Summary:  Joe is badly injured and could have a serious disability

Rated: K (19,950 words)

Loss

 

 

‘Why do you insist on fighting me at every turn Joseph?’ Ben Cartwright thundered at his youngest son as he stood before him. ‘I have just about had enough of your childish behaviour!’

 

 

 

Joe glared back at his father. ‘I’m not fighting you Pa.  I just want to be able to do some things my way sometimes instead of always being treated like a baby.’

 

 

 

‘Then act your age!’ shouted Ben. ‘For heavens sake Joseph, how can you expect to be treated like a grown up if you don’t act that way?  Your behaviour is just plain irresponsible!’ Joe continued to glare at his father as he continued. ‘From now on young man you can confine your antics to this house and the immediate surroundings!’ Ben continued. ‘You will consider yourself on restriction until further notice!’

 

 

 

Joe put his hands on his hips. ‘That’s not fair,’ he shouted back. ‘I was only gone for a little while!’

 

 

 

‘You were gone for long enough,’ said Ben, pointing his finger at him. ‘Long enough to get yourself in a poker game in a saloon that you had no right being in in the first place!’

 

 

 

‘I was only…..’

 

 

 

‘I know care what you were only!’ shouted Ben. ‘You are seventeen years old Joseph!  Now I expect you to begin to act your age or I will continue to treat you like the child you insist on being!  Now get out of my sight and get on with your chores.  Lord knows you have enough to do, what with gallivanting all around the countryside instead of attending to them these past few days!’

 

 

 

Joe glared at his father, realising that it was useless to continue to argue with him.  He turned and stomped out of the room, taking great delight in slamming the door behind him. As he stood under the front porch he clenched and unclenched his fists as he thought about his father’s words.  Treat him like a child would he?  Well he wasn’t a child, and he didn’t deserve to be treated as such!  Confined to the yard indeed!  Just what did his Pa think he was after all?

 

 

 

Joe stomped out into the yard, getting madder with every step he took.  With a defiant look over his shoulder back towards the house he made his decision and headed for the barn.  Without hesitating he went straight to his horse Cochise and began to saddle him, the anger still causing the blood to surge through his head and pound the sense out of his mind.  

 

 

 

He’d show his father!  He was old enough to do as he liked and he wouldn’t be told what to do any more.  With another defiant look over his shoulder he mounted quickly and galloped from the yard, the movement causing him to feel better as he disappeared around the corner of the barn.

 

 

 

Joe rode aimlessly at first, his only thought being to get away from his father and the restriction he felt on him at the ranch house.  After a while he allowed himself to slow down and considered where to go.  He didn’t have to think long before he found himself automatically heading up towards his favourite place by the lake where his mother was buried.  He often came here to think and today was no different.

 

 

 

As he dismounted from his horse he immediately felt a calmness descend upon him as he always did when he found his way here.  He liked to think it was as if his mother was telling him to be at peace and he smiled to himself. He often wished he could remember her, but his memories were sketchy at best and he often had to rely on the stories of her that his father and brothers had told him. 

 

 

 

He sighed as he sat down next to her grave.  He wondered what his mother would have thought of the way he and Pa always fought and for a moment he considered what life would have been like if she had lived.  Maybe he would have fought with her too? It seemed as if he just couldn’t help himself sometimes.  Now that he had ridden his anger out of his system he could think a little clearer and he had to admit that Pa did have a point after all.  He had gone into town without permission and he had neglected his work to do it.  Apart from the fact that the poker game he had inadvertently found himself in had robbed him of his week’s wages and that definitely wasn’t a good thing!  Maybe Pa was right?

 

 

 

He pulled his knees up towards his chest and rested his chin upon them as he gazed into the lake. The tranquillity of this place began to take hold of him and he sat mesmerized by the sunlight shining on the water for several minutes. He looked up towards the top of the mountain opposite and marvelled at the blueness of the sky against the pines that seemed to reach up towards it and felt the peace that he sought invade his soul.

 

 

 

He stood up and turned back towards his horse, happy now to go home and make his peace with his father.  He only hoped that he hadn’t been missed in the short time that he had spent up here.

 

 

 

 

 

———————

 

 

 

 

 

‘Just wait until my hands on that boy!’ Ben’s voice thundered across the yard and Joe reined his horse in and hesitated as he heard it. ‘If he thinks he can totally ignore my instructions he can think again!’

 

 

 

‘What’s he done now Pa?’  Joe pulled Cochise back a step or two as he heard Adam join his father.  He dismounted and edged forward near the side of the barn to hear their conversation better.

 

 

 

‘He has blatantly disobeyed my instructions again and taken off after I gave him specific instructions to stay in this yard and do his chores,’ yelled Ben. ‘When that boy returns he is going to regret ever disobeying me!’

 

 

 

Joe cringed at his father’s words.  He knew them to be spoken through anger, but he hated hearing them even so.  He huddled against the side of the barn as he heard their footsteps recede back towards the house and considered his options.  He knew that if he appeared now he risked his father’s wrath in no uncertain terms, yet to delay any longer was to invite his further anger. He sighed as he realised there was no easy answer to it.

 

 

 

He turned and headed down from the side of the barn to the creek that flowed to the left hand side of the house.  Sheltered by huge trees it was a place that he knew well and often went to. He and Hoss had spent many a happy hour playing there as children, searching for tadpoles and swinging from the branches of the large trees.  Their father had encouraged them to go there as it was not too far from the house and they were always within earshot if needed.

 

 

 

He walked carefully along the bank, leading Cochise behind him.  He didn’t dare stop until he was well upstream, away from the usual spots that he knew so well, for he didn’t want his father to see him.  He tethered Cochise under a tree and sat by the bank of the creek looking into the water, wondering how long he would have to wait until his father calmed down.  Maybe he should wait until he went out to work later and then sneak back and get all his chores done? That would really impress his father and at least soften the blow when it did come.

 

 

 

Joe smiled to himself as he thought about just how good he was at getting his own way with his family.  Not that he consciously set out to manipulate them, but a man had to make the most of whatever situation he found himself in, and if trouble was about to fall then it was important to make sure that it was the least amount of trouble that he could make it.

 

 

 

He picked up a stick and waved it lazily in the water as he waited for the sound of his father’s horse leaving the yard.  He knew that he and his brothers would be going out to the North Pasture for the morning and they wouldn’t delay too much longer, whether Joe made his appearance or not.  He would have plenty of time to get lots done and impress his father before he returned for lunch.

 

 

 

Joe lay down on the bank and poked at the water with his stick, watching the ripples move across the surface in ever-increasing circles.  He lazily closed his eyes as the tranquillity of this place overcame him and within minutes was fast asleep.  A few minutes later the sound of horse’s hoofs went unnoticed by him as his brothers and father rode out of the yard.  He slept on peacefully in the shade of the tree, blissfully unaware of the morning slipping away from him as the sun rose higher.

 

 

 

It was only when the sun reached a position where the shade had shifted sufficiently to wake him that he opened his eyes.  He looked around sleepily for a moment, wondering where he was until the realisation hit him and he sat up quickly.  A quick glance at the sun above told him that he had slept the morning away and it must be around noon.  With a soft curse under his breath Joe realised that his chance to impress his father with a mornings work was now lost, as he should soon be returning home for lunch.  He rubbed his eyes ruefully and gave himself up to the idea that he now had no choice but to accept his father’s wrath and began to stand up to make his way back to the house. 

 

 

 

As Joe bent forward to stand up, his hat fell off and landed with a soft plop in the water.  He grinned as he reached forward to retrieve it, but it was out of his reach.  He frowned for a moment and then picked up the stick he had been playing with earlier and tried to snag the hat on it, but all he succeeded in doing was pushing it further away.  With another exclamation he resigned himself to the idea of getting his feet wet, and put one foot gingerly in the water as he bent forward to reach it.  Another step and he had it in his grasp again.  He turned to get back to the bank when he felt a sharp pain and cried aloud.

 

 

 

Joe tried to bring his foot up above the water, but the movement only caused the pain to intensify and he cried out again as the realisation hit him that it was held securely by something under the water that was causing him extreme pain.  He bent down, frantic to get at the source of the pain and relieve it, but his fumbling fingers under the water couldn’t seem to locate what it was.  The water only reached up to his mid calves and so he squatted down to try and get a look at what might be causing his discomfort.  Horrified, he watched as the water around his leg began to turn a dark murky colour and he realised that it was his own blood swirling around him in the water.

 

 

 

Panicking now, he reached under the water and felt something hard clamped around his ankle.  He desperately tried to wrench it free, but the movement only caused him more pain and he eventually had to stop to catch his breath.  He managed to sit down half out of the water, but the pain was still with him.

 

 

 

Joe put his hand up to his mouth to stop from screaming out his frustration and at that moment heard sounds above him that signalled the return of his father and brothers as they rode into the yard.  ‘Pa!’ he called. ‘Pa!’

 

 

 

He waited, but there was no call to indicate that any of them had heard him. He tried again. ‘Pa! Adam! Hoss!  I’m down here! Can you hear me?’

 

 

 

Again there was nothing and he bent his head onto his knees in frustration as he realised that they weren’t able to hear him after all.  He looked up at the dining room window which looked out over this direction and screwed up his face in sheer anger as he thought about how close they were to him and yet how far away.

 

 

 

 

 

——————

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben looked out of the dining room window as he stood next to the table.  Behind him Hoss and Adam were taking their seats and Hop Sing was placing the food on the table. ‘That boy is in for it when he returns,’ he said angrily. ‘If he thinks he can just take off for the day against my orders then he can think again!’

 

 

 

‘Pa, sit down and have something to eat,’ said Adam as he helped himself.  ‘Doing without your dinner isn’t going to make him come back any sooner.’

 

 

 

Ben sat down and began to eat. ‘I want you both to keep an eye out for him this afternoon,’ he said. ‘I’m going into town and heaven help him if I find him in there after yesterday’s performance!’

 

 

 

‘Well we’re going in different directions this afternoon,’ said Adam. ‘So between the three of us someone is bound to come across him.  He can’t have gone too far.’

 

 

 

‘Hoss check out the lake on your way to the South Pasture,’ said Ben later as they were leaving the table. ‘I hope one of you two come across him first for his own sake. I swear he won’t like it if I do!’

 

 

 

Hoss made a face and glanced at Adam. ‘Pa don’t be too hard on him,’ he said. ‘He doesn’t…..’

 

 

 

Ben put his hand up to stop him. ‘Save your breath Hoss. This time your younger brother is in for it!  There is no excuse he can possibly have for his behaviour.’ He stood up. ‘Come on boys let’s get going, we have a lot to do this afternoon.’

 

 

 

 

 

——————

 

 

 

 

 

Joe looked up at the sky through the branches of the tree and wondered how much longer he could stand the pain. It came in waves now and each seemed to be worse than the one before.  He closed his eyes and tried to will it away, but nothing seemed to work. Suddenly a thought struck him.  How stupid had he been not to think of it before!  He grabbed his gun from his holster and fired a shot into the air, smiling with relief as he thought about how quickly help would now be here.  Of course his father and brothers would hear it and come straight away.  They must be in the house now and would hear it straight away.  He fired again and strained to hear their footsteps coming towards him.  After a moment he frowned when he had heard nothing and tried a third time.  Still nothing. 

 

 

 

Joe sat down weakly as another wave of pain overcame him.  Why didn’t they come?  He couldn’t understand it!  They must have heard the shots, so why didn’t they come? He glanced across at Cochise who was looking at him startled, the whites of his eyes rolling back in his head as the sounds of the shots still rang in his ears. Maybe they had left again for the afternoon he suddenly thought.  He hadn’t heard their horses, but maybe the pain was causing him to not think clearly.

 

 

 

He put his head in his hands as he tried to forget the pain that was washing over him again.  Think Joe! What can you do to make them realise?  They can’t hear you and they can’t see you down here.  How else can you get a message to them?

 

 

 

A small movement caused him to open them again and he looked up hopefully, but no one was there except Cochise nibbling at the grass beneath his feet.  ‘Cooch!’ Joe called and the horse lifted his head and looked at him. ‘Come here boy!’ The pinto tried to come towards the familiar call, but Joe had tied him to the branch and the reins couldn’t stretch that far. He pulled against them and then stood still.

