Adam sagged deeper into the saddle. The hours of riding were taking their toll on his already exhausted body. Thoughts whirled in and out of Adam’s mind. He frantically tried to put together a plan to free himself from Hagen’s clutches, but his tired mind wouldn’t allow him to string two coherent thoughts together. He was desperately worried about his little brother. Joe was seriously injured and lying helpless in the hands of one of the outlaws. Adam felt a tremendous pressure to rescue his brother. He knew what it would do to his father to lose a son, especially this most precious youngest son. Adam was determined that he wouldn’t shirk his responsibility. He would bring his brother home to their father.

 

Adam could only hope that someone had reported the stagecoach overdue and that a posse was out looking for it. He was certain that with a cargo as valuable as the diamonds, the owner would be keeping close tabs on the progress of the coach. Adam knew that the only thing keeping himself and his brother alive was the fact that Hagen wanted those diamonds. He hoped that the wild goose chase he was leading Hagen on would buy himself and Joe some badly needed time. Now if he could just convince Hagen to untie him during the search for the diamonds when they reached the place where they had abandoned the stagecoach. Adam groaned. He felt completely helpless and it galled him.

 

Hagen’s excited shout broke into Adam’s reverie. He lifted his weary head to see the dark shape of the abandoned stage coach looming before him. The three men rode up to the coach and Hagen and Jake dismounted. Jake yanked Adam down from the saddle and Adam swayed as his legs refused to support him. He leaned back against the horse, and managed to stay upright.

 

“All right, Cartwright, this is the end of the line,” Hagen snarled. “Where did you hide those diamonds?” He advanced on Adam, until his body was only inches away from the dark-haired man’s.

 

Adam glared back at Hagen, refusing to be intimidated. “If you want the diamonds then you’re going to have to untie me. I can’t get to where I put them without the use of my hands.” He stood, stubbornly refusing to move, hoping that Hagen would buy his story.

 

Hagen growled, a low, menacing sound. His eyes narrowed in fury, and he looked as if he were going to strike out at the smaller man standing helpless in front of him. Adam braced himself, trying to get ready for the assault, but abruptly, sanity returned to Hagen’s eyes, and he stopped. He spat, a vile stream of liquid shooting to the ground, but gestured to Jake. “Untie him, but keep your gun on him. We don’t want him getting any funny ideas.”

 

Jake pulled a knife from his pocket, and rapidly cut through the ropes that had held Adam’s hands behind his back for so long. Adam gasped as the returning circulation sent lances of pain shooting through his hands. He quickly worked his fingers, trying to get the blood flowing as quickly as possible. His arms ached from the strain of the unnatural position, and Adam gently shrugged his shoulders a couple of times, urgently trying to work out the kinks.

 

“All right, that’s enough, Cartwright!” Hagen’s snarl cut through the air, like the growl of a mountain lion. “Get me those diamonds, now.” He gestured with his gun, and forced Adam away from the horse’s side.

 

Adam looked around in desperation. Knowing full well that the diamonds were securely hidden back at the way station, he had no idea how to make it look like he was on their trail now. “It looks different now.” He said aloud, trying to buy some time. “I’m not sure where I put them.”

 

Hagen harshly backhanded him, causing Adam to stumble backwards. “You’d better remember, and be quick about it, Cartwright. I’m getting tired of playing games.”

 

Adam moved forward his eyes desperately searching the area surrounding the abandoned stagecoach. He saw an outcropping of rocks, and headed in that direction, trying to look more confident that he felt. “I think I left them over here,” he said, as he walked slowly, dragging out each step. “I buried them near those rocks.”

 

The group moved closer to the outcropping and Adam saw the ground was littered with a wide variety of stones, ranging in size from small pebbles, to fairly large rocks. He paced to the edge of the largest boulder, and knelt, scrabbling in the dirt, pretending he was digging something from the ground. Hagen and Jake moved in close, their mouths hanging open in excitement, greedy thoughts of riches filling their heads.

 

Adam could see that for the first time Hagen and Jake were off guard, vulnerable to attack. As he pretended to dig, he palmed a sharp stone about the size of his hand. Turning quickly he struck Hagen in the side of the head, immediately turning and launching a kick at Jake’s groin.

 

Hagen cried out, and fell to his knees, blood streaming from a deep cut near his temple. Jake doubled over in pain. Adam used the opportunity to hit the back of Jake’s head with both hands locked into a powerful sledgehammer. Jake fell as if hit by an axe. One threat eliminated, Adam turned back to Hagen, always the more dangerous of his two opponents.

 

Hagen was recovering somewhat from the earlier blow, although blood still ran freely from the rapidly swelling lump on his head. He staggered to his feet and launched himself at Adam, a violent glare piercing through Adam’s soul. Adam swiftly sidestepped the onslaught, and stooped to pick up another large rock. Holding the large stone with both hands he waited until Hagen charged again. As the massive man came towards him, Adam lifted the stone and brought it down on Hagen’s head at full force, a ferocious anger adding strength to the blow. Hagen stared at him with bewildered eyes, and then fell face forward into the dirt. He twitched once, and then lay still. Adam swayed, as the adrenalin left his body in a rush. He staggered back against the boulders, his breathing loud in his ears. Head bowed, he struggled to regain control over his body.

