{"id":12104,"date":"2002-10-01T10:50:50","date_gmt":"2002-10-01T14:50:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12104"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:49:08","slug":"a-tale-of-two-feathers-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12104","title":{"rendered":"A Tale of Two Feathers (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Part One of four.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe learns that compassion and understanding are the footnotes to love; and that love can destroy the hate in a man’s heart, give renewal to a man’s spirit as it binds two unlikely souls in a most unusual friendship between a young man and a hardened Pauite warrior.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong> \u00a0PG\u00a0 (21, 330 words)<\/p>\n

A Tale of Two Feathers Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Tale of Two Feathers<\/a>
\nA Winter of Hope<\/a>
\nAn Old Acquaintance<\/a>
\nA Final Goodbye<\/a><\/p>\n

A Tale of Two Feathers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The afternoon had grown warm for mid-October and the cool water from the mountain stream that Joe splashed on his face felt refreshing to his hot flesh. He dipped his neckscarf into the water and pressed it to the back of his neck as Cochise lowered his head and drank deeply of the clear water.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you was hot and thirsty too, weren\u2019t you ole boy?\u201d Joe said with a smile as he scratched the side of his horse\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

Joe stood to his feet and stretched, it had been another long tiresome day and he was anxious to get home to a good home cooked meal and his own bed.\u00a0 But it would be awhile yet; he still had a couple of more steers to head back in the right direction.\u00a0 He had spent the last four days driving the strays from the high country back down to the lower meadows and his body ached from having been in the saddle for so long.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be getting old,\u201d laughed Little Joe as he brushed back his thick mass of unruly dark curls and plopped his hat back onto his head.\u00a0 \u201cSoon to be nineteen Cooch, and I feel like a hundred and nineteen.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how Pa and those two brothers of mine do it\u2026they never seem to complain, and me?\u00a0 Well hey, when I hurt, I hurt.\u00a0 No sense in lying about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe pulled his horse\u2019s head from the stream and turned him around, mounting up.\u00a0 \u201cCome on boy, let\u2019s go to work and then we can go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had been unaware of the Indian brave that hid in the underbrush watching him.\u00a0 Two Feathers had been following the young boy for the last three days when he had happened upon the boy, alone and riding herd over a small herd of cattle that Joe had rounded up.\u00a0 The young boy\u2019s ability to handle his horse and drive the wayward bovines from the thick under growth of shrubs and tangles had caught the interest of the Paiute brave.\u00a0 He had seen plenty of white men before, but this one seemed different than the ranchers and settlers he had usually encountered or the two ruffians that had murdered his wife and young son while he had been away from the camp on a hunting trip.\u00a0 This white man, young though he might be, fascinated Two Feathers and so, the curious warrior followed quietly behind and watched.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers lay hidden in the bushes, his body pressed close to the ground as the white man had stripped and bathed in the cold mountain waters.\u00a0 He watched the boy\u2019s muscles as they rippled beneath the surface of the water and raised his head slightly when the boy dove under making barely a splash.\u00a0 Joe had remained under the water for such a long period of time before springing to the top that Two Feathers had just about decided to dive in after the boy, fearing for the boy\u2019s safety.\u00a0 Just as the Paiute warsman stood to his feet, Joe splashed through the surface, spraying water over the unseen Indian.\u00a0 Quickly Two Feathers slumped back into the thick brush and watched, amazed at the agility of the boy as he swam backwards across the stream, flip to his front side and waded to the bank on the opposite side of the stream.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s tanned skin had glowed in the bright sun, the water beading up on his flesh, the toned and hardened muscles of his body told Two Feathers that his boy, not yet a man, had worked hard.\u00a0 He was young, determined Two Feathers, no more than perhaps nineteen summers if that and briefly the warrior\u2019s thoughts returned to his own son of seventeen summers.\u00a0 His dark troubled eyes sought the face of the white eyes and he wandered at the boy\u2019s upbringing, confused by the emotions that had suddenly surfaced from deep within his heart.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers\u2019 hatred for all white men, young and old, and what they stood for, the way in which the whites had butchered his family, taking from him the things that had matter most, his loved ones, pushed him on toward his quest.\u00a0 Two Feathers slipped back through the woods and mounted his horse.\u00a0 Silently he nudged his big buckskin forward, the unshod hooves making hardly a sound as he carefully picked its way through the dense forest, following directly to the side of the young rider who had no clue that he was being stalked or that death\u2019s door lurked just beyond the next hill.<\/p>\n

Joe and his pinto ambled along at a slow pace.\u00a0 Though his tired weary body ached for rest, his stomach growled from hunger, but he hadn\u2019t the heart to push Cochise harder than the exhausted horse was able to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa boy,\u201d said Joe and pulled back on the reins, bringing his mount to a stop.\u00a0 Joe slid from the saddle, giving Cochise a friendly pat and then wrapped the reins around a low hanging branch.<\/p>\n

Joe dug in his saddlebag for the last remnants of food and scrunched up his nose in distaste before taking a bite from the left over slice of bread that he found.\u00a0 As he chewed the crusty remains, he shoved his hand deeper into the leather pouch until his hand found the jerky strips that lay at the bottom.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t much of a meal,\u201d Joe said aloud, to himself as he pulled a bite from the hardened strip of dried beef.\u00a0 \u201cYuk,\u201d he groaned.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled the saddle and blanket from Cooch\u2019s back and plopped them down on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cI promise you ole friend, you can have all the oats and grain you can hold when we get home.\u00a0 But right now, I gotta have something more than this junk to eat and some sleep before we move on, I don\u2019t think I can hold out another three or four hours for Hop Sing\u2019s cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gathered some wood for a fire, dug a shallow pit and placed rocks around the outer rim for his campfire.\u00a0 Once the blaze had caught, Joe took his rifle from the leather scabbard on his saddle and slipped quietly into the woods in search of a rabbit or squirrel for his supper.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before he was back and had his rabbit roasting over the open flame.\u00a0 Joe leaned back against his saddle where he had spread his bedroll.\u00a0 The aroma of the roasting rabbit caused his stomach to growl and the warmth that radiated from the fire made his eyelids grow heavy with sleep.\u00a0 Before Joe could even enjoy a sample of the rabbit, sleep claimed his weary body and it wasn\u2019t long before the soft sound of his snoring could be heard above the night sounds that usually echoed through the forest.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers pulled the rabbit from the skewer and yanked off a roasted leg.\u00a0 Blowing to cool the heat that stung his hands, Two Feathers sank his teeth into the sweet tasting meat and when that bone had been cleaned, licked his fingers.\u00a0 As the silent Indian squatted on his haunches enjoying his meal, his dark eyes kept close watch on the slumbering white man.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t take the hungry warrior long to finish off Joe\u2019s dinner, licking each finger clean after throwing the bones into the bushes and rising to his feet.\u00a0 Quietly Two Feathers inched his way toward Joe, knife ready, sharpened to a delicate point from many hours of fine honing.<\/p>\n

Joe never knew what hit him.\u00a0 Two Feathers had chosen to take the white boy captive, killing a man in his sleep went against everything that the Paiute brave held sacred; that had been the white man\u2019s method and Two Feathers, proud and noble, would not stoop to the same level as his white enemies.<\/p>\n

Joe woke several hours later, the side of his head throbbed and he strained to rub at the soreness but found he could not move his arms.\u00a0 Frightened that more than his head had been damaged, Joe tried to raise himself up from the hard ground, on which he laid, but found himself to be immobilized.<\/p>\n

Panic began to fill his heart; he tugged at his arms, then his legs, none of which would follow his silent commands.\u00a0 Darkness lurked all about him, everything had grown strangely quiet and from somewhere Joe could smell the smoke from a fire.\u00a0 His fire, he questioned himself.\u00a0 Joe strained to turn his head but something held his head, as well as his entire body firmly to the ground.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Joe scanned the space above him and was surprised to find he was no longer out side.\u00a0 There were no longer stars in the sky, nor could the night birds and fellow creatures of the dark be seen or heard.\u00a0 In their place Joe could barely make out long slim poles that crisscrossed over his head and in that instant Joe knew he was inside an Indian teepee.<\/p>\n

The fear caused him to tremble and he felt himself shudder violently, Pa had warned him to stay alert and keep a sharp eye out for Indian parties but Joe, exhausted, had thrown caution to the wind letting down his guard.\u00a0 Joe cut his eyes over to his left as far as possible and caught a glimpse of the wide rawhide strip that held his wrist to the ground.\u00a0 From what Joe could see, whatever Indian had taken him as their prisoner had used wide strips of rawhide, probably cut from the hide of a bear or deer.\u00a0 With the use of hand carved spikes on either side of his arm, his captor had hammered the spikes deeply into the leather thus pinning him tightly to the ground.\u00a0 Joe had no doubt that his other wrist, as well as his ankles had been done the same.\u00a0 Across his neck, Joe could feel the rawhide as well.\u00a0 Frightened, Joe fought to control the tears that unexpectedly blinded his vision, he knew he was in grave trouble and very much aware of the fact that his family had no idea where he might be at this precise moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa please, you gotta find me,\u201d whispered Joe softly to himself.<\/p>\n

Beneath him, Joe could feel the soft fur that he had been laid on.\u00a0 Probably a bear he told himself; on top of him he had been covered with a like fur skin and with the warmth from the heat of the fire, Joe soon became drowsy, though he fought to stay awake.\u00a0 He wanted to face his captor, to find out what the man intended to do to him and prayed that the man or men would not kill him.<\/p>\n

Joe was unaware of how much time had passed, only that his arms stretched beyond his normal reach and his legs, spread wide apart, had begun to ache.\u00a0 The upper biceps and the inner thighs began to spasm and Joe nearly screamed from the pain that coursed through his body.\u00a0 When the agony became unbearable, Joe clenched his jaw tightly, his body arched and the world of blackness claimed the agonized boy as its own.<\/p>\n

It was nearly dawn by the time that Two Feathers raised the flap of his teepee and slipped silently inside. The fire had died down to embers, but inside the structure it was still warm.\u00a0 Two Feathers pulled back the bearskin blanket and inspected his prisoner.\u00a0 He was surprised to find the boy awake and staring back at him.\u00a0 The eyes, clouded with what Two Feathers recognized as pain, filled with tears, the tiny beads of water slipping silently down each side of the white man\u2019s face.\u00a0 With his finger, Two Feathers allowed one lone tear to roll onto the tip end.\u00a0 Never taking his eyes from the face of the frightened boy, Two Feathers brought the tiny bead of water to his lips and licked away the teardrop with his tongue.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers saw Joe gulp and turn his eyes to look away.\u00a0 The Indian brave sensed the inner strength and courage that his captive had suddenly found from somewhere deep within his young soul and when Joe\u2019s eyes met Two Feathers\u2019 for the second time, the fear that had been present just moments before had disappeared.\u00a0 Two Feathers smiled; a Paiute warrior had great respect for a brave man, be they red or white, young or old.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do with me?\u201d Joe asked, hoping that his fear was carefully hidden behind the mask that he had put up.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers allowed the heavy fur blanket to drop back down and cover his hostage but he said nothing.\u00a0 Instead, the red man gathered pieces of wood to stoke his fire back up, ignoring the white boy.\u00a0 Two Feathers busied himself with preparing his meal, aware of the soft moans coming from under the blanket.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s body, already aching from the hard work he had been doing over the last several days, throbbed with pain at being stretched taunt in the unnatural position.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Joe whispered, fighting to remain in control of his emotions.\u00a0 \u201cMy arms\u2026\u201d moaned Joe who had been tied for several hours.\u00a0 \u201cWater\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Feathers turned.\u00a0 He could see the white boy cutting his eyes over in his direction trying to see him and something in the boy’s look struck a cord deep within the Indian\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Without saying a word to Joe, Two Feathers picked up his deerskin water container and moved to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart was in his throat as the warrior pulled his knife from his waistband and held it within inches of Joe\u2019s throat studying his face.\u00a0 Joe swallowed and forced his eyes to remain trained on the Indian\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers moved his hand ever so slightly and slashed through the wide thick strip of rawhide that held Joe\u2019s neck prisoner to the hard packed earth.\u00a0 Slipping his knife back into his waistband, Two Feathers lifted Joe\u2019s head just enough to permit the boy\u2019s lips to rest against the spout of his water receptacle.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes locked with the red man\u2019s and the younger man marveled at the tenderness in which his captor held his head gently in his large strong hands.\u00a0 When Joe had drunk his fill, Two Feathers gently placed his prisoner\u2019s head back onto the ground.\u00a0 His next gesture startled Joe for in that instance Two Feathers brushed at a stray lock of hair that had come to rest on Joe\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s sudden intake of air caused the Indian to remove his hand.\u00a0 Joe had closed his eyes, his mouth opened slightly as he sucked in large gulps of air, a memory jolted his heart as sure as if the rapidly beating organ had been struck by lightening.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa\u2026\u201d mumbled Joe and then opened his eyes.\u00a0 His disappointment was evident to the Paiute when Joe saw the red man watching him rather than seeing his father kneeling at his side.<\/p>\n

Puzzled by the boy\u2019s words and Joe\u2019s reaction to his touch, Two Feathers stood to his feet, staring down at the boy.\u00a0 Joe glanced up at the man who towered over him and for no reason known to either of them Joe apologized for his action.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered, \u201cbut my pa\u2026father,\u201d added Joe when Two Feathers wrinkled his brow in confusion, but said no more when the Indian turned from him and resumed with the preparations of his meal.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s stomach growled loudly, his eyes watched the Indian as the man used his fingers to feed himself as he stuffed them into his mouth, seemingly to enjoy whatever it was that he had prepared.\u00a0 Joe licked his lips, his hunger gnawing at his insides.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers was aware of the grumbling of his hostage\u2019s stomach and knew that the boy must be hungry.\u00a0 He recalled the night before when the boy had slipped into the woods and had returned minutes later with a fat juicy rabbit but had fallen to sleep before getting to dine on the delicacy.\u00a0 Knowing that the boy must have gone hours without putting any food in his stomach, Two Feathers filled a hand carved wooden bowl with the muskrat stew and inched his way to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers\u2019 heart began to beat rapidly.\u00a0 The sight of the young boy, bronzed by the sun\u2019s rays, his body glistening in the glow of the campfire stirred Two Feathers\u2019 heart and soul.\u00a0 The Indian squeezed his eyes tightly shut and swallowed the lump that threatened to choke off his airway.<\/p>\n

Images of his son, Running Deer, flashed before his mind\u2019s eye, stopping midway to shatter his heart for the hundredth time.\u00a0 The boy had been his only son; his pride and joy.\u00a0 The boy had seemed to worship his father as the father had worshipped the boy.\u00a0 The pair had spent many happy hours together, the father as the teacher, the son as the student.\u00a0 Two Feathers had taught Running Deer the art of hunting and tracking and how to look for signs that would warn him of an enemy\u2019s approach.\u00a0 He had supplied his only son with the knowledge and wisdom needed to live contented in a land where hunger and war often came to claim what the red man had deemed his since the beginning of time, his land.<\/p>\n

But then the white man had come and destroyed his world, killed his pride and joy, raped his wife and left them both for dead.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 scream shattered the silence within the teepee and wrought fear in the heart of Little Joe as he witnessed the Paiute\u2019s emotional breakdown.<\/p>\n

The anguished Paiute dropped to his knees and pulled his knife from its sheaf on his waistband, pressing it against the flesh of Joe\u2019s throat.\u00a0 The dark piercing eyes locked with the frightened hazel eyes and after several terrifying moments, the Indian drifted back to the real world from the far distance one that held his living nightmare.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers dropped his head; his shoulders slumped and his hands fell to his sides as tears of sadness filled the ebony depths of his eyes.\u00a0 Joe tried not to stare, but he had always believed that Indian men did not cry, but here in front of him was a warrior, brave and strong now broken by an unknown sadness that Joe had yet to learn the cause.\u00a0 Two Feathers took a deep breath of air, filling his lungs.\u00a0 His massive chest rose, his head titled upward and the man returned his knife to its proper place.\u00a0 The dark eyes sought Joe\u2019s and when he blinked Joe saw that the sadness had gone away.<\/p>\n

He had come so close to jabbing the knife deeply into the young man\u2019s throat.\u00a0 Hate had eroded the walls of his heart and memories had brought to mind the slaughtered form of his beloved son.\u00a0 His wife\u2019s battered and ravished body, the bloodshed, and the total devastation that he had returned home to find had temporarily wiped out his logical thinking and replaced it with malevolence toward all persons of the white race.\u00a0 His family had suffered an indignity that few persons had ever encountered and Two Feathers warrior heart begged for vengeance.<\/p>\n

Joe coughed several times, his fear had seemed to dry the insides of his mouth and he needed a drink of water in the worst possible way.\u00a0 Two Feathers was watching the expression on the white boy\u2019s face and the wise warrior could see the unasked questions and suddenly wished that he could speak the white man\u2019s language.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers slipped his knife from its carrying pouch and cut the strips of leather from Joe\u2019s wrists and ankles.\u00a0 The brave surprised Joe by taking his arm and helping the weakened boy into a sitting position.\u00a0 Two Feathers quickly took Joe\u2019s left hand into his and massaged away the soreness beginning with his wrists and moving his strong fingers upward to Joe\u2019s shoulder, rubbed Joe\u2019s taunt muscles until he could feel them begin to relax.\u00a0 When he had finished with one arm, he moved to the other and repeated the process until he was sure that most of the unpleasant pain had lessened.<\/p>\n

With his chin Two Feathers nodded toward the pole that was the center brace for the teepee.\u00a0 Joe pulled back his bearskin blanket, realizing for the first time that his clothes had been stripped from his body.\u00a0 Quickly he glanced at the warrior and wrapped the thick fur around him.\u00a0 Two Feathers smiled at the boy\u2019s modesty and nodded again.\u00a0 This time Joe scooted to the pole, his back resting against it for support.\u00a0 The Indian waited until Joe was settled and then handed him the bowl of stew.<\/p>\n

Joe accepted his supper and offered the brave a small smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers was squatted on his haunches in front of Joe and pointed at the bowl with his fingers.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes met the Indian\u2019s realizing that he was expected to eat with his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s not going to like me doing this,\u201d he told Two Feathers as he scooped out a large bite with his two fingers and placed the warm stew into his mouth.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly enough, the stew tasted good, or I\u2019m just half starved, thought Joe silently.\u00a0 He would have liked to ask what was in the mixture but was almost relieved to know that the Paiute could not understand his language.\u00a0 Two Feathers smiled when Joe handed him the empty bowl.\u00a0 Joe made a sign with his hands indicating he wanted something to drink.\u00a0 Two Feathers nodded his head in understanding and reached for his water container, handing it to Joe.\u00a0 Joe quickly removed the plug and took several deep swallows of the refreshing liquid.\u00a0 When Joe was finished, he poked the plug into place and handed the vessel back to Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers took the container and placed it behind him. Getting to his feet, Two Feathers stepped behind Joe and pulled his arms around to his back and using the pole as a wedge, tied Joe\u2019s hands tightly behind him.\u00a0 When he had finished with that, he moved to Joe\u2019s ankles and bound them as well.\u00a0 He remained close to his captive for several long minutes, studying the boy\u2019s face intensely.\u00a0 His hand tugged at the blanket, pulling it up to Joe\u2019s chin and then tucking it in around the boy.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s closeness was almost unbearable for the Paiute warrior.\u00a0 He was visibly shaken as his fingers gently brushed across Joe\u2019s bare flesh.\u00a0 Suddenly consumed with tenderness, Two Feathers cupped Joe\u2019s chin with his strong hand and brought the boy\u2019s face upward where he gazed into the hazel eyes that locked with his own.\u00a0 With his free hand, Two Feathers gently stroked Joe\u2019s cheek and again brushed at the fallen locks of curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cFa\u2026ther,\u201d stammered Two Feathers proudly.<\/p>\n

Joe smiled and nodded his head.\u00a0 \u201cYes that\u2019s right, my Pa\u2026father, does that a lot.\u00a0 Brushes back that same wild curl I mean,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHair\u2026\u201d Joe explained and then turned his eyes upward hoping that the Indian would understand his meaning.<\/p>\n

Joe was surprised when Two Feathers began to laugh.\u00a0 He rolled his eyes up, mocking what he had seen Joe do.\u00a0 \u201cH\u2026hair,\u201d laughed the Indian brave and laughed louder when Joe joined in.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, almost,\u201d giggled Joe leaning back against the pole.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers stood to his feet and stretched.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, what I wouldn\u2019t give to be able to do that,\u201d muttered Joe while he watched the Indian make ready his bed for the night.\u00a0 Minutes later, Joe could hear the soft sounds of the warrior\u2019s steady breathing that told him that Two Feathers had fallen to sleep.<\/p>\n

Joe rested his head against the pole and closed his eyes.\u00a0 His mind drifted home and he found himself wondering if his father and brothers had begun to miss him.\u00a0 Joe longed for the warm comforts of his bed and the security of his home and family.\u00a0 Giving a quick glance at the slumbering red man, Joe wondered what the Paiute warrior had planned for him.\u00a0 Joe reflected back on the day.\u00a0 One minute the brave seemed kind and almost tender with him and then without warning his mood would turn black and Joe would be in fear of loosing his life.\u00a0 Joe briefly wondered what possessed the man; what inner torment caused him to hate so viciously the white man, what demon drove him, and when did the axle that held his world on an even keel become warped to the point of driving the man nearly insane?<\/p>\n

Joe awoke to a hand being pressed across his mouth.\u00a0 His eyes flew opened as the hand held his head tightly pressed against the pole.\u00a0 In the dim light of the fire, Joe could make out two figures.\u00a0 One man was large, well rounded about the middle, the second man was a mite smaller but slim with broad shoulders.\u00a0 The second person held a long thin knife in one hand and with the other for support; he crawled silently toward Two Feathers who lay sleeping soundly.<\/p>\n

Joe thought briefly that he was being rescued, but when the heavyset man leaned down and whispered a vile threat in his ear, Joe knew that rescue was not what these men where here for.\u00a0 He struggled against his bounds that held him tightly in a vain attempt to free himself, but the Paiute brave had made sure that his prisoner would still be here when he woke in the morning.\u00a0 Now it seemed to Joe that the warrior might not live to see the sunrise unless he did something to warn the Indian.\u00a0 Joe thought about his odds, should he do as the intruder advised or should he warn his captor?<\/p>\n

The hand around his mouth tightened.\u00a0 \u201cYa better be quiet, or I\u2019ll slice your throat,\u201d sounded the muted whisper.<\/p>\n

Joe ceased his struggles and watched in horror as the tall slim man drew back his arm the knife held high over Two Feathers sleeping form.\u00a0 Something deep within Joe\u2019s heart knew what he was about to witness was anything but right.\u00a0 To steal into a man\u2019s home and murder that person while he slept was about as low as a man could get.\u00a0 Joe knew if he didn\u2019t act quickly, the Paiute warrior would soon loose his life and Joe decided in that instant that that could not happen.\u00a0 The Indian might be his enemy, might take his life regardless, but somehow Joe doubted that he would.\u00a0 Opportunity had ventured the Paiute\u2019s way more than once but the Indian had always fallen short of snuffing him out.\u00a0 Joe figured he owed the red man the benefit of doubt.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned his head forward as far as he could and jerking from side to side managed to free his assailant\u2019s hand from around his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cLOOK OUT!\u201d he screamed as loudly as he could.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers instantly bolted into an upright position as the attacker leaped at him.\u00a0 Trapped beneath his own bearskin blanket, Two Feathers had a difficult time in untangling his near nude body from the cover.\u00a0 When he was able to secure a firm grip on the arms of his foe, Two Feathers was at last able to flip the man over his head.\u00a0 The attacker landed with a thud on his back but before he could collect his wits, Two Feathers had straddled his body, the knife held tightly in his opponent\u2019s hand, the two men fought for control.\u00a0 The battle only lasted minutes before the knife was plunged deeply into the intruder\u2019s mid-section.<\/p>\n

The second man, who had remained near Joe, turned to flee but when he did, Joe stretched out his bound legs and tripped the man.\u00a0 The heavy body of the assailant tumbled to the ground where he quickly flipped himself onto this back just as Two Feathers flew through the air and landed on him.\u00a0 The big man was strong for his size and for a few moments, Joe feared that the Indian warsman might loose the battle.\u00a0 That quickly changed when Two Feathers was able to get the upper hand on the man who had somehow managed to pull his pistol from his holster.\u00a0 Both men were on their feet, facing each other, arms high in the air locked together as one as they fought for control of the handgun.\u00a0 Suddenly the two pairs of arms came down, going between the two opposing foes and when the loud blast from the gun shattered the silence within the teepee, everyone froze as if time had stopped and stood still.<\/p>\n

Joe watched in horror, the two men remaining on their feet until finally the heavyset white man dropped to the ground crumbling at Joe\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Joe followed the dead man\u2019s descent with his eyes unable to tear them from the man\u2019s horrified face.<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh!\u201d shouted Two Feathers, bringing Joe\u2019s attention back to the Indian.\u00a0 Two Feathers was staring at him, his face distorted by the hatred that showed in his expression and when the man squatted down next to him, Joe thought his time had come.<\/p>\n

When Joe saw the Paiute extend his hand toward him, Joe shut his eyes tightly and waited for his life to be snuffed out.\u00a0 Instead, he felt the hand lift his chin and when Two Feathers muttered something in his native language, Joe opened his eyes.\u00a0 Two Feathers was smiling at him and with his free hand, the warrior made a fist and pressed it across his heart.\u00a0 The Indian whispered something else that Joe could not understand and then did something that startled the young boy.\u00a0 Two Feathers quietly untied Joe\u2019s hands and ankles and pulled the boy to his feet.<\/p>\n

Joe could not take his eyes from the man\u2019s face.\u00a0 Water had gathered in the solemn black crystal eyes but Two Feathers never allowed them the privilege of trickling down his face.\u00a0 Instead the warrior pulled Joe into an embrace that both surprised and pleased the young white man.\u00a0 When Two Feathers pressed Joe\u2019s head against his heart, Joe reacted automatically by wrapping his arms about the man\u2019s waist and clung to him.\u00a0 His own emotions raw, the need for comfort tugging at his heartstrings, Joe gave himself over to his needs and allowed the Paiute to hold him for several moments.<\/p>\n

The brave made the first move and pulled Joe from his embrace.\u00a0 Pointing to the ground indicating that Joe was to sit, Joe dropped to his knees and pulled the blanket about his lower body.\u00a0 Two Feathers turned his back and picked something up.\u00a0 When he turned again to face Joe, Joe saw that the brave held his trousers in his hand.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes met Two Feathers and grinning, the warrior handed the article of clothing to the boy whose face had suddenly reddened in embarrassment.<\/p>\n

Joe accepted the offer and quickly slipped the trousers under the blanket and pulled them on.\u00a0 He had to stand to fasten them but when he was finished, he smiled at the Indian.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Joe and returned to his place.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers nodded his head and began pulling the bodies of the two men from his teepee.\u00a0 Joe slowly stood to his feet once more, not sure what was expected of him; he waited for the Indian\u2019s command.\u00a0 When Two Feathers seemed to ignore him, Joe reached down and grabbed the arm of the heavyset man and pulling the body behind him, followed Two Feathers from the teepee.<\/p>\n

It felt good to be in the fresh air.\u00a0 The cool night breeze quickly brushed against his bare upper body and it wasn\u2019t long before tiny goose bumps began showing themselves on his exposed arms.\u00a0 Joe shivered slightly and once the two dead men had been carted far enough from Two Feathers quarters to satisfy the brave, the red man and white man hurried back to the warmth of the inviting fire.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers sat down in front of the fire and glanced up at Joe.\u00a0 Joe did the same.\u00a0 For several minutes both man and boy sat in silence.\u00a0 At last the brave warrior raised his head and looked at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cTh..ank you,\u201d he said and smiled.<\/p>\n

Joe returned the smile and nodded.\u00a0 Joe pointed to his chest as Two Feathers watched.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe Little Joe,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 Tapping his chest he repeated his words.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2026me Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Feathers reached across the fire and tapped Joe on the chest.\u00a0 \u201cLil til Joe,\u201d beamed the warrior.\u00a0 \u201cLil til Joe,\u201d he said again and then beamed brightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s close enough for now,\u201d said Joe and then giggled when Two Feathers thick brows raised in wonder.\u00a0 \u201cNothing,\u201d laughed Joe shaking his head.<\/p>\n

Joe then reached across the low burning flame and tapped Two Feathers on his chest.\u00a0 The brave looked confused for a moment and then laughed, bobbing his head up and down.<\/p>\n

He tapped his chest and said something that Joe could not understand.\u00a0 Joe scrunched up and face and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d he confessed.<\/p>\n

Again Two Feathers tapped his chest and repeated the words.\u00a0 Joe shook his head.\u00a0 The Paiute brave was becoming agitated, then suddenly he laughed as he picked up his headband and pointed to the two feathers that adorned it.\u00a0 Looking deeply into Joe\u2019s eyes, Two Feathers held up his first two fingers and then pointed at the feathers.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face spread into a wide grin, \u201cNow I understand, your name is Two Feathers!\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Feathers tapped his chest and repeated the words in his own language and then said it again in the white man\u2019s language,\u00a0 \u201cTwo Feath\u2026ers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tapping Joe\u2019s chest, the brave smiled, \u201cLil til Joe,\u201d then his chest, \u201cTwo Feath\u2026ers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both the man and boy laughed.<\/p>\n

It was late by the time Two Feathers and Little Joe returned to their own beds.\u00a0 Joe was surprised that Two Feathers had not bound his hands and feet.\u00a0 The thought of escaping crossed his mind and he wondered just what the brave might do if he tried.\u00a0 With those thoughts racing about in his head, Joe crawled under his bearskin blanket and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

Just before dawn, Joe woke with a start.\u00a0 He slowly raised his head and saw that Two Feathers was still sleeping.\u00a0 Joe eased himself from his bed and stood to his feet as he searched for his boots and his shirt.\u00a0 Spying them where the Indian had hidden his trousers, Joe silently snatched them from their hiding place and as quietly as he could, slipped through the flap that served as an entrance way.\u00a0 Joe quickly surveyed his surroundings as he slipped his feet into his boots and adorned his shirt.\u00a0 Not taking the time to button the garment, Joe ran toward the make shift corral in search of Cochise.\u00a0 His disappointment showed in his face when he realized his mount was no where to be seen and that Two Feathers had most likely left the horse to wander off.\u00a0 Joe cast his eyes all around him, hoping to see any horse, but even the big buckskin that Two Feathers had been riding was no where to be found.<\/p>\n

Deciding to forget about the horses and not prolong his escape, Joe took off at a run into the woods.\u00a0 He ran for a long time putting as much distance between himself and Two Feathers as possible.\u00a0 When he felt as if he could run no further, Joe was forced to stop and rest.\u00a0 Looking behind him to be sure he was not being followed, Joe sat wearily down on a fallen tree and took several gulps of air to fill his lungs and steady his heavy breathing.\u00a0 He guessed he had run close to three, maybe four miles and knew that he had many more to go if he planned on making good his escape.\u00a0 Joe figured that he was many miles from home, yesterday when he had stopped, he calculated a three or four-hour journey on horseback.\u00a0 Now on foot the journey would be twice as long, if not longer worried Joe.<\/p>\n

At last Joe stood to his feet, his breathing had slowed and he was now ready to move ahead.\u00a0 The boy had traveled another couple of miles when he heard loud thrashing in the bushes behind him.\u00a0 Joe hesitated only briefly before turning to see Two Feathers charging toward him, his big buckskin horse galloping at full speed.\u00a0 Joe broke into a run, darting under and around bushes and shrubs.\u00a0 Low hanging tree limbs brushed his skin, making scratches and small cuts on his flesh.<\/p>\n

It was only minutes before the race came to an end.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 horse ran along side Joe and the big Indian slid easily from the horse\u2019s back onto Joe\u2019s back, knocking the lighter weight boy to the ground.\u00a0 Joe was no match for the much stronger man and before he knew it, he found himself face down in the dirt, Two Feathers sat straddling his back, the Paiute had a fistful of Joe\u2019s dark curls and the finely honed knife pressed against the front of his throat.<\/p>\n

Joe ceased his struggling, sure that he was about to take his last breath.\u00a0 Two Feathers was enraged and began screaming at Joe, the words could not be understood but that did not halt the Indian\u2019s ranking.\u00a0 Two Feathers at last ended his verbal assault and stood to his feet, bringing Joe up by the head of the hair.\u00a0 The Indian all but dragged his prisoner to his horse where he removed a thin strip of rawhide.\u00a0 Jerking Joe around until his face was pressed against the side of the horse, Two Feathers quickly tied Joe\u2019s hands behind his back and spun him around until they faced each other.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers\u2019 eyes met Joe\u2019s and the Indian brave quickly noted the bruises that had already begun to discolor the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 Joe had a small gash over one eye that seeped blood, his shirt had been ripped and torn, his arms had scratches on them and the bigger ones oozed blood as well.<\/p>\n

When Two Feathers moved his hand upward to Joe\u2019s face, Joe in his newfound fear of the warrior, trembled and turned his head away from his captor believing in his heart that Two Feathers was about to strike him. Two Feathers\u2019 hand stop midway and when he saw the look in the hazel eyes that fought so hard to control unshed tears, the Indian backed away and lowered his hand.\u00a0 Instantly Joe\u2019s eyes darted to the Indian\u2019s face, surprised at the warrior\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers pointed to the ground, meaning for Joe to sit.\u00a0 Joe eased himself onto the spot where his captor had indicated and once seated, Two Feathers stepped up to Joe and raised one foot, pulling off Joe\u2019s boot and tossing it into the underbrush.\u00a0 The second boot was tossed in the other direction.\u00a0 The brave grabbed Joe by his upper arm and hauled the startled boy to his feet and shoved him back against the horse.\u00a0 Again Two Feathers pulled a long strip of coiled rawhide rope from his pouch and tied one end around Joe\u2019s neck, frightening the boy even further.\u00a0 Joe kept his eyes glued to the face of his keeper and was surprised when Two Feathers mounted his horse and began their journey back to his teepee forcing Joe to trot along behind him.<\/p>\n

The sharp uneven stones cut into Joe\u2019s feet.\u00a0 The briars nicked and tugged at the remnants of clothing that hung from his body.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s feet had begun to bleed and with every step that the frightened boy took, Joe fought against the urge to scream.\u00a0 Every so often Two Feathers would turn around and check on his prisoner who was slowly beginning to lag behind, making the journey much slower.\u00a0 Joe was near exhaustion and soon he could no longer force one foot in front of the other.\u00a0 With each step he took, traces of blood lay trapped within the indention of his footprint, a gruesome reminder of the abuse his feet were being forced to endure.<\/p>\n

Joe stumbled again, falling once more to his knees.\u00a0 The horse and rider who had been keeping a steady pace quickly took up the slack on the rawhide rope.\u00a0 Joe was knocked from his knees, face down in the dirt.\u00a0 He could feel the pull of the rope as it tightened about his neck and Joe felt as if he were being choked to death.\u00a0 Stars danced before his eyes and he strained to suck in much needed air before the blackness that sought to claim him pulled him from one world into the other. When Two Feathers felt the rope jerk his hand, he pulled his pony to a halt and turned the animal around so that he could face his prisoner without having to dismount.<\/p>\n

Joe lay curled in the dirt, his face bleeding, his shirt all but ripped off now from his upper body.\u00a0 The Paiute noted the holes in the boy\u2019s trousers, the smudges of dirt that covered the boy\u2019s face and chest and tossing a long leg over his horse\u2019s back, slid easily to the ground.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were closed, his face distorted from the tight rope and was unaware when Two Feathers eased his fingers between the rope and his neck and gently loosened the rawhide cord.\u00a0 Two Feathers eased Joe onto his back making Joe to moan softly and open his eyes.\u00a0 The Indian glanced down at Joe briefly and inched his way down to inspect the bottoms of Joe\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s feet were a mess.\u00a0 The constant running across the rocks, in and out of the woods all adding to the dry hot earth which burned mercilessly into the bloody cuts and gashes that had taken its toll on the boy\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Two Feathers scrunched up his face as his hand gently wiped away small pieces of stones and slivers of wood from Joe\u2019s heels.\u00a0 It was never his intention to cause the boy this much pain, only to express to Joe his displeasure in what the boy had attempted.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers sighed deeply; he was unsure what his intentions regarding this boy who stirred such emotions within his deepest being might be.\u00a0 He was a white man and white men were supposed to be his mortal enemies, but here was just a boy, a boy who had done something that nothing or no one had been able to do for him over the last two years. And that something was to feel twinges of love beginning to grow deeply within his harden heart.\u00a0 He believed his love had died when his wife and son had been murdered and in his heart hate had taken root and grown to monumental proportions until Two Feathers felt as if he could never feel any measure of love or compassion ever again.\u00a0 Until this hazel eyed white man who was more boy than man had entered his life.\u00a0 What was it about the boy questioned Two Feathers.\u00a0 For sure the young white man had unknowingly spoken to his heart and tugged at his heartstrings.\u00a0 Had the great spirit Father sent the boy to him?\u00a0 Had the God of mercy presented himself in the form of a white man to teach him something?\u00a0 If so what?\u00a0 What could such a young brave boy and a white boy nonetheless, be able to teach him?\u00a0 Two Feathers, warrior, Paiute brave, son of the great chief Ouray, what could he learn from this snip of a boy?<\/p>\n

By rights, thought Two Feathers, I should have killed this white man two days ago.\u00a0 Two Feathers stood to his feet removing his water receptacle from around his neck where it had hung.\u00a0 Pulling the plug, he placed the spout to Joe\u2019s lips giving Joe the opportunity to drink his fill.\u00a0 Once he was certain that Joe\u2019s thirst was satisfied, he took his own drink.\u00a0 Making sure that the plug was in place, Two Feathers left Joe where he rested and led his mount to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Joe was shocked when Two Feathers slipped his arms about him and easily lifted him up into his arms and carefully placed him on the horse\u2019s back.\u00a0 Joe stared down at his captor, totally baffled by this man\u2019s disconcerting actions.\u00a0 Two Feathers said nothing for several minutes and then muttered something that Joe did not understand.<\/p>\n

Thoughts of his father entered Joe\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Two Feathers, feet slightly parted, hands planted firmly on each hip, had actually sounded as if he had been fussing at him and the tone of his voice sounded very much like Ben Cartwright\u2019s when Joe had found him self in trouble.\u00a0 More confused than ever, Joe twisted his body into riding position when he felt the animal began to move under him.\u00a0 Two Feathers was now walking, leading the horse behind him as they plodded along.<\/p>\n

It took the rest of the afternoon to reach the Paiute\u2019s teepee.\u00a0 They had had to make several stops, the pain in Joe\u2019s feet plus the pain in the rest of his battered body had begun to take its affects on him.\u00a0 When they had at last entered the small clearing where Two Feathers had pitched his tent, Joe was slumped over the horse\u2019s neck, edging on the rim of consciousness.\u00a0 The buckskin stopped just within feet of the teepee\u2019s flap opening and Two Feathers quickly rushed to grab Joe\u2019s body as the boy fell from the horse.<\/p>\n

The Indian gently lifted Joe into his arms and carried him inside the warm tent.\u00a0 The fire had died down but it remained snug and cozy within the open room.\u00a0 Joe was placed on his bearskin rug, and Two Feathers set about the task of cleaning his captive\u2019s dirty body.\u00a0 Seeing that Joe had slipped from the real world into the dark spirit world of in-between, Two Feathers untied Joe\u2019s bound hands and placed them across his chest.<\/p>\n

The shirt was the first bit of clothing to be pulled from Joe\u2019s body, and Two Feathers tossed it into the fire that he had stoked into a bright flame.\u00a0 He could hear the hissing of the fabric as it caught fire and sniffed the air at the strange odor that the material burned off.\u00a0 Next the trousers where yanked from his legs, Two Feathers was careful when he pulled the coarse material over Joe\u2019s feet and once off, tossed them into the fire as well.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers prepared his water and using material that had been taken from white men long ago, began to bathe Joe\u2019s bruised and battered body.\u00a0 The Indian took special care to thoroughly clean the numerous cuts and scrapes and especially the gash over Joe\u2019s right eye and the bottoms of Joe\u2019s flesh torn feet.<\/p>\n

Joe moan softly as Two Feathers devoted his time to the soles of Joe\u2019s feet.\u00a0 The cuts had gone deep, and dirt was embedded in the openings.\u00a0 Joe tried to pull his legs free of the gentle hands that labored over the tedious job.\u00a0 His head tossed from side to side, his painful cries reaching the ears of his caregiver and slicing the red man\u2019s heart in two.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d moaned Joe as his eyes struggled against the dark world that refused to allow him to return to his rightful place.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers halted his labor and watched the expression on the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 The word was one he had heard the boy use before and remembered that it had brought a smile to the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 Two Feathers wondered at the word\u2019s meaning and wondered why the boy\u2019s eyes seemed to have lit up when he had spoken it the day before.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d whispered Two Feathers softly and resumed his care.<\/p>\n

When Two Feathers had finished with bathing Joe\u2019s body, he pulled the bearskin blanket up around Joe\u2019s still form and tucked it in on both sides.\u00a0 Two Feathers slipped from the teepee only to return a few minutes later.\u00a0 He mixed together the strange ingredients that he had brought back with him and began to apply the concoction to Joe\u2019s injured feet and then applied it to the other smaller wounds.\u00a0 Joe moaned as the mysterious remedy began to work its magical healing process that would ultimately bring comfort and healing to the injured areas, hopefully fighting off serious infection.<\/p>\n

The big Paiute sat on his haunches and watched the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 The amount of discomfort that Joe felt was etched in the deep furrows across his brow.\u00a0 The lock of unruly curls hung plastered to the boy\u2019s forehead and Two Feathers gently brushed it back into place.\u00a0 The curls were soft and the warrior could not refrain from gently running his fingers through the thick mass.\u00a0 Without warning, the Indian\u2019s throat constricted and Two Feathers felt as if he were choking so great were his emotions.\u00a0 His eyes closed as his hand moved tenderly through the mass of curls one more time.\u00a0 When he opened his eyes, tiny droplets of tears inched their way down his cheeks and Two Feathers brushed them away with his free hand.<\/p>\n

\u2018Running Deer,\u2019 his heart cried, \u2018and Morning Star.\u2019<\/p>\n

His soul ached for his family, his spirit screamed in agony for the way in which the mother and son had died.\u00a0 Running Deer had tried to defend his mother against the two evil white men who had dragged her from their teepee and stripped her of her soft deer-hide dress she had been wearing.\u00a0 Beads of all sizes and shapes, each a different color lay scattered in the dirt, her soft doeskin moccasins had been ripped from her feet and tossed aside.\u00a0 Her screams of anguish as they had their way with her, had startled the birds from their roosting places, sent the wood\u2019s creatures running for their own burrows and nests.\u00a0 Running Deer whom fought to protect his mother, had been no match for the grown men who had taken such delight in destroying Two Feathers\u2019 family and had died bravely, as he had lived.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers opened his eyes, watching Joe who lay in tormented slumber beneath his heavy blanket.\u00a0 Just in a glance, his fine young features seemed to match those of Two Feathers\u2019 beloved son.\u00a0 Except for the curly hair, Running Deer\u2019s had been straight and the deep ebony color had been much darker than that of Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 It was easy to see why Two Feathers had such a hard time hating his young captive.\u00a0 The boy reminded him of his son, the boy was as brave as any Paiute brave could hope for in a son and just as stubborn as well decided Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026hmm\u2026Pa?\u201d whimpered Joe softly.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers dampened the cloth in the cool water and placed it across Joe\u2019s brow.\u00a0 The coolness seemed to snap Joe from his deep sleep and slowly he opened his eyes and searched the space above his head for his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d cried Joe and reached up his hand, seeking his father\u2019s.\u00a0 His fingers brushed against the flesh of the Paiute warrior and on impulse, Two Feathers took the boy\u2019s hand into his own and held it tightly.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes found what he was looking for.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d smiled Joe weakly; his vision still slightly blurred.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers whispered something in his language and Joe\u2019s smile quickly disappeared.\u00a0 His eyes locked with the Indian\u2019s and Two Feathers saw the pool of tears that welled in the sad hazel eyes.\u00a0 Joe jerked his hand from the Indian\u2019s and quickly turned his head to the opposite side, hiding his fearful tears from his captor.\u00a0 Two Feathers remained where he was for several moments before gently placing his hand on the top of Joe\u2019s head, muttering some strange and unknown words in Joe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced over his shoulder when he was sure that the brave had moved away, wondering at the strange sounding words and the actions of a man who was, by common knowledge, suppose to hate all white men.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Pa, hurry, I wanna go home,\u201d wept Joe softly into the thick fur blanket just minutes before falling into a troubled sleep.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s scream shattered the dream that Two Feathers was having and when the following heart wrenching outcry pierced his ears for a second time, Two Feathers jumped to his feet and hurried to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

The white boy was tossing his head from side to side, tears coursed their way down his cheeks, the blanket had been kicked from around his body and when Two Feathers touched Joe\u2019s brow he gasped loudly.\u00a0 The white boy\u2019s flesh was hot to the touch, fever raged throughout the boy\u2019s body and when Joe opened his mouth to scream for the third time, Two Feathers quickly pulled the tormented boy into his embrace.\u00a0 Joe snuggled into the comforting arms, his head resting against Two Feathers\u2019 bare chest where his sub-conscious mind could feel the beating of the mighty warrior\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026\u201d whispered the warrior.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d he continued in his own words.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2026I wanna go home,\u201d moaned Joe in despair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must rest my son, do not fight against me no longer.\u00a0 I will care for you,\u201d whispered Two Feathers as he gently placed Joe back under the cover and moved to get fresh water in which to bathe Joe\u2019s burning flesh.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes open briefly and found Two Feathers bending over him.\u00a0 Joe could feel the cool cloth as it swept across his face and arms, moving to his chest as the Indian fought the fever that raged in his captive\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s arm rose slowly and his hand reached out and touched the face of the startled Indian.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 eyes connected with Joe\u2019s and he smiled down at the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will be better, in time,\u201d muttered the Indian.<\/p>\n

Joe wondered at the man\u2019s words but seeing the smile, allowed his fingers to continue tracing the outline of Two Feathers\u2019 firm set jaw.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather\u2026\u201d moaned Joe as his hand fell to the blanket.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers heart lurched, he had recognized the word that the white boy had spoken to him and he wondered if the word had any connection to the other word the boy had been repeating, and if so what was the link between the two.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Father\u2026\u201d said Two Feathers to him self and returned to his care of the boy somehow knowing that each word was one and the same and something that the young boy yearned for.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s fever raged throughout the night and far into the next night.\u00a0 Two Feathers remained constantly by the boy\u2019s side.\u00a0 The brave Paiute lost count of the number of times that he had bathed the scorching flesh and when Joe would lapse into a troubled sleep, Two Feathers would seek his rest as well, placing his body close to that of Joe\u2019s.\u00a0 Other times Joe would wake, often as not his eyes would be clouded with confusion and pain.\u00a0 There were times when Joe would nearly be himself and it was during those times that Two Feathers would force the sick boy to drink the mixtures of nourishing broth he had kept heated over the fire that burned continually.<\/p>\n

It was the early morning hours of the fourth day before Joe returned from the disconcerted and tormented world where he had spent time lost between the real cradle of humanity and a realm where everything had been turned upside down.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s dreams had been distorted; faces of his family had come and gone, darting in and out of his troubled dreams, parading before his eyes.\u00a0 Joe could see them plainly at times, see their tormented expressions as they rode passed calling out to him, searching for their lost loved one.\u00a0 Joe had called back to them as well, to return to him, begging for them to help him, to carry him home where he knew devotion and compassion were needed tools to heal his wounded body.\u00a0 Many were the times he only caught glimpses of his father and brothers, they seemed far away lost in a dense fog and when Joe, at those moments had called out to them, they ignored him and rode in the opposite directions from where Joe watched in lonely despair.\u00a0 His father\u2019s eyes had been clouded with tears, his face older and worn and the memory of his father\u2019s worry tore at Joe\u2019s already shattered heart.<\/p>\n

There where the instances when the face of Two Feathers lurked in the background.\u00a0 Joe in his befuddled mind could hear the Indian chanting and more than once had seen him dancing around the fire that glowed before him.\u00a0 At times, Joe swore to himself that he could reach out and touch the red man so near to him had he seemed.\u00a0 He could imagine the touch of the big Paiute\u2019s hands on his body, the cool cloth that raked across his fevered flesh as the Paiute fought to bring down his fever.\u00a0 It was hard for Joe in his dilemma to determine what had been real and what had actually been a dream.<\/p>\n

Now his eyes searched for someone who could help him sort his mental images.\u00a0 As he raised his head the flap at the opening of the teepee was pulled back and Two Feathers slipped inside.\u00a0 His eyes darted directly to Joe and when he saw Joe watching him, Two Feathers smiled and moved swiftly to Joe\u2019s side.\u00a0 Joe lowered his head back onto the soft pile of skins that served as his pillow and allowed Two Feathers hand to rest on his brow.\u00a0 The Indian smiled again at Joe and said something that Joe could not understand.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers dipped the warm broth into the wooden bowl and returned to Joe\u2019s side where he helped the boy into a sitting position before offering the bowl to him.\u00a0 Joe sipped slowly; the tasty mixture warming his insides as it made its way into his stomach.\u00a0 Joe had not realized how hungry he was and within minutes the broth was gone.\u00a0 Joe handed the bowl back to the Paiute and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, that was good,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cGood, yummy,\u201d smiled Joe as his hand made circular motions around his stomach.\u00a0 \u201cGood,\u201d Joe said again.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d repeated Two Feathers and smiled at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cLil til Joe, good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed, \u201cYeah right, I wish my father thought so, he\u2019s probably worried sick about me.\u00a0 I bet he thinks I\u2019m goofing off right now and I\u2019ll bet you a day\u2019s pay, he\u2019s boiling mad at me for not being home days ago.\u201d\u00a0 Joe snickered again and then sobered.\u00a0 He glanced up at Two Feathers who was staring at him, “Wanna bet he\u2019s formed a search party?\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Feathers squatted down on his haunches next to Joe and muttered something that only he could understand.\u00a0 Joe had no idea what the man was saying so he only smiled and nodded his head in agreement, hoping that he wasn\u2019t agreeing to something that could wind up being deadly.<\/p>\n

Joe, still weak from his ordeal, soon drifted into a sound sleep and slept for several hours.\u00a0 When he awoke, he was surprised to see that the entire contents of the teepee had been removed, the fire had been doused and Two Feathers sitting patiently by his side as if waiting for him to wake up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d questioned Joe, suddenly nervous for it looked as if Two Feathers was planning on moving.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers muttered a few words and then lifted the blanket to examine the sole\u2019s of Joe\u2019s feet.\u00a0 The gashes had begun to heal; the warm healing mixture that Two Feathers had kept coated on the bottoms of each foot had drawn out the infection that had caused the fever.\u00a0 The feet were still painful to the touch leaving no doubt to the Indian that it would be many days before the boy could put his weight on them and stand, and many more after that before being able to walk on them again.\u00a0 Two Feathers had no doubts that Joe could not make another daring attempt at escape, unless the white boy planned to crawl away.\u00a0 The Paiute laughed softly to himself, leaving his guest to wonder what had been so amusing.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers dropped to his knees and handed Joe an article of clothing.\u00a0 Joe held it up and looked questioningly up at his captor.\u00a0 The Indian nodded his head at the article and motioned with his hand for Joe to put it on.\u00a0 Joe gulped, the article was made from the soft hide of some animal, most likely a deer thought Joe and was only large enough to cover the lower half of Joe\u2019s body both front and back, there were no sides.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s look of confusion caused Two Feathers to laugh and taking the short skirt-like hide from the boy\u2019s hands, slipped the clothing over Joe\u2019s feet.\u00a0 When Joe felt the Indian begin to raise the blanket to work the piece upward, Joe felt his face redden and reached under the blanket to do it for himself.\u00a0 He was thankful now to know that he had been totally lost in another world when the Indian had taken it upon himself to bathe his nude body during the course of his fever.<\/p>\n

When Joe had the garment on, Two Feathers knelt at Joe\u2019s feet and carefully slipped on soft doeskin moccasins.\u00a0 Joe winced softly as the soft leather brushed against the soles of his feet, but smiled once the moccasins were on.\u00a0 Joe was surprised at how comfortable the uncommon footwear felt on his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice, thank you,\u201d said Joe and was more surprised when Two Feathers slipped his arms under his legs and easily lifted him from his bed.\u00a0 Joe automatically wrapped his arm around the big Paiute\u2019s neck to hold on.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe going somewhere?\u201d Joe asked nervously and watched the red man\u2019s face for a response.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers said nothing as he carried Joe outside and placed him on the ground where he could rest his back against a tree.\u00a0 Quickly Two Feathers returned to his teepee and within minutes the tent had been dismantled, folded and packed securely on the travois that Two Feathers had fashioned behind the horse.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart began to beat rapidly, for he had no doubt now that Two Feathers was leaving and Joe knew that he would be forced to go along.\u00a0 In his condition, Joe could not even protest and Joe worried that as the Indian moved from place to place, the chance of his family finding him would grow slimmer and slimmer with every mile in the opposite direction of home that Two Feathers took him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry Pa, please,\u201d prayed Joe softly.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers returned to Joe\u2019s side and once again gathered the boy into his arms and carried him to the horse where he placed Joe onto the horse\u2019s back and waited to be sure that Joe was comfortable.\u00a0 Muttering something that Joe could not understand Two Feathers collected the lead rope and began walking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could understand you, Two Feathers,\u201d said Joe to the Indian\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

The Paiute warrior turned at the sound of his name and looked into Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 He could see the doubt and uncertainty in the young boy\u2019s expression and he suddenly felt a measure of pity for the fear he could read on the boy\u2019s face as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not harm you Lil til Joe,\u201d promised Two Feathers and smiled at the boy.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brows pressed together, he had understood his name and knew that the red man was trying to tell him something and wished that he knew how to communicate with the man.\u00a0 Joe shrugged his shoulders as Two Feathers turned his attention back to the trail.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Joe long to figure out that they were headed for the high country.\u00a0 His hopes of rescue began to fade as they climbed higher and higher.\u00a0 The ground beneath them turned from dirt to hard packed earth and finally to rock, taking away any chances of even leaving a trail for his family to follow.\u00a0 Even Hoss, who was nearly as good a tracker as any Indian, would be unable to follow the near non-existent trail that Two Feathers left behind.<\/p>\n

They had traveled for hours, stopping only briefly to rest the horse and eat before moving on.\u00a0 By the end of the day, Joe was sure that they had traveled better than ten or more miles into the high mountains.\u00a0 They were nearly to the freeze line, the trees not more than scrub, the ground hard and rocky and Joe was glad that he was not being forced to walk.\u00a0 As it were his body ached, his bottom was sore from his nearly bare skin rubbing against the horse\u2019s coarse hide and the backbone of the animal that rubbed against his rear end.\u00a0 Several times Joe had had to shift his weight, rubbing at the tender spot on his buttocks and had even asked Two Feathers to stop so that he could rest.\u00a0 The Indian brave had only turned his head to look at him and continued to walk without making a comment.<\/p>\n

Joe let out a long sigh of relief when Two Feathers finally stopped in a secluded area that formed a barrier on all sides by large boulders that protected them from the chilly breeze that had come up.\u00a0 Joe allowed him self to be helped down from the horse and even relaxed briefly in the strong arms of the Paiute as Two Feathers carried him to a shaded area beneath one of the large boulders and gently placed him on the ground.\u00a0 He watched as the Indian rushed back to the horse and grabbed a brightly colored blanket from the pile of stocked goods and returned to place it around Joe\u2019s torso.\u00a0 Joe smiled his thanks; the early evening air had suddenly turned chilly and Joe had begun to shiver slightly.\u00a0 Two Feathers, accustomed to wearing nothing more than the short skirted flap and moccasins, continued to unpack what they would need for the night.<\/p>\n

Joe was very much aware of the fact that Two Feathers left the majority of the supplies on the travois, which told him that this was not the end of their journey.\u00a0 He wondered just where the Indian was taking him and just how long he planned on staying there.<\/p>\n

The next day began the same as the day before.\u00a0 It took until late afternoon before Two Feathers led Joe and his pony over the crest of the mountain and into the early evening before finally calling a halt to their travel.\u00a0 Just inside the thick woods, Two Feathers began setting up his camp for the night.\u00a0 Joe, who had not yet regained all of his strength, all but fell from his horse in exhaustion.\u00a0 By the time that Two Feathers had a fire going and a meal just about finished, Joe lay curled into a tight ball, buried beneath the bearskin blanket and snoring softly.\u00a0 Two Feathers checked on his guest and smiled to himself as he arranged the blanket more securely about the boy\u2019s body.\u00a0 Unable to turn his eyes away from the boy\u2019s face the brave tenderly caressed Joe\u2019s cheek with the back of his hand and fingered the soft curls.\u00a0 His breath caught in his throat while his heart cried out in despair of his own private loss.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers sat and crossed his legs staring into the fire.\u00a0 Glancing over his shoulder when Joe moaned softly, the Indian\u2019s thoughts turned to the boy\u2019s family wondering who they were and if they were searching for their loved one.\u00a0 Two Feathers smiled to himself, if the boy had been his son, he would never rest until he could hold the boy safely in his arms once again.<\/p>\n

Running Deer had been everything that Two Feathers had hoped for in a son.\u00a0 He was brave, noble and proud, all the things that any Paiute father would want.\u00a0 Two Feathers rose to his feet and moved to Joe\u2019s side, his eyes taking in every feature of the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 Here was a son that any father would be proud of as well, he thought.\u00a0 He sensed the fiery spirit that sparked the boy; he had seen the bravery that had been exposed when the boy began to balk at his plight and then again when Joe had made his daring escape.\u00a0 Two Feathers thought of the times that he had pressed his sharp knife against the boy\u2019s throat.\u00a0 He had seen the flame in the hazel eyes that had glared back at him and knew that if the boy felt that he was about to die, he would show no fear to his enemy.\u00a0 The Paiute warrior, accustomed to seeing fear and hatred in his enemies, had felt the trembling that had coursed through the young boy\u2019s body but even in his own anger, Two Feathers admired the courageous front that Little Joe had demonstrated when he had faced death.<\/p>\n

By the forth day, Two Feathers had entered the lowlands on the opposite side of the mountain.\u00a0 Joe sighed deeply, resigning himself to the fact that it would now be months before he would see his family again, if even then.\u00a0 Winter was not far off and Joe knew that the pass they had crossed a couple of days ago would soon be covered with snow and ice.\u00a0 It appeared to him that Two Feathers must be returning to his winter hunting grounds and since he, Joe, was unable to fend for himself, it looked as if he would be wintering with his captor.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I\u2019m sorry, I know how worried you must be,\u201d Little Joe sighed for a second time.<\/p>\n

Several days of hard traveling later, Two Feathers stopped and set up camp in a little clearing close to the stream. Joe still rode, his feet not healed enough to do much walking and it bothered Joe that he still had to be helped about at times.\u00a0 Now, much to his relief, he was at least able to move around just enough to take care of his own personal needs and for that, Joe was thankful.<\/p>\n

It was warmer now, in the valley than it had been crossing the mountains but Two Feathers and Little Joe had still traded their summer broad cloths for winter clothing.\u00a0 Two Feathers gave Joe a pair of doeskin britches and heavier fur lined pants to wear over the lighter weight ones when the weather turned extremely cold.\u00a0 On their upper bodies, they wore heavy thick shirts of various colors that had been made from material traded for with the white men, long before Morning Star and Running Deer had fallen victim to the white man\u2019s cruel and evil ways, before Two Feathers heart had learned about hatred.<\/p>\n

The clothing that Joe wore had been Running Deer\u2019s and when Joe stepped from the teepee adorned in his new set of clothes, Two Feathers\u2019 heart raced as he gazed at the white boy who stood before him wearing his son\u2019s clothing. Joe saw the expression on the red man\u2019s face and swore to himself that he could see tears welling in the brave Paiute\u2019s dark eyes, but disregarded the thought when Two Feathers smiled at him and came to rest his hands on either side of Joe\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s skin was tanned darker now than before.\u00a0 Even his legs, which had been exposed as well, to the sun\u2019s rays, were golden in color.\u00a0 His long curls had grown nearly to his shoulders and Joe now wore a headband across his forehead to keep the long locks of hair from falling into his eyes.\u00a0 Had Ben Cartwright seen his youngest son at this moment, it would be doubtful that the father would recognize his own son.<\/p>\n

Joe settled in with the routine that Two Feathers set for them.\u00a0 First thing every morning, Two Feathers would go out hunting for the daily meals while Joe would stay in camp and do odd little chores, often growing bored and depressed.\u00a0 Joe longed for his family and for his home.\u00a0 Gazing at the thick white snow that now glistened high on the mountains and knowing that the passes were no longer opened, Joe often became homesick, his need to be with his father and brothers overwhelming him at times and bringing him to tears.\u00a0 But he never allow Two Feathers to see him in his weakened state, he somehow always managed to keep up a brave front when the Indian was nearby.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers sensed the restlessness in Joe and had begun taking the boy with him whenever he left camp.\u00a0 Soon Joe became Two Feathers shadow, asking questions about this and that, questions that Two Feathers could not understand and more than once Joe had become agitated to the point of showing the big Paiute what a real temper he could have.\u00a0 Joe would shout and rant and rave until Two Feathers would burst out laughing at his antics which only resulting in Joe sulking for long periods of time.<\/p>\n

It was during one of those times that Joe had decided that it was time for Two Feathers to learn the white man\u2019s language.\u00a0 Many nights the two would sit together by the fire that warmed the teepee and Joe would repeat words and phrases to Two Feathers until he was sure that the warrior understood.\u00a0 The Indian was an excellent student and Joe an excellent teacher.\u00a0 Neither the boy nor the man was aware of the close bond that was being formed between them.\u00a0 Though Joe\u2019s longing for home often woke him from a deep sleep, he soon learned that Two Feathers was always there, ready to comfort him. It had been on more than one night that the Paiute warrior had held the boy in his arms while Joe struggled to free himself from the nightmare that haunted his dreams.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers taught Joe the fine art of tracking, something he had always thought himself capable of doing.\u00a0 Two Feathers had laughed at Joe\u2019s first attempts, and his gentle teasing had ignited a determination in Joe to prove his forte.\u00a0 Once the tracking had been mastered, Two Feathers taught Joe how to tan the hides that they caught in their traps. The first thing that the Indian taught Joe to make from one of the beaver hides was a quiver in which to carry the arrows that Joe had also learned to make.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Joe brought down his first deer with his new bow and arrow, made by his own hands.\u00a0 Joe shouted and leapt for joy when the deer dropped to the ground and not realizing his actions, flung his arms around Two Feathers\u2019 neck in his boy-like excitement.\u00a0 The startled Indian paused briefly before laughing and bringing his arms about Joe, giving the boy a hug in return.\u00a0 Joe suddenly realized what he had done and quickly removed his arms, somewhat embarrassed at his actions.<\/p>\n

Joe became very quite, his thoughts taking him home. His mind called from memory the hunting trip he had taken last year with his father and how they had tracked an old buck in much the same way as he and Two Feathers had done.\u00a0 Joe felt tears sting his eyes at the memory of his father\u2019s excitement when Joe had aimed his new rifle and fire at the big deer.\u00a0 And then he recalled how Ben had masked his disappointment when his son had missed the shot, assuring him that he would do better the next time.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at Two Feathers but the brave had moved to the deer\u2019s side and had begun dressing it out, leaving Joe to himself and his memories.\u00a0 Joe cast sad eyes up at the mountain; it had snowed again last night, and Joe wondered if he would ever see any of his family once again.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers added more wood to the fire.\u00a0 It was cold outside and the chilly night wind seemed to crawl beneath the edges of the teepee and make it\u2019s self at home in his tent.\u00a0 He glanced at Little Joe and saw the boy shiver.\u00a0 Joe was lost in deep thought and Two Feathers studied his face.\u00a0 The boy was unhappy, longing for his home no doubt, thought the Indian.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe,\u201d said Two Feathers, \u201ccome.\u201d\u00a0 He motioned for Joe to join him next to the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will tell you of my family,\u201d he began when Joe had settled himself in front of the fire.<\/p>\n

Joe had often wondered if the man had any family and if so, why was he living all alone?\u00a0 Joe had been hesitant to ask, it was hard enough to understand the man, his mood swings often scared Joe for he was never sure if the man were mad enough to kill him or not.<\/p>\n

Several times since coming to the lowlands, he had set the red man\u2019s temper to boiling by doing something that displeased the Indian.\u00a0 Once, Two Feathers thought he was trying to escape again and had kept him tied for two days. It had taken a lot of talking to convince the red man that he had no intentions of trying another escape, why should he, Joe had asked.\u00a0 Joe explained to Two Feathers that the only place he wanted to go was home and home was on the other side of the mountain.\u00a0 Joe had nodded his chin toward the snow-capped peaks in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there is no way I can cross that, not until spring,\u201d Joe had said.\u00a0 Two Feathers saw the logic in Joe\u2019s words and had released him, nothing more had been said on the matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Star was my squaw, my wife, in your language.\u00a0 We had been married many summers and winters but still had no children.\u00a0 We feared that Morning Star was barren and could not give me a son, but then the Great Spirit father heard my prayers and soon Running Deer was born.\u00a0 I was a proud father.\u00a0 I taught Running Deer the same things that I teach you.\u00a0 He was good boy as you are good boy,\u201d smiled Two Feathers as he reached out his hand and placed it on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen one day, white men come.\u00a0 I not here, I go hunting with other braves while women and children stay in camp.\u00a0 Running Deer stay also with mother to help with work and then white men ride into camp.\u00a0 They started shooting their long guns, killing women and children.\u00a0 They come into teepees and steal our food and furs that we gathered for the winter.\u00a0 Morning Star and Running Deer had been at creek when shooting begins but hurried back to see what happening.\u00a0 They not know it was white men.\u00a0 When they see beautiful wife run into teepee, they grab her and throw her to ground, Running Deer try to protect mother, but white men kill my son, then they rape my wife and kill her as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two Feathers suddenly became very quiet as he sat motionless staring into the fire.\u00a0 Joe watched the expression on the Indian\u2019s face and could see how much his telling about his wife and son had hurt him.\u00a0 The sad memories, the grief, the hatred that had grown, were all written in the fine lines of his face.\u00a0 It was several minutes before Two Feathers spoke again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI live alone because I still mourn for my family.\u00a0 I have learned to hate because of your kind.\u00a0 White men call us savages, but they lie, it is they that are the savages,\u201d said Two Feathers at last.<\/p>\n

Joe was unsure what to say or do.\u00a0 He could not trust his voice to speak, his words would only provoke the Indian\u2019s wrath and in turn Two Feathers might take his hate out on him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hated you, in the beginning,\u201d whispered the Indian as he stared at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cBut you have taught me that not all white men are savages.\u00a0 You have taught me that white men could be trusted and that all do not speak with forked tongues.\u00a0 You are good man, Little Joe,\u201d beamed Two Feathers.\u00a0 \u201cYou are to me as Running Deer was to me.\u00a0 You will stay, be my son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe gulped and glanced away, avoiding the dark eyes that watched him from across the glowing fire.\u00a0 Two Feathers had called him good, had told him that he loved him, in his own words, thought Joe.\u00a0 Now was no time to dance around the truth, he had to tell this man his true feelings.\u00a0 Two Feathers had opened his heart to him and revealed the real reasons why he acted as he did, Joe could do no less.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo Feathers, thank you for your kind words.\u00a0 But you must know I too have a family.\u00a0 Over the mountain and far on the other side.\u00a0 I was on my way home to them when you found me and made me your prisoner.\u00a0 We have a ranch, it\u2019s called the Ponderosa, that\u2019s where I live with my Pa\u2026father\u2026and two older brothers.\u00a0 That\u2019s where I belong, with my family.\u00a0 Can\u2019t you understand that?\u201d stated Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father does not care for you, or he would come for you.\u00a0 I have cared for you when you lay dying, I have fed you when you were hungry, I have kept you warm when you were cold, I have even held you in my arms when you wake at night screaming.\u00a0 It was I, not your father,\u201d Two Feathers told Joe in a deep voice that edged on bitterness.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know that, but you would not have had to do those things if you had not made me your prisoner.\u00a0 My father would be the one doing them. And believe me Two Feathers, my father will come, when the sun melts the snow and the pass is opened, my father will come and when he does, he will bring more men with him,\u201d explained Joe, troubled by the expression that had distorted the Indian\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I will kill him,\u201d Two Feathers said solemnly as he stood to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do that!\u201d Joe nearly shouted and then calmed himself before he angered the warrior.\u00a0 \u201cTwo Feathers, try to understand, I admire you, I respect you and I suppose in some strange way, I have even grown to love you.\u00a0 But you will destroy all of that if you kill my father.\u00a0 Do you honestly think I would want to stay here with you if you killed him?\u00a0 I would hate you, just as you hate the white man for what he has done to you.\u00a0 You would have to kill me as well, for killing my father would destroy me inside, in my heart, just as losing your wife and son has hardened your heart.\u00a0 It shall do the same to mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood to his feet, his body shivering from a mixture of both fear and the chill that had settled inside of the teepee.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, I don\u2019t want to hate you.\u00a0 I just want to go home to my father.\u00a0 You say you love me, then prove it.\u00a0 Let me go home to my family.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes welled with tears and he was forced to turn his back to his friend in order to wipe away the tiny beads of moisture from his face.<\/p>\n

Joe felt the hand of the Paiute warrior as Two Feathers placed it on his shoulder.\u00a0 Gently Two Feathers turned Joe until he could look into the troubled eyes and took Joe\u2019s chin in his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are wise for one so young.\u00a0 I have wondered why it was that you came to me.\u00a0 I questioned the Great Spirit about what it was that one so young, a white man, could teach Two Feathers.\u00a0 I have my answer this night.\u00a0 For tonight I have learned to forgive, I have learned that it is possible to love again.\u00a0 Two white men took love from me and taught me how to hate, now a white man, a boy at that, has taken away the hate and replaced it with love.\u00a0 The ways of the Great Spirit are wise I have no doubt.\u00a0 You will go home to your father.\u00a0 But first, you must promise me that you will stay, until the sun melts the snow.\u00a0 You will teach me more of the white man\u2019s ways and you will tell me of your father, for he is sure to be an honorable man to have a son such as you, Little Wise One.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled; relieved to see that Two Feathers had understood.\u00a0 \u201cI promise you, I will stay and I will teach you all you want to learn, if you promise that I can leave in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo Feathers does not lie.\u00a0 I will keep my promise.\u00a0 I will take you myself, to your father at his ranch, the Pond\u2026Pon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPonderosa,\u201d smiled Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cPonderosa,\u201d repeated Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

Soon the days turned into weeks and weeks into months.\u00a0 With each passing day, Joe longed more and more to be reunited with his family.\u00a0 Many times during the course of the day, Two Feathers found Joe gazing up at the snow capped mountains and knew of the boy\u2019s unspoken desire.\u00a0 Two Feathers could feel Little Joe\u2019s pain, for his own pain had been much like the white boy\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Unaware that Two Feathers now stood close behind him until he felt the gentle pressure of the Indian\u2019s hands on his shoulders, Joe glanced over his shoulder and into the understanding eyes of his surrogate father.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoon Little Joe, the sun will melt the snow and you will be free to return to your father.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 heart desires that you stay and be my son, but I know your heart is heavy with longing to be with your own family.\u00a0 Who am I to deny a son that right?\u00a0 Be patient, time will pass more quickly.\u00a0 Come let us eat for my stomach growls as a hungry bear,\u201d smiled the Indian brave.<\/p>\n

Joe gave Two Feathers a weak smile and followed him into the teepee giving one last glance at the mountains that prevented him to be where his heart longed to go.<\/p>\n

It was as Two Feathers had promised.\u00a0 The days grew warmer, the sun rotated closer to mother earth and by the middle of April, the creeks had begun to fill and run rapidly as the mountain snows melted and added their waters to those already held within the banks of the creek beds.<\/p>\n

As each day passed, Joe\u2019s heart filled with joy, he was going home soon.\u00a0 But his happiness was dampened as he became aware of the sadness that had began to fill Two Feathers\u2019 eyes and Joe\u2019s heart was torn between the longing he had for his family and the affection he had established over the last six months for the red man.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 expressions on his face when he looked at Joe told the boy everything he needed to know about Two Feathers\u2019 true feelings toward him.\u00a0 And at times, knowing that he was breaking the heart of the one who had saved his life broke Joe\u2019s own heart to a degree.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers never again brought up the subject of Joe staying and being his son.\u00a0 The Indian realized that Joe\u2019s staying regardless of how fond he had grown of the boy would never end with Joe being totally his.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s heart belonged to another father, a father who had probably spent the whole winter searching and longing for his son.\u00a0 Two Feathers knew that feeling, knew what it was to miss the smiling face of one\u2019s child, to never again hear the sound of his laughter, or see the sparkle in his eyes, feel the touch of his hand, these being the memories that would haunt a parent for a lifetime.\u00a0 No, he would never again ask the white boy to chose between his parent and his friend, for the friend would ultimately be the looser.<\/p>\n

The day finally came when Two Feathers dismantled his camp, packing all of his supplies onto the travois, taking with him new furs that he and the white boy had trapped over the long winter months.\u00a0 The hides, Two Feathers said would be used for trading with the white men before he made the journey to his homeland and his people.\u00a0 It would buy for his tribe many needed items that his people had found useful but that could only be bought from the white man.\u00a0 No longer would he deny his people the luxuries that would enrich their lives that had for so long been forbidden to them because of his hatred of the white man.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers whistled and his buckskin horse came on cue.\u00a0 Joe smiled at the sight, his heart suddenly beating with wild joy at the prospect of going home, of seeing his family and naturally hoping that somehow, Cochise had found his way home as well.\u00a0 For now, Joe satisfied his self with the little roan stallion that he and Two Feathers had captured and broken.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers had laughed at Joe\u2019s attempts of taming the stallion, but in the end had to praise the boy, for Joe had succeed with patience and determination where Two Feathers had tried and failed.\u00a0 The stallion, that Joe had dubbed Cyclone, still had plenty of fight left in him and once Joe was mounted and ready to go, Cyclone demonstrated some of that fight.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers mounted his own horse, the travois trailing behind and started ahead of Joe.\u00a0 Cyclone bucked and reared, snorted and blew for several minutes, trying to throw his rider from his back.\u00a0 Joe had learned how to use his knees and legs to wrap around the animal\u2019s sides to remain seated.\u00a0 This was no easy feat for the young boy, as Joe was used to using a saddle and this bareback riding had caused him more than one sore fanny and it seemed that today, of all days, Cyclone was determined to toss him into the dirt.\u00a0 As luck would have it, Cyclone was the winner and once he saw Joe lying face down in the dirt, the horse slowly walked over to his fallen rider and nuzzled the boy with his soft nose.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at the horse and Cyclone tossed his head up and down as if laughing at him.\u00a0 Two Feathers, who had been watching the whole display of \u2018who was the master and who was the mastered,\u2019 laughed out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, must learn to control his horse, not horse control Little Joe,\u201d laughed the Paiute.<\/p>\n

Joe dusted off his hands and gave Two Feathers a look of disgust, which only served to give the Indian another reason to laugh.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, let\u2019s ride,\u201d Joe said as he swung himself up onto Cyclone\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

It was as if the pony had needed to make a statement because this time, the little stallion was as meek as a lamb and Joe had to laugh at his own antics.<\/p>\n

For three days, Joe pushed himself and his friend.\u00a0 His desire to reach home before spring round up fueled his determination.\u00a0 If he were not able to make it by then, it was possible that his family had accepted his plight and might very well be gone by the time he reached home.\u00a0 And if that happened, it would be several weeks before they returned, thus prolonging his homecoming.<\/p>\n

Joe felt sure that his father and brothers had spent weeks, even months searching for him but by now had probably given in to the possibility that he had been killed.\u00a0 The thoughts of what his father must have gone through ripped at Joe\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright loved each of his three sons, not one more than the other, but all differently and for different reasons.\u00a0 The depth of his love he held for his sons was as a bottomless pit and everyone who knew of Ben Cartwright knew that the devoted father would die, if need be for one or all of his sons.\u00a0 Some folks had even known him to kill to protect his boys and that knowledge held the worst of men at bay.\u00a0 He and Joe had shared a special type of bond; a bond that Joe knew would never be broken by separation or by death.\u00a0 Perhaps that attachment stemmed from Little Joe being the youngest, Ben\u2019s baby, or from the fact that Ben knew that once his Little Joe had grown to manhood, there would never be another young son who needed him as Joseph had always seemed to need him.\u00a0 Adam had always been his confidant, Hoss his free spirit, but Joseph had been the one son who had relied mostly on his father, needed his father\u2019s strength, learned from his father\u2019s wisdom and craved his father\u2019s love.<\/p>\n

Joe was sure that if his father had accepted the idea that Joe might never return home, his father would have spent many days and nights grieving for his lost son.\u00a0 On the other hand, Joe could see his father spending those same days searching endlessly for his missing son.\u00a0 Joe knew in his heart that Ben would not stop until he knew for sure his son\u2019s whereabouts, or if he found proof that the boy had died and how.\u00a0 Ben would leave the ranch and spring round up and everything that it ensued to search for his son.\u00a0 That assurance alone gave Joe the hope that he would soon be reunited with his family and Joe pushed harder to reach the other side of the mountain before dusk claimed yet another long day.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers was yards ahead of Joe, his horse moving slowly in and out of the loose rocks that caused the big animal to slide.\u00a0 The Indian worked his horse carefully, letting the animal pick and choose his footing as he made his way down the steep incline.\u00a0 Two Feathers glanced over his shoulder at Little Joe who seemed to be having trouble with Cyclone.\u00a0 The skittish animal was on the verge of bolting and it took all of the young boy\u2019s know-how to keep the animal in form.\u00a0 Two Feathers could hear Joe muttering softly to his horse, using his voice to keep the animal calm and carefully Joe followed the same path that the buckskin had taken.\u00a0 Near the bottom, where Two Feathers had stopped and waited for Joe and Cyclone to catch up, Joe\u2019s horse suddenly reared, something had spooked the stallion and as the horse\u2019s hooves came up, Joe lost his grip and went flying from the animal\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

Joe hit the ground hard, the wind knocked from his lungs as he landed with a thud onto the hard rock beneath him.\u00a0 Quickly Two Feathers slipped from his horse and ran to Little Joe\u2019s side.\u00a0 Joe moaned softly as Two Feathers bent over his body.<\/p>\n

From behind him, Two Feathers heard the sound of approaching hoof beats and still squatting over Joe, turned quickly and was surprised to see three riders approaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite men, do not move, Little Joe,\u201d whispered Two Feathers quietly.\u00a0 Joe stunned by his fall and lying on the hard rock, only nodded his head and remained as the warrior had instructed, not sure if the men poised any threat or not.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers hand slipped unseen to his side where his knife laid cradled in the sheaf at his waistline.\u00a0 Slowly he eased into a standing position, being sure to keep the young boy behind him and out of sight and reach of the men, who now pulled their horses to a rearing stop.<\/p>\n

The older man dismounted and nodded his head at the Indian.\u00a0 \u201cYou speak the white man\u2019s language?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers nodded his head but said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he hurt?\u201d asked the older man as the other two remained in their saddles.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 eyes darted from one to the other and quickly back to the man who was slowly approaching.<\/p>\n

Joe moaned softly, calling Two Feathers\u2019 attention and when the Indian glanced down, the white man took another step nearer.\u00a0 Two Feathers jerked his head around quickly and held his hand out at the man, stopping the man in his tracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean you no harm, I just wish to help you.\u00a0 The boy looks as if he may be injured,\u201d the big man stated but stopped where he was and not wanting to give the Indian cause to feel threatened.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son,\u201d Two Feathers pointed down at Joe who lay several feet behind him and out of hearing range, had his face hidden from view of the white man\u2019s questioning eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis horse slipped on the rocks and the boy fell, he is all right,\u201d Two Feathers explained and glanced up again at the other two men.\u00a0 \u201cHe has just had the wind knocked from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man nodded his head at Two Feathers and stepped back glancing up at his two younger companions.\u00a0 The dark headed man nodded his head slightly at the older man and the man moved back to his horse and reluctantly mounted up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure your son is going to be all right?\u201d he asked one more time.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers had stepped across Little Joe\u2019s body and was bending over him where he could face the three white men.\u00a0 \u201cHe will be fine,\u201d muttered the Paiute, his dark eyes flashing.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers feared no man, red or white, but he knew if these men made a move against him, he would be no match for them.\u00a0 Little Joe was in no condition to be of help, and Two Feathers knew the young boy might possibly be killed if having to fight against these three large white men.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, if you\u2019re sure, we\u2019ll be on our way,\u201d the silver-headed man said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys, day light\u2019s burning,\u201d he said as he turned his mount around.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa\u2026\u201d said the big man in the tall hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush son\u2026let\u2019s go,\u201d ordered the leader as he gave the man a stern look that said to say no more.<\/p>\n

The trio kicked at their horse\u2019s sides and rode away, never looking back over their shoulders.<\/p>\n

Quickly Two Feathers slipped his arm around Joe and helped him to his feet.\u00a0 Joe groaned as he tried to straighten his body out and twisted around to see where the three men had gone but they had already moved out of sight.\u00a0 Leaning heavily on Two Feathers\u2019 arm, he allowed himself to be led to a nearby rock where the Indian gently helped him to sit down.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s body was covered with tiny scratches, some oozed blood others were covered with dirt.\u00a0 Two Feathers dusted what dirt he could from Joe\u2019s clothes and then gave the boy a tiny smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat horse must learn whom is master,\u201d he laughed softly as he waited for Joe to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

The three riders stopped, their horses dancing around in nervous circles.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026did you see?\u00a0 That boy was no Indian, his hair was way too curly,\u201d stated the man with the tall hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him son, but we can\u2019t be sure.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see the boy\u2019s face,\u201d the father said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I said I couldn\u2019t be sure it was Little Joe.\u00a0 Besides, did you see that knife that Indian had in his hand?\u00a0 If any one of us had made a move and it were Joe, that Paiute would have killed him in a heartbeat.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve come too far and looked too long for my son to have him end up getting murdered right before my eyes,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s right Hoss, listen, I know how much you want to find Joe, we all do.\u00a0 But we have to be careful.\u00a0 Those traders that told us about seeing a white kid with an Indian could have been lying.\u00a0 With the reward that Pa\u2019s offered, anyone could tell us anything if they thought it might earn them some big money.\u00a0 That\u2019s why Pa\u2019s made it plain that nothing would be paid until we had Joe safely home,\u201d Adam explained to his brother and watched the disappointment melt the hope that had been so evident on his rotund face just a few moments ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we cain\u2019t just sit here, what are we goin\u2019 do, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss as he peered over his shoulder in the direction they had just come.<\/p>\n

His hopes had been dashed; he had no thoughts to the fact that the Indian lying on the ground might have been his baby brother until Adam had called to his attention the mass of dark curls that adorned the injured boy\u2019s head.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 eyes had nearly popped out of his head and had it not been for his older brother motioning for him to remain silent, Hoss might have jumped from his horse and charged the Paiute that had stood over his youngest brother. Now, he was forced to wait for his father to make a plan and Hoss knew that the first thing that Ben would do was to make sure that the boy lying at the Paiute\u2019s feet had indeed been their missing family member.<\/p>\n

Ben decided to follow at a distance the Indian and his young companion.\u00a0 He had every notion to find out if the curly headed boy who dressed in Indian garb was his son.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s heart beat in anticipation.\u00a0 It had been nearly six months since his son\u2019s horse had wandered into the yard without a saddle and without its young rider.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s heart had been broken when after their weeks of searching they had turned up nothing other than Joe\u2019s riding gear.\u00a0 They had backtracked Cochise and had found the camp where Joe had last stopped but other than that, not a trace or even a track of his youngest son had been found.\u00a0 They had seen where Joe\u2019s horse had felt prints that led away from then cold fire, heading in the direction of the ranch but nothing coming in, no footprints and no signs of a struggle were evident.\u00a0 It was as if Joe had been sucked up in a strong wind and had vanished from the face of the earth.<\/p>\n

Ben, along with Adam and Hoss had traveled miles beyond their property line in three different directions, each returning with no news.\u00a0 As time inched forward, so did doubts and more disappointments.\u00a0 Winter blew in with a bang and sealed the passes over the Sierras destroying any hope of chances that they might somehow travel as far as the lowlands miles on the other side of the then, snow capped mountains.<\/p>\n

Ben had watched as his older sons struggled with the same dread that plagued his heart, each feared that their younger brother might never be found alive.\u00a0 With the elements against him, if he lay wounded and exposed to the harsh weather that had set in just days after he was discovered to be missing, Joe\u2019s chances of survival would take nothing short of a miracle.<\/p>\n

Ben kept to the rocks and trees, keeping out of sight of the man and boy.\u00a0 The boy seemed unhurt; he had managed to remount his horse and was slowly following behind the older man.\u00a0 As Ben watched, hoping to get a glimpse of the boy\u2019s face, he noticed that the boy appeared to be on good terms with the older Paiute and he shared that thought with his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold up a minute boys, look,\u201d Ben pointed to the pair who had also stopped and were exchanging words.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think, Adam?\u00a0 Have you gotten a look at the boy\u2019s face? Can you tell if it\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t be sure Pa.\u00a0 His skin tone is so dark, but those curls tell me that boy isn\u2019t an Indian, at least not a full-blooded Paiute.\u00a0 He rides like he has always ridden bareback, and those clothes, looks like they were made for him.\u00a0 My guess the old man was telling the truth, the boy\u2019s his son.\u00a0 I just can\u2019t explain that mop on his head,\u201d Adam told his father.\u00a0 \u201cSeems to me, if it were Joe, that Indian would have his hands tied or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think it is Joe,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think that son, have you seen the boy\u2019s face?\u201d inquired Ben.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head, \u201cno sir, but you know how its always been with me and Little Joe, I always knew when he was in trouble and needed me and my gut tells me that boy yonder is my kid brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam exchanged looks with his father and turned to watch as Two Feathers and Little Joe rounded a bend out of sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s usually right Pa.\u00a0 I say let\u2019s just follow them until they make camp and then after dark we can sneak in and see for ourselves.\u00a0 And if its Joe, we just march right in and get him.\u00a0 I want the boy back, I\u2026well I miss the little pest,\u201d said Adam and smiled at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay, don\u2019t say I told you so, but so has the two of you,\u201d Adam smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat I have son, that I have.\u00a0 I have lain awake nights, with nothing on my mind but your brother.\u00a0 Life has not been the same with the boy gone; my heart has been so heavy with longing for him,\u201d sighed Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam placed his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWe know it has Pa.\u00a0 Hoss and I talked a lot about it and knew that if we lived to be a hundred, we would never stop searching for the little scamp.\u00a0 I only hope that that kid down there is Joe and we don\u2019t go busting into something that might end up a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a chance I\u2019m willing to take.\u00a0 If the boy is Joe, then by all means, I\u2019ll fight to get my son back.\u00a0 Now let\u2019s get going, I don\u2019t want the Indian to get too far ahead of us, stay out of sight, you hear me?\u201d ordered Ben.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers had finally decided to stop for the night.\u00a0 They had made good time, putting more than fifteen miles behind them in this one day.\u00a0 Had it not been for Little Joe\u2019s spill and the time wasted with the three white men, they might have been able to force a few more miles out of their horses.\u00a0 As it were, darkness was nearly upon them by the time that they stopped.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for Two Feathers with Joe\u2019s help, to have their fire roaring and while Joe made ready their bedding for the night, Two Feathers had slipped into the woods and returned a short time later with a fat rabbit for their supper.<\/p>\n

He said not a word to the boy, but he had heard strange noises a short distance from their camp where he had gone in search of their supper.\u00a0 Being as quiet as possible, the wise warrior had slipped silently through the woods until he was just yards from the cold camp of the three white men.\u00a0 They were bent low, heads together but Two Feathers could not make out what they were saying.\u00a0 But he was sure that the men where following them and he ventured to guess that they were planning something evil.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t that the way of most white men he had asked himself as he stole through the forest to his own camp?<\/p>\n

Two Feathers watched his young charge; the boy seemed unaware that danger lurked close by and the brave decided not to give the boy any hints that something was amiss.\u00a0 He would wait until he was sure that Little Joe slept soundly and then he would steal from his bed and into the camp of the white men and if need be, kill them in their sleep.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t the way of a Paiute warrior, but Two Feathers had promised his young friend that he would see them across the mountain and go with him to his father\u2019s camp where the boy would be reunited with his family.\u00a0 Nothing nor anyone would stand in his way, he would willingly die for the boy if need be in order to keep his promise to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

The evening passed slowly, Ben, Adam and Hoss lay silently in the underbrush, waiting until they were sure that the Indian warrior and the young boy were fast asleep. The boy stirred restlessly on his thick fur bedroll but the Paiute brave seemed to have dropped off into a sound sleep long ago, curled up and buried under the pile of warm furs.\u00a0 Ben could barely make out Adam\u2019s dark figure, crouched behind a big tree and Hoss was to his right lying on his stomach beneath some brush.\u00a0 Both sons waited for their father\u2019s signal.<\/p>\n

Ben waved his hand and silently the three inched their way into the Indian\u2019s camp.\u00a0 Ben headed straight for the boy whom he prayed with all of his heart would be his son.\u00a0 Hoss made his way toward the older Indian\u2019s bed and glanced up briefly at Adam who moved in the same direction.<\/p>\n

Ben stopped and took a deep breath to steady his hand as he gently pulled the heavy blanket back to reveal the boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 The glow of the fire was to his back, casting shadows over the boy\u2019s facial traits but even in the dim light, Ben would have known his son.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s skin had tanned over the months, his hair had grown to his shoulders, but his son\u2019s finely carved features had remained the same.\u00a0 This was his son, and Ben shut his eyes tightly to still his pounding heart.\u00a0 Hoss’ intuition had been correct, it was Joe who had fallen from the horse and later rode away with the brave as if they had been friends.\u00a0 Joe stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttered and opened.\u00a0 The face startled him and he tried to cry out but Ben clamped his hand over Joe\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 Joe struggled, not aware that the white man who gripped his mouth was his father whom he had been longing to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026Joseph, its me\u2026Pa,\u201d whispered Ben as he fought to maintain his hold on the boy who seemed determined to fight against him.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s muffled cries caught the attention of his brothers and when they looked up to see what was taking place, a dark figure stole into the clearing, pouncing on Adam\u2019s back and taking him by surprise.\u00a0 Adam and the Indian fought; fist flew between the two.\u00a0 Once Adam sailed through the air and landed on his back, Two Feathers\u2019 screech ripped through the silent night as he hurled himself at Hoss whom was ready for him.\u00a0 The two strong men soon became locked in hand to hand combat, and it was hard to tell which of the two were the strongest.\u00a0 Hoss inched Two Feathers back, each man using their upper bodies as a wall to push the other.\u00a0 Suddenly Two Feathers tripped and Hoss pounced on him, pinning him to the ground.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 had his knife in his hand; Hoss struggled with the Indian\u2019s wrist in an attempt to force the knife from the enemy\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO! NO!\u201d screamed Joe, who had finally succeeded in prying his father\u2019s hand from his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cDON\u2019T HOSS!\u00a0 DON\u2019T KILL HIM!\u201d shouted Little Joe as he ran toward his brother and Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

Adam grabbed at his brother as he tried to get to the pair who still struggled for control of the sharp knife and wrapped Joe into a tight hold.\u00a0 Joe now had his own struggles going on as he fought to free himself from Adam\u2019s death like grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP! STOP! PLEASE HE\u2019S MY FRIEND!\u201d screamed Little Joe, the tears beginning to drip down his face.\u00a0 \u201cTWO FEATHERS IT\u2019S MY BROTHERS! NO!\u201d Joe shouted near hysterics.<\/p>\n

The message finally registered in Ben\u2019s mind as Joe\u2019s words were repeated over and over.\u00a0 Quickly Ben grabbed Hoss\u2019 shoulders and yelling in his ear to cease his fighting, pulled the bigger man from the Indian whom he had pinned to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, no, stop,\u201d shouted Ben until Hoss finally slumped backward onto his behind where he sat in the dirt and tried to catch his breath.<\/p>\n

Joe broke free of his brother\u2019s arms and ran to Two Feathers who was pulling himself into a sitting position.\u00a0 \u201cTwo Feathers, it\u2019s okay, it\u2019s my family.\u00a0 My Pa and my brothers, see?\u201d Joe pointed his finger in Ben\u2019s direction, \u201cfather,\u201d he said and smiled at his protector.<\/p>\n

Joe had been startled when the hand had covered his mouth.\u00a0 He had been more startled to see his brothers stooping over the assumed body of his Indian friend and yet again to see Two Feathers come flying out of the darkness and land on his brother\u2019s back.\u00a0 Joe, torn between his family and his surrogate father, had tried to call out a warning to both Adam and Two Feathers that there was nothing to fear, but with his father\u2019s hand holding his mouth shut, Joe could only watch in dread of what he knew might happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather?\u201d muttered the vanquished Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cMy Pa and my brothers,\u201d smiled Joe giving Two Feathers a hand up.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d choked Ben as he stepped up behind his son.<\/p>\n

Joe turned, unable to move as the realization that his father was actually standing before him began to register in his mind.\u00a0 His eyes locked with his father\u2019s, Ben\u2019s eyes had tears in them and when he reached to gather his son into his arms, the little beads of water dripped slowly down his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh precious,\u201d whispered Ben as Joe yielded himself into his father\u2019s embrace and cried.<\/p>\n

For several minutes no one uttered a word as Ben held his son against his breast and several times planted kisses to the top of Joe\u2019s head, unable to voice his true feelings as his emotions became too much for him to be able to speak.\u00a0 His hand cradled Joe\u2019s head tightly to his chest; his heart pounded loudly until he feared it would burst with happiness.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s emotions that had stock piled over the months came crumbling down to lay in a heap at his feet as he welded his face into his father\u2019s leather vest and sobbed out his joy, his fear and his relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I thought\u2026I would never see you again\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa,\u201d cried Joe, still clinging to Ben vest.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to come home\u2026but the snow\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay son, shh\u2026it\u2019s okay.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get you home, I promise,\u201d Ben said, his fingers entwined within the long locks of curly hair.\u00a0 Ben still refused to relinquish his hold on his son even when Adam approached to welcome his brother back into the fold.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey little buddy,\u201d said Adam as he came to stand behind his brother.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s smile caused his face to dimple, his eyes shining brightly as he stood before the brother he had not seen in nearly half a year.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his head to look over his shoulder at his oldest brother.\u00a0 \u201cHey Adam, did ya miss me?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, like a toothache,\u201d laughed Adam teasingly as he took Joe\u2019s hand in his and then unexpectedly pulled the younger boy into a tight embraced that surprised Joe.\u00a0 Joe watched the expression spread across Adam\u2019s face and he smiled as he slipped his free hand around his brother\u2019s shoulder and returned the hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cShort Shanks?\u201d muttered Hoss, his voice choked with emotion, and his tears beginning to pool in the crystal blue of his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi\u2019ya Hoss,\u201d Joe said solemnly, and then turned suddenly and threw himself into Hoss\u2019 outstretched arms.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed and lifted Joe off his feet holding him in a tight bear hug and spun him around in a circle.\u00a0 \u201cGood ta see kid!\u201d he roared loudly.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers stood to the side and watched the happy reunion between Little Joe and his family.\u00a0 Much of his heart was happy for the boy, but another part of his heart ached for what he knew would never be.\u00a0 He had loved his son as this man loved Little Joe.\u00a0 It was evident in the tears and the way in which the father watched the son.\u00a0 It was as if his eyes could not get enough of looking at the boy.\u00a0 The boy was the father\u2019s heart.\u00a0 For many months Two Feathers knew that the father\u2019s heart had stopped beating, that new life had no grounds in his world and only after the father had embraced the son, had the heart once again beat new life into a tired and weary yet happy man.<\/p>\n

The love shone in the eyes of Little Joe\u2019s family as they gathered around him and welcomed him back into the warm embrace of their never-ending love that was so evident for the boy.\u00a0 Two Feathers had no more doubts as to the boy\u2019s welfare, no more fears that his white boy whom he had come to love, who had taught him a new meaning to the word, would be well cared for.<\/p>\n

It was late when Ben snuggled down into his bedroll.\u00a0 They had spent the last few hours talking with Two Feathers.\u00a0 Joe had wanted to explain what had happened and why.\u00a0 Hoss was full of questions about his brother\u2019s new set of clothing, and the new bow and arrows that Joe had claimed were made by his hands only. Adam teased him about his wild unruly hair and about the roan stallion that was tethered nearby, but Ben and Two Feathers watched silently, each with a father\u2019s love for the same boy.<\/p>\n

Several times, Ben had caught the Indian watching him and Ben could see the hidden hurt buried deep within the dark depths of the Paiute\u2019s eyes and he wondered at the sadness therein.\u00a0 Ben too, had been caught catching glimpses of the Indian warrior who had taken his son captive, dragged him many miles from home, punished him, cared for him, then loved him as his own son.\u00a0 Ben hoped someday that he would know the story behind this strange man who had fathered his son for nearly half a year.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s gentle snoring and Hoss\u2019 loud snoring told Ben that it was time to turn in for the night.\u00a0 Two Feathers nodded his head at Ben and moved his bedding to the other side of the clearing, giving the family their own space.\u00a0 Ben crawled into his bedroll and snuggled under the warm blanket.\u00a0 Joe had sometime during the course of the evening moved his own bedding between his father\u2019s and Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 Ben had seen him do it but had not let on that he knew.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t mind; it wouldn\u2019t be the first time in eighteen years, no nineteen, thought Ben that he had slept side by side with Joe.\u00a0 He wondered if Joe had remembered that he had had a birthday.\u00a0 It came a week after the boy had been found missing.\u00a0 Sad thought Ben, that he had missed the milestone in his son\u2019s life. Ben sighed and turned over onto his side, his back to Joe.<\/p>\n

It was only minutes before he felt Joe tossed his arm over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cNight Pa,\u201d whispered Joe as he snuggled closer to Ben\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cI love ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pressed his lips tightly together and took a deep breath through his nose to steady his breathing.\u00a0 \u201cGood night Joseph, I love you too, son,\u201d said Ben softly as he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to claim his tired body.<\/p>\n

By the time that Joe woke the next morning, Two Feathers had his gear packed and was ready to leave.\u00a0 Joe jumped from his bed and watched as Two Feathers put the last of his things on the travois and secured them with strips of rawhide before stepping nearer to his friend.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam stood silently with Hoss and watched the pair.\u00a0 It was obvious to all of them that Joe had grown to care deeply for the man who had first been his captor and later his friend.\u00a0 Whatever had happened between the red man and his son, Ben knew that he may never know all of it, but that was okay, he decided.\u00a0 He could only trust his son\u2019s judgment, for Joe had certainly found something in the man that was good, for according to the Indian warrior\u2019s reputation, Two Feathers was bad business for nearly every white man that had had the unfortunate pleasure of coming face to face with the Indian.\u00a0 Few whites had ever faced the great warrior and lived to tell about it.<\/p>\n

What had made Joe Cartwright an exception, God could only say.\u00a0 Was it the miracle that he had been praying for, thought Ben?\u00a0 Was it chance or fate? Perhaps it had been the hand of God?\u00a0 Or was it that a young boy had struck a soft cord in a hard man\u2019s heart and that man had experienced something that he had never before known him self capable of feeling for another human being?\u00a0 Had Joe shown forgiveness in the face of death?\u00a0 Had his son somehow conveyed to this man his compassion for an adversary?\u00a0 Little Joe, young, carefree, spirited and hot-tempered had without being aware, somehow managed to tame the shrewd.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers faced Little Joe, Ben could see the glistening in the Indian\u2019s eyes and when Two Feathers gathered Ben\u2019s son into a tight embrace, Ben knew that there were also tears in his son\u2019s eyes as well.<\/p>\n

At last Two Feathers released his arms from about the boy and turned from Little Joe, mounting his horse in one swift pounce.\u00a0 The big buckskin stood motionless as Joe approached slowly, almost shyly and stood close to Two Feathers.\u00a0 When the boy looked into the Paiute\u2019s eyes, Two Feathers noted the tears that threatened to spill and he reached with his hand and brushed away the one lone tear that had slid halfway down Joe\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not weep, Little Joe,\u201d smiled Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

Joe gulped down the knot that had developed in his throat and quickly wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands, his eyes dry, now stood proud and tall as any Paiute son would do in honor of his father, observed Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will you do now?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers straighten his back, one hand resting on his knee and looked to the horizon.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not concern yourself with Two Feathers,\u201d the Indian began and looked down into Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy father the chief, is a very old man, soon I will be chief.\u00a0 I will return to my village and show my father that Two Feathers has a new heart.\u00a0 I will teach my people how to stop hating and how to love again, as you have taught me, my son.\u00a0 May the Great Spirit ride with you Little Joe, and with your family.\u00a0 We will meet again someday, perhaps not in this life, but in the spirit world where all men, both red and white will be brothers,\u201d smiled Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright, you have a brave and noble son, for a white boy,\u201d smiled Two Feathers and then turned serious, \u201cyou have much to be proud of, for the son is as the father, a true reflection of one\u2019s self.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stepped up close to Joe and slipped his arm around his son\u2019s shoulder and returned Two Feathers\u2019 smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou are right Two Feathers, I do have much to be proud of.\u00a0 I am proud of this boy of mine, thank you for taking care of him for me and for returning him safely to me.\u00a0 I will be forever in your debt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben extended his hand and Two Feathers, smiling took it into his own.\u00a0 \u201cI have learned much from your son, he has given me back my heart, it is I who is in your debt for teaching him to live by his love of man, not by his hatred, for we are all of the human spirit.\u00a0 Someday perhaps the white man and the red man will learn to live in this land as friends, not enemies,\u201d said Two Feathers.<\/p>\n

The Indian pulled a long white feather from the doeskin pouch that dangled from his shoulder and removed his headband.\u00a0 The Cartwrights watched as Two Feathers affixed the stem of the feather into the band along side of the other two and then retied the headdress around his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe white feather is in honor of my white son, Little Joe.\u00a0 I will wear it proudly and remember that a boy has given new hope to my heart and has returned a smile to my face,\u201d Two Feathers proclaimed proudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go now.\u201d\u00a0 Two Feathers nudged his horse forward and Ben and Little Joe were forced to step back.<\/p>\n

Little Joe took a small step forward, his eyes glued to the noble Paiute\u2019s back.\u00a0 Ben had seen the tears return to Joe\u2019s eyes and gave his son a moment to collect himself before speaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready to go home now, son?\u201d Ben asked softly, as he placed his hand on his son\u2019s back and gently brought comfort to Joe\u2019s trembling shoulders.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced over his shoulder and gave his father a nod of his head.\u00a0 \u201cYeah Pa, I\u2019ve been ready.\u00a0 Let\u2019s ride,\u201d he said as he sprang onto his horse\u2019s bare back.<\/p>\n

With one last look over his shoulder, Joe could see that his friend, Two Feathers was sitting tall on his buckskin horse.\u00a0 The Indian had stopped before cresting the mountain and waved to them.\u00a0 Joe tossed his hand in the air and watched as Two Feathers turned his mount and rode out of sight and sighing, he joined his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa gonna make him cut his hair, Pa?\u201d Joe heard Hoss ask his father in a whispered voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re dang right I am, why no son of mine is going to go around looking like a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say it Pa, please?\u201d laughed Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cLook at these clothes, there\u2019s no way I look anything like a riverboat gambler,\u201d giggled Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s family stopped and took in Joe\u2019s appearance, the long shaggy hair, the deerskin britches, the muli-colored shirt, the doeskin moccasins, the headband and even the beaver skin quiver with all it\u2019s arrows that Joe still had slung over his shoulders.\u00a0 Suddenly all four Cartwrights burst into laugher.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst thing I\u2019m gonna do after I get rid of these clothes, is take a bath.\u00a0 You know how long it\u2019s been?\u201d giggled Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, judging from the smell of bear grease, about six months,\u201d laughed Adam wrinkling up his nose and making the others burst into another round of laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys,\u201d said Ben when he could catch his breath, \u201cLet\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End
\nOctober 2002<\/p>\n

Next Story in A Tale of Two Feathers Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Winter of Hope<\/a>
\nAn Old Acquaintance<\/a>
\nA Final Goodbye<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Part One of four.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe learns that compassion and understanding are the footnotes to love; and that love can destroy the hate in a man’s heart, give renewal to a man’s spirit as it binds two unlikely souls in a most unusual friendship between a young man and a hardened Pauite warrior.<\/p>\n

Rated: \u00a0PG\u00a0 (21, 330 words)<\/p>\n

A Tale of Two Feathers Series, links to all stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":8580,"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":[23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-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\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12104","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\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12104\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}