 

 

 

Joe looked across at the horse and wondered how he could manage to free him.  He knew that if he could get Cochise to wander back to the yard without him it would be a signal that he was in trouble, but the problem was how to free him.  He stood up warily and tried to step towards him, but he just couldn’t reach him no matter how hard he strained at whatever it was holding his foot.  The movement also caused him considerable pain, so in the end he was forced to give up trying. If only he could get him free!

 

 

 

Joe looked down at the gun in his hand, then back up at the horse again. He pointed it in the air and pulled the trigger, watching as Cochise reared in the air with the suddenness of the sound.  The reins held tight, but the tree branch was pulled with the movement.  Again and again he pulled the trigger, hoping that the horse would be so frightened that his increasing movements would pull the reins free.  Finally the gun clicked as the last of the bullets was used and Joe lay down again on the bank, his eyes closed and his heart beating fast with the sheer energy that he had used.

 

 

 

He looked at the frightened horse and began to cry.  ‘I’m sorry Cooch,’ he whispered with the sound of the shots still echoing around in his head. ‘I didn’t mean to frighten you boy, I just need you to…..’ Joe’s body was racked with sobs as the pain over took him once more.  He put his head down on the bank and closed his eyes as unconsciousness overcame him.

 

 

 

 

 

———————–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hop Sing stopped for a moment and lifted his head, frowning as he tried to listen.  He could have sworn that he had heard a sound and waited expectantly for it again.  When nothing came, he shrugged his shoulders and continued to wash the dishes from lunch, thinking about his family as he did so.

 

 

 

His family.  He always thought of them like that.  He had been with the Cartwrights for a number of years now and felt as much a part of the family as he could possibly be.  He had watched Mr Cartwright as he had struggled to bring up his boys, helping when he could.  He had felt particularly close to them all when Mrs Cartwright had died and had tried to help the three boys get over her death while their father struggled with his own grief. He truly felt that those boys were partly his and watched over them as much as he could in his own quiet way.

 

 

 

He shook his head as he remembered the anger on the face of Mr Cartwright during the meal.  Not that he could blame him really.  That Little Joe!  He didn’t know why the boy got himself into so much trouble, but it seemed like he just couldn’t stay away from it.  He lifted his head as he heard another sound and walked to the door. 

 

 

 

Hop Sing opened the door and listened as he looked outside.  He could have sworn that the noise had come from around the side of the house and he walked outside to get a better view.  Suddenly he saw Cochise, Little Joe’s horse enter the yard, walking slowly with his reins dangling. He smiled.  Little Joe had made it home after all!  He scanned the yard for a sign of the boy, but saw nothing.  Cochise walked over to the water trough.

 

 

 

Hop Sing put down the dish in his hand and walked over to the horse.  It wasn’t like Little Joe to leave the animal unattended and he wondered why the horse was here by himself.  He gathered up the reins and tied the animal to the hitching rail and called out loudly. ‘Little Joe!  You there?’  There was no answer and he tried again. ‘Little Joe!  You come out now or your father much madder than before!’  Still there was no answer and Hop Sing began to get worried. He headed towards the barn to check for the youngest Cartwright son, vowing to give him a piece of his mind when he found him.

 

 

 

 

 

———————

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoss wiped the sweat from his brow and scanned the area around him.  The fence mending was back breaking work and even he had only been at it for about an hour he needed a short break.  He reached for his canteen and took a long swallow as he noticed a movement in the distance.  He shaded his eyes against the sun and peered intently as he tried to make out whom it was approaching, and was surprised to see Hop Sing in the buckboard.

 

 

 

‘Hop Sing,’ he said as the man drew near. ‘What are you doing here?’

 

 

 

Hop Sing frowned at him and waved his arm in the direction of the house. ‘Something wrong,’ he said. ‘Little Joe’s horse come back by self.  Little Joe not with him.’

 

 

 

‘What?’ Hoss was instantly alert. ‘Are you sure he’s not there?’

 

 

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Searched everywhere.  Little Joe not anywhere.’

 

 

 

Hoss mounted his horse quickly. ‘I’ll get Adam and some of the men,’ he said. ‘Pa should be home soon. By that time we should be back there and we’ll start to track which direction Cochise came from.’

 

 

 

Hop Sing shook his head again. ‘Already tried,’ he said. ‘Horse come from rocks area behind barn.  Can’t tell where before that.’

 

 

 

Hoss bit his lip. ‘Alright, then tell Pa we’ll cover the North Pasture and start working our way south from there. ‘Tell him to join us.’

 

 

 

Hop Sing nodded and turned the buckboard back towards the house.  Hoss turned north and headed for the direction in which Adam and his crew were working.

 

 

 

 

 

———————-

 

 

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and looked up at the sun again.  He couldn’t make out if it had moved since the last time he had looked and he admitted to himself that at this stage he didn’t really care.  All that mattered was the constant pain that was radiating up his leg. He moved his head slightly and looked down at his leg, still in the water.  At least the water round it now was clear and the bleeding seemed to have stopped.  He found that if he kept it as still as possible the pain subsided to a degree where he didn’t want to scream out, but it was a constant source of agony to him and he found it impossible to cope without expending all his energy to keep the pain at bay.  He wanted nothing more than to reach down under the water and pull off whatever was gripping onto his ankle and the fact that he couldn’t made him sob in frustration and anger.  ‘Pa!’ he called weakly. ‘Pa! Get it off me!’

 

 

 

For a moment he thought he heard his father answer him and opened his eyes, but there was nothing there.  Only the movement of the branches above him with their leaves rustling in the wind.  He looked over to where Cochise was standing and frowned when he didn’t see the horse.  For a moment it didn’t register what had happened, and then he realised with joy that the animal must have somehow gotten loose and wandered away.  He prayed that he had wandered to the house. 

 

 

 

Joe glanced up the bank and fixed his gaze on the dining room window, willing someone to look out and see him.  He knew that he was too far away for them to see him of course, but he felt he had to concentrate on something or he would go mad.  With another sob, he closed his eyes again and surrendered himself to the pain.

 

 

 

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

 

 

Ben pounded his fist in frustration and he sensed Hoss’ eyes upon him. ‘I can’t understand it!’ he said angrily.

 

 

 

‘Are you sure he wasn’t in town Pa?’ said Hoss.

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No. I checked everywhere. ‘He’s on The Ponderosa somewhere, I’m sure of it.  He wouldn’t have had time to get much further and have Cochise make it back by mid afternoon.’

 

 

 

Hoss sighed and scratched his head. ‘Well maybe we’d better get some more men,’ he suggested. ‘And fresh horses too if we’re gonna be looking into the night.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded,’ Yes,’ he said grimly. ‘Adam and his crew should be back about now doing the same thing. We’ll meet them at the house.’

 

 

 

As he rode into the front yard, Ben found that Adam and his men had indeed arrived. ‘Any luck?’ he called, but his eldest son shook his head.

 

 

 

‘No nothing,’ he said. ‘We’ve just come back to get fresh horses.  We’ve check just about everywhere north of here and I thought we’d fan out to the east now.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘Hoss and I have checked the entire South Pasture,’ he said.  ‘We’ll take some more men and head west.’  He dismounted from his horse and led him over to the water trough.

 

 

 

Adam followed.  ‘Pa?’ he said. ‘I can’t understand it.  Joe knows The Ponderosa as well as anyone.  This just wouldn’t happen unless he was seriously hurt or something, and yet there’s no sign of distress on Cochise.  There’s no blood or any signal that he’s had a fall.  There’s nothing to indicate that anything’s wrong at all.’

 

 

 

Ben looked at him. ‘Except that your brother isn’t here,’ he said. ‘I think that’s a strong enough signal don’t you?’

 

 

 

‘You know what I mean,’ said Adam. ‘Joe could have just fallen off or Cochise could have got away from him.  He could be walking home at this very moment Pa.  He mightn’t be hurt at all.’

 

 

 

Ben put his hand on his son’s shoulder. ‘Thank you Adam,’ he said. ‘I know what you’re trying to say son, but until your brother is home again I have to think the worst I’m afraid.  Hard as it might be to think it, he could be out there seriously hurt and while we’re standing here talking about it we could be out there finding him.’

 

 

 

‘Well at least get something to eat first,’ said Adam. ‘None of us will be fit to help Joe when we do find him if we don’t eat.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘I’ll get something quickly. ‘Are you coming?’

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. ‘I’ve had something,’ he said. ‘While you’re inside I’ll get the lanterns ready.  I have a feeling we’re going to need them.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded as he glanced up at the sky.  Dark was nearly upon them and it was certain that they would be out when night fell.  He patted his son’s shoulder again and disappeared into the house, motioning for Hoss to follow.

 

 

 

Adam watched his father go, feeling his pain even as he stood there.  With a sigh he turned towards the barn, stopping to pat Cochise on the way. ‘It’s OK boy,’ he said. ‘Joe will be back soon.’  He noticed the horse seemed to be very agitated and he wondered why.  Adam knew just how close his younger brother was to the animal and he wondered if Cochise sensed their concern about the boy.  He shook his head at his own foolishness.  What on earth was he thinking?  A horse couldn’t possibly know what was going on, and couldn’t hope to sense such things.

 

 

 

Still, he had marvelled many times when he had observed his younger brother and his horse together.  It was as if they really understood each other at times and had a communication between them that no one else could understand. It was a standing joke in the family. He patted the horse again and talked to it soothingly as he stood there. 

 

 

 

Cochise began to paw at the ground with his left hoof.  ‘Steady boy,’ said Adam gently. ‘It’s alright.’  But the animal became even more agitated and was soon shifting around uneasily.  Adam tried in vain to calm it down, and eventually undid the reins to lead it into the barn.  ‘Come on boy,’ he said gently. ‘I’ll get you inside.’

 

 

 

Suddenly the horse reared away from him and he dropped the reins in surprise. Cochise took a few steps away towards the house and Adam followed. ‘Come on boy,’ he said, reaching out for the reins that were dangling just out of his reach. ‘Steady now.’

 

 

 

Every time he reached out for the reins the horse took another step backwards, edging around the side of the house as he did so. ‘Eventually Adam began to be irritated. ‘For heaven’s sake!’ he said angrily. ‘Come here!’  he lunged forward for the reins, but Cochise trotted away from him again.  ‘Well stay there then!’ he said crossly and turned to move back towards the house. ‘I haven’t got time to waste with your nonsense!’

 

 

 

As the words left his mouth however, he knew that he couldn’t leave the horse there.  The animal meant everything to his brother and Joe would never forgive him if he came home to find his prized possession hurt or lost.  For his brother’s sake he had to retrieve the animal.  With a sigh he turned back again and followed the horse as it disappeared around the side of the house towards the creek.

 

 

 

In the dimming light he watched as Cochise made his way towards the clump of trees that surrounded the area near the creek. ‘Come back here!’ he called, but the horse ignored him and kept going.  Cursing under his breath he followed until the animal finally stopped and stood still near a large tree.  ‘Finally!’ Adam muttered and walked forward to get a grip on the reins. ‘Come here you!’

 

 

 

He pulled on the reins, but the horse refused to budge.  Adam angrily tried again, but the animal stubbornly stood still.  ‘For heaven’s sake!’ Adam said angrily. ‘What’s gotten into you?’ He peered into the dim light in front of him.  He could have sworn he saw a movement in the undergrowth in front of him.  Maybe it was just his eyes playing tricks in the dimming light, but he took a few steps forward to make sure and gasped as he saw the huddled form on the bank below him.

 

 

 

 

 

——————

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam slithered down the slope towards the water heading for the limp form of his brother.  As he reached him he took but a second to notice the pallor of his skin and the clenched jaw line that was an indication of the pain that he was in. ‘Joe!’ he cried. ‘What are you doing down here boy?  We’ve been looking everywhere for you!’

 

 

 

Joe didn’t respond verbally, but his hand came out to clutch hold of his brother’s arm and Adam felt the desperation through his grip. He frowned as he wondered what was making his brother so upset. ‘Come on Joe,’ he said gently. ‘Let’s get you up from here and back to the house.’ He reached over to pull his younger brother under the arms, but stopped as he heard him yell. ‘What is it Joe?’ he asked again, peering into the fading light to try and make out what was wrong with the boy. ‘What’s the matter?’

 

 

 

Joe took a deep breath and the words came out in a whisper. ‘My leg,’ he said softly. ‘I can’t….. it’s stuck.’

