Summary:\u00a0 Shortly after Ben Cartwright\u2019s orphaned niece arrives in Virginia City, his neighbors are harassed by an unseen enemy.\u00a0 Is it someone they know, or someone they don\u2019t know?<\/p>\n
Rated PG WC 18,000<\/p>\n
Unseen Enemy<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n CHAPTER ONE – Ben\u2019s Niece Arrives<\/p>\n \u201cIs the stage on time today, Harry?\u201d\u00a0 Ben Cartwright called through the Overland Express ticket office window on the Main Street of Virginia City.<\/p>\n \u201cShould be,\u201d Harry replied from inside.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t heard no news to the contrary.\u00a0 Should be here in about five minutes or so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine, fine.\u201d\u00a0 Ben walked to the edge of the wooden sidewalk and glanced down the street toward the edge of town, then had a look at his pocket watch.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, hello there, Mr. Cartwright!\u201d\u00a0 A gravelly female voice called out to him.<\/p>\n \u201cMarj Borgstrom!\u201d\u00a0 Ben reached out to shake hands with the formidable, middle-aged woman.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re looking mighty chipper today.\u00a0 What news have you from your neck of the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy girl, Antonia, is comin\u2019 home today from St. Louis,\u201d\u00a0 Marj beamed.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s graduated that finishing school she just had to go to.\u00a0 Says she\u2018s gonna start a school of her own here, teachin\u2018 art and music and what-not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll succeed,\u201d Ben encouraged her.\u00a0 \u201cVirginia City is certainly ready for more cultured pursuits.\u00a0\u00a0 So, tell me\u2026how are Stig and your boys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, they\u2019re just fine, Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Marj fussed with the beaded fringe on her reticule.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I\u2019m glad I run into you.\u00a0 Saves me a trip out to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that spring is here,\u201d she explained. \u201cwe\u2019re gonna have a barn-raisin\u2019 out at our place next Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you can count me in,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAlthough I\u2019m afraid my sons are already out on spring roundup and may not get back in time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, that\u2019s a shame!\u201d Marj said.\u00a0 \u201cI know Antonia will be sorry about that.\u00a0 She always was sweet on your Little Joe.\u00a0 Say, are you waiting for the stage, too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cMy niece, Hannah, is coming from Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s your sister\u2019s girl, ain\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes misted over.\u00a0 \u201cNow that Rachel is gone, Hannah will live with us at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was plum sorry to hear about your sister, Ben,\u201d Marj patted his arm.\u00a0 \u201cBut it must be a comfort to you that her long sufferin\u2019 is finally over and she\u2019s in a better place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Marj,\u201d\u00a0 Ben put his hand over hers.\u00a0 \u201cYes, she was ill for quite a long time, and her passing is quite precious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe death of his saints is precious in the eyes of the Lord,\u201d Marj recited.\u00a0 \u201cLeastways, that\u2019s what it says in the Good Book.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmen,\u201d Ben answered in a low voice and then cleared the emotion from his throat.\u00a0 A noise of horses approaching from down the street captured his attention.\u00a0 \u201cI think the stage is coming!\u201d<\/p>\n The familiar red and yellow carriage pulled by four strong horses trotted up the dusty road to the front of the stage office.<\/p>\n \u201cMama!\u00a0 Mama!\u201d\u00a0 Antonia Borgstrom called out from the window, and then she opened the door and nearly tumbled out, in her excitement to be home.<\/p>\n \u201cToni, darlin\u2019!\u201d Marj embraced her daughter in a tight squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cLet me get a good look at you!\u201d<\/p>\n Another young woman disembarked.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah?\u201d\u00a0 Ben approached her.<\/p>\n The young woman looked into Ben\u2019s face and saw a familiar resemblance to her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Ben!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah fell into his arms and began to cry.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I\u2019d never get here!\u00a0 It\u2019s so good to be with family again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere, there now,\u201d Ben comforted her.\u00a0 \u201cLet me see you smile, eh?\u00a0 Why Hannah!\u00a0 You\u2019re a grown woman!\u00a0 The last picture of you I have is of a little girl with braids and a pinafore.\u00a0 And here you are with your hair all pinned up and looking so stylish and lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah smiled through her tears.\u00a0 This was the first time she had met her uncle, and already she knew she would love him.<\/p>\n Antonia Borgstrom interrupted their intimate moment.\u00a0 \u201cHannah, I\u2019d like for you to meet my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n Antonia took Hannah\u2019s hand firmly in her own.\u00a0 \u201cMother, I would like to introduce you to Miss Hannah Lowell of Boston, Massachusetts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Hannah, I\u2019m happy to make your acquaintance,\u201d Marj greeted her.\u00a0 \u201cI was just telling Ben how sorry I was about your mother\u2019s passing.\u00a0\u00a0 How are you holding up, my dear?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben came up behind Hannah and gently supported the small of her back with his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as can be expected, I suppose,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah managed a nice smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just very happy to be here in Nevada at last, and far away from those Boston Brahmins!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben interjected.\u00a0 \u201cMarj was just telling me that they\u2019re hosting an old-fashioned barn-raising at her home on Friday.\u00a0 It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to meet all my neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow exciting!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah clasped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Antonia wrapped her arm around Hannah\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cHannah and I became fast friends on the stage.\u00a0 I\u2019m so glad you decided to come to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 It\u2019s so beautiful there, you\u2019ll love it!\u00a0 And I\u2019ll love having a neighbor my own age to visit with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s all settled!\u201d\u00a0 Ben chimed in.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll see you on Friday!\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s get these lovely young ladies\u2019 baggage loaded into our wagons and take them home.\u00a0 Marj, would you care to drive along with us part of the way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to, Ben, but I got to town rather late and I still have some supplies to pick up at Lipman\u2019s Dry Goods.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you soon, Hannah,\u201d Antonia called to the young woman.<\/p>\n Ben and Hannah waved as the Borgstroms walked on down Main Street.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, niece of mine,\u201d Ben started grabbing Hannah\u2019s luggage.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you home to the Ponderosa, to rest from your long journey.\u00a0 Hop Sing is preparing a feast in your honor!\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah insisted on carrying the small valise, and Ben grabbed her two trunks and balanced her larger valise under his arm.\u00a0 He led her to his surrey.\u00a0 He loaded her belongings into the back seat of the jaunty rig and helped his niece climb onto the front bench.\u00a0 Sitting next to her, he took up the reins and the horses trotted on down the road toward home.<\/p>\n While still in town, Ben pointed out many things to Hannah.\u00a0 They passed the Gold Hill Theater and Piper\u2019s Opera House, and Hannah was pleasantly surprised that culture had found its way to the rugged West.\u00a0 Ben showed her where the ladies\u2019 shops were located and other stores where the Cartwrights traded business, and Ben told her that anything she wanted or needed should be charged to his account.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for inviting me to live with you, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah leaned on Ben\u2018s shoulder and wrapped her arms around his.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I could have spent another day in Boston!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt must have been very hard on you taking care of Rachel by yourself those last months of her life,\u201d\u00a0 Ben choked back emotion.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I could have seen her one last time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe absolutely adored you, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBut taking care of Mother wasn\u2019t difficult at all.\u00a0 I loved nursing her.\u00a0 I felt so useful, and it really blessed Mother and I to have that time together.\u00a0 We talked about her childhood, her three brothers and their adventures at sea.\u00a0 We talked about important things\u2026her hopes for me, wisdom she had learned over the years, and most of all, we talked about Father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure she missed Charles a great deal,\u201d\u00a0 Ben acknowledged.\u00a0 \u201cYour father was a brave man, and served the Union Army with distinction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, mother did miss him, more than she let on,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah admitted.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I miss him terribly!\u00a0 I miss them both very much!\u201d<\/p>\n She began to cry softly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Uncle Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo need to be, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Ben reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a perfect right to grieve.\u00a0\u00a0 I only wish I could have been there when your mother passed on, to help you with all the arrangements.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, the Lowells took great pains to make sure everything was in order!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah\u2019s grief turned to disgust.\u00a0 \u201cThey never liked Mother.\u00a0 They always thought Father married beneath his station, but since she was his widow, and he was a war hero and a Boston Brahmin, they had to put on a show for her funeral!\u00a0 Well, the show is over, and I never want to see those hateful people again!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben remembered how his sister had complained in letters to him, of the poor treatment her in-laws had given Rachel and Hannah after Colonel Lowell was killed in the war between the states.\u00a0 He allowed Hannah the opportunity to vent her anger and frustration.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t the Lowells offer to take you in after Rachel died?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if I would promise to be a good little aristocrat!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah replied.\u00a0 \u201cBut Uncle Ben, I want more out of my life besides being a pretty ornament on the arm of some lawyer or banker.\u00a0 I want my life to count for something besides hosting meaningless parties and calling on hypocritical women with nothing better to do but model the latest fashions and gossip about each other!\u00a0\u00a0 You would think, now that the war is over and the country is getting back on its feet, that these biddies would be concerned about the needs of the war widows and their children, and the education of freed slaves\u2026but they\u2019ve returned to their snobbery and social calendar as if nothing has happened in the world!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like you have more Cartwright in you than Lowell!\u201d\u00a0 Ben joked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m certain you can find something useful to do here.\u00a0 Western folk don\u2019t stand on ceremony and haughty airs, although you will find a few individuals like that in town.\u00a0 But for the most part, people here are down to earth and friendly.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n Before long, they arrived at the ranch house and Hop Sing was waiting to greet them.\u00a0 Ben helped Hannah from the surrey and introduced her to their Chinese cook.\u00a0 Hop Sing bowed and grinned broadly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo very glad Miss Hannah come to the Ponderosa!\u201d\u00a0 he helped Ben with her luggage.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing make very fine supper in your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Hannah replied graciously.\u00a0 \u201cIt smells very good.\u00a0 I\u2019m famished!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, then,\u201c\u00a0 Ben led her to the front door.\u00a0 \u201clet me show you to your room and by the time you freshen up and rest, I\u2019m sure Hop Sing will have supper on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n He opened the door and Hannah walked in, admiring the expansive, open parlor with its massive, stone\u00a0 fireplace and Chippendale furniture.\u00a0 The dining table to the left was flanked by a large window, overlooking Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 To the right was a staircase and across from it, Ben\u2019s office area.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can tell this is a house of men,\u201d Hannah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s wonderful!\u00a0 So warm and inviting.\u00a0 I love it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleased you like it,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2018ll follow me up the stairs, I\u2018ll show you to your room.\u00a0 I hope you\u2018ll be happy with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I will be,\u201d Hannah answered as she admired everything in the large room.\u00a0 A large map behind Ben\u2019s desk attracted her attention.\u00a0 She walked up to it for closer inspection.\u00a0 \u201cOh, my!\u00a0 The Ponderosa is sure a large ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne thousand square miles,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s over six hundred thousand acres of good land.\u00a0 Land for over one hundred thousand head of cattle, and the finest timber in the west.\u00a0 It\u2019s what I named this ranch for–the tall, grand ponderosa pines.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah smiled and followed her uncle up the stairs and to a large room tastefully decorated with fine Eastern-crafted furniture.\u00a0 She was amazed at how feminine the room looked with frilly French lace curtains and a matching lace canopy over the large cherry wood bed.\u00a0 A comfortable rocking chair, upholstered in a rosy pink velvet, stood next to the bed, and a beautiful cherry wood wardrobe waited for her clothes.\u00a0\u00a0 A free-standing mirror was placed next to the fireplace opposite the bed, and a small cherry wood vanity table rested in the corner near the window.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lovely, Uncle Ben!\u201d\u00a0 She hugged him around the neck and gave him a kiss on his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cThank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe furniture belonged to my wife, Marie,\u201d\u00a0 Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cWe brought it from New Orleans.\u00a0 Hop Sing made sure everything was washed and ironed and polished for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m grateful to Hop Sing,\u201d Hannah smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd to you, Uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben blushed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you make yourself at home.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you rest up a bit before supper?\u00a0 You can unpack everything tomorrow.\u00a0 Hop Sing will help you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could use a nap,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah admitted, as Ben started to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cOne more thing,\u201d Ben said as he stood in the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome home, Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n He closed the door and left her to herself.<\/p>\n Yes, she did feel at home here on the Ponderosa, and in this room.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t judge her, or scrutinize her appearance, or correct her when she spoke.\u00a0 Hop Sing seemed more like part of the family than a servant.\u00a0 The crisp, mountain air coming through the window filled her lungs and felt healthy and invigorating, not unlike the sea breezes she managed to experience now and then on outings at the Cape before the war.