{"id":12458,"date":"2016-01-13T01:40:18","date_gmt":"2016-01-13T06:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12458"},"modified":"2025-08-01T13:29:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T17:29:13","slug":"a-legacy-deferred-by-bluewindfarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12458","title":{"rendered":"A Legacy Deferred (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: Joe is summoned to the Ponderosa for a matter pertaining to an inheritance. Curiously, the letter and recent events in his life reveal his dissatisfaction, and thrust him on a journey of discovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating: T (16,980 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Legacy Deferred<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, this just came over the wire.\u201d Ten-year-old, freckle-faced Horace handed the slip of paper to the lawman.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy Coffee fished out a nickel from his pocket and handed it to the boy. Opening the folded piece of paper while walking to his desk, he read the brief note.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heir on his way.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \/stop\/<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0RP, PM<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinally.\u201d Roy leaned back in his chair, a smile of satisfaction appeared while interlaced fingers rested across his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After weeks on the road by stage-coaches and finally a wagon, his journey was at an end. In the yard, he\u2019d been met by a man who opened the door to show him inside the massive log home. The building stood within the mighty pines for which the boy who\u2019d driven him from Virginia City said it had been named. Images flickered and disappeared from his mind, just like the flames that danced within the stone hearth central to the room.\u00a0\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what he\u2019d expected, but to find a functioning ranch and the furnishings not covered in dust cloths was not at the top of his list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to the staircase, a feeling that he expected to see three men walking down the steps, each one smiling at his arrival surprised him. And that startled him most of all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Setting his top hat on the sideboard behind the door, the twenty year old man removed his gloves before unbuttoning his waistcoat. Inhaling the odor of a pot roast cooking, he followed the smell to find an Oriental man hurrying about the kitchen, evidently preparing the evening meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you want?\u201d startled, the man turned, kitchen knife held defensively in hand. He stared, focusing on the brown hair that curled over the man\u2019s collar and the green eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe man in the yard said I should ask for a Hopsing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou find Hop Sing. What you want?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo introduce myself,\u201d he hesitantly replied, and pointed to the cutlery held none too subtly. A small smile appeared when the other occupant realized how it must look; he quickly lowered his hand, setting the knife on the butcher block next to the vegetables set out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wiping his hands on the apron tied around his waist, he stepped forward. \u201cI am Hop Sing. I cook, I clean, I take care of Mista Cartwright\u2019s Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Joseph deMarigny. I received a letter from a Hiram Woods stating something about requiring my attendance at the Ponderosa. He indicated it was quite urgent. I came as soon as I could.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curiously, Hop Sing bent his neck left and right, taking a good look at the green-eyed, curly haired, young man standing in front of him. \u201cYou Lit\u2019le Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about Little Joe, but my name is Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt be long time.\u201d The cook stepped closer and smiled. \u201cI help Missy Cartwright take care of you before accident. I help fatha and brothas take care of you before\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joseph interrupted, \u201cYou must have me confused with someone else; I\u2019ve never been here before and I have no father or brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo now, but before.\u201d He returned to his butcher block. \u201cYou need haircut!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ve heard that before,\u201d he gave a laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

The giggle was reminiscent of old times. \u201cRoom, top of stairs, first door on right. Hop Sing no have time for boy who come early.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but no one was at the stage to greet me and when I asked, the liveryman had his son drive me out. I didn\u2019t mean to disturb you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUpstairs. Chop, chop. Clean up. Supper ready later. Sheriff, doctor, and lawyer suppose to bring you. No time. Go!\u201d He pointed out of his domain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

Entering the upstairs room, the young man studied the few possessions within; although he cringed at the portrait of an Indian hanging on the far wall. Across the room, he picked up a small picture frame from the table next to the bed, he gazed at the woman pictured within.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat be your mother, Marie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, he saw the same man he\u2019d met in the yard motioning another man carrying his bags to set them just inside the doorway. With a tip of his hat, the man left the two alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I don\u2019t see how that\u2019s possible. My mother died giving birth to me in New Orleans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“You\u2019re Little Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Joseph deMarigny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. That might be what you were told, but you were born here on this ranch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it that you and the cook think you know me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing and I worked for Mr. Cartwright for a long time. We both hired on shortly after he brought Marie back with him. It was about that time this ranch started making a name for itself.\u201d Extending his hand, \u201cI\u2019m Charlie Yeagle, ranch foreman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when might I have the pleasure to meet Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc Martin was supposed to meet you in town and bring you out here. He, Sheriff Coffee, and Hiram Woods were going to tell you the rest once you got here. It\u2019s not my place to say.\u201d With a cavalier attitude, he turned to leave, \u201cMight as well make yourself at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Alone, he thought on all that had transpired before he\u2019d headed west.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

His heart had reacted to the excitement of his actions; he\u2019d saved the life of a child and received praise for what he had done. His step had a little more bounce; that is until his grandmother questioned the condition of his attire.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0He sat in the conservatory of his grandmother\u2019s home, still agitated over the argument. She\u2019d called him impudent and his actions vulgar; all for risking his own life to save that of a worthless street urchin. He remembered his words before he left her sitting room and slammed the door closed. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018The boy wasn\u2019t worthless, not to his father!\u2019 he\u2019d argued before abruptly turning away and heading to the conservatory. He wished he\u2019d had a father as caring as the little boy\u2019s father.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

***** <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

On his way home from church, he\u2019d seen a small child in ragged clothes chasing after a ball into the street. Surprised at his own quick reaction, he\u2019d run and scooped up the child just before the coach would have struck him down. Instead, the shoulder of the lead horse careened against his back, thrusting the pair of them aside. Falling, the young man cradled the child protectively in his arms so his weight didn\u2019t harm the boy when they hit the ground. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A nearby constable was soon on the scene ordering people to step back and shouting for everyone to quiet down. Dreading what he would find as he rolled the body over, he was surprised to see lively green eyes opening when the man finally uncurled himself from around the child.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, sir?\u201d The lawman knelt where the two lay.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Attention turned to the trembling child in his arms, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want my papa.\u201d Tiny fisted hands latched on to his jacket while tears streaked the boy\u2019s face.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoey!\u201d a man shouted, forcing his way through the ever-growing crowd. \u201cLet me pass. That\u2019s my son!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

With the steadying hands of the officer, he stood up with the child still in his arms, \u201cThere, there. You\u2019re all right. I bet that\u2019s your Papa coming now.\u201d He turned so the child could see the man pushing people aside, still calling, \u201cJoey!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A smile graced his face as he watched the touching scene. The boy wrapped his arms and legs around his father, who wore a knit cap and seaman\u2019s pea jacket. The father placed kisses upon the top of the child\u2019s head.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The wild thumping of the man\u2019s heart settled with his son in his arms, \u201cThank you sir. I can\u2019t thank you enough for saving my son\u2019s life.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nothing. Anyone would have,\u201d he\u2019d answered.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it was you. Thank you, just the same.\u201d Joey\u2019s father extended a dirt-covered hand. They shook hands before father and son left the scene.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe man was right.\u201d The officer said from behind him, attempting to brush off the dirt from his clothing. \u201cYou were the only one who acted. I tried, but was too far away.\u201d Looking around, the lawman noticed the crowd dispersing. \u201cOthers were closer, but you were the only one who felt that child was worth the effort. You best get back home; your grandmother will be quite upset when she sees the state of your clothing. Go on now.\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

As he began to walk away, the young man hesitated when the officer called his name, \u201cRegardless of what Madame says when you return home, you did good!\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d never spoken against his grandmother in such a manner before. But things had been different, ever since \u2018the letter\u2019 arrived. It had been delivered to him through a friend; someone his grandmother had loathed as beneath his station. He knew his grandmother had her quirks, but those quirks didn\u2019t stop him from continuing their friendship. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

His grandmother had been the only family he\u2019d known; his life was New Orleans. But now, through a distant relative he knew nothing about, it appeared he had a vested interest in a valuable piece of property in Nevada. The letter had ended by stating that matters pertaining to said inheritance required his personal attention. He thought about his life, how he had everything he could ever want or need. So why this news drew his curiosity was\u2026 curious. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe it was all the times he\u2019d spent in discussions with his friend; inevitably, their talks would turn to the wide-open west. He surmised the stories were tall tales involving the rugged men it took to tame the land, where neighbors looked after each other and cared about that which surrounded them. His friend spoke of the thrill of sitting on a wild horse, willing it to accept the rider on its back as its master. He related vivid recollections of driving a herd containing hundreds of cattle across the landscape, never sure whether something would happen in the next moment to set off a stampede. Perhaps that was what inspired him to consider leaving \u2013 the thrilling possibilities.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A life of leisure and wealth had been all he\u2019d known, but the thrill of that moment changed him. He\u2019d turned down several invitations to the most sought after soirees and cotillions, ones he always looked forward to attending.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019d come to realize the simpering young ladies who tittered behind laced fans or gloved hands were shallow and insincere, in his opinion. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

After a night spent with his friend drinking that Mexican rotgut, he packed his bags and left a note for his grandmother informing her he was heading to Paris. He explained he felt he needed to strike out on his own, maybe finding his roots would settle the uneasiness that so recently consumed him.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat should please her. She\u2019s all about honor and the code. I\u2019ll be long gone by the time she realizes I never left America. Who knows, maybe I\u2019ll become a cowboy.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

She\u2019d waited for several days after he\u2019d left thinking he was sulking over their argument. But as each day passed and parents of his friends reported no sign of the boy, she thought maybe he had been serious about heading to Europe. Her worry grew to where she felt compelled to take action.<\/span><\/p>\n

