{"id":12117,"date":"2007-05-12T11:35:15","date_gmt":"2007-05-12T15:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12117"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:24","slug":"between-brothers-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12117","title":{"rendered":"Between Brothers (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0When Adam finds Joe wounded and near death, he blames no one but himself. Will he be able to find help, not just for his brother, but for himself as well?<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 PG for Mild language\u00a0 (10,270 words)<\/p>\n

Between Brothers Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Between Brothers<\/a>
\nBaring Souls<\/a><\/p>\n

Between Brothers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam clinched his stomach. The pain deep down in his gut was almost more than he could bear. How he wished he hadn\u2019t argued with his younger brother, thus causing Joe to take off alone. Now he worried, as he looked for a trail, that he\u2019d kept his mouth shut instead of pushing the issue. Taking a deep breath, Adam was at a loss now as to what they\u2019d even been arguing about. But the gnawing feeling in his gut sent daggers of doubt and fear through his veins that he couldn\u2019t understand. Mixed with the knowledge that they were in Indian country and that Joe could have ventured almost anywhere, Adam\u2019s instinct warned him that things could turn from bad to worse in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

Adam clicked to his horse, forcing the animal to move a little quicker. With sharp eyes, he scanned the horizon, hoping, praying that he might catch sight of his younger brother off in the distance. A band of mesa\u2019s blocked his view to the west and with the sun on it\u2019s downward descent, it was almost impossible to look directly into that direction without forming a shield over one\u2019s eyes. A soft breeze stirred and with it, Adam picked up a slight scent of smoke. He pulled Sport to a stop and sniffed again at the air. The scent seemed to be coming from just beyond the point of the mesa to the left. Adam pulled his hat down low over his brow to help shield the searing sun from his eyes. As he studied the signs, the dull ache that gnawed at his gut, churned again. Unaware of his own actions, he rubbed his stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiddy-up Sport\u2026let\u2019s check this out,\u201d he said, nudging his horse. \u201cSurely Joe hasn\u2019t cast all caution into the wind and built a fire\u2026not in Indian country!\u201d<\/p>\n

Though he tried, Adam could not shake the feeling of trepidation that lingered. He had hoped that by riding hard and the wind blowing in his face, that the growing dread might somehow, miraculously be wiped from his innermost being. By the time he reached the tip of the mesa and turned his horse westward toward the way station he knew to be there, the feeling had begun to intensify. And by the time he hauled his mount to a sudden stop, the sight he beheld struck him hard and a wave of nausea almost cost him his meager lunch.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God!\u201d he screeched aloud. \u201cDear God\u2026NO!\u201d Adam cried as he practically jumped from the saddle and ran hell-bent across the expanse of ground that separated him from the burning building.<\/p>\n

The way station was ablaze with a roaring fire and Adam knew he could do nothing to save the building. But the young man, tied spread eagle to the front porch supports, with arrows burning and stove deeply into each leg and each arm, might have a chance if he could work fast enough. The boy\u2019s life depended on his ability. Adam swallowed down the bile that had erupted from the pit of his stomach into his mouth and without giving a thought to his own life, began yanking and pulling on the thin strips of rawhide, commonly used by Indians to hold their captives bound. The heat from the front wall of the dwelling had certainly worked its magic on the shrinking strips, making them next to impossible to untie. Adam\u2019s fingers were worthless in their attempts.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry\u2026my back\u2026it\u2019s\u2026burning\u2026\u201d mumbled the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, hold on\u2026\u201d Adam answered as he dug deeply into his pockets for his knife. He could feel the heat on his own back, and he wore shirt and vest, he could only imagine the heat on the bare back of his younger brother.<\/p>\n

Opening his knife, Adam sliced through one strip holding Joe\u2019s leg to the post on the porch and then quickly cut the second leg free. The weight of his body, pulled against the straining strips that held his arms prisoner to the burning porch. The fire had spread and had begun nipping at their feet. Adam cut one wrist free, allowing Joe\u2019s arm to drape across his shoulder to support his brother\u2019s weight, then cut the second wrist free. The weight of his brother sagged against him as Adam carefully, but quickly pulled both of them free of the flames that were licking at their heels. Once a safe distance from the burning rubble, Adam laid Joe on the ground.<\/p>\n

The boy, unconscious now, moaned softly, acutely award of the pain that coursed through his dirtied and tarnished body. The smell of smoke was strong as Adam inspected each wound. The arrows, shot into his brother\u2019s body, most likely after Joe had been tied to the porch, pierced each leg, one in the upper thigh and the other in the lower calf. The one in Joe\u2019s right arm was just below the bend of the arm. The left arm carried its arrow in the upper forearm. Adam cringed at the sight unable to fathom the pain he knew his brother must surely have endured and was at this moment unable to bear.<\/p>\n

Four arrows, he thought, four wounds. Burns on his back, blood tarnished a shiny ebony, but soot and smoke\u2026how ever was he going to save the life of this precious young man\u2026a boy really, and one his father as well as himself and Hoss, adored? Adam felt the sickening feeling gurgling in his gut and seconds later, moved away so as to allow the foul tasting bile to gush forth from his mouth. After he kicked dirt over the mess, he glanced around, assuring himself that he and his brother were alone.<\/p>\n

Adam painstakingly broke the protruding arrows so that only a small part of each shaft extended from the entry wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he whispered to his brother when Joe\u2019s body arched with pain. Adam gritted his teeth, totally sickened by what had happened and what he was being forced to do, adding more anguish to his brother\u2019s already tortured body.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he said, leaning down and carefully lifting the boy\u2019s head. \u201cWe have to get out of here, before they come back,\u201d he said as he placed both arms beneath the unconscious boy\u2019s body and carefully lifted Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe moaned again, more pitifully than the last time. \u201cI know this hurts, kid. I\u2019ll try to be careful.\u201d Quickly, Adam situated Joe in the saddle and then climbed on behind him, looping his arms around Joe\u2019s middle to hold the boy upright in front of him. Joe\u2019s body slumped forward, his arms dangled down to his sides. With every step the horse made, or though it seemed, Joe\u2019s moaning grew in volume until at last Adam knew he had to stop and give the boy a break. He guided his mount into a dense formation of rocks, hoping that they would serve as a shield against prying eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa,\u201d he commanded Sport and then quickly slid down from the saddle, pulling Joe down carefully. The weight of Joe\u2019s body rested in Adam\u2019s strong arms. The older of the two, carried the younger deeper into the rocks where he found a shaded spot, free of the hot rays that beat down on their heads and where, he hoped, they would be protected should night descend before he could get Joe safely home.<\/p>\n

