{"id":12130,"date":"2003-07-04T13:53:53","date_gmt":"2003-07-04T17:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12130"},"modified":"2026-07-31T08:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:40:27","slug":"careful-what-you-wish-for-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12130","title":{"rendered":"Careful What You Wish For (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Hoss, tired of his younger brother always being under foot, wishes that Little Joe would just go away and leave him alone.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 <\/strong>G (8,850 words)<\/p>\n

Careful What You Wish For<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJOE!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE! DADBURN YOUR ORNERY HIDE!\u201d grumbled Hoss aloud, which earned him a stern look from his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH!\u201d Shouted Ben, his hands cupped around his mouth to give volume to his already deep voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder where that boy has wandered off to this time?\u201d growled Adam. \u201cSeems like lately, all our time is spent looking for that smallest cub of yours, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, angry that Little Joe had taken off without telling anyone where he was going, again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right Adam, I just don\u2019t understand him, I plainly told him yesterday that he had better not let it happen again. And look, not more than twenty-four hours later, he does the same thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI checked every place you told me too, Pa, the barn, the loft, the smokehouse, the hen house and even peeked in the outhouse, he ain’t in any of\u2019em,\u201d Hoss explained. \u201cShucks, I even looked in the well house and down in the cellar.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben let out a long sigh and lifted his hat from his head with one hand and used his free hand to run his fingers through his silver hair. He glanced up at the sky and sighed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be dark soon,\u201d he said, more to himself than to his two sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHis pony is still in the barn,\u201d Adam said, \u201cso he couldn\u2019t have gotten too far, not on foot.\u201d Adam turned to Hoss, \u201cwhen was the last time you saw him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wrinkled up his face, his eyes pinched tightly closed, as he gave thought to the last time that he had seen his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He scratched his head, \u201cbreakfast\u2026I remember cause he was still poutin\u2019, and he didn\u2019t come in at lunch, I remember that too, cause Hop Sing was shoutin\u2019 about how he\u2019s always slavin\u2019 over a hot stove and then no one ever comes in and eats, \u2018ceptin\u2019 me, that is.\u201d Hoss smiled broadly at his brother and father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNaturally,\u201d muttered Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d Ben said, addressing Hoss, \u201cyou said Joe was still pouting, what was he pouting about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I ain\u2019t rightly sure, Pa, could have been a number of things\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSuch as? Hoss, I need a little help here, if Joe was upset about something\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was shaking his head, \u201cHe t\u2019weren\u2019t upset about anythin\u2019, just mad cause I wouldn\u2019t let him go down to the corrals with me yesterday after supper. The men brought in a whole new herd of mustangs and started breakin\u2019 them. I know ya don\u2019t like him down there durin\u2019 those times, and\u2026well\u2026I had to send him back to the house twice. The last time, I told\u2019em I\u2019d tell you if\u2019n I caught him back down there again. I suppose that must\u2019va been what he was poutin\u2019 about,\u201d explained Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brows drew together as his face twisted into a deep scowl.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019t be mad at Little Joe, he cain\u2019t really help himself none, he sure \u2018nough likes those horses,\u201d Hoss said, hoping that what he had just revealed to his father would not get his youngest brother into more trouble than he was already in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you did the right thing, you know how Pa feels about Joe being too near those wild horses, and besides, Little Joe knows too,\u201d Adam challenged Hoss\u2019 peacekeeping effort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother is right Adam, Joseph knew better than to be down there, he knows the rules. When I find him, that will be just one more thing that I will discuss with that little scamp,\u201d Ben growled as he headed for the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, come on, Hoss, Adam and I are going to go look for Joe, you stay here in case he comes back. I don\u2019t want him coming in after dark and finding himself alone in the house. The last thing I need is for that boy to start a fire trying to light a lamp!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure \u2018nough, Pa,\u201d Hoss called as he started back toward the house. \u201cI\u2019ll grab a sack and stuff it with some chow, poor little fella\u2019s liable to be hungry when ya find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHunger is going to be the least of his worries,\u201d Ben muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his father and though Ben\u2019s tone sounded angry, the worry that he saw in his father\u2019s eyes, told a different story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s probably down at the fishing hole and forgot about the time,\u201d Adam said as he saddled his horse. He was hoping to reduce his father\u2019s worries to a minimum.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stopped what he was doing and glanced up over the top of his saddle at Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you son, I know what you are trying to do, but it won\u2019t work.\u201d Ben gave his eldest son a small smile. \u201cYou know how I am about that boy, I\u2019m a regular\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMother Hen?\u201d smiled Adam, his eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In spite of himself, Ben laughed. \u201cYes, a mother hen, but I can\u2019t help it son, if anything were to happen to that boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa\u2026we all feel the same way about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI realize that, Adam, and I love you more for feeling as I do about Joe. I find that the older I get, the more I tend to worry, especially about him, he\u2019s so\u2026so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUnpredictable?\u201d Adam offered with a slight smile on his face. He snickered when he saw his father\u2019s head nod in agreement and then followed Ben out of the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExactly, not to mention free spirited, rambunctious, spontaneous, impulsive and fearless, all rolled into one and\u2026all of which are good reasons to make me worry. Now come on, lets try the lake first, since it\u2019s on the way and then, being as how he seemed out of sorts with Hoss, we\u2019ll stop by his mother\u2019s grave. That\u2019s where he usually likes to go when he\u2019s got something on his mind,\u201d Ben told Adam as he mounted up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss hurried across the yard and handed the sack of food to Adam. \u201cGood luck,\u201d he called as Ben and Adam rode out of the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stood with hands on his hips and glanced around the yard, trying to think where his little brother might have ventured off too. He knew that Joe would not stay out too long, not with it growing dark, Joe didn\u2019t much like being out after dark, even if one of his brothers or their father were with him, much less by himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE! YA AIN\u2019T HIDIN\u2019, ARE YA?\u201d Shouted Hoss. \u201cHEY JOE, I HOPE YA AIN\u2019T MAD AT ME ABOUT THEM MUSTANGS AND ALL! Dadburnitall\u2026\u201d mumbled Hoss softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shoved his hands deeply into his pockets and kicked at a clump of dirt with the toe of his boot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019M SORRY, LITTLE JOE. I DIDN\u2019T MEAN TO GET YA IN TROUBLE WITH PA!\u201d he called as he wiped his large beefy hand across the front of his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was beginning to grow concerned that something might have happened to his little brother, and if it had, he\u2019d never forgive himself. Hoss, being the most tenderhearted of all the Cartwright men, and the one closest in age to Little Joe, was also the one who tended to start worrying long before the others even thought about worrying. He kicked the toe of his boot at another clump of dirt and ambled slowly to the barn. When he started to pull open the door, a strange noise caught his attention. He stopped, hoping that his missing family member might cause the racket being made.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss entered the barn cautiously, \u201cJOE, IS THAT YOU BOY?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMeow\u2026\u201d an old barn cat jumped down from the worktable and scampered between two boards where a hole provided an escape.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGosh dangit!\u201d Hoss fussed, disappointed that it had been the old mama cat searching for a mouse for its supper and not his little brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss felt like crying, the sun had set behind the treetops and soon would disappear entirely behind the mountain peaks, and still no signs of Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are ya, short shanks?\u201d whispered Hoss as he walked to the stable where Joe\u2019s pony was munching on some oats. He stopped long enough to scratch the pony\u2019s velvety nose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey ya, Paint, reckon where that little rascal went off too?\u201d Hoss asked the pony.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paint bobbed his head up and down and pushed against Hoss\u2019 chest with his nose. \u201cSure wish ya could talk, little pony. I know Joe talks to ya all the time, and I bet ya, he dun told ya where he was headed, didn\u2019t he?\u201d whispered Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the pony bobbed his head a second time, Hoss truly believed that he had his answer. \u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s too dark, we best start home,\u201d Adam said, eyeing his father\u2019s worried expression. \u201cMaybe he\u2019s already there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he\u2019s not, then where could he be, Adam?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice expressed his fears. \u201cDear God, what if something has happened to the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben met Adam\u2019s dark eyes, and knew that his eldest son was worried as much about his brother as Ben was about his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think that way, Pa\u2026Joe\u2019s probably alright, he\u2019s just\u2026just\u2026Pa?\u201d Adam asked suddenly as an idea popped into his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d Ben answered, seeing Adam\u2019s facial features change.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t suppose that Joe might have\u2026hm\u2026run away, do you?\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes widened at the prospect that his youngest son would be so daring. \u201cRun away? Adam, whatever for?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss did say that Joe was mad at him, and Hoss did threaten to tell on him. What if Joe believed Hoss did tell, then he\u2019d know he would be in trouble, so perhaps he thought that by running away he\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Adam please, Joe might know he would be in trouble, but not so much so that he\u2019d actually run away!\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026Joe doesn\u2019t like being out after dark well enough to run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen maybe he\u2019s hiding, trying to worry Hoss to make him feel guilty for fussing at him,\u201d Adam said after giving a moment\u2019s thoughts to his father\u2019s dismissal of his first suggestion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This time, Ben nodded his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can see Joe doing that,\u201d Ben said softly. \u201cAnd if that\u2019s what he\u2019s been up to, then he\u2019s only digging himself a deeper hole. Come on, lets start back, maybe the boy has gotten home by now,\u201d Ben said wishfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was waiting on the porch when his father and brother returned and hurried across the yard to greet them. Ben could tell by the disappointment on his middle son\u2019s face that Joe had not come home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo luck?\u201d Hoss asked as Ben dismounted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid not. There was no sign that he\u2019d been fishing and no tracks to indicate that he\u2019d been up at his mother\u2019s grave. I just don\u2019t know\u2026Adam, I know you\u2019re tired son, but would you mind riding over to the Devlin\u2019s and asking whether or not Mitch might have seen your brother any time today?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was in the process of dismounting and stopped, swinging his long leg back across Sport\u2019s saddle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind, I\u2019ll be back as soon as possible,\u201d he said and turned his horse away from the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are ya goin\u2019 to do now, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, following his father into the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going inside and get a bite to eat and wait until Adam comes back. If Mitch hasn\u2019t seen your brother then Adam and I will start all over,\u201d grumbled Ben as he marched back to the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMitch, you\u2019re sure you haven\u2019t seen Joe today, not at all?\u201d Adam asked for the second time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s best friend stood next to his father in the living room of their spacious home. Adam watched closely, the boy\u2019s face, for he knew that there had been certain times when the boy, and his brother, had lied to cover up for the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPositive, Adam. I ain\u2019t seen Joe since yesterday when we rode home from school together,\u201d Mitch repeated his answer. \u201cI came straight home, just like Pa told me too, and I left Little Joe at the forks of the road, just like always.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam let out a long sigh and placed his hand on Mitch\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlright Mitch, but if you should see him, would you tell him to come home? Pa\u2019s really worried about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Mitch agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Mr. Devlin, I\u2019m sorry to bother you this late, but we\u2019re getting a little concerned, it isn\u2019t like Joe to stay out this long after dark,\u201d Adam explained as he walked to the door with his father\u2019s close friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, Adam. Would you like for me to saddle up and help you look for the boy?\u201d Charlie Devlin volunteered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI would think that it\u2019s almost too dark to find any tracks, but I\u2019ll let Pa know and if Joe hasn\u2019t come back by morning, I suppose we could use as much help in searching for the boy as we could get. Thanks again,\u201d Adam said as he mounted his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ride over in the morning, Adam. I\u2019ll see you then,\u201d Charlie called out to Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI talked to the men in the bunk house, they haven\u2019t seen him either,\u201d groaned Ben as he paced back and forth in front of the massive fireplace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat in the blue chair and Hoss had settled his large frame in Ben\u2019s favorite red leather chair. Ben picked up the fire poker and began jabbing at the dying embers with the end of the poker.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be cold tonight,\u201d he said absently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned suddenly and glanced at Hoss. \u201cDid your brother have on his jacket when you sent him back to the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cNosir, it was rather warm this mornin\u2019 and when Joe left the table, he didn\u2019t stop to get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes traveled across the room to the hat rack beside the front door. Joe\u2019s jacket was hanging by one of the wooden pegs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least he has his hat\u2026\u201d murmured Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben returned to his poking of the embers, lost in thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam said, standing to his feet and moving to place his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glanced up into the face of his oldest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSam Taylor has some tracking dogs, why don\u2019t I ride over to his place and ask him if we can use his dogs? I hear tell they\u2019re pretty good,\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned to look at the clock, noting the late hour. \u201cIt\u2019s rather late to go knocking on a man\u2019s door son, it\u2019s nearly ten o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but if I talk to him tonight, he could be here first thing in the morning, we\u2019d save several hours by going over there now rather than waiting till morning,\u201d Adam concluded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right. Go ahead, and tell Sam I\u2019ll pay for his time,\u201d Ben agreed at last.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He rubbed his hand across the front of this face; his fear for his youngest son\u2019s welfare was easy to detect by the fine lines caused by his concern for the missing boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was nearly mid-night by the time that Adam returned. When he pushed opened the door, he wasn\u2019t at all surprised to find his father where he had left him, standing in front of the fireplace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell? What did Sam say? Is he going to let us use the dogs?\u201d Ben quizzed his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir. He said he\u2019d be here first light,\u201d smiled Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt more assured after speaking with his neighbor. Adam had seen the dogs; they were purebred bloodhounds and more than capable of tracking a man, or boy, just by taking a whiff of the person\u2019s clothing. Adam explained that to his father as Ben finally allowed himself to sit down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what they are bred for, Pa, tracking. Sam said that even the sheriff over in Carson City used them once to track down a murdered. All he did was give the dogs a shirt that the man had worn, and the dogs took right out after that fellow. Only took them a minute to pick up the man\u2019s trail and by noon, the sheriff had his prisoner back in jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, I hope we are as lucky.\u201d Ben stood to his feet. \u201cI guess we might as well try to get some sleep, tomorrow will be a long day.\u201d Ben began moving slowly toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll turn down the lamps for you, Pa, you go on to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rose to his feet and moved to his father\u2019s side. Ben had paused at the bottom step. Gently, Adam placed his hand on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find him, Pa\u2026and he\u2019ll be alright,\u201d Adam said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head had dropped and he fought to control his rising panic. He swallowed away the thickness in his throat and he turned and faced Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI pray that you\u2019re right, son. If anything has happened to that boy, I\u2019d never forgive myself,\u201d Ben muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without another word, Ben climbed the stairs and made his way down the hall, stopping at Joe\u2019s bedroom door. He paused briefly and then turned the knob, pushing the door opened. Silently, as if he expected his son to be sleeping, Ben entered the room and crossed the floor to Joe\u2019s empty bed. Ben\u2019s heart began beating rapidly; his eyes misted as he bent down and picked up Joe\u2019s ragged stuffed dog, Scruffy, and cradled the worn toy to his breast. For several moments Ben stood silently, praying for his son\u2019s safe return, unaware that Adam stood in the doorway watching. When Ben at last placed the stuffed dog back where Joe had placed it, Adam slipped softly into his own room and closed the door, fearful of what the morrow might bring.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss where just finishing their breakfast when the sound of barking dogs caused them to hurry from the house. Ben was first out the door, and smiled at the welcomed sight of his neighbor, Sam Taylor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSam!\u201d greeted Ben, extending his hand. \u201cThanks for coming!\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam clasped Ben\u2019s hand and shook it up and down. \u201cNo problem Ben, that\u2019s what friends are for. Besides, I know how fond you are about that boy of yours, ya should have come seen me sooner, the minute you realized the lad was missing!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I really wasn\u2019t too concerned at first, I just thought he might have wondered off to do a little fishing, or perhaps hiding from his brother, I never really expected him not to come home, until it got dark. That\u2019s when I really became frightened for the boy,\u201d explained Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, don\u2019t worry Ben, if the boy\u2019s around, these hounds will find him,\u201d Sam said. \u201cI need something of the boy\u2019s, something that he\u2019s worn recently, so the dogs can become familiar with the his scent.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, Adam said you\u2019d need an article of clothing. How\u2019s this?\u201d asked Ben, handing Sam Joe\u2019s jacket, which he had grabbed from behind the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s perfect, Ben. Now, where was the last place the boy was seen?\u201d asked Sam, glancing around at the others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss? You would know better, since you were the last one to see Joe,\u201d Ben said, directing his question at his middle son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scratched his head in thought. \u201cYesterday, at breakfast, remember, I told ya that already.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBefore that Hoss, when Little Joe was outside,\u201d urged Sam, fighting to hold the barking dogs back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the day before, down at the corrals, when I sent him back to the house. I ain\u2019t sure where he went once he got here, I suppose back inside,\u201d Hoss answered, glancing at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, he could have gone anywhere, his tracks are all over the yard, and I\u2019ve dun checked, there ain\u2019t any leading out of the yard, exceptin\u2019 those showin\u2019 he went down to the see the mustangs,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright, Hoss, we\u2019ll take the dogs down to the corrals and let them pick up the boy\u2019s trail from there. If he came back to the house, they\u2019ll follow his scent back here and then pick it up and lead us in which ever direction that Little Joe took from here. Come on, let\u2019s get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam jerked on the leashes of the two dogs and headed off in the direction of the corrals where Hoss had last been with Joe. The dogs yanked and pulled excitedly on the long leashes, baying at the top of their voices in anticipation of the hunt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once Sam had the dogs down by the fences where Hoss pointed to the spot where Joe had been standing, he let the dogs take a long whiff of Joe\u2019s jacket. Ben, Adam and Hoss stood to the side, watching how the dogs reacted to Joe\u2019s scent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dogs started howling; Sam released the snaps on both collars and shouted, \u201cGo find him, boys!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dogs immediately began running in circles, looking for the scent and when one dog made a mad dish toward the house; the second dog followed both yapping loudly. Sam took off running after his dogs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d he shouted over his shoulder to Ben and his sons who instantly reacted and began following Sam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Within minutes, the baying hounds were back in the yard. One dog ran toward the front of the house, the second dog seemed to be running in circles as if he were chasing his own tail. The first dog, a large brown hound with long droopy ears returned to the center of the yard and spent several moments sniffing around in the dirt. Dusty, a rich red colored hound, moved off toward the barn, going inside but just as quickly returned to the front yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve lost the trail,\u201d surmised Ben, the disappointment showing on his face as he looked at Sam. \u201cWhy?\u201d he demanded, not attempting to hide his frustration from his neighbor or his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey haven\u2019t lost it, Ben,\u201d Sam explained, \u201cthe trail ends here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned, pinching his lips tightly together as he glanced at Adam and then Hoss. \u201cHow can that be? Unless Joe just up and vanished, disappeared into thin air!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was beside himself, he had anticipated an early end to his search, one in which he had hoped would find, and return to him, his youngest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Pa,\u201d Adam whispered, \u201che\u2019s doing the best he can.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell it isn\u2019t enough! I want my son back!\u201d Ben shouted. Ben inhaled deeply, filling his lungs. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Sam,\u201d he apologized. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have shouted at you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam snapped the leashes back onto the dogs\u2019 collars. \u201cIt\u2019s okay Ben, I understand. Look, is there anyway that Joe might have\u2026say\u2026rode off, maybe on his pony or with someone?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHis pony is still in the barn,\u201d Adam told Sam. He looked at his father, \u201cwho would he have ridden off with?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea, none of the men have seen anyone around that they didn\u2019t know\u2026dear God! You don\u2019t think someone might have taken my son, do you?\u201d Ben said worriedly as the new thought brought forth a new kind of fear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, kidnapped Little Joe?\u201d Hoss stammered. \u201cWhy would anyone want to kidnap, Joe?\u201d he asked cutting his eyes around to check Adam\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t even given that idea any thought,\u201d Adam admitted, \u201cbut it is possible, I suppose. We were all busy that day, anyone could have just ridden in and taken the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot without a fight, I mean, Joe wouldn\u2019t have just gone along willingly, he would have called out, I\u2019m sure,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUnless he wasn\u2019t able to,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His statement brought a new expression of fear to his father\u2019s face. Ben turned away from his sons and neighbor and began pacing back and forth. He stopped suddenly, rubbing the back of his neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if that someone was a person that Joe knew\u2026not a stranger\u2026so he\u2019d have no reason to think he would be in danger?\u201d Ben implied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut who?\u201d Adam said, thinking out loud. \u201cAnd better yet, why? If someone wanted to take him, say for a ransom, why haven\u2019t we heard anything? They would have had plenty of time to send a note, but we\u2019ve not received a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Ben could comment, Roy rode into the yard, followed by two more men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ben,\u201d Roy called as he dismounted his horse. \u201cJess and Hank here have come to help search for Little Joe, ya ain\u2019t found him yet have ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo Roy, not yet. Sam turned his dogs loose, but they can\u2019t find anything except from the corrals to here. Hi Jess, Hank, thanks for coming by.\u201d Ben shook hands with all three and then turned back to Roy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been discussing the possibility that Joe might have been kidnapped,\u201d explained Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut ruled that out as we\u2019ve received no ransom note,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to agree with Adam, Ben. If someone was looking to make a quick dollar, they would have let you know by now,\u201d Roy said, agreeing with Adam\u2019s thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No body noticed that Hoss had grown quiet or that he had suddenly slipped away into the barn until his father turned to speak to him and then realized that Hoss was no longer with the group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes swept the yard, surprised to see that Hoss was gone. \u201cBeats me, he was here just a minute ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll look in the barn, why don\u2019t you have the men mount up and we\u2019ll start another search, it\u2019s light enough now, maybe we over looked something last night?\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Ben entered the barn, he spotted Hoss right away. The boy stood in the back corner with his forehead resting on his arm that was propped against the wall. Hoss was unaware that his father had entered and was now standing behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Ben spoke softly, surprised to hear his son sniffling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss whirled around startled by his father\u2019s voice. Quickly he rubbed his hands over his eyes, wiping dry the moisture that had dampened his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t hear ya come in,\u201d he stammered, embarrassed that his father had found him weeping.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, are you okay?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I was just\u2026um\u2026\u201d Hoss took a deep breath, his eyes filled with tears and when he blinked, they rolled slowly down his face. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have said what I said to\u2019em, Pa. I didn\u2019t mean it, honest,\u201d cried Hoss, dabbing at his eyes again. \u201cI was just angry, cause the little cuss wouldn\u2019t do what I told\u2019em to do\u2026I really didn\u2019t mean I wished he\u2019d just disappear!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben tenderly gripped his sixteen-year old son by the shoulders. He was having trouble understanding what Hoss was trying to tell him. Gently he guided Hoss to a wooden crate and forced him to sit down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, please calm down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben waited until Hoss had his emotions under control before continuing with his questioning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, why don\u2019t you start from the beginning? What has you so upset\u2026if it\u2019s Joe, we\u2019ll find him, son, don\u2019t fret about that\u2026it\u2019s only a matter of time,\u201d Ben said encouragingly with more enthusiasm that he actually felt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at his father. \u201cIt ain\u2019t that, Pa\u2026I know we\u2019ll find him, eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took a seat next to Hoss and slipped his arms about the sobbing shoulders. \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sniffed his nose and swiped his hands over his eyes once more. \u201cThe other day, when the boy was down at the corrals, I had to keep shooing him back to the house. I was getting madder by the minute, cause the ornery little cuss kept sneakin\u2019 back down there. The last time I shooed him away, I told\u2019em I wished he\u2019d just disappear for a while, so\u2019s I could do my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stopped and glanced at Ben. His chin had begun to quiver and he was fighting back more tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean it, Pa\u2026not really,\u201d sobbed Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart melted; his compassion for his tenderhearted son was evident on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, of course you didn\u2019t mean it, and I\u2019m sure your little brother knew you didn\u2019t,\u201d Ben tried to console his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he had the strangest look on his face, like he really did think I meant what I\u2019d said. He was hurt Pa, I saw it in his eyes, but right then, I didn\u2019t care, I just wanted him to leave me alone,\u201d Hoss hung his head, gently shaking it from side to side. \u201cI hurt\u2019em, Pa\u2026that\u2019s why he\u2019s gone, because of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wished him gone, and now he is gone. It\u2019s all my fault,\u201d stammered Hoss as he stood to his feet and walked away from the comforting presence of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben could hear the soft sobbing sounds that Hoss made and it tore at his heart. How could he ever convince his distraught son that Joe\u2019s disappearance was not his fault?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben eased quietly over and placed both hands on Hoss shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026shh\u2026try to pull yourself together. The men are waiting outside for us, we need to get going.\u201d Gently he tugged on Hoss, as he\u2019d turn the boy around until Hoss faced him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled, \u201cthat\u2019s good, now, I need your help son, and so does Little Joe. He\u2019s somewhere, that we know for sure, and my guess is that he\u2019s alone and frightened, and wishing more than anything that his big brother would come for him,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pulled Hoss into an embrace and hugged the boy tightly. Almost instantly Hoss pulled back and smiled slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019d best get to lookin\u2019,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Charlie Devlin joined the group at the forks in the road. The search party had grown to fifteen men. Roy, the two men that had come with him, the three Cartwrights, Sam, Charlie and seven of Ben\u2019s ranch hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should split up,\u201d advised Roy. \u201cBen you take some men and head off in that direction, Charlie take some with you and work your way south, Adam take a couple of men and go north, Jess and Hank can come with me. We\u2019ll meet back here in an hour, fire three shots if you find anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The group began splitting off, each going in the directions that the sheriff had ordered them to search.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSam, you bring the dogs and come with me,\u201d Ben issued. \u201cHoss, have you any idea where Joe might hide, if he didn\u2019t want to be found\u2026some secret place that maybe only the two of you know about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the cave, up yonder,\u201d Hoss pointed toward the hills. \u201cBut we haven\u2019t been up there in a long time, some ole mama bear took a likin\u2019 to our hideout.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThink son, is there anyplace else that you think Joe might have gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, there\u2019s a place up at the lake, it\u2019s like a little clearin\u2019 \u2018ceptin\u2019 it\u2019s all grown over with bushes and stuff. Me and Joe are the only one\u2019s that know about it, but I doubt that he\u2019d be there,\u201d Hoss informed his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too far to walk, remember, Joe didn\u2019t take his pony,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben seemed to be lost in thought. What Hoss said, made sense, Joe could not have walked all that way, not alone and not in the dark. A nagging feeling that urged him to check out the hideaway forced his decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go have a look anyway. Can\u2019t hurt to check it out,\u201d he said and then spurred his mount into action. \u201cSam, you come along with the dogs, Hoss and I will wait for you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss explained to Sam how to find the secret place and then left to catch up with his father and the two men that worked for them. They had ridden for what seemed like forever to the worried young man who blamed himself for his brother\u2019s disappearance. When they at last reached the hideaway, Hoss jumped quickly from his mount and pushed his way into the thicket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben waited patiently for several moments and then followed the path that Hoss had cleared. Just as he broke through into the small clearing, Hoss emerged, with Joe\u2019s hat in his hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA! PA! Lookit\u2026Joe\u2019s hat!\u201d he cried excitedly. \u201cHe\u2019s been here, but how?\u201d he stammered as tears filled his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down son,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He took Joe\u2019s hat from Hoss\u2019 trembling hands and looked it over carefully. He glanced up at his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBlood,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pushed past Hoss into the clearing and began scanning the ground for signs that might tell him what had happened to his child and as to why Joe\u2019s hat had blood covering the inside rim.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, look at this,\u201d Ben said, pointing to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss squatted down, making his own survey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s two sets of tracks, Pa. These little ones are Joe\u2019s, and then\u2026here, these are larger ones.\u201d Hoss cast frightened eyes up at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not alone, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d surmised Ben. \u201cAnd whoever is with him, either had to know about this place or forced Joe into bringing him here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa reckon whoever it is, hurt Little Joe?\u201d worried Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPossibly, come on, let\u2019s give the signal and when Sam gets here with the dogs, maybe they can pick up Joe\u2019s trail again.\u201d Ben stepped from the clearing and drawing his pistol, fired off the three shot signal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Minutes later, Sam appeared with the dogs and a short time after that, Adam with his group of men arrived. Quickly he dismounted and hurried into the bush where he found his father and Hoss talking with Sam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you find him?\u201d he asked expectantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but we found this,\u201d Hoss replied as he handed Joe\u2019s hat to Adam. \u201cThere\u2019s blood inside,\u201d he explained. \u201cAnd blood over there,\u201d Hoss said, pointing to the ground where several small drops of darkened blood had been found dotting the leaves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear God,\u201d stammered Adam as he envisioned his little brother lying wounded somewhere in the woods, bleeding and unable to cry out for help.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s dogs had begun to bark and howl, yanking hard on their restraints in an effort to be free. Adam spun around, watching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTurn them loose, Sam!\u201d he practically shouted. He glared at the man with dark eyes, his own fear beginning to cloud his thinking. \u201cFor God\u2019s sake, turn them loose!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam never hesitated. Once the two hounds realized they were free, both took off running. Ben, Adam, Hoss, Sam and Ben\u2019s two hired men plowed their way through the brush after the dogs. For several minutes the men made a line as each followed the man in front of them. When they broke through the brush and onto the banks of the lake, they stopped. Each man was huffing and puffing, trying desperately to fill their heaving lungs. The dogs ran to the water\u2019s edge, yelping and howling as they dashed in and out of the water and back to their master.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy must have gone into the lake, Ben,\u201d huffed Sam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d wailed Hoss, \u201cNO!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned to see the terrified look on his middle son\u2019s face and rushed over to gather Hoss into his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026take it easy son,\u201d Ben stated anxiously as he glanced over at Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut the water\u2026he drowned Joe\u2026PA! JOE\u2019S DEAD! AND IT\u2019S MY FAULT!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss jerked free of his father\u2019s embrace and weeping, ran a short distance down the shoreline, where he stopped and dropped to his knees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood silently, stunned by his younger brother\u2019s reaction. He looked at Ben and saw the tears and the same fear in the dark eyes that finally pried themselves away from the heartbreaking scene.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stepped up to his father and placed a hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cWhat is that all about? Why does he think Joe\u2019s disappearance is his fault?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben swallowed hard and turned back to watch Hoss as the large boy hauled himself up from the sandy ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe said that he told Joe that he wished Joe would disappear. He was angry at his little brother for not minding him and he spoke in anger, words that he didn\u2019t really mean,\u201d explained Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go to him,\u201d Ben said absently moving away from Adam and towards Hoss who had started back toward them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam followed a short distance behind his father but stopped when Hoss and Ben were face to face. He couldn\u2019t hear what his father was saying to his brother, but he did hear Hoss\u2019 sobs as he fell into Ben\u2019s outstretched arms. Adam felt his own throat constrict and quickly wiped at his eyes as he turned away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRoy!\u201d Adam said, as he watched Roy and his small group of volunteers ride into the clearing. Adam quickly made his way to the sheriff\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAndy,\u201d Adam said, surprised to see that another of their hired men had joined the group. \u201cHow\u2019d you know where to find us?\u201d Adam asked out of curiosity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy dismounted and stomped over to Adam. \u201cWhere\u2019s your father?\u201d he demanded in a tone worthy of his position.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOver there, why Roy, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam questioned, seeing for the first time the handcuffs that Andy was wearing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWrong? I\u2019ll tell ya what\u2019s wrong\u2026BEN!\u201d shouted Roy, drawing Ben\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took Hoss\u2019 arm and led him back to the group. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Roy?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy pointed his finger up at Andy who had dismounted and stood quietly next to his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI found this here man, your hired man, messing around your place. I had to go back to the ranch and get another horse, mine came up lame and while I was there, this yahoo came sneakin\u2019 around. I was in the barn and saw him slip into the house. He used the kitchen door and in a minute or two, he came sneakin\u2019 back out, carryin\u2019 this here sack full of grub. When I tried to stop him to ask why he was nosin\u2019 around the Ponderosa when there wasn\u2019t anyone home, he tried to run me down. I had to shoot him, winged him in the arm, ain\u2019t bad though. But I reckon he has something to say that ya should hear, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy walked over to Andy and shoved him forward until he stood inches from Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa better git to talkin\u2019, Mister,\u201d growled Roy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben could see the fright in the young man\u2019s blue eyes as he looked around at each man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know something about my son, Little Joe?\u201d demanded Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andy dropped his head, afraid to speak. Ben became impatient and grabbed the startled man by the collar of his shirt and hauled him upward until he was standing on his toes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you a question, do you know anything about my son?\u201d snapped Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His dolorous eyes had darkened to ebony and the way that his lips had formed a nasty snarl seemed to have loosened the other man\u2019s tongue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean the boy no harm, honest Mr. Cartwright\u2026I was just tryin\u2019 to help the kid, that\u2019s all\u2026I didn\u2019t mean for him to get hurt,\u201d stammered Andy as he glanced around at Adam and then Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHurt?\u201d echoed Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shoved his father aside and grabbed Andy, who was only a year or so older than himself, but much smaller, around the neck with his large beefy fingers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he\u2026where\u2019s my baby brother!\u201d Hoss gave the man a few good shakes. \u201cSpeak up ya varmint afore I wring your scrawny neck!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben snapped out of his stupor and grabbed Hoss\u2019 arms, pulling his hands from around Andy\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s hurt, that\u2019s why I came back\u2026 to get some bandages and some food. The kid was alright until he started fightin\u2019 me, tryin\u2019 to get away. When he ran off, I chased after him, and he fell. That\u2019s when he hit his head and blacked out. It was an accident, honest, Mr. Cartwright\u2026I never meant the kid no harm! Please, ya gotta believe me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was taking slow deep breaths, trying to maintain a certain amount of control. \u201cWhere is he now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes followed the man\u2019s finger as Andy pointed toward the lake. Ben\u2019s head jerked around, looking the man in the eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026he\u2019s in the lake?\u201d Ben stammered. He felt his heart beginning to pound and as the blood rushed to his head, he swayed slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t be\u2026dead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Andy as Adam advanced toward him. \u201cHe\u2019s out on the island. It was the only place I could think of to take him so he wouldn\u2019t try to run away again. I knew he needed help, I couldn\u2019t get him to wake up, and I couldn\u2019t leave him alone in the woods, so I took him out to the island.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have brought him home, where he belongs!\u201d Ben shouted at the trembling man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With no thought to his actions, he grabbed Andy and plowed his fist into the man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam quickly sprang to his father\u2019s side and grabbed Ben\u2019s arm before he could punch the younger man again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Pa\u2026we have to get to Joe!\u201d shouted Adam until his words finally broke through to Ben\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA boat\u2026we need a boat!\u201d Ben yelled and then turned again to Andy. \u201cYou were going back out to the island, how?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andy pointed to a thickness in the bushes. \u201cOver there, the boat\u2019s over there,\u201d he said weakly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d ordered Ben as he grabbed the sack of medical supplies and food that Andy had snatched from Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam followed Ben into the bushes and within minutes had the small rowboat in the water. \u201cWe\u2019ll be back soon, Roy. Charlie, please, ride into town and have Doc Martin meet us back at the ranch house!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlright everyone, lets get going. You, Andy, mount up, I\u2019m takin\u2019 ya to jail,\u201d Roy order.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we won\u2019t be needin\u2019 my hounds anymore,\u201d Sam declared as he snapped the leashes onto the hounds\u2019 collars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJess, you and Hank wait for Ben and the boys to come back. If they need anything, see that they get it,\u201d Charlie asked. \u201cI\u2019m going for the doctor, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seemed an eternity before the three anxious men reached the tiny island in the middle of the lake. Ben was out of the boat and into the shallow water before the boat even scraped along the shore bottom. He grabbed the sack and rushed to the edge of the shoreline.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEHP!\u201d he shouted, glancing in all directions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, over here,\u201d Adam called. \u201cOne set of tracks leading up, along the water\u2019s edge and one coming back. That must mean that Andy had to carry Joe ashore,\u201d he said, giving his father a hesitant glance. \u201cThis way,\u201d he muttered and began to follow the footsteps until they turned inland.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once they were into the dense forest, it was next too impossible to seen any tracks, the ground covering was so thick with fallen leaves, ferns, moss and broken twigs of various sizes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWish we had one of Sam\u2019s ole hounds,\u201d commented Hoss sadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSHORT SHANKS, WHERE ARE YA, PUNKIN!\u201d shouted Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss lagged behind, taking extra care to check in all directions and examining almost every branch on every bush and low hanging tree he passed. Within minutes, his father and brother were out of sight, yet Hoss lingered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me\u2026oh\u2026please\u2026someone\u2026help me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The muted cry finally reached Hoss\u2019 ears, and he stopped dead in his tracks, listening carefully to determine which direction that the pleas were coming from.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOver here! Hoss! Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe came stumbling through the woods and practically ran smack into his older brother. Hoss\u2019 arms automatically wrapped themselves around the sobbing child. He dropped to his knees and cradled the weeping boy in his arms as he began to cry along with Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Little buddy, I\u2019m so sorry\u2026I didn\u2019t mean what I said!\u201d sobbed Hoss, clinging desperately to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026Oh Hoss\u2026I was so scared, I thought I\u2019d never see ya again\u2026\u201d Joe cried. He had wrapped his arms about Hoss\u2019 neck as the two brothers clung tightly to one another.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to get away\u2026I wanted to come home and tell you I was sorry for what I dun, but Andy wouldn\u2019t let me. He said that ya didn\u2019t care nothing about me and that all ya wanted was for me to disappear. He heard what ya said, and he told me I should make ya pay for being so mean to me and that\u2019s when he made me take him to our secret hiding place. But then he got scared cause he thought Pa would have him arrested so he tied me up, but I got loose and when I tried to run away, he chased me,\u201d Joe quickly explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to scare ya\u2026honest Hoss.\u201d Joe buried his face in his brother\u2019s neck as Hoss held him securely within his protective arms. When Hoss rose to his feet, Joe was still in his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA! ADAM! I FOUND HIM!\u201d shouted Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Ben burst through the trees at the same time, relief showing on their worried faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben whispered when he spied his youngest son in the arms of his middle son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe raised his head and peeked over Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d he cried and wiggled free of Hoss\u2019 embrace. Hoss set the boy on the ground and reluctantly released him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe flew into his father\u2019s arms, locking his own arms around his father\u2019s neck. Ben in turn cinched his arms about his son\u2019s trembling body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026don\u2019t cry sweetheart, it\u2019s all over now,\u201d soothed Ben, though he was having his own trouble, trying to keep his tears from rolling down his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026I know I dun wrong, goin\u2019 off with Andy like I did. I didn\u2019t mean to scare everyone\u2026honest,\u201d Joe cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gently pushed Joe back far enough so that he could see his son\u2019s face. \u201cWhy son? Why did you go with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sniffed his nose and then buried his face against Ben\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCause Hoss said he wished I\u2019d disappear,\u201d he whispered in his father\u2019s ear. \u201cI was only gonna make him think his wish came true, but then Andy wouldn\u2019t let me leave, he said Hoss was mean to me and I should make him get in trouble for saying nasty things to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe leaned back and looked deeply into his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cI dun wrong\u2026didn\u2019t I, Pa?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben noted the fresh pool of tears that welled in the hazel eyes that searched his face and the slight quiver to the boy\u2019s chin. Ben pulled Joe firmly against his heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joseph, you did wrong, but so did Hoss,\u201d he murmured as he carefully placed Joe on his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we both made some bad mistakes, heh, punkin?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had moved to his father\u2019s side and rested his hand on Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Little Joe, for being so nasty to ya. I shouldn\u2019t have spoken so harshly, especially since I was mad at ya. Guess I forgot what Pa\u2019s always preachin\u2019 to us about sayin\u2019 things in anger and how words can hurt. I didn\u2019t mean to hurt your feelings, Joe. Can ya forgive me?\u201d pleaded Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head, suddenly very ashamed of himself. When he glanced up at his brother, his eyes had filled with tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did two wrongs, Hoss. I tried to get back at you, when I knew in my heart, ya didn\u2019t really mean what ya said, and then I went of with a stranger, even if I knew him,\u201d confessed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam snickered causing Joe and Hoss to turn around and look their way. \u201cWell, he used to be a stranger, before he came to work for you, Pa. And I really didn\u2019t know him very good; I shouldn\u2019t have gone off with him. I\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d apologized Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that you realize that what you did was wrong Joe, but I think Hoss is still waiting for his apology. Ben nodded his head toward Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah\u2026I\u2019m sorry too, Hoss. I was wrong to listen to Andy\u2019s suggestion that I scare you by really disappearing. I\u2019ll forgive you, if you forgive me,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon I will,\u201d smiled Hoss happy at last to have found his baby brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hoss, oh\u2026and I\u2019m sorry for not doing what you told me to do. Guess I really made a bunch of mistakes.\u201d Joe\u2019s smile faded away and he turned to look at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess ya gonna tan my hide when we get home, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d Joe asked softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben ruffled the top of Joe\u2019s thick curls and offered a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon I should, but you seem to have figured out what you did wrong, both of you!\u201d he growled at both Hoss and Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His tone was light, and both brothers knew that they had somehow come out on top.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, lets take a look at this head of yours. Does it hurt?\u201d Ben asked as he gently probed through the crown of dark locks until he found the bump at the base of the hairline.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, only when you poke at it,\u201d complained Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d he cried when Adam stuck his finger against the knot and gently pushed a finger down on it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, Joe, that\u2019s about the size of a goose egg,\u201d Adam announced. \u201cHow\u2019d you get it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to run away from Andy, and I tripped over a log and hit my head.\u201d Joe turned to his father. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes son?\u201d answered Ben as he gently cleaned the small cut in the center of the bump that had caused the bloodstain in the boy\u2019s hat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will happen to Andy? I mean, he didn\u2019t hurt me, I hurt myself when I ran away. Will he have to go to jail? He didn\u2019t make me go with him, when he stopped in the yard, all he said to me was, \u2018come on Little Joe, I know a place where you can hide and ole Hoss won\u2019t ever find you.\u2019 That\u2019s when I climbed up behind him on his horse and rode off with him. It was only suppose to be a joke, but then it got dark and I got scared, that\u2019s when I told him I wanted to go home. When he told me I couldn\u2019t cause it was too dark to see how to get home. He said we should wait until morning, but I didn\u2019t wanna, that\u2019s when I got mad at him and started punching him. That\u2019s when he tried to tie me up. I told him he\u2019d go to jail if he didn\u2019t let me go home. Then he got scared and when he wasn\u2019t looking, I got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped, and glanced at his father. \u201cI guess Andy made some mistakes too, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pulled Joe into his arms. \u201cYes, Andy did make a mistake, a big mistake, he held you against your will, that\u2019s breaking the law, Joe. What do you think should happen to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged his shoulders. \u201cI guess he\u2019s too old for you to wallop, reckon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smothered his rising laughter, \u201cI reckon,\u201d he said as calmly as he could. He smiled at Adam and Hoss who were also fighting back the giggles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose Andy will have to go to jail, but not for too long,\u201d Ben added when he saw the worried expression on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you talk to Roy, please Pa? After all, it was partly my fault, I shouldn\u2019t have gone.\u201d begged Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know son, I suppose I could, being as how you have accepted responsibility for your actions, and Hoss has accepted his, and Andy did say he hadn\u2019t meant to hurt you. I can\u2019t make any promises, but I\u2019ll see what I can do,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Golly Pa, thanks,\u201d Joe cried, flinging his arms about Ben\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed and gathered his son up into his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think the first thing we should do, is to get you off this island and back home where you belong. Doc Martin will be waiting at home for you so that he can check out this hard head of yours,\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoc Martin? Aw\u2026Pa, not him, he\u2019ll just make me drink that awful junk he calls medicine and then expect me to stay in bed for a week!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s true, Pa\u2026shucks, I wish\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss suddenly clamped his hand over his little brother\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh no ya don\u2019t short shanks, ya better be careful what ya wish for, ya never know\u2026it might come true!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n

July 2003 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Hoss, tired of his younger brother always being under foot, wishes that Little Joe would just go away and leave him alone.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 G (8,850 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":2192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/hoss1.jpeg?fit=300%2C168&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12130"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12130\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}