Summary:  The Cartwrights battle to save Joe’s life when his foot becomes trapped in between railway lines

Rated: K (10,950 words)

 

Race Against Time

‘Joseph!’  Ben Cartwright gave his youngest son a frustrated look that betrayed his feelings towards the young man’s behaviour.  It had been a long day and Ben was in no mood for his son’s tricks, especially when it involved his brothers. ‘Must you?’

 

 

 

Joe turned in the saddle and gave his father a cheeky grin. ‘I guess not Pa,’ he said. ‘Only it’s such fun you know.’  He slid sideways and tried to grab hold of Hoss’ hat again, but his brother this time had one hand firmly planted on top of it while he held onto the reins with the other.

 

 

 

‘Quit it Joe,’ Hoss grumbled, just as tired and weary as his father. ‘It ain’t funny no more.’

 

 

 

Joe gave one of his unmistakeable giggles and squirmed around in his saddle to see where Adam was. Ben wondered for the tenth time that day where the boy got his energy from.  All four Cartwrights had been in the saddle since dawn and it was nearly sunset now.  Whereas everyone else seemed bone weary, Joe bounced around as if he had just got up from a good night’s rest.  Ben supposed that it was one of the advantages of youth, but he honestly couldn’t remember having half as much energy when he’d been Joe’s age.  He shook his head and pulled his hat down over his eyes to shield them from the setting sun as he trudged along beside Hoss on their way home, while behind them he could hear Joe’s giggle again.

 

 

 

‘I suppose you think that’s funny?’ asked Adam in his dry way as he reached out and snatched his hat back from his youngest brother.

 

 

 

‘You said it older brother,’ giggled Joe gleefully. ‘Guess no one is quick enough for me round here.’

 

 

 

Adam lifted an eyebrow and said nothing, for from experience he knew that Joe might just stop his childish games if he were ignored for a while.  He looked straight ahead and narrowed his eyes as he spied something in the distance. Sitting up straight in the saddle he peered at the unusual sight before them before giving a tired sigh. ‘Pa?’ he said. ‘Look.’

 

 

 

Ben looked to where his son was pointing and saw one of their cows standing a short distance away from the trail on which they were riding. The animal was obviously in some sort of distress, but for the life of him Ben couldn’t see why. From the bellowing noises it was making it was well and truly stuck in the bushes beside the railway track and Ben shook his head wearily. ‘What’s the matter with it?’ he asked. ‘Joseph, stop it!’

 

 

 

Joe stopped reaching for Hoss’ hat and turned to his father. ‘What’s the matter with what?’ he asked and then saw what his father and brother were looking at. ‘Stupid cow!’ he said.

 

 

 

Hoss glared at his brother. ‘Quit it Joe,’ he said tersely over the noise of the bellowing animal. ‘Poor thing can’t help it. It’s stuck on something in them bushes. I’ll get it Pa.’ He urged his horse across the railways tracks and forward towards the cow, speaking softly to it as he did. ‘I’m gonna need some help!’ he yelled over his shoulder as he approached the animal and saw what was wrong. ‘It’s real stuck … tangled in them bushes somehow.’

 

 

 

‘Joseph, go and help your brother,’ instructed Ben. ‘Put some of that energy you have to good use for a change.’

 

 

 

‘Sure thing Pa,’ said Joe with a grin and trotted off after Hoss happily as his father and Adam sat wearily on their horses behind him and waited.  Joe dismounted beside Hoss and gave the cow a disgusted look. ‘Stupid cow!’ he repeated. ‘How dumb to get itself caught in there!’  He gestured to the bush in which the cow was entangled. ‘What’s it stuck on Hoss?’

 

 

 

‘Its foot is caught in part of this old railway line,’ said Hoss. ‘Hang on.’  He bent down and tenderly felt along the cow’s leg. ‘Get behind there Joe and pull on it,’ he instructed.  Joe did as he was bid. ‘Hey Hoss?’ he said as he did so.

 

 

 

‘What?’ grunted Hoss as he pushed the cow from behind.

 

 

 

‘How come this line ain’t used no more?’

 

 

 

Hoss gave one more grunt as he gave the cow an almighty push that sent Joe sprawling on his back. ‘Hey!’ shouted the youngest Cartwright. ‘What’d ya do that for?’

 

 

 

‘Sorry Joe,’ said Hoss with a grin as he put out a hand and pulled his younger brother to his feet. ‘Sometimes I forget my own strength.’  He looked at the cow in satisfaction as it trotted away. ‘Least it got free anyhow.’

 

 

 

Joe dusted himself off. ‘Hmph!’ he said. ‘What kind of stupid cow would get its foot stuck in there anyways?’ he grumbled. ‘Well?  You ain’t answered my question yet.’

 

 

 

Hoss picked up his hat and dusted it off before replacing it on his head. ‘What question?’ he said. ‘Come on.’

 

 

 

‘Are you two finished down there?’ yelled their father. ‘Hurry up!’

 

 

 

‘Coming Pa!’ shouted Joe. ‘I asked you bout the railway line,’ he said as he followed Hoss back towards their horses. ‘How come that part ain’t used no more?’

 

 

 

‘Used to service the old Atkins mine up in them hills,’ replied Hoss, pointing towards the hills to the west. ‘Got closed when the mine failed I reckon.’

 

 

 

Joe looked down at his feet and noticed where the rusty line met the highly polished silver one at the junction where he was standing. ‘This where the trains would go back up there from the main line?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘They wouldn’t have sent a whole train up there stupid,’ he said. ‘Just a couple of flat cars I reckon. The main train woulda met it here.’  He looked into the distant mountains. ‘Ya know Joe, when Pa first come here with Adam and me when we was little kids there was no such thing as a railroad even thought of.  I reckon we’ve come a long way since then huh?’

 

 

 

Joe shrugged in a disinterested fashion. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘Maybe.’

 

 

 

‘What do ya mean maybe?’ asked Hoss crossly. ‘The railroad has opened up lots of this land ta people that wouldn’t normally be here otherwise.’

 

 

 

‘Not to mention making our lives a lot easier,’ added Adam as the two brothers led their horses up to their father and brother again. ‘One day maybe we’ll be able to ship all our freight on the railroad.’  His eyes took on a faraway look that his father and brothers knew well.  Adam had always had a fascination for railroads and many times had persuaded his father to invest in them.  It was Adam who had talked his father into negotiating with the railroad company when the tracks were being laid to have a spur line placed right here on The Ponderosa. It wasn’t used enough for them to ship all their freight as yet, but the times would come when it would be.

 

 

 

‘Well I don’t know about any of that,’ said Joe as he got back onto his horse and gave Adam a grin. ‘All I know is that the lines are one more thing for dumb cows to get stuck in.’

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. ‘One day you might appreciate …’ he began, but his words were cut off by an exclamation from Hoss.

 

 

 

‘Quit it Joe!’ his middle brother yelled in exasperation as Joe reached over, swiped his hat off his head yet again and flung it onto the ground where the wind promptly whipped it up and sent it down the slope that they’d just climbed.

 

 

 

Ben turned in frustration. ‘Joseph!’ he exclaimed. ‘I’m sick and tired of telling you to stop it!’ Joe gave his father an apologetic look, while at the same time managing to nimbly step his horse away from Hoss’ reach. ‘Get down there and pick up your brother’s hat,’ said Ben angrily. ‘And hurry up! We should have been home half an hour ago!’

