{"id":1158,"date":"2004-09-08T22:38:07","date_gmt":"2004-09-09T02:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:30:22","slug":"trapped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1158","title":{"rendered":"Trapped (by Rona)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> \u00a0Hunting for strays ought to be easy. Ben fears the worst when disaster strikes Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0 (5,575 words)<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0<\/strong>All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

Trapped<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you and Joe head over in that direction and see if there are any strays left amongst the trees,\u201d Ben suggested, pointing. \u201cHoss and I will go down this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you at the bottom of the hill then,\u201d Adam replied, dryly. He knew only too well why Ben was sending him off with Joe. The two of them had had words that morning and there had been an icy distance between them ever since. Joe had not said two words all day, which was unlike him, and he had made sure to keep both Ben and Hoss between him and his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

For a moment, it looked as though Joe was going to protest the situation, but seeing the look on Ben\u2019s face, he decided to keep quiet. Turning his horse, he rode in the direction Ben had indicated.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Adam gave Ben a half smile and followed his brother, thinking how odd it was to see him riding something other than Cochise, his usual mount. The pinto was as much a part of Joe as his green eyes and curly hair. But then \u2013 Adam glanced down at his own mount. Perhaps it was just as strange for Joe to see him, Ben and Hoss on different mounts, too. They had been especially busy with round-up this year and to give their preferred mounts a break, they were all working with their second horses. Adam was riding a grey gelding called Max. Joe had a tall bay with a white face called Blaze, appropriately enough.<\/p>\n

Catching up to his silent brother, Adam glanced at the set face. \u201cJoe.\u201d There was no response, so Adam tried again. \u201cJoe, there\u2019s no point in blanking me, little brother. I\u2019m not going to go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked, coldly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Joe, stop sulking!\u201d Adam snapped. \u201cI was in the right and you know it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Joe shot back. \u201cI don\u2019t happen to agree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a grip on his temper, Adam said, more calmly, \u201cJoe, that stallion is never going to gentle. You\u2019ve got to geld it before someone is hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see where what\u00a0I\u00a0do with\u00a0my\u00a0horse is\u00a0your\u00a0business,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cThe stallion is plenty gentle enough when I\u2019m handling him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need one-man horses on this ranch,\u201d Adam stated. \u201cWe need horses that can work for anyone, not just you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when I\u2019m finished, he will work for everyone,\u201d Joe growled. \u201cAdam, I\u2019ve had the horse barely a month. What do you expect? Miracles?\u201d<\/p>\n

Goaded, unable to stop himself, Adam snidely remarked, \u201cI thought this new way of working the horses was a miracle, Joe. At least, that\u2019s what you\u2019ve led us to believe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Halting his horse with an unusually hard tug on the reins, Joe just looked at Adam wordlessly. He couldn\u2019t think of a single thing to say, he was so hurt by his brother\u2019s comment. \u201cI hate you,\u201d he murmured and put his heel to his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Adam cried, and kicked his own mount into action. \u201cJoe, wait! I didn\u2019t mean it!\u201d He urged his horse to a faster pace, intent on catching Joe and apologising for his harsh words.<\/p>\n

It happened without warning. Blaze suddenly stumbled and Adam saw Joe move in the saddle to keep his balance. But it was no use. With horror, Adam realised that the ground beneath his horse\u2019s feet was moving \u2013 not sideways like a landslide but down. There was a dull roaring sound and Adam and Joe disappeared from sight.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Ben asked, pulling his horse to a standstill.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss admitted, screwing his face up to listen harder.<\/p>\n

The sound didn\u2019t come again, but the echo of it lingered in their ears. Ben gave Hoss a worried look. \u201cI think we\u2019d better go and find out,\u201d he suggested. \u201cIt didn\u2019t sound too good and Adam and Joe are over that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

With anxiety dogging every step, they rode cautiously towards where they thought the sound had come from and were met by a wall of dust. Ben\u2019s horse shied and it took him a moment to get it back under control. \u201cWhat caused this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d ‘ve said a cave-in,\u201d Hoss replied, puzzled. \u201cBut there ain\u2019t no caves here about.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes suddenly wide, Ben glanced frantically around him. \u201cBob Summer\u2019s mine,\u201d he gasped. \u201cThe tunnels extended this way, didn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Hoss muttered, and Ben didn\u2019t need another answer. He had bought this land from the old miner years before, taking on trust that the Bob had shored up the tunnels as well as he said he had.<\/p>\n