All noise stopped the moment the grand dame stepped into the gambling establishment, making as straight a line as possible to the sweeping staircase, up the steps, across the balcony, and to the doorway marked, \u201cProprietor\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean he\u2019s gone?!\u201d From behind the desk central to the room, Eduard D\u2019Arcy stood to his feet with such force; the chair fell backwards to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiding her guilt for waiting so long, she stated, \u201cHe left a note that he was going to Paris.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s never been there. Why would he go there?\u201d Eduard walked around his desk to stand in front of his visitor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was not himself, Monsieur.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMadame deMarigny, why?!\u201d Violently he grabbed her wrist, turning her arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tears sprang from her eyes, \u201cHe\u2019d not been himself ever since he saved the life of that wretched street urchin. He argued something about the child not being worthless to his father. This is what he left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Releasing his grip, he muttered, \u201cForgive me. I\u2019m just so worried about the boy.\u201d Eduard accepted the proffered note and read it. \u201cTo find the man who was his father and make him pay for his mother\u2019s death?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew the news would grieve you.\u201d She held her abused wrist to her breast. \u201cYou have given so much for the boy by allowing me to raise him as my own grandchild. I understand how the loss of your cousin affected you. It still pains me the death of my own son, so many years ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy dear, it should not have happened.\u201d Eduard returned to being a gentleman once more. \u201cWho could have foreseen your son leaving his home for the wilderness, of all places? Had Jean stayed, I\u2019m sure he would have eventually provided you with the grandchild you were so long denied. As for Joseph, he flourished under your instruction and love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do not understand why he would take such a journey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYoung men, these days it is not easy to know what is in their minds. It is possible that he wishes nothing more than to \u2018sow wild oats\u2019. My apologies for my vulgarity.\u201d Escorting the woman back to the front door of his establishment, \u201cI will see what can be done from here. Maybe he has not yet sailed. Please, you\u2019ll let me know if you heard further word from Joseph?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI shall. And thank you Eduard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Delicately raising her hand to his lips, he placed a kiss and bid her farewell.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Eduard returned to his office, walked to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of Woodford\u2019s bourbon, before taking several gulps. \u201cYou heard?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what?\u201d Walking with an unsteady gait, a man who had been in the office before Madame deMarigny\u2019s arrival came out from behind a corner room partition.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe takes it in his mind to tell the Madame he seeks to find his roots? For what, the code?\u201d Eduard spat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was raised by the code, as were you. You\u2019ve fought duels before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but only when I\u2019ve been guaranteed the outcome,\u201d Eduard countered, he had no fear of divulging his past, even though the man wore the badge of a police inspector.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow noble of you; the honor of the code and all.\u201d His voice held mockery. \u201cStill, it makes no sense why the Madame opened her home to the boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eduard answered, \u201cBecause she needed an heir. She needed a grandson to continue the name deMarigny. She was never told the child was Marie\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe does have a grandson. Have you forgotten? Marie\u2019s child was Jean\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo I haven\u2019t forgotten.\u201d Anger flashed in his eyes. \u201cBecause Giles played his part to perfection, he ensured the Madame would never accept the child as Jean\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a seat in front of the desk, \u201cI cannot believe Madame deMarigny never questioned your part in tarnishing the name of your own flesh and blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone knows of the bitter blood between the deVrys and the deMarignys. She believed the lies, all of them.\u201d Eduard went to pour himself another glass of bourbon. Before retaking his seat, he offered the glass in his other hand to the inspector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking the filled glass, lifting it to just below his nose, he inhaled the fragrant ambrosia. \u201cBut still you were the one behind the orchestration of Marie\u2019s indiscretion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I was! And as her only living male relative, it was only natural that I became Marie\u2019s benefactor. No one knew of my involvement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcept Marius.\u201d The man stood, and limped over to the window that overlooked the main street. He moved the curtain to glance outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Marius is long dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is the American.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he no longer\u2026\u201d Eduard startled by a thought, \u201cWhy would Joseph leave such a note?\u00a0 It makes no sense, searching for his father…”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Green had the boy convinced that he had no family, other than Madame deMarigny. It took him forever to get through to the boy there was no one else.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen where?\u201d Eduard slammed the glass, shattering it on the desktop. \u201cWhy? Why now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Striding across the room to stand in front of the police inspector, \u201cI expect you to use your contacts to confirm his travel across the Atlantic. If he has not left the shores, you know what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEduard, you had your revenge over a decade ago.\u201d He turned to look back out the window. \u201cWhat would it hurt to allow the boy to live his life? There is nothing you can do to bring back Marie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you forgotten that it was because of that boy\u2019s father that you walk with a limp and your career stagnated?\u201d Sitting down at his desk, Eduard slammed his fist against the wooden surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charles Leduque walked away from the window, and half-rested the hip of his bad leg on the desk. Staring Eduard in the eyes, he lowered his voice to speak. \u201cNo. Nor have I forgotten how it was the same American who stole Marie from ever gracing your bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat family will continue to suffer as long as I draw breath.\u201d Eduard\u2019s words and posture reflected the bitterness of his promise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen explain to me why the boy continues to live a life of privilege.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, he is the son of my beloved Marie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After airing out his clothing and placing them in either the bureau or hanging in the closet, Joseph proceeded down the staircase.<\/span><\/p>\n

The large dining table drew his attention; two settings were placed on one side, another at the end closest to the great room, and one final set opposite the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not set places on all four sides?\u201d Joseph asked as the house servant set an empty platter in the middle of the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHead of table for Mista Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen shouldn\u2019t there be five places set?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright not home, not be home for long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot my business to tell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Exasperated at the non-answers to his questions, Joseph walked around the great room, admiring the weapons chained and locked along the gun rack between the fireplace and the stairs. Soon, his attention was drawn to the map hanging within the alcove. Impressed at the magnitude of his possible inheritance, he turned and spotted the silver picture frames set on the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose Mr. Cartwright\u2019s wives.\u201d Standing beside the pot-bellied stove, Hop Sing had quietly observed the young man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a Mormon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Three wives, three different times.\u201d Hop Sing walked around the desk to stand next to Joseph. He pointed. \u201cMissy Marie, she only Mrs. Cartwright I meet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the others?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMissy Elizabeth, she wife numba one, she die in Boston.\u201d He pointed. \u201cMissy Inger, she killed in place called Ash Hollow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing was about to say more when they turned at hearing the front door open.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d shouted Roy Coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo need yell, I hear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Removing his hat, \u201cLiam stated the stage already arrived. We encountered Truman on his way back to town, said he left Little Joe here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not \u2018Little Joe\u2019, but I am here.\u201d He stepped farther into the great room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy God,\u201d Paul gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHer splitting image,\u201d Hiram acknowledged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI get coffee.\u201d Pointing a finger and thrusting it into Joseph\u2019s chest, \u201cYou listen. You listen good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Standing next to the round table with the crystal decanters, Joseph poured himself a glass of sherry and started the conversation. \u201cYou seem to have me at a disadvantage, or maybe have confused me with someone else.\u201d He took a small sip and made a motion to offer a drink to the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll agree that we have you at a disadvantage, but there\u2019s no confusion,\u201d Hiram offered. \u201cYou are Joseph Francis Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy last name is deMarigny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst off, I think we need to introduce ourselves,\u201d Paul offered. With their names and occupations given, the men settled onto the furniture around the room, the physician continued, \u201cSon, I helped deliver you and believe me, your last name is Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiram stated, \u201cI\u2019ve kept in contact with people back in New Orleans and Madame deMarigny never had your last name changed, at least not through the courts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting forward in the chair, \u201cJust what makes you so sure I\u2019m this Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a physician, I tended to every bump, bruise, cut, and broken bone while you lived here. To prove my point, if as you say you\u2019re not Little Joe, then how do you explain the fact that I know of a scar you possess on your right cheek.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe ran his left hand across his smooth cheek. \u201cThen you must be blind, because I have no scars on my face, no matter how minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that cheek, son. Your right buttock. It\u2019s about an inch and a half or so,\u201d Paul held his index and thumb so far apart, \u201cin length.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone could have obtained that information from my family physician.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou fell out of the tree behind the barn across the yard. You were just shy of ten. You were waiting for your family to return from a cattle drive down to Kingman Arizona, fulfilling a contract for the army. I was the one who sutured you up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, this is preposterous.\u201d Joe stood. \u201cI\u2019ve never been here before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, if I may call you that,\u201d the lawman spoke for the first time since sitting down. After receiving a nod, \u201cWhen we came in, you were in Ben\u2019s office area. I presume you saw the pictures on the desk,\u201d Joe nodded, \u201clet me show ya another one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy walked to the desk, opened the middle drawer, and pulled out another frame.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis one was taken shortly after Adam returned home from Boston. Ben was so proud of all three of you boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking the picture in hand, Joseph sat down hard. The fingers on his left hand traced the face of the small child sitting on the man\u2019s lap. Incredulously, \u201cThat boy could be my twin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy is you.\u201d Roy indicated, \u201cThat\u2019s your brother Adam, and your brother Eric.\u201d It had been decided they would not use Hoss\u2019 nickname, they wanted to see if Joe would remember.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s your pa, Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can this picture be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou see the proof yourself, son. That\u2019s the same fireplace as in this room.\u201d Roy offered a comforting hand on the young man\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to the three men, \u201cGrand-m\u00e8re told me I had no family. My mother was sent to the Americas because\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Paul encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA family friend abused her father\u2019s trust and forced himself upon her. Two doors down from his bedroom, in the middle of the night, the friend raped my mother. The only good thing that came from that night was that my grandfather found satisfaction in killing the man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what of the rest of your family?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandfather died later from wounds suffered during the duel. I know what I am, a bastard, and even worse, an orphaned bastard. But my grand-m\u00e8re loved my mother enough to raise me and give me everything I could ever want. More importantly, she gave me her name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, your mother was never raped. She and Ben fell in love, married, returned to the Ponderosa, and about eight months later you made an earlier than expected appearance. Less than five years later, Marie died in a riding accident out in the front yard.\u201d Roy pointed towards the yard. \u201cAfter that, Ben, your middle brother, and even Hop Sing helped raise you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of this Adam? Did he not help to raise the boy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe would have helped raise you. Only, he left for Harvard shortly after your father returned. Adam wanted to postpone after Marie\u2019s death, but Ben insisted that if he didn\u2019t go, then he\u2019d always find some excuse in order not to go,\u201d Hiram offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I believe you, but if what you\u2019re saying is true and I am your \u2018Little Joe\u2019, how did I end up in New Orleans?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen your family failed to return from a cattle drive, we tried to keep you here,\u201d Paul offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Madame deMarigny filed a legal petition and the courts agreed that it would be better if you were raised somewhere more civilized.\u00a0\u00a0 See, when Adam returned from college, Ben signed a legal document that had your older brother named as a legal guardian of you and Eric, in case something ever happened. It was just an unfortunate set of events that Adam disappeared at the same time as Ben. The courts granted her guardianship feeling she could offer you more than we could,\u201d Hiram explained. \u201cNone of us were married, and this territory was still seen as barbaric by those of the east.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe is my grandmother\u2026\u201d Joseph became angry at seeing the three men shake their heads. He cringed at the brief image that appeared in his mind and just as quickly vanished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBiologically, she is no relation to you. Her only son was your mother\u2019s first husband,\u201d Paul spoke. \u201cJean deMarigny was killed in a freak accident saving Ben\u2019s life. Ben promised to take word of his death to the new widow. They met and fell in love, much to Madame deMarigny\u2019s chagrin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing flustered, \u201cWhat you\u2019re saying doesn\u2019t make any sense. She raised me. She loved me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe stole you from what is rightfully yours!\u201d Roy stood to his feet shouting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what is rightfully mine?!\u201d Joe stood to his feet, shouting back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiram calmly stated, \u201cThis, everything within a thousand square miles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf this is mine, then what of Mr. Cartwright and his two sons?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean you don\u2019t know?\u201d Joe\u2019s white-knuckled fists rested on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we said earlier, they failed to return home. We\u2019ve fought Madame deMarigny at every turn to prevent her from having them legally declared dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would she wish to declare them dead?\u201d Joseph queried, looking from man to man to man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo prevent you from ever finding out about the Ponderosa,\u201d Hiram ultimately answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, it makes no sense. If they\u2019re not here, how does this place still manage? There are workers outside, the cattle and everything else. Someone needs to be in charge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen gave me power of attorney before leaving on the drive, just in case anything came up during his absence. Long before he disappeared, he\u2019d hired a top notch crew and they are the ones who keep the ranch running,\u201d Hiram answered. \u201cI negotiate the contracts and work with all the individual bosses that oversee the various operations. It\u2019s the workers here to have kept your father\u2019s dream alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they\u2019ve been gone for how long? Weeks, months?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost eleven years,\u201d Paul answered. \u201cJoseph, the Ponderosa is the legacy your father wanted you to have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why am I just now learning about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019ve finally reached your majority. Son, we tried everything we knew to keep in touch, but Madame deMarigny stymied us at every turn,\u201d Roy answered. \u201cThe only way we knew anything about you was from a Pinkerton man we hired to keep tabs on you as you grew up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA Pinkerton.\u201d Sarcasm dripped from Joe\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember Rodney Parker?\u201d Roy inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had a teacher named Mr. Parker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTall, slender man, blonde hair with a big bushy mustache?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, \u201cBut I\u2019ve been out of school for years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was another, a younger man. He always reported to Rodney, but we never knew who he was. The man said he had a vested interest in anything that happened to you, and Rodney said he knew him well enough to trust him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another image and feeling trickled the first fear of doubt for his own past, \u201cWhy didn\u2019t Rodney tell me?\u201d Joe slipped back into the chair he had vacated earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe felt it better to keep tabs on you this way rather than risk Madame deMarigny finding out our efforts and taking you overseas,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cRodney had been a teacher before becoming a Pinkerton man. So it was easy to slip him into your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiram continued, \u201cEventually, we decided to wait until you turned twenty-one before trying to contact you one last time. It was Rodney who forwarded our letter to you, through the other man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make any sense. Why would grand-m\u00e8re keep this a secret from me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy offered his two bits, \u201cBecause she didn\u2019t approve of Marie. She felt your mother stole away her son. It could be she just wanted you to replace her dead son or call it revenge.\u201d Roy looked to the other men before proceeding. \u201cFrom what we know, she was upset at Ben\u2019s interference in rescuing Marie from the life she felt suited the woman. Before they met, your mother worked in a gambling establishment owned by her cousin, Eduard D\u2019Arcy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe always insisted I call him Uncle Eduard. I never cared for him. He gave me the shivers.\u201d Joseph sat deep into the chair. \u201cI presume there\u2019s more to this story?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you willing to listen with an open mind?\u201d Hiram asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI came all this way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Three hours later Joe\u2019s head ached, even after eating the best meal he\u2019d eaten in a long time, the events relayed to him by the three men who were his father\u2019s best friends left little doubt they were telling the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou do believe us?\u201d Roy asked as they returned to the great room.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s too incredible not to. But, why don\u2019t I remember being here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you were a ten year old child. You\u2019d just lost your entire family. And from what I could ascertain from associates in New Orleans, Madame deMarigny spared no expense when it came to you. Including specialists.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Green,\u201d Joseph whispered. \u201cI remember him telling me I\u2019d been sick for a long time and that during my fever, I\u2019d made up the family. He told grand-m\u00e8re that to make up for seeing my friends with their families, I\u2019d made up a fictitious family. Though I never understood why I never made up memories of a mother. I guess I accepted grand-m\u00e8re\u2019s story about my mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t make them up. They were real,\u201d Paul sat on the low table in front of Joseph and laid a sympathetic hand on Joe\u2019s knee. \u201cYou knew your mother for such a short period of time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Confusion etched the young man\u2019s face while he struggled to accept all that had been told. The men in the room gave him time to contemplate all he\u2019d been told.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy answered, \u201cYour brother, Eric. It\u2019s a nickname Adam gave him when he was a baby. It came from his Uncle Gunnar. It means big, friendly man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need some time alone.\u201d Joseph stood, turned away from the men and slowly climbed the staircase.<\/span><\/p>\n

