{"id":12105,"date":"2002-10-01T10:54:42","date_gmt":"2002-10-01T14:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12105"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:49:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:49:01","slug":"a-winter-of-hope-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12105","title":{"rendered":"A Winter of Hope (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> Part two of Two Feathers. \u00a0Ben has no idea what has happened to his youngest son, only that Joe has been missing for weeks. Forced by impending snow, Ben calls off his search and returns home without finding a trace of the young boy whom he loves dearly.\u00a0 Heartbroken and defeated, his son’s fate unknown, Ben is forced to wait out the long, lonely winter, his winter of hope.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong> PG (12,650 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

Winter of Hope<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben woke with a start, the sweat that dotted his forehead dampened his brow and as he pushed himself into an upright position, he swiped the wetness away.\u00a0 The soft glow from the campfire outlined the sleeping forms of his two oldest sons, Adam and Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 light snoring told him that his middle son was sleeping soundly but when he glanced in Adam\u2019s direction, he was surprised to find his oldest son watching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, Pa?\u201d Adam asked when his father\u2019s eyes met his.<\/p>\n

Adam knew what had awakened his father, the same troubling thoughts had kept him awake, denied him sleep and caused him great worry.\u00a0 Adam recalled other nights as well that his father had awakened from a troubled sleep.\u00a0 It was always the same dream, images of Little Joe, hurt and in pain, begging for his family to help him.\u00a0 It was these images that haunted his father\u2019s nights as well as his days.\u00a0 It was the driving force that kept his father from giving up; it was the love his father held in his heart for his youngest and most alluring son that kept the man sane and pushing to find his missing offspring.<\/p>\n

Ben brushed back his hair and slowly got to his feet, picking up another log for the dying fire and added it to the embers.\u00a0 The dry log, covered in dark green moss and dry leaves quickly caught fire and soon the camp was lit with golden light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I must have been dreaming,\u201d answered Ben as he poured himself a cup of day old coffee from the pot that had been kept warm by the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d questioned Adam, watching the worry etching onto his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Adam knew the pain and suffering his father had been going through the last few weeks and Adam had seen his beloved father age over the period of time that Little Joe had been missing.\u00a0 Seeing his father\u2019s hope each time they thought they had picked up a trail or a sign and then having to watch the disappointment wash away that hope and replace it with more anxiety and fear was almost more than the oldest Cartwright son could bear to watch.<\/p>\n

Ben gave Adam a small smile, more a grimace than a smile for a smile lights the eyes and speaks of happiness or joy, none of which the monarch of the Ponderosa was feeling at this moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d sighed Ben deeply, lowering his head so that his son might not see the tears that threatened to spill from his sad brown eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t seem to get through a night without seeing his face in my dreams, or hearing his voice calling out to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam heard the catch in Ben\u2019s voice and when Ben raised his head, he saw the silent tears as his father quickly brushed them away.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s alive Adam.\u00a0 I know he is, I feel it in my heart, I hear him calling to me to hurry to him.\u00a0 He\u2019s in trouble and needs me,\u201d muttered Ben, gazing into his son\u2019s face, almost as if the look was a silent plea to agree with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s been over a month and we need to face facts\u2026\u201d started Adam as he helped himself to a cup of the stale coffee.<\/p>\n

Ben stood to his feet and turned away from the fire, his back to his son.\u00a0 He did not want to face the facts; he wanted to find his youngest son.\u00a0 His heart ached to hold the boy in his arms, to hear his voice, to see his face; no, there were no facts here to face as far as Ben was concerned.\u00a0 He would find his son if it took him the rest of his life decided the determined father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d began Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben spun around, his look dark and in the soft light of the burning fire, his expression warned Adam to say no more on the matter.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed; he would ride with his father for as long as Ben felt the need to continue.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s loyalty to his father and to his missing brother would remain steadfast; though his mind would hint to him that it was useless to continue the search, his heart was as his father\u2019s and would not give in to the idea that Joe might be lying dead somewhere, anywhere.\u00a0 Adam refused to look at the images that tormented him by showing him his brother\u2019s body as it lay buried beneath the dirt in some shallow grave, his bones slowly turning to dust.\u00a0 Adam glanced at his father and offered the weary man a small nod of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just going to say, maybe we should try to get some sleep.\u00a0 Tomorrow will be another long day.\u201d\u00a0 Adam gave his father a weak smile of encouragement and relaxed when Ben returned the gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son.\u00a0 You don\u2019t know how much it means to me, to have both you and Hoss here with me,\u201d said Ben as he tossed the remains of his coffee onto the ground and set his cup on the stone that circled the fire.<\/p>\n

Adam tossed his coffee as well and placed his cup next to Ben\u2019s, looking up into his father\u2019s eyes; Adam could not stop himself from placing his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I do understand Pa, I love him too.\u00a0 Try not to worry, we\u2019ll find the kid, I promise,\u201d Adam said, silently committing himself to that vow.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight son,\u201d muttered Ben, his hand resting on Adam\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Ben returned to his bedroll and pulled the blanket up around his tired aching body.\u00a0 The night air had seemed to suddenly turn chilly and as Ben nestled into the warmth of his bedroll, his mind turned once again to his youngest son.\u00a0 Joseph, his heart cried.\u00a0 Was he cold on this chilly night, had he blanket or fire to warm his body, or was his body stiff and cold from a tragic death that had somehow claimed his young life?\u00a0 Ben squeezed his eyes tightly shut hoping to ward off the unpleasant notions that his mind used to play cruel tricks against his lonely grieving heart.<\/p>\n

It was the not knowing that ate away at Ben\u2019s heart and soul.\u00a0 Had he even found a trace of anything that might tell him what had happened to his son, he could have lived with that he told himself.\u00a0 He could have mourned his son\u2019s passing and somehow come to terms with the fact that Joe\u2019s young life had been destined to his fate of being short lived.\u00a0 But with nothing to go forward with, Ben fought the feelings of despair, the worries, the dread and the fear.<\/p>\n

Not knowing was killing him, slowly as if it were a disease that ate away at your body, a tiny piece at a time until eventually all the hope and prayers fell short of being a miracle.\u00a0 The mind played its torturous tricks on his heart, bringing images of Joe\u2019s suffering, of the cruelty that could be happening to him.\u00a0\u00a0 And most vicious of all tricks were the nights when Ben could finally close his eyes and sleep, the face of his son would appear, distorted as if pain racked his body.\u00a0 His son\u2019s once bright eyes, filled with longing, begging silently that his father find him, help him, and then the panic filled sound of the voice that woke Ben from his troubled sleep as the screams pierced his ears and caused him to shudder in fright.\u00a0 These were Ben\u2019s enemies now, these were the forces that threatened to break a strong man, yet they were the same forces that were unaware of the driving vehemence that kept them from succeeding in their quest.<\/p>\n

Love held Ben\u2019s universe together.\u00a0 Love for a young boy, who had at his birth, changed Ben\u2019s world and his life forever, a tiny baby boy who had been given to him by a woman whom he had loved and adored.\u00a0 Joe was a product of the love he and his wife had shared, a gift from God, as where his older sons.\u00a0 Ben could not fathom the notion that God would snatch from him the only thing that linked that love to the woman who had been taken from him so many years ago.\u00a0 Ben had always loved and cherished his youngest son; they had a special bond that no man could sever, that time and distance and circumstance could not change or destroy.\u00a0 Love drove Ben onward, love held the ties that bound his heart to this boy whom he now longed for.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled his big buckskin stallion to a stop and jerked the collar of his coat up around his neck to stop the cold air from blowing against his exposed flesh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis air is sure \u2018nough getting\u2019 colder Pa,\u201d said Hoss has he did the same.<\/p>\n

He pointed up toward the mountains, \u201clooks like it might snow,\u201d he said and then seeing the disheartened look on his father\u2019s face wished he had kept that thought to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know son.\u00a0 And when it does, the pass will be sealed shut all winter,\u201d stated Ben as his eyes followed the direction that Hoss had pointed.<\/p>\n