Hastily dismounting, they crept through the thinning dust cloud with caution. Ben gasped, and clutched a drunken pine tree for support when he saw the full extent of the devastation. One of the old mine tunnels had given way and pulled trees and bushes down with it. A huge gash ran up the hillside.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam! Joe!\u201d Ben cried. \u201cAdam! Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d Hoss cried, pointing down into the new ravine. \u201cAin\u2019t that Joe\u2019s jacket? An\u2019 there! Ain\u2019t that Adam\u2019s horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a horrible second, Ben couldn\u2019t spot the things Hoss had seen and he feared that his middle son was only seeing what he wanted to see. Ben blinked the tears away and the world came into focus again and he saw the scrap of green that was undoubtedly Joe\u2019s jacket and the grey leg of Adam\u2019s horse sticking up into the air.<\/p>\n

The horse was dead \u2013 that was only too obvious \u2013 but what about his sons?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get help!\u201d Ben declared. He could see at once that the walls of the ravine were too steep to scale without ropes. \u201cAdam! Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa stay here, Pa,\u201d Hoss suggested quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll go an\u2019 git help.\u201d With one last glance at the ravine, Hoss hurried back to his horse, mounted up and rode as though all the devils in hell were on his tail. It was a good thing his mount was sure-footed, for Hoss\u2019 vision was blurred with tears. Were his brothers still alive? And if so, would he get back with help in time?<\/p>\n

\n

Consciousness came back on a wave of pain. Groaning, Joe tried to move, but found that he was trapped beneath his horse. For a moment, Joe couldn\u2019t remember what had happened, but as he blinked his vision back into focus and glanced around, memory came back with a rush. \u201cAdam? Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no answer from his older brother, but a familiar voice floated down from above. \u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Joe called. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think so.\u201d Peering upwards, Joe was able to glimpse his father\u2019s white hair at the top of the ravine. It was immensely comforting.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you see Adam, Joe?\u201d Ben called, relieved that his youngest son appeared to be all right. He would be happier when he could actually see Joe for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot right now,\u201d Joe called. \u201cWait a minute.\u201d Joe paused to catch his breath. Blaze stirred and agony rushed through Joe\u2019s trapped foot. He bit his lip to prevent his cry reaching his father\u2019s ears. It seemed to take forever before the pain subsided slightly, but when it did, Joe realised that Blaze had moved enough that he was able to free himself. Every movement was agony, but Joe eventually was leaning against his horse\u2019s warm bulk.<\/p>\n

There was no doubt that the animal was badly injured. Joe knew he should put Blaze out of his misery, but his groping hand encountered only an empty holster and his prime concern was finding his brother. Patting the horse consolingly, Joe braced himself for the pain that moving would cause.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben had grown worried at the prolonged silence. He looked down at the sides of the ravine once more, hoping that he might see a possible way down, but nothing had changed. As Ben leaned over, the edge of the lip crumbled away, sending more stones and earth into the chasm. \u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be okay,\u201d Joe called back, but the thinness of his voice told Ben that his son was only putting up a brave front. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful, son,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHoss has gone for help. We can\u2019t get down without ropes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe responded, to let Ben know that he understood. He drew his uninjured leg towards him, in preparation for standing, but a ghastly twinge from his injured leg told him that standing was not going to be an option. Glancing down at himself, Joe realised that his right leg was broken just below the knee. Joe swallowed. He knew the pain was going to be awful, but he had to find Adam.<\/p>\n

Dragging his prone body carefully over the fresh earth, Joe soon spotted Adam\u2019s grey gelding. The horse was clearly dead, its neck broken. But where was his brother? In a rush of remorse, Joe remembered his last, hateful, words to his brother. How could he have told Adam he hated him? It wasn\u2019t true. He\u2019d just been trying to hurt back, which was childish of him. Joe would have given anything to take back those awful words.<\/p>\n

Blinking sweat out of his eyes, Joe suddenly saw movement and realised that it was his brother!\u00a0 Mingled hope and relief gave Joe added courage to drag his injured body a few more yards so that he could see Adam clearly and touch him. Adam had a gash on his head, but had his eyes open and was looking at Joe with recognition.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe called, excitedly. \u201cI can see Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Up above them, Ben closed his eyes for a second, overwhelmed with relief. Adam was alive, Ben knew from Joe\u2019s tone. Hoss would be back with help soon and his boys would be safe again.<\/p>\n

