{"id":11897,"date":"2001-08-15T10:58:22","date_gmt":"2001-08-15T14:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11897"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:17","slug":"strawberries-by-helena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11897","title":{"rendered":"Strawberries (by Helen A)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 The family spends an afternoon together.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (9,515 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Strawberries<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what\u2019s taking everybody so long?\u201d complained a loud plaintive voice from the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cThe horses are hitched and I\u2019ve been ready to go for ages!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright smiled at the impatient youngster.\u00a0 \u201cJust a few more minutes, Adam.\u00a0 Marie is just finishing getting your brothers ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seemingly conjured by his words, the sound of boots clattering on the stairs was heard as a small blonde boy came dashing down and flung himself happily at his father, grasping his waist in excitement.\u00a0 \u201cDid you get the pails, Pa?\u00a0 Lots and lots of \u2018em?\u00a0 We\u2019ll need lots cause I\u2019m gonna pick more berries than the whole rest of the family and then we can have pie forever!\u00a0 You don\u2019t suppose the birds got to the berries first, do you Pa?\u00a0 Gee, I hope not, cause then we\u2019d have nothin\u2019 to eat \u2018cept fish and I like fish, but I like berries better.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think we ought to get moving, Pa, so the birds don\u2019t beat us there?\u00a0 Did you remember the fishin\u2019 poles and the worms me and Adam dug last night?\u00a0 And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and swung his frisky seven-year-old boy up into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cHold on there, Hoss.\u00a0 Yes, I remembered the worms, and the poles, and the pails.\u00a0 Lunch is already packed in the wagon in case the fish don\u2019t feel like biting, and there\u2019s plenty of time for us to get going.\u00a0 I rode out by that lake yesterday and saw that there are more berries ripe and ready than we or a whole flock of birds could possibly pick in one day.\u00a0 That patch must be a mile wide this year and the whole thing is just bursting with strawberries. Does that answer all your questions?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss beamed and gave him a tight hug around the neck.\u00a0 He started to wriggle and Ben set him back down on the ground.\u00a0 The boy kept hold of his sleeve and tugged him toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on a minute, son.\u00a0 We have to wait for your ma and your little brother to come down first.\u201d\u00a0 Ben ignored the gusty sigh the boy released and walked to the bottom of the staircase, where he called up,\u00a0 \u201cMarie, you and Joseph just about ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughter floated down to him.\u00a0 \u201cJust about.\u00a0 I had to get a few things together, but we\u2019re almost done.\u201d\u00a0 A moment later, Marie Cartwright walked down, perfectly dressed for a warm late spring day in a flowered cotton dress and a large beribboned straw hat.\u00a0 In her arms was her little boy, bouncing and smiling in excitement caught from his big brother, Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHere we are, Ben.\u00a0 Would you please take this bag?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shifted Little Joe in her arms and removed the shoulder strap of a cloth bag draped over her right shoulder.\u00a0 Ben took the bag and peeked inside.\u00a0 Extra changes of clothes for Hoss and Little Joe, extra diapers and pins, bandages, alcohol, towels and all manner of stuff lay inside.\u00a0 Ben smiled and kissed both his wife and baby on their rosy cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cDarling, we\u2019re only going out for one afternoon.\u00a0 You have enough supplies here for a week!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe so, but I\u2019d rather be prepared for anything with three children,\u201d she explained.\u00a0 \u201cAre we all ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sprang forward and captured her free hand.\u00a0 \u201cAll ready, Ma.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go before them strawberries are all gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe laughed a delightful little gurgle of a laugh and bounced in his mother\u2019s grasp.\u00a0 At eighteen months old, he was a perpetual motion machine, a little tottery still when he walked but a small sure blur of motion when he ran, which was most of the time.\u00a0 He was only just beginning to talk really well, but he knew the word his brother had just spoken.\u00a0 A legacy of Hoss\u2019 inability to talk about anything else for the entire week before.\u00a0 \u201cSawbewwies!\u201d he crowed.\u00a0 \u201cGo Mama.\u00a0 Get sawbewwies!\u201d<\/p>\n

The entire family laughed and headed out together to enjoy a day in the sun and fresh air.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere it is, Pa!\u00a0 Lookit, there\u2019s the lake and you can see the berry vines clear over here!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was standing in the bed of the wagon, pulling excitedly on the seat of the buckboard where his parents sat perched above him.\u00a0 He pointed at the sight; bouncing up and down, just as if none of them had ever been to the lake before and he feared they would miss it if he failed to point it out.\u00a0 He could see the long stretch of wild strawberry vines, miles and miles of them it seemed, that stretched back away from the small body of water near where they would be having their picnic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son, I see it,\u201d Ben answered patiently, craning his neck to look back at the little boy.\u00a0 \u201cBut you can\u2019t get out until I get the buckboard parked, so please sit down and be patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss plunked down into the bed of the wagon next to Adam and was silent for nearly an entire minute when his anticipation got the better of him again and he called up,\u00a0 \u201cPa, are we there yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hearty laugh rang out cheerfully.\u00a0 He had been silently counting the seconds and was honestly rather impressed that his small son had made it past thirty seconds.\u00a0 \u201cJust about.\u201d<\/p>\n

From his position sitting forward in his mother\u2019s lap, Little Joe could not see his brothers and he wanted to, so he wriggled and squirmed, trying to turn around.\u00a0 Mama was not cooperating.\u00a0 She shifted him against her legs, admonishing him to be still.\u00a0 For an instant, Little Joe considered squalling to get what he wanted but a temper tantrum never worked very well with Papa around.\u00a0 There was one thing that might get him where he wanted to be, though.\u00a0 Marie looked down as she felt her son\u2019s body jerk slightly and heard a small squeak from him.\u00a0 A couple of seconds passed and he did it again. \u201cAre you all right, darling?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 Her brow creased in concern as he frowned and his little face grew pink with effort as he produced another, somewhat louder squeak and jerked even harder. \u201cDo you have the hiccups, baby?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe nodded his head enthusiastically and gave another loud chirp, beaming happily when Mama turned him around so that his face was over her shoulder.\u00a0 She patted his back for him and Little Joe squeaked again.\u00a0 He could see Adam and Hoss from here!\u00a0 He waved down to them and smiled and both of them smiled back.\u00a0 Joe forgot all about continuing his pretense at hiccups, but he had swallowed a great deal of air by then and the continuing soft thumps of Mama\u2019s hand on his back soon produced a fairly impressive burp from the small boy.\u00a0 His brothers laughed but to Little Joe\u2019s displeasure, Mama seemed satisfied and turned him back around to face front again, but there was no time to devise something new to do, for Papa had decided on a spot to park the wagon and everyone was getting out.\u00a0 Mama handed him down to Papa, who tossed him high in the air and caught him again, provoking shrieks of delight, while Adam hurried forward to help his stepmother down from her seat.<\/p>\n

