage?”

“Most people say so.”  Adam waited until the young man had shaken the pump water from his head.  “Where are you from?”

“Well, I’ll tell you,” Deke ran his fingers rigorously through his red hair.  “Worked on the railroad until they finished, then I’ve been riding between Utah and Texas and Arizona, looking for steady work with a good boss.  Haven’t found a good boss yet, so I’ve kept looking.  Heard about the Cartwrights of the Ponderosa being decent folks to work for.  You from up that way?”

“I’m Adam Cartwright.”

The young man looked him straight in the eye and he grinned broadly.  He reached for Adam’s hand.

“Well, Mr. Adam Cartwright, I am mighty pleased to make your acquaintance!”

Deke O’Malley’s jovial attitude and vigorous handshake didn’t take Adam by surprise.  He only wondered if the boy was sincere.

“How old are you?”  Adam inquired.

“Just turned nineteen,” Deke replied.  “I may be young, but I’ve been on my own since I was fourteen.  I’ll work real hard for you, sir.  You can put me to work at anything.  I’m a fast learner.”

“How are you with a gun?”  Adam noticed the boy wasn’t carrying one.

“Well, I’ll admit, I haven’t got much experience with a pistol,” Deke replied.  “But I’m a good shot with a rifle.  I don’t waste many bullets looking for food.”

He pointed to the Springfield rifle in his saddle pack.

Adam motioned for Deke to join them inside.  “Well, you can follow along with us to the ranch, and you can talk to Pa about a job when we get there.”

“Thanks, Mr. Cartwright!”

When they entered the station house, Adam could see that Delci had divided the provisions into five equal portions.  The station manager had even found a couple of cans of beans to add to the meal.  He was bringing them over from the stove as the men took their seats.  Delci began slicing up a loaf of bread.

They ate quickly, and while O’Malley readied the horses, Adam helped Ethan back into his bed in the wagon.

Delci stood back and watched it all. When Adam jumped down from the wagon, Delci came forward.

“Adam, can I ask you something?  I didn’t want Papa to hear.”

Adam led her away from the wagon.  “What is it?”

“That Indian woman…what did she mean about the Donner Party?”

Adam inhaled deeply and thought about how he should answer her.  “You’re familiar with the story of the Donner Party, aren’t you?”

“I’ve heard things.”

“Without going into details, that Washoe woman was one of the witnesses of what happened there,” Adam told her.  “She was a child when the Donners and Reeds came through the pass and got stuck there.  The Washoe witnessed the cannibalism of those who died, and were shocked by it, as was everyone else who heard about it.  They believed all white men ate their dead after that.”

Delci shuddered.  “And she thought Papa was dying?”

“No, she thinks your Papa will recover soon,” Adam reassured her.  “She meant no disrespect.”

He walked Delci back to the wagon and helped her up.

“I wish now I hadn’t asked!”  Delci whispered to him.  “Now I’ll be thinking about that all day.”

“Let’s hope not,” Adam smirked.  “Think about going to the Ponderosa tomorrow.  We’ll stop there a few days before I take you on to Virginia City.”

“Hmm,”  Delci smiled.  “The Ponderosa.  I remember Mama talking about how pretty it was there, and how nice your house is.”

“We like it.”

As the sun began to set, they arrived in Carson City.  The Warm Springs Hotel was a welcome sight.  Adam put O’Malley in charge of taking care of the horses and promised to return soon to help Ethan into the hotel.  He wanted to send a telegram to his father and let them know about their progress.

“Hello, Sam” Adam greeted the clerk as he entered the telegraph office.  “Any messages for me?”

“Adam!  I’ve been expecting you.”  The man found an envelope in one of his slots and handed it to Adam.  “Sadie will be pleased, if you stop in for coffee later.  I think she may have made a chocolate cake, as well.”

Adam looked at the contents and read the message from Pa.  “Sounds inviting, but I have people traveling with me.  Maybe after I get them settled.  Oh, and I’ll want to send Pa a reply.”

“Of course,”  Sam said.

Adam picked up a slip and wrote a simple message for Sam to key on his telegraph.

“Arrived Carson City with Fullers.  Have boy in tow needing job.  Will come straight to Ponderosa tomorrow.”

“I’ll get it out to Ben right away,” Sam said, as Adam deposited some coins on the counter.

Adam tipped his hat and left, heading back to the hotel.  Delci was waiting.  He saw that Ethan was sitting up in his bed, ready for Adam to carry him.

“Adam,” the older man started. “I think I might like to try to walk, if you and that young man would let me lean on you.”

“Oh, Papa!”  Delci clasped her hands, not sure whether to be elated or frightened.

“What was in that woman’s tea, I wonder?”  Adam said as he helped Ethan out of the wagon.  “O’Malley, give us a hand, will you?”

Ethan wrapped his arms around each man’s shoulders and made his first attempt in months to walk.

“Take it easy,” Adam encouraged him.  “We have you, if you get too tired.”

“It feels good to be on my own feet,” Ethan’s voice trembled as he struggled to move his legs.

“Don’t overdo it, Papa,” Delci warned.

When they reached the steps to the hotel, Ethan couldn’t lift his legs to climb them and realized he had enough.

“I’m sorry, Adam,” Ethan said.

“You did just fine, sir,” Deke told him.  “I’ll bet you’ll be dancing at the next social.  Grab around my neck and I’ll haul you up them stairs.”

Deke reached behind him and secured Ethan’s legs in his strong hands and carried him into the hotel.  Adam marveled and the boy’s strength as he followed them in.  He extended his hand to Delci.

“Did you see that, Adam?  He’s never tried to walk since his heart attack!”

“It’s as if the journey has strengthened him instead of weakening him,”  Adam agreed.

The hotel proprietor recognized Adam and arranged for rooms for the four of them.  He arranged for Adam and Deke to move the wagons around the back of the hotel, where they would be safe overnight.  There was a barn where the horses could be bedded down in a proper livery stable .

Adam and Deke left the Fullers in the dining room, and went to lead the horses to the corral to unhitch them from the wagons and see to their needs.

“Do you get this kind of treatment wherever you go?”  Deke asked Adam.

“Abe Curry has been a family friend for many years,” Adam explained.

“It’s a good town,”  Deke went on.  “A fine place for a man to find a wife and raise a family.”

Adam was pleased to hear Deke talk about such things.

“Is there a Catholic church here?”

“Carson City is the state capitol of Nevada,” Adam told him.  “You can find anything here.  Virginia City is just as cultured.  It’s not like New York City, but we have our own brand of refinement.”

“Well, I plan to work hard and save my pay and set up a nice home where I can bring a wife,” Deke daydreamed.  “I want a place where my kids can play in the field and also get a good education.  I never had the chance to go to school much.”

“Those are lofty dreams, Deke” Adam said.  “Most young men your age aren’t thinking about things like that.”

“A family is all I’ve ever wanted, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke confided.  “I lost my family five years ago.  My older brothers died at Fredericksberg, during the war.  Small pox epidemic in Boston took my parents and sisters.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss, Deke,”  Adam said sincerely.  “We’re done here.  Let’s go get some steaks.”

He slapped the boy on the back and led the way to the hotel dining room.

“By the way,” Adam teased.  “I hope that red hair doesn’t mean you have a hot temper.”

“I’m slow to anger, Mr. Cartwright,”  Deke admitted.  “But when I do get riled, it’s for a good reason.”

***   ***   ***

The first shades of color appeared in the sky as Adam and Deke helped Ethan into the wagon as Delci held her horse’s bridle and spoke softly to him.

“That’s my boy, Strawberry,” Delci’s voice soothed the horse.  “Just stand still a little longer.”

“Strawberry?” Deke chuckled.  “Why’d you ever name a horse ‘Strawberry’?”

“As a colt, we couldn’t keep him out of the strawberry patch.  He’d break out of the corral and nibble them down to the roots.”

“Well, that’s a reason,” he laughed.

Delci gave Deke a look that made him realize he needed to walk away, and quickly.

“Let’s go,” Adam said. “Maybe we can reach the Ponderosa before Hop Sing has supper on the table.”

Before long, they had crossed into the Ponderosa land, although it would still be hours before they reached the ranch house, which was closer to Virginia City.  Along the way, they observed the Ponderosa’s many ventures in operation.  Ranch hands were either mining silver, or falling trees for lumber, or taking care of the large cattle herds that roamed throughout the beautiful land, all of which lay between Lake Tahoe and Washoe Lake, from Carson City to beyond Virginia City.

Adam would stop occasionally to speak to the foremen and Delci could tell he was happy to be home again.

Delci looked in on her father now and then.  He seemed restless and in pain.  Eventually he fell asleep.

Adam led the wagons to a timber camp at noontime.  The men were just coming in for lunch, and the cook was filling bowls with stew.

Deke came over to help Delci down from the wagon.

“Adam sent me to help your father,”  Deke told her.  “How’s he doing?”

“He fell asleep about an hour ago,” Delci replied.  “I don’t think he’s feeling well.  I hate to wake him now.  Let’s ask Adam what he thinks.”

“Delci?”  Ethan called weakly from the inside of the wagon.  “Are we at the Ponderosa?”

“We’re just a couple hours away, Mr. Fuller,” Deke said.  “We’re stopped for some lunch and to rest the horses.”

“Where’s Delci?” Ethan reached up his hand, looking for his daughter.

“I’m here, Papa,” Delci ran to his side.

Ethan sighed and turned his head, comforted that Delci was near.  He closed his eyes again.

“I’ll go get Adam,” Deke was off after Adam before Delci could ask him or even reply.

“Papa,” Delci stoked her father’s forehead.

Ethan swallowed and licked his dry lips.  Without opening his eyes, he turned his head towards the sound of her voice.

“It’s all right, Delci.  It‘s all right.”  His head dropped and he went to sleep as Adam arrived.

Adam looked in and saw that Ethan had taken a turn for the worse.  Ethan’s face had turned ashen since they left Carson City.

“I’ll send someone to Virginia City for the doctor,” Adam took charge.  “He can be at the house by the time we arrive.  Deke, you drive this wagon after lunch, so Delci can sit with her father.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke nodded.  “I’ll eat as fast as I can.  Miss Delci, you just stay right there and I’ll bring you some stew.”

Deke ran to the chuck wagon.  Adam slapped the buckboard.

“Call me, if you need anything,” Adam told her.  “I’ll be close by.”

Lunch was over quickly and Adam got the wagons ready for the final leg of the journey.  Deke climbed aboard and took the reins.  With a snap, the wagon lurched forward toward the road to the Ponderosa house.  Their pace was noticeably faster than the previous days’ ride.  Delci worried that the jostling would be harder on her father, but she was too anxious to arrive at the house and get her father into a real bed to complain.

“I wish that Washoe woman was still with us,” Delci said to herself.

Deke looked over his shoulder.  “What’s that?”

“We picked up a Washoe woman our first day out,” Delci explained.  “She gave Papa some kind of tea made from bark and berries and he perked right up.  I wish we had more of that tea.”

“Do you know what was in it?”

“Adam may remember,” Delci spoke low, trying to hear her father’s breathing.  “He’s real fond of Indian medicine.”

“The Chinese are like that, too,” Deke said.  “Heard that from some of the Central Pacific boys while I was laying tracks.  Said they would use all kinds of roots and stuff for medicines.  Adam was telling me about a China man who cooks for them at the Ponderosa.  Maybe he‘ll know something about making medicines?”

Delci didn’t reply.

“How ‘bout you?”  Deke asked.  “You feelin’ all right?  You look rather peaked, yourself.”

“I’ll be fine, once I know Papa is okay.”

Ethan remained unconscious for the rest of the trip.

“Look, Delci!”

Delci looked in the direction where Deke was pointing and saw the large, log house.  It was bigger than she imagined, and every bit as grand.  There were men working out front and she heard Adam whistle loudly to get their attention.  A man in a green jacket mounted a beautiful Indian pony and rode out to meet them.  He stopped to talk with Adam first, then rode back to greet Deke and Delci.

“Hello,” the young man tipped his hat.  “I’m Joe Cartwright, Adam’s youngest brother.  We have everything ready for you.  The doc hasn’t arrived yet, but we’ll make your father comfortable.  How is he?”

“He’s very weak,” Delci frowned.  “He was fine, until this morning.  I think he overdid it yesterday, because he was feeling so well.”

“You must be Delci,” Joe smiled.  “Don’t you worry your pretty little head.  We’ll take good care of him.”

Joe rode off to join Adam again.

“Hmph!”  Deke snorted.  “He’s a bold one with the ladies, isn’t he?”

Delci was too worried about her father to care about what Deke thought.  In minutes, the wagons pulled up in front of the house.  A hefty man in a tall hat came forward and excused himself to Deke, then lifted Ethan out of his pallet as if he weighed nothing at all.  Delci marveled at his strength.

“That was my brother, Hoss,” Adam told her as Deke helped her out of the wagon.  “And you met Little Joe. This is my father, Ben Cartwright.  Pa, this is Delci Fuller and Deke O’Malley.”

Ben opened his arms to embrace Delci as any relative might receive her.

“Delci, my how you’ve grown up!  Why, you were knee high to me, the last time I saw you.”

Delci reluctantly accepted his warm welcome.

“You must be tired, my dear, and worried about your father,”  Ben continued.  “Hop Sing is already tending to him, making sure he is comfortable.  He will see to you as well.”

“Mr. Cartwright, does your Mr. Hop Sing know about Chinese medicines?”

Ben looked up at the young man.  “As a matter of fact, he does.”

Ben extended a hand as Adam led Delci to the house.

“Deke, is it?” Ben welcomed the lad.  “Adam tells me you’re a good man to have around.  Come.  Little Joe will see to the horses and wagons.  You’re welcome to rest in the bunk house for a little while, and join us later in the house for supper.  Hop Sing will ring the bell.”

“I’m mighty grateful, Mr. Cartwright,”  Deke held his hat in his hand.  “If it’s all the same, sir, I’m concerned about Miss Fuller and her father.”

“Of course,” Ben smiled.  “We’ll make sure you know everything as soon as we do.”

Inside the house, Hoss and Hop Sing had made Ethan comfortable in one of the rooms upstairs.  Hop Sing had brought ginseng tea in a kettle, along with a jar of syrup made from hawthorn berries.  With Hoss’s assistance, Hop Sing managed to get a little of the syrup into Ethan’s mouth and then massaged his throat until he swallowed.  The tea could wait until he had awakened.  Hoss gently laid the sick man onto the pillow and tucked the blankets around him.

“Is Papa awake?”  Delci ran to the bed.

“He feel better soon, Miss,” Hop Sing assured her.  “Hoss will show you to your room.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hoss smiled.  “Ol’ Hop Sing knows a thing or two.  He gave your pa some syrup to help him feel better.  And Doc Martin will be along soon.”

Hop Sing picked up another bottle from the table on the side of the bed.  Opening the bottle, he placed two drops inside Ethan’s mouth.

“What is that?”  Delci asked, concerned about what Hop Sing was giving her father.

“Old Chinese remedy.  Sheng mai,” Hop Sing told her. “Very good medicine for heart.”

Hop Sing gathered the teapot and medicine bottles, and left the room.  Adam passed in front of the door and stopped to look in.

“I’ve brought a few of your things,” Adam told her. “I’ll just put them across the hall in this room.  How’s your father doing?”

Ethan’s eyes opened, and he tried to focus on Delci.  She smiled at her father.

“We’re at Ben Cartwright’s house, now, Papa,” Delci whispered to him.  “You’ll be all right now.”

Adam heard, and motioned for Hoss to leave the room.  Adam deposited the carpet bags in the room across the hall and closed both doors, leaving Delci and her father to themselves.

Before long, Ben arrived with Doctor Martin.  Doc Martin greeted Delci and sent her downstairs so he could examine her father.  Ben stayed with the doctor.  Delci found Adam, Hoss and Little Joe waiting near the bottom of the stairs.  They led her to a comfortable chair next to the huge fireplace.

There was a knock on the door.  Joe was closest and answered the knock.

“I saw the doctor arrive,” Deke barged in.  “May I wait with you?”

“Of course,” Adam answered,  “Deke, these are my brothers, Hoss and Joe.  You met Pa.  After things settle down a bit, we’ll talk about what kind of work you can do for us.”

“A big, strappin’ Irishman like you could do ‘most anything he puts his mind to, I reckon,” Hoss shook Deke’s hand.  “How ‘bout a game of checkers while we wait for the doc?”

Hoss brought the young man over to a table near the stairs and set up a checker board.

Joe turned to Delci.  “Would you like me to show you around the ranch?”

“No thank you,” Delci kept her gaze on the landing at the top of the stairs.  Joe got the hint and went over to watch his brother and the new man play checkers.

Hoss and Deke played several games before Ben and Doc Martin came back down again.

