{"id":13861,"date":"2010-03-01T07:44:29","date_gmt":"2010-03-01T12:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13861"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:54:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T17:54:41","slug":"friends-and-strangers-by-camera-chic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13861","title":{"rendered":"Friends and Strangers (by Camera Chic)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: Little Joe decides to find an old friend of Ben’s, and along the way learns about growing up and responsibility. This story is a sequel to “At the Hands of Strangers”, but it stands alone.<\/p>\n

Rating: PG-13 for mild language, strong language, violence\u00a0 (28,670 words)<\/p>\n

At the Hands of Strangers Series<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Hands of Strangers<\/a>
\nFriends and Strangers<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Friends and Strangers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo times two is four, two times three is six, two times four is eight,\u201d the children chanted in unison.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abigail Jones walked slowly between the rows, smiling and nodding at her students- who obviously had diligently practiced their timetables over the weekend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All except one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was an empty desk where the youngest member of the Cartwright family should be. Abigail frowned. \u201cThat boy\u2026\u201d she muttered to herself. He had the intelligence to do anything he set his mind to\u2026but he never set his mind. Well, his father would be receiving a visit later today. This was the fifth time in two weeks he had missed school. The boy was out of class more than he was in it, and when he did attend, he always managed to distract the other students or cause trouble somehow. Yesterday he was making the other children laugh every time she had her back to the class. Two days before he put spiders in the hair of the two girls sitting in front of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abigail shook her head, and the student in front of her gulped and stumbled over the next two problems out of nervousness, thinking he had just got one wrong. Abigail suddenly realized the look on her face was not conducive to positive learning, and she quickly smiled and walked back to the front of the room. A talk with Ben Cartwright would be in order. Especially since the math test was Friday, and if the youngest Cartwright expected to not fail the test, he had better well attend every day until then.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Several streets away, behind the mercantile, two fifteen year olds were sitting on the ground well out of sight of the street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo how come you don\u2019t have to go to school?\u201d Little Joe Cartwright asked. He tossed a rock toward a tin can that was a few yards away. It glanced off the side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other boy shrugged offhandedly. He was skinnier than Joe, if such a thing were possible, and taller. Joe had met him yesterday when he and Adam were in town, and had been instantly fascinated by his worldliness and how casually he spoke of it. His name was Andrew Harris, and he had lived in Texas with his stepfather until a month ago. He had seen and done things that Joe hadn\u2019t even heard of\u2026and that Adam and Ben would have had something to say about if they knew.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andrew carefully selected a stone and took aim. \u201cMy stepfather says education\u2019s a waste. And I agree. Anyways, I\u2019m glad I\u2019m not stuck in a stuffy classroom with a boring teacher, learning multiple-caption\u2026or whatever that is. I ain\u2019t got no use for any of that book learnin\u2019 stuff.\u201d Andrew\u2018s rock landed in the can.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at him. \u201cOh\u2026well my Pa makes me go. And my older brother Adam says book learnin\u2019s important.\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cI\u2019d just rather work with horses\u2026Yes,\u201d cheered Joe under his breath as his next toss landed perfectly with a clang.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d said Andrew, a little bit of the worldliness that Joe found so fascinating creeping into his voice, \u201cThere\u2019s a whole lot to learn you ain\u2019t gonna find in them books.\u201d Andrew picked up another rock. \u201cYou ever been in a saloon?\u201d he said casually.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s ears perked up. Only once\u2026when he was five or six and he had followed Adam in without his knowing. Adam had been really mad when he turned around to see his younger brother standing in the middle of the room staring at the women\u2026and all the older men in the saloon laughing. Joe cringed slightly, remembering the talking-to Adam gave him for that one. Joe cleared his throat. \u201cSure,\u201d he replied as he picked up his last rock. The stone hit the edge and bounced away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andrew stood up and brushed the dirt from the seat of his pants. \u201cWell, come on. There\u2019s a saloon called the Bucket of Blood just around the corner. I\u2019ve got some money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gulped. \u201cBut\u2026would they let us in?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Andrew laughed. \u201cWhy not? Just follow my lead, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and followed Andrew.