The three men smiled; their patience paid off \u2013 Ben\u2019s last heir was finally on the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Roy stood to his feet. \u201cI think I best get back to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to head home too,\u201d Hiram added. \u201cPaul, you coming?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s why I drove my buggy separate, I probably should spend the night. If he\u2019s anything like he was as a child he might need my services tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoseph Francis deMarigny or Joseph Francis Cartwright . . . which one am I?\u201d He sat in the deep leather chair, swirling a glass of cognac in his left hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are who you are. Name is only how you are known, it is not who you are,\u201d Hop Sing stood next to the closed guest room door off the side of the dining room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked over the arm of the chair. \u201cPlease come in. I\u2019d like to talk to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered the great room, taking care as he sat on the edge of the settee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you helped raise me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cYou were the heart of the Ponderosa. Family doted on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe others said they didn\u2019t return from a cattle drive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cArmy say there trouble with Mescalero and Comanchero, bad time.\u201d Hop Sing lowered his head in regret and respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere their bodies ever found?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A head shaking \u2018no\u2019 was his answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you believe they are dead?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as you live, they will live in you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, that\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d Joe drank the last of his liquor. \u201cThere has to be another reason why everyone kept the Ponderosa running, it couldn\u2019t be just in case I decided I wanted to live here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReason is faith\u2026 hope. Where there is hope, there is faith to believe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHas anyone ever told you that you\u2019re exasperating?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFatha many times.\u201d Standing, the family friend retreated to his sleeping quarters, stopping the at guest room door. \u201cIf I may humbly ask, why did you come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joseph looked to the man; his tone was mild and held the same hint of curiosity he had felt after reading the letter notifying him of his inheritance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, what is \u2018W\u01d2 \u00e0i n\u01d0\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt Chinese. It means, I love you.\u201d Hop Sing turned the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Surprised at having an early morning visitor, Roy looked up from the paperwork on his desk when the door to the office opened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for Sheriff Roy Coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be me. Something I can do for you?\u201d Roy stood, his eyes observing the city slicker closing the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can tell me if Joseph Cartwright arrived safely.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just who might you be? And why\u2019d you want to know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man slipped a hand into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope. \u201cI believe everything is explained within this letter of introduction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy read the contents, \u201cSo you\u2019re the one Rodney had keeping an eye on Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man removed his hat and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it wasn\u2019t really necessary to follow him out here. Rodney wired us he was on the way and we\u2019ve kept tabs on him through the stage company ever since he left New Orleans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The confident man who had entered the office appeared to shrink in poise, nervously twirling his hat about his hands. Moments passed as Roy waited; the man looked in deep thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more to the story than even Rodney knew. I wasn\u2019t just keeping an eye on your target. See, Clay Stafford was the name I was given when I was adopted as an infant. My parents told me about it when they felt I was old enough to understand. I knew Rodney from my stint in the army. Once I mustered out, he convinced me to join the Pinkertons.\u00a0\u00a0 After my adopted parents died, I grew curious about my birth family; didn\u2019t think it would hurt to look into my own past.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid ya find what you were looking for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore than I bargained for. Found out your target and I have the same mother. Joe deMarigny, or Cartwright as you call him, is my half-brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy doubted how Madame deMarigny would allow their friendship to occur. \u201cAnd Madame deMarigny approved of your friendship with the boy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe let it be known how she felt about me, that I was beneath their station. But Joe\u2019s an easy man to like, and he is a little bit of a rogue when he wants to be. He\u2019s not afraid to go against what is acceptable. To him, what his grandmother didn\u2019t know\u2026 But I can keep secrets too, she didn\u2019t know the truth. And I never told him of our relationship, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf what you say is true, then you were rightfully Madame deMarigny\u2019s grandson. It doesn\u2019t make sense she would give you up only to go after a child who had no blood relation to her.\u201d Roy walked back to his desk and rested his hip, letter still in hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe got rid of me to spite Marie. She believed the lies that my mother was unfaithful to my father, and so, in her eyes there was no way I could be her grandson. And there was the DeVry, deMarigny feud. Jean, my father, had left for parts unknown, and there was no one but Marie for the woman to hate for daring to marry her son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, she coulda looked for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo her, I wasn\u2019t a deMarigny. You probably think she took Joe to strike back at Ben Cartwright for rescuing Marie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what we figured.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe really had nothing to do with it. Oh it\u2019s all been done in her name, but Eduard D\u2019Arcy is behind it all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I remember Ben saying his name, he was some kind of relation to Marie. So, how\u2019d you find out about Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTurns out young Joseph isn\u2019t the only one who has friends of his parents who kept an eye on him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? I mean, if he is your brother, you\u2019ve stuck by him for what, five years? For what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, at first it was an assignment. Over time, I came to genuinely consider him a friend. But after learning we were brothers and knowing the Madame\u2026\u201d Clay shook his head. \u201cThen there\u2019s also what I\u2019ve learned over the past three months, if it doesn\u2019t pan out, I can continue my friendship with Joe, but I don\u2019t want anything to do with Madame deMarigny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what have you learned?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cartwrights are being held in a Mexican prison.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Roy walked around his desk, pulled open the bottom drawer and extracted a bottle and two glasses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

