{"id":12146,"date":"2003-03-01T15:26:48","date_gmt":"2003-03-01T20:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12146"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:06:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:06:50","slug":"fight-for-life-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12146","title":{"rendered":"Fight for Life (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> \u00a0Joe becomes the target for revenge when he is forced to participate in a human cockfight in order to save his father’s life.<\/p>\n

Rating: <\/strong>\u00a0PG Contains violence (16,700 words)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fight for Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

The thick barred door slammed shut and Joe heard the turning of the key as the lock was secured. Painfully, for he had already suffered a beating from his captors, he pulled himself to his knees from where he had been shoved to the floor and glanced up at the other man. The man, Simon, larger in size and more muscular than himself, towered over the smaller man. Joe gulped, swallowing the fear that had washed over his body as he watched the man take a step in his direction. The roars of the crowd behind him drowned out the words that the man muttered to him as Joe scooted back and forced himself to his feet. He felt his back pressed against the iron bars that held both himself and his opponent prisoners in the cage. Quickly his eyes surveyed his surroundings, there was no means by which to escape, and even the top of the cage had strong metal bars across the upper portion of the enclosure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Someone behind him, on the opposite side of the bars, shoved their fist into his back making him take a stumbling step forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet on with it!\u201d he heard the angry man yell at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe made a mistake right in that instance and glanced over his shoulder at the angry crowd behind him. The man in the cage with him used it to his advantage and charged at Joe. Joe\u2019s body was slammed into the side of the cage. The pressure of the larger man\u2019s body pressed into his caused the wind to expel from his lungs. The minute the man felt Joe\u2019s wind escape, he grabbed Joe by the front of the shirt, ripping the thin material in two and with both of his massive hands, flung the lighter weight boy through the air and into the other side of the cage. The bars rattled, Joe screamed in pain as he felt his ribs crack and the crowd went wild as they screamed for more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s body tumbled to the floor; his cries of distress seemed to ignite the onlookers as he struggled to inhale enough air to refill his deflated lungs. Joe tasted the blood in his mouth where he had bitten into the side of his jaw. His head spun and as he moved his hand to touch the tender spot behind, he felt his body hauled upward once again. Though shaken, Joe instantly reacted to the man\u2019s hands on his shoulders by bringing both of his arms up, inside of the powerful arms of the other man\u2019s and with all the strength he could muster, forced the man\u2019s hands into releasing their vise like grip on his shoulders. Speed, powered by the adrenaline that fueled his fear, Joe slammed his left fist directly into the man\u2019s face. The stalwart man staggered back a few paces, obviously stunned, and shook his heard to clear his confusion. He screamed out his fury and made a grab for Joe\u2019s neck, digging his strong fingers into the tender flesh and pushing downward with all of his strength. Joe felt his body being forced to the floor and knew instantly that if the man succeeded in getting him there, the man would then move in for the kill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The crowd had gone wild, their screams and shouts so thunderous that the high pitched sounds made his ears ring. Joe felt the blood rushing from his head as his opponent pushed harder and Joe feared that he might pass out. His face was inches from the other man\u2019s and the man\u2019s breath was warm on his skin. From the sidelines, Joe caught a glimpse of his father and the man who held a knife to Ben\u2019s back. No one could see the silent weapon, but Joe knew it was there, for the individual had warned him, \u2018lose the fight, and your father dies, right then and there\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The fear forgotten, Joe\u2019s attention turned once again to the battle at hand. He could hear the frantic grunts of his opponent as the man sought to disable his enemy. Joe watched Simon\u2019s expressions, though briefly and suddenly surprised the man by slumping to his knees and then onto his back. The sudden action caught the big man off guard and he automatically relaxed slightly. Joe quickly seized his opportunity and brought both feet up and into the middle of the man\u2019s stomach. While grabbing both of the man\u2019s wrists, Joe surprised the man by bringing his legs upward and slung the man over his own body. The heavier man jarred the ground when he landed on his back with a crashing sound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The mob screeched and howled, cheering the less likely boy into further action. Joe spun like a top and as his foe pulled himself up into a sitting position, Joe slammed first one fist and then the other into the man\u2019s face. Simon\u2019s head reeled backward from the force of the blows, blood spurted from his nose and one eye quickly began to swell shut. Joe was relentless in his quest to keep the more powerful man on the ground and only when he saw the man become more than a little disoriented did he pause momentarily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was struggling to breathe, his cracked ribs were throbbing from deep inside his chest and he had begun to sway. His knees suddenly felt like rubber as he fought to stay on his feet. His head spun and when he paused again to suck in much needed air, Simon grabbed both of Joe\u2019s fists into the palms of his hands and twisted them both around until Joe screamed in pain as he felt the bone in the elbow of his right arm snap. No longer able to stand on his feet, Joe felt his knees hit the surface of the ground. Simon dropped the broken arm but still claimed a hold on Joe\u2019s left arm. The long fingers folded together, forming a deadly fist that sought and found its target. The blow sent the curly headed boy\u2019s head snapping backward with such force that it nearly snapped the neck of Simon\u2019s victim. Twice more the balled up fist connected with Joe\u2019s face, breaking the skin opened in an ugly gash across the top of one swollen eye and marring the flesh of the once handsome face. Blood spewed across the ground, dotting the darkened earth with bright red drops. Joe\u2019s body had gone slack, his world was slipping into a dark swirling universe of blackness as Simon released his hold on his foe\u2019s arm and allowed the boy\u2019s battered body to sink to the ground at his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From across the arena, a man\u2019s cry of anguish brought one last ounce of strength from the boy who had fought to the bitter end to save the life of his father. Somehow, Joe raised his head just enough to get a last look at his father. Their eyes met and locked; the dark chocolate one\u2019s filled with fear for his son, the hazel eyes, filled with agony, induced by the beating that the body had been subjected to, stared into the face of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH!\u201d cried the father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA!\u201d moaned the boy, stretching his arm outward, toward Ben. When he saw his father\u2019s body twist in a sudden spasm, he screamed again and then watched in horror as his beloved father fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The frightened youth tried to haul his body up, nearly succeeding but Joe\u2019s head swirled, spots flashed before his eyes as he stumbled forward. Simon laughed wickedly and with the toe of his boot, lashed out and kicked the boy in the mid-section. Joe folded his body in half, falling to his face in the dirt. His head began to spin and then his world collapsed into darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve looked everywhere for him Adam, it\u2019s like he\u2019s vanished off the face of the earth,\u201d explained the youngest of Ben\u2019s sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Adam, I ain\u2019t even found one person that could say for sure that they saw him tonight,\u201d added Hoss, taking his high topped hat and tossing it on the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe either, and it\u2019s not like Pa to go off alone without letting at least one of us know where he\u2019s going. Joe,\u201d said Adam, turning to face his youngest brother a second time. \u201cTell me again, exactly what Pa told you before he sent you back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already told you three times,\u201d growled Little Joe, his worry about his missing father causing him to be more abrupt than he meant to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed and let the air slowly from his lungs as he rested his hand on his brother\u2019s back. He knew Joe was worried, they all were, but Joe\u2026well, for Joe it was more a nightmare come true\u2026that one day Ben would leave him and never return.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know buddy, but just once more, in case you might have forgotten something, please,\u201d he added softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay,\u201d answered Joe, walking slowly across the hotel room where they had been staying since getting into town. Once on the opposite side of the room, he turned and faced both brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were down town, fixing to go into the bank to speak with Mr. Alexander, when this here man approached us. He called Pa by name and at first Pa didn\u2019t act like he remembered him but when the fellow introduced himself, Pa suddenly recalled that he had met the man once before, in San Francisco, I think Pa said.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember what the man said his name was?\u201d questioned Adam as Joe paced back and forth in front of his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Peterson, Walter Peterson, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what were you doing while Pa was talking to this here, Walter Peterson?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped momentarily and glanced at his oldest brother. Adam noted the redness that suddenly crept into his brother\u2019s complexion. He couldn\u2019t resist the smile that forced itself onto his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I was doing, I\u2019ve dun told you, why are you making me repeat it again?\u201d growled Joe. \u201cI was talking to Peterson\u2019s daughter,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa mean flirtin\u2019, don\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth to make a sharp retort but stopped when Adam rose from the bed and laid his hand on his shoulder. \u201cHoss,\u201d Adam said with seriousness in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss snickered and glanced sideways at his little brother. \u201cI was just funnin\u2019 with ya, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but lay off, will you? Can\u2019t you see I\u2019m worried about Pa? Besides, if I had been paying closer attention to what Pa was saying instead of flir…listening to Carrie Sue, I would have known where Pa was going. You don\u2019t know how that makes me feel inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I don\u2019t understand is why Pa went anywhere with the man, he was suppose to meet with Mr. Alexander, but instead he suddenly changed his mind and walked off with this other fellow,\u201d pondered Adam aloud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd without so much as telling Joe why or where or even explaining it to Alexander. Why, that banker must think that Pa wasn\u2019t really interested in doin\u2019 business with\u2019em after all,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right Hoss, it isn\u2019t like Pa to miss a business meeting for no reason at all, let alone to go off with some man he hadn\u2019t even seen in\u2026how many years did he say, Joe?\u201d Adam directed at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEight\u2026maybe nine, ten, I really didn\u2019t catch all of that part of the conversation, I was\u2026hmm\u2026busy,\u201d Joe grinned slightly and then turned his head away from his brother\u2019s knowing eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we know,\u201d muttered Adam under his breath as he watched Joe fumbling with the thin curtains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey Adam, look, there\u2019s that Peterson fella now,\u201d Joe said excitedly as he pointed to a man walking swiftly down the street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam hurried to the window, followed closely by Hoss who peered over both brothers\u2019 shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure looks ta be in a hurry, don\u2019t ya think?\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cActs sort of nervous too, see how he keeps looking over his shoulder?\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pulled back and pushed his way past his brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, just where do you think, you\u2019re going?\u201d Adam called as he straightened himself up and twirled around, grabbing Joe by the upper arm and halting the boy\u2019s steps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think? I\u2019m going to go down there and find out what happened to Pa,\u201d growled Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you\u2019re not\u2026and besides, what makes you think he would know anything about where Pa might have gone?\u201d snapped Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head. \u201cI don\u2019t\u2026I just thought since he was the last person we know that talked to Pa, he might have some idea, that\u2019s all.\u201d Joe raised his head slightly and glanced at his older brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam could see the worry that had formed in the deep-set hazel eyes and he quickly released his grip on his brother\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just\u2026worried, that\u2019s all, Adam. I wasn\u2019t going to start anything, honest,\u201d muttered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gave the boy a smile and patted his back. \u201cI know buddy, we\u2019re all worried. And it\u2019s all probably for nothing. Let\u2019s just relax a little and give Pa a little more time. If he\u2019s not back in another hour, we\u2019ll go see the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned back to the bed and sat down, watching Joe\u2019s face. His brother was troubled that was for sure and the boy was having a hard time trying to conceal his fear from them. Adam couldn\u2019t help but to allow his eyes to follow Joe as the boy wandered back to the window and stood, gazing down to the street below. At nineteen, Joe often boasted that he was every bit as much a grown man as the rest of his family. But deep down inside of himself, Adam knew that his brother still carried much of the \u2018little boy\u2019 traits and fears that lingered from his childhood. Oh, Joe was courageous and strong in his own ways, but in other ways, such as being separated from their father for extended periods of time, often unnerved the boy, causing him nightmares and leaving him in fear of losing his father for good. It had been the death of his mother, when Joe had been so young, that had planted the seeds that had grown the fear of his father leaving him and never returning. And as Joe stood watching, Adam could sense a growing uneasiness settling in his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why don\u2019t we all go down to the saloon and have a beer? Maybe by then, Pa\u2019ll be back?\u201d suggested Adam hoping to pull Joe from his gloom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d the boy said, giving his brother a slight grin. \u201cYou buying? I don\u2019t have any money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss snickered and plopped his hat down on his head. \u201cGuess he\u2019ll hav\u2019ta if he wants our company, cause I dun spent my last dollar over ta mercantile this afternoon. Hey short shanks, wanna try one of these peppermint candies?\u201d offered Hoss as he pulled a small brown sack from inside his vest pocket and handed it to his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Hoss, hey this is pretty good!\u201d exclaimed Joe, stuffing the candy into his mouth. As he reached inside the sack to take another, Hoss quickly snatched the sack from Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, these cost me my last dollar, don\u2019t eat\u2019em all,\u201d grumbled Hoss as he returned the sack to his vest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill you two stop that babbling and come on?\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe groaned as he felt his body dumped on to the cold ground. Every muscle in his body ached, as he tried to gather his senses enough so that he might think more clearly. He cried aloud when he placed his weight on his broken elbow. The pain shot upward into his shoulder and down into his lower arm as it coursed its way to the very tips of his fingers. Tears filled his eyes as he sought to pull his legs up, near his chest. His insides churned, his lungs seemed void of oxygen and breathing was labored.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the darkened room, Joe strained his eyes, silently commanding them to adjust to the near non-existing light. His mind was a rush of mixed emotions, his heart pounded loudly within his chest, tears stung his eyes as an image of his father laying dead on the ground, flashed before his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt his body shudder, his tears slid passed the rims of his eyes and he heard himself screaming hysterically, repeating the name of the one man whom Joe loved the most.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPA! PA! OH GOD\u2026PA\u2026I TRIED\u2026I TRIED!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Much later, Joe woke to a pounding headache. He could feel the cold ground beneath him and the dampness that had soaked through his clothing and seemed to cling to his shivering body. When he tried to move, he found his arms had been pulled high over his head and his hands tied tightly to stakes that had been hammered into the hard ground. He tried to force his legs to move but realized that his ankles had been just as tightly bound to more stakes that held his legs spread widely apart. The battered young man heard himself moan as he tried to position his weakened body into a more comfortable, less binding position, but it was useless, he could move nothing but his head, and even that slight action caused him more suffering. The pain in his broken elbow was excruciating, and having it positioned over his head in such a manner only intensified the agony. Joe swallowed several times, forcing the burning bile that had suddenly filled his throat to return to his stomach. He wanted to cry out for his brothers, but fought the urge. What good would it do, he questioned himself? He had no idea where he was, only that it had grown darker since he had awakened the first time, and that he was very much alone, and frightened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPapa?\u201d Joe muttered softly, pinching his lips tightly together and squeezing his eyes just as tightly shut. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026but he was just too strong. I thought I could take him\u2026but\u2026I was\u2026wrong.\u201d The sob caught in his throat and Joe could feel his tears as they slipped down the sides of his face, filling the cavities of his ears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In another cellar room, at the other end of town, lay Ben Cartwright. This room was bright with slow burning lanterns as the doctor and Walter Peterson stood on opposite sides of the wooden table where Ben had been placed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor, hot and tired, dabbed at his brow with the back of his shirtsleeve as he labored over his patient. \u201cDid you have to stab him so damn deep?\u201d he growled at the man across from him. \u201cMove that light closer,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI only done what I was ordered to do. Hell, the boss wanted me to kill him at first. But I talked him out of it. I finally convinced him that we\u2019d hang if they found out that we killed a Cartwright. It\u2019s bad enough what they\u2019ve done to his boy,\u201d snapped Walter Peterson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor\u2019s head jerked up as he glared at Peterson. \u201cWhat did they do?\u201d he demanded, momentarily stopping his work of sewing up the deep laceration in his patient\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ya know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO Stupid, that\u2019s why I asked!\u201d grumbled the physician.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey tossed that boy into that cage with Simon LaVoy and that monster beat the hell out of that kid. Why there was no way that, that boy was a match to that mad man. It only lasted about five or six minutes, though the kid did surprise me and get in some pretty good punches. Didn\u2019t do much damage to LaVoy, just made him madder, that\u2019s about it. Kid\u2019s probably dead by now and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDead? You and that crazy bunch you\u2019re dealing with, better hope that boy ain\u2019t dead, cause when this here man wakes up and finds out what you all did to his boy, he\u2019ll kill every last one of you with his bare hands. And if that doesn\u2019t work, his other two boys will help him. You mark my word Peterson, you under-estimated this here Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Peterson turned from the table where Ben lay and walked to the far end of the cellar. He glanced over his shoulder at the man the doctor was working on and then watched the physician\u2019s face. The wound wasn\u2019t very bad, just deep. Peterson cursed himself silently for allowing himself to become mixed up in the entire mess in the first place. Quickly, he brushed his hand over his face and strolled back over to the doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to the saloon, I need a drink\u2026several drinks actually,\u201d he called out as he started up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself, just you remember to keep you\u2019re mouth shut,\u201d ordered the doctor as Peterson went through the door. The doctor turned his attention back to the job at hand. \u201cOkay now Mr. Ben Cartwright, let\u2019s finish getting you sewed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The brother\u2019s were just finishing off their last beer when Joe spied Walter Peterson and the banker, Mr. Alexander, enter the saloon together. Joe turned slightly so that Peterson could not see his face and gently nudged Adam in the ribs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam quickly turned his attention to his younger brother, asking his question with his dark eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tipped his head in the direction of the men in question and then whispered softly. \u201cThere\u2019s Peterson now, with Mr. Alexander. Wonder what they\u2019re doing in here together?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam casually glanced over his left shoulder and watched as the two men sat down at a table in the corner of the saloon, and quickly ordered themselves a beer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBeats me, I thought you said that Peterson told Pa the he and his daughter had just arrived in Cedar Flats,\u201d Adam stated in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe did Adam, that\u2019s just what he told Pa earlier, that he and Carrie Sue were new in town, here on business, but he didn\u2019t mention that he knew anyone, least ways, not that I heard,\u201d Joe explained taking a long drag on his beer. \u201cReckon we should go talk to them?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam almost shouted as he made a grab for his brother\u2019s arm. \u201cNot yet, Joe. Besides, neither one of them knows that Hoss or I are your brothers and that might be to our advantage. Let\u2019s just keep that our little secret for just a bit longer, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe peeked at the two men again and returned to his beer. \u201cWhatever you say, big brother, you\u2019re the boss. Hey barkeep, another beer, please,\u201d Joe called out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam swapped glances and then Adam leaned his head close to Joe\u2019s. \u201cThat\u2019s your last one, little boy. I don\u2019t want to have to carry you out of here slung over my shoulder cause you can\u2019t hold your liquor,\u201d he muttered, laughing softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe cut his eyes up at Adam and saw that his brother was smiling at him. \u201cSure big brother, as I said, you\u2019re the boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shortly after nine, Peterson and Alexander left the barroom. Joe ducked his head as the men passed, not wanting the pair to notice him. The brothers lingered until nearly ten before Adam decided that they should return to the hotel to check as to whether or not their father had made it back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was growing concerned, several hours had passed since seeing his father and though he hated to think of something bad happening, he had now reluctantly admitted that something was amiss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just as they were about to enter the hotel lobby, Joe stopped suddenly, causing Hoss to stumble into him. \u201cHey boy, what ya stop fur?\u201d he grumbled, his usual good humor having vanished hours ago.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d pointed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss turned in the direction that Joe was pointing just in time to see Walter Peterson slip down a darkened alley with two brawny men close on his heels.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWonder what that rascal\u2019s up to now?\u201d whispered Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but let\u2019s find out,\u201d answered Adam, motioning for his brothers to follow along. He placed a single finger to his lips, signaling for each of them to be quiet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Adam reached the alley, Peterson emerged from the darkness, alone. Adam quickly pressed his back against the wall of the nearest building, his arm flung out across the broad chest of his middle brother. Hoss immediately did as Adam and forced Joe\u2019s back against the wall. Peterson turned in the opposite direction, never noticing the three men blending into the shadows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam wiggled his fingers at his brothers, silently telling them to follow him into the alley. He was determined to find what it was that had taken his father\u2019s supposedly long lost friend into such a place.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam crept along the wall, pressing his back into the shadows so as not to be easily seen. Behind him, Hoss followed and Joe brought up the end of the line. As Adam led Hoss around the corner of the next building, Joe paused, standing quietly in the dark. He watched as his brother\u2019s slithered through the darkness until they were out of sight. When he was sure they could not see him, he turned and hurried in the opposite direction, deciding to follow after Peterson instead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He inched his way back in the direction he had entered the alley until he had reached the street. Pausing, he scanned his surroundings, frantically searching for Peterson. Not sure which direction he might have taken after coming from the alley, Joe slowly made his way down the street, his watchful eyes pivoting from one side of the dark street to the other. He neared the saloon at the far end of town. It was noisier here than in the one where he and his brothers had shared a few beers. The patrons where loud and the music blared as the pianist pounded on the ivory keys. The sharp shrill voices of the barmaids pierced his ears and the laughter was so boisterous that Joe felt certain that not one man could hear, let alone understand what the person next to him was saying. Joe stood for several moments at the double swinging doors until he felt himself pushed along as others entered the establishment. Joe finally managed to step aside, allowing the newcomers to enter and find themselves a spot at the bar. Quickly his eyes scanned the room for Peterson. He spotted the man in the back corner talking to, a man that looked very much like one of the men who he and his brothers had followed into the dark alley.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe was snapped from his thoughts by the sound of his name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced around the room, surprised to realized that Peterson had spotted him standing in the doorway and was now waving him over to his table. Not sure what course of action to take, Joe hesitated, suddenly wishing he had not been caught.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe, come on over, son,\u201d Peterson called again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe wove his way in and out of the crowd slowly making his way over to where Peterson waited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello Joe,\u201d greeted Walter Peterson, grasping Joe\u2019s hand in his and giving it a hearty shake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was instantly aware of the dampness in the other man\u2019s palm and fought the urge to wipe his own hand on the leg of his trousers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the world are you doing out this late?\u201d laughed Walter, somewhat nervously. \u201cDoes your father know you\u2019re out, or did you sneak away?\u201d Walter tried to make his question sound as if he were teasing the younger man, but Joe had picked up on the slight quiver that the man tried to keep at a minimum.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo be truthful, I was looking for my father. Have you by any chance seen him around?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes watching the other man\u2019s face. He saw Peterson glance at the man at the table and then back at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t say that I have. In fact I haven\u2019t seen your father since this afternoon,\u201d Walter explained. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you sit down, Joseph,\u201d Peterson pulled out a chair and motioned for Joe to sit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe saw the other man staring at him and the man\u2019s dark eyes made him feel uncomfortable. He decided that the best thing to do was do as the man suggested. He was hoping that Peterson might tell him something, or let something slip about his father, for the more that Joe studied the man, the most confident he was with the thoughts that this man knew more than he was willing to share.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why not?\u201d smiled Joe causally and plopped down in the chair. He nodded his head at the stranger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walter watched, silently and then seemed to have suddenly remembered his manners. \u201cJoe, this is\u2026my associate, Mr. Beck,\u201d Walter turned to the other gentleman, \u201cJoe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPleased to meet you, Cartwright,\u201d said Beck, shaking Joe\u2019s out stretched hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSame here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBuy you a beer?\u201d offered Beck, his eyes studying the young man across from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started to refuse, but quickly changed his mind. \u201cSure, why not,\u201d he forced a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck held up three fingers and yelled for the bartender to bring the beers. It took only a minute or two and the beers were placed on the table in front of the three men. Joe took his in his hand and led the mug to his lips, drinking long of the frothy liquid. He brushed the back of his hand across his mouth and returned the mug to the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just then a young lady stumbled backwards, nearly knocking Joe from his chair. \u201cHey easy there ma\u2019am,\u201d said Joe, jumping to his feet to help keep the lady from falling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The barmaid laughed drunkenly and wrapped her arms about Joe\u2019s neck. \u201cMy, my, ain\u2019t ya a pretty thing,\u201d she babbled, bringing her lips close to Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pushed her gently backward, and smiled politely, \u201cThank you, hmm\u2026here you go,\u201d he stammered as he turned her around and offered her back to the cowhand who glared at him with angry eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026sorry,\u201d Joe stammered and hurried to sit back down. Quickly he grabbed his beer and downed the entire glass. Across the table, Beck and Peterson smiled at one another.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019ll excuse me, I better be getting back to the hotel, thanks for the beer,\u201d Joe stuttered, his speech suddenly slurred. Joe stood to his feet, his head unexpectedly spinning. His hands, brushed across his eyes, his vision had, without warning blurred. Joe swayed, started to open his mouth to speak but dropped instead, back into his chair. He tried to focus on the faces of the men sitting across from him, wondering why they offered no assistance to his predicament. Suddenly, everything went black as Joe\u2019s head collapsed onto the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe woke, it was to the sound of a familiar voice, one that he had been searching for. \u201cJoseph, wake up son, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cP\u2026Pa?\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here son, how are you feeling?\u201d Ben carefully brushed his hand across his son\u2019s brow, pushing back the wayward locks of dark curls in so doing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026my head, it hurts like blazes,\u201d moaned Joe as he sat upright. Joe glanced around him. \u201cPa\u2026where are we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re locked away in some old cellar, somewhere, I\u2019m not sure where.\u201d Ben looked into his son\u2019s face. \u201cAre you drunk, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, I didn\u2019t think I was\u2026until that last beer that Peterson and his friend bought for me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPeterson?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice gave his words a surprising sound. \u201cWhy that sorry, low down\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, how\u2019d you get here? And why are we both here?\u201d questioned Joe, interrupting his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was forced here at gun point\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGun point?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, when that varmint stopped us on the street this afternoon. While you were talking to his so-called daughter, that man stuck a gun in my ribs and ordered me to keep my mouth shut and come along with him. That\u2019s when I told you I was going to go have a drink with an old friend. When we got here, someone clobbered me over the head and locked me down in this cellar,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut why? What does he want from you, us, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure just yet. But whatever it is, I have a feeling that we\u2019re in for a hard time. Joe, where are your brothers? Did you sneak away from them?\u201d Ben\u2019s lips curved ever so slightly as his son quickly lowered his head to hide his expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben cupped his son\u2019s chin and raised the boy\u2019s head up. \u201cNot really Pa\u2026I mean, sorta. We were following Peterson, cause we half suspected that he had something to do with you being missing. And when we were leaving the saloon a while ago, we spotted him sneaking into an alley with two hoodlums and Adam decided that we should follow them, but before we could get to the alley, Peterson came out, alone. So when Adam and Hoss slipped in to follow the other two, I thought I would dog along after Peterson and see what he was up too. That\u2019s when I found him in the other saloon. He and some fella named, Beck offered to buy me a beer. I thought I\u2019d go along with them…hey\u2026the beer was free,\u201d Joe laughed, \u201cbut after I finished it, I started to feel really strange. The next thing I remember was waking up and finding you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey drugged you, son,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Just then the door opened and five men, led by Beck entered the semi-dark room. \u201cOn your feet Cartwright,\u201d he demanded. \u201cYou too, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe bristled at the word and allowed his hand to slide down his side to his holster. His fingers touched the top of the leather where he carried his pistol. Instantly his eyes dropped to the empty holster and inwardly he groaned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck\u2019s laughter brought him back to the present. \u201cYou looking for his kid,\u201d he taunted, twirling the pearl handle revolver around with his trigger finger. \u201cNot a bad looking gun. You any good with this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGive it back and I\u2019ll show you,\u201d snapped Joe, his quick anger rising instantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck laughed and stepped closer to Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re sorta mouthy, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Beck glanced over at Ben who had risen to his feet. Beck smiled wickedly at the older Cartwright and then cut his eyes back to meet Joe\u2019s angry eyes. \u201cSomeone should teach you some manners boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you\u2019re man enough to try?\u201d Joe snapped, taking a daring step forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d barked Ben, placing a restraining hand on his son\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBack up old man, this here boy<\/em> needs to learn some respect.\u201d Beck handed Joe\u2019s pistol to one of the other men and bushed Ben back from Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe braced himself for the attack. Beck laughed and circled around until he had Joe\u2019s back to his men. His eyes never left the boy\u2019s face as he moved, \u201ctie the old man up,\u201d he ordered suddenly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes darted to his father\u2019s face, unaware that Beck had advanced on him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE,\u201d yelled Ben, too late. Beck pounced on the boy with all the fury of a wild animal. Joe was knocked off balance and staggered backward into the arms of two of Beck\u2019s men. Each man grabbed Joe by the arms and held him while their boss pounded Joe\u2019s body and face with his fists. Ben was helpless to offer his assistance; his hands had been tied securely behind him with a post as a wedge between his back and his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s cries of pain pierced Ben\u2019s heart, as Beck showed no mercy in the beating he was dishing out. \u201cStop, that\u2019s enough,\u201d shouted Ben when Joe could take no more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck let one last fist find its way to Joe\u2019s lower stomach, just above the groin area. The blow was sufficient enough to cause extreme pain. The men released their hold on Joe\u2019s arms and Joe dropped to the floor moaning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben tugged at his restraints and glared at the man who had inflicted such brutality on his son. \u201cI\u2019ll kill you for that, mister,\u201d snarled Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck tossed back his head and laughed, \u201cYou ain\u2019t gonna kill anyone, old man,\u201d Beck stepped up to Ben and laughed again. As he turned, his fist doubled up and when he swung out, he clipped Ben on the end of his chin. Ben\u2019s head snapped backward, rendering Ben unconscious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTie the kid, and hurry it up, we got work to do,\u201d order Beck, stepping back and wiping Ben\u2019s blood which had mixed with Joe\u2019s, from the back of his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good enough, he ain\u2019t in no condition to be going anywhere.\u201d Beck snickered when his men turned Joe onto his stomach and tied his hands and legs together. \u201cNow, all I need is a hot branding iron. You don\u2019t look so dashing now, do you kid?\u201d Beck stood over Joe and smiled as Joe moaned softly and tugged at his ropes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTry to get some sleep kid, I have something special planned for you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe raised his head just enough to catch a glimpse of the man above him. \u201cGo to hell, you\u2026OH\u2026God,\u201d groaned Joe as Beck\u2019s boot connected with the side of Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you had learned some manners, obviously not, but you will\u2026you just wait\u2026you will.\u201d Beck turned to his men. \u201cGag them, both of them, I don\u2019t want the kid crying out for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two of Beck\u2019s men hurried and stuffed both, Ben and Joe\u2019s mouth with rags and then wrapped their neck scarves tightly about both their heads. Ben had begun to come around and could hear the soft whimpers of his son and knew that the boy was in great pain. He tugged at his ropes, but it was no use, they were tied far too tightly for him to be able to get free and be able to help his son. His eyes sought his son\u2019s still form in the darkness but when the men had gone, they had taken the lanterns with them, leaving Ben and his son in total blackness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026\u201d Ben grunted, trying to alert Joe to the fact that he was nearby. He listened for Joe to make some sort of reply, but Ben could hear nothing other than the perpetual moaning that came from across the darkened room. Ben was subjected to being forced for hours to listen to the piteous sounds, and it was long into the night before they ceased. Ben prayed with all of his heart that his son had somehow managed to fall asleep and hoped that the pain had begun to lessen. Reluctantly, Ben leaned his head back against the post and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit Adam, I swear when we find that boy, I\u2019ll wallop him myself. Reckon where he ran off ta?\u201d Hoss ranted as he walked beside Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They had found nothing in the dark alley that would give them any clue as to where their father might be. It had been much too dark for them to follow the two men who had somehow given them the slip and when they turned to retrace their steps, Joe was already gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The brothers fumed, anger growing towards their unpredictable younger brother. Adam stopped; his hands placed firmly on his hips as his dark eyes searched the crowd that had begun milling about from the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know Hoss, but something tells me that where ever he got too, he\u2019s going to be headed straight for trouble. First Pa, now Joe\u2026come on let\u2019s check this saloon. If he\u2019s not here, we\u2019ll go back to the room and check. I have a feeling, he won\u2019t be there either, but we\u2019ll have to go see the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The brothers pushed their way into the crowded saloon and had to shoulder their way to the bar. Hoss ordered a beer for both of them and then turned around to face the crowd, leaning his back against the counter. His blue eyes searched every face in the crowded room. When he did not find the familiar face for which he searched, he shook his head sadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2019s not here Adam,\u201d he practically yelled so that his brother could hear him over the ruckus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFigures,\u201d muttered Adam, scanning the room for himself as he sipped his beer. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned to speak to his brother about where he was going but Adam had already started to work his way through the crowd towards a man sitting in the far corner of the saloon. Hoss watched his brother\u2019s movement with his beer mug in one hand, his other hand resting carefully at his side, close to his holster.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stopped, spoke to the man and when the man pointed to the vacant chair, Adam pulled it out and sat down. Hoss wondered who the stranger was, and if his brother actually knew the man or not. His brother talked for several minutes and then rose to his feet, hesitated briefly and then returned to the bar.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get out of here,\u201d he said in a sharp voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that all about and who\u2026\u201d started Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you later, I said, let\u2019s go,\u201d Adam gave his brother a gentle nudge toward the door and quickly followed him outside and onto the boarded walkway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss paused and turned to face Adam, but Adam nudged him again. \u201cKeep moving, don\u2019t stop,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss knew enough to obey his brother\u2019s command, which sounded more like a warning so without further questioning, he did as directed and moved on down the street. They had gone quite a distance before Adam even so much as cast his eyes around to glance over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa ready ta tell me what in blazes is goin\u2019 on?\u201d whispered Hoss, never taking his eyes off the path in front of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust keep moving, Hoss, back to the hotel. All I can say right now is, we\u2019ve got trouble, and lots of it,\u201d muttered Adam in a voice that Hoss recognized all too well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time the two oldest Cartwright brothers made themselves comfortable on the bed, it was well past midnight. Their weariness showed on their faces and in both sets of eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right Adam, out with it, the blazes is goin\u2019 on? Do ya know where our father and little brother are or not?\u201d Hoss quizzed in an agitated tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy big fella, but to answer your question, no. I wish I did, but I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was just about to say something else but stopped when his brother held up his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, the man I spoke with in the bar might have some information for us\u2026for a price that is.\u201d For the first time since returning to their room, Adam looked up into Hoss\u2019 face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe says there\u2019s talk going around town about a cock fight that\u2019s going to take place in a few hours\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face and scratched his head. \u201cA cock fight? Doggonit, what\u2019s a cock fight got ta do with Pa and Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just getting to that, this particular cock fight happens to be a\u2026human cock fight,\u201d Adam explained, all the while shaking his head. He stopped and ran his hand over his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA human cock fight? Ain\u2019t never heard that one before\u2026what happens?\u201d Hoss had pulled up a chair and now sat facing Adam on the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey have an iron cage, so that the men can\u2019t try to run away. Two men are locked together inside of this metal enclosure and are forced to\u2026well, do what the roosters do\u2026fight one another until one of them is either beaten so badly that he can\u2019t continue, or until one is\u2026dead.\u201d Adam glanced over at Hoss watching for his reaction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Hoss muttered, \u201cWho does the fighting?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAny one that the big men can find, willing or not so willing. From what the man at the saloon told me, they have one man that has yet to be defeated and that\u2019s who they make all the others fight. Apparently, there\u2019s big bucks won and lost on this sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds barbaric to me. Does your friend over ta saloon, know anything about Pa and Joe?\u201d Hoss asked for a second time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t say,\u201d Adam told his brother. \u201cThe next fight is not until after midnight tomorrow night, that gives me enough time to see Mr. Alexander over at the bank, and get some money\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the money for?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDuke, the man in the saloon, he told me I\u2019d have to pay for any more information. He wouldn\u2019t tell me where these fights take place or who does the fighting, though from what little he did say, I think that when they can\u2019t get any volunteers, they recruit their own.\u201d Adam glanced at Hoss, his eyes dark with fear for his missing family members. \u201cHoss, I\u2019m afraid that\u2019s what has happened to Pa and Joe,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss jumped to his feet and grabbed his hat from the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Adam called as Hoss reached the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA good pounding will make him talk,\u201d barked Hoss opening the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO HOSS,\u201d he shouted hurrying to shove the door closed, \u201cYou can\u2019t,\u201d he said in a softer tone of voice. \u201cIf you do that, they might kill them. You don\u2019t think they\u2019d actually leave one of them alive to squeal on their little money making operation do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stopped at the door and turned to stare at his brother, worry etched into each line of his brow. \u201cAdam,\u201d he said, scrunching up his face. \u201cYou don\u2019t think they\u2019re plannin\u2019 on makin\u2019 Pa or Joe fight in one of them there human cock fights, do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and turned away from the door. He knew Hoss would follow him back into the room, he was right, Hoss pushed the door closed and leaned against the frame.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026\u201d Adam paused to gather his thoughts, \u201cI think it is probably likely, Hoss\u2026oh not Pa, but Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam\u2026Joe wouldn\u2019t stand a chance against that other guy\u2026why Joe\u2019s just\u2026just\u2026a boy! And if\u2019n what ya say is right\u2026why\u2019d they take Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pointed to the chair and Hoss obeyed the silent demand by sitting down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, my guess would be that they are using Pa to make Joe fight\u2026hell\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026maybe they threatened to kill Pa or something so that Joe would agree to fight. They probably make the opponents sign some kind of contract so that it is binding and the men who put this sort of fight on won\u2019t get into trouble with the law. I don\u2019t know Hoss, honest, that\u2019s why I\u2019m going back to talk to that man in the bar, he said for $5,000 he would tell me everything, including whether or not those men where holding Pa and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had no inkling that his assumption was correct in the way that the human cockfights were presented. When Ben and his son\u2019s had arrived in town, Walter Peterson and his so-called daughter had not been far behind. The entire operation was arranged by Beck, who traveled from town to town, setting up the show. His job was to find a secluded spot, boast around town about his undefeated champion and to take bets. Peterson\u2019s job was to arrive in town a day or two later, picking and choosing the men who were to fight. Most of the men, once getting a look at the champion with the massive fists, declined the challenges. This had been happening more and more and business was almost at a stand still.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck was head over in heels in debt and would go to any lengths to draw a crowd, often making ridiculous odds, which most men where willing to take a chance on. By the time that Beck and his gang of ruffians had arrived in Cedar Flats, the man was desperate. Peterson arrive in due time and the first man he had spotted had been Ben Cartwright. With a hurried word to Beck that he had a plan that would make him thousands of dollars, Peterson had approached Ben. It had been his initial idea to have Ben fight against the champ, but once he had spied Ben\u2019s son, Joseph, his idea suddenly changed courses. He knew that Ben would never agree to allow his son to fight, for any reasons, but Peterson took a gamble on the chance that the boy would fight an entire army if it meant saving the life of his father. And it appeared to have been working.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Peterson took Ben to Beck\u2019s make shift office, his derringer stuffed into his pocket and poking against Ben\u2019s ribs. Once inside, he had explained everything to Beck, bringing a wide smile to his boss\u2019 face. Ben had been led through the back alley and down the dark steps into the cellar where he had been knocked unconscious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The trick now was to lure the young boy away from his brothers so that they could proceed as planned. The arrangements had been made, bets had been placed, now, all that was needed was a worthy or not so worthy opponent, namely Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck had not let on to anyone, but he was well versed on the name of Cartwright, and he hated any man who bore the name, young or old. It had been Ben Cartwright who had, many years earlier, been the star witness in a murder charge that had sent him to prison more than eighteen years ago. He had been just a boy, only nineteen, the same age that Ben\u2019s youngest son was now. Beck had served his time, hating the name of Cartwright more each day of the eighteen year prison term and had made a promise to himselt that one day, he would find the man and make him pay. He had been more than joyous when he had, by chance, stumbled onto the man and his son in Cedar Flats.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck laughed to himself, the old man had not even recognized him. Naturally he had changed, no longer a boy, the years spent in hard labor had taken its toll on him, both physically and mentally. Of course the fact that he had changed his name had helped with the fact that Ben Cartwright had no notion who he really was. Everything was going his way and soon, his pockets would be full of money, his revenge satisfied and then, only then, could he move on with his life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck thought about the young boy whom he knew, after asking around town from the people who had known the Cartwrights, that the boy was Ben\u2019s pride and joy. He had watched from behind assumed closed windows at the inner action between Ben and his youngest son. Beck had soon realized that if he wanted really sweet revenge, he would have to hurt the boy unmercifully in order to bring Ben to his knees. Beck had no fear of retaliation, he was driven by raw hate, and to hurt, even kill the boy right before his tormentor\u2019s eyes, would not move him one iota; in fact, he might even enjoy watching Ben beg for his son\u2019s life. First, he had to force the boy to fight, and then he had to be sure of winning all his bets. Lastly and most important to his plans, he had to make sure that the boy could, in no way win against the champ; not that he believed the boy stood a chance against Simon LeVoy, for the man was unbeatable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were waiting in front of the bank by the time that the doors opened. \u201cDo ya want me to mosey on down to the saloon and keep my eye on that Duke fella ya chatted with last night whilst ya get the money?\u201d Hoss whispered to Adam before they entered the business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t risk loosing another member of my family, you better stay with me,\u201d said Adam sternly and then seeing the pout on his brother\u2019s face, he smiled and rested his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI might need you myself, Hoss, what would I do if someone tried to waylay me?\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss snickered softly, \u201cOkay big brother, I\u2019ll stay, and we\u2019ll find Pa and Little Joe together. But let\u2019s hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam quickly wrote out a bank draft in the amount that Duke had demanded and signed the check. Mr. Alexander held the draft in his hands for several seconds, and then glanced up at the two brothers. Adam could see the man\u2019s hand begin to tremble.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs something wrong, Mr. Alexander? I do have authorization to sign that,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026yes, Mr. Cartwright, I am well aware of that, but\u2026um\u2026you see\u2026I cannot accept this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d demanded Adam, his face a mixture of emotions as he swiftly cast his brother a fearful look.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid that your father was in late yesterday and closed his account with our bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s impossible! Our father has been missing since\u2026\u201dAdam, stopped himself and grabbed the paper back from the banker, ripping it into tiny pieces and tossing it on the banker\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Hoss, let\u2019s get out of here!\u201d grumbled Adam, spinning on his heels and stomping toward the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss dipped his head at the man behind the desk and hurried to follow his brother. Adam was halfway across the street by the time that Hoss was able to catch up with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold up Adam,\u201d he called as he fell into step beside Adam. \u201cWhere ya headed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to do what you wanted to do last night, I aim to beat that information out of that bastard and make him tell us what he knows about Pa and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Though the hour was too early for most men to be in the saloon, Adam was not the least bit surprised to find Duke sitting in the farthest corner of the room, waiting for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMorning Cartwright,\u201d beamed the man named Duke, for he was sure that today, he would be rich. His hopes were dashed the minute he saw the anger and hatred that shone in the man\u2019s dark eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam said nothing as he approached the table, but when he was standing directly across from the man, he stretched across the width of the round table, grabbed the front of the man\u2019s shirt and hauled Duke to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face was inches from the other man\u2019s and he snarled when he spoke. \u201cTell me everything that you know about my father and little brother, right this instant, and if you get it right, I might just decide to let you live!\u201d Adam shoved the man back into the chair. Duke\u2019s eyes were wide with fear and when he saw Hoss settle himself in the chair next to him, Duke began to tremble uncontrollably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay\u2026just stay calm\u2026it\u2019s like this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was awakened by the sound of voices as four men made their way down the rickety old stairs of the cellar. In the hands of two were lanterns that cast their light into the dark underground room. Ben squinted his eyes in an effort to adjust his vision to the bright light. Frantically, he examined the area for his son but could not make out his body that lay in the deep shadows on the opposite side of the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooking for something, Cartwright?\u201d laughed Beck, as he motioned for one of the men who carried the lantern to move across the room. Beck waited until the man held the light higher in the air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you were looking for\u2026that?\u201d Beck watched Ben\u2019s expression as it turned first to shock and then to fear. Ben tried to speak but the gag that had been placed around his mouth muffled his words. Beck started to laugh loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck\u2019s man used his foot to poke at Joe, causing him to begin whimpering. With one strong shove of his foot, Joe was turned onto his side where everyone could see his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s rage at what had been done to his son caused his face to redden. Joe\u2019s face was no longer the color of the golden sun. Dark blue and black bruises covered nearly every portion of flesh about the boy\u2019s face. His features were distorted by the swelling of his cheeks and around the tops of his brows where Beck had beaten him the night before.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUntie his hands and feet, and drag his sorry butt over here,\u201d he ordered the man. Turning to Ben he yanked the gag from around the senior Cartwright\u2019s face and tossed it in the dirt. Ben immediately began sucking in large gulps of air to fill his lungs. His mouth was dry from the rag that had been stuffed in his mouth and left there for so many hours.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He glanced at Joe who was being dragged over to where Beck stood, and Ben cringed. He knew that his son\u2019s mouth was as dry as his was and must have hurt like the dickens because of the battering about his face. Joe tried to walk upright, but having been hog-tied all night long, his legs were stiff and refused to carry the weight of his body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the two men stood in front of Beck, they released their hold on Joe\u2019s arms and Joe crumbled to the ground in a heap at Beck\u2019s feet. Beck laughed and then turned to Ben, a smirk across his ugly face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to make a deal, Cartwright,\u201d he leered, his face close to Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026not making any\u2026deal with the\u2026likes of you,\u201d Ben said, forcing his words between his parched lips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck tossed his head backwards and laughed. \u201cOh yes you will\u2026or would you rather watch while I kill your boy?\u201d Beck pointed to Joe who was, through self-imposed determination, pulling himself to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWater,\u201d Joe mumbled as he swayed and then staggered over to his father. \u201cPa?\u201d he said in a whispered voice as he leaned against Ben\u2019s shoulder for support.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy son,\u201d whispered Ben, \u201cyou\u2019re going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right?\u201d bellowed Beck, \u201cLike hell he will, unless he agrees to my plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat plans?\u201d asked Ben. After seeing how Joe had been made to suffer, he was at least ready to listen to what this madman had to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA human cock fight,\u201d Beck sneered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be out of your mind,\u201d Ben exclaimed. He had heard of men who participated in such things but he had never been witness to one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck\u2019s laughter died suddenly and he moved a step closer to Ben. \u201cNot quite. Now you listen, both of you,\u201d he snarled as he jerked Joe around to face him. \u201cYou, kid, are going into that cage and fight with everything you have to offer, or your old man here dies, you got that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFight? My son is in no condition to walk, let alone fight a man! Look at him, he\u2019ll be killed!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen you will die\u2026you see Cartwright, when I made you write out that bank draft for ten thousand dollars, I placed all the bets on my man. I know he will win, he always does. And when your son looses\u2026well, as I said, you will die as well. But I want to be fair about things, so if my some strange stroke of luck, the boy here should happen to knock out Simon LaVoy and win, then I will let you live. That\u2019s fair enough, don\u2019t you agree?\u201d laughed Beck, as he stepped back and sat down on a crate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re mad, you\u2019re crazy!\u201d yelled Ben angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMay so, but it\u2019s either your boy fights LaVoy, or you watch him die. I\u2019ll kill him slow and easy like and you\u2019ll watch every minute of it. I\u2019ll make him scream and beg me for mercy. I\u2019ll skin him alive, just like the Injuns do their captives. It will take him days to die and he\u2019ll suffer pain such as no man has ever felt before.\u201d Beck paused, watching the way that Ben\u2019s face seemed to crumble and then turned to his son to witness the tears that had filled the blackened eyes. Beck saw the boy gulp and lean his body closer against his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can do\u2026it Pa.\u201d Beck heard the boy whisper to his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son, you\u2019re in no shape to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to\u2026I have\u2026no other choice\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026no\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it to be Cartwright?\u201d Beck asked in a voice that appeared unruffled and self-possessed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fight\u2026your man\u2026but you swear\u2026you\u2019ll not harm my father if\u2026I win?\u201d Joe said in broken words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the deal\u2026you win, your father and you go free, unharmed. But\u2026if you lose, your father dies right then and there\u2026understand?\u201d stated Beck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head in agreement, purposely avoiding looking at his father. \u201cWhen\u2019s the fight?\u201d he asked between clinched teeth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMid-night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both Ben and Joe\u2019s head popped up and they stared opened mouth at the crazed man. \u201cMID-NIGHT!\u201d shouted Ben, glancing at Joe. \u201cThere\u2019s no way that my son can fight that soon!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour son has already agreed. He should have asked when\u2026before\u2026now it\u2019s too late. There will be no backing out.\u201d Beck pointed his finger at the boy, \u201cthe show begins in six hours, you be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck turned to leave and mumbled to his men. \u201cGet them something to eat and drink, untie Cartwright.\u201d Beck had climbed half way up the steps and then stopped, turning to face the father and son duo. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything funny Ben, I know that you have two other sons roaming around town trying to find you and the kid. They won\u2019t, I assure you, but if you should do something stupid, just understand that it will be their death warrant.\u201d Beck finished his climb to the top and slammed the door on this way out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben spent the next several hours talking with his son, pleading for him to reconsider his decision, but Joe was adamant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I have to do this, don\u2019t you see, we\u2019re dead either way. They aren\u2019t going to let either one of us walk away from this thing. And besides, if I fight the man, it may give Adam and Hoss more time to find us and then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026Joseph,\u201d Ben said in a whispered voice as he pulled Joe into his arms. They had been sitting together in the dark; Joe had propped his back against his father\u2019s chest where Ben had been holding the boy for the last hour.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you\u2019re trying to do son, and I thank you for it,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had suddenly grown very quiet as he rested his head on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered through the darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to make it this time are we?\u201d Joe muttered. Ben heard the catch in the boy\u2019s voice and leaned his head down, kissing the top of Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know son, I wish I could tell you that everything will be fine, but I just can\u2019t, I\u2019m sorry, Joseph.\u201d Ben felt his heart grow heavy with dread.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026I just want you to know, just in case we don\u2019t make it, that I\u2019m sorry for all the bad things I\u2019ve done over the years\u2026and\u2026and I want you to know that I\u2026love you.\u201d Joe turned his head just enough so that he could almost see into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt his eyes slowly begin to water as he heard his son\u2019s words and he had to squeeze them tightly to keep the tears from escaping. \u201cI love you too, precious.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The turning of the key in the door that told both, father and son that the time had arrived shattered the moment. Ben helped Joe to his feet. The boy was still weak and though Joe tried to hide his pain from his father, Ben could see through the mask.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d whispered his father, softly as he supported the boy\u2019s weight with his own body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Pa,\u201d replied the son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walter Peterson appeared behind Beck as they descended the stairwell. Ben shot a dark look in the man\u2019s direction, hating the man for what he had done to involve his son, and himself, into. Secretly, Ben vowed that should he somehow make it through this, he would kill the man with his bare hands, Beck as well as Peterson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get going Cartwright, come on kid,\u201d ordered Beck as he watched two of his men place themselves on either side of the boy and having to support his weakened body, aided Joe in climbing the steps. Beck forced Ben to follow behind and soon they were all standing in the cool night air. Taking a quick glance, trying to determine his locale, Ben could tell nothing about his unfamiliar surroundings. He was pushed forward and for several long minutes he followed Joe and the two men in front of him as they wove around corner after corner before finally stopping in front of an dilapidated building.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the within the building, Ben could hear yelling and shouting. It sounded to his ears as if a mob had gathered inside and he felt the fear and dread that he had held in check all day, wash over him. Quickly he stole a glance at his son and saw Joe watching him. Ben tried to offer his son a smile of encouragement, but he could not force his facial muscles to corporate with the order from his brain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The small group had stopped just outside of the door and pausing briefly. Ben\u2019s eyes never left his son\u2019s face and when Joe turned toward him one last time Ben mouthed his son a silent message.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head, and then his son was gone. The two men had shoved him through the door. Ben stepped inside, Beck covering one side of him and Peterson on the opposite side. The crowd was not very large, but the noise was deafening to his ears. Joe was ushered in one direction, Ben in another. The crowd parted as Joe was forced to make his way to the cage; Ben, Peterson and Beck had stopped at one corner of the cage where they would be in full view of the fight. The door was pulled opened, Joe hesitated, his eyes searching the crowd for his father\u2019s face but not finding it. Suddenly, Joe was shoved forward and onto the ground as the man turned the key in the lock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes followed his son\u2019s gaze until he spied the thick bulk of the man on the opposite side of the cage. Ben\u2019s heart was in his throat as the man took the first advancing step in his son\u2019s direction. Joe scooted himself to his knees and then forced himself to his feet, taking a step backward. When Ben saw Simon LeVoy charge his body into that of his son\u2019s, Ben shut his eyes, unable to witness his son\u2019s decadence, for Joe was as good as dead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor stood over his patient, the back of his hand pressed against Ben\u2019s forehead as he checked the semi-conscious man for fever. \u201cNo fever, but I still don\u2019t think you should move him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I ain\u2019t paying you to think, now am I?\u201d growled Beck. \u201cI want him moved now, Peterson, you show the men where to take him. Once he comes around, I want him to see what I have done to his boy. I want to see the look on his face when he opens his eyes and sees his son stretched taunt on the cold hard ground. I want Ben Cartwright to watch as I make his brat suffer. I want to hear him beg and plead with me to stop and when the boy cries out for his father to help him, I\u2019m going to let Cartwright put his own son out of his misery!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Peterson and the doctor glanced at one another and both men shivered at the shrill sound of Beck\u2019s evil laughter. \u201cGet on with it!\u201d screamed Beck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men snapped into action as they prepared Ben to be transferred from one cold cellar to the another, halfway across town. Beck left the men to do his bidding, giving one last glance over his shoulder as he rushed out the door and into the cool morning air. He stole a quick glance at the sky, noting that he had at least two more hours before daybreak. Rubbing his hands together, he hurried through the alleys, reaching the old barn in a matter of minutes. Quickly, looking over his shoulder to assure himself that he had not been followed, he pushed opened the door and slipped inside. Grabbing a lantern from the nail on the wall, he pulled a match from his pocket and struck it, lighting the wick inside the globe. He allowed the thin layer of smoke to clear before replacing the glass and then turned the wick up, allowing only a small flame to burn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck made his way across the large old barn and into a side room, once used for storage. Pushing back an old worn rug from the floor, Beck stooped down and pulled on a short rope, lifting a small wooden door, in the floor. He turned the wick up, giving off more light and began to carefully made his way into the underground room. Even before he had completely entered the room his ears picked up on the soft whining sounds of his victim that now lay staked to the cold damp floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck could feel his facial expression change into a smile and by the time he towered over the broken body of Ben Cartwright\u2019s youngest son, he was grinning broadly. He squatted down next to the shattered form, holding the lantern high over the body so that he could see the damage for himself. He was surprised to find the boy semi-conscious and he could not refrain from poking at Joe with his finger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWake up kid,\u201d Beck said aloud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe groaned softly and tried to find the man behind the voice. He strained to open his eyes, but the room had suddenly filled with bright light and the light blinded his vision and impaired his sight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he cried, the tears rolling gently down the sides of his face. \u2018Oh God, I hurt,\u2019<\/em> his body complained to his brain. \u201cPA!\u201d Joe thought he heard himself scream. \u2018Who\u2019s doing all that laughing? Oh, my arm\u2026it hurts\u2026my eyes\u2026why can\u2019t I see?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Adam? Hoss?\u2019 <\/em>Joe tossed his head from side to side. \u2018Why won\u2019t he stop laughing, doesn\u2019t he know how badly I hurt, doesn\u2019t he care how much pain I\u2019m in?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSTOP IT! STOP IT, I SAID!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck hung the lantern on a nail and came back to stand over Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong kid? Does it hurt?\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had found the man\u2019s face and his eyes had locked onto the man\u2019s features. Though he tried, he could not force himself to speak or answer the man\u2019s ridiculous question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you a question boy, does it hurt?\u201d demanded Beck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe peered through pain filled eyes at his tormentor. The spark that once burned deep within the heart of the youngest Cartwright still flickered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo to hell,\u201d muttered Joe in a tiny voice and then shuddered when the look in the man\u2019s dark eyes turned to one who looked as if he could cut a man\u2019s heart right out of his chest without ever batting an eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck was livid with anger as he stood between Joe\u2019s wide spread legs. Joe cringed when he felt the pressure of the man\u2019s foot pressing down on the inside of his inner thigh. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a small glimpse of what hell is going to be like for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He said nothing more only raised his foot and without warning slammed his boot down on the tender flesh between the boy\u2019s knee and the place where the upper thigh joins the hip. Again and again the man drove his foot into Joe\u2019s inner leg, being sure to dig the heel of his boot as deeply into the flesh as possible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe screamed each and every time that he felt the man stomping his boot into his leg. The pain soon turned to pure agony until it became so unbearable that Joe could no longer withhold his tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026please\u2026no!\u201d he sobbed until at last his broken words found their way into the crazed man\u2019s mind, and brought a halt to the attack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck\u2019s body trembled with hate as he sucked in large gulps of air to steady his breathing. He looked down at his prisoner staked to the ground, shocked at the amount of blood that covered the ground between the boy\u2019s out stretched legs. Beck had pounded his boot into not only the inner thigh, but also the top of the leg, as well as the lower portion of Joe\u2019s leg. The flesh had ripped and torn and blood oozed from the openings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beck, in his sick mind, for it appeared that the man had at last lost touch with reality, tossed back his head and laughed loudly. \u201cHell is what you asked for, hell is what you got, and there\u2019s more to come before you reach your destination, Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shut his eyes to the agony that crept from his left leg up and into the upper part of his body. He knew his leg was broken, probably shattered, for it was impossible to move so much as a toe. He could feel the sticky cold blood as it spread over his leg and Joe felt as if he might be sick.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His head reeled, his stomach churned; Joe shut his eyes to the misery that coursed through his body. He heard himself moan and then cry out, pleading with God to let him die and wondering why the man upstairs would not grant him his release from the pain and suffering. His mind began to drift, taking him further and further from this dark, damp place where his body could find no measure of freedom from all the wretchedness that surrounded him. \u2018Please\u2026Pa\u2026\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mind summon forth pictures from the dark recesses of his memories and Joe saw again his father\u2019s body falling to the ground, he could see for a second time, the knife that protruded from his father\u2019s bleeding side. In that instance, Joe knew\u2026Pa was dead\u2026and it was his fault for not fighting harder, for not giving more than he should, his father had paid for his son\u2019s shortcomings with his own life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes, no longer aware of the agony that had enveloped his body. His heart had shattered with the knowledge and realization of his father\u2019s death and the cause for it. Joe stared at the ceiling above, his eyes looking, yet not fully seeing, until the face of a man loomed before him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe blinked, the vision vanished momentarily and then returned. Joe blinked again, yet to the one looking down, the hazel eyes appeared dazed, unseeing as they stared out into the world of nothingness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026can you hear me son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt the touch of hands on his body, felt the pain that advanced from his head to this feet as the gentle hands lifted him carefully from the ground. Joe\u2019s body shivered, he was cold but he seemed no longer to care. Joe blinked his eyes again, it hurt for they had become swollen and the least bit of movement only served to dish out more of the same. The hands had wrapped a warm blanket about his body\u2026no it was two blankets<\/em> his sub-conscious mind correct him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy Short Shanks, ole Hoss\u2019ll have ya outta this here hole and into a warm bed in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Short Shanks? Hoss? Bed?\u2019<\/em> Joe turned his head into the man\u2019s chest and with his eyes tried to find the man behind the soft voice. \u2018Had he imagined it?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful son, he\u2019s hurt badly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry Pa, I\u2019ll be careful. Here, help me get him up in the wagon, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Pa? Adam? Was he imagining things again?\u2019<\/em> Joe turned his head toward the direction that he thought the voice was coming from, yet his troubled pain filled mind could not find the person.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPapa?\u201d he heard himself cry. And then the hands\u2026they were touching him as they had often done many times throughout the years. He knew their tender, loving touch, and they were now caressing his face. His left hand inched its way to his face, ouch, even his face hurt. But his fingers found the loving hand and he felt the hand\u2019s fingers entwine themselves with his own. He clung to the fingers and to the hand and as he cried, he felt the thumbs as they tenderly wiped away his tears from his battered, swollen and broken face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026please Joe, don\u2019t cry\u2026it\u2019s over sweetheart, no one\u2019s going to hurt you now. We\u2019re all here, Papa, Adam, and Hoss and we\u2019re going to help you get well again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For nearly a week Joe lingered between life and death. The physician, who had attended Ben and then had given in to his conscience, had reported the whole stabbing, fight, kidnapping and torture scheme to the sheriff had remained constantly by Joe\u2019s bedside. He was determined to do all in his power to save the life of the young man who had suffered surmountable amounts of injustice at the hands of the crazed, hate filled, lunatic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The soft sounds of the angels murmuring lured the young man to enter the next world. Promises of peace, freedom from suffering\u2026the covenants enticed the weakened boy to enter into their world of angelic beings. Joe\u2019s mind sought the peace that the whispers assured him of.\u00a0\u00a0 But the low, soft sounds of the human voices held his attention as the words encouraged him to fight, to over ride his desire to leave the world from which he lingered and to come back\u2026those very words, spoken in the deepest, most alluring tones of all, his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Five days later, Joe made his decision. His eyelids fluttered and slowly but painfully, his eyes opened. It was as his father promised, Ben\u2019s smiling face loomed over his, and Joe somehow managed to return the smile with one of his own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi\u2026Pa,\u201d he managed to mutter softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joseph, welcome back.\u201d Ben brushed back the dampened curls from his son\u2019s forehead and leaned down and replaced them with a kiss that lingered for several moments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Ben raised his head, Joe had his first glimpse of the misery his father had been suffering. Ben appeared aged, his face was drawn and under his loving eyes, dark circles had appeared. Joe raised his uninjured hand and gently brushed the side of his father\u2019s face, feeling the coarse growth of facial hair that had grown there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid ya lose you\u2019re razor, Pa?\u201d Joe uttered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the opposite side of the bed, Joe heard his brother\u2019s laughter. Slowly, he turned and gave them a faint smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi ya Short Shanks,\u201d beamed Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed, \u201cIt\u2019s about time you woke up,\u201d he teased gently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right buddy, I\u2019m just glad you\u2019re going to be all right,\u201d Adam assured his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat goes for all of us,\u201d added Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour brothers are right, son. For a while there we thought you might decide to leave us,\u201d Ben said and Joe noted the strain in his father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to be so much worry for you,\u201d Joe said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what do we have here?\u201d called a cheery voice from the doorway. \u201cI see our patient has finally decided to wake up.\u201d The doctor approached the bed and smiled down at Joe. \u201cWell now, let\u2019s have a look at you and see how you\u2019re doing. Gentlemen, if you will excuse us for just a few minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rose from the bed, giving Joe one last caress with the back of his hand to the still swollen and bruised cheek. \u201cWe\u2019ll be just outside the door, son. You let the doctor check you over and then I\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched as his family reluctantly moved to the door. He glanced up at the strange doctor and suddenly the old fear of being alone without his father, returned. \u201cPa!\u201d he called in as strong of a voice as he could muster.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned and saw the tears that had filled his son\u2019s eyes and hurried back to the bed where he took Joe\u2019s out stretched hand into his. \u201cJoseph, what\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2026don\u2019t go\u2026I want you\u2026to stay here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up at the doctor and the physician nodded his head. \u201cI think that would be best, considering,\u201d he smiled a knowing smile at the relieved father. \u201cI might even need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Joe when his father had finished straightening the pillows behind his back so that Joe could sit more upright and comfortable. \u201cDid I hear Adam saying earlier that he and Hoss were going back home tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben finished with the pillows and then made himself comfortable in the oversized chair that had been brought to the room for the family\u2019s convenience. \u201cYes, son, you did. We decided that since you were getting along so well, they best be getting home and seeing about matters there. Why, is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I was just hoping that you and I could go home too. Did the doc say how long I\u2019d have to stay cooped up like this? I really wanna get home\u2026I don\u2019t like it here,\u201d said Joe softly, glancing up at his father from beneath his long lashes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled slightly for he knew that already, Joe was tired of having to stay in the bed and cooped up in the tiny hotel room. The boy was bored to death, and, thought his father, he couldn\u2019t say that he blamed his son either, there was nothing to do but read, eat and sleep. Not very interesting in the least for an, other wise healthy nineteen-year old young man who was always on the move and loved the wide opened spaces that the out-of-doors offered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry son, really, but you know good and well that it will be at least two more weeks in bed, and then, only if the doctor says you may, will you be allowed up for a few minutes each day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, not only does the doctor want to be sure that your ribs are healed, but you\u2019re elbow as well, and\u2026young man\u2026your leg. He said that with the proper rest and exercise, it is very likely that you will not even have a limp. Please son,\u201d pleaded Ben in a soft tone, \u201cI want you one hundred percent well. I want my boy back, just the way he was before this terrible thing ever happened\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe raised his head; Ben stopped in mid-sentence, startled to see that the hazel eyes had filled with tears. Quickly he placed himself next to his son on the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it son? Tell me what\u2019s upset you so suddenly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know that I\u2019ll never be one hundred percent well\u2026oh physically I will, but tell me, please Pa\u2026how do I forget what happened to me? Better yet\u2026explain to me why it happened?\u201d Joe brushed the sleeve of his nightshirt across his face and dried the dampness from his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can only tell you why I think it happened to you, to all of us really, but the blunt of that man\u2019s hatred was directed at you. I believe that it was because of something that I was involved in many years ago, about a year before you were born actually,\u201d began Ben and then paused as Adam and Hoss came into the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pa, Joe, how are you feeling, buddy?\u201d smiled Adam, taking the other chair and pulling it close to the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d feel better if I was going home with you and Hoss tomorrow,\u201d complained Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know how ya feel short shanks, we wish ya and Pa were goin\u2019 too, but the doctor says\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know what the doctor says\u2026stay in bed\u2026so what else is new?\u201d groaned Joe, but then surprised them all by flashing them a bright smile. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t mean to complain\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure ya do, ya always complain about somethin\u2019!\u201d teased Hoss as he ruffled the thick mass of dark curls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey cut that out!\u201d laughed Joe, as he tried to push Hoss\u2019 large hand from the top of his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough Hoss, don\u2019t make him move around so much. Sit down, please. I was just about to tell Joe about Beck and then the two of you can tell him how you found out where he and I were being kept.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, as I was saying, Joseph, about twenty years ago, I was a witness in a murder trial. Beck was accused of killing a man. He was a young man then, about your age in fact. It was my testimony that sent the man to prison for twenty years. I can only suppose that over the course of time, Beck learned to hate me more and more each day, and decided when he got out that he would seek his revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you saw him with Peterson, didn\u2019t you recognize him?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he was just a young man then, the years and hard labor obviously took their toll on him and he had changed his name. His real name is Frank Daily, he must have changed it when he got out of prison so that no one would know who he was or what he had done,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about that Peterson fella, Pa\u2026where\u2019d you know him from?\u201d questioned Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI met him about eight or nine years ago in San Francisco on a business trip. He was making a bid on the same contract that I was and unfortunately, for him, I won the contract by just a few dollars. I never saw him again afterwards, until I ran into him in town. Seems he and Beck teamed up somehow and set out together to try to make a fortune. As luck would have it, neither one of them appeared to be very good businessmen, nor how they ever got mixed up with this human cock fighting shenanigans, I\u2019ll never figure out. But that\u2019s beside the point,\u201d Ben went on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was purely accidental that our paths crossed here in Cedar Flats. I have a suspicion that Peterson had seen me in town before he approached Joe and I that day on the sidewalk. I really believe that he had plans on taking me as his hostage and making me his patsy for the upcoming fight. But when he spied Joe with me that day on the street that he confronted us, Joe became the pasty, and I became the bait to force Joe into fighting that Simon LaVoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced around the room at his family and then back at his father. \u201cIt worked too, cause you know I\u2019d fought the devil himself if it meant your life, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rested his hand on his son\u2019s arm and smiled. \u201cI know you would, Joe, and I thank you for that. I\u2019m just sorry that you got hauled into this and that you were the one who ended up nearly dying.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault Pa, those men were crazy, all of them,\u201d stated Joe. Joe turned to his brothers then and began questioning them. \u201cAfter we went into that alley, and I slipped off…sorry about that\u2026how did you find me? I mean, when I ran into Peterson in that saloon across town, how\u2019d ya know where to find us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we searched everywhere little brother, and needless to say, I was fuming by the time we got back to our room. I was ready to toss your little butt across my knees, and I would have, if I had found you,\u201d said Adam sternly, his dark eyes dancing with amusement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d had a fight on your hands!\u201d giggled Little Joe. \u201cGo on, what happened after that? I mean, by the time I woke up from that drug those two slipped me, I was pretty much shaken and then that Beck started working me over. I think he wanted to make sure I\u2019d lose that fight, that\u2019s when he beat me and tied me up. The next morning, he told me I was going to fight LaVoy, or he\u2019d kill Pa\u2026and if I lost, he would kill Pa anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s right Adam, Beck was going to kill me regardless. When Joe did lose the fight, he stabbed me in the side. He knew Joe saw it and he wanted to make Joe really think that I had been killed. After the fight, he had his men take me to one place so that the doctor could sew me up, and he had Joe taken to that old barn where you found us. Beck\u2019s plan was to kill both of us, but he hated me so much, that he was going to torture and kill Joe first and make me watch. That was to be my punishment for testifying against him and sending him to prison.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben watched the rush of mixed emotions that crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cSon, why don\u2019t you rest and we can talk about this later?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss\u2019 attention immediately turned to their younger brother. \u201cYeah Joe, why don\u2019t you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019d rather hear it all now and be finished with it. After you tell me everything about what happened, we\u2019ll forget it. Adam, go on, explain to me how you found us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his father and when Ben nodded his head, an indication for him to continue, Adam started again. \u201cBy late that night, Hoss and I went to that saloon on the other end of town to check if you were there. It was pretty crowded, but I spotted a man sitting alone in the back corner. I had noticed him as soon as I walked in and thought it strange that I had seen him at the first saloon, the one where we had our beer. I thought perhaps he might have witnessed something or heard something that would be useful, so I went over and had a talk him. He willingly gave me a little information, but nothing specific. Oh, he claimed to know plenty and was willing to share it with us, for five thousand dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWow\u2026you didn\u2019t pay him did you?\u201d asked Joe, surprised at the man\u2019s audacity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was going too, but by the next morning, when Hoss and I went to the bank, I wrote a draft for that amount and was told that Pa had closed his account and so could not cash the draft. Beck had told Pa that he had kidnapped Joe and would kill him if Pa didn\u2019t give him a check for ten thousand dollars. He even showed Pa, Joe\u2019s gun, so Pa knew that Beck wasn\u2019t lying, so he paid him. We found out later that Beck used Pa\u2019s money to make all his bets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell ya what we dun. We marched right down to that saloon and I made that varmint talk. He didn\u2019t take much convincing, after the first dozen or so punches, he spit out the entire story. Bad thing though, short shanks, we didn\u2019t know about the fight ya was in, in that cage an\u2019 all, till it was too late.\u201d Hoss pinched his lips, dropping his head. It still troubled him that he had not been able to protect his little brother from the brutal beating he had suffered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, it\u2019s okay\u2026really\u2026you and Adam didn\u2019t know what was happening. Please, Hoss, it\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo it ain\u2019t little brother, it shouldn\u2019t ahappened ta ya, why there was no way ya could\u2019ve taken that ole boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, tell me what happened after you got that man to talk\u2026I don\u2019t recall much of anything after the fight in that cage\u2026cause\u2026I thought they killed Pa\u2026I couldn\u2019t think about anything else besides the fact that it was my fault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow Joseph, we\u2019ve already talked about that, it was no one\u2019s fault except for those who caused it, and that\u2019s even been taken care of. Let Hoss finish\u2026Hoss, go on, son.\u201d Ben motioned for his middle son to go ahead with his part of the story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, like I dun said, that ole boy sung like a bird. He told us where Beck had taken Pa and what he planned to do with you. The first thing we dun was rush on over ta that cellar. Peterson and another man was helpin\u2019 Pa up the stairs and when they seen us, they\u2019d about let Pa fall down them steps, too. One ole boy took off running and Peterson, he pulled a gun out and pointed it at us, but the doctor was standing right behind him and tried to knock it outta Peterson\u2019s hand. It went off accidentally and the bullet struck Peterson in the arm. Me and Adam managed to get Pa sat down afore he fell, he was pretty woozy, what with that stab wound and all. Peterson must\u2019va been afraid of dying, cause he told us where they had been headin\u2019 with Pa, and why, and that\u2019s when we run over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss paused and turned to Adam. \u201cMaybe ya oughta finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, well Joe, the good doctor had only been a part of this entire mess because he was being forced into it. We left him there to take care of Peterson. His wound wasn\u2019t much and the doctor put a quick bandage on the wound and then took him to the sheriff. Meanwhile Hoss and I started after you, we tried to get Pa to go with the doctor but\u2026you know Pa,\u201d laughed Adam, cutting his eyes over to check his father\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t help but to laugh, which caused Joe to start giggling. \u201cAnyway, as I was saying, Hoss and I had to practically carry Pa, but we found the old barn and just as soon as the three of us slipped inside, we heard Beck laughing.\u201d Adam had to pause, his mind had suddenly conjured up the mental images of his brother when the three of them had peered down the darkened stairwell and seen Joe staked to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and swiped his hand over his face. \u201cNeedless to say, little buddy, you were in very bad way. Beck was standing over you laughing hysterically. There was blood all over his boot and that\u2019s when I saw your leg. I suppose I must have snapped right then, because I don\u2019t recall much of what I did from that point until Hoss pulled me off of Beck. He was pretty messed up by the time I\u2019d finished with him and we all thought he had passed out. We were so busy trying to take care of you that we didn\u2019t see him get up and go for his gun. It was just a stroke of luck that the sheriff and some of his men had gotten there when they did. Beck was pointing the gun at Pa, and the sheriff yelled at him to drop his gun but Beck turned and fired at the sheriff but the shot back. Beck dropped right at Pa\u2019s feet and died seconds later.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that Joseph, our only concern was getting you out of that hole in the ground and getting you some medical help,\u201d Ben had taken up where Adam had left off, finishing the tale.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut wait, what happened to that fighter, Simon LaVoy?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cHe must have been part of it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a pitiful man who Beck and Peterson had picked up at some carnival that had gone out of business. He had been the strong man in the carnival show. Beck and Peterson offered him a job fighting, and he agreed. Basically, he didn\u2019t do anything wrong, to him it was a job. Beck told the man, fight as if you were fighting for your life, or take the chance of someone killing you. And that\u2019s what he did. We did find out Joe, that Simon never really did kill anyone, not like Beck and Peterson made the crowds believe,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s he now, and what about Peterson and his daughter, Carrie Sue? What will happen to them?\u201d asked Joe with a worried frown on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t really know about the girl, I suspect that she\u2019s long gone. I did learn that she wasn\u2019t really his daughter, she was just some unlucky young woman who got messed up with the wrong people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs for Walter Peterson, he\u2019s on his way to the nearest prison where he will, most likely, considering his age, live the rest of his life. And Simon LaVoy\u2026well, he wasn\u2019t such a bad fellow after all, Joe, I want you to know that son,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa sent him to San Francisco. Simon told us that he had always wanted to go to sea, so Pa got him a job with an old sea faring Captain friend of his, and I guess by now Simon is pretty seasick,\u201d smiled Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced at his father and started to giggle. \u201cAnd you claim Hoss is the one who is a softy. You, Ben Cartwright, are the biggest softy of all,\u201d laughed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben joined in his son\u2019s laughter, not caring the least bit that he was the butt of their little joke. \u201cJust don\u2019t you boys go spreading that kind of foolish gossip around Virginia City!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho us? Did you hear that Adam, heh Hoss? Pa thinks we\u2019re going to tell everyone he\u2019s a pushover!\u201d giggled Joe. \u201cNever!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, hold on there a minute Joe, let\u2019s think this through a little more,\u201d said Adam, winking at his little brother. \u201cHow much is it worth to you, Pa? You know what they say about silence being golden.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not worth a plug nickel. But I will tell you what is worth something though, in fact its priceless,\u201d teased Ben, then looked into his youngest son\u2019s emerald eyes and smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s the sound of this boy\u2019s laughter, and the shine in his eyes, and the happy smile that I see on his face. There\u2019s no amount of money, silver or gold that could have bought it back for me, if I had lost it,\u201d whispered Ben as he took Joe\u2019s hand in his.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud of you son, I want you to know that I think you are the bravest young man that I have ever known. You were more than willing to fight for my life and die if you had too, you\u2019ll never know how much that has touched me, thank you, son.\u201d Ben then leaned forward and embarrassed his son by kissing his cheek. \u201cI love you Little Joe,\u201d he softly whispered into his son\u2019s ear just before moving away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was rewarded with one of Joe Cartwright\u2019s most angelic smiles, and it was<\/em> priceless.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

 <\/p>\n

*Thanks to Lillian\u2026WordsThatWill\u2026for helping to edit!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe becomes the target for revenge when he is forced to participate in a human cockfight in order to save his father’s life.<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0PG Contains violence (16,700 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":9860,"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":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2333,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-4.jpg?fit=387%2C387&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":18034,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=18034","url_meta":{"origin":12146,"position":0},"title":"Joe (by A-P)","author":"A-P","date":"August 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A group of poems about Joe Cartwright . Rating: K Word Count: 578","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2842,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2842","url_meta":{"origin":12146,"position":1},"title":"Brother (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"May 14, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Growing up isn't easy. Two vignettes, two times in Joe's life when he is forced to mature\u2014and he's all on his own. 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Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12132","url_meta":{"origin":12146,"position":3},"title":"Chinese Molasses (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"January 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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