 

 

 

Adam moved around to try and see what was wrong with his leg.  He could just make out in the fading light that it was at a strange angle, seemingly twisted and held by something. ‘Hold on Joe,’ he said. ‘I’ll get it free for you.’  He reached down into the water and grabbed hold of his brother’s leg by the calf.  Gently he tried to move it, but when it didn’t budge he tried to tug on it.  As Joe’s sudden scream filled the air he immediately let go, realising that it was held fast and was in fact the source of his brother’s pain.  ‘I’m sorry Joe,’ he said. ‘I didn’t realise it was …. Don’t worry boy,’ he stroked his brother’s forehead. ‘We’ll get you out.’

 

 

 

He pulled his gun from his holster and let off three shots into the air – the Cartwright distress signal.  As he replaced his gun he felt his brother’s grip on him tightening and he held him by the shoulders and peered into his face. ‘It’ll be OK Joe.  Pa and Hoss will be coming now and we’ll get you out. Just hold on for a bit longer.’

 

 

 

Joe gazed up into his brother’s face which swam before his eyes.  He was so immersed in the pain that his words only came through dimly and didn’t register in his brain fully. ‘Adam?’ he said. ‘Adam help me.’

 

 

 

Adam stroked his brother’s forehead, whispering comforting words to try and soothe him. ‘It’ll be all right now Joe. Help is on the way.  Just hold on for a bit longer.’

 

 

 

Joe continued to search his brother’s face. ‘Adam?’ he said softly. ‘Get it off me! Make it go away!’ Adam frowned at him, wondering what he meant. Get what off him? Whatever was pinning his leg?  Surely it couldn’t be that painful?  He wished he could see more clearly, but without a lantern he didn’t really know what was underneath the water and he didn’t dare try to feel in case of hurting his brother even more. He continued to try and soothe the boy, holding him in his arms tightly hoping that his touch would provide some comfort.

 

 

 

It seemed like ages that they remained this way, until a sound in the bushes above them alerted Adam to the fact that someone was around. ‘Pa! Hoss!’ he yelled urgently. ‘Down here!’ The sounds became louder and in the dim light he saw his father’s face appear above him on the embankment.

 

 

 

‘Adam? Is that you?’ he called. ‘’We heard the shots.  Do you have Joe down there?’

 

 

 

‘Yes Pa, he’s here with me!’ Adam called back. ‘His foot is trapped under something, but I can’t see what it is to get him out. We need a lantern.’

 

 

 

Ben’s head disappeared. ‘Hoss!’ Adam heard him shout. ‘Get back to the house and get some lanterns. We need some light down here!’ He reappeared above them and Adam heard the scuffling sounds as he descended towards them. ‘Over here!’ he called to guide him to the spot. 

 

 

 

Ben appeared next to him and gazed down at Joe lying in Adam’s arms. ‘Joe!’ he cried. ‘Joseph are you all right son?’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and looked up into his father’s face. ‘Pa?’ he said weakly. ‘Pa is that you?’

 

 

 

Ben took his son into his arms. ‘Yes Joe it’s me,’ he said softly. ‘We’re going to get you out of here now boy.  Lie still so that we can help you.’

 

 

 

Joe had no choice but to lie still.  The constant battle that he had waged with the pain had exhausted him to such an extent that he had very little energy left to give and every bit of it he needed to keep himself conscious.

 

 

 

Ben glanced across at Adam.’ He’s been here all the time?’ he said. It was more of a statement than a question. ‘I can’t believe that he’s been so close to the house and we didn’t find him.’

 

 

 

Adam didn’t reply.  He was taking advantage of the fact that he didn’t need to hold onto his brother any more to reach under the water and try to ascertain what was pinning his leg down. ‘I can’t feel anything,’ he said, then as he felt his brother’s body jerk, ‘Sorry Joe.’

 

 

 

‘Wait until Hoss brings the light,’ instructed his father. ‘You might do more damage if you try to feel around down there without it.’

 

 

 

Adam withdrew his hand. ‘Something isn’t right,’ he said. ‘I thought at first he was caught under a tree root or a rock or something, but they wouldn’t be causing him all this pain.’ He indicated his brother’s face. ‘Look,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben glanced down at his son in his arms.  In the dim light he could make out the tightly closed eyes and the clenched jaw, but more than that he could feel the tenseness in the boy’s body that spoke volumes. ‘Well whatever it is we’ll…..’

 

 

 

His words were cut short as Hoss appeared above them, framed in the glow of a lantern. ‘Down here!’ Adam called. ‘Straight down Hoss!’

 

 

 

The sound of the large man slithering down the embankment towards them was soon upon them.  Hoss took but a moment to appear safely beside them, a lantern in his hand and two more tied with a long coil of rope around his neck. ‘I figured we might need rope,’ he said as he lit the other two lanterns and handed one to Adam. ‘Here.’

 

 

 

‘Good boy,’ said Ben gratefully. ‘Try and see what’s holding his leg.’  He kept hold of his son as his other two boys did their best to ascertain what was under the water. ‘Here’ said Adam finally. ‘You hold onto the lanterns while I go under.’  He handed the lantern in his hand to his brother and took a deep breath before putting his head under the water.  In the swirling blackness he felt down Joe’s leg until he came to his ankle. He felt gently as best he could in the murky conditions and finally his hand came to rest upon what felt like metal. 

 

 

 

After a moment his head bobbed up again above the surface. ‘It seems to be a trap of some sort,’ he said. ‘It’s metal anyway.’

 

 

 

‘A trap?’ said his father. ‘How on earth would…..’ his voice trailed away as the realisation struck him. ‘My God!’ he said angrily. ‘I thought all those would have been taken out years ago.  There must be one left!’

 

 

 

‘One what?’ said Adam as he struggled to regain his breath.

 

 

 

‘About ten years ago.  Don’t you remember? Those trappers who were fiddling around down here before I chased them off?  They were using the open-jawed kind of trap that most of them used before the spring kind was developed. My God!  If one of those was left behind!’  He clutched his son tightly as the thought struck him of just what was holding the boy’s foot under the water. ‘Get down there again Adam and see if you can get it free!’ he said urgently. The trap must be hooked on something.’

 

 

 

Adam took another deep breath and disappeared again.  After a moment he came up for air again. ‘It’s impossible to tell Pa,’ he said desperately. ‘I just can’t see anything and it’s impossible to feel.’

 

 

 

Ben looked anxiously around him. ‘Get more men,’ he said. ‘We have to get a lot more light down here.  It’s the only way to see what we’re fighting against. Also,’ he added as Adam began to move. ‘Rope,’ continued Ben. ‘Plenty of it, and some axes, crowbars, whatever else you can find. Hurry!’ Adam began to move up the embankment, but stopped as he heard his father’s voice. ‘Wait!’ Ben cried. ‘Hoss, you go.  We’ll need your strength.  Adam, you ride for the doctor.  We’re going to need him when we do get Joe’s foot out.’  Adam nodded, seeing the sense in his father’s instructions.

 

 

 

Hoss frowned. ‘Pa? Don’t you need one of us here to…..’

 

 

 

‘I need to both to do as I say,’ said Ben, the strain sounding in his voice. ‘Go!’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded and both of them disappeared over the top of the embankment. Ben cradled Joe in his arms, feeling the cold wind bite into him as he sat there.   His legs in the water were beginning to turn numb with the cold, and he could only begin to imagine how his son must be feeling half immersed as he was in the cold water.  He shuddered to think how long Joe had been here for, so close to the house and probably calling for help while he had the strength, but getting no reply from any of them.  The pain must have been unbearable for the boy, yet he wasn’t reacting to it much at all which showed Ben just how exhausted he must be.

 

 

 

Joe shifted slightly in his father’s arms and opened his eyes. ‘Pa? ‘ he said again. ‘Pa, is that you?’

 

 

 

Ben held his son tightly. ‘Yes Joe it’s me,’ he said gently. ‘I’m here now.’

 

 

 

Joe searched his father’s face intently through the painful haze that had a grip on his mind. ‘Pa? Make it go away,’ he said. ‘Help me Pa!’

 

 

 

A shudder went through Ben’s body.  His child was pleading for him to help him, yet he didn’t know how.  All he could do was to hold him tightly and give him the promise of help to come. ‘Hold on Joe,’ he said. ‘We’ll get you free soon.’

 

 

 

Joe clutched hold of his father’s arm. ‘I can’t…. I can’t stand it Pa,’ he said urgently. ‘Please make it go away!’ Ben continued to hold him, bending his head to place it on top of his son’s. ‘I called for you Pa,’ continued Joe. ‘I called for you, but you didn’t come!’

 

 

 

‘I’m here now Joe,’ said his father. ‘I’m here now and you’ll be free soon.’

 

 

 

‘Now Pa!’ insisted Joe. ‘Please get it off me now!’

 

 

 

Ben closed his eyes and tried to block the sound of his son’s futile pleas. It was killing him inside to listen to the boy’s words when he was helpless to do anything for him until the others arrived. He felt Joe’s body begin to shake and opened his eyes again to see the tears rolling down his son’s face. ‘Don’t cry boy,’ he said helplessly. ‘Just hold on.’

 

 

 

Joe sobbed in his father’s arms as the realisation hit him that the man wasn’t able to free him from the source of the pain that was wearing him down. ‘Pa!’ he sobbed. ‘Please Pa!’

 

 

 

For a few moments they sat like this, Ben rocking the boy in his arms as he tried desperately to bring him some comfort. He would have given anything to take the pain away from him and didn’t know how to convey that to him. He stared into the darkness that had now enveloped them and rocked his son in his arms as he listened to his sobs helplessly.

 

 

 

After what seemed like an eternity, there came the welcome sounds of activity above them and Ben looked up to see Hoss once again appear. ‘I’m coming Pa,’ he called. ‘I’ve got some of the men with me.’

 

 

 

Ben looked anxiously up as the area was suddenly lit up by the lights of several lanterns and numerous men appeared as if from nowhere. He bent his head again onto that of his son’s and whispered. ‘They’re here now Joseph. We’re nearly there now son.’ Joe continued to sob, oblivious to his father’s words. All of his energy was concentrated on overcoming the pain that was so much a part of him now.

 

 

 

Hoss took control as soon as he arrived again beside his father. ‘Get the lights over here,’ he said urgently. ‘Now, I want as many of you as possible to get in close with those lanterns while I reach for the trap. Ben shielded his face from the bright light as a multitude of lanterns lit up the area around them. He watched as Hoss bent down under the water and felt around, holding onto Joe tightly as he felt the boy’s body tense up again.

 

 

 

‘I can feel it Pa,’ said Hoss. ‘I think it’s pinned under a tree root or something.’ He called to one of the men. ‘Hand me that rope.’  With swift movements he bent down again and fumbled for what he needed to find. ‘I’m gonna havta go under ,’ he said. ‘Hold those lights close.’ He disappeared under the water, but was soon up again. ‘I can’t do it alone,’ he said.

 

 

 

Charlie pushed forward. ‘I’ll come down with you,’ he said, handing his lantern to one of the others. Ben watched as the two of them disappeared. After a moment they reappeared, struggling for breath. ‘It’s tied on now,’ said Hoss.  ‘It’s gonna need all of us to shift that root though.’

 

 

 

The men immediately put down their lanterns and reached for the rope. As Hoss counted them in, it stretched tautly and Ben felt the ground around them shift slightly as the stubborn tree root which had gripped into the land for so many years was wrenched free. ‘Again,’ shouted Hoss as he strained his hardest. The rope stretched even tighter and Ben heard the sound of the old tree beside him groaning with protest as it was disturbed. ‘Stop,’ said Hoss and disappeared again under the water.

 

 

 

Ben felt Joe stiffen in his arms and cry out in pain. He held on to him even tighter as Hoss re-emerged and shouted. ‘I’ve got it!’  He reached down and gently moved Joe’s leg and Ben pulled the boy towards him as he felt it give way.  Joe let out a long sigh and collapsed back into his father’s arms, content to allow him to bear his weight.

 

 

 

‘Pull him out of the water!’ yelled Hoss and Ben felt many hands around them as Joe was lifted out of his arms and laid on the bank. He picked up a lantern and held it close to his son’s leg, drawing in his breath as he saw the trap that was tightly clamped around his ankle.  ‘Get him up!’ he said urgently. ‘We have to get him back to the house quickly.’  He reached forward to grab hold of his son, but Hoss was there before him and with the help of several of the men had his brother up the embankment in a few moments.  He picked him up as if he a tiny child and headed towards the house with him, followed by Ben holding a lantern above his head to light the way.

