{"id":12173,"date":"2001-09-01T19:50:30","date_gmt":"2001-09-01T23:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12173"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:16","slug":"your-name-is-joe-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12173","title":{"rendered":"Your Name is Joe (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0Joe has been missing for days.\u00a0 When he’s found badly beaten, and with no memory of his former life, Joe is forced into learning to trust this blue eyed, gentle giant who claims to be his brother.<\/p>\n

Rated G \u00a0WC – 9800<\/p>\n

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Your Name is Joe<\/strong><\/p>\n

The young boy<\/strong> stood under the down flow of the waterfall he had stumbled across earlier in the day and allowed the cold water to wash the dirt from the remnants of clothing he still wore. The water was refreshing, cooling his aching body and the boy breathed deeply, filling his lungs to capacity.<\/p>\n

The large man watched from his hiding place at the edge of the woods where he had a full view of the young boy standing under the water that fell from the rocky ledge above. \u00a0He wanted nothing more than to run to the lad and throw his arms around the boy but instead held himself in check. \u00a0Something about the way the boy moved and acted caused the larger man to stop. Watching quietly, the boy disappeared, seemingly behind the waterfall and from the big man\u2019s view, only to return a short time later, totally nude. \u00a0As the man in hiding watched, the boy stood again under the water as if a statue and allowed the water to cascade from the top of his curly brown head making it\u2019s way to the boy\u2019s bare feet. \u00a0The boy looked to the older man like an Adonis, the features finely carved, broad at the shoulders, slim at the waist, the young muscular body golden in the sunlight as the water ran the length of him. \u00a0A less observant man might have missed the boy\u2019s expression on the handsome face, for the face was that of a frightened and perhaps desperate being.<\/span><\/p>\n

The boy began washing his body with his hands, moving slowly as if in pain. \u00a0His face was badly bruised and his head ached. \u00a0The cold water offered a small amount of relief and so he lingered longer than was really necessary enjoying the coolness and allowing his tensed body to relax. \u00a0It had been days since he had been allowed this luxury and it gave the boy a measure of peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the large man watched from his hiding place, he wondered at the bruises on the boy\u2019s body. \u00a0The face looked as if it had been slapped several times, or punched might have been a better word. The boy sported two black eyes, his lip had been badly split open and it was obvious that the nose had been broken. \u00a0Traveling down the boy\u2019s body with his eyes, the large man noted the bruised arms and the way that the boy carefully moved while washing himself. \u00a0The boy\u2019s stomach area was a mass of black, blue, yellow and red patches, indicating more abuse. \u00a0When the young man turned where his backside was facing the man in hiding, Hoss could see the large red welts that where also turning black and blue indicating more bruising. \u00a0\u00a0They ran from the boy\u2019s shoulders, moving down the back and down across the buttocks and down the length of the legs. \u00a0Anger flared in the man as he realized that the boy had under gone a severe lashing with some sort of strap. How could anyone have inflected such pain and suffering upon another human being? \u00a0Especially this one, for the young boy whom Hoss was watching was his younger brother, Joseph Cartwright, who had been missing from home for more than two weeks. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Hoss watched, the boy turned again into the waterfall and disappeared for a second time. \u00a0Hoss knew he had to make his move, before Joe disappeared from sight and perhaps the area. \u00a0He was determined not to let that happen as he and his family had spent days searching for some clue as to the younger Cartwright\u2019s whereabouts. \u00a0He carefully and quietly made his way to the edge of the water and moving as he had been taught by his Paiute friends, slipped behind the waterfall unbeknown to his younger brother. \u00a0Joe had his back toward Hoss and stood drying his body with his hands. \u00a0Hoss\u2019 sudden intake of breath startled the badly beaten boy and he spun around so rapidly that the action left him swaying on his feet. \u00a0Hoss had seen the bruises from the distance but had not realized to what extent they covered the body of his brother. \u00a0Shock and anger had been his first reaction and his sudden intake of breath had caught the boy unaware.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss reached out his hand to steady the wobbly boy but the movement frightened the youth and he suddenly fell to his knees crying. \u00a0Hoss was immediately by his brother\u2019s side but refrained from touching the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d \u00a0Hoss said, \u201care you okay Punkin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe refused to meet the blue eyes of his brother and lying on the ground, he drew his body into the fetal position and whined like a wounded animal. \u00a0Hoss felt the sting of tears in his eyes as he watched his brother cower on the ground and for a moment was at a loss as what to do. \u00a0He had never before seen his little brother acting as he was now and it broke the heart of the big man who was witness to the scene before him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSh\u2026baby, it\u2019s okay, you\u2019re gonna be all right now,\u201d Hoss said as he removed his coat and laid it across Little Joe\u2019s shivering and nude body. \u00a0Hoss was not sure if the shivering was caused from the cold water or from the fact that Little Joe appeared to be scared mindless. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss still half-afraid to touch the boy, sat down on the ground beside of the weeping lad and in a soft voice began talking to Little Joe, trying to calm him down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, it\u2019s me\u2026your brother\u2026Hoss. \u00a0Joe\u2026look at me\u2026please Punkin. \u00a0You\u2019re gonna be okay. \u00a0I\u2019ll take you home\u2026soon,\u201d Hoss said gently. \u00a0\u201cPa and Adam\u2026well we\u2019ve been huntin\u2019 for ya for days now.\u201d \u00a0\u201cJoe? \u00a0Joe, you wanna go home boy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat with his face hidden, afraid to look at the big man who sat so close to him. \u00a0\u201cPlease, don\u2019t hurt me anymore!\u201d cried the scared boy. \u00a0\u201cPlease, I can\u2019t take it anymore, don\u2019t hurt me! \u00a0Kill me if you have to, just hurry and get it over with. \u00a0Just let me die!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss felt the tears running unchecked down his cheeks and swiped at them with the sleeve of his shirt. \u00a0Who could have done this to his brother, why would they do it? \u00a0\u00a0Not more than two weeks ago his brother had been a happy go lucky teenager, excited about his upcoming hunting trip with his brothers and his father. \u00a0Hoss remembered how thrilled the boy had been when their father had announced that the four of them would have a camping holiday. \u00a0Little Joe\u2019s joy had overflowed when Pa had agreed that they could do some hunting and fishing and Pa had agreed that the 16 year old Joe was responsible enough to carry his own rifle. \u00a0Those had been such happy days for the family, until the day that Joe seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. \u00a0And now Hoss could barely believe his eyes at the change in his brother who had been reduced to a whimpering shadow of his former self.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Hoss watched the movements of the boy beside him, he caught a glimpse of the frightened face. Watching the green eyes that quickly darted about the chamber, Hoss knew that the boy was seeking an escape route and before he realized what was happening, Joe jumped from his spot on the ground and tried to run from the cave like area behind the waterfall. \u00a0Hoss was in pursuit and before Joe knew what had taken place, Hoss had somehow managed to grab the boy\u2019s ankle, knocking the startled boy to the ground. \u00a0There Hoss pinned him so that he could not get away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, settle down boy, I ain\u2019t a gonna hurt you none,\u201d Hoss said as the boy fought beneath him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was surprised at the strength that his little brother fought with. \u00a0He had supposed that in the boy\u2019s weakened condition, he would not have possessed that kind of strength. \u00a0But Joe was scared and frightened and he was fighting as if he were a trapped animal fighting for his life. \u00a0He twisted and turned begging to be let loose; pulling and tugging at his arms as Hoss held them above the boy\u2019s head. \u00a0When that failed, he spat repeatedly in the larger boy\u2019s face. \u00a0Hoss, who was straddling the wiggling body, clamped both of the smaller boy\u2019s wrists in one of his large hands and while holding the boy down, wiped the spit from his face and eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go, let me go,\u201d screamed Joe, who was no match for his larger brother. \u00a0\u201cPlease, just let me go,\u201d begged Joe, the tears running down the side of his face and falling into the dirt on each side of his head. <\/span><\/p>\n

Joe jerked his head from side to side trying in vain to raise his battered body in efforts to knock the larger body from his own. \u00a0Hoss cried along with Joe, he hated restraining the boy but was afraid if he let him up, the boy would flee in terror. \u00a0Hoss had realized that Joe had been so dramatized by what had happened to him that he had not recognized his own brother. \u00a0After several minutes the battle subsided and Joe\u2019s weary and battered body gave over to the exhaustion and with that he succumbed to the darkness that over took him. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss quickly released his hold on the unconscience boy and gathered him tenderly into his arms where he held him tightly to his chest while he rocked back and forth and permitted his tears to fall upon the bare chest of his young brother. \u00a0When Hoss\u2019 own tears were spent, he gently moved Joe deeper into the cave like area where he was away from the spray of the waterfall. \u00a0Taking his coat, he placed it on top of the boy who had returned to the fetal position, hoping to bring warmth into the battered body. \u00a0While Joe lay unconscience, Hoss returned to where he had hidden in the bushes and collected Chubb, his horse, along with his packhorse and brought the horses into the cave. \u00a0Tethering his horses to the far side of the opening, Hoss took what few medical supplies he had brought with him and returned to where Little Joe lay.<\/span><\/p>\n

After checking to see that Joe was still unconscience, Hoss went back into the late afternoon sun and gathered dry wood to make a fire. \u00a0Once having completed that task, and having the fire blazing so as to knock out the chill, Hoss returned to the side of his brother. He then took a clean handkerchief from his saddlebag and the bar of homemade lye soap he carried with him and began cleaning the wounds that dotted the body that lay as if it were dead. \u00a0While in the process of cleaning Joe\u2019s injuries, Hoss felt along the length of the bruised body for any broken bones or cracked ribs. Whoever had beaten the boy, had managed to pick and chose the area of the body to cause sufficient pain yet keep the bones intact except for the broken nose. \u00a0Several times Hoss stopped to make sure that Little Joe was still breathing and was relieved to see that he was. \u00a0When Hoss finished tending Joe\u2019s multiple wounds he carefully laid him on his bedroll and wrapped him in a blanket for added warmth. <\/span><\/p>\n

While Joe was out, Hoss slipped from the camp and went in search of food. \u00a0He was able to snare a rabbit and brought it back to cook over the open fire. \u00a0He was not sure how long his brother had gone without eating and wanted to be sure that he had plenty. As the rabbit was cooking Hoss removed the can of peaches and biscuits that Hop Sing had packed in each of the individual saddlebags. \u00a0Opening the can of peaches with his knife, Hoss ate what he considered half then helped himself to a couple of the biscuits, saving the rabbit and the remaining peaches and biscuits for Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

From his corner of the cave chamber, Little Joe began to stir and when Hoss heard the soft whimpering sounds, he immediately went to his brother\u2019s side. Kneeling down he checked his brother for fever, finding none, Hoss let out a sigh of relief. \u00a0Joe turned slightly from where he had been lying on his side and looked with startled eyes into the blue, tear filled eyes of his brother, but his own eyes were blank, not fully seeing the man who knelt at his side. \u00a0Instinct told Joe to run or at least fight but his body ached from head to toe, his muscles were tight and Joe could not put forth the effort. \u00a0He was bone weary and had already decided that if this big man were going to kill him, then he would welcome the relief from his pain and torment. \u00a0\u00a0Yet something about this man seemed familiar to the injured boy and Joe sensed a gentleness that appeared to radiant from this giant of a man. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere Joe, ya hungry?\u201d asked Hoss as he offered one of Hop Sings biscuits to Joe who had scooted up against the wall of the cave. \u00a0Joe watched as Hoss extended the offering toward him but drew back in fright, fearing that the man was about to strike him he covered his head with his arms and hands trying to protect himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey buddy, I ain\u2019t gonna hurt ya,\u201d Hoss tried to calm Little Joe, tears coming again into his blue eyes. \u00a0\u201cYa want somethin\u2019 to eat?\u201d he asked and offered the biscuit again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe peeked out from under his arms and grabbed for the biscuit and began stuffing it into his mouth. \u00a0He had been without food for three days and longer than that since he had anything solid enough in his stomach to squelch the gnawing pains that tore at his insides. \u00a0\u00a0His sense of survival and the need for nourishment forced him to except the offered food. \u00a0Hoss was encouraged when he saw Joe eating and reached for the rabbit and offered that to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe briefly made eye contact with the big man but said nothing as he grabbed for the rabbit and began pulling it into small pieces and stuffing it into his mouth making his cheeks become full and rounded resembling a chipmunk. \u00a0Hoss gave his brother a reassuring smile and turned to pour water into his tin cup returning to set it on the ground in front of the boy as he devoured the cooked rabbit. \u00a0Taking a couple steps back so as not to make Joe feel threatened in any way, Hoss sat down to watch as his brother finished his meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure were hungry, weren\u2019t ya little one?\u201d \u00a0Hoss spoke softly and continued to smile as Joe ate. \u00a0Hoss was hoping to gain the boy\u2019s confidence and trust. \u00a0It was clear that Joe seemed lost in a world of his own, probably finding shelter there from the torture he had suffered.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Little Joe had finished eating, he lay back on the ground and pulled the blankets that Hoss had supplied earlier up around his body covering all but his head. \u00a0He was tired and wanted to sleep again but fear of this man kept him from doing so. \u00a0Every move that Hoss made, Joe\u2019s worried eyes followed, but he spoke not a word. \u00a0Hoss, who was aware that he was being watched, moved slowly, not wanting to give the boy any reason to want to flee. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat in silence, never moving and before long the warmth of the cave chamber began to take its toll on the tired boy. \u00a0Having his hunger satisfied, and his wounds tended gave his body a reason to relax and before long Joe was sleeping soundly. \u00a0Hoss curled up on the ground close to the sleeping form of his brother thinking that should the boy awake and be frightened, he would be close by. \u00a0Only the fear that Little Joe might wake and flee the cave kept Hoss from having a restful night. <\/span><\/p>\n

