{"id":10159,"date":"2014-11-22T18:55:56","date_gmt":"2014-11-22T23:55:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10159"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:11:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:11:33","slug":"a-world-turned-upside-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10159","title":{"rendered":"A World Turned Upside Down (by Krystyna)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Little Joe Cartwright can’t believe it when Clay Stafford enters his life again …nor can his brothers for very different reasons. Is Clay back for good? Are his motives honest and above board? And who is the man with whom he keeps in contact?<\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (55,545 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A World Turned Upside Down<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joseph Cartwright slapped both knees and raised his head and laughed aloud. His infectious chortle rose loud and clear. It was so hilarious that his brothers began to chuckle along with him. After a moment Hoss, rather embarrassed at his brothers hilarity, gave him a nudge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe, I don\u2019t think it was that funny!\u201d he exclaimed, his blue eyes widening as he surveyed his younger brother and all signs of humour dissipating from him all the more quickly as Joe continued to chortle .<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss, you know our little brother, he likes to claw every ounce of whatever\u2019s
\ngoing for all its worth.\u201d Adam sighed, stood up and stretched..\u201dAs for me, I\u2019m going to bed down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Joe stopped laughing, although it was with some difficulty and his facial muscles still twitched \u201cHey, Hoss, that was jest about the best joke going. Where\u2019d you hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam told it to me.\u201d Hoss said nonchalantly as he knelt in front of the camp fire and began to make it safe for the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I heard it from Pa.\u201d Adam drawled, casting his hat onto the ground beside his saddle, and carefully preparing his bedding.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom PA? You gotta be kidding me?\u201d Joe began to chortle again and shaking his head, he stood up and walked to where he had cast down his saddle \u201cAre you sure you got it from Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was from that guy who lives with us and insists we call him Pa.\u201d Adam lay down and pulled a blanket over his long legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that guy with the grey hair and brown eyes and boom of a voice?\u201d Hoss chuckled<\/p>\n

\u201cThe very same.\u201d Adam yawned<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, he told me a joke the other night.\u201d Joe giggled, pulling out his bed roll and fussing about with it to make sure there were no rocks underneath. \u201cDo you want to hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d both his brothers exclaimed loudly and Adam picked up his hat and placed it calmly over his face as though to emphasise that was the end of the subject. Hoss pulled off his boots and tossed them to one side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhwor!\u201d Adam exclaimed \u201cWhat\u2019s that ?\u201d and he sat bolt upright as though he\u2019d been shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s what?\u201d Hoss asked innocently as he rubbed his feet and toes and then scratched his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you do that?\u201d Joe exclaimed<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what?\u201d Hoss mumbled, yawned, and scratched his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cScratch your head after you\u2019ve jest handled yer feet! No wonder your hairs falling out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying my feet smell?\u201d Hoss growled, sidling into his bed roll and flapping out his moth eaten old blanket which brought another wail of dismay from his siblings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, how many times have I told you to get that darn thing washed. Or, better still, get a new one.\u201d Joe groaned \u201cOh, travelling with you and your feet and your blanket. It\u2019s a nightmare.\u201d he settled his head onto his saddle and sighed, folded his hands behind his head and gazed up at the moon \u201cHey, this joke I was going to tell you, you\u2019ll jest crease up. Pete and Jake were riding through the salt flats\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPete and Jake who?\u201d Hoss asked as he scratched his chest and then stretched again, raising his hands to the sky and yawning loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know. Pete and Jake. They ride the stagecoach normally.\u201d Adam muttered, groping for his hat which once found he once again placed over his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re they doin\u2019 then riding through the salt flats?\u201d Hoss pulled at his blanket and frowned when he realised how exposed his feet were going to be as a result.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey decided to hire two horses \u2026alright? Can I get on with it now?\u201d Joe exclaimed, giving his brother a withering look that in the darkness went unobserved by the other man, who was still adjusting his blanket in an attempt to cover himself all over.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet on with what?\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe joke of course!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat joke? I thought you were telling us about Pete and Jake?\u201d came the innocent observation \u201cOuch, dadburned rock. where\u2019d thet come from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you two are finished. I\u2019d like to get some sleep sometime tonight!\u201d Adam growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese two men ..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat two men?\u201d came Hoss\u2019 immediate rejoinder.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you doing this deliberately, Hoss Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep interrupting when I\u2019m trying to tell you a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA joke? Is that what it\u2019s meant to be?\u201d Hoss laughed out loud and lay down with a sigh, his blanket up to his chin and his hat closely with his boots. He sniffed , and his blue eyes swivelled from left to right \u201cYou know, there\u2019s some kind of odd smell around here? Anyone notice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re a good six feet and four inches distance from your feet so it can\u2019t be them.\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I\u2019m only six inches from ma boots. Shucks, I hope Butlers Creek has a good public baths.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some new boots as well.\u201d his elder brother advised.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled up the blanket to his shoulders and smiled to himself. It had been a gruelling few weeks away from the Ponderosa but well worth it. The cattle had reached a good price. One of the best years trading in beef they had experienced in some years, and now they were homeward bound.<\/p>\n

Evenings like this one, the three of them camped around a fire, exchanging jokes and chatting over any old thing that came to mind, created and strengthened bonds of companionship, loyalty, and brotherly love.<\/p>\n

Overhead the stars shone so brightly that where the buttes and trees existed they created vast black depths of nothingness in the pattern of celestial lights. The moon drifted lazily along, obscured at times by drifting cloud and then peeking out again, as though enjoying the nightly ritual of hide and seek.<\/p>\n

Joe yawned and thought over the day, smiling at times over odd snippets. He yawned again and turned over and looked at the two dark shapes that indicated where his brothers lay.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you two, you asleep yet?\u201d he whispered<\/p>\n

\u201cNearly.\u201d Hoss mumbled, and turned over, bringing his blanket over with him so that the whole of his back was exposed to the chill of the night. \u201cDangblast it!\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis joke, see, these two men were riding their horses over the salt flats with no water to drink and getting thirstier and thirstier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this Pete and Jake agin?\u201d Hoss said, struggling to disentangle himself from his blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you two SHUT UP!\u201d<\/p>\n

The flames of the fire gave a final flare, before slowly burning through the wood into grey ash which collapsed into the ash through which only intermittent embers still glowed. Joe sighed and turned onto his back and closed his eyes and smiled<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a real good joke.\u201d he mumbled amidst a yawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell us in the mornin\u2019\u2026\u201d Hoss whispered.<\/p>\n

Overhead a star trailed its dying course across the dark night sky and the moon slid behind dense clouds so that all was covered with even greater darkness than before. Joe felt himself drifting into sleep, the vastness all about him having shrunk into the existence of a mere body in a bedroll.<\/p>\n

The sounds of the night were overlaid by the sounds of three men asleep. Night creatures slunk pass the small camp and paused to listen, to sniff and smell the intruders, and to slink back from where they had come. Hoss\u2019 snores reverberated above every other sound, buzzing like a saw mill one minute, snortling like a weary mule the next.<\/p>\n

A sidewinder sidled its stealthy approach towards them and paused at the massive boots that was the obstacle to its trail. It hissed softly and coiled its way around them and hurriedly exited into the undergrowth. A night jar paused in its flight and continued on. Within hours the dark sky was a mass of colour, as splashes of pinks and oranges and reds burst upon a purple backdrop. The moon hurried to finalise its course as the sun flashed forth once again.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/p>\n

Adam lathered his face and surveyed it in the mirror, squinting slightly to get it more into focus, then leaning forwards to adjust its position. Carefully he put the blade to his jaw line and slowly scraped along the surface of the skin, removing stubble with the lather and flicking it away, before dipping the blade into the bowl of water he had by his side and going through the same procedure as before\u2026.scrape, flick, dip\u2026scrape, flick, dip\u2026<\/p>\n

By the fire Joe was scratching his chest and rubbing sleep from his face and yawning. The coffee pot was boiling and the fire was serving its purpose in cooking breakfast, bacon was sizzling. Hoss pulled on his boots and smacked his lips together and rubbed his face to get some life back into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I hardly slept a wink last night.\u201d he groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could\u2019ve fooled me,\u201d Joe muttered, putting the ham onto the plates and stirring some beans \u201cIs this all we\u2019ve got to eat?\u201d he asked his elder brother who had been up far earlier to see to the food and his ablutions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get some fresh provisions when we get to Butlers Creek, they\u2019ve a good store there.\u201d Adam replied, finalising his shaving at last and drying his face. He ran a hand over his chin and jaw and surveyed the result closely in the mirror.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anyone \u2013 or rather \u2013 any she \u2013 in particular you hope to be seeing at Butlers Creek today?\u201d Hoss asked his elder brother with a grin \u201cYou seem to be prettying yerself up mighty fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you just never know.\u201d Adam smiled at his reflection and then put his shaving kit aside and made way for Hoss, who immediately removed the mirror to place it slightly higher. \u201cIt\u2019s been about six years since Pa and I first rode into Butlers Creek.\u201d He knelt down and stirred the beans \u201cThe doctor there saved Pa\u2019s life when some idiot fired off a gun at us. As we were riding close by Pa wanted us to call in and see the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe poured out coffee and savoured its bitter aroma \u201cIt put an extra two days to our return journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Pa felt he hadn\u2019t shown the townsfolk enough gratitude for what they did,\u201d Adam said quietly, taking the mug that Joe handed over to him \u201cYou know how Pa feels about things at times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow big is this town, Adam?\u201d Hoss called out from where he was shaving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, six years ago there were about 180 people there, but it had a lot of promise. Good land for cattle as well as farming, good forestry, plenty of timber, and there was talk of the railway stopping off there. By now it should be quite a busy, thriving town. Joe, check that ham, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh boy, I can hardly wait to have a good soak in a good hot bath tub.\u201d Hoss sighed, putting razor to chin and scraping carefully at his lathered skin.<\/p>\n

Joe and Adam smiled and looked at one another and raised their eye brows. There was no need to say a word but they were wholeheartedly in agreement , Hoss really did need a good soak in a good hot bath tub!<\/p>\n

**********
\nThe three men stared down at the town that was spread out before them as clearly as buildings set out in a toy store. Hoss pushed back his hat and wiped his brow and looked at his brothers,<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly seems to be thriving,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa thought it would, the Mayor and council of the town certainly seemed ambitious enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope they\u2019ve a good restaurant.\u201d Hoss grinned, his eyes twinkling at the vision of steak and onions, a rich dark sauce and a mountain of potatoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic baths first, Hoss\u201d Joe reminded him with a wink and grin over at Adam who
\nnodded and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am hungry.\u201d Hoss protested wrinkling his brow as though to make sure they realised that fact..<\/p>\n

\u201cYou am smelly,\u201d mimicked Joe and with a laugh he put heels to his horse. It slid and skidded it\u2019s way down from the track above the buttes that led to the road to Butlers Creek.<\/p>\n

It was a large town. It had within it all the smells, noises, sights and sounds of a prospering township. Stores were laden with fine goods which were displayed on stalls or behind large windows for all to see. Hurdy gurdy houses whined out their noises. Restaurants eddied forth sweet enticing smells. From saloons came the ruckus of piano playing, shouting, singing and arguing. Children, free from the days schooling, ran down the sidewalks and in and out of the stores \u2013 yelling, shouting, bawling, bags and books swinging by their sides.<\/p>\n

Older children walked more sedately, beginning to pair off into couples, shyly walking side by side, hoping to touch hands, and daring one another with coy eyes. Women stood outside the stores gossiping and men lounged outside playing chequers, smoking, dozing or reminiscing. It was just another large town.<\/p>\n

The Manager of the hotel gave them keys to the rooms which were found to be clean and modestly furnished and boasted bathrooms at the end of each corridor. Within an hour of booking in the three brothers met in the hallways and looked at one another thoughtfully,<\/p>\n

\u201cMetamorphosis,\u201d Adam grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? What was he like?\u201d Hoss asked, brushing a speck of dust from his sleeve<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you idiot, not met a morphosis, \u201c Joe exclaimed, raising his eyes to heaven in despair \u201cMeta-morphosis!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know. I heard what he said jest as clear as you did!\u201d Hoss frowned and glanced at his reflection in the mirror and grinned at the sight of the three of them \u201cHey, some change huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, some change!\u201d Adam chuckled and led the way out of the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere to now?\u201d Joe glanced left and right and then looked at his brother \u201cDidn\u2019t you
\nwant to go and see your doctor Fleming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe died two years ago.\u201d Adam replied \u201cThe hotel receptionist told me when we booked in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh, so coming here is just a waste of time then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least we can enjoy ourselves while we are here.\u201d Adam said quietly, watching a young woman who had just stepped out of the hardware store stroll along the sidewalk opposite them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we could at that,\u201d Joe grinned, his eyes following the direction of his brothers but his legs moving faster
\n.
\n\u201cI\u2019m going to eat,\u201d Hoss declared \u201cI\u2019m so hungry I could eat Hop Sing if he stood still long enough for me to put him in the oven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and smiled as he watched Joe pause mid way across the street and turn back to join them. The pretty young woman had been joined by a hefty young man and the way they interlinked their arms was a clear indication that Joe\u2019s attentions would be highly unwelcome
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

The saloon was called \u201cNew Orleans Belle\u201d, a name that was an immediate draw and enticement to Joe, who insisted that they spent the first hour of the evening there at least.
\nThe smog of countless cigarettes, cheroots and cigars, being puffed by a variety of the towns personnel was the first thing to greet them as they pushed open the door and made their way into the saloon.<\/p>\n

A woman wearing scarlet and black and with dyed red hair into which she had struck a scarlet feather eyed the three of them up and down as they made their way to the counter. She was draped rather languidly over a piano listening to the attempts of the pale faced greasy haired youth as he keyed some long forgotten melody from the ancient instrument. She removed the cigarette from her lips and stood upright with some effort, for it was as though the piano itself was her sole means of support. Slowly she made her way over to the three brothers and stood by the side of the tallest, and biggest..<\/p>\n

\u201cStaying here long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope\u2026three beers, bar tender\u2026thanks\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you staying?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the hotel over the road. Excuse me, ma\u2019am,\u201d he took his beer and followed his brothers to the table, slopping some over his hand as he sat down.<\/p>\n

He glanced nervously over his shoulder and then grimaced at his brothers. Some women gave him the creeps. Joe suppressed a giggle and nudged his brothers foot as the woman once again strolled slowly towards them,<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Hoss..I reckon she has her eye on you!\u201d he whispered \u201cWhatcha gonna do about it,
\nhuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks!\u201d Hoss buried his face into his glass and quaffed deeply. The woman, not having a piano nearby, now decided Hoss was the perfect replacement and draped herself over
\nhim.<\/p>\n

Adam winced and glanced over at Joe, but Joe was finding it too amusing to think of his brothers feelings. There were times when Joe\u2019s sense of fun over ruled his sense of compassion, and he\u2019d forget how easily embarrassed his older brother could get at times. Hoss glanced warily out of the corner of his eye and swallowed a gulp in his throat<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh, miss\u2026I huh I ..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to join you\u2026\u201d she said quietly, sat down on the spare seat and smiled at the three of them. The three of them smiled back and grabbed their glasses instinctively, as though they were the only means to create some form of barrier between her and them<\/p>\n

\u201cMake mine a whiskey.,\u201d she called over to the bartender who nonchalantly complied and bore the amber liquid to their table within seconds. \u201cMy names Millie Fleming\u201d she glanced over at them \u201cSo? You don\u2019t intend to be staying here long then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. Fact is, our stays getting shorter all the time.\u201d Hoss mumbled, looking desperately at Adam. Surely his quick thinking brother could see some way of helping him out of this.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you? Cowpokes? Salesmen?\u201d she screwed up her face as the whiskey trickled down her throat. Joe winced, he found it distasteful to watch women down drinks like some thirst ridden cowboy. He glanced around to see if there was any other means of getting away from her.<\/p>\n

\u201cFleming? Any relation to the doctor who died two years back?\u201d Adam asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband.\u201d she shrugged \u201cI know, how the mighty are fallen.\u201d she sighed and glanced down at her tawdry dress \u201cHarold would have a fit if he saw me now, but there was nothing else I could do. Life isn\u2019t always kind, especially when your husbands some kind of saint and dies leaving you without a brass nickel to survive on. Another whiskey.\u201d she called over to the bartender.<\/p>\n

The three brothers glanced at one another and along with their irritation with her was now the feeling of sympathy, which was a nuisance as it now made it more difficult to leave the table and go elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Fleming, don\u2019t you think..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Fleming?\u201d she laughed, chortled, cackled. Her fingers curled around the glass as though her life depended on the next shot of whiskey it contained, she raised it to her lips and then lowered it, untouched, to the table \u201cMrs Fleming. Oh, I can\u2019t remember the last time anyone around here called me that, and with any respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour husband saved our Pa\u2019s life some years ago. I don\u2019t recall ever meeting you though.\u201d Adam frowned \u201cI thought he was a bachelor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was until he made the mistake of marrying me\u201d she frowned and stared into the glass \u201cOr maybe I made the mistake of marrying him.\u201d she glanced up and smiled at Adam and then at Joe. She lurched forward suddenly, and her long fingers caressed the side of Joe\u2019s face \u201cYou\u2019re a pretty looking dude, aintcha? You remind me of someone.\u201d she frowned and then looked at Adam \u201cSo Harold saved your Pa\u2019s life. How long ago was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout six years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSix years?\u201d she raised her eyes to his level and stared into the dark face and smiled. \u201cSix years ago I was teaching school. Five years ago I married Harold. Two years ago I was widowed. Last year I started working here. Had to sell everything. Nothing left.\u201d she drank down the whiskey in the same manner as the one previous, and then turned to the bartender and raised the glass. Gently Hoss put a hand on her arm and lowered it .<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not jest leave it at thet one, for the time bein\u2019, ma\u2019am\u201d he said very quietly<\/p>\n

She had been pretty once. Joe, sitting opposite her and nursing his glass of beer, tried to imagine what she had looked like as a teacher, facing a school room of bright eyed eager children. Her hair was obviously dyed red, and was too harsh for her complexion. Behind the powder and the scarlet slash of a mouth and the bright paint on her eyes, perhaps she was still attractive. He sighed and raised his glass to his lips<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling sorry for me, are you, handsome?\u201d she was looking fixedly at him, her bright hard green eyes bore into his and he felt the colour flushing up under his collar at her scrutiny \u201cP\u2019raps I should have jest introduced meself as Millie. Millie who likes whiskey, Millie who likes more whiskey. Just plain Millie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, ma\u2019am, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know,\u201d she flicked long fingers in his direction and anticipating the touch of them on his skin once again, he flinched back \u201cYou DO remind me of someone, but, can\u2019t think who it could be jest awhile,\u201d she frowned and then looked at Hoss and Adam \u201cSo you three are brothers, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2018am.\u201d Hoss murmured and raised his eyebrows at his brothers and gave a half grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t look alike.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, ma\u2019am, that ain\u2019t our fault\u201d Hoss took a swig from his glass \u201cAnyhows time we were moseying on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, best to go now,\u201d Joe picked up his hat and stood up \u201cThanks for the company, Miss Millie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Fleming, our Pa wanted your husband, Dr. Fleming to have this, as you\u2019re his next of kin, I guess it rightly belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d she reached for it suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Doctor Fleming wanted to build a hospital here. Pa always felt that he never thanked him, Doctor Fleming, enough for saving his life and wanted to make a donation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, there\u2019s money in here?\u201d the colour rose to her face, and the brittle eyes filled with tears \u201cReal money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am, real money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d she stared at the envelope without moving, without even being aware that Hoss had stood up and was about to leave the table and that Joe had moved away. She looked up at the man dressed in black and swallowed hard, before handing the envelope back, \u201cTake it back, mister. Thank your Pa for thinking, an\u2019 all the rest of it, but Harold\u2019s dead, and his dream died a long way back. There ain\u2019t no hospital here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could get one started, a hospice perhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA hospice?\u201d she gave a short bark of a laugh and shook her head \u201c Go outside and look around, young man, this ain\u2019t the kind of town that spends money on things like hospices. Harold\u2019s dream died when the gunslingers moved in, and the card sharks, and the hurdy gurdy houses and everything else. Good men moved out as bad men moved in. People didn\u2019t die of sickness and old age here anymore, they got shot down or stabbed or had strange fatal accidents on dark nights. Harold and I, we spent all we could on trying to keep things going decently, but where did it end up? He\u2019s dead. And I\u2019m here. and I\u2019m too skeered to take that money because, because it would probably kill me before I spent it all.\u201d she looked at him again and smiled sadly, a soft gentle smile that revealed the gentleness still existing behind the fa\u00e7ade \u201cThank your Pa. You can see what kind of person I am now. I dare not even dream of my Harold now, he would not like the kind of person I have become\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen take the money and move out. Move somewhere else.\u201d Joe blurted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re an impetuous one,\u201d she chuckled, giving him a flash of her green eyes and she frowned and stood up, a trifle unsteadily \u201cIt\u2019s too late for me, dear, too late. Where would I move to anyway?\u201d she shrugged \u201cI can\u2019t move myself from myself, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one sad lady.\u201d Hoss said quietly as they watched her make her unsteady way back to the piano.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least she was decent about the money\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

Adam merely sighed and put the envelope back into his pocket. Hoss gave his brother a pat on the back,<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to turn in\u2026\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you later then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and walked to the counter and turned to look for Joe \u201cYou staying, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe said nothing. He was standing with his back to Adam, facing the far corner of the room. At the table were five men, one of whom had a young woman draped over him in a possessive attitude. But it was not the girl that Joe was looking at and watching\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? I said, are you staying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned to look at his brother but Joe was now walking, as though in a dream, towards the far corner of the room, towards the five men and the woman. The woman looked up and smiled, but it was not the woman that Joe was looking at and watching.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Are you alright?\u201d Adams voice floated through the air and hung there an instant of time as he carried on walking towards the table, towards the man with the woman draped over him. But now she was standing up and stepping back, as though the approach of the strangers towards this man during a card game was nothing new to her.
\n\u201cAces high. Your deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCount me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou dealing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI raise you five hundred?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t match it. Count me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stepped forward and turned. The woman stepped back and away from them and the five men at the table froze. When a man steps up to a gambler with a white face and set mouth, with eyes blazing with emotion or dead with dread, there was every reason to expect trouble. The gambler put his cards down and placed his hands flat on the table. He raised his eyes to meet those of the youth who stood before him and the colour drained from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Cartwright?\u201d he murmured, staring at the youth with disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cClay Stafford?\u201d Joe murmured, staring at the older man \u201cClay?\u201d<\/p>\n

They held one another in a close embrace as only brothers could and would after time apart. Joe felt the tears prickling his eyelids and fought to prevent any from spilling over. It never did to expose one\u2019s vulnerability to the world of strangers, but he held Clay tightly and whispered, with a croak in his voice \u201cI never thought I would ever see you again\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor I, Joe. I thought you\u2018d never want to see me again.\u201d Clay stepped back and held his younger brother at arms length and shook his head in disbelief \u201cIs it really you?\u201d and then pulled him close in another hug \u201cHow\u2019d you know I was here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t, we had to come here on an errand for Pa.\u201d Joe took a deep breath and shook his head \u201cClay. I thought you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite, sometimes nearly, sometimes almost, but never quite.\u201d Clay chuckled and turned as he sensed the other man standing close behind him. He knew there would be no hugs or tears from this man, but the handshake was warm and genuine \u201cGood to see you again, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, who had stepped back from leaving, now stepped forward and extended his hand which was shaken with more enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon Pa will be over the moon when he sees us ride in with you,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

Clay paused, glanced at each one of the brothers in turn, and then smiled a flashing bright smile, his eyes twinkled,<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so.\u201d Clay laughed, clutching at Joe\u2019s arm \u201cI sure hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

********
\nThe room where Clay lodged was indicative of a man who was just passing through. They took seats around a table and Clay poured out drinks and then sat down with a smile on his lips and a twinkle in the dark eyes, very similar in shape and colour to those of his younger brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to come back to give you something, Joe\u201d he drawled slowly \u201cOr had you forgotten that I made a promise to you some time back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t forgotten\u201d Joe replied and looked at his brother somewhat shyly as Clay placed the framed picture of Marie Cartwright on the table. He picked it up reverentially and swallowed the lump in his throat \u201cShucks, somehow I guess I never thought to be seeing this again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTakes more than a Mexican revolution to get rid of me, brother,\u201d and he raised his glass and then took a gulp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hadn\u2019t heard for so long, we did wonder that perhaps something had happened to you,\u201d Adam said quietly \u201cYou had promised to keep in touch, if I remember rightly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true and I apologise for being so remiss in my letter writing,\u201d Clay smiled, softening the sarcasm in his voice as he did so. He looked fondly at Joseph who was still gazing longingly at the picture of his mother, \u201cIs she still as beautiful as you remember ?\u201d he asked gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery bit as much,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice wobbled a little and he took a deep breath before he faced Clay and looked at his brother again more closely. Still handsome, still debonair, with the same rebellious mass of hair as himself, with the same shaped eyes and chin. But that was where the resemblance ended for the other man was taller, thicker set, and more rugged in features. His hands were more elegant too, unlike Joe\u2019s. Clay had hands like his mother, with long fingers, good for dealing out cards, he had once boasted. \u201cSo? What happened? How long have you been back in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess a lot\u2019s happened over the past few years\u201d Clay said in the tone of voice that Adam recognised as that of a person stalling for time to think out a story, or two.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you said you\u2019d write.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m hopeless at writing anyway, and a Mexican battlefield was hardly conducive to putting pen to paper at the best of times.\u201d He looked at his brother and shook his head \u201cYou look so well, Joe, things have been good for you, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so. Even better if you\u2019d been there, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss said nothing but took their glasses and sipped their drinks and glanced at one another. Adam put his glass down and stood up, cleared his throat and smiled in rather a shy manner,<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Hoss and I reckon we\u2019d better leave you to two to talk and get reacquainted. We\u2019ll catch up with you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss stood up hurriedly, knocking into the table and spilling the glasses over a little, \u201cWe\u2019ll see you in the morning, Joe. Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Joe bounced up with enthusiasm and shook their hands, \u201cSee you both later.\u201d<\/p>\n

………..<\/p>\n

On the landing the two brothers looked at one another and Hoss sighed \u201cWell, he seemed happy enough to see us go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well,\u201d Adam slapped his big brother on the shoulder \u201cIt\u2019s his brother.\u201d he smiled, \u201cLet\u2019s go some place and have a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, I\u2019d rather just go and bed down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t argue about that,\u201d Adam smiled and together they left the boarding house and walked to their hotel. Two tall men casting long shadows across the main street as the moon beamed benevolently down upon them. Both thinking thoughts along the same lines but hesitating in discussing them with the other.
\nIn the room they had just vacated, Clay nursed his glass and walked over to the couch and slumped down on it, he looked over at Joe and smiled and beckoned to him to join him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Benito Jaurez became the first indian President of Mexico in\u201961\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I read about it in the news tabloids.\u201d Joe glanced over at Clay and frowned \u201cI thought you would be coming home then, but when there was no news from you, I\u2026we\u2026feared the worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I stayed in Mexico for about six months. The Spanish don\u2019t like to let go of things that easily, you know,\u201d he smiled dryly \u201cThen I travelled back to New Orleans, to see the family there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did?\u201d Joe frowned, and looked down at his boots. He could remember, with all the tenacity of a besotted youth, the day when Clay had promised to take him back to New Orleans with him. He glanced up and saw from Clay\u2019s face that his brother was recalling that same promise for Clay was biting his bottom lip thoughtfully \u201cAnd, and how did you get on there? Was everyone alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThings are different there now. A lot different. I left as soon as I could to get back to Nevada. I thought I\u2019d surprise you but instead -.\u201d he gestured with his right hand, carving an arc in the air to express some emotion at having seen them at the saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess that was a surprise, seeing us there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, things aren\u2019t good down south just now. I couldn\u2019t take you down there. And I didn\u2019t want to get involved in things so shot back here as soon as I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean\u2026you\u2019ve been here before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I meant, I came back this away, to get back to Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and settled back against the couch \u201cTell me about Mexico? Was there much fighting? What was Juarez like? Did you see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I saw him.\u201d Clay laughed again and leaned forward \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what happened once\u2026\u201d And Joe leaned back and listened as his brother told him one of his adventures on the battlefield, which wasn\u2019t so much a battlefield as a scrimmage in a small Mexican village but to the ears of the besotted youth it sounded a glorious adventure. As Clays voice rose and fell so Joe could see it all happening before his very eyes, yet, best of all, it was Clay recounting the adventure, it was Clay, sitting there in front of him, alive and coming home.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

Adam glanced up from the plate of ham and eggs and surveyed Joe as his brother walked thoughtfully into the hotel\u2019s dining room. Hoss, a fork of ham mid way to his mouth, paused and looked over at Joe and smiled<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were late back,\u201d he observed kindly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did say I wouldn\u2019t see you until the morning\u201d Joe replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a pleasant evening?\u201d Adam passed over the plate of ham<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalked over a lot of things, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many eggs do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just two will do.\u201d Joe frowned and stared at the eggs as though he had never seen one before in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s Clay intending on doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Joe glanced up, his eyes narrowed as though unsure as to the true meaning of the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant , what is Clay going to do now? Will he be travelling back with us or coming later?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got things to finish off here first. Said he\u2019d come later,\u201d Joe surveyed his plate and smiled, for the first time since he had joined them at the table his eyes shone and there was a genuine pleasure in the big grin he gave them \u201cHey, won\u2019t it be exciting having Clay at home? There\u2019ll be the four of us,\u201d he paused then and sighed \u201cDo you think he\u2019ll stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned and looked from one to the other. Then he picked up the coffee pot and poured his little brother a cup of the hot bitter brew and smiled,<\/p>\n

\u201cSure was a surprise! Who\u2019d have thought we would have found Clay sitting in that thar saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, when you think of all the other saloons we could have gone into,\u201d Adam drawled while his eyes never left Joe\u2019s face \u201cAre you alright, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Such a question , so gently asked from his eldest brother, made Joe blink and he looked at Adam in surprise,<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure I\u2019m alright. I guess I jest can\u2019t believe it, is all.\u201d he grinned \u201cI woke up during the night thinking I had been dreaming. All the times I\u2019ve hoped to see Clay again, and have him at home. My own brother.\u201d he frowned thoughtfully, unaware of the pain that he had just caused his other two brothers who struggled to be generous and imagine for themselves the pleasure of their younger brother. \u201cI hope he settles. Pa will be so pleased to have him back. It\u2019ll no doubt remind him of Ma.\u201d he put down his fork and shook his head \u201cHeck, I feel so tight. So kind of excited I can hardly breathe right. I wish Ma were here to see him home with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced at his plate and frowned. He wondered just how Marie would have felt having a son return to the fold whom she had been denied seeing and about whom so many lies had been spun. It had been a heartbreaking relationship and one that had caused nothing but grief to all concerned, to Clay\u2019s mother, as well as to Clay\u2019s father. He glanced once again over at Adam who was steadily eating through his meal as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.<\/p>\n

Marie. Hoss pulled over a bread roll and broke it thoughtfully. He remembered when he was small and the first meal he had ever shared with her. He had been that nervous that he had spilled most of it down his lap, and when he had reached out for the bread rolls the whole platter of them had tumbled all over the table and bounced onto the floor and he had leaned over to catch some and toppled off his chair banging his head as a result, She had reached up instinctively and caught him in her arms and held him close and hugged him and told him,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright, mon cher, nothing broken. See, Mama will kiss it all better for you,\u201d and she had, and he could remember, even now, the sweet smell of her perfume, and the softness of her body as he snuggled into her. He could remember looking over at his brother and seeing the same shut off look on his face as there was now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPenny for your thoughts?\u201d Joe said, nudging him slightly so that the bread roll fell from his fingers and rolled in the direction of their elder brother who caught it deftly and returned it to Hoss with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was jest remembering\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemembering what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Ma,\u201d Joe frowned, always uncomfortable when distinctions were made between the mothers. Our Ma, your Ma, his Ma. He smiled at Hoss then, \u201cWhat about her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just how sweet she smelled and how soft she felt when she cuddled yah,\u201d Hoss lowered his face so that no one could overhear from the other tables, \u201cShe made Pa happy.\u201d and he glanced over at Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and continued to eat his breakfast, but his mind wandered a little now. Yes, she had made Pa happy. He recalled the first time she saw the snow on the Ponderosa and how the lake had frozen and how she had insisted they went skating. He remembered how Ben had fallen on the ice. She had skated over to him and pulled at his hands and he had pulled at hers and she had slid down by his side so that the two of them had sat there holding hands and laughing. Then there had been snow ball fight on the way back and the laughter. For a serious little boy like Adam Cartwright it had been the laughter that had captured his heart.<\/p>\n