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGive me another one, Sam,\u201d Hoss said, putting his empty mug down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d the bartender replied, sliding a new mug across the counter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam had been in town all morning, getting supplies. They were going to move the herd to another pasture this weekend, and although it wasn\u2019t a huge move, they still needed some things. Most of the supplies would be in on Friday, so they got what they could and then would have to come back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell looky there,\u201d Sam said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t turn now, but your younger brother and some other boy just came in. I don\u2019t think he sees you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sure enough, when Adam carefully looked around, Joe and his friend had taken a table in the back. Joe appeared entirely too carefree, excited, and even a little nervous to have realized that his older brothers were there. One of the girls came up to Sam at the bar. \u201cThey want two whiskeys, Sam. Oh, hi Adam, Hoss. Is it okay\u2026?\u201d She hadn\u2019t even finished her sentence and Adam was away from the counter and pushing his way through the crowded saloon. She looked at Hoss, who sighed. \u201cNo, it ain\u2019t okay,\u201d he replied, and finished his beer and tossed the money on the counter before following his brother into the back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was laughing at some joke Andrew just told, when suddenly he realized the rest of the saloon had gone quiet. He was puzzled for a moment, but then closed his eyes and dropped his head, knowing why they were all quiet. \u201cJoseph. Francis. Cartwright. You get your butt out of that chair and outside this instance.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice hadn\u2019t been raised, but Joe felt all the same like he was screaming at the top of his lungs. Joe jumped off the chair and almost ran for the door, amid laughter from the rest of the people in the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside, he was leaning against the wall when Hoss and Adam came out. Adam stood right in front of him, staring down at him, and Joe did his best not to squirm. \u201cWhere\u2019s your horse?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pointed down the street. \u201cMidnight\u2019s in\u2026the stable\u2026at school.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why aren\u2019t you there as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe bit back a smart answer. Getting Adam angrier at this point would not help things. \u201cI decided to go with Andrew instead. And he\u2026suggested we go to the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Joe replied, quite without thinking, and then immediately wished he could take half of it back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was a little surprised at the \u201csir\u201d as well, but decided not to pursue it. At least the kid knew he was in trouble. \u201cGo get your horse, and be back here in ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned and ran down the street. Ten minutes meant ten minutes, and not ten seconds more. He knew Adam was furious, as much as his father would likely be, but Joe was a little more scared of Adam sometimes. He could be a lot stricter then their father, and Joe didn\u2019t doubt that if Adam thought it necessary, he wouldn\u2019t hesitate to give him a tanning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It was a silent ride home. Joe was still grooming Midnight when Hoss and Adam were done with their horses. Adam went up to him and pulled the brush out of his hand. \u201cEnough,\u201d he said. \u201cI know what you\u2019re doing. Hoss can finish this; we\u2019re going inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe exchanged a brief glance with Hoss, and then reluctantly followed Adam out. Hoss could tell Joe was intensely disappointed. He had probably hoped not to be there when Ben was told, and also that Hoss would be there to soften the blow. He had such a forlorn look on his face that Hoss felt deeply sorry for him, but there was nothing he could really do. What Joe did was just outright wrong, and he knew it. His regret was probably getting caught.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About ten minutes later Joe came back out to the barn. He walked up to Midnight and looked him over for a minute, before burying his face in the horse\u2019s mane.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026?\u201d Hoss said, and walked up to him from the back of the barn where he had been cleaning the horses\u2019 tack. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d The teen turned an angry tear streaked face to his older brother. \u201cThat bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYou know how Pa said I could have the weekend free, for keeping up with all my chores and because they wouldn\u2019t really need me? Well, he changed his mind. I have to help Adam move the herd all weekend, and do whatever he says. It\u2019s going to be horrible, Hoss. You know he\u2019ll pick the worst jobs for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. It was true\u2026their brother wouldn\u2019t go easy on him. Adam was right most of the time, but Hoss wished he\u2019d lighten up a little. Joe wasn\u2019t a bad person; he was just\u2026well\u2026he wasn\u2019t a bad person. Hoss ran his hand through Joe\u2019s hair, mussing it up. \u201cDon\u2019t you worry none, buddy. It\u2019s only for the weekend, and\u2026I\u2019ll bet if you do a good job, older brother won\u2019t be quite as angry. I bet he\u2019d even be impressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A smile glanced across Joe\u2019s face for a moment, but he was still upset. It seemed too strict a punishment for the \u201ccrime\u201d he had committed, but Hoss was right. There was no point in getting Adam even angrier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello!\u201d someone called from outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss went to the door. \u201cWhy, it\u2019s Ms. Jones.\u201d He watched as Adam and Ben helped her down from her buggy, and then they all went in the house. He turned back to find Joe sitting on the ground with his head in his hands. \u201cJoe\u2026what\u2019s wrong? Are you ailin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head as Hoss knelt down in front of him. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna get much worse,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe cringed as their father\u2019s voice echoed across the empty yard. He reluctantly got up and walked outside. This just wasn\u2019t his week.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

