{"id":12862,"date":"2002-07-03T20:36:15","date_gmt":"2002-07-04T00:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12862"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:49","slug":"kick-like-a-mule-by-gwynne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12862","title":{"rendered":"Kicks Like a Mule (by Gwynne)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>A seriously injured Adam must deal with the urgent need to get the ranch ready for winter, and try to solve a domestic mystery while coping with insistent pain that immobilizes and distracts him.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (21,700 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kicks Like a Mule<\/strong><\/p>\n

CHAPTER I
\nIt was a pure accident \u2013 one of those things that happen sometimes on a working ranch no matter how much care and caution is taken.<\/p>\n

There was a load of fence posts to bring in from the hickory grove above the area they called Blue Rock Canyon.\u00a0 Two men from the timber crew had been out there all week cutting and shaping.\u00a0 The posts were sawn, trimmed and sized.\u00a0 All that remained was to bring them in to dry on racks under cover for the winter.\u00a0 They would be ready for the inevitable spring repairs after the snows melted and the rains softened the ground.<\/p>\n

Adam led out the wheel team of mules from the barn.\u00a0 Smoke and Shadow by name, they were big, stout and still young \u2013 glossy black with creamy beige noses and long, alert ears.\u00a0 They were the first pair of a four-in-hand hitch he was harnessing to the lumber wagon.\u00a0 Their pulling gear shone with polished leather and brass studs.\u00a0 He crossed the yard between them with a hand on each bridle.\u00a0 They snuffled and pranced a little, excited by the nip of fall in the air and the activity around them.\u00a0 They eyed the high, solid lumber wagon suspiciously and balked momentarily when Adam positioned them to back along the tongue.<\/p>\n

Adam took a moment to pat their stout necks and speak softly but firmly to them.\u00a0 \u201cCome on you lop eared offspring of the orneriest jack we ever had on the place.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get uppity with me; back your butts on in there.\u00a0 Back.\u00a0 Back.\u201d\u00a0 Steadied by the familiar, friendly tone and accustomed command, they yielded to the pressure on their bits and backed into place.<\/p>\n

Adam moved to the rear of the near mule, running a hand along his back and flank as he went so the animal would know where he was and not be startled.\u00a0 He was leaning in to hook the wheeler\u2019s trace chains to the singletree when Hoss called to him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, looka here what Stretch just found.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and straightened to look in his brother\u2019s direction.\u00a0 It probably saved his life.<\/p>\n

Over at the barn a new hand, a city fellow recently come to the Territory and hired for a few days work to get the place ready for cold weather, replaced damaged or rotting boards and packed cracks with thick mud and moss.\u00a0 He discovered a gray, papery mass wedged close up under the overhang of the barn roof.\u00a0 Ignorant of its nature, he found a heavy rake and hit it hard to dislodge it.\u00a0\u00a0 A swarm of angry wasps erupted from their ruined home and scattered across the yard like bullets.<\/p>\n

Violently attacking any and everything in sight, one stung the near mule viciously on the rump, and the animal lashed out with both iron shod hind hooves.\u00a0 Had Adam been bending over they would have connected with his head.\u00a0 As it was, they slammed into his right hip and thigh, lifted him from the ground and threw him into the solid oak wagon body.\u00a0 He dropped in a motionless heap; the team shook themselves violently and trotted off to the barn with traces dragging.\u00a0 Unmoving on the ground and half under the wagon, Adam was ignored by the wasps.<\/p>\n

Confusion reigned in the ranch yard.\u00a0 Hoss saw his brother go down and shouted with alarm.\u00a0 Wranglers scattered in all directions, and one young hand jumped in the horse trough and submerged after being stung three times.\u00a0 Horses bucked and broke their ties to gallop for the shelter of the trees.\u00a0 The cowboys flailed their arms and waved their hats wildly.\u00a0 The wasps finally took themselves off to seek out a safer lodging, and Hoss, with his father\u2019s help, got Adam up and inside.<\/p>\n

They put him on the sofa.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing brought cold cloths, and Joe held a jar of smelling salts close under his nose.\u00a0 He came awake with a cough, a deep groan and a strangled curse, struggling to roll off of his injured side.\u00a0 He looked up at the worried faces of his family gathered around him and would have laughed at their harried expressions if he hadn\u2019t hurt so much.\u00a0 His right hip and thigh throbbed with every heartbeat.\u00a0 The pain was acute and relentless, much like a deep burn, and his left shoulder ached where he had hit the wagon.\u00a0 A thin stream of blood trickled from a graze on his cheek.<\/p>\n

Reinforced with a large shot of strong brandy and his father\u2019s steadying hand on his shoulder, he let them cut away the torn and muddied leg of his britches to reveal the damage beneath.\u00a0 The flesh was crushed and torn, the two hoof prints deeply indented.\u00a0 Already swollen and beginning to discolor it almost seemed to pulse with pain.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes widened in shock.\u00a0 Adam registered his expression.\u00a0 \u201cThat bad, Pa?\u201d he asked through clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nasty, son.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen a worse bruise or one that colored up so fast.\u00a0 I know you don\u2019t much want to, but I think you\u2019d better try to move your leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam understood the need to know if anything was broken; the only way to find out was to try to move the limb.\u00a0 Ben gripped both his boy\u2019s hands hard and held his eyes in a gaze that poured strength and caring into his soul.\u00a0 Adam sucked in one deep breath and flexed his knee and hip.\u00a0 It was agony, but it moved, and there was no feel or sound of bone grating on shattered bone.\u00a0 He fell back with a grunt, and nodded at his father.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing knelt beside him and bathed the injury with warm water and carbolic soap, picking out shreds of black fabric and imbedded pebbles while Adam ground his teeth and panted hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see if I can stand,\u201d Adam told them when the doctoring was done.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, you should rest now,\u201d his father told him.\u00a0 \u201cLeave that for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to know.\u00a0 There\u2019s that trip to Sacramento coming up.\u201d\u00a0 Ben argued, but Adam insisted.\u00a0 He laboriously pulled himself erect on Hoss\u2019s rock solid arm and carefully shifted weight to the damaged limb.\u00a0 It collapsed.\u00a0 His head swam and his vision faded to a narrow tunnel.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss eased him back down onto the cushions.\u00a0 The bruise ran deep to the bone, and it would be a while before the pain lessened enough that he could bear weight on it.\u00a0\u00a0 Reluctant, but grateful, he let Hoss carry him to his room.<\/p>\n

He stubbornly refused the opium based drug that would have given him haunting and disturbing dreams as well as relief and spent a night memorable for its misery as a result.<\/p>\n

Adam was awake when Ben came in \u2013 awake but unmoving.\u00a0 The sun had just crawled up out of the low fog to the east and seemed to pause to gather strength before clawing its way over the snowy Sierras and on to California.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThough it doesn\u2019t seem to have a lot to recommend it.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced out the window at the cottony swirl of the slowly dissolving ground fog.<\/p>\n

Indifferent to the weather, Ben saw only that Adam hadn\u2019t shifted from the position he had been settled in hours earlier.\u00a0 The covers were barely disturbed.\u00a0 His bruised hip must be acutely painful to so immobilize this usually active and restless son.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d his father replied and bent to build up the fire from the embers left in the fireplace.\u00a0 He put on splinters of fat, pine kindling and watched as the blue and amber flames sprouted from them.\u00a0 They snapped and crackled merrily like a flock of cackling crows.\u00a0 When they were burning well, he added some larger pieces and a small log and left it to catch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you feel this morning?\u201d he said, turning toward the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cStiff as a boiled shirt.\u201d\u00a0 Ben watched as his son found a wry grin to go along with his words.<\/p>\n

Ben bent to touch his face and found it a little warm.\u00a0 Adam turned his head away.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa, just sore.\u00a0 Ben was about to argue differently when Hop Sing entered the room.\u00a0 His felt-soled slippers made almost no sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take care, now,\u201d he said as he shouldered Ben politely but firmly to one side and placed a tray on the bedside table.\u00a0 He hung a soft wool blanket over the back of a chair and drew it close to the renewed fire.<\/p>\n

He stepped to the bedside.\u00a0 \u201cMista Adam, you keep still few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen pretty still all night\u2026probably shatter like a sheet of thin ice if I tried to move.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing merely nodded as he carefully folded back the blanket and sheet to reveal the injured leg elevated on a pillow.\u00a0 He quickly spread towels and soaked free the light dressing, stained and spotted with blood and leaking fluids.\u00a0 If possible, the bruised and mashed area looked worse that it had the previous night.\u00a0 Swollen and lividly purple it was shot through with streaks of red and drops of yellow serum.\u00a0 Adam glanced down once then closed his eyes and turned away.<\/p>\n

Unaffected, the little Oriental bathed the whole area in warm salt water.\u00a0 It stung, and Adam hissed through clamped teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetta soon,\u201d Hop Sing told him.\u00a0 He patted it dry and lifted a covered dish to reveal a warm plaster of crushed comfrey and yarrow root wet with witch hazel and wrapped in old, soft linen.\u00a0 He applied it to the bruised area and bandaged it firmly in place.\u00a0 He ran his hand down the leg and felt the foot.\u00a0 \u201cToo cold,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike ice,\u201d Adam confirmed.\u00a0 Hop Sing brought the blanket he had hung before the fire and tucked to over Adam\u2019s legs and feet before pulling up the covers again.\u00a0 The big man signed as the soothing warmth soaked in.<\/p>\n

Not quite finished, Hop Sing uncovered a thick mug of rich broth and a chunk of coarse brown bread to soak in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not really hungry,\u201d Adam told him, but then sniffed appreciatively as the aroma of chicken touched with rosemary reached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou eat or I feed,\u201d Hop Sing said without inflection.\u00a0 Adam reached out slowly and took the cup, broke off a corner of the bread and soaked it in the broth.\u00a0 Ten minutes later he had consumed it all.\u00a0 Nodding once in satisfaction, Hop Sing gathered his things and padded away as quietly as he had come.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing,\u201d Ben shook his head and moved back into Adam\u2019s line of sight.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want something to read, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam worked his sore shoulder and yawned.\u00a0 \u201cNo thanks, Pa.\u00a0 Think maybe I\u2019ll doze for a while.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes, heavy with fatigue, were already blinking owlishly.<\/p>\n

Ben patted his shoulder and settled the pillows more comfortably under his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou go to sleep, son.\u00a0 Rest is the best thing for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his sleeping boy and smiled.\u00a0 Such simple, homely things: a soothing poultice, some fragrant broth, a warm blanket.\u00a0 For the hundredth, or perhaps the thousandth, time he thanked all the watchful Chinese gods for the presence of one small, unassuming, yellow-skinned Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems I have no choice but to go in your place,\u201d Ben told his son that evening.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin was quite insistent that you stay off that leg for now, and those contracts have to be finalized and signed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why you had to bother the doctor.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been kicked before.\u201d\u00a0 Adam slid his half eaten supper tray onto the bedside table and tried to work his way back down in the bed.\u00a0 The fresh poultice Hop Sing has put on earlier helped with the pain, but sitting, even against a heap of pillows, put extra pressure on his hip, and it wasn\u2019t welcome.<\/p>\n

Ben saw his problem and hastened to help.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve caught a hoof now and then, but nothing like this.\u00a0 I wanted to be sure we were doing everything possible, and I\u2019m glad I sent for him.\u00a0 Remember, son, Paul said there was some chance of a partial fracture.\u00a0 The bone might be cracked, but not displaced.\u00a0 The kind of pain you\u2019re having suggests it.\u00a0 Once the bruising starts to clear he can tell more.\u00a0\u00a0 If you stay quiet and eat well, any break can knit pretty quickly.\u00a0 But if you start putting weight and stress on your limb, the bone could snap.\u00a0 Then you would be in for a long, painful siege.\u00a0\u00a0 I can go to Sacramento with an easier mind if you promise me to control your impatience and wait this out.\u00a0 Have the cold packs he suggested helped?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the ice helps, but I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be forkin\u2019 any broncs for a while.\u201d\u00a0 Flat on his back once again, Adam breathed a sign of relief and turned his mind to the business at hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve made out a detailed projection of the amount of timber to be cut weekly, a schedule for the sawmill and an itemized cost breakdown.\u00a0 It shows clearly the price we have to get to make a decent profit.\u00a0 You need to confirm once again with Hay Valentine that he will be able to haul the finished lumber to Sacramento to meet Haas & Levy\u2019s building schedule.\u00a0 It\u2019s all in that olive-colored, Italian leather folder in the desk.\u00a0 Go over it and see if you have any questions.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right here.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled dryly and gestured along his immobile body.\u00a0 Hoss had cleverly fashioned a cradle of barrel hoops and thin lath strips that kept the weight and roughness of the bed linens from his injured leg.\u00a0 Despite the odd, tented look of the bedding, it had greatly increased his comfort.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t require a father\u2019s intimate knowledge to see that Adam was tired.\u00a0 Ben banked the fire, saw that there was fresh water within reach, smoothed the covers and asked, \u201cLet me give you a little something to make it easier to sleep, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam mulled it over.\u00a0 The huge bruise ached, burned, throbbed and sent sudden twinges of intense pain shooting through his hip constantly.\u00a0 If he could get six, maybe even eight, hours of sleep \u2013 even drugged sleep, it might ease a little, and he\u2019d be better prepared to make it through another day without lashing out at someone who only wanted to help him.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, Pa, but don\u2019t be surprised if I wake the house with one of those dreams.<\/p>\n

Ben mixed a dose of the powders Paul had left, and Adam drank it down swiftly, trying hard not to let it touch his tongue.\u00a0 He shivered at its bitterness.\u00a0 \u201cGaah, that\u2019s awful.\u201d\u00a0 He let his head rest against the pillows and closed his eyes.\u00a0 If the damned stuff would only work fast.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Ben said a soft good night and turned out the lamp.\u00a0 The maligned potion did its work; the pain eased gradually; sleep came, and at some point, Adam dreamed.\u00a0 This time he found himself in a vast and cavernous room of cold gray marble lit by impossibly high crystal chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows hung with somber drapes of satin so deeply crimson they were almost black.\u00a0 He was standing in the center of a gleaming mahogany table of proportions so huge it would have seated all of King Arthur\u2019s knights and the rest of the court as well.\u00a0 Around it stood in solemn conclave a ring of sober and silent mules.\u00a0 Their muzzles were grizzled with age and their sad brown eyes stared at him accusingly.\u00a0 He felt a chill creeping over him and looked down.\u00a0 He wore only a loin cloth and an elaborate harness of gleaming black leather straps decorated with flashing silver conchos and tiny bells.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam moved toward the edge of the table, intent on climbing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cStand, two legged weakling,\u201d the big mule with one drooping ear bugled from the head of the table.\u00a0 \u201cYou will be judged.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJudged? Judged for what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor creating\u00a0 a noble breed only to enslave them, for a life of hard work and short feed, for a thousand insulting jokes about \u2018stubborn mules\u2019.\u00a0 If you could never know mate or offspring, and could only expect to be shot and probably eaten when you grew too old and feeble for work, would it not make you \u2018stubborn\u2019 human?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was at a total loss.\u00a0 There was much truth in what the old one said, but mules were work animals, raised and trained for their strength, sure-footedness and intelligence.\u00a0 They could survive on scant graze that would starve a horse. \u201cBut, mules have been bred from jackass stallions and horse mares since Biblical times,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou are needed and have contributed much to the growth of civilization.\u00a0 Your good sense is legendary.\u00a0 You are treated well on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Why am I here?\u00a0 What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJustice,\u201d was the reply.\u00a0 You will be cursed and beaten, worked and starved as we have been.\u201d\u00a0 Adam heard a rumbling and from the mist-shrouded corners of the endless room, emerged a line of carts and wagons: from the most primitive two-wheeled affair to the latest Conestoga and gleaming stagecoach.\u00a0\u00a0 He felt the hair on his neck rise and a chill shook him.<\/p>\n