Eagerly, Joe reached out for Adam, smiling despite his pain. He put his hand on a large stone and transferred his weight onto it. But the ground beneath them wasn\u2019t stable. With a muffled\u00a0\u2018whumph\u2019, the ground gave way again.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben screamed. He leant as far out as he dared, but all he could see was dust in the air. More earth crumbled beneath his hands and Ben had to move quickly to avoid falling into the ravine, too. Much as he longed to be down there with his sons, helping them, he knew that falling in would not help the situation. \u201cPlease hurry, Hoss,\u201d Ben prayed as he anxiously scanned the ravine, hoping that one or other of his sons would call to him to let him know they were all right.<\/p>\n

\n

Coughing painfully, Adam Cartwright fought to drag in a breath of air that was not laden with dust. He managed to turn his head slightly and found a relatively clear space under the weight that kept his body pinned to the ground. It was only as his head cleared that he realised the weight on top of him was Joe. His younger brother\u2019s eyes were closed and his face was pale. \u201cJoe?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

There was no immediate response. Adam struggled to free one of his arms to gently cup Joe\u2019s cheek with his hand. He was relieved that Joe was quite warm to the touch and that moving didn\u2019t cause him too much pain. \u201cJoe?\u201d he repeated, rubbing his brother\u2019s cheek. \u201cCome on, Joe, wake up for me now.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a few moments, Joe stirred and winced. He blinked groggily and finally focused on Adam\u2019s face. \u201cAdam?\u201d Joe swallowed. \u201cYou all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe responded quickly \u2013 too quickly, Adam thought. He eyed his brother doubtfully, seeing the too-pale face and fine lines etching themselves around his mouth as the pain from his broken leg reasserted itself. Adam didn\u2019t know what was causing the pain, but he recognised the signs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked, deciding not to challenge Joe at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ground collapsed underneath us,\u201d Joe explained. He swallowed hard again, fighting back the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. He suddenly realised that he was still lying on top of Adam. Although the thought of moving was abhorrent to him, he couldn\u2019t stay there. He might be hurting his brother. Moving cautiously, Joe slithered backwards and found that there was a clear area behind him. He sat down too abruptly on his butt and bit back a scream that rose in his throat as the movement jarred his leg clear down to his toes.<\/p>\n

As the world settled down again, Joe became aware that Adam hadn\u2019t actually moved at all. Concern spiked through Joe\u2019s gut and he looked at his brother.<\/p>\n

Before the second slippage, Adam had been lying beside his dead horse, miraculously flung clear in the fall. Now, he was buried to the waist in earth and rubble and momentarily paralysed by fear that his back was broken. He wasn\u2019t feeling any pain, but he wasn\u2019t sure he could feel his legs, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe queried, fearfully. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Adam responded. \u201cI can\u2019t really \u2026 feel my legs,\u201d he admitted, as though it was shameful. His eyes cut sideways, looking at Joe with barely controlled panic. \u201cJoe \u2013 what about Pa and Hoss? They weren\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh lord!\u201d Joe exclaimed, horror in his tones. \u201cPa! He\u2019ll be frantic!\u201d Drawing in a deep breath and looking up, Joe sought to locate his father. But they were lying deeper in the ravine and Joe couldn\u2019t see Ben at all. \u201cPA!\u201d he cried. \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d The beloved voice came floating back. \u201cJoe, are you all right? What about Adam?\u201d Ben was relieved that his voice didn\u2019t sound as panicky as he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s here!\u201d Joe called back. \u201cBut he\u2019s trapped under earth and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right?\u201d Ben asked, fear catching in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m all right,\u201d Adam called back. He found a tight smile for Joe, who was examining him anxiously once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss should be back soon with help!\u201d Ben called down. \u201cDon\u2019t move! We think this was an old mine tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t going anywhere,\u201d Joe returned, somewhat shakily. Joe had no idea how long they had already been in the ravine, but he didn\u2019t think it was really that long, although it felt like forever to him. It would be some considerable time before Hoss got back with help. He would have to do everything he could to keep Adam comfortable and cheerful. \u201cPa, you got a canteen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCanteen?\u201d Ben repeated to himself, quietly. \u201cOf course! Why didn\u2019t I think of that?\u201d Raising his voice, he called back, \u201cI\u2019ll just get it, Joe!\u201d Retreating carefully from the crumbling edge, Ben went back to where his horse was patiently cropping the grass and retrieved the canteen. It wasn\u2019t as full as Ben would have liked, but he wasn\u2019t going to waste time finding a stream and filling it. He hurried back to the edge. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, Pa,\u201d Joe called back, cheerfully. He stretched his arm above his head and waved vigorously. \u201cCan you see my arm, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you,\u201d Ben returned. \u201cHere it comes, Joe.\u201d He could barely see his son\u2019s hand against the gloom in the ravine. Taking careful aim, Ben threw the canteen into the depths.<\/p>\n

