Summary: The Cartwrights find themselves in financial trouble when they try to honour a timber contract.
Rating:  T  (8,850 words)

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A Man’s True Worth

  

‘But I don’t understand Pa,’ said Adam, mirroring his father’s worried expression with one of his own. ‘Why is this happening?’

 

Ben leant back in his chair and tapped his chin thoughtfully. ‘Hard to say son,’ he said. ‘All I can put it down to is that Barney Fuller has been up to his usual tricks and is spreading the word around town that we can’t make good on that timber contract.”

 

“But why?” persisted Adam. “I mean … I know he missed out on getting the contract himself and he usually doesn’t take that sort of thing lightly, but he’s never resorted to dirty tactics before.”

 

Ben spread his hands in a perplexed gesture. “I don’t know son,” he sighed. “All I know is that he’s doing it.”

 

Adam thumped his fist on his father’s desk in frustration. “Well it’s causing no end of problems for us,” he said angrily. “It’s hurting our reputation. If this goes on much longer there’ll be on one at all who will want to do business with us.”

 

Ben smiled at his eldest son as he sat back in his chair and tapped his chin thoughtfully with his finger. “Oh I don’t think it’ll come to that,” he said easily. “Most folks around here know us well enough to know that we always keep our word when it comes to business. I’ve spent too many years building up our reputation to have one incident destroy all that Adam.”

 

“Yes I know that,” said Adam. “But what about all those who don’t us that well?  What about the backers in San Francisco who’ve put so much of their money into this venture? If word gets to them that we might not be able to deliver, then …” He stopped as his two brothers opened the front door with a bang and entered the room.

 

“You still going on bout that Barney Fuller older brother?” said Joe as he flung his hat onto the credenza and bent over to unstrap his gun-belt tie from his trouser leg.

 

“Well if I am, I’ve got good reason to,” said Adam grumpily. “He’s got no right to be spreading rumours about us in that way.”

 

“I agree,” said Joe as he flung himself down onto the sofa and grabbed an apple from the bowl.

 

“Well let’s just be thankful that it isn’t true,” said Ben as he got up. “Joseph, take your feet off the coffee table.”  He stared at his youngest son until Joe got the hint and withdrew his feet. “We don’t have a problem fulfilling the contract and that’s all there is to it,” Ben added.

 

“Yes but the backers …”

 

“… will be satisfied once we deliver on time,” Ben interrupted Adam.

 

“Well we’d better deliver on time,” muttered Adam. “We sure can’t afford not to after the money we’ve borrowed against the herd this year.”

 

“One bad summer doesn’t make a disaster,” said his father as he paced up and down the room. “Yes, we’ve lost money on the herd due to the little rain we’ve had, but we’ll still manage.”

 

“You know we need the money from the contract to just break even,” said Adam. “Without it …”

 

Joe sat up straight and looked over at his father. “Are we in serious trouble Pa?” he asked, his eyes widening in alarm. “I mean … I know that we had to borrow against the herd and all, but we’ve got plenty of money in other investments we can use, haven’t we?”

 

Ben tapped his chin again thoughtfully. “Not that I’d like to touch,” he said. “At least … none that would have any ready cash available to us at the moment.”

 

Joe swallowed his mouthful of apple and looked worried. “Well then,” he began. “What if we don’t get the timber in on time?”

 

“We will get the timber in on time,” said his father firmly. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t.” He turned to Hoss. “You’ve just come from the timber camp,” he said. “How’s everything going?”

 

Hoss nodded as he grabbed an apple as well. “The men are working real hard Pa,” he said. “If anything they’re ahead of schedule.”

 

“You see?” said Ben, turning to Adam. “There’s no need to worry. Barney Fuller’s threats can’t touch us.”

 

“Yeah,” said Joe, sitting back again and taking another bite of his apple. “You’re just a worry wart older brother.”

 

“Joseph?” said Ben.

 

Joe looked backwards over the sofa and grinned up at his father. “Yeah Pa?”

 

“Do you ever listen to anything I tell you to do?”  Ben pointed at his youngest son’s dirty boots, which he’d once again placed on the coffee table.

 

Joe swallowed his second mouthful of apple and withdrew his boots, while still grinning at his father. “Sorry Pa,” he said.

 

“Sorry Pa,” muttered Ben. “Haven’t you boys got anything to do? Why are you all hanging around here anyway?”

 

Adam stood up. “I’ll get back up to the timber camp,” he said.

 

“I’ll go with ya,” said Hoss.

 

Joe continued to sit on the sofa enjoying his apple as his two brothers put on their hats and jackets. “Joseph?” hinted Ben.

 

“Yeah Pa?”

 

“Haven’t you got any work to do?”

 

Joe grinned at his father again. “Not that I can think of,” he said easily.

 

“Well think harder or I’ll give you some!” shouted his father.

 

Joe bounced to his feet. “Sure thing Pa,” he said quickly. “I’ll go with these two I reckon.”

 

“Well then go,” said his father testily. He shook his head as the front door slammed after his three sons. “Timber contracts …. Barney Fuller … coffee table ….” he muttered to himself grumpily.

 

 

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Hoss picked up a branch that was lying at his feet and studied it closely. “See?” said Charlie, the Ponderosa foreman. “It’s rotted right through.”

 

“I see what ya mean,” said Hoss. “Don’t look good does it?”

 

“The men have been noticing them little critters swarming all over the wood,” said Charlie. “Reckon they might be responsible fer it being like that Hoss?”

 

“I dunno Charlie,” said Hoss, scratching his head. “Could be.”  He thought for a moment. “I’d better get this down ta Pa and have him take a look at it.” He scratched at the branch with his finger. “Sure is flaky,” he said. “Seems right poor timber all right.”  He glanced over at Charlie. “Tell the men ta keep going,” he said. “I’ll get right on it Charlie.”