That morning, Charlie Yeagle found the Ponderosa heir standing in the middle of the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, young fella.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you sleep last night?\u201d Charlie noted the bloodshot eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tossed and turned. Charlie, can I ask you something?\u201d Joe was surprised at his own familiarity with the hand, but it seemed natural. When the man nodded, \u201cWas there ever a furry black and white pony here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, that was Patches. He was your first mount. Ben bought him from a breeder in San Francisco. You two were quite the pair racing all over the yard and out on the Ponderosa riding between your brothers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore I came out west, the only horses I remember were all sleek and elegant, and solid colored. But last night, I had a dream.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe and the other old-timers are out with the weanling herd; keeps \u2018em young, and they keep the youngsters in line.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m beginning to think I am your \u2018Little Joe\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you are. You\u2019re the one who needs convincing.\u201d The two walked into the barn, \u201cWhen we heard you were coming, I thought this fella might suit your fancy. You do remember how to ride?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I remember. Sometimes it was the only way to get away from grand-m\u00e8re.\u201d Approaching the stabled black and white pinto, he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s his name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou always said you were going to name your horse, Cochise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCochise, a brave warrior.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, that\u2019s what you always said.\u201d Charlie smiled and left the barn whistling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe relished the time grooming his new horse, running his hands and the brushes over the coat and down the legs, eventually picking out the hooves. Back in New Orleans, he\u2019d bribed the stable master into showing him how to take care of his own horse, his grandmother\u2019s words that manual labor was beneath their station thrown to the wind. Murmuring soft words of no consequence, he lost track of time as memories swirled of a young boy and two older boys laughing, playing, riding their horses, and fishing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Joseph,\u201d Paul called from the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing to the back of the horse, Joseph returned the greeting and asked, \u201cIs it possible to lose one\u2019s mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d Paul asked, walking farther into the building. \u201cJoseph\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, I\u2019m not Joseph.\u201d The sure, confident young man of the day before had disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen who are you?\u201d Paul\u2019s heart plummeted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Joe, or if you prefer, I\u2019m Little Joe. I\u2019m remembering little pieces here and there. I asked Hop Sing a question last night and he told me what I said was Chinese. I asked Charlie about my first horse and then I told him what Cochise stood for. I\u2019ve been here less than twenty-four hours and there are so many memories . . . This place feels more like home than New Orleans ever did. It feels like heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201dThat\u2019s how Ben described the land; his piece of heaven on Earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s next? If I really am Little Joe Cartwright, what do I do next?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can accompany me down to Mexico to see if my sources are correct,\u201d was answered by the man entering the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClay! What are you doing here?!\u201d Joe excitedly greeted his friend. \u201cAnd what\u2019s with this, you look like\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes looked up and down the clothing his friend wore; they were nothing like the clothes the two had worn while in New Orleans. Before accompanying Roy to the Ponderosa, Clay had changed clothes in order to not draw attention to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike you should.\u201d Looking to the other gentleman in the barn, \u201cYou tell him everything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew?\u201d Joe queried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnough to keep an eye on you and help an old Army buddy out after you graduated from school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crestfallen, Joe asked, \u201cThen I was just an assignment?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you really were, and I hope still are, my friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Life returned to Joe\u2019s eyes, \u201cSo what\u2019s in Mexico, besides more of that pulque and pretty senoritas?\u201d Joe wrapped an arm across Clay\u2019s shoulders and began to lead him to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree Cartwrights being held prisoner.\u201d Clay sensed Joe pulling away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shocked, Joe stopped; with faint hope he asked, \u201cMy father and brothers?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on into the house, I\u2019m sure Hop Sing can fix us some breakfast and we can talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul looked to Roy, \u201cWho is he, and is he serious?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis name is Clay Stafford. I read his letter of introduction from Rodney myself. And as for being serious about what\u2019s in Mexico, that\u2019s what he\u2019s going to find out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut prison, all this time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould make sense why no one found anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curious about what happened after he\u2019d left, Roy inquired, \u201cHow\u2019d Joe do overnight?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I heard, not too bad; but not bad enough to need my services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNightmares?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot really nightmares, more like rude awakenings. Based on his actions so far this morning, I get the impression he\u2019s been remembering more from before he was taken away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he eventually remembers everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you think Ben\u2019s gonna react when he finds out what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather not be anywhere close to the Ponderosa when that happens.\u201d Looking to the still open front door, Roy offered, \u201cCome on, Hop Sing\u2019s breakfast smells good and I left town before I ate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

They had fled for their lives, heading south to get away from the Comancheros, only to be captured a week later. They thought salvation was imminent when they recognized the leader. The two older men stared at each other before Ben spoke, \u201cGunnar? Gunnar Borgstrom?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The man in Mexican styled clothing, wearing a sheep skin vest, a big sombrero, and carrying a lance, spoke with a distinctly Swedish accent as he slid from his black horse, \u201cI am Gunnar.\u201d Looking to the man clothed in dust-covered black, he asked, \u201dLittle Adam?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so little anymore, Uncle Gunnar.\u201d Adam struggled against those who restrained him.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you?\u201d he walked over to the largest of the three.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Hoss Cartwright.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBig friendly man, eh?\u201d Without warning, his right fist flashed across Hoss\u2019 chin. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Once the Comancheros released Hoss, tit for tat, the two fought. Blow after blow was exchanged between the two evenly matched men. The group howled in their twisted sense of humor as they encouraged the two combatants. Ben and Adam encouraged Hoss on as best they could. The two fought, giving everything they had to overpower the other. Eventually, both gave into their exhaustion, lying on the ground with chests heaving. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrother Gunnar?\u201d Ben had pleaded as Gunnar gained his feet.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am no brother to you! You are the one responsible for me losing everything!\u201d Gunnar declared. \u201cIf not for you, I would be rich!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben remembered their time in Illinois. \u201cWhat you tried was wrong. She didn\u2019t love McWorter.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t matter. A woman belongs to her husband, it says so in the bible.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of love?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLove? What is there to truly love but money? McWorter wanted the store! He was going to pay me a fortune; I could have gone anywhere, done anything!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe store belonged Inger.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I was her brother!\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

For a man who had just fought his own nephew to a draw, Gunnar was extremely agile and fast. Ben\u2019s head snapped sideways when Gunnar\u2019s fist connected; years of anger packed behind the punch.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Gunnar! NO!\u201d Adam screamed out while two men struggled to restrain him from breaking free to reach his family.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, he held up his hand and pointed; his words clipped in agitation. \u201cTo me, you are not family. My family died when I learned of Inger\u2019s death.\u201d His eyes strayed from Adam\u2019s face, down his taunt arms to his fisted hands and back again. \u201cYou may have grown up. You may think you can take me. But you are not man enough to outsmart or outfight me or my men.\u201d Shouting orders to his followers, he turned. \u201cTie them up and put them in the wagons!\u201d Turning to Vaca, he added, \u201cThey should make us a tidy profit. Maybe enough we retire from raiding? Eh?\u201d Shouting again, \u201cWe head south!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Captain Estefani Rodriguez looked out over the prison yard as the guards supervised the change of shifts working in the mine. He\u2019d been such a fool all those years ago. He should have known better than to gamble in a house that was not his own. His over-confidence and greed was the beginning of his downfall. He hadn\u2019t realized at the time, but the game had been rigged from the moment he had sat down at the table. The owner knew of the Rodriguez family and the reason behind their wealth. One last turn of the cards and he\u2019d lost control over the mine on his family\u2019s estancia to an American even more avaricious.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was nothing to conscript peons and American cowboys into the mines, but when a band of Comancheros brought forth three strong Americans they had captured in the desert, he contacted the new owner. He provided every detail he learned about the captives. He\u2019d expected an immediate response demanding their release. He feared involvement by the American army should he force them to labor. The reply he received was shocking, \u201cKeep them and make them suffer.\u201d He\u2019d paid the Comancheros five hundred American dollars apiece for the three, and added an extra one hundred to never have to deal with the rogues again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor over ten years, his orders were that these men suffer. Does he not realize that I lose productivity every time a worker is injured? Is it not enough that I must punish them for their disobedience?\u00a0\u00a0 Were I to even consider harming the father, I would lose what little control I have over the others?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From where he stood he thought on all that had begun to go wrong so many years before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it not enough that they mine his silver? For too long I have kept them here at his demands. He allows me to live as master over all yet I am as much a slave as the prisoners. I wish they had never been brought to me.\u201d Turning his back to the window, \u201cI wish I\u2019d never stepped foot in New Orleans. Eduard D\u2019Arcy is insane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cSo where do we begin?\u201d Joe asked after Clay explained all he knew of the three American prisoners being held in Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst we return to Virginia City and purchase you some new clothes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong\u2026\u201d Joe looked down to the frilly shirt he slipped into after waking. He\u2019d left the top three buttons unfastened; something he would never have contemplated had he still been in his grandmother\u2019s home. \u2018But if all this is true, she\u2019s not my grandmother.\u2019 Joe kept to himself. \u201cI guess I do stick out like a sore thumb.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWorse.\u201d Clay laughed at Joe\u2019s express before drinking from the coffee cup recently filled by Hop Sing. \u201cFrom our time in New Orleans, I know you can shoot. Did you bring your weapons?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy epees and my dueling pistols are in my trunk, as well as the revolver you gave me for my last birthday. But my trunk has yet to arrive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn epee won\u2019t do you any good where we\u2019re going, neither will your pistols; you\u2019ll need more than one shot if this rescue is to succeed. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll add a new revolver and a holster to our list. You can pay me back later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe has an account at the General Mercantile,\u201d Paul offered. \u201cHiram set it up yesterday before we rode out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good to know. Thank you doctor.\u201d Clay nodded to the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I notify the Army?\u201d Roy suggested. \u201cThey can be a big help,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow? They have no authority south of the Rio Grande,\u201d Clay stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho else are you taking?\u201d Paul asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one,\u201d Joe answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, the men who work the Ponderosa would do anything for your Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, they work for my father. Not me. They don\u2019t know me from\u2026 Adam.\u201d Joe half-heartedly grinned at his unintended pun. \u201cI won\u2019t risk their lives on a possible fool\u2019s errand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t consider rescuing your family a fool\u2019s errand,\u201d Paul retorted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor, I agree. But even Clay\u2019s contact isn\u2019t one hundred percent sure they are my family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Two days later, Clay and Joe left the Ponderosa yard riding two non-descript horses without any brand. An hour behind them Charlie Yeagle pulled out driving a wagon loaded with cooking supplies, provisions, and most of the rifles and ammunition from the Cartwrights\u2019 private collection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou watch after them boys,\u201d Roy stated, raising his hand to the man on the high bench seat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d Charlie rein slapped the team forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The large man growled, forcing the guard to step backwards through the entryway, even though he held a rifle on the pair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou lay a hand on him one more time and I swear, I\u2019ll break your neck like a toothpick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A second guard closed the metal door, twisting the key in the lock. The two uniformed men stared though the metal bars.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay Pa?\u201d He knelt next to his father, his concern evident.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will be son. Don\u2019t fret. Why don\u2019t you lie down and try to get some sleep?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t. You need to see a doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet it go, Hoss, let it go. I won\u2019t have you suffer another whipping, not on my account.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa I\u2019d take a hundred whippin\u2019s to spare you any more sufferin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Once in the confines of the mines, the guards removed the shackles attached to their ankles. With pickaxes or shovels, the prisoners moved deeper into the depths of the silver mine. For hours they toiled, striking and digging, lengthening the tunnel in their nightly quest for silver. The deeper they worked, the thinner the air they breathed. The damp air cooled their sweat-covered bodies.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Years of eating meager rations took a toll on a man\u2019s body. They were fed enough to ensure they could work, but once their shift was completed, they were too exhausted to do anything other than sleep.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Ten hours into their shift, Ben tripped and fell, yelling as he landed hard on his left side. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Without thought to his own well-being, Hoss pushed his way past the guard toying with the bullwhip and yelling for the prisoner to get up.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe cain\u2019t. Can\u2019t ya see he\u2019s hurt.\u201d Kneeling, he reached for his father, turning him to his back. Tears streaked down his grime-covered face at seeing Ben\u2019s pain.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet to work!\u201d another guard ordered.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa cain\u2019t! He needs ta see a doctor.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet to work or you\u2019ll feel my lash.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben weakly shouted, attempting to rise.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo son. Return to your work.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, ya need a doctor.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine son, go.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Once back in their cell, Ben relished lying on the pallet that served as his bed. As he had many times before, he regretted ever accepting the damned Army contract. As the years passed, he\u2019d been thankful that he had insisted his youngest son stay home. Even though the boy had been holding the cut for almost a year, a cattle drive was no place for a child of ten. Ten\u2026 by now Joseph would be\u2026 twenty? Twenty-one? The days, weeks, and months ultimately ran together. When he allowed his mind to drift, he wondered who was watching over Joseph, since his two eldest were as trapped as he. He looked up at the rattle from the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you care?\u201d Hoss snorted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, not now,\u201d Ben weakly warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs a doctor. Workin\u2019 down below in that dank air ain\u2019t good for a man his age. He shouldn\u2019t be workin\u2019 so hard to begin with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam asked, kneeling beside Ben, placing a hand to the older man\u2019s forehead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a fever, son. Just tired.\u201d Ben pushed away the hand of his eldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe tripped. I think he might have busted a rib or two when he landed on the ground.\u201d Grabbing Adam\u2019s arm, Hoss jerked him to stand, his anger extended through his grip. \u201cThe guards tried to thrash him to get him movin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to have to control that temper of yours.\u201d Adam\u2019s dark eyes steeled into his brother\u2019s blue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey ain\u2019t touchin\u2019 Pa again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see if I can get him transferred.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how can you do that?\u201d Hoss spat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can ask. That\u2019s the best I can do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou barely get your hands dirty while Pa and I work like slaves, fed hardly enough to keep up our strength.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, if I could be down here with you I would. I hate the fact that I\u2019m up there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa hate it so much that you don\u2019t cause no trouble to get sent back to workin\u2019 with us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, there are things I can\u2019t tell you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was surprised when Hoss\u2019 grip tightened. He resolved himself to not reveal the pain his brother created.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I cause any trouble, or don\u2019t do as they ask, they\u2019d kill you, and Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think that\u2019s worse than havin\u2019 to watch a proud man like Pa get treated as he has for the past, what\u2026 ten years?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re alive and together. And we have to think of Joe.\u201d Adam finally jerked his arm from his brother\u2019s grasp.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201dWhat good\u2019s that do? You tell me, Adam, what good\u2019s it do thinkin\u2019 of our little brother who\u2019s probably forgotten all about us.\u201d Hoss jabbed his brother in the chest, forcefully enough that Adam had to take a step backwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t think like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe forgot about you and most everything the two a ya done before you was gone to college. You\u2019d barely been back four months afore we set out on the cattle drive. It\u2019s been too long. Who\u2019s been there to read him letters we never get ta write?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Hop Sing and Paul are keeping our memories alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you really thinkin\u2019 they\u2019d a let Hop Sing keep Joe?\u201d Hoss shook his head in disbelief. \u201cHe\u2019s Chinese.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know he is,\u201d Adam spat back. More calmly he continued, \u201cI know he is, but Paul also has Pa\u2019s power of attorney.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLot a good that does us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it doesn\u2019t.\u201d Adam breathily answered. \u201cBut, I pray every night that if we\u2019ve been declared dead in absentia, that Paul was able to adopt Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two heard, \u201cCartwright!\u201d shouted from outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListen, I\u2019ll do my best to get the doctor down here to see Pa. I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour promises don\u2019t mean what they once did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I\u2019m sorry, Hoss. I really am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam left the foul smelling prison cell, leaving his family behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Adam lowered his eyes while approaching the man who waited for him. \u201cCaptain, I was just seeing to my family. I heard there had been\u2026 an incident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWalk with me.\u201d The Captain headed down the long corridor. \u201cI heard it was more than an incident. The guards reported your brother threatened two of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly because of how your man was treating our father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI warned you before. This time, your brother will be forced pay the consequences for his actions, again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam positioned himself in front of the Captain, compelling him to stop his forward progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo? You would be willing to take the lashing in his place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think you know the answer to that question.\u201d He prayed he sounded bolder than he felt. \u201cOur father is an old man. He fell. My brother feared he\u2019s broken a few ribs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he will be put out of his misery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO! Captain, he still has worth, value.\u201d Desperation tainted his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot if he can\u2019t work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen let me work in his place. Please. I beg you.\u201d Adam stepped aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd have the three of you together? It is too great a risk.\u201d The Captain resumed his walk towards the hacienda. Adam fell in beside the warden, walking sideways along the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen take my father to my quarters. He knows mines. He can finish the specifications on the new shaft while I work in his place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother must pay for his insolence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what of the lost productivity. Your man almost killed him the last time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will talk to him? Convince him of the error of his ways?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my father?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will take his place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy father will not be harmed? He will be treated by a doctor?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou Cartwrights are a stubborn lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018You have no idea,\u2019 Adam kept to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone must pay the price for this disobedience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFive lashes then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam resigned himself to accept the punishment, if only to spare his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The guards entered the darkened cell; two holding torches aloft while two others pointed rifles at Hoss. The last two entered the cramped quarters carrying a stretcher.<\/span><\/p>\n

