{"id":13490,"date":"2016-10-11T13:08:36","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T17:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13490"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:24","slug":"they-do-dream-things-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13490","title":{"rendered":"They Do Dream Things True (by McFair_58)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0 When 10 year old Joe Cartwright awakes screaming his pa\u2019s name in the night, his brothers assume the young boy is afraid since their pa is away in Placerville. What they can\u2019t know is that Joe\u2019s nightmare is all too real and their brother\u2019s reaction to it will catapult all four Cartwrights on a journey that will end with both their father and little brother losing their lives \u2013 unless Heaven intervenes.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (41,980 words)<\/p>\n

All known and public characters belong to those who created them. \u00a0All new characters belong to the author. \u00a0There is no intent to infringe on copyright and no money is being made – just friends and warm hearts hopefully!<\/p>\n

They Do Dream Things True<\/strong><\/p>\n

Romeo & Juliet Act One Scene 4<\/p>\n

\u00a0Romeo: I dream’d a dream tonight.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mercurtio: And so did I.<\/em><\/p>\n

Romeo: Well, what was yours?<\/em><\/p>\n

Mercurtio: That dreamers often lie.<\/em><\/p>\n

Romeo: In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

ONE<\/p>\n

\u201cPUH-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Two doors opened at the same instant onto the hallway in the wing of the Ponderosa ranch house that contained the bedrooms of Ben Cartwright\u2019s trio of young sons.<\/p>\n

Two sleepy heads appeared outside of those doors, followed closely by two very weary, rather irritated male forms.<\/p>\n

Twenty-two year old Adam Cartwright rubbed his head and then ran a hand along the back of his neck as he looked down the hall toward his little brother\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cHow many nights has it been now?\u201d he asked his middle brother Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour,\u201d the teenager said, shaking his own head of reddish-blond hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly <\/em>four?\u00a0 Are you sure?\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinking it\u2019s five.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty sure it\u2019s four.\u00a0 There was that night Joe thought he saw the shadow of a giant on the wall that was comin\u2019 to get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c…thanks to Uncle Gunnar\u2019s tale of the end of the world as related by a certain middle brother just as little<\/em> brother was going to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019d a thought that little squirt would believe a wolf was gonna swallow up the world?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich led to number two \u2013 the nightmare about that wolf eating Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so,\u201d his brother admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know<\/em> so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPUH-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat little cuss sure has got a set of lungs on him, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t seem to remember.\u00a0 What was number three?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be the one about Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u00a0 pressed two fingers to his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cOh, right.\u00a0 The one where Hop Sing was really a dragon in disguise and he used his breath to cook the roast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd <\/em>Little Joe\u2019s hiney,\u201d Hoss snorted.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hazel eyes went to the door down the hall.\u00a0 The handsome but exasperated young man rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d<\/em> like to cook Little Joe\u2019s hiney….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s four?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remember, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 Four and five are the same.\u00a0\u00a0 They had to do with Miss Jones \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snapped his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cDang it, Adam, if you ain\u2019t right!\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Jones \u2013 who, by the way, gave me <\/em>nightmares as well when she was my teacher years ago \u2013 is really a witch….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c…who hates little boys \u2013 \u2018specially ones by the name of Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPUH-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

With one eye open and one eye closed, Adam winced.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t imagine why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo she keeps \u2018em after school,\u201d Hoss went on, \u201cand then makes \u2018em disappear….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c…telling their parents that they ran away when, in reality, she\u2019s cooking and eating them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss \u2018 head was bobbin\u2019 up and down like a nag.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll<\/em> eat my hat.\u00a0 You\u2019re right it was<\/em> five.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cPUH-AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSix,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re coming closer together now.\u00a0 I suppose one of us should go in and wake him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was a giant at seventeen, weighing in over two hundred pounds and pushing six foot one.<\/p>\n

He looked scared.<\/p>\n

\u201cCain\u2019t we just, well, you know, let Joe wake up by hisself?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss ran a hand along his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThe last time Joe dang near broke my collarbone kicking back with his feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll trade that <\/em>for the time he came right up out of the bed and knocked me into the wall \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThinking you was that there Polly Prentiss what tried to kiss him in back of the school,\u201d Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

Adam touched his jaw, remembering Little Joe\u2019s small fist hitting his flesh.\u00a0 He only hoped his ten year old brother hadn\u2019t really punched Polly Prentiss….<\/p>\n

Or<\/em> kissed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll flip you for it,\u201d Adam sighed.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked skeptical.\u00a0 \u201cHow do I know you ain\u2019t got a two-headed coin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have heads.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take tales.\u201d\u00a0 Adam placed his hand on the doorknob, ready to retrieve the coin, but stopped short of opening it.\u00a0\u00a0 Turning back, he said, \u201cDo you hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHear what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen.\u201d<\/p>\n

He did.\u00a0 \u201cTo what?\u00a0 Joe ain\u2019t shoutin\u2019 no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I mean.\u00a0 Listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

A different sound drifted along the half-lit hallway.\u00a0 Not the robust howl of a boy facing down imaginary foes, but a sad, forlorn whimpering.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was crying.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked like he\u2019d shot himself in the foot.\u00a0 \u201cDag-nabbit,<\/em> Joe, that ain\u2019t fair,\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n

Adam scowled.\u00a0 \u201cJoe\u2019s ten years old.\u00a0 What does he know of \u2018fair\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two of them looked at each other.\u00a0 They\u2019d faced down rustlers, fought off Indians, and even survived Miss Jones.\u00a0 What was it about one crying little boy that made their knees go to jelly?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the oldest,\u201d Hoss said at last.<\/p>\n

Adam was tired of rolling his eyes, so he just shut them.\u00a0 A moment later they reopened and focused on the door to Joe\u2019s room.\u00a0 As he started down the hall, the oldest of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not <\/em>what I came home from college for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pushed the door open.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d he called softly as he stepped in.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, it\u2019s Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the middle of the night.\u00a0 The only light in the room was the pale glow that entered through Joe\u2019s window, cast by the waxing October moon.\u00a0\u00a0 His little brother\u2019s bed was full-size even though Joe, well, wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 At first he couldn\u2019t find him in the tempest of rumpled pillows and twisted blankets left in the wake of the storm of his latest nightmare. \u00a0Then he spotted his youngest brother curled up so tightly in one corner of the bed he\u2019d all but disappeared.\u00a0 Joe\u2019d been experiencing night terrors ever since their father left for Placerville almost two weeks back to wrangle over grazing rights with a competitor and pick up some extra cash for the payroll.\u00a0 The Virginia City bank had had a run when a rumor leaked out that it was financially shaky.\u00a0 \u00a0He\u2019d talked to the owner and been assured it was not.\u00a0 Adam looked at his brother again.\u00a0 Out of the ten days Pa\u2019d been gone, this made the sixth where he and Hoss had \u00a0been abruptly awakened\u00a0 in the middle of the night by their little brother\u2019s screams.\u00a0 Joe had always been prone to nightmares.\u00a0 Most likely they were a consequence of his healthy and over-active imagination.\u00a0\u00a0 Still, the usual toll on their sleep was maybe one night out of fourteen.\u00a0 Six out of ten was a record.\u00a0 <\/em>It made him wonder what was going on in that little curly-brown head.<\/p>\n

Thank goodness Pa would be home the day after tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Approaching the bed and its occupant with the respect he would a sleeping grizzly, Adam called out again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u00a0 It\u2019s Adam.\u00a0 Are you awake?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gauging the distance between himself and the softly sobbing ball of boy in the bed \u2013 making certain he would be out of range for both feet and fists \u2013 Adam took a tentative seat on its edge and tried again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Due to the moonlight he could just make out his brother\u2019s small shoulders showing above the satin edge of the thick wool blanket that covered him.\u00a0 They shook with each ragged breath Joe drew .<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s reddish head poked through the opening in the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou got him \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

Adam held a hand up for silence and then pressed a finger to his lips before waving Hoss in.\u00a0 When his brother was standing at his side, Adam indicated the little boy with a nod.<\/p>\n

Joe was talking in his sleep.<\/p>\n

When Hoss spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s he talkin\u2019 about?\u00a0 Can you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n

While he doubted a ten year old had too <\/em>many secrets, it still made Adam uneasy listening to his brother\u2019s unconscious words. \u00a0\u201cNot much.\u00a0 He mostly keeps calling for Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took hold of the chair near Joe\u2019s dresser.\u00a0 He dragged it over, turned it backwards, and sat down.\u00a0 Then he leaned his elbows on the chair-back and fixed his eyes on his still sound asleep little brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you<\/em> remember, Adam, if Joe was havin\u2019 nightmares afore Ma…afore Marie died?\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t miss the correction.\u00a0 It was for his sake.\u00a0 While he had called his pa\u2019s third wife \u2018Marie\u2019, Joe and Hoss had called her \u2018Mama\u2019 and then \u2018Ma\u2019.<\/p>\n

He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI went to school….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah.\u00a0 I plumb forgot.\u00a0 Guess you wouldn\u2019t then.\u201d\u00a0 His brother scowled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I been tryin\u2019 to wrack my brain these last few days.\u00a0 Seems to me that he didn\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 His brother\u2019s ice-blue eyes flicked to the third member of the Cartwright brotherly trio.\u00a0 \u201cLeast wise nothin\u2019<\/em> like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019d done their best to keep up with their determined, headstrong, and rambunctious little brother while their pa had been gone.\u00a0 At first Adam had let Joe tag along with him and Hoss rather than remaining in the ranch house with Hop Sing when they went out to ride the line and round up strays.\u00a0 Joe\u2019d been eager to go and too<\/em> eager to help.\u00a0 When he told him to stay put, he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 When he grumbled that Joe needed to listen and do what he was told, his brother got mouthy, telling him he was a better rancher and could bring all those cattle in by himself in half the time if he\u2019d just get out of his way.\u00a0 He\u2019d been tempted to comply, but figured Pa coming home to the trampled body of his youngest son was something he should avoid.\u00a0 The last straw had been when he told Joe to stay out of the corral and then<\/em> found him riding bareback astride one of their freshly broken horses.<\/p>\n

He figured Pa wouldn\u2019t like it if he came home to fratricide either, so from that point on he had banned Joe from the range and left him to help Hop Sing with the household chores.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned. \u00a0That<\/em> had been a fine day. He\u2019d come home early only to find the house quiet.\u00a0 At first he\u2019d been relieved and then, puzzled, and finally concerned.\u00a0 He could hear Hop Sing in the kitchen humming a Mandarin tune, rattling dishes, shifting pans, and obviously cooking supper.\u00a0 Joe was nowhere to be seen.\u00a0 After a quick sweep of the house, he\u2019d returned to the kitchen to find his little brother sitting on the chair by the cook\u2019s island with his hands tied behind his back and a gag in his mouth.<\/p>\n

When his sympathetic stare went to their Chinese cook, Hop Sing remarked.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe and Hop Sing have velly<\/em> good time.\u00a0 Play much.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d had to swallow his smile as his little brother\u2019s eyes sought him out.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe\u2019s expressive eyebrows were drawn together in consternation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just what <\/em>were you two playing?\u201d he\u2019d asked.<\/p>\n

The Chinese man reached over and caught a feathered headband from the table.\u00a0 He put it on his head.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing Indian,\u201d he said, his black eyes sparkling.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n

He really shouldn\u2019t have burst out laughing.<\/p>\n

That had been two days before.\u00a0 Since then Joe had gone on to prove that not only was he stubborn and determined and rambunctious, he could also be downright unpleasant.\u00a0 His little brother had refused to talk to any of them, nursing a grudge that was watered with enough anger and self-pity to have the potential to overtake the year\u2019s record-breaking harvest.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe again.\u00a0 It was hard, dealing with him.\u00a0 Joe\u2019d been barely more than five when he went off to school.\u00a0 He\u2019d returned the year before \u2013 for all intents and purposes as a stranger \u2013 sliding back into his place at his father\u2019s side as if he had never been away.\u00a0 But he had<\/em> been away and Joe knew it.<\/p>\n

And resented it.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t blame the kid, really.\u00a0 He doubted Joe remembered any of their time together from before he went East.\u00a0 But he<\/em> did.\u00a0 He remembered holding his little brother in his arms for the first time shortly after his birth, marveling at the power of his lungs and his will to survive.\u00a0 He remembered too waking to feed Joe in the middle of the night in order to let his Pa and Marie rest.\u00a0 And then there was that time when Joe was barely school age.\u00a0 He might have been seven.\u00a0 He\u2019d been home for the summer and he and Hoss and Pa had just finished with breakfast and were ready to head to town.\u00a0 Joe was a no-show \u2013 again.\u00a0 When their pa made some sort of an excuse saying Joe had a cold and probably needed the extra sleep, he just snapped. \u00a0Plain and simple snapped.\u00a0 He\u2019d been out of his chair and up the stairs, thrusting Joe\u2019s door open and shouting at the top of his lungs that he\u2019d better get his sorry little ass out of bed and get dressed and be out that door in five minutes or he\u2019d take a strap to his backside.<\/p>\n

Joe was curled up on the bed, the covers wrapped tightly around him.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t respond.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Adam drew in a breath and let it blow out his nostrils in a steadying stream.\u00a0 He remembered striding over to the bed and taking hold of Joe\u2019s shoulder, intending to shake some sense into him.\u00a0 It was then he realized his brother was fevered.\u00a0 The whooping cough started about twelve hours late and continued for two months.<\/p>\n

Two<\/em> months.<\/p>\n

Joe almost died.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d learned then that with Marie\u2019s son things were seldom going to be what they seemed.\u00a0 Hoss was an open book, pretty much like his<\/em> mother had been.\u00a0 But Marie had secrets \u2013 some of them dark \u2013 and \u00a0she\u2019d been good at concealing them.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s mother had been as high-spirited as the horses her son now loved and just as headstrong as Joe; just as prone to leap before looking, to reach too high<\/em>, too fall too far.\u00a0 Adam winced as if from a sudden headache.\u00a0 He had a flash of the beautiful woman on her horse in front of the house, riding up at a breakneck pace just because she could, and then of Marie on the ground. \u00a0\u00a0She\u2019d been riding too fast that day \u2013<\/p>\n

And fallen as far as she could go.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss said, breaking into his nearly classic reverie.\u00a0 He heard his brother stand up and scoot the chair back.\u00a0 \u201cI think Joe\u2019s wakin\u2019 up.\u201d<\/p>\n

His little brother was<\/em> stirring.\u00a0 The whimpering had fallen off to next to nothing now and, most likely, when Joe woke he would be none too happy to find his older brothers keeping watch over him. \u00a0Adam scowled.\u00a0 Joe had something else in common with those freshly broken horses that, frankly, terrified him since it was contained in the very young, extremely vulnerable hide of a ten year old boy he loved.<\/p>\n

He was prideful.<\/p>\n

And pride, as Pa always told them, went before destruction.<\/p>\n

Hoss was already out of the room.\u00a0 Adam heard his middle brother\u2019s door close.<\/p>\n

He needed to do the same.<\/p>\n

Adam rose to his feet and \u00a0stood for a moment at the foot of Joe\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u00a0Roy Coffee had come out a few days back, warning them of bad men in the area.\u00a0 There were three of them \u2013 two known outlaws and a third unidentified man.\u00a0 They\u2019d robbed the bank in Mesa Vista and been reported to be heading toward Ponderosa land.\u00a0 He\u2019d watched his little brother\u2019s green eyes light with the thrill of it all \u2013 the defying of convention, the daring bank robbery itself, the flight on fast horses from the law, and finally the criminals\u2019 \u2013 yes, criminals<\/em>\u2019 \u2013 escape.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After Joe and Hoss had gone to bed, he\u2019d sat with the lawman on the porch.\u00a0 Roy had the rocker while he\u2019d perched on the edge of the table.\u00a0 They talked about the town and then his experiences back East, and then, without warning, the topic had become Joe<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Adam,\u201d Roy said as he rose to leave, \u201cI worry about that youngest one of your Pa\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d he\u2019d asked and then laughed. \u00a0\u201cI worry about him too.\u00a0 I worry about keeping him alive<\/em> long enough to become a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawman didn\u2019t laugh.\u00a0 He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff had drawn in a deep breath.\u00a0 He let it out so slowly it stirred the long whiskers in his mustache.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I don\u2019t want to be talkin\u2019 out of turn.\u00a0 You know I respect your pa more than any other man.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought he knew what was coming.<\/p>\n

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

Roy\u2019 clear blue eyes sought and held his gaze.\u00a0 \u201cThat boy\u2019s angry.\u00a0 Now, he\u2019s got a \u2018cause to be what with his mother dyin\u2019 with both him and her bein\u2019 so young.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith you and Hoss your pa seemed to walk the line, you know what I mean?\u00a0 Never too much to one side of the other.\u00a0 Just right.\u00a0 And he made you just about as right as men can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Roy,\u201d he replied, and then added, his tone concerned, \u201cWhat is it you want to say, but you\u2019re not <\/em>saying, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re pa just don\u2019t walk or <\/em>see straight where that boy is concerned. \u00a0\u00a0Ben oughta know better.\u00a0 You give some high-spirited mulish-minded maverick his head and he\u2019ll break his neck.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to look directly at him.\u00a0 \u201cI seen an awful lot of good boys go bad because of a lack of a restraining hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew Roy was right.\u00a0 Well, at least in a way.\u00a0 Pa saw Marie in Joe \u2013 beautiful, feisty, sure-of-herself, easy to laugh and easier to cry, incredibly strong and incredibly fragile<\/em> Marie \u2013 and that stayed his hand.\u00a0 As much as he <\/em>had been formed by his father in the image of his mother \u00a0\u2013 steady, rock-solid, clear-headed, poetry-loving Elizabeth \u2013 and Hoss by his pa\u2019s memories of Inger, Joe was growing up in the shadow of Marie.<\/p>\n

He only hoped it wasn\u2019t too dark in there for the kid.<\/p>\n

Adam let out one final sigh \u2013 well, for tonight <\/em>at least \u2013 and returned to the head of the bed. \u00a0Joe had not awakened.\u00a0 He\u2019d shifted, pulled the covers up over his shoulders, and gone back into a deeper, more restful sleep.\u00a0 The black-haired man stood looking at his little brother for a minute and then bent and pressed his lips to that curly brown head.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be long before he wouldn\u2019t dare do it.<\/p>\n

So he was going to do it while he could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright waited until he heard the door open and close \u2013 waited a full sixty<\/em> seconds \u2013 and then cracked an eyelid and did the best he could to look sideways into his room without really looking \u2013 just in case Adam or Hoss were hiding there somewhere.\u00a0 When he was sure they weren\u2019t, he sat up in bed and drew his knees up to his chest and circled them with his arms.\u00a0 Slowly he drew in a deep breath and let the air out in one forcefully blown \u2018Whew!\u2019<\/p>\n

As Pa\u2019s foreman Andy would say, he felt fagged out and fit for flaying.<\/p>\n

Pa didn\u2019t like him hanging around Andy.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced out the window thinking about that day, almost two weeks back, when he\u2019d watched his pa ride away, heading for Placerville.\u00a0 Pa being gone left a hole in him right there next to the hole that had opened up\u00a0 and never closed when his ma died.\u00a0 Adam told him once that \u2018nature abhors a vacuum\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019d been mighty puzzled by that, wondering how Adam was talking about such a thing with pa right there in the room and didn\u2019t end up with his mouth being washed out with soap.\u00a0 He\u2019d asked Hoss about it later and middle brother had laughed and laughed.\u00a0 Course, when he asked Hoss what the meaning of \u2018abhor\u2019 was, the big galoot didn\u2019t have an answer.<\/p>\n

Then he\u2019d <\/em>been the one to laugh.<\/p>\n

That night he asked his pa what Adam meant and Pa had told him that empty and unfilled spaces were unnatural and wouldn\u2019t be satisfied until something filled them up.<\/p>\n

Joe shivered all the way from his curly brown head down to his bare toes. \u00a0\u00a0He had a vacuum in him and he knew what that \u2018something\u2019 was that was gonna fill him up.<\/p>\n

It came to visit him in the night.<\/p>\n

Shinnying out of bed, Joe drew his hand-me-down nightshirt up about his shoulders and held it closed with a fist while he crossed over to the table in front of the window.\u00a0 They could afford a new one but pa told him that was a waste of money and that the one he had on that had been Adam\u2019s was \u2018handsomely made\u2019 and would fit him well enough once he\u2019d gained a little muscle.\u00a0 As it was it kept slipping down on his shoulders and made him feel even more like a kid dressing up in his pa\u2019s clothes.\u00a0 Only it wasn\u2019t his pa\u2019s.\u00a0 It was Adam\u2019s.<\/p>\n

And Adam wasn\u2019t <\/em>his pa.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s teeth gritted together so hard it made his jaw ache.\u00a0 Just who did Adam think he was anyway, coming back so high-and-mighty from school, ordering them around, telling him and Hoss what to do on a ranch he hadn\u2019t seen for more than four years?\u00a0 They\u2019d done fine without him before and they sure could do without him now.\u00a0 It had been awful the last week with pa gone.\u00a0 Adam acted like he\u2019d been crowned king of the Ponderosa or something, telling them his word was law and he and Hoss had better do as he said or else.<\/p>\n

\u2018Or else what?\u2019 <\/em>he\u2019d shot back.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hazel eyes had said it for him.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll tell Pa.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe caught a glass from the table by his dresser and took a swig of tepid water.\u00a0 He glanced at his bed, but just couldn\u2019t quite <\/em>go back there yet.\u00a0 Instead, he crossed to his bedroom door, opened it a crack, and looked out into the hall.\u00a0 Once he was sure it was empty Joe went to the stair and descended through the darkness into the great room.\u00a0 The fire was out so the room was completely still.\u00a0 It was so<\/em> still the stillness sent a shiver up his back.\u00a0 It was kinda cold too.\u00a0 He looked longingly at the stairs.\u00a0 His room was warm.\u00a0 The fire was still hot.\u00a0 But then, in his room, there was that bed and those pillows and blankets and all that went with sleep including the one image he just couldn\u2019t get out of his head.<\/p>\n

His pa laying at the bottom of a deep ravine, bleeding, with a bullet in his side.<\/p>\n

Joe shuddered and \u00a0tried to shake off the feeling of dread.\u00a0 He knew it was a dream.\u00a0 Had to be.\u00a0 What else could <\/em>it be?\u00a0 But he\u2019d had the same dream night after night after night, as if his pa \u2013 \u00a0or maybe God was calling out to him.\u00a0 He remembered pa said God spoke in dreams.<\/p>\n

God called good and righteous men that way in times of great need.<\/p>\n

Joe halted in front of the big blue velvet chair.\u00a0 He stood there a minute, weighing the need of the child he\u2019 was against the man he knew he had to become.\u00a0 Finally, coming to a decision, he sat down and shifted back into it as far as he could and let it embrace him as his absent father could not.\u00a0 He imagined his pa was sitting there, holding him, touching his hair and speaking soft words to soothe away the nightmares, smelling of soap and sweat and smoke and pine.<\/p>\n

Pa was in trouble.<\/p>\n

Pa needed him.<\/p>\n

Somehow, in spite of Adam, he\u2019d find a way to rescue him.\u00a0 He had<\/em> to.<\/p>\n

Big brothers or not, God hadn\u2019t called Adam or Hoss.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d called him.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning when Adam came downstairs with his brother Hoss in tow, fully dressed and ready to begin the day, he found Little Joe curled up in their father\u2019s chair in the great room sound asleep.\u00a0\u00a0 He and Hoss were heading out after breakfast to round up more steers.\u00a0 To Hop Sing\u2019s relief Joe had asked if he could go visit his friend Seth and Seth\u2019s dad was coming by later in the day to pick him up.\u00a0 It would do the kid some good,\u00a0 he and middle brother had agreed.\u00a0 Maybe raising a little ten year old Hell<\/em> with Seth would tucker Joe out and he\u2019d be able to sleep tonight.<\/p>\n

As Hop Sing bustled into the room carrying a plate of steaming bacon and eggs, Hoss scratched his head and Adam shook his.\u00a0 They exchanged puzzled glances and then left Joe where he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It would be a long time before either of them would see him again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TWO<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright sighted along the dull gray edge and then aimed, flinging the flat stone he held across the shining surface of the lake, watching it skip time after time with the same precision and aim that he would have fired a bullet.<\/p>\n

If he\u2019d been allowed to have a gun of his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u00a0 That was good!\u201d his buddy Seth proclaimed.\u00a0 Then he whistled.\u00a0 \u201cEight skips, Joe!\u00a0 I bet that\u2019s some kind of a record.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth was a good friend.\u00a0 Always there to back him up.\u00a0 Which was why Joe was kinda surprised that he was wasting time skipping stones and waiting for Seth to give him an answer to his question.<\/p>\n

After wiping the mud off of his hands and onto his gray pants, Joe raised his thick eyebrows and asked, \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth looked nervous.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019So\u2019 what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s temper flared.\u00a0 He head-talked it calmly, getting it to settle down like he\u2019d seen his pa do to a snarling dog.\u00a0 \u201cSooooo…you got my back, or what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth didn\u2019t look at him.\u00a0 His friend\u2019s brown boot toed the mud and then kicked at a stone.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe….\u201d<\/p>\n

Down boy<\/em>, he thought, down<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

It took a second.\u00a0 Then Seth lifted his head and met his fiery stare.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, this ain\u2019t like distracting Miss Jones while you slip out, and then telling her your Pa sent a ranch hand into town to take you home early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy<\/em> ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth fairly exploded.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u00a0 Placerville is forty<\/em> miles away, for Gosh<\/em> sake!\u00a0 You gotta go through rough country with hills and ravines!\u00a0 There\u2019s Indians and bank robbers and snakes and pumas out there!\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s gonna be dark, Joe, and….\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe folded his arms over his chest and then frowned over them just like his pa did.\u00a0\u00a0 He was hoping it would scare Seth into agreeing.<\/p>\n

It certainly scared him when Pa did it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour point?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Seth\u2019s form tensed like he was expecting a punch.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re just a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

He could hear that dog growling in his head, barking fury.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s fingers tensed and formed into fists.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you call me a \u2018kid\u2019<\/em>,\u201d he snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you are! \u00a0I<\/em> am, Joe. \u201c\u00a0 Seth was holding his ground, which said a lot.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell Hoss or Adam what you \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t telling that there block-headed Yankee anything!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a Yankee too,\u201d Seth said softly.<\/p>\n

Joe froze.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if you are,\u201d he said at last, drawing in several breaths and willing his fists to relax,\u00a0 \u201cat least you<\/em> ain\u2019t a block-headed one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aren\u2019t<\/em>, he heard his pa\u2019s voice correcting in his head.<\/p>\n

His friend hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cHow about telling Hoss then and seeing what he thinks?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThey ain\u2019t…they\u2019re not gonna listen to me, I told you.\u00a0 Adam has to have something he can have in his hands to prove its gonna happen and Hoss\u2019ll just think I\u2019m…I\u2019m missing my pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was, of course, but that wasn\u2019t why he intended to ride away as soon as he could.\u00a0 His pa\u2019s life was in danger.\u00a0 He knew it.\u00a0 He knew it just as sure as the sun rose in the morning and set at night.<\/p>\n

He<\/em> had to save him.<\/p>\n

When his friend said nothing, Joe went on.\u00a0 \u201cSeth, what if it was you?\u00a0 What if you kept sleeping and kept dreaming that something terrible was going to happen?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t you feel like you had<\/em> to go out and stop it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth was looking at the lake.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure, Joe.\u00a0 I think….\u00a0 I think I\u2019d try to make them listen to me first.\u00a0 Maybe go to the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWaste of time,\u201d he said, waving it off with his hand. \u00a0He knew Roy Coffee. \u00a0He was friends with his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou could show Sheriff Coffee a cloud leaking water and a puddle underneath it and he still <\/em>wouldn\u2019t believe it was raining.<\/p>\n

Joe drew in a breath and squared his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cAll I\u2019m asking of you, Seth, is to tell your ma and pa I left for home early.\u00a0 That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if they ask who come and got you?\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought hard.\u00a0 \u201cTell them my pa did on the way back from Placerville.\u00a0 They can\u2019t question him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s an out and out lie<\/em>, Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe crossed to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder like his pa did to him when he wanted him to listen real close to what he had to say.\u00a0 In fact, it was so important he used both hands and both of Seth\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am<\/em> going to meet Pa.\u00a0 He will<\/em> be taking me home.\u00a0 So it ain\u2019t a lie.\u201d\u00a0 He paused, glancing heavenward and waiting for the lightning bolt.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just a truth that\u2019s gonna take a little time to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth was wavering.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat you gonna do for a horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d thought that out.\u00a0 They had a lot of horses.\u00a0 He\u2019d gone out shortly after Adam and Hoss left that morning and pulled one in from a big bunch corralled a little ways off from the house.\u00a0 It was the one he\u2019d ridden bareback a few days before, so he knew he could handle it.\u00a0 It was tethered to a tree and hidden a little ways back toward the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got one.\u00a0 I left it between here and home.\u201d\u00a0 Joe glanced up at the sky.\u00a0 The sun was past its zenith and heading to the west.\u00a0 \u201cI really gotta get going, Seth.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss will expect me to be home after supper.\u00a0 I gotta build up a lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re gonna skin <\/em>you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, they would \u2013 if he was wrong.<\/p>\n

But he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou let me worry about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

His friend stared at him, drew in a dying man\u2019s gasp of air, and then nodded.<\/p>\n