A long bullwhip appeared in the impossible, clumsy hands that replaced the front hooves of his judge.\u00a0 It sprang out with a sharp crack and lashed Adam\u2019s right flank.\u00a0 It blazed with pain, and he could feel a warm trickle of blood flow down his leg.\u00a0 \u201cWait!\u00a0 I have never beaten you.\u00a0 I only pop the whip so the sound will encourage you.\u00a0 Only a brute beats a defenseless animal.\u00a0 Will no one here speak for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe says truth;\u201d the thin whinny came from Adam\u2019s left.\u00a0 He turned to see a big mule with old scars, white and hairless across his rump.\u00a0 \u201cThis man took me from the drover who was beating me to death because I could not pull his overfilled cart.\u00a0 He knocked the smelly creature down and threw bits of metal at him.\u00a0 He brought me to his barn and gave me clean hay and fresh grain.\u00a0 He treated my cuts and let me rest on good grass until I was well and strong again.\u00a0 He should not be whipped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feed here is good and the water fresh,\u201d said a rotund mule near the head of the table.\u00a0 \u201cWe are not overloaded\u201d said a short but stout pack mule.\u00a0 \u201cThere are warm stalls in winter with thick straw,\u201d brayed another.\u00a0 \u201cOur harness is clean and soft, padded where it rubs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief mule drove his hind hoof against the marble floor twice, and the other voices fell silent.\u00a0 \u201cOur kind has suffered,\u201d he snorted.\u00a0 \u201cSomeone must pay!\u201d\u00a0 He pounded the loaded handle of his whip on the table.\u00a0 \u201cBring the cart; he must pull it.\u201d\u00a0 A crude Mexican cart with two huge wooden wheels was dragged out.\u00a0 Adam saw it was loaded to the top with heavy logs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot fair!\u00a0 I never hurt you,\u201d he cried.\u00a0 The cart rumbled closer, looming over him.\u00a0 He attempted to move away.\u00a0 His leg where the whip had touched it had turned to stone; he couldn\u2019t move.\u00a0 He strained with all his power, trying to force his reluctant body to move.\u00a0 His breath came in great gasps and sweat streamed down his throat and trickled among the hairs of his chest.\u00a0 The whip lashed out again, wrapped itself around his leg in a coil of fire.\u00a0 His sore shoulder was being wrenched from its socket.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam, wake up.\u201d\u00a0 A hard hand shook his shoulder, and Adam struck out blindly.\u00a0 His wrist was caught in a firm grip.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a dream, just a dream.\u00a0 You\u2019re safe.\u00a0 Here at home in your own bed.\u00a0 Ol\u2019 Hoss won\u2019t let nothin\u2019 bad happen.\u00a0 I heard you call out; you\u2019re all hot. \u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes flew open, and he came fully awake.\u00a0\u00a0 His leg was on fire; his heart raced, hammering against its cage of ribs; his breath came in great gasps; he was drenched in sweat.\u00a0 \u201cAh . . . ah . . . God!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bent over him, his face rumpled with worry in the dim lamplight.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, brother; does your leg hurt terribl\u2019 bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, God bless him.<\/em>\u00a0 Every muscle went limp, and Adam sagged against his pillows.\u00a0 The covers were too heavy; he was soaked in perspiration, and his leg burned.\u00a0 \u201cIce,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cDamned opium . . . always does this.\u00a0 So hot.\u00a0 Ice, Hoss, ice, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss released his grip on his brother and put the back of his hand to Adam\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a little warm, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s fever.\u00a0 The wind\u2019s changed.\u00a0 It\u2019s coming up strong from the south.\u00a0 The whole house feels like an oven, and you got a pile of blankets on ya.\u201d\u00a0 He began to peel them away with care.\u00a0 \u201cPa gave you one of them powders, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s room was next to his brother\u2019s, and it wasn\u2019t the first time he\u2019d crawled out of bed in his nightshirt to pull him from an opium induced dream.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, thanks.\u00a0 I should know better.\u00a0 Crazy dream . . . talkin\u2019 mules judging me . . . couldn\u2019t move.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I reckon I can guess why you\u2019d be dreamin\u2019 \u2018bout mules.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door opened and Hop Sing glided silently into the room with a candle in one hand and a large basin in the other.\u00a0 He was clad in bright, eye searing, yellow silk pajamas thick with brocade.\u00a0 \u201cI take care now, Mr. Hoss.\u00a0 You go back to sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss yawned until his jaw cracked and moved away from the bed to settle in Adam\u2019s old rocker.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go right ahead, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I won\u2019t git in your way, but I think I\u2019ll set with Adam for a while yet.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The little Oriental nodded and turned to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHot wind make you sweat, burn sore place.\u00a0 I fix.\u201d\u00a0 He peeled away the remaining covers and sponged Adam\u2019s face and upper body with cool water that smelled of mint and lemon.\u00a0 It was delightfully soothing and refreshing.\u00a0 When he uncovered the leg, the bandage was soaked with a variety of fluids as the massive injury wept and shed dead cells.\u00a0 Hop Sing cleaned it slowly and carefully with a feather light touch and spread it with a salve that numbed and cooled.\u00a0 When it was re-bandaged, he took a well wrapped ice pack from the basin and placed it beside Adam\u2019s hip and thigh.\u00a0 \u201cNot put ice on leg . . . too heavy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPut leg on ice.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned with difficulty until the wound rested lightly against the chilled pack.\u00a0 Hop Sing gave Adam thin, cool herbal tea to drink and replaced the damp sheet with a fresh one.\u00a0 When he had done all he could, he bent slightly from the waist and asked, \u201cBetta now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMuch better, Hop Sing, much better.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how you knew, but I\u2019m somehow not surprised you did.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing bowed again and slipped away; a spot of glowing yellow in the pitch dark hall.<\/p>\n

Hoss moved the rocker closer to the bed.\u00a0 \u201cGo on back to sleep if you can, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be here for a while.\u00a0 Sing out if you need anything.\u00a0 I got an idea for tomorrow that I think may help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss would say no more, and Adam lacked the energy to pry it out of him.\u00a0 Cool and as comfortable as he had been since Smoke kicked him, he gradually drifted back into a peaceful sleep.<\/p>\n

Hoss was long gone about his morning chores, and Adam was just debating whether he should finish off his breakfast with a last bite of toast thickly spread with fresh strawberry preserves or a final swallow of coffee when his father tapped on the door, came on in and looked at Adam questioningly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, son.\u00a0 Hoss tells me you had a pretty rough night.\u00a0 I was planning to take the morning stage for Sacramento, but I can wire ahead and put off that meeting if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leave it to his tender hearted brother to make things sound worse than they were.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir, you go right on ahead.\u00a0 It was just one of those fool dreams that Doc\u2019s powders bring on, that and the change in the weather.\u00a0 Thanks to Hop Sing and Hoss, I got some good sleep early this morning; I feel a lot better.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He did his very best to look alert and healthy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe need to go ahead with those contracts and arrangements as soon as possible \u2013 get a good start before winter closes in on us.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be up and around in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben drew a chair up and sat down close beside his son where he could see his face clearly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need to be protected, son.\u00a0 I\u2019d feel a lot better about going if you would tell me the plain truth.\u201d\u00a0 He caught Adam gaze and held it steadily, his silver brows drawn together in concern.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed very softly and let his thick-lashed eyelids slide closed for just a moment.\u00a0 Smudged half-circles of fatigue accented the hazel eyes, brown now in the half-light of his room, as he looked again at his father.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s still a fair amount of pain, Pa, but it\u2019s easing slowly.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t have any fever, and Hop Sing says there\u2019s no infection showing.\u00a0 It\u2019s hell trying to move much or put any pressure on this hip joint, but Dr. Martin said that was to be expected.\u00a0 Seems it\u2019s mostly a matter of time; each day should be a little better than the last.\u00a0 I wish you\u2019d go ahead and make that stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded several times slowly as he absorbed this information.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Adam, I know you wouldn\u2019t mislead me on something this important.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go.\u201d\u00a0 Ben hesitated, scrubbed a hand across his newly shaven face and then went on.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to leave you in charge; things sometimes tend to get muddled when one of your brothers starts to boss the other one around.\u00a0 You seem able to keep them focused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot always, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned, thinking of the time recently his brothers had managed to misinterpret a thoughtlessly worded instruction \u2018to head on home with the goods\u2019 \u2013 meaning half a wagon load of unused fencing supplies.\u00a0 They had diverted to town and returned home shortly before dawn smelling of good whisky and cheap perfume with several bolts of cloth piled in the wagon.\u00a0 They claimed they had only gone to pick up the \u2018goods\u2019 he wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they get one over on me too, occasionally,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cMy main concern is that it may be too much for you.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you worrying yourself to death over things, or getting up before you should.\u00a0 All I want you to do is outline what needs to be done and make them check in with you regularly with progress reports.\u00a0 Do you feel up to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa.\u00a0 They won\u2019t let me down while I\u2019m laid up, and I can sic Hop Sing on them if they get out of hand.\u201d\u00a0 Adam felt confident he could handle it, even from his bed.\u00a0 He could depend on Hoss absolutely, and Joe, while sometimes thoughtless, popped in half a dozen times a day to see if he needed anything.\u00a0 It always seemed to worry Joe when he was hurt or sick.\u00a0 Under some of his brash foolishness he had a caring heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, then,\u201d his father told him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make things completely clear to those two and get old Charlie to drive me in to meet the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have all the papers?\u00a0 Found that folder okay and didn\u2019t have any trouble following my notes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have it all, son, and your notes are a model of succinct organization as always.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019ll muddle through the negotiations somehow.\u201d\u00a0 Ben chuckled and reach out to muss his boy\u2019s thick, dark hair.<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t restrain a smile.\u00a0 His father had been hammering out deals before he was born.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, sir,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPlease give them my apologies for not being able to attend the meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make your excuses.\u00a0 You just concentrate on getting that leg healed up.\u201d\u00a0 Ben extended his hand, and the two men shook with a strong, lingering grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cSafe trip, Pa,\u201d Adam said as his father paused and looked back from the door.\u00a0 Ben nodded and then was gone.\u00a0 His good boots thudded softly on his way down the stairs, and his voice drifted back up, a very firm tone, as he spoke with Joe and Hoss.<\/p>\n

Adam relaxed against the pillows and wished for something warm and soft to sooth the insistent ache in the very bones of his hip and thigh.\u00a0 He had no sooner heard the buckboard carrying his father leave than Hop Sing let himself in and packed heated and flannel-wrapped bags of flax seed along the painful area.\u00a0\u00a0 There were times when he wondered if the man read minds.
\nCHAPTER II
\nMidmorning found Adam restless and uncomfortable.\u00a0 His back ached from lying on it constantly.\u00a0 He longed to sit up if only for a few minutes.\u00a0 His hip would ache, but it would be a change from his back.\u00a0 Trying to pull up from flat to sitting was another matter.\u00a0 He discovered it couldn\u2019t be done without the help of the hip and thigh muscles, and they seized hard, paralyzing him with pain every time he attempted it.\u00a0 He was seriously considering calling for help when the quiet of the house was interrupted by the slam of the front door and his brothers\u2019 voices lifted in argument.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing, Joe?\u00a0 Hold your end up!\u201d<\/p>\n

A heavy thump echoed through the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis won\u2019t work, ya big galoot!\u00a0 You\u2019re half a foot taller than I am.\u00a0 If you think I\u2019m going up last, you\u2019re crazy!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t that heavy, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you think.\u00a0 All the weight falls back on me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, alright, we\u2019ll change places.\u201d<\/p>\n

More thuds as something solid was set down.\u00a0 A tremendous racket followed as it apparently slid back down the steps to the tune of yelps and shouts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you two doing,\u201d Adam shouted.<\/p>\n

Silence was sudden and complete.\u00a0 Adam counted slowly to 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 voice was almost timid.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sounds indicated that the pair were carefully resuming their burden and this time made steady progress up the stairs.\u00a0 Footsteps continued down the hall, and Joe\u2019s head appeared in Adam\u2019s doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrought you something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA herd of buffalo?\u201d Adam asked innocently.<\/p>\n

Joe was rudely shoved forward from the rear.\u00a0 \u201cGet this thing on in there Joe.\u00a0 I can\u2019t stand here all day holding it up.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 patience was wearing thin.<\/p>\n

Joe picked up his end, and they carried the contraption into the room.\u00a0 It looked like a huge letter H with the tops of the vertical sides sawn off a little above the cross bar.\u00a0 It was constructed of solid posts set in a heavy base.\u00a0 They carried it to the foot of the bed and walked up on either side, setting it so the cross bar passed from one side of the bed to the other well above Adam\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss set his hands on his hips and leaned back to admire his creation.\u00a0 \u201cThat should do the trick.\u00a0 Try it, Adam.\u00a0 I can hoist or lower the bar for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam saw that the cross bar was rounded and sanded smooth.\u00a0 He reached for it, and his hand closed over the warm wood.\u00a0 It fitted solid and comfortable into his grasp.\u00a0 \u201cA little higher, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lifted the bar from the horseshoe in which it rested and moved it to the one above it.\u00a0 Joe did the same on Adam\u2019s right.\u00a0 Adam caught the bar and pulled.\u00a0 His arms were strong, corded with the long muscles of hard work, and, although his left shoulder was still a bit sore, he easily pulled himself into a sitting position.\u00a0 His leg slid along without any effort and minimal pain.\u00a0 Hoss stacked pillows behind his brother, and Adam eased himself comfortably against them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what you had in mind last night, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 Hoss ducked his head and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you helped to build it didn\u2019t you, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen sawing and hammering all morning.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s grin matched the twinkle in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw you was havin\u2019 trouble shiftin \u2018round in the bed, and I thought this would help,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, soon as you\u2019re getting around again, we can get it out of your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s splendid, Hoss, Joe!\u00a0 Just exactly what I was wishing for before you came in.\u00a0 I\u2019m truly grateful.\u201d\u00a0 It was bliss to be off his back.\u00a0 He suspected that it wouldn\u2019t be long before his hip kicked in, but he could let himself back down when that time came.\u00a0\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t have to constantly bother someone to help him.\u00a0 Even small acts of independence were balm to his self-sufficient soul.<\/p>\n