He had gone to bed that night and remembered days of laughter with Inger. How he had loved to wake up each morning to hear her sing and laugh. Then she had died and the laughter had died too, until Marie had come and brought with her that gift. A gift passed on to her son, and he glanced over at Joe and smiled tenderly at him and nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you intending on doing, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Adam?\u201d Joe replied, rather defensively<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, do you ride home with us or stay back here and come with Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

The colour mantled Joe\u2019s face like a girls, and he laughed self consciously<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean that? Shucks, I was plucking up the courage to ask ..if you\u2019d mind\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, whatever makes you happy\u201d Adam smiled again although he didn\u2018t risk taking his eyes from his plate in case he chanced to catch those of Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe\u2026whatever makes you happy.\u201d Hoss repeated, but he didn\u2019t smile. Something had touched his heart, and the tenderness there was bruised, just a little.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you\u2019re sure you don\u2019t mind?\u201d Joe asked again as his eyes roamed from one face to the other as his mind tried to work out what really lay behind the smiles that seemed to be plastered onto his brothers faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see you back home, both of you.\u201d Adam smiled at Joe and extended his smile to Clay, who was standing by his brothers side, looking handsome and smart in his dark jacket, white shirt and string tie. He struck out his hand and Clay took it, shook it warmly, \u201cTake care,\u201d he said, but his eyes looked into Clays and Clay nodded, knowing exactly what Adam meant, take care of our brother, and he gripped Adams hand tighter in acknowledgment .<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you back home.\u201d Hoss gave his little brother a friendly cuff on the shoulder and then shook Clays hand. He turned to Chubb and took his leads and was about to mount into the saddle when there was a soft \u2018ahem\u2019 from the livery stable door.<\/p>\n

The woman stood there dressed in a travelling suit with a carpet bag at her feet. She wore a small neat bonnet on her head, and although the hair was still too red to be real, it was smartly arranged and framed her face modestly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Fleming?\u201d Adam asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the woman took a deep breath \u201cYes, Mrs Fleming.\u201d she stepped forward and extended her gloved hand \u201cI took a good look at myself last night. Not just in the mirror either,\u201d she lowered her eyes and frowned \u201cI thought about what you said, about moving on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what you\u2019re going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, even if you don\u2019t let me have the money now. I want to make a new start.\u201d She glanced up \u201cI can still teach. It wasn\u2019t that long ago that I gave it up to marry Harold. So I could get back to it easily enough. But, I needed someone to give me the necessary push. I could never do it here in this town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, where do you intend to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a stage leaving for Guthrie this lunch time.\u201d she looked up at him pleadingly and then shrugged, \u201cI know it\u2019s asking a lot but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Adam looked at her thoughtfully, and considered the situation for barely a moment, everyone deserves a chance surely? He took the envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her \u201cI hope you get a lot of happiness in your life, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really, really promise you. I\u2019ll do all I can to do the best I can. Thank you so much.\u201d and rather shyly she stood on tip toe to kiss him on the cheek before hurriedly picking up her bag and leaving the stables.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did the wrong thing there.\u201d Clay said quietly \u201cShe\u2019ll go to the first saloon she comes to and drink the lot\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope not.\u201d Adam said as he put his foot into the stirrup and mounted up into the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cMillie Fleming and whiskey are synonymous.\u201d Clay murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe seemed a nice lady,\u201d Hoss muttered, pulling Chubb around so that he could mount up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t think so last night.\u201d Clay smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople can change, given the chance.\u201d Hoss replied and looked hard at Clay who merely smiled and nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

Hoss rode slowly behind his brother out from the stables. People do change and he remembered when Clay had first arrived at the Ponderosa and Ben, urged on by himself and Adam, had a check made on the claimant of kinship. It had revealed a slightly shady past, and a death caused by an accusation of cheating against Clay. He had denied cheating, acknowledged the killing, and they had taken him on trust. He glanced back over his shoulder and felt another pang to the heart as he saw Clay give Little Joe a warm close hug.<\/p>\n

You have to trust people he told himself. It had been an adage that he had lived by all his life. He had to trust and always did trust, in fact, his ability to be too trusting had led him into some foolish enterprises in his life. Now he felt ashamed of himself because the one person he should trust now, he just felt like holding back, saying \u201cHang on there. Summit ain\u2019t right!\u201d when really, he should be welcoming Clay Stafford with open arms.<\/p>\n

They passed a stagecoach on the way out of town. A woman with a worn carpet bag was being helped into the coach by the driver, and her smile as they passed was worth every dollar in that envelope. Millicent Fleming settled back against the seat and clasped her hands in her lap and took a deep breath. She had not even opened the envelope. It could have contained just one dollar or a hundred or a thousand. It made no difference now. She had made her decision and when the stagecoach lurched forward she wanted to throw her hat in the air and yell along with the driver. She just could not get out of that town quick enough! Away from the saloons and the whiskey soaked men. Away from the card sharps and the floosies who hung around them. Away from Millie Fleming\u2026<\/p>\n

Chapter 6 *********<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright threw open the door as soon as he heard the sound of approaching horses. It had seemed to him a long month without the boys around and although the cable from Adam confirming details of the cattle auction had pleased him, the following wait had seemed never ending.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing also ran into the room, looked at Bens face and saw the pleasure on it, and then returned promptly to the kitchen, knowing from long experience, how hungry one particular Cartwright always was as soon as he returned home.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s smile wavered slightly as he noted the return of not three, but two, of his sons. The smiles on their faces and the pleasure that was obvious to anyone slightly reassured him, but even so he ventured out onto the porch and was soon striding towards the stable where Chubb and Sport were being unsaddled and led into their stalls by their masters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home, boys..\u201d Ben smiled and opened his arms in a gesture of welcome,
\n\u201cEr\u2026where\u2019s Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be coming home a bit later, Pa,\u201d Adam pulled away Sports bridle and bit, and hung them on their customary hook, and he glanced warily over at Hoss who was leading Chubb towards a bag of hay, \u201cWe \u2013 er \u2013 met up with someone in Butlers Creek\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr Fleming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s dead, we met his wife though, gave her the envelope as she was next of kin,\u201d and again Adam glanced warily over at his brother who was now carefully checking over Chubb, and running his large gentle hands down the animals forelegs as though to satisfy himself that his horse was really home safe and sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve not got much to say for yourself, Hoss?\u201d Ben said quietly, having noted the glances Adam had cast his brothers way \u201cAnyone would think you weren\u2019t pleased to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure enough pleased, Pa.\u201d Hoss glanced up and grinned at his father, his blue eyes twinkling \u201cHop Sing getting dinner ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe certainly is,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I\u2019m so hungry I could eat a mule and its saddle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m glad that something hasn\u2019t changed,\u201d Ben muttered as Hoss breezed past his father towards the house, rubbing his hands in anticipatory pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe \u2013 er-\u201d Adam rubbed the back of his neck and screwed up his eyes thoughtfully as he surveyed the retreating back of his \u2018big\u2019 brother \u201cPa, we met up with Clay\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay? You mean Marie\u2019s boy?\u201d Ben looked at Adam with round eyes, near black eyes that suddenly seemed to darken even more so \u201cClay Stafford?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u201d Adam shrugged \u201cBy the oddest coincidence we walked into the very saloon where he was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCard dealing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmmm!\u201d Adam frowned and thought back to the scene of that evening and the way Joe seemed almost hypnotised by the sight of the gambler dealing cards at the far corner table
\n\u201cJoe recognised him rightaway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s where Joe is now, with Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted to come back with Clay,\u201d Adam paused and looked at his fathers face thoughtfully \u201cHe was pretty overwhelmed, Pa. It was quite a shock for him, after all, Clay is important to him\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know.\u201d Ben reassured his son, and smiled thinly \u201cAnd was Clay pleased to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I reckon he was, surprised, but pleased\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he was intending to come here anyway, was he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Ben frowned and glanced over to the house \u201cAnd what about Hoss? How does he feel about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Pa?\u201d Adam pulled down a net of hay for Sport and stroked the animals soft nose affectionately,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems to me that Hoss isn\u2019t quite his usual self.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s tired, Pa. We did the last three days travel in two, you know.\u201d he joined his father at the stable door and walked alongside him to the house. They walked in unison, their feet rising and falling together, two tall men who, despite the span of years between them, were bound together with an inseparable bond, not only of blood and love, but of purpose and quality.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss doesn\u2019t mind Clay coming back here?\u201d Ben turned to look into Adams face, the dark penetrating glance from the black eyes that warned Adam now was not the time to prevaricate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa, I guess we never got round to talking about it,\u201d he glanced down and frowned thoughtfully and then glanced up and smiled \u201cAnyway, let\u2019s wait and see how things go when they come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. There is a problem then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say there was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing to that, but growled deep in his throat and pushed open the door. Behind him Adam was already unbuckling his gun belt, and listening to the sounds of Hop Sings merry chatter as the Cartwrights cook prepared the next meal with the sole ambition of pleasing Hoss.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled to himself and hung up his hat and gun belt and strolled into the room. Ben was already at his desk, checking over some figures in the ledger, he glanced up with dark eyes at his eldest son and nodded<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Adam raised his dark eyebrows questioningly.<\/p>\n

\u201cClay, of course!\u201d Ben retorted sharply, perhaps more sharply than he intended for he cast his eyes back down to look at the ledger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I thought,\u201d Adam glanced over his shoulder and then back to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll talk to Hoss when he eventually emerges from the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Clay looked well, much the same as ever really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d he leave Mexico?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJuarez is President now, and after about 6 more months in the Mexican army I gather Clay decided he was of no more use so decided to return home\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you mean?\u201d
\n\u201cNo, he went back to New Orleans\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he\u2019d promised Joe that he would come back here.\u201d Ben scowled, chewing the fleshy part of his thumb.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, people promise things and situations change, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay is not people, he\u2019s Joe\u2019s own flesh and blood and he should have realised that when you make promises to your kin, you keep them.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice deepened a tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe didn\u2019t seem to mind, not as much as you seem to,\u201d Adam replied, and perched himself on the corner of the big desk, and folded his arms across his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because he\u2019s got caught up emotionally and can\u2019t see the wood for the trees\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, is that what you call it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Clay may have made a promise in good faith at the time, and he may have intended to honour it, in due course. But you seem pretty sore about it yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, when a promise is made\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa. I know,\u201d Adam straightened up and walked stiffly to his chair, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so.<\/p>\n

He was tired and ached from the long ride home. They had travelled fast, both of them feeling the desire to get home as soon as they could, neither of them being able to explain exactly why. But it had been hard going, and he longed to soak in a tub and eat a pleasant meal with his family and then sink into his own bed. He smiled at the thought of it, and then sighed, as he reminded himself he was in mid conversation with his father. He sat down and stretched out his long legs and stared into the fire,<\/p>\n

\u201cClay isn\u2019t a Cartwright, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust that we can\u2019t expect him to live by Cartwright standards when he isn\u2019t a Cartwright.\u201d Adam replied, his eyes fixed rigidly on the spines of the books that he could see in the book case.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s part of this family,\u201d came the instant reply.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and imagined his father clenching his fist as he spoke and he slowly shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not a Cartwright,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he thinks he\u2019s going to live here -.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam turned to look at his father who was now standing up and staring thoughtfully and with creased brow into space, \u201cPa, if he chooses to live here as a member of the family, so be it, but it won\u2019t turn him into a Cartwright overnight. Recall when he first arrived here and we had that check run on him? You told us that he had left home when he was a kid of 16 and had been travelling ever since, living by his wits and abilities as a gambler. Considering that kind of history you seemed pretty much impressed by him that time, there was no high expectations from or of him, so why are you being so heavy about it now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded thoughtfully and sat down in his chair opposite that of his sons, he stroked his chin for a while and stared into the fire and then nodded again<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Adam. For a man who had to live by his wits for so long, he had good principles in the main, and I felt he was well intentioned. I guess it\u2019s just seeing Hoss so, well, so distant and quiet. It made me wonder exactly what had happened back there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen,\u201d Ben frowned and leaned forward \u201cI know Clay isn\u2019t a Cartwright, but he is Marie\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, but he never lived with her and never knew the kind of standards and principles by which she lived, Pa. In fact, from what his grand parents told him, his principles were a darn sight higher than hers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, again.\u201d Ben replied after a pause that lasted long enough for his son to wonder if he had said a trifle too much. Such comments regarding Marie\u2019s past were often occasions for a Cartwright explosion of verbal rhetoric. But Ben smiled gently and looked at his son fondly \u201cAdam, do you think he\u2019ll settle here alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why not. Given the chance.\u201d Adam replied quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as he is Marie\u2019s son, \u201c Ben repeated, \u201che has every right to that chance, and, by George, he\u2019ll get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clatter of dishes and cutlery indicated that a meal was about to be served up and Adam quickly made his excuses so that he could clean up before the meal. He ached all over and wished that they had taken the journey a little slower. He could hear Hoss talking in a low voice to his father, and although tempted to return downstairs he made his way to his room to refresh himself. Hoss meanwhile was sitting astride the arm of once of the big chairs and listening to his father whilst his mind was drifting from one thing to another, and they always seemed to drift back to the one subject\u2026.Clay Stafford.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you mean I have to repeat myself a third time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I didn\u2019t hear you the first time, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to go and see Paul tomorrow, Hoss\u2026.to make sure you haven\u2019t anything wrong with your ears?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere ain\u2019t nuthin\u2019 wrong with muh ears, pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s isn\u2019t? Then tell me, son, what is wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 blue eyes widened and then narrowed, he looked thoughtfully at his father and then at the flames nibbling the logs in the fire, and he sighed and stood up, rubbing his big hands up and down the sides of his legs<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, pa, I don\u2019t reckon on knowin\u2019 muhself for sure\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen just guess at it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI jest bin feelin\u2019 outa sorts, is all. Guess I need some of Hop Sings food inside of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure that is all, Hoss? It isn\u2019t the fact that Clay\u2019s coming here, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay? Shucks, no, Pa.\u201d He frowned then and did an about turn and sat down opposite his father in the chair Adam had just vacated \u201cWell, mebbe a smidgin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s worrying you, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s jest it, Pa, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had others come and stay here, made them feel welcome, haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, and that\u2019s rightly so, Pa, that\u2019s how it should be alright.\u201d Hoss nodded his head, and clasped his hands together, folding them in his lap as he did so.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ve always been mighty generous in that respect, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t intend not to be generous even in this respect , Pa.\u201d Hoss replied, looking intently at his father.
\n\u201cBut?\u201d Ben leaned forward, his dark eyes looking fondly into the eyes of his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, well, Clay ain\u2019t a bird with a broken wing, Pa, nor a hoss with colic nor any sich dumb crittur as needs help, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said very quietly, smiling at his son who was desperately struggling to find all the right words.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he ain\u2019t a stranger driven in for the sake of danger to his life, or because of loss of home or kin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not,\u201d Ben\u2019s smile wavered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact is last time he came here we had that search done on him, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he didn\u2019t come out of it that well, if\u2019n I recall rightly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had a different life style to you boys, that\u2019s all.\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I know that,\u201d Hoss bit down on his bottom lip and stared at the logs by the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, if you know that, do you understand that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned, and looked at his father thoughtfully, he mulled over and over what had been said, sighed and shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact is, last time he was here, Adam and I were so busy we had no real time to get to know him. All we knew was that so far as Joe was concerned, Clay was the only brother he had that mattered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I see,\u201d Ben smiled slowly and put out a placating hand to rest gently on his sons arm \u201cDo you really think that Joe will stop caring as much for you if Clay is around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, as soon as Joe saw Clay nuthin\u2019 else and no one else mattered, it was as though the world had ceased to exist and there was jest him and Clay Stafford . He couldn\u2019t git rid of Adam and me quick enough,\u201d he sighed heavily and clasped his hands together, almost it seemed in a gesture of desperate prayer, \u201cPa, Adam and I, well, we\u2019ve all Joe ever had for years and years. It jest felt that as soon as Clay came on the scene all that was jest rubbed out and didn\u2019t matter no more. It was jest Clay, because Clay\u2019s Marie\u2019s son, like he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, the bottom line is just that, Clay IS Marie\u2019s first born and we have to accept that. We have to accept that Clay has as much right to Joe\u2019s time and affections as either you or Adam. Time doesn\u2019t matter in this respect, because all Joe feels just now is the bond of blood. Marie\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I bin wrasslin\u2019 \u2018bout it all the way home. I guess I\u2019m bein\u2019 plumb stupid, and I\u2019m ashamed too. I shouldn\u2019t feel like this, because I\u2019ve no right to judge Clay, which I guess, in a way, I am doin\u2019. I did give myself a good talkin\u2019 too, several times over in fact. Told myself I was jest bein\u2019 plain possessive and jealous, like some stupid kid.\u201d Hoss swallowed the lump in his throat and looked with moist eyes at his father \u201cPa, I jest don\u2019t want Joe to stop caring about us, about me, because I care about him so much. He\u2019s always bin jest our baby brother and\u2026\u201d he stopped, and heaved a deep sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd change is always hard, Hoss.\u201d Ben nodded \u201cI understand what you\u2019re saying, but we adapt when we have to.\u201d he smiled and gently squeezed Hoss\u2019 hand \u201cYou know, Hoss, when you\u2019re at sea and the winds roaring and the waves are coming up at you in a big swell, and you know your destination isn\u2019t really so far away, do you know what a good sailor has to learn to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot be sea sick?\u201d Hoss replied with a slow grin<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he has to learn to tack. You see, Hoss, you can\u2019t just go straight from A to B, it isn\u2019t that easy. You go to port a little, and then to starboard, and so on and so on, until you eventually get to harbour.\u201d Ben smiled and stood up as the smells of the food wafted towards them indicating that it was on the table ready to be eaten, he could hear Adams footsteps coming along the landing to the stairs \u201cIt\u2019s like relationships, Hoss, sometimes we have to learn to tack a little\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/p>\n

Joe threw down his hat and looked around the large room. He had seen this room almost every day of his life but this time was different, this time he looked at it through the eyes of his brother, Clay. He smiled and his green hazel eyes twinkled as he turned to take in the proportions of the room, the warmth of the fire blazing in the hearth, the welcoming circle of chairs and the sweet smell of something good cooking that came from the kitchen. Beside him Clay glanced around him and frowned<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems no one\u2019s at home\u201d he surmised shrewdly and he was right, for no one was at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re busy, but by the smell of that cooking they should be home pretty soon now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stretched and flopped comfortably into the big blue chair and wriggled a little until he was quite at ease. \u201cSit down, Clay, make yourself at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe,\u201d Clay frowned and turned his hat round and round in his hands \u201cSeems to me that \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, this is going to be your home now,\u201d Joe took a deep breath as though he had accomplished something wonderful in the past few minutes and he smiled warmly \u201cHOP SING!\u201d<\/p>\n

A flurry of movement came from the kitchen area and Hop Sing appeared with a cloth in one hand and a dish in the other, his eyes opened wide in surprise when he saw the two young men in the room<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you come back, mister Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive minutes ago, didn\u2019t you hear us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo busy making hot roast pork for family\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hop Sing, you had better add another to the list for now, remember Clay?\u201d he tugged at Clays sleeve and brought him a few steps nearer to the cook \u201cMy half brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember. Your father and brothers talk talk all time about him coming, not know when, you naughty boy, you not send time for family to be heah, no one know when you come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind\u201d Clay smiled his warm smile that, like his brothers, could charm the birds from the trees \u201cI\u2019m here now, if that counts for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMebbe so. Now Hop Sing go make more pork, more potato, more bled!\u201d and without another word, in English anyway, Hop Sing turned and made his way back to his kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsider yourself part of the family,\u201d Joe grinned and stood up and headed for the stairs, \u201cAre you coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I can show you your room, that\u2019s what for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t we wait for your father first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Adam and Hoss would have told him you were on your way here, they\u2019ve no doubt got a room prepared for you.\u201d Joe shrugged \u201cIf they haven\u2019t, then I\u2019ll get you a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay glanced around the big empty room and sighed, then slowly followed his eager and younger brother up the stairs. They passed the rooms used by the family, the doors of which were all closed. Joe opened the door to his own room<\/p>\n

\u201cIn case you forgot, this is my room,\u201d he smiled and Clay had a fleeting vision of a large pleasantly furnished room, before Joe ushered him along the landing and pulled open another door \u201cThis will do for you.\u201d he smiled and stepped into the room that had obviously been prepared for a visitor, he walked to the window and looked down at the yard, the curtains drifted slightly from the cool breeze that wafted through the open window and he pulled it further open and looked down \u201cPa\u2019s on his way. I can hear their horses.\u201d he turned to Clay \u201cYou\u2019ll like this room, it gets the sun almost all day\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like it fine, Joe\u2026thanks\u201d Clay nodded and dropped the carpet bag and valise by the bed. He sat on the bed and bounced up and down and grinned \u201cYep, the bed feels mighty comfortable, better than some I\u2019ve been used to sleeping on lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sounds of the men talking together drifted upwards and filtered their way into the room, and Joe turned and nodded<\/p>\n

\u201cBest get downstairs. I want Pa to see you as soon as he walks into the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, Joe, he\u2019ll know we\u2019re here, he\u2019ll have seen the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but all the same,\u201d he paused and looked at his brother thoughtfully \u201cYou ain\u2019t scared of meeting Pa again, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why have you taken root to the floor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen don\u2019t think, Clay. Come on!\u201d and making a grab for his brothers elbow, the younger man hauled him from the bed and together they made their way downstairs.
\nBen paused, glanced up and frowned, and then smiled, his dark eyes were warm and welcoming and he put out his hand towards Clay, which was taken and given a warm shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you again, Clay\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir. I hope you didn\u2019t mind my taking you up on your invitation all those years back..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot so many years back..\u201dBen smiled \u201cAnd I hadn\u2019t forgotten my invitation, although if I had, I\u2019m sure Joseph would never have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing Joseph now Ben smiled and gave the youth a hug, it had been a long month without having the young rascal around the house, and he had missed him. Without Joe\u2019s laughter and gaiety the house had been very quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s eat\u201d Hoss said, giving Joe and Clay a nod which he obviously deemed sufficient as a welcome \u201cI could smell roast pork miles off, and I sure hope Hop Sings cooked some of that special sauce of his.\u201d Hoss paused, as though realising that his welcome to Clay may well have been deemed not particularly warm \u201cYou\u2019ll soon put some meat on your bones, Clay, with Hop Sing cooking fer yer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if he\u2019s anything like his brother he won\u2019t,\u201d Ben chuckled \u201cDid Joe show you to your room yet, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe showed me a room, it looked like it had been prepared for a guest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the one\u2026\u201d
\nAdam hung up his black hat and gun belt and looked thoughtfully at everyone in the room. Hoss had already disappeared into the kitchen, which was his custom, to make sure that Hop Sing had plenty of food and to taste a little of this and a little of that. Joe and Clay. Adam pursed his lips and raised his eye brows just a fraction. Joe looked as merry as a cricket but Clay, no one looking at the man would have said he looked particularly happy, or comfortable even, and Ben, well, he looked like a man desperate to tie all the loose ends together as happily as possible, apart from the fact that five humans were not exactly the same as a parcel or package that could be neatly tidied up.<\/p>\n

He walked into the room and smiled at Joe and nodded at Clay<\/p>\n

\u201cNo trouble on the way here, then?\u201d he asked<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, none, it was a good trip\u201d Clay extended his hand which Adam took and shook warmly \u201cHow\u2019s things here, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, we\u2019ve been checking over the fencing at the south ridge, could do with extra hands tomorrow if you feel up to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be fine by me,\u201d Clay smiled \u201cI don\u2019t want to foist myself on you like some unpaid guest\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be.\u201d Adam smiled \u201cThere\u2019s always more than enough to do around a ranch of this size, as you may well remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at the two men and then over at his father and smiled. The one person he expected to treat Clay with diffidence was Adam, and here he was, treating Clay as he should be treated, as one of the family. Joe\u2019s heart swelled with pleasure and delight and he slapped Clay warmly on the back and with a laugh told Clay not to sound too eager to work, otherwise elder brother would make sure he was up before dawn.<\/p>\n

They sat down around the big table and Ben looked at them and smiled. Clay was a good looking man. In some ways he was more like Joseph to look at than either Adam or Hoss. In too many ways he reminded Ben of Marie, although that was more reassuring than alarming, and he thought of his wife and wondered what she would have thought, to have seen both her own sons breaking bread, eating meat, sharing a meal, a home, together.<\/p>\n

He glanced around the table, and paused as he saw Adams dark eyes resting on him. He smiled and nodded, and wondered momentarily what it was his son would be thinking at that precise point of time. He looked at Hoss who was pouring out some water into the glasses, and he wondered if Hoss was preparing himself for a lot of \u2018tacking\u2019. With a sigh he leaned back in his chair and raised his black eye brows and then he said,<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps now would be a good time to thank God for the safe return of the rest of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sent a fleeting smile around the table, there was no doubting that having Clay home had added a new joy to his life. Adam glanced at Hoss who merely nodded in acknowledgement. Together all four bowed their heads and listened to the words Ben addressed to the eternal Father of all.<\/p>\n

Chapter 8 **************<\/p>\n

Days drifted into weeks. Every day was a busy one and every hour of each day was crammed with chores. After a month Clay found his soft hands callusing and although Hoss had said Hop Sings cooking would put meat on his bones, he found that the hard work wore off the fat. He rode range, helped clean out the water holes, which he detested, checked the fences and repaired them where necessary. He chased mavericks, branded calves and was taught the correct way to chop down trees. At night he could barely sleep for the aches in his bones and the weariness of his whole body, whilst his mind was as alert and sharp as a pin. After a month he found he had developed a ravenous appetite which Hop Sings cooking could barely keep up with, and he also found that when he dealt out cards, in the privacy of his room, he was becoming clumsy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a break,\u201d he declared one morning a he and Hoss rode towards the nearest line shack to get the tools for more fence repairs<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get one.\u201d Hoss grinned<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen one comes along, this is a busy time of year. Come to think of it, most times of the year are busy.\u201d he looked at Clay and frowned \u201cWhat kind of break do you mean, anyhows?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean jest a trip into town on a Saturday night would do me\u2026.for now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could go into town any Saturday night you\u2019d like, no one was stopping you.\u201d Hoss frowned \u201cYou reckon we\u2019re being too hard on you, is thet it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you ain\u2019t no hired hand, Clay. You\u2019re one of the family that entitles you to time off to go to town just the same as any one of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay sighed, he didn\u2019t want to admit to this never tired, never weary giant of a man, that so far every Saturday he had been so exhausted that he had not the strength to mount a horse, let alone ride it all the way into town. It had been a relief and pleasure just to relax and read a book, something that he had found he had in common with Adam, although their reading tastes differed. Some evenings Adam had brought out his guitar and played and sang some melodies that Clay knew and having a good singing voice of his own, and an ability to play the flute quite adeptly, the evenings had become pleasantly entertaining.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not complaining\u201d he said hastily<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Course you ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss smiled in a friendly manner at the other man<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? Mind if I ask you a question?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFire away,\u201d Hoss felt himself tensing up, wondering what the question would be, and what if he gave the wrong answer and the harmonious equilibrium that everyone strove so hard to keep balanced, was shattered<\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you mind me being here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMind you being here? Shucks, why should I mind?\u201d he took a deep breath and shrugged \u201cYou keep little brother off\u2019n my back for one thing, and you\u2019re learning how to handle yourself with all the chores, that\u2019s a good thing too\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t exactly answer my question\u201d Clay said softly<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cheat at checkers!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, you do! Jest like Little Joe.\u201d Hoss grinned \u201cHe\u2019s bin cheatin\u2019 from the time he first knew what a checker board was all about, I swear he makes up new rules every week.\u201d and before Clay could say another word on the subject he dug his heels into Chubbs flanks and galloped down the slope towards where he could see Ben and Adam already toiling at the fence posts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh well,\u201d Clay said to himself with a slight frown to his brow \u201cThat told me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay turned and smiled as Adam walked towards him, with a grateful nod he took the cup from the other man \u201cI was just wondering about taking time out from the chores, perhaps Saturday evening? Do I have to ask for time off?\u201d Clay\u2019s lips thinned just slightly \u201cAs a member of the family or as a hired hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows pensively. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I wasn\u2019t intending to intrude on your thoughts, but \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter. I can understand how you must be feeling\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you mean, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, having an extra member of the family land on you, it\u2019s quite a commitment, isn\u2019t it? Another mouth to feed, less land for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, less land?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, your Pa hasn\u2019t said anything to you then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was talking about my inheritance, as Marie\u2019s son he feels that I have a right to some of the Ponderosa, like Joe, Hoss and yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds fair enough to me.\u201d Adam said quietly, although he felt a pang of resentment, not so much at the idea of Clay getting some land, but that Ben had not discussed it with him. In all the years they had lived on the Ponderosa, Ben had never kept anything back from Adam, any major decisions had been discussed with them all, as equal partners, as father and sons. He swallowed hard, and looked at Clay thoughtfully \u201cAs Pa\u2019s step-son, you\u2019d obviously be entitled to land of your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought, perhaps, that I\u2019d be living here.\u201d and Clay narrowed his eyes over the rim of the mug, as though to see the reaction such a comment would make on the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa said so, did he?\u201d Adam looked away, emptied his mug by casting the contents onto the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s settled then.\u201d Adam nodded, quelling an upsurge of anger and searching through his brain for the logics of the situation in order to calm down again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOdd, isn\u2019t it, me being here, with all of you.\u201d Clay looked at Adam and smiled. Adam had treated him fairly enough, as fairly as any man could treat a stranger who claimed to be a member of the family, or one part of the family \u201cI was thinking last night, I\u2019m the only one here who never knew my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew mine either\u2026nor did Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, but you knew mine..\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment there was a silence that was both uncomfortable and embarrassing, then Adam sighed, raised his eyebrows and nodded, \u201cTrue enough.\u201d Adam looked into his cup, remembered it was empty and put it back down with a sigh \u201cDoes that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay gave a slight smile although his eyes remained wary, he looked for a moment away from the other man before asking, almost shyly, \u201cWhat was she like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHasn\u2019t Joe told you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe goes into rhapsodies about her. What can a kid of five remember about a woman like Marie? She\u2019s something he remembers like we remember the first woman we ever fell in love with. I wanted to know your opinion of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t necessarily tell you what she was really like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c I know,\u201d Clay frowned \u201cMy grandparents painted quite an unpleasant picture of her, and my father abandoned both her and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come he was never around then? He went travelling around, came here, died here. I never saw him, never.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou left your grandparents home when you were 16, if I recall rightly\u201d Adam narrowed his eyes and stared at the horizon \u201cWhy did you do that when they gave you everything you needed, they were wealthy, well established, gave you a good education, money, and such.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you knew them as I did,\u201d Clay\u2019s voice was brittle, cold with resentment and suppressed anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, your father only did the same thing, just that he left it longer before he got the courage to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeaving a child with his parents, and a wife alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay, your father wasn\u2019t a man like you. In fact, I hazard a guess that had you stayed in New Orleans with your family you would probably have become more like him, but you changed direction, sooner rather than later, as a result you became your own man before they could completely mould you. Jean had to learn to do it when his emotions had been torn to ribbons and his confidence ripped to shreds.\u201d he frowned and wished he could get himself more coffee, he looked at Clay \u201cOdd to think, I knew your father too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is another advantage over me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s how you see it,\u201d Adam shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he leave me behind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should he have taken you with him? \u201c Adam leaned against the corral fence and looked at the horses as they milled about, then he looked again at the other man \u201cI reckon he was a good enough man. He was kind to Hoss, taught him to fish of all things\u2026He only ever wanted peace, peace of mind, peace to live as he wanted and he loved Marie. He always talked about her as though she were still married to him, which she was of course, despite the lies that he\u2019d been told. He loved her, and he loved you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you work that one out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he was always talking about you, he\u2019d tell Hoss that he had a little boy just a bit older than him, and he\u2019d tell me about this kid who was just a year or so younger than me. He told Pa that you were being cared for by relatives until he had his own place established. Pa had a lot of respect for him and was thinking of selling him a portion of land, but then he died\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you wouldn\u2019t have known, it was a long time ago and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Pa felt obliged to go to New Orleans to tell Marie about her husband, had Pa been told the lies about her, and that Jean and she were not \u2013 well \u2013 what he assumed them to have been, which was a happily married couple, then I guess Pa would have just sent a telegram to Jean\u2019s nearest relatives. Pa thought that Marie loved Jean as much as Jean had loved her,\u201d he allowed his voice to drift away as his mind returned to the time when Ben had left home, alone and returned months later with a new wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you resent her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? Marie? Yes, at first. Sometimes it takes time to adapt to changes.\u201d Adam sighed and shrugged \u201cDo you want to see where he\u2019s buried?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father!\u201d<\/p>\n