 

“Ok Hoss. Anything ya say,” said the older man and walked back towards where the crew were working.

 

 

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Hoss put the branch on the coffee table and pointed to it. “Sure beats me,” he said, scratching his head. “Seems ta be an insect of some sort. Them little varmints are all over the trees up there.”

 

“What kind of insect?” asked Joe, bending over to inspect the wood closely.

 

“I dunno,” replied Hoss. “I ain’t never seen nothing like em before.”  He glanced at his father. “We’re in luck though Pa,” he added. They don’t seem ta like the pines at all. Only that stand of spruce the men are working on.”

 

“Choosy sort of insect then, wouldn’t you say?” said Adam dryly as he also bent over to look more closely.

 

“I reckon,” said Hoss, scratching his head. “I’ve never seen nothing like it.”

 

“So you’re telling me that these …. insects …. are climbing all over the spruce trees?” asked Ben.

 

“That’s what I’m telling ya Pa,” said Hoss.

 

“So what?” said Joe, flicking one off the branch with his finger.

 

“Joseph!” shouted Ben as he brushed the small insect off his trouser leg where it had landed. “Do you mind?”

 

“Sorry,” said Joe contritely.

 

“So what’s the problem Hoss?” asked Adam.  “We have an insect on the spruce …. and?”

 

“And they’re doing more than just sitting there,” said Hoss.

 

“Hoss speak plain,” prompted his father. “What exactly is the problem son?”

 

“Well ….” Hoss thought for a moment as he scratched his head. “It’s like this Pa …”

 

“Funny looking little things ain’t they?” interrupted Joe.

 

“Hoss?” prompted Ben again, giving Joe a frustrated look.

 

“Yeah …” said Hoss. “Well I reckon they’re …. kinda … well … eating the wood.”

 

“Eating the … wood?” spluttered Ben. “What do you mean …. eating the wood?”

 

“Like termites?” giggled Joe and then changed his expression to a serious one as his father looked at him.

 

“Just like termites,” said Hoss. “Look.”  He grabbed the branch and snapped it in two.

 

“That proves nothing,” said Joe. “That branch is so small I could …” he stopped as his father shot him another look.

 

“Look inside,” said Hoss, shoving the branch under his father’s nose. “See?”

 

Ben looked and then handed the branch to Adam. “Like termites,” he muttered. “But why just the spruce?”

 

“We’re lucky it ain’t the pine,” declared Joe. “Then we’d really have a problem. Think of all the millions of pines trees we got on The Ponderosa.”

 

“Yes,” nodded his father. “We’re lucky it isn’t the pines of course …. only ….”

 

“Only spruce is exactly what we need to deliver at the moment for the contract isn’t it?” finished Adam. “If I didn’t know better, then I’d say that Barney Fuller had something to do with this.”

 

“Yeah sure,” giggled Joe. “Mr Fuller just gathered up a bunch of them little critters and sprinkled em on all the spruce trees up there. I can just see him going around ….”

 

“Joseph, will you please be quiet!” said his father sternly. “This is serious business we’re discussing!” Joe shut his mouth quickly. “Alright,” continued Ben. “Let’s think about this logically. On one hand we’re lucky that this …. whatever it is … is only attacking the spruce and the pine trees are immune to it. On the other hand … our immediate needs are for the spruce …. as we need to deliver it within the specified deadline.” He glanced over at Adam. “As for Barney Fuller,” he continued. “Joseph is at least right about that …” Joe visibly puffed himself up at his father’s words. “There’s no way that he could be implicated in something like this. It’s an act of nature … pure and simple. It’s come at an unfortunate time for us …. that’s obvious …. but we’ll just have to deal with it.”

 

“And how would you suggest we do that?” asked Adam. “We don’t even know what this … creature is … let alone how to get rid of it.”

 

Ben bit his lower lip as he thought it through. “Well the first thing is to find out what it is then,” he said. “Then we’ll know how to get rid of it from the spruce.”

 

“How do we do that Pa?” asked Hoss, looking at his father trustingly.

 

“I … well I’ll have to think on that one Hoss,” replied his father. “In the meantime, instruct the men to keep cutting down the trees that haven’t been affected.”

 

Hoss shook his head. “No can do Pa,” he said. “There’s no way of knowing which trees have been affected until we cut em down … and then it’s too late. The one’s with this … critter all over em are part rotten.”

 

Ben began to pace up and down the floor in frustration, running his fingers through his hair as he did so. “I shouldn’t have taken on this contract,” he said, half to himself. “I should have known …”

 

“How could you know that this would happen Pa?” said Adam reasonably. “You’re not to blame.”

 

Ben stopped pacing and faced his sons. “I shouldn’t have over-extended ourselves,” he said. “Normally we could handle something like this, but with the debt we’re already carrying to fund the shortage from the cattle …” He shook his head again. “I blame myself,” he muttered. He paced up and down again for a minute before stopping. “I’ll go and see the Tom Henderson at the bank tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll just have to take out a larger loan in case we can’t deliver the timber.”

 

“Is that necessary yet Pa?” asked Adam. “I mean … we still could make the deadline.”

 

Ben shook his head. “I won’t take any more risks at the moment,” he said firmly. “We’ll re-finance in case we can’t deliver … and if we work out this problem with the spruce then we’ll just pay it back straight away. I’d rather be prepared in case.” He smiled at his sons. “It’ll work out boys,” he said as he picked up the tree branch again. “Hoss … I want you to see if anyone else in the district is having the same problem with their spruce. You and Joe ride round tomorrow and see if anyone does and if there’s any word on what it might be.”