 

 

 

Joe got down from his horse quickly and scurried down the slope, watched by his father and brothers. ‘I’m sick of him and his tricks,’ muttered Hoss angrily. ‘Why can’t he just grow up and act his age?’

 

 

 

‘That’s the problem son,’ replied his father wearily. ‘He is acting his age.’  He shook his head. ‘Sometimes I feel like I’m too old to deal with a youngster like Joe.’

 

 

 

‘Aw come on Pa,’ said Adam. ‘You must admit that neither Hoss nor I were like that at his age.  Joe’s just plain obnoxious at times.’  He pointed down the slope to where his brother was crouched on the ground. ‘See?  Even now he’s taking his time just to rile us.’  He stood up in his saddle and glared down the hill. ‘Would you hurry up?’ he shouted. ‘Get a move on!’

 

 

 

Joe looked over his shoulder. ‘I can’t!’ he yelled back. ‘My foot’s stuck!’

 

 

 

Hoss rolled his eyes. ‘Aw come on Joe!’ he shouted. ‘Quit playing around will ya?  The joke is over!’

 

 

 

‘I ain’t kidding!’ shouted back Joe. ‘It’s stuck!  Come and help me Hoss!’

 

 

 

Hoss looked at his father who motioned with his hand. ‘You’d better get down there son,’ he said. ‘And please hurry up.  I need a hot bath and a good meal.’

 

 

 

Hoss got down from his horse again, muttering under his breath. ‘If that darn fool ain’t serious then I’m gonna clobber him!’ he declared as he began his descent down the slope again. ‘What fool thing ya done now?’ he said testily as he came up behind his younger brother who was still crouched on the ground.  He looked over his shoulder and saw that the youngster’s foot was indeed stuck … wedged between the two railroad lines where the spur line met the main line. He began to chuckle. ‘Well who’s as dumb as a stupid cow now?’ he said with glee. ‘Reckon you are, huh little brother?’

 

 

 

Joe glared up at him. ‘Very funny!’ he said. ‘Will you just help me get it outta here please?’  He tugged on his ankle again. ‘Ow!’ he said. ‘Hurry up Hoss.  It hurts!’

 

 

 

‘Serves ya right for all them tricks,’ muttered Hoss as he bent over his brother and began to pull on his ankle as well. ‘Hold still a minute.’

 

 

 

‘Ow!’ said Joe again and pushed Hoss away. ‘It hurts!  Don’t do that!’

 

 

 

Hoss frowned as the foot that was wedged between the lines. ‘I reckon its stuck fast Joe,’ he said. ‘Guess you’ll haveta stay there then huh?’  He grinned at his younger brother, but quickly changed the look to one of concern as he saw the look on Joe’s face. ‘It’s really hurting huh?’ he said in a milder tone.

 

 

 

‘Yes!’ said Joe between gritted teeth. ‘Make all the stupid cow jokes you want older brother, but just get me outta here first, will ya?’  He bent down to try and pull his foot free again while Hoss studied it.

 

 

 

‘Hoss!’ called their father from the top of the hill. ‘Joseph! Will you both hurry up please?’

 

 

 

Hoss turned to face his father. ‘I’m gonna need help Pa,’ he called.

 

 

 

Ben and Adam got down from their horses and began to climb down the hill. ‘What’s he done now,’ said Adam as they approached.  He glanced down at Joe’s foot in the railroad line and rolled his eyes. ‘Seems like you’re ….’

 

 

 

Joe glared at him. ‘I’ve already heard the stupid cow jokes,’ he said angrily. ‘Just get it out will ya?’

 

 

 

Adam gave a short chuckle and bent over his brother with Hoss. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘You hold onto his ankle Hoss and I’ll hang on further up his leg here.’

 

 

 

Both brothers began to pull on Joe’s leg while their father watched silently from behind.  Suddenly Joe threw his head back and yelled. ‘Don’t!’ he shouted. ‘Leave it alone!’

 

 

 

Both brothers let go of his leg, while Ben pushed them aside and knelt next to his youngest son. ‘Joe?’ he said. ‘What is it?’

 

 

 

‘I dunno,’ said Joe, trying not to cry. ‘But it really hurts Pa.  It feels like there’s something sticking into it under the rail.’

 

 

 

Ben looked down and saw blood seeping down his son’s boot. He patted Joe on the shoulder. ‘It could be a nail under there,’ he said. ‘Just relax son and we’ll get you out.’  He looked up at his other two sons. ‘I think we’re going to need a crowbar to loosen this rail,’ he said. ‘One of you ride back to the house and get one.’

 

 

 

‘That’s going to take forever,’ said Joe petulantly. ‘Can’t Hoss just loosen it?’

 

 

 

‘I might be strong shortshanks, but I ain’t that strong,’ said Hoss. ‘I’ll go and get it Pa.’  He slithered up the hill.

 

 

 

‘Hurry up!’ called Joe. ‘It hurts something awful Hoss!’

 

 

 

Ben patted Joe on the shoulder again. ‘Just sit still,’ he instructed him. ‘The more you move around, then the more you might drive that nail into it.’ He looked up at Adam. ‘Get the canteen please son,’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam nodded and followed Hoss up the hill. ‘I guess I am just like that stupid cow!’ muttered Joe.

 

 

 

‘What exactly happened?’ asked Ben, sitting beside him.

 

 

 

‘I dunno,’ Joe shrugged, glaring at his foot. ‘I just didn’t look where my feet were going I guess.  I was too busy looking for Hoss’ hat and I didn’t notice the two lines coming together.’  He stared down at the railroad line. ‘Who’da thought I’d get stuck in between them?’  He looked up at his father and Ben noticed the unshed tears that he was trying desperately to control. ‘I’m sorry Pa.  I know you wanna get home quickly.’

 

 

 

Ben smiled at his son. ‘The main thing is to get you out of here,’ he said. ‘When we get home though I’ll sure give you a piece of my mind young man,’ he joked, wanting to take Joe’s mind off the situation.

 

 

 

Joe gave his father a wan smile, but Ben noticed the frown that flitted across his forehead as a wave of pain washed over him. ‘Keep still,’ he said again. ‘Hoss won’t be long.’

 

 

 

Here,’ said Adam as he slithered back down to them again and held the canteen out to Joe.

 

 

 

‘Thanks,’ said Joe gratefully and took a long swallow before handing it back again. He lay back on his elbows and bit his lip trying not to groan at the pain that was intensifying with every minute. ‘I reckon I’ve spoilt things huh?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘So what’s new?’ said Adam as he also sat down beside his brother. ‘You usually do.’

 

 

 

Joe tried to smile at him, but the smile turned to a gasp. ‘Ow!’ he said. ‘It’s really beginning to hurt now.’

 

 

 

Ben examined his son’s foot. ‘You’re twisting it sideways sitting like that,’ he said. ‘Move towards this way and it should ease the pain … Better?’ he asked as Joe did as he was told.

 

 

 

Joe nodded. ‘A bit,’ he said and then looked up the hill anxiously. ‘I sure wish that Hoss would hurry.’

