{"id":12149,"date":"2001-09-01T17:17:40","date_gmt":"2001-09-01T21:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12149"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:16","slug":"foiled-attempts-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12149","title":{"rendered":"Foiled Attempts (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> Contains some violence. In the right place at the wrong time, Little Joe foils a bank robbery attempt and is taken hostage.\u00a0 A vision from the past, gives him the courage to be brave until his family can find him.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 PG13\u00a0 (14,430 words)<\/p>\n

Foiled Attempts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss Cartwright pulled their tired horses to a stop. They had been riding all day and now night was descending upon the small group of men who had been following after the hold up men that had attempted to rob the bank earlier that morning. Ben had sent his youngest son, Little Joe over to the bank to deposit his prize money of $50 into his savings account when the masked men had entered the bank and tried to steal the bank\u2019s holdings, including the boy\u2019s money. The robbery attempt had not netted the robbers much money due to the fact that Little Joe and his best friend, Mitch Devlin had caused some type of distraction. Mitch had ended up getting shot in the shoulder and when the bandits left empty handed except for what little money they had taken from the customers who were caught unaware in the bank, they had taken his son as their hostage instead.<\/p>\n

Ben cringed when he thought about the sight that his eyes had beheld earlier this morning. As he and his two older sons had emerged from the lawyers\u2019 office where they had been required to sign some legal papers, they had heard the gunfire coming from the direction of the bank. Ben\u2019s first thoughts were in regard to the welfare and whereabouts of his fifteen-year-old son. It was then that he had witnessed the bandits riding wildly down the middle of the street on their way out of town. Sitting in front of the lead man on his horse sat Joe Cartwright, a pistol held to his head, and a look of total terror plastered on his young face. Ben\u2019s heart had leaped into his throat at the sight. Immediately the sheriff, Roy Coffee, had organized a posse and soon after the group of men had headed out of town racing away at break neck speed. The Cartwright men had joined in and now, tired and exhausted, the group had no choice but to stop and make camp for the night.<\/p>\n

“We might as well make camp here tonight men, we can get a fresh start first thing in the morning,” Sheriff Coffee instructed the posse as he dismounted from his horse.<\/p>\n

“Pa?” questioned Hoss, looking at his father and seeing the anxiety on his father\u2019s face. “Do we gotta stop now? I aim to find that little brother of mine and if\u2019n those fellas lay one hand on him, I will rip them apart with these,” Hoss told his father as he held up his large hands in the air for his father to see.
\nBen dismounted his horse and looked at each of his sons. “Hoss, trust me son, I know just how you feel, I am as anxious to have my son back as you are to get your brother back. But we have no other choice for now. It\u2019s getting dark, we can\u2019t possibly follow the trail til morning.”
\n“Come on son, lets get some rest and we\u2019ll do just what Roy said, we\u2019ll get an early start in the morning,” finished Ben in a softer voice as he began unsaddling his mount. Ben was worried about his youngest son but knew he had to put on a good front for his middle son. He knew how much Little Joe meant to Hoss and knew that Hoss would fight to the death to protect the boy. The emotions he saw on Hoss\u2019 face convinced him of that, Hoss was mad and it took a lot to anger the largest of his sons. Hoss was usually good-natured and kind to all, until it came to protecting a member of his family, especially his baby brother, then he became as dangerous as a wounded grizzly bear.<\/p>\n

Adam on the other hand kept his anger hidden to those who did not know him well. But Ben knew him as well if not better than anyone and he could see the angry fire that burned in his dark eyes. He could see the twitch of his jaw, a sure sign that a storm was brewing deep within. Ben realized that he was glad it was not going to be him on the receiving end of that anger, should it erupt.<\/p>\n

Adam dismounted Sport and began following suit, giving his younger brother a silent nod of the head. Hoss let out a long sigh and reluctantly did as Adam and the rest of the group of men was doing, and that was tending to their horses. That finished they turned to the task of preparing for what each man knew, would be a long night.<\/p>\n

The three men involved in the holdup had ridden long after nightfall, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the posse that was following after them. Little Joe was tiring, his rear end hurt from having to ride double in the saddle with the larger man whose horse he shared. His hands hurt where the man had tied them together. The tight rope had rubbed raw places on his wrists and they had begun to sting. He was glad when they stopped, but before he knew what was taking place the large man, who he had heard called Gus, grabbed him roughly by the back of the neck and shoved him carelessly from the horse. Joe hit the ground with a heavy thud, momentarily knocking the wind out of him.<\/p>\n

“Stumpy, tie the brat up, and make sure you tie him tight. I don\u2019t want him getting away. Oh, and make sure you gag him, stuff a sock in his mouth first, the little bastard cost us thousands of dollars today,” Gus instructed the short man called Stumpy as he climbed down from his horse.<\/p>\n

“Get your butt on over there kid,” Gus said as he kicked Joe from behind. Joe clinched his teeth to keep from crying out but when the man kicked him a second time he let out a moan as the man\u2019s boot connected with his lower back.<\/p>\n

Stumpy untied Joe\u2019s hands where they had been tied in front of him and then roughly yanked on Joe\u2019s arms forcing them behind his back and began tying his hands together around the trunk of a tree.<\/p>\n

“Not like that you stupid fool. Tie his hands over that branch and then tie his ankles around the trunk,” ordered Gus as he took a sip from a whiskey bottle that had suddenly appeared from the man\u2019s saddlebags.<\/p>\n

“But Boss, if\u2019n I do that, how will he sleep? He can\u2019t sleep trussed up like that,” Stumpy questioned, wondering at his boss\u2019 thinking.<\/p>\n

Gus walked over to where Stumpy was now tying Joe\u2019s wrists above the branch that was over his head. “Guess if he sleeps, he\u2019ll just have to do it standing up,” sneered Gus as he took a drag on his whiskey bottle.<\/p>\n

“Anyway, who cares, this way he\u2019ll be too damn tired to try to escape tomorrow,” laughed Gus. Drawing his face close to Joe\u2019s he laughed again.<\/p>\n

“I have plans for him. This brat foiled my plans this morning, but from what I heard, this kid\u2019s daddy is worth more\u2019n what was in that bank. And if\u2019n I figure it right, he will pay us thousands to have his kid home. Ain\u2019t that right punk?” spat Gus, his spittle spraying into Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his head; the man\u2019s breath reeked of tooth decay and bad whiskey making his stomach churn. And with the nasty sock now stuffed into his mouth and the gag tied tightly around his mouth, Joe could only stare at the dirty man.<\/p>\n

The third man who Joe knew as Pete finished tending to the horses while Gus sat and downed his whiskey. Stumpy and Pete kept their eyes on Gus as they made ready their bedrolls for the night. Both men were well aware that Gus could turn real nasty when he was drinking and both wanted to avoid a confrontation with their boss if possible. Gus had ordered them not to build a fire, he insisted on a cold camp hoping to keep their location secret from the posse. All three men had to make due with beef jerky and stale bread for their supper. Joe who was watching the three knew that supper was just another thing that he would be missing out on tonight. His stomach growled from his hunger and he was thirsty. Gus had not allowed him anything all day and Joe fought the hunger that gnawed at his stomach with thoughts of his family. Surely his pa and brothers would arrive soon to help him out of his mess. It seemed to Joe that he was forever getting into one scrape after another that resulted in having to be rescued by one or the other of his brothers or by all three of his family members. Joe silently cursed himself for his foolish move earlier that morning while in the bank.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to get comfortable but with his arms stretched tight over his head and his ankles secured to the trunk of the tree there was no position he could find to ease his weariness. And the blackness of the night had set in, causing the boy to shiver slightly, more from the fear of the darkness than from the cool night air. God, how he wished his father would come for him. He hated being left alone in the dark like this and he had to admit to himself, he was scared. Gus had been sucking on his whiskey bottle for more than an hour now, all the while throwing dirty looks in his direction. Joe reasoned that it was only a matter of time before the man started taking his anger out on him. Joe knew he had really pissed the man off during the robbery attempt when he had tried to grab his $50 back from the man. And Mitch! Oh God, thought Joe, his best friend had been shot and Joe could only wonder whether his friend was still alive or not. He sure had looked dead to Joe. Joe could no longer contain his tears and silently they streamed from his green eyes as he prayed for his friend and for his family to hurry to him.<\/p>\n

“Oh please, God, let Mitch be okay! It was my fault he got shot, I am so sorry God!” whispered Joe\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s arms were hurting, the pain running like sharp needles down the lengths of his arms and into his shoulders. His head hurt where he had been hit while at the bank and again when he had hit the ground as Gus knocked him from the horse. Adding to his discomfort, was the pain in his lower back where he had been kicked earlier.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to stay awake so that he could keep his eyes on what Gus was doing but as the weariness consumed his aching body, his eyes became too heavy with sleep for him to keep open. As he dosed off and his knees buckled from beneath him, his head fell forward with a jerk and brought him out of his haze. Joe thought it best to think of something that would prolong the sleep, at least until he was sure that Gus had either fallen asleep or passed out from the whiskey.<\/p>\n

Joe thought back to when he and Mitch had entered the bank to make the deposit to his account. They had just made their way to the teller\u2019s window and laid his money on the counter when the door had burst open and three masked men entered the bank.<\/p>\n

“Okay everyone, this is a holdup, don\u2019t anyone move,” Gus had yelled. “Stumpy, collect everyone\u2019s cash and jewelry, Pete, keep your gun on them,” ordered Gus as he made his way to the teller\u2019s window. Throwing a saddlebag onto the counter, he ordered the teller to “fill it up.”<\/p>\n

Joe, who stood in front of the window, was shoved out of the way by the masked man, causing him to bump into Mitch who had been standing directly behind him.<\/p>\n

“Get out of the way kid,” Gus hollered at Joe as he grabbed for Joe\u2019s $50 that he had just placed on the counter.<\/p>\n

Anger at seeing the man stealing his money over ruled Joe\u2019s caution. “Hey, that\u2019s my money, give it back,” yelled Joe as he attempted to grab for his money that Gus had been holding in his hand.<\/p>\n

Gus saw Joe\u2019s sudden movement and while holding the money high over his head, with his gun in the other hand, he delivered a backhanded blow to the side of Joe\u2019s head. The assault caused Joe to fall backward into the counter. Mitch made a grab to break Joe\u2019s fall and Gus thinking that the blond headed boy was attempting to overpower him, shot the boy down.<\/p>\n

“Damn!” Gus screamed. Stuffing the $50 into his pocket he then grabbed Joe by the back of the shirt as Joe had been trying to check on the condition of his friend. Joe was spun around and Gus who out weighed the young boy by more than a hundred pounds managed to hold Joe in a tight headlock, making it impossible for him to get away.<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t stop Joe from fighting, what he lacked in weight, he more than made for with grit and determination. He grabbed at the man\u2019s arms as they held him in the vise like grip. The action caused the bandit\u2019s mask to slip from his face, revealing his identity. Kicking and tugging for all he was worth brought little satisfaction of escape from the death like hold the big man had on him. As he continued to struggle, the man only applied more pressure to the boy\u2019s neck and within seconds, Joe felt his head begin to spin from lack of oxygen and was forced to stop his struggle.<\/p>\n

“Come on men, let\u2019s get outta here. This fool kid has ruined everything.” Gus ordered his men as he began making his way to the door, followed by Stumpy and Pete all the while pulling Little Joe along with him.<\/p>\n

Gus carefully opened the door and saw that a crowd of people where beginning to form in front of the bank.<\/p>\n

“Hold your fire all of you or I\u2019ll blow this brat\u2019s head off his shoulders. Back up! NOW!” screamed Gus as the three bandits made their way to their horses. The crowd did as they were ordered, one man yelling out to Joe.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t worry Little Joe, we\u2019ll get your pa and brothers!”<\/p>\n

Gus handed Little Joe to Stumpy while he mounted his horse and then pulled Joe by the head of the hair unto the horse forcing Joe to cry out with the pain. He was placed in the saddle in front of Gus and Pete was ordered to tie his hands. That quickly done, Stumpy and Pete mounted their own horses and the three headed out of town, all the while Gus held his pistol to Joe\u2019s temple, promising to kill the boy if anyone made an attempt to stop him or his buddies.<\/p>\n

Joe shivered again, he felt the night becoming cooler and he wished for the comfort of his warm bed. He hoped his father and brothers would come to rescue him soon. He had seen them out of the corner of his eye as Gus had raced out of town. At least he had the reassurance that they had known that the bandits had taken him as their hostage, but he wished they would hurry, he wanted to go home; and he was worried about Mitch. And this gag was making him sick, the sock that had been shoved into his mouth was causing his mouth to become terribly dry making it almost impossible to swallow. Joe was getting nervous fighting to keep the sock in place he worried what if he fell asleep and choked on the sock?<\/p>\n

“Please Pa, hurry! I need you,” cried Joe to himself.<\/p>\n

“What\u2019s wrong cry baby, you wantin\u2019 your daddy?” laughed Gus who had gotten up to check on his prisoner and had seen Joe\u2019s tears.<\/p>\n

Joe, who had closed his eyes, had been unaware of Gus\u2019 approach. Opening his eyes when hearing Gus\u2019 laughter, Joe tried to turn his head to avoid making eye contact with his tormentor. The look of hate that radiated from the man\u2019s eyes sent shivers throughout Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

“Look at me, when I talk to you,” Gus said as he delivered a slap to Joe\u2019s face. Joe\u2019s head reeled backward from the force and he fought to keep the sock from easing it\u2019s way down the back of his throat. Gus laughed loudly and swayed on his feet, the effects of the whiskey taking it\u2019s toll on his body.<\/p>\n

“Good night kid,” Gus said, his words slurred. As he turned to leave he spun around facing Joe one more time and delivered his fist to the bottom of Joe\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s for fouling up my job this morning,” he said and punched Joe a second time, this one aimed at the kidneys and then he stumbled back to his bedroll where he fell face down on top of his blanket.<\/p>\n

Joe could not double over from the punches to his body due to the way he was tied. The blows had been hard enough to cause sufficient pain to his abdomen and side but Joe could only cry out in silence. When he could no longer keep his eyes open, body consumed with agony, Joe gave in to the darkness that claimed him. His body limp and slumped was held only by the weight that his body placed on the ropes that bound him cutting deeply in to his wrists as he hung from the branch above.<\/p>\n

Ben had been awake for hours. Hoss had fallen asleep shortly after his head came to rest on his saddle he was using for a pillow. Now the sound of his snoring could be heard throughout the camp. Glad that his middle son had at last calmed down enough to rest, Ben looked toward his eldest son and could see the steady rise and fall of his breathing, indicating that he too had found rest.<\/p>\n

Adam had his hat over his face but was able to see from underneath the rim. He had seen his father watching him to see if he had fallen asleep. He decided to allow his father that small comfort but knew it would be hours before he could sleep. His mind was on his younger brother and the fate that waited him. Adam had seen the frightened look that his brother wore on his face as he was forced to leave town with the bandits. Worry for the boy\u2019s welfare ate at Adam\u2019s soul, he knew that Joe, though always trying to be more grown up and brave than he really was, was no doubt scared and probably wondering where his family was. Adam\u2019s need to protect and shelter the lad was as great in him as it was in his brother Hoss and in their father. True the boy could be most trying sometimes, well most of the time thought Adam, but that did not stop the amount of love that each of the older Cartwright men held in their hearts for him.<\/p>\n

“Hang on little buddy, we\u2019re coming, I promise you kid,” whispered Adam to himself before closing his eyes hoping to find sleep.<\/p>\n

Ben, lying on his back watched the stars that twinkled in the clear night sky, his mind clearly on his missing son.<\/p>\n

“Oh Marie, help me find our baby!” cried out Ben\u2019s heart. Ben thought about the conversation he had had with Joseph the evening before, demanding that the boy put his winnings into his account at the bank.<\/p>\n

“Joe, I\u2019m glad you won the prize money, but I still think the best thing to do with it is to put it in the bank,” stated Ben who was beginning to tire of the argument with his youngest son. “But Pa, I had plans for this money, can\u2019t I keep it instead of havin\u2019 to put it in that old bank?” begged the curly headed boy as he gave his father a pitiful look, trying to turn the dispute in his favor.<\/p>\n

“Joseph, just what do you want the money for? What is so important that you have to have the whole $50?” Ben asked, watching the facial expressions of his youngest son and all the while could tell that his youngest was up to no good, he just had that look about him and Ben could not refrain from smiling to himself.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was no fool, he knew this one son of his was trying to play the innocent in this current disagreement. He would play the game just a while longer, just to see where this might lead, then he would insist that the $50 that Little Joe had won for showing his prize calf at the fair be put in the bank.<\/p>\n

Ben was aware that his youngest son liked to take part in certain types of entertainment, such as gambling, that he did not approve of. He had been caught on more than one occasion and Ben knew that with the amount of money that Little Joe had won, the temptation would be more than the young boy could handle.<\/p>\n

“Well\u2026um\u2026well\u2026Ah, gee Pa, can\u2019t a fella just have some pocket change?” stammered Little<\/p>\n

Joe, who was unable to come up with a quick enough answer that would satisfy his father. He did have plans, he hoped to double his money if he got his chance. He was planning on sneaking out of the house and getting in on the poker game he knew was going to be taking place this next Saturday in the back room of the Bucket of Blood Saloon. One of his older friends, Sam Higgins, had told him about it. Sam had played last week and said that the fellas who were usually there were not too bright at playing poker and winning was easy. Sam himself had won over $75 that night. Joe wanted part of the action, as he had always loved the challenge and he knew he was good at playing the game.<\/p>\n

Smiling to himself, Ben knew that Joseph was grasping at straws trying to come up with a good excuse to keeping the money and yet not lying to him.<\/p>\n

“Ok, you can keep some change, just to hear it jingling in your pocket,” he teased, ” but the rest is going into the bank. Is that clear?” asked Ben.<\/p>\n

“Pa! That ain\u2019t fair!” yelled Joe, his anger beginning to become apparent.<\/p>\n

Ben, who had been sitting in his chair by the fire, rose from his seat and faced Joe. “Watch your tone of voice young man,” he warned.<\/p>\n

Joe looked into his father\u2019s brown eyes and saw the anger beginning to make the eyes darker than normal and knew he was on dangerous ground.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry Pa, it\u2019s just that I was hoping I could keep the money. If I put it in the bank, with my luck the bank will get robbed and then I won\u2019t have any,” Joe told his father, the sorrow evident in his voice.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled to himself and lifted his son\u2019s chin so that he could see into the depths of the green eyes. “Ok, son, you may keep, say, $5 but the rest has to go into your account at the bank. Is that clear?”<\/p>\n

Pulling his chin from his father\u2019s grasp Joe turned to sit down on the low wooden table that was placed in front of the fireplace. The disgust clearing showing on his young face as the furrows that appeared there deepened.<\/p>\n

“Do I have a choice in the matter?” he demanded.<\/p>\n

“Joseph, I am very tired of this discussion. You heard what I said, and that is final, unless of course, you would rather put the whole amount into the bank?” Ben said as he stood over Joe and watched as the boy tried to control his anger and disappointment.<\/p>\n

“Okay, Pa, if I have to do it your way. But if my money gets stolen, then it\u2019s your fault,” Joe sounding more like a ten year old said as he rose from the table and began making his way to his bedroom.<\/p>\n

Unable to contain his laughter any longer, Ben\u2019s voice vibrated throughout the room. “Well, let\u2019s hope that doesn\u2019t happen son; I\u2019m afraid I\u2019d lose more than $50 if it did. Good night Joseph, I love you son.”<\/p>\n

Joe turned to face his father and could not help but smile, he knew he was acting like a little kid, just the opposite of what he had always claimed he was not. But he also knew that he could not stay mad at his father for long, he loved him too much.<\/p>\n

“Night Pa, I love you too. And I\u2019m sorry I got so cross,” said Joe returning to give his father a hug before going to bed.<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes, “if I had not been so insistent, our baby would not be in this danger now. Oh Marie, I am so sorry, forgive me please,” cried Ben\u2019s heart as sleep at last claimed the worried father.<\/p>\n

With the coming of morning, the posse was on its way. Hoss had taken the lead following the trail as best he could. The bandits were heading for higher ground, traveling over rock and hard packed earth, making their trail nearly impossible to follow. Ben was beginning to get discouraged as he felt that his youngest son was slipping further and further from him; the need to protect him and hold him close was tearing away at his very being.<\/p>\n

“Pa,” called Hoss stopping his horse and climbing down to get a better look at the tracks.<\/p>\n

“What is it Hoss?” asked Ben and he also dismounted and came to stand next to the larger of his three sons.<\/p>\n

Looking sadly at this father and then casting a glance in Adam\u2019s direction, discouragement plainly showing on his face, he quietly spoke.<\/p>\n

“I seem to have lost the tracks, they look as if they\u2019ve just disappeared. I can\u2019t tell which way they go from here. I\u2019m sorry Pa,” Hoss said as he hung his head to hide the tears that had suddenly pooled in his blue eyes.<\/p>\n

Hoss had been worried about his brother, seeing him riding out of town with the pistol pointed at his head had caused Hoss\u2019 stomach to churn with fear for the boy. Hoss knew Joe was in a dangerous situation and anything could happen to him. Fear of his being hurt or worse, killed by these men hung heavy in Hoss\u2019 mind forcing him to want to push forward in their search. Having lost all signs of the bandit\u2019s tracks was having its effects on the middle son of Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

“Hoss, you\u2019ve done the best you could,” Ben said as he patted his son on his back hoping to give comfort to the boy. “We\u2019ll think of something else.”<\/p>\n

“Pa?” questioned Adam as he joined his father and brother who were still looking around at the ground hoping to pick up Little Joe\u2019s trail.<\/p>\n

“It appears that these guys are heading toward Placerville. It\u2019s not much further, why don\u2019t we go there, look around, maybe get a beer and ask a few indiscreet questions?” Adam stated, for he was having his own thoughts about what might this very minute be happening to his kid brother. Adam wasn\u2019t at all happy with where those thoughts were taking him. If those men had hurt his baby brother, Adam had full intentions of making them pay dearly for having done so.<\/p>\n

“Ben, that\u2019s a good idea. Some of these fellas here gotta get back to their families. I\u2019ll ride back with them and wire the sheriff in Placerville, tell him what\u2019s goin\u2019 on. That way he will be waiting for you and in the mean time, he can keep an eye out for any suspicious looking characters,” Roy said.<\/p>\n

Ben appeared to be lost in thought and just when Roy thought he would have to repeat his little speech, Ben looked up at him and shook his head yes.<\/p>\n

“Well, at least that\u2019s a plan. Might be we could pick up a clue or two. I\u2019ll wire you after we talk to the sheriff, Roy.” Ben stated. Turning to the small group of followers, he thanked them for their help. “Men, my sons here and I truly appreciate what you have done so far. Thank you, friends.”<\/p>\n

With that Roy and his posse turned toward home and left Ben standing with his sons to discuss their next move. When Ben looked up, only one man from the retreating posse remained.<\/p>\n

“I aim to stay with you Ben, that is if you don\u2019t mind. I\u2019d like to see those scumbags get what\u2019s coming to them. That was my son they left for dead in the bank.” Charlie Devlin announced to his friends.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019d be pleased to have you Charlie, you know that. I\u2019m just happy that Mitch was not hurt any worse than what he was,” said Ben as he approached Charlie\u2019s horse and shook the hand of his long time friend.<\/p>\n

As it happened, the bullet had only grazed Mitch\u2019s shoulder rather than entering the flesh. The doctor had pronounced him fit, if not somewhat sore, and then had to give the boy a sedative in order to calm him down and keep him still. He had been determined to ride out after the posse with his father to aid in the search of his best friend, Joe.<\/p>\n

“Times a wasting, let\u2019s ride,” Ben said as he and his sons mounted their horses and rode toward Placerville.<\/p>\n

The four men rode hard trying to cover the distance as quickly as possible. But no matter how hard they pushed nightfall had once again done its best to hamper the determined travelers. Ben and his boys, along with Charlie decided to push on toward Placerville. They arrived a short time after mid-night and went in search of the stable to board their horses for the night. After much pounding on the door, the stable boy answered their knock, a look of sleep clearly evident on his face. While Adam and Hoss were talking to the stable boy and making sure their horses would be cared for, Ben and Charlie headed for the hotel and were able to acquire two rooms. When the younger men finished their task they too made their way to the hotel and joined their father and Mr. Devlin.<\/p>\n

“Pa, I think Hoss and I should make a little trip to the saloon. I saw plenty of men that were still there when we came in from the stable. Might be we could pick up some helpful information,” Adam told his father.<\/p>\n

“Okay Adam, you and Hoss go ahead, but remember, be careful. If you find out anything helpful, wake me just as soon as you get back. I think Charlie and I will call it a night, we have to see the sheriff first thing in the morning so we need to get an early start,” Ben instructed his son.<\/p>\n

Adam placed his hat on his head and turned toward the door to join Hoss who had been waiting for him in the hall. “Don\u2019t worry Pa, we\u2019ll find the kid,” Adam said as he turned to face his father before going out the door. Adam noted the fine lines that had begun to appear on his father\u2019s face and knew the man was worn out and worried about his baby son\u2019s safety. He would do all he could to alleviate some of that fear and worry his father was experiencing.<\/p>\n

Ben looked into the dark eyes of his oldest son and could see the silent pain within. He nodded his head and smiled.<\/p>\n

“I certainly hope so son. I won\u2019t stop until I have that boy back home with me, with us, I should say. Now run along Adam. Good luck son,” said Ben as he followed Adam to the door and shut it as Adam joined Hoss.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss walked together into the Dead Dog Saloon but parted company as soon as they entered. Adam turned toward the bar and ordered a whiskey while Hoss who had worked his way to the far end of the bar ordered himself a beer. A group of cowboys in for a night of drinking and partying were in the far corner of the saloon surrounded by a smaller group of ladies. In the other corner of the bar sat six men deeply involved in a poker game. Adam searched the faces of each man hoping to recognize one from the bank robbery in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

There didn\u2019t seem to be much going on and after a half hour or so Hoss inched his way to the end of the counter where Adam now stood looking over his back through the gilded mirror that faced him.<\/p>\n

“Doesn\u2019t look like anything worth while here big brother. We might as well call it a night,” stated Hoss as he turned his glass up to catch the last drops of remaining beer.<\/p>\n

“Yea, no use standing here all night. We\u2019ll talk to the sheriff in the morning, maybe he has seen some strangers around town in the last couple of days,” said Adam, grabbing his hat and heading for the door.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam walked to the hotel in silence; each lost in their own thoughts about their youngest brother. Climbing the stairs to their room one could plainly see that the two young men had a look of determination on their handsome faces. Any man who knew the Cartwright men knew that these two young men would not rest until they had accomplished what they had set out to do. A wiser man would not dare get in their way, for doing so could ultimately result in serious consequences.<\/p>\n

Morning came much too early for the four tired men, but each knew that they had to push on. Ben suggested that the first stop should be a quick breakfast downstairs in the hotel dinning room and then they would see the sheriff. Hopefully he would have some news to tell them that would aide in their search for Little Joe. Eating their breakfast as fast as they could, they hurried to find the sheriff of Placerville.<\/p>\n

“Sheriff Brownly?” asked Ben as the four men entered the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

“That\u2019s right, Ben Cartwright I presume?” greeted the sheriff as he extended his hand in welcome. “Roy Coffee wired me last night that you would be coming in.”<\/p>\n

“Yes, that\u2019s right, Sheriff, these are my two sons, Adam and Hoss, and this is our friend, Charlie Devlin,” Ben said as he shook the hand of the sheriff and introduced his group.<\/p>\n

“Nice to meet you fellas,” Brownly greeted the three taking time to shake hands with each man.<\/p>\n

“Now, Roy says you are looking for you younger son. He was taken hostage during a robbery attempt. Is that correct?” the sheriff asked while he thumbed through some wanted posters.<\/p>\n

“Yes, that\u2019s correct, have you seen any strangers around town the last couple of days?” Adam asked as he looked over Sheriff Brownly\u2019s shoulder at the wanted posters.<\/p>\n

Hoss was becoming impatient at the small talk. He wanted to be doing something; this standing around was wearing on his nerves.<\/p>\n

“Sheriff, do ya know of any place \u2018round here where a couple of guys might hide? We\u2019re fairly certain that those rascals were headin\u2019 this way,” asked Hoss as he moved to stand on the other side of the sheriff, trying to look at the posters along with Adam.<\/p>\n

“Well, let\u2019s see now,” said the sheriff, staring up at the ceiling as if lost in thought. “There\u2019s an old abandoned shack about seven or eight miles from here. Ain\u2019t no one used it in about three years. Could make a good hide out, plenty of trees and boulders around it.” Sheriff Brownly informed the small group.<\/p>\n

“Which way?” asked Ben as he leaned over the desk so that he could look into the sheriff\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

“South, about three miles out on the main road. There, the road forks and you will need to ride east about four miles. The country is pretty well grown up around there, like I said lots of woods and large rocks. The old shack is about a hundred yards off the road, if you could call it a road, more like a path. May even have to walk your horses,” finished Brownly laying the wanted posters on his desk and rising from his chair.<\/p>\n

Charlie who was standing next to the desk opposite of Ben glanced down at the poster that had been placed on the desk. “Hey, Ben, look at this,” he said, picking up the top poster to get a better look at the face staring back at him.<\/p>\n

“I swear, this looks like one of the men who took Joe,” Charlie said, handing the poster to Ben. Adam and Hoss moved to stand next to their father so that they could inspect the face.<\/p>\n

“Hey Pa, Charlie, I think ya right, that was the one who had the pistol to Joe\u2019s head,” commented Hoss who was beginning to get excited.
\n“Hoss is right Pa, he is the one, I won\u2019t be forgetting that face anytime soon,” added Adam who had begun clinching and unclinching his fists.<\/p>\n

“Let me take a look at that, if you don\u2019t mind,” asked Sheriff Brownly. Taking the poster from Ben\u2019s hand, Brownly stared at it for several minutes before he spoke.<\/p>\n

“Mr. Cartwright, this is Gus Slater,” began the sheriff, turning to face Ben, a look of remorse on his face. “He\u2019s meaner than a stripped rattlesnake. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but he don\u2019t care who he kills, kid or not, he just plain oh don\u2019t care,” he said as he handed the picture over to Adam.<\/p>\n

The room became silent and the group of men exchanged worried looks. Ben found his voice first. “Let\u2019s check out that old shack first. If we don\u2019t find anything there, then we\u2019ll come back here and start out in another direction.”<\/p>\n

“Cartwright, I will take a couple of my best men and ride over to Wolf Holler, there are some old caves and mines over there, we\u2019ll check those out while you and your boys go to the shack. Why don\u2019t we meet back here around seven tonight and take it from there?” asked the sheriff.<\/p>\n

“What do you think boys?” Ben asked, turning to his sons for their answers.<\/p>\n

“Let\u2019s get a move on, Pa, we gotta find Joe, if\u2019n this Gus fella is as mean as the sheriff here says, Joe could be in real trouble. You know how he is sometimes when he gets riled; he never has learned when to keep his mouth shut. No doubt he hasn\u2019t this time either,” Hoss stated as he place his Stetson on his head and started out the door. His father and brother followed him through the door with Charlie Devlin bringing up the rear.<\/p>\n

“What about Roy?” asked Adam.<\/p>\n

“We don\u2019t have time right now. I\u2019ll wire him tonight when we get back,” Ben said. “Mount up boys, I want my son home with me, tonight if possible,” said Ben as he mounted his buckskin horse and gave him a good kick to the ribs.<\/p>\n

In minutes the four men were on their way out of town and down the main road that each hoped would lead them to the whereabouts of the youngest family member.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s battered body ached from head to toe and he was so weary that he could hardly keep his eyes opened. He had suffered through yet another of Gus\u2019 beatings this morning and that added to the fact that he had spent the night being forced to stand had taken a toll on his body. The smooth gait of the horse beneath him at last lulled the tired boy to sleep. As he leaned back into the chest of the man who held him in the saddle, Stumpy felt the head of the young boy relaxing against his body. He shifted slightly in the saddle so that the boy could be a bit more comfortable. Something inside of Stumpy\u2019s heart stirred and being unaware of his actions, he gently reached up and fingered the soft brown curls that tickled the bottom of his chin. Memories began invading Stumpy\u2019s thoughts and he was carried back through the years to another battered young boy with soft brown curls who he had held in his arms much like he was now holding Little Joe Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Stumpy\u2019s younger brother, Chad, lay dead in his arms, beaten to death by their enraged stepfather. Their mother had died two years earlier leaving Chad then twelve and himself fourteen in the custody of the wicked man. From the day their mother had been laid to rest, the daily beatings had begun, until that day when the two young boys had found themselves in the yard alone with the intoxicated man.<\/p>\n

The drunken stepfather had started early in the day by yelling and screaming at both of the boys. When that had failed to get the required results he desired he had began slapping the boys until at last the slaps had turned into solid punches and in the end he had used his pistol to beat the younger of the two boys. As Chad lay dead, a solid blow to his temple, Stumpy had cradled his young brother in his arms and sobbed only to have his stepfather laugh in his face. This had angered young Stumpy and he had plowed into the laughing man who held the pistol in his hand. Stumpy had somehow managed to knock the man to the ground and take the handgun from him. Quickly the older man was on his feet as Stumpy sat on the ground where he had fallen, pistol pointed directly at the man in front of him. Carelessly the man began laughing and taunting the grieving boy.<\/p>\n

“You little fool, do you think you scare me? You\u2019re nothin\u2019 but a yellow-bellied coward,” stated the stepfather as he advanced on the boy. Without thoughts of the consequences of his actions, his mind dull with grief at the death of his brother, Stumpy pulled the trigger and the blast that came from the loaded gun hit the man between the eyes. The stepfather, a look of shock on his evil face fell face down into the dirt where death and hell claimed him as theirs.<\/p>\n

Stumpy cautiously rose from where he sat in the dirt and slowly walked to where the dead man rested in the pool of blood that had formed on the ground beneath him. Stumpy then laughed a sick heartless laugh and then turned to the dead body of his brother. Carefully gathering the still form into his arms he carried his brother to the spot behind the house where both his father and mother were buried and set about to bury his brother. Stumpy remained at the gravesides of his family and cried tears of sorrow and regret. Now alone and frightened, he saddled his horse and without so much as a backward glance, rode from his home for the last time.<\/p>\n

That had been ten years ago, and it had been the first time he had killed. Killing since then had become a way of life for him, a means of survival. But he had not stooped so low as to become a child killer. Somehow, he told himself, he would help this young boy, Stumpy knew in his heart that Gus would end up killing the lad. It did not matter to Gus if the boy lived or died, just as long as he had his money first. Stumpy was determined now not to let that happened. He owed this much to the boy if for no other reason because he felt within his heart that somehow he had failed his own brother. With this in mind, he determined that he just might be able to help this curly headed young boy who reminded him so much of his beloved younger brother.<\/p>\n

While the Cartwright brothers were checking out the patrons of the Dead Dog Saloon, Gus and his small band of men had found an old deserted shack about six or seven miles outside of the Placerville city limits.<\/p>\n

“Pete,” ordered Gus, “check out the inside of the shack, this looks like a good place to hide out for a few days. We need supplies and these nags need a rest.”<\/p>\n

Pete climbed down from his horse and drawing his gun, slowly made his way into the run down shack. Carefully he scanned the room and deciding that it was safe enough, called out to his boss.<\/p>\n

“Everything\u2019s clear in here Gus,” said Pete appearing in the doorway of the shack. “Come on in, it\u2019s dirty, but hell, what\u2019s a little dirt, right boss?” smiled Pete, showing his yellowed teeth.<\/p>\n

Gus dismounted and walked over to Stumpy\u2019s horse where Joe had been riding. Reaching up and grabbing Joe by the arm, he jerked Joe from the horse as easily as if he had been a sack of grain and tossed him to the ground.<\/p>\n

“Pete, get this kid in there, and keep a watch on him. Stumpy, get the horses into that barn and out of sight.”<\/p>\n

Joe was getting up from where Gus had tossed him when Pete began shoving him toward the building. Joe was wobbling on his feet from lack of food and found it hard to maintain his balance. This seemed to only anger Pete and he pushed Joe harder, causing him to lose his balance tripping on the step.<\/p>\n

“Get that kid inside, like I told you too!” yelled Gus who approached Little Joe before he could pull himself up from the step. Gus began kicking at Joe, not caring where his kicks landed, only making sure that the tip of his boot made contact with the boy\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

Joe covered his body with his hands, trying to protect himself from Gus\u2019 assault but with little results. “I\u2019m going, I\u2019m going,” cried out the young boy doing his best to get to his feet.<\/p>\n

Gus looked down at his prisoner and laughed. “God, I hate you kid. Get him outta my sight Pete. Tie him up and gag him again.”<\/p>\n

Pete pulled Joe to his feet and practically dragged him inside. Once inside, he flung Joe into the old chair that sat at the table and tied his hands and feet tightly. Joe\u2019s head rested on his chest and he when he refused to open his mouth for the gag Pete slammed his fist into his face. Joe\u2019s cry of pain echoed from the walls of the cabin; and when his mouth opened, Pete stuffed the sock into it muffling any further cries and tied the gag tightly around Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Joe could no longer hold back his tears of frustration and pain and allowed the tears to flow from his now battered face. His face hurt, his lip had been busted open when Pete had hit him, the taste of blood was on his lips and his face was bruised from all of the slapping Gus had been doing. Most of all, Joe wanted to go home and the tears he cried were for the father he was longing for. Joe wanted nothing more at this time than to have his father\u2019s strong arms around him in a tight embrace protecting him from these evil attackers and to hear him saying that everything would be all right.<\/p>\n

Pete and Stumpy opened the cans of beans they found that had been left on the shelf in the shack. There was hardly enough to go around but Stumpy spooned out just enough for Little Joe to keep Gus from yelling at him for feeding the kid. If Gus had it his way, he would not have offered the boy anything but Stumpy had promised himself he would try to help the boy and he knew that the boy had had nothing to put into his stomach since the holdup attempt. Stumpy realized the boy was probably starving so had decided to share the beans with him. As he sat the plate of beans in front of Joe, he instructed Joe to eat slowly as not to make himself sick and then he began untying Joe\u2019s hands so that he could feed himself.<\/p>\n

Joe was grateful for the release, regardless of how short a period he knew it would be. He began working his hands trying to regain the feeling that he had lost from them. He knew this was taking precious time but Joe was not even sure he could swallow the meager meal that was offered to him. His mouth was as dry as cotton from the sock having been there for so long and what he really wanted was a drink of cool water.<\/p>\n

“Please,” spoke Joe in a soft voice to Stumpy. “Could I have a drink of water?” he begged, not caring if he sounded like he was begging, which he knew he was doing.<\/p>\n

“Just a little. But drink slowly okay?” said Stumpy as he sat the tin cup of water in front of Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe raised the cup to his lips and drank slowly as Stumpy had suggested. The cool water tasted good and felt even better on his lip that had been split open earlier.<\/p>\n

“Thanks,” Joe whispered to Stumpy, not wanting Gus to hear. He didn\u2019t want to get Gus mad again as he was beginning to feel the effects of all of the kicking and slapping that had been done to his body.<\/p>\n

“What\u2019s this?” Gus asked Pete looking at what appeared to be a trap door in the floor. Gus reached down and pulled on the handle, raising the lid.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t know, didn\u2019t see it earlier,” Pete told him as he and Stumpy moved in for a closer look.<\/p>\n

“Hand me that lantern,” Gus demanded. Taking the lantern from Stumpy\u2019s hand and lighting it, Gus held it down into the darkness trying to figure out what was beneath the house. Seeing a ladder that was attached to the opening, Gus slowly began climbing down through the hole in the floor. Suddenly his loud laughter could be heard coming from below.<\/p>\n

All at once Gus\u2019 head appeared from the hole in the wooden floor. “This is perfect, it\u2019s an old root cellar. Nothing down here but dirt, dirt floor, dirt walls, no windows no doors, no escape!” he laughed as he watched the mixture of emotions that played across his young prisoner\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

His wicked laughing caught the attention of Little Joe who was struggling to finish his cold bean supper that Stumpy had given to him minutes before. Joe began feeling dread building in the pit of his stomach, surely they weren\u2019t planning on putting him in that hole; it was so dark down there!<\/p>\n

“Get that damn kid over here, now! This will be his new home for awhile, until I can get a ransom note to his ole man!” laughed Gus, thinking how well his plan was working out.<\/p>\n

Pete made a grab for Joe but Joe saw the move and tried to get away from the advancing man. Having forgotten that his feet were still tied, he tripped as he rose from the chair making it easy for Pete to catch him. At last having his hands on the boy, Pete slapped him on the back of his head, causing Joe\u2019s head to fall forward.<\/p>\n

“Get your sorry butt over there,” snapped Pete having to drag the squirming boy along with him as he headed for the opening in the floor where Gus was waiting.<\/p>\n

“No! No! Please, not in there, please!” pleaded Joe, hating himself for showing his fear to these evil men.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to stop the tears that had suddenly started falling from his green eyes but could no longer contain his fear and dread. Joe had hated the dark since he had been a small boy and hated worse, being left alone in the feared darkness. His family had always allowed him to leave a lamp burning low so that he could see when awakened at night and neither sibling had ever been cruel enough to tease him about his fear. But now that fear had taken control over his senses and Joe continued to plead.<\/p>\n

“Please, I\u2019ll do whatever you say, just don\u2019t leave me down there, please,” sobbed Joe.<\/p>\n

Gus was getting angry for the delay and seeing Joe\u2019s tears angered him even more. He was not one to tolerate weakness of any kind from anybody, especially this kid who he had grown to hate with a passion. The brat was proving to be more trouble than he was worth and Gus just wanted him out of his site.<\/p>\n

“Well, what do you know, the little sissy is scared of the dark! Get that brat over here now!” screamed Gus, whose patience had run out.<\/p>\n

Pete shoved Joe down into the hole and Gus grabbed him by the shirt and yanked hard causing Joe to drop the six or so feet to the dirt ground below. Gus jumped from the ladder and tied Joe\u2019s hands behind his back. Turning Joe over onto his stomach, Gus pulled Joe\u2019s legs which were already tied, up to his wrists and joined them together, leaving Little Joe helpless to move. Grabbing Joe by one of his arms, Gus lifted Joe enough from the ground to drag his body to the far corner of the chamber where it was the darkest and dropped him face down in the dirt. Turning to retrace his steps he picked up the lantern and climbed the ladder to the upper room. When he reached the top he pulled the ladder into the room with him and dropped the hidden door onto the floor. The sound made a heavy thud and Joe turned then to survey his surroundings. It did little good, as it was so dark that Joe could see nothing but the blackness that engulfed him. Trembling, Joe shut his eyes and prayed for his family to hurry, he wanted his father now more than ever before.<\/p>\n

Once in the room, Gus placed the ladder in the corner and pulling an old faded rug from the other end of the room, placed it over the trap door and moved the table and the two rickety old chairs onto the rug. This he regarded with a smile. Now no one would be able to see the hidden door and would be none the wiser as to where the boy was hidden. It was then that Gus remembered that he had forgotten to gag his young prisoner.<\/p>\n

“Oh well,” thought Gus, “he\u2019s too scared to cry out. If\u2019n he does, I\u2019ll just go shut his mouth for him,” he laughed to himself and thinking how smart he was.<\/p>\n

Sometime late into the night Pete was awakened from a sound sleep by a noise he could not define. Quietly he called out to Gus, “Gus, wake up! What\u2019s that noise?” whispered Pete.<\/p>\n

“Huh? What?” moaned Gus rubbing the sleep from his eyes, ” what noise? What are you talkin\u2019 about?”<\/p>\n

“Shh\u2026shh\u2026There, hear it?” Pete said listening into the dark for the strange sound.<\/p>\n

Gus sat still trying to make out the noise and when he realized what it was, anger filled him. Getting up from his bed on the floor, he moved to light the lantern that was on the table. Looking about the room for the things he knew he would need he reached into the corner of the kitchen area where he found an old feed sack. Giving it a strong shake to empty any remaining contents, he then grabbed the old sock and gag that had previously been used to gag his prisoner.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s that damn baby down in the hole, he\u2019s still crying for his daddy. I should have killed him back in that bank instead of his friend. I\u2019ll shut him up for good this time,” Gus fussed as he angrily moved the chairs and table off the rug that covered the hidden door in the floor.<\/p>\n

“Help me with that ladder,” he called to Stumpy who had woke from his sleep to find out what all of the ruckus was about.<\/p>\n

Lifting the door and placing the ladder into the dark hole, Gus carrying his lantern, the feed bag, sock and gag made his way into the hole that had been Joe\u2019s prison for the last several hours. Raising the lantern above his head in order to cast the light around the underground room he made his way to where Joe lay.<\/p>\n

Giving a swift kick to the side of Joe\u2019s hip he yelled out at the frightened boy. “Shut the hell up you stupid brat.”<\/p>\n

Joe who had been sleeping and crying unaware was taken off guard by Gus\u2019 kick. Turning to see the angry man in front of him, he tried to pull away but Gus already had a firm grip on his arm. When Joe saw Gus move to stuff the sock into his mouth, Joe twisted and turned his head trying in vain to avoid having the man place the sock in his mouth. Gus delivered yet another brutal slap to the side of Joe\u2019s face and when he cried out, his cry was stopped when Gus grabbed the sides of Joe\u2019s bruised face with his strong hands in order to hold the jaws opened. Cruelly he shoved the sock into the boy\u2019s mouth and just as quickly tied the gag around his face
\nand knotted the cloth securely from behind.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s tears came for real this time and hearing the man\u2019s cruel laughter caused Joe\u2019s resolve to deteriorate rapidly. He felt the fight go out of him and gave in to the man\u2019s unjust treatment.<\/p>\n

Gus took the second strip of cloth, cut from Joe\u2019s own shirt and wrapped it tightly twice around the boy\u2019s head covering the eyes. Joe was now blindfolded as well as gagged. Gus smiled at the still form of the boy as he lay in the dirt. Gus knew he had at last defeated the strong will of the young boy whom he hated. Smiling to himself, he finished his job by jamming the dirty feed bag down over Joe\u2019s head, covering the entire facial area of the boy. Ripping another long strip of Joe\u2019s shirt, he tied that strip around Joe\u2019s neck holding the feed bag in place. Joe made no move, he could make no sound and he knew that what he had thought of as dark minutes before, the dark he was experiencing now gave new meaning to the word.<\/p>\n

“Now, I said shut the hell up! That should keep you quiet for a while sissy!” smirked Gus kicking Joe in the ribs before he made his way up the ladder and back to his warm bed by the fire.<\/p>\n

Joe continued crying softly to himself, the tears wetting the cloth that covered his eyes. He tried to move but his bonds held him as tightly as if he were a calf at branding. When he could cry no more, sleep claimed the sad frightened boy.<\/p>\n

Much later Joe awoke to a small bright light shining in the distance. He kept his eyes focused on the spot of light until at last the light had grown in size. Raising his hand to his eyes in order to shield them from the brightness, Joe could barely make out the face of a beautiful young woman.<\/p>\n

“But what was that protruding from her sides?” he questioned himself.<\/p>\n

Joe squinted his eyes, trying to focus on the form in front of him. They were wings! Joe knew he was gazing upon the face of an angel.<\/p>\n

“Joseph, Mon Cherie, be patient, your papa is on his way,” spoke the angel in a soft voice that brought instant comfort to the boy in bondage.<\/p>\n

“Mama\u2026Mama? Is that you?” cried out Joe. “Wait\u2026please\u2026wait\u2026mama\u2026I wanna go with you!” cried Joe as the angel began moving away.<\/p>\n

“My precious son, you may not, not now. It is not your time, but someday you may join me. Right now your papa needs you,” comforted the angel.<\/p>\n

“Please\u2026don\u2019t leave me,” sobbed Joe, “I\u2019m scared. I wanna go home\u2026please don\u2019t leave,” Joe\u2019s sobbing continued.<\/p>\n

“And you shall my darling son, soon. But you have to be brave, just a bit longer,” said the angel as she continued fading from Joe\u2019s view causing the bright light to become smaller and smaller until at last it had totally disappeared.<\/p>\n

“Come back\u2026please\u2026come back,” wept Joe. Later when Joe awoke from his sleep, he remembered the dream and the promise that the angel who looked so much like his mother had made to him. His father was coming for him\u2026and that knowledge gave him the courage to continue hanging on.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure what time it was or whether it was day or night. He knew one thing was certain, he was wet. Gus had not given him any time to relieve himself and so he had been left to wet on himself. This knowledge both angered and embarrassed Joe but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. He only hoped that his family would come soon before it happened again.<\/p>\n

Joe was miserable, his clothes were now wet where he had peed, and he was having trouble breathing. The feed sack that was covering his head was tied in such a way as not to allow any air to flow through it, he was hot from the sack being over his head and Joe felt as if he were suffocating. Lack of fresh air was making him light headed and dizzy. The sock had dried his mouth to the point of making it nearly impossible to swallow. All of these things working against him caused the panic to take over his thinking and it wasn\u2019t long before the tears came once again. Joe cried for his father, for his brothers, and for himself. He was lonely, frightened and afraid he was dying. His hands and legs were numb, no longer could he move them nor feel them, his body hurt from the beatings and he was scared of choking on the nasty sock that had been crammed into his mouth. Joe tried to turn over on his side seeking a more comfortable position but the movement caused such pain that soon Joe slipped from his world of blackness into the darkness of emptiness. There, Joe felt no pain, had no tears, cared not that he was wet, and cared less if he lived or died. His longings were no more, his home or family mattered not as he seemed to float in the air above his body. He felt free for the first time in days, no longer did the ropes bind his arms or legs, no longer was his mouth gagged or his eyes covered. At last he had found peace in a world unknown to him.<\/p>\n

Ben and his sons including Charlie Devlin rode hard for the first several miles until at last they came to the fork in the road that the sheriff had told them about. The small band of men pulled their horses to a stop and dismounted.<\/p>\n

“Let\u2019s eat a quick lunch boys and let the horses rest for a spell,” Ben suggested. “We\u2019ll move out after lunch.”<\/p>\n

Hoss downed his lunch in record time and was anxious to get going. “Come on fellas, let\u2019s ride, times awastin\u2019” he told them. “If possible, I aim ta find that brother of ours today.”<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m with you big brother,” smiled Adam as he began to gather his things. The others where in the saddle and back on the trail instantly and the distance between the forks in the road and the place where the sheriff indicated the shack was appeared in short time. All were anxious to find Little Joe and were hoping that this would be the place where their search would end.<\/p>\n

“Shh\u2026let\u2019s leave the horses here and walk in,” advised Ben as he tied Buck\u2019s reins to a branch. Adam and Hoss dismounted and did the same. Charlie joined the others and silently the four men made their way to the shack.<\/p>\n

“Adam,” whispered Ben. “Why don\u2019t you sneak around to the other side of the house and see what\u2019s inside?”<\/p>\n

“Sure thing Pa,” Adam said and began inching his way through the undergrowth of bushes and low hanging trees being quiet so not to arouse the suspicion of whoever might be in the shack if indeed there was anyone.<\/p>\n

“Hoss, see what\u2019s in the barn, but be quiet son,” Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

“Yes sir pa,” Hoss replied and began making his way to the back of the barn.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Charlie and nodded his head in the direction of the house. Quickly and quietly both men moved in for a closer look. Settling themselves behind some large boulders, they waited for Hoss and Adam to return.<\/p>\n

Hoss was the first to get back. “Pa, there\u2019s three horses stabled in the barn. Looks like they\u2019re plum tuckered out too. Been rid hard from the looks of \u2018em,” Hoss informed his father and Charlie.<\/p>\n

“Good, now let\u2019s wait to see what Adam found out,” said Ben.<\/p>\n

As if on cue Ben\u2019s oldest son suddenly appeared from around the rock. “Pa, there\u2019s three of them in there. One is definitely Slater, no doubt about it,” Adam said.<\/p>\n

“Any sign of your brother, son?” Ben asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head sadly, “Sorry Pa, didn\u2019t see anything but those three fellas. Odd thing though,” Adam said.<\/p>\n

“What\u2019s odd Adam?” inquired Charlie.<\/p>\n

“Well, three men, four dirty plates. Makes one think they had company for dinner, wouldn\u2019t you think so?” smiled Adam.<\/p>\n

“Joe!” whispered Hoss, his face breaking into a big smile.<\/p>\n

“What do you want to do about it Pa?” Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Before Ben had a chance to answer, the door to the shack opened and Pete walked out onto the porch. Taking a bag of tobacco and rolling papers from his pocket, Pete rolled himself a cigarette. Striking his match on the post in front of him, he lit the end of his smoke and tossed the match into the dirt. Heading for the barn, unaware that he was being watched, he did not know that the man in black was on him until it was too late. Before he knew what had happened, Adam had jumped him from behind, spun him around and delivered a solid punch to his chin. Adam quickly dragged the dazed man into the barn and shut the door. Waiting for him was his father and brother. Charlie had remained behind the boulder to watch the front of the house in case another man came out.<\/p>\n

“Where\u2019s my son?” demanded Ben.<\/p>\n

Pete was obviously shaken. “Your son? I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about mister.”<\/p>\n

“Let me have \u2018em Pa, I\u2019ll make him tell us where Little Joe is,” said Hoss as he made a grab at the man\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n

“Hold on now son, give me a minute.” Ben said pulling Hoss\u2019 arm from its hold on the man.<\/p>\n

Seeing the look of fear on the man\u2019s face when Hoss had made a grab for him Ben thought he might be able to use that to his advantage.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ll only ask you one more time mister, where is my son, Joseph?” Ben stated, the anger showing in his dark eyes.<\/p>\n

Pete made his first mistake when he refused to answer. Hoss grabbed him a second time and this time Ben allowed his son to deliver the punch to Pete\u2019s stomach. Pete doubled over in pain and tried to push pass Hoss. As Hoss reached out to grab for him, Pete who was much smaller and quicker than the larger Hoss, ducked under his arm and ran past. Before Adam had a chance to stop him, Pete burst through the door yelling at the top of his voice.<\/p>\n

“Gus, watch out in the house!” Pete shouted, all the while running for the door of the shack.<\/p>\n

Gus flung open the door and started shooting. Pete running blindly in his attempt to escape from the three Cartwrights fell into the line of fire and drew a stray bullet from Gus\u2019 wild shooting. Pete had made his second mistake and then Pete dropped like a rock to the ground.<\/p>\n

Gus and Stumpy continued shooting. Adam had gone out the back door of the barn and was making his way to the back of the shack. When he got to the spot that would give him the most advantage, he stopped long enough to reload his pistol.<\/p>\n

Hoss had also left the barn by the back door and had made his way to the opposite side of the shack. The shack, which had no rear door, was now surrounded on
\nall three sides. Adam was on the west end of the old house and Hoss to the east, leaving Ben and Charlie in the front.<\/p>\n

“You might as well give it up,” shouted Ben. “All I want is my son.”<\/p>\n

Gus\u2019 loud laughter could be heard from within the shack. “Your son? That little bastard?” laughed Gus. “Ain\u2019t nothing left of him but bones,” jeered the dirty evil man as he resumed shooting. “He\u2019s been dead since yesterday,” he lied still laughing.<\/p>\n

“Stumpy,” shouted Gus trying to be heard above the noise of the shooting. “Get down in that hole and kill the brat,” ordered Gus.<\/p>\n

“What?” yelled Stumpy shocked at what he had been ordered to do.<\/p>\n

“You heard me stupid, I said kill the kid!” bellowed Gus as he watched the window to be sure that his attackers had not moved closer.<\/p>\n

“You\u2019re crazy, I ain\u2019t a goin\u2019 to kill no kid, you want it done, do it yourself,” replied Stumpy, defiantly.<\/p>\n

“Hell\u2019s bells, you wimp,” smirked Gus as he rose to make his way to the trap door.<\/p>\n

Just as he was starting to move the table from the rug, Stumpy opened the front door and started to run out. He had promised he would help the kid and knew it was now or never.<\/p>\n

“Where in blazes are you goin?” called Gus who had turned at the sound of the door being opened.<\/p>\n

Stumpy didn\u2019t answer Gus but threw his gun into the dirt and yelled at the Cartwright\u2019s, “Hold your fire, I\u2019ll tell ya where the boy is!”<\/p>\n

“Damn you Stumpy, keep your mouth shut!” ranted the enraged Gus from the opened door.<\/p>\n

“Not this time Gus,” said Stumpy turning his head to face his boss. Turning back to the Cartwrights, who had ceased firing, he shouted, “the boy is\u2026”<\/p>\n

But Stumpy never finished his sentence. Gus had shot him in the back dropping him hard. Gus ran out onto the porch and rained bullets at the four men who fired back. Ben\u2019s final bullet found its mark hitting the outlaw in the chest. Gus was dead before his body hit the wooden porch.<\/p>\n

Hoss was mad now, with two of the bandits already dead and the third well on his way to dying, he was beginning to panic. If this third man died, all chances of finding his baby brother would be lost to them. Hoss ran to where the man lay face down in the dirt, the blood shooting in sprits from the hole in his back. Bending over he carefully turned the dying man onto his back. A cry of pain escaped from Stumpy\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

“Take it easy mister. Just tell me where my little brother is,” said Hoss as he raised the man to a more up right position.<\/p>\n

“Chad? Is that you boy?” asked Stumpy through his daze.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook the dying man gently, “I don\u2019t know who Chad is mister, but ya gotta tell me where Little Joe is\u2026where is he? Ya hear me man? Where is my little brother?” Hoss pleaded as he watched the man\u2019s life slipping quickly away.<\/p>\n

Stumpy fought to lift his hand and pointed toward the run down shack. In his dying voice he told Hoss what he wanted to hear.<\/p>\n

“There\u2026” he whispered, “he\u2019s\u2026in\u2026the\u2026shack\u2026” and with that Stumpy\u2019s body succumbed to death where he at last found peace from the life that had caused him such sorrow and grief.<\/p>\n

Hoss laid the dead man on the ground and ran into the shack. Ben, Adam and Charlie followed Hoss through the door that had been knocked from its hinges as the large man burst in. Pausing just long enough to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim light inside, Hoss began yelling for his brother.<\/p>\n

“Joe\u2026Joe? Where are you short shanks?” yelled Hoss running from corner to corner in search of his baby brother.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam stood in the middle of the room and scanned each of the four corners. There was no place in the room that they could see where Joe could have been hidden from their view. Angered, Ben walked out onto the rotted porch.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s not here boys,” he said more to himself than to the others, the disappointment and heartache ringing in his voice.<\/p>\n

Adam and Charlie, who had followed Ben out to the porch, paused where Ben was standing.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry Ben.” Charlie said softly as he patted his friend\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

“What now Pa? Where do we go from here? Damn,” cursed Adam as he faced his father and watched the tears that streamed down his father\u2019s cheeks. Ben made no attempt to hide his crying from his oldest son or his best friend, his grief overflowing in the form of his tears.<\/p>\n

Hoss who had remained inside the shack, trying to come to terms with his own grief yelled out as if he had been a wounded animal in pain. Ben, Adam and Charlie were startled by the pitiful cry and hurried back through the door. Hoss in his frustration and grief had begun ripping the shack apart. Chairs went flying through the air; the table was tossed into the wall causing it to shatter and dishes where sailing about in mid air hitting anything and everything in their flight.<\/p>\n

“Hoss,” yelled Ben as he watched this gentle giant fall upon the rug that covered the unknown secret door in the floor. Tears poured from his blue eyes and he grabbed his father and brother, clinging tightly to them the sobs gaining in volume with each breath.<\/p>\n

“Come on son,” Ben said through his own tears. Adam helped his father aide Hoss in rising from the floor and when Hoss slipped in his attempt to get up, the faded old rug moved with him and the hidden door was revealed.<\/p>\n

All four men stared in silence at the door, until Charlie at last found his voice. “What\u2019s that Ben?” he asked.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t know,” Ben answered as he bent to raise the floor by the small leather handle. “Looks like some kind of cellar. Get me that lantern, quick,” Ben instructed Hoss who did as he was ordered. Lighting the lantern, he handed it to his father.<\/p>\n

Ben held the light low into the hole in the floor but could not see anything. Adam gently pushed his father aside and dropped into the hole. “Hand me the light Pa.” Adam said as he extended his hand to reach the bright lamp.<\/p>\n

Having the lantern firmly in his hand he held it high above his head in order to bring a soft glow of light onto the dirt floor where Joe had been laying since being held prisoner. Moving in a circle so that he could make out each corner of the underground cellar, his eyes finally came to rest on a heap in the far corner. Moving cautiously, not sure what the heap might be, he inched his way to the corner.<\/p>\n

When Adam realized that what he was looking at was the still form of a small body, he gasped at the sight and cursed quietly under his breath. “Oh God, Pa get down here quick, I\u2019ve found him,” he shouted up to his father.<\/p>\n

Ben did not need a second invitation and in seconds he too had eased himself through the hole dropping onto the hard packed dirt floor. Hoss followed his father while Charlie searched the room for something to help the men climb out when they were ready. Finding the ladder in the corner, he placed it into the hole and climbed down to join his friends.<\/p>\n

Adam was beside Joe talking softly to him. “Joe\u2026hey little buddy\u2026it\u2019s okay\u2026we\u2019re all here.”<\/p>\n

Ben was shocked at the sight that met his eyes. Here was his son, hands and feet bound behind his back where he could not move. His head was covered with a nasty feedbag and tied much too tightly around his neck. Ben had to use his knife to cut the strip of cloth from around his son\u2019s neck. As he was working on that, Hoss had untied Joe\u2019s arms and legs. Joe\u2019s arms fell to his sides limply.<\/p>\n

Adam turned Joe over on his back and pulled the bag from his head. All four men gasped as they witnessed the face of the young boy. “Damn,” cursed Ben and both Adam and Hoss looked into the face of their father. Both boys were shocked that their father used such a word for they knew that he would not tolerate such language from any of his sons. Adam and Hoss both knew the pain their father must be suffering seeing his youngest son in such a shape that would cause him to swear.<\/p>\n

What they saw was Joe\u2019s bruised and battered face, his eyes blindfolded so that he could not see and his mouth tightly gagged. When Ben removed the gag he was shocked to find that a sock had been stuffed into his son\u2019s mouth. Gathering his son into his arms, Ben gently rocked back and forth, speaking in soft tones trying to bring life back into the boy.<\/p>\n

“Joseph\u2026wake up son\u2026Pa\u2019s here now,” Ben pleaded to Little Joe gently patting the bruised cheeks of the unconcience boy. “Please\u2026Joseph\u2026open your eyes,” cried Ben, the tears running from his brown eyes, leaving tear tracks in the dust that had accumulated on his face.<\/p>\n

Joe began to stir and responded to the voice that spoke to him pulling him from his world of blackness.<\/p>\n

“Papa\u2026papa\u2026” cried Joe in a hoarse whisper. His mouth was too dry to make his words any louder. “You came\u2026papa,” sobbed Joe as he tried to reach out to the father who had at last come to take him home.<\/p>\n

Joe, wanting to embrace his father, could not and his sore arms dropped to his sides from the effort and he turned his head instead into the chest of the man who held him to his heart and wept. Ben sat cradling and rocking Joe in his arms for several minutes, reluctant to release his hold. Adam and Hoss sat in silence, allowing both his father and brother to come to terms with their feelings. Hoss wiped from his eyes the tears that had turned to joy, and Adam who was known to rarely give in to tears, did the same.<\/p>\n

“Let\u2019s get him out of here,” Ben said as he started to rise but stopped when Joe cried out to him.<\/p>\n

“Papa,” whispered Joe, using the term again that he had not used for several years. Papa had always been what Little Joe had called his father when he had been younger and only still used it when under some sort of distress.<\/p>\n

“What is it son,” said Ben, kneeling down so that he could hear what Joseph was saying.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m wet Papa\u2026please\u2026I couldn\u2019t help it\u2026he wouldn\u2019t let me go,” cried Joe looking up with sad eyes at his father.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s okay Joe, don\u2019t worry son, we\u2019ll clean you up,” Ben said trying to reassure Joe.<\/p>\n

But Joe continued to cry. The embarrassment and humiliation causing him to turn his face again into his father\u2019s chest. This time he was able to wrap his arms around his father\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

“Please\u2026don\u2019t tell anyone\u2026I couldn\u2019t help it\u2026honest,” Joe sobbed into his father\u2019s ear as he held his face close to Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n

“Joseph, don\u2019t worry son, I won\u2019t even tell Hop Sing if you don\u2019t want me too,” said Ben.<\/p>\n

“Please\u2026Adam\u2026Hoss\u2026you won\u2019t tell will you? Promise me\u2026please\u2026” Joe asked turning slightly from his father\u2019s embrace to look into the faces of his brothers.<\/p>\n

“Golly, short shanks, I ain\u2019t a gonna say nuthin\u2019 to anyone, I promise Punkin.” Hoss told Little Joe and gave him a pat on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

“Adam?” questioned Joe.<\/p>\n

“I promise little buddy, your secret is safe with me,” smiled Adam who would have promised his little brother the world had he asked for it at this precise moment.<\/p>\n

“Let\u2019s get you out of this hole and then we will take care of your other problem,” Ben smiled down at his son.<\/p>\n

Charlie had climbed the ladder to the upper room and began stoking the fire to warm the room. Hoss gathered Little Joe into his arms and started up the ladder. Before starting upward, he hugged Joe to him, the wetness of his clothes not mattering, telling his brother that he was glad to have him back. This caused Joe\u2019s eyes to pool with tears again and he turned his head into the massive chest of his brother to hide his face.<\/p>\n

“I love ya, short shanks,” whispered Hoss as he held the crying boy to tightly to him.<\/p>\n

“I love you too Hoss, and I love Adam, but I love Pa the most,” Joe said, turning then to look into his brother\u2019s face, a small smile beginning to form on his own dirty face. “I even love Mr. Devlin,” he added as an after thought.
\n“I heard that,” called out Charlie from the room above who was peeping into the hole in the floor so that he could help Hoss lift Joe to safety.<\/p>\n

When Joe was at last brought from the dirt room, he was moved close to the fire for warmth. Charlie started to the door and turning to Ben he said, “Ben, I\u2019ll go check on the horses, that\u2019ll give you time to take care of Joe\u2019s needs. I\u2019ll do something about these bodies while I\u2019m out too. I don\u2019t wanna embarrass Little Joe any more than what he already is,” he added is a whispered voice.<\/p>\n

“Thanks Charlie, and if you don\u2019t mind, check the pockets of those men, they might still have some of the money they took,” smiled Ben. “Hoss, why don\u2019t you see if you can find us some clean water to heat and get some towels out of our packs, please. Adam, help me get these dirty clothes off your brother,” Ben instructed his sons.<\/p>\n

“Sure thing Pa, I\u2019ll have it ready for ya in no time,” smiled Hoss as he hurried to prepare the water for cleaning Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben began removing Joe\u2019s soiled clothing. Each time that he was required to raise an arm or leg, soft moans escaped through his lips.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sorry little buddy, I know that hurts. We\u2019ll have you finished soon,” Adam smiled down at Little Joe who said nothing but watched the faces of his father and brother turning his head away from them as his clothing was removed so that he might hide his embarrassment.<\/p>\n

Adam was careful to keep Joe\u2019s body covered so as not to embarrass him. He knew that the kid was at the age where he was self-conscience about his body, and since he had already felt the humiliation of having to wet on himself, Adam wanted to spare his brother from more of it.<\/p>\n

Adam was true to his word and within a short time, father and son had the boy bathed and wrapped in a warm blanket and placed him close to the fire where Adam held him in his arms, claiming the use of his body for added warmth. In truth, Adam needed the closeness of his young brother; he had been so terrified of what might have happened to him that he needed the reassurance that this green-eyed scamp of a brother was indeed going to be okay.<\/p>\n

Sleep came quickly to the small group of weary men and to the young boy who held the key to their hearts. Tomorrow they would start for home. Home thought the senior Cartwright, if it\u2019s true that home is where the heart is, then this old shack must surely be home, for here lies my heart. With that he turned his chocolate brown eyes and smiled at the sight of his oldest son Adam who now slept curled up next to him. Then glancing in the opposite corner he looked into the crystal blue eyes of his middle son, Hoss who was not yet sleeping and lastly he smiled down at the sleeping form of youngest son. Gently, just to confirm that the vision was real, Ben lovingly touched the curls that adorned the head that was resting in his lap. His sons were his joys, his triumphs, his strengths and his weaknesses and they were his reasons for living, loving each one the same yet differently. Yes, he told himself as he slipped Joe\u2019s fifty dollars into his pocket, I am home.<\/p>\n

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

Sept. 2001<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:<\/strong> Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, kidnap, trapped<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Contains some violence. In the right place at the wrong time, Little Joe foils a bank robbery attempt and is taken hostage.\u00a0 A vision from the past, gives him the courage to be brave until his family can find him.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG13\u00a0 (14,430 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":10105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2436,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":28365,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=28365","url_meta":{"origin":12149,"position":0},"title":"Being Hoss (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"April 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary - In a brotherly moment Little Joe receives some wisdom from his middle brother. Rating - K, Word Count - 1776","rel":"","context":"In "Hoss Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Hoss Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1006"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":35985,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35985","url_meta":{"origin":12149,"position":1},"title":"His Father’s Arms (by mcfair_58)","author":"mcfair_58","date":"February 24, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Written in honor of Lorne Green's birthday, 2021.\u00a0 A stand-off at the bank reveals what's truly important to Ben Cartwright. 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To his horror, he is forced to go along on other robberies. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(12,154 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bank-robber.jpg?fit=225%2C224&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":63283,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63283","url_meta":{"origin":12149,"position":3},"title":"Cartwright Saga #32 – Robbery and Assault (by Lyn Robinson)","author":"Lynrobinson","date":"November 13, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: With Adam busy on the drive Hoss and Joe await the births of their children. Crime in Virginia City is high and the Cartwrights aren't immune. Rating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (26,580 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12157,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12157","url_meta":{"origin":12149,"position":4},"title":"Gun for Hire (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"September 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Caught in a web of deception, Joe faces more than murder charges, how about a guilty conscience? 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