Waking from a restless sleep, Hoss struggled to his feet. \u201cWhat\u2019re you doin\u2019? Where\u2019re you takin\u2019 my Pa?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam hurried into the cell, pushing his brother away from the rifles. \u201cEasy big guy. They\u2019re taking Pa to the infirmary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Hoss eased his posture, but still kept a wary eye on those who were moving Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the room was secure, and Hoss Cartwright contained, Captain Rodriguez entered the room. \u201cYour father will be treated accordingly for however long it takes for the doctor to say he is well enough to return to work. In the meantime, your brother will take your father\u2019s place in the mines.\u201d His eyes followed the still form of Ben Cartwright being carried from the room. \u201cBe thankful that your brother is the man he is, otherwise you would have received the punishment he accepted for your insubordination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The remaining guards and the Captain left, taking the light from the torches with them; the door clanged shut.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he mean you accepted my punishment?\u201d Hoss moved to stand in front of his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, you have to control your temper.\u201d Adam stepped around his brother and headed to the pallet where Ben had lain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not an answer. What\u2019d you do?\u201d A gentler hand turned Adam to face him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiguel has it in for you. Ever since you broke his jaw. I knew if you were to receive a lashing, he\u2019d kill you this time. The Captain charged me with your insubordination, and for that I received five lashes.\u201d Adam\u2019s strength was slowly dissolving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you didn\u2019t.\u201d Hoss\u2019 arm wrapped around his brother and helped lower him to the bedding. \u201cDid the doc treat you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat good would a lashing be if the fire is washed away with a painkiller?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re you supposed to work?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have two days to recover, and then I return to the mines with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Lying on his left side, Adam struggled to find a comfortable position in which to sleep. The marks across his back burned, even after Hoss had wiped them gently with his ration of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having been flogged once before had not prepared him for the fire or the nightmares that consigned his dreams. The memories were just as dark as the sky out the window; neither offered comfort in the hopes of a brighter day tomorrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before his wrists had been tied to the rings mortared into the wall, he\u2019d been allowed to remove his shirt revealing rippling muscles under his lash-marred skin. The warmth of the room was lost on his body; his skin prickle as the leather lash swished on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

He tried to block out the horrid memories, but older ones surfaced, one over the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss had gone down hard that day. During a cave-in, a beam had fallen trapping him as well as Ben deeper in the mine than Adam had been working. Adam scrambled across the pile of rocks and dirt, tearing his way into the mess to rescue his family. Within a few hours, the eldest Cartwright was easily located and pulled to safety. Lanterns held aloft shown on a head wound, further examination revealed broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. A few prisoners volunteered to carry the unconscious man out into the night time sky and fresh air; while others continued to dig to reach the largest and most-friendly of the family.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Six hours after the collapse, the unconscious body had been located. Two hours later, he\u2019d been extricated by a plan formulated by his brother to stabilize the criss-crossed beams. By the following morning, a doctor had set and treated the broken arm, femur, and bound his ribs.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting on the floor between the two cots where his family slept, he startled when his booted foot was kicked.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will rise in my presence.\u201d Captain Estafani Rodriguez, in full military attire stood tall, yet irritated at the American.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Coal dark eyes slowly traveled up to look the man in his face. \u201cI rise to no man; especially to one who doesn\u2019t care about his prisoners.\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a doctor on staff. That is not caring?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot when the need for the doctor could have been prevented.\u201d Wearily, Adam rose to his full height, proud and indignant. \u201cThere are ways of protecting the tunnels from collapse.\u201d Angered and blindly exhausted, blood-stained, bandaged hands grabbed the front of the man\u2019s lapels, pushing him across the aisle way, away from his family. \u201cYou bastard, you caused this!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The butt of a rifle collided with his skull, darkening his world.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam Cartwright fell to the floor.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChain him.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, for his first act of insubordination, he will receive five lashes.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Within an hour of regaining consciousness, positioned against the wall, he couldn\u2019t see the Captain nod. Gritting his teeth and shutting his eyes tightly, the lash struck diagonally, right shoulder to his lower left side. His biceps contracted, lengthening his torso as the pulled himself to the rings as the second lash sliced just below the first. His toes curled and his calves and thighs bulged, bending his knees in response to the third. His back arched at the fourth stroke.\u00a0\u00a0 Breathing deeply through his nose, he could no longer prevent the agonizing scream that ripped from his throat as the fifth and final lash crossed his back. On the periphery of his vision, he welcomed the expanding darkness, begging it to take him away. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Simultaneously, two guards cut the rawhide tethers binding his wrists. His arms fell freely to his side while his legs buckled. There was no response or grunt when he collapsed to the floor.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he awakens, bring him to my office.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot the mines?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wish to discuss how an American would prevent tunnels from collapsing.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The main drive in his life had been to protect his family. He mourned his failure when four months later he\u2019d been forced to watch Hoss being whipped for the very first time in response to a fight; a fight initiated when a guard had aggressively threatened Ben Cartwright.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had been restrained, arms tied behind his back and then to a ring in the wall, a gag through his mouth muffled his screams to stop the torture. His pleadings were muted under his brother\u2019s screams of agony as fifteen blows crossed his back before he lapsed into unconsciousness. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Even with a bandage wrapped around the guard\u2019s head, to keep the man\u2019s jaw in place, the man took great pleasure in his trade. Anger swirled in the man\u2019s eyes as he toyed with the whip before he finally sent the lash airborne. The lashing was vicious with little time allowed between each strike.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam remembered the agony of his own five lashes, he couldn\u2019t imagine receiving fifteen.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