 

 

 

‘He’ll be here as soon as he can,’ Ben assured him.  He glanced anxiously at Adam who shook his head slightly.  They both knew that it would take Hoss at least an hour to get home and back again.  An hour that would seem to be extremely long to all of them.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

By the time Hoss did return with the crowbar, Joe was long past the stage where he could hide the pain from any of them.  Hoss found his brother lying on the ground and his father murmuring soothing words to him while Adam anxiously scanned the horizon for his brother. ‘Thank goodness,’ said Adam fervently as Hoss dismounted. ‘We’ve got to get him out of there quickly Hoss.  His foot is giving him a lot of trouble.’

 

 

 

‘This’ll do it,’ said Hoss grimly, holding up the crowbar. Both brothers slid down the slope again.

 

 

 

‘Joe?’ said Ben as he watched them approach. ‘Your brother is here son.  We’ll soon have you out of there.’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes slightly and looked up the hill. ‘Good,’ he murmured and then shut them again.

 

 

 

‘This’ll loosen that rail Joe,’ said Hoss. ‘Hang on little buddy.’

 

 

 

Joe didn’t open his eyes, but acknowledged his brother’s remark with a slight wave of his hand. Hoss gave him a worried look and the bent his weight on the rail as he propped the crowbar under.  After several minutes he let go. ‘It ain’t shifting,’ he said and then looked up and down the line. ‘Maybe if I try a bit further along,’ he said. ‘Where the join of those two rails are.’

 

 

 

‘What good would that do?’ asked Adam impatiently. ‘If it bends up there then it won’t loosen enough here to get his foot out.’

 

 

 

‘I know that, said Hoss. ‘But I can get the line out and then we’ll be able to move this one as well.’

 

 

 

‘And do what?’ replied Adam. ‘Leave a chunk of the rail out altogether? What about when a train ….’ He stopped suddenly and gave his father a horrified look. ‘Pa?’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben looked up at him. ‘What?’

 

 

 

Adam glanced down at Joe and then motioned to his father. ‘Over here,’ he said. Ben moved away slightly from Joe and the movement cause his son to groan softly. ‘Just keep still Joseph,’ murmured his father. ‘I’m right here.’ He leaned over towards Adam. ‘What is it?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Today is Thursday,’ said Adam urgently.

 

 

 

‘So?’

 

 

 

‘Pa … the weekly train from Carson City will come through here in the morning, won’t it?’

 

 

 

A streak of cold fear ran through Ben as he looked at Adam with horror. ‘Pa?’ said Adam again. ‘Did you hear what I said? We’ve only got until early morning when that train comes through here.’

 

 

 

‘I’m gonna bust that rail up there where it joins the other line,’ said Hoss emphatically, listening with horror to his brother’s words.

 

 

 

Adam turned on him. ‘And what would that achieve?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘It’ll loosen this rail here,’ said Hoss. ‘What else?’

 

 

 

‘And leave a section of rail missing in the process,’ said Adam. ‘What’s going to happen when that train comes through then?  You ever seen a train wreck Hoss?  It ain’t pretty.’

 

 

 

‘I don’t care!’ declared Hoss. ‘We don’t have much choice do we?  If Joe’s foot ….’

 

 

 

‘Stop the both of you,’ interrupted Ben firmly. ‘We don’t have time for this nonsense!  Hoss you’ll leave that rail exactly where it is.’

 

 

 

‘But Pa …’

 

 

 

‘Get back to the house and get a few of the men and some more tools,’ continued Ben.

 

 

 

‘But Pa …’

 

 

 

‘Do as I say and hurry!’

 

 

 

‘Bu Pa …’ Hoss tried again. ‘They’s none of em there remember? They’s all out on the North Section with the herd.  There’s no way I’d get any of em back by morning.’

 

 

 

Ben thought for a moment. ‘Then get back to the house and load up the wagon with whatever tools you can get your hands on.  Hurry!’ Hoss nodded and took off without another word. ‘Adam,’ said Ben, turning to him. ‘Ride to Carson City and stop that train!’ Adam took off without a word and Ben turned back to Joe again. He crouched down next to him and studied his face intently. ‘Joseph?’ he asked. ‘How do you feel son?’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes. ‘It still hurts,’ he murmured softly, the pain showing clearly on his brow.  He looked around. ‘Where are Adam and Hoss?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Hoss went back to get some more tools,’ said his father, brushing the curls back from his brow. ‘And Adam went … Adam went to get some help in Carson City.’  There was no way that Ben intended to alert the youngster of the fact that his brother had ridden to stop a train and he watched Joe’s face intently to see if he noticed anyone strange in what he’d just said.  After all, there was no way that they would ride to Carson City for help when Virginia City was so much closer.  To his relief, Joe didn’t seem to notice the anomaly in what he’d said, however, and merely nodded slightly.

 

 

 

Ben sat down on the railway line and looked first one way and then the other.  The rails stretched far into the distance both ways and from the angle in which he was looking at them, they seemed to take on the appearance of two long silver snakes stretched out as far as the eye could see.  In the fading light they glinted with the last of the sun’s rays and Ben watched in fascination as they sparkled.  He’d never really stopped to look at railway lines before and he cursed the fact that necessity meant that he had to do it now.  He sent up a silent prayer to his Lord as the last of the sun’s rays diminished.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Adam rode as he’d never ridden before.  Logically he knew that he would reach Carson City within three hours, but his anxiety spurred him on to ride as fast as he could even so.  Three hours would be plenty of time to make sure that the train never pulled out of Carson City and started along the track that would eventually lead it to his helpless brother stretched out on top of it.  Besides, he reasoned, Hoss and Pa would no doubt get Joe free long before there was any real concern.  The only problem in his mind was the state of Joe’s foot when they did eventually get it free.  From what he could see, the youngster’s ankle had been pinned by a loose nail.  Joe would probably be hurting for a while to come, but he’d be fine.  Adam kept saying that fact over and over to himself as he rode, trying to ignore the niggling thought in the back of his brain that told him otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Ben held Joe’s head and watched as his son drank thirstily from his canteen.  When he’d finished he lay the boy’s head down gently again as he put the stopper back on. ‘That better?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Yeah … thanks,’ said Joe. He shivered as a gust of cold wind blew around them. ‘I’m cold,’ he murmured as he closed his eyes again.

 

 

 

Ben cursed himself silently for not mentioning to Hoss to bring blankets back with him.  He took off his coat and wrapped it around the youngster’s thin shoulders, causing Joe to cry out softly with the movement. ‘I’m sorry Joe,’ he said softly as he eased his son’s arms into the sleeves.  The young man was so thin that his father’s coat fitted over the top of his own thin green one without any problem.

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes again and stared up at his father. ‘What about you?’ he asked. ‘Ain’t you cold Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben tried not to shiver as he replied. ‘No son… I’m fine,’ he said. Joe seemed to accept his father’s statement and closed his eyes again.  Suddenly he opened them as he felt Ben shift beside him.

 

 

 

‘Pa?’ he said anxiously. ‘Pa?  Where are you?’

 

 

 

‘I’m here son,’ said Ben.

 

 

 

‘Where are you going?  Don’t leave me Pa!’  Joe’s voice had an edge of desperation to it.