 

 

 

 

 

—————-

 

 

 

 

 

‘Put him on the bed,’ said Ben as they entered the room. ‘Gently now.’ Hoss placed his brother on the bed and turned to his father. ‘Go and thank the men,’ said Ben, his eyes not leaving his youngest son for a moment. ‘Then get back here with something….. anything…….. to get that off.’ He pointed to the metal surrounding Joe’s leg.

 

 

 

Hoss turned quickly and left the room. Ben sat down next to Joe and began to wet a cloth and apply it to his son’s face. ‘Easy now son,’ he said. ‘You’re home now.  We’ll get you better in no time.’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and looked up into his father’s face.  His words meant nothing to him as the pain overcame all else.  All he knew was that it was still with him and he needed it gone. ‘Pa,’ he said weakly and then closed his eyes again.

 

 

 

‘Mr Cartlight?’ said a voice behind Ben.

 

 

 

‘Yes Hop Sing?’ said Ben without turning.

 

 

 

‘Mr Adam go for doctor?’

 

 

 

‘Yes,’ Ben replied softly. ‘We’re going to need bandages and hot water.’ He heard the soft sound of the oriental man’s slippers as he left the room quickly and all was still again except for Joe’s ragged breathing which filled the air. Ben continued to sponge his son’s face as he waited.

 

 

 

Suddenly Hoss entered the room in a burst of activity. ‘Here,’ he said urgently. ‘This should do it.’  Ben glanced down at the tools in his hands and nodded as he drew back to allow Hoss the space to get to his brother’s foot.  Ben held onto Joe’s arms and bent over him while his brother worked. He heard the scrape of metal against metal and felt Joe jerk as Hoss’ movements increased.

 

 

 

Suddenly Ben heard Hoss swear and Joe screamed aloud and tried to push himself out of his father’s arms. Ben glanced back towards Hoss and saw the blood covering his hands. ‘It’s old and stiff Pa,’ he said. ‘I thought I had it then but it slipped back.’ 

 

 

 

Ben clenched his jaw. ‘Just try again,’ he said tightly and turned back towards his weeping son to comfort him. Once again he heard metal scraping against metal and closed his eyes and prayed as he had never prayed before. 

 

 

 

Joe’s body tensed in his arms and finally he heard an exclamation for Hoss. ‘Got it Pa!’ he cried.  Ben glanced back again to see his son carefully prying the now open trap from his brother’s foot.  Joe shuddered and went limp in his father’s arms with relief.

 

 

 

‘Good boy Hoss,’ said Ben, the relief evident in his voice. ‘Well done.’

 

 

 

Hoss looked down at the rusty trap in his hand as if he wanted to throw it through the window.  Instead he threw it onto the floor at the foot of the bed distastefully. ‘It’s old and rusty all right Pa,’ he said angrily. ‘Looks as though it has been there for years.  You’re probably right about them trappers.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded, his blood running cold as he thought about what ‘old and rusty’ might mean and how it could be serious for his son.  The thought of what that rust could be doing in his son’s bloodstream right at this moment sent shivers down his spine. ‘We need to get that boot off,’ he said. ‘Did you bring a knife?’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded and picked one up. ‘I’ll do it,’ he said. Ben looked at the top of his son’s head as he worked.  He knew that the best thing for Hoss right now was to keep busy and doing for his brother like this was the best remedy for his anxiety that Ben could imagine for him.  Within moments he had cut through the boot and he and his father gently eased it and the sock off Joe’s foot.  Ben drew his breath in sharply as he saw the extent of his son’s injury.  His ankle bore several puncture marks from the teeth of the trap, but more than that Ben could see dark purple and black that led up from them which indicated the internal bruising that had taken place.

 

 

 

As the sock came free the released blood began to flow freely and Ben reached for a cloth to stem the flow. As he wiped the foot clean more blood appeared and he finally bound his son’s foot tightly to try and stop it.

 

 

 

‘Shouldn’t we wash it?’ said Hoss anxiously. ‘It needs cleaning what with all that rust and all.’

 

 

 

Ben looked up to meet his son’s eyes.  They both realised the danger was not so much in what they could see of the wound, but more what was hidden beneath the surface. ‘We have to stop the blood flow first,’ he said grimly.  ‘Then we’ll worry about cleaning it.’

 

 

 

‘But it might be infected,’ said Hoss as he gazed at Joe’s face. ‘There was a lot of rust on it Pa.’

 

 

 

Ben said nothing, but held onto the cloth tightly, trying to stem the flow of bleeding. After a few moments he noticed the cloth beginning to turn red and realised that he hadn’t been successful. ‘We need to elevate it, ‘he said. ‘Bring in some pillows.  Get as many as you can.’ As Hoss left the room Ben glanced at Joe’s face.  The boy was extremely pale, but at least he seemed to be breathing a bit easier now that the trap was not attached to his foot any more. His eyes were closed and he could have been asleep, except for the fact that his jaw was clenched tight and his knuckles showed white where his hands gripped the sides of the bed.

 

 

 

Hop Sing entered the room with a bowl of steaming water in his hands and towels tucked under his arms. He placed the bowl on the table next to the bed and handed Ben a towel without a word.  Ben took it gratefully and used it to wrap around his son’s ankle, holding it as tightly as he could.  Hop Sing’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the bruised and bleeding ankle, but he said not a word.  Instead he turned and left the room and returned a few moments later with some powder which he mixed into the water and then soaked one of the towels in it.

 

 

 

Ben and Hoss watched him silently, knowing full well that the oriental man’s knowledge of healing herbs was being put to use.  Ben had no idea what it was that the man was using, but he had utter faith that whatever it was would be useful to his son.  Time and time again over the years Hop Sing’s knowledge had proved to be useful when one of the boys needed healing, and Ben had no doubt that this time would prove to be no different.

 

 

 

He took the towel as it was handed to him and replaced it for the one that he had already been holding.  ‘Will help stop bleeding,’ Hop Sing volunteered. ‘Clot blood quickly.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘Thank you,’ he said simply. He wondered how many times he and Hop Sing had sat next to one of the boys anxiously as they recuperated from one illness or another.  More times than he could count, of that he was sure.

 

 

 

Joe moaned softly and shook his head on the pillow. ‘Take it off,’ he murmured softly. ‘Take it off please Pa!’

 

 

 

Ben made a soothing noise with his tongue. ‘It’s off now Joe.  Lie still now son.’ Joe continued to mumble to himself.  Ben looked up at Hoss. ‘Did Adam leave for the doctor?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. ‘Yeah Pa.  But he won’t get here for a couple of hours you know.’

 

 

 

Ben looked down at the pale face of his son.  He did know.  He also knew that those couple of hours could be vital to his boy’s survival.  The wound had to be cleaned as soon as possible and he didn’t want to delay it any longer, but the flow of blood just made it impossible to get to it.  He closed his eyes and said a quiet prayer that Hop Sing’s herbs would work.

 

 

 

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half an hour later it seemed as if Ben’s prayers had been answered.  The blood flow had considerably lessened to the extent that it seemed to have nearly stopped altogether.  Ben felt confident enough to remove the towel to observe the wound and was pleased to see that the blood was clotting around it.  ‘I’ll try cleaning it now,’ he said. ‘Hoss could you get the alcohol please?’

 

 

 

Hoss disappeared immediately and Ben was left with Hop Sing for a few moments.  The two men’s eyes met in mutual understanding, but not a word was spoken.  By the time Hoss had returned however, Hop Sing had positioned himself by Joe’s head and motioned for Hoss to stand near the foot of the bed. ‘Hold onto him,’ instructed Ben and Hoss sat down and pinned his brother’s slim form down to the mattress by laying himself on top of him.

 

 

 

Hop Sing held Joe’s head in his hands and stared into his eyes. Both men waited for the inevitable jerk that came as Ben poured the alcohol onto the wound and when it did come they tightened their grip on the boy. Joe screamed aloud as the burning sensation invaded his whole body and he tried to jerk himself free of Hoss’ arms.  Hop Sing continued to gaze into his eyes and began to speak softly to him in Chinese.  After the initial shock had left him, Joe looked up into the man’s eyes and fixed his gaze on him, trying to get his breath back.

 

 

 

Hop Sing continued to speak in Chinese, his words soothing and low.  Joe looked back at him and continued to breathe deeply, biting his lip as he tried to stop the screams that were beyond his control.  Gradually he quietened down and by the time his father’s face appeared in front of him he was silent.  Hop Sing still sat in the same position chanting the words over and over again to the frightened boy on the bed.  Ben watched in amazement as Joe nodded slightly and answered in the same language.  He had known that his son understood a few Chinese words.  He had spent many hours in the cook’s company when he was a child and was bound to learn a few.  But he had no idea the extent of his knowledge.  It seemed that he was following what Hop Sing was saying and had the vocabulary to answer him. Ben stored the information away for a later time.

 

 

 

As he bent over his son the boy’s eyes left Hop Sing’s and moved over to gaze at his father. ‘That’s the worst over now Joseph,’ said Ben softly.  The wound should be a lot cleaner now son and you can try and get some sleep.’

 

 

 

Sleep?  thought Joe.  He has no idea how much this hurts if he thinks I can sleep now! The sharp pain had gone now that the trap was off his foot, but it had been replaced by a constant throbbing and the after effects of the alcohol were still burning into his skin.  But he simply closed his eyes without argument and tried to give the impression that he felt better.  One look at his father’s face had convinced him that he needed to think that the pain was easier now.  Joe tried to give the impression that it was, and he lay as still as possible while listening intently for the sound of the doctor in the front yard.

 

 

 

 

 

———————

 

 

 

 

 

Doctor Paul Martin entered the bedroom with Adam close on his heels. Ben looked up from his chair, the relief evident on his face. ‘Paul,’ he said. ‘Did Adam fill you in on what happened?’

 

 

 

The doctor nodded as he set his bag down on the bed.  Even that slight movement caused the boy on the bed to wince, he noticed and wasted no time in undoing the towel that was wrapped around his ankle.  He frowned as he looked at the foot which was darkening with bruising.

 

 

 

‘How long was the trap on his foot?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘We don’t know,’ said Ben. ‘Some hours at least.’

 

 

 

‘Show it to me.’

 

 

 

Hoss reached down and picked it up from the foot of the bed where he had thrown it.  He held it distastefully in front of him.  The doctor fingered it for a moment and then looked at Ben. ‘Rusty,’ he said simply.

 

 

 

Ben’s blood ran cold. ‘Meaning?’ he asked hesitantly.

 

 

 

‘You know as well as I do Ben,’ said Paul, avoiding his friend’s eyes.  ‘It could mean blood poisoning.’

 

 

 

There was silence in the room.  Paul sat on the bed and looked at Joe carefully. ‘I’m going to give you something for the pain Joe,’ he said. ‘It’ll make you drowsy and you’ll probably feel like falling asleep.’

 

 

 

Joe nodded.  He was willing to swallow anything at this point if it made the pain go away.  It had been with him for so long now that he tried to remember without success what it would be like without it.  Eagerly he swallowed the bitter tasting liquid as the doctor held a glass to his lips, and lay back on the pillow waiting for it to work.

 

 

 

The five men around the bed sat and watched him as his eyelids gradually closed and Ben noted with satisfaction the clenched jaw loosen as his son slipped into unconsciousness. He reached over and brushed the curls from his son’s brow, before looking at the doctor again.

 

 

 

Paul was bent over Joe’s ankle, peering at it intently as he disinfected and dressed the wound. Ben watched him with a worried expression on his face, afraid to ask his opinion on Joe’s injury.  Finally, the doctor stood up and began to pack away his equipment.  Ben could stand the suspense no longer. ‘Well?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘It’s hard to tell at this stage,’ said Paul.  ‘We’ll just have to wait and see if he develops a fever.  Keep alert for any breathing difficulties as well.’

 

 

 

‘So we just assume that he’ll be all right then?  We don’t do anything except clean the wound at this stage?’

 

 

 

Paul looked his friend in the eye for the first time. ‘No, we don’t just leave it at that Ben.  I’ll leave you with some painkillers for him.  By tomorrow he should begin to feel a lot easier.  Have him drink plenty as well, and I’ll show you how to make a poultice with diluted boric acid to hopefully keep the wound from festering.’

 

 

 

‘Hopefully?’ said Adam.

 

 

 

‘Yes.  We all know the danger here is blood poisoning.  The key to avoiding that is to keep the wound as clean as possible, but the rust from the trap may have already done its damage.  If it has, then it’s likely that the wound will become infected.’

 

 

 

‘And then?’ asked Ben.