Long into the night the sounds of crying brought Hoss out of slumber. He rose from his bedroll and quietly turned toward his brother who was making the pitiful sounds. \u00a0Seeing that Joe was still asleep but dreaming, Hoss could not help but gather his young brother into his arms, for the sound of his weeping was more than the gentle giant\u2019s soft heart could bare. He carefully reached under Joe\u2019s head and legs, pulled the boy onto his lap and grabbing the blankets that had fallen away from Joe\u2019s body, Hoss covered the sleeping boy. \u00a0As Hoss rocked he talked softly to Little Joe, telling him about the fear that he and his father and brother, Adam, had felt when Joe had failed to come home that night two weeks earlier. \u00a0Hoss explained to him how they had searched and searched but had found no trace of his whereabouts until at last both father and brothers decided to split up and go in different directions. \u00a0This way they hoped to cover more ground and have a better chance to find something, anything that might lead to his discovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss told Joe that it was only by accident or an act of God that he had happened upon him while he stood under the waterfall. \u00a0Hoss smiled to himself as he explained that when he had had to stop and make a trip into the bushes to relieve himself, the evidence was there showing that someone else had used the spot recently. \u00a0That had been the reason for Hoss to start looking around and within minutes had stumbled upon the site of his brother\u2019s hideout. <\/span><\/p>\n

The whole time that Hoss rocked and talked to Joe, the boy slept fitfully in the massive arms cradled next to the heart which beat with love for the youngest of the Cartwright brothers. \u00a0Soon the crying stopped and Hoss considered lying Joe down where he had fallen asleep earlier but decided that he felt more secure himself holding the boy in his arms. \u00a0At least this way, if Joe tried to make a run for it, he would certainly be aware of it. \u00a0Leaning down, Hoss kissed the head of the sleeping boy, telling him of the love that he had for him and then closed his eyes and slept. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometime before daylight, Joe woke, unsure of his whereabouts. \u00a0He laid still, not moving, trying to figure out where he was and why he was being held like a baby. \u00a0Then he remembered the big man and turned slightly so that he might see where the man had gone and it was then that he realized that he had been sleeping in the big man\u2019s arms. \u00a0Joe wondered when and why he had come to be there and fear began to grow in his heart. \u00a0His movements woke Hoss and when Hoss opened his eyes he saw Joe staring up at him and could read the look of fear on his brother\u2019s thin face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMornin Joe,\u201d Hoss said as he slowly set Joe into an up right position and carefully moved away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe sat where Hoss placed him and taking the blankets pulled them up around his body, never taking his eyes from the man before him. \u00a0Joe shivered, he was cold and wanted to move closer to the fire that had almost gone out but held back, not sure of his brother. \u00a0Hoss seeing that Joe was shivering from the cold, began building the fire in hopes of bringing warmth again into the chamber.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have this ole fire going in no time Joe, how about some coffee?\u201d Hoss said as he added more wood to the flame and readied the coffeepot to put on the fire. <\/span><\/p>\n

Joe only watched as Hoss moved around making things ready for their breakfast, trying in his mind to figure out just what it was about this man that gave him a measure of security. \u00a0Joe knew that if this large man had wanted to hurt or even kill him, he could have easily done so when the man had come upon him yesterday while he stood unaware behind the waterfall. \u00a0Joe had been vaguely aware of the man cradling him in his arms during the night and recalled the soothing sound of his voice as he talked to Joe of things that Joe had no recollection of. \u00a0\u00a0Something about seeing the man\u2019s tears as he talked spoke to Joe\u2019s heart and he had found himself relaxing and a feeling of peace and security had come over him, allowing him to at last sleep peacefully, unafraid for the first time in days. \u00a0Still cautious, Joe was beginning to feel as if he could somehow trust this man who had shown him nothing but kindness since their first encounter. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss had the coffee and their meager breakfast ready he set Joe\u2019s plate on the ground in front of him and moved away. \u00a0As Hoss prepared his own plate, he watched Little Joe out of the corner of his eye and when he saw that Joe had taken up his plate, Hoss came and sat again in front of his brother and began eating. \u00a0This time, Joe ate more slowly occasionally turning his hazel eyes up to watch what Hoss was doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I need to talk to you about a couple of things,\u201d began Hoss as he ate his breakfast. <\/span><\/p>\n

Joe turned his eyes to face his brother and stopped his hand mid-way to his mouth, waiting for Hoss to continue, not sure what was going to happen. \u00a0Fear began to gnaw at his insides, for he was still scared, scared to be left alone again and scared because he was unsure what this man expected of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss set his coffee on the ground in front of him and watched the emotions filter across the face of the boy who was watching him, the eyes clouding with what Hoss knew as fear. \u00a0He had seen fear in these same green eyes many times in the young boy\u2019s life; times when he had awaken from nightmares, only to find that he was alone and in the dark, crying out for a mother who was no longer. He had seen fear the first time that the boy had ridden on a runaway pony and he had seen fear when he had, had to encounter their father\u2019s wrath and ended up across the lap of that father. \u00a0Now he was seeing that same fear tenfold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being careful not to spook the boy Hoss calmly asked, \u201cJoe, do know who I am?\u201d \u00a0Hoss waited, dreading the answer, should the frightened boy even speak for Joe had not uttered a word since yesterday afternoon other than to cry to be released.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cI didn\u2019t think so,\u201d spoke Hoss more to himself than to his brother, as he shook his head. \u00a0\u201cJoe, do you know who you are buddy?\u201d Hoss asked, feeling the tears begin to well up in his blue eyes. The knowledge that his brother did not know him tore at his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d repeated Joe, casting sorrowful eyes up at his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit,\u201d Hoss said as the feeling of frustration taking over. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t think ya did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c Well Joe, you\u2019re my baby brother, your name is Joe Cartwright, I\u2019m Hoss, our older brother is Adam and then our father is Ben Cartwright. \u00a0We call ya Little Joe for short. \u00a0Joe, I know this is a lot to take in, I\u2019ll tell ya more later when we have time, but right now I need to know something else Joe. \u00a0You gotta trust me on this, okay?\u201d asked Hoss, not really expecting Little Joe to answer him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t get ya home yet, we\u2019re about five days ride from there and with this weather beginning to get bad\u2026well ya just ain\u2019t up to the trip yet young\u2019n. \u00a0Ya jest ain\u2019t strong enough right now, ya need more time to rest up but I gotta get us somethin\u2019 to eat. \u00a0Joe, ya gotta promise me that you will stay right here, not leave this hideout. \u00a0I don\u2019t know who dun this to ya, or why. \u00a0I don\u2019t know if whoever they are might be lookin\u2019 for ya,\u201d Hoss explained and then saw the green eyes becoming wide with fear for the second time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy Punkin, I ain\u2019t gonna let no one hurt ya again. \u00a0You\u2019re safe here as long as ya stay inside and out of sight. \u00a0Joe, will ya trust me enough to leave ya for just a little while so\u2019s I can get us some grub? \u00a0I promise, Joe, I swear to ya, I\u2019ll be back, but ya just gotta promise me that ya won\u2019t run off? \u00a0Please Joe, trust me,\u201d begged Hoss as he tried to make his little brother understand the importance of the situation, all the while fighting with himself to control his tears which seemed to have developed a mind of their own since finding his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll even leave ya my horse. \u00a0If\u2019n I ain\u2019t back by dark tonight, ya can take my horse in the morning and ride out. \u00a0If\u2019n ya ride due east ya\u2019ll eventually come out at the ranch. \u00a0If\u2019n ya get lost, all ya have to do is ask for Pa, Ben Cartwright, anyone can tell ya where the Ponderosa is. \u00a0That\u2019s the name of our ranch, Joe. \u00a0Pa or Adam should be home by then, and ya can trust them, same as me, Joe. \u00a0Do ya understand boy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Something in the tone of the big man\u2019s voice, something akin to pleading, brought Joe\u2019s eyes up to meet the blue eyes of his brother. \u00a0Seeing the tears that had pooled there and were now running down the cheeks caused Joe to reach out and touch the face of his brother. \u00a0The action both surprised and pleased Hoss, it was the first time that Little Joe had made a move on his own to make physical contact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease don\u2019t leave me,\u201d Joe begged, \u201cI\u2019m scared, really scared,\u201d he cried, his own eyes beginning to pool.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know ya are Joe, but I gotta, for just a little while. \u00a0But I\u2019ll come back, I promise, Joe, I promise ya,\u201d Hoss said as he reached out and touched the shoulder of the boy, surprised that Joe did not pull away in fear as he had the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to speak, Joe could only nod his head yes. As he looked again into the face of the man before him, Joe knew in his heart that this was a man he could trust. \u00a0Why would such a big man be reduced to tears for the likes of him if the man had not had a kind and tender heart?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat Joe, I\u2019ll leave right away and with any luck, I\u2019ll be back by supper time. \u00a0You keep the fire goin\u2019 and hopefully we\u2019ll have another fat rabbit for supper, and Joe, this time I want some, all yaleft me last night were bones,\u201d smiled Hoss as he ruffled the curly head of the boy who smiled at him for the first time. \u00a0\u201cRemember, stay inside and ya try to get some rest. \u00a0As soon as ya well enough, I\u2019ll take ya home Joe, where ya really will be safe, okay?\u201d added Hoss as he began gathering his rifle and shells.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched as Hoss disappeared around the waterfall and out of view. \u00a0He quickly added another log to the fire and decided that he should get dressed. \u00a0He had been wearing nothing but the blanket that the man who called himself his brother had provided since the day before. \u00a0All that Joe had in the way of clothing were the remnants of clothing that he had been wearing for the last couple of weeks. \u00a0Checking to be sure that they were dry, he dressed quickly and returned to his bed. \u00a0The old weariness had taken over his body once again and Joe wanted nothing more than to sleep. \u00a0For the first time in days, he felt safe and felt sure that the man, who had become his guardian, would return to watch over him. \u00a0He only hoped that whoever this man was, would come back to him before his attackers had a chance to find him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was worried about Little Joe, it bothered him to leave the boy alone, he could only hope and pray that Joe would be true to his word and stay put. \u00a0He felt the need to hurry in his pursuit of food so that he could return as quickly as possible to the hideout and care for the boy who meant the world to him. \u00a0He had been so relieved to find the boy, but so shocked when he had seen the shape his brother was in. \u00a0How he wished that his father were here to help him get the boy home. \u00a0As it was, his father and his brother were on a search of their own but that did not stop Hoss from wishing that there were some way that he could get word to them that the boy had been found. \u00a0But that was impossible now and he hated the fact that his father would still be worrying about his youngest son and he could do nothing to stop that worry. \u00a0He was well aware of the love that his father had for his youngest son. \u00a0True enough Pa loved all of his sons, but the bond between their father and his youngest was a special bond. \u00a0Perhaps it was the fact that Little Joe was such a special reminder of the woman who Ben Cartwright had loved beyond measure. \u00a0She had been ripped from their lives so suddenly and tragically that Ben had found himself giving the larger portion of his heart and his love to this special boy. \u00a0Neither he, nor his brother Adam, resented that fact, for in truth each loved the young boy as much as their father, giving that love freely to Little Joe whom in return rewarded them with hero-like worship. \u00a0And which of them could or would deny the pride that they felt each and every time that they were made to feel that way?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had slept most of the morning and afternoon but was suddenly awaken by a strange noise. \u00a0Not sure what he was hearing, but hoping that the man called Hoss was returning, Joe crawled from his bed and quietly made his way to the opening of the cave and peered out. \u00a0What he saw caused his heart to momentarily stop beating. \u00a0His breath hung in his throat not going out or not coming in, fear and panic gripped at his heart. \u00a0For an instance he froze, unable to will his trembling body to move. \u00a0After what seemed like a lifetime, Joe was able to draw in a deep breath, clearing his head of the fog and allowing himself to move silently to the horses that remained inside the cave like hideout. \u00a0Gently placing his hand on the soft noses of each horse, he prayed that the horses would remain silent as not to alert the five Bannock warriors who were watering their horses, just feet away from where Joe stood, unseen behind the waterfall. \u00a0Joe prayed that the Indians were not familiar with the cave and would not venture to enter the hideout.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart beat rapidly causing difficulty in his breathing and he was frightened beyond measure; all the fears of the last few days came back to him, recalling the abuse he had suffered at the hands of these same Indians. \u00a0Trying desperately to get control of his fears, he turned again toward the opening to check the whereabouts of his tormentors but because of the lack of oxygen to his head and lungs he collapsed to the ground before reaching his destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m back Joe,\u201d called Hoss as he entered the cave hideout. \u00a0\u201cJoe? \u00a0Where are ya boy?\u201d \u00a0Hoss said as he waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. \u00a0He briefly wondered if Joe had fled; but seeing the horses still tethered at the side of the cave, he knew that if Joe had decided to leave, he would have at least taken one of the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Hoss called softly, listening for any sounds that might give a clue to Little Joe\u2019s whereabouts. \u00a0And then the familiar sound of whimpering and crying could be heard coming from the furthest and darkest corner of the cave. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cautiously, and approaching in an easy manner, not sure of what he might find, Hoss called out softly again, \u201cJoe? \u00a0Baby, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Without looking up from where he was sitting with his knees drawn to his chest and rocking back and forth Joe cried out softly to Hoss, \u201cthey were here! \u00a0They came looking for me!\u201d \u00a0Then having found his voice and giving in to his hysteria Joe began screaming, \u201chelp me! \u00a0Help me! \u00a0Don\u2019t let\u2019em hurt me\u2026Oh God\u2026help me!\u201d screamed the boy whose mind had closed in on his terror.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed the terrorized boy and pulled him into his arms, holding him tightly to keep him from bolting from the hideout and running away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay Joe, your okay little buddy. \u00a0They\u2019re gone now Joe,\u201d said Hoss as he rocked the boy, kissing his head, trying any way possible to calm the hysterical boy. \u00a0\u201cI promise Joe, I won\u2019t let\u2019em hurt ya Joe, ya hear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Somehow, Hoss\u2019 words penetrated through Joe\u2019s hysteria and he stopped crying long enough to look into the face of the man who held him. \u00a0Recognition came into his eyes then and he grabbed his brother around the neck and began crying once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou came back, you really did come back,\u201d cried Little Joe as he buried his face in the curve of his brother\u2019s neck and wept.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told ya I would Joe, I promised, remember?\u201d answered Hoss continuing to hug his younger brother tightly. \u00a0Both brothers sat holding tightly to each other for several minutes, each afraid to let go of the other, each for reasons of their own. \u00a0When at last their fears were quieted Hoss sat Joe in front of him so that the boy was facing him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he began, \u201cwho was it that was here? \u00a0Can you tell me?\u201d asked Hoss watching Joe\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe hung his head and tried to control the panic that he felt building again in his stomach, causing it to hurt. \u00a0\u201cIt was the Bannocks, Hoss, there were five of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss was surprised, \u201cBannocks, Joe?\u201d he questioned. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t know there were Bannocks this far to the west. \u00a0Are they the ones who hurt ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else do you remember, Joe?\u201d questioned Hoss hoping to make sense of the situation. <\/span><\/p>\n

He knew that the Bannocks were bad news to white folks, unlike the peaceful Paiutes that lived in the area. \u00a0The Bannocks were known to capture white people, preferring to take women and children as slaves and their treatment of these whites were enough to scare the hell out of most grown men. \u00a0Hoss felt his stomach begin to churn, if his little brother had been captured and tortured by the Bannocks, then Hoss could clearly understand his brother\u2019s reasons for being scared to the point of forgetting who he was. \u00a0Just the thoughts of what those Indians could do to a man, much less a boy scared him and he wasn\u2019t one to scare easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember anything before I woke up with my hands and feet bound together. \u00a0They had me laying on my stomach with my hands tied behind my back and my legs tied together and pulled up behind me tied to my wrists. \u00a0Guess you could call it hog-tied.\u201d Joe explained. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know how long I had been like that, but finally they untied my legs and jerked me up and dragged me into one of their tents. \u00a0They threw some sorta food on the ground in front of me and told me to eat. \u00a0It smelled awful and looked like rotted meat and when I refused to eat it, they began punching me in my stomach and face. \u00a0By the time they finished doing that, I wasn\u2019t able to eat. \u00a0So instead of making me eat it, they tied it around my neck and left it there until it was so rotten I puked from the smell of it. They left it like that for a couple of days and during that time they didn\u2019t give me anything at all to eat or drink. \u00a0\u00a0I had to stay hog-tied during that whole time. \u00a0They tried everyday to make me eat it but when I refused and kept puking because of the smell they would just beat me some more. \u00a0After that failed, they dragged me outside and left me there in the cold and never once untied me,\u201d Joe hold Hoss as he fought to stop the tears that tried to form in his sad eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy the time they finally got around to untying me, I could hardly move my arms and legs, all I could do was crawl and that made them mad again, so they whipped my back, my butt and my legs with rawhide strips that had been soaked in water. \u00a0That hurt like hell. \u00a0Then when that wasn\u2019t enough to satisfy them, they started kicking me all over, even in my face. \u00a0That\u2019s how my nose got broken.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking into Hoss\u2019 eyes, Little Joe could see the love that was so easily read there and he could no longer contain his own tears and he bent his head and cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d spoke Joe softly when he had been able to get his tears under control. <\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThey never were able to make me eat it,\u201d Joe smiled slightly at his brother. \u00a0\u201cLater I found out it was polecat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh God Joe, that\u2019s awful,\u201d Hoss said as he scrunched up his face in disgust. \u00a0\u201cYa always were a stubborn little cuss,\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? how\u2019d ya get away from \u2018em?\u201d questioned Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter they beat me senseless, they tied me up to a pole with my hands behind my back to the pole and tied my ankles to the post. \u00a0Then they took more of that wet rawhide and tied it around the pole and around my head and neck. \u00a0When the sun started drying the rawhide, well, you know what happens don\u2019t ya?\u201d Joe asked Hoss who told him that he was very aware what happens to rawhide when it dries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt shrinks,\u201d replied Hoss staring in shock at his brother, trying hard to imagine how painful that must have been to his brother\u2019s neck and throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath before he could continue. \u00a0He was trying his best to tell his brother what had taken place, but it was so fresh on his mind that even the telling of what he had, had to endure left him weak and trembling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss seeing that Little Joe was becoming upset moved to sit beside of him and Joe allowed his brother to slip his arm around his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t have\u2019ta go on if\u2019n ya don\u2019t wanna Joe,\u201d Hoss told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe leaned his head on the shoulder of his brother, glad for the closeness of the big man beside of him. \u00a0His brother\u2019s presence was reassuring to him and gave him the courage to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have to Hoss, I have to say it, I just have to. \u00a0It helps, you know,\u201d Joe said. \u00a0\u201cAnyway, after they tied me to the pole with the rawhide and it started to shrink, it started cutting into my head and throat. \u00a0I thought I was gonna die for sure, the pain was so bad, I couldn\u2019t stop myself, I screamed and screamed. \u00a0I begged them to kill me and all they did was laugh at me,\u201d Joe finished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI must have passed out at some time, cause when I woke up, I was laying under some scrub bushes, hidden from view and the Indians were gone. \u00a0I don\u2019t know how I got there or who might have put me there, maybe they thought I was dead already and just left me. \u00a0For a few minutes, I even thought I might have been dead, but then I pinched myself to be sure and knew I wasn\u2019t. \u00a0So all I knew to do was to run and that\u2019s just what I did. \u00a0I ran and ran till I couldn\u2019t run anymore. \u00a0My head hurt like blazes, I couldn\u2019t hardly talk and my back and the rest of my body felt like it was on fire. \u00a0I thought about going home, but then I realized I didn\u2019t even know where home was, hell, I didn\u2019t even know my own name. \u00a0Those two things scared me so bad Hoss. \u00a0Once I started to cry, I couldn\u2019t stop, I just couldn\u2019t stop crying like a baby!\u201d sobbed Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss hugged Joe to him trying to draw some of his little brother\u2019s pain from him and allow it to flow onto himself. \u00a0\u201cJoe, it\u2019s okay now buddy, it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Joe sat as they were for some time while each brother tried to come to terms with what one had heard and what the other had been through. \u00a0Joe was the first to find his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d asked Joe, while watching Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cAre you really my brother?\u201d Joe asked never taking his eyes off the big man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss turned and smiled at the boy who now sat with knees drawn up to his chest, arms wrapped around his knees and resting his chin there. \u00a0\u00a0Hoss thought how young Little Joe looked sitting there staring at him through green eyes that had suddenly turned bright with anticipation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes Joe, I really am,\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad Hoss, really glad. \u00a0I like you,\u201d Joe told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad too Little Joe and I love ya!\u201d Hoss replied, reaching out and gathering the smaller boy into his arms in a bear hug. \u00a0Hoss was glad that Joe had stopped pulling away each time he made physical contact but choose instead to return the hug with one of his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could remember,\u201d whispered Joe softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry short shanks, maybe once we get home it\u2019ll all come back to ya,\u201d Hoss tried to reassure him, all the while hoping that what he had said would indeed be true.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2026I\u2019m hungry, lets get this fire going and get these squirrels cooked,\u201d smiled Hoss as he threw more logs on the fire and prepared the squirrels to start cooking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow, I\u2019m takin\u2019 ya home little brother,\u201d Hoss said, giving Joe one of his broad, gapped tooth grins.<\/span><\/p>\n

The snoring in the cave seemed to be bouncing off of the walls, causing Little Joe to wake from his sleep. As he looked over to where Hoss lay on his back, mouth partly opened, Joe could only smile to himself. \u00a0The big man sounded like a wounded grizzly when he snored. \u00a0Looking at the fire and seeing that it had died down, Joe rose and placed two more logs on top of the glowing embers. It was only a short time before the new logs caught fire and warmth returned to their hideout. He moved his bedroll over close to where Hoss was sleeping, then snuggled down under the blankets and rolled Hoss over on his side. \u00a0That was enough to stop the loud snoring, at least for the time being. \u00a0But Little Joe was unable to fall back to sleep. \u00a0His mind was on the journey he was to begin in the morning. \u00a0He was going home. \u00a0But Joe was worried, what would home be like? \u00a0What would his father and his older brother be like? \u00a0Would they welcome him as Hoss had done? He could not imagine anyone showing him more kindness and yes, love, than Hoss had shown to him the last few days. \u00a0But the thought of meeting his father and brother scared him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHell,\u201d thought Joe, \u201cif they\u2019re anything like Hoss, I have nothing to be scared about. \u00a0Those Indians and what they did to me, now there was a reason to be scared,\u201d figured Joe. \u00a0Joe turned toward Hoss\u2019 back pulling his body up close to that of the larger man seeking to add body warmth to stay warm and when his eyelids became too heavy with sleep to keep open, Joe closed them and gave in to the sleep that claimed him. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss woke the next morning, he felt his little brother\u2019s body close to his and his brother\u2019s arm carelessly thrown across his side. \u00a0Smiling to himself, Hoss slipped from under the arm as quietly as he could, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy until he was ready to start the trip home. \u00a0He was anxious the get back to the ranch, he knew that Pa and Adam where still worried about Joe and now that he had not returned in the allotted time they had agreed upon, his family was no doubt worrying about him as well. \u00a0He wondered what their father would think when he returned with Joe, not aware that Joe had lost his memory and would not be able to remember who they were. \u00a0Didn\u2019t matter right now, Hoss knew that Pa and Adam would be overjoyed having the young boy safe, regardless of the condition he was in. \u00a0He knew his father was hungry to have his baby back in his arms and that hugging the boy to him would be his first reaction to the homecoming.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Hoss had finished fixing them a cold breakfast served with hot coffee and had all but the bedrolls packed on the pack animal, he called for Joe to wake up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on short shanks, rise and shine,\u201d Hoss called as he gently nudged his brother\u2019s leg with his boot. \u00a0\u201cGet on over here and eat, we gotta long way to ride today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m comin,\u201d said Joe as he began crawling out from under the covers and making his way to the cup of hot coffee that Hoss had extended to him. \u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be so dang sleepy if you didn\u2019t snore so dadburned loud!\u201d laughed Little Joe teasing his brother for the first time since he had been found. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss smiled down at the boy who smiled up at him and for a moment, he forgot that Joe\u2019s memory was gone. \u00a0Hoss thought that if one did not know about the memory loss, one would think that the Joe who sat smiling up at him was the old Joe, his brother before he had been so badly beaten and terrorized and scared to the point of losing his memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod,\u201d prayed Hoss silently, \u201cPlease help us to know how to help this boy regain his memory. \u00a0I sure \u2018nough miss the real Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had been pushing the horses hard; he wanted to put as much distance as possible between the hideout and themselves, fearing that the Indians would return. \u00a0He knew there would be trouble if that were to happen and he wanted to avoid that kind of trouble if at all possible. \u00a0He wasn\u2019t sure if he was up to taking on four or five mad Injuns and he was sure that his little brother was in no shape to be of help. \u00a0Little Joe\u2019s safety and well being was the most important thing on his mind right now. \u00a0He had to get his brother home where he was sure that the boy would be safe and protected and with the love of his family, hopefully regain his memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

They had ridden for several hours when Hoss began feeling Little Joe leaning into his back as they rode. \u00a0He had put his young brother behind him on Chubb on the chance that should they need to break away quickly, he could leave the pack horse behind and together they could make a run for it. \u00a0Little Joe was tiring, so Hoss made the decision to stop for a short rest; they still had a long way to go before he could feel comfortable about not running into the Bannocks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s rest here for awhile Joe,\u201d Hoss told him, helping the boy slide from the rump of the big horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss dismounted as quickly as Joe\u2019s feet hit the ground and led the horses into the shade where he tied them. \u00a0Removing some hardtack and the canteen, he offered Joe some and claimed some for himself. \u00a0Both boys sat side by side in the shade of a large tree and rested their heads against the trunk. \u00a0It was not long before Hoss felt his brother leaning against his shoulder and heard his steady breathing indicating that Joe had fallen asleep. \u00a0After about an hour Hoss woke Little Joe and told him that they had better get a move on, they had several hours of daylight left and he wanted to make the most of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

For three days and three nights the Cartwright brothers followed the same routine, traveling for several hours, breaking for an hour or so then moving on till nightfall. \u00a0First light each morning they were up and gone until at last by mid-day on the forth day of travel the weary brothers rode into the yard of the Ponderosa ranch house. \u00a0The moment that Joe had both looked forward to, and dreaded at the same time, had arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss noted that his father and brother\u2019s horses were both tied to the hitching post in front of the house and standing next to them were two fully stocked packhorses, an indication that the older two Cartwright men were preparing to leave soon, continuing with their search.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay Punkin?\u201d Hoss asked Joe as he helped the boy dismount.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon so, I sure am scared though,\u201d Joe answered, giving his brother a worried look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Hoss could say anything to reassure his brother, the large front door of the ranch house opened and Ben Cartwright, followed by his eldest son Adam, stepped out onto the porch that was on the front of the house. \u00a0When Ben saw his middle son standing in the yard his face broke into a wide grin and he called out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you made it home son, good to see you,\u201d Ben said as he approached Hoss unable to see his youngest son who had been standing behind the larger brother, afraid to be seen by the father that he had no memory of.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi ya, Pa, Adam,\u201d greeted Hoss who smiled from ear to ear. \u00a0\u201cI got somethin\u2019 here for ya Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he stepped away from Little Joe so that his father could now see the young boy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH!\u201d yelled Ben as he moved forward, ready to grab his son who had been missing for several days into his arms, unaware of the tears that had instantly formed in his chocolate brown eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, wait,\u201d Hoss said as he moved to stand between his father and youngest brother, instantly bringing a halt to his father\u2019s approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026well, Pa, he ain\u2019t got no memory of us, so he\u2019s sorta scared,\u201d explained Hoss looking to his father and then to his older brother who had also moved forward to greet their youngest family member.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Ben and Adam having stopped in their tracks, exchanged worried looks. \u00a0\u201cLost his memory?\u201d asked Ben, turning his attention again to his middle son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, but I dun told him what I could about his life here. \u00a0And he\u2019s okay with it right now, just sorta scared meetin\u2019 ya and all,\u201d Hoss told them and moved to stand beside Little Joe, placing his large arm around the boy\u2019s shoulder, offering some comfort to the lad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben watched the mixture of emotions cross the face of the frightened boy who stood watching him, unsure of how to approach the boy. \u00a0Ben\u2019s heart was pounding in his chest, so relieved was he to finally have his baby son home safe at last. \u00a0He wanted nothing more than to gather his son into his arms and hold him, it had been too many days since he had last been able to do that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam also watched his young brother and saw the fear written on his once handsome face and wondered at the abuse that was evident there. \u00a0His heart went out to this boy and to his father, for Adam knew of the worry his father had suffered in the days that this boy had been missing from their home. \u00a0Adam had known of the sleepless nights and the whispered prayers and even the sounds of his father crying when he had thought that the older son had been asleep. \u00a0Now it broke his heart knowing that his father stood with his love for this young boy showing on his face being forced to refrain from giving in to those built up desires to reach out to his youngest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, come here, please,\u201d Ben softly commanded his youngest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe looked into the eyes of the older man. \u00a0Something in the man\u2019s tone of voice and the way in which he moved told Joe that he was expected to obey. \u00a0Looking up into Hoss\u2019 face asking with his eyes if it were safe for him to do as bided, Hoss gently pushed him forward until he was standing directly in front of their father.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben gently placed both of his hands on either side of the shoulders of the young boy speaking softly as he slowly pulled Joe to him and when he felt no resistance, he embraced him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home son,\u201d Ben said as his voice cracked and making it impossible to continue speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe allowed the older man to hold him, unable to believe the peace that had come into his body the moment he had felt his father touch him. \u00a0Tears began forming in the green eyes, tears of relief, tears of joy, and tears of happiness. \u00a0\u00a0Perhaps he could not remember this home, this family before he had suffered the loss of his memory, but something from deep within his heart and soul told him that here, he was loved and cared for, and a connection to his former life was formed. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe clasped his arms around his father\u2019s waist and together father and son stood clinging to each other. \u00a0The father finding comfort in the closeness of his son\u2019s embrace and the son finding much needed security and compassion in the strong arms that held him. \u00a0Ben allowed his own tears to flow freely and they dropped into the curly brown hair of his youngest son as his son buried his face in the chest of his father and wept, his tears leaving little round circles on the leather vest his father wore.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Epilogue:<\/b><\/p>\n

Ben had insisted that Paul Martin, their family friend and local doctor check out Joseph\u2019s injuries. \u00a0After realigning Joseph\u2019s broken nose, putting four stitches in the busted lip, and checking for broken or cracked ribs when he found none Doc Martin gave the young boy a clean bill of health. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can fix his body,\u201d Paul told the worried father, \u201cbut the mind is something else. \u00a0I do believe that this memory loss is temporary, and given lots of time and rest, he should start remembering things eventually. \u00a0How soon though, I just can\u2019t say. \u00a0He\u2019s young and the young usually snap back quicker than the rest of us. \u00a0You just have to be patient with him Ben, Hoss you and Adam too,\u201d added the doctor, turning to be sure that the brothers understood his instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was ordered to stay in the bed for the next couple of days, and did not even put up the normal arguments that he was famous for. \u00a0Paul had left medication for Ben with orders that the boy be given a dose at bedtime so that he might sleep peacefully allowing his body to heal and rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three days after the doctor\u2019s last visit, Joe was allowed to get up and join the family at the table for meals. \u00a0As Joe carefully made his way to the family table and sat down, Hop Sing began placing breakfast on the table, all the while spouting in his native Chinese language. \u00a0Giving no thought to what he was doing or saying, Joe began answering the little oriental using the Chinaman\u2019s own language.<\/span><\/p>\n

Father and brothers alike turned startled eyes on the younger man, looks of profound disbelief on all three faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you could speak Chinese,\u201d said Adam, being the first to find his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laughing in surprise at his own disbelief, Joe turned to his brother, \u201cNeither did I. \u00a0But I can, and Adam,\u201d paused Little Joe grinning, \u201c you quote Shakespeare!\u201d Joe told his brother pointing his finger in Adam\u2019s direction, surprised that he knew that little fact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a horse and his name is Cochise, my mother\u2019s name was Marie,\u201d sang Joe jumping up and down, quoting fact after fact that had been purposefully withheld from him in the hopes that one day he would do just what he was now doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I can remember! \u00a0I can remember!\u201d cried Little Joe as he ran to his father throwing his arms around the neck of the older man, taking him by surprise. \u00a0Instantly, both his older brothers joined their father and little brother, all four Cartwright men unashamed of the tears that fell from each of their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

That day was the beginning for young Joseph Cartwright. \u00a0As the days passed, he began remembering the life that he once had, before his capture by the Bannocks. \u00a0With each remembrance, his ordeal with the Indians slowly became a thing of the past, showing up in an occasional nightmare when the boy had been exhausted from a hard workday, until at last even those nightmares were no more and life on the Ponderosa was again returned to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sept. 2001<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:<\/b> amnesia, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0Joe has been missing for days.\u00a0 When he’s found badly beaten, and with no memory of his former life, Joe is forced into learning to trust this blue eyed, gentle giant who claims to be his brother.<\/p>\n

Rated G \u00a0WC – 9800<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":2192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2825,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/hoss1.jpeg?fit=300%2C168&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12104,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12104","url_meta":{"origin":12173,"position":0},"title":"A Tale of Two Feathers (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"October 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Part One of four.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe learns that compassion and understanding are the footnotes to love; and that love can destroy the hate in a man's heart, give renewal to a man's spirit as it binds two unlikely souls in a most unusual friendship between a young man and a\u2026","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\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/indian.jpg?fit=1192%2C765&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63053,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63053","url_meta":{"origin":12173,"position":1},"title":"You Can Lead a Hoss to Water… (by JoanS.)","author":"JoanS","date":"June 11, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Hoss tries to overcome his fear of water. 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Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 WC \u00a02700","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\/Joe-and-Jamie.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12237,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12237","url_meta":{"origin":12173,"position":3},"title":"The Hunted (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"April 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0When an old friend of Ben's visits the Ponderosa, Ben has no idea that the world renowned wild game hunter is there to hunt the most elusive animal of all...man.\u00a0 He has three young men to pick from...what makes him choose the youngest? \u00a0Rated PG13 \u00a0WC 13,500","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe2.jpg?fit=717%2C573&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12219,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12219","url_meta":{"origin":12173,"position":4},"title":"To Honor Thy Father (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"October 1, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Little Joe learns to honor thy father when too many trips on thin ice leave him in dangerous waters. 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