 

 

 

‘Its all right Joe,’ said Ben reassuringly. ‘I’m just going back up the slope to my horse.  I’m going to get my other canteen and gather some wood while I’m there.  We can get a fire going while we wait for Hoss.’

 

 

 

Joe nodded. ‘Don’t be long,’ he said, clinging to his father’s sleeve anxiously.

 

 

 

Ben smiled down at him, noting how young he looked in the moonlight. ‘I’ll just be a few minutes,’ he said. ‘I promise.’  He pulled the youngster’s hand off his sleeve reluctantly and turned to go back towards his horse.  As quickly as he could, he got his canteen and a few other things from his saddlebags and gathered up some wood as he made his way back down towards the railroad track. ‘Here I am,’ he said, trying to appear jovial. ‘I’ll soon have a fire going in no time and we’ll warm up.’  As he lit the fire, he thought about how it would also serve as a signal in case a train ….  Ben shook his head. ‘Stupid,’ he muttered half to himself.  Of course there was no need to think like that. Adam would get to Carson City in plenty of time to stop the driver and Hoss would be back in no time with all the tools they needed to get Joe free.  There was no need to worry at all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam drew his horse up outside the railroad office and dismounted quickly.  He leant against the animal’s flank for a moment trying to catch his breath, feeling the heaving of the horse’s sides as the animal also got its own breathing under control.  One thing was for sure … he had got here just in time as Sport couldn’t possibly have gone at such a pace for much longer.  He turned towards the office, feeling his legs beginning to shake with the exertion of having sat on the horse for so long and ridden at such a pace and then dismissed the feeling as unimportant as he knocked on the door of the office.

 

 

 

Adam frowned as he realised that there was no answer.  Of course at this time of night there wouldn’t be …. But he had hoped anyway.  He glanced across the street to the Station Master’s house and quickly strode over to it before banging on the front door.

 

 

 

Presently the door was opened by a small man with glasses. ‘Yes?’ he said, peering into the darkness beyond the door. ‘What is it?’

 

 

 

‘I need to talk to someone about the train that’s due out of here in the morning,’ said Adam, his anxiety evident in his voice. ‘Who’s in charge around here?’

 

 

 

‘Well that would be me,’ said the men, adjusting his glasses and peering at Adam. ‘Come back in the morning … it’s late.’  He began to shut the dor, but Adam pushed against it and prevented him from doing so. ‘Look … Mr whatever-your-name is,’ blustered the man. ‘It’s late and my family and I …’

 

 

 

‘I don’t give a damn,’ said Adam, pushing the door further ajar and glaring at the man. ‘I need to speak to the driver of that train.’  He waved in the general direction of the railroad station across the street. ‘It’s an emergency.’

 

 

 

‘What train?’ said the man.

 

 

 

‘The train over there in the …’  Adam stopped as he glanced over his shoulder and saw that the station was indeed empty. ‘What … where is it?’ he asked feebly. ‘There’s supposed to be a train there …. It leaves in the morning.’

 

 

 

The man shook his head. ‘Ain’t there,’ he said smugly and tried to close the door again.

 

 

 

Adam pushed the door fully open this time, causing it to crash against the hallway wall. ‘Now see here….’ said the man. ‘What right do you …’

 

 

 

‘Where is that train?’ yelled Adam. ‘’It should be in the station, shouldn’t it?’

 

 

 

The man took a step backwards. ‘Well ordinarily yes,’ he said. ‘Only there’s been a change of plan for this week.’

 

 

 

Adam gripped the man by the collar and pulled him towards him. ‘Where is it?’ he yelled.

 

 

 

‘Re … Reno,’ said the man, trying to disentangle himself. ‘We had problems with the line and so we diverted it to Reno two days ago. It’ll leave from there this week instead of here.’

 

 

 

Adam let him go and leant against the wall to steady himself. ‘Reno?’ he said softly. ‘I don’t understand.’

 

 

 

The man shook his head slightly. ‘I just told you,’ he said impatiently. ‘It’s been diverted to Reno.  It’ll run from there this week.’

 

 

 

Adam stared at him. ‘So it won’t go via the same track?’ he said hopefully.

 

 

 

‘Well not for the first part,’ said the man. ‘It’ll join the main track up near the Truckee River I guess.’

 

 

 

‘What time will it leave Reno?’ asked Adam.

 

 

 

The man thought for a moment. ‘Before dawn,’ he said. ‘It’ll need to make up extra time I guess.’

 

 

 

Adam stood up straight. ‘Where’s the telegraph office?’ he demanded. ‘Quick!’

 

 

 

The man pointed down past the railway station. ‘Down there,’ he said and then added as Adam ran out of the door and onto the street.’ But it’ll be shut at this time of night!’

 

 

 

Adam stopped. ‘Where is the telegrapher?’ he shouted.

 

 

 

The man pointed up to the other end of the street. ‘Probably up there in the Saloon,’ he said and shook his head as Adam began to sprint up the street. ‘Rude!’ he said as he closed the door. ‘I don’t know what young people are coming to nowadays!’

 

 

 

Adam crashed into the saloon and stared around him at everyone who stared back at his abrupt entry. ‘The telegrapher!’ he shouted. ‘Is he here?’

 

 

 

A man at the back of the saloon stood up unsteadily. ‘I believe you are addressing me young man,’ he said in a slightly slurred voice that betrayed one too many drinks. ‘What can I do for you?’

 

 

 

Adam strode over to him and pulled him forward by the shirt collar. ‘I need you to come with me now,’ he said urgently. ‘I need a telegraph sent to Reno immediately.

 

 

 

The man shook his head. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I can’t do it right at the moment.’  He reached out for his drink on the table, but Adam slapped his hand away.

 

 

 

‘I said now!’ he shouted into the man’s face. ‘You’re coming with me to the telegraph office immediately!’

 

 

 

‘I’ll come with you,’ said the man. ‘But it ain’t no use.  The lines are down and I can’t a wire no how.’

 

 

 

Adam stared at him in disbelief. ‘The lines are down?’ he said. ‘But … but … they can’t be!’

 

 

 

The man shrugged. ‘They are,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘When will they be fixed?’ demanded Adam.

 

 

 

The man shrugged again. ‘Not sure,’ he said. ‘Some time tomorrow no doubt.’

 

 

 

Adam sat down heavily on a chair, his face pale. ‘What’s the matter?’ asked the man. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.’

 

 

 

Adam stared up at him for a moment and then put his face in his hands. The man placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder. ‘Why don’t ya have drink?’ he suggested. ‘I always find that a good stiff whiskey usually helps when I’ve got troubles.’  He chuckled. ‘Usually helps when I ain’t got em too,’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam drummed his fingers on the table as he tried to gather his thoughts together. Suddenly he stood up. ‘Do you have a pencil and paper?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Sure …. Why?’

 

 

 

‘Just give them to me,’ said Adam impatiently.

 

 

 

The man handed them over and watched as Adam wrote furiously for a few seconds. ‘Here,’ he said. ‘Send this to Reno as soon as those lines are up and running again, you hear?’  The man nodded as Adam took some bills out of his pocket and thrust them at him. ‘It’s a matter of life and death,’ he said urgently. ‘You understand?’  The man nodded again, his eyes widening as he snatched the bills.

 

 

 

‘I understand,’ he said. ‘But what …’ He stopped as he realised that the young man had gone … disappearing from the Saloon as quickly as he had entered it.  He shrugged as he pocketed the money and the note and sat down once again to pick up his drink.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Ben stared up at the stars and prayed quietly while beside him Joe slept fitfully. Ben wondered how the youngster could sleep at all, but figured that it was the shock of what was happening that allowed him to do so. He glanced at the fire beside him and then up the slope, wondering for the tenth time that hour what was keeping Hoss.  He took out his pocket watch and glanced at it in the light of the fire and decided that it wasn’t that late after all … it just seemed that time went slower when you were counting every minute.

 

 

 

Beside him, Joe stirred in his sleep and groaned softly.  Ben glanced down at his son’s foot and noticed that the blood which had been oozing from his boot seemed to have stopped and was caking around the end of his trousers.  He supposed that it was a good sign, and shuddered slightly to think of what they would find when they eventually did get the foot free.

 

 

 

He wondered if Adam had reached Carson City yet and figured that he probably had.  His son would have ridden as fast as he could in spite of the fact that they had hours to spare.  He would have if it had been him who had taken the ride … his anxiety would have spurred him on no end.  He thought that Adam would probably bring some men back with him when he did return, and wondered if they would need them after all.  Depending on the tools that Hoss brought back with him, the two of them should be able to get to work and have Joe’s foot free in no time.  He glanced at the moon, which was disappearing behind yet another cloud and considered that the clouds were building up in the sky above him.

 

 

 

‘Great!’ he said out loud.  The one thing they would need to see what they were doing was moonlight and there was little of that as it was.  Never mind though, for if the worse came to it they would simply wait until dawn and finish the job then.  The only thing that mattered was getting Joseph free and now that he knew that there was no train coming Ben figured that as long as his son wasn’t in too much pain they could afford to work a little more slower and carefully.

 

 

 

Joe stirred again and opened his eyes. ‘Pa?’ he murmured.

 

 

 

Ben bent over the boy. ‘Yes Joe?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘It … it hurts Pa,’ said Joe with a whimper. ‘Are Hoss and Adam back yet?’

 

 

 

‘They won’t be long son,’ said Ben gently and brushed back the curls from the youngster’s forehead for the tenth time that hour. ‘They’ll be here soon.’

 

 

 

Joe shifted restlessly, causing a sharp stab of pain to travel up his leg and he groaned. ‘Ow!’ he said, clutching his father’s arm. ‘When will they be here Pa?’ he asked again.

 

 

 

Ben looked into the youngster’s face and noticed the pursed lips and the creased forehead that said more than any words could.  Joe was obviously in a great deal of pain and trying desperately not to show it.

 

 

 

‘Soon,’ he murmured, stroking the boy’s forehead again. He searched around for something to talk about to keep his son’s mind off the pain. ‘Look up at the stars Joe,’ he said softly. ‘Can you see the Big Dipper?’

 

 

 

Joe obediently looked up, his glazed eyes searching the heavens. ‘Over there,’ he said flatly.

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘And there is the North Star,’ he said. ‘Remember when you were a little boy and I used to sit on the porch with you and point them out to you before you went to bed each night?’

 

 

 

Joe nodded fretfully. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘And I wouldn’t go to bed until you’d told me all the ones you knew,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben smiled. ‘I have a feeling that you weren’t so much interested in the stars as in staying out of bed a bit longer,’ he said.

 

 

 

Joe nodded slightly. ‘Probably,’ he agreed and then frowned again. ‘It hurts … when will they come?’

 

 

 

Ben held onto him tightly, shifting slightly so that his son was cradled in his arms. ‘And you didn’t even care if it was freezing outside,’ he said, trying to keep the boy’s mind off the pain. ‘You’d still insist on going outside even so.’

 

 

 

‘Pa … please …. It really hurts now!’

 

 

 

Ben hugged his son to him. ‘I know son,’ he said soothingly. ‘It was so cold that I’d have to wrap you in a blanket … remember?’

 

 

 

‘Yes.’  Joe closed his eyes and bit his lip. There was silence for a few minutes. ‘You used to show me mama’s star,’ he said finally. ‘The one you said that she was looking down from heaven from.’

 

 

 

Yes,’ agreed Ben. ‘I did. Can you see it now?’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes again and began to look up into the sky, but another wave of pain shot through him and he cried aloud in spite of himself. ‘Pa!  Are they here yet? Pa!’

 

 

 

Ben held onto his son tightly. ‘Look for your mother’s star Joe,’ he said. ‘Look and see if you can find it.’  He prayed silently as Joe began to sob aloud.

 

 

 

‘I can’t … I can’t!’ sobbed the youngster. ‘Please Pa …. Make them come now! Please!’

 

 

 

Ben buried his face in his son’s curls, a feeling a helplessness overcoming him as the boy pleaded with him. He murmured to his son, not even knowing what he was saying as the minutes ticked by.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Adam pulled his mount up and gave it a few moments to catch its breath, in spite of his desperate desire to keep going.  He knew that he and the animal couldn’t keep up this pace for much longer and if he was going to get to Reno in time he’d have to force himself to pace the horse sensibly.  He patted the animal’s flank, grateful that he’d been able to rouse the man from the Livery stable man and convince him to hire him a horse.  Much and all as Sport was an outstanding animal with a lot of endurance, Adam knew that the horse wasn’t capable of making the trip after what he’d already asked him to do this night.

 

 

 

He knew that he was bone weary himself, but nothing on this earth would have let him hand over this ride to anyone else.  No one else could ride with the desperation that he was feeling right now and he knew enough to know that desperation could drive a man to greater things than he was otherwise capable of.  Adam prayed that it was so tonight.  He refused to think of what could happen if the train left Reno before he had a chance to get there … his mind pushed the idea aside immediately … but still the desperation remained in spite of the logical part of him that knew that Hoss and Pa would probably already have Joe freed from the line. He patted the horse’s flank again as he spurred him up and headed down the hill towards the far distant Reno.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

‘Thank God!’ whispered Ben under his breath and then turned to lean close to Joe. ‘Joseph?’ he said softly. ‘Hoss is back.  Your brother is here now son and we’ll get your foot free in no time.’  Joe didn’t reply, but merely nodded his head, as if all his energy was going towards the management of the pain, which Ben supposed that it probably was.

 

 

 

Hoss slithered down towards his father, his arms full. ‘Sorry I took so long Pa,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t want to forget anything.’  He glanced down at Joe. ‘How is he?’ he asked anxiously.

 

 

 

Ben breathed another sigh of relief. ‘Not good,’ he replied. ‘His foot is really hurting him now.  The important thing is just to get it out of there.’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. ‘Adam not back yet?’ he asked as he put down the things in his hands and took the rope off his body that he’d draped there.

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘It’ll take him an hour or so more to get back here from Carson City.  I imagine he’ll probably need a bit of time to make sure that things are understood back there as well.’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded again. ‘Don’t suppose anyone’ll be pleased ta cancel the train schedule like that,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘I don’t really care,’ said Ben testily. ‘The important thing right now is Joseph.  Good boy!’ he exclaimed as Hoss held out a blanket to him.

