{"id":12240,"date":"2013-07-01T05:18:53","date_gmt":"2013-07-01T09:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12240"},"modified":"2025-02-18T19:15:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T00:15:24","slug":"left-to-die-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12240","title":{"rendered":"Left to Die (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Little Joe is shot in the back and left to die. As he fights for his life, Little Joe also fights with the knowledge that his attackers have seemingly gotten away with their crimes<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong> G (18,330 words)<\/p>\n

Left to Die<\/strong><\/p>\n

The man gasped for air as he leaned against the trunk of the thick pine. He\u2019d run for what seemed hours and his lungs felt as if they were on fire. Sharp pains stabbed his ribs and between the two, breathing was nearly impossible.\u00a0 Behind him, he could hear the ones who pursued him, making their way through the thick underbrush.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath to fill his aching lungs, the man took off again but was stopped after only a few feet by the burning sensation that suddenly erupted in his left shoulder. He staggered and then tumbled to the ground, groaning. Seconds later his body was surrounded by the four men who had hunted him down. One man laughed, one man kicked him in the side while the third man strove to make repeated jabs to his wounded shoulder with the barrel of his rifle. The action caused the downed man to moan in pain and with the last jab he lost consciousness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The fourth man did nothing but watch his cohorts, a look of disgust on his aged face. \u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d the fourth man ordered. The others backed away, but not before turning the man on the ground over so that they could see his face. \u201cWe done shot us a Cartwright alright,\u201d one of them stated. \u201cAnd, he\u2019s about dead!\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood, now let\u2019s find our horses and get outta here,\u201d the boss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about him?\u201d Wade, brother of the boss asked. Wade, tall and lanky, wore an evil grin on his face as he stood over the wounded man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI say finish him off\u2026\u201d Cody, who was the cousin of the boss and his brother, demanded. Laughingly he added, \u201cJust to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will, the boss, looked at the small band of men. He wore a scowl on his face. \u201cLook at him; he\u2019s bleeding to death. He\u2019ll be dead within the hour. Now get going\u2026we have a herd to move,\u201d he growled as he turned from the group and began making his way back toward their horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cody and Wade followed Will back through the brush where they\u2019d been forced to leave their horses. Gus, the oldest man of the group, lingered for just a moment. When the others were out of site, he bent down to the wounded man who opened his eyes just a bit and quickly pulled his neckerchief from his neck and stuffed it as best he could, inside the man\u2019s shirt and into the open wound in the man\u2019s back, hoping to squelch the bleeding. He hadn\u2019t wanted to add murder to his list of growing sins. The sight of the injured boy sickened him. His stomach churned. He had to get away.\u00a0 \u201cHope that helps ya, kid.\u201d\u00a0 With a last glance at the maimed man, he hurried to join the others.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost over a hundred head, almost a hundred and fifty, according to the count I made this morning.\u201d Adam Cartwright told his father. \u201cI sent Joe into town to talk to Roy…\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now he\u2019s missing!\u201d grumbled the irate father. Ben moved from his seat to the hearth where he poked at the burning fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Adam could respond, Hoss opened the front door and entered the house. Behind him followed the sheriff, Roy Coffee. Ben, seeing they had a guest, crossed the room and greeted his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooky who I found!\u201d laughed Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cRoy was on his way out to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy Ben, Adam,\u201d greeted the sheriff as he entered the room. \u201cHoss tells me ya lost some cattle,\u201d he started to explain before Ben interrupted him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, didn\u2019t Little Joe explain it all to you?\u201d questioned Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2026nope can\u2019t say that he has,\u201d Roy explained. \u201cI ain\u2019t seen the boy in\u2026oh, over a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben exchanged puzzled looks with Adam. \u201cOver a week,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cAdam sent his brother into town this afternoon to let you know what they found. Didn\u2019t he stop by?\u201d Ben said as a worried frown began creasing his brow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo Ben, like I said, I ain\u2019t seen the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stepped closer to Roy and looked him in the eye. \u201cAre you sure, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surprise caused Roy\u2019s eyes to widen. \u201cWell Adam, I don\u2019t reckon I\u2019m so old or blind that I can\u2019t say who I talked to or who I saw.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Behind them, Hoss snickered earning himself a stern glare from his father. \u201cOh course you\u2019re not Roy,\u201d Ben said, speaking up for his oldest son. \u201cIt\u2019s just that we\u2019re surprised that Joe didn\u2019t make it into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Maybe I missed him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely, it\u2019s been hours since he was supposed to be in town,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI suppose you didn\u2019t see anything along the road?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff shook his head. \u201cNope, sure didn\u2019t Ben, but then I wasn\u2019t really lookin\u2019 for nothin\u2019 either.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben let out a long sigh and then turned to his sons. \u201cSaddle our horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe gonna go lookin\u2019 for Little Joe?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s nearly dark, Pa. Not likely we\u2019re gonna be able to pick up his trail until day light.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2019s right Ben, if Joe\u2019s missing as ya seem to think, it might be best to wait until morning. I\u2019ll keep an eye out for anything on my way back to town. Which, by the way I need to be going. I\u2019ll file a report on the missing cattle and have a look around tomorrow. If I find anything or hear anything I\u2019ll let you know. Good luck finding the boy,\u201d Roy stated as he plopped his hat onto his head and made his way to the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlright Roy; thanks for coming out,\u201d Ben said as he walked out with the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the door closed behind him, Hoss turned to Adam. Worry was etched into the fine lines of the big man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWonder where in tarnation that boy got too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cI have no idea, Hoss. All I know for sure is that he\u2019d better have a good explanation ready for Pa when he gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face. \u201cYa don\u2019t reckon something\u2019s happened to the boy, do ya?\u201d He questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss. I can\u2019t imagine why Joe didn\u2019t make it to town. It sort of has me worried, what with those steers missing and who knows how many cattle thieves there might be roaming around out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou said the cattle were missing from the north pasture?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and that makes me worry more. You know, all those woods would make a good hiding place. Any man could stay hidden until after one of us checked on the herd and then once we\u00a0rode out, simply move them on out to the ridge cut where there\u2019s plenty of places to hide a herd that large.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had returned to house and had caught the end of his sons\u2019 conversation. \u201cI agree with you Adam. And I think in the morning, we should start there. Maybe with any luck we can pick up Joe\u2019s trail. If he headed for town, it should be easy to spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d responded Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood, then I think we should get to bed so we can get an early start in the morning,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. Guess I\u2019ll turn in,\u201d Adam told his father. \u201cNight Pa\u2026try not to worry too much. Night Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNight Adam.\u201d Hoss turned to his father. \u201cNight Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood night Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

It was a long time after dark before Ben made his way to his room. He hadn\u2019t even bothered to change but instead pulled his boots off and lay back on his bed. His troubled thoughts kept returning to his youngest son and Ben worried about the boy\u2019s safety and what might have kept him from going into town, report the missing cattle and then return home. A nagging feeling of doom brewed in his heart until at last, from sheer weariness, Ben finally drifted off into a troubled sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was dark by the time the wounded man managed to open his eyes. With gritted teeth he attempted to raise himself up but with little success. Instead he stayed where he\u2019d fallen and through blurry eyes, gazed up at the mid-night sky. The searing pain in the back of his shoulder and the heat from his rising temperature caused him to moan. The sound was piteous. Off in the distant the young man could hear the cries of a loan coyote. To the north of him, the faint sounds of barking wolves reached his ears. The sounds they made and the thoughts of what a hungry pack of wolves could do to him in his condition, was enough to force the boy to endure the pain of getting to his feet. Using his right hand, he pushed against the ground until he was sitting up right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAwwww,\u201d he all but screamed as the pain flooded his entire body. He took a moment to rest, hoping that the nausea would pass and then catching a grip on a low hanging branch, pulled himself to his feet. Again he was forced to wait, this time for his head to stop spinning. His left arm was useless. When Joe could stand without swaying, he felt along the length of his arm, feeling the sticky blood that had ran down his back and then followed the length of his arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Quite aware of the fact that he had lost a good amount of blood frightened the boy. Carefully, while leaning against a tree, he somehow freed the useless limb from his shirt and quickly fashioned a sling in which he rested the arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Drops of sweat dotted his brow and his breathing was labored. In the distance the howls of the wolves seemed to be drawing nearer. Joe wondered if they could pick up the scent of his blood that had collected on the ground and which had begun to seep again from the gash in his shoulder. With this in mind, he set it in his head that he should start moving away from the site where he\u2019d been attacked. Putting distance between him and the pack of wolves was the driving force that made Joe to start walking. He was weak from loss of blood, causing him to stagger and sway as he made his way out of the woods and into the open fields. Joe glanced up at the moon, glad for its brightness that showed him the way. He knew if he could somehow make it across to the other side, the river with clear running water awaited him. There he figured he could wash some of the blood from his body and clothes in hopes of eluding the wolves, for the sound was getting louder and Joe knew the wolves were closing the distance between them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fear filled his heart. His mind conjured up imagines of the wolf pack ripping him to pieces. His dread was that he\u2019d die by their means rather than from the gunshot to his back. Either way he surmised, he was doomed\u2026doomed to die. The thought chilled him to the bone and he shivered because of it, or was it from the fever that burned in his body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLordy, Pa\u2026I need you\u2026God, I need you,\u201d he muttered just as he stumbled and fell. For several moments Joe lay where he\u2019d fallen. He gasped for air to fill his lungs. His body was devoured with agony but he refused to cry out, least he alert the pack of wolves to his location. His heart hammered within his chest and he wanted nothing more than to close his eyes. If he died, so be it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I can\u2019t die, I won\u2019t die. Get up Joe\u2026Get up\u2026\u201d Joe whispered to himself. \u201cKeep moving\u2026Oh God\u2026it hurts,\u201d he sobbed, no longer fighting the tears that pooled in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m almost there,\u201d he uttered as he staggered across the open meadow, his aim focused on the opposite side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The grassland had gotten taller and hindered his efforts. He was forced to step higher in order to squash down the blades just to be able walk. What strength he had fought to maintain, quickly dwindled. Again he stumbled and fell. A world of pain no less than a bolt of lightning jetted through his body. \u00a0As he lay upon the dampened ground, struggling to keep the dark abyss from claiming his body, sucking in air, the soft sounds of a rushing stream reached his ears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWater,\u201d Joe mumbled. \u201cGotta have\u2026water,\u201d he cried as he forced himself to crawl through the thick blades of grass, for he could no longer force himself to get up. His energy and will-power had all but deserted him. When at last Joe was able to reach the clearing, he paused to listen to the sounds of the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The wolves were no longer howling, or at least not so that he could hear them. Swallowing, his strength spent, the anguished man forced himself to inch his way to the water. \u00a0The minute Joe reached the water he lowered his head and drank deeply. His mouth was parched; his body ached and hurt like blazes and the refreshing water eased his torment to a certain degree. When he had drunk his fill, he pushed one last time allowing the water to consume his body and to be gently carried down- stream. Much later, the water pushed the unconscious boy to the bank where Little Joe remained, lost in the dark abyss that had at last claimed his damaged, soiled, and failing body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwrights had ridden for hours. The sun had risen high into the sky and burned hot on the backs of their necks and still they had found no trace of the youngest Cartwright. The trail they had first found, just outside the perimeters of the meadow where the cattle had been grazing, had been lost as soon as the soft earth had turned to hard rock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat now?\u201d questioned Adam as he watched his middle brother scanning the ground for any clues that might show them the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026let me think!