{"id":13844,"date":"2005-02-27T08:41:35","date_gmt":"2005-02-27T13:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13844"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:07","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:07","slug":"revenge-of-the-stranger-by-helenb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13844","title":{"rendered":"Revenge of the Stranger (by HelenB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0A\u00a0 WHN for the episode, The Stranger<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (9,775 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Revenge of the Stranger<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright walked into the Lucky Lady saloon in the small town of Clarksville and asked the bartender if Sam Larson was there. When the man was pointed out to him, Joe got a beer, walked over to Larson\u2019s table and sat down. Putting his beer glass on the table, Joe knocked it over, the contents spilling over Larson. The man jumped to his feet, brushing at his pants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u201cHave a little accident, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sam Larson glared at Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t push me, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m scared,\u201d Joe said sarcastically as he stood to his feet, reaching out he pushed Larson and asked, \u201cWhat are you going to do about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it outside,\u201d the bartender shouted, \u201cI don\u2019t want no trouble in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard the man,\u201d Larson said to Joe, \u201cOutside. I\u2019ll finish what you started.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The two men stood in the street as people ran to get out of the way. Two guns echoed almost simultaneously and one man fell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stared down at the body of Sam Larson, he looked up when he heard a voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGive me your gun,\u201d Sheriff Robert Mattheson said, \u201cYou\u2019re coming with me,\u201d he took Joe\u2019s gun from him and roughly pushed him towards the jail. \u201cTake care of that,\u201d he told his deputy as he nodded at the body of Sam Larson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A man named Jeff Saunders stepped up to them before Joe and the sheriff reached the jail. \u201cYou can\u2019t lock him up for that,\u201d Saunders said, \u201cLarson started to draw first. Everyone saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the sheriff here, not you,\u201d Sheriff Mattheson said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen you should know the law,\u201d the man retorted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it!\u201d Mattheson thrust Joe\u2019s gun back into his hand, \u201cBut you watch your step, boy. Because I\u2019m going to be watching you very carefully, one step out of line and you will find yourself in my jail up on murder charges.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff walked away and Saunders turned to Joe. \u201cGood job, kid. Come on lets go. I\u2019ll take you to see the boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The people in the street looked nervously away as Joe walked to the stable to get his horse. None of the men wanted to earn the ire of the young man who they\u2019d just seen shoot down someone so coldly and so quickly. The boy had only been in town a few days and already he\u2019d killed one man. No one wanted to be notch number two.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe rode alongside Saunders until they reached a small house a few miles out of town. When they stopped and dismounted, Joe felt his heartbeat quicken but he gave no sign of his feelings. Saunders knocked on the door and both men were shown in. Looking up from his desk the man Saunders worked for asked, \u201cIt went well?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saunders nodded and replied. \u201cHe did the job. Sam Larson is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe could not keep the look of shock from his face. Up until this moment it had been Saunders who had passed on the messages from his boss. Now Joe got his first look at the man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeduque,\u201d Joe whispered to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joseph,\u201d Leduque said coldly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to pull himself together. He hated this man and to know now that he was involved with his father\u2019s disappearance made Joe\u2019s blood run cold. Less than a year ago, Charles Leduque had arrived in Virginia City saying he had a warrant for the arrest of Ben Cartwright for a murder that had happened twenty years ago and he\u2019d said he was taking Ben back to New Orleans to face murder charges. The truth had been revealed; that Ben had been cleared of those charges and Leduque had planned to kill Ben before they ever reached New Orleans. Leduque held Ben responsible for an incident that had partially crippled him. A man named Simon La Roche had been blackmailing Marie about her past, she had paid him until Ben found out and put a stop to it. Ben had killed La Roche in self-defence when the man had tried to kill him. Leduque had accidentally shot himself in the knee when trying to arrest Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s my father?\u201d Joe almost spat the words at Leduque, \u201cWhat have you done to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing you need to know is that your father is still alive,\u201d Leduque paused and stared into Joe\u2019s eyes before continuing, \u201cAnd he will stay that way as long as you do as you are told.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did what you told me to,\u201d Joe said angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was just a test to make sure you were capable of following orders,\u201d Leduque replied and Joe just stood there waiting for the man to continue, \u201cYou work for me now. You\u2019ll never get the blood off your hands and it\u2019ll be your fathers blood if you don\u2019t continue to do as I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt his stomach churn and the bile rose in his throat. Joe shook his head. \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque held up his hand, silencing Joe and said, \u201cYou can and you will. We\u2019ve made a deal. If you fail to do as I have instructed you to, you will be responsible for the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a deal!\u201d Joe shouted, \u201cI want\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque raised his hand and pointing at Joe he said angrily, \u201cDon\u2019t raise your voice to me, boy! You will do as I say unless you want me to give you the next piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face drained of all color and he swallowed hard and then asked, \u201cWhy are you doing this? What happened to you was not my father\u2019s fault. It was your gun and your bullet. You fell. It was just an accident,\u201d Joe tried to reason with Leduque.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe thought back to what his father had told him about the journey Ben had set out on with Leduque. Ben had agreed to accompany the former inspector back to New Orleans. On the way there they had been attacked by Indians and their horses had been stolen. They had started to walk. Leduque had collapsed, unable to go on and Ben had carried him until they reached a stage station.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe\u2019s words had no effect he became angrier. \u201cMy father saved your life. He carried you on his back for miles. He could have left you to die out there in the desert!\u201d Joe shouted the words at Leduque.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe should have,\u201d Leduque replied simply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my father saved you, you told him that you no longer hated him,\u201d Joe paused and stared at Leduque and then he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s changed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anger blazed in Leduque\u2019s eyes. \u201cNothing\u2019s changed,\u201d he said coldly, \u201cIn a moment of weakness, I almost let myself forgive him but after we went our separate ways it didn\u2019t take me long to realize that my feelings hadn\u2019t changed. I feel the same way now about Ben Cartwright that I\u2019ve felt for the last twenty years. I hate him. He destroyed my life,\u201d Leduque paused and the look on his face sent a chill down Joe\u2019s back, then he said, \u201cAnd now I intend to destroy him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see my father,\u201d Joe almost pleaded. He could see he was getting nowhere by trying to reason with Leduque and his worry for his father was increasing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSoon,\u201d Leduque replied, \u201cbut whether you see him dead or alive will be up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a step forward, his fists clenched. The click of a gun being cocked sounded. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t if I was you,\u201d Saunders said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque just sat there. Finally, he said, \u201cGo,\u201d as he nodded towards the door, \u201cSaunders will pass on my next job for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe continued to stand there and glare back at him, Leduque said, \u201cYou will learn to do as I say or you will be receiving that next piece very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt sick to his stomach and quickly turned away, not wanting Leduque to see the effect his words were having.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saunders followed Joe outside, they had only just stepped out the door of the house when Joe learnt over and was violently sick. Wiping his sleeve across his mouth, he straightened up and saw Saunders watching him. The man shook his head with a look of disgust on his face and said, \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be Mr Leduque\u2019s hired killer you had better get a stronger stomach than that boy,\u201d he laughed as he continued, \u201cbut then again I don\u2019t know why Mr Leduque expects a boy to do a man\u2019s job.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath, fighting to control his temper and turned away. He didn\u2019t care what Saunders thought of him, what anyone thought of him. The only thing Joe was concerned about was getting his father back. Going to his horse, Joe mounted up. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything,\u201d Saunders called out as Joe started to ride away, \u201cDon\u2019t do anything stupid. You\u2019re being watched!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss were on their way home after a trip to San Francisco, they knew Ben and Joe were in Clarksville and decided to make a detour there so they could ride home with their father and young brother. When they walked into the Lucky Lady saloon everyone in the room turned and looked at them and there was silence for a minute before people resumed their conversations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at each other, both had an uneasy feeling. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Hoss asked the bartender.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019 personal against you,\u201d the bartender replied, \u201cEveryone\u2019s just a bit wary of strangers at the moment.\u201d The man nodded towards the door, \u201cMan name of Sam Larson was gunned down outside earlier today. Kid that did it is stayin\u2019 here. Real fast with a gun he is. Sam didn\u2019t stand a chance. Kid just outright murdered him is my way of thinking.\u201d Having taken a sip of his beer, Adam almost choked when the bartender spoke his next words, \u201cGoes by the name of Cartwright. Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Adam asked sharply, \u201cIs Joe all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man nodded. \u201cDidn\u2019t get a scratch,\u201d he was starting to get a bit nervous, \u201cDo you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright brothers ignored the question and Adam asked, \u201cWhat happened? I want to know exactly what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man looked around and Adam and Hoss noticed that everyone had once again stopped talking and were looking at them. The bartender licked his lips nervously and began, \u201cThis Cartwright kid booked a room here a few days ago. This morning he started in on Sam. Sam was just in here havin\u2019 a drink. He was a real nice fella,\u201d the bartender stopped, afraid, he didn\u2019t want to make the two men he was talking to angry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd?\u201d Hoss prompted the man to continue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bartender looked around the room as if seeking help. One man called out, \u201cI was a friend of Sam\u2019s. Cartwright pushed and pushed, talking down to him until Sam couldn\u2019t do anything but call him out. That kid was fast. Fastest I\u2019ve ever seen. It wasn\u2019t a fair fight. That kid\u2019s just an outright murderer.\u201d At the look on the faces of Adam and Hoss, the man looked away, belatedly realizing he might have said too much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Adam said to Hoss and both men headed for the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d Hoss asked when they were outside, \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Joe wouldn\u2019t do something like they just said. And where\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, wishing he knew the answers. \u201cLets go talk to the sheriff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you have no idea where your brother is now?\u201d the sheriff asked, after Adam and Hoss had told him who they were and what they\u2019d heard in the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam shook his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened? I can\u2019t believe Joe would kill someone the way they\u2019re sayin\u2019 he did,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Sheriff frowned and was about to start talking when Adam looked out the window and saw his young brother riding down the street towards the Lucky Lady saloon. Adam headed for the door, calling over to Hoss, \u201cIt\u2019s Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had just dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching rail when he heard his name being called and recognised the voice of his oldest brother, he turned quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Where\u2019s Pa?\u201d Adam asked as soon as he reached Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s knees nearly buckled beneath him, the relief of having his brothers with him now was over whelming. He wanted to tell them everything but he knew he couldn\u2019t, not yet. Joe looked around quickly. There were people all around and he was worried any one of them could be working for Leduque. He knew he would have to be careful what he said. All the way back to town Joe had felt an uneasy feeling of being watched.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d Adam asked again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Hoss said quietly, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s not here. I\u2026\u201d Joe started to reply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam cut him off. \u201cWhat happened today, Joe?\u201d Adam was becoming frustrated about not getting any answers. \u201cIs it true what they are saying about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe didn\u2019t answer, Adam grabbed his arm and said angrily, \u201cI asked you a question.\u201d Joe pulled his arm free.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss knowing something was seriously wrong by the way Joe was acting, said, \u201cNot here, Adam. Let\u2019s go somewhere where we can talk in private.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was torn with indecision. He wanted to talk to his brothers, to tell them everything that had happened but he didn\u2019t want someone to see them and think he was trying to pass on a message. He looked around him and then quickly led the way into the Lucky Lady saloon. Adam and Hoss followed Joe upstairs to his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Joe?\u201d Adam asked, as soon as Joe had shut the door, fear and worry making his voice sound sharp.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Little Joe?\u201d Hoss asked gently as he walked to his brother and then pushed the young man into a chair and squatted down beside him. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cBut Pa\u2026..\u201d he broke off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pulling a chair over, Adam sat next to Joe and put his hand on the young man\u2019s back. \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa, Joe?\u201d he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and told his brothers what had happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were waiting to make that deal for the horses, Pa was real happy with it. Pa went to finalize it and I came here to get us a room. Pa never showed up. I looked all over town but couldn\u2019t find him. I was just going to go and see the sheriff but a man stopped me and gave me this.\u201d Joe got up and walked to the bedside table. Opening a draw he took something out. Adam noticed the smell and his heartbeat quickened as Joe handed the item to him and trying to prepare both his brothers he quietly said, \u201cIt\u2019s bad.