His heart felt heavy all over again.\u00a0 If they did not make it over the pass before the first snow, all hopes of finding Joe would be lost.\u00a0 They would be forced to turn back, go home and wait until spring when the snows began to melt.\u00a0 Ben feared that by then it might prove to be too late. If there were any tracks on the other side of the mountain, they would be long gone, washed away by the spring melt-off when the snow turned to water and seeped into the earth, taking with it any signs that might have been left over from the winter before.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply and glanced at his sons.\u00a0 They looked nearly as worn as he felt, thought Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, Hoss\u2026what do you want to do?\u201d he asked solemnly, knowing that his sons would speak truthfully to him about their feelings.<\/p>\n

Ben saw the exchange that passed from one brother to the next and saw two pairs of sad eyes turn in his direction.\u00a0 Adam cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa\u2026hmm\u2026we are getting low on supplies and it does look as if it might snow just any minute, feels that way too.\u00a0 I think we should turn back, make camp for the night.\u00a0 Hoss or I could go back for fresh supplies and then by day after tomorrow, if it hasn\u2019t snowed by then, try to get over the mountain before that pass is closed,\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head, \u201c Hoss, what about you, you agree with Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pinched his lips tightly together and lowered his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gonna snow Pa, that much I\u2019m sure of.\u201d\u00a0 He gave his older brother another quick glance, \u201cI think we should do as Adam suggests, but my ole bones tell me that that blizzard will hit before we have half a chance to cross that mountain.\u00a0 And Pa\u2026we can\u2019t all go, what about the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and turned his eyes upward at the mountainous country.\u00a0 The clouds that threatened to dump the snow were quickly moving in.\u00a0 The tips of the highest peaks had already been swallowed up by the puffy whiteness of the billowing snow clouds.<\/p>\n

No matter how badly Ben\u2019s heart yearned to cross over the crest of the high summit, common sense told him that there was no way he and his sons could make it before the snow began to fall.\u00a0 If they tried and got trapped or stranded, it would mean sure death for all of them.\u00a0 Dare he risk the lives of his two sons?\u00a0 Ben knew that Adam and Hoss would follow him to the very ends of the earth if he asked them too, but could he?\u00a0 He had already lost one son; dare he take the chance of losing them all, his own life included?\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face suddenly appeared before him and Ben could almost hear the boy telling him to take his brothers home, don\u2019t ask them to give up their lives for his, yes, Joe would tell him to do exactly that.\u00a0 And in his heart, Ben knew that that was the right thing to do.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Ben resigned himself, they had no other choice than to return to the ranch and wait out the longer winter.<\/p>\n

Ben sat so long lost in his thoughts, his head bent low over his chest that both Adam and Hoss were getting worried.\u00a0 Each knew that their father was weighing the odds, should they continue or should they turn back?\u00a0 Defeat was not something that Ben Cartwright gave in to easily, especially when the life of one of his sons was involved, and Adam and Hoss knew that Ben was making a heart-wrenching decision that might mean he would never again lay eyes on his youngest son.\u00a0 That he would have to accept the truth, Joe might be lost to them forever, that the boy whom they all loved would never again be coming home and the Cartwright brothers knew that their father\u2019s heart would be forever broken.<\/p>\n

At long last Ben turned to his sons.\u00a0 \u201cBoys\u2026\u201d paused Ben, \u201cI think we should go home\u2026\u201d he started and then held up his hand to halt Hoss\u2019 comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you are going to say Hoss, but hear me out, please.\u00a0 I think we should work our way back to the ranch, re-check our trail to be sure that we didn\u2019t miss anything.\u00a0 We are at least a good two or three days ride from home, there isn\u2019t really much sense in trying to camp, pick up more supplies and get back this far plus trying to get over the mountain before the snow sets in.\u00a0 In fact, it\u2019s impossible; we\u2019d never make it.\u00a0 Besides, we don\u2019t know what fate we might meet if we were lucky enough to cross over.\u00a0 I can\u2019t risk your lives like that, I think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d interrupted Hoss, \u201cwe\u2019d go with ya, if\u2019n that\u2019s what ya wanted to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that son, I know how much the boy means to both of you, but I\u2019ve already lost one son, I don\u2019t want to lose two more,\u201d explained Ben, his heavy heart bounding rapidly within his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa mean we\u2019re givin\u2019 up then?\u201d muttered Hoss sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think what Pa is saying Hoss, is that our chances are so slim and even if we somehow managed to get across before the first snow, which isn\u2019t likely, we don\u2019t even know for sure if that is the direction that Joe might have gone.\u00a0 Hoss\u2026\u201d Adam reigned Sport close to Chubb and placed his hand on his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cWe aren\u2019t even sure if Joe is alive or not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d shouted Hoss angrily, his anger not deemed at his brother, but at his feeling of helplessness.<\/p>\n

Adam dropped his hand and glanced at his father for support.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, I want to believe that as much as you do, but right now\u2026there isn\u2019t anything to prove to us that he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell there sure ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 to prove to me that he\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s\u2026dead either,\u201d muttered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boys.\u00a0 Arguing isn\u2019t going to get us anywhere.\u00a0 Let\u2019s head on back and we\u2019ll double check ourselves on the way.\u00a0 Maybe we missed something, we know that Joe didn\u2019t just vanish from the face of the earth without leaving some sign, we just have to find it.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned his mount around, stopping momentarily to glance once again at the threatening clouds that had brought his search to an end.\u00a0 Ben brushed the sleeve of his shirt across the front of his face, the sudden pooling of tears briefly blinding his vision.<\/p>\n

The journey home seemed endless to Ben.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t the way in which he had hoped that it would be.\u00a0 When he left, he had high hopes of bringing his youngest off spring home with him.\u00a0 Now, weeks later, that hope had died, and been replaced with gloom and defeat.\u00a0 With a broken heart, Ben\u2019s shoulders slumped as he and his sons ambled slowly toward the home he had built to raise his family of boys in.\u00a0 The house would never be the same now, the walls would never echo with the sound of Joseph\u2019s infectious giggles that had been so pronounced within the thick walls.<\/p>\n

Ben stopped suddenly and jerked his mount around to face Adam and Hoss who were following a short distance behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d pointed Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t remember seeing that before, are you sure this is the way we came?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped down from the saddle and hurried to inspect the old campfire.\u00a0 No doubts that it was days old, maybe even a week, but after looking more closely, Ben guessed it to be better than a month old.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam were by his side in seconds, the excitement they saw on their father\u2019s face bringing fresh hope into their hearts as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooky this Pa, there\u2019s been a teepee set up here,\u201d smiled Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYa don\u2019t reckon the Injuns took Joe do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be, brother,\u201d said Adam, pulling a hand carved stake from the hard packed earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d he held the stake out for his father and brother to inspect.\u00a0 Ben turned it over in his hand and glanced around at the ground.<\/p>\n

Leaves had fallen and the wind had blown them across the ground, but Hoss kicked at them with the toe of his boot, stopping when his foot hit something solid.\u00a0 Getting down on his hands and knees to better scoot the leaves aside, his large hand grabbed at the stakes that had been hammered into the hard packed earth.\u00a0 When Hoss pulled them up, pieces of wide rawhide came up as well; the stakes stuck through the thick hides.<\/p>\n

Hoss stared at what he held in his hand and then glanced from his brother\u2019s face whose eyes were also staring at the objects, to his father\u2019s face that held a look of deep concern.\u00a0 Ben squatted down next to Hoss and took one of the pieces of rawhide into his hand, fingering it gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like someone might have been held here against their will,\u201d he muttered softly, looking into the blue eyes that studied his expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa reckon it was Joe?\u201d Hoss asked, a frown drawing his brows together where they met in the middle of the forehead, just at the bridge of his nose.<\/p>\n

Ben stood to his feet, as the fear for his youngest son\u2019s welfare now became deep seeded.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know son, I just don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben replied, shaking his head slowly from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, look at this,\u201d said Adam as he poked around at the long decayed remains of what had once been the pit for someone\u2019s campfire.\u00a0 From the dust and ashes, Adam lifted up the remains of a small piece of dirty material that had somehow escaped the hot flames and handed it to his father to examine.<\/p>\n

Ben gulped; he recognized the scrap as being from one of his youngest son\u2019s work shirts.\u00a0 Ben could not will his hands to stop their shaking nor his breathing to return to normal.\u00a0 The trembling father closed his eyes and demanded that his heart stop it\u2019s rapid bounding, for the organ had seemed to suddenly develop a mind of its own and insisted on running away with his emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam called softly as he rested his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Adam could feel the tremors that coursed through Ben\u2019s body and knew that the small scrap of material was a significant piece of evidence.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s assumption was verified when Ben turned and looked in to Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a piece of Joe\u2019s shirt,\u201d he stuttered and felt his body go weak.<\/p>\n

Hoss quickly reached out and caught his father and led him to a nearby rock where he helped Ben to sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy Pa,\u201d advised Hoss taking the soiled fabric from his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cThis here little rag tells us for sure that Joe was here, and if\u2019n he were\u2026then there\u2019s still hope that the boy is alive and being held against his will, by some Bannock or maybe even a Paiute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head was nodding up and down in agreement.\u00a0 \u201cYes, but where is he now?\u00a0 And is he all right?\u00a0 That\u2019s my main concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam came to stand in front of his father and brother and looked them both in the eye.\u00a0 \u201cI hate to shatter any hopes the two of you may be harboring, but from the looks of this camp, whoever was here, has been gone days, maybe even weeks.\u00a0 And who\u2019s to say where they went, and we need to ask ourselves, did they take Joe with them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss dropped his head; Ben straightened his back and stood to his feet, stuffing the tiny particle of material into his vest pocket, where it rested against his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, what you say makes sense.\u00a0 As much as I would like to believe that if some Paiute were holding Joe, Joe had somehow managed to escape.\u00a0 There hasn\u2019t been any trouble with the Bannocks lately; my guess would be a renegade Paiute with an intense dislike for the white man.\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe it is likely, Joe managing to escape, especially if the man were a Paiute.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I have to tell either of you what Paiutes do to their captives, especially if they happen to be white.\u00a0 They have ways, methods, of making sure their prisoners never escape,\u201d Ben explained and then turned toward his horse without another word to either Adam or Hoss as the stood solemnly side by side.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged looks and Hoss pulled Adam to one side.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t he goin\u2019 to look around, or backtrack\u2026Adam, we cain\u2019t just stop here, not now,\u201d whispered Hoss anxiously.<\/p>\n

Adam slipped his arm about the mighty shoulders and when he did, he could feel the tension that had settled in the big man\u2019s muscles that lay across his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, there is nothing else to look for.\u00a0 We know that Joe made it this far, but that was weeks ago.\u00a0 Anything could have happened since then.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just follow Pa\u2019s lead, do as he asked and once we get home, maybe we can do a little investigating on our own.\u00a0 Now come big fella, let\u2019s catch up to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave his brother a small smile, slapped him on his back and mounted his horse.\u00a0 It was only minutes before the two brothers had caught up to their father and were riding side by side with him.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mood had darkened; fear ran rampant when he allowed his thoughts to focus on what might be happening to his youngest.\u00a0 Joe could be in grave trouble.\u00a0 Ben knew what the Indians were capable of doing to a white man, he had seen the results of their torture many times in the past and those images frightened him.\u00a0 No matter what he did to chase them away, they always seemed to return, he was always pushing at them, but they refused to budge.<\/p>\n

It took two more days of hard riding before the weary trio rode into the yard of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Hank came from the barn as soon as he had heard the sounds of pounding hooves on the hard packed earth and quickly took charge of the three horses.<\/p>\n

As Ben entered his home, a feeling of failure, doom and despair engulfed him.\u00a0 He slowly crossed the room, never stopping to remove neither his hat nor his gunbelt, but headed straight up the stairs with out so much as a word to his sons.<\/p>\n

Hoss started to speak but was stopped when Adam touched his arm.\u00a0 \u201cLet him be Hoss.\u00a0 He needs time to accept the fact that he was unable to find or help Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019s lost right now and he\u2019s tired, let him rest for a spell.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tossed his gunbelt on top of the credenza and stood rooted to the spot.\u00a0 For several moments it seemed as if his emotions were going to get the better of him, but by shear will power, he forced his fears to back off.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right Adam.\u00a0 I know this is killing Pa.\u00a0 As much as I love that boy, or you love him, Pa\u2019s love for him is triple what ours is.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss turned to stare at Adam; his tears no longer content to stay within the rims of his eyes.\u00a0 Slowly they trickled down his rotund cheeks.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s own emotions were raw and the sight of his brother\u2019s tears was more than the usually calm, collective Adam Cartwright could stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, don\u2019t buddy, please.\u00a0 I can\u2019t be strong all by myself.\u00a0 Not this time, this time it\u2019s too close to my heart,\u201d whispered Adam.\u00a0 Adam took a step closer to Hoss and placed his hands on either side of the big man\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need you Hoss, and Pa needs both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lifted his head and saw the tears in his older brother\u2019s eyes and without a warning, pulled his older brother into a tight embrace where he held him for several moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t fair, ya always havin\u2019 to be the strong one for the rest of us.\u00a0 I promise I\u2019ll try from now on.\u00a0 But it ain\u2019t gonna be easy,\u201d Hoss muttered and then released Adam from his embrace.<\/p>\n

Ben paced the floor in his bedroom.\u00a0 The hours had quietly slipped away and he had been unable to sleep.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face had danced before his minds eye each and every time that he had closed his.\u00a0\u00a0 After several futile attempts, Ben left his bed, slipped on his robe and had begun pacing in hopes that the continual walking back and forth across the room would wear him out enough that he might be able to sleep.<\/p>\n

The heavy door squeaked softly as he eased it opened and slipped into the hallway.\u00a0 Quietly Ben tiptoed down the long hall until he had reached Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0 Giving a quick glance over his shoulder to assure himself that he was alone, Ben pushed opened the door and entered the darkened room.<\/p>\n

The window, which Hop Sing had obviously opened earlier to permit air to circulate about, was still opened and a soft cool breeze caused the sheers hanging at the window to blow gently about.\u00a0 Ben found the matches and lit the lamp that rested on the dresser next to the bed.\u00a0 The light cast eerie figures that danced along the walls, making shadows into nighttime ghosts that brought a smile to the worried father\u2019s face, as the memories began tugging at his heartstrings.\u00a0 Ben smiled to himself, how many nights had his sleep been interrupted by shrill screams that had called out his name.\u00a0 How many of these make-believe ghosts and goblins had he chased from this very room, all because they sought to bring terror to a young and impressionable boy\u2019s tender heart?<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Joseph,\u201d cried Ben softly as he sat on the edge of his son\u2019s empty bed and picked up Scruffy, Joe\u2019s faithful companion.\u00a0 Ben fingered the coarse mock fur and held the little stuffed dog up so that he could see into the pretend eyes and for no reason, he rubbed noses with the little dog.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou miss him too don\u2019t you, Scruff?\u00a0 You and that boy of mine have sure had some fine times together,\u201d laughed Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI remember the camping trip you took with Joe and Hoss.\u00a0 Remember Scruff, when the bears got you after we had to stuff you with popcorn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s smile suddenly died.\u00a0 \u201cGod, how I miss him.\u00a0 Please God, take care of my baby for me,\u201d wept Ben softly as he dabbed at his eyes.<\/p>\n

Ben laid his head back onto the pillow.\u00a0 His nose could pick up the faint scent of Joe\u2019s after shave and again the memory brought a tiny smile to his face.\u00a0 Joe had been caught sneaking into his brother Adam\u2019s room and using the older boy\u2019s Bay Rum cologne.\u00a0 Ben had always like that scent and often used it himself, but Joe had liked it ever since he had been very little and would watch Adam shaving.\u00a0 Afterwards, Adam would dab some on his face and then dab some on his little brother\u2019s. Joe had always thought himself so grown up and would often tell them that he had shaved, just like his big brother.\u00a0 Then he would point to his rosy cheeks and shout, \u2018smell me Papa, smell me.\u00a0 I all growed up, just like Adam, cause I can shave now, too Papa.\u2019\u00a0 Joe must have been all of five or six at the time, thought Ben.<\/p>\n

So many memories, for some they might be enough to last a lifetime, but for Ben there would never be enough.\u00a0 It seemed that the past nineteen years had flown by, it seemed like only yesterday that Joe had been born, last week he had just learned to crawl and then walk.\u00a0 Soon, too soon, Joe had learned to run and if memory served him correctly, Ben recalled the numerous times that Joe had run from him instead of towards him.\u00a0 Many times he had laughed, and told himself he was getting too old to be chasing after wayward little boys.\u00a0 But now, lying here in his son\u2019s bed, his head resting on the same pillow that had cradled his son\u2019s crown of unruly curls, Ben longed for the days when Joe had been his baby, his little boy, his Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned at the fears that had suddenly shattered his sweet memories.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s voice called out to him from far away.\u00a0 Ben felt his face become dampened by the tears that inched their way down his cheeks.\u00a0 The voice held such sorrow, the tone pleading with him to hurry, which only drove Ben deeper into his sorrow as he raised himself into a sitting position and stared at the walls.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, Joseph,\u201d he heard himself yelling, \u201cOh God, son, where are you?\u201d shouted Ben aloud before he broke.\u00a0 His large hands, which had once cradled his son as a babe, now shook with despair as they covered his weatherworn face while he sobbed out his misery.<\/p>\n

Ben awoke much later.\u00a0 The lamp had been turned completely down until only a soft glow remained, the opened window had been closed and someone had covered him with a warm blanket.\u00a0 At first he was unsure where he was, but when he stretched out his hand and touched something furry and soft, he grabbed it and held the object up to his face to see what it was.\u00a0 Scruffy, now he remembered, he was in his son\u2019s bed, in Joe\u2019s room and he had cried himself to sleep.\u00a0 Ben hauled his large frame up and stretching, moved slowly to the door.\u00a0 As he reached to turn the knob, he realized that he still held the stuffed dog in his hand so he returned to the bed and placed Scruffy onto Joe\u2019s pillow where Joe had placed him the morning he had left.<\/p>\n

By the time that Ben made it back to his own room, the sun had just begun to show itself, peering out from behind the tall mountain peaks in the distance.\u00a0 The heavy snow that had fallen on the mountain sometime during the night appeared as bright crystals, as the sun\u2019s rays reflected off their whiteness.\u00a0 On any other early December morning, the sight would have held Ben in awe of God\u2019s handiwork.\u00a0 But this particular morning, the heavy snow that barred him from the mountain passes was anything to be in awe of.<\/p>\n

Ben suddenly wondered why he had ever come to this wild God forsaken land.\u00a0 What had possessed him to want to come here?\u00a0 Life here was hard, cruel, and it demanded much from a man.\u00a0 His blood, his sweat, sometimes his life, or worse, the lives of his loved ones.\u00a0 He had lost two wives in this country, both tragically, both leaving him with sons to raise alone in a land where love and happiness could be snatched from you in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed; his life back east had not been much different he reasoned.\u00a0 He had lost his first wife in childbirth.\u00a0 Where had the doctor\u2019s been then, there had been nothing they could have done to save Elizabeth\u2019s life.\u00a0 Years later, Inger had died by the hands of savages, Marie had died due to a fall from her horse.\u00a0 Now Joseph was gone, gone where?\u00a0 Ben could not even say, he didn\u2019t know, he didn\u2019t understand why or what for, only that his youngest and most impish boy had been claimed by\u2026what?\u00a0 The land, Indians\u2026the not knowing was driving him insane.\u00a0 Ben had heard of men and women, who had been driven to insanity by the lost of their loved ones, God was he doomed to suffer the same fate?\u00a0 He had weathered the deaths of three wives, it had been hard but he had somehow found the strength to go on with his life.\u00a0 He had his sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe and Little Joe had needed him more than his brothers had, because he had been the baby.\u00a0 Joe had been just a little boy, terrified that his mother had vanished from his life, never to return\u2026but still each of them had lost something, Adam had lost not one mother, but three, Hoss two and Joe, his mother.\u00a0 Yet Joe had been the one who always required the most of him, depended on him and now Ben felt as if he were letting the boy down, all because he didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Joseph, I\u2019m so sorry son,\u201d Ben said to the image of the old man who stared back at him from his mirror.<\/p>\n

Christmas day drew neigh, but Ben\u2019s heart was not in it, he had lost his joy.\u00a0 Christmas had always been Little Joe\u2019s favorite holiday and as Ben sat staring into the blazing fire, his mind pulled him backward into time where he could reflect on the passed Christmas\u2019s of Joe\u2019s life.\u00a0 Ben sighed deeply, drawing the attention of his eldest sons who had joined him in the great room.\u00a0 Adam lowered his body into the chair opposite his father and watched the older man as he puffed gently on his pipe, the aroma of his Virginia tobacco filling the room.\u00a0 Hoss plopped his large frame down onto the cushion of the settee and propped his big feet onto the coffee table that separated him from the stone hearth.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss said in a soft voice.<\/p>\n

Ben, his mind lost in some long ago Christmas holiday, had not heard his son calling out to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d repeated Hoss as he sat his booted feet onto the floor and leaned forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry son, were you talking to me?\u201d answered Ben who now turned to face his middle son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Hoss smiled and then glanced at Adam who had been quietly taking in the scene.\u00a0 \u201cWe was just awonderin\u2019 if\u2019n ya wanted us to get the Christmas tree tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s expression changed suddenly and Hoss feared that his father might break down at any second.\u00a0 But Ben only nodded his head at his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys do whatever you like about the tree, anything will be fine with me,\u201d Ben said and then turned to stare back into the fire.\u00a0 \u2018Why?\u2019 his heart questioned, \u2018Christmas will never be the same without him, without Joseph.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ben suddenly stood to his feet, tapping his pipe against the edge of the stones that housed the massive fireplace.\u00a0 He had given great thought to this special holiday and had decided that his youngest son would not want to know that everyone\u2019s Christmas joy had been squelched because of his absence.<\/p>\n

Thanksgiving had been hard enough on the family for in his heart, Ben felt that he had nothing to be thankful for.\u00a0\u00a0 Until a dream the night before had revealed to him the face of his youngest son, smiling, his eyes bright and shinning with happiness and Ben could have sworn that he had heard the boy promise him that he would be home, come springtime, when the snow began to melt.\u00a0 The dream had changed Ben\u2019s mind, he had Adam and Hoss to consider and though they too grieved for their brother, life went on, there was no way to get around the fact.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Hoss, get the tree.\u00a0 I think it should be the biggest and best tree yet\u2026to honor your brother.\u00a0 Christmas was always his favorite time of year and he would not like it if we let it pass without the usual rituals.\u00a0 By all means, get the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Christmas Eve was celebrated only by sheer determine on Ben\u2019s part to keep things as much in the norm as possible.\u00a0 Only their closest friends had been invited to Christmas Eve dinner, Roy Coffey, Paul Martin and his family, Charlie Devlin and his wife, along with their children.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss had each invited a couple of their personal friends as well and though each Cartwright was ever aware of the one missing family member, the evening passed smoothly.<\/p>\n

Adam watched carefully, Joe\u2019s best friend Mitch, who had slipped from the room and now sat alone, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.\u00a0 The young man glanced up when Adam approached him, he had moved outside to the side porch where he had hoped to be alone.\u00a0 Now his best friend\u2019s brother was intruding on his solitary time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMitch, aren\u2019t you cold out here?\u201d asked Adam as he stopped next to the boy who had grown up with his little brother and folded his long arms about his chest in an effort to ward off the chill.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d he said and looked up at Adam.\u00a0 He could see the sadness that Joe\u2019s oldest brother tried so hard to mask, but some things, like when you really hurt, deep down inside, are just too hard to cover up and Mitch knew that Adam was hurting, hurting for his missing brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa miss him don\u2019t ya?\u201d he asked, surprised when Adam\u2019s head turned away quickly as if he were trying to hide his heartache.\u00a0 Mitch heard Adam take a deep breath and the younger boy knew that the oldest Cartwright son was attempting to regain control of his emotions.<\/p>\n

Adam twisted his head back to face Mitch.\u00a0 \u201cYeah I miss him, we all do.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know it showed so badly,\u201d smiled Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIs that why you came out here?\u00a0 You miss him as well, don\u2019t you?\u201d asked Adam softly.<\/p>\n

Adam was surprised to see the tears well up in the young man\u2019s eyes but Mitch was quick to brush them away.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Adam, I\u2019ve known Joe for neigh unto fifteen years, and this is the first Christmas Eve I\u2019ve spent without him.\u00a0 Man, we sure did have some fun times, back then, when he was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Mitch had to stop, he had seen Adam\u2019s head drop and he realized too late that he had struck an emotional cord within his friend\u2019s heart.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam, I didn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s all right Mitch.\u00a0 It\u2019s the first Christmas that any of us have had to spend without him.\u00a0 But we\u2019re the lucky ones\u2026\u201d started Adam.<\/p>\n

Mitch looked up, \u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam propped one foot in the chair next to where Mitch stood and began to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have each other Mitch\u2026Joe\u2026where ever he is, doesn\u2019t have anyone, at least not someone who would care.\u00a0 He\u2019s all alone and who knows Mitch, he may not even be aware that tonight is Christmas Eve.\u00a0 And that\u2019s sad, cause he always enjoyed this night, more so than Christmas morning when we all gathered around the tree and exchanged presents.\u00a0 Christmas Eve, Joe always said, was special because on this night the Christ child was born, and with his birth came a promise of peace and goodwill for all men, all men Pa, he used to say.\u00a0 Someday all men would learn of the love that the Christ child wished for each man, woman and child born\u2026a world where love ruled a man\u2019s heart, not hate.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I miss him Mitch, that kid brother of mine had a way about him that when he spoke from his heart, all ears listened.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never known a boy who had such depth or uncommon knowledge of what real love was all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know Adam, I\u2019ve seen it for myself.\u00a0 But he did have a fiery temper too you know,\u201d smiled Mitch, as memory called to mind a few of those times.\u00a0 \u201cIf ya had seen how mad he was when his Pa told him he had to be the one who went after those strays up near the high country, you\u2019d never known he ever loved anything,\u201d laughed Mitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, he wasn\u2019t happy about that and I think Pa knows and it bothers him cause he was the one who insisted that Little Joe be the one to go.\u00a0 I think Pa regrets making him,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright didn\u2019t have no way of knowing that Joe would not be coming home.\u00a0 He can\u2019t blame himself for that,\u201d offered Mitch, concerned that part of Ben\u2019s unhappiness stemmed from guilt he might feel for issuing that particular assignment to his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa hasn\u2019t said anything about that.\u00a0 It never crossed my mind until now that Pa might hold himself responsible for Joe missing,\u201d Adam said and then turned at the approach of his middle brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Mitch, what\u2019ca doin\u2019 out here?\u00a0 Come on back inside, Pa\u2019s about to make a toast,\u201d said Hoss and then waited until Adam and Mitch started back to the house.<\/p>\n

Hoss paused briefly and looked up into the night sky.\u00a0 The sky was clear, the night air smelled clean with the scent of pine lingering in the mist that had enveloped the yard.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The stars shone brightly in the dark heavens as Hoss watched them twinkle, his lips pursed tightly together, and his eyes becoming misty.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Christmas Short Shanks, wherever ya are,\u201d whispered Hoss softly and then returned to what was left of his family.<\/p>\n

Ben was just as relieved that the holidays had passed, his heart remained heavy with longing for his youngest son.\u00a0 He tried always to put on a brave front when Adam and Hoss were around, he sensed the same sadness in each of his sons as he, himself felt but it was rarely spoken of when the three of them were together.\u00a0 It was as if each, in their own way was trying to shield the others from more hurt, more pain and sorrow, grief and despair.\u00a0 And Joe was rarely talked about, the unspoken words less likely to renew their hurts, but then on occasions, when Joe\u2019s name did come up, it was like paste that brought the lonely three back as one bound together in their love and need to air their true feelings.\u00a0 And then the past would mingle with the present and time would once again stand still as Ben and his sons sought to keep Joe alive in their hearts.\u00a0\u00a0 There, they were free to love him; free to see and talk with him, where Joe stirred such deep rooted, passionate emotions in each heart that allowed itself to call to memory the love they carried for the young boy.<\/p>\n

Ben had taken to riding off each day, going to who knew where it seemed to Adam and Hoss.\u00a0 But his direction was always the same; Ben rode out toward the west, toward the high peaks that lay hidden beneath a thick blanket of deep crusty snow that packed the mountains tightly under the weight of the heavy snowfall.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled his mount to a stop at the crest of a small rise that overlooked the meadow below him.\u00a0 The field was lightly dusted in snow, sprigs of early spring grass pushed through the thin layer that covered the ground.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes sought the high summits and silently he sighed and wished that the snow would disappear, for it had snowed again last night, in the higher altitudes, adding another layer of the thick white substance to the already blanketed mountain passes.<\/p>\n

Ben gulped as his eyes took in the scenery, it was beautiful he thought and yet he wondered how his heart could hold such malice at something that had so obviously been created by the hand of God.\u00a0 Ben pulled the remnants of the soiled piece of cloth he had found weeks ago, from his vest pocket where he had left it, close to his heart, and fingered the scrap gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re still alive son, I\u2019ll find you, if it takes me the rest of my life.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come for you Joe, I promise son,\u201d whispered Ben and then placed the dirty material to his lips and softly kissed the last known connection Ben held with his son.<\/p>\n

The days passed slowly into weeks, the weeks into months and with each sunrise, Ben\u2019s restlessness grew.\u00a0 By the time the sun shed it\u2019s first rays, Ben was waiting in his usual spot on the crest of the hillside to watch as the morning sun herald in the new day.\u00a0 Each day, Ben studied the summit peaks, until at last the day came that his eagerness to be on his way had been rewarded.<\/p>\n

The valley streams and rivers were filled to capacity with the spring thaws.\u00a0 The mountain snows had sent their blessings the passes were opened and Ben smiled to himself.\u00a0 It had been a long, a very long winter of hope, a time when he had been forced to draw on his faith, to face the possibility that his youngest might never be returned to him.\u00a0 It was a time that he sought peace for his turmoil, his feelings of failure, of disappointment.\u00a0 Ben had learned to come to terms with and to face his own weaknesses.\u00a0 He was man, just mortal man and Ben now knew that regardless of the outcome, he was stronger for having endured.<\/p>\n

\u2018Oh,\u2019 he whispered to himself, his heart might never recover from the loss of his youngest son, but time tended to soften all wounds.\u00a0 Ben realized that God had granted him his memories, and that no matter what had happened to Joseph, his son was either coming home to be held within the folds of his empty arms or Joe would be held forever in the loving arms of his maker. Ben had no doubts of that and with renewed faith and vigor, hope and desire, Ben headed home to make ready his journey of hope and love.\u00a0 He had learned to lean steadfastly to his faith in God whom had carried him through the sands of hard times, who had begun to heal his broken heart and God, who had not allowed his winter of hope to linger longer than he could bare.<\/p>\n

\u2018My grace is sufficient, for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness,\u2019 Ben\u2019s silent heart softly reminded him.<\/p>\n

Ben pushed hard, but carefully as they retraced the direction from which they had come the past winter when the would-be snow forced them to turn back.\u00a0 They stopped often, searching every square inch along the way for signs that they might have overlooked on their previous escapade.\u00a0 Nothing was left to chance, Ben wanted to make sure of his assumption that Joe had somehow survived the harsh cruel winter far to the west of them on the other side of the mountain had been correct.\u00a0 His gut told him to push on and the tiny little voice in his head that sounded so much like Joe\u2019s kept calling to him to hurry.\u00a0 His greatest fear remained to be, under what circumstances had Joe been taken, for there was no doubt to Ben that the boy had not gone on his own, or willingly.\u00a0 That being the case, what had his son been made to endure over the long months that had separated him from his family?\u00a0 And then decided Ben, there was always the possibility that the boy had met with an untimely death, killed accidentally.\u00a0 Or worse murdered by some mad man or red skin that hated all white men that deemed it their mission in life to destroy those whites regardless of age or gender.\u00a0 Was this is son\u2019s fate?\u00a0 Ben prayed without ceasing that his boy\u2019s life had miraculously been spared such a nemesis.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss lost track of the days that Ben drove them.\u00a0 They kept their thoughts to themselves, not wanting to see more disappointment in the dark eyes that had looked so sad and lonely all winter long.\u00a0 They had then seen the same eyes brighten with new hope once the snows had begun to melt, leaving the drainage to fill the riverbeds with icy cold waters.\u00a0 Ben was on a quest, that the two brothers agreed too and both knew that they would follow their father for however long it took to either find their youngest brother or for Ben to admit to himself that the time had come to call a halt to their search.\u00a0 Their loyalty to their father was rooted to the love and honor that they felt towards the man who drove them.<\/p>\n

.
\n\u201cHey Pa, hold up,\u201d called Adam.\u00a0 \u201cLook, riders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled back on the reins and waited until Adam came along side of him.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like trappers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks to me like they\u2019s comin\u2019 down outta the high country Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he too came to stop on the other side of his father\u2019s horse and waited for the two riders to stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy,\u201d greeted the first man, then turned to spit his tobacco juice into the dirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon,\u201d greeted Ben, \u201cyou been across the pass?\u201d he questioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2019nough, snows not too bad up thar now.\u201d\u00a0 The trapper looked his title, his clothes were more hides and fur than anything else, even his head covering was fur, most likely beaver thought Ben as he quickly took in the men\u2019s appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa fellas aheadin\u2019 up that way?\u201d asked the second trapper who was leading their pack animal.\u00a0 Ben noted the quantity of furs that the old horse was carrying and had a brief thought as to whether there were any animals left to trap.\u00a0 What a waste thought Ben, to take more than was really needed or necessary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking for someone,\u201d remarked Adam before his father had a chance to answer.<\/p>\n

Adam noted the exchanges that passed between the two men and hurried on to explain their situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur younger brother has been missing, all winter really.\u00a0 We have an idea that Paiutes might have taken him prisoner.\u00a0 You boys wouldn\u2019t have happened to see anything unusual have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026\u201d the first trapper muttered.\u00a0 \u201cAbout when did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout the end of October,\u201d supplied Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThe boy\u2019s got curly dark hair, green eyes and is about this tall.\u00a0 He\u2019s young, just turned nineteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCurly hair you say?\u00a0 Hmm\u2026you know Jack, that sorta sounds like that kid we saw back in late October, no\u2026November, that\u2019s it, November,\u201d he said to his friend and then turned his attention back to Ben and his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought the kid was an injun myself, the way he was dressed and all, until Jack here pointed out his hair.\u00a0 That always made me wonder how an injun kid could have hair like that boy did.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t think no more about it though, he was travelin\u2019 up toward the mountain.\u00a0 My guess, they\u2019s were goin\u2019 to their winter lodges, about fifty miles on the utter side, yonder,\u201d the man spat again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t never give it \u2018nother thought, no sir\u2019ree.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t care myself.\u00a0 I\u2019d akilt them if\u2019n I\u2019da got close \u2018nough to\u2019em.\u00a0 Only good injun\u2019s a dead injun,\u201d laughed the trapper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure the boy was a white boy?\u201d Ben questioned further.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t sure a nuthin\u2019.\u00a0 I just said the kid had curly hair.\u00a0 \u2018Sides, if\u2019n he were white, he\u2019d be dead by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched the man, something about his persona warned Adam that these two strangers could be trouble and thought it best that they be on their way.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like the way the second trapper was eyeballing their guns, saddlebags and even their pack animal.\u00a0 But before he could urge his father on, Ben asked another question, the answer renewed the fear that had plagued them all winter long.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u00a0 What makes you think he could be dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCause that Paiute injun was Two Feathers.\u00a0 Ever heard of him?\u201d the man asked excitedly.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head no and then turned to Adam who also shook his head in agreement to Hoss\u2019 answer.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Adam saw the color drain from his father\u2019s face and knew that Ben had heard of the Indian\u2019s reputation.\u00a0 He watched as Ben regained control of his emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard of him, he hates white men\u2026\u201d Ben started to explain.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot just white men, but women and children too, anyone white.\u00a0 No white man is safe if Two Feathers is around.\u00a0 If\u2019n I was you mister, I\u2019d watch my back real close like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI intend too.\u00a0 Thank you for the information, I guess we will be on our way.\u201d\u00a0 Ben tipped his hat and motioned with his head for Adam and Hoss to follow him.<\/p>\n

Quickly they moved on up the trail towards the summit, the trappers moving in the opposite direction away from them.\u00a0 Ben rode for a long time in silence.\u00a0 His heart had begun to pound deep within his chest at the very thoughts of his youngest son captured and held by the feared Two Feathers.\u00a0 Though he had never seen the man, would not know him if he came face to face with the red man, Ben had heard the story.\u00a0 Once Two Feathers had been a great warrior, a trusted and respected man within his own tribe.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 father was chief of the Paiute nation, and one day his oldest son was destined to follow in his father\u2019s footsteps.\u00a0 But white men had slipped into their camp when nearly all the warriors and braves had been away on a hunting trip in search of food for the long cold winter months.\u00a0 The two men murdered and raped the women, killed their children and stole their goods from the teepees.\u00a0 Two Feathers\u2019 wife and son had been among the murdered.\u00a0 From that day on, the mighty warrior Two Feathers, had make it his right to murder and kill any white man, woman or child that crossed his path.\u00a0 Had Joe\u2019s path somehow crossed with the enraged Two Feathers?\u00a0 Dear God, prayed Ben, not my son, not Joseph!<\/p>\n

Just when Ben\u2019s spirits would soar, they would just as quickly be shot down.\u00a0 The weary and disheartened trio had traveled another full three days with no signs of anything that would indicate that Joe might have passed this way.\u00a0 Tired beyond reason, Ben at last held his hand up to motion for them to stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold up boys,\u201d called out Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m bushed, let\u2019s just call it a day and get some sleep.\u00a0 We can get a fresh start in the morning,\u201d he suggested though there were still several hours of daylight left.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me Pa, I\u2019m starved,\u201d groaned Hoss as he slid from his saddle and joined his father who had already dismounted.<\/p>\n

Adam had just lifted his long leg over the top of his saddle but stopped suddenly and held the poise.\u00a0 Seconds later, he was sitting straight up on his mount, his feet pressing against the bottoms of the stirrups in order to raise his buttocks off the saddle.\u00a0 Something in the distance caught his attention and he had his eyes fixed on the two lone figures that were carefully descending from the summit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam called softly, turning his head to find his father.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you make of that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss both moved to stand next to Adam\u2019s horse.\u00a0 \u201cWhere son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOver beyond those scrub pines.\u00a0 There are two men on horseback, wait\u2026they\u2019ve moved in behind the trees.\u00a0 They should come out right about\u2026there…see them?\u201d Adam pointed his finger in the direction where the two unknown subjects where just coming out of the slight undergrowth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see \u2018em.\u00a0 Looks like injuns to me,\u201d whispered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, they do,\u201d Ben replied and then held his hand up to shade the late afternoon sun from his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose\u2026no\u2026couldn\u2019t be\u2026could it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned to his oldest son who had kept his eyes trained on the pair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t make out their faces Pa.\u00a0 They\u2019re just too far away,\u201d reported Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet your horse, Hoss.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just tag along for a little while and see if we can find out what they are up too.\u201d\u00a0 Ben grabbed Buck\u2019s reins and mounted his horse.\u00a0 Taking the lead, he trailed along behind the pair of Indians for several minutes until suddenly the little roan that was following, slipped and then reared up into the air.\u00a0 His rider slid from the horse\u2019s back and landed with a thud onto the rocky ground beneath him.<\/p>\n

When Ben saw that the younger brave had not gotten right up and that the older Indian ran to the younger one\u2019s side, Ben kicked at his horse\u2019s sides.\u00a0 The boy must have been hurt and the pair might need their help.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled his horse to a sudden stop.\u00a0 Buck reared slightly as Ben quickly dismounted and started toward the Indian.\u00a0 The Indian quickly stepped over the injured man and placed himself protectively between the man on the ground and Ben.<\/p>\n

The younger man moaned and Ben watched as the older Indian glanced at his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou speak the white man\u2019s language?\u201d Ben questioned as he stepped closer.<\/p>\n

The Paiute held his hand out, stopping Ben from taking another step nearer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean you no harm, I just want to help you.\u00a0 The boy, is he hurt?\u201d Ben asked and then took a quick glance at his sons.<\/p>\n

Ben noted the strange look on Adam\u2019s face and when their eyes met, Adam sent him a silent message with his eyes.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes followed Adam\u2019s and it was then that he first noted the mass of dark curls that adorned the injured boy\u2019s head.\u00a0 It took all of Ben\u2019s will power and determination to keep from running to the boy and turning him over to see if the boy was his son.\u00a0 Ben had seen the Paiute lower his hand to his side and Ben noted the long sharp knife that he wore on his hip.\u00a0 Common sense told him that if he made a move, any move at all, it might cause the death of one or more of them.\u00a0 And if that were his son who laid motionless on the hard ground, the last thing that he wanted to see now, was the Indian\u2019s sharp knife driven deeply into his son\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re sure the boy will be all right, we will be on our way,\u201d said Ben and then nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy will be fine,\u201d proclaimed the Paiute as he stepped across the boy\u2019s body and bent down, touching the boy\u2019s cheek in a tender move that surprised Ben.\u00a0 The boy must be someone who means a great deal to the older man reasoned Ben as he moved slowly toward his horse.<\/p>\n

Adam handed Buck\u2019s reins to his father, keeping his sharp eyes on the red man whom watched from beneath lowered lashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d questioned Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush son, let\u2019s ride,\u201d said Ben and kicked gently at his mount\u2019s sides.\u00a0 The trio rode for a short distance, making sure that they were completely out of sight before stopping.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart was racing; he had been so close, yet so far away.\u00a0 His eyes had been unable to make out the injured boy\u2019s features.\u00a0 The fine curly hair belied the image that presented its self as being Indian.\u00a0 The clothes on the other hand told a different story, the doeskin britches, the moccasins, the quiver of arrows about his shoulders, the color of his deeply bronzed skin, all scream Indian.\u00a0 Yet, his heart scream, Joseph, Joseph!<\/p>\n

Ben turned to face his sons.\u00a0 \u201cWell? Did either of you see the boy\u2019s face?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, \u201cNo sir.\u00a0 But that hair tells me the boy is not a Paiute, at least not a full-blooded Paiute.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the boy is Joe, if he had of been, why weren\u2019t his hands tied?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think it is Joe, I got a feelin\u2019 in my gut Pa.\u00a0 You know how it\u2019s always been with me and the kid, I\u2019ve always been able to tell when Joe was in trouble and needed me.\u00a0 And my gut tells me, that boy was Joe,\u201d said Hoss as he turned to look in the direction in which they had just come.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s usually right Pa,\u201d said Adam, convinced that Hoss could really tell when something was amiss in Joe\u2019s life and Joe needed the help of his biggest and most devoted brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI say lets follow them and when they make camp, we\u2019ll sneak in and find out for sure.\u00a0 If it\u2019s Joe, we\u2019ll just take him out of there ourselves,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

Ben agreed, he was willing to risk his life to find his son and see that the boy was returned safely to his home.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll try Adam\u2019s way, but I want it understood that I give the orders.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to take any chances on Joe\u2019s getting hurt.\u00a0 My guess would be that the boy has suffered enough at the hands of that Paiute.\u00a0 And did you see the two feathers in his headband\u2026\u201d muttered Ben, his worse fears coming to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo Feathers,\u201d commented Adam and Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts exactly, come on boys. Let\u2019s move out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben inched his way through the underbrush and low hanging branches, being careful to stay out of sight.\u00a0 The last thing he wanted was to catch the attention of the Paiute warrior and send him into a killing frenzy.\u00a0 It was more than two hours later before the two Indians made camp for the night.\u00a0 The three Cartwrights had tried unsuccessfully to see the face of the youngest Indian, but not one of them could say for sure if the boy was their missing family member.<\/p>\n

Once the Indians made camp, Ben insisted that they do the same.\u00a0 \u201cI want a cold camp boys, I don\u2019t want our smoke detected by that warrior.\u00a0 Once we\u2019re settled in, we\u2019ll move closer to their camp and find out one way or the other if that boy is Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The evening passed slowly for the anxious father.\u00a0 His heart rate seemed to have doubled, his mind clouded with thoughts of Joe and what the boy must have been made to suffer.\u00a0 But on the other hand, the boy lying on the ground had seemed to be on friendly terms with the big Paiute.\u00a0 Could it be that the boy wasn\u2019t Joe?\u00a0 Was he allowing his heart to rule his mind by attempting to sneak into the Indian\u2019s camp as if he were a thief in the night?\u00a0 Could his broken heart stand yet another crushing blow if it turned out that the boy was not his son?<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God, you have brought us this far, you have tended to my broken heart, my troubled soul, you have kept me going for months now.\u00a0 Have I come to the end of my road, only to find nothing of what I have prayed for?\u00a0 Is this your way of telling me that my son is lost to me forever, or until the day that death knocks at my door and I am asked to surrender my soul to you?\u00a0 Is that when I will reunite with my boy?\u00a0 Only after death has claimed both of us, and what about my older sons?\u00a0 Will you make them to suffer as well, losing first the baby brother that they adore and then their father?\u00a0 I can only trust you Lord, and no matter the out come, I will praise you and serve you and continue to live by your word.\u00a0 If Joseph is my heart and soul, then I would rather you have him than to know he is in the hands of a man who has no God, as we know you.\u00a0 I only ask that I know what happened to my son.\u00a0 When a parent looses a child in death, those parents usually get a chance to say good bye; they have closure to their grief.\u00a0 But when a parent looses a child by some strange twist of fate and never knows from that day to the day that he takes his last breath what has happened to their child, well God, that act of terror can easily break the strongest of men, myself included.\u00a0 Have mercy Lord, I beseech Thee, show me the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave the signal, and Adam and Hoss inched their way toward the sleeping Indian, ready to pounce on him if need be to restrain him.\u00a0 Ben crawled softly on hands and knees until he reached the thick bearskin blanket where the younger boy slept.\u00a0 Ben could feel his heart bounding in his chest as his hand moved silently over the blanket until it came to rest at the very top.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ben pulled back the corner to reveal the sleeping boy\u2019s finely chiseled features.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s hair had grown to his shoulders, the sun had bronzed his face, but even in the soft glow of the dying embers, Ben knew his son.\u00a0 He knew his search had come to an end, here lay his youngest sleeping soundly and totally unaware that his world had finally been turned right side up.\u00a0 Gently Ben brushed at a long strand of wavy curls, startling the boy from his sleep.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyelids flickered and then opened, frightened by the hand that instantly covered his mouth to prevent him from crying out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026Joseph, it\u2019s me, Pa,\u201d whispered Ben but then was startled when a lone dark figure sprang from the bushes onto Adam\u2019s back, catching his oldest son off guard.<\/p>\n

The big warrior fought for several minutes with Adam, each getting in a fair amount of punches.\u00a0 Two Feathers got the upper hand as they fought for control of the long knife that Two Feathers held in his fist.\u00a0 Finally after several minutes, Adam was able to toss the big Paiute onto the ground.\u00a0 Adam, thinking that the battle was over, turned toward his father, the ear piercing screech that bellowed up from the bottom of Two Feathers soul startled all of them as the Indian made a dive at Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Two Feathers were locked in hand to hand combat.\u00a0 They appeared to be more equally matched than Adam and the red man had been.\u00a0 From across the clearing, Adam could hear the shrill cries of his younger brother as he fought against the arms that held him tightly.<\/p>\n

Ben was taken off guard by Joe\u2019s struggles.\u00a0 The boy seemed determined to help the Indian.\u00a0 Had the boy lost his mind or had the months of separation totally removed any memory of the family that had been so filled with longing for him.\u00a0 Ben was confused, startled by his son\u2019s actions and momentarily loosened his hold on his son.<\/p>\n

Joe wrenched himself free from the arms that held him and made a run toward the warring parties that threatened to kill each other.\u00a0 Joe could hardly believe his eyes, the big man fighting with Two Feathers was his middle brother, Hoss.\u00a0 Where had he come from, what was he doing here?\u00a0 All of these questions flashed through his mind as he ran forward.\u00a0 Suddenly Joe was caught off guard as another pair of strong arms grabbed at his upper torso and circled around his mid-section, pinning his arms to his sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO! NO!\u201d wailed Joe, \u201cHOSS, DON\u201dT HE\u2019S MY FRIEND, PLEASE,\u201d screamed Joe at the top of his lungs as he continued to fight against his brother\u2019s strong arms.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s cries finally registered in his father\u2019s mind and Ben moved quickly to separate Hoss and the Indian warrior.\u00a0 Hoss had the red man pinned to the ground and Ben was forced to jerk Hoss off of the Paiute before it was too late.\u00a0 The minute Hoss sat back on his fanny, Joe broke free of his brother\u2019s restraint and rushed to the Indian\u2019s side, his family seemingly unnoticed.<\/p>\n

It was obvious to Joe\u2019s family that Two Feathers and the boy were very fond of one another and that surprised Ben, that his son had made such a connection. The boy helped the Indian to his feet, the dark ebony eyes of the Indian quickly took in the situation and his hand rested on the shoulder of Ben\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said softly as he moved to stand behind the boy.\u00a0 Ben noted the long dark curls and his nose picked up the faint scent of bear grease.\u00a0 When Joe turned to face him, Ben saw the shock that registered on the boy\u2019s face at seeing his father standing before him.\u00a0 Everything had happened so quickly that his father\u2019s presence had actually gone unnoticed until now.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d said Joe in a soft whisper.\u00a0 Ben saw the tears that filled his son\u2019s hazel eyes and when they began to roll slowly down the dirt smeared cheeks, Ben opened his arms to receive his son.<\/p>\n

Joe took two steps and fell into the welcoming embrace, safe at last in the loving arms of his father.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s heart cried out its joy, his soul, which had ached with longing for so many months, had finally found the peace that it sought.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s large trembling hands pressed Joe\u2019s head against his pounding heart.\u00a0 Several times the overjoyed father would kiss the top of Joe\u2019s head.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s arms had closed around Ben\u2019s shoulders, afraid that if he let go, his father would suddenly disappear, shattering his dream, for that was what it felt like.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m so sorry\u2026I wanted to come home\u2026but\u2026the snow\u2026\u201d wept Joe, clinging to Ben\u2019s leather vest.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026we\u2019ll get you home son, I promise,\u201d whispered Ben, releasing his son when Adam stepped up to greet his long lost brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam said in a soft voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi ya big brother, did ya miss me?\u201d smiled Joe as his oldest brother took his hand into his.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, like a toothache,\u201d snapped Adam as he unexpectedly pulled his baby brother into his arms and held him for several moments.<\/p>\n

Ben watched the exchange between his youngest son and his oldest, his own heart swelling with such emotion that the older man feared that it might burst at any moment.\u00a0 Ben felt as if he had waited a lifetime for this very minute.\u00a0 It was as if he were watching his youngest son be born for a second time, the joy now was no less than when the boy first made his entrance into his new world and his new family.<\/p>\n

Hoss, having given his brothers time to say hello, stepped silently up to the pair.\u00a0 Ben watched as his middle son\u2019s eyes began to mist, and knew that this giant of a man, whose heart was as tender as any would ever find, had suffered greatly with the absence of the boy whom he now gathered into a tight bear hug.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss was swinging Joe around in circles, their overflow of joy showing in the way that both sets of eyes glowed with happiness.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart had found peace, his joy was complete, and his pain and doubt now gone, for he had found his son and the boy was coming home.\u00a0 His disappointment had turned to satisfaction, his faith had been strengthened and renewed, his family was together once more.<\/p>\n

The next morning, Ben stood with Adam and Hoss as Joe said his farewells to his Indian friend.\u00a0 Ben had wondered at the strange relationship between his youngest son and the Paiute warrior with the bad reputation.\u00a0 From within his heart, Joe had somehow befriended the red man, and though Ben knew that he may never know the whole story behind his son\u2019s disappearance, it was obvious to all of them that the Indian had learned something about love, trust and even forgiveness.<\/p>\n

Two Feathers and Ben had spend most of the night watching and listening to Joe tell of his experiences over the last six months.\u00a0 Some of it angered Ben, knowing how and why Joseph had been adducted but his temper had just as quickly cooled when he watched the interaction between the man and the boy.\u00a0 Whatever happened, happened for a reason, Ben believed that.\u00a0 Knowing that the good book tells that our lives are predestined, Ben now understood that all of them, Adam and Hoss, himself, even Little Joe and Two Feathers had been brought together by destiny to serve whatever purpose the Almighty deemed fitting.<\/p>\n

Joseph and Two Feathers said their good-byes, and then the mighty warrior turned to Ben and expressed his deepest feelings to him about the son that he had fathered.\u00a0 When Two Feathers removed a single white feather from his pouch and placed it along side of the other two that he wore in his headband, Ben felt his heart quiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is in honor of my white son, Little Joe,\u201d Two Feathers told him.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart said a silent prayer of thanks that this man, this Paiute warrior, had come to love and honor his youngest son, for that love, the love that Joseph had been able to dredge up from the pits of the red man\u2019s tormented soul, had saved his son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are welcomed in my lodge Little Joe.\u00a0 Your father and his sons are also welcomed,\u201d Two Feathers whispered as he waved his salute to the Cartwrights and kicking at his mounts side, turned and rode off, leaving Little Joe in the care of the family that the boy had yearned so long for.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ready to go home now son?\u201d Ben asked as he placed his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

Joe turned to glance over his shoulder at his father.\u00a0 He could see the shine that spoke of unshed tears and suddenly, Joe turned and wrapped his arms about his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah Pa, I\u2019ve been ready,\u201d whispered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s ride,\u201d smiled Ben, removing his arms from about his son.<\/p>\n

Ben watched as Joe sprang up onto the little roan stallion\u2019s bare back and then glanced up at Adam and Hoss.\u00a0 The smiles that graced their handsome faces matched the one he wore and Ben knew the every thing was as it should be.\u00a0 God had carried him through the long lonesome days and months, now his journey was finished, for his prayers had been answered and he was taking his family home at last.<\/p>\n

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

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

An Old Acquaintance<\/a>
\nA Final Goodbye<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Part two of Two Feathers. \u00a0Ben has no idea what has happened to his youngest son, only that Joe has been missing for weeks. Forced by impending snow, Ben calls off his search and returns home without finding a trace of the young boy whom he loves dearly.\u00a0 Heartbroken and defeated, his son’s fate unknown, Ben is forced to wait out the long, lonely winter, his winter of hope.<\/p>\n

Rated: PG (12,650 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_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1456,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12106,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12106","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":0},"title":"An Old Acquaintance (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"November 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Part three of Two Feathers. \u00a0Joe is reunited with his old friend, the Paiute chief, Two Feathers, in a most unusual way.\u00a0 This time, it is up to the Indian to teach Joe how to forgive and how to stop hating. Rated: PG13\u00a0 (13,600 words) A Tale of Two\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12107,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12107","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":1},"title":"A Final Goodbye (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"November 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The final chapter.\u00a0 Joe sets off on an adventure to visit his old friend, Two Feathers.\u00a0 Not long after arriving at the Paiute village, Joe is told of a vision that the chief has had, one that spells disaster for the entire Indian village.\u00a0 When the vision becomes reality\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12104,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12104","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":2},"title":"A Tale of Two Feathers (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"October 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":673,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=673","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":3},"title":"Marriage Customs (by Terri)","author":"Terri","date":"July 20, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Joe has to get married.......or does he?? \u00a0 Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a01300","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/marriage.p.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/marriage.p.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/marriage.p.jpg?fit=560%2C315&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7286,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7286","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":4},"title":"The Yellow-Haired Angel (by lminzer)","author":"lminzer","date":"May 7, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Sometimes the greatest gifts are the most unexpected ones... \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC 2500","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15554,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15554","url_meta":{"origin":12105,"position":5},"title":"Christmas Apart (by ForeverFree)","author":"Foreverfree","date":"December 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 This story was written for the 2016 Advent Collection. 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