“She ain’t never coming back, Adam, no matter what we do.”

Hoss stood behind his brother who stared out at the Mojave as if he could make water flow up from its depths and grass cover those arid plains like a soft carpet. No, the land that lay before them was almost as defiant as a living thing whispering a challenge to test its might against their frail human frames already worn down by hard riding, lack of sleep, and stress. At least Hoss was as wise as their father and never said anything about her being a saloon girl. To Adam, she had become so much more than that. With her zest for life and determination to make something of herself, she had refused his offer of a loan and saved her money to buy her own business. It was there that her former customer had found her.

Big Bad Leroy Brown had bothered Rose ever since she had moved from San Antonio to Virginia City. Many times, Sam the bartender had to intervene to protect her. Often customers banded together to escort the unruly man from the saloon. When Adam started spending time with his San Antonio Rose, he was the one who often interceded when the ruffian made trouble. But in the back of her shop, there was no one to help her. Leroy took her and then apparently killed her so she couldn’t tell. Not content with those crimes, he robbed the cash box she had too. He might have been able to walk away from it all despite the suspicion that immediately fell on him except he began spending the money. He had no regular job so that got Sheriff Roy Coffee’s attention. He caught up with the big man after he had spent an afternoon drinking.

“Leroy Brown, I need to talk to you about what happened to Rose.”

That was all Roy got to say. Panicked, Leroy fired hitting Roy in the side. He grabbed the nearest saddled horse and raced out of town. At the first farm he encountered, he took the little money the people had, a spare horse, a sack of provisions, and extra canteens. That made it clear what direction he was probably headed.

Deputy Clem Foster sent a man to the Ponderosa to give the sad news to Adam. He assumed Adam and Hoss would join the posse. They did even though Adam told Hoss it wasn’t his fight.

“It shur is. You’re my brother, so, it’s my fight.”

Ben only told both of them to be careful. “Brown has that reputation for fighting dirty. He may be planning to set traps to slow you up or even an ambush to try to make the posse turn back.”

“I’m not turning back until he’s dead or being brought back here to hang.”

Then, they could only imagine what Adam was thinking. Now Hoss had some idea as he watched Adam stare out into the night sky over the desert. He was correct. Adam spoke softly knowing only Hoss was left to hear him.

“I dream of her, Hoss. She was so sweet and tender. Kissing her was like kissing a rose with the petals falling aside. I want to call her back, but the dream is broken. She’s gone. Now I wonder if I seek justice or vengeance. I guess it no longer matters. He needs to be brought back. The rest of the posse gave up and went home. I won’t.”

“Let’s go. We can make up time riding at night.”

Adam nodded in agreement.

Perspective

“Leave him be!!”

Big hands pulled one man after another away from the fray. He received punches in the ribs and face for his efforts. When a surprise pounding across his back dropped him to the ground, he lost his breath, and his world began to fade out.

Through the fog in his head, he heard one man’s words, “We taught ‘em both a good lesson.”

~~~~~

“Mister, you wakin’ up?”

Gentle coolness all over his face brought the big man around. His vision cleared to show him two dark brown eyes set into a light brown face, a face that had seen many hard times but now showed concern.

“Yeah, I’m awake.”

“That’s good. Name’s Leroy, Leroy Brown.”

“Uh, Hoss Cartwright.”

“You took quite a beatin’ for a big guy. You should stayed out o’ it. I’m used to them treatin’ me that way. I woulda had them licked ifn you’d not interfered.” Hoss saw the man’s expression change from concern to anger in seconds.

“I couldn’t let them beat you like that.”

“Look, you’re okay now so jest get on your way. I don’t need no help from nobody, leastwise someone like you.”

Hoss was now standing and testing out all of his sore spots. “What’d ya mean ‘someone like me’?”

“You’s white.”

“But so are you.”

“No I ain’t. I’s only half white. My mama was colored but she was the only one that wanted me. I grew up not fittin’ nowhere, so I live somewhere’s till I can’t no more.”

Hoss couldn’t think of anything to say to that. He’d seen it before and never thought it wasn’t right, but couldn’t figure out a solution either.

“Bad, bad Leroy Brown. Baddest man in the whole darn town.”

“What’s that?”

“Oh, just them kids singing what their Pappies taught ‘em. The world’s full o’ hate for ones like me. Only way to survive is with my fists.” He pounded the table. For a scrawny-looking man, Hoss noted he had a lot of strength, but to Hoss most of that strength seemed to be fueled by his anger.

“Well, sometimes the hate’s kept goin’ outta ignorance, and sometimes it’s just kept goin’ ‘cause no one’s willin’ to stop it.”

Hoss noticed Leroy’s eyes flickered a little at that thought, and his face softened just a might.

“Listen, I was headin’ home when I stopped here to rest my horse and cool down from the heat of crossin’ the desert. It’s only another couple day’s ride, up in them mountains to the west. You don’t really wanna stay ‘round here do ya? Why don’t ya come with me. We can talk, an’ if you get a mind to, you can work on our ranch for a spell.”

“Nah, ain’t nothin’ here for me. But ain’t nothin’ nowhere. All men’s gonna keep beatin’ on me, have ever since I’s born.”

“Give me a chance, an’ my family, too.” Hoss winked at Leroy when he saw he was wavering.

“Well, at least I knows you ain’t like them rest. Is that why you tried to stop the fightin’?”

“Didn’t think it was right ten men against one. Just wanted to even the odds a bit.”

That got the first smile from Leroy.

An hour later, a big man and a scrawny man rode west, to the sounds of children’s voices fading on the wind.

“Bad, bad Leroy Brown. Baddest man in the whole darn town.
Bad, bad Leroy Brown. Meanest man in the whole darn town.”

As Hoss cut through the alley to get back onto the main street boardwalk, he pulled up short when he heard the faint whimpers of a child coming from behind some barrels and crates. He carefully pulled the rubble apart and leaned down. Hoss found a boy he thought to be seven or eight who turned away and hid his face against the wall behind him as he tried to stifle his cries.

“Hey there, young fella. Ya need some help?” Hoss saw the boy’s head move back and forth refusing his aid. “Can ya come on out here and let me have a look at ya and make sure yur ok?” Hoss waited a moment and then added, “I promise I ain’t gonna hurt ya.”

The boy peeked over his shoulder and saw the gap-toothed smile of the man with the tall white hat. Dirty, tired, and hungry, the lad decided to take a chance. He swiped at his tear-stained, grimy face and got up. However, his eyes grew wide and filled with fear when Hoss also raised up to his full height.

“It’s ok now, buddy. I know I’m a big ‘un, but I ain’t gonna hurt ya. What’s yur name?”

“Le — Leroy.” The boy whispered.

Hoss held out his large hand to Leroy. “Pleased ta meet ya, Leroy. I’m Hoss Cartwright.”

Leroy tentatively took hold of the big man’s hand. Hoss nodded and winked.

“Now, I’m feelin’ mighty hungry. How ‘bout you?”

Leroy nodded slowly, but then his chin dropped to his chest. “I ain’t got no money, mister.”

“Well, ya know what, Leroy, I jest happen ta have enough for both o’ us.” Hoss gave the boy a reassuring smile that went unseen.

Then Leroy raised his head and squared his shoulders to look Hoss in the eye. “I ain’t allowed ta take no charity. My pa always says that Brown’s don’t ‘ccept no charity.”

Hoss forced a serious expression. “Well, I ain’t one ta argue with my pa neither, that’s fur sure.” His face then grew soft and sympathetic. “So I was jest wonderin’, where is yur pa?”

Suddenly crestfallen, Leroy’s head dropped again. “I — uh — don’t know. We came ta town yesterday. Pa went into the store and when he came out he said — he said–” The boy paused, unable to continue.

“That’s alright, Leroy. Ya don’t have ta tell. It don’t matter none.”

“Bad Leroy Brown — your nothin’ but trouble. Bad luck — that’s what you are,” the boy choked out between sobs.

Hoss’ eyes narrowed. “Hey now. Ain’t nobody bad luck, ‘specially not a young fella like you.” Hoss reached out and gave the boy’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I tell ya what, how ‘bout we go get ya cleaned up a bit and get us a little somethin’ ta eat, and then ya can come ta my ranch and do some chores fur me?”

Leroy looked up at Hoss with uncertain eyes. “You’d really do that for me?”

“Sure I would. Whatdya say?”

Leroy’s face brightened. He held out his hand to Hoss. “You got yourself a deal, Mr. Cartwright.”

Hoss gave the boy a toothy grin and took Leroy’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Alrighty then, let’s not be wastin’ no more time!” He placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder and urged him toward the boardwalk.