Delci ran to the doctor.  “Will he live?”

Doc Martin gave the girl a reassuring smile.  “He’ll live a good long life, if he follows my instructions.  Just keep him quiet a few more days.  Let him build up his strength slowly.  I daresay he’ll be chopping kindling in about a month or so.”

The doctor turned to Ben and shook his hand.  “Ben, I’d sure like to know what Hop Sing put in that syrup.  A lot of my patients could benefit from that tincture.”

“May I go see him now?”  Delci asked.

“Yes, yes!  He’s waiting for you!”  Ben waved her on.

Delci ran up the steps as fast as she could.  When she entered her father’s room, she found him propped up with many pillows.  Carefully, she embraced her father.

“I was so worried!”

Her father had little strength to hug her back, but placed his hands behind her.  “I guess I wasn’t feeling as well as I thought I was, yesterday.  I should have taken it easy.”

“Yes, you should have,” Delci agreed.  “But it was as much my fault for letting you!  I was just so excited to see you feeling so well, trying to sit up at the table and even walk again.  It was like a miracle, and I hoped you were well again.”

“So did I, child,”  her father drew her head to his shoulder.  “But now we know I have to pace myself and not be too quick to get up and move around. But the doctor says I should be able to walk in a couple of weeks, if I’ll just rest for now.  He told me to keep taking that Chinese medicine the Cartwright’s cook gave me.  It tastes like horse manure, but if it will make me strong again, I’ll take it.”

“Yes, please get stronger, Papa.”

Ben knocked on the door.  “May I come in?”

“Of course, Mr. Cartwright,”  Delci stood up and smoothed her dress.

“Sit, sit!” Ben insisted.  “I just want to make sure  you have everything you need.  We will have supper in a couple of hours.  Hop Sing will bring a tray for you, Ethan.  Delci, you’ll have time to rest and refresh yourself before then.  We must let  your father rest now.  Let me show you to your room.”

Delci didn’t want to leave her father’s side.

“I’ll be fine, Delci,” Ethan assured her.  “I’m still a little tired.  I’d like to go back to sleep now.”

“All right, Papa,”  Delci kissed his forehead.  “I guess I’ll be just across the hall.”

Ben stood next to her.  “And we will all take very good care of both of you.”

When Delci finally closed the door to her assigned bedroom, she realized how tired she was, and lay down on the bed, falling asleep almost as soon as she hit the pillow.  When she awoke, the shadows of evening had fallen.  She rose, and felt around for a lamp.  Then she looked for matches.  She found a small drawer on the side of the lamp’s table, and opened it.  Inside she felt the match box and proceeded to light the lamp.  As the flame glowed brighter, she looked around the room and saw a pitcher and a bowl, where she could clean up.  She also found her bag with a few of her clothes.  It was time to change her dress after a few days of riding in a wagon on a dusty trail.

In no time, Delci had cleaned up as best as she could, and put on her clean dress.  She gave her hair a final swipe of her brush and opened the door, then turned back and blew out the lamp.

Across the hall, she saw that her father was still sleeping quietly.  Delci could hear voices downstairs and made her way.  One of the voices sounded like a woman’s.

“Here she is!”  Ben announced as Delci appeared.  “I trust you had a pleasant nap.  Won’t you join us for supper?”

Delci tentatively made her way into the room.  She was more comfortable with Adam, having known him longer, so she walked toward him.  Adam and his brothers were dressed in their Sunday suits, as was Mr. Cartwright.  Only Deke O’Malley was dressed in a flannel shirt and corduroy pants.  But it was the first time she had seen him cleaned up.

“May I introduce Mrs. Emaline Shepard?”  Ben introduced the woman standing next to him.  “Emaline, this is Miss Delci Fuller.”

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Delci,”  Mrs. Shepard came forward.  “You and your father.”

Delci stepped back when it seemed as if the woman would embrace her.  She felt self-conscious in her plain cotton dress, and simple ribbon tied around her hair in a pony tail.  Mrs. Shepard also stepped back, not wanting to frighten her.

Adam saw Delci’s hesitation.  “You see, Delci, Mrs. Shepard has offered to open her home to you and your father.  She has a lovely house in Virginia City, and she is well qualified to nurse your father.  Her husband was a doctor.”

Delci relaxed.  “It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Shepard.  You’re very kind to take us in.  I’m just not used to being around a lot of people, much.”

“That’s quite all right, my dear,”  Mrs. Shepard held out her hand.  “I hope we can become great friends.”

Delci saw that the woman was very pleasant and sociable.  She was an older woman, closer to the age of her father and Ben Cartwright.  Her gown was the loveliest dress she ever saw in her life, with fabrics she had never seen before.  The woman’s dark hair had traces of silver at the temples, and drawn behind her head, twisted into a roll that curled at the top.  A beautiful comb, studded with pearls, held it in place.

Ben showed the ladies to their table when Hop Sing announced supper was ready.  Ben led Mrs. Shepard to his right and Delci to his left. Adam sat beside the woman, and Hoss took his seat next to Delci.  Little Joe sat next to him.  Deke sat at the end of the table, opposite Ben Cartwright.

Hop Sing brought the food around, serving the ladies first.  “Missy Delci, I take tray to your father shortly.”

“Thank you, Hop Sing.”

Delci couldn’t participate much in the conversation.  She’d barely been at the Ponderosa for a day, and knew nothing of Virginia City or the Cartwrights.  She knew nothing about timberlines or mining shafts, and even talk of cattle prices seemed over her head.  All she could think of was her father.  True to his word, she saw Hop Sing take a tray up to her father, and since he had not returned, she wondered if her father was awake, and eating.

“Delci, why don’t you tell me about Lake Topaz,”  Mrs. Shepard asked her as dessert and coffee was being served.  “Is it as beautiful as our own Lake Tahoe?”

“Well, probably not, ma’am.”  Delci said.  “We don’t have any forests around the lake, like you do up here.  Mostly scrub brush.  The hills are pretty barren.  Good land for cattle, though.”

“And Adam tells me you ran the ranch all by yourself, since your father took ill,” Mrs. Shepard continued.  “That was very brave of you.”

“I don’t know how brave it was,” Delci admitted.  “Couldn’t keep any ranch hands around.  The cattle scattered in every direction and if Adam hadn’t come along and hired some men to do it, we wouldn’t have any cattle left.”

“Oh, I don’t know if things were as bad as that,” Adam smirked.  “All you had to do was bring the cowboys some of your good biscuits and coffee and they would have kept the cattle rounded up.”

“You make good biscuits, Miss Delci?”  Hoss was never one to turn down a biscuit.

“I’ll say she does,” Adam looked at the morsel of cake on his fork.  “Makes good fried chicken and potatoes, too.”

Delci blushed.  “I just made ‘em the way Mama taught me.  Papa never complained.”

“Why, that’s wonderful, Delci,”  Mrs. Shepard smiled as she set her cup back onto her saucer.  “Perhaps I can count on you to help me in the kitchen?”

“Yes, ma’am,”  Delci hardly looked at the older woman.  “Any chore you want, I’ll be happy to do, to repay you for nursing my Papa.”

“I’m going to enjoy the company you provide,” Mrs. Shepard picked up the coffee pot.  “More coffee, Ben?”

“Thank you, Emaline,”  Ben held his cup.  “You know, Delci, Mrs. Shepard is very active in town.  She sits on many social committees in Virginia City.”

“Now Ben, don’t exaggerate my position in town,” Mrs. Shepard gave him a wink. “I host an occasional tea party.”

“And the occasional quilting party, and the occasional church social, and the occasional recitals,” Ben bragged.  “You’re too modest, Emaline!  You do a lot more for Virginia City than you’re willing to take credit for.  Shall we take our coffee to the sitting room?”

Ben rose from the table and his sons followed suit.  Deke rose, following their lead.

“Ladies?”

He escorted Delci and Mrs. Shepard to the sofa.

“You know, Ben, I think Delci and I might like to take a little fresh air,” Mrs. Shepard placed her hand on Delci’s.  “Would you mind if we left you boys to yourselves for a few minutes?”

“Of course not,” Ben said.  “Let me get your wraps.  Joe, would you fetch Delci‘s shawl?”

The night air felt good on their faces.  The starlight twinkled through the tall ponderosa pines for which the ranch was named, and the moon reflected on Lake Tahoe in the distance.  Delci’s shawl was rather thin and she shivered a bit.

“May I share my fur with you?”  Mrs. Shepard asked.  Delci was too proud to accept.

“I see,”  Mrs. Shepard kept walking.  “I suppose it’s a little frightening to be in a new place, around people you don’t know.  And with your father sick upstairs.  It must be quite lonely for you.”

“Some,” Delci admitted.  “I wish I wasn’t so shy.”

“Oh, shyness is nothing to worry about,”  Mrs. Shepard assured her.  “We all go through shyness when we’re young.  Didn’t you have friends in Lake Topaz?”

“No, not really,” Delci told her.  “We stayed at the ranch, most times.  Mama schooled me herself, until she died.  We only went to town once a month or two, for supplies and to maybe go to church.”

“We have several marvelous schools in Virginia City,” Emaline told her.  She noticed the girl stared at the ground and didn’t respond to the idea of school.  “However, if you’d prefer, I could continue your studies at my home.  Help you to catch up with the other young people in town, so you won‘t feel left behind.”

Delci brushed a strand of hair from her face.  “Will I be able to keep my horse?”

Emaline put her arm across Delci’s shoulder.  “Why, of course you may.  There is a livery close by, and you may ride your horse every day, if you like.”

“Thank you, ma’am,”  Delci’s voice still lacked enthusiasm.

“”You know, I’ve never had children of my own,” Emaline confided.  “I would love to take you shopping and buy you some new clothes and things to make you feel more confident about yourself.  Nothing builds a woman’s confidence like a new dress and hat.  And nothing would please me more than to spoil you a little.”

Delci finally looked up at the woman and gave her a half-hearted smile.

“I guess that would please Papa, too,” Delci replied.  “He always said he wished I could have pretty things like other girls my age.”

“Then his wishes shall be fulfilled,” Emaline insisted, patting her on the shoulder.  “We’ll buy you lots and lots of pretty things.”

“Thank you, ma’am,”  Delci said, almost excited by the idea.  “But I’d be happy without new things.  Just knowing my father has a chance to be himself again, is all I need.”

“You know, your father will be well enough one day,” Emaline assured her.  “Doctor Martin said he will make a full recovery in a few months.  You can help me nurse him back to health.  I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Shepard,” Delci hugged her.  “That’s all I really want.”

“Shall we go back in the house, then?  I wouldn’t want the Cartwrights to think we’ve been taken by a wild beast!”

Ben greeted them at the door.  “We were just wondering if you had gotten lost.”

“Not a chance, Ben!”  Emaline smiled.

“As it’s getting late, you’re welcome to stay here for the night,” Ben closed the door behind the ladies.

“I’ll take you up on your offer, Ben,”  Emaline removed her fur cape and draped it across the sofa.

“Fine, fine,”  Ben headed toward the stairs.  “I’ll get Hop Sing to prepare a room for you.  Little Joe, you won’t mind bunking with one of your brothers, will you?”

The look on Joe’s face belied his answer.  “No, no, Pa.  Not at all.”

Joe glanced at his two older brothers, both of whom looked away and pretended to be deeply interested in other things.

“I’ll just collect a few things,” Joe added, and followed his father up the stairs.

“I’ll go check on Papa,” Delci excused herself and followed after Joe.

Delci walked into her father’s room.  He smiled when he saw her.

“Don’t try to sit up, Papa!”  Delci fretted.  “You do what the doctor says, so you can get well again.”

“Oh, Delci, don’t fuss, child!”  Her father answered meekly.  “The medicine is doing what it’s supposed to do.  I promise I won’t get up too soon, but I can sit up for a minute and talk with my little girl.”

He took stock in her appearance.  “Only you’re not a little girl any more, are you?”

He reached out both hands to her.  “Come sit down, Delci, and tell me what’s on your mind tonight.”

“I met Mrs. Shepard…Emaline Shepard…the lady we’re going to be staying with in Virginia City.  She’s a widow woman.  Her husband was a doctor and she was a nurse.  She’s going to teach me how to nurse you, Papa, and take me shopping, and teach me schooling, like Mama used to do.”

“I’m glad,” Ethan smiled and patted his daughter’s hand.  “You need a woman like her to help you be the young lady your mother and I always dreamed you’d be.  Tell me more about Mrs. Shepard.”

“Well, she is a pretty woman, for someone that old, although she doesn’t have all that much gray hair, I suppose.  And she wore the fanciest dress I ever did see!  I think I’ll like her very much.  She seems very kind.  I just didn’t know how to act around such a fine lady like her.”

“You’ll get used to it, Delci,” her father encouraged her.  “You’re a good girl, and you’ll make a fine lady yourself, when you’re all grown up.”

Ethan pulled Delci into his arms and held her close.  She could feel his strength returning to him through his embrace.  She hugged him as tightly as she dared without hurting him.  Then she let him go.

“I’d better let you get back to sleep, Papa,”  Delci fluffed his pillows.  “Mrs. Shepard is staying the night, so I’ll bring her in to meet you in the morning, before she leaves.”

During breakfast the next morning, Mrs. Shepard and Delci were the only two people at the table.  Hop Sing explained that the men had already eaten and gone to work around the ranch.  He told Mrs. Shepard that her carriage was ready to go back to Virginia City whenever she decided to leave.

Delci expressed hope that Mrs. Shepard would not leave before meeting her father.  Emaline eagerly agreed to meet him.  She delicately wiped her mouth and set her napkin on the table.  Delci noticed the woman’s actions and copied her.  Then they both rose from the table and walked up the stairs together.

“How do you do, Mr. Fuller,” Emaline smiled at the invalid.  “I do hope you won’t mind how I look.  I hadn’t intended to stay the night.  I usually don’t dress this formally in the daytime.”

“You’re lovelier than Delci said you were,” Ethan gushed.  “Excuse me, ma’am. I didn’t mean to be so forward.”

Ethan pulled his covers up to his chin, embarrassed by his outburst, and his own appearance.

“Nonsense, and I thank you for the compliment,”  Emaline said.  “Are you comfortable?  Is there anything you’ll need, once we move you to my house?”

“I’m just grateful for your hospitality, Mrs. Shepard,”  Ethan said.  “And I promise you, once I’m well enough, I’ll repay you for all you’re doing.”

Emaline shook her head.  “I shall be glad for the company.  It’s been very lonely for me since my husband died.  The big house is very empty and quiet.  I shall look forward to its being filled with noisy young people.  I‘ll see you in a few days, when Dr. Martin feels it‘s safe for you to travel again.  If Delci would like to, she may come early to help me get the house ready for your arrival.”

“I wouldn’t want to leave Papa here by himself,”  Delci really wanted to go with Mrs. Shepard and see Virginia City, after hearing so much about it from the Cartwrights.  Ethan could tell it in her voice.

“I won’t be by myself,” Ethan said.  “Why, Ben and I are old friends, and he and his sons are plenty company for me.  You go on, and enjoy yourself.  That will help me get better much sooner!  Go on, get your things and go with Mrs. Shepard this morning.  You‘ll see.  I‘ll be there in no time, to see what you ladies are up to.  Shoo!”

Delci felt a tear running down cheek.  “Do you really want me to go?”

“You want me to get well quickly, don’t you?  Not having you here will make me want to get better faster, so I can get back to you that much sooner.  Go on, now, and promise me you’ll have a good time!”

“I will, Papa,”  Delci cried as she kissed his cheek.   “I’ll miss you terribly.”

“Now you go downstairs, and let me get acquainted with Mrs. Shepard.”

Reluctantly, Delci turned and slowly left the room, looking over her shoulder several times before exiting the room.

Emaline sat down in the chair beside Ethan’s bed.   “What would you like to know about me, Mr. Fuller.”

“I can see you’re a woman of the world,” Ethan observed.  “But Delci has lived on a farm with hardly anyone around us but her mother and me.  She’s very shy.  She’s a smart girl, and willing to learn, but you’ll have to be patient with her.”

“I understand,” Emaline replied.  “Is there anything else?”

“If Ben Cartwright has faith in you,” Ethan said.  “…then so do I.”

“Ben has been a friend of my husband and mine for many years,” Emaline explained.  “My husband grew up with Ben in Boston, and ten years ago, Ben invited us to move to Virginia City, to set up his medical practice.  Unfortunately, William had a severe stroke, and passed away last year.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss, ma’am,”  Ethan said.  “If I didn’t have Delci, when my wife died, I might have given up on life, myself.  I live for her.”

Emaline rose from her chair.  “I’ll take good care of her, Mr. Fuller.  That’s a promise.  You take care of yourself, and we’ll see you in a few days.”