A minute later the two boys went their separate ways.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright reined in his horse and drew to a halt.\u00a0 He removed his hat and wiped his sleeve across his forehead, noting how the abundance of sweat transformed the powder blue fabric to a gun-metal gray.\u00a0 His dark brown eyes narrowed as he looked at the sky, squinting in the sun.\u00a0 It was just after noon and he was still far enough out from Ponderosa lands that it would mean another night sleeping beneath the stars which, on most occasions, he would have welcomed.\u00a0 But he didn\u2019t like the look of the sky any more than the unusual heat.\u00a0 It was as gun-metal gray as his shirt had become.\u00a0 There were no clouds \u2013 or rather, everything<\/em> was clouds. \u00a0The firmament over his head looked like a gray piece of paper waiting for someone to scribble something on it.\u00a0 He knew what that meant.<\/p>\n

Somewhere a storm was being drawn in lightning and thunder.<\/p>\n

After replacing his hat on his brown hair, which was quickly turning gray, Ben dismounted.\u00a0 He led Buck to a short tree bristling with green leaves going gold and a patch of sweet grass under it and laced his reins through the extended fingers of its branches.\u00a0 Then he stretched, pressing his arms outward, clenching and unclenching his muscles.\u00a0 That brought on a yawn.\u00a0\u00a0 He was tired, but it was a good<\/em> tired because it meant he would see his boys tomorrow morning at the latest rather than late the next night.\u00a0 The trip had been necessary.\u00a0 They were due to make payroll and the Virginia City bank just didn\u2019t have enough cash to cover it after what had happened.\u00a0 It was a curious business, that bank run, triggered by idle speculation and rumor and nothing more.\u00a0 He hoped the bank manager had managed to allay the fears of the good people of Virginia City and that things would soon return to normal.\u00a0 While Placerville was not that far away, depending on the road, the weather, and what he had to do there \u2013 two things this <\/em>time \u2013 he could be away a week or two and he didn\u2019t like to leave his boys for that long.<\/p>\n

Although now, with Adam home again, his burden had been eased somewhat.<\/p>\n

Ben reached for the canteen hanging from Buck\u2019s saddle horn.\u00a0 Opening it, he took a swig.\u00a0 As he capped it, the older man shook his head.\u00a0 Burden.<\/em>\u00a0 Why did he choose that word?\u00a0 His sons were never a burden to him.\u00a0 They were more of a charge, a trust for the future; one he had promised each of their mothers on their deathbeds that he would nurture and care for until they grew to men who no longer needed him.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam was close, very <\/em>close.\u00a0 At twenty-two he was a man, but a young and somewhat inexperienced one.\u00a0 Four years at college had taught his eldest many things and while some of them were wonderful, there were others he was not too keen on.\u00a0 Adam had come back changed in some ways \u2013 more questioning, less willing to accept his authority and, well, more skeptical, as if he\u2019d lost his connection to the land and maybe to the One who\u2019d created it.\u00a0 Words in books were not reality.\u00a0 Adam needed knowledge of the real<\/em> world and not one in which men,\u00a0 joined in polite conversation, argued intellectually while discussing abstract theories and absurd hypotheses.\u00a0 His eldest needed to recognize the one he occupied; a world in which a man was forced to make life and death choices day to day, if not minute to minute, and to do it with the guidance of a Heavenly Hand.\u00a0\u00a0 He wanted his son to be strong in every way.<\/p>\n

He wanted all<\/em> of his sons to be strong.<\/p>\n

Of course, no one would doubt that Hoss was, at least physically.\u00a0 All you had to do was look at him.\u00a0 At seventeen he was already a giant of a man.\u00a0 Thinking of his middle boy brought a smile to Ben\u2019s tired face.\u00a0 Inger had been so slight.\u00a0 He\u2019d nearly been able to circle her waist with his hands.\u00a0\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know where the boy\u2019s size had come from, but he did<\/em> know what God gave it for.<\/p>\n

To watch over his exuberant and energetic little brother.<\/p>\n

Joseph.<\/p>\n

Ben began to examine his horse\u2019s tackle, shifting the saddle so it had a better seat on the blanket beneath, unbuckling and buckling straps, and then pulling on them to make sure they were secure.\u00a0 That youngest boy of his, he was a caution.\u00a0 Marie had warned him.\u00a0 While she was still carrying Joseph, Marie had complained about her side hurting.\u00a0 He\u2019d insisted on taking her to town so Doc Martin could look her over.\u00a0 Paul told her she was carrying the child high and that what she was feeling was its feet pressing against her ribs.\u00a0 \u2018Just take hold of those feet and move them where you want them,\u2019 he told her.\u00a0 That night, Marie had tried it.<\/p>\n

The baby within her fought back.<\/p>\n

His son had been fighting in this world from the moment he drew a breath.\u00a0 As big as Hoss had been, Joe was small.\u00a0 It had taken him some time to gain weight and, for a time, it had been touch and go.\u00a0 But once that boy got his wind there was no stopping him.\u00a0 No babe cried louder or longer or cooed or giggled more.\u00a0 Ben had a picture in his head.\u00a0 One he would hold close until the day he died.\u00a0 Marie was standing in the great room with her back to him.\u00a0 The sunlight spilled in the open window, turning her golden hair to fire.\u00a0 She was holding Joseph over her shoulder and singing softly while patting his back.\u00a0 While most infant\u2019s eyes would grow drowsy with such treatment, Joe\u2019s green eyes were wide open.\u00a0 His son was staring at him, challenging him even then<\/em> to try to define him in any way other than that with which he chose to define himself.\u00a0 All of a sudden Marie had turned and looked at him with that same look.\u00a0 Mother and son were two parts of a whole.\u00a0 Two parts….<\/p>\n

One soul.<\/p>\n

Ben shook himself and scoffed. \u00a0It was hard.\u00a0 He\u2019d loved Marie so much, it was hard<\/em> not to look for her and find her in her son.\u00a0 But he had to remind himself \u2013 almost daily sometimes \u2013 that Joe was not <\/em>his mother.\u00a0 He was his own wonderful creation.<\/p>\n

He was his own unique and beloved son.<\/p>\n

Patting Buck on the withers, the older man turned with the canteen in his hand.\u00a0 It was almost empty and he could hear a creek running somewhere close by. \u00a0He\u2019d fill it, take a moment to eat and rest, and then mount and ride.\u00a0 Glancing at the sky again Ben determined he\u2019d probably be able to travel three or four hours longer before the approaching storm broke.<\/p>\n

It looked like it was going to be a whopper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was nearly dark and Adam was standing in the open door of the ranch house looking out.\u00a0 With some concern he eyed the sky.\u00a0 He\u2019d recognized the signs a few hours back.\u00a0 There was a storm coming.\u00a0 The day before they\u2019d had mares tails clouds riding high, streaming against a brilliant blue sky.\u00a0 Today a gun-metal gray pall overhung the land. \u00a0It had been unnaturally warm and oppressive for an autumn day and there was a ring around the moon.\u00a0 While it might not turn out to be a gully washer, it had all the promise of a fierce storm, which meant they\u2019d have to watch the horses and other animals to make sure they didn\u2019t spook.<\/p>\n

Adam twisted and looked at his brother Hoss where he sat on the hearth staring at the checker game he\u2019d been playing with Joe the night before.\u00a0 While they might be able to prevent a stampede, Hoss was already spooked.\u00a0 It had started around the time they sat down to eat supper.\u00a0 Middle brother began to ask when Joe would be home \u2013 asking why Joe wasn\u2019t <\/em>home \u2013 and then asking if he could go get him.\u00a0 Seth\u2019s father was supposed to bring Joe home sometime<\/em> after supper, he reminded the anxious teenager, and not everyone ate supper at the same time.\u00a0 Joe\u2019ll be home by eight, he told him, he was sure.\u00a0 The boys had school tomorrow and Bill Pruitt was sure to want to get back home so Seth could get to bed in time.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s hazel eyes flicked to the tall case clock.<\/p>\n

It was now quarter past<\/em> nine.<\/p>\n

Almost as if on cue, Hoss sprang up from his seat and headed for the door.\u00a0 \u201cDag-nabbit<\/em>, Adam!\u00a0 I\u2019m going after that little squirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

He eyed the sky again.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a storm coming.\u00a0 Maybe Bill decided it wasn\u2019t worth the risk.\u00a0 Maybe they\u2019re going to keep Joe overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother halted.\u00a0 Adam could see the thoughts whirling like wagon\u2019s wheels behind Hoss\u2019 clear blue eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 For a moment, it seemed, the temptation to believe what he said was almost strong enough to overcome the teenager\u2019s worry, since it meant a night of peaceful sleep with no screaming Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 But only for a moment.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I know something\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father had that.\u00a0 An intuition about danger where Joe, well really, where all<\/em> of them were concerned, though it was felt the most with Joe \u2013 probably because it was needed<\/em> the most with Joe.\u00a0 Now, it seemed Hoss had it as well.<\/p>\n

Had he<\/em> lost it when he cut the apron strings and went East?<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m sure there\u2019s….\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice fell off even as his fear ratcheted up.\u00a0\u00a0 Someone was approaching the ranch house and they were coming fast.<\/p>\n

Hoss was by him in the open doorway a second later.\u00a0 \u201cWho is it?\u00a0 Can you see?\u00a0 Is it Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t think so.\u00a0 It sounded more like a wagon or carriage than a single horse.\u00a0 With a glance at his brother they both stepped out the door and waited.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t two minutes before a small wagon appeared with two occupants \u2013 one a man, and the other a young boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it Joe?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cCan you see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even as they waited a soft rain began to fall.\u00a0 The clouds closed over the moon, the yard suddenly went dark, and the temperature dropped.\u00a0 Adam squinted, trying to make out the boy\u2019s features.<\/p>\n

A moment later, his voice betraying his emotion, he said, \u201cIt\u2019s not Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to his head. \u201cNo curls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stepped forward even as the pair began their approach.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s Seth and his pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam caught the doorjamb with his hand.\u00a0 Seth and his father.\u00a0 Without <\/em>Joe.<\/p>\n

Good God<\/em>….<\/p>\n

Since the rain was falling steadily now, Adam ushered the two into the ranch house and quickly closed the door behind them.\u00a0 He looked from one sodden form to the other.\u00a0 Seth refused to meet his eyes but Bill, well, Bill met them squarely and in the older man\u2019s eyes he saw things he had prayed he would not.<\/p>\n

Guilt.\u00a0 Shame.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked without preamble.<\/p>\n

Bill looked down at his son.\u00a0 The older man\u2019s voice was harsh, ragged.\u00a0 \u201cSeth.\u00a0 Tell Adam where his brother is.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s eyes flicked up and then back to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know where he is,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

His father\u2019s fingers clutched his shoulder, making the boy wince.\u00a0 \u201cNow, don\u2019t you go lying \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t lying!\u201d\u00a0 Seth looked at him, tears in his eyes. \u00a0\u201cHonest, Adam, I don\u2019t! \u00a0I just….\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at Bill and then sank to his knees so he was on more of a level with the boy.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you know, Seth?\u00a0 What can you tell me that will help my brother?\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Hoss and then back.\u00a0 A second later he asked through a forced smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019d Joe talk you into?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth saw a loophole and he plunged headfirst into it.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t want him to go. \u00a0I tried to talk him out of it, really I did!\u00a0 But he said he had<\/em> to go and he knew you wouldn\u2019t listen to him and Hoss wouldn\u2019t listen to him and the sheriff wouldn\u2019t listen to him, so he was just gonna go no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed hard.\u00a0 Sheriff?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, whoa, Seth,\u201d Hoss said in his gentle way, like he was working with a frightened filly.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019d little brother think he had to go in such a gol-darn <\/em>hurry?\u00a0 And why…why would he need a sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe went after your father,\u201d Bill said, his voice flat.<\/p>\n

Adam rose to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cAfter Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Again he looked at Hoss who was as confused as him.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe said….he said….\u201d\u00a0 Seth drew in\u00a0 great gulp of air.\u00a0 \u201cHe said his pa was gonna be hurt and he had to save him and neither of you would believe him when he told you that your pa was in danger and so he had to go by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam breathed for him.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u00a0 Hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d Joe think something was gonna happen to Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe…\u201d<\/p>\n

Of a sudden, Adam seized on it.\u00a0 \u201cThe nightmares, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 His hazel stare went to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWe thought Joe was scared, calling out to Pa to help him<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 He felt like an idiot.\u00a0 \u201cBut he wasn\u2019t, was he, Seth?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cJoe said he saw his pa lying at the bottom of a ditch with a bullet in him.\u00a0 His pa kept reaching for him, calling him, but he couldn\u2019t reach back far enough to take his hand.\u00a0 Joe….\u00a0 Well, Joe….\u201d\u00a0 Seth\u2019s eyes went to his own father, so strict, so stern….<\/p>\n

So loved.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Seth?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy straightened his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cJoe said your pa told him that God speaks to people in dreams. That sometimes, that\u2019s the only way they\u2019ll listen.\u00a0 And that his dream was telling him that he had to go find his pa and make sure he was safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both of them were silent.\u00a0 It was Hoss that said it first.\u00a0 \u201cWe never thought to ask him what that there nightmare last night was about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t have told us anyway.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t…trust us to believe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bill was looking from one of them to the other. \u201cBoys, don\u2019t be too hard on yourselves.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think any of us would have done any differently.\u201d\u00a0 The older man sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAs best I can determine your brother has been on the road for about six hours.\u00a0 He has a horse. \u00a0Seth said its one of yours.\u201d\u00a0 Bill\u2019s eyes sought forgiveness as they fastened on his face.\u00a0 \u201cJoe left just after noon.\u00a0 Seth told us your pa had come and picked him up.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t until the storm came on that I knew something was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe\u2019ll drown, Mister Adam?\u201d Seth asked, breathlessly.<\/p>\n

Joe drowning was the least <\/em>of his worries.\u00a0 Though being wet through and out all night was not something he would have wished for his brother, there were so many other dangers on the road.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s horse could take a misstep in the dark and throw him.\u00a0 There might be a rattlesnake on the road, or a mountain lion tracking him through the rocks.\u00a0 And there was another threat, more probable and far<\/em> more deadly than any animal.<\/p>\n

Men.<\/p>\n

He felt sick to his stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about them outlaws that robbed the bank? \u201c his brother asked, his voice shaking.\u00a0 \u201cThe ones Roy warned us about?\u00a0 You don\u2019t think….\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, God.\u00a0\u00a0 No, he didn\u2019t think.\u00a0 Dear God!\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think.<\/em>\u00a0 Why had he spent so much time yelling at Joe and so little time talking<\/em> to him since he\u2019d come home?<\/p>\n

A silence filled the room, pregnant with horrific possibilities.<\/p>\n

Bill broke it first.\u00a0 \u201cIs there anything I can do, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

He went to the door, opened it again, and looked out.\u00a0 The rain was torrential.\u00a0 It was striking the ground so hard now it sent missiles of mud into the air.\u00a0 For a moment he stood there, looking at it, imagining his baby brother\u2019s small bedraggled form huddled somewhere along the road, caught in the midst of the tempest, calling out for his \u2018pa\u2019.<\/p>\n

His pa who didn\u2019t even know he was missing.\u00a0 Who thought Joe was well watched over and was in his bed, sleeping tight, gaining strength for the new day to come.<\/p>\n

Turning back, he replied, \u201cYou may as well stay, Bill.\u00a0 There\u2019s no traveling in this.\u00a0 We\u2019ll leave as soon as it breaks to look for Joe. \u00a0Maybe you….\u00a0 If you would, you could ride to town in the morning and let Roy know what\u2019s happening.\u00a0 Help him put together a search party.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes went to Joe\u2019s friend who looked all out.\u00a0 \u201cYou can leave Seth here if you want.\u00a0 Hop Sing can look out for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould we have Bill send a telegram to Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u00a0\u201cPa\u2019s due in late tomorrow.\u00a0 He\u2019s on the road.\u201d\u00a0 He straightened up.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s up to you and me. \u00a0\u00a0We lost Joe and we\u2019ve got to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss came to his side and then pressed through, taking a step out the door.\u00a0 The wind was howling.\u00a0 It drove his brother\u2019s thin red-blond hair back from his beefy face.\u00a0 When he turned back, the look on that face nearly broke Adam\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

He felt it too.<\/p>\n

Something was threatening, and it wasn\u2019t just the storm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He kept watching for the ark, but it just didn\u2019t show.<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright sniffed as he curled himself up more tightly and pressed into a crevice cut into the rock behind him.\u00a0 About an hour back the clouds had been pulled over the moon like a curtain on a privy and everything had gone black.\u00a0 He\u2019d kept riding for a while \u2013 even keeping on as rain started to fall \u2013 but a half hour before the sky had opened up and a hard rain come pouring out and it sure looked like it was gonna stay that way for a full forty days and nights.<\/p>\n

Joe sniffed and sneezed and shifted back again though it weren\u2019t no use.\u00a0 He was already soaked to the skin and covered with mud from nose to toes.\u00a0 His brown curls were dangling in front of his eyes\u00a0 and dripping like icicles on a warm day.<\/p>\n

He must look like a drown-ded rat.<\/p>\n

\u2018Drowned, Joseph\u2019<\/em>, Pa\u2019s patient voice sighed in his head.\u00a0 \u2018What am I going to do with you?\u2019\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Usually when he came in soaking wet Pa and his older brothers would all rush over to him and make a big fuss, like he had an arrow in his shoulder sticking out or some such thing. \u00a0Pa\u2019d take his chin in his hand and force him to look up into his sharp brown eyes and ask, \u2018Joseph, are you all right?\u2019<\/em>\u00a0 Hoss would be hovering behind,\u00a0 like he was waiting for him to keel over so\u2019s he could catch him, calling him something like \u2018punkin\u2019<\/em>, and making him feel like he was two years old.\u00a0 Joe snorted out some rain.\u00a0 And all the while Big brother Adam would be standing there with his arms folded across his chest, frowning and saying without <\/em>saying it, \u2018Stupid, kid.<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n

He bristled a bit at that, which was a good thing.<\/p>\n

It made him hot for about two seconds.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t brought a coat, of course.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think he would need it.\u00a0 And while there was a blanket rolled up and cinched on the back of his borrowed horse\u2019s saddle, it was wetter than he was.\u00a0 He\u2019d grabbed his satchel before heading for the rocks and so his matches and tinder were dry.\u00a0 Joe glanced at the leather pouch laying on the ground beside him. Well, at least as dry as they could be.\u00a0 But there wasn\u2019t gonna be a stick<\/em> of dry wood left to light so the whole thing was useless.<\/p>\n

About as useless as he was.<\/p>\n

Here he\u2019d come out to save his pa from something terrible happening to him and he was stuck like a dog down a hole waiting to be drown-ded…drowned.<\/p>\n

Joe sniffed again and looked up.\u00a0 There was a little bit of sky showing to the west.\u00a0 Maybe the storm was gonna be over soon.\u00a0 The rain was still pounding the earth so hard he couldn\u2019t hear nothing else, but the wind had died down \u2013 just a bit \u2013 and the sky was lightening.\u00a0 Gathering what energy he had left, Joe pushed himself to his feet.\u00a0 He continued to hug the rocks as he considered his options.\u00a0 He\u2019d been on the road between six and seven hours, one of which had been spent here waiting out the rain.\u00a0 With any luck his brothers still <\/em>hadn\u2019t learned about him leaving.\u00a0 If they had, and they started out on horseback at a fast pace, they could catch up to him in a couple of hours.\u00a0 The mud, of course, would slow them down so he thought he might have three at least.\u00a0 Joe eyed the road.\u00a0 If he kept to it he could make better time, but he\u2019d be easier to track and find.\u00a0 Maybe he should ride just within the trees that lined it. \u2018Surefoot\u2019, as he\u2019d christened the horse he borrowed, was about as steady a ride as he\u2019d had, though since he was young he was kinda skittish.\u00a0 He could probably navigate the uneven ground.\u00a0 The problem would come if there was just no safe place for the horse\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

Of course, then, he could always return to the road.<\/p>\n

Joe looked again at the sky and decided the rain was gonna come to an end at last.\u00a0 It was still coming down hard, but not so hard he couldn\u2019t ride.\u00a0 He\u2019d stick to the road for a little longer and then make his way into the brush when it stopped.<\/p>\n

Weren\u2019t no use in taking too many chances when what he\u2019d come out here to do was so important.<\/p>\n

After unloosing him, Joe climbed up onto his horse\u2019s back.\u00a0 As he settled in, he spoke softly to the animal, thanking him for carrying him and apologizing for the fact that he was gonna make him travel in the rain.<\/p>\n

Then, with his jaw set and a steely determination in his green eyes, young Joe Cartwright spurred his horse forward through the rain and toward his pa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming, Pa,\u201d he promised.\u00a0 \u201cHold on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THREE<\/p>\n

Dawn was breaking across the sky when Adam Cartwright returned from the kitchen to find the great room empty.\u00a0 With a slice of cold roast beef dangling from his lips and a muslin sack in hand, he halted, confused.\u00a0\u00a0 Then he heard it.\u00a0 The rhythmic sound of feet pacing outside the front door accompanied every twenty seconds or so by a \u2018danged little nuisance\u2019, \u2018ornery little cuss\u2019, or some other such expression.\u00a0 Walking to the door, the black-haired man opened it.\u00a0 The rain was still coming down, though lighter.\u00a0 Some of it blew in with his brother\u2019s worry.<\/p>\n

Removing the beef before speaking, he asked his pacing brother, \u201cYou trying to wear a deeper rut than Pa\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss halted and turned toward him.\u00a0 \u201cI cain\u2019t help it, Adam.\u00a0 Something\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see, that would be something more<\/em> than the fact that our obstinate little brother is riding to Placerville on his own?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss drew a breath, jammed his hands in his back pockets, and then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hazel eyes flicked in the direction Joe had gone and then back to his mountain of a brother.\u00a0 \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss dipped his head in that way he had, when he wanted to say something but knew it was going to be challenged or just plain made fun of.\u00a0 \u201cI been thinkin\u2019, Adam.\u00a0 I mean…you read your Bible, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

His smile was tight.\u00a0 \u201cAbout as much as you do, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s pale eyebrows shot up and he shrugged.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019S\u2019pose so.\u00a0 Well, I checked out what it was Seth said Joe told him, you know, about dreams?\u201d<\/p>\n

Here it came.\u00a0 \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a powerful lot of them in the Good Book and they ain\u2019t just<\/em> dreams.\u201d\u00a0 His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. \u201cSome of \u2018em is visions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am aware it says that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you s\u2019pose Joe\u2019s dream coulda been, you know, one of those?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d he paused, fighting to keep the irony from his tone, \u201cwhich <\/em>dream would that be, the one about Hop Sing being a dragon or Miss Jones eating little boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled.\u00a0 \u201cYou know\u2019d<\/em> which one I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a mental step back.\u00a0 There was anger in his brother\u2019s tone as well as irritation.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Hoss.\u00a0 Of course, I do.\u00a0 I was making a point.\u00a0 You can no more trust Joe\u2019s \u2018vision\u2019 about Pa than you can trust those other ones.\u00a0 They\u2019re just dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey ain\u2019t just <\/em>dreams in the Bible!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cLookit the one what got Mary and Joseph and little Jesus out of Bethlehem before Herod done killed all them innocent babies!\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll admit that there may be times when God moves through unusual means to communicate his desires to mere mortals in order to cause or prevent extraordinary events, but this is hardly \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean Pa maybe being hurt or worse ain\u2019t an extraordinary<\/em> event in your book, big brother?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss took his hands out of his pockets and a step toward him.\u00a0 \u201cOr is it you think a \u2018mere mortal\u2019 like Little Joe ain\u2019t worthy of God\u2019s talkin\u2019 to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brothers crystal-clear blue eyes pinned him.\u00a0 \u201cThen what did <\/em>you mean?\u00a0 Or was that just some fancy talk for callin\u2019 me \u2018stupid\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, no….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, ever since you come back, big brother, you been throwin; your weight and that high-falutin\u2019<\/em> education of yours around here.\u201d\u00a0 He moved forward another step and poked a finger into his chest.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t back East no more, Adam, you\u2019re in the West<\/em>.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t book l\u2019arnin\u2019 that keeps a man alive on the trail, its experience and instinct.\u00a0 And my<\/em> instinct is tellin\u2019 me that our little brother is ridin\u2019 right into trouble that may have already found our Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

His middle brother\u2019s chest worked like a bellows and those blue eyes flashed fire. \u00a0Adam stared at him, thinking of the thirteen year old he had left behind when he went to school.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019d had been a boy then, but he was a man <\/em>now.\u00a0 And while his education in the East had not erased the one he had obtained over the more than a decade he had spent building the Ponderosa at his father\u2019s side, he had to admit it just might<\/em> have taken away some of his spiritual edge.\u00a0 He\u2019d been schooled in concrete facts,\u00a0 taught to take nothing at face value, to challenge everything and to pour scorn upon anything that was even remotely<\/em> connected to superstition, intuition, \u00a0or simple faith.<\/p>\n

In other words, to treat his brothers and maybe even his father as yokels and fools.<\/p>\n

He felt shamed.<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips and one eyebrow reached for the black hair laying across his forehead.
\n\u201cWould it help if I let you hit me?\u201d<\/p>\n

That <\/em>took the wind out of Hoss\u2019 righteously angry sails.<\/p>\n

His brother snorted.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 Though it might make me feel a sight better.\u201d<\/p>\n

A slow smile spread across his lips.\u00a0 \u201cI know what would make you feel even<\/em> better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked skeptical.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, college-educated-brother, and what might that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam held up the sack he had carried out of the kitchen.\u00a0 In it was enough food for the two of them for two days \u2013 well, for him <\/em>for two days, for Hoss it might only be one.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all packed and ready.\u00a0 What are you waiting for?\u00a0 Let\u2019s go find Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright finished strapping his sodden bedroll onto the back of Buck\u2019s saddle and then turned and stretched, arms and mouth opening wide.\u00a0 It had been a hideous night.\u00a0\u00a0 The rain had fallen so hard it had caused a waterfall that had threatened at one point to carry his camp away.\u00a0 He\u2019d barely managed to hang onto his tin pot and bowl.\u00a0 Even though the storm was nearly spent, the damage it had done would be felt for the whole day.\u00a0 He was wet through and felt a bit of a chill.\u00a0 Of course, with the rising of the sun everything would dry out, staving off most ill effects.\u00a0 He\u2019d weathered a good many storms in his day and been drenched dozens of times.\u00a0 He was just glad none of the boys had been with him.\u00a0 Oh, they\u2019d belly ache if he worried about them getting wet, telling him he was treating them like some citified girl.\u00a0 But he knew better.\u00a0 He knew that the damp cold could weaken a man\u2019s system, allowing other things to take hold.\u00a0 Things that could make him sick or even kill <\/em>him if the circumstances were just right.<\/p>\n

Or just wrong.<\/p>\n

Ben looked out toward the horizon and saw three lovely ladies looking back at him, shaking their heads in unison, all gently chiding him.\u00a0 \u2018You worry too much about the boys,\u2019 his late wives said in unison.\u00a0 \u2018God will watch out for them.\u2019\u00a0 He heard their gentle wisdom, believed<\/em> it, but found it hard to accept.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth.\u00a0 Inger.\u00a0 Marie.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s watching out for them<\/em> had not kept Him from calling them home.<\/p>\n

As the vision faded, Ben returned to what was left of his camp.\u00a0 He\u2019d collected almost everything and was ready \u2013 no, eager \u2013 to head home.\u00a0 He could just imagine what was happening at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Hop Sing was already up and working away in the kitchen.\u00a0 The aromas of coffee, bacon and eggs, and freshly cooked bread filled the air.\u00a0 Hoss would be halfway down the stairs, ready for it and eager to begin the new day.\u00a0 Adam would follow more slowly \u2013 Adam, who was home again \u2013 with his nose in a book, no doubt.\u00a0 And Joseph?\u00a0 Joseph would still be asleep; his curly brown head peeking above the covers and his small body curled in a ball beneath them, totally and utterly content.<\/p>\n

They were a blessing, all of them, and he couldn\u2019t wait <\/em>to get home.<\/p>\n

As he picked up the last saddlebag and turned back to Buck, Ben paused and then looked to the right.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard something.\u00a0 A twig snapping?\u00a0 Or maybe an animal moving through the nearby brush? \u00a0He listened but the sound was not repeated.\u00a0 The older man scowled.\u00a0 There was no reason to believe anything was out of the ordinary.\u00a0 There were sounds like that in the forest every day.\u00a0 It was likely he felt unnerved because of the large sum of money he was carrying.\u00a0 But then, no one could know that he had it\u00a0 with him \u2013 no one that was but his boys and the people at the Placerville Bank.<\/p>\n

Climbing into the saddle, he turned Buck\u2019s nose in the direction the noise had come from and listened again.<\/p>\n

Again, he heard nothing.<\/p>\n

Cursing himself for a fool, Ben put knees to horse flesh and urged the animal forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, boy.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Within the tree-line farther down the road, masked by a covering of thick leaves, Drury A. Slater crouched.\u00a0 Slater was a slight-built and wiry man about five feet nine inches tall.\u00a0 There was nothing special about him.\u00a0 He had brown hair and brown eyes and a narrow little face that looked like a Fisher squinting.\u00a0 He mostly wore suits in order to command respect, though at the moment he was dressed in jeans and a heavy plaid shirt \u2013 oh, and boots with heels.\u00a0 He worked as a bank teller in Placerville most days and chatted and smiled and pretended that he cared about people,\u00a0 It was a lie.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t care about anybody but himself, since \u2018himself\u2019 was all he had left.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019d been robbed many years ago by the powerful and influential men in Nevada and so now, he was robbing them now and taking what was owed.<\/p>\n