\u201d snarled Ben. He was tired, thirsty and worried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss glanced back at Adam who refused to respond to the tart statement. Swallowing, he dared to make a suggestion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben answered as he turned toward his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve been sitting here studying this mess. We know Joe didn\u2019t go to town, but why? What\u00a0did he do instead? We followed him this far\u2026did he happen to see something that gave him reason to come this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brows rose slightly. \u201cThat\u2019s an idea. I haven\u2019t given a thought as to why he came this way, but what you say makes sense. Maybe the boy was onto something\u2026or someone,\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he\u2019s following\u2019 them cattle rustlers,\u201d Hoss added as he mounted up. \u201cI reckon we need to go on over this here pile of rocks, Pa. Maybe we can pick up his trail on the other side.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nudged his horse. \u201cThe only way to be sure is to go look.\u201d He waited as Hoss took the lead and together the three men crossed the rock mountain. They rode in silence until they reached the opposite side and then stopped again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee what you can find, Hoss, please,\u201d Ben said, addressing his middle son. He had complete confidence in the young man\u2019s tracking ability, for Hoss Cartwright was about as good a tracker as anyone around, probably better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing Pa.\u201d Hoss said as he dismounted and began searching the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few minutes he grinned up at his father and brother. \u201cHotdigitydog, Pa, I dun found some tracks!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both Ben and Adam dismounted and kneeled down to look at the tracks that Hoss had found.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooky here, Pa\u2026these tracks belong to Little Joe\u2019s pony\u2026and over here there\u2019s a bunch more. Looks to be about four horses and riders,\u201d explained the big man. He moved a few feet away and squatted down again. Ben followed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd here, two fellas dismounted. From what I can tell, Joe was still on his horse,\u201d he continued. Hoss looked into his father\u2019s eyes and gulped. \u201cYa reckon Little Joe dun run into them thieves and got himself into a bundle of trouble, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thinking he might have, son. What do you think Adam\u2026Adam\u2026now where did he wander off to?\u201d fumed Ben and both he and Hoss rose to standing position.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here\u2026and look what I found!\u201d Adam said as he held Joe\u2019s hat out for his father and brother to see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took the hat from his son\u2019s hands and gentle looked it over. \u201cDear lord\u2026that boy can find more trouble than anyone else I\u2019ve ever known,\u201d he muttered. \u201cLet\u2019s hope he\u2019s not hurt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026these here tracks show five horses headin\u2019 thataway,\u201d Hoss pointed off to the horizon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing but open grazing land on the other side of those woods. It\u2019s surrounded on three sides by high rock formations. It would make a good place to hide those cattle until someone moved them out. Those woods are thick though, let\u2019s keep following these tracks and see where they lead. But we need to stay close to the edge of the woods so as not to be seen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All three men mounted up and this time Ben led the way down the slope following the tracks made by the previous riders. The three men had ridden a good ways down the slope when Hoss suddenly pulled back on his reins.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold up a minute,\u201d Hoss issued as he quickly dismounted and began walking around, inspecting the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s horse started running, right about here,\u201d explained Hoss, pointing. \u201cAnd right here,\u201d he said as he moved forward a bit, \u201cthem other fellas horses started running. I bet\u2019cha anything, Little Joe tried to out run\u2019em\u2026you know, get away from\u2019em.\u201d Hoss had a smug look on his face as he watched his father\u2019s reactions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right son. Joe would try something like that. Come on, let\u2019s see where this takes us,\u201d Ben said as he nudged his mount forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like he headed for cover. Those woods most likely,\u201d Adam said as he rode along-side his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Using caution, the three Cartwrights rode into the dense forest, not knowing what might await them.<\/p>\n

The four cattle thieves pushed the herd hard. It had taken them the better part of the day before they were able to reach the river where they drove the bovines into the flowing rapids. Gus and Cody stayed close to the front of the herd while Will and Wade stayed to the rear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep\u2019em close together!\u201d shouted Will. He yelled at the steers to keep them from drifting apart and end up floating downstream. They\u2019d waste precious time if that happened by having to round up the stragglers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the last steer was safely on the other shore and the one straggler was driven back to the others, the rustlers were more than ready to rest. As the cattle settled down and began to graze on the sparse grasses, the men began to make an early camp. Not one man was willing to ride herd for the evening. They were either too tired or too lazy. Finally, Gus, the oldest of the four, stepped forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to ride back,\u201d he explained to Will, \u201cto double check that no one was following us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will, who was trying to get a fire started, glanced up at the old man. \u00a0\u201cYou do that,\u201d he snapped. Wade and Cody snickered. Neither man cared one bit for the old man. They had been grumbling to Will about the lack of work Gus was doing and how he was always complaining. They were more than ready to be rid of him and Cody had even suggested to Will and Wade that they be rid of Gus permanently.\u00a0 Wade had agreed with the suggestion but Will had put the two younger men off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s wait until we get these steers closer to our buyer\u2026then I\u2019ll let you boys take care of the ornery cuss,\u201d he had told them. \u201cThat way we can split the money three ways instead of four.\u201d Cody and Wade were quick to agree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus turned from the others and remounted his horse. With just a quick glance over his shoulder, he nudged his mount toward the river, back the way he had just come. \u00a0He grinned to himself, now was his chance to get away. Ever since he\u2019d learned that it was Cartwright cattle that Will was planning on stealing, Gus had regretted joining up with the threesome. The Cartwrights were good people and Gus had always admired them, especially Ben Cartwright and what the man had always stood for. He\u2019d only agreed to help his three young friends to steal a few head because Will had promised him a small fortune once the job was done. He hadn\u2019t known that Will\u2019s \u2018few\u2019 would be more than a hundred head. But he\u2019d kept his mouth shut because he needed the money for back taxes before the bank foreclosed on him and he lost his ranch and everything else he\u2019d worked a lifetime for.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But when they\u2019d found the youngest Cartwright kid trailing them, Gus knew then that things would turn nasty. Will had devised a plan to trap the boy, which worked to their advantage.\u00a0 And things were going their way until the kid had made a break for it. They had chased after young Cartwright and had almost caught up with him and would have if the boy hadn\u2019t taken off through the thick forest. The young man had been forced to leave his horse due to the heavy under growth and had managed to stay well ahead of them on foot, running and darting in and out of the thickets. It was only after the kid began to tire and they, themselves, had also been<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

forced to proceed on foot that Will and the others had become so enraged that Will claimed he would kill the kid the minute they caught up with him.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long afterwards that Will got his chance. When Cartwright had stopped to rest, so had they. And then, once their victim took off, Will raised his rifle, sited his target and pulled the trigger. Young Cartwright dropped in his tracks and when he did, Gus\u2019 stomach did a flip-flop making him more nauseous than he had ever been in his entire life. And if that had not been bad enough, when they reached the boy and found him still alive, barely, Cartwright had been bleeding profusely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With no concern whatsoever for the dying young man, Will left Joe Cartwright lying there in his own blood, to die slowly. It broke Gus\u2019 heart though he held his tongue for he knew to argue the point with his hot-headed, callous, hard hearted boss would earn him the same fate as the Cartwright kid.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now he had his chance. He\u2019d make his way back to where Will had gunned down the boy and knowing that the kid was most likely dead, he would at least take the body home to his father, explain to Ben Cartwright what happened and his involvement in the murder and then face his fate. Gus could only hope that he could even find a body. He prayed that wolves or bears had not found the young man and left nothing of his remains to carry back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t we suppose to meet up with that Bowers fella what\u2019s gonna buy the herd, tomorrow?\u201d Cody asked as he squatted down to be eye level with Will.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, later tomorrow over at Twin Peaks. He said he\u2019d be there and have his wranglers move the herd on down to his place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Gus?\u201d Wade asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cForget about him. He\u2019s useless anyway,\u201d barked Will. \u201cIf he comes back, he\u2019ll get the same thing as that Cartwright kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if he rats us out?\u201d Cody wondered out loud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will smiled wickedly. \u201cHe won\u2019t. He wouldn\u2019t admit his involvement because if he does, he\u2019ll hang right along with the rest of us for killing that boy. As it stands, he might get out scot free but he won\u2019t get his share of the money. And if they should happen to catch up with us, which they won\u2019t, and he does try ratting on us, we\u2019ll just tell\u2019em we ain\u2019t seen the boy, and that Gus must have killed him when he rode back to be sure we weren\u2019t followed. And, if he does come back, I\u2019ll let you kill\u2019em anyway if\u2019n ya still wanna.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other two men snickered. \u201cThat\u2019s a good plan, Will,\u201d Cody smirked. \u201cYou sure are smart when it comes to this kinda stuff,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will gave his cousin another lopsided grin. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m boss Cody, and not you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cody lowered his head and snickered. He wasn\u2019t sure how to take his cousin\u2019s statement. Did Will mean to imply that he was too dumb to come up with good ideas or was Will simply patting his own back?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Either way, Cody let the subject drop. He sort of hoped Gus would return, he\u2019d never really killed a man like his cousin had killed Joe Cartwright and his trigger finger was getting itchy to give it a try.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re gonna have to leave the horses here, Pa. That underbrush is too thick for them to go any further and these here tracks head straight into the woods,\u201d Hoss said as he looked up from the tracks he\u2019d been studying. \u201cRight here\u2019s Little Joe\u2019s print and these here,\u201d he pointed to several more footprints, \u201cmust be the men what\u2019s chasing\u2019em.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss waited while his father and Adam dismounted and collected their rifles and canteens. Ben inspected the ground around him. He was by no means pleased with what he was seeing. It was obvious even to an untrained eye that the woodsy ground all around them had been tromped down, broken and leaving a perfect path for them to follow. He swallowed; fear wrapped its evil fingers tightly around his heartstrings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go; and keep your eyes and ears opened,\u201d he ordered as he led the way through the forest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three men walked for nearly an hour, stopping occasionally to check their surroundings. The trail wasn\u2019t hard to follow. It was plain that Joe was being pursued by the four men in question. With each step Ben took his heart ached with fear for his youngest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stopped suddenly. From a broken limb of a nearby bush, he pulled a small scrape of green material. He examined it closely and then held it up for his sons to see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook at this,\u201d he said in a heavy voice. \u201cIt\u2019s part of Little Joe\u2019s jacket,\u201d he stated as he handed the tiny scrape to Adam. Adam turned the scrape over and over and then glanced at his father. He watched Ben\u2019s face and the emotions that played on his features.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a gut feeling about this,\u201d Ben stated to his sons. He swallowed hard. \u201cJoe\u2019s in trouble. He needs us. It\u2019s almost as if I can hear him calling out for help,\u201d muttered the worried father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed deeply. \u201cWe\u2019ll find\u2019em, Pa. Come on. Let\u2019s keep movin\u2019.\u201d Hoss took the lead, walking a little faster. He\u2019d had the same feelings of Joe being in need but he had kept them to himself, not wanting to worry his father any more than he was already worried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss led his family another quarter mile through the brambles before he stopped suddenly. He dropped to his knees, a repulsive feeling rose into the pit of his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss knew what it was before he even touched it. Carefully he ran his finger through the thick gel-like substance and then held his hand up so that he could better see the goo.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d he muttered, rising slowly to his feet. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026blood\u2026lots of blood.\u201d His voice trembled and his blue eyes misted with unshed tears.