\u201d Joe turned away, not wanting to see it again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at the material that Adam held, knowing it was their father\u2019s bandana, now covered in dry blood. Adam slowly unwrapped it and gasped at what he saw, \u201cA finger,\u201d he said, shocked. Adam quickly balled the material back up, fighting down the bile that rose in his throat he put it back in the draw not wanting to hold it any longer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face was screwed up with pain. \u201cWe don\u2019t know that it\u2019s Pa\u2019s,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho else\u2019s would it be?\u201d Joe fought hard not to shout the words, knowing his brothers were shocked by what he had just shown them. \u201cThe man who gave it to me, his name is Jeff Saunders. He said he was working for someone but he wouldn\u2019t tell me who. He said that if I didn\u2019t do what he told me to that they\u2019d kill Pa and give him back to me a piece at a time,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice broke and he started to cry. Adam and Hoss now understood with horror the situation Joe had been trying to deal with alone. Joe started to pace the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss went over and put his arm around his young brother, trying to give Joe what comfort he could. \u201cSo you don\u2019t know who is behind this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss felt Joe tense and he gently squeezed the boy\u2019s arm. Joe took a deep breath and said, \u201cSaunders just took me to him today,\u201d he looked up at Hoss and then over at Adam before he continued, \u201cIt\u2019s Leduque.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Adam said, shocked, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019m sure,\u201d Joe snapped, pulling away from Hoss, Joe continued to pace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gently grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and led him back to the chair. Pushing Joe into it, Adam squatted down beside him and said softly, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. We\u2019re all just on edge.\u201d Joe leant forward with his arms clutched around his stomach. Adam ran his had down his young brothers back. \u201cYou most of all hmmmm,\u201d he said comfortingly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t stand it anymore, Adam,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice broke on the words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continuing to rub his brothers back, Adam asked, \u201cWhat did Leduque want you to do?\u201d When his brother didn\u2019t answer, Adam asked again, \u201cWhat did he want you to do, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked into his oldest brother\u2019s eyes and replied, \u201cHe told me to kill someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sucked in a breath and grabbed his brother\u2019s arms. \u201cTell me you didn\u2019t,\u201d he said anxiously, without waiting for an answer he continued, \u201cWas it Sam Larson you were told to kill?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe slowly nodded his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d Adam said softly, his eyes showing his shock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Silence fell on the room for a moment. Adam and Hoss were too shocked to say anything. Joe tried to explain. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand. It\u2019s not what you think. Saunders passed on the message to me. He told me to force Larson into a gunfight with me. I\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop it, Joe,\u201d Adam said sharply, \u201cWhat is there to understand! There\u2019s no excuse for what you\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was almost at breaking point, he fought against the fear that his father was dead; he didn\u2019t want to believe that. And looking at his brothers he could see the shock on their faces at what they were hearing now. He wanted to talk to them about it; to explain, but as he was about to start talking again, Adam shook his head and said, \u201cThere\u2019s no point in talking about it. It\u2019s done,\u201d Adam almost choked on the words, \u201cWhat we have to concentrate on now is getting Pa back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy won\u2019t you listen to me!\u201d Joe shouted, his nerves stretched tight, \u201cI was here by myself. I had to do what I thought was best. You\u2019ll understand if you let me explain. I made the decision to deal with it the way I did. If Pa dies it will be my fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned away but not before Hoss saw the tears in his young brother\u2019s eyes. Hoss walked over and gently turned Joe to face him, he pulled him into his arms and held him tightly. \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right, Little Joe. I promise. Don\u2019t worry, it will be all right.\u201d And Hoss prayed that it would be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, listen to me\u2026.\u201d Joe implored his brothers but he was interrupted by the noise of shouting coming from the hallway outside the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFire! Fire! Everyone out!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were shouts from downstairs as people started to run outside. \u201cCome on,\u201d Adam said to his brothers, \u201cWe better find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Downstairs everyone was walking around with looks of confusion on their faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s the fire?\u201d Hoss asked. People shrugged and shook their heads in reply. No one knew what was going on. There appeared to be no fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Standing behind his older brothers, Joe didn\u2019t see the man who slipped up behind him but he recognised the voice, \u201cCome with me,\u201d Saunders said, and Joe felt a gun pressed to his back, his own gun was pulled from his holster and taken from him and then he was forced through an alley and pushed onto a horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a false alarm,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cI wonder what\u2026..\u201d his voice trailed off when he looked behind him and saw that Joe wasn\u2019t there. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe!\u201d he shouted at Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked around, starting to panic. \u201cI don\u2019t know, he was right here with us a minute ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both brothers looked urgently for any sign of Joe. Something caught Hoss\u2019 attention out of the corner of his eye and he turned to look. Hoss recognised his young brother, leaving town with another man. Grabbing Adam\u2019s arm, he pointed, \u201cThere!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Adam replied and both men ran for their horses. As they mounted, Adam said, \u201cWe\u2019ll have to be careful to stay out of sight.\u201d Hoss nodded and they rode out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou were seen talking to two men in town and by the descriptions they sound like your brothers,\u201d Leduque stared hard at Joe, \u201cI\u2019m right, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded, he knew there was no point in trying to deny it, \u201cI didn\u2019t know they were coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave you told them anything?\u201d Leduque didn\u2019t take his eyes off Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said, hoping Leduque would believe him, \u201cI didn\u2019t have time to talk to them,\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t stand the pressure any longer and snapped, \u201cI did what you wanted. Now I want you to keep your bargain and let my father go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque shook his head. \u201cI can\u2019t do that. We\u2019re not finished. You haven\u2019t done your second job yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe shouted angrily, \u201cNo more! How do I know that my father is even alive? I want to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque nodded. \u201cI can allow that. And then you will do the next job I give you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see my father,\u201d Joe replied simply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake him to his father,\u201d Leduque told Saunders. \u201cBlindfold him and make sure he has no idea of where you are taking him. Then bring him back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saunders nodded. \u201cCome on,\u201d he said to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was blindfolded and taken out to a horse, he mounted and Saunders took the reins. \u201cDon\u2019t try and take the blindfold off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to keep track in his mind of the direction they were going but they twisted and turned so often that by the time they reached their destination and Saunders told him to dismount, Joe knew he\u2019d never be able to find his way back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A