It was a remarkably good throw. The canteen appeared with shocking suddenness and Joe fumbled his catch, so the heavy canteen struck him in the face. With a cry, Joe covered his face with his hands. The canteen bounced to a stop beside Adam, the stopper still miraculously in place.<\/p>\n

But as much as he wanted a drink of water, Adam\u2019s first concern was for Joe. He reached out and put a hand on Joe\u2019s thigh. \u201cJoe, are you all right? Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe dropped his hands to peer at Adam. His left eye was already swelling and the embryonic discolouration of a bad bruise was showing across the cheekbone. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe asserted unconvincingly. \u201cIt just startled me.\u201d He avoided Adam\u2019s eyes. \u201cGot it, Pa,\u201d he called up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not all right!\u201d Adam declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had black eyes before,\u201d Joe brushed him off. He forced himself to pick up the canteen and moved slightly to hand it to Adam. \u201cHere, let me support your head.\u201d He lifted his brother\u2019s head and shoulders up and slid his uninjured leg beneath Adam\u2019s back. \u201cYou\u2019re cold,\u201d Joe noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not very warm either,\u201d Adam retorted. \u201cIt\u2019s cold down here, in case you hadn\u2019t noticed. The sun doesn\u2019t reach down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe saw that the sky had darkened dramatically. Even as he thought it looked like rain was on the way, a huge, cold drop hit him right on the nose. The next moment, rain was pouring down in a soaking deluge. Whipping off his green jacket, Joe tented it over his head and leant awkwardly over Adam, sheltering them both as best he could. He knew that his arms would soon tire, but he vowed to keep his brother as dry as possible, regardless of the cost to himself. He tried not to think of the potential consequences of the downpour.<\/p>\n

Up above them, Ben prayed fervently that the rain wouldn\u2019t further loosen the dirt and rocks.<\/p>\n

\n

Several hours had passed before Hoss returned in a wagon, with another wagon following him and as many hands as he could muster. In typical Hoss fashion, he had brought not only rope, but shovels, blankets and food. He wordlessly handed Ben a rain slicker, for his father was soaked and shivering. \u201cHave\u2026are\u2026?\u201d Hoss didn\u2019t know how to word his request.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re alive,\u201d Ben assured Hoss, clutching his middle son\u2019s brawny arm. \u201cThere was another slip and they\u2019re further down the ravine than they were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll git them out,\u201d Hoss vowed, looking determined. \u201cCome on, you men! Let\u2019s git at it!\u201d Hoss began to organise the men. Ben thanked the Lord for his son\u2019s stalwart courage and went back to the edge of the ravine.<\/p>\n

\n

The muscles in Joe\u2019s arms were cramping painfully, but he doggedly tried to keep them up so that his jacket sheltered Adam\u2019s face. He was soaked through, shivering violently, and he was almost beyond speech. The pain from his broken leg was getting worse. Joe wished he\u2019d tried to take his boot off earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Adam\u2019s soft voice broke the strained silence. \u201cJoe, rest, please.\u201d Adam could see the strain on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cLook, your jacket is soaked anyway. The rain will soon be getting through it. Joe, you must rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even as Joe shook his head, his arms rebelled and collapsed. For a moment, Joe slumped further over Adam before collecting himself and lying flat on the sodden ground. Adam twisted his head, but couldn\u2019t see more of Joe than his legs, as Joe was now lying behind his head. \u201cJoe? Are you all right? Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe muttered. He knew he ought to offer Adam some more water, but the canteen was almost empty. The rain was coming down harder than ever and Joe was lying in a puddle. It didn\u2019t seem to matter any more. He couldn\u2019t summon the energy to move.<\/p>\n