“Or sooner,” Ethan called after her.

“I look forward to it,”  Emaline smiled and closed the door.

With the door closed once again, Ethan settled back in his bed.  He knew it was the right thing for Delci, but it would be the first time they had ever been separated since the day she was born.  Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about that.

Hop Sing helped the ladies into the barouche, but Delci jumped out again.  She had to say goodbye to her father one last time, and make sure he was going to be all right without her.  Hop Sing followed her in, remaining at the bottom of the stairs, until she had satisfied herself that she was doing the right thing.

“You not worry about Mr. Fuller,” Hop Sing comforted Delci.  “Hop Sing and Cartwrights take good care of him.  You go, stay with lady in Virginia City.”

Delci nodded and followed him back to the carriage.

“Are you ready, my dear?”  Emaline held her hand out to the girl.  Delci climbed up into the barouche and Emaline snapped the reins.

“We have two hours’ drive until we reach Virginia City,” Emaline informed Delci.  “What shall we talk about?”

“I don’t know if I’ll be very good company, Mrs.Shepard,”  Delci wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Very well, then,”  Emaline looked down the road ahead, leaving Delci to her own thoughts.  She knew time would take care of all of Delci’s troubles.

“There are several churches in town, and an opera house.”  Emaline told her as they neared the end of their journey.  “In fact, Edwin Booth will be here next month to perform Hamlet.”

Delci remained quiet.

“You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you, Delci?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Never mind,” Emaline said as the road veered to the north and Virginia City came into view.  “You’ll find out, soon enough.”

They passed a church and a few shops and businesses before Emaline turned the barouche to the left.  After a couple more blocks, she turned left again and soon stopped in front of a large, ornately designed house.

“We’re home!”  Emaline announced.  “I hope you’ll like it here.  Tomorrow, I’ll take you on a tour of the town.”

***   ***   ***

 

“How are you feeling?” Ben carried a dinner tray in to Ethan.

“Mighty tired of being in this bed, Ben,” Ethan sighed.  “When did Doc Martin say I could go downstairs and eat at the table like a grown man again?”

Ben chuckled.  “At least, you have your humor back!  How about if we arrange for you to sleep in the extra room downstairs?”

“I’d like that!”  Ethan smiled as Ben set the tray on his lap and removed the napkins.

“I’m afraid we can’t do much about the food for now,” Ben’s brow furrowed.  “Doctor’s orders…no heavy foods and no salt.”

Ethan made a disagreeable sound and tucked the napkin in his bed shirt.
“Ain’t there even a piece of meat in this soup?”

Ben grimaced.  “No.  Nor butter or cream.  Just….vegetables.”

Ethan took a bite of bread.  “At least the bread is tasty.  Oh, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, Ben.  I just don’t like being cooped up in bed, is all.  And I miss Delci something awful.  We’ve never been apart, you see.”

“I understand,” Ben nodded.  The boys and I will be up after dinner and move you downstairs.  Mind you, you’re not to climb any stairs or do any walking around the ranch, but maybe you can walk from your bed to the table at mealtimes.  Maybe even sit up for a game of checkers?”

“That would be a comfort, Ben.”

“You finish your soup,” Ben told him.  “Then we’ll help you over to the chair and move your things downstairs.  Mind you, the accommodations won’t be as fancy…”

“Never mind about that,” Ethan smiled after he slurped down a spoonful of soup.  “I’d just as soon sleep on the sofa as to be alone up here all day and night.”

Ben nodded again and left the man.

Hop Sing was bringing a plate full of ham to the table when Ben entered the dining room.  Adam, Hoss and Joe were already seated at the table.

“Boys, we’ve got a little job to do after supper,” Bed started to tell his sons about the plan to move Ethan downstairs, but a knock at the door interrupted him.  Ben walked over and opened the door.

“Evenin’ Mr. Cartwright,” Deke stood there, hat in his hand.

“What is it, Deke?”

“I was just wonderin’ how Mr. Fuller is doing this evening?”

“Come in,” Ben invited him.  “Will you join us for supper?”

“Well, sir, I didn’t come to barge in on your supper,” Deke said with embarrassment.  “I can come back later.”

“Nonsense,” Ben marshaled Deke into the house.  “Have a seat.  You can help us afterwards.”

As the two sat at the table, Ben continued his earlier thought.

“Ethan is mighty lonely upstairs, and so we’re going to move him into the little room here.”

Ben pointed to the door behind Adam’s back.

Hop Sing smiled.  “Mr. Ben should have thought of that before.  Now Hop Sing no have to keep going upstairs and downstairs, and upstairs and downstairs.”

“Yes,” Ben cleared his throat.  “But before, we had Delci here, and I thought it best to keep the Fullers close to each other.”

“I make bed after eat supper,” Hop Sing said.  He returned to the kitchen and brought out a bowl of boiled cabbage and a plate of cornbread.

“Hoss, you and I will help Ethan down the stairs.  Joseph, you and Deke bring down his personal effects.  Adam, you make sure Ethan has a few interesting books to read while we’re working.”

The boys all nodded as they filled their plates with food.  Soon enough, the food was eaten and the table cleared, and everyone got up to attend to their tasks.

Ethan was allowed to sit up in the living room with the men for nearly an hour, chatting about the day’s work, before he tired and Hoss carried him to bed.

“Adam, don’t we have a wheelchair lying around somewhere?” Joe asked.

Adam stroked his chin.  “No, I think we gave that away to someone a long time ago.”

“I could ride into town and see if I could get one for Mr. Fuller,” Deke offered.  “That is, if it’s all right with Mr. Cartwright.”

“I think it’s a fine idea, Deke,” Ben slapped him fatherly on the shoulder.  “And while you’re in town, you could let Delci know her father is showing signs of improvement.”

Adam chimed in.  “While you’re in town, you could pick up some supplies for the ranch.  We’ll give you a list, and a letter of introduction for the shop keepers.”

“I go with boy,” Hop Sing said.  “I need to pick up things in Chinatown.”

“You can leave after breakfast,” Ben told them.  “We’ll eat at sun-up.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, then, sir,” Deke headed for the door.  “Good night, Adam, Joe, Hoss, Hop Sing.”

***   ***   ***

 

In the morning, Ben handed Deke an envelope with the list of supplies and letter to show the shop keepers that Deke was with the Ponderosa.

“Just tell them to put everything on my account,” Ben said.  “You might want to visit Delci and Mrs. Shepard first, before you load the wagon.  It’s a steep road where Mrs. Shepard’s house is located.  Hop Sing knows where it is.”

“Thanks, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke tucked the envelope inside his shirt.

“We go now,” Hop Sing climbed into the wagon and took the reins.  Deke clambered aboard beside him and the horses trotted off.  Ben watched them leave, then returned to the house as his sons came out to mount their own horses and ride off to do their chores for the day.

“Stay out of trouble, boys,” Ben warned them, as was his habit.

Joe chuckled.

“That means you, Joe,” Adam teased his younger brother.  He patted his horse on the neck.  “Come on, Sport.  We have work to do.”

Adam’s chestnut stallion took off in a light gallop, and Joe followed after on his painted pony.  Hoss shook his head.

“No telling, if that boy will lead us into mischief today, or not!”  He muttered.

***   ***   ***

 

The stores had already opened by the time Deke and Hop Sing arrived in Virginia City.  Hop Sing pulled up in front of a shop with a sign that said “Gillig’s Hardware, John Gillig, proprietor.  Established 1860.”  The men climbed down off the wagon and Hop Sing tied the reins to the hitching post.

“You go see Mr. Gillig,” Hop Sing ordered the young man. “Show letter and list.  Tell him you be back soon.  Then you go to number twelve, A street.  Find Missy Delci and Mrs. Shepard.  I go to Chinatown.”

Hop Sing pointed east.  “I come back one hour.”

“Where will I find A Street?” Deke asked.

“This street, C Street,” Hop Sing explained.  He pointed west.  “Next street, B Street.  A Street after that.”

Deke nodded, and the men parted.  Deke went into the hardware store and introduced himself to the owner.  He pulled out the envelope and displayed the letter and list of supplies.  Mr. Gillig nodded.

“I’ll be back in a bit to pick these things up,” Deke told him as he tucked the envelope back in his shirt. “I have an important errand to take care of, first.”

Deke exited the store and walked past a couple more shops on his way to the corner.  He found A Street, and looked at the numbers on the building to find Number Twelve.  Standing in front of the pretty blue house with its white spindles and trims, he couldn’t help but admire its beauty.  Upon closer inspection, he discovered some of the trim needed mending.

Deke knocked on the door, but there was no answer.  He had no extra paper on him, and certainly no pencil, to write a note.  Perhaps he would run into them in town?

“”S’cuse me, ma’am,” Deke approached a woman walking toward town.  “Could you tell me where I might find Mrs. Shepard?  I have a message for her from Mr. Cartwright of the Ponderosa.”

“Young man, just parade up and down C Street,” the old woman told him.  “You’re sure to run into her at one of the shops.  Just look for a fancy barouche.”

“Of course!” Deke remembered Mrs. Shepard’s barouche.  “Thank you, ma’am.”

He tipped his hat and ran down the hill to the corner, finding his way back to C Street.  He looked up and down the road and spotted the barouche and the black mare just a block away.  As he made his way down the road, he passed by a saloon.  A girl in a fancy costume was smoking a cigarette with her foot propped up on the water trough in the road.

“Hey, there, Sugar,” the woman purred at him.  “What’s your hurry?”

Deke ignored her and pressed on to find Mrs. Shepard and Delci.  As he reached Cohen and Isaacs’ Clothing Store, he reached for the door, then realized Mrs. Shepard and Delci were about to leave, their arms full of packages.

“Let me help you, ma’am!”  Deke began to take the packages from the ladies and help them to the barouche.

“My goodness, Mr. O‘Malley,”  Mrs. Shepard smiled.  “You arrived just in time.”

“Hello, Deke,” Delci bubbled. “Do you have news about my father?”

“In fact, that’s why I came to town,”  Deke deposited the packages in the back of the barouche.  “Your father is well enough to sit up some.  We moved him downstairs, so he could eat at the table and sit company with the Cartwrights.  Mr. Cartwright sent me to fetch him a wheelchair, so he can move around easier.”

“Deke, I know just where you may find one,” Mrs. Shepard said.  “My husband used a wheel chair, just after his stroke.  He only used it a month before he died.  Why don’t you take it?

“Yes, ma’am, thank you ma’am,” Deke nodded.  “I’ll come pick it up.
“Oh, I think we can squeeze you in this carriage,” Mrs. Shepard said.  “You don’t mind, do you, Delci?”

“No,” Delci said half-heartedly.  Then she became animated.

“Do you like my new hat, Deke?  Mrs. Shepard bought it for me.”

Deke noticed that Delci’s hair had been swept up in a French twist under the fancy new bonnet.

“You look mighty pretty, Miss Delci,” Deke said.  “All grown up.  Your father won’t recognize you.”

Delci sat back and felt pleased with herself.

Mrs. Shepard made small talk as the mare pulled the carriage back to the Eastlake styled mansion she called home.  Deke helped the ladies with the packages and Mrs. Shepard invited Deke inside.

“Just for a minute or two,” Deke said.  “Just show me where the wheel chair is.  I’ll need to be on my way.”

“It’s right here in this closet,” Mrs. Shepard opened a door and Deke pulled out the bulky chair.

“Thanks, ma’am,” Deke said as he wheeled the chair toward the door.  “Mr. Fuller will enjoy using this.  By the way, ma’am.  I couldn’t help but notice, when I was here looking for you earlier, that you need some woodwork done on your porch trim.”

“Yes, I’ve been neglecting some of the chores around here,” Mrs. Shepard admitted.  “My husband usually took care of those sorts of things.”

“If you’d be of a mind to it, I’ll be glad to fix it for you,” Deke offered.

“Well, I would pay you, of course,” Mrs. Shepard said.

“I wasn’t thinking about that, Mrs. Shepard,” Deke looked down and shuffled his feet.  “I just thought it would be a way to repay you for all you’re doing for the Fullers.  I’ll have to come when my work is done at the Ponderosa, though.”

“Of course,” Mrs. Shepard agreed.  “But a workman is worthy of his hire, so I insist on paying you.  Delci is already a big help to me here.”

Deke nodded and picked up the chair, throwing it behind his back.

“I’ll come in a few days, then,”  Deke said, as he left.

Delci stood at the door and watched him leave.  Mrs. Shepard waved at him from the porch step.

“That’s a fine young man,” Mrs. Shepard proclaimed.  “Don’t you think so, Delci?”

“He’s all right,” Delci turned away and went to open her packages.

***   ***   ***

 

“Didja see Delci, boy?” Ethan asked eagerly from Ben‘s chair by the fireplace.

“Yes, sir,” Deke answered as he set Hop Sing’s groceries on the table.  “She got her some new duds, and looked real pretty.  You wouldn’t know her, she looks so grown up.”

“That’s fine,”  Ethan leaned back and relaxed.  “That’s what I wanted for her.  It wasn’t good for her to be dressed like a boy, doing a boy’s work out on the ranch.”

“Mrs. Shepard has a huge house in town,” Deke added.  “I’ll tell you all about it when I bring the rest of the supplies in.  Got you a wheel chair, too!  Now, don‘t you try to stand up, Mr. Fuller.  You sit right back and let us handle everything.  Won‘t be but a minute.”

Deke was unloading the wheel chair as the Cartwrights rode up.

“Well, Deke, I see you found everything just fine,” Ben said, as Joe hopped from his horse and helped Deke with the awkward chair.

The other Cartwrights dismounted, and while Hoss tended to the horses, Adam and Ben helped Hop Sing carry in the remaining supplies.  Deke and Joe carried the wheel chair into the house and set it in front of Ethan.

Ben put down his parcel on the floor.  “What do you think, Ethan?  Would you like to give it a try?  The boys could build a ramp tomorrow so you can get outside into the fresh air.”

“I’ll be glad to build it, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke volunteered.  “If you don’t need me out on the range tomorrow.”

“I think we could spare you,”  Ben nodded.

Adam came forward.  “There’s some lumber behind the barn under some canvas.  You’ll find everything you need in the barn.”

“Thanks, Adam.”

Hoss slapped at the dust on his pants with his hat, before coming in to the house.

“Pa, you think we could make some sandwiches with the ham left over from last night?”

“I doubt there’s any ham left from last night, brother,” Joe laughed.

“Hop Sing have cold chicken for Mr. Hoss.”   The Chinese man carried his bundle into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Adam hung his hat on the rack.  “I wonder what the rest of us will eat?”  he joked.

***   ***   ***

 

Hoss jumped three black discs on the checkerboard.  “King me, little brother!”

“How did you…” Joe scratched his head.  “Well, that’s the end of that game.  Ethan, you want another turn?”

“No, I think I’d better turn in,” Ethan wheeled his chair toward his room.  “Don’t bother getting up.  I can manage.”

“We’re here, if you need us,” Ben called after him.  “Good night, Ethan.”

“I’ll be going, too, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke said, picking up his hat.  “And thanks for the advice about fixing Mrs. Shepard‘s trim, Adam.  I really appreciate it.”

“Let me know if you run into any trouble, Deke,” Adam shook his hand.

Deke left the house and went to the bunk house.  Ben closed the door behind him.

“What was that all about?”  Ben asked his oldest son.  “What kind of trouble were you referring to?”

“Nothing to worry about, Pa,” Adam said.  “He offered to help Mrs. Shepard repair some trim, and Deke worried that he might not be skilled enough to mend some of the intricate woodwork.  I merely explained a few tricks he could use.”

“I see,” Ben said.  “He’s helping us, he’s helping the Fullers, and now he’s helping Mrs. Shepard.  He’ll be wearing himself pretty thin.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, Pa,” Adam intimated.  “Declan O’Malley has only one person on his mind to help.”

“Delci?”

“Delci.”

Joe shoved the box of checkers into the cabinet.  “I guess I had better bow out of the competition, then.”

Hoss laughed.  “I guess you’d better.”

***   ***   ***

 

“But I won’t know how to talk to these girls,” Delci protested as Emaline tightened the new corset.  “They’ve all gone to school.  They’re smarter than me.”

“You’ll be fine, Delci,” Emaline encouraged her.  “I’ll tell you what…if there is anything you don’t understand, just smile and sip your tea, and I’ll change the subject.  We can talk about it afterwards and I can explain it to you after the girls have gone home.  Will that make you feel more comfortable?”

“Maybe.”

“Here,” Emaline lifted Delci’s new dress off the bed.  “Put this on, and you’ll feel more confident.”

She slipped the lavender silk over Delci’s head and helped her button it up in front.

“Take a look.”

Delci turned around and looked in the mirror.  “That’s me?”