 

 

 

‘I done told ya Pa,’ said Hoss. ‘I tried to remember everything I could.  I figured you two would be getting mighty cold right about now.’  He watched as Ben took his jacket off Joe and wrapped the youngster in two of the blankets. ‘I’ll get these lamps lit and we’ll be able to see what we’re doing, he continued.

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes. ‘Hoss?’ he said. ‘Is that you?’

 

 

 

Hoss patted his brother on the shoulder. ‘Sure is shortshanks,’ he said, trying his best to sound jovial for his brother’s sake. ‘We’ll have ya outta there in no time now.’

 

 

 

Joe nodded. ‘Thanks Hoss,’ he murmured. ‘Hurry up though, will ya?’

 

 

 

Hoss glanced at his father before picking up several of the tools on the ground beside him and beginning to work. Ben bent over Joe again and held his hand tenderly as he listened to the scraping sounds of metal against metal beside him. ‘It’ll soon be all done,’ he said softly. ‘Not long to go now son.’

 

 

 

As the minutes ticked by and the sounds continued, Joe began to get agitated and tried to sit up. ‘Can’t you get it loose Hoss?’ he asked fretfully. ‘Hurry up, will ya?’

 

 

 

Hoss didn’t answer, but Ben could hear his grunting sounds next to him as he continued to work. He pushed Joe down again and turned to face his middle son. ‘What is it?’ he asked softly.

 

 

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘It just won’t budge Pa,’ he said. ‘I can’t see properly neither.’  He picked up a lamp and held it close to the track. ‘Seems ta be rusted here where the two lines meet,’ he said. ‘Problem is that the rusted bit is the part I gotta work on.  The good part is on the main line.’

 

 

 

‘That’s because the spur line hasn’t been used for quite a while,’ replied his father.

 

 

 

‘Sure would make it a lot easier if I could move the main line,’ said Hoss.

 

 

 

‘As Adam said before, you’d be ripping up the main track for the train,’ said Ben. ‘We can’t risk it son.  Keep working on the rusted part.’

 

 

 

Hoss shrugged and went back to work again as Joe struggled against his father’s grasp and this time managed to sit up to get a better look at what his brother was doing. ‘Hurry up will ya Hoss?’ he pleaded.

 

 

 

‘I’m going as fast as I can,’ said Hoss between gritted teeth as he strained against the pressure of the track. ‘Don’t you worry none Joe.  I’ll get ya free.’

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam pulled to a halt outside the railroad station and breathed a sigh of relief as he dismounted.  He glanced up at the moon which had shifted considerably in the past few hours since he’d been riding and noticed that it was disappearing behind a cloud, considerably diminishing the light around him.  He glanced around and noticed that the town was deserted, as well he thought it would be at this time of the night … or morning as it now was.

 

 

 

He looked up and down the street, considering for a moment his best course of action and then with a small nod of his head he ran over to the track.  For a moment he stood stunned to see that there was no train there and then the realisation of what had happened hit him with full force.  There was no train standing at the station where he had expected it to be.  He squinted his eyes for a moment hoping against hope that it would suddenly materialise before his eyes if he willed it hard enough, his hands clenching and unclenching involuntarily.

 

 

 

Adam took a couple of deep breaths and tried to calm himself before turning back to his horse, mounting up and riding at a full gallop down the deserted street to the Sheriff’s office. He dismounted for a second time in as many minutes and hurled himself towards the dimly lit office, leaning against the door and causing it to open with a crash.

 

 

 

The sheriff looked up from the newspaper he was reading and frowned. ‘Not again!’ he thundered. ‘What are they up to this time?’

 

 

 

Adam blinked a couple of times, taken aback by the man’s remark. ‘Wh .. what?’ he stammered.

 

 

 

The sheriff sighed as he got up and reached for his gun belt. ‘How many this time?’ he said angrily. ‘Honestly … you’d think a man could get a decent night’s sleep around here without being asked to get down to that saloon every hour to break up a fight!’  He turned to Adam. ‘Lead the way,’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam blinked again. ‘I’m not here about any fight!’ he shouted. ‘Where is the train?’

 

 

 

The sheriff stared at him with his hands on his hips. ‘What the hell are you talking about sonny?’ he asked. ‘Has there been another fight in the saloon, or hasn’t there?’

 

 

 

‘I have no idea about a fight and I don’t care!’ shouted Adam. ‘Where is that train, dammit?’

 

 

 

The sheriff gave Adam an angry look. ‘Now you just settle down there sonny,’ he said. ‘Sit down.’

 

 

 

Adam stepped forward and grabbed the other man by the collar. ‘Just answer my question!’ he shouted. ‘The train!  The one that’s leaving for Virginia City in the morning … where is it?’

 

 

 

The sheriff pulled himself free. ‘Now you just settle down or I’ll put you in that cell for accosting an officer of the law,’ he said. ‘Just calm down and start making some sense.’

 

 

 

Adam took a deep breath and tried to calm down, realising in the dim recesses of his mind that if he didn’t he wouldn’t get anywhere with the man. ‘The train,’ he said again, more calmly this time. ‘Has the train that is to go to Virginia City in the morning arrived here yet?’

 

 

 

‘Sure has,’ said the sheriff. ‘Came yesterday morning.  There was a problem at Carson City and they had to …’

 

 

 

I know all that,’ interrupted Adam. ‘I just need to know where it is now.’

 

 

 

‘Why?’

 

 

 

Adam thumped himself on the forehead in exasperation. ‘Please!’ he said, giving the man a pleading look. ‘It’s a matter of life and death! Where is it?’

 

 

 

‘On its way to Virginia City I reckon,’ said the sheriff.  He watched as Adam sat down heavily on a chair and stared at him. ‘What’s the matter sonny?’ he said. ‘What did you mean by it’s a matter of life and death? Who’s life?’

 

 

 

Adam swallowed, willing the man to make the situation better even as he did so. ‘My … my brother,’ he said in a low voice. ‘His foot is trapped between the tracks on the main line between here and Virginia City.’

 

 

 

The sheriff jumped. ‘What?’ he said. ‘But the train …’ His voice trailed away and he stared at Adam. ‘You stay there sonny,’ he instructed him. ‘I’m going to round up a few men and we’ll ride after that train.’

 

 

 

Adam clutched hold of him. ‘How long ago did it leave?’ he asked urgently.

 

 

 

‘Bout an hour ago,’ replied the man. ‘I’ll get some men and we’ll ….’  His voice trailed away again as he realised that he was alone in the room. He looked at the open door and heard Adam’s horse galloping down the street.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Ben looked up at the sky, which was beginning to lighten, and wondered for the tenth time that hour just where Adam was and why he hadn’t returned.  He immediately dismissed thoughts that raced through his brain, all connected with things going wrong … for there was no way that he would even contemplate that happening. He lowered his eyes to look once again at Hoss who was still bent over the track, his fingers clenched on the tools in his hands and his face clenched in concentration. ‘Hold it now Pa,’ he said, between gritted teeth. ‘I’ll pull it this way.’

