{"id":12669,"date":"2008-07-13T19:52:12","date_gmt":"2008-07-13T23:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12669"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:12:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:12:23","slug":"a-perspective-of-one-by-calim11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12669","title":{"rendered":"A Perspective of One (by Calim11)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>What Happened In Between and What Happened Next for the \u201cHonor of Cochise\u201d<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+ (8,170 words)<\/p>\n

A great big thank you to mamse5. Feedback is appreciated<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Perspective of One<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re almost home and I don\u2019t mind telling you I was stiff and sore. Hard riding through hard scrabble country was not good on my back or other parts I don\u2019t particularly wish to mention. And it was hot. Oh, no, I said that out loud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a matter, Adam?\u201d came from Joe as I winced. \u201cGettin\u2019 old on us?\u201d I gave him a simpering smile. \u201cCan\u2019t take the heat anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt just seems hotter this September than last,\u201d was all I said as he started to giggle. I sighed and went back to unsaddling Sport, leaning over to drop my saddle only to find I had a hell of a time standing back up. Fortunately Joe didn\u2019t see me or I\u2019m sure he would\u2019ve provided me with another aged comment. I really didn\u2019t want to hear the first, let alone another. I just wanted to sit down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My back aside, my stomach was telling me it was time to eat and I could smell Hop Sing\u2019s stew clear over here. Looking up I saw my brother, Hoss, bending over Pa, trying like the devil to get his hands on the ladle Pa was using to stir our scrumptious meal but Pa wouldn\u2019t budge. He just kept stirring and tasting away, much to the worry of my bigger brother until he finally wrested the ladle from him. It made me smile. That man loves to eat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to fill up the canteens,\u201d I told them and started out thinking we probably should\u2019ve camped closer to water so I wouldn\u2019t have to walk so far in this heat when a distant sound filled the air. It was vague at first, like an echo of something else, and we all peered over the rocks into the brown landscape to see if we could pinpoint where it was coming from. After a few moments, we saw it \u2013 two men on horseback riding hell-bent with a group of Indians hot on their tail. Gunfire was exchanged and one man fell, leaving the other to race on and finally pull up his sweat-splattered horse and fall into our arms, telling us Indians were coming. No kidding! We could all see them and they didn\u2019t look happy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Canteens forgotten, I grabbed my rifle and ran toward Hoss, both of us keeping an eye on the approaching enemy while Pa and Joe took care of the man. He was a cavalry officer, a Captain, covered in dust and grime, telling us his name was Moss Johnson and it was Cochise who was chasing him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cochise? What was Cochise doing this far from Arizona territory?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnson gave us a fair explanation and I could tell by the look on Pa\u2019s face that he was bound and determined to protect this man. Well, there goes my idea of sitting down anytime soon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We had nothing to go on but what the Captain told us, but I sure wanted to know why Cochise was chasing him, why he\u2019d left Arizona. Seemed like an awfully dumb thing to do since that meant the government would be chasing them down, parking them back on a reservation and continue destroying their way of life. Johnson must\u2019ve done something horrendous to make Cochise leave his people and chase after him all this way. It made sense . . . but it just didn\u2019t make sense.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just as that thought drifted through my head, a voice piped up identifying himself as Cochise and he told us what he planned to do \u2013 kill Johnson and anyone who protected him. A shiver ran through me. I can only guess what the others felt. My stomach sounded again but this time it had nothing to do with hunger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It had been far too quiet, the next few hours dragging by, and everyone was on edge. I fingered the canteens, knowing my father and brothers needed water just as much as Johnson. He kept calling out for it like we had a magic spring, and I debated with myself — water wasn\u2019t that far away and, if I hurried and kept low, I knew I could fill at least two canteens before I could be spotted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Apparently the heat and dehydration had gotten to me because I forgot one of the most important rules when dealing with Indians — they\u2019re like shadows, whether it be the full light of day or the darkest of night — and I thought I could outsmart them. This would go down as one of the dumbest things I\u2019ve ever done, more in line with something Joe might do when he gets riled. Even after all these years, I still can\u2019t believe I did that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling the familiar handle of my pistol to make sure it was resting free in its holster, I slipped out of camp, crouching near a tree to survey the lay of the land. I should\u2019ve turned back then, but being that I\u2019m pig-headed, continued on to jump into a small gully to hide behind some dead bushes and clumps of scrub. The water just beyond that lone tree sparkled and that\u2019s all I could see. Moving out of the gully, I hesitated briefly near that tree then headed out, moving quickly across an open patch, my goal within my grasp.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thinking on the sweet water that would soon touch my hands and coat my throat, I failed to see the smoke rising up out of a bush directly in front of me, failed to see it until I felt the bullet slam into me. It knocked me flat — my hat going one way, canteens the other — and all I could think of was how stupid could you be, Cartwright!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I hit the ground hard, dazed and unable to do more than make a feeble attempt at trying to move before my body gave up and I fell back, the sun shining down upon me. So this was how it was going to end — I would either fry under the burning sun or those Indians would come and scalp me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Appreciating neither of those choices, I decided it wasn\u2019t proper to just give up. I had to do something. So with one last final push, I managed to pull my shoulder from the rocky ground and roll onto my side. The problem. . . I rolled onto my left side and the agony that tore through me, moved through my gut and up through my chest with persistent accuracy, ending with a blinding show of lights in my head. I cried out, I\u2019m sure, and rode that wave of pain right into the dark that dropped upon me like a ton of bricks, leaving me with a wisp of a thought as I flopped back onto the dirt of how sorry I was Pa would have to live with the fact that he had a stupid son who seemed to have forgotten everything he\u2019d ever learned in the space of a second.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Damn water!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Sound was the first thing that returned, vaguely echoing back from somewhere else. Gunshots I could identify, and they were coming from where I didn\u2019t know and going too I had no idea, but I was pretty sure I was the target. It was then I felt a hand on my arm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