 

“Sure Pa,” said Hoss. “We’ll get onto it first thing in the morning.”

 

“I’ll go up and talk to the men,” said Adam. “Keep things on track up at the lumber camp.”

 

“No more cutting that spruce until we get this sorted out,” said Ben, pointing his finger at him. “I’m not delivering second grade wood.”

 

“No cutting,” said Adam. “I’ll see to it Pa.”

 

 

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“Hey Adam?”

 

Adam looked up from the book he was reading to see Joe standing in the doorway of his bedroom. “Yes?” he said absently.

 

“Are you asleep?”

 

Adam gave his youngest brother a frustrated look. “Do I look as if I’m asleep?” he said sarcastically.

 

“I guess not,” grinned Joe and bounced into the room as if that was an invitation.

 

“Do make yourself comfortable,” added Adam sarcastically as his younger brother flopped down on his bed, sending the bedclothes all awry.

 

“Thanks,” grinned Joe, pulling one of the blankets off Adam and around himself as he drew his feet up onto the bed. “I wanted to ask ya something.”

 

Adam pulled as much of his bedding as he could back on top of himself. “What?” he asked in an irritated fashion.

 

“Do you remember what it was like before Pa made all his money?” asked Joe.

 

“Of course I do,” said Adam. “Not all of us were as lucky as you to live in the lap of luxury their whole lives.”

 

Joe ignored his brother’s obvious barb and frowned in thought. “Well, I’ve been thinking,” he said, putting his head on one side.

 

“Really? That’s a novel occurrence.”

 

Joe looked at Adam strangely for a moment, as he considered the meaning behind his comment. Finally he gave up trying and continued. “What with money being so tight and all at the moment,” he said. “Do ya reckon that we’ll end up poor again?”

 

“Of course not,” snorted Adam. “Pa knows what he’s doing. He’s a great businessman … you know that.”

 

“Yeah, I’m sure he is,” persisted Joe. “But … well he sounded real worried before. I’ve never heard him like that.”

 

“Listen Joe,” said Adam, leaning forward in the bed. “I’ve known Pa for a lot longer than you … and I’ve been privy to a lot of things on this ranch that you haven’t. We’ve had plenty of problems on The Ponderosa before and I’m sure we’ll have plenty again. This is just one of those things, that’s all. We’ll get through it.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Adam hesitated. “Of course I’m sure,” he said.

 

“And we won’t end up poor?”

 

“Well it depends on your definition of poor,” said Adam. “If the worst comes to it, we’ve got lots of land as capital to fall back on.”

 

Joe gave his brother a shocked look. “Pa would never sell The Ponderosa!” he said.

 

“Of course he wouldn’t,” agreed Adam. “At least not all of it … but he might have to sell off some pieces of it if he’s forced to.”

 

Joe shook his head. “Never,” he said. “Pa has always said that he’d never sell even one piece of his land unless he was forced to.”  He stopped as he realised what he’d said. “You reckon this might be the thing to force him to?” he finished in a shocked tone.

 

“Could be,” admitted Adam. “You heard him say that he can’t very well cash in any of his other investments at the moment. But I’m sure that he’ll sort things out with the bankers tomorrow.”

 

“Ya know Adam … I’ve always taken our money for granted,” said Joe. “I’ve never really thought about it much, but I reckon that money is something that can come and go pretty easily huh?”

 

“Yes,” said Adam. “Do you think I could have a piece of my own blanket please? I’m freezing.”

 

Joe scrunched over and allowed his brother to grab a corner of the blanket he had wrapped around himself. “I reckon money is something that ya don’t really think about till ya don’t have any huh?” he continued thoughtfully.

 

“Probably,” said Adam, trying to pull the blanket towards him. He succeeded in getting most of it from under Joe and pulled on it, tipping his brother backwards in the process. “I sure thought about it a lot when I was younger,” he added.

 

“Did ya?” Joe asked sticking his feet under the bedcover.

 

Adam nodded thoughtfully as he remembered a small boy with his face pressed up against the window of a store gazing at all the wonderful things inside that he knew his father could never have afforded to buy for him. “Yes,” he said softly. “You learn to do without when you have to though.”

 

“I reckon,” mused Joe thoughtfully. “Well … I’m off to bed. Gee you’ve got cold feet,” he said as he withdrew his own from under the covers.

 

Adam gave his brother a dark look. “They were warm before,” he muttered.

 

“Yeah? Well maybe you’ve got bad circulation then,” suggested Joe blithly. “Night Adam.”

 

“Goodnight,” said Adam firmly. He tucked the bedclothes around himself once again and snuggled down under them. He opened his book and stared at the page in front of him for a few moments, seeing not the words printed on the page, but rather the small boy once again … looking at the delights in that store window with longing in his heart. He smiled to himself. “No money,” he murmured. “But there was plenty of love between us. It didn’t take money to make us happy back then.” He smiled once again, closed the book and shut his eyes as he dreamed of a time long gone.

 

 

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“Of course we’ll refinance your loan Ben,” said Tom Henderson. “You’re a good risk as far as the bank is worth … you know that.”

 

Ben breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear Tom,” he said. “We may not even need the money in the long run, but it’s good to know that its there is we do.”

 

Tom nodded thoughtfully. “Well from what you’ve told me about the timber problem, you might need it,” he said. “Any idea what these … insects might be?”

 

Ben shook his head. “No not yet,” he admitted. “Hoss and Little Joe are seeing what they can find out about it all today.”  He leant forward as a clerk came into the office with some papers and put them on the desk in between the two men. “Where do I sign?” he said.

 

“Just a minute,” said Tom, looking over the papers. “I need to check these out first.” He looked up at Ben. “You do realise that we’ll need security on this amount?”