“That’s you!”  Emaline squeezed her shoulders.  “You’re just as beautiful as any of the girls who will be here today.  You have nothing to be afraid of.”

Delci studied herself in the mirror.  Her auburn hair was brushed until it shimmered in the light, and twisted into a neat roll at the back of her head.  Here she was, smelling of French perfumed soap, and wearing an expensive tea gown, with corded lace, ruffles and peplum.  Before this week, she hadn’t even known what a peplum was.  She looked so grown up.  When had she become a young woman?  The tomboy had completely disappeared.  It frightened her a little.  She didn’t know this girl she was becoming.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts and Emaline hurried her down the stairs.

The tea party was about to begin.  Delci took a deep breath as Emaline introduced each girl in turn.

Minnie Barker sat to her left.  She was the chattiest of the group.  Her dangling, chestnut curls draped the back of her neck like unfurled ribbons.  They bounced when she moved her head, which was frequently.  Her energy overwhelmed Delci.

Lydia Evans sat to her right.  She giggled at all of Minnie’s jokes.  Delci surmised that Lydia and Minnie were best friends.  Her blonde locks were piled up in a bun on top of her head, with little tendrils of tight curls framing her face.

Emaline sat directly across from Delci, monitoring the conversation for any areas that Delci might feel out of her element.  The raven haired girl to her right, Samantha Bertrand, seemed preoccupied with the cakes and cookies, trying to be discreet about stuffing another petit four into her mouth.

But Delci noticed the fourth girl was just as quiet as Delci.  Her name was Adelia Mullins.

“How long have you lived in Virginia City, Adelia,” Delci spoke up, surprising herself, but suspecting she already knew the answer.

Minnie decided to answer for her.  “Oh, Adelia just moved to Virginia City.  Her father just struck it rich just last year.  Before that, they lived in a dugout.”

Minnie emphasized the word, “dugout” with an insolent tone and Lydia muffled a giggle.

Samantha acted shocked by Minnie’s disclosure.  Adelia quietly excused herself and left the room.  Delci was appalled by Minnie’s rudeness and turned to Mrs. Shepard for help.

Emaline stood up.  Delci followed her lead and rose from her seat as well.

“Well, ladies, Delci and I have enjoyed your company.  Look how the time has passed us by.  I’m sure your mothers will be looking for your return home.  Shall I see you to the door?”

Minnie seemed unperturbed that her boorish outburst had interrupted their lovely party, but she obviously felt the sting of Mrs. Shepard’s subtle reprimand.  Delci heard the girl utter a private word to Lydia as they gathered their shawls and hats.  Adelia and Emaline had retreated to the hallway and Delci could see that Adelia had been crying.

“Thank you for a lovely party,” Samantha leaned in close to Delci so the others couldn’t hear her.  “Don’t mind Minnie.  She’s really not as snobby as all that.  She just likes to be the center of attention.  But she has a good heart.  She really does.”

“Nice to meet you, Delci,” Lydia’s handshake was a bit weak and insincere.  “Perhaps we’ll see you at church?”

“Perhaps,” Delci managed an equally weak smile.

“You’re very lucky to be living with Mrs. Shepard,” Minnie stated.  “She knows all the right people.”

“And maybe a few of the wrong ones?” Delci suggested acidly.

Minnie’s eyes widened.  “Good day, Delci.”  The three girls left together and, as Delci closed the door, she could hear Minnie talking.

“Did you hear what she said to me?  Why, I never!  What do you think she meant by that?  Could she have been talking about me?  The nerve!”

Delci didn’t care what Minnie thought of her.  She turned her attention to Adelia.

“I’m so glad you came, Adelia,” Delci gave her a hug.  “I hope we can be good friends.”

“Yes, I’d like that,” Adelia smiled.  “May I come again?”

“Any time you’d like,” Delci looked at Emaline.  “If that’s all right with you, Mrs. Shepard?”

“Why, of course!”  Emaline helped Adelia with her shawl.  “And do ask your mother to visit as well.  We’d be very pleased if you’d both visit often.”

Adelia departed, feeling better and happier than she had all afternoon.  Emaline and Delci waved from the porch as the girl walked toward her own house.

“Delci, you showed good disposition this afternoon,” Emaline complimented her.  “I’m very proud of you.”

“Why did that girl have to be so mean?  I suppose she thinks I’m just as backward as she thinks Adelia is?”

“You’re not backward,” Emaline reminded her.  “A person’s character is measured on how they treat the poor and weak.   You showed you’re worth a great deal more than silly girls who have always lived in luxury and privilege.”

Delci blushed.  “Would it be unkind for you to tell me more about Adelia?”

“Perhaps you should let Adelia tell her own story.  Friendship builds on discovery, and that can be a gift.”

Delci saw the wisdom of her benefactor’s words.  She gave Emaline a hug after they went back into the house.

“Thank you so much for everything!”  Delci cried tears of happiness.  “I wish my mother could have known you.  You remind me of her in so many ways.”

“I’m glad,” Emaline held the girl close to her bosom.  “I wish I could have known her, too.  And you remind me so much of myself when I was a girl.  You even make me feel young again.”

Emaline stroked a few loose strands of hair out of Delci’s face.  “Shall we tidy up?  We’ve been invited to the Prescotts’ for supper this evening.”

Delci wasn’t sure she was ready for more social activity, but she helped Emaline clear away the china and leftover pastries.

“Trudy will take care of the dishes in the morning,” Emaline wiped her hands.  “Now, let’s put on our evening clothes.  The carriage will be here in an hour.”

“Why can’t we just wear what we have on?” Delci asked.  “This is the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen.”

“Yes, it’s very pretty, and it looks lovely on you, my dear,” Emaline said, “But when one is invited to an evening supper at the home of one of the more prestigious families, one is expected to dress a little more formally.”

“But…?”

“Come with me, Delci,”  Emaline led her up the stairs and into her own bedroom.

Laying across the bed were two taffeta gowns.  One was a copper colored taffeta with brown lace ruffles tiered around the hem and sleeves.  The other was also taffeta, the color of a bright blue sky.  There was a bustle in the back from which pink silk flowers descended to the hem.  A blue ruffle went around the squared neckline and the edge of the puffy, short sleeves.  Delci picked it up.

“This is the prettiest thing I ever did see!”

“It’s yours, Delci,” Emaline told her.

“Oh, no, ma’am, Mrs. Shepard!  I can’t possibly accept any more gifts like this.  You’ve already done too much.”

Delci threw the gown back onto the bed and turned to run out of the room.

“Delci!” Emaline called after her.  “Please don’t run away.  Delci!”

Delci ran down the stairs and out the front door. She became confused about what to do next.

“Delci, please listen to me,” Emaline pleaded.  “Please come in and sit down.  I must talk to you.”

Delci hesitated, and against her better judgment, followed Emaline back into the front parlor.

“Mrs. Shepard, my father and I can’t possibly repay you for all these things you’re buying,” Delci spoke before Emaline could confuse her any more.

“I’m not asking for repayment, Delci,” Emaline’s eyes welled up with tears.  “Please understand.  I’m a widow.  My husband left me a woman of independent means.  I have no children of my own.  All I want to do is share what I have with someone deserving of what I can do for them.  Like you and your father.  Please let me do that for you.  I‘m not trying to replace your mother, no one could do that.  But please indulge a widow woman, and let me…”

“But I’m not a doll either!”  Delci raised her voice, then saw Mrs. Shepard react as if she had been hurt by those words.  “Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Shepard.  I don’t want to seem ungrateful, it’s just…”

“I know,” Mrs. Shepard raised a lace handkerchief to her eyes.  Her voice was so low, Delci could barely hear her. “I know you’re not a plaything to dress up and show off…If you could only know how lonely I am.  If you only knew how much love I have in me to share, and no one to share it with.”

Delci collapsed at Emaline’s feet and buried her face in the woman’s lap.  She wept bitterly.  Emaline cried with her, indulging their tears for a moment.

“Come,” Emaline lifted Delci’s chin. “Let’s put pride and fear far away, wash our faces and put on those pretty gowns upstairs.  All this crying and fussing has given me an appetite!”

Delci laughed at Emaline’s remark and the two women rose and climbed the stairs, arm in arm.

***   ***   ***

 

Ben held the fence post steady, while Deke hammered it deep into the hole.

“But I just don’t understand, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke caught his breath and wiped his brow.  “How can there be so many saloons and whore houses in the same block as fancy restaurants and shops and music halls?”

“You must understand that Virginia City built up rather fast,” Ben told him.  “It started up as tents and dugouts when the Comstock Lode was found.  By the time building began, it was every man grabbing what he could.  There was no order of what business would go where.  Oh, naturally, the Chinese and Mexicans were pushed away from the center of town, but nobody gave much thought about the rest of it.  Some of the men who became rich off the faro tables and saloons cared little about proprieties.”

“But it just don’t seem proper that a man has to pass by these places when he’s taking his family to church.”

“Well, it must seem like people don’t care about these things,” Ben added.  “But there are people in town who are working to make changes.  It’s a slow process, but changes will come in time.”

“I sure hope so, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke helped Ben place another post in a hole and picked up his hammer again.  “It just seems unfair that rough and vulgar men find all this gold and silver, and then pretend to be fancy men with their wives, all of whom were floozies.  They’d still be working in saloons if these men hadn’t struck it rich.”

“Gold and silver does strange things to men,” Ben agreed.  “It confuses their minds.  It makes them do things they wouldn’t do under different circumstances.  You’ve seen and heard things in town that you’ve never imagined before.  You’ve seen the worst of humanity working on the railroads and the mines.  But don’t be too harsh in your assessment.  There are good people, too.  Some of them made their fortunes selling hardware or dry goods.  Some are builders and inventors.”

“Well, Mr. Cartwright, one thing I do know, is that you’re about the most honest and fair-minded rich man I ever come across.  That’s why I appreciate working for you.  I hope to learn all I can from you, so I can be a good man people will look up to.”

“I’m flattered, Deke,” Ben unspooled the wire and wrapped it around the post.  “But I’m not perfect.  When you put someone on a pedestal, remember, it’s easy for them to be knocked down.”

“I’ll remember that, sir,” Deke said, nailing the wire to the post.  “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“Not at all,” Ben said.  “I’m glad to teach you, and advise you when you need it.  The boys and I like you very much, and hope you’ll stay on the Ponderosa for as long as you like.”

“I’d like that, sir,” Deke grunted as he lifted the last post into the final hole.  “I just hope I can stay in your good graces and always make you proud.”

Adam rode up and joined them.

“We have the cattle rounded up in the box canyon for the night, Pa,” he said, dismounting.  “Bronc Evans sent word that they had some trouble at the timber camp near the Washoe watershed.”

“What kind of trouble?”  Ben stood up straight and put his hands on his hips.

“Nothing they couldn’t handle.  Hoss and Little Joe went up there to make sure of it.  They may not be home tonight.”

“I see,” Ben kicked at a rock that had been under his boot.  “We’re almost done here.”

“Let me help.”

In no time, the fence was repaired and the men mounted their horses for the dusty ride home.  The wind was picking up.

“I hope we get home before it starts to rain.”  Ben said.  “Let’s go.”

***   ***   ***

 

“Good to see you, Hoss, Joe,” Bronc met them outside the bunkhouse as the brothers arrived at the timber camp.  “Come in out of the rain.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice!”  Hoss bounded up the steps and Joe followed close behind.

“Hope you’ve got the coffee ready,” Joe ripped off his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair.  He took off his hat and gloves and found a place near the stove to dry them out.

“Got some extra blankets here in the storage box, if you want to get out of those wet clothes.”

“Thanks, Bronc.”

The timber man opened the wooden box in the corner and pulled out a couple of blankets.  Without a word, Joe and Hoss pulled off their clothes and dropped them to the floor.  Bronc found a length of rope and some nails and a hammer and set up a line to hang the wet garments where they wouldn’t drip on the bunks.

“You here by yourself?”  Hoss asked.

“A couple of the fellows went out hunting,” Brock poured some coffee.  “The rest decided to go home before the rain sent in.  Spend the night with their families.  Listen, I don‘t know why you boys came out here.  I told Harley to tell you we quashed the problem.”

“What exactly happened?”  Joe pulled his chair closer to the stove and tightened his grip on the blanket.

“Not much to speak of,” Bronc handed Joe a cup.  “Want me to put a little edge in that cup?”

“I could use a touch of whiskey,” Joe grinned.

“I’ll take a drop of that myself,” Hoss held out his cup.  “Got any eats around here?”

“If you can wait, the boys will be back soon with some rabbits for stew.  I was getting ready to cut up some potatoes and onions.”

“Sounds good to me,” Joe said.

“Got any cornmeal?” Hoss asked.  “Sure would be good to have some cornbread with that stew.”

“If you want to get soaked again, there’s some butter in the creek,”  Bronc laughed.  “Don’t worry, Hoss.  When Cookie gets back with the rabbits, he’ll fix you up with some cornbread.  And butter.”

“You never said what the problem was,” Joe reminded Bronc.

“Some Paiutes were camping on the lakeshore.”

“They jumped the reservation?”  Hoss asked.

“Yeah,” Bronc said, putting the whiskey back under his bunk’s mattress.  “Couple of old elders, looking for a place to die, from the looks of it.  The reservation agent showed up about the time we spotted them.  Had a couple of men with them to take the old boys back.  Told you it was no use you boys coming out here.  You all got soaked to the bone for nothing.”

“Well, we just had to be sure.”  Hoss said.  “You know how Pa is.”

***   ***   ***

 

After a night of rain, the sun rose bright come morning.  Hoss and Joe were saddling their horses.

“Hey, that’s Harley!” Hoss said to Joe as a rider galloped toward the bunkhouse.

“What’s up, Harley?”  Joe asked the breathless old man.

“Bronc says you better come quick!”  Harley gasped.  “The men are all riled up down by that place where the Indians were camped.”

Joe and Hoss checked their saddles and mounted up.  They followed behind Harley and rode toward the lake.  The loggers were splashing along the edge of the water, digging up mud and holding it up in their hands, shouting with excitement.

Bronc shot his gun into the air to get their attention as Joe and Hoss jumped off their horses.  The loggers stopped in their tracks and saw the Cartwrights.  Joe and Hoss had seen this kind of thing before, and knew immediately what was going on.

“You men need to remember, this is Ponderosa land,” Hoss spoke out.  “Whatever you think you’ve found in that mud, it don’t belong to you.”

“Aw, Hoss, you wouldn’t begrudge us a little mud, would you?” one man protested.

“Yeah, you Cartwrights already got yours,” another man chimed in.  “We just want a little for ourselves and our families.”

“What’s wrong with that?”  A third man spoke up.  The other men began to grumble.  One man reached for his gun.  Joe spotted him and drew first.

“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you,” Joe told him.  “Put your gun back in the holster and get back to work.”

“You can’t fight us all, Cartwright!”  someone shouted.  “We outnumber you!”

“And they’re better shots than the lot of you!”  Bronc told them.

Harley walked toward the men, his gun drawn.  He grabbed a handful of mud that one of the men had scooped up in a bucket and studied it, holding it to his face for a good look. He smelled it and tasted it.  Then he tossed it down.  His actions took only a few seconds, and then the grizzled old timer laughed.

“Why, this here mud ain’t worth nothing,” Harley said as the mud hit the ground.  “You fellers got yourselves all worked up for nothing.  Bunch o‘ fools, you are!”

The men protested again.

Harley continued as Bronc and the Cartwright brothers watched.  “I’ve been prospecting up these hills before some of you were even born!  I oughta know what silver and gold look like.  Besides which, if’n it really was ore, the Cartwrights own this land, and the law would never allow you to keep it!”

“Get back to work, all of you!”  Joe held his gun on the mob.  “Or you can go home and never come back.  How are you going to feed your families then?”

Grumbling, the men left the Indians’ campsite and returned reluctantly up the hill to cut timber.

Hoss and Bronc holstered their guns, but Joe kept his ready to fire, until the last man had reached the crest.  Harley came towards the men.

“I lied, Mr. Cartwright,” Harley kept his voice low.  “This here mud is pure ore, and I think some of them know I lied about it.”

“Well, keep on making the rest of them think otherwise,” Hoss said to the old man.  “We’ll let Pa know, and get some help up here.”

“Yeah, with Sunday coming, it’s possible one or more of these men will find a way to take that mud to the Assayer’s office.”

“Not if we get there first,” Hoss said, climbing into his saddle.  “Come on, Chub, ol’ boy.”

Joe mounted Cochise.  “We’ll be back soon, Bronc.  I hope you can hold them off until we get back.”

“I hope so, too,” Bronc scratched his chin.  “Meanwhile, we’ll be collecting all their guns.”