 

 

 

Ben held onto the track as Hoss pulled yet again, the veins in his neck standing out as the exertion of the act overcame him.  Once again, the line refused to budge. ‘I think it’s loosened a bit,’ muttered Hoss, bending over it yet again and delving down between the tools with his fingers. ‘I can feel a bit more space there now,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben glanced down at Joe who was lying motionless between them, his face pale in the gloom.  The lamp that was beside him cast a dim glow all round them, increasing the eerie look of the scene. Suddenly, Joe opened his eyes with a start and stared up at his father. ‘What was that?’ he said softly.

 

 

 

Ben leant over him. ‘What was what son?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Joe frowned, trying to concentrate on what his father had asked. ‘That …’ he was still for a moment. ‘That shaking,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben looked at him intently. ‘I don’t feel anything,’ he said. ‘What shaking?’

 

 

 

Joe frowned again. ‘I don’t know,’ he said fretfully. ‘I don’t think …’  His eyes widened. ‘I can feel shaking,’ he said. ‘There it is again.’

 

 

 

Ben brushed the curls off his son’s forehead. ‘There’s nothing shaking Joe,’ he said. ‘Just close your eyes son and lie still now while we get you free.’

 

 

 

Joe closed his eyes obediently and then opened them again immediately. ‘There it is again!’ he said anxiously. ‘Something is shaking Pa … I can feel it! Its ….’ His eyes widened again.’ It’s here,’ he said urgently, grabbing his father’s hand and placing it on the track beside him. ‘It’s the track.’

 

 

 

Ben stared at his hand as his blood ran cold, feeling the track shaking slightly under his fingers. ‘Can you feel it Pa?’ asked Joe. ‘What is it?’

 

 

 

Ben swallowed, every fibre of his being seemingly disconnected from the other and his mind trying to retreat into denial. ‘It’s nothing son,’ he said, hearing his own voice as if from a great distance.

 

 

 

‘But its shaking Pa,’ insisted Joe anxiously. ‘I can feel it.’

 

 

 

Ben turned to Hoss who was staring at him, his blue eyes seeming to pierce right through Ben’s soul. ‘Try again!’ Ben said, trying not to sound panicked. ‘Hurry!  Hoss continued to stare at him, gulping several times. Ben grabbed hold of his son’s arm. ‘I said try again!’ he said insistently. ‘Hoss!’

 

 

 

Hoss gulped again, his eyes reflecting his father’s own panicked ones, before grabbing hold of the crowbar beside him and digging it under the track and pushing on it with all his might.

 

 

 

‘Pa!’ shouted Joe, clutching hold of his father’s sleeve. ‘It’s shaking!  Its ….’ His voice caught on a sob and his eyes reflected his terror as the realisation dawned on him as to what the shaking was. ‘It’s a train!  A train’s coming Pa!’

 

 

 

Ben grabbed hold of his son and held him in towards his chest tightly while yelling at Hoss. ‘Push it!’ he shouted. He grabbed hold of the crowbar with his free hand and tried to push on it as well, while Joe sobbed hysterically into his chest.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Clem Myers yawned as he looked at the scenery rushing past him.  There were days when he was so bored with this job and then there were others when it was all worthwhile … like today.  The usual circumstances yesterday that had forced his engine to Reno had been frustrating at the time, but at least it had meant that he could view a bit of changed scenery this morning instead of the usual between Carson City and Virginia City.  He didn’t often get the chance to see the countryside this side of the Truckee River and it made a pleasant change.

 

 

 

Mind you, the delays yesterday had meant that he’d had to get the train out before down today and that hadn’t been easy.  He yawned again, looking over his shoulder at Bert who was busy stoking the fire.  At least his job was a less physically taxing one, for at his age there was nothing he’d be wanting to do less than working over a hot furnace like that.  Still … Bert didn’t seem to mind it.

 

 

 

His eyes drifted back to the hills on his right again and he spied a man dressed in black approaching the track from afar. ‘Look at that,’ he yelled over the noise of the engine. ‘Fellar over there seems to be in an awful hurry, don’t ya reckon Bert?’

 

 

 

Bert straightened up and looked over his shoulder. ‘Reckon so,’ he shouted. ‘Too much of a hurry if ya ask me!’ He shrugged as the rider and horse drew level with the tracks. ‘Probably one of them young whippersnappers trying his riding skills out by racing us,’ he sneered. ‘They’ll never learn that this beauty ain’t ready ta be beat!’  He patted the side of the carriage and then bent down and shovelled another couple of loads of coal into the furnace.

 

 

 

Clem smiled. Bert had no time for anyone who thought they could outrun his engine. As far as he was concerned trains were invincible and if he were being honest with himself, Clem tended to agree with him.  The young rider waved to him and he waved back, grinning at him as he did so.  The man seemed to be mouthing something at them, but there was no way that Clem or Bert could have heard him over the noise of the mighty engine.  Clem simply waved back and smiled again as the train thundered down the track towards Virginia City.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

‘Pa!’ screamed Joe, panic overtaking him. ‘Pa!  There’s a train coming! I can feel it!’

 

 

 

Ben clutched his son even tighter to his chest as if the gesture would solve everything.  Joe tried to wrench himself free and pushed against his father frantically. ‘Pa!’ he screamed. ‘Get me off here!’

 

 

 

Ben took one more look at Hoss who was frantically pulling at the crowbar and then back to the top of Joe’s curly head against his chest. ‘I’m going to move him,’ he yelled at Hoss. ‘Watch out Hoss!’  Hoss looked at his father questionably as he continued to work.  Ben pulled Joe tighter to himself and yelled into his ear. ‘Move Joseph!’ he said urgently. ‘Let me move you!’

 

 

 

Joe immediately went slack in his arms, his body responding to the voice he had always trusted and always obeyed instinctively.  Ben took the opportunity to pull his son even further towards himself, ignoring Joe’s cries of pain as he did so.  He pulled the youngster across the track until he was lying beside it instead of on top of it, only his trapped foot now in danger.  Joe lay panting on the ground as Hoss and Ben stared at his foot. ‘Lean over this way Joseph,’ said Ben, trying to sound as calm as he could. ‘We’ll get your foot free son.  There’s no need to panic.’

 

 

 

Joe leant as far as he could away from the track, unable to stop crying with the pain as he stretched his trapped foot back as far as he could. ‘I … I can’t go no further Pa,’ he gasped between spasms of pain. He stared at his foot and sobbed. ‘The train Pa … it’s coming!’

 

 

 

‘I know son,’ said Ben quietly. ‘Just lean over this way … that’s it.’  He clutched hold of Joe’s face and turned it towards his own, trying to ignore the look of sheer panic and desperation within his green eyes. ‘Now I want you to lie still,’ he said, his voice coming from a very long way away. ‘If it does come then you’ll be all right.  You’re off the track now.’ He continued to stare into the youngster’s eyes, trying to calm with a reassuring look.

 

 

 

Joe shook his head, trying to wrench his foot free and sobbing even louder with the pain that it caused him. ‘It’ll get my foot!’ he screamed. ‘It’ll … it’ll cut it off!’  His eyes widened even more in panic. ‘Help me Pa!’ he screamed. ‘Get it off!’

 

 

 

Ben cradled his son’s curly head within the comforting embrace of his arms. ‘I’m here Joseph,’ he said quietly, as he felt the track rumbling under his body. ‘I’m not moving away. I’m here son.’