 

Ben swallowed, knowing what was coming next. “Yes of course,” he said. “How much?”

 

Tom slid the papers over the desk towards him and Ben turned them around and began to read. “That much?” he said, visibly shaken.

 

“I’m sorry Ben, but I can’t ask for any less. If it were just me personally I’d be willing to take the risk, but my job is …”

 

“I know,” said Ben, waving the man’s comments aside. “You have to ask for it. The bank has a right to expect security.”  He picked up a pen and hesitated before signing at the bottom of the last sheet. “There,” he said. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

 

Tom stood up and shook Ben’s hand. “I hope it doesn’t Ben,” he said. “I’ll be saying a few prayers that it all works out for you.”

 

“Thank you,” said Ben, shaking the banker’s hand. “I sure appreciate that.” He walked out of the bank and mounted up on his horse, riding slowly down the street towards the end of town. As he took the trail towards The Ponderosa his heart was heavy, considering for a few moments what he’d just signed. “Please God let it not come to that,” he said softly.

 

 

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“That much?” breathed Adam. “How will we ever afford to repay it if we have to?”

 

“We’ll have to sell some land,” said Ben wearily as he tapped a pencil on the desk in front of him. “We won’t have a choice.”

 

Adam nodded and was silent for a few moments. “Well let’s hope it doesn’t come to it then,” he said. “Any word from Hoss or Joe yet?”

 

“No … they haven’t made it home yet,” said Ben, still looking at the pencil he was tapping. “Adam, I’ve been thinking. It might be a good idea for you to go to San Francisco and try to negotiate for some extra time in delivering that lumber in case we need it.”

 

Adam winced. “Of course I’ll go and try,” he said. “But you know as well as I do that they’re not likely to agree. The contract was air-tight Pa.”

 

“I know,” sighed Ben. “But it’s worth a try.”

 

“It actually might be the wrong move to make,” added Adam. “If they get wind of the fact that we’re having problems then things could get difficult.”

 

“I trust you to make sure that it doesn’t happen then,” said Ben. “You’ll know how to handle it.”

 

Adam raised his eyebrows. “I hope so,” he said. “I’ll do my best anyway.”

 

“That’s all I ask son,” said his father. “Ah! This sounds like your brothers coming.”  He leant forward as the front door banged open and Hoss entered the room, followed closely by Joe. “Any luck boys?” he asked.

 

“Nope,” said Hoss, sitting on the edge of his father’s desk and taking off his hat. “No one seems ta know any more than we do about them little critters.”

 

“Isn’t anyone else’s wood affected?” asked Adam.

 

“Nope. Don’t seem ta be,” said Hoss. “But ya gotta remember that we’ve got the only stand of spruce around here fer miles. Whatever them little critters are, they seem mighty choosy bout which wood they like. They’s only on our spruce.”

 

Ben slumped in his chair. “If only we knew what they were,” he said. “Hoss?”

 

“Yeah Pa?”

 

“Maybe if you get the men to try brushing them off each individual tree?”

 

Pa, ya can’t be serious!” exclaimed Hoss. “Have you seen how many trees are up there? Sides … they’re right inside the wood. There’s no picking em all off even if we had the time. We ain’t got no idea which trees are affected until we get em cut down and that’s an awful lot of cutting ta do.”

 

“I suppose so,” said Ben. He stood up and walked to the window, looking outside for a moment. “Boys, I’m afraid we’ve got a real problem here,” he said. “Unless we can find a new stand of spruce to cut …”

 

“Which we ain’t got,” said Joe mournfully.

 

“ … or unless we can get rid of these …. insects …. Then we’ll have to forfeit on the contract.”

 

“Why can’t we just cut down the trees and send em with the insects still in em?” suggested Joe. “They might think that the insect got into the wood between here and San Francisco and we never knew about it.”

 

“Joseph, I have no intention of sending second-rate timber to anyone,” interrupted his father sharply. “I’ve never done business like that before and I don’t intend to start now. No … we’ll send decent wood or we’ll forfeit the contract. Your brother Adam is going to go San Francisco to try and see if we can get more time before we have to deliver.”

 

“What use is more time iffen we don’t know what ta do anyways?” asked Hoss.

 

“I don’t know,” sighed Ben wearily. “But at least it will give us some more time to find out what this insect is and how to treat it.”  He tapped his chin thoughtfully. “If only we had someone who was an expert in such things.”

 

Adam stood up. “That’s it,” he said, his eyes wide. “We need an expert!”

 

“Yeah,” said Joe mournfully. “But where are we gonna get one? I mean … brother Hoss here knows lots of things, but he ain’t exactly ….”

 

Adam snapped his fingers. “I think I know just the person,” he said excitedly.

 

“Who?” asked Ben.

 

“Years ago when I was at college in Boston there was a professor …” he shut his eyes for a moment, trying to remember the name. “Casey I think. That’s it …. Professor Casey. Anyway … he lectured in botany and science. He was quiet an expert from what I remember. I never took any of his classes of course, but those who did said that …”

 

“What use is some old professor back in Boston to us?” interrupted Joe. “Even if you wrote and asked his advice, we’d never get a reply in time. Even if you wired him, then …”

 

“But that’s just it,” said Adam quickly. “I remember hearing that he’d actually taken up residence in San Francisco a few years ago.”

 

“There ain’t no where a fellar like that could be teaching in San Francisco,” said Hoss.

 

“He’s not teaching …. he’s retired,” said Adam. He bit his lip thoughtfully. “I’m sure if I wired the college they could let me know exactly where he was living.” He looked at his father. “It’s worth a try,” he added.

 

“It certainly is,” said Ben. “You’d better get that wire off right away son. Get into town and get a ticket on the next stage as well.”