\u00a0 Before her beloved father was killed.<\/p>\n Thinking of him was less painful these days.\u00a0 She hoped her mother and father were together again in the afterlife.\u00a0 In Boston, her father\u2019s relatives made her feel like the orphan she had become.\u00a0 Now on the Ponderosa, with her uncle, she no longer felt like an orphan.\u00a0 She felt loved once again.<\/p>\n That lovely bed was just too inviting!\u00a0 Hannah quickly unlaced her shoes and fell back into the soft feather mattress.\u00a0 Sleep took hold very quickly.\u00a0 Before long, a soft knock at the door awoke her from a deep sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah?\u201d She heard her uncle\u2019s voice softly inquire.\u00a0 \u201cAre you awake, my dear?\u00a0 Supper is ready to be served.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be along shortly!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah called to him.\u00a0 She jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror to check her appearance.\u00a0 Tucking a few errant wisps back into place, she smoothed her clothes a bit and left her room.<\/p>\n As she descended the stairs, she noticed Ben had cleaned up and put on a fresh shirt and bolero tie.\u00a0 His thick, silver mane was neatly combed and she detected a whiff of bay rum.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s our darling girl!\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up from the settee and held out his arm for Hannah.\u00a0 \u201cShall we dine?\u201d<\/p>\n He led her to the table and tucked her chair in under her, before taking his place at the end of the table.\u00a0 Hannah could not believe the amount of food placed before them.\u00a0 Large bowls and platters heaped with green corn and beans, Johnny cakes and ham, mashed potatoes and a salad for just the two of them.<\/p>\n Ben unfolded his napkin and placed it on his lap.\u00a0 \u201cNow, don\u2019t be shy.\u00a0 Dig in and help yourself to all you want.\u00a0 Nobody ever starved on the Ponderosa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can see that!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah laughed.<\/p>\n Hop Sing came in carrying a ceramic boat of gravy.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd for dessert I make Mister Hoss favorite chocolate cake!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u00a0 Will Hoss be joining us?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah asked.\u00a0 \u201cI thought my cousins were out on a roundup?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss came home for a few supplies,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s cleaning all that trail dust off.\u00a0 Wanted us to go ahead and start without him.\u00a0 He knew you\u2019d be hungry after your trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m beginning to appreciate all the informality you enjoy out here in the west,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said sincerely.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a welcome change, I assure you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can be as formal as our Eastern counterparts,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said. \u201cWhen the occasion arises.\u00a0 But yes, folks out here are quite informal.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get used to it, and fit in with the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no doubt of that,\u201d Hannah passed the plate of golden Johnny cakes to her uncle.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss came bounding down the stairs with his thinning hair slicked back and a freshly scrubbed look.\u00a0 Hannah stood up, and was amazed at how big he stood.\u00a0 But his friendly demeanor disarmed any intimidation she may have had.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must be Cousin Hannah,\u201d Hoss tipped his head.\u00a0 \u201cMy, but you\u2019re a pretty little thing, ain\u2019t she, Pa?\u00a0 I\u2019m Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah hugged him.\u00a0 It seemed easy and natural to hug the big man.\u00a0 \u201cI know you from your photograph and letters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSit down, you two,\u201d\u00a0 Ben tenderly invited them.\u00a0 \u201cFood\u2019s getting cold, and we don\u2019t want Hop Sing to fret about that, now, do we?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss took his place opposite Hannah and filled his plate with more food than Hannah believed a man could eat at one sitting.\u00a0 He chowed down quickly, and Hannah watched in amazement.\u00a0 Ben was used to his middle son\u2019s huge appetite, but it amused him to watch Hannah watching Hoss.<\/p>\n Hannah soon realized she was staring and averted her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWill you be leaving after supper, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, ma\u2019am, I\u2019m gonna sleep in my own bed tonight and get a fresh start in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s the roundup going, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0 Ben inquired.<\/p>\n \u201cReal good, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was pleased to report.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve branded over a hundred new calves so far.\u00a0 Adam thinks there might be more strays up near that box canyon, and when I left, he\u2019d sent Joe and a couple of wranglers to have a look around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like you should be finished in time for the barn raising at the Borgstroms on Friday.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoo-eee!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss crowed.\u00a0 \u201cThat sounds mighty fine!\u00a0 After such a long winter, I\u2019m ready for some dancing and celebrating.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute,\u201d Hannah interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cI thought a barn raising was work?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there is work involved during the day, building the new barn, but afterwards there\u2019s music and dancing and a potluck dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope Annie Chapman brings her famous peach cobbler!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss gulped down another big bite of potatoes.\u00a0 \u201cThat girl is the best dad-burn dancer in the territory, too!<\/p>\n Ben gave Hoss a warning look.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s face turned pink.\u00a0 \u201cUh, pardon the expression, Cousin Hannah.\u00a0 You\u2018ll have to forgive my rough language.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNow don\u2019t either of you change your ways on my account.\u00a0 And please, Hoss, just Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss relaxed and smiled shyly, then reached for another slab of ham.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you like to do this evening, Hannah?\u201d\u00a0 Ben changed the subject.\u00a0 \u201cIf Adam and Joe were here, Adam could play his guitar and we could have a singalong.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to challenge you to a game of checkers, Pa,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll watch, so I can learn the game,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah offered.<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s settled,\u201d Ben announced.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing!\u00a0 Bring in the cake and coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* Hannah woke up to the chatter of squirrels playing in the tree outside her window. The sun was up, and she had slept too long, but she felt rested and content.\u00a0 It had been a long time since she had felt either.<\/p>\n Rummaging through her trunks, she found a workday calico.\u00a0 Hop Sing had brought a fresh pitcher of water to fill her toiletry bowl and she quickly sponged herself and got dressed.\u00a0\u00a0 She brushed her hair and piled it into a bun, then checked herself in the mirror.\u00a0 She thought about making her bed, then decided the chore could wait.\u00a0 The fresh mountain air, perfumed with the scent of the ponderosa pines, had increased her appetite!<\/p>\n The house was empty when she came down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ben?\u00a0 Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing came out from the kitchen to greet her.\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, Missy Hannah.\u00a0 Mister Hoss left very early this morning, and Mister Ben is out in the corral.\u00a0 Come, I fix you breakfast.\u00a0 How you like your eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Hop Sing,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah chirped merrily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll eat them any way you want to fix them.\u00a0 I could eat a dozen!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou eat a dozen eggs, you get fat like Mister Hoss!\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing teased her.\u00a0 \u201cNot good for Missy Hannah to get fat.\u00a0 I fix you a nice omelet.\u00a0 You will like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah had never heard of an omelet, but she was intrigued and followed Hop Sing into the kitchen to watch him create this fascinating dish.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there anything I can do to help?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah looked around for an extra apron.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to be useful, if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKitchen is all Hop Sing\u2019s, Missy Hannah. \u201c he explained with a kindly manner. \u201cYour job only to eat what Hop Sing cooks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMay I watch then?\u201d Hannah asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never heard of an omelet before.\u00a0 I\u2019d love to see how you make one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou watch, Hop Sing show you.\u201d\u00a0 He grabbed a bowl and cracked three eggs into it.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Marie taught Hop Sing how to make omelet.\u00a0 She was a French lady from New Orleans.\u00a0 Taught Hop Sing many French recipes.\u00a0 Now Hop Sing best cook in Nevada!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that, after that feast you prepared last night,\u201d Hannah agreed.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ben said you really outdid yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister Ben very kind,\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing said.\u00a0 \u201cHe always say \u2018Hop Sing, you outdid yourself tonight.\u2019\u00a0 He make sure Hop Sing knows he is appreciated around here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Hop Sing,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah sat down while Hop Sing fried pieces of leftover ham and chopped onions in the cast iron skillet, then poured the egg mixture over them and deftly added chunks of cheese before folding the egg mixture in half and sliding it onto a plate.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the first person I\u2019ve ever met from China,\u201d Hannah continued.\u00a0 Her eyes widened as she tasted the steaming hot omelet.\u00a0 \u201cThis is delicious, Hop Sing!\u00a0 Thank you!\u00a0 But as I was saying, I hope you\u2019ll tell me all about China one day, and about your people and customs and traditions.\u00a0 I\u2019d love to know all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing very happy to tell you,\u201d he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou very nice young lady.\u00a0 Mister Ben very happy you come.\u00a0 Hop Sing happy, too!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben came into the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cWell, so here you are!\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised Hop Sing allowed you to eat in his kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah finished her last bite of omelet and stood up to hug her relative.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing just showed me how to make an omelet.\u00a0 It was delicious!\u00a0 Would you like one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo thanks, I\u2019ve already had my breakfast.\u00a0 Did you sleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWonderfully!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah felt so happy and it showed in her face and Ben could hear it in her voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid I slept much too long, though.\u00a0 I suppose half the day is gone already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we do get up pretty early to keep this ranch running properly,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut you needn\u2019t expect to right away.\u00a0 You take your time and get used to our routine first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just hope I can find something I can do to help,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah followed Ben into the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing runs the kitchen and you men run the ranch.\u00a0 What is there that I can do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have a talk with Hop Sing,\u201d\u00a0 Ben told her.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll help us sort it out, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 Meanwhile, would you like to have a look around the ranch?\u00a0 Perhaps we\u2019ll ride into the canyon where the boys are rounding up the herd, and you can see your cousins at work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like a fine idea!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you ride a western saddle?\u00a0 Or shall I hitch up the wagon for you?\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah thought about it for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m anxious to learn how to ride a horse western-style, but I\u2019m afraid I haven\u2019t the proper clothes for it.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid we\u2019ll have to take the wagon today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a problem, my dear.\u00a0 Tomorrow we\u2019ll ride into town and get you whatever you need.\u00a0 Can you be ready in about an hour?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat will give me time to unpack a few things,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I can\u2019t wait to ride out to the roundup!\u00a0 It sounds very exciting!\u201d<\/p>\n She ran up the stairs and Ben followed her with his eyes.\u00a0 He loved having Hannah around.\u00a0 Not since his former ward, Mariette White, lived at the Ponderosa until her marriage to Jason Blaine, had there been a young girl in the house.\u00a0 Mariette had been the closest he\u2019d ever had to having a daughter, and now that Hannah was here, he looked forward to being a father figure to her.\u00a0 He would never replace her own father, but he would try to be a good substitute.<\/p>\n *******************************************<\/p>\n Hannah survived her first encounter with a spring roundup.\u00a0 She was thrilled by all the action involved, but felt a little squeamish when she saw the young calves being branded. Not a few of the cow pokes had to be admonished for their distraction by her presence, but Hannah paid them no mind\u00a0\u00a0 She was more impressed by the way her cousins handled themselves on the range.\u00a0 Adam, in authority, leading his men to get the job done efficiently.\u00a0 Hoss milling the cows into the herd and Joe roping the young calves and holding them down for the branding iron.\u00a0 It had been a long day, the trail to the round-up taking nearly three hours each way.\u00a0 But along the way, many wonderful sights were in view from the wagon.\u00a0 And the conversations with her Uncle Ben as they traveled gave her more insight into her extended family and the life they had built for themselves.\u00a0\u00a0 Upon arriving home, they found another fine supper presented by Hop Sing, and soon she was back in bed for the night, dreaming peacefully about the beauty and manliness of life on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n The next morning, Hannah awoke early and came downstairs to find Ben organizing some papers on his desk.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to eat breakfast before we leave for town?\u201d\u00a0 He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what it is, Uncle Ben, but ever since I\u2019ve arrived in Nevada, I always seem to be hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo hurry,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cTake your time while I see to the horses.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got some business in town, and then we can visit the shops and later have lunch at the International Hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be along shortly,\u201d she promised.<\/p>\n She found some toast and bacon, and arranged some bacon onto the toast, folding it into a sandwich.\u00a0 She made several such sandwiches until the bacon and bread ran out, and wrapped them in a napkin.\u00a0 Hannah then ate a few bites of scrambled eggs and washed it down with a glass of milk.\u00a0 She quickly wiped her mouth and grabbed a couple of apples from the bowl in the center of the table and asked Hop Sing for a basket to carry her fruit and sandwiches in.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m ready, Uncle Ben!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah came into the yard carrying a shawl and her basket of food.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll need a bonnet, I think,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother item one cannot buy in Boston!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAll I have are fancy caps with feathers and other trimmings.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben placed his own\u00a0hat upon Hannah\u2019s head.\u00a0 They both laughed as it sunk over her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see if I can find one for you,\u201d Ben said as he walked back towards the house.\u00a0 \u201cPeople are always leaving things behind.\u00a0 We keep them in the sideboard by the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n In Ben\u2019s absence, Hannah mounted herself into the wagon, hoping she wouldn\u2019t spook the horses.\u00a0 The reins were securely tied to the hand brake, and she dared not touch it.\u00a0 Looking up, she noticed a scruffy young man leaning against the wall of the bunkhouse.\u00a0 He gazed at her, and it made her uncomfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d\u00a0 she called out to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou startled me.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know anyone else was around.\u201d<\/p>\n He said nothing, but shifted his weight and looked away.<\/p>\n Ben returned with a straw bonnet and a freshly laundered bandana.\u00a0 \u201cI found these.\u00a0 They aren\u2019t the latest fashion, but they\u2019ll do for now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 She put the hat on and wrapped the bandana over it, tying it under her chin.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready when you are.\u00a0 By the way, who is that young man over there?\u00a0 Is he one of your hired hands?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked over where Hannah was pointing.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Luke Grundy.\u00a0 I\u2019d better have a word with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben walked over towards Luke and the young man stiffened up and started to turn away.\u00a0 Hannah heard him call to the man, and he responded, but she couldn\u2019t hear their conversation.\u00a0 She saw him nod to Ben a couple of times, and then Ben slapped him fatherly on the shoulder and the young man disappeared behind the bunkhouse.<\/p>\n Ben jumped onto the buckboard and took hold of the reins, charging the horses to an easy canter.\u00a0 \u201cLet me know if it gets too bumpy for you, but it\u2019s such a long haul to Virginia City we let the horses have their head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I squeeze your arm too hard trying to hang on, you\u2019ll know.\u201d\u00a0 Hannah laughed.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled, then got serious.\u00a0 \u201cDid Luke frighten you, Hannah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot really,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said.\u00a0 \u201cI hadn\u2019t noticed him there when I came out of the house, and it startled me to see him.\u00a0 But just a little. \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cLuke works for me from time to time,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a troubled young man.\u00a0 Keeps to himself, mostly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHas he lived here all his life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis parents settled out here when he was a baby.\u201d\u00a0 Ben continued.\u00a0 \u201cHis father worked for me at first, and I let them build a cabin on my land a couple of miles from here.\u00a0 His father planted alfalfa for hay, and I\u2019d buy the crop to feed my cattle during the winter.\u00a0 But six years ago, when Luke was about twelve, maybe thirteen, some outlaws raided their cabin, looking for food and whatever money they might have.\u00a0 They killed his parents.\u00a0 Luke had been out hunting rabbits for supper, and saw the men as they were leaving.\u00a0 He came and got me as fast as he could, and we formed a posse.\u00a0 We caught up with the murderers a few days later, and they were tried and hung.\u00a0 But Luke never got over it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow horrible it must have been for him!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never could find out if he had relatives back East.\u201d\u00a0 Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to take him in and raise him with my sons, but he never stayed long.\u00a0 He\u2019d go off by himself for days, even weeks, without a trace.\u00a0 Sometimes he\u2019d go to the cabin, but other times he\u2019d simply disappear and we never knew where he went, or how long he\u2019d be gone, or if he\u2019d come back.\u00a0 He turns up every now and then, like this morning.\u00a0 He\u2019s harmless, but I\u2019d still caution you to be careful around him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah agreed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not much older than I am, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I guess not,\u201d\u00a0 Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut just because you\u2019re both orphans doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019ll take to you as a friend.\u00a0 That tragedy did something to his mind, Hannah.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never known him to hurt anyone so far, but I don\u2019t want you to be the first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Upon arriving in Virginia City, Ben parked the wagon near the Feed and Grain Store and gave his supply order to the proprietor.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to stop by the bank and sign some papers,\u201d Ben told her.\u00a0 \u201cThen we can take you shopping.\u00a0 Where would you like to go first?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I do need a proper bonnet!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah joked.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe some riding clothes?\u00a0 I have a few dresses for working around the house, but I probably need more appropriate shoes.\u00a0 The ones I have are suitable for the streets of Boston, but not for dodging mud holes and animal dung.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShoes it is!\u201d\u00a0 Ben held his arm out for Hannah to take.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, there\u2019s Stig Borgstrom, Antonia\u2019s father.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go say hello.\u201d<\/p>\n Stig was talking with Sheriff Roy Coffee in front of the jail.\u00a0 The men both had serious looks on their faces as Ben and Hannah approached.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, Stig, good morning to you,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said cheerfully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like you to meet my niece, Hannah Lowell.\u00a0 Hannah, this is Antonia\u2019s father Stig Borgstrom, and Sheriff Roy Coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGlad to know you, Miss Lowell,\u201d Roy said, tipping his hat.\u00a0 Stig tipped his as well, but his mind was on other things.<\/p>\n \u201cBen\u201d Stig said, \u201cyou see anything suspicious out at your place the last couple of days?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, can\u2019t say as I have,\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStig tells me there\u2019s been someone prowling around his ranch,\u201d Roy explained.\u00a0 \u201cThey haven\u2019t seen anyone so far, but there\u2019s been strange footprints under the windows, as if someone has been spying on them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMostly they\u2019ve been under my girls\u2019 bedroom window!\u201d\u00a0 Stig said angrily.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re so frightened, I\u2019ve moved them upstairs into the boys\u2019 room and brought them downstairs.\u00a0 Last night, the girls heard a noise outside on the roof of the porch, so now they don\u2019t feel safe up there, either!\u00a0 My boys and I took our guns and went looking, but we found nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen, I hear tell Luke Grundy is back in the area,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cHe showed up this morning at the house looking for odd jobs and I told him I\u2019d find him something to do when I got back from town.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Do you think he\u2019s got something to do with this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe used to be sweet on my Antonia,\u201d Stig spat out his answer.\u00a0 \u201cNow she\u2019s home, I think he could be trying to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not jumping to conclusions, Ben,\u201d Roy assured him.\u00a0 \u201cBut I need to ask him some questions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to be there when you do,\u201d Ben insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou can ride back with us this afternoon, if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do that, Ben,\u201c Roy said.\u00a0 Tipping his hat to Hannah, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to Virginia City, Miss Hannah.\u00a0 I hope you won\u2019t think this kind of thing is typical here.\u00a0 It\u2019s usually a very quiet and peaceful town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Hannah smiled and nodded politely.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019ll love it here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood day, gentlemen,\u201d Ben tipped his hat and led Hannah through town.<\/p>\n With Ben\u2019s business concluded and Hannah\u2019s shopping nearly completed, they were ready for lunch at the International Hotel.<\/p>\n Hannah opened the menu.\u00a0 \u201cI never expected to find such elegant fare this far from Boston!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThe owner brought in a French chef a few years ago.\u00a0 We have many wealthy and celebrated guests pass through town, and the owner thought he might get a better clientele with a chef from Paris working in his kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow interesting!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah looked over the menu.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll start with the leek soup and have the salmon as my main course.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if western salmon tastes the same as it does in the east!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s an excellent choice and I\u2019ll have the same!\u201d\u00a0 Ben motioned for the waiter.\u00a0 \u201cCoffee or tea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTea, please,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah replied.\u00a0 She sat quietly for a few moments before speaking again.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Ben, do you think Luke Grundy might have been the one peeking into the windows at Antonia\u2019s house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hannah,\u201d Ben said honestly.\u00a0 \u201cI like to give a man the benefit of doubt, but to tell you the truth, I don\u2019t know what he\u2019s capable of doing.\u00a0 You just heed my advice and keep your distance from him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said as the waiter brought their tea.\u00a0 \u201cBut I think if someone had witnessed his parent killed by intruders, he wouldn\u2019t want to be an intruder himself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I must be firm on this matter, Hannah.\u00a0 Keep your distance\u2026just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n The waiter returned with their soup and bread.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise, Uncle Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n *****************************************<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you won again, Uncle Ben!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah squealed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s six games of checkers in a row!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll catch on,\u201d\u00a0 Ben grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIf I let you win, you\u2019d never learn the strategy of the game.\u00a0 That\u2019s how I taught my sons.\u00a0 Now they all beat me at checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey do?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah didn\u2019t believe him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, sometimes I can still win against Hoss,\u201d\u00a0 Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut he\u2019s improving.\u00a0 Say, how about reading\u00a0 me some poetry before we retire for the night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to.\u201d\u00a0 Hannah rose from her chair and looked among the books on Ben\u2019s shelf for an interesting book to read.\u00a0 \u201cHow about Homer\u2019s The Odyssey?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t respond and Hannah looked up to see why.\u00a0 Ben was looking out the window.\u00a0 She heard a rider approaching.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Little Joe,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said and rushed to the door.\u00a0\u00a0 He opened it and hurried outside to find out why his son had come home early from the roundup.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Joe called out to him.\u00a0 He saw Hannah come out behind him.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSon, what brings you home at this hour?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I come in and have a cup of coffee first?\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHannah, why don\u2019t you go and get the coffee started, while I help Joe put his horse up for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Uncle Ben!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah ran into the kitchen.<\/p>\n Ben strode over to join Little Joe on the way to the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to say anything in front of Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Joe said in a low voice.\u00a0 \u201cWe caught a couple of rustlers up along the ridge.\u00a0 Adam stayed with the herd while Hoss and Bronc took the rustlers in to Virginia City.\u00a0 Adam thought I should come and tell you about it.\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were right to wait until Hannah was back in the house, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNo use worrying the child.\u00a0 She\u2019s had enough excitement today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u00a0 What\u2019s happened?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked as he threw his saddle across the rail and picked up a brush to groom his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cLuke Grundy came around this morning, startling her for one thing,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cThen when we got to town, we found out somebody\u2019s been snooping around the Borgstrom house, and Luke\u2019s name was brought up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLuke is a strange character, that\u2019s for sure!\u201d\u00a0 Joe curried his animal while Ben filled the stall with fresh hay.\u00a0 \u201cDo they think Luke is behind it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoy suspects him, but Luke denied it,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cStig and his boys are going to be keeping guard in case the culprit returns.\u00a0 I have a feeling somebody is going to get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Luke now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as I know, Luke told me he\u2019s staying at the cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe finished his chores and followed his father into the house.<\/p>\n \u201cSo do you think you\u2019ll be finished with the roundup in time for the barn raising?\u201d Ben asked cheerfully as they entered the house.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d Joe calculated.\u00a0 \u201cTwo more days of branding\u2026we might not make it in time to build the barn, but we just might get there in time for the dancing!\u00a0 You know Hoss\u2026where there\u2019s vittles and dancing, he\u2019s going to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n “And I know you!”\u00a0 Ben tossled his youngest son’s curly hair.\u00a0 “You’ll avoid extra work, if at all possible!”<\/p>\n As the two men shared a laugh, Hannah served the coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope it\u2019s strong enough for you,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah apologized ahead of time.\u00a0 \u201cMother always drank hers a bit weak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t be any weaker than what Cookie is serving out on the range,\u201d Joe took a sip of the hot liquid.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just fine, Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood, I\u2019m glad,\u201d Hannah smiled, relieved.\u00a0 \u201cShall I read now, Uncle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHannah was just getting ready to read to me, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cThe Iliad, wasn\u2019t it, dear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Odyssey, but I can read The Iliad, if you prefer.\u201d\u00a0 Hannah started to rise from the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, I think I\u2019ll head up to bed,\u201d Joe excused himself, carrying the cup of coffee with him.\u00a0 \u201cI need to get up early, if I\u2019m going to make it back to camp before the others start working again.\u00a0 They\u2019ll tan my hide if I\u2019m late!\u00a0 Good night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you prefer to go to bed as well, Uncle?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah closed the book.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps we should call it a night, young lady.\u201d\u00a0 Ben rose from his chair.\u00a0 \u201cWe might have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben checked the locks on the door and put out the lights as Hannah climbed the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Uncle Ben,\u201d she called to him.<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, my dear.\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* Before dawn, Hannah was awakened by a pounding at the front door downstairs and shouts for her uncle.\u00a0 She heard Joe and Ben rush from their rooms and descend the stairs.\u00a0 Hannah quickly dressed and entered the hallway.\u00a0 She heard the sound of a young man crying and moaning, while Ben\u2019s stern voice sounded words she couldn\u2019t understand.\u00a0 She stood at the landing where she could see and hear better what was going on.\u00a0 Luke was laid out on the couch, writhing in pain. His face was distorted with fear and agony, dripping with sweat and blood.\u00a0 Joe held him down while Ben examined his wound.<\/p>\n \u201cWho shot you, boy?\u201d\u00a0 Ben demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cI — I didn\u2019t get a good look at him,\u201d Luke cried.\u00a0 \u201cHe was too far away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere were you when it happened?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI was coming out of the privy, going back into the cabin,\u201d\u00a0 Luke winced as Ben applied water to the wound.<\/p>\n \u201cI can see the bullet,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, get me a small knife out of the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah rushed down the stairs to help.<\/p>\n \u201cGo back to bed, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Joe scolded her.\u00a0 \u201cThis is no place for a girl to be right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2019s right, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said sternly.\u00a0 \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah replied as she rushed toward the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen Union soldiers come off the trains in worse condition.\u00a0 I nursed my mother!\u00a0 I\u2019m helping, whether you like it or not!\u201d<\/p>\n Out of earshot, Joe chuckled softly.\u00a0 \u201cSpoken like a true Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n His father gave him a look that said, \u201cThis is no time for joking, son!\u201d and he stopped laughing, but he glanced over his shoulder to see if his lovely young cousin had heard him.<\/p>\n \u201cHold him still, Joe!\u201d\u00a0 Ben reminded his son.\u00a0 \u201cHannah!\u00a0 I need that knife!\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah returned with a selection of small kitchen knives of different lengths and width.\u00a0 Ben chose one and began to dig out the bullet.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s some brandy on the table by the stairs, Hannah,\u201d Ben ordered.\u00a0 \u201cBring it to me, if you will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know where it is.\u201d\u00a0 Hannah knew why her uncle needed it.\u00a0 \u201cShall I find some cloths for bandages?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re in that bottom drawer of the sideboard.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded his head in the direction of the bureau by the front door and Hannah rushed to search for the clean cloths after she handed her uncle the brandy.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are dinner napkins,\u201d she told them.<\/p>\n \u201cJust bring them, Hannah,\u201d Ben said with an urgency.\u00a0 \u201cThey can always be replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah did as she was told and when she reached her uncle\u2019s side, she saw that the young man had passed out.\u00a0 Ben retrieved the bullet from the gaping hole in the boy\u2019s arm and cauterized the wound with some of the brandy.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s lucky it was just his arm,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah observed.<\/p>\n Joe picked up the bullet from where Ben had laid it on Luke\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a thirty-six caliber, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, studying the spent bullet.<\/p>\n \u201cI see that, Joe,\u201d\u00a0 Ben finished bandaging the young man\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI want you two to keep that information to yourself.\u00a0 It could be very important in finding out who did this, and why.\u00a0 Joe, put that bullet in my desk for now.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have a talk with Roy Coffee later.\u00a0 Meanwhile, put Luke upstairs in Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 He won\u2019t be needing it tonight, and I can hear Luke if he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned to Hannah.\u00a0 \u201cHannah, you go get cleaned up and get back to bed.\u00a0 I told you we might have a busy day, today.\u00a0 It looks like my words will come to pass.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah looked at herself and saw that she had a little blood on her nightgown and hands from handling the bloody cloths.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nearly dawn, Uncle,\u201d she noticed a tinge of light out the window.\u00a0 \u201cShall I get breakfast started?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing will see to it,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNow, please do as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ll get cleaned up, but I\u2019m too awake now to go back to sleep!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah trudged up the stairs after Joe, who was helping a half-conscious Luke up the stairs.<\/p>\n By the time the Cartwrights had finished breakfast, and Hop Sing had taken food up to Luke\u2019s bedroom, they heard many riders approach.\u00a0 Ben opened the door to find Roy Coffee, Stig Borgstrom, and several other men enter the yard.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just getting ready to come into town, Roy,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to see you about something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould that something be about Luke Grundy?\u201d\u00a0 Stig demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Stig,\u201d Roy warned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do the asking.\u00a0 I\u2019m still the sheriff.\u00a0 Well, Ben, what about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben kept his response close to the vest.\u00a0 \u201cSuppose you tell me why you\u2019re here looking for Luke?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStig thinks Luke was prowling around their place again last night,\u201d\u00a0 Roy looked at Ben to see what his reaction would be.\u00a0 \u201cHe took a shot at him, and thinks he hit the boy.\u00a0 We went out to the cabin, but Luke isn\u2019t there.\u00a0 You got any idea where he might be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you shoot him with?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked Stig.\u00a0 \u201cThat shotgun in your scabbard?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d\u00a0 Stig admitted.\u00a0 \u201cYou harboring that boy, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, wait a minute, Stig,\u201d Ben warned.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a twelve-gauge, Winchester shotgun, am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you getting at, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Roy squinted.\u00a0 He knew Ben would fight for any man he believed had been wrongly accused.<\/p>\n \u201cJust tell me if that is a twelve-gauge shotgun!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d Stig shouted.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s twelve-gauge!\u00a0 What\u2019s that got to do with anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re sure you shot the prowler with that shotgun, not any other weapon.?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDanged right, I did!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cThen Luke Grundy is not the man you\u2019re looking for!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes he is!\u00a0 I saw him with my own eyes!\u201d\u00a0 Stig insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw someone,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou may even have shot him, but it was not Luke Grundy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know that, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Roy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause Luke Grundy came here last night with a thirty-six caliber bullet in his arm!\u201d\u00a0 Ben told them.\u00a0 \u201cNot a twelve-gauge.\u00a0 I’ve got the bullet inside, if you’d like to have a look at it, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you trying to say, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Stig\u2019s temper was about to get the best of him.<\/p>\n Roy grabbed Stig\u2019s arm to calm him down.\u00a0 \u201cWhat he\u2019s saying, Stig, is that we\u2019ve got two prowlers to look for.\u00a0 The prowler who shot Luke may or may not be the same prowler who came by your house last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy turned his horse and spoke to one of his deputies.\u00a0 The men rode off, some in the direction of Luke\u2019s cabin, and others, led by Stig, in the direction of the Borgstrom homestead.\u00a0 Roy dismounted and tied up his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got Luke here now, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Roy asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s upstairs resting,\u201d\u00a0 Ben told him.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think he can tell you much.\u00a0 He told us someone shot him as he was returning to his cabin from the privy, and he didn\u2019t see who it was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds to me like a set-up,\u201d Joe\u2019s anger flashed through his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cSomebody\u2019s trying to make it look like Luke had something to do with it.\u00a0 There may be more than one involved.\u00a0\u00a0 If one of them got shot, the other would have shot Luke to make it look like Luke was the prowler Stig shot!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s some sense to that idea, Joe, I\u2019ll have to admit,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they certainly didn\u2019t count on us paying attention to the caliber of the bullet,\u201d\u00a0 Ben interjected.\u00a0 Looking at Hannah, he added, \u201cNow do you understand why we kept the information to ourselves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said as she followed them into the house.<\/p>\n Ben saw Hop Sing descending the stairs with the tray the cook had taken up to Luke.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s the boy doing, Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s awake.\u00a0 He heard the men outside and got scared.\u00a0 Wanted to leave.\u00a0 Hop Sing tell him to stay and let Mister Ben take care of things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go upstairs, Roy,\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned to his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, shouldn\u2019t you be heading back to the roundup?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Joe had nearly forgotten about his job in all the excitement.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be on my way.\u00a0 See you on Friday!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Roy disappeared behind the landing and Hannah stopped Joe before he left.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, do you think with all that has happened, the Borgstroms will still have the barn-raising?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, why not?\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled, ruffling her hair.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think a prowler is going to keep them from building their new barn, do you?\u00a0\u00a0 This is the West, Little Cousin.\u00a0 We are a heartier bunch than the folks you\u2019re used to back East.\u201d<\/p>\n He kissed her cheek and ran out the door to mount onto Cochise and head back to the range.\u00a0 Hannah waved after him, watching him disappear from view, then went back inside the house.<\/p>\n *****************************************<\/p>\n Hop Sing helped Hannah press her clothes and as he finished each piece, she put it neatly away.\u00a0 She studied her gowns, trying to decide what would be suitable for a barn-raising.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think, Hop Sing?\u201d she laid two dresses out on the bed for inspection.\u00a0 \u201cShould I wear the pink dress or the green dress?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoth pretty.\u00a0 Not too fancy.\u00a0 Not want to make too much show at party.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah said as she picked out an exquisite ball gown from her trunk for Hop Sing to press next.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to wear this to a barn raising!\u00a0 I might get sawdust trapped in the lace, and you\u2019d never get it out!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot to worry about lace, Missy Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing smiled.\u00a0 \u201cToo fancy for barn raising, but very nice for special party in town.\u00a0 Besides, Hop Sing has good brush.\u00a0 Take anything out of lace.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, you\u2019re a treasure!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing glad somebody think so!\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah heard a deep voice behind her.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what would that be, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah turned around and found Adam standing in the doorway.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah hugged her cousin.\u00a0 \u201cWe didn\u2019t expect you home today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe went over to see Mr. Borgstrom about the prowler that\u2019s been coming around their place lately.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t Joe tell you about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, he told me,\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded.<\/p>\n Hop Sing folded up his pressing board and scattered the hot coals in the fireplace where he had been warming the iron.\u00a0 \u201cMister Adam want Hop Sing to fix lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam moved to let the man out of the room.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have lunch later.\u00a0 Right now I have to find Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs something wrong, Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah asked.\u00a0 \u201cThere must be, or you wouldn\u2019t have come yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tried to put her mind at ease.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would you say that?\u00a0 Just because I\u2019m in charge of the roundup doesn\u2019t mean I don\u2019t miss the comforts of home.\u00a0 Hoss and Little Joe have both had their excuses to spend a night in their own beds.\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t I be afforded the same opportunity?\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah weighed his answer carefully.\u00a0 \u201cNot when you\u2019re so close to finishing the roundup!\u00a0 You\u2019ll be done by tomorrow, and then you can come home for good!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that Yankee intuition?\u201d\u00a0 Adam teased.\u00a0 \u201cOr are you just letting your imagination run away with you?\u00a0 What have you been reading lately?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t make fun of me, Adam,\u201d Hannah warned playfully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not so na\u00efve.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes all the excitement frighten you?\u00a0 Or do you find it amusing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t help but be a little frightened,\u201d Hannah admitted.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, Antonia Borgstrom is my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way, where is Luke?\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked around.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t he staying here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Ben took him along to talk to Mr. Borgstrom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d\u00a0 Adam thought for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cIf I were you, I\u2019d wear the pink dress tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you\u2019d look good in pink, with your dark hair,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah teased.\u00a0 \u201cIt might even bring out your eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n She ran back into her room and slammed the door, locking it behind her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy you little minx!\u201d\u00a0 Adam chased after her.\u00a0 \u201cI could easily bust down this door, you know!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou might, but Uncle Ben wouldn\u2019t like it!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah giggled.\u00a0 Adam grinned to himself, knowing the girl was right.\u00a0 He shook his head, amused by her getting the best out of him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll have to come out of that room some time,\u201d He warned her.\u00a0 \u201cAnd when you do, you\u2019re in for a spanking, I guarantee!\u201d<\/p>\n He heard Hannah squeal.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would indeed dare,\u201d Adam promised, then walked away, having more pressing business to attend to.<\/p>\n ************************************************************* \u201cHow dare you bring that boy to my ranch, Ben Cartwright!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Stig Borgstrom held his shotgun waist high, menacingly aimed at Ben and Luke.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on there, Stig!\u201d\u00a0 Ben set the brake on the buckboard and looped the reins quickly around the stick.\u00a0 He jumped down from the wagon and held his hand up in peace.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve already determined that Luke is not the person prowling around your house!\u00a0 He came of his own free will to tell you so, himself!\u201d<\/p>\n Stig scratched at his beard, but eyed the young man cautiously.\u00a0 \u201cThat so, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke was afraid to look up, and\u00a0 meekly nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeak up!\u201d\u00a0 Stig shouted at him.\u00a0 \u201cYou look at me and tell me it weren\u2019t you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid, Luke,\u201d Ben reassured him in a comforting tone.\u00a0 \u201cNobody will hurt you, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke slowly raised his head, slightly askew, and almost made eye-contact with the tall Swede.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me.\u201d\u00a0 His voice was barely audible, and Stig took two steps forward.\u00a0 Ben stopped him from advancing further.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at my face, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s eyes filled with tears.\u00a0 He managed somehow to face up to his accuser as he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben diverted Stig\u2019s attention before he could harass the young man any further.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Stig, think hard,\u201d\u00a0 Ben encouraged his neighbor.\u00a0 \u201cIs there anyone you\u2019ve had disputes with lately?<\/p>\n Stig turned to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cNot lately,\u201d\u00a0 his voice was still filled with anger and resentment.\u00a0 \u201cBut this boy has been sweet on my girl since they was kids, and now she\u2019s back home, someone\u2019s been trying to spy on her, and he\u2019s the only one around here who might have reason to do so!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStig, they were children!\u201d\u00a0 Ben reminded him.\u00a0 \u201cThat was before Luke\u2019s parents were killed.\u00a0 Luke hasn\u2019t been around anyone much since then!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat don\u2019t mean he ain\u2019t crazy enough to pull something like this!\u201d\u00a0 Stig spat.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me!\u201d\u00a0 Luke shouted.\u00a0 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Luke jumped out of the wagon and began to run back toward the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0 It was then that Ben and Stig noticed Adam riding up the road in a hurry.\u00a0 Adam stopped when he reached Luke, and spoke to him for a moment. Neither man could hear what was said, but Adam convinced the young man to ride with him back to the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Ben walked towards his oldest son, knowing he would not have left the roundup unless something serious had happened.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah told me I\u2019d find you here,\u201d\u00a0 Adam tipped his hat toward Stig.\u00a0 \u201cGood to see you, Stig.\u00a0 I hear you\u2019ve been having trouble lately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that why you\u2019re here, Son?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cCould be,\u201d\u00a0 Adam answered mysteriously.\u00a0 \u201cI sent out a couple of men to watch the herd last night.\u00a0 When they didn\u2019t come in, I went to find out why.\u00a0 I found out they had left camp.\u00a0 Took all their gear with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think those cowboys might have had something to do with this?\u201d\u00a0 Stig\u2019s anger abated, and he was ready to listen to what Adam had to say.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it seems they forgot one thing when they left,\u201d Adam pulled a piece of dirty fabric stained with blood from his coat.\u00a0 \u201cRecognize it, Stig?<\/p>\n Stig took hold of the cloth and examined it.<\/p>\n Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cIf you look in the corner, you\u2019ll see it\u2019s embroidered with the initials, A. B.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAntonia\u2019s handkerchief,\u201d\u00a0 Stig spoke as if the wind had been knocked out of his chest.\u00a0 He turned to look at the wounded Luke, who still showed fear in his face.\u00a0 \u201cI owe you an apology, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho were these men, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I think Stig knows who one of them might be,\u201d Adam motioned for Luke to dismount and followed after him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOne of them worked for you a couple of years ago.\u00a0 Rico Morales.\u201d<\/p>\n The name sent shock across Stig\u2019s face, then sadness washed over him.\u00a0 Stig held the handkerchief tenderly in his hand and glanced over his shoulder toward the house.<\/p>\n \u201cI fired that Mexican trail bum two years ago\u2026\u201c\u00a0 Stig said weakly.\u00a0 \u201cAntonia must never know!\u201d<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long for Ben to figure out what Adam had already concluded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you fire him, Stig?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was the real reason Antonia went to St. Louis?\u201d<\/p>\n Stig reacted as a man whose deepest shame had been uncovered.\u00a0 He reacted with terror.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Stig pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t tell you anything!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben placed a hand on his neighbor\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cStig, you know we would never do anything to harm your family, or Antonia\u2019s reputation.\u00a0 Your secret is our secret.\u00a0 We will protect that secret as long as we live.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced over at Luke.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t we, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n Not another word was spoken.\u00a0 Ben left Stig standing in the road, still holding the bloodied handkerchief.\u00a0 He and Luke boarded the wagon and Adam trailed beside them.<\/p>\n After they had traveled a short distance, Ben\u2019s thoughts could not be contained any longer.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think Morales might have had something to do with Stig\u2019s barn being burned down this winter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems likely,\u201d Adam kept his gaze ahead.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, now we know who is behind the Borgstroms\u2019 trouble\u2026and why.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho is the other man with Morales?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou said there were two of them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRico\u2019s brother, Chepe,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember they came to us looking for work during the drive to Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cThat was months before the barn burned down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d\u00a0 Adam admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut who\u2019s to say they didn\u2019t hang around during the winter?\u00a0 You know, there\u2019s a lot of abandoned mining camps where they could have holed up.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke had been quietly listening.\u00a0 \u201cThey were at my cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pulled the brake and Adam rode around to Luke\u2019s side of the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you say, Luke?\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* \u201cThey holed up at my cabin,\u201d Luke stuttered again, as Ben and Adam listened in amazement.\u00a0 \u201cI saw them there.\u00a0 I got scared.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know who they were.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know it was the Morales brothers?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it was,\u201d Luke got confused and tugged at his hair.\u00a0 \u201cAll\u00a0 I know is that they were Mexicans, and I thought they were outlaws.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell anybody, Luke?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cWe would have helped you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think,\u201d\u00a0 Luke struggled.\u00a0 \u201cI just hid in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll winter?\u201d\u00a0 Ben was aghast.\u00a0 \u201cYou could have stayed in our bunkhouse, if you had wanted.\u00a0\u00a0 Or we could have chased them out, if you had told us they were there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t,\u201d\u00a0 Luke said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a man now, I\u2019m supposed to act like a man\u2026but I can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s guard dropped and he began to weep.\u00a0 \u201cWhy can\u2019t I act like I\u2019m supposed to, Mr. Cartwright?\u00a0 Why am I always scared like a little kid?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put his arm tenderly around the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll find your way to manhood, Luke.\u00a0 It just takes time.\u00a0 It sometimes takes longer for some, than for others.\u00a0 You\u2019ve suffered a terrible loss just as you were on the brink of becoming a young man.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be too hard on yourself, Son.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find your way.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke was comforted and Ben snapped the reins to lead the horses home.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Adam,\u201d\u00a0 Ben changed the subject.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about those rustlers? Do you think the Morales brothers had anything to do with them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no proof of it,\u201d Adam reflected. \u201cI hadn\u2019t even thought about the two incidents being connected, but as I say, there\u2019s nothing to make me think they did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you recover the stolen cows?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure we found all of them.\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cThey were just getting started when we caught them\u2026red-handed.\u00a0 But they\u2019re in jail now. Roy said the judge should be around by Monday.\u00a0 It\u2019s a pretty cut and clear case.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWere there warrants for them?\u00a0 Or were they just hungry settlers?\u201d Ben always had a soft spot for people in need.<\/p>\n \u201cNo settlers, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Adam assured him.\u00a0 \u201cThese were your regular, everyday, run of the mill, cattle rustlers.\u00a0 Roy had posters on them, all right, from what Hoss and Bronc told me.\u00a0 And with our testimony, they should hang before the end of next week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose with the Morales brothers missing, and all the running back and forth, this leaves you short-handed for the round-up.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAs a matter of fact, news of the barn-raising has stirred up the wranglers to get the job done as quickly as possible.\u00a0 They\u2019re all anxious to get back in time for the dance.\u00a0 We might even see Hoss and Little Joe home in time for supper tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s good news,\u201d\u00a0 Ben quipped.\u00a0 \u201cAt last, some good news!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRico should hang for what he did to Toni,\u201d Luke\u2019s voice was barely audible.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that, Luke?\u201d\u00a0 Ben leaned over.<\/p>\n \u201cRico should hang!\u201d\u00a0 Luke repeated a little louder.<\/p>\n Ben winked at Adam, and Adam pulled back to give them privacy.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll ride over to Luke\u2019s cabin and have a look around, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Adam called to him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you later tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLuke, let me tell you something,\u201d Ben began as Adam rode away.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t know the whole story between Rico and Antonia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe know he hurt her!\u201d\u00a0 Luke protested.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know anything for certain,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cStig said nothing to indicate that Antonia had been injured.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know what he said,\u201d Luke picked the mud off his boot.\u00a0 \u201cHe said Antonia shouldn\u2019t find out about Rico being back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it sounded like that is what he was saying,\u201d\u00a0 Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut we don\u2019t know if he meant Antonia would be upset about it, or perhaps she might be happy about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would she be happy about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cLuke, you know how people are scared of you, because you\u2019re different from everyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not all that different,\u201d Luke said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you\u2019re not,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cBut most people think you\u2019re different because you don\u2019t meet their expectations of how they think you should act.\u00a0 Would you say that sounds about right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess so.\u201d Luke tossed a chunk of mud to the side of the road.\u00a0 \u201cWhat does that have to do with Antonia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like this, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben continued.\u00a0 \u201cRico is a Mexican.\u00a0 Now, Mexicans are really no different from the white settlers here in Nevada.\u00a0 They are a proud race of people with a rich history and culture.\u00a0 They want the same things for their families as we do.\u00a0 They want their children to have a home and good food and an education.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there are people who believe that Mexicans and Whites should live separately from one another.\u201d\u00a0 Ben snapped the reins as the horses slowed.\u00a0 \u201cAntonia is a White girl and Rico is a Mexican man.\u00a0 If they were in love and wanted to be married, some people would not like that very much.\u00a0 It\u2019s called prejudice, Luke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut how do you know for certain that they were in love?\u201d\u00a0 Luke needed to know.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know for certain Rico didn\u2019t hurt her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook at it this way, Luke,\u201d\u00a0 Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cIf Rico had forced himself on Antonia, against her will, don\u2019t you think her father would have had him arrested?\u00a0 But Stig didn\u2019t do that.\u00a0 He chased him out of the territory and sent his daughter away, where no one would find out.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Rico returned, perhaps to run away with Antonia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if Rico loved Antonia,\u201d Luke tried to reason.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would you think he burned her family\u2019s barn?\u00a0 Why would he skulk around their house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRico may have found out why Antonia went away for awhile,\u201d\u00a0 Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cAntonia didn\u2019t return with their baby.\u00a0 It could be, the child died or was given up at an orphanage.\u00a0 It could be Rico was angry about that, and burned the barn to get even.\u00a0 It could be that he\u2019s trying to find Antonia and run away with her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of could-a-be\u2019s,\u201d\u00a0 Luke said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the only way we\u2019re going to find out is by finding the Morales brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* Adam arrived home to find his brothers had gotten there before him.\u00a0 He could hear their happy laughter from where he dismounted and tied up his horse.\u00a0 Quickly, he removed the saddle and harness and threw them across the fence.\u00a0 His horse managed to find his way to the hay on his own, and Adam slapped the stallion on his rump to send him along to the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know where your stall is, don\u2019t you boy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s lip curled into a partial smile.\u00a0 After seeing the animal safely in the barn, he strode into the house and removed his hat and coat.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Adam\u2019s home!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah made sure we saved some pot roast for you,\u201d\u00a0 Joe teased.<\/p>\n Hannah rushed over to Adam and took his hat and coat, hanging them up for him.\u00a0 \u201cCome, before it\u2019s too cold–or all gone!\u00a0 I\u2019ve never seen men eat so much in my life!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all the hard work we put in, darling girl,\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood to greet his eldest son.\u00a0 \u201cHave a seat, Adam.\u00a0 You look tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am tired,\u201d he leaned back in his chair and then noticed all the food on the table.\u00a0 \u201cAnd hungry!\u00a0 Pass me some of that roast.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah delighted in serving her cousins and uncle.\u00a0 As she walked past Adam for the second time, he remembered a promise he had made and swatted her backside.<\/p>\n The room felt silent as Hannah yelped, and moved away from him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that for, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked sternly.<\/p>\n \u201cShe knows,\u201d\u00a0 Adam winked at her.\u00a0 \u201cOr did you forget?\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI remember.\u00a0 But I was hoping you had forgotten!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever!\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou deserve worse that that, but consider it a warning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould someone mind telling me what is going on here?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s deep voice boomed across the table.<\/p>\n Adam pointed his fork at Hannah.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell him in my own way, if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me what?\u201d\u00a0 Ben scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah went too far in teasing me today, and I promised her I\u2019d give her a spanking for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben calmed down.\u00a0 \u201cOh,\u201d\u00a0 he sat down again.\u00a0 \u201cIs that all?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all there is to it, and the discussion is closed.\u201d\u00a0 Adam saw Joe lean towards Hannah in a conspiratorial manner.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you would be wise, Little Brother, to keep your nose out of it!\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah picked up the pie pan.\u00a0 \u201cWho would like another slice of peach pie?\u00a0 Uncle Ben?\u00a0 Hoss?\u00a0 Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss held his plate up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have me another slice, please.\u00a0 It\u2019s dee-licious!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone for me, thanks,\u201d\u00a0 Ben pushed away from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have another slice, too,\u201d\u00a0 Joe moved his plate closer to Hannah.\u00a0 \u201cSay, Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked up at Joe as he reached for the bowl of vegetables.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know Hop Sing let Hannah help with the laundry today?\u201d\u00a0 Joe tried to hold back laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot too bad for her first time washing clothes, except,\u201d\u00a0 Joe paused to make sure Adam was paying attention.\u00a0 \u201cExcept she accidentally got one of your Sunday white shirts mixed in with your red shirt and now your Sunday go-to-meetin\u2019 shirt is PINK!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hannah giggled, and Ben and Hoss both tossed back their heads and bellowed with laughter at Adam\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n Adam calmly put down his fork and dabbed at his mouth with his napkin, while the others continued laughing at him.\u00a0 Finally he put the napkin down.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d\u00a0 Adam pushed back his chair and chased first Joe, then Hannah.\u00a0 Hannah was easier to catch and he grabbed her arm and put her across his knee.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t hurt her, Adam!\u201d\u00a0 Ben warned.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you told them!\u201d\u00a0 Adam queried as Hannah struggled to free herself from his grasp.\u00a0 She was a bit frightened by his powerful grip, but she couldn\u2019t help laughing still.<\/p>\n \u201cHave mercy on me, Adam!\u201d\u00a0 She pleaded with giggling remorse.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t help myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust tell me one thing\u2026did you really ruin my white shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe chimed in.\u00a0 \u201cNo, that was just a joke on my part, Adam.\u00a0 Your shirt is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Adam,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss added.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you go to the dance tomorrow, you won\u2019t be wearing pink!\u00a0 Even if it does bring out your eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n More laughter pealed, and Adam turned red in the face.\u00a0 He released his cousin, even though she deserved the spanking he intended to give her.\u00a0 Instead, he walked over to the dining table and grabbed his plate.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll finish my dinner in my room,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n Hannah quickly ran to him as he reached the first step.\u00a0 \u201cPlease forgive me, Adam,\u201d\u00a0 She pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cI never meant to upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I don\u2019t hold a grudge.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah watched him climb the stairs and disappear.\u00a0 Ben came up behind her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did nothing wrong, my dear,\u201d Ben placed his hands on her shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cAdam is a bit sensitive, but he\u2019ll soon forget about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss joined them.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s because he\u2019s the oldest, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 he said.\u00a0 \u201cHe thinks he\u2019s got some standard he has to rise to in order to keep the men around the ranch in line.\u00a0 If he feels knocked off that standard, he worries the men won\u2019t pay him no mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody knows Hoss and I cut up and get into trouble all the time, but Adam needs to stay above all that so the men respect him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I hurt his pride!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah realized.\u00a0 \u201cI did deserve to be spanked!\u00a0 I\u2019ll never tease him again!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben patted her on the shoulder, and led her back to the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t mind the teasing, really,\u201d Ben told her.\u00a0 \u201cAs long as it\u2019s just within the family.\u00a0 And you are family, Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go up and talk to him,\u201d Hannah offered.<\/p>\n \u201cNo need, darling,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHe realizes he hurt your feelings as much as you hurt his.\u00a0 He\u2019ll come down after awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah sat down and Joe pulled out a deck of cards and proceeded to show her how to play solitaire.<\/p>\n Hoss curled up in the big chair by the fire and ate a third piece of pie.<\/p>\n Ben quietly climbed the stairs to see Adam and find out what he learned at Luke\u2019s cabin.<\/p>\n ************************************************************* \u201cCome in, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Adam responded to the knock on the door and his father entered his bedroom.\u00a0 \u201cI heard you talking.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll come down later and apologize for wrecking the party.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m just really tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Son,\u201d\u00a0 Ben sat down on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you find out at Luke\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Morales Brothers had been there, all right,\u201d\u00a0 Adam swallowed another bite of food.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, Chepe is still there\u2026buried.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuried?\u00a0 He\u2019s dead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess Stig\u2019s aim was pretty good,\u201d\u00a0 Adam picked at the remnants of his supper.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say he\u2019d been dead only a few hours.\u00a0 Not very long, at any rate.\u00a0\u00a0 And he was buried with his gun\u2026a thirty-six caliber pistol.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, it was Chepe who shot Luke!\u201d\u00a0 Ben remarked.<\/p>\n \u201cI suspected as much, when Joe told me about the bullet you dug out of Luke\u2019s arm,\u201d\u00a0 Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI think Joe may have had the same suspicions.\u00a0 He knew Chepe carried such a pistol.\u00a0 Maybe he confronted them about it, and\u00a0 maybe that\u2019s why they took off from the roundup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI warned Joe to keep quiet about the bullet!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know Little Joe,\u201d\u00a0 Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cHe always goes off half-cocked.\u00a0 Which is one of the reasons I waited to tell\u00a0 you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat else did you find at the cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cSome bloody rags, empty food tins, the usual mess when someone is shot and holed up in hiding.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride back in the morning and see if I can pick up Rico\u2019s trail.\u00a0 Meanwhile, someone has to let Roy know that Chepe is dead and that Stig probably shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI admit, it all seems to fit, but we can\u2019t assume it was Stig who shot him, any more than we could assume it was Stig who shot Luke.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a point, Pa,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBut Stig was well within his rights to protect his family and property, even if he did shoot Chepe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m aware of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen, what, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Adam set his plate down.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you still feel like there\u2019s a piece missing to the puzzle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up and walked to the window.<\/p>\n Adam stood up and paced the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s look at this logically,\u201d Adam begins.\u00a0 \u201cStig finds out that Antonia is carrying Rico\u2019s child.\u00a0 He sends her away and fires Rico, chasing him out of Nevada.\u00a0 Rico comes back and finds out that Antonia is returning home without the child, and burns down the barn to get even.\u00a0 He tries to see Antonia when she returns home, and the Borgstroms chase off the unknown prowler.\u00a0 The Borgstroms assume it\u2019s Luke and Rico learns that Luke is the one under suspicion.\u00a0 When Chepe is shot during one of their prowls to find Antonia, either Chepe or Rico shoots Luke with Chepe\u2019s gun to make it look like Luke was the prowler.\u00a0 Rico comes to camp to retrieve their gear so we won\u2019t find out Chepe\u2019s been shot.\u00a0 But Chepe dies on him, and now Rico will be desperate to get even with Borgstrom again.\u00a0 This time for Chepe\u2019s death!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it, Adam!\u201d\u00a0 Ben turns to his son.\u00a0 \u201cHe will strike again!\u00a0 Only the next strike will be worse than the first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, do we track Rico, or have Roy round up a posse?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to get word to Roy, and soon!\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked at his weary son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I know you\u2019re tired.\u00a0 Get some rest, Son.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send Bronc into town with a message for Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood night, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben closed the door and paused for a moment.\u00a0 He could hear Hannah and his younger sons enjoying each other\u2019s company, and did not wish to raise an alarm.\u00a0\u00a0 His steps were cautious, not wanting to draw attention to himself.\u00a0 He knew what he would say, if asked.\u00a0 Tentatively, he moved toward his desk.\u00a0 So far, Hoss, Joe and Hannah were preoccupied with their card game.\u00a0 Quickly, he dashed off a note to Roy Coffee and folded it.\u00a0 Tucking it into the pocket of his vest, he pondered how best to take it to Bronc.\u00a0 He decided to go out the side door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you off to, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss called out to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I\u2019d check on Luke before I turn in for the night,\u201d\u00a0 Ben said calmly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s sleeping in the tack room, away from the wranglers.\u00a0 You know how shy he is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cTell him he\u2019s welcome to put his pallet on the floor in my room, if he gets nervous out there by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and went out the door.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, you know that boy is used to bein\u2019 out on his own,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s lived in that cabin by his-self, or up in caves on the mountain, for years now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cBut now he\u2019s around a lot of people, and he might take a notion to bolt.\u00a0 I think he trusts us more than anyone, and if he needs to feel safe around here, I want him to know we\u2019ll protect him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is feeling pretty vulnerable right now,\u201d Hannah added.\u00a0 \u201cImagine getting shot in your own home!\u00a0 By an unseen enemy!\u00a0 Uncle Ben doesn\u2019t want me to be around him, but he sure could use some friends right now.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad he came here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou listen to Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss advised her.\u00a0 \u201cLuke ain\u2019t used to being around girls, and there\u2019s no telling what he thinks about them.\u00a0 He\u2019s pretty confused, and he might accidentally do something he don\u2019t know is wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Uncle Ben explained all that to me,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah acknowledged her cousin\u2019s concern.\u00a0 \u201cBut, you Joe, you\u2019re closer to his age than anyone else here besides me.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you want to reach out to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cNow place that eight on this nine, and I think you\u2019ve got the game won!\u201d<\/p>\n ****************************************<\/p>\n Ben opened the door to the tack room and peaked inside.\u00a0 He could see Luke\u2019s face in the moonlight pouring through the window.\u00a0 Even in sleep, the boy\u2019s expression reflected his troubled mind.\u00a0 He stepped inside and quietly approached the cot where the boy lay.\u00a0 Carefully, he pulled the blanket up over Luke\u2019s injured shoulder, and withdrew from the room.<\/p>\n Across the corral, a couple of men were smoking under the porch of the bunk house.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t tell who they were until he was almost upon them.<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening, Jock,\u201d Ben said cordially.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you, Stan.\u00a0 Say, you fellows did a great job these last couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAppreciate it, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Bronc inside?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d\u00a0 Stan answered.\u00a0 \u201cWant I should get him for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019ll go in,\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cThanks again for all your hard work.\u00a0 I trust Adam gave you your bonuses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir, much obliged.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben entered the bunkhouse and found Bronc playing cards with a couple of the men.<\/p>\n \u201cMight I have a word with you, Bronc?\u201d<\/p>\n Bronc Evans tossed his hand onto the table.\u00a0 \u201cDeal me out, boys.\u00a0 Lady Luck just ain\u2019t on my side tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n He stood up and followed Ben into a corner where they could talk privately.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a favor to ask you,\u201d\u00a0 Ben confided.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a feelin\u2019 you did,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc grinned.\u00a0 \u201cDoes this mean I\u2019m about to lose some sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps.\u00a0 I need you to take this note in to Roy Coffee, right away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if he\u2019s out?\u201d\u00a0 Bronc unfolded the paper and read the contents.\u00a0 He knew Ben wanted him to read it, or else it would have been sealed in an envelope.\u00a0 \u201cYou want me to leave this information with a deputy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou give it only to Roy,\u201d\u00a0 Ben instructed.\u00a0 \u201cIf you want to stay in town for the night, you can put it on my tab.\u00a0 But make sure Roy gets this as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got it, Boss,\u201d Bronc folded the paper and put it in his shirt pocket.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure that\u2019s all you need me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s all anyone can do, for the time being,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 He shook Bronc\u2019s hand and left the bunkhouse, returning to the ranch house the same way he came out.\u00a0 He would confide in Hoss later, but he knew Little Joe would run off half-cocked if he knew what was going on, and he could get himself killed that way.\u00a0 But most of all, he did not wish to worry Hannah any more than necessary.\u00a0 Hannah wasn\u2019t used to the west, and he didn\u2019t want her exposed to the full brunt of violence that could be found in the west.\u00a0 He knew her spirit was strong, and he knew she came not only from Cartwright blood, but her father\u2019s blood as well.\u00a0 While most of the Lowells were aristocrats, her own father was a brave and honorable soldier with a strong character.\u00a0 He knew Hannah had that character in spades, but he did not wish to test her just yet.<\/p>\n ************************************************************* \u201cCouldn\u2019t we invite Luke to come with us?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Hannah,\u201d Ben sorted through his paperwork as he spoke, looking for a particular document.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve been through this before.\u00a0 Luke won\u2019t be comfortable at the barn-raising.\u00a0 He\u2019s not happy being around a lot of people.\u00a0 He prefers being alone.\u00a0 I think you should respect that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I feel awful about having a good time, while he\u2019s all alone with nobody to talk to and take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop your pouting, young lady,\u201d Ben admonished her.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not becoming, and you\u2019re much too old for such childish behavior.\u00a0 The matter is settled.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven Hop Sing is going to the barn- raising\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Hannah sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if Luke decides to run off again?\u00a0 What if whoever shot him comes after him again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHannah!\u201d\u00a0 Ben raised his voice.\u00a0 \u201cStop inviting trouble.\u00a0 Luke is staying here, and he will be fine.\u00a0 He\u2019s not likely to run off, and I doubt very seriously if he\u2019s being pursued by anyone any more.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s stern tone startled Hannah.\u00a0 She knew she was acting like a spoiled child and deserved his admonishment, but she felt sorry for Luke Grundy and helpless to do anything for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah approached him gingerly.\u00a0 \u201cI just can\u2019t help but worry about him being all alone here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I know it\u2019s difficult for you to understand how people are out here, compared to how they are where you came from, but trust me,\u201d\u00a0 Ben lifted her chin and made her look into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHe will be fine here by himself.\u00a0 He\u2019s been taking care of himself for many years, relying only on his wits.\u00a0 You may not see it, but he is capable of defending himself should the need arise.\u201d<\/p>\n The fight went out of Hannah\u2019s heart.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Uncle Ben, you know best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow run and help Hop Sing load the food into the buckboard so we can leave,\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice softened, and he kissed her on top of her head.\u00a0 She turned and he swatted her backside as she stepped toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam was right,\u201d\u00a0 Ben remarked with a mischievous grin.\u00a0 \u201cA spanking is good for you, now and then!\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah laughed with him and skipped into the kitchen to help Hop Sing.\u00a0 Ben gathered his papers and put them away where he could find them later.<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe entered the front door, chattering with each other.<\/p>\n \u201cYou boys finish with your chores?\u201d Ben asked firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything\u2019s done, Pa,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re all set to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just waiting on you and Hannah,\u201d Joe added.\u00a0 \u201cBy the way, where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam has a chore of his own to complete,\u201d Ben told them without providing any details.\u00a0 \u201cHe will join us later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, after the work is done,\u201d Joe joked.\u00a0 Ben let the remark slide.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you boys check with Hop Sing and see if there\u2019s any more supplies to be loaded up?\u201d<\/p>\n There was a knock at the door, and since it was already opened, Bronc Evans stepped inside.\u00a0 \u201cIs your pa around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver here, Bronc,\u201d\u00a0 Ben called out to his trusted foreman.\u00a0 \u201cBoys?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Hoss knew better than to hang around.\u00a0 They hurried into the kitchen as their father suggested to find Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you find Roy?\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked up at Bronc.<\/p>\n \u201cSure did,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc replied.\u00a0 \u201cRoy was very interested in your note.\u00a0 By the way, I thought you should know I found Roy at one of the mining camps.\u00a0 It seems somebody broke into a storehouse and made away with a box full of dynamite.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben froze.\u00a0 \u201cDynamite!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what the man said,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd no evidence as to who might have done it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have an idea who\u2019s behind it,\u201d\u00a0 Ben checked his gunbelt to make sure it was fully stocked with ammunition.<\/p>\n \u201cI figured you would,\u201d Bronc said with a drawl.\u00a0 \u201cRoy Coffee thought you might think so, too.\u00a0 He asked me to warn you to keep an eye out for trouble at the Borgstroms\u2019 homestead.\u00a0 He\u2019ll get some men together and circle around the place for any sign of the Mexican.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not many places around there he could hide,\u201d Ben thought it over.<\/p>\n \u201cNot within tossin\u2019 distance, I\u2019d venture,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc concurred.\u00a0 \u201cMy hunch is, if that Mexican planned to use dynamite, he\u2019d have to have already placed it where he wants it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought about it for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cBut how would he set it off, without anyone seeing him, or discovering the wick?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow that\u2019s the question on everyone\u2019s mind,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what he\u2019s up to?\u201d\u00a0 Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Bronc.\u00a0 You coming to the Borgstroms?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t miss the fireworks for the world, Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Bronc smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou know me, I\u2019ve got you covered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you coming, Uncle Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah peeked around the corner.\u00a0 \u201cWe have everything loaded and ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just get my hat,\u201d Ben told her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m right behind you,\u201d Bronc said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Hannah asked as Ben helped her into the buckboard.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be along later,\u201d\u00a0 Ben told her.\u00a0 \u201cHe wanted to check on the herd first.\u201d<\/p>\n *****************************************<\/p>\n Adam was nowhere near the herd, nor was Luke Grundy resting in the tack room at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The two men were at the Grundy cabin, looking for tracks that might lead them to Rico Morales.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just coming out of the privy, like this,\u201d Luke stood outside the privy, holding the door open as he had done the night he was shot.\u00a0 \u201cThe next thing I knew, I was hit, and knocked to the ground.\u00a0 I laid there and played dead, until I heard their horses ride off.\u00a0 Then I made my way to your place.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam studied the surrounding terrain.\u00a0 \u201cDid you see where the shot came from?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt had to have come from over there, Adam,\u201d\u00a0 Luke pointed toward a line of timber.\u00a0 \u201cI was facing that-a-ways, and the bullet hit me here.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam measured his steps to the tree line and stopped.\u00a0 He scanned the area for any evidence of men hiding in the brush.\u00a0 Watchfully, he ventured inside the woods, and after a few steps, he found what he was looking for.<\/p>\n \u201cCome up here, Luke,\u201d\u00a0 Adam called down to him.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to see something.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke made his way to where Adam was waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cTake a look at this,\u201d Adam pointed.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a couple of piles of horse droppings, indicating two horses were tied up over here.\u00a0 The piles are dry, but not yet decomposing, so they\u2019re only a couple of days old.\u201c<\/p>\n Adam walked around a boulder nearby.\u00a0 \u201cOn this rock, you see the dried blood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRico must have propped Chepe here while he waited for you to come out of your cabin, \u201c\u00a0 Adam explained. \u201cLooks like Chepe lost a lot of blood.\u00a0 The whole side of the rock is covered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re real smart, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d\u00a0 Luke said admiringly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all a matter of observation, Luke,\u201d Adam told him.\u00a0 Adam continued looking around.\u00a0 \u201cThere!\u00a0 That\u2019s what I was looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bent down and picked up a shiny object\u00a0 nearly hidden in the pine needles.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0 Luke asked him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe casing from the bullet he used to shoot you,\u201d Adam told him.\u00a0 \u201cA thirty-six caliber, all right.\u00a0 Same as the bullet they took out of your arm.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam crouched close to the ground to look for more evidence.\u00a0 Standing up again, he followed some tracks that led further up the mountain.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s at the top of this mountain, Luke?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of caves, is all,\u201d Luke replied.<\/p>\n \u201cDo the caves lead anywhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of \u2018em does,\u201d Luke pointed to a ledge just beyond the woods.\u00a0 \u201cThat one there goes clear through to the other side of the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what is on the other side of the mountain?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s face turned white as he began to realize what Adam already knew.\u00a0 \u201cThe Borgstroms\u2019 farm!\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* Rico had been in the cave, as Adam suspected.\u00a0 What he was shocked to discover was a box of dynamite, half-empty!\u00a0 He knew he had to get word to his father.<\/p>\n Luke stood on the precipice overlooking the Borgstrom homestead.\u00a0 He could see all the bustling of the women preparing the tables for dinner, and that the men had already framed the walls of the new barn.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 he called to his companion softly.\u00a0 Adam came over and looked at the scene that held Luke\u2019s attention.\u00a0 But Luke\u2019s thoughts continued to be locked inside his head, unspoken.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind, Luke?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just thinking\u2019,\u201d\u00a0 Luke stared at the activities below.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re all working down there, not knowin\u2019 anything is about to happen to them, just like my ma and pa the day the outlaws showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy family is down there, Luke,\u201d\u00a0 Adam placed an arm across the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cPa knows there\u2019s trouble brewing.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be watching for it.\u00a0 And the sheriff has men roaming the perimeter of the farm to look for Rico.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey won\u2019t find him,\u201d\u00a0 Luke claimed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes you think so?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he was easy to find, they\u2019d have caught him already.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t have time to debate the issue.\u00a0 Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something flying through the air, and it wasn\u2019t a bird.\u00a0 Instinctively, he drew his gun and fired a warning shot into the air to alert his father and the people below.<\/p>\n ****************************************<\/p>\n Marj Borgstrom dropped a basket of rolls on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cMother, what is bothering you?\u201d\u00a0 Antonia asked with a giggle in her voice.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re as nervous as a cat around her kittens lately?<\/p>\n \u201cOh, nothing,\u201d\u00a0 Marj tried to be nonchalant about it as they bent over to pick up the rolls.\u00a0 \u201cMust be the change o\u2019 life.\u00a0 You know how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah helped with the gathering and dusted one of the rolls off.\u00a0 \u201cIf we don\u2019t say anything, nobody will ever know!\u00a0 Besides, a little dirt never hurt anyone before.\u201d<\/p>\n Marj laughed, her nervousness forgotten.\u00a0 \u201cHannah, I do declare!\u00a0 For a Bostonian, you sure don\u2019t have a stuck-up bone in your body!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the Cartwright in me, as Uncle Ben would say,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMy relatives always complained that I took after my mother more than my father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat may be so,\u201d Marj commented.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut from what I read in the papers about him, and from what Ben has told me about your father, your mother\u2019s people must have rubbed off on him, too!\u00a0 You must have been very proud of your father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he had many citations describing his valor, and I heard even General Custer cried when he learned of my father\u2019s death,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah confided tearfully.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019d trade every one of those citations and medals for just one more day with my father.\u201d<\/p>\n Antonia put her arms around her friend.\u00a0 \u201cI know what you mean.