Joe raced after Hoss, and the brothers headed quickly for home.

Adam and Ben were just getting ready to head out when the boys arrived.

“Pa, we got real trouble up at the lumber camp,” Hoss told him.  “Big trouble.”

“The loggers found silver ore on the shore of the Washoe,” Joe added.  “It’s ore, alright, Pa.  Harley confirmed it.  The mud is sticky and gray along the banks, and the men were busy scooping it up this morning, hoping to take it in to town this weekend and get themselves some extra money.”

“Not that a bucket of mud would amount to much,” Adam surmised. “But they sure won’t be satisfied with a bucket full.”

Ben became angry.  “Don’t they realize that this is Ponderosa land, and their efforts would be useless?”

“We told them, Pa,” Hoss said.  “But it don’t make no never mind to folks when they see gold or silver.”

The Cartwrights didn’t notice that Deke had joined them.

“I guess that’s what you were trying to tell me yesterday, Mr. Cartwright,” the young man observed. “Can I help?”

“Do you know where the timber camp is?”  Adam asked him.

“I reckon I could find it,” Deke answered.

“You know how to use a gun?” Hoss asked.  “Would you be prepared to kill a man, if it came to it?”

“I think I could, if it was his life or mine.”

“Hoss, you and Joe take Deke with you back to the camp,” Ben said.  “I’ll send Adam to Virginia City to wire the fort and notify Clem Foster of the trouble.  I’ll be along later.  I want to visit the other camps and make sure nobody else knows about this.”

“Sure thing, Pa,” Adam said.

The brothers, with Deke, gathered extra supplies, including guns and ammunition, and headed back to the timber camp.

“I’ll join you, as soon as I get back from town,” Adam told his father, before he rode off for Virginia City.

“I’m counting on it, Son,” Ben slapped Sport’s hindquarters, and Adam galloped down the east road.

Every minute counted.  An uprising could occur before his sons reached the camp, leaving Bronc and Harley in serious danger.  Ben would have to think very carefully what he would do, should the men rebel.

***   ***   ***

 

“May I introduce Mr. Oliver Maddock, and his wife, Judith?”  Mrs. Prescott said to Emaline and Delci.  “They’ve just moved here from San Francisco.  And this is their son, Colton.”

Delci thought Colton Maddock was just about the handsomest young man she had ever seen in her life.  His piercing blue eyes never left her as he took her gloved hand by her fingers and kissed the back of it.

“I’m very delighted to meet you, Miss Fuller,” he said.  “May I escort you to the table?”

Before she could answer, Colton tucked her arm inside the crook of his own and walked her to the splendidly set table in the dining room.  Delci looked around as Colton assisted her into her chair.  A cheery fire warmed the dark paneled room.   Candlelight and a chandelier provided an additional glow.   Fine white linen, fresh cut flowers in crystal vases, and beautiful, gold-rimmed china adorned the long table.

“Mr. Clemons, you sit at the end of the table, next to Mrs. Shepard,” Mrs. Prescott told their other guest.  “Colton, I see you found your place next to Miss Fuller.”

The young man nodded.  His father sat across from him, and his mother beside him.  Mrs. Prescott sat next to his father and Mr. Prescott sat at the head of the table.  Liveried footmen proceeded to serve the first course as Mr. Prescott seated themselves.  A butler stood by at his right hand, observing everything.  Delci had never seen such elegance before.  She felt out of place, especially after she noticed how the table was set.

Emaline nudged her foot under the table and winked at her, hoping to give the girl encouragement.  Delci then remembered what Emaline had taught her about the table settings and exhaled.  Colton sensed her uneasiness.

“Just follow my lead,” he whispered to her.

Delci’s cheeks turned bright red.

“Are you implying I don’t know which fork to use, Mr. Maddock?”  she whispered.

Colton’s cheeks turned red this time.  “I do beg your pardon.”

“And how is Mollie?” Emaline said to her dinner companion.

The bearded gentleman set down his wine glass.

“She’s doing as well as can be expected,”  he replied.  “Mollie went back east to Iowa to visit her family, as you know.  Neither of us have gotten over Jennie’s passing.  It’s very hard.  I‘m selling the house, you know.  We‘re leaving Nevada.”

“Yes, I heard, and we’ll be sorry to see you both go,“  Emaline patted the gentleman’s hand.  “I shall write to Mollie in the morning.  You’ll let me know where to post it?”

“Of course.”

Delci observed that the ladies seated next to Mr. Prescott were more interested in discussing the latest fashions illustrated in Godey’s Ladies Book.  The men at the table seemed rather bored and quiet, being seated so far from each other.  Emaline enjoyed talking with Mr. Clemons about politics and land values.  That left Delci and Colton to entertain themselves.  Colton described the differences between San Francisco and Virginia City, making San Francisco out to be a paradise of prosperity and beauty.

“If it’s so wonderful there,” Delci took a small bite of potatoes, “then why did you move here?”

Colton paused before answering.  “My father’s business partners were anxious that he should represent the company here in Virginia City.”

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to make the best of it,” Delci teased him.  “Same as I.”

“As you?”

“Why yes,” Delci said.  “I’m out of my element also, as you put it.”

“I see your head isn’t as full of feathers as most girls your age,” Colton observed.

“I wish I could say the same about young men,” Delci disparaged.  Colton laughed, realizing that she included him in the mix.

“You’re a remarkable girl, Delci,” Colton raised his wine glass in a salute.  “A worthy match for any prince.”

“So you’re a prince, now?”  Delci said with a note of annoyance.

“Of sorts,” Colton replied, leaning toward her.  “And you, my friend, are truly a princess.”

Delci couldn’t help but laugh out loud, startling the adults at the table.  She realized her outburst was improper, but Colton came to her defense.

“It’s my fault,” Colton told them.  “She finds me utterly charming.”

Colton then turned his attention to the gentleman at the end of the table.

“I saw your brother, Samuel, in Nob Hill a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Clemons,” Colton told the man.  “I told him we were coming to Virginia City.  He sent his regards.”

“Harumph!” Orion Clemons snorted.  “I highly doubt it.”

At the end of dinner, the guests were treated to a violin concerto by a musician hired for the evening.  The man looked as if he might feel more comfortable playing in one of the saloons.  The melody was played, and the guests clapped in appreciation.  A second tune was played followed by more clapping. The violinist bowed and made a hasty retreat toward the kitchen, signaling the end of the evening.  The liveried footmen helped the ladies and gentlemen with their coats and wraps, and carriages arrived to take them home.

“Did you enjoy yourself, dear?” Emaline asked.

“Mostly,” Delci muffled a yawn.  “Colton was a bit stuck up, but I knocked him down a peg, I think.”

“Good for you,” Emaline patted her ward’s knee.  “Never let a man know he has an upper hand over you.  It’s dishonest.  In the long run, honesty between a man and a woman is the foundation of their love.”

“Whoa,” Delci sat up straight.  “Who said anything about love?  I just met him.”

“He’s a very nice looking boy,”  Emaline noted.  “Young ladies are drawn to boys like him.  He seemed rather taken with you, as well.”

“Well, he is rather handsome,” Delci admitted.  “If you like that sort of boy.  But he acts like he’s better than the people around here, just because he’s from San Francisco.”

“There are a lot of families here from San Francisco,” Emaline explained.  “He will learn that, soon enough.”

The carriage arrived at the Shepard home, and the driver assisted the ladies out of the cab.  Emaline slipped him some coins as he took her hand.  The driver stood by and waited until Emaline and Delci entered the house and locked the door behind them.

The women walked up the steps and separated into their own rooms for the night.  Delci undressed, carefully hanging her new gown in the closet next to her other new clothes.  Even the nightgown she wore was new.  She pulled back the covers and climbed into bed.  A knock on the door prevented her from blowing out the lamp.

“May I come in?”  Emaline poked her head in the doorway.

“Please do,” Delci smoothed the quilts over her legs.

Emaline sat next to her.  “I was very proud of you, this evening.”

“Oh, but I laughed too loudly,” Delci admitted.  “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”

“Nonsense,” Emaline said.  “But what was so funny?”

“He tried to flatter me by calling me a princess,” Delci chuckled.  “If he only knew.”

Emaline laughed a little.  “You did look like a princess tonight.  I’m sure he couldn’t help himself.”

“Well, it just felt strange,” Delci felt a sudden shiver.  “But you know, it felt good to put him in his place.  He tried to say that girls are empty-headed, and I let him know I thought he didn’t have much in his head, either.  I really surprised myself at how bold I was speaking to him.  I mean, when the girls were here, I could barely put two words together.  He just brought out something in me.  I couldn‘t stop myself.”

“Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind, Delci.  Especially if you feel like someone is mistreating you.”

Emaline stood up and Delci laid back on the pillows.  Emaline pulled the quilt up to her shoulders and tucked her in.

“You’ll meet a lot of young men in town, Delci,” Emaline said. “Some of them are fine young men, and others are unprincipled.  Some of the unprincipled young men may be poor and some are rich, and I know you have enough wits about you to discern a person’s true character.  This will become more important as you reach the age when  you’ll want to be married.”

Emaline sat down again.  “Girls your age are attracted to bad boys, believing they can change them, but you’ll find that the bad boys don’t treat these girls as they deserve to be treated.  Boys like that treat people like property and pawns.  They have no respect for people.  No respect for the girl who might love them.”

“I believe that,” Delci said.  “I hope I don’t lose my head over some silly boy.”

“I hope so, too, my dear,” Emaline said. “You know you can always come to me, if you feel you need advice about anything…or anyone.  Pleasant dreams.”

Mrs. Shepard closed the door behind her.  Delci leaned over to the table beside her bed, and blew out the lamp.

***   ***   ***

 

Most of the men were armed only with axes and saws.  Brock had already confiscated the few guns and rifles.  Harley had taken them back to the chuck wagon, where Cookie could keep an eye on them.

Ben stood before the men.  His gun was holstered, but Hoss, Joe, Deke, Brock and Harley had their rifles aimed at the crowd shouting at them.

Ben held his hands out, palms down, trying to quell the anger building.

“And besides,” he shouted.  “Assayers have already been out here and determined that the land around here doesn’t have any gold or silver.”

“You’re lying!”

“You’d say anything to keep all this gold and silver to yourselves!”

“We just want our share!”

“If you want to stake a claim and find your own gold and silver, I won’t stand in your way,” Ben continued.  “But not on the Ponderosa. I’ll give you your wages and you are free to go.”

“Look, Mr. Cartwright, you wouldn’t begrudge us a couple of buckets of mud from the creek banks.” one scrawny man held up a bucket full of the sticky, gray mud.  “It could make all the difference to our families.”

“Yeah!”

“But it’s worthless!” Ben insisted.  “All you’ll do is stir people up, give them false hope and find out for yourselves that this is all in vain.  Even if it was silver sludge, you‘d have to dig up a ton of it to make as much as I pay you in a month.”

The men continued to protest and move closer to the Cartwrights.  The men behind Ben cocked their rifles to show the mob they meant business.

Ben kept trying to reason with them.

“Now, you men need to understand that the Cavalry has been sent for, and Sheriff Foster is bringing deputies out here right now!”

“It’ll take ‘em awhile to get here, though!”  One man took the lead and raised his axe.  He started toward Ben in earnest.

Brock fired a warning shot in the air.  “And you’ll be the first man I plug, Woody.”

Brock aimed his rifle right at the man with the axe.  The man froze in his tracks.  The others also backed down.

Adam came galloping up the ridge with Sheriff Foster and several deputies behind him.

“We heard a shot,” Clem Foster said to Ben.

“That was me, Clem,” Brock told him.  “Just a warning.”

“Pa,” Adam dismounted and stood in front of his father so the mob couldn’t hear him.  “Clem thinks we should close the timber camp for a week or so, until things calm down.  Brock and a few of the boys could keep an eye on things by themselves, if there weren’t so many to watch.”

Clem rode up and dismounted.  The mob saw the lawmen and decided to scatter, though their movements were rather slow.

“I agree with you, Clem,” Ben told him.  “Would you make the announcement?  Hearing it from you, might give the order more weight.”

“Be glad to,” Clem Foster said.  He whistled toward the loggers and motioned them to come forward and listen.

“From this moment, until further notice, this camp is closed!”  Sheriff Foster announced.  “You men get on home, and better pray you still have your jobs when I lift the decree.”

The men grumbled, and threw down their tools, heading for their tents to gather their things.  The deputies, with the Cartwright brothers, watched to make sure everyone left peacefully, while Ben conferred with Brock and Clem.

“It’s your ranch, Ben, and you can do what you want,” Clem advised.  “But I’d give it a couple of weeks, at least, before you reopen operations.”

“I have deadlines on that timber,” Ben complained.  “But no deadline is worth the life of even one man, if we can prevent it.”

“You want me to hire another crew, Ben?”  Brock put his hands on his hips.  “I could head over to Modesto.”

“No, I need you here,” Ben said.  “I’ve only got you and Harley and Cookie I can trust to keep an eye up here.  And Harley and Cookie are old men.”

“I ain’t no spring chicken, myself,” Brock chuckled.  “But if that’s what you  want.”

“It’s not what I want, but it’s what I need,”  Ben turned and went back to his sons.

“Well, boys, Clem has closed the camp for at least two weeks,” Ben told his sons.  Brock only has Harley and Cookie to help him keep an eye on things up here during that time.  I’d like for you boys to stay up here with them and help with the timber contract.  We might not get too far behind, if you do.”

“I’ll be glad to stay, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke volunteered.

“Good man, Deke,” Ben clasped him on the shoulder.  “I thank you.”

“Sure, we’ll stay, Pa,” Hoss volunteered his brothers and himself.

“You can count on us, Pa,” Joe added.

“It’ll be hard work, but we’ll manage,” Adam made it unanimous.

“I’ll send Hop Sing in the morning, with supplies,” Ben said, walking toward his horse.

Brock walked up to Adam.  “Well, we’re in the soup, now, boys.”

***   ***   ***

 

“Now, Cartwright, be reasonable,” Mr. Maddock placed a hand on Ben’s shoulder.  Ben looked at the man’s hand and shrugged free from him.  “It’s all over town that your loggers found a new lode on the Washoe Lake.”

“Nothing of the kind,” Ben insisted.  “My land has already been assayed from one end of the Ponderosa to another.  I already have my mines operating in the only places ore has been found.  There is no ore on Lake Washoe!”

“Look, Cartwright,” Maddock continued. “Let me just send someone up there to check it out.  If you’re right, no harm done.  If ore is found, I have investors in San Francisco who will take care of everything to mine it.”

“Listen to me, Mr. Maddock,” Ben got in his face and used his finger against Prescott’s chest for punctuation.  “You’re new in Virginia City, so I’ll forgive your impertinence.  But hear me now and don’t forget it!  Nobody comes on to my land, and nobody is going to tear up that watershed.  Is that understood?  If I see any of your men on my land, I‘ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

Ben left the Millionaire’s Club in a huff.  He needed to have a chat with Clem Foster, before he completed his errands and returned to the Ponderosa.

Young Maddock watched the elder Cartwright leave the building.  He had heard the exchange between his father and the stubborn rancher.  Standing next to his father, whiskey glass in hand, he had an idea.

“Father, would you say you’re a patient man?”  Colton asked.

“Wouldn’t you, Son?” the senior Maddock answered.

“I’d like to try something, if you’ll give me some time to work it out,”  Colton said guardedly.  “I’ll tell you more about it, when we get home.”

Colton set down his glass and rushed out of the club.

***   ***   ***

 

“Why, Ben!” Emaline greeted her old friend at the door.  “It’s so good to see you.  Have you brought news about Delci’s father?”

“Yes, I have,” Ben took off his hat and entered the parlor.  “Is she home?”

“Mr. Cartwright!” Delci raced down the stairs to greet him.  “How’s Papa?  Is he getting better?”

“He certainly is, Delci,” Ben smiled and gave the girl a hug, swinging her in a semi-circle.  “And look at you.  My, don’t you look beautiful.  Emaline, you’ve done wonders.”

“All I did was buy her a few dresses,” Emaline belied her effect on the girl.

“Tell me, Mr. Cartwright,” Delci pulled him to the sofa and sat down with him.  “When can Papa come to Virginia City?”

“We’ll bring him here on Sunday morning.  You’ll see him after church services.”

“Day after tomorrow?  Really?” Delci squealed with delight.  “Oh, thank you!  How’s he doing?”

“He’s been using the wheelchair to get around the house,” Ben started.  “Got to be quite the expert at maneuvering.  He even goes outside for an hour or so.  Before long, he’s going to be telling me how to run the Ponderosa.”

“Ben, you must plan on staying for supper tonight,” Emaline suggested.  “It’s getting late.  Oh, and on Sunday, you should stay for lunch.!  Bring your sons with you.  This is a real occasion, and we must celebrate it properly.”