What are you doing?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019re going to be shot!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course those words were in my head because I couldn\u2019t get anything to work. I didn\u2019t want to have someone else\u2019s death on my head, especially my brother\u2019s, \u2018cause this had to be Hoss. He could lift anything and he\u2019d carted me around a time or two. My death was bad enough. I couldn\u2019t be the reason Hoss followed after me.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Leave me be!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Save yourself!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But there was nothing I could do but listen to my own screams of pain in my head as I was lifted and moved, then just as quickly found myself lying flat on the ground again. The jostling around seemed to bring me closer to consciousness, however, for I managed to peek through my lashes to see Pa bending over me, concern and fear all over his face. Well, I\u2019d put it there and I was mad at myself and would\u2019ve apologized immediately if I could\u2019ve gotten anything else out besides a long and loud piercing groan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son,\u201d came from Pa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

No it\u2019s not!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEverything\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Man, that hurt! I must\u2019ve been gut shot. Oh, I knew what that meant — I was going to die a slow horrible death unless they could get me out of here and home to Paul Martin, and I knew that wasn\u2019t possible, what with Cochise camped out a stone\u2019s throw away just waiting for another stupid action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Damn! I so wanted to see the world and now that was out of the question. Of course, I suppose a specter could see more of the world than an earth-bound soul but I wasn\u2019t really ready to test that theory. Not yet anyway. I planned on hanging on as long as I could \u2018cause I didn\u2019t want to worry my father and brothers. Although, if I thought on it, I\u2019d already done that. . . done that in spades.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa gave me comforting words as he pulled open my shirt, trying not to grimace at the sight as \u2018sorry\u2019 sat on the tip of my tongue. I almost had the word, almost had all the letters gathered and ready to state to the world when he pressed down to still the rapid flow of blood escaping, and an excruciating wall of red hot pain tossed the word to the side. My eyes shot open and latched onto Pa\u2019s and I had a vague idea that I could use the pain to stay awake. I could help. I knew I could, even just laying here on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Give me a rifle!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll defend everyone to the end!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But it was a false hope and I could feel my body already betraying me as Pa\u2019s face began to waver. There was no way I could put out any sort of intelligible words, let alone hold a rifle, and found myself wrapping a hand about Pa\u2019s ankle as another spasm shot through me and I cried out again into the darkness that was slowly surrounding me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, son,\u201d came his garbled voice as I sank lower into the depths, barely feeling my other hand being squeezed. I tried to return it but everything was going and scrambling after it was useless. \u201cAdam?\u201d was the last thing I heard for awhile as his gentle voice dispersed before me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After that awareness kept fading in and out, words floated around my head and once in awhile, I had the wherewithal to open my eyes to see worried faces and feel gentle hands upon me. Once, I seem to remember cool water rolling into my mouth and reveled in its wetness for I was so thirsty, had been since we first arrived.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How had they gotten water? <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I hope none of them had been hurt!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once, voices came to me and I knew Hoss was mad \u2018cause his words and tone were measured and deep. I so wanted to see who was getting the butt end of my big brother\u2019s anger but again I was just aimlessly wandering on a sea of pain and alternating numbness where everything was just gray and thick. It was so very easy to fall back into it and let everything slide away, let it keep the pain at bay for as long as possible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t recommend taking this route just to sit down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It seemed to last forever, that gummy feeling when you sleep too long, when all of a sudden gone were the gentle touches to be replaced with rough hands, and I cried out at the sudden sharp pain that rocketed through my gut, forcing me to open dry eyes. Hoss was there above me, serving someone with an intense glare; I felt my hand being clutched, and moved a lazy glance over to see Joe, noting the worry on his face as he too stared intently at someone else. Deciding I\u2019d better know to whom they were throwing daggers, I peered over, noting a stranger dressed in Army blue and wondered if this was the same man who\u2019d run pell-mell into our camp just yest . . . or whenever that happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d the stranger said when he noticed me watching him. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to probe for the bullet and it\u2019s going to hurt. I\u2019ve given you a shot of morphine but it may take a moment to kick in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Narrowing eyes at the man, I watched him pick up something and lean over me. I felt his touch, felt the pressure.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Aren\u2019t you going to WAIT!