{"id":11992,"date":"2003-04-06T05:26:21","date_gmt":"2003-04-06T09:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11992"},"modified":"2025-10-01T15:20:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T19:20:37","slug":"checkmate-the-return-of-bristol-ford-by-wrangler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11992","title":{"rendered":"Love’s Last Whisper #2 – Checkmate: The Return of Bristol Ford (by Wrangler)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: Three years after he had put the Cartwrights through the trauma of stealling Marie Cartwright\u2019s casket, Bristol Ford returns with a more sinister plot than before. What he accomplishes changes the relationship between Ben and Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (66,200 words)<\/p>\n

(Author\u2019s note: this story is the sequel to Love\u2019s Last Whisper.\u00a0\u00a0It contains a few graphic scenes, as with most that I write, but it doesn\u2019t go over the edge of decency.\u00a0\u00a0It is perhaps the most involved story I have ever written, and regular readers will note that it contains rare Adam scenes!\u00a0\u00a0I hope the effort to portray the entire Cartwright family true to character in this one pays off.\u00a0\u00a0I have to thank several people for their help.\u00a0\u00a0First, Leesa, who got this handed to her one section after another with few breaks (thank you for putting up with my zeal==and for hanging in there as we waited such a long time for the Pa\/Joe stuff!) Also helping in the proofing and suggestion area were my friends, Deb, Carol and Jane.\u00a0\u00a0Thank you all for a fun ride with this one.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Checkmate: In chess, to put (an opponent\u2019s king) in check from which no escape is possible, thus winning the game.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Love’s Last Whisper Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love’s Last Whisper<\/a>
\nCheckmate: The Return of Bristol Ford<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Checkmate: \u00a0The Return of Bristol Ford<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright stood at the counter in the Crystal Palace Saloon and sipped on his beer.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help smiling over all his good fortune of late.\u00a0\u00a0Not only had he sealed the deal with the shipping magnate, Cirus De Santo, to provide the timber for four new clipper ships, he had also just received word that the Ponderosa\u2019s bid for railroad ties for a new spur line had won over all other offers.\u00a0\u00a0The working vacation was turning out better than anticipated when Ben had left with his sons Hoss and Joseph for\u00a0San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Now, after only four days spent enjoying the local scenery and business meetings with De Santo, Ben had finally earned an afternoon by himself.<\/p>\n

Ben signaled the bartender for another beer as he took a peek at his pocket watch.\u00a0\u00a0It was only four o\u2019 clock and he would still have some peace and quiet before his rambunctious son Joe was to join him there for dinner.\u00a0\u00a0Spinning the brew in his beer mug around pensively, Ben thought on all the stories that the young man would soon be entertaining him with.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was a pure joy, though a chatterbox at times.\u00a0\u00a0But, that was his nature and he was the apple of his father\u2019s eye.\u00a0\u00a0Not that he didn\u2019t feel likewise about his middle son, Hoss, nor his eldest, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0It was just different.\u00a0\u00a0Ben felt the twangs of loneliness when he thought on his other two boys.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was away in Boston, a summer trip he had planned the previous year.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had enjoyed the few days with both his father and little brother in San Francisco, but had left for Virginia City that morning due to the new timber contract.\u00a0\u00a0Ben hated to see his middle son leave, he had wanted to tour a few of the ships with Hoss. \u201cHoss\u201dBen thought to himself and a smile spread across his face. \u201cthat boy of mine\u2014still a kid at heart\u2014no matter how old he gets!\u00a0\u00a0He would have stood in pure awe looking at those ships!\u201dBen knew that Hoss would ask all kinds of questions about his father\u2019s past seafaring days, and he would have enjoyed telling the same old tales to his son.\u00a0\u00a0He might even have come up with a few he hadn\u2019t heard.\u00a0\u00a0But, unfortunately, as second oldest, Hoss knew he had to head home and make sure all was lined up with the timber crews.\u00a0\u00a0It would take his talent to show the men what trees were to be cut, and what ones would be preserved for conservation purposes.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had promised that the next trip to San Francisco would be Hoss\u2019 and he would accompany him.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, sir\u2014are you Ben Cartwright?\u201d a man asked as he walked up alongside of Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at the very fashionably dressed man and offered him a nod along with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat would be me all right,\u201d Ben said offering the man his handshake.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDustin Freemont\u2014I\u2019ve heard the rumor that you are supplying the needed materials for the new ships the company I work for is building.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014and very happy to have that opportunity!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied cheerily.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I offer you a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2014not quite through with this one\u2014but why don\u2019t you join me at a table and we will chat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be my pleasure, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Dustin responded gratefully.<\/p>\n

Soon Ben and the man who had introduced himself as a representative of the shipping line, were swapping past histories and having a good conversation.\u00a0\u00a0Dustin talked of several ships which Ben had actually commandeered years before.\u00a0\u00a0They also spoke of happenings in the East and general politics and seemed to hit it off quite well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you will come back and visit us here again, Mr. Cartwright\u2014it\u2019s been wonderful getting to know you a little.\u00a0\u00a0I have heard about the great Ponderosa and your family for years, but it\u2019s kinda nice to put a face with the name!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014first off\u2014call me Ben from now on.\u00a0\u00a0And, I will make it a point to see you when I return.\u00a0\u00a0That might be awhile from now though, we have a great deal of timber to cut for your company and for the railroads.\u00a0\u00a0I am sure it will keep me and my boys busy for months!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes\u2014your sons\u2014there are three of them I\u2019m told?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah\u2014three wild young men\u2014but pretty decent individuals if I do say so myself!\u00a0\u00a0And you, Dustin?\u00a0\u00a0You have any children?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben\u2014never got around to getting married\u2014and I\u2019m afraid at my age now\u2014and with all the traveling I do\u2014it\u2019s not likely,\u201d Dustin replied, with regret in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t look all that old to me\u2014as a matter of fact\u2014you look close to my own age!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dustin laughed and raised his glass and took a long sip, \u201cI\u2019m in my early fifties now\u2014I guess it\u2019s not exactly out of the question yet!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2014then you are only a year or two younger than me\u2014there\u2019s still hope!\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course\u2014if you do end up finding a woman and having children\u2014let me tell you it\u2019s not always a picnic!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like the voice of experience to me\u2014I\u2019ll take your word for that.\u00a0\u00a0So your boys\u2014are they all with you now enjoying our city?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014no\u2014actually Adam, my eldest is with friends in Boston\u2014that\u2019s where he went to architectural college.\u00a0\u00a0Next in line\u2014Eric\u2014who we call Hoss\u2014well if you saw him you\u2019d know why\u2014he just left this morning heading back home to handle the timber crews.\u00a0\u00a0Then there\u2019s the youngest,\u201d Ben paused and checked his watch.\u00a0\u00a0It was a little before five o\u2019clock.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHis name is Joseph\u2014and he\u2019s around here somewhere probably flirting with some gal.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s going to join me for dinner soon\u2014you are welcome to stay and join us if you\u2019d like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dustin smiled and set down his beer mug and stood from the table, \u201cGive me a rain check on that, Ben\u2014I would love to meet your family\u2014perhaps on your next trip here!\u00a0\u00a0Right now I\u2019m afraid I have to get back to the office.\u00a0\u00a0Business is calling me away again first thing in the morning.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s been wonderful to chat with you\u2014look me up the next trip, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and shook the man\u2019s hand to bid him farewell.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll do that, thank you.\u00a0\u00a0And thanks for helping me pass the time while I wait for that youngster of mine!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye,\u201d Dustin said and turned to leave the saloon.<\/p>\n

Ben looked back at his watch once more. \u201cYou aren\u2019t late YET Joseph\u2014but I\u2019m sure you will run true to form and stand up your father for at least a half of an hour.\u201dBen thought to himself and headed towards the dining room area.<\/p>\n

The lobby to the Imperial Hotel connected to the Crystal Palace Saloon, and beyond it stood one of the finest dining rooms in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Ben chose it for it\u2019s wonderful fare as well as the fact that it was also the hotel that he had selected to house him and his two sons during their stay.\u00a0\u00a0The waiter sat Ben towards the back of the restaurant at a table he had grown to be accustomed to during his many times eating there.\u00a0\u00a0He accepted the offer of a before dinner cocktail and then began to go over the menu choices.\u00a0\u00a0When he heard someone pulling the chair out from across the table, Ben looked over the top of his menu expecting to see his youngest son.\u00a0\u00a0He was momentarily shocked when he saw who was seated at the table across from him.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s hand went down to his hip in search of his six gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do that,\u201d the other man warned and pointed behind him where across the room stood two men with holsters they revealed hiding under their long coats.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t stand a chance, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol!\u00a0\u00a0What are you doing here?\u201d Ben asked as he weighed the odds of pulling out his gun and possibly causing the whole restaurant to be caught in a gun battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have some unsettled business\u2014it\u2019s taken quite awhile\u2014but it\u2019s finally the time!\u201d Bristol replied with a menacing smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree years\u2014three years we looked for you\u2014to settle up with what you did!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014yes\u2014the theft of your wife\u2019s casket\u2014I remember it well\u2014though it didn\u2019t exactly go as I had planned.\u00a0\u00a0I can assure you that this new plan will go off without a hitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had killed you that day\u2014\u201d Ben began but was soon cut off.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes\u2014the feel of your hands against my throat\u2014 how could I forget!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and rubbed at his neck.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGood thing that little boy of yours stopped you from doing the deed, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour partners are all doing hard time\u2014and so will you when I turn you in to the authorities here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0In fact\u2014I am sure you won\u2019t turn me in.\u00a0\u00a0On the contrary\u2014you are going to do exactly as I tell you\u2014or you will have something more to mourn than your late wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben scanned the dining area, his mind occupied with one thing; where was Joe?\u00a0\u00a0He was worried that the boy would walk in on what was happening and there would be blood shed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking for your kid?\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t worry about him\u2014I had a few of my girls flirt with the boy, that\u2019s what\u2019s keeping him from your dinner date.\u00a0\u00a0But, he will be here soon!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are going to sit there and listen.\u00a0\u00a0The lives of your sons hang in the balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sons?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, wondering if the man thought that Hoss was still in town.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014your sons!\u00a0\u00a0Hoss\u2014he\u2019s on his way to Virginia City even as we speak.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s talk about him and then we will get to Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed hard, wondering if Bristol and his gun hands had somehow gotten to his middle son.\u00a0\u00a0Looking across the table at the insane man, Ben\u2019s blood went cold wondering what awful plan he had come up with this time.\u00a0\u00a0It had been bad enough to have encountered Bristol Ford some three years prior.\u00a0\u00a0That plan had been to steal the remains of Ben\u2019s third wife, and the mother of his youngest son.\u00a0\u00a0For weeks the whole family was thrown into a whole new grief as they waited to find out who had stolen the casket and why.\u00a0\u00a0When they were finally lucky enough to get to their beloved\u2019s coffin back, Bristol had managed to escape with one of his henchmen.\u00a0\u00a0Though they had tried their best to find the evil man he had eluded their grasp.\u00a0\u00a0Now here he was, with a sadistic smile plastered on his face and a plan far worse than the first.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2014I have a man who is riding to Sacramento on the same stage as that huge boy of yours.\u00a0\u00a0Their lay over there before changing to the stage to Virginia City affords my man the opportunity of stopping in to see if there\u2019s a telegraph from me waiting.\u00a0\u00a0Now that wire will either tell him to go ahead and kill Hoss, or to simply get off the stage in Virginia City leaving your son unharmed.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s going to depend on what his father does in the next few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re lying!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook into my eyes\u2014still think I am?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol shot Ben a grave look as he replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t told me what you want with me\u2014and why you are doing this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell the why of it\u2014that\u2019s the simplest thing to explain.\u00a0\u00a0I hate you, Cartwright, and I\u2019ve grown to hate you even more these past few years.\u00a0\u00a0Fortunately for me I escaped your dim witted detective three years ago\u2014and now have amassed a great wealth- far more than before you sent me away from Virginia City eleven years ago.\u00a0\u00a0Your greed destroyed me, made me lose my ranch and everything I owned but,\u00a0\u00a0I have it ALL now\u2014money, power, friends\u2014there\u2019s only one thing missing from my life.\u00a0\u00a0I have no children\u2014so I am taking one of yours!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re mad!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben exclaimed, but tried to keep his voice down low enough to avoid the gunmen from trying anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I am not\u2014I am calculating and fair.\u00a0\u00a0I could have killed Hoss already\u2014and your Joseph for that matter.\u00a0\u00a0But, I have plans for the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave my sons out of this\u2014if you want some crazy form of revenge for something that I had no control over\u2014then take me!\u201d Ben insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou broke me, Ben\u2014I lost it all\u2014now you are gonna realize what it\u2019s like to lose something that\u2019s precious to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might just as well kill me\u2014you\u2019re not taking my boy,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I figured you\u2019d respond as such\u2014that\u2019s why YOU are not my target.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014I\u2019ve already told you the plans for Hoss\u2014now as to Joe\u2014this is what you must do to keep him alive.\u00a0When he comes in here in a minute you are going to sit right where you are.\u00a0\u00a0You are not to say one thing about there being danger.\u00a0\u00a0And don\u2019t plan on whispering\u2014\u201d Bristol stopped and pointed at two other men sitting at tables on either side of Ben\u2019s table.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThey see or hear you warn Joe and he is dead\u2014right here in this chair\u2014his life is over!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked in disbelief.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat are you going to do with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am going to give you a minute or two to look into your youngest son\u2019s eyes before I take him away from you forever.\u00a0\u00a0I am going to come in here\u2014and pull him out of here.\u00a0\u00a0And you\u2014well\u2014you are going to sit right there.\u00a0\u00a0No protests on your part or he dies!\u00a0\u00a0No fond goodbyes\u2014you just sit there and watch me take him away.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Then, you are gonna sit right there at the table until I send word that you can leave the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Got it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben felt an uncontrollable desire to reach across the table and strangle the man who now stared joyously towards him.\u00a0\u00a0He wished that Joe had not pulled his hands from off Bristol\u2019s neck years ago.\u00a0\u00a0That would have ended the evil.\u00a0\u00a0Now it had come back to haunt the whole family once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do it,\u201d Ben finally spoke the words.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou WILL do it\u2014or one of those four men\u2014two up front\u2014and one at either side of you will kill your son.\u00a0\u00a0NOT only that\u2014I will send the wire to have Hoss killed.\u00a0\u00a0Two sons in one day?\u00a0\u00a0You think you can handle signing both of their death warrants?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I know\u2014how do I know you won\u2019t send the wire anyway\u2014and how do I know you won\u2019t kill Joseph once you take him out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol laughed and stood from his chair, in preparation for Joe\u2019s arrival.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll do as you\u2019ve been told\u2014or you will have two more caskets to set next to that wife of yours.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014if you do EXACTLY as I\u2019ve instructed you will still have the full count of three sons tonight.\u00a0\u00a0Of course one will still be in Boston\u2014yes I did check on Adam by the way.\u00a0\u00a0And Hoss will be safely heading home\u2014and Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0Well\u2014he will not be killed\u2014just never yours again!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll track you down this time, Bristol\u2014as God is my witness\u2014you will pay for what you are making me do to my son!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben vowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014until that fateful meeting\u2014you\u2019ll just have to be content to know that Joe is mine.\u00a0\u00a0Now-please excuse my rudeness\u2014but I must go off to the alcove to await his arrival.\u00a0\u00a0Keep watching me as I leave\u2014if you want\u2014but be assured that all eyes are on your performance,\u201d Bristol said as he walked towards the back of the dining room.<\/p>\n

Ben sat at his table, his hands held up to his face wondering if he could do as he had been told to do.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t think it was humanly possible to sit across from his youngest son, knowing that the boy was about to be abducted.\u00a0\u00a0Ben felt that it would be the ultimate betrayal.\u00a0\u00a0How could he ever forgive himself?\u00a0\u00a0Ben also wondered how he could forgive himself if he didn\u2019t do as instructed and it ended up costing the lives of both Joe and Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His head bent in prayer, Ben struggled for the strength to find the right answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Pa!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe called from across the room smiling as he walked closer to his father\u2019s table.<\/p>\n

Ben watched as the two gunmen in front of the room slipped their hands down along side their coats.\u00a0\u00a0He cast a look at the men sitting at the two tables next to him and watched them nod towards him.\u00a0\u00a0Soon, the happy go lucky youngest Cartwright pulled up the chair and plopped down on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry I\u2019m a little late\u2014ran into a couple girls\u2014they seemed real nice,\u201d Joe winked towards his father and placed his napkin on his lap.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHey?\u00a0\u00a0Why so gloomy?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked as he noticed the wrinkled forehead of his father.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cEverything\u2019s going good isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben replied, trying to clear his throat and etch the image of his son\u2019s face into his brain for safe keeping.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2014talked to that doorman and he says there\u2019s one heck of a play at the theater tonight\u2014think we can catch it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014\u201d Ben paused and could see Bristol starting to make his entrance from behind where Joe was seated.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes that would be fine, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t wait to tell old Hoss what he missed!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed and took a sip from his water glass.<\/p>\n

It was at that moment that a hand reached from behind Joe and it took all the internal fortitude he had left for Ben not to jump from his chair and attack Bristol Ford\u2019s advances.\u00a0\u00a0Before Joe knew what was happening, the man had his six gun in his possession.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the\u2014\u201d Joe said flinging his head back to see what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome along, Joe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled and with the assistance of one of his hired gunmen he wrestled Joe\u2019s arms behind his back and pulled him to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2014help me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe pleaded as Bristol started to pull him away from the table.<\/p>\n

Ben sat there, his mouth hanging open but no words coming from it.\u00a0\u00a0He never budged an inch, never gave any sign that he was upset over the events taking place in front of his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014Pa\u2014don\u2019t let them take me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed as he was pulled out of the restaurant.<\/p>\n

The customers at the other tables looked at the strange sight happening.\u00a0\u00a0But, the hired guns at the front of the room flanked Bristol and his friend and ushered Joe out before anyone made a move.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit right there until we tell you, Cartwright,\u201d a man to the right of Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

Ben sat at the table, giving no verbal response as to what had happened.\u00a0\u00a0But, no matter what he did to try to quell his anguish it could not prevent the tears which streamed down his cheeks.\u00a0He had just seen his youngest son, the light of his life, stolen from him and worse yet, was that he had given the boy the impression that it didn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

By the time that Joe had made it out to the front of the hotel, he was starting to lose strength.\u00a0\u00a0He had fought with all his might the strong hold of the two men who had his arms pinned against his spine.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had given the nod to his hired gun and the man brought forth a handkerchief that was swabbed in ether.\u00a0\u00a0He placed it against Joe\u2019s face and the boy coughed as though he was choking before his body crumpled up and became dead weight.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol and the other man pulled the unconscious Joe into their waiting carriage and the driver sent the team away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWent like clockwork, Boss!\u201d the hired gunman smiled as he sat across from the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Cole\u2014like clockwork.\u00a0\u00a0I told you it would!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol replied as he stared next to him where Joe rested slumped against the carriage door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAs soon as we have the kid taken care of you can go to back to the hotel and get one of the other men to deliver the message to Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll let him sit there and stew awhile\u2014I only wish I could be there to see the look on his face now!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed.<\/p>\n

The carriage pulled up in front of a huge mansion that Bristol had purchased as an investment.\u00a0\u00a0He wasn\u2019t planning on staying there long, but knew he would need a place off the beaten path while Ben Cartwright was still in San Francisco in case he got nosy.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol and Cole pulled Joe out of the carriage and dragged his lifeless body down the cobblestone walkway and into the house.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They had already taken the time to remove the young man\u2019s holster and tossed it next to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had his room prepared already\u2014help me get him up the stairs,\u201d Bristol said to Cole and slowly they ascended the winding staircase.<\/p>\n

Joe was hefted like a sack of grain onto the four poster bed by the two men.\u00a0\u00a0They then went about securing his wrists and ankles with leather straps onto the posts of the bed in case he should come back around before they were ready to handle him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a nice sleep, Joseph!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said as he slapped the boy\u2019s cheek and turned back towards the door.\u00a0\u00a0He and Cole walked into the hallway, taking the precaution of locking the door behind them.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had already made arrangements to have the windows in the bedroom nailed shut and painted black.\u00a0\u00a0It was all part of his long ranged plan to make sure that his prisoner was disoriented whenever he awakened.<\/p>\n

Ben opened his pocket watch and sighed heavy heartedly.\u00a0\u00a0It had been hours since Joe had been taken from him.\u00a0\u00a0The waiter had come back to the table numerous times to see if the elder Cartwright was ready to order.\u00a0\u00a0Each time Ben had waved the man off.\u00a0\u00a0He knew he couldn\u2019t eat anything, not with his stomach churning with apprehension over what had befallen both of his sons.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss would, most likely, just be pulling into the town of Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0Ben wondered if Bristol had called off his henchman yet.\u00a0\u00a0How could he trust someone so evil with the lives of his two boys?\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was a force to be reckoned with, Ben never doubted that fact.\u00a0\u00a0But, being caught unaware was the problem.\u00a0\u00a0No doubt Hoss would even strike up a conversation with the stranger, friendly as was his nature.\u00a0\u00a0Ben prayed that nothing had happened to endanger his son and that Hoss would be returning safely to Virginia City late the next day.\u00a0\u00a0Then there was the issue of his youngest.\u00a0\u00a0Seeing the boy and hearing him scream for his father\u2019s help was something that Ben would never in his life forget.\u00a0\u00a0That image was plastered in his mind and his heart as well.\u00a0\u00a0Now Joe was in the hands of someone who was quite obviously insane.\u00a0\u00a0He wished that he could just run out of the restaurant and begin his search for the boy.\u00a0\u00a0But, having followed Bristol\u2019s instructions to the tee, Ben couldn\u2019t chance a slip up now.\u00a0\u00a0The eyes of the gunmen had not left Ben for one minute.\u00a0\u00a0They still sat patiently at the two tables and every now and then laughed and nodded towards the troubled father.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joseph\u2014I promise you\u2014with every ounce of strength I have left\u2014that I will find you\u2014and explain why I couldn\u2019t help you tonight.\u00a0\u00a0Please God\u2014please\u2014I beg you to help me\u2014and to help my sons.\u00a0\u00a0Please don\u2019t let harm come to them!\u201dBen prayed.<\/p>\n

It was already eight o\u2019clock in the evening and the dinner patrons had diminished in the dining room.\u00a0\u00a0But, still, the guards around Ben were posted and he sat waiting for word from Bristol.\u00a0He had not eaten, but did indulge in a good strong shot of liquor to calm his nerves and ease the wait.\u00a0\u00a0Soon there was some activity by the front of the room and a man approached his table with an envelope held in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0He reached over to Ben and handed it to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s your instructions, Cartwright\u2014and Bristol told me you\u2019d better read them good.\u00a0\u00a0One slip up and you know what\u2019s gonna happen to your kid!\u201d the man warned and turned back for the door.<\/p>\n

Ben so wanted to shoot the man in the back as he had casually strolled out of the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0But, instead, with his fingers trembling, he opened the envelope.\u00a0\u00a0A letter was enclosed and inside of it was a stagecoach ticket.<\/p>\n

Ben read the letter to himself, \u201cThe enclosed ticket has been purchased for you.\u00a0\u00a0You are to take the morning stage to Sacramento tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0You will then proceed to Virginia City and back to your ranch.\u00a0\u00a0Just as promised, you will find your son Hoss, alive and well.\u00a0\u00a0You are NOT to stop by the authorities tonight OR in the morning before you leave.\u00a0\u00a0My men are watching your every move and Joe\u2019s life will depend on what you now do.\u00a0\u00a0Get out of town.\u00a0\u00a0When you return to the Ponderosa you will await my further instructions.\u00a0\u00a0Have a wonderful trip, Ben, so sorry we couldn\u2019t have had a longer chat!\u00a0\u00a0Be assured I will take good care of Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Unless, of course, you decide to go against my instructions.\u00a0\u00a0Sincerely\u2014Bristol Ford.\u00a0\u00a0P.S. You may now leave the restaurant and go back to your hotel suite.\u00a0\u00a0I believe you have some packing to do!\u00a0\u00a0Never mind Joseph\u2019s clothes, I have taken care of all of that for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cast a wary eye towards the other guards around him and saw them nod.\u00a0\u00a0Evidently they were well aware what was in Bristol\u2019s letter.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled himself to standing and let his right hand drop alongside his body.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had to once again fight the desire to pull out his gun and take care of the men who had partaken in the abduction of his son.\u00a0\u00a0He slowly walked across the restaurant and headed towards the lobby of the hotel.\u00a0\u00a0Instinctively knowing he was being followed, Ben made his way up the stairs to his second floor suite.\u00a0\u00a0Reaching into his pant\u2019s pocket he drew out the room key and pushed open the door.\u00a0\u00a0Ben walked into the three room suite which had housed himself and his boys earlier in the day.\u00a0\u00a0He made his way into the room that Joe and Hoss had shared and could see that Bristol\u2019s men had been there.\u00a0\u00a0Clothes were tossed around haphazardly and Joe\u2019s prized possession lay smashed on the bedroom floor.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knelt down and cradled the locket baring Marie Cartwright\u2019s picture in his shaky hands.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that the tears flowed from his eyes and he cried out for his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u00a0\u00a0What have they done with you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben sobbed and held Marie\u2019s picture to his chest, as if it were her in the flesh and she had the power to heal his broken heart.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Joseph treasured the memento of the woman he had hardly known, but always loved.\u00a0\u00a0Now, the boy was without the comfort of the locket to help him through whatever was taking place at the hands of Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Ben walked sadly over to the bed and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0He reached for Joe\u2019s favorite jacket and ran his hands over it.\u00a0\u00a0It looked as though Bristol had only taken the bare minimum as far as his son\u2019s clothes were concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you back, son\u2014I promise you\u2014wherever you are\u2014never forget I love you,\u201d Ben spoke aloud and pushed away his fallen tears.\u00a0\u00a0He then began to pack up Joe\u2019s remaining clothes.\u00a0\u00a0Ben would take them back home with him, but he vowed that he wouldn\u2019t stay at the Ponderosa long.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way he was going to sit by calmly and wait for Bristol\u2019s instructions.\u00a0He would, however, do as he had been told and take the early stage to Sacramento and then onward to Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0But, once finding that Hoss was safely at home, Ben promised himself that he would head back out after his youngest.<\/p>\n

Later that night, Ben tossed and turned in bed unable to shut off his thoughts.\u00a0\u00a0He had packed up all his belongings as well as those that were left of Joe\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0But, he had been unable to fall asleep so he had taken the time to write a letter to his son, Adam, which he intended on sending as soon as he reached Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0He asked his eldest boy to catch the first train west to help in the search for his little brother.\u00a0\u00a0Ben felt a little bit better after he had confided in his son all the awful details of what had transpired that day.\u00a0\u00a0He felt as though he was trying to convince himself more than he was Adam that he had tried to do the right thing for all involved.\u00a0\u00a0Now, hours later, he wasn\u2019t all that sure.\u00a0\u00a0All Ben could think of was the fact that he had no idea if either of his younger boys were alive.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed for their safety again, and also for the ability to fall off to asleep.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew he would need all his wits about him the next day to think of a plan of his own.; a plan to get Joe back and to seek revenge against Bristol for what he had done.<\/p>\n

On the other side of town Joe was just beginning to come out of the haze that the ether had left him under.\u00a0\u00a0His head hurt so bad that his eyes were throbbing as they finally came open and stared towards the lamp next to the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly the vision of Bristol Ford\u2019s face came into view and Joe began to fight against the leather straps holding him in place on the bed.<\/p>\n

Bristol smiled to see the young man coming back to him.\u00a0\u00a0He tapped his cigar ashes on the floor and moved closer to where Joe lay.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to your new world, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0So glad to have you here like this.\u00a0\u00a0My the years have served you well,\u201d Bristol laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go you bastard!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed and struggled to free himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not right now.\u00a0\u00a0You must first become accustomed to your new way of life.\u00a0\u00a0Once that is accomplished you will have a little more freedom.\u00a0\u00a0Today is the first day of your new life, consider it a whole new wonderful experience.\u00a0\u00a0You are going to learn so much from me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said and tapped the young man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen my father gets to you\u2014he\u2019ll wipe that stupid smile off your face, Bristol!\u00a0\u00a0He almost killed you once\u2014this time he\u2019ll do it for real!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked, as if he was shocked the boy had used the word.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou mean Ben Cartwright?\u00a0\u00a0You mean the man who sat there in the restaurant and let me pull you from him?\u00a0\u00a0You don\u2019t really think he\u2019s gonna come after you do you?\u00a0\u00a0Come on, Joe\u2014weren\u2019t you paying attention?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bit at his lip, trying to erase the pictures from his mind which Bristol had just painted.\u00a0\u00a0He remembered it so clearly now, the cries to his father and the man just sitting there and doing nothing to assist him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe fought back the bitterness of tears, unsure of what to make of his father\u2019s actions, or rather, lack of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2014I seemed to have struck a nerve, huh, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Guess what Ben did then\u2014come on guess!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol chided his prisoner.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014you give up?\u00a0\u00a0I will tell you then.\u00a0\u00a0He calmly ate his dinner\u2014then went to his room.\u00a0\u00a0Seems your father is leaving for home tomorrow,\u201d Bristol explained and watched the way the news affected Joe.\u00a0\u00a0The young man was having trouble fighting back tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a damn liar!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe muttered and again tugged on his bindings.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014sorry\u2014he\u2019s going\u2014I saw him buy the ticket.\u00a0\u00a0But you really can\u2019t blame the old man, Joe\u2014he\u2019s got so many orders to fill\u2014just doesn\u2019t have time to look for his kid.\u00a0\u00a0Not that he would anyway.\u00a0\u00a0He let me take you\u2014don\u2019t you get it yet? He gave ME the permission to bring you here.\u00a0\u00a0A deal so to speak.\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014you\u2019d better get use to the idea\u2014cause Ben is not coming to your aid\u2014he\u2019s going home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned his face away from the man who seemed to enjoy taunting him.\u00a0\u00a0No matter how hard he tried to fight back his tears, nonetheless a few escaped his eyes and rolled down to the pillow.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol moved even closer to Joe and grabbed him by the chin forcing his gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol exclaimed with a sadistic grin.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s not a tear I see is it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He lowered a finger down to Joe\u2019s cheek and pulled back the liquid.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol drew his finger to his mouth and tasted the fluid.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll be darned\u2014it IS a tear\u2014very salty!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are insane!\u00a0\u00a0If I could get my hands loose I would strangle you!\u00a0\u00a0I wish to God I hadn\u2019t stopped my father three years ago!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014you gotta calm down, boy\u2014screaming like that and all\u2014not very polite!\u00a0\u00a0You wouldn\u2019t want to make your host angry would you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked, and as he did, he grabbed a handful of Joe\u2019s curly hair in his fist.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou have so much to learn\u2014Joe\u2014oh I\u2019m sorry\u2014does this hurt?\u00a0\u00a0You don\u2019t look too comfortable!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared up at the evil sadistic man and refused to say a word.\u00a0\u00a0He knew there was currently no way out of his plight and decided to wait for a better chance later.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t answer me\u2014that\u2019s impolite\u2014now once more\u2014does this hurt?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked again pulling even harder on Joe\u2019s hair.\u00a0\u00a0Joe resisted a response, though his face was contorted in pain.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019d better say something\u2014or I will pull it out\u2014and you wouldn\u2019t look quite as handsome with no hair, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014yes it hurts,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLouder!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes it hurts!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed out.<\/p>\n

Bristol chuckled and released the boy\u2019s hair and settled back down in the chair next to the bed and reignited his cigar.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSorry about that, Joe\u2014but unless you speak up how\u2019s a person to know you\u2019re not feeling well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you going to do with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find out.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve got my hands full looks like\u2014you\u2019re a hard nut to crack!\u00a0\u00a0But, I am sure we can come up with a workable relationship.\u00a0\u00a0You know\u2014like you used to have with your father? Sure\u2014that\u2019s what we\u2019ll be like\u2014father and son!\u00a0\u00a0But, first you need some sleep so I will let you alone until morning.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014is there anything I can get you before I go?\u00a0\u00a0I could get you some water\u2014tuck in your covers\u2014whatever you want!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you dead\u2014can you do that for me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied, his anger mounting.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014sorry\u2014but I can make YOU dead\u2014so you need to remember that.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014get some sleep\u2014we\u2019ve got lots of things to do tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe\u2014if you\u2019re a good boy\u2014I will allow you to see Ben Cartwright leave on the stage.\u00a0\u00a0Would you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father won\u2019t leave San Francisco until he has me back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see\u2014goodnight.\u00a0\u00a0Sleep well!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and stood and walked to the door.<\/p>\n

Joe watched as the man left the room and heard the key turn in the lock.\u00a0\u00a0He looked up at his wrists and tried to pull his head farther up on the bed to try to figure a way to loosen his restraints.\u00a0\u00a0No matter how hard he tried he couldn\u2019t get to them due to the tight hold of the restraints on his ankles.\u00a0\u00a0Finally he gave up and just stared up to the ceiling. His thoughts went back once more to his pa.\u201dWhy didn\u2019t you go after me, Pa?\u00a0\u00a0Why didn\u2019t you help me?\u201d Joe\u2019s thoughts echoed in his head.\u201dI know you won\u2019t leave me\u2014there has to be a reason for all this\u2014you\u2019ll find me tomorrow\u2014I know you won\u2019t head back to the Ponderosa without me!\u201d Joe closed his eyes and tried his best to get some sleep.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that somehow his father would rescue him in the morning.<\/p>\n

Sunrise over San Francisco was breathtaking. The sunlight glimmering on the bay and the ships in the harbor painted a tranquil picture that usually gave Ben Cartwright pause as he recalled his seafaring days.\u00a0\u00a0But there was little beauty in the scene that morning as he fumbled with the last of his luggage and headed for the door to his suite.\u00a0\u00a0He dreaded the long ride to Sacramento and later the change of stages that would take him home.\u00a0\u00a0Ben looked around the room one last time, knowing he was missing something.\u00a0\u00a0He felt as though he had left his soul there, but it wasn\u2019t in the hotel it was in the possession of one Bristol Ford. Sighing to himself resolutely, he headed out of the suite and down the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0Ben ordered a quick cup of coffee and swallowed it in just a few big gulps.\u00a0\u00a0Food was still out of the question.\u00a0\u00a0He knew it would probably just come right back up if he attempted breakfast.\u00a0\u00a0Ben paid his bill at the front desk and then walked outside towards the stage depot.<\/p>\n

Joe had been released of his leather restraints that held him to his bed and then was taken forcefully to the second floor of a building across the street from the Overland Stage Depot. To someone from another town other than San Francisco, the comings and goings of men sinisterly moving to and fro with a bound hostage would raise many suspicions.\u00a0\u00a0But, in a town that was famous for hijackings and shanghais, the sight would draw little attention.\u00a0\u00a0That along with the fact that the men that Bristol had hired had quite a bit of experience, made it possible for them to drag Joe around with no interference from the outside world at all.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol made good and sure that the boy remained restrained so that he wouldn\u2019t be able to holler down to the street below.\u00a0\u00a0He did, however remove Joe\u2019s blindfold in time.\u00a0\u00a0Staring through the large pane of glass towards the stage, which was about ready to pull away, Joe saw his father.\u00a0\u00a0Luggage in hand, Ben handed his ticket to the driver and boarded the stage. Joe\u2019s heart fell in his chest and what little hope he still had in his heart faded away.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014you think your father REALLY cares, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0You think he even gave you a second thought?\u00a0\u00a0There he goes!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled as the stage headed on its way out of town.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014\u201d Joe whispered underneath his gag as the stage disappeared from sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014enough with the fond farewells\u2014 let\u2019s get back to your new home and start on your lessons!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol gleamed and pulled Joe\u2019s blindfold back down across his face.<\/p>\n

Joe walked along, assisted by Bristol\u2019s henchmen.\u00a0\u00a0His gait was slow and deliberately stubborn, making them half carry him back down to the carriage left waiting on the street.\u00a0\u00a0The ride back to the mansion was a quiet one.\u00a0\u00a0Joe sat there and took in the obnoxious odor of Bristol\u2019s cigar.\u00a0\u00a0All the while he was fighting his emotions.\u00a0\u00a0He wanted to scream for help, but the neckerchief would muffle any attempts to get his words out.\u00a0\u00a0The carriage pulled up at the house and Joe was again dragged inside.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol and Cole pulled him up the stairs and back into the room where he had spent the previous night.\u00a0\u00a0They pushed him down on the bed where he sat waiting for his gag and blindfold to be removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell now I hope you have finally accepted the reality of your situation, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s time to get on with your lessons!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said and pulled the blindfold and gag from his hostage.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou resisted my attempts this morning to give you some breakfast.\u00a0\u00a0Now if you are planning on starving yourself you can just forget it!\u00a0\u00a0Cole\u2014go bring up some food for the kid!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol directed and his partner left the room.<\/p>\n

Joe watched the man\u2019s movements as he sat in the chair.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that his legs were now free, but there was the matter of his wrists which were still secured behind his back.\u00a0\u00a0That was the only thing stopping him from trying to run for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see the wheels in your little head turning, Boy, don\u2019t think such things!\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s only going to cause you more woes.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014you will eat your breakfast\u2014though it\u2019s a bit cold\u2014and then you are going to do some writing for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not eating,\u201d Joe muttered as he turned his face away from Bristol\u2019s stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes you are!\u00a0\u00a0You are going to eat and drink and bathe\u2014all the things to keep you alive.\u00a0\u00a0Now, as for how long it\u2019s going to take you to do those things\u2014well\u2014we will see,\u201d Bristol warned.\u00a0\u00a0He started to get up from his chair as Cole walked back in with a plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Cole said and handed the food over to Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntie his hands,\u201d Bristol commanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou kidding?\u00a0\u00a0You know he\u2019s gonna try something, Bristol!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo as I tell you, Cole,\u201d Bristol replied.<\/p>\n

Cole shook his head angrily, but did as he had been instructed.\u00a0\u00a0He reached behind Joe and untied the rope that held his hands pinned in back of him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe pulled his hands out in front of his body and tried to get the circulation back into them.\u00a0\u00a0He also sized up the situation and tried to gauge which man he could take on first.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the plate in your hand, Joe, and eat your food,\u201d Bristol said standing over him.<\/p>\n

Joe took the plate and pulled it towards him.\u00a0\u00a0Just when the two men had gotten the impression that the boy was going to do as told, he shot the plate up in Bristol\u2019s face and ran for the door.\u00a0Cole sidestepped his boss and grabbed Joe by the arm.\u00a0\u00a0Joe flailed his fists, punishing Cole\u2019s stomach.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was over to them both and grabbed Joe around the neck, getting him in a good headlock.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you the kid would try something!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole yelled madly.<\/p>\n

Bristol dragged Joe over to the bed and pointed for Cole to tie the boy\u2019s hands back again.\u00a0\u00a0Cole was happy to do it, and made sure that he tied them very tightly.\u00a0\u00a0Then, Bristol reached under Joe\u2019s chin and directed his gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cRule number one of today\u2014you do NOT try to escape!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol yelled and smacked Joe across the face with his other hand.<\/p>\n

Joe reeled from the blow to his face but didn\u2019t respond verbally.<\/p>\n

\u201cRule number two\u2014you will eat when we tell you!\u201d Bristol grabbed the plate off the floor and threw the eggs and toast on it.\u00a0\u00a0When he brought it over to Joe it was covered in debris that was on the wood floor.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSince you have refused to eat by yourself\u2014looks like I will have to feed you.\u00a0\u00a0Open your mouth!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe answered vehemently.<\/p>\n

Bristol smacked Joe again, this time causing the boy\u2019s lip to be cut by the ring on his finger.\u00a0\u00a0Joe still refused to open his mouth.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol sat down on the bed next to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014Joe \u2014Joe\u2014why must you provoke me so?\u00a0\u00a0I tried to be nice to you\u2014but you just can\u2019t behave!\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014open your mouth or I will have Cole open it for me and stuff this inside!\u00a0\u00a0Now which will it be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gazed over at Cole.\u00a0\u00a0He knew he had raised the man\u2019s temper due to the couple of punches he had planted in his mid-section.\u00a0\u00a0He wondered how violent the two men planned to get.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed as though there must be a plan of some kind to keep him alive.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wondered if he was being held for ransom.\u00a0\u00a0But, if he was, he couldn\u2019t figure out why Pa would\u2019ve left town.\u00a0\u00a0The Cartwrights had a good sum of money in two different banks there in San Francisco, so it couldn\u2019t have been due to not being able to come up with the proper amount of funds.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol called again and grabbed Joe\u2019s chin as Cole approached the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe decided he would do as he was told for the time being.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Bristol meant business and didn\u2019t relish the idea of choking on food should he have it stuffed down his throat.\u00a0Slowly he opened his mouth, and though it was degrading, Joe began to eat what was spooned in by Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0When he was at last done with the full course of the meal, Bristol held up a glass of water and Joe washed down the grime filled breakfast.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2014that wasn\u2019t so bad was it Joe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled and handed Cole the plate and glass.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow\u2014I think you need to get washed off.\u00a0\u00a0I took the liberty of gathering a change of clothes for you, which your father gladly parted with.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s walk over to that basin and get cleaned up and then we will get started on other things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was pulled to standing as Cole set the plate and glass on the floor.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that the boy was probably going to resist again, and wanted to have his hands free just in case.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to untie your hands now, Joe, now be a good boy this time, okay?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said standing behind his victim.\u00a0\u00a0He carefully untied Joe\u2019s hands and stepped back a bit.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow\u2014take off your clothes, wash up and I will hand you clean ones to change into.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and stared over at the two men.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe what Bristol was asking him to do this time.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way that he was going to strip down in front of the two maniacs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll wash off\u2014but I don\u2019t need to change my clothes,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want us to take them off of you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole called over to the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just leave me in here\u2014I\u2019ll wash off and then you can come back?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to reason with them both.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014I\u2019m afraid you haven\u2019t proved yourself to be trustworthy yet, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014take off your clothes.\u00a0\u00a0I won\u2019t be asking you again,\u201d Bristol demanded.<\/p>\n