It was quiet at the supper table that night and a little lonely, although Hoss did enjoy not having to fight for seconds.\u00a0 A long look passed between the brothers.\u00a0 Hoss nodded, and Joe called to Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going up to spend a little time with Adam.\u00a0 Be real fine if you could bring up coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd maybe some of that there blackberry pie I saw you takin\u2019 out of the oven,\u201d Hoss put in.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s eyes sparkled.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 You go; I bling.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Joe put down their napkins and hurried to the stairs.<\/p>\n

They found Adam just finishing a bowl of stew thick with tender bits of beef, carrots and potatoes served with buttered corn sticks and a large glass of milk.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe raised his eyebrows at the unfamiliar beverage.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t see you drinkin\u2019 much cow juice.\u00a0 Something put you off coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing says it builds bone.\u00a0 Seems logical since children need it to grow.\u00a0 Might as well take advantage just in case this bone is cracked.\u201d\u00a0 Adam touched the tenting over his thigh.\u00a0 \u201cHow did things go today?\u00a0 What got done and what still needs doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had trained all his sons on how to report completely and in detail.\u00a0 Hoss was satisfied that the timber crew was making the expected progress on finishing up an order from the Overland Telegraph Co.\u00a0 for tall, straight, fully trimmed trees to be used as telegraph poles.\u00a0 Building was proceeding quickly from California east to hook up with existing lines in Salt Lake City.\u00a0 Repairs to the barn had been finished by a long time Ponderosa hand.\u00a0 The newcomer who had knocked down the wasps\u2019 nest had decamped without waiting to collect his pay.\u00a0 They still needed to get wagons up to Blue Rock Canyon and bring in the fence posts.<\/p>\n

Joe was confident that the new stallion Ben had bought last month had at least six of the mares in foal, but he was worried about getting in the winter\u2019s supply of more than one hundred tons of hay.\u00a0 It was labor intensive work even with the new horse drawn reaper and recently invented bailing machine they had bought.\u00a0 Adam agreed and suggest he shift a half dozen men from checking the herds for screw worm and other injuries to helping with the spreading, turning and stacking of the hay.\u00a0 The cooler weather would reduce the number of screw flies and the spread of infections.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing interrupted to bring in a tray with a steaming pot of coffee, mugs and one quarter of a blackberry pie for each man.\u00a0 Conversation stopped while they savored the tender, flaky crust and meltingly sweet and dark berries.\u00a0\u00a0 When the last bit of succulent juice had been licked from forks and purple stained lips, Hoss and Joe eased their belts, leaned back, cocked their boots up on the edge of the bed frame and demanded that Adam read to them.It had been part of every night\u2019s routine when they were boys, but it was rare that they could hold their older brother captive now.\u00a0 Most nights he was busy with accounts or correspondence and weekends were often filled with social engagements or cards or chess with old friends.<\/p>\n

Adam gave in graciously and selected a recently acquired volume of Crevecoeur\u2019s essays.\u00a0 He thought the vivid descriptions of the flora and fauna found by the eighteenth century colonists in the Americans would interest Joe and Hoss, and the insightful view of the American character from the one time ambassador from France he found stimulating and thought provoking.\u00a0 He read with expression and enthusiasm for half an hour or more using his deep and mellow voice to add feeling to the printed words.\u00a0 By the time he finished a second essay, his hip was reminding him sharply just how much better it would be to lie flat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink that\u2019s about it for tonight, gentlemen,\u201d he told his brothers.\u00a0 He marked the page with an engraved silver bookmark and closed it.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got a full day tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t going to tell them to go to bed.\u00a0 He resented it when his father sent them off to their rest like a pack of seven year olds and wasn\u2019t about to inflict it on his brothers.\u00a0 If they wanted to stay up it was their choice, but he needed to get his head down and soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, come on Adam,\u201d Joe protested.\u00a0 \u201cThis is good stuff.\u00a0 One more, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot tonight, Joe.\u00a0 We can go on tomorrow if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, always sensitive to Adam\u2019s needs and moods, caught Joe\u2019s eye and jerked his head toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for reading.\u00a0 We ain\u2019t done that in a while.\u00a0 You have a good night and just bang on the wall if you need anything.\u201d\u00a0 He herded Joe out the door ahead of him.<\/p>\n

They had barely gotten to their rooms when Hop Sing slipped in quietly.\u00a0 He straightened the bedding and helped Adam to settle comfortably after a last cup of chamomile tea sweetened with a little honey.\u00a0 \u201cYou sleep good, Mista Adam,\u201d he told him.\u00a0 \u201cNo worry; Hop Sing make sure everything safe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He knew Adam usually made the last round of the homestead before locking up for the night and that he would sleep better with the assurance that it would be done.<\/p>\n

He gathered the dishes, turned the bedside lamp down and out, and Adam\u2019s quiet \u201cThanks,\u201d followed him into the hallway.<\/p>\n

It was a long night with sleep coming only in short snatches.\u00a0 His leg was hot and heavy, pulsing regularly with burning blasts of agony.\u00a0 He was awake early and sitting up when Hoss and Joe came in before breakfast.\u00a0 He confirmed that Joe remembered about putting the extra men on the haying, and told his middle brother to be sure all the waste and trimmed wood from the logging was gathered up to add to the wood pile.\u00a0 They all knew how important it was to prepare well for winter, and it went quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 His brothers trooped down to breakfast, and as soon as they were served, Hop Sing brought in his tray.<\/p>\n

\u201cSolly, Mista Adam, know you want eggs, but can\u2019t fix . . . somebody take eggs.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned in disapproval.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite all right; I like your corncakes fine . . . what did you say, Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0 His voice rose.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany hens, few eggs; somebody take,\u201d was the succinct answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u00a0 Maybe some of the hens have just stopped laying.\u00a0 Has something upset them?\u00a0 Could be there\u2019s a fox or coyote nosing around?\u00a0 Or, how about that new rooster; is he doing his job?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stood square and stubborn.\u00a0 \u201cSomebody take.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tried reason.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would anybody be stealing eggs?\u00a0\u00a0 The cooks for the timber and ranch crews get all the eggs they need delivered from Mrs. McMurray\u2019s Chicken Farm.\u00a0 We could do the same except you and Pa are partial to the Buff Orpingtons for both meat and eggs, and then there are Joe\u2019s game cocks.\u00a0 The few hands with families have their own chickens and garden at their cabins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stared out the window and said a few short words in Chinese.<\/p>\n

Adam knew when he was beaten.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 Before we start hunting around the place for an egg thief, let\u2019s rule out animals.\u00a0 Could be a weasel, even a snake, taking eggs.\u00a0 Send Charlie Youngblood up here.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have him go over the coop with a fine tooth comb, cover any cracks, screen all openings.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing grinned from ear to ear and nodded enthusiastically.\u00a0\u00a0 Charlie appeared in record time, and Adam explained carefully what was needed.\u00a0 Charlie was a former wrangler who had gotten too old and crippled to ride the range any more, but he liked the Ponderosa and stayed on to do small chores of all sorts.<\/p>\n

He twisted his worn hat in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do it, Adam.\u00a0 Could be some critter like you say, but I was just wonderin\u2019 . . .\u201d he broke off.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d Adam waited patiently.\u00a0 He dabbed a piece of corncake in the remaining syrup on his plate and forked it up.\u00a0 Sweet and a little crunchy they had made a satisfying meal along with smoky sausage and hot applesauce.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seen somebody round the barn and chicken yard a coupla times here lately,\u201d Charlie said.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t seem he had any business there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d\u00a0 Adam waited some more, hoping he could lie back down soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Petey.\u201d\u00a0 Charlie scrubbed his hand over his few strands of graying hair.<\/p>\n

Petey was a half Indian boy of about twelve,\u00a0 He was the son of one of the Ponderosa\u2019s top wranglers, John \u2018Buckskin\u2019 Lowery and his shy, Shoshone wife, Falling Leaf.\u00a0 Adam had seen the boy off and on around the place and, while he didn\u2019t know him well, had always thought of him as a good kid.\u00a0 Lowery was a literate man, who sometimes borrowed books, and Adam had given him some of Joe\u2019s old readers, spellers and arithmetic books so that he could coach Petey at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he go in the chicken house?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, sir, he didn\u2019t; not that I saw.\u00a0\u00a0 Just poked around some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pressed his fingertips into his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s give the boy the benefit of the doubt, Charlie.\u00a0 Maybe he was lonely or bored, looking for something to do.\u00a0 Fix up the coop and keep your eyes open.\u00a0 Let me know if you see anything else you think I should know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do \u2018er, Adam.\u00a0 Don\u2019t mean the boy no harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand; thanks, Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie took himself off to his chores.\u00a0 Hop Sing collected the breakfast tray, and Adam eased himself down taking the strain off his hip.\u00a0 He stretched and took a text on North American geology from his bedside table that he had long intended to read: a fairly technical treatise written for the serious student, he found it heavy going.\u00a0 It was hard to focus his attention as he was usually could with his leg nagging him.<\/p>\n

It was something of a relief when Hop Sing came in with a bucket of hot water and an armload of fresh linen and towels.\u00a0 The little Chinese helped Adam to a refreshing and most welcome all over sponge bath.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t slip by unnoticed that he had waited until mid-morning when the room was filled with sunshine and warmth.\u00a0 He had been allowed time to recover from the morning\u2019s activities, and there was no chance of taking a chill.<\/p>\n

With his charge freshly clad in a clean, newly ironed nightshirt, his favorite in a soft blue, gray and white striped cotton, Hop Sing got down to the business of cleaning and dressing the crushed and bruised injury.\u00a0 Hop Sing had tended all his boys for many years now, and he found Adam the easiest to help.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like being kept to his bed by illness or injury, but he didn\u2019t transfer his irritation to his caregivers either.\u00a0 He was patient and direct, always grateful for help rendered and willing to ask for the few things he needed.\u00a0 His natural reticence and toughness often made it difficult to tell just how bad his pain was, but over the years, Hop Sing had learned the subtle signs, and he knew this ghastly injury was both painful and worrying.\u00a0 If infection set in and spread, this much loved first son could lose his leg.<\/p>\n

He washed it with a cool, pale green liquid made by boiling a large mass of peppermint leaves hard for ten minutes in a quart of fresh spring water.\u00a0 It was then cooled and strained and had both antiseptic and anesthetic properties.\u00a0 Adam grunted and bit down on his lower lip as Hop Sing used soft bits of boiled and sun dried rags to dab away peeling flesh and small clots of blood from the hoof wounds.\u00a0 No speck of dirt or thread of fabric could be allowed to remain.\u00a0 The worst done, he bathed the whole area from groin to knee several times in the pungent solution and patted it dry with light touches.\u00a0 That completed, he spread gel taken from the hearts of mature aloe spears across the wound.\u00a0 Adam sighed softly as it sealed and soothed.\u00a0 Hop Sing covered it with a single layer of soft, loose weave cotton and then stepped back to look at his patient.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like change bed, Mista Adam.\u00a0 You tired too much?\u00a0 Want me go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Clean sheets would feel good.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was swift and deft, and with Adam using the lift bar carefully to shift himself, the soiled linens were stripped away and replaced.\u00a0 As Hop Sing folded the spread and an extra blanket at the foot of the bed, Adam leaned back gratefully on plump pillows that smelled of hot sun and rosemary, closed his eyes and let Hop Sing shave away the tough, itchy stubble of a three day beard.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing responded as he always did to Adam\u2019s thanks with a quick bow and an offhand, \u201cGlad help.\u201d\u00a0 He carried away the dirty linen and returned with a cup of his precious ginseng tea and fresh ginger snaps.\u00a0 \u201cDrink, rest,\u201d he instructed.<\/p>\n

Worn out by the morning\u2019s activities and soothed by the warm tea, Adam actually slept for an uninterrupted hour until an unconscious shift brought him wide awake with a stab of pain through his hip.\u00a0 When it eased, he resumed his geology text and made better progress.
\nCHAPTER III
\nThe shadows where lengthening as the sun dropped behind the western mountains when Adam heard his brothers come in.\u00a0 Their steps were distinctive, and it wasn\u2019t long before they clumped up the stairs and down the hall.\u00a0 Joe came through the door first.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi ya, Adam, how\u2019s it going?\u201d\u00a0 Joe dismissed the muscles engaged in holding him erect and drop down on his brother\u2019s bed with a solid thump.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s back arched.\u00a0 \u201cAh . . .\u00a0 ah!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Hoss thundered.<\/p>\n

Joe sprang up as quickly as he had come down allowing everything to snap back with another jounce.\u00a0 Adam grunted, and his book slid to the floor.<\/p>\n

Joe picked it up and stood with a slight flush on his face offering apologies along with the text.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m awful sorry, Adam; I didn\u2019t mean to hurt ya.\u00a0 I was just glad to see you all shaved and lookin\u2019 better.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t think about the bed bouncin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had regained control.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Joe.\u00a0 No harm done.\u00a0 How did your day go?\u201d\u00a0 He looked at his little brother.\u00a0 He was sweaty and streaked with field dirt and bits of chaff.\u00a0 \u201cI see you pitched in with the haying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we made good time today.\u00a0 Got the whole south field cut and spread to dry.\u00a0 If it stays clear and hot like this, we should be able to bale it by the end of the week.\u00a0 Jack\u2019s crew got fifty bales done up from last weeks cutting and stored in the Rocky Creek hay barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent, that\u2019s better than six tons.\u00a0 Well done, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was genuinely pleased.\u00a0 It was vital to put up as much good hay as possible.\u00a0 When the snow got too deep for the cattle and horses to paw through to the grass, it would be spread to tide as many animals as possible over until first melt.\u00a0 Winter feeding prevented big die offs and assured strong spring calves and foals.<\/p>\n

Joe beamed.\u00a0 He would deny it with his last breath, but Adam\u2019s praise was manna to him.\u00a0 He looked around for a chair, prepared to sit down and provide his brother with chapter and verse of the day\u2019s work.\u00a0 Adam short circuited the account.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve put in a heck of a day\u2019s work, Joe.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you go have a drink of that good Kentucky bourbon Pa opened before he left, get a hot bath and after supper I\u2019ll read some more if you want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled a few bits of hay from his tangled curls and looked at them thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cReckon I could use a wash, and that drink sounds good.\u00a0 See you later, big brother.\u201d\u00a0 He bounded out of the room.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHow \u2018bout you, Hoss?\u00a0 Everything go okay at the timber camp?\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man sighed, pulled the chair Joe had abandoned up close to the bed and straddled it.\u00a0 \u201cTimberin\u2019 goin\u2019 jest fine.\u201d\u00a0 He reached over the chair back to touch his brother\u2019s closely shaved cheek with already well-scrubbed fingers.\u00a0 He found it cool and normal to the touch.\u00a0 \u201cHurt you right smart didn\u2019t he?\u00a0 I swear sometimes I feel like thumpin\u2019 that boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hoss.\u00a0 Joe doesn\u2019t always think before he acts \u2013 you know that.\u00a0 I\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked closely at the man in the bed.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s finely etched features, so different from the full, round face that looked out of his own mirror, were drawn.\u00a0 He was pale under his tan, and his eyelids were blue veined and heavy with fatigue.\u00a0 The scrape down his left cheek was scabbed over.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re plumb wore out, ain\u2019t ya, brother?\u201d he exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t ya tell somebody how much that leg was hurtin\u2019 ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhat for?\u00a0 It would only worry you and Joe, and you have enough on your hands as it is.\u00a0 Nothing for it but to wait it out \u2018till time and nature do their work.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t help to complain about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cLet me take a look at this thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss lifted the covers from the sheltering cradle and peeled away the light dressing with the tips of two fingers.\u00a0 He drew a sharp breath.The leg rested on a pillow covered with thick towels to absorb any drainage.\u00a0 The imprint of the two hooves was still clear on the thigh: deep indentions of pale, sickly yellow, peeling and sloughing.\u00a0 The bruising surrounding the center of the kick had spread down as far as the knee and up across the point of the hip, the groin and lower belly.\u00a0 The colors were amazing: dead black fading to deep purple and red mauve.\u00a0 The edges were mud brown and saffron yellow.\u00a0 The thigh was swollen; the skin looked tight and hot.<\/p>\n