“I have to get back to the Ponderosa tonight, but I‘ll mention your invitation on Sunday to the boys,” Ben told her, not mentioning the trouble at the logging camp.

“Oh, and Delci, you should know that Deke O’Malley has been very helpful in taking care of your father.  The two of them have become good friends.”

“That’s nice,” Delci noted.  “Mr. Cartwright, do you think it might be all right for my friends and I to have a picnic up at Beaver Falls some time?”

Ben mulled on the request for a moment.  “Well, there are timber camps up that way, and it could be dangerous.  But I suppose if you young people stay together, and don’t roam off toward the camps, I have no objection.  Just remember to tell everyone what I expect of them.”

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Cartwright!” Delci hugged the man.  “I‘ll send word when we can all get together!”

“I’ll arrange for someone to accompany you there,” Ben told her.  “Well, I’d better be going.  It will be dark before I get home.”

“Until Sunday, then,”  Emaline waved at him.

“Sunday can‘t come soon enough,” Delci danced around the parlor.  “I can’t wait to see Papa!”

***   ***   ***

 

“Hello, boys,” Minnie Barker addressed a group of young men standing outside the church.  “Delci, I’d like to introduce you to Philip Cockrell, Benjamin Wheeler, Franklin Newcombe and Lucas Baxter.  I believe you already know Colton.”

“I’m very pleased to make your acquaintances,” Delci curtsied.  “I’m hosting a picnic at Beaver Falls next Saturday.  I hope you’ll all come.”

“Beaver Falls?” Benjamin asked.  “Isn’t that on Ponderosa land?”

“It certainly is,” Colton smiled.  “It was my idea.  I talked Delci into it.”

“Sounds like fun,” Philip nodded.

“Count me in,” Franklin said.

“Are you girls going to bring all the food?” Lucas asked.

“Of course, silly!” Minnie said.

Colton took Delci aside.  “So, Ben Cartwright gave his permission for this picnic?”

“Yes, I asked him on Friday afternoon, when he came out to tell us Papa was coming home today,” Delci explained.  “In fact, I need to get going!  Excuse me everyone, my father should be at Mrs. Shepard’s house by now!”

“I’ll be over later this week to meet him,” Colton brazenly kissed her hand.  Delci recoiled out of embarrassment, but did not protest.

The other boys took notice of Colton’s display of affection.  Lucas shuffled his feet, while Franklin and Philip nudged each other and chuckled to themselves.  Benjamin’s chin dropped, in shock at Colton’s public expression.

Delci looked over her shoulder at Colton, as she and Minnie walked back toward Mrs. Shepard’s barouche.

Emaline was waiting for the girls.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Delci,” Minnie giggled.  “I need to speak to Lydia before she leaves.”

Delci waved at her friend.  “I’ll bet she can’t wait to tell Lydia that Colton kissed my hand.”

“So I noticed,” Emaline’s brow furrowed.  “Let’s hurry home, Delci.  The Cartwrights should be here soon.”

Delci climbed into the carriage and Emaline followed after her, gazing at the group of young men, and watching Colton Maddock in particular.  There was something about that boy she was beginning to dislike.

I’ll have to speak to Mrs. Maddock, Emaline thought to herself.

Delci thought the horses took forever to trot the few blocks to Mrs. Shepard’s house.  She was a bit disappointed not to see the Cartwrights’ wagon already there.

“I’m sure they will be along any minute,” Emaline assured her, as they got out of the carriage.

Delci helped Mrs. Shepard unhitch the horse from the carriage and followed her into the house.

“Hurry and change your clothes,” Emaline said.  “Then come help me set the table for luncheon.”

“Oh, must I?” Delci complained a little.  “I wanted Papa to see my new dress.”

Emaline smiled and nodded.  “Oh, all right.  Just put on an apron, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Delci ran to the kitchen pantry and pulled an apron off the inside of the door.  She could smell the turkey roasting in the oven.  Mrs. Shepard motioned for Delci to check the vegetables on top of the stove.

“The stove is plenty hot,”  Mrs. Shepard said.  “I hope they’re not scorching from the heat.

“Everything looks fine, Miss Emaline,” Delci said as she placed a towel back over the green beans.

Mrs. Shepard checked the contents of the oven.  “I hope the potatoes didn’t bake too long.  The sermon took longer than I thought.”

She pulled the potatoes from the oven and placed them in a bowl, covering them with another thick towel.  Delci brought her a plate of shucked corn, and Mrs. Shepard put the ears in the oven to roast a few minutes.

“I thought the preacher never would finish!”  Delci giggled as they worked.  “I can’t wait for Papa to get here!”

A knock on the door caused the girl to shriek.  She ripped the apron off and tossed it on a chair.  Emaline calmly removed her own apron and walked to the front door.

Hoss brought the wheelchair up the stairs while Ben and Deke helped carry Ethan to the door.  Adam and Joe tended to the wagon and team, taking them to the barn behind the house.

“Just be patient a little longer, Delci” Ben warned.  “We’ll have your father seated in just a minute.”

“Oh, Papa, I’m so glad to see you!”  Delci prattled.  “I have so much to tell you, too!”

Mrs. Shepard guided the men to the parlor, where Hoss had set up the wheelchair near the sofa.  Deke and Ben carefully helped the man into the chair and Deke wrapped a blanket around Ethan’s legs.

“Do you need anything else, Mr. Fuller?”  Deke asked.

“No, son,” Ethan said.  “I just want to get a good look at my daughter.  My, Delci, don’t you look like a real lady!”

Ethan admired his child as she twirled around to show off her new Sunday suit.  The pale green skirt was trimmed with black soutache embroidered near the hem.  The bolero jacket matched the skirt.  Her white blouse had a cascade of lace from the collar to the waist.

“You sure look pretty, Miss Delci,” Hoss admired her.  “Don’t she, Deke?”

Hoss gave Deke a friendly nudge. “Prettiest girl I ever did see.”

“You look lovely, my dear,” Ben stood by the door as Adam and Joe entered the house.

“Well, look at you,” Joe stared.

“Wouldn’t have recognized you,” Adam added.

Delci soaked up all the compliments and then knelt by her father to give him a hug.

“I’ve missed you, so much!” Delci laid her head against her father’s shoulder.

“I missed you, too, Delci girl,” Ethan attempted to stroke his daughter’s hair, as he used to do, but feared he might muss the styling.

“Hey, don’t I get a hug?”  Ben opened his arms and Delci squeezed him tightly.

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for Papa,”  she said.  Then she gave Hoss and Joe each a quick hug, before going to Adam.

“Thank you, Adam,” Delci embraced her first friend among the Cartwrights.  “You were right about everything.”

“You’re more than welcome,” Adam replied, awkwardly nudging himself from her arms.

“You are the uncle and cousins I always wanted,” Delci told them.  “Mr. Cartwright, may I call you ‘Uncle Ben’?”

“I would be very pleased if you did,” the elder Cartwright placed his hand around her shoulders.

As Delci spoke with the Cartwrights, Mrs. Shepard gave her attention to Ethan Fuller.

“Mr. Fuller,” Emaline addressed him.  “We’ve converted my husband’s office into a room for you, so you won’t have to climb the stairs.  When my husband was alive, we built a ramp off the back porch, for his convenience.  You‘ll be able to get around quite easily.”

“I thank you, ma’am,” Ethan lifted his hand to the woman and she accepted it in friendship.  “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for all this.”

“Well, you won’t always be an invalid,” Emaline reminded him.  “As soon as you’re able, I’ll put you to work around the house.  That will be payment, enough.  But this is Sunday.  Let‘s not talk business today.  I have a dinner to serve.  Won‘t you gentlemen follow me into the dining room?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Hoss led the way, licking his lips in eager anticipation.

Deke stood by to help Ethan with the wheel chair.

“That’s all right, Deke,” Ethan told him.  “I can manage from here.”

“Besides,” Delci pushed herself in front of Deke.  “I’ll take care of him, from now on.”

“Come on, Deke,” Joe slapped him on the back.  “Let’s follow the ladies.”

“Deke, why don’t you help Delci take the corn out of the oven?”  Mrs. Shepard suggested.  “Ben, would you help me with the turkey?”

The men helped the ladies set the food out on the beautifully appointed dining table and they sat down to eat, giving thanks to the Lord for all His many blessings and asking for His continued grace.

“Help yourselves, gentlemen,”  Mrs. Shepard tucked her napkin in her lap and watched as the food was passed around the table.  She felt satisfied, having her table surrounded again by good friends, and now, a man and his daughter, who would become her family for a spell.  It made her feel alive and, more importantly, needed.

The afternoon passed quickly, and the Cartwrights and Deke said their goodbyes.

“Oh, and Delci,” Ben added.  “Deke will accompany you and your friends to Beaver Falls on Saturday.  He’ll make sure you’re all safe from any trouble that might occur.”

“Thank you, Uncle Ben,”  Delci waved.  “Joe, are you sure you won’t join us?”

“I’m afraid your friends will all think I’m too old for your crowd,” Joe smiled.  “Besides, I’ve got too much work to do at the ranch.  Maybe another time.”

He winked and mounted Cochise.

“Thanks again for a fine dinner,” Ben shook Emaline’s hand.

“You’re very welcome,” Emaline replied.  “Hoss, I hope you enjoy the rest of the pie.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Hoss tipped his ten gallon hat.  “I surely will.”

“I doubt the pie will make it home,” Adam quipped as he mounted Sport.  Joe laughed and turned his horse toward the road.  Deke checked the reins and hitches on the horses and wagon and waited as Ben climbed into the seat.  He took his place beside him and cast a last glance at Delci, who seemed not to notice him.  But then, it was only natural that she should only be concerned with her father now.

Ben snapped the reins.  Deke looked over his shoulder and watched the ladies and Ethan disappear back into the house.

Delci spent the rest of the afternoon fussing over her father, showing him to his room, and helping him into bed.  She sat on the side of his bed, telling him about Virginia City and all the people she’d met, and about how much fun it was to go shopping for new clothes.

“Delci, your father should rest now,” Emaline stood in the doorway.  “He’s had a long trip into town, and I’m sure he’s worn out.”

“I’m sorry, Papa,” Delci smoothed out her father’s hair.  “I’ve just been so lonely without you.”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ve been that lonely,” Ethan patted her shoulder as she kissed him on the head.  “Not with all your new friends and all.  But that’s okay.  That’s why I wanted you to come to Virginia City.  But I am tired.  I’ll just take a little nap.”

“Come help me in the kitchen, Delci,” Emaline called to her.  “You can visit with him later.”

Delci made sure Ethan’s pillows were fluffed and his blankets were warm enough.

“I love you, Papa,” Delci kissed him again and then left his room.

“If you need anything, Mr. Fuller,” Emaline reminded him.  “Just ring the bell on the table.  It saves your voice!”

Ethan reached over and rang the bell.

“Yes?” Emaline turned to see what he needed.

“I think you can start calling me by my Christian name,” Ethan grinned.

She gave Ethan a large smile and closed the door.

***   ***   ***

 

The week passed quickly as the ladies fussed over Ethan and helped him find his own way around the house.  The steep hill prevented him from venturing too far from the house and into town, but with help from the young men in the neighborhood, Ethan was able to sit in the barouche while the ladies carried out their errands in town.

Before long, it was the weekend, and Delci awoke with excitement.  She was hosting her first picnic for her friends, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

Delci dressed quickly in the pink and white frock she had laid out the night before.  Eliptical skirts were now all the rage in fashion, and Emaline Shepard made sure Delci was up to form with her peers.  The dress was perfect for the occasion.  Soft white cotton material with a print of wide pink stripes and cascades of flowers with a touch of green leaves in between the stripes flowed from her waist to the three ruffles at the hem.  Her bodice and sleeves were trimmed in delicate lace.  It was fancier than her everyday ginghams and plaids, but not too fancy for sitting on a blanket on the ground.

Delci could not believe her good fortune.  Mrs. Shepard was too generous in shopping for new clothes and other things a young girl needs.  As she looked at herself in the mirror and made her final primps, Delci saw herself for the first time as others in town were seeing her.  She had blossomed into a very pretty young lady.  She unfolded the last bit of cloth curling her hair and lightly coaxed the curl into its fullness with her brush.  She grabbed her straw bonnet off the top of the coat rack and then rummaged through the bric-a-brac on top of her dresser for a hat pin.  Finding one, she pierced it into the hat for later, and descended quickly down the stairs.

Mrs. Shepard and her father were already at breakfast.  Ethan was reading the morning paper as he sipped his coffee.

“Good morning, Papa!”  Delci kissed the top of his head.  “Good morning, Aunt Emaline.”

They greeted her as Delci sat down to a breakfast of grits, eggs, sausage and coffee.  A bowl of fruit and a plate of fresh baked bread were also in reach.

“Are you excited about your picnic, dear?”  Mrs. Shepard asked as she passed the butter dish to the teenager.

“More than you can imagine!”  Delci gushed as she stuffed a sausage link into her mouth.

“Don’t talk with your mouthful, Delci,”  Ethan gently admonished.  “Remember your manners.”

“Sorry, Papa,”  Delci picked up a glass of milk to wash down her food.

“There’s no need to hurry, girl,” her father reminded her.  “Your friends won’t be around for awhile yet.”

A knock on the door brought Mrs. Shepard out of her chair.  “That must be Deke.”

Deke stood outside with his hat in his hands as Mrs. Shepard opened the door and invited him in.  He ran his hand through his hair, hoping it wasn’t too mussed, as he walked into the dining room where Ethan and Delci were eating.

“Won’t you join us for breakfast?”  Mrs. Shepard pointed to a chair across from Delci.

“I might just have some coffee, if it’s no trouble,”  Deke hesitated before he sat down.

“Well, you feel free to help yourself,” Mrs. Shepard got a cup and saucer for him.  As Deke poured himself some coffee, she also set a plate and silverware in front of him.

“There’s plenty, so don’t be shy,”  Mrs. Shepard sat down again to finish her own meal.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Deke reached for some eggs and sausage.

“Would you like some grits?”  Ethan held the bowl of steaming cornmeal towards him.

“Don’t mind if I do, sir,”  Deke accepted the bowl and set it down, spooning the hot grits onto his plate.

Delci wiped her mouth and pushed her chair from the table.  “Well, I should see about packing the basket.”

“Trudy has already seen to it,” Mrs. Shepard told her gently.  “Just enjoy your breakfast and slow down.  You have the whole day ahead of you.  More coffee, Deke?”

Although Emaline had not been brusque with her, Delci still felt a sting of being reprimanded.  It confused her for a moment, but Delci realized it would have been rude to leave their guest at the table.  Even if it was only Deke.

“Are you sure you want to put up with us, Deke?”  Delci served herself a spoonful of scrambled eggs and another sausage.  She offered the sausages to Deke.

“Well, I’m not much older than you and your friends,” Deke admitted.  “And I’ve never really been on a picnic before with people my own age.  Just wasn’t time, what with trying to keep myself working and all.”

“Must have been a rough life for a boy like you,”  Ethan folded his paper and turned his attention to the young man.

“It’s what I had to do to get by,” Deke replied.

“Having lost your family at so young an age, to be out on your own,” Ethan mused.  “I admire that you’ve worked hard, made a good man out of yourself.  Most boys would have run off with the wrong kind of people, ended up as outlaws.  Maybe wound up hanged or shot.”

“I admit I knew boys that felt like that was the way to go,”  Deke nodded.  “But my parents raised me to think about the consequences of my choices in life.  I could see there weren’t no future in being wild and reckless.”

“You have a good head on your shoulders,” Mrs. Shepard rose from the table and Deke stood up out of respect.  “And your parents taught you well.  You have manners that betray your secrets.  I suspect you were brought up in a fine home, in spite of your hard luck.  Don’t you think so, Delci.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Delci admitted.  “Didn’t you tell Adam you were from Boston?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am,” Deke smiled.  “I can’t believe you remembered that.”

“Oh, it’s because Adam was born in Boston, too,” Delci explained.  “Uncle Ben was born in Boston, too.  And Mrs. Shepard and her husband are from Boston.”

“Well, ma’am,” Deke looked at Mrs. Shepard.  “My family was from the Irish side of town, so I’m sure you wouldn’t have had any opportunity to know any of my kinfolk.”

“What did your parents do, in Boston?”  Emaline sat down again.

“My da, he brought us to America in 1847, the year of the potato famine in Ireland,” Deke began his story.  “My ma was in the family way, carrying myself inside her.  My two brothers and a sister were also quite young.  It was a struggle for them, trying to find a room to rent, and work to feed the family.”

“Yes, I remember,” Emaline said wistfully.  “The slums were horrible and the rents were outrageous.  I also recall the fighting for jobs, and the inhumanity of it all.”