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t need anymore pain, thank you very much, than what had already taken up residence in my body and I tried to get my mouth to work. I must\u2019ve moved some \u2018cause Hoss was suddenly leaning over me, placing a large hand on my shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I can still feel him! <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Apparently none of that came out into the air, for Hoss just smiled down at me then stuffed something soft into my mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere ya go, big brother,\u201d he said, the sound of his voice thick and warped, \u201cin case ya need ta bite down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My thoughts were slow and my ears were taking longer to process what everyone was saying because before I knew it, I was very thankful for whatever was in my mouth, because without it I\u2019d have bitten right through my lip. Fortunately, fate intervened and I blacked out moments later, which I completely recommend at a time like this. The last thing remembered were Hoss and Joe\u2019s hands in mine. It was like a tether keeping me in this one place and for that I was grateful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next thing I knew the sun seemed to be in a different position and the surrounding landscape was bouncing by.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A wagon?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Where\u2019d the wagon come from?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Time had little or no meaning at that point; I could\u2019ve been asleep for a month and never known it but for the presence of the soldier sitting quietly next to me. It was then I noticed arms encircling me, keeping me propped up. It had to be Pa. I\u2019d been in this position a time or two before and would recognize my father\u2019s loving embrace anywhere. I must\u2019ve moved or made some sort of sound for I felt him shift behind me then soft words came at me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re on our way home, son,\u201d he said in that soothing voice of his which always makes me feel good no matter how awful I really feel. \u201cWe should be there by nightfall and you can rest in your own bed instead of the hard ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My own bed. That sounded nice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do I feel? Well, I feel a little loopy. That must be the morphine \u2018cause I can only feel a little pain that stabs at me at the most inopportune time and not much of anything else. I may have said fine, which is my stock answer, but I\u2019m not sure. He didn\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be all right. You just rest now. Close your eyes and the next thing you know we\u2019ll be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m in my 30\u2019s and having my father tell me to close my eyes would normally be met with a laugh, but this time, I couldn\u2019t think of anything better and let them slide shut as the rolling of the wagon lulled me back to sleep where I dreamed of Hoss yelling at people and Joe with extremely long hair, both dressed up like Indians. I\u2019ve no idea what any of it meant and didn\u2019t really want to know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It was as Pa said \u2013 I was in my own bed \u2013 but this time what woke me wasn\u2019t the bouncing of a wagon or Hoss yelling at someone but an incredible raw torture arcing through my entire body like fire to make me howl at its intensity. I was sure I was being torn in two, laid open right here in my own bed to end my days as two halves and not a whole. And above all that I felt rancid bile moving rapidly up my throat and knew I didn\u2019t have enough energy to stop it. And so up it came into a ready bowl there to catch it as it flew.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God, that hurts! Don\u2019t ever do that when you have a stomach wound. It\u2019s like the world is exploding and it\u2019s all inside your own body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAhhhhh!\u201d came out of me as my fingers clutched onto the nearest someone for dear life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSsh, ssh. It\u2019s all right,\u201d I heard my father say as another wave of nausea claimed me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . hurts . . ,\u201d I stuttered as I finished, curling into myself, feeling a full body sweat take me over as Pa held on tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d came a new voice, Paul Martin\u2019s voice, pushing a feeling of hopefulness through me.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s here.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019ll fix me.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was then I realized Paul was the one I had a death grip on and pried open gooey eyes to look at him. He smiled at me and patted my shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat Army doctor did a fine job of retrieving the bullet,\u201d he explained, \u201cbut I\u2019m guessing he missed some tears inside. That\u2019s what\u2019s causing all the pain and nausea.\u201d I tried to follow the meaning of his words but it took everything I had not to scream out in one long continuous yowl. \u201cI\u2019m going to have to operate again, fix what he missed. Feel up to it?\u201d he asked with an expectant look on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d was the first thing out of my mouth, the word erupting on a gasp as I rode the latest wave of pain that scorched through me along with another bout of nausea. But as I rolled back into Pa\u2019s arms, I saw his pallid face filled with worry and fear. I guess it all came down to how much I trusted Paul. I already knew that answer. \u201cYesssss.\u201d I sounded like a snake, hissing out the word on an escaping breath, taking notice that the pain appeared to be ebbing . . . at least for the moment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul nodded and peeled my hand from his leg as Pa grabbed it in his own, as my respite was short lived and another wave consumed me. Trying to keep everything inside was impossible and tears streamed down my face. This was all my fault. I had no one to blame but myself and the misery I was currently going through was testament to my own stupidity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . sorry . . . Pa . . ,\u201d I croaked between great gulps of air, finally able to speak that word aloud, that word I\u2019d been trying to express since this all began.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of all the things I do in life, I don\u2019t ever want to purposefully worry my father. He\u2019s got enough to worry about with Joe, whose hair trigger temper has gotten him into more trouble throughout the years. I closed my eyes against the anxiety on his face then heard his deep voice close to my ear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever are you sorry for, son?