He might be a bank teller but his main <\/em>occupation was making himself wealthy by reaping the rewards of making prosperous men poor.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d planned the robbery of a number of banks, Mesa Vista being the last one, and stolen money from a nice big batch of rich folk.\u00a0 That was what he was about now, \u00a0looking to take from rich Benjamin Cartwright and give to himself.\u00a0 It had been so <\/em>easy to set up.\u00a0 A little rumor in Virginia City and there\u2019d been a run on the bank big enough to shut it down.\u00a0 That sent Cartwright to the one where he worked in Placerville.\u00a0 He\u2019d known it was a go when the manager had shown him the telegram, saying with pride that the oh-high-and-mighty-oh<\/em>-so-prosperous Benjamin Cartwright was coming to town.\u00a0 Drury sneered.\u00a0 He\u2019d smiled and fawned over the man as his boss took the cash out of the vault and then, after giving the rancher a few hours head start had gone home, changed, and set out to meet with Troy and Jud.<\/p>\n

They were all laying in wait for him.<\/p>\n

Cartwright thought he had everything \u2013 a vast spread of land, money to burn….<\/p>\n

Sons.<\/p>\n

The wiry man smirked.<\/p>\n

All of that was going to do the haughty rancher very little good when he was on the underside of six feet of dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dawn had come and gone and the sun was rising toward noon, but the clouds were thick and still thinking of rain.\u00a0 There was a strong wind blowing too and it was cutting.\u00a0 Joe Cartwright halted his mount and looked up.\u00a0 It was two or three hours to noon and if Pa was heading back the way he said he would \u2013 and he hadn\u2019t been delayed a whole lot by the storm \u2013 it was possible they could meet up about the time the sun slipped over the tip of the mountains and began heading for the valley.\u00a0 He hoped to Hell<\/em>, er, Heaven he was wrong.\u00a0 He wished with everything that was in him that he would run into Pa soon and Pa would be just fine.\u00a0 Joe snorted.\u00a0 He was even looking forward to the dressing down he was going to get.<\/p>\n

\u2018Joseph Francis Cartwright, what are you doing out here alone?\u00a0 What were you thinking, boy?\u00a0 You\u2019re only ten!\u00a0 Do you know the worry you\u2019ve caused your older brothers\u00a0 and the white hairs you\u2019ve added to this old head?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe snickered even though he knew he shouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s words were right. Adam and Hoss were probably plumb out of their heads with worry for him, and worry about what Pa would say to them when he got home.\u00a0 A grim look sobered young Joe Cartwright\u2019s face.\u00a0 Still, none of that mattered.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>Nothing<\/em> mattered but getting that image of Pa laying there shot out of his head, and the only way he was going to do that was to see Pa standing before him, whole and healthy, with steam blowing out of his ears and smoke rising from his head.<\/p>\n

The image lightened his mood.\u00a0 Joe laughed and pulled on Surefoot\u2019s reins.\u00a0 He\u2019d decided to wait until light to leave the road.\u00a0 It was time to do so now.\u00a0 If his brothers were coming, they might catch up real soon and find him and he just couldn\u2019t let them do that.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t let them rope him like a wayward steer and take him home to the corral.<\/p>\n

He wouldn\u2019t!<\/em><\/p>\n

As he sat there, thinking about it, a shiver ran the length of his thin frame and Joe sneezed.\u00a0\u00a0 He was mostly dried out now \u2013 well, maybe not his under-drawers \u2013 but he still felt chilled.\u00a0 He\u2019d hoped the rising sun would stave it off, but so far it hadn\u2019t done a thing to warm him.\u00a0 He was cold to the bone.\u00a0 After striking a filthy bunch of brown curls off of his forehead and out of his eyes, Joe ran the back of his sleeve under his nose, wiping it clean.\u00a0 Hop Sing was gonna kill him when he saw the state of his clothes.\u00a0 He was mud from one end to the other.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face wrinkled with an affectionate smile.\u00a0 While Hop Sing yelled about getting all the mud off him, he\u2019d pretend he didn\u2019t want the warm bath that was waiting \u2013 it was kind of a requirement after all \u2013 but in reality the thought of sinking under that warm clean water nearly made him melt all the way down to his cold toes.<\/p>\n

Urging Surefoot into the trees, Joe watched carefully as the horse began to pick his way through the bracken and mud.\u00a0 True to his name, the colt didn\u2019t seem to have any trouble navigating it.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t a big horse and so he was able to move through the trees without even brushing his withers.\u00a0 Joe leaned forward and patted him on the neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, boy, Surefoot.\u00a0 You just keep at it.\u00a0 You and I, we gotta find Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright pulled his coat closer about his throat and looked at the sky.\u00a0 It was mid-afternoon.\u00a0 The wind was blowing hard \u2013 a sure sign the storm might be doubling-back.\u00a0 He\u2019d dismounted and stood now looking at the road ahead.\u00a0 A tree had fallen across it and blocked his path, uprooted no doubt by the storm the night before.\u00a0 He sighed as he gazed to the left and right.\u00a0 On one side there was nothing but thick underbrush and tall trees.\u00a0 Passable, but moving through it would slow him down.\u00a0 On the other side, the fallen tree\u2019s impact had torn away a part of the earth creating a chute or channel through which a rush of rainwater ran down the sloping hill, eager to join with the swollen creek that lay some twenty feet below.\u00a0 He scowled as he considered his options.\u00a0 It was doubtful he could move the tree trunk.\u00a0 Not even his middle boy with his giant\u2019s strength could have budged it from what he saw.\u00a0 Adam with his engineering skills might have found a way to shift it, but thinking such a thing was pointless as Adam wasn\u2019t with him.\u00a0 Ben glanced at the hillside leading down to the creek, but knew instantly there was no hope there.\u00a0 The only choice was to make a detour into the trees and travel along the road\u2019s edge until he and his horse could safely return to it.<\/p>\n

Ben returned to Buck.\u00a0 He placed his foot in the stirrup with the intention of mounting, but halted as something niggled at his mind \u2013 something he had seen<\/em> but not paid attention to.\u00a0 Ben frowned as he took his boot out of the stirrup.\u00a0 Walking back to the tree trunk, he aimed for the end where the roots lay exposed.\u00a0 The older man removed his gloves and leaned over the rough trunk and took hold of one of them.\u00a0 There were sharp angular cuts on its muddy surface.\u00a0 It looked….\u00a0 Well, it looked like the type of cut a shovel would make, which would mean the tree had been uprooted<\/p>\n

On purpose….<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mister Cartwright!\u201d a cheery voice proclaimed.<\/p>\n

Ben straightened up and looked.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see anyone. \u00a0\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he called as he stepped away from the fallen tree.\u00a0 \u201cCome out where I can see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll in good time, Mister Cartwright.\u00a0 All in good time.\u00a0 But first, toss that gun you\u2019re wearing toward your horse and put your hands in the air.\u00a0 As a warning, my men have you covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

He could hear them moving through the underbrush, taking up positions to either side of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s money you want, you can have it!\u201d he called out as he began to unbuckle his weapon belt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, isn\u2019t that generous of you.\u201d\u00a0 The voice had shifted position.\u00a0 It was closer now, just to the far side of the tree.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid what you have in those saddle bags just isn\u2019t going to be enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s ten thousand in there,\u201d he said, tossing the gun aside.\u00a0 \u201cWhat more do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard leaves rustling to his right.\u00a0 A second later a figure stepped out and into the light.\u00a0 It was a man \u2013 a familiar narrow-faced man dressed now in a plaid shirt and jeans.\u00a0 He recognized him instantly as the fawning bank teller from Placerville.<\/p>\n

Slater.\u00a0 Drury Slater, that was his name.<\/p>\n

Slater was not alone.\u00a0 Locked in his arms he held a squirming form close to his chest.\u00a0 Small.\u00a0 Light.\u00a0 Young.<\/em>\u00a0 The boy held his head up high to show he was not afraid and looked directly at him.<\/p>\n

His head.<\/p>\n

His curly…brown<\/em>…head….<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart sank.<\/p>\n

Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Drury Slater twisted his fingers in the boy\u2019s ringletted hair and pulled for all he was worth, eliciting a satisfying yelp even as he pressed the edge of the knife he held into the tender flesh beneath Joe Cartwright\u2019s jaw.\u00a0 He was a hellcat, this one.\u00a0 He\u2019d fought Troy and Jud when they came upon him riding through the trees too near their makeshift camp.\u00a0 If the boy\u2019d been smarter, the worst the pair might have done was to toss him down the side of the hill and let God decide if he drowned, but he\u2019d started yelling and cussing and promising they\u2019d have Hell <\/em>to pay if his pa found out what they\u2019d done.<\/p>\n

His pa.<\/p>\n

Benjamin Cartwright.<\/p>\n

The wiry man snorted. Stupid kid.\u00a0 With that name he went from being a little lost boy in the wrong place at the wrong time to a weapon to be used against his sure-to-save-him<\/em> \u2018pa\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what I want, Mister Cartwright,\u201d Drury called.\u00a0 \u201cEverything<\/em>.\u00a0 Everything you\u2019ve got in that safe of your back at the Ponderosa. \u00a0You\u2019ll give it to me with no strings attached unless you want to see your kid\u2019s throat opened up and the lifeblood draining out of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his words the boy grew still.\u00a0 Drury looked down and into a pair of wide green eyes that questioned the reality of the situation he found himself in, as if the Cartwright kid couldn\u2019t really believe there was a man who would slit his throat just for gain.\u00a0 Then he watched the boy\u2019s gaze flick to his father, searching, looking for a sign of hope.<\/p>\n

For a heartbeat, an old pain washed over Slater as a similar face swam before his eyes.\u00a0 Charlie\u2019d been about this kid\u2019s age when he rode up to the house and found the boy waiting for him on the porch looking just the same.\u00a0 A stray shot from the posse pursuing him had taken his boy down like he wasn\u2019t any more important than a rabbit used for practice.\u00a0 For years that little wide-eyed face had been the only thing he\u2019d seen when he closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

Drury\u2019s grip tightened on the boy he held.<\/p>\n

It was men like Ben Cartwright who had come along with the sheriff looking for him \u2013 fine, upstanding<\/em> men \u2013 men with money and with power.\u00a0 What was a thousand dollars to them?\u00a0 Nothing.<\/em>\u00a0 To him it was collateral against all the wrongs that had been done him.\u00a0 He\u2019d been sent to prison for four years during which time he lost his home.\u00a0 His wife had pined away to nothing after Charlie died and passed in a sanitarium among other mad women.<\/p>\n

Those high and mighty men had killed both <\/em>Willa and Charlie.\u00a0 He\u2019d vowed he\u2019d make them pay by taking everything they had.\u00a0 He\u2019d joined up with Jud and Troy a year or so back and together they\u2019d robbed or swindled half a dozen banks and businessmen.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright was next.\u00a0 Drury scowled and pressed the edge of the knife in just a little closer to the boy\u2019s throat.\u00a0\u00a0 God had surely seen fit to deliver this child of privilege into his hands so the wrongs he had suffered at the hands of men like his father would be righted.\u00a0 He\u2019d already decided to rob the rancher, take the money he was carrying and leave him for dead.\u00a0 But now \u2013 due to this kid\u2019s blunder \u2013 he could take so much more away from him.<\/p>\n

So<\/em> much more.<\/p>\n

Drury smirked.\u00a0 He was going to kill Mister high-and-mighty Ben Cartwright but first he\u2019d kill his kid, and he\u2019d do it whether the rich man turned over his fortune or not.<\/p>\n

Just to make things right<\/em>, you know?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever it is, you can have it,\u201d the king of the Ponderosa called out.\u00a0 \u201cJust let Joseph go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d\u00a0 Salter pulled the boy\u2019s head up with a jerk and met his wild stare.\u00a0 \u201cYou gotta thought in that pretty curly head of yours, Joseph?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Slater leaned in and breathed the words, his tone sinister in its intent.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a thought about how<\/em> you want to die?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glanced at the sky.\u00a0 The storm had indeed returned and between the thunder and the wind it was difficult to catch Slater\u2019s words.\u00a0 Still, he knew their intent.\u00a0 This man wanted something from him.\u00a0 He hoped it was just money.\u00a0 But there was something in the way Slater held himself \u2013 in the way he held Joe with a knife poised to slice the boy\u2019s throat \u2013 that indicated there was more.\u00a0 The older man shuddered.\u00a0 The sight of his son in the villain\u2019s clutches had unmanned him for a moment, making movement \u00a0impossible.\u00a0 He had to shake that fear off.<\/p>\n

He had to be able to act on a split second\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n

Joseph was doing his best to appear brave, but every line in the boy\u2019s slight form was written in terror.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes darted between the face of the man who held him and the man\u2019s hand that held a shining blade to his throat.\u00a0 His son was\u00a0 smart for his age.\u00a0 Joe \u00a0knew<\/em> how close he was to dying.<\/p>\n

And that was a thing no ten year old should ever<\/em> know.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me boy go!\u201d Ben cried out.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do whatever you want!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, no!\u2019 came a strangled cry.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s cry was followed by a hiss and the words, \u201cYou\u2019ll keep your mouth shut, kid, if you know what\u2019s good for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached out.\u00a0 \u201cHush, boy!\u00a0 Keep quiet, Joseph!\u00a0 Keep quiet, son!\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only might his son\u2019s words antagonize the corrupt bank teller, but when Joe spoke the knife bit a little deeper into his throat.\u00a0 Ben could see a thin line of blood droplets forming and dripping down.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to your Pa, Joseph<\/em>,\u201d \u00a0Drury Slater scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou might just<\/em> live to see tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a step forward.\u00a0 \u201cI have another ten thousand in cash at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure I can get you anymore without the banks becoming suspicious.\u00a0 What I have in the safe is there to pay the hands for the round-up.\u00a0 You can take it and go.\u00a0 I\u2019ll make sure no one follows.\u201d<\/p>\n

The outlaw remained silent, considering his words.\u00a0 Then he said the one thing Ben had been praying he would not.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go, Cartwright.\u00a0 You go get that money and bring it back here.\u201d\u00a0 There was a snort.\u00a0 \u201cThe kid and the rest of us will be waiting for you.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and the knife cut deeper.\u00a0 \u201cJust don\u2019t take too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t leave my son!\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man laughed. \u201cWell, the only way you\u2019re taking him now is as a corpse<\/em>. \u00a0The choice is yours, big man!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright listened with alarm and dismay to the conversation taking place between his pa and the bad man who held him.\u00a0 He felt just about as stupid and useless as a man trying to shoe a horse who was waltzing around the stable instead of standing still.\u00a0 He\u2019d come out here to rescue his pa and there Pa was, looking fine, not hurt at all, but hurting all the same because he<\/em> hadn\u2019t been quick or smart enough to keep from getting caught.\u00a0 Oh, he ran \u2013 he ran real<\/em> hard.\u00a0 Slipped right off Surefoot\u2019s back the moment he saw the three men coming for him with nothing but his satchel over his shoulder, and ran like the Devil\u2019s ghost riders were on his tail.\u00a0 He would have made it too, if not for the mud.\u00a0 He hit a patch of it that was nigh onto knee-deep and it took him down, pulling his legs out from under him and splaying him on the ground like a calf waiting on a brand.\u00a0 He\u2019d been bleating too, just like one of those calves.\u00a0 Bleating and crying until the tears ran down his face to mingle with the blood traveling down his neck and onto the collar of his shirt staining it.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s face suddenly appeared him.\u00a0 The Chinese man\u2019s eyes were round black marbles and his mouth was open wide.\u00a0 He was shouting out in Chinese, waving him arms over his head and scolding him for cutting through the knees of his trousers and for ruining his shirt.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t help it.\u00a0 He began to shake and felt a laugh bubbling up inside.\u00a0 It started as a giggle and grew, but by the time it came out it had turned into a terrified and longing cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa<\/em>…..\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHang on, boy!\u201d he heard his pa call back.\u00a0 \u201cHang on, son!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe scowled.\u00a0 That was all<\/em> he seemed to be doing.\u00a0 Hanging on to the arm of the man who held him tight, trying to keep that blade away from his skin.\u00a0 He could see the knife whenever he dropped his eyes, shiny as a snake\u2019s skin, its silver sides glinting as the sun\u2019s rays caught it.\u00a0 \u00a0He had a knife back home.\u00a0 He knew what it could do.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen his brother Hoss use a knife to slice through a hog\u2019s carcass like butter, opening up its throat, spilling its lifeblood out to water the ground.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flicked to his father.\u00a0 That\u2019s what Pa was afraid of too.\u00a0 He was afraid the man who held him was gonna slit his throat \u2018cause he meant nothing more to him than the belly cut of a hog.<\/p>\n

The ten year old glanced from side to side.\u00a0 The men who\u2019d caught him were there, standing one on each side of Drury Salter.\u00a0 Salter had been plumb mad when one of his men used his name and he\u2019d heard it.\u00a0 It was the main reason he was pretty sure that, no matter what his pa said or did, he was dead. \u00a0So it was up to him.<\/p>\n

He had to get away.<\/p>\n

Joe considered his options.\u00a0 Drury Salter was directly behind him and his Pa, in front.\u00a0 Behind \u00a0pa was \u00a0a flat bit of land that looked like it might border a hill.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t much, but if they could hit it right and slide down the side then maybe \u2013 just maybe<\/em> \u2013 when they reached the bottom they could get away.<\/p>\n

Of course, he<\/em> had to get free first.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Salter had moved forward.\u00a0 Joe was so close now he could have reached out and touched him.\u00a0 The boy appeared unharmed other than the thin cut on his throat and a generous heaping of cuts and bruises.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s expressive green eyes were locked on his and in them he read a dangerous determination.\u00a0 Ben shook his head almost imperceptibly.<\/p>\n

No, Joe.\u00a0 Don\u2019t try anything.\u00a0 Nothing is worth your life.<\/em><\/p>\n

The corrupt teller was speaking again.\u00a0 He really hadn\u2019t been paying attention to what he said.\u00a0 His mind was filled with thoughts and images from the last few days \u2013 bidding farewell to Adam and Hoss. Getting that second hug from Joe that told him the boy was fearful as always about his leaving.\u00a0 Meeting with the bank manager in Placerville and wondering why he had hired such a shifty-looking man as Slater.\u00a0 He\u2019d been the weasel of a man who had come for him and led him back to the vault and then watched almost salivating as the money was taken from the shelves and placed in two satchels.<\/p>\n

He should have known….<\/p>\n

\u201cLet the boy come to me so I can see he\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

Salter\u2019s fingers twisted more deeply into Joe\u2019s hair \u2013 that wonderful full<\/em> head of brown hair \u2013 as if he would pull it out by the roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m going to do?\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 \u201cYour men have guns on me and there\u2019s nowhere to go. \u00a0Please.\u00a0 Please…take that knife away from my son\u2019s throat and let him come to me.\u00a0 If you have any <\/em>humanity in you….\u201d\u00a0 He choked.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s only a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was something in Salter\u2019s eyes, something when he looked at Joe that just wasn\u2019t quite right.\u00a0 It was as if the boy represented something else; lost opportunities, perhaps, or maybe, lost hopes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a son, Salter?\u201d he called out, hoping he was not sealing Joe\u2019s death warrant by asking.\u00a0 \u201cA boy, like Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had<\/em> one!\u201d the man growled between gritted teeth as the knife blade bit deeper into Joe\u2019s neck\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t have one anymore.\u00a0 You did it, Cartwright.\u00a0 You <\/em>and men like you!\u201d<\/p>\n

The trickle of blood was increasing.\u00a0 Even so, he could see Salter losing his focus as his broken mind slid into the past.\u00a0 Ben eyed the gunmen to either side of the teller.\u00a0 They were staring at their boss and not at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 Salter, I have a boy.\u00a0 That\u2019s him you\u2019re holding.\u00a0 Look at him, Salter!\u00a0 I understand what it\u2019s like, a father and a son \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand anything!<\/em>\u201d the other man snarled.\u00a0 \u201cHow could you, your <\/em>son is alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stretched out his arms.\u00a0 He spoke quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIf you keep him that way, I\u2019ll help you.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d\u00a0 He met Joe\u2019s frightened stare and added with all the power and might he owned.\u00a0 \u201cBut if you harm that boy, I swear no matter what,<\/em> I will hunt you down like the rabid animal you are and put an end to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSalter,\u201d one of the other men said from the shadows, \u201cwhat are we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe\u2019s captor turned, Ben eyes gauged the distance between the man and him and between Salter\u2019s knife and Joe\u2019s throat.\u00a0 The bank teller was mad and his son was going to be dead if he didn\u2019t make a bold move and make it soon.\u00a0\u00a0 Locking eyes with his boy, Ben tried to communicate to Joseph that he needed him to stand completely still.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately Joe got an entirely different <\/em>word.<\/p>\n

With Salter distracted Joe reached up with both hands inside the circle of the man\u2019s arm and shoved the knife away.\u00a0 Ben gasped as he saw it cut into the tender flesh of his young son\u2019s forearm before it fell.\u00a0 Then his agile boy twisted in the villain\u2019s grasp, dropped to the ground, and then reared up and rammed the man where it most<\/em> counted with his head.<\/p>\n

Salter shrieked and fell\u00a0 back.<\/p>\n

Joe turned and looked at him.<\/p>\n

Ben held his arms out, calling the boy forward.<\/p>\n

Gunfire sounded.\u00a0 One. \u00a0Two<\/em> shots.\u00a0 Ben felt something hit him.\u00a0 Was it Joseph or a bullet or both?<\/p>\n

He met his son\u2019s wild stare and saw fear and pain in the boy\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

And then they fell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FOUR<\/p>\n

Adam impatiently paced the narrow area along the side of the road to Placerville, doing his best to keep his temper.\u00a0 While he realized he was\u00a0 young, he was<\/em> an adult and the patronizing attitude of Roy Coffee\u2019s current deputy was almost enough to make him take a chance on whether or not his father\u2019s money could get him off on a murder charge.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss was looking at him.\u00a0 Waiting on him to give him a sign.\u00a0 Something.<\/p>\n

They were wasting time.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Deputy Blunt,\u201d he began, \u201cI know you have your opinions, but this is our baby brother and we\u00a0 need to \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

Horace Blunt looked like a stork.\u00a0 He was skinny as a stick and had a long neck and an Adam\u2019s apple that bobbed on it like a red one afloat in a wooden bucket.\u00a0 His pale blue eyes were somewhat beady and the look out of them said he\u2019d as soon pick you up and mop the forest floor with you as look at you.\u00a0 Adam had heard he\u2019d been a soldier and he believed it.<\/p>\n

He was also inordinately rude.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t no lah-de-dah<\/em> snot-nosed kid with a higher education gonna tell me how to do my job, you hear?\u00a0 It\u2019s my policy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t let no kin go lookin\u2019 with me for someone who\u2019s missin\u2019.\u00a0 They cain\u2019t think straight.\u201d\u00a0 He pinned them both with an unwelcoming stare.\u00a0 \u201cNow why don\u2019t you two boys\u00a0 just go hightail it back to that cushy Ponderosa of your\u2019n and let me do my job?\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019d run into Blunt about an hour into their ride.\u00a0 Seth\u2019s father had done as he requested and gone into town to tell the sheriff what had happened. The problem was, Roy had ridden out the night before to take a deposition from a woman who lived to the north side of the town, leaving Horace in charge. \u00a0The deputy, who resembled most in his mind Ichabod Crane in both looks and ignorance, had left Roy a note telling him what was happening and then taken charge of the hunt for Joe. \u00a0What Blunt did not seem to understand was that this was a ten year old kid they were hunting and that Joe was going to be scared out of his mind and that he\u2019d probably run<\/em> from a group of strangers rather than let them take him.<\/p>\n

Joe would be expecting <\/em>his brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you listen here, you ignoramus!\u201d Hoss shouted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll get out of our way and let us through if you know what\u2019s good for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh joy<\/em>, Adam thought as he ran a hand over his eyes.\u00a0 Joe was missing and now Hoss was going to end up in jail.\u00a0 He\u2019d certainly be able to prove to his father after this that it was a wise thing to leave him in charge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d he cautioned.<\/p>\n

His middle brother was steaming.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t gonna back down, Adam, that there idiot \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs a legally deputized<\/em> idiot,\u201d he murmured, hoping the deputy didn\u2019t hear him.<\/p>\n

Blunt watched them from a short distance away with dispassion.\u00a0 His upper lip twitched and one eye narrowed.\u00a0 That was the largest range of emotion the man had shown yet.\u00a0 Horace spat out tobacco juice and then calmly walked to their side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince we been arguin\u2019, boys, we\u2019ve lost \u2018bout fifteen minutes,\u201d he said, his voice low and even. \u201cThat\u2019s fifteen<\/em> minutes in which your little brother could have fallen off a cliff or been bitten by a snake or, maybe, had his arm chewed off by a grizzly.\u00a0 Now, I\u2019m good with standin\u2019 here for another fifteen or more, that\u2019s up to you.\u00a0 You just think hard<\/em> about what you\u2019re doin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam reached out and held his brother back by placing a hand on his chest. \u00a0\u201cHoss, I think we should do what the good deputy says.\u201d<\/p>\n

He felt the teenager stiffen beneath that hand.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you cain\u2019t \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

Blunt\u2019s tone was a wagging finger.\u00a0 \u201cListen to him, boy.\u00a0 Older brother knows best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are experienced lawmen, Hoss,\u201d he said, clipping each word, hoping his brother caught on to what he was doing, \u201cthe best thing we can do is get out of their way<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother frowned.\u00a0 Then Hoss\u2019s reddish brows went up.\u00a0\u00a0 A second later he drew a deep breath and let the tension out with it.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I reckon you\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 His gaze went to the deputy.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m right sorry, Deputy Blunt.\u00a0 I guess I kinda lost my temper.\u00a0 I\u2019m just pure<\/em> worried about little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstandable.\u201d\u00a0 Horace Blunt\u2019s gaze traveled between them.\u00a0 \u201cI want your word.\u00a0 Both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou have it.\u00a0 We won\u2019t do anything to interfere with your search.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss echoed, nodding.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am,\u201d Blunt said slowly.\u00a0 The gaze didn\u2019t waver.\u00a0 It was as if he was trying to judge whether or not he could trust them. \u00a0Finally he said, \u201cThe best thing you boys can do is go back home.\u00a0 You never know, your little brother could be there right now, back from a grand adventure and curled up tight in his bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

God,<\/em> he hoped so.<\/p>\n

Still, he wasn\u2019t about to leave anything to chance.\u00a0 They\u2019d ditch the lawman and then circle back and strike out on their own to find \u2013<\/p>\n

Blunt had turned back.\u00a0 \u201cYou know what,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll just have one of my men escort you two back to that ranch house since there are desperados in these hills.\u201d\u00a0 The deputy\u2019s eyes sparked with barely masked amusement.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t want Ben Cartwright to go losin\u2019 track of all <\/em>of his boys, now would we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed over the lump in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t suppose we would.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a lazy summer day.\u00a0 Adam had gone to town for supplies, taking Hoss with him, and leaving him alone with Marie and their young son.\u00a0 It was near noon and Ben had been working for some time, attempting to make his way through a mountain of paperwork, when he felt something move at his feet.\u00a0 Startled, he stopped and scooted his chair back and looked under the desk and was confronted by a cherubic face with wide green eyes that was framed by the most massive amount of golden-brown curls he had ever seen a child possess.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d he said sternly, hiding his smile, \u201cPapa is busy.\u00a0 You need to find something to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

The small boy took hold of his pants leg and used it to stand up.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPapa come play,\u201d he pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cCome outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I can\u2019t.\u00a0 I have too much work to do.\u00a0 These contracts can\u2019t wait.\u00a0 You see the men who negotiated them are waiting on me to….\u201d\u00a0 He stopped.\u00a0 He was discussing contracts with a four year old.\u00a0 Strangely enough, the boy had his curly head bent and appeared to be trying to take it all in.\u00a0 Ben placed a hand on his son\u2019s hair and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s your mother, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy blinked, and then turned and pointed.\u00a0 Ben followed Joseph\u2019s finger and what he saw made his breath catch.\u00a0 Marie had emerged from the kitchen.\u00a0 She was carrying a picnic basket and was dressed in the lightweight cream-colored dress he loved so much, the one showed her legs in the sun.\u00a0 On her head of golden hair she\u2019d perched a straw hat dripping with an array of cloth flowers.\u00a0 On her picture-perfect face she wore an expression of love.<\/p>\n

Her little mouth quirked at the end with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cDid you ask Papa, Petit Joseph?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben picked the boy up and headed for her.\u00a0 As he did, Joseph\u2019s head bobbed up and down.\u00a0 He turned back to him and caught his shirt collar in his tiny hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome play, Papa.\u00a0 Come outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he got to Marie, he looked down at her.\u00a0 She was radiant.\u00a0 \u201cThis is entirely unfair,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019est la guerre<\/em>,\u201d she smiled.<\/p>\n