Hoss scrambled out of wagon, tin pail in one hand, fishing pole in the other and impatiently grabbed at his father.\u00a0 Ben reared back a bit to prevent being whacked in the nose with the end of the long willow pole and set Little Joe on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cEasy there, son.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to hurt somebody waving that thing around.\u00a0 We’ll get going in a little while, but first I need you to stay right here and keep your little brother out of the way while Adam and your ma and I set up the picnic area.\u201d\u00a0 He saw the child’s disappointed face and patted him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t fret, Hoss.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got all day to play.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled again, glad that Pa had not forgotten his promise to spend the day fishing and berrying and playing games with them.\u00a0 A few more minutes wouldn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 He grabbed Little Joe\u2019s hand and led him over to sit on an overgrown tree root to watch while the rest of the family unloaded the buckboard and spread the picnic blanket, food and the rest of the pails and poles on the grassy area beneath another large tree.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was not very interested in the spectacle.\u00a0 He had spotted something much more intriguing.\u00a0 A bright yellow butterfly was fluttering its way from place to place among the grass and flowers at their feet, occasionally floating up almost close enough to touch.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes went round with delight when the tiny creature settled on his knee and he reached out a finger to touch its pretty wings.\u00a0 Hoss grabbed his hand before he made contact and Little Joe turned to him, bewildered.\u00a0 \u201cPittyfy,\u201d he said, pointing at the insect.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s a butterfly, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss agreed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a real pretty one too, but you shouldn\u2019t touch it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPet!\u201d Joe insisted, reaching for it again.\u00a0 He stuck his lip out when Hoss again held his hands back.\u00a0 \u201cJoe pet pittyfy!\u201d\u00a0 His wriggling motion upset the butterfly and it fluttered away, much to Joe\u2019s disappointment.\u00a0 He watched as the insect rode the breeze for a few seconds, then clapped excitedly as it came back toward him and settled again on the opposite knee.\u00a0 Its tiny feet tickled the skin of his knee and Joe laughed at the funny sensation.<\/p>\n

Hoss had not let go of his little brother, wrapping his arms around the boy instead as they both leaned down to get a good look.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t pet him for a reason, Little Joe,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cTake a good close look at them wings.\u00a0 Butterflies have itsy bitsy little feathery things on their wings.\u00a0 That\u2019s what gives them such pretty color. If you touch them, you could rub those feathers right off without ever meaning to.\u00a0 That would hurt the butterfly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at him.\u00a0 \u201cHurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 Just like if I was to grab a piece of your hair and yank it real hard.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t want to do that to that poor little fella, would you?\u00a0\u00a0 Specially when he\u2019s only come to say howdy to us.\u201d Joe shook his head solemnly.\u00a0 The butterfly remained on the little boy\u2019s knee for a few seconds longer then took flight again, winging far across the field.\u00a0 Joe waved to it until it was out of sight and Hoss grinned and did the same.\u00a0 Free from the confinement of his brother\u2019s arms, Little Joe hopped down off the log and made a run for the direction of the departed butterfly but Hoss managed to reach out and grab him by the criss-crossed straps of his small jumper before he could get away.\u00a0 He scooped the little boy up under his arms, hugging him tight around the middle and carried him over to the blanket.\u00a0 Though only seven years old, Hoss was big and strong for his age and often hauled his baby brother around for short distances in this fashion.\u00a0 Joe was upset at being prevented from having his adventure, but he spotted his mother ahead kneeling on the blanket and holding her arms out to them and smiled, his naturally sunny disposition reasserting itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama!\u201d he shrieked, struggling out of his brother\u2019s grasp.\u00a0 Hoss set him down and Joe made a dash for his mother.\u00a0 She caught him up, laughing, and kissed his face.\u00a0 He pointed excitedly back the way they\u2019d come, babbling incomprehensibly about the \u2018pittyfy\u2019.\u00a0 Marie listened; trying to figure out what he was telling her than sent a questioning look toward Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss plunked down on the blanket and snuggled into the embrace of the arm his stepmother offered him and explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s talkin\u2019 about a butterfly, Ma.\u00a0 It came over and lit on his knees and he wanted to go chase after it when it flew away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed and hugged them both.\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u00a0 Well, Mon petite, I\u2019m afraid the butterflies will have to wait until later.\u00a0 Your papa and Adam are ready to go fishing and Hoss is going with them, so you must stay with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss jumped up, his excitement of earlier fully restored by her words.\u00a0 \u201cOh, boy! Fishin\u2019!\u201d\u00a0 He dashed over to get his fishing pole from the spot where he\u2019d dropped it earlier and retrieved a small can of worms, instantly ready to get started.\u00a0 He grabbed Adam by the hand and started hauling him toward the lake, Ben only a few steps behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be back soon, love,\u201d he called back to Marie.\u00a0 \u201cI promised Adam we\u2019d go berry-picking right after lunch.\u00a0 Now we just have to see if we can catch some fish!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie waved them off with a smile, fully prepared should they return with a string of fish or nothing more to show for their efforts than a few wet clothes.\u00a0 Though it had never been successful thus far, Hoss had not quite given up on the idea that he could catch a fish with his bare hands if he tried hard enough and somehow everyone in his immediate vicinity always seemed to wind up as wet as he was by the time he was ready to quit.\u00a0 Little Joe crawled off of her lap and wobbled to a standing position.\u00a0 He took a few steps in the direction of his father and brothers then lost his balance and toppled over.\u00a0 He stood again and repeated the performance, then looked back at his mother and began to cry. His face scrunched up and fat tears rolled down his face.\u00a0 Marie checked him over, but saw no evidence of scrapes or bumps. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d she cooed softly.\u00a0 It was unlike Joe to make such a fuss over falling. \u201cTell Mama what\u2019s wrong, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lip wobbling, Little Joe turned his great swimming green eyes toward the lake and pointed.\u00a0 \u201cHoss bye-bye!\u201d he wailed.<\/p>\n