As soon as Ms. Jones announced it was the end of class, Joe grabbed his books and stood up. He had to get out of here before Ms. Jones gave him\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u2026the note.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped at the schoolhouse door and slowly turned back. Ms. Jones was holding out the piece of paper. Joe groaned and shuffled to the front of the room and took the note. He shoved it in his pocket and then turned and left the building. As he saddled Midnight, he could feel his anger rising. The fight hadn\u2019t been his fault. Exactly. Sure he had thrown the first punch\u2026but only after Billy had been picking on him all day. Billy had knocked him down in the play yard this morning, and been whispering cruel things during class when Ms. Jones couldn\u2019t hear. It had been the last straw during lunch when he had called Hoss names. Joe knew he was just a bully, but he couldn\u2019t bear to have his best friend being insulted. And so he had started the fight. Joe was sure that was all the note had said as well- that he had thrown the first punch. He knew the second he got home he would be in trouble for it. His father and eldest brother were both pretty angry last night, and he knew they would be a lot less than pleased now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He wondered what kind of punishment would be in store for him. He already had to help Adam all weekend, and after Ms. Jones had left last night he was restricted to the ranch for two weeks\u2026which meant he was going to miss the fishing trip he and three of his school friends had been planning for the following weekend. He also had to attend school every day; if Ms. Jones caught him out, it would mean an extension of his ranch prison sentence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he rode into the clearing in front of the ranch house, he could tell it wasn\u2019t going to be good. Hoss and Adam were getting cleaned up at the pump\u2026and both of them looked hot and tired. Joe led his horse in the barn without a word, and he knew Hoss and Adam were probably staring at him. He finished taking care of Midnight, and then ran in the house before either of his brothers could say anything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly he approached Ben\u2019s desk. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was engrossed in his work, and hadn\u2019t even noticed Joe come in. He looked up. \u201cOh, hello Joe- Joseph!\u201d he cried as he saw his son\u2019s torn clothes and bruised face. \u201cWhat in tarnation happened\u2026?\u201d Ben took the note from Joe\u2019s outstretched hand, and read it with building anger. He put it down and took a deep breath. \u201cGo to the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, if you\u2019d just let me explain-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Joseph!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe quickly turned and ran out the front door. He now knew what kind of punishment was coming.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss had come just as Joe left. Adam closed the door after him, and followed Hoss to the study. He took in Ben\u2019s stormy expression, and raised an eyebrow. Ben handed him the note, and then got up from the desk without a word and went outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned to Adam. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked up from the note. \u201cHe started a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss whistled. \u201cWhat\u2019s gotten into that boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but he sure picked the worst time to start acting up. We have three different contracts to fill, and the herd to move\u2026\u201d Adam dropped the note on the desk. \u201cHe better not keep this up; I don\u2019t care what the excuse is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe sulked down to dinner a little late, and gingerly sat down and picked up his napkin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave fun at school?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe immediately glared at him. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you be quiet?\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben said loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned to Ben. \u201cHe started it!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s quite enough,\u201d Ben said firmly, and both Adam and Joe knew not to pursue the issue. At least not now, thought Joe, glaring at the smug look on his eldest brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A few moments of silence passed. After what Ben deemed a sufficient amount of time, he cleared his throat and picked up a letter from the table. Adam and Hoss looked up almost immediately, Joe a few moments later, still smarting from Adam\u2019s comment. \u201cI received a letter today, boys. It\u2019s from an old\u2026\u201d Ben trailed off. The sender had been an old friend, but what he was now\u2026 Ben looked at the expectant faces of his sons. \u201cIt\u2019s from Jack Trent.