Summary:<\/b>\u00a0After a stampede scatters the herd, the only one missing is Little Joe. What happens afterward\u00a0turns out to be a living nightmare for all the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n
Rated PG WC 20,100<\/p>\n
Where Love Once Lived<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDo ya know your name?\u201d<\/strong> questioned the old man as he bent his head to peer down at the straggled looking imp.<\/p>\n The boy looked thoughtful, confused and then, looking wistfully up at the stranger, shook his head no. \u201cI can\u2019t seem to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n The old man straightened up and scratched his balding head, gazing at the wide hazel eyes of the boy who had wandered into his yard and had passed out cold, falling in a heap practically at his feet.<\/p>\n It had taken some time for the old gentleman to bring the boy around. He\u2019d had to soak a cloth in the watering trough and had moistened the sun-blistered face and the dried, parched lips several times before the lad had regained consciousness.<\/p>\n \u201cLooky sonny, don\u2019t ya remember nothin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n This question deepened the frown already embedded on the dirty, cherub like face. The youngster shook his head no.<\/p>\n The old man\u2019s patience was beginning to wear thin. There was working needin\u2019 to be done afore his son got home. If his grown son returned before the old man had finished, his son would be furious at his father for not finishing with the chores.<\/p>\n While the old man remained lost in his thoughts, the boy struggled to his feet, staggering somewhat and reaching out for something to support him.<\/p>\n \u201cCareful now,\u201d the old man cautioned as he reached for the boy\u2019s arm to steady him.<\/p>\n \u201cYa ain\u2019t quite yourself yet\u2026come on over here and sit down whilst I finish these here chores,\u201d the farmer said as he led the boy into the barn and helped him to sit down on the nearest crate.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d stammered the boy said politely.<\/p>\n \u2018Polite,\u2019 the old man thought to himself as he studied the lad a little closer. \u2018Ain\u2019t some street urchin, clothes too expensive for that\u2026wonder who he is\u2026or yet\u2026where he came from.\u2019<\/p>\n The farmer picked up his rake and worked a few minutes in one of the stalls before pausing again to look at his unexpected guest.<\/p>\n \u201cYa got any ideay how old ya might be, kid?\u201d<\/p>\n The youngster was rubbing the side of his head, as if he had a pain that was causing his head to hurt. Troubled eyes, the color of emeralds stared blankly up at the old timer. He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026don\u2019t\u2026know\u2026\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n Henry Craigmiles sighed heavily. \u201cYa sure don\u2019t know much do ya?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes flashed instantly but then the pain surged through his head once more, stilling the angry retort he was about to give to the tiresome old gent.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026sir, I\u2026reckon not,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n The man\u2019s tone softened some as he moved to stand before the boy. He gently lifted the boy\u2019s chin, forcing Joe to look him square in the eye. He turned Joe\u2019s head slowly from side to side, examining his face carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t make no never mind, ya look to be about\u2026fifteen\u2026sixteen or so.\u201d<\/p>\n He released the boy\u2019s chin, still studying the boy closely. \u201cYa head hurtin\u2019 ya some I suppose?\u201d<\/p>\n It was more of a statement than a question but Joe nodded in response. \u201cLike a hot iron\u2019s been pressed into my temples\u2026\u201d Joe, using the tips of his fingers, massaged his temples. His eyes were closed tightly, as if he were willing away the throbbing pain. \u201cIt feels like my head\u2019s been locked in a vice,\u201d he said weakly.<\/p>\n Henry watched while he worked. He wondered silently where the boy had come from, how the lad had ended up here and where were the boy\u2019s parents\u2026and his horse, for the kid had walked or rather staggered, into the yard before collapsing. He glanced out the opened door of the barn. From where he worked he could see the yard where the chickens pecked at the ground. His son, Grant, would be home soon, and Henry knew that his work would not be finished and that Grant would be furious. Glancing again at the boy, he wondered if the lad were capable of helping him out. With the kid\u2019s help, he could be finished by the time that his own son got back from town and save himself, not only the physical part of the work, but the long drawn out verbal abuse that he knew Grant would rein on him.<\/p>\n \u201cYa think ya could give me a hand, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe glanced up, barely able to see through the blinding pain that caused his head to hurt so. \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m not sure\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Henry held the rake out to the boy who stood, wobbling. When Joe stretched out his hand to take the tool from the old man, everything about him began to swirl. Suddenly he felt himself sinking to the ground and by the time he lay in a ball at the farmer\u2019s feet, Joe\u2019s world as he had known it, had turned into a dark, dense black hole where nothing made sense to his jumbled and confused thoughts.<\/p>\n Before he could offer his assistance to the unconscious boy, Henry heard the sound of approaching hooves. He glanced up, seeing his son riding up to the front of the old house. Quickly he rushed to close the barn door and returned to Joe, pulling his still body into the empty stall and into the furthermost corner where it was dark and less likely that the boy would be seen. The old man half covered Joe\u2019s body with loose hay.<\/p>\n \u201cYa stay right there, and be quiet. Ya hear me? Don\u2019t make a sound, I\u2019ll be back in a few minutes,\u201d Henry whispered, hoping that the boy might somehow hear him and understand. The old man slipped from the stall, glancing back over his shoulder at the curly headed lad who was trying hard to wake up.<\/p>\n The old man put his fingers to his lips; \u201cShh\u2026I won\u2019t be long,\u201d he whispered as he disappeared out the door.<\/p>\n For several moments Joe fought his way back from his darkened world. His head buzzed as he huddled in the dark corner. Once his eyes adjusted to the dark, he scanned his new surroundings, still rubbing at his eyes in an effort to clear the fog that had seemed to settle before him. He started to move, to rise, but then the old man\u2019s words came back to him, warning him to be still and remain quiet. Joe wondered why he was instructed to do so, what had happened that seemed to have frightened the old farmer? Not fully conscious to what was going on around him, and too weak to put up a fuss, Joe moved into a sitting position where he could rest his head against the wall of the old barn. His knees he drew up to his chest. He propped his elbows on his knees and covered his eyes with his hands, his head was pounding again and the constant throbbing was making his stomach start to ache. He even feared that he might be sick. When the acidic bile began to boil, it took all his waning strength to swallow it down and keep it down.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Joe heard the heavy barn door being yanked open. Loud voices caused him to perk up somewhat, as he forgot about the rising bile and the everlasting pain in his temples. The voice that rang out the loudest was strange to him, certainly not the old man\u2019s. And whoever it was, was angry, shouting and yelling. An inner voice cautioned him to remain still and quiet as he had been instructed. Joe even tried pushing himself deeper into his hiding place as he listened to the arguing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy in blazes ain\u2019t ya done? What have ya been doin\u2019 all mornin Pa?\u201d shouted the younger man. \u201cHell, can\u2019t I even go into town for supplies and leave ya here to do one blasted thing for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow son\u2026it ain\u2019t like I ain\u2019t been busy\u2026.\u201d Started the old man as he followed his son into the dark barn.<\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa\u2026sure, I can just look around me and see what all you\u2019ve been doing,\u201d ranted Grant in an angry voice.<\/p>\n In the darkest corner of the stable, Joe was having trouble keeping his stomach from reacting. It rumbled and he feared that the angry stranger might hear him. He clasped his arms about his mid-section, temporarily forgetting the pain in his head to concentrate on the battle going on deep within his belly.<\/p>\n \u201cGrant\u2026I\u2019m sorry son,\u201d Henry said, casting anxious eyes toward the stall where Little Joe hid in the corner. Henry was afraid that if Grant found the boy, there would be hell to pay. He hated kids, of any age. Henry could never figure out just why, but his son could not stand being around children, especially half grown youngsters, such as was hiding in his barn. He\u2019d always claimed the teenagers to be troublemakers and ill doers, smart mouth and rude Grant had always declared. \u201cThey ain\u2019t got no respect for their elders\u2026none of them\u2026\u201d he would often shout at his father. Perhaps, thought Henry, it was Grant\u2019s raisin\u2019, comin\u2019 back to haunt him.<\/p>\n Grant whirled around to face his father, \u201cSorry? Yeah Pa, for once you\u2019re tellin\u2019 the truth, you\u2019re sorry all right! You always have been, ya know that?\u201d shouted the furious younger man. \u201cYou ain\u2019t never done nuthin\u2019 right, ya wasted ya whole dang life digging around in this here dirt, for what Pa? What? Nothing, that\u2019s what for!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGrant\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShut up old man!\u201d yelled the son. From the corner of his eye, Grant caught a movement in the furthest part of the stall that he stood in front of. His voice became silent as he moved slowly into the darkness, inching his way closer to the one who was trying to make himself unseen.<\/p>\n \u201cGrant, hmm\u2026take a look at this here mare, I think she might have a loose shoe,\u201d Henry called suddenly, hoping to draw his son\u2019s attention away from the youngster he had placed in hiding.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute, Pa\u2026well I\u2019ll be!\u201d shouted Grant as he extended his arm out toward Joe and grabbed Joe by the upper arm and easily, with his much larger hand, hauled Joe from his hiding place. \u201cLooky what I found hidin\u2019 in our barn.\u201d<\/p>\n Grant held Joe\u2019s arm tightly within his strong fingers, nearly lifting Joe off the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me go!\u201d cried Joe painfully as he struggled to wrench free from the big man\u2019s strong fingers.<\/p>\n Grant gave the squirming boy a good hard shake, knocking the boy to the ground. \u201cShut up kid,\u201d shouted Grant, glaring at Little Joe.<\/p>\n Moaning painfully, Little Joe was too weak to make an attempt to get up. His head felt strange and his vision was beginning to blur. He lay, unmoving on the dirt floor.<\/p>\n \u201cGrant,\u201d said Henry, eyeing his son, \u201cthe boy\u2019s been hurt\u2026he wandered into the yard about an hour ago\u2026then collapsed. Why, he don\u2019t even know his own name, or how old he be\u2026or where he come from\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Henry knelt down beside Joe and helped him into a sitting position. One look told the old timer that the injured boy was on the verge of passing out again.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2026needs a doctor, son,\u201d Henry said, looking up at the man towering over him.<\/p>\n \u201cA doctor? Are out of your mind, old man\u2026we ain\u2019t got no money to spend on\u2026a doctor. No\u2026I want him outta here\u2026we don\u2019t have no need for wayward kids around here\u2026now get rid of him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRid of him?\u201d stammered the old man. Henry stood up, leaving Joe on the ground listening and watching, fighting to maintain some sense of what was going on around him. \u201cWhat do ya mean\u2026get rid of him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust what I said\u2026I want him out of here\u2026do you hear me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I hear ya, son,\u201d Henry said. He glanced down at Joe and then up at his son. \u201cBut\u2026how\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant had started toward the door. His steps were heavy, weighted by the anger that brewed beneath his rough exterior.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care how you get rid of him, just do it\u2026he\u2019s trouble\u2026hell, Pa\u2026look at him\u2026he\u2019s some rich man\u2019s kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Both men turned to look down at Joe who by now had slipped again into his haven of darkness. Neither said a word for several moments but then Grant smiled, wickedly.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he said, grabbing the old man\u2019s arm. \u201cDid you say the kid had no clue who he was\u2026or where he\u2019s from?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he don\u2019t even know how old he is\u2026why?\u201d Henry asked, sensing that his son was toying with some idea that had just popped into his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what, Pa\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Henry suddenly had a sick feeling of his own growing in the pit of his stomach. Whatever his son was planning for the boy, it would not be good, of that the old man was positive.<\/p>\n \u201cWe sure could use some help around this place. Ya been complaining forever about your old bones\u2026and I\u2019m tired\u2026just plain old tired,\u201d Grant said, his grin widening.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are ya thinkin\u2019 on doin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n Grant shut the door to the barn and moved to the back, opening a door there. \u201cLet\u2019s put him in the shed for now\u2026that way, if anyone comes lookin\u2019 for him\u2026they won\u2019t find him. Then\u2026when he\u2019s better\u2026we\u2019ll make up some story\u2026ere\u2026we\u2019ll tell the boy\u2026I\u2019m his uncle and you\u2019re his grandpa\u2026his ma\u2026my sister, your daughter, died\u2026and she sent him to us for raisin\u2019\u2026\u201d Grant snickered softly. \u201cHe\u2019ll work for us\u2026he\u2019ll have too cause\u2026we\u2019re\u2026family!\u201d<\/p>\n The old man\u2019s eye narrowed slightly. He was contemplating what his son had just suggested. He didn\u2019t much like it, the boy\u2019s family, if they be rich, might come lookin\u2019 and if they did\u2026there might be more trouble than what either of them bargained for.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026ya been wantin\u2019 to slow down\u2026now\u2019s ya chance\u2026you can have the boy work for you in the morning\u2026doing barn chores and such\u2026and after lunch\u2026I\u2019ll use him in the fields\u2026he\u2019ll be our own little white\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.slave!\u201d For the first time in ages, the younger man laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can both slow down\u2026\u201d beamed the old man after several more moments of trying to visualize the plan in his own head. The smile that graced his face suddenly disappeared. He grabbed his son by both arms, looking him squarely in the eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if the kid remembers who he is\u2026and\u2026wants to go home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere won\u2019t be no\u2026going home\u2026he\u2019s mine\u2026from this day on, he\u2019s my nephew\u2026now help me get him into the shed. By the time I\u2019m finished with him\u2026he\u2019ll do any dam thing I tell him to, or pay the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n While Grant had been talking, he had picked up the whip that hung on a peg. He had allowed the leather to run through his fingers as the smile became more grotesque. When he bent to take a hold of Joe\u2019s upper body, he hung the whip back on the peg.<\/p>\n \u201cNope\u2026we ain\u2019t gonna have no trouble out of this kid\u2026that, Pa, I promise you!\u201d \u201cMust be on the other side of the hill,\u201d he told himself as he kicked his mount into action.<\/p>\n They had just about settled in for the evening, the cattle were beginning to settle down while the men in camp were eating their supper when a horrific roar of thunder had disrupted everything. The loud racket had startled the herd and before anyone could so much as turn around, the entire herd had stampeded, spreading out in every direction possible. The men riding herd, including Little Joe, had taken out after the runaway mass of cattle in hopes of getting them turned and then stopped. The men in camp jumped into action as well and joined the others but it had taken more than an hour to get the charging herd under control. Even yet cattle bawled and paced nervously about. The majority of the group of wranglers had made a circle around the herd while others continued to look for strays.<\/p>\n It had happened so suddenly that Ben had no time to fix his eyes on his sons\u2019 whereabouts, until that second. He saw Adam wave to him and he returned the gesture. When Ben reached his oldest, he pulled Buck to a stop.<\/p>\n Adam was sweaty and the dust had stuck to his flesh, covering his facial features and black clothing in a fine haze of gray. But he greeted his father with a tired smile.<\/p>\n \u201cThat must be about the last of them, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood son\u2026are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTired\u2026dirty\u2026thirsty\u2026other than that, I can\u2019t complain,\u201d Adam said with a dimpled grin. \u201cI saw Hoss over on that ridge,\u201d he told his father, pointing to the place he\u2019d last seen his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw him\u2026what about Little Joe\u2026have you seen him?\u201d Ben asked, all the while searching the distant hills.<\/p>\n Adam automatically followed his father\u2019s gaze. He even turned half way around in his saddle and looked over his shoulder. When he faced his father, his eyes had a worried look about them.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026last I saw of him, he was out in front of the herd\u2026\u201d Adam gulped as a disturbing thought struck him. \u201cHe was\u2026trying to get out of the way\u2026the herd\u2026charged straight at him,\u201d he finished.<\/p>\n Adam saw the color drain from his father\u2019s face and wished he had phrased his statement differently than to have it appear that Joe might have been caught up in the stampede and perhaps, injured\u2026or worse. He hurried to soothe the fear he\u2019d seen spring into his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s probably off in the brush looking for strays\u2026I wouldn\u2019t worry, Pa\u2026we\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His eyes still searched the horizon, looking for his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re probably right, Adam. Let\u2019s get back to camp\u2026he might even be there\u2026and if not\u2026well, we\u2019ll just have to look for him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll come riding in\u2026knowing Joe, he\u2019ll be bursting at the seams telling us about his exploits\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be just like that boy to be out in front of a runaway herd of cattle,\u201d Ben grumbled in a good-natured tone. \u201cHe never stops to think about the danger he puts himself in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImpulsive, spontaneous, daring\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben gave his son a sharp-eyed glare that caused Adam to chuckle to himself. After a moment, Ben smiled too.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Ben said, shaking his head but not enough to shake the seed of fear that had been planted deep inside his heart. Curious about his surroundings and trying to ignore the blasting pain in his temples, he swung his legs around to the side of the cot and tried to stand up. At first he was wobbly but after a few seconds he was able to move slowly toward a tiny ray of light that glowed between the cracks in the boards. When he peek between the boards, the light appeared small and served no purpose in helping Joe to determine where he was. For a moment, Joe allowed his hands to rest on the boards, feeling along the wall until he was able to find the latch on the door. He tried it, but it refused to budge. Frustrated with a growing fear settling in his gut, he tried again and again, pausing to still the rapid fluttering in his heart. The door was locked\u2026he suddenly felt trapped and alone.<\/p>\n \u201cI am alone,\u201d he muttered to himself, wondering where the old man had gotten to and why had the farmer locked him up in this tiny, one room shack. Suddenly overcome with fear plus the constant thumbing in his temples, Joe balled up his fists and beat on the door\u2026yelling out in a vain effort to be heard.<\/p>\n \u201cHELP!!! HELP!!! LET ME OUT OF HERE!! SOMEONE\u2026.PLEASE!!!\u201d<\/p>\n In the house, the old farmer and his son sat in silence at the table, eating what meager scrapes made up their supper. The old man glanced up at his son just as the son raised his head and glanced at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like\u2026my nephew\u2026has awakened,\u201d he said with a smirk.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like it,\u201d the old man said, rising and moving to the shelf over the stove. When he picked up a tin plate and began to fill it with the stew from the pot, Grant pushed back his chair and moved to stand behind his father.<\/p>\n \u201cJust what do you think you\u2019re doin\u2019?\u201d he barked.<\/p>\n Henry looked up with a puzzled expression. \u201cThe boy\u2019s awake\u2026he\u2019s no doubt hungry\u2026I was goin\u2019 to take him a plate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Angry, Grant grabbed the tin plate from his father\u2019s work calloused hand and turning it upside down, dumped the contents back into the pot.<\/p>\n \u201cWe barely got enough to feed ourselves\u2026he don\u2019t need none\u2026\u201d Grant scolded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO BUTS! You heard me\u2026the brat gets one meal a day\u2026and what he gets and how much depends on how hard he works! If he sloughs off doing his work, he don\u2019t eat\u2026do ya understand? I ain\u2019t wasting our grub on a lazy, no good kid who ain\u2019t earned the right to eat\u2026do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n Tight lipped, the old man moved away. Grant returned to his seat, picked up his own tin plate and held it out to his pa.<\/p>\n \u201cGive me some more,\u201d he ordered impolitely.<\/p>\n Afraid to say more, or refuse the demand, Henry took the plate and refilled it, handing it back to his son. For several moments he stood to the side and watched Grant cramming the stew into his mouth. The pounding on the door of the shed had stopped; apparently the boy had given up his appeal for freedom. \u201cWhere ya headed this early?\u201d Hoss asked his father.<\/p>\n Ben barely glanced up as he continued to tighten the cinch on his saddle. \u201cJoe didn\u2019t come in last night\u2026I\u2019m going to look for him.\u201d Ben dropped the stirrup down and turned around. \u201cI want you and Adam to go with the men, take the herd on into Sacramento\u2026when I find Joe, we\u2019ll meet you there\u2026wait for us. Tell Adam to see Mr. Curry, settle up with him and\u2026wait for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grabbed the reins and mounted up. Buck danced in a circle before Ben had time to force him into a standstill.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure you get a good price for those steers, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYessir\u2026but Pa\u2026why can\u2019t\u2026Adam take the herd on in\u2026I\u2026I wanna help ya find Little Joe\u2026and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss\u2026if I don\u2019t find him by this time tomorrow\u2026I\u2019ll send word to you and Adam\u2026but right now, I have a deadline on getting this herd to market\u2026I need you and Adam to see that it gets done. But I have to find Joe\u2026he\u2019s my first priority\u2026now please\u2026just do as I ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sighed deeply as he nodded. \u201cAlright\u2026whatever you say Pa\u2026but, if ya find Little Joe\u2026will ya send us word?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled, knowing how worried Hoss was about his little brother. They were shadows\u2026Hoss and Joe\u2026close, tight\u2026 \u201cI\u2019ll do better than that, son\u2026I\u2019ll deliver him to you personally\u2026how\u2019s that?\u201d Ben said, smiling though he felt nothing like smiling. All night he had lain awake, listening to every sound, hoping that Little Joe would ride in\u2026but it had all been for naught. Little Joe didn\u2019t ride in and now Ben was worried sick about his youngest son. Anything could have happened\u2026what if the boy had gotten hurt, trampled\u2026what if his body lay broken and twisted under hundreds of pairs of sharp, cutting hooves. Unexpectedly, Ben shivered. \u2018I can\u2019t let my thoughts go in that direction. Joe\u2019s alright\u2026on foot maybe\u2026\u2019 he told himself. Suddenly, Hoss\u2019 voice broke through his disconcerting thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll be great, Pa\u2026now, don\u2019t ya worry ya self none, Adam and me\u2019ll get them critters to market on time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Hoss\u2026I knew I could depend on you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n With that said, Ben spun Buck around and headed off at a full gallop. \u201cI see you\u2019re awake,\u201d he greeted Joe as he set the tray on a crate that served as a small table. \u201cYa hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019d you lock me in here?\u201d Joe said as he rose into a sitting position and turned so that he could sit on the edge of the small bed. \u201cWho are you\u2026where is this place?\u201d<\/p>\n The old farmer who was bent over the tray, worked at uncovering Joe\u2019s meal, glanced up and smiled. \u201cMy, my\u2026ain\u2019t you all full of questions this morning\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n The aroma of fried bacon and scrambled eggs filled the tiny room. Joe\u2019s stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn\u2019t eaten in\u2026how long? He couldn\u2019t even remember his last meal.<\/p>\n Henry watched the boy\u2019s reaction to the food, sensing that it had been far too many hours since the youngster had eaten. He pulled up another crate and sat opposite Joe. When he picked up the fork and held it out to the boy, Joe took it and began filling his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cMust\u2019va gone a while without,\u201d the old man said.<\/p>\n Joe glanced up and nodded. \u201cI suppose,\u201d he said between mouthfuls. \u201cYou didn\u2019t answer my question\u2026how\u2019s come you locked me up in here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHad to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHad to? Why\u2026I wasn\u2019t goin\u2019 to do you any harm\u2026\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026don\u2019t suppose ya was\u2026ya was too sick\u2026say, how\u2019s ya head this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter\u2026\u201d Joe said and then crammed another bite into his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cGood\u2026cause we got work to do,\u201d Henry said, lowering his head so that he could watch the boy from beneath downed lashes.<\/p>\n For a moment, Joe stopped chewing and looked at the old man. He seemed to be ignoring him.<\/p>\n \u201cWork? What kind of work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChores, boy\u2026chores. Didn\u2019t ya mama ever make you do chores?\u201d Henry said as he stood up and turned his back to Joe so that the boy could not see his face, or his expressions.<\/p>\n \u201cMy\u2026ma?\u201d Joe said, swallowing. \u201cWhat do you mean\u2026my ma? Do\u2026you know who I am?\u201d he asked, standing and coming around to stand in front of the elderly man.<\/p>\n Henry said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease\u2026you\u2026have to tell me\u2026do you know me?\u201d he practically begged. He had been more than just a little frightened when he stumbled into the yard, unaware of who he was or where he came from\u2026or why he was where he was.<\/p>\n Henry took a deep breath and turned around, masking his true feelings. If he didn\u2019t convince the boy that he was his grandson\u2026Grant would be furious with\u2026both of them.<\/p>\n \u201cI know ya\u2026well\u2026I mean\u2026I ain\u2019t seen ya in a few years. Ya was just a wee little thing the last time I laid eyes on ya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you do know me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026you\u2019re\u2026my\u2026grandson.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment, Joe was stunned. This wasn\u2019t what he was expecting to find out. He had just assumed that he was\u2026what?<\/p>\n \u201cGrandson?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026you\u2019re my grandson\u2026you be my daughter\u2019s boy,\u201d the old man lied.<\/p>\n Joe, unable to find words to express his shock, turned away from the man.<\/p>\n \u201cThen\u2026is the other man\u2026my\u2026father?\u201d Joe asked with a worried frown. He hadn\u2019t really seen the younger man, but he\u2019d heard him, and he hadn\u2019t liked the man at all. He was loud, and had a voice that was vicious. Dread filled his young heart with fear.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cGrant? No, no\u2026Grant\u2019s my son\u2026your uncle\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d breathed Joe in relief. \u201cThen\u2026who\u2026and where\u2026are my\u2026parents\u2026my ma and pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Henry swallowed hard and looked Joe square in the eye. \u201cThey be dead boy\u2026kilt in a freak accident.\u201d<\/p>\n Unable to endure more, Joe sat down on the cot. He was an\u2026orphan\u2026left in the care of this old man and a vicious uncle. Slowly he raised his head to look up at his grandfather.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n Henry sighed, dreading more lies. \u201cAbout three days ago\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026don\u2019t remember\u2026\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026of course you wouldn\u2019t\u2026you was with them when the wagon went down the side of the cliff\u2026but ya fell out on the way down\u2026bumped your head\u2026they was kilt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why my head\u2019s been pounding then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026ya took a pretty hard knock\u2026caused ya to lose ya memory\u2026that\u2019s why ya can\u2019t remember nothin\u2019,\u201d Henry continued with his lie. \u201cWe would of buried ya folks\u2026but\u2026there just wasn\u2019t\u2026enough left to bury\u2026\u201d Henry made a low moan, deep in his throat.<\/p>\n Joe looked up, believing the old man to be sick with grief, which in truth, he was sick because of his lies.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d Joe said, standing up and placing a hand on the old man\u2019s shoulder. He was amazed at how the elderly farmer trembled. \u201cThis must be hard on you.\u201d<\/p>\n Tears had almost filled the old man\u2019s eyes. They blurred his vision when he looked into Joe\u2019s tear filled ones. \u201cNo harder on me lad, than on you\u2026but\u2026life goes on, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The words were like a sharp knife, piercing his heart, but had no notion as to why. But they sounded familiar in a strange, unexplainable way.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026I suppose\u2026we\u2019ll get through this\u2026\u201d murmured the boy.<\/p>\n Henry started for the door but stopped, his hand on the latch. \u201cYou best finish ya breakfast boy\u2026there\u2019s work ya need to be doin\u2019\u2026if\u2019n ya want any supper,\u201d he added, hoping the boy might take the hint.<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026sure\u2026I\u2026hmm\u2026guess if I\u2019m gonna be living here\u2026I\u2019d best do my part,\u201d Joe said. He felt strange inside. He\u2019d just learned his folks had been killed but yet, he felt nothing of the loss he should have felt.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you hurry afore Grant\u2026starts gettin\u2019 impatient\u2026\u201dcautioned the old man.<\/p>\n Joe was pulling on his boots but paused. \u201cIt sure don\u2019t take much to make him mad, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n Henry glanced out the door. Grant was heading toward the barn. \u201cNo, it sure don\u2019t\u2026so get them boots on and let\u2019s go to work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026say\u2026umm\u2026sir\u2026can I ask you just one more thing\u2026two things?\u201d Joe asked almost shyly.<\/p>\n Henry peeked out the door again, worried that Grant might find his way to the shed but he was nowhere to be seen. Henry supposed his son had gone into the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cMake it quick like sonny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy\u2026name\u2026what\u2019s my name?\u201d<\/p>\n Henry seemed surprised. \u201cUmm\u2026name\u2026your name\u2026is\u2026Chad\u2026yeah, that\u2019s it, Chad\u2026Chad Wilson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChad\u2026\u201dmuttered Joe. \u201cAnd\u2026what do I call you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Again Henry seemed to fumble over his words. He blamed Grant for this, forcing him to be the one to come up all these lies\u2026and this boy, Chad\u2026asked so many fool questions.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026I\u2019m ya grandpa ain\u2019t I\u2026just call me Grandpa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe almost smiled at the old man; he seemed utterly confused by his questions.<\/p>\n \u201cPA\u2026WHERE ARE YA!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUt oh\u2026we best get a move on\u2026\u201d Henry cautioned as he yanked opened the shed door and started out.<\/p>\n Joe reached out for the man\u2019s arm, stopping him from going any further. \u201cOne more question\u2026why\u2019d you lock me in here\u2026why didn\u2019t you take me in the house when I blacked out?\u201d<\/p>\n Oh great, thought Henry to himself. How in blazes was he supposed to answer that?<\/p>\n \u201cUmm\u2026well, ya see, Chad\u2026umm\u2026this here shed is where you sleep\u2026the house ain\u2019t that big you know\u2026not much more\u2019n a cabin\u2026\u201dhe hurried to explain. He\u2019d seen Joe\u2019s confused expression and didn\u2019t want the boy to continue asking questions that he had no answers for.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026sleep in here?\u201d Joe said more to himself than to Henry. He glanced around the tiny shed, sickened. \u201cBut why lock me in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDam it boy! Stop askin\u2019 so many fool questions,\u201d shouted Henry as he took Joe\u2019s arm and forced him outside.<\/p>\n Grant was stomping toward them, resentment was written in every line of his angry face as he made his way over to them.<\/p>\n \u201cCause we didn\u2019t want you running off\u2026you was confused\u2026we didn\u2019t want you to get hurt worse\u2019en ya already be\u2026that\u2019s why we locked you in,\u201d whispered Henry.<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026guess that makes sense,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell have you two been doing all morning?\u201d shouted Grant, glaring at his father and then at Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just now six, son\u2026I took the boy some breakfast\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBREAKFAST!\u201d yelled Grant, turning to look down at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe boy ain\u2019t ate in some time, son\u2026he\u2019s gotta have a full belly if\u2019n ya expect him to help out\u2026\u201d the old man tried to explain.<\/p>\n Grant took a deep breath and spun around to face his father. \u201cWhat did we talk about last night, old man\u2026have you forgotten so soon? No breakfast\u2026work first\u2026and if\u2026\u201d he turned his fury on Joe. \u201cIf you do your work like it should be\u2026then you eat\u2026not before\u2026you got that, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was taken back by the man\u2019s statement and by his ill temper. But something deep within told him not to cross this man; it might prove dangerous. He instantly didn\u2019t like his uncle, something about the man, besides his bad temper, warned him to tread lightly where Grant was concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I understand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The fire that burned his cheek and set him on his butt in the dirt came as a total shock to him. His head had not stopped hurting completely, but now, because of the back handed slap his uncle had given him, Joe\u2019s ears were buzzing, his head spinning and his vision blurred.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll use manners boy, when you speak to me\u2026it\u2019s yes sir, no sir, please, thank you, may I\u2026and you\u2019ll do what I say, when I say\u2026no excuses\u2026got that?\u201d Grant growled.<\/p>\n Henry had squatted down next to Joe and was slowly helping the dazed boy to his feet. Joe rubbed his cheek with his hand, unaware that it was trembling.<\/p>\n \u201cI said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026I\u2026understand\u2026sir\u2026\u201d muttered Joe, looking at the man and then quickly looking away.<\/p>\n \u201cGood, now get in that barn\u2026I want it cleaned from top to bottom by noon. If ya ain\u2019t finished, don\u2019t come looking for lunch\u2026cause there won\u2019t be none\u2026for you anyway. Then, at one o\u2019clock sharp, I expect you in the south field ready to plow\u2026now GET!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took one quick glance at his grandfather and then practically ran to the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to hit the boy, Grant\u2026he\u2019s still not his self\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant followed Joe\u2019s path to the barn, and watched the boy disappear inside. He turned to glare at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care about his health Pa\u2026only how well he works\u2026hear my words old man. If the boy don\u2019t carry his weight around here\u2026I\u2019ll dispose of him myself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant turned and walked away, leaving his father to contemplate his words. The thoughts and images that flashed through his head and before his eyes made his stomach churn. He cast troubled eyes Joe\u2019s way and watched how the boy slowly made his way to the barn. For sure his newly found grandson would have hell to pay if he crossed his just as newly found Uncle Grant. Pity for what lay ahead for the boy, who was not yet fully recuperated from his accident, filled the old man\u2019s heart. Henry could only wonder at how long the boy would last under the strain of his illness and the workload that Grant had planned for him.<\/p>\n \u2018Dam kid, why\u2019d ya have to show up on my doorstep?\u2019 muttered the heartsick farmer. \u201cAnything, God\u2026anything. Please let me find\u2026something\u2026this not knowing is\u2026killing me!\u201d Ben beseeched his maker.<\/p>\n Urging his horse on, Ben continued his search for the missing boy. \u201cHe has to be somewhere\u2026but where!\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing how desperately Hoss and Adam must feel, Ben turned his horse around and headed for the nearest town. He\u2019d send a wire to them, as he had promised he would and if their business there was finished, he\u2019d have his two sons join him in the search for the missing boy. Heartsick and filled with a vast feeling of failure, Ben rode fast, prayed without ceasing until neither he nor his mount could continue with the pace he had set.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa,\u201d Ben ordered his horse. \u201cLet\u2019s walk a spell big fella\u2026cool you off some before we reach town.\u201d Ben dismounted and though his basic instinct was to hurry, he knew he must slow down, for his horse\u2019s sake as well as his own. Grant leaned down and grabbed the sleeping boy by the front of his shirt and hauled Joe to his feet. He shook the lad hard, bringing Joe instantly from his slumber. Joe was momentarily confused but then, seeing the angry eyes glaring at him, his confusion quickly turned to fear. He tried to pull away, but Grant\u2019s fingers held tightly to the material as he spun the boy around, lifting Joe\u2019s feet off the ground as he was yanked upward and then slammed into the half wall of the stable on the opposite side of the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell do you think you\u2019re doing\u2026sleeping on the job!\u201d roared the furious man.<\/p>\n Joe, having fallen on one knee, slowly attempted to rise. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry\u2026I\u2026was\u2026tired\u2026I didn\u2019t\u2026mean to fall\u2026asleep\u2026honest\u2026it won\u2019t happen\u2026again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re dam right it won\u2019t happen again,\u201d snarled Grant, creeping closer.<\/p>\n Joe had gotten to his feet and began backing up as Grant inched forward. The hard boards behind him dug into his back. His uncle towered over him. Joe gulped, swallowing the fear that had suddenly risen as bile into his mouth. When Joe saw the man raise his arm high into the air and saw the balled fist coming at him, he turned his head, covering it with both arms. Again and again the man struck the boy, until at last, Joe lay withering on the ground, groaning pitifully. When the blows ceased, Joe automatically curled his body into a tight ball, scooting as far from the cruel man as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have less than five minutes to be in the field. I\u2019ll meet you there, if you\u2019re a minute late\u2026I\u2019ll\u2026\u201d he stopped talking and turned to pick up the whip from the peg in which it hung. \u201cI\u2019ll tear the hide off your back\u2026now MOVE!\u201d<\/p>\n Grant stepped back, giving Joe the room he needed to get to his feet. A spot of blood showed on his already swelled lip. He could taste it in his mouth but he refused to wipe it away, at least not yet. Pain crept down his back where most of is uncle\u2019s blows were delivered. Joe was a bit unsteady on his feet, unsure of his steps as he crept around the man and towards the door. Once outside, he filled his lungs with fresh air. The air seemed to clear his head enough to remind him he\u2019d best not be late\u2026his time was running out. As he ran to the designated area, he continually looked over his shoulder. He could see Grant making his way to the field. When Joe reached the edge of the field where the mule stood, already harnessed to the plow, he stopped and inhaled deeply, again filling his now heaving lungs with fresh air. There was a sharp pain in his side that burned each and every time he breathed in and out. But he was determined not to let the man know just how badly he\u2019d been hurt by the powerful blows to his body. He\u2019d plow the field\u2026he\u2019d not give in to his despair\u2026he\u2019d not give in to the hopelessness he felt growing in his heart.<\/p>\n \u201cDang good thing you\u2019re here on time\u2026now see all this?\u201d Grant asked as he waved his hand about the area. \u201cI want this entire field plowed before sundown\u2026\u201d he glared down at the boy.<\/p>\n Joe knew he was gapping. The field must have been an acre, maybe one and a half, give or take a few rows. It would be no easy feat\u2026he wasn\u2019t even sure if he knew how to plow\u2026he couldn\u2019t remember having ever plowed before. But he was sure that he\u2019d not make the man\u2019s deadline\u2026he wondered if even an experienced farmer could plow this much land in that length of time. Joe glanced up at the sky\u2026it was well past the noon hour\u2026probably around two or three o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n \u201cIf ya don\u2019t finish by dark\u2026don\u2019t come in until you do\u2026and don\u2019t worry about eatin\u2019 cause ya not gonna get anythin\u2019,\u201d growled Grant.<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard and glanced around at his surrounding. Suddenly he felt his body pulled forward. The man had him tight by the front of his shirt, his eyes were dark, filled with hate.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd don\u2019t think about trying to run away\u2026cause I\u2019ll be watchin\u2019 ya\u2026and if ya do\u2026well\u2026you\u2019ll wish to God I hadn\u2019t caught up with ya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant flung the boy backwards, causing Joe to stagger but he caught himself before he fell.<\/p>\n \u201cNow git to work!\u201d After several minutes and barely able to keep his eyes opened, Joe made his way to the old shed. He found some rags, though not the cleanest, he used them to wrap his hands. Too tired for much else, the weary boy settled onto this cot and practically before he closed his eyes, he was asleep. Never mind his thoughts repeated. You are safe now\u2026you are going to be alright\u2026we\u2019re going home, soon\u2026The words were repetitious. Home, love, warmth, strength\u2026where was it coming from\u2026who was the man holding him and cooing softly to him, reassuring him\u2026who\u2026who\u2026who\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cTIME TO GET UP!\u201d The door had been kicked opened and Grant stood tall in the doorway, the sun against his back. \u201cGET UP YA LAZY NO ACCOUNT BRAT!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe raised his head slightly. Every part of his body screamed at him to stay put, but he slowly rose from his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be morning yet,\u201d he mumbled, rubbing his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. \u201cI\u2026just got to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo bad\u2026ya shouldn\u2019t of sloughed off on your work yesterday,\u201d Grant informed the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to your hands?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked again at the doorway and saw his grandfather pushing his way past his uncle.<\/p>\n \u201cBlisters\u2026\u201d muttered Joe, watching the concern spread across the older man\u2019s face. He glanced up at Grant for his reaction while Henry carefully unwound the rags. \u201cWhew\u2026that don\u2019t look so good, Chad. Best we get some ointment on those blisters or you\u2019ll never be able to work again. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n Henry walked past his son, giving Grant a furious glare as he went by. When the old man had gone, Grant walked over to Joe and gabbed both hands, holding them up so that he could inspect them. Joe wanted to pull away, but thought better of it. He gritted his teeth and held still while Grant turned them up and over and then around.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll live\u2026\u201d he said with no feeling whatsoever in his voice. \u201cDid you finish all the plowin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDarn good thing\u2026did you take care of the mule?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir, I rubbed him down and fed him\u2026gave him clean water and an extra measure of grain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood\u2026we don\u2019t want nothin\u2019 to happen to that critter. Cause if it does\u2026I\u2019ll have to harness you to that plow\u2026and let you pull it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard. \u201cUncle Grant\u2026sir\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d roared the uncle. He\u2019d turned to the door watching his father hurrying across the yard.<\/p>\n Before Joe had a chance to ask his question, Henry appeared with the ointment and some clean bandages. He smiled at the boy as he nodded toward the two crates.<\/p>\n \u201cSit down son, I\u2019ll have ya all fixed up in no time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hesitated, glanced up at his uncle and when Grant made no comment, he did as his would-be grandfather instructed. Grant turned and walked away, saying nothing more. Both Joe and Henry sighed in relief. \u201cHowdy, Pa,\u201d Hoss greeted his father, giving Ben a hearty handshake.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Hoss, Adam,\u201d replied Ben, shaking Adam\u2019s hand as well. \u201cI take it you were able to get the herd to market on time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure did,\u201d smiled Hoss. He watched Ben closely, acutely aware of the weariness that plagued his father.<\/p>\n \u201cGot $5 more a head too,\u201d added Adam. \u201cI take it\u2026you\u2019ve not found Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben, overcome with worry and all but worn out, shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d It was simple and plain\u2026a direct answer that summed up it all up.<\/p>\n \u201cI sent you a wire the next evening\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTook us a couple of days to get it, Pa\u2026or we would have been here sooner,\u201d explained Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI figured so, since I didn\u2019t get a reply\u2026so, I kept searching\u2026I haven\u2019t even been able to find his horse\u2026nothing\u2026not one dam thing!\u201d Ben gritted his teeth, frustrated and angry about feeling so helpless, worried sick about his youngest boy\u2026fearing the worse yet hanging on by a lone thread of faith.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you talked to the sheriff\u2026we know we were west of Placerville, almost here in El Dorado\u2026so the kid almost has to be between El Dorado and Sacramento\u2026\u201d Adam said, thinking out loud.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam I\u2019ve hunted every inch of that country\u2026I didn\u2019t find anything\u2026nothing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026them cattle scattered in about a hundred different directions\u2026some went west, some south\u2026some up, down, some back towards where they come from\u2026what if Little Joe took off after some that went north\u2026or maybe\u2026south\u2026\u201d suggested Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you said he was out in front of the herd when it stampeded?\u201d Ben quizzed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026he was\u2026but what if\u2026he turned\u2026he\u2019d almost have\u2019ta Pa\u2026or get\u2026\u201d Hoss swallowed hard. \u201cGet\u2026trampled\u2026and,\u201d he rushed on, \u201csince you ain\u2019t found no sign of him or his horse\u2026it ain\u2019t likely the boy got trampled on!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is right, Pa\u2026maybe you were looking in the wrong place.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben seemed to be considering the new information. For sure he\u2019d found nothing where he\u2019d been, it wouldn\u2019t hurt to look in opposite directions as his son suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Adam\u2026Hoss\u2026we\u2019ll split up\u2026I\u2019ll ride up north toward Auburn, Hoss you go back towards Placerville and Adam\u2026you ride down south aways\u2026look around, if you don\u2019t find something in the next couple of days\u2026you meet Hoss back here and the two of you catch up with me\u2026And if you should happen to find the boy\u2026well, send me word in Auburn, I\u2019ll check there for a message, say in three days\u2026\u201d As he pushed the door opened, the little bell over his head tinkled. Immediately, a man, not much older than himself, approached him, having come from the back room.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I help you?\u201d he said in a welcoming voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026hope so,\u201d Adam said as he dug in his coat pocket for his wallet. He began flipping through it until he found what he was looking for. \u201cI was wondering if you might be able to make up some posters for me?\u201d he asked and then handed a small picture to the man. \u201cAnd\u2026put this boy\u2019s face on the posters.\u201d<\/p>\n The gentleman held the photo in his hand, studying the features of the boy who smiled back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon so\u2026shouldn\u2019t be too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood\u2026I don\u2019t mean to be forward, but I need them right away\u2026how soon do you think you could have them ready?\u201d<\/p>\n The man sensed the urgency in the tall stranger\u2019s tone and mannerisms. \u201cIs the boy wanted for something\u2026a crime perhaps? And you\u2019d want to put something besides his image on the posters I suppose?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s laugh was bordering on nervous. The situation with Joe being missing was almost more than any of his family could endure.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s wanted alright\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The man\u2019s eyes grew big in wonder. \u201cHe\u2019s only a boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026he\u2019s my kid brother\u2026and he\u2019s been missing for nearly a month now. My family and I have looked everywhere\u2026and haven\u2019t found a trace of him\u2026I thought perhaps putting up posters\u2026with his picture and a reward, might help us find him,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI see\u2026and I\u2019m sorry to hear about your misfortune. May I ask\u2026how did he turn up missing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were bringing a herd of cattle to market\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2026and the herd stampeded\u2026just a ways out of town\u2026Joe\u2026that\u2019s his name, has been missing ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm\u2026you don\u2019t suppose the boy was\u2026\u201d he hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cKilled?\u201d Adam moaned softly, the thought wasn\u2019t new to him. \u201cI hope not\u2026but the longer time goes by that we don\u2019t find anything\u2026well\u2026I try to be positive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely, sir. Now, just write down what you want on the poster, and I\u2019ll get started on them right away. How many do you want?\u201d he asked as he handed Adam a paper and pencil.<\/p>\n Adam started writing, never looking up when he answered. \u201cI think two dozen will do for now. I\u2019m expecting my father and my other brother any time now\u2026we\u2019ll post them about town and in the surrounding area\u2026\u201d he said, handing the paper to the man. \u201cHow much?\u201d he asked, digging in his purse again.<\/p>\n \u201cDollar and a half should cover it\u2026are you Mr. Cartwright?\u201d the printer asked after reading the reward poster with Joe\u2019s name on it.<\/p>\n Adam tossed the money on the counter. \u201cThat\u2019s right, I\u2019m Adam Cartwright, my father is Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard of him\u2026has a big ranch down around Virginia City doesn\u2019t he?\u201d The man picked up the coins and put them in his cash box.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright then, Mr. Cartwright\u2026I\u2019ll have these ready for you in about an hour\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Adam said with a tip of his hat. \u201cI\u2019ll be back later.\u201d<\/p>\n When he returned more than an hour later, Ben and Hoss were with him. They picked up the posters, thanked the man and left.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, this was a good idea\u2026why we didn\u2019t think of it weeks ago is beyond me,\u201d Ben said, holding some of the posters in his hand, staring at Joe\u2019s reflection smiling back at him. Adam and Hoss swapped worried glances when they saw their father gently brush his fingertips down the side of the boy\u2019s face on the poster. Ben sighed heavily and looked up at his sons.<\/p>\n \u201cI miss him terribly,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n Touched by the warmth in his father\u2019s voice and the sadness in his dark eyes, Adam placed a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know Pa\u2026we miss him too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to worry, Pa\u2026we\u2019ll find\u2019em\u2026I just know we will,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n After hanging several of posters about town, the three men retired to their hotel room for the night, anxious to start over again first thing in the morning. Grant practically ran into the boy as he entered the barn, Joe was exiting.<\/p>\n \u201cWell!\u201d Grant stated firmly, obviously surprised to see the boy up and about.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026wanted to get an early start\u2026sir,\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cHungry, heh?\u201d smirked the older man. His eyes gleamed wickedly.<\/p>\n Joe lowered his head, afraid to look the man in the eye. He nodded his head and muttered in a low, almost shy voice. \u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought as much\u2026how long ya been workin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince before sunup, sir\u2026I\u2019ve fed the stock, gathered the eggs and milked the cow. The milk\u2019s in the well house\u2026I was on my way to feed the chickens and slop the hogs. I\u2019ll be done with mornin\u2019 chores then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant eyed the boy closely. He\u2019d changed since that first morning\u2026the boy had lost some of the fight in him\u2026course he\u2019d beaten most of it out of the kid. Chad had been stubborn and belligerent, fighting against him at every turn. It had taken several trips to the woodshed and the firm leather strap, but Grant had managed over the weeks to curb the boy\u2019s sharp tongue and ill manners. The lad appeared almost meek now, shy and tongued-tied, timid\u2026afraid. He resembled nothing of the boy who had found his way to them. Once appearing well cared for and fit, the boy looked more like a street urchin now, unkempt and dirty, his hair lay in ringlets about his face. His eyes, once alive and dancing, now were dark circled and had more of a faraway look to them. He doubted seriously that if the boy\u2019s family ever saw him, they\u2019d not even recognize the lad, which pleased Grant, for he aimed on keeping the boy forever, forcing the kid to work for him, digging in the dirt that yielded little and shoveling crap from his barn. It was almost humorous to him, what he\u2019d forced the once obviously rich kid to become. Grant smiled, surprising the boy who watched him from downcast eyes; fearful of what might be going through his uncle\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019ve finished feeding the chickens and the hogs\u2026go tell Pa to fix ya some breakfast\u2026and eat fast\u2026we\u2019re goin\u2019 into town today,\u201d Grant announced as he turned and entered the barn.<\/p>\n For a moment, Joe was unable to move or to think clearly. It would be the first time since\u2026whenever\u2026that he\u2019d been allowed off the farm. It mattered little to him that he\u2019d be with both his uncle and his grandfather\u2026he\u2019d still be going. The excitement was almost too much as he hurried to finish his chores and then his breakfast. How many times had he thought about leaving, of running away, but the fear of what his uncle might do to him, should he be caught, tipped the scales into staying put.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe\u2026just maybe,\u201d he whispered to the chickens, \u201csomething good will happen today\u2026maybe.\u201d \u201cThank you son\u2026now, let\u2019s get our things together and then have a bite to eat before we leave,\u201d Ben suggested. He was quick to notice the spark of renewed hope that he\u2019d seen in his middle son\u2019s eyes. The thought occurred to him that if Hoss could still be hopeful, he would too. It would be a month tomorrow since Joe went missing\u2026in truth, there wasn\u2019t much to hope for\u2026time was the worst of enemies now. There would come the day of reckoning, when they\u2019d all have to admit that Joe was lost to them forever. A sad time to face for the future, but watching his two sons putting on hopeful faces, though Ben realized that it was for him that they were doing it, he\u2019d do no less for them. Life would go on, with or with Little Joe. They would, by the grace of God, get though their loss, their grief\u2026it wouldn\u2019t be easy Ben thought\u2026but he still had two sons, though the hole in his heart that would be forever an open wound for him, would always linger, reminding him of what he\u2019d lost and most of what he would have missed, had the boy been found and brought home\u2026alive.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026PA!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was jolted back to the present. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were a thousand miles away,\u201d Adam said, sensing what had been on his father\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s lips pulled tight as he nodded. \u201cI wish it weren\u2019t so far\u2026\u201d he sighed. \u201cCome on, I\u2019m hungry,\u201d he declared, forcing a smile. \u201cBOY!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe spun around, having hopped down off the wagon bed. \u201cSir?\u201d he answered quickly.<\/p>\n Grant jumped down as well and hurried to the back of the wagon. He picked up a leather harness and held it out to the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cI want you to take this down to the livery, tell the man there to fix it\u2026and wait\u2026the minute he\u2019s finished, you get your butt back here\u2026you understand? No dawdling around\u2026here\u2019s the money. It shouldn\u2019t take more than half an hour\u2026if you\u2019re not back by the time we\u2019re ready to load supplies\u2026I\u2019ll use the leather on you\u2026and you know what that means!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir\u2026I\u2019ll\u2026hurry\u2026\u201d Joe said, taking the harness from his uncle. He was anxious to get away\u2026even if for half an hour. He felt like a bird out of the cage.<\/p>\n \u201cGet goin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe need not be told again, he immediately started running, but halfway down the street he slowed down and tried to take in as much as he could in the time allotted him, of the town and the folks that wandered the streets. Before he knew it, he\u2019d reached the livery.<\/p>\n \u201cYa want something, boy?\u201d the stable master inquired.<\/p>\n Joe held out the harness to him. \u201cMy uncle needs this fixed, sir,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cHe said I was to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n The old timer took the harness, inspected it and then nodded. \u201cWon\u2019t take but a minute, I\u2019ll be right back, sonny,\u201d he said and then disappeared into the darkness of the stable.<\/p>\n While he waited for the harness to be repaired, Joe walked a ways down the street, observing the people. Those that passed him, stepped aside, as if they were afraid they\u2019d catch something from him. Joe puzzled as to why\u2026he knew he was dirty, but\u2026it hadn\u2019t really bothered him\u2026until then. Uncomfortable with the strange glances and the constant staring, Joe turned back toward the livery. When he arrived, the harness was ready. Quickly Joe pulled the coins his uncle had given him, out of his pocket, paid the man and then hurried back in the direction of the general store.<\/p>\n He\u2019d only gone a short way when a bulletin nailed to a post, caught his eye. Joe stopped and stared at the face imprinted on the poster. He read the words, Missing, Joseph Cartwright, age 16. $10,000 reward for information as to his whereabouts. Last seen on the 2nd of June. If seen, contact Ben Cartwright, Ponderosa Ranch, Virginia City, Nevada.<\/p>\n Joe squeezed his eyes tightly. A sudden rush of pain shot through his head. He pressed his fingertips against his throbbing temples in an effort to ward off the pain. Just as suddenly as it happened, the pain was gone. Opening his eyes, Joe looked again at the poster. The kid seemed familiar. He was about to reach up and snatch the cardboard when a loud voice calling his name, stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cCHAD!\u201d<\/p>\n Chad turned, seeing his uncle stomping through the mass of people coming right towards him.<\/p>\n \u201cDang\u2026I forgot the time!\u201d he muttered to himself. His insides immediately began to churn. He knew what lay ahead of him and the fear he felt gnawing at his insides cause his stomach to rumble.<\/p>\n Grant grabbed the boy by the back of the neck and directed him back across the street toward the wagon. He practically forced Joe to bend over as he shoved him face down on the wagon bed in the back. The enraged man leaned down low, near Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n \u201cJust what in hell were you doing? I told you to come straight back here\u2026I had to go down to the livery myself, only to find you\u2019d already gone\u2026where were you!\u201d he growled in a low, threatening voice.<\/p>\n Joe was unable to rise, his uncle held him pinned, face down to the bed of the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cI was on\u2026my way\u2026I\u2026just stopped\u2026for a\u2026minute\u2026honest\u2026I wasn\u2019t doing\u2026any thing wrong\u2026honest\u2026sir\u2026please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant\u2019s fingers tightened around the back of Joe\u2019s neck. The boy winced lowly. His breath became labored as he fought his rising fear. A man had a boy pinned to the back of the wagon, shouting at the boy. It made Ben\u2019s stomach churn to see what the man was doing to the boy, especially when his own son was missing. Though he could never tolerate any form of abuse himself, Ben could only reason that perhaps the lad had done something wrong, perhaps stolen an item from the store. If that were the case, the father was certainly within his rights to discipline his child.<\/p>\n When Hoss took a step off the boardwalk, Ben reached out and put his hand on his son\u2019s arm. Hoss glanced back over his shoulder at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Hoss\u2026stay out of it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa\u2026he\u2019s just a boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know\u2026I can see what\u2019s going on, but it\u2019s none of our affair son, now come on,\u201d Ben said, gently tugging on Hoss\u2019 arm.<\/p>\n Hoss looked again at how the man used his fist and struck the boy in the back between his shoulders. It sickened him. His mind had flashes of his youngest brother\u2026how the boy, now slumped over, the man having gone back inside the store, looked as if he were in pain.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026I won\u2019t be but a minute\u2026\u201d Hoss stated and then pulled away from his father.<\/p>\n Ben, surprised, quickly stepped in front of Hoss, placing his hands on the broad chest.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss\u2026do not get involved. Ben took a quick look over his shoulder. \u201cSee, he\u2019s alright, he\u2019s helping his family load the wagon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n For a long moment, Hoss stood watching, the boy going in and out of the store. The man had left with an older man and the pair were now making their way towards the saloon. Satisfied that the bedraggled boy was safe for now and appeared unharmed, Hoss gently removed his father\u2019s hands and turned to join Adam on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get the horses and get outta here,\u201d he remarked tartly. As he sat up, he noticed the three men walking down the boardwalk. The trio, had stopped and were talking to some people who had also stopped to look at the poster he, himself had been looking at. Joe was curious\u2026about the boy in the picture. He\u2019d given it some thought while he\u2019d been loading the wagon, and though he hadn\u2019t seen his own refection since coming to his grandfather\u2019s, Joe got the feeling that he resembled the boy on the poster.<\/p>\n He watched the three men, wondering how they fit into the scheme of things\u2026did they know the missing boy\u2026he had to find out who they were and why they seemed so interested in what the folks were saying.<\/p>\n It was a daring move on Joe\u2019s part, not to stay with the wagon as Grant had ordered him to do. And he knew if he were caught not where he was suppose to be, there\u2019d be hell to pay later, once they got back home. But the curiosity was over-whelming and before he knew what he was actually doing, Joe was hurrying across the street. The crowd had grown, making it easy for him to mingle amid the array of bodies, unnoticed. He tried to look over one man\u2019 shoulder, but the man blocked his view. Joe tried to squirm around the man, but the crowd had closed in on him and he was virtually trapped among the throng of people.<\/p>\n It was then that he heard the voice. He froze, unable to move as he listened to the man talking. The voice, deep and mellow, soft yet commanding caused him to shiver. When he looked at the hairs on his arms, Joe noted that they seemed to be standing on end. The voice was alluring, threatening in volume yet, gentle and warm in tone. He tried to shove his way to the front. Men pushed him away, elbowed him in the ribs, but Joe fought his way through, determined to see the face of the man who spoke with the voice that had haunted his dreams for weeks on end.<\/p>\n At last the voice died away. Joe listened intently, wondering now if he had imagined the voice. By the time he\u2019d pushed his way to the front, the crowd was parting, going in different directions so that within minutes he stood alone, in front of the poster of the missing boy. Something deep within caused a sob to escape from his mouth. Unsure of why, Joe felt like crying. He felt so alone, abandoned\u2026frightened, heartsick.<\/p>\n \u201cWHERE\u2019S THAT KID!\u201d<\/p>\n Fear, as strong as a bolt of lightening, pierced his heart. There was a voice he knew well\u2026and with it came a dread so deep that it sent shivers of fear coursing down his spine. Joe looked up, Grant was heading straight toward him. His first instinct was to run away; but acutely aware of what would happen to him if he did, a split second decision not to, warned him to stay put. Instead, he snatched the poster, ripping it from the post and stuffed it into his shirt, unseen and then turned to face the fury of his tormentor.<\/p>\n He was hit so fast and so hard that the boy did not know what happened to him. It was only hours later when he awoke in total darkness and unable to move that he remembered the last thing he\u2019d seen was the fire of hate burning bright in his uncle\u2019s amber eyes.<\/p>\n His body ached, especially between the shoulders where Grant had vented his rage earlier and his jaw where he\u2019d been hit when Grant found him gone from the wagon where he was told to stay. Joe could feel the cool earth beneath his body. It almost felt good from the repressive heat of the day. It was dark, no light was shining anywhere about and he wondered where he was. His hands were tied behind his back and ankles were tied just as tightly, his mouth was gagged, preventing him from calling out. Panic seized his young heart as he strained to make out the confines of his newest prison. After struggling for several moments, he gave up, it was use, he couldn\u2019t work the ropes free. Whoever had tied him had made doubly sure he\u2019d not get away. It was then that Joe wished he had risked an escape.<\/p>\n Above him, he could here people walking across the floor. It dawned on him then that he must be in some sort of cellar, probably a root cellar, or a storm shelter dug out beneath the house. He listened intently, hoping to make out what was being said, but after several minutes, gave up, the voices were muted and inaudible. And at that point in his life, Joe cared less what was being said or what his uncle and grandfather had planned for him. He was weary, cold, dirty and so dadburn hungry that he could eat an entire cow had it been offered to him.<\/p>\n The door above opened and shut loudly. Someone had left, Joe could only wonder who and why. Little did he know that salvation was riding threefold right up to the front door.<\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, stranger\u2026\u201d Grant greeted the threesome. The old man came quietly from the cabin, closing the door with more ease than his son. Henry stood to Grant\u2019s right, watching the strangers as the older of them dismounted and stepped forward.<\/p>\n \u201cHello\u2026my name\u2019s Ben Cartwright\u2026these are my sons, Adam and Hoss,\u201d Ben said, introducing himself and then his boys. He extended his hand out to the farmers, but they ignored the gesture. Ben casually glanced up at Hoss and Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s you be wanting\u2026or needing?\u201d Grant asked gruffly.<\/p>\n Ben pulled a poster from his vest and unfolded it, showing it to both men.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking for this boy\u2026my son, Joseph. He disappeared several weeks ago and we\u2019ve searched the country round about for him, but can\u2019t find a trace of him. I was wondering\u2026perhaps you\u2019ve seen the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n Grant barely took notice of the poster. He was watching Hoss and the way the big man searched his surroundings with sharp eyes. Henry stepped up and took the poster from Ben, studied it and then handed it back.<\/p>\n \u201cNope\u2026we ain\u2019t seen no body\u2026not a kid or nuthin\u2019 in weeks,\u201d Henry explained.<\/p>\n \u201cNo body?\u201d Hoss said. He\u2019d seen the man watching him. Something about the fellow disturbed him, he smelled of trouble. It was then that Hoss remembered the man.<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t you the men I seen in town earlier today\u2026you had a boy with you\u2026about this high?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Ben noticed that the tall stranger paced slightly. Hoss was right; it was the man who was beating the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right\u2026you did have a boy with you. Perhaps your\u2026son\u2026might have seen my son hereabouts,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026my boy don\u2019t go off the place lessen he\u2019s with me, or his grandpa,\u201d Grant stated.<\/p>\n By this time, Adam had dismounted as well and joined his father and brother in the yard with the two farmers.<\/p>\n \u201cCould we just ask him ourselves?\u201d he said, almost insisting. He didn\u2019t like the men either; he felt as Hoss felt, the men were trouble\u2026and so obviously lying that it was almost a joke.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d Ben returned.<\/p>\n \u201cCause\u2026he\u2026hmm\u2026ain\u2019t here,\u201d Grant lied.<\/p>\n For a moment all were silent, then Adam stepped even closer to the younger farmer.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you just said that the boy doesn\u2019t go anywhere unless one of you are with him?\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n Henry rushed to explain. \u201cHe did, say that\u2026mister\u2026but what my son here meant was that Chad\u2026that\u2019s the boy\u2026well, he\u2019s busy right now\u2026sort of\u2026tied up you might say. But I can assure you, he ain\u2019t seen nobody either, cause if\u2019n he had, he\u2019d a said and he ain\u2019t said, has he son?\u201d Henry finished, directing his question to his boy.<\/p>\n \u201cI said he ain\u2019t\u2026Look mister,\u201d he said, speaking to Ben. He\u2019d moved away from Adam, for some strange reason the dark man in black intimidated him and he didn\u2019t like the feeling that maybe the stranger knew he was lying. \u201cWe got work to do\u2026a farm don\u2019t run it\u2019s self\u2026we got stock to feed and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course you do,\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cWe won\u2019t be keeping you\u2026thank you for your help. Here, keep the poster\u2026just in case\u2026there\u2019s a reward, should you happen to see my son and direct one of us to him. The information\u2019s right there on the front,\u201d he said, giving the poster to Henry.<\/p>\n They turned and mounted up, riding away from the rundown place without so much as looking back, never knowing that just yards away and only a few feet beneath them lay the every thing they were searching so hard to find.<\/p>\n The Cartwrights had only ridden a short ways when Hoss pulled his mount to an abrupt halt. The others stopped just a few yards ahead and Ben turned his horse around and rode back to where Hoss waited.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, plenty\u2026them varmints were lyin\u2019 Pa\u2026I know it and so do you\u2026so does Adam,\u201d grumbled the usual cheerful young man.<\/p>\n Ben wore a serious expression as he nodded his head in agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2026I realize that son\u2026but what goes on within a man\u2019s own home is his business. No matter where that boy was\u2026he\u2019s none of our concern. What is our concern is finding Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa\u2026what if they hurt that boy\u2026and why lie about where he was?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben said with a deep sigh, \u201cI don\u2019t know why they lied\u2026I don\u2019t care\u2026I just want to find MY son and take him home\u2026now please, lets move on, we have a lot of ground to cover,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n As he turned his mount back around, Adam blocked his path. Ben pulled up short.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Adam said. Ben noted the serious look in his eldest son\u2019s dark eyes. \u201cYou\u2019ve been driving yourself hard for a month\u2026and we\u2019ve followed you every step of the way\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow don\u2019t take this the wrong way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTake what the wrong way\u2026will you please just say, what\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, I will. When\u2026is it enough\u2026I mean\u2026Joe\u2019s gone, Pa\u2026plain and simple\u2026AND\u2026I will be the first to admit how badly that bothers me, how I\u2019d give my life to have him back\u2026but we\u2019re going to have to face it sometime, Pa\u2026Joe\u2019s not coming home\u2026not now\u2026not ever\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam THAT\u2019s enough! Do you hear me? I won\u2019t give up\u2026ever\u2026not now\u2026not ever! Now,\u201d Ben said in a calmer voice. \u201cIf you and Hoss want to give up\u2026I\u2026certainly can\u2019t fault you for that. You can go home\u2026I\u2026won\u2019t hold it against you\u2026I swear I won\u2019t. But you have to understand something\u2026\u201d Ben swallowed down the pain that was crushing his chest, the pieces of his heart were piercing like daggers into his lungs, making breathing almost impossible. \u201cI shall never forever myself for letting this happen\u2026Joe\u2019s\u2026missing, possibly his\u2026death\u2026I can\u2019t give up. I owe my all to that boy\u2026I owe him, Adam\u2026I HAVE to find him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou ain\u2019t blamin\u2019 ya self\u2026are ya Pa? Cause if\u2019n ya are\u2026you shouldn\u2019t\u2026this ain\u2019t your fault, no more\u2019n it\u2019s mine or Adam\u2019s or\u2026anyone\u2019s\u2026\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n \u201cI was blaming myself\u2026in the beginning\u2026but\u2026I have a gut feeling, son about something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA gut feeling about what Pa?\u201d Adam asked, tossing a quick glance at Hoss who seemed just as puzzled by their father\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a gut feeling that Little Joe is alive\u2026and he\u2019s missing naturally, but not because he wants to\u2026but because he\u2019s being forced to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Adam stammered. \u201cPa\u2026that\u2019s wishful thinking\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it\u2019s not\u2026let me explain something to you. Back there\u2026at that farm\u2026those farmers were lying\u2026that was easy to see. They were hiding something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr someone,\u201d Adam said aloud.<\/p>\n \u201cSome one!\u201d Hoss practically shouted. \u201cYa reckon\u2026it\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grew serious and grim. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he stated flatly. \u201cI\u2019d have to ask why\u2026we\u2019ve offered a sizable reward\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah but Pa\u2026we just got them posters\u2026maybe\u2026\u201d Hoss began.<\/p>\n Adam finished his brother\u2019s sentence for him. \u201cThey\u2019ve held Joe as their prisoner, waiting, hoping that someone would offer a reward.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019 expression was one of fury. \u201cThey\u2019s using him to gain a small fortune\u2026hey wait just a dang minute\u2026\u201d His eyes were huge blue balls. \u201cYa don\u2019t reckon that poor kid they was beatin\u2019 on back in town could\u2019va been\u2026naw\u2026that boy was too ragged and dirty, why anybody could tell he\u2019s been worked like a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, that\u2019s it\u2026Pa,\u201d Adam said, growing excited. \u201cWhat if that were Joe\u2026what if those men were using the boy to work for them\u2026doing chores and whatever else they didn\u2019t want to do\u2026all the time waiting for a reward to be offered? It\u2019s possible, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n It was Ben\u2019s turn to get angry. \u201cIt\u2019s possible\u2026I hate to think of that boy in town as being my own son\u2026he was a mess, a dirty, smelly ragamuffin\u2026he looked nothing like Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnless he\u2019s been neglected as well as beaten and obviously starved\u2026anyone could see that boy has missed more than just a meal or two\u2026\u201d Adam grumbled.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that\u2026but I have an idea about that boy\u2026if we could just talk to him, offer him the reward\u2026promise not to let his family hurt him\u2026then, if\u2026and I know it\u2019s a big if, but if he knew anything about Joe\u2019s whereabouts, the boy might be willing to talk to us,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n For the first time in weeks, his two sons could see the glimmer of hope that sprang into his dull, sad eyes. They looked at one another, and then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Pa\u2026it\u2019s worth a try\u2026but just how are we gonna get to that boy\u2026without his family getting\u2019 in the way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026yet. I\u2019ll have to give it some thought, but for right now, let\u2019s find a place to camp for the night\u2026no fires\u2026because I want to stay close to that shack\u2026maybe, with any luck, we\u2019ll get a chance to catch that boy alone. If that happens, we\u2019ll\u2026nab him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey\u2026maybe we could make a trade\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA trade?\u201d Adam asked his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026their own kin for ours\u2026Little Joe for that boy\u2026\u201d Hoss almost smiled. He\u2019d risk anything to get his little brother back\u2026anything, even his own life, and the others knew it\u2026\u2019cause they felt the same way about the youngest member of their family.<\/p>\n Ben smiled proudly at his middle boy and clamped his strong hand down on Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, from the looks of that boy, I\u2019d say he needs rescuing about as badly as your little brother. Perhaps we can do some justice for both\u2026if the boy knows anything about Joseph,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u2026if he don\u2019t?\u201d inquired Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we\u2019ll continue to look for Joseph, as I said before\u2026I won\u2019t give up until I know something\u2026one way or the other. Now, come on, let\u2019s get settled in for the night.\u201d Grant was sitting at the makeshift table in the center of their tiny farmhouse, sipping coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cThey ain\u2019t got no idea that the boy is the one they\u2019re lookin\u2019 for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026but they know we got a boy here\u2026and now they\u2019s suspicious,\u201d the old man worried as he poured himself a cup of the strong coffee. \u201cThey\u2019ll be back\u2026and when they do\u2026there\u2019s gonna be trouble\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant watched the worried expression spread across his father\u2019s face. He sat his cup down with a bang.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right for once, old man\u2026we best get rid of the kid\u2026\u201d he said, pushing back his chair and standing.<\/p>\n Henry almost choked on his coffee. His head jerked upward as he stared openly at his son. \u201cWhat do ya mean\u2026get rid of the kid? Surely ya don\u2019t mean\u2026kill the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa got any better ideas?\u201d Grant stormed as he pushed back the tattered old armchair and pulled the worn rug from the floor where it hid the trap door to the cellar.<\/p>\n Henry had stood up and moved across the room, standing on the door in the floor. \u201cYeah, we clean\u2019em up, feed him and turn him over to his old man\u2026we\u2019ll collect $10,000 for our trouble\u2026then we can get the hell away from his play!\u201d<\/p>\n Grant\u2019s lips were pulled tight across his face, his brow furrowed deeply as he thought about his father\u2019s idea. But then he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t do that, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not\u2026it\u2019ll work\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026we told Cartwright that the kid was ours\u2026we can\u2019t turn around now and say, \u2018oops\u2026we made a mistake, the boy is yours\u2019\u2026we have to get rid of the boy and now\u2026before those men come back. I\u2019ve an idea they didn\u2019t believe one word of what we told them, \u2018specially that big brute. We\u2019ll take the boy off some where\u2019s\u2026then we\u2019ll\u2026do whatever needs to be done\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGrant\u2026I think that\u2019s a mistake\u2026think about the money. The boy won\u2019t remember nothin\u2019\u2026we\u2019ll just tell Cartwright that we found his kid after they stopped by\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if they ask about our boy\u2026what\u2019ll ya tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n Henry rubbed the back of his head with his opened hand as he paced the floor. Suddenly he stopped and spun around, facing his son.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take the boy to his father\u2026and we\u2019ll make up some story about leaving Chad at home\u2026if we caught them out on the trail and return the boy there, they ain\u2019t got no need to come back here. Grant,\u201d Henry said, moving close to his son. \u201cIt\u2019s what we been waitin\u2019 for son\u2026with $10,000 we can go anywhere and\u2026start all over. We can buy us a nice place instead of living here in this dump. Why, we can even go back east if we\u2019re a mind too\u2026you\u2019d like that wouldn\u2019t ya son\u2026or\u2026maybe San Francisco\u2026that\u2019d be nice\u2026what\u2019ll you say\u2026let\u2019s give\u2019em back their boy. He\u2019s been nothin\u2019 but trouble anyways\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It was the first time in a great many years that Henry had actually seen his son smile for real. The ages of time seemed to slip silently away from the younger man\u2019s face. His eyes, usually dull and full of what might be described as hatred, suddenly took on a faraway, dreamy look. Grant\u2019s body was as if under a spell, for the taunt muscles seemed to soften and when he looked at his father and spoke, the voice was calm and the tone smooth and clear.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like San Francisco, Pa. I\u2019ll get the boy, you get the horses ready,\u201d Grant said.<\/p>\n Henry grinned and went for the door, stopping suddenly and turning back around. Grant had just lifted the door and was beginning to descend the ladder.<\/p>\n \u201cGrant, son\u2026ain\u2019t we gonna clean the boy up first?\u201d<\/p>\n Grant, his head just barely above the opening, shook it from side to side. \u201cNo\u2026we\u2019ll take the boy to the old mine shaft and leave him there. I left some chains and rope\u2026so he won\u2019t get away. Then we\u2019ll find Cartwright and demand the reward. We\u2019ll tell him that he has twenty-four hours to bring him the money, or the boy dies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDies\u2026how?\u201d Henry felt sick to his stomach again.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno\u2026I\u2019ll crush his head with a rock and toss him down one of those old shafts. Nobody\u2019d ever find him there. Don\u2019t look so worried, Pa\u2026Cartwright won\u2019t risk it. He\u2019s a rich man\u2026and\u2026he wants his boy back. Now hurry it up, get the horses ready.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s better,\u201d mumbled Grant as he laid Joe back on the ground and retied his hands in the front.<\/p>\n Joe stirred and raised his head, trying to focus on the man\u2019s face. \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked. His mouth was dried from the gag and forming his words was a task. \u201cWhere are you taking me? Please\u2026Uncle Grant\u2026I\u2019m\u2026sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever mind where you\u2019re goin\u2019 kid\u2026but if ya gotta know\u2026I\u2019m sellin ya to some men that came by here earlier\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Now on his feet, though unsteady, Joe stared disbelievingly at his assumed uncle. \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n Grant had on hand on Joe\u2019s arm and reached down and snatched Joe\u2019s hat from the ground. \u201cYou heard me\u2026I\u2019m sellin\u2019 ya to some men.\u201d He smiled wickedly at the frightened look he\u2019d seen fill the boy\u2019s hazel eyes. \u201cThey like little boys\u2026\u201d he sneered. \u201cAnd I could use $10,000! Now get up those stairs!\u201d he said, shoving the boy forward.<\/p>\n Joe could not believe his ears. His uncle and he assumed his grandfather, were selling him, to\u2026strangers. A new kind of fear filled his heart. He could only wonder what the men wanted him for? Slavery was something that went on back in the deep South not out here in the west\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy what?\u201d grumbled Grant when they\u2019d reached the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you doing this to me\u2026what do those men want me for? You can\u2019t sell me\u2026it\u2019s against the law to sell another human being\u2026\u201d The panic was evident in his voice. His words were broken and when Grant looked at him, Joe\u2019s eyes had begun to fill with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cI dun told ya, stupid\u2026they like little boys. Do I gotta draw ya a picture too? Use you\u2019re imagination,\u201d he said with a deep chuckle when he saw the tears begin to flow gently down the dirty faced boy. \u201cGet used to it, kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Grant shoved Joe toward the horses. His father had brought them into the yard. With his hands tied, Joe was unable to mount by himself, forcing Grant to help him mount up. He then retired Joe\u2019s hand to the pummel so that the boy could not get away. Joe kept his head low, unable to look either man in the face. Hoss glanced up at the sky. It would be light soon he pondered, hoping that he\u2019d make it in time to see the beginnings of activity that he suspected would take place at the homestead.<\/p>\n He hid behind some boulders, being sure to stay out of sight but just as able to watch the front of the cabin. Luck was with him when Hoss saw the front door open and the old man step out into the early beginnings of the new day. He watched as Henry stretched and flexed his aged body and then stroll across the yard to the barn. The urge to slip down to the barn to see what the old man was doing, gnawed hungrily at his gut, but Hoss held himself in check, waiting. His wait was rewarded minutes later when the old man emerged from the barn leading three horses behind him. When Henry reached the front of the house, Hoss heard him call out for his son. Seconds later, Grant opened the door and what Hoss saw, turned his blood cold. There, right before his eyes, being shoved into the sunlight was his younger brother. Oh, Hoss had to admit to himself that his brother looked different, the hard times that had apparently befallen the youth, obviously showed. Not just anyone would have even suspected that the bedraggled, dirty ragamuffin he was watching could ever have been the once vibrant, over-rambunctious, feisty youngest son of the wealthy Ben Cartwright. The sight almost brought tears to the big man\u2019s eyes, but anger arose instead and replaced the sadness with hatred so deep that it caused Hoss to shiver at the vile thoughts of what he\u2019d like to do to the two farmers. He shook his massive head to rid them from his mind and slipped back to his horse, mounted up and slowly, at a safe distance, began to follow the trio. His chance would come, he believed it in his heart, and when the time was right, he\u2019d reclaim what was his\u2026his and his family\u2019s.<\/p>\n The boy sat silently, the fight now gone from him, his spirit sunken deeply within him, unable to rise to the occasion. His uncle and grandfather had stopped to rest the horses, but he was not allowed the comfort of dismounting so that he might stretch his legs. He kept his head low, watching the pair from beneath lowered lashes. As he watched, he scanned his surroundings. It was then that he noticed a slight movement in the bushes just in front of him. Joe stayed calm, anxiously trying to catch a glimpse of what was moving about, wondering if it were a wild animal, never suspecting that rescue might be a probability.<\/p>\n Grant and Henry were munching on some stale bread, brought along with what meager supplies they had gathered before leaving. The dry bread caused Joe\u2019s tummy to rumble, he was hungry\u2026starved and could not for the life of him remember his last meal.<\/p>\n The movement in the bushes continued. Joe knew that no wild animal could be so near because the horses were yet to be disturbed by the smell\u2026the usual warning that danger lurked nearby. Still Joe watched, and then\u2026he saw it. There was a man creeping closer and closer, working his way off to one side, placing Joe and his mount between the two men, who were paying no attention to the boy still seated in the saddle.<\/p>\n When Hoss was close, Joe\u2019s horse nickered softly, tossing his head. The sudden movement caught the attention of the two farmers. Grant looked up just in time to see Joe being yanked from the saddle and disappearing into the thick brush.<\/p>\n Hoss had managed to put his finger to his lips to keep Joe from crying out as he cut the ropes that bound the boy\u2019s hand to the pummel. When Joe\u2019s horse alerted the duo, Hoss had risked being seen, knowing that his timing was down to seconds. Joe was pulled from the saddle and shoved into the woods.<\/p>\n \u201cRun, Joe\u2026run,\u201d the big man yelled.<\/p>\n Joe, startled by the sudden action, hesitated only a moment and then began running. He had no idea who the man was, but at this point, he cared little, obviously the man was attempting to save him, so he did as instructed and began running.<\/p>\n When he\u2019d run only a short distance, he paused, hearing gunfire. Then suddenly he saw the big man running towards him, firing over his shoulder at his uncle and grandfather. A sudden sense of family loyalty washed over the boy. It took him by surprise, considering the cruel treatment that his uncle and grandfather had bestowed upon him, yet something deep within told him, this was his family, regardless. When Hoss reached his brother and grabbed his arm, trying to force Joe to move along with him, Joe began to struggle. He yanked and pulled on his arm, attempting to free himself from the big man\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n \u201cLet go of me\u2026\u201d babbled Joe over and over.<\/p>\n Stunned, Hoss wasn\u2019t sure why his brother was fighting against him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, dadburnit, stop fightin\u2019 me\u2026what in blazes is wrong with you?\u201d grumbled Hoss as he pulled Joe along with him, keeping a sharp eye out for the two men who were slowly catching up to him.<\/p>\n Joe was dragging his feet, trying hard to grasp the underbrush as Hoss pulled him along.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name\u2019s not Joe\u2026it\u2019s Chad\u2026and I don\u2019t know you\u2026\u201d grunted Joe as he wrapped his arm around a small sapling.<\/p>\n Hoss was forced to cram his pistol into his holster and use both hands to free his brother\u2019s grip on the tree.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t got no ideay what in blazes ya talkin\u2019 about, but ya name\u2019s Joe\u2026Little Joe and you\u2019re my baby brother, now let go of this dadburn tree\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Bullets whizzed over their hands and around their shoulders. Hoss wrapped his massive arms about Joe\u2019s middle and jerked with such force that Joe\u2019s grip was yanked free of the tree. Hoss practically tossed his brother into the air as he flung the boy off behind him and went for his gun. Joe\u2019s body tumbled over the ground like a pebble across the top of smooth water, until his head banged against a rock, momentarily stunning him. He lay motionless on the ground, groaning, rubbing his temple where he felt the sticky blood begin to ooze.<\/p>\n Hoss barely had time to glance over his shoulder at Little Joe who struggled now to get up. The two men were close, firing at him. There\u2019d be little time now to get away. He returned the gunfire.<\/p>\n \u201cGet down Joe\u2026\u201d he yelled over his shoulder, hoping Joe would stay low.<\/p>\n Hoss made the mistake of rising just slightly, turning to look over at his brother. A gun blast rippled through the trees. Hoss felt the sudden burning in his left shoulder as the bullet pierced his flesh. His gun was knocked from his hand as he slowly slumped forward, his vision blurring.<\/p>\n \u201cRun\u2026Joe\u2026r\u2026un\u2026\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n Totally confused by now\u2026this big man calling him Joe\u2026telling him to run, his uncle and grandfather shooting at them, killing the stranger\u2026<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head was pounding\u2026his temples throbbing\u2026something wasn\u2019t right, things suddenly were not as they appeared to be\u2026the farmers were standing over the man, laughing\u2026 Joe rubbed his temples, staggered to his feet and slowly made his way over to his uncle and grandfather. Grant turned and glared down at the boy, surprising Joe when he grabbed his arm and practically jerked him off the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stupid fool\u2026this is your fault!\u201d the man glared. \u201cYou forced me to kill him\u2026your own brother\u2026you little idiot!\u201d Grant shoved Joe, causing him to fall to the ground. He was stunned.<\/p>\n \u201cMy\u2026.brother\u2026\u201d he stammered as he crawled closer to get a good look at the big man\u2019s face. Joe turned Hoss over on his back, saw the blood seeping through the man\u2019s shirt and dotting it with bright red blood.<\/p>\n It all came back to him in a rush\u2026crowding his mind with unanswered questions. Tears flooded into his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d he whispered, leaning down closely to his real brother. He gently shook Hoss\u2019 body. \u201cHoss\u2026no\u2026please\u2026please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Without warning, Joe felt himself yanked to his feet. He turned to look up at his uncle. Before he could protest, he was shoved roughly forward.<\/p>\n \u201cGet movin\u2019, kid\u2026\u201d Grant ordered as he continued to shove Joe toward the waiting horses.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d screamed Joe. \u201cHe\u2019s my brother\u2026HOSS! HOSS!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s dead, kid\u2026can\u2019t ya get that through your head?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNO\u2026\u201d Joe shouted as he began to struggle against the hands that drug him away from the place where Hoss lay.<\/p>\n When they reached the horses, the struggled ended when Grant slapped Joe hard across his face and flung him into the saddle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d best get outta here, Grant,\u201d Henry told his son. \u201cThem other fellas will be heading this way soon\u2026they were bound to have heard the shootin\u2019,\u201d he added as he helped Joe onto his horse and held the reins while Grant secured Joe\u2019s hands once more.<\/p>\n Joe could not keep his eyes off his brother. He silently prayed that Hoss would move, but Hoss lay deathly still\u2026his stomach churned with grief as he continued to stare at the motionless form. He was only half conscious of his horse moving beneath him until Grant swatted his own and the trio of riders and their mounts bolted forward into a run. Joe was able to catch one last quick look at his brother before the three of them disappeared into the thick woods. Adam was following close behind his father, trying to keep up. The shots had awakened both men only to find that Hoss was nowhere around. At some point in time, Ben and Adam had concluded that the gentle giant had slipped away, unable to contain his desire at finding his younger brother. They had rushed to saddle their horses and follow the sounds of the guns, leaving behind their bedding and supplies in their rush to find their missing family members.<\/p>\n Ben pulled back sharply on the reins. Buck\u2019s front hooves came up as the big stallion reared up. Ben quickly dismounted and ran a short distance into a small clearing. Adam followed, seeing for the first time, his middle brother lying motionless and pale on the ground. By the time he reached his brother\u2019s side, Ben had already raised Hoss\u2019 head and held it in his lap.<\/p>\n \u201cGet the canteen,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cHoss\u2026Hoss\u2026can you hear me?\u201d Ben pleaded in a soft tone.<\/p>\n Just as Adam reached his side, Hoss opened his eyes and began stirring, trying to sit up. He pointed to nothing, out in front of him, trying to speak.<\/p>\n \u201cJ\u2026oe\u2026they\u2026got\u2026Joe, Pa\u2026we gotta get\u2026to\u2019em\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEasy, son,\u201d Ben said, glancing off in the direction that Hoss had pointed. He tore Hoss\u2019 shirt and inspected the wound to his shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s only a flesh wound,\u201d he told both Adam and Hoss. \u201cAdam, you stay here and take care of Hoss\u2026\u201d Ben said, rising after helping Hoss to sit upright.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Adam said, almost demandingly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going after my son!\u201d Ben shot back. \u201cYou just make sure Hoss is alright,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n By the time that Adam had helped Hoss to his feet, their father was gone. They could hear Buck trampling through the brush as Ben urged his mount onward. The need to find and hold his youngest son after so many weeks drove Ben with an urgency that he\u2019d never felt before.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m alright, Adam,\u201d Hoss said weakly. \u201cJust help me on my horse\u2026and then you go after Pa\u2026he\u2019ll need some help.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded his head and did as Hoss had asked and helping him to mount up before he raced off to offer what assistance he could to their father. Gunshots could be heard, warning Adam to proceed with caution. He eased his mount to a stop, tossed the reins across a branch and worked his way to his father\u2019s side, weaving in and out of the bushes as he did so. When Ben looked up and saw his son, Adam could read the relief in the elder Cartwright\u2019s face and the unasked question glowing in the dark eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is alright, he\u2019s coming,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cGood\u2026Hoss was right, they have Joe. He said that Joe seemed confused, like he didn\u2019t know him. And he said Joe wouldn\u2019t go with him\u2026said his name wasn\u2019t Joe\u2026\u201d Ben hurried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cWasn\u2019t Joe? That doesn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026unless\u2026for whatever reason, Joe had lost his memory\u2026Adam, get down\u2026there they are!\u201d Ben said, pushing down on Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cCARTWRIGHT!\u201d<\/p>\n The call rang loudly through the forest, calling out to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI KNOW YOU\u2019RE OUT THERE! I GOT YA BOY!\u201d Grant continued to shout. \u201cYOU CAN HAVE\u2019EM\u2026HE AIN\u2019T BEEN NOTHIN\u2019 BUT TROUBLE ANYWAY\u2026ALL WE WANT IS THAT MONEY!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Adam were watching each other\u2019s eyes. Ben nodded his head and then peeked over the log they were behind.<\/p>\n \u201cI WANT TO SEE MY SON, HE DIDN\u2019T LOOK ANY TO GOOD WHEN I SAW HIM IN TOWN!\u201d Ben yelled back.<\/p>\n \u201cAW\u2026THERE AIN\u2019T NOTHIN\u2019 WRONG WITH\u2019EM\u2026HE\u2019S JUST LAZY, THAT\u2019S ALL. NOW HOW ABOUT IT\u2026YA WANT YOUR BOY OR WHAT? ALL YA GOTTA DO IS GIVE US THE REWARD!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam touched his father\u2019s arm and motioned that he was moving around behind the pair of farmers. They could see both men, but there was no sign of Little Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep talking to them\u2026I\u2019ll see if I find Joe\u2026they probably have him hid out,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n Adam slipped quietly away and seconds later had disappeared out of sight. As Adam worked his way around the men, he could hear them haggling over the reward money. He found what he was looking for moments later. Joe was lying on his side, his back toward Adam. The boy had been bound and gagged. His hands were behind his back and his ankles tied with ropes that attached to his wrists. Adam felt his heart begin to pound wildly deep within his chest as he stole silently toward his brother. When he reached him, he put his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder; he felt Joe flinch at the unexpected touch.<\/p>\n \u201cShh,\u201d whispered Adam as he quickly pulled the gag from Joe\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s alright, little buddy\u2026\u201d he cooed softly. As soon as the ropes were gone and he\u2019d helped Joe to his feet, Joe\u2019s arms encircled his brother. Touched, Adam put his own arms about the trembling body, shocked at how thin and slight his little brother had become.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss\u2026\u201d sobbed Joe, \u201che killed\u2026Hoss\u2026\u201d he continued to sob.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026no\u2026it was only a flesh wound, Joe\u2026Hoss is okay, I promise,\u201d whispered Adam.<\/p>\n He gently pulled Joe\u2019s head back so that he could see into the boy\u2019s eyes. He was horrified to see the sadness, the fear and the downtrodden expression reflecting back at him. It angered him that someone had taken the joy, the every life out of this boy whom he had helped to raise and whom he loved more than life itself.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d Adam said as he led Joe a short distance away and gently forced him to sit down behind some big boulders. \u201cYou stay right here\u2026don\u2019t you dare move\u2026until either Pa or I come for you\u2026understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had willingly sat down; exhaustion and lack of food had finally taken its toll on the young man. Immediately, he pulled his legs to his chest and rested his head on the tops of his knees. Adam squatted down and tenderly touched the top of the dirty, curly hair. A rush of passionate relief flooded through him, reminding him just how very much he loved the youngster.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2026did you hear me? Stay here\u2026I have to help Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Joe raised his head and looked into his brother\u2019s dark eyes. His were expressionless.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s lips almost formed a smile. \u201cPa\u2019s here too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course he is\u2026you don\u2019t believe for one minute he\u2019s ever stopped looking for you\u2026do you, kid?\u201d Adam said with a slight smile of his own. \u201cNow stay put, I\u2019ll be back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head. \u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said softly, calling out to his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, buddy?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy swallowed hard and looked up with tear filled eyes. \u201cI\u2026I won\u2019t go back with those\u2026men\u2026ever. I\u2019d\u2026rather die\u2026first.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam squatted back down, placing his hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe\u2026don\u2019t you worry about that\u2026I promise you\u2026the only place you\u2019re going is\u2026home\u2026with us\u2026Pa, Hoss and myself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026there are no \u2018what ifs\u2019\u2026now you stay here until Pa comes for you\u2026understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Again, Joe nodded his head and watched as Adam slipped away. When he could no longer see his brother, he returned his head to the top of his knees and closed his eyes. He wanted to sleep, but knew he shouldn\u2019t. After a brief moment, he raised his head. In the background, he could hear the gunfire and knew that Henry and Grant were shooting it out with his father and brother. Joe wondered whether or not Hoss was with them. The gun battled continued, driving a deeper fear into his young heart with each shot that rang through the forest. Something within himself told him that his real family might need his help, but try though he might, he was just too weak and worn out to force himself upright. He pulled himself to his knees, bracing against the boulder behind him in an effort to stand. The pounding in his head returned and the boy felt himself sway; his vision blurred and as he called out to his father, a dark black abyss engulfed him, and he slumped forward, unconscious. \u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben called softly, expecting an immediate answer. He eased around the boulders, not wanting to startle the boy and totally shocked to find his son lying unconscious on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben cried with more urgency as he hurried to turn Joe onto his back and take the boy into his arms. He felt his heart flutter and a sense of relief wash over him as he pulled Joe closer and held the boy against his breast. With hands as tender as any mother\u2019s, Ben pushed back the wayward locks of chestnut hair from the boy\u2019s face and gently petted the dirty, bruised cheek of his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d he urged, \u201cwake up son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s some water, Pa,\u201d Adam said, having grabbed the canteen off his horse and now handing it to his father. He went as far as pulling the cork from the top and dampening his neck scarf for his father.<\/p>\n Ben dabbed the cool clothe onto the dirt smudged face. Joe began to moan softly and his eyelids began to flutter. He struggled to open his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on son\u2026you can do it. Your Pa\u2019s here now\u2026and Adam and Hoss\u2026we\u2026need you to come back to us,\u201d the anxious father urged.<\/p>\n All three Cartwrights were holding their breath, waiting anxiously for Little Joe to open his eyes. Seconds later the heavy lids fluttered again and opened. His father\u2019s face was the first that Joe saw. His eyes immediately locked with his father\u2019s. Ben smiled, fighting back the tears of joy that threatened to over-whelm him.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome back,\u201d he said in a low, deep voice that was choked with emotion.<\/p>\n \u201cIs\u2026it\u2026really\u2026you, Pa?\u201d stammered Joe who was fighting tears of his own.<\/p>\n Ben held Joe\u2019s head lovingly in his arms. The fingers of his other hand tenderly caressed the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Before Ben could say more, Joe raised up and flung both arms about his father\u2019s neck and wept. Ben\u2019s strong arms embraced his son as he held him closely. Hoss patted his little brother\u2019s back gently and smiled at Adam. Off to the side, Henry stood alone, next to the horse that carried his son\u2019s body. He felt sick inside. He\u2019d lost the only person who had ever meant anything to him. Grant had not always been as he was; many years ago, he had been just as loving as the boy in his father\u2019s arms. Shame for what he\u2019d committed against the Cartwrights, especially the boy, swelled his heart and he was forced to turn away, no longer able to watch the love that flowed between the family of men.<\/p>\n Joe at last pulled back and wiped his eyes. His smile reflected his happiness and joy at being reunited with his family. He allowed his father to help him stand and then leaned wearily against Ben\u2019s strong body for support.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ready to go home, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet I am\u2026\u201d Joe giggled. It was the first time in little over a month that he\u2019d found anything worth laughing about. But it died quickly as they neared the horses and he saw Henry with his forehead resting against the body of his son. The old man\u2019s back was to them. Joe stopped for a second and then moved toward the old man.<\/p>\n \u201cSir,\u201d he said softly. He was still a might unsteady on his feet. Joe felt his father\u2019s presence directly behind him and knew that if he needed him, Ben would be there for him.<\/p>\n Slowly, Henry turned around to face the boy. Joe was taken back when he saw the aged old face and how tired and worn Henry had suddenly seemed to appear.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d It was the only thing that Joe really wanted to know.<\/p>\n The old man shrugged his shoulders, looking at the boy with such shame that Joe almost felt sorry for the old farmer.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess\u2026cause it\u2019s what\u2026he\u2026wanted,\u201d Henry said as he tipped his head toward the body. \u201cI know that ain\u2019t no excuse for what we did to ya\u2026I knew better\u2019n to do what we done. But\u2026I reckon I was more afeared of my own son than what I was of what might happen to ya. All I can say son\u2026is\u2026I\u2019m mighty sorry\u2026mighty sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026reckon that\u2019s something\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t hate you\u2026but\u2026I don\u2019t understand why\u2026not really,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n Henry, his lips pursed tightly shrugged again and turned his attention to Ben. \u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026I want ya to know somethin\u2019\u2026my boy\u2026Grant\u2026he weren\u2019t always like this\u2026mean and ornery. Use\u2019ta be, he was a nice boy\u2026like your\u2019s there,\u201d he said, looking over at Joe who now stood leaning against his father for support.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026after my wife died\u2026well\u2026I reckon I dun went and gave up on life. I thought I didn\u2019t have nuthin\u2019 to live for\u2026I sorta ignore the boy. Guess even he stopped tryin\u2019. He turned to other things\u2026not so good things\u2026like\u2026lyin\u2019 and cheatin\u2019\u2026stealin\u2019. Why, he even got himself sent off to prison for a spell. When he came back, he was meaner\u2019n ever. Use\u2019ta beat up on me\u2026just for the fun of it. No sir, weren\u2019t always like this\u2026back yonder\u2026home\u2026that\u2019s where loved once lived. But it\u2019s dead and gone now\u2026wish I was\u2026might as well be\u2026ain\u2019t got nuthin\u2019 now for sure to live for,\u201d he rattled. \u201cI hope ya realize just how lucky you be, Mr. Cartwright\u2026very lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben placed his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulder, feeling quite lucky that he\u2019d found his son and that his family was once again complete.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I am\u2026\u201d he said, smiling down at his son. \u201cLook Mr. Craigmiles\u2026I\u2019m sorry about your son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Henry held his hand up to halt Ben\u2019s words. \u201cDon\u2019t be\u2026I knew it would happen one day\u2026he got what he deserved\u2026and I reckon I\u2019ll get what I deserve\u2026but please,\u201d he said moving closer to Joe.<\/p>\n Ben felt his son\u2019s body become rigid and knew that Joe still feared the elderly man. He tightened his hold just slightly but enough that Joe felt the pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cJust know sonny, that my heart weren\u2019t in what I was doin\u2019 to ya\u2026\u201d Henry said and then patted Joe\u2019s cheek with his callus, wrinkled old hand before he turned and mounted up. \u201cGuess I\u2019m ready now\u2026we best be seein\u2019 the sheriff.\u201d \u201cWell, he\u2019ll probably go to jail for a spell. What you told the judge might help him some, might not get more than a year or two,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n Joe stood before his horse, hesitating before mounting up.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong, son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026\u201d he said quietly and then turned and looked at his father. \u201cI was just wondering something though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what was that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just wondering what it would be like to live with a person\u2026say a father, or brothers,\u201d Joe said, casting a sideways glance at his own two brothers who where mounted and waiting. \u201cHow it might feel to live in a home with no love and so much hatred\u2026where a son beat his father just for the sheer pleasure of seeing him hurt\u2026or where a father beat his son\u2026or worse\u2026just didn\u2019t give a hoot about him.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned with sad eyes and looked up at his father. \u201cI\u2026I\u2019ve been there\u2026these last few weeks and\u2026I can honestly say\u2026I\u2019m happy to being going home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled warmly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Joseph that this happened to you\u2026but\u2026I\u2019m also glad that you learned something from the experience\u2026though it was a tough lesson\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot one that I\u2019ll be forgetting anytime soon,\u201d Joe said in a light voice. \u201cThanks Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor\u2026being the kind of pa a boy can be proud of\u2026for being there for me\u2026always\u2026and for\u2026loving me,\u201d Joe said in a near sob.<\/p>\n Ben stepped over to Joe and drew him into a hug. Adam and Hoss smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2026it is I that needs to thank you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe\u2026why?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben tilted Joe\u2019s chin upward and looked deeply into the hazel eyes. There were so many unanswered questions. What had happened to Joe, during and after the stampede? How had he ended up with the old farmer and his wicked son? Why had Joe not tried to come home, or send word that he was alright? The questions plagued him, but he\u2019d have to wait for his answers. For now, he was happy just having the boy back with him, to hold, to love\u2026he tried to explain what was in his heart right at that moment. He smiled down at his son, speaking in a low, soft and warm voice. A voice that Joe recognized from his dreams.<\/p>\n \u201cFor being the kind of son that makes being a father a delight\u2026a pleasure\u2026for just simply being\u2026you! You, Adam and Hoss\u2026have made my job\u2026the best dang job around\u2026\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cAw\u2026shucks,\u201d chortled Hoss from where he sat on his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s certainly saying a lot\u2026\u201d chirped Adam.<\/p>\n Joe beamed with happiness as he swung into the saddle. \u201cI thought we were going home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHome\u2026\u201d smiled Ben as he too mounted up. Home, where love, not once lived, but where love, was alive and well and overflowed, making him the happiest man alive.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s ride,\u201d he called to the others, whom he knew would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked.<\/p>\n And he was right, they would\u2026they already had\u2026and now they were all going home\u2026together!<\/p>\n THE END <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary:\u00a0After a stampede scatters the herd, the only one missing is Little Joe. What happens afterward\u00a0turns out to be a living nightmare for all the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n Rated PG WC 20,100<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":13074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Family-3.jpg?fit=272%2C320&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nBen jerked back on his reins, bringing his big buckskin to a grinding halt. He glanced all around, trying to find his men, whom seemed scattered, as were the cattle, in all directions. On the horizon he spotted his eldest son, Adam, and off to the west he could make out the bulky form of his middle son, Hoss. Ben\u2019s hungry eyes searched the hills in hopes of catching a glimpse of his youngest boy, Joe\u2026Little Joe to those who knew him best, but Ben could not pin point the youngster\u2019s location.<\/p>\n
\nIt was late that evening before Joe woke from his unconscious state. He opened his eyes to find himself in total darkness. His first thought was that he really wasn\u2019t awake, that he was still lost in the sea of blackness in which he had fallen. When he reached up and touched the side of his head and could feel his own fingers against his pounding temples and felt the pulse that beat there, he realized that he had indeed awakened. Confused as to where he was, Joe pushed himself into a sitting position only to find himself sitting in the middle of a narrow cot.<\/p>\n
\nHoss found his father saddling his horse. It was early morning and the sun had yet to cast its rays over the tips of the mountains in the foreground. Ben was working feverishly.<\/p>\n
\nThe door squeaked when it was pushed opened. Joe, who was lying on his back on the cot, opened his eyes and turned his head so that he could see who had unlocked the door. The old man, carrying a tray pushed the door closed with the heel of his boot.<\/p>\n
\nBen was exhausted. So many long tiring days on the trail with the herd and then the stampede had all but done the man in. He was hot and dirty and he knew he smelled, he caught a scent of himself on the breeze and he longed for nice hot bath\u2026at home. But the longing for such luxuries were nothing compared to the longing in his heart for his youngest son. Ben had ridden ahead for miles, following the deep ruts in the dry, dusty earth that showed in which directions the runaway herd had taken two evenings ago, yet he\u2019d found no trace, no sign, no nothing, that gave him a clue as to what might have happened to Little Joe. Longing had since turned to fear, dread\u2026an emptiness that filled his heart and caused his stomach to hurt. Where was the boy\u2026what had happened to him\u2026the words ran as a never changing rumble through his tormented mind.<\/p>\n
\nBen wasn\u2019t the only one exhausted and filled with despair. Many miles away in an old run down barn, Little Joe, Ben\u2019s missing son, lay asleep in the middle of a hay pile that he was supposed to be loading onto a wagon. Having worked steady since before 7 AM, without taking a lunch break, Joe\u2019s tired and weary young body had at last given out. He had only meant to stop and rest for no more than five minutes, but having nestled down into the softness of the hay, it had only been seconds before the boy had fallen into a deep slumber. Now, late for the appointed time he was to be in the field to plow, and far behind on his barn and yard chores, he\u2019d soon learn how vicious the wrath of Uncle Grant could honestly be. Even as the furious surrogate uncle jerked the barn opened and stepped into the dim interior, Joe slept on, totally unaware that the big man had moved to his resting place and was now standing over him. Grant\u2019s shadow hid the boy\u2019s features from the light behind him, but the farmer could plainly see that the boy was sleeping.<\/p>\n
\nIt was far after dark, approaching mid-night before Joe returned to the barn with the mule in tow. It had taken every last ounce of his strength pushing his willpower to the extreme, but he\u2019d finished the assigned chore. The field was plowed. The cost of his labor was that every muscle in his young body ached to some degree. His success gave him no pleasure for his hands were raw where blisters had formed and popped, leaving the skin marred and bloody. Though he tried early on, not to let his unhappy fate, the grueling work or the ornery old farmers get to him, his resolve broke when he knelt by the water trough and plunged his hands into the deep coolness. His face scrunched up in a painful expression, his hands burned so that it caused tears to spring into his eyes, overflowing and rolling down his cheeks. The tiny droplets of water dropped and mingled with the deeper water inside the trough. For several long moments Joe stayed at the trough. Every so often, he\u2019d raise his hands out of the water and look at them. The flaming, burning flesh was barely visible in the faded glow of the old lantern. He glanced once at the old cabin. All the lights had been extinguished. Joe knew his new-found family had long since turned in for the night. Something else he knew\u2026he was hungry\u2026but it would do no good to beg, he\u2019d have to wait until morning chores were done before his Uncle Grant would give him permission to eat.<\/p>\n
\nThe arms that embraced him filled him with a feeling of warmth and security. Joe nestled closer to the broad chest and listened to the steady beating of the heart beneath his ear. It had a calming affect on him. It gave him cause to relax and for the first time in many days, Joe felt safe\u2026he felt\u2026secure\u2026no reasons now to be afraid. The reason\u2026love. He could hear it in the beat of the heart; he could feel it in the strength of the arms that encircled him\u2026he could hear love in the deep voice that whispered to him. In his sleep, the boy smiled and snuggled deeper into the bedding. He wanted to stay where he was\u2026in this safe haven of love and strength, never to return to the cruel world in which he lived. He gently sniffed the air; the scent of the man was familiar. Joe tried to turn his head so that he might gaze at the man\u2019s face, but always\u2026always he was prevented from seeing the man clearly enough to make out who the man might be.<\/p>\n
\nBen was standing out front of the hotel when he looked up and saw Adam and Hoss riding down the street towards him. A rush of relief filled him as he stepped up to greet his sons.<\/p>\n
\nThough his hands hurt terribly, Joe still worked from sun up to sun down. His meals were meager and few and as the long tiresome days turned into weeks, his young, once muscular body began showing the signs of his abuse. His strength began to wane, his weight dropped, his once happy-go-lucky countenance had long since vanished. The boy was sad\u2026lonesome and grieving for the love and respect that was missing from his life. His only respite from his lengthy hours and lonely nights, were long after he\u2019d fallen to sleep and became lost in his dreams. The man appeared nightly, yet never showed his face. The strong arms and beating heart, the smooth, deep, mellow voice called out to him and Joe, deep in sleep, felt the pull, the yearning of his young heart to reach out to the man\u2026but then just as he seemed about to discover who the man might be, the door to the shed would be yanked opened and Grant, ranting and raving would shatter the dream into a zillion pieces.
\nTwo days later, the Cartwrights had returned to El Dorado. Adam had returned first, tired, dirty and disappointed that he had found nothing. He had stabled his horse at the nearby livery and had rented a room for himself, his brother and for his father. While he waited for them to arrive, Adam pleasured himself in a tub of hot soapy water and washing away miles of trail dust and sweat. He scrubbed himself until his body glistened and then redressed in the clean clothes he\u2019d had sent out to the local laundry. Refreshed and feeling a bit better, it was while he sat in the dining room of the hotel that he first came up with the idea. He had watched the sheriff enter with his deputy and while he ate, he saw the pair going over the newest posters that had arrived on the afternoon stage. When he\u2019d finished and paid for his meal, Adam hurried down the street to the local printing office he\u2019d noticed when he had ridden into town.<\/p>\n
\nJoe was already up by the time that Grant came from the house the next morning. He\u2019d barely slept at all, his insides churned with hunger. The need for food drove him from his bed. He hoped that by getting an early start that he\u2019d earn the right to breakfast, being as how he\u2019d been forced to skip both lunch and supper the day before.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI put up some more posters Pa, ain\u2019t likely they\u2019ll be missed,\u201d Hoss announced. He was feeling a bit better about things this morning, more hopeful. He hoped his pa and brother were too.<\/p>\n
\nThe wagon stopped in front of the general store and Grant quickly turned and looked over his shoulder at Chad who sat on the back edge of the wagon, looking all around, trying to take in every bit as much as he could.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHoss\u2026come on,\u201d Ben said, for Hoss had stopped to watch what was going on across the street. Ben glanced at his son, saw the concerned look on the big man\u2019s face and then looked across the street at the scene in front of the general store.<\/p>\n
\nJoe had finished loading the wagon as instructed and now rested on the tailgate, leaning back against the crates and sacks that he\u2019d piled on behind. His back smarted where Grant had driven his fists into his flesh. He straightened up and tried to move his shoulders, working some of the stiffness out of his muscles, but it did little good.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe boy\u2019s awake, Grant,\u201d the old farmer informed his son at breakfast the next morning. \u201cWhat are we gonna do with him now\u2026they know he\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cStop fightin\u2019 me!\u201d shouted Grant as he untied Joe\u2019s ankles and tried to get the boy on his feet. He jerked the gag out of Joe\u2019s mouth. Joe tried to bite the man\u2019s hand but Grant slapped Joe\u2019s cheek. The blow caused the boy\u2019s head to snap backwards. Joe groaned softly as he knees buckled beneath him.<\/p>\n
\nHoss could not stand waiting any longer. As his father and brother slept, the big man crept quietly from his bedroll and quickly saddled his horse. He led Chubb a few yards away before mounting up and then directed his mount toward the old farmhouse where he knew the two farmers were hiding the boy believed now to be his younger brother, Joe.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt\u2019s coming from up ahead!\u201d Ben shouted over the top of his shoulder as he hurried his horse through the brush.<\/p>\n
\nBen found his son behind the rocks, just as Adam had said he would. The gunplay was over, Grant was dead, having refused to surrender Joe to his family and having opened fire on the Cartwrights, it was a clear matter of self-defense. When Henry had seen his son fall, he had quickly tossed his gun aside and surrendered himself to Ben and Hoss, Hoss having caught up to his family while Adam was caring for Joe. Now he helped his brother by loading Grant\u2019s body onto his horse and securing it for the long ride back into town.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s gonna happen to him, Pa?\u201d Joe asked a few days later as they walked out of the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\nSeptember 2006<\/p>\n