Joe sucked in a deep breath, trying to figure out which would be more humiliating.\u00a0\u00a0He could remove his clothes in front of the men or resist and have his clothes stripped from his body forcefully.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol took a step towards him and reached for Joe\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe insisted and undid the buttons of his shirt.<\/p>\n

Cole laughed and sat down on the bottom of the bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe kid\u2019s modest ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all friends\u2014don\u2019t know why!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol replied laughing.<\/p>\n

Joe removed his shirt and bent towards the water basin and rinsed his face first.\u00a0\u00a0Then he took the washcloth and soaked it and began to wash off his arms and chest.\u00a0\u00a0He dried off with the towel and turned back towards Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome over here and pull those boots off so you can get out of those pants,\u201d Bristol said and motioned towards the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe slowly made his way to the bottom of the bed where Cole still sat smiling.\u00a0\u00a0The man was obviously very amused to see him being degraded.\u00a0\u00a0Joe sank down on the bed and pulled off his boots, socks and then his pants.\u00a0\u00a0All that was left was his underwear.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinish washing off,\u201d Bristol pointed over towards the basin.<\/p>\n

Joe did as he was told, hoping to get it over with.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help noticing the reflection of the two men staring at him through the mirror set above the wash basin.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could feel their eyes looking through him and it made his skin crawl.\u00a0\u00a0He vowed to seek revenge against them both at the soonest possible opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0He finished cleansing his entire body and Bristol handed him the set of clothes.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was upset to see the fresh pair of undershorts, meaning he would have to remove the old ones.\u00a0\u00a0He turned away from both of the men and pulled the old ones off quickly and almost jumped into the new ones.\u00a0\u00a0His face beet red with embarrassment, Joe reached for the pair of pants held in Bristol\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we taught you a little lesson in humility today didn\u2019t we, Boy?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled to see how uncomfortable Joe was.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t reply.\u00a0\u00a0Instead he buttoned his trousers and reached again for his shirt.\u00a0\u00a0Soon he had new socks on his feet and his boots were back in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel all nice and clean now, Joe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole laughed at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are two sick humans, you know that?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe snarled, having taken more than he could stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat brings us to rule three doesn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked, staring for a moment towards Cole.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u2014think so, Bristol,\u201d Cole nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will not call us names\u2014you WILL show us respect.\u00a0\u00a0If you don\u2019t \u2014well\u2014you will be punished for each infraction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead and kill me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not likely!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol replied and grabbed Joe\u2019s arms, pinning them behind him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow you apologize to us right now\u2014or you will get the first of your punishments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed in spite of himself.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLike being fed, slapped, and forced to undress in front of you sadistic bastards wasn\u2019t punishment!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see what REAL punishment is, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I DID warn you\u2014but unfortunately you were born with a rather hard head.\u00a0\u00a0Now we will have to show you what happens when you say such awful things.\u00a0\u00a0Cole come here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol ordered and his partner came over to assist him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow, Cole\u2014you are a pretty observant person\u2014what have you learned about Joe so far?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014let\u2019s see,\u201d Cole paused as he moved in closer to help hold Joe\u2019s arms.\u00a0\u00a0The boy was trying to fight off Bristol\u2019s hold but it wasn\u2019t doing him any good.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know he\u2019s got a smart mouth\u2014must be because he thinks he\u2019s better than us!\u00a0\u00a0He doesn\u2019t follow orders either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014he sure doesn\u2019t like to undress in front of us.\u00a0\u00a0Looks like that bothered him the most!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d Bristol nodded and looked into Cole\u2019s dark eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo\u2014guess he\u2019s gonna have to do it all again, what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014serves him right for calling us bastards,\u201d Cole fumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014you heard the consensus, Joe\u2014gonna have to strip back down and do it all over again.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe doing it once or twice will keep that mouth of yours shut from now on!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said spinning the boy back around.<\/p>\n

Joe made his move and broke free of the man\u2019s hold and was able to make contact with Bristol\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0A sharp left hook to his jaw sent Bristol back against the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Cole grabbed Joe and held him around his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet those clothes off of him!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol shouted and reached for the leather restraints.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe can stay undressed here in this room for awhile until he makes a full apology!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe struggled as Cole attempted to remove his shirt.\u00a0\u00a0He planted his boot heel firmly on top of Cole\u2019s foot, which momentarily made the man let go.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was waiting and threw a punch which knocked Joe to the floor.\u00a0\u00a0That was followed by a few hits by Cole which knocked their hostage unconscious.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrip him down\u2014then we\u2019ll tie him up.\u00a0\u00a0When he comes back around he\u2019ll know better next time!\u201d Bristol ordered and helped pull Joe off of the floor and dragged him over to the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe had no idea how long he had been in the deep fog inside his brain.\u00a0\u00a0He remembered hearing sounds and feeling his body being tugged and pulled, but little else.\u00a0\u00a0When his eyes blinked open he groaned from the bruising to his face and gazed over towards the lamp.\u00a0\u00a0He tugged on his wrists, and realized he had been knocked out long enough to be rebound by the leather restraints.\u00a0Suddenly his body felt a chill and Joe realized that he had been removed of all clothing, other than his thin cotton underwear.<\/p>\n

When the awful reality hit him head on, Joe couldn\u2019t stop the tears which poured out of his eyes and slid quietly down onto the pillowcase.\u00a0\u00a0He wondered how long he had been unconscious and what had happened during that time.\u00a0\u00a0There was no doubt in his mind that the men who held him captive were insane.\u00a0\u00a0That was now a given.\u00a0\u00a0They wanted to break him, break him emotionally and physically.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried with all his soul not to fall into the pit of depression over his awful plight.\u00a0\u00a0Surely his father would return and get him out of the hell he was a prisoner to.\u00a0\u00a0How could he have just ran off and not bothered to search for him?<\/p>\n

Doubt and fear fell across Joe\u2019s mind sending another kind of chill throughout his entire being.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that his only hope at the moment was to bite back his ire towards Bristol and his partner.\u00a0\u00a0Joe believed that things would not get any better for him if he continued to hurl insults at the men, even though he cursed their lives.\u00a0\u00a0He reasoned that he would have to try to follow Bristol\u2019s rules, if only temporarily.\u00a0\u00a0Joe knew that they meant business and it was his own fierce pride which had caused the insults to his body and mind that morning.\u00a0\u00a0Laying there on the bed, almost nude, Joe decided to play Bristol\u2019s game, or to at least give the impression he was.\u00a0\u00a0He was filled with anger, humiliation, confusion and fear.\u00a0\u00a0But, worst of all was the underlying belief that was starting to grow stronger; the belief that his father had allowed all of it to happen by not pulling him from Bristol\u2019s clutches.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure how long he had been left in the room.\u00a0\u00a0Without any light of day to determine the passing of time he was lost in a continual moment of despair.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed like hours, perhaps a whole day, Joe was unsure how long it had been from the time he was stripped of his outer clothing and left tied to the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Finally, Bristol came into the room and approached his captive.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinda cold in here isn\u2019t it, Joe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked smiling as he touched the raised bumps on Joe\u2019s right leg.<\/p>\n

Joe shivered from the man\u2019s touch and tried to move his leg away from Bristol\u2019s fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you ready to apologize yet\u2014or do you need some more time to think about your behavior?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the bile welling up in the back of his throat.\u00a0\u00a0He thought he would lose the awful breakfast which had been forced on him. \u201cPlay the game, Joe\u2014play the game\u2014bide your time\u2014until they let down their guards\u201dJoe thought to himself and forced a verbal reply.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSorry for what?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bristol encouraged Joe onward with his apology.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry for saying what I did to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014gotta go better than that.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014you say this\u2014I\u2019m sorry for acting like a disobedient brat!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bit at his lip as he stared up at the evil man who was enjoying his little game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014for being\u2014a brat,\u201d Joe finally mustered the internal strength to get the words out of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisobedient brat, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014for being\u2014a disobedient brat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol laughed and settled down on the side of the bed next to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow\u2014that wasn\u2019t so hard was it?\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014if you will just ask me nice\u2014I will hand you your clothes and you can get dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2014give me my clothes,\u201d Joe replied, and felt sure now that he would puke.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to try to escape again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Sir\u2014isn\u2019t that what you meant to say?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked raising his eyebrows for effect.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014good enough for me\u2014I am a forgiving person after all,\u201d Bristol said and walked across to the door and let Cole into the room.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI think Joe has something he wants to tell you Cole\u201d<\/p>\n

Cole walked over to the bed and stared down at Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOh\u2014kid finally accepted his lot in life, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cApologize to Mr. Rivers, Joseph,\u201d Bristol ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014\u201d Joe replied, holding his breath to ward off the illness in his stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014do it like you did before\u2014with feeling!\u00a0\u00a0Come on\u2014if you want your clothes that is!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry for being a disobedient brat,\u201d Joe spoke out in one quick breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014guess I\u2019ll forgive you this time!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole laughed and turned to Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo\u2014we gonna untie him again?\u00a0\u00a0Cause I\u2019m telling you, Bristol\u2014it that boy punches me again\u2014he\u2019s gonna really get it this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe has learned his lesson.\u00a0\u00a0Now untie his ankles and I will get his hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soon Joe had the bounds loosened and he pulled himself to a seated position, never taking his eyes off the two men who still hovered over him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said and handed Joe his clothes.<\/p>\n

Joe went right for his pants, pulling them on first.\u00a0\u00a0Next came his shirt and then his socks and boots.\u00a0\u00a0He was soon dressed and sat on the bed wondering what was next.\u00a0\u00a0Joe noticed that the men were watching his every move, and he knew there was no chance of escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d Joe sighed, defeated in spirit, but feeling a tad bit better to have his body covered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you this morning that you have some writing to do,\u201d Bristol began and walked towards the small desk across the room.\u00a0\u00a0He drew out a match and lit the kerosene lamp and then grabbed a handful of paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cWriting?\u00a0\u00a0Oh\u2014let me guess\u2014a ransom note?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, and hoped with all his heart that was what the man had in mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014still don\u2019t understand do you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol sighed and sat next to the kid on the bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThere IS no ransom note\u2014you are not being ransomed.\u00a0\u00a0You have been given to me\u2014by your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted and soon felt Bristol\u2019s hand on his leg, squeezing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t being a disobedient brat again are you?\u00a0\u00a0Cause those clothes come off quite easily\u2014and may stay off the next time!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014no Sir,\u201d Joe whispered and dropped his head down.\u00a0\u00a0The last thing he needed was to again be humiliated and stripped of his clothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I was saying\u2014your father and I made a bargain\u2014the details of which are inconsequential now.\u00a0\u00a0So, if you are still thinking that the great and powerful Ben Cartwright is going to burst into this room\u2014well\u2014stop!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father would never make a bargain with you!\u00a0\u00a0Not after all you did to my family three years ago.\u00a0\u00a0He hates you\u2014and you know it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe argued.\u00a0\u00a0He had to say the words in order to hear them echoed in his own mind.\u00a0\u00a0If he came to believe Bristol\u2019s allegations, Joe knew he would have little left to live for.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see him just sitting there last night as we dragged you out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe just hung his head lower and didn\u2019t reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Joe responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd did you notice how he never even called out to you\u2014never made a run towards the door\u2014never even pulled out his gun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe mumbled, trying to fight away the awful images again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014this morning\u2014did you see him get on that stage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a smart boy\u2014 I am sure you can connect the dots here.\u00a0\u00a0Now let\u2019s get to your assignment shall we?\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve got here ten pieces of paper.\u00a0\u00a0Come over to this desk and I\u2019ll show you what you need to do,\u201d Bristol pulled Joe to standing and they walked to the desk.\u00a0\u00a0He pushed on Joe\u2019s shoulder, encouraging him to sit down in the chair.\u00a0\u00a0Next, he handed Joe a pencil.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis paper is lined for your convenience.\u00a0\u00a0There are fifty lines on the front and fifty on the back.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2014in case your mind is still failing to comprehend things\u2014means there\u2019s one hundred per sheet.\u00a0\u00a0Ten sheets\u2014that would be one thousand total lines.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014on each of those lines you are to write what I am gong to dictate.\u00a0\u00a0Get the pencil ready!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reluctantly took the pencil in his left hand and awaited instructions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrite these words\u2014I hate my father\u2014got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Bristol, shock and confusion filled his green eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He knew he couldn\u2019t write any such words.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what Pa\u2019s motives were for leaving him there in San Francisco with Bristol, there was nothing that his father could do that would make Joe hate him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO\u2014I can\u2019t,\u201d Joe said setting down his pencil.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou WILL\u2014now pick up that pencil before I lose all patience with you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol hollered.<\/p>\n

Joe scooped up the pencil and drew in a deep breath.\u00a0\u00a0He knew what would happen if he refused the man\u2019s request.\u00a0\u00a0Staring over at Cole, Joe felt that the sadistic man was just waiting for his disobedience so that he would get another crack at humiliating him further.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2014first line\u2014go on\u2014I hate my father!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said pointing to the top line.<\/p>\n

Joe scrawled the words, with a heavy heart and a trembling hand.<\/p>\n

Bristol drew the paper up to examine it thoroughly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNeeds work\u2014but I am sure\u2014after you have done it a thousand times\u2014it will look better than this first one!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and set the paper back down in front of Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u00a0\u00a0Why are you doing this to me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe pleaded for an answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I want you to understand your lot in life now, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Your father does not want you\u2014you have got to get that through to your brain.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s for your own good!\u00a0\u00a0I can\u2019t get anywhere until you finally concede that the man does not love you and left you here on purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never believe that\u2014never!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied, fighting again the tears that were welled up in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet to writing!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol demanded and turned with Cole towards the door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd, Joe\u2014don\u2019t think of trying an escape.\u00a0\u00a0The windows are reinforced with steel bars, and the door is locked.\u00a0And\u2014posted outside of your room is one of my many men.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014you have lots of writing to accomplish.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s a little after four\u2014I will give you until eight when your dinner will be brought up to you.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sure you won\u2019t fail to comply this time.\u00a0\u00a0You do know the consequences!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol reminded Joe and walked out of the room with Cole.<\/p>\n

Joe flung his pencil across the room and cursed out loud.\u00a0\u00a0He covered his face with his hands and wept.\u00a0\u00a0His tears fell on the paper, spilling onto the word \u201cfather\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to bring himself around to the dull reality that he had to do as Bristol had commanded him to do.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that the next punishment would be worse than the first.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly, Joe pulled himself up from his chair and walked across the room to retrieve the pencil.\u00a0\u00a0Pushing aside his tears, he settled back down in the chair and began his assignment.<\/p>\n

Exhaustion finally found Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0He leaned against the window inside the Overland Stagecoach and fell into a disturbed sleep.\u00a0\u00a0The lay over wasn\u2019t very long, but each hour spent traveling farther and farther away from his youngest son was excruciating.\u00a0\u00a0Ben grabbed a sandwich and a canteen of water when he boarded the connecting stage in Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed for a fast journey back to Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0Ben hoped he would find his son, Hoss, safe and unharmed once he made it back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t trust Bristol, and it wouldn\u2019t surprise him all that much to learn that he had ordered the assassin to do away with his target in spite of his promises.<\/p>\n

There were two other passengers on the stage to Virginia City and Ben had glanced their way during the long trip, wondering if one could possibly be another planted hit man that Bristol had chosen to keep a watchful eye out to see if he tried to contact the authorities in either Sacramento or when they arrived in Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0Ben simply nodded their way when they tried to strike up a conversation, but he would have no part of idle chit chat.\u00a0\u00a0His heart felt like a ton of bricks and his stomach churned with anxiety as he waited to reach his ranch.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had fallen to sleep with the picture of Joe\u2019s face in his mind.\u00a0\u00a0He remembered the look of total betrayal that the boy had worn as he was being carried out of the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0That image would haunt him every hour of every day until he had the boy safe in his arms again.<\/p>\n

Two long day passed before Ben planted his boots back on Virginia City turf.\u00a0\u00a0It was late in the afternoon when he stepped down from the stage and made his way to the ticket booth.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was glad to see his old friend Pete still working behind the window.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the man and held out his hand as if to shake.\u00a0\u00a0Pete smiled up at Ben and then noticed there was a letter in Ben\u2019s palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cPete\u2014send this as soon as you can,\u201d Ben said quietly, keeping a wary eye out for strangers as he did.\u00a0\u00a0The two men from the stage had already made their way down to the hotel, but he wasn\u2019t sure if someone else was in Virginia City keeping tabs on his movements.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Ben\u2014how was your trip?\u201d Pete asked, confused by the other man\u2019s strange demeanor.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Ben lied and turned and headed towards the livery stable.<\/p>\n

Ben left his and Joe\u2019s luggage with the caretaker at the livery, and told the man he would come back for it the next day.\u00a0\u00a0He was in far too much of a hurry and could not afford to take the slower method of buckboard back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0Ben mounted his rented mare and sent the horse into motion hurrying back home.\u00a0\u00a0He never realized how long the trip from Virginia City to the ranch house was before.\u00a0\u00a0It never seemed as far as it did that day.\u00a0\u00a0Darkness was falling as he dismounted in front of the hitching post up by the house.\u00a0\u00a0Taking a deep breath to ward off the dreadful thought of something having happened to his middle son, Ben jogged up to the front door and opened it apprehensively.<\/p>\n

Upon entering the ranch house the first thing that Ben spotted was the ten gallon hat hanging on the hat rack.\u00a0\u00a0He then saw the large holster that belonged to Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0Though that offered some valued relief, Ben knew he wouldn\u2019t be able to draw another breath until the boy was there in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben shouted towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

Just a few seconds later the big man came strolling in from the kitchen, a surprised look on his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHey!\u00a0\u00a0Pa!\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019re you doing back so soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben cried out and threw his arms around his rotund son and hugged him with such intensity that Hoss could barely breathe himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss said, as his father finally released his embrace.\u00a0\u00a0He noticed the tears welling up in his father\u2019s dark brown eyes, and that sight sent a panic throughout his soul.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat the heck is wrong?\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014where\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes closed for a minute after hearing the question his son posed to him.\u00a0\u00a0Where was Little Joe?\u00a0\u00a0If only he knew!\u00a0\u00a0Slowly, fighting back a sudden weakness to his knees, Ben made his way over to his chair in front of the fireplace and sank down onto its velvet cushions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2014so much has happened,\u201d Ben began as Hoss moved over next to him. \u201cI don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014you\u2019re kinda scaring me\u2014nothing\u2019s happened to Joe has it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014but before I tell you\u2014did anything strange happen to you on your trip home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, bewildered by the question.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNope\u2014not that I can think of\u2014why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ride with a man from there to Sacramento and on to Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014there were a couple passengers\u2014most of them got off in Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0There was one guy\u2014a nice feller\u2014rode with me to Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0Think his name was Todd\u2014yeah Todd Billings.\u00a0\u00a0We chatted most of the trip.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s just passing through\u2014on the way to Salt Lake I think he said.\u00a0\u00a0Okay\u2014now why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you notice him going to the telegrapher\u2019s office in Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014matter of fact I went with him\u2014showed him where it was.\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas there a message waiting for him?\u201d Ben continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I saw him get one\u2014looked kinda relieved when he read it.\u00a0\u00a0I asked him\u2014he said it was about business.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014come on Pa\u2014tell me what this is all about!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss exclaimed.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t know what the trouble was, but one look at his father\u2019s face told him it was something awful.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat man\u2014he was a hired killer\u2014and he was waiting on a telegraph\u2014a telegraph from Bristol Ford!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u00a0\u00a0Bristol Ford!\u00a0\u00a0That snake is still around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014he paid the man to travel with you\u2014and was going to tell him to kill you\u2014unless\u2014\u201d Ben stopped and headed over for a heavy shot of brandy.\u00a0\u00a0His heart hurt with what he would soon be telling his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was gonna kill me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss yelled and followed his father to the brandy decanter.<\/p>\n

Ben poured two drinks, and tossed his down after handing the other glass to his son.\u00a0\u00a0He poured yet another shot and stared up into Hoss\u2019 confused blue eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol came to me\u2014the night you had left for home.\u00a0\u00a0I was in the restaurant at the hotel waiting for Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0He told me what he had set up\u2014and that\u2014if I didn\u2019t go along with his plan he would send the appropriate wire and you would be shot.\u00a0\u00a0I was so scared for you, Son\u2014so scared!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew that jasper was planning on nothing!\u00a0\u00a0He seemed like a regular guy,\u201d Hoss confessed sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what frightened me so\u2014you were unaware of the danger\u2014it would have been so easy for him to get the drop on you\u2014I couldn\u2019t let that happen!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014where\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol made me agree to just sit there\u2014wait for your brother to come and join me at the table.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014he showed me the four gunmen he had all around the room\u2014including at the tables next to me.\u00a0\u00a0He told me that if I warned Joseph\u2014in any way\u2014that Joe would be ambushed right there\u2014and that he would send that telegraph and you would also be killed.\u00a0\u00a0I couldn\u2019t do that\u2014I couldn\u2019t risk the both of you.\u00a0\u00a0Oh\u2014dear Lord\u2014what have I done to Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss threw his arm across his father\u2019s shoulder and tried to console the man.\u00a0\u00a0He was now fully aware of the stress his father had been under and worried about his health.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cTell me what happened to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey came in there\u2014Bristol and one of his henchmen\u2014and they pulled Joe up from the table.\u00a0\u00a0All I could do was sit there and watch.\u00a0\u00a0I couldn\u2019t go to him\u2014couldn\u2019t comfort him\u2014help him in any way.\u00a0\u00a0If you had seen the look on his face\u2014heard-the way he begged me to help him\u2014\u201d Ben stopped and pulled his hands up to his face totally bereaved by what he had done.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014you didn\u2019t have no choice\u2014you know that!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss insisted, he could see how his father\u2019s painful decision was eating him up alive.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf you had reached for him\u2014the kid would be dead\u2014looks like I would be too!\u00a0\u00a0He put you in a position where there wasn\u2019t anything else you could do.\u00a0\u00a0I know that and trust me, Pa\u2014when we find Joe\u2014HE will understand too!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe made me take the next stage out of town back here.\u00a0\u00a0He said if I warned the authorities Joe would be killed.\u00a0\u00a0I left the next morning.\u00a0\u00a0Now I don\u2019t have any idea where Joe is \u2014or what they are doing to him.\u00a0\u00a0Oh Joseph\u2014\u201d Ben whispered and saw again his son\u2019s pleading face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014we\u2019ll go after that son of a bitch and make him give Joe back\u2014don\u2019t you worry about that Pa!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss announced, his fists opening and closing trying to control his rage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve sent a letter to Adam\u2014but it\u2019s going to be weeks before he\u2019ll make it home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeck with the letter\u2014we\u2019ll wire him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to do that\u2014but I think we are being watched.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe we can have one of the ranch hands send one over at Carson?\u00a0\u00a0They wouldn\u2019t be as noticed.\u00a0\u00a0We need all the help we can get now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what do we do now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked as he followed his father back over to the living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol said to do nothing\u2014just wait for his instructions.\u00a0\u00a0Damn him!\u00a0\u00a0Damn that man to hell!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014something came for you\u2014as I was leaving town the day I arrived on the stage.\u00a0\u00a0It had come in on the same stage in the mail.\u00a0\u00a0I was heading back here when Pete got a hold of me.\u00a0\u00a0It was a letter addressed to you,\u201d Hoss remembered and reached over to the sofa table and pulled the envelope towards his chest.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben noticed the handwriting on the front, and his heart almost stopped.\u00a0\u00a0He knew it had to be from Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Ben tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter inside.\u00a0\u00a0He then read it out loud to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Ben!\u00a0\u00a0You did as instructed and you have three sons who are all alive.\u00a0\u00a0Now, do not try to come back to San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0If I see you or any of your boys in town Joe will have a fatal accident.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s mine now, in payment for all you took from me all those years ago.\u00a0\u00a0You have a lot of lumber to get to now, so concentrate on your great wealth.\u00a0\u00a0Signed\u2014Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0P.S.\u00a0Have a look at that chess board of yours in the study,\u201d Ben finished reading the letter and stared up at his son.\u00a0\u00a0They exchanged woeful glances and stood and approached Ben\u2019s desk.\u00a0\u00a0Off to the corner was where Ben always set his prized chess set that Adam had purchased in Italy.\u00a0\u00a0The two men made their way next to the chess board.\u00a0\u00a0The pieces had been moved around and were not in the normal arrangement like Ben always left it.\u00a0\u00a0The white king was confronted by numerous black pieces.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew what that meant, but just to aid in his complete understanding was a small piece of paper that was tied around the white king.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheckmate,\u201d Ben read the piece of paper and stared over at Hoss.<\/p>\n

Bristol Ford wasn\u2019t the only one who knew how to play chess.\u00a0\u00a0Ben Cartwright excelled at the game.\u00a0\u00a0Once his despondency subsided his anger took over, and it was one of the strongest forces in the world.\u00a0\u00a0Nothing could bring out the fierce Cartwright determination more than when one of the family was threatened.\u00a0\u00a0Within a few days Ben and Hoss had seen to it that telegraphs had been sent to not only Adam, but also to their old friend the noted Pinkerton detective Dex Farwell.\u00a0\u00a0Dex\u2019s response came first.\u00a0\u00a0Though he was just finishing with a case that had taken him to Kansas, he was more than eager to leave the remaining details in the hands of his associates and hop a train west towards Nevada.\u00a0\u00a0He would have had a perfect record of cases solved over his twenty plus years as a detective had it not been for Bristol Ford.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had been with the Cartwrights three years prior and though the remains of Marie Cartwright had been returned to the family, Dex never got over the fact that the evil man had escaped.\u00a0\u00a0He had searched for Bristol, even when the Cartwrights had stopped.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had gone so far as to journey to London where he had followed Bristol\u2019s trail.\u00a0\u00a0After several months of wasted efforts, Dex had to return to the states due to other cases which needed his expertise.\u00a0\u00a0So, when the detective got Ben\u2019s wire he was more than eager to proceed to the Ponderosa and try to capture Bristol, thereby making his record one hundred per cent.<\/p>\n

Adam had been entertaining old college buddies at a local tavern in Boston when the telegraph had arrived from his father.\u00a0\u00a0The message was cryptic, but clearly his presence was needed back home.\u00a0\u00a0He had been advised of the danger in returning to the Ponderosa and had been instructed to take residence in a hotel in Carson City once he made it closer to home.\u00a0\u00a0Adam thought of all the possible scenarios.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019s message simply read, \u201cNeed you home. \u2014stop\u2014Joe missing\u2014stop\u2014will explain\u2014stop\u2014arrive in Carson City\u2014stop\u2014send word when you get in\u2014stop\u2014be very careful son\u2014stop\u2014love\u2014your father\u201d.<\/p>\n

He tucked the telegraph inside his coat pocket and had kept it there throughout the long trip home.\u00a0\u00a0Adam knew, even with the best connections that it would take at least two weeks to get into Carson City.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed it wouldn\u2019t be too late as far as Joe\u2019s safety was concerned.\u00a0\u00a0Watching out the window of the train taking him to St. Louis, Adam idly rubbed his bearded chin.\u00a0\u00a0He had begun growing it as soon as he arrived in Boston as a lark.\u00a0\u00a0Seeing his old college room mates, he noticed that some had gone on to teach at their alma mater and they all sported beards.\u00a0\u00a0Blending in with his old chums seemed appropriate and Adam knew he would be shaving it off before he made it back from his vacation.\u00a0\u00a0Now, he was glad that the beard was growing thicker each day.\u00a0\u00a0From his father\u2019s message he assumed that a disguise might come in handy.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was smart enough to read between the lines.<\/p>\n

He knew that if Pa wanted him to go to Carson City instead of back to the ranch house then it meant they were all being watched. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened to you THIS time, Little Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Can\u2019t I go away for a couple of months without you falling victim to some scheme?\u00a0\u00a0Pa must be out of his mind\u2014the way he fusses over you!\u201dAdam thought to himself shaking off the tad of jealousy that always existed.\u00a0\u00a0From the very moment of Joe\u2019s birth, it was known to all that Joe was the apple of his father\u2019s eye.\u00a0\u00a0Not that their Pa didn\u2019t love all of his sons.\u00a0\u00a0Not that he didn\u2019t show it in the way he supported the efforts of the two oldest.\u00a0\u00a0It was just something a little different with Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe it was because Joe seemed to draw trouble to him like ants to a sugar cube? A part of Adam was upset to have his vacation halted so abruptly, but the larger part of him was just plain scared for the boy.<\/p>\n

Though he fought with the youngest, Adam felt responsible for him, too.\u00a0\u00a0That had gone back all the way to the death of the boy\u2019s mother, Marie.\u00a0\u00a0The months that it had taken his father to mourn the love of his life had also been months that he couldn\u2019t comfort his sons.\u00a0\u00a0Adam, being the oldest, did his very best to keep the two younger boys in line during that time, often acting as a surrogate father.\u00a0\u00a0Of course they had the assistance of the caretaker and Chinese member of the family, Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0The little man had been a tremendous help with all three of Ben\u2019s sons, but especially the little five year old, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Adam closed his eyes and wondered how Hop Sing was handling Joe\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n

He knew that the Chinaman loved the curly headed Little Joe as though he was his own son. \u201cI bet things are pretty rough right now at the house.\u00a0\u00a0I hope I can take some of the burden off all three of you!\u00a0\u00a0That crazy little brother of mine!\u00a0\u00a0What is it that throws you in the midst of such calamity all the time, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Whenever you are pulled from us, for whatever reason, you take away the very heart and soul of the Cartwright family.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Maybe it\u2019s that impish look you wear half the time\u2014or that contagious laughter that melts Pa like putty in your hands?\u00a0\u00a0Whatever it is\u2014you know how to endear yourself into even the coldest of hearts. You are the most aggravating\u2014irritating\u2014son of a gun\u2014but\u2014\u201dAdam tried to shake away the fear that was beginning to come to the forefront of his mind.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had survived events in the past which would have killed other men.\u00a0\u00a0Adam worried now that Joe\u2019s number had finally come up, and he might not be able to elude fate this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014Kid\u2014hang on\u2014our Pa\u2014Hop Sing\u2014Hoss\u2014and even the one you enjoy aggravating the most\u2014me\u2014are gonna rescue you!\u201dAdam leaned against the window of the train and offered a few prayers for the boy\u2019s safety before falling off into an exhaustive sleep.<\/p>\n

Back in San Francisco, Joe had no earthly idea how much time had transpired since the day Bristol Ford forcefully removed him from the restaurant and took him to live in his house.\u00a0\u00a0In all actuality it had been just over two weeks.\u00a0\u00a0Joe, if he had been given that information, wouldn\u2019t have believed it.\u00a0\u00a0In his mind it seemed like an eternity.\u00a0\u00a0He had endured so many battles with Bristol and his henchmen that now his nerves were wearing thin.\u00a0\u00a0After that first day, when he had been stripped of his clothes and later forced to write time after time that he hated his father, Joe had bounced back and forth between stubborn determination and willing compliance.\u00a0\u00a0His numerous acts of disobedience had caused him both embarrassment and physical pain.<\/p>\n

It was Joe\u2019s desire that the men who held him hostage simply take his life and let it be over with.\u00a0\u00a0After enduring so long without a hint of information as to what, if anything, his father was doing to rescue him, Joe was beginning to have his doubts if he would see his family again in life.\u00a0\u00a0He had nightmares almost all the time, and they were always the same scenario.\u00a0\u00a0Joe would be sitting somewhere and his father would be smiling at him, when he would suddenly be yanked away screaming.\u00a0\u00a0Sometimes Ben would just sit there, as he had that first night, and do nothing.\u00a0Other times he would laugh.\u00a0\u00a0Those were the worst.\u00a0\u00a0Joe would bolt up from his bed in fright and then the tears would come.<\/p>\n

Thinking Bristol would eventually tire of his game, Joe presumed that there would actually be an exchange of money and he would be ransomed after all.\u00a0\u00a0That hadn\u2019t happened.\u00a0\u00a0And, each day that passed made the boy grow more depressed and more bitter towards his father.\u00a0\u00a0Of course there was also the growing hatred he felt towards Bristol and his men and it sickened him to think of all they had done to him.\u00a0\u00a0They seemed to draw great pleasure from seeing him succumb to their daily demands.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had tried as best he could to fight back his displeasure and go along with whatever they asked, but, there were days when he longed for them to just kill him.\u00a0\u00a0Apparently Bristol had no such desire and was trying his best to break his spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you finished that letter, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked as he strolled into the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Joe turned in the chair at the desk and looked over at the man.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI told you\u2014I\u2019m not going to do it.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014do whatever you want to me\u2014I am not going along with it this time, Bristol!\u201d Joe answered, defiance showing in his hazel eyes.<\/p>\n

Bristol walked over to the bed, opposite Joe, and sank down on the bottom.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou KNOW what\u2019s going to happen to you, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing that you haven\u2019t already done,\u201d Joe mocked the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how long you have been here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flashed with hope that his captor would give him some information.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe he would finally reveal what the real plan was?\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo\u2014how long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess,\u201d Bristol smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lifetime?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied, and instead of sarcasm, he spoke in truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not nearly that long, Boy!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and moved next to his hostage.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSixteen days.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s nowhere near a lifetime, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at the floor wondering if the man was toying with him again, or if, in fact he had been there only a little more than a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you understand?\u00a0\u00a0You are not going to be rescued.\u00a0\u00a0Wouldn\u2019t it be wiser, than to hope for help that will never come, that you do as I tell you and we enter into a working relationship?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father\u2014he\u2019s going to come back\u2014trust me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe spoke the words he had said so many times that they were losing all semblance of reality to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour FATHER is busy with the timber contracts for that fleet of ships.\u00a0\u00a0How many times do I have to tell you?\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s home\u2014along with your brother Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0They have gone on with their lives\u2014it\u2019s time you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why do I have to write this letter?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe spoke out angrily.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI mean\u2014if it IS true\u2014what difference would it make?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe letter is basically for you\u2014so that you will address the issue and come to terms with it.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014how far have you gotten?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked and pulled the sheet of paper closer so he could read it.\u00a0\u00a0There was only one word on the sheet, just the letter \u201cI\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot good, Joe\u2014you\u2019ve had all morning and part of the afternoon to accomplish the task I gave you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not writing it\u2014I am not saying that I hate my father\u2014I am not telling him that I never want to see him again!\u00a0\u00a0Go ahead\u2014hit me\u2014humiliate me\u2014hell I\u2019m getting use to it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled and stood from his chair, facing the man head-on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to hit you, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s no need for that type of violence.\u00a0\u00a0I wish you wouldn\u2019t resist the way you do\u2014but\u2014eventually you\u2019ll come around,\u201d Bristol said and turned back for the door.\u00a0\u00a0He paused and cast his gaze over at the boy who stood there with confusion on his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m going to bring Mr Rivers up here\u2014I know a way to get you to do what you\u2019ve been told to do,\u201d he said cryptically and headed out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe walked over to the bed and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0He wondered what was going to happen.\u00a0\u00a0Though he hated Bristol, Cole Rivers had done even more to him over the two weeks as far as physical abuse went.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was into mind games, whereas his partner liked to invoke his own forms of torture.\u00a0\u00a0Most of the time, it took Bristol to pull the man from Joe in order to prevent serious harm.\u00a0Joe looked at the four posters of the bed and wondered if he was going to be tied, as he so often had, when he refused to comply.\u00a0\u00a0He sighed and looked across the room at the sheet of paper.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could not bring himself to write the letter to his father, though he sure wanted to ask the man why he had left him in San Francisco and apparently never looked back.\u00a0\u00a0Pa had now had plenty of time, Joe presumed, to come back from Virginia City with an army of mountain men to help rescue his son.\u00a0\u00a0Why hadn\u2019t he done that?\u00a0\u00a0Joe shook his head wondering if anything that Bristol had told him over the weeks had really been factual.\u00a0\u00a0Could Pa be more concerned with filling a shipping order than he was with the life of his youngest son?\u00a0\u00a0Before Joe could further ponder on the issue the bedroom door opened again and in came Bristol and Cole.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2014what took you guys so long?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe quipped.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou know it gets kinda lonely in here.\u00a0\u00a0So what kind of game do you want to play today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill has his smart mouth,\u201d Cole grumbled as he moved over towards Joe with Bristol at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014you want me to take off my clothes so you can watch me put them back on\u2014or are we gonna play the old tie Joe down game?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed, not that he thought it was funny, but to prevent the fear from showing on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing like that, Joseph,\u201d Bristol said and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and stared into his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Though the boy was doing a good job of pretending he was beyond caring, Bristol could read the uncertainty on his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet me ask you something\u2014\u201d he started but Joe cut him off.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014sure\u2014go right ahead\u2014ask me anything you\u2019d like\u2014I am, after all, a captive audience!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to shut the kid up for you, Bristol?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not necessary.\u00a0\u00a0Okay, Joseph, since you seem to be very receptive to conversation today I\u2019ll continue.\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019s the longest time you\u2019ve ever stayed awake?\u00a0\u00a0A day\u2014two?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared into the man\u2019s eyes and wondered what he was getting at.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cStayed awake?\u00a0\u00a0Now let me think\u2014\u201d Joe paused, pretending he was thinking pensively.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI guess two days\u2014yeah two days.\u00a0\u00a0Now let me guess\u2014you\u2019re gonna play a new game\u2014and it\u2019s called let\u2019s see how long Joe can stay awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo-one ever said you weren\u2019t a bright boy.\u00a0\u00a0So, let\u2019s all guess\u2014you first, Cole\u2014how many days will Joe stay awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe two\u2014three at the most,\u201d Cole answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you, Joseph?\u00a0\u00a0You think you can beat three days?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stopped answering.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the bed and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol and Cole were much too happy with their new game and he had decided not to play.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter\u2014don\u2019t know the answer to that one\u2014and don\u2019t want to venture a guess?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said as he neared the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014actually I am kinda tired right now\u2014maybe I\u2019ll take a little nap.\u00a0\u00a0So\u2014game over!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied caustically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrong answer, Kid,\u201d Cole smiled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cStarting right now you are gonna stay awake.\u00a0\u00a0Those eyes ain\u2019t closing until we see that letter written.\u00a0\u00a0So, the game doesn\u2019t really end until YOU decide it ends!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Joseph\u2014I\u2019m going to have my men in here with you around the clock preventing you from sleeping.\u00a0\u00a0I actually have seen men go insane due to lack of sleep.\u00a0\u00a0So, you might want to reconsider and go ahead and write that letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014I\u2019m not worried,\u201d Joe sneered towards both men, \u201cI\u2019m already insane so it should have little effect on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol tapped Joe on the left cheek and chuckled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOne thing I do admire about you, Joseph\u2014and that\u2019s the fact that you are full of youthful optimism\u2014unfortunately you also have a stubborn streak which gets you in deeper with me.\u00a0\u00a0Cole is taking the first watch\u2014then I will be in to spell him.\u00a0\u00a0By the looks of it\u2014we are in for an amusing couple of days at your expense.\u00a0\u00a0And, I can guarantee that you will write that letter\u2014now or days from now.\u00a0\u00a0Your choice of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood and walked over to the desk.\u00a0\u00a0He looked down at the paper and lifted the pencil in his hand.\u00a0\u00a0He then turned and looked directly at Bristol and broke the pencil in two.<\/p>\n

\u201cKid\u2019s asking for it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole called over to his boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Cole, there\u2019s plenty of pencils here in the house.\u00a0\u00a0When Joe\u2019s ready to write I will get him another.\u00a0\u00a0See you later, Joseph,\u201d Bristol stated and turned for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2014Bristol\u2014what do I do if he starts to nod out on me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything you want to!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol replied, and there was anger in his eyes as he looked towards Cole.<\/p>\n

Cole laughed and walked over to the bed and sat down across from Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have plenty of things to do then!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole winked towards Bristol as he walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe stared over at Cole and his heart felt as though it was lodged in his throat.\u00a0\u00a0Cole was damned and determined to do him harm and he had just received the go-ahead from his boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in all this for you, Cole?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked the man as he sat once again on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014you know\u2014it\u2019s a job,\u201d Cole grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust pay awfully good\u2014or is it that you just like a job where you can torment people?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little of both, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019s it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know my father\u2014he would pay you a whole lot more than Bristol pays you\u2014that is if you were to help me get out of here,\u201d Joe offered, figuring it was worth a try.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah?\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014why would he want to pay me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he wants me back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cole laughed loudly and shook his head amused, \u201cJoe, you gotta be the stupidest kid I ever met!\u00a0\u00a0Your father made a deal with Bristol\u2014haven\u2019t you figured that out yet?\u00a0\u00a0How do you think your old man won that shipping contract?\u00a0\u00a0You don\u2019t really think it was because the Ponderosa bid was the lowest, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNever mind,\u201d Cole said and stood and walked towards the desk for a match to light his cigarette which he had just rolled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u00a0\u00a0Tell me\u2014what do you know about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already said more than I should have\u2014just leave me alone.\u00a0\u00a0Go write that damned letter so I can get out of this room.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t feel like playing babysitter today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were lying anyhow\u2014\u201d Joe started and then looked directly in the other man\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t give the appearance that he was, but Joe hoped that he could make him blurt out something that would be a better story than hearing the same basic story that Bristol had alluded to for weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cKid, you got a bad case of denial\u2014someday you\u2019ll figure it all out\u2014but you ain\u2019t getting another thing from me.\u00a0\u00a0Now stop pestering me and write!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe folded his arms across his chest and shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol gave me the go ahead\u2014so if I see you nodding off\u2014well\u2014let\u2019s just say you will be sorry,\u201d Cole threatened and lit his cigarette and settled down in the chair by the bed.<\/p>\n

One thing that could be said of Joe Cartwright, and that was that he was stubborn to a fault.\u00a0\u00a0He had outlasted almost everyone who had come in and out of his room for days.\u00a0\u00a0It was getting harder and harder to keep his eyes open, but Joe forced himself.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t until the morning of the third day that he finally began to succumb to exhaustion and had closed his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately it was Cole\u2019s shift when that happened.\u00a0\u00a0As soon as he saw the boy nod off he walked across the room and yanked him up by the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me sleep!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe mumbled and tried to slink back down on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014you haven\u2019t written that damn letter yet!\u00a0\u00a0You know the rules\u2014you want to sleep you start writing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t\u2014too tired,\u201d Joe replied and felt himself pushed across the room.\u00a0\u00a0Cole manhandled him, pushing him down roughly into the chair at the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrite that letter!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole yelled and drew a pencil out of his shirt pocket.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had already broken a half dozen pencils during the two days he had been without sleep, but Bristol kept a new batch ready just in case.<\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head down on his arms and was almost asleep when Cole yanked his head back.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled Joe\u2019s hair and forced his gaze.\u00a0\u00a0Cole was just about ready to throw a punch when Bristol entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cKid\u2019s falling asleep\u2014and he still hasn\u2019t written the letter!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got company\u2014leave the boy in here\u2014we\u2019ll deal with him in a little while,\u201d Bristol replied and gave Cole a nod to let him know that the plan was working.<\/p>\n

Joe was drowsy and his body begged for sleep, but having heard something about a visitor snapped him back into reality.\u00a0\u00a0Looking over at Bristol and the intensity on his evil face gave Joe the impression that the visitor must have something to do with him.\u00a0\u00a0Could it be that his father finally had found him?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s heart leapt with joy and anticipation.<\/p>\n

Cole let go of Joe and moved over to his boss.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s here already?\u201d he asked the other man.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext door\u2014come on\u2014this won\u2019t take long!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol insisted and the two men walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

As soon as Joe was sure that both Bristol and Cole were out in the hallway he hurried to the door to try to listen out for information on who the mysterious visitor was.\u00a0\u00a0He sank down on his knees, still battling fatigue, and tried to hear through the keyhole.\u00a0\u00a0After a few minutes the deep baritone voice of Ben Cartwright could be heard.\u00a0\u00a0It sounded as though it was just in the other room.\u00a0Joe moved over to the wall and pressed his ear up against the paneling.\u00a0\u00a0Parts of the ensuing conversation were muffled due to the thickness of the wood separating both rooms, but every now and then Joe could make out a word or two spoken by both his father and Bristol Ford.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in here, Pa!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled and beat his fists on the wall, using up what little strength he had left.\u00a0\u00a0He sank down against the wall and prayed for his father to come to his aid.\u00a0\u00a0When there was no response to the fierce pounding of his fists, Joe tried again to hear what the conversation was about.\u00a0\u00a0He heard a few distinct words, spoken by his pa, and those had come as a shock.\u00a0\u00a0The more he tried to figure out why he would\u2019ve said what he had, the more distressed Joe became.<\/p>\n

***No\u2014that wasn\u2019t part of the deal\u2014yes\u2014I understand\u2014as long as he\u2019s not harmed*** were the words he could make out that had come from Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

***He\u2019s fine\u2014no I haven\u2019t said a word about the contract we rigged for the Ponderosa\u2014no he will never know***were words he made out coming from Bristol.<\/p>\n

***I\u2019m leaving on the next stage\u2014plenty of timber to be cut\u2014no\u2014we won\u2019t\u2014keep to your bargain and I will hold up my end***again, more words from Ben.<\/p>\n

***Made you a fortune\u2014Ponderosa holdings have grown\u2014can\u2019t blame you\u2014saved the ranch\u2014no further contact with the kid \u2014 cut your losses and move on***again, were words Joe made out from Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m in here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled one last time and hit the wall with all his might.<\/p>\n

***have to go\u2014no use trying to explain\u2014reported him missing\u2014no questions asked\u2014will be writing in future\u2014lots to do at home***were Ben\u2019s final words that Joe heard.<\/p>\n

The brief conversation culminated in the sound of a door opening and closing.\u00a0\u00a0Joe folded his arms around his legs and cried.\u00a0\u00a0Pa really had made a deal with Bristol, and the realization of that had quashed any hope Joe had left.\u00a0\u00a0He was dizzy from lack of sleep, but not so exhausted that he couldn\u2019t recognize his own father\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0It had been him, and worst of all Joe knew that Ben had heard his pleas from the next room and had done nothing.\u00a0\u00a0Just like he had the night in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

Bristol turned the lock in the door and looked down at Joe sitting up against the wall.\u00a0\u00a0He moved across the room and knelt down next to him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry you had to hear that\u2014there were other guests in the house downstairs\u2014we had to talk in private and that was the only place to do it.\u00a0\u00a0I know you think I am the most evil human that ever walked the earth\u2014but I never intended on you overhearing what you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

With eyes brimming with tears, Joe looked up at his captor.\u00a0\u00a0He looked sincere, and his tone was apologetic.<\/p>\n

\u201cHand me a pencil,\u201d Joe whispered, pushing back his tears.<\/p>\n

Bristol pulled out the pencil from his vest pocket and handed it to the boy.\u00a0\u00a0Joe pulled himself off the floor and with great effort made his way over to the desk.\u00a0\u00a0Sitting down, Joe pulled the sheet of paper in front of him and wrote the words, \u201cI hate you, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I never want to see you again.\u00a0\u00a0I will never forgive you for what you\u2019ve done to me. Joe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He turned and handed the sheet of paper to Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go to sleep now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked sadly.<\/p>\n

Bristol patted Joe on the shoulder and nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes, Joseph\u2014you go on and sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe walked to the bed and lowered himself down on the mattress.\u00a0\u00a0He buried his face in the pillow and wept until sleep over took him.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol stood there looking at the boy and a smile filtered across his lips. ***Worked perfectly***Bristol thought to himself and turned towards the door.<\/p>\n

Three weeks to the day that Joe was abducted Hoss burst into the ranch house baring news for his father.\u00a0\u00a0He carried a note he had received from a messenger in Carson City over to his father\u2019s desk and sank down in the chair next to his pa.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust came\u2014we\u2019re set!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss announced exuberantly.\u00a0\u00a0He noticed the dark circles that his father wore under his eyes, and knew that the man had gotten only a few hours of sleep each night since Joe had been taken.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss hoped with all of his heart that the news contained in the note would ease some of his father\u2019s pain.<\/p>\n

Ben reached for the note and began right away to read it.\u00a0\u00a0It had been sent by Dex Farwell.\u201dArrived last night, will set up meeting place.\u00a0\u00a0Come to Silver Spur Saloon this evening and wait for messenger.\u201dBen read the note and stuffed it inside his vest pocket.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThank God Dex made it in\u2014any news from Adam yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet\u2014Ling Chow promised he would send word once he saw him in Carson.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing\u2019s cousin has sure been a great help,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014yes he has.\u00a0\u00a0I know this place is being watched.\u00a0\u00a0How else could Bristol have gotten access to this chess set!\u00a0\u00a0I think we\u2019ve got them thrown off for right now at least.\u00a0\u00a0What with you riding up to the saw mill most days, it leads them to think we are working on filling those contracts,\u201d Ben said and stood from his desk.<\/p>\n

Hoss could see it in the slumped shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0Pa was still beating himself up over the decision he had made weeks ago.\u00a0\u00a0He had tried to get through to his pa that there was no other reasonable avenue that he could have chosen.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had been very accurate when he had told the family that they were in checkmate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to get ready to head into Carson.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You meet me at Twin Forks Meadow in an hour.\u00a0\u00a0That will make it look less conspicuous,\u201d Ben called across the room as he reached for the banister post.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing come to!\u201d came the protesting voice of the housekeeper as he moved over to his boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2014as much as we would like you to come along\u2014we just can\u2019t chance it.\u00a0\u00a0We can\u2019t ALL show up in Carson City tonight,\u201d Ben tried his best to calm the man.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stood staring at Ben, his own dark eyes looked just about as distraught as the boy\u2019s father\u2019s did at the moment.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHop Sing vely worried about Little Joe\u2014want to help family!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved closer to the other man and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know you are, Hop Sing\u2014and you ARE helping.\u00a0\u00a0What you worked out with your cousin over in Carson has been a tremendous help to us.\u00a0\u00a0Just try to be patient just a little longer.\u00a0\u00a0The detective is finally here\u2014and Adam should arrive soon.\u00a0\u00a0Then we will get to the business of bringing Joseph home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing cousins on Barbary Coast can go rescue boy\u2014just say when\u2014there many relatives there!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben tried for a brief smile, but it lost it\u2019s way to his lips.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t think of smiling until he had his youngest home.\u00a0\u00a0He did, however, pat the Oriental\u2019s shoulder and nod his way.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s see what Dex has to say about that\u2014before we try something that might cause Little Joe harm.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014Hoss\u2014you go on ahead\u2014I\u2019ll meet you in a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, Pa,\u201d Hoss nodded and headed back for the door.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing grabbed Ben\u2019s elbow as he turned for the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, hoping the man didn\u2019t want to protest his not going to Carson City further.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot your fault, Mister Ben\u2014must try to let go of guilt\u2014Little Joe love Papa vely much.\u00a0\u00a0Will be home soon!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben nodded towards the man, appreciating his sentiments, though he still felt personally responsible for Joe\u2019s predicament and wouldn\u2019t be able to let go of the guilt until he was back home and safe.<\/p>\n

Ben slowly ascended the stairs, with Hop Sing\u2019s concerned gaze following him.<\/p>\n

Carson City fell to darkness as Hoss and Ben Cartwright stood at the counter at the Sliver Spur Saloon waiting as patiently as possible for their contact to find them.\u00a0\u00a0Finishing his second mug of beer Hoss whispered over to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTen minutes after the last time you asked,\u201d Ben sighed, never taking his pocket watch out of his pant\u2019s pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s keeping them?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, worried that something had happened to Dex.<\/p>\n

Just when Ben was about to answer his son\u2019s question, a short Oriental man walked up to them and bowed his greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cLing Chow\u2014so nice to see you,\u201d Ben announced and bowed his head as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is number three cousin?\u201d the man asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave new recipe to give to Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0Please take to him,\u201d Ling Chow said and handed Ben a small piece of paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure will\u2014thank you,\u201d Ben replied, knowing that there was no such recipe.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlessings upon all who dwell in your home\u2014and elsewhere,\u201d the Chinese man said and headed out of the saloon.<\/p>\n

Ben gave the note a quick once over and turned towards his son.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAcross the street\u2014room in the back of the mercantile.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go,\u201d Ben whispered as he tossed his money on the counter and turned away with Hoss at his side.<\/p>\n

Dex was cautious, Ben gave him that.\u00a0\u00a0He had cloaked the meeting place in secrecy just in case the Cartwrights had been followed.\u00a0\u00a0They passed through the mercantile casually and saw the owner nod their way to let them know he knew the importance of no formal greeting.\u00a0\u00a0Soon both men were inside a back store room and sat down at the small table and waited.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t more than a few minutes before Dex Farwell came in through the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDex!\u00a0\u00a0So glad to see you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss stood and shook the detective\u2019s hand briskly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you Hoss\u2014Ben\u2014\u201d Dex replied as he offered the elder Cartwright his hand as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t tell you how much it means to us\u2014that you are on this case,\u201d Ben said gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I was wondering if Bristol would poke his head up eventually\u2014just sorry it had to be this way.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s sit down, Gentlemen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three men sat at the table and were just about to get into the discussion when there was a knock at the door.\u00a0\u00a0Ben seemed edgy and he shot Dex a concerned look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Ben\u2014I was expecting one more man,\u201d Dex said as he moved towards the door.<\/p>\n

A man dressed in a dark blue suit approached the table.\u00a0\u00a0He wore a mustache and thick beard.\u00a0\u00a0The stranger stood and stared down at both of the Cartwrights, and then laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t recognize your own son?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked and patted his father on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped to his feet and embraced his eldest son.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe that he could be fooled by the change in the young man\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I wasn\u2019t expecting you\u2014and what\u2019s this?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, referring to Adam\u2019s facial hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cA disguise of course!\u00a0\u00a0And looks like\u2014since it worked on you\u2014and my brother over there\u2014well it might work in San Francisco!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2014glad to have you back!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss smiled and shook his brother\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re all present and accounted for\u2014shall we get on with this?\u201d Dex asked as they all sat back at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Adam today\u2014he came in on the afternoon stage.\u00a0\u00a0Naturally we haven\u2019t had the chance to figure out all that\u2019s happened yet, just the few things you told me in the wire about San Francisco being the target\u2014so, Ben, let\u2019s hear the whole story,\u201d Dex suggested.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and tried to pull the whole event out from the pit of his stomach where it had lodged for weeks.\u00a0\u00a0He went on to explain the situation, trying not to leave any details out.\u00a0\u00a0The other men around the table sat in silence and took it all in.\u00a0\u00a0Ben closed with the letters he had from Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0There was the one he received at the restaurant which had contained the stagecoach ticket, as well as the one that was waiting for him when he arrived back at the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Dex studied the notes and then passed them down the line for Adam to get a good look.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat little message at the end of that one\u2014\u201d Ben began, \u201cit was in reference to the chess board in my study.\u00a0\u00a0Somehow he managed to get someone to break into the house and arrange the board to form a checkmate scenario.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s very sure of himself\u2014and quite obviously has spies planted around the ranch and Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I figured as much by your wire\u2014that\u2019s why we\u2019re not taking any chances,\u201d Dex nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do you think?\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014that note says that if Bristol spots any of us in San Francisco that Joe will be killed!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked the detective.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014you and your father are out of the question\u2014that\u2019s for sure.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014your brother here\u2014I think he can accompany me to San Francisco and wouldn\u2019t be recognized as being a Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait just a minute!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben interjected loudly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m going along and bring Joseph home\u2014it was my fault the boy\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex reached over and quieted the upset father by the touch of his hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBen\u2014I know what you\u2019re thinking\u2014and I know how you feel\u2014but if you want Joe back alive we\u2019ve got to be careful.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve sent some of my contacts to San Francisco already and have heard back from two of them.\u00a0\u00a0Seems that maniac was able to come into quite a large sum of money while he was over in Europe.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s got it all\u2014manpower, money\u2014and Joe.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve got to watch ourselves.\u00a0\u00a0You and Hoss need to stay put.\u00a0\u00a0Make it look as though you are getting those orders filled in case Bristol\u2019s men are watching.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe been doing that\u2014got almost half of the first shipment ready to leave,\u201d Hoss mentioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hell with the orders!\u00a0\u00a0I want my son!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben burst out, pushed to the brink of despair.\u00a0\u00a0He had hoped that he would be going back to San Francisco to personally liberate his boy.\u00a0\u00a0Now, the reality of the situation was hitting him squarely between the eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2014come on\u2014you gotta relax,\u201d Dex said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Pa\u2014you go getting all upset isn\u2019t gonna help Joe.\u00a0\u00a0The kid would go nuts if he found out you got sick over this,\u201d Adam offered sympathetically.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and tried again to find some internal strength.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know\u2014it\u2019s just\u2014well\u2014never mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU couldn\u2019t have stopped this, Ben\u2014I know what\u2019s going on in your head right now.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve dealt with hostage situations\u2014in fact one such case was with that youngster of yours as I recall.\u00a0\u00a0We got him back before\u2014we\u2019ll bring him back again!\u201d Dex assured the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what\u2019s the plan then?\u201d Hoss got back to the situation at hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to wait on word from one more of my contacts.\u00a0\u00a0I expect that to come in the morning.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve arranged with the telegrapher here in Carson to watch out for anything that comes for me or for the Cartwright family.\u00a0\u00a0He seems like a trustworthy man, and I\u2019ve paid him well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014Harold Thompson, he\u2019s a good man\u2014that\u2019s why we trusted him with the wires we sent to both of you.\u00a0\u00a0Not that Pete in Virginia City is evil\u2014just that he does have a bit of a mouth on him,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I get my wire, Adam and I are heading to San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s a business man looking for real estate and I am his business partner.\u00a0\u00a0As soon as we have Joe\u2019s whereabouts figured out we will make our move and snatch him out of Bristol\u2019s hands.\u00a0\u00a0I promise you to keep the lines of communication open between here and San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0So, you and Hoss head back home and Adam and I will get some sleep before we hop the next stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and again shook the detective\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0He looked into Dex\u2019s eyes and read the intensity that was in them.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know you trailed that bastard for a long time, Dex, you kept going after we stopped.\u00a0\u00a0I blame myself for giving up years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex moved towards the door along with Adam and Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBen, sometimes the crazier a person is the smarter he is.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately Bristol is both.\u00a0\u00a0But, I will guarantee you this\u2014he will not get away from me this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Dex,\u201d Hoss nodded towards the man in preparation to head home.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to be patient\u2014both of you\u2014we\u2019ll be in touch,\u201d Dex smiled as he pulled open the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2014sorry you can\u2019t spend some time with us\u2014I\u2019ve missed you, Son,\u201d Ben said with eyes that were starting to brim with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh Pa\u2014I\u2019ll be back with the kid in no time!\u00a0\u00a0And I\u2019ll let him know how he messed up my vacation too!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam laughed and winked, trying his best to put his father at ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful\u2014both of you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben warned and headed out of the room with Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Dex promised, and watched the two Cartwrights leave the mercantile. \u201cLet\u2019s get some dinner then we\u2019d better get some rest.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve got quite a few miles between us and Joe right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014but tomorrow we begin the journey to bring him back,\u201d Adam answered, full of determination, and walked towards the hotel with Dex.<\/p>\n

Bristol Ford sat in his study and enjoyed the aroma of one of his imported cigars.\u00a0\u00a0He relished all he had accomplished over the three weeks that he had kept Joe Cartwright hostage.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, he felt it had been a stroke of pure genius to have formulated such a fool proof plan to get the boy to finally start showing signs that he hated his father.\u00a0\u00a0It had taken a great deal of planning, and had been in the works long before he heard that Ben and his sons were coming to his town to seal the deal with Cirus De Santo.\u00a0\u00a0From the very first moment the wheels had turned in his brain lining up even the minutest detail to assure success.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew he had broken Ben Cartwright, and it had taken an awful lot of years to do it.\u00a0\u00a0He had lied, stolen, and even killed to get to the position he found himself to be in as a wealthy San Francisco business man.\u00a0\u00a0His staff were all trustworthy, especially Cole Rivers.\u00a0\u00a0He was the only one of his hired guns who had stuck with him through thick and thin, including a go-round with the Cartwright family three years before.\u00a0\u00a0Theirs was a partnership based on mutual hatred of the wealthy family which owned close to a fourth of the Nevada territory.\u00a0\u00a0Now, the tide had changed and Bristol was the one making the rules and playing his own game.<\/p>\n

\u201cKid\u2019s been awfully quiet since he overheard that conversation, Bristol,\u201d Cole announced as he came into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that sure was unfortunate that he had to hear old Ben, huh?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and offered his partner some brandy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course it helped a tad that he was a bit groggy from lack of sleep.\u00a0\u00a0You did very well with your part too, Cole.\u00a0\u00a0Letting just the right amount of information slip out prior to that conversation to cause him to start thinking about Ben\u2019s thirst for wealth being more important than his baby son.\u00a0\u00a0You are quite a good actor my friend!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cole laughed and sipped on his drink.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re not so bad yourself!\u00a0\u00a0And finding Jared to help us with the little charade was perfect!\u00a0\u00a0So\u2014you thought on what we\u2019re gonna do next?\u00a0\u00a0He ain\u2019t fighting us no more\u2014but he still looks plenty angry.\u00a0\u00a0How you gonna sway him your way now?\u00a0\u00a0I mean, even if he\u2019s mad at his dad\u2014that\u2019s still not saying he\u2019s gonna start thinking of you in a better light.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCole\u2014the mind is a powerful thing\u2014but also very delicate when pushed to the breaking point.\u00a0\u00a0Once he snaps completely he will easily mold into what I want him to be,\u201d Bristol grinned at the thought of his evil intentions.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014I continue to be the lead man as far as abuse goes?\u00a0\u00a0Or do you plan to step in and take over?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as we agreed\u2014you are the one who deals out the rough stuff, allowing me to win him over.\u00a0\u00a0I have a wonderful new idea that is sure to bring him around to my side.\u00a0\u00a0I think you will like it too!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol grinned and leaned in a little closer to spell it all out to the man.<\/p>\n

Ben had paced his study for so long that he was sure he would have to replace the floor boards.\u00a0\u00a0Three days had elapsed since Dex Farwell and Adam had caught the stage west and headed to their target destination.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew they should be there but still no word had come.\u00a0\u00a0He had sent Hoss into Carson City early that morning but the young man had returned empty handed.\u00a0\u00a0He would send him back the next day and hopefully there would at least be a wire informing them that both Adam and Dex had gotten some leads as to Joe\u2019s whereabouts.<\/p>\n

Hoss arrived late that afternoon.\u00a0\u00a0He had ridden most of the day and was exhausted from worry and the many miles he had traveled.\u00a0\u00a0After returning from Carson City earlier he had gone back out again, this time to Virginia City for some supplies.\u00a0\u00a0He unloaded the wagon and carried Hop Sing\u2019s order into the kitchen and then headed right for his father\u2019s study.\u00a0\u00a0There was something he needed to show him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014this was in today\u2019s mail.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t open it\u2014but looks a little like that first one you got,\u201d Hoss explained as he handed the envelope over to his father.\u00a0\u00a0He could see the man apprehensively staring at the handwriting.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew it was from Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m almost afraid to look,\u201d Ben muttered and slowly loosened the envelope\u2019s flap and pulled out two sheets of paper.\u00a0\u00a0The top sheet was a letter to him from Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Ben read that one aloud to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2014looks like you are doing exactly as I instructed.\u00a0\u00a0Congratulations for knowing when you are beat!\u00a0\u00a0In keeping with my end of our little agreement I have enclosed a note to you from Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0I hope this eases your mind some.\u00a0\u00a0It does show he is adjusting nicely to his new environment.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol Ford,\u201d Ben stopped and pulled the second sheet of paper closer.\u00a0\u00a0His mouth fell open as he read it to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u00a0\u00a0What did Joe say?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked.\u00a0\u00a0He had noticed the way Ben slumped in his chair and folded his hands in front of him gripping the piece of paper.<\/p>\n

Ben did not speak, there were no words to describe what he was feeling at the moment.\u00a0\u00a0He knew his boy\u2019s handwriting.\u00a0\u00a0The letter was genuine.\u00a0\u00a0No-one could match so perfectly the backward scrawl of Joe Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss couldn\u2019t stand to see his father in such obvious distress.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled the letter out from between his father\u2019s hands and read the contents.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I never want to see you again.\u00a0\u00a0I will never forgive you for what you\u2019ve done to me.\u00a0\u00a0Joe.\u201d Hoss read the note to himself and it wasn\u2019t until then that he fully realized why his father was so pale and drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014\u201d Hoss started, choking up on his words, \u201cJoe had to have been forced to write this kind of nonsense.\u00a0\u00a0You know that kid loves you more than anybody in the world!\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t let it get to you.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s just Bristol\u2019s way of hurting you even more than he has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014if it wasn\u2019t\u2014if it wasn\u2019t coerced, Hoss?\u00a0\u00a0What then?\u00a0\u00a0Joe must believe that I intentionally left him there with that man!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t sell the kid short, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I bet you he fought tooth and nail not to write that thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat scares me even worse,\u201d Ben replied, fighting back tears.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf he was forced\u2014to write that\u2014to me\u2014there\u2019s no telling what they are doing to him mentally or physically now.\u00a0\u00a0Each day that goes by\u2014and it\u2019s closing in on a month\u2014is another day he\u2019s hurt.\u00a0\u00a0And here I sit and do nothing\u2014just like\u2014\u201d Ben cut himself short and stood from his desk.\u00a0\u00a0He felt so old, so inadequate as a father as he walked across the room towards the staircase.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve got to be alone for awhile, Son,\u201d he muttered and headed towards his bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2014what are they doing to you, Boy?\u00a0\u00a0How could you write this?\u201dHoss thought to himself as he folded the letter and moved it into the other room.\u00a0\u00a0There was no point in his father having to look at it when he made it back downstairs.\u00a0\u00a0It had served Bristol\u2019s evil purposes; Ben was beside himself with sadness and guilt.<\/p>\n

Adam and Dex had arrived in San Francisco as planned.\u00a0\u00a0They took up residence at the home of an old friend and associate of the detective.\u00a0\u00a0That afforded them the secrecy they required and allowed them to set up a permanent camp to send and receive messages.\u00a0\u00a0They waited until dark to fall before they walked down the bustling streets searching for Dex\u2019s contacts who had been planted days before.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t take long before they had their first lead that took them back to the scene of the crime at the restaurant where Joe had been abducted.\u00a0\u00a0They spoke to the waiter who had served Ben that night and listened to what he had to say about what he had seen.\u00a0\u00a0Given a few more bits of information they headed out again in search of someone who might know where Bristol was hold up.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Cartwrights and Detective Farwell, Bristol\u2019s henchmen far outnumbered Dex\u2019s contacts.\u00a0\u00a0On top of that, though Adam had gone unrecognized as being a member of the Cartwright family, Dex was almost immediately spotted as he came out of the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0Cole Rivers remembered very well the hard nosed gumshoe who had followed both he and Bristol to Europe years earlier.\u00a0\u00a0Cole ran right back to Bristol with that information.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought Farwell had stopped tailing us years ago.\u00a0\u00a0Guess Ben violated a rule huh?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said to Cole as he pulled on his coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t seem very upset, Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0You know that detective\u2014he\u2019s probably got men planted all over this city by now.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s probably checking out the town and will know our position before long!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole exclaimed, surprised by the calmness of his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was expecting a move\u2014this doesn\u2019t phase me.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve had a plan just in case.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014looks like tonight\u2019s the night for you to go ahead with our other scheme.\u00a0\u00a0Let me go up there first and announce to the boy that I will be gone for a day.\u00a0\u00a0That sets up your scenario as well as explaining my absence.\u00a0\u00a0I will lead Dex Farwell on a bigger goose chase than the last one\u2014so don\u2019t sweat it,\u201d Bristol replied and headed up the stairs to confront Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe had been in his own personal hell for over a week.\u00a0\u00a0He was without any hope of being freed of his prison.\u00a0\u00a0But, even worse than the fact he was still in bondage, was the fact that his father had arranged it all.\u00a0\u00a0Joe settled into a life full of both anger and dull resolve.\u00a0\u00a0His temper flared occasionally, but most of the time he sat and stared into nothingness.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014you didn\u2019t eat much of your supper I am told,\u201d Bristol said as he walked over to the boy on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ate enough,\u201d Joe replied blankly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want another book?\u00a0\u00a0I have a whole library downstairs,\u201d Bristol offered.<\/p>\n

Joe stared over at the man and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0Though Bristol had become a bit more human of late, Joe still despised the man.\u00a0\u00a0He battled his emotions daily trying to decide who he hated the most, Bristol or his own father.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was evil, that was a given.\u00a0\u00a0But Ben Cartwright had sold his own son to gain a shipping contract.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried not to believe it, but he couldn\u2019t shake the voices he had heard through the wall.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly, he had come to accept the awful reality that his father was now lost to him forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Sir,\u201d Joe said and sank back against the pillows on his bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go out on business \u2014won\u2019t be back until late tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0Mr. Rivers is in charge until that time.\u00a0\u00a0Do me a favor\u2014please don\u2019t rile the man.\u00a0\u00a0He was just about to pummel you this morning when I came in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should you care what happens to me?\u201d Joe shot back.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not as bleak as you think it is, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0I have plans to get you out of here in a few days.\u00a0\u00a0Take in some scenery.\u00a0\u00a0But, that won\u2019t be allowed if you continue to misbehave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gonna trust me out of this house?\u00a0\u00a0Yeah\u2014I just bet.\u00a0\u00a0The last time I had a gag and a blindfold.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s not exactly my idea of taking in the sights, Bristol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t be like that next time\u2014that is\u2014if you show me that you can be trusted,\u201d Bristol replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI CAN\u2019T be trusted\u2014thought you had figured that out already!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe first chance I get I will leave this place!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd go where, Joe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Joe sat up on the bed and realized what the man was asking.\u00a0\u00a0He had no idea where he could go now.\u00a0\u00a0It wouldn\u2019t be back to his father and he had made no future plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe answered, looking down towards the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow night, Joe\u2014do as Mr. Rivers asks you and you\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Bristol said and turned and left the room.<\/p>\n

Bristol walked into the hallway where Cole stood waiting.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re up next\u2014I am sure you will make it good!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol nodded to the man and headed towards the staircase.<\/p>\n

Cole wore a sinister smile as he entered Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0He noticed the kid was laying on his back staring up towards the ceiling.\u00a0\u00a0Cole knew he had to rile the boy in order to accomplish his goal.\u00a0\u00a0He proceeded over to the chair next to the bed and sank down onto it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow you doing, Kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t make eye contact with the man, he continued to stare and tried his best to ignore him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou glad to hear Bristol\u2019s gone for a while?\u00a0\u00a0That just leaves me in charge of making sure you are a good boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne maniac is the same as another as far as I\u2019m concerned,\u201d Joe finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no\u2014Joe\u2014don\u2019t you remember our rules?\u00a0\u00a0After all these weeks\u2014you\u2019d think you would have learned your manners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah\u2014rule number\u2014what was it again?\u00a0\u00a0One hundred and thirty three?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s too many of them to remember, Cole\u2014why don\u2019t you give me a clue?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014it had to do with calling us names.\u00a0\u00a0Remember now?\u00a0\u00a0Remember stripping down to your skivvies that first day?\u00a0\u00a0Oh\u2014I can still see your face\u2014it was so red Joe!\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve laughed about that every time I think of it,\u201d Cole grinned to see that his statement had made Joe sit up on the bed and face him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what do you want from me?\u00a0\u00a0You want me to apologize for calling you a maniac?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014that\u2019s right, I do,\u201d Cole nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen\u2014prove that you aren\u2019t one\u2014let me out of this place!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cReal funny, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s skin crawled every time Cole referred to him by that name.\u00a0\u00a0The term \u201ckid\u201d had followed him almost all of his life.\u00a0\u00a0Joe remembered all the battles he had over the years as he tried to get his oldest brother to stop calling him that.\u00a0\u00a0But, now, it was far worse.\u00a0\u00a0To have Bristol\u2019s evil associate constantly calling him kid, was driving Joe to his wit\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am twenty years old\u2014hardly a kid.\u00a0\u00a0By the way\u2014I take offense to that term so I guess we are even, huh?\u00a0\u00a0YOU called ME a name and I called YOU a name.\u00a0\u00a0Game ends in a tie!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a kid\u2014but I am not a maniac so it\u2019s not the same.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014you need to apologize or there\u2019s gonna be a punishment and Bristol ain\u2019t here to bail your butt out this time!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole said as he stood from his chair.<\/p>\n

Joe stood and faced down his opponent.\u00a0\u00a0He had hit his temper\u2019s peak and there would be no backing down.\u00a0\u00a0Joe knew it would just be a matter of time anyway, as Cole had been spoiling for a fight with him for days.\u00a0\u00a0Now, with Bristol absent, he realized that it was going to happen no matter what he did to try and stop the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014I\u2019m sorry\u2014that you\u2019re a maniac!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe snapped back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you in a minute,\u201d Cole smiled and walked to the door.\u00a0\u00a0He made it to the hallway where another man had been posted in case Joe tried to escape.\u00a0\u00a0Cole returned with the other sentry and approached the boy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGrab his hands, Dave, we\u2019re gonna tie him up.\u00a0\u00a0The kid\u2019s smart mouth has gotten him into trouble again!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe backed away from the bed and tried to sidestep the advances of the two men.\u00a0\u00a0It was no use.\u00a0\u00a0Soon they had Joe\u2019s arms pinned behind him and pushed him down on the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Next they tied his ankles and wrists to the four posters with the leather straps that had been used when he was first abducted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got it now,\u201d Cole nodded to the other guard and he walked out of the room.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHey, Kid\u2014know why you are faced down this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I don\u2019t have to look at you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied, refusing to be broken by anything Cole had planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be laughing once I get through with you.\u00a0\u00a0Think some corporal punishment is in order.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve had it coming since the day you punched me in the gut.\u00a0\u00a0Now let\u2019s see how long it takes you to apologize!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole pulled off his belt and began to strike Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Joe gripped the leather straps that pinned him to the bed and tried with all that he had left inside of himself not to cry out loud.\u00a0\u00a0He refused to give the evil man the satisfaction.\u00a0\u00a0The belt found its target, striking Joe numerous times across the shoulders, then across the lower back and moved down to his buttocks.\u00a0\u00a0Still, Joe never uttered a sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014you\u2019re a tough kid\u2014though I think I see a couple tears in those eyes of yours!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole laughed as he turned Joe\u2019s face so he could get a good look at the anguish he wore.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhere\u2019s the apology, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Or you want more?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe refused to speak.\u00a0\u00a0He knew if he said what he really wanted to say that he would be in for even more torment.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Instead he squeezed his eyes shut tightly and hoped the man would tire of his awful game.<\/p>\n

\u201cBet that hurts, don\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked as he pushed his hand down on Joe\u2019s battered back.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI hit you awfully hard\u2014you\u2019re gonna have some nasty welts tomorrow, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014last chance\u2014where\u2019s my apology?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe never made another sound, he just lay there unmoving waiting for Cole\u2019s next assault.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just had a great idea!\u00a0\u00a0Yeah\u2014let\u2019s get you up for a minute, Joe!\u201d Cole said and untied the ankle restraints.<\/p>\n

Joe wished that he wasn\u2019t so weak at the time.\u00a0\u00a0If he just hadn\u2019t taken so many lashes he might be able to knock the other man to the floor when he went to remove the straps on his wrists.\u00a0But, when Cole untied them Joe could just barely move his body, he was in such awful pain.\u00a0\u00a0Cole pulled the boy up roughly and headed across the room, half dragging Joe with each step they took.\u00a0\u00a0There was a wardrobe sitting in the corner of the bedroom.\u00a0\u00a0The only items inside were just the few pieces of Joe\u2019s clothes.\u00a0\u00a0With a fast move, Cole threw out the clothes onto the floor and shoved Joe inside.\u00a0\u00a0Joe crumpled down to the base of the wardrobe and Cole forced up his legs so that they were squeezed up against the boy\u2019s chest.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was wedged in tight when Cole slammed both doors shut and turned the key.<\/p>\n

\u201cComfortable in there, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Can I get you anything?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole yelled through the wood.<\/p>\n

Joe finally allowed the tears to fall from his eyes now that his tormentor could not see him doing it.\u00a0\u00a0He fought to breathe due to being sandwiched inside the cabinet so tightly.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could feel the blood as it dripped down his back and puddled underneath the seat of his pants.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe what was happening.\u00a0\u00a0Yes, Bristol and Cole were crazy.\u00a0\u00a0But, in the weeks that he had been a prisoner he had never sustained this type of torture.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Knowing now that Bristol would be gone for a long time, Joe was getting the awful impression that Cole would keep him inside the chest until the next night.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2014please let me out\u2014\u201d Joe begged weakly through the doors to the wardrobe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014you had it coming to you, Kid.\u00a0\u00a0You got enough air through the cracks in there\u2014it won\u2019t kill you or nothing.\u00a0\u00a0You won\u2019t starve neither.\u00a0\u00a0But, it sure will make you think twice before you call me a bad name again, won\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole called in to the boy and then walked away.<\/p>\n

Joe prayed that exhaustion would take over so that the pain would not be so strong.\u00a0\u00a0His entire back was killing him, but being in the dark and cramped on top of all that was really one of the worst things anyone had ever done to him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wished he could have prayed for someone to save him, but there was no-one left to ask for.\u00a0\u00a0If Pa had fabricated a story about him being missing then there was no use in believing that any member of his family would go to San Francisco looking for him.\u00a0\u00a0No, Pa wouldn\u2019t be saving him this time, nor ever again.\u00a0\u00a0He was in the awful position due to the direct actions of Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0There was only one person now that Joe could hope to save him from his imprisonment in the wardrobe and that was Bristol Ford<\/p>\n

If Bristol had used his brilliant mind for the betterment of mankind instead of the destruction of the Cartwright family he would have been deemed a genius and respected as such.\u00a0\u00a0Instead, however, he thrived on the playing of the game.\u00a0\u00a0The current one was to send Dex Farwell around in circles until he would be forced to give up in his pursuit.\u00a0\u00a0It had worked before and Bristol was more than confident that it would work again.\u00a0\u00a0He had already planned on what to do should the remaining members of the Cartwright family appear in San Francisco in an attempt to find Joe.\u00a0Everything was neat and tidy and wrapped with an ominous bow.<\/p>\n

It hadn\u2019t taken very long to put the plan into motion, in fact, only a few hours.\u00a0\u00a0People generally caved in to the requests of the wealthy pseudo businessman and were easily bought.\u00a0Knowing just the right contacts to pass on his devious information to, Bristol lost no time spreading the news of his departure.\u00a0\u00a0He had the tickets purchased in his own name and made sure to get an additional four others to make it sound plausible.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew the workings of the detective\u2019s mind, having observed him during the last hunt.\u00a0\u00a0Just as he had several years prior, he made sure that he didn\u2019t hide under a presumed name as far as his boarding of the clipper ship the Sapphire.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Dex would fall for it, as he had the last time he had departed the states and headed to Europe.<\/p>\n

Bristol set up each detail with an enthusiasm that went beyond sanity.\u00a0\u00a0He relished each and every piece of the ploy that he had masterfully arranged.\u00a0\u00a0By the following day, when the magnificent clipper ship set sail out of San Francisco Bay everyone standing on the docks would testify that he had indeed gone aboard, and with him, four others.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew the assumption that would be drawn, but went a few steps farther, just in case the detective got a little too nosy.<\/p>\n

Adam and Dex had done fairly well the night before, though the information that they had gleaned stopped short of a location as to where Bristol had taken Joe.\u00a0\u00a0They turned in late that night but were right back at it early in the morning.\u00a0\u00a0Dex finished his coffee and pulled on his suit coat.\u00a0\u00a0He stared down at Adam and could tell that the man was getting impatient.\u00a0\u00a0Just about to offer a word of encouragement, Dex was sidetracked when there was a knock on the door of the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0He walked across the room and pulled the door forward and peered down at an Oriental man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got something for us, Cho Li?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Dex asked as he led the man inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard bad news\u2014vely bad\u2014number four cousin work fishing boat\u2014he come in to shop little while ago.\u00a0\u00a0Ship leave already\u2014boy on it!\u201d he spoke out in broken Chinese.\u00a0\u00a0The man was a distant relative of Hop Sing\u2019s and had become acquainted with the Cartwright family years ago.<\/p>\n

Adam stood and grabbed his coat, his face showing great apprehension.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed that the Oriental was mistaken.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d he insisted and turned out of the house with both men.<\/p>\n

One by one Dex checked out Cho Li\u2019s story.\u00a0\u00a0Every person who had watched the clipper ship board told the very same story.\u00a0\u00a0He walked with Adam up to the De Santo shipping and ticket office and pulled opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I assist you gentlemen?\u00a0\u00a0Do you need reservations?\u201d a man asked as they approached his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014we would just like to get a look at the manifest for the ship that left early this morning,\u201d Dex answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t generally give that type of information out to the public\u2014unless of course it is for the authorities,\u201d the clerk replied as his eyes went back and forth between Adam and Dex.<\/p>\n

Dex reached inside the inner pocket of his suit and pulled out his credentials.\u00a0\u00a0He held the identification information in front of the clerk\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWill this do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014Mister\u2014Farewell,\u201d the clerk nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Farwell,\u201d Dex corrected, \u201cI just want to have a look at your boarding records and perhaps talk to any stewards who may have been out on the dock as the ship took on passengers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways happy to help the authorities!\u201d the clerk announced and reached for the manifest for the voyage of the Sapphire.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHere you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you kindly,\u201d Dex nodded and pulled up a chair and began going over the list.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat good is that going to do, Dex?\u201d Adam whispered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t really think Ford would book passage under his own name do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid last time,\u201d the detective grumbled as he looked down the list.\u00a0\u00a0There were quite a few passengers listed, and it wasn\u2019t until he reached the third page that he saw the notation, \u201cBristol Ford, son Joseph, and three associates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t believe it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam fumed as he saw where Dex\u2019s finger had stopped on the page. \u201cWe were a day too late!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex closed the book and stared back again at the clerk.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCan you direct us to any of the stewards now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014follow the cobblestone walkway to the main dock.\u00a0\u00a0You will find Jeff O\u2019 Malley and Burt Griffin.\u00a0\u00a0They helped take the tickets this morning and may be of some help.\u00a0\u00a0Of course\u2014the ship was filled almost to her capacity\u2014the Sapphire is the jewel of the De Santo line.\u00a0\u00a0But, we are in the middle of construction of several others!\u201d the clerk said, trying to get one last plug in for the company he worked for.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d both men said as they walked out of the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou Jeff O\u2019 Malley?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked as they made it down to the former docking site of the huge clipper ship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be me\u2014who might you be?\u201d the man asked, showing a smile as he reached to shake Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

Adam looked over at Dex, wondering if there was a point in him addressing himself as Steve Bridges, the assumed name he had chosen.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed pretty futile if Joe had already left the country.\u00a0\u00a0Dex read the indecision on his friend\u2019s face and offered the steward his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my partner Steve Bridges\u2014and my name is Dex\u2014just wondering if we could ask you a couple of questions regarding the passengers who boarded the Sapphire this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014there sure was a lot of them\u2014what with them and the amount of goods we stowed in her hull\u2014we\u2019ve been working for days getting her ready to launch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis man\u2014in particular\u2014he would\u2019ve been traveling with a young man\u2014in his twenties.\u00a0\u00a0The boy has dark curly brown hair\u2014about five foot ten.\u00a0\u00a0The man he\u2019s traveling with registered as Bristol Ford,\u201d Adam jumped in to try to ascertain as much as possible before the man wondered why they were so interested in finding such information.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2014let me think\u2014that name does kinda strike a bell\u2014hold on\u2014\u201d the man stopped in mid-sentence and waved his co-worker over to them.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThis is Burt Griffin\u2014Burt this is Steve and Dex.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you do, Gents\u2014what\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted to know if we boarded a man named Bristol Ford\u2014and his son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe would\u2019ve been traveling with perhaps three other men in the party,\u201d Dex threw in, hoping to jog their minds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute\u2014\u201d Burt said, and he chewed on the end of his cigar as if in deep thought.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYeah\u2014Jeff\u2014you remember don\u2019t you?\u00a0\u00a0The man\u2014the one with the sick kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right\u2014must\u2019ve been him\u2014though can\u2019t swear I heard the name Bristol when they came aboard,\u201d Jeff nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSick kid?\u201d Adam asked warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014he had two of his business associates help him with the kid.\u00a0\u00a0He said the boy was pretty sick.\u00a0\u00a0Got a hold of some bad liquor or something he said.\u201d Jeff added.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get a good look at the kid?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw\u2014not really\u2014kinda slight looking\u2014with a head full of curly hair.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s about all we could see from under that huge coat he was wearing.\u00a0\u00a0The kid\u2019s father said he put his overcoat around the kid\u2019s shoulder since he had the chills.\u201d Burt replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like you to take a look at these two pictures for me,\u201d Dex said as he pulled out a picture of Joe Cartwright and an old newspaper clipping which bore the likeness of Bristol Ford.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the father I think\u2014yeah\u2014looked a bit older though,\u201d Burt announced and pointed at the weathered newspaper clipping.\u00a0\u00a0Though it was only basically an ink sketch of the evil man, it was detailed enough to highlight his facial features.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t know about the kid\u2014could\u2019ve been him\u2014hair looks kinda like it\u2014but his face wasn\u2019t showing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Dex shared a discouraged glance and then the detective tried one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are both sure that they all boarded\u2014and stayed on the ship?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were up on the deck last time I seen them\u2014someone was helping them with the boy\u2014getting him down to the sleeping quarters,\u201d Jeff replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014nobody\u2014other than the dock workers left the ship before leaving the harbor,\u201d Burt added.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you both,\u201d Dex said and stared over at Adam.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men walked along the boardwalk deep in thought.\u00a0\u00a0It had just been plain bad luck to have missed finding Joe by one solitary day.\u00a0\u00a0Dex cursed the evil Bristol Ford for once again staying one step ahead of him.\u00a0\u00a0They walked inside a small cafe and ordered coffee in order to go over the information.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat am I supposed to tell my father?\u00a0\u00a0When he hears that Joe is off to Europe he will be beside himself with worry.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t know how much more the man can take either\u2014not with all that\u2019s happened,\u201d Adam sighed and stirred the sugar into his coffee cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll admit it looks bad, Adam, but\u2014let\u2019s not give up yet.\u00a0\u00a0Just in case it\u2019s some kind of scheme to get us to quit and go home, we\u2019ll keep trying.\u00a0\u00a0That man\u2014Jeremy Bolding\u2014the one I introduced to you yesterday.\u00a0\u00a0He told me that he would have the whereabouts of Ford by this evening.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s a thorough man\u2014let\u2019s see what he has for us before we give up hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think there\u2019s a chance that Bristol didn\u2019t get on that ship with Joe?\u00a0\u00a0Honestly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t know\u2014to be totally frank about it.\u00a0\u00a0But, it won\u2019t hurt to track him to wherever he had taken the kid.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe\u2014just maybe luck will be with us for a change.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s sit tight\u2014my man said he\u2019d meet us tonight then we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t give up very easily, do you, Dex?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked, reading the determination on the detective\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promised your father I would bring Joe back.\u00a0\u00a0I will keep that promise\u2014even if I have to take the next ship out of here,\u201d Dex nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it doesn\u2019t come to that\u2014but I agree,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

Bristol arrived back home around eight o\u2019clock that evening.\u00a0\u00a0He had watched from afar the detective along with the man who walked with him to the docks.\u00a0\u00a0Feeling very content that his plan had worked, Bristol was very anxious to finish yet another brilliant scheme concerning Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He made his way into the house and spotted Cole coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u00a0\u00a0Did it work?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked as he hit the bottom step.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerfect\u2014I told you not to worry.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014have the men got everything packed up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost everything\u2019s out of here\u2014with the exception of a few things including your little hostage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood work\u2014we will leave at dawn.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014tell me\u2014did you have a nice talk with the boy?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014poor kid\u2014didn\u2019t know I was egging him on.\u00a0\u00a0Fell for it no problem,\u201d Cole nodded fighting back his glee.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014you have him in the wardrobe still?\u201d Bristol asked, having already been very specific about what he wanted his partner to do with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014he whimpered awhile but stopped this morning.\u00a0\u00a0Busted up his back a little\u2014not enough to kill him\u2014just to make him good and sore.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2014along with being squashed up in there should give you the desired effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol congratulated the other man, patting him on the back.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow\u2014you go on up there and I will make my grand entrance in a couple of minutes.\u00a0\u00a0Now remember\u2014this little fight between us has to look real!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well just don\u2019t be too rough.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t mind a little push\u2014I mean for the cause and all\u2014but nothing that\u2019s gonna tick me off, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust follow my lead\u2014the kid won\u2019t be looking too closely anyhow.\u00a0\u00a0Now go on up there!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cole entered the bedroom and settled into the chair.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t heard a sound out of his prisoner for a long while.\u00a0\u00a0Not worried, since he had put his own ear up to the wardrobe and detected the sound of breathing, Cole waited for his signal from Bristol to start the real show.\u00a0\u00a0That opportunity came soon.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol entered the room and looked over at his henchman.<\/p>\n

\u201cCole?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol called, loud enough to filter through to where Joe was contained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi ya, Bristol\u2014you get that business deal all done?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole smiled and stood from his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014made the transaction\u2014but\u2014\u201d Bristol gave a pregnant pause to make it sound real and then said, \u201cI don\u2019t see Joseph\u2014what have you done with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014that\u2014well the kid got to wising off at me\u2014even though I warned him.\u00a0\u00a0Then, when he wouldn\u2019t apologize I decided he needed a good lesson in manners,\u201d Cole explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol shouted, trying to show his impatience with the other man in his tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax\u2014I put him over there in the closet\u2014he\u2019s fine\u2014just a little battered.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I told you he had it coming!\u00a0\u00a0You did give me permission you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol strode briskly across the room and tried to open the doors of the wardrobe but couldn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0He turned and called to Cole.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGet me the damn key!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay okay\u2014the kid is fine\u2014don\u2019t know why you\u2019re all up in arms about this,\u201d Cole argued and walked over to the wardrobe and handed Bristol the key.<\/p>\n

Bristol opened the doors and looked down to see Joe stuffed inside the wardrobe, his knees bent and pressed up against his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell have you done?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol yelled and turned on Cole.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just gave him a good old fashioned whooping.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s okay.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Come on, Kid\u2014time to get out of there!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole said as he reached for Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet him be, you idiot!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said vehemently and pushed the man aside and tried to remove Joe from the wardrobe himself.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI got you, Boy\u2014take it slow,\u201d he coaxed the battered young man.<\/p>\n

Joe could barely move, even with Bristol\u2019s hands assisting him out of the cabinet.\u00a0\u00a0By the time he was standing on solid ground he slumped in the man\u2019s outstretched arms, his legs going out on him.<\/p>\n

Bristol could tell that there was blood coating the young man\u2019s clothes.\u00a0\u00a0He looked over at Cole and called to him, \u201cGet some ointment, liniment \u2014and some pain powders!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2014he\u2019s okay\u2014the kid just don\u2019t have his sea legs yet!\u201d Cole protested once more.<\/p>\n

Bristol reached with his right hand, still holding onto Joe with his left one, and shoved his partner towards the door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo it now!\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay okay I\u2019m going!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole answered and turned out of the room.<\/p>\n

Bristol walked Joe slowly over to the bed and eased him down.\u00a0\u00a0Joe groaned as he made the trek across the room.\u00a0\u00a0His muscles ached from confinement and his back was in terrible shape.\u00a0On top of that his pants were damp from not having the opportunity to use the privy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014you\u2019ve got to come out of those clothes.\u00a0\u00a0Lean back \u2014let me go get you a wash cloth for you to clean yourself up some,\u201d Bristol said, concern filling his tone of voice.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned back, bracing his body weight with his elbows, and tried his best to blink back tears of pain.\u00a0\u00a0The lamp light burned at his eyes after being shut up in the dark for an entire day.\u00a0\u00a0He watched as Bristol made it over to the wash basin and soaked a cloth in water and then rubbed the bar of soap on it.\u00a0\u00a0He grabbed a towel in his other hand and made his way back to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help you,\u201d the man offered and reached towards Joe\u2019s boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo-\u201d Joe whispered, trying to regain the strength to take care of himself.\u00a0\u00a0He felt as weak as a newborn kitten and was having trouble bending his legs in order to try and remove his boots himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on\u2014here,\u201d Bristol said and knelt next to the bed and carefully pulled off the boy\u2019s right boot.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had stopped protesting and allowed the man to pull off the other one.\u00a0\u00a0His muscles were so knotted up that he could barely bend as he fought to remove his pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get you some fresh undershorts\u2014you go ahead and wash off,\u201d Bristol said as Joe made an attempt to get out of his pants and underwear.\u00a0\u00a0He hated to undress in front of his captor, but the man had saved him and he was dying to get out of his urine soaked pants.\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt so embarrassed by his present condition that it took all his pride to prevent any further tears from leaving his eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe washed his legs and moved up towards his waist.\u00a0\u00a0When the washcloth hit on his backside Joe groaned loudly due to the deep cuts from Cole\u2019s belt.\u00a0\u00a0He lightly dried off the area and then looked up to see Bristol standing there with the underwear in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0Joe made sure to keep the towel in front of his lower body, covering as much as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead\u2014I\u2019ll just look the other way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe mumbled, appreciative for that one small favor.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled on the clean undershorts and the effort made him groan once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2014let\u2019s get you fixed up.\u00a0\u00a0Honestly, Joseph\u2014I don\u2019t understand why you would rile Cole like you did!\u00a0\u00a0I never wanted you harmed like this,\u201d Bristol complained as he reached for Joe\u2019s elbow and again pulled him to standing.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned into Bristol as they moved to the side of the bed, his legs still refusing to function right as he eased down onto the mattress.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol could see the raised welts and several opened cuts on the boy\u2019s back.\u201dCole\u2014you really played your part to a tee didn\u2019t you?\u201dBristol thought to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere!\u00a0\u00a0Think you should let the kid suffer\u2014if you ask me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole said as he entered the room with several items on a tray.<\/p>\n

Bristol placed the tray on the night stand and then looked directly at Cole.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could not see the two men\u2019s faces, as he was spread out faced down on the bed at the time.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol gave Cole a slight smile and a wink and then started in on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never told you to beat the boy half to death, Cole!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me I could do whatever I wanted to, remember?\u00a0\u00a0Besides he called me a maniac\u2014and he called you the same thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here before I take a belt to you and show you what it feels like!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine!\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t want to play babysitter anyhow!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole fired back and turned and left the room.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t see the exchange between the two men but he did hear it.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help feeling grateful to Bristol for what he had said to the evil man.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Bristol said, after he mixed the powdery substance in a glass of water.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThis will help with the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned slightly on the bed and reached for the glass.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just going to take the edge off\u2014it\u2019s not enough to knock you out.\u00a0\u00a0Now drink it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe did as instructed and settled back down against the pillows.<\/p>\n

Bristol took a seat in the chair and waited a few minutes for the medication to start to work.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Joe would go into a sleep like state where he would know what was going on but would be too groggy to protest.\u00a0\u00a0This was all part of the next plan, one Bristol was sure would help to win the boy over to his side at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling now?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked after fifteen minutes had passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHead\u2019s kinda funny,\u201d Joe muttered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLittle dizzy too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised\u2014you haven\u2019t eaten in a day\u2014or had anything to drink\u2014have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014he wouldn\u2019t let me out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just settle down now, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m going to work on that back.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve got a few places where Cole broke the skin.\u00a0\u00a0You don\u2019t need an infection to set in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe watched Bristol out of the corner of his eye.\u00a0\u00a0The man dipped the fingers of his right hand into a small jar, pulling out a thick looking ointment.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t make any sense to him at the time.\u00a0\u00a0Why would the man help heal him when it was his own partner who had caused the damage in the first place?\u00a0\u00a0For that matter why would he yell at Cole instead of Joe for riling the man so?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m okay\u2014you don\u2019t need to do that,\u201d Joe whispered as the man moved to the side of the bed and sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel responsible for what Cole did to you.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t think he would resort to this kind of thing.\u00a0\u00a0I thought the most he would do\u2014if you got out of line- would be to tie you up again,\u201d Bristol answered and then began to dab the ointment onto each of Joe\u2019s cuts.<\/p>\n

Joe flinched from both the sting of the medicine and also from the touch.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t seem right, it didn\u2019t feel right either.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s mind started to go hazy on him and before he could ask Bristol to remove his hands from off his back his brain filled with all kinds of strange thoughts.\u00a0\u00a0He closed his eyelids as they were growing very heavy, and thought about his father.\u00a0\u00a0He could almost feel the touch of Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0So many times his father would be the one who took care of him when he was hurt.\u00a0\u00a0Patiently Pa would provide comfort as he applied medicine to an injury or slowly rubbed his back to relieve stress caused by an illness.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wished it could have been his pa now, fixing his cuts, softly caressing his hair to ease him into slumber.\u00a0\u00a0But that pa no longer existed, had he ever?\u00a0\u00a0Joe was confused by the whole terrible events that had led up to that night and to Bristol being the one who now doctored his injuries.\u00a0\u00a0How could the man be this compassionate?\u00a0\u00a0Hadn\u2019t he been the one who had stolen his mother\u2019s casket three years ago?\u00a0\u00a0Could he be the one who his father tried to strangle to death?\u00a0\u00a0The same hands that were now in place over his shoulders and were slowly moving down his back were the same ones that had snatched him out of the restaurant that night, now so long ago.\u00a0\u00a0Which hands were worse?\u00a0\u00a0The hands that did the abducting or the hands that stayed down at Ben Cartwright\u2019s side and had done nothing to save his own son?\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s mind faded in and out playing on thoughts over all that had happened.\u00a0\u00a0One minute Bristol\u2019s touch would seem so inappropriate that he wanted to bolt up from the bed.\u00a0\u00a0And, the next moment his touch seemed as gentle as that of his father\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0It had been an emotional roller coaster for the boy, and he longed to get off.\u00a0\u00a0But, even if he succeeded in escaping, Joe knew his life was forever destroyed due to the bargain his father had made.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax\u2014I\u2019m not going to hurt you\u2014have to go a little lower to tend these other ones,\u201d Bristol whispered and his hands eased down to the deepest cuts which were on Joe\u2019s buttocks.<\/p>\n

Joe tensed up and wanted to shove the man\u2019s hand aside.\u00a0\u00a0It felt unnatural to have a stranger touch him there.\u00a0\u00a0He was feeling so lightheaded that his protest never left his mouth.\u00a0\u00a0Instead he just groaned as Bristol spread the ointment onto his cuts and continued down to his legs.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wondered what he was doing.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t have any lash marks there, so why were the man\u2019s hands venturing farther down his body?<\/p>\n

\u201cW\u2014what are you doing?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe finally managed to make the words come out of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got some liniment now, Joseph, I\u2019m going to get the knots out of your legs and back.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll be careful not to touch those bruises.\u00a0\u00a0Settle down now\u2014it\u2019s okay,\u201d Bristol explained calmly.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s touch seemed deliberately planned to lull his captive into a calm acceptance of what was happening.\u00a0\u00a0If it hadn\u2019t been Bristol doing it, Joe would have enjoyed the massage as it was starting to ease the tension in his muscles.\u00a0\u00a0But, again, it WAS Bristol and Joe\u2019s body broke out in goose bumps as the man slowly kneaded his muscles.\u00a0\u00a0His moves were rhythmic and soothing and it wasn\u2019t long before Joe\u2019s mind allowed him to give in to the feeling and lose his inhibitions.\u00a0\u00a0What difference did it make anyway?\u00a0\u00a0He had drawn such great comfort in the strong but caring hands of his father only to have the man betray him.\u00a0\u00a0So what if Bristol was evil, at least he was outright with it, and didn\u2019t hide behind the name Cartwright!\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s head began to sink further down into the pillow as his body finally gave up it\u2019s guard and allowed the moment to stand on its own merit.\u00a0\u00a0It was, no matter what else, human contact and Joe had longed for comfort after having endured hours of pain and fear due to Cole\u2019s actions.\u00a0\u00a0The medicine was at it\u2019s full power when Bristol moved from Joe\u2019s legs up again to his shoulders and worked to relieve the knots there.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re starting to loosen up at last\u2014how\u2019s it feel?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels\u2014feels good\u2014\u201d Joe mumbled, barely audible now.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood\u2014I\u2019m glad, Joseph\u2014let\u2019s get the knots out of your neck and shoulders now.\u00a0\u00a0You go on and fall asleep if you want to.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sure that in the morning you will feel a hundred per cent better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pressed his right cheek against the softness of the pillowcase and slowly began the descent into the abyss of peaceful slumber.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol continued to massage the boy\u2019s back, avoiding the places where welts were raised up on the surface.\u00a0\u00a0He marveled that such a young man had such defined muscles, especially in his upper arms.\u00a0\u00a0The kid was, as Cole had said often, very tough.\u00a0Working around the sinewy rolls of musculature, Bristol wondered if the boy\u2019s father had ever done such a thorough job.\u00a0\u00a0No, he believed that he beat Ben Cartwright in all things, including the art of massage.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled when he noticed the boy\u2019s face seemed to be so peaceful as he lay there in slumber.\u00a0\u00a0Minutes before, having been twisted with both pain and anxiety over what was happening, Joe\u2019s jaw-line had been tight whereas now it was undefined and totally relaxed.\u00a0\u00a0He knew his act of kindness wasn\u2019t read as just that by the young man.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew that it had also been a moment where Joe had wrestled with himself for control of his own body.\u00a0\u00a0It had only taken the combination of some pain powders and Bristol\u2019s infinite power of persuasion to talk Joe into complete surrender.\u00a0\u00a0The boy, who had been nothing more than a hostage for weeks was now coming over to the other side.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled as he straightened Joe\u2019s undershorts and pulled up the comforter to cover him with. \u201cCheckmate again.\u201dBristol thought to himself chuckling softly.<\/p>\n

Joe awoke to strange sounds and a room which was cast in a bright glow.\u00a0\u00a0After having spent so many weeks without the sunlight, he had to wince his eyes closed to get use to the intensity of the brightness.\u00a0\u00a0Opening them back again, he looked at his surroundings and his mind was steeped in confusion.\u00a0\u00a0He felt drugged and wondered if it all wasn\u2019t some kind of bizarre dream he was having.\u00a0\u00a0Pulling down the covers, Joe noticed he was dressed in a nightshirt.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t recall having put one on either.\u00a0\u00a0As he moved in the bed, the pain came to the forefront and he eased onto his side from his stomach.<\/p>\n

Turning towards the sounds again, Joe could see the window along with the sheer curtains that were dancing from the breeze.\u00a0\u00a0His nostrils took in the strong scent of salt air as his ears listened to the faint sound of distant seagulls.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014it\u2019s about time you woke up.\u00a0\u00a0How are you feeling, Joseph?\u201d came the voice from the other side of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe moved his head and noticed Bristol standing by the doorway holding a cup in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrought you some coffee\u2014figure you could use it to help clear your head,\u201d Bristol said and walked over to Joe and handed him the cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2014where am I?\u201d Joe stuttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you I was going to let you get some sightseeing in didn\u2019t I?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled as he took a seat next to the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe rubbed at his eyes with his left hand and then choked down the strong coffee.\u00a0\u00a0It helped to dislodge the tightness in his throat.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow long have I been out of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo days.\u00a0\u00a0You were in pretty sad shape\u2014remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe nodded and the visions of his last conscious moments came back into his mind.\u00a0\u00a0He felt embarrassment over what had transpired between him and Bristol and his face flushed thinking about it.\u00a0\u00a0The last thing he remembered was the man doctoring his wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour back is much better\u2014I\u2019ve been tending to it for two days.\u00a0\u00a0But, I would say you need one more day in bed before venturing outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside?\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re gonna let me out of here?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked surprised.<\/p>\n

Bristol nodded and reached over and patted the boy\u2019s arm, \u201cYes, it\u2019s time you got some exercise.\u00a0\u00a0So, you rest a little while today and tomorrow you and I will go for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou still didn\u2019t say where I am,\u201d Joe reminded the man as he handed him back the coffee cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cUp the coast a ways\u2014I think you will like it here.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s quite beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you being so nice to me?\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014you fixed me up\u2014even yelled at your friend in defense of me.\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, filled with confusion.<\/p>\n

Bristol smiled patiently and then reached into his coat pocket.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled out a deck of cards.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou good at playing cards?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe wondered why the man had changed the subject to cards.\u00a0\u00a0He thought maybe he was still out of his head and dreaming the whole incident.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe mumbled.<\/p>\n

Bristol removed a solitary card from the deck and held it out with its back facing the boy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you know what card I\u2019m holding?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you know?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause\u2014I can\u2019t see the other side,\u201d Joe remarked, trying to bite back his sarcasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said exuberantly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou only see one side\u2014and it\u2019s the back side\u2014so you have no idea which card it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment before replying.\u00a0\u00a0He wondered what the man was getting at by his analogy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI still don\u2019t get it\u2014I was asking you why you were being so kind to me\u2014now you\u2019re talking about cards!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014your whole life you have been looking at the back of a card\u2014so to speak.\u00a0\u00a0You only know what has been told to you.\u00a0\u00a0You only believe the things that you\u2019ve taken for face value.\u00a0This whole incident between you and me has been judged by what facts you had to go on.\u00a0\u00a0Those facts were due to Ben Cartwright\u2019s opinions and little else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about him!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe exclaimed and settled back down against the pillows.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t want to think about his father\u2019s betrayal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you really know about me?\u00a0\u00a0You think I just randomly stole you away from your father?\u00a0\u00a0I know that\u2019s what you thought at first, right?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked but could tell that the boy had clammed up due to his pent up anger and hurt.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThen\u2014later\u2014you overheard the conversation between Ben and myself.\u00a0\u00a0That was the beginning of this card slowly turning to the other side.\u00a0You were starting to see the picture better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have always hated my family\u2014you almost destroyed us when you took my mother\u2019s casket.\u00a0\u00a0I haven\u2019t forgotten that, Bristol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever wonder why I did it, Joseph?\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t need the money\u2014though your father was perfectly willing to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did it to destroy us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol reached out again and touched Joe\u2019s arm forcing his gaze.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot to destroy all of you\u2014just Ben.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t hate you\u2014I would\u2019ve figured you\u2019d know that by now.\u00a0\u00a0Though I did have to teach you a bit of manners when you first came to me, I didn\u2019t do it to destroy you.\u00a0\u00a0Did your father ever explain to you what he did to me years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said something about you losing your ranch\u2014and that you blamed him for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father double crossed me\u2014eleven years ago.\u00a0\u00a0The timber bid\u2014we were both up for it \u2014Ponderosa and Bar W.\u00a0\u00a0I went to Ben, I told him how important it was for me to get that contract\u2014that it meant life and death for me and my family.\u00a0\u00a0He agreed to pull out of the competition.\u00a0\u00a0He lied.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour family?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He had just presumed that someone like Bristol Ford would have no kin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife\u2014my son\u2014\u201d Bristol responded sadly and his gaze tracked down to the floor.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhen the Ponderosa won that bid I lost it all.\u00a0\u00a0I came home to find them both very ill.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor said it was typhoid fever.\u00a0\u00a0I did everything in my power to save them\u2014but they died a week later.\u00a0\u00a0I had lost everything.\u00a0\u00a0My ranch was gone\u2014but worse yet\u2014my wife and son were dead.\u00a0\u00a0I left after I buried them and decided to go as far away from Nevada and your father as I could.\u00a0\u00a0I wanted so badly to get a gun and kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe watched the man as he described all the awful events that had taken place in his life.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help feeling sorry for him for all he had lost.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t excuse what Bristol had done, especially the theft of Joe\u2019s beloved mother\u2019s casket.\u00a0\u00a0But he was starting to get a handle on why the man had acted in the manner that he had.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou came back\u2014to get revenge on my father\u2014but you escaped.\u00a0\u00a0That was three years ago.\u00a0\u00a0What happened to you to make you come back again\u2014and to make the arrangement with my father?\u00a0\u00a0And, why would he agree to let you take me?\u00a0\u00a0I heard something about the contracts for the shipping deal,\u201d Joe mentioned, trying his best to tie things up in his own mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Ben always tell you about the financial workings of the Ponderosa?\u00a0\u00a0Did he tell you that the ranch was in jeopardy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked shocked by what the man had just said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo\u2014I don\u2019t get into those kinds of things with him.\u00a0\u00a0Or\u2014I guess I should say\u2014I didn\u2019t get into such things.\u00a0\u00a0I know that he was counting on the De Santo deal.\u00a0\u00a0But, he never said anything about the ranch having serious financial problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014last year that began to happen.\u00a0\u00a0And I got wind of it.\u00a0\u00a0I had spent some time in Europe during the previous two years\u2014and with a great deal of luck and business savvy I was able to come into another large fortune.\u00a0\u00a0I did some investigation into the Ponderosa\u2019s profit and loss margins.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that I knew that your father would need a large timber order just to stay solvent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014how did you meet up with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFour months ago\u2014your father came to San Francisco\u2014I believe you stayed home that trip.\u00a0\u00a0That was when he submitted his bid for the De Santo line.\u00a0\u00a0I had some friends there\u2014and though the bids were supposed to remain sealed\u2014I confess that I got a peek at them.\u00a0\u00a0I undercut the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0Once I won, I contacted your father.\u00a0\u00a0I told him to meet me in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when you and your brother Hoss came along.\u00a0\u00a0I also saw to it that the Ponderosa won the railroad bid, but that was simply to get your brother out of the way.\u00a0\u00a0Your father and I agreed to terms\u2014though they had the railroad contract that wouldn\u2019t be enough to keep the Ponderosa afloat.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when he settled on my terms.\u00a0\u00a0I gave him the De Santo contract and he gave me his son.\u00a0\u00a0It was just good business.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t need the money\u2014I have more than enough.\u00a0\u00a0But, I wanted some form of payment for what that man had stolen from me.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Yes\u2014it\u2019s true\u2014I can never replace my own son in you.\u00a0\u00a0And I will never get over the loss of him or his mother, but it seemed like an appropriate method to even the score.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, he was so despondent over the fact that he had been exchanged for a contract.\u00a0\u00a0It made twenty years of beliefs crash to the ground.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had spilled the whole story at last.\u00a0\u00a0It still didn\u2019t make sense, but then again, nothing would.\u00a0\u00a0Joe remembered hearing his father\u2019s voice and that had confirmed the story in his own mind.\u00a0\u00a0Even after listening to Bristol\u2019s perspective Joe wasn\u2019t happy with his role in the deception.\u00a0\u00a0But, after he, himself, had been sold out by the man he most trusted in the world, Joe could understand why Bristol hated Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had similar feelings towards the man who had destroyed his soul with his betrayal.<\/p>\n

Bristol gave Joe enough time to think on all he had told him before speaking again.\u00a0\u00a0Finally, he sat back in the chair and held up the card he had used originally.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cKing of spades\u2014see it now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled as he showed the boy the face of the card.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I can see it now, all right.\u00a0\u00a0So\u2014what happens to me now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol tucked the card back inside the deck as he stood from the chair.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou are going to rest that\u2019s what!\u00a0\u00a0Tomorrow I\u2019ll take you down to the shore and we can breathe in some good sea air.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll go bring you in some breakfast.\u00a0\u00a0Be right back,\u201d he said and turned for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe called as the man pulled open the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate him too,\u201d Joe confessed in regard to his feelings towards Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Bristol tried his best not to give away the fact that he has just told one of the biggest lies of his entire life.\u00a0\u00a0He had to look concerned and sincere.\u00a0\u00a0He simply nodded towards Joe, understanding written across his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBe right back, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright pulled off his suit coat and absently stroked his heavy growth of beard.\u00a0\u00a0The stagecoach rocked back and forth, and had he not had so many worries on his mind, it would have lulled him into a tired sleep.\u00a0\u00a0But, every time Adam closed his eyes his thoughts fell to his father and how he was going to take the news he would soon be bringing him.\u00a0\u00a0He knew there was no way he could tell his pa that they had failed in their mission, not by telegraph at least.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had opted to stay in San Francisco a few more days, though Joe was long gone and heading to London via clipper ship.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head and cursed under his breath consumed with feelings of anger and incompetency.\u00a0\u00a0They had been so close!\u00a0\u00a0If only Dex\u2019s contact men had been a bit sharper they would\u2019ve been able to pull Joe from Bristol\u2019s clutches before they had boarded the Sapphire.\u00a0\u00a0Though at first they thought that perhaps Bristol had somehow jumped ship and was using the whole trip to Europe as a clever ruse, they soon found out differently.\u00a0\u00a0Busting into Bristol\u2019s mansion early in the morning the day after the ship left port they both discovered that it had been no ruse to throw them off.\u00a0\u00a0Everything was gone, and the only piece of information they could find was boarding information for the Sapphire, and, even that, had been stuffed in the waste barrel outside of the mansion.\u00a0\u00a0There were some signs that Joe had been at the house for awhile.\u00a0\u00a0Adam still cringed when he thought on the leather straps he and Dex had found mounted to the four poster bed in one of the second floor bedrooms.\u00a0\u00a0That, along with the black paint that was coating the window in the room, told a big part of the story.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was held against his will with little chance of escape.<\/p>\n

It took some persuasion on Adam\u2019s part for Dex to remain in San Francisco instead of hopping the next schooner out of the harbor.\u00a0\u00a0He had finally relented once they sat and reasoned it all out.\u00a0\u00a0Dex decided, since he couldn\u2019t beat the Sapphire to its first port which would be London, he would try to get the jump on Bristol a different way.\u00a0\u00a0He immediately sent a wire to his friend and associate in New York.\u00a0\u00a0After checking passage records, Dex knew that a ship headed to London from the New York port would have a good head start over the Sapphire, which had a much longer route down around South America.\u00a0\u00a0Dex offered to pay the man well if he would take the Brigadier, yet another clipper ship, and head over to London to beat Bristol there.\u00a0\u00a0The Brigadier was to set sail two days after the wire was sent.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had waited until he received confirmation that the friend had agreed to go and try to intercept Bristol and would escort Joe Cartwright back to the states.\u00a0\u00a0That was all Dex could do at the moment regarding Joe\u2019s safety, but he insisted on staying in San Francisco a little while longer to try to glean what information he could from others who might know more about Bristol\u2019s overseas operations.<\/p>\n

That left Adam to go back to the Ponderosa and tell his father and brother the bad news.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss would rally around Ben, offering him comfort and assuring him that Joe was going to be returned.\u00a0\u00a0It was Adam\u2019s job to have to explain how he and Dex had let the boy slip from their grasp.\u00a0\u00a0He had sent the telegraph which had stated only that he would be arriving in two days and that he would explain.\u00a0\u00a0But, since Adam didn\u2019t want to build up any false hope in the meanwhile, he also mentioned that Joe would not be arriving with him at the time.<\/p>\n

The trip back home seemed like an eternity, but Adam finally disembarked on the home turf in Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had met his brother\u2019s stage.\u00a0\u00a0But, Ben was noticeably missing.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had tried to explain to his older brother that their father wasn\u2019t doing very well.\u00a0\u00a0He filled Adam in on the letter that they had received from both Bristol and Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss did his best to comfort his brother.\u00a0He could tell that the man was internally seething over the failure of his mission.\u00a0\u00a0By the time they pulled the buckboard up in the front yard, Hoss had gotten the whole low-down and was filled with the same dread as Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Pa would not be taking the news well.<\/p>\n

Ben had greeted both of his sons and could automatically tell, with just one look that Adam had more bad news to deliver.\u00a0\u00a0He walked with his two boys over to the living room and braced himself for what was forthcoming.\u00a0\u00a0Adam went to great pains to explain each and every move both he and Dex had made.\u00a0\u00a0His tone was both apologetic and disheartened.\u00a0\u00a0Ben listened intently to the whole story as it unfolded.\u00a0\u00a0He waited until Adam was completely through before standing from his chair and looking down on his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did the best you could, Son\u2014not your fault,\u201d Ben said and rested his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2014I wish I could\u2019ve done something a little different\u2014and maybe we would\u2019ve gotten to Joe in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t blame yourself\u2014you hear?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right\u2014I won\u2019t\u2014that is if YOU don\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2014this Bristol Ford\u2014he\u2019s gotten the upper hand so many times it\u2019s almost bizarre\u2014but every dog has his day!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam insisted and pulled himself to standing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014that Gene feller\u2014Dex\u2019s friend\u2014he\u2019s gonna get to London before Bristol and Joe get there?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss jumped into the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014the ship was leaving \u2014I guess today actually\u2014and it should get into port a couple weeks before the Sapphire,\u201d Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014that\u2019s a two month journey from New York\u2014\u201d Ben paused and thought back to his days standing at the helm.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cTwo months to get to London\u2014two weeks to intercept the Sapphire\u2014and two months once another ship leaves London for New York.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014weeks to get back west from there.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s already been gone a month\u2014it\u2019s gonna be the better part of a year before we have him back.\u00a0\u00a0If then.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben sighed, and felt as though his heart would disintegrate in his chest.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo telling what Bristol has done to him already\u2014and all those months\u2014how is Joe gonna be able to handle this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2014Pa\u2014don\u2019t sell Joe short\u2014I bet you he\u2019s fighting that maniac tooth and nail.\u00a0\u00a0Believe me its not going to be a picnic for Bristol having Joe with him!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014Hoss is right\u2014that kid could talk the devil out of a glass of ice water.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s as tough as they come!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam exclaimed and hoped that his attempt at some levity would help to heal some of his father\u2019s wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hates me,\u201d Ben whispered and reached for the letter that Hoss had squirreled away.\u00a0\u00a0His eyes fell on the awful things that Joe had said in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Pa\u2014\u201d Adam objected, \u201cJoe could never hate you\u2014you should know that!\u00a0\u00a0He loves you as much as we do\u2014sometimes I think even more.\u00a0\u00a0And that\u2019s an awful lot of love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and set the letter back on the coffee table and stared over at his sons.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy don\u2019t you go get cleaned up\u2014I know you\u2019ve had a long trip.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing has a welcome home dinner ready for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t feel like eating\u2014but I will to make Hop Sing happy,\u201d Adam commented as he headed towards the staircase.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGuess I can shave this off now,\u201d he mentioned as he rubbed at his chin.\u00a0\u00a0Looking back towards his father he wished he hadn\u2019t said it.\u00a0\u00a0The man looked so devoid of hope.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly Adam climbed the stairs.<\/p>\n

Joe stood on the shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0\u00a0The strong winds gave a fierceness to the whitecaps which rolled swiftly to the beach.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It looked as though a storm from way out on the horizon was coming in at a fast pace.\u00a0\u00a0The ocean churned as the waves crashed against the rock laden shore sending a spray of salt water high into the air.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had been right about one thing, Joe thought as he walked slowly towards the manmade pier which jutted out past the waterline, the fact that the scenery was breathtaking.\u00a0\u00a0The winds whipped through the abundance of brown curls on his head, forcing the bangs down into his hazel eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Joe didn\u2019t care.\u00a0\u00a0He was happy to be out of the confines of the house that had been his new residence for over a week.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol\u2019s men still stood guard up on the high ground above the beach.\u00a0\u00a0But, having shown the man that he wouldn\u2019t attempt an escape, Joe was free to move back and forth along the ocean front.<\/p>\n

Making his way to the sturdy but barnacle encrusted posts of the pier, Joe pulled himself up onto the structure and walked out to its end.\u00a0\u00a0Once there, he sat down and allowed his legs to dangle over the edge.\u00a0\u00a0It was very peaceful, almost as peaceful as his favorite spot on the shore of Lake Tahoe.\u00a0\u00a0Joe watched as seagulls danced above him in the sky and gave their familiar calls.\u00a0The sea wasn\u2019t the deep azure blue like the lake which acted as a border to the Ponderosa Ranch, but it was beautiful nonetheless.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to erase from his mind all the high sea tales his father had told him over the years.\u00a0\u00a0Looking pensively at the sea-green tones of the choppy waters, his thoughts went to other things.\u00a0\u00a0He had given up on the nagging thoughts that had lingered in the recesses of his mind for weeks as to why his father would have traded Bristol his own son for the lucrative De Santo contract.\u00a0\u00a0Now, it was more or less a quiet resolve on that issue that allowed Joe to move on.\u00a0\u00a0If Ben Cartwright valued profits over his youngest son, then Joe would not let that bother him any longer.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had mellowed somewhat, now that he had gotten his point across and had gained Joe\u2019s trust.\u00a0\u00a0The young man still wasn\u2019t happy with Cole Rivers, to say the least.\u00a0\u00a0But, in his defense, Bristol had pulled the man away as close guard and Cole hadn\u2019t laid a hand on Joe since the night of the beating.<\/p>\n

Caught up in his reflections, Joe didn\u2019t hear the boot steps coming down the pier.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t until he felt the hand on his shoulder that he realized he had company.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0\u00a0Looks like a storm is coming in.\u00a0\u00a0Why don\u2019t you come on into the house now\u2014you\u2019ve been out here for hours?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said looking down at his prized possession.<\/p>\n

\u201cHours?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked staring up at the man.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDidn\u2019t know I\u2019d been out here that long.\u00a0\u00a0Guess I just kinda lost track of time\u2014sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right\u2014I\u2019m fond of the view myself,\u201d Bristol replied as Joe pulled himself back to standing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind if I walk the shore one more time, Bristol?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014if you\u2019re sure you\u2019re up to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014my back is just about all healed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then\u2014mind if I walk with you for a spell?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol asked, keeping the decision open for the boy.\u00a0\u00a0He had found that by giving Joe a little freedom it had helped him to win his trust<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t mind,\u201d Joe nodded and walked down to the end of the pier and waited for Bristol to join him on shore.\u00a0\u00a0Soon they were walking side by side admiring the view and commenting on the ocean\u2019s power.<\/p>\n

Cole looked down at the sight of Bristol and his hostage walking along as if they were friends and no longer combatants.\u00a0\u00a0He chuckled and turned to one of the other guards and remarked, \u201cDave\u2014that there shows you how smart our friend Bristol is!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dave followed Cole\u2019s gaze and witnessed Joe and Bristol\u2019s walk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kid hasn\u2019t even tried to run off\u2014can\u2019t believe Bristol got so far along with him so quick!\u201d Dave replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever underestimate our boss.\u00a0\u00a0Never deceive him either by the way.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s one man that you don\u2019t want to rile!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I\u2019ve seen what he can do, Cole,\u201d Dave nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWish old man Cartwright could see this touching scene!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole laughed and then waited patiently for Joe and Bristol to make their way up to the house.<\/p>\n

Sitting at his desk in the study, Ben flipped through his calendar.\u00a0\u00a0He had crossed out every day since his youngest son was abducted.\u00a0\u00a0July had passed, as had August, and it was now the end of September with still no word about his whereabouts.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew that the Brigadier would have made it to port in Liverpool weeks ago.\u00a0\u00a0He hoped with all his heart that the man Dex had assigned to the task had met the Sapphire by now and had succeeded in snatching Joseph out of Bristol\u2019s evil clutches.\u00a0\u00a0If all had gone as planned, Ben had learned of a return trip by the clipper ship Tradewinds that would pull out of port in just a few days.\u00a0\u00a0He flipped through the calendar, this time stopping on the month of December.\u00a0\u00a0It would take two full months, barring any problems, for the Tradewinds to arrive in New York Harbor.\u00a0\u00a0That would be the first week of December.\u00a0\u00a0Ben prayed that word of their arrival would come via telegraph that week.\u00a0\u00a0Even though it still meant another three weeks to get to Nevada by train and stagecoach at least the worry would be over at that point.\u00a0\u00a0If only he knew that Joe was safe and sound and that he had been rescued!\u00a0\u00a0Ben shook his head as he tucked the calendar back inside his desk drawer.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam had handled the lion\u2019s share of Ponderosa business for months.\u00a0\u00a0They knew that their father didn\u2019t care at that point what profits were turned in by the completion of both contracts for the railroad and the shipping line.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was worrying himself to the point of ill health and both of his remaining sons had gone so far as asking the family physician to drop by for a chat.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew when Paul showed up that it wasn\u2019t just a case of him passing by that day.\u00a0\u00a0He read his sons concern and understood the reason behind it, but he knew there wasn\u2019t much anyone could do to alleviate the situation until the youngest was back on home turf and in his father\u2019s tight embrace.<\/p>\n

Ben tried to force himself to do other things, but always he would return to thoughts of Joe.\u00a0\u00a0He carried Marie\u2019s locket in his shirt pocket every day since he had it repaired.\u00a0\u00a0Ben longed for the day when he could hand it back to his boy.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed that wherever Joe was that he realized how much he was missed by all.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing had tried to keep the family going too.\u00a0\u00a0Though the spring was out of the Oriental\u2019s step, he rarely made mention of how much his heart hurt over the youngest being gone.<\/p>\n

Settling down in his favorite chair by the fireplace, Ben stared over at the dancing flames.\u00a0\u00a0No matter how much he kept the fire stoked, the room seemed cold and empty.\u00a0\u00a0He closed his eyes and tried to envision Joe sitting on his usual perch on the hearth smiling and laughing.\u00a0\u00a0How he missed that laugh!\u00a0\u00a0Ben was beginning to forget what it sounded like now.\u00a0\u00a0Whenever he saw Joe\u2019s face in his mind\u2019s eye it was always the face that had fear and disbelief painting it.\u00a0\u00a0Ben would pull his son\u2019s letter out from its selected position in the family Bible every now and then and stare at the words the boy had written.\u00a0\u00a0It cut through his body and soul.\u00a0\u00a0He had tried for months to believe that Joseph had been coerced into writing it, as his other sons had suggested.\u00a0\u00a0But, the words were there nonetheless and Ben owned them by his inability to explain to the boy what had really happened that night in the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0He had played out every scenario possible, to see if there would\u2019ve been another option than to just have sat there and let Joe be stolen from him.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew most likely that Hoss would now be dead if he had chosen to intervene.\u00a0\u00a0But, even that fact did little to dissuade him from hating himself for offering Joe as a sacrifice. \u201cDecember\u2014just let me get to December, Lord, and keep Joseph safe until I can explain why I did what I did.\u201dBen prayed and tucked the letter away again.<\/p>\n

Joe stood on the busy boardwalk and watched as fishermen meandered about bringing with them the fruits of their labor.\u00a0\u00a0The fishing had quite obviously been very good of late, and the markets lining the oceanfront town of Eureka were well stocked with the catch of the day.\u00a0\u00a0Staring out towards Humboldt Bay Joe watched vessel after vessel pull into port and the sailors unload their nets.\u00a0\u00a0Coming towards port was a larger schooner, one that was due to carry away some of the fine redwood lumber that the area was known for.<\/p>\n

Bristol had given his bodyguards the afternoon off, and the men were happy to be free from their normal duties.\u00a0\u00a0Cole, David, and two of Bristol\u2019s other men walked off towards one of the many saloons in the town.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had grown to trust Joe enough to figure that the boy didn\u2019t pose as much of a flight risk as he had months before when he was taken from San Francisco in the early summer.\u00a0\u00a0Lighting his cigar, he moved to stand next to Joe and dropped his hand down onto the boy\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cBustling little town, isn\u2019t it Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir\u2014never been here.\u00a0\u00a0My brothers brought some stock up here a few years ago to Fort Humboldt, but I didn\u2019t get to go along that trip,\u201d Joe replied, and an old pain resurfaced.\u00a0\u00a0For, no matter what he thought about his father, he did truly miss his two brothers.\u00a0\u00a0Joe figured that they had not been involved with Ben Cartwright\u2019s little bargain.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way either Hoss or Adam would have gone along with it, Joe reasoned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014we\u2019ve gone down to the docks already.\u00a0\u00a0How about we take in one of the saloons?\u00a0\u00a0You look like you could use a drink,\u201d Bristol smiled and was happy to see the boy nod his agreement.<\/p>\n

The Redwood Tavern was even more packed than the Silver Dollar Saloon on payday.\u00a0\u00a0Joe and Bristol pushed past the masses and made it over to the corner of the bar.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol ordered for them, a beer for Joe and a brandy for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said and took a swig of his beer.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t partaken in any alcohol in months and the brew tasted awfully good as it went down his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook over there!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol pointed over to a table where four men were playing poker.<\/p>\n

Joe watched as the men seemed to be having quite a game.\u00a0\u00a0He could hear their voices even over the loud buzz of conversation in the crowded saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you once tell me you were good at cards, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I\u2019ve had good days and bad\u2014don\u2019t know if I am all that good,\u201d Joe nodded and a smile broke out on his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMy brother Hoss\u2014\u201d Joe began but cut himself off.\u00a0\u00a0Summoning forth the name of his beloved brother made the pangs of separation seem worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on\u2014tell me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014he said that I was the only person he\u2019d ever seen who could draw to an inside straight\u2014and not cheat!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh\u2014that does sound like a challenge to me,\u201d Bristol chuckled and sipped on his drink, \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what\u2014let\u2019s get you into that game over there and you can show me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, \u201cNo\u2014I\u2019m not really all that good\u2014just kinda lucky here and there.\u00a0\u00a0Besides\u2014remember I don\u2019t have any money!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do now,\u201d Bristol grinned and drew out his wallet.\u00a0\u00a0He counted out two hundred dollars and handed it to the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014what if I lose all this?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only money, Joseph\u2014and besides\u2014you haven\u2019t had any real fun in a long time.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go get you into that game!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and directed him over to the table.<\/p>\n

Joe was telling the truth in the fact that he wasn\u2019t all that skilled in the fine art of poker playing.\u00a0\u00a0He had won his share over the years, and was a little more seasoned than he had been when he first took up the game.\u00a0\u00a0But, it had also been the plain truth that he usually was lucky to just break even.\u00a0\u00a0There had been some times when he had returned to the Ponderosa without a cent to his name.<\/p>\n

This afternoon was different.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had won almost every hand he played.\u00a0\u00a0From a stake of two hundred dollars, he parlayed the money into eight hundred and fifty dollars before the game was over.\u00a0\u00a0He bid the other men good day and turned out of the saloon with Bristol at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Joe said and handed the man the full amount of money.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014it\u2019s yours.\u00a0\u00a0You keep it\u2014maybe you\u2019ll find something here that you want to buy.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019re staying another two days, you can shop whenever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t think of anything I want,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cand besides\u2014this was your money to begin with.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t feel right about taking it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then\u2014I have a proposition for you.\u00a0\u00a0If I remember correctly you once told me you were very good with horses.\u00a0\u00a0You told me you\u2019ve gone on buying trips and also do quite well as a bronc buster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well\u2014that is something I know I can do,\u201d Joe nodded, it was one of the few skills he had that he could always fall back on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a string of horses at a ranch not twenty miles from here.\u00a0\u00a0I never was much good at getting the most for my money as far as livestock went.\u00a0\u00a0Come with me tomorrow and you can advise me which ones are worth the money.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll let you choose the horses and we\u2019ll take them back down the coast and I\u2019ll let you gentle them.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014whatever the resale profits we make \u2014I will split with you.\u00a0\u00a0How\u2019s that sound?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was thrilled with the offer.\u00a0\u00a0He had spent most of his time down at Bristol\u2019s place on the coast just walking the ocean front and reading.\u00a0\u00a0Joe longed to go back to breaking horses and feeling like he had some personal worth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not planning to gentle them on the beach are you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014have a corral set up a few miles from the house\u2014you\u2019ve just never been there.\u00a0\u00a0So?\u00a0\u00a0What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014yeah I\u2019d like to help you pick out the string\u2014and break them.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t care too much about the money part\u2014heck you pay for everything I need anyhow.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014it would be doing something that I\u2019m good at.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u00a0\u00a0Then we\u2019ll go out tomorrow,\u201d Bristol smiled.\u00a0\u00a0He knew what was missing in Joe\u2019s life.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had been worried that the boy would still try to run off if he didn\u2019t find something to keep his mind and body occupied.\u00a0\u00a0He had planned the whole trip around the idea of getting Joe back into the saddle.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had even arranged for the men around the poker table to lose to the boy.\u00a0\u00a0It had worked like a charm.\u00a0\u00a0Now Joe walked along next to him and wore a smile on his face as they headed off to the hotel.<\/p>\n

The late October wind cut through the man\u2019s jacket, forcing him to turn up his collar.\u00a0\u00a0He had made a long journey, always staying just enough behind the six men.\u00a0\u00a0Making sure to keep a cold camp each night of the trip, in order to remain undetected, the stranger waited to learn where the trail would end before taking action against them.\u00a0\u00a0Six long days and nights finally brought Jeremy Bolding to the summit that looked down on the large compound that was owned by Bristol Ford.\u00a0\u00a0He watched from a good distance as the men released the string of horses into the corral and then headed towards the ocean front residence.\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy had spotted the evil man and his four henchman leaving Eureka with Joe Cartwright along in their entourage.\u00a0\u00a0It had been pure luck, Jeremy knew, as he was only in Eureka to visit relatives and was not expecting to run into his former target. Though it had caught him so much off guard that he didn\u2019t have the opportunity to send a wire to his associate Dex Farwell, Jeremy did have enough time to grab a hold of some supplies before starting his mission to learn of Bristol\u2019s destination.<\/p>\n

Dismounting in a close outcropping of trees, Jeremy watched as Joe Cartwright followed Bristol and the other men into the house.\u00a0\u00a0He wondered how it could be?\u00a0\u00a0Dex and he had discussed the fact that Bristol had definitely boarded the clipper ship, taking Joe along with him to Europe.\u00a0\u00a0That had been months ago.\u00a0\u00a0The hunt had been called off, though Dex had informed Jeremy that he had sent someone to try to intercept the boy in England.\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy frowned and spit out his chaw of tobacco.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe that Bristol had led them astray once again.\u00a0\u00a0Both Dex and his oft-time partner, Jeremy Bolding, had made the journey to Europe two years earlier trying to get their hands on Bristol for what he had done to the Cartwright family.\u00a0\u00a0Now it looked as though the evil man had done an even better job at eluding them both this time.<\/p>\n

Jeremy knew that one against five was not the kinds of odds he was willing to chance, so, he headed further south.\u00a0\u00a0He would arrive in San Francisco by nightfall and send an important telegraph to Dex.\u00a0\u00a0Vaulting up into his saddle, Jeremy turned his horse and kicked at its sides.\u00a0\u00a0His mind was set on only one thing, and that was finally having the chance to bring Bristol Ford to his knees.\u00a0\u00a0This time, Jeremy promised himself, the maniac would not get away!<\/p>\n

Dex Farwell seemed to always be in demand for his time and expertise. Other than the two times that Bristol Ford had succeeded in escaping his grasp, Dex was still one of the most successful detectives in the country.\u00a0\u00a0Since he knew that he had more than a month before he would learn whether his man in England had been successful, he had accepted an assignment which took him to Salt Lake City.\u00a0\u00a0It took Jeremy several telegraphs to various other contacts before he determined where he could contact Dex.\u00a0\u00a0The wire that was finally sent was simple and to the point.<\/p>\n

It read, \u201cFord never made that ship \u2013 stop \u2013 spotted in Eureka tracked back to San Francisco area \u2013 stop \u2013 still has hostage \u2013 stop \u2013 will await your arrival \u2013 stop\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex had just about wrapped up the case he had been working on for weeks.\u00a0\u00a0The robberies that had plagued the small town just to the east of Salt Lake City were now over.\u00a0\u00a0The criminals, having confessed under interrogation, were held for trial.\u00a0\u00a0As the detective headed back to his modest hotel room, he was approached by a teenager.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou Dex Farwell, right?\u201d the boy asked, holding a piece of paper in his right hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that would be me,\u201d Dex smiled and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Parker over at the telegrapher\u2019s office sent me to give this to you.\u00a0\u00a0It just come in a few minutes ago,\u201d the boy announced and handed Dex the message.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Son,\u201d Dex replied and drew out a silver dollar for the boy, \u201cthis is for your fast service!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2014thanks a lot!\u201d the boy exclaimed, happy to have received such a large tip.<\/p>\n

Dex turned the key in the door and entered his hotel room.\u00a0\u00a0Walking over to the table, he pulled out a match and lit the oil lamp.\u00a0\u00a0Settling down into a chair close by, his eyes scanned the telegraph.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that his blood went cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, Bristol!\u00a0\u00a0Did it to me again\u2014should\u2019ve known.\u00a0\u00a0Well, this time I\u2019ve got the jump on you.\u00a0\u00a0You are about to find out that you aren\u2019t all that good as a chess player!\u201dDex thought to himself and then hurriedly packed for the trip west to Nevada.<\/p>\n

Joe felt just a little awkward at first, as he climbed onto the first wild horse in preparation to gentle it.\u00a0\u00a0He slid his boots precariously into the stirrups and motioned to one of Bristol\u2019s hired hands to remove the blind fold from the animal.\u00a0\u00a0As soon as the man pulled it off, the horse charged around the corral trying its best to knock off the rider.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s experience kept him atop the bucking bronc and he refused to let the animal get the better of him.<\/p>\n

Bristol stood against the wooden railing and smiled as he witnessed the determination on Joe\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0He could also detect the look of pure joy as the boy finally gained control over the horse and leapt down from the saddle.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew at that moment that he had made another wise move in coming up with something to keep Joe occupied.\u00a0\u00a0He could tell that his hostage was moving slowly towards the role of associate and away from the role of familiar foe.\u00a0\u00a0They had spent a lot of time together in the past months.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had learned just about everything that made the youngest Cartwright \u201ctick\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0By now, most evenings were spent in the family room over a game of chess or cards and Joe was becoming more attuned to his new way of life.<\/p>\n

One by one Joe challenged the wild horses, and one by one they gave in to his expertise.\u00a0\u00a0By nightfall, Joe had broken half the horses in the string already.\u00a0\u00a0He walked towards Bristol as he brushed off his chaps.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat one was the toughest of the bunch I think!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed as he reached for the canteen to take a good long swig of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou amaze me\u2014you really do, Joseph!\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t recall ever seeing anyone else with your kind of talent!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled and patted the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDid you work up an appetite yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure have\u2014I\u2019m starving!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe replied and walked with Bristol towards the awaiting carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you were too stubborn to eat lunch\u2014not wanting to leave those broncs alone!\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019d bet you were famished,\u201d Bristol said as he took the reins in his hand and drove them both back towards the main house.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been awhile since I\u2019ve broken a horse,\u201d Joe started and tried to think of the right thing to say to the other man, \u201cI\u2014well\u2014I want to thank you for doing this for me.\u00a0\u00a0It felt good to be doing something important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense!\u00a0\u00a0I should be thanking you, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0You helped to select the proper horses and it\u2019s been you alone who has tamed them.\u00a0\u00a0Just a few more and we can find a buyer.\u00a0\u00a0Then, remember our deal\u2014we split the profits down the middle!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2014maybe we can get some more you think?\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014once these are sold and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol grinned to see Joe so excited and happily planning on future events.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell, let\u2019s get this string broken and sold\u2014then we will see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe nodded and leaned against the back of the carriage and closed his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He was content to know he had put in a full day of work.\u00a0\u00a0It made him feel that he had some worth yet, even if it was only in his eyes and those of Bristol Ford.<\/p>\n

Adam stood in the living room of the Ponderosa ranch house packing his gear to go up to the timber camp to join his father and brother when there was a loud knock on the door.\u00a0\u00a0He tossed his saddlebags on the sofa table and made his way towards the sound.\u00a0\u00a0Pulling open the door he was shocked to see Dex standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cDex?\u00a0\u00a0What are you doing here?\u00a0\u00a0I thought you were over in Salt Lake City?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked as he led the man into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had just finished up the case I was working when I got an important wire.\u00a0\u00a0It was from Jeremy Bolding\u2014remember him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014he was with us in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0So\u2014what was it about?\u00a0\u00a0I know it can\u2019t be about Joe\u2014the soonest we\u2019ll hear about him will be next month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014that\u2019s what I thought too,\u201d Dex replied, showing his anger in his tone.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBristol was slicker than we gave him credit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJeremy was up in Eureka visiting relatives\u2014he just happened to spot both Bristol and Joe leaving town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam shouted.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThey were on that ship\u2014everyone we talked to swore to it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvidently he boarded the Sapphire\u2014with an impostor pretending to be Joe.\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014he must have slipped off right before it left port.\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy followed Bristol and his men down south.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s staying somewhere not far from San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy is waiting on us to get there now.\u00a0\u00a0Where\u2019s your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss finally talked him into going up to the timber camp.\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019re doing the last cuts before winter\u2014the trees have to be down the mountain before the snow starts up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long would it take to get him and Hoss back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good two hours ride\u2014each way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo long\u2014we\u2019ve got to get to San Francisco\u2014there\u2019s a stage leaving Carson in three hours.\u00a0\u00a0Gives you and me just enough time to get our gear and head over to the stage line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHate to leave without letting Pa know what\u2019s going on,\u201d Adam replied, knowing his father would want to rescue Joe himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on and write him a brief note\u2014but then we\u2019ve gotta head out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hurried over to his father\u2019s desk and grabbed a piece of paper from the ledger book.\u00a0\u00a0He scrawled a quick note, just enough to let both Pa and Hoss know what was happening.\u00a0\u00a0The letter read, ***Dex arrived here with news about Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol never boarded Sapphire.\u00a0\u00a0Joe is still in San Francisco area.\u00a0\u00a0No time to get you or Hoss, catching the afternoon stage out of Carson.\u00a0Will wire once we arrive.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t worry, this time Joe will be coming back with us.\u00a0\u00a0Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Dex and Adam were on the stage heading west, Joe was spending his days finishing breaking the string of horses.\u00a0\u00a0It had been three solid days of hard work and some falls, but he accomplished his task a day ahead of schedule and was as pleased with his performance as his mentor Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Cole had headed south of San Francisco in his mission to secure a buyer for the horses.\u00a0\u00a0He returned just as Joe and Bristol were eating their supper that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u00a0\u00a0Was Mr. Frame interested?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol called over to his partner as the man pulled up a chair at the dining table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014says he wants to see them.\u00a0\u00a0I told him we\u2019d bring the whole string once they\u2019re broken,\u201d Cole replied as he filled his plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014guess we can go see him tomorrow then\u2014as Joseph finished the last of the string today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat quick?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked surprised.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGuess I underestimated you, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked over at Cole and simply nodded his way.\u00a0\u00a0He hated the man\u2019s constant reference to him as \u201ckid\u201d, but had learned to just ignore it.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had made it a point not to leave him alone with Cole ever since the night months earlier when he had beaten him so badly.\u00a0\u00a0Joe hadn\u2019t forgotten nor forgiven the evil man\u2019s cruelty, but he no longer feared him.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Bristol was set on protecting him from Cole and the other evils in the world.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had grown to be secure in that fact, and also in knowing that Bristol considered him almost a surrogate son.\u00a0\u00a0It was a far change from his position with Ben Cartwright and the life that he had left behind.\u00a0\u00a0But, Joe was beginning to feel comfortable in his new role.\u00a0\u00a0The nightmares had all ceased to be, and Joe was no longer tormented emotionally over how his father had betrayed him and sold him for monetary gains.\u00a0\u00a0Life as Joe Cartwright no longer existed and all the memories of the Ponderosa and his family faded as each day passed.\u00a0\u00a0He was simply \u201cJoe\u201d now, and though it seemed a rather strange partnership, him and Bristol Ford, Joe had come to accept the fact that there was no looking back to the past.\u00a0\u00a0He had obtained everything he needed.\u00a0\u00a0There was food, clothing, a warm place for him to lay at night, and now a job that was satisfying to him.\u00a0\u00a0That special part that had always been deep inside of Joe, the part that needed to feel loved, had been plucked from his heart the night that his father was heard talking to Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0In its place was calm acceptance that there was only one person that he could truly count on; himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we go and see Mr. Frame tomorrow\u2014and take the horses with us?\u201d Bristol suggested.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m quite sure that as soon as he sees them that the deal will be made.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I come too?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou broke them didn\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled towards the boy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe three of us will go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe smiled gratefully and then set his napkin on the table.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell\u2014if it\u2019s all right I think I\u2019ll turn in now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you\u2019ve had a long week\u2014you go on then.\u00a0\u00a0Sleep in awhile and we\u2019ll head out around noon.\u201d Bristol replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir.\u00a0\u00a0Goodnight Bristol\u2014goodnight Cole.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you, Kid,\u201d Cole said, still eating his dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight Joseph- \u2014 sleep well,\u201d Bristol called across the table as Joe turned towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

Once Joe was out of ear-shot Cole looked over at Bristol and said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe what you\u2019ve done with the kid, Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve got him yes sir-ing you\u2014and heck\u2014he\u2019s even smiling!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014I think Joe is as broken as one of those horses of his.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019ll come in handy in the future I\u2019m quite sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what\u2019s new with that stupid detective?\u00a0\u00a0I know you\u2019ve been keeping tabs on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes\u2014the illustrious\u2014if not dim-witted Dex Farwell!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol laughed and reached for his brandy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI checked\u2014he\u2019s in Salt Lake City working on a case up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGave up on finding Joe after the Sapphire left San Francisco, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I heard he sent a friend of his from New York to intercept the ship.\u00a0\u00a0But, even if that man makes it in time\u2014and the Sapphire should have hit port weeks ago\u2014he still has to jump back on a boat and sail to the states before he can clue Dex in on what happened.\u00a0\u00a0That gives us at least another month before we make the next move.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what move is that?\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019s the plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst week of December we are actually getting on a ship\u2014not in San Francisco\u2014but back in Eureka.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve already arranged passage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEurope again?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked, not at all surprised that his boss was still on top of everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014South America.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll stay there awhile and decide where we will relocate permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever been to South America\u2014hope they have good looking women there!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole winked and poured himself some brandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have\u2014and yes they are very beautiful\u2014maybe I\u2019ll give you a couple weeks off once we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me.\u00a0\u00a0We taking the other men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDave\u2014he\u2019ll come\u2014but that\u2019s it.\u00a0\u00a0Joe doesn\u2019t need much guarding anymore.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s accepted his new life fairly well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I see that.\u00a0\u00a0I know you just took him to make old Ben hurt, but it seems to me you\u2019ve grown fond of the kid here lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bristol leaned back in his chair and his eyes scanned towards the staircase.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s not such a bad kid\u2014can\u2019t help it if he was raised by Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve never thought about having kids\u2014been too busy my whole life.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014it might not be so bad\u2014this father business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean that whole story about you and your wife and son was a lie?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked indignantly and then burst into laughter.\u00a0\u00a0He knew exactly what Bristol had told the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014you\u2019ve got to admit it\u2014it helped to sway the boy my way.\u00a0\u00a0It helped to paint his pa as little more than a mercenary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u2014everything you\u2019ve done\u2014has worked perfectly this time.\u00a0\u00a0Only wish we could see how it\u2019s hurting the Cartwright family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I\u2019ll drop old Ben another letter in a couple of weeks\u2014you know something to add some salt to the wound.\u00a0\u00a0The way he was with that youngest kid of his\u2014 well, I can tell you one thing\u2014this is killing the old man.\u00a0\u00a0This is better than the theft of his wife\u2019s casket, that\u2019s for sure!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014I toast to your brilliance!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole smiled and touched glasses with his boss.<\/p>\n

Adam and Dex had hit the ground running once they stepped down out of the stagecoach in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Dex sent word through another associate for Jeremy to come to their room at the hotel to fill them in on what had gone on during the eight days since he had sent the telegraph.\u00a0\u00a0Grabbing a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of wine, Adam and Dex waited impatiently in the hotel room for Jeremy to appear.<\/p>\n

Two hours passed by slowly, but finally there was a knock on the hotel door and Dex walked across the room and soon found Jeremy standing out in the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex exclaimed as he shook his friend\u2019s hand and led him inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cCame as quick as I could,\u201d Jeremy said and looked over at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remember Adam Cartwright don\u2019t you?\u00a0\u00a0Of course he is minus one beard right now,\u201d Dex grinned and watched as the two men shook hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly recognized you,\u201d Jeremy said to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what do you know\u2014is Joe okay?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam started right in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looks good\u2014I saw him earlier today.\u00a0\u00a0I found a good vantage point over-looking Bristol\u2019s seafront estate.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve gone out there daily since I tracked them all back down the coast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s been going on\u2014much movement?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex jumped in to the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLots\u2014they brought a string of horses down from Eureka.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s how I spotted them.\u00a0\u00a0Anyway\u2014Bristol set up a corral a couple miles from the main house.\u00a0\u00a0Joe spent the first week they got back breaking the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBreaking horses?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked, confusion filling his face.\u00a0\u00a0He knew his little brother liked gentling broncs, but he was surprised he would do it for the evil Bristol Ford.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014and it looked to me like the boy was having a good time.\u00a0\u00a0Didn\u2019t have any guards on him most of the time.\u00a0\u00a0I watched him and Bristol together\u2014and I know this is gonna sound crazy\u2014\u201d Jeremy paused and looked at Joe\u2019s brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe seemed to be having conversations with that man\u2014like they were old friends or something.\u00a0\u00a0Unless the kid is just leading him along waiting for his chance to get away\u2014I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex thought for awhile and nodded towards Adam.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve worked quite a few abduction cases.\u00a0\u00a0It might be just like Jeremy said\u2014Joe is just leading Bristol on.\u00a0\u00a0Or\u2014as bizarre as it sounds\u2014sometimes the captive actually starts to identify with his captor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make sense to me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam exclaimed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI would\u2019ve thought Joe would have tried to escape long before now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he has\u2014we don\u2019t know what\u2019s gone on these past months.\u00a0\u00a0Now just simmer down, Adam,\u201d Dex replied and turned back towards Jeremy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou think we can over take that compound?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well that\u2019s how I\u2019ve been thinking for weeks now.\u00a0\u00a0Like we would get a bunch of men together and take them head on. But\u2014\u201d Jeremy was cut off by Adam before he could finish his statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s go!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust settle down\u2014I am not suggesting we don\u2019t go and rescue your brother\u2014I just have a better plan.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014if I can continue?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy asked and watched as Adam eased back in his chair and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Dex insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I had it all thought out.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve memorized the entrances and exits, and counted the guards\u2014all the while planning on making a raid once you were here with me.\u00a0\u00a0But, today\u2014well I got as close as I could to try and hear what Bristol was up to.\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014well\u2014you\u2019re not going to believe this\u2014but they are coming here to town tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere?\u00a0\u00a0Why?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex asked surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cI overheard that they were going to celebrate the sale of the horses.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol\u2019s gonna bring Joe here to a restaurant\u2014not sure which one yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled and stared over at Dex, \u201cHey\u2014how appropriate huh?\u00a0\u00a0Bristol stole my brother from my father right here in a restaurant\u2014now we will return the favor!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014it\u2019s gonna take some deep thought and planning\u2014but we can do it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex agreed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJeremy\u2014get as many of your contacts as you can and bring them up here.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll put our heads together\u2014but we\u2019ve got to have it all set up before Bristol makes it into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t take long to get the men\u2014I\u2019ve told most of them that you were coming and I\u2019m sure they are at the ready.\u00a0\u00a0Be right back!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy replied and headed out of the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve waited a long time to finish this game\u2014but I promise you, Adam, I will get Bristol into checkmate before tonight\u2019s done!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex vowed and walked over to his suitcase in order to get his weapons ready.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the palatial surroundings of the finest restaurant that San Francisco had to offer.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol watched the expression on the boy\u2019s face and knew that he was impressed.\u00a0\u00a0The Mariner Reef was not only the most expensively designed but also the most popular restaurant in the town.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol chose the place in order to impress Joe with an elegant night on the town after many months in captivity.\u00a0\u00a0He ordered champagne and toasted his charge with the finest French wine the restaurant had in its cellar.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo your expertise with horses!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Bristol smiled and raised his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well\u2014it wouldn\u2019t have been possible without you,\u201d Joe countered and touched his glass to Bristol\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe turned quite a profit didn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well from the looks of this place\u2014and the prices on the menu\u2014we\u2019ll probably just break even,\u201d Joe laughed and sipped his champagne.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood food, good wine, and good company.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s all worth it,\u201d Bristol replied.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo\u2014what do you want to order?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe studied the various entrees pensively as Cole approached the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you don\u2019t need me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Cole asked his boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014you go on and have some fun\u2014meet us in two hours over at the saloon across the street.\u00a0\u00a0Joe and I will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014if you\u2019re sure,\u201d Cole paused and stared down at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Bristol nodded and Cole turned and walked out in search of a cold beer and a game of poker.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething tells me that your friend doesn\u2019t trust me,\u201d Joe indicated Coles\u2019 behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not the most trusting sort\u2014that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Bristol agreed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI understand how you feel about him too, Joseph\u2014but he\u2019ll ease up once you\u2019ve earned his confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks I\u2019m gonna run off, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014I\u2019m afraid he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you said\u2014months ago\u2014where would I go anyhow?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe reminded the man as he poured another glass of champagne.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014I know that this hasn\u2019t been easy on you\u2014right from the start.\u00a0\u00a0But, I hope you\u2019ve come to think of me as a friend now\u2014and not an enemy,\u201d Bristol stated earnestly.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up into the man\u2019s eyes and read the sincerity in them and nodded over to him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know that now\u2014and you don\u2019t have to worry about me going anywhere.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve done a lot for me\u2014and\u2014well\u2014I\u2019d rather be here than out somewhere alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very pleased to hear that.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve grown quite fond of you,\u201d Bristol smiled and reached for his menu.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow\u2014let\u2019s decide on something shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled the menu up in front of him and scanned the fare trying to think of what he should order.\u00a0\u00a0His thoughts suddenly went back to another time, another restaurant and another man sitting across the table from him; his pa.\u00a0\u00a0The old pain resurfaced with greater intensity than he thought possible.\u00a0\u00a0Joe struggled to push away all thoughts of Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0It was at that moment that the waiter came up from behind his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gentlemen ready to order?\u201d the waiter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have the oysters and lobster tail with a salad,\u201d Bristol replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I\u2019ll have the steak and shrimp,\u201d Joe decided and turned to look up at the waiter.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d the waiter said and reached for the two men to hand over their menus.<\/p>\n

As soon as the menus cleared the hands of Joe and Bristol a sudden commotion began at the table to the left.\u00a0\u00a0They turned towards the sound and then four men rushed from the other direction.\u00a0\u00a0It happened so fast, that most of it was more like a blur to them.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol realized long before Joe did, that they were being rushed.\u00a0\u00a0He caught sight of Dex Farwell out of the corner of his eye and immediately reached for Joe\u2019s arm, pulling him towards him.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brain registered that something awful was about to happen the moment that Bristol began pulling him towards him.\u00a0\u00a0He saw the men rushing towards them and in his mind Joe truly believed that Bristol was trying to protect him from harm.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that Joe saw the barrel of a gun and dove in front of Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0The shot that rang out dropped both Bristol and Joe to the floor with its impact.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s body had protected the man from injury but had suffered a gunshot to his right leg up towards the thigh.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol reached inside his vest for his hidden derringer.\u00a0\u00a0Adam saw the move as he came in from the opposite side.\u00a0\u00a0He aimed and shot directly towards Bristol\u2019s chest. Joe lay on the floor next to Bristol horrified to see the scene unfolding in front of his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He saw the bullet slam into Bristol\u2019s chest and then felt his brother\u2019s hands trying to tug him away from the man.\u00a0\u00a0Joe fought with all his might against Adam\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go!\u00a0\u00a0What have you done!\u201d Joe screamed and finally broke away and knelt down next to the fallen man.<\/p>\n

Bristol looked into Joe\u2019s eyes and saw the tears that were leaving them.\u00a0\u00a0He then stared over and saw the look on Dex\u2019s face and the confusion which the man, who he recognized as being Adam Cartwright, wore.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew that he had suffered a fatal wound, and that the game was finally over.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed that Joe\u2019s attempt to save his life proved that the boy would not be returning to his father the same as he had been before being abducted.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol felt that it would be his final success, if he had indeed caused an impenetrable rift between Ben and his youngest.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget\u2014he sold you\u2014Joseph,\u201d Bristol whispered as he clutched his chest, \u201clooks like he went back on his agreement once again\u2014don\u2019t trust him\u2014don\u2019t ever trust him,\u201d Bristol said his last words and then keeled over against the wall.<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t even felt his gunshot wound, he had been so consumed with what the man had said in his dying breath.\u00a0\u00a0The blood from both Bristol\u2019s chest wound and Joe\u2019s leg wound intermixed on the wooden floor forming a small crimson puddle.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Dex exchanged bewildered glances.\u00a0\u00a0They never expected the boy to throw himself towards the evil man thereby being hit by a bullet.\u00a0\u00a0Joe leaned up against Bristol and touched his arm and whispered, \u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Dex reached down to pull Joe up, though he struggled against them until his body went limp and he passed out in their arms.\u00a0\u00a0They carried him to the hotel and sent one of the other men for the doctor.\u00a0\u00a0Two of Dex\u2019s other partners had already tracked down Cole and he was taken down to the police station and booked on kidnapping and other charges.<\/p>\n

Adam paced the room frantically as he waited for the doctor to come to the hotel.\u00a0\u00a0Every now and then he would glance over at Dex.\u00a0\u00a0He knew the detective felt a mixture of emotions at the time.\u00a0\u00a0They had finally rid the world of one Bristol Ford, but that happiness was now clouded due to the fact that the evil man\u2019s hostage lay injured on the bed.\u00a0\u00a0Worst yet was the fact that it had been Dex\u2019s own weapon that had sent the bullet into Joe\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault,\u201d Adam insisted as he reached over and touched Dex\u2019s sunken shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got the kid shot\u2014never thought that he would try to protect Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0I had that man dead in my sights when Joe made his move\u2014it was too late!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex spoke words laced with regret.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well\u2014did you see the way he looked at me when I shot that bastard?\u00a0\u00a0Joe looked at me like I had killed some kind of saint!\u00a0\u00a0Neither of us were prepared for Joe\u2019s behavior tonight.\u00a0I\u2019m sure the kid will do okay\u2014he\u2019s tough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex settled down in a chair next to the bed and sighed, \u201cIt\u2019s finally over\u2014after all these years\u2014Bristol is dead\u2014Cole Rivers is in custody\u2014and his other henchmen will be taken into jail before this night\u2019s out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was just about to comment when the door flew open and Jeremy came into the room with the doctor in tow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s he hit?\u201d the doctor asked as he walked to the water basin to rinse his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpper leg\u2014bullet went clean through\u2014I wrapped the wound but it looks pretty bad,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Doc Brentwood\u2014and you are?\u201d the doctor stared over at Dex and Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is detective Farwell\u2014and I\u2019m Adam Cartwright\u2014the kid in the bed is my little brother Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014let\u2019s have a look,\u201d the doctor replied and sat down on the side of the bed and pushed aside the sheet and bedspread.\u00a0\u00a0He inspected the wound and administered some antiseptic while he probed the gunshot.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGonna need some stitches here and there\u2014and it\u2019s hit the femur before glancing off and coming out the other side.\u00a0\u00a0Nasty wound,\u201d he commented and looked over at the three men.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan he be moved?\u00a0\u00a0This kid\u2019s gone through pure hell for quite awhile.\u00a0\u00a0He was abducted and held hostage for months now\u2014and I\u2019d sure like to bring him home,\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get him fixed up as best I can\u2014then we\u2019ll take a look tomorrow and see how he\u2019s doing.\u00a0\u00a0First I\u2019m gonna need to get these sutures in then we have to wrap the leg to help with that break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay and help the Doc, Adam\u2014I\u2019m gonna wire your pa,\u201d Dex said and stood to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe sure to tell him that Joe\u2019s okay\u2014you can mention that he\u2019s hurt\u2014but I don\u2019t want him to rush on out here when we\u2019re probably gonna be heading home anyhow,\u201d Adam called over to the detective.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just let him know that Bristol is dead, that Joe is with us\u2014and that we will wire again tomorrow,\u201d Dex nodded and left the room.<\/p>\n

Ben stood at the front door to the ranch house and held the telegraph in his shaking hands.\u00a0\u00a0He had read it over and over again but still it wasn\u2019t registering in his brain.\u00a0\u00a0His voice betrayed him the first time he tried to call to his son Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0It had come out strained and with little volume.\u00a0\u00a0Summoning all his strength he tried once more and bellowed out his son\u2019s name.\u00a0\u00a0Soon Hoss came thundering down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong Pa?\u201d he asked as he made it to the bottom landing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got him\u2014your brother\u2014he\u2019s safe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied, ignoring the many tears which were streaming down his face.\u00a0\u00a0It had been days since both he and Hoss had returned from the timber camp only to find Adam\u2019s abbreviated note.\u00a0\u00a0That was when the worry had heightened almost to the unbearable level.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was just about to board a stage the next day, but Hoss has assured him that Adam and Dex would get their man this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Bristol?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, choked up himself at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol\u2019s dead\u2014it\u2019s over\u2014it\u2019s all over.\u00a0\u00a0A couple of days and we will have Joseph here\u2014after almost six months\u2014my boy is coming home!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hugged his father, so delighted by the news.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2014Hop Sing!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss yelled and the Oriental padded out into the living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat all shouting for?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing asked groggily, having been sound asleep when he had first heard Ben\u2019s call to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2014he\u2019s safe\u2014Adam and Dex got him!\u201d Hoss announced.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s face lit up like a bright sunrise and his dark eyes seemed to glow with joy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhen come home?\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing must start cooking vely special welcome home dinner!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few days yet, Hop Sing\u2014but by the end of the week I am sure,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather and brother vely happy Hop Sing vely happy!\u201d the cook sighed, relieved that the boy would soon be back where he belonged.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced back down at the telegraph and pushed aside his joyous tears.\u201dOh Joseph\u2014I can\u2019t wait until you are here and safe and I can explain to you what happened.\u201dBen thought to himself as he tucked the paper inside his vest.<\/p>\n

Adam had watched his brother from the chair next to the bed all night long.\u00a0\u00a0He dozed a couple of times, but would awaken with a jolt if Joe stirred in the bed.\u00a0\u00a0At times the boy\u2019s face seemed contorted with pain and his brother worried that Joe was suffering from either his injuries or from the trauma of all he had gone through at the hands of Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor had administered a shot of sedation medicine in order for his patient to get a good long rest.\u00a0\u00a0He had also spoken to Adam about what had gone on with his brother and was shocked to learn the details about the abduction.\u00a0\u00a0He knew the name Cartwright, and had heard about the Ponderosa ranch in Nevada and was amazed that the boy on the bed had been away from his family for such a long time.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor reassured Adam that Joe\u2019s injury, though severe in nature, was not life threatening.\u00a0\u00a0He urged the man to get some rest and told him that he would return the next morning to check on Joe\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n

Standing to release some of the kinks from his back, Adam walked over to the window and peered out.\u00a0\u00a0The city never slept.\u00a0\u00a0There were still people milling about on the lamp lit walkways in front of the hotel and down the street.\u00a0\u00a0Adam pulled out his pocket watch and moved closer to the lamp.\u00a0\u00a0It was four a. m. and still Joe had not shown any sign of waking from his forced slumber.\u00a0He stared down at the boy and noticed the curls on his forehead had dropped down into his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s hair was actually quite long, and Adam smiled when he thought of how his father would protest the sight.\u00a0\u00a0But, that would come long after the man had held the boy to his breast and welcomed him back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did that man do to you, Little Brother?\u201dAdam thought to himself as he reached for the boy\u2019s forehead to detect a fever.\u00a0\u00a0He was well pleased to find the skin only slightly warm to the touch. \u201cWhy would you protect Bristol after all he\u2019s put our family through?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned slightly on the bed but then settled down and his breathing softened.<\/p>\n

\u201c I\u2019m gonna take you home.\u00a0\u00a0You have no idea how much you\u2019ve been missed\u2014by all of us!\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019s been half out of his mind worrying about you\u2014and Hoss has lost weight wondering what\u2019s been going on with you.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing\u2014well \u2014you know he considers you his son\u2014he\u2019s not smiled in months.\u00a0\u00a0And me\u2014the brother you fight with the most\u2014well\u2014I\u2019ve missed you just as much.\u00a0\u00a0You irritate me so much\u2014but it\u2019s not been the same since you\u2019ve been gone.\u00a0\u00a0Just as soon as the doc says I can get you on a stage I\u2019m taking you back to where you belong.\u00a0\u00a0There is no Ponderosa without you\u2014there\u2019s no Cartwright family without you either!\u201d Adam sank back into the chair and waited for daylight.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyelids felt as though they weighed ten pounds as he tried his best to blink them open.\u00a0\u00a0Through hazy vision he could see the lamp light and turned towards it.\u00a0\u00a0There next to the night stand he saw the image of the man in the chair.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was sleeping peacefully after a night of keeping constant vigil.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s temper immediately flared when he remembered how his brother had sent the bullet into Bristol\u2019s chest, killing the man right in front of his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Pulling down the bedspread and the sheet Joe tried to pull himself off of the bed.\u00a0\u00a0A groan inadvertently passed from his lips and it was just loud enough to summon his sleeping sibling.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam whispered, looking over to where the boy was trying to get out of bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cStay put you\u2019re hurt!\u201d he exclaimed, once reality had told him what was going on.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t reply, instead he set his left foot on the floor, and tried to rely on it to hold his body weight long enough so he could grab his clothes laying on another chair close by.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u00a0\u00a0I ain\u2019t playing now\u2014get back in that bed!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam called to the boy, louder in volume.\u00a0\u00a0He walked around the bed and faced his brother head on.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away\u2014leave me alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted, hatred painting his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen\u2014Joe\u2014just settle down\u2014everything\u2019s all right\u2014just crawl back into bed and I\u2019ll explain\u2014\u201d Adam tried to reason with the boy, with a forced calm to his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear nothing from you!\u00a0\u00a0Now leave me alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed again and pushed his brother\u2019s arm away from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014the Doc says your leg\u2019s busted\u2014now get off of it right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned and tried to keep his balance as he reached for his shirt and pants.\u00a0\u00a0Adam didn\u2019t know what to do with the kid, he sure wasn\u2019t going to listen to reason but he was going to get himself hurt if he didn\u2019t get back into the bed.\u00a0\u00a0He was worried about getting rough with his brother, not wanting to cause further damage to his body nor heighten his emotional problems.\u00a0\u00a0Hurrying out into the hallway of the hotel Adam knocked furiously on Dex\u2019s bedroom door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Dex asked as he met his friend in the hall.\u00a0\u00a0He could read the anxiety on Adam\u2019s face and hoped Joe hadn\u2019t taken a turn for the worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t keep Joe down\u2014he\u2019s trying to leave!\u00a0\u00a0Will you go and fetch the doctor for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2014let me pull my boots on and I\u2019ll go get him,\u201d Dex agreed and turned back into his room.<\/p>\n

By the time Adam had re-entered the hotel room Joe had somehow succeeded in pulling on his left pant leg and was trying his best to get his heavily wrapped right leg into the other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough of that, Joe\u2014you\u2019ve got to stay down\u2014for your own good!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam said exasperated and yanked Joe\u2019s good leg out of his pants.\u00a0\u00a0That made Joe take a swing at his brother, but fortunately he missed his mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted to deaf ears.\u00a0\u00a0Adam was having no part of the discussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn bed!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam replied and pulled Joe over to the bed and forced him down on his back.<\/p>\n

Joe struggled against his brother\u2019s hold, hurling insults at him as he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet your damn hands off of me!\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m not staying here with you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shrieked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot until you stop fighting me and stay put,\u201d Adam countered and then stared down at Joe\u2019s bandage, where the crimson stain was apparently starting to spread.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve opened that leg wound again\u2014just because you\u2019re stubborn.\u00a0\u00a0Now calm down before you make it even worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMurderer!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled as he looked venomously into his brother\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Adam was momentarily taken aback by his brother\u2019s words.\u00a0\u00a0He could see the hazel eyes of the kid shooting daggers towards him and knew that it was due to Bristol\u2019s death.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe\u2014I had to kill him\u2014he pulled that derringer\u2014I had no choice!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shot him down in cold blood\u2014you and Dex\u2014I saw the both of you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014what the devil is wrong with you?\u00a0\u00a0Bristol stole you away from us six months ago\u2014we came to rescue you\u2014why are you so mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed and turned his head towards the pillow and away from Adam.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t want to hear any of his lies.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was starting to believe that perhaps Adam had been in on the deal with Pa and had planned on killing Bristol all along.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t trust anyone anymore and it showed in the way he refused to talk to his own brother even though Adam was trying his best to explain why he had come to San Francisco.<\/p>\n

The doctor took one look at the scene going on between Adam, who still held his brother pinned on the bed and Joe who was doing his best to get free, and decided that the situation needed an immediate resolution.\u00a0\u00a0He hastily prepared a syringe and forced the sedation into the fold of Joe\u2019s left elbow.\u00a0\u00a0The boy battled both the doctor and his brother for a few minutes and then fell off to sleep due to the medication\u2019s impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s out of his head, Doc\u2014he thinks I\u2019m his enemy now\u2014it just doesn\u2019t make any sense!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam insisted as he was finally able to come up off the bed.\u00a0\u00a0He turned towards Dex and his face was full of concern for his brother\u2019s sanity.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s been through an awful lot, Adam,\u201d Dex began softly, trying to calm the worried man, \u201cwe have no idea what kinds of things Bristol put into his head all these months.\u00a0\u00a0I told you the other day\u2014that sometimes hostages come to identify with their captors\u2014especially after a long time spent in captivity.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sure we can help him\u2014but in my opinion the best place to do that would be his own home.\u00a0\u00a0Surrounded by the people who love him\u2014he\u2019s got a better chance of coming out of it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What do you think, Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor had busied himself with tending Joe\u2019s leg wound, but had also listened intently to what both men had relayed.\u00a0\u00a0After he had re-bandaged the boy\u2019s leg he turned towards Adam and Dex.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014as much as I\u2019m not too thrilled with moving this young man\u2014it\u2019s not gonna do much good to keep him here and sedate him every time he comes around.\u00a0\u00a0If you think he will respond better to his normal surroundings, then I guess that\u2019s best.\u00a0\u00a0Tomorrow\u2019s Wednesday and the stage to Virginia City isn\u2019t nearly as crowded mid-week\u2014so I think you\u2019d best take your brother on home, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll give you some powders to help keep him calm on the trip.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Once you get him home you make sure he\u2019s seen by the family physician.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019d suggest a cast on this leg as soon as the stitches come out.\u00a0\u00a0That will take about a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Doc\u2014I\u2019ll do my best to keep him calm on the trip home.\u00a0\u00a0Dex\u2014can you stay with him until I get back?\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m gonna go get the tickets for the stage and wire my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014sure I\u2019ll stay,\u201d Dex nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014you both go\u2014and grab you some breakfast too!\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll stay here with the boy until you are both back.\u00a0\u00a0Bring another plate back with you and I\u2019ll help you get it down the kid.\u00a0\u00a0He needs some nourishment before you start your journey,\u201d the doctor instructed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Doc\u2014I appreciate your help,\u201d Adam smiled over at the man.\u00a0\u00a0He hated to leave his brother, but felt he was in capable hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Adam\u2014we\u2019ll take care of business first then go and get some grub,\u201d Dex said as he draped his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulder for moral support and they turned and left the room.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t know what was in store for him on the long trip back to Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0He had been supplied with enough sedatives to keep his little brother well sedated, but hadn\u2019t counted on the boy coming around when they changed stages in Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0There had been an actual fight which culminated in Joe sending off a good left hook which busted his brother\u2019s bottom lip.\u00a0\u00a0Adam had to rely on the help from the stage driver in order to get Joe to settle down long enough to take his medication.\u00a0\u00a0Fortunately there had only been one other passenger on the journey to Sacramento and the next leg back to Virginia City, the Cartwright brothers had the luxury of having the stage to themselves.\u00a0\u00a0Joe thrashed about every now and then but for the most part fell into a deep slumber as the coach rocked back and forth heading home.<\/p>\n

Ben had received Adam\u2019s wire the day before his sons had left San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0He had checked with the stage line in town and learned the arrival time from Sacramento.\u00a0\u00a0The telegraph had come as somewhat of a surprise to the worried father and the one brother who had stayed behind.\u00a0\u00a0Adam mentioned the need of a buckboard for the return trip to the ranch house.\u00a0\u00a0He also stated that Joe had been shot during the rescue attempt.\u00a0\u00a0Trying not to alarm his father too much, Adam had made it a point to mention that Joe was in no grave danger from his wound.<\/p>\n

Standing out on the sidewalk in front of the Overland Stage Depot in Virginia City, both Ben and Hoss paced back and forth.\u00a0\u00a0Continually checking Ben\u2019s watch, they worried that the stage had encountered difficulty as it was over an hour delayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be here soon enough, Pa, why don\u2019t you go sit and rest a spell on that bench?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked staring over at his father\u2019s careworn face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0\u00a0That stage has never been on time\u2014never!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben grumbled and continued his pacing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s gonna be okay\u2014stop worrying\u2014it ain\u2019t good for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSix months held hostage\u2014and now an injury on top of it all!\u00a0\u00a0That kid has gone through more than we can imagine,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u00a0\u00a0Here it comes!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss announced as he spotted the front of the team of horses rounding the end of town.<\/p>\n

Ben felt as though his heart was lodged firmly in his throat.\u00a0\u00a0He had so much he needed to say to his youngest son, so many things he wanted to explain about the boy\u2019s abduction.\u00a0\u00a0But, foremost he wanted to look at Joseph and see that he was truly all right.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t help wondering what the boy had thought about that night.\u00a0\u00a0A half of a year had passed by already and Ben worried that his son might have gotten the notion that his father wasted valuable time in trying to get him back home.<\/p>\n

The stage pulled up in front of the depot and the driver jumped down and pulled open the door allowing Adam to step down.<\/p>\n

Adam took one look at his father and brother and read their anxiety ridden faces.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGonna need a hand getting Joe to the buckboard.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss help me out with him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss watched as Adam maneuvered his body back up into the coach and carefully pulled his little brother forward.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss reached for the boy\u2019s legs as his older brother grabbed Joe under his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful of that right leg\u2014that\u2019s the one that\u2019s busted!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam called down to Hoss and they pulled Joe out of the stagecoach.<\/p>\n

Ben saw that his son was out cold and all thoughts of a joyous reunion faded fast.\u00a0\u00a0He walked briskly behind his sons as they made their way to the buckboard and carefully set Joe down on the mattress brought from the ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ride back here with him,\u201d Ben stated and climbed along side the injured boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t no surprise to us, Pa,\u201d Hoss winked and turned towards Adam.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHey\u2014what happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Adam paused and touched at his busted bottom lip, \u201cthis\u2014well\u2014I\u2019ll tell you about it when we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has your brother been out like this?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked worriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave him some sedatives about an hour ago, Pa,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSedatives?\u201d Ben countered, confused as to why the boy needed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story\u2014let\u2019s get Joe home\u2014and I\u2019ll fill you both in on everything.\u00a0\u00a0He should sleep for awhile.\u00a0\u00a0But, he\u2019s gonna need Doc Martin soon after we get him to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already talked to Paul, he said he would be out in a couple of hours after Joe\u2019s settled in,\u201d Ben nodded and settled down next to his son.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s get the boy home where he belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss walked back to the stagecoach and grabbed the few pieces of luggage and then stepped up in the front of the buckboard.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss sent the team of horses forward heading back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0After they passed the confines of Virginia City, Ben pulled the collar up to his coat to ward off the chill.\u00a0\u00a0They had been lucky that the snows had yet to start falling, though the wind was brisk.\u00a0\u00a0Ben stared down at his slumbering son and sighed at the sight he had prayed for.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was alive, somewhat worse for wear, but alive nonetheless.\u00a0\u00a0He reached down and pulled the boy closer so that his head rested on his father\u2019s strong chest.\u00a0\u00a0Ben then tucked the blanket around his son in order to keep him warm and secure.\u00a0\u00a0After closing his eyes to offer a sincere prayer to the Lord for bringing Joe home, Ben\u2019s hand softly stroked the abundance of curls on the boy\u2019s head.\u00a0\u00a0He could hardly believe that he was actually holding his youngest after so long.\u00a0\u00a0Ben reached inside his coat and pulled out the locket of Marie and stared down at her image.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur boy is back, My Love, and he\u2019s safe.\u201dBen thought as tears filled his brown eyes. \u201cOh, Joseph\u2014I\u2019m so sorry\u2014sorry for not protecting you\u2014sorry for not being able to tell you why I had to leave you there.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll never forgive myself for what I had to do\u2014I only pray that you will\u2014once I tell you why I did what I did.\u00a0\u00a0You may have been gone for six months\u2014but you\u2019ve always been here in my heart\u2014and whenever I\u2019ve closed my eyes\u2014I\u2019ve always seen this picture of you\u2014laying in my arms\u2014safe like you are now.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019re going to get you back to your own home\u2014back in your own bed\u2014and you never have to worry about that despicable man, Bristol Ford, again!\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re going to be okay\u2014I promise you\u2014everything\u2019s going to be okay,\u201d Ben whispered to his son as the boy continued to sleep peacefully there in his father\u2019s loving embrace.\u00a0\u00a0For that one solid moment in time the world was back as it had been before the boy was abducted.\u00a0\u00a0The family was intact, and Ben had hope in his heart that the awful ordeal was finally over.\u00a0\u00a0Ben pressed his lips against Joe\u2019s exposed forehead and kissed the warm skin.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI promise you\u2014I\u2019ll never let anyone take you from me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the Cartwright family pulled their wagon up in front of the homestead, Adam cast a glance back at his father before jumping down from his seat next to Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0He felt distressed to see Pa there holding Joe as though all was well.\u00a0\u00a0Adam knew that there was a whole lot that the older man didn\u2019t know nor suspect and unfortunately it would be up to the eldest son to drop the bomb shell.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss climbed down and walked behind the buckboard and carefully lifted his baby brother into his massive arms.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was right behind him as they hurried into the ranch house.\u00a0\u00a0They weren\u2019t at all surprised to see Hop Sing standing at the door holding it open for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2014he all light?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing sang out when he noticed how lifeless the boy looked there in his brother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014let\u2019s just get him up to his room,\u201d Adam said and soon they were all following Hoss up the staircase.<\/p>\n

As gently as possible, Hoss spread his brother out on the bed and then turned to make room for his father.\u00a0\u00a0Ben approached his youngest son and heard him groan.\u00a0\u00a0He hoped that was a good sign that the boy was coming back from his forced slumber.\u00a0\u00a0Joe simply rolled his head to the left side and went back under.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much did you give him, Adam?\u201d Ben questioned, his worry increasing by the minute.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had stayed unconscious the whole long trip back to the ranch along with the last leg of the stage journey home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI followed doctor\u2019s orders, Pa\u2014don\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam insisted and watched Hop Sing as he headed to the water basin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI clean Little Joe\u2014get in fresh clothes!\u201d the cook announced as he readied a wash cloth and grabbed a towel in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014let\u2019s make him more comfortable,\u201d Ben nodded and began loosening Joe\u2019s clothing in order to get a nightshirt on him after he was washed down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do\u2014you go!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing ordered as he stared at his boss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014WE can do,\u201d Ben countered and slowly removed his son\u2019s shirt and then his belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014maybe you should let Hop Sing do this\u2014we really need to talk before Joe comes around,\u201d Adam jumped back into the conversation, worried about what might happen should Joe awaken during his bed bath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have all night to talk\u2014right now I\u2019m tending your brother!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied and gently pulled off the boy\u2019s boots and then his pants.\u00a0\u00a0He could see the bandage on Joe\u2019s upper thigh, and noticed some fresh blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor stitched it\u2014but he said it\u2019s gonna bleed a little,\u201d Adam mentioned, noticing the looks on the other men\u2019s faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe got the bullet out okay?\u201d Hoss asked his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cBullet went right through\u2014but splintered the bone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul will be here shortly\u2014he\u2019ll see to whatever needs to be done.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s get him washed down quickly before he catches cold on top of all this!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben commanded and reached for the wash cloth from Hop Sing\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

As soon as the coolness of the cloth hit Joe\u2019s face his eyelids began to tremble.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly he opened his eyes and fought to clear his vision.\u00a0\u00a0Ben saw it first, as he was bent over the boy trying to wash some of the trail dust off of his face and neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0\u00a0Joseph\u2014can you hear me, Son?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben smiled as his free hand went up to the boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Joe moved his head from one side to the other and took in the faces of all four men.\u00a0\u00a0Thinking the sight before him was that of some strange dream he closed his eyes once more.\u00a0\u00a0He wanted to go back to where it was safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Brother?\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re home\u2014it\u2019s okay\u2014open your eyes!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss persisted, standing on the opposite side of the bed from his father.<\/p>\n

Adam watched as Joe\u2019s eyes came open again and dreaded what would happen once the boy realized he was back at the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t take long before he could see the familiar spark of rage taking over his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Bolting up in the bed, Joe reached out with his left hand and shoved his father away.\u00a0\u00a0He caught the man off guard, and Ben stood back stunned.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014it\u2019s okay\u2014relax \u2014you\u2019re home\u2014you\u2019re safe,\u201d Ben reassured the boy calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet away from me!\u00a0\u00a0Leave me alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed and pulled himself back against the headboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2014no worry\u2014family with you now,\u201d Hop Sing jumped in, hoping his voice would settle the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to be here!\u00a0\u00a0I told you not to bring me here, Adam!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe warned his brother with his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014this is your home\u2014we\u2019ve missed you so, Son\u2014whatever has you upset\u2014we can work it out. Now\u2014you\u2019ve got to settle back\u2014that leg is bleeding,\u201d Ben insisted and dropped his hand down on the boy\u2019s right shoulder.<\/p>\n

Joe slapped his father\u2019s hand away from him and yelled at the same time, \u201cI hate you!\u00a0\u00a0I never wanted to come back here!\u00a0\u00a0Leave me the hell alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

A bystander would have been able to hear a pin drop in Joe\u2019s bedroom at that exact moment.\u00a0\u00a0Four very stunned men stood alongside the bed with their mouths hanging wide open in astonishment.\u00a0\u00a0Even Adam, who had battled the boy on the way back home, had no idea how Joe felt about their father.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe what he had just heard him say to the man who loved the kid so much.\u00a0\u00a0Glancing over at Pa he looked as though he had just suffered a mortal wound to his heart after hearing that his youngest son hated him.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone clear this room\u2014except you, Hop Sing\u2014I\u2019ll need you!\u201d came the voice at the doorway.<\/p>\n

All the men standing next to Joe\u2019s bed turned to see Doctor Paul Martin standing there, medical bag in hand.\u00a0\u00a0He had heard the whole conversation thus far, and had decided that rather than watching it escalate he would assume the role of dictator and usher everyone out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all heard me\u2014go on downstairs and get some coffee\u2014brandy\u2014whatever\u2014just give me some time to tend my patient,\u201d Paul stated sternly and moved to stand right next to Ben,\u00a0\u00a0He placed a hand on the man\u2019s shoulder and stared into his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0One look told the grieved father that Paul knew what he was doing.<\/p>\n

Crestfallen, the three men started to file out, but Adam paused briefly to give Paul some information about Joe\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor in San Francisco put those stitches in\u2014says the bullet went right through\u2014but splintered the femur.\u00a0\u00a0He said that it\u2019s gonna need a cast once the stitches can come out.\u00a0\u00a0He gave me sedatives to get Joe here,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2014now go on\u2014Joe and I are old friends,\u201d Paul insisted and watched as the family walked out closing the door behind them.<\/p>\n

Downstairs Ben sank into his chair by the fireplace and rested his head in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0He could still hear his son\u2019s voice telling him that he hated him and the pain from the words was unbearable.\u00a0\u00a0Adam knew it was time to do whatever he could to try to explain some of the story to both his father and brother, but first he poured three strong shots of brandy and brought over the glasses.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2014gonna need this when I tell you the facts,\u201d Adam said and handed the glasses to his father and brother.\u00a0\u00a0He sat down on the settee next to Hoss and tried to put it all together in his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the heck is going on, Adam?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was the first to ask.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was still sitting stunned across from his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to spare you this\u2014that\u2019s why I wanted to talk to you before Joe woke up.\u00a0\u00a0I guess I\u2019d better start with the rescue.\u00a0\u00a0We heard that Bristol was taking Joe to town to celebrate the sale of some horses.\u00a0\u00a0Seems Joe helped the man pick them out up in Eureka\u2014that\u2019s where Jeremy Bolding spotted them\u2014and sent the wire to Dex.\u00a0\u00a0Anyhow\u2014he took those horses down to his compound about twenty miles from San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had a big spread there and decided to give Joe something to do.\u00a0\u00a0So, Joe broke the horses\u2014they made the sale\u2014and thus the trip to town.\u00a0We decided to snatch Joe back\u2014the same way as he was taken.\u00a0\u00a0The plan worked good\u2014well until things started to happen that weren\u2019t expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, taking in the story so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started a commotion on one side of Joe and Bristol\u2019s table\u2014the plan was that when they turned their attention towards the sound that we would rush from the other side and grab Joe and nail Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately Bristol spotted Dex\u2014I guess out of the corner of his eye.\u00a0\u00a0Then he pulled Joe over to him\u2014I don\u2019t know why\u2014maybe as a shield?\u00a0\u00a0Joe saw what was going down and instead of trying to break away from the man\u2014he jumped in front of a bullet that Dex sent towards Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Joe got shot in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben thundered, he had stayed calm and quiet up to the part about Joe saving Bristol and then could no longer stand it.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy would Joe take a bullet meant for that maniac?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I\u2019m not all that sure, Pa\u2014to tell you the truth,\u201d Adam admitted quietly and then continued, \u201cit caught us off guard\u2014that\u2019s for sure!\u00a0\u00a0Then I saw Bristol reach inside his vest and he pulled out a derringer\u2014there wasn\u2019t any other way\u2014I had to shoot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t say I\u2019m sorry about that,\u201d Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014that\u2019s when it got even worse\u2014as far as Joe\u2019s behavior.\u00a0\u00a0He got so mad at me\u2014and Dex\u2014refusing to come with us\u2014the man was laying there dead\u2014and still Joe wouldn\u2019t willingly leave!\u00a0\u00a0We struggled with the kid\u2014until his leg wound made him pass out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t make any sense\u2014none at all,\u201d Ben whispered in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got him to the hotel while Dex\u2019s men nailed Cole in the saloon across the street.\u00a0\u00a0Cole took a shot in the arm\u2014but survived.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s now in jail and Dex stayed back to try and interrogate the creep.\u00a0\u00a0Dex was hoping maybe we could learn something about what they\u2019ve done to Joe that would help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting the impression that your busted lip has something to do with our little brother,\u201d Hoss said pointing at his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, \u201cYeah\u2014that was done on the way here\u2014the kid tried to get away from me\u2014swearing he would never come back here.\u00a0\u00a0I got the driver to help me\u2014and we sedated him.\u00a0The doctor in San Francisco thought that coming back here\u2014well\u2014 would help the boy\u2019s emotional state.\u00a0\u00a0He wasn\u2019t all that thrilled about Joe traveling with his leg like it was, but thought his behavior would improve once he was back with his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled himself up from his chair, and it seemed to take a great effort.\u00a0\u00a0He faced the fireplace and watched the flames awhile before speaking.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way he could shake the image of Joe screaming at him up in his room.\u00a0\u00a0It was breaking his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat could have made Joe hate me?\u00a0\u00a0He must think I didn\u2019t defend him\u2014that I left him there to die.\u00a0\u00a0That letter he wrote\u2014he meant it\u2014he\u2019s hated me all these months because I didn\u2019t help protect him from Bristol,\u201d Ben said sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss replied standing up, \u201cthat don\u2019t make much sense neither.\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014even if Joe was mad at you\u2014that sure don\u2019t mean he would come to like Bristol\u2014not enough to take a bullet for him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s a good kid and all\u2014but I just don\u2019t see him saving that bastard!\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s a whole lot we don\u2019t know\u2014and won\u2019t know until we can talk to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can just talk to him\u2014explain what happened that night\u2014then\u2014perhaps\u2014\u201d Ben trailed off as he heard the doctor coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked as Paul came down into the living room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave him a mild sedative\u2014just enough to settle the boy down\u2014but not knock him out.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing\u2019s going to make him something to eat\u2014and then maybe we will put him down for the night,\u201d Paul replied and then stared over at Ben.\u00a0\u00a0He knew the man was hurting from the scene that had unfolded earlier.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHis leg will be all right\u2014provided we can keep him off of it.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll cast it\u00a0when I remove the sutures.\u00a0\u00a0He doesn\u2019t look too bad physically, but I know from what I just witnessed that he\u2019s got some pretty big emotional problems.\u00a0\u00a0You want to clue me in?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam repeated the story he had just told his family to the doctor.\u00a0\u00a0Paul sat back patiently in his chair and took it all in.\u00a0\u00a0He muttered an \u201cI see\u201d here and there, but waited until the eldest Cartwright brother was done before offering an opinion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ve got some facts\u2014but not nearly as many as we need.\u00a0\u00a0You said Dex was questioning that Cole fellow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014said he would let us know if he came up with anything worthwhile,\u201d Adam remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest you all take it slow with that young man.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve no idea how much abuse he\u2019s suffered\u2014as long as he was gone.\u00a0\u00a0I know he\u2019s full of anger and rage\u2014and I know you\u2019ve suspected something was very wrong\u2014ever since you got that letter months ago.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s just try to stay calm if we can.\u00a0\u00a0One day at a time.\u00a0\u00a0We can fix him physically\u2014but emotionally we may be in for the long haul I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Paul said guardedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it okay if I go and see him?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight not be a bad idea\u2014we know he\u2019s mad at Adam\u2014and well\u2014you too right now, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss might be able to keep him calm for awhile.\u00a0\u00a0Go trade off with Hop Sing, Hoss, he\u2019s got to make some food for the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you expect me\u2014after six months\u2014to stay away from my son?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked incredulously.<\/p>\n

Paul stood and reached for Ben\u2019s arm, trying to offer what comfort he could.\u00a0\u00a0He knew how not seeing Joe would eat at the man\u2019s insides.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course not\u2014I know you need him\u2014just the same way he will eventually come to need you, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014maybe it would be best if you made your visits when he was calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean\u2014see him only when he is sedated?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014but how about\u2014for the time being only\u2014you stay with him an hour after he\u2019s taken the medication that I will leave for you to give him?\u00a0\u00a0That way he should still be conscious, but with no fight in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and closed his eyes, trying to fight back his anger over what Bristol had done to his son.\u00a0\u00a0He never truly believed that Joe hated him, but he had thought the boy would have some serious questions for him once he got home.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgree?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Paul questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed\u2014if it will help Joseph\u2014I\u2019ll do it,\u201d Ben caved in.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what he was feeling, he was far more worried about the emotional torture that Joe had gone through.<\/p>\n

Hoss relieved Hop Sing of his watch over his little brother and the cook headed down to the kitchen to prepare food for the family.\u00a0\u00a0Pulling the chair closer to the bed, Hoss settled into it and reached over for his brother\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0The boy appeared to be fading in and out, his eyes fighting to stay open.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Short Shanks, I know you\u2019ve had a bad time of it\u2014but I promise you that nobody\u2019s gonna hurt you again.\u00a0\u00a0Not as long as your big brothers are around\u2014that\u2019s for sure\u2014and your pa too!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blinked a couple of times, trying to once again draw a clearer picture of Hoss into view.\u00a0\u00a0He could feel the big man\u2019s hand holding on to his and it did provide some comfort amid the confusion of being back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let him back up here\u2014okay, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe muttered, growing weak from the medication.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Hoss asked, and prayed that the response wouldn\u2019t be who he thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d Joe replied bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014he\u2019s your father\u2014and he loves you more than anyone in the world.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t you know that, Boy?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss tried his best to get through to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate him,\u201d Joe stated flatly and closed his eyes to rest them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk HIM!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe snapped back, suddenly getting a burst of energy just by thinking of his father\u2019s betrayal.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014I know what you must be thinking\u2014but honest\u2014Pa didn\u2019t have no choice but to leave you in San Francisco\u2014if you\u2019ll just listen to me I\u2019ll explain it all to you,\u201d Hoss protested, but still tried to keep his voice in control.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear none of his lies!\u00a0\u00a0You weren\u2019t there anyhow\u2014you were heading back here.\u00a0\u00a0You don\u2019t know what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014now just listen\u2014\u201d Hoss started but Joe cut him off quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI DON\u2019T want to talk about it\u2014just go away\u2014just go away!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe fired back, his temper mounting again.\u00a0\u00a0His body was fighting a losing battle between the medicine\u2019s power and the anger that had burned through his soul.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014okay\u2014Joe\u2014we won\u2019t talk about none of that.\u00a0\u00a0Not till you\u2019re ready.\u00a0\u00a0Just lay back there and rest.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve got to get healed up\u2014and getting all riled ain\u2019t gonna help none,\u201d Hoss tried again to make his brother relax.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust leave me be, Hoss\u2014I know you\u2014you would never have gone along with it\u2014I know Adam did\u2014and I know your father did\u2014but I don\u2019t hold no bad feelings towards you.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m tired now\u2014just let me sleep,\u201d Joe whispered and turned his face away from his brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat in the chair wondering what Joe meant by what he had said.\u201dGo along with what Joe?\u00a0\u00a0And what do you mean Adam was in on it?\u00a0\u00a0I just don\u2019t understand where you\u2019re coming from on any of this.\u00a0\u00a0And why won\u2019t you even acknowledge Pa as your father?\u201dHoss thought to himself as Joe fell back off to sleep.\u00a0\u00a0He reasoned whatever the boy had grown to believe about Pa must have been coaxed along somehow by Bristol Ford.\u00a0\u00a0His blood boiled just thinking of the vile man and how, even in death, he was still pulling all of their strings.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had prepared a bland meal of beef soup and toast, as was directed by Doctor Martin.\u00a0\u00a0He brought it up the stairs and by that time Joe was starting to come out of his slumber again.\u00a0It took a little persuasion, but the cook and normal caretaker of the family was able to get Joe to take in as much as he could.\u00a0\u00a0Satisfied that it was a good start, Hop Sing removed the dishes and headed back to the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0It was Paul\u2019s turn to check on the boy, and he met Hoss who was still up with his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you ate your dinner, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve got to build up your strength so your body can repair that bone in your leg,\u201d Paul said as he moved next to his patient and felt of his forehead.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAt least you\u2019re not running a temperature\u2014so we have that going for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen can I get the hell out of here?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked caustically.<\/p>\n

Paul sighed and sat down next to Joe on the bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOne thing at a time, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve got to cast that leg\u2014and that\u2019s not going to be for a couple of days.\u00a0\u00a0Gotta get those stitches out first.\u00a0\u00a0Once the cast goes on it\u2019s gonna be at least a month\u2014maybe longer\u2014before it can come off.\u00a0\u00a0That bone you busted is the longest in the human body, it carries most of your body\u2019s weight.\u00a0\u00a0That set\u2019s going to be very important to prevent you from going lame.\u00a0\u00a0So, you\u2019ve got to remain calm and keep still, got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake me into town with you\u2014I can stay at your place, Doc,\u201d Joe tried to bargain with the man.<\/p>\n

Paul shook his head and reached for the bottle of medicine.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss handed over one of the tablespoons Hop Sing had left for Joe and soon the doctor had the dose ready for his patient to swallow.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on\u2014open up!\u00a0\u00a0This will help you rest up,\u201d Paul urged.<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the liquid and washed it down with a glass of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u00a0\u00a0You gonna take me or what?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014that leg of yours probably shouldn\u2019t have been moved out of San Francisco, in my opinion.\u00a0\u00a0We are not going to move it any more than we have to from now on!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to stay here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to spend the rest of your life walking with a crutch?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Paul countered sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d Joe mumbled and then started to feel the medicine taking over.\u00a0\u00a0He felt dizzy and his vision was starting to blur.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will\u2014soon\u2014but right now all that matters is that you follow doctor\u2019s orders, Young Man!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Paul smiled and patted Joe\u2019s arm as he stood from the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes had closed and the doctor could tell that they weren\u2019t going to open any time soon.\u00a0\u00a0Paul walked over to Hoss and whispered to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell your father he can come up here now.\u00a0\u00a0I know it\u2019s killed him to be away this long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned and headed out into the hall while the doctor took his place in the chair.<\/p>\n

Ben had only half-eaten his dinner.\u00a0\u00a0He felt as though he would lose what little food he had taken in.\u00a0\u00a0His stomach felt tied in knots and his head hurt with worry.\u00a0\u00a0Ben carried his dinner plate into the kitchen and handed it to Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t eat anymore right now\u2014maybe you can wrap this up?\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou no like?\u201d Hop Sing returned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014I liked\u2014I\u2019m just not very hungry I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2014he come around\u2014you see!\u00a0\u00a0Father not need to get upset\u2014not good for you!\u201d Hop Sing chastised out of deep concern for his old friend.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had become more like a surrogate brother and less like a boss over the many years that the Chinese man had been with the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben nodded and turned out of the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0He met Hoss coming towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc says you can go ahead and stay with Joe now\u2014he\u2019s about out of it,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Son\u2014Adam is out putting away the team\u2014why don\u2019t you go and get him and the two of you eat dinner?\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve already had mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied and turned towards the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben called after his son.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDid Joe\u2014well\u2014did he say anything?\u00a0\u00a0Were you able to explain anything yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t want to repeat the things that Joe had related to him, knowing they would only hurt his father more.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo\u2014he wasn\u2019t talking much, Pa\u2014and he said he didn\u2019t want to get into anything just yet,\u201d the big man tried his best to dance around the truth as best he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014I\u2019ll go sit with him,\u201d Ben said, disappointment framing his face.<\/p>\n

Ben sat down in the chair next to his son\u2019s bed after speaking for a few moments with Paul.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor had reminded him to take it slow and to give Joe time to get accustomed to being home.\u00a0\u00a0He also told Ben that whatever had happened to Joe might take awhile to resolve so he needed to be as patient as possible with the boy.\u00a0\u00a0Ben agreed and thanked his old friend for all of his help.\u00a0\u00a0Paul announced that he would be returning to check on Joe the next morning and packed up his medical bag and headed back to town.<\/p>\n

Wondering how many times he had kept vigil over that youngest boy of his, Ben sighed and carefully pulled the covers up around Joe\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0His fingers couldn\u2019t resist touching the boy\u2019s face gently, hoping not to awaken him.\u00a0\u00a0It was becoming increasingly unbearable not to pull his son into his arms and let go of his pent up emotions once and for all.\u00a0\u00a0He finally had Joe back, but could not explain his actions to him.\u00a0\u00a0That hurt.\u00a0\u00a0Ben believed that he was only a couple of sentences away from Joe\u2019s understanding the situation and changing his attitude about what had happened in San Francisco forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I knew what that man did to you, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0I wish I could unlock all that is in your mind so I would be able to help you.\u00a0\u00a0How can you hate me?\u00a0\u00a0How can you hate someone who loves you so much?\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019d give my life for you\u2014if only that had been the choice instead of your brother\u2019s life and your own!\u00a0\u00a0Looking at you now\u2014laying there so helpless\u2014so hurt in so many ways\u2014I can\u2019t stand it.\u00a0\u00a0All I want to do is pull you into my arms and take it all away!<\/p>\n

\u201dBen thoughts made him ache inside far worse than before.\u00a0\u00a0He dropped his hand down onto the boy\u2019s right arm and held on as he prayed he could have that night in the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0If only he had been able to fight Bristol\u2019s attempt to take Joe from him.\u00a0\u00a0The haunting hazel eyes that stared back at him that night burnt through his soul and had left a hole there.\u201d<\/p>\n

You really think I just let him take you, Joe?\u00a0\u00a0After all we\u2019ve been through\u2014all these years?\u00a0\u00a0I just don\u2019t understand\u2014how could you possibly think that?\u00a0\u00a0Haven\u2019t I showed you how much I love you ever since you were an infant?\u00a0\u00a0I hovered over you\u2014trying my best to be both mother and father to you, Boy.\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s never been a time I didn\u2019t worry about you\u2014even when I knew where you were and what you were doing.\u00a0\u00a0Can\u2019t you still see that when you look at me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head disheartened and walked over to the window.\u00a0\u00a0It was almost dark and Ben could tell that it was getting cold quick.\u00a0\u00a0It wouldn\u2019t surprise him to find the ranch covered in snow the next morning as it was mid-November.\u201d<\/p>\n

You always loved the snow\u2014I can still remember all the times you burst into my room to let me know the first flakes of the year had fallen.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve always been such a joy to me\u2014to this family.\u00a0\u00a0To see you so full of anger and contempt\u2014it\u2019s just not like you, Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked back again to the chair and slumped down onto its cushions.\u201d<\/p>\n

What did I expect?\u00a0\u00a0I should have known all along you would blame me\u2014who wouldn\u2019t?\u00a0\u00a0You were pulled away from that table while I watched and did nothing\u2014said nothing to indicate I cared what was happening.\u00a0Now\u2014six months later\u2014here I am\u2014and you have suffered due to my compliance with Bristol!\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s not your fault\u2014I don\u2019t blame you, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben covered his face in his hands and pushed back tears.\u201dI just want you back\u2014the way you were\u2014you always looked up to me\u2014always turned to me when you were troubled\u2014or hurt.\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014I can\u2019t even sit next to you without you looking at me with hatred in your eyes.\u201dBen stopped again and placed his hand on top of his son\u2019s wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just let me explain, Joe\u2014just give me the chance\u2014and we can get it back\u2014all we had between us all these years.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what that vile evil man did to your mind\u2014look at me with your heart and not your head and you\u2019ll know I love you more than life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben tried to shut off his thoughts and instead watched his son\u2019s peaceful slumber.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what else, he did thank God that the boy had made it home.\u00a0\u00a0Now he prayed that Joe would come back to them emotionally.<\/p>\n

The stillness of the wee hours of the morning fell over the ranch house.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone in the family had adjourned to their bedrooms hours prior; everyone with the exception of Ben.\u00a0\u00a0He had fought off the weariness that the emotional events of the day had forced upon his body.\u00a0\u00a0But, by the time five a.m. neared, his head dropped over to the side and rested against the back of the chair.\u00a0Soon he was falling into a deep sleep, finally surrendering his constant vigil over his son.<\/p>\n

While his father was just beginning his journey to the land of Nod, Joe was coming out of his medicine induced sojourn there.\u00a0\u00a0The lamp wick had been lowered, but there was still enough light emitted from it for the boy to notice the features on the face of the man who sat there at the side of the bed in the chair.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s mind fought with his memories of the past and the awful reality of the present.\u00a0\u00a0If it had been any other time he would have drawn comfort just in knowing that his pa was at his side.\u00a0\u00a0That had always been a given, something that was as constant as the stars in the sky.\u00a0\u00a0Now, staring over at the white-haired middle aged man, Joe found no comfort at all.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, his presence there only made him feel worse.<\/p>\n

Joe wondered how it could be the same person he had considered a hero in his mind and heart.\u00a0\u00a0There had never been anyone in his life who could hold a candle to his pa.\u00a0\u00a0Ben Cartwright was the rock on which his son had planted his hopes his dreams and his ambitions.\u00a0\u00a0He had always been the one Joe most emulated and yearned to grow in his image.\u00a0\u00a0Through so many years, twenty in fact, Joe had memorized each and every worry line on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0He could close his eyes and see them as vividly as if he were gazing point blank at the man.\u00a0\u00a0Joe knew he had caused some of them, due to the trials and tribulations of his youth.\u00a0\u00a0But Pa wore them like medals of honor, something he was proud of.\u00a0\u00a0Joe never, until six months prior, had to question the man\u2019s love for him.\u00a0\u00a0He could read it in the burnt sienna eyes that could read his thoughts with little effort.\u00a0\u00a0Pa had shown it in the way he constantly offered him a shoulder on which to cry, or a hand to help him up from the depths of despair.\u00a0\u00a0Had it all been a lie?\u00a0\u00a0What could have changed the man so much that he would sell his own son for a timber contract?\u00a0\u00a0Joe shook his head, but no tears left his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0That was another trait of his own which died months earlier.\u00a0\u00a0He had always been known as the most openly emotional Cartwright, second only to his father.\u00a0\u00a0Now tears had no place in his world.\u00a0\u00a0He had cried an ocean\u2019s worth those first few months, and then there were no more left to shed.\u00a0\u00a0Knowing that his father didn\u2019t love him had caused him to shut down in the caring department.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had shown him that such deep emotions were useless.\u00a0\u00a0And, Joe knew the man was right.\u00a0\u00a0There was no point to loving anyone.\u00a0\u00a0It only opened a person up for pain and heartache.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had decided that a life spent trusting no-one was much more valid than a life spent trusting someone who might cause him pain.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was right in a lot of ways, in Joe\u2019s mind.\u00a0\u00a0You had to keep your guard up at all times to prevent someone from trying to break you down and open you up for further harm.<\/p>\n

Ben made a slight move in the chair and his son quickly closed his eyes just in case.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t want the man to know he had been staring over at him. Joe didn\u2019t want the man to know that he had even thought about what the two of them had once shared.\u00a0\u00a0He was resolved to the fact that he would have to wait a couple of weeks there on the Ponderosa in order to heal from his wound, but, once healed he would leave never to return.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben whispered and leaned closer to the boy\u2019s bed.\u00a0\u00a0He was sure that his son was awake, though his eyes denied the truth.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had always been more in-tuned to his youngest child than to the older two, and could sense that Joe was pretending to be asleep.\u00a0\u00a0As soon as his hand reached for the boy\u2019s arm, though gently done, the boy confirmed the fact that his father\u2019s intuition was still right on the money.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away,\u201d Joe muttered and pulled his arm out from under his father\u2019s touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thirsty, Son?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, ignoring what the boy had said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I am I\u2019ll get it myself,\u201d Joe countered, still not looking at his father.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and poured a glass of water and handed it to his son, hoping that he wouldn\u2019t reject his offer.\u00a0\u00a0Joe took the glass and set it right back down on the night stand.\u00a0\u00a0He was having no part of Ben Cartwright, nor his futile attempts to make peace.\u00a0\u00a0Ben sighed and sat back down in the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014I have to talk to you\u2014I have to explain.\u00a0\u00a0Would you please\u2014please listen to me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHa!\u00a0\u00a0Yeah\u2014sure I will!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed bitterly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy don\u2019t you pound your fists on the wall like I did\u2014think that would get my attention?\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t get yours!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, totally unaware as to what Joe was referring.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t play dumb\u2014you KNOW what you did\u2014it might work with the others\u2014but I was there, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean the restaurant?\u00a0\u00a0Is that what you\u2019re talking about?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked again.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away\u2014go away or I swear broke leg or not I will get out of here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe warned.\u00a0\u00a0He was totally unamused by his father\u2019s pretense and it showed on his face.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and shook his head bewildered by the amount of hostility that his son had shown towards him.\u00a0\u00a0Not wanting the boy to make good on his promise to leave, Ben turned and walked to the bedroom door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, Joseph\u2014I wish to God that I did,\u201d Ben said as he paused in the doorway.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo matter what you think\u2014or feel towards me right now\u2014I love you,\u201d Ben tried to get through to his son one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got one hell of a way of showing it!\u00a0\u00a0Now go!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

Ben walked out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him.\u00a0\u00a0He headed down the hall to his middle son\u2019s room and knocked lightly on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss mumbled as he stifled a yawn.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you go and sit with your brother for awhile?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss could read the sadness on the other man\u2019s face, and knew without asking that he had had another go round with Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSure\u2014sure, Pa, let me get out of this nightshirt and I\u2019ll be right over there.\u00a0\u00a0Why don\u2019t you try to grab some shut eye?\u00a0\u00a0You look pretty rough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink I will,\u201d Ben nodded and turned down the hall, heading for his bedroom.<\/p>\n

Time passed with long days full of anxiety for all the Cartwrights.\u00a0\u00a0Joe still adamantly refused to listen to anything his father had to say about the abduction.\u00a0\u00a0His only thoughts were of getting better so he could leave the Ponderosa for good.\u00a0\u00a0Paul did what he could, mostly in the healing department.\u00a0\u00a0He had removed the sutures and placed a cast on Joe\u2019s leg that went from his upper thigh all the way down to his ankle.\u00a0\u00a0The doctor did what he could to try to reason with the youngest Cartwright, but to no avail.\u00a0\u00a0Adam steered clear of his brother\u2019s room, having been shouted at every time he had gone in there during the first two weeks.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss and Hop Sing remained Joe\u2019s only two allies as far as he was concerned, but he forbade them from discussing what had happened in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Ben was at loose ends, not knowing what he could do to break whatever hold that Bristol still had on his son.\u00a0\u00a0He had prayed endlessly for an answer to their problem, still sure that if Joe knew the real facts that all would be resolved right away.\u00a0\u00a0Just as the doctor had ordered, he stayed away from the boy while he was fully awake, but he did sit with him at night.\u00a0\u00a0That was taking its toll on the worried father and it could be read on his face by all the others in the house.\u00a0\u00a0With more than two weeks having passed with still no kind of conversation between Joe and his pa, Ben was wondering if they would ever be able to hash it all out.<\/p>\n

Joe had longed to get out of his room, feeling as much a prisoner there as he had at Bristol\u2019s mansion in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0The only thing that was different was the fact that no-one tied him to the bed or used brute force against him.\u00a0\u00a0It was a prison nonetheless in the boy\u2019s troubled mind.\u00a0\u00a0Late one night, almost three weeks after he had been brought back to the ranch, Joe decided he had endured enough captivity for one life time and planned an escape.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had stayed with him that night, after his little brother had once again shouted for his father to leave the room.<\/p>\n

The big man had dozed off in the chair, just as Pa was known for doing.\u00a0\u00a0Joe silently pulled himself out of his bed on the opposite side from where Hoss kept vigil.\u00a0\u00a0He made it over to the single crutch that had been propped over by his dresser.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had only used it when nature called and he had to use the privy.\u00a0\u00a0But, now it would enable him to make his escape.\u00a0\u00a0He quietly pulled open his dresser drawer after he had removed his nightshirt.\u00a0\u00a0Joe hurriedly donned a shirt but then had to stop and think how he was going to manage pulling on his pants.\u00a0\u00a0The huge plaster cast would not allow him to place his right leg through the pant leg.\u00a0\u00a0Joe reached on top of his dresser and took his pocket knife from it\u2019s sheath.\u00a0\u00a0As cautiously as he could muster, Joe slit one side of the right leg of the pants, hoping it would give him enough room to throw his cast through.<\/p>\n

Limping over to the bottom of his bed, Joe managed somehow to force the cast though the pant leg and stood again.\u00a0\u00a0After pulling on his left boot, he wrapped his belt around his waist and glanced over at Hoss..\u00a0\u00a0Joe was relieved to hear the man snoring, totally unaware of his brother\u2019s attempt at escaping the bedroom.\u00a0\u00a0As stealthily as possible, with the crutch slung under his right arm pit, Joe made it to the doorway.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly he pulled the door open and headed out into the hall.\u00a0\u00a0It took a long while to reach the staircase, as Joe had tried to pass the rooms of Adam and his father without giving away his position.\u00a0\u00a0Once he set his left foot on the top stair, Joe knew he was home free.\u00a0\u00a0All he had to do was get down the staircase, make it over to the front door and then he would ease across the yard to the barn.\u00a0\u00a0Joe knew there was no way he could throw his plaster encircled leg around his pinto\u2019s back, but he would be able to get to the buckboard fine.<\/p>\n

It had taken close to ten minutes to descend from the top of the stairs, but Joe\u2019s patience paid off as he hit the living room floor intact.\u00a0\u00a0He slowly crossed to the front door just in time to hear his name bellowed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u00a0\u00a0What in the devil are you doing!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben shouted, standing on the last step of the staircase.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe sneered towards his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll not leave you alone!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied, his tone raised in concern.\u00a0\u00a0He hurried across the living room and met his son face to face by the door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou get yourself back to your room now.\u00a0The doctor told you to keep off that leg\u2014and you\u2019re going to do just that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not staying here\u2014not one more minute,\u201d Joe answered as he pulled on the doorknob, seeking freedom.<\/p>\n

Ben reached around his son and slammed the door shut, then he blocked Joe\u2019s escape with his body.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGet back up to bed, Joseph\u2014before you do more damage than you\u2019ve already accomplished!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t tell me what to do anymore!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am your father- and YES I CAN!\u00a0\u00a0Especially when you are trying to hurt yourself!\u201d Ben countered forcing Joe\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gave up that right when you gave ME up!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did NOT give you up\u2014I\u2019ve been trying to tell you for weeks now\u2014but YOU won\u2019t listen!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear your lies\u2014I\u2019ve had my fill of them!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grabbed Joe by the upper arms and fought to control his pent up emotions.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t believe that a son of his could call him a liar to his face, but that was exactly what Joe had been doing for weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen tell me what lies you think I\u2019ve told you\u2014can you do that?\u00a0\u00a0Or are you just going to continue to accuse me without any explanation as to why?\u201d Ben asked, trying to get through to the boy yet again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled, and in his eyes his father could tell that the boy was sincere in what he had said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben bellowed towards the stairs, hoping his son would hear his call.<\/p>\n

Joe struggled against his father\u2019s hold, but he was not as strong as the other man and could only stand there helplessly.\u00a0\u00a0Soon Hoss came lumbering down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u00a0\u00a0What\u2019re you doing down here?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, confused by the scene at the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your brother back to his room,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

Hoss made his way over to his little brother and stared over at his father.\u00a0\u00a0Pa looked like he had taken a direct shot to the heart.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss knew that meant Joe was doing his best to hurt their father in any way he could manage.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe\u2014let\u2019s get back upstairs,\u201d Hoss whispered and took hold of Joe\u2019s left arm, as his father stepped back.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me alone, Hoss\u2014I\u2019m leaving!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot tonight you ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss replied and hoisted the boy into his arms and headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n

Ben watched as Joe tried his best to come out of his brother\u2019s arms all the way up the flight of stairs.\u00a0\u00a0Fortunately, Hoss was the strongest man in the area and had little problem managing the boy or the heavy cast on his leg.\u00a0\u00a0He made it into the boy\u2019s room and gently placed his brother onto the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow just simmer down, Youngin\u2019,\u201d Hoss said exasperated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep me prisoner here!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe fumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody\u2019s keeping you prisoner, Joe\u2014you know that!\u00a0\u00a0But that leg of yours ain\u2019t gonna heal if you get up on it.\u00a0\u00a0Now stop acting like a little kid and settle down,\u201d Hoss called down to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that at least YOU were still my friend\u2014guess I was wrong.\u00a0\u00a0Hell you\u2019re probably in on this too!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sank down on the bed next to his brother and shook his head wearily.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI am your friend.\u00a0\u00a0Little Brother, I love you and you KNOW it too!\u00a0\u00a0But, I ain\u2019t gonna stand around no more and listen to you saying awful things about our Pa neither.\u00a0\u00a0That man loves you\u2014and if you weren\u2019t so confused you\u2019d know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLoves me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed, sarcasm ringing in the air.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe sold me\u2014sold me for the price of a contract!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2014that\u2019s not the truth!\u00a0\u00a0Why in heaven\u2019s name would you believe such garbage?\u00a0\u00a0Is that what Bristol told you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard him say it\u2014I heard Pa say it\u2014with his own voice\u2014that\u2019s how I KNOW it!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe finally gave up some important facts to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2014you\u2019re wrong!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away\u2014I ain\u2019t talking to you anymore\u2014I ain\u2019t talking to any of you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe screamed and rolled his body away from his brother\u2019s stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not this time\u2014you\u2019re gonna have to explain it to me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss shot back, and as he did, he spun Joe\u2019s body back towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo away!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re saying you heard Pa say he sold you out for a contract?\u00a0\u00a0When\u2014where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was at Bristol\u2019s place\u2014weeks after I was taken out of that restaurant!\u201d Joe blurted out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Brother\u2014that\u2019s impossible\u2014after Pa left San Francisco he stayed here at the ranch\u2014I know cause I\u2019ve been with him every single day till we got you back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019re lying too.\u00a0\u00a0Now go away Hoss!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe protested and turned away from the man again.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood from the bed totally perplexed over what the boy had conveyed to him.\u00a0\u00a0He could believe that Bristol would lie to the kid, but how could Joe think he heard their father in San Francisco when he had been at the Ponderosa the whole time?<\/p>\n

\u201cStay in that bed\u2014we\u2019ll get this resolved one way or another,\u201d Hoss called down to the boy and walked out of the bedroom.\u00a0\u00a0He needed to go and talk with his pa.<\/p>\n

Ben was surprised to see Hoss as he turned out of the kitchen with a cup of strong coffee held in his hand.\u00a0\u00a0He figured his son would be standing guard over his little brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u00a0\u00a0Has Joseph settled down?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk about some of the things he just told me.\u00a0\u00a0Let me go grab some coffee and I\u2019ll be with you in a minute,\u201d Hoss replied turning towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake that two!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam called coming down the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0He had awakened to the sound of shouting earlier and had not been able to go back to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2014bring you some,\u201d Hoss nodded and walked into the other room.<\/p>\n

Ben sank down in his chair as his eldest boy moved to sit across from him.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was soon back into the living room and handed his brother a cup brimming with coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Adam said accepting the brew.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo?\u00a0\u00a0You two want to tell me what the heck is going on?\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s the crack of dawn you know!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe tried to sneak out of here, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Him and Pa had another go round and I carried him back to his room,\u201d Hoss explained settling down onto the settee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Joseph say to you, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014couple of things\u2014none that make any sense though.\u00a0\u00a0He says he thinks I am \u201cin on it\u201d with you two.\u00a0\u00a0Whatever the heck that means!\u00a0\u00a0But, he did say something that really has me baffled.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe says that you sold him for a contract\u2014I guess he\u2019s talking about that De Santo deal is all I can figure,\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like something Bristol put in the kid\u2019s head,\u201d Adam jumped in with his own thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014well\u2014that\u2019s what I thought\u2014but Joe says that he heard it from somebody else\u2014not Bristol,\u201d Hoss said, gauging his words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho might that be?\u00a0\u00a0That Cole fellow?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014Pa\u2014Joe insists he heard it from you,\u201d Hoss answered somberly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben sounded off loudly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy would I have said such nonsense?\u00a0\u00a0And how could I have told him anyway\u2014I didn\u2019t even see Joseph for six months!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSettle down, Pa\u2014let Hoss finish\u2014we\u2019ll figure this out,\u201d Adam tried to calm his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe says that you were at Bristol\u2019s mansion in San Francisco weeks after he was taken from that restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0I tried my best to tell him that you\u2019ve been here on the ranch with me this whole time\u2014but he wouldn\u2019t listen,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol must have really messed with that boy\u2019s head,\u201d Adam remarked, full of contempt for the evil man.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat has to be it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had enough waiting\u2014I\u2019m going to have a talk with that boy right now and settle this once and for all!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben insisted and stood from his chair.\u00a0\u00a0He set his coffee cup on the table and walked towards the staircase.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2014don\u2019t think Joe\u2019s gonna be open for no conversation right now,\u201d Hoss warned as he followed Adam over to the stairs after their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I am!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben fumed and headed up to his son\u2019s bedroom.<\/p>\n

Joe was still laying on his bed fully dressed, just like Hoss had left him minutes earlier when his family walked into the room.\u00a0\u00a0He shot a glance towards them and then rolled on his side away from their approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014we\u2019re going to talk this out right now,\u201d Ben began and he reached for his son\u2019s shoulder and repositioned him over on his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have anything to say to you\u2014none of you.\u00a0\u00a0If you want to keep me a prisoner here then that\u2019s just fine!\u00a0\u00a0But, as soon as this cast comes off I am leaving,\u201d Joe spoke out in a low controlled voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told Hoss that you heard me at Bristol\u2019s place in San Francisco\u2014that you heard me say that I traded you for a contract.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s the most ludicrous story I\u2019ve ever heard!\u00a0\u00a0First of all, I only saw Bristol that one night\u2014the night he snatched you away from me.\u00a0\u00a0Secondly, I would NEVER\u2014I repeat\u2014NEVER sacrifice YOU or either of your brothers for a contract.\u00a0\u00a0How could you believe that?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben insisted and sat down on the bed next to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard YOU\u2014think I don\u2019t know your voice?\u00a0\u00a0Or maybe you\u2019re saying I\u2019m crazy\u2014is that it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe fired right back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m saying you are mistaken\u2014badly mistaken!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben countered reaching for Joe\u2019s chin to force him to stare into his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was YOU\u2014in the next room\u2014talking to Bristol!\u00a0\u00a0You can deny it till you go blue I don\u2019t give a damn!\u00a0\u00a0But, YOU know what you\u2019ve done to me\u2014and I know\u2014so cut out the protests, it won\u2019t work this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben shouted, as Joe yanked his face from out of his father\u2019s grasp.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLook into my eyes and tell me I\u2019m lying to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve lying to me,\u201d Joe replied bitterly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve been lying so long you\u2019ve gotten good at it.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m just not going along with them anymore.\u00a0\u00a0Now leave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014\u201d Ben paused, his voice trembling with heartache, \u201cI know you don\u2019t mean this\u2014any of this.\u00a0\u00a0How can six months away from me\u2014destroy twenty years of what we\u2019ve had?\u00a0\u00a0I have loved you more than any father could love a son\u2014and you honestly believe I would trade you for a contract?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned we never had anything!\u00a0\u00a0You destroyed it all\u2014just like you destroyed me with what you did.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t ask ME why you did what you did\u2014ask yourself!\u00a0\u00a0But, don\u2019t expect me to believe you now\u2014I heard you that night\u2014I begged you to help me!\u00a0\u00a0I know you heard me calling for you\u2014beating my fists against the wall\u2014and you did NOTHING!\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014why would you?\u00a0\u00a0You set it all up of course\u2014I was expendable then\u2014so don\u2019t expect me to care about you\u2014this ranch \u2014or anything else now!\u00a0\u00a0Go away\u2014 leave me alone\u2014I hate you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled himself up from the bed slowly, never taking his eyes off the boy laying there.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that Joe honestly believed his father had sold him out and that he had heard a conversation between Ben Cartwright and Bristol Ford.\u00a0\u00a0Pa knew his boy, and knew when he was being completely truthful.\u00a0\u00a0The betrayal, mistrust, and hatred was there in the hazel eyes, there was no denying it.\u00a0\u00a0Ben knew he had to find out what had happened all those months ago in order to free his son from his misconceptions.\u00a0\u00a0Until he figured out what had gone on, there was no point in trying to explain the truth of the events leading up to Joe\u2019s abduction.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t hate me, Joseph\u2014you think you do\u2014but you don\u2019t,\u201d Ben whispered and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Hoss followed his father out to the hall to offer what moral support he could give, but Adam decided to stay with his youngest brother for a little while.\u00a0\u00a0He settled down in the chair and stared over at the boy who was dead set on ignoring him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014you\u2019re a smart kid\u2014you can\u2019t possibly believe that our father would value you so little that he would give you up for a contract.\u00a0\u00a0I know you are hurt\u2014and God knows what that bastard Ford did to you\u2014but you\u2019ve got to realize how wrong you are,\u201d Adam spoke out in soft comforting tones.<\/p>\n

Joe remained as he had been since his father had left the room.\u00a0\u00a0His back was turned on his brother and he had no intention of conversing with the man.\u00a0\u00a0As far as he was concerned Adam was as much of a traitor as their father was.\u00a0\u00a0He had told his brother that he didn\u2019t want to return to the ranch, but he had drugged him to force his compliance.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Kid, talk to me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam protested, after several minutes pause.<\/p>\n

That was all it took to seize Joe\u2019s attention.\u00a0\u00a0He had heard the solitary word \u201ckid\u201d and it sent haunted reminders of abuse to the forefront of his mind.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could see Cole standing there in front of him taunting him with the term.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t taken it from Cole, and he sure as hell wasn\u2019t going to take it from his brother!\u00a0\u00a0Joe turned around, grabbing at his cast to maneuver his body once again on his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall me that again, Adam, and I swear I\u2019ll kill you!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked, confused by his brother\u2019s sudden outburst.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t call you anything, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou called me kid\u2014do it again and you\u2019ll live to regret it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014I\u2019ve called you that most of your life\u2014I didn\u2019t mean anything by it\u2014settle down,\u201d Adam apologized.\u00a0\u00a0There had to be a reason for his brother\u2019s anger over hearing the term.\u00a0\u00a0Yes, he knew that Joe had protested the reference, but it had never sent such a hateful gaze as it had that moment.<\/p>\n

Joe reached over to the night stand and lifted his water glass with his right hand and flung it towards his brother while shouting, \u201cGet out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam caught the glass in mid-air as it was launched, but the water soaked his shirt as he made the move.\u00a0\u00a0His own anger was beginning to rise, staring once again at the violent young man looking his way. He placed the glass back on the night stand, but out of range of his brother\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to hate somebody\u2014hate Bristol for doing this to you, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Turning your rage on us is getting old, you know?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam called over to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I hate Bristol?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe sneered towards Adam, \u201cAt least he was honest with me\u2014more than I can say for your father!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam leaned over and took up a fist full of Joe\u2019s nightshirt in his hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s YOUR father too!\u00a0\u00a0If you weren\u2019t laying there with a busted leg I\u2019d teach you some manners!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes and went back to a place in time where he had heard a similar statement.\u00a0\u00a0Hadn\u2019t it been Bristol and Cole who said that same thing?\u00a0\u00a0Now Adam was the one who thought he was just a kid and needed a lesson.\u00a0\u00a0The whole idea of it sent Joe\u2019s left hand over to his brother\u2019s grasp and he slapped Adam\u2019s hand away from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell!\u201d Joe screamed.<\/p>\n

Adam had to use all the patience he possessed inside not to smack his little brother at that moment.\u00a0\u00a0He looked into the eyes of the boy he had watched grow from infancy and it sent a coldness throughout his body.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was so changed by his captivity that it was shocking.\u00a0\u00a0Though he was known to have a volatile temper, the youngest Cartwright was also known to have a deep love for his family.\u00a0\u00a0How could it be the same person?\u00a0\u00a0What had caused the boy so much pain that it had changed his entire personality?<\/p>\n

Adam moved away from his brother\u2019s bed, saying nothing further.\u00a0\u00a0He had to take pity on the kid, not knowing how the seeds of hate had been planted.\u00a0\u00a0Just like the rest of the family, Adam wished that they could find out in order to help him.\u00a0\u00a0No matter what the boy said, nor what he did, he was still Adam\u2019s little brother, and he refused to give up on him.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled the bedroom door open and stepped out into the hallway.<\/p>\n

Joe was glad to have peace after a morning long battle with his family.\u00a0\u00a0The bricks that had built the wall that kept him from loving his father were solid and they were not going to come down.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that the man was playing a part, as if he could fool his youngest son into believing he hadn\u2019t heard him that night at Bristol\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0That made Joe all the more angry.\u00a0\u00a0It was yet another case of Ben Cartwright lying, in his opinion.\u00a0\u00a0The lucrative contract for the De Santo line had gone to the Ponderosa due to the deal Ben had made with Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0He had traded the man one son for the deal that had saved the ranch from faltering.\u00a0\u00a0Now, it seemed as though Ben had decided that he could renege on the whole thing.\u00a0\u00a0That was why Bristol now lay buried and Joe was a prisoner in his room.\u00a0\u00a0The boy could only assume that people had started to ask questions as to who had kidnapped him and why.\u00a0\u00a0Ben must have worried that he couldn\u2019t keep up the charade and had gone after Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0Dead men tell no tales.<\/p>\n

_Joe figured that his father then went about the plan to play dedicated father and had him rescued and brought back home.\u00a0\u00a0The only thing that made no sense was that the man was acting like the whole conversation between him and Bristol at the mansion had never happened.\u00a0\u00a0Did he really presume that his son would go along with that?\u00a0\u00a0Joe couldn\u2019t believe it, it was just too audacious the whole thought of it.\u00a0\u00a0What did the man want from him?\u00a0\u00a0Did he expect him to forgive and forget and go back to their former relationship?\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt what he and his father had once shared had been nothing more than a clever deception.\u00a0\u00a0Ben Cartwright valued his land more than he valued his youngest son.\u00a0\u00a0It was just that simple.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam had talked in private most of the morning.\u00a0\u00a0They went over every single piece of information that they had gleaned from their conversations with Joe.\u00a0\u00a0It still made no sense.\u00a0Adam had kept Dex abreast of what was going on at the ranch for weeks.\u00a0\u00a0There wasn\u2019t much to tell him other than how Joe\u2019s behavior had baffled everyone around him.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had sent several wires letting the Cartwrights know that he was still trying to wear Cole down to learn more of what had transpired between Bristol and his hostage.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t been very successful as of the last wire which they had received earlier the previous week.\u00a0\u00a0Adam decided to ride into Virginia City and send word to the detective of what Joe had told them that morning.\u00a0\u00a0He prayed that, with the further details, Dex would get more from Cole than he already had.<\/p>\n

The week following Joe\u2019s escape attempt had turned out to be the most exasperating for everyone on the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0The boy had clammed up and wouldn\u2019t talk to anyone, save Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0Ben forced himself to stay out of his son\u2019s bedroom, only peeking in on the boy at night when he was sure he was asleep.\u00a0\u00a0It pained him so much to be so close physically but so distant emotionally from his youngest son.\u00a0\u00a0Ben had quite a few in depth conversations with his friend Paul Martin trying to come up with a logical explanation for his son\u2019s hatred.\u00a0\u00a0Paul had little to offer other than moral support.\u00a0\u00a0He had repeated the fact that he thought Joe had suffered some kind of awful trauma at the hands of Bristol and his partners and that it had to be what was allowing him to keep his aloof attitude going towards the family.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Paul had no way to unlock what was imbedded in the boy\u2019s brain.\u00a0\u00a0All he could suggest was that they wait and hope he somehow snapped out of it.\u00a0\u00a0Paul was eager for the Cartwrights to learn some of the details from Dex once he arrived from San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0He agreed with the general consensus, and that was that only Cole would know what had happened while Joe was in captivity.\u00a0\u00a0If the detective could make Bristol\u2019s partner spill his guts they might just find a way to free Joe of his hurt and anger.<\/p>\n

By the time Dex Farwell had received Adam\u2019s most recent telegraph, he had already put in many hours of interrogating Cole Rivers.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol\u2019s evil henchman had proved to be a tough nut to crack and Dex was worried that he might never learn the whole truth of Joe Cartwright\u2019s abduction.\u00a0\u00a0Armed with the new information that the Cartwrights had sent to him via telegraph, Dex tried one last time to shake the criminal enough to make him give up the vital details that were needed in order to help Joe come out of his emotional prison.<\/p>\n

Finally, Cole relented.\u00a0\u00a0He knew he had a sentence being handed down soon that would assure him some long prison time.\u00a0\u00a0Dex spoke with the district attorney and they agreed to reduce the man\u2019s sentence, but only if he gave them what they wanted.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t seem like that much of a plea bargain to Cole, but it did lessen the required ten years for kidnapping to eight years and he jumped at the offer.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol\u2019s other cohorts would be doing close to the same amount of time so he knew he\u2019d be in good company for quite awhile.<\/p>\n

Armed with some important details, Dex used his detective skills to track down an important member of Bristol\u2019s team.\u00a0\u00a0Though the man had been nothing more than a bit player, he was valuable in the fight to help Joe realize the truth.\u00a0\u00a0Dex sent another telegraph to the Cartwrights, which informed them he would be reaching Virginia City in a couple of days.\u00a0\u00a0He would not be traveling alone.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss met Dex the afternoon his stage reached town.\u00a0\u00a0Coming down the stairs of the coach were Dex Farwell, Jeremy Bolding, and another man unfamiliar to the Cartwright brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cDex\u2014Jeremy!\u00a0\u00a0Great to see you,\u201d Adam smiled and shook their hands as they disembarked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJeremy\u2014this is my brother Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you,\u201d Jeremy nodded towards the big man.<\/p>\n

Adam stared over at the stranger who seemed to be hanging in the background on purpose.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWho you got there?\u201d Adam asked Dex.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you all about that.\u00a0\u00a0How about you get your dad and meet us at the hotel this evening.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ve got a lot of things to go over,\u201d Dex replied, trying not to give too much information just yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2014but thought you\u2019d be staying at the ranch?\u00a0\u00a0We got rooms all set up for you\u2014and you know Hop Sing wants to thank you with a big meal,\u201d Hoss jumped in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014there\u2019ll be a time for that\u2014just not right now, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0What do you say we meet at the International House this evening around seven?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine\u2014we\u2019ll go tell Pa that you made it in and come back with him later,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let on to Joe just yet, Adam\u2014we\u2019ve got to handle this a certain way,\u201d Dex instructed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be hard\u2014he\u2019s not talking to any of us now.\u00a0\u00a0The kid only speaks to Hop Sing,\u201d Adam sighed, thinking about all that his youngest brother had put the family through during his month back home.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully we\u2019ll be fixing that real soon. Now\u2014let\u2019s get settled in at the hotel,\u201d Dex said and Jeremy handed the luggage to his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you later!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss called out as the three men headed down the sidewalk making their way over to the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder who that man is?\u201d Adam asked his brother as they walked back to the buckboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know\u2014but awfully strange Dex didn\u2019t even introduce him, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we\u2019ll find out tonight,\u201d Adam replied and stepped up to the driver\u2019s side of the wagon and sent the team back towards the ranch.<\/p>\n

Ben hated to feel so hopeful, worried that he was setting himself up for more disappointment.\u00a0\u00a0He had listened to what Adam and Hoss had conveyed once they returned from town and he was curious over who the mysterious person was that Dex had brought along with him.\u00a0\u00a0As he dressed and readied for the ride to Virginia City Ben decided that any hope was better than none, and they sure weren\u2019t getting anywhere with Joe any other way.\u00a0\u00a0Determined to help the boy in any way he could, Ben mounted his horse and rode along with his two sons to town.<\/p>\n

Dex led the Cartwrights into his hotel suite and they all exchanged greetings.\u00a0\u00a0Ben made sure to thank both the detective and his associate for having succeeded in pulling Joe from Bristol\u2019s clutches.\u00a0\u00a0It was the first chance he had to do it, as Dex and his partner had remained in San Francisco the whole month since Joe\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u00a0\u00a0Where\u2019s this mystery man?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might not be all that mysterious to you, Ben,\u201d Dex offered and walked towards one of the three bedrooms contained in the large hotel suite.\u00a0\u00a0He signaled the man to come out and soon Ben was staring over at a familiar face; Dustin Freemont.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remember him?\u201d Dex asked as he walked with the other man over to the sofa.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up from his chair and his face showed his confusion, \u201cFreemont\u2014wasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014that\u2019s one of his names at least!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy added sarcastically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has several assumed names, Ben.\u00a0\u00a0Him being a con artist and all,\u201d Dex explained. \u201cRemember when you first met him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014of course I do.\u00a0\u00a0The night that Joe was taken\u2014the two of us sat at a table and talked for an hour or more.\u00a0\u00a0He introduced himself as Dustin Freemont\u2014and that he worked for the De Santo company.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t understand\u2014what does he have to do with all of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, Jared, it\u2019s your turn to do some explaining,\u201d Dex told the man.<\/p>\n

Jared stood and paced the hotel suite, worried about how he could properly tell his story.\u00a0\u00a0He knew that the Cartwright family would want his neck in a noose once they learned of his part in Bristol\u2019s plan.\u00a0\u00a0Nevertheless, he had agreed to come forth with his story in order to escape prosecution and now he had no other choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Jared Hawkes\u2014not Dustin Freemont.\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014no\u2014I never worked for the shipping company.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s just the excuse I used in order to talk with you in length that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol Ford\u2014he offered me money\u2014that\u2019s why.\u00a0\u00a0Five hundred dollars free and clear.\u00a0\u00a0And alls I had to do was to listen to you, learn about you and your family.\u00a0\u00a0I accomplished all that in the hour we spoke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t understand\u2014you spoke to me\u2014yes\u2014but what else did you have to do with my son\u2019s abduction?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol learned of my talents\u2014a long time ago.\u00a0\u00a0I happen to be a master of forgery\u2014and he used me for that in the past\u2014but I can also impersonate people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cImpersonate?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss jumped in.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t look nothing like my Pa\u2014if that\u2019s what you mean!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a person\u2019s appearance, Mr. Cartwright\u2014their voice,\u201d Jared countered.<\/p>\n

The three Cartwrights in the room all exchanged bewildered glances.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed unfathomable.\u00a0\u00a0Could the man be telling the truth?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean\u2014you used your voice to impersonate my father?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014that\u2019s what I mean.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t know what Bristol wanted from your son\u2014I swear I didn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I know I\u2019m guilty because I never asked any questions neither.\u00a0\u00a0He handed me a well scripted scene\u2014him and I rehearsed and then we did it there at his place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s hear it,\u201d Adam countered, still in disbelief over what the man had said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa ranch, my sons are Adam, Hoss, and Joe\u2014who I refer to as Joseph,\u201d Jared gave them all a sample of his talents.\u00a0\u00a0They all looked at him with their mouths dropped in amazement.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and faced down the man, his anger lighting up his face.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYour little charade has done insurmountable damage to my son\u2014and to this family!\u00a0\u00a0Was it worth it?\u00a0\u00a0Tell me was five hundred dollars worth putting my boy through an emotional hell?\u201d Ben thundered out.<\/p>\n

Jared looked up at the man and his eyes showed that he regretted his decision to make a quick buck.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo\u2014no Mr. Cartwright\u2014it wasn\u2019t worth it.\u00a0\u00a0I came here\u2014not just because Dex offered me a deal\u2014I want to repair the damage I\u2019ve done.\u00a0\u00a0If you\u2019ll just let me see your son\u2014maybe I can make amends for my part of the deception\u201d<\/p>\n

Dex stood and positioned himself between Ben and Jared.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBen\u2014he didn\u2019t know the details of what Bristol was up to\u2014yeah \u2014he was unethical\u2014to say the least\u2014but he\u2019s willing to help.\u00a0That\u2019s all we should care about now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and sat back down in a chair.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow do we do this?\u00a0\u00a0Does he just walk into my son\u2019s room and say \u201chi I can talk like your father?\u201d\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201dNo\u2014I\u2019ve got a better plan.\u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s talk about some of the things that Cole told us regarding Joe\u2019s captivity and then we\u2019ll set the scene for Jared to come to the ranch and help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

All the men in the room huddled together and went over some of the facts that Cole Rivers had conveyed to the detective and then they went about planning on how to bring Jared in on the situation.\u00a0\u00a0They adjourned late that evening deciding to meet at the Ponderosa in the morning.<\/p>\n

Joe was propped up against the pillows on his bed just killing time until lunch.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing had already helped him wash and dress for the day and he was thumbing through an old book he had read three or four times already.\u00a0\u00a0The leg underneath his cast was itching like crazy, which only made his mood all that more cranky and to top that off his two brothers walked into his bedroom unannounced.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe yelled over at the two men.\u00a0\u00a0He had told them over and over again that he did not want them anywhere around him.\u00a0\u00a0Joe viewed it as a total disregard for his feelings that they would simply drop by.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not today, Little Brother.\u00a0\u00a0We need to talk with you,\u201d Hoss replied with determination on his face as he crossed over to his brother\u2019s bedside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have nothing to say to either of you.\u00a0\u00a0What\u2014are you both deaf?\u00a0\u00a0Get out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot until we get something straight with you,\u201d Adam jumped in to assist Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014we\u2019ve been thinking about that story you told us awhile ago.\u00a0\u00a0Something just don\u2019t ring true, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh really?\u00a0\u00a0Well\u2014if it\u2019s a lie you\u2019re concerned with go ask your father\u2014he\u2019s big on those you know!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe fumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014it\u2019s about that night you said you heard Pa talking in the next room.\u00a0\u00a0Remember?\u00a0\u00a0You were at Bristol\u2019s house at the time?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI don\u2019t think you know what you\u2019re talking about\u2014that\u2019s what!\u00a0\u00a0You can\u2019t hear through a wall very well you know!\u00a0\u00a0Like if someone was talking in the room next to yours\u2014you wouldn\u2019t be able to make out who it was,\u201d Adam led Joe on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hell I couldn\u2019t!\u201d Joe snapped back at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWanna try to prove me wrong?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I prove you wrong\u2014will you stay the hell out of my room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDeal,\u201d Adam nodded and walked towards the door, leaving Hoss next to Joe by the bed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll go in there now and you two can tell me what I say and whether you could tell if it was my voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a moron,\u201d Joe muttered and looked up at Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course we\u2019re gonna know it\u2019s his voice\u2014hell he just said he\u2019s going in there!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014but he wants to see if you can really hear what another fellow\u2019s saying with a good thick wall in between you and them,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

Soon the two brothers could hear Adam\u2019s voice coming from the next room.<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you\u2014now tell me you couldn\u2019t make out that it was Adam?\u201d Joe asked his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014got a point there, Little Brother\u2014but listen\u2014what\u2019s he saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe moved closer to the wall behind his headboard and strained his ears to catch the words that came from the next room.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014that wasn\u2019t part of the deal\u2014yes\u2014I understand\u2014as long as he\u2019s not harmed.\u00a0\u00a0Have to go\u2014no use trying to explain\u2014reported him missing\u2014no questions asked.\u00a0\u00a0Will be writing in the future\u2014lots to do at home,\u201d were the words that could be heard from the room adjacent to Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s body tensed when he heard them, for they were the exact words he recalled hearing his father say that night so many months ago.\u00a0\u00a0And, not only that, the voice was Ben\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0Joe wondered why his father would go along with the test that Adam had suggested.\u00a0\u00a0It only incriminated the man more now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe finally was able to ask his brother.\u00a0\u00a0His voice seemed strained from the pent up hurt that the words had caused him both times.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you hear, Little Brother?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked innocently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I heard!\u00a0\u00a0You know that\u2019s Pa in the next room with Adam!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you doing this to me, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, feeling like his brother was purposely trying to hurt him more than he already was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to be sure you thought you heard what you did,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just heard Pa\u2014saying what he did that night at Bristol\u2019s!\u00a0\u00a0Now tell me he wasn\u2019t there!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a minute,\u201d Hoss said and reached for his brother\u2019s crutch laying up against the wall.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCome with me a second.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked again as Hoss helped him over to the side of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust over to the window and I promise I\u2019ll leave you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had no idea what his brother was up to, in fact he had surmised that the whole family was quite obviously insane or trying to drive him to the point of insanity by their little pretense.\u00a0Slowly he limped to the window with his brother at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook there!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss pointed out the window.<\/p>\n

Standing over by the hitching post in front of the barn all the way across the front yard was Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0Joe followed his brother\u2019s gaze and couldn\u2019t believe his eyes!\u00a0\u00a0There was no way that his father could be all the way across the yard so soon after speaking in the next room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2014I \u2014don\u2019t understand\u2014\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2014that voice you heard\u2014it did sound like Pa\u2019s\u2014heck I would\u2019ve thought the same thing if\u2019n I was you!\u00a0\u00a0But it wasn\u2019t our Pa\u2014it was an impostor!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss insisted and then hollered for Adam to come back into the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Walking into the room with Adam was Jared Hawkes.\u00a0\u00a0The two men stopped and looked across the room to where Joe and Hoss were standing by the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was the one who impersonated your father that night, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0I was paid by Bristol Ford to do it.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t know he was going to hurt you\u2014I didn\u2019t know any of the details.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I\u2019m still guilty for my part in it.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sorry\u2014truly sorry,\u201d the man apologized.<\/p>\n

Joe just stood by the window leaning heavily on his crutch.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t uttered a sound for minutes, unable to think of anything to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on up, Pa!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss yelled out the window to let his father know the charade was now over.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Bristol all along, Joe\u2014he\u2019s been pulling your strings\u2014leading you to believe the worse\u2014in order to get you to stay with him.\u00a0\u00a0He planned everything down to the minute,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

Joe limped towards his bed and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0He felt as though all the energy had been drained from out his body.\u00a0\u00a0The three men standing around him moved when Ben Cartwright entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can handle it from here, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, patting his father\u2019s shoulder and nodding to him that everything had worked out just as planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you all,\u201d Ben whispered towards his sons and to Jared as well.<\/p>\n

Soon the only two people in the bedroom were Joe and his father.\u00a0\u00a0The air seemed heavy with emotion as Ben moved to the chair and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had yet to say anything or to even look at his father at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben started quietly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry we had to do it like that\u2014but we didn\u2019t know of any other way to handle it.\u00a0\u00a0I guess we could\u2019ve just brought Jared in here and let him speak in my voice\u2014but we weren\u2019t sure you would accept that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the one\u2014he\u2019s the one who was at Bristol\u2019s that night?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, still trying to sort it all out in his troubled mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2014but you see\u2014we didn\u2019t know anything about it until yesterday.\u00a0\u00a0Dex took what we had told him about you saying you heard me that night and went with the information to Cole Rivers.\u00a0\u00a0He finally admitted what they had done.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t until Dex got into town yesterday that we knew about Jared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe covered his face in his hands and rocked his head back and forth.\u00a0\u00a0There were no tears leaving his eyes but he looked so despondent that it made his father almost regret what they had all just done.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2014so confused\u2014so confused,\u201d Joe whispered, still not looking towards his pa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2014this has all been a nightmare for you\u2014but, Son, it\u2019s going to let go of you.\u00a0\u00a0You just need to know what really happened so you can sort it all out.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019d like to tell you\u2014that is\u2014if you\u2019ll listen?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben pleaded with his son.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t reply verbally, but he did nod his head to give his father the okay to begin his long-awaited explanation.\u00a0\u00a0Ben sank back in the chair and gathered his thoughts.\u00a0\u00a0He had waited so long to tell his boy what had happened, that now the words seemed lodged in his throat both anxious and a bit hesitant to come out.\u00a0\u00a0He finally began, keeping his gaze directed towards his son hoping that what he had to convey would pull him towards his father and not farther away.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat evening\u2014I waited for you to come to the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0I met a man about an hour before you and I were supposed to meet for dinner.\u00a0\u00a0That man introduced himself as Dustin Freemont.\u00a0He claimed to work for the De Santo company.\u00a0\u00a0We had a long conversation talking about this ranch\u2014you boys\u2014and just general topics.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t until yesterday that I learned his real name was Jared Hawkes\u2014the man who just left this room,\u201d Ben started his explanation.\u00a0\u00a0He noticed how Joe still sat with his head held in his hands, his face turned away from his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked for about an hour and then he left and I took a table in the restaurant.\u00a0\u00a0I waited for you to join me.\u00a0\u00a0As I was going over the menu a man sat down across from me.\u00a0\u00a0Thinking it was you, I looked up only to see it was Bristol Ford sitting there smiling over at me.\u00a0\u00a0It was then he began to explain to me about the new game he decided to play with this family.\u00a0\u00a0He told me that he had a man riding to Sacramento with your brother Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said that the man was a hired gunman.\u00a0\u00a0He said that if I didn\u2019t go along with his scheme that once they both arrived in Sacramento that the gunman would find a telegraph waiting on him that would tell him to kill Hoss,\u201d Ben paused to see if his words were understood.\u00a0\u00a0Joe dropped his hands down in front of him and glanced over at his father.\u00a0Ben took that to mean that the boy was paying close attention, so he continued, \u201cI had no way of knowing if Bristol was telling the truth or not\u2014and I had no way of warning your brother.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol said he wanted to take you from me, right there in the restaurant.<\/p>\n

Then he showed me the hired guns he had sitting at both sides of me and also in front of the bar.\u00a0\u00a0He said that when you came in I was to just sit there\u2014not warn you in any way\u2014and simply watch as he snatched you from me.\u00a0\u00a0I told him I couldn\u2019t do that\u2014and I begged him to take me instead.\u00a0\u00a0But, that was not his plan.\u00a0\u00a0He warned me that you would be killed on the spot if I said one word about what was going to happen\u2014or if I tried to help you in any way.\u00a0\u00a0If I had just had more time\u2014if I just knew of another way\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped as his guilt over the situation resurfaced and hit him head-on.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBut\u2014there wasn\u2019t time\u2014and there wasn\u2019t anything else I could do.\u00a0\u00a0He warned me not to run after you\u2014not to go to the authorities either.\u00a0\u00a0I was to sit there calmly while I watched them pull you out of the restaurant and then wait for instructions.\u00a0\u00a0He said if I didn\u2019t do as instructed you would be killed\u2014and so would Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0It was only moments later that you came walking in.\u00a0\u00a0Seeing you there\u2014smiling at me\u2014talking of plans to go to the theater was unbearable, Joseph!\u00a0\u00a0I wanted to keep you from that maniac\u2014 I would have jumped in front of all of those guns to prevent them from taking you!<\/p>\n

But,\u2014there was also Hoss to be considered.\u00a0\u00a0I felt at the time that I could get you back\u2014soon\u2014and once I knew Hoss was safe I would make Bristol pay for what he had done.\u00a0\u00a0I had no idea that it would be another six months before I would lay eyes on you again,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice showed the strain he had been under for months due to his decision.\u00a0\u00a0He watched as Joe looked back down towards the bed and away from his father\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt killed me to see the way you looked at me\u2014the way you screamed for my help\u2014I\u2019ve had that in my mind every moment since they took you from me.\u00a0\u00a0I can only imagine what it looked like to you, Joseph\u2014and I know it was part of the reason you came to hate me!\u201d Ben paused again and stood in order to pace the floor while rehashing the rest of his story.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sat there for hours\u2014waiting for Bristol\u2019s instructions.\u00a0\u00a0The guards at the tables next to me watched my every move\u2014there was no leaving the restaurant!\u00a0\u00a0Finally a messenger brought a letter from Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0It said that the wire would be sent to the hired gun in Sacramento and he would be called off your brother.\u00a0\u00a0But, it also contained a ticket back home.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol warned me to get on the first stage the next morning or you would be killed.\u00a0\u00a0Again\u2014I had no choice.\u00a0\u00a0I went back to the hotel room and discovered his men had been up there.\u00a0\u00a0Some of your things were missing.\u00a0\u00a0And your mother\u2019s locket,\u201d Ben stopped and reached inside his vest and pulled out the woman\u2019s picture and handed it over to his son, \u201cthey broke this\u2014but I had it repaired.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve been praying for the day that I could give it back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took the locket in his hand and stared at the picture.\u00a0Ben could see it in the boy\u2019s eyes that he had missed the locket.\u00a0\u00a0He did expect the image of Joe\u2019s mother to send some tears down his son\u2019s cheeks but that didn\u2019t happen.\u00a0\u00a0Ben wondered how his son could hold it in like he had for so long.\u00a0\u00a0His youngest son often showed his grief, sadness and even his joy with tears.\u00a0\u00a0When Joe didn\u2019t say anything about the locket, Ben continued with his story, \u201cI packed up our gear and headed out of town the next morning.\u00a0\u00a0If you only knew how badly I felt\u2014how much I missed you!\u00a0\u00a0I decided to do exactly what Bristol instructed, find out if Hoss was okay and then return to San Francisco and rescue you.\u00a0\u00a0It didn\u2019t matter to me by that point if I had to tear the entire town apart in order to get to you, Joseph, I just wanted you back!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe closed his fingers around the picture of his mother and cast a quick glance over at his father and then simply looked back down at the bed.\u00a0\u00a0He was listening intently on everything Pa was conveying but his mind was still heavily weighed down with the lies that Bristol had told him.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed impossible to detect what the truth was at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got back home I was relieved to see your brother alive and well.\u00a0\u00a0He confirmed the story about a stranger he had ridden with to Sacramento and on to Virginia City.\u00a0\u00a0Your brother even showed that man where the telegraph office was in Sacramento and he said that there was, indeed, a letter waiting for the guy.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol wasn\u2019t lying about that part at least.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that we discovered he sent a letter on the same stage that had carried Hoss back here.\u00a0\u00a0It was further instructions on what he expected us to do.\u00a0\u00a0He said if anyone of us was spotted again in San Francisco that you would be killed.\u00a0\u00a0He said he was not going to harm you, but that you were no longer my son, just his possession!\u00a0\u00a0It concluded with a ps, which said to check my chess set in the den.\u00a0There I found Bristol had sent someone to move my board pieces around into a checkmate scenario.\u00a0\u00a0We knew then that the ranch and Virginia City were being watched,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben stopped yet again and resumed his position in the chair.\u00a0\u00a0He was already feeling played out from what he had told the boy and there was still so much more to the story.<\/p>\n

Clearing his throat he began again, \u201cWe sent word through Carson City to your brother Adam.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We also contacted Dex.\u00a0\u00a0It was hard waiting for them when all I wanted to do was to bring you home,\u201d Ben brushed aside several tears which had fallen from his eyes just thinking about the whole terrible ordeal.\u00a0\u00a0Looking back over at his son, Ben could tell that the boy was struggling to process all the information into his mind, and was trying his best to make sense of it.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam and Dex arrived in Carson and we came up with a plan to rescue you. Dex insisted that Hoss and I remain here and proceed with fulfilling the timber contracts.\u00a0He wanted it to look as though we were following Bristol to the letter just in case any of his spies were still watching the comings and goings around here.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I\u2019ll say it again\u2014and as many times as it takes to register in your head\u2014I never cared about those contracts. YOU were my only concern!\u00a0\u00a0I know Bristol wanted you to believe differently\u2014but all of what he told you was a pack of lies, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0If you hadn\u2019t gone through all the trauma that you have\u2014you never would have believed what he told you.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t blame you there.\u00a0\u00a0I only blame myself for not protecting you,\u201d Ben hesitated once more, he wanted so badly to reach for his son at that moment.\u00a0\u00a0If only he could pull the boy into his arms and prove to him that all that Bristol had forced him to believe was untrue!\u00a0But, gauging the look on his son\u2019s face, Ben knew he had to keep his distance for the time being.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and Dex went on to San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0Dex had his associates watching out for Bristol and his men.\u00a0\u00a0Unfortunately it seemed as though they arrived a day late.\u00a0\u00a0After questioning witnesses, including some of Hop Sing\u2019s relatives, they learned Bristol had obtained passage on a clipper ship\u2014the Sapphire\u2014and headed to Europe.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone swore you were on board with him and his men.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Dex ran down all the leads they could\u2014even finding the mansion where you had been originally taken.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol was gone to Europe as far as everyone thought.\u00a0\u00a0We had our one and only stroke of luck a little over a month ago.\u00a0\u00a0Jeremy Bolding, one of the men who had worked the case with Dex, spotted you and Bristol leaving Eureka bringing those horses back down the coast.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when we put together the other plan to rescue you.\u00a0\u00a0I was up with your brother Hoss at the timber camp when Dex arrived here from Salt Lake where he was working on another case.\u00a0\u00a0There wasn\u2019t time to get us and Adam joined him in the new mission.\u00a0\u00a0By the way\u2014Dex did send a man from New York to London hoping to intercept the Sapphire when she pulled in to port.\u00a0\u00a0Up till then we thought Dex\u2019s contact would rescue you in London and bring you back to the states.\u00a0We\u2019ve all been counting down the days until he returned and wired us that he had you.\u00a0\u00a0Just yesterday a telegraph came from the man\u2014saying Bristol never got off the ship.\u00a0\u00a0So\u2014you see, Joe\u2014we did everything in our power to get you back here\u2014Bristol was just a whole lot more devious than we were,\u201d Ben said and stood once again in order to relate the final details.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the window and watched as the snow began to fall.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cFirst snow fall\u2014kinda late for the year\u2014but still just as pretty a sight as always,\u201d Ben mused, thinking about how Joe would have been outside enjoying the flurries had he not been weighted down with a cast and a world of troubles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014you pretty much know the rest I guess.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Dex and his men found out you were going to be brought to San Francisco for a celebration over the sale of those horses.\u00a0\u00a0They learned what restaurant you had gone into with Bristol and decided they would take care of the man once and for all.\u00a0Of course they didn\u2019t plan on you jumping in front of that bullet\u2014Dex was very upset about you getting hurt!\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014Bristol having pulled that derringer on your brother\u2014well\u2014his death was unavoidable.\u00a0\u00a0Not that I will ever mourn that man\u2014not after all he has cost this family!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He was as spent as his father now was after hearing the whole long story.\u00a0\u00a0His confusion was well painted on his face as was his sadness.\u00a0\u00a0Ben realized that it would take awhile for the boy to think about all he had heard and didn\u2019t want to upset him any further.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the night stand and reached for some of the medicine that Paul had left to sedate his patient.\u00a0\u00a0Pouring some of the liquid onto a tablespoon Ben brought it over to Joe\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an emotional day for you, Son.\u00a0\u00a0Why don\u2019t you take this and maybe get some rest?\u00a0\u00a0We can talk more later\u2014if you want to,\u201d Ben offered his son the medicine.<\/p>\n

Joe accepted the spoon and swallowed the dose eagerly.\u00a0\u00a0He had heard and seen so much already that all he wanted now was some sleep.\u00a0\u00a0The problems and confusion would still be there when he awoke, but Joe just wanted some peace and quiet.\u00a0\u00a0Ben handed Joe a glass of water to wash the bitter taste of the liquid from his son\u2019s mouth.\u00a0\u00a0This time, unlike all the times in the previous weeks that he had tried to offer Joe a drink, Joe took the glass from his father.\u00a0\u00a0He drank the full contents and instead of setting the glass back on the night stand he handed it back to his pa.<\/p>\n

Ben took that small gesture as a good sign. The boy still wasn\u2019t talking, but it showed that he was starting to think about all he had heard.\u00a0\u00a0There was also no hostility in his clouded eyes at the time and Ben was relieved by that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you get some rest, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0You lie back now and I\u2019ll be in to check on you in awhile,\u201d Ben said quietly and watched as his son sank back down on the bed and closed his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0The anxious father was pleased to see that his son still held Marie\u2019s picture tightly in his hand, refusing to set it aside.\u00a0\u00a0It was a start and when Ben walked to the door he felt as though a world full of weight was starting to lift from his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know this isn\u2019t going to go away over night\u2014not after you\u2019ve been through so much for so long, Son.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I want to tell you again\u2014that I would never willingly let anyone take you from me.\u00a0\u00a0If there had been any other way\u2014\u201d Ben paused, finding the guilt coming back upon him again.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell\u2014get some sleep.\u00a0\u00a0I love you, Joe,\u201d Ben whispered and closed the bedroom door.<\/p>\n

Ben walked slowly down the stairs thinking about how Joe had taken the explanation he had just offered.\u00a0\u00a0When he made it into the living room he was met by Adam and Hoss who had been waiting and wondering how things had gone upstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d it go, Pa?\u201d Hoss was first to ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I told him the whole story.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s pretty confused right now,\u201d Ben answered as he walked across the room and settled in a chair by the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Joe say?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam continued where Hoss had left off with the questioning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really didn\u2019t say anything\u2014but\u2014I could tell by his face that he was listening the whole time.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s got so much to process in his head\u2014he\u2019s gone through so much turmoil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he\u2019s gonna be okay now, Pa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked hopefully, as he sat across from the man.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged his shoulders and gave a tired sigh, \u201cJoe\u2019s gone through six months of hell.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s been lied to\u2014so much\u2014and by someone who was proficient in the art of deceit.\u00a0\u00a0I know he wants to believe me\u2014but as to whether we can wipe out a half of a years worth of torment simply by telling your brother the truth\u2014I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHank drove Jared back into town.\u00a0\u00a0The guy apologized another half a dozen times.\u00a0\u00a0I hate that we agreed to drop charges against that man\u2014but he sure helped us break through Joe\u2019s shell,\u201d Adam commented as he poured his father a shot of brandy and handed it to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2014I can use this right about now,\u201d Ben nodded and sipped on the drink. \u201cI know what you mean, though, just like knocking two years off of Cole River\u2019s sentence.\u00a0\u00a0They were unfortunate necessities I guess.\u00a0\u00a0Without the information that Dex got from Rivers\u2014and the proof that Jared showed the boy\u2014well\u2014he might never have let me tell him the story that I just told him.\u00a0We can only pray that it will prove to be a fair trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2014what\u2019s Joe doing now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss asked, his eyes tracking up the stairs towards his brother\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gave him some of that medication that Doc left.\u00a0\u00a0Figured he could use it.\u00a0\u00a0We need to let him rest and then we\u2019ll figure out what to do next.\u00a0\u00a0You know Joe\u2019s heard the story we had for him but we\u2019ve yet to learn the details behind his captivity.\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s no telling what Bristol put him through emotionally or physically.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m sure Cole Rivers only scratched the surface in his confession to Dex. I\u2019m hoping that Joseph will be able to talk to us about what he went through in order to work it out in his head\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to go and stay with him?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014he\u2019s okay\u2014as okay as he can be I guess.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019ll sleep for awhile I\u2019m sure.\u00a0\u00a0Hopefully when he wakes up maybe he\u2019ll talk to us,\u201d Ben replied, hoping he was right.<\/p>\n

Joe slept a long while, having succumbed to the emotional events of the day.\u00a0\u00a0He came back around shortly before dinner and found his father to be there waiting in the chair next to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was starting to get worried\u2014you\u2019ve been out of it for quite awhile.\u00a0\u00a0Are you all right, Son?\u201d Ben asked soothingly.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and looked over towards the door.\u00a0\u00a0Adam and Hoss were just entering the room.\u00a0\u00a0He watched as they approached his bed and stood at the end of it.\u00a0\u00a0Joe knew they were a bit cautious over how their brother would react to their presence in his room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow you doing, Little Brother?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss began the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Joe said, but didn\u2019t mean it.\u00a0\u00a0He was far from okay but decided there was no real reason to act hostile towards any of the men in the room.\u00a0\u00a0The confusion over all that he had heard earlier was easily read on his face and in his sad eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He was no longer the angry hate- controlled person he had been since he had been rescued, but he was far from the bright happy go lucky youngest member of the family that they were all use to.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou feel like eating some supper?\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing made your favorite,\u201d Adam offered cheerily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe whispered, though food was the last thing on his mind at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we give your brother a couple of minutes to get his bearings and then we\u2019ll bring up dinner, Boys,\u201d Ben stated as he stood from the chair.\u00a0\u00a0He could tell that Joe was feeling a bit overwhelmed by their presence surrounding him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014we\u2019ll be back up in a little while, Joe,\u201d Hoss nodded, taking his cue from his father\u2019s tone.\u00a0\u00a0He and Adam turned for the door followed by their father.<\/p>\n

Joe sank back against his pillows and tried to control the uneasiness he was feeling inside.\u00a0\u00a0He assumed that all three men had meant well, but Joe knew he wasn\u2019t ready to open up to anyone just yet.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t shake the thoughts and visions of Bristol, nor all the things he had gone through.\u00a0\u00a0There were still too many questions that had gone unanswered in his mind and he knew that he might never be able to address them all.\u00a0\u00a0Part of him wanted to run away from all he had seen and heard and part of him wanted to pour his soul out to his family.\u00a0\u00a0The battle in his mind waged on and Joe wasn\u2019t sure if he was going insane or not.\u00a0\u00a0He couldn\u2019t stand to lay in bed any longer.\u00a0\u00a0The uneasiness was mounting and it was getting the better of him fast.\u00a0\u00a0Carefully Joe lifted his cast imprisoned right leg and set it on the floor next to his bed.\u00a0\u00a0He reached for his crutch and pulled himself to standing.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly Joe moved across his bedroom floor over to the window.\u00a0\u00a0There was just a faint light outside which was cast from the dying porch lamps below.\u00a0\u00a0Joe could see the snowflakes as they settled against his window pane.\u00a0\u00a0His mind wandered and as it did, the image of Bristol Ford appeared in the glass before him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sold you out\u2014I told you never to trust him, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0Remember?\u00a0\u00a0You said you\u2019d never trust him again?\u201dJoe could hear the man\u2019s deep voice in his mind.\u201dYou know he\u2019s lying to you\u2014just like he lied all those other times.\u00a0\u00a0Your father only cared about that contract\u2014he only cared about saving the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0You were expendable!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe winced his eyes shut as tight as he could get them and tried to drown out the sound of the man\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of my head!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben called over to his son.\u00a0\u00a0He had heard the boy screaming just as he had reached the doorway.<\/p>\n

Joe turned and saw his father and then collapsed onto the floor in a dead faint. Ben hurried to his side and lifted him in his arms, carrying his son over to the bed.\u00a0\u00a0He had no idea what had frightened the boy so badly to have made him pass out like he had.\u00a0\u00a0Settling him underneath the comforter Ben hurried to the wash basin and soaked a cloth to put on Joe\u2019s forehead.\u00a0\u00a0He returned to his son\u2019s side and placed the cooled cloth over his brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u00a0\u00a0Joe can you hear me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyelids trembled and then blinked open.\u00a0\u00a0He had no recollection of having passed out and wondered for a moment what his father was doing sitting so close to him.\u00a0\u00a0The man had kept his distance for weeks.\u00a0\u00a0Joe couldn\u2019t figure out what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was it, Son?\u00a0\u00a0What scared you so?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben continued to try to find the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Bristol,\u201d Joe mumbled and rolled his head away from his father\u2019s gaze.\u00a0\u00a0He felt confused and scared and didn\u2019t know how to stop either emotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol\u2019s dead, Joseph\u2014he can\u2019t ever hurt you again,\u201d Ben explained calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2014please just leave me alone,\u201d Joe pleaded with his father.\u00a0\u00a0Between the image of Bristol coming on him so quickly, and his father reappearing in the room as he had, Joe was caught between opposing worlds.\u00a0\u00a0He wasn\u2019t ready to face either man, alive or dead.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t want to get up from the bed.\u00a0\u00a0He just wanted to hold his son and make all the pain go away once and for all.\u00a0\u00a0But he could read by the way Joe had turned away from him that the boy wasn\u2019t yet ready to confide in him.\u00a0\u00a0Though it hurt him, the whole thought of it, Ben had to give Joe the distance he needed or risk losing what little territory they had gained in their relationship earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I bring you dinner up?\u00a0\u00a0Think you could eat a little something, Joe?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked as he stood from the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and whispered, \u201cI just want to be alone right now.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t want anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and readjusted the cloth on his son\u2019s forehead.\u00a0\u00a0He figured the boy wouldn\u2019t mind that one small gesture.\u00a0\u00a0Then the anguished father turned for the door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll be in my room if you need me, Son,\u201d Ben said as he walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

The grandfather clock standing by the entranceway of the house chimed two times. But the only one in the living room to hear it was Joe. He stood, propped up with his crutch, in front of the blazing fireplace.\u00a0\u00a0The house was otherwise as quiet as a church and Joe had sought the serenity in order to try and work some things out in his mind.\u00a0\u00a0The walls in his bedroom had seemed as though they were closing in on him and Joe knew he needed to get out of there, if only for a short while.\u00a0\u00a0He was glad that his father\u2019s bedroom door was shut so that he could ease down the hallway undetected.\u00a0\u00a0Now, standing there looking at the flames dancing on the fire logs Joe\u2019s mind wandered back to the night he had written the letter to his father.\u00a0\u00a0He had found it again, stuck inside the family Bible sitting on the coffee table.\u00a0\u00a0Gazing down at his handwriting now it seemed like so long ago since he had scribbled the three anger induced sentences on the paper.<\/p>\n

Caught up in his memories, Joe didn\u2019t hear the sound of his father descending the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t until he caught a glimpse of the man in the long velvet robe that he even looked over at him.\u00a0\u00a0There was an uneasy stillness between the two Cartwrights.\u00a0\u00a0That was something that would have seemed odd some seven months prior, as Ben and his youngest had been so close for so long and had shared a love that most fathers and sons would have envied.<\/p>\n

Ben held his gaze on his youngest and his heart ached to move closer to him.\u00a0\u00a0It had been too long since he had wrapped his arms around the boy and showed him that he was loved.\u00a0Looking at the hazel eyes, Ben only read sadness in them now, the hatred had subsided.\u00a0\u00a0Slowly he approached his son and stood inches away from him.\u00a0\u00a0It was then that the worried father saw what was in Joe\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

Joe made eye contact with his pa and then stared back down at the piece of paper.\u00a0\u00a0His words wouldn\u2019t come, though he really wanted to talk to him now.\u00a0\u00a0Ben finally broke the silence, unable to stand it any longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just peeked in on you a minute ago\u2014I was worried when you weren\u2019t in your bed,\u201d Ben began, his words chosen as carefully as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought I had tried to run off again?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked earnestly, remembering his attempt at escape a few weeks earlier.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, \u201cNo, Joseph\u2014I didn\u2019t think that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI found this\u2014\u201d Joe began, indicating the letter, but his words choked up in his throat and he couldn\u2019t continue\u00a0\u00a0He had so much he wanted to explain to his pa now, but wasn\u2019t sure he could do it.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, knowing from the looks of him that his son was upset and was trying to explain why.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I meant all this when I wrote it\u2014\u201d Joe started again, but when he saw how his words had hurt his father he stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben insisted.\u00a0\u00a0He had to know the truth about the letter once and for all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hated you\u2014hated you so much!\u00a0\u00a0I would never have written this if I didn\u2019t\u2014no matter what they did to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Son,\u201d Ben replied and tried not to show how mortally wounded he was from the boy\u2019s confession.\u00a0\u00a0He knew Joe had to get it all out or he would never accept what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I hadn\u2019t hated you\u2014I couldn\u2019t have survived,\u201d Joe whispered and tried to move away from the fireplace but was having a hard time maneuvering his crutch into position.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get you off that leg\u2014come on over to the sofa,\u201d Ben offered and pulled his chair back to allow Joe to make the move across the room.<\/p>\n

Joe settled down on the settee and set his heavy cast out in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Ben said and lifted the massive cast so that it rested on top of the coffee table.<\/p>\n

If it had been any other time Joe would have laughed to see his father allowing him to rest a foot up on the sacred piece of furniture.\u00a0\u00a0He had so often been reprimanded for doing so that it had become like a game between father and son.\u00a0\u00a0Now, however, the seriousness of the situation did not warrant any levity.\u00a0\u00a0Joe had just confided in his father that his hatred for him had been real and there wasn\u2019t anything funny about that.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to regroup his thoughts and began once more, \u201cIf I still loved you, Pa\u2014then there would\u2019ve been no way for me to survive what you had done to me.\u00a0\u00a0Knowing you just let them take me\u2014that you didn\u2019t even try to help me that first night was awful.\u00a0\u00a0But, I didn\u2019t believe that you were a part of a plan back then.\u00a0\u00a0I was so sure that you would rescue me that night\u2014there was no doubt in my mind.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014you didn\u2019t\u2014you didn\u2019t rescue me.\u00a0\u00a0The next morning Bristol took me back into town\u2014I was blindfolded so I didn\u2019t see where we were until they removed it from me.\u00a0We were across the street from the stage depot\u2014and there you were\u2014getting on the stagecoach\u2014leaving town without me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe tried to explain what had led up to his hatred by detailing the events.\u00a0\u00a0Ben sat there next to him on the sofa and tried not to interrupt.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI couldn\u2019t believe you would leave without me!\u00a0\u00a0You knew I was in Bristol\u2019s clutches\u2014there was no way you would leave me there.\u00a0\u00a0But you did,\u201d Joe said and forced his tears to stay at bay.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way he would cry, not ever again.\u00a0\u00a0Life with Bristol had hardened him beyond emotional displays.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know now\u2014why I left, Joseph, don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben finally felt compelled to jump in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you\u2019ve told me\u2014yeah.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014that\u2019s now\u2014not back then.\u00a0\u00a0I had no idea what was going on.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol and Cole hinted about some kind of a trade\u2014but I didn\u2019t believe them\u2014even after you left on that stage.\u00a0\u00a0They put me through so much during those first weeks,\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe stopped again, fighting back the awful images which had crept inside his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d Ben whispered, still hoping to unlock Joe\u2019s memories so that they could both deal with them head-on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey tied me\u2014they humiliated me\u2014you name it.\u00a0\u00a0Mostly head games at first\u2014trying to break me.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t cave, Pa\u2014not for a long while\u2014not until that night\u2014the night I wrote that letter,\u201d Joe confessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened the night you wrote it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014Bristol wanted me to write those things to you\u2014and I refused.\u00a0\u00a0So, they decided to keep me awake until I gave up and wrote it.\u00a0\u00a0I figured I could outlast all of them\u2014so I wasn\u2019t all that worried.\u00a0\u00a0I was wrong though,\u201d Joe sighed wearily and looked again at the letter still held tightly in his hands.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt was the third night\u2014and I was so tired\u2014so tired.\u00a0\u00a0But, I still refused to write the damn thing.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when Bristol came in the room and got Cole.\u00a0\u00a0They mentioned something about a visitor being in the next room\u2014and that they\u2019d deal with me later.\u00a0\u00a0I can still remember feeling that you had finally come to save me!\u00a0\u00a0I just knew it had to be my father in the next room.\u00a0\u00a0I moved over to the wall and pressed my ear up against it.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when I heard\u2014heard that you had traded me for the De Santo contract\u2014to save the Ponderosa from defaulting on its loans.\u00a0\u00a0It was sketchy\u2014I couldn\u2019t hear all that clearly\u2014but what I heard matched up with what Cole had told me earlier.\u00a0\u00a0You didn\u2019t love me\u2014if you did\u2014you never would have traded me for monetary purposes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that was a lie\u2014now\u2014right?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked worriedly.\u00a0\u00a0Looking into Joe\u2019s fiery eyes he could see the boy appeared to be stuck in the past.\u00a0\u00a0His emotions seemed centered on that awful night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat night I believed it\u2014it had come right from your own mouth.\u00a0\u00a0I just wanted to die right there on the floor when I heard what you said to Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0You took twenty years of my life and made it an awful joke!\u00a0\u00a0I never felt so alone in my life\u2014then I did at that moment.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when Bristol came back into the room.\u00a0\u00a0He admitted it had been you and him talking and that he was sorry that I had overheard the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBastard,\u201d Ben mumbled, mainly to himself.\u00a0\u00a0Just thinking about the head games that the evil man had forced on his son made his hands tighten into fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to hate you\u2014because if I loved you I would\u2019ve just laid there and died that night.\u00a0\u00a0If I hated you I could go on.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s what I did,\u201d Joe admitted sadly.\u00a0\u00a0He wished he could pace the room to get out the rest of the story, but his leg would not allow him to move from his position on the sofa.\u00a0\u00a0He could tell that what he had already conveyed to his pa had cut him to the quick.\u00a0\u00a0Part of Joe felt awful for doing it, but part of him wanted the man to hurt.\u00a0\u00a0And he had no idea why.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what happened then,\u201d Ben urged on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I wrote the letter\u2014and I prayed that you would hurt as badly as I did at that moment,\u201d Joe stated bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that was your intent\u2014well\u2014you succeeded,\u201d Ben nodded as tears filled his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He would never forget reading the letter for the first time.<\/p>\n

Joe looked away from his fathers eyes, not wanting to feel sorry for him.\u00a0\u00a0Then he continued.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe let me go to sleep then.\u00a0\u00a0The next weeks are a blur to me\u2014in fact there\u2019s a lot that\u2019s a blur to me now.\u00a0\u00a0The next big event came right before Bristol moved us from the mansion to the seashore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would\u2019ve been when he pretended to board the Sapphire,\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell a day or so before that\u2014Bristol told me that he was going away for awhile and left me in the hands of Cole Rivers.\u00a0\u00a0That guy hated my guts\u2014he was always trying to push me into a fight.\u00a0\u00a0That came shortly after Bristol left,\u201d Joe paused as he remembered the fight he had with the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a little name calling he tied me to the bed and whipped the heck out of me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe exclaimed, still angered over his inability to do anything about what had transpired between him and Cole.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe what?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked, exasperated at the thought of it all.\u00a0\u00a0He could only conclude that it was one part of his confession that Cole had purposely left out due to what the repercussions of his actions would have been.\u00a0\u00a0There wouldn\u2019t have been a plea bargain if Ben had known what Bristol\u2019s number one man had done to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe beat me bad\u2014real bad.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014to make it worse\u2014he shoved me into this cabinet in the bedroom and locked me in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face took on an ashen appearance due to the awful details he was now hearing. \u201cOh\u2014Joseph\u2014\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sat in there for so long\u2014in the dark\u2014bleeding.\u00a0\u00a0The worst part of it was that I didn\u2019t have anything to pray for by then.\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014who was gonna save me from it?\u00a0\u00a0Not you\u2014not anyone!\u00a0It was then that I realized that the only person who would come and let me out was Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0He was my only hope.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head angrily, \u201cHe planned it all\u2014everything!\u00a0\u00a0He wanted you to turn to him, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0This was obviously yet another scheme to win your trust while destroying what you and I had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and sighed, \u201cMaybe that\u2019s the case now, Pa\u2014but back then\u2014I believed he would save me and he did.\u00a0\u00a0He got me out of there\u2014he sent Cole away from my room.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014\u201d\u00a0Joe stopped once more as he remembered the strange events that had happened that awful night.\u00a0\u00a0He could still feel Bristol\u2019s hands on his body, as he doctored his many wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben tried to coax his son onward so they would have the whole truth out in the open.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe fixed me up\u2014he doctored my wounds\u2014he worked on my body to get all the knots out of it from being locked inside that damn cabinet for so long,\u201d Joe explained, but his face showed that he was holding back again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that\u2014is that all he did?\u201d Ben asked, worried that Bristol might have harmed his son in other ways while the boy had been so vulnerable.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014that\u2019s all\u2014he just fixed me up\u2014gave me something to knock me out,\u201d Joe insisted, pushing aside the night from his mind again.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNext thing I knew we were in that house he had by the ocean.\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s when he explained why he was being so nice to me.\u00a0\u00a0He told me he never wanted to destroy me\u2014just you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh he did, did he?\u00a0\u00a0And did he tell you why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that you went back on an agreement eleven years ago\u2014and because of your deceit he lost his ranch.\u00a0\u00a0On top of that he came home to a wife and son who were sick with the fever.\u00a0He said he lost them both and hated you ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014you didn\u2019t believe all that did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was I to believe, Pa?\u00a0\u00a0Believe you were a saint?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked incredulously.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou had sold me for a contract, remember?\u00a0\u00a0Bristol\u2019s explanation seemed logical at the time.\u00a0\u00a0I even felt bad for the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol Ford has never been married\u2014he never had any children either.\u00a0\u00a0That was one part of the story that Cole Rivers did tell Dex\u2014though he politely left out the fact that he had beaten you so badly!\u00a0\u00a0Yes, the man lost his ranch\u2014but there was never an agreement between him and me.\u00a0\u00a0There was no agreement eleven years ago\u2014and there was no agreement concerning you either!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben insisted fiercely.<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t really surprise me, I guess,\u201d Joe nodded and looked down towards the table, still fighting his emotions.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol had been so believable with his lies that as each one came to task Joe was having a hard time accepting he had been duped so thoroughly.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on\u2014continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014after awhile things weren\u2019t really so bad.\u00a0\u00a0I mean, yeah, I was basically a prisoner but I had some free rein here and there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you ever try to escape, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEscape?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, confusion filling his expression.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cEscape and go where?\u00a0\u00a0I mean\u2014you didn\u2019t want me\u2014where was I to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben felt so bad for his son at that moment, knowing the boy honestly believed that he was unloved and unwanted.\u00a0\u00a0He held his position on the settee, still fighting his urge to pull Joe into his arms and prove to the boy that he had been very wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014I didn\u2019t try to escape\u2014no need to.\u00a0\u00a0Bristol knew I was bored so he took me up the coast and we stopped in Eureka.\u00a0\u00a0He even gave me the stake in a poker game.\u00a0\u00a0I won a lot of money that day\u2014and we used it to buy a string of horses to take back with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCole told Dex that Bristol paid off the men in that saloon to lose to you that day, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess that figures\u2014knowing my luck,\u201d Joe sighed and then tried to get the last of his story out.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe brought the horses back down the coast to Bristol\u2019s place.\u00a0\u00a0I broke all of them and we sold them a week or so later.\u00a0\u00a0Then\u2014well\u2014just like you already know\u2014we went to San Francisco to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about that night, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014we were sitting there in the restaurant\u2014kinda like you and me, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, he figured that Bristol must have felt pretty cocky.\u00a0\u00a0He had gotten the boy to hate his father and to turn his loyalties over to him by then.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes\u2014go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen everything happened so fast\u2014Dex came in from one side\u2014and Bristol pulled me over to him,\u201d Joe paused when he thought on the familiar scenario.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe way I wish you had tried to save me\u2014that night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf only I could have,\u201d Ben replied sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Dex\u2019s gun aimed at Bristol and I dove in front of the bullet to save Bristol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014why, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, so confused by his son\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause\u2014he was all I had\u2014he was the only person who cared about me!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe snapped back, and for just a moment his anger towards his father was back in full force.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014that was all a lie,\u201d Ben calmly reminded the boy.<\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head back down as reality came back to him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYeah\u2014I know.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014I didn\u2019t back then\u2014and I was trying to save him.\u00a0\u00a0He pulled out his derringer\u2014and that\u2019s when I saw Adam coming in from the other side.\u00a0\u00a0Adam killed him.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014even in Bristol\u2019s dying breath he said that you had sold me out\u2014that I should never trust you.\u00a0\u00a0He knew he was dying, Pa\u2014and still he said it.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014the man was insane.\u00a0\u00a0All he cared about was the playing of the game.\u00a0\u00a0All life was to him was a sick and twisted chess match.\u00a0\u00a0He had no hopes of redemption.\u00a0\u00a0All he cared about was destroying you and me and this family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence fell over the living room once more.\u00a0\u00a0Joe was trying to recover from his long involved explanation of his months in captivity while his father was trying to think of what he could do to help heal the boy\u2019s emotional wounds.\u00a0\u00a0Joe still clutched the paper in his hands, refusing to part with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2014do you understand now\u2014understand how much thought Bristol put into this whole dastardly game of his?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked after waiting for his son to regroup his emotions some.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you\u2019ve told me\u2014I know what I told you.\u00a0\u00a0But\u2014there\u2019s still so much I can\u2019t explain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared directly into his father\u2019s eyes this time.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019s face was the picture of compassion and love and it made Joe\u2019s heart hurt worse than it had.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCan you explain to me why I wrote this?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked, and this time there was a quiver to his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wrote it\u2014just like you told me\u2014so that you could survive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014Pa\u2014how could I say these things?\u00a0\u00a0How could I believe these things that I wrote on here?\u00a0\u00a0No matter what they did to me\u2014I never should have doubted you.\u00a0\u00a0It just shows that I am either shallow, stupid, or that I\u2019m easily broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014not at all,\u201d Ben argued and this time his right hand found its way up to Joe\u2019s left cheek and remained there.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBristol calculated how you would feel once you heard that man who sounded just like me.\u00a0\u00a0It was the only way he could get you to believe these things.\u00a0\u00a0You said yourself that even when you saw me leave town you still knew I\u2019d come and save you.\u00a0\u00a0It took him weeks to accomplish all that he did!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben tried his best to get through to Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt has nothing to do with being stupid\u2014shallow\u2014or easily broken.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re none of those things!\u00a0\u00a0It has to do with being human.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never forgive myself for writing this, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0And\u2014for how it hurt you,\u201d Joe motioned towards the letter in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never forgive myself for allowing you to be taken from me,\u201d Ben countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2014no that wasn\u2019t your fault, Pa!\u00a0\u00a0If you hadn\u2019t gone along with Bristol Hoss would\u2019ve been killed\u2014and so would I!\u00a0\u00a0There wasn\u2019t anything else you could have done,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it that you can forgive me\u2014and yet you can\u2019t forgive yourself?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked his son quietly.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled the letter up in his hands and replied, \u201cBecause of THIS, Pa!\u00a0\u00a0Because of this!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was at that moment that something happened that Joe had not planned on.\u00a0\u00a0Tears formed in his eyes and were soon coursing down his cheeks.\u00a0\u00a0It was as though months of pent up hurt had decided at that precise minute to let go.\u00a0\u00a0Ben spotted the release and made the move that he had put off for too long.\u00a0\u00a0He drew his son into his arms and hugged him close to his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joseph\u2014it\u2019s all right now,\u201d Ben whispered as he held his son in his arms and gently caressed the thick brown curls on the boy\u2019s head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNothing matters now\u2014nothing but the fact that you are here, you are safe, and you know that I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I thought that you didn\u2019t love me\u2014when I thought that you had just left me there never to return\u2014I felt so empty, Pa\u2014so empty.\u00a0\u00a0I shouldn\u2019t have written that\u2014I\u2019m sorry\u2014so sorry,\u201d Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot any sorrier than I am, Joe\u2014to have left you there with Bristol.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve endured so much\u2014don\u2019t ever say they broke you.\u00a0\u00a0They didn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0As long as you can still love\u2014you\u2019re not broken,\u201d Ben assured his son.<\/p>\n

Joe stayed there, locked in his father\u2019s embrace for a good long while. With his head resting on his pa\u2019s shoulder, he felt more safe, secure and loved than he had in months.\u00a0\u00a0Held there like he was, Joe couldn\u2019t for the life of him imagine how he could ever have thought the man didn\u2019t love him.\u00a0\u00a0It was never more evident, the magnitude of his pa\u2019s love, than it was at that moment. Ben eventually pulled back some, but still kept his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder to offer what comfort and security he could.\u00a0\u00a0Looking intently at Joe, he knew that the boy was still hurting, but not nearly as bad as he had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you took that out of the Bible\u2014you didn\u2019t happen to notice where it was, did you, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Joe brushed aside his tears on his shirt sleeve and shook his head confused by the question.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014that letter you\u2019re still holding\u2014I didn\u2019t just stuff it randomly inside the Bible.\u00a0\u00a0I placed it somewhere that I knew would help me.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe it will help you some?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben answered and pulled the Bible off the coffee table and thumbed to the chapter and verse he was alluding to.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst Corinthians, chapter 13, verse seven. How about reading it for me?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked his son and handed him the Bible.<\/p>\n

Joe stared down at the words.\u00a0\u00a0He knew the verse well, having been taught it as a child.\u00a0\u00a0He went on to do as his father had asked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t you know?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben smiled and placed the Bible back on the table.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLove never fails.\u00a0\u00a0That simple truth kept me going because I happen to believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at the letter again.\u00a0\u00a0And, his father noticed that each time the boy\u2019s eyes fell on the paper, that it was making him more upset over the fact that he had written it himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I have that now?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked and reached for the letter.<\/p>\n

Joe relinquished the paper to his father and watched as the man made his way over to the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Bristol had this peculiar little habit of putting people in checkmate.\u00a0\u00a0I think I\u2019ve finally figured out a way that we can do the same to him!\u201d Ben smiled as he held the letter in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Ben crumpled the paper in his hands and then tossed it into the blazing fire.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLike that!\u00a0\u00a0Now\u2014it\u2019s in Hell with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The very corners of Joe\u2019s lips turned up ever so slightly after hearing what his father had said.\u00a0\u00a0Though he was far from all over his long ordeal, he was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.\u00a0\u00a0Ben caught sight of his son\u2019s weak smile, and it was enough to lift his own spirits.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the boy and reached down for his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Young Man, I believe you need to get that leg back to bed,\u201d he said as he pulled Joe to standing and handed him the crutch.<\/p>\n

Joe moved in step with his father to the stairs and paused momentarily as his gaze went towards the fireplace and to the last embers of the letter burning away.\u00a0\u00a0He looked up into his pa\u2019s eyes and whispered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI love you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed, so glad and relieved to hear his son\u2019s heartfelt words after so long a wait.\u00a0\u00a0He draped his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and pulled him closer and replied, \u201cI know you do, Son.\u00a0Love never fails.\u201d<\/p>\n

Epilogue:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The winter turned out to be a harsh one as it fell over the Sierras and blanketed the mountains and the flatlands with a heavy coating of snow.\u00a0\u00a0Despite the frozen temperatures outside the ranch house, the inside was filled with a warmth that had more to do with love than the heavily stoked fireplace.\u00a0\u00a0The Cartwright family was back intact.\u00a0\u00a0Though Joe had an awful lot to deal with emotionally, he was slowly turning back into the warm and caring person that they had all loved for twenty years.<\/p>\n

Dex Farwell and his associate Jeremy Bolding had left for other cases to solve.\u00a0\u00a0But, they received the heartfelt thanks of the entire Cartwright family along with a hefty sum of money to pay for their services.\u00a0\u00a0Dex was content just in the fact that he had restored his record to a perfect one hundred per cent with Bristol\u2019s demise and had offered to waive the fee.\u00a0\u00a0Ben would not hear of it, and had made sure that the detective was well paid for his work which had gone above and beyond the call of duty.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam were pleased to have the family back to normal as was the cook and caretaker, Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0They all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas together and had more to be thankful for than ever before.\u00a0\u00a0Joe enjoyed the heavy snow fall as much as he enjoyed his many presents Christmas morning.\u00a0\u00a0It made his father\u2019s heart leap with joy to see his youngest son heading out into the snow, with his crutches still slung underneath his arms.\u00a0\u00a0Ben tried not to make a fuss about Joe getting his cast wet.\u00a0\u00a0He didn\u2019t want to do anything that would dampen Joe\u2019s spirits after being so hurt for so long by what Bristol had done.<\/p>\n

By the time spring finally came, Joe was glad to be free of his cast and his restrictions to the house.\u00a0\u00a0He adjusted back into ranch life as if he had never spent a day away from the Ponderosa.\u00a0There were a couple of times when the name Bristol Ford would pop up and Joe would find himself haunted by old wounds.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But, in time, he learned to recover from the mention of the evil man with little problem<\/p>\n

Late spring found both Ben and Joe standing on a dock overlooking San Francisco Bay.\u00a0\u00a0The newly constructed clipper ship, the Amethyst, had just been launched.\u00a0\u00a0They had represented the Ponderosa at the christening ceremony and now watched as the huge ship set sail on her maiden voyage.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was pleased to have his youngest son standing there at his side and found great comfort in the fact that Joe had agreed to accompany him on the trip.\u00a0\u00a0He had worried that coming back to San Francisco might open up old wounds with the boy, but he appeared to be doing fine so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s something isn\u2019t she, Pa?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe grinned as he kept his gaze directed towards the Amethyst.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure is, Son!\u00a0\u00a0That\u2019s about seventy per cent Ponderosa pine heading out to sea,\u201d Ben laughed and threw his arm around Joe and stood and watched the horizon until the ship disappeared from view.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had been a part of that one, Pa.\u00a0\u00a0You know I had nothing to do with the timber that helped build it,\u201d Joe reminded his father that the wood had been chosen and hewn and shipped to the De Santo line while he was still held hostage.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry none\u2014there\u2019s three more ships still waiting for timber from the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0By the time those orders are filled you\u2019ll be whining to me that you are sick of ships!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben warned jovially.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right about that one,\u201d Joe winked and turned with his father down the boardwalk.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo\u2014our first night in town\u2014what\u2019re we gonna do now, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped in his tracks and stared into his son\u2019s questioning eyes.\u00a0\u00a0He hated to bring up the past, but felt that Joe would be able to handle a small reminder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell\u2014if memory serves me correctly\u2014I think I owe you one dinner, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed, and his father was relieved to see the boy took the reminder as it had been meant.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOh yeah\u2014you owe me one all right!\u00a0\u00a0Think you owe me champagne\u2014lobster\u2014the works\u2014as a matter of fact!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014let\u2019s go then,\u201d Ben smiled and started back down the walk until his son tugged on his arm and halted him in his tracks. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked like he was deep in thought for a moment and then he finally spoke up.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf I\u2019m gonna agree to go to dinner with you there\u2019s gonna have to be a couple of conditions,\u201d he stated firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u00a0\u00a0And what might those be?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben grinned, knowing by the impish smile his son wore that he was going for the jugular.\u00a0\u00a0Ben braced himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014now\u2014I just have two of them\u2014don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are the two conditions, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben played right along.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince we had a slight bit of trouble last time\u2014I think it\u2019s only fair\u2014that the first condition is that I choose the restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014I guess that\u2019s fair,\u201d Ben nodded, amused by his son\u2019s reference to the \u201cslight\u201d trouble that they had encountered.\u00a0\u00a0That had to be the understatement of the century!<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2014and I know two of them that won\u2019t be in the running neither!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe exclaimed and then went back to his stern countenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou choose the restaurant, got it.\u00a0\u00a0Okay what\u2019s the second condition?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben asked warily.<\/p>\n

Joe threw his arm around his father\u2019s shoulder and smiled as he replied, \u201cLast condition\u2014is this- no matter what restaurant we end up at\u2014we leave TOGETHER this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached over and ruffled his son\u2019s curly hair playfully and replied, \u201cWe go in together\u2014we come out together\u2014good plan!\u00a0\u00a0How did you get so smart anyhow?\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2014been watching the best chess player I know \u2014picked up on a few things,\u201d Joe replied with a twinkle to his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheckmate,\u201d Ben announced proudly and watched his son\u2019s face light up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the best there ever was, Pa,\u201d Joe nodded, and he made sure that his father knew that he meant the compliment from his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re coming along, Joseph, won\u2019t be long before you\u2019ll exceed your old man,\u201d Ben winked and then grabbed Joe\u2019s arm tugging him along.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow enough with the compliments. I\u2019m starved!\u201d<\/p>\n

The two Cartwrights walked down the boardwalk and crossed the street just as the gas lamps one by one came on, lighting the way towards the row of restaurants and stores.\u00a0\u00a0All was as it should be, because Ben and his son were together, and because it would always remain that way.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

4 \u2013 6 \u2013 03<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All 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","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: Three years after he had put the Cartwrights through the trauma of stealling Marie Cartwright\u2019s casket, Bristol Ford returns with a more sinister plot than before. What he accomplishes changes the relationship between Ben and Joe.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (66,200 words)<\/p>\n

Love’s Last Whisper Series, links to stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":57060,"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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1015,23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/04\/Screenshot_20250601_194139_YouTube.jpg?fit=935%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11992"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11992\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/57060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}