“You’re quite right, there, missus,”  Deke’s voice grew sadder.  “I don’t have any memories of those early days, and my parents weren’t the kind of people to dwell on the misfortunes of the past, but my brothers told me a few things they remembered.  We only had one room for the six of us, and soon enough, there were seven.  But the little baby girl only lived a short time.  She got the cholera.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”  Delci reached across the table and touched Deke’s hand.  Her sincerity moved him.

“It was a miracle we all didn’t die from it,” Deke said.  “So many people did.  But we managed to survive.  We almost moved to New York City.  We heard the Irish weren’t treated as badly there as in Boston.  My da was lucky, though.  He had a trade.  He managed to get work in the shipyards, building boats.  When the talk of war started, he made quite a good living, and my brothers got work there as well.  We managed to find a better house to live in, a house just for ourselves, and sharing only with my mother’s brothers, who had come to America as well.  We were doing all right for awhile.  Then the war broke out, and my brothers and uncles joined up with the Union army.  They were all killed.  My brothers at Fredricksburg, my uncles in other battles.”

Deke took a breath and continued.  “When the war was coming to an end, there was a small pox epidemic.  That took the rest of my family.  I don’t have a clue how I managed to survive.  I was only fourteen years old, and had nobody to turn to.  I heard about work out west, on the railroad, so I made my way along the tracks until I could find the camps where they were hiring.  I managed to save a bit of money and buy myself a horse and a rifle, and decided to better myself working at different jobs until I could find one I liked.  And here I am today, working for the Cartwrights.”

“That’s quite a story, Deke,”  Ethan remarked.  “What will you do now?   Will you stay on with the Cartwrights?”

“As long as they’ll have me, sir,” Deke pushed away from the table.  “And once I have enough money saved, I’d like to get myself a piece of land and find me a good wife, and raise up a family of my own.”

“Good plan,” Mrs. Shepard said emphatically.  “And a good man to have around!  Well, it’s time you young people meet up with your friends and journey on to your picnic.”

***   ***   ***

 

There was quite a crowd of young people at the school where they had agreed to meet.

“Who are all these people?” Deke asked.  “I thought it was just supposed to be a few couples?”

“So did I,” Delci replied.

Deke drove the wagon up to the group and pulled back on the reins.  “Whoa.”

Lydia and Minnie rushed to the wagon as Deke helped Delci down from the seat.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Minnie gushed with excitement.  “I invited all the girls and boys from school.   The more, the merrier, I always say.”

Lydia continued Minnie’s news.  “You know some of them already from church.  There’s June and Ruby Gregg, and the Thompson twins, George and John.  Come, we’ll introduce you to the others.”

Delci looked around until she spotted Adelia.  She smiled, and left Lydia and Minnie to greet her friend.

“Adelia!  I’m so glad you came!  Won’t you ride with me in our wagon?”

Adelia’s dispirited face brightened when she saw Delci.  “Oh, thank you!  Yes, I would.”

“Delci!”  Minnie called out to her.  “Come along!  I want you to meet the others.”

Colton came up quietly and suddenly behind Delci.

“Yes, Delci,” he said.  “After all, you’re the hostess of this shindig.  You should greet all of your guests.”

“Trying to say I don’t know my manners again, Colton?”  Delci opened her parasol and turned her back on the young man.   She heard him laugh as she left him standing there.

“Come on, Adelia,” Delci said.  “Let’s get these introductions over with.  You stay by me.”

Delci gently took her friend in arm and went to meet the others.  Soon, everyone was climbing into the two wagons.

Deke mounted the seat next to Delci and Adelia.  “I counted about twenty-two people.  Mr. Cartwright wasn’t expecting your party to be more than ten of you.”

“That’s all I expected, too,” Delci said with a hint of frustration in her voice.  “Minnie took it upon herself to invite everyone.”

“If you ask me,” Adelia leaned over so no one else could hear her.  “I think that Colton Maddock put her up to it.”

“Why would you say that?”  Delci asked.

“I saw them talking together before school started on Tuesday, and right after that, everyone was talking about going to the picnic with us.”

“Did you hear that, Deke?”  Delci said quietly.

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Deke answered.  “There’s something about that guy I don’t trust.”

“Nor I,” Delci looked over at the other wagon, where Colton was sitting.  “He didn’t like it, when I suggested the boys ride in one wagon, and the girls ride in our wagon.”

“It was a very good idea, Delci,” Deke snapped the reins.  The horses responded and pulled up ahead of the other wagons as the road narrowed.

The two hour ride went quickly as all the young people chattered or sang songs to pass the time.  Soon, they reached the waterfall at Washoe Lake.

“Is this the waterfall?”  one girl questioned.  “I thought it would be much higher.”

“It’s still very pretty,” another girl replied.  “So what, if that’s all there is?  We’re not in Oregon, you know!”

The conversation continued among the young people, as they spread out blankets and laid out baskets of food.  Colton insisted on helping Delci and Adelia, while Deke and a couple of the other boys tended to the horses.  The boys were all eager to eat and drink lemonade after the dusty ride in the wagons.  Soon, the food was consumed down to the last cookie, and Minnie suggested they play some games.

“How about Old Mother Wobble?” Samantha suggested.

“We could play Quack!”  another girl called out.

One of the boys nudged another boy, who shouted, “I want to play Pick Three Cherries!”

The girls all giggled at this forward suggestion.

Deke stood up, “Now we’re not turning this into a hug social, so why don’t you start out with the games the girls suggested?”

Colton stood up.  “I’ve got a great idea!  Why don’t we boys try to catch a fish with our bare hands?  The first boy to catch a fish, wins.”

“You mean, Indian style?”  Benjamin asked.

“Sure,” Colton grinned.  “Why not?  What do you say, Deke?  Does that sound okay to you?”

Deke thought about it for a moment, scratching at the bristle on his chin.

“Seems harmless enough,” he concluded.

“Right then!”  Colton waved his arm, motioning for all the boys to follow him down to the lake.  The girls followed close behind, and soon they were gathered at the shore, and the boys pulled off their boots and rolled up their britches.  They waded knee-deep in the water and made a ruckus about how cold it was, or where the fish could be found.

“Spread out,” Colton told them.  “The fish won’t show themselves, if we’re all together.”

The girls watched as the boys made attempts to catch fish with their bare hands.  Deke stood close by, keeping an eye on the game.  Nobody seemed to notice that Colton had distanced himself from the rest of the boys, and found a place where he could hide behind some overhanging brush a few hundred yards from the rest of the group.

Colton pulled out some vials from his pants pocket.  Quickly, he managed to fill three of them, and put them back in his pocket, before Deke found him.

“Kinda muddy there, for fishing,” Deke remarked.

“Yeah,” Colton replied with a laugh.  “I nearly had me one, but he got away.  I guess I thrashed around too much, trying to get him.”

“Well, come on back and join the rest of the group,” Deke said.  “That Campbell fellow already got him a fish.”

“Did he, now?”  Colton stood up, hiding the remaining two vials behind him.  “That was fast.”

“It’s time to be heading back to town, anyway,” Deke said.

“I’ll be right with you, Deke,”  Colton told him.  “I think I’ll relieve myself here, out of view of the ladies, if you don’t mind.  I guess I can‘t hold my lemonade.”

“Don’t take too long.”

Colton waited until Deke was several feet away, then quickly filled the last two vials and tucked them into his pocket.  He climbed out of the lake and ran toward the rest of the group.

Deke tapped Delci on the elbow.  “I think that Colton Maddock is up to something.”

“What?”

Deke looked behind him to see that Colton was indeed on his way back to the party.

“I don’t know,” he said suspiciously.  “But I just have a bad feeling about him.”

Adelia heard what Deke said.  “I heard some of the girls from school, talking about their fathers working up here at the timber camp.  They said their parents were upset that the men had been sent home because of some trouble up here.  Do you think it might have anything to do with that?”

“You may have something, Adelia,” Deke kept his eyes on Colton, as the boy avoided the three of them to help gather up all the blankets and baskets into the wagons.

“Colton’s been very cool towards me today,” Delci noticed.  “For a boy who thinks  I’m a princess, he’s totally ignored me and all the other girls.”

Deke smiled.  “I’m not going to complain about that!  I wouldn’t mind having you all to myself!”

Delci blushed.  “Why, Deke!  I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“And why not?” Deke asked her.  “Are you not the prettiest girl here?  And the nicest one, as well.  Excluding yourself, Miss Adelia.”

He turned away to hitch the horses to the wagon, leaving Delci to think about what he said.

“Delci!” Adelia exclaimed.  “He’s in love with you!”

“No, he isn’t,” Delci blushed again.  “We’re just friends, is all.”

She turned away quickly, pretending to help with the chores, and Adelia crossed her arms and shook her head.

One of the boys approached Adelia.  “May I help you into the wagon, Miss?”

“Why, thank you, Jesse,” Adelia offered her hand, and the young man helped her into the wagon box.  “I think Delci and Deke want to sit by themselves, anyway.”

Jesse squirmed a bit.  “Gosh, Miss Adelia…if it weren’t for the fact that the boys have to sit in the other wagon, I’d be pleased if I could sit with you…that is, if you wouldn’t object.”

Adelia smiled.  “Perhaps you can call on me sometime?”

Jesse grinned and stood a little taller.

“May I, Miss Adelia?  Why thank you!  I will do just that!”  With a lighter step in his walk, the boy leaped into the other wagon and waved his hat at her, as the wagons began their journey back to Virginia City.

***   ***   ***

 

“Good job, son!” Mr. Maddock exclaimed, as Colton presented him with the vials.  “My boy, you’re going to make a fine partner in my new firm, one day.”

“Thank you, sir,” Colton shook his father’s hand.

“I’ll send these to the assayer at once.”

Mr. Maddock took another look at his son.  “And perhaps you should change out of those muddy duds before your mother sees you.”

“Yes, sir.”

***   ***   ***

 

Clem Foster and his deputies rode alongside the loggers as they returned to the timber camp.  He made sure none of them were armed, nor carried anything other than their tools.  They reached the camp by dawn.  The Cartwrights were already there, along with Deke, Bronc, Harley and Cookie.  Although the two older men were no longer in their prime, they still looked formidable.  But the Cartwrights and their foreman meant to intimidate the crew.

“Let’s get back to work!”  Ben bellowed.  As the men headed for the tall ponderosa pines with their axes and saws, Clem rode up next to Ben.

“We’ll be happy to stick around for a bit,” the sheriff offered.  “Make sure they’re settled down.”

“I think I made my point last week,” Ben told his friend.  “As long as they believe the mud is worthless, I think they’ll concentrate on their work.”

“Well, just so you know,” Clem leaned forward, “Oliver Maddock is still stirring up rumors about silver ore being found in the mud.  Somehow he got hold of some of that mud and took it to the assayer’s office.  Or so he said.  Could be, he got the mud from somewhere else.”

Deke walked up as the sheriff was speaking.  “I think I know how Maddock got that mud, Mr. Cartwright.  I can’t prove nothing, but that Colton Maddock was messing around in the lake at the picnic.  He got everybody to play like they were fishing Indian style, sort of a contest to see who could catch the first fish.  But I caught him up by himself behind some manzanita bushes, acting mighty suspicious.  If I had known what he was up to…”

Deke made a face and turned away.  “I let you down, Mr. Cartwright.  I’m sorry.”

“You had no way of knowing, Deke,” Ben assured him.  “But now we know what we’re up against.”

“That boy used Delci to do this!”  Deke spat on the ground.  “That no good…”

“Well, what’s done is done,” Clem pushed back his hat.  “Maybe I’d better keep a closer eye on Maddock.  If he’s using his son to get to the young lady, knowing her connections with the Cartwrights, then he’s capable of a lot of things.”

“You’re right, Clem,”  Ben said.  “Deke, let’s go warn my sons.”

***   ***   ***

 

As the men returned to work after their lunch break, Adam heard horses approaching.  He looked to the east and saw three men riding toward the camp.  He alerted his father and his brothers.

One of the riders was Oliver Maddock.

“Good afternoon, Cartwrights,” Maddock dismounted his horse.  “It’s been quite some time since I rode in a saddle.  One gets used to buggies, when one lives in town.”

“State your business, Maddock,” Ben Cartwright placed his hands on his hips.  “Let’s not waste time.  I‘ll tell you again, this area has no silver, if that‘s what you‘re after.”

“Now, Ben, we’re reasonable men,”  Maddock attempted to put his arm across Ben’s shoulders, but Ben pulled away.  “I happen to know for a fact that the shore of this lake is teeming with silver ore.”

Hoss spoke up.  “We know you used Delci Fuller, in order to have your son get some mud samples.”

“Oh, yes,” Joe added.  “We know all about your scheme.”

Ben gave his sons a warning look that meant for them to keep quiet.  Adam stepped closer to his father, his hand resting on the grip of his gun.  Deke and Bronc moved forward, as well.

Maddock observed their intentions.  “Gentlemen, gentlemen…let us not become hostile towards one another.  There’s no need for brutality here.”

“Then turn around and go back to Virginia City,” Ben advised him.  “And there will be no need for violence.”

“Now, Ben,” Maddock derided him.  “Why don’t you come into town, where we can discuss the future of this rich deposit of silver over a few drinks?  I’m sure we can come to an amicable arrangement.  You and I both know this lakeshore is very rich in silver.”

Ben frowned.

“Don’t we?”  Maddock knew he had Ben’s attention.

“Listen to me good, Maddock,” Ben pointed a finger at the man, nearly poking him in the eye.  “This is my land!  Ponderosa land!  You will not conduct any mining here whatsoever.  This is a watershed!  Do you know what happens to a watershed when the drainage from a mine contaminates the water?  The entire area is destroyed!  All the wildlife, all the trees, all the land depends on the purity of that watershed!  I won’t have it!  Not in my lifetime!”

“Or ours,” Adam added.

“Lives can be shortened very quickly out here,” Maddock quipped.

“Don’t threaten me or my sons, Maddock!”  Ben advised him.  “Just remember, your life can be shortened just as easily.  You aren’t the first man to come against me over matters like this, but you’ll soon learn that no one has ever succeeded.”

“Now, I suggest you get back on your horse and ride off, before my brothers and I decide to help you.”

Adam moved toward the man and he quickly turned away and mounted his horse.

“You haven’t heard the last of me, Cartwright!”

Joe started to shout something in turn, but Ben held him back.

“No, Joseph,” Ben said. “It will do no good to get into a shouting match.”

“It would make me feel better, having the last word!”  Joe went back toward the chuck wagon and Hoss followed behind him.

“What do you think we should do next, Pa?”  Adam asked.

“There is nothing to do,” Ben answered.  “Until we see what Maddock tries next.”

Ben started to walk away, then turned back to Adam.

“I think you’d better ride into town and let Clem know about Maddock’s visit.”

“Right, Pa,” Adam started toward his horse.

“And Adam,” Ben continued.  “You’d better wire Fort McDermit, and alert Captain Wells that we may need help.”

***   ***   ***

 

“You wanted to see me, Father?”  Colton entered the library where his father sat behind a desk, brooding over papers.

“Yes, son,”  Maddock said.  “Cartwright is being stubborn.  But he will have to surrender, by the time I’m through with him!”

“You have a plan, Father?”  Colton sat down and folded his hands in his lap.

“I do, and I will need your help to make it work.”

Maddock sat down behind his desk and put his papers together.  He tapped them on the desk to straighten them.

“I’m getting some men together,” Maddock told his son.  “About a hundred of them.  Maybe more.  But we’ll need a distraction, and that’s where I will need your help.”

Colton got up and placed his hands spread out across his father’s desk.

“Just tell me what to do, Father.”

Maddock smiled and ruffled his son’s hair.

“I knew I could count on you, Son,” Maddock sat back in his chair.  “We’re going to need a distraction.  Something to get the Cartwrights to leave the timber camp and as far away as possible, while I lead my men in place.”

“I think I know just how to create such a diversion,” Colton nodded.  “You just leave it to me.”

***   ***   ***

 

Mrs. Shepard opened the door.

“Why, hello, young man,”  Emaline greeted him.  “How may I help you?”

“Pardon my intrusion, Mrs. Shepard,”  the boy took his hat off and brushed his hand through his hair.  “I’m Jesse Haines, and I think you know Miss Adelia Mullins over there.”

Emaline looked across the yard and saw Adelia sitting on a horse, holding the reins of the young man’s horse.

“Good morning, Adelia,”  Emaline waved.

“Good morning, Mrs. Shepard,” Adelia called back.

Jesse continued.  “We was…I mean, we were wondering if Miss Delci could go riding with us.”

“Why don’t we ask her?”  Emaline turned to look up the staircase.  “Delci, your friends are here.”