Marie understood at once.\u00a0 Hoss had been playing with Joe, then to Little Joe\u2019s point of view, had abruptly abandoned him to run off and play with Adam and Papa.\u00a0 The entire family was constantly amazed and amused by how much the baby adored his big sandy-haired brother.\u00a0 He would follow Hoss everywhere like a frisky little puppy from the time he could first crawl on all fours and it had come as no surprise to anyone except the delighted boy in question when Joe\u2019s first word, four months ago, had been \u201cHoss\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Since that time, he had picked up quite a number of other new words, including their names, though at present Adam was still being called, \u201cAm-am\u201d, but without a doubt his favorite word was Hoss\u2019 name.\u00a0 He would sometimes amuse himself for long stretches by just repeating \u201cHoss\u201d over and over again in a kind of singsong cadence.\u00a0 When Hoss went to school, Joe would always wave bye-bye to him until he was out of sight and when he came home, would crawl or run to meet him at the door.\u00a0 And now, he had been abandoned, or so he thought.\u00a0 With a sigh and little indulgent smile, Marie scooped her baby up into her arms and walked towards the lake.<\/p>\n

Adam spotted her first.\u00a0 \u201cHi Marie!\u00a0 Did you decide you wanted to come fishing with us after all? We\u2019ve still got an extra pole,\u201d he offered eagerly.<\/p>\n

Marie had declined the invitation before, but Adam looked so pleased to see her that she instantly bit off the denial that had been on her lips.\u00a0 She had worked long and hard to earn that kind of response from Adam. \u201cWhy yes,\u201d she lied.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I would take up your offer to teach me if you\u2019re willing to bait the hook for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He beamed at her.\u00a0 \u201cSure!\u201d\u00a0 Then his dark brows came together in a concerned frown.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was still snuffling a bit, though his tears had mostly dried.\u00a0 Marie patted his back and smiled over at her stepson.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s all right, dear.\u00a0 Just got a little upset when he thought you men had left us behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s scrawny chest puffed out proudly at being referred to as a man and he reached out and took Joe into his arms, bouncing him a little until he smiled.\u00a0 Though Hoss was clearly his favorite, Little Joe adored his oldest brother nearly as much.\u00a0 In fact, when the child had begun to show off his latest accomplishment of escaping his own small bed during the night, his parents had learned quickly that they had to look no further than Adam\u2019s room to find him.\u00a0 Little Joe would almost invariably be curled up next to his big brother with a thumb stuck in his mouth, sleeping peacefully when someone came to reclaim him.\u00a0 And it was also Adam who could charm him back into a good mood whenever Joe was fussy or unhappy.\u00a0 Joe reached out and patted Adam\u2019s nose and Adam responded in kind by pinching his baby brother\u2019s tiny nose softly between his index and middle fingers then putting the tip of his thumb between them and showing it to Joe with a theatric gasp.\u00a0 \u201cOh my gosh, Little Joe!\u00a0 I\u2019ve got your nose!\u00a0 It came right off!\u00a0 Should I put it back on?\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded energetically; his eyes nearly crossing as they watched Adam\u2019s fingers slowly come toward his face again.\u00a0 When Adam was within an inch of touching him, he uncurled his fingers and pressed the tip of Little Joe\u2019s nose with his index finger, making a sound like a buzzing bee and said, \u201cThere, that\u2019s better!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe and his mother both laughed, as did Ben and Hoss who had been watching from the bank where they sat side by side baiting their hooks.\u00a0 \u201cHere, Adam,\u201d Ben said, securing his pole against a rock and reaching out.\u00a0 \u201cPass me that little imp and I\u2019ll keep an eye on him while you teach Marie all about catching a fish.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes twinkled merrily.\u00a0 He knew, though his son did not, that Marie was already quite an accomplished fisher, a legacy of many afternoons spent sneaking out of her convent school to play hooky as a little girl.\u00a0 Adam passed Joe into his father\u2019s hands and Ben pulled his legs up to sit cross-legged in the grass with his youngest son sitting comfortably against his stomach with his small legs resting atop Ben\u2019s calves.\u00a0 He pulled his fishing pole up under his right arm, laying it down the length of his thigh and a little bit over to allow Little Joe to help him hold it as he dipped his line into the water.<\/p>\n

Believing that he was fishing right alongside his family, Joe beamed at Hoss who grinned back and sunk his own lure into the lake.\u00a0 The entire family fished quietly for a while.\u00a0 Though Ben felt it unlikely that he would catch anything today since Little Joe kept trying to grab the fishing line every time he bobbed the pole up and down, he was very happy and contented.\u00a0 Hoss was concentrating with all his might on the lake, as if he might tempt a fish onto his hook through sheer will-power and Adam was carefully instructing his step-mother on all the ins and outs of fishing, pleased that she seemed to be catching on so quickly.\u00a0 When Marie made the first catch of the day, Adam looked as though he would burst with pride and Ben was hard-pressed not to laugh.\u00a0 \u201cSay, that\u2019s a good one!\u201d he remarked as he got a good look at the flopping squirming creature that Adam removed from the hook.<\/p>\n