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben watched as Hoss and Adam exchanged a look, but Joe just frowned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho, Pa?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at him for a few moments. \u201cYou don\u2019t remember him?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he replied, genuinely confused by the reactions around him. \u201cThe name kinda sounds familiar. Did I ever meet him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed at the puzzled frown on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYes\u2026you were a child then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cI guess I was too little to remember that, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked at the piece of paper in front of him, and if he was avoiding addressing Joe\u2019s question, he hid it quite well from everyone. Well, everyone except Adam, but Adam knew why he wasn\u2019t continuing that discussion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe says\u2026\u201d Ben skimmed through the letter to find the relevant entry. \u201cHe says, \u2018My business will take me into Virginia City for a few days, and if it\u2019s no inconvenience to you or your sons, I would like to visit the Ponderosa sometime during my stay.\u2019\u201d Ben looked up. \u201cI think that would be fine, don\u2019t you boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure Pa,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d said Adam. \u201cBut are you sure it\u2019s no inconvenience to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced from his father to his brother. He sensed something\u2026some hidden meaning, and it made him curious. He listened closely as Ben answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not, Adam,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cI\u2019ve been in touch with him somewhat, these past few years. It will actually be nice to see him in person, and maybe finish putting everything to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned. It sounded like Adam knew what was going on. What had happened\u2026what needed to be put to rest?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Little Joe screamed, struggling up. He fought against the ropes binding his arms, only to discover that his covers had merely wrapped themselves around him in his sleep. He struggled out of the blankets and kicked them to the floor, then got up and went to his nightstand, where he splashed some water on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The nightmare had been horrible, and yet vaguely familiar. Joe stood there for a couple of seconds, then decided to go downstairs and read for a little bit. There was no way he would get to sleep right away. Joe walked quietly to his door and reached for the handle. Just as he touched it, the door opened. Joe jumped and gasped, and the person on the other side gasped and swore mildly. \u201cAdam?\u201d whispered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou scared me!\u201d hissed Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry\u2026what did you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI though I heard you yell, I just wanted to make sure you were okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cI guess so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked at him for a couple of seconds, and then nodded. \u201cOkay. Good night then.\u201d He turned to go back down the hall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned back. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute. Come in.\u201d As much as he had been angry with his brother earlier, he found that he really craved his presence right now. Joe held the door open so Adam could enter, and then he quietly shut it behind him. He walked over to his bed as Adam sat on a chair. \u201cAdam\u2026I had this really weird dream\u2026and I don\u2019t know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe started to pace across the floor in front of Adam. \u201cWell, there was this guy, and he was really mean. I was tied up somewhere, and he was standing in front of me with a knife. It was covered in blood, and the blood was dripping off and flooding the clearing. The fire was put out by it. The blood was rising, and I started to choke, and then I woke up. It was really weird, Adam.\u201d Joe stopped, and then frowned at the look on Adam\u2019s face. \u201cWhat? What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath. \u201cI guess this is an appropriate time,\u201d he said quietly, and then looked up at Joe. \u201cThat\u2026really happened, Joe. Not the flooding of course, but there was a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a ranch hand. You were about ten, and Pa was on a trip. The man hurt you, and I fired him. He kidnapped you and-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTook me to that clearing,\u201d Joe interrupted quietly. \u201cHe said he killed Midnight.\u201d Joe looked up at Adam. \u201cThis feels like a dream. It really happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cDo you remember anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cHe took me somewhere\u2026I don\u2019t remember where. It was a town. Adam, why didn\u2019t I remember this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cWe don\u2019t know, Joe. Very soon after we got you back you started having nightmares like the one you just described. Pretty soon after, you stopped talking about what had happened and when it was brought up you honestly didn\u2019t remember it, Joe. We took you to a doctor in San Francisco. He said you probably pushed it out of your memory as a way of coping. We didn\u2019t know if you\u2019d ever remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I just forgot it like that. Is there anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know what all you remember. The ranch hand, Harker, left you in some town on the California coast, where Jack Trent found you. Jack brought you home. All you could talk about for days after was Jack. You\u2026really looked up to him. And then you forgot him, when you forgot about Harker.