“Happy Birthday, Adam,” Joe said to Adam as Hoss brought out a badly wrapped present. “Here ya go Adam,” Hoss said holding the gift out to Adam. “Thanks guys,” Adam said tearing open the brown paper that hid the gift inside. Adam opened the box and pulled out the most beautiful Winchester rifle he had ever seen. It was brown with a charcoal black barrel. On the end was his name carved into it.Off in the distance some rustlers looked over the Ponderosa from a bluff. “Well there she is boys,” the leader said. “You all know what we are here to do.” The leader looked at the five men behind them to see there reactions. All of them nodded. “Good now let’s go.” The men slowly made there way down the bluff towards the Ponderosa.Back at the house Adam was admiring his new rifle. “Where did you two get it Hoss?” Adam asked. “Well Pa sent it to us from Chico. We asked him to see if he could find you a gun there so that you wouldn’t find out like you normally do every birthday,” Joe said. “Oh,” Adam said. Suddenly they heard shots about 5 miles away from the house. “What do you think it is?” Joe Asked. “I don’t know,” Hoss said. “Why don’t we go check it out? “ Adam said clasping his rifle. The three Cartwright’s went to the door and went out into the yard. They saddled up and rode out.The boss heard the sound of hoofs and turned to see three horses coming towards him. “We got company guys,” The boss said. The rest of the men looked also to see the Cartwright’s coming. “Let’s get out of here boss,” One of the men said. “Ya, I don’t feel like losing my hide for a couple of steers,” another man said. Shots started being fired over their heads. “I don’t know about you guy’s but I’m getting out of here,” the boss said. All of the rustlers got on there horses and rode off with shots still being fired over their heads.

“They’re running away Adam,” Joe said excitedly. Adam looked and saw that the rustlers were indeed running away. “That’s a good thing Joe.” Adam, Joe and Hoss rode up to the steers that the rustlers had been trying to steal. They got off and went to examine the spooked herd. “Hey Hoss, come and look at this one,” Adam said. Hoss came over to the steer that Adam was looking at. “Look at that wound. It looks accidental doesn’t it?” Adam said. “Ya it does. That must have been the shot we heard they must not have meant to fire that shot.” “Are we gonna go after them or are we just gonna sit here?” Joe asked. “We’ll go after them but no promises that we will find them.” Adam said. Adam started walking back towards his horse when he tripped and his new rifle fell from his hands. There was a shot and Adam looked up to see Joe fall to the ground. Hoss ran over to Joe. “Joe, are you alright?” “Ya never better,” Joe said sarcastically. “How bad is it Hoss?” Joe asked looking down at his thigh, “It’s not that bad,” Hoss said. “It’s just a crease.” Adam was looking from his gun to Joe on the ground. “Hey Adam want to come help me with Joe,” Hoss said pulling Adam out of his daze. “What, oh yeah, coming,” Adam said back to Hoss. Adam picked up his rifle and walked over to Joe and Hoss, putting the safety on his rifle on while he walked. “Ok Adam lets get him up on his horse and get home.” Adam and Hoss gingerly picked up Joe and helped him over to his horse and into the saddle. Adam and Hoss then proceeded to get onto their horses and started on the way back to the house. “I’ll ride into town and get the Doctor to come and look at Joe’s leg. I’ll also send a telegram to Pa in California and tell him what happened,” Adam said. “Okay, see you back at the house when you get there.” Adam took the road to town while Hoss and Joe took the road back to the house.

About an hour later Adam returned to the house with the doctor. Adam and the Doc walked into the house. “Joe’s room is up the stairs and is the third room on the left,” Adam told the Doctor. “Thank you, Adam,” the doctor said. Adam walked over to his favorite blue chair next to the fire place and sat down with his rifle in hand. Up in Joe’s room the doctor was looking at the graze on Joe’s thigh. Well Joe doesn’t look like it’s going to get infected but if it does send someone into town to get me.” “Will do Doctor.” “Thank You.” The doctor left Joe and came down stairs to see Adam. “How is he doc?” “He should be fine. I told him that if it get’s infected to send someone to come get me.” “Thank You Doctor. I will send someone in to get you if we need you.” Adam showed the doctor to the door. He then went to the bunkhouse to ask one of the men were Hoss was.” “Hey Charlie, where’s Hoss?” “He’s out in the barn.” “Thanks Charlie.” Adam walked out to the barn to talk to Hoss. “Hey Hoss, the doc just left. He said that Joe should be fine as long as he doesn’t get an infection.” “Well that’s good.” “I sent that telegram to Pa and he said that he will be home in about two days.” Adam said. “Well that’s good.” “And while I was in town I stopped by Sheriff Coffee’s office and told him about the rustlers. He’s got a posse out looking for them as we speak.” “I’m gonna go back in the house and talk with Joe,” Adam said. “Okay, I’ll be in as soon as I’m done attending to the horses.” Adam had just gotten outside of the barn when Sherriff Coffee rode into the yard. “Hey Adam, We found those rustlers that you guy’s saw this morning.” “That was quick.” “We caught them trying to steal some steers from the ranch about 3 miles away.” “Well that’s good, I’ll be sure to tell Hoss and Joe. Have a nice day Sheriff.” “Hey where’s Ben?” Sheriff Coffee asked. “He’s in California visiting a friend and should be back in about two days.” “Thank you, Adam.” Adam turned and continued to the house. He walked up to Joe’s room. “Hey Joe, how ya feeling?” “Better. Who was just in the yard?” Joe asked. “Oh that was sheriff Coffee. They caught the rustlers about 3miles down the road.” “Oh that’s good.” Joe said. “Yeah, you know what happened out there right?” Adam asked. “Yes I know you tripped and dropped your gun and I accidentally got grazed by the bullet.” Joe said looking at Adam. “Okay, I knew that that’s what happened but I wanted to make sure that you knew.” “Why Adam, do you think I thought you shoot me?” “No. I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t think I did.” Adam said. “Well I don’t think you did it on purpose so you can get rid of that thought right now.” Hoss came into the room. “Hey you two, how are you Joe?” “I’m fine, tired though.” “We’ll leave you be and you can get some rest.” Adam said getting up. Adam and Hoss left as Joe let out a big yawn.

Two Days later Ben rode into the yard. He jumped off his horse and walked into the house. He saw Joe sitting on the settee reading one of his dime novels. “Hiya Pa!” Joe said cheerfully. “How was your trip?” “Fine, just fine.” Ben said. “What’s this I hear about you getting shot?” “Ah, Pa it’s nothing, just a scratch.” Joe said with a grin. Adam and Hoss came into the house. “Hey Pa,” Hoss said. “Thanks’ for sending us that rifle.” “Yeah, Pa.” Joe said. Adam got quiet. “What is it Adam?” Ben Asked. “Well the gun that Joe got shot with was that gun,” Adam said. “Now Adam I told you to forget that,” Joe said giving Adam a stern look. “I know but…” Joe interjected. “I don’t blame you so just forget it.” “Fine,” Adam said. “Hey pa, about that rifle…” “What Adam is there something wrong with it?” “No Pa, but you have to tell me. Where did you get it?” Hoss and Joe started laughing.