Hop Sing was in his element. Candy and Griff as too himself did more than justice to a splendid dinner of traditional Chinese food, followed by a pot of fragrant Jasmine tea. Griff Joshed that they would have to keep to themselves the fact that he had enjoyed the delicately perfumed tea. As this didn’t go well with his excon, hard man image. This statement caused both Hop Sing and Candy to splutter the contents of their mouths across the table. Their mirth increased as Griff became more and more irate.

“Don’t see what’s so funny?” he complained. Which only refueled both man’s side splitting laughter.

Candy sat staring at the dying embers. Sipping a glass of Ben Cartwright’s brandy. Which out of good manners and putting up only a token resistance. He had giving into Hop Sings urging and accepted the night cap. Griff had long since returned to the bunkhouse and Hop Sing was in his kingdom…or so Candy thought.

“Mistah Candy not wully, wilah come tomollo.” Hop Sing was at his elbow. Candy had told Hop Sing of Adam’s message, and that he and Griff had waited for a reply, but nothing was forthcoming.

“l hope so Hop Sing.. I know Mr Cartwright wouldn’t hesitate to go to Turner’s Town…” Hop Sing didn’t allow Candy to finish.

“Mista Candy must stay Pondelosa…Mista Gliff blake horse…Hop Sing take wagon find boy’s.”

The following morning an early visitor arrived in time for breakfast coffee.

“Kinda early Sheriff?” Candy stated the obvious. Hop Sing shuffled to the kitchen to fetch another cup and saucer.

“It is at that Candy but l reckoned l’d get this ta yer sooner than later.” Roy Coffee handed Candy the wire. Tearing open the envelope Candy asked Roy if the lines were now open to the coast. The sheriff placed his hat on the seat of the chair beside him and shook his head. The sheriff knew that the Cartwright boys had not yet returned. Roy hoped that the message wasn’t bad news. Though he also knew that wires marked urgent were rarely good news. As he read Candy nodded to the fresh pot of coffee.

“Help yourself.” he invited the elderly lawman.

“Don ‘t mind if l do. Mite thirsty that trail in from town.” Roy filled a cup and relished the hot brew.

“Adam wants me to stay put. Joe’s had some kind of accident, broke a few bones. Be back as soon as he can travel,” Dropping the paper onto the table Candy refreshed his own cup. Roy retrieved the paper and read the message. Not that he had any doubt as to what Candy had said. The lawman had a habit of wanting anything and everything verified.

“Yer know what happened to Little Joe?” Roy questioned more into his coffee than to Candy. The foreman shrugged and downed the contents of his cup before he answered.

“No idea, but knowing Joe it aint gonna be anything simple, is it?”

“True enough.” Roy agreed making short work of his drink hoping that a refill would be forthcoming he nodded his appreciation as Candy replenished both cups. Making his usual silent entry, Hop Sing appeared at the table. The Chinese man was obviously kitted out for a journey.

“Yer visiting relatives Hop Sing?” Roy made polite conversation.

“Hop Sing go Tehlah Town bling Cahtlight boys home.” Hop Sing spoke as if he was just going to get the supplies. Dipping his head to both the foreman and the sheriff the Chinese man’s smiling face was difficult to read. Roy Coffee made his mind up on the spur of the moment he wasn’t usually a spontaneous man. It was the nature of his job that he gave great thought to everything he did, but not this time.

“Wait up Hop Sing,” Roy called after the small man who was already on his way to the door. Hop Sing halted his stride and turned to face the sheriff. “mighty long, lonely trail from here to Turner’s Town, mind if l ride along?”

“Hop Sing happy, honourable Sheriff make long journey pass, like blink of eye.”