Hoss turned away and drew a long, steadying breath.\u00a0 \u201cLordy, Adam!\u00a0\u00a0 It hurts just to look at your leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI try not to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got to do somethin\u2019 to make you more comfortable!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing is doing all he can: heat, cold, herbal poultices.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, Hoss; it will heal.\u00a0 It\u2019s just going to take time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gotta have something so ya can rest in the meantime.\u00a0 I know you\u2019re tougher than a she-bear\u2019s hind tit, Adam, but it ain\u2019t right to leave you hurtin\u2019 day and night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dreams, Hoss; I can\u2019t take the dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood and thought hard.\u00a0 Adam sought his lift bar and pulled himself up, pushed the pillows behind him with one hand and eased back with a soft grunt.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know!\u201d\u00a0 A smile spread across his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cLooka here, Adam; forget them strong powders Doc left; we got laudanum.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to take enough to knock you out.\u00a0 A half teaspoon full in a glass of wine should be enough to take the edge off, then maybe you could fall asleep natural like.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was tempting, so tempting.\u00a0 Maybe just once before Hop Sing worked on his leg and again as he turned out the lamp at night . .\u00a0 .\u00a0 a few hours out of each day when it wouldn\u2019t be so incessant.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt might work, Hoss; it might.\u00a0 Will you . . . ?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was already half way to the door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u00a0 Won\u2019t take me a minute!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, cushioned by laudanum and good red wine, dozed as the sun disappeared behind the Sierras.\u00a0 The dusky lavender hues of twilight faded to ash grays and black.\u00a0 A darker shadow separated itself from the motionless ones and slid silently through the hen house door.\u00a0 The birds stirred restlessly on their perches, fluffing feathers and squawking low complaints.\u00a0 A hand slid under the hens in the nest boxes and gathered a late laid egg here and another there.\u00a0 A half dozen went into capacious pockets before, satisfied, the figure peered left and right\u00a0 from the doorway and then melted back into the night as quietly as it had come.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing served a hearty supper of steak, fried potatoes and the last of the season\u2019s fresh green beans along with thin-sliced onions, tomatoes and tender, hot rolls.\u00a0 Hoss rubbed his big hands together in eager anticipation before heaping his plate to overflowing and digging in.\u00a0 Joe, who had spent the day haying, ran his brother a close second in appetite.<\/p>\n

Adam found that the short rest\u00a0 had revived his hunger and was pleased when he examined his tray and saw that Hop Sing had put his string beans in a bowl and chopped his tomatoes and onions so that he could mix them together and drench all with vinegar.\u00a0\u00a0 Nobody was sure where he had acquired this odd taste, but it was a favorite of his.\u00a0 Adam never ate tomatoes without remembering the summer when he was about ten that Hop Sing finally convinced Pa that tomatoes were fit to eat and not the deadly poisonous ornamental that most people believed them to be.\u00a0 At last he was able to stop sneaking them from the garden border and enjoy them at the table.\u00a0 Funny though, the taste was never quite as good as those stolen fruits, bitten into dead ripe and hot from the sun, their juice bursting across the tongue both acid and sweet.\u00a0 He found the tender steak from young beef, well hung, exactly to his taste as well.<\/p>\n

After the meal, they settled around Adam\u2019s bed to go over the day\u2019s work and discuss plans for the coming day.\u00a0\u00a0 With business finished, he read to them for a good hour until his voice began to go hoarse and he was forced to beg off.\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing made his final check of the night, and Hoss brought more drug laced wine.\u00a0 It was the most restful night Adam had enjoyed in several days.<\/p>\n

The morning, however, brought more problems.\u00a0 His breakfast tray arrived borne by a fuming Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0 More eggs were missing.\u00a0 The little Oriental seemed to consider it a personal affront.\u00a0 \u201cMista Adam,\u201d he demanded, \u201cmust find wicked thief!\u00a0 Need plenty eggs\u2026 make you nice omelet\u2026 help leg get well.\u00a0 Promise Mista Hoss make bread puddin\u2019 with lemon sauce\u2026 much eggs go inside.\u00a0\u00a0 Wicked person take Hop Sing\u2019s eggs!\u201d\u00a0 He was literally hopping from foot to foot.\u00a0 \u201cI catch, I beat with broom!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, easy.\u201d\u00a0 Adam suppressed a smile and attempted to soothe his friend and helper.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll figure it out.\u00a0 Did Charlie make those repairs I wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he make.\u00a0 Put new wire, more boards, fix good.\u00a0 Eggs still go.\u00a0 What you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tempted to offer to lay them himself if it would earn him a little peace, Adam resisted the urge, pinched the bridge of his nose and thought for a minute.\u00a0 \u201cYou tell Charlie I want him to put a padlock on the chicken house door.\u00a0 Screw it on solid and give you the key.\u00a0 You can keep the key where it\u2019s safe.\u00a0 That should put a stop to any unauthorized assaults on your ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded with enthusiasm and rushed out to deliver the orders.\u00a0\u00a0 He returned later in the morning to freshen the bed, help Adam clean up and tend his injury.\u00a0 Adam was deeply grateful for his unobtrusive care, delivered quietly and efficiently with a minimum of fuss.\u00a0 His touch as he cleaned and dressed the wound was gentle.\u00a0 The intense pain over the whole bruise had dulled, pulling into the crushed and torn area around the hoof prints, but the deep bone ache lingered.\u00a0 It was what quieted his instinctive desire to get up and onto his feet again.\u00a0 The thought of feeling his thigh bone suddenly snap under him was enough to quell any premature urges.<\/p>\n

Hoss beat Joe home that evening.\u00a0 He came almost at once to Adam\u2019s side.\u00a0 He found his brother sitting up in bed with the ranch account books open on his lap.\u00a0 Receipts, invoices, bills of sale, promissory notes, annual reports and drafts for regular payments were spread around him on the bed in neatly sorted piles.\u00a0 His fingertips were ink stained as he recorded the many transactions and worked up totals.\u00a0 He looked up from the pages.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Hoss, good.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have a deposit ready to go in tomorrow morning, and some instructions for our broker.\u00a0 I\u2019d like you to take care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShore, Adam, just tell me what you want.\u00a0 Almost supper time,\u201d he added, \u201ccan\u2019t you put this stuff away now?\u00a0 I\u2019ll help ya.\u201d\u00a0 How long had his brother been sitting on that sore hip plugging away at the books?\u00a0 The light was fading, and Adam looked tired.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a minute.\u201d\u00a0 Adam dove back into endorsing and posting checks.<\/p>\n

Hoss lit the lamps, closed one window where a cold night breeze was blowing in, drew the drapes and revived the fire from ashes to a cheerful blaze.\u00a0 By the time these chores were finished, Adam was ready to let him help with putting the various documents into their storage files and bag the deposit along with a letter instructing Mr. Walter Max, their stockbroker, to sell part of their stock in the Mexican and buy heavily in Palmer, Hanscom & Co. Machinery.\u00a0 They would be providing milling and hoisting gear along with pumps and pipes to several of the new mines.\u00a0 Their profits should be substantial, Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be trying to do all this, now,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSeems like it could wait a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his neck in a circle and stretched his back, sore from crouching over to write in bed.\u00a0 \u201cI have to do something, Hoss.\u00a0 I can\u2019t just stare at the ceiling all day.\u00a0 Speaking of which, I wouldn\u2019t fight if you wanted to help me lie down.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was quick to ease out the extra pillows and support Adam as he slid down flat again.\u00a0 \u201cUhm\u2026 that\u2019s better.\u201d\u00a0 It was a constant, annoying back and forth.\u00a0 When he had been up for a few minutes, he wanted down.\u00a0 A half hour on his back and he wanted to sit up again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d it go today?\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0\u00a0 If Adam wanted a full work report from his closest brother, Hoss was equally determined to know what progress Adam was making in his recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cSlowly, Hoss.\u00a0 Very slowly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill hurtin\u2019 so much?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cThe bruised area isn\u2019t as bad, but the bone aches, Hoss \u2013 long and deep.\u00a0 I hate to think it, but I\u2019m afraid Doc\u2019s right about the thigh bone having a crack.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and then went on, half to himself.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to spend months in splints and traction again.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 A horse had rolled on him and broken his hip when he was just eleven.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a time he remembered with any pleasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I reckon you know how it\u2019s got to be, Adam.\u00a0 You\u2019d best stay quiet, keep that leg still and straight and let it heal up.\u00a0 T\u2019ain\u2019t easy fer you, I know, but you\u2019ll be up and out sooner if you go slow now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded his head in agreement.\u00a0 Hoss was right, but he was going to be climbing the walls soon.\u00a0 He could only read so many hours out of the day.\u00a0 Besides, his concentration was constantly broken by stabs of pain from his leg.\u00a0 It made it difficult to follow a line of thought, even a simple story.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, brother.\u00a0 I\u2019m doing my best.\u00a0 Now, tell me about your day.\u00a0 How close are you to finishing up with the telegraph poles?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll done!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss couldn\u2019t help a note of pride creeping in.\u00a0 \u201cSent the last load off to the delivery site at 3:00 o\u2019clock this afternoon.\u00a0 Told the crew to take the rest of the day off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, Hoss!\u00a0 I\u2019m mighty proud of you, and I know Pa will be too.\u00a0 We\u2019re a week ahead of schedule and should realize a nice bonus.\u00a0 I think you ought to get a piece of it for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss felt a warm flush of pleasure run through him.\u00a0 When Adam was truly pleased and happy he could light up a room.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019a be awful nice, Adam.\u00a0 I been puttin\u2019 aside a little each month to order me one of them fancy, silver mounted California saddles.\u00a0 Good little bonus should about do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s right eyebrow slid up in a quizzical look.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I know,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cplain feller like me shouldn\u2019t have no use fer a duded up saddle like that, but I thought just fer the Fourth of July parade and such doings . . .,\u201d Hoss trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd maybe for taking a special lady out riding?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss ducked his head and looked away.\u00a0 \u201cAw, Adam.\u00a0 Reckon it\u2019s plumb foolish, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo it isn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was dead serious.\u00a0 \u201cIf you want a handsome saddle made by a top craftsman, there\u2019s no reason in the world you shouldn\u2019t have one.\u00a0 Put a fine, silver-trimmed saddle on that big, black gelding you been working with, get you all dressed up \u2013 I could lend you my silver brocade vest \u2013 and you\u2019d look the equal or better of any man in the Territory.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re good to ride the river with any day, Hoss.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ever think different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, heck. . .\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother was blushing.\u00a0 It was time to change the subject.\u00a0 \u201cWe need to decide what has to be done next.\u00a0 Have to get a couple of wagons up to Blue Rock Canyon and bring in those fence posts.\u00a0 I\u2019d like a count of how many cords of wood we have laid up for the winter.\u00a0 There\u2019s the house to keep warm, Hop Sing\u2019s cook stove to keep fired, wood for the bunkhouse and family cabins to think about, and there\u2019ll be times we have to heat the equipment shed as well.\u00a0 We may want to set the crew to cutting firewood for a few days.\u00a0 Once that\u2019s done, it might be a good idea to start cruising some good hardwood timber.\u00a0 If Pa gets that Sacramento contract, it would give us a jump on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Adam.\u00a0 We\u2019ll work it all out after dinner.\u00a0 I got some chores to do.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you close your eyes and rest a spell till Hop Sing brings up your tray?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam caught the lift bar with both hands and used it to stretch his shoulders and settle himself more comfortably.\u00a0 \u201cI might do that.\u00a0 How \u2018bout bringing up my guitar after supper?\u00a0 See if we feel like making a little music.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss slipped quietly from the room.\u00a0 He got downstairs in time to stop Joe from racing up to Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cHe needs to take a little rest,\u201d he told his younger brother.\u00a0 \u201cSpent all afternoon on the books.\u00a0 Let him sleep a spell if he can.\u00a0 We\u2019ll see him after supper.\u201d
\nCHAPTER IV<\/p>\n

The evening passed quietly, but the next morning was different.\u00a0 Had he thought about it, Adam would have said it was impossible to stomp down a hallway in thick, felt slippers until Hop Sing managed it.\u00a0 He arrived literally hopping mad and spouting streams of Chinese clearly not intended for the society of ladies.\u00a0 There was little Adam could do beyond make soothing gestures and wait.\u00a0 Eventually, it boiled down to, \u201cEggs, eggs all gone.\u00a0 Somebody steal.\u00a0 I chop to small bits!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Hop Sing, slow down; we\u2019ll get to the bottom of this.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice slid out, low and soothing, like butter across an angry burn.\u00a0 To give himself a moment to think, Adam caught the bar and pulled up with a grunt.\u00a0 Hop Sing hastened to retrieve pillows, plump and pile them behind his charge.\u00a0 Adam leaned back with a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Charlie get the lock on?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The distraction had calmed Hop Sing somewhat.\u00a0 \u201cYes, put on.\u00a0 Give me key.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where did you put the key?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on hook in kitchen with supply house key, spring house key.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould somebody have come in when you were up here with me and taken the key, used it and put it back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing folder his hands in his sleeves and thought.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe so, but how they know where key.\u00a0 Charlie say he no tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a puzzle, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I\u2019ll work on it.\u00a0 Meanwhile, would you like to have somebody ride out to Ma McMurray\u2019s and buy you some eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d the little Oriental was indignant.\u00a0 \u201cThey white eggs, no have baby chick inside.\u00a0 Not make strong.\u00a0 Want my eggs!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing preferred the large, brown, fertile eggs their hens laid to any other.\u00a0 The chunky, heavily feathered hens were his pets, and Ben Cartwright favored them as well.\u00a0 His father wouldn\u2019t be pleased if someone was disturbing his hens and stealing eggs.\u00a0 If he could only get out to see for himself<\/em>.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to bother Hoss or Joe; they were fully occupied in doing their jobs and his as well in the rush to prepare for winter.<\/p>\n