 

“I’ll get ya some samples of the wood ta take with ya,” said Hoss, getting up from the desk.

 

“What will I do?” said Joe, caught up in the excitement of the moment.

 

Ben looked at him thoughtfully. “You and I are going up to the timber camp with Hoss Joseph,” he said. “I want to take a look at the spruce up there for myself.”

 

 

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“This should do it,” said Hoss, picking up another piece of branch and stuffing it into a bag. “I’d better get this lot inta town ta Adam before he goes.”

 

“No … I want you to stay here and help me with the crew,” said Ben. “Joe … you get this into Adam and bring back any news. Hopefully he’s heard from his contacts in Boston by now. See him off on the stage and then get back here straight away.”

 

“OK Pa,” said Joe, grabbing the bag from his brother. “You can trust me.”

 

Ben lifted an eyebrow at his son’s statement, but said nothing. He surveyed the expanse of trees in front of him and then looked over to where two-dozen men were idly sitting down chatting. “I wish I knew what to do about all this,” he muttered. “It’s the waiting that I find hard to bear.”

 

“Yeah,” agreed Hoss. “I’ve always reckoned on knowing lots bout nature Pa …. But this one’s sure got me beat. I wish I were smart enough ta know what ta do.”

 

“None of us knows son,” said Ben, putting his arm around Hoss’ broad shoulder. “You’re not alone in feeling that way.”

 

 

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“See ya brother,” said Joe cheerfully as he thumped Adam on the back. “Lucky you getting a trip to San Francisco.”

 

Adam gave his younger brother a frustrated look before he turned towards the stagecoach. “This isn’t exactly a pleasure trip,” he said huffily. “This is serious business Joe.”

 

“Yeah I know,” replied Joe, still grinning. “But there’s no reason why ya can’t have a good time while you’re there is there?” He thumped Adam on the back again when he didn’t reply. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

 

“There’s little chance of that,” said Adam as he put the bag full of wood into the stagecoach. “Now remember what I told you to tell Pa,” he said.

 

“Of course I’ll remember,” said Joe indignantly. “I’m not stupid you know.”

 

Adam made a face and jumped up into the stage. “You’d better get straight back out to the timber camp,” he said. “Pa will need you.”

 

“OK,” said Joe and waved as the stage lurched forward. “Bye!” he called. As soon as the stagecoach had rounded the corner he rubbed his hands together. “I’ll get straight back out to the timber camp,” he said aloud. “But I’ll be going by way of the Silver Dollar brother. Pa can’t possibly begrudge me having a drink while I’m in here.”

 

He swaggered down the street towards the Silver Dollar saloon, fingered the coins in his pocket as he did so. “Hi Sam,” he said as he came through the swinging doors. “I’ll have a beer thanks.” He plonked down his coins on the bar and turned around to see who else was there.

 

“Well if it isn’t the little Cartwright boy,” said a man in the corner and Joe looked across to see Barney Fuller sitting at a corner table with two of his men on each side of him.

 

Joe frowned at the man’s method of address and then smiled slightly as he nodded his head. “Mr Fuller,” he said shortly and turned back to face the bar and pick up his drink.

 

“I’m surprised your daddy let you into town,” continued Barney Fuller in a louder voice. One of the men stood up and came to stand next to Joe at the bar. “Yes sir,” said Barney, aware that now he had everyone’s attention. “I’m sure surprised that Ben Cartwright let one of his boys into town. Specially now that he’s in such trouble. I woulda thought he’d be too ashamed to let any of his family be seen considering what he’s been up to.”

 

Joe turned, in spite of himself. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

 

Barney Fuller shrugged and took a sip of his beer. “Nothing for you to worry about I’m sure boy,” he said easily. “You’re a bit too young for your daddy to let you in on his business dealings … specially when they’re crooked ones.”

 

Joe felt himself flush and he took a step towards the man, completely forgetting his beer. “My Pa would never have anything to do with a crooked business deal!” he said angrily.

 

Barney shrugged again. “Just what I thought you’d say,” he said with a smirk. “It’s good that you defend ya Pa …. even if he don’t deserve it. At least your Pa taught you loyalty … shame he can’t teach you how to be an honest businessman.”

 

Joe clenched his fists. “You take that back!” he shouted. “My Pa is so honest!”

 

“Now calm down there sonny,” said the man beside him, holding onto his arm. “Mr Fuller weren’t trying to insult ya. He’s only saying the truth.”  He winked at Barney who smiled back at him.

 

“That’s right boy,” said Barney, leaning forward. “Ain’t your fault after all … it’s your Pa who’s to blame for the way he stole that contract.”

 

“My Pa did not steal that contract!” shouted Joe. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

The man beside him gave him a shove. “Now don’t you speak to Mr Fuller like that,” he said threateningly. “Have a bit of respect for your elders boy.”

 

“My Pa taught me to have respect for them who deserve it,” said Joe, glaring at the man. “Seems to me that no one round here does.”  He reeled back as the man drew back his fist and hit him square on the jaw and he toppled over a table. He shook his head to clear it and came up from the floor with both fists clenched. “You’re asking for it!” he shouted and lunged forward to hit the man in the stomach with both fists. Dimly he heard someone shouting in the background, but all reason was lost to him as the blood started to pound in his head and he focussed on the face in front of the man in front of man. All he could think of was smashing it with his fists again to try and wipe the smirk off it.

 

 

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“Here comes Joe now,” said Ben to Hoss. “It’s about time that young man showed up.”  He stood with his hands on his hips as Joe rode to a halt by his side. “Well?” he said, as his son dismounted. “Did you see Adam off?”

 

Joe lowered his hat over his face and looked at the ground, shuffling his feet in the dirt. “Yeah,” he muttered.

 

“What was that?”