door was opened and Joe was pushed inside and the blindfold taken off. He blinked at the light and when his eyes adjusted to it he saw his father sitting tied to a chair and gagged. Ben\u2019s hands were tied behind his back and Joe couldn\u2019t see them but the sight of his father sent relief flooding through him. \u201cPa,\u201d Joe said, as he moved towards his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man who was guarding Ben pointed his gun at Joe and said, \u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to make sure he\u2019s all right,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Saunders said, \u201cI was told to let you see your father. You\u2019ve seen him. Now it\u2019s time to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked back at his father, trying to communicate silently with him, until he was blindfolded again and then pushed towards the door. When Joe heard the door open, he knew he had to make his move, he ripped the blindfold off and then spun around, hitting Saunders and knocking the man over. The man who had been guarding Ben, pointed his gun at Ben and told Joe, \u201cRemember you caused this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Joe screamed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes jerked to the door at the sound of someone coming and suddenly Adam and Hoss burst inside, guns firing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saunders dived through a window just as the two oldest Cartwright brothers started shooting. The man who had been guarding Ben was wounded in the gunfire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had followed Joe and had been outside, debating their next move when they\u2019d heard the shot. They\u2019d come running but everything had happened so quickly. Too quickly. Both brothers sighed with relief at the sight of their father but swiftly that relief turned to shock and dismay when they saw their young brother lying at their father\u2019s feet in a pool of blood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Adam whispered and then sprang forward to help Joe while Hoss quickly released their father. As soon as he was free, Ben dropped to his knees beside his sons as Adam and Hoss tried to stem the blood flowing from Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwrights waited impatiently as the doctor worked on Joe. With all that had happened, Adam realised he\u2019d forgotten about his father\u2019s hands. Ben looked across at Adam and saw the young man staring intently at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour hands,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about them?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss jerked in remembrance and also looked at his fathers hands. Sighing with relief when he saw them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey gave Joe a finger,\u201d Hoss said, still feeling sick at the thought, \u201cAnd told him it was yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy God!\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes swung to the door behind which lay his youngest child. Ben\u2019s own stomach churned at the thought of what the boy had been through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at his two oldest sons who were waiting in the room with him and then said, \u201cTell me what happened? How did you find me? I want to know everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss filled Ben in. Ben\u2019s heart almost stopped when he was told about Joe killing Sam Larson. \u201cNo,\u201d Ben said, shocked at what he had just been told, he shook his head disbelievingly, \u201cLittle Joe wouldn\u2019t do that. It\u2019s not possible. There must be some mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no mistake, Pa,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cJoe killed that man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben put his head in his hands. He knew Joe had done it for him. \u2018But at what cost?\u2019 Ben asked himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door opened and Sheriff Mattheson walked out. The Cartwrights had brought the wounded man in with them. The doctor was going to work on him after Joe had been looked after. The Cartwrights jumped to their feet but Mattheson shook his head and told Ben, \u201cThe Doc\u2019s still operating on your son.\u201d Ben blew out the breath he\u2019d been holding since the door opened and turned away. \u201cThat other man you brought in just died,\u201d Mattheson continued.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned back to face Sheriff Mattheson, \u201cMy boys shot in self defence.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Mattheson nodded, \u201cThey\u2019ll be no charges.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid he tell you anything?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mattheson nodded, \u201cA bit. He didn\u2019t know much about Leduque. According to him Saunders did most of the dirty work. Leduque seems like he is quite mad but not everything he did was planned in advance. It looks like some things just fell into place for him. He had a few others working for him, they didn\u2019t know a lot about what he was doing. They were hired only to keep an eye on Joe. Just as Leduque was setting his plan into action, one of those men was killed in a riding accident. A horse trampled him out where Leduque\u2019s staying. Leduque had him buried out there,\u201d he paused and looked at Ben before you continued, \u201cIt was then that Leduque decided to cut that man\u2019s finger off and have it given to Joe and tell him it was yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt his stomach turn and he clenched his hands into fists. \u201cIs there no end to that man\u2019s insanity?\u201d he said with barely controlled anger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know the place where Leduque\u2019s staying. I\u2019ll go out there now,\u201d the sheriff said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want Hoss and I to go with you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Mattheson shook his head. \u201cNo, he said, glancing at Ben, \u201cYou\u2019d better stay here with your father. I\u2019ll get a couple of other men to go out there with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before anymore could be said, he quickly left, hoping to catch Leduque and Saunders still there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was on the verge of collapsing, \u201cSit down, Pa,\u201d Adam encouraged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow much longer?\u201d Ben muttered, not hearing Adam, his thoughts only of Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam made his father sit down and then put a hand on his back. \u201cHe\u2019ll be all right, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded and took a deep breath. \u201cBut what happens then, Adam?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, Pa?\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens to Joe? Will he be in trouble for killing that man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam said quickly, \u201cRegardless of the fact that Joe initiated the gunfight, from what we\u2019ve heard, it was a fair fight. Joe\u2019s not going to get in trouble over this,\u201d Adam said firmly, \u201cWe won\u2019t let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everyone turned towards the door when they heard it open and Ben jumped to his feet, asking anxiously, \u201cHow is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mr Cartwright\u2026.\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before the doctor could continue, Ben slumped back into his chair, his face white with shock. Adam and Hoss squatted down beside their father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked up at the doctor. \u201cHe\u2019s dead?\u201d he asked quietly, fearing the answer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother suffered a severe wound to his back, the blood loss was extreme,\u201d the doctor paused for a moment, not wanting to give false hope, he tried to choose his next words carefully, \u201cI\u2019ve done what I can for him but I don\u2019t think he will live through the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up quickly. \u201cHe\u2019s still alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor nodded and Ben was on his feet in an instant, pushing past the doctor in his eagerness to reach his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor grabbed Adam\u2019s arm as he and Hoss started to follow their father. \u201cDon\u2019t let your father get his hopes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded briefly and without speaking he followed his father and brother into the back room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat on a chair beside the bed and reached out his hand to brush the hair away from Joe\u2019s forehead, feeling the heat from the fever that was raging in Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss stood beside their father. Looking at Joe, it was obvious to them just how ill he was. Joe was pale, the only color coming from the flush of the fever. He wasn\u2019t moving at all, his shallow breaths barely making his chest move.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor slowly approached them. \u201cI am sorry. I wish there was more I could do for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned his eyes from his young brother to the doctor and asked, \u201cYou got the bullet out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the doctor replied, \u201cbut it was a long and difficult operation. Considering the seriousness of the wound, the blood loss, shock, pain, it\u2019s a miracle he\u2019s still alive. But now he just has nothing left to fight with.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t know my brother. He\u2019ll keep fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can we do for him?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe could try packing him in ice,\u201d the doctor said, \u201cIt\u2019s a drastic thing to do and it could send his body further into shock but if he\u2019s to have any chance at all we have to get that fever down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do it then,\u201d Hoss said, \u2018Tell us where to get the ice, Doc, and we\u2019ll fetch it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss got the ice and returned as quickly as possible. It wasn\u2019t long until Joe was completely surrounded by it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moaned and slowly opened his eyes, staring up at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben cried, overjoyed to see Joe awake, \u201cIt\u2019s going to be all right, son.\u201d Ben sought to reassure him. \u201cYou just hang on. It\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moaned again and shuddered, he didn\u2019t say anything but Ben could see how cold he was and there was no mistaking the pleading in Joe\u2019s eyes for his father to help him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d Ben said softly, stroking the wet hair away from Joe\u2019s face, \u201cso sorry. I know you feel awful but you\u2019re running a temperature and we have to get it down.\u201d Ben hoped that Joe understood why they were doing this to him, he was relieved when Joe nodded slightly. Ben reached through the ice and took Joe\u2019s hand in his, squeezing it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had just brought some more ice in and the doctor had spread it around Joe, who had slipped once again into unconsciousness. Adam stood at the doorway and watched, worry and fear almost consuming him. Worry for the boy he loved so much who was struggling to stay alive. And worry for his father, for if the boy died, Adam knew his father would blame himself. Ben sat beside the bed, clutching his son\u2019s hand, with his head bowed. Adam knew his father was praying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss went to stand beside his father, putting a hand on the man\u2019s shoulder and bowing his head. Adam took the few steps to stand on the other side of Ben and did the same thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

During the night Sheriff Mattheson came to tell the family that when he\u2019d gotten to the house it had been empty. There had been no sign of Leduque or Saunders. Seeing that the Cartwrights only concern at that moment was Joe, he\u2019d left them alone. Telling them he would talk to them later.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally the fever broke and Joe moved restlessly, uncomfortable in the wet bed. The family quickly changed the bedding and made Joe as comfortable as they could. Ben once again took his son\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stirred, groaning as he moved and Ben bent closer. Joe\u2019s eyes blinked, it was a struggle for him to open them, when he did he looked up into the loving face of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gently brushed the hair away from Joe\u2019s forehead and asked, \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe said, croakily, \u201cYou all right?\u201d he could hardly keep his eyes open but his only concern was for his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben lifted Joe\u2019s head and supported him while Hoss held a glass to his brother\u2019s lips. When Ben laid his son back down, he brushed his cheek and murmured, \u201cGo back to sleep, Joseph. Everything\u2019s fine. It\u2019s going to be all right now. You just go back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

A few hours later, Joe was awake again and the doctor smiled as he finished examining him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Doctor Benson said, \u201cYou certainly proved me wrong,\u201d he looked at Joe\u2019s family and continued, \u201cand this is one time I\u2019m glad I was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for all you\u2019ve done, Doctor,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCall me Steve,\u201d Doctor Benson replied, \u201cAnd I\u2019m glad I was here to help.\u201d In the short time he\u2019d known the family, the doctor had come to like them all very much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor looked back at Joe and saw that the young man\u2019s eyes were locked on his father. \u201cI\u2019ll leave you alone. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s a lot you all need to talk about,\u201d Doctor Benson said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs Joe up to that?\u201d Ben asked, as he looked from his son to the doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Ben. He\u2019ll go to sleep when he\u2019s tired. Don\u2019t be concerned if he falls asleep in the middle of talking to you though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor left the room and Ben went and sat on the bed beside Joe. Adam and Hoss took chairs near by.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour hands?\u201d Joe asked, trying to look at both of his father\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy hands are fine, son,\u201d Ben replied and held them both up for Joe to see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe breathed an audible sigh of relief and said, \u201cI was so afraid they\u2019d\u2026.\u201d Joe trailed off, tears welling in his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took Joe\u2019s hand in his and said softly, \u201cI know what they told you, Joe. I\u2019m so sorry you had to go through that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head dismissively. He wasn\u2019t worried about himself. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben replied reassuringly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it was Leduque\u2026\u201d It was a struggle for Joe to get the words out but he needed his father to know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhhh, son,\u201d Ben leant forward so he could look into Joe\u2019s eyes, \u201cI know and it\u2019s all right. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease forgive me,\u201d tears pooled in Joe\u2019s eyes and he clutched his father\u2019s hand with all the strength he had as he begged, \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt tears come to his own eyes at his son\u2019s obvious distress. Stroking Joe\u2019s arm, Ben said, \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joseph. I understand why you did it. I\u2019m so sorry you had to go through this. It\u2019s my fault for bringing Leduque into our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Joe shook his head, \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault. You couldn\u2019t know what Leduque would do,\u201d Joe shivered, \u201cHe\u2019s evil, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pulled the blankets tighter around his son, not sure if Joe\u2019s shivering was caused because he was cold or from memories of what Leduque had put him through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him, Pa?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe got away, Joe,\u201d When Joe struggled to sit up, Ben gently held him down, \u201cStay still, Joseph. You\u2019ll hurt yourself. He won\u2019t get away with this, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wanted me to kill someone, Pa,\u201d Joe needed his father to understand, \u201cHe said if I didn\u2019t, you\u2019d be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said, trying to comfort Joe, \u201cDon\u2019t think about that now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I couldn\u2019t, Pa. Please, you have to understand. I\u2019m so sorry, but I couldn\u2019t.\u201d Joe\u2019s breath was coming in gasps as he got more and more upset.