Summary: One of the Cartwrights gets a big surprise for his birthday. Written for Dan Blocker’s Birthday. 

Rating: G, Word Count: 2294

A New Friend

A horse is a thing of beauty – head raised proudly, mane and tail flying in the wind as it parades around. It’s enough to excite any horse enthusiast. To sixteen year old Hoss Cartwright and his little brother Joe, more than twenty of them in one place was more than exciting, it was sheer ecstasy. All the power, grace, and beauty of the animals did something to each one of them nobody else could understand, except maybe their older brother, Adam. The two brothers sat on the top rail of the fence watching their father and older brother maneuver the small herd out of the pasture and on to the trail. They were taking them to a nearby Army fort to be trained as military horses. Hoss released a deep sigh as his father and brother gave their final waves before disappearing over the hill.  

The young brothers jumped down from the fence in unison and Little Joe began dancing around his gloomy bigger brother. 

“I can’t wait till I’m as big as Adam and can bust broncs and drive the horses to the Army. Won’t that be somethin’ Hoss. Sure wish I was goin’ with ‘em now.”

“Yeah, it’s somethin’ alright.”  Hoss kicked at a clot of dirt as he turned toward the barn to finish his chores, lowering his head against a strong gust of wind as he walked. 

“Hey, what’s got you so down in the mouth. Pa an’ Adam’ll only be gone a week. That ain’t that long. An’ when they get back you know what? It’ll be time for your birthday. Oh boy, I can’t wait. So come on, Hoss, cheer up.”
“I just wish they’d left just one o’ them horses fer me. I’ve told Pa so many times, an’ Adam has too, that I need a new horse. A good cuttin’ horse ifn I’m gonna be able ta ride with the men in the Spring after school gets out. Ol’ Copper’s getting on in years and ‘sides that I’m gettin’ too big for him.” Hoss’ foot found a good rock to kick at and sent it clattering against the barn wall. 

Little Joe sank his hands into his pants pockets. “Oh, I’m sorry Hoss. Say, maybe you an’ Adam can get you a horse from that herd of wild horses Adam found.”

“Yeah, maybe.”  

Joe paused to watch his brother’s hunched body disappear into the barn. He sure wished he could find something to cheer his brother up. As the wind kicked up the dust devils in the yard, Little Joe felt sure it carried the sweet smell of cookies. Taking off toward the house, his hat barely staying on his head, he planned to beg Hop Sing for a few treats to cheer up his big brother. 

In the barn, Hoss grabbed a comb and began working it through his horse’s mane. He sighed again as he talked about nothing at all to Copper, who perked up his ears and gave a gentle nudge to his master. Despite him needing a new horse, Copper was still his best friend and time with him would always lighten Hoss’ heart.

*****

Adam Cartwright leaned against the tall fence, his chin resting on his arms folded across the top rail. He watched the herd drift around the Army paddock, admiring the form and myriad of colors of the horses as they adjusted to their new location. He’d helped capture this group from the wild, broke about half of them, and drove them to the fort alongside his father. While his father completed the sale, Adam was content to watch the horses trot around. Hoss’ favorite words about horses was right, they were a thing of beauty. 

Ben Cartwright and Sergeant John Marshall joined Adam at the fence. Glancing between his son and the herd as he pocketed the money from the Army, Ben guessed where his son’s thoughts lay. During the trip to the fort, all Adam could talk about were the quality of the horses and how a stallion or two could be used to improve the Ponderosa herd. Although Adam pleaded to keep a few, even one for his ever-growing middle brother, his father said they all had to go to the Army if they were going to have enough money to buy another bull in the Spring. 

“These horses are excellent quality, Mister Cartwright. If Captain Blair approves then I’m sure we’ll wish to purchase more in the future.”  

“That’s good to hear, Sergeant. You’ll contact me when the Captain returns?”

“Of course. And sir, I’ve been authorized to offer you gentlemen a celebratory drink if you like, before you head home. Compliments of Captain Blair.”

Adam turned with a smile for his father. 

Ben gave a quick nod. “Lead the way, Sergeant.”

The three men headed to the Captain’s office and enjoyed a round of fine brandy. During a lull in the conversation, Adam made an inquiry. 

“Sergeant, the black horse we passed that was corralled near the barn, who does it belong to? He looks to be a fine animal.”

Marshall took a deep breath before setting down his glass. “He is that. He belonged to Colonel Mark Wells. The Colonel was killed in action last month during an uprising with the Shoshone. He brought the horse with him from the East, trained him himself for military duty. Captain Blair contacted the Colonel’s family about taking the horse back but no one wanted him. We’re at a loss as to what to do. No one can get near him. We have a couple of men who are considered experts with our horses and even they can’t approach him.”  

Marshall offered to refill their glasses which Ben accepted but Adam declined. “What’s the problem? He seemed calm enough when we passed by.”

“Well, he’s a one-man horse. The Colonel, as good a man and leader as he was, refused to let anyone else care for his horse. That’s why if anyone gets close the horse becomes agitated and wild. We put out feed and water for him but that’s it. We can’t even groom him. And to tell you the truth, he’s been off his feed lately. I’m afraid we’re going to have to put him down soon.”

“No. He’s a beautiful animal. I bet he’s fast when he runs, judging by the muscles in his legs.”

Marshall regarded Adam before responding. “You sure know your horses, young man. The Colonel said he was half Thoroughbred, and he is a wonder to behold. He’s one of the most intelligent horses I’ve been around. He’s graceful and strong. If given his head, he’ll leave our other horses behind in a full out run.”

As Adam pondered the Sergeant’s words and finished his brandy, Ben took that moment to redirect the conversation.

“Sergeant, I’d like to discuss some other business with you before we leave.”

“Certainly, Mister Cartwright.”

Adam caught his father’s eye as he set his glass down. “Pa, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go saddle our horses.”

Receiving a nod from his father, Adam left the office. He saddled their horses and tied them near the corral where the Colonel’s horse stood, his head hanging low. Watching from the corner of his eye Adam could tell the horse was watching him back. After checking the cinches on both saddles, he inched his way over to the gate. The dark horse followed his every move but with his eyes only. Adam leaned with his back to the rails and began humming a tune, one he used when grooming Sport. When he started the song a second time, he heard a snort behind him. Remaining still he kept humming. Soon there was a damp nose pushing against his shoulder. Adam turned slowly to find the horse inches from his face. Still humming, he reached across the gate to rub the arched neck, slowly moving his hand up to the ears and down along the jawline. 

Ending the song, he spoke to the horse, keeping his voice soft, “So you like music, huh? Missing your master no doubt. My brother Hoss keeps telling me that animals have feelings, and I reckon I have to believe him now.” 

The horse snorted, as if in response, then leaned into the rubbing he was receiving, arching his long neck. Seeing a few brushes nearby, Adam reached for one. Working his way around the gate, he now stood beside the large horse, slowly brushing the dust out of the dark silky coat, and humming a new tune. 

Across the yard, Ben and Sergeant Marshall stepped into the sunshine, and stopped in their tracks upon seeing Adam with the Colonel’s horse. Marshall started to rush over but Ben quickly grabbed his arm.

“No, you’ll spook the horse. Let’s see what he does.”

After a few more minutes, Adam patted the horse on the neck, and left the corral. The horse pranced around, holding his head and tail high. 

“If I’d not seen this with my own eyes…”  Marshall moved forward and met Adam in the middle of the yard. “What did you do?  How…?”

“I sang and talked to him.” All three men turned to watch the horse now trying to interact with the Cartwright horses. Adam turned his eyes to his father. “Pa, I have an idea…”

*****

After a quiet homecoming dinner, Hoss said he was heading straight to bed. Joe, disappointed in not getting to play at least one game of checkers, followed his brother upstairs. Ben and Adam shared concerned looks, knowing Hoss was not his boisterous self. However, they stayed up a while longer taking care of last minute preparations for Hoss’ birthday. Soon, they were sound asleep as well. 

The next morning brought clear skies and a round of excitement as Hoss opened his gifts. Ben eyed his quiet middle son as he reached for his pipe and tobacco. “Hoss, are you feeling alright? You seem a bit glum this morning. You do like your gifts don’t you?”

“Oh yeah, Pa, they’re real nice. I definitely needed a new hat and some real nice gloves for work. An’ the books Adam gave me will be real helpful when I can start workin’ the ranch next Spring.” He paused to look around the room. Little Joe was stomping around the room, munching on a piece of bacon. “Where’s Adam? I wanted to ask him something about the books.”

Ben pulled his pipe from his mouth and pointed it towards the door. “I believe he’s checking on the animals. In fact I think I hear him coming now. Why don’t you open the door for your brother, son. Joseph, please stop marching around the room and go eat at the table!” 

When Hoss reached the door, Ben rose and gathered Little Joe with him. Hoss opened the door just as Adam was about to push it from the other side. 

“There you are. Come out to the barn for a moment. I need you to help me with something.”

Hoss nodded and grabbed his hat, too busy to see the wink Adam gave to his father. Together the brothers entered the barn, Ben and Little Joe quickly catching up. 

“Well, what do you need doin’ Adam. It all looks pretty clean to me.”

“It’s over here. I was wondering if you’d be able to take care of this.” Adam reached into the shadowy stall and led a large dark horse into the center of the barn. With one hand holding the halter, he rubbed the white blaze with the other. “What do you think, Hoss? He was at the fort and lost his master and, well, he needs someone to take care of him. Think you can do that?”

Hoss’ blue eyes filled with happy tears and his grin stretched from ear to ear. “You know I can do it, Adam. You know I can.” 

The growing teen slowly stepped forward and held his hand for the horse to sniff, then he turned it over and rested it against the velvety nose. The horse pushed into Hoss’ hand and moved forward a step. Hoss took hold of the halter from Adam and began to talk quietly to the horse. “Hey, fella. I’m gonna take good care of you. You an’ me are gonna be the best of friends, you’ll see.” Blinking hard a couple of times to clear away the moisture from his eyes, he turned back to see his family grinning at him. 

“He sure is a thing of beauty, ain’t he?”

“Yes, he is. Happy Birthday, son.”

“Thanks, Pa. Uh, where’d he come from?”

Adam rested his hand on Hoss’ shoulder. “We saw him at the fort. He belonged to a Colonel who died last month. I can tell you the rest of the story a bit later.”

“Oh yeah you did say that. That’s sad, but I would like to hear the rest, Adam. Um, does he have a name?”

Adam scratched his neck as he glanced at his father. “Yeah, well, his real name is Lord Ferguson after the Colonel’s grandfather.” Hoss screwed up his face as Adam leaned a bit closer and whispered, “but I’m told he called him Chubby ‘cause he was rather big and round as a colt.”

Grinning, Hoss turned back to his new friend to rub his white blaze. “I like that much better. Hi ya, Chubby.”

The horse gave a whinny and bobbed his head. Laughing, Ben, Little Joe and Adam gathered around Hoss and his new horse. Hoss’ face lit up. “This is the best birthday ever!”

The End

Happy Birthday, Dan!