Clays features twisted into a semblance of a grimace and he shook his head and then, as Adam turned to go, he grabbed his arm<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019d like that.\u201d he said very softly.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

Adam stood, arms crossed, and leaned against one of the trees that graced the small glade in which Clays father was buried. Out of respect for Clays feelings and of the situation as a whole, he felt it better that Jean\u2019s son approached the grave alone, and spent what time he wished in respectful solitude.<\/p>\n

He did not have to wait long, for after ten minutes Clay returned and without a word began to untie his horses reins from the shrub and lead her forward to be mounted. Adam took the hint and walked over to Sport and stepped lightly from the stirrup to the saddle. He glanced over at Clays face and wondered what the man was feeling for Clay, unlike his younger brother, was far more adept at hiding his emotions from any onlookers, a skill he had honed to perfection as a professional gambler.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t bury him with Marie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. When he died we had no idea that his wife would become a Cartwright,\u201d and Adam raised a cynical dark eyebrow .<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, of course you couldn\u2019t, but you didn\u2019t bury him with the others. I mean, the other men you have buried on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJean wasn\u2019t just an employee, Clay. He was Pa\u2019s friend. Like I told you earlier, your father was a very pleasant man. We buried him there because that was where he would go when he wanted peace and quiet, to read, to play his music, to sketch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t think of sending his body back to his relatives in New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed heavily \u201cNo, we didn\u2019t do that because he hated his life in New Orleans. He loved it here. This was where he wanted to bring his wife and his son\u2026had he lived that long and succeeded in fulfilling his dreams and his hopes. No one wrote and asked for his body anyway.\u201d Adam frowned thoughtfully and glanced back over his shoulder to the copse they were riding away from \u201cI guess, in a manner of speaking, we became the closest to family he had, I think he wanted to prove to Marie that he would be a good husband to her once he had shaken off his families weaknesses. I don\u2019t know, I\u2019m only guessing. A boy of 9 doesn\u2019t have that much discernment really.\u201d<\/p>\n

They rode on in silence for some time, each thinking their own thoughts about the man who had fathered Clay, and yet never been known by him. After a while Clay glanced over at Adam, at the resolute face, the broad shoulders, and he sighed,<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, do you believe in fate?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam thought for a fraction of a moment and replied that he did not, \u201cSo far as I\u2019m concerned we make our own decisions and have to live with them. If I thought fate were a reality then there would be no purpose in my life anymore, no control. I prefer to have control, rather than be controlled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay smiled slowly, and raised both eyebrows, which, like Joe\u2019s, were extremely expressive,<\/p>\n

\u201cI just thought that it was strange the way my mother and father are both buried on Ponderosa land and now I\u2019m here, it\u2019s like everything going a full circle. As though it were meant to be,\u201d he glanced over at the other man \u201cBut I guess you don\u2019t see it that way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t.\u201d Adam replied in a taut, rather abrupt, manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho owns that section of land there,\u201d he paused \u201cwhere my fathers\u2019 buried?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Ponderosa land\u201d came the rather curt reply<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know, but I also know that your Pa \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d best discuss it with him,\u201d Adam said, abruptly turned Sports head and spurred him on to a gallop.<\/p>\n

Chapter 10<\/p>\n

\u201cClay told me that he had mentioned about my thinking he should have some land of his own.\u201d Ben pushed the tobacco into the pipe and struck it between his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right\u201d Adam kept his eyes on his book and listened to the strike of the match, heard the flare of the sulphur, his fathers drawing in on the stem of the pipe. Slowly he turned a page. \u201cDoes Hoss know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve not mentioned it to him, nor to Joe. I thought it best to wait and see what Clay actually wants to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he had decided to stay here as part of the family\u201d Adam knew the words were coming out as though through gritted teeth and wished they were not, he stared at the one word in the book until his eyes blurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just thought, his being Marie\u2019s son, and Jean being buried here that their son should have some land of his own. Jean would have bought some land from us, you know, once he could have afforded it. Clay would have had it as his own inheritance from his father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa, it\u2019s up to you and Clay I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should I mind?\u201d Adam turned another page and bit the inside of his cheek \u2026\u2019Sure, I mind\u2019 he thought \u2018 I mind because we sweated blood for this land. I mind because it was your dream and I had no real home for nigh on 7 years while we travelled in a broken down wagon drawn by a broken down horse from one town to another and from one settlement to another and we had nothing. I mind because I\u2019m being small minded and petty,\u201d he stood up and sighed, \u201cSure, Pa, whatever you want. You know it\u2019s alright by me\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d agree.\u201d Ben said quietly, and leaned back in his chair and blew out a perfect smoke ring whilst his son mounted the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n

Chapter 11 **********<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Adam glanced up and down the main street and finally looked at Hoss who was standing with his arms folded across his chest as he leaned against the post supporting the Virginia City Bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Clay\u201d came the reply and Hoss yawned \u201cMighty quiet here in town today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019ve they gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo The Bucket of Blood!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his brother and shook his head \u201cDo you think that \u2018s a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU don\u2019t know, that has to be a first!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled slowly and together they walked down main street, crossing the road at the section that faced the saloon. Adam pushed open a door and the two of them entered the Bucket of Blood and through the murky gloom heard Clays voice<\/p>\n

\u201cI raise you five hundred!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI meet you and raise you another hundred!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay by me\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine by me too\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head and frowned, he looked at Adam and walked to the counter and ordered two beers. Adam joined him and together they propped up the bar and drank their beers and watched as the game progressed. It was inevitable that Clay was soon scooping the winnings into his pocket. Joe looked a trifle crestfallen as he saw his hard earned dollars swept in among the rest. Clay grinned and looked over to where Hoss and Adam stood<\/p>\n

\u201cCare to be dealt in..?\u201d he asked with a twinkle in his eye<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d Adam said, putting down his empty glass and picking up his hat, \u201cI\u2019ve things to do, so do you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, I got things to do,\u201d Hoss said and he frowned over at Joe \u201cSo have you, little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be along soon,\u201d Joe quipped and brought his chair closer to the table \u201cDeal me a hand, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned as he neared the door and bit his bottom lip. They all gambled, it was part and parcel of life there, but not one of them was reckless with their money. Ben had instilled in them the policy that gambling was a fools game\u2026you win some, lose most. It was the fear that Joe\u2019s admiration of his brother would lead him to more recklessness that usual and from the set look on Hoss\u2019 face it was obvious he was thinking along the same lines,<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I take it all back!\u201d Hoss declared suddenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in particular?\u201d his brother asked<\/p>\n

\u201cThat it was mighty quiet hereabouts today\u2026.that\u2019s some ruckus going on over at the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you surprised?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really.\u201d Hoss gave a slight shrug of his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think we should go in and help?\u201d Adam raised an eyebrow by way of emphasis to the request which he knew sounded rather half hearted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon we should go and see if\u2019n they need any help\u201d<\/p>\n

They stepped back in time to avoid a flying chair which was swiftly followed by Jed Mayhews skinny body which staggered through the doors, ricocheted off of Hoss and fell in a heap on the sidewalk. Both men stepped over the hapless being, and peered over the doors, ducking as a table leg flew their way and avoiding getting crushed against the wall when Joe staggered back into the door. Hoss helped him by giving him a shove back into the saloon<\/p>\n

\u201cThey seem to be managing well enough on their own\u201d he murmured<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam drawled \u201cI reckon they\u2019re holding their own pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we might as well head back home for dinner.\u201d Hoss muttered and turned away to return to Chubb.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds about right to me, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Hoss,\u201d A faint wail trailed behind them and the two of them paused in mid step and looked at one another.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Adam posed the question, pausing in mid-stride.<\/p>\n

Hoss scratched the back of his head and glanced back in time to see Mayhews and Joe both tumble out of the saloon and land on top of one another in the street. He shook his head, and once again gave a slight lift to his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah!\u201d he replied \u201cI reckon they\u2019re managing jest fine without any help from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 12<\/p>\n

The ice pack on Joe\u2019s cheek was thawing rapidly and the bruise was swelling with equal swiftness. He groaned and moved the ice pack to another area and glared at his two brothers with all the venom he could muster through his one eye, the other being so swollen and multi coloured that it was merely a slit.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could\u2019ve helped us,\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, and end up looking like you do and with the dance on Saturday?\u201d Adam chortled and picked up a checker.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou both seemed to be doing jest fine, Little Joe, didn\u2019t seem right to interfere.\u201d Hoss stared at the board and watched carefully as Adam placed down his checker, he smirked and narrowed his eyes and picked up a checker of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat caused the fight anyway?\u201d Adam asked with his eyes on the board as Hoss hovered with the checker, first it was going to go, but no, it was better to go back to the original idea..Hoss placed his checker and sat back triumphant. Adam picked up a checker and promptly \u2018jumped\u2019 three of Hoss\u2019 along the way,<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just a little disagreement.\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d Ben growled and looked at both of them as thunder smouldered in his dark eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHarry Mayhew accused Clay of cheating,\u201d Joe replied lamely and threw a look over at Clay, half apologetic, and the other half a blatant ‘look what a mess you got me into now’.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that right?\u201d Ben glared at Clay, black eyes bored into the other mans face, black brows beetled across his forehead signalling danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a mistake on his part.\u201d Clay said hastily \u201cBut he was too hot headed to listen and threw a punch, and then the whole place erupted, seems to me folk around Virginia City must be so bored that any excuse for some fun and they all want to join in, well, almost all,\u201d and he cast a narrow eyed look of defiance at the two brothers calmly playing checkers nearby.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss glanced at one another. Adam scratched his nose and Hoss rolled his eyes and both reached for a checker,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s your turn,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I thought for sure it was yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay,\u201d Ben stood up and approached the two battered brothers who stared up at him miserably \u201cLast time you were here there was trouble because of your card practises and Joe was hurt then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I recall that but this time was different.\u201d the young man protested, looking earnestly up into the face of his benefactor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa, it was different this time.\u201d Joe insisted, half standing in his attempt to mollify his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t talking to you, young man\u201d Ben barked, he looked at Clay in a way that would have most men’s toes curling in their boots \u201cI don\u2019t want you to make it a practise of going into town and gambling\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not? It\u2019s been my livelihood for years.\u201d Clay promptly said as though he were blind to the signals the older man was giving that he was about to erupt.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be your livelihood now, Clay. As a member of this family I would prefer it if you did as I asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men at the checker board looked at one another, hazel eyes met blue, Hoss raised his eye brows \u201cNote that,\u201d Hoss whispered to Adam \u201c\u2019asked\u2019 not told or ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmmmmm!\u201d Adam took two more of Hoss\u2019 checkers and smiled \u201cYour move, brother\u201d<\/p>\n

………..<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what really happened to cause that fight, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph Cartwright gave his eldest brother a hasty glance from his one eye and shrugged, then proceeded to get busy with currying Cochise. Adam watched the curry brush sweep across Cochise\u2019s flanks with swift sweeps of the younger mans arm. After some moments of silence, apart from heavy breathing on the part of Joseph Adam strolled further into the interior of the stable and propped himself up against the bars of Cochise’s stall in order to get a better view of his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t buying that story of Clay being accused of cheating. Jed and Harry Mayhew are two of the mildest men in town and if they thought they were being cheated on they\u2019d just quit the game and keep their mouths shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah.\u201d Joe mumbled and brought the brush down gently along the curve of Cochise\u2019s neck .<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I\u2018ll find out anyway, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Joe turned to look at his brother, his hands defensively on his hips and his mouth taut with annoyance \u201cWhy\u2019d you want to go nosing into something that doesn\u2019t concern you anyhows?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, Little Joe, anything that happens here, particularly when it concerns you or Hoss, concerns me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Clay?\u201d Joe spat out the words through thinning lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t it concern you when it involves Clay as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes.\u201d Adam drawled out the word, turned and looked at his youngest brother with that annoyingly superior look on his face that always sent Joe\u2019s blood pressure soaring to boiling point, \u201cParticularly when it involves Clay as well\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd jest what do you mean by that?\u201c Joe stepped forward aggressively, fists clenching and his nostrils flaring and Adam gave a cool smile and shrugged,<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I said, anything that happens in this family, Clay is family after all, well, it concerns me. And I want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe narrowed his eye (the other being completely closed now from the swelling from the bruises) and snorted, much like Cochise who gave him a little nudge as though reminding him that there was still the other side to do,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t Clays fault\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, you would say that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you getting at now?\u201d Joe lowered his hand with the brush in it, as though tempted for a moment to throw it at his brother\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust that that is the way you would see it, that\u2019s all and natural.\u201d Adam smiled coolly and folded his arms across his chest, and leaned against the post of Cochise\u2019s stall \u201cSo, go ahead, explain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJed Mayhew was losing, and heavily, so Clay suggested that he quit the game and Harry said that seemed like a good idea but Jed said no, he wanted to win the pot because he intended to buy that prize bull calf of Mr Hemmings. Clay said if he carried on like he was he\u2019d have no money left to buy himself a coffee bean and Jed said he didn\u2019t have to listen to any darn Johnny Reb tell him what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJed said that? That\u2019s pretty aggressive for Jed. I\u2019ve never known him talk or act in anyway except quiet,\u201d Adam frowned \u201cAny reason you can think of to make him talk like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe flushed a little pinker and turned his back on his brother and resumed grooming the horse, \u201cHarry told him to quieten down and Clay said it didn\u2019t matter, but that jest seemed to rile Jed more and he told Clay that he should be back south where he belonged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what caused the fight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay said in that case why didn\u2019t Jed get off his backside and go fight for the \u2018good cause\u2019 but he said it and laughed and the next thing Jed swung at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething must have happened to have triggered Jed off like that,\u201d Adam frowned and watched Joe for a few minutes in silence \u201cJoe, why didn\u2019t you tell Pa this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay said not to.\u201d Joe sighed, and gave his brother a sidelong glance that was more than a little sheepish.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you told Pa a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d Joe said hotly \u201cJed was losing.. it could have happened like we said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it didn\u2019t, you should have told Pa the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay said that Pa had told him that there was to be no talk of the war at home \u201c he glared at Adam hostilely \u201cProbably to spare your feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that\u2019s not the case, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t sure that\u2019s the case, Pa told Clay what he\u2019s told us, keep talk of the war outside the Ponderosa, no matter how we feel.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cThat policy works if we keep to it, Joe, if we all keep to it.\u201d Adam replied softly, although inside he was fighting to control his words, knowing how easy it would be now to react and set off this volatile youth which would create the very situation that all of them had been struggling for weeks to avoid.<\/p>\n

Joe said nothing to that, but gave his brother an exasperated look and walked to the horse\u2019s left, which he now began to groom with slow sweeping movements of the curry comb. Adam stepped forward and put his hand gently on his brothers arm,<\/p>\n

\u201cI do understand how you feel, Joe,\u201d he said softly \u201cAnd you know you can always come and talk to me about anything at all, like before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore what?\u201c Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

Like you always had,\u201d Adam said quickly, realising he had dropped a gaffe that Joe was not prepared to let pass.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore Clay came you mean?\u201d Joe lowered his arm and stared at his brother angrily \u201cThat\u2019s what this is all about, isn\u2019t it? It\u2019s Clay, isn\u2019t it? Do you think I go running to him with all my problems now, is that what it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut whichever way we try to tip toe around the fact that Clay is here, we have to accept that there have been changes to the status quo?\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201dJoe almost spat out the word, his eyebrows short up and he narrowed his one good eye so that he could barely see anything at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way it used to be, has changed, shifted, and I just wanted to let you know that whatever way you feel, I\u2019m still your eldest brother, and I still care just as much about you as ever I did. So if you have any problems I\u2019ll be there for you, that\u2019s all.\u201d he raised his hands as though sueing for peace and smiled, but Joe\u2019s lips thinned and he knew that there was nothing left to be said, that perhaps he had already said too much.<\/p>\n

He turned and walked to the door, stroking the soft velvet noses of the horses in the stalls as he passed them and at the doorway he turned and glanced over at his little brother who was pretending to be engrossed in his horse grooming. Adam sighed and without another word walked to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything alright?\u201d Hoss asked as he stepped inside \u201cHe\u2019s okay, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, he\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think, Adam? About that story they told , about that ruckus in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think, Hoss? Didn\u2019t you believe them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, Jed and Harry are as mild as can be, I reckon you could rob \u2018em blind and they\u2019d jest assume you were doin\u2019 it in their best interests. Beats me why they have to play in the first place they allust lose. \u2018Turn the other cheek Mayhews\u2018, that\u2019s what they\u2019re called in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Adam sighed heavily, and glanced at the door as though expecting to see Joe standing there, simmering, knowing that his actions were being discussed by his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what happened? Did Joe tell you?\u201d Hoss\u2019 blue eyes widened as he waited for Adam to reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard what they said happened, Hoss\u201d Adam walked to the high backed chair and sat down, he picked up the book that he had left on the table and began to read. Hoss sighed, and ambled over to the window and stared out into the lengthening shadows as night fall settled over the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings have changed, Adam,\u201d he said softly, sticking his hands in the pockets of his pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t have to, if we work at it together, things can change back again, to how they were before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yeah, \u2018if\u2019.\u201d Hoss sighed, as though the likelihood of that happening were very remote.
\nChapter 12<\/p>\n

Sam took the money and checked it over thoughtfully and then smiled, \u201cThanks, Adam. There wasn\u2019t as much damage done as has been in the past, you know the Mayhews, ain\u2019t the fighting type, it was the rest of \u2018em caused most harm, and Joe and that friend of his\u2019n.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean Clay Stafford?\u201d Hoss said, leaning on the counter and watching as the saloon staff continued to clear away the debris of the previous days fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s the one, the gambler. I recall him before, some years ago, caused trouble then if I recall rightly.\u201d he squinted into a glass which he held up for cleaning and then began to polish it vigorously \u201cRumour has it that he\u2019s some relation of your\u2019n, is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of,\u201d Hoss muttered \u201cSo what caused this brawl this time? Joe lose too much, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nuthin\u2019 like that, although he lost enough that\u2019s for sure.\u201d Sam leaned onto the counter conversationally, his elbows planted squarely in its centre, \u201cJed and Harry were losing, as usual, although they had won some earlier on in the game, but that was before Stafford got involved. Suddenly out of the blue Jed called Stafford a Johnny Reb and the next thing I knows fists are flying every which way,\u201d he shook his head \u201cFolks here keep their politics close to their chest, as you know. That way there ain\u2019t no trouble, even the school teacher don\u2019t do the oath of allegiance no more to spare the consciences of some kids there. You know how it is, Adam? Hoss? Fact is, if\u2019n you try and suppress feelings. they sometimes jest git to pop out under pressure. I guess, Stafford being new in town, things got outa hand.\u201d he shrugged and looked over at the saloon girl who was checking over the piano \u201cLost four teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did?\u201d Hoss gulped in sympathy, \u201cWas that Joe\u2019s fault too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks no, old Toby landed right on top of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did?\u201d Hoss\u2019 eyes widened and he looked at the girl again, a slight little thing, it was a wonder she was still able to walk .<\/p>\n

\u201cThe piano. He meant the piano.\u201d Adam chuckled and picking up his hat he walked, still chuckling, out of the saloon.<\/p>\n

The brothers hadn’t gone far when they heard their names being hailed from the other side of the street, \u201cHey, Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

They turned and watched as Harry Mayhew hurried along the sidewalk towards them, waving a skinny hand to draw their attention. Both brothers paused and waited for the older man to catch up with them, both noted the bruised nose and thicker than usual lip, but refrained from saying anything. Mayhew drew them to one side so that the three of them were standing close up against the wall of the mercantile \u201cYou heard about the fight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sort of saw some of it,\u201d Hoss said quietly, feeling quite relieved as he thought back to the previous day and how he and Adam had actually chosen to walk away from it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m mighty sorry about it, mighty sorry. It shouldn\u2019t have happened. Jed\u2019s pretty sore about it too, in more ways than one.” he grinned, showing a gap where a tooth had once been not too long ago \u201cHe was out of order, Jed, I mean. He shouldn\u2019t have said that about Stafford being a Johnny Reb, even if it is true, after all, he isn\u2019t the only one of them in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? What caused it? It\u2019s not like Jed to lose his temper.\u201d Adam said quietly \u201cYou know where we hail from, Adam, Hoss. We came to Virginia City to get our fortunes, and not done too badly at that, but also to get out of fighting. We got family, close family, fighting on both sides. Do you know how it feels to see your brother walk outa the door of your home a-knowing that next time may be on a battlefield, him wearing grey? Jed and me, we thought we\u2019d avoid all that kinda thing. Perhaps we\u2019re cowards, perhaps we should have stayed and fought back home, but there\u2019s too many killing their kin. We didn\u2019t want that on our consciences and I don\u2019t care how many say that it\u2019s hardly likely, the question would always be there wouldn\u2019t it? The \u2018what if\u2019 chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, Harry,\u201d Adam shifted his weight and leaned against the wall, and surveyed the mans worried face sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, to cut a long story short, we were hoping that if we made enough money we could pay to get our family here as well. Then we got a cable on Monday to say that there\u2019d been a fight right where our family house stood.\u201d Mayhew paused, lowered his head and heaved a deep sigh, as though struggling to keep his emotions on an even keel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d It was some minutes before Harry was able to continue, he gulped rather a lot and took a deep breath before he said in a thicker deeper voice \u201cWell, our home, our family, ain\u2019t there no more. Casualties of war, that\u2019s what the cable called it. Confederate troops.\u201d he gulped and his Adams apple jerked involuntarily, he bit his bottom lip, \u201cSo we decided to put the money to buying Hemmings prize bull calf instead. Stafford was whistling a tune, under his breath, probably not even aware of it, like we do sometimes. Jed just couldn\u2019t take it, he thought Stafford was goading him, kinda, but you could tell he wasn\u2019t doing it a-purpose.\u201d he struck out a hand \u201cNo hard feelings, huh, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded and shook the proffered hand, as did Hoss. They stood together for a while as the sun baked down on the sidewalk and watched the older man hurriedly walk away.<\/p>\n

\u201cDanged war,\u201d Hoss hissed under his breath. Adam nodded, narrowing his eyes against the glare of the sun which beat down against the whitewashed walls of the mercantile,<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home\u201d he said quietly \u201cSomehow the thought of knocking in a few fence posts seems pretty agreeable just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 13<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright shifted in his chair and surveyed the four younger men thoughtfully. He had spent the afternoon with Clay riding around the area of land that he had felt the young man would have liked to possess. It had good grazing land, the timber grew quite thickly on the hills that ringed it to the south and the views were magnificent as they overlooked Lake Tahoe. Clay had reacted with moderate pleasure, a polite and agreeable companion, nothing more. It had left Ben with a feeling deep in his heart that something was not quite right, and when he overlooked the four of them, the mood certainly seemed to compound his misgivings.<\/p>\n

Joe was restless.. He felt as though all his energies were being suppressed and that he needed something, or someone, to release them. He sat down and within minutes needed to stand up and prowl around the room, or stab at the logs. He could not settle in his mind to play checkers with Hoss who sat in his chair looking miserable, passing a fistful of checkers from one hand to the other in that way which meant nothing to him, but which, by the constancy of the action and clinking sounds they made, slowly drove everyone else there to the limit of endurance.<\/p>\n

Joe suddenly did a half turn and strode over to Hoss and slapped his hand so that half a dozen checkers flew in the air and landed in several different directions,<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have to do that? You\u2019re just about driving me crazy doing that,\u201d Joe cried, already feeling ashamed of himself at the startled expression that had fallen across his brothers face.<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I\u2019m sorry, if it was so annoying you should have said earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the point. You would\u2019ve jest kept on doin\u2019 it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced up from his book and frowned over at them,<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep the noise down.\u201d he muttered<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who asked you to poke your nose into it anyways?\u201d Joe snapped<\/p>\n

\u201cI only asked you to keep the noise down, although knowing you so well I should have known better than to ask.\u201d Adam snapped back in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it any way you want .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you wanting to pick an argument, Adam, is that it?\u201d and Joe clenched his fist and strode over to his brother who calmly closed his book and looked up at Joe and raised his chin as though challenging Joe to strike just there.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was like a deep throated growl and Joe hesitated, and lowered his fist and glowered at Adam, and then at Hoss who just shrugged as though used to seeing his brother throw a tantrum .<\/p>\n

Adam opened his book and resumed reading, every so often glancing up over the rim to survey the group there. Ben took up his pipe and leaned back in his seat<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on around here that I\u2019m not being told?\u201d he asked as he calmly poked tobacco into the pipe bowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cNuthin\u2019\u201d Hoss looked at his father with innocent blue eyes and a blank expression on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph? You seem to be so full of hot air, so why not release some of it right now \u2013 calmly.\u201d he frowned darkly at his youngest son, and picked up the matches and glanced over at Clay who was watching the proceedings with interest, with almost amusement touching the corners of his mouth. \u201cClay? Do you know anything about all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been with you all day, sir,\u201d Clay said swiftly, then he glanced over at Adam \u201cAlthough I did get to hear that someone had been to town checking up on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? Checking up on you? What\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d Ben barked, lowering his pipe and glaring over at Adam who put down his book with a sigh and shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I did was go into the Bucket of Blood and pay for the damages, as we usually do,\u201d Adam replied calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, and while you were there you had to go and poke around about what happened, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Joe hissed, jabbing his index finger in Adams direction<\/p>\n

\u201cI was there too.\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so you\u2019re jest as bad.\u201d Joe snapped, whirling around at Hoss and darting a black look in his direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have to poke around for information, Sam volunteered it, so did Harry Mayhew come to that.\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? I\u2019m supposed to believe that am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU can believe whatever you like!\u201d<\/p>\n

The two brothers stared into each others eyes. Joe\u2019s green hazel eyes were greener than usual with anger and mortification, whilst Adams brown eyes were darker and showed a determination in them not to back down. Usually when Joe saw his brothers eyes growing increasingly dark and stubborn he either wisely backed down or foolishly rushed in where angels would fear to tread. He was about to proceed with the latter when Adam rose up as though prepared to take on his little brother there and then,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does seem a shame that you couldn\u2019t take our word for what happened,\u201d Clay drawled \u201cBack home we would take that as an insult! You calling me a liar and such.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one was calling you a liar.\u201d Adam said in a very level, calmly cold voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it seems to me,\u201d Clay began but Ben\u2019s voice intruded with a demand to be told the facts and for everyone to calm down and be quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, sit down and be quiet. Clay, what exactly are you talking about?\u201d he glared over at Adam as though to indicate that he was not going to get off the hook that lightly either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat little fight we had at the saloon yesterday, we gave a perfectly good reason why and how it happened. Seems Adam didn\u2019t believe us\u2026\u201d Clay darted a hostile glance in Adams direction and the older man frowned and looked over at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems odd a man should prefer to be thought a cheat rather than tell the truth,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m neither a cheat nor a liar, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, it\u2019s easy to see you and Joe are brothers, you both get too hot under the collar too quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComing from you that\u2019s a compliment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it any way you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough.\u201d Ben slammed his fist down on the table and both men stopped and turned.<\/p>\n

Without even realising it they had stepped closer to one another, squaring up as though about to come to blows. Hoss stood up slowly and took Adams arm, drawing him back towards the chair, while Joe stepped towards Clay, standing so close that their shoulders touched.<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed the lump in his throat. Even in this instinctive pairing off, his family had shown the yawning chasm that could so easily lay before them, swallowing up years of peaceful harmony and brotherly comradeship. Four young men stood facing one another, two against two, faces set and eyes brittle and hard. It were as though a line had been drawn along the floor to divide them off as decisively as any battle formation. He stood up and walked between them, taking Adam and Clay by the arm, and drawing them closer in towards him, as though needing desperately to rub out the division between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s talk this over as family should,\u201d he said very gently and smiled at all four of them.<\/p>\n

Each one resumed their seat and sat down. Hoss picked up several checker pieces and looked at them forlornly. He loved his brothers passionately. He would die for both of them. Yet today he had sided with one against the other in a way different from previous brotherly squabbles, this one went deeper because, and his blue eyes filled with tears, because his baby brother had stepped to the side of another brother, not Adam, nor himself and it smote at the gentle heart bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s really no problem here, Pa,\u201d Adam said in his reasonable matter of fact business manner, \u201cSam and Harry both acknowledged it was not Joe or Clay\u2019s fault. Jed just blew up, that\u2019s all.\u201d his voice faltered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did Jed just blow up?\u201d Ben asked, as though the possibility of either of the Mayhew brothers to \u2019blow up\u2019 was as remote as Hoss going on a fast.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had some bad news about his family and it upset him,\u201d Adam said in such a lame manner that even he was disappointed at himself, he bit his lip and glanced over at Clay used the fight?\u201d Ben asked reasonably.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly, well, I suppose it did. He threw the first punch.\u201d Joe declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had just heard,\u201d Hoss said very quietly \u201cthat his family had been killed by Confederate troops in a skirmish on their land back home. He couldn\u2019t , couldn\u2019t, hold back,\u201d Hoss frowned, \u201cIt was grief talking, that was all, he meant nuthin\u2019 else by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know that, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Clay said in a contrite manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one told us.\u201d Joe murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought you were trying to cause trouble when you started whistling, or humming, some tune.\u201d Hoss continued and Clay and Joe looked at one another without comprehension for a moment or two before Clay nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. It\u2019s an old Creole song, I\u2019ve known it since I was a child. I didn\u2019t intend to sing it as a means of identifying myself with the Confederacy. I wouldn\u2019t be that stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? To identify yourself as a Confederate?\u201d Adam declared sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more readily than you would a stubborn bone headed Yankee.\u201d Joe immediately yelled, jumping to his feet in defence of his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t you push me too far,\u201d Adam growled, his eyes darkening and his lips thinning while a flush of colour mantled his dark skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what you are then?\u201d Clay said coolly \u201cA bone headed Yankee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite enough.\u201d Ben grabbed at Joe and pulled him back to his chair at the same time he gave Adam a warning glance from under his dark eyebrows \u201cI\u2019ve warned you time and again, the war gets left at the Ponderosa boundary line, it doesn\u2019t come into this house, do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Clay immediately asked, his own eyes blazing now.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause this is a family, and as a family we work together, and we stay united, irregardless of what\u2019s going on outside. This is one family that is not going to be destroyed by the hatred of civil war, whatever principles you stand by, all well and good, but don\u2019t air them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d have thought the best place to air one\u2019s \u2018principles\u2019 as you call them, would be in the bosom of one\u2019s family.\u201d Clay murmured \u201cNow you all seem to think I\u2019m for the Confederacy, don\u2019t you? Is that because I\u2019m New Orleans born? Is it because you assume anyone born in any particular state must be this or that? Is it not possible for a person to be singularly neutral? How about you, Adam? Whatever your principles are, they don\u2019t appear to be ones you hold particularly strong, not strong enough to move yourself out of this comfortable rut of yours. And you, Hoss, what about you? Or are you content enough to stay where you are and not give a thought to the thousands dying in this country of yours? And what about you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave Clay a puzzled, confused look and then looked at Adam and Hoss, and then at his father. Ben nodded,<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, if that\u2019s what you want, Clay, let me ask you this? Why risk your life to fight in Mexico and yet not commit yourself to the Confederacy, or Union, whichever side you profess to uphold most dearly to your principles?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you never been to Mexico then? Haven\u2019t you seen the poverty of those people?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoverty doesn\u2019t recognise borders, Clay,\u201d Adam murmured \u201cYou don\u2019t need to go far from here to see abject poverty either, the only difference is that the people come here with the hope of finding something better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope. That was the key thing, you see.\u201d Clay smiled slowly, his face lost the angry look that had sharpened his features, they softened as he spoke \u201cWhen Juarez declared against the Spanish regime he gave his people hope for the first time in generations, and hope gave them courage and eventually it gave them victory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor how long?\u201d Adam asked \u201cA generation? A few years? For as long as Juarez can hold the people together.? And do you think Europe will stand by and let him get away with it? I shouldn\u2019t wonder if there isn\u2019t another revolution in a few years, when Spain or France will want to grab Mexico back again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn which case I\u2019ll go back and fight for Jaurez or whoever his successor is.\u201d Clay shrugged as though the problem was not insolvable while he was around to step in and take his place in the rank and file of the Mexican army. \u201cBut here, this war,\u201c he frowned and sat back and looked at Joe, who was watching him expectantly \u201cThere\u2019s no glory or glamour in such a war as this, and when it\u2019s over and the victory has been won, it won\u2019t matter who the victor, the loser will be the country. Economically the south will be ruined, maybe the north too, and hatreds will run deeper than rivers of blood. That\u2019s why I wanted to come here and live with hope of a decent future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a Union man then? You declare for the Union?\u201d Joe said in amazement<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I declare for neither and yet for both, if that makes any sense at all.\u201d he frowned \u201cI can see good sense in some of the policies of both sides, and I can see the stupidity of some other policies as well. I guess, if there were a third party then I\u2019d declare for that.\u201d he frowned and looked at them all, their earnest faces, their eyes on him, made him feel embarrassed. He stood up and walked over to the fireplace, and he stood for a while staring at the logs in the hearth \u201cI\u2019m not a coward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one said you were.\u201d Hoss replied quietly<\/p>\n