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s family looked at each other, confused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While Ben tried to settle Joe down, Adam leant over the bed, \u201cJoe, buddy,\u201d he said softly, \u201cWhat are you saying? What do you mean that you couldn\u2019t do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, \u201cI couldn\u2019t,\u201d he looked into his father\u2019s eyes, \u201cI love you so much, Pa, but I couldn\u2019t. I couldn\u2019t kill him. Please forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor had come back into the room and quickly moved to the bed, \u201cI\u2019ll give him something to settle him down and help him sleep, he\u2019ll tear his stitches open if he keeps this up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam continued to hold Joe still until the doctor gave him an injection and he closed his eyes in sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Doctor Benson asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were just talking and he became upset,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s understandable. He\u2019s been through a lot. It\u2019s going to take him a long time to recover from this both physically and emotionally.\u201d Doctor Benson had heard parts of what had happened while he had been helping the family to look after Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his forehead in thought and asked, \u201cWhat do you think Joe meant when he said he couldn\u2019t kill him? Couldn\u2019t kill who?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes stayed on Joe as he answered, \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe Leduque asked him to kill someone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHasn\u2019t Joe told you about Sam Larson yet?\u201d the Cartwrights turned to the door when they heard Sheriff Mattheson\u2019s voice, they hadn\u2019t heard the doctor\u2019s wife show him in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we know about him,\u201d Adam said, \u201cWe know about the gunfight and that Joe killed him,\u201d at the Sheriff\u2019s curious look, Adam asked, \u201cIs there more to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the sheriff replied emphatically, \u201cSam Larson isn\u2019t dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Ben jumped to his feet, \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Sheriff Mattheson nodded to a chair, \u201cI think I have a lot to tell you about,\u201d when Ben sat down the sheriff continued, \u201cI haven\u2019t had a chance to talk to you about this before. Joe came to see me one night. He was so nervous, he was anxious that he not be seen talking to me. He told me his father had been kidnapped and showed me the finger that he\u2019d been given. He said he\u2019d been told to kill a man, Sam Larson. The story seemed so far fetched but I believed Joe. We came up with a plan,\u201d the Cartwrights waited for the rest of the story, almost holding their breaths, \u201cI went to see Sam Larson and told him what Joe had told me. It seems he\u2019d recently had a run in with a man in town. He didn\u2019t know the man\u2019s name at the time but now I know that it must have been Leduque. It didn\u2019t amount to much in Sam\u2019s mind but it was obviously enough for Leduque to single him out. Sam agreed to go along with us. Joe had blanks in his gun. He pretended to shoot Sam. The only other person who knew about the plan was my deputy and I had him take Sam away after the shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive?\u201d Ben asked, shocked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the sheriff nodded, \u201cHe\u2019s at my house. Sam\u2019s not married, he has no family in town so we didn\u2019t have to worry about them being upset at his supposed death. Not even the undertaker knew, I had my deputy put some rocks in a casket and nail it shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about Larson\u2019s friends?\u201d Adam asked, \u2018What if one of them had decided to take things into their own hands and shoot Joe.\u201d A look of fear shot across Ben\u2019s face, he hadn\u2019t thought of that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Mattheson nodded, \u201cJoe knew that was a possibility. When we talked about it, he said he didn\u2019t care what happened to him,\u201d the sheriff looked at Ben, \u201cHis only concern was for you. You were all he was thinking about. He was worried something would go wrong and they\u2019d kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben walked back to the bed and carefully sat down beside Joe. \u201cOh, Joseph. Is that why you think you needed my forgiveness? Because you couldn\u2019t kill someone?\u201d Ben stroked the hair away from his young son\u2019s face, \u201cI am so proud of you. So very proud. You did nothing that you need to be forgiven for,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It was a few hours later that Joe started to stir. Slowly he blinked his eyes open and looked up into the face of his father. Ben had remained sitting beside Joe, unwilling to move away. He wanted to be there when the boy awoke so he could straighten things out with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben reached out and stroked the side of Joe\u2019s face. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThirsty,\u201d Joe replied softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben reached over to the bedside table and got a glass of water, \u201cHere,\u201d he said as he lifted Joe\u2019s head and helped him to drink. Adam and Hoss came into the room and seeing Joe was awake they happily greeted him and sat down beside the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk,\u201d Ben said, carefully, watching for Joe\u2019s reaction. The worried father squeezed his son\u2019s hand, \u201cYou have to stay calm all right,\u201d Joe nodded and Ben smiled, \u201cIt will be all right, son. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Keeping hold of Joe\u2019s hand, Ben said, \u201cSheriff Mattheson was here earlier. He told us about the plan you both came up with, how you pretended to shoot Sam Larson.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe looked into his father\u2019s eyes, \u201cI\u2019m so sorry. I\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry for what, Joe? You have nothing to apologise to me for,\u201d Ben said sincerely. Joe started to shake his head in denial. Ben put his hand to Joe\u2019s face to still the movement. \u201cYou did nothing wrong. Nothing. Please understand that, Joe. I am so proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t kill him,\u201d Joe squeezed his father\u2019s hand tighter, \u201cI love you so much, Pa. I thought there was nothing in the world I wouldn\u2019t do for you. But I couldn\u2019t kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son. I know,\u201d Ben comforted, \u201cIt was a horrible position Leduque placed you in. But you did the right thing. You did the only thing you could. You would never have been able to live with yourself had you done as Leduque wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI would never have been able to live with myself if you had died,\u201d Joe struggled to get the words out as tears slipped from his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gently gathered Joe into his arms. \u201cIt\u2019s over now, Little Joe,\u201d Ben said softly as he held his son in his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cLeduque\u2019s still out there somewhere,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben heard the quietly spoken words and knew that Joe was afraid. He hugged the boy tighter and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about Leduque, Joseph. We\u2019re with you now and we\u2019ll keep you safe. That\u2019s a promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Two days later, Joe was feeling a lot better. Sitting up in bed he was talking with his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about the things I said to you, Joe, that first day we got here,\u201d Adam said regretfully, \u201cI jumped to the wrong conclusions. I realise now that you tried to tell me but I wouldn\u2019t listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Joe replied, \u201cSo much was happening. We all had a lot on our minds. It doesn\u2019t matter now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes it does,\u201d Adam said, learning forward from the chair he was sitting in. \u201cI should have trusted you. I should have had more faith in you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before replying. \u201cNo,\u201d he shook his head, \u201cI don\u2019t think I deserve that faith,\u201d Joe looked at his father who sat beside him on the bed, \u201cIt was so hard to go through with the plan, knowing what I was risking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat took true courage, Joseph. Sometimes we have to make hard choices and pray that things work out the way we want them, too,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you might have died,\u201d Joe looked away before his father saw the tears that threatened to fall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben carefully turned Joe\u2019s face back towards him. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cAnd the decision you made, as hard as it was, was the right one. You didn\u2019t do anything wrong,\u201d Ben said and smiled, \u201cYou know you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With the strength of his father\u2019s love and understanding, Joe felt the guilt he\u2019d been carrying start to wash away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Two weeks later, Ben helped Joe to get dressed. The doctor had finally said Joe was well enough to travel. Ben had hired a buckboard and as well as supplies for the trip, he bought a mattress, blankets, pillows and anything else he thought they\u2019d need to make the journey home comfortable for his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With an arm around Joe\u2019s waist, Ben helped him walk to the buckboard. Joe started to walk towards the front of it, intending to pull himself up onto the seat. \u201cNo, you don\u2019t,\u201d Ben laughed and gently pulled Joe towards the back of it, \u201cYou\u2019re going to lie down, doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoc Benson said I could sit up if I felt like it,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell Doctor Cartwright\u2019s over ruling him and you,\u201d Ben said, struggling not to smile at the look on his young son\u2019s face as he settled him in the back. Joe saw his father\u2019s eyes twinkling and laughed, Ben\u2019s laughter soon joined his son\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss tied Ben and Joe\u2019s horses to the back of the buckboard and then mounted his own horse to ride beside Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Towards the end of that first day on the trail home, the Cartwrights made camp. Ben sat beside Joe, heating some stew while Adam and Hoss bedded the horses down for the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later, with everyone sitting near the fire, Ben dished up the food. Joe proceeded to push his around half heartedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The family noticed that something was worrying Joe, he kept glancing around and couldn\u2019t seem to relax. The others looked at each other and shrugged not knowing what the problem might be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d Ben asked, \u201cAre you in pain?\u201d he reached out to touch Joe\u2019s forehead, reassured when he felt no fever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe answered distractedly, seeing the worried looks on the faces of his family, he tried to set aside the uneasy feeling he had and said, \u201cI\u2019m fine. Just anxious to be home, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure that\u2019s all it is?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and attacked his food with gusto hoping to convince not only his father that there was nothing wrong, but himself as well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The elder Cartwrights continued to keep an eye on the youngest. It had been a long day and when Joe finally fell asleep, the others weren\u2019t long in joining him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Hearing a cry, Ben\u2019s eyes shot open and he sat up, it was still night but the fire gave off enough light to see and Ben was horrified at the sight that met his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had been pulled to his feet and behind him stood Saunders, holding a gun to the boy\u2019s head. Leduque stood beside them, a gun held in his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had also woken at the noise and like their father, jumped to their feet, hands reaching for their guns. They were as shocked as their father at what they saw and all three men were angry at themselves for not having thought to have one of them stand watch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saunders jerked Joe roughly, making him cry out. He savagely pushed the gun barrel into the side of Joe\u2019s face, drawing blood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPut the guns down now or Saunders will shoot him,\u201d Leduque said cruelly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeduque, I\u2019m warning you now. If my son is harmed any further, I\u2019ll shoot you down and send you on your way to hell because that\u2019s surely where you belong,\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes were filled with fear for his son and fury at Leduque and Saunders for what they were doing to the boy, \u201cLet him go!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leduque shook his head. \u201cYou ruined my life, Cartwright. You have everything while I have nothing except a crippled leg. I thought it was way past time I evened things out. I\u2019ll tell you what,\u201d Leduque looked coldly into Ben\u2019s eyes, \u201cI\u2019ll make you a deal. I\u2019ll take your life or his,\u201d Leduque nodded towards Joe and Saunders shook him once again, Joe bit his lip to stop himself from crying out, \u201cYou choose.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without hesitation, Ben said, \u201cLet him go, Leduque, and you can do whatever you want to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, no!\u201d Joe screamed, twisting, he brought an elbow back and struck Saunders hard in the face. Pulling free, Joe kicked the man in the groin. Lunging for Leduque, Joe fell as Saunders reached for him again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had just been waiting for an opportunity, as soon as Joe pulled free, Adam shot Saunders, killing him instantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the confusion of the moment, Leduque turned toward Joe gun in hand. \u201cLeduque!\u201d Ben yelled. Leduque swung his gun in Ben\u2019s direction. Two guns fired. Leduque\u2019s bullet went wide, Ben\u2019s hit its target.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rushed to his youngest son\u2019s side, seeing the blood staining the back of Joe\u2019s jacket, he knew the wound had broken open, carefully he rolled Joe over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still alive. Just,\u201d Adam called over as he checked Leduque, he glanced at Saunders, \u201cThe other one\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded distractedly. Hoss handed his father a canteen and Ben wet his kerchief and wiped it over Joe\u2019s face hoping to rouse him. Joe started to murmur and move, his eyes flickered and opened. \u201cPa,\u201d he said happily as he opened his eyes to see his father leaning over him, \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Joe. Don\u2019t worry about me.\u201d Gently rolling Joe onto his side, Ben continued, \u201cYou\u2019ve broken your stitches open, try and hold still while I have a look.\u201d Hoss helped his father clean the blood away. They were both relieved that it didn\u2019t look like too much damage had been done. They soon had the wound cleaned and bandaged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his head slightly and saw Adam standing over Leduque, \u201cPa, Leduque and Saunders, are they\u2026.\u201d Joe started to ask.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhh,\u201d Ben replied, comfortingly, \u201cThey can\u2019t hurt you anymore.\u201d Ben picked Joe up and carefully placed him on the bedroll that Hoss had straightened out. \u201cThis is the second time in two weeks that you\u2019ve saved my life, Joe. You are making quite a habit out of this,\u201d he said as he pulled the blankets up over the boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime,\u201d Joe replied softly, smiling up at his father before closing his eyes. Ben stayed with Joe until he was asleep and only then did Ben turn his attention to Leduque.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had put a shirt to the wound in Leduque\u2019s stomach to staunch the flow of blood but there had been little else he could do. Adam had kept one anxious eye on his little brother while Ben and Hoss had been looking after him and the other eye on Leduque. Adam knew Leduque was mortally wounded but he felt no sympathy for the man. He doubted Leduque had the strength to try anything but he was taking no chances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben knelt down next to the dying man. \u201cWhy did you do this, Leduque? Why did you try to turn my son into a killer? Was your hate for me so strong that you would destroy a boy\u2019s life because of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the best way to hurt you. I wanted to make you suffer the way I\u2019ve suffered all these years because of you.\u201d Even though he knew he was dying, Leduque was unwilling to let go of the hate that had been a part of his life for so long.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head at the insanity of the man and said, \u201cYou\u2019re the one that ruined your life Leduque. A bullet crippled your leg but hate crippled your mind. You let it eat away at you until it was the only thing you were living for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben saw a flicker in Leduque\u2019s eyes that may have been regret but then it was gone as Leduque shuddered and drew his last breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next morning, the Cartwrights buried Leduque and Saunders. Ben stood next to the graves, he looked over to the buckboard where Adam and Hoss were helping Joe into the back, then turned his eyes back to the graves and said, \u201cI promised Joe we\u2019d keep him safe from you and now he is because you can\u2019t hurt him anymore. Maybe God will forgive you, Leduque, but I won\u2019t.\u201d Determined that he would once again relegate Leduque to the past and not dwell on the man and his madness, Ben turned and walked over to join his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

A month later, Doctor Martin pronounced Joe fit to start riding again, much to the young man\u2019s relief. Joe had been gone from the house for a few hours when Ben started to worry and decided to go looking for him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben made his way to the grave that overlooked the lake. When he saw Cochise, head down, cropping grass, he knew his instinct about where to look first had been correct. Dismounting he walked over to his son. Joe turned at the noise, \u201cHello, Pa,\u201d Joe said, when his saw his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat down beside Joe and put an arm around his shoulders. \u201cI was worried about you. You\u2019ve been gone quite a while. Are you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. I didn\u2019t mean to worry you. I just felt like I needed to come here. There\u2019s things I can\u2019t seem to get out of my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, son,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cDo you feel like talking about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis all started because my mother paid that blackmailer, La Roche,\u201d Joe said quietly, he wasn\u2019t sure how Ben would feel about talking about the events of all those years ago.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben though, understood Joe\u2019s need to talk about it and so, difficult as it might be for him, he promised himself that he would answer all of his son\u2019s questions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded encouragingly and Joe continued, \u201cI know before, when Leduque came to Virginia City and said he wanted you to go back to New Orleans and stand trial for the murder of La Roche, you told me that what my mother did before you met her was of no importance to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s honestly how I feel, Joe. I loved your mother, I still do. It never mattered to me what had happened in her past.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt matters to me,\u201d Joe said the words so quietly that Ben had to lean further towards Joe to hear them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d Ben said sadly, \u201cDon\u2019t let what happened with Leduque tarnish the memories you have of your mother. I know that Marie had some very difficult years in New Orleans. We talked a little about it, not much though. That was your mother\u2019s choice. Marie offered to tell me everything if I felt that I needed to know but I knew she wanted to put it behind her so that\u2019s what we both did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut didn\u2019t you wonder?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben shook his head, \u201cYour mother started a new life out here with me and her past never came between us. I never regretted for an instant that I married her. We didn\u2019t have many years together but they were happy ones. And she gave me you,\u201d Ben slowly stroked his hand up and down his son\u2019s arm, \u201cI thank God for bringing her into my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t say anything and Ben gently turned his sons face towards him, seeing the tears pooled in Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cLet it go, Joe. Leave the past where it belongs, don\u2019t drag it up and carry it with you like Leduque did for the rest of your life. Marie loved you so much. It would break her heart to know that something she had done in the past had brought you so much unhappiness now. Keep the memories of your mother happy ones, Joe. She deserves that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded and wiped the tears away, smiling at his father, he said, \u201cYou\u2019re right. The memories I have of her are happy ones and that\u2019s the way I want to remember her. Whatever Mama did before she married you, doesn\u2019t change the person she was, the person that I knew. I will always lover her, Pa, and nothing could ever change that.\u201d Joe looked into his father\u2019s eyes, and said softly, \u201cThank you, Pa, for helping me to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pulled Joe closer to him and father and son sat together, sharing memories of a woman long dead but still deeply loved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Note: The character of Charles Leduque and references to his previous encounters with Ben are from the episode, \u201cThe Stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

February 2005<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0A\u00a0 WHN for the episode, The Stranger<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (9,775 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10321,"featured_media":9733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,13],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1871,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Didnt-pay-to-be-Ben.jpg?fit=467%2C341&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4756,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4756","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":0},"title":"Tending To Business (by pjb and dbird)","author":"pjb","date":"April 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0It's never business as usual when the Cartwrights are around. . . . Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC 9800","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4Cartwrights.jpg?fit=849%2C541&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1440,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1440","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":1},"title":"Tending to Business (by DBird & pjb)","author":"DBird","date":"July 16, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0It's never business as usual when the Cartwrights are around. . . . \u00a0Written by dbird and pjb. Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a09800","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza31.jpg?fit=573%2C389&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12327,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12327","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":2},"title":"Tempted to Steal (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0When Adam falls in love with a married woman, it sets off a chain of events that eventually leads to pandemonium for all the Cartwrights. Rated:\u00a0 PG13 for spousal abuse\u00a0 (15,020 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12911,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12911","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":3},"title":"The Stranger – A Missing Scene (by Jenny G)","author":"Gwynne & JennyG","date":"January 11, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 What followed when Roy released Little Joe from jail. Rating:\u00a0 K+ (1,130 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1.5x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2446,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2446","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":4},"title":"Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold (by Laura Brodie)","author":"Laura Brodie","date":"April 30, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe dances with the devil as he comes up against a man who is nothing but\u00a0 evil. Joe fights crossing over to the dark-side in order to best the man at his own game. Rating \u00a0R \u00a0WC 149,000","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/First-Born-copy.png?fit=476%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15510,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15510","url_meta":{"origin":13844,"position":5},"title":"A Moving Tale #2 – The Golden Saloon (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"December 3, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0How to cure a broken heart. Rating:\u00a0 M\u00a0 (2,380 words) A Moving Tale Series, links to all stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13844","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\/10321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}