No one could conquer such a general.<\/p>\n

Sometime later they pulled up to the lake in the buckboard.\u00a0 Ben hopped down first.\u00a0 Then he helped his wife and last of all, lifted Little Joe out and tossed him into the air.\u00a0 The boy giggled and shouted, \u2018More! More!\u2019 even as his mother shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph<\/em> is already fearless.\u00a0 You will make him bold, Benjamin,\u201d she tisked.\u00a0 \u201cSo<\/em> bold he will no longer listen to his mama and papa<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d laughed then, but within less than an hour had come to regret it.<\/p>\n

They were laying side by side, sipping wine and eating the food Hop Sing had prepared.\u00a0 Joseph was playing nearby \u2013 not too near but within sight.\u00a0 Marie leaned over and kissed him, and the warmth of her lips and the soft feel of her body in his hands took his attention, for maybe a minute.<\/p>\n

When he came up for air and looked, Joseph was gone.<\/p>\n

Panic gripped them.\u00a0 They split and ran in opposite directions, calling Joe\u2019s name.\u00a0 As Marie\u2019s voice faded into the distance something made him look up.\u00a0 It might have been an angel voice or maybe a prompt from God, but he looked up and there was his four year old son halfway up the trunk of a medium-sized tree that had the most unfortunate series of evenly spaced low-lying branches.\u00a0 The child was stretching out as far as he could, reaching for the next branch, his little toes barely anchored on the one below; his fingers wiggling, extending toward a hold they would never find.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, stay where you are!\u00a0 I\u2019m coming to get you.\u201d<\/p>\n

His boy turned and looked at him.\u00a0 A smile broke over that beautiful face. \u00a0\u2018Papa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

And then, he let go.<\/p>\n

Ben had never moved so fast in his life . He dove for the ground under the tree and landed with a \u2018huff\u2019 five seconds before his son reached the earth.\u00a0 Five precious<\/em> seconds in which he was able to open his arms, able to take a bracing breath, and able to save his son.<\/p>\n

Joseph\u00a0 laughed as he landed hard and then, when he saw him crying, shrieked.<\/p>\n

The wind knocked out of him, Ben laid his hand on his son\u2019s head and ran his fingers through his curly brown hair, speaking soothing words.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s…all right…Joseph.\u00a0 Everything…will be…all right.\u00a0 Joseph, everything \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes flew open.\u00a0 His fingers were entwined in his son\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

It was matted with something thick and wet.<\/p>\n

Somewhere above them, someone was speaking, calling his name.\u00a0 Was it Marie?\u00a0 No, the voice was a man\u2019s and the words were harsh and threatening.<\/p>\n

Hate you.\u00a0 Find you.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Kill you and your son.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben shifted.\u00a0 Pain shot through him like a knife.\u00a0 He was on his back on a patch of land that butted up against a creek.\u00a0 Had he fallen \u2013 fallen out of the tree with Joe?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 That wasn\u2019t it.\u00a0 Joe wasn\u2019t four.\u00a0 He was ten.\u00a0 And Marie..Marie was dead…and her husband and son were lying at the bottom of a twenty foot drop with a pack of rabid dogs on a ledge above snarling for their blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d he tried, shifting his hold.\u00a0 \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

This time a small moan escaped the boy\u2019s lips.\u00a0 \u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben glanced up.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, we have to move.\u00a0 Can you move, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

No words.\u00a0 Just a shake of his head.<\/p>\n

He fought to keep the desperation from his words.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you have to listen to me.\u00a0 These are bad<\/em> men.\u00a0 They want to hurt you.\u00a0 We have to move, have to find a place to hide.\u00a0 Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

His son raised his head and looked at him.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes were unfocused.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know…if I..can, Pa. Tired…\u201d<\/p>\n

He had no way of knowing if the boy was injured.\u00a0 There had been two shots.\u00a0 As he shifted again to get a better look at his son, his suspicion increased that one of the bullets had taken him in the side.\u00a0 Part of the blood in Joe\u2019s hair, he was fairly certain, was his own. \u00a0The other one he thought had grazed the boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

With both hands Ben gripped that head and forced his son to meet his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I need you to help me. \u00a0Do you hear me, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

It worked. Where Joe had had little concern about himself, the thought that he<\/em> was in danger seemed to penetrate the daze he was in.<\/p>\n

The boy blinked.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u00a0 What\u2019s…wrong, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m hurt, boy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if I can get up on my own.\u201d\u00a0 He cast his eyes upward.\u00a0 The men could be working their way down the hill even now, coming to capture or to kill them.\u00a0 \u201cI need you to help me up and we need to find somewhere to hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe seemed to come more awake.\u00a0 His hands started probing.\u00a0 \u201cWhere, Pa?\u00a0 Where are you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a desperation in the boy\u2019s voice that he didn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I took a bullet in the side.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it\u2019s too bad.\u00a0 I….\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice trailed off.\u00a0 Joe had gone white as a sheet.\u00a0 His boy lifted his hands and looked at them.\u00a0 They were covered in his blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he wailed.\u00a0 \u201cNoooo<\/em>….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was me, Pa!\u00a0 I<\/em> did it!\u00a0 It was me!<\/em> I…\u201d\u00a0 He started to sob.\u00a0 \u201cAdam and Hoss were right.\u00a0 I shoulda stayed home.\u00a0 I….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, what are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s green eyes were wide as the plains.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a dream, Pa, it was a nightmare<\/em>.\u00a0 And I made it come true!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a nightmare, all right.\u00a0 But not the one Joe spoke of.<\/p>\n

As it was the middle of the day, there was nothing to mask them from the men on the top of the rise who had begun to shoot helter-skelter into the trees.\u00a0 Apparently Salter had changed his mind about sending him for the rest of the money and intended to kill them both.\u00a0 It had been all Joe could do to help him climb to his feet and, even now, he was having to lean heavily on the boy.\u00a0 He still didn\u2019t know the extent of Joseph\u2019s injuries.\u00a0 He had a suspicion looking at him, that there was more than met the eye.<\/p>\n

They were quite a pair.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d taken the road to Placerville dozens of times since coming to this area and knew the layout of the land pretty well.\u00a0 If he remembered correctly there was a deserted cabin not all that far away \u2013 one they should be able to reach by nightfall or shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n

They just had to shake Salter and his dogs off first.<\/p>\n

Ben jolted as another bullet struck the ground to the rear of them.\u00a0 There was a thin line of trees between them and the men, so they were shooting blind.\u00a0 Still, blind or not, there was always that lucky shot.<\/p>\n

Lucky for Salter, not for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you\u2019re breathing hard,\u201d Joseph said, worry in his tone as his eyes went to the ever-increasing stain of blood on the middle of his shirt.\u00a0 \u201cWe gotta stop.\u00a0 You gotta<\/em> rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gripped the boy\u2019s shoulder with his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll rest together once we find shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another bullet struck a tree above their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t gonna make it, Cartwright!\u00a0 You or that boy of yours!\u00a0 You\u2019re both bleeding and there isn\u2019t any help for miles!\u00a0 Come out!\u00a0 …we won\u2019t hurt you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben snorted.\u00a0 No, they wouldn\u2019t hurt them.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d kill<\/em> them.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at him to see if he was going to answer.\u00a0 Ben shook his head and nodded to the left.\u00a0 There was a passage there through a tumble of rocks that then went up a hill.\u00a0 If he remembered right after the hill there was a mile long ravine \u2013 and then the cabin. \u00a0His son was fast.\u00a0 He could make it.\u00a0 Together, he would only slow him down.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 He commanded as he released his grip on the boy, his tone curt and not to be disobeyed.\u00a0 \u201cRun.\u00a0 Get between the rocks.\u00a0 Run now!\u00a0 I\u2019ll follow as quickly as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s green eyes were wide.\u00a0 He fought a moment, not wanting to obey, but then nodded and began to run.\u00a0 Ben felt a moment of relief as he saw his son\u2019s small form slip into the shadows cast by the tall rocks.<\/p>\n

It was short-lived.<\/p>\n

There was another shot.\u00a0 He frowned, waiting to see where it hit.\u00a0 Even as Joseph stiffened and spun around, he knew.\u00a0 God, he knew!\u00a0 <\/em>He hadn\u2019t been thinking clearly.\u00a0 While trying to save him, he had stupidly<\/em> sent his son into danger.<\/p>\n

This time Joe had taken a bullet.<\/p>\n

Even as one of the men shouted that he\u2019d \u2018Got one!<\/em>\u2019, Ben ran.\u00a0 When he reached Joe\u2019s side, he dropped to his knees. \u00a0Tears flooded the older man\u2019s eyes as he placed a hand on the boy\u2019s small chest, feeling his \u00a0rapidly racing heart.\u00a0 He was devout man.\u00a0 He believed in God and in God\u2019s eternal purpose.\u00a0 He knew that nothing happened unless God permitted or allowed it, and that all a man went through was to hone him and teach him to show the virtues of God\u2019s Son. \u00a0He\u2019d learned humility when he could no longer provide for himself and his first boy.\u00a0 He\u2019d been taught kindness when others showed kindness to him.\u00a0 There was nothing but diligence to be had when a man had an empire to build.\u00a0 And patience?\u00a0 Patience was defined by three beautiful rough and tumble sons.\u00a0 The thing he didn\u2019t like \u2013 the thing he fought the hardest <\/em>against \u2013 was the gospel of suffering.\u00a0 Words from Philippians ran through his head as he dragged Joe into the rocky passage and passed his hands over his son, searching for the wound.<\/p>\n

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer….<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d suffered.\u00a0 God!<\/em>\u00a0 He\u2019d suffered. Three wives dead.\u00a0 Three wives buried<\/em> along with all the hopes each one of them had represented.\u00a0 And now, now, God was demanding his son!<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s jaw tightened.\u00a0 No.<\/p>\n

No. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sucked in air and looked down.\u00a0 Joe fingers were on his pants leg gripping it just like he\u2019d done on that glorious and terrible morning so long ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, shh.\u00a0 Don\u2019t try to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m…scared<\/em>, Pa….\u201d<\/p>\n

He wouldn\u2019t admit it.\u00a0\u00a0 But he was scared too.<\/p>\n

As another bullet struck a tree to the left of the rocks, Ben placed his hands under his son\u2019s shoulders and knees and lifted him, cradling him close to his heart.\u00a0 He felt the pull of Joe\u2019s weight on his own wound, but ignored it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, boy.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s here.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going to let anything happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph nodded, and then that curly brown head fell against his chest and the boy was still.<\/p>\n

Gripping Joe tightly, Ben plunged into the passage even as another bullet hit the dirt close by his boot.<\/p>\n

If they could just make it to the cabin.<\/p>\n

If they could just….<\/p>\n

If.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs that infernal<\/em> lawman still out there, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his brother who was pacing a path up and down in front of the hearth.\u00a0 \u2018Infernal\u2019 was the least colorful epithet he had heard come out of Hoss\u2019 mouth in the hour they had been confined to the house.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t realize his middle brother knew quite so many, well, descriptive<\/em> words.<\/p>\n

The black-haired man peered out the window above his father\u2019s desk that opened onto the front yard. \u201cHe\u2019s still there.\u00a0 Sitting pretty and smoking a cigar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDad-burned, smart-alecky, son-of-a-bitch!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam turned back his brows puckered.\u00a0 \u201cDoes Pa know about your…er…colorful <\/em>vocabulary?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shot him a glance.\u00a0 His lips twitched.\u00a0 \u201cNow, who you think I learned them words from, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father was not prone to foul language.\u00a0 At least, he\u2019d seldom heard him employ anything cruder than \u2018damn\u2019.\u00a0 Was this something else that had changed in his time away?<\/p>\n

His brother continued to glare at him for a moment and then threw his head back and roared.\u00a0 When he composed himself, Hoss pointed and said, \u201cYou shoulda seen your face!\u201d<\/p>\n

He let his frustration out in a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cI hardly think this is the time or place….\u201d<\/p>\n

His seventeen year old brother shook his head as he approached.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I been hanging around the hands too much.\u201d\u00a0 He winced.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just so all-fired angry.\u00a0 We gotta get out there and get to lookin\u2019 for Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing agree with Mistah Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both turned to find their cook and \u2013 if the truth be told \u2013 surrogate mother and father standing behind them.\u00a0 He was holding a pitcher and glass in his hand.<\/p>\n

Adam waved him away.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not thirsty, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for number one or two son. \u00a0For lawman outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scratched his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you bein\u2019 nice to him for, Hop Sing?\u00a0 He won\u2019t let us go after Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cMistah Hoss not understand.\u00a0 Mistah Ben say must be nice to all<\/em> men.\u00a0 All men guests.<\/em>\u00a0 Hop Sing make special tea for lawman who will not let you go find Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was something in the Chinese man\u2019s voice that made Adam sit up and pay attention.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s in the tea, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOohh, no can say, Mistah Adam.\u00a0 Special family recipe.\u201d\u00a0 Their cook\u2019s eyes lit with he might have described as an \u2018infernal\u2019 delight.\u00a0 \u201cMake lawman relax velly<\/em> much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was catching on.\u00a0 \u201cJust how much<\/em> is that there tea gonna make him relax, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake lawman feel good.\u00a0 Send him to visit with his ancestors in the world of dream.\u00a0 When he wake up, he be happy, they<\/em> be happy, and most of all,\u201d Hop Sing did a little bow over the pitcher and glass, \u201cHop Sing be happy see Little Joe home again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ten minutes later the lawman was snoozing in the barn loft and they were on their way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was breathing hard.\u00a0 He\u2019d navigated the long channel of rock and found the ravine.\u00a0 It stretched before him now offering both a path to the cabin and a sanctuary from the blowing wind.\u00a0 It was fairly steep-sided and there were lots of nooks and crannies cut into it that promised a haven from both the rain that was beginning to fall and the guns of the men who hunted them.<\/p>\n

The problem was, it could also prove to be a death-trap.<\/p>\n

The ravine\u2019s sides were ridged because it was one of the kind that ran with water more often than not.\u00a0 There was a river not too far away as well as the creek they had just left behind.\u00a0 If either overflowed their banks, the ravine would take up the slack.\u00a0 He glanced at the sky, gauging the storm\u2019s progress.\u00a0 The rain was fairly gentle now, but he knew that could turn on a five cent piece.\u00a0 After the rain they\u2019d had the day before, there was no telling how little it would take to be too much.\u00a0 Also, if Slater and his men were<\/em> still tracking them and determined where they were and came down into <\/em>it after them, then the narrow channel cut into the ground would give them no more hope of escape than a group of sitting ducks.<\/p>\n

He had to make a choice.<\/p>\n

From what he remembered the cabin, which had been occupied for the last few years by one of his ranch hand\u2019s families, was near the end of the ravine and over to the south a little.\u00a0 James Hinson had worked for him for a time but had chosen to go back East with his only surviving child after a fever had taken the lives of his wife and two sons.\u00a0 There was no guarantee the place was empty, but most often when it was disease that had cleared out a cabin \u2013 and so short a time ago \u2013 it stayed that way.\u00a0 People were afraid of any lingering sickness.<\/p>\n

And of the ghosts that might inhabit it.<\/p>\n

Another thing that cabin might contain would be medicine and bandages.\u00a0 He could build a fire and make Joseph warm.\u00a0 The boy was so still, so cool to the touch.\u00a0 Ben breathed out his relief.\u00a0 At least Joe wasn\u2019t fevered.<\/p>\n

Yet.<\/p>\n

He knew it was different for him.\u00a0 His skin was prickling.\u00a0 The fabric moving over it caused him pain as it did.\u00a0 He\u2019d managed to stuff a balled up handful of clean cloth into the wound in his side and, for the moment, had almost curtailed the bleeding.\u00a0 He\u2019d done the same for Joseph, tears spilling from his eyes as he first wrapped a bandage around his head and then wadded up a strip from the tail of his gun-metal blue shirt and pressed it against his son\u2019s small shoulder. \u00a0He thought the bullet had gone through clean but he couldn\u2019t tell due to the amount of mud and blood.\u00a0 Until he could get Joseph\u2019s shirt off and examine him more closely, a patch would have to do.\u00a0 He prayed the bullet had missed anything important.\u00a0 Joe\u2019d been hit high-up in the back.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n

Cowards!<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d kill them if he ever got the chance.<\/p>\n

Even as the thought crossed his mind, the older man staggered.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 No, he wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 He\u2019d rage and shout and grieve until there was nothing left, but he wouldn\u2019t let a man like Drury Slater turn him into an animal.\u00a0 Ben closed his eyes and sought a place of peace.\u00a0 Joseph was here and that meant Joseph was missing at home.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam would have gone for Roy.\u00a0 They\u2019d surely be on the trail by now.\u00a0 There\u2019d be a posse out looking for them and possibly Doc Martin too, since Roy would worry that Joseph might have been hurt.<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and sighed.<\/p>\n

There was<\/em> hope.<\/p>\n

Coming to a decision, Ben clutched his quiescent son to his chest and sat down and then, with a push and a prayer, slid down into the darkness that filled the ravine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FIVE<\/p>\n

Drury Slater stood, rifle in hand, at the top of the narrow ravine looking down.\u00a0 The wind was kicking branches and gorse up and he watched as they disappeared into the darkness filling it.\u00a0 He let out a soft curse as he sighted along the length of the gully, noting how it seemed to deepen as it plowed its way through the hilly land to the south.\u00a0 If they followed Cartwright there was no guaranteeing they\u2019d catch him.\u00a0 Night was coming on and a man could blend into the shadows and disappear so long as he could keep quiet.\u00a0 There was a chance \u2013 probably more<\/em> than a chance \u2013 that that boy of his would be howling with pain or fever.\u00a0 Still, sound carried in a ravine, bouncing back and forth.\u00a0 It could fool you and he just didn\u2019t have time to be fooled.<\/p>\n

He needed to get to Cartwright\u2019s ranch and get that other ten thousand dollars.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d talked about splitting up, him and Troy and Jud, and one of them following Cartwright to make sure his mouth and his boy\u2019s were shut permanently.\u00a0 He\u2019d decided against it.\u00a0 Cartwright\u2019s older boys would be out looking for their pa and brother.\u00a0 Most likely the local sheriff and his men too.\u00a0 There would be only a few men \u2013 hands, ropers, roustabouts \u2013 left behind at the ranch and they wouldn\u2019t be looking for trouble.\u00a0 Not there.<\/p>\n

It shouldn\u2019t be hard to waltz right in and take what they wanted.<\/p>\n

About a half hour back they\u2019d talked to a lawman heading up a search party, expressing their horror and offering their assistance in the search for the rancher\u2019s son.\u00a0 When Horace Blunt refused, they pointed him and his dozen men in the opposite direction the Cartwrights had taken. \u00a0Drury snorted.\u00a0 The beauty of it was that no one knew they were suspect.\u00a0 They\u2019d be able to ride up to the Ponderosa ranch house without any trouble and help themselves to that money.<\/p>\n

Then, they\u2019d head to Mexico and live like kings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you think, Drury?\u201d Troy Kincaid asked as he came to a stop beside him.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t look at the other man but kept his eyes fastened on the ravine.\u00a0 \u201cI think Cartwright\u2019s dead. \u00a0You said you hit him in the side?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jud nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cWeren\u2019t me what hit him.\u00a0 That was Mosley.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drury turned toward him.\u00a0 His words were hard.\u00a0 \u201cAre you getting soft?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Troy met his eyes.\u00a0 His own were angry.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I signed up there weren\u2019t nothing said about shooting kids.\u00a0 Look, I got a boy of my own about that age.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it\u2019s men like Cartwright that took Charlie away from me!\u00a0 An eye for an eye, Troy.\u00a0 An eye for an eye.\u201d\u00a0 Drury turned back to look at the ravine and held his hand out, allowing the steady rain to strike his dirty flesh.\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like we\u2019ll<\/em> have to kill them anyhow,\u201d he chuckled as he turned and began to walk away.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like God\u2019s got that under control.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOlder brother, what\u2019re you thinkin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed.\u00a0 It was a deep sigh, one filled with frustration, longing, and not a little dose of fear.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinking we should have run into Pa by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were a few hours along the road to Placerville.\u00a0 If their pa had started back when he expected too, the latest he would have arrived home was tonight.\u00a0 That meant they should have come across him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe his business took longer than he thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, thoughtful.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes strayed to the road before them.\u00a0 The failing light revealed it just enough to show that it wound to the right and disappeared into the trees not too far ahead.\u00a0 \u201cI should have let you send that telegram to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d only made him worry, Adam.\u00a0 Don\u2019t seem there\u2019s nothin\u2019 he could a done other than tell that there Deputy Blunt where and how deep<\/em> to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe would have done that.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice grew quiet.\u00a0 \u201cStill, Pa should know Joe\u2019s missing.\u00a0 You know how he is about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother nodded.\u00a0 There was no need for words.\u00a0 \u201cSo what now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to think like Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s reddish brows jumped.\u00a0 \u201cHow in Tarnation<\/em> are we gonna do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snorted.\u00a0 \u201cWell, first we pretend we\u2019re ten, but that we think we\u2019re twenty and know how to handle everything.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got a burr under our saddle that Pa\u2019s in trouble and we\u2019re going to save him come Hell and<\/em> high water.\u00a0 Then we convince a friend to lie for us, steal a horse, and take off on the road to Placerville.\u00a0 Then it rains.\u00a0 It rains hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d look for somewhere to hole up until it passed.\u00a0 Ground tie my horse and snuggle into some crack to wait.\u00a0 Somewhere out of the rain….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stopped.\u00a0 He\u2019d thought Hoss was just interrupting, but his brother\u2019s face told him there was, unfortunately, a lot more to it.\u00a0 Hoss looked like he\u2019d walked on his own grave.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d the black-haired man asked.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother was pointing.\u00a0 He swung around to look. What he found fed lead to a stomach already sunk about as low as it could go.<\/p>\n

It was Buck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rain was falling steadily but, for the moment, its fall was gentle and light.\u00a0 Ben weighed his fear of it feeding into the river or creek against his need to remain under cover and make haste.\u00a0 He was weakening.\u00a0 He needed to tend to his own wound and get some rest so he could help his son.\u00a0 It would do Joseph little good if he collapsed in the mud, unable to continue.\u00a0 Moving along the ravine instead of the road above was shaving minutes off the travel time to the cabin, but every one of those minutes he traveled filled him with dread.\u00a0 There would be little warning.\u00a0 Maybe a rumble and a rush of sound, but by the time he heard the water coming, it would be too late.<\/p>\n

They would drown.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up at the ragged edge of grass and dirt above him.\u00a0 He\u2019d contemplated climbing up the bank a couple of times when it dipped low, but fear of the outlaws\u2019 pursuit had stopped him.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t seen or heard anything from their pursuers in quite a while, but that didn\u2019t mean they weren\u2019t there.\u00a0 It all depended on Drury Salter.\u00a0 It depended on whether hate <\/em>or money meant more to the wreck of a man.<\/p>\n

God grant it was money.<\/p>\n

Halting again Ben sat down.\u00a0 He needed to gather strength for the final push.\u00a0 He also wanted to see if he could get Joseph to respond.\u00a0 It had been a while since the boy had and he was worried.\u00a0 He\u2019d wrapped Joe in his heavy brown coat to keep him warm after changing the bandages on his wounds for the second time.\u00a0 It was hard to see him.\u00a0 There was only the pale light of a rain-washed night to do it by.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0 Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, it\u2019s Pa.\u00a0 Can you answer me?\u201d<\/p>\n

His son\u2019s eyelashes had always been long and dark as a girl\u2019s.\u00a0 They seemed even darker now against his pallid skin as they fluttered like butterflies on the wing.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s hand shifted.\u00a0 It reached upward toward his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

He caught his boy\u2019s hand and held onto it just as doggedly as he was holding onto their chance for life.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m here, son.\u00a0 How do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCold.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t what he wanted to hear.\u00a0 Ben gathered his coat closer about his son, pulling it firmly around his neck and making sure it was buttoned tightly over his slight form.\u00a0 \u201cThe cabin\u2019s not that far away, Joe.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be warm soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c…tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was tired too.\u00a0 God<\/em>, he was tired!\u00a0 They both needed rest.\u00a0 Needed sleep.<\/p>\n

It would be so…easy…to….<\/p>\n

Ben jerked awake.\u00a0 It had only been a second, but the fact that consciousness had fled did not bode well for their future.\u00a0 The older man sucked in air and shook himself and then climbed to his feet.\u00a0 He had to get them to the cabin.\u00a0 Had to make <\/em>it to the cabin.\u00a0 It offered the only hope they had.<\/p>\n

Their only hope of living to see another day.<\/p>\n

As he started to rise, his son\u2019s fingers clawed at his arm.\u00a0 He looked down to find Joseph lucid, at least for the moment.\u00a0 Tears filled his great green eyes and spilled over onto his filthy cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry….\u00a0 I\u2019m…sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve nothing to be sorry for, boy,\u201d he replied, catching his son\u2019s fingers and squeezing them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI…shot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He touched Joe\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 Unlike before where it had felt like a crock fresh out of the cooling room, it was burning hot.\u00a0 Dear Lord, if he was fevered and delirium was already setting in….<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did nothing of the kind.\u00a0 You just rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRest, Joseph,\u201d he said in his stern father\u2019s tone.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s an order.\u201d<\/p>\n

His son\u2019s brow furrowed. \u00a0Sick as he was, there was still fight left in him.\u00a0 \u201cYes…sir,\u201d Joe pouted and then went silent.<\/p>\n

Ben clutched the boy\u2019s unconscious form to his chest and looked up, seeking guidance.\u00a0 It came in the whisper of the wind through the pines and a memory.\u00a0 Joseph had had the whooping cough.\u00a0 It was the first crisis he\u2019d had to face with the boy alone since his mother was gone.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s little body hardly seemed large enough to contain the monstrous coughs that wracked him.\u00a0 Between the fear of further infection and the fact that his son couldn\u2019t breathe, he\u2019d spent countless endless nights sitting up with him, holding him, bracing his little ribs, feeling each and every cough and gasp as if it was his own.\u00a0 The Ponderosa had suffered.\u00a0 His other sons had suffered.\u00a0 Hop Sing had offered to spell him and he\u2019d turned him away with a growl more than once.\u00a0 Then, one night, when he felt overwhelmed and pushed beyond endurance, the Chinese man had come again and stood humbly by as he laid a sleeping Joseph back in the bed and then dropped wearily in the chair beside it.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019d demanded to know what he was doing, Hop Sing said quietly, \u201cDripping water pierces stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meaning he<\/em> would give in if he kept coming back.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, I\u2019m not leaving Joseph.\u00a0 Not until I know he\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, Hop Sing, Mistah Adam, and Mistah Hoss all on same boat in storm.\u00a0 All worry about Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and his voice fell.\u00a0 \u201cAll worry about Mistah Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d run a hand over his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCandle illuminates other people but extinguishes self.\u00a0 You no do Little Joe good if you make self sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d sat up, planting his feet on the floor, his temper flaring and his voice rising.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you understand?.\u00a0 I can\u2019t leave. \u00a0If I leave \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe in God\u2019s hands.\u00a0 Is that not what Mistah Ben tell Hop Sing?\u00a0 Is Mistah Ben\u2019s god not big enough look after Little Joe while father sleeps?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though his friend hadn\u2019t said it, at that moment another of Hop Sin\u2019s many wise proverbs had sprung unbidden to his mind.<\/p>\n

Drink water think source.<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d forgotten his source then, just as he had now.<\/p>\n

Wincing with pain, Ben hefted his son and began to walk again.\u00a0 As he did, though it didn\u2019t come easy, he began to recite the words he\u2019d learned as a boy much younger than Joe was now.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord is my Shepherd.\u00a0 I shall not want….\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Buck\u2019s tracks had been nearly washed away by the rain and even worse, almost obliterated by the passage of Blunt\u2019s search party before they veered off to the north, but here and there they\u2019d found a few made with the buckskin\u2019s well-known shoes.\u00a0 The\u00a0 tracks had led them to a point on the road about five hours out from the ranch that was blocked by a fallen tree.\u00a0 At first they\u2019d thought the tree had been uprooted by the storm.\u00a0 Hoss had been the first to realize it wasn\u2019t so.\u00a0 While he\u2019d been casting about to see what he could find, his brother had climbed over the trunk and gone to look at the roots.\u00a0 Hoss had called him over and pointed to where shovel marks cut into the tender flesh of the tree, making it all too apparent that it had been displaced purposefully.\u00a0 After that, they\u2019d advanced down the road a ways, keeping an eye out for signs.\u00a0 They\u2019d stopped again to look near a place where the road sloped down to a patch of rock that led into a ravine. \u00a0The edge of the road was disturbed, like someone might have gone over recently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you s\u2019pose it means, Adam?\u201d his brother asked, clearly worried.\u00a0 Apparently his look said it all.\u00a0 \u201cYour thinkin\u2019 like I am that it was them there bank robbers Roy came out to warn us about what felled that tree?\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t want <\/em>to think that, but yes, he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid it\u2019s the only explanation I can think of.\u00a0 Maybe…\u00a0 Maybe somehow they knew Pa was carrying all that money and they were laying in wait for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how\u2019d they know that?\u00a0 He didn\u2019t tell no one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t have had to tell the people in Placerville.\u00a0 They\u2019d have seen him leaving the bank.\u00a0 And then there\u2019s the hands….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thinkin\u2019 one of Pa\u2019s men did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

He pursed his lips and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019m thinking, Hoss, other than that we\u2019re now looking for Joe and<\/em> Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

The night was falling around them as well as a steady rain.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be long before they would be forced to halt their search and make camp until morning.\u00a0 As he looked around, Hoss asked, \u201cYou think they\u2019re together?\u00a0 You think Joe found Pa before….\u201d<\/p>\n