\u201cI never could accept the principle of slavery. A slave is a slave whether the master is good or bad. A slave is a man or woman or child that is nothing more than the belongings of another man, or woman, and who gives anyone that right, to own a human being as though they were nothing more than a package to be disposed of at their owners whim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, I think we all do.\u201d Adam murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I am New Orleans born. I have family there and friends, black and white, and I would defend them against anyone, whatever colour their uniform, should I have to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would do the same.\u201d Hoss said, looking down at the checkers in his hand thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Mexico I went back to New Orleans, somehow thought to pick up the threads of my life there\u201d Clay leaned forward, his hands clasped between his legs, and his eyes downcast \u201cMy father\u2019s brother came to me with the commission of an officer in the Confederacy in his hands. It was, he said, his welcome back to the family gift. He had paid for me to be an officer.\u201d he shook his head and gave an odd tremor of a laugh \u201cI thought he was joking, but he was deadly serious. I have friends in the northern states, people I went to college with, worked along with, people I respect and admire. Some of them were like family to me, more so in some ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that why you left?\u201d Joe asked<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it was. In Mexico I fought for the principle of freedom .\u201d He paused and shook his head \u201cAnyway, that\u2019s enough of me talking, perhaps we should have talked about this before, I shan\u2019t mention it again.\u201d He scratched his head as though trying to gather his scattered wits together again, and he smiled somewhat sheepishly and looked at them, then he extended his hand to Adam \u201cNo hard feelings, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and smiled, he took the proffered hand and smiled \u201cNone at all, Clay\u201d he said in reply.<\/p>\n

Chapter 14 .\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed and shook his head, and glanced over at his father who was reading a letter of his own at the big desk in the study area of the large room. Hoss was outside, shoeing some of the horses and the sound of the blacksmiths hammer could be heard as a distant clanging, so rhythmic and regular that it sounded like the overloud tick of clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? You got that section of land you asked Pa about last week?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded his head and looked up at the earnest young face that was looking down at him. The green hazel eyes were large with curiousity, and the handsome good looks of the youth mirrored his own with the generous mouth, parted in what seemed a genuine smile but which Clay, always the sceptic, rather doubted. He nodded and continued to toy with an envelope he held in between his fingers \u201cYeah, I got it. All signed and sealed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you pleased? You don\u2019t look very pleased?\u201d Joe perched himself on the arm of the settee and observed his brother anxiously, \u201cI mean, having your own piece of the Ponderosa, that means for sure you\u2019ll be wanting to settle down, don\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

A flash of panic spread over Clay\u2019s face like a physical pain and he shook his head \u201cLand will always be there, won\u2019t it? Doesn\u2019t need me to stay here and settle on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you mean, Clay? You\u2019re not thinking of leaving, are you?\u201d Joe\u2019s hazel eyes narrowed, more green flashed and the wide mouth thinned. Clay gave a grimace and shook his head \u201cNo, of course not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brow crinkled into a frown, he glanced over his shoulder to where Ben was still busy with his paperwork, outside could still be heard the rise and fall of the hammer hitting metal on an anvil. \u201cYou know you can always count on me, Clay.\u201d he leaned forward, closer to Clay, \u201cIf you did want to move on, that is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay bit his bottom lip, this was too reminiscent of his previous visit and he now darted a look over at Ben before looking at Joe, \u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t expect you to give up your home to come with me, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my brother, Clay. I should be with you when you need me\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have brothers here who need you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so, anyway, they\u2019ve had me kicking around all my life. Time to share out a little.\u201d he grinned, but his eyes remained sombre as he looked at his brothers set features.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe, there\u2019s just too much going on down south right now, and if anything were to happen to you how could I ever face your father again?\u201d he took a deep breath, then his face broke out into smiles like the sun bursting out behind dark clouds on a summers day, \u201cHey, look, Joe, who said anything about moving on, anyway? Don\u2019t look so glum, it\u2019s Saturday and we have time free\u2019d up to go into town. So, come on, stop moping there.\u201d he stood up and slipped the envelope into his pocket so casually that Joe had no reason to suspect it to contain anything sinister, he smiled and nodded<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019re going into town.\u201d he smiled as Ben looked up, distracted, his head full of figures and momentarily unsure of what his son had just said, \u201cClay and me, we\u2019re heading out to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, keep clear of trouble this time, boys, if you please.\u201d Ben scowled, gave Clay a particularly hard stare and then bowed his head to continue with his ledger work.<\/p>\n

Clay and Joe grinned at one another with hurried out of the house before Ben thought of something they could be doing other than enjoying themselves. They passed Hoss who was sweating over the coals of the fire and hammering a shoe to fit Chubbs back hoof, he wiped sweat from his brow \u201cWhere you two off to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTown.\u201d the two young men chorused and grinned at one another as though it had been quite a feat to synchronise their response so well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh, well, mind ya don\u2019t get into the trouble you did last time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, and we wouldn\u2019t have been in such trouble if\u2019n you\u2019d come along and helped us out.\u201d Joe retorted as he made his way to Cochise\u2019 stall.<\/p>\n

Clay nudged him and shook his head, a warning not to start a war of words so soon into the day, Hoss was scowling and glaring at them but they disregarded him and continued to saddle up their horses. \u201cDo you want me to give your love to Betsy Sue?\u201d Joe chuckled as they walked their horses past Hoss minutes later, but Hoss just shook his head \u201cNope,\u201d he said with a shrug of the shoulders and returned to his work.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

Time ticked by and the clock chimed the hour several times. Ben shared his lunch time meal with Hoss who then rode out on Chubb to check over the timber, some new saplings they had dug in a few weeks earlier. Ben walked over to the hearth and picked out his pipe, filled the bowl and struck a match\u2026 as he drew on the stem of the pipe he thought over the conversation he had engaged in with Adam some days earlier, he hadn\u2019t felt comfortable at the conclusion of it, and he didn\u2019t feel any better now as he tossed it over in his mind.<\/p>\n

He lowered himself into his old red leather chair, although of course some would call it burgundy, but he thought of it as red, and puffed on his pipe, narrowed his eyes and stared over at the blue chair where Adam had sat that evening and listened to how his father had signed the document at Hiram Wood\u2019s that gave Clay Stafford legal right and tenure to a parcel of land just south of Millers Creek. He had watched as Adam had sat there, listened with no change of expression on his face, and then nodded when he had concluded. He heard himself saying \u201cWell, haven\u2019t you anything to say, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really, Pa.\u201d Adam had raised an eyebrow, the eyelids had lowered hooding the dark brown eyes, he had turned his head to look at the fire as though the flames were infinitely more interesting than anything that Ben could have continued to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? Don\u2018t you think it was a good idea? Clay will have an inheritance his mother would have been proud of, and his father too, come to that\u2026\u201d Ben had smiled, a wide smile but anxiety in his eyes. Adam had merely pinched his lips together and then turned his head as though it pained him, in the direction of the Ponderosa map. He hadn\u2018t spoken, but Ben had felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach and swallowed a gulp, \u201cSomething on your mind because if there is, spit it out now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing. Doesn\u2018t seem like there is anything to say, Pa.\u201d Adam had replied and stood up, \u201cWell, guess I\u2018ll get to my bed, I\u2018ve an early start in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSan Francisco. You asked me to broker a deal with Mr Munro ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, of course. The paperwork is on the desk, all ready for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had merely nodded, bade him goodnight and mounted the stairs. It had seemed to Ben that each step had weighed heavy, and he had watched the tall young man until he was out of sight. Ben Cartwright shook his head and stared into the fire that was now burning in the hearth, he knew what had been going on in his son\u2019s mind, he had known it as soon as he had started talking about that title deed that Hiram had drawn up that he had just signed.<\/p>\n

If Adam hadn\u2019t left the house so early the next day perhaps they could have talked it over, as they would have done before\u2026 well, before Clay had come\u2026there, it was said, before Clay had come he would never had thought of doing something so drastic as cutting up the Ponderosa without discussing it with his eldest son. Ben heaved in a deep sigh and shook his head, he wasn\u2019t too proud to admit to himself that he had committed a monumental error, one that had obviously caused Adam some anxiety, some grief.<\/p>\n

It was difficult, Ben reasoned to himself, to see why everything had got so difficult recently. Clay was likeable, enough like Joe to be charming and good company. He was Marie\u2019s son, for goodness\u2019 sake, surely that should be enough for his other sons to understand and accept. He drew on his pipe again and sat back into the chair, stared at the ceiling, and told himself that no, it wasn\u2019t enough for Adam or Hoss to accept, and for some reason, he felt that they were right. That thought gave him no consolation at all.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

It had been a dangerous gamble. Both men realised that, but neither one of them had baulked at the thought of it. Where the Ponderosa was concerned nothing, or almost nothing, compared to what would happen if it were lost.<\/p>\n

Joe felt sick. Even now sitting on the edge of his bed at home when he thought of what he had gone through that evening, bile would surge up and hit the back of his throat and he would retch, as though he would spill out everything his stomach contained there and then. Then he would get the shivers, and the sweats, and bury his face in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you alright, Joe?\u201d Clay whispered as he pushed open the door and peered inside the room. and quietly closed the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you said anything to them?\u201d Joe asked and Clay shook his head, \u201cClay, when I think of what could have happened. I – I feel sick to the stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look green,\u201d Clay admitted, staring into his brothers face anxiously, \u201cBut, look, it\u2019s over now. No one need ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if Pa found out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay sat down on the edge of the bed, and looked at his brother thoughtfully, \u201cI did what I had to do, Joe. It was a dangerous gamble, but \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it didn\u2019t have to go so far, did it?\u201d Joe bit down on his bottom lip, \u201cIf Adam had been there it wouldn\u2019t have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know? If Adam had been there I guess he would have done the same thing.\u201d Clay scowled and walked away from his brother, a flash of green in his eyes would have warned Joe that Clay wasn\u2019t in the mood to have brother Adam brought up in conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think so?\u201d Joe looked into his brothers blue eyes and then shook his head, \u201cI should never have let them goad you into it, you could have lost the Ponderosa at the turn
\nof a card, Clay. That\u2019s all it needed, wasn\u2019t it? The wrong card \u2026 and everything would have been lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay said nothing. He knew Joe was right, he knew Joe was right about everything. The two men had set them up right from the beginning. Well, it was obvious now, but it hadn\u2019t been then. Joe had won steadily at first then he had began to lose. Clay had won steadily all through and when Joe had decided to call it quits Clay\u2019s fiery temperment and his stubborn \u2018professional pride\u2019 had laughed Joe\u2019s suggestion off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese two aren\u2019t a match on me, Joe. I\u2019ll win back all you\u2019ve lost and more besides, they\u2019ll be putty in my hands\u201c<\/p>\n

Clay Stafford had made that claim just after mid-day had struck the hour.. When he had gambled and lost his horse, Joe had begged his brother to stop, promising him that he would buy the horse back if he would but no, Clay had insisted on going on. Gambling was his profession, these two men were greenhorns at the job, he\u2019d prove them totally inept, see if he didn\u2019t. Then he had staked his newly acquired share of the Ponderosa on the turn of a card.<\/p>\n

The whole saloonful of men had frozen into silence, crowded around the table, held their breath and waited. Even the clock on the wall seemed to stop ticking. Joe had felt sweat prickling his scalp. He had looked into his Clays eyes as his brother had turned the card.<\/p>\n

\u201cClay, I think I\u2019m going to throw up.\u201d he said as he recalled that moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe,\u201d Clay put his hands on Joe\u2019s shoulders and gave him a slight shaking, \u201cLook, it was MY land, don\u2018t you forget that, it was my own land \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Ponderosa land\u2026\u201d Joe whispered and shook his head, \u201cIt was Ponderosa land, Clay, and you put it up as a stake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t lose it though, did I?\u201d Clay hissed, \u201cI got back my horse, and kept the land, what more do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI – I don\u2019t know, but \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Both men paused, froze on the spot at the sound of footsteps along the landing. \u201cD\u2019you reckon it\u2019s Pa?\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

Clay shook his head and stepped back away from his brother as the door opened, and dark eyes peered at the two brothers, \u201cAre you two alright?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Adam, just fine.\u201d Clay replied and smiled, leaned casually against the wardrobe and raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen – when did you get home, Adam?\u201d Joe asked, hoping that his voice wasn\u2018t shaking and he sounded relaxed and comfortable, he even managed a smile, blinked his eyes in that innocent look he could achieve as a last resort when trouble loomed..<\/p>\n

Adam narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and then closed the door behind him. He leaned against it and folded his arms across his chest. \u201cI just got home, been to San Francisco..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh ,yeah, yeah, Pa said ..\u201d Joe stammered, licked his lips and looked over at Clay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought I\u2019d just ride through town on the way home and have a drink before I got here.\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes turned from Clay to Joe, he nodded slowly, \u201cLet me tell you a story I heard this evening. It concerns two brothers, and a card game\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 15<\/p>\n

Voices drifted up the stairs like whispers and for a moment Joe hesitated as he stood on the landing pulling on his shirt and fumbling with the buttons. For some inexplicable reason his heart was pounding and his mouth had gone dry at the thought of Adam telling their father about the events of the previous evening. As he passed Clay\u2019s door he had an urge to knock and see if his brother were ready to face the family over the breakfast table, to face them together but as he could hear no sound from within he decided to brave it out.<\/p>\n

As he forced himself to bounce down the stairs in his usual casual manner Joe looked over to where his father was sitting at the desk, Adam was perched on the corner, his arms folded over his chest as he listened to what Ben said and then ventured to speak. Both men glanced up and over to Joe who hesitated on the half landing, Ben smiled and nodded \u201cGood morning, Joseph, you were home late last night weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile was warm and the eyes reflected the smile, Joe gulped and looked at Adam who remained perched on the desk, his arms remained folded but he had his head to one side and was looking at his brother as though the sight of him was amusing him. One eyebrow rose in slight mockery and his lips parted in a very slow smile. Joe turned his eyes back to his father, and gave a wavering grin back to him \u201cYes, Pa, sorry about that, we didn\u2019t disturb you, did we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but don\u2019t make a habit of it, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes flicked to Adams face and he quailed slightly under the way Adam raised his chin and then both eyebrows, his way of letting Joe know that he hadn\u2019t forgotten what had happened in town, but at present it was a secret, just between them\u2026 and Clay.<\/p>\n

Hoss boomed a greeting from the table at which he was already seated, he poured his little brother some coffee and grinned \u201cYou look a mite peakkid, little brother, you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure I\u2019m alright. Why shouldn\u2019t I be?\u201d Joe responded and glared at the coffee that was swirling about in his cup, \u201cYeah,\u201d he frowned, \u201cSorry, Hoss, didn\u2019t mean to snap at you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh is that what you call it now?\u201d Hoss guffawed, his blue eyes twinkled, \u201cI\u2019d kinda started getting used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth and then closed it. He scowled deeper than ever and swallowed hot coffee as he thought over what Hoss had said and realised that his brother was right, most conversations nowadays hadn\u2019t been conversations, they had just been him snapping out angry responses. He sighed and put his cup down slowly \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss, I hadn\u2019t realised.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss said nothing, already feeling slightly embarrassed by saying something that had touched on Joe\u2019s sensitive side. He was relieved when Adam came and sat down at the table, flicked out his napkin and began to load up his plate, he gave Adam a nod of the head and picked up the coffee pot, \u201cHey, Adam, how\u2019d you get on in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine, Hoss, just fine.\u201d Adam stared at the ham and eggs and reached for some bread.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got the contract with Mr Munro?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa\u2019s reading through it now.\u201d he raised his cup to his mouth and swallowed some of the coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it a good deal?\u201d Hoss asked thinking it was harder to get a response from Adam than it was drilling for gold.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood enough.\u201d Adam sighed and put down his cup, he glanced at Hoss\u2019 empty plate \u201cYou finished already or havent you got started?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, I finished a while back.\u201d Hoss said and grinned over at Joe who was piling up his place \u201cGlad to see you got your appetite back, shortshanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned, it had been some while since he had been called that by his brother, \u201cGuess I\u2019m hungrier than usual, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben came to the table and pulled out a chair into which he settled himself, \u201cWell, leave some for me, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe flashed his father a grateful smile. Even though he knew that Ben had no idea of what had taken place in the saloon he was more than glad that his father was his usual self that morning, he helped ease the anxiety that niggled constantly at the back of his mind. Hoss helped himself to more bread and another egg, some more ham, which he loaded onto his fork and shoved into his mouth \u201cJest like old times, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t talk with your mouth full, Hoss.\u201d Ben snapped with a slight shake of his head, \u201cHow many more times have you to be told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa.\u201d Hoss grinned sheepishly and winked over at Joe who was staring at him with big hazel eyes and a tight mouth \u201cWell, what\u2019s up? What\u2019s the matter with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed, he shook his head \u201cNothing, nothings wrong with me, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced at Adam who had kicked him hard on the ankle, unseen by Joe, before he turned his eyes to his father, paused for a moment as though he had to think of what he was going to say, but before he could speak Ben said \u201cThat contract was a good piece of writing, Adam. You did well, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got home late last night. I wasn\u2019t expecting you home until today.\u201d Ben cut into his eggs and reached out for some bread.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pushed on hard to get back sooner, Pa.\u201d Adam replied and washed down the food he had been eating with coffee. He refilled his cup and glanced over at Joe \u201cI got in not long after Clay and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, then looked at Joe then at the stairs \u201cWhich reminds me\u2026exactly where is Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked over at the stairs and then put down his napkin \u201cI\u2019ll go and get him up, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and smiled, and during the time it took Joe to reach the stairs he continued to talk about Munro, the contract and what a good price Adam had negotiated. Joe tapped on Clay\u2019s bedroom door with the sound of Ben\u2019s voice drifting into his ears. The door was opened by a rather dishevelled young man \u201cIs it morning already?\u201d Clay yawned.<\/p>\n

For a moment Joe felt an odd emotion, it was one familiar to him with regards to his other brothers, but never before had he felt it with Clay. A hot rush of blood to the head, irritation, annoyance \u201cYou\u2019re late. Pa expects us down to breakfast by now. Together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay yawned again and ruffled his hair, shrugged \u201cLook, Joe, I had a long night, remember? We both had a long night. I\u2019ll be down as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen get a move on, Pa won\u2019t have Hop Sing bothered by you to cook up more food just because you couldn\u2019t get up in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay blinked, was this really little brother speaking? He put out an arm and place his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder \u201cYou alright this morning, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hurry up.\u201d Joe replied and shook Clays hand away before turning and going back downstairs.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up and smiled as he wiped his mouth on the napkin \u201cIs everything alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s alright, Pa. Just overslept.\u201d Joe slumped down in his chair and stared at the food congealing in his plate, he picked up his fork and sighed, his appetite lost once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good night then, did you, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked innocently.<\/p>\n

Joe felt the heat rising from under his collar he didn\u2019t dare to look at Adam who was drinking another cup of coffee. \u201cYes, it was alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t get into any mischief, Joe.\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cI don\u2019t want you getting into bad habits and trouble.\u201d
\n\u201cNo, sir.\u201d Joe heaved in a deep breath and reached out for the coffeepot, only to have it lifted by Adam who smiled at him and poured the coffee into the cup for him. Their eyes met. Joe thanked him and Adam nodded as he put the coffee pot down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is keeping that brother of yours,\u201d Ben suddenly said as his meal came to an end, \u201cI wanted to give him his instructions for the day, before I leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice squeaked, \u201cWhere you leaving to, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and shook his head \u201cOnly into town, son. I want Hiram to look over this contract and then I can get the work under way. Hoss, you and Clay go to the timber yard, tell Mac I want them to start work as soon as possible on this Munro deal. I\u2019ve written down the figures and amounts needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Clay?\u201d Hoss asked with a puzzled look on his face, \u201cHe ain\u2019t never been near a timber yard before now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cast a swift look over at Joe prepared for the usual sharp retort which Joe would usually have shot off at the least provacotion when a comment appeared to slight Clay, but Joe said nothing. He just held his cup steady between his fingers and drank the coffee. Ben stood up and pushed himself away from the table \u201cI know, but it might be a good idea if he went with you now and got used to what work there is like, after all, if he\u2019s staying here he needs to know how things function, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d Ben smiled at them all as though his comment was a statement for them all to realise that as far as he was concerned Clay was family and they had to accept it.<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, shrugged and finished his coffee. Ben had just reached the bureau and started to buckle on his gun belt when Clay came down the stairs, looked around the room and bade everyone good morning. The response was cool, but unperturbed he sat down at the table and looked sadly at the remains of the meal \u201cAny coffee left in the pot?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lifted it up and poured dark coffee into a cup, which Clay accepted, it was then that Adam stood up and said he had work to do. Joe, in a panic now in case Adam was following after Ben to tell him what had happened in the saloon, stood up also, \u201cWait, Adam, I\u2019ll come with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s smile was slow, he nodded \u201cThought you might.\u201d he said very slowly and with a sigh walked over to claim his hat and gun belt. Ben was just leaving, nodded and smiled, and left the house.<\/p>\n

The brothers buckled on their gun belts and slipped on their hats, Clay called over \u201cWhere you two going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWork.\u201d Joe said sharply.<\/p>\n

Clay turned to Hoss \u201cWhere are they going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon on them\u2019s going to check on the new batch of horses. You and me\u2019s going to the timber yard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe .. The timber yard?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, Pa thought it would be a good idea if you got more of a feel for the kind of work we do around here.\u201d Hoss replied and tossed down his napkin, \u201cYou\u2019d best hurry up, it aint\u2019 a short trip to the timber.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay swallowed and shook his head, he looked at his hands and frowned \u201cWhat about gloves?\u201d<\/p>\n

But the door had closed with a bang, he was alone, his voice drifted into the air and faded away<\/p>\n

Chapter 16<\/p>\n

The brothers rode out of the yard at a gentle jog, neither of them spoke to the other although both of them were feeling a sense of ease bringing them back to that comfortable feeling of just being with each other. As the horses made their way to their destination it occurred to Joe that this was the first time in weeks that he had had time alone with his eldest brother and he felt some guilt at the thought. He turned his head to observe Adam and found his brother had done the same, their eyes met and they smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels good to be sharing time like this, Joe.\u201d Adam almost purred as he returned to look ahead to the way they were going.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I was thinking the same.\u201d Joe said with his smile sounding in his words, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam, I got – what I mean is -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to explain.\u201d Adam replied and turned to look at his brother again, only this time the smile was replaced by a look of anxiety, \u201cWhat exactly was going on last night, Joe? Is it true that Clay gambled away the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blushed right to the roots of his hair and he shook his head, \u201cNo, no, it wasn\u2019t like that at all.\u201d he didn\u2019t speak for a while as they walked their horses now, so that they could converse more comfortably. \u201cClay was up against two professionals, they were really slick, Adam. They cleaned me out and then they won Clay\u2019s horse \u2026\u201d he paused and his brow crinkled into a frown \u201cThey were pretty confident now, when I come to think of it, probably thought we were easy pickings. When Clay staked the Ponderosa\u2026I mean .. not the Ponderosa, just the bit he owned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams lips thinned and for a moment Joe anticipated an eruption of his brothers temper but when nothing was forthcoming he continued with his narrative of what had happened. \u201cThose two guys were sure impressed about that, they were practically crowing, but then they lost out and Clay won back the horse and there was never any real fear of his land being lost. Then he just started to win steadily after that, and came home with the winnings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he could have lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but what I\u2019m telling you is that he didn\u2019t gamble the Ponderosa, it was just the land \u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice wavered and he swallowed hard, \u201cit was the land Pa ceded to him the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other day, just a few days ago, and he\u2019s putting it in the pot to gamble away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I mean, maybe, but I think – I think it was just a ruse, to lure them in -\u201d Joe stammered, \u201cI mean, professional gamblers have different ways of playing the game to us, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess.\u201d Adam drawled in that slow I\u2019m not amused tone of voice that would normally have Joe bristling, but this time he said nothing and for a while longer they rode along in a companionable silence although both were steeped in thought about the events of the preceding night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, Adam?\u201d Joe asked eventually as though he couldn\u2019t handle the silence any longer.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged and shook his head, as though what he thought wouldn\u2019t be to Joe\u2019s liking if he told him. He lowered his hat as though to shield his eyes in case they spoke too much as often they did and he nudged Sport into a faster stride which Joe matched on Cochise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI – I didn\u2019t mean to be like I\u2019ve been lately, you do know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and how have you been, Joe? Just remind me, huh?\u201d Adam kept his eyes ahead, not looking at his brother, and the smile of moments earlier had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I wasn\u2019t being fair, giving Clay all the attention and sticking with him all the time. It was pretty stupid really, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam did now cast a casual glance at his brother and a very slight grin touched his lips, he nodded, \u201cYeah, pretty stupid. You hurt Hoss\u2019 feelings, y\u2019know?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe cringed inside, it was something he didn\u2019t want to be reminded of or think about, not Hoss, he didn\u2019t want to know how he had hurt Hoss. \u201cI never meant to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you never do, but the fact is, Joe, that you did. Anyhow, it\u2019s up to you to deal with that yourself, nothing to do with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, well, I guess not.\u201d Joe sighed and bowed his head as he wondered why Adam had mentioned it anyway if it had nothing to do with him, then he realised that his brother was looking into Hoss\u2019 interests as usual, nudging him, Joe, into realisation that Hoss would appreciate some kind of apology. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you angry about Pa giving that land to Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips twitched slightly, perhaps he wanted to say \u2018Too danged right I am.\u2019 but he refrained, instead he turned his head away from his brother and pointed ahead of him \u201cThere they are, Joe. A good twenty head, what do you think of \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rose in his stirrups and a faint smile drifted over his face, he nodded \u201cLet\u2019s get going, brother, before they get too comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, there was nothing like this to get the adrenalin racing, and mundane thoughts chasing away like mist before sunlight. The ranch hands who had been herding the horses along greeted them with halloo\u2019s and raised hats as they mingled into the dust cloud that the horses had created. Not so far was the temporary holding corral that had been erected and towards this the brothers assisted in leading them. Joe couldn\u2019t think of a better way to spend a day \u2026
\nFurther afield his brother Clay Stafford was cursing the day and the work he had been assigned to do. The journey out was conducted in silence, Hoss didn\u2019t seem inclined to speak and for a while Clay wondered if he had got to hear about the risk he had undertaken at the gambling tables, but a few subtle questions soon settled that matter as Hoss established he hadn\u2019t seen Adam until he had sat down to breakfast that morning.<\/p>\n

Hoss knew everything about timber. He pointed out the different variety of pine, told Clay the year they were planted, how many a year were chopped down and Ben\u2019s rule of planting a new one in a felled trees place. By the time they got to the timber camp Clay was yawning from boredom and his backside ached from being in the saddle for so long.<\/p>\n

McManus came forward, a big burly man with a hairy chest that sprouted through his shirt in an almost indecent manner. He carried an axe over his shoulder and looked at Clay with narrowed eyes as Hoss introduced him, \u201cWhat can I do for you, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay felt he had been dismissed and it irked him, but he had dismounted now and looked around the camp with some interest. A thin man stepped out of a cabin with Cook House painted on a sign, he saw Hoss and strode over \u201cYou\u2019re just in time for dinner, Hoss. You timed it jest right as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI always do, Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man called Sam laughed and then looked at Clay, \u201cHave I seen you somewhere before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoubt it,\u201d Clay replied, \u201cI\u2019m Clay Stafford.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t extend his hand to be shaken, after all he was related to the boss, he looked at Hoss and waited for him to explain but Hoss obviously didn\u2019t feel it necessary, he just stood there grinning, obviously the thought of food had turned his brain. Clay cleared his throat, \u201cI\u2019m Joe\u2019s brother\u2026 half brother that is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam nodded \u201cYeah, so\u2019s I heard tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss and McManus were in deep conversation again, striding towards the cook house where other men where heading. Clay realised that his stomach was grumbling and he would be left behind in the rush if he didn\u2019t get a move, so caught up with Hoss and entered the building with him. Hoss rubbed his hands together and grinned \u201cSam makes the best venison stew this side of Boston. Don\u2019t tell Hop Sing I said that mind\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d Clay straddled the bench seat and sat down, he looked around at the men who were settling down, talking together, the sound of their voices lifting and falling like the sound of the sea. He sighed and removed his hat, shook his head, this, he decided, was no place for the son of a de Marigney to be living.<\/p>\n

Chapter 17<\/p>\n

The town was settling into its evening mode – gone were the housewives hurrying into the stores for the shopping and the children from their running through the streets with their shrill cries and laughter. As the night sky darkened so the saloons filled, whiskey bottles emptied and mens shouts and laughter were often times intermingled with the sound of gun shots or shouted oaths and insults. The shrill laughter of saloon girls was woven into the sounds of the men who haunted the saloons, piano music jarred against the sound of singing from a scanty chorus line of women in tawdry dresses.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee cradled his rifle under his arm and made his evening rounds, it was the loneliest hours of the day and he kept his eyes alert for trouble. When he saw Hoss Cartwright riding into town he gave a slight smile and nod, \u201cGood to see you, Hoss.\u201d
\n\u201cI shouldn\u2019t really be here, Roy. If you see Pa don\u2019t tell him I\u2019m here, will ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Roy frowned \u201cYou\u2019ve not seen your Pa yet then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot since early this morning.\u201d Hoss replied and glanced over his shoulder \u201cIs he here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he left town a while back.\u201d Roy cleared his throat \u201cLooked like a man who had heard some bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had? Bad news as like what for instance?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy hesitated a moment then shook his head \u201cBest you find out when you get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss growled something beneath his breath and dismounted \u201cLook, Roy, you seen Clay Stafford anywhere in town yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. He\u2019s usually in the Sazarac if he\u2019s in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already bin there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t he tell you where he was going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t even tell me he was going \u2026anywhere\u2026 he just up and went. Pa won\u2019t be too happy if he finds out Clay up and ran from work. I tell ya, Roy, that Clay is like an eel, just too slippery for his own good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy heaved a sigh of sympathy and patted his young friend on the shoulder, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss, if I see him I\u2019ll let him know you\u2019re looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss just shook his head as though not sure whether or not that was a good idea, but he left Roy to saunter on to carry out his official duty of ensuring the towns populace were safe for the night. The sound of smashing glass indicated that somewhere or other they probably were not \u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026.<\/p>\n

The light tapping on the door of Hotel room 214 indicated that the visitor either hoped the person was unable to hear him or was timid enough to worry about who he would find in the room when he was admitted. Clay turned his hat round and round in his hands and glanced up and down the landing before turning to face the person now smiling indulgently at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded and stepped into the hotels best suite of rooms, he glanced around and then looked at the other man \u201cYou\u2019re alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay followed him into the room and took the seat indicated \u201cI got your letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d the newcomer smiled, and picked up a bottle of bourbon \u201cYour favourite if I recall rightly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded and leaned back into the chair and watched as the whiskey was poured into the glass, \u201cWhat do you want from me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think I want anything from you, Clay? I came to visit you, that\u2019s all. Came to see how you were getting on with your family this time round, hopefully better than last time.\u201d he raised a glass and nodded, then drank its contents quickly. \u201cI heard tell you had an interesting evening at the gambling tables recently, almost lost a big chunk of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that big a chunk.\u201d Clay muttered as he stared into the glass and swirled the liquid round and round, he swallowed some, then looked at his inquisitor \u201cWhy the interest?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, let\u2019s stop beating around the bush, shall we? You know how interested I am in the Cartwrights, have been for a while now. The fact that you were gambling with some of their land as a stake indicates to me that either you have possession of some of it, or you have Joseph Cartwright in your pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I have .. Either way you put it\u2026 what\u2019s it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means a lot to me, and to our cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour cause you mean.\u201d Clays lips twisted into a thin line of bitterness and he drank down the rest of the whiskey quickly, \u201cI told you already that I don\u2019t want to be involved in what\u2019s going on. I don\u2019t want to be taking sides in a war that\u2019s against my personal principles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrinciples\u201d he almost purred the word and then smiled slowly \u201cClay, you don\u2019t have any principles. I\u2019ve seen you grow up and I know what you\u2019ve done in your life, and it doesn\u2019t seem to be that any principles were involved. None that were in the least bit admirable anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay narrowed his eyes, then shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, but I can assure you I do hold some principles highly. Just that they aren\u2019t yours\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence for a moment then came the sound of more whiskey being poured into a glass, Clay stood up but the other man turned and shook his head \u201cSit down, Clay, we haven\u2019t finished our conversation yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe returned home aching all over and covered in dust with several bruises in various areas of their bodies, by the time they had seen to their horses and pushed open the door to the main room of the house they were hoping for nothing more than a good meal, then to sink into bed.<\/p>\n

Adam tossed his hat onto its accustomed peg and pulled off the black and white bandana from around his neck, he opened his mouth to say \u2018Evening, Pa\u2026\u201d but stopped as Ben seemed to rear up from his chair and growled \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked over his shoulder at where Joe was standing unbuckling his gun belt, \u201cI think he means you, Joe ..\u201d he said with a grin on his lips but a warning look in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean me, Pa?\u201d Joe asked innocently.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I do not mean you. I mean that rapscallion of a brother of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe looked at one another then turned to observe Ben \u201cYou mean Hoss?\u201d Joe said doubtfully and with a sinking feeling in his stomach<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know perfectly well which brother I mean. I mean that ungrateful whelp of a de Marigny, and if I thought for a moment that you had anything to do with it, Joseph, I\u2019ll tan the hide off\u2019n you, and don\u2019t look like that either, you know I mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. I know you do, sir.\u201d Joe gulped and tried to sidle behind Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, why don\u2019t you calm down and tell us what\u2019s going on here?\u201d Adam asked calmly, although he already knew and had half expected some such occurrence to take place after all Ben\u2019s visit in town could well have brought him into contact with certain people who had been at the gambling tables on a certain evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been waiting all afternoon for you all to come back. I\u2019ve been waiting here for hours\u2026hours let me tell you \u2026 which has given me a long long time to think over the matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat – matter – exactly, Pa.\u201d Joe hic coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe matter of your brother gambling away the Ponderosa.\u201d Ben thundered and Hop Sing who was bringing in a tray of coffee fixings, immediately did an about turn and went back into the kitchen<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t gamble away the Ponderosa, Pa.\u201d Joe said quickly in defence of his absent brother, \u201cHe only -\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben narrowed his eyes \u201cYou were there? You were actually there when it happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. I tried to stop him, really I did, but he had no alternative .. I mean by that .. I mean that he had nothing left to put up as a stake. He\u2019d already lost his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hang his head down and surveyed the floor, not for any other reason than that for that moment words failed him. Adam tried to do a side step away in the hope of slipping unnoticed into the kitchen but Ben glanced up and caught him with a dark glare of black eyes \u201cAnd did you know about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged \u201cI only heard a – sort of – vague rumour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t think to tell me?\u201d Ben stood taller, swayed like a tree for a moment before he steadied up and folded his arms across his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just a rumour, Pa. I didn\u2019t think it -\u201d Adam paused, and looked at Joe who was staring miserably at him. \u201cEr, what exactly did you hear, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c I was told that Clay Stafford had put the Ponderosa up as a stake and was close to losing it.\u201d Ben growled through gritted teeth \u201cThe Ponderosa!!! A stake in a gambling game! Whatever next? What was he thinking?\u201d he glared again at Joe \u201cAnd you, why didn\u2019t you stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mouth had gone dry, he licked his lips \u201cI tried to stop him, Pa, but \u2026 he said he felt lucky\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could he have been feeling lucky if he had gambled away everything else he possessed?\u201d Ben howled, his voice making the ornaments on the nearby shelf quiver.<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged and looked bleakly at Adam who rose to the occasion by stepping close to Ben and placing a placating hand on his father\u2019s shoulder \u201cLook, Pa, talk it over with Clay and find out from him what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend to, believe you me, I intend to do just that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why not calm down now and -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am calm.\u201d Ben snarled and strode over to the table \u201cWell, don\u2019t just stand there, sit down and eat something before it gets cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men looked at the table, then at one another, Joe cleared his throat \u201cThere ain\u2019t nothing on the table, Pa.\u201d
\nBen\u2019s eyes looked as htough they were about to pop out, his lips curled away from his teeth, he whipped around and was about to yell for Hop Sing when that unfortunate appeared with a forced smile on his face and plates balance precariously in his hands.
\n\u2026..<\/p>\n

Hoss was close to the end of his tether as he approached his horse. He had walked up and down, in and out of various saloons, peeked into several restaurants and still no sign of Clay. He had located the horse though, and now stood opposite the Hotel outside of which the horse was dozing.<\/p>\n

The hotels main doors opened and Hoss was immediately alerted to the light that blazed through onto the sidewalk. Two men stood together talking, and Hoss narrowed his eyes all the better to see who exactly was with Clay, shaking his hand \u2026 he shook his head in disbelief, it just wasn\u2019t possible, not now, not after all this time\u2026 he stepped further back into the shadows and hoped that Clay wouldn\u2019t see or recognise Chubb as he left town.<\/p>\n

He followed Clay with his eyes until the other man was out of sight and swallowed up in the darkness. For a while he remained where he was with his heart thumping and his head whirling, he was about to step out of the shadows when he bumped into Roy who yelled \u201cStop right there, whoever you are and – Hoss Cartwright, you danged young fool,what\u2019re you doing of standing there like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI – I guess I just seen a ghost, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy sighed and shook his head \u201cI nearly was one, the fright you jest give me. What do you mean, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI — I just saw him, the one armed man. You know, Frederick Kyle\u2026 I just saw him talking to Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 18<\/p>\n

The meal was eaten in a sombre atmosphere as each man at the table moved their food around the plate and ate sparingly. Ben was willing himself to calm down now that he had actually vented his anger on Adam and Joe, but he was struggling with the whole situation and hoping against hope that Clay would keep his distance at least until morning.<\/p>\n

Joe was thinking along the same lines as his father, in that he was willing Clay to stay away from the Ponderosa for as long as possible, or at least until he had had a chance to speak to him and warn him of Bens probable rage. The more he thought about the whole situation the sicker he felt as he recalled those moments with Clay in the saloon, the deck of cards, the smirking faces and Clay smiling at everyone there as though bestowing upon them a blessing.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his father several times during the course of the meal and wondered why Ben had ceded the land to Clay, and why Clay had been so quick to use it as a stake in that game. What person would throw away such a valuable asset ? How confident could any man be of winning a game of cards unless he knew for sure that there was no possibility of losing which meant \u2026 he sighed and pushed away his plate.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced from the plate and the uneaten food to his son, was about to admonish him for wasting good food when he realised that he was unable to eat his own. He shook his head \u201cThis is a sorry how do you do,\u201d he muttered, \u201cit\u2019s just that the thought of his losing that land – the risk he took – it makes me wonder what other risks he\u2019d likely take in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bowed his head and stared at his food, then put his fork to one side and sighed \u201cPa, you make it sound as though you don\u2019t trust Clay anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised his dark eyes and looked at his father\u2019s face and wondered if Ben really had ever trusted the man, but then, having given him so much land, he must have done. He left the question unanswered, assuming he had provided himself with it already.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and scowled \u201cClay\u2019s a gambler, it\u2019s in his blood. His father was the same. I remember Marie telling me that the whole de Marigney fortune was built on the turn of a card as far back as the 100 years war in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon you took a bit of a gamble yourself, Pa, in giving Clay that land in t he first place.\u201d Adam said quietly and hoped that Joe wouldn\u2019t erupt into one of his hot headed outbursts in defence of the absent brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt it was my duty to give him it, Adam.\u201d Ben said as he threw his napkin down beside his plate and left the table. His sons followed his example and together they settled down in front of the fire. Ben reached for his pipe and tobacco pouch while Adam and Joe waited for him to continue speaking, which he did as he rather absent mindedly stuffed the bowl of his pipe with tobacco, \u201cI thought that if Marie had been alive, she would have expected her son to have some part of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said nothing to that, he wondered if Marie actually would have expected her son to be handed so much land for she was a logical woman even though fiery tempered and passionate. But her temperament had meant that she had understood Ben\u2019s dream of creating the Ponderosa, and perhaps, he reasoned, she would have been more pragmatic than her husband and reminded him that her son had not worked to earn what his sons would one day possess as their birth right.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess, seeing as how you gifted the land to him,\u201d Joe said quietly and with no hint of the hot temper that had been so obvious during the past few weeks \u201che naturally assumed he could do anything he chose with it. It was his right -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t,\u201d Ben retorted immediately, \u201cHis land was still Ponderosa land, he had no right to sell it to anyone other than family, and certainly no right to gamble it away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged and stood up, \u201cWell, I guess it\u2019s up to you how you deal with it, Pa. As for me, I\u2019m going to my bed, its been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me too.\u201d Joe yawned and stretched, \u201cI guess Hoss and Clay are staying up at the camp tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised,\u201d Ben muttered, \u201cThere\u2019s a lot to do up there and it would do Clay good to see what it\u2019s like to work hard for what he\u2019s got.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned slightly as he stood up \u201cYou saying we didn\u2019t work as hard today, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing but actually managed to a gruff laugh as he watched his two sons make their way up the stairs to their rooms. Within minutes two doors had closed, he leaned back in his chair and puffed at his pipe, he closed his eyes and listened to the clatter of plates being removed, glasses chinked and Hop Sing muttered under his breath dire threats to those who had dared to waste his food.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

The house was in semi- darkness when Hoss rode into the yard and dismounted in order to lead Chubb to his stall in the stable. He checked over the horses and noted that Clay had not arrived home, the stall where his horse was kept remained empty. Hoss scratched his head and pondered over what had been on his mind all the way home from town, the fact that he had seen Frederick Kyle, the fact that Clay had been with him, the fact that they had appeared on very amicable terms.<\/p>\n

He closed the stable door behind him and made his way slowly to the house, paused a moment and then gazed up at the sky which was laden heavy with stars. With a shake of the head he continued on, opened the door and stepped into the house. He could smell the pipe tobacco and glanced immediately at his fathers chair but it was empty. The fire was dying out, ash was sinking in the hearth and embers were slowly fading in colour.<\/p>\n

For some reason he felt quite relieved that his father wasn\u2019t sitting there, it meant he did not have to give any explanation as to why he was home so late, or so early depending on what his father had expectations of with regard to time. He slowly unbuckled his gunbelt and laid it down on the bureau alongside those of his brothers.<\/p>\n

It was late but he was hungry so he naturally gravitated to the kitchen and looked through various pots, pans and cupboards for something to eat. He was chomping on some meat and potatoes when he heard the sound of footsteps and froze to the spot, only to relax when he saw his brother, Adam, step into view. \u201cYou scared me to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised his head in order to observe his brother from half hooded eyes, he had slept heavy and it had been hard to open his eyes when he had woken up. He closed them several times before he could keep them open enough to actually see Hoss, \u201cIs it time to get up already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are up.\u201d Hoss observed as he stuffed more pie into his mouth<\/p>\n

\u201cSo are you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I ain\u2019t been to bed yet. I jest got home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Adam yawned and stumbled sleepily over to the sink where he worked the sluice in order to fill a glass with water. \u201cYou\u2019re late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam, has Clay been home yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam drank some water and shook his head, he blinked rapidly several times and then drank some more, then turned to observe his brother with some degree of intelligence \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, he was supposed to be with me at the timber camp.\u201d Hoss frowned, \u201cBut he sneaked off. I reckon he didn\u2019t like the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? Not everyone enjoys working in the timber yard like you do, Hoss.\u201d Adam smiled and leaned against the table,he folded his arms across his chest and observed his brother. \u201cSo he sneaked away and you came home, is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that ain\u2019t it.\u201d Hoss brushed his hands on his shirt to remove the crumbs from his fingers and then filled a glass with water which he drank down quickly, \u201cNo, soon as I found out he had gone sneaking off I followed his tracks into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Adam stifled a yawn, \u201cYou found him gambling the rest of the Ponderosa away, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss looked at his brother in confusion, \u201cWhy\u2019d he want to gamble the Ponderosa away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, don\u2019t worry about it, forget I said it.\u201d Adam replied immediately, \u201cSo? Where did you find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t, not for a long time, then just as I was thinking of coming home without knowing where\u2019d he gone the doors of the Whitney Hotel opened up and there he was \u2026I could see him plain as day by the light that was shining from inside, but he wasn\u2019t alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam narrowed his eyes and shook his head \u201cHe wasn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, he sure wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, was it anyone we knew? A lady friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d Hoss shook his head adamantly and scowled \u201cWeren\u2019t no female.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright then, are you going to tell me or do we have to stand here all night while I made wild and incorrect guesses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, I betcha you wouldn\u2019t guess who it was in a million years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and now shook his head, \u201cAlright, Hoss, you got me beat. Why not come right on out and tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss straightened his shoulders and stood taller \u201cFrederick Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t move, he just stared at Hoss as though his brother wasn\u2019t there, then he repeated the name very quietly and asked Hoss if he were really sure, no possible chance of a mistake, and Hoss shook his head \u201cAin\u2019t no chance of making a mistake, Adam, it was him plain and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you let them see you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Reckoned it best they didn\u2019t know I see\u2019d \u2018em. I did go in and check the register though\u2026 he ain\u2019t using his real name\u2026 he\u2019s calling himself Henry Kincaid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head \u201cNo, he has two other men with him, they wrote their names in the register as well\u2026 David Logan and Richard Fawcett.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes for a moment and then when he opened them observed Hoss closely, \u201cDoes anyone else know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s good, we\u2019ll keep this to ourselves for now, Hoss. Let\u2019s get to bed and sleep on it. I\u2019ll think of something \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Pa? And Joe? How\u2019d you think Joe will feel about that man being here, and especially being so friendly with Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pushed himself away from the table and placed a gentle hand on his troubled brothers shoulder \u201cLook, go and get some sleep. Just say nothing, and leave it to me to deal with now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed heavily, and turned obediently away from the kitchen. It made him feel better knowing that Adam knew about Kyle and Clay, but it made him feel wretched at having burdened his brother with the problem. He decided to worry about it just a little bit before he went to sleep.<\/p>\n

Chapter 19<\/p>\n

The lamps in the main room were still glowing when Clay finally arrived back at the ranch. After seeing to his horse he made his way to his room as quietly as possible, tiptoeing past several doors and hopeful that Hoss\u2019 snoring would deaden any sound of his presence. He eased the door of his room open very slowly and entered it with a feeling of relief that his return had gone unnoticed.<\/p>\n

The room was in darkness although some light from a full moon shone through a gap in the curtains and after he had flipped his hat onto the bed he began to quickly unbutton his jacket. The rasp of a match sent panic trickling down his spine, he froze, his hand hovered to his gun but stopped when he remembered that whoever was in the room was a member of the family, he swallowed a gulp and turned to face Adam who was calmly lighting a lamp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWaiting for you – obviously.\u201d Adam adjusted the flame and then replaced the glass funnel, before he turned to observe Clay. \u201cYou\u2019re late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019m late?\u201d Clay gave a nervous laugh, shrugged, \u201cSo what of it? Is your Pa arranging to have a watch dog on my every move now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grimaced \u201cThat wasn\u2019t worthy of you, Clay. My Pa doesn\u2019t prevent any of us having and enjoying our own time, so long as we pull our weight with the work here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded slowly as though he concurred with what Adam had said, he raised a hand and stroked his moustache and then sat on the side of the bed \u201cSo what is this then? A display of brotherly affection or concern?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConcern would be the best word, you can forget about the brotherly aspect of it though.\u201d Adam responded as he crossed one leg over the other, \u201cYou – er – left the lumber camp early, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you asking me or telling me? Hoss not happy by my leaving, huh? Reported back to you all, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t. He\u2019s not long returned himself, happened that I was the only one he saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay frowned and shrugged \u201cLook, I\u2019m tired, can\u2019t this wait until morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen say what you have to say and then -\u201d he indicated the door with a nod of the head, his smile hardened as did his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cClay, I don\u2019t like the company you keep, nor does Hoss. He saw you this evening and he saw who you were with \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Kincaid happens to be an old friend of my family.\u201d Clay said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Kincaid happens to be an old acquaintance of my family,\u201d Adam responded coldly, \u201cOnly last time we knew him here he was called Frederick Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay\u2019s eyes widened momentary, then he looked down at his hands with a frown \u201cYou know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom of old. He came here in an attempt to entice Joe to go along with his own sympathies, and to get silver bullion for the confederacy. He succeeded in some measure, I don\u2019t doubt that some silver is siphoned off from various mines hereabouts to support that cause. But – that\u2019s nothing to do with this matter, is it? Or – is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay cleared his throat and rubbed his chin slowly, as though the question begged time for an answer. He looked again at Adam \u201cKyle\u2019s been a friend of the de Maligney\u2019s for years, ever since I could remember in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Adam prompted remembering as he spoke the picture that Kyle had of Marie, and how he had told Joe of knowing his mother all that way back in time.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was married to my Uncle\u2019s sister in law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm, you know she died hereabouts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I – I didn\u2019t know that \u2026\u201d Clay licked his lips, \u201cI met her several times, she was a charming woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI only ever saw her dead, she didn\u2019t look so good then. You should ask Mr Kyle how she died, and what involvement he had in her death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay looked again at Adam as though he had never seen him before, then he nervously wiped a hand over his moustache and mouth \u201cI never knew anything about her death. I didn\u2019t -\u201d he paused, \u201cI can\u2019t imagine what you\u2019re saying is true, Adam, he loved that woman. When his boy was killed it broke them both, hit them hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d have been in Mexico at the time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have friends who keep in touch ..\u201d Clay said quietly \u201cAnd I went back to New Orleans not so long ago, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged as though he wasn\u2019t particularly interested \u201cSo tell me, why and for what reason has he returned to Virginia City? What\u2019s your involvement with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, he never told me. He just contacted me when he heard I was here, as an old family friend would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClay, you\u2019re not playing poker just now,\u201d Adam replied quietly, \u201cStop bluffing, and tell me the truth. Don\u2019t forget, I know Frederick Kyle – and I don\u2019t trust him one inch. That means, that by association, I don\u2019t trust you either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay\u2019s mouth tightened, his resentment of this older brother of Joe\u2019s grew hotter than ever and he stood up \u201cI don\u2019t have to take this kind of talk from you, Adam. If you weren\u2019t Joe\u2019s brother I\u2019d -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d what? Challenge me to a duel?\u201d Adam\u2019s voice rose, hardened, and he also stood up, \u201cWell, anytime you choose \u2026 let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay caught his breath, he swallowed what he was about to say and then shook his head, he made a sweeping gesture of the hand as though to dismiss what had already been said and began to slowly finish unbuttoning his jacket which he peeled off and cast over the bed \u201cI\u2019ve nothing to hide from you, Adam, nor any of you. I\u2019ve told you the truth, Kyle is an old family friend and when he heard I\u2019d been gambling and using some of the Ponderosa land for a stake he was intrigued. He just wanted to know how much land I had, and if I was willing to sell it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s all?\u201d Adam hissed in a voice that meant far more than just the words, his eyes darkened and seemed to glow as the lamplight flickered<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all. I told him it wasn\u2019t for sale. End of story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head \u201cNo, not with Kyle. It\u2019s no end of story as far as he\u2019s concerned.\u201d
\nHe narrowed his eyes \u201cYou were prepared to gamble the land away, but you wouldn\u2019t sell it? Why the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I knew I would not lose the land, I had the measure of those men I was dealing with, and besides, I wanted my horse back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned and shook his head, \u201cBut you wouldn\u2019t sell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCondition of the gift was that I only sold it back to the family if I didn\u2019t want it.\u201d
\nHe frowned \u201cNot that I\u2019d sell it back to any of you, it was a gift and I\u2019d return it as such.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle won\u2019t let go of you, you know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay shrugged, \u201cHe doesn\u2019t frighten me, Adam. Seems he scares you to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled very thinly, \u201cNo, Clay, he doesn\u2019t scare me, but what he can do – that worries me some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay said nothing to that but began to unbutton his shirt, turning his back to Adam who now seemed lost for words, he cast one last look at Clay and quietly left the room.<\/p>\n

Outside on the landing Adam paused for a moment, he passed his hand over his face and rubbed his chin, then glanced at his father\u2019s bedroom door. For a moment he hesitated at the thought of disturbing his fathers sleep, his hand on the doorframe, then he turned and made his way to his own room.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

The knock on the hotel door was sharp and abrupt, Kyle nodded over to one of the men in the room with him who immediately opened the door and stepped back to admit the man standing on the landing.<\/p>\n

Kyle stood up, the napkin he had in his hand he dropped onto the table, \u201cWell, this is a surprise.\u201d he glanced at the food and coffee pot then at his visitor, \u201cWell, come on in, its early. Would you like some coffee, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced from one man to another and then allowed his eyes to settle on Kyle, he nodded \u201cYes, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Removing his hat he entered the room and walked to the table, where Kyle was pouring coffee into an unused cup, this he handed to Adam with a smile \u201cAm I right in assuming that you were told about my being here by a mutual friend of ours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother, Hoss, saw you here. He told me.\u201d Adam replied as he sat down at the table with the cup in his hand. \u201cHe did see you with Clay \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes, of course.\u201d Kyle looked over his shoulder and with a jerk of the head indicated that he wished to be alone. The two men promptly left the room although Adam had no doubt that they would be lingering on the landing should Kyle call for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Adam\u201d Frederick Kyle smiled slowly, \u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to make your acquaintance again.\u201d<\/p>\n

To that Adam made no reply, he merely lifted the cup to his lips and drank some of the coffee, his eyes however, never strayed from observing the man sharing the table with him.<\/p>\n

Chapter 20<\/p>\n

Kyle had aged, he looked haggard and drawn, heavier in build as well. Adam wondered if the man had ever recovered from the emotional impact of losing his wife as he had those few years ago. He recalled that night well, when Kyle had looked down at the shattered remains of his wife and denied knowing her, and yet had clung to her cloak as though it were a lifeline to what was left of what he loved about her. He shook his head,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a while.\u201d he said quietly, his words softened by his memories of that night, and Kyle nodded and poured himself some coffee \u201cHas it been worth while, Kyle? This war, all that hatred and all those deaths?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle put down the cup and looked at Adam as though confused, he shook his head \u201cYou talk in quite denunciating tones, Adam, yet what do you know about the cost of this war? You\u2019ve not ventured further than the territorial line into where the battles are raging, you know nothing of what cost this war is bringing to peoples lives?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed \u201cDoes one have to be in the thick of a battle to appreciate the enormity of it? Is it essential to see men blown apart to know the futility of it all? No, I have no intention of seeing it for myself, I just listen to those who come to this town and try to escape their memories, their losses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a safe place, Adam. But then the Ponderosa has always been a haven to you, hasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle, you nearly tore our family apart when you came last, don\u2019t try doing the same thing this time. It won\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d Kyle laughed and shook his head \u201cYou really are na\u00efve, aren\u2019t you? Your little brother Joseph has another brother to hero worship now, Adam. Do you think anything you say will count when compared to his brother Clay and what he has to tell Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat \u201cWhat has Clay to do with your plans, Kyle? Did he know you were on your way here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it matter if he did or not? He\u2019s got what I wanted him to get, and that\u2019s a slice of the Ponderosa. That will do very nicely for starters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned, he looked thoughtfully at Kyle and thought back to his conversation with Clay, he shook his head, \u201cI think you\u2019re mistaken, Kyle. Clay has no intention of handing over his portion of the Ponderosa to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you believed him?\u201d Kyle laughed again and shook his head \u201cHe\u2019s such a great poker player. I just knew he was the perfect person to send back to the Ponderosa. You know, of course, that I\u2019ve been a family friend for years. Almost related to the family \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I understand.\u201d Adam replied slowly, still trying to come to terms with the fact that Clay had possibly lied to him about his involvement with Kyle, and about the land. He licked his lips and then shrugged \u201cSo Clay came here with the intention of getting his hands on the Ponderosa, huh? He certainly knew how to win over my Pa, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re all so eager to help out the under-dog, Adam. That\u2019s something I\u2019ve noticed about you and your family. Trusting to a fault.\u201d he frowned \u201cApart from you\u2026 you didn\u2019t trust me from the moment you saw me did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you don\u2019t trust Clay, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips and then shook his head \u201cNo. I wanted to but recent events have proven my initial impressions of him to be more accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle leaned back in his chair and sighed, he toyed with the cup in his saucer and then looked at Adam thoughtfully \u201cI take it you\u2019re alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould I tell you if I wasn\u2019t ?\u201d Adam said slowly and lowered one hand to wards the butt of his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do that, Adam. Just put your hands on the table where I can see them\u2026 that\u2019s better. I don\u2019t want any gunshots warning that sheriff of yours that something was going on, especially this early in the morning.\u201d Kyle stood up and for the first time Adam could see the snub nose of a derringer in the other mans hand \u201cJust stay still, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched with some curiosity as Kyle walked to the door and opened it, then nodded to the two men waiting there. \u201cTake him away, you know where\u2026. I\u2019ll be in touch with you later about what to do with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you want us to kill him, Mr Kyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederic Kyle looked at Adam thoughtfully and then shook his head \u201cNo, not yet. It would be better to keep him alive for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s gun was removed from its holster and he was forced to stand up, he looked at Kyle, smiled slowly, \u201cYou don\u2019t want to under estimate us, Kyle. You did that once before, and failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have an ace card then, Adam. But I do now..in fact, I\u2019d go so far as to say I have two aces, one up my sleeve is always very useful.\u201d<\/p>\n

He slipped the derringer back into its holster under his jacket and watched as his two men began to lead Adam out of the room. With a gun jammed against his spine and another nudging his ribs Adam had no choice but to allow himself to be forced along by the two men as though there was nothing wrong. Charlie at the desk looked up and saw the three men as they came down the stairs, but as Adam tensed to do something one of the men hissed in his ear \u201cOne word and that guys a dead man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Adam\u2026didn\u2019t know you were in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a quick visit, Charlie.\u201d Adam replied as nonchalantly as he could ,\u201dHow\u2019s the wife and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wife?\u201d Charlie frowned and watched as the three men left the building, the door to which swung to a shut, \u201cWife? I aint got no wife or kids!\u201d Charlie muttered and shook his head, glanced upstairs and wondered just exactly what had been going on in Mr Kyle\u2019s room, Adam was obviously not thinking straight for some reason or another.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Perhaps Clay wasn\u2019t surprised at the cool reception he received when he came downstairs to join the family for breakfast. Conversation lulled as soon as he had made an appearance and even Joe avoided his eyes. He was thick skinned enough to ignore it however and sat down, flicked out his napkin and asked where Adam had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know?\u201d Hoss asked with a scowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, should I?\u201d Clay helped himself to some bacon and eggs, picked up some bread and poured himself some coffee.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Ben and then at Joe, he frowned again and was about to speak when Joe asked Clay where he\u2019d been the previous day. Clay shrugged \u201cI went into town, to be honest,\u201d and he looked Ben squarely in the eyes, \u201cI didn\u2019t take to the timber yard, and all those men – lumberjacks they call themselves – I\u2019m sorry, sir, but that\u2019s one aspect of work here that I really can\u2019t handle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat back and observed the young man for a while, he looked for some resemblance of Marie in the way he would look at Joe for the same thing, and certainly Clay had that fine nose, and that stubborn chin, the colour of the eyes were so like Joe\u2019s that it pulled at Bens heart to notice it, he shook his head \u201cClay, I don\u2019t really expect you to be staying here long enough to find any form of work on the Ponderosa to your liking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clays lips twitched slightly, he shrugged \u201cI find that rather a sad indictment, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s true, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe muttered as he pushed some food around in his plate, \u201cYou never did intend to stay here, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what did you do in town, Clay? Another gambling house, perhaps? How much of the Ponderosa did you gamble away this time?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was deep, clipped and had an edge to it that Clay had not heard before, he raised his eyebrows and shook his head<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, sir, that incident happened only when I was perfectly confident that I wouldn\u2019t lose any land to those men. I\u2019m a professional, sir, and I know how to play this game, and I seldom lose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did that night.\u201d Joe reminded him sullenly but Clay only smiled and shrugged,<\/p>\n

\u201cI let them win, which is a different thing altogether.\u201d he looked at Ben, \u201cDo you want me to leave now, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head \u201cNo, of course not. I\u2019m just stating the obvious, that\u2019s all. That way none of us will be disappointed when you decide to ride out of here ..again.\u201d and he looked at his youngest son as he spoke as though his words were designed to soften the blow.<\/p>\n

For a moment it looked as though Clay were about to speak but remained silent. Joe, his head full of confusion as he tried to make sense of the conversation, said nothing but kept glancing from his father to Clay as though inspiration would strike and he would be able to exclaim \u2018Eureka\u2019 as the philosopher from long ago had done. Hoss ate his food slowly and methodically as he tried to work out where Adam had gone and whether or not it would be advisable to mention about seeing Clay with Kyle.<\/p>\n

The meal finished in silence. As they rose from the table Clay said quietly \u201cI wouldn\u2019t betray your trust on purpose, Ben, believe me, the gift you gave me means more to me than you\u2019ll ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben paused and looked the young man in the eye, he sighed deeply and nodded although inside himself he was wondering whether or not he could really believe what Clay was saying, \u201cI hope so,\u201d he said in a rather subdued voice before turning to Hoss and Joe, \u201cBetter get to work. Joe, go and see how MacIntyre\u2019s getting on with that last order. Hoss, you come with me into town. Clay\u2026 you have a choice of coming with me or going with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay opened his mouth and then closed it, he shrugged \u201cWould you mind, sir, if I remained here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s scowl indicated that he did mind, but he said nothing just nodded and turned on his heel with Hoss close behind, although he hovered, surely now it would be a good idea to mention that he had seen Clay with Kyle, but Clay just gave him a cold glare which made Hoss swallow his words and head in the direction of the door.<\/p>\n

Chapter 21<\/p>\n

Logan and Fawcett pulled Adam along the side alley that ran past the Whitney hotel, niether man felt comfortable with the fact that Kyle had wanted the man kept alive, for them a dead body was far easier to dispose of, and less likely to fight back when or if a chance came its way. They kept so close to Adam that he had no choice but to go along with them, bide his time and hope for an opportunity to come along to escape. As it was now he accepted the fact that he was their prisoner and decided to learn as much as he could about what was being planned.<\/p>\n

The morning sky was colourful, ablaze with the colours of a new dawn and Adam glanced up and thought how the Indians would have hailed it with the exclamation \u201cYatahay, today is a good day to die.\u201d Logan pushed him forward towards a wagon, he stumbled, but Fawcett grabbed him by his jacket and before he could protest, fight back or take advantage of the situation he felt a blow to the temple, stars more colourful than the sky he had just admired exploded in his head and he fell prone onto the ground.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Hop Sing as curious as he watched from the window as Clay Stafford entered the garden which had been so carefully and lovingly planted by Marie and himself so many years before. Muttering Cantonese curses beneath his breath he saw the young man disappear into the rose bowers and return moments later carefully arranging a nosegay of roses in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh\u201d Hop sing muttered and shook his head, so, a woman was involved after all. Always a problem, always with women.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Clay Stafford long to reach the grave which was the final resting place for his mother. He remained in the saddle for a while to look upon it and to view the lake beyond, the waters of which were calm and serene. He wondered if she had been put here on just such a day after her death and once again he had a yearning for some knowledge of her. He dismounted and approached the grave with the roses in his hand and then knelt by the gravestone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s strange, being here you know?\u201d he whispered, \u201cI asked about you and I\u2019m told that you were a passionate woman, fiery as well. They said you liked to sing and to ride, you could use the epee, and that you were a good mother, a loving wife. But that leaves a whole lot of holes for me, it means I don\u2019t know what the sound of your voice was like, if your eyes changed colour when you were angry. I don\u2019t know the touch of your hand or how you would have cared about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He put the roses down and ran his hand along the grass that covered the slight mound. He frowned a little and stood up, hat in his hand, \u201cI\u2019m in a mess just now, mother. I can\u2019t seem to find a way out of it either. I think the best thing would be to ride on out of here and then I think that\u2019s the cowards way out, I need to face up. I know I\u2019m a disappointment to Ben, but he doesn\u2019t understand what it\u2019s like with this war and how it gets into your bones and distorts things so much. And Joe? Well, I guess he\u2019s like me more than I know, he\u2019s stuck not knowing what side he\u2019s on\u2026 I mean, not sure if he should be loyal to Adam and Hoss or to me. I don\u2019t want him to be in that position much longer. Sorry, Mother, I guess you\u2019d find me a real disappointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 22<\/p>\n