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took a long look at the darkened pool that spread out over the forest floor. His own stomach began to churn. \u201cHe was shot\u2026probably from behind,\u201d he declared. Anger seeped into his soul, fear and dread twisted themselves around his heart. \u201cThe bastards,\u201d he cursed softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood next to his sons. His eyes seemed to have become glued to the patch of blood, his son\u2019s life blood he told himself. He took a deep breath to replace the air that had drained his lungs empty. Slowly he let it out, hoping to squelch the rising bile that threatened to spew forth. When he moved away from the blood that had darkened with the hours since it had collected on the soft moss, his two sons followed him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The anxious father pointed to the ground. \u201cHe\u2019s not dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the amount of blood he\u2019s lost\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d growled Ben. He took a second deep breath. \u201cSee\u2026he\u2019s crawled away\u2026and over here, he\u2019s up and walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wiped his finger on some leaves he\u2019s picked up and moved to inspect the ground where his father had seen signs that perhaps Joe had, at least for a while, survived the shooting, if in fact he had been shot and not hurt by other means.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Hoss. Look at this. Four sets of boot prints lead off in the opposite direction. Those men must have cut back this way after Joe was shot,\u201d Adam told them. \u201cAnd I found this,\u201d he added, holding a spent shell up for his father to see. \u201cAnd this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning to Adam, Ben took the rifle shell from his son\u2019s fingers. His face paled as the realization of what had happened to his youngest son became a reality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Hoss asked as he took the second object from his brother\u2019s hand and looked it over carefully. He looked up at his brother. \u201cLooks like Joe must have stuffed his neckerchief into the wound.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not his. Joe\u2019s neckerchief was green, not white,\u201d Adam insisted. \u201cSomeone, most likely one of the four, must have tried to stop the bleeding\u2026but why if they were so intent on killing him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his nose. \u201cThat don\u2019t make no sense. Why shoot\u2019em and then try to save him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe whomever that belongs to, just dropped it and Joe used it himself. Either way, we won\u2019t know until we find your brother. Joe\u2019s tracks shouldn\u2019t be hard to follow, not with him bleeding like he was. Adam, why don\u2019t you cut back and get the horses while Hoss and I follow the tracks. He\u2019s headed out of the woods, so meet us in the meadow. Just watch for us to come out of the woods. If we happen to find Joe before we get to the meadow, I\u2019ll fire three shots,\u201d Ben told his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about them cattle thieves, Pa?\u201d Hoss wanted to know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t give a hoot about them, not yet anyway. We need to find Little Joe and we need to hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right Pa. I\u2019ll fetch the horses and meet you in a little while. Be careful, those men might be nearby,\u201d warned Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moved slightly as he struggled to open his eyes and raise his head. The cold water rippled across his body causing him to shiver violently. With his good hand he tried to grasp something that would aid him in pulling his body from his wet prison but his efforts were in vain. Soft, muted groans erupted from deep within as he tried to push himself upright but the pain in his left shoulder was so intense that it left him breathless. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he managed to whisper as the blackness regained its control over him. His head barely out of the water rested on a hard flat river rock. The blood that had started to ooze again after his escape across the open meadow had stopped. The cold water had its advantages and disadvantages for the wounded man but only God on his throne would know which of the two would be either the boy\u2019s undoing or his saving grace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus stumbled into the clearing, totally unaware that Ben and Hoss Cartwright were there. Just minutes after Adam had left to retrieve the horses Ben had heard movement in the brush and whispered to Hoss to take cover behind a large tree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Side by side, Ben and Hoss waited and when Gus broke into the clearing, they exchanged curious glances before moving to face the other man. Both had their guns drawn and pointed in Gus\u2019 direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold it right there,\u201d ordered Ben as he and Hoss showed themselves. Gus stopped in his tracks, totally taken by surprise at the other men\u2019s presence. His arms went up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d he spurted. He swallowed hard. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d He knew it was a stupid question but he was at a loss for words. All his good intentions of collecting Joe Cartwright\u2019s body and confessing to the boy\u2019s father, his part in the boy\u2019s death, suddenly deserted him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben moved closer. \u201cI could ask you the same thing, Gus,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus\u2019 heart beat hard and he hoped his one-time friend could not hear how hard it pounded. His brow became dotted with tiny beads of sweat. \u201cI\u2026um\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben studied the man\u2019s face. He was aware of the way Gus\u2019 hands shook and of the sweat that appeared on the man\u2019s weathered brow. Ben suspected that the man acted as if he were guilty of something and was reluctant to speak up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSpeak up, Gus.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus swallowed the lump in his throat. It was now or never. He pointed at the browned spot that had once been bright red with fresh blood. \u201cI guess\u2026I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for\u2026\u201d he took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019ca lookin\u2019 for Mr. Hamilton?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy\u2026same as you,\u201d he quickly replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 brow furrowed as he glanced at his father. \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you know about my son?\u201d snapped Ben as he took a step toward the older man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus lowered his head, shaking it back and forth as he sought a spot to sit down. When he was\u00a0perched on a fallen tree he chanced a look at Ben. \u201cI\u2026um\u2026know what happened to your boy\u2026at least up to that,\u201d he said as he pointed to the dried blood a second time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt his blood run cold as anger consumed his soul. His breathing was almost labored as he glared at his neighbor and the man whom he had always considered his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long story, Mr. Cartwright\u2026but I can tell you this\u2026I swear on my own son\u2019s life, I didn\u2019t have anything to do with killing the boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed the man by the shirt and jerk him off his feet. Anger burned in the blue eyes that were normally filled with compassion.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean\u2026who killed my little brother!\u201d he roared in a loud voice while shaking the man with both hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEasy Hoss\u2026let him explain,\u201d Ben said as he removed Hoss\u2019 hands from the man\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Will Holcomb\u2026and his brother, Wade and that no-account cousin of theirs, Cody Holcomb.\u00a0 They are the ones that\u2019s been stealing your cattle Mr. Cartwright\u2026and when they caught Little Joe trailing after us, they set a trap to take him prisoner. I swear to God, I didn\u2019t think they\u2019d kill him\u2026but the boy escaped and that made Will crazy and he swore he\u2019d kill Little Joe. We chased after your son and when he stopped\u2026right here to catch his breath, Will gunned him down. Shot him in the back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed, sickened with fear for his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, Hoss\u2026the boy wasn\u2019t dead when we left. After the others went back to their horses, I tried to stop the bleeding. Little Joe was out cold but he weren\u2019t dead,\u201d Gus rushed to explain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss, his hatred showing in his eyes, glared at Gus. \u201cSo you just walked off and left my little brother to die?\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ashamed, Gus nodded. \u201cI reckon we did. Will wanted to move the herd out before you and your pa found out that the kid was even missing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus looked Ben in the eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t have any ideay where the boy is now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned to his father. \u201cJoe must have tried to get home, Pa\u2026maybe\u2026he ain\u2019t hurt as bad as all that blood makes it appear.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope your right, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus stepped forward. \u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026I\u2019d like to help you find the boy\u2026and\u2026then afterwards, I\u2019ll tell you anything you want to know about your cattle and\u2026those what done the harm to your boy.\u201d He gulped. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll take whatever punishment you deem fit. I was only gonna rustle a few head of your cattle cause I needed the money for back taxes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my son\u2019s life was the price for those taxes? Why in God\u2019s name didn\u2019t you just come and ask me for the money!\u201d Ben Cartwright shouted as he fought to control his own rage. His control gave way to his anger and grief and as Ben turned away, he doubled his fist and when he turned back to Gus, he plowed the man\u2019s face with every ounce of strength he could muster. Gus was sent tumbling backwards and rolled over and over before coming to rest against a tall Ponderosa pine.\u00a0 Ben rubbed his knuckles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPick him up Hoss, bring him with us. I\u2019ll deal with you later,\u201d he snarled at Gus. \u201cWhere\u2019s your horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIn the meadow,\u201d muttered Gus as he wiped his bleeding nose and lip on the sleeve on his worn shirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed Gus\u2019 arm and practically dragged him through the woods until they reached the open meadow where Adam was waiting with the horses for them. His brows rose slightly at the sight of Gus Hamilton. He glanced at Hoss but said nothing. His father\u2019s expression said as such.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFind his horse Adam. It\u2019s down that ways a bit,\u201d ordered Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took only a few minutes before Adam returned with Gus\u2019 mount.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMount up\u2026and I\u2019d advise you not to try anything\u2026if you want to live to see tomorrow,\u201d Ben snarled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus nodded. \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna take off Mr. Cartwright. I done told ya\u2026I didn\u2019t want anything bad to happen to your boy\u2026honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben ignored the man. He turned to Hoss. \u201cSon, see if you can find something that might tell us which way Joe might have gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took Hoss only a few moments to find where Little Joe had made his way through the meadow grasses. \u201cThis way,\u201d he told his pa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take the Cartwrights and Gus as long to cross the field as it had Little Joe in his\u00a0wounded state. The trail was easy to follow, often times, blood was found in tiny spots on the mashed down blades of meadow grass. The sight sickened Hoss as he walked along eyeing the path his brother had set. Panic squeezed his heart and the gentle giant feared the worse for his best friend and youngest brother.\u00a0 When the small group of men reached the other side and the river bank before them, Hoss turned to his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t find any tracks Pa. Right here it looks as if Joe might have gone into the water,\u201d he told the others.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCould be he was in need of water\u2026and if what you say is so, he could have easily been carried downstream\u2026\u201d Ben said. He dismounted and moved to stand with Hoss. \u201cGod\u2026he could have drowned if he was unconscious when he went in\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The distraught father glared up at Gus. Before he could say anything to vent his anger at the man, Adam stepped forward and gently placed his hand on his father\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take this side; Gus can ride with me. Why don\u2019t you and Hoss cross over and take the opposite side. Maybe, with any luck, we will find him.\u201d His dark expression bore resemblance to his father\u2019s but he held himself in check. Once they found Joe, assessed his injuries, then he would deal with Gus Hamilton and the others who had sought to bring such worry and misery upon his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They searched for a very long time, carefully inspecting both sides of the river and its banks in hopes of finding their missing family member. They were almost to the point of giving up when suddenly Gus called out to Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, look\u2026down there!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned his horse around and backtracked toward Gus. \u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus dismounted and pointed down to the river\u2019s edge. \u201cOver there, by that bolder, just to the right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere, hold my reins,\u201d Adam said as he tossed them to Gus and began making his way down to the edge of the water. The ground was dry and beneath his feet pebbles hampered his efforts as he tried to keep himself from slipping and falling. When he\u2019d reached what he knew instantly to be a body, he called out to his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026Hoss, I found him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben jerked his horse to a halt. \u201cDear God,\u201d he muttered. \u201cIs he alive?