Five hours later, Adam jerked himself upright. He was sitting on the floor near the window, and kept falling into a doze. Shaking his head, he stood and peered out the window. Nothing moved, and all he heard was the sound of the night insects chirping. He hated to wake his brother, but he knew that if he didn’t he would be too exhausted to be of any help in the morning. Moving to Little Joe’s side, he shook his brother’s shoulder. “Joe…wake up, buddy.” he called gently.

 

Little Joe’s eyes fluttered open, and he blinked owlishly up at Adam. A look of confusion flitted across his face, and then remembrance flooded him and he jerked upright. “Adam, what is it? Are they here?” he whispered urgently.

 

“No sign of them yet, Joe,” Adam replied. “But I keep falling asleep. I thought I had better wake you up for a turn of guard duty.” He rubbed his hand across his face as he spoke, and then yawned widely.

 

Little Joe grinned at his brother. “You do look tired, Older Brother.” he smirked. “Why don’t you lie down and take a nap. Let me handle the watch for a while.” He stood up and moved over to the window and looked out over the moonlit scene. “It sure looks quiet out there.” he started, but stopped as he saw that his older brother was already asleep on the bed. Joe took the blanket and smoothed it over his brother’s shoulders. He then took up his position by the window.

 

Slowly the hours passed, and Joe felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier. He kept pacing the confines of the small room in an effort to stay awake, stopping each circuit to check for any activity outside the shack. As the rosy streaks of dawn began to show in the sky, he came to an abrupt halt at the window. Something had moved, he was sure of it. Crouching low, and drawing his gun, Joe tried desperately to get a good look out the window without showing himself.

 

Abruptly the sound of a horse’s hooves could be heard entering the clearing that surrounded the small way station. Joe saw a single rider moving toward the shack. The rider stopped just at the edge of the clearing, and sat looking at the shack. He didn’t move or call out, he just stared silently. The unnatural silence made Joe’s skin crawl. He looked over at the sleeping form of his brother.

 

“Adam!” he called, his voice sounding shrill to his ears. “Adam, wake up!”

 

Adam woke abruptly, and rolled to his side. He saw his younger brother crouched by the window, gun drawn, looking out with eyes that were wide with apprehension. He quickly got up from the bed, and moved to Joe’s side. He too peered out at the rider who still sat looking in their direction. Exchanging measured glances with his younger brother he walked to the door of the shack and opened it. Stepping slowly through the entrance, he called out. “Who are you and what do you want?”

 

The man on the horse moved a pace closer. “The name’s Hagen.” he said in a guttural voice. “I believe you have something I want, and I’m here to get it.” His eyes bored a hole into Adam, as he stood calmly by the open door.

 

Little Joe, his gun aimed at the man’s chest to cover his brother, flinched a little at the lack of emotion in the man’s voice. Hagen was a man of a type very familiar to both Adam and Little Joe, a cold blooded, calculating criminal. Anyone who had grown up in the west had seen the type, and tried to avoid them. They were not men who took kindly to being crossed.

 

Adam cleared his throat, and said in a voice as devoid of tone as Hagen’s had been, “All we have are the things in our saddlebags, and none of it belongs to you. Why don’t you move on and leave us in peace?” He carefully kept his hands in plain view, wanting there to be no mistaking his intentions.

 

Hagen laughed, no warmth in the sound. “I don’t believe that, Mister, and you know it. I want those diamonds, and I want them now. Are you gonna hand them over to me peacefully, or should I just kill you now?” He made a small move towards his gun.

 

Suddenly a shot rang out from the shack. A bullet plowed into the dirt in front of Hagen’s horse. Hagen slowly raised his hands in the air, and peered at the shack, trying to make out the figure in the window. Adam looked at him calmly, and said quietly, “We have you covered, Mr. Hagen. You need to ride on out of here, now. We don’t have any diamonds, so if you value your life, move out.”

 

Hagen shot Adam a look of pure fury, but he abruptly wheeled his horse around, a muffled curse on his lips. “I’ll be back, mister, and next time I won’t stop to ask nicely. I’m gonna have those diamonds, and there ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.” With that he rode out of the clearing at a gallop.

 

Adam sagged against the doorframe in relief, and heard footsteps behind him. He turned as Little Joe joined him at the door, and gripped his brother’s arm firmly. “Good shooting, Little Joe. I’m glad I had you at my back.” Adam put his arm around his brother’s slender shoulders, and turned him gently back into the shack. “Let’s get our things together and get out of here. I don’t want to wait around and see what happens when Hagen comes back with his gang.”

 

As they packed their few belongings into the saddlebags, Joe’s eyes kept straying towards the door. Adam intercepted one of the anxious glances, and murmured, “It’s going to be okay, Joe. We’re leaving now. We’ll get the horses and get out of here fast. Hopefully we’ll have seen the last of Hagen and his men.”

 

Joe snorted in derision. “You don’t really believe that, do you, Big Brother? You’ve seen that necklace. Hagen isn’t gonna rest until he has it, and he isn’t gonna worry about killing us to get it. We both know what kind of man he is, and he isn’t the kind to hesitate when it comes to shooting a man who’s holding something Hagen wants.” Joe grabbed his saddlebag and moved towards the door. “Let’s just get out of here, okay, Adam?”

 

Adam quickly moved to his brother and grabbed his arm. “Little Joe, as long as we’re in this together, watching each other’s backs, we’ll be okay. Don’t let Hagen get under your skin.” Adam chuckled a little. “We’re the Cartwright brothers, remember. Nobody can take us down, if we don’t want them too.”

 

Joe’s mood lightened a little at the teasing tone in his brother’s voice. If Adam could joke about the situation they were in, maybe it wasn’t as bad as Joe had been imagining. He gave his brother a brief hug and one of his luminous smiles. “Sure, Adam,” he replied. “We’re gonna be just fine.” Together, the two men left the shack.

 

Little Joe hastily threw his saddlebag over the back of one of the horses, while Adam did the same to the other. They moved to untie their mounts from the hitching rail. A shot rang out, and a bullet flew through the air and hit the hitching post next to Little Joe’s outstretched hand. Joe hastily drew his gun, and ducked back towards the Way Station. Adam, drawing his own gun as he ran, followed his brother. They backed quickly into the little shack, and slammed the flimsy door shut just as a series of shots could be heard. Bullets slammed into the fragile walls of the little building, but none penetrated.

 

Adam hastened to the little window and peered out. Breaking the glass with the barrel of his gun, he fired a few warning shots in the direction the bullets had come from. He glanced back at Little Joe just in time to see a look of panic cross his brother’s face.

 

“Adam!” Little Joe’s voice was frantic. “The saddlebags! We left the saddlebags outside.” Joe moved to the door of the cabin, intent on running out to grab the saddlebags from the horses’ backs.

 

Adam barreled into Little Joe, knocking him away from the door. “No, Joe!” Adam cried. “Leave them! If you go out there, they’ll kill you.” He struggled to hold onto his brother, who was trying to lunge toward the door.

 

“But Adam, the diamonds!” Joe was almost in tears. His face was pale and strained. “They’ll get our saddlebags and the diamonds, too! Please, Adam, I’ve got to get those bags back in here with us.”

 

Adam held Little Joe tightly, grasping both shoulders in his own strong hands. “Joe, the necklace isn’t in the saddlebags. I hid it last night while you were out getting the firewood. Hagen’s men will get nothing if they come for those bags!” Adam shook Little Joe gently. “If you go out there, you’ll be dead in seconds. Joe, use your head, for once.”

 

The panicky look faded from Little Joe’s eyes. A slow smile began to curve on his lips. “You hid the necklace! Adam, that’s brilliant.” Joe quickly moved to the little window, his gun at the ready. “And when they come for the saddlebags, we can cut them down.”

 

Adam joined Little Joe at the window, also scanning the surrounding area for signs of movement. Another barrage of bullets rained down on the little shack, and both Cartwrights ducked back momentarily. Two men, using the firestorm to cover themselves, moved quickly towards the horses. Seeing their quarry approaching the shack, Adam and Joe both sighted and fired. One of the men fell, clutching his chest, while the other used the bulk of the horse to shield himself. He quickly stripped the saddlebag from one of the horses and melted into the distance, Little Joe and Adam firing at him as he ran.

 

The Cartwrights looked at each other in dismay. “He’s got one of them,” Adam said soberly. “As soon as they search it and realize that there’s nothing in it, they’ll be back.”

 

“At least it cost them,” Joe replied. “Maybe they’ll think twice about coming for that second saddlebag if they think more men will be killed.”

 

Both men grimaced. They knew that with a prize like the diamond necklace at stake, nothing would stop those men from trying to get it. Adam and Joe turned back to the window, anxiously scanning the clearing for signs of movement. It didn’t take long. Another barrage of bullets began, and using the horse to cover himself, one of the outlaws sidled into view. The Cartwrights returned the fire, but didn’t want to risk shooting the horse. The man moved closer and closer to his prize. Making a final lunge, he was able to grasp the saddlebag and strip it from the horse’s back. Adam cursed, and fired desperately toward the man, who was now angling back into the shelter of the trees. Joe looked at Adam in despair as the man disappeared from view.

 

“What do we do now, Adam?” Joe asked quietly. He wiped the back of his gun hand across his mouth in a nervous gesture.

 

“Let’s make a run for it, Joe,” Adam replied. “It’s now or never, while they’re busy with that saddlebag.” Adam was already moving for the door as he spoke.

 

The Cartwrights opened the door of the Way Station and peered out. Seeing nothing, and hearing no movement, Adam motioned Joe to follow him. They quickly made their way to the horses. Adam untied the nearest horse and quickly swung himself up, watching to make sure that Little Joe did the same. The two men kicked the horses into a gallop and rode quickly away from the little shack. A startled shout from behind them indicated that Hagen and his remaining men were going to be in pursuit in just a few moments.

 

Above the thunder of the horses’ hooves, Adam called to Joe, “Keep your head down, Little Joe. When they come after us, they’re going to be shooting to kill.”

 

Joe just nodded, but he ducked his head a little lower as he rode. As the horses crested a rise on the trail, the brothers looked back and saw three men pounding along behind them. The horses from the stage coach were big, strong animals used to working hard. But they had been ridden hard the day before, and then bedded down with no food for the night. They couldn’t keep up the pace being demanded of them. Both Cartwrights knew that it was only a matter of minutes before Hagen and his remaining men caught up with them as they felt their horses flagging.

 

Adam looked up ahead and spied a small grove of trees. He called for Joe to head towards them, and the brothers tried to spur the horses to a faster pace. They reached the stand of trees just as the Hagen gang came into view again. The sound of gunshots filled the air as the outlaws fired at the fleeing Cartwrights. Adam and Joe slid from the horses’ backs, and made a dash for the cover of the trees. Little Joe ducked behind a wide trunk, and immediately began firing towards the approaching riders. Adam selected another tree a few feet away from Joe, and also pulled his gun and started shooting. For a few moments the sound of gunfire was all that could be heard.

 

As the three riders approached they fanned out and began to circle around the small cluster of trees. Joe and Adam tried to maintain a constant watch on all three men, but it was proving to be a difficult task. The men stayed low in their saddles and kept moving constantly. Never did either Cartwright have a clear shot at any one of them. Suddenly Little Joe realized he was firing an empty gun. As he pulled his trigger he was rewarded only by the feeble click. Adam continued to fire for a few more minutes and then he too was clutching an empty gun. The brothers looked at each other in dismay.

 

“Adam, what are we gonna do?” Little Joe asked, his voice strangely calm. He quietly holstered his empty gun.

 

“We’re going to have to give up, Little Joe,” Adam replied gravely. “I’m sorry, Joe. I thought we would have a better chance than this.” He slowly raised his hands in the air as he spoke, and rose from the crouch he had been in.

 

“Hagen!” Adam called. “We’re coming out! Don’t shoot!”

 

Little Joe followed his brother’s lead, and stood with his hands up. The Cartwrights stood and watched as the three outlaws approached, Hagen in the lead, a snarl of laughter on his face.

 

“Well, boys,” the outlaw drawled. “That was a wild ride, but it’s over now. Give us the diamonds, and maybe we won’t kill you.” He chuckled deep in his throat.

 

Adam’s face hardened. He knew that Hagen and his gang would kill them whether they retrieved the diamonds or not. He knew that he needed to come up with a plan, and quickly, in order to save his life, as well as the life of his little brother. “I told you before, Hagen, we don’t have any diamonds.” Adam spoke in a quiet, confident tone. “All we know is that you attacked our stagecoach, and then came after us again at the Way Station. Maybe you’d like to explain to us what it is that you want, and why you think we have it.”

 

Anger flared in Hagen’s eyes, and he leapt from his horse, closing the distance between himself in Adam in two strides. Feeling secure in the knowledge that his two henchmen were holding guns on the man standing before him, Hagen reached out and backhanded Adam across the face. Adam staggered under the ferocity of the blow, blood streaming from a cut on his cheek.

 

Little Joe lunged forward, intent on reaching his brother, when the ominous click of a bullet entering the chamber of a gun was heard. Little Joe paused briefly, but then moved to Adam’s side, and put his hand on Adam’s arm. “Adam, are you all right?” he asked quickly.

 

“It’s okay, Joe, I’m fine,” Adam said softly. He turned to face their adversary again, positioning himself so that he stood between Little Joe and Hagen. “We don’t have any diamonds, Hagen. Nothing you do, or say is going to change that. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and search me. You won’t find anything.”

 

Hagen’s eyes narrowed, and a thoughtful expression crossed his brutish face. He made a quick gesture, and his two men dismounted and moved towards the Cartwrights. At another sign from Hagen each man grabbed one of Little Joe’s arms. “Sure, I’ll search you.” Hagen snarled, “But just to make sure you don’t try anything, my men will be holding the kid.”

 

Adam stiffened, but said nothing. Little Joe didn’t even glance at the men who held him. He smiled briefly at his brother, in an effort to reassure him, but stood quietly. Hagen advanced on Adam, and roughly patted him down. He thoroughly checked every conceivable place that Adam could have secreted the diamonds, with no result. Each passing moment added to his ire, and he finished his search with another swift backhand to Adam’s face. The force of the blow drove Adam to his knees.

 

“Adam!” cried Joe, and he struggled in the grasp of the men who held him.

 

“Joe, stop. I’m okay,” Adam gasped, staggering to his feet. “You see, Hagen. I told you, we don’t have any diamonds. Now let us go.”

 

“I haven’t checked the kid yet.” Hagen replied, and he advanced towards Little Joe.

 

Hagen’s henchmen dropped Joe’s arms, and turned towards Adam. They grabbed him and held him just as they had held his little brother. Adam was held fast in a grip of iron. He watched helplessly as Hagen moved towards Little Joe.

 

Little Joe stood still and waited for the big man’s approach. He stoically endured the same thorough search that Adam had suffered. When the results of the search again yielded no diamonds, Hagen cursed. “Where are they?” he exploded, rage apparent in every word. Turning to the slender boy in front of him, he grabbed Little Joe and shook him violently. No longer in control of his emotions, he pummeled Joe with his huge fists. Over and over the fists landed on Little Joe’s body.

 

Joe tried to ward off the blows as best he could, and even returned a few of the punches, but his efforts only infuriated Hagen more. With a roar, he unleashed his massive fist. It caught Little Joe on the jaw, and he dropped like a stone.

 

Adam watched in horror as Hagen turned on Little Joe. He struggled frantically against the two men who held his arms pinioned. “Joe!” he cried when his brother fell to the ground. “Damn it, Hagen, stop it!”

 

Hagen swung back towards Adam leaving Little Joe on the ground in a heap, blood from a myriad of cuts trickling down his face, his eyes closed, already the purple swelling of bruises becoming apparent. “Now,” Hagen said, sanity slowly returning to his eyes, “I think you should tell me where you put the diamonds.”

 

“Go to hell!” Adam spat out through clenched teeth. “Tell these men to let go of me, so that I can help my brother.” He wrenched futilely against the arms that restrained him.

 

At a nod from Hagen the two men released their hold on Adam, who almost fell to the ground at the sudden freedom. He immediately regained his balance and moved to his brother’s side. Little Joe lay curled on his side, blood trickling down his face from a gash over his left eye. Bruises were rapidly turning purple on his cheekbones, and a split lip oozed yet more blood. Adam gently touched his brother’s face, and a soft moan issued from Joe’s torn lips.

 

“Joe, can you hear me?” Adam crooned softly. “Wake up, little brother.” He gently stroked Joe’s cheeks, trying to avoid undue pressure on the bruises that splotched the pale cheeks.

 

Little Joe’s eyes fluttered open, and he blinked up at Adam. A spasm of pain caused Joe to draw a sharp breath, and clutch at his sore ribcage. “A…Adam, it hurts.” Joe whispered.

 

Rage burned in Adam’s eyes, but he responded quietly. “I know, Joe. Hold on, buddy. We’re going to get out of this, I promise.” He turned back to Hagen. “My brother needs a doctor. You’ve got to let us go, so that I can get him some help.”

 

Hagen’s only response was a laugh. “You aren’t going anywhere until I get my diamonds.” he sneered. “If you want a doctor for the kid, then give me what I want.” He gave Adam a challenging stare.

 

Adam met Hagen’s gaze without flinching. “I don’t know how many more times I’m going to have to tell you we don’t have what you want.” he said levelly. “If you let us go now, I won’t report you to the sheriff. You have my word.”

 

“Your word!” Hagen sneered. “I don’t believe a word you’re saying, Mister.., who are you anyway? And why should your word mean anything to me?”

 

Joe moaned again, and Adam immediately turned his attention to the younger man. Joe was struggling to sit up, and Adam gently supported his shoulders, and helped guide him into a sitting position. It was obvious that every movement was causing Joe intense pain. Again Adam felt a surge of raw anger, and he fought to force it down.

 

“I’m Adam Cartwright,” he said to Hagen. “And this is my brother, Joe. You may have heard of my family. If you have you know that the Cartwright name stands for something. I keep my promises.” Adam crouched next to Joe, keeping his hand on Joe’s shoulder as he spoke.

 

“Cartwright, hmm.” A thoughtful expression crossed Hagen’s face. “I’ve heard the name. You own a big spread near Virginia City. But that still doesn’t get me my diamonds. You and your brother aren’t going anywhere, Mr. Cartwright, until I get what I came for.” Hagen turned to his henchmen. “Tie their hands, and put them up on their horses. We’re going back to that shack.”

 

Adam started to protest, but a sharp gesture from Hagen stopped him. He stood quietly, and allowed the men to bind his wrists behind his back. It was only when the men brutally yanked Joe’s arms behind his back, wrenching a gasp of pain from him, that Adam let loose a low growl. “You don’t have to tie him, he’s hurt.  He won’t be going anywhere.” Adam said urgently, watching the remaining color drain from Joe’s face.

 

“Hagen says to tie him, so we tie him.” was the only response to Adam’s words.

 

Little Joe managed a shaky grin, and said “I’m fine, Adam. Don’t worry about me.” His sallow complexion belied his words, but Adam smiled at his little brother’s bravery.

 

The Cartwrights were pulled to the horses and forced to mount. Little Joe swayed on the horse’s bare back, and Adam looked at him with anguished eyes. “Hold on, little buddy. You can do it.” he urged.

 

Again, Little Joe gave Adam a ghost of his cocky grin, but said nothing. It was taking every ounce of his self-control to stay on the horse. Hagen’s men mounted their own horses, and pulling the Cartwrights’ mounts behind them, the group started back towards the Way Station.