Ben had been ignoring the strong tugging on his own line, assuming his son was causing it again, but when he heard Joe laugh and clap his hands he looked at the pole and realized he had a bite.\u00a0 It was a little awkward trying to maneuver the pole with a lapful of toddler, but soon Ben had a fish even bigger than the one his wife had caught.\u00a0 He passed it over to join the string Adam was creating.\u00a0 Within a half-hour both Hoss and Adam had caught a couple as well and Ben was about to suggest that they quit and go cook their catch for lunch when he felt another tug on his line.\u00a0 Little Joe had been growing steadily more excited as his family pulled the shiny fish out of the water one after another and he tugged at the pole in his father\u2019s hands, eager to see the sight again.\u00a0 Ben grew a bit excited himself as the fish proved to be a fighter.\u00a0 With one hand on the pole and the other wrapped around Joe, who was trying to scramble over his legs to go look into the water and watch, Ben gave a great heave and his line flew out of the water.\u00a0 What he saw on the end proved to be something of a disappointment.\u00a0 For all of its fight, he had expected a true whopper but this fish was not even half the size of the others on the string.\u00a0\u00a0 He took it off the line and was about to throw it back when Hoss laughed and said.\u00a0 \u201cI guess that one must be Little Joe\u2019s fish, Pa.\u00a0 It\u2019s just about his size.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe was looking at the small fish with the same round-eyed fascination he had bestowed upon the others and Ben smiled and handed it over to Adam to put on the string.<\/p>\n

Adam jumped up from the grass and offered his hand to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go and get these cleaned up and started cooking so we can go pick strawberries,\u201d he suggested.\u00a0 Hoss accepted eagerly and bounced up, ready to go at once.<\/p>\n

Ben was not worried about leaving Adam to start a small campfire on his own.\u00a0 The boy had done it many times before and knew to be careful so he made no objection as the two youngsters scrambled off.\u00a0 Stretching his legs out, he hitched Joe up securely inside the curl of his left arm and got to his feet, offering Marie a hand up.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019d better follow them before they forget all about the fish and pick every strawberry on the Ponderosa without us.\u201d\u00a0 Marie laughed gaily and scrambled up, wrapping her arm around her husband\u2019s waist as they strolled after their sons, taking a much more leisurely pace than the boys had.<\/p>\n

By the time they arrived, Adam had cleared a spot and set up the kindling and was just working on getting the flames going.\u00a0 Hoss was sitting in the grass next to him, legs splayed to either side and tongue stuck out of his mouth and curled up in careful concentration as he used his brother\u2019s pocketknife to strip the bark off a set of long sticks.\u00a0 With a little help from their father, the boys soon had a spit built over the fire and the fish cooking.\u00a0 While Marie tended to the cooking of their lunch, Ben engaged in a game of tag with his boys.\u00a0 Little Joe did not quite understand the rules of the game and did not try to tag anyone, but he was happy to run away from his brothers when they advanced on him and to chase them when they ran away from him.\u00a0 He was easily distracted and apt to forget the game in favor of chasing bugs or examining flowers, but he did not wander too far away from the watchful eyes of his father and brothers, so they let him do as he liked.\u00a0 By the time Marie called lunch, even Hoss was tired enough to quit playing and was panting a bit as he ran over to collect his little brother.\u00a0 Little Joe was sitting in a patch of wildflowers and he held out four somewhat scraggly flowers that he had picked and smiled, announcing, \u201cMama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled and pulled him up.\u00a0 \u201cYou picked those for Mama?\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and sniffed at his small bouquet, repeating himself.\u00a0 Hoss saw his father over his shoulder and called, \u201cHey Pa, lookit!\u00a0 Little Joe picked Ma some flowers.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t that cute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben scooped up his baby son into his arms.\u00a0 Joe smiled at him and thrust the flowers forward. One parent seemed just as good as another for presenting his gift to.\u00a0 \u201cPitty?\u201d he asked, waiting for his father to accept the bouquet.<\/p>\n

Taking one of the battered flowered from his son\u2019s small fist; Ben tucked its stem into the pocket of his shirt, allowing the bright petals to stick out.\u00a0 \u201cThere, how\u2019s that?\u201d\u00a0 He pushed the other three flowers back toward Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we save the rest of your flowers to give to Mama, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The group strode over to the picnic blanket and took their places behind the plates Marie had already loaded up with slices of fresh fish and some of the other dishes they had brought along.\u00a0 Ben set Little Joe down between he and his wife and the little boy instantly thrust his fist forward, offering his prize to his mother.\u00a0 \u201cPitty, Mama,\u201d he said, using his word for any bright and lovely object from butterflies and flowers to the shiny silver buckles on his mother\u2019s best shoes.\u00a0 It did not matter what the object was.\u00a0 If it was pretty then that was what he called it.\u00a0 She accepted the gift with delight, touched beyond words by the simple gesture.\u00a0 She gave him a hug and kiss, then accepted Hoss\u2019 offer to put them in her hair.\u00a0 The result was rather comical, with one bright blossom over each ear and a third stuck lopsidedly into the coronet of braids atop her head, but Marie did not mind a bit.\u00a0 She hugged Hoss and gave him a kiss as well, smiling at his blushing pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, darlings.\u00a0 And thank you too, Adam,\u201d she said, smiling at him across the blanket.\u00a0 He had looked a little left out as he watched her affectionate gestures toward his brothers and though she could not reach him physically from here, Marie did not want that.<\/p>\n

Adam looked surprised to be included.\u00a0 \u201cFor what?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot right now perhaps,\u201d she replied,\u00a0 \u201cbut who else has Joseph seen bringing me flowers time and again when he has strayed upon a patch of them somewhere?\u00a0 You\u2019re a wonderful example to both your brothers, my dear, and I don\u2019t thank you nearly often enough for teaching them and taking such good care of them for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blushed and shrugged one thin shoulder, looking down at his food.\u00a0 He was smiling a little, pleased to be noticed and praised, but at thirteen years old, accepting compliments was harder to deal with than accepting a dressing down.\u00a0 Ben ruffled his hair and gave his shoulders a squeeze then changed the subject to spare his squirming son any further embarrassment.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, this looks like a lunch fit for a king if I ever saw one!\u00a0 Let\u2019s dig in, boys.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want to keep those strawberries waiting any longer than we have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

The entire family dug in with a right good will.\u00a0 Little Joe made a face at the small piece of fish meat his mother placed in his mouth and spit it out.\u00a0 He refused to open his mouth for anything else until the rest of the offending fish had been removed from his plate and passed over to Hoss, who had offered to trade a freshly buttered roll for the meat.\u00a0 At home, both of his parents would have insisted that Joe eat what was placed before him and would have waited him out, no matter how long it took, but neither wanted to risk ruining the wonderful mood everyone was in by provoking a tantrum.\u00a0 Happy to have his own way, Little Joe placidly munched through the soft piece of bread, then laid his head against his mother\u2019s side and went to sleep while she was distracted from her attempts to make him eat more by a question from Hoss. A surprised glance down at the curly head that had suddenly plunked down upon her lap produced a wry but tender smile that was matched by the one on Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 Though less than two years old, their baby son was better at bending the world to his will than any child they had ever come across.\u00a0 He would have been easier to resist had he not been such a cute little charmer, but as it was he got his own way more often than not.\u00a0 Fortunately, he showed no sign thus far of becoming spoiled by all the love and devotion lavished on him by his family.<\/p>\n

Lunch was finished quickly and the two older boys asked for and were granted permission to grab a couple of pails and begin picking berries.\u00a0 The clanking of buckets roused Little Joe from the spot where his mother had set him on the edge of the blanket and he instantly toddled over to retrieve his own small pail.\u00a0 Busy with gathering the remainder of lunch up and putting it away, his parents failed to see him wander away in pursuit of his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Hoss, will you quit poking and come on?\u201d Adam said, his tone exasperated.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re eating as many of those berries as you pick and we haven\u2019t even reached the good patch yet.\u00a0 It\u2019s still up a little farther.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want those ones, I want these,\u201d Hoss insisted with a defiant little nod of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut those ones are puny compared to the ones that always grow up there,\u201d Adam objected.\u00a0 \u201cThe far patch grows great big fat strawberries, almost as big as apples. Wouldn\u2019t you rather get those?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sat himself down on the ground and crossed his arms.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u00a0 I found this patch and I\u2019m not leaving until I get all the berries from here.\u00a0 You can go pick that other patch if you want and we\u2019ll just see who has better!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked tempted but doubtful.\u00a0 \u201cPa won\u2019t like it if he finds out we split up.\u00a0 You know he always tells us to stick together.\u00a0 Suppose he gets mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss popped another berry into his mouth and wiped off the red juice that ran down his chin with his sleeve, leaving a bright red stain on the light brown material.\u00a0 \u201cHow will he get mad if he don\u2019t know?\u00a0 I won\u2019t tell if you won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew that Pa would skin him if he found out, but doing any kind of work with Hoss was always so slow and Adam really did want to explore a little on his own.\u00a0 Hoss was getting to be a big boy now.\u00a0 He\u2019d be all right. \u201cWell\u2026okay, but you stay right around here and don\u2019t wander off,\u201d Adam ordered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be back just as soon as I fill up these two pails I brought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss agreed, stuffing his mouth full of berries.\u00a0 He was perfectly happy to stay where he was and eat for now and as soon as he started filling his pail he just knew he would pick more than Adam would.\u00a0 Just cause Adam was bigger he always thought he knew better, but he would see when they got back and showed off their bounty to Ma and Pa.\u00a0 He smiled to himself as he watched Adam walk away, waving at him when he gave one last doubtful glance back over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so glad you suggested we come out here today, my love,\u201d Ben muttered into his wife\u2019s hair as he took a deep breath of her sweet perfume and nuzzled the soft skin of her neck.\u00a0 She turned in his arms and they shared a long kiss, happy to have this rare opportunity away from the watching eyes of their two older sons. They spent several minutes petting and kissing then Marie pushed away with a throaty laugh.\u00a0 Ben sighed with regret but smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose we had better stop before we get carried away and do something we shouldn\u2019t with Joseph around.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled and looked over to where their son had been laid down for his nap, then gasped.\u00a0 \u201cBen, he\u2019s gone!\u00a0 Joseph is gone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben strode over to the spot where his son had been sleeping and began to scan the area as if expecting the child to magically reappear. There was no sign of him in any direction.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 He called, then waited a few seconds and called again,\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, where are you?\u00a0 Come on out now, son.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t the time to be playing hide and seek.\u201d\u00a0 There was no answering giggle or sudden reappearance of a little boy playing his favorite game as Ben had expected and he and Marie exchanged a worried frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, where could he be?\u201d Marie cried several minutes later as a more thorough search of the area revealed no trace of Little Joe.\u00a0 Her face paled and she clutched Ben\u2019s arm as a horrible possibility occurred to her.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think he wandered back to the lake to watch the fish again, do you?\u00a0 You saw how fascinated he was with them!\u00a0 What if he tried to catch one and tumbled in?\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t know how to swim, Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her husband\u2019s face took on a ghastly ashen color as he considered the possibility.\u00a0 Choking, \u201cStay here in case\u2026in case he comes back,\u201d Ben turned and ran to the lake, praying that his wife had been wrong.\u00a0 Knowing how much his baby loved the rippling water and shiny fish found in lakes all over the Ponderosa, he realized that it was very likely that she was right.\u00a0 A memory filled his mind of a five-year-old child, the son of one of his fellow ranchers, who had been found drowned last year after being missing for two days.\u00a0 He had seen more than one man drowned during his days at sea, but Ben had never been as affected by the sight as he was when he pulled that small still body from the pond in which he had fallen.\u00a0 Images of the same thing happening to Joe, of seeing his bright, lively, whirlwind little baby boy floating cold and dead in the lake assaulted Ben\u2019s mind relentlessly with every step nearer the water. That was why he had told Marie to stay behind.\u00a0 He did not want her to see it if the horrific images filling his mind should prove to be real.\u00a0 \u201cDear God, please don\u2019t let it be,\u201d he whispered as he drew closer to the water.\u00a0 \u201cOh, why didn\u2019t we keep a closer eye on him?\u00a0 Please, don\u2019t take him from us.\u00a0 He\u2019s just a little baby.\u00a0 Please, God!\u201d<\/p>\n

As he reached the lakeshore, Ben heard the rustling of his wife\u2019s skirts and the crunching of the grass and twigs as she ran up behind him.\u00a0 He turned around, intending to stop her, but one look at her face stopped him.\u00a0 The muscles in her pale face were rigidly set and her wide frightened eyes held more determination than could be denied.\u00a0 \u201cI have to be there, Ben.\u00a0 If anything has happened to him, I have to.\u201d\u00a0 Grimly, he nodded.\u00a0 They approached the water together, eyes carefully scanning the bank and water, looking for any sign that their son had been there and praying they would not find one.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, far away from the location of his parents\u2019 frantic search, Little Joe had managed to find his way to the first cluster of strawberry vines and was blissfully pulling the bright pieces of fruit off the vines and popping them into his mouth.\u00a0 He waited for some time, expecting to see one of his brothers appear as they always did, but when nobody came he pushed himself up and wandered off to find them.<\/p>\n

Hoss had nearly filled up his shiny pail.\u00a0 He had grabbed the biggest bucket he could find in anticipation of making a large haul which would result in lots of delicious strawberry pies, but now as his bucket grew heavier and harder to carry, he began to wonder if he should have stayed with Adam.\u00a0 His brother would have carried it for him, perhaps trading him one of the two smaller pails to carry himself.\u00a0 Thinking of Adam, Hoss suddenly realized that he had disobeyed his order to stay where he had been until his older brother came back for him.\u00a0 Once he had begun picking berries in earnest it had begun to seem that the ones closest to him were not nearly as plump and inviting as the ones further down the slope.\u00a0 Hoss had steadily wandered further and further away from his original location, each patch of strawberries he reached seeming not as good as the next one ahead as he envisioned all the lovely desserts that would be made from his efforts.\u00a0 Only the best would do to take back to show Ma and Pa.\u00a0 Now, Hoss looked around and began to feel a thin thread of panic.\u00a0 Everything looked the same to him now. He had no idea which way he had come or how to get back to where he was supposed to be waiting for Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam was getting angry.\u00a0\u00a0 He had returned with two full buckets of strawberries, intending to collect Hoss and get back to find Pa so they could all come back for another load but his brother was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, where are you?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cI know you can hear me so you\u2019d better quit fooling around and get out here.\u201d\u00a0 He waited impatiently, but Hoss did not show.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t funny!\u00a0 Pa\u2019s not gonna like it if he finds out you run off.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t kidding, Hoss!\u00a0 You\u2019ve got five seconds to come out here or I\u2019ll tell on you and Pa is gonna tan your britches.\u00a0 One, two, three, four, five!\u201d\u00a0 The warning produced no results, much to Adam\u2019s surprise.\u00a0 Usually by now, his brother would have sprung out from wherever he was hiding, full of apologies and begged requests not to tell on him.\u00a0 He looked around, calling as he began to grow a shade worried, then finally he got mad all over again.\u00a0 That little skunk had skipped out on him!\u00a0 Hoss had been bragging all week about how he was going to pick more berries than anyone else and how he was going to be the first to bring some back to show off to their father and stepmother.\u00a0 He must\u2019ve waited until I was out of sight then picked his berries and run back to the picnic area to show them off!\u00a0 Adam thought.\u00a0 Taking one last look around to be sure Hoss wasn\u2019t simply carrying a game too far, Adam picked up his pails and stalked off in the direction of the lake, growling threats under his breath the whole way about what he would do to a certain little brother of his once he caught up with him.\u00a0 If Hoss thought Adam would cover up for him when Pa figured out what he had done, he had another think coming!<\/p>\n

Adam reached the picnic area just as his parents came back from their trip to the lake.\u00a0 They had found nothing and while this profoundly relieved them, the worrisome fact still remained that Little Joe was gone without a trace.\u00a0 Ben spotted his eldest son walking toward him and felt a spike of relief.\u00a0 He called out,\u00a0 \u201cAdam, have you seen your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Adam said grumpily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t keep him with me, but he promised he would wait for me while I picked the upper slopes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie and Ben looked to each other with a mixture of confusion and anxiety.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what are you talking about?\u00a0 Do you mean to say that Hoss is missing too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo?\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s face took on a frightened expression as he caught the implication in their question.\u00a0 \u201cHoss wanted to pick strawberries off the lower slope while I got the upper.\u00a0 He was supposed to wait for me but when I got back, he was gone.\u00a0 I thought he came back here to show off his berries to you.\u00a0 Do you mean to say that he isn\u2019t here and that Little Joe isn\u2019t either?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Marie told him anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cYour father and I finished packing up lunch and we were talking.\u00a0 Little Joe was taking a nap over by that tree but when I looked over to check on him, he wasn\u2019t there.\u00a0 We\u2019ve looked everywhere!\u00a0 The wagon, the trees, the lake, everywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t suppose they could be somewhere together, do you?\u201d Adam asked uncertainly.\u00a0 \u201cHoss was with me and Joe was with you, but if they\u2019re both gone\u2026\u201d He shrugged, knowing it was not likely but seeking comfort in the idea that his two missing brothers might not be wandering around completely alone.<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed his face, trying to compose himself for the sake of Adam and Marie.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid that isn\u2019t likely Adam.\u00a0 Joe was still sleeping when you and Hoss went to gather strawberries and\u2026\u201d He stopped talking suddenly as his eyes passed over the pile of buckets next to the tree and realized that something was missing.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s new pail!\u00a0 It\u2019s not here and I know we brought it with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe must\u2019ve seen me and Hoss were gone and followed us!\u201d Adam said excitedly.\u00a0 \u201cIf so, then we should find both of them somewhere in the fields!\u201d\u00a0 All three of them looked out toward the rambling expanse of vines growing over the hilly area beyond the lake and then at each other.\u00a0 The plants themselves grew low to the ground, no more than two feet high at the utmost, but the area beneath the vines was full of dips, crooks, and fallen branches; any of which could easily hide a small boy.\u00a0 Adam bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cWhere do we start looking?\u201d<\/p>\n

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Ben said,\u00a0 \u201cShow us where you last saw Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was growing more tired and more frightened by the moment as he picked his way through the tangle of vines which grew up past his knees, searching for some familiar sight that would tell him which direction to go.\u00a0 Most of the things he could have used for landmarks, boulders and a few tree stumps and such had been grown over and obscured when the originally small patch of wild strawberries had spread out.\u00a0 Now, everything he looked at appeared the same as everything else. Why had he gone and disobeyed Adam, he wondered forlornly.\u00a0 Not watching where he was going, Hoss did not see the tight loop of plants interwoven with a fallen tree limb and set his foot right in the middle of it.\u00a0 The pressure of his step cinched the plants tight around his ankle, toppling him straight over onto his face.\u00a0 Trying not to cry, Hoss attempted to get up and cried out in pain, his left leg crumpling under him.\u00a0 Sitting on the ground, lost, tired, hurting and who knew how far away from his family, Hoss lay down, hid his face in his hands and began to sob.\u00a0 Unfortunately, while he had been easily visible standing among the low growing strawberry plants, they topped his head and obscured him from view as he lay stretched out on the ground.\u00a0 Thus it was that his parents and older brother missed him completely as they hurried by on their way to the spot where he had begun his journey.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was beginning to be decidedly unhappy.\u00a0 He had been walking for a long, long time now and his brothers had still not shown up.\u00a0 He was quickly growing tired and was just trying to decide whether he was unhappy enough to put up a fuss when he heard someone close by.\u00a0 Happy to have found company at last, Little Joe tottered through the nasty clingy plants that kept trying to grab him and followed the sound.\u00a0 It was Hoss!\u00a0 Joe walked right up to him and plopped down on the ground beside him, but Hoss did not seem to notice him.\u00a0 He was crying and Little Joe began to cry too, upset to see his brother so distressed.\u00a0 He reached out and patted his brother\u2019s blonde head.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u00a0 Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up quickly, shocked to hear the familiar sound of his baby brother\u2019s voice calling his name.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s lip was quivering and tears rolled down his cheeks, but he smiled when he saw that Hoss was looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe!\u00a0 What are you doing here?\u201d\u00a0 Not waiting to see if the little boy would answer, Hoss tried to jump up, forgetting his ankle, as his hopes that his family had found him rose.\u00a0 The painful reminder of his injury felled him once more and Hoss hit the ground with a little cry and started sobbing again.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d he called.\u00a0 \u201cPa, are you there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe poked him to get his attention.\u00a0 \u201cNo Papa,\u201d he said solemnly.<\/p>\n

It took a moment for Hoss to accept what he was hearing, but as nobody else appeared or could be heard calling to either him or his brother, the truth set in.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean, you\u2019re out here by yourself?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe nodded, then seeming undisturbed the idea, held out his pail to Hoss and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou followed me, didn\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked and again his brother nodded complacently, helping himself to a fat strawberry from the bucket.\u00a0 He watched Hoss calmly, certain that he would know what to do next and was puzzled when Hoss did not move.\u00a0 \u201cThen,\u201d Hoss snuffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve trying to remember that he was the big brother and had to be in charge.\u00a0 \u201cThen I guess that means we\u2019re both lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head, his golden brown curls bouncing.\u00a0 He pushed himself up again, nudging his bucket toward his brother\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cJoe find,\u201d he announced cheerfully and ran a few yards away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, wait a minute!\u201d Hoss shouted in alarm.\u00a0 \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

The toddler turned and looked at him with a big smile.\u00a0 \u201cJoe find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind who?\u201d Hoss asked, his voice exasperated.\u00a0 \u201cThere ain\u2019t nobody out here \u2018cept us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blinked and pointed to a spot in the distance.\u00a0 \u201cAm-am,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hope renewed itself inside of Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean you know where Adam is?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe looked uncertain, then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWell then, how you going to find him if you don\u2019t know where he is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind Hoss,\u201d Joe said reasonably.\u00a0 Apparently feeling that he had explained sufficiently, he turned and began to follow his original course.\u00a0 Hoss watched for a second, his mouth hanging open.\u00a0 Somehow it kind of made sense.\u00a0 Little Joe had found Hoss, who he apparently thought had been hiding from him, and now he would find Adam as well.\u00a0 There was no way he could let him go alone, though!<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wait!\u201d\u00a0 He struggled to get up but his ankle would not support his weight and trying to crawl on all fours hurt badly as well.\u00a0 He stopped moving and Joe slowly moved back to his side, pulling on his sleeve and wondering why he did not just come along.\u00a0 Hoss tried to smile at him but he wasn\u2019t very successful.\u00a0 \u201cI hurt my leg, Little Joe.\u00a0 I can\u2019t get up.\u201d<\/p>\n

They sat together for a while not knowing what to do then Joe stood and moved away again, his manner suddenly confident.\u00a0 \u201cFind Papa.\u201d\u00a0 He ignored Hoss\u2019 orders and pleas to come back, determined as usual to have his own way.\u00a0 He would find Papa and everything would be good because Papa always knew what to do. As he wandered further away, Little Joe began to call for his father as loud as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were right here, Pa,\u201d Adam said for the third or fourth time, his voice beginning to grow slightly shrill.\u00a0 He had been sure they would find one or both of his brothers before now and their continued absence was frightening.\u00a0 They had been searching the area for some time and had turned up nothing. \u201cI swear, I only left Hoss alone for about 15 minutes. I knew I shouldn\u2019t have but I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d go anywhere.\u00a0 He promised to stay here and I thought he\u2019d be okay.\u00a0 This is all my fault!\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Ben felt a great need to take out his mounting fear and anxiety on someone, he checked the angry impulse to shout at his oldest son.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s conscience was clearly already flaying him into tiny pieces and there would be nothing gained by chastising him now. Ben patted Adam\u2019s back.\u00a0 He realized that part of his anger was directed at himself.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re at fault, boy, then so are we.\u00a0 After all the times we\u2019ve warned you boys to keep a sharp eye on Little Joe, Marie and I should have known better than to turn our backs on him for even a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why we haven\u2019t seen them,\u201d Marie said, twisting her hands together as she carefully looked over the landscape once again.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph might not be easily visible among these plants but we certainly should have seen Hoss!\u201d\u00a0 Her carefully held composure was beginning to crack.\u00a0 Ben placed an arm around her and began to murmur words of comfort and reassurance.\u00a0 Suddenly Adam grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Marie, listen!\u201d he said excitedly.\u00a0 \u201cDo you hear that?\u201d\u00a0 Not waiting for an answer he turned and pelted through the bushes to his left, just as his parents heard it too.\u00a0 The sound of their baby\u2019s voice calling out for Papa.\u00a0 The two of them instantly charged after Adam, Marie impatiently yanking her skirts free from the vines that tried to hold her back.<\/p>\n