After more reassurances that Adam would redouble his efforts to find the culprit, Hop Sing consented to bring an eggless breakfast of thin sliced, dried beef, soaked and creamed on toast and stewed apricots.\u00a0 Eggs would have gone well with it, but Adam drank milk along with his coffee and was content.<\/p>\n

He was reading when Paul Martin dropped by in mid-morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Adam,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI had some calls out this way, so I thought I\u2019d stop by and see how you were doing. \u201c\u00a0 He glanced at the lift bar and frame that kept the covers off his leg.\u00a0 \u201cI see they\u2019ve made you about as comfortable as possible.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you\u2019ve been sensible and stayed quiet.\u00a0 I half expected to find you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt didn\u2019t seem like a real smart idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u00a0 Still pretty painful, eh?\u00a0 Let\u2019s have a look.\u201d\u00a0 Paul folded back the covers and bent to study Hop Sing\u2019s freshly applied poultice.\u00a0 Before he could do more, the man himself hurried in carrying a basin of steaming water and a bar of carbolic soap.<\/p>\n

\u201cWash first.\u201d\u00a0 He bowed politely, but it was clearly a command.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes, always a good idea.\u201d\u00a0 Doc rolled up his sleeves and gave his hands a good scrubbing.\u00a0 Hop Sing held out a spotless towel.<\/p>\n

To hide his amusement, Adam asked Paul if he would like coffee or other refreshment.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I\u2019m through here.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t turn down a cup of coffee and a slice of that good dried apple pie if you have any.\u201d\u00a0 At a nod from Adam, Hop Sing went away to prepare it.<\/p>\n

The Doctor peeled back the light bandage and poultice and sniffed it.\u201cUh huh, comfrey roots for wound healing and long used for broken bones, helps keep down infection as well, and yarrow for pain and inflammation and witch hazel \u2013 soothing, antiseptic and astringent \u2013 a good combination.\u00a0 Your boy knows his herbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not really a \u2018boy\u2019,\u201d Adam corrected gently.\u00a0 After all the doctor did have his hands on his injured leg.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s next to Pa in age and extremely well read in his own language \u2013 a real student of nature.\u00a0 I can\u2019t think how we\u2019d manage without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course, Adam,\u201d the doctor muttered absently engrossed in his study of the injury.\u00a0 \u201cSeems to have done you a world of good.\u00a0 This looks much better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at his thigh arrayed in every unappealing shade of rust, mud brown, puke green and faded yellow he had ever seen.\u00a0 \u201cGlad you think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Paul said.\u00a0 \u201cThe bruising is starting to fade; the hoof strikes are scabbed over and healing with no sign of infection, the swelling is down and there\u2019s less heat in the leg.\u00a0 Of course, the pattern of bruising away from strike area along with your instinctive reluctance to put weight on it, pretty well confirm my feeling that the bone was damaged.\u00a0 Hang on, I\u2019m going to probe.\u201d\u00a0 The doctor pressed blunt, powerful fingers down almost to the bone in the center of Adam\u2019s thigh.\u00a0 He screamed aloud and had all he could do to keep from striking out at the man as liquid agony flowed up through his hip and down to the knee.\u00a0 Paul released the pressure, and Adam fell back, pale and panting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, God!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, son, but that pretty well removes any lingering doubt.\u00a0 Gives you an idea of what could happen if you start using it too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawn by Adam\u2019s cry, Hop Sing rushed in to glance anxiously from one man to the other.\u00a0 He looked angry enough to attack the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam managed.\u00a0 \u201cHe had to check.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unconcerned, Paul went on, \u201cYou\u2019re taking mighty fine care of this hombre, Hop Sing, and I know from experience that\u2019s not an easy job.\u00a0 You keep right on doing what you\u2019re doing now: feed him lean meat and vegetables and don\u2019t let him get up for a while yet.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll come by again next week.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing nodded his understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the way, Adam,\u201d Paul fished in his coat pocket.\u00a0 \u201cTelegrapher saw me heading out and asked me to bring this.\u00a0 Said it was a wire from your Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took the rumpled paper in fingers that still shook slightly and opened it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad news, I hope,\u201d Paul said after a minute.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the opposite really.\u00a0\u00a0 Haas and Levy accepted our offer with no changes.\u00a0 We can start cutting immediately.\u00a0 Pa says he has been approached by several other merchants interested in buying or selling.\u00a0 He\u2019d like to stay on for a while and see what develops.\u00a0 Would it be imposing to ask you to take a reply for me, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not at all.\u00a0 Glad to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam found pad and pencil on his bedside table and quickly printed out his message.<\/p>\n

\u2018Ranch running smoothly.\u00a0 Stop.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe doing a fine job.\u00a0 Stop.\u00a0 Doc says I\u2019m healing well.\u00a0 Stop.\u00a0 Take all the time you need.\u00a0 Stop.\u00a0 Respectfully, Adam. \u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

He tore off the sheet and handed it to the doctor.\u00a0 \u201cJust charge it to our account, please.\u00a0 I appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded and tucked it away.\u00a0 \u201cDo you need anything more for pain, Adam?\u00a0 I know how this kind of injury can hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks, I\u2019m managing.\u00a0 A glass of wine with a few drops of laudanum to sleep on, and I can make it through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right then, cut it back to just the wine as soon as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSoon.\u00a0 Thanks for coming, Paul.\u00a0 Hop Sing should have your pie and coffee ready.\u00a0 Go on down and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin gathered his things and departed with a cheerful \u201cSo long.\u201d\u00a0 Adam let the pillows support him, closed his eyes and concentrated all his attention inward: first to quiet and wall off the renewed throbbing Paul\u2019s probing has stirred and next to direct his body to send a flood of rich blood and nutrients to the healing bone.
\nCHAPTER V<\/p>\n

When Hop Sing had cleaned and dressed the injury, he ran strong, nimble fingered hands, kept soft by the water, soap and oils of cooking and cleaning, down Adam\u2019s lower leg and gripped his long, high arched foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 No, not yet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam, always quick, understood what was intended.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust, or \u2026 \u201c\u00a0 Hop Sing held out his arm with wrist rigid, pushed down hard on it with the other hand, but kept his wrist unmoving.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Hop Sing.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t keep moving, my joints will freeze.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been workin\u2019 the other leg every day.\u201d\u00a0 He demonstrated by lifting his left leg and bending ankle, knee and hip.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, my upper body.\u201d\u00a0 He caught the lift bar and chinned himself on it.\u00a0 \u201cBut not this leg, not yet.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 There was a long pause.\u00a0 \u201cIt hurts so much,\u201d he whispered \u2013 an admission he would bite out his tongue before making to his brothers or father.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing released Adam\u2019s foot and moved to his side.\u00a0 He patted his boy gently on the chest, and the dark eyes, far from inscrutable behind their folded lids, were weighted with sympathy, shared pain and understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot like, Mista Adam; must.\u00a0 After . . .\u201d\u00a0 He nodded at the tray with a wine goblet, tall, dusty green bottle of rich burgundy and small, brown bottle of laudanum.\u00a0 \u201cMake pain go away.\u00a0 You sleep.\u201d\u00a0 He moved back down and grasped the foot again.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing do all for now.\u00a0 You yell if help.\u00a0 Not tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

He flexed Adam\u2019s foot and ankle, and the bruised and damaged muscles of the thigh moved, stretching and pulling.\u00a0 It tore a strangled cry from Adam before he flung his arms wide, gripped the bed posts fiercely and clamped his teeth.\u00a0 \u201cGo on.\u201d\u00a0 It came out half a snarl.\u00a0 The knee was worse.<\/p>\n

Afterwards he gulped the laced wine in half a dozen hasty swallows.\u00a0 Hop Sing handed him a warm, slightly damp towel, scented with pine to wipe away the cold sweat from his face and hands and helped him to lie flat.\u00a0 Adam slept almost four hours and awoke hungry and in less pain.<\/p>\n

Joe came in at dusk to report they had cut the last of the hay.\u00a0 \u201cIf the warm, clear weather holds for just another week,\u201d he told his brother, \u201cwe\u2019ll have it all dried, baled and stowed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNice work, Joe; very nice work.\u00a0 How many bales altogether do you figure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tugged at an ear lobe and thought for a minute.\u00a0 \u201cThere 160 bales down in the East Ridge barn, 320 in the big barn west in the foothills where they tend to drift in bad weather, and 210 for the southern range.\u00a0 I figure we\u2019ll put up close to 175 more for the stock close in around the ranch.What does that make?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be 865 bales \u2013 a little more than 108 tons.\u201d\u00a0 The math slid together smoothly in Adam\u2019s head.\u00a0 \u201cThat should be enough and maybe a little extra if the winter is unusually hard.\u00a0 You\u2019ve really stuck with this job, Joe.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ve earned a bonus.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Both of his brothers had worked hard and finished important and urgent jobs in record time.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t fair to share the early completion bonus with Hoss and not give Joe something for his efforts.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned, and his green eyes flashed.\u00a0 \u201cI could use a little something extra in my pay envelope mighty fine.\u00a0 Thanks, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t suppose there\u2019s any point in suggesting you save some of it, and not blow it all on girls and poker, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave it?\u00a0 What would I want to do that for?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s laugh was infectious.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay, Adam,\u201d Joe\u2019s tone was more serious.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a darn big crew I\u2019ve had on the haying.\u00a0 What are we going to do with them all now that it\u2019s about finished?\u00a0 We\u2019d go broke trying to feed that mob all winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFall\u2019s in the air, Joe.\u00a0 A lot of the men will want to drift on across to California where it\u2019s warmer; they can work almost all winter on the farms down in the Sacramento valley.\u00a0 Give anybody that\u2019s willing to go now a half-month\u2019s extra pay and supplies for ten days.\u00a0 We can use those that want to stay on for a while to glean and bale straw.\u00a0 We always need more bedding for the barn animals, and Hop Sing will want to insulate a lot of his plants.\u00a0\u00a0 Tell them they\u2019ll get the same bonus and a stage ticket to anywhere within 500 miles they want to go before snow flies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his agreement.\u00a0 The Ponderosa treated its workers well, but they got the pick of the returning experienced and reliable hands each spring.<\/p>\n

It was almost dark.\u00a0 The men were at their evening meal.\u00a0 Hop Sing had gone to take Adam his supper tray.\u00a0 A long arm reached around the edge of the kitchen door and groped for the nail that held the keys to the separate storage sheds and the hen house.\u00a0 A gloved hand closed over them and lifted them from the hook.\u00a0 All but one was quickly returned and footsteps hurried away.\u00a0 Had anyone been listening they might have heard a creak of hinges and the squawk of a few flustered birds.\u00a0 The key was returned just as Hop Sing crossed the living room toward the kitchen, and a shadow slipped away.<\/p>\n

After dinner, when Hoss and Joe had gathered once more around Adam\u2019s bed, he brought up an important task that had been much on his mind.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m truly grateful that we got the fall round-up finished before I got myself stove up, but we still have to start drifting the breeding cows and young stock down out of the higher pastures.\u00a0 That\u2019s been my job along with a small crew from some years now.\u00a0 Clearly it won\u2019t be this year.\u201d\u00a0 He gestured at his leg and grinned ruefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you\u2019ll be fully engaged getting started on that Haas and Levy timber contract.\u00a0 I can\u2019t spare you from that.\u00a0 Joe, if I give you John Lowery for your honcho and your pick of the best men, do you think you could manage it?\u00a0 John\u2019s been with me the last three years.\u00a0 He should know the hidey holes and thickets the dumb brutes get into pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuckskin Lowery?\u00a0 Sure, Adam, he\u2019s a top hand.\u00a0 I can take care of that little chore for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam knew Joe was capable, but he was also sometimes overconfident.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, you\u2019ll be in charge, but it\u2019s important to get them all down and in good shape.\u00a0 They represent next year\u2019s profits on the hoof.\u00a0 I have every confidence in you, but I would like your assurance that you will listen if Buckskin has any advice to offer.\u00a0 He\u2019s had a lot of experience with cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked hurt.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you trust me, big brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I do, Joe, but nobody knows everything.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had plenty of help and guidance from the men I was working with, Pa too for that matter.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ever be too proud to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe thought it over.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon I see what you mean, Adam.\u00a0 All right, if Buckskin has som\u2019thin\u2019 to say, I\u2019ll consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam figured it was the best he was likely to get.\u00a0 They worked out the time that should be needed for the job, where to start and what supplies to take.\u00a0 That done he read to them for a while, but he was still feeling the effects of his exercise session with Hop Sing and begged off to turn in early.\u00a0 He left the laudanum out but drank two glasses of wine instead and managed to fall into a somewhat restless sleep.\u00a0 He was awakened several times by his body\u2019s natural instinct to turn.<\/p>\n

Breakfast brought more complaints of missing eggs.\u00a0 Short of posting a 24 hours guard on the hen house, Adam was at a loss as to how to proceed.\u00a0 Hop Sing swore he had his eye on the key every minute.\u00a0 At mid morning, following the usual clean up and dressing change, Adam was trying to concentrate on the wording of a proposal tendered by a new mining syndicate that wanted the Ponderosa to join in as a major partner.\u00a0 Ben would want his recommendation when he got home.\u00a0 At the moment, Adam was not favorably impressed.\u00a0 The ranch would be called on for a substantial investment, and the chances of a new strike in the area proposed were very slim if his study of the geology of the region meant anything.<\/p>\n

His train of thought and note taking were interrupted by the front door crashing open followed by the sounds of a struggle, loud voices and outraged squeaks.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam put his papers aside and pulled himself more erect.\u00a0 He suspected he was about to have a visit.\u00a0 Within moments, old Charlie pushed a young and very frightened boy through Adam\u2019s doorway followed by a flustered Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI caught him red handed comin\u2019 out of the hen house,\u201d Charlie said, giving the boy another good shake.\u00a0 He had a firm grip on the frayed collar of the kid\u2019s plaid shirt and had him up on his tiptoes.\u00a0 \u201cI knowed he was the one!\u00a0 Been keepin\u2019 my eyes peeled.\u00a0 Danged scamp was crawling out through that little bitty hole I left for the hens to get in and out.\u00a0 Boy must be half dadburned eel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his finger under the boy\u2019s nose and released a stream of Chinese invective that was too fast to follow.\u00a0 The youngster\u2019s dark skin paled to a sickly grey.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t done nothing, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he protested.\u00a0 \u201cHonest, I never!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raised his powerful voice to override the racket.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, everybody, just settle down!\u00a0 Stealing eggs may be wrong, but it\u2019s not a killin\u2019 crime.\u00a0 Simmer down.\u00a0 Charlie, let the boy go.\u00a0 He\u2019ll stand on his own.\u00a0 Now, one at a time, tell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam recognized the boy as Petey Lowery, Buckskin\u2019s half Indian son.\u00a0 Charlie had suspected him of taking the eggs from the first.<\/p>\n

