Summary: Little Joe finds himself in a tight spot when a new safe is delivered to the Freight Office.
Rating: G 9,365 words
A Safe Place
based on an idea by Lisa
Adam Cartwright looked around the large living area in frustration. “Joe!” he called out. “Where are you?” There was no answer to his query and he shook his head in frustration at the delay that was being cause by his little brother. “Joe!” he called again. “Come out this minute! We’re ready to go!” There was a muffled sound from inside the credenza near the front door and Adam shook his head for a second time as he strode over to it and opened the door to reveal his little brother crouched down inside it. He bent down and pulled the child out. “What on earth were you doing in there?” he demanded.
Joe grinned up at his eldest brother. “Just seeing if I could fit,” he said. “I can,” he added unnecessarily.
Adam pulled him by the arm towards the front door. “I’ve been calling for you everywhere,” he said testily. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“Nuh,” replied Little Joe as his brother pushed him through the front doorway and onto the porch. “I couldn’t hear nuthin inside that cupboard.” He skipped over to the buckboard where his father was waiting. “Are we going inta town now Pa?” he asked happily.
“Now that we’ve found you we are,” replied Ben, hoisting the child onto the back of the buckboard. “Hoss! Come on now son … Adam has found him!”
Hoss appeared from inside the barn where he’d also been searching for his brother. He climbed up onto the seat of the buckboard and Ben climbed up beside him. “I wanna ride with Adam!” declared Joe observing his eldest brother on his horse beside them. “Why can’t I ride with Adam Pa?”
“Because you’re on the buckboard,” said his father testily. “We wasted enough time already looking for you, now be quiet.” He hitched up the reins and they all headed off towards town. Ben looked sideways at Joe who was fidgeting on the buckboard seat beside him. “Where were you?” he asked. “We looked everywhere for you.”
Joe grinned up at his father, still fidgeting as he did so. “I were in the cupboard,” he said casually.
Ben gave him a puzzled look. “The credenza,” added Adam.
“Why on earth were you in there?” asked Ben. His youngest son’s fascination for getting into small spaces seemed very strange to him at times, but Little Joe seemed to enjoy being huddled up inside things. Many the time Ben had stretched his legs out while sitting at his desk and had accidentally kicked his youngest son who just happened to be sitting under it. He had begun to crawl there as a baby and stayed happily playing in the space under the desk and the habit had never worn off. At six, the boy was still small enough to fit in the space, but Ben wondered where he would find to play when he found himself grown too big for it. This fascination with sitting in cupboards was one that the child had discovered lately and for the life of him, Ben couldn’t see why he did it.
“Just ta see if I could fit,” said Joe. “Can I drive now Pa?” He reached for the reins and Ben hoisted him up and sat him between his legs, handing over the reins to Joe, but keeping a firm hold of them behind the child.
“Well no more sitting in cupboards,” said Ben firmly, for want of anything else to say. “We don’t know where you are when you do that.”
“OK,” said Joe happily as he hitched up the reins. “I’m gonna drive em faster now.”
“This is fast enough,” said his father, shifting on the seat to contain the wriggling of the boy in front of him. “Keep still.”
“I am,” replied Joe, wriggling even more. He put his head back until he was looking at his father’s face upside down above his. “This is fun, ain’t it Pa?”
“Yes,” said Ben absently as he smiled down at the little boy. “It is son.”
The rest of the drive into town was taken up with Ben trying to hold Joe still while conversing with Hoss and Adam who rode beside them. As they entered Virginia City, Joe sat proudly as he drove the team down the main street, unaware of Ben still controlling the reins from behind him. They drew up at the Mercantile Store and Hoss jumped down from the buckboard while Adam dismounted from his horse and tied it up. “You too get that order filled while I’m down at the Freight Office,” directed Ben. “I’ll meet you back here in about half an hour.”
“I wanna go with Hoss and Adam,” said Little Joe, letting go of the reins immediately and trying to wriggle out from between his father’s legs.
“No,” said Ben, holding onto the child. “You’re coming with me to the Freight Office.”
“But I wanna go with them!” insisted Joe, trying to loosen his father’s grip on him.
“I said no,” said Ben sternly as he hitched up the reins. “Besides, I need you to help me drive this team, don’t I?”
Joe stopped instantly, torn between the delights of driving the buckboard team and going with his brothers. His little mind ticked over for a few moments and then he picked up the reins again. “I reckon ya do Pa,” he said. “I’ll drive em for ya.” Ben tried not to chuckle as they slowly made their way down to the Freight Office, Joe sitting up tall in his seat and smiling proudly at everyone whom they passed.
“There’s Tommy!” shouted Joe as they pulled up at the Freight Office. “Hi Tommy!” he called as he waved to the boy who was standing near the entry to the office. “Tommy’s here Pa!” Joe said, looking up at his father happily.
“So I see,” said Ben, wondering not for the first time how such a loud voice could come from such a small child as his son. He held onto Joe with one arm while getting down from the buckboard, pulling his son behind him and depositing him on his feet next toe the horses.
Joe immediately ran up the three steps and grinned at the taller boy in front of him. “Hi Tommy,” he said happily. “I was driving the team for my Pa. Did ya see me?”
“Uh huh,” said Tommy, looking at the team enviously and wishing that his Pa owned one like it.
“Hello Tommy,” said Ben, ruffling the boy’s hair as he reached the porch in front of the Freight Office. “Your Pa here son?”
“He’s inside,” said Tommy, still staring at the team of horses. “There’s lots of people been in today looking at the new safe.”
“So it arrived, did it?” said Ben. “I might just take a look at it myself. Don’t you go off this porch while I’m inside Joe.”
“OK Pa,” said Little Joe as he happily swung on one of the porch posts. “Me and Tommy is gonna talk right here.”
Ben smiled as he walked inside. Joe really liked Bert Johnson’s son Tommy, but personally he thought that the other boy was too old for him. At nine, he tolerated Joe well enough, but Ben suspected that when Joe started school in the Spring he might find that the older boy had his own friends and Joe might need to look further afield for children his own age to play with.
As his eyes adjusted to the dimmer light inside the office he looked around for Bert. “Hello?” he called out. “Is anyone here?”
Bert’s head popped up from behind the counter and he grinned at Ben. “I’m just here Ben,” he said. “Come on round and take a look.”
“So this is it,” said Ben, walking around the end of the counter and staring at the imposing grey box on the floor in front of him.
“This is it,” said Bert proudly. “It finally arrived yesterday.” He gave the heavy box a pat. “It’s a beauty, don’t you think?”
“I do indeed,” said Ben, squatting down beside Bert and peering into the safe. “It’d take some to break into this one Bert.”
Bert nodded. “Not like that last one eh? That Tanner gang had no problems getting into that and making off with everything it held.”
“Well the Tanners or anyone else is sure going to have their work cut out for them with this beauty,” agreed Ben. “How much does it weigh?”
“I’m not sure,” replied Bert, standing up. “But the horses pulling that wagon from Salt Lake City sure looked mighty tired when they finally got it here.” He laughed and Ben joined in with him.
“I’ll bet they were glad they didn’t have to haul it all the way form Chicago then,” he said, standing up as well. “We’re mighty blessed with trains now.” He reached down and swung the heavy door. “Sure swings easy,” he said.
“Careful there Ben,” warned Bert, holding out a hand to stop the door from swinging. “Don’t shut it whatever you do.”
Ben gave him a quizzical look. “Once I’ve opened it once I need the combination the next time and every other time after that to get it open,” Bert continued.
“So?” said Ben, raising his eyebrows. “Surely you’ve got the combination? They wouldn’t send you a safe like this and not the combination to go with it.”
Bert shrugged. “That’s just the problem,” he said. “The letter that comes with it telling me the combination must have been delayed. I’ve wired the company in Chicago and they’ve said it should be along directly. Until then I’ll just keep it open.”
“Why not just close it until you have the combination?” asked Ben.
Bert shrugged. “Everyone wants to see inside,” he said. “Besides, it should be in tomorrow’s mail I hope.” He patted Ben on the back. “Now,” he said. “What can I do for you Ben? You after that case of horseshoes that you ordered?”
“I am indeed,” said Ben. “I suppose they’re out the back?”
“Yes. I’ll help you with them,” said Bert. “Follow me.”
Outside, Joe was still swinging on the porch pole as Tommy stared enviously at the team of horses. “Sure wish my Pa had one of them,” he said. “You’re lucky Joe.”
“They’s good horses,” said Joe, grinning at the other boy. “I get ta drive em all by myself too. Maybe your Pa would let you come one day and I can drive ya?”
“Maybe,” said Tommy, not sounding too sure. He walked over and began to swing on the other pole. “We got a new safe in the office,” he said, making it sound very important.
“Yeah?” answered Joe. “What’s a safe?”
“You know … a box thing to put important things in. My Pa keeps money and stuff in it what he don’t want other people to steal.”
Joe nodded. “Oh yeah,” he said. “My Pa’s got one of them too. He keeps the payroll money in it for all the men what works on The Ponderosa.”
“Bet our safe is bigger than yours,” said Tommy smugly.
“Bet it ain’t!” countered Joe.
Tommy stopped swinging and pulled Joe by the arm. “I’ll show it to ya,” he said. “Come on.”
Joe allowed himself to be led into the office. “Where’s our Pa’s gone?” he asked, looking around.
“Probably out back,” said Tommy. “Look …. There is it.” He stood next to the open safe proudly. “It’s bigger than your Pa’s I’ll bet.”
Joe’s eyes widened. “Yeah it is,” he admitted, crouching down to peer inside. “Sure is big!” He crawled into it and grinned out at Tommy. “I can sit in it,” he said.
“Get on outta there Joe,” said Tommy, looking around anxiously in case his father might suddenly appear. “My Pa won’t be happy iffen he finds ya in there.”
“I ain’t hurting nothing,” said Joe defensively. He patted the top of the safe above his head and then the sides. “Sure is a big’un,” he said. “Hey Tommy, see if the door can close with me inside,” he said.
Tommy shook his head. “No Joe. Come on out before my father sees you in there. He’ll be mad.”
“No he won’t,” replied Joe confidently. “Hey close the door Tommy. Just for a minute.” Tommy shook his head again and took a step forward, but at that moment Joe reached out and pulled the door shut. “Now ya can’t get me!” shouted Joe happily. He giggled to himself. “It closes real good with me in here Tommy,” he shouted. “Now open it up!” There was no sound from outside and after waiting a moment Joe frowned. “Hey Tommy!” he shouted again. “Open it up now!” Again he listened for his friend’s reply, but there was no sound at all. “Hey! That ain’t funny Tommy!” he shouted. “Let me out now!” He began to pound on the door. “Can ya hear me Tommy? Let me out now!” The silence seemed to envelop him like the darkness and for the first time, Little Joe began to wonder if he’d done the right thing by getting in here and closing the door upon himself. He swallowed in the darkness and stuck his thumb into his mouth, sucking on it as he used to do some years before. For some reason it helped to comfort him.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
“Thanks Bert,” said Ben, slapping his dirty hands against his sides. “Those horseshoes are sure much heavier than they look.” He looked around in vain for Joe. “I told that boy not to go off the porch,” he said in a frustrated tone as he shook his head.
Bert slapped him on the back. “They’re probably inside,” he said. “My boy’s the same. Never listens to a thing I tell him to do.” He laughed as they both headed up the stairs together and then stopped as he saw his son Tommy appear in the doorway. “Where’s Joe son?” he asked. “Mr Cartwright is ready to go now.”
Tommy looked up at his father anxiously and swallowed a couple of times. “I asked you where Joe was son,” repeated his father. “Go and get him.”
Tommy shook his head and his bottom lip began to quiver. “I can’t,” he said.
“What do you mean you can’t?” said his father, a stern look appearing upon his face. “You do as you’re told young man.
Tommy swallowed again. “But I can’t Pa,” he repeated. “Honest!”
Ben smiled at Bert as he pushed his way past the boy and into the office. “Never mind Bert,” he said. “I’ll get him. Joe!” he called. “Come on son …. It’s time to go now!” He frowned as he realised that Little Joe hadn’t appeared. “Joseph!” he called in a stern voice. “Come out now son! Hurry up!”
Tommy tugged at his sleeve and Ben looked down into the boy’s obviously worried face. “What is it Tommy?” he asked.
Tommy swallowed yet again. “He can’t come Mr Cartwright,” he said. “He’s stuck.”
Ben’s face became anxious as he bent down so that his eyes were on a level with Tommy’s. “What do you mean stuck?” he asked. “Stuck where son?”
“In the safe,” replied Tommy and began to sob as Ben’s face took on a horrified look. “I done told him not to!” he added as the tears began to fall. “But he got in there and closed the door!”
Bert Johnson stepped forward and gripped his son’s arms. “What are you talking about?” he said. “What do you mean that he got into the safe?”
“He did Pa,” sobbed the child. “I told him not to …. Honest!”
Ben’s heart missed a beat as he leant over the counter and saw that the safe’s door was now firmly shut. For a moment time seemed to stand still as he and Bert simply stared at each other and then Ben flung himself around the edge of the counter and began pulling on the door. “Joe!” he shouted. “Little Joe! Can you hear me son?”
Suddenly, Bert was beside him, holding onto his arm. “You’re wasting your breath Ben,” he said. “Those walls are six inches thick. There’s no way that he could hear you from in there.”
Ben gave the man a wild look and then began pulling on the door again. “Help me to get this thing open!” he shouted at Bert. “Hurry up man!”
Bert shook his head and drew his hand over his face in an anxious way before turning to Tommy. “Go and get Doc Martin,” he said.
Tommy gave his father a puzzled look. “But why do I …”
“Just do as I say!” snapped his father. “And then go and find Adam and Hoss Cartwright and tell them what’s happened. Tell them all to get over here immediately.” He waited until Tommy had disappeared before kneeling down next to the frantic Ben and putting his hands on the other man’s shoulders. “You’re wasting your time Ben,” he said. “I told you before … that safe is foolproof. Ain’t none of us gonna be able to break into it without the combination.”
Ben looked at the man frantically. “Then for God’s sake get it!” he shouted. “Don’t you understand? My son is in there!”
“I know that,” said Bert, trying to stay calm for Ben’s sake. “We’ll think of something Ben, don’t you worry.”
Ben shook Bert’s hands off his shoulders. “You tell me not to worry!” he shouted. “How can you say that? Don’t you understand what’s happening here?”
“Of course I do,” said Bert. “I ….” He turned as Hoss and Adam came running into the room. Hoss pushed the man out of the way and knelt down beside his father, pulling on the door with all his might.
“Tommy told us what happened,” said Adam as he also knelt down next to his father and watched Hoss straining at the door with all his might. “We’ll get that thing open, Pa … don’t you worry.” He looked up at Bert. “Where’s the combination?” he asked.
Bert bit his lip. “Like I’ve been telling your father Adam … there is no combination. It’s on its way from Chicago, but the letter has been delayed.” There was silence in the room for a few seconds as each of the Cartwrights stared at him, the horror of the situation dawning on them all.
Hoss began to frantically pull on the door of the safe again, but Adam put his hand on his shoulder. “Hoss stop it,” he said. “You’ll do yourself a damage if you keep that up.”
“What do you mean stop it?” asked Hoss, continuing to pull on the door. “Little Joe’s in there Adam!”
Ben pulled his son’s hands away. “Adam is right son. That’s not the way to do it.”
Hoss looked at his father trustingly. “Then what is the way Pa? What are we gonna do ta get Joe outta there?”
Ben hesitated as he looked first at Hoss and then Adam. “I … I don’t know,” he said finally. “Lord help me … I just don’t know.” He touched the safe and began to run his hand up and down the side of it. “Joe,” he said softly. “Joe … Pa’s here. Your Pa’s here son. We’ll get you out.” Adam put his hand on Ben’s shoulder and gave Hoss a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Suddenly, Doctor Paul Martin and Sheriff Roy Coffee burst into the room. Roy immediately took in the situation and then grabbed Bert and jerked him to his feet. “I was with Paul with your young’ún came ta get him,” he said. “Is it true that you ain’t got that combination?”
Bert shook his head. “That’s right Roy. It’s coming by mail. I’m hoping that it’ll get here on tomorrow’s stage.”
“Tomorrow might be too late,” said Paul, kneeling down next to Ben. “I’m sorry to say this Ben …” he gave his friend a mournful look. “But you have to be prepared. “It might be too late even now.”
Ben jerked. “Too late?” he whispered. “What …” He looked at the Doctor, tears springing to his eyes. “What …”
Paul hesitated before replying. “Ben,” he said as gently as he could. “The safe might be … well it might be airtight.”
Ben’s blood ran cold and he put his face down in his hands and began to rock backwards and forwards on his heels. “No,” he said in a low voice. “Dear God …. No!”
Paul looked over at Adam. “Move your Pa away son,” he said.
Adam put his hands on Ben’s shoulders again. “Pa …” he said.
Ben shook Adam’s hands away. “No!” he said. “I’m staying here!” He looked at Paul as the man rummaged in his pocket. “What?” he asked, unable to say any more.
Paul drew out his stethoscope. “I may be able to hear inside it with this,” he said and then looked up at Bert. “I’ll need something to bank on this thing with.” Bert handed him a lump of wood from the box of kindling next to the fireplace and everyone held their breath as Paul handed the wood to Ben. “Bang on it with this,” he instructed him. “Then stop so that I can hear if there’s anything coming from inside.”
Ben grabbed the wood, anxious to do something …. Anything. He banged on the side of the safe several times and then stopped, looking at Paul expectantly as the doctor put his stethoscope into his ears and then placed the other end onto the side of the safe. Everyone was still and held their breath as they watched the Doctor’s face intently. After a few moments, Paul took the stethoscope out of his ears and shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “Try again Ben.”
Ben tried again …. and again … and again, but each time, the doctor shook his head to indicate that he heard nothing from inside the safe. Tears sprang to Hoss’ eyes as he sat on the floor next to the doctor and he began to sob quietly to himself. “Joe,” he murmured. “Answer him Joe. Say something little buddy. Please!”
Roy Coffee bent down and drew the boy to his feet before putting his arm around him. “Son …” he said gently as he looked down at the boy’s face, noting how Hoss was trying to contain his tears. “You cry if ya want to boy. It’ll help ya feel better.” Hoss leant in against the sheriff and Roy held him close as they both looked down at Ben and Paul beside the safe.
Paul put the stethoscope against the side of the safe again as Ben stopped banging the piece of wood against it yet again. “Wait ….” breathed the doctor and held up his hand. The silence seemed to envelop them all as everyone in the room held their breath and then Paul spoke again. “I hear something,” he breathed.
Ben reached over and grabbed the stethoscope from the doctor. He banged on the side of the safe and then listened, his eyes closed and his fingers gripping onto the piece of wood as if he would break it. After a moment he looked up at them all, the tears standing in his eyes. “I hear it,” he said joyfully. “It’s just a tapping sound, but it’s there.” He put his face in his hands again as Adam gripped onto his shoulder.
“He’s alive Pa,” said Adam, his relief showing in his face. “He’s alive!” Hoss knelt down beside his father and brother again and wiped his tears as he tried to smile at them. Ben put the stethoscope against the side of the safe again to listen and then nodded his head at both his sons, his own tears still standing in his eyes.
Roy Coffee gripped hold of Bert’s sleeve. “Get on over to the telegraph office,” he said. “Wire that company and get that combination. Hurry man!”
Bert hesitated. “I don’t think they’ll give it to me over the telegraph,” he said. “Their security system is such that …”
“I don’t give a damn about their security system,” snarled Roy. “You tell em they’ll answer to the law if that boy …” he stopped and looked down at the Cartwrights. “ … if anything happens to that boy in there,” he finished. “You tell em I’ll have them charged if they don’t give you that combination.” Bert nodded and disappeared, dragging his son Tommy behind him.
Roy turned to Ben and Paul. “I’ll send a rider out to meet that stage,” he said. “We’ll get that letter a lot sooner on horseback.”
Adam stood up immediately. “I’ll go,” he said.
Roy shook his head. “No son,” he said, glancing down at Ben who was listening intently to the noises coming from inside the safe. “I’ll send someone else. Best that you stay here with your Pa.”
Paul stepped forward. “I think it’d be a good idea for Adam to go Roy,” he said and then patted Adam on the back. “You go Adam,” he said. “Ride like the wind boy.”
Adam nodded before bending down and speaking to his father. “I’ll be back as soon as I can Pa,” he said. “Don’t you worry. Joe’s going to be OK.”
Ben nodded at his son and clasped him by the hand. “Be careful,” he said and then put the stethoscope back into his ears again.
Adam ran to the door. “Wait,” said Roy. “Follow the Carson City trail Adam, but if you turn off before Placerville you should be able to meet that stage before it even get to Carson City.” Adam nodded and disappeared.
Paul glanced down at Ben and Hoss on the floor and then drew Roy aside. “I don’t know that the boy will make any difference Roy,” he said. “But it’s given him something to do other than sit here and worry. Besides, I thought it best to get him out of here. Lord knows what we’ll find when we open that door.”
Roy looked stricken. “But the young’un is still alive,” he said earnestly. “You heard him yaself Paul.”
Paul nodded. “Yes,” he said, but for how long? I think it’s best if neither of these boys is here when we get that thing open, don’t you?”
Roy nodded. “I see what you mean,” he said.
“If you could get Hoss out of here it would be a help,” continued Paul in a low voice.
Roy nodded and walked over to Ben and Hoss. “Son,” he said, putting his hand on Hoss shoulder. “Ya ain’t gonna do no good here. Come with me.”
Hoss shook his head. “I’m stayin here with my Pa,” he said firmly. “Until we get my little brother outta there.”
Ben looked up at Roy and nodded slightly. “Hoss,” he said. “It’s best if you go with the sheriff son.”
Hoss looked stricken. “But Pa,” he said. “I wanna …”
“Go with Roy son,” said his father.
“Hoss looked at his father’s face and then nodded. “OK,” he said. “I’ll say some prayers fer Joe Pa.”
Ben patted the boy on the knee before hitting the side of the safe again and listening with the stethoscope. “I’m here Joe,” he said softly as he heard the soft tapping noise yet again from inside. “Your Pa’s here Little Joe.” He laid his head against the side of the safe and began to rub his hand up and down it in a comforting way.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Bert ran into the telegraph office, dragging Tommy behind him. He leant on the counter and tried to catch his breath as the clerk looked at him in surprise. “Need … to … send … a wire,” Bert said in between gasping breaths.
The clerk shook his head. “Sorry Mr Johnson,” he said. “But the lines are down.”
Bert looked at the man, his dismay written clearly on his face. “Down?” he said incredulously. “But … they can’t … be!”
The clerk shrugged. “Well they are,” he said. “Have been for almost an hour.”
Bert reached across the counter and grabbed the other man by the collar. “How long?” he said. “How long until they’ll be fixed?”
The clerk tried to free himself. “Tomorrow morning,” he said, indicating the window where the light was fading in the evening sky. “The men can’t very well work on them in the dark, can they?”
“Listen you!” shouted Bert. “This is a mater of life and death! A child’s life! Get those men lanterns or whatever else you have to do … and get them out there now!”
“Life and death?” asked the clerk, finally freeing himself. “Whose life?”
“The youngest Cartwright boy is trapped in that new safe I got yesterday,” said Bert. “I have to get the combination from Chicago. Now get those men out there!”
“Yes sir,” said the clerk. “But you need to understand …. Even if they get them working, you won’t get an answer until tomorrow morning anyway. No one will be in their office overnight in Chicago.”
Bert closed his eyes for a moment, knowing that the man was right. “Just get them lines fixed,” he said. “We’ll worry about the rest of it later.” The clerk nodded and headed out of the office at a run.
Tommy pulled on his father’s sleeve. “Pa?” he said fearfully. “Is Little Joe gonna die?”
Bert picked up his son and ignored the question, not wanting to answer it. “Let’s get you home to your Ma,” he said. “I have to get back to the office and let them know about this.” He carried the boy out of the telegraph office, almost bumping into Roy Coffee and Hoss on the sidewalk. “Roy!” he said. “I was just taking the boy home and then I was on my way back to tell you. The lines are down.”
“What?” said Roy, pulling Hoss closer to him as he felt the boy stiffen at Bert’s words.
“The clerk is getting a team of men out there now,” continued Bert. “But it’s gonna take some time Roy.”
Roy nodded. “You take both boys home with you Bert,” he said. “I’ll check on that team of men and then I’ll let Ben know.” He bent down to Hoss. “You go with Mr Johnson son,” he said kindly. “He’ll look after you.”
Hoss grabbed Roy by the sleeve. “Sheriff Coffee?” he said.
“Yes son?”
“Please get those lines fixed real soon.”
Roy ruffled Hoss’ hair. “Don’t you worry boy. I’ll get them onto it straight away. Don’t you fret.” He pushed Hoss towards Bert and headed off down the street.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
“They’re working on it now,” said Roy, noting how pale Ben had become as he heard the news. “Charlie Bridges is out there with a team of men and he’s the best there is …. You know that Ben.”
“Yes,” said Ben in a faint voice. “If anyone can get those lines repaired in a hurry it will be Charlie.” He looked up at his friend gratefully. “Thank you Roy.”
Roy nodded and then drew Paul aside as Ben went back to tapping on the side of the safe again. “Even if they get those lines working tonight there’s no chance of getting a message to Chicago before morning,” he said to the doctor in a low voice. “I’m afraid that getting the letter from that stage will be our best bet now.”
Paul nodded in agreement. “So it’s all up to Adam,” he said. “Providing the boy survives until he gets here.”
“And providing the letter is on that stage,” added Roy, glancing fearfully at Ben. “What are we gonna do if it’s not Paul?”
Paul shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “It doesn’t bear thinking about Roy,” he said. “Let’s just hope that it doesn’t come to that.” He stared at the sheriff. “One thing I know though. When we do get that door open, I think it’d be best if we could Ben away from here. I don’t think he should see what we’re going to find when we do.”
Roy gave the doctor a hopeless look. “You don’t think the boy’ll survive the night?” he asked.
Paul shoök his head. “The sounds from in there are becoming fainter and further apart,” he said. “I hate to think what that means, but no … to be perfectly honest Roy … I don’t expect that he will.”
Roy looked across the room at his friend again. “This is gonna kill Ben,” he said sadly.
Paul sighed. “I know Roy,” he said. “I know.”
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Adam pulled his horse to a halt, even though every instinct in his body and mind screamed at him to keep riding. His logical mind somehow managed to override his emotions and he listened to the panting animal as he fidgeted in the saddle. There was no way his horse was going to keep this pace up unless he spelled him occasionally and Adam knew it, yet every minute that he sat here could mean the difference of life and death to his tiny brother.
He struggled to maintain his own steady breathing as he looked up at the night sky and then closed his eyes. “Help me,” he said aloud. “Help me. Marie … I promised you years ago that I’d never let anything happen to your baby …. So help me keep that promise. Please Marie … give me the strength …. Help me to keep my promise. For Joe’s sake …. And Pa’s sake,” he added, knowing what it would do to his father if anything happened to his precious baby son. “Please,” he said in a low voice. “Please Marie …. Please Ma.”
Adam sat forward in the saddle and dug his heels into his horse’s heaving flanks, spurring the reluctant animal down the hill towards Carson City.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Hoss sat on the bed and stared up at the same stars that his brother was looking at. He also was praying for his little brother in the only words he knew. Tears were streaming down his face as he sobbed quietly in between the words of his prayer. “Dear God … please help Joe God. He’s too little ta die God and he ain’t done nuthin bad …. Well, nuthin that bad fer him ta die fer it.” He took a couple of shuddering breaths and caught them on another sob before continuing his prayer. “Ya can’t make him die God … not like Mama …. his Mama that is … and mine and Adam’s too. Please don’t make him die God. I …”
Hoss turned on the bed as he heard a soft sound behind him. “What are you doin in here?” he asked as Tommy came to sit beside him.
”I can’t sleep either,” said Tommy. “I been thinking bout Joe, Hoss.”
“Me too,” replied Hoss.
Tommy let out a sudden wail and then flung himself onto the other boy’s shoulder. “I’m sorry Hoss!” he cried. “I shoulda made sure he didn’t get in that safe! I tried ta stop him …. Honest I did … but I shoulda tried harder!”
Hoss put his hand on Tommy’s head, his own sobs coming faster and he listened to those of the other boy. “Tweren’t your fault Tommy,” he said. “I know what that little brother of mine is like when he sets his mind ta mischief.”
Tommy put his head up and wiped his eyes. “Will God forgive me if Joe dies Hoss?” he asked anxiously.
Hoss frowned at him. “Don’t you say that!” he said sternly. “Joe ain’t gonna die nohow! He’s gonna be fine …. I jest know he will!”
Tommy nodded and began to sob again as Hoss looked out of the window once more and started his prayer all over again.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Adam rode up the Main Street of Carson City and straight to the Stage Office where a light burned. He jumped down from his horse before it had even stopped and flung the reins down without even checking to see if they landed on the hitching pole. He sprinted over to the office and straight through the open doorway. “Has the stage arrived yet?” he shouted.
The clerk stood up. “No,” he said. “It’s due in …” he stopped as he realised that he was talking to thin air as Adam disappeared again. “Well what on earth ….” He muttered under his breath as he stood up and walked to the doorway. “Here it comes now!” he shouted to the young man who was already on his horse and turning it towards the street.
Adam stopped and looked up the street where indeed a stage was rounding the bend. He waited impatiently until the driver had stopped and then rode up alongside him. “Do you have a letter for the Freight Office in Virginia City?” he called.
The driver looked at him as if he were crazy. “How would I know?” he said as he put down the reins. “I don’t go through every letter before I deliver em.” He got down from the stage and walked around to open the door. “Carson City!” he announced to the passengers inside.
Adam jumped up onto the stage and began to check through the luggage on top. “Hey!” shouted the driver. “Just what do ya think you’re doing there!” Adam ignored him as he continued to search for the mailbags. “Hey you! Young fella!” shouted the driver. “Get down from there!”
Adam threw down two bags and jumped down after them. “Which one is for Virginia City?” he shouted, but the driver ignored him and turned to the clerk who was standing with his mouth open as he watched Adam.
“Get the sheriff,” ordered the driver. “Quick!” He bent down and picked up the two mailbags. “Now see here you,” he said sternly. “You can’t interfere with the federal mail. I’ll have you …”
Adam took no notice of him, but grabbed the bags back and opened one of them, spilling its contents onto the ground. “This is a matter of life and death,” he said shortly as he bent down to look through the letters. He cursed softly as he noticed the address on one of them which was a Carson City one. “I need that other bag,” he said, looking up at the driver who immediately hugged the mailbag to his chest.
“Well you ain’t getting it,” he said. “This here is federal mail young fellar and I’m responsible fer it. You’re in big enough trouble already without …” Adam reached up and grabbed the bag from him, spilling its contents on the ground next to the other one.
“What’s going on here?” demanded the sheriff who came up with the clerk beside him. He folded his arms across the chest and looked down at Adam who was still kneeling on the ground going through the letters. “Aren’t you the young Cartwright?” he asked. “What the hell are you doing boy?”
Adam continued to look through the letters as he spoke. “This is a matter of life and death sheriff,” he said. “My brother’s.”
“What?” said the sheriff. “I don’t follow.”
Adam looked up at him desperately. “I haven’t got time to explain,” he said. “But I’m going to need a fresh horse.” He looked down at the letters again and continued to search through them.
“Arrest him sheriff!” shouted the driver. “Interfering with the mail is a federal offence. I demand that …”
“Now you just simmer down,” said the sheriff. He knelt down next to Adam. “Tell me what this is all about son.”
Adam ignored the sheriff as he gave an exclamation of joy and held up a letter. “It’s here!” he said, bounding to his feet. He looked around and then ran over to a horse that was tied to the hitching rail next to where his own horse was standing, still fighting for breath. He jumped up onto the other horse and rode off down the street in a swirl of dust.
“I guess ya can add horse stealing to the other charge sheriff,” said the driver grimly as he began to put the letters back into the mailbags. “That young fellar has a lot to answer fer. I’m reporting this ta my bosses.”
The sheriff merely looked at him and then turned to get his own horse.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Paul looked at Ben’s pale face as the other man leant against the side of the safe and tapped yet again. “Ben,” he said. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you have a rest for a few minutes and I’ll do it?”
Ben shook his head and didn’t reply, merely putting the stethoscope over his ears yet again to hear the faint tapping from inside the safe. After a minute he frowned and then gave Paul a stricken look. “There’s nothing,” he said, his breathing beginning to quicken with his anxiety.
Paul reached out for the stethoscope. “Let me try,” he said. “Tap again.” Ben tapped a few times and Paul listened anxiously, but in vain. There was no answering tap from inside and he gave Ben a pitying look. “Nothing,” he said in a low voice.
Ben snatched the stethoscope back from him. “There has to be,” he said frantically as he began to tap again. “Joe! Little Joe! Answer me son! It’s Pa!” He closed his eyes and listened again, but heard nothing.
Paul reached out and took the stethoscope from Ben. “He’s probably just gone to sleep,” he said. “It could be just that simple Ben.”
Ben stared at Paul. “Or …” he said and then swallowed. “Or it could be that …” he stopped, not knowing how to say the words. He swallowed again before giving Paul a beseeching look. “Tell me the truth Paul,” he said in a low voice. “Please. What do you really think?”
Paul hesitated, not wanting to lie to his friend, but not finding it easy to say what he needed to. “He … he could be running out of air gradually,” he said finally.
Ben put his hands over his face for a moment and then said through his fingers. “How long?”
Paul shook his head. “We have no way of knowing that Ben. You know that as well as I do. It all depends on how much air has been getting in there.” He put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I’m sure it’s just that he’s gone to sleep,” he said.
Ben caught his breath in a sob. “He’s only little,” he said in a voice that was nearly a whisper. “He doesn’t need much air.” He looked at Paul beseechingly again. “He’s only little,” he said again. “Oh God!” He put his hands over his face again and began to sob into them. “Oh God help him!” he sobbed. “Help my little boy!”
Paul reached over and drew Ben into his arms, holding him close as he listened to the other man’s sobs. Never before had he ever heard Ben Cartwright break down in this way …. yet never before had he had a better reason to do so.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
There was silence in the room behind him as Roy Coffee leant against the doorframe and peered into the street. He glanced over his shoulder and shook his head slightly at the sight of Ben sitting hunched over next to the safe and staring at it hungrily. Paul Martin walked over to Roy and stood beside him as both men stared into the dimly lit street outside. “It’s nearly dawn,” said Roy unnecessarily.
Paul nodded. “Yes,” he said in a flat voice and then glanced over at Ben again who hadn’t moved. “Roy?” he said. “When we do finally get that safe open I don’t think that Ben should be here.”
Roy nodded. “I agree,” he said. “But I don’t like our chances of getting him away from here.”
Paul sighed. “I just don’t think he should see what we’re going to find when we get that door open,” he said. “Even if …” He stopped as they both heard the faint sound of hoof beats from down the street.
Roy straightened up and took a step forward. He and Paul peered into the dim street beyond, their hearts beating faster with anticipation. Suddenly, a rider appeared at the other end of the street. “It’s Adam!” said Paul. He turned inside the room. “Ben! Adam’s back!”
Ben looked up at them both, his eyes not registering anything before staring back at the safe again. It was as if he was in a daze and hadn’t even comprehended what was happening. Roy ran out onto the street and waited until Adam had brought his horse to a halt. He reached up and took the letter that the young man thrust at him. Adam swallowed a couple of times and nodded as he fought to get his breath.
Roy grabbed the letter and ran inside with it. Paul took a couple of steps towards Adam who had slid down from his horse and was propping himself up against it as he fought for breath. “Go …” panted the young man. “Pa … needs … you. I’ll … be … fine.” Paul nodded, and with a last anxious look at the youngster, turned and ran inside.
Roy was crouched down by the safe, Ben hovering over his shoulder. Paul crouched down next to them both and tried to pull Ben away. “Come back Ben,” he said. “Roy will take care of things.”
Ben thrust the doctor away and said nothing, his eyes wild with his despair and grief. Paul tried again, not wanting his friend to witness the horrifying sight of his small son who would most likely be dead as they opened the safe door. “Ben,” he said. “Its best if …”
At that moment, Roy gave an exclamation and then pulled on the door of the safe. Ben pushed him out of the way, at the same time as pushing Paul backwards. He reached inside the safe and dragged out the small body of his precious son, cradling the boy in his arms and rocking him back and forth in his grief. “Joe,” he said in a broken whisper. “Little Joe …. Open your eyes son. It’s Pa. Everything’s all right now. Your Pa’s here.”
Paul reached over and tried to take the pale and unconscious body away from Ben. “Give him to me Ben,” he said.
Ben shook his head and continued to rock the child in his arms. “Joe,” he whispered. “Open your eyes now son. It’s all right.”
Paul looked beseechingly at Roy who shook his head. Both of them leant forward and prised Joe from Ben’s arms, Roy holding Ben down as he fought them in his grief. “Ben,” said Roy as Paul laid Joe down on the floor and bent over him with his stethoscope. “Ben! Let Paul check him!”
Ben stopped struggling in Roy’s arms and stared at him for a moment before nodding slightly. There was a deafening silence in the room as they all stared at Paul hunched over the tiny body on the floor, the only movement being Adam who appeared in the doorway and stared as well.
“He’s breathing,” said Paul. “Only just though.” He scooped the small child up into his arms and headed with him towards the door. “My office,” he said shortly and left the room. Ben bounded to his feet and nodded at Roy before running to the door. He paused briefly to pat Adam on the shoulder before disappearing into the night after the doctor.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Ben sat still and stroked the arm of his small son as he stared intently into his face. “Open your eyes now Joseph,” he whispered to the boy on the examining table. “Do it for Pa now Joe. Come on son …. It’s time to wake up now.” He looked up beseechingly at Paul who was standing on the other side of the table, also looking at the child between them.
Paul tried to smile at his friend. “It’s up to Joe now,” he said. “And God.” He reached over and began to massage Joe’s small legs, first one and then the other. “Why don’t you get some rest Ben?” he said. “You can stretch out on the bed over there. I’ll call you if there’s any change.”
Ben shook his head as he continued to stroke up and down the little boy’s arm. “Open your eyes now Joe,” he said. “Come on son,” he said again.
Suddenly, Adam and Hoss appeared at the door. Adam gave Paul an apologetic look. “I’m sorry,” he said. “But when I told him he insisted on coming over.”
Paul nodded. “Come in boys,” he said.
Hoss walked over to his father. “Pa?” he said. “Is Joe gonna be OK?” He stared at his little brother, so pale and quiet on the table in front of him. “Is he gonna be Pa?” He asked again.
Ben drew the boy towards him with one arm, the other still stroking Joe. “He’s going to be fine Hoss,” he said in a determined voice. “I know he is.”
Adam came and sat on the other side of the table and took Joe’s other hand in his. “Come on buddy,” he said softly. “You can do it. Open your eyes squirt.”
Paul looked at the three Cartwright hovering over the small child on the table and shook his head as he began to massage the small legs again. “Keep talking to him,” he said. “It just might bring him back.”
Ben nodded slightly as he stared down at his little son. “Open your eyes Joseph,” he said. “We’re going home soon if you do son.” He looked at the little boy’s pale face intently. “Hop Sing will have lunch for us when we get there,” he said. “You must be hungry Little Joe. Open your eyes now and we can go home.” The child on the table didn’t move and Ben closed his eyes momentarily in his grief.
“Come on squirt,” said Adam, after glancing at his father’s drawn and weary face. “You can ride on Sport with me if you open your eyes now. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Ben tried to smile at his eldest son, but didn’t quite succeed.
“Yeah Joe,” said Hoss eagerly. “Open ya eyes now. You and me can go fishin if ya do. We’ll catch us a mess of fish fer Hop Sing ta cook.” He put his hand over that of his brother’s. “Come on Joe. Listen ta me will ya?” He swallowed as his little brother didn’t respond and Ben hugged him tighter around the waist.
“Listen to me now Joseph,” said Ben, leaning close to the little boy’s face. “It’s Pa here son. Open your eyes now Joe. Please? Do it for Pa son.”
Suddenly the little boy on the table moved slightly and he gave a small whimper. Ben’s eyes shot up to meet those of Paul’s and the doctor leant forward over the small body and put his head down on Little Joe’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. Joe’s eyes fluttered open and he blinked a couple of times as Paul straightened up again.
Ben reached forward and pushed Joe’s curls off his forehead. “Hello,” he said softly, his love shining through that one word. Joe continued to stare at his father.
“His heartbeat is stronger,” said Paul and then stepped back to give Adam and Hoss room to see their brother.
“Hi there squirt,” said Adam, smiling at his little brother.
“Hey Joe,” said Hoss, putting his hand up in a gesture of greeting.
Joe’s little hand raised off the table as he smiled up at his father. “I tapped on the wall Pa,” he said. “Did ya hear me?”
Ben smiled down at his small son, tears beginning to stream down his cheeks as he did so. “Yes Little Joe,” he said, continuing to stroke his hair. “I heard you.”
Joe nodded slightly. “My legs are sore,” he said, whimpering a little as he tried to move them.
“I know,” said Ben gently as Paul began to massages the child’s legs again. “They’ll stop hurting soon.”
Joe frowned. “Am I gonna get tanned fer going in the safe?” he asked, staring up at his father.
Ben merely smiled at his little boy and laid his head down next to the child’s on the pillow. He said nothing, but simply kissed the small face beside his and continued to stroke his hair.
|| || || || || || || || || ||
Paul took his stethoscope out of his ears and smiled across the bed at Ben. “Well I think this young man is about ready to go home,” he said.
Ben nodded. “Good,” he said, smiling down at Joe who was wriggling on the bed.
“My legs ain’t sore now Pa,” said Joe happily, trying to sit up but Ben pushed him down again.
“You just lay there until you’re told to move young man,” he said sternly. He picked his little boy up in his arms and carried him to the door. “Say thank you to the doctor,” he said, hugging his precious child to his chest.
“Thank you,” echoed Little Joe obediently as he wriggled in his father’s arms, but Ben wasn’t about to put him down. He carried him out onto the street where Adam, Hoss and Roy were standing.
“Everything all right?” asked Ben.
Roy nodded. “There ain’t gonna be any charges laid,” he said with a grin at Adam. “Sheriff Larson understood once I explained it all to him.”
Adam grinned back at Roy. “Thanks,” he said. “But what about the stage line?”
Roy winked at him. “They’ll have ta come through Larson and me afore they can press any charges on you,” he said. “Somehow I don’t think they’ll relish that fight.” He slapped Adam on the back. “Don’t you worry bout it none son. You just leave it all ta me. I’ll sort it out.”
“Thank you Roy,” said Ben, placing Joe on a mattress that had been placed on the back on the buckboard. “Hoss, you ride in back here with your little brother.”
Joe sat up indignantly. “But Adam said that I could ride on Sport with him,” he said. “Didn’t ya Adam?”
Adam grinned. “Well yes … I suppose I did,” he admitted. “But not today squirt. I’ll take you for a ride on another day … I promise.”
Joe frowned and crossed his little arms over his chest in an indignant fashion. “Well Hoss and me is goin fishin when we get home, ain’t we Hoss?”
Hoss looked at his father. “Not today,” said Ben firmly. “I’m afraid that will have to wait as well.”
Little Joe glared at his father. “That ain’t fair!” he declared.
Ben pointed his finger at the little boy. “I can still give you that tanning you deserve young man if I hear any more of that kind of talk,” he said sternly and smiled as Joe immediately clamped his mouth shut. Ben turned to Roy and then Paul. “Thank you both,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
They both smiled at him and then the three of them glanced over to the little boy who was glaring at his father from the back of the buckboard. Ben put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “I’m mighty proud of you son,” he said, his pride shining in his eyes. Adam grinned at his father and then got up on his horse. Ben nodded to Roy and Paul and then climbed up in the front of the buckboard and began to drive it down the street.
Roy and Paul watched as the buckboard gradually disappeared around the bend in the street, Little Joe still visible in the back with his arms crossed over his chest to show his displeasure. Paul glanced down at the stethoscope in his hand and then put it in his pocket before patting it. “Well I’ve got work to do,” he said. “See you Roy.”
“Bye,” said Roy and began to whistle as he made his way across the street towards his office.
The End