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack\u2019s coming to visit. Does he know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat you didn\u2019t remember? Yes. He and Pa have been writing these last five years, actually because of you. Pa was worried, and he wrote Jack about your memory loss. They\u2019ve kept in touch ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Joe played with the button on his nightshirt for a few moments. \u201cWhy\u2026why did no one tell me before?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s never come up before. We tried to talk to you about it, but you didn\u2019t remember. It was hard. Pa finally decided not to pursue it\u2026to let you just forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWere you going to tell me before he came?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cI talked to Pa about it after dinner. We were going to see if you remembered anything when you saw him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe walked to the window. He couldn\u2019t believe he had forgotten. Jack had saved his life\u2026he remembered now. He had been taken by a friend of Harker\u2019s and forced to work in a saloon. Jack had taken him out of there, bought him new clothes, and brought him home. Joe had grown attached to him in the four-day trip. Suddenly Joe turned back to Adam. \u201cWhat you said to Pa tonight\u2026something needed to be put to rest\u2026what did you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. Jack and Ben had been good friends years before Joe was even born\u2026but they\u2019d had a falling out. Not even Adam knew why, and Ben never mentioned it. \u201cI don\u2019t know all the details, Joe. I know Hoss and I were involved somehow, but I don\u2019t remember what happened very well. After Jack brought you back, though, they started talking again. I don\u2019t know if it made up for whatever happened between them, but I know Pa has said it\u2019s a start.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d After a few minutes of silence, Joe turned back to Adam. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go back to bed now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood up. \u201cAll right. Good night, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNight, Adam.\u201d Joe closed the door after him, and then went back to the bed and scooped his blankets off the floor. He threw them over the bed, and then climbed in. As Joe closed his eyes, he tried to remember more details of his kidnapping ordeal, but he couldn\u2019t. Well, he decided, Jack Trent has some blanks to fill when he arrives.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next few days passed without incident, and by Friday Ben was hoping things were getting back to normal. Well, as normal as they could be. Joe had been acting really contrite the past few days, which Ben hoped meant that he was trying to do better. He was slightly afraid that it actually meant his youngest was up to no good, but as Joe hurried to the table Ben forced those suspicions out of his thoughts. \u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d replied Ben, and watched in bewilderment as his youngest son hurriedly ate his breakfast. \u201cLate for school?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe finished drinking his milk and nodded. \u201cI was going to try to get there a little early to talk with one of my friends,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe stood up, Adam couldn\u2019t help but say, \u201cWhen you say talk to your friend, you don\u2019t mean beat up the Miller boy for the fight the other day?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped and stared at him. Billy Miller hadn\u2019t been in school the last couple of days after the fight, but he was going to be there today. At least that\u2019s what Becka Sylvester had heard from her pa. But that wasn\u2019t why Joe was hurrying in, so he slowly shook his head. \u201cNo, Adam. Besides, I\u2019m not anxious to get in trouble again anytime soon.\u201d He turned and started for the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d called Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stopped and turned back, to see Ben pointing at the schoolbooks on the table. \u201cOh, right,\u201d he laughed. \u201cI almost forgot.\u201d He went back and picked up the books, and then glanced up as Hoss came in. \u201cBye, Hoss,\u201d he said, and started out the door again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t forget you have to come home right after school to help me move the herd,\u201d Adam called. Joe\u2019s answer was muffled, but by the tone of his voice Adam knew it had been sarcastic. He shook his head and looked at Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben just shrugged and picked up his coffee. Sometimes there was no figuring out that boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked down the street, nervously shifting his weight. All he needed was one of Ben or Adam\u2019s friends to see him right now out of school, and say something when Adam came in later to pick up the supplies. Where was Andrew? It was 15 minutes past when they had agreed to meet. At first Joe hadn\u2019t wanted to, especially after all the trouble he had been in, but then he realized a day of fishing and relaxing would probably be fun. Especially since he was being put to work as soon as he got home and all weekend, and he was going to be missing the fishing trip with his friends next weekend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe opened the piece of paper he was holding and scanned the note again. It was perfect. He was very proud of it, actually. \u2018Ms. Jones,\u2019 it read. \u2018Please excuse Joseph from class. He is sick with a stomach pain and will not be able to attend school today. Adam Cartwright.