\u201d he asked quietly. Looking at him, I was uncertain how he could ask a question like that when evidence of what I was sorry for was staring him in the face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . this . . ,\u201d was all I could muster as I cringed again at another spasm starting up and held on tighter. I was sure I was going to break his hand but he kept in there, kept hanging on just like he always did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSsh, now, son,\u201d came the answer as he ran a hand through my hair to rest on my cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI shouldn\u2019t have . . . shouldn\u2019t\u2019ve gone . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be the first to tell you that I never expected that of you, but there\u2019s nothing to be sorry for. I trust that Paul will set you right. You\u2019re going to be fine. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I looked at him, looked at the man I\u2019d loved all my life, the one who\u2019d never lied to me and always took care of me no matter what. I nodded. I really just wanted a hug, which was odd. I hadn\u2019t needed nor really wanted one in years, but just then, as he looked at me with love pouring over me, I just wanted a hug.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I must\u2019ve said something – I don\u2019t remember – because the next thing I knew he\u2019d wrapped me up in his arms and I held on. So lost in that hug, I never felt Paul give me a shot nor realized the pain was slowly leeching away. Of course, I never remembered falling asleep either. I only remembered that hug.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Being lost in the infinite void of sleep can be tormenting.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Why can\u2019t I wake up?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How long have I been asleep?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Did I die?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You get caught up, unable to escape back to reality and merely have to endure. And that\u2019s where I found myself because I simply wasn\u2019t strong enough to do much else. And into this void where I floated were vague references to voices, and with voices came words but I couldn\u2019t understand them. Oh, once in awhile what sounded like a word would seep through, but mostly it was just noise that batted about my head making it ache.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t even know how long it lasted — I\u2019d lost track of time again — but it seemed as if an eternity passed before the noise began to subside and I could hear more plainly, even though I wasn\u2019t actually awake. I could recognize their voices now \u2013 Pa, Hoss, Joe, Hop Sing and Paul. . . \u00a0I even remember hearing Roy at one point and they talked of all sorts of things \u2013 our history, our life together out here in the wilderness, their love for me and each other. It was quite calming even though I was still racked with constant ripples of pain that came up one side and down the other. It was something I couldn\u2019t get away from and had to settle with trying to avoid if possible. When that didn\u2019t work, I clenched my jaw and waited for it to come like a crouching tiger I\u2019d seen in a book one time, waiting to pounce on the pain as it raised its barbed head. I didn\u2019t have much luck in the beginning but then I got sneaky (Joe would\u2019ve been proud) and pretended I was asleep then grabbed it and shook it until it faltered and, eventually, became manageable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Again, I had no idea how long that lasted, that perpetual fight against the monster inside me, but it wore me out, and when that happened, I found I could finally relax some and sleep, a deep healing sleep without dreams, without that sharp edged flame that had so consumed my life of late. It was heaven and I took full advantage of it. When I recognized Hoss\u2019 voice asking me if I was \u2018gonna sleep forever\u2019, it occurred to me that I should at least make an effort to prove him wrong and forced open heavy lids.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, lookee there,\u201d Hoss said with a huge smile on his face, his hand wrapped about mine, squeezing the dickens out of it. \u201cI didn\u2019t think ya was gonna sleep forever. I knew ya\u2019d wanna wake up \u2018cause the leaves should be a-changin\u2019 soon and ya know how much ya like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Did he say leaves?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaves?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I furrowed my brow and opened my mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that, big brother?\u201d Hoss said, leaning in a bit closer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . leaves . . ?\u201d I finally forced out, my voice betraying the weakness that ran through me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss frowned a bit then seemed to let it go. \u201cYep. They\u2019s startin\u2019 over on Dawson\u2019s Ridge and there\u2019s a definite chill in the air. Ya know what that means. Autumn\u2019s a-comin\u2019. Ya gotta get back on yer feet so\u2019s you and me can go on our annual turkey hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Turkey?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

My God! How long have I been in bed?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . how . . . how long?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had to lean in even closer just to hear me. I was so hoping that our annual turkey expedition wasn\u2019t around the corner because I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d be sitting up any time soon, let alone stalking a turkey through the woods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long ya been in bed? Or how long \u2018til the turkey hunt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . both . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s see,\u201d he said tapping his chin. \u201cWe got ya home, and then about four days after that ya took a turn and Paul had ta go back in. Ya\u2019ve been in and out since then, and that was a little over two weeks now. October\u2019s just next week, and ya know autumn usually gets tucked in there closer ta November. Ya\u2019ll be up and ornery as ever afore then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you say so, because right now I was having a hard time breathing, let alone thinking. \u201c. . . two weeks,\u201d was all I could say. It seemed like yesterday I was doing a dumb thing. Two weeks. That could be a lifetime.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I must\u2019ve had that look I get when I worry, the one where Joe tells me if I keep it up my face might just stay that way, because I felt Hoss touch my arm the way he does to give comfort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ya fret now. Two weeks or three weeks or even a month don\u2019t matter none as long as ya get better. \u2018Sides everyone\u2019ll be so jealous that they missed this great event.\u201d There go my brows again. \u201cYa opened yer eyes and I was the one ta see it,\u201d he explained with a wide smile on his happy face. I attempted one of my own, wondering how I\u2019d been so blessed with such a wonderful brother. And then I remembered something else, something about Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . you . . .\u201d I began slowly wincing slightly at a small jagged pain. \u201c. . . you were . . . mad.\u201d I guess I wasn\u2019t being very clear since his smile changed to a questioning look. I tried again. \u201c. . . heard your . . . voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A frown appeared immediately followed by a scowl. \u201cThat Captain Johnson riled me,\u201d came his terse answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d I really wanted to know, even though I wasn\u2019t sure I\u2019d remember it later. Actually, I needed to know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe killed them Indians, Adam. Cochise\u2019s people,\u201d he began, looking down at the bedspread. \u201cHe poisoned them and seemed ta think it was all right since they was just Indians. Both Joe and I wanted ta give \u2018im up but Pa wouldn\u2019t let us. Said we had ta protect \u2018im all the while you was layin\u2019 there bleedin\u2019 ta death. It rankled.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Poisoned? Well, I was going to have to ask again once my head cleared up because that just didn\u2019t sound right. Why would a US Army officer poison Indians? I mean did he have orders to do that? Didn\u2019t seem right to me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Ya still with me? Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . hmm . . ?\u201d I mumbled then blinked a few times, my brother\u2019s friendly face fading in and out in front of me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNever ya mind. Get some more sleep. I\u2019m sure somebody\u2019ll be here when ya open them purty eyes again.\u201d He smiled at me then as I fell into sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And he was right. Each time when I woke, someone was there, didn\u2019t matter what time of day or night. It gave me comfort to know I was so loved. It\u2019s not that I didn\u2019t know it before; it\u2019s just nice to see it put into action every so often. I still felt bad, though. I\u2019d put those worried faces into place, added a bit of heartache to my family that didn\u2019t need it. But they never made me feel bad about it — always uplifting in their tone and manner. God, I love \u2018em with all my heart. I hope they know that. I should just tell them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maybe after a nap.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Dreams are great things, for it\u2019s a nice easy way to forget, to float in the infinite darkness without a care in the world, having great adventures or sweet silences. Of course, if you have nightmares, well, I\u2019d rather be anywhere else. My nightmares, when I have them, are usually doozies, and when I\u2019m medicated, they get worse. And this one took the prize, with a rampaging Hoss strangling Johnson as Indians fell down in death throes about them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And it was into this that Hop Sing strode, trying desperately to wake me up, and, despite the fact that I still didn\u2019t have enough strength to raise a finger, I practically threw him across the room with me going right along with him. Both of us ended up on the floor in a heap, with me puking and bleeding all over him. It was a mess, and if I\u2019d been more aware, I would\u2019ve been properly embarrassed but Hop Sing didn\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course, Hop Sing never seems to mind. Oh, sure, he gets upset if we start missing his meals and threatens to go back to China quite a few times during the year, but he never gets further than the yard before someone runs after him and begs him to stay. I\u2019ve seen him smile more than once as he headed back to his domain while we all promised him whatever he wanted. I love that man. He\u2019s like a second father to me and we\u2019d be lost without him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But now he might be having second thoughts about tending me since we\u2019re both laying in puke and blood and none of it\u2019s his . . . well, except for that split lip I gave him when my head hit his face. And I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have a black eye, too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . sorry,\u201d I whispered as he tried to roll me off him. I couldn\u2019t help and he gave up. Fortunately, we both heard hasty footfalls in the hall, then three gasps, one right after the other, as the door shot open. If I\u2019d been feeling better, I would\u2019ve laughed. Instead, I just echoed Hop Sing\u2019s reaction and grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the devil?!\u201d I heard Pa say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, older brother,\u201d Hoss softly said, carefully easing me off Hop Sing, his foot slipping (in what I didn\u2019t want to know) and down he went with me in his lap. The jarring didn\u2019t do me any good and I let out a startled yelp and fell back against him. \u201cSorry, Adam,\u201d he said over and over until I managed to pat his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . s-okay. Don\u2019t . . . worry.\u201d I opened exhausted eyes and centered them on Pa as he knelt before me, a hint of a smile crossing his anxious face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a mess, young man,\u201d he informed me, like I didn\u2019t already know that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe have nightmare,\u201d Hop Sing explained as Joe helped him to his feet. \u201cI try to wake. Drop me to floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . sorry,\u201d I whispered again, suddenly lightheaded. Must be because I\u2019m bleeding (I can feel its hot wetness oozing toward my nether regions) or the fact that this is the first time I\u2019ve been upright in three weeks. I must\u2019ve had a look, that look you get before you throw up, because Pa jumped out of the way as I let loose again to decorate the floor once more.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