 

 

 

Paul picked up his bag and avoided answering. ‘We’ll worry about that if and when it happens,’ he said evasively.  ‘We might never have to.’  There was silence in the room.  Each man knew without saying it just what blood poisoning could mean and none of them were willing to voice their fears.  Paul patted Ben on the shoulder. ‘Just do for him what you can Ben,’ he said. ‘He’s a young strong boy and his body has the capabilities of overcoming an infection if it does happen.  Now, if you come downstairs with me I’ll show you how to mix up that poultice.’

 

 

 

Adam sat down on the side of his brother’s bed as his father and the doctor left the room.  Hoss picked up the trap and looked at it.  ‘Strange how something so simple can be such a danger ain’t it?’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam nodded as he looked at his youngest brother on the bed in front of him. ‘You should have seen him when I found him Hoss.  I thought he was dead for a few minutes. He must have been in terrible agony lying there with that thing around his ankle all that time.’

 

 

 

Hoss grimaced at the thought of it.  ‘Well he ain’t in pain now at least,’ he said. ‘Looks like that pain killer has worked.’  They both looked at Joe’s face so pale and still on the pillow.

 

 

 

‘Yes,’ said Adam as he stood up and stretched. ‘Let’s hope it continues to.’

 

 

 

 

 

———————

 

 

 

 

 

Ben yawned and rubbed his eyes as he looked out of the window at the sight before him.  It never ceased to amaze him just how beautiful this land was and how he never got tired of looking at it.  The sun was just tipping the top of the hill in the distance and sending it’s rosy light over the tops of the pines to herald the beginning of another glorious day and he could hear the birds chattering in the tops of the pines a short distance from where he stood. He breathed the smell of the pines and said a silent prayer of thanks that his youngest son had the chance of seeing this day after all.

 

 

 

There had been moments the evening before when he had doubted that Joseph would ever see another dawn.  The look on the boy’s face when they had found him in the creek had stopped Ben’s heart momentarily and it was only the sheer force of his will to help his son that had kept him from crying out in despair.  He turned and looked at his son on the bed across the other side of the room and smiled to see the expression on his face.  Joe had always been a heavy sleeper and the effect of the drugs that the doctor had given him had only caused him to be more so last night.  If it weren’t for the heavily bandaged foot poking out from under the covers Ben could have sworn that his youngest son didn’t have a care in the world.

 

 

 

Joe moved slightly under the covers and his father moved straight to his side.  The night had been a long one and even though Adam and Hoss had tried to get him to go to bed for a while he found that he couldn’t leave his youngest son’s side.  Even so, he was glad that the dawn had come and there seemed to be no change in Joseph’s condition.  Ben’s body ached for sleep and he felt that at least now he could give in to it and leave Joe in the care of his brothers and Hop Sing for a while.  He felt his son’s forehead for any sign of fever and happily found none. 

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and looked up at his father. ‘Hi Pa,’ he said sleepily. ‘Am I late for breakfast?’

 

 

 

Ben laughed.  ‘No you’re not late,’ he said. ‘I think you can have breakfast in bed this morning.’

 

 

 

Joe scrunched up his face, trying to remember why his father would say such a thing. ‘Oh yeah!’ he said after a moment. ‘I forgot about my foot I guess.’  He glanced down at the bandages tentatively.

 

 

 

‘How does it feel?’ asked his father.

 

 

 

‘Not too bad,’ replied Joe. ‘It doesn’t hurt as much as last night anyways.’

 

 

 

‘Good.  Even so, I think you should take some more of that painkiller that Doctor Martin left for you.’

 

 

 

Joe frowned. ‘I don’t need to,’ he said, watching his father mix some of the powder in a glass of water. Ben took no notice of him and held the glass to his lips, forcing him to drink it down. Joe glared at his father as he finished. ‘I’m fine,’ he said petulantly.

 

 

 

Ben patted him on the shoulder. ‘Of course you are,’ he said soothingly. ‘I’m just making sure.’

 

 

 

They both turned their heads as a noise in the doorway heralded Hop Sing coming into the room.  ‘Little Joe looking better,’ he said smiling. ‘Mr Ben go sleep now while Hop Sing bandage ankle.’ Ben noticed the towels and basin that the man was carrying and remembered last night how he had insisted on watching and listening to Paul’s instructions as he showed Ben how to make up the poultice for Joe’s ankle. ‘Breakfast downstairs,’ Hop Sing continued as he shooed Ben out of the room. ‘Go eat, then sleep.’

 

 

 

Ben smiled to himself as he heard his son’s protest from the bedroom as he made his way downstairs. ‘What are you gonna do with that?  Phew!  It smells terrible.  You ain’t gonna put that on my foot are you?’

 

 

 

‘Little Joe lie still!’ came Hop Sing’s voice. ‘Do as told!’

 

 

 

Ben laughed openly as he descended the stairs, his heart light even though his body ached with exhaustion. It seemed as if his youngest son was on the mend after all.  ‘Morning boys,’ he said as he seated himself at the table.

 

 

 

‘Morning Pa,’ they chorused.

 

 

 

‘How’s Joe?’ asked Hoss.

 

 

 

‘He seems to be a lot better,’ said Ben as he helped himself to some eggs. ‘He’s up there fighting with Hop Sing about that poultice, so that’s a good sign.’

 

 

 

‘Did you get any sleep at all’ asked Adam, studying his father’s face.

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No.  I wanted to stay with Joe in case,’ he said.  ‘I’ll get some after I’ve eaten if you two don’t mind looking in on him for a while.’

 

 

 

‘Of course we don’t,’ said Adam. ‘How is his foot?’

 

 

 

‘Not hurting as much,’ said Ben. ‘Although we need to keep an eye on it for a while yet.  You heard what Paul said.’

 

 

 

‘He’ll be fine Pa.  Don’t worry about him,’ said Hoss.  ‘He’s a tough kid.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded and tried to smile. ‘Yes I know he is,’ he said. 

 

 

 

A while later as he lay on his bed and waited for sleep to overtake him, he prayed that Hoss was right. 

 

 

 

 

 

—————-

 

 

 

 

 

Ben opened his eyes and blinked for a moment, trying to focus on where he was.  He looked around his room and noticed that the curtains had been pulled closed and the door was shut.  He sat up and rubbed his eyes wondering what time it was, then stood and stretched before walking over to the window. Glancing at his pocket watch on the bureau he noted that it was close to midday and realised that he had slept the morning away.  Splashing his face with cold water from the basin that stood on the table near the window, he quickly dried his face and headed for the doorway, anxious to know how Joe was getting on. 

 

 

 

Ben opened the door to his bedroom and walked the length of the hall.  As he entered Joe’s room he noticed Adam sitting on a chair next to his younger brother’s bed.  Joe had his eyes closed and seemed to be asleep.

 

 

 

‘How is he?’ he said quietly. 

 

 

 

Adam looked up at him, startled. ‘Oh Pa.  I didn’t hear you come in,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘How is he?’ Ben repeated, his eyes on his youngest son. ‘Now that he saw him close up, it was with some alarm that he noted the flushed face and shallow breathing of the boy.

 

 

 

‘He’s got a bit of a fever developing,’ said Adam. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about though.’

 

 

 

Ben sat down on the edge of the bed and noticed that even that slight movement caused Joe to grimace in his sleep.  ‘Have you given him more of the painkillers?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said.  ‘About an hour ago.’

 

 

 

Ben reached down and undid the bandage that encircled Joe’s foot.  He frowned as he looked at the darkening bruise and the ugly red puncture marks. ‘It doesn’t look too good,’ he said anxiously. ‘Maybe we should put another poultice on it.’

 

 

 

‘Hop Sing did a short while ago,’ said Adam. ‘He’s been up here a few times to check on Joe.’ He turned his head as the sound of riders in the yard below reached his ears, then stood and walked to the window. ‘It’s Paul Martin,’ he said.  ‘Hoss is bringing him up.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded.  He had known that the doctor would be back without having to send for him.  Paul was a true professional and always followed through with all his patients.  While he waited for him to appear he wiped a cold cloth over Joe’s face.

 

 

 

Moments later Paul and Hoss entered the room. ‘How is he?’ Paul echoed Ben’s earlier words and listened as Adam repeated to him what he had told his father. The doctor bent down and examined Joe’s foot, then put his hand on the boy’s forehead.  As Ben watched, Joe’s eyes fluttered opened and he stared up at them both.

 

 

 

‘Hello there young man,’ Ben said.

 

 

 

Joe stared at him for a moment, still half asleep.  After a moment he said. ‘Hi Pa.’ His eyes turned to the doctor who was still standing by the side of the bed and he frowned, obviously not happy to see him.  He looked back at his father accusingly. ‘I told you before I’m fine,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘I’ll be the judge of that,’ interrupted Paul before Ben could speak. ‘Does your foot hurt?’

 

 

 

Joe continued to frown at him silently.

 

 

 

‘The doctor asked you a question Joseph,’ said Ben. ‘Answer him please.’

 

 

 

‘Not much,’ said Joe finally.

 

 

 

Paul raised his eyebrows, obviously not sure whether to believe him or not. He took off the bandage and Joe squirmed with the movement. ‘So it does hurt,’ the doctor said. Joe didn’t say anything.  Ben knew from experience that his youngest son hated to be sick and would prefer to be non-committal rather than alert them to the fact that there was something wrong. He sensed that his son wasn’t feeling too well and was trying to hide the fact from them.

 

 

 

‘Joseph answer the doctor properly please,’ he said. ‘If your foot hurts then tell him so.’

 

 

 

Joe shrugged his shoulders and didn’t answer.  Paul sat down on the edge of the bed and said in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘There is a danger of infection setting in with a wound like that Joe. I need you to be honest with me if I’m going to help you.’

 

 

 

Joe glared at him, then answered, ‘I told you it hurts a bit.’

 

 

 

‘I’d say it hurts a lot more than a bit,’ said Paul sternly. He fingered the area lightly and Joe moved his foot away from the touch. ‘Don’t!’ he said.

 

 

 

Paul looked across the bed at Ben, then picked up Joe’s wrist and held it between his thumb and forefinger as he looked at his watch.  Joe lay still, looking at the ceiling.  After a few moments Paul put his wrist down. ‘It’s a bit more rapid than I’d like,’ he said. ‘We need to keep an eye on it.’ He took a bottle out of his bag and began to douse a cloth with it while he looked meaningfully at Ben.  Ben caught on immediately and moved around to the other side of the bed and sat down.

 

 

 

‘I’m just going to disinfect your wound again,’ said Paul.  ‘Last time I did this you were unconscious, so you need to know it’s going to hurt.  Are you ready?’

 

 

 

Joe stared at him for a moment, then nodded.  Ben reached down and held him by the shoulders, ready for the moment when his son would need his strength.  Joe looked into his father’s face and began to speak. ‘You can let go of me Pa.  I’ll be……’  His words were cut off by a sharp intake of breath and he grimaced in pain.  As Ben continued to hold onto him, he closed his eyes and a small groan escaped from his lips.  After a few moments he opened them again and said ruefully. ‘Guess it did hurt a bit.’

 

 

 

Ben stroked his forehead and smiled at him. ‘It’s over now,’ he said simply and let go of his shoulders. He turned towards Paul. ‘How does it look?’

 

 

 

Paul was busy bandaging Joe’s foot up again. ‘Well his temperature is up and his pulse is a bit rapid.  Both those things point to the beginnings of an infection.  Given the nature of the wound that’s not surprising though.’  He looked up at Joe. ‘And if this young man bothers to tell me the truth about how he’s feeling we’ll be able to monitor his progress a lot more successfully.  Understood?’

 

 

 

Joe nodded. ‘Understood,’ he said.

 

 

 

Paul sat down on the bed. ‘I mean it,’ he said. ‘This is nothing to play around with Joe. That trap was old and rusty and it’s quite likely that an infection could be a bad one if it does develop.’  He hesitated for a moment before he continued. ‘There is even the possibility of blood poisoning if we’re not careful.’

 

 

 

Joe looked at the doctor anxiously. ‘What’s that mean?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Well it could be serious,’ Paul replied. ‘That’s why you have to do as you’re told and co-operate.’ Joe nodded and Paul patted him on the shoulder. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘Now I want you to keep that foot elevated and sleep as much as you can.  Also drink plenty of water to flush any infection through your body.’ He stood to leave. ‘Ben, I’ll be back again tomorrow.  In the meantime keep those poultices on it and don’t hesitate to send for me if his fever gets any worse.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘I will,’ he said. ‘Now you get some rest,’ he said to his son. ‘When I come back up here I want you to be asleep young man.’ Joe closed his eyes obediently, but opened them again as soon as he heard the door close quietly behind the two men.  He lay still, trying unsuccessfully to will the throbbing in his foot away. He wondered what the doctor had meant by blood poisoning.  He realised that he hadn’t given him a direct answer to his question and he was concerned as to what that might mean. He closed his eyes again and tried to sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe woke up some hours later and the first thing he was aware of was the throbbing in his foot which seemed to be worse than before.  He glanced around the room and noticed that he was alone. He shifted slightly in the bed and bit his lip as he felt pain travel up his leg. He tried to sit up and pull the cover away from his foot, but the movement caused him to cry out softly in pain and he lay back down again.  Looking to his side he noticed the jug of water that was always there and became aware of his thirst.  He longed for a drink of water, but didn’t want to sit up again and risk the pain coming back. Instead he lay there waiting for someone to come into his room. 

 

 

 

Joe felt hot and bothered and the pain in his leg seemed to be getting worse.  He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up again at the basin and jug on the bedside table. He gave in and tried to sit up again, immediately aware of the pain coming back.  In spite of himself he moaned aloud as he reached for the jug and bit his lip to stop himself from crying more.  As he reached for the jug the pain overtook him and he only succeeded in knocking it to the floor with a resounding crash.

 

 

 

Within moments the door was flung open and his father entered the room with an anxious expression on his face.  ‘Joe!’ he cried. ‘Are you all right?’

 

 

 

Joe was leaning on his elbow, his face turned towards the side of the bed. He took a moment to recover his breath and in that moment his father made it across the floor to his side. ‘Joe?’ he said again anxiously. ‘Son, what are you trying to do?’ He eased Joe back onto the pillow as he spoke.

 

 

 

‘I was just trying to get a drink of water,’ Joe answered. ‘I couldn’t reach it without moving and when I did my leg started to hurt.’

 

 

 

Ben poured him and glass of water and Joe drank it thirstily. ‘Thanks Pa,’ he said gratefully. ‘Sorry about the jug.’

 

 

 

‘Forget the jug,’ said Ben. He felt his son’s forehead and frowned. ‘Your fever seems to be worse.’

 

 

 

Joe lay back on the pillow and closed his eyes. He smiled as he felt a cool cloth on his forehead. ‘That feels good,’ he said softly.

 

 

 

Ben continued to sponge his son’s forehead, face and neck, noting his flushed look as he did so. He heard a sound behind him and turned slightly to see Hoss entering the room. ‘Is Little Joe OK Pa?’ he said. ‘I heard a noise.’

 

 

 

‘Joe just knocked the jug over,’ explained his father.

 

 

 

Hoss looked down at his brother. ‘His fever is worse huh?’ he asked. ‘Do ya want me ta get the Doc Pa?’

 

 

 

‘I’m not sure,’ said Ben. ‘I’ll take a look at his foot first.’  He carefully undid the bandage around his son’s ankle, taking care not to move his foot any more than was necessary.  Joe continued to lie with his eyes closed.  As Ben undid the wrapping his eyes widened at the sight before his eyes.  The boy’s ankle was quite a good deal swollen than before and the bruise had darkened until it was black.  There were red streaks coming from the puncture marks around his ankle and they extended half way up his calf. ‘Get the doctor,’ he said simply. ‘Get him now Hoss.’  Hoss turned without a word and left the room.

 

 

 

 

 

—————–

 

 

 

 

 

‘His fever is much worse,’ said Ben in an anxious voice. ‘But this is what’s really got me worried.’  He pulled back the covers and undid the bandage again to reveal the swollen and red foot.

 

 

 

Paul sucked in his breath as he viewed Joe’s foot. ‘That’s what I’ve been afraid of,’ he said.  ‘He has a bad infection.  It could be blood poisoning.’

 

 

 

Ben went cold at the thought of what that could mean. ‘Paul?’ he said hesitantly. ‘What can you do for him?’

 

 

 

Before the doctor could answer there was a movement from the bed as Joe stirred. Ben’s hand instinctively went out to his son and he patted him on the arm. Joe’s eyes fluttered open. ‘Pa?’ he said softly.

 

 

 

‘I’m here Joseph,’ said Ben. ‘What is it son?’

 

 

 

‘My foot hurts,’ said Joe and closed his eyes again.

 

 

 

Ben patted him once more. ‘I know son,’ he said. ‘The doctor’s here to help you.’ He looked up at Paul. ‘Well?’ he said.

 

 

 

Paul hesitated. ‘Ben I don’t quite know how else to say this to say to you,’ he said. ‘Now the blood is infected it could mean the loss of his foot.’

 

 

 

Ben jerked. ‘What?’ he said. ‘You can’t be serious!’

 

 

 

‘There may not be any choice,’ said Paul. ‘You can see for yourself how bad it looks.  It’s probably better to not take any chances and risk this spreading any further.’

 

 

 

Ben stared at him. ‘You mean to ….’ He lowered his voice so that the boy on the bed wouldn’t hear him. ‘You want to amputate?’

 

 

 

Paul looked at his friend sadly. ‘Ben I know how hard this must be for you, but the truth is that this infection will probably only get worse.  If we give it time to spread further it could mean the loss of his whole leg.  At this stage we’d only be looking to remove the foot just at the ankle.’

 

 

 

Ben stood up and walked towards the window. After a few moments he turned. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I can’t just give up and let you do something like that.’ He looked at his son on the bed. ‘He’s only a boy and he’s got his whole life ahead of him.  I can’t agree to…… no.’ He shook his head.  ‘What else can we try first?’

 

 

 

Paul didn’t answer for a moment.  Finally he said. ‘We can keep trying the poultices,’ he said. ‘But frankly Ben, if they haven’t helped by now then…..’

 

 

 

What else?’ said Ben. Paul put his hands up in a futile gesture. ‘I’m not sure that there’s anything else other than removal of the source of the infection,’ he said. ‘Surely you see that it’s better to act now rather than risk the loss of his whole leg later?’

 

 

 

‘Ben shook his head. ‘I can’t believe that it will come to that,’ he said stubbornly. ‘You said yourself that he could overcome the infection.’

 

 

 

‘That was before,’ said Paul. ‘It’s a lot worse now.’  There was silence in the room as he waited for Ben to reply.  When he didn’t the doctor said. ‘I’ll give you time to think about it.’ He turned to walk towards the door. ‘I’ll be downstairs’ he added before leaving the room.

 

Ben sat down beside Joe on the bed and stared at his son.  He just couldn’t believe what he had heard.  A part of him understood the logic behind Paul’s argument, but the greater part of him rejected any such thoughts.  How could he agree to this?  How could he say that it was all right for a part of his boy to be cut away?  He shuddered at the very thought of it.

 

 

 

Joe stirred again and moaned in his sleep.  Ben continued to look at his son and thought about how young he looked lying there.  His son’s future was in his hands and the thought of the decisions that he had to make weighed upon him heavily.  Ben put his face in his hands and wept.

 

 

 

 

 

——————

 

 

 

 

 

Paul looked up from the fire that he had been staring into for the past half hour and watched his friend descend the stairs slowly.  Ben sat down next to him on the settee without a word and for a few moments they both stared into the fire in front of them. ‘You don’t see any alternative do you?’ said Ben finally.

 

 

 

‘I think it’s the best thing to do,’ said Paul. ‘I’m sorry Ben.’ Ben nodded and continued to stare into the fireplace. Paul continued. ‘If we leave it much longer gangrene could be the result.  You know we have to try and avoid that at all costs.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded again. ‘I know,’ he said simply. ‘I trust your judgement Paul.  ‘It’s just that………’ his voice broke and he stopped for a moment. ‘It’s just such a hard thing to have to face.  I can’t imagine how…..’  The sound of the door opening behind made him stop.

 

 

 

Adam entered the room, followed by Hoss. One look at their father’s face was enough to alert them to the fact that the news wasn’t good.  ‘Pa?’ said Adam as he sat down in a chair by the fire. ‘What is it?’

 

 

 

Ben gave him a stricken look. ‘Paul thinks it’s best if he amputates Joe’s foot,’ he said quietly. 

 

 

 

Adam went pale. ‘What?’ he said. He glanced at the doctor. ‘Is it that bad?’

 

 

 

Paul nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said.

 

 

 

Hoss stepped forward. ‘Ya can’t be serious!’ he said. ‘There’s no way ya can let him Pa!’ 

 

 

 

Ben looked up at his son. ‘Hoss sit down son,’ he said and motioned to the settee beside him. He placed an arm around his middle son’s shoulder. ‘Hoss I know how close you are to your brother, but believe me this has to be done.  If Paul thinks it’s for the best, then….’

 

 

 

Hoss pushed his father’s arm away. ‘No!’ he said. ‘I don’t believe that!  Ya can’t let it happen Pa!’

 

 

 

‘Hoss…..’ said Adam.

 

 

 

Hoss turned to his older brother. ‘No!’ he said. He stared around at them all. ‘Ya know what Little Joe’s like!  He’s always running everywhere.  You said yourself how he can never keep still Pa!  If ya cut his foot off ya may as well kill him!  He’ll wish ya had anyways!’

 

 

 

‘Hoss,’ said Ben again. ‘God knows I don’t want this as much as you, but there’s no alternative.  If Paul doesn’t amputate then it could mean your brother’s life!  Can’t you understand that?’

 

 

 

Hoss shook his head and the tears began to fall from his eyes. ‘No!’ he said again. ‘Ya can’t do it Pa!  Ya just can’t!’

 

 

 

Paul looked at Ben sorrowfully. ‘Hoss, he said. ‘If I don’t amputate, then the infection will spread even further.  It’s already dangerous for your brother.  You don’t want it to get worse do you?’

 

 

 

Hoss looked at him silently, not knowing what to say. All he knew was that the loss of a foot would just about kill his younger brother and he desperately searched for a way to convince them not to do it.  He shook his head again. ‘No!’ he said simply. ‘Ya can’t do it.’

 

 

 

Paul shook his head and stood up. ‘I’ll go and check on Joe,’ he said. ‘Ben it’s probably best to get this over with as soon as possible.  I’ll be upstairs when you’re ready.’ Ben nodded but didn’t reply, words failing him. ‘Adam,’ continued the doctor.  Adam looked at him, the shock still evident on his face. ‘Could you please ask Hop Sing to get some towels and boiling water organised?  I’ll need quite a lot of it.  Also, some rope.’

 

 

 

Adam frowned at the man, not understanding for a moment. ‘Rope?’ he asked and then the realisation dawned on him. ‘Yes, I’ll get it.’  He stood up, looking quite unsteady on his feet and left the room. Paul gave Ben another sad look and walked towards the stairs.

 

 

 

Ben put his arm around Hoss’ shoulder and hugged him. ‘Son it has to be,’ he said, his own heart breaking. ‘You don’t want your brother to die, do you?’

 

 

 

Hoss shook his head. ‘Of course not Pa,’ he said between sobs. ‘But I just can’t see how ya can do this ta him.’

 

 

 

Ben closed his eyes.  He didn’t know how he would be able to let this happen either.  All he knew was that it had to be done. He held his son tighter and listened to his sobs.

 

 

 

 

 

———————

 

 

 

 

 

‘Here,’ said Adam, his face clearly showing his distress. He held out a length of rope to the doctor.

 

 

 

‘Put it on the chair,’ Paul said without looking up from arranging his instruments. Adam placed it on the chair and looked across at his brother’s bed. Joe’s eyes were mercifully closed.  At least he wasn’t aware of what was going on around him!  He looked at his father’s grief-stricken face as he sat next to Joe, holding his hand in his as he stared into his son’s face.

 

 

 

‘Adam,’ said his father quietly. ‘I want you to go downstairs and be with Hoss.  He needs someone with him at the moment.’

 

 

 

Adam took a step forward. ‘I thought I’d stay here Pa,’ he said. ‘You might need me.’ He knew that the doctor and his father were more than capable of doing what needed to be done and he really didn’t want to anywhere near his brother as the procedure took place, but his sense of worry for his father overtook all else and he wanted to be there for him to comfort him. He knew by looking at him that he was going to need someone to help him through this.

 

 

 

Ben smiled up at him as if reading his thoughts. ‘I’ll cope son,’ he said. ‘But your brother may not.  Go and be with him.  It’s best if neither of you are here.’ Adam opened his mouth to protest, but Ben held up his hand. ‘Please,’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam took one last look at his youngest brother’s face and turned and left the room.  Ben looked back towards the bed and tightened his grip on his boy’s hand. Joe moved slightly under the covers and his eyes fluttered open. He smiled sleepily at his father. ‘Hi Pa,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben smiled back at him, his heart breaking at the sleepy innocence of his son. ‘Hi yourself,’ he said. ‘Go back to sleep now Joe.  You need to rest.’  He had hoped that the boy would have slept right up until the time that Paul had to administer the ether so that he wouldn’t be aware of what was happening. He would find out soon enough as it was. He stroked the curls on his son’s forehead. ‘Go to sleep Joseph,’ he said soothingly.

 

 

 

But Joe’s eyes opened even wider and he sighed. ‘Can I have a drink Pa?’ he asked. ‘I’m thirsty.’

 

 

 

Ben glanced at Paul, who shook his head. ‘Not right now Joe,’ he said. ‘Maybe later.’

 

 

 

Joe frowned. ‘But I’m thirsty Pa,’ he said and glanced up towards the jug next to his bed. ‘Can’t I have a drink?’

 

 

 

Ben said nothing, but continued to stroke his son’s forehead.  Joe looked across at the doctor and noticed the instruments that he was organising. ‘What’s he doing?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘Go to sleep son,’ said Ben soothingly. ‘You need to rest.’

 

 

 

Joe looked at his father, alarm forming in his green eyes. ‘Pa?’ he said. ‘What’s he doing that for?’

 

 

 

At that moment the door opened and Hop Sing entered the room carrying a basin of steaming water which he placed on the bedside table. ‘What’s that for?’ asked Joe, the alarm evident in his voice now. ‘What’s he going to do?’

 

 

 

Ben continued to stroke his son’s forehead. ‘Sleep son,’ he said again. ‘Don’t worry about anything.’  He tried desperately to calm the boy, but to no avail.  Joe had realised that something was happening and nothing would keep him from finding out what it was.

 

 

 

‘What’s going on?’ he said. ‘I don’t want him here,’ he motioned towards Paul. ‘Make him leave now Pa!’

 

 

 

‘The doctor is here to help you Joe,’ said his father in what he hoped was a calm voice. ‘He’s going to help you.’

 

 

 

‘How?’ said Joe anxiously. ‘What’s he going to do?’

 

 

 

Ben prayed to find the right words to say to his boy. ‘He’s going to put you to sleep Joseph. ‘The pain in your foot ….. he’s going to help it.’ He faltered, not wanting to speak the words.  Behind him Hop Sing silently left the room for more water and Paul prepared the ether.

 

 

 

Joe’s eyes glanced frantically around the room and landed on the coil of rope on the chair. ‘What’s that for?’ he asked. ‘Why’s that rope here?’

 

 

 

‘Joe it’s all right,’ said his father. ‘You don’t need to worry about that.’

 

 

 

‘What’s it for?’ Joe persisted.  He looked across at the instruments on the table and noticed the selection of knives and a small saw. With terror in his eyes he looked back at his father. ‘He’s going to cut me isn’t he?’ he said loudly. When Ben didn’t answer he persisted. ‘Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben patted him on the shoulder. ‘Joe, just relax son.  The doctor is going to put you to sleep…..’

 

 

 

No!’ Joe screamed. ‘He’s not gonna touch me!’  He struggled to sit up but his father pushed him down on the bed again. ‘Paul,’ Ben said desperately. ‘Isn’t that ether ready yet?’

 

 

 

‘In a few minutes,’ said the doctor behind him. ‘Just try and keep him calm Ben.’

 

 

 

Ben held Joe down onto the bed. He put his face close to his son’s and looked into his eyes intently. ‘Joe,’ he said. ‘Listen to me son. ‘The doctor is going to help you.  He’s not going to hurt you.  You’re going to be asleep and he’s going to……’

 

 

 

Joe squirmed under his father’s grip. ‘Let me go!’ he yelled. ‘He’s going to cut me ain’t he?’

 

 

 

Ben didn’t know what to say.  He didn’t want to upset the boy any more than was necessary, but he didn’t want to lie to him either. He held onto him desperately, trying to find the right words to explain it to him. Finally he said, ‘Joe, he has to cut your ankle to help you.’  He left it at that.

 

 

 

Joe’s eyes widened even further. ‘No!’ he screamed. ‘Get him outta here!  He’s not gonna touch me!  I won’t let him!’ He struggled in vain under the tight grip of his father.  The tears began to fall from his eyes and he looked at his father beseechingly. ‘Pa please!’ he said. ‘Don’t let him cut me! My foot’s better now Pa……..it don’t hurt any more! Really it doesn’t!  Please Pa!’

 

 

 

Ben felt the tears falling from his eyes as well. He bent forward and rested his face on that of his son’s. ‘Son he has to,’ he simply said. ‘He has to.  It’ll be all right.’  He felt as if he spoke more to himself than to his boy. ‘It’ll be all right.’  He felt his son struggling feebly underneath his body. ‘Keep still now Joseph,’ he said over and over again, but all he could hear was the sound of his son sobbing.

 

 

 

He felt Paul standing behind him. ‘Lean back Ben and I’ll put this over his face,’ the doctor said.  Ben sat up and watched as Paul attempted to put the ether mask over Joe’s face, but the boy shook his head from side to side. ‘No!’ he screamed in desperation. ‘No!’

 

 

 

‘Hold him still Ben,’ said Paul.

 

 

 

Ben held onto his son as tightly as he could, his heart breaking in two as he listened to his son’s cries. ‘No!’ Joe continued to scream out. ‘Pa! Help me Pa!’

 

 

 

 Finally Paul managed to get the mask into position and held Joe’s head still. ‘Breathe slowly Joe,’ he said quietly. ‘Just relax.’

 

 

 

Joe glared back at them both, the tears still falling down his cheeks, shaking his head from side to side in a vain attempt to shake the mask free. As Ben watched, his son’s eyes slowly became unfocussed and closed, and he went limp in his arms.  When he finally let go Ben covered his face with his hands and sobbed.

 

 

 

 

 

—————–

 

 

 

 

 

‘Hoss?’ said Adam quietly as he entered the barn and saw his brother standing by a stall with his head resting on the top rung. ‘Hoss?’

 

 

 

‘What?’

 

 

 

‘Are you all right?’

 

 

 

Adam heard his brother sniff. ‘No I ain’t all right,’ he said. ‘How can I be all right with my little brother up there?’

 

 

 

Adam stepped forward and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘I know,’ he said simply.

 

 

 

Hoss turned to face him, the tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away impatiently. ‘It ain’t fair Adam,’ he said. ‘Joe’s done nothing ta deserve this!  Why did this haveta happen?’

 

 

 

Adam shook his head and sat down wearily on a barrel. ‘I don’t have an answer for you Hoss. I just don’t know.’

 

 

 

There was silence as the two brothers lost themselves in their own thoughts.  Suddenly a scream cut through the silence and they heard their younger brother’s cries come drifting across from the upstairs window. ‘No! He ain’t gonna cut me!’

 

 

 

Hoss covered his face with his hands and turned away.  Adam put his head in his hands and sat staring at the floor as the yells continued. ‘No! He’s not gonna touch me!’  Both of them closed their eyes, desperately willing the sounds to go away.  For several minutes they sat in those positions until the screams subsided.  Finally, Adam lifted his head and said in a quiet voice. ‘The ether must have taken effect.’

 

 

 

Hoss said nothing, but continued to stand with his head in his hands.  Eventually Adam stood up and walked towards him, putting his arms around him as he led him over to the barrel and sat him down.  As he seated himself beside his brother he put his arm around his shoulder. The two of them sat like this for several minutes before Hoss spoke. ‘How long will it take?  Do ya know?’

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I guess it all depends on how bad it is.  They have to get him ready first anyway.’

 

 

 

Hoss looked across at him. ‘Ready?’ he said tentatively.

 

 

 

Adam nodded, not wanting to say it. ‘Yes. Paul will have to clean the wound thoroughly and then…… they’ll have to make sure that he’s….. well, not able to move too much.’

 

 

 

Hoss continued to look at him. ‘Meaning?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘Well, you know.  The rope.  In case.’

 

 

 

Hoss closed his eyes, not wanting to think in that direction.  He had heard of patients struggling even under the influence of the ether and hated to think of his little brother feeling anything that he didn’t have to.

 

 

 

‘Hoss I know you’re upset about this,’ said Adam. ‘We all are. But you must realise that it’s for Joe’s own good. Pa needs us to understand that.’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. ‘I know it, he said. ‘I just can’t accept it. All I can think about is that little guy running around here all the time. Ma used ta say that he was born running, remember?’

 

 

 

Adam tried to smile. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I seem to remember many times hunting him down for Marie when he was a little thing.  Boy, he sure could take off in a hurry!’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. ‘I guess he had plenty of practice running away from Pa all them times he was in trouble,’ he said. ‘I never knew a kid to be so quick on his feet.’

 

 

 

‘Remember the time Pa had to chase him when he found out that he’d been touching the gun rack?’ said Adam. ‘I remember hoping that he didn’t catch him, because if he did he’d kill him.  I’ve never seen Pa so mad.’

 

 

 

‘Yeah, and Joe took off so quick that Pa never did catch him.  He had ta wait hours for him ta come home again before he could tan him.’  There was silence. ‘I just wish he could have the chance ta be tanned again for running away,’ added Hoss. ‘I’d give anything ta think that he could.’

 

 

 

Adam bit his lip. ‘We’ll have to be strong for him,’ he said. ‘We’ll have to help him to deal with it.’

 

 

 

Hoss looked sorrowfully at his brother. ‘But there’s gonna be so many things that he won’t be able ta do now,’ he said. ‘How’s he gonna handle not being able ta even walk properly?’

 

 

 

‘We’ll make him a crutch,’ said Adam.

 

 

 

‘He’s gonna hate that!’ declared Hoss. ‘He won’t put up with it!’

 

 

 

‘He’ll have to eventually,’ said Adam quietly. ‘There’s going to be a lot of things he’ll have to come to terms with.’

 

 

 

‘Like …….. like riding,’ ventured Hoss. ‘It’s gonna kill him Adam, ya know it is!’

 

 

 

Adam felt the tears forming in his eyes as a vision of his little brother galloping into the yard with a grin on his face came into his mind.  Never again would he get the chance to tell him off for his reckless riding.  Joe would be lucky if he ever managed to sit on a horse again and even if he did, he probably wouldn’t be able to manage much more than a slow walk.  Hoss was right …. It just wasn’t fair!

 

 

 

Adam wondered how his father was coping upstairs. Even though he had volunteered to stay with him, he had been grateful when he had insisted that he leave the room. Adam couldn’t begin to imagine how his father could stand watching was happening to Joe, yet he knew that the man would never have left his son’s side for an instant.  Over and over again during his life Adam had marvelled at the strength of his father.  He had sensed it as a small child when Hoss’ mother Inger had died, and he had known it as a young adult when Little Joe’s mother had died as well.

 

 

 

For a man to pick up and carry on after the deaths of three wives was amazing and to do it while raising three boys as well as their Pa had done was truly the act of an remarkable man. None knew the strength that was in his father better than Adam, for Ben’s eldest son had witnessed it over and over again during his life. He often wondered how he would have coped with the difficulties which his father had experienced and prayed that if he ever had to face even a fraction of them that could do it with a small part of the courage and dignity that his father had shown.

 

 

 

Yet Adam knew that his father would need ounce of that strength and fortitude to cope with what he was facing now.  Joe had always been special to their father.  Adam supposed that it was because he was the youngest.  Neither he nor Hoss resented the bond that was between their father and their youngest brother, for they took it as a given.  It was something that they all knew without saying.  Adam knew that this would be killing his father and he vowed to help him with his own strength as much as he could.

 

 

 

‘Pa’s going to need us too Hoss,’ he said. ‘He’s going to find this really hard to come to terms with.’

 

 

 

Hoss nodded. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘He….. well he just thinks a lot of that little guy.  We all do, don’t we?’

 

 

 

Adam nodded. ‘We sure do,’ he said.  There was silence.

 

 

 

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hop Sing looked down at the water and frowned to see it turning red under his hands as the towels soaked in the washtub.  Red with blood, he thought.  The blood of my boy!  For that was how Hop Sing thought of the youngster upstairs.  The man had been with this family for so long that he was a part of it now, and he felt that the youngest Cartwright belonged as much to him as he did to his father and brothers. 