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed happily as he carefully placed the note in his pocket. Just sick enough to not be able to attend school, not serious enough to require a follow up visit from Ms. Jones, and well enough to be back in school on Monday with no questions asked. Now if only Andrew would hurry up so he could deliver the note and they could go. The longer he stood here, the more chances\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly Joe\u2019s fears were realized as he spotted a familiar wagon come around the corner on the opposite end of the street. Joe ducked down the alley next to the mercantile and then peered around the corner. It was Adam. Joe looked behind him, and spotted a wagon covered with a cloth. He quickly slipped into the back of the wagon and under the cloth. He lay huddled under the fabric for some time, knowing that Adam would most likely be awhile and the last thing he wanted was to be caught.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next thing he knew, he was being jolted awake. He quickly sat up and pulled the cloth away. To his shock he realized he had been asleep for some time- the wagon was now being driven through the desert. He turned and looked at the driver. There was one man in the seat. \u201cHey!\u201d Joe called. \u201cHey, mister!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man turned and looked back in surprise, and then pulled the wagon to a stop. He jumped out of the seat and took hold of the boy\u2019s shirt and pulled him to the ground. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing? Stupid little brat!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe flinched as the man pulled his hand back as if to hit him, but he didn\u2019t. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to. I was hiding from someone\u2026and I\u2026guess I fell asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man let go of his shirt. \u201cWhat am I supposed to do with you now? I have to meet someone, and if I go back I\u2019ll be late!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked around. \u201cWhere are we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost to Carson City,\u201d the man replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe breathed a sigh of relief that they hadn\u2019t been heading the other way out of Virginia City. \u201cI live a few miles away. I can just walk from here; it\u2019s not far. I\u2019ll probably be able to get a ride with someone home.\u201d Joe started to back away, but the man grabbed his shoulder. \u201cLet go\u2026\u201d Joe tried to break away, but the man tightened his grip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cJoe Cartwright,\u201d he answered rather sullenly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a hint of a smile on the man\u2019s face. \u201cWell, Joe Cartwright, I don\u2019t feel right just letting you wander through the desert by yourself. It\u2019s dangerous out here. You come on with me to Carson City, and after I take care of my business we\u2019ll come back and I\u2019ll make sure you get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, I can just walk, really\u2026uhh,\u201d he grunted as the man pushed him against the side of the wagon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man leaned close to him. \u201cListen kid, this isn\u2019t up for discussion. I\u2019m late for my meeting, now get in the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe whispered, and then cleared his throat. \u201cNo,\u201d he said again, louder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man reached past him and pulled something out of the wagon. \u201cDon\u2019t make me use this, because I will if I have to,\u201d he said as he held a rope in front of Joe. \u201cYou have two choices- behave quietly in the front, or be tied up in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at the length of coarse rope. \u201cI\u2019ll behave,\u201d he muttered. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d Joe asked as he was pushed onto the seat in the front. \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man laughed as he jumped into the wagon. \u201cYou ask a lot of questions, Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Sheriff Drake!\u201d Joe wailed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff put his hands up. \u201cJoe, as far as I can see this man\u2019s done nothing wrong. The only thing you object to is not being allowed to walk home, which would have been a foolish thing to do as it was more than \u201ca few\u201d miles to the Ponderosa from what you described. The only person who\u2019s done anything wrong as far as I can see is you; you\u2019re just lucky that you didn\u2019t catch a ride with someone who has a grudge against your family. As far as I\u2019m concerned, that man is right decent- coming out here and offering to take you all the way back home. I\u2019d take you home myself, so as not to put him out anymore and to see what your Pa would have to say, but I\u2019ve got to stay here and keep order. From what your Pa tells me you\u2019ve been quite a handful lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sullenly rolled his eyes and stood up. \u201cThat\u2019s beside the point,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, I\u2019m quite busy, now please go so I can get some work done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, sheriff\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re done trying to get me thrown into jail, I\u2019ve finished my business and we can go,\u201d said someone from behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned to see the man leaning against the doorway, an amused expression on his face. The sheriff looked up. \u201cOh, don\u2019t you mind Little Joe none, mister. He has quite an imagination, don\u2019t you boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe exhaled angrily through his clenched teeth as the man laughed along with the sheriff and then pushed Joe ahead of him out the door. Once they got outside, Joe twisted away from him. \u201cListen, I\u2019m not coming back with you,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m going to wire my father and have him come get me.