 

Joe cleared his throat. “Yeah Pa. I saw him off. He said to tell you that he got that professor’s address in a wire from Boston before he left. He’s gonna send a wire as soon as he tracks him down.”

 

“Good,” said Ben, sounding relieved. “You took so long to get back that I thought there might have been a problem.” He looked at Joe carefully. “Joseph?”

 

Joe continued to look at the ground. “Yeah Pa?” he muttered.

 

“Look at me.” Joe reluctantly looked up at his father. “Good Lord boy! What have you done to your face?” Ben exclaimed. His eyes narrowed. “You’ve been in a fight,” he said sternly. “Haven’t you?”

 

Joe cleared his throat. “Yeah,” he admitted. “But it’s not like you think Pa.”

 

Ben nodded. “Really? Well then suppose you tell me what it is like then?” he said. “Where was the fight?

Joe hesitated before replying. “In the saloon,” he said finally.

 

“In the saloon!” shouted Ben. “What you were doing in the saloon when I told you to come straight back out here?”

 

Joe shrugged. “I didn’t think that one drink would hurt,” he said. “Anyway …. It wasn’t my fault! It was that Barney Fuller!”

 

Ben looked shocked. “You’re not telling me that you had a fight with Barney Fuller?” he exclaimed. “Joseph!”

 

“No, not him,” admitted Joe. “But one of his men. He was saying things …. Well things about you Pa. I couldn’t help it … really I couldn’t! You woulda done the same thing if you’d been there.”

 

“What was he saying?” asked his father.

 

“He said that you stole that timber contract from him and that … well that you were a crooked businessman,” said Joe defensively. “I couldn’t let him get away with that could I?”

 

Ben sighed and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Joe I understand how you must have felt,” he said. “But we all really have to remain calm at the moment. It’s not going to do any good to fight.”

 

“But Pa ….”

 

Ben held up his hand to silence the youngster. “I know,” he said. “But Joe … I’ve been insulted before and I’m sure that I’ll be insulted again. When a man deals in business there’s always some folks who are going to not like the decisions that are made. You got to learn to not let it get to you.”

 

Joe fingered his sore face. “I guess you’re right,” he said. “I sure came off worse than the other guy.”

 

Ben smiled at him. “I appreciate you defending my honour,” he said. “But the fact remains that if you hadn’t been in that saloon then you never would have heard the insults. True?”

 

“True,” Joe admitted. “I never got my drink anyway,” he added ruefully. “Sheriff Coffee made us all leave before I could drink it.”

 

“Well you didn’t deserve it,” said his father firmly. “Let that be a lesson to you. Now … lets get back to the men. Hoss is trying to find at least some of these spruce trees that haven’t been affected.”

 

“Is he having much luck?” asked Joe as they walked over to the camp.

 

“No,” replied his father. “It’s just too hard to tell without cutting them down. Seems like the only thing we can do is continue cutting and just inspect each tree when it’s down.”

 

“Seems like an awful lot of work when we can’t use all the trees,” said Joe.

 

“It is,” admitted his father. “But we don’t have much choice at the moment. All we can do is pray that Adam’s professor comes up with something.”

 

“But it’ll be at least four days until we hear anything,” said Joe. “We’re running out of time if he doesn’t get the backers to agree with extending the deadline.”

 

“I know son,” said Ben in a worried voice. “I know.”

 

 

 

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Hoss dismounted and threw the reins of his horse over a low branch. “Hey Charlie … where’s my Pa at? You seen him lately?”

 

“He’s up that way Hoss,” said the foreman. “He and Joe are getting those trees up there cut.” He shook his head. “Seems like most of em have them little critters crawling all over em but. Seems hardly worth all the effort.”

 

“Thanks Charlie,” said Hoss. He turned and ran towards the spot where his father was working with a crew of men. “Hey Pa!” he shouted. “Pa!”

 

Ben looked up from the tree that he was inspecting with Joe. “Hoss!” he called.

 

Hoss ran up across to them. “How’s it going?” he asked.

 

Ben shook his head. “Just about all of them are infected,” he said wearily. “I think we’re wasting our time here.”

 

“Maybe not Pa,” said Hoss, drawing a piece of paper from his pocket.

 

“Adam’s wire came?” asked Joe, putting down his axe and wiping his forehead. “What did he say? Did he find that professor guy? Does he know how we can get rid of these insects? What about …”

 

Hoss held up his hand to silence his brother. “Hold on Joe,” he said. “If ya shut up fer a minute you’ll find out.” He opened the piece of paper and handed it to his father to read.

 

Ben cleared his throat and then read out loud:

 

 

 

returning on Wednesday’s stage… Stop … no extension to deadline … stop … only cut older trees with straight tops … stop … leave any with crooked or forked tops …  stop … full details Wednesday … Adam

 

 

 

“What’s he mean by that?” said Joe in a puzzled voice. He glanced up at the tops of the trees. “Lots of em have crooked tops. What’s that got ta do with anything?”

 

Ben scratched his head. “I’m not sure,” he said. “But we have to trust that Adam knows what he’s talking about. Hoss … get the men to start cutting down only the older trees …. And look for the ones with the straight tops.”

 

“Yes sir,” said Hoss. “I sure hope Adam can explain what he means though. Seems kinda strange ta me.”

 

Ben continued to look at the paper in his hand. “Adam couldn’t very well put the whole explanation in the wire,” he said. “Let’s just hope whatever his reasons for saying this are valid.”

 

Joe made a face. “Yeah … well brother Adam’s gonna have some explaining ta do if you ask me,” he said.

 

Ben smiled at him. “Well son …. No one really asked you did they?” he teased, grinning at the youngster.

 

“No … and that’d be about right,” said Joe picking up his axe again. “No one in this family ever listens to what I have to say.”