Charlie got a jump on the rest with his version.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d jest finished up my barn chores, Adam, and come out to pester Hop Sing for a cup of coffee and a slab of that gingerbread I could smell bakin\u2019.\u00a0 Them greasy bunk house breakfasts don\u2019t set too good on my stomach no more,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded in sympathy.\u00a0 Eggs fried rock hard in a pan full of bacon grease served with day old beans and soda biscuits were not his favorites either.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGo on, Charlie.\u00a0 What did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWal\u2019 I\u2019d jest squatted down on the shady side of the well ta relish them good eats in peace, when I happened to look over ta the hen house.\u00a0 Lo and behold, what\u2019d I see, but this here scamp a slidin\u2019 out slicker\u2019n grease.\u00a0 First one arm and shoulder come out, then his haid poked through, then the other shoulder wiggled on out, and he barely squeezed his butt through.\u00a0 I rushed right on over and grabbed him \u2018fore he could get up and run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see too!\u201d Hop Sing interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cCome outside . . . throw old water on cabbages.\u201d\u00a0 He demonstrated tossing out water from an imaginary dish pan.\u00a0 \u201cHear noise, look hen house.\u00a0 See Mr. Charlie pull boy out hole.\u00a0 Bad boy,\u201d\u00a0 he shook his finger vigorously at Petey again.\u00a0 \u201cBad, bad boy, steal Hop Sing eggs!\u00a0 Mr. Adam need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me out of this for the moment,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cCome over here, Petey.\u201d\u00a0 He patted the side of his bed.\u00a0 Slowly, with obvious reluctance, the youngster shuffled over until he stood beside Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t steal nothing, Mr. Adam,\u201d he said in a low voice.\u00a0 \u201cWell, nothing that anybody cares about, anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked the boy over carefully; gangling and slender, he appeared to be in the midst of a growth spurt.\u00a0 With the flexibility of youth, he probably could just worm in and out of the hen\u2019s door.\u00a0 Adam noted that his faded blue plaid shirt and worn jeans were clean \u2013 well, save what he had picked up crawling around in the hen house.\u00a0 His dark hair was long under his battered straw hat, but neatly braided and wrapped with leather thongs, Indian style.\u00a0 Petey\u2019s hands trembled slightly as he clenched them in front of him, but he stood straight with eyes cast down.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at me Pete Lowery,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 The lad looked up and met Adam\u2019s amber eyes openly with his own dark ones.\u00a0 \u201cAre you afraid of me?\u201d Adam wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr. Adam,\u201d came the reply.\u00a0 \u201cYou always treated me and my folks fair.\u00a0 Speak real nice to my Ma.\u201d\u00a0 Not everyone one was courteous to a Shoshone squaw.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI was mighty sorry when you got hurt too.\u00a0 I saw that ol\u2019 Smoke kick you.\u00a0 Heard it too.\u00a0 Sounded like a clap of thunder.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at the covers tented over Adam\u2019s injured leg.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon you ought to shoot that blamed mule.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t his fault, Pete.\u00a0 The wasp scared him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry; I\u2019m going to be fine, real soon.\u00a0\u00a0 Right now, I want to ask you a few questions.\u00a0 You\u2019ll tell me the truth, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d\u00a0 There was no hesitation in the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Pa\u2019s off with my brother bringing the herds down to lower ground for winter.\u201d\u00a0 Petey nodded in agreement.\u00a0 \u201cSo you and your mother are on your own.\u201d\u00a0 Another nod.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have plenty of supplies, food, firewood, money for little things?\u00a0 Is the cabin sound?\u00a0 Are you going hungry or cold?\u00a0 I want you to tell me if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petey looked puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPa drew supplies before he left.\u00a0 Cupboard is plumb full.\u00a0 I help out by huntin\u2019 for squirrels and rabbits and such.\u00a0 We got plenty of wood, and the roof\u00a0 don\u2019t leak; cabin\u2019s chinked up tight for winter.\u00a0 Ma and me is just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u00a0 Then why do you want the eggs, Petey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Adam, I told you.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t take no eggs!\u00a0 They just think I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned to Charlie.\u00a0 \u201cDid he have any eggs with him when he crawled out?\u00a0 Anything in his hat, a neckerchief, a pan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie rubbed at his wrinkled neck.\u00a0 \u201cWal\u2019 no,\u201d he finally said, \u201cI reckon he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I never seen no eggs, jest Petey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little Oriental shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo see eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPete, will you show me what you have in your pockets?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Petey dug into his britches pockets and spread out on Adam\u2019s bed a well oiled and polished jackknife, a dime and two nickels, a small chunk of iron pyrites, fools\u2019 gold, a\u00a0 roll of string, a semi-clean handkerchief and three hazelnuts.\u00a0 No eggs.\u00a0 Petey fingered the small, deerhide pouch that hung from its leather cord around his neck.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t show you this Mr. Adam.\u00a0 My Ma would kill me.\u00a0 But there ain\u2019t no eggs inside, believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 It was the boy\u2019s medicine bag and held objects sacred to him.\u00a0 It was too small to conceal even one of the Buffs\u2019 big eggs in any case.<\/p>\n

Adam breathed out gently.\u00a0 \u201cTake your things back, Pete.\u00a0 I see we were all wrong about the eggs and owe you an apology.\u00a0 That just leaves one question.\u00a0 What were you after in the hen house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust these.\u201d\u00a0 Petey pulled off his hat and from inside the brim extracted three long, carefully coiled, game cock tail feathers.\u00a0 They were a rainbow of iridescent colors: emerald green, blood red, tawny gold and metallic blue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are from those fighting cocks Joe decided to invest in, I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t pull them out neither.\u00a0 I check every day, and when they shed a feather, I get it out of the cage before it gets messed up.\u00a0 My Ma uses them to make feathered hats for the ladies in town.\u00a0 She gets six dollars a hat \u2013 sometimes even more.\u201d\u00a0 Petey was glowing with pride.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded slowly.\u00a0 He looked from Charlie to Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cWell, gentlemen, are you satisfied?\u00a0 Shall we let this hardened criminal go or string him up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie spoke with stiff dignity.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m right sorry, Petey.\u00a0 I misjudged ya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right, Mr. Charlie.\u00a0 I reckon I would have thought something funny too, if I\u2019d ah seen you crawling out of the chicken door.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know there was eggs missing.\u201d\u00a0 He turned again to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t seen nobody taking eggs, \u2018cept Mr. Hop Sing.\u00a0 I\u2019d tell you if I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing padded up to the boy.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing velly solly.\u00a0 Make up to boy.\u00a0 Come eat gingerbread.\u00a0 Take nice roast of venison home to Mama.\u201d\u00a0 Petey grinned from ear to ear.\u00a0\u00a0 He was about to follow Hop Sing out of the room when he suddenly stopped and turned back to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I still have the feathers, please, sir?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cIt really helps my Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled \u2013 the slow, open, unconstrained smile that flooded the heart with warmth and affection.\u00a0 \u201cIndeed you may, Pete.\u00a0 But, when you want to go in, ask Mr. Hop Sing to let you in.\u00a0 That way your clothes will stay cleaner.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing bobbed in agreement.<\/p>\n

The whole troop gathered themselves and marched out of the room.\u00a0 Adam called after them, \u201cAny chance I could get some of this famous gingerbread?\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing stuck his head back around the door.\u00a0 \u201cAnd a glass of milk, please,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned back and longed to rub his aching leg.\u00a0 He still had no idea where the eggs were going.
\nCHAPTER VI<\/p>\n

It was quiet with Joe away.\u00a0 Adam, able to sit up a little longer each day, got all the ranch records and books up to date and wrote a number of overdue business and personal letters.<\/p>\n

Hoss seemed to be very busy, not only with the timber operations, but with chores around the house, until well after dark.\u00a0 Rather than dine alone at the big table, he took to bringing a tray upstairs and eating at Adam\u2019s desk.\u00a0 There were still some days when Adam didn\u2019t feel much like talking, but the lifelong closeness between the half-brothers often made words unnecessary.\u00a0 The mere fact of physical proximity was comfort and company one for the other.\u00a0\u00a0 Each night they went over the orders that Hoss would relay to the hands the next morning just after daylight.\u00a0 There was still a great deal to be done.\u00a0\u00a0 Unwilling to worry Hoss with one more item, Adam kept the problem of the missing eggs to himself.<\/p>\n

Adam had prepared long lists of winter supplies: flour, cornmeal, sugar, coffee, tea and salt \u2013 lots of salt for preserving and cooking; dried beans and fruits, rice and cereal grains, jars of preserves and pickles and blocks of lard and butter,\u00a0 tins of peaches and sardines, jars of spices, vinegar and cider along with wine and liquors and pipe tobacco for Ben.\u00a0 In addition they would need everything from matches to coal oil and wicks for the lamps, nails, wire and small tools along with leather and fastening for harness repairs and saddle soap.\u00a0 Feed corn and oats were ordered by the ton. Then there were warm shirts, heavy wool britches and thickly waxed overalls for working in snow and wet, boots, hats, gloves, scarves and blankets.\u00a0 The lists seemed endless.\u00a0 Someone had to take in the orders and pick them up as they arrived piecemeal over a number of weeks.\u00a0 Then they had to be inventoried, checked off against the original lists and stored safe from rats and other vermin.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had to have experienced help with the fall slaughter of pigs to put up bacon, hams, side meat and salt pork for the winter months.\u00a0 Fat steers were slaughtered and the meat salted or made into jerky.\u00a0 The fat was rendered and used for everything from making mincemeat and dipping candles, to preserving meat.\u00a0 Mutton tallow was clarified and made into a protective ointment that kept hands and face from chapping and cracking in the bitter cold.\u00a0\u00a0 The late potatoes, onions, turnips and carrots had to be dug, tied in bunches and hung in the root cellar.\u00a0 Apples, pears and lemons were packed in straw and stored in barrels along with the vegetables.\u00a0 Cabbage was salted, pressed and made into sauerkraut.<\/p>\n

And the regular ranch chores had to go on.\u00a0 Riders went out daily to check boundaries, clear springs and small streams and tend ailing animals.\u00a0 Line cabins were stocked for the winter.\u00a0 The riding stock kept at the ranch had to be fed and groomed and their stalls cleaned.\u00a0\u00a0 Training went on for young colts.\u00a0 Then there were the pigs, chickens and rabbits to feed and clean.\u00a0 The regular hands were stretched thin during this busy time.<\/p>\n

The mail brought a letter from Ben.\u00a0 He was enjoying the fall social season in Sacramento and spoke of going on to San Francisco.\u00a0 He had made a number of useful business contacts and taken shares in a shipping venture that was sending fleece and hides to China and planning to return loaded with silk and spices.\u00a0\u00a0 Before staying longer he wanted reassurances about Adam\u2019s health and operations at the ranch.\u00a0 It had been a long time since his father had taken time to enjoy himself.\u00a0 Adam wrote a cheerful letter detailing all that had been done on the Ponderosa and added that while his femur was cracked, he was healing quickly and in very little pain.\u00a0 He even had Hoss add a short note, so that Ben would know that they were all right.<\/p>\n

Despite his essential and busy role in preparing the household for winter, Hop Sing managed to keep Adam clean, tended, exercised and well fed.\u00a0 Aware that he was an extra burden at an inconvenient time, Adam kept his requests for help to the bare essentials.\u00a0 It meant he was often alone for long hours and uncomfortable when an extra pair of hands could have made a big difference.\u00a0 He surprised himself by being inordinately glad to see Doc Martin when he stopped by for his next visit.<\/p>\n

The doctor scrubbed well with Hop Sing\u2019s hot water and strong soap, and pulled up a chair to lift the covers, remove the light dressing and examine the injury closely.\u00a0 \u201cHow have you been feeling, Adam?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a square wheel on a tandem bicycle.\u00a0 I\u2019m taking up time from both Hop Sing and Hoss that they really can\u2019t spare right now.\u00a0 I need to get up Paul, do more for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let me take a look here.\u201d\u00a0 Paul bent and looked closely at the fading bruise.\u00a0 The colors were less angry and the hoof marks were beginning to fill in with new, pink flesh and skin.\u00a0 Light pressure around the outer edges of the huge bruise brought no reaction, but when he applied pressure to the thigh over the suspected crack in the femur and dug into the hip joint, his patient couldn\u2019t suppress a harsh gasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still taking the laudanum, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not for several days now; just a glass of wine or a brandy at bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how are you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty well.\u00a0 It will wake me up a time or two when I try to turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not unexpected.\u00a0 Are you exercising the ankle and knee joints?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, Hop Sing insists.\u201d\u00a0 His tone was very dry.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurts, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n

After a long moment Adam said simply, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul leaned back and rubbed his eyes.\u00a0 Adam thought he looked tired.\u00a0 It was the time of year that people started to come down with fevers and coughs, and the rush to prepare for winter meant more injuries and accidents.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long has it been since you got kicked?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam counted back quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThree weeks and four days, Doc.\u00a0 It just seems like halfway to forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u00a0 Hang on another three days. Then, if you feel up to it and truly can\u2019t stand it in bed any longer, you can get up for a couple of hours a day, but you have to give me your word that you will use crutches and not put any weight on that leg yet.\u00a0 Six weeks is an absolute minimum for the bone to heal and for a big bone like that eight or ten weeks would be even better.\u00a0 You DO NOT want to put any stress on that leg or risk another injury, and, for heaven\u2019s sake, have someone with you when you get up the first few times.\u00a0 You will be weak and possibly a little dizzy.\u00a0 A fall would be disastrous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great!\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s grin was infectious, and his eyes had brightened amazingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay it, Adam!\u201d Paul demanded.\u00a0 \u201cI know how much store you set by your word.\u00a0 I want to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sobered.\u00a0 \u201cYou have my word that I will use crutches and take every precaution necessary to allow the bone adequate time to heal.\u00a0 Will that do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will.\u00a0 Now, take it slow, Adam.\u00a0 Up for only an hour or so at first and then back to bed.\u00a0 You can gradually extend the time unless you find yourself exhausted or in worse pain.\u00a0 Don\u2019t even think of straddling a horse.\u00a0 I\u2019ll shoot you myself if I find out you\u2019ve been that foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n

The very thought of his leg pounding against a saddle was enough to make Adam wince.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather take a running jump down a mine shaft.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, I\u2019ll leave some instructions with Hop Sing.\u00a0 You\u2019ll want to keep the injury clean and covered, and it will probably help to support the leg and keep down swelling if he wraps it firmly when you are up. \u201c<\/p>\n

After sharing a cup of coffee and a fresh doughnut along with some local gossip, the doctor took his leave.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s outlook had brightened considerably.<\/p>\n

That afternoon brought in a rider from Joe\u2019s crew.\u00a0 A young fellow with a shock of unruly red hair, his broad smile opened on what always seemed an inordinate number of long, white, slightly crooked teeth.\u00a0 It had earned him the nickname of \u2018Smiley.\u2019Hop Sing led him to Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 Adam had gotten a carpenter to fit a portable writing desk with short legs and had it across his lap, creating sketches for a bridge he wanted to build next summer high in the mountains.\u00a0 If it were sturdy enough to drive cattle across, it would open a number of new hanging meadows to their stock.<\/p>\n

Adam straightened his back and realized he\u2019d spent too long hunched over his drawings.\u00a0 He nodded at Smiley.\u00a0 The young puncher had a three day scruff of reddish beard on his jaws and his trail clothes where stiff with sweat and dust.\u00a0 He pulled off his old, stained, flat-crowned hat and stuck it under his arm.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Mr. Adam.\u00a0 How ya doin\u2019?\u00a0\u00a0 Your brother sent me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs something wrong?\u00a0 Nobody hurt I hope?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, everybody\u2019s jes fine, but the cattle are pretty scattered.\u00a0 It\u2019s takin\u2019 longer than Joe thought it would.\u00a0 We\u2019re plumb out of coffee and sweetin\u2019 and the nights are mighty cold.\u00a0 We need more supplies and blankets.\u00a0 It\u2019s all in here.\u201d\u00a0 Smiley held out a crumpled and much folded sheet of paper.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a note from Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam, hope you\u2019re doing better.\u00a0 Dang cows are scattered all over up here.\u00a0 We\u2019re having to chase them out one by one, and supplies are running low.\u00a0 Please send Smiley back with five pounds of coffee, a jug of molasses, ten loaves of fresh bread and a small wheel of cheese.\u00a0 We could use a dozen more blankets too.\u00a0 Heavy frost last night \u2013 dang near froze.\u00a0 Hope to get home in time for the big autumn dance.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your brother,
\nJoe<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see any problem with the supplies, Smiley.\u00a0 Surprises me that the stock is so scattered.\u00a0 Wonder what happened; any signs of a bad storm or a big cat stalking them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone that I seen.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He felt silent and looked around the room as if in search of an escape route.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Smiley took his hat out from under his arm and twisted it around in his hands.\u00a0 His nails were broken and dirt deeply imbedded in the creases of his hands.\u00a0 He looked both embarrassed and distressed<\/p>\n

\u201cUm.\u201d\u00a0 Adam made an encouraging noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got another message for you, Mr. Adam.\u00a0 A sort of secret one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d\u00a0 Adam was puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cAnother message from Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, no, no sir.\u00a0 You see, as I was saddlin\u2019 up, Buckskin come by and asked me to have a word in your ear, iffen you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u00a0 And what did he want you to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuckskin thinks the cattle may have been scattered by rustlers.\u00a0 He found some old ashes.\u00a0\u00a0 Thinks about three men camped there for several days.\u00a0 He pointed it out to Joe . . .\u201d Smiley trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd,\u201d Adam said after a little wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought it was just some hunters.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s kinda in a hurry to finish up and get on back, seems like.\u00a0 Buckskin would like to take a little more time and look around some more.\u201d\u00a0 Smiley rubbed the toe of his boot back and forth on the rug.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas there anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, that\u2019s about it I reckon, Mr. Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Smiley.\u00a0 It\u2019s too late to start back tonight.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you get cleaned up and have a hot meal and a night\u2019s sleep in your bunk.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have the supplies and a letter for Joe ready for you to take back in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 That sounds mighty\u00a0 fine to me.\u00a0 See you in the morning.\u201d\u00a0 Smiley turned with a sigh of relief and hurried from the room.<\/p>\n

Adam bent his head and pushed his hands through his hair.\u00a0 Damn this leg<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0 How am I going to handle this?\u00a0 I need to get up there.\u00a0 I can\u2019t send Joe strict orders without giving Buckskin away.\u00a0 I can\u2019t spare Hoss; I can\u2019t destroy Joe\u2019s authority with the men.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0 He twisted in frustration, and his leg twinged so hard that it startled a cry from him.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came in at that moment with a tea pot and cup.\u00a0 He set it down and came at once to Adam\u2019s side.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou work too hard,\u201d he said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cSit up too long.\u00a0 Man Mista Joe send upset you.\u201d\u00a0 His brow was wrinkled in a serious frown.\u00a0 \u201cCold in here.\u00a0 You drink nice tea, lie down, get warm, rest.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing poured the mug full of steaming tea and thrust it at Adam, then went at once to build up the fire.<\/p>\n

Adam tasted the tea.\u00a0 It was chamomile, sweet with honey, mild and soothing.\u00a0\u00a0 He needed to think.\u00a0 It might be best to get down and take the pressure off his hip, relax and look at all the possibilities.\u00a0 He drank more tea.\u00a0 The fire was blazing brightly.\u00a0 Hop Sing was pulling out pillows and helping him to slip down in the bed.\u00a0 The little Chinaman found a rabbit fur blanket in the closet and spread it over his boy.\u00a0 \u201cSoon time get out all winter furs,\u201d he said<\/p>\n

Before Hop Sing left Adam gave him Joe\u2019s note and ask him to get the needed supplies together.\u00a0 Quiet now, warm and alone, Adam let his mind sort thought the many possibilities and his few options.<\/p>\n

Hoss was late bringing up his supper tray that evening.\u00a0 He said only that he had been busy with chores around the barn.\u00a0 Adam asked about Sport and was told that he was fine, if restless.\u00a0 \u201cNeeds exercise,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn him out to pasture.\u201d Adam told him.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be a while yet, before I\u2019m ready to ride.\u00a0 Or you could ride him yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks,\u201d Hoss said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t anxious to have my eyes blacked or my nose busted.\u00a0 I\u2019ll turn him out.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He dug into his dinner.<\/p>\n

Adam waited patiently while Hoss plowed through a heaping platter of roast pork, sweet potatoes, the last of the fresh corn \u2013 he ate three ears, dripping in butter \u2013 and hot biscuits to sop up the gravy.\u00a0 When he had finished and wiped his hands thoroughly, Adam handed him Joe\u2019s letter to read and a longer one that was his response.\u00a0 \u201cSmiley came in today.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s having some trouble finding the cattle.\u00a0 Buckskin thinks they may have been scattered by rustlers; Joe doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 See what you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss moved closer to the lamp and read:<\/p>\n

Dear Joe:
\nAll is well here.\u00a0 Pa is still in San Francisco and won\u2019t be home for another couple of weeks.\u00a0 Doc says I can start to get up some in a few days.<\/em><\/p>\n

Smiley will have your supplies and a few extras including warm gloves and heavy ponchos.\u00a0 Hop Sing plans to put in a spice cake and a jug of cider.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sorry it\u2019s taking longer than we expected to round up the stock.\u00a0 By my count we released a few more than 400 head of breeding cows and young steers in that area along with five good bulls after round-up.\u00a0 Smiley thinks you have about 360 of them gathered but confirms your opinion about how badly they are scattered.\u00a0\u00a0 He tells me there\u2019s no sign of bad storms or big predators that might account for it, but he doesn\u2019t have a lot of experience reading sign.\u00a0 You and Buckskin might think differently.<\/em><\/p>\n

You will want to search carefully around that seep spring back under the rimrock and in the willow thickets if you haven\u2019t already done so.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found hideouts there in the past.\u00a0 Always remember that when you have more than a few head missing and no carcasses to show for them that rustlers are a possibility.\u00a0 You might want to look around for any traces of intruders in the area.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be too hard to slip a small bunch over the pass into California from up there.\u00a0 Easy to run the brand and sell them to some unscrupulous rancher looking to build up his herd or turn them over to a big butchering outfit willing to ignore the brand, and that\u2019s that.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

If you find any indication that this might have happened, don\u2019t waste your time trailing them across the Sierras.\u00a0 They will be long gone anyway.\u00a0 Instead come on in and let me know.\u00a0 I can write some friends in California and maybe get a line on them.\u00a0 There\u2019s no difficulty if you want to leave Buckskin in charge of drifting what you have been able to gather down slowly \u2013 he\u2019s a reliable man.
\nPretty slow around here without your foolishness to liven the place up a little.\u00a0 Hoss sends his best.\u00a0 Watch yourself, short shanks.<\/em><\/p>\n

With affection, your brother,
\nAdam<\/p>\n

Hoss shoved his hands through his thinning hair and chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you sly ol\u2019 fox!\u00a0 You tell our little brother not to do something, and you can dang near guarantee he\u2019ll do it.\u00a0 Betcha he\u2019ll follow them rustlers clear to Placerville now if that\u2019s what it takes.\u00a0 And sayin\u2019 to leave his men and come on home.\u00a0 He\u2019ll stay out till the last steer is down, even if they\u2019re up to their butts in snow first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can hope,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cEither way will work.\u00a0 Just on the off chance he takes my advice, I\u2019ll need to send some wires to California tomorrow.\u00a0 Can you spare somebody to take them in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Adam.\u00a0 We\u2019re startin\u2019 to catch up a little now.\u00a0 The Sacramento timber is all marked, and the men are startin\u2019 to cut.\u00a0 Got the fence posts under cover and plenty of firewood sawn.\u00a0 The supplies are almost all here and stowed safe.\u00a0 I need to help Hop Sing put up the storm windows this Saturday, and most of the heavy work will be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve done a great job, Hoss.\u00a0 Just wish I could have been of more help.\u00a0 Come Monday, I can start getting\u2019 up some.\u00a0 I can hardly wait!\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes lit with pleasure, and he grinned.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t rush things too much, Adam.\u00a0 I have to go out to the timber stand on Monday.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you wait a day or two until I can be with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing will be here.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be fine; don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 Now, what\u2019s it going to be this evening: chess, checkers, another dip into Dumas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like that \u2018Three Musketeers\u2019 real fine, Adam.\u00a0 If you feel like reading some more . . . ?\u201d
\nCHAPTER VII
\nMonday threatened rain, or maybe snow or even hail.\u00a0 Hoss got home in mid-afternoon.\u00a0 Hop Sing met him at the door.\u00a0 \u201cMista Hoss, you go up lite \u2018way!\u00a0 Mista Adam need brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0 The big man grabbed the little Chinese\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u00a0 He was so excited this morning about getting\u2019 out of bed . . .\u00a0 Ah, no!\u00a0 Did he fall?\u201d\u00a0 An icy fear gripped him.\u00a0 \u201cI knew I shoulda been here!\u201d\u00a0 If Adam had broken that big thigh bone \u2013 or his hip again . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cNot fall, exactly.\u00a0 Too soon, but try.\u00a0 You go!\u201d\u00a0 He pointed at the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cNeed brother.\u00a0 No listen Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took the steps two at a time and slowed just enough to keep from smashing through Adam\u2019s door.\u00a0 He opened it into a dim, silent room.\u00a0 There were no lamps lit, and the half-drawn drapes framed a gray and dismal evening, rapidly turning frosty.\u00a0 The only light came from the fireplace.\u00a0 At least the room was warm.\u00a0 When his eyes had adjusted, Hoss saw that Adam lay flat in the bed with his face turned to the wall.\u00a0 His books and papers were roughly piled on his desk, and the bedside table held a sticky wineglass with a few drops from the almost empty Burgundy bottle beside it left in the bottom.\u00a0 The laudanum bottle stood close by.<\/p>\n

Hoss crossed to the bedside and looked down at his brother.\u00a0 He was unshaven; his hair, long overdue for a trim, fell around a face fine carved by pain and exhaustion.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo \u2018way, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 His words were slurred, his tongue thick.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo \u2018way.\u00a0 Not fit company for rabid wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do that, no more than you could.\u00a0 Talk to me, brother.\u00a0 What happened here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam flung his arm out suddenly and knocked the tall, green Burgundy bottle from the table spinning.\u00a0 \u201cNeed \u2018nother bottle; this one\u2019s empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss caught it before it hit the floor.\u00a0 \u201cNo you don\u2019t.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had enough.\u201d\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t remember the last time he\u2019d seen Adam drunk.\u00a0 Probably more the laudanum than the alcohol.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis morning you was all fired up about gittin\u2019 out o\u2019 that bed.\u00a0 Now you\u2019re flat back in it and loaded with pain killer.\u00a0 Tell me what went wrong, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother muttered something.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo guts,\u201d Adam said loudly and distinctly.\u00a0 \u201cNo damn guts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t so, and I know it.\u00a0 You take a minute and pull yourself together here, and then I want the whole story.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s tone allowed no argument.\u00a0 He took the time to light three lamps, bathing the room in a golden glow.\u00a0 He closed the curtains against the night and built up the fire until it crackled cheerfully.\u00a0 Pulling a chair close beside the bed, he laid a hand on his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cLooka here at me, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Obedient as a good child, Adam turned to face his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow start real slow and tell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHad to get up,\u201d Adam whispered.\u00a0 \u201cGet back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the big rush?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think you understand even now how bad you were hurt.\u00a0 Doc told us that iffen it weren\u2019t for the need to treat that gosh awful place where you was kicked, he\u2019d a had you in plaster from your waist to the knee for at least six weeks.\u00a0 It\u2019s only been four.\u00a0 You got to give yourself time to heal you blamed ijiot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a drag on you, Hop Sing, everybody \u2013 just when we\u2019re scurrying \u2018round like a pack of squirrels storing up acorns for winter; every hand counts, and Pa\u2019s away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m half a mind to wire him to come straight home.\u00a0 You need him here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Adam caught at Hoss\u2019s arm and pulled himself half up only to fall back with a harsh gasp.<\/p>\n

Hoss found a clean handkerchief, poured cool water from the pitcher into Adam\u2019s wash basin, wet the cloth and wrung it out.\u00a0 Returning to the bed, he used it to blot the oily sweat from his brother\u2019s face and push back the heavy hair.<\/p>\n

In time Adam said, \u201cI tried, Hoss . . . tried so hard.\u00a0 Followed Doc Martin\u2019s orders to the letter.\u00a0 Took my time; had Hop Sing up here with me.\u00a0 When I got up onto the crutches and this damned leg swung down . . . I almost passed out; felt like it was coming off.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stopped, looking inward.\u00a0 \u201cManaged to drag myself to the chair by the window.\u00a0 So dizzy.\u00a0 Half fell into it; hit dead center on this bruise.\u00a0 Scared Hop Sing nigh to death; bled all over everywhere.\u00a0 Not sure how Hop Sing got me back in bed . . . all blurred . . .\u201d\u00a0 he trailed off.<\/p>\n

Adam was quiet for a while, and Hoss waited.\u00a0 Presently he went on.\u00a0 \u201cKnew it would hurt; thought I could handle it.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t. Can\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 A slow flush pushed up from Adam\u2019s throat and spread across his face.\u00a0 \u201cFeel like a damn fool and a coward, but I can\u2019t get up yet, Hoss; it hurts like fury.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss squeezed Adam\u2019s shoulder gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have a damned thing to apologize for you danged, hard headed . .\u00a0 .\u201d\u00a0 He broke off just short of saying \u2018jackass.\u2019\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know why you\u2019re so all fired worried about the work anyhow.\u00a0 You been handlin\u2019 everything real fine right from where you\u2019re at now.\u00a0 No reason you can\u2019t take all the time you need to heal up good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam found a grin somewhere.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m bored, Hoss; half out of my skull.\u00a0 I want fresh air and sunshine, and most of all I want to be off my back.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t believe how it aches sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s back had bothered him off and on ever since he fell building a home for that ninny Laura Dayton.\u00a0 Somehow \u2018ninny\u2019 was always the word that came to mind when Hoss thought of the silly, selfish, always complaining child\/woman his brother had almost married.\u00a0 He threw up his hands.\u00a0 \u201cWell, why in the world didn\u2019t you say somethin\u2019.\u00a0 You know I\u2019d rub it for you \u2013 ease all them kinks out and help you sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss did give a fine back massage.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t turn over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss imagined himself in Adam\u2019s position.\u00a0 With his whole right side from the waist down a useless agony with an open wound to consider, turning over would be a problem.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u00a0 We can fix that, Adam.\u00a0 Would you like to get off your back now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, no!\u00a0 No, Hoss, don\u2019t move me! In Heaven\u2019s name don\u2019t move me!\u00a0\u00a0 I need more time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss realized his brother was panting hard, sick with pain.\u00a0 He took his hand and squeezed it firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou still want that bottle, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not now . . . if you could stay\u00a0 . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to see Hop Sing for just a minute.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right back and stay with you as long as you want me to.\u00a0 You rest easy and don\u2019t worry \u2018bout nothin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss slipped his hand free and tiptoed from the room.\u00a0 Hop Sing was waiting in the hall outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam said something about bleeding.\u00a0 How bad is he hurt?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHit hoof kick place hard on chair.\u00a0 Scabs tear, new skin tear, bleed plenty.\u00a0 Hurt so bad Mista Adam half out of head, fight me.\u00a0 Finally get in bed, stop blood, but need to clean, bandage.\u00a0 Toss books at me; say no touch.\u00a0 Give wine, pain killer.\u00a0 Drink whole bottle \u2013 very fast. Yell, Hop Sing.\u00a0 No eat, no talk.\u00a0 Must take care, Mista Hoss.\u00a0 Wound get dirty, go bad!\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing twisted his hands together, half frantic with worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m terrible sorry you had to deal with this alone, partner,\u201d Hoss told Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cI should\u2019a been here.\u00a0 I know Adam\u2019s going hate what happened.\u00a0 He\u2019s calmer now; the wine\u2019s wearing off, but he\u2019s hurtin\u2019 somethin\u2019 awful.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s got some morphine in his medicine chest.\u00a0 I\u2019ll try to get Adam to let me give him a shot.\u00a0 You wait about twenty minutes and then bring up some hot beef broth, tea and toast.\u00a0 If he lost a lot of blood, he needs to eat, drink.\u00a0 He\u2019s not strong enough to fight me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0 \u201cKnow Mista Adam no can help; pain make him klazy.\u00a0 He want walk so bad.\u00a0 Not mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c Good man.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss gave Hop Sing a pat on the back.\u00a0 \u201cGo on and get that food while I hunt out the morphine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was so glad to see Hoss back that he surrendered to the morphine shot with a minimum of resistance.\u00a0 It was taking hold when Hop Sing returned with a steaming mug of beef broth and thin slices of buttered toast.\u00a0 He got most of it down before succumbing to a heavy, drugged sleep.\u00a0\u00a0 Working quickly and quietly together they got the bloody sheets stripped and replaced.\u00a0 Hoss sponged Adam off with warm water while Hop Sing cleaned and packed the freshly injured hoof wounds.\u00a0 They cushioned his sore back with pillows and elevated the leg.\u00a0 When they were finished, Hoss sent Hop Sing off to a well deserved rest and settled close beside his brother.<\/p>\n

Adam woke just at dawn.\u00a0 He was calm, clear headed, in far less pain and acutely embarrassed.\u00a0 Hoss hushed his apologies as he gave him cool water to drink and helped him to his natural functions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was terrible to Hop Sing, Hoss,\u201d his brother told him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m surprised he didn\u2019t just leave me to bleed out.\u00a0 How am I going to make it up to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe understands that you were out of your head, Adam.\u00a0 Tell him you\u2019re sorry; thank him for helping you and don\u2019t make too much out of it,\u201d Hoss advised.\u00a0 Satisfied that his brother was comfortable, Hoss took himself off to get a few hours sleep.\u00a0 Hop Sing came in with Adam\u2019s breakfast soon after.<\/p>\n

Adam made a dignified and elegant apology for his irrational behavior and thanked Hop Sing warmly for his care.\u00a0 \u201cIf I can do anything to thank you,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind egg thief,\u201d Hop Sing said flatly.\u00a0 \u201cAsk you many times.\u00a0 Eggs still run away.\u00a0 Not so many now, but every two, three days eggs gone.\u00a0 Last ones.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed at the fragrant, light omelet on Adam\u2019s breakfast plate.<\/p>\n

Adam bent his head to hide a slow smile.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t been a very good detective have I, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing drew himself up.\u00a0 \u201cMista Cartlight say you in charge while he gone.\u00a0 If you in charge then you le..lespon\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cResponsible,\u201d Adam provided the word.\u00a0 \u201cResponsible.\u00a0 And you\u2019re right.\u00a0 I am responsible for what happens while Pa\u2019s away.\u00a0 I should have taken the missing eggs more seriously.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I\u2019ll try harder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGood.\u00a0 You do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam ate and then dozed again for a while.\u00a0 When Hoss came in shortly before noon, he pulled himself up against the pillows and asked for hot water, his shaving kit and a mirror.\u00a0 He scraped off a two day beard, brushed his teeth and combed his hair into some semblance of order.\u00a0 Feeling halfway human again and resigned to spending another couple of weeks in bed, he was just reaching for a book when he heard a rider lope into the ranch yard at a good clip.\u00a0 It was followed by a knock on the door, and Hop Sing soon brought up a telegram.\u00a0\u00a0 It had been sent from Placerville and came from Joe.\u00a0 It read:<\/p>\n

Adam.
\nGot them.\u00a0\u00a0 Tracked rustlers to Placerville.\u00a0\u00a0 Found stock in holding yard of large slaughterhouse.\u00a0\u00a0 Brands newly changed from Pinetree\u00a0 to lazy H-H.\u00a0\u00a0 Sheriff expects to arrest rustlers tonight.\u00a0\u00a0 Slaughterhouse offers $50 a head if I don\u2019t press charges against owner.\u00a0\u00a0 $2000 seems a good deal for 40 head.\u00a0 Buckskin with me.\u00a0\u00a0 Headed home tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0 Rest of crew bringing cattle down.\u00a0\u00a0 Send word to Miss Elizabeth Worth that I will pick her up at 6:00 p.m. for the Harvest Dance.
\nFaithfully, your brother,
\nJoseph F. Cartwright<\/p>\n

Adam dropped the paper in his lap, leaned back and laughed until his sides ached.\u00a0 Hoss came in to see why Adam\u2019s room was suddenly resounding with deep, rib shaking hilarity.\u00a0 Half choked from trying to stifle a fit of giggles, Adam handed Hoss the telegram and watched delighted as the big man fell first to his knees and then rolled helplessly on the floor.\u00a0 When they had both recovered enough breath to speak, Hoss waved his hands about and gasped, \u201cThat boy!\u00a0 He got you again, Adam.\u00a0 Did what you told him not to do and came up smelling like a rose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Adam was trying hard not to laugh again.\u00a0 It jarred his leg.\u00a0 \u201cI swear, he could fall forty feet down a dry shaft and come up covered in diamonds.\u00a0 Guess we better send somebody over to the Worth place.\u00a0 I\u2019ll write Liz a quick note; he\u2019s gonna make that dance after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doc Martin stopped in on his way home from a lying in at a neighboring ranch.\u00a0 Adam suspected that Hoss had quietly sent for him.\u00a0 After a thorough examination, accompanied by a stern and lengthy lecture, he concluded that the primary result of Adam\u2019s fall had been to set back his recovery by another few weeks.\u00a0 There was a newly opened cavity under the hoof marks.\u00a0 It was now granulating and healing, but Paul thought it might have been a deep seated pocket of infection that\u00a0 ruptured when Adam\u2019s leg rammed into the chair arm and that had been flushed by the heavy bleeding.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam was happy to report that the pain and pressure in the leg was now much less.
\nCHAPTER VIII<\/p>\n

The next morning Adam was presented with an eggless breakfast and some very hard looks from Hop Sing.\u00a0 The little Chinese said almost nothing as he dressed Adam\u2019s leg and helped him clean up.\u00a0 Feeling badly about his failure to ferret out the egg thief, Adam did the only thing he could think of.\u00a0 He sent for Petey Lowery.<\/p>\n

The boy arrived half an hour later, obviously well scrubbed and combed by his mother.\u00a0\u00a0 He found a chair already draw up by the bedside, with a pitcher of fresh milk, two glasses and a plate of thick, sweet oatmeal cookies on the nightstand.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Pete,\u201d Adam invited as the boy stood hesitantly in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted to see me, Mr. Adam?\u201d\u00a0 He looked puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure did.\u00a0 I need your help.\u00a0 Here, sit down.\u00a0 I was about to have a snack; will you join me?\u201d\u00a0 He poured them each a glass of milk and passed the cookies.\u00a0 Petey took one and nibbled carefully around the edges.\u00a0 The crisp outside and the warm, soft inside was delicious.\u00a0 He took a big bite and was soon reaching for another.\u00a0 Half-way through his third cookie he remembered his manners and looked up to find Adam smiling at him over the edge of his milk glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you want me to help you with, Mr. Adam?\u201d he asked around a mouthful of cookie crumbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrink some milk, Pete,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Hop Sing is still losing eggs from the hen house, and I have to find out where they are going or he says he\u2019ll stop feeding me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, naw, Mr. Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Petey looked very serious.\u00a0 \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe not, but we still need to find out what\u2019s happening to them.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got a hunch that you keep a pretty good eye out for what\u2019s going on around here.\u00a0 Tell me what you\u2019ve seen for the last month or so.\u00a0 Anything that struck you as a little odd, something different, somebody where you didn\u2019t expect to see them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Petey took another cookie and munched thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cBeen pretty busy around here.\u00a0 Lot of new hands for the haying.\u00a0 I saw one of them pinch one of Mr. Hop Sing\u2019s apple pies that was cooling in the kitchen window, but he\u2019s gone now.\u201d\u00a0 The boy nodded thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t peach on him; do you reckon I should have tattled, Mr. Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tugged at an earlobe.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a hard question, Pete.\u00a0 Stealing is wrong; you know that, but a pie \u2013 guess anybody can be tempted with that smell of cinnamon and sweet apples floating out on the morning air, and a fellow hates to peach.\u00a0 Now if it were money or somebody gear, I reckon that would be different, and you ought to tell your Pa or me.\u00a0 Does that help any?\u2019<\/p>\n

The boy drank some milk and thought it through.\u00a0 \u201cMakes sense I guess.\u00a0\u00a0 The pie don\u2019t really hurt nobody much, but taking things that belong to somebody else could hurt real bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you understand that pretty well, Pete.\u00a0 Now, can you think of anything else unusual?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Jacoby\u2019s cow had a three legged calf.\u00a0 They had to put it down.\u00a0 It was real pitiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s always sad,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 Frank Jacoby was a crew boss with the timbering operation.\u00a0 He and his wife Annie had lived on the Ponderosa for a number of years.\u00a0 They had their own cabin, a big garden and a milk cow.<\/p>\n

Petey scratched at his head with somewhat sticky fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t think of much else, Mr. Adam.\u00a0 Course there\u2019s them cute orphan pups Mr. Hoss in raisin\u2019 up in the back stall of the barn.\u00a0 I was sorta hoping he\u2019d give me the liver spotted one.\u00a0 Sorry I weren\u2019t more help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something clicked in Adam\u2019s mind.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve done just fine, Pete.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you wrap up the rest of the cookies and take them along.\u201d\u00a0 He handed the boy a sheet of writing paper.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd ask Mr. Hop Sing to come up for a minute on your way out, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u00a0 Can I come to see you again, Mr. Adam?\u00a0 I like talking with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pete, you come anytime.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad of the company.\u00a0 If we get tired of talkin\u2019 I\u2019ve got some good stories I could read to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you?\u00a0 That\u2019a be swell!\u201d\u00a0 The lad ran out clutching the cookies tight to his chest.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came up soon after and stood with arms folded.\u00a0 \u201cBoy say you want me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know you\u2019ve been worried about the eggs, and I think I may know where they\u2019ve been going.\u00a0 Let me ask you about something else first.\u00a0 Has Daisy been giving as much milk as usual?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing thought for a long time.\u00a0 At last he said, \u201cHard to tell.\u00a0 Most days about same.\u00a0 Sometimes not so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, maybe she was a pint or two short every second or third day?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, maybe so.\u201d\u00a0 The little Chinaman softened a bit.\u00a0 \u201cYou like eat?\u00a0 Good beef and barley soup for lunch.\u00a0 Build blood, make strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that very much.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Adam let his head rest on the pillows and closed his eyes.\u00a0 He could barely remember Hoss calling out, \u2018Adam, looka here what Stretch just found,\u2019 an instant before steel shod lightning struck.\u00a0 It all fit.<\/p>\n

After supper that night when Hoss brought the book they were reading, Adam put it down and spoke seriously to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you have to tell Hop Sing the truth about the eggs and milk.\u00a0 He\u2019s been driving me crazy over those eggs.\u00a0 If you explain, he may get mad, but he\u2019ll get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss colored and stammered.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in tarnation are you on about, Adam.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know nothing \u2018bout no eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother was a very poor liar when it came to saving his own butt.\u00a0 \u201cI know about the orphan puppies, Hoss.\u00a0 Stretch found them just before I got kicked, didn\u2019t he?\u00a0 Every couple of days you\u2019ve been stripping Daisy of a little milk, beating it up with a few eggs, and what \u2013 a handful of oatmeal or some cornmeal \u2013\u00a0 cooking it up over a spirit lamp out in the barn and bottle feeding them, haven\u2019t you?\u00a0 No wonder evening chores were takin\u2019 so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you got me dead to rights, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss scrubbed his hands over his face.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re lapping out of a dish now.\u201d He grinned with happy innocence.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m mixing in some meat scraps.\u00a0 They\u2019ll be eating regular real soon.\u00a0 Do I hafta tell Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderneath all that Cantonese profanity and frequent threats to leave us, he\u2019s got a soft heart, Hoss.\u00a0 Think what he put up with when we were kids.\u00a0 Show him the pups; he\u2019ll forgive you, probably help you with them.\u00a0 By the way, I have a friend that would be mighty proud if you could see your way to givin\u2019 him the liver spotted one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s eyes widened in astonishment.\u00a0 \u201cHow on earth can you know about the pups, even their color?\u00a0 You\u2019ve been right here in this bed the whole time.\u00a0 You couldn\u2019t have seen me pinching eggs or milkin\u2019 Daisy.\u00a0 How do you do it, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stretched and settled back comfortably.\u00a0 \u201cA good detective never tells.\u00a0 I have my methods, brother.\u00a0 I have my methods.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

July, 2002<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 A seriously injured Adam must deal with the urgent need to get the ranch ready for winter, and try to solve a domestic mystery while coping with insistent pain that immobilizes and distracts him.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (21,700 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9737,"featured_media":3026,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/The-Gift-of-Water-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12862","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\/9737"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}