There were a number of possibilities.\u00a0 All of them bad.<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at the sky.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got about an hour of light left.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look around and see what we can find.\u201d<\/p>\n

They split up, one of them heading farther up the road and the other staying behind to search the area below.\u00a0 Hoss had opted for the latter, which included checking out the steep muddy drop-off located on the road\u2019s southern side.\u00a0 He\u2019d argued that, since he was younger, he was the one who should do it.\u00a0 Adam hadn\u2019t gone two hundred feet down the road when he heard his brother shout out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam, come back!\u00a0 I found something!\u201d<\/p>\n

The panic in his tone was evident.<\/p>\n

Slipping as he went, Adam ran the length of the stretch he\u2019d just covered.\u00a0 He was panting by the time he reached his brother\u2019s side.\u00a0 Hoss was halfway down the hill.\u00a0 He\u2019d anchored one of his legs around an upturned root and was reaching down, dangling dangerously over the fifteen foot drop below.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, be careful!\u201d he called out.\u00a0 \u201cThe rain may have made that stump unstable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI…know.\u00a0 I just…gotta…get…hold….\u00a0 There!\u00a0 Got it!\u201d \u00a0Hoss straightened up.\u00a0 Adam saw his brother\u2019s massive shoulders go slack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u00a0 What did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager was climbing slowly up the hill.\u00a0 He reached out at the top and Adam caught his hand and helped him finish his ascent.<\/p>\n

Once Hoss was seated safely on the road, he asked him again, \u201cWhat did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother drew a deep breath and let it out slowly.\u00a0 Then he held up his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took it.\u00a0 It was a piece of gun-metal blue cloth, wadded up into a tight ball and wet with mud.\u00a0 Even as he opened his mouth to ask his brother what it meant, the color and make of it clicked in his mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Pa\u2019s, ain\u2019t it? \u00a0I mean the shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI think so.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to tell it\u2019s so covered with mud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t mud, Adam,\u201d his brother said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI tasted it.\u00a0 It\u2019s blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared at the remnant.\u00a0 It made sense.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen his pa do it before when one of them was hurt.\u00a0 He\u2019d tear strips from the tail of his shirt, wad it up, and press it against the wound to staunch the bleeding.<\/p>\n

The wind knocked out of him, Adam dropped to the ground at his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

As his eyes wandered over the vast expanse of land below them, Hoss asked, \u201cAre you thinkin\u2019 what I\u2019m thinkin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not thinking at all,\u201d he said woodenly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you<\/em> thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thinkin\u2019 Joe found Pa and that it\u2019s little brother that\u2019s hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam eyed the wad of bloody cloth and then his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would you think that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCause it\u2019s waded up so small-like, in such a tiny little ball.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss rose to his feet and looked up and down the road.\u00a0 \u201cWhere would they a gone, Adam?\u00a0 I mean, if Joe was hurt, why not stay put \u2018til help come?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know it\u2019s Joe,\u201d he said as he joined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know it ain\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pursed his lips and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinkin\u2019 it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a special bond between Hoss and Joe, one that left him on the outside much of the time.\u00a0 It had grown while he had been away at college, while his own ties to the two of them had been stretched thin by distance and time \u2013 and by his own choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, we\u2019ll assume it is.\u00a0 That\u2019s good then.\u201d\u00a0 At his brother\u2019s look, he added quickly, \u201cWhat I mean is that if its Joe who\u2019s hurt, he\u2019s got Pa to look after him.\u00a0 If it was the other way around….\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother drew in another breath.\u00a0 This one didn\u2019t come out as easily.\u00a0 \u201cYou think them bad men hurt him?\u00a0 Maybe hurt both<\/em> of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a lot in that question, including clues to what Hoss would do if it proved to be true.<\/p>\n

Adam placed a hand on his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cWe have to keep our heads.\u00a0 Finding Pa and Joe is what matters now.\u00a0 Agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother glanced at him and then to the ground.\u00a0 Then he nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, let\u2019s see what else we can find.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end it was enough to paint a horrific story.\u00a0 On the ground close by they found one of their pa\u2019s saddlebags emptied out and a few loose dollar bills on the ground.\u00a0 Near it was his hat, which had been trampled in the mud.\u00a0 On the other side of the road, near the place where the edge had been disturbed, they found a leather satchel with a broken strap.\u00a0 Hoss let out an audible moan when he saw it.<\/p>\n

It was Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Immediately after they found the satchel, darkness had fallen . With the increased cloud cover and the constant nagging rain it was black as a smithy\u2019s face.\u00a0 There was little they could do but hunker down and wait for the sun to come up on the new day.\u00a0 Little but wait and worry and hope.<\/p>\n

And pray.<\/p>\n

Adam knew that was what his father would do.\u00a0 Pa would be on his knees pleading with God and then bowing to His plan just like he\u2019d done when his own mother had sickened, when Pa had looked at Inger with that arrow in her; like Pa had done while sitting at Marie\u2019s side waiting for her to die from her injuries. \u00a0Their Pa was a strong man, made more so by the trials he\u2019d weathered.\u00a0 His own trials had been few.\u00a0 Oh, he\u2019d had hard times like all men, but he hadn\u2019t been called upon to look such terrific loss in the face and accept it as God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

The black-haired man wondered, could <\/em>he?\u00a0 Or would he instead curse God for letting it happen, for not intervening?<\/p>\n

For not making life on Earth, Heaven?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better get some sleep, Adam,\u201d his brother said, his words slurring as sleep overtook him.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no knowin\u2019 what tomorrow\u2019ll bring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up.\u00a0 God <\/em>knew, that\u2019s what his father would tell him.\u00a0 He should ask his Heavenly Father for help, but at the moment, that just wasn\u2019t something he could do.<\/p>\n

Troubled, Adam rolled over in his blanket and turned his face into the darkness and laid there until exhaustion took him into a deep, uneasy sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were nearing the end of the ravine, which meant the Hinson cabin was not too far ahead.\u00a0 There was only one problem.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t have the strength to climb out, not carrying Joseph, and there was no way under Heaven he was going to let the boy go for even one minute.\u00a0 His own blood loss had been the least of his concerns.\u00a0 Now he was realizing that it was sheer will alone that had kept him on his feet this long.\u00a0 On top of the debilitating effects of his wound, it had been at least twelve hours since he\u2019d had anything to eat. \u00a0He\u2019d tended to Joseph\u2019s shoulder, removing the old and pressing new cloth against it to staunch the blood.\u00a0 Once they\u2019d started moving again he\u2019d grown dizzy and light-headed and his entire world had narrowed to putting one foot in front of the other.<\/p>\n

Above his head the stars were peeping through the clouds, promising an end to this round of rain.\u00a0 Still, the remnants of the storm rumbled in the distance.\u00a0 He thanked God for the gift that it had passed and for the fact that the rainfall had been light throughout the night and neither the creek nor river gone over their banks.\u00a0 Gripping Joe, he moved on, keeping an eye to the walls of wet dirt on either side.\u00a0 It was several minutes later when he found a low spot, one he thought he might be able to climb, but as he worked his way up the bank the sopping grass offered no purchase and Ben found himself sliding back down to the bottom.<\/p>\n

That was it.\u00a0 His strength was gone.<\/p>\n

The tears he had denied all day came then in a flood.\u00a0\u00a0 He didn\u2019t care about himself.\u00a0 All he cared about was his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod,\u201d Ben whispered as darkness fought hard to take him, \u201care you here?\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u00a0 I\u2019ve lived a good life, Lord, I\u2019m ready.\u00a0 But my boy….\u201d\u00a0 His voice broke and he choked.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s so very young.\u00a0 Save him, Lord.\u00a0 Take me if you have to, but save Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Ben felt himself slipping away.\u00a0 It was going black before his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, send someone to save him….\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was another flash of light, closer this time, as if Heaven had heard and sent a reply. \u00a0Thunder rumbled, rolling across the land in agreement.<\/p>\n

At the top of the ravine a man appeared.\u00a0 He was slight of build and about medium in height and was dressed in humble clothes including a simple white shirt and brown trousers.\u00a0 The curly hair on his head was a mixture of darkness and light \u2013 chestnut with glints of silver.\u00a0 He paused, looking and listening, as if uncertain of what he had heard, and then moved to a position directly above the silent pair.<\/p>\n

Then he knelt.<\/p>\n

Below the boy stirred.\u00a0 He lifted his own curly brown head and looked up.\u00a0 Joseph Cartwright\u2019s cracked lips parted and he called out softly, \u201cAdam?\u201d, before falling still again.<\/p>\n

No<\/em>, the man thought, not Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SIX<\/p>\n

Sheriff Roy Coffee ran a hand over his eyes and snorted out the remainder of the rain he\u2019d breathed in on his hasty trip out to the Ponderosa and then sighed.\u00a0 The man what had brought him news of the trouble early this mornin\u2019 had said someone was shot dead and not much more.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know who.\u00a0 All the way out he\u2019d been wonderin\u2019 which of the Cartwrights was lost.\u00a0 He knew Ben.\u00a0 He knew if anythin\u2019 threatened one of his boys, Ben\u2019d be right in the thick of it, puttin\u2019 himself in danger.\u00a0 But then he knew them boys too.\u00a0 Adam, well, for all Adam\u2019d been away, when he\u2019d come home he\u2019d slipped back into life on the ranch like a well-fitted glove, helpin\u2019 his pa with the business end of things and easin\u2019 some of Ben\u2019s burden.\u00a0 He was a responsible boy and would take responsibility for his pa and brothers even if that meant givin\u2019 up his life.\u00a0 Then there was Hoss.\u00a0 That big one, there weren\u2019t no takin\u2019 him, and if he thought his pa or one of his brother\u2019s was in danger, he\u2019d be the first to put himself in-between it and them.\u00a0 But of all of them boys it was that youngest one he was worried about.\u00a0 He\u2019d kind of wondered when Ben come back from New Orleans with that pretty little slip of a thing on his arm what he was thinkin\u2019.\u00a0 Marie, well, she\u2019d been a spitfire, that one.\u00a0 \u2018Tempestuous\u2019<\/em>, that was the word the Doc had used about her one day when they\u2019d disagreed about a treatment for her son, and it fit.\u00a0 He\u2019d looked it up.\u00a0 \u2018Stormy\u2019, Webster\u2019s\u2019 said, \u2018wild, lively, and explosive.\u2019<\/p>\n

The definition might as well have read: \u2018Little Joe Cartwright.\u2019<\/p>\n

Roy sighed as he looked at the pair of bodies laid out in the Cartwright\u2019s stable.\u00a0 They was covered with wool blankets but their boots were stickin\u2019 out.\u00a0 One was the ranch\u2019s current foreman, Andy, and the other one of Ben\u2019s hands.\u00a0 Seems three men had come ridin\u2019 in with some cockamamie story about Ben being waylaid on the road and him sendin\u2019 them to fetch help.\u00a0 They\u2019d had one of his saddlebags so no one doubted it.\u00a0 The foreman had been in the ranch house meetin\u2019 with Hop Sing and they\u2019d barged in there to talk with him \u2013 and then pulled their guns and demanded the money in the safe.\u00a0 \u2018Course that foreman wasn\u2019t about to turn over the money due to the fact that Ben wouldn\u2019t want him to and<\/em> it was owed his hard-workin\u2019 men.\u00a0 There\u2019d been a fight.\u00a0 The foreman and the fellow with him was shot dead.\u00a0 Hop Sing had tried to defend his house and had knocked one of the three out by hittin\u2019 him over the head with a fryin\u2019 pan.<\/p>\n

The China man was downright lucky all he was nursin\u2019 was a wound to his arm and nothin\u2019 worse.<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head and turned to look at the other side of the stable.\u00a0 That outlaw what Hop Sing took out was layin\u2019 there, moanin\u2019.<\/p>\n

Served the fellow right.\u00a0 He hoped he had a headache the size of the Nevada territory!<\/p>\n

The older man turned as one of his deputies came in.\u00a0 He was dripping wet.\u00a0 It must be raining again.\u00a0 Hell of a time for the heavens to open when he had a man and a boy missing.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you got for me, Thom?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Thom Wilson was a good man.\u00a0 He was a new father with a brand new baby at home.\u00a0 He\u2019d been workin\u2019 all mornin\u2019 tryin\u2019 to make some sense out of what had happened.<\/p>\n

Thom drew a breath.\u00a0 \u201cWe followed the tracks of the other two as best we could, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThat rain ain\u2019t made trackin\u2019 easy, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

His deputy blew out a breath.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 They headed southwest and then we lost them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older man frowned.\u00a0 \u201cToward Placerville, you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe.\u201d\u00a0 Thom paused.\u00a0 \u201cRoy, are you thinking what I\u2019m thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cYou just tell me what you\u2019re<\/em> thinkin\u2019, Thom, and I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thom hesitated and then spoke.\u00a0 \u201cJosh Billings \u2013 the man taking over as foreman \u2013 told me Ben Cartwright took off for Placerville about a week and a half ago.\u00a0 He was coming back with ten thousand cash to add to the ten thousand in the safe to make payroll.\u00a0 I\u2019m wondering, since they had the saddlebag, if these men knew about the money on this <\/em>end as well….\u201d<\/p>\n

That there saddlebag was a sore point.\u00a0 Them three outlaws could a picked it up somewhere, but then again, they coulda taken it off Ben hisself.\u00a0 Seems someone here on the Ponderosa, or there in Placerville, had been watchin\u2019 when Ben took off to get that money.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think it could be those outlaws we were warned about, Roy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy thought a moment.\u00a0 \u201cThom, is that pretty little of wife of yours able to do without you for a spell yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Her Ma\u2019s there.\u00a0 With the baby so little, I didn\u2019t want to leave Mary alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked over and placed a hand on Thom\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s wise, son.\u00a0 Now, if you don\u2019t mind, you keep an eye on our \u2018guest\u2019 over there.\u00a0 I\u2019m thinkin\u2019 I need to talk to Hop Sing again.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he headed for the stable door, his deputy called him back.\u00a0 \u201cRoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think…well….do you think those men waylaid Ben Cartwright before coming here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy pursed his lips and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSad to say, Thom, you are<\/em> thinkin\u2019 what I\u2019m thinkin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s Chinese cook was nowhere to be seen when Roy entered the ranch house.\u00a0 Then the sheriff heard somethin\u2019 rattlin\u2019 in the kitchen and decided Hop Sing must have gone there.\u00a0 As he approached the cookin\u2019 wing of the Cartwright\u2019s house, the lawman caught a whiff of somethin\u2019 stewin\u2019 in the pot and his mouth watered.\u00a0 He\u2019d skipped breakfast in his haste to make it out here and find out who was and wasn\u2019t alive.\u00a0 It had a kind of odd smell about it.\u00a0 Must be one of them there China man dishes.<\/p>\n

Pausing just inside the entryway, Roy shook his head.\u00a0 Hop Sing was standin, \u00a0leanin\u2019 over a kettle and usin\u2019 his good arm to stir whatever was in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t you s\u2019posed to be in bed restin\u2019?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s cook stiffened.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t look at him.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing have no time sleep.\u00a0 Hop Sing work. \u00a0Mistah Cartwright, sons come home soon.\u00a0 Things need done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy loped into the room and leaned on the timber island that floated in the middle of it.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, the Doc wouldn\u2019t be happy if he knew you was up and at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor not know if sheriff not tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older man smiled.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t argue with that.\u00a0 He glanced at the arm the China man had taken the bullet in.\u00a0 The dressin\u2019 was white, so it seemed the bleedin\u2019 had stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you don\u2019t need to lie down?\u201d<\/p>\n

He watched the man\u2019s knuckles go white on the spoon.\u00a0 \u201cIf sheriff stop yak-yak Hop Sing finish work. Go lay down then. Make sheriff happy.\u00a0 Maybe then sheriff go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy waited two heartbeats.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m worried about Ben and the boys too,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n

It was like one of them bladders the boys took and blowed up and let go of,\u00a0 and then whooped and hollered as it lost its air and fell to the ground.\u00a0 Plain and simple, Hop Sing collapsed.<\/p>\n

The lawman crossed the kitchen in three steps and caught hold of the China man and helped him to a chair.\u00a0 The man\u2019s tanned skin had paled and looked like leather stripped of color.\u00a0 He knit his hands together in his lap.\u00a0 For a moment he said nothing, then he lifted his black eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing velly, velly<\/em> frightened, Mistah Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy pulled another chair up and sat on it.\u00a0 \u201cCan you tell me again what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

The China man let out a long sigh.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing fail Mistah Ben and boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

He kicked back.\u00a0 \u201cAnd how\u2019s that?\u00a0 Seems to me you took out one of the men tryin\u2019 to rob them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing not take out other<\/em> two!\u00a0 They get away!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, considerin\u2019 your only weapon was a fryin\u2019 pan, I\u2019d say you did right good to get one and chase off the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cook looked pained.\u00a0 \u201cBut where Hop Sing chase them?\u201d he asked, his voice hushed with worry.\u00a0 \u201cBack on road to Placerville?\u00a0 Back to Mistah Ben and Little Joe?\u00a0 Or maybe find Mistahs Adam and Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had told him about Joe takin\u2019 off in the middle of the night and his brothers takin\u2019 off after him. Though it had kept them from bein\u2019 at the house when the outlaws tried to rob it, it meant too that they were out there just like Ben.\u00a0 Odds were one or all of them would be meetin\u2019 up with those bad men.<\/p>\n

If they already hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, let\u2019s not go borrowin\u2019 trouble,\u201d he said as he rose to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cYou got anythin\u2019 else you can tell me, Hop Sing, that you ain\u2019t told me yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

The cook shook his head from side to side, sadly, slowly.\u00a0 \u201cMen come in house.\u00a0 Hop Sing in kitchen.\u00a0 Hop Sing hear men argue with foreman. \u00a0Then hear two shots.\u201d\u00a0 He grimaced.\u00a0 \u201cGrab pan then and go in great room.\u00a0 Two dead men on floor.\u00a0 Two others by safe.\u00a0 One by settee.\u00a0 Hop Sing hit him hard<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 As he paused, he rubbed his arm just above the wound.\u00a0 \u201cMan by safe shoot Hop Sing in arm.\u00a0 Then hear men shouting in yard.\u00a0 Other bad men run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was just like he\u2019d told it before.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate you goin\u2019 over it with me again, Hop Sing.\u00a0 You never know when a man….\u201d\u00a0 Roy paused.\u00a0 The cook looked sick.\u00a0 \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice was quiet.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing remember something else.\u00a0 Remember name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hope surged through him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen man run out door, he call out to other.\u00a0 \u2018Slater\u2019, he say.\u00a0 \u2018Slater, run!\u2019\u201d\u00a0 The cook\u2019s eyes were moist when he looked up.\u00a0 \u201cName help sheriff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSlater, eh?\u201d\u00a0 He thought a moment.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it don\u2019t ring a bell now, but once I send out some telegrams and they come back, here\u2019s bettin\u2019 it does.\u201d\u00a0 He moved over to the China man and placed a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hop Sing.\u201d\u00a0 Roy\u2019s eyes went to the pot on the stove.\u00a0 It was boilin\u2019 away.\u00a0 \u201cNow, don\u2019t you think you better see to your soup?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwright\u2019s cook smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNot cook soup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy scowled.\u00a0 \u201cThen what\u2019s in the pot?\u201d<\/p>\n

The China man walked over to the kettle.\u00a0 Takin\u2019 a spoon in hand he stirred it and then lifted somethin\u2019 long and danglin\u2019 up.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing cook Mistah Cartwright sons\u2019 socks!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was somewhere, somewhere real<\/em> pretty.<\/p>\n

The day was warm and he felt like he didn\u2019t have a care in the world.\u00a0 His shoes were off, his pants legs rolled up, and there was a breeze rifling through his unruly hair.\u00a0 It tossed the long brown curls into his eyes as he walked.\u00a0 As he batted them away, Joe thought about what his pa had told him just the day before \u2013 that he needed to go to town with Adam or Hoss to get that hair cut before someone mistook him for one of those Bigfoot monsters the Indians talked about and took a shot at him.\u00a0 He\u2019d snorted and told his pa he could outrun any Indian \u2013 and Bigfoot too for that matter \u2013 and then had taken off running lickety-split to show him just how fast he was.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d laughed and started running too.\u00a0 They\u2019d run and run until they both were winded and then they\u2019d fallen into the grass and started laughing.\u00a0 They laughed until his sides were sore and his pa\u2019s were too and they couldn\u2019t keep laughing anymore.<\/p>\n

It was then he heard it.\u00a0 That monster.\u00a0 The one he\u2019d outrun.<\/p>\n

It was laughing too.<\/p>\n

Joe blinked and the night had fallen.\u00a0 He could hear pa whispering, but he didn\u2019t know where he was.\u00a0 He<\/em> was still on the ground where his laughing had made him fall, but instead of laying there he was on his hands and knees, grasping the wet blades of grass, crawling, pulling himself forward, trying to reach his pa where he lay whispering.\u00a0 In the distance he heard that old monster laughing at him still, calling him a baby, jeering at him for even trying.<\/p>\n

For trying to save his pa.<\/p>\n

Pa.\u00a0 Pa was hurt.\u00a0 That old Bi Foot\u2019d taken a swing at him with its claws.\u00a0 He remembered it now.\u00a0 He remembered his pa grabbing his side, remembered him falling over the edge of the hill \u2013 saw Pa laying there at the bottom all white and pale and breathing hard, his eyes narrowed in that way he had when he was hopping mad.<\/p>\n

You did this, Joe.\u00a0 It\u2019s your fault.\u00a0 You did this, son.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe stopped where he was in the grass, his fingers clutching that wet blades, his heart pounding and head screaming.<\/p>\n

Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 You did this, Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

And he heard that monster laughing.\u00a0 Laughing loud and long and hard.\u00a0 The sound echoed across the world and rolled over the wet grass until it turned into thunder.\u00a0\u00a0 A second later, the lightning flashed and there was someone standing there, watching.\u00a0 Someone who was laughing.\u00a0 The monster.\u00a0 Who was the monster?\u00a0 If the lightning would just<\/em> flash again he could see.\u00a0 He could see who was laughing at his pa dying and he could take them out.\u00a0 He could see and….<\/p>\n

The lightning struck, brilliant, revealing.<\/p>\n

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

It was him \u2013 he was older, but it was him.\u00a0 It was him <\/em>standing up there on the top of that rise.\u00a0 It was him<\/em> who was laughing.<\/p>\n

Even as his pa died.<\/p>\n

With a gasp Joe bolted upright.\u00a0 He struck out with his hands, trying to get hold of that monster, aiming to get hold of its throat and squeeze<\/em> until it was dead.\u00a0 Trying….<\/p>\n

Strong fingers gripped his wrists and held them. \u00a0Joe battled against them.\u00a0 He fought for all he was worth, thrashing from side to side and striking out, wanting to hurt someone, wanting to drive away what he had seen \u2013<\/p>\n

What he had done.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d a soft voice said.\u00a0 \u201cSon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s weary form arched with pain and then fell back exhausted.\u00a0 It was only then he realized that what lay under him was softer than it should be if he was still outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you open your eyes?\u201d a man asked.<\/p>\n

Could he?\u00a0 \u201cI..don\u2019t…know.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a sigh, not of irritation \u00a0but of relief.\u00a0 Joe heard the man murmur something soft.\u00a0 Then he said, \u201cThe prayers of your father have been answered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe blinked.\u00a0 Still, his eyes didn\u2019t open.\u00a0 He felt the man release his wrists and then lower his arms to the…bed?\u00a0 Yeah, there was a bed under him, with a straw tick and feather pillow.\u00a0 A second later the man took hold of his hand.\u00a0 Cool fingers gently caressed the skin on the back of it.<\/p>\n

It kind of stung.<\/p>\n

\u201c…Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Pa is sleeping child, like you\u2019ve been.\u00a0 Like you should be now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned as he shifted.\u00a0 It hurt.\u00a0 \u201cWho…who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

A hand lifted his head.\u00a0 A bowl was pressed against his lips.\u00a0 Cool water touched them.\u00a0 He drank a bit, relishing the healing touch of it even as it spilled down his chin.\u00a0 Joe heard the bowl strike a table\u2019s surface and then the hand lowered him back down.<\/p>\n

Lips brushed his forehead. They were cool too.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho am I?\u201d the man asked, his words soft.<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was past dawn and Adam was kneeling at the side of the road looking down.\u00a0 As they\u2019d noted the day before there was a place where something had slid down, creating a channel that ran down the side of the hill.\u00a0 This was where Hoss had hung suspended the night before and where he\u2019d found that damned<\/em> piece of bloodied cloth.\u00a0 No, not \u2018damned\u2019, Adam corrected himself as he tipped back his hat, stood up, and looked around.\u00a0 His pa would have called it blessed<\/em> for, even though it meant pain and suffering and a threat of death, it was a sign post to life as well. \u00a0Pa could always look at things that way.\u00a0 See the good in the bad.\u00a0 It was his strength.<\/p>\n

One he wasn\u2019t sure he had.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you made your mind up yet, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked him as he came out of the trees where he\u2019d gone to relieve himself.<\/p>\n

It was funny how Hoss deferred so easily to him.\u00a0 Little Joe would have had an opinion, made it clear, and then fought like a puma to make sure they took action on it.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d talked it out earlier.\u00a0 There were a few options.\u00a0 They could go back to the ranch and raise a party of men and come back to look for Pa and Joe.\u00a0 Or, they could take those men and ride into Virginia City, find Roy Coffee, and head out again with him.\u00a0 They could continue on the road to Placerville and see if they could find any sign of their pa\u2019s passage and then ask about him in town.\u00a0 Or they could slide down the mucky hill that lay before them and head for the ravine that lay slightly to the south and see if there was any indication either his father or brother had been there.<\/p>\n

It was a long shot, that last one, but something was tugging him that way.<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips and blew out a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cThe men at the ranch have to know we\u2019re missing by now.\u00a0 Maybe Blunt\u2019s made it back.\u00a0 Most likely the hands have raised a search party of their own and let Roy know what\u2019s going on. \u00a0I don\u2019t think we need to go back to the ranch.\u00a0 We could go to Placerville, but….\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at his bedroll where his father\u2019s empty saddlebag and hat lay.\u00a0 \u201c…we already know Pa was waylaid and we know why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoney.\u00a0 Stinkin\u2019 money,\u201d Hoss growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe love of which is the root of all evil,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

Hoss came to stand alongside him.\u00a0 He indicated the hill with a nod.\u00a0 \u201cSo you\u2019re thinkin\u2019 we need to go down there.\u00a0 Where I found that wadded up cloth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 Think about it, brother.\u00a0 If Pa was waylaid and Joe somehow stumbled into it and got…hurt….\u00a0 What would you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to get him outta danger as quick as I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded toward the ravine.\u00a0 \u201cIf it was me, I would have gone down this hill, into the shadows and darkness below, and then made for that ravine.\u00a0 You remember it, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 There are a great many places where a man could hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at the sky.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t so sure I would \u2018a done that, Adam,\u201d his brother said softly.\u00a0 \u201cNot with the threat of rain comin\u2019 down and river water fillin\u2019 it up any minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe either.\u00a0 Unless I was desperate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss drew in a great gulp of air, as if his thoughts and fears threatened to stop him breathing.\u00a0 He hesitated and then he said, sounding like a kid younger than Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m skeered, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

He <\/em>was too, but he was twenty-two and the oldest and his responsibility just didn\u2019t allow him to admit it.\u00a0 He placed a hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll find them.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see.\u00a0 I\u2019m thinking Pa made for the old Hinson place.\u00a0 It\u2019s at the end of that ravine.\u00a0 If he and Joe made it there, they\u2019d have shelter and most likely supplies.\u00a0 Jim left pretty quickly after the boys and Martha died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was silent a moment.\u00a0 \u201cThe Injuns think that place is haunted.\u00a0 Some town folk too.\u00a0 No one goes there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hid his smile.\u00a0 Of all of them Hoss had the biggest heart and, in a way, the biggest imagination.\u00a0 Oh, Joe could come up with some whoppers, but little brother had a healthy skepticism when it came to believing in things he couldn\u2019t see.\u00a0 The black-haired man smiled.\u00a0 Much like he did.\u00a0 On the other hand, when he thought no one was looking, he\u2019d seen Hoss toss salt over his shoulder and make a detour around black cats.\u00a0 Let a floorboard creak in the middle of the night and the big galoot was sure it was some long lost soul paying the Ponderosa a visit, instead of Pa going down to get a glass of milk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s all the better for us,\u201d he said at last.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hate to think those outlaws might be using it as a hideout if that\u2019s where Pa did<\/em> head.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright\u2019s eyes opened slowly.\u00a0 He moaned as pain and memory bled back into the reality he found himself in.\u00a0 Since it hurt to move any and everything<\/em>, he only moved his eyes, letting them roam about whatever place he was in.\u00a0 He could see walls and noted the flicker of a fire\u2019s light dancing on them.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t remember walls.\u00a0 Or a bed.\u00a0 His fingers shifted, gripping the tick under him.\u00a0 It should be…<\/p>\n

Mud.<\/p>\n

It came back in one swift vision \u2013 heading home in the rain, the fallen tree blocking his path, the men who were there to rob him.\u00a0 The man…Drury Slater impossibly holding Joe with a knife pressed into the tender flesh of his throat.<\/p>\n

If he could have Ben would have bolted upright.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 So instead he slowly, painfully levered himself up on one elbow and searched the darkened space for a sign that however he had come to be here, his boy had come to be here with him too.<\/p>\n

It was then Ben realized they\u2019d made it to the Hinson\u2019s old place. \u00a0\u00a0The cabin was small and tight but had been ample as a starting place for a family of four.\u00a0 There were remnants of the Hinson\u2019s former occupation glimpsed furtively in the dark \u2013 a pair of faded red and white checked curtains, an unlikely print of a fashionable young French woman on the wall; a pair of skates hung haphazardly over a ladder-back chair.\u00a0 The sickness had come to them in the winter when no one could reach them.\u00a0 By the time the snow had melted, half of James\u2019 family had been dead.<\/p>\n

He could almost see James\u2019 wife and two boys, standing there, staring at him, wondering why he should live when they had to die.<\/p>\n

Two boys.\u00a0 One of them had been small, with a ready smile and curly hair just like his youngest.<\/p>\n

His youngest.<\/p>\n

Ben drew a deep breath and forced himself up.\u00a0 With a hand to his wounded side, he swung his feet off the side of the bed.\u00a0 When he stood up, it took a moment to find balance, but after he did he began to cast about, searching for a sign of his son.<\/p>\n

He found it in a small flickering light near the back of the cabin.\u00a0 Or at least he thought he did.\u00a0 There was a small room at the rear with a blanket for a door.\u00a0 Most likely it had been Jim and Martha\u2019s room.\u00a0 The blanket was drawn back and fastened on a nail and the bed inside was occupied.\u00a0 As he stumbled forward with hope in his heart that it was his son, a soft flare of light caught Ben\u2019s attention and drew it momentarily to the window.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t tell if it was raining where he was, but there was a storm out there somewhere still raging.<\/p>\n

A storm that he and Joe were in the middle of.<\/p>\n

Relief flooded through him when he reached the side of the bed and sat down heavily on it.\u00a0 There was a heap of warm blankets with a small curly head sticking out of the top.\u00a0 He laid a hand on the blankets first and offered up a small prayer of thanks, and then shifted the hand to his son\u2019s head.\u00a0 The boy\u2019 bandage had been removed and the wound there cleaned.\u00a0 The bleeding had stopped.\u00a0 The fever, however, had not.\u00a0 He was burning up.\u00a0 Leaning down, he listened to his son\u2019s ragged breathing.\u00a0 There was a small rattle, not enough to signal danger but more than enough to worry about.\u00a0 In order for his boy to have been taken by that dreadful man, Joe had to have been out in the rain the same as him.\u00a0 Beyond whatever damage the villains\u2019 bullets had done, there was a very real possibility the boy had been chilled to the bone and that could leave him vulnerable to pneumonia. \u00a0As he shifted to ease the pain in his side, meaning to grasp the blanket and pull it down to view his son, Ben halted.\u00a0 His fingers went to the place where the bullet had gone into him.\u00a0 He touched it, astonished, and looked down.<\/p>\n

His side was bandaged as well.<\/p>\n

In fact, the shirt that covered the bandage wasn\u2019t his <\/em>shirt.\u00a0 It was undamaged and dry and not blood-stained and….<\/p>\n

What was going on here?<\/p>\n

Even as the thought crossed Ben\u2019s mind that someone else might be there Joseph stirred, shifting beneath the covers and murmuring something from deep within a troubled sleep. \u00a0Putting his questions where they belonged \u2013 out of mind \u2013 the older man placed his hand on his son\u2019s head, noting Joe\u2019s hair was still matted and dirty, but some of the bracken and blood had been cleaned from it.\u00a0 Leaning in, he spoke close to his ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joseph.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s restless shifting stopped.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t say anything, but a small smile tickled the corner of the boy\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

Satisfied that his son was sleeping and not unconscious, Ben reached for the blanket again and pulled it away.\u00a0 The shoulder he had pressed the wadded cloth up against was the one on top, so he gently turned his son over and lifted the bandage to get a better look at what damage had been done.\u00a0 What he found nearly unmanned him.<\/p>\n

He had been mistaken.\u00a0 There was no bullet hole.<\/p>\n

Trembling, Ben sat back, taking a minute to gather his thoughts.\u00a0 He closed his eyes and tried to see that terrible moment when Joe had run toward the rocks as he instructed and that other one, when he had looked and thought he saw a hole going\u00a0 straight through the child\u2019s flesh.<\/p>\n

He had been so sure.<\/em>\u00a0 How in God\u2019s name the boy had not been hit square in the back he didn\u2019t know….<\/p>\n

Ben snorted and ran a hand across his grizzled face and looked up.\u00a0 Yes, he did.\u00a0 How could he forget?<\/p>\n

In God\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

Still looking up, he whispered, \u201cThanks,\u201d and then returned to his examination.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s shoulder had been bandaged by someone with skill.\u00a0 From what he could see as he gently pried at the linen strips away again, his son had been struck by the bullet but it had run along the surface of his skin instead of penetrating it.\u00a0 The projectile had cut a fairly deep channel through Joseph\u2019s tender flesh.\u00a0 That was why it had bled so much.<\/p>\n

While Joe was in no means out of the woods \u2013 there was always the chance of infection \u2013 the fact that the bullet had not entered the boy\u2019s body was indeed a blessing from Heaven.<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Ben allowed himself a moment to reflect.\u00a0 How many times in his forty-plus years had he been in this position \u2013 seated by the bedside of someone he loved who was on the verge of leaving him?\u00a0 Too<\/em> many, he decided.\u00a0 The Good Book spoke of being tested by fire.\u00a0 \u2018Behold<\/em>,\u201d it said in Isaiah, \u2018I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The furnace of affliction.\u00a0 He knew its white-hot fire all too well.<\/p>\n

Why, he wondered?\u00a0 Why had God shaken him and pressed him, and all but struck him down with more grief then any one man should have to bear?<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Into the stillness came an answer, whispered by the constant wind outside.\u00a0 For your God is a God of comfort.\u00a0 He comforts us in trouble so that we can comfort those in trouble.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright, you have been chosen to be the hands and feet of God.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben started and sat up.\u00a0 He looked around confused.\u00a0 Had he heard someone speaking?\u00a0 Had…God actually spoke to him?\u00a0 Had \u2013<\/p>\n

The door opened.\u00a0 Ben rose and stepped into the next room as it did.\u00a0 Perhaps the answer was about to walk in.<\/p>\n

But no, it wasn\u2019t an answer, but another question he would have for the Lord when he saw Him at last.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n

It was Drury Salter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SEVEN<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee stood looking down at the rain-splashed road before him.\u00a0 The puddles linin\u2019 it were like small pans of gold, reflectin\u2019 back the light of the risin\u2019 moon.\u00a0 The day was ebbin\u2019 and the glow on the horizon was awful purty, but like his old friend Ben Cartwright, he knew looks could be deceivin\u2019.\u00a0 Ben had learned a lot from his sailin\u2019 days and he\u2019d passed some of that there knowledge on to him.\u00a0 The night was warmer than usual with an unnatural southerly wind.\u00a0 Addin\u2019 that to the ring around the moon, it looked like the batch of storms they\u2019d been weatherin\u2019 wasn\u2019t goin\u2019 away any time soon.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d gone back to town after talkin\u2019 with Hop Sing to see if any of the telegrams he\u2019d\u2019 sent out had an answer.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t much of anythin\u2019 about the whereabouts of the outlaws that hit the Ponderosa, but there was a batch of troublin\u2019 ones that come from Placerville.\u00a0 They wasn\u2019t addressed to him and the man at the telegraph office hesitated to mention them, but once he caught the gist of what was goin\u2019 on \u2013 that Ben Cartwright and his boys were missin\u2019 \u2013 he\u2019d handed it right over legal or not.<\/p>\n

It seemed the bank teller what had helped Ben withdraw the money for the payroll had gone missin\u2019.\u00a0 The bank manager, one Theodore Botkin, had wired Ben to tell him he suspected Salter \u2013 that was the teller\u2019s name, Drury Salter \u2013 might be plannin\u2019 to try to get his hands on that money and that he posed a threat to Ben and his boys.\u00a0 There was a series of telegrams.\u00a0 Must have cost the banker a fortune, which showed just how scared he was.<\/p>\n

SALTER MISSING.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 MAY BE AFTER MONEY.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 PLEASE TAKE CARE.\u00a0 STOP.<\/p>\n

SALTER SEEN LEAVING TOWN.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 COULD BE DANGEROUS.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 MAYBE OTHERS WITH HIM.\u00a0 STOP.<\/p>\n

SALTER ON THE ROAD TO VIRGINIA CITY.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 KNOW STORY.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 HATES YOU BEN.\u00a0 STOP.\u00a0 BLAMES FOR FAMILY DEAD. STOP.<\/p>\n

NOT RIGHT IN THE HEAD.<\/p>\n

STOP.<\/p>\n

Roy could see all those telegrams, fanned out across the telegraph office desk, lookin\u2019 for all the world like some kind of flag signalin\u2019 him that he\u2019d better high-tail it and find Ben and those boys soon or he might not be findin\u2019 them at all.<\/p>\n

Alive<\/em>, at least.<\/p>\n

The sheriff looked up at a sound.\u00a0 It was Thom.\u00a0 \u201cYou find somethin\u2019?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Thom shrugged.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not entirely sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just what<\/em> is it you ain\u2019t sure about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found the remnants of a camp nearby.\u00a0 Looks like someone stayed here overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sign of who?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo men.\u00a0 One was a big fellow.\u00a0 Boots cut right down into the wet ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBig boots?\u201d<\/p>\n

Thom snorted.\u00a0 \u201cBig enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy bobbed his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cIt coulda been Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would make sense,\u201d Thom agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThen the other would be Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you tell where they was headed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot far,\u201d Thom said with a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you I wasn\u2019t sure what all of it meant.\u201d\u00a0 He threw a glance back over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWe found two horses tethered back in the trees.\u00a0 They had plenty of grass.\u00a0 Their saddles are off and hidden nearby.\u00a0 Looks like someone left them but intended to come back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy scowled.\u00a0 \u201cNow, if it was Adam and Hoss what in Tarnation <\/em>would they be doin\u2019 leavin\u2019 their horses behind when they\u2019re out huntin\u2019 for their pa and brother.\u00a0 You sure it\u2019s their<\/em> horses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve ridden with Adam. \u00a0It\u2019s his mount for sure.\u00a0 And I think I know Hoss\u2019 well enough.\u201d\u00a0 Thom drew a breath.\u00a0 \u201cThat Adam, he\u2019s a thinker.\u00a0 If he left his horse there\u2019s a good reason for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe they was surprised.\u00a0 Had to run.\u201d<\/p>\n

But no, that didn\u2019t work, not with the way the horses had been left, as if whoever owned them expected to be gone for a few hours at most.\u00a0 He knew what Thom meant.\u00a0 That Adam, he had what they called an analytical mind. \u00a0Thought things through before actin\u2019.\u00a0 Roy smiled.\u00a0 Just about the opposite of Ben\u2019s littlest one.\u00a0 Men might think their sons were made in their image, but to his mind it had an awful lot to do with their Ma.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s think this through like Adam must of.\u00a0 Somethin\u2019 stopped those boys here.\u00a0 Some sign of their pa or brother no doubt.\u00a0 Somethin\u2019 that made them think they had to take off on foot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think those men found them?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head. \u201cAin\u2019t no other fresh tracks. \u00a0No, they took off on their own, after their pa or Little Joe would be my guess.\u00a0 If God\u2019s watchin\u2019, maybe both.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thom was lookin\u2019 the same way he\u2019d been earlier.\u00a0 \u201cDown there, you think?\u201d He nodded toward the ridge.<\/p>\n

It was a calculation he wished he had Adam there to look at.\u00a0 It had been rainin\u2019 hard.\u00a0 Would Ben take that boy of his into a ravine when Noah\u2019s flood might come roarin\u2019 down on them any minute?\u00a0 Finally, he shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t seem likely.\u00a0 Not with the rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thom thought a moment and then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSo where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you found the horses on up the road.\u00a0 \u00a0Come first light we\u2019ll head out north and see what we can find.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph.\u00a0 Joseph, you need to wake up.\u00a0 Your father needs you.\u201d\u00a0 The quiet voice was followed by a gentle touch.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

He blinked and one eye came open.\u00a0 \u201cWho….?\u201d<\/p>\n

Fingers touched his lips.\u00a0 \u201cYou must remain quiet.\u00a0 We are not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned.\u00a0 Of course, they weren\u2019t.\u00a0 Pa was here…somewhere.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut…\u201d<\/p>\n

The touch and voice were firm.\u00a0 \u201cBe silent, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes then.\u00a0 The room was dark.\u00a0 A single taper lit it, that and the occasional flash of lightning in the distance as it came through the window.\u00a0 He moved and it was only then that he realized just how much he hurt.\u00a0 His whole body ached and he recognized the signs of fever.\u00a0 He\u2019d had that one back when he\u2019d coughed so much and remembered what it was when his skin felt like someone was dragging glass-paper over it.\u00a0 There was something else too \u2013 something else that burned like a ditch full of dry grass set on fire.\u00a0 He tried to reach for it, but decided it was too much effort.\u00a0 There was something like a brand on the back of his shoulder.\u00a0 Joe frowned.\u00a0 Then he remembered.<\/p>\n

Pa!<\/p>\n

Gingerly rolling over, he looked at the man standing in the shadows by the door.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t pa, so who was it?\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t a big man.\u00a0 He was way shorter than Pa.\u00a0 He was kinda small too, like people said he\u2019d be when he grew up, and had the same kind of wild curly hair.\u00a0 Somehow he saw him looking.\u00a0 He raised his hand then, calling again for silence.\u00a0 Joe scowled.\u00a0 There was no reason to trust him other than his kind voice and the gentle touch of his hand, but for some reason, well, he did.<\/p>\n

Not that he had much choice.<\/p>\n

The man crossed back over to him and knelt at his side.\u00a0 Touching his arm he asked, \u201cJoseph, can you be very <\/em>brave?\u201d<\/p>\n

The muscles in his jaw tightened.\u00a0 He nodded.<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s face wrinkled with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s my strong warrior.\u00a0 I want you to come with me, but no matter what you see \u2013 no matter what<\/em>, Joseph, you have to remain silent.\u00a0 Your life \u2013 your father\u2019s<\/em> life depends on it.\u00a0 Maybe your brothers\u2019 too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u00a0 And Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was then he heard other voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just kill him?\u00a0 Him and<\/em> the kid?\u00a0 They\u2019ve seen us.\u00a0 They know who we are!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be an idiot, Mosley.\u00a0 They all <\/em>know who we are.\u00a0 Half the territory is probably on our tail right now.\u00a0 The only thing that is going to save us is money and a free pass to Mexico.\u00a0 What we need is a bargaining chip and Cartwright\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the man, his eyes wide.\u00a0 The stranger nodded and beckoned him to his side.\u00a0 Joe pushed the covers aside and sat up.\u00a0 He waited a moment for his vision to clear enough that he wouldn\u2019t stumble and then, barefoot, padded to the man\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Arms encircled him, pulling him close.\u00a0 A finger pointed.<\/p>\n

What he saw made him go rigid, every muscle tensed and ready to spring.\u00a0 His pa was sitting in a chair beside a table.\u00a0 Pa was tied to it and his head was hanging down.\u00a0 There were bruises on his face and neck and the side of his shirt was red with blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d the man\u2019s voice whispered close to his ear, \u201cdo you know why you are here?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI gotta save pa.\u00a0 I \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot save your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words were spoken evenly, clearer, with no room left for doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot alone.\u00a0 You must find your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d his whisper was fierce.\u00a0 \u201cNo! \u00a0<\/em>I can<\/em> do it alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

The man moved with him back into the darkness of the room, taking him away from the door and that awful vision.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said softly, looking into his eyes. \u2018do you remember Abraham?\u201d<\/p>\n

He blinked.\u00a0 \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom Sunday school.\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have any classmates named Abraham.\u00a0 Then he realized the man meant the<\/em> Abraham \u2013 the father of the Jewish nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbraham was a man much like you, Joseph.\u00a0 A man of fire and determination.\u00a0 Do you remember how badly<\/em> he wanted a son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this got to do with Pa?\u201d he asked, his head turning back toward the door with the blanket over it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod asked Abraham to wait.\u00a0 Did he wait?\u201d<\/p>\n

He had to think about it.\u00a0 Hard.\u00a0 \u201cNo….\u00a0 I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 Abraham would not listen.\u00a0 He tried to force God\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Don\u2019t make the same mistake, Joseph.\u00a0 Look for guidance.\u00a0 Wait. \u00a0Listen<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa….\u201d<\/p>\n

A hand was laid alongside his face.\u00a0 \u201cYour father, in many ways, is like Abraham as well.\u00a0 He is a man of faith and prayer, and a generous provider.\u00a0 And he is courageous.\u00a0 Can you be like your father?\u00a0 Can you be courageous and wait for the right time to act?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was breathing hard.\u00a0 He could hear each breath drawn in the darkness.\u00a0 \u201cHow will I know when?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you\u2019ll know.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger led him back to the bed and had him settle in.\u00a0 He leaned down and touched his lips to his forehead again and then moved into the shadows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Joe called weakly.\u00a0 \u201cTell me your name.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d that soft soothing voice said even as Joe felt himself slipping back into the darkness.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Jonathan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see my son!\u201d Ben bellowed even though he knew it would cost him.\u00a0 And it did.\u00a0 Drury Slater\u2019s hand struck him knuckles-first bringing stars.\u00a0 Ever since the rogue bank teller and his companion had stepped into the cabin his one focus had been on keeping them out of the room at the back where Joe lay. So far they had gone in to check on his boy twice.\u00a0 Slater had come out the last time saying Joe was raving with fever.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard Joe talking, murmuring like someone else was in the room.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard his son call his name.<\/p>\n

It was all Ben could do not to rise with the chair still tied to his back and ram the bastard in the stomach with his head.<\/p>\n

But he wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 It would do neither of them any good.\u00a0 He\u2019d just get both of them killed.\u00a0 He was helpless, he had to admit it, but far from hopeless.\u00a0 The prayer that had begun back in the ravine was his constant companion.<\/p>\n

Take me, Lord, if it\u2019s time, but save my son.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Save my boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Save Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

He\u2019d taught it to his boys.\u00a0 He had to believe it himself.\u00a0 It was in the Psalms.\u00a0 Those songs David had sung when it seemed all hope had run out.\u00a0 The Lord promised to be near to all who called Him in truth.\u00a0 He promised to fulfill the desires of those who feared Him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou promised to hear my cry and save those I love,\u201d he breathed, willing God to hear, to take up the challenge.<\/p>\n

And was backhanded again for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou talk one more time Cartwright and you won\u2019t be worryin\u2019 about that boy,\u201d Salter threatened.<\/p>\n

If Joe had not been with him, he could have taken action.\u00a0 Probably escaped since there were only two of them.\u00a0 As it was his hands were both literally and figuratively\u00a0 tied.\u00a0 There was nothing he could do.\u00a0 Nothing but wait for Adam or Hoss or Roy to show up, and then pray that one of these men had a least a scrap of decency in them and would let Joe go and take him with them wherever they intended to go.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d seen Slater looking back toward the room where Joe lay.\u00a0 He was pacing even now before the door.\u00a0 There was a deep wound in the man into which the darkness had stolen, blackening his heart and mind to anything but his own pain.\u00a0 Slater had lost a wife and child.\u00a0 Though he had not suffered the latter grievous loss, he had<\/em> buried three beautiful loving wives.\u00a0 If a man had a reason to grow bitter, then it was him.\u00a0 Why was he different?\u00a0 Why had he<\/em> been able to survive and thrive where Drury had dried up and become a twisted and broken man?<\/p>\n

There was only one answer.<\/p>\n

Ben drew a breath and nodded.\u00a0 Then, in a quiet respectful voice, he asked, \u201cMay<\/em> I see my son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drury halted in his pacing.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs the high and mighty Benjamin Cartwright humbling himself to ask to permission?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 You are in control.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other man snorted and his eyes lit with something unholy.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right, Cartwright.\u00a0 I am<\/em> in control.\u00a0 I hold the power of life and death in my hands \u2013 your <\/em>life and death.\u00a0 Yours and <\/em>your son\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t true, but he let him think it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 You do.\u00a0 You have the power…Mister<\/em> Slater.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s attention was drawn when the cabin door opened and Jud Mosley stepped back inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything?\u201d Slater asked.<\/p>\n

The other man shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNothin\u2019 yet.\u00a0 But then it\u2019s dark out.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t no one goin\u2019 to be movin\u2019 out there this time of night, \u2018specially with the rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced through the open door behind the outlaw.\u00a0 It was <\/em>raining again.<\/p>\n

Was it ever going to stop?<\/p>\n

Drury was looking at him, his lips twisted and his small eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cUntie him,\u201d Slater ordered.\u00a0 \u201cJust his feet and what\u2019s holding him to the chair. Not his hands.\u201d\u00a0 As Jud obeyed, the bank teller added, \u201cThen you get back out there and keep watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It about killed him.\u00a0 Sitting there, next to his child, unable to touch him.\u00a0 Joseph was tossing and turning, speaking now and then as if answering or asking questions.\u00a0 He leaned over his son\u2019s sleeping form and kissed his hot forehead, grateful at least for that small contact.\u00a0 As he did, the boy stirred and then roused, coming up from a deep into a light troubled sleep and then finally awake.\u00a0 When Joe\u2019s green eyes opened at last it was without focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere…Pa?\u00a0 Where…?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t…feel you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words were a stab to his heart.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t touch you, Joseph, but I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s…Jonathan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s Jonathan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTook…care of me, Pa,\u201d the boy licked his cracked lips.\u00a0 \u201cYou…too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no one here by that name, son.\u00a0 It\u2019s just you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s mobile eyebrows wrinkled in toward the middle of his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re…wrong, Pa….\u201d\u00a0 He shifted then as if his shoulder was hurting him.\u00a0 \u201cTold me…I…have to…wait on….\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard movement behind him, as if Slater was coming to take him back.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you have to listen to me.\u00a0 If you get a chance run, boy, run!<\/em>\u00a0 Once I know you\u2019re safe, I can take care of myself.\u201d\u00a0 The older man\u2019s eyes roamed the dark room fastening on the only means of escape from it.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a window,\u00a0 Joe.\u00a0 If you\u2019re strong enough, see if you can get it open and get out.\u00a0 Find your brothers.\u00a0 Joseph, do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s long enough, Cartwright,\u201d Drury Slater said as he caught him by the arm and drew him up and thrust him back toward the main room of the cabin.<\/p>\n

For once he hoped the villain was right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright was miserable. \u00a0\u00a0There were a lot of reasons why, not the least of which was that he and his brother were sittin\u2019 tight at the bottom of a ravine with the rain comin\u2019 down in spades.\u00a0 They\u2019d talked it over and been just about ready to climb out when a man had appeared at the top, his shadowy form showin\u2019 clear as a mountain stream that he was carryin\u2019 a gun.\u00a0 They\u2019d had to hide and wait until the outlaw disappeared, and then wait some more to make sure he was gone.\u00a0 By the time they\u2019d waited long enough the moon had snuck behind them dad-burned clouds that had been hangin\u2019 in the sky for what seemed like nigh onto a month now and everythin\u2019 had gone dark.<\/p>\n

That was the first reason, the second was what they\u2019d found just before the man appeared.\u00a0 More scraps of their pa\u2019s shirt wadded up and soiled with blood.\u00a0 Sure as shootin\u2019 one or both of them was injured and from the look of it, bleedin\u2019 pretty good.<\/p>\n

There was a third reason too, and it was a silly one.\u00a0 He felt right guilty.\u00a0 He kept thinkin\u2019 back to that mornin\u2019 when Joe woke \u2018em up yellin\u2019 in his sleep.\u00a0 Instead of goin\u2019 in to help the little feller, he\u2019d wormed his way out of it about as low and as slimy as he could.\u00a0 At least Adam had got to sit with Joe a spell before little brother went missin\u2019.<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced at his older brother.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how he was doing it, but Adam was asleep.\u00a0 He could hear him breathin\u2019, heavy-like, like he was total worn out.\u00a0 Between the guilt and the worry and the threat of bein\u2019 drowned, he just couldn\u2019t get to sleep.\u00a0 Risin\u2019 to his feet, he began to walk down the gully huggin\u2019 its side, back the way they had come, scourin\u2019 the ground by the light of the near useless moon in case he spotted somethin\u2019 they\u2019d missed.\u00a0 He\u2019d been on the move about five minutes when there was a movement within the shadows in front of him.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s hand went to his weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he demanded in a tense whisper.<\/p>\n

The shadow moved, but the one who cast it did not appear.\u00a0 \u201cA friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled his gun from his holster.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no friend of mine fool enough to be out here in the middle of a storm at the bottom of a ravine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot even if they are looking to help your father and brother as you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you, Mister?\u00a0 And don\u2019t tell me a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought he heard a gentle laugh.\u00a0 \u201cA messenger then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMessenger?\u201d\u00a0 The teenager blinked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of a messenger? Who sent you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone you are coming to know.\u00a0 Someone who loves your father dearly.\u00a0 Someone who has plans for you and your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

His gun was pointed toward the shadows. \u00a0\u201cYou ain\u2019t makin\u2019 sense, stranger.\u00a0 There ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 to tell me that you ain\u2019t a part of that gang we\u2019re huntin\u2019, the one we thinks got Pa and Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t follow the ravine, Hoss. \u00a0You must leave it.\u00a0 Go northeast of the Hinson cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow why would I want to go there?\u00a0 That\u2019s God\u2019s country.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time he did laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrecisely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was still standin\u2019 there, holdin\u2019 his drawn gun when he heard someone call his name.\u00a0 The teenager blinked and turned to find his older brother emergin\u2019 from the shadows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was….\u00a0 I was….\u201d\u00a0 Hoss paused.\u00a0 He frowned as he looked at the shadows and then at his brother.\u00a0 Moving quickly the teenager passed into them and then came out to face a very confused Adam. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou see anyone else here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scratched his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know.\u00a0 Someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s helpful,\u201d Adam half-laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI woke up and found you missing and then followed your trail.\u2019\u00a0 There was a pause.\u00a0 \u201cYou think maybe you were sleep-walking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t never done it before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be brought on by stress and you \u2013 and I \u2013 have that in spades.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned back to look at the shadows again.\u00a0 The voice had been awful real, but then he hadn\u2019t really seen anyone.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you\u2019re right,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always right,\u201d Adam said with that little half-smile showing in his voice.\u00a0 \u201cYou should know that by now.\u201d\u00a0 Older brother waited a second and when he didn\u2019t move, asked, \u201cIs there something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you plannin\u2019 on doin\u2019 tomorrow, Adam, once the sun\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing to the Hanson\u2019s cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if I told you I don\u2019t think we\u2019re s\u2019posed to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot \u2018supposed\u2019 to?\u00a0 Is this something again that has to do with the idea that the cabin is haunted?\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager\u2019s massive shoulders lifted and fell in a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it does<\/em> have to do with the supernatural?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s natural enough.\u00a0 It just ain\u2019t, well, of this<\/em> world.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew his brother\u2019s eyebrows were racin\u2019 toward the hair hangin\u2019 down on his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI…see.\u00a0 If it\u2019s not of this <\/em>world, then what world is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought a moment. \u201cYou believe the Christmas story, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a long period of silence.\u00a0 Longer than there should have been.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you believe in angels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s plenty of them in that there story, brother,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cEither you do believe or you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what they done to you at that college back East, but ever since you been home you been questionin\u2019 everythin\u2019.\u00a0 Me and Pa ain\u2019t missed it.\u00a0 You go to church \u2018cause of Pa makin\u2019 you, but you ain\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you questionin\u2019 my faith?\u201d<\/p>\n

Older brother was gettin\u2019 riled.\u00a0 He could hear it in his voice.\u00a0 \u201cNo, brother, I\u2019m<\/em> not,\u201d Hoss said as he pushed past his brother and headed back to their camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think you<\/em> are.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EIGHT<\/p>\n

They parted ways early the next morning before the light was up. Hoss, heading northeast where his heavenly messenger had sent him and him, well, leaning on his own understanding and heading toward James Hinson\u2019s old home.<\/p>\n

Adam figured it was maybe an hour away now.\u00a0 He\u2019d get there before the light was fully up and then …then….<\/p>\n

What?<\/p>\n

He\u2019d scoffed at Hoss but it was his own speculation that had set first both of them, and now him alone on this path.\u00a0 He\u2019d taken all the facts and reasoned them out and come to the conclusion that Pa, or Pa with Joe, would have followed the ravine to the cabin.\u00a0 They\u2019d taught him in college \u2013 drilled it into him, really \u2013 to put aside any notion of an outside source of wisdom and to rely wholly on himself.\u00a0 Herodotus said, \u2018The destiny of a man is his own\u00a0 soul.\u2019\u00a0 Aristotle, \u2018Knowing yourself is the beginning of all reason\u2019 and \u2018happiness depends upon ourselves.\u2019\u00a0 While his pa had taught him to be self-reliant, his college friends had told him no man could truly<\/em> be free until he shook off the shackles of organized religion.\u00a0 He\u2019d fallen away from church at college.\u00a0 At first there was no time and then, no desire.\u00a0 Coming back home he\u2019d been made to go along with his pa and his brothers, but that was all he did \u2013 go.<\/p>\n

Since he\u2019d been back in the saddle at the Ponderosa he\u2019d had time to question those friends.\u00a0 Their world was a different one of tall buildings reaching ever higher to the sky, of roads and railroads, of steamships and machines.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t ride under the pines.\u00a0 They\u2019d never heard the wind whisper through them, calling out your name.\u00a0 Calling….<\/p>\n

Adam, come home<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It had been a shock, he had to admit, switching from that world to this one.\u00a0 Like his friends\u2019, his chest was all puffed out with the achievements of man and that left no room for the still small voice of God.<\/p>\n

Had he lost the ability to hear it?\u00a0 Had Hoss\u2019 angelic messenger known it was pointless to try?<\/p>\n

Adam snorted.\u00a0 Angels.<\/p>\n

What was the kid going to think of next?<\/p>\n

Returning his attention to the matter at hand, Adam continued on down the narrow ravine, even as the morning light spilled into it and illumined his way.<\/p>\n

See, brother<\/em>, he thought, a crooked smile curling his upper lip, you\u2019re wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s me that\u2019s seen the light.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men were growing agitated.\u00a0 Salter most of all.\u00a0 Ben watched the crooked bank teller pace from one end of the cabin to the other, muttering to himself; his words a jumble of hate and self-pity.\u00a0 When in the cabin Drury\u2019s companion, Jud Mosley, watched the other man closely, a veiled but anxious expression on his face.\u00a0 Ben had hoped for a time that he might be able to use that against Salter, but from the way Jud urged the other man to kill both of them and cut and run nearly every hour, he was praying \u2013 crazy as it seemed \u2013 for Drury to come out on top.<\/p>\n

At least for the time being.<\/p>\n

Ben shifted, trying to ease the pain in his shoulders and back.\u00a0 After spending the night tied to a chair, he wasn\u2019t doing a lot better than Joe.\u00a0 His skin was prickling again \u2013 a sure sign of fever and what was to come.<\/p>\n

He glanced at Drury and Jud.\u00a0 They\u2019d stopped pacing and come together and were speaking in low tones.\u00a0 Drury hadn\u2019t let him see Joseph again and he was worried about how the boy had passed the night.\u00a0 It was a curious thing.\u00a0 After a long hot day under the sun, the night was cooling, healing.\u00a0 But it was in the night that shadows moved and deadly things came about unawares.\u00a0 It was at night that a man taken ill often sank down into a different kind of darkness.\u00a0 One that, too often, proved permanent.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d come to keep his eyes away from the room in which his youngest son lay.\u00a0 Every time he looked Joe\u2019s way Salter became agitated.\u00a0 Once the bank teller had gone into the room and it had been an agonizing ten minutes before he reappeared.\u00a0 If not reminded, the maniac seemed to forget Joseph even existed and so he had done his best to pretend that he had forgotten too; that his son meant little to him.\u00a0 That hurting Joe would do little to bother him.\u00a0 That it certainly wouldn\u2019t hurt<\/em> him.<\/p>\n

No, it would only destroy him.<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes Ben sought the words he had repeated so often when sitting in a pew, whether in New England\u2019s days of darkness and loss or those he had passed here, in Nevada, where he had chosen to make his and his sons\u2019 home.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, Lord, keep my lamp burning,\u201d Ben whispered so softly no one could hear.\u00a0 \u201cMy God turns my darkness into light.\u201d<\/p>\n

The older man turned opened his eyes and looked to the window.\u00a0 Dawn was breaking beyond it, adding streaks of a fiery red and lavender-blue to the already indigo sky.\u00a0 It had been some time since Drury or Jud had checked on Joe.<\/p>\n

Had his son escaped?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe heard the voice.\u00a0 He knew who it was now.\u00a0 Not Pa, but his friend, Jonathan.\u00a0 He climbed up out of the safe place sleep had taken him and opened his eyes.\u00a0 Jonathan was sitting beside him.<\/p>\n

The man with the curly chestnut hair reached out and placed a hand on his forehead. \u00a0\u201cYour fever is down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled himself up on the pillow.\u00a0 \u201cI feel a little better.\u00a0 I sure am hungry though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet.\u201d\u00a0 Jonathan glanced toward the open door with the blanket half-covering it.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but you\u2019ll have to be hungry a little longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s gaze followed his.\u00a0 \u201cAre those bad men still out there?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

His friend nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTime for what?\u201d\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure why, but the man\u2019s words frightened him.<\/p>\n

Jonathan took hold of his arm and squeezed.\u00a0 \u201cTo be obedient like the man you are named for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Jacob\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another Bible lesson.\u00a0 Joe frowned.\u00a0 \u201cAre you a preacher?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan\u2019s curly head shook as he released his arm.\u00a0 \u201cI am a messenger as I said.\u00a0 Here to help and to remind you of what you\u00a0 already know.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought about it.\u00a0 Joseph had been taken into slavery, sold, and then when he was beginning to have a better life, someone lied about him and he was sent to prison.\u00a0 God made him wait a long time before he rescued him.<\/p>\n

Joe leaned back on the pillows, his eyes threatening to close.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you said earlier, about \u2018waiting\u2019 on God?\u00a0 Is it time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 It is time.\u00a0 When you wake, be obedient to God and your father, Joseph.\u00a0 Do not look back.\u00a0 Head for the window.\u00a0 It is time for you to run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t know how long he laid there, thinking about what his friend had said, but when he opened his eyes the light was dawning outside.\u00a0 He sat up slowly, favoring his left shoulder where the bullet had blazed its trail, and then shifted his feet over the side of the bed and headed for the window, which was open.\u00a0 A steady breeze blew in, lifting and rifling through his hair.\u00a0 Joe paused when he got to it and turned toward the door, wondering where his pa was, wondering if pa was okay, wondering if he should go look.<\/p>\n

Do not look back.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe leaned his head against the cabin wall beside the window.\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t understand about God.\u00a0 All those stories and scriptures and words, well, some of them were comforting but more of them downright scary.\u00a0 He\u2019d been told that God was always there, always watching, never surprised or not knowing what was gonna come.\u00a0 So that meant God had known when his Ma was gonna ride up to the house and that horse was gonna throw her and she was gonna…die.\u00a0 After they brought her in the house he\u2019d heard all of them praying \u2013 his brothers and his pa \u2013 for her to be okay.\u00a0 But she wasn\u2019t okay.<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, if he prayed now that his pa be watched over as he ran \u2013 like he\u2019d been told by both Jonathan and his pa to do \u2013 how was he supposed to know that Pa would be all right?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t it be smarter to stay?\u00a0 To help Pa fight?\u00a0 To save him by himself?<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at the early morning light with its shades of apricot and lavender.\u00a0 It was beautiful and made him think of the pictures of Heaven in his Sunday school book.\u00a0 It reminded him too of how small he was, not only because he was a boy, but because his pa had told him so.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re all small, son, and all in need of the hand of a loving God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe drew in a deep breath and let it out and then he dragged a chair over to the window, climbed up on it, and \u2013 with a child\u2019s prayer on his lips that things go his<\/em> way \u2013 slipped out into the growing day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss Cartwright was crouchin\u2019 down on the ground readin\u2019 sign.\u00a0 He was puzzled by the large group of horses that had passed this way not all that long ago.\u00a0 It couldn\u2019t be Blunt.\u00a0 He was headed south.\u00a0 Their passage had churned up the wet ground right good, so if there\u2019d been any tracks left by his pa or Joe, they were gone now.\u00a0 After risin\u2019, the teenager jammed his hands in his pockets and turned in a circle, surveyin\u2019 the part of the woods he was in.\u00a0 That there stranger \u2013 the one in the ravine \u2013 had told him to come here to find somethin\u2019, but there weren\u2019t nothin\u2019 here to find.<\/p>\n

Maybe Adam had been right.\u00a0 Maybe he had <\/em>just been sleepwalkin\u2019 and made the whole thing up.<\/p>\n

As Hoss began to move again, still searchin\u2019 the ground, thoughts he\u2019d been denyin\u2019 caught up with him and then moved on ahead to places he didn\u2019t want to go.\u00a0 Joe\u2019d been gone for days now and even though baby brother thought he could take care of hisself, he was just a little boy.\u00a0 There were a lot of big worries like Indians and outlaws and big cats, but it was the little ones that were nigglin\u2019 at him.\u00a0 What if Joe cut hisself somehow and lay somewhere alone bleedin\u2019 out?\u00a0 What if he tried to cross the river and fell in?<\/p>\n

What if he<\/em> hadn\u2019t been in such an all-fired hurry to go back to bed that night Joe was screamin\u2019 out in his sleep?\u00a0 What if he\u2019d talked to him, found out what was worryin\u2019 him?\u00a0 Made<\/em> him tell him.<\/p>\n

What if his little brother died \u2018cause he wanted to sleep?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hoss halted where he was, lost both physically and spiritually.\u00a0 There were two paths before him \u2013 literally.\u00a0 He stood at a crossroads and needed to choose where to go next and what to believe.\u00a0 The teenager thought about his pa and then, about Adam, the two older men he respected most.\u00a0 There was a lot about them that was the same, but there was a lot that was different too.\u00a0 He and pa had talked about it a couple of times since Adam had come home from college.\u00a0 His pa said that Adam had been presented with two paths too and that his brother would have to choose.\u00a0 One path led home to the Ponderosa, to the heart of the land and the hand of God.\u00a0 The other led to the wider world, to a place where men was busy tryin\u2019 to crowd God out with machines and noise and modern notions about a man being enough in himself.\u00a0 The teenager considered what Adam would do right now, right here.\u00a0 He\u2019d consider everythin\u2019, weigh out his options, make a choice and then act on it.\u00a0 His pa would do the same thing \u2013 with one exception.<\/p>\n

Before he finished thinkin\u2019 and started actin\u2019, Pa would check in with the Man upstairs and ask Him for help.<\/p>\n

Hoss drew in a deep breath as he looked around.\u00a0 He let it out slowly as he walked to the stump of a nearby tree and sat down.\u00a0 Then he linked his hands together and bowed his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, it\u2019s me.\u00a0 Hoss Cartwright.\u00a0 I got a few things to ask of you, the first one being about my brother Adam….\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright slipped through the trees out front of the Hinson cabin and took up a position about two hundred feet away where he felt it was safe he would not be seen.\u00a0 There were three horses tethered out front.\u00a0 He thought he recognized one of them as the colt Joe had taken when he ran away.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t see the brand so he wasn\u2019t entirely certain.\u00a0 The other two were saddled and well-provisioned as if the owners feared they might have to fly any minute.<\/p>\n

There was smoke coming from the chimney and the sound of raised voices drifted on the wind back to where he was. \u00a0No words, of course, but from the sound of it he thought someone was not particularly happy.\u00a0 As he continued to strain to hear, the door to the cabin flew open.\u00a0 One man exited in haste, followed closely by another.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m done waitin\u2019!\u201d the first man proclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI say we kill \u2018em both now and run while we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second, older man shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re our ticket out, Jud.\u00a0 You know that. Kill them and we lose our leverage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if a search party comes and surrounds this place, with twenty men and twenty guns aimed at us, you think they ain\u2019t gonna manage to take us out the minute we ride away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot with a Cartwright held prisoner in the saddle before you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stiffened.<\/p>\n

Dear God.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou put an awful lot of stock in how important those Cartwrights are, Drury,\u201d Jud remarked with a scoff before spitting on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because Ben Cartwright is an important man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the kid?\u00a0 He ain\u2019t important.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Jud paused.\u00a0 \u201cSick as he is, he\u2019s just in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was<\/em> sick, or wounded.\u00a0 What had happened, he wondered?\u00a0 Had one of these two men hurt him?\u00a0 Adam sucked in air to calm his wildly beating heart as he drew his gun.\u00a0 Somehow he had to get into that cabin, but it had to be on his own terms \u2013 so he could have the upper hand.<\/p>\n

Maybe he could sneak in a rear window.<\/p>\n

Moving as cautiously as the terrain would allow, Adam shifted to the side and started forward, making sure to give the pair a wide berth.\u00a0 He\u2019d gone no more than twenty feet when he spotted an open window.\u00a0 He also spotted something else.\u00a0 Someone crawling out of it.<\/p>\n

Someone small.<\/p>\n

Adam bit his lip.<\/p>\n

Joe.<\/p>\n

It had to be Joe going off half-cocked and reckless as usual.\u00a0 There was a space of a hundred and fifty or more paces between them and Joe was moving fast.\u00a0 With a last longing glance at the cabin where he suspected his father was being held, Adam veered away from the outlaws\u2019 hideout and into the woods in pursuit of his little brother.\u00a0 All the while he moved he kept thinking in his head, \u2018Turn around, Joe.\u00a0 Look back this way.\u00a0 Joe, see<\/em> me.\u00a0 See me, <\/em>Joe!\u2019<\/p>\n

But his brother never did.\u00a0 He just kept running.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t dare call out to him, not so close to the cabin and not with the two men who held his father wanting his brother dead.\u00a0 The black-haired man managed to keep his eyes trained on Joe\u2019s small form, but it was all too quickly diminishing in size.\u00a0 The kid had to be terrified that Drury or Jud were after him and he was running like a maverick set free.\u00a0 Knowing Joe, he was going for help.\u00a0 There was no way that kid would be bright enough to be afraid.<\/p>\n

Adam lifted his hands to his lips as he ran.\u00a0 He was far enough away now \u2013 he hoped.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d he shouted, still on the move.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Adam!\u00a0 Joe, stop!\u00a0 Joe….\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother was gone.\u00a0 That was it.\u00a0 Gone.\u00a0 Swallowed up by trees and leaves and the shadows they cast.<\/p>\n

Adam halted.\u00a0 Placing his hands on his knees, he drew in a couple of quick breaths.\u00a0 The black-haired man glanced back the way he had come and then forward to the point where Joe had disappeared.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, he listened to the conflicting voices inside his head.<\/p>\n

Adam, save Pa!<\/em> he heard Joe shout.<\/p>\n

Son, leave me, save your brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

Make your mind up,<\/em> Adam, don\u2019t just stand there,<\/em> Hoss demanded.\u00a0 You gotta save them both!<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam, you cannot do this alone.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

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

Adam straightened up and looked around.\u00a0 That last one…\u00a0 Who was that?\u00a0 Finally deciding that it was his fear of failure speaking, he snorted and dismissed it.<\/p>\n

After all, who else <\/em>was there?<\/p>\n

Still breathing hard Adam looked in both directions again and made a choice.\u00a0 Pa could take care of himself.<\/p>\n

He had to save Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright reeled from a blow to his face.\u00a0 A second later blood dripped from his nose.\u00a0 Defiantly he straightened up and met the gaze of the enraged man who stood before him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is the boy?\u201d<\/em> Drury Slater screamed.<\/p>\n

His jaw tight, he replied, \u201cOut of\u00a0 your hands, Slater, and in God\u2019s<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you we should have killed the kid!\u201d\u00a0 Jud Mosley was nearly hysterical.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if he finds a search party and brings them here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve still got Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes went from one outlaw to the other.\u00a0 Yes<\/em>, he thought, concentrate on me.<\/em>\u00a0 Forget Joe.\u00a0 Forget my brave boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jud scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cWe ain\u2019t got that boy, we ain\u2019t got him.\u00a0 Old high-and-mighty Cartwright here ain\u2019t gonna cooperate without a reason to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis reason is his life!\u201d Slater screamed.<\/p>\n

Ben locked eyes with Mosley.\u00a0 He saw in them a sort of grudging admiration, not enough to spare his life, but it was there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the difference between a man like him and you, Drury.\u00a0 You\u2019d do just about anythin\u2019 you had to in order to save your skin.\u201d\u00a0 Mosley inclined his head toward him.\u00a0 \u201cCartwright\u2019d just as soon give his up, especially if it meant savin\u2019 someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou make him sound like a saint,\u201d Drury scoffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not<\/em> a saint,\u201d Ben stated quite plainly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a man.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and his eyes went to the corrupt bank teller.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I am a better<\/em> man than you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was expecting to be back-handed again and he wasn\u2019t disappointed.\u00a0 What he didn\u2019t expect was for Slater to grab his collar and spit into his face.\u00a0 As the spittle dripped down Drury sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cJud.\u00a0 Get after that kid.\u00a0 Find him and kill<\/em> him \u2013 real slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew what Slater wanted.\u00a0 He wanted him to debase himself, to plead, because somehow that would make the villain think he<\/em> was the better man.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just a boy,\u201d Ben breathed.\u00a0 \u201cLeave Joseph alone.\u00a0 You have me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s payment, Cartwright, for the life a man lives.\u00a0 My boy…he paid for my sins.\u201d\u00a0 The vile bank teller leaned in closer. \u201cNow yours<\/em> is going to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat sin have I committed that is so grievous that you would murder<\/em> a child?\u201d he asked, disbelieving.<\/p>\n

Slater looked at him.\u00a0 He shoved him back so hard his neck snapped before releasing the grip on his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe paused to draw in a deep gasp of air.\u00a0 His head was reeling and he felt like he could fall down and never get up again.\u00a0 Every breath he took hurt and he\u2019d started coughing hard with nothing coming out of it.\u00a0 His head was pounding as hard as his heart, but he couldn\u2019t stop.\u00a0 Not now.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t stop, not with someone chasing him.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t believe it.\u00a0 Someone had seen him leave the cabin!\u00a0 How? \u00a0How <\/em>had they managed to be outside at the very moment his feet hit the ground?<\/p>\n

He\u2019d taken off like a jackrabbit the moment he saw them, running with everything that was left in him, trying to put distance between him and whoever it was as quickly as possible.\u00a0 The problem was, that running had slowed him down about ten minutes later when exhaustion set in.\u00a0 Since then he\u2019d been moving constantly, at a loping pace, zigzagging back and forth, climbing up in to trees whenever he could and leaving the earth behind so hopefully he wouldn\u2019t leave any tracks, slowly and steadily heading toward the Ponderosa, knowing if anyone was gonna come and help it would be down the road\u00a0 from there.<\/p>\n

Since then, but not anymore.\u00a0 Not since the coughing had started.<\/p>\n

Giving in for the moment, Joe dropped to the ground.\u00a0 Wrapping his arms around his middle, he leaned forward, trying to ease the pain.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t much use.\u00a0 Every time he coughed it felt like someone was sticking a knife in his side.\u00a0 Oh, and in his back too where that burn was.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, unexpectedly, he felt like a very little boy.\u00a0 All of the bluster and bragging and brashness he usually had just went away.\u00a0 Tears rolled down his hot, filthy cheeks, wetting what was left of the shirt and trousers he\u2019d put on that morning so long ago when he headed to Seth\u2019s place.<\/p>\n

A sob escaped him.<\/p>\n

Hearing it, Joe bristled.\u00a0 He straightened up as best he could and shook himself, and then rose to his feet.\u00a0 As he did, he heard someone calling his name.<\/p>\n

Joe frowned.\u00a0 Who?<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n

For a second there was nothing, then an astonished, \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice was pretty far away.\u00a0 \u201cPa, is that you?\u201d he called back as he began to move toward the sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe.\u00a0 It\u2019s Adam!\u00a0 Joe, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam!\u00a0 Wrapped in that name was everything he needed at that moment \u2013 love , security, protection and \u2013 most of all \u2013 home<\/em>.\u00a0 Blindly Joe stumbled forward, blinking back tears, crying out.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam, over here!\u00a0 I\u2019m \u2013 \u201c<\/p>\n

A figure stepped in front of him, blocking his path.\u00a0 Joe looked up into the face of all his fears.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know<\/em> what you are, boy?\u201d Jud Mosley asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam ran for all he was worth, pushing through the trees toward that precious voice.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u201d he called, his breath short, his heart pounding in his chest.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Adam!\u00a0 Joe, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

His heart skipped a beat until he heard the reply.\u00a0 \u2018Adam!\u00a0 Adam, I\u2019m over here.\u00a0 I\u2019m \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

And then, there was nothing.<\/p>\n

Adam skidded to a stop, his boot heels cutting into the wet earth. \u00a0The sound of his aching heart pounding in his ears was deafening.\u00a0 It mixed with the roar of disbelief rising in his soul.\u00a0 To be so <\/em>close.\u00a0 To almost have his little brother safe in his arms.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Life couldn\u2019t <\/em>be so cruel.<\/p>\n

But it was.<\/p>\n

He knew<\/em> it was.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d known it when he lost his mother even before he knew her.\u00a0 Known it when he and his father lived in poverty.\u00a0 Known it again when Inger, one of the kindest spirits he had ever known, was mercilessly and pointlessly cut down with an arrow.\u00a0 And then again when Joe\u2019s mother \u2013 when his third <\/em>mother died.<\/p>\n

Dead.<\/p>\n

Dead<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAdammmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, no,\u201d he breathed.\u00a0 \u201cGod, no!\u00a0 Not Joe!\u00a0 You can\u2019t take Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

For a second Adam was stopped by the horror of what he had to face next and then the eldest of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons was running, running, running <\/em>toward the sound of that cry.\u00a0 The terror in it had stabbed him more surely than the sharpest knife.\u00a0 As he ran his father\u2019s words came to him, whispered low by his bedside when he thought he was asleep.<\/p>\n

\u2018God, bless my boy.\u00a0 Help him to remember that though he walks in trouble, You will stretch out Your right hand against his foes and save him.\u00a0 Remind Adam that every good gift comes from above from the Father of Heavenly lights.\u00a0 Do not let him fear or be dismayed.\u00a0 Remind him, Lord, that You are his strength and help and You will uphold him with Your strong right hand.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam choked back both grief and pain.\u00a0 Greif at the pain he had caused his family.\u00a0 Pain at the grief that had stopped his ears and nearly blinded him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018But most of all,\u2019 <\/em>his pa\u2019s voice went on, \u2018help Adam to hold in his heart the truth, that we do not live for this life but the next, where You will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for all of these things will have passed away.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam broke through the trees.\u00a0 Gasping for air he swung in a circle, looking for Joe and for whoever had taken his brother.\u00a0 It only took a minute.\u00a0 He found them.<\/p>\n

His brother.\u00a0 A man.<\/p>\n

And a ten foot drop into the roiling and churning waters of a river.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NINE<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee had never been so startled as when he came across Ben\u2019s middle boy sittin\u2019 on a sawed-off tree trunk in the middle of the woods with his head down, prayin\u2019.\u00a0 He glanced behind now to see how Hoss was doin\u2019.\u00a0 The boy was just plain scared \u2013 as he had every right to be \u2013 but he was tryin\u2019 his best not to show it.\u00a0 Tryin\u2019 right hard to be a man for the sake of the other men he loved what was missin\u2019.\u00a0 He told them about how he and Adam had parted after havin\u2019 words.\u00a0 The boy felt right sorry about it.\u00a0 When he\u2019d asked him why, the teenager had closed up tight as a clam like whatever he had to say about Adam might put his brother in a bad light.<\/p>\n

They was on their way now to find him.<\/p>\n

Hoss explained how he and Adam had different ideas about how best to look for their father and missin\u2019 brother.\u00a0 It took a good bit of strong-armin\u2019, but finally the boy\u2019d told him that he\u2019d been instructed to come northeast instead of headin\u2019 south to the old Hinson place as Adam wanted him to.\u00a0 Now in all his years of law-keepin\u2019 he\u2019d seen a good many things he couldn\u2019t explain, so when the boy told him about that man in the shadows tellin\u2019 him what he needed to do, he just nodded.<\/p>\n

As the song put it, God did<\/em> move in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.<\/p>\n

So now they was ridin\u2019 hard and fast as they could back toward the Hinson place, hopin\u2019 and fearin\u2019 at one and the same time that this was one<\/em> of those times when the Good Lord would see fit to work a wonder and bring both Ben Cartwright and his youngest boy back home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam held his breath.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s green eyes were wide and wild where they showed above his captor\u2019s arm.\u00a0 The man who held him was standing at the edge of the fast-running river that he and Hoss had feared only the night before might overflow and spill into the ravine to drown them.\u00a0 It was swollen and angry from the constant and seemingly perpetual rain that had fallen for the last few days.\u00a0 It rushed beneath Joe\u2019s boots where they dangled bare feet above its surface.<\/p>\n

He had his gun drawn. \u00a0His finger itched on the trigger.\u00a0 But the man held Joe too close and there was too much of a chance that he would hit his brother if he fired or that the man would…let go.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you go ahead and shoot, Cartwright?\u201d the outlaw shouted.\u00a0 \u201cI fall in, baby brother does too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelease him!\u2019 he yelled back.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t shoot.\u00a0 Drop Joe on the ground and head into the woods.\u00a0 I won\u2019t follow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, when horses grow horns!\u00a0 There\u2019s only one thing that\u2019s gonna keep you off my tail and that\u2019s dropping the brat!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou drop him and I will never<\/em> be off your tail!\u201d Adam shouted, drawing closer, his eyes on Joe.\u00a0 His brother was pale.\u00a0 Joe was breathing hard and he was looking…\u00a0 Adam choked.\u00a0 …looking to him<\/em> to save him. \u00a0Hold on, Joe, <\/em>he thought.\u00a0 Hold on<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cIf anything happens to my brother, I promise you that I will chase you to Hell <\/em>if necessary!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne\u2019s a certainty, Cartwright.\u00a0 The other a possibility.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll take my chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

And with that the villain opened his arm and Joe fell into the rushing water screaming his name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright listened to Drury Slater pace the length of the cabin.\u00a0 The corrupt bank teller muttered, arguing with himself, unsure of what to do now that it seemed all of his best laid plans had come to naught.\u00a0 He knew Slater had a gun and that it was in his hand.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen the weapon when the man moved past a few minutes before.\u00a0 He also knew that Drury Slater, driven as he was, was a broken man.\u00a0 When he\u2019d heard him speaking of his dead son again, he\u2019d had a twinge of empathy, but it had quickly been beaten down by the memory of Jud Mosley running out of the cabin hell-bent to retake, or worse, kill Joseph.<\/p>\n

He had to get free.<\/p>\n

A few minutes before Ben had gasped and moaned and then dropped his head to his chest.\u00a0 He\u2019d let his breathing even out and then had started to pant, acting like it was all he could do to draw in a deep enough breath, as if his wound had finally gotten the better of him and soon he would be numb to the world.\u00a0 Drury had come over and touched his skin, skeptical, sure he was pretending.\u00a0 Though he feared the fever that licked at the edge of his consciousness, he knew the Lord could use bad things for good and it was the rising fever within him that convinced Drury Slater that he was no longer a threat.<\/p>\n

Which made the man let down his guard.<\/p>\n

Ben had been testing the ropes that bound him and had managed to loosen them a bit, but he was still bound to the chair.\u00a0 That meant both he and<\/em> the chair had to be the weapon to take the man down.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to time it right.\u00a0 Make sure Slater was close and that, when he rose and barreled into him, the momentum would take them both into the wall.\u00a0 His only hope was to hit so hard that the chair would shatter.\u00a0 Once his hands were free he could take him.<\/p>\n

God control his rage when he did.<\/p>\n

Slater was passing before him again. The gun dangled from his fingers.\u00a0 Ben waited…waited…waited.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s reddish-blond head came up at the sound of a shot.\u00a0 \u201cRoy!\u00a0 You hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee nodded.\u00a0 His jaw tight, the lawman signaled his men forward.\u00a0 Hoss waited for Roy to tell him to hang back, to tell him that he was too young.\u00a0 Instead the lawman looked him square in the eye and said, \u201cYou comin\u2019, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure am, Roy,\u201d he declared with a nod.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019d take a whole gol-darned<\/em> army to stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hinson cabin lay before them.\u00a0 Smoke rose from its chimney, showin\u2019 it was occupied.\u00a0 So Adam had been right and he\u2019d been wrong.\u00a0 Pa and Joe had been here all along and he\u2019d gone off followin\u2019 some goldarned<\/em> dream he\u2019d had of a messenger from God.<\/p>\n

Now who<\/em> was the fool?<\/p>\n

Even as they pulled up out front of the cabin and dismounted they heard the sounds of a scuffle within.\u00a0 There was another shot, a cry of disbelief….<\/p>\n

And then everythin\u2019 went silent.<\/p>\n

Roy exchanged a look with his deputy and then turned to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou wait here, boy, while I go in.\u00a0 there\u2019s no tellin\u2019 what we\u2019ll \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss caught his arm.\u00a0 His voice and it shook as he nodded and said, \u201cRoy.\u00a0 Look!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was his pa.<\/p>\n

His pa was standin\u2019 in the open door!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Drury Slater lay dead on the floor behind him, his gun still smoking.\u00a0 After knocking the other man into the wall and stunning him long enough that he could wriggle out of his bonds, they\u2019d both gone for it.\u00a0 While they struggled it had fired and Slater had dropped, gasping at first and then falling silent.\u00a0 It had been then Ben had heard the horses.\u00a0 Then, he had heard a familiar voice.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

And now, here with Roy, was his middle boy.\u00a0 This was one safe.\u00a0 This one.<\/em><\/p>\n

There were still two to go.<\/p>\n

Stumbling forward Ben reached toward Hoss, wanting just to touch him, but at that moment his strength failed.\u00a0 His voice did too.\u00a0 It was all he could do to manage to rasp out as he fell to the ground, \u201cJoseph…\u00a0 Hoss…you have to…find…Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was beside him in an instant, touching him, caressing his hair.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s lookin\u2019, Pa.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s<\/em> gone after Joe.\u00a0 You just rest, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go too.\u00a0 We\u2019ll take care of baby brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