 

“That’s cause ya don’t ever say anything worth listening to little brother,” teased Hoss. “Come on shortshanks … we’ve got work ta do.”

 

 

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“Thought you’d never get here brother,” said Joe with a grin as he came across to the buggy. “Did ya have a great time in San Francisco?”

 

“What happened to your face?” asked Adam, looking at his brother’s bruised face with interest.

 

Joe looked shamefaced. “I had a run in with someone,” he said.

 

“I see … Where’s Pa?’ Adam asked.

 

“Here,” said a voice behind him and Ben put his hand on Adam’s neck and patted it. “Glad you’re back son.”

 

Adam shook his head. “I’m sorry Pa,” he said. “I really tried, but they weren’t going to budge on that deadline.”

 

“You did your best,” said Ben. “It was to be expected. We’ve been cutting the older trees as you said to in the wire.”

 

“With the straight tops,” added Joe with a laugh. “But ya know what brother? Them ones are just the ones that don’t have the insects on em. How did ya know that?”

 

“They’re weevils,” said Adam. “Actually they’re called spruce weevils.”

 

“Well what do ya know,” said Hoss. “They’re named after the trees huh?”

 

“Yes,” said Adam. “Professor Casey was very helpful. As soon as I showed them to him he knew exactly what they were. Actually he was surprised that we had them here. They usually live further north. British Columbia.”

 

“Well them little … weevil fellars … sure travelled ta get here then,” said Hoss. “I wonder how they did?”

 

Adam shook his head. “It could have been a number of ways,” he said. “The important thing is getting the right timber cut.”

 

“We’ve noticed that the older trees aren’t as likely to be infected,” said Ben.

 

“The ones with the straight tops,” giggled Joe.

 

Adam ignored his younger brother once again. “Good,” he said. “According to Professor Casey the spruce weevil is more likely to attack the younger trees. They burrow under the bark at the top and cause the highest leader branches to droop.”

 

“I see,” said Ben.

 

“He said that for the future we need to trim the leader branches off just below where the discolouration stops on the bark. If we do that then we should be able to save a lot of the younger trees as well. Either that or just burn the lot of them.”

 

“Let’s worry about the future later,” said Ben firmly. “What we’ve got to concentrate on now is getting as many of these trees ready for shipment as possible.” He looked at each of his three sons. “We’ve got a mighty lot of work ahead of us boys to catch up.”

 

“Do ya think we’ll have enough trees that ain’t been infected ta ship?” asked Hoss.

 

“I think so,” replied his father. “Now that we know the ones to cut … it seems that there are enough. No … our problem now is time boys. We’ve got to meet that deadline.”

 

“If we don’t then we forfeit the loan,” said Adam, taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves. “We won’t survive that without selling some land.”

 

“No we won’t,” admitted Ben. “Much as I hate to say it boys … we could be faced with losing a part of The Ponderosa if we don’t make it.”

 

“We’ll make it,” said Hoss in a determined voice.

 

“I sure hope so son,” said Ben. “Come on boys, let’s get back to work.”

 

 

 

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Joe wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around to where Hoss was standing. “This one’s ready,” he said. “Get the men to drag it away will you Hoss?”

 

Hoss looked up. “OK,” he said wearily.

 

“Hey Hoss?” asked Joe. “You really think we’re gonna make this?”

 

Hoss shook his head. “I don’t know Joe, but it don’t look good.” He stretched his back and sighed. “I could really go for a rest right about now.”

 

“You heard what Pa said,” piped up Adam from the other side of the tree. “No rest until the job’s done.”

 

“Or we kill ourselves,” added Joe. “Whichever comes first … and I have a feeling that we’re gonna be dead before we get this contract filled.”  He looked around at all the trees. “We just don’t have enough time … even with every man on the job.”

 

“Well whether we make it or not we’re going to try,” said Adam grimly as he attacked yet another tree with his axe. “Remember what Pa has always said? A Cartwright never gives up.”

 

“Yeah, I remember,” said Joe. “He used to say it all the time when I was a kid. I tell you something though older brother, there were many times when I wished I weren’t a Cartwright so that I could give up!”

 

Hoss chuckled. “Don’t let Pa hear ya say that Joe,” he warned. “He wouldn’t be too pleased. I’ll get the men fer that log.” Joe shook his head and dug his axe into yet another tree.

 

 

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“Much and all as I hate to say it boys, I think we’re going to have admit defeat on this,” said Ben in a tired voice. “We can’t keep working these men like this.”

 

Adam bit his lip. “I know,” he acknowledged. “Only five days left until we’re supposed to ship out the timber. There’s no way Pa.”

 

Ben nodded. “Call the men off the job son,” he said. “I’ll go back to the house and get cleaned up and then get into town. I’ll have to send a wire to San Francisco letting them know and then I’ll go and see Tom Henderson at the Bank.”

 

“Pa?” said Joe.

 

“Yes son?”

 

“Does it mean …” Joe swallowed. “Does it mean that we’ll be selling some of The Ponderosa?”

 

“I’m afraid so son,” admitted his father. He looked around at the trees. “I never thought I’d say this, but we’ll have to let some of it go.”

 

“How much?”

 

“About one quarter.”

 

Hoss and Joe looked at each other. “Pa?” said Joe after a moment.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Which part?  I mean … how are ya gonna choose which bit to let go?”

 

“That will be up to the Bank,” replied Ben. “I’ll have to negotiate with them over it I expect.”  He saw the concern in Joe’s eyes immediately and put his arm around the youngster’s shoulders. “Don’t worry,” he added. “There’s no way I’ll let the lake frontage go … or the section with the house on it.”  He knew how important both particular parts of their land were to his boys, for Joe’s mother Marie was buried down by the lake and the ranch house was … well, it was their home, plain and simple.

 

He turned towards his horse and wearily began to climb the small incline.

 

Suddenly Adam’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Pa! Look!”

 

Ben looked … and saw a stream of wagons coming up the trail towards the timber camp. “Who is that?” he said, squinting against the strong sunlight. No one answered him as they all waited for the wagons to get close enough so that they could see who was driving them.

 

“It’s Bert Daley,” said Adam. “And Tom Pruitt.”

 

“And Pete Devlin,” added Hoss.

 

“And a bunch of others,” added Joe. “I wonder why they’re all here?”

 

Ben said nothing, but stood in silence as the wagons drew up beside them. “Howdy,” he said. “Something wrong neighbours?”

 

Bert Daley jumped down from the first wagon and gestured towards the other men. “We heard you had problems up here Ben,” he said. “We’ve come to help.”

 

“Help?” echoed Ben in surprise.

 

“Yes … help,” said Bert. “We’ve all brought as many men as can spare from our places. We’re at your disposal for whatever you need us for.”

 

Ben shook his head. “You’ve all got your own places to look after,” he said. “I couldn’t …”

 

“We’ve all made sure there’s someone to left behind to do what needs to be done,” interrupted Bert. “And there’s plenty of townsfolk here as well Ben. “once word got round that you were in trouble … well lots of folks wanted to be part of this.”

 

Ben was silent as he looked from one face to the other. “I … I don’t know what to say,” he said finally.

 

“Then don’t say anything,” said Tom with a grin. “It’s the least we can do after all you’ve done for each of us Ben.”

 

“All I’ve done for you?” said Ben, looked dazed. “I don’t …”

 

“You’ve helped plenty of us a time or two in the past,” said Abe Krenshaw, stepping forward. Whenever there’s been someone in need round these parts Ben Cartwright has always been the first to offer the hand of friendship to help him out. It’s about time we got the chance to return the favour.”

 

He picked up a calico bag and held it out to Ben. “This is for you,” he said.

 

Ben took the bag and looked at it. “What is it?” he asked.

 

“We took up a collection,” said Abe. He held up his hand as Ben began to speak. “Now don’t you say a word Ben. Mind you, we never thought that we’d have to stake a Cartwright for a loan, but there’s a first for everything. Every family put in what they could afford. There’s not enough there of course, but there’s enough to cover the first few repayments to buy you some time. We hope it’ll give you the time you need to get your payment for this timber so you can pay from then on yourself.”

 

“But … but how did you know?” asked Ben.

 

Abe shrugged. “I know it’s not our business,” he said. “But Tom here overheard you talking to Tom Henderson at the Bank.” He looked sheepish. “We didn’t think you’d mind.”

 

“Mind?” said Ben. He looked around at them all again and then at the bag in his hand. His eyes filled with tears and he swallowed several times before he found himself able to speak. “I … No I … don’t mind,” he said. He wiped the tears away and cleared his throat. “I promise that I’ll repay you with interest as soon as I can,” he said.

 

“No interest,” said Bert. “This is our thanks to you for being the man that you are …. And the friend you’ve been to all of us. Now let’s get to work men! There’s timber to be cut!”

 

Ben stood watching as everyone jumped down from the wagons and Charlie directed them to work. “Pa?” said Adam beside him. “Are you alright?”

 

Ben nodded, still looking at the bag of money in his hand. “I’m alright son,” he said. “In fact I’m more than alright.”  He smiled at his three sons. “It’s times like this that you realise who your true friends are I suppose.”

 

“You sure do,” said Adam. “And judging by the number of men here you have a lot of friends Pa.”

 

Ben nodded. “I’m a lucky man,” he said. “You know boys … we should always keep things in perspective. Money isn’t what’s important in life. A man can measure his true worth by the friends he has.” He smiled. “And right now boys … I’m worth a fortune.”

 

 

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Ben sighed in satisfaction as he looked down at the deserted timber mill. “It sure looks good with no one there,” he said happily.

 

“Sure does,” agreed Adam. “Who would have thought that we’d get all that timber loaded on time after all? Last week I would have given you two cents if you’d bet that we would have.”

 

“It just goes to show what a man can do,” said Hoss.

 

“If he has the help of his friends,” added his father. “Don’t ever forget that son.” He studied the sky. “Now all we need is some rain before our next cattle drive.”

 

“I reckon we’ll get some Pa,” said Hoss confidently. “I feel it in my bunions.”

 

Ben laughed. “Well I hope your bunions are right son,” he chuckled. “It sure feels good to know that we’ve paid everyone back all that money at least,” he said.

 

Hoss picked up a piece of spruce that was lying at his feet and studied it for a moment. He picked out a small weevil with his thumbnail and held it up against the light to see it better. “Who woulda thought that something so small could cause so much trouble?” he murmured in wonder as he gazed at the tiny insect.

 

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Adam with a grin. “Younger brother here is pretty small … yet he still manages to cause a lot of trouble.”

 

Joe turned and gave his eldest brother a glare. “I do not!” he said. Adam winked at him and his glare instantly turned to a grin. “Well …. maybe sometimes,” he admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. He reached over and punched Adam on the arm and Adam grabbed him around the neck as he drew him to his side.

 

Ben shook his head and gave each of his three sons a wide smile. “Come on boys,” he said let’s get home. There’s plenty of work to be done.”

 

“When isn’t there?” grumbled Joe, pulling himself free of Adam’s grasp. He poked his tongue out at his brother and nimbly sidestepped as Adam reached for him again, then followed his father down the slope at a run.  Adam put his arm around Hoss’ shoulder and together they followed their father and brother down towards the house.

 

The End