\u201d He looked up at him, waiting to see his expression, to see if maybe he had been wrong. But when he saw the look on the man\u2019s face, he knew he wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike hell you will,\u201d the man said. \u201cYou are going to come willingly, and with no more of this trying to alert the law shit. You see that woman?\u201d Joe looked down the street, where a young mother had one child by the hand and another in her arms. \u201cYou open your mouth, and I\u2019ll kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked back to him in shock. \u201cNo\u2026no you wouldn\u2019t\u2026everyone would know you did it\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man was shaking his head. \u201cNo, they won\u2019t. I\u2019ll tell them that you tried for my gun, and it went off in the struggle. I\u2019m pretty sure the sheriff would believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou do anything but listen to me, and I\u2019ll kill her. Get in the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do this, don\u2019t do this, it\u2019s not\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your mouth shut, and do as you\u2019re told,\u201d the man said as he tightly grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and pushed him towards the wagon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt dizzy and sick to his stomach as he sat down and the man hopped onto the seat next to him. As the wagon lurched forward, Joe frantically looked around to see if anyone had seen what happened, but there was no one. No one was paying any attention to the wagon with its unwilling passenger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sank into the seat and tried to think calmly. He had to wait until they were out of town before he tried to get away. He didn\u2019t want to chance any innocent people getting hurt. He looked up at the man next to him. Why did the sheriff believe a total stranger, as opposed to the son of a friend? It didn\u2019t make sense. Did he really think Joe was making it up? Would anyone have believed him? Joe didn\u2019t try to be a troublemaker. Things just happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was carefully watching the terrain. Up ahead there was brush by the side of the road, and bushes and rocks and trees. He took a deep breath, and then quickly leaned forward and started to jump off of the wagon. Before he could quite make it he felt himself being jerked back by his belt. \u201cLet me go! Let go!\u201d Joe yelled and tried to struggle away. The man quickly pulled the horses to a stop, and then pulled Joe into the back of the wagon. He forced him facedown onto the floor, and then pressed his gun against his head. \u201cDon\u2019t move, you hear me?\u201d the man yelled, and then quickly and efficiently tied and gagged the boy. He threw the blanket over him, and then Joe felt the wagon jerk as they started moving again. Joe closed his eyes. He should have waited for a better time. He probably just blew the one chance he was going to get to get away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If only he hadn\u2019t hidden from Adam! Getting caught out of school wouldn\u2019t have been half as bad as this. Maybe they\u2019d realize he was missing soon, and then find out about the man from Sheriff Drake. Either that, or he\u2019d have to wait until whatever demands in exchange for his freedom were fulfilled\u2026and if the man intended to release him alive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked up as they heard the sound of a horse approaching. Hoss frowned. \u201cThat don\u2019t sound like Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo it doesn\u2019t. It sounds like a buggy,\u201d replied Adam, and both of them stepped away from the storage house as the person rode into the yard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, it\u2019s Ms. Jones,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abigail Jones pulled the buggy to a stop. \u201cHello,\u201d she called out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood day, ma\u2019am,\u201d they replied. \u201cWhat brings you out here?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was a little concerned when Joseph didn\u2019t show up for school today. We were having a math test, and I\u2019m a little disappointed that he missed\u2026\u201d she trailed off as she saw the looks on their faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t in school?\u201d said Adam. He took a deep breath, and then looked back to the woman. \u201cThank you for letting us know, ma\u2019am. Would you care to come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abigail shook her head. \u201cI\u2019d best be going,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026I just wasn\u2019t sure if he was sick, but now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at her and sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s got into that younger brother of mine, Miss Jones. But don\u2019t you worry about it none. Would you like me to ride back into town with you, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abigail shook her head again. \u201cNo thank you, Hoss. I can make it just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam watched her ride away, and then turned towards the house. They were both dreading telling Pