{"id":12128,"date":"2014-11-01T13:19:56","date_gmt":"2014-11-01T17:19:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12128"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:11:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:11:34","slug":"bushwhacked-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12128","title":{"rendered":"Bushwhacked (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>The Cartwrights become the target for murder when cattle thieves decide they want more than just the herd; they want the entire Ponderosa empire.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>PG; mild curse words, just 3 or 4\u00a0 (14,900 words)<\/p>\n

Bushwhacked<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright pulled his hat off his head and swiped away the beads of perspiration that had collected on his brow. He was hot and tired. The trail was dry and dusty and all that thrown together had made for long day in the saddle. He had spent the first half of the day looking for strays and those he did find he had managed to drive them into the makeshift corral he had built the day before in a boxed canyon. Then, late this afternoon when he was herding the second small band of cattle back to the corral to join the first group of steers, Adam was astonished to see that the first few heads of cattle had broken down the corral fence and had wandered away. Gone as well was the team of horses used to haul the rails for the corral. The only thing left was the wagon and what remained of the logs for the fence. Talk about bad luck!<\/p>\n

He had studied the fence closely, reminded himself that had made double sure the corral was secure enough to hold the fifty or more strays that he planned on housing in the enclosure until his brother could get there to help him herd them back down to the lower pasture. Now it appeared that all his work had been in vain.<\/p>\n

Disgusted with how his day had gone thus far, Adam returned his hat to his head and urged his mount forward. \u201cLet\u2019s go you mule headed bovines,\u201d he shouted as he drove the band of strays into the boxed canyon. Once the steers were inside, Adam set to work mending the downed fences. It was only then that he saw evidence that the fence had actually been tampered with, and not by the cattle. Cautiously, he glanced around at his surroundings and realized that his boxed canyon would make the perfect spot for cattle thieves to hold up. If he got caught inside the walls of the canyon, anyone who had a will to do it, could keep him there for days, until either he ran out of ammunition and killed him or simply starved him out. Adam felt his body shudder. \u2018Why didn\u2019t I realize that yesterday?\u2019 he mentally asked himself.<\/p>\n

Adam settled into camp, just outside of the walled canyon. The rocks had formed a small cave-like enclosure where neither wind nor rain could reach. A large crack in the top of the formation served as a sort of chimney to let the smoke from his campfire spiral upward. He was safe and warm and out of sight of prying eyes, should there be any. Adam kept his fire small, just enough flame to cook the rabbit he had caught earlier. He poured a small amount of water over the flame to extinguish the fire to nothing more than smoldering embers once the rabbit had finished cooking. All afternoon, after rounding up the second herd of steers, Adam had gotten the eerie feeling that he was being watched. The notion kept him alert and on his toes. He\u2019d sleep little this night, he surmised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was near dawn when the sound of bawling cattle woke Adam from a sound sleep. He rubbed his eyes trying to clear his vision. Suddenly, the sound of gunshots and then cracking fences brought the sleepy man fully awake. Adam grabbed his gun and crept to the opening of his rock hideaway. The cattle were running through the make-shift fencing for the second time. Loud voices rang through the night air and as Adam inched his way closer, with the aide from the glow of the moon he could see three riders chasing his steers out of the boxed canyon.<\/p>\n

Quickly Adam saddled his horse. Apparently the rustlers had not known he was in his hideaway thus failing to see him or know that he was even there. His plan was to follow them, find out where they were taking the herd and then wait for his brother to get there. Together they would get their cattle back. Or so Adam thought.<\/p>\n

It was just before noon when the rustlers finally stopped. They had herded the steers into their own makeshift corral. Adam hid behind the high rocks overlooking the camp that the rustlers had made. As far as he could tell, there were four men, two watching the herd and two squatting down near the fire. Quietly, he inched his way back to his horse. He was forming a plan in his head. He\u2019d go back to his own boxed canyon, wait for his brother who should be there sometime tomorrow and then together they\u2019d find some way to get their cattle back.<\/p>\n

Adam swung his long legs over the top of his horse and settled himself in the saddle. It would take him a couple of hours to get back to camp. Then all he had to do was wait until Little Joe arrived. As far as the cattle thieves, Adam figured they weren\u2019t going anywhere any time soon. The two men beside the fire were nursing a bottle. It wouldn\u2019t be long before they were totally wiped out. Adam pulled his mount to a stop. Perhaps it would be to his advantage to wait until all the men were stoned and then just ride in and claim his herd. He shook his head. \u2018Nope, better odds once my kid brother arrived.\u2019 Besides, he knew the thieves would have to change the brand on the entire herd before being brave enough to move them to another location. If they were smart enough.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFollow him. And get rid of him. If he sends for his family, we\u2019ll all be strung up; cattle rustling is a hanging offense and I don\u2019t aim on swinging. Gus, Smithy and I will start changing those brands. Now get going\u2026and stay out of sight!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry none about me boss. But I still don\u2019t see why I gotta be the one to kill Cartwright,\u201d Bert said. He was saddling his horse and turned back to face his boss. \u201cIf I get got, I\u2019ll hang for sure if they find out it\u2019s me what killed him!\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n

Dave Jordan grinned at his partner. \u201cLook at it this way Bert, they can\u2019t hang ya but once. Might as well make it worthwhile,\u201d he snickered. \u201cBesides, ain\u2019t no one gonna know who killed the man, so don\u2019t fret about it. Just get it done; now get goin\u2019,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not funny, ya know,\u201d Bert bellyached as he swung into the saddle. He turned his horse in a circle. Dave had to step back. \u201cWhat about the body?\u201d Bert wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it. Buzzards\u2019 have\u2019em half eaten before his family finds him. Won\u2019t be nothin\u2019 but bones. Now for the last time, move!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, alright,\u201d gripped Bert as he kneed his mount into action. \u201cI\u2019ll be back before nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bert followed Adam from along the ridge of the rocks, being sure to stay out of sight. He could see the man clearly and was just waiting until the perfect time. What he was hoping for was that Adam would stop, perhaps dismount and when he did, bam\u2026he\u2019d blow a hole in the middle of Cartwright\u2019s back. Bert almost snickered. Ever since he\u2019d been a kid, he had wondered what it would feel like to back shoot a man. He knew it wasn\u2019t what you would call fair play, but who cared? He didn\u2019t. Besides, old man Cartwright had two more sons, one less wouldn\u2019t matter either way determined Bert.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, as if he\u2019d waved a magic wand Bert watched as Adam pulled his mount to a stop, reached for his canteen at the exact moment that Bert pulled his rifle from his scabbard. Raising his rifle to his chin, he sighted in his target and just as Adam tossed back his head to drink, Bert fired his gun.<\/p>\n

The gunfire was loud, causing his horse to step wildly. \u201cWhoa,\u201d Bert muttered to the startled animal. His eyes never left his target. He watched as Adam Cartwright was tossed backward from the force of the bullet, the canteen tossed into the air, and then crumbled to a heap in the hot dusty dirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYe haw!\u201d Bert shouted as he nudged his horse down the embankment. He needed to see for himself that the man was dead. Bert reined in his mount and with his pistol now drawn, dismounted and inched his way over to the lifeless body. With no concern for the man he\u2019d just murdered, Bert kicked at Adam. When he got no response, he used his booted foot and turned the body over. A stain of dark red blood tarnished the back of the man\u2019s shirt and pooled in the dirt beneath him. His aim had been off just a little and the bullet had pierced Cartwright in the shoulder blade rather than in the middle of his back. But the shooter didn\u2019t care, as long as the man was dead. One more time, Bert nudged the body with the toe of his boot. There was no response. He had shot a man in the back, well almost. Mounting up, Bert headed back to camp, leaving Adam\u2019s body to rot in the hot afternoon sun. Bert glanced back one more time. \u201cBuzzard bait,\u201d he snickered. Had he been closer, he might have heard the soft moan that escaped from the injured man\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had no idea as to how long that he laid in the hot sun. When he tried to open his eyes, the glare from the sweltering rays all but blinded him. Pain surged through his body and it took all the will power he could muster to keep from crying aloud. Using his good arm, he struggled to push himself into a sitting position. The burning sensation in his shoulder seemed to radiate down his arm and into his fingers. Though he tried, he could not see the wound, but from the pool of dried blood around him, he knew he was in trouble if he didn\u2019t get help soon. With the last bit of strength he could gather together, he pushed himself to his feet. For several moments he stood in the same spot, waiting for his head to stop spinning. When he was sure he could move without falling, he glanced around for his horse. Sport stood a short distance away and eyed him with caution as Adam attempted to take hold of the reins.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, boy,\u201d Adam said in a weak voice. Once he had control of his horse, Adam managed to mount up. Expecting Little Joe sometime that day, Adam determined that his best bet would be to return to their corral. With a little luck, maybe Joe would be there and waiting for him.<\/p>\n

It was slow going. Adam\u2019s body burned with heat, both from the sun and from his wound. The injury had started to bleed again. Adam could feel the warm thick liquid creeping down his back. His right hand felt numb and he was forced into using his left instead. The weary man\u2019s head had begun to spin or so it seemed. Everything became blurry as if he was wandering through a fog and Adam could not make out the trail. His head slumped forward, resting on his chest. The reins slipped from his hand. Sport stopped, waiting for his rider to make a command. Adam\u2019s body went slack as he slouched forward over his horse\u2019s neck. The nervous horse stepped sideways causing his rider to drop from its back. Adam hit the ground with a thud where he laid motionless lost in a world of darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe Cartwright, youngest son of Ben Cartwright tossed more twigs on the cold fire. It was obvious that his brother Adam had been camping here in this space between the rocks. Joe thought the spot was pretty neat seeing how it was out of sight not to mention the fact that it was protected from the elements such as wind and rain and would make a great hideout, if a man needed to hide out. He snickered softly. \u2018I\u2019ll have to remember this the next time Pa starts shouting at me and I need to get away for a couple of days,\u2019 he told himself. Joe led Cochise into the tallest section of the walled hideout sure from the looks of the droppings Adam had also stabled his horse there. Once he had tended to his mount, Joe went back to starting a fire.<\/p>\n

\u2018Wonder where older brother is, Cooch,\u201d Joe said as he glanced back at his horse. He looked around for more twigs and then lit the fire. In seconds the dry kindling caught and soon the boy had a small flame flickering. Joe took a can of beans from his supply pack and using his knife, opened the can and placed it on a rock close to the fire. While he waited for his beans to warm, he went out to look over the downed fencing. He was left wondering. \u2018Adam sure hasn\u2019t rounded up many strays.\u2019 He mused. As he leaned down to study the fallen railings, it became clear to him that the fencing had been tampered with. The fine hairs on the back of his neck rose as a feeling of dread washed over him. Joe stood to his feet, shuddered slightly and glanced around at his surroundings. When he looked at the ground and saw the prints that the cattle had made in the dirt, he walked deeper into the corral to study the signs. As he worked his way up and around one gathering of rocks, he spotted tracks that were obviously made by men on horseback. \u2018Hmm\u2026I thought Adam was alone,\u2019 he pondered. It dawned on him then that Adam hadn\u2019t driven the cattle out of the canyon, someone else had\u2026three men on horseback judging from the tale-tale signs in the dirt. And not only were the cattle gone, but the team of horses used to pull the wagon was missing as well. Joe\u2019s thoughts turned to his brother. Where was Adam, was he hurt, had the men taken him hostage? Too many unsavory thoughts and images began to crowd into his mind. He feared for his brother\u2019s safety and well-being.<\/p>\n

Joe rushed back to his camp and began kicking dirt on the fire. The can of beans, now too hot to eat fell into the dying fire. Joe could hear then sizzle and pop as the hot embers consumed them.<\/p>\n

He had to find Adam. The feeling of dread returned and Joe worried that something bad might have happened to his oldest brother. He swallowed down the bile that suddenly burned his throat and once the fire was safely out, Little Joe saddled his horse. Glancing at the lowering sun, Joe determined that it was near suppertime. He realized that he\u2019d have only two or three hours before dark to search of his brother. \u2018I\u2019ll stay the night in the open if I have to,\u2019 he told himself. \u2018I have to find Adam\u2026something\u2019s wrong; I can feel it in my bones, as Hoss would say.\u2019<\/p>\n

It was almost dark by the time that Joe spotted his brother\u2019s horse standing in the shade of the big boulders. Dismounting his own horse, Joe walked slowly up to Sport, talking softly so as not to frighten of the spirited animal. \u201cWhoa there big fella,\u201d Joe cooed. The nervous horse jerked his head upward in an attempt to escape the man, but Joe was quick enough to grab the reins. Sport bulked; he tossed his head and then reared up, pawing at the air. Joe clung to the reins, tugging gently till the horse\u2019s hooves were safely on the ground. \u201cEasy now you cantankerous cuss,\u201d Joe said between gritted teeth. The young man approached the horse, gently petted the animal\u2019s neck all the while looking the horse over. He was searching for signs that might give him a clue whether or not his brother might be hurt. The left side of Sport and Adam\u2019s saddle showed Little Joe nothing. He breathed a sigh of relief. When Joe looked at the right side, his heart stopped beating. The entire side of Adam\u2019s saddle was covered with dried blood. It had turned dark and had congealed slightly. Joe cast worried eyes all about him hoping to spot his brother. He also searched the rocks overhead wondering if one or more of the rustlers might this minute have a gun pointed at him. With his left arm, the worried boy wiped away the droplets of perspiration that had gathered on his upper lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Sport, he couldn\u2019t have gotten far,\u201d he said as he led both horses. Joe searched the ground for prints that would show him from which direction his brother\u2019s horse had come. When he spotted them he silently prayed that he would find Adam before the sun dropped behind the rocks. God surely must have heard the young man\u2019s prayer for it was only a matter of a few feet before Joe saw his brother lying face down and motionless in the dirt. \u201cADAM!\u201d shouted Joe as he ran to his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

With his heart beating wildly, he dropped to the ground and gathered Adam into his arms. His hand touched the dampness of his brother\u2019s shirt where blood had collected. \u201cDear God,\u201d sobbed Joe as he felt for a pulse and almost shouted with joy when he found one. Gently, he laid Adam down. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back Adam; I\u2019ll get you some water.\u201d Joe rushed to his horse, grabbed his canteen and returned to his brother\u2019s side. Adam had not moved nor had he made a sound. Joe pulled his neckerchief from around his neck, dampened it with the cool water and gently cleaned his brother\u2019s face. Adam stirred slightly. \u201cThat\u2019s it, Adam, open your eyes,\u201d Joe pleaded. He was scared, Adam was burning with fever and the color of his skin was pale and pasty looking.<\/p>\n

\u201cJ\u2026Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Adam, it\u2019s me, Joe,\u201d the younger boy answered. \u201cYou\u2019ve been shot, Adam. I have to get you home, you need a doctor,\u201d Joe told his brother in a voice that trembled. He knew his brother was hurt badly and he was scared that Adam might die and if that happened, he\u2019d never be able to forgive himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m going to turn you over. I need to make sure the bleeding has stopped,\u201d Little Joe explained as he turned Adam slightly. Adam moaned loudly as the searing pain consumed him. His body went slack. Adam had passed out. \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to hurt you,\u201d wept Joe.<\/p>\n

The bleeding had almost stopped but Joe washed the wound as best he could and then pulled bandages from his saddle bag and stuffed a wad into the gaping hole in the back of Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWe have to get back to the camp. It\u2019s too cold for you to spend the night in the open and I have a gut feeling those rustlers aren\u2019t too far from here,\u201d he told the unconscious man.<\/p>\n

It took all Joe\u2019s strength and then sheer determination to get his brother up on his horse. Joe feared Adam might not be able to ride, so he tied his rope the best he could around Adam and the horse and saddle in hopes of keeping his brother from falling off.<\/p>\n

It was slow going. Joe had to stop several times to readjust his brother\u2019s body. It was dark but the stars shone brightly. The air was clear and with the soft glow of the moon, Joe was finally able to get them back to Adam\u2019s camp. Joe\u2019s fortitude was all but drained by the time that he was able to get Adam bedded down and as comfortable as possible. He managed to get a small fire started and clean Adam\u2019s wound a second time. Within minutes the warmth of the fire filled the little cave like cavern. At least for now the Cartwright brothers were safe. In the morning, Joe would make a travois out of the fallen rails from the fence and take his brother home. There would be no sleep for the young man who had just celebrated his eighteenth birthday. Tonight he\u2019d sit with his beloved brother and keep Adam\u2019s brow wiped and cooled. Age was on his side. He\u2019d spent many nights staying up the entire time; he could do it he told himself. Hours later and from sheer exhaustion, the lad had fallen asleep next to his brother. It would be sunrise before he woke and began the long trek home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said he was dead?\u201d growled Dave Jordan.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was!\u201d stormed Bert. \u201cI made sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh for God\u2019s sake Bert, dead men don\u2019t just get up and walk away, or ride off in this matter,\u201d snorted Smithy. His statement caused Gus to laugh. Jordan shot both men a look that meant shut up, which both men did immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe someone found him and took his body home to his pappy?\u201d Bert suggested. \u201cLook, there are two sets of prints. So someone must have been here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Stupid and there is also two sets of boot prints,\u201d barked Jordan. He looked up at Gus and Smithy, \u201csay, maybe dead men do walk\u2026and they can ride horses too.\u201d Dave turned around to face Bert and backslapped the man across the face. \u201cIdiot!\u201d he screamed.<\/p>\n

The four men had left the stolen cattle in their hidden corral and were heading back to Adam\u2019s corral to round up more steers and had decided to check on the body of the Cartwright that Bert had shot. Bert had led them to the exact spot and had been taken by total surprise to find that there was no body. Dave Jordan who was the ringleader was furious with his partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we gonna do now boss?\u201d Gus asked. \u201cIf\u2019n that boy ain\u2019t dead, someone\u2019s for sure gonna come lookin\u2019 for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave scratched his head. His eyes were dark with both anger and worry. \u201cDon\u2019t you think I know that?\u201d he stormed. He was silent for several moments before he spoke again. When he did, he looked up at Smithy. \u201cSmithy, I want you to follow those tracks. Find out who has Cartwright\u2019s body, be it dead or alive. When you find them, kill them. And dangnabit, make sure they\u2019re dead this time. Reckon you can do that?\u201d Dave snapped.<\/p>\n

Smithy glanced at Bert. He had a smirk on his face. \u201cI reckon I can; should have sent me the first time,\u201d he sneered.<\/p>\n

Dave mounted his horse and turned again to Smithy. \u201cDon\u2019t come back till ya know for a fact that whoever took Cartwright\u2019s body is dead\u2026and make sure Cartwright is actually dead. Now scat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe worked most of the morning building the travois so that he could get Adam home and under a doctor\u2019s care. Earlier, he had cleaned the wound in his brother\u2019s back, and saw that the bullet wasn\u2019t as deep as he had first feared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe gulped. \u201cThat bullet needs to come out,\u201d he told Adam. Though Adam was in pain, he fought against showing it, for fear of scaring his younger brother. \u201cJust get me home\u2026Joe\u2026Doc Martin\u2026will do it. But\u2026hurry\u2026please\u2026\u201d he said in broken words.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will Adam, I will\u2026I promise,\u201d Joe said in a trembling voice.<\/p>\n

Joe fixed a quick breakfast and had managed to get Adam to eat a few bites and drink a bit of coffee. Adam\u2019s fever had not seemed to have spiked, which encouraged Little Joe and eased part of the worry he carried in his heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe travois is finished Adam,\u201d Little Joe told his brother as he squatted down beside Adam. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lip twisted upward slightly. \u201cLiar,\u201d he teased. \u201cReally Adam, how do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes sought the boy\u2019s face. Little Joe was frightened and worried. He tried to smile.
\n\u201cJust get\u2026me\u2026home kid\u2026and\u2026I\u2019ll be\u2026fine. I\u2026promise,\u201d Adam told his brother. Adam reached out and touched Little Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cYou\u2019ll\u2026do\u2026fine.\u201d His eyes closed as his hand fell away. Little Joe swallowed the lump that had grown in his throat.<\/p>\n

After moving Adam\u2019s horse closer to where Adam lay, Little Joe worked several minutes getting his brother settled onto the travois and tied down. Using Adam\u2019s bed roll, he covered the unconscious man, pulling the blanket over Adam\u2019s head to keep the sun from burning his face. Joe made sure the fire was doused, quickly packed up their gear and then mounted up. He glanced back at Adam\u2019s body. It was lifeless and the way it looked with his entire body covered made it appear as if Little Joe was taking home a dead body. Joe shuddered at the thought.<\/p>\n

The journey home was a long one. Joe had to stop several times to check on Adam. His brother\u2019s fever had risen and Adam moaned as if the pain in his shoulder was getting worse. \u201cWe\u2019ll be home in a couple of hours, Adam,\u201d he told his brother, though he knew it was a lie. It would be double that before they even reached the Ponderosa and another hour after that before they reach the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smithy had seen the boy and recognized the pinto as the one that the youngest Cartwright kid rode. He was a bit surprised that it had been the boy who had found his brother. He wasn\u2019t liking the idea of murdering a kid. But the boss had said to kill whoever it was that had found Adam Cartwright, so he had no other choice than to do what the boss ordered him to do. He had watched the man on the travois and saw no movement. The man\u2019s entire body, even his head was covered with a blanket from one of the brothers\u2019 bedroll. Adam Cartwright was dead after all. Jordan would be pleased to know that. All that was left for him to do now was to kill the kid.<\/p>\n

Smithy made his way around the trees that now served as his cover, until he was slightly ahead of the boy. The kid had no idea that he\u2019d been followed for the last hour or so and certainly hadn\u2019t a clue that he was about to join his older brother in the hereafter. Smithy urged his mount into a faster gait and when he was far enough ahead of the Cartwrights, he dismounted and pulled his long barrel rifle from the scabbard on his saddle. Killing the boy left a bad taste in his mouth. Bert might be able to back shoot a man, but not him\u2026at least not a kid who could not have been more than seventeen or eighteen years old. Nope, he\u2019d shoot him alright but not in the back. The chest or the gut was always a sure thing. Smithy took aim and cocked the trigger; he aimed, waiting until the boy was within two hundred yards of him. When his target was within the range of fire, Smithy pulled the trigger. \u201cSorry kid,\u201d he muttered. Seconds later, the shooter watched as the boy was knocked from his horse by the force of the bullet. Smithy shook his head in disgust with what he\u2019d been made to do. He stayed where he was for several moments to be sure that the boy did not get up. When Little Joe did not move, Smithy pushed his rifle back into his scabbard, drew his pistol and stepped out of his hiding place. He made five steps before Joe Cartwright raised his head and shouted at him to stop. Smithy was stunned. He had thought the boy dead. Suddenly he laughed and aimed his pistol at the boy who had managed to get to his knees. When Joe saw the stranger aim his gun towards him, Joe fired his own. Smithy was knocked backwards, screaming in pain. Somehow, Little Joe got to his feet and with faltering steps walked over to the man. It was obvious that the stranger was dead. Briefly Joe studied the man\u2019s face, deciding that he\u2019d never seen the man before. He wondered whether or not the stranger was one of the rustlers who had stolen their cattle and perhaps the man who had tried to kill Adam as well.<\/p>\n

Turning, Little Joe felt his head spin. Taking a breath was painful. His right side was on fire and when he pulled opened his jacket, his shirt was covered in blood. Suddenly he felt sick to his stomach. He\u2019d been shot! He glanced back at the travois. Adam was fighting with the blanket and ropes. Joe pulled his jacket closed so that his brother might not know he\u2019d been wounded. When he got closer, he could hear Adam\u2019s muted voice calling his name. \u201cJoe\u2026Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe squatted down and unwrapped his brother\u2019s face. He tried to hide the pain he knew must surely be showing in his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s alright Adam,\u201d he told the wounded man.<\/p>\n

\u201cShooting\u2026I\u2026heard\u2026shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing\u2026really. We need to be on\u2026our way,\u201d Joe said. He started to rise, but Adam took hold of Little Joe\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026heard someone\u2026shouting. Now don\u2019t\u2026lie\u2026what happened?\u201d Adam managed to ask.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to take a deep breath; it felt like his lung was burning. \u201cIt was some guy\u2026he tried to bushwhack me. I\u2026I\u2026killed him, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo\u2026ohm\u2026 whew,\u201d spewed Adam. \u201cWho\u2026was\u2026he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know, ain\u2019t seen him before. Look Adam\u2026he must have been the\u2026one who shot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes were closed, but he nodded his head. \u201cLeave him, Joe\u2026gotta get\u2026me home. I\u2019m not feeling\u2026to\u2026well.\u201d He said and then opened his eyes to look up at Little Joe. Joe was holding his side and trying to close his jacket. But Adam saw the blood. \u201cYou\u2019ve\u2026been shot,\u201d he told the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said too quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing Adam, honest. The bullet just grazed me. I\u2019m fine, really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe tucked the blanket back around Adam, leaving his brother\u2019s face uncovered so that Adam could get some air. Trying hard not to cry out in pain, Joe mounted his horse. He\u2019d have to hurry this time. Both he and Adam would need the doctor\u2019s services. Joe felt the bullet buried deeply in his side. \u201cLord, please help me, I need to\u2026get home,\u201d he muttered softly to himself. He was a bit more than two hours from home.<\/p>\n

It seemed to the weary boy that the further they rode, the harder it became to breath. Joe was nearly gasping for air and several times he\u2019d had to stop. He was forced to hold tightly to the saddle horn when it appeared that he might pass out. Each time he\u2019d muttered a soft prayer, inhaled as deeply as he could and then continue on. His body was hunched over the saddle horn and he swayed from side to side. It was by sheer strength of mind that the wounded boy held himself in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Two and a half hours later, Joe was on the road home. It would be only a matter of minutes now before he rode into the yard. Not wanting to worry his father, Joe forced himself to straighten his body and ride as if he had not suffered a gunshot wound and controlled his breathing to normal least his father notice.<\/p>\n

Ben must have sensed that his sons were home, because as soon as Joe had reached the hitching post, the front door was opened and both Ben and Hoss hurried to greet\u2026\u2026..Little Joe. Ben paused in front of Joe, but he had seen Adam\u2019s horse and the travois behind him. When he looked up at Little Joe\u2026the boy explained. \u201cAdam\u2026he\u2019s been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d Ben shouted as he ran to the travois. Quickly he knelt down and began to untie the rope that had kept Adam from sliding off the travois. \u201cAdam?\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s only response was to moan. \u201cHoss, help me get him into the house. Send Hop Sing into town to get the doctor,\u201d beseeched the worried father.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Ben finished untying the ropes and pulled off the blanket. \u201cI\u2019ll carry him,\u201d Hoss said as he slipped his arms under his wounded brother and carefully lifted him. Moments later, Hoss was rushing into the house. Ben followed. Little Joe had remained in the saddle unable to move for fear of passing out before his father could tend to Adam. Now he slid down, keeping a tight hold on the horn of his saddle. He leaned heavily against Cochise\u2019s side. Ben was almost to the door when he suddenly remembered his youngest son. \u201cCome into the house son, I want you to tell me how this happened,\u201d called Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe took as deep a breath as he could. His side had a searing pain burning through it. He nodded his head. \u201cI will\u2026in a minute,\u201d called, hoping that his voice did not betray his weakness.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright son\u2026I need to see about Adam,\u201d Ben called in return. He hurried into the house and closed the door. Ben rushed up the stairs and into Adam\u2019s room. Hoss had placed his brother on the bed and was working at pulling off Adam\u2019s boots. He looked up when his father came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been shot in the back, Pa\u2026right back shoulder. The bullet doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s too deep, though,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

Ben leaned down so that he could hear Adam who was mumbling, trying to tell him something.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s alright son. You\u2019re home now and Hop Sing has gone for the doctor,\u201d Ben said trying to soothe the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d murmured Adam. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat down on the side of the bed. \u201cAdam, Joe\u2019s fine, he brought you home. He\u2019s tending to the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, his eyes closed tight against the pain, shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026Pa\u2026hurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben brushed his fingers through Adam\u2019s damp hair. \u201cI know your hurting, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had moved to the opposite side of the bed. Adam\u2019s eyes opened wide; he raised his head off the pillow and grabbed his father\u2019s shirtsleeve. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d he said in a raspy voice. \u201cHurt\u2026shot\u2026he\u2019s been\u2026shot!\u201d he muttered as his head fell back onto the pillow, lost again in the darkened world of oblivion.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced over at Hoss who scrunched up his face. He rose from the bed, thinking that his oldest son was delirious due to his fever. He walked to the window and pulled aside the curtains. Below in the yard, Ben saw his youngest son stumbling across the yard. The boy\u2019s jacket hung opened and Ben could see the blood that covered his son\u2019s shirt. \u201cGood God!\u201d he yelled, as Joe collapsed to the ground.<\/p>\n

Ben spun around and ran from the room. Hoss hurried to the window, saw his brother lying in the dirt and rushed to follow his father. Ben had turned Little Joe over onto his back. The boy was unconscious and his breathing was labored. He looked up when Hoss knelt down on the other side of Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been shot in the side,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cLet\u2019s get him to bed; he\u2019s having trouble breathing, Hoss.\u201d Ben cast anxious eyes up at Hoss. \u201cHis lips are slightly blue,\u201d he explained as he scooped the boy up into his arms.<\/p>\n

Once Joe was lying on the bed, Ben hurried to strip off the boy\u2019s soiled clothing. Hoss had checked in on Adam who was still out and had returned to help his father. It didn\u2019t take a doctor to tell Ben that his youngest son was in worse shape than his oldest son. He judged Joe\u2019s condition to be grave, and he was scared that if the doctor did not get there soon, he might very well loose the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is that blasted doctor?\u201d he grumbled to Hoss as he dried Joe\u2019s upper body with a soft towel. \u201cThis boy has lost too much blood, and it looks as if that bullet might have gone into his lung!\u201d snarled Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw Pa, try not to worry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to worry! Dear God, two of my three sons are shot and fighting for their lives. Don\u2019t tell me NOT to worry!\u201d growled Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026oh\u2026please,\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned from Hoss to see Joe tossing his head from side to side. \u201cTake it easy, son,\u201d cooed Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re home now\u2026Pa\u2019s here,\u201d he said as he tenderly caressed the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAd\u2026Adam\u2026\u201d gasped Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s sleeping son. Please, don\u2019t try to talk. Save your breath\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss heard a buggy enter the yard and went to the window to look out. \u201cDoctor\u2019s here, Pa. I\u2019ll go show him in,\u201d he said as he rushed from the room.<\/p>\n

Hoss greeted the Doctor, Paul Martin, at the door. \u201cHowdy Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d the doctor greeted the big man. \u201cHop Sing said Adam had been shot? He\u2019s in his room I assume?\u201d he asked as he started for the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, Adam\u2019s got a bullet in the back of his shoulder, but it ain\u2019t too deep. Little Joe\u2019s the one Pa\u2019s most worried about right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul stopped on the landing and looked back at Hoss. \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, he\u2019s been shot too\u2026in the side and he\u2019s havin\u2019 trouble breathin\u2019. Pa\u2019s afraid the bullet might have hit the lung,\u201d Hoss explained. \u201cHe\u2019s in his room\u2026guess you know the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor smiled at Hoss. \u201cYes, I think I can find it,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cLet\u2019s go have a look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up when the physician entered the room. \u201cIt\u2019s about time you got here! What took you so long?\u201d grumbled the anxious father.<\/p>\n

Paul paid little attention to the worried father\u2019s attitude. \u201cHello to you too, old friend,\u201d he said as he moved to the bedside.<\/p>\n

Ben lowered his head in shame. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Paul. It\u2019s just that I\u2019m so worried about both of my boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul looked up at his friend then and offered a smile. \u201cI understand Papa. Now tell me, when did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood behind the doctor and watched as Paul examined his patient. \u201cWe aren\u2019t sure\u2026today most likely. The blood was fresh\u2026but Adam, probably yesterday, maybe the day before. If Adam is awake, he might be able to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a nasty wound, Ben.\u201d Joe stirred slightly and tried to open his eyes. When he saw the doctor\u2019s face he tried to rise up. \u201cWhoa there Joe\u2026don\u2019t move around so much,\u201d he instructed as he forced Joe back down. \u201cYou have a bad injury son. I\u2019m going to have to probe for that bullet,\u201d he explained. He saw the sudden fear that sparked in Joe\u2019s dazed eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Little Joe; I promise you, you won\u2019t feel a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts\u2026now\u2026hard\u2026to\u2026breath,\u201d gasped Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust lie still.\u201d Paul stood up and turned to Ben. \u201cThe sooner I get that bullet out of there the better he\u2019ll be able to breathe. The bullet might have splintered a rib and that\u2019s what might have nicked his lung. I won\u2019t know until I get in there. Right now, I\u2019m going to give him something to help him sleep. While I\u2019m waiting for that to take effect, I\u2019ll have a look at Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul hurried to prepare the medication and once he\u2019d given it to his young patient, he went to Adam\u2019s room to see how badly the oldest Cartwright son was hurt. Adam was awake and feeling every bit of the pain that coursed through his body. He raised his hand in greeting to the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the world have you and your brother been up to this time?\u201d smiled Paul as he leaned over Adam\u2019s bed and began examining the wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cRustlers\u2026they stole my herd and when I went after them, they bushwhacked me. Then one of them bushwhacker Little Joe\u2026how is the boy?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot nearly as well as you are. This bullet has to come out son,\u201d Paul said as he replaced the make-shift bandage that Ben had applied. \u201cLuckily, it\u2019s not deep, shouldn\u2019t take me long. Wanna give it a try?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026please, take care of my brother first,\u201d pleaded Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll in due time Adam. I\u2019ve given Little Joe some medicine to make him sleep and once I\u2019m sure he\u2019s out, I plan on removing that bullet. Until then, I think we have time to remove the one you are carrying.\u201d Paul turned to Hop Sing who had been sitting with Adam since coming home from fetching the doctor. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, would you get my bag?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing bowed to the physician, \u201cHop Sing fetch\u2026be right back,\u201d he said as he padded softly out of the room. Minutes later he returned and handed Paul his black bag. Paul took a moment to remove his instruments that were wrapped in a clean sterile cloth. He pulled a vile from the bag as well and handed a tiny pill to his patient. \u201cSwallow this,\u201d he instructed as he poured a glass of water and handed it to Adam as well.<\/p>\n

Adam popped the pill into his mouth, chugged the water down and handed the glass to Hop Sing who stood next to the bed. \u201cHow long before\u2026this takes affect?\u201d he asked Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn about ten minutes. It won\u2019t put you all the way under, but I promise you won\u2019t feel too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised his brows. \u201cHow much is too much?\u201d he asked with sarcasm. The doctor chuckled lightly. Adam\u2019s eyes had already begun to droop. Seconds later, he was sleeping.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Paul made the incision in Adam\u2019s back and began to probe for the bullet. It took a couple of tries before he found the pellet and in less than twenty minutes it could be heard pinging in the bottom of the China basin. Another ten minutes and the wound was cleaned and stitched. \u201cHop Sing, would you please take these instruments to the kitchen and boil them. About ten minutes should do. I\u2019ll need them to use on Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing gathered the soiled surgical instruments and hurried to do the doctor\u2019s bidding. Once Paul had Adam bandaged, he covered the young man with the blanket, washed his hands clean and went into Little Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d asked Ben, rising from the chair where he\u2019d been sitting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI removed the bullet and cleaned the wound. He\u2019s sleeping right now. He should be fine in a couple of days. His fever might spike some, but I wouldn\u2019t worry, just keep him bathed in cool water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul leaned over Joe to check to see if the boy was sleeping. As he called Joe\u2019s name and got no response to his gentle probing, he looked to Ben. \u201cGuess I\u2019d better get started. Why don\u2019t you go sit with Adam for a while? I\u2019ll have Hop Sing help me and then when I\u2019m finished, I\u2019ll come speak with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head. Tenderly, with the back of his hand, he caressed Little Joe\u2019s cheek. When he looked up at the doctor, tears glistened in his eyes. \u201cTake care of him Paul,\u201d he pleaded as he walked to the door. He paused and looked back one more time before closing the door.<\/p>\n

Paul set the newly sterilized instruments on a clean cloth on the table nearest the bed. Gently he turned Joe on his side and removed the boy\u2019s nightshirt and the bandage beneath it. Ben had cleaned the wound and Paul was satisfied with the way it looked. It was somewhat red but there was no infection present. Considering how many hours had passed since both boys had been shot, Paul was encouraged with how both injuries appeared.<\/p>\n

The surgeon had his helper move the lamp as close to the bed as possible and when that wasn\u2019t enough, he had Hop Sing light a second lamp and hold it over his patient.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady?\u201d he asked Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing plenty ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul made the first cut and stopped long enough to wipe away the new blood and then made another thin slice through the young man\u2019s skin. Once that was accomplished the doctor picked up his probe and began feeling for the pellet. After several fruitless attempts, he glanced at Hop Sing with a worried frown. \u201cI can\u2019t find it,\u201d he said softly and then tried again.<\/p>\n

Minutes on the clock ticked by and still Paul could not find the pellet that threatened the young man\u2019s life. Finally he set the probe on the table and with a glance at Joe to make sure he was still soundly sleeping he turned to Hop Sing. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to use my fingers. Will you please get some hot water and if you have any lye soap, I\u2019ll use that to wash my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing get. Hurry right back.\u201d With that the Chinaman was out the door and scurrying down the stairs. Ben opened Adam\u2019s door and stopped his servant. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor need soap and water. Must hurry, no find bullet, will use fingers to find\u2026must be clean, very clean. Hop Sing go now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood there for only a minute and then closed the door to Adam\u2019s room. He walked down the hall and quietly opened the door to Joe\u2019s room and stepped inside. Paul looked up.
\n\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be in here Ben. I told you I\u2019d come talk to you when I\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk now,\u201d Ben ordered as he moved to the bedside. The open incision caused him to frown. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Paul\u2026and don\u2019t say \u2018nothing\u2019\u2026I know there is and I want to know right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned to face his long-time friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t find the bullet. I\u2019ve probed and even went deeper and I simply cannot find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you going to do now? Is my son going to be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul noted the frightened look on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cRight now I am going to try using my fingers to probe. I\u2019ll be more likely to feel it that way than with the instrument.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed hard. \u201cCould it have gone into the lung?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow can you be so sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m the doctor, Ben. If it had gone into the lung, Joe would have been dead hours ago. As it is right this minute, his breathing is a bit labored, but he\u2019s breathing. I have an idea that the pellet is wedged between his rib bones. I won\u2019t know until I can feel for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened and Hop Sing entered with the basin of hot water, a bar of his best lye soap and several clean cloths.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo Ben, let me finish and I\u2019ll be with you as soon as I can,\u201d Paul gently ordered his friend.<\/p>\n

Ben stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him. He bowed his head and whispered a silent prayer that God would guide the physician\u2019s hands to the bullet and that His will and not the worried father\u2019s will be done.<\/p>\n

Inside the sick room, Paul scrubbed his hands and dried them on the clean cloth that Hop Sing handed him. When he was finished he crossed the room to the bedside. Joe stirred slightly. Paul whispered his own prayer and carefully slipped his long slender fingers into the opened wound. He could feel the bones that made up the ribs and with painstaking care he explored between them. One rib bone had been splintered and a piece of bone had made a tiny hole in the boy\u2019s lung. His hopes rose that he might find what he was searching for there, between the two ribs. Paul closed his eyes, concentrating on what he was doing as he pushed deeper between the bones. Little Joe groaned and moved slightly. Paul knew that he was hurting the boy, though he knew as well that in order to find the pellet, there would be some pain involve.<\/p>\n

Suddenly his hand froze. He glanced quickly in Hop Sing\u2019s direction and smiled. \u201cI\u2019ve found it,\u201d he said happily. Using his forefinger and thumb, Paul slowly backed his hand out of the incision and brought the offensive pellet into the open. \u201cGot it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing grinned from ear to ear, happy to have the worst of the surgery over.<\/p>\n

Paul dropped the pellet into the basin of water that Hop Sing held out to him. \u201cNow to mend the tiny hole in the lining of his lung and then clean and stitch the wound,\u201d he said. He immediately washed the blood from his hands and make quick work of the task. Minutes later he had finished. Joe moaned again and tried to turn over but Paul had piled pillows behind the boy to prevent him from turning. He leaned down and brushed a wayward lock of hair from Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust lie still Joseph, you can turn over later, but you need to let that side heal a bit first,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d The plea was weak and the tired physician almost had not heard. \u201cHe\u2019s coming, Joe.\u201d Paul turned to Hop Sing and motioned for him to get the boy\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing slipped quietly out of the room and entered Adam\u2019s room. Adam was awake and talking to his father and brother. All stopped and turned to look in Hop Sing\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Car\u2019lite, doctor say come. Lil\u2019tle Joe waking up,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

Ben jumped to his feet as did Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll be back shortly son,\u201d he told Adam as he started to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake your time, Pa. I\u2019ll be fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss entered Joe\u2019s room quietly. Paul smiled at his friend. \u201cHe\u2019s asking for you Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTired, hurting, scared\u2026but he should be fine in a few days and with lots of bed rest. I don\u2019t want him up until I say so. The bullet was wedged between two rib bones, just as I suspected. One rib was splintered and a piece of it pierced his lung. That\u2019s been taken care of and was why he had such a hard time breathing. And that\u2019s why he has to lie still for the next few hours. I\u2019ve given him something for the pain and something to help him rest. So talk to him for a minute before he falls asleep again. I\u2019ll go check on Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul slipped silently out of the room as Ben and Hoss moved to the side of the bed. Ben pulled up a chair and reached for his son\u2019s hand. \u201cJoe,\u201d he cooed softly. \u201cCan you wake up for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyelids fluttered in an attempt to open his eyes. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here son. The doctor says you\u2019ll be as good as new in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe\u2019s fine, son. You saved his life,\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBush\u2026whacked. Both\u2026of us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but we\u2019ll worry about that when you feel better. You need to rest now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026man\u2026dead.\u201d Ben quickly glanced at Hoss and then back at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho son\u2026who is dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes closed momentarily and then opened again. \u201cHe\u2026shot me. Thought\u2026I was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath. \u201cHe came\u2026at me\u2026I had\u2026to kill\u2026him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoad\u2026 just this\u2026side of mesa at\u2026the tree line.\u201d Joe groaned and closed his eyes. The medication working its magic on the wounded boy had done it\u2019s job.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure he\u2019s\u2026\u201d Ben stopped talking. He turned to Hoss. \u201cHe\u2019s fallen to sleep.\u201d He stood up. \u201cIn the morning, ride out there and see if you can find a body. There might not be much left if the wolves found him. But we need to let Roy Coffee know what\u2019s been going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go right after breakfast,\u201d Hoss agreed. \u201cIf\u2019n I find the varmint, I\u2019ll take whatever\u2019s left of him into town and have a talk with Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced down at his sleeping brother. \u201cI know ya\u2019ll want to sit up with Little Joe, so I\u2019ll go keep Adam company until he falls asleep and then I\u2019ll turn in. Call me Pa\u2026if anything changes or you need somethin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son,\u201d Ben smiled. When Hoss left, Ben pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. He was tired. All the worry and stress had taken its toll on the anxious father. Ben closed his eyes, only meaning to give them a short rest but within minutes the exhausted father was fast asleep and snoring.<\/p>\n

The soft but continued moaning and groaning woke Ben from his dreams. When he straightened up and opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his youngest son trying to get out of bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, son,\u201d Ben cooed as he gently forced the boy to lie back down. \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d he smiled. Joe\u2019s brow was warm and Ben suspected that the fever Paul Martin had spoken of had spiked somewhat. Quickly he wet a cloth in the cool water beside the bed and placed it across Joe\u2019s forehead. Joe\u2019s eyes fluttered open.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here son. How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts\u2026Adam\u2026is he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s fine, son. Hoss is with him and they\u2019re both sleeping,\u201d smiled Ben. \u201cJoseph, I need to ask you, do you know the man who shot you and Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed. His eyes closed momentarily and then re-opened. He shook his head. \u201cNo. I\u2019m not even sure they were one and the same. When I went to join Adam, he wasn\u2019t there.\u201d Little Joe paused, took a deep breath and looked up at his father. Joe\u2019s eyes had tears in them. \u201cI\u2026killed a man, Pa,\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026but you had to, he was trying to kill you\u2026and he almost succeeded,\u201d Ben said in a reassuring way, hoping to comfort his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t make it any easier,\u201d muttered Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben pushed back the notorious stray curl from his son\u2019s forehead. \u201cI understand how you feel son. I will never forget the first man I was forced to kill. I hope you never have to kill another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope I don\u2019t ever have to either, Pa,\u201d Joe said in a tired voice. Ben sat and watched the weariness that seemed to drain his son\u2019s strength. \u201cYou rest now Joseph. I need to have a word with your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben doubted that his son had even heard him for Little Joe had fallen to sleep. Ben rose and covered Joe with the warm blankets. He leaned down and placed a quick kiss to the boy\u2019s brow. \u201cI love you Little Joe,\u201d he muttered even knowing that the sleeping boy had not heard him. Ben had reached the door when he stopped at the sound of his son calling out to him. He turned to see Joe smile at him. \u201cI\u2026love you too, Pa,\u201d he said as his eyes closed again and the smile faded from his face.<\/p>\n

Ben stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him. He smiled softly to himself and wiped the dampness from his eyes. He was so very thankful that both of his sons would live. It had filled his heart with fear when he\u2019d found not just one, but two of his sons with gunshot wounds. His life and Hoss\u2019 life came very close to having changed forever. \u201cThank you Lord,\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

He knocked gently on Adam\u2019s door. \u201cCome in,\u201d came the voice from within. Ben entered and was pleased to see Adam sitting up in the bed. He pulled a chair alongside the bed. \u201cHow are you feeling son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSore, but other than that, I\u2019m fine. Hungry,\u201d he laughed. \u201cHop Sing won\u2019t give me anything except his mystery broth,\u201d he laughed lightly. \u201cHoss over there just had to brag about the beef steak he got,\u201d grumbled Adam good-naturally.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw Adam, I\u2019m just a growing boy,\u201d Hoss teased in return. \u201cSides, ain\u2019t nothing wrong with me,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s nothing wrong with my stomach, just my shoulder and I still get broth!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s laughter was light, he felt better. \u201cAdam, as soon as Doc Martin says you can have one, I\u2019ll make sure you get the biggest, most tender beefsteak in the house,\u201d Ben promised.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at his father. \u201cThanks Pa. Say how\u2019s that baby brother of mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorried about you, when he\u2019s awake. But he\u2019s better. Temperature is down, finally. But I caught him trying to get out of bed a while ago. He was looking for you,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I\u2019d better go see him, just to let him know I\u2019m okay,\u201d Adam said as he slowly began to push back the blankets.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t,\u201d scolded Ben as he pulled the blankets back up. \u201cYou are not getting out of that bed until the doc says you can. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at Hoss and saw the tiny smile on his brother\u2019s round face. \u201cYes, sir!\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, we need to talk son. Do you feel up to it?\u201d Ben asked as he scooted the chair even closer to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to talk about?\u201d Adam said, glancing at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to leave, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked as he started to rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no\u2026Hoss. Stay where you are, you might need to hear what Adam says,\u201d Ben reassured his middle son. He turned to Adam. \u201cI\u2019d like for you to tell me exactly what happened out there. How you and Little Joe got bushwhacked,\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot too much to tell, Pa. I got up to the canyon corral and mended the fence the first day. I set up camp, cooked me some vitals and went to bed. The second day, I rounded up a few strays, herded them into the corral and then went back out to look for more. When I got back to camp with the second group the first group was gone. The team was missing as well. When I checked the fencing, I\u2019d seen where it had been tampered with and also found hoof prints, so I knew someone had stolen the herd. I went to look for them, following their tracks of course. I wasn\u2019t going to try taking them on alone. I just wanted to find them and was planning on waiting for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I gather that you did find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. There were four men. They had the cattle holed up in their own little boxed canyon. They must have seen me at some point, because I was on my way back to camp when I was shot. I have no idea which of the four shot me, but I figured they were aiming for my back,\u201d Adam took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Being shot from behind was something that he was taught was never the way to fight a man, and it galled him that he had been the victim of a coward\u2019s dirty play. He swallowed and continued. \u201cI must have laid there for some time. I don\u2019t know, but the next thing I remember was Little Joe taking care of me back at camp.\u201d He looked up and gave his father a small smile. \u201cI haven\u2019t figured out yet how the little runt managed to get me on my horse and all the way back to camp. But I can tell you this, if Little Joe hadn\u2019t been there when he was, I surely would have died. Joe saved my life, Pa, pure and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head in agreement. \u201cI\u2019m thankful he was there too. Is there anything about the men that might stand out in your mind\u2026anything, a scar, a limp, facial hair?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pinched his lips together and shook his head. \u201cNot really. They were ragged looking, two had short beards. They were about my age, maybe Hoss\u2019 age. One was a tad older than the other three. Medium built, one was husky. Wait, I did notice that there was a horse the husky man was tending to. A black with a big star and a lightening streak on his face, and he wore three white socks, two on the front and one on the right rear,\u201d Adam said with a look of satisfaction on his handsome face.<\/p>\n

\u201cA horse like that shouldn\u2019t been too hard to spot,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut that still doesn\u2019t tell us who shot Adam and then shot Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three men were silent for several minutes before Hoss spoke up. \u201cYou can ask Little Joe. He shot the man; maybe he saw the man\u2019s horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled. \u201cI suppose I should. Naturally he would have at least seen the man. With any luck he saw the man\u2019s horse as well.\u201d Ben stood up. \u201cWhen he wakes up enough to talk sensible, I\u2019ll talk to him. Right now he\u2019s hurting and the medicine Paul left for him, keeps him sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked to the door. \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t we let your brother rest while we tend to the chores? Roy will want to talk to you and Little Joe later,\u201d he told Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see ya later older brother,\u201d Hoss said as he followed his father. \u201cSleep well,\u201d he snickered, knowing full well that Adam would not sleep, but most likely would be reading instead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWonder how the kid got the drop on ole Smithy?\u201d growled Gus as he and his cohorts stood over the lifeless body of their pal.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow the hell would I know?\u201d growled Dave Jordan. \u201cThe fool was facing the kid, otherwise how\u2019d he get that hole in his chest? I told him to shoot the brat in the back, but no\u2026my uncle had to do things his way\u2026and look where it got\u2019em!\u201d Dave was furious, and deep down he hurt for the loss of his uncle. Smithy had been like a father to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet something to dig with, we can\u2019t leave him here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean we\u2019re gonna bury him?\u201d grumbled Bert.<\/p>\n

Dave Jordan scowled wickedly at Bert. \u201cThat\u2019s right, now get going before I bury you right next to him!\u201d<\/p>\n

It took the three men more than two hours to dig the grave and then place Smithy into the hole and cover him up. They gathered rocks to place over the dirt in order to keep the wild animals from digging the man up.<\/p>\n

When they were finished, Dave collected his uncle\u2019s horse and then ordered them to mount up. \u201cWhat ya gonna do now, Dave?\u201d Gus asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going after the kid, and when I get finished with him, he\u2019s gonna be beggin\u2019 me to kill him,\u201d Jordan said in a voice that rang with venom. \u201cI plan on makin\u2019 him pay\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Dave, you had me kill the kid\u2019s brother. Don\u2019t the good book say an eye for an eye?\u201d Bert stated.<\/p>\n

Jordan glared at Bert with hatred burning in his dark eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t ya dare quote the good book to me. I know what it says, now just shut up and get movin\u2019; it\u2019s gonna take us near all day to get to that big ranch his daddy owns.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ponderosa,\u201d muttered Gus to himself. \u201cBen Cartwright might not take kindly to you killin\u2019 his son and stealin\u2019 his cattle,\u201d he said aloud to Dave.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t matter; I can kill him just as easily. In fact, I wouldn\u2019t mind owning me a big ranch like the Ponderosa.\u201d He sprouted an evil gleam in his eyes. \u201cMight just have to kill them Cartwrights and keep that place for my own,\u201d he leered. \u201cYep, think I just might become a land owner\u2026then I ain\u2019t got to steal cattle, I\u2019ll have all I need.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy Ben,\u201d the sheriff said when Ben opened the door to see who had come calling.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Roy, come in,\u201d greeted Ben as he swung the door wide to permit the sheriff to enter.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard ya been having some trouble and needed to see me,\u201d Roy offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam and Joe both were shot, bushwhacked really,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cHave a seat, Roy. Hop Sing, will you pour some coffee please?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded his head and hurried to the kitchen to get the coffee for his boss and the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell me what\u2019s been going on?\u201d Roy suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the other\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can explain it best.\u201d All heads turned to see Adam making his way slowly down the stairs. Ben stood up and waited for his son to reach the bottom step. \u201cAre you sure you feel well enough to be out of bed, you know what the doctor said?\u201d Ben scolded gently.<\/p>\n

Adam gave his father an encouraging smile. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Pa, please just help me to the chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took Adam\u2019s good arm and helped the wounded boy to the chair where he sat down and began explaining all that happened to himself and his youngest brother over the last few days. When he finished with his explanations, he leaned his head against the back of the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you have no idea who the man was that shot ya or Little Joe?\u201d Roy asked. He\u2019d been sipping his coffee while listening to Adam gave him information into the two shootings.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone. As I said, there were four men, but I don\u2019t know which one shot me, nor if the man who tried to kill Little Joe was one and the same.\u201d Adam took a deep breath. I only know that after I left the rustlers hide-out, I was bushwhacked and then Joe was shot while bringing me home. The only clue I have is the black horse with the star and lightening mark on his forehead. That is the man who shot Joe. He told Pa that the man who stopped him was riding that same horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy nodded his head. \u201cSo that\u2019s the fella Little Joe says shot him but you can\u2019t say for sure that he\u2019s the same man what shot you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Roy. I\u2019m sorry; I wish I knew because if they think I\u2019m dead and that Joe killed their man, they might come looking for revenge. And Little Joe certainly is not up to another shoot out.\u201d Adam glanced at his father to check Ben\u2019s reaction to his statement. \u201cNeither am I for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben paced back and forth in front of the fireplace and then stopped to face the sheriff and Adam. His expression was filled with anxiety. His dark chocolate eyes appeared to have grown wide and dark, blackened by his angst.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2019s right Roy. Surely when their man didn\u2019t come back to their camp, they went looking for him. And Joe had to leave the body, he wasn\u2019t in any shape to bury the man, and he thought Adam was seriously hurt and had to get him home. The whole bunch of them sounds ruthless, going around back shooting a man! They might just decide to do as Adam suggested and come gunning for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and straightened his back. \u201cWhat does worry me, Roy,\u201d he said glancing over at Adam. \u201cIs that Hoss rode out this morning looking for the body Joe had to leave\u2026and he all he found was a dry puddle of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe some varmints got\u2019em?\u201d suggested Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I asked Hoss about that and he said there weren\u2019t any signs to show that animals had gotten to the body. What he did see was fresh tracks both hoof and boot prints.\u201d Ben sat down on the hearth. \u201cSomeone found the body and took it with them. He searched a bit more and found a fresh grave. So someone found him and took the time to bury him.\u201d He stood up and started to pace again.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, please sit down. You\u2019re making me nervous,\u201d Adam said with a hint of a grin on his handsome face.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes were dark and Adam could easily see that his father was worried. \u201cSorry,\u201d he said as he sat down in the red leather chair.<\/p>\n

Roy stood as he set his empty coffee cup down on the square table. He placed his hat on this head and turned to Ben. \u201cI think I\u2019ll head back to town Ben. I\u2019ll keep an eye out for that black horse Adam. Meanwhile I\u2019ll be nosing around looking for those rustlers. I\u2019ll be in touch, and Ben, Adam you keep your eyes opened just in case those thieves show up. Send me word if\u2019n ya need me,\u201d he said as he walked to the door. \u201cTell Little Joe howdy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that Roy. And thanks for coming out,\u201d Ben said as he walked outside with the sheriff. He stood outside watching until Roy had left and then, with worry burrowing his brow, Ben glanced around the yard. It was almost too quiet and a feeling of foreboding swept through him. Sighing, he returned to the house. Adam had gone upstairs, presumably back to his bed. He best go check on the young man and then look in on Little Joe.<\/p>\n

It was as Ben thought; Adam had gone back to bed. Hoss was doing the evening chores. Hop Sing was preparing supper. \u201cHow are you feeling son?\u201d Ben asked his oldest.<\/p>\n

\u201cTired. My shoulder hurts some but I\u2019ll be alright. Say, Pa\u2026what are you so worried about, is it those men?\u201d Adam asked as he settled himself into bed.<\/p>\n

Ben held the blankets up until Adam got settled and then covered him up. He sat down on the side of the bed. \u201cI am worried son. I have this feeling in my gut like something is about to happen and I wonder how I\u2019m going to protect my family\u2026and our home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help you Pa,\u201d Adam said as he laid his hand over his father\u2019s arm. \u201cYou know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at his son, \u201cI never doubted for a moment that you wouldn\u2019t. But you are not in any shape to take on a man in a fist fight. Though to be honest, I suspect that a hand to hand battle is not what those men would be planning. A surprise attack is what I\u2019m thinking is more their style. And my biggest fear is that Little Joe is the prime target.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you posted some of the men around, just to keep an eye out?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, but after I check on Joe, I\u2019ll go talk to them. It certainly won\u2019t hurt to have some lookouts.\u201d He rose to go. \u201cYou rest son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will Pa\u2026and try not to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe worry?\u201d he teased. Laughing softly, Ben closed the door and made his way down the hall to Joe\u2019s room. He knocked lightly and without waiting for a response, entered the room. The room was dark, not totally but as night was falling the light in the room had begun to fade. Ben crossed the room. \u201cJoe, are you sleeping son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d came the soft answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cFeeling poorly are you?\u201d Ben asked as he leaned down and felt Joe\u2019s brow for fever. \u201cYou don\u2019t seem to have much of a fever.\u201d Ben smiled at his son and lifted the lid from the tray that Hop Sing had brought for him. \u201cYou didn\u2019t eat much,\u201d he said as he cast anxious eyes in his son\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t hungry,\u201d Joe stated. \u201cPa, did Hoss find that back shooter?\u201d Ben looked at his son with a somewhat surprised look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an odd thing for you to say,\u201d he said to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s what he was.\u201d The tone of Joe\u2019s voice spoke volumes of what the lad must be feeling. Ben pulled the chair closer. \u201cJoseph, to answer your question, no Hoss did not find a body. What he did find was tracks and prints. Someone else found the body and\u2026and buried it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe scrunched up his face. He looked worried and maybe a bit frightened thought his father. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry about it Joe,\u201d Ben said, though he knew he was worried himself and thought that Joe would be able to see right through him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you trying to fool?\u201d Joe asked his father. \u201cThose rustlers knew that those steers were Ponderosa steers. They aren\u2019t so stupid to think that it wasn\u2019t someone from the Ponderosa who found Adam or who killed one of their men. They\u2019ll come looking for us\u2026me and Adam anyway, unless they think Adam\u2019s dead\u2026then they\u2019ll come gunning for me,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I won\u2019t lie to you boy. But that\u2019s exactly what Adam and I think too. I\u2019m going to have some men posted around the house and barn and at the forks. We\u2019ll know if any strangers come nosing around,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cThey won\u2019t get passed the men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned his worried eyes to look at his father. \u201cPa, they\u2019re killers, back shooters\u2026they won\u2019t stop until I\u2019m dead\u2026maybe even all of us,\u201d he said in a shaky voice. \u201cI hated to have to kill a man, but\u2026they shot my brother in the back, they wanted Adam dead\u2026and when they find out that he\u2019s not, he\u2019ll be a target same as me.\u201d Tears filled his eyes but Joe blinked several times to keep them from falling. \u201cI\u2026brought a passel of trouble to our home\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa, I never meant\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben leaned over close to Little Joe. \u201cHush, Joseph. You did no such thing. If there is going to be trouble, it certainly won\u2019t be our doing, it will be theirs. And what is one\u2019s trouble is all of ours. We\u2019re still a family son\u2026remember, one for four, four for one\u2026don\u2019t ever forget that.\u201d Ben patted Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cYou try to rest son. I\u2019m going to go talk to Hoss and see if we can\u2019t get some guards posted.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Ben left, Joe carefully got out of bed, holding tightly to the furniture as he fumbled his way to the dresser. He pulled out the top drawer and carefully removed the pistol he kept hidden there. After checking to see that it was fully loaded, he slowly made his way back to bed, where he hid the pistol under one of the pillows. Unknown to the youngest Cartwright son, Adam had done the same thing; just in case trouble came knocking at their door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dave, Bert and Gus hid in the dark shadows of the barn. They had waited until the sheriff had left and now lay in wait for one of the Cartwrights to enter the barn to do the nightly chores. The minute Hoss had entered the dark barn he had been attacked by all three and beaten to the ground. With all his mighty strength, he fought like a raging bear and when it seemed as if he would get the best of them, he was stopped suddenly and painfully by Gus who had grabbed the pitchfork and buried it into the big man\u2019s stomach. Hoss bellowed in pain as Gus yanked the pitchfork from his victim\u2019s gut and then snickered as the giant of a man sank to ground, blood oozing from his mid-section. \u201cHe\u2019s dead!\u201d squealed Gus as he kicked the mound of a man with the toe of his boot.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrag him into that stall out of sight. Ole man Cartwright\u2019s on his way\u2026hurry it up!\u201d barked Dave in a low, gravelly voice. Gus and Bert grabbed Hoss by his arms and drug the assumed dead man into the shadows.<\/p>\n

Ben slowed his steps the closer he got to the barn. The lamp that usually burned this time of night was not. Perhaps Hoss was not in the barn, Ben said to himself as he considered the possibility. Letting the thought slip away, Ben entered the barn, pausing at the door. \u201cHoss?\u201d he called, turning to light the lamp that hung next to the door. Raising the globe he put the match to the wick and carefully lowered the glass. As he turned, he stopped dead in his tracks. Facing him stood the three cattle thieves, each with their hands spread wide, ready to draw. Naturally reflex took control of Ben\u2019s hands as he went for own gun\u2026forgotten and left on the credenza. Dave was the first to pull his gun and the first to fire at Ben. His mark was accurate; his bullet struck Ben in his mid-section, dropping the elder Cartwright to his knees. Bert, who fired his pistol the instant that Dave\u2019s gun had gone off, hit Ben in the shoulder. Gus held his unfired gun in his hand as all three crossed over into the light of the lamp to stare at the fallen man. Dave kicked at the body. There was no response. Dave Jordan turned to the other two and smiled broadly. \u201cThree down and one to go! Now let\u2019s get the kid!\u201d he said stepping over Ben\u2019s body and heading for the house.<\/p>\n

Adam was mid-way in the hall when Little Joe\u2019s bedroom door opened. He carried the pistol he had hidden beneath his pillow. Adam turned to the boy. \u201cGo back to bed Joe, you\u2019re in no shape to be up. I\u2019ll handle this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, my pa and brother are out there\u2026\u201d the boy growled. \u201cI\u2019m going with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m going to find Pa and Hoss. Stand there if you wanna but get out of my way,\u201d Joe barked as he moved passed his brother. Adam grabbed Joe\u2019s arm, halting the boy. \u201cAlright, but you\u2019ll do as I say. Now be careful\u2026please,\u201d he said, softening his tone.<\/p>\n

Together the brothers eased their way down the stairs. They had just reached the main level when the front door burst opened. The house was dark. Just the fire from the fireplace cast a warm glow in the room. Adam grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and pulled him down behind the blue chair that sat near the bottom of the staircase. He put his finger to his lips signaling for the boy to remain quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYOU MIGHT AS WELL SHOW YA SELF KID\u2026YOU KILLED MY UNCLE\u2026I JUST KILLED YOUR OLE MAN!\u201d shouted Dave.<\/p>\n

Joe started to stand up, but Adam jerked him back down and glared a warning at him. \u201cNot yet,\u201d he whispered. When Adam peeked from behind the chair, he noted that two of the men were cautiously making their way toward the stairs. The third was headed for the kitchen. Suddenly there was a loud bang, a shriek of pain, and a muttering of Chinese that both Cartwrights recognized as being Hop Sing. Adam turned to Joe and smiled. \u201cNow the odds are on our side,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

Dave and Gus stopped in their tracks. \u201cBert\u2026what\u2019s going on in there?\u201d Dave shouted. When there was no response, Dave nodded his head at Gus, silently telling him to check it out. Dave stood where he was. As he turned to watch Gus, Adam slipped from behind the chair and pointed for Joe to do the same, in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop right there!\u201d Adam demanded as he stood and pointed his gun at Dave. At the same moment, Joe rose up and pointed his gun in Gus\u2019 direction. Both thieves turned to face the Cartwrights. Dave\u2019s eyes opened in shock. \u201cI thought you were dead!\u201d he growled at Adam as he raised his gun and fired.<\/p>\n

Adam dropped to the floor and returned fire. Joe fired his own gun at Gus who returned the fire. Dave and Gus dropped to the floor at the same time. Adam quickly got to his feet, ignoring the pain that burned in his shoulder as he hurried to Joe\u2019s side. Joe was shaking and was close to passing out. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head slightly. Hop Sing who had rushed from the kitchen, helped Adam lower Little Joe into the chair. \u201cYou stay with him,\u201d Adam told Hop Sing. \u201cI\u2019m going to find Pa and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait for me,\u201d Joe called as Adam rushed from the house. Joe started to rise, but Hop Sing pulled him back down. \u201cStay,\u201d he ordered the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Joe, defying the little servant man. He stood shakily to his feet and using the furniture as support, Joe made his way to the door. He could see Adam entering the barn. With determination he stood straight and walked precariously across the yard.<\/p>\n

What he saw as he staggered into the barn caused his heart to stop beating. \u201cPA!\u201d he cried as he dropped to the ground beside the wounded man. \u201cPa,\u201d he wept again, looking to Adam for the answer he was too frightened to ask. \u201cHe\u2019s alive, Joe,\u201d Adam told the scared boy. \u201cHe needs a doctor,\u201d he looked up to see Hop Sing joining them. \u201cHop Sing, saddle a horse and get the doctor and bring the sheriff back\u2026hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing go now. Men in house dead. Man in kitchen Hop Sing tie up and lock in cellar.\u201d He hurried to saddle a horse and a minute later was on the dark road to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay here with Pa, I have to find Hoss,\u201d he instructed his brother. Joe was beyond going and in more pain than himself thus Adam wanted him to stay still. Joe could only nod his head; his eyes had fixed themselves on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes were closed, his face was white and Little Joe thought his father looked dead. Gently he lifted Ben\u2019s head and pulled his father into his arms. Tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered. \u201cPlease wake up\u2026don\u2019t die\u2026Pa\u2026\u201d cried Little Joe. Ben remained motionless. Joe lowered his head. His tears fell onto his father\u2019s vest.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Adam called from the back of the barn. \u201cI\u2019ve found Hoss. He\u2019s hurt,\u201d he yelled. He glanced back at his younger brother who was now trying to get up. \u201cNo, stay put Joe, stay with Pa\u2026he needs you. Hoss is alive and he\u2019s awake,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at his father, Ben had not moved. When he looked up, Adam stood behind him, Hoss leaning heavily on his good shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m going to get Hoss inside and then I\u2019ll come back and we\u2019ll tend to Pa,\u201d he told Little Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be alright, Joe\u2026just be brave a bit longer,\u201d he encouraged. Joe nodded his head.<\/p>\n

Ben began to stir. \u201cPa?\u201d Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Ben said in a squeaky voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were dead\u2026I\u2019m sorry\u2026so sorry, Pa\u2026I never meant to\u2026get you or Hoss\u2026hurt,\u201d wept Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not\u2026your\u2026fault,\u201d stammered Ben. He reached up to caress the boy\u2019s face. \u201cHoss\u2026hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe said. \u201cAdam took him into the house. \u201cHop Sing\u2019s gone for the doctor. Please Pa\u2026don\u2019t die, don\u2019t leave me\u2026please.\u201d he sobbed.<\/p>\n

Ben coughed and closed his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026not\u2026going\u2026to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

It took Adam several minutes to get Hoss into bed. By the time that he returned to the barn, Joe had placed make shift bandages on Ben\u2019s wounds and had covered him with a warm horse blanket. When he looked up at Adam, his brother noticed the boy\u2019s tears. Adam leaned down, placing his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine, Joe\u2026try not to worry. You did the right thing here,\u201d he said giving the boy praise.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are we gonna get him in the house?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we can\u2019t\u2026not in the shape you and I are in. We\u2019ll just have to wait until Hop Sing gets back with the doctor. Joe\u2019s face turned into a frown. \u201cDon\u2019t worry Joe, just keep him warm. They\u2019ll be here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Joe said, glancing again at how pale his father looked. He swallowed deeply. \u201cWhat if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t think that buddy. Pa\u2019s strong, he\u2019s healthy\u2026and he\u2026loves you pal. He\u2019s not going to die.\u201d He could only hope that he wasn\u2019t giving the boy false hope. It would destroy his younger brother if his father did not pull through. Adam studied his father\u2019s face and felt the same fear in his own heart that Little Joe was so obviously feeling in his.<\/p>\n

Several hours later found all four of the Cartwrights tucked comfortably in their beds. Hop Sing had returned with the doctor and the sheriff along with the sheriff\u2019s deputy. Together they carried Ben upstairs to his bed, helped Little Joe to his and ordered Adam to his. Adam however refused to go to bed until he was sure that his father and brothers were going to be alright. Joe was weary from his own injuries and though he fought it the tired boy had fallen to sleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow.<\/p>\n

Hoss was conscious and even managed to smile at his older brother. \u201cGood thing I had on my belt,\u201d he told Adam and the doctor. \u201cIt helped to deflect the prongs on the pitchfork,\u201d he claimed.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed lightly. \u201cMore likely it was that thick waist of yours that saved your life,\u201d he teased. Hoss grinned. \u201cI won\u2019t complain again about being so\u2026manly,\u201d he returned.<\/p>\n

Adam left his brother with the doctor and went to check on his father. Ben\u2019s wounds had been tended to by the doctor. Paul Martin, the physician, had given Ben enough pain medicine to keep Ben sleeping for several hours. He would heal, but like Joe, it would take time. Adam spoke softly to Hop Sing who remained by his boss\u2019 side. \u201cWake me please Hop Sing, if Pa wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing send for you\u2026I stay till then,\u201d he promised Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam left his father in the devoted servant\u2019s hands and made his way to his own bed where he fell asleep almost immediately and spent the next few hours resting. Roy and his deputy gathered the bodies of the two thieves, the third man and haul them into town with them. \u201cI\u2019ll need a full report from you Adam, when ya feelin\u2019 up to it,\u201d the sheriff had explained earlier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Adam woke the next morning, he arose, got dressed and hurried to his father\u2019s room. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Little Joe asleep in the chair closest to the bed and his father awake. Ben smiled at his son and motioned for Adam to be quiet. When Adam reached the bed on the opposite side he grinned down at his father. \u201cHow long has he been sitting there?\u201d he asked in a hushed whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince early this morning,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was scared, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. He blames himself for all of us being hurt,\u201d Ben stated. \u201cBut it isn\u2019t his fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not\u2026those men are the blame for all of this,\u201d agreed Adam.<\/p>\n

The door opened for a second time. Hoss slipped quietly into the room. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be out of bed, son,\u201d Ben scolded gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to see how ya was feelin\u2019,\u201d the big man responded. \u201cGlad to see ya awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to be awake,\u201d Ben agreed with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Little Joe, who had just woke up, smiled broadly at his father. He scanned the room. \u201cHoss, you\u2019re alright\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell of course I am\u2026I got too much\u2026muscle in this here ole belly for that ole pitchfork!\u201d he chuckled. His father and two brothers laughed and each swapped knowing glances with the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe almost weren\u2019t, weren\u2019t we, Pa?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

The men in the room fell silent. \u201cThat\u2019s very true son\u2026and we can all be very grateful that we are still all here; and that our family is still in tack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at his sons, happy to know that they would all be fine, in time, and that they would all be together. He felt the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonated in his heart as he looked from Adam to Hoss and then to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat. \u201cAdam, Hoss\u2026Joseph,\u201d he began. \u201cI want you to know that nothing I\u2019ve ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to each one of you. I want you to always remember what I\u2019m saying so that\u2026in years to come when I\u2019m\u2026gone and you stop to think of me. Remember how much I love each one of you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d began Joe, suddenly worried that his father wasn\u2019t doing as well as he seemed to be doing. Ben held his hand up, hushing his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYears from now son; but for now, I\u2019m staying right here, with you, Adam and Hoss,\u201d he smiled as he scanned the faces of his children. \u201cMany\u2026many years from now Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe, his eyes damp with unshed tears, smiled happily at his father. Adam nodded knowingly and Hoss lowered his head, a tint of pink showing on his cheeks.<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure just how many years each of them had left, but he silently vowed to value each one and to love fully, these would-be men who gathered around his bed. He was a lucky man, in more ways than one. He realized that had he died from his wounds, a part of him would forever live on in the three young men who called him Pa. Ben closed his eyes, silently thanking his maker for all his blessings mainly his sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe.<\/p>\n

And thus it was written, years passed before the circle would be broken.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

November 2014<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:The Cartwrights become the target for murder when cattle thieves decide they want more than just the herd; they want the entire Ponderosa empire.<\/p>\n

Rated:PG; mild curse words, just 3 or 4\u00a0 (14,900 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":10680,"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],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3402,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Adam-serious1.jpg?fit=304%2C304&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45543,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45543","url_meta":{"origin":12128,"position":0},"title":"Because (by Heidi)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"April 12, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Joe has looked forward to his first cattle drive all year, but now that Adam, newly home from college, has offered to lead the drive instead of Pa, Pa has decided Joe had better stay home. 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Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (2,350 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\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45545,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=45545","url_meta":{"origin":12128,"position":2},"title":"Faith, Hope, and Family (by Heidi)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"April 12, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What holds a man like Adam Cartwright up when his confidence wavers? 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