Worried, Adam bit his lip. He wondered if he ought to try once more to free his legs. Joe had attempted to push some of the debris off, while still keeping Adam sheltered with the jacket, but it resisted his efforts and Joe was afraid to move too much. So far, he was sure he had kept the knowledge of his broken leg from Adam, but if he tried to dig Adam out, he would be bound to give himself away. Besides, Joe admitted to himself, he wasn\u2019t sure he could face that amount of moving about, when his leg throbbed painfully to every beat of his heart.<\/p>\n

From above, they could hear the men working. Every now and then, Ben shouted encouragement down to his sons, and assured them it wouldn\u2019t be much longer, but Adam estimated that they had been there for about five hours. Darkness might well fall before they were rescued, and it would be too dangerous for the men to continue working in the dark. Ever realistic, Adam knew that neither he nor Joe would survive a night in the ravine with the rain falling the way it was.<\/p>\n

The same thought had occurred to Ben. He wanted to urge his men to hurry, but he knew they were working as fast as they could. Anxiety was eating away at Ben. He felt as exhausted as if he had been running all day, yet he felt as though he had done nothing at all. The sky was growing darker and the rain looked set for the night. The wind was picking up, too, cutting through protective clothing with a cold edge reminiscent of winter time.<\/p>\n

Suddenly Hoss was at Ben\u2019s side. \u201cWe\u2019re ready, Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI figgered ya\u2019d want ta go down first. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking Ben over to where they had been working, Hoss pointed to the rope harness that lay there. The harness was attached to a tree well away from the edge of the ravine and the lip of the ravine was covered in several old horse blankets. The area Hoss had chosen was slightly downhill from where Joe and Adam were lying and the sides had more rock in them, making them more stable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll lower ya down first, Pa,\u201d Hoss explained, while fitting the ropes onto Ben. \u201cOnce yer down, we\u2019ll send down them blankets, food an\u2019 water. When ya find Adam an\u2019 Joe, ya can let us know how they are, an\u2019 one of us\u2019ll come down ta help ya if\u2019n ya need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben nodded. He clasped Hoss\u2019 arm. \u201cThank you, son.\u201d He raised his voice. \u201cThank you, every one of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The embarrassed cowboys muttered replies under their breaths. Each one moved to take up his pre-arranged position. Hoss pulled on his gloves, then grasped the rope firmly. \u201cPa\u2019s comin\u2019 down!\u201d he bellowed.<\/p>\n

The descent was much as Ben imagined the descent into Hell must be; just colder. There wasn\u2019t much he could do to help the men working the ropes \u2013 just keep himself away from the sides. For the millionth time, Ben wondered how his sons really were.<\/p>\n

At last, his feet touched bottom, and Ben found a secure place to stand to free himself from the ropes. A few moments later, the blankets, food and water appeared beside him. Ben picked everything up and looked around. It was much darker inside the ravine. \u201cJoe? Adam?\u201d he called, quietly, not wanting to set off another landslip.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Adam called back, sounding much closer than Ben had expected.<\/p>\n

Even though no more than twenty feet separated Ben from his sons, it took him almost half an hour to negotiate his way across the debris. But at last, he could see them both and his heart rose to his throat to choke him.<\/p>\n

Adam was lying on his back, partially buried in debris. He raised a smile for Ben and Ben took some reassurance from that. Apart from some dried blood by his hairline, there were no other injuries on Adam that he could see. But Ben feared what he might find under the debris. \u201cHow are you, son?\u201d he asked, warmly, grasping Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa,\u201d Adam answered, although the strain was apparent in his voice. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just about to find that out,\u201d Ben replied, smiling. He moved the few feet to kneel by his youngest son. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his eyes, Joe found a painful smile for Ben. The pain was fast reaching the point where Joe was unsure how much longer he could control it. One minute, he was cold and shivering, the next, he was sweating profusely.<\/p>\n

Horrified by Joe\u2019s pale face and pain-dulled eyes, Ben did a visual check of his son. He had, of course, seen the black eye and swollen cheek at once, and now he hunted for other signs of blood and found them on Joe\u2019s right pants leg. He immediately took a closer look and realised that the leg was broken.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u201d Ben\u2019s voice drew Joe from the twilit world that beckoned to him. \u201cWhen did this happen, son?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was a warm caress and Joe took comfort from the hand stroking the wet hair back off his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we fell,\u201d Joe murmured. \u201cIt was trapped under Blaze.\u201d It was the first time Joe had thought about his horse since the second collapse. He realised that the horse must be dead \u2013 he had heard no sounds of distress at all.\u00a0 He wondered how he could have forgotten, not realising that survival tended to take over the sub-conscious mind, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben soothed. \u201cWe\u2019ll have you out of here soon.\u201d He exchanged a wordless glance with Adam, who had also realised the implications. Joe\u2019s leg might have swollen so much inside his boot that there was a chance his circulation was already compromised beyond saving.<\/p>\n

Sitting back on his heels, Ben looked up. \u201cHoss, we need men with shovels down here and something to make a splint with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComin\u2019 right up, Pa,\u201d Hoss called back.<\/p>\n

\n

Of course, coming right up was optimistic on Hoss\u2019 part, but within two hours, Adam was being hoisted to the top of the ravine. When the debris was cleared away, Adam was smitten with dreadful pins and needles. Amazingly, he had no injuries beyond cuts and bruises and managed to walk, with some support, over to where Hoss was waiting impatiently to haul him to safety.<\/p>\n

It was another hour after that that Joe was brought up. Ben had got Fred to help him get Joe\u2019s boot off. The break was nasty, and somewhere along the line, probably during the second collapse, the bones had pierced the skin. Joe\u2019s leg was swollen and dirty. Ben was terrified that infection would set in and Joe might lose the leg. His son had fainted while the boot was being removed and Ben was concerned about how long it had taken him to come round again.<\/p>\n

But at last, both Joe and Adam were safely back at the house. Adam had already been there for a while when Joe arrived and was tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle. Dr Paul Martin was there, too, and had checked Adam over. Apart from being cold, and covered in innumerable cuts, bruises and scrapes, Adam had come out of the ordeal pretty much unscathed. After a good night\u2019s sleep, he\u2019d probably be almost as good as new, if a trifle stiff.<\/p>\n

But one look at Joe was all Paul needed to know that this was going to be a long night. He ordered Ben to go and change into dry clothes and have something to eat. He knew that there was no way Ben could be kept very far from Joe when his son was ill but Paul didn\u2019t need him collapsing.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Ben did as he was told and soon he and Hoss were sitting down to steaming bowls of soup, followed by a warming stew. As the warmth spread throughout his chilled body, Ben could feel some of the tension oozing out of his muscles.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked, suddenly realising that he had been unfair to his middle son. Hoss had been a pillar of strength all day and Ben hadn\u2019t even thanked him for everything he had done. \u201cHoss, I wanted to thank\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t, Pa,\u201d Hoss interrupted. \u201cThere ain\u2019t no need. I love Adam an\u2019 Joe jist as much as ya do. Ain\u2019t no need ta thank me fer doin\u2019 anythin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tend to disagree,\u201d Ben told him, his voice husky with feeling. \u201cI\u2019d have been lost without you today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blushing, Hoss replied, \u201cPlenty o\u2019 times I\u2019m lost without ya, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling through the tears that sprang to his eyes, Ben gave Hoss a hard hug. \u201cWe\u2019d be lost without each other,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

\n

Over the days that followed, as Joe fought a persistent fever, Ben reflected on how true his words were. Adam had told them how Joe had tended to him, barely drinking any water himself, but practically forcing it on Adam, and never mentioning his own injury. Adam felt guilty that he hadn\u2019t pressed Joe any harder about what hurt. He felt he had been selfish, being preoccupied with his own predicament. As Ben pointed out to him, that was perfectly understandable and only selfish with the rather dubious use of hindsight.<\/p>\n

All three of them took turns sitting with Joe, who spent most of the time in a drugged sleep. Until the infection had gone from his leg, Paul couldn\u2019t put on a plaster cast, and he was afraid that Joe would move and dislodge the delicate bones. They couldn\u2019t risk Joe thrashing around if his fever rose any higher.<\/p>\n

Between doses of the drugs, Joe would rouse enough to eat something before being helped back into slumber once more. Ben particularly hated seeing Joe like that. Normally, Joe was a bundle of energy; even when sitting still, he exuded vitality. Now, it was as though he had been extinguished, like a candle. He lay still and pale, apart from a hectic flush that rose and fell in his face as his fever rose and fell.<\/p>\n

After almost five days, the fever broke in a drenching sweat. Examining the wound, Paul declared himself satisfied. Joe\u2019s circulation seemed to be all right. His foot was warm to the touch and reacted when Paul lightly dragged his finger up the sole.<\/p>\n