Little Joe sent up a crow of delight when he saw his brother come crashing toward him and yelled, \u201cAm-am!\u201d as Adam caught him up into a hug that nearly squeezed the breath out of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe!\u201d Marie half-laughed and half-sobbed as her baby was passed into her arms.\u00a0 Ben did not wait but hugged the two of them at once.\u00a0 \u201cOh, baby, I was so worried about you!\u00a0 Don\u2019t you ever run off like that again!\u201d\u00a0 Kisses and tears were raining down upon Little Joe and he squirmed and pushed to get out of the crush of his parents\u2019 joint embrace.\u00a0 They couldn\u2019t help laughing as they saw the expression on his face and felt the relief of his safe return wash over them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe yelled the name over all the commotion surrounding him and the attention of his parents and brother was instantly recaptured.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, have you seen Hoss?\u201d Adam asked eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know where he is?\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded vigorously, then to everyone\u2019s surprise began to cry.<\/p>\n

Ben picked him up and wiped away his tears, looking the small child in the eye as he asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cBaby, is there something wrong with Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss hurted!\u201d Joe wailed.<\/p>\n

The Cartwright family exchanged worried glances.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is he, son?\u00a0 Can you tell me?\u201d Ben asked softly.\u00a0 Little Joe snuffled and pointed back the way he had come.\u00a0 For such a young child, his sense of direction was surprisingly good and his family did not hesitate to follow his silent command.\u00a0 All three called out Hoss\u2019 name loudly; hoping the boy was not unconscious or injured severely enough that he would not be able to answer.\u00a0 Soon, Joe began calling too, still pointing the way.<\/p>\n

Hoss was trying hard to think of something else as the throbbing pain in his leg got worse, forcing fresh tears from him.\u00a0 Both his ankle and knee on the left side hurt awful bad and he was worried about his little brother on top of it.\u00a0 Suppose Joe got hurt or lost even worse and nobody ever found either of them? Suddenly, Hoss perked his ear up.\u00a0 Had he heard his name being called?\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 There it was again.\u00a0 It was Pa!\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u00a0 Pa, I\u2019m over here,\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 He could hear the voices of the rest of his family too now, even Little Joe!\u00a0 He had found them after all.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d he screamed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there!\u201d\u00a0 Marie exclaimed.\u00a0 She had caught sight of her stepson\u2019s blonde head a moment before his voice had called out to them.\u00a0 Running ahead, she reached him and caught the sobbing little boy up in her arms, kissing him as her own tears began anew.\u00a0 \u201cDarling, are you all right?\u00a0 Little Joe said you were hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI fell over something and hurt my leg,\u201d he told her, clinging tightly to her neck.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe found me and I tried to stop him when he said he was gonna go find Pa, but I couldn\u2019t get up.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t stay like Adam told me to, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam had reached the boy as well by now and had knelt down beside him.\u00a0 Ben hugged Hoss tightly and Adam ruffled his hair with a grin, too relieved to find him safe to still be mad at him.\u00a0 Little Joe was happy again now that his family was all together and he too reached out to hug Hoss.\u00a0 Their parents looked at their two lost lambs and as their eyes met, they silently shared a prayer of thankfulness.\u00a0 The boys were dirty and scratched and tired, but they were safe and whole and except for Hoss\u2019 leg, none the worse for their adventure.\u00a0 Neither of them questioned that Little Joe\u2019s finding of first Hoss and then his family was anything less than a miracle.\u00a0 There was no other way to explain it.<\/p>\n

Hoss yelped as his father carefully felt along his injured leg and it was clear even through the material of his scuffed overalls that his knee was swelling up.\u00a0 The ankle looked even worse and Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid you\u2019ve managed to sprain your ankle, son, and your knee got twisted a little when you fell.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have the doctor look at you to make sure nothing is broken but it looks like you\u2019re in for a few days bed-rest no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though he looked unhappy at the news, Hoss accepted it without complaint.\u00a0 He chewed his lip as he tried to meet his father\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 \u201cAre you gonna thrash me when we get home, Pa?\u201d he asked in a small voice.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to get lost.\u00a0 I just wanted to pick the very best strawberries for you and Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben considered him seriously, tipping his chin up to look him full in his brimming eyes.\u00a0 \u201cDo I have your word that you\u2019ll never do anything like this again?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t wander off without permission or run away when you\u2019ve been told to stay put?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shook his head, doing his best not to cry. Ben smiled and hugged him tightly.\u00a0 \u201cThen no, I\u2019m not going to thrash you.\u00a0 I think we\u2019ve all had a day and been taught a lesson that we won\u2019t soon forget and I\u2019m content to just let things stand.\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s get you boys back to the wagon so we can go home, all right?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, wrapping his arms around his father\u2019s neck as he carefully lifted him up, holding his leg steady to keep it from bouncing as they moved.<\/p>\n

Marie picked up Little Joe and held him close as Adam put a guiding arm around her shoulders and followed his father back to the picnic area.\u00a0 Hoss looked over his shoulder and called to his brother, \u201cHey Adam, don\u2019t forget my pail!\u00a0 We ain\u2019t gonna have no pie otherwise!\u201d\u00a0 He sounded so anxious that Adam started to laugh.\u00a0 He picked up both Hoss\u2019 pail and the much smaller one belonging to Little Joe and swung them in his hands.\u00a0 The last of his own worry faded away at his brother\u2019s words.\u00a0 If Hoss was thinking about food then everything was going to be all right.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:<\/strong> Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, Marie Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 The family spends an afternoon together.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (9,515 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":14861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1299,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/strawberries.jpg?fit=299%2C168&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7192,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7192","url_meta":{"origin":11897,"position":0},"title":"Pa? 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