 

 

 

Little Joe had only been five when his mother had died, and the little bewildered boy had reached out to Hop Sing in his terror and his confusion at the time.  Mr Cartwright had done his best, but his grief was so great at the loss of his darling wife that he wasn’t able to be totally there for the child at the time, and Adam and Hoss had been struggling with their own grief as well.  The little boy couldn’t understand why his world was falling apart …. He only knew that his mother hadn’t been there for him and sensed that his father and brothers were hurting as well. 

 

 

 

Hop Sing took the child under his wing from that moment and they had always continued to be close.  Even when Mr Cartwright had seemed to have fully recovered from his loss and learned to become both mother and father to the child, Hop Sing continued to be there for the boy.  It was Hop Sing that Little Joe ran to when he was in trouble from his father.  It was Hop Sing that he confided his problems to.  It was Hop Sing that he had come to depend on to help him. 

 

 

 

But now Hop Sing couldn’t help him.  He had to stand by helplessly and listen to his boy scream out in his agony and his terror and he couldn’t help him.  When he heard the doctor’s words he knew exactly what he had to do.  He moved within his family silently doing his part by preparing the towels and water, but in reality he was preparing himself to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts.

 

 

 

He watched Mr Cartwright sit by his son and try to prepare him for the agony that was ahead of him, while his own heart was breaking.  He watched as Hoss and Adam tried to comfort each other.  But mostly he watched as the boy he loved struggled with his grief and terror.  And all the while he stood in the background and waited for the moment when he would be needed.

 

 

 

In the meantime he kept busy helping where he could.  He had done as the doctor had asked and prepared the water and the towels.  He had left the room when Mr Cartwright had asked him to.  He had removed the bloody towels when the time came.  And now he washed his boy’s blood away as he waited for the time when he could help again.

 

 

 

He put his hands back into the water and rubbed the towels to free them of the blood.  As he lifted them from the water and gazed at the blood upon them his heart constricted and he sent up a silent prayer to his God for his boy upstairs.

 

 

 

 

 

——————-

 

 

 

 

 

Paul wiped his brow as he stood up and gazed at the bandage he had just finished tying. ‘That’s it Ben,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben looked over at him. ‘Thank God it’s over,’ he said. ‘What now?’

 

 

 

‘We watch and wait,’ replied the doctor. ‘We should know in a day or so.’

 

 

 

Ben sighed and bent over to kiss his son’s forehead.  ‘Thank God the ether worked properly,’ he said. ‘Can I take the rope off him now?’

 

 

 

Paul nodded and began to pack away his instruments as Ben untied his son’s arms and legs. ‘You’re going to need some rest now Ben,’ he said as they worked. ‘I suppose you want to go and see Adam and Hoss first though. You go downstairs and find them while I finish up here.’ Ben hesitated as he looked at his sleeping son. ‘He’ll sleep for a while longer,’ said the doctor. ‘Go on.  You need to talk to the boys.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded and left the room.  Paul sighed as he sat down on a chair next to Joe’s bed and looked at the sleeping youngster. He closed his eyes for a moment, thankful that it was all over.

 

 

 

Ben descended the stairs wearily.  He felt as if he had been upstairs for an eternity and he was beginning to react now that it was all over.  He felt as if every bone in his body ached and he felt every one of his years.  He scanned the large room, but saw it was empty.  The boys were probably outside, he thought.  Hoss usually went to the barn when he was upset and Adam would have followed him there.

 

 

 

He made to walk over to the front door when Hop Sing entered from the kitchen. ‘Mr Cartlight?’ the cook said. ‘You look for boys?’

 

 

 

‘Yes Hop Sing,’ said Ben. ‘Are they in the barn?’

 

 

 

Hop Sing motioned to the settee. ‘You sit down,’ he said ‘I get them.’

 

 

 

Ben sat down thankfully as Hop Sing left the room. He rested his elbow on the side of the settee and put his head on his hand as he stared into the fireplace, feeling the numbness overtake him.  When the front door opened behind him, he didn’t even have the energy to turn around.  ‘Come over here boys,’ he said quietly.  ‘You too, Hop Sing.’

 

 

 

Adam, Hoss and Hop Sing came into his line of vision and he tried to rouse himself from his lethargy. ‘Sit down,’ he said. ‘I need to talk to all of you.’  He noticed that all three of them had been crying and his heart went out to them.  ‘Paul’s upstairs with Joe,’ he said. ‘I have some news for you.’

 

 

 

Not a word was spoken as all three looked at him silently. ‘Paul didn’t have to amputate after all,’ he said.

 

 

 

The silence continued. Finally Adam broke it. ‘What do you mean Pa?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Ben smiled faintly. ‘He didn’t have to amputate,’ he repeated. ‘He started to cut into Joe’s foot, but the diseased part didn’t reach as far down as he had initially thought.  He cut into his ankle quite deeply, but he didn’t have to amputate.’

 

 

 

‘I don’t understand Pa,’ said Hoss. ‘Why not? He said he had to.’

 

 

 

‘He was wrong,’ replied. Ben. ‘I couldn’t believe it when he told me.  All I could think of was that your brother’s foot was to be cut off, and then Paul was telling me that he could save it after all. It wasn’t until he had begun to make the incisions that he realised it.’

 

 

 

‘Is Joe conscious?’ said Adam, not daring to believe what his father was telling him.

 

 

 

‘No, ‘said Ben. ‘He slept right through it all.  The ether was very effective.’

 

 

 

‘Then he doesn’t know yet?’

 

 

 

‘No,’ said Ben. ‘He doesn’t know yet. He’s going to have quite a large scar on his ankle and Paul says we have to still be careful of further infection, but he’s confident that he’ll be all right.’

 

 

 

‘So he won’t have no trouble walking?’ asked Hoss incredulously. Ben shook his head. ‘Or riding?’  Hoss mused. ‘I can’t believe it!’

 

 

 

Ben reached over and patted him on the shoulder. ‘I know Hoss,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe it either. ‘Just as we had all prepared ourselves for the worst it hasn’t happened.  It takes some getting used to now doesn’t it?  It’s a bit of a shock in a strange way.’

 

 

 

‘You sure got that right Pa,’ said Adam with a grin on his face. ‘But it’s shock I’m more than willing to cope with for now!’

 

 

 

Hop Sing stood up quietly without a word and slid silently from the room. His boy would be all right!  But in the meantime he was needed again.  Everyone needed coffee after their shock and once again he set about doing what his family needed him to do.

 

 

 

 

 

——————

 

 

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and blinked.  He looked at the ceiling above him and focussed on the pattern in the wood.  He knew it was daytime because of the sunlight that played upon the walls around him, but beyond that he didn’t allow his mind to form any conscious thoughts.  He willed himself to concentrate on nothing but the wood above him, knowing that to think of something else was to let the pain back into his mind again.  And that he wasn’t prepared to do.  He had had enough of it to last him forever.

 

 

 

Joe sensed sounds around him, but blocked them.  He felt a touch on his arm, but moved away from it slightly so as not to let whatever it was invade his senses and force him away from his pain-free state.  He frowned as he tried desperately to hold onto the thought of the wood and nothing else, but panic began to invade his mind as he felt his focus beginning to shift.

 

 

 

‘Joseph?’ he heard dimly. ‘Joseph?  Can you hear me son?’

 

 

 

Go away!  He thought. Leave me alone!

 

 

 

‘Joseph?’ the voice came again. ‘It’s me Pa.  Time to wake up now son.’

 

 

 

Joe closed his eyes and gave up trying to create a barrier between himself and the sound.  As he opened his eyes again he focussed on the face that appeared in front of him and recognised his father. ‘Good morning sleepy head,’ said Ben. ‘Glad to see you’re awake at last.’

 

 

 

Joe didn’t answer his father, but merely stared at him. Ben reached out and stroked his forehead. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked.  Still Joe didn’t speak but merely looked at his father. Ben frowned slightly. ‘There’s no need to worry any more Joseph,’ he said. ‘It’s all over now and your foot will be fine.’

 

 

 

Joe jerked away from his father’s touch.  How could he say that?  He thought angrily as the realisation of what had happened came flooding back to him.  How could he say that everything would be fine after what he had let that doctor do to him? He turned his head to face the wall and shut his eyes tightly so that he didn’t have to look at the man.  He wished that he could close his ears to his father’s voice as well, but felt too weak to put his hands up to cover them.

 

 

 

‘Joseph?’ he heard again. ‘Did you hear me son?  Your foot is going to be all right.  There’s no need to worry about it any more.’

 

 

 

‘Go away,’ said Joe softly. ‘Leave me alone.’ Once again he felt his father’s hand upon him and he jerked away from it.  Why couldn’t he leave him alone in his misery?

 

 

 

‘Open your eyes Joseph,’ said his father’s voice. ‘Look at me.’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes and turned his head so that he faced his father. What? He screamed inside, but outwardly he merely stared at the man.

 

 

 

‘Listen to me carefully Joe,’ said his father. ‘It’s all over now.  Look!’ He tilted his son’s head so that he could see the bottom of the bed.

 

 

 

As he began to draw back the covers Joe closed his eyes again. ‘No!’ he yelled. ‘I don’t want to look!  Don’t make me!’

 

 

 

Ben pulled back the covers and forced his son’s head up. ‘I said to look!’ he commanded. ‘Open your eyes.’

 

 

 

Joe opened his eyes reluctantly and looked.  At first he didn’t comprehend what he saw and then he noticed the heavily bandaged foot that rested on a cushion.  Who’s was it he wondered? He looked back up at his father’s face anxiously, still unsure.

 

 

 

‘Your foot is going to be fine,’ Ben said again. ‘It’s going to be all right now Joe.’

 

 

 

Joe reached up and touched the tears that fell from his father’s face. ‘All right?’ he said softly, not daring to believe it. ‘Are you sure Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben nodded as he held onto his son’s head. ‘Yes Joseph,’ he whispered. ‘I’m sure.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

——————–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘I don’t need to!’ declared Joe. ‘You can get rid of them pillows now!’

 

 

 

‘The Doc said you’re to keep that foot up on pillow until he says differently and that’s what you’re gonna little brother!’ said Hoss angrily. ‘Pa would have your hide if he saw you with it down on the floor like that!’

 

 

 

‘I certainly will!’ said Ben as he and Adam entered the living room. ‘Do as you’re told straight away young man!’

 

 

 

Joe glared around at them all. ‘I don’t need them!’ he said.

 

 

 

‘Joseph!’ said Ben meaningfully. Joe pulled a face and put his foot back up on the pillows that Hoss had placed on the coffee table. ‘You’re lucky you’re down here at all!’ said Ben as he sat down on the settee. ‘Any more of your nonsense and you’ll be back up in bed quick smart!’

 

 

 

Joe clamped his mouth shut immediately.  He had had enough of bed to last him a lifetime and he had no intention of going back there if he could help it.  He folded his arms over his chest and looked for all the world like a small child having a tantrum.

 

 

 

‘Face it little buddy,’ said Adam, patting him on the head. ‘You’re at our mercy now that you can’t run away.’

 

 

 

Joe pushed his brother’s hand away. ‘Don’t!’ he said crossly.

 

 

 

‘Speaking of running away,’ said Ben as he sat back in his chair. ‘You and I haven’t talked about the event that led to all this yet Joseph.’

 

 

 

Joe looked at him. ‘Huh?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘The fact that you wouldn’t have been in that creek in the first place if you had done as you were told,’ continued Ben. ‘How about that young man?  Just what possessed you to run off in the first place when you had specific instructions from me to stay in the yard?’

 

 

 

Joe looked at his brothers pleadingly for support. ‘You’re on your own little buddy,’ said Adam patting him on the head again. ‘Come on Hoss, we’ve got work to do seeing as how we’ve been stuck with doing Joe’s chores for now.’

 

 

 

‘Yeah, ‘said Hoss as he passed his little brother and hit him on the head playfully. ‘And you’ll be paying us back when you’re up and around again shortshanks.  Don’t you think that we’ll forget that!’

 

 

 

Joe glared at them as they left the room. ‘Well?’ said Ben. ‘I’m waiting Joseph.  What possessed you to run off like that?  And while we’re at it young man, I’m still not happy about your attitude around here.  You and I have a lot of talking to do while you’re recuperating.’

 

 

 

Joe heaved a sigh and slid down further in his seat. 

 

The End

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.