He started to push himself up.\u00a0 \u201cGot…to…go….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Ben, you ain\u2019t goin\u2019 anywhere.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d felt Roy pulling at his shirt, seen him looking underneath. \u201cThat there\u2019s a nasty wound.\u00a0 Looks to be infected.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t gonna do that boy any good if you kill yourself lookin\u2019 for \u2013.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t…understand!\u201d he breathed, clawing at Roy\u2019s shirt.\u00a0 His eyes went to his son, pleading with him to do something, anything<\/em> \u2013 to somehow breathe strength and new life into him so he could <\/em>go after Joseph.\u00a0 \u201cSlater told Mosley to…kill Joe.\u00a0 To kill him…slowly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 anger reflected his own.\u00a0 \u201cThat ain\u2019t right, Pa.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s just a kid!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMosley\u2019s…a devil, Hoss.\u00a0 That means…nothing.\u201d\u00a0 Ben blinked.\u00a0 His sight was going and the dark was closing in.\u00a0 \u201cGod,\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hurtin\u2019 bad, Ben?\u201d Roy asked, concern rattling his voice.<\/p>\n

Yes, he was hurting.\u00a0 But not in the way Roy thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod,\u201d he whispered again as the last of consciousness fled.\u00a0 \u201cGod save my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe hit the water it was like a slap in the face, only the river smacked him all over instead taking his breath away.\u00a0 Before he knew it he was under the surface and then above it again, gasping like a fish fresh out of water.\u00a0 As he was propelled downstream Joe struck out with his hands, trying to swim, but the current was too strong and faster than he could think he went under again.\u00a0 He could hold his breath a long time \u2013 he and Seth had practiced and he could do it for almost two minutes \u2013 and so Joe drew in air until his lungs were full and held it as the water reached out and dunked him for a third time.<\/p>\n

The next time he came up he heard his brother calling.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice was funny.\u00a0 It sounded like his pa\u2019s had that time he\u2019d disobeyed and crawled under the corral fence and Pa had found him standing in the middle of a bunch of fast flying horses.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d run to him and caught him in his arms and then they\u2019d stayed there, in the middle of all those powerful beautiful horses, and he hadn\u2019t been afraid.<\/p>\n

Adam was afraid.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As he went under again, Joe\u2019s mind filled with an image from his past \u2013 he was looking down from the branches of a tree and Pa was looking up.\u00a0 Look at me,<\/em> Pa, he\u2019d thought.\u00a0 Look at me, I can fly.<\/em>\u00a0 And then he\u2019d let go of the tree branch because he knew his pa would catch him.<\/p>\n

Look at me, Adam.\u00a0 Look at me.\u00a0 I\u2019m not afraid.<\/p>\n

I know you\u2019ll catch me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was going to drown.<\/p>\n

His brother was going to drown right in front of his eyes!<\/p>\n

Adam ran for all he was worth along the edge of the river, almost keeping pace, ever so slowly falling behind.\u00a0 He\u2019d already lost a chance to catch his little brother once.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s fingers had been just within reach when the water pulled his brother down and swallowed him.\u00a0 As he\u2019d stood there for a split-second, staring in disbelief at his empty hand, he\u2019d realized there was absolutely nothing<\/em> he, as a man, could do.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t engineer it so the river dry up or conjure a dam out of thin air to stop his brother\u2019s fatal progress.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t run fast enough or reach far enough.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t do anything.<\/em><\/p>\n

Anything but pray.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s jaw was tight.\u00a0 The words were hard, like the words a man has to say to a father when he knows he\u2019s been wrong.\u00a0 His eyes went to his brother\u2019s small form as Joe was swept around a bend in the river, his curly brown head disappearing from sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, I\u2019ve got nothing.\u00a0 No strength.\u00a0 No knowledge.\u00a0 Nothing<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Adam swallowed hard as he began to run again.\u00a0 \u201cNothing but You.\u00a0 Please, God, save<\/em> my little brother.\u00a0 Send someone to help him if I can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod, please, please<\/em>, save Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt the river\u2019s current slow a bit as he rounded the bend. \u00a0Before him the waterway opened up and he knew he would soon be swept out and drown.\u00a0 There was a big fat tree that had fallen and was laying over the edge not too far away from him. \u00a0It\u2019s roots stretched out like a hand with open fingers.\u00a0 He concentrated on it, gauging how far away it really was and just when he\u2019d have to fight the current to reach and make a grab for it.\u00a0 The problem was his strength was failing.\u00a0 His muscles were so tired and he was so<\/em> cold.<\/p>\n

It was coming now.\u00a0 Coming right at him.\u00a0 He…just…had…to…catch…hold…<\/p>\n

Fingers closed on his and Joe looked up to see a familiar face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got you, child,\u201d Jonathan said as he lifted him from the river and anchored him on a low-lying branch.\u00a0 Joe felt those gentle fingers on his hair, the ones that felt so like Pa\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cRest, Joseph, your brother\u2019s almost here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d he asked wearily.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, child,\u201d the man with the curly hair said as he \u00a0turned to look back the way he had come.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Roy Coffee stood starin\u2019 at the ragin\u2019 river.\u00a0 They\u2019d arrived in time to catch Jud Mosley but too late to save Little Joe.<\/p>\n

It had been all he could do to keep Hoss from tearin\u2019 the man apart once they heard his story.\u00a0 Mosley had spit like a snake, strikin\u2019 out with as much venom as he could once he know\u2019d who the teenager was, tellin\u2019 him he drowned his little brother and that there weren\u2019t nothin\u2019 that older brother of theirs could do to make it not so.\u00a0 Mosley\u2019d know\u2019d \u00a0he was done and the outlaw was damn sure he wasn\u2019t gonna be the only one.<\/p>\n

Hoss was standin\u2019 now at the edge of the river, starin\u2019 at the water, lost.<\/p>\n

Roy said a word or two to his deputy and watched as he led Mosley away and then went to talk to the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s clear blue eyes flicked to his face and then away.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s was shinin\u2019 with tears and it was all he could do to keep from sobbin\u2019.\u00a0 Adam must have lost his hat when he started runnin\u2019, \u2018cause Ben\u2019s middle boy had it in his hands.\u00a0 His fingers kept ringin\u2019 it like they had to have somethin\u2019 to do since they couldn\u2019t squeeze the life out of the man what took his brother from him.<\/p>\n

Roy eyed the river again.\u00a0 How was he gonna tell Ben when he woke?<\/p>\n

He tried again.\u00a0 \u201cYou did your best, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head vehemently.\u00a0 \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t a believed I saw that man, if I\u2019d gone with Adam….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I wouldn\u2019t be here, son and, for all he beat that Drury feller, your pa would be layin\u2019 on that cabin floor dead instead of bein\u2019 alive and tended by Thom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pain wrinkled Hoss\u2019 young face.\u00a0 \u201cBut Joe….\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Roy placed a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou couldn\u2019t have done any more than your brother did, son.\u00a0 Adam tried his best.\u00a0 It\u2019s just God\u2019s will \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss jerked away.\u00a0 \u201cHow can my little brother bein\u2019 drownded be God\u2019s will!\u00a0 God ain\u2019t….\u00a0 He cain\u2019t<\/em> be that cruel!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe isn\u2019t Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice startled them both and they both turned in unison toward it.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright was standin\u2019 a ways down by the side of the river.\u00a0 He was shirtless.\u00a0 In his arms was a small form wrapped in the dry red shirt he\u2019d been wearin\u2019.<\/p>\n

Hoss shuddered from head to toe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

A second later the boy was runnin\u2019 for all he was worth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood there waiting.\u00a0 In his hands he held all that at that moment was precious in the world.\u00a0 It had been a miracle, plain and simple.\u00a0 There was no way Joe should have been able to reach the roots of that tree let along climb up into them, and yet that was where he found him, cradled in the tree\u2019s arms like a babe, suspended over the rushing river that would have happily swept him away to his death.\u00a0 He\u2019d had to be careful, climbing out and reaching down.\u00a0 He did it with a prayer on his lips as he would do everything from this day forward, knowing God was there and knowing He listened even when it seemed He didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

After all, how else could he explain what had just happened?<\/p>\n

What he\u2019d understood when he drew his little brother alive from that living cradle \u2013 when he was certain Joe was dead \u2013 was that no matter<\/em> how much he loved his little brother he couldn\u2019t be there every minute.\u00a0 Much as he wanted to protect him \u2013 and he would do his best \u2013 it would never<\/em> be enough.\u00a0 He had to trust, had to believe in a higher power that would keep his brother safe against the day when he was called, like his own mother, like Inger and Marie, to really and truly go home.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips quirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a long time for this one, God,\u201d he said as he looked down at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cGood and long.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that moment Hoss arrived.\u00a0 The big fellow had been running for all he was worth but stopped just short of reaching them as if, well, as if he was afraid.\u00a0 Tentatively he reached out and touched Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 He\u2019d done what he could, removing Joe\u2019s wet clothing and wrapping his baby brother in his dry shirt.\u00a0 He\u2019d chafed Joe\u2019s hands and watched as some small amount of color returned to the boy\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 But Joe was breathing hard and his skin was on fire.\u00a0 Still, his brother was here.\u00a0 He was alive.<\/p>\n

There was hope.<\/p>\n

Adam met his middle brother\u2019s anxious stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod only knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright woke to a world of pain filled with hushed voices.\u00a0 Firelight flickered low, casting weird shadows around the room.\u00a0 He opened and closed his eyes several times, fighting nausea, waiting for the world to stop spinning.\u00a0 Then he moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome back to the land of the living, Pa,\u201d a soft voice said even as a hand was laid on his arm.<\/p>\n

In the darkness it was hard to see, but as his eyes adjusted Ben realized it was Adam who was sitting next to him. \u00a0Even as he blinked another face appeared over Adam\u2019s shoulder \u2013 a broad, concerned one.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow ya feelin\u2019, Pa?\u201d his middle son asked.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrows peaked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been better,\u201d he grunted as he shifted to ease a pain in his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s to be expected when you put yourself in the path of a bullet and walk a mile with it still buried in your hide,\u201d Adam said quietly as he squeezed his arm.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re grateful you\u2019re still with us, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eldest\u2019s words made him frown.\u00a0 When <\/em>had he been shot?\u00a0 When walked?<\/em>\u00a0 And then, suddenly, he knew.\u00a0 He saw it.\u00a0 Joe running toward the rocks.\u00a0 Joe…falling…a bullet striking his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u00a0 Where\u2019s your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, grinning.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll wake the little feller.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWake?\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked at his sons and then followed their gaze to the small form lying curled up in the bed beside him.\u00a0 His hand trembled as he reached out to touch him.\u00a0 He had to know \u2013 had to know this <\/em>was real.\u00a0 When his fingers touched the boy\u2019s back, he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph…\u201d\u00a0 A moment later, he asked, \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips, a sure sign he had something to say that he didn\u2019t want to.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not out of the woods yet, Pa.\u00a0 Roy sent a man to get Doc Martin.\u00a0 Paul should be here soon.\u201d\u00a0 Ben watched as his eldest reached to place a possessive hand on his brother\u2019s head.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be okay, Pa.\u00a0 God will keep him.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d worried about Adam since he\u2019d come home.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s head was so full of knowledge that he feared there\u2019d be no room for what really mattered \u2013 home, his brothers \u2013<\/p>\n

God.<\/p>\n

Still, there was the hard question.\u00a0 He\u2019d had to ask it of Adam so many times \u2013 too many times for someone so young.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if He doesn\u2019t?\u201d Ben asked, the query as much for himself as for his son.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if God doesn\u2019t <\/em>keep Joe safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEither way, Pa,\u201d his eldest said, placing a hand on both of them.\u00a0 \u201cEither way, he\u2019ll be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rocked his chair back and ran his hands through his hair and then looked at his little brother where he lay on the bed, swaddled like a baby.\u00a0 Doc Martin had insisted they stay put at the cabin for nearly a week in order to let Joe and Pa heal.\u00a0 After the fourth day their father was pronounced well enough to leave the bed, but he seldom went any farther than the chair beside it.\u00a0 Joe was sick.\u00a0 Really sick.\u00a0 Fortunately, Joe hadn\u2019t been in the river all that long and the Doc said there wasn\u2019t much water in his lungs, but the trip down the rushing stream combined with everything else \u2013 the brand he\u2019d gotten from the bullet that could have killed him, the soaking Joe had taken in the rain, and just the shock and exhaustion \u2013 all of those together had culminated in a fever so high Paul had almost given him up.<\/p>\n

His father wouldn\u2019t give up though.\u00a0 He sat by that bed, holding Little Joe\u2019s hand day and night, his lips moving in constant prayer.\u00a0 At times he\u2019d taken a place beside him, lending his voice, but mostly he was listening and feeling privileged that he could.\u00a0 His pa wrestled with God like Jacob had, telling the Lord that he couldn\u2019t have<\/em> his son, reminding God of His promise that He had a plan for Joe, a plan not to hurt <\/em>him but the make him prosper.\u00a0 Adam smiled as he let the chair\u2019s legs fall back to the floor with a thump.\u00a0 Back at school, his classmates had said that men who had to rely on an idea of God were weak, that they needed a crutch, that they didn\u2019t have the strength<\/em> to stand on their own.\u00a0 He knew now how wrong they\u2019d been.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t one<\/em> single thing <\/em>that was weak about Benjamin Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Joe had spent most of the last four days raving, calling out for pa and for someone named Jonathan. None of them had any idea who that was, though they thought maybe it was someone who had helped him somehow along the way.<\/p>\n

They were all there, listening and watching, when Joe started talking plain as the day was long.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go,\u201d he said, clear as a bell.<\/p>\n

In spite of his own wound, which still pained him, Pa leaned in and took his brother\u2019s hand. \u201cNo one is going anywhere, Joseph.\u00a0 We\u2019re here.\u00a0 Your brothers and I are here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill I see…you again?\u201d<\/p>\n

His father looked at him.\u00a0 The Doc had told them Joe was better. \u00a0The fever was down and he\u2019d soon be on the mend.<\/p>\n

When his father nodded to him, he tried. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s Adam.\u00a0 Who are you talking to?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother\u2019s face screwed up in a frown. \u201cJonathan.\u00a0 Tell him…not to go….\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan.<\/em>\u00a0 His little brother had mentioned that name often.\u00a0 He\u2019d screamed and cried it over the last four days.<\/p>\n

He looked at his father and then at Hoss.\u00a0 Then he prodded, \u201cWho\u2019s Jonathan, Joe?\u00a0 Can you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother\u2019s lips parted in a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cSaved me…\u00a0 Pulled me…out….\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam exchanged a look with his father.\u00a0 Then he looked at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d he asked, leaning in close, \u201ccan you describe Jonathan?\u201d<\/p>\n

At first his little brother said nothing.\u00a0 Then a smile bent the corner of Joe\u2019s lips upward.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLooked like…me.\u00a0 Lots of curly hair.\u00a0 Handsome….\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snorted. \u201cNow, don\u2019t he just take the cake?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t laughing, he was frowning.\u00a0 His eyes went to his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think….\u00a0 Do you think what Joe saw was real, Pa?\u00a0 That Jonathan<\/em> is real?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor now we\u2019ll accept the fact that Joe thinks he\u2019s real, Adam.\u00a0 That\u2019s all that matters after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

But he didn\u2019t agree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was sitting in Joe\u2019s room, fighting nodding off.\u00a0 It was the moonlight, he told himself, streaming in the window, and the stillness.\u00a0 Stretching, he glanced at the door, remembering Doc Martin\u2019s form walking through it not all that long ago.\u00a0 The Doc had come back on the sixth day and pronounced him and Joseph fit to travel on the seventh.\u00a0 Horace Blunt had come with him.\u00a0 Blunt was to provide an escort and make certain they made it home safely.\u00a0 Ben could have ridden, but chose instead to sit in the back of the wagon and hold his son, insistent on letting the boy know by that touch that even though the mysterious Jonathan might have left, he wasn\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d never be<\/em> alone.<\/p>\n

It was a bittersweet moment when Ben laid his son in his own bed at the ranch house and took a seat in the chair beside him.\u00a0 There were only a few times in Joe\u2019s short life that he had felt completely helpless.\u00a0 One had been when his son had the whooping cough.\u00a0 This was another.\u00a0 There was nothing<\/em> he could do.\u00a0 Paul had come and gone here as well and said he \u2018d done everything he could.<\/p>\n

The rest was up to God.<\/p>\n

That was the problem with faith.\u00a0 It held you up when nothing else could.\u00a0 It supported a man and gave him the strength to continue.\u00a0 And should the worst come, it sustained him through the dark days and gave him the sure and certain hope to go on.\u00a0 But it was not a panacea.\u00a0 Faith did not promise a simple or easy path.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t keep a man from hurting or from losing.\u00a0 It only kept him going, putting one foot in front of the other, reaching out in the midst of the darkness for that ray of light that would one day lead him home.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a wise man, Benjamin,\u201d a soft voice said.<\/p>\n

Ben started and frowned as he gazed around Joseph\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

A man appeared, silhouetted against the pale light that fell through Joseph\u2019s window.\u00a0 He was slight and had a head of curly hair.\u00a0 There was a smile in the voice that replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you get in here?\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile remained.\u00a0 \u201cYou invited me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did no such thing….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018God, are you here?\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u00a0 I\u2019ve lived a good life, Lord, I\u2019m ready.\u00a0 But my boy….\u2019\u201d\u00a0 The man\u2019s words flowed like the river that had\u00a0 sought to take Joe\u2019s life, swift and sure.\u00a0 <\/em>\u201c\u2018He\u2019s so very young.\u00a0 Save him, Lord.\u00a0 Take me if you have to, but save Joe.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 The man paused.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Please, send someone to save him….\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s fingers gripped the bed frame going white.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u00a0 And don\u2019t tell me \u2018a friend\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man came closer.\u00a0 The moonlight struck his hair painting it bronze.\u00a0 \u201cA messenger then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA messenger?\u201d\u00a0 he frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWhat message do you bring?\u201d<\/p>\n

He felt a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, thou good and faithful servant.\u00a0 Well done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben woke with a start and looked up to find Adam standing beside him.\u00a0 His eldest had his hand on his shoulder and was watching him closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs something wrong, Pa?\u201d he asked, concerned.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his youngest sleeping peacefully for the first time in over a week and then covered his oldest boy\u2019s hand with his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing is wrong, son.\u00a0 In fact,\u201d he touched Joe\u2019s curly head with his other hand, noting that at last the fire was gone. \u00a0\u201cIn fact, everything is going to be all<\/em> right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EPILOGUE<\/p>\n

Two sleepy heads appeared outside of their bedroom doors, followed closely by two very weary male forms.<\/p>\n

Twenty-two year old Adam Cartwright rubbed his head and then ran a hand along the back of his neck as he looked down the hall toward his little brother\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow many nights has it been now?\u201d he asked his brother Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour,\u201d the teenager said, shaking his own head of reddish-blond hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly <\/em>four?\u00a0 Are you sure?\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinking it\u2019s five.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss thought a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, I think you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive nights without nightmares,\u201d Adam said, yawning.\u00a0 \u201cWill wonders never cease.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how come you and I are out here, standin\u2019 in the hall in our night shirts at two o\u2019clock in the mornin\u2019 when Joe ain\u2019t <\/em>yellin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s too<\/em> quiet?\u201d<\/p>\n

The teenager snorted.\u00a0 \u201cIf that don\u2019t beat all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without warning the door to Joe\u2019s room opened and their father stepped out.\u00a0 The older man pulled the door closed behind him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you two doing up?\u201d he asked as he ran a hand across his stubbled chin.<\/p>\n

Hoss cocked his head and placed a hand on the back of his neck and then grinned that irresistible grin he had.\u00a0 \u201cWe could be askin\u2019 you the same thing, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could,\u201d the older man admitted, \u201cbut then I don\u2019t have to answer while you two do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right,\u201d Hoss said looking down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too quiet, Pa,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo<\/em> quiet?\u201d\u00a0 Their father snorted.\u00a0 \u201cAre these the same<\/em> two boys who complain almost nightly about their sleep being disturbed by their little brother\u2019s nightmares?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam crossed his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cWell, yeah, that would be us, but you see….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Pa right eyebrow arched toward his graying hair.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you make me \u2018see\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too<\/em> dang quiet, Pa,\u201d Hoss spit out.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cLeastwise when Joe\u2019s shoutin\u2019 we know, well, we know he\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their father\u2019s look softened.\u00a0 He nodded as if he understood.\u00a0 Then he admitted, with a sheepish grin, \u201cWhy do you suppose I <\/em>was in Joe\u2019s room?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d sure be happy to hear Joe \u00a0shoutin\u2019 about havin\u2019 dragons in his bed again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr telling Polly Prentiss to take a hike,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

Their father nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I am sure your little brother will soon be exercising his lungs once more.\u201d\u00a0 A strange look came over the older man\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAs soon as they\u2019re mended enough to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Paul say when he came in tonight?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 He and Hoss had been out attending to ranch business.\u00a0 The doctor had left and their pa gone to bed before they were able to ask what he\u2019d said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s out of danger, but there\u2019s some serious mending to do ahead.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be confined for a few weeks and then, even after that, unable to go to town to school for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll teach him, Pa,\u201d Adam said, adding with a shrug, \u201call that schooling\u2019s got to be good for something.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father\u2019s other eyebrow joined the first one, lifting toward his hairline.\u00a0 \u201cIs that all <\/em>it was good for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t all, Pa,\u201d Hoss said soberly.<\/p>\n

They both turned toward him. \u201cOh?\u201d they said in concert.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know that\u00a0 black hat I bought Adam last Christmas?\u201d his brother asked.\u00a0 \u201cSeems his head got big enough it\u2019s finally gonna fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their Pa yelled at them a minute later for wrassling in the hall and sent them both to bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his head toward the door.\u00a0 He could hear his pa and brothers talking in the hall.\u00a0 Most likely they were talking about him.\u00a0 For the first few days he\u2019d thought they were the bad men who shot his pa and he\u2019d yelled and yelled trying to make them go away.\u00a0 Then, a day or two back \u2013 he wasn\u2019t really sure how long \u2013 he\u2019d opened his eyes and looked and seen his pa and Adam and Hoss all looking back at him.\u00a0 He knew then he was safe.\u00a0 He knew he was home.\u00a0 He knew that everyone who mattered was there with him.\u00a0 Everyone but<\/em> one.<\/p>\n

He missed Jonathan.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t really sure who Jonathan was, but he was<\/em> sure he was real.\u00a0 Pa kept telling him all that mattered was if he was real to him, and Adam and Hoss kind of smiled and then looked away.\u00a0 But he knew.\u00a0 He <\/em>knew.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

He knew <\/em>Jonathan was real.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father and your brothers know the truth in their hearts, Joseph.\u00a0 They are simply too old to admit it with to themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked and found him, standing in front of the open window, the wind ruffling his curly chestnut hair.\u00a0 \u201cYou came back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan left the window and came to the bed.\u00a0 As he sat down, he said, \u201cI never left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I haven\u2019t seen you \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you won\u2019t most of the time.\u00a0 But I\u2019ll be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe drew a breath and summoned what little energy he had to raise up and prop himself on the pillows.\u00a0 \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan reached out and brushed the curls away from his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cI told you, Joseph.\u00a0 I am a messenger.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI remember.\u00a0 I asked Pa about that and he said that\u2019s the Greek word used in the Good Book for \u2018angel\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was a portrait in concentration.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about it.\u00a0 Are<\/em> you an angel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you believe in angels, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

He thought a moment more and then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what do you think an \u2018angel\u2019 is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think it\u2019s kind of like my pa,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHe can\u2019t be everywhere at once so he\u2019s got all these ranch hands.\u00a0 I think….\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe paused.\u00a0 \u201cI think maybe angels are God\u2019s hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan nodded solemnly.\u00a0 \u201cWell put.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo….\u201d\u00a0 He hesitated again.\u00a0 \u201cHave you…well…seen <\/em>God?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man with the curly hair smiled. \u201cMany times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s He look like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan reached out and laid a hand alongside his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cYou have seen him many times too, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you have.\u00a0 You see Him in your father\u2019s love, in his care, and even in his anger.\u00a0 You felt Him in your brother Adam\u2019s loving arms as he drew you from the river like Moses and wrapped you in warm dry clothes, and heard him in your brother Hoss\u2019s voice when he called so desperately, thinking you were lost.\u00a0 You know God in Paul Martin\u2019s touch and in Roy Coffee\u2019s wary stare.\u201d\u00a0 Jonathan caressed his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou are surrounded by God, Joseph, every day in every way.\u00a0 He is in the heart of those you love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo God doesn\u2019t have a face?\u00a0 I mean, like you and I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGod\u2019s face is infinitely wise; the look out of his eyes, infinitely profound. \u00a0Were you to see Him you would fall senseless at His feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s voice was hushed.\u00a0 \u201cDo you<\/em> fall senseless?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan straightened up and rose. \u201cAlways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going away?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook in your father\u2019s eyes, Joseph.\u00a0 Look to<\/em> your brothers\u2019 arms.\u00a0 You will find me there.\u00a0 And when there is a special need, well, you may see me again.\u00a0 There will come a time, though, when you have grown too old for me like your brothers, and then you will find me as a voice in your ear warning you of danger, a shadow that your eyes see that says \u2018beware\u2019, and as the answer to the prayers your lips whisper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never <\/em>grow too old,\u201d Joe protested even as he yawned and began to slide down the pillow.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI swear<\/em> I won\u2019t….\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan laughed as he leaned forward to ruffle his curly hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joseph, you might just be right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright sat in the big blue velvet chair by the hearth.\u00a0 He\u2019d tried to return to bed after subduing his boys, but sleep eluded him.\u00a0 As he sat there, his Bible open on his lap, he thought back over the last two weeks.\u00a0 The trip to Placerville had been routine.\u00a0 Go to the bank, get the payroll money, come home and pay the men.\u00a0 One man \u2013 one sick greedy man had changed it all.\u00a0 He\u2019d lost two good men.\u00a0 He\u2019d been shot and his youngest son had almost died, and for what?\u00a0 For money.\u00a0 Not even for power, or for glory.<\/p>\n

Just money.<\/p>\n

Ben leaned his elbow on the chair arm and ran his fingers across his chin.\u00a0 Then he pressed his lips to the back of his hand and stared.\u00a0 So much had happened, it was hard to take it in.\u00a0 Once he and Joseph had fallen off the road\u2019s edge, it all became a jumble until he woke up in the cabin, though he remembered the long walk along the ravine carrying his injured son with crystal clarity, and the prayer that had issued from his lips as he lay there at the bottom thinking \u2013 no, believing<\/em> they were both going to die.\u00a0 He had no memory of how they had come to be in the cabin.\u00a0 Joseph said it was his friend Jonathan. \u00a0Jonathan had carried them there, he insisted.\u00a0 Jonathan had cared for them….<\/p>\n

Jonathan, Joe insisted, was real.<\/em><\/p>\n

It had taken some work to convince Joe that he was not to blame for what happened.\u00a0 In time his son had come to see that the choice he\u2019d made due to his nightmare \u2013 to run off and try to save him \u2013 had done just that.\u00a0 If Joseph had not shown up when he did, most likely he would have been dead.\u00a0 Slater and Mosley would have taken his money and killed him outright and then headed to the Ponderosa for more, putting his brothers\u2019 lives in danger as well.\u00a0 Joseph\u2019s intervention \u2013 showing up when he did \u2013 had tipped the scales. \u00a0Drury Slater thought he could be controlled through his son and so both their lives were preserved to that end.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s nightmare had been the catalyst, but it was his son\u2019s headstrong impulsive nature that had saved them in the end.<\/p>\n

And saved Adam as well.<\/p>\n

His oldest son had been drifting.\u00a0 \u00a0He knew it.\u00a0 He\u2019d given the boy his head and let him sail free.\u00a0 Now it seemed, due to the trial they had endured, that Adam and his faith had come safely home to harbor.<\/p>\n

Ben shifted and looked again at the text that lay open before him.\u00a0 He\u2019d been searching for it and found it at last.\u00a0 It was a Psalm number ninety-one, in fact, and it read in part \u2013<\/p>\n

\u2018For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.\u00a0 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Or be struck by a bullet.<\/p>\n

Or become the prey of evil men.<\/p>\n

Or fall into a raging river.<\/p>\n

As Ben closed the Bible he rose and went to the open window.\u00a0 Looking at the rising sun beyond it, for a moment \u2013 just a moment \u2013 he thought he saw a slight man with curly hair standing on the horizon looking back at him.\u00a0 The man remained still for a moment and then he raised a hand and waved before disappearing into the dawning light.<\/p>\n

Ben did the same, although he didn\u2019t disappear into the light. Instead he went upstairs to his bed and laid down and quickly fell asleep, his vigil over.<\/p>\n

God was watching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Family, Hoss Cartwright, hostage, JAM, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, JPM, SJS<\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0 When 10 year old Joe Cartwright awakes screaming his pa\u2019s name in the night, his brothers assume the young boy is afraid since their pa is away in Placerville. What they can\u2019t know is that Joe\u2019s nightmare is all too real and their brother\u2019s reaction to it will catapult all four Cartwrights on a journey that will end with both their father and little brother losing their lives \u2013 unless Heaven intervenes.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (41,980 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10058,"featured_media":30556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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":[2,23,41,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-prequels","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/MyBrothers-Keeper-one-small.jpg?fit=1200%2C1516&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13490","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\/10058"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}