Mud oozed everywhere as Adam attempted to get to his feet, it was dark and wherever he put his hands or feet he could only feel the wet mud sliding away from him. By groping on hands and knees he finally came to a brick wall and felt his way up until he was standing on his two feet again. Then he had to turn round and lean upon the wall to get his breath back, and reach out on either side of him.<\/p>\n

He wiped his hands down his vest only to find that was liberally coated with slime and mud as well, then when he looked up he saw the sky, a smudge of cloud drifting by, just a small area to look at and he realised then that Kyle\u2019s two henchmen had thrown him down a well.<\/p>\n

He struggled to remember the direction they had taken from leaving the hotel, what had happened and when but all that he could recall was being dragged along, the pain when he was struck by some heavy object. Tentatively he touched the area that was even now throbbing, but the effort of doing so made him dizzy and he had to slide down onto his haunches, allow his head to sink down upon his chest and remain as still as he could.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss dismounted outside the Telegraph depot and were in the middle of tethering their horses when Roy\u2019s deputy came striding towards them and gave them his familiar smile \u201cMorning, Ben, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything quiet, Deputy?\u201d Ben asked with that smile he usually afforded the man whom he considered incapable to keeping the law without Roy to oversee him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is, Ben. Good thing too seeing how Roy done gone and disappeared on us all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy? Disappeared? How do you mean?\u201d Hoss screwed up his face as he imagined Roy walking down the street and suddenly whoomf and a cloud of smoke striking the spot so that nothing remained of their old friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he came in early this morning. That was about the time your Adam was here, no, got that wrong, let me see \u2026 more like he came in after Adam Cartwright had been in the office because he found the note that Adam had left him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam left a note for Roy?\u201d Ben asked, frowning and more confused than ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, not a long note, just a few words on it. Anyway, Roy shook his head, cussed a bit like he does, and went out, said he\u2019d be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly he ain\u2019t got back, huh?\u201d Hoss wrinkled up his nose in deep thought, and looked at Ben \u201cso if Roy ain\u2019t got back, I reckon that\u2019s how come he\u2019s disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and looked anxiously at the deputy \u201cHas my son been into the office since?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, I saw him go to the Whitney Hotel though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss exchanged a glance, nodded and then turned away towards the hotel, leaving Dodds alone watching them go and scratching his head. \u201cWhy\u2019d you think Adam would go and see Roy, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, that\u2019s what I aim to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, shouldn\u2019t we wait in the sheriff\u2019s office and wait for Roy to come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, I want to find out why Adam went to the hotel, and early in the morning, and then left Roy a note.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr left Roy a note before he went to the hotel.\u201d Hoss muttered which made Ben pause a moment, look at his son and nod \u201cYes, son, I reckon that makes more sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie was leaning across the counter talking to one of the staff members when Ben and Hoss walked into the foyer. He stood up immediately and straightened his vest, while the other man hurried away to get on with his own duties. Hoss stepped back to let his father approach Charlie while he himself looked around as though by doing so he would find some evidence of his brother crying out to be found.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Mr Cartwright.\u201d Charlie smiled and nodded a welcome, \u201cMorning, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie, have you seen my boy Adam hereabouts this morning, and Sheriff Coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie shook his head \u201cAin\u2019t seen the sheriff, Mr Cartwright, but your Adam was here really early.
\n\u201cHow early?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSun was just coming up.\u201d Charlie leaned conversationally forward with his elbows on the counter \u201cVery odd thing happened\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d Ben snapped while Hoss leaned closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he came downstairs with two other men and asked me how my wife and kids were.. Now, you know, Mr Cartwright, I ain\u2019t got no wife or kids, so I reckoned that was mighty strange of him to ask me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese two men, who were they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStrangers in town, Mr Cartwright. They\u2019re Mr Kincaid\u2019s friends.\u201d Charlie nodded and glanced up the stairs to make sure that Mr Kincaid\u2019s friends were not lingering close enough to over hear the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho exactly is Mr Kincaid?\u201d Hoss now asked before his father could even get his mouth working.<\/p>\n

\u201cA businessman, all the way from Kansas. I tell you something else – you know that young man that claims to be related to your boy, Joe? He\u2019s been here several times to see Mr Kincaid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gulped and went pale, he put his hand on his father\u2019s arm and pulled him from the counter \u201cPa, I got something to say..shucks, I shoulda told you before but it clean slipped my mind.\u201d he drew in a long deep breath \u201cI – I saw Clay last night here, I saw him talking to Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle?\u201d Ben\u2019s face looked puzzled, his voice confused, he shook his head \u201cKyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, you remember, the one armed man that took such an interest in Joe that time and nearly -.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben raised a hand to cut Hoss from saying anything more, he turned to Charlie, \u201cWhat number is this Mr Kincaid\u2019s room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c120, Mr Cartwright, but ain\u2019t no use you going up there now, he\u2019s not there, he went out earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say where he was going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie shrugged \u201cHe ain\u2019t like to tell me, Mr Cartwright. He went with his two friends though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at one another, thanked Charlie and left the hotel, probably faster than they had entered it. Ben grabbed Hoss by the arm \u201cFor heavens sake, Hoss, why on earth didn\u2019t you mention about Kyle before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did. I mean, I told Adam and he said he\u2019d deal with it and so I – I thought he would and kinda \u2026kinda forgot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFORGOT!\u201d Ben thundered so loudly that two people across the street turned to see what was going on. He forced himself to remain calm, the cords of veins standing out on his temples throbbed, he shook his head \u201cForgot\u2026\u201d he hissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not completely forgot, just kinda tucked it to the back of my mind.\u201d Hoss groaned.<\/p>\n

Ben was about to say more when a familiar shape came into sight, an anxious look on his own face but hopeful when he saw Ben and Hoss, \u201cI heard tell you were in town.\u201d Roy said as he drew nearer, \u201cHave you found him yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle?\u201d Ben asked<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at one another, shook their heads and frowned. Roy sighed, pushed his hat to the back of his head \u201cDang it, that\u2019s just what I didn\u2019t want to hear \u2026 means I done gone lost track of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 22<\/p>\n

Back in his office and pouring out some of the hot coffee into three cups, Roy explained what had happened. \u201cAdam came in early this morning, I knew Kyle was in town because Hoss here told me so -\u201d at which Hoss cringed at the scathing look from his father and the confused one he received from Roy \u201cAdam told me that he\u2019d had a show down with Clay, and had come to confront Kyle who was going under the name of Kincaid. I\u2019d heard about Mr Kincaid, just thought he was a business man passing through and contacting folk he had business with hereabouts. Well, seems like Mr Kyle was more successful than we realised on his last visit, several mining operatives are supplying the confederacy with silver bullion. Kincaid, I mean, Kyle, was making sure that the supply was still coming through and hoping to up the ante!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo – what has this to do with Adam?\u201d Ben growled, drinking the coffee far too quickly and scalding his mouth as a result<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, Ben, he came in and left a note saying he was going to have a showdown with Kyle. Said to -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a moment – you didn\u2019t actually see Adam?\u201d
\n\u201cNo, he left a note, but I went right out after he\u2019d been, saw him go into the hotel and kept watch like he told me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed heavily and put down his cup \u201cThen you lost him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. Miss Gibbs came along and started yakking on some about her boy and how she wished she had a man who would put him in his place. When she left I kept a watch for a while but everything was mighty quiet so I went in to see Charlie and he said Adam had just left with two other men. I high tailed it this way and that away, but couldn\u2019t see \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Adam\u2019s in trouble, Roy.\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cHe more or less hinted that to Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know, I got told the same -\u201d Roy frowned, \u201cI came upon some tracks round the back of the hotel, looked like three men, and then two men dragging another man along, there were scuff marks leading to a wagon, but after that there was nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss straightened up immediately \u201cJest you show me where them tracks are, Roy. We got to find Adam before Kyle does him any harm.\u201d
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Joe liked all aspects of work on the Ponderosa, but working on the timber yards and among the men who spent their lives roughing it out in the woodlands always filled him with admiration for the hardships they endured. McManus came and greeted him with a wave of the hand \u201cThought I\u2019d be seeing your brother, Hoss, again, and that Clay Stafford.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed as he dismounted, he didn\u2019t like the fact that Mac referred to Clay as \u2018that Clay Stafford\u2019 it indicated that the men here didn\u2019t really respect his half brother as much as he\u2019d have liked them to have done, but then realised that his respect was waning as well. \u201cPa wanted me to check on that contract, Mac.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh that -\u201d Mac shrugged \u201cIt\u2019s coming along fine, fact is, as I was telling Hoss, we\u2019re ahead of schedule.\u201d he chewed on some tobacco and spat out a stream of yellow juice into the ground, \u201cThat Clay Stafford – he\u2019s a rum \u2018un – stayed less than an hour, had some grub with us and then high tailed it outa here. Said he didn\u2019t like being here, felt kinda claws – to – probe – it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned and gave Mac a sharp look, he couldn\u2019t imagine anyone feeling claustrophobic here in the big woods but then Clay wasn\u2019t used to towering trees often time stopping the daylight shining through. He nodded \u201cWell, we\u2019re all different, Mac.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, guess I couldn\u2019t stick it in a room full of smoke and such playing cards for a living, which I hear tell, is what Mr Stafford does most of the time.\u201d Mac chewed some more and looked around him at the busy camp, he smiled \u201cThis is a good life, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is, Mac, especially on a day like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mac nodded and his smile broadened \u201cYou coming on in to eat with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, wouldn\u2019t miss out on the stew here for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

Kyle rode well for a man with one arm, he had always been a good horseman and once he had lost his limb he set out to make sure he would be every bit as good as before. The two men who rode with him kept quietly in the back ground, listened to what they were told and did what they were ordered. They were both sworn into the Confederacy and accepted Kyle as their Captain. Niether of them bothered to think about the man they had dumped down an old disused well some miles out of town and when Kyle had asked them if \u2018the matter had been dealt with\u2019 they had simply saluted and said \u2018Yes, sir.\u2019<\/p>\n

Kyle never enquired as to whether or not Adam was still alive, he presumed that he was because he had ordered him not to be killed. His whereabouts were of no interest to him so long as he could be produced, alive when it was necessary. He rode on with a look of concentration on his face as he thought over Adams conversation and the implications it had contained.<\/p>\n

He glanced at the sun and then took a look around his surroundings, everything was satisfactory, he was approaching his destination on time and hoped that Clay Stafford would be there on time. He smiled a little at the thought of Clay, which led him to think of Joe Cartwright. If all went well he\u2019d have the two of them riding beside him back to Kansas, sworn into the Confederacy, it had been an achievement to have gained Clay especially after he had refused that commission from his uncle into an elite corps, but then Clay had always been mercurial, took after his mother in that respect. The trick was to know how to play him, and Kyle was sure that the same trick could be \u2018played\u2019 on Joe.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Joe left the camp feeling satisfied that he had completed his commission for the day as well as he could have done. He had checked over the figures Mac showed him and been pleased with the results of his survey of the work. The stew had been good and filled his stomach pleasantly, now he was riding back to the Ponderosa and wondering if Clay would still be there. Lowering his hat to shield his eyes Joe pondered on what he was going to say to his brother, Clay. Several ideas floated about in his head, but primarily he wanted Clay to know that he hadn\u2019t been satisfied with his actions recently.<\/p>\n

He was wondering how Clay would react to his little brother telling him some home truths when he noticed a rider galloping some distance from him. He had to screw up his eyes to get a proper look at him but smiled when he recognised who it was.. Seemed like Clay had decided to join up with him after all.<\/p>\n

Joe breathed in some pure fresh air and relaxed in the saddle. Time for that heart to heart was sooner than he had thought, and he looked up to follow Clays progress towards him. He was rather surprised to notice, therefore, that Clay had deviated from the track that would have brought him towards himself, and was turning towards Horseheads Creek. Bristling slightly with indignation, Joe turned Cochise into the same direction, he was more than annoyed that Clay had changed course in order to avoid him. In never occurred to him that Clay had no idea that his brother was headed his way, his mind was on the meeting he was about to have with Kyle and his companions.<\/p>\n

Chapter 23<\/p>\n

Water was seeping into the well and for a moment or two Adam wasn\u2019t sure just how fast it was moving. When he realised that it was not fast but it was a steady constant trickle he reached for the wall and inched himself back up onto his feet. Moving slowly round the circumference of the well he kept his eyes towards the sky, hopeful that something would appear that was recognisable and gave him some bearing as to where the well was located.<\/p>\n

All it achieved as acute dizziness, his head ached more than ever and he had to squat down upon his haunches in order to keep from falling back into the mire. The surface of the well was rough, parts of it crumbled, and it smelled really bad.<\/p>\n

While contemplating what to do next and realising that one of his boots was leaking which for some reason made him feel rather hysterical he heard the sound of voices. Quelling the desire to laugh aloud, while at the same time wondering if he was suffering a concussion and fever, he gave a yell, then a whistle.<\/p>\n

The voices were gone, and now he had to contend with a dry throat. Looking from the centre of the pit he looked up once more and saw clouds scudding by, he shook his head, from the way those clouds were moving he could sense rain was on its way.<\/p>\n

He was now irritated by the trickle of blood down the side of his face and neck, and pulled out a bandana to fasten around his head in the hope it would staunch the flow enough to eventually stop it altogether. When he looked up again the first drops of rain fell upon his upturned face and with a soft groan he sunk back upon his haunches and buried his face in his hands.<\/p>\n

He had to think, try and recall to mind the things that had been said by Kyle, the direction the men had taken him which would lead to – where? What had he written to Roy in that note? Why hadn\u2019t he told Pa, or Hoss instead of just up and haring off to town in order to \u2018beard the lion in his den\u2019 on his own?<\/p>\n

He paused a moment, of course, there was Roy. He wasn\u2019t the kind of man who would toss a note from Adam Cartwright to one side and get on with his daily rounds, he would act, surely, he would be doing something. Perhaps even now, Adam prayed, Roy would be doing something.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Ben looked at the sheriff and raised their eyebrows \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sign of Kyle anywhere, he\u2019s obviously left town.\u201d Roy muttered, as he looked up at the sky and scowled as the first drops of rain began to fall \u201cJust what we don\u2019t need right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose tracks I was following were a mangled up mess anyhow,\u201d Hoss grumbled and his face fell into a sombre expression, \u201cI reckon on starting to look around by the hotel agin, d\u2019you reckon there was anyone else hanging around might have seen anything Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly Mrs Gibbs.\u201d Roy said \u201cAnd she was too busy talking to me about her son to notice anything, although -\u201d he paused and narrowed his eyes \u201cthey do say she\u2019s got eyes in the back of her head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glowered at the other men in exasperation, shook his head and ground his teeth, \u201cFor pete\u2019s sake, Roy\u2026 there must have been some other people about town at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t proper daylight, Ben\u201d Roy said and was about to say more when two children came running towards them followed by a woman, obviously their mother, who looked scared to death.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, sheriff -\u201d the little boy gasped and grabbed hold of Roy by the leg \u201cThere\u2019s ghosts \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDown by the old livery.\u201d the other boy whimpered, \u201cI heard it plain, so did Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head and pushed the children back away from him \u201cNow then, now then, I\u2019ve got things to do right now, aint got time to listen to your tales of ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut ghosts ain\u2019t supposed to come out in the day time.\u201d Billy protested his eyes as round as two marbles and his face so pale that the dirt on it seemed to have been plastered on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard it, sheriff.\u201d Jerry now pleaded \u201cPlease, sheriff, you gotta come take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy was always patient with children but the anxiety with Adam missing and the fact that the rain was coming down heavier than ever caused him to be slightly tetchy, he looked at the mother \u201cMrs Hanratty, would you mind seeing to your boys? I\u2019ve things to do right now and haven\u2019t time to waste on listening to their prattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it isn\u2019t prattle,\u201d Mrs Hanratty said with her bonnet all askew and her eyes nearly popping out of her head \u201cWe all heard it, my boys and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stepped forward, smiled politely and removed his hat – which he quickly replaced due to the rain – \u201cWhat exactly did you hear, Mrs Hanratty? And whereabouts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boys told you, over by the old livery, the one that got burned down last year. There\u2019s an old well there and I remembered that Mrs Lomax always grew some fennel there, which as you know, is very good for colic and other stomach disorders. I just went to see if there was any growing when there came a voice \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA voice?\u201d Ben and Hoss echoed, leaning forward and their heads almost touching, \u201cWhat did it say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grabbed Bens jacket sleeve, the rain was plastering his hair over his face and washing off the dirt, \u201cIt was horrible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerry nodded \u201cIt said \u2018Haallllooooooo.\u2019\u201d he looked at the three men to see if they were convinced, then added \u201cThen there was a whistling sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA whistling sound?\u201d Ben, Hoss and Roy said altogether before standing up to look at each other and then at the boys, \u201cWhat kind of whistling?\u201d added Roy.<\/p>\n

Mrs Hanratty pushed her hat straight and grabbed at her boys \u201cIf\u2019n you don\u2019t believe us, then don\u2019t bother wasting our time asking tom fool questions, Roy Coffee. It was a-hallooing and whistling like all get out. Now come on, boys, let\u2019s get us home before we get soaked through here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shivered as much from the cold as from the thoughts that were going through his mind, he looked at Hoss \u201cThat old livery stable is at the back of the Whitney hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah ..\u201d Hoss nodded, frowned \u201cYou don\u2019t believe in ghosts, do you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever seen one, and don\u2019t intend to.\u201d Ben snapped and turned upon his heel, closely followed by his son and the sheriff.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Adam was beginning to feel drunk, that same weird head heavy feeling that happens when one has had too much to drink and its hard to keep ones head from wobbling about on ones shoulders. His legs felt weird as well. When he put his hand down to steady himself the water was past his wrist so he inched himself up a little and forced himself to keep upright.<\/p>\n

If he opened his eyes the wall opposite seemed to shiver and tremble, if he closed his eyes then he felt as though he were going to fall down. He wondered if he had imagined those voices earlier and wished that his throat wasn;t so dry, he tried to call out \u2018hello\u2019 several times but it was a pathetic attempt and just bounced off and around the walls of the well.<\/p>\n

He was struggling to keep consciousness, the raindrops were heavy and he was telling himself that was the result of gravity, everything was affected by gravity, Isaac Newton was the one who had apples falling on his head so perhaps he should be grateful all he had were some rain drops. He shook his head and the pain made him groan aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cPsssst. Anyone down there?\u201d<\/p>\n

His head lolled on his shoulders as he attempted to look up. He frowned and narrowed his eyes in case he was having an hallucination \u201cHoss? Is that you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, it\u2019s me, Adam.\u201d Hoss exclaimed in sheer joy, and turned to his father and Roy \u201cAdam\u2019s down there, he\u2019s alright, Pa.\u201d he leaned over the parapet \u201cHey, Adam, you alright down there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. Couldn\u2019t oblige by getting me out – like – right now, could you?\u201d Adam replied his voice echo-ing as it funnelled up the body of the well.<\/p>\n

Ben leaned over now \u201cYou alright, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have rope at all, Pa? I\u2019d really like to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Roy who looked at Ben, \u201cAdam, we\u2019ll be back right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam groaned, closed his eyes, and leaned against the wall \u201cGood grief\u2026\u201d he muttered and once again slithered down the wall to squat on his haunches, his arms crossed, his head bowed and the rain pouring down.<\/p>\n

Chapter 24<\/p>\n

Joe pulled his hat lower as the rain began to fall. He was able to keep his brother in sight by keeping Cochise at a steady loping gait although had he felt the need he would have urged the horse to go faster. The way Clay was riding however was confusing, he looked like a man who was too deep in thought to be aware of his surroundings, to Joe\u2019s way of thinking if a war party of Paiute showed up Clay would not have realised until it would have been too late.<\/p>\n

A man gets to read signs like body language, oftentimes out in that wild land it meant saving one\u2019s own hide, perhaps even that of others. Joe felt a niggle of anxiety, and apprehension in the pit of his stomach as he noticed Clay suddenly appear to rouse himself out of his lethargy and turn his horse into a boulder strewn gulch that Joe knew led to a dead end.<\/p>\n

Kyle checked his watch and looked over at Logan and Fawcett who were standing in strategic positions behind some rocks in the clearing . The rain was an irritant but one that couldn\u2019t be prevented and Kyle had found himself an area where the overhanging rim rock shielded him from the worst of the weather. He had just slipped his watch back into his vest pocket when Clay Stafford appeared.<\/p>\n

Kyle watched as the young man slowed his horse and walked it towards him, he stepped forward enough for Clay to see him more clearly and greeted him with a nod and smile, \u201cYou\u2019re very punctual, Clay. I like that -.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded and dismounted, looked around and located the other two men who were lounging against the rocks trying to look as innocent as two men on a Sunday school picnic. \u201cWell, Frederic, I\u2019m here, so what do you want to discuss with me? I can\u2019t be long, I don\u2019t want to arouse suspicion back at the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

The one armed man gave a shout of a laugh, one that contained no mirth, he shook his head, \u201cYou don\u2019t what? Arouse suspicion? Are you lying to me, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Clay retorted abruptly and then frowned as he recalled Adam\u2019s conversation the previous night and the mans absence at breakfast that morning, he nodded as though realising what Kyle meant \u201cYou\u2019ve seen Adam Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have, he paid me a visit earlier this morning. He\u2019s always so impatient to get a job done, isn\u2019t he? Sometimes I wish it were he who I could recruit to the Confederacy, his cunning would be a great help to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss Cartwright saw us together, he told Adam -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd no doubt he\u2019ll tell Ben and the whole thing will come out about my return..\u201d Kyle shrugged and grimaced as though to dismiss the whole matter.<\/p>\n

Clay stepped closer to Kyle and both moved nearer to the rocks in order to be protected from the rain which was showing some sign of abating at last, \u201cWhere is he? Adam? Have you brought him with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should I do that?\u201d Kyle raised his eyebrows, he looked over at Fawcett and Logan, \u201cMy men looked after him – don\u2019t worry, he isn\u2019t dead, just somewhere safe for when I need him later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay shook his head now and bit down on his bottom lip, he passed a nervous hand across his mouth, stroked his thin moustache \u201cWhat do you aim to do with him, Kyle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow look, Clay, you\u2019re a gambling man, aren\u2019t you? What would be the point of me telling you what I intend to do with Adam Cartwright? Let me just say he\u2019s my ace up my sleeve\u2026is that sufficient?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. I don\u2019t want him harmed, Frederic, I may not be on close terms with him but I do have a lot of respect for the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you do, as do I.\u201d Frederic replied in a tone that was as silky and persuasive as could be, he reached out and touched Clay by the arm, \u201cHowever, it means that I\u2019ve had to abort some of my plans for now. Thankfully I\u2019ve been able to confirm with my contacts in town that the silver bullion is still getting through and arrangements are being made to increase the amount each month. I can hold back on my other plan although I am hoping that you can salvage the part involving Joseph Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay bowed his head and released his breath \u201cYou still hope to enlist Joe to the confederacy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do. With him part of our corps we\u2019ll have old man Cartwright eating out of our hands. He dotes on that boy, as you know. But Joe see\u2019s you as his hero, he\u2019ll follow where you lead, Clay. He\u2019ll follow right into his place in the Confederacy. That\u2019s his rightful place, Clay.\u201d again his tone was conciliatory, Clay even nodded in agreement \u201cIf his mother were alive – if your mother were still alive then she would be encouraging him to join with you, now, wouldn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay gave the slightest of shrugs \u201cI don\u2019t know, Frederic, I never knew her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle\u2019s lips tightened just slightly, he recovered himself however and gave a gentle smile as though of sympathy and understanding, again his hand rested gently on Clays arm \u201cWell, I knew her, Clay. I knew her as a fine woman, passionate for the causes she believed in and I can assure you she would have been devoted to our cause, no doubt about that, she would have given her all for the Confederacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you be so sure, Frederic?\u201d Clay asked as he looked the man straight in the eye and when the other man nodded and gave a little pressure of reassurance on his arm Clay relaxed \u201cYou make me wish I\u2019d known her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, lad, I wish you had, it was a cruel trick that your grandmother played on her and your father, one that I wished had never happened.\u201d he straightened his shoulders now and looked anxiously around him, \u201cLook, we\u2019ve had to leave town thanks to Adam Cartwright, so we need a billet of the remainder of our stay. This land that you have now, does it have any dwellings on it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay looked surprised, but then he remembered that he was mainly the cause of Kyle and his companions being without a place to stay and felt a twinge of guilt, he once again stroked his moustache and frowned in concentration before nodding \u201cYes, I remember now, there is cabin on the land, I think they call it a line shack, a place for the men to use when they\u2019re working in that area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good, we can use that then?\u201d Kyle said and beckoned over to Logan and Fawcett as he spoke.<\/p>\n

It was Fawcett who happened to glance towards the entrance of the clearing \u201cRider approaching, Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay and Kyle looked at one another, each doubting now the honesty of the other \u201cDo you know who that is?\u201d Kyle hissed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all. Ben and Hoss went to town, and Joe was going to the timber yards, this is miles out of his way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be one of Cartrwights men then, unless you\u2019d planned to meet anyone else here, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stafford shook his head \u201cNo, not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a word spoken Kyle indicated to the two other men that they hid behind the rocks once again, and then took hold of Clay by the sleeve and drew him closer into the shadows of the boulders. He withdrew his gun and waited for the rider to draw closer to be identified.<\/p>\n

Joe drew Cochise to a halt and looked around him, the cliffs rose on either side of him, he looked down on the ground and saw once again where the imprints of several horses hooves had intermingled. He eased his gun in its holster, for some reason his brother was meeting someone here, and had given him no indication as to who that would have been. That niggle in the pit of his stomach increased into an ache as Joe now encouraged the horse to ride on.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

The rope dangled close to his hand and Adam reached out to grab hold of it, it was looped for the purpose of going over his head and under his arms so that Hoss could haul him up. He fumbled in grabbing at it, and had to close his eyes and concentrate hard on stopping the dizziness from overwhelming him. He reached out again and struggled to put the rope under his armpits, he looked up and saw three faces peering down at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready now, or ain\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d Hoss bellowed as he fed the rope out a little more, \u201cJest hurry now \u2018cos I\u2019m gitting mighty fed up gitting wet here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy leaned down \u201cYou alright down there, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put a hand to his head where the bandana covered his wound, he was grateful for the rain having washed away some of the blood and mud that had covered him from his fall into the mire. He tried to speak but his mouth didn\u2019t seem to work, he yanked on the rope instead.<\/p>\n

The three men hauled the man up as best they could, every so often there would be a snag as though the rope were caught on something, but eventually Adams head came into view and it was obvious from the way it was lolling on his shoulders, and the dead weight they had been pulling up for the past five minutes, that the man was unconscious. Ben grabbed at Adam\u2019s belt while Hoss placed his hands under his brothers arms and together they lifted him over the parapet of the well and onto the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs the doctor.\u201d Roy murmured as he leaned down to observe the young man.<\/p>\n

The two Cartwrights said nothing but Hoss carefully lifted his brother in his arms and with a nod of the head to his father turned to carry him to Doc Martins surgery. Ben followed more closely than Hoss\u2019 shadow while his mind rolled around the fact that if anything happened to Adam, that would be yet another score to settle with Frederic Kyle.<\/p>\n

Chapter 25<\/p>\n

For a moment or two Clay stood beside Kyle and watched as the rider on the black and white horse drew nearer. He noticed Logan and Fawcett taking up position behind some boulders, then looked at Kyle whose eyes were fixed upon the approaching figure. Clay watched as a glimmer of self satisfaction flashed across Frederic Kyles face, a slight smile of the well carved lips before there was his usual cold, blank features.<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle, I just realised something.\u201d Clay said quietly as he turned to look towards the dust cloud heralding Joe\u2019s approach<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just noticed that you don\u2019t want Joe here for the confederacy, it\u2019s all about getting your revenge on Ben Cartwright, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle frowned and then turned towards Clay, looked him up and down and smiled, then shook his head \u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous. With Joe in the confederacy, Ben will do anything we ask of him. Why should I antagonise the man by what you call – revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay shook his head slowly \u201cNo, I don\u2019t believe you. I think you\u2019ve got me here on a pretext, you wanted me here to get what you want in order to make life as difficult for Ben as possible\u2026 and yes, you\u2019ll use Joe, you\u2019ll use anything to get what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle sighed deeply as though what he was hearing caused him considerable heartache, he looked again at Clay \u201cYou\u2019re getting fanciful, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, I\u2019ve played with gamblers who can bluff better than you\u2019re doing now.\u201d Clay muttered and stepped away from Kyle and began to walk towards his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Kyle said in the tone of voice that once would have commanded Clay\u2019s respect but instead the young man just kept in walking \u201cDon\u2019t spoil things now, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay didn\u2019t answer but mounted into the saddle and brought his horse around, he heard Kyle shout his name but sent the horse heading out towards Joe, at the same time yelling to his brother to turn back and ride away as fast as he could.<\/p>\n

Joe brought Cochise to a halt, the figure of his brother riding towards him, head bent low caught him by surprise. He heard the drift of Clay\u2019s voice coming towards him and pulled Cochise to one side, but when bullets began to be fired from within the gully he turned the horse away and headed towards less open country and to where the boulders were tumbled high upon one another. Behind these he sought shelter, sliding from the saddle and leaving Cochise to run free while he withdrew his pistol and waited.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have to wait long before Clay appeared and was sliding, slithering his way to join him, hatless and with blood on the back of his hand where a bullet had grazed him. He nodded and smiled at Joe, \u201cDidn\u2019t expect to see you here, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned suspiciously and shook his head \u201cNo, you\u2019re right, I didn\u2019t expect to come across you either. What\u2019s going on, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, Adam really didn\u2019t tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what? What exactly is going on here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay wiped across his face, the rain had stopped but he was surprised to find that he was sweating. He grinned \u201cShucks, Joe, things got a bit hotter than I thought they would \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe peeked over the boulder and narrowed his eyes in an attempt to see who was still in the hiding, then he looked at Clay \u201cAre you going to tell me or \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He paused and turned his head as he heard his name being called, a familiar voice but he couldn\u2019t place why, he looked at Clay who shrugged \u201cIt\u2019s Kyle, Frederic Kyle.\u201d Clay whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cKyle?\u201d Joe gulped and looked over the boulder to see three men riding slowly towards them. The man in the centre and slightly in the lead was bareheaded, as though he wanted Joe to recognise him, and realising that Joe had seen him he called again \u201cJoe? Joseph Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe ducked back to where Clay was crouched \u201cWhat\u2019s he doing here, Clay? What has he got to do with you?\u201d
\n\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Clay said quickly as he checked the bullets in his gun, \u201cI lied to you, I\u2019ve been lying to you and your family ever since I got here.\u201d he looked at Joe and then glanced away as though he couldn\u2019t face the confusion on his brothers face \u201cI joined the confederacy, Joe. Kyle\u2019s my commanding officer and he \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph? Joseph Cartwright, I need to talk.\u201d Kyle yelled and his voice echo\u2019d slightly as they bounced off the boulders.<\/p>\n

Joe stood up, pulled his arm away from Clays grip and stepped out from behind the boulder. With one hand resting on the handle of his gun he walked towards Kyle had stopped his horse and looked up as Kyle dismounted \u201cI didn\u2019t think to see you again, Mr Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I never thought I\u2019d get the chance of meeting up with you again either, but with Clay and our connections the opportunity to do so was too good to miss.\u201d Kyle smiled and turned towards the rocks behind which Clay was hidden \u201cClay, you might as well come out now, then the three of us can talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe kept his eyes on Kyle\u2019s face the way a man keeps watch on a rattler, he heard Clay approaching but didn\u2019t move to look at him. Clay stood just inches from his brother and Kyle smiled and nodded \u201cWell, yes, I can see the resemblance, Marie would have been proud to have had two such handsome young men as her sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa was proud of the sons she had,\u201d Joe said crisply, his eyes now turning to Logan and Fawcett who had their hands close to their guns.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo doubt she was, Joe.\u201d Kyle frowned, and looked at Clay \u201cHas Clay told you anything about our enterprise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t know anything about your being here or his involvement with you. Why don\u2019t you tell me all about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle nodded \u201cWhy not indeed. But not here, it\u2019s hardly conducive to a conversation between gentlemen, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned and shook his head as though he couldn\u2019t believe Kyle\u2019s audacity, \u201cJust say what you want to say, Mr Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, young man. Let me just say that with Clay having joined up, we just thought it would be a really good idea if you came along with us as well. After all, you are a de Maligney and ..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr Kyle, I\u2019m a Cartwright. Ma wasn\u2019t a de Maligney, Clay\u2019s Pa was, Ma wasn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mistake. You\u2019re right, of course.\u201d Kyle shrugged and looked up at the sun which was now scorchingly hot, \u201cJoseph, the Ponderosa isn\u2019t so far off now, is it? Why don\u2019t we continue this conversation there, perhaps your cook, Hop Sing, could rustle up some decent coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth to argue but the movement from Logan and Fawcett, the sight of the guns in their hands, kept him quiet. He looked at Clay who had the grace to look embarrassed before he turned away, \u201cVery well, let\u2019s do that\u2026\u201d he said quietly and turned towards where he had seen Cochise grazing. That\u2019s when everything went black as it seemed the sky had fallen on him.<\/p>\n

Chapter 26<\/p>\n

Clay Stafford reached out to catch his brother as he fell, cursing Kyle as he did so, to which the one armed man merely shook his head with a slightly scornful smile on his lips \u201cYou had better remember, Corporal Stafford, that you take your orders from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot any more,\u201d Clay replied \u201cI\u2019m not having any part of your war, Kyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederic Kyle leaned towards him with narrowed eyes and his brows lowered, \u201cYou don\u2019t want to talk like that, Clay. It\u2019s what we call insubordination. And you know the punishment for that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who\u2019s going to carry that out?\u201d Clay gave a toss of his head and glared at Logan and Fawcett, \u201cThese two clowns?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful, Corporal. Those two clowns as you call them have already despatched one Cartwright, it won\u2019t be too difficult to see about doing likewise to another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t hurt Joe, it won\u2019t fit in with your plan.\u201d the younger man replied with a slightly nervous laugh, he had a canteen of water in his hands now and poured some carefully over Joe\u2019s face and into his mouth, \u201cC\u2019mon, Joe, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ll ride out to that cabin you were talking about, Clay. I doubt if anyone will be too pleased to see us at the Ponderosa just now.\u201d Kyle\u2019s narrow eyes flashed with menace as he turned aside from watching the two brothers, one of them tending to the others needs as he struggled to come back to consciousness.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Paul Martin gave a wry smile as he finished examining Adam, he turned around to put his instruments into the old leather medical bag and took a phial of laudanum from it which he handed over to Ben, \u201cMake sure he takes some of this every four hours, shake the bottle well or the opium will settle in the bottom and he might not wake up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled a wry face and scratched his chin through stubble \u201cTrying to poison me now, are you, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

They shared a good natured grin, while Ben stood by the window to read the small writing on the label of the bottle. He looked over at the doctor \u201cIs he going to be alright to ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course I will be,\u201d Adam snapped immediately, \u201cPaul – tell him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he should be getting rest, and plenty of it.\u201d Paul replied and snapped the bag shut with a loud click. \u201cDon\u2019t risk it, Adam, I\u2019m advising you as a friend as well as your doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a matter that needs to be cleared up, Paul.\u201d Adam sighed and glowered at Paul from under his brows but Roy immediately said \u201cAnd that\u2019s my business, young man, I\u2019m the one does the clearing up around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, realised by doing so that everything inside his skull seemed to move and cause intense pain, he coughed to clear his throat and Paul grinned \u201cHurts, huh? That\u2019s only a small taste of what it\u2019d be like if you go riding about the countryside looking for Kyle Kincaid or whatever he calls himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take a dose of that laudanum then \u2026\u201d Adam said and reached out towards Ben for the bottle but Paul shook his head now and with a smile informed Adam that he had already had a dose, and a large one at that which brought a guffaw from Hoss who almost slapped his brother on the back but was forestalled by Paul\u2019s glare.<\/p>\n

Adam turned now to Roy who was buckling on his gun belt, \u201cWhere do you think he\u2019ll have gone now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? Kyle? I don\u2019t know, son, aim to find out with Hoss\u2019 help.\u201d Roy replied and tapped Hoss on the shoulder \u201cC\u2019mon, no slacking now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched them go and then looked at Adam \u201cWell, best get you home. That will be alright, won\u2019t it, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d prefer you hire a buggy than for him to ride out.\u201d Paul muttered as he re-arranged some bottles on a shelf with his back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cA buggy? D\u2019you realise how bad the suspension is on those things?\u201d Adam said scornfully and looked around for his hat which he found on the hook by the door, \u201cA saddle is comfortable in comparison.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul glanced over at Ben and rolled his eyes, but Ben just shrugged and with a wry grin followed his son out of the building.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Roy were mounted up by the time Ben and Adam were out of the surgery, Hoss grinned \u201cTake care of yourself, Adam, hope you get to feeling really WELL soon.\u201d and with a loud laugh he turned Chubb in the direction out of town behind Roy.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

The cabin to which Clay led the small group of horsemen was well concealed among woodland which smelled sweet and fresh after the shower of rain that had fallen earlier. They dismounted, hauled Joe from his saddle and pushed him into line behind his brother who had the door open to the small dwelling.<\/p>\n

Kyle looked around him and nodded \u201cThis will do, better than some places we\u2019ve had to camp in recently.\u201d he watched as Logan led Joe towards the truckle bed and pushed him down on it, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. I wish you had given me more time to explain but you\u2019ve always been hot headed and its never easy to be told things you don\u2019t want to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch as?\u201d Joe as he rubbed his wrist from where the ropes had been removed, \u201cSuch as my brother being a liar, pretending to be something that he isn\u2019t in order to get what you want from us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay winced and looked aside out of the window rather than at the younger man, he didn\u2019t deny the accusation but waited for Kyle to speak while Logan and Fawcett got a fire started and set about making coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe,\u201d Kyle pulled up the chair so that he was seated closer to the youth, \u201cThese are momentous times we\u2019re living in, events are taking place in our country that will bring new prosperity to the south if we fight for it. It won\u2019t drop into our laps, we have to reach out and make a stand, determine now to establish our rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head \u201cI can read all that jargon for myself, Mr Kyle. In fact I have read it all, and it doesn\u2019t interest me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because you already have so much, Joe.\u201d Clay said sharply, \u201cYou and your brothers don\u2019t realise just how much you\u2019ve got compared to others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe scowled over at Clay and shook his head, \u201cYes we do, and what we\u2019ve got didn\u2019t fall into our laps either, there\u2019s been blood spilled for what we have, and good men have died to establish the Ponderosa. But what you\u2019re engaged in \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 appealed to you at one time,\u201d Kyle said in a silky smooth voice and a subtle smile, \u201cOr have you forgotten?\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 26<\/p>\n

The ride to the cabin had seemed never ending to the brothers both of whom were in turmoil at these most recent events. Granted half of the trip for Joe was blanked out as he was unconscious but once he came round not only was he nursing a head ache but also all the information that had filtered through, the lies and the deceit of his brother seemed to be a constant refrain that went round and round along with the pain.<\/p>\n

For Clay the whole thing had descended into chaos, the situation was no longer in his control and his deception had been laid wide open to Joe in a manner that destroyed any chance he had of winning him away from his family. How could he regain that lost hero worship? In what way could he encourage Joe to even consider joining with them now that the whole thing had been stripped bare in the way that it had? Was there any possibility of winning back lost ground?<\/p>\n

Clay stood by the window gazing out into the woodland, he could smell the wood burning and coffee brewing, he could hear Kyle\u2019s wheedling voice and Joe\u2019s abrupt short responses. It had all gone wrong, he thought to himself and shook his head. It was like a nightmare, that same feeling when so confident that you had the perfect hand and then when you put it down and was about to grab the \u2018pot\u2019, someone put their hand down and it proved how paltry your own had been. He bowed his head and let the talking flow over his head as he realised that the few weeks he had been at the Ponderosa had actually been among the most relaxed and happiest times he had had in a long time.<\/p>\n

Kyle tapped Clay on the shoulder \u201cYou talk to him, seems I can\u2019t get him to understand a word I said. I thought you said you had him in the palm of your hand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did, until you interfered.\u201d Clay snapped and then shook his head at the anger that flared up on Kyle\u2019s eyes, he knew from experience it didn\u2019t do to rile his commanding officer. \u201cI\u2019ll see what I can salvage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just go ahead and do that, and remember whose side you\u2019re on, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stafford nodded and watched as Kyle strode over to sit at the table with Logan and Fawcett. Once he felt they were out of reasonable ear shot he joined Joe by sitting beside him on the bed. Joe inched away from him as though the proximity was too close.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? What do you want? More lies?\u201d Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe. I just want you to forgive me. Will you? Please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what? Nearly losing the land Pa gave you in a card game or for making sure you kept it safe to hand over to Kyle? For the lies you told us about taking no sides and being neutral? For -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201dClay raised a hand to stop the flow of words \u201cJoe, you can\u2019t say anything that I haven\u2019t told myself over and over again. I shouldn\u2019t have lied about how I felt with regard to my allegiances to the Confederacy but at the time it seemed the wiser course to plead neutrality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you could get what Kyle wanted.\u201d Joe snapped back sullenly<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I wanted you to trust me. I wanted you all to trust me and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cand then it would be easier to betray us. So, of course, that\u2019s exactly what we did, we trusted you, Clay Stafford. Adam was right about you, he never said a word against you but I knew how he felt and Hoss too, they didn\u2019t trust you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay hung his head low for a moment or two in order to gather his thoughts. He knew Adam and Hoss had never trusted him, a man can sense that easily enough but he didn\u2019t like being told that fact by Joe. He looked up and found Joe staring at him with his hazel eyes blazing green and the generous mouth tightly clenched over his teeth, \u201cLook, Joe, you may not believe this but that night I was gambling with the land your Pa gave me\u2026 I wanted to lose it, I wanted to be rid of it so that Kyle wouldn\u2019t be able to get his hands on it. Believe me, it was the only thing I could think of but \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood up and shook his head \u201cDon\u2019t talk about it anymore, Clay, I don\u2019t want to hear any more lies from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m begging you, please listen\u2026 Kyle thought you\u2019d want to join the confederacy, he was convinced that the way you felt about your mother, about New Orleans and even about myself, that you\u2019d be excited to be asked to join up with us. He\u2019s always been a good judge of character, Joe, and from our conversations I got the impression that you were all out for some excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and looked at him thoughtfully \u201cExcitement? Is that what you call it when you see hundreds of men gunned down in those battles of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when I talked to you about Jaurez and the fighting in Mexico ..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was different, it was worlds apart from the war you\u2019re fighting.\u201d Joe released a long sigh that came from the bottom of his lungs, he shook his head and winced as the pain shot across his eyes so that he had to raise a hand to shade them before turning to Kyle \u201cMr Kyle, I\u2019m sorry, but nothing you say or do will get me to join up with you and leave the Ponderosa. If you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to return home now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frederic Kyle smiled kindly, it softened and warmed his austere features making him appear fatherly and approachable, \u201cBut, Joe, you can\u2019t do that, son. We need you here, with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad, sir, because I don\u2019t want to be here with you all. Look, I\u2019m prepared to keep quiet about your being here if you wish, but -\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle stood up and placed his hand gently on Joe\u2019s shoulder \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, but if you insist on leaving then your brother Adam won\u2019t be alive for much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? What\u2019s he got to do with all this?\u201d Joe asked and spun round to face Clay \u201cDo you know about this? Where is he? Where is my brother? What have you done with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, Joe, I\u2019ve done nothing to Adam. I\u2019ve not even seen him.\u201d Clay protested, \u201cIt was Logan and Fawcett, they were acting under orders and – and they dealt with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe recoiled back \u201cDealt with him?\u201d he stammered \u201cHow can you say that about Adam? How could you let those men \u2018deal\u2019 with my brother \u2026\u201d he turned slowly to look at Kyle, then at Logan and Fawcett \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle shrugged \u201cTo be honest, my dear boy, I don\u2019t know. I don\u2019t think Logan and Fawcett are prepared to tell us either, are you?\u201d and he raised his eyebrows as he faced the other two men.<\/p>\n

Logan and Fawcett shrugged, looked at one another and grinned. Logan stood up and put a hand to the handle of his gun \u201cDon\u2019t worry, he was alive when we left him..\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Clay who asked the question \u201cExactly where was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeplace in town. Somewhere deep and dark that he won\u2019t be getting out of in a hurry.\u201d Fawcett sniggered.<\/p>\n

Kyle nodded and smiled, his fingers gently squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder \u201cAs Clay, who is a gambling man, will tell you, the one thing better than an ace up your sleeve .. Is to have two aces! And the courage to play them\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 28<\/p>\n

The knocking on the door echoed the pounding in Adams head, the pain of which, despite the laudanum was still making its presence felt. Just as Adam got to his feet Hop Sing appeared to open the door to Sam Riley who entered the room with a slight frown which contrasted with the grin on his face \u201cIs your Pa home, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s not, Sam. Anything I can do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam looked anxiously at Adams bandaged head, the darkness around the eyes and unusual pallor \u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d he paused \u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot knocked on the head and stuffed down a well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam laughed, not over loudly just enough to let Adam know he had enjoyed the joke, \u201cGood one, Adam, so what really happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and shook his head, carefully, \u201cWhat brings you here, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley calmed down and pulled some papers out of his pocket \u201cMac asked me to bring these along, seems Joe was in too much of a hurry to pick them up when he left us earlier. Actually I thought he\u2019d be here by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? Joe? No, he hasn\u2019t come back yet.\u201d Adam picked up the papers and began to sift through them \u201cDid Mac go through these figures with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure he did, but Joe looked a bit distracted, especially after some of the comments he heard around camp about his brother – that\u2019s right, isn\u2019t it? Clay Stafford is his brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced up sharply, looked directly at Sam, and then looked down to continue reading the papers \u201cHalf brother on his mother\u2019s side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh thought so,\u201d Sam nodded \u201cThere was some kind of resemblance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Adam sniffed dismissively and turned a page over.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunny thing though, I thought I saw him riding by Horsehead creek.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? Who? Riding where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Sam scratched his head \u201cYeah, that\u2019s right, it was him. Recognise that paint horse of his anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why ask me if he were home if you knew he was at Horsehead Creek?\u201d Adam grumbled wondering if his head ache was causing him to be more irritable than usual.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I didn\u2019t think anything of it at the time.\u201d Sam replied wondering if the bump on Adams head and the indignity of being stuffed down a well was the cause of him being particularly grumpy.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t reply, he put the papers down and looked at Sam and then at the door, then he thanked the man very politely and made it quite clear that business between them was now over. Sam took his cue and left, feeling more sure than ever that Adam wasn\u2019t happy at what had happened to him, if, of course, it were true.<\/p>\n

Once the sound of the horse had faded Adam picked up his hat and began to buckle on his gun belt, he was reaching for his yellow jacket when Hop Sing re-emerged from the kitchen \u201cWhat you do? Where you go? You stay put or you have Mr Cartwright very angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Hop Sing, I have to go, somethings just come up\u2026\u201d Adam muttered and hurried from the house.<\/p>\n

Sport looked as happy to see his master as Hop Sing had been at seeing Adam leave the house, he snorted loudly and did a side step or two before Adam could get the saddle blanket over him. \u201cLook, boy, I\u2019ve enough of a headache as it is, just calm now, there\u2019s a good boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Ben, Roy and Hoss drew up their horses and gathered closer together to talk over their findings, which were, at that point, negligible. The only two things that caused Ben any satisfaction was the thought that Joe was busy in the timber camp and knew nothing about Kyle, and that Adam had been deposited at the house and ordered to stay where he was on pain of death. As Roy mumbled about tracks and getting nowhere fast Ben felt that at least he had two sons about whom he didn\u2019t have to worry.<\/p>\n

Hoss dismounted and taking his horse by the rein walked around to try and find some elusive track that would confirm they were on the right path in locating Kyle and his associates. After a while he had to admit failure, he scratched his head and returned to where Ben and Roy were waiting \u201cNot a thing. There\u2019s no sign of any horse being here for some while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t figure out how we lost their tracks then.\u201d Roy muttered as he pushed back his hat, \u201cBest go back to where we last found them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a moment,\u201d Ben said with a slight groan of discomfort, \u201cThe evenings drawing in now, I can\u2019t imagine Kyle not wanting his creature comforts and camping out in the wilds somewhere. How about we go back to town and see if he\u2019s booked into the hotel again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo point in doing that,\u201d Roy grumbled \u201cHe\u2019d signed out, paid his bill and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more than one hotel in town.\u201d Hoss said hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019d camp out, he\u2019s not so soft as you\u2019re thinking, Ben. Hoss, let\u2019s get back to where we last saw those tracks before it gets dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d Hoss mumbled and darted a mute look of apology over to his father who was regretting having decided to join them and leaving his own home comforts back at the Ponderosa with Adam.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Clay could tell that tension was mounting in the cabin. As the evening light faded so the atmosphere thickened. Joe refused to speak, just sat in the corner of the bed with his arms folded over his chest and a scowl on his face, except when he looked at Clay when the hazel eyes would blaze green. Kyle was seated by the fire calmly reading papers, turning page after page and then starting over again, making little marks here and there with a red pen as though it had great significance. Logan and Fawcett were playing cards together but had declined Clays request to join them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long we got to stay here, Captain?\u201d Logan finally asked, breaking a silence that had stretched a full ten minutes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as it takes.\u201d Kyle replied without looking up from his papers.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d Logan pushed for an answer and glanced at Joe and then at Clay.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Joe\u2019s co-operation.\u201d Kyle smiled although his eyes remained hard as they sped across the written page.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have a long wait then.\u201d Joe growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is a shame,\u201d Kyle shrugged and flicked a glance over at the younger man, \u201cThe longer you take making up your mind the less chance your brother has in getting out of his current situation alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The coldness of Kyle\u2019s voice caused a shiver to trickle down Joe\u2019s back. \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t know where he is?\u201d he asked Clay who was still hovering between the window and the bed, close enough to hear anything Joe said in a lower tone of voice than usual.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you already, Joe. I don\u2019t know. If I did -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, if you did? What then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay opened his mouth, thought better than to say anything and closed it again. He stared out of the window as though his life depended upon it. Kyle looked up from examining the papers and watched the two brothers with some interest, he smiled slowly and stood up, \u201cClay, I\u2019ve a suggestion to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright would be expecting you to be at the Ponderosa right now wouldn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess. I told him this morning that I\u2019d rather stay home than go anyplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why not go back there now, see how things stand with them. Offer your help in finding Adam Cartwright. Do all you can to allay any suspicion that they may have about you being involved with us. This could still swing well in our favour if you act your part well enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sat up straight \u201cOh you aint got no worries about that, my brother can play any part you choose, you just name it and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough from you,\u201d Kyle said so sharply that Joe was forced to realise that any credit he had in the mans eyes had long gone, \u201cYou just keep your mouth quiet or you could end up like your brother. If you don\u2019t aim to play along with us, son, then you aren\u2019t exactly indispensable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Logan and Fawcett said nothing but exchanged a look and then watched as Clay picked up his gunbelt and buckled it back on. He looked regretfully at Joe and then, without a word, slipped out of the cabin and into the darkness.<\/p>\n

Chapter 29<\/p>\n

As Clay slipped his foot into the stirrup to mount his horse his mind played over and over again all that had happened since he had met up with Kyle. He saw in clear flashbacks the way Joe rode in, the conversations between them and Kyle, the ride to the cabin and consequent discussion. He glanced over his shoulder at the small building as he rode away from it and into the woodland, the impression of his young brother crouched in the corner of that bed and the hostility in his eyes the hardest memory for him to accept.<\/p>\n

There were various options open to him now, and he listed them as he rode along, Firstly he could hightail it out of there altogether, even perhaps go back to Mexico; that was actually very tempting, free himself of responsibilities and obligations and live his own life. Secondly, he could go to the Ponderosa and tell Ben everything, that would salve his conscience and help Joe. Thirdly – and there always had to be a third option – he could go to the Ponderosa and just pretend he knew nothing about anything.<\/p>\n

He jogged along at a steady lope, his head full of ideas that came out of nowhere, after all the options were good but he could find reasons why each and every one would fail. For a start there would always be Kyle, and the man was his Commanding Officer and would have him down as a deserter. Clay knew better than anyone that no one deserted Frederic Kyle without reprisal, no matter how far they try to hide from him.<\/p>\n

As for option two, well Ben would know by now that Clay had met up with Kyle in town, and that brought an element of distrust into the equation. As if it were not bad enough having Adam in Kyle\u2019s clutches there was also Joe, and why would Ben believe him now?<\/p>\n

If he went to the Ponderosa and just left things, just drifted along and let events carry him with them like so often in his life, bluff it out like a game of poker would be played out?<\/p>\n

The night was darkening now but the moon was kind, it was a cloudless sky with enough light for a man to ride without any fear of blundering into any obstacles or needing to stop to camp out. Clay lowered his hat and rode on his way to the Ponderosa, rehearsing in his head the things he would say as he played out different scenario\u2019s that may face him when he got there.
\nAdam rode at a steady canter, his head was pounding and his back felt as though his spine was jarring into his skull whenever Sport\u2019s hooves hit the ground hard. Joe was missing, Kyle was on the scene that meant Joe was in danger and Clay Stafford, where for heavens sake was Clay Stafford?<\/p>\n

There were other things on his mind, things that he\u2019d gone over and over ever since he had been thrown down that well and during the times he was conscious, the worst thing of all was the fact that Kyle had actually wanted Clay to get land, Ponderosa land, but for what reason? And why had Clay gone along with it? Old family friends surely didn\u2019t equal family, even if it were not blood family .. Apart from Joe.<\/p>\n

Horsehead Creek was just ahead, the outline was dark upon the night sky that had that strange almost ethereal appearance of not being dark at all. Moonlight highlighted the rock formation and for a moment Adam felt as though he were moving through a dream. He put his hand to his head, stopped the horse and sat there in the saddle for a while as he waited for the strange feeling to pass him by before he could journey onwards.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing opened the door at the sound of footsteps on the porch and then stepped back with a wariness that was not lost to Clay as he entered the room. After tossing his hat onto the bureau he looked at the unwelcoming look of the other man and shrugged \u201cBen home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, gone out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe only.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again Clay shrugged his shoulders and unbuckled his gun belt, he looked around the big room and frowned, glanced at the clock \u201cThey\u2019re late for supper, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey go look for someone. Bring Mr Adam home -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Adam back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave cracked head, very painful all over. What you know of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The question, coming from Hop Sing, caught Clay by surprise. He shook his head \u201cI didn\u2019t know anything about it.\u201d
\n\u201cWhy you surprise Mr Adam back home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, he wasn\u2019t here when I left earlier, was he?\u201d Clay said quickly.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing narrowed his almond sloe black eyes and regarded Clay like the worm that Clay was beginning to feel, \u201cMr Adam – some men throw down well – maybe could be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe isn\u2019t, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr Adam go out again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said he wasn\u2019t well, had a cracked head?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing more or less tossed his nose in the air in contempt \u201cMr Joe not come back, much worry for Mr Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, Adam\u2019s gone out looking for Joe? I thought Joe was at the lumber camp checking with that man, McManus, about some contract or other?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shrugged \u201cNot good. Leave camp early but not come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay watched as the Chinese cook shuffled off back to the kitchen. For a moment he went through what he had been told before striding over to the small cabinet in which Ben kept his drinks. He poured a good measure of good bourbon into a glass and had just swallowed it down when there came the sound of horses.<\/p>\n

Ben pushed open the door and wearily put down his hat, behind him came Hoss who removed his hat and wiped his brow on the back of his sleeve. They were about to unbuckle their gunbelts when they saw Clay. They both straightened up to face him, while Clay put down the now empty glass and stepped towards them. Before they could speak he said \u201cHop Sing tells me that Adam has met with some kind of accident?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAccident?\u201d Ben growled, \u201cYou might call it an accident, but where Frederic Kyle\u2019s concerned I call it attempted murder.\u201d he glared around the room and then fixed his black eyes upon Clay \u201cWhere\u2019ve you been all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I – er – I took some flowers to my mothers\u2019 grave earlier, then I thought, as I had the day free, that I would ride over and check on the land that you gifted me, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you were so happy to gamble away the other night.\u201d Ben narrowed his eyes and squared his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t happy about gambling it away, sir, I was pushed into a corner and it was the only asset I had left.\u201d
\n\u201cThe ink was barely dry on the deeds, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d actually lose it, Ben, I was quite confident that I\u2019d win it back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glared at him again before turning to look at Hop Sing who was hovering back and forth in the background \u201cAny supper, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSupper -\u201d Hop Sing shrugged \u201cYou no want supper when I tell you bad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss groaned \u201cMore bad news, what is it now, Hop Sing? You burned the pork?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, firstly of all, Mr Joe not back from lumber camp and Mr Riley come check up and say he leave early so Mr Adam say not good idea then Mr Adam go from house \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you saying, Hop Sing? Adam left here -\u201d Ben exclaimed \u201cHe left here, with that cracked head, even after he\u2019d been told to stay right here!!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Joe not come back. Mr Adam think \u2018ah\u2019 because he know man with one arm may be cause trouble for Mr Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at one another, the realisation and the fear registered on both their faces. \u201cWhen did he leave here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo maybe three hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gun belts were re-buckled on and hats snatched up, as they turned Clay stepped forward \u201cPerhaps I should come along as well, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ignored him but looked at Hop Sing \u201cDo you have any idea of which direction Adam took.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear Mr Riley say Horsehead Creek.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again the two Cartwrights shared anxious looks and headed for the door. Clay dithered, shook his head, perhaps option one would be a good idea, he thought as he reached for his own gunbelt and followed behind them,.<\/p>\n

Chapter 30<\/p>\n

The conundrum was not one that Clay wanted to look too deeply into because he knew the answer, but all the same it niggled him constantly as he followed the other two horsemen to Horsehead Creek. \u2019Why would an injured man ignore his doctors orders and the request of his family to leave his home as night approached to go for a lengthy horse trek?\u2019 His mind grappled with the answer, which was that the man was going out to make sure his brother was safe. His brother \u2026 Clay felt his stomach clench whenever he said the words, because it led him to continue with the fact that \u2019his brother\u2019 was also his Clay Staffords flesh and blood. The youth he had left with Kyle and two men who would think nothing of shooting him down at Kyle\u2019s order.<\/p>\n

At times during the ride he lagged back and considered turning off and heading out in a different direction rather than face what he felt was about to confront him. He tried to imagine Ben\u2019s reactions and the consequences of any revelations he had to give him.<\/p>\n

The two Cartwrights rode on regardless of Clays\u2019 dithering, almost as though they hadn\u2019t noticed it. There was no conversation, at night when the moon shone so brightly sounds seemed to reverberate in the silence and carry hidden secret meanings. The ride seemed never ending, relentless until Hoss raised a hand and cried \u201cPa! Over there – it\u2019s Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay\u2019s mouth ran dry as he pulled his horse to a halt and watched the slow progress of the horseman coming towards them. Adam sat low in the saddle, hunched over, the reins loose in his hands, as though he were allowing his horse to take him home while he slept. But he raised his head at the sound of Hoss\u2019 halloo and led Sport towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright,\u201d Ben hissed \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you to stay at home!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did, Pa.\u201d Adam said with a sigh of resignation in his voice, \u201cI was headed back home now anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were, were you?\u201d Ben\u2019s brows beetled across his brow and he looked at his eldest son with more anxiety than anger, then put out a hand to rest upon his son\u2019s arm \u201cDid you find anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam licked his lips, and then glanced over at Clay before turning to his father \u201cYes, I found something.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was silence. Perhaps he was giving Clay time to speak for himself, or perhaps he was struggling to find words then he said \u201cHorsehead Creek\u2026 found tracks. Three horsemen rode in first, two dismounted and headed for the rocks. Another horseman came and was joined later by another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re speaking in riddles, son, speak plain now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBest ask Clay – his horse\u2019s tracks were the fourth mans, and Cochise -\u201d he glanced down to the ground where their horses\u2019 hoof prints were muddled upon the dusty soil, to a man who had learned to read sign as clearly as himself and Hoss it was clear to see and identify each animal there, \u201cClay? You\u2019d better explain before we start assuming the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n

So this was it then, this was the confrontation and the moment Clay Stafford was dreading. He straightened his shoulders and his back and held his chin high \u201cCorporal Clayton Stafford of the First Kansas Company under the command of Captain Frederic Kyle.\u201d he cleared his throat and looked directly at Ben who astonished expression gave him a pang of self doubt and a little guilt, he dipped his head slightly at the vitriol in that gaze \u201cBen, I was acting under orders -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn your orders, young man, where\u2019s my son? What\u2019s Kyle done with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay paused as though somehow Ben had gone off the rehearsed script and the question had caught him unawares, \u201cCaptain Kyle has him in a cabin on my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Ponderosa land you mean,\u201d Hoss growled, \u201cYou ain\u2019t deserving of no land from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay nodded as though he understood what Hoss was saying and the reason why, he again cleared his throat \u201cIn other states men are dying by the hundreds for an inch of land, their blood soaks it through for the principles by which they stand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrinciples you denied not so long ago.\u201d Adam said quietly, one hand folded over the other as he gripped the pommel of his saddle.<\/p>\n

Clay darted a look that indicated the seething dislike he held for the other man, he then returned his eyes to look at Ben \u201cA man has to do a lot of things he\u2019d rather not, during times of war, sir, I hope you will remember that later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe war doesn\u2019t exist here on the Ponderosa.\u201d Ben intoned gravely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does now, sir.\u201d Clay replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is wasting time. You can spare the explanations for another time, just lead me to my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay said nothing more but simply turned his horse\u2019s head in the direction of the land beyond Horsehead Creek that had only so recently been his own.
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

Joe had dosed off, the blow to his head had given him a headache of major proportions and sleep had helped to ease it. He had drifted to sleep aware of the three men talking together grouped at the table with papers and maps spread out in front of them. He had intended to spend the time more usefully by trying to find a means of escape but thinking had only induced sleep. Now as he woke up he was aware of the sound of snoring and wondered briefly if it had all been a bad dream and he was camped by a fire with Hoss and Adam en route to Butlers Creek. He could remember that they had been joking as they had settled into their blankets but as he yawned himself awake the sight of the one armed man seated in a chair by the fire brought everything clearly back to his mind.<\/p>\n

Frederic Kyle had been watching Joe for some moments as the boy had slept. Logan and Fawcett were both snoring, their heads cradled in their arms on the table, but Kyle had remained awake to watch over Joe and wait for him to open his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have a good sleep? Want some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and was pleased to notice that the pain had eased. He watched as Kyle shrugged and picked up the coffee pot to pour the brew into a cup balanced on the arm of the chair. Kyle was smiling as though satisfied with his plans and almost without thinking Joe moved across the bed, kicked against the chair and sent the cup, the scalding liquid and the coffee pot with its steaming contents into the lap of the other man.<\/p>\n

While Kyle leapt from his seat with a stream of curses Joe headed for the door, threw it open and began to run. Among the trees the shadows were dark with the promise of shelter and protection and into these he bolted without once looking back to see what was happening in the cabin.<\/p>\n

Kyle was purple faced with pain and anger, he grabbed for his gun and headed to the door, behind him Logan and Fawcett stumbled from the table grabbing at their weapons as they headed towards the door. \u201cHe\u2019s out there -\u201d Kyle shouted \u201cGet him. Shoot to kill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chapter 31<\/p>\n