 

************************************

 

Meanwhile back at the Way Station, Little Joe lay on the cot. His ribs felt as if they were on fire. He could tell by the sharp pains stabbing into his side, that several of them were cracked, if not broken. It was difficult for him to take a deep breath and with his arms bound tightly behind his back, the strain on his ribs was enormous. In spite of the pain racking his body, Little Joe could think of nothing but Adam. He knew that Adam had ridden off with Hagen and his henchman in an effort to keep Joe safe. Joe had seen the insanity in Hagen’s eyes on several occasions during this ordeal and he knew that he might never see his brother again.

 

Joe tested his bonds, keeping a wary eye on Barnes as he did so. The outlaw was crouched in front of the fire, idly poking at the blaze. In despair, Joe realized that he couldn’t loosen the bonds at all. A sudden wave of dizziness washed over him as his ribs protested the movements. Before he could bite it off, a low moan escaped Joe’s lips. Barnes turned to look at him, and seeing the pallor on Little Joe’s face, walked across the room.

 

“Hey, Kid, you don’t look so good.” he said blandly, crouching so that he was on eye level with Little Joe. “You better hope that brother of yours gives those diamonds to Hagen, or you’re gonna feel even worse pretty soon.” An almost hopeful expression crossed Barnes’ face.

 

Little Joe ignored the baiting tone, and licked his dry lips. “Can I have a drink of water.” he asked quietly. It had been many hours since Joe had eaten or had anything to drink. His lips were cracked, and his throat ached when he swallowed. Just the thought of water was torture.

At first Barnes looked like he was going to refuse, but then he rose, grabbed a canteen and walked back to his prisoner. Lifting the canteen to Joe’s lips, he allowed the water to trickle into his mouth. The tepid liquid tasted like champagne to Little Joe. He eagerly swallowed as much water as he could. All too soon, Barnes yanked the canteen away, and dropped it casually onto the floor next to the cot. He walked back to the little fire, and again ignored his captive.

 

Exhaustion washed over Joe, he fought back a tear that threatened to drop. He would never allow Barnes to see him crying, never! “Oh, Adam,” he thought. “I hope you’re all right”. Little Joe’s eyelids drooped of their own accord, and he drifted into a fitful doze.

 

*****************************

 

Hours later, Little Joe jerked awake. He looked around the darkened shack, waiting while his eyes adjusted to the feeble light from the dying fire. He spotted Barnes lying in front of the fireplace, eyes closed, and snoring loudly. At first Joe thought that it was Hagen’s snores that had awakened him. And then he realized that it was another sound entirely. Outside the cabin he heard a horse’s hooves. Little Joe lay still, straining tensely to hear the sounds from outside the cabin. He couldn’t tell how many horses were outside, the sound was too muffled.

 

The snores from the fireplace stopped abruptly, as the sounds penetrated Barnes’ sleep. He jerked upright, and snatched his gun from its holster. Rolling to his feet he crossed to the small window, and peered out into the darkness. Seeing nothing, he hurried over to Little Joe. “Get up Cartwright,” he snarled, reaching down, and hauling Little Joe to his feet.

 

Joe swayed, as his legs buckled beneath him. Barnes yanked roughly on his arm, and half dragged, half carried Little Joe with him to the window. He pushed Joe, none too gently against the wall, and stood with his pistol held to Joe’s temple. Joe looked at Barnes’ panic stricken eyes, and asked “What’s out there, Barnes? It must not be Hagen, or you wouldn’t be so jumpy.”

 

“Shut up, Kid!” Barnes snapped. He locked eyes with Little Joe. “Don’t open your mouth again, or I’ll shut it for you.” he stormed. His eyes tracked back to the window, and he peered outside again.

 

Little Joe smiled to himself. He felt terrible, his ribs ached, and he couldn’t feel his hands, but he knew that his brother was outside somewhere, and his spirits rose. If Hagen had found the diamonds and killed Adam, he would have ridden up to the shack, and announced his presence. Adam was all right. Little Joe was sure of it.

 

Barnes, sweat dripping down his face, turned to Little Joe. He grabbed the slender man and jabbed his gun into Little Joe’s side. “If that’s your brother out there, Kid, we’ll be waiting for him.” He said, fear present in his voice.

 

Barnes dragged Little Joe to the door of the shack, and opened it slowly. Pushing his helpless victim through the portal, he walked outside. “Who’s there!” he shouted.

 

Nothing moved, and there was no sound, nothing but the chirping of the night insects, and the faint rustle of the wind through the trees. Little Joe strained his ears, hoping to hear something. He could tell Barnes was also struggling to hear something.

 

At the continued silence, Barnes swore violently. He yanked backwards on Little Joe’s arm, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees. A groan escaped Joe’s lips as the fire reawakened in his ribs. He struggled to rise, but had to rely on Barnes to haul him up. Barnes maintained his rough hold on Joe’s arm, and unceremoniously pulled Little Joe to his feet. Joe swayed, and the color drained from his face. He struggled to stay conscious, knowing that he needed to be alert if he was going to be any help to his brother at all. He moved passively as Barnes pulled him back into the little shack.

 

Standing in the shadows of the trees, Adam Cartwright watched the outlaw pull his brother back inside the Way Station. A grim look crossed his face. Little Joe didn’t look too good, and the outlaw was obviously taking no chances. Adam had almost fired on the man as he stood outside the shack, but he couldn’t get a clear shot, and he didn’t want to risk Little Joe’s life any further. A wave of exhaustion swept through Adam’s frame, and he leaned against the nearest tree for support. How was he going to get both himself and his brother out of this situation alive?