Adam brushed back the dampened locks of hair that were plastered to his brother\u2019s brow. He gasped deeply as the heat penetrated his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that heat\u2019s from the sun Little Brother, and not from fever,\u201d he said softly, leaving the boy just long enough to fetch his canteen, a bottle of whiskey and bedroll from his saddle. He was exact in how he laid out his bedroll, assuring himself that his wounded brother would be as comfortable as possible in this hot, dry wilderness and in his ill-treated condition. When he had everything arranged, he carefully moved Joe into the folds of his blanket placing the underside of his saddle in just the right spot to serve as a pillow for his brother\u2019s head. His next course of action was to treat Joe\u2019s injuries. Adam pinched his lips tightly, fending off the nausea he felt churning once more as he began tending the wounds. First he gave Joe a couple of gulps of the whiskey to ward off some of the pain. It was no easy feat, removing the arrowheads from his brother\u2019s upper thigh. The head was buried deeply into the flesh on one leg but had gone completely through the calf of the opposite leg. There he was able to push the shank through to the back of side of Joe\u2019s leg and dislodge the part that had remained embedded in the torn and bruised flesh.<\/p>\n

Blood dripped from the wound as Adam washed, with painstaking care, the opened wound and then using the clean shirt in his saddlebag, ripped the material and bound the gash where the arrow had traveled through the flesh. The injury to the other leg, he cleaned as carefully, unable or perhaps unwilling to chance injuring the boy further, Adam chose to keep that particular injury for more skilled hands, such as Doctor Martin\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Both arms had stopped bleeding at some point during the time he had moved Joe, but now, with the removal of both shanks, the blood began to flow freely. Joe whimpered several times, proving to Adam what he had feared, that he was in fact adding to his brother\u2019s misery and discomfort.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Joe\u2026I don\u2019t mean to hurt you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Shocked to find his younger brother watching him, but relieved to find Joe conscious, he smiled at the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you were awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026just\u2026woke\u2026up\u2026ohhh\u2026hurts,\u201d Joe said in a grunting voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, and I\u2019m sorry\u2026but I\u2019ve got to get this shank out and stop the bleeding. Joe, what the hell happened back there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was\u2026oh\u2026.ohhhh\u2026um\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam saw the pain that washed over his brother\u2019s expression and was almost thankful when Joe blacked out again and thus lessening the anguish he was feeling. The injuries on the boy\u2019s arms needed cauterizing, something that Adam was hesitant to do, knowing how painful cauterization was to endure. He knew it was dangerous to start a fire, something he\u2019d definitely need for cauterizing, but he also knew he had no other choice in the matter. So he set about gathering a small amount of sticks and dry grass and once he had a small fire burning, he set his hunting knife, blade to the fire, to use as an instrument for the job he dreaded.<\/p>\n

When the blade on his knife was red hot, Adam picked it up by the handle and knelt down beside his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, this gonna hurt like hell,\u201d he whispered to the unconscious boy. \u201cBut it has to be done, or things are going to get worse.\u201d He knew Joe couldn\u2019t hear him, but as sure as he knew that, he knew his brother would feel the pain.<\/p>\n

He placed the searing hot blade against the wound on Joe\u2019s right arm front and back. He cringed when he saw Joe\u2019s body arch and his head begin to twist back and forth. A deep guttural sound slipped through the boy\u2019s unawareness as the pain engulfed him. Before he could even finish working through the first round of pain, Adam seared the wound on Joe\u2019s other arm. Tears had formed beneath the kid\u2019s closed eyes and rolled slowly down the boy\u2019s dirty cheeks, leaving tiny white lines in their wake. Adam hated himself for what he was doing to his brother, but he\u2019d had no choice, it was either cause more pain or watch the boy slowly bleed to death and then die\u2026he\u2019d not allow that to happen\u2026never, not in this lifetime, God willing. He stood up, drained of strength and emotion as he stomped out the small fire, no sense in alerting the Indians to their whereabouts.<\/p>\n

Exhausted and worried about his brother, it came to Adam that it would be best to remain where they were, for the night at least. They\u2019d head out for home as soon as the sun came up and with any luck, they sure were do some, they\u2019d be able to reach home before nightfall. The main issue was keeping Joe warm, for with the setting sun, came a cool night air, chilly\u2026and as Adam glanced closer at his brother, he could see the boy already beginning to shiver. Without Joe\u2019s bedroll, it was going to be a cold night for them both, reasoned Adam. He returned to his horse and grabbed his coat that he spread out over Joe, tucking the sleeves in around the boy as best he could and then took his second blanket and wrapped around his brother. For himself, he\u2019d just have to suffer the cold, building another fire would be too dangerous, what with the Indians so obviously on the up rise. As he settled in for the night, back leaning against the rocks so that he could see their little hideaway from all angles, Adam couldn\u2019t help but wonder what had sparked the attack on the little way station. And how\u2026and most importantly, how had his youngest brother gotten involved. Why had Joe been tied as he had and then tortured as such? What would their father say once he found out that his eldest son was the reason his youngest son was suffering as he was now? Ben would be furious\u2026the argument had been his fault, he\u2019d not deny that\u2026and pointless too for that matter. What if Joe died before he could get him the help he really needed? Would their father ever be able to find it in his heart to forgive him? Could he, Adam Cartwright, ever be able to forgive himself for being the cause of his own brother\u2019s death, should Joe not survive? So many questions, so few answers\u2026such a pain in his stomach that hadn\u2019t lessened since earlier that day when the dreaded feeling of pending doom had washed over him.<\/p>\n

As the night deepened, the cool air intensified and with it, Joe\u2019s shivering also became more severe. Adam could hear the soft chattering of his brother\u2019s teeth together.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered as he lay down next to the shivering boy. \u201cI wish I could build you a fire\u2026but it\u2019s just too dangerous\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026know\u2026\u201d came the muted response. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026so\u2026cold\u2026though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I can see that,\u201d said Adam, feeling the night chill on his back as well. He pulled back the jacket and the blanket he had covered Joe with and curled up against Joe\u2019s quivering body. He arranged the covering as best he could and slipping his arm beneath Joe\u2019s neck and turning them both slightly, so that faced each other, Joe\u2019s head now resting on Adam\u2019s arm, the senior Cartwright hoped to bring a measure of warmth to both of them. Their body heat blended together and after several minutes, Joe\u2019s quivering lessened.<\/p>\n

Unable to sleep, Adam listened to his brother\u2019s irregular breathing, alarmed that Joe might be getting worse. He pulled the boy closer to him, hoping to gather in more warmth.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo\u2026it\u2019s Adam, Joe\u2026Pa\u2019s not here, buddy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCold\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurt\u2026my leg\u2026bad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I bet it does. Listen Joe, just lie still and try not to move too much and as soon as it\u2019s light, we\u2019ll head home,\u201d Adam said softly, his lips practically brushing his brother\u2019s ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cHome\u2026wish\u2026I\u2026was\u2026already\u2026there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too, pal\u2026me too. Joe\u2026about that argument we had\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cForget\u2026it, Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t Joe\u2026I\u2026feel responsible for what happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026my fault\u2026I\u2026shouldn\u2019t\u2026have run\u2026off\u2026alone. Not\u2026in Indian\u2026country\u2026stupid move\u2026\u201d Joe breathed heavily. \u201cAdam\u2026I\u2019m sorry\u2026I shouldn\u2019t\u2026have left\u2026you\u2026alone\u2026<\/p>\n

Adam made a snickering sound, though there was nothing funny to be laughing about.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but it happened to you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just\u2026keep it between you and I\u2026no sense in\u2026tellin\u2019 Pa\u2026or Hoss\u2026just\u2026between the two of us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe\u2026I\u2019m not sure I can keep it from Pa\u2026I\u2019ll think on it\u2026say, Joe, what did happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess\u2026you\u2026can say, I\u2026was in\u2026the wrong\u2026place at the\u2026wrong time. Adam\u2026I\u2019m so\u2026tired\u2026\u201d mused Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cRest then Little Buddy\u2026try to get some sleep\u2026you\u2019re going to need all your strength for the trip home in the morning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026should get some\u2026rest\u2026too\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise?\u201d Joe pleaded softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise, now hush\u2026rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam leaned his head down close to Joe\u2019s. He could smell a hint of the strong soap that Joe used to wash his hair with. It stirred something within his soul. He took a deep breath, savoring the scent, storing it away as a memory\u2026just in case things didn\u2019t turn out well. Next to him, he felt Joe snuggle a bit closer to his chest, heard the boy moan weakly and once more the guilt ran through his veins that this\u2026all this suffering could have been averted, had he just kept his mouth shut. Suddenly, his chest felt tight, his breathing restricted as he fought to maintain control of his emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Little Joe\u2026I swear to you\u2026if we make it out of this in one piece, I\u2019ll never argue with you again\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d
\nIt was almost morning, and how he\u2019d done it, Adam wasn\u2019t sure, but sometime late into the night, he had fallen asleep. Now he woke to the tender murmurings of his brother, who, after checking, was burning up with fever.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026can you hear me?\u201d Adam pleaded as he gently tapped the sides of Joe\u2019s flushed face with his opened hands. \u201cWake up Joe\u2026we need to get started home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

With no response forthcoming, Adam dampened his neckerchief and wiped the boy\u2019s face bringing a measure of comfort to the wounded lad. He then checked the wounds on both arms, relieved to see that each appeared to be doing all right for the present time. Afterward, he checked the wound on Joe\u2019s calf, again relieved to find that injury beginning to look better.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis fever\u2019s coming from somewhere,\u201d Adam said softly, to himself, for Joe was delirious and incomprehensive to what was going on around him.<\/p>\n

Turning Joe just slightly, Adam tore the rip in Joe\u2019s trousers where the arrow had entered his thigh. His face betrayed his fears. An infection was already taking hold of the wound area, warning Adam that something must be done almost immediately. Dread once more washed over him as he contemplated the situation. Did he dare try moving the boy? Should he attempt to dislodge the arrowhead himself? The air rushed from his lungs as he looked upward at the dawning day.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Lord\u2026show me what to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

After whispering the sincere prayer, Adam knew what he must do. It was almost daylight, safe enough to start another small fire. The arrow had to be removed otherwise the infection would kill his brother. With that thought set in his head, Adam went about preparing for what he had to do. The fire was burning, his knife once again resting in the flames for sterilization. Carefully he turned Joe over just enough that he could inspect the back of the thigh. Luck or maybe it was fate, for what he had missed the night before was the very sharpest tip of the arrow buried deeply within the thigh, lay barely just beneath the top layer of flesh on the back side of the boy\u2019s leg. He\u2019d have to make an incision and then pull the arrow by the head through that incision, thus removing it completely. Afterwards, he\u2019d have to use the whiskey for disinfecting the wound and then another painful cauterization to both the front and back of the leg.<\/p>\n

After sighing deeply, Adam picked up the knife, giving it just a moment to cool before he set to work making an incision in the back of Joe\u2019s leg. He heard Joe moan pitifully and when the young man\u2019s body arched slightly, Adam pulled back the knife, dabbing at the bright red blood that dripped from the incision. It was going better than he dared; he\u2019d only had to make the incision about an inch and a half long and the depth was only a fraction of an inch. When he was ready, the would-be surgeon took a deep breath and pushed on the shaft at the front of the leg. Joe screamed in pain but the arrowhead had managed to come through to the back of his leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy Little Buddy,\u201d Adam said softly, as his hand, steady as a rod gripped the tip of the arrow and pulled the remaining shaft through his brother\u2019s leg. Again, Joe screamed out in his unconscious state. The boy\u2019s breathing was deep and labored, his brow damp with sweat as Adam hurried to finish the unpleasant task of cauterizing the wound both front and back. Joe\u2019s cries tore at his brother\u2019s heart, sickening his stomach but Adam never for a moment stopped. His goal was to finish as quickly as possible to avert any further pain for his brother. When he was ready to wrap the bandage around the leg, he took a long swig from his whiskey bottle.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis gonna burn like fire, Joe\u2026but I have no choice\u2026and it\u2019s the only disinfectant I have\u2026sorry, pal\u2026here goes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was a bit surprised that his brother hadn\u2019t screamed out again, but the boy was so far from himself that Adam felt as if Joe had left him completely. Now that the surgery was complete, Adam began cleaning camp to prepare for the trip home. It wouldn\u2019t be easy, not with the amount of pain Joe was feeling. The only satisfaction that Adam had was the knowledge that Joe was completely out of it.<\/p>\n

He grabbed the saddle and headed toward his horse, but just as he was about to toss the saddle onto Sport\u2019s back, a scream ripped through the early morning hours, startling his horse. Sport jerked back on the tethering rope, breaking free and bolting off in the direction of home even before his owner had a chance to make an attempt at grabbing the rope.<\/p>\n

\u201cGalldangit!\u201d he cursed as he slammed his saddle down into the dirt. \u201cNow how in blazes am I going to get Joe home?\u201d he grumbled. Angered, Adam kicked at the saddle on the ground. He stood looking off into the distance in the direction his horse had taken.<\/p>\n

\u201cFool horse,\u201d he muttered as he turned and returned to his brother\u2019s side. Adam squatted down and gently ran his fingers through the wayward locks on Joe\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can dare to say little brother, that things right now are about as bad as they can get,\u201d he muttered softly, rising and sighing deeply. Quickly he searched for something to make a travois, but there didn\u2019t seem to be a tree within fifty miles, let alone branches to use for poles.<\/p>\n

Adam felt his frustration growing and his worry deepening. As he glanced up at the sun, he realized that the earliest part of the morning had been wasted looking for something that wasn\u2019t even there. Discouraged, he made his way back to his brother, stooping down to brush his fingers over Joe\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cHot,\u201d he muttered to himself. Carefully, he checked the wounds, pleased at least for now that they looked as well as could be expected. \u201cWell, kid, looks like I\u2019m going to have to carry you out of here\u2026and I can assure you, it\u2019s not going to be pleasant for either of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

As best he could, Adam wrapped the blankets around Joe\u2019s still form and slipped his arms under the younger man\u2019s body. With a groan, he rose, Joe carried up with him, safely in the strong arms of his older brother. Softly, Joe moaned, feeling the discomfort in both arms and both legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry sport\u2026but at least its you and not Hoss,\u201d Adam said in a whispered voice as he paced himself so as not to tire to quickly.<\/p>\n

For a brief moment, Joe opened his eyes, fixing them on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cGee thanks,\u201d he muttered and then closed them again.<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled. \u201cWell, at least your sense of humor hasn\u2019t been damaged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had walked for what seemed to him, forever. Joe had said nothing more, but the soft muted moans that escaped now and then told the older brother that his younger sibling was feeling every step they took. With his shoulders aching, Adam marched on for another quarter mile before stopping and carefully and with a gentleness that spoke volumes of his concern for his brother, Adam placed Joe on the ground. The boy moaned softly again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry Joe,\u201d Adam said, arranging the blankets to protect the wounded lad from the hot sun. Adam stood and stretched, flexing his shoulder muscles as he studied the horizon.<\/p>\n

\u2018Must be about ten miles out,\u2019 he sighed to himself. Glancing down at Joe and noting the tiny beads of perspiration that dotted the boy\u2019s brow, he wondered silently how he\u2019d ever get the boy home alive\u2026or worse, how\u2019d they both get home alive.<\/p>\n

He was still contemplating their plight when Joe\u2019s weakened voice jarred his thoughts back to the present.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Joe,\u201d he said, dampening his neckerchief and wiping Joe\u2019s brow and then his fevered cheeks. \u201cHere, have a drink,\u201d he insisted, lifting Joe\u2019s head enough so that the boy could sip from the canteen. \u201cEasy\u2026it\u2019s\u2026\u201d he paused, not sure that he wanted Joe to know that their water supply was nearly depleted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Joe said again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far are\u2026we from\u2026home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026just a ways, Joe\u2026why?\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026go\u2026leave me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Are you out of your mind?\u201d Adam scolded.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes found his brother\u2019s face and for a long moment, he studied his brother\u2019s expressions. Adam was keeping something from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen\u2026I\u2026got water\u2026I\u2019m slowing you down. You\u2026have\u2026to go, Adam. Get help\u2026save\u2026yourself at\u2026least\u2026don\u2019t let\u2026Pa find\u2026two dead sons\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam growled, angered, but not so much at his brother as he was at himself and the guilt he felt for having allowed them to get in such a predicament.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you\u2026can\u2019t keep\u2026carrying me\u2026and if you don\u2019t go\u2026on without me\u2026it\u2019s for sure\u2026we\u2019re both gonna\u2026die. But if you go\u2026then\u2026at least\u2026we\u2019ll both\u2026stand a chance. Don\u2019t you see\u2026it\u2019s the\u2026only way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was quiet, giving thought to what Joe had said. The boy was right in one respect, he couldn\u2019t carry him ten miles or more\u2026the water was running out\u2026and if he didn\u2019t go, they\u2019d both die. But could he leave his brother\u2026here\u2026in the heat, wounded, bleeding\u2026probably dying? What would his father say? How in hell would he ever be able to forgive himself if his brother died\u2026all because of some silly argument that neither of them could even remember the cause?<\/p>\n

At last, Adam moved closer to his brother and knelt down. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to find you a safe place first, hopefully with a bit of shade. Come on,\u201d he said as he again gathered the wounded lad into his arms.<\/p>\n

They walked, or rather Adam walked, carrying Joe for another hour before Adam was able to spot the place he had been praying to find.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver there, Joe,\u201d he said, nodding his chin in the direction he was making reference to. \u201cLots of big rocks and plenty of shade,\u201d he declared, almost running with his bundle to the location.<\/p>\n

Once they reached the rocks, Adam placed Joe on the ground, making sure he was comfortable and then quickly looked around the thick formations in search of a spot to place Joe to assure safety and at least some form of protection from not only the elements but wild animals as well.<\/p>\n

He found the perfect spot within minutes. In a remote area of the rocks, Adam found an overhanging rock that all but hid a small opening in the rocks below. With his pistol drawn, Adam made his way into the cave-like configuration of rocks. When he was assured that no wild animal had claimed the hideout as its home and seeing no signs that said animals had been there, he slipped his pistol into his holstered and returned to his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found the perfect place, Joe,\u201d he said as he picked Joe up and carried him to their new hide-away. \u201cYou\u2019ll be safe here\u2026and in the shade. I\u2019ll leave you the canteen and my pistol\u2026just in case,\u201d he stated, placing Joe on the ground once more and making him as comfortable as possible. He placed the canteen within easy reach and placed his gun next to Joe\u2019s left hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back, Joe\u2026I promise,\u201d he said, aware that unintentionally, he might be telling a lie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you will\u2026\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Joe\u2026I\u2019m\u2026sorry about all of this\u2026it\u2019s all my fault,\u201d Adam said with downcast eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I\u2019m as much to blame\u2026as you are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have known better\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2026because you\u2019re older\u2026or\u2026smarter?\u201d Joe said with a weak chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam answered with a small smile. \u201cI wonder what Pa\u2019s going to say\u2026when he hears about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2026won\u2019t tell him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t tell him\u2026in case you aren\u2019t aware of it Little Joe\u2026you\u2019ve been shot with\u2026not one\u2026but four arrows\u2026how do you think we can avoid telling our Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not about the Indians\u2026about\u2026you know\u2026the argument. We\u2019ll just leave that part\u2026out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd tell him what?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell him\u2026I went off alone\u2026against your advice\u2026and ended up in the middle of an Indian raid\u2026which isn\u2019t a total lie\u2026\u201d Joe said and then surprised Adam by grinning.<\/p>\n

Even in deep pain, Adam could see the mischievousness in his kid brother\u2019s lopsided smile. He couldn\u2019t fathom the fact that Joe was willing to take the blame\u2026especially when he, himself was as much to blame for what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t be pleased with you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026but\u2026look at me\u2026what\u2019s he gonna do? Tan me? I doubt it. Adam, he\u2019ll be so relieved that we\u2019re both alive\u2026he won\u2019t rant at either of us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t stop the laughter that bubbled up from the pit of his stomach. Tenderly he ruffled Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a rapscallion, aren\u2019t you little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s response was to smile. \u201cGet going\u2026\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright\u2026but\u2026understand this, I don\u2019t like leaving you here\u2026and I wouldn\u2019t if I could find that blasted horse\u2026\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam\u2026and\u2026I know you\u2019ll be back, one way\u2026or the other,\u201d Joe said, forcing another smile.<\/p>\n

Adam stood, looking down. \u201cThat I promise, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHum?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember\u2026the argument\u2026it\u2019s just between brothers, Pa need never know\u2026promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes were growing heavy and he wished that Adam would hurry so that he could shut them and his brother not see the God awful pain that pelted his body.<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise\u2026now you promise me, you\u2019ll not move\u2026you\u2019ll stay put?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head. His response was so muted that Adam barely heard. The eyelids had grown too heavy. Hours later when he awoke, Joe found that night had descended and that he was alone, hungry and cold. It took several long moments for him to recall where he was and why and what had happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Adam?\u201d he called out softly. His wounds kept him from moving about too much, but he found the canteen Adam had left and with great difficulty, he managed to quench his thirst.<\/p>\n

When he replaced the cork, he studied his surrounds. The night air was barred from the inside of the natural made enclosure and for that the boy was glad; the night before he had been so cold he had not stopped shivering all night.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess all I do now is to wait\u2026\u201d he mumbled to the rock walls. Almost instantly, his eyes closed again and he sank back into his dark abyss where, for the time being, he knew no pain.
\nMiles away, Adam was stumbling along a rough, pitted, hardly used road. He was tired, dirty, hungry and thirsty, but he trudged on, stumbling each time his feet found the deep pits and ruts in the darkness. He fell repeatedly, but refused to stop or rest; Little Joe\u2019s life rest solely on his shoulders. The image of Joe\u2019s body tied to the porch, arrows protruding from the boy\u2019s body and the sometimes, verbal proclamations of agony, gnawed at Adam\u2019s gut, pushing him onward in search of help.<\/p>\n

Silently, he cursed himself. Aloud he lamented his dire situation. No one heard his words, inaudible and condemning as they were becoming, but deep in heart and soul, Adam heard\u2026and he hated himself for the helpless, frustrating and maddening place he had come to in his life\u2026and in the life of his youngest, most enduring little brother. He\u2019d never forgive himself, he vowed in his heart, if Little Joe died because of his stupidity. Why had he purposely picked that argument with his brother? Why had he taunted the boy?<\/p>\n

\u201cDAM!\u201d screeched Adam, pausing, trying to straighten his back to glare up at the stars that filled the dark skies of the heavens. \u201cDAM, DAM, DAM!\u201d he cried out again, seconds before collapsing to the ground in an exhausted wail of despair.<\/p>\n

The voice that called his name seemed far away and at first he imagined that he heard the soft voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he muttered, weak and exhausted as he tried to push himself up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet up Adam\u2026you must go on\u2026you cannot stop, or rest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right, Adam, your brother\u2019s life depends on you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam squinted his eyes, desperately trying to bring them into focus. The voice had changed; the accent was different. Where there two persons calling for him, urging him on? Who could they be? Why didn\u2019t they help him?<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d he wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re\u2026your mothers, Adam\u2026\u201d one of the voices said in a low, tender voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMothers? But\u2026but\u2026how?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, son\u2026get up\u2026move\u2026Little Joe needs you. Remember, you promised to get him help\u2026now go\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

With all the effort he could muster, Adam pushed himself up to his feet and staggered a bit further. But too exhausted to continue any further, the weary man dropped to his knees. His arms hung lifelessly down to his sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026PA! PA! I NEED YOU!!\u201d he shouted into the heavens, just as his body fell forward onto the hard baked ground. Once again his senses became lost amid a dark sea of blackness.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not worry my dearest son\u2026we will guide your father to you\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d
\n\u201cThey\u2019re late!\u201d grumbled Ben Cartwright as he worked at saddling his big buckskin horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw Pa\u2026they probably just lost track of time\u2026\u201d Hoss said, trying to soothe his father\u2019s obviously ruffled state of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot Adam\u2026Joseph perhaps, but not your older brother. Something\u2019s happened to them, Hoss\u2026hurry up, let\u2019s get going!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was already mounted and waiting as Hoss tightened the cinch on his saddle before mounting up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve a good mind to give both of your brothers a very necessary little talk when I get them home\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hadn\u2019t a chance to say anything in response to his father\u2019s statement. Ben had spun Buck around and headed out of the yard. He only rolled his eyes upward, shook his massive head and followed behind his angry, worried father. For the next couple of hours, father and son rode hard, in silence. At long last, Hoss was forced to call out to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Hold up a second!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled back on the reins, bringing Buck to a sudden and dusty halt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat now?\u201d the elder Cartwright growled as he spun his horse around and glared at his middle son.<\/p>\n

Hoss swallowed deeply acutely aware of the underlying worry in the tone of his father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n we don\u2019t give these ponies a rest, we\u2019re likely to be walkin\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cI reckon I have been pushing them pretty hard. We\u2019ll rest for a spell and then start out again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slid from his horse\u2019s back and dropped the reins to the ground and then placing the biggest rock he could find down on top of the leather straps. He heard his son\u2019s deep sigh of relief and smiled to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss\u2026I guess between being a little worried and bit mad\u2026I\u2019ve over reacted,\u201d Ben said with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little worried?\u201d chuckled Hoss. \u201cAnd\u2026just a bit mad?\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so I was very worried and a lot mad\u2026\u201d Ben snickered. \u201cBut those two\u2026especially Adam\u2026should know better than to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa. Maybe they got held up at Morris Springs\u2026maybe one of their horses went lame\u2026maybe they\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, maybe, maybe\u2026Adam should have had enough sense to at least send a wire saying they were held up, or that their horse went lame or\u2026or\u2026whatever their excuse for being nearly a week over due might be! Maybe\u2026just maybe\u2026but no! Not a word\u2026\u201d grumbled Ben, feeling the pinch of gnawing fear again that seemed to be gurgling in the pit of his stomach.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDon\u2019t \u201cPa\u201d me, Hoss\u2026I\u2019m angry\u2026we needed that contract\u2026we didn\u2019t need for Adam and Joe to wonder off doing\u2026whatever they\u2019re doing\u2026instead of delivering those papers to the proper authority\u2026ME! Now, because of their shenanigans, we\u2019ve lost the best contract we\u2019ve ever had with\u2026of all parties, the railroad! That contract was important, very important, and they knew that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss could do nothing but lower his head, avoiding the piercing dark eyes that glared at him. He knew just how much his father had depended on that new contract, and now, because of his two brothers being tardy in delivering the papers on time, they had lost out on the most important contract Ben Cartwright had ever made. It was a shame to see the disappointment in his father\u2019s eyes. And above all else, he sure dreaded the long lecture he knew would be forthcoming when they finally found Adam and Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cMount up, Hoss. We\u2019ve wasted enough time\u2026let\u2019s ride.\u201d
\n\u201cJoseph\u2026don\u2019t give up\u2026keep fighting\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice, soft and sweet, called out to him from afar. Wounded and ridden with fever, Little Joe strained to open his eyes, to see the face behind the tender, loving voice that spoke to him. Something about the way the voice talked and sounded jarred a deep seeded memory, but in his muddled state of mind, the wounded young man could put no name to the person who spoke with such deep abiding tenderness.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026..\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo my darling\u2026but your father is on his way\u2026so you must not give up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2026who are\u2026you?\u201d His hand reached up, hoping for a familiar touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter mon cherei\u2026it is only important that you continue trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026sleep now, I will stay with you until your father comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lured by the soft sounds of singing, in a language that he could not fully understand, Joe drifted off into a deep sleep, where the agony of his days turned into sweet, precious, comforting dreams and images of faces once lost, now renewed.
\n\u201cPa\u2026look down there!\u201d Hoss proclaimed in a loud, excited voice. He pointed down from the ridge where he and his father had been riding. \u201cOver yonder\u2026on the ground, it looks like a man!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDare I hope?\u201d Ben exclaimed in a small voice. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s check it out\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, both men kicked their mounts into a full run, almost tumbling down the steep embankment where they had, just minutes ago, stopped to rest. Ben practically jumped from his mount as the big buckskin skidded to a stop. Running toward the prone figure, he nearly stumbled in his attempt to reach, which he recognized as his eldest son, Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026dear God, Adam!\u201d he proclaimed as he gently turned the unconscious man over onto his back. Ben held Adam\u2019s upper body gently in his arms, close to his chest as he tenderly patted the dirt smeared cheeks trying to awaken the boy from his lost state of mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the canteen, Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he pulled the cork from the opening and handed the receptacle to his father. He helped Ben as he carefully poured a few drops of the cool liquid into his son\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

Almost instantly, Adam responded by trying to grab the canteen and tilt it upward, starved for a drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy son, easy,\u201d Ben cautioned as he pulled the container away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWa\u2026ter\u2026wa\u2026ter,\u201d Adam mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlow, drink slowly Adam,\u201d Ben continued to caution.<\/p>\n

He allowed Adam to drink a bit more and once again removed the canteen, handing it to Hoss who quickly replaced the cork.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben said with concern ringing in his voice. \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe\u2026\u201d he said, glancing up to see Hoss\u2019 troubled blue eyes watching both of his family members.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Joe\u2026\u201dAdam said weakly as if he were attempting to call out to his brother. His eyes, bearing a far away look, tried to focus on his father\u2019s face. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes son, it\u2019s your Pa\u2026and Hoss, he\u2019s here too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss interrupted, \u201cwhat\u2019s happened to Little Joe\u2026where on earth is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat Adam more upright, allowing his son to rest his back against his father\u2019s chest. Adam\u2019s attention was drawn to the other brother\u2019s face. Almost without warning, he began to laugh, though it was a strange, eerie type of laughter. Deranged, in a matter of speaking, thought Hoss. The gentle giant looked up worriedly at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Before Ben could reply to the statement, Adam\u2019s laughter turned into a soft moaning sound and then the eldest of Ben\u2019s sons began to weep. The piteous sound jarred Ben to the core of his being as he nestled his son\u2019s raven locks tight against his pounding heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026son\u2026what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy fault\u2026it\u2026was\u2026all\u2026my\u2026fault! The\u2026fire\u2026the\u2026Indians\u2026oh God\u2026please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was your fault\u2026and Joe\u2026where\u2019s Joe? What\u2019s this about a fire and Indians?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched Adam suck in a chest full of air, trying to compose himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2026\u201d he said, pushing himself upright and away from his father. \u201cAs for Little Joe,\u201d gulped Adam, \u201che\u2019s probably dead by now\u2026\u201d he said, as he started to rise.<\/p>\n

Hoss slipped his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulders and helped to pull his brother to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019cha mean\u2026Joe\u2019s dead\u2026how\u2026where\u2026\u201d he growled as fear gripped its fingers around his heart.<\/p>\n

Adam groaned and nodded in the direction he had come. \u201cOut there\u2026somewhere\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, what do you mean somewhere? Don\u2019t you know where you left him?\u201d Ben, the same fear tangling around his own heart demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026\u201d Adam said with penitence. \u201cI\u2019ll take you\u2026we best\u2026hurry. But I\u2019ll warn you, Pa\u2026Joe was\u2026hurt\u2026and it may already be too\u2026late,\u201d he said as he started to walk away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait just a dadburn minute,\u201d Hoss said, grabbing his brother\u2019s arm. \u201cYou said Joe was hurt\u2026what happened, how\u2019d he get hurt\u2026and what about them injuns and you mentioned a fire\u2026where were you when this was suppose to happen? What on earth goin\u2019s on Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes turned dark at the accusing tone that rang in his middle brother\u2019s voice. Hoss blamed him already, without even knowing the full story. But then, didn\u2019t he blame himself as well? Adam glanced at his father, seeing the doubt that lay beneath the burden of fear that shone in the dark, chocolate eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll explain it to you on the way,\u201d Adam said. Remembering what he and Joe had sworn to, he\u2019d only tell his father part of what happened, not why\u2026that was between himself and his brother. Between brothers, that\u2019s what Little Joe had made him swear to.<\/p>\n

They were forced to stop several times in spite of the fact that Ben was anxious to find his youngest son. But Adam, who was riding double with his father, was tired and weak and necessity forced them to rest. It wasn\u2019t easy, getting Adam off and on the horse. His body had become like dead weight and his incoherent babbling had grown louder and louder and sounded more and more distressful.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you make out what he\u2019s sayin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not really,\u201d Ben said, while wiping a damp clothe over his son\u2019s face. \u201cSomething about it being his fault\u2026whatever \u2018it\u2019 is and he\u2019s trying to tell us something about that fire and the Indians\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t think them injuns took Little Joe prisoner\u2026do ya?\u201d Hoss, worried was anxious to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so\u2026Adam said he had Joe hidden in a safe place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if Adam here don\u2019t get any better, we might never know where that safe place is. He\u2019s plum outta his head, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. What Hoss was saying made sense. For whatever reason, for whatever had happened to his two sons, both were in grave danger. Joe might, even now, be dead. The thought caused Ben\u2019s stomach to churn with fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, help me get him back on the horse. We have to try and find Little Joe,\u201d Ben said as he began to pull Adam upright to a standing position.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, Ben was mounted behind his son. As soon as Hoss mounted up, they started off again in the direction that Adam had earlier pointed out to them. They\u2019d ridden a couple more miles when Adam began muttering and pointing to a tightly formed rock formation off in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it son?\u201d Ben asked, pulling his horse to a standstill.<\/p>\n

Adam, his head bent low continued to mutter words that seemed jumbled and unclear to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he tryin\u2019 to tell us? Is that where Little Joe is?\u201d Hoss insisted as he sided with his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cLit\u2026le\u2026Joe\u2026\u201d Adam finally said in enough clarity that both his father and middle brother could understand. He pointed once more toward the rocks. \u201cThere\u2026\u2026\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s ride,\u201d Ben said, urging his horse into action. \u201cGod only knows what we\u2019re going to find when we locate Joe\u2026\u201d The worry that he felt filtered into his voice, although he tried not to let it, he was frightened for his youngest son and what fate the boy might have met. Adam\u2019s broken words of Indians and fire was like a hot branding iron stabbing into his heart and Ben was not sure what mark their discovery might leave on their lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cUp\u2026there\u2026there\u2026\u201d Adam, in his weakened state, stirred, pointing to an incline where a weathered, worn out trail led upward into the rocks informed his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026he\u2019s\u2026there\u2026hurry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben followed the direction Adam had pointed until they had reached the rock overhang where Adam had hidden his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here\u2026\u201d Adam said weakly as Hoss and Ben helped him to dismount. He leaned heavily on Hoss who helped him walk the short distance to the hideaway. Surprisingly, his dark eyes widened when he spotted the empty makeshift bed where he had left his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2026was there\u2026I\u2026left him, right there!\u201d Adam proclaimed.<\/p>\n

Hoss carefully lowered Adam down so that he could sit, propped against the rock. Ben, his own eyes filled with worry and doubt bent down and searched the blankets where it was obvious that Joe had lain there at some time. Seeing the canteen, he picked it up, shook it, found it to empty and then tossed it down. The pistol lay were Adam had left it the evening before. When Ben stood, he glanced around, hoping to catch sight of his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have wondered off,\u201d he said. \u201cHoss, you look over there, I\u2019ll search around on this side.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he started to walk away, he turned back to Adam. \u201cYou stay put, I don\u2019t want to have to go looking for you\u2026rest, son, we\u2019ll find Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched as both his father and Hoss walked away. Minutes later, he could hear their voices as they called out for Joe. Fear gripped his heart for the fate of his youngest brother while dread and guilt gnawed at his gut. Using the rock against his back, Adam slowly pushed himself up. Once on his feet he staggered off in a search of his own, going in opposite directions than his father and Hoss had taken.<\/p>\n

It was only minutes before he spotted Joe\u2019s body lying in a ravine where he had apparently fallen. Adam briefly wondered how the boy had managed to move so far away from his safe-haven, being unable to walk. Then it hit him like a bolt of lightening, Joe had crawled, looking for water or help or God knows what.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God, Joe\u2026\u201d he mumbled to himself as he pulled his pistol from his holster and fired two shots into the air.<\/p>\n

Almost before he could put his gun back in it\u2019s holster, Ben and Hoss were beside him. Adam pointed down the low ravine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere,\u201d he said, \u201cnext to that rock that looks like a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see him!\u201d Ben interrupted as he quickly moved to the edge. \u201cIt\u2019s not so bad, Hoss, get a rope while I go down to him and toss one end down to me. We\u2019ll probably have to pull him up\u2026hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss left Adam standing on the rim of the ravine while he raced back to their horses and got the rope. Meanwhile, Ben slide down the rocky edge to get to Joe. Carefully, with great tenderness, he turned Joe over onto his back, gathering the broken body into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d he said softly, brushing back the dirty locks of chestnut hair from the boy\u2019s battered face. \u201cSon, it\u2019s your Pa\u2026can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

With great inter determination, Joe forced his eyes opened, looking up into the dark chocolate eyes of the man who cradled him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he said weakly, swallowing.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, the first in many days. \u201cYes, yes, son, I\u2019m here. Everything\u2019s going to be all right now,\u201d he soothed.<\/p>\n

Joe, hungry for water, swallowed again. \u201cShe\u2026said\u2026you\u2019d\u2026come\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ben could ask Joe what he meant by that statement, Hoss was there, handing him the canteen he\u2019d also taken from the saddle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I told you to stay up there?\u201d he said a bit gruffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t wait, Pa. I had to know\u2026how\u2019s Joe?\u201d Hoss answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in a bad way\u2026but once we get him on solid ground, I can better assess his wounds. Help me tie this rope around him and then climb back to the top so you can pull him up. Tie the end of this rope to one of the saddles; that will make the climb up easier,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026ya hang on now, Punkin,\u201d Hoss said to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026you\u2019re here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCourse I am\u2026where\u2019d think I\u2019d be?\u201d Hoss said teasingly. The relief he felt was evident in his tone and the big, broad grin he wore on his rotund face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026.\u201d Muttered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s up top waitin\u2019\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou best get going, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way, Pa. See ya in a bit, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Adam watched from the sidelines, too weak and exhausted to be of any help to his middle brother who was using the horse to pull Joe to the top. He staggered slightly forward when Joe was nearly to the surface but almost fell.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa best sit down brother, afore ya fall,\u201d Hoss advised as he glanced around at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019re right,\u201d Adam said as he allowed himself the pleasure of sitting.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, both Joe and Ben were safely on flat ground. Ben was bent over the boy, Hoss was removing the rope. Unable to bear it any longer, Adam scrambled on all fours to reach his near unconscious brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Joe\u2026\u201d he cried in a pleading voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026knew\u2026you\u2019d\u2026come back,\u201d mumbled Joe, barely able to turn his head to look at his brother.<\/p>\n

Despite himself, Adam smiled, taking hold of his younger brother\u2019s hand. \u201cI was told I\u2026couldn\u2019t stop\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026by whom?\u201d Ben asked his son, puzzled by yet another strange statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI just\u2026knew I couldn\u2019t\u2026stop\u2026I had\u2026to get\u2026help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Pa\u2026I knew you\u2026were\u2026coming,\u201d Joe told his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how did you know that?\u201d Ben asked, smiling down into the tired, wounded eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes seemed to take on a faraway look and slowly misted with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2026told me\u2026you were on\u2026your\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026way,\u201d he said as he slipped once more into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what on earth does that mean?\u201d Hoss pondered aloud.<\/p>\n

Adam forced himself to stand upright. \u201cI think I know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you mind sharing it with us?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

For a long moment, Adam said nothing and then shook his head no. \u201cNot until I\u2019ve talked to Little Joe. Right now\u2026I think it\u2019s\u2026best just to keep it\u2026between brothers.\u201d
\nA week later, Adam, now rested and feeling much like his former self, found his kid brother sitting up in bed, propped against a stack of soft pillows. Not bothering to knock, he gently pushed the door opened, saw that Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and then closed the door softly as he entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he called in a low voice. \u201cAre you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes opened immediately. \u201cNo\u2026just resting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I wanted to talk to you. Pa and Hoss are down at the corral so I thought now might be a good time\u2026no interruptions,\u201d Adam explained as he sat down on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

He noticed that the painful look that had been so apparent in his brother\u2019s eyes was no longer as visual as before and had softened at long last. The days after they had finally made it home had been harrowing days and even longer nights for his family as both he and Joe struggled to return to the real world and to put to rest at long last the nightmarish images that had haunted their dreams.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Joe asked as he studied his older brother. He could plainly see that something was bothering this usual quiet and reserved man for whom he had grown to love and respect though at times had barely been able to tolerate because of his overpowering and oft as not demanding ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I think we should talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2026what do you want to talk about?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Adam hesitated some before speaking. \u201cHow about we start with the argument we had?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArgument\u2026we had an argument?\u201d Joe said, looking puzzled.<\/p>\n

Adam suddenly looked worried. Had Joe forgotten\u2026had he lost his memory?<\/p>\n

Without warning, Joe began to giggle. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I couldn\u2019t resist\u2026you looked like you\u2019d seen a ghost.\u201d The giggling abruptly stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d he said gruffly. \u201cForget about that stupid argument, Adam. I have. I told you before I was as much to fault about the whole thing as you were\u2026let\u2019s forget it ever happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like nothing better\u2026but can you\u2026I mean\u2026you\u2019re the one who was nearly killed\u2026I can\u2019t forget that,\u201d Adam said, lowering his head to hide the guilt that had haunted him since he\u2019d seen Joe ride off from camp and disappear out of sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook Adam\u2026I thought we agreed to keep that just between the two of us. I can forget it, if you can\u2026won\u2019t you please try?\u201d Joe asked, practically begging. \u201cI made a dumb mistake, one I won\u2019t likely ever make again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe both made a big mistake, Joe. I\u2019m sorry for my part\u2026and\u2026I\u2019m willing to let it go, if that\u2019s what you really want to do,\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I want to do\u2026and I want you to do the same. Look Adam, I want you to know, I don\u2019t hold any of this against you. Please, don\u2019t feel guilty\u2026I made the choice to ride off that afternoon. Unfortunately, it was a wrong choice. But I learned something from it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned not to be so quick to judge\u2026and, I learned it\u2019s best to stay and talk things out\u2026\u201d he grinned then, \u201ceven with you,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

Adam snickered. \u201cI learned something too, kid\u2026I learned that\u2026you mean more to me than what you\u2019d ever expect I do. You\u2019re a good man, Joe\u2026I admire you\u2026and\u2026from now on, I\u2019ll respect you\u2019re views instead of poking fun at you and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel the same way about you, Adam. I\u2019m sorry too for causing you to worry\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something else that I\u2019ve wanted to talk to you about\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched how Joe twisted the corner of the sheet around, making a twisted knot with the material.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026spit it out\u2026we\u2019ve just agreed to talk things out from now on. What\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt isn\u2019t to easy to talk about\u2026cause, I\u2019m not sure it really happened,\u201d Joe said, glancing up at his brother to check Adam\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you left me\u2026I saw something\u2026someone\u2026or\u2026at least I thought I was seeing someone,\u201d Joe explain hesitantly.<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed hard, wondering where this was leading.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhom did you think you saw?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t sure at first. But it was\u2026a woman. I was sort of out of it\u2026and I heard her talking. When I opened my eyes\u2026I was looking into the most beautiful face I\u2019d ever seen. She\u2026smiled at me\u2026and told me to hang on\u2026that Pa was coming\u2026she said\u2026she\u2019d stay with me until he got there. I thought I was seeing things. I tried asking her who she was\u2026but she said it didn\u2019t matter\u2026everything would be all right just as soon as Pa got there. I didn\u2019t know who she was, Adam\u2026and then the strangest thing happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I closed my eyes, I could hear her singing to me.\u201d Joe gulped, knowing that his eyes had unexpectedly filled with tears. \u201cShe was singing lullabies\u2026in\u2026French.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe watched as Adam\u2019s face paled. \u201cMarie?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama\u2026\u201d Joe said as a lone tear dripped slowly down the front of his face. \u201cShe was\u2026watching over me\u2026that\u2019s how I knew Pa would find me. She told me so\u2026and I don\u2019t reckon she ever told a lie\u2026Adam, do you think it really was her? My mother, keeping me safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was quiet for so long that Joe was beginning to think his brother was ignoring him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? You think I\u2019m nuts, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The older young man turned to smile at his brother. \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t think you\u2019re nuts, Joe. And as for it being Marie\u2026I\u2019m not sure\u2026but it could have been\u2026well\u2026I believe it was because\u2026I had a similar situation myself,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cYou did\u2026what was it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d began Adam as he scooted a little closer and lowered his voice. \u201cI was walking, and walking\u2026and growing more weary, more thirsty\u2026I was hungry and tired and dirty and\u2026frankly, I was scared, Joe\u2026but that\u2019s something else we need to keep to ourselves. But I was scared I wouldn\u2019t get back to you in time, that I couldn\u2019t find Pa and Hoss and that\u2026that\u2026you\u2019d die before I could get help. I suppose at some point I passed out\u2026now whether I was awake when this happened or not\u2026I\u2019m still not sure. But at some point, I saw a vision\u2026a lovely face\u2026it was a woman also\u2026but not Marie,\u201d he added quickly, \u201cbut someone I\u2019ve never seen before. But I knew her\u2026I knew who she was\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho was she\u2026your\u2026your mother, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded his head. \u201cYes\u2026later, when I got to thinking on it, I realized that I\u2019d seen her face before, in pictures, like the one on my dresser and the one that Pa keeps on the desk. She told me to get up\u2026to keep moving\u2026not to give up\u2026that you needed me and that your life depended on me. She told me that Pa would find me, that he would meet up with me, but that I couldn\u2019t give up\u2026it was the strangest thing, Joe\u2026strange, and Inger was there\u2026she kept whispering to me as well. I\u2026can\u2019t explain it, Joe,\u201d Adam said, turning away as if he were lost in deep thought.<\/p>\n

Both young men were silent for a long time before Adam turned again and smiled at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019d best keep this to ourselves. If we tried to explain it to Pa\u2026he\u2019d most likely send both of us to the home for the mentally deranged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s giggles were light and full of mischief. He looked up at his brother, wondering how on earth he could have ever thought that Adam cared so little for him. He\u2019d been wrong in what he\u2019d done, running off like he had and it had caused a great deal of trouble and worry for his entire family. Shame chased the smile from his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t promise that I\u2019ll never be mad at you again, but I do promise\u2026when I am\u2026I won\u2019t run off next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lopsided grin and the dimpled chin surprised the youngster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should be relieved\u2026but something tells me little brother that there will still be times that I will be angry, perhaps very angry at you\u2026but I promise next time\u2026not to let you run off\u2026even it I have to hog tie you!\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Both young men turned, surprised to see their father standing in the doorway. Neither had been aware that he had returned. Adam and Joe both looked up at their father and then at each other. Smiles graced their handsome faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, Pa,\u201d Joe said turning his sheepish grin on his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just between brothers\u2026that\u2019s all,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged his shoulders, grinned at both of his sons and turned, leaving the pair alone. Halfway down the hall, he heard their happy laughter. Turning his head upward, he whispered a silent prayer, thanking God for giving him back his two sons. He\u2019d wonder for days what was being kept from him, what had really happened between them, but gave them enough respect not to pressure them. Someday, when they were ready, they\u2019d share their secret with him\u2026.someday\u2026maybe, but if not, he\u2019d still have the satisfaction that both were well and that things between them were as they should be.<\/p>\n

THE END
\nMay 12, 2007<\/p>\n

Next story in the Between Brothers Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baring Souls<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0When Adam finds Joe wounded and near death, he blames no one but himself. Will he be able to find help, not just for his brother, but for himself as well?<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG for Mild language\u00a0 (10,270 words)<\/p>\n

Between Brothers Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":10704,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":6541,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/HP8b.jpg?fit=636%2C520&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":12117,"position":0},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. Word Count: 708\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13179,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13179","url_meta":{"origin":12117,"position":1},"title":"Half Brothers (by No1ButJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe asks Adam the meaning of the words \u201chalf brother\u201d. Can Adam explain it correctly so a ten-year old Joe can understand? Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count: 1250","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2162,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2162","url_meta":{"origin":12117,"position":2},"title":"Shelter (by pony)","author":"pony","date":"December 8, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Adam and Joe Cartwright are lost in a blizzard. Their only hope ... shelter. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K (1,390 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50532,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50532","url_meta":{"origin":12117,"position":3},"title":"Did We Win (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"February 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The Founders Day horse race was a tradition for Adam and Joe Cartwright, but the question always is - which brother will win? 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Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15653,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15653","url_meta":{"origin":12117,"position":5},"title":"From the Murky Depths (by Hart4Ben)","author":"Hart4Ben","date":"March 18, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0While Ben is away on business, Adam is in charge of his two younger brothers. Predominantly a prequel. 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