 

 

 

Joe sobbed even louder. ‘Get off the track Pa!’ he screamed. ‘It’ll hit you!’

 

 

 

Ben shook his head and continued to look into his son’s eyes, ignoring the rumbling sound beneath him. ‘Just calm down Joe,’ he said soothingly. ‘Calm down son. I’m here with you.’

 

 

 

‘Pa it’s loosening,’ yelled Hoss.  Ben reached over and tried to push the track sideways with his bare hands as Hoss strained at the end of the crowbar. ‘His foot’s in the way like this!’ yelled Hoss. ‘I can’t get at it from the angle he’s at.’

 

 

 

Ben looked down at his son’s foot, wedged between the tracks.  In that instant he saw very clearly what he had to do and with one last pat of Joe’s curly head he let go of his son’s body and grabbed hold of the boy’s ankle with both hands.  With every bit of force that he could muster he held onto to Joe’s slim ankle and pulled down on it in two different directions until he felt the bone snapping beneath his hands.  Joe gave a piercing scream and fell backwards in a dead faint.

 

 

 

‘Now!’ shouted Ben as he glanced over his shoulder and saw a train appearing from around the bend. ‘Pull on it Hoss! Pull!’

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

Adam waved frantically at the driver yet again, screaming at the top of his lungs as they rounded the bend. His heart nearly stopped as he saw in front of them three forms huddled over the line in the distance and he could swear that he saw the whites of the driver’s eyes as they widened with surprise as he saw them also.

 

 

 

Adam spurred his mount forward as he heard the screech of brakes being applied. He knew that there was no way that they could take effect in time, but he didn’t know what else to do except keep riding towards the appalling scene of destruction that would soon be in front of him.

 

 

 

From down the track, Ben and Hoss also heard the screech as the brakes were applied.  Neither one hesitated in their endeavours to free Joe, the only acknowledgement from either one of them a look of terror that flashed through their eyes as the sound wrenched the air around them.  Hoss closed his eyes and leant the whole of his considerable body weight down on the crowbar while Ben grasped hold of Joe’s broken ankle and pulled on it.  The rusted track gave way slightly and his son’s foot slid out into his hands in one swift movement.

 

 

 

Ben let go of Joe’s ankle with one hand, while he reached over and pushed Hoss backwards with it.  With the one hand still firmly grasping Joe’s ankle he pulled it towards him as the heat of metal came so close to his cheek that he could almost feel it grazing him as the train thundered past.

 

 

 

Adam drew his horse to a halt on the other side of the train, tears streaming down his face as he watched the carriages flashing by.  One part of him willed the train to never stop as he dreaded seeing what was on the other side of it when it finally did, and the other part of him wanted desperately to know for sure. As the train slowed to a halt and the last carriage slid away from beside him, he caught his breath.  There on the other side of the track lay his father, cradling Joe’s body in his arms as Hoss stood over them, tears also streaming down his face.

 

 

 

Adam dismounted as if in a trance and walked across the now empty line, ignoring the cries of the two men who were getting out of the engine at the other end of the train. All he could focus on was the sight of his father cradling his brother’s seemingly dead body in his arms and Adam stood over him for a moment, unable to speak.  Finally, he slid to a crouching position next to him and whispered. ‘I’m sorry Pa. I … I tried.’

 

 

 

Ben looked over at his eldest son and saw the remorse and guilt in his face. He reached out for him with one hand while continuing to hold Joe towards him in the other. Adam leant towards his father, burying his head into his shoulder. ‘I’m so sorry Pa,’ he sobbed. ‘I couldn’t save him. I … I tried.’

 

 

 

Be smiled down at Joe’s unconscious body and began to cry himself. ‘He’s all right son,’ he whispered over and over again. ‘He’s all right.’  Standing over them both, Hoss’ tears fell.

 

 

 

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam opened the front door and walked outside onto the porch.  He stood there for a moment, drinking in the smell of the pine trees and listening to the wind rushing through them. He closed his eyes momentarily and said a silent prayer before turning towards his father.

 

 

 

Ben was sitting at the rustic wooden table under the study window. He was hunched forward on his chair and his shoulders were bowed as if the weight of the world were upon them.  Adam noticed that his eyes were shut as if he were also in prayer and that his brow was furrowed as if he were anxious about something. He walked over and sat down next to him.

 

 

 

‘Penny for your thoughts,’ he said casually and noted with alarm the look in his father’s eyes as he opened them.  He looked into the deep brown eyes and saw within them a look that made him return the frown that his father gave him.

 

 

 

‘You up already?’ he said curtly. ‘I thought everyone might be in bed late this morning after everything that happened yesterday.

 

 

 

Adam shrugged. ‘I couldn’t sleep,’ he said simply.

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘Neither could I,’ he said and then looked down and stared at his hands in his lap.

 

 

 

There was silence for a few moments before Adam broke it again. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Ben smiled as he continued to look at his hands. ‘What makes you think anything is wrong?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Because I know you,’ replied his son. ‘What is it Pa?  Joe’s fine now. You heard the doctor say that his ankle will set neatly and there’s no sign of infection from that nail … so what is it?’

 

 

 

Ben smiled again. ‘You know me well, don’t you?’ he said softly.

 

 

 

‘I should,’ said Adam. ‘I’ve had years to practise, remember?  What is it Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben sighed. ‘I keep remembering, that’s all,’ he said. ‘I just can’t get the thought out of my mind about what could have happened … what nearly did happen,’ he finished with a shudder. He clenched and unclenched his fists. ‘I can still …. feel … ‘he grimaced. ‘I can still feel Joe’s ankle in my hands as I …’  he stopped and shook his head. ‘I can still feel the bone snapping in my hands,’ he finished. ‘How could I have done that to him?’

 

 

 

Adam put his hand on his father’s shoulder. ‘You did it because you had to,’ he said. ‘If you hadn’t done it Pa, then he’d be dead now.  You know that.’  Ben nodded, but said nothing. ‘You did what you’ve always done,’ continued Adam. ‘Anything you had to do, to make sure that the three of us are all right. You’ve never done any less and you never will.’

 

 

 

Ben looked up and stared at Adam for a moment and then nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said simply.

 

 

 

‘Joe’s ankle will heal in time.’

 

 

 

‘I know,’ said Ben. ‘I guess I’m just …’  there was a loud bang from upstairs and he frowned. ‘What in tarnation …’ he began and then laughed. ‘I guess your brothers are up as well.’

 

 

 

There was yelling from above them. ‘Quit it Joe!’ shouted Hoss. ‘Will ya give that back to me?’

 

 

 

Ben gave a short laugh. ‘I wonder how I’m going to keep that boy occupied while his ankle is healing?’ he said, half to himself. There was another bang, followed by Joe’s unmistakeable giggle and another shout from Hoss.

 

 

 

‘I said ta give it back, you weasel!”

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘I guess we’re getting back to normal,’ he said with a smile.

 

 

 

‘I guess so,’ Adam agreed.

 

 

 

Ben stood up. ‘If I have to come up there you’ll regret it young man!’ he shouted and then gave Adam a wink before disappearing into the house.  Adam sat back on his chair and put his arms behind his head as he stared up at the tops of the pines and continued to smell their fragrance contentedly.

The End