Delci descended quickly.

“Hello, Jesse,”  She greeted him warmly.  “How are you?  Is Adelia with you?”

“Yes’m, she’s right out here in front.”

“Jesse and Adelia came to invite you to go riding with them,” Mrs. Shepard explained.  “Where will you be riding, Jesse?”

“Up toward Silver Strike Farm,” Jesse told her.  “We won’t be more’n an hour or two.”

“I’d love to go!”  Delci squealed.  “May I?”

Emaline nodded.

“I’ll go tell Father,” Delci picked up her skirt and ran into her father’s room.  “I’ll be just a minute!”

Mrs. Shepard laughed.  “Jesse, why don’t you head over to the livery and saddle up Delci’s horse?  She’ll be along in a few minutes.”

“Yes’m,” Jesse turned and hopped off the porch.

“I’ll tell Delci to meet you at the livery,” Mrs. Shepard called out to the young people.

Jesse mounted his horse, and took the reins from Adelia.  She waved at Mrs. Shepard as they trotted toward the livery stable.

“Where are they going?” Delci asked, out of breath.  “They didn’t wait for me?”

“They went ahead to saddle your horse for you,” Mrs. Shepard explained.  “Run along, and have fun.”

Delci arrived at the livery and found Jesse and Adelia were cinching up the saddle on Strawberry.

“Here she is!”  Adelia said.

The trio brought their horses out of the barn and Jesse helped the girls climb up into their saddles.  He mounted his own and the three of them turned toward the north road out of town.

Just as the town disappeared behind them, they came upon a horse and a rider on the ground.

“It’s Colton!” Jesse shouted and galloped toward the young man.  “Colton!  Are you all right?”

Colton groaned as Jesse dismounted and the girls rode up closer.  Jesse gave Colton a quick examination.

“Where are you hurt, Colt?”  Jesse asked.

“Jesse?” Colton whispered.  “Is that you?”

“Colton!” Delci grabbed her canteen and brought it to the young man’s lips.  “What happened to you?”

“A snake spooked my horse,” Colton muttered.  “I hit the ground…can’t feel my legs!”

“Oh, no!”  Adelia cried, clutching her hands to her mouth to keep from alarming the young man.

“Go get my father,” Colton asked Jesse.  “Delci can stay with me, while you get help.”

“Will you be all right out here by yourselves, Delci?”  Jesse asked.

“Yes,” Delci answered.  “Have Adelia fetch Mrs. Shepard, while you go find Mr. Maddock.  I’ll take care of Colton, until you get back.”

“Good thing we aren’t that far from town!”  Jesse and Adelia climbed up on their horses and ran off down the road.

“Don’t worry, Colton,” Delci assured the boy.  “Help will be here soon!  You’ll be all right.”

“I feel a little better,” Colton said.  “Look, I can move my legs again.  Will you help me sit up?”

Delci got behind Colton and helped him sit up against a boulder.

“You must have fallen on this boulder when your horse threw you,” Delci surmised.

“Perhaps,” Colton said.  “It’s all a blur.  But I’m feeling better.”

“Good,” Delci said.  “We were all worried about you.”

“I think there’s a cabin just a stone’s throw away from here,” Colton pulled himself up to a more comfortable position.  “Perhaps someone is there who could help?  Will you help me over to the cabin?”

“You just sit still and wait for the doctor!” Delci ordered.

Colton surprised her when he stood up and dusted himself off.  “No, I think we’d better go to the cabin, where I can lie down and rest comfortably.”

“Why, you’re not injured at all!”  Delci fumed.  “It was all a ruse!  Just what are you up to, Colton Maddock?”

“I’m feeling rather dizzy, Delci,”  Colton lied.  “I want to go to that cabin and lay down.  Let’s go find that cabin.”

He grabbed her wrist and made her get up on his horse, then grabbed Strawberry’s reins and climbed into the saddle behind her.  Digging his heels into the horse’s hindquarters, they went off to the northwest, along a narrow and rarely traveled road.

***   ***   ***

 

“Ben!” Emaline called out when she saw the Cartwrights come out of the sheriff’s office and get on their horses.

“Ben!  Come quick!”  She called again.  “Delci is missing.  She may be with the Maddock boy!  We can‘t seem to find them, and Ethan is very upset that he can‘t leave the house to go look for her!”

“Emaline, we were just getting ready to ride back to the Ponderosa,” Ben explained.  “There’s a battle brewing up at the timber camp.  We have to get back there before anyone is hurt.”

“I can go look for her, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke offered.

“One of us can go with him,” Hoss suggested.  “Little Joe’s a real good tracker.”

“Hoss, I’ll need you and your brothers to come with me,” Ben said.  “Deke, I’ll spare you, but I’ll need you up at the camp as soon as you find Delci.  And don’t you go getting yourself in trouble with that boy, you hear me?”

“I hear you, Mr. Cartwright,” Deke promised.  “I guarantee that boy won’t be any trouble at all, especially if he’s laid one hand on Delci.”

“All right,” Ben said, organizing his sons.  “Emaline, you go back and tell Ethan that Deke will find Delci.  It will be a couple of hours before the cavalry gets here, and another hour before Sheriff Foster can round up some men to help us.  It seems a lot of men in town have been hired by Maddock to raid our timber camp.  We have to get up there and stop them, if we can.”

“Take care of yourself, Ben,” Emaline shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked up at her friend.  “I’ll be praying for all of you.”

Ben and his sons rode south, back toward the Ponderosa.

Deke placed a reassuring hand on Mrs. Shepard’s shoulder.  “Don’t you worry about a thing, ma’am.  I’ll find Delci, you can count on it.  And the Cartwrights will manage to keep Maddock’s men at bay.”

Emaline reached for the boy’s hand.  “Thank you, Deke.  They went north, up toward Silver Strike Farm.  Hurry!”

She watched as he jumped into his saddle and galloped toward the north end of town.

Deke spotted Jesse and some other men and boys.

“Hey, Deke,” Jesse greeted him.  “This is where we left them.  We figure they went east toward the canyon.  Lots of caves along there.”

Deke dismounted and looked around the outer perimeter where the riders gathered.  A bright color behind an outlying sagebrush caught his attention.  He scurried to the bush and bent over to pick it up.  It was a silk scarf, similar to the one he saw banded around Delci’s straw hat at church one Sunday.

He looked around, closer to the ground and spotted tracks.  Two horses, going towards the north west.

“No, I think they went up this road,” Deke held out the scarf for all to see.  “I think Delci dropped this on purpose to show us the way.  Come on!”

Deke led the others, keeping them behind him, so that he could follow the tracks.  The trail was narrow and, in some places, steep and rocky, and some of the searchers opted to turn back toward town.  It was going to be dark in a couple of hours.

Deke focused on keeping the tracks in sight.

“How far do you think they’ve gone?”  Jesse asked him when they stopped at a spring to water the horses.

“No telling,” Deke said.  “We just have to keep on the trail until we find the end of it, or them.”

“Some of the boys think we might be ambushed,” Jesse admitted.  “They want to go back to Virginia City.”

“What do you think?” Deke asked him point blank.

“I think, if it was my girl, I’d keep going,” Jesse said matter-of-factly.  “But I also think if we were heading into an ambush, there’s more chance of us getting out of it, if we all stick together.  But these boys, they’re not used to fighting and only a few of them have guns.  We might be better off, just the two of us, and letting the rest go back.  I’d rather take my chances that we’ve only got Maddock to contend with.”

“I think you’re right,” Deke told him.  “I think Colton’s father has all his men headed up to fight the Cartwrights at the Ponderosa.  I think Colton’s job was to use Delci to pull men away from that fight, to make the odds better for his father.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time a boy took advantage of a girl,” Jesse said, hoping not to upset Deke more than he was.

“If he’s harmed her in any way,” Deke pledged, “I just may have to hurt him worse!”

***   ***   ***

 

A bullet ricocheted off a rock and hit Hoss in the calf of his right leg.

“Ow!”  Hoss shouted.  He peeked over the boulder shielding him from the battle and fired off several rounds in rapid succession, before settling back to reload his revolver.

Little Joe grinned.  “What got you so all fired up?”

“Dag nab it!  I’m shot in the leg!” Hoss said angrily.  “Just made me mad.”

“Let me have a look,” Joe bent over to examine Hoss’s wound.

“I’m all right, Joe,” Hoss was testy.  “Just a knick.”

Joe pulled a bandana from the pocket of his jacked and tied it around the wound.

“For a knick, that little bugger is bleeding a lot,” Joe told his brother.  “That will keep you from losing too much blood.”

“Thanks, little brother,” Hoss said.  Peering towards their enemies, he fired off a few well aimed rounds, then picked up his Henry repeating rifle and emptied the sixteen rounds in its tube magazine.

Joe fired his weapon as well.  “Maddock sure got his war, didn’t he?”

Hoss looked over at their father and brother, Adam.  The men were also fiercely engaged in the fight.  He cast a glance over at Bronc, Harley and Cookie.  They were holding their own.  Some of the cowboys from their cattle drives were also hidden behind trees and boulders, assisting the Cartwrights against the army of men Maddock had hired to force Ben to give up the mining rights.  On the south flank, he could see Sheriff Foster and his deputies holding their line.

“Pa, you got enough ammunition over there?”  Hoss called out to his father.

“You need a box?” Adam called back.

“Sure,” Joe said.  “Toss us a couple, if you can spare them.

As Adam fired his weapons for cover, Ben pitched two boxes of bullets over to his younger sons.  Joe caught them, while Hoss shot cover to protect him.

Ben leaned back into the safety of the rocks to reload his own Colt revolver, while Adam continued shooting toward the hired gunfighters.

“I don’t see how Maddock figured this would convince you to turn over the mineral rights,” Adam remarked.

“He figures, if we’re all dead, he can move in and take what he wants,” Ben replied.  “You can bet, he’s nowhere near here.”

“Yeah, I noticed that,” Adam said.  He sat back to reload, while his father shot at the gunmen.

A bugle call sounded close by.

“The cavalry!” Hoss called out to his father.

“Music to my ears,” Ben mused, continuing to fire his weapon at their assailants.

Captain Wells and his men were approaching rapidly, their horses leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.  The hired gunmen saw that they were now outnumbered, and began to pull back, firing ferociously at the soldiers in a last ditch effort.  The soldiers attacked, giving the Cartwrights and their men a chance to breathe.

Some of the gunfighters were killed, some were captured and taken prisoner.  Many men on both sides lay dead on the ground.

When the fighting was over, Captain Wells approached the Cartwrights.

“Sorry we couldn’t have gotten here sooner, Ben,” the captain tipped his hat.

“We’re very grateful you came, Captain,” Ben put his revolver back in his gun belt.  “We’ve lost a few good men here today, but it would have been worse, if you hadn’t come.”

“We’ll take these prisoners back to the fort with us,” Captain Wells advised him.  “I don’t think your local jail could house them all.”

Clem Foster strode up to the men as they spoke.   His arm was bleeding badly from a wound near his shoulder.

“That’s much appreciated,” the sheriff told him.  “Besides, I’ve got another prisoner to house there, and he wouldn’t like being cooped up with the likes of these fellows.”

“Pa, don’t you think we should go see about Delci?” Hoss asked.

Ben looked at his injured son.  “I’ll send Adam and Joseph,” Ben answered.  “We need to get your leg looked after, and see to the injuries of these other men.”

“Oh, I’m all right, Pa,” Hoss insisted.  “Why, it’s barely a scratch.”

Ben took a closer look.  “No, you need to get the bullet out of your leg, son.”

“Wha-a-a-t?”

“That’s more than a scratch, Hoss,” Adam nodded.

“You’re hit worse than you thought,” Joe added.  “I didn’t tell you, ‘cause I didn’t want you to worry about it too much.”

“But it don’t barely hurt a bit!” Hoss argued.  He stamped his foot for emphasis.

“Ow!”  Hoss screamed in pain.  The medic from the cavalry unit came over to see about Hoss.

“Right this way, sir,” the medic led Hoss toward his wagon.  “We’ll get you fixed up.”

Joe followed after his brother, teasing him as they made their way to the medical wagon.

Bronc walked up to the Cartwrights with a somber look on his face.

“We lost Guevara, Morgan and Brady,” the foreman informed them.  “Might lose Henson, too, and Jeb Green is badly hurt.”

“Will Jeb be all right?”  Ben asked.

“Hard to say,” Bronc answered.  “But Harley caught a shell in his ribs.  That army doc thinks he’ll be okay.  But it don‘t look good for Henson.  Got a stomach wound.  Lost a lot of blood.  I‘m surprised he‘s still breathing.”

“Sad to lose such good men,”  Ben sighed.  “I’m glad it’s over. Good to hear about Harley, though.  I‘ll be over to see him in a minute.”

“Was anyone else hurt?” Adam asked.

“One of my deputies got hit in the foot,” Clem said.  “Other than that, I’m surprised we came out as well as we did.  That was a lot of fire power Maddock sent you.  He won‘t get away with it, though.  The west isn‘t as wild as he thinks it is.”

“Wild enough!” Adam slapped his thigh.  “I’ll get Joe, and we’ll head back to Virginia City to see about Delci, Pa.”

Ben nodded his approval, then went to see about the dead and wounded.

***   ***   ***

 

Jesse and Deke crept up behind the cabin they found in a small, hidden gulch.  A light was shining through windows flanking the only door in the front.

Deke motioned for Jesse to work his way around the right side of the cabin, while he approached from the left.  Each man moves stealthily towards the two windows.

Jesse stole a glance through the window first.  He nodded to Deke, signaling that he had spotted either Delci or Colton.  Both young men crouched and crawled under the windows as silently as they could, before standing upright in front of the door.  Deke had his gun drawn, ready to defend, if it came to it, and hoping Colton wouldn’t be stupid enough to fight fire with fire.

Deke raised his foot and kicked in the door.

Colton jumped in alarm, stunned that anyone had found them.

“Deke!” Delci shrieked and ran to her friend.  Jesse quickly entered the room and made sure Colton didn’t make any sudden moves.

Deke welcomed the girl into his arm, still holding the gun on Colton, and keeping a sharp eye on him.

“Are you all right, Delci?”  He asked.

“Yes,” Delci cried softly.

“He didn’t hurt you, none, Miss Delci?” Jesse asked.

“No, I’m fine,” she assured them.

“Now, listen fellows,”  Colton attempted to explain, but Jesse pushed him into a chair.

“You shut up!” Jesse warned him.  “You’re in a heap of trouble, Maddock!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, friend,” Colton sheepishly chuckled.

“I ain’t your friend, Maddock!” Jesse said firmly, as he whipped a bandana out of his pockets and forcefully tied Colton’s hands behind his back.

Deke put his gun back in the holster and gave Delci a proper embrace, kissing her hair, and then her forehead.

“I was so worried,” Deke whispered in her ear.  “I would have killed him, if he had done anything to hurt you.”

Delci looked up at Deke, now understanding the depth of his affection for her.  She reached up and ran her fingers from his cheek to his chin.

“I wasn’t going to let him,” she told him.

Deke scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the cabin.  Setting her back on the ground, out of sight of the others, he took her head gently in his strong hands and kissed her.  It was a long, lingering kiss, full of relief that she was safe, and full of promise for their future together.

***   ***   ***

 

The trial had ended, with both Colton and Oliver Maddock sentenced to prison on several indictments of conspiracy, kidnapping and other charges, felonious and miscellaneous.  It would be a long time before their hard labor would allow them freedom again.

Judith Maddock quickly sold their luxurious manse and returned to San Francisco.  Peace reigned once again in Virginia City and at the Ponderosa.

Music and laughter filled the yard in front of the Cartwright home, as a celebration took place.

Ben raised a glass of champagne and offered a toast.

“Here’s to the happy couple,”  He began.  “May your days be long together, may your hearts be filled with love, and may your home always be filled with joy!”

“Hear, hear!” Joe shouted and everyone clinked their glasses together.

Ethan Fuller, standing tall and healthy, kissed his beautiful bride, and Emaline glowed with happiness.

The guests all clapped their approval and swarmed the happy couple to shower them with affection and good wishes.

Ben, Adam, Hoss and Joe stood on the sidelines and gazed at the scene.  The musicians struck up a happy tune, and soon, the boys each found a pretty young lady to dance with.

No one was happier than Delci.  With her father married to the most wonderful woman she had ever known, and Deke by her side, the young woman stood back to enjoy this special moment.

One day, it would be her wedding, and Deke would become her husband.  But that would be later, as she promised her father and new mother.  The time would pass quickly, as Deke fulfilled his plans to save money for a farm and house all their own.  A place he would be proud to give his future wife, and where they would raise their children, just as he always dreamed.

And now, it was Delci’s dream, too.

 

THE END

 

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright