{"id":10829,"date":"2005-06-29T18:47:12","date_gmt":"2005-06-29T22:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10829"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:43","slug":"winter-at-tahoe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10829","title":{"rendered":"Winter at Tahoe (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

SUMMARY:<\/strong>\u00a0 Unexpected guests in the depth of winter bring trouble in their wake.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 PG (9,800 words)<\/p>\n

Winter at Tahoe<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Snow had been threatening for weeks, but had never come to anything. The Cartwrights were as prepared for the bad weather as they could be. During the autumn, Hop Sing had been incredibly busy canning fruit and vegetables, storing the items that would dry and building up the supplies of sugar, flour and oatmeal, so that if the weather proved really inclement and prolonged, they would not run short.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a good thing he did. They woke up one morning to a complete whiteout. The wind howled around the house, making the normally cosy great room seem draughty and ill finished. Breakfast was eaten mostly in silence as they gazed out through the windows at the swirling whiteness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, chores had to be done, and Joe was soon tying a rope around his middle and preparing to go to the barn. Hoss was doing the same. They anchored them to the stout posts supporting the porch roof and set off into the teeth of the gale. Luckily, they knew roughly how many steps it would take to get to the barn and if they hadn\u2019t got there by that number of steps, they would follow the ropes back and start again. Fortunately, Joe hit the edge of the barn and called to Hoss, barely visible two steps away, and they secured the ropes to the barn before going in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although cold, the barn was not freezing, due to the number of horses in it. Usually, there were only the family mounts and maybe another two or three horses stabled there. Most of the working stock would be in the corral. But with the onset of particularly cold temperatures and Hoss\u2019 insistence that snow was on the way, the horses had been brought inside and rugged up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By unspoken agreement, Joe and Hoss set to work, each taking a side of the barn. Before long, they had shed their heavy winter coats as they mucked out and fed each animal, the manual work warming them up thoroughly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a thought to go out again,\u201d Joe commented to Hoss as a particularly strong gust of wind shook the solid structure. He was fondling the mole-soft nose of his beloved Cochise, reluctant to face the storm again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure is,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cBut since the food is in the house, I ain\u2019t staying here if\u2019n I don\u2019 have ta!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Snugging the blanket tighter around Cochise\u2019s neck, Joe laughed. \u201cTrust you to come up with that argument,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJist bein\u2019 practical,\u201d Hoss replied placidly. \u201cDon\u2019t know about you, Little Joe, but I ain\u2019t too keen on eatin\u2019 straw!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo more am I,\u201d Joe agreed. He gave his horse one last pat, shrugged on his jacket and looked at Hoss. \u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReady as I\u2019ll ever be,\u201d Hoss nodded. Joe blew out the lantern and joined Hoss at the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To say they were surprised to find someone outside the barn was something of an understatement. Two men, slumped on their horses, were there in the yard. They were coated in snow, the horses\u2019 heads hanging dejectedly. The men were wavering in the saddles and Hoss acted immediately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cQuick, Joe!\u201d he urged and grabbed the nearest bridle and began to lead the horse back into the barn. Joe copied his actions, guiding the half-frozen horse into the comparative warmth and blessed stillness of the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t need to talk to divide the work up. Hoss pulled the two men from the horses and propped them on bales of hay before wrapping them in spare horse blankets. Joe quickly tethered both horses, stripped off their tack and threw a rug over one while he worked to brush down the other. After a few minutes, Hoss joined Joe and by the time both exhausted horses were munching on hay, their riders were much more with it, looking around them, but not yet ready to ask questions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That came later, once they had thawed out, changed into warm, dry clothes and had had something warm to eat. \u201cWe were out looking for land,\u201d Robert Peterson explained. \u201cWe\u2019re looking to buy. The snow caught us unawares.\u201d He shrugged and contrived to look embarrassed. \u201cI thought we weren\u2019t greenhorns, but I suppose everyone thinks they know what they are doing until reality hits.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very grateful for your hospitality, Mr Cartwright,\u201d the other man, Jonathan Bartle added. \u201cWe\u2019ll head back to town as soon as the snow lets up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be waiting for several days,\u201d Ben replied, courteously. \u201cWe get a lot of snow around here when it comes. In fact, you could be waiting for a few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A look of alarm flashed across Peterson\u2019s face for a split second. \u201cOh, we wouldn\u2019t want to put you out for that long,\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou may not have a choice,\u201d Adam commented dryly. \u201cWe can\u2019t control the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll just have to keep our fingers crossed, won\u2019t we?\u201d Bartle said, smiling. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I think I\u2019ll go to our room and rest for a while.\u201d He feigned a yawn behind his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds like a good idea,\u201d Peterson agreed. \u201cThank you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll wake you for lunch,\u201d Ben told them, rising politely. All three of the Cartwrights watched as the men went upstairs and they heard the bedroom door close. Ben looked away and returned to his seat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the weakest story I\u2019ve ever heard,\u201d Joe scoffed as he sat down on the sofa again. Hoss slumped down beside him and nodded agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt were blowin\u2019 a blue Norther well afore dawn,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut all the same, them fellers were lucky to find us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI tend to think that if they hadn\u2019t been mounted, they wouldn\u2019t have found us,\u201d Adam added. \u201cI have no doubt the horses sensed the shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they weren\u2019t in the best of condition,\u201d Joe added. \u201cThey were already poorly cared for before they were out in a blizzard.\u201d He glanced at Hoss for agreement and the middle brother nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cClearly our guests aren\u2019t telling us the truth,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut they are entitled to keep their business private. It has nothing to do with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat we know of,\u201d Adam concluded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Upstairs, the two men sat down on their beds. They were exhausted from their close brush with death and they were grateful for the warmth of the house and the offer of somewhere to see out the storm. What they weren\u2019t grateful for was the actual location. As wanted men, on the run across Nevada from Utah and heading over to either California or up towards Oregon, they wouldn\u2019t have chosen to hide out in a big place like this. They had spent a few short hours in Virginia City, long enough to discover that the wanted posters had followed them this far and to learn of the Ponderosa ranch and the Cartwrights \u2013 who happened to be close personal friends of the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re we gonna do?\u201d Bartle fretted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sighing tiredly, Peterson fixed him with a firm stare. \u201cWe\u2019re going to enjoy our hosts\u2019 hospitality until such time as we can leave, presumably to head back to Virginia City and we\u2019re not gonna panic!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if they already know who we are?\u201d Bartle persisted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019you think they\u2019d have been as nice if they knew who we are?\u201d Peterson shot back. \u201cWe\u2019d be tied up someplace, under guard, not in this room.\u201d He rose and moved restlessly around the room, picking up knickknacks and putting them back down again. \u201cThey\u2019ve got some nice stuff,\u201d he mused. \u201cI\u2019m sure they won\u2019t miss some of it.\u201d He sniggered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can just help ourselves when we leave,\u201d agreed Bartle, beginning to relax at last. He laughed as well. Although petty thievery wasn\u2019t their usual vice \u2013 murder was more in their line \u2013 they didn\u2019t turn their nose up at a golden opportunity like this. Every penny helped when on the run.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning brought no respite from the storm, nor did the day after. The Cartwrights\u2019 uninvited guests kept to their room for most of the time. They were unfailingly polite when joining the family for meals, but remained aloof.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It annoyed Joe. It really annoyed Joe. It especially annoyed Joe when he was out in the barn tending to their neglected horses and fighting the wind to bring in firewood for the house. While he knew that not everyone cared for their horse in the same way he did, he couldn\u2019t understand their total disregard. They never even asked about their mounts. It was almost, Joe mused angrily to himself one evening while checking the horses, as if the men were staying in an hotel and simply expected the service as their due.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His temper came to a head as he stumbled in the front door, blown in by the wind, covered from head to toe in snow and feeling half-frozen at the least. Bartle and Peterson had clearly just come downstairs for supper and Bartle made an exclamation of distaste as some snow splattered the sleeve of his sweater as Joe removed his coat. \u201cWatch it!\u201d Bartle growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh sorry!\u201d Joe replied, in tones that told the other man he was anything but sorry. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to bring snow in with me, but it\u2019s impossible to avoid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth were you doing outside anyway?\u201d Peterson asked, trying to diffuse the situation. \u201cIt\u2019s hardly the weather for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was enough. \u201cSomeone has to tend to the horses \u2013 yours included,\u201d Joe snapped. \u201cYou obviously haven\u2019t given them a single thought since you got here, but don\u2019t worry; Hoss and I have been making sure they got fed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you…\u201d Bartle began and for an instant, he looked very dangerous.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben thundered and Joe knew that tone of voice only too well indeed. He had stepped over the boundary and Ben was furious with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe mumbled, curbing his temper with difficulty. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to be rude.\u201d He clamped his mouth shut and kept his head down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By this time, Peterson had his hand on Bartle\u2019s arm, obviously calming him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry we haven\u2019t helped with the chores,\u201d he said smoothly. \u201cI guess we just didn\u2019t think.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Ben replied. He shot Joe another warning look, for he knew his son well enough to know that he was still fuming under the seemingly meek face. Joe met his eyes for an instant and Ben could see the sparks of anger in the depths of those emerald orbs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSuppah ready,\u201d Hop Sing announced and thereby eased the tension. The meal was eaten in relative speed and silence and as soon as it was over, Bartle and Peterson went straight back to their room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glanced at Joe, whose head was down over his plate. \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t want to hear another word out of you about the horses or anything else, do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m well aware that our guests have not done anything to check on their horses, but they did have a close brush with death the other day and that does shake a fellow up.\u201d He glanced at Adam and Hoss, too. \u201cWe have to make allowances for them and hope the weather breaks soon.\u201d He sighed and placed his hand on Joe\u2019s arm. The muscles were knotted with tension. \u201cDon\u2019t think I don\u2019t understand, son,\u201d he went on, his tone softer. \u201cLord knows, we all feel the strain.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe repeated and this time managed a small smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Ben patted Joe\u2019s arm and they all knew the incident was closed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, it was closed for the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Upstairs, Bartle was pacing back and forth, trying to ease his frustration and anger. Peterson stood with his back against the door. He looked relaxed, but he was ready to counter any rash act Bartle might make. \u201cWhen is this snow gonna let up?\u201d Bartle snarled. \u201cI\u2019m gonna kill that snotty kid if we don\u2019t get out of here soon!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down,\u201d Peterson advised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to calm down!\u201d Bartle snapped. \u201cWho does that kid think he is?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a rich man\u2019s son,\u201d Peterson said, softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The significance took a moment to sink in, but when it did, Bartle stood perfectly still, his gaze sharpening on Peterson\u2019s face. \u201cSo he is,\u201d he nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe might well want to come with us when we leave, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Peterson suggested, a feral smile on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh definitely,\u201d Bartle agreed and laughed. \u201cNo question.\u201d His bad mood gone as though blown away by the wind, he sat down so they could plan their exit from the Ponderosa \u2013 with Joe along for \u2018company\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*******************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was no let up in the weather over the next few days. The storm had been raging without cease for a week now. The snow was several feet deep, making trips to the barn hideously difficult. The Cartwrights were also hoping that their cattle were surviving out on the range. There was nothing they could do that hadn\u2019t already been done \u2013 the herd was in as sheltered a place as was possible \u2013 but that didn\u2019t make them less anxious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was no let up in the tension in the house, either. Neither Bartle nor Joe seemed able to hide their dislike of one another, although they both managed to keep a grip on their tempers. That didn\u2019t mean that their politeness was not cutting. Asking for something to be passed at the table, bidding each other good morning or good night seemed to be pushing to the limits and it made for an uncomfortable time for everyone incarcerated in the house. It was actually a relief when Joe went out to the barn, as the tension dropped slightly then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little did the Cartwrights suspect that Peterson and Bartle were intentionally keeping the tension high, as they didn\u2019t want any hint of what they were planning to do to be given away by their actions. With their past experience of kidnapping, extortion and murder, they knew that Joe\u2019s struggles would allow them to vent their frustrations upon him, which in turn would make Ben more willing to pay up quickly. There was nothing like blood and bruising to coerce an anxious parent. Of course, they had no intention of letting Joe go alive, but Ben wouldn\u2019t know that until it was too late. It was the kind of scenario that the pair preferred.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

******************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was the lack of sound that woke them that fateful morning. The wind had dropped and was no longer howling like a banshee among the eaves. The snow was not threatening to scour the surface off the log walls and pour into the house. It was eerily still.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sky could not be described as \u2018clear\u2019; the clouds still shrouded the tops of the mountains. Hoss, standing at the edge of the porch and sniffing deeply, declared that the snow wouldn\u2019t return for a couple of days. The top of the snow was soft, for there had been no frost to make it dangerously sharp and Hoss was sure a quick trip to view the herd would not be out of the question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was something of a relief to think that his sons would be out of the house for a couple of hours at least, Ben admitted, but only to himself. He loved the company of his sons but after more than a week of the tension that had plagued the house, a respite seemed just the thing. He watched, over a second cup of coffee, Hoss and Adam throw on jackets, hats and gloves while Joe, having been slightly tardy down to breakfast, finished eating. \u201cBe there in a minute,\u201d Joe called after his brothers as he began to pull on his own jacket as the other two left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If only he had been a minute earlier at the table, or had not taken the few seconds to reassure Ben that they would be careful out there, things might have been different. As it was, Peterson and Bartle came down before Joe left, packed and ready for travel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr Cartwright, Joe, we\u2019d like to thank you once again for your hospitality. We\u2019ll be on our way.\u201d Peterson thrust his hand at Ben, who shook it automatically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI really think you would be better waiting another day or two,\u201d Ben protested, but got no further.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just going back to town,\u201d Peterson replied. \u201cWe\u2019ll be fine. If I could just prevail on Joe to take us back to the road? I confess, I don\u2019t know my way to town from the ranch house, here.\u201d He gave Joe a charming smile, which Joe did not return.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The last thing he wanted to do was go anywhere with those two losers, but if showing them \u00a0the road to town was the way to get rid of them, then Joe was all for it. \u201cI\u2019ll go and saddle your horses,\u201d he agreed, and turned on his heel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were waiting just inside the barn. \u201cDon\u2019t bother waiting,\u201d Joe told them. \u201cI\u2019m taking our guests to the Virginia City road. See you back here later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful, Joe, hear?\u201d Hoss chided him as he led Chub out. He felt an inexplicable unease at the thought of Joe alone with those men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always careful,\u201d Joe protested, which provoked a hearty laugh from his brothers. \u201cYou two be careful, too!\u201d he called after them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long to saddle horses usually. Joe started with Cochise, his own mount, because he had learned from bitter experience that the two broken down, neglected horses belonging to their guests were very bad tempered. He had not had a good time looking after them and today was no different. He adroitly dodged the vicious kick the stringy bay gelding aimed at him as he entered the stall, but he wasn\u2019t as fortunate in avoiding the bite. It caught him on the arm, but was mostly deflected by his warm winter coat. The other horse, a thin chestnut with a staring coat, snapped at him from the neighbouring stall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was still wrestling with the chestnut when the men arrived in the barn. \u201cHurry up,\u201d Peterson snapped. \u201cWe want to get back today.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That was the last straw for Joe. He dropped the cinch he had been endeavouring to fasten and walked out of the stall. \u201cYou want out of here faster?\u201d he challenged. \u201cThen you saddle your own horse. I\u2019m not your servant!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To say Joe was astonished when Bartle\u2019s open palm struck his cheek was something of an understatement. He wasn\u2019t expecting a blow and it staggered him slightly. He caught himself, and his temper, and glared at Bartle. \u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d he growled through clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d Bartle sneered and side-stepped as Joe threw himself at the man who had annoyed him so much for the last week. As Joe hurtled past, Peterson tripped him. As Joe hit the ground, the others jumped on him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a pretty good fight, considering Joe had been caught by surprise and was outnumbered. All the same, the ending was never in doubt. He ended up face down on the floor, his hands tied behind him, blood dripping from his lip and nose, with one eye slowly swelling shut. Even barely conscious, Joe was struggling slightly. Peterson pinned him in place with a boot on his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Opening his saddlebags, Bartle took out a pistol. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d He smiled as Peterson hauled Joe to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leading the bay and Cochise, they paused in the yard. \u201cMr Cartwright!\u201d Bartle shouted. He waited with pleasurable anticipation for the door to open and Cartwright\u2019s jaw to drop. He wasn\u2019t disappointed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben gasped and took a step forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStay right there!\u201d Peterson warned and shoved his own pistol to Joe\u2019s head. \u201cYou\u2019ll get your boy back, Cartwright, once you\u2019ve done what you\u2019re told. You\u2019ve got three hours to gather together as much cash and valuables as you can fit on a pack horse. It\u2019ll be ready and waiting for us. We\u2019ll take it away and you\u2019ll wait another hour. Then you can come and get Joe. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh I understand all right,\u201d Ben growled. He didn\u2019t notice the cold seeping into his clothing. All he could see was his son, injured and bound, being held with a gun to his head. \u201cWe saved your lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that was real nice of you,\u201d Peterson agreed. \u201cLet\u2019s get one thing straight here. I don\u2019t care how many lives you\u2019ve saved over the years. But if you don\u2019t do as we tell you, you\u2019ll get your son back dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019t!\u201d Joe shouted. \u201cDon\u2019t do it!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d Bartle yelled. Peterson swung Joe around and clipped him across the jaw with the hand holding the gun. Joe crumpled to the ground, moaning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was agonising for Ben to watch as his son was manhandled like that and to be unable to do anything to help him. He could only watch as Bartle mounted, and kept his gun trained on Ben as Peterson hauled Joe to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were all startled when there was a shout from behind them. \u201cWhat d\u2019you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d demanded a voice \u2013 a very familiar voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was Adam!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**************************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were two things that saved Adam\u2019s life that day. The first thing was that he wasn\u2019t mounted on Sport\u2019s back, for the rangy chestnut had thrown a shoe and Adam had walked him home. Bartle had automatically aimed for a man on horseback. The second thing that saved his life was Adam\u2019s swift move for cover which took him back behind the edge of the barn, a move that was purely instinctive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, he didn\u2019t get off scot free. The second bullet that had come winging his way burned along the outside of his calf, gouging a deep furrow in his flesh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben cried and took another step forward. A bullet splintered the porch post by his head and he froze again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was an impasse. Bartle had Ben covered. Peterson had his gun aimed the other way, waiting for Adam\u2019s next move. Ben wasn\u2019t armed. Adam was, but a quick draw was Joe\u2019s forte, not Adam\u2019s, even when he was unencumbered by a heavy winter coat. Plus, the shock of being shot made Adam\u2019s mind work more slowly than usual. He was lying on his right side, on his gun. He fumbled for the weapon, all the while wondering who he should shoot first.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Typically, it was Joe who ended the impasse. He was still not quite sure how Adam had ended up on the scene, but he knew that the thugs who were holding him prisoner were threatening both his brother and his father. There was no sign of Hoss, but who knew when Hoss was likely to blunder into this mess? Wouldn\u2019t the shot carry? Joe did not want Hoss getting mixed up in all this, too. He threw his entire body weight against Peterson\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The move was sudden enough to catch the man unawares. He stumbled, even though he didn\u2019t go down. His grip on Joe\u2019s arm loosened. Joe swung around and kicked snow at Bartle and using the resulting spray as cover to run towards Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He almost made it. Normally, Joe was a swift runner, lithe and agile. Today, he had been beaten and brutalised and his hands were tied. There was deep snow on the ground. Joe didn\u2019t stand a chance. Bartle\u2019s shot caught him high in the back of his shoulder. The impact was enough to knock him off his feet entirely and he landed face down, about 5 feet away from where Adam lay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben\u2019s face was white and he took another step forward before Peterson\u2019s gun swung around to cover him again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s far enough!\u201d Peterson warned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFar enough for you!\u201d replied another voice and a shotgun went off, very close to where Ben was standing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben thought he was imagining things. He simply stood there, his eyes fixed on Joe\u2019s unmoving form, while the air around him was peppered with gun shots. And then silence fell and he realised that both of his former guests were lying, bleeding, in the snow. Close by, Hop Sing stood at the side of the house, a shotgun in his hands. It was smoking slightly in the frigid air. On the ground by the barn, Adam had his gun in his hand and it was smoking slightly, too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That broke the spell. Ben found himself charging through the snow towards his sons, heedless of the fact that he was wearing his carpet slippers and the snow was soaking through them. He was oblivious to the cold that was making him shiver. He fell to his knees at Joe\u2019s side, his numb fingers fumbling with the cords that bound Joe\u2019s wrists.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right, Pa?\u201d Adam gasped. He had dragged himself on his hands and one knee, since his left leg had resolutely refused to support him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Ben muttered. \u201cJoe? Can you hear me? Joe!\u201d His fumbling fingers finally managed to loosen the knots binding Joe\u2019s hands and he gently turned Joe over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was no exit wound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

******************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later, Ben marvelled at how they had coped with the initial stage of the new crisis they found themselves facing. Hop Sing had come to help Adam to his feet as Ben carefully picked Joe up. Ben had not looked at his erstwhile guests; Hop Sing had already told him they were dead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stripping the wet clothes from Joe\u2019s inert body, Ben found himself dwelling on the diminutive housekeeper. He had not known that Hop Sing kept a loaded shotgun in the kitchen \u2013 he had never seen the weapon in there. He had not known that Hop Sing was such a good shot and he was impressed with the smaller man\u2019s sangfroid. From what he had seen, his housekeeper was dealing very well with killing two men. While Hop Sing often threatened the Cartwrights with violence when annoyed \u2013 playfully, Ben had always thought, and usually with a meat cleaver, not a gun \u2013 he had never really thought the other man would really kill someone. But then, the Cartwrights were his family and Bartle and Peterson had been threatening his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A shudder ran down Ben\u2019s spine as he realised that Hop Sing could well have landed himself in very big trouble. He was Chinese and the law didn\u2019t look kindly on the Chinese killing white men. He shook his head. Somehow, they would work things out so that nothing happened to Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Briefly, Ben wondered what Hoss would think when he returned home and found 2 bodies lying in the yard, with clear signs of a scuffle close by. He wondered if anyone had thought to put away the horses and then his random thoughts scattered as he focused in on the injury to Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was no chance of the doctor getting out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe needed a doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After several moments of feeling intensely sick, Ben smoothed his hand over Joe\u2019s damp, tangled curls and went to prepare himself to become a surgeon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although both Hop Sing and Adam had offered to help Ben, he had decided to do this alone. Adam\u2019s leg was not badly injured, but badly enough that he would be off his feet for several days. Hop Sing had prepared boiling water and bandages for Ben and had then gone to see what he could do about the horses (who had sensibly taken themselves back into the warmth of the barn) and the corpses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alone in the bedroom with his son, Ben arranged his instruments one last time and then turned to smile at Joe. \u201cReady for that laudanum now?\u201d he asked, and picked up the glass. He was pleased to see that his hand wasn\u2019t shaking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need it, Pa,\u201d Joe insisted. His face was pale and his eyes seemed huge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou may not think so, Joe,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut I still want you to take it. It won\u2019t kill the pain entirely, but it will help a bit. For me, son,\u201d he added, as he saw the protest rising again to Joe\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed, listlessly. He drank it down, making a face at the bitter taste. \u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to be just fine,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cHis leg\u2019s a bit sore, but he\u2019ll be up and about again in no time.\u201d He smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThose men…\u201d Joe started and then stopped. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNor do I,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cBut I expect that when we can get into town, we\u2019ll find something out about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think they would have killed me,\u201d Joe mumbled. The laudanum was making him sleepy. \u201cAre they really dead?\u201d he went on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally dead,\u201d Ben assured him and vowed once more to himself that Hop Sing would not suffer in any way for what he had done to save Ben\u2019s sons. It was better that Joe did not know who had killed those men. Not yet, at any rate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**********************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had done many things as a parent that he had never previously thought he would be able to do. Cutting into his son\u2019s flesh was the hardest by a very long way. Despite the laudanum, Joe had writhed under his hands, muffling his cries in his pillow as best he could. Ben had hoped that Joe would pass out, but it wasn\u2019t to be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bullet wasn\u2019t too hard to find, but getting it out was easier said than done. Ben had none of the specialist instruments that Paul Martin habitually carried in his Gladstone bag and he found his fingers were not delicate enough to work through a small opening. He sweated as he tried to gently extract the small piece of metal that had lodged against the back of Joe\u2019s collar bone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was only when the bullet was lying beside the knife Ben had employed that the enormity of the task really hit him. Yes, he had got the bullet out. He had wiped away more blood than he had ever had to deal with, he had cleaned the wound, yet it still bled and he realised that he was going to have to sew the gash up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It had to be done and Ben knew that. He drew in a ragged deep breath and looked down at his blood stained hands. Before he could do any more, he had to have clean water to wash his hands, find a suitable needle and thread and Ben simply didn\u2019t think he had the strength.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He lifted the wad of cloth he had been pressing against Joe\u2019s shoulder in the hopes of staunching the flow of blood. Thankfully, it had slowed, but Ben knew the wound had to be stitched. As it was, it would leave an ugly scar. He looked at his hands again. They were shaking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At that precise moment, the door opened and Hop Sing came in. He had fresh water in a basin and a small box in his pocket. \u201cI finish, Mr Cartwright,\u201d he announced. \u201cFood downstairs. Mr Hoss home. You go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I need to…\u201d Ben began, but Hop Sing interrupted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFather need rest,\u201d he announced imperiously. \u201cHop Sing sew up boy. Father see to Mr Hoss and Mr Adam.\u201d He made a shooing motion with his hands. \u201cRest, eat.\u201d He turned his attention to Joe, leaning over and murmuring something that Ben was sure was Mandarin. Joe responded with a sleepy smile and Ben knew that he would be all right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nonetheless, he too leaned over the prostrate figure on the bed. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a while, Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that bad,\u201d Joe lied unconvincingly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFather go, wash, rest, eat.\u201d Hop Sing glared at him. \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bowing to the inevitable, recognising an immovable force when he saw one, Ben went.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*******************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hop Sing came downstairs, Ben had eaten and he and Hoss had dragged the frozen corpses into the small shed where they kept spades and the like. Hoss had been horrified when he arrived back from checking the herd and found two dead bodies, blood stained snow and all the signs of a serious fight. He had rushed into the house and Hop Sing quickly brought him up to date with the happenings before ushering Hoss outside to tend to the horses. Once he had done that, Hoss went in to see Adam and heard the story from Adam\u2019s point of view. Now, he went up to see Joe, while Ben popped in on Adam for a minute.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The gunshot wound to Joe\u2019s shoulder was bandaged up and hidden from view and Hoss was glad. He didn\u2019t want to see the evidence of their guests\u2019 duplicity. If they hadn\u2019t already been dead, Hoss would have been tempted to tear them limb from limb with his bare hands. As it was, he clenched his fists until his knuckles were bone white as he tried to control his anger when he saw Joe\u2019s pale face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re ya doin\u2019, Shortshanks?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been better,\u201d Joe allowed, which was quite an admission for him. He felt ghastly, queasy, shaky and decidedly, comprehensively, ill<\/em>. It was not a feeling he cherished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dubiously, Hoss looked at his brother, trying to decide if humour was appropriate at this moment and decided no. Telling Joe he\u2019d looked better, too, wasn\u2019t really going to cheer his brother up. So instead, Hoss said, \u201cAdam\u2019s all right. Hop Sing cleaned up his leg and put a bandage on it. Dadburnit, Joe, I wish I\u2019d bin there!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019d been there… who knows,\u201d Joe wanted to shrug, but knew better. His shoulder was throbbing. \u201cWhy was Adam there? You\u2019d only just left.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSport threw a shoe,\u201d Hoss explained. \u201cI went on alone.\u201d He looked the picture of misery sitting beside Joe\u2019s bed. A small smile crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhat?\u201d Hoss asked defensively.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou do love a good fight,\u201d Joe smirked. For someone so downright peaceable, it was odd that Hoss always admitted he liked a good fight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell… yeah, I suppose I do,\u201d he agreed and smiled as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if the fight was a good one or not,\u201d Joe admitted wearily. \u201cI didn\u2019t see it. But the fight in the barn first wasn\u2019t up to much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see ya lost the fight with the bay, too,\u201d Hoss noticed, pointing at the bite-shaped bruise on Joe\u2019s bicep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs ever,\u201d Joe agreed.\u00a0 He moved uneasily and winced. There didn\u2019t seem to be a single position that was comfortable for him. His shoulder was agonizing and he knew he had had all the laudanum that Pa was going to give him for a while. It just didn\u2019t seem to be working any more, although that wasn\u2019t entirely surprising either, given what he had just gone through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLemme help ya,\u201d Hoss offered and settled Joe onto his right side, propped up with pillows to allow him to relax and before long, Joe drifted into an unsettled slumber. Hoss watched him, knowing that it was going to be a long few days for Joe before he started to heal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*************************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As dusk fell, Joe\u2019s temperature began to climb. He had refused all offers of food. It was obvious to anyone looking at him that Joe felt dreadfully ill. It seemed the only colour in his face were his eyes, until hectic patches of pink appeared on his cheeks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Between them, Ben and Hop Sing had unwrapped the bandages and looked at the wound. It didn\u2019t appear infected, but it was still sore looking and caked in dry blood. Ben was impressed with the neat stitches Hop Sing had put in and horrified by the number of them. There were far more than he had expected and more, he knew, than he himself would have put in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Ben asked. It was difficult to tell if the wound was hot to the touch or not, because Joe was hot to the touch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think need get poultice,\u201d Hop Sing replied. \u201cGet for Mr Adam, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben looked alarmed. \u201cHe wasn\u2019t hot when I was through a little while ago. Is he sick, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hop Sing denied. \u201cBut do no harm. I make.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe sighed, as Ben wrung a cloth out in cool water and put it on his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you sorry for, Joe?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor being sick when the doc can\u2019t get here.\u201d He squinted at Ben. \u201cFor being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, nothing that happened is your fault,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cAnd Hop Sing is sure he knows how to help you. We\u2019ve relied on him in the past, haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe admitted, slowly. \u201cBut you had to operate when you\u2019d rather the doctor did it and I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop talking rubbish,\u201d Ben chided him gently. \u201cLike I said, none of it is your fault. I\u2019m just sorry I couldn\u2019t do it without hurting you so much, Joe. I\u2019m not a doctor and I just hope I haven\u2019t done you any damage.\u201d He summoned a smile, although he didn\u2019t feel much like smiling. Joe was left handed and Ben sincerely hoped he wouldn\u2019t suffer any loss of use of his arm because of Ben\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seemed like an interminable time before Hop Sing came back, bearing a tray with boiling water and a bowl that contained a thick, noxious-smelling paste and some cloth. \u201cThis gonna hurt, Lil Joe,\u201d he informed the young man. \u201cBut just for minute.\u201d He dipped the cloth in the boiling water, put some of the paste on it and placed it onto the wound on Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was an immediate response as Joe\u2019s back arched and he nearly leapt from the bed. Ben caught his shoulders and held him in place as Hop Sing relentlessly bound the bandages over the wound again, keeping the poultice in place. \u201cLeave for hour, then see,\u201d he announced, once the bandages were secure. \u201cI see Mr Adam, then bring tea. Tea will help, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The initial heat was rapidly dying out of the cloth on his shoulder and Joe gradually relaxed. The poultice smelt bad and Joe was already feeling queasy. He wondered if his rebellious stomach would be able to tolerate a tea that, while no doubt doing him some good, would unquestionably taste vile. He swallowed convulsively, for the very thought made him want to heave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben was eyeing him, familiar with the signs of an imminent bout of vomiting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay,\u201d Joe assured him at length, when he was sure he was back in control. He felt quite wrung out and his eyes dipped shut.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou rest for a while,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back shortly.\u201d He tucked the covers around Joe and tousled his hair before leaving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The minute he was gone, Joe shucked the covers off. Feeling slightly cooler, he drifted to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I feel fine,\u201d Adam protested, as Ben explained what Hop Sing had in mind. He kept a firm hold of the covers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you do,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cBut I want to see your leg again, anyway, Adam, just to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019d know if there was a problem,\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cIt\u2019s my leg and I\u2019m not Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d Ben agreed, while grabbing the covers and turning them back. \u201cBut you\u2019re just as bad as he is at admitting when you\u2019re hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Adam wanted to protest more, but it was already too late. Ben and Hop Sing were bending over the injured leg and removing the bandages. Heaving a martyred sigh, which made Ben look up and grin, Adam resigned himself to the fussing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seemed to Adam that his leg didn\u2019t look too bad. Yes, it was red, but bullets tended to be hot and there was bound to be some redness. Yes, it was rather sore to touch, but what did they expect? You didn\u2019t get shot and not feel it! He mentioned this, quite coolly and calmly, he thought and was ignored. Hop Sing slapped on the hot poultice and Adam all but jumped out of the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust like Joe,\u201d Ben commented and the older men grinned. Adam didn\u2019t think it was all that funny and he would have bet Joe didn\u2019t, either.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go through and see Joe?\u201d Adam asked, once the worst of the heat was gone. Hop Sing had gone off to make his medicinal tea and Adam was determined he wasn\u2019t going to be drinking any of it. He also knew, although he couldn\u2019t quite admit it, even to himself, that he was going to be drinking it!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIn the morning,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cHe needs to rest right now, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Adam glanced down. \u201cHow is he doing \u2013 really?\u201d he asked. \u201cWas the wound as bad as we feared?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs bad \u2013 maybe worse,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cAnd I know I hurt him, but what could I do?\u201d He sighed heavily and suddenly looked a lot older. \u201cIf we lived in town, we could have had the doctor. But with this much snow lying, there is no way for Paul to get out here.\u201d He ran a hand through his hair. \u201cI just hope I\u2019ve done right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou did your best, Pa,\u201d Adam assured him. \u201cWe all know that, Joe most of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing sewed him up,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI swear, I was going to do it, but he came in and told me to rest. So I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the first time Hop Sing has put in stitches,\u201d Adam reminded his father. \u201cHe does a good job. Stop beating yourself up, Pa, you\u2019re not a doctor, but you had to cut into Joe. He would likely have died otherwise.\u201d He saw that Ben already knew what Adam was saying, but hearing it from someone else made his decision sit more easily. \u201cPa, let me sit with Joe while you get some sleep,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Summoning a smile, Ben shook his head. \u201cYou got shot this morning, Adam,\u201d he chided his oldest son. \u201cStay in bed and tomorrow you can sit with Joe. Hoss is going to sit with him for the first part of the night, and then I\u2019ll get up.\u201d He patted Adam\u2019s thigh. \u201cI\u2019ll be back to see you drink your tea and say goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t actually need to be tucked in,\u201d Adam said. \u201cBut if it makes you feel better, go right ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, thank you, son,\u201d Ben responded, fighting to keep his face straight. \u201cI\u2019m glad I have your permission.\u201d He went to the door, then hesitated and glanced round. \u201cOf course, the only reason I\u2019m going to watch you drink your tea is so I can tell Joe about the face you\u2019re going to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d Adam growled and laughed. He could almost feel the \u2018face\u2019 coming at simply the thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*********************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was difficult to tell if the poultice was working or not. Joe, although cooler without his covers, was still warm and the wound as red as before. Hop Sing changed the poultice, making Joe gasp as the hot fabric touched the tender injury. This time, the smell did make Joe sick and Ben tenderly held his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t… drink the tea,\u201d he told Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy can,\u201d the housekeeper corrected sternly. \u201cBoy must. Boy very sick. Tea help.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shivering, Joe looked at him in abject misery. He was well aware of the impact his \u2018puppy dog\u2019 look had on people, but he genuinely didn\u2019t want to try drinking the tea and simply couldn\u2019t help using it. Throwing up was not pleasant at the best of times, but made worse by the shoulder injury. \u201cPlease,\u201d he croaked, knowing that he sounded pathetic, but not caring.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDrink!\u201d the imperious Chinaman ordered. He cast a glance at Ben that forbade the other man to say a single word that would support Joe. Ben kept his mouth shut, although he did feel a great deal of sympathy for his youngest son. He was pretty sure that nothing on earth would make him drink that concoction. Unless, of course, Hop Sing was looking at him just the way he was looking at Joe at that moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTry,\u201d he coaxed and Joe shot him a glance that ably implied that Ben was not playing fair, but he sipped the tea obediently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took several minutes for the tea to go down, but it stayed, despite the faces Joe made at every mouthful. Hop Sing nodded in satisfaction when it was gone. \u201cMr Adam\u2019s turn now,\u201d he announced. \u201cBoy sleep. Feel better when wake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow come,\u201d Joe asked, his voice full of sleepy petulance, \u201cAdam and Hoss are both \u2018Mister\u2019 and I\u2019m \u2018boy\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFoolishment,\u201d Hop Sing sniffed and exited the room to get fresh tea.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTry to sleep, son,\u201d Ben urged. \u201cHoss and I will be here if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took Joe no more than a few minutes to slide into sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

******************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The tea was every bit as disgusting as Adam had expected and he dutifully drank every drop as quickly as humanly possible. He also agreed to take some laudanum to please Ben and soon felt himself sliding off to sleep, just as Joe had done. Ben did adjust the covers around Adam\u2019s shoulders, telling himself that he wasn\u2019t tucking his son in even though he knew he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He popped his head back into Joe\u2019s room. Hoss was sitting by his brother\u2019s bed with a book in his hands. Joe was sleeping on his right side, pillows supporting his back, so he wouldn\u2019t roll onto the wound. At the moment, he was sleeping peacefully and his temperature was down slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCall me if you need me,\u201d Ben told Hoss and the big man smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure will, Pa. An\u2019 you get some sleep. Ya need it.\u201d He glanced at the door. \u201cAdam asleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Ben stifled a yawn. \u201cGood night, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It only took moments for Ben to follow his sons into sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

****************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sometime about 2am, Hoss woke Ben. \u201cJoe\u2019s getting real hot, Pa,\u201d he reported. \u201cHe\u2019s callin\u2019 for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Throwing on his dressing gown, Ben followed Hoss through to Joe\u2019s room, wiping sleep from his eyes. Joe was awake, his face flushed again, his eyes mutely conveying how wretched he felt. Heat radiated from him. \u201cGet me some fresh cold water please, Hoss,\u201d Ben requested. \u201cThen go and get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied. He smiled at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll feel better in a bit, Punkin,\u201d he assured his brother, although he wasn\u2019t sure if he truly believed it. Joe seemed so very sick.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The cold water on his body made Joe shiver violently, but as it evaporated, it felt wonderful. He wanted to talk to Ben, to reassure his father that he had done nothing wrong in removing the bullet, but he couldn\u2019t find the words. His thoughts kept sliding away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want a drink, Joe?\u201d Ben asked. He had some laudanum ready, and hoped it would take Joe back into healing sleep. He offered that first when Joe nodded, then gave him water. He continued to sponge his son\u2019s body as Joe dozed restlessly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a long night. Joe\u2019s temperature continued to defy everything that Ben tried and when dawn came, both father and son were hollow-eyed with exhaustion. Ben wondered if he should open up the wound again to see if that would help. He wondered if he should risk sending someone to town for the doctor. He wondered if he should have just left Joe\u2019s shoulder alone. He couldn\u2019t make a decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With daylight, both Hoss and Hop Sing came. Hoss urged Ben to have something to eat and a nap and Hop Sing told him that he would bring another tea and poultice to help Joe. Ben resisted both of them, insisting he was all right and would help Hop Sing. Hoss backed down and went off to see Adam and take his older brother his breakfast.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hop Sing returned, he bore another tea and a bowl with bread in hot water. Ben knew of this old remedy and wondered why he hadn\u2019t thought of it himself. He positioned himself to hold Joe\u2019s shoulders, but Hop Sing shook his head. \u201cFirst Lil Joe take tea,\u201d he proclaimed. He smiled at the youngest Cartwright. \u201cThis tea help you sleep, too,\u201d he went on. \u201cNot taste so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although weary beyond belief, and feeling utterly wretched, Joe found a small smile. \u201cI thought… only things… that taste… bad… helped,\u201d he joked weakly, his voice no more than a whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing be kind,\u201d the cook replied and winked. He held the cup to Joe\u2019s mouth, knowing the younger man was too weak to hold it himself and Joe sipped the hot liquid until it was all gone. It didn\u2019t take long before Joe was drifting off into a deeper sleep than he had managed during the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once the poultice was in place, Ben wincing in sympathy with the sleeping young man, Hop Sing went off, only to return a short time later with Adam, who was limping on a stick that Hop Sing had found somewhere. \u201cMister Adam want sit with Lil Joe,\u201d Hop Sing declared. \u201cHe sit while Mister Ben eat and sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d Adam assured his father before Ben could protest. \u201cMy leg feels a lot better and I brought my book. Don\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t tire myself out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do I feel this is a conspiracy against me?\u201d Ben asked, too tired to summon a real protest. He knew he needed some more sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it is?\u201d Adam replied, and smiled. \u201cGo on, Pa. Joe will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***********************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was obvious to Adam why everyone was worried about Joe. His brother looked dreadful, pale and frail. His left arm was bound to his body to prevent movement and sweat pooled in the hollow of his throat. Adam wrung out a cloth in the cool water and laid it gently on Joe\u2019s head. His brother mumbled something unintelligible and moved slightly wincing as he did so. However, the coolness seemed to sooth him and with a sigh, he moved into a deeper sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later on in the morning, when Adam was ready to admit he needed to rest some more, Hoss came in with Hop Sing and as Hoss helped Adam back to bed, Hop Sing put fresh bread onto the injury. There seemed to be a slight improvement, but the housekeeper decided to keep that to himself until he saw if it continued. He had more of the medicinal tea ready and knew that it would be more potent for having steeped a bit longer. He would give some to Joe later, when the youth woke again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leaving Hoss to watch over Joe, Hop Sing returned back to the kitchen, where he was making preparations for lunch. He was grateful that he worked for the Cartwrights, and not for some of the people his friends worked for. The Cartwrights had always treated him just the same as everyone else, which was not normally the case. Most Chinese were treated like second class citizens and spoken to as though they were unable to understand. No, Hop Sing knew that he was considered one of the family and that was why he had gone after those men who were threatening his family. He knew it could get him in trouble and he didn\u2019t care. It was worth it to save everyone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He also knew that any other family wouldn\u2019t allow him to use his knowledge, such as it was, of Chinese medicine to treat Joe. He wondered if the other white men thought that somewhere in China there was an American doctor who treated the Chinese. He shook his head at that foolish thought. Chinese medicine had been around for thousands of years and he was sure that he would be able to get rid of the infection that was currently making Joe so sick.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**************************<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By evening, the improvement in Joe\u2019s wound was obvious to everyone \u2013 except possibly the patient. Joe still felt lousy, if no longer as queasy and hot and the wound was still very painful. He once more drank the tea Hop Sing gave him, although he hated sleeping all the time. Yet more bread was put on the wound and when Hop Sing retired for the night, he made sure Ben had a small brazier in Joe\u2019s room so that he could boil a kettle and replace the poultice during the night. There was also more tea left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This night was much quieter than the previous one and Ben had just finished his nursing duties when Hoss came through to relieve him. Joe\u2019s temperature had dropped to almost normal and his colour looked better. Ben went to bed with a lighter heart than of late and slept soundly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he went back into Joe\u2019s room later that morning, it was clear that the young man was much better. Joe was sitting propped up on pillows and was looking brighter. His temperature was down and Joe admitted to feeling a bit hungry \u2013 for the first time since the shooting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Changing the bandages left Joe feeling a lot less chipper, but he managed to retain the broth he had been given for breakfast and he was pleased to see Adam come through, for he had slept through his older brother\u2019s visit the previous day. Today, Adam was dressed, although he would continue to use the stick for several more days. While Ben slept, Adam read aloud to Joe for a while before his younger brother once more fell asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was Adam who suggested a reason for Joe to still be feeling so uncomfortable when Ben was changing the bandages again later. \u201cPa, could Joe\u2019s collarbone be broken?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking up from his task and pausing, Ben stared at his son. \u201cIt could be, Adam,\u201d he replied. \u201cI never thought of that, but it could be.\u201d He looked at Joe\u2019s pale face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son, but I\u2019ll be as gentle as I can,\u201d he apologised in advance. He tentatively felt the bone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The break was obvious. When Ben looked again at the line of the bone, he could see it and shook his head. He seemed to be missing a lot of obvious things. \u201cYes, it is,\u201d he reported. \u201cJoe…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be sorry,\u201d Joe grated, his teeth already clenched against the expected pain. \u201cJust do it, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only a small movement was necessary to align the bone again, but the pain was enough for Joe to break out in a cold sweat and to have to swallow repeatedly against the nausea. A moan escaped him as Ben wound the bandages in a figure 8 around his shoulders to hold the broken bone in place, but after it was done, and he was propped on pillows once more, with some laudanum slowly spreading through his system, Joe had to admit that it felt much better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For another two days, Joe\u2019s temperature went up and down regularly, but he was definitely on the mend. Hop Sing kept plying him with various different teas, some tasting nice, some downright revolting and they helped. The weather moderated during those two days and although there was still a lot of snow around, Hoss made the trip into town to get the doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Normally, Paul Martin only allowed one other person to be there when he examined Joe. This time, he said nothing as all three Cartwrights and Hop Sing filed into the bedroom at his back. Ben explained what had been done as Paul checked the wound over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve done everything right as far as I can see,\u201d Paul told them, after a time. \u201cThe wound is clean and healing well. Joe\u2019s collarbone is set. Hop Sing, your stitching puts me to shame. You must show me your technique sometime. And whatever you\u2019ve been giving him has certainly done the trick. Joe is definitely on the mend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bowing slightly, Hop Sing left the room to fetch the doctor a warming cup of brandy-laced coffee before he went back into town. He didn\u2019t show the pleasure he felt at the praise he had received.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later on, they all gathered once more in Joe\u2019s room. Joe had had his first solid meal since the shooting that evening. His left arm was supported in a sling. Adam, who had also been examined by Paul and declared on the mend, had been sitting keeping Joe company while they ate, leaving Ben and Hoss to eat downstairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked Hoss to speak to Roy,\u201d Ben told the others, after he finished telling them all exactly what had happened that fateful day. \u201cAs you know, Hop Sing saved all our lives with his quick thinking.\u201d He smiled at the diminutive cook once more. \u201cI can\u2019t thank him enough for saving my boys and I didn\u2019t want there to be any repercussions because of his actions.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Roy say?\u201d Joe asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe done said them fellars was wanted,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cHop Sing is due a reward, \u2018cos they was wanted dead or alive. Of course, they don\u2019 usually do that, Hop Sing bein\u2019 Chinese, but Roy is just gonna tell the authorities in Utah that the men were killed an\u2019 leave it at that. There ain\u2019t gonna be no trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Joe cheered. \u201cHop Sing, you\u2019re the hero of this whole mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFoolishment,\u201d Hop Sing denied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe\u2019s right,\u201d Ben contradicted him gently. \u201cWithout you, I don\u2019t know where we would have been and we have a lot to thank you for.\u201d He clapped the smaller man on the shoulder before grasping his hand and shaking it firmly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Furiously embarrassed, Hop Sing backed away. He blinked the moisture from his eyes. The family were all looking at him expectantly. He knew he had to say something; something that would let them know how he felt. He made it as far as the door and paused. He had to say something now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFoolishment!\u201d he declared and slipped out of the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SUMMARY:\u00a0 Unexpected guests in the depth of winter bring trouble in their wake.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 PG (9,800 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":7847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/cowboy-snow1.jpg?fit=488%2C368&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10829\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}