\u201d he shouted as he searched for a place to cross so that he could get to his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam reached down and grabbed Joe by his shoulders and carefully pulled his brother\u2019s body from the water. The wound in his back was easy to spot. The bullet when it entered the body had ripped the material from both his brother\u2019s jacket and shirt. Adam gently turned the boy over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The body shook from the cold yet the boy\u2019s brow burned with fever. \u00a0Alerting Adam to the fact that Joe was still, if barely alive. Joe\u2019s face was pasty white and his lips had a tint of blue to them. Adam feared the worst so to confirm his brother was still really alive he placed his fingers to the pulse spot on Joe\u2019s neck, searching for a pulse. He closed his eyes to concentrate better. It was several seconds before he felt what he\u2019d been hoping to find. When he opened his eyes, his father had squatted down next to him. Hoss stood over both of them. Both wore a mixture of fear and dread in their expressions that he was sure reflected his own troubled thoughts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s expression was grim. \u201cHe\u2019s alive, barely,\u201d he said softly. \u201cHe\u2019s ice cold from being in the water\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him on level ground and see what we can do to make him comfortable and get him warmed up,\u201d Ben issued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss wormed his way between them. \u201cI\u2019ll carry him,\u201d he said as he bent down and gathered the unconscious kid in his massive, strong arms. Turning, Hoss made his way back up the bank and carefully laid Joe down on the soft grass. He looked up at Gus, \u201cstart a fire\u2026make it nice and hot. And hurry it up!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus quickly moved to gather wood and do as Hoss had instructed. Ben and Adam were immediately at Little Joe\u2019s side. \u201cHoss, get our bed rolls please and place them as close to that fire as you can. Adam, help me get him out of these wet clothes so we can see how badly he\u2019s hurt. We\u2019ll wrap him up in the blankets afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet went deep,\u201d Ben said after examining the entry wound. \u201cAnd it looks as if some infection might be trying to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam who worked next to his father nodded in agreement. \u201cAt least the bleeding has stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s expression was one of concern. \u201cProbably being in the cold water helped that. But the water was dirty\u2026that wasn\u2019t in his favor.\u201d He looked up at Hoss who stood bent over them trying to see his little brother\u2019s wound. \u201cHoss, you take Gus with you and find some good strong branches and make a travois. Once we start home with him, Adam can ride into town and fetch\u00a0Doc Martin\u2026and the sheriff,\u201d he added as he glanced up at Gus who was busy keeping the fire going.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHand me the whiskey bottle,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to use it to disinfect this wound and I\u2019d rather do it now while Joe is unconscious than to cause him more pain if he were awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam handed the whiskey to his father and helped Hoss hold Joe upright so that Ben could pour the strong liquor into the hole in Joe\u2019s back. \u201cCan\u2019t you try to probe for the bullet too, Pa? Joe\u2019s burning up with fever and the longer that bullet stays in, the worse the infection and the less likely that the kid will\u2026\u201d he swallowed hard, \u201csurvive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With the bottle paused just above the opening, Ben shook his head. \u201cI can\u2019t son, it\u2019s too deep. I\u2019d kill him for sure if I tried; especially in the shape he\u2019s in.\u201d Tipping the bottle upward, Ben allowed the liquid to begin at the top of the entry hole and slowly drip into the wound site, fill the cavity and overflow. Joe\u2019s reflect action was to arch his back in pain. He moaned softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hurting him, Pa!\u201d Hoss whispered as tears filled his eyes. The big man, so gentle and compassionate swallowed several times and refused to allow the tears their release. \u201cShh\u2026Take it easy little brother. Ya gonna be alright now,\u201d he whispered into his brother\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere, that should do it for now. Help me bandage him up, Adam,\u201d Ben instructed. Minutes later the two had Joe wrapped warmly in the blankets and laying on one of the bedrolls as close to the fire as they could safely place him. Meanwhile, Hoss and Gus had set about collecting small saplings and shaping them into the required travois.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once the travois was finished, Hoss tied it off to Ben\u2019s horse, Buck. He helped his father place Little Joe onto the contraption and tie him securely so that he would not roll off during the long ride home. \u201cPa will have ya home and in your own bed real soon, Short Shanks\u2026ya hold on now, ya hear ole Hoss?\u201d whispered the big man to his younger brother. Gently he brushed his fingers through Little Joe\u2019s thick curls and then turned away, unable to contain his emotions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam doused the fire and gathered their things. \u201cYou ride into town, son,\u201d he told Adam. \u201cHave Doc Martin meet us back at the ranch. Explain Joe\u2019s condition so he\u2019ll have an idea what to expect.\u201d He paused and looked at Gus. \u201cI suppose I owe you a bit of thanks for helping us out,\u201d he muttered. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t excuse your other actions, I hope you understand that Gus.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gus, who stood next to his horse, only nodded his head in agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s mount up. Adam, take Gus with you. He can explain his actions and tell Roy about what\u2019s been going on. I need to get your brother home and in the bed. Please tell Paul to hurry,\u201d Ben instructed as he swung his leg over the saddle and settled in for the trip home. With one more glance at his son bundled tightly to the travois, Ben nudged Buck forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Several times along the way home, Ben and Hoss stopped to make a check on Little Joe. The boy had begun to stir about, trying in his bewildered condition, to escape the ropes that held him bound to his moving cot. Each time, Ben would wash his son\u2019s battered face with cool water from his canteen and whisper encouraging words in an effort to comfort and reassure the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be home soon son. Just hang on a little longer and then the doctor will help you.\u201d Ben leaned closer to Joe. \u201cI need you to keep trying Joseph\u2026I\u2026love you son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The ailing lad tried desperately to open his eyes. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he uttered softly. \u201cHurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know son, I know and I\u2019m so sorry\u2026Joe\u2026Joe\u2026\u201d cooed the worried father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss placed his big beefy hand on his father\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe\u2019s slipped away again, Pa. Come on, let\u2019s keep moving. We\u2019re almost home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin and Adam came from the house as soon as they heard the sound of voices in the yard. Paul rushed to Joe\u2019s side so that he could make a quick inspection of the boy\u2019s injuries. When he pulled the ropes away and carefully unwrapped the top blanket from around his patient\u2019s body, Ben heard the sudden intake of air as the physician\u2019s eyes took in the sight of his best friend\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear Lord, Ben\u2026we best get him in the house. Hoss can you carry him upstairs? Hop Sing has everything ready and waiting. Ben, Adam told me about the bullet in his back\u2026I\u2019ll need to operate right away.\u201d Doc Martin continued to issue orders and give the tired, worried father a brief summary of what he would be doing to help his patient.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time the doctor and Ben reached the house, Hoss had his brother upstairs and lying on the bed. Paul hurried up the stairs but stopped on the last step. Turning to Ben who was close on his heels, issued one last order.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I need you and Adam to wait down here until I\u2019m finished. I\u2019ll have Hoss come down to keep you company\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, I need to be with my son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor was not to be put off. He glanced at Adam who stood behind his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, I know you both want to be with Little Joe, but I really need all of you to wait down here. I insist Ben. I can work better and quicker if I\u2019m not having to deal with\u2026you understand, don\u2019t you Ben. Joe will need you more when he\u2019s over this and he will need you alert and well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul didn\u2019t give either man a chance to respond. He turned and hurried to Joe\u2019s room where his patient waited. A minute later, Hoss exited the room and joined his father and brother in the living room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe woke up when I laid him on his bed Pa,\u201d Hoss told them. \u201cHe said to tell you not to worry,\u201d he smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be fine, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat down wearily in his red chair. He sighed deeply. Worry was etched into the fine lines of his tired face. \u201cI wish I were as sure as you seem to be,\u201d he grunted. \u201cHe\u2019s lost an awful lot of blood. More than enough to kill him\u2026that bullet in his back is deep, nearly went all the way through to his heart\u2026his fever is raging\u2026he about drowned in that cold water\u2026he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop it, Pa\u2026\u201dAdam interrupted in a loud voice. \u201cYou\u2019ve all but buried the boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sprang to his feet, anger burning in his dark eyes as he stepped up to Adam. \u201cHow dare you speak to me in that tone!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, sir,\u201d Adam said meekly. \u201cBut I had to say something. Pa,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was soft and respectful. \u201cI know you\u2019re worried sick. We all are\u2026but Doc\u2019s right\u2026Joe needs us to stay strong; and hopeful. We can\u2019t lose faith now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath to steady himself. Looking at Adam\u2019s face and seeing the concern and fear that he tried so hard to mask, only told him that his son was just as afraid and worried for Joe\u2019s well-being as he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam,\u201d he said as he placed a hand on his son\u2019s arm. \u201cYou are right\u2026we have to have faith. The good Lord has brought us this far and He will see us through\u2026regardless of how things turn out.\u201d He gave both Adam and Hoss a weak smile and then turned away. \u201cI think I\u2019ll get some coffee and make a sandwich. Want to join me?\u201d he asked, casting a glance over his shoulder at both young men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss clamped his hand down on Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDoc said he would be awhile, so what say we join Pa in the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why not?\u201d Adam agreed as he allowed Hoss to gently guide him into the next room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s out, Hop Sing,\u201d the kindly physician said in a soft voice. \u201cYou ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing ready\u2026Hop Sing hold lamp high. You start now. Most anxious to get operation over with,\u201d Hop Sing replied.\u00a0 He took a deep breath, held the lamp high so that the doctor could see to make the first incision into Little Joe\u2019s back.\u00a0 Once the cut was made, Hop Sing moved the lamp to the table and handed the doctor the probe. With steady hands, Paul Martin, physician and long-time friend of the Cartwrights, began the dubious task of finding the bullet. Every so often Hop Sing would dab the beaded sweat from the man\u2019s brow. He\u2019d dab at the fresh blood that oozed from the new incision, and silently, he prayed for his favorite number three son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat bullet is very close to the heart, Hop Sing,\u201d Paul told his helper. He withdrew the probe and took a deep breath. \u201cI can\u2019t find it,\u201d he complained anxiously. \u201cAnd Little Joe\u2019s breathing is getting weaker.\u201d He carefully inserted the probe to try again. \u201cCome on\u2026come on,\u201d he muttered to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor\u2026boy not breathing!\u201d Hop Sing said in a loud whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul steadily removed the probe from the incision and placed it on the tray. Leaning over his patient, who was face down, he muttered to himself, words that the anxious servant could not hear. \u201cCome on Little Joe\u2026don\u2019t do this now!\u201d Paul pressed gently down on the boy\u2019s back, repeating the movement several times. \u201cBreathe Joe\u2026for God\u2019s sake\u2026your father needs you boy\u2026can you hear me?\u201d The physician\u2019s fear was rising as his patient had yet to respond to his words. Paul moved his hands down Joe\u2019s back to his waist and then pushed, almost hard with both hands as he worked his way to the boy\u2019s shoulders, being careful not to infect more pain or damage to the already injured left shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBreath dammit,\u201d he cursed. It was something that the kind hearted doctor rarely did and only did now from frustration and fear of letting his best friend\u2019s youngest son die while under his treatment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe at last moaned softly, Paul released the air from his own lungs and the young man in the bed, took a deep breath filling his. \u201cHe\u2019s breathing, Hop Sing. Hand me that probe, I\u2019ve got to get that bullet\u2026it\u2019s now or never.\u201d With the instrument in his hand, Paul probed again and at last turned to smile at Hop Sing. \u201cI found it!\u201d A moment later he dropped the oppressive thing into the China bowl beside the bed. It pinged as it rolled around and came to a stop at the bottom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Using skilled hands, the surgeon cleaned and stitched the wound. \u201cI think it best we not mention to his family about his\u2026breathing problem Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No need to scare them any more than they already are,\u201d he suggested. Hop Sing nodded his head in agreement as he helped with the bandaging and then carried the soiled items from the room. Downstairs, Ben and his sons heard the door to Joe\u2019s room open and close. Together, moving as one, the three went to the bottom stair. It was Hop Sing that walked slowly down toward them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The trio blocked Hop Sing\u2019s way. \u201cWell?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled at his boss. \u201cDoctor got bullet. See?\u201d he said as he held up the China bowl. \u201cDoctor finished\u2026just getting number three son comfortable. He be down in minute to talk to you. I clean up mess\u2026please\u2026move?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sorry Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said as he stepped aside so that the little servant man could continue to the kitchen. Ben took a deep breath and released it. \u201cHe must be doing alright then,\u201d he said, relieved to know that the operation was at last finished and that the bullet had been removed from his son\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was several minutes before Paul finally left the room. Hop Sing had returned to the bedside to stay with Little Joe until the doctor had spoken with the worried family knowing that before long, Ben would take his rightful place beside his ailing son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door to the upstairs room opened and closed, causing three heads to turn and three pairs of eyes to watch as the physician made his way downstairs. Paul stopped on the bottom step, facing Ben, Adam and Hoss. For several seconds, no one said a word. Then Paul smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s doing all right Ben. Right now he\u2019s sleeping\u2026the bullet was very deep, almost too close to his heart to suit me, but I got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank the Lord,\u201d Ben muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still running a fever\u2026we\u2019ll need to keep him bathed off but there doesn\u2019t look to be any infection. I thought at first there might be, but I really think all that time he spent in the cold water kind of put a halt to things. He\u2019s very, very weak, Ben. And he\u2019s lost way too much blood, so he\u2019s going to be weak for a good while until the blood starts reproducing.\u00a0 Hop Sing and I have cleaned him up and changed the linens, so he should be comfortable enough, at least until the pain medicine starts to wear off, and when it does, I\u2019ve left more and explained to Hop Sing how to and when to give him more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 don\u2019t know how to thank you, Paul,\u201d stammered Ben. His emotions were about to get the best of him. He felt his body begin to tremble as the worry began to ebb.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to thank me, Ben. I care very much for that boy, you know that. And I\u2019d do everything in my power to keep him alive. And it was touch and go in there for a while tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes darkened. \u201cHe is okay\u2026isn\u2019t he\u2026or I mean, he will be, won\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m certainly not God, but I\u2019m betting as or right now, and with lots of rest and prayers, mind you, I do honestly believe that Little Joe will do fine. It won\u2019t be easy Ben\u2026and things could change for the worse, but let\u2019s not think like that\u2026we need to stay positive. He\u2019s young and healthy\u2026which is all in his favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss gave Adam a wide toothy grin as he slapped his brother on the back. \u201cDoggonitall, I knew everythin\u2019 was gonna work out. Now all we gotta do is catch them varmints that done gone and shot Little Joe and stole our cattle!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s smile was lopsided as he grinned at his middle brother. \u201cThat\u2019s all?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a job for the sheriff. And we will let him handle it, do you understand me\u2026both of you?\u201d Ben knew his sons were anxious to apprehend those responsible for putting their younger brother\u2019s life in danger. Any man wise enough to know the bond between the three would do well to fear their wrath\u2026Ben himself feared what his sons might do to another man when the other was threatened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you both a question!\u201d He saw their expressions change and then relax.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, we hear ya,\u201d admitted Hoss. \u201cBut we wanna ride with Roy when he goes alookin\u2019, don\u2019t we Adam?\u201d Hoss looked at Adam, waiting for his brother to confirm his request.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026most definitely,\u201d he assured Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben slipped his arms about each of his sons\u2019 shoulders. \u201cLet\u2019s just wait and see what Roy says about that. And if he does not care, then you have my okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Now Ben.\u201d The Cartwrights turned back to the doctor who seemed to have been momentarily forgotten. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I think I will make use of that spare room you have. I really think I should stay close by tonight, until I know for sure that Little Joe is out of the woods. It might be several hours yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Paul. I\u2019m sorry, I should have thought of that. If you need anything, anything at all, let Hop Sing know. I\u2019m going to sit with Joe tonight\u2026Adam, you and Hoss should try to get some rest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take turns sitting with Joe too,\u201d Adam insisted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d Ben told him. \u201cBut for now, you two need to get some sleep. You can stop off and see your brother for a few minutes and then off to bed, both of you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben knew that Adam and Hoss were just as anxious to see Joe as he was. He also knew that nothing, not even wild horses could pull him away from his youngest son\u2019s bedside tonight. Together the three hurried up the stairs and slipped silently into Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was after mid-night before Ben was finally able to convince Joe\u2019s brother to get some rest. Reluctantly both young men retired for the remainder of the night only after they had made their father promise that he would wake them if there was any change with Little Joe. For the duration of the night, Ben stayed close by. Joe was deeply sedated and moved very little. Ben washed his son\u2019s face repeatedly to cool the burning brow. His fever worried his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just before daybreak the doctor returned to the sick room. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d he asked Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cResting\u2026sleeping\u2026nothing more, Paul. I\u2019m worried about that fever,\u201d Ben explained. He was tired, worried and a part of him was angry\u2026mad at Gus, the men who did this to son\u2026and somewhat mad at himself simply because he could not do anything to prevent and relieve the misery his son was suffering.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul gave his friend a pat on his back. \u201cBen, resting and sleeping is good. It\u2019s what Little Joe needs right now. The fever is natural; it\u2019s the body\u2019s way of fighting off infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips were pressed tightly together. His eyes looked tired, dark circles were beginning to appear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Paul\u2026it\u2019s just that I\u2019m worried about him. I can\u2019t help it,\u201d he said, smiling slightly. \u201cIt\u2019s what I do best, especially when it comes to Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul checked Joe\u2019s fever but didn\u2019t seem to think it was serious, at least for the time being. He and Ben changed the bandages and made sure the wound site was not showing any signs of infection. The results satisfied both the doctor and the boy\u2019s father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be daylight soon, Ben. I think I\u2019ll be heading back to town. Joe appears to be doing well right now. If he wakes up and is hungry, feed him some of Hop Sing\u2019s broth he\u2019s been brewing and if he acts as if he\u2019s in pain, give him another dose of the pain killer I left with Hop Sing. He\u2019ll be sleepy and as I said before, sleep is the best thing for him right now. It gives the body time to start healing its self. And Ben, try not to worry too much,\u201d Doc Martin smiled at his friend. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll be back out tomorrow, unless you need me before then. If you do, send someone for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben walked to the door with his friend. \u201cThank you Paul for coming out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul gave Ben a warm smile. \u201cI\u2019d say it was my pleasure but it\u2019s never a pleasure when I have to tend to injuries such as Little Joe\u2019s. Maybe someday I can visit just for sake of visiting and not doctoring,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSoon, I promise,\u201d Ben said, and he meant it. He owed the fine doctor much more than what he could ever repay for all the times Paul Martin had been of service to his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what happened to ole Gus,\u201d Wade asked his brother as they sat together in front of the small fire where they sipped coffee. Cody was riding herd, keeping the steers in close since they were short-handed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I figured he bailed out on us. Took off or somethin\u2019\u201d Will said. \u201cWho cares, if he don\u2019t come back, we can split the money three ways instead of two.\u201d He grinned, then laughed softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will eyed his brother. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he asked, pouring more hot coffee into his tin cup.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinkin\u2019. With Gus gone\u2026and Cody always complaining and all\u2026what would happen if dear cousin Cody met with\u2026say an accident? There\u2019d be no one but you and me to split with. Fifty-fifty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wade set his cup on one of the rocks that encircled their fire. \u201cWill, are you saying we should kill Cody\u2026our own kin?\u201d he asked, taken off guard by his brother\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will took a sip of his coffee and glanced at his brother. \u201cWhy not? He ain\u2019t never been no account for nothing; always in trouble with law. Why shoot, he even beat up his own ma not more\u2019n a month ago.\u201d He put his cup on the rock next to Wade\u2019s. \u201cLook Wade, Cody is just plain loco, he\u2019d kill one of us, or both if he could, just to keep all that money for himself. So I say, let\u2019s get the drop on him. We can make it look like an accident\u2026that way if his folks ask we can tell him he got killed on the drive. After all, they think we\u2019re driving cattle for some rich rancher.\u201d He laughed out loud. \u201cAnd that ain\u2019t no lie\u2026the rancher just don\u2019t know that we\u2019re driving his cattle!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wade should his head and stood up. \u201cI won\u2019t Will\u2026that\u2019s murder\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will jumped to his feet. Anger brewed in his hazel. \u201cWhat the hell do you call killing that Cartwright kid? I ain\u2019t got nothing to lose,\u201d he growled. \u201cIf they catch me, they can\u2019t hang me but once\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShut up Will\u2026I\u2026don\u2019t like ya to talk like that. I\u2026don\u2019t want you to hang\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will\u2019s laugh had an evil ring to it as he poked his brother in the center of his chest. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna hang right along with me little brother\u2026if they catch us!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe? I didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019\u2026\u2019cepting steal these steers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYep\u2026cattle rustling\u2019s a hanging offense in case you forgot. And as for Cartwright, you and Cody and ole Gus are just as guilty as I am. We was all involved. So we might as well do away with Cousin Cody, take the money and hi-tale it to Mexico. Take our chances and have us some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Young Wade looked scared as he began pacing back and forth. Wade watched his brother. \u201cWill, they won\u2019t hang me\u2026I\u2019m barely seventeen years old\u2026I\u2019m just a kid\u2026they don\u2019t hang kids\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will stood up. He could see the fear on the boy\u2019s face and for a fraction of a second regretted getting his brother mixed up in all his plans to steal Ben Cartwright\u2019s prime beef and then kill the man\u2019s son. When the emotion passed, he turned back to his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWade, they don\u2019t care how old you are. Murder is murder and stealing is stealing. You don\u2019t think for one minute that old man Cartwright will let any of us live when he finds out who killed his boy?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“And you gotta remember, that boy of his ain\u2019t much older than you. What was he\u2026eighteen, nineteen maybe? And another thing, if the old man don\u2019t get us\u2026them other two sons of his won\u2019t stop until we\u2019re both in the ground. Now you listen to me\u2026we have a much better chance of getting outta this without Cody than with him. He\u2019s a loud mouth and likes to brag. If we kill him, get the money from Bowers for the cattle, we can clear out and be gone from these parts before anyone knows what happened to us. You in or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wade swallowed hard. \u201cGuess I ain\u2019t got much of a choice now do I? So\u2026I guess I\u2019m in, but I ain\u2019t gonna be the one that kills Cody. I\u2026just can\u2019t\u2026I can\u2019t\u2026please don\u2019t ask me to, Will\u2026promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will laughed and slapped his brother on the back. \u201cDon\u2019t you worry none, kid, I\u2019ll take care of our cousin.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow, after Bowers pays us. As far as Bowers knows, Ben Cartwright sent us to deliver his cattle and collect his pay. Once we have the money, I\u2019ll take care of Cody. You just keep your mouth shut, hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wade nodded in agreement. \u201cI hear ya, big brother. I hear ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood, now let\u2019s get some shuteye.\u201d Will turned the blanket down on his bed roll and laid down. \u201cSee ya in the morning, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will had a fresh pot of coffee brewing by the time that Wade crawled from his bedroll. \u201cSmells good, Will,\u201d he said, greeting his brother. He glanced around camp as if looking for someone, which he was. \u201cWhere\u2019s Cody? Ain\u2019t he rode in yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will turned around and held a cup of the coffee up to his brothers. \u201cCody\u2019s dead,\u201d he said calmly as he turned back to the fire where he had bacon and eggs frying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wade had taken a sip of his coffee and spewed it out. \u201cWhat?\u201d he shouted. \u201cWhen\u2026how\u2026did you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rising to his feet, Will faced his brother. \u201cWhen\u2026last night\u2026how\u2026his horse stepped in a hole, fell on top of our cousin\u2026so no, I did not kill him. He did both of us a favor and got himself killed!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhew\u2026\u201d Wade muttered. \u201cSo\u2026I guess it\u2019s just you and me. You do know that now we gotta move those steers ourselves\u2026alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will handed Wade his breakfast plate. \u201cYep, but Bowers\u2019 land is just over that rise about five miles. Won\u2019t take us long little brother to make our delivery, collect our money and be on our way to Mexico before noon. Now eat up, we got work to do.\u201d He said, smiling up at Wade.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had been standing at the window watching Adam and Hoss preparing to leave. The two older boys were riding into town to join Roy Coffee\u2019s posse who were making plans to search\u00a0for those responsible for shooting Little Joe and rustling Ben\u2019s cattle. He turned from the window and hurried to Joe\u2019s bedside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m right here, son,\u201d Ben said as he leaned down and gently felt to see if Joe still had a fever. Pleased, he smiled. \u201cYour fever\u2019s way down. How do you feel son?\u201d He asked while pulling his chair closer to the bed and sitting down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHurts,\u201d Joe muttered. His eyes were dazed and had a faraway look to them. Ben watched as Joe tried to bring them into focus. \u201cPa?\u201d the breath expelled from his lungs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026don\u2019t talk son. You need your strength\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe inhaled. \u201cCattle\u2026beyond\u2026south pasture\u2026about 100-150 head\u2026\u201d His breathing was somewhat labored from his efforts to talk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know son. But you don\u2019t need to worry about that right now. Adam and Hoss are heading into town and are going to ride with the posse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stopped talking and watched as his son\u2019s eyes filled with tears. Taking Joe\u2019s hand in his, the concerned father leaned closer. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A solitary tear rolled from the corner of one eye as Joe turned to his father. His chin quivered. \u201cThey\u2026shot me\u2026in the\u2026back\u2026\u201d He drew another breath. \u201cAnd\u2026left me\u2026to die!\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had to fight back his own tears. \u201cI know Joe\u2026it wasn\u2019t right\u2026and when Roy catches them, they\u2019ll stand trial\u2026they\u2019ll be punished for what they\u2019ve done to you,\u201d Ben assured his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026one\u2026just\u2026a kid\u2026younger\u2026than me\u2026\u201d Another gasp for air and Joe closed his eyes. \u201cWhy?\u201d he whispered as he drifted off to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben tucked Joe\u2019s arm back beneath the blankets and rose. \u201cFor a lousy hundred fifty head of prime beef, that\u2019s why,\u201d he proclaimed with disgust heavy in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean you can\u2019t pay me in cash?\u201d snarled Will.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He and Walt had delivered the Cartwright cattle to Samuel Bowers just as they had promised the man. Now all the brothers wanted to do was collect their money and head for Mexico. But Sam wasn\u2019t about to give these two strangers that kind of cash. They looked rough, hardened to be so\u00a0young. He figured the oldest to be no more than twenty or twenty-one and the younger he reckoned to be eighteen if that. There was another thing that stuck in his craw, why had Ben Cartwright sent two boys to do a man\u2019s work? Sure the older kid said that Ben had hired four of them but that the oldest man backed out half way there and had high-tailed it back home and the other man had been accidently killed when his horse fell on him. It could all be on the up and up, but something didn\u2019t seem right and Sam was hesitate to part with his cash when he knew a bank draft was the typical way that he and Cartwright had always done business in the past.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just can\u2019t,\u201d Sam tried to explain. \u201cCash is not the way that Mr. Cartwright and I do business. I\u2019ve always paid him with a bank draft\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou got the cash, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d Wade asked the man. He looked over at his brother. Will was boiling mad and Wade knew his brother was about to explode.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam nodded his head. \u201cYes\u2026but I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Will pulled his pistol from his holster and pointed the gun at Sam. \u201cGive me the money\u2026now!\u201d He shouted. \u201cOr I\u2019ll blow you into next week,\u201d he threatened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He waited, glancing around to be sure that none of Bowers hired men were watching the exchange. Sam, knowing that the younger man would kill him for sure if he didn\u2019t oblige him, dug into his billfold for the cash. He counted out the correct amount and held his hand out to Will. Will, seeing all the money in the billfold, grabbed what had been offered him and snatched the leather money holder from the man\u2019s hand. Sam was speechless as he watched the boy take the cash and then toss the billfold back to him, empty.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat should about take care of things. Thanks mister,\u201d said Will with a twisted grin. \u201cLet\u2019s go Wade\u2026now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He waved the gun under Sam Bowers\u2019 nose. \u201cKeep your trap shut. Give us an hour before you come looking for us\u2026and you might live another day!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He crammed his pistol back into his holster, grabbed his reins from Wade\u2019s hands and swung into the saddle. As he turned to leave, he smiled and tipped his hat at the gentleman. \u201cTell Cartwright I said thanks,\u201d he laughed and kicked his mount into action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cADAM\u2026ADAM!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had ridden into town to help the sheriff track the cattle thieves and were on their\u00a0way to join Roy when Adam heard his name being called. He stopped and turned around, watching as Jimmy Blakely ran down the street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just got this telegram, Adam\u2026it\u2019s for your pa but I thought you might need to see it,\u201d the young man said, huffing and puffing from his jog down the street from the telegraph office. He held the paper up to Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Jimmy,\u201d Adam told the boy as he unfolded the paper and quickly read the words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s it say?\u201d question Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026That\u2019s strange,\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Adam\u2026what\u2019s it about!\u201d Hoss was getting impatient with his older brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam snickered. \u201cSorry Hoss. It\u2019s from Sam Bowers down in Dayton. He said the cattle he bought from Pa arrived today, but that the two young men who delivered them took off with his money\u2026\u201d He paused and looked over at Hoss. \u201cI didn\u2019t know Pa sold Mr. Bowers any cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat two young men?\u201d Hoss questioned, seemingly trying to remember who it was that his father might have sent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam folded the message and stuck it into the pocket on his shirt. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go on down to the sheriff\u2019s office? I\u2019ll catch up with you in a few minutes,\u201d Adam said as he turned his horse around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019ca gonna do?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll send Mr. Bowers a reply and ask him what cattle and what two young men. I have an idea where our cattle and Joe\u2019s shooters might have gone,\u201d he said, giving his brother a slight smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 brows rose slightly. His grin was sideways as he turned his horse toward the sheriff\u2019s office. If anyone could figure things out, it was Adam, Hoss surmised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Half an hour later Adam walked into the sheriff\u2019s office. Roy was just about ready to have his men mount up, but he waited to hear what Adam had to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI got a reply from Bowers,\u201d he said, looking first at Hoss and then turning to Roy. \u201cBriefly he said, about two weeks ago, a man named Gus\u2026yeah,\u201d he said as he looked through the open door that separated cells from the office. \u201cAnyway, seems like Gus approached him to say that\u00a0Pa would sell him a hundred fifty head of cattle and he and a few men who worked for him would deliver them. Bowers agreed with the price\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy was sitting on the edge of his desk, tapping his fingers together. \u201cYep\u2026yep, that\u2019s the story Gus gave me. Said he got scared after Will Holcumb, shot Little Joe in the back. The other young men, Wade Holcumb and their cousin Cody Holcumb, and himself were takin\u2019 the stolen steers to Bowers in Dayton, but he decided to get out while he could. Said he didn\u2019t want to hang for killing Joe.\u201d Roy snickered. \u201cGuess he didn\u2019t know he could hang for cattle rustling same as for murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBowers said that there were only two young men. Wonder what happened to the third?\u201d Adam said to no one in particular, more to himself and thinking out loud. He turned to Hoss and the others. \u201cGuess we know who shot Joe. Now all we have to do is catch up to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll wire the sheriff down in Dayton; he\u2019ll have to handle it from there. It\u2019s out of my jurisdiction. But at least we have the names of those three. My bet is they\u2019ve headed straight for Mexico.\u201d Roy stood up and turned to the men who had gathered to help him. \u201cGuess you boys can go on home. Don\u2019t have no need for a posse now. I thank ya all for wanting to help,\u201d he told them as he opened the door and allowed the men to leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they had all gone, he turned back to the Cartwright brothers. \u201cI don\u2019t want you two taking off on a manhunt. Ya understand me? Sheriff Collins over in Dayton is about as good a sheriff as there is. He\u2019ll have those youngsters behind bars in no time. You two just get yourselves back to the Ponderosa and help ya Pa take care of Little Joe, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face while Adam pursed his lips together tightly. \u201cI reckon so, Roy,\u201d Hoss muttered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah\u2026\u201d Adam straightened to his full height. \u201cOne week Roy\u2026one week\u2026if they haven\u2019t been caught by then, Hoss and I are going after them,\u201d he said as he turned to go.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Hoss\u2026let\u2019s go see how that kid brother of ours is getting along.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was another long night for Ben, who remained at his son\u2019s bed side. Joe tossed about and moaned continually. Hop Sing kept hot coffee brewing for his boss and cool water for their patient. By daybreak, all three men were worn out. Hop Sing had been made to retire, Ben dozed\u00a0in the over-stuffed chair near Little Joe\u2019s bed and the patient himself had finally given in to the heavy medication and now rested comfortably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss entered the room quietly so as not to disturb neither his father nor his brother. The sun had just risen over the mountain peaks and he was most anxious to see how his brother was doing before heading out to the barn to begin his morning chores. He was surprised to see that Little Joe was awake. He smiled broadly at the boy, happiness and relief shining in his clear blue eyes. Silently he moved to the opposite side of the bed from his father and knelt down. He moved close to Joe so he could talk to him and not wake their father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey ShortShanks\u2026\u201d he whispered. \u201cI\u2019m mighty glad to see ya awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gave his brother a weak smile and placed his finger to his lips. \u201cShh\u2026 Pa\u2019s worn out. I\u2019m fine, Hoss,\u201d Little Joe told him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had his doubts about his brother being \u2018fine\u2019 but he kept those thoughts to himself. He could see how pale Joe\u2019s skin was and the dark circles under his eyes. The boy\u2019s expression told him that some pain still existed though Joe would be reluctant to admit it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he ain\u2019t left your side for three days now,\u201d Hoss explained. Hoss swallowed hard. \u201cI\u2019m mighty glad ya goin\u2019 to be okay. You sure \u2018nough had us worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe, his lips tightly pressed together and his brow wrinkled, nodded his head. \u201cI was scared, Hoss. After they shot me\u2026they just left me there to die.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice became thick with emotion. \u201cThey didn\u2019t even bother to finish me off\u2026later, I could hear the wolves\u2026I was afraid they\u2019d find me\u2026\u201d he muttered as he wiped a lone tear from his eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw shucks Joe, try not to think about all that. You\u2019re home now and that\u2019s all that matters,\u201d Hoss said in hopes of lifting his brother\u2019s spirits.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid they get them?\u201d Joe asked Hoss in a whispered voice. He glanced at his father. Ben was snoring softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026and I ain\u2019t happy about that either. Neither is Adam. But that old man, Gus\u2026he told Roy all about what happened and who done what. Them rascals done took our steers all the way down to Dayton and sold them to Pa\u2019s friend, Sam Bowers,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know Pa sold any cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it Joe, Pa didn\u2019t sell them. But Mr. Bowers thought Pa had cause that Gus fella went down there acting like he was sent by Pa and set the deal up. Trouble was, when that kid shot you, Gus chickened out and came back for you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe did?\u201d Joe asked surprised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, trouble was, he couldn\u2019t find ya. He found us instead, me, Pa and Adam. That\u2019s when he told Pa most of the story. Once we got you home Adam took the rascal into town to Roy. He told the sheriff everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo now Roy\u2019s got a posse out looking for the other three? They were just kids Hoss, not much older than me,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss knew his answer would make his brother mad, but he couldn\u2019t lie about it. \u201cNo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d said Joe a bit too loud. They both turned to see if he had awakened their father but Ben slept on. \u201cWhy not?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCause what Roy done told us, he can\u2019t do no sheriffing down in Dayton. But he sent a telegram to the marshal down there and Roy promised us that he would see to it that them varmints were caught soon, sent back to Virginia City and punished for what they done to ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss leaned in ever so close to Little Joe and lowering his voice he whispered. \u201cIf\u2019n they ain\u2019t in jail somewhere within a week, me and Adam are goin\u2019 after them ourselves. Shh\u2026don\u2019t ya dare say a word to Pa, he\u2019d have both our hides.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with you when you go,\u201d Joe told Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyes widened. \u201cOh no ya ain\u2019t. Ya ain\u2019t gonna be in no shape to ride a horse, not with that shoulder hurt like it is. So just forget that ideay\u2026me and Adam will take care of them for ya\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of whom?\u201d Ben asked, surprising both boys. Ben grinned at Little Joe. \u201cGood to have you back son. How\u2019s that shoulder this morning?\u201d he asked as he felt Joe\u2019s brow for any signs of fever. \u201cAw\u2026no fever this morning,\u201d he smiled, happy to have his son back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stood to his feet. Glancing first at his father and then down at his brother he explained. \u201cI\u2019ll see ya later little brother\u2026um\u2026me and Adam gotta take care of them horses and then ride out to the north ridge to mend a fence. See ya, Pa,\u201d he said as he quickly exited the room. He hadn\u2019t meant for his father to wake up and hear their plans about going after the men that had shot Little Joe and stole their beef.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure is in a hurry to get to work,\u201d Ben laughed as he pulled his chair close to the bed. \u201cSo how are you feeling this morning, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe forced himself to smile at his father. \u201cBetter than I was a couple of days ago.\u201d His shoulder was hurting, he was hungry, thirsty and confused by the unsettling feelings he was experiencing, but he didn\u2019t want to worry his father with those any more than what he already had.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHungry?\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cThe doctor said you could have some broth if you felt like eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2026can I have some coffee too? I\u2019m awfully thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben saw how weak the boy\u2019s eyes were and the dark circles. He knew from past experience that his son was not being totally truthful about the way he felt. Ben saw the way Joe\u2019s lips pinched together when he tried to move to a more comfortable position and the tiny beads of moisture that suddenly beaded on his brow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me help you get comfortable and then I\u2019ll have Hop Sing bring you a tray,\u201d offered Ben as he helped Joe into a more upright position and then fluffed the pillows behind his head. \u201cThere, I\u2019ll be right back son.\u201d Ben left to have a tray fixed and was back within just a few minutes. Joe\u2019s head rested against the soft down filled pillows and his eyes were shut. Ben thought that perhaps Joe had gone back to sleep but by the time he\u2019d placed the tray on the bedside table and turned around, Joe was watching him with sad, tear filled eyes. Immediately, Ben sat down on the side of the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong son?\u201d he asked as he brushed back a wayward lock of hair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and struggled with his emotions as he tried to put into words his mixed feelings. Ben waited patiently for his son to collect himself. At last Joe looked into his father\u2019s eyes, studied his face and finally spoke.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThose men\u2026hunted me down like an animal\u2026shot me in the back, and simply\u2026left me die,\u201d he muttered as a lone tear slipped down the side of his face. \u201cLike\u2026like I was\u2026nothing. They just turned and walked away, Pa\u2026left me bleeding to death\u2026dying\u2026like I was nothing at all.\u201d He gulped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no idea\u2026how that makes me feel\u2026\u201d He shook his head as if to clear the troublesome thoughts. \u201cNothing\u2026that\u2019s all I meant to them\u2026nothing.\u201d Joe lowered his head a bit to hide the tears that had sprung into his eyes so as not to embarrass himself in front of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart went out to his son. He knew that Joe\u2019s emotions were as heart wrenching as the painful wounds were to his body. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said softly. \u201cThose types of men\u2026are heartless. They would just as soon kill one of their own as to kill a stranger. What you are feeling right now\u2026is, well\u2026justified. And very truthful in that you are right about what they were thinking when they walked away and left you. To them\u2026you were just\u2026an annoyance that they had to get rid of so that they could continue on with their evilness. They didn\u2019t shoot you and leave you because you are you\u2026they would have done the same thing to any man who got in their way. You were a threat to them, a means by which they might be caught\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wiped his eyes dried. \u201cBut Pa\u2026I couldn\u2019t just turn my back on a man who was bleeding to death and simply leave him to die\u2026I don\u2019t understand a man like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell Joseph\u2026you wouldn\u2019t simple just shoot a man in the back either, now would you?\u201d he father asked with a small grin on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you asked me that, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laid his hand on his son\u2019s arm. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t really a question, son. I know you would never back shoot a man\u2026and that you would never walk away from a dying man without trying to help him. I just wanted you to see how different you are from the ones that did this to you. Do you understand now, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked again at his father and after several moments, nodded his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Ben, rising from the bed to retrieve Joe\u2019s breakfast tray. \u201cThen think no more on the matter. Those men will be caught and punished for what they\u2019ve done, that\u2019s a promise, son.\u201d He sat the tray across Joe\u2019s lap. \u201cNow, let\u2019s get something in your stomach. Coffee first or broth?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCoffee, please,\u201d Joe said in a tired voice.<\/p>\n

Four days later, Little Joe was sitting downstairs with his father when Hoss came into the house. Joe craned his neck around to smile up at his brothers. \u201cIt\u2019s not lunchtime yet,\u201d he teased the big man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha ha,\u201d taunted Hoss. \u201cJust cause you\u2019re ailin\u2019 ain\u2019t no sign I can\u2019t still turn you over my knee little brother,\u201d he jeered and then laughed at Little Joe\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben joined them from his office. He snickered at the boy\u2019s teasing. \u201cSo\u2026since it is not lunchtime, what\u2019s brought you home? Is everything okay? Where\u2019s Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGolly Pa, I can\u2019t answer but one question at a time,\u201d Hoss grunted, though he smiled at his father. \u201cRoy Coffee\u2019s here to see you. He\u2019s talkin\u2019 to Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The front door opened and Adam came in with the sheriff following. Ben turned to greet his company. \u201cRoy,\u201d he said. \u201cGood to see you. What brings you out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Ben, Little Joe.\u201d He nodded at Hoss whom he\u2019d already spoken with when he arrived. \u201cI have some news, Ben\u2026about those men that shot Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat, Roy,\u201d Ben offered. He noticed that Little Joe sat up straighter and knew that he would want to hear the news.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said the sheriff as he seated himself next to Joe on the settee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease go on Roy,\u201d Ben encouraged the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlrighty\u2026seems as if those two young men met their fate while partaking in a game of poker, down around Hawthorne. Guess the brothers got caught cheatin\u2019. The older kid was playin\u2019 while his younger brother stood off to the side sendin\u2019 him signals. There was a shoot-out and the oldest kid was killed. Wade\u2026the younger one, was taken into custody by the sheriff there. He seen the wanted poster on the boy\u2026seems they was wanted elsewhere besides here. Sparks, I believe\u2026anyway, the boy escaped and unfortunately was killed when he shot it out with the deputy down there.\u201d Roy looked over at Joe who was frowning. \u201cSorry Little Joe. I know you wanted them varmints to stand trial here for what they done to ya\u2026but\u2026guess they got what was comin\u2019 to\u2019em just the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his father but said nothing. Ben took a deep breath and turned to Roy. \u201cThanks Roy for letting us know. Guess there\u2019s nothing left to do about it now. Did the boys have any family that you know of?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy, who had gotten to his feet, shook his head. \u201cNot that I know of, no one other than an aunt, the third young man\u2019s mother. We found his body a day or two ago. Looked like he broke his neck when his horse stepped in a hole. Horse was lying there too\u2026his cousins didn\u2019t even bother to bury the kid.\u201d Roy\u2019s expression was one of total disgust. We buried the kid. At least he had a decent burial.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen to Gus?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, most likely he\u2019ll stand trial for rustling ya steers, Adam, and being in cahoots with them other three that tried to kill Little Joe,\u201d explained the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A look of concern creased Ben\u2019s features. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame Gus got himself involved with those three. I\u2019ve always known him to be a hardworking, devoted family man. I hate to think that he might\u2026spend the rest of his life in prison or worse\u2026hang.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRustlin\u2019s a hangin\u2019 offense Ben, so\u2019s tempted murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he didn\u2019t shoot me,\u201d Joe said, speaking up for the first time. \u201cIn fact, he tried to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp you?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cBy coming back to see if you were dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa\u2026after I was shot and the other three took off. Gus stayed behind and tried to stop the bleeding\u2026he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then he walked off and left you to die?\u201d Ben interrupted in a gruff tone. \u201cHe was just as guilty as the others, Joseph. He was with them when they tracked you down\u2026he was there when you were shot\u2026and he left you there, knowing you were bleeding to death. No jury would find him anything but guilty!\u201d Ben was angry. He\u2019d kept all his pent up anger inside until now and it seemed to have exploded without warning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy walked to the door. \u201cGuess I\u2019ll be gettin\u2019 on back to town. I\u2019ll let you know when the judge gets in town.\u201d He turned to Little Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll most likely have to testify Little Joe\u2026about what happened.\u201d He placed his hat on his head and nodded at the others. \u201cNight,\u201d he said as he slipped out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scrunched up his face. He looked from Adam to Joe and from Joe to his father. \u201cPa,\u201d he said in a soft voice, \u201cole Gus\u2026he\u2019s a married man with half a dozen youngun\u2019s. If they hang\u2019em, what\u2019s gonna happen to them kids?\u201d He was worried about the family who were as innocent as his little brother had been when he was shot in the back and left to die.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe struggled to get to his feet. Adam stepped closer and helped Joe off the settee. \u201cYou could drop the rustling charges against him couldn\u2019t you\u2026and I can tell the jury how he tried to help me; that and the fact that he wasn\u2019t the one who actually did the shooting\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben, a puzzled look on his face came closer to his son. He studied the young man\u2019s expression, trying to read his thoughts. \u201cYou don\u2019t want Gus punished for what he did? I don\u2019t understand, son, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe took a deep breath. He wasn\u2019t sure himself why he felt the way he did. After all, those men did leave him to die, bleeding almost to death. It had really bothered him a few days ago, but something happened within him that he couldn\u2019t really explain. Maybe it was simply the fact that he beat the odds and that he was alive and he did wake up and see the sunshine and maybe, just maybe he felt a bit sorry for ole Gus and his family. Hoss was right in asking what would become of Gus\u2019 children and their mother if Gus was hanged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, Pa,\u201d Joe stammered. \u201cMaybe those steers aren\u2019t worth a man\u2019s life\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell by golly, those men sure thought those same steers were worth your life\u2026\u201d his father grumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked trouble. He knew he wasn\u2019t doing a good job trying to explain his feelings to his father. \u201cI know, Pa\u2026I know\u2026but\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben placed his arm around Joe\u2019s slender shoulders and gently pulled him close. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what son, I\u2019ll talk to Roy\u2026I\u2019ll even speak with both lawyers and I\u2019ll see what we can do about getting Gus a lesser sentence. Those heads of cattle are not so important to me that I\u2019d prefer to see a man hanged because of them\u2026but you, young man,\u201d Ben said as he tenderly poked Joe in his chest, \u201care very important to me. We nearly lost you Joseph\u2026we watched how you\u2019ve suffered and how you still try to hide the pain you\u2019re in. I, personally, have a problem forgiving the ones responsible for putting you through all of this. My forgiveness will be long time coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling up at his father, Joe said, \u201cThanks Pa. I\u2019d hate to see his family suffer because he made a stupid mistake. I\u2019d feel responsible for their welfare if he were to be hung\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026listen to me for a minute. You are not responsible for his family, should he go to prison or if he is to hang. That man made his own choices, not you. He chose to steal; he chose to entwine himself with men of low character\u2026he chose to walk away and leave you to die\u2026his decision, not yours. When you do the crime son, you have to do the time. And unfortunately, because of his own actions, his own family will also have to pay the consequences. It may not seem fair to you and it certainly isn\u2019t fair for them, but that is something that Gus should have thought about before he got himself involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe let out a long sigh. He knew that his father was right. He knew Gus was as involved as the other three and that because of his involvement, others would have to suffer. It bothered him to\u00a0be caught in the middle of this. In his heart he believed Gus to have been a decent man while those other three had been plain mean to the bone. They cared for no one, Joe knew that without a doubt, Gus\u2026well, he was different somehow. Maybe before the trial he could convince his father to allow him to speak with Gus about his part in all of this. Perhaps then, he could better understand his own mixed up feelings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe never got his chance to talk with Gus. Two days later Roy Coffee rode out to the Ponderosa to speak with Joe and his father. The news he had to share was not good.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy Ben. Little Joe, how ya feelin\u2019?\u201d Roy asked as Ben showed the sheriff in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPretty good,\u201d Joe told him. \u201cI\u2019ve felt better,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy removed his hat and seemed to be a bit nervous. \u201cBen, Joe,\u201d he began. \u201cI rode out this afternoon to give ya a bit of news\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNews?\u201d questioned Ben as he glanced in Joe\u2019s direction. \u201cIs the judge coming soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy shook his head no. \u201c\u2019Fraid not Ben. We won\u2019t be needin\u2019 him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Joe asked as he rose to his feet and stood next to his father. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s lips were pinched tightly together and he lowered his head for just a second before looking up at his two friends. \u201cIt\u2019s Gus. He\u2019s dead, Ben. I\u2019m sorry Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDead?\u201d both father and son all but shouted. Joe swapped a worried look at his father. His eyes were wide with what Ben thought to be sadness or maybe it was a mixture of anger and sadness mixed into one. \u201cWhat happened, Roy?\u201d Ben, turning to the sheriff, questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt happened last night\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, give the sheriff time to explain,\u201d Ben growled as he gave Little Joe an impatient glare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Roy.\u201d Little Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy nodded his head. \u201cAs I was sayin\u2019, it happened last night. Ole Gus had lain down for the night. I was dozin\u2019in my chair when I heard him moaning and groaning. When I got up to check on him, he was hurtin\u2019 something awful. When I asked him where, he said his chest. I started to\u00a0fetch Doc, but Gus stopped me and told me to tell\u2026Little Joe\u2026and you Ben, that he was sorry for all the trouble and pain he caused you. He no more than got the words out and he was dead. \u00a0I reckon his ole heart gave out on him\u2026but I ran and got the doc anyway and Doc Martin said it looked to him as if I was right about his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sat down on the settee and lowered his head. A flood of emotions clenched his heart. Ben stood silent for several moments and then shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that, Roy. I\u2019m sorry for his family\u2026his wife and kids.\u201d He glanced at Little Joe who sat quietly on the settee with his elbows on his knees and his hands over his face. Ben wondered at the thoughts that might be going through his son\u2019s mind. He turned back to Roy. \u201cWhat happens now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Gus\u2019 family came by this morning to claim the body, so I reckon there will be a funeral. As for the loss of your cattle\u2026you did say Bowers was having the cattle returned. And the ones what shot ya, Little Joe,\u201d he said, turning his attention to the younger Cartwright, \u201cthey met their Waterloo in that shoot out. Little Joe, it\u2019s over\u2026time to move on and try to forget it,\u201d Roy said, hoping that the boy would do just that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe stood, his lips tightly pressed together. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d he gave a low grunt, \u201cguess you can\u2019t hang a dead man,\u201d he said with a touch of cynicism.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I reckon not son,\u201d Roy said to Little Joe. He placed his hat on his head and started toward the door. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll get back to town. Joe, I\u2019m sorry ya didn\u2019t have ya day in court, but sometimes things just don\u2019t work out the way we\u2019d like for\u2019em to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben opened the door and followed Roy out into the bright sunlight. \u201cBen, I hope Little Joe can put this behind him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe will Roy. It might take a while, but Little Joe will be alright. Thanks for coming out and letting us know about Gus. I\u2019ll stop by his place and see if there is anything I can do for the family. Maybe it will make Joe feel better if he thought he could help them. He mentioned it the other night\u2026about feeling sorry for those kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHope so too,\u201d Roy stated as he mounted up. \u201cSee ya, Ben, take care.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben waited until Roy had ridden out of sight before turning towards the house. He was surprised to find Little Joe standing silently behind him. He noted the downcast expression on his youngest son\u2019s face. When he approached the boy, Joe slowly looked up and into his father\u2019s eyes. Joe swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s eating at you son?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I can explain it, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben motioned for Joe to come sit with him on the side porch. Joe followed obediently and sat when his father pulled out a chair for him. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try to explain it?\u201d the worried father questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I just don\u2019t understand why a man wants to waste his life doing wrong,\u201d Joe stated. \u201cLike those boys that shot me\u2026and Gus\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben kind of shrugged his shoulders. \u201cI suppose we never really know what goes on in another man\u2019s house, son. Or what circumstances might lead young, healthy, fairly intelligent young men to make the choices they do. But whether they chose to do good or to do bad\u2026most people know right from wrong. Just because you grow up in a home where there is nothing but strife and arguing\u2026beatings even, doesn\u2019t mean that you will end up doing horrible things. Even a young man, such as yourself, who grows up in a loving home, might decide to take the wrong fork in the road. The decisions to do either right or wrong\u2026knowingly\u2026is that individual\u2019s own choice. The results or consequences that go along with those choices are something that the individual will have to answer for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI get that Pa. But in my case\u2026no one had to answer for what they did to me\u2026or for stealing your cattle\u2026\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s dark eyes widened as he shook his head slowly. \u201cDon\u2019t you think that dying in a gunfight in a saloon or against the law, isn\u2019t answering for what they did to you? Joseph, those young men paid with their lives for their wrong choices.\u201d Ben leaned over and placed a hand on Joe\u2019s knee. \u201cMaybe they didn\u2019t have to stand trial, or spend the rest of their lives in prison, but they knew why they were in the mist of that gunfight. They knew why they tried to run from the law\u2026they knew they were doomed one way or another for the choices they made.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe sighed deeply. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right Pa,\u201d he said and then grinned, \u201cYou usually always are,\u201d he said and then turned serious again. \u201cBut what about Gus\u2026he had a family, kids. Pa\u2026didn\u2019t he know that even though he might have needed money\u2026he had what mattered most to a man?\u00a0 His family\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled broadly. \u201cJoseph, you are so right. If I lost everything I\u2019ve worked for all my life it wouldn\u2019t matter at all as long as I still had my three sons. You, Adam, Hoss\u2026the three of you are my life\u2026not his house, not the money\u2026certainly not the land\u2026just my sons. And, I\u2019m very proud of you son, that you recognize that \u2018things\u2019 are not what make a man, nor do they bring true happiness\u2026but to have a good, God fearing family that stands with you and not against you\u2026that is what true happiness is to a man\u2026or at least it is to me, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel sorry for Gus\u2019 family,\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I son. Most men would do anything for their family. Some might go so far as to steal and kill\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWould you? I mean steal or kill?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow furrowed. \u201cI\u2019d kill to protect you if someone was trying to harm one of you. If that\u2019s what you mean. But as for stealing\u2026well Little Joe\u2026I have to say, I\u2019ve been mighty hungry at times. So has Adam\u2026way back when we were coming west\u2026but never so hungry that I\u2019ve had to steal to feed us. I did a lot of hard work at many different types of jobs and did a lot of bartering to keep us from starving, but stealing\u2026never.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled at his father. \u201cI didn\u2019t figure you\u2019d ever stolen anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laughing, eyes twinkling, Ben confessed. \u201cWhen I was just a small boy, I came home from school one day with a big red, juicy watermelon. When I showed it to your Grandfather, he asked me where I got it. I told him in old man Hunter\u2019s watermelon field. My pa asked me if \u2018old man\u2019 Hunter knew I had taken it. I told Pa that old man Hunter wouldn\u2019t have cared because those melons were just lying there rotting. Pa asked me again if Mr. Hunter knew I took one of his melons. I remember shaking my head no. Guess I knew by that time I was in trouble,\u201d laughed Ben. \u201c\u2018Then you stole that watermelon, didn\u2019t you?\u2019 my father shouted. I confessed I suppose I had. Needless to say my father was not happy with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe snickered. \u201cWhat did he do to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think? I was forced to return the watermelon to old man Hunter, apologize, and then, pa and I went out to the wood shed and had a very necessary little talk. I couldn\u2019t sit for about three days!\u201d Ben chuckled. \u201cI never ever took anything again that wasn\u2019t mine or that I didn\u2019t ask for first. I paid the price for the decision I made\u2026just like Gus\u2026just like those young men\u2026Joseph\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes sobered. \u201cI suppose it all goes along with what the Bible teaches us. \u2018Be sure thy sins will find thee out.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I shall repay.\u201d Quoted Ben. \u201cI\u2019m not saying that Gus\u2019 heart attack was God\u2019s vengeance, it would have happened anyway\u2026it was destined to be, maybe even his bad choices might have brought it on. Gus wasn\u2019t always a man of dishonor\u2026try not to harbor hard feelings against him son\u2026nor for the others. Hate can eat away at your soul, destroy your heart\u2026I\u2019m working hard to let it all go, for myself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know all that Pa. You taught me that a long time ago. I promise, I\u2019ll try to put all of this behind me\u2026but can we please find some way to help Gus\u2019 family?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood as Joe rose to his feet. \u201cI think we can come up with something.\u201d Ben placed his arm about his son\u2019s shoulders. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go inside, have something to eat and see what we can come up with? Besides, you should still be taking it easy young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together, arms locked about each other, father and son entered their home. Putting thoughts and ideas together, they were sure to find some way to help the family that needed so much understanding and compassion rather than the scorn and hatred that others had been feeling towards Gus\u2019 needy family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

July 2013<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: cattle thieves, Little Joe is shot in the back and left to die. As he fights for his life, Little Joe also fights with the knowledge that his attackers have seemingly gotten away with their crimes<\/p>\n

Rated: G (18,330 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":9860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":4021,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-4.jpg?fit=387%2C387&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2604,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2604","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":0},"title":"Needed Strength (by Helen A)","author":"HelenA","date":"April 23, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe must enter a burning building to save Hoss Rated: T (2,140 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe-Hoss.jpg?fit=505%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17308,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=17308","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":1},"title":"More than a Mountain Lion (by A-P)","author":"A-P","date":"May 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Elizabeth Steward has known the Cartwrights for a long time. When she is going to their ranch one day she finds something that isn\u2019t all that pleasant, especially for Little Joe. What she doesn\u2019t realize is that that will set off a chain of events that might lead to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"cougar","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/1965-Bonanza-7.10-mountain-lion-F.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/1965-Bonanza-7.10-mountain-lion-F.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/1965-Bonanza-7.10-mountain-lion-F.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/1965-Bonanza-7.10-mountain-lion-F.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/1965-Bonanza-7.10-mountain-lion-F.png?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12102,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12102","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":2},"title":"The Final Score (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 Five years after having been sent to prison, Lucas Tatum returns to seek his own revenge on Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 What he does this time is far worse than a wallop on the head; he wants to make Joe suffer for what he believes was Joe's fault.\u00a0 Joe learns\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11839,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11839","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":3},"title":"Do as I Say (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"September 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben has always tried to teach by example, tried to get it through to his sons how he expects them to act. But do they ever listen? A 2015 Camp in the Pines story and a WHN for Quality of Mercy.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (1,255 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7619,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7619","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":4},"title":"Big Ears, Big Fears (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Little Joe listens and learns. Rated:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01035","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Young-Mike.jpg?fit=217%2C239&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":50522,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50522","url_meta":{"origin":12240,"position":5},"title":"Little Boy Joe (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"February 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"There are definite advantages to being the youngest Cartwright. And who would know that better than Little Joe? Rating: G Word Count: 657","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/House-Divided.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12240","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=12240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}