\u00a0 I loved someone very much once, and I\u2019d give anything to see him again.\u201d<\/p>\n Marj\u2019s face showed alarm.\u00a0 Stig had told her that Rico was back in the area, and now she knew that Antonia had not forgotten him.<\/p>\n \u201cToni, I think there\u2019s another pie in the pantry,\u201d her mother called to her.\u00a0 \u201cWill you run and get it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma,\u201d\u00a0 Antonia went back into the house.<\/p>\n \u201cHannah, why don\u2019t you collect a couple of the women and see if the men need water?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah grabbed some buckets from the porch and took off to recruit some volunteers.\u00a0 Two women agreed to help and they went to the well to draw water.<\/p>\n Hannah carried her bucket to the place where Hoss and Joe were hammering some trusses together for the roof.\u00a0 \u201cThirsty?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet!\u201d Joe jumped up and scooped some of the cool water into his cupped hands and drank a few gulps, then rubbed the remnants over his bare neck and arms.\u00a0 Hoss found a tin cup and filled it twice.\u00a0 Without drawing attention to himself, Hoss took the opportunity to scan the horizon for any unwanted visitors who might be lurking in the nearby woods and hills.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2019s over yonder,\u201d Hoss pointed him out to Hannah.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure he could use a drink. Take this cup along for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah took the cup and made her way to her uncle.\u00a0 \u201cHave some water, Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hannah,\u201d\u00a0 he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI sure could use some!\u201d<\/p>\n As he raised the cup to his lips, he heard a shot from high in the mountain and looked in the direction from which it came.\u00a0 In the corner of his eye, he saw a small, flying object hurtling toward them.<\/p>\n \u201cTake cover!\u201d\u00a0 Ben screamed, and he pushed Hannah to the ground, covering her with his own body for protection.<\/p>\n Women and children screamed as the stick of dynamite exploded just barely out of harm\u2019s way.\u00a0 Dirt rained through the air, but nothing to injure anyone.\u00a0 Ben looked up and saw Roy Coffee and some men on horses, racing toward the direction from where the dynamite had originated.\u00a0 He wondered if it had been Adam who fired the warning shot?<\/p>\n Before Roy and his posse could get very close, another arrow tied to a stick of dynamite zipped toward them and exploded, knocking some of the horses down, and throwing their riders.\u00a0 The other horses were spooked, and the men had difficulty controlling them.\u00a0 Ben searched for Roy, and did not see him.\u00a0 He and the other men who had been working on the barn started towards the injured posse.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss!\u00a0 Joe!\u00a0 Take care of the women and children!\u201d\u00a0 Ben shouted at his youngest sons.\u00a0 \u201cHannah, go with them and do what your cousins tell you!\u00a0 Help keep the women calm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis way,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shouted.\u00a0 Hannah was amazed how quickly her gentle, giant cousin transformed into a fierce fighter.\u00a0 Both Joe and Hoss had their guns drawn and were directing the women and children into the house for cover.\u00a0 Joe stood guard at the door, while Hoss circled the house to make sure all was secure.\u00a0 He covered the back porch, to make sure nobody could get inside at that entrance.<\/p>\n Ben found Roy unhurt, but trapped under his horse.\u00a0 The poor animal suffered a broken leg and had to be destroyed.\u00a0 Two of the deputies were slightly injured, and the other five men were ready to go after the culprit.\u00a0 Another arrow flew over their heads, landing close enough to knock them all to the ground, but again, nobody had been seriously hurt.\u00a0 Ben knew it was only a matter of time before someone was killed.<\/p>\n Shots were heard above them, and Ben knew Adam was in pursuit of Rico.\u00a0 His silent prayer to God begged for his son\u2019s safety.\u00a0 Rico had become a dangerous man, and Adam was alone, except for Luke, who could be of no help to him.<\/p>\n \u201cGet the injured back to my place!\u201d\u00a0 Ben heard Stig giving orders.\u00a0 \u201cThe rest of you, get your guns and follow me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on there, Stig,\u201d Roy called to the Swede.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m still the law and I\u2019ll give the orders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen give them, sheriff!\u201d\u00a0 Stig replied angrily.\u00a0 \u201cBecause I want that man dead!\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStig!\u201d Ben tried to stop him.\u00a0 \u201cLet Roy handle it before you get yourself killed!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow you men listen to me!\u201d Stig hollered at the top of his voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not a rich man, but I\u2019ll give a reward of one thousand dollars to anyone who brings me the body of Rico Morales!\u201d<\/p>\n Inside the house, Antonia heard her father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cRico!\u00a0 He\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStay down, Toni!\u201d her mother insisted.\u00a0 Hannah held her friend tighter to keep her from leaving the house.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go to him!\u201d\u00a0 Antonia\u2019s determination was stronger than Hannah could manage, and the girl ran to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cStop her, Joe!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah shouted, but Antonia was too fast for him.\u00a0 He ran after her, and caught her.<\/p>\n \u201cRico!\u201d\u00a0 Antonia screamed.\u00a0 \u201cRico!\u201d \u201cBar the doors, and don\u2019t let her get out again,\u201d Hoss told the women inside.<\/p>\n Stig realized too late that he had made a mistake.\u00a0 Now his daughter knew her former lover had come back for her.<\/p>\n Another stick of dynamite flew through the air.\u00a0 This time, it was coming right towards the group of men!<\/p>\n \u201cRun!\u201d Roy shouted, and everyone scattered to avoid the blast.\u00a0 Everyone but Stig.<\/p>\n The dynamite exploded within feet of where he stood, and he was knocked to the ground.\u00a0 Ben rushed quickly to his neighbor, as more shots were heard from the mountain.<\/p>\n ************************************************************* Adam had Rico pinned down in the rocks.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t escape, but Adam couldn\u2019t get a clear shot at him, either.\u00a0 If he moved from his position, Adam knew he put his own life at risk, but he had to do something.<\/p>\n A movement in the brush above Rico caught his attention.\u00a0 Rico heard it, too, and fired his gun at the brush.<\/p>\n \u201cLuke!\u201d\u00a0 Adam muttered to himself.\u00a0 He knew Luke was trying to draw Rico\u2019s attention away from him so that he could get closer to Rico.\u00a0 He did just that, moving stealthily towards the rocks where Rico had fortified his position.\u00a0 He saw no more movement in the brush, and worried that Luke had been hurt\u2026or worse.\u00a0 He had to get to Rico!<\/p>\n Rico returned his attention toward Adam and fired in the direction where he had last seen him, but Adam was now below the rocks where Rico hid.\u00a0 Adam quietly smoothed away some of the twigs in his path, and crept around the back of the rocks.\u00a0 He could see the top of Rico\u2019s head, and saw that Rico was searching for movement in the trees and brush where he thought his assailants were hidden.\u00a0 Adam knew he now had the advantage.<\/p>\n \u201cHold it right there, Rico,\u201d Adam cocked his pistol, ready to fire if Rico refused to surrender.\u00a0 \u201cDrop your gun.\u00a0 It\u2019s all over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it isn\u2019t, senor!\u201d\u00a0 Rico aimed and Adam fired, striking the gun out of his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy you not kill me?\u201d\u00a0 the Mexican groaned in pain, holding his bloodied hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be too easy,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He hated killing, and avoided it whenever he could.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather see you hang.\u201d<\/p>\n Luke limped toward them, blood dripping from his leg.\u00a0 He seemed surprised, yet pleased.\u00a0 \u201cYou got him, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now, we\u2019re going to take him to the sheriff for trial,\u201d\u00a0 Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cMove along, Rico.\u201d<\/p>\n Rico climbed out of his nest, taking his time because of his injury, and because he was calculating the risk of escape.\u00a0 Adam read his thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t even try it, Rico.\u00a0 My gun is aimed at your heart.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be dead if you make a run for it.\u201d \u201cThen, be my guest.\u201d<\/p>\n Rico knew Adam was serious and decided not to run.\u00a0 There could be time for escape later, but he would not chance it now.<\/p>\n Roy and his deputies met them half way, and Roy took the Mexican into custody.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, senor,\u201d Rico asked the sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cTell Antonia I still love her.\u00a0 Tell her I did this for us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll get no satisfaction from me, Mr. Morales,\u201d Roy told him as he tied Rico\u2019s hands behind his back and led him to a horse.<\/p>\n Luke stood next to Adam, who holstered his weapon, and watched the sheriff and the posse lead Rico back to Virginia City.\u00a0 He knew Rico would stand trial, and probably be found guilty and sentenced, perhaps even hung, as Adam said.\u00a0 But he still wondered about one thing.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, why do you suppose he thought he could prove his love to Antonia this way?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say, Luke.\u201d\u00a0 Then Adam remembered the boy\u2019s new injury.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, let\u2019s go get your leg looked after.\u00a0 Hop on my back.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam carried Luke to the Borgstrom\u2019s house and let him down on one of the benches.\u00a0 Doc Burns and the women were already tending to the wounded.\u00a0 Adam spied his father fussing over Stig.\u00a0 Stig had been knocked unconscious by the last blast, and had not yet come to.\u00a0 Antonia wept next to him, while Marj checked him over for any other injuries.<\/p>\n Ben noticed Adam standing there and stood up to shake his hand.\u00a0 \u201cGood work, son!\u00a0 Your warning shot saved a lot of lives today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoy has him in custody now,\u201d Adam tipped back his hat.\u00a0 \u201cThe siege is over and the enemy is subdued.\u201d<\/p>\n Antonia looked up at Adam.\u00a0 There was an unspoken question in her eyes; a truth she was afraid to face.\u00a0 Then she looked again at the stricken face of her father as he started to come to, and a smile broke through her tears.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa!\u201d\u00a0 She laid her head on his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cPapa, I\u2019m so sorry for all the trouble I\u2019ve caused you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should be, girl!\u201d\u00a0 Marj cried.\u00a0 \u201cThat boy would have murdered us all to get to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that now, Mama,\u201d Antonia cried as she rose and embraced her mother.\u00a0 \u201cPlease forgive me!\u00a0 I\u2019m so sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n Stig reached up and weakly grasped his daughter\u2019s skirt.\u00a0 She crumpled in a pile beside him and her tears fell on his chest.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease forgive me, Papa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI already did,\u201d Stig struggled to answer.\u00a0 He managed to raise his other arm and hold his daughter close to him.\u00a0 Marj covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to hold back tears of her own, but not succeeding.<\/p>\n \u201cCome, Adam,\u201d\u00a0 Ben nudged his son.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see what we can do to help the others.\u201d<\/p>\n ************************************************************* \u201cI appreciate what you did for my family, Luke,\u201d Stig Borgstrom extended a hand of friendship to the boy.\u00a0 \u201cAny time you need work, you come around and see me, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, sir,\u201d Luke took the man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean it, now,\u201d Stig insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a brave thing you did at the trial, and what you did on the mountain to help capture that desperado.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI only did what was right\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Luke said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just glad your family is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and that\u2019s all thanks to you and the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was pleased to hear the exchange between Stig and Luke.\u00a0 Luke needed more good men in his life to guide him into his own manhood, but Ben knew Luke was already well on his way.<\/p>\n \u201cHave more tea, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Marj asked upon her return to the porch.\u00a0 \u201cThe girls will be along with the cobbler in a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow is Antonia doing these days?\u201d\u00a0 Ben inquired, knowing how difficult it had been for her to come to terms with Rico being imprisoned for his crimes against her family.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she has her good days and her bad days,\u201d\u00a0 Marj intimated.\u00a0 \u201cBut she\u2019s young.\u00a0 She\u2019ll find another man one day to take her thoughts off that other one.\u00a0 Maybe she\u2018ll find a nice man who will overlook her past and love her in spite of it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMarj, do you really think it\u2019s possible for a woman to ever forget her first love?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cParticularly when that love produced a new life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can only hope and pray, Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Marj sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI can only hope and pray.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAntonia is a fine girl,\u201d\u00a0 Ben remarked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll have no trouble finding the right kind of love.\u00a0 In fact\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked toward his young charge standing next to Stig.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Luke doesn\u2019t grow up to be a fine man, and I know he once had a crush on Antonia when they were just kids.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he\u2019s certainly come out of his shell,\u201d\u00a0 Marj admitted.\u00a0 \u201cThere may be hope for the boy, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n The girls\u2019 giggles came closer to the door and Ben stood up to open it for them.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the cobbler!\u201d\u00a0 Hannah carried the porcelain dish to the table.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing Hoss didn\u2019t come with us, or there wouldn\u2019t be enough!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI brought some ice cream to go with it,\u201d Antonia placed it beside the hot cobbler.<\/p>\n \u201cStig!\u201d\u00a0 Marj hollered at her husband.\u00a0 \u201cBring that boy and come get some cobbler and ice cream before it\u2019s all gone!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better hurry, fellows!\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks mighty good!\u201d<\/p>\n THE END<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n
\n\u201cNow, you need not worry about entertaining me, Uncle Ben,\u201d\u00a0 Hannah insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI spied some books over by the stairs and I\u2019m anxious to see what there is to read. \u201c<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER TWO – Luke Grundy<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER THREE – Who Shot Luke?<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER FOUR – The Confrontation<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER FIVE – Life\u2019s Lessons to be Learned<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER SIX – Adam\u2019s Pride<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER SEVEN – Adam\u2019s Conjecture<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER EIGHT – Dangerous Discoveries<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER NINE – The Barn-Raising<\/p>\n
\nJoe dragged the struggling girl back to the house, and Hoss reached them in time to help Joe carry her up the steps and into the house.<\/p>\n
\nCHAPTER TEN – Showdown!<\/p>\n
\n\u201cPerhaps I\u2019d rather be dead, senor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nCONCLUSION<\/p>\n