Joe ran, slithered, fell upon his knees and crawled as fast as he possibly could away from the direction of the cabin. He cursed the fact that the moonlight was so bright and sought out the shadows as best he could while trying to keep his ears open for the sounds of pursuit. His breathing was becoming laboured after a while which indicated a need for rest and shelter so with little hesitation he veered off to the left of the cabin and scuttled beneath some undergrowth that was growing thickly close to a stream.<\/p>\n

The earth was dank and damp, the smell was slightly of rotting and decomposing vegetation but he crouched down low and prayed that it would conceal him sufficiently to get back to Cochise.<\/p>\n

Footsteps came close by, he heard Logan swearing when he tripped over the root of a tree and fell, the gun in his hand dropped in among the leaves of a shrub that grew close by to where Joe was hidden. Logans hand groped too and fro, almost brushed against Joe\u2019s knee before it grasped hold of the gun again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou idiot,\u201d Fawcett hissed, \u201cWhat if the gun had gone off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it didn\u2019t did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think the kid could have gone? On a night like this we should have seen some sign of him somewhere. He couldn\u2019t have just disappeared into thin air.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he couldn\u2019t have rounded back to the cabin? He\u2019d need his horse to get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment the two men seemed to stand around waiting for one or other of them to act on their assumption. Logan has just turned to go back to the cabin when Kyle arrived, breathing heavily and with the sheen of perspiration on his face \u201cWell? Have you found him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sign of him, Captain.\u201d Logan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be, he can\u2019t have disappeared.\u201d Kyle snarled, and drew out his own pistol.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were thinking he may have gone back on himself, he\u2019d need his horse.\u201d Fawcett suggested and earned himself a curt nod of approval, a jerk of the head to order him back to find out just how accurate his idea could have been. \u201cLogan, stay by me\u2026 we\u2019ll flush him out even if it takes all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, Captain.\u201d Logan muttered and sighed inwardly.<\/p>\n

With all the stealth of a cat Joe crept on all fours keeping himself well covered by the foliage, Fawcett was less than careful, hurrying to get back to the cabin and confident that he would find Joe there, he had his gun loose in his hand and a smirk on his face as he reached the picket line where the horses were hobbled.<\/p>\n

Now he lowered himself a little as though he needed to keep concealed from any prying eyes little knowing that behind him another crept along equally as stealthily. Fawcett was a heavily built man, his breathing was that of a man who didn\u2019t keep good health, as he crept along he had to pause every so often to catch his breath. Behind him Joe picked up a rock, stood up and swung his arm. The dull clunk of the stone coming into contact with Fawcett\u2019s skull was followed by the man collapsing onto the ground, narrowly missing a freshly \u2019dropped\u2019 heap of dung.<\/p>\n

Taking the gun from Fawcetts hand the young man hesitated a moment as to what to do next. He could get into the cabin and bar the door, or he could get Cochise and make a dash for the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

The sound of Kyle\u2019s voice approaching decided him, he untethered the horses as he passed them by, swung himself upon Cochise and as he galloped away from the cabin he sent the three remaining horses scattering left and right into the path of the two men who levelled their guns, fired as they fell victim to the fleeing beasts.
\nBen stopped Buck instantly upon the sound of the gunfire and then turned baleful eyes upon Clay \u201cIf anything has happened to my son, Clay Stafford, I swear to God you won\u2019t live to see this night out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay\u2019s mouth ran dry, he kept what he hoped was a soldierly stance with his back straight and head held high. Behind him Hoss and Adam urged their horses forward so that Clay had no choice but to be swept up along with them as they made their way into the woodland towards the cabin.<\/p>\n

Two horses, riderless, dashed past them with manes streaming and eyes rolling. They continued onwards until they reached the sight where Logan was struggling to get to his feet, clutching at his arm and hugging his ribs. Kyle was full stretch upon the ground, and it was to him that Ben ran as soon as he had dismounted. Seated upon their horses Adam and Clay watched, Hoss had gone to attend to the injured Logan.<\/p>\n

Kyle could taste blood in his mouth, it was choking in his throat and he turned his head to spit it out. His useless arm dragged against his side while he struggled to get into a sitting position. He froze to the spot when he saw Ben approaching him, he blinked rapidly and shook his head \u201cYou? Here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt should be me saying that, Kyle, you – here – only I\u2019d have to add the question why, although I think I can guess the answer.\u201d Ben growled and knelt beside the man in order to assist him into a sitting position. \u201cRevenge isn\u2019t always so sweet , is it? Where\u2019s my son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d Kyle sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph.\u201d Ben hissed between clenched teeth, \u201cWhat have you done to Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment Kyle just stared at him, then he laughed, a dry cackle of a laugh, the sound of a desperate man knowing that he had lost the battle, could even have lost his own life. His heavily lidded eyes began to close \u201cJoseph – you don\u2019t have to worry about him – it\u2019s Adam Cartwright you should be concerned about.\u201d he coughed and blood gurgled in his throat, \u201cWhat happened to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like your horse trampled you down, Kyle.\u201d Ben replied and looked up as Hoss drew near pushing the injured Logan ahead of him, \u201cHow\u2019s he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBroken ribs and shoulder by the looks of it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyle\u2019s breathing was becoming more laboured now, he could see Ben dimly through half closed eyes, a slow smile spread over his face \u201cFunny thing is – all I wanted was Joseph to join our company. Be part of the Confederacy, pledge allegiance to Lee\u2026.to the cause\u2026 I thought with his brother \u2026 a good pair together.\u201d his hand gripped hold of Ben\u2019s sleeve in a sudden convulsive movement \u201cYou can\u2019t keep the war away from the Ponderosa forever, Ben Cartwright. Its bigger than you \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A spasm of pain seized him, his grip became tighter upon Bens sleeve and he gave a groan as blood gushed from his mouth and then his head fell back and his body jerked into the last agonies of death.<\/p>\n

Adam removed his hat, as did Clay and Hoss. Ben gently set Kyle down upon the ground and rose to his feet. The enemy was vanquished, but the death of any man was a tragedy. He sighed and then looked at Logan \u201cWe\u2019ll get you to a doctor, but first I want to find my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Logan was in too much pain to argue, he was near to passing out with the difficulty of breathing with his broken ribs. From nearby came a groan and Hoss called out that he had found someone else, someone who was going to have quite a headache.<\/p>\n

Clay replaced his hat and gripped the reins of his horse, slowly he turned its head and as he dug in his heels for the horse to leap forward so Adam\u2019s hand reached out and snatched the reins from him. \u201cNot planning to go anyplace now, are you, Stafford?\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse reared and pranced a little, tossed its head but didn\u2019t unseat his rider nor shake off the grip of the other man upon the reins. Clay regained the reins into his own hands, looked at Adam face, at the dark eyes and set mouth and then shook his head. As he did so his brain was already struggling to find a means to clutch victory from the ashes of defeat.<\/p>\n

Chapter 32<\/p>\n

Cochise slowed to a walk as Joe headed towards the stables, the animal was as weary as his master and as the doors closed behind them the sun began to rise in the sky tinting the clouds with pink and orange, while promising a day of perfect weather to come.<\/p>\n

Joe dismounted with the stiffness of a young man who had undergone a long difficult night, his head ached so much it was now getting hard to keep his eyes open from the pain that seemed to have settled above his brows. Once he had seen to Cochise\u2019s needs he stumbled towards the house and gratefully pushed the door open.<\/p>\n

The room was empty but he had expected that after all it was just day break. He paused at the entrance with the door still open and gazed around him with slumped shoulders and a heavy heart. It was when he cast down his hat that he realised that his was the only one there \u2026 there was no sign of Hoss\u2019 high stetson, or Adam and Bens hats. His hand hovered as he tried to think of the significance of their absence.<\/p>\n

He was finding it hard to think and having finally set his hat down and removed his gunbelt he made his way to the settee and sunk gratefully down upon it. He closed his eyes and wondered if his legs had the strength in them to get him up the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou here? Li\u2019le Joe, you here? Where you been all this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Startled from his slowly slipping into sleep Joe sat up and found himself staring at Hop Sing who was looking at him as though his eyes couldn\u2019t believe the sight of the young man home at last. \u201cHi, Hop Sing\u2026could do with some coffee\u2026lots of sugar\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Mr Adam? He go look for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared harder at the other man, he rubbed his head and then his eyes \u201cWhat did you say, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Adam go look for you\u2026 ah, then Mr Cartwright and Mr Hoss they go after Mr Adam\u201d the pleasure, confusion and excitement stiffened in his face for a moment \u201cOh, also Mr Stafford.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe leaned forward, he rested his elbows on his knees before burying his face in his hands and giving it a rub, as though it would bring life back to weary features and recall to his mind some relevant facts that he had obviously missed. After a moment he looked up and stared at Hop Sing as though he had to really concentrate on him in order to get his facts right.<\/p>\n

\u201cClay was here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded. \u201cHe come, then Mr Cartwright and Hoss come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they see Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot then. Mr Adam hurt bad, crack on head, crack on rib, Doctor say to him to stay home, not move.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a moment, Hop Sing – Adam\u2019s alright? He came home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, come home with cracked head I already tell you \u2026 not good, bad men throw him down well. Sheriff Roy, ,Mr Cartwright and Hoss go look for bad men. Then -\u201d Hop Sing paused and stared at the ceiling for a moment to think over the sequence of events \u201cThen Mr Riley come, say you leave camp too early, leave behind contract. Mr Adam go look for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would he do that? He\u2019d been told to stay home, why\u2019d he think I was in danger?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of man with one arm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey knew that Kyle was around?\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes flew open in amazement, \u201cHow\u2019d they know that? I didn\u2019t know that until \u2026 well \u2026 much later.\u201d
\nHop Sing nodded sympathetically \u201cMuch happen, you tired. I make coffee and you have food make you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and leaned back against the settee, his head lolled and he closed his eyes, \u201cI\u2019m tired, that\u2019s for sure. Clay came back \u2026 can\u2019t quite figure it out \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing looked at the young man anxiously, he nodded to himself and then hurried from the room with a troubled mind over the youths condition. He had known and loved Joe since the lads birth, and was more than aware of the fact that the young man was about to face another trauma in his life.<\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

The horsemen rode towards the Ponderosa in silence. A convoy consisting of a horse bearing a dead body across the saddle, two men suffering various injuries with hands tied securely in front of them and riding ahead of Hoss who had a rifle pointed at their backs. Ben rode alongside his son Adam who every so often reeled in the saddle and looked as though he was about to fall off but succeeded in straightening himself up before he did, and ahead of them, just slightly, rode Clayton Stafford.<\/p>\n

Adam thought he would never reach the Ponderosa in one piece that night. The relief at seeing the ranch framed in all the glory of a glorious dawn lifted his heart enough to strengthen his bones. He allowed Sport to take himself into the stable where he dismounted with almost delirious joy in his heart at the sight of Cochise munching hungrily from his hay bag.<\/p>\n

It seemed so long ago when they had found Kyle dying, Logan and Fawcett both reeling from their injuries. It was from them that they learned about Joe, of his escape and subsequent flight. Now actually seeing Cochise in his stall confirmed the relief they had felt when they had been told how Joe had effected his escape. He walked quickly to Ben\u2019s side and touched his father\u2019s arm \u201cJoe\u2019s home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two words brought almost delirious joy to the father\u2019s heart. His smile broadened as he looked at Adams grin and dark eyes, then he gave his son a warm grip to the arm before turning and heading to the house. Adam smiled over at Hoss who was encouraging his prisoners from their horses.<\/p>\n

Clay didn\u2019t speak, he wanted to tell these men that he was more than glad to know that Joe was home, safe one presumed. He longed to be able to tell his step-brothers that he did care about them, about Ben, about Joe, that they all mattered to him. Instead he sat astride his saddle staring down at them his mind numb and any hope of a future with them crumbling to dust.<\/p>\n

Logan and Fawcett were securely tied to a post in the stables and assured by a cheerful Hoss that it wouldn\u2019t be long as once the hands had had their breakfast one of them would be taking both men into town. \u201cYou\u2019ll get some medical attention there before they lock you up in the cells.\u201d Hoss had added pleasantly.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at Clay and frowned, then gave a slight nod \u201cYou\u2019d best get down from that horse, Clay. This business isn\u2019t finished yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I rather thought it wasn\u2019t.\u201d Clay replied and with a sigh he dismounted, tied the reins of his horse to the worn old hitching post and followed Adam into the house.<\/p>\n

The warmth of the greeting between Joe and Ben ended as Clay entered the building, both men turned to look at him as though they couldn\u2019t believe he would have the arrogance to step foot inside the house again. Behind him though came Adam who paused, removed his hat and then gave Joe the benefit of one of his dimpled grins, dark eyes twinkled and he nodded \u201cGlad you\u2019re home safely, shortshanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you too, Adam. I heard – I was led to believe that -\u201d Joe stammered but stopped when his brother waved a hand as though it was of no consequence. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss trundled in, cast his hat upon the bureau and then strode over to give his little brother a hug. \u201cGot a friend of yours all tied up in the barn, he\u2019s suffering a headache from the bang on the head you gave him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed and touched his own head and then looked at Adam with his head swathed in bandages but before he could say anything Hop Sing came in bearing a tray loaded with the coffee exclaiming as he put it down upon the table that morning had come, breakfast would soon be ready.<\/p>\n

Chapter 33<\/p>\n

No one spoke for a while as the atmosphere slowly froze around them. Joe stood with his head down, brows furrowed and breathing heavily through his nose as though it was the only way he could get air into his lungs. Hoss stood feeling awkward and with blue eyes darting from each of the men sharing the room with him. Adam knew his father well enough to know that he was boiling with such rage that it was hard to contain it but somehow he was managing while he himself, could only look at Joe and feel sorry for his little brother.<\/p>\n

Finally Adam cleared his throat \u201cI can\u2019t eat just now. I\u2019m going to bed.\u201d he didn\u2019t look at anyone there now, he just made his way to the stairs, faltered at the bottom step and grabbed the bannister rail for support. Hoss moved immediately \u201cYou alright, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019m alright -\u201d Adam snapped with a brittleness in his voice that announced to all there the very opposite. He drew in his breath and slowly made his way up to his room, they heard his feet dragging along the landing then the snap of his door as it closed.
\nHe sunk down upon the edge of the bed with an overwhelming sense of relief and closed his eyes. By the time he had unbuttoned the top of his shirt he had fallen back upon the pillows as though pole axed.<\/p>\n

Joe raised his head and looked directly at Clay, he took one step forward then stopped \u201cYou knew they had Adam, you knew he was injured, could have been dying\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t, Joe. I didn\u2019t know anything about Adam not until I met up with Kyle today at Horsehead Creek. Believe me I -\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben narrowed his black eyes \u201cBelieve you?\u201d his voice was low but more like a growl than a voice, \u201cBelieve you when you have done nothing but lie and cheat and deceive us every time you opened your mouth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen -\u201d Clay paused and ran his hand across his mouth, smoothed down his moustache and shook his head \u201cI was under orders, you have to understand, if it hadn\u2019t been for the fact that -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder orders? Whose orders?\u201d Ben stepped closer, his fingers grabbed at Clays jacket and held it clutched in his fist \u201cWhose orders, Clay? Kyles? That blood sucker who didn\u2019t even have the compassion to weep over his dead wife? Did he ever tell you about her? Did he tell you about the way he arranged for her to be killed and then dismissed her as just a woman he knew?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay shook his head and glanced mutely at them one by one, he then sighed heavily and bowed his head \u201cHe told me what happened here, how she\u2019d come to see him and got caught up in an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stepped forward now, his handsome face twisted with anger \u201cIt was no accident, he orchestrated that accident because one of the men he wanted to provide him with silver refused to do so\u2026.and so he had him killed. She was an innocent passsenger on the stage.\u201d he glanced away and released a long heart broken sigh \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever forget his face as he looked at her, you would never have thought she had been his wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben released Clay now and stepped back \u201cClay, men have done a lot of evil things over time and excused them all by saying they were obeying orders. You took orders from a man whose only ambition was to embroil us into this war between states. You chose to do so, knowing how much we would trust you, and you manipulated that trust to suit yourself as well as to discharge what you would call your duty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay raised his chin and his eyebrows as he looked at Joe and then Ben, \u201cI was doing my duty. I was hoping that Joe would come with me and join the Confederacy \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that would have been the perfect lever for Kyle to use whenever he needed more silver for The Cause, wouldn\u2018t it?\u201d Ben stated while his dark eyes kindled fire and Clay had the grace to look down, unable to withstand the look in Ben\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can say what you will, Ben, but the fact is that I was doing my duty, I was obeying orders. Don\u2019t you realise how much the Confederacy needs the help of people like yourself? If you could only understand what it\u2019s like for our men, they need that silver, they needs it for arms and horses and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for the sake of that silver you helped Kyle and almost got two of my sons killed.\u201d Bens voice rose so loud that even Joe blanched and stepped back from the blast. \u201cMy sons are more precious to me than the land you took from us, more precious than the silver you\u2019ll find on it, and if they had died, Clay, as a result of your obeying orders I swear it would have been the last thing you would have ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced away, his eyes moist with tears, he felt weak and ill, the anger and hatred he was feeling churned away at his gut as much as his own physical weakness and he lowered himself down carefully upon the arm of the settee \u201cYou left me in that cabin with those men. You knew they would kill me, you knew Kyle had no intention of wasting anymore time on trying to get me to join the confederacy. Admit it, Clay, you cared more for your so precious cause than you ever did for me, or for Ma\u2019s memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay shook his head and raised his hands in a gesture of futility \u201cYou forget, Joe, I don\u2019t have any memory of my mother, I never knew her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you made good trade on her name, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Joe cried, his voice now shrill and loud, \u201cYou certainly knew how to talk about her to me as though – as though she were as precious to you as you knew she was to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay said nothing but stared fixedly at the logs burning on the hearth, he longed to be a thousand miles away, anywhere other than there at that moment. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s necessary to do things that\u2019s against our nature, Joe. You should be grateful to have your memories of her. I haven\u2019t and I suppose you could say that Kyle did use his knowledge of her to his advantage, but truly, whatever he did was for the cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded \u201cYes, he was very good at manipulating people to suit his needs, for the cause. Can\u2019t you see yet what a devious man he really was?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay frowned and shook his head very slightly \u201cI know you\u2019re looking at him with prejudiced eyes, that\u2019s natural after all that has been done, but you don\u2019t realise that there is something far more important going on in other states that you seem to insist on refusing to acknowledge is happening. Men are dying in their thousands, brother against brother, father against sons \u2026 when their Captain orders them to charge, or to fire at the enemy, they don\u2019t put down their weapons and say \u2018Sorry, sir, my brother may be there\u2019 they just do as they are ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Ben said very quietly as he turned his back on Clay \u201cPerhaps if more men did lower their guns and refuse to fight, this war would come to a quicker end.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen it would be a dishonourable one.\u201d Clay said coldly.<\/p>\n

Joe rose to his feet and looked at Clay so intensely that the other man had to lower his eyes, Ben turned to look at him again while Hoss shook his head and stared at the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sounded just like him then,\u201d Joe said quietly, \u201cJust like Kyle.\u201d he shook his head and then turned to his father \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa, I need to get to my bed. I – I don\u2019t feel so good and – and I don\u2019t want to stay here in the same room as him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe -\u201d Clay turned and reached out with a hand to grab at him as he passed but Joe twisted so as to avoid his grasp.<\/p>\n

Hoss rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat \u201cI guess the men will be up by now, Pa. I\u2019ll go get Hank and some others to take those men to town. I\u2019ll get Dr Martin to come back with them to check Adam and Joe over \u2026.\u201d his voice faded, he glanced at Clay but managed to keep his face totally expressionless as he walked by him and left the house.<\/p>\n

Clay now looked at Ben and stepped forward \u201cI am sorry, Ben, sincerely sorry. I\u2019m more than grateful for all the kindnesses you\u2019ve shown me and although you must think I\u2019ve thrown it all back in your face \u2026 well, I \u2026 I want you to know that I returned that Deed of Gift to Mr Woods with a note asking him to return the land into your name. I\u2019ve no rights to it \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir, by heavens, you do not!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess there\u2019s only one question left to ask you then. What do you want me to do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at him for a second with a coldness that Clay had ever seen on that proud face before, he stood his ground however and waited like a soldier on parade awaiting orders. Ben said nothing but walked over to his red leather chair and sat down. He continued to look at Clay all the while as though seriously thinking over what Clay had just said, then he leaned forward and pointed his finger at the young man \u201cClay, if you were not Marie\u2019s son, and Joe\u2019s brother, I would have you riding into town – by thunder – I would have taken you myself and seen you locked up in a cell for what you have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. You were obeying orders, but as far as we are concerned you are out of uniform, sir, acting as a civilian, and as a result of your duplicity, for there is no other word for it, as a result of your duplicity my sons could have been killed. As it is a man had died, your Captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s no fault of mine and \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou allowed Kyle to take my son to that cabin, you made no attempt to help Joe \u2026 Kyle\u2019s death was the result of Joe\u2019s actions to escape. Well, that\u2019s by the by now, and done with \u2026but there\u2019s no place for you here, Clayton Stafford. You love this cause so much, then – there\u2019s the door. Go and fight it elsewhere. Leave Joe and the rest of us alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMISTER CARTWRIGHT \u2026\u201d Ben thundered \u201cDon\u2019t you ever call me anything but that again.\u201d Ben half rose from his chair, then sunk down again \u201cJust go before I change my mind and get you sent to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t I have a private word with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat don\u2019t you understand about the word GO!\u201d Ben growled with his face purpling now and the veins like cords in his neck and temples.<\/p>\n

Clay nodded, walked stiffly to the bureau and collected his hat. As he picked it up he could recall to mind other mornings when the four of them would collect them and laugh at the tangle of hands \u2026 he nodded again as though that was a memory never to be repeated now.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood to one side as Clay walked past him. Neither man spoke to the other, both knew it was better that way. From his bedroom window Joe watched as his brother walked with a straight back and head held high to where his horse awaited him. He swallowed a lump in his throat as Clay mounted into the saddle, turned to look back and up at the window where he was standing and then he was riding out of the yard.<\/p>\n

Joe followed him with his eyes until he was out of sight then he sat down on his bed and buried his face in his hands. He had happy memories to treasure of a brother he had loved and perhaps, one day, he would be able to recall them without the bitterness of anger and betrayal. Perhaps one day he would forget how his brother had re-entered his life and turned his world upside down.
\n.
\nConclusion:<\/p>\n

Paul Martin was somewhat surprised to find he had two patients awaiting his attention upon arriving at the Pondrosa. With some grumbling he examined Joe carefully and attended to the deep cut in his scalp a sympathy that didn\u2019t escape Joe\u2019s notice \u201cIt\u2019s not too bad, is it, Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul smiled as he replaced his instruments into his bag \u201cNo, that cut will heal pretty quickly. Like your brothers you\u2019ve inherited the Cartwrights thick skull.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul raised his eyebrows and looked at the young man thoughtfully before he replied, \u201cWell, I\u2019m more concerned about your lack of appetite and this lethargy you\u2019re exhibiting, Joe. That may take more time to heal that that cut on your head will do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Joe sighed and stared down at the floor before giving a slight shrug \u201cI\u2019ll be alright. Once I get back to work -.\u201d he turned as the door opened and Ben strode in, looked at the patient and then at the doctor with that usual quick alert appraisal he could give to sum up a situation. \u201cDoc\u2019s worried about me, says I need to get back to work as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said no such thing.\u201d Paul snapped sharper than the lock on his medical bag \u201cDon\u2019t you go twisting my words, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned and after a moments thoughtful gaze upon his son looked back to Paul \u201cNothings wrong is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just expressing my concern over his lack of appetite \u2026 Hop Sing tells me he hasn\u2019t eaten anything today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMmm, well, we\u2019ve all got rather jaded appetites just now.\u201d Ben remarked, \u201cJoe most of all, I should imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Paul nodded and picked up his bag \u201cWell, best not to dwell on it, young man. Clay Stafford walked out of here on both legs which is more than some families can say just now about some of their family members. Young Jack Hanratty won\u2019t be coming back home, he got killed in some skirmish with Confederates down in Missouri. His mothers heartbroken as you can imagine\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJack? I – I went to school with him.\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. It makes you think, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d and with a nod of the head Paul picked up his bag and walked to the door \u201cNow, where\u2019s my next patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched Paul leave the room to attend to Adam and then after closing the door he turned to his son, \u201cFeeling sorry for yourself won\u2019t help, you know, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not feeling sorry for myself, Pa.\u201d Joe retorted defensively, \u201cI\u2019m just – I\u2019m just not sure how I feel just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and sat down beside his son on the bed, he placed his hand upon Joe\u2019s shoulder and sighed before he began to speak \u201cI said some harsh things to Clay before he left, Joe. Things I felt had to be said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so, Pa. I guess we all said something \u2026 except Adam of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you feel about Clay if Kyle\u2019s plan with regard to Adam had succeeded?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Clay didn\u2019t rightly know what was happening to Adam, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough, but he knew enough to be as they say – legally – complicit.\u201d Ben squeezed gently on Joe\u2019s shoulder and looked into the young mans face anxiously \u201cClay\u2019s good his good points, as we all, and like us all he has his weaknesses. Unfortunately his weaknesses are easily manipulated by people like Kyle.\u201d he pursed his lips and frowned more deeply, \u201cHe\u2019s Marie\u2019s son, and your half brother, but -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the point though, isn\u2019t it, Pa? That \u2018but\u2019? If he had been here since a kid -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf – if – yes, if Marie had known, if she had brought him here, if only \u2026 but if only\u2019s don\u2019t work in this situation, Joe, because Clay has had his chance of settling down here and being part of our family. We accepted him with open arms and you, with an open heart, but he rejected it all. We have to face that fact, son. You have to face that as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he hadn\u2019t been under orders – I mean – caught up with Kyle -.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re back to those \u2018if\u2019s\u2019 again, son. Look, Clay has chosen what he wants to do just now. He had the chance to save Adam, to save you and in some odd way, even to save Kyle. He lacked the initiative to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both stared at the same spot of the floor for some moments before Joe asked his father if he thought Clay would ever come back to which Ben shrugged his broad shoulders \u201cWell, I have to admit I made it pretty clear he didn\u2019t need to feel very welcome if he did, but he has enough sense to know that in the heat of the moment we all say things that can be reversed. Perhaps he will if he doesn\u2019t get his head blown off in some fight or another in that war he\u2019s so involved in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, shrugged and gave his father a rather weak smile \u201cI guess it was just the wrong time, wasn\u2019t it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wrong time, yes, I guess it was , son.\u201d
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

The black hat was placed upon the card table with a certain deliberation that forced the man dealing the cards to look up and confront the owner of it. Hazel eyes met the dark brown eyes of the man who was pulling out a chair and sitting down, telling the other men at the table that the game was post poned for the time being. As they departed Clay Stafford gathered up the cards and observed the other man steadily \u201cYou alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s quite a bit pot at stake here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts only a post ponement, Clay. I doubt if I\u2019ll be here long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you find me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright pouted slightly and inclined his head slightly at an angle \u201cYou weren\u2019t so hard to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clay sighed and beckoned over to one of the girls, \u201cTwo beers -\u201d he glanced at Adam \u201cUnless you want something stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeers fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other men had wandered over to the counter, lounged against it and watched the two men warily, anxious that they weren\u2019t going to lose out on the money or their chance to win it back. Their cards remained where they had left them and through the mirror behind the counter they watched as the girl took the beers over to Adam and Clay and placed them on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam picked up his beer and sipped it slowly before replacing the glass on the table, \u201cHe\u2019s well, out at Yuma just now with a string of horses for the army.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been two years \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh. And the wars over. How was your war, Clay?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Clay\u2019s turn to pick up a glass and drink from it, he swallowed and stared at the other man with old eyes \u201cIt was bloody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still enlisted?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I\u2019m an officer in the army of the United States of America.\u201d Clay replied with some bitterness in his voice, \u201cIronic, isn\u2019t it? It was all for nothing, nothing ..all those lives, all that hatred\u2026 all for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm,\u201d Adam nodded and sighed \u201cThe south are going to take a long time to get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was at Atlanta when she was burning \u2026 it made me think of you all here, on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Not unkindly I hope\u2026\u201d and Adam gave a twisted cynical smile as he picked up his glass again.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it made me realise what I had thrown away, what I nearly had \u2026and oddly enough it made me think about the Mayhews, you remember them? Joe and I had a fight with them \u2026it made me realise how deep their pain must have been to know that their family had been wiped out just because it stood in the way of the war machines \u2026 I often thought of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still here.\u201d Adam muttered and drained his glass dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre things – how are things on the Ponderosa?\u201d Clay twisted some coins between his fingers and looked wistfully at Adam, \u201cEveryone well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, everyone\u2019s well. You know you\u2019re welcome to visit anytime while you\u2019re here in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Last time I saw your Pa he indicated quite the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I\u2019m sure he did. He had reason to do so at the time.\u201d Adam smiled and his eyes twinkled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about what happened to you, Adam, had I known you had been treated so bad I\u2019d have looked out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their eyes met, Adam lowered his and said nothing, Clay turned his aside knowing he had said too much, an easy enough little lie but all the same, it was a lie and he knew that Adam realised that only too well.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe took a while to get over your leaving, and all that happened, you know?\u201d Adam sighed and reached out for his hat, \u201cHe\u2019ll be back by the end of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to report to my unit tomorrow. We\u2019re en route to Indian Territory. I just wanted to revisit the town and – and just see how things were, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. I know.\u201d Adam stood up with a lithe movement and placed his hat upon his head, \u201cWell, should you have time to visit, you know where the Ponderosa is, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks. I\u2019ll remember that, Adam. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at one another, for a moment they didn\u2019t speak but looked as though taking the measure of the other. Adam put out his hand and Clay accepted it, they shook briefly and then Adam turned and left the building.<\/p>\n

As he walked to his horse he wondered if Clay would ride by, even for a few moments before he joined his unit. Somehow, he thought, he didn\u2019t think he would.<\/p>\n

As Clay nodded a welcome back to his fellow gamblers and the girl removed the empty glasses he smiled, he knew he wouldn\u2019t have time for that visit. But, at least, he knew that one day, and who knew when, the door was open to him once more.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Clay Stafford,\u00a0Family,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Little Joe Cartwright can’t believe it when Clay Stafford enters his life again …nor can his brothers for very different reasons. Is Clay back for good? Are his motives honest and above board? And who is the man with whom he keeps in contact?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (55,545 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":14240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3390,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14392,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14392","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":0},"title":"The First Born Returns (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 12, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Clay Stafford returns to the Ponderosa. Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(2,500 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":64124,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=64124","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":1},"title":"Older Brothers (by Tavia42)","author":"Tavia42","date":"May 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss Cartwright and Clay Stafford have at least one thing in common \u2013 they\u2019re both older brothers to Little Joe.\u00a0 A Missing Scenes and What Happens Next for \u201cThe First Born,\u201d mostly exploring events from Hoss\u2019 and Clay\u2019s points of view. Connected to my ongoing series, but you can\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/S04.01-First-Born-1.1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/S04.01-First-Born-1.1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/S04.01-First-Born-1.1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/S04.01-First-Born-1.1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/S04.01-First-Born-1.1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19782,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19782","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":2},"title":"A Brother Lost (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"January 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: One brother has gone astray and the other two brothers have come to take him home.\u00a0 Rating - G, Word Count - 1015","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"joe","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/First-Born.png?fit=840%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/First-Born.png?fit=840%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/First-Born.png?fit=840%2C678&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/First-Born.png?fit=840%2C678&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1634,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1634","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":3},"title":"Clay (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"August 10, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A sequel to the episode First Born. \u00a0 A chance meeting in an hotel reunites Joe with his brother Clay. But is Clay's past about to catch up with him again? Rated: \u00a0T \u00a0 \u00a0(10,585 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7656,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7656","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":4},"title":"By Step, By Half, And by Heart (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Clay sends a telegram to Adam asking him for help. This time Clay's troubles send the entire Cartwright family down a road that could led to the destruction of Ben Cartwright's dream or finally bring Joe's other brother home.\u00a0\u00a0 Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0 Word count:\u00a032,335 Between First Borns Series, links to stories within\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/snip_20170426185456.png?fit=740%2C460&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3138,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3138","url_meta":{"origin":10159,"position":5},"title":"Brothers, Brothers and More Brothers (by Fozrulz)","author":"Fozrulz","date":"April 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Sometimes Ellie can just get a fill of all her brothers, but sometimes she really needs all of them. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (4,885 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}