Straightening, the physician looked pleased. \u201cLet\u2019s get the cast on, and we can let Joe waken when this sedative wears off,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n

The relief almost brought Ben to his knees. He waited patiently beside Joe\u2019s bedside until at last Joe stirred and opened bleary eyes. \u201cPa?\u201d he muttered, frowning. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was an accident,\u201d Ben told him, one big, warm hand holding Joe\u2019s, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember that,\u201d Joe mumbled. His hand squeezed Ben\u2019s. \u201cBut the last thing\u2026 I don\u2019t remember being here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben explained and then showed Joe the cast on his leg. It reached from mid-thigh clear to his toes. Reflexively, Joe wriggled them. It hurt, but not as much as he had feared. He sighed with relief and then stiffened again. \u201cPa, where\u2019s Adam?\u201d he demanded, his eyes wide with agitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight here, as it happens,\u201d came the unexpected reply. Neither Ben nor Joe had heard the door opening. Adam sauntered across the floor and gave Joe a smile. \u201cNice to see you awake at last, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re all right,\u201d Joe breathed, quite forgetting that he had lost five days. Adam looked as though nothing had happened to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thanks to you,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cJoe, why didn\u2019t you tell me you were hurt? You gave me all that water, and tried to keep the rain off me. You needed looking after, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly forgotten, Ben watched as his sons repaired the breach between them, neither of them realising that it had already been mended while they were trapped in the ravine. \u201cYou were in a worse position than me,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cHow were you going to help me? You were stuck there, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I could have thought of something,\u201d Adam replied, frustration clear in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t need to,\u201d Joe murmured, suddenly exhausted. \u201cI\u2019m not a little boy any more, Adam. I can be responsible sometimes, too. You needed me and that\u2019s all there was about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d Adam capitulated, sitting abruptly on the bed, suddenly overwhelmed by the love that was inherent in that simple statement. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry we fought. I shouldn\u2019t have said what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry we fought, too,\u201d Joe apologised. He placed his hand on Adam\u2019s thigh and after a moment, Adam\u2019s hand came down to lie on top of Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

They were still sitting like that when Hoss came in a few minutes later with some coffee for Ben. He looked delighted to see Joe awake. \u201cHey, Shortshanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Joe reached a hand to his big brother, sliding it out from under Adam\u2019s. He knew his older brother would understand, and he did. \u201cI have some thank yous to make,\u201d he began, but Hoss waved that away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks needed,\u201d he insisted. \u201cJist get better.\u201d He shot a glance at Adam. \u201cI see you two made up. Good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yawning, Joe mumbled something that no one caught. \u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked, perplexed.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil the next time,\u201d Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let there be a next time,\u201d Ben scolded, lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, Adam an\u2019 me thrive on our fights, don\u2019t we, big brother?\u201d Joe smiled at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeak for yourself,\u201d Adam retorted and the brothers grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing changes,\u201d Ben sighed, rolling his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0Hunting for strays ought to be easy. Ben fears the worst when disaster strikes Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n

Rated: T \u00a0 (5,575 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":12352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,1091,23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-adam-joe","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2861,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AdamJoeHP7.jpg?fit=399%2C299&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":1158,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5650,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5650","url_meta":{"origin":1158,"position":1},"title":"Eyes of an Angel (by DanceDiva)","author":"DanceDiva","date":"May 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Twelve year old Joe is bitten by a rattlesnake, but things get uglier faster than expected. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0(500 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3828,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3828","url_meta":{"origin":1158,"position":2},"title":"Who Kidnapped Joseph Cartwright? (by lolo1999)","author":"lolo1999","date":"April 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Annie, Sarah, and Katie kidnap Little Joe while he's on business. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (875 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3854,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3854","url_meta":{"origin":1158,"position":3},"title":"A Father’s Justified Instincts (by No1butJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"March 30, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Birthday present for devonshire. Originally posted on Bonanza World. He was just going to retrieve the mail. What he found instead was a whole lot of trouble. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K (2,055 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Resitution-Small.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Resitution-Small.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Resitution-Small.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Resitution-Small.jpg?fit=720%2C480&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5505,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5505","url_meta":{"origin":1158,"position":4},"title":"Goodbyes (by EPM)","author":"EPM","date":"April 23, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Joe teaches Adam to look at things in a different way. 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