The second time Hoss had been whipped had only been the year before.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe guards had them working in tunnels that had not been properly shored!\u201d he\u2019d argued.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you that we would install these new shoring timbers as fast as we could, but that I would not stop production until they were ready to be installed.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe guard struck a child.\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFifteen is old enough to be considered a man. He stole as a man would steal. He was sentenced as a man.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you so eager to feel the bite of the whip\u2026again?\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss had his reasons. He could never stand to see someone smaller than him abused, for any reason.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen this time, Miguel will be abusing someone much larger. I cannot let this go unpunished. I will not allow his actions to incite disobedience or rebellion. He will receive fifteen lashes, one for each punch inflicted.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNO!!\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Weeks had passed as Adam watched the doctor tend to his brother\u2019s torn flesh and battled the infection caused by dirt transferred into the wounds by the lash itself.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

When he\u2019d finally healed enough to return to the cells, a different Hoss Cartwright was greeted by his father; a man whose gentle spirit had finally been shattered.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna kill him if it\u2019s the last thing I do,\u201d Hoss mumbled as Ben slipped under Hoss\u2019 shoulder to help him across the floor to the pallet where he could sleep.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Jabs of a rifle to his back propelled Adam to leave his family.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Day broke. Adam bolted awake, an involuntary cry escaped at the sound of the door to their cell opening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRise and shine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Their first night out they\u2019d been surprised to hear, \u201cIn the camp!\u201d yelled from the darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d Clay called in response while Joe moved into the darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie Yeagle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The argument that ensued was epic. Any night-time creatures that might have been close had long since scampered away before anything was resolved. Charlie steadfastly refused to return to the Ponderosa no matter what the younger men threatened. Ultimately, Clay and Joe had no other option than to allow him to remain when the foreman revealed the provisions he brought, and the weapons hidden within a false bottom of the wagon.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After being on the trail for almost a month, the three Americans were finally close to their destination<\/span><\/p>\n

The friendship the youngest two had developed in New Orleans had matured on the trail. Gone was the carefree boy with time on his hands and cultured looks that turned the heads of women and girls alike. Early on Charlie had suggested that Joe follow Clay\u2019s lead by allowing nature to turn his looks scruffy.<\/span><\/p>\n

During their journey, Joe listened to everything that Clay and Charlie had to say, and took it to heart. His future depended on it. Joe had been successful in the few towns they had ventured into when needing to purchase additional supplies and to listen for news.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019d had to hide numerous times to avoid the roving bands of Comancheros as well as patrols by the Mexican army. Other instances, they\u2019d stayed longer in various towns, pretending to be saddle bums eager to keep away from the American law. They did what was necessary to prevent the authorities from becoming interested in their actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay ordered an early stop on what he\u2019d hoped to be their final night; the town was within a day\u2019s ride and they needed to finalize their plans. Not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they agreed to send Charlie on into the nearby town with orders to make contact with Victor Cataldi, one of Clay\u2019s sources, on their behalf. Charlie knew this was it; he\u2019d been allowed to come this far, and now, he was consigned to wait in town for word that it was safe to join them at the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it was just the two of them, Clay left Joe alone in camp while he went to bathe in a clear waterhole buried deep within the rock formation. He cursed when he re-entered camp; Joe dropped an almost empty bottle of pulque.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got any more of that plu\u2026 pull\u2026 rotgut?\u201d Joe\u2019s words slurred.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t\u2019 you think you\u2019ve had enough, Joseph?\u201d Clay asked, regretting he\u2019d let slip that he\u2019d brought the bottle. Striding to Joe, he steadied the young man before he fell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot Joseph.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe reached to retrieve the bottle Clay had taken from his hand. \u201cWant to drink to forget Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForget?\u201d Clay pushed him back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Falling to his bedroll, \u201cJoseph is a lie. Everyone I\u2019ve ever known has lied to me. My whole life is nothing but one big, fat lie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve had bad breaks, but you\u2019re not the only one. Don\u2019t let those liars change who you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just who am I? Huh?\u201d Intoxication was clearly talking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Why now of all nights?\u2019<\/em> Clay looked skyward. Aloud he spoke, \u201cYou are a man of conviction and courage. I think you\u2019re a man your father would be proud to call \u2018son\u2019. Otherwise, you wouldn\u2019t have rescued that small boy back in New Orleans, nor would you have taken a chance to travel to the Ponderosa. So what\u2019s a name? People change their names all the time, it doesn\u2019t change who they are.\u201d Kneeling over to where Joe lay sprawled. \u201cCome on buddy, let\u2019s get you under the covers and sleep this off. You\u2019re going to have one hell of a headache tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle buddy\u2026\u201d Joe mumbled. \u201cAdam used to call me Little Buddy.\u201d Joe\u2019s words quieted as sleep took possession.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKid, before you know it, deMarigny will be just a memory, a bad one, but a memory none the less. Soon, you\u2019ll be Joe Cartwright in the flesh and in heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

A gentle kick to his booted feet woke him. \u201cOh, my head.\u201d A hand went to the head covered in curly hair tousled every which way as it emerged from under his bedroll.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Clay handed him a steaming cup of coffee. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty where that came from.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you let me drink so much?\u201d Joe took the cup and a sip.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet you?\u201d Clay huffed. \u201cI was otherwise indisposed when you procured my bottle of pulque. And when I returned, you were having your own private pity party. Figured it might help you banish your demons. And now that you know how bad they are, you\u2019ll grow stronger because you never want to be that low again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like a big brother.\u201d Joe grinned lop-sidedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you sure ain\u2019t a big sister.\u201d Joe cackled at his joke. Slamming his eyes closed, he reach for his head; rubbing his temples in hopes of alleviating the increased pounding in his skull.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCheer up kid. You\u2019ll make it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Drinking almost half the cup, \u201cHow much longer before we get there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think you can sit a saddle, we should meet my contact later today. Charlie should have alerted him that we\u2019re here. Otherwise, we\u2019ll wait outside of town until tomorrow morning. You feel up to some breakfast?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe later, when I feel better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, before we head out, I strongly suggest you bathe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBathe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a bit ripe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe raised his arms and made a face. \u201cRipe isn\u2019t the word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tilting his head sideways, \u201cFollow the path around those rocks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Clay and Joe met their contact, Victor Cataldi, and followed him about an hour\u2019s ride from town. From where they laid along the edge of the sheer ridge, the sun was setting on the far side of the valley as they looked down to the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the El Fuego down there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how did you find out about the Americans?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a friend who delivers supplies. One day he happened in during a change of shifts. It is no secret the Federales bring false charges on the peons to force them to work, but he was shocked to find two gringos inside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s supposed to be three,\u201d Joe whispered, fearing one of his family was deceased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is. From what I\u2019ve found out, the third is kept up at the main house. He\u2019s the one who made the mines safer for the workers, so Captain Rodriguez can haul out more of his fortune in silver.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be the eldest son. He studied engineering while at college,\u201d Clay added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSo, how do we proceed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve it or not, Captain Rodriguez wants out.\u201d Victor admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWants out? What the hell does that mean?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRumor has it that he lost ownership of the mine years ago. He\u2019s as much a prisoner as his workers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d Joe queried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a small army of rebels who are eager to help end the horror of El Fuego. Rodriguez wishes to take his family back to Spain, he\u2019s agreed to leave one of the gates open for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a trap!\u201d Joe urgently whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not a trap. He\u2019s desperate to save his family. In exchange, we defeat his guards and rescue the workers, and your Americans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow many men comprise your army?\u201d Clay asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFifty-five.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow well armed are your men?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur weapons are old. We appreciate all the weapons that are hidden in Se\u0144or Charlie\u2019s wagon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of the guards? How many are they?\u201d Clay continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNumbers are on our side,\u201d Joe murmured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe strike day after tomorrow, at dawn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wait?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow is D\u00eda de la Independencia. The guards will be suffering hangovers after tomorrow night, making it easier for us to raid the next morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Under the cover of pre-dawn darkness, the small army invaded the prison and easily overpowered the first guards they encountered. That is until they reached the multi-roomed barracks within the compound. A cook\u2019s scream broke the quiet, waking a not so drunk guard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing furtive figures crouching along the hallway wall, the guard fired, catching one of the intruders in the back. As the man fell, simultaneously he twisted, pulling his pearl handled revolver and firing. He aimed, true center. The guard crumpled to the floor, blood soaked through the white undershirt over his heart. Shouts echoed inside and out, as the gunfire alerted and woke more guards. What had begun as a quiet revolution turned hostile as the guards began to defend the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two hours later, the last shot was fired. The small army had defeated those better-trained and better-equipped guards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe?\u201d Clay queried, coming up behind his friend who leaned heavily into the white adobe wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be alright. Just a crease.\u201d Pulling his hand away from his back to stand up straight, he attempted to wipe away the blood coating his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust a crease, my ass.\u201d Grabbing Joe\u2019s wrist, he pulled it away and reached to pull out the shirttail to investigate the damage inflicted. \u201cStop it. Let me look.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll the guards are accounted for.\u201d Another man previously introduce as Avery Ramirez called from the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of the Captain?\u201d Clay called back<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s missing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of the Americans?\u201d Joe winced when Clay continued to poke and prod.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur men are going through all the cells.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of the main house?\u201d Clay asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe guards were passed out, drunk. We found an older man in one of the upper rooms within the hacienda. He\u2019s got some broken ribs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see the doctor first,\u201d Clay argued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see him.\u201d Hard-set green eyes bore down on his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou come all this way to bleed out first? I don\u2019t think so. Let the doc patch you up and then you can see who he is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Excitement and adrenaline waned, Joe slipped from Clay\u2019s grasp. \u201cI don\u2019t feel so good.\u201d Sliding down to land on the slate floor, Joe\u2019s blood smeared the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long ago were you shot?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember exactly. May after we breached the barracks, when that cook screamed.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice weakened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it Joe, that was over ninety minutes ago. You could have bled out in that time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stuffed it,\u201d he mumbled, his eyes slipped closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, a lot of good that did you. Avery, go see if you can find the doc. I\u2019ll get Joe on the kitchen table.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Victor Cataldi entered the hallway and hurried to his friend when his companion went limp in his arms. \u201cHow bad?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Can\u2019t find an exit hole, so the bullet\u2019s still in him. Avery went for the doc.\u201d The two positioned an unconscious Joe on the table face down. \u201cHow many men did we lose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a one. A few bruises and scrapes, others will need stitches from close calls. Five others who didn\u2019t duck fast enough will need bullets removed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat of the prisoners? Were any of them killed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019m aware of. My men are bringing them all to the plaza.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Americans?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was still a shift underground. We pray those you seek will be there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A tall man, with hair graying at the temples, entered the kitchen, black bag in hand. \u201cI\u2019m the doctor, Alberto Martinez.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay replied, \u201cYou sure got here quick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was on my way out to check my patient when I encountered one of your men. What happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA revolution,\u201d Victor answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scowling, Clay spoke, directing the doctor to where Joe lay. \u201cThis man has a bullet in the back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me in there.\u201d He pushed aside the stranger; he ripped away the blood-soaked shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome, let the doctor do his work. We will search for the men you seek,\u201d Victor reached for Clay\u2019s arm to lead him from the room, not understanding the concern-painted face of his friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor, there is another man, an older man upstairs. His ribs are bound. I need you to look in on him too,\u201d Clay insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the patient I was coming to see. I\u2019ll look in on Mr. Cartwright when I\u2019m finished with this one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich Mr. Cartwright is he?\u201d Clay inquired, resisting Victor\u2019s tugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe father of the other two.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d breathe Clay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me now. I need to operate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on Clay.\u201d Victor pulled his friend from the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Entering the plaza, Clay was amazed to see the jubilant men, prisoners and rescuers alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

“El resto de los estadounidenses? Alguien ver dos estadounidenses?” Victor shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking for Americans!\u201d Clay repeated. \u201cAmericanos.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re Americans,\u201d called the largest of the last two men to exit the mine, helping to support another man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me your names,\u201d Clay demanded as he approached the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, Hoss Cartwright and this here\u2019s my brother Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe took five lashes three days ago. I tried to clean them\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay reached under the man\u2019s other arm, \u201cWe\u2019ve got a doctor up at the house. He\u2019s tending to\u2026 uh\u2026\u201d Clay wondered just what to say. The size of the two men startled him. He\u2019d expected these stepbrothers to be the same size as Joe. Now he debated whether to tell them that the wounded man was their youngest brother. He decided on the better part of valor; he\u2019d wait until everyone was taken care of then he could tell them the truth. \u201cOne of our men needed the doctor, he\u2019s removing a bullet. And after him, the doc was going to check on your father.\u201d He kept quiet the fact that there were others injured, they didn\u2019t need to know all the details, yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s alright?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave that for the doc to tell you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Moved from the kitchen table where his surgery had been performed to one of the bunks in the barracks, Joseph deMarigny\/Cartwright remained unconscious. The doctor had prayed as he had never prayed before that a patient would not wake while he performed surgery; his original trip was only to check on a patient. He had not been prepared for the aftermath of a revolution, even a small one as it was.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In the main house, Ben Cartwright sat propped up in the bed that had been Adam\u2019s, his ribs freshly bound and a hearty bowl of stew sat on the tray on his lap. Adam Cartwright sat straddling the straight back chair, arms resting across the top rail, grinning at the relief the doctor\u2019s ointment provided to his back. Hoss Cartwright sat at the foot of the bed, happy to be reunited with his father and brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing next to the window and leaning against the wall, Clay looked at the three men, wondering what they looked like before they had been taken captive. Haggard appearances and ill-kept beards barely hinted at their troubles. He knew his own appearance was not as neat or as tidy as he would prefer, but no one had yet had time to shave, let alone bathe, in the few hours since their rescue.<\/span><\/p>\n

The family listened as Clay related the events that precipitated their rescue. As he spoke, the one improvement he readily noticed were their eyes, no longer dull, but full of hope. Hoss whistled when Clay finally stopped speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t understand how you found out about our incarceration.\u201d Adam queried. His eyes focused on a problem his mind hadn\u2019t acknowledge. Even though his back was free of pain, his posture, using the chair to keep him upright, spoke of more than just exhaustion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust plain dumb luck, you could say,\u201d Clay answered, averting his eyes from Adam\u2019s intense stare. Absent-mindedly, he scratched at his bearded cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even know how or where to begin to thank you.\u201d Ben spoke, pushing the empty bowl aside. \u201cWe don\u2019t even know your name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStafford, Clay Stafford. I\u2019m a Pinkerton Man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Pinkertons knew we were here?\u201d Hoss\u2019s eyebrows rose, he twisted from facing his father to looking at their rescuer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly. My sources\u2026 they were working on a different case when they forwarded word to me of Americans possibly being held prisoner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless of how it came about, I thank God the nightmare is over,\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long before Pa can travel?\u201d Adam asked the doctor, who had finished examining Ben. The physician was pleased they all had eaten a hardy meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had my way, you\u2019d all stay here for two weeks, minimum.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta get home, doc!\u201d Hoss declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to get as far away from here as possible, as fast as possible,\u201d Adam voiced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll take him,\u201d Martinez pointed to Clay, \u201cthat long to make arrangements for horses and a wagon.\u201d Turning to close the bag containing his instruments, \u201cIf you\u2019ll pardon me, I need to check on my other patients over in the barracks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the physician left the room, Clay answered, \u201cWe could leave within a few hours if that\u2019s all it took.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The three Cartwrights looked to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Charlie Yeagle\u2019s back in town with a wagon and team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie\u2026 Charlie\u2019s here?\u201d Hoss excitedly asked. \u201cYa gotta tell us about the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben chastised, \u201cThat can wait. How many men from the Ponderosa came with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo answer your question Hoss, he is. Charlie and another fella came with me. My contact, Victor Rodriguez, already had all the men we needed when we arrived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one else came?\u201d Adam inquired, wondering just what had happened during their absence. He\u2019d picked up on Clay changing words as he spoke and little subconscious movements that indicated their benefactor was not being totally honest. But why? Had the Ponderosa fallen into disrepair or did someone else own it? He kept his thoughts to himself, no need to ruin the atmosphere of hope his family shared.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t\u2026 um\u2026.\u201d Again, how to tell them Joe was over in the barracks, injured. \u201cWe didn\u2019t want to risk their lives, unnecessarily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust who are you?\u201d Adam sat straighter in the chair. \u201cYou said Charlie and someone else came; what else haven\u2019t you told us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay shifted his stance against the wall, clearly uncomfortable with Adam\u2019s direct questioning. He\u2019d heard that Adam had been sharp; why wouldn\u2019t he, being a college graduate and all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am who I said.\u201d Clay pushed away from the wall, standing straight. \u201cMy name is Clay Stafford, a former soldier, and I\u2019m a Pinkerton man. And yes, there is more to tell. And you\u2019re probably not going to like what I have to say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam refused to look away from Clay, waiting for the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou facilitated our rescue, I don\u2019t\u2019 see how you could say anything\u2026\u201d Ben ventured to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about Joseph.\u201d Clay had their attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Shortshanks?\u201d Hoss stood from the bed where Ben rested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Clay replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell us about our brother. What about Little Joe?\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes darkened.<\/span><\/p>\n

The men turned at hearing the door open. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but one of my patients is most insistent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay didn\u2019t stop to excuse himself; he walked through the doorway, pulling the door to, but not closed<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers looked to their father at hearing the quiet argument in the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Clay hissed. \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be asleep over in the barracks. How\u2019d you manage to get over here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the questions, Joe answered, \u201cI have to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going to be fine. Better than you\u2019ll be if you don\u2019t follow the doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to tell him.\u201d The doctor shrugged his shoulders, and crossed his arms over his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that taking a bullet out of your back didn\u2019t cure your stubbornness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Joe leaned heavily against the wall. \u201cTake me in there. I need to know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t told them you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure they won\u2019t kill me when they realize the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep them from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not trying to.\u201d Recognizing he had no choice, \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cEver since I received that letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wrapping an arm around the bare chested Joe\u2019s waist and careful of his wound, he helped his unknowing brother into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone watched while Clay assisted the young man into the room and saw him settled into a chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI cain\u2019t believe ya\u2019s in here talkin\u2019 with us when yer brother\u2019s been shot.\u201d Hoss spoke first. He walked to the bureau and poured a glass of water, handing it to the young man who\u2019d just joined them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of breath from his exertions, Joe answered, \u201cI\u2019m not his brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure look enough alike to be brothers.\u201d Adam replied looking at the two.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben stared at the two strangers, their appearances so similar; scruffy, recently grown beards. Their hands spoke of an easy life, not callused or cracked from years working outside. Their postures spoke of pride. But there was something more, a face he\u2019d not seen in a long, long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnlike you three who are brothers?\u201d Clay voice dripped with sarcasm. He inhaled sharply, that\u2019s not how he\u2019d wanted to reunite the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam arched his eyebrows. Hoss sat down hard on the bed. Ben stared. The men looked to each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShortshanks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, \u201cI remember that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what I was trying to tell you,\u201d Clay offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben whispered. He looked into the young man\u2019s pain-filled green eyes, the eyes he hadn\u2019t seen in over a decade; a young man, no longer a child. \u201cSo like Marie, your eyes.\u201d Looking to their rescuer and remembering what his older sons had said, he looked from one to the other. \u201cAnd so are yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to answer, Clay returned to lean against the wall, arms crossed. He had not bargained for that. He\u2019d wanted more time to get to know his family before they ever found out about his relationship to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking the resemblance was uncanny, Ben leaned forward on the bed before questioning Clay further, \u201cMarie said you were dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Clay hung his head. \u201cShe didn\u2019t know the truth, sir.\u201d His resolve broke, he walked to stand by the man who could have been his stepfather, had the past been different. He wondered, if he had he been raised as a member of the family would he have been on the cattle drive? How would he have coped?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClay?\u201d Joe queried. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The newest brother turned to the youngest, \u201cRodney knew I had an ulterior motive when it came to keeping an eye on you, he just didn\u2019t know what it was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat what was?\u201d Joe again asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs your family already figured out\u2026 I\u2019m your brother, too. Only, you and I, we shared the same mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t remember you.\u201d Joe looked to those around the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t grow up out west. As I told you, I was adopted and grew up in New Orleans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you be my brother? You\u2019re supposed to be my friend! You lied!\u201d Joe attempted to stand; his hand strayed to his back. A groan slipped out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy little brother,\u201d all three brothers chorused at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Joe.\u201d Ben reached forward, patting his hand on the edge of the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Hoss\u2019 help, Joe settled near his father. \u201cI don\u2019t remember your hair being so gray.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben pulled Joe into a hug; a mixture of happy and sad tears streamed down his face. Pushing Joe back so he could take another look, \u201cYou grew up.\u201d He swept his son\u2019s long bangs back from his face. \u201cAnd you found each other. How?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a rather long story,\u201d Clay answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we have plenty of time for you to tell us. We\u2019re a long way from home,\u201d Adam stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wiping his eyes dry, Joe looked to his brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSir,\u201d Clay interrupted, \u201cif you don\u2019t mind, Joe really needs to get back to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t argue Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d Joe lowered his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can talk later, once the doctor says you\u2019re better,\u201d Ben answered, patting his son\u2019s hand. Yes, a hand that has had an easy life. How has he been raised? What contribution has he made to the Ponderosa? Did he become one of those land barons who never dares work alongside his men?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes were barely open by the time Hoss had settled him in a bed just down the hall from his family. \u201cYou sleep tight, Shortshanks. I\u2019m gonna sit right here and keep watch over ya. I ain\u2019t lettin\u2019 ya outa my sight.\u201d Hoss pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The estancia had quieted several hours earlier. Sitting up and pulling his legs underneath himself, Adam stood. With his father peacefully sleeping, he wanted to slip across the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing beside the bed, Adam paused as he looked down on the sleeping figure. So much time had been lost; the little boy he remembered was gone, replaced by this young man. Reaching to his brother\u2019s forehead, he swept aside the curly bangs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI missed so much while away at college and now look at you. You\u2019re grown. Once you get all that scruff and dirt off your face, I wonder how innocent you\u2019ll look.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout as good as you, I figure.\u201d Hoss sat up and stretched his arms wide. \u201cAin\u2019t it somethin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe he\u2019s here. After all these years.\u201d Adam pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cOur little brother was the one who rescued us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget about Clay.\u201d Hoss inhaled deeply. \u201cDo you really believe Clay\u2019s Joe\u2019s brother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I didn\u2019t know that Joe was Joe, I could see the relationship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey look so much alike, but now…\u201d Adam lowered himself to sit on the bed. \u201cI guess I just want back the little brother I knew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and me both.\u201d Hoss stretched. \u201cBut is Clay really family?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa believes it.\u201d Adam sat at the head of the bed. \u201cI remember overhearing Marie telling Pa something after Joe was born. She had been pregnant when she was married to Jean, only the baby died of fever a few days later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019d tell a new mama her baby died when he didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I remember from Jean, and Marie; the deMarigny family is a very old family. They lived by the code, and it\u2019s not uncommon for family feuds to be carried down through generations. I wouldn\u2019t put it past any of them to have been so against Jean and Marie marrying. Jean told us how he\u2019d come home to find another man in bed with his wife. That\u2019s when he left her and came out west.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI cain\u2019t believe Mama would do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe claims she didn\u2019t.\u201d Adam reached over to Hoss. \u201cAs I said, people would do things in the name of the code. Marie hated that life. It drove her husband away and she was forced to work for her cousin, Eduard D\u2019Arcy. It\u2019s not a pretty way of life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t sound much like it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cListen, morning comes early. Pa\u2019s sleeping. Why don\u2019t you get some sleep yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d Hoss stood to leave the room, stopped at the door. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hoss lowered his head and whispered, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean it. What I said the other day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForget it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t. I had no business doubting you, sayin\u2019 what I said. Yer my brother, I shoulda trusted ya done what ya needed to ta keep us safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but it\u2019s good to hear you say it. Go get some sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The door closed behind him. Adam remained in bed, leaning against the headboard. He took a moment to enjoy stretching his legs out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should get some sleep yourself,\u201d Joe mumbled, only partially awake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake?\u201d Adam moved closer. \u201cYou need something for pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNa, I\u2019m fine.\u201d Green eyes sparkled in the low light provided by the nearby lantern, Joe pushed the cover down. \u201cThis is a change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a change?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou coming to sleep in my bed.\u201d Wiping his sleepy eyes. \u201cI remember nights, crawling into your bed to sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now I\u2019m sitting here on yours.\u201d Adam gave a brief laugh. \u201cListen, the doctor will be mad at me if you don\u2019t get back to sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, Joe\u2019s eyes drooped closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Doctor Martinez looked at the six clean-shaved and freshly bathed men sitting around the kitchen table. Charlie Yeagle had journeyed to the prison the night before, after the doctor had handed him a letter written by Clay. The strength these men possessed was like none he had ever encountered before. There was no weak link here, each one strengthened the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t acknowledge his presence; they continued to speak of actions needed to ensure the former prisoners were returned to their families. Or what to do if the men wished to continue to work the silver mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam was the first to notice the physician standing just inside the doorway, shaking his head. \u201cWhen can we head home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said yesterday, if I had my way, it wouldn\u2019t be for another few weeks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would be more inclined to let you travel sooner if I knew you\u2019d follow my instructions to the letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019cha talkin\u2019 about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that Mr. Yeagle here has a wagon at his disposal.\u201d The doctor hoped these men would follow his orders, if only to see themselves home faster.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrought it from the Ponderosa,\u201d Charlie answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, three of you will not be allowed to ride anywhere other than the back of the heavily bedded wagon.\u201d Holding up his hand to prevent their protestation. \u201cBen, your ribs are healing, but shouldn\u2019t be exposed to bouncing on a horse. Adam, your back muscles won\u2019t be able to sit you upright long enough to get you home if you rode. And Joseph, even though the gunshot wound missed anything vital, your back muscles also were damaged.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so they ride in the wagon,\u201d Clay agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more. You\u2019ll not be allowed to travel more than four hours at any one time, and only eight hours in any one day. A minimum two hours rest will be observed between the times you do travel. When you stop, Charlie and Clay will examine your wounds, making sure the bandages are still snug and no bleeding has occurred.\u201d He looked directly at Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can live with that,\u201d Ben stared at his youngest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust wait, there\u2019s more he ain\u2019t said,\u201d Joe mumbled under his breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, the ointment will be administered to your back three times daily, when you wake, during your mid-day break, and when you stop for the night. And Joe, after seven more days, the ointment can be applied to your wound as well. I\u2019d prefer your incision heals first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait for it,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs for Hoss, I\u2019ll be sending sleeping powders with him to give to all three of you every night until your own physician has had the opportunity to examine you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTold ya.\u201d Joe leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first ten days you will give them the dosage I prescribe, and after than it can be cut back. But believe me, this aid will be necessary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy give \u2018em sleepin\u2019 powders? Won\u2019t they be tired after all our travelin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, sometimes when a body is in the beginning stages of healing, exhaustion is apparent, but the body is just too tired. This is why I would prefer you to wait. But learning about this family\u2019s stubbornness, I\u2019m agreeing to let you travel. These are my terms, take it or stay here for two weeks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctor Martinez looked at each man until they nodded their heads in agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Hoss?\u201d Joe finally asked, trying to divert attention from him, being the last to agree.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen you limping. And you\u2019re a string bean from what I remember. I mean, in my dreams, you were always big.\u201d Joe held his arms out to demonstrate.<\/span><\/p>\n

A little of the old Adam answered, \u201cWhile we were growing up, I never thought I\u2019d see you so svelte.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSvelte, I\u2019m all muscle,\u201d Hoss boasted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t the physician when Hoss\u2019 leg was originally broke. I fear my predecessor didn\u2019t properly set the bones. It is possible that when you get home, you could investigate the possibility of surgery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurgery?\u201d Hoss sputtered, his eyes showed fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t recommend it anytime soon. But there are doctors in San Francisco who might be able to re-break your leg and properly set it. However, you need to have at least six months of proper nutrition, eating healthy foods \u2013 all three of you.\u201d He pointed to Ben, Adam, and Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Hop Sing can fatten ya up when we get home,\u201d Joe stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFatten?\u201d Hoss blustered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were always big for your age,\u201d Adam droned.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe cackled loudly, stopped short and reached for his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben laid a comforting hand on his youngest son\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking his father in the eye, \u201cI\u2019ll be fine. And I\u2019ll agree to the doctor\u2019s sentence if only to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The doctor had long left to return to town; satisfied that all his patients were being properly cared for. Charlie, Clay, Hoss and Adam were bedding down the back of the wagon in preparation for returning home. From two chairs on the porch, Ben and Joe watched.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYes Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry for what?\u201d Ben eyed his youngest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForgetting?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForgetting? What did you forget?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike Clay said, it\u2019s a long story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben grew concerned. \u201cDo you want to talk about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou do know I\u2019d never judge you for what happened or didn\u2019t happen while we were separated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but\u2026 I guess it just seems easier if I were to tell you when we\u2019re back home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHome,\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes softened; an image from long ago came to mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~The End<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Notes:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Characters used within this story were borrowed from the episodes noted below:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clay Stafford from The First Born \u2013 written by Judy George and George W. George<\/span><\/p>\n

Eduard D\u2019Arcy from Marie, My Love \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence and Ann Howard Bailey<\/span><\/p>\n

Gunnar Borgstrom from The Last Viking \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspector Charles Leduque from The Stranger \u2013 written by Oliver Crawford and Leonard Heideman<\/span><\/p>\n

Madame deMarigny from Marie, My Love \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence and Ann Howard Bailey<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Characters referenced within this story were taken from the episodes noted blow:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Elizabeth, Elizabeth, My Love \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

Inger from Inger, My Love \u2013 written by Frank Cleaver, David Dortort, and Anthony Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

Marie, from Marie, My Love \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence and Ann Howard Bailey<\/span><\/p>\n

Marius d\u2019Angerville \u2013 from Marie, My Love – written by Anthony Lawrence and Ann Howard Bailey<\/span><\/p>\n

McWorter from Inger, My Love \u2013 written by Frank Cleaver, David Dortort, and Anthony Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaca from The Last Viking \u2013 written by Anthony Lawrence<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags: Adam Cartwright, Angst, Ben Cartwright, Clay Stafford, comancheros, Gunnar Borgstrom, Hoss Cartwright, hostage, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, Letter, New Orleans, prison, revenge<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Joe is summoned to the Ponderosa for a matter pertaining to an inheritance. Curiously, the letter and recent events in his life reveal his dissatisfaction, and thrust him on a journey of discovery.<\/p>\n

Rating: T (16,980 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,7,23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-a-u","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2607,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-9.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1740,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1740","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":0},"title":"The Letter (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"April 20, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Hoss has a very important message to impart.\u00a0 A missing scene from The Stillness Within.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K (775 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Hossb.jpg?fit=444%2C339&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39438,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=39438","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":1},"title":"The Art Contest (by fanofoldtvshows)","author":"Fanofoldtvshows","date":"August 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hop Sing enters an art contest to benefit a family in\u00a0 need. Rated: K+ Word Count: 1940","rel":"","context":"In "Writing Challenges"","block_context":{"text":"Writing Challenges","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=40"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ponderosa-Paddlewheel-boat.jpg?fit=225%2C225&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":46841,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46841","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":2},"title":"The First Day of Spring (by Adamfan16)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 6, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0This is an expanded Bonanza Bit I did this spring, to the title prompt. Adam deals with homesickness while away at college. Rating:\u00a0 G Words:\u00a0 550","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50008,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50008","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":3},"title":"Hope in a Dimming World (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Roy Coffee, faced with losing a job he loves, must learn to prepare for the future with Joe Cartwright's help. References to the episodes \"The Stillness Within\" and \"No Less a Man.\" Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a02,970 words Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","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\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3685,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3685","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":4},"title":"My Hero (by Meg)","author":"Meg","date":"September 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Little Joe is given an assignment to write about who his hero is. And surprises everyone when he reveals who he wrote about \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (2,355 words) Amelia Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/bonanza2.jpg?fit=720%2C475&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":12458,"position":5},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. 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