God, that still hurts!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now I really was a mess. Why can\u2019t I just pass out and wake up nice and clean? No, that would be too easy, so instead I got to experience the rolling waves of knife-wielding pain my retching caused as it moved up and down my side, then across my stomach and back again. I felt like I was going to puke again but there wasn\u2019t anything left and quickly thought of something else until the sensation passed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s shiverin\u2019 somethin\u2019 awful, Pa,\u201d I heard Hoss say as my eyes closed and my head fell against his shoulder. I didn\u2019t even have the energy to pretend to help as they stripped and cleaned me up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I may not have had the strength to help but my mind was clearing up and it occurred to me that I hadn\u2019t thrown up since Paul told me the Army doctor had missed something. Could it be the same thing? Did Paul miss something? No, Paul took his time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maybe it was the constant pain then, a pain that was always there, whether buried in the background or not. Of course, tossing myself off the bed couldn\u2019t have helped. Stitches ripped, insides flung about . . . I just didn\u2019t have the capacity for worrying at this time; it simply took too much effort and there was nothing to be done anyway except sit there and take it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d came Pa\u2019s voice as if floating on a breeze. I\u2019d almost fallen asleep leaning against Hoss and didn\u2019t even know it. This was becoming tedious. Trying to focus, I saw him smile at me, that kind, soft smile he gives us when one of us is sick. \u201cFeel like taking another crack at going to bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, because that was about all I could do at that moment, Pa lifted me up and Hoss pushed from behind, both of them maneuvering me onto the side of the bed. Joe slipped a clean nightshirt over my head just as a harsh stab lanced through me making me double over, Pa holding on so I wouldn\u2019t have a close encounter with the floor again. My hand moved straight to my wound and the blood collected on my bandages and I sighed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Great.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys go get cleaned up for supper,\u201d Pa informed my brothers as Hop Sing neared with clean bandages and a bowl of warm water. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of him. Go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYa sure, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked, worry plastered across his face as Pa slipped in behind me to lean against the headboard, pulling me close.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure. Go ahead. I\u2019ll be down after he\u2019s settled.\u201d I watched my brothers leave, watched them as they hesitated at the door, their vacancy filled with Hop Sing\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe change dressing,\u201d Hop Sing smiled. I grimaced at his fat lip and bruising face then again as Pa pulled off the current bloodied bandage and quickly inspected my wound for damage, Hop Sing cleaning my hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure know how to ding yourself up,\u201d Pa said under a breath. I gave him a low chuckle then tensed up as he carefully cleaned the wound, tsking me as he worked. \u201cI see some pulled stitches. No telling what\u2019s going on inside.\u201d I took the gentle chastising with nary a comment. That should\u2019ve raised a brow or two.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe no feel good,\u201d Hop Sing filled in as he looked toward Pa. \u201cOr he singe ear with words.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d A hand clamped itself over my forehead. \u201cHe\u2019s a bit warm but he\u2019s been pretty active this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I hate it when they talk about me when I\u2019m in<\/u><\/em> the room but I still remained silent storing up whatever energy I could . . . for what I didn\u2019t know but I was sure I could come up with something.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI make tea. Settle stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing hurried out and Pa finished tying off the new bandages by himself. He then poured some bad tasting medicine into a spoon and plopped it into my mouth before I could resist, then rested me against him, leaning his cheek against my head. When I\u2019m sick or hurt or just plain tired, I really like it when he does that. It makes me feel as if nothing in the world can harm me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou really scared me out there, you know,\u201d he began in a low voice. \u201cGoing for water. What a fool thing to do. I\u2019d expect that from Joe but not from my level-headed boy. And then he goes and carries you back. And to think that that Captain Johnson wasn\u2019t even worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe carried me back?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

With those scrawny arms?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But then I remembered what Hoss told me. \u201cDid he . . .\u201d I began, noticing the medicine was already starting to take effect as the pain began to ebb slightly. Being that was a bonus, the alternate came in the form of making it harder to get my question out. But I\u2019ve always been determined, and I\u2019d been saving my energy. \u201cDid he really . . . poison . . . those Indians?\u201d I felt him stiffen behind me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he did. He asked them to come for a peace talk and Cochise brought his people \u2013 men, women and children \u2013 and he poisoned them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d I asked, appalled that an Army officer would stoop so low.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he had orders,\u201d Pa spat. \u201cOrders that he couldn\u2019t see were wrong and so killed all those unsuspecting people. It was disgraceful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My, God. How could that be true?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019d want him dead, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wished you were awake so I could talk with you, so you could help me make my decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . you . . . fine . . .\u201d\u00a0 It was muffled, my response, for my tongue felt like it was three times bigger than it had been just a few moments before. And I was feeling much warmer now that I was wrapped in my father\u2019s arms causing my eyes to slip shut on me. Oh, Hop Sing better get here quick or I won\u2019t be awake to drink his tea and he\u2019s going to be mad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour brothers were all for handing him over but I wouldn\u2019t let them. I\u2019ve not seen Hoss that upset in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave tea,\u201d came Hop Sing\u2019s voice, the nearness of it startling me awake. \u201cDrink. Feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I meant to lift my hand, thought I had, but Pa grabbed the mug and held it to my mouth. I sipped at it and felt the magic work as it moved through me, keeping my roiling stomach in its place and making it even harder to stay awake. I only managed a few more sips before the overpowering urge to sleep took me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSave for later,\u201d drifted over me as if from a great distance intermixed with Pa\u2019s heartbeat close to my ear, and in a last moment of lucidity, was extremely thankful I hadn\u2019t been awake when all that fuss with Captain Johnson was going on. I\u2019m afraid I might\u2019ve disappointed my father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I might\u2019ve sided with my brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d I asked Joe as he rummaged through my books. He stopped in mid-reach and didn\u2019t say anything. \u201cI can see you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be asleep,\u201d he admonished without turning around. \u201cSo you don\u2019t actually see me.\u201d Unfortunately, I couldn\u2019t stop the laugh and was immediately sorry. Clutching at my side, Joe was suddenly there holding onto me. \u201cSorry I made you laugh,\u201d he said as I began to relax and he eased me back onto my pillows.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good . . . to laugh. It reminds me of times when . . . when everything didn\u2019t hurt,\u201d I said as my racing heart slowed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at me. \u201cHow\u2019re you feeling? Any better?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSome,\u201d came my answer as I rubbed my eyes. \u201cI actually sat up today without puking or falling out of bed.\u201d Fortunately, that hadn\u2019t happened again for over a week. I was definitely on the mend. It was just so damn slow! \u201cAt this rate, I should be on my feet by the early 1900\u2019s.\u201d Joe chuckled and moved to the chair by the bed, resting a found book on his lap. \u201cWhat do you have there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His eyes dropped and he gave me a small smile. \u201cSitting here watching you sleep is really boring so I thought I\u2019d take up reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your dime novels?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, those . . . well, I don\u2019t have any new ones and I thought I\u2019d just borrow one of yours. You always said I could, as long as I took care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Joe. I was just curious which one you were taking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGulliver\u2019s Travels.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I smiled. That had always been Joe\u2019s favorite as a kid.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo tell me,\u201d I began looking directly at him. \u201cDo I need to lose weight?\u201d The question caught him off guard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hear tell you picked me up and carried me back to camp. Thought you were too scrawny for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cScrawny?!\u201d I smiled at his indignant look. \u201cI should\u2019ve just left ya there, let you make your own way back with all those Indians shooting. Insults me after I save his hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow he thanks me. Did he then? No. Too busy moaning and groaning and worrying everybody.\u201d My smile slowly faltered as I thought back on how stupid it was and how I\u2019d put not only myself but my little brother\u2019s life in danger as well. Joe quickly grabbed my hand. \u201cI\u2019d do it again in a heartbeat, brother,\u201d he told me and knew he meant it. I squeezed back and smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to repay the favor someday.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll hold you to it,\u201d he gave me. \u201cI, ah, I wanted to ask you something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked at me, those piercing green eyes boring into me. \u201cAh, you know about what Johnson did right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d I answered, my own face wearing a look of disgust.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, do you think Pa should\u2019ve handed Johnson over to Cochise? Hoss and I wanted too but he wouldn\u2019t let us. Something about never being able to sleep peacefully again if we did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou probably wouldn\u2019t have slept very well once Cochise got done with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he deserved it. What he did. . .\u201d I saw him shiver. \u201cHorrible.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I thought on it. Cochise had welcomed Johnson to his tribe with his offering of food and was willing to hear him out, and Johnson betrayed him. I knew how I would feel if that happened to my family. No law would keep me from hunting down those bastards and they\u2019d have to shoot me to stop me. But Cochise wanted to listen \u2013 that was a step in the right direction and Johnson destroyed what could\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How had Pa gotten Cochise to listen after that? I grinned inwardly. Pa used the same tactic on him he used on us. Persistence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think Pa did the right thing, Joe, but. . .\u201d I trailed off, having lost his attention as he looked away. I squeezed his hand and he looked back. \u201cBut it would\u2019ve been difficult for me not to turn him over.\u201d Attention regained as Joe\u2019s face registered his surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou? You would\u2019ve turned him over?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not saying I would\u2019ve, just that I would\u2019ve thought long and hard about it. What Johnson did was reprehensible. Cochise was willing to listen and Johnson took advantage. No wonder neither of us can get along with the other — there\u2019s no trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s always gonna be like that,\u201d Joe answered with a nod. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a shame, too, \u2018cause Cochise is an honorable man. He had us in his hands, Adam, had us dead to rights, and let us go. . . he let Pa go get help. Even after everything Johnson did, he let us go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good man, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think that\u2019ll do him any good?\u201d Joe asked and I spoke without thinking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I could already see what was coming. The white man wanted everything and the Indians were in the way. If they couldn\u2019t kill them all, then they\u2019d corral them onto reservations and break them. It was disgraceful and there didn\u2019t seem to be anything any of us could do about it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem so sure,\u201d Joe said as I nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I wish it wasn\u2019t so but I see no other way. There are more Captain Johnson\u2019s out there, in and out of the Army, than Ben Cartwright\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we could just do what we can for the Indians around here, continue to help them like we\u2019ve always done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so, at least until they\u2019re railroaded onto a reservation. It\u2019s a shame really. We\u2019re losing so much when we strip their culture from them. They could teach us many things, especially in medicine and how to live off the land, and yet we push it aside as if it doesn\u2019t mean anything. I hope I live to see the day when we finally understand all that we\u2019ve lost and the Indian regains its place in society, but I fear that\u2019ll be far after you and I are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I felt sad, sad for the loss of a people and their culture, sad for what the world would lose, and sad for all those people who just had nothing but hate for the Indian. I moved to get more comfortable and a flash of fire pierced me and a loud gasp escaped, and suddenly I found Joe literally by my side holding me as I doubled over. The pain slowly passed and I smiled up at him, seeing the worry present and quickly grabbed his arm to feel those muscles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTold you I wasn\u2019t scrawny anymore,\u201d he gave me with a smile then helped me to lie back down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMust be all those . . . beers you lift every time we go to town,\u201d I said trying to get comfortable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was thinkin\u2019 it was all those girls I lift up onto the sidewalk when the street\u2019s muddy. Can\u2019t seem to stay away from me,\u201d he giggled. I smiled at him then plowed a pillow into his face. \u201cYou\u2019re getting slow, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He just giggled some more then stuffed the pillow back in my face and stood to leave stopping suddenly near the door. \u201cHop Sing\u2019s comin\u2019,\u201d came his quick whisper. \u201cClose your eyes. You\u2019re supposed to be taking a nap.\u201d Joe plopped himself back into the chair and opened the book as I partially shut my eyes to keep a look out on the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hear talking,\u201d Hop Sing whispered loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was reading to older brother,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe need sleep. Read to self.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYessir.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I watched Hop Sing curtly nod his head then quietly leave followed by a Joe giggle. \u201cYou got me in trouble,\u201d he whispered and I couldn\u2019t help but laugh then realized my mistake as I had to curl into the wash of burning pain, feeling Joe\u2019s hand on my arm. Suddenly, Hop Sing was there, fading black eye and everything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I said to him as he peered into my sweaty face. \u201cI was just . . . just laughing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat so funny you lying in bed? Little Joe make you laugh? He leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. I just had a . . .\u00a0 a funny thought that\u2019s all,\u201d I said patting his hand. His face softened and he patted me back. \u201cI\u2019m fine . . . really.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou sleep. Sleep best thing. I make nice pudding for dinna. Docta Paul say you can eat that but no meat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYessir,\u201d I answered starting to feel a bit drowsy despite myself. \u201cThank you, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d he asked as I smiled up at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor everything,\u201d I answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was the truth. The man was everything to me and I knew my brothers felt the same. I was just so glad he was here. He smiled back and kissed my head. He hadn\u2019t done that since I was a boy and it just felt good.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In fact, despite the flashes of pain I still felt and the dizzy spells and that when I finally managed to find my feet I couldn\u2019t stand up straight, I was feeling better. And the fact that I was truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of people about me didn\u2019t hurt either.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I likened my feelings for my family to those of the Indians and especially Cochise. Here was a man who loved his family, his tribe and would\u2019ve ridden into hell to kill the man who\u2019d destroyed it. He was no different than any of us. I hoped I would get to meet him someday under better circumstances, like I\u2019m actually awake, because it would be an honor to shake his hand and to stand in his presence. I\u2019m sure we could all learn a thing or twelve from him if only he was given a chance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I sighed then and closed my eyes as sleep came at me. A few more weeks of lazing around and I should be on my feet in time for our annual turkey hunt. I may move slowly and be a little bent, but I\u2019d be alive, with no thanks for myself but all the thanks in the world to my little brother and an Indian who trusted my father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For that I give a great many thanks over and over again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 What Happened In Between and What Happened Next for the \u201cHonor of Cochise\u201d<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+ (8,170 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":14045,"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":[23,61,13],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-missing-scene","category-whn","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-61-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2317,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ETG-14.jpg?fit=687%2C544&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12135,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12135","url_meta":{"origin":12669,"position":0},"title":"Prelude to Rebirth (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":12669,"position":1},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7619,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7619","url_meta":{"origin":12669,"position":2},"title":"Big Ears, Big Fears (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Little Joe listens and learns. Rated:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01035","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Young-Mike.jpg?fit=217%2C239&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":12669,"position":3},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. 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Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","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\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49274,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49274","url_meta":{"origin":12669,"position":5},"title":"Little Joe’s Island (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0Little Joe has another crazy dream. All the Cartwrights and Hop Sing are aboard the Dixie I when it is shipwrecked. [It is a comedy parody which combines Bonanza and Gilligan's Island]. There's even a song you can sing along :-) Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0Words: 1730","rel":"","context":"In "Crossover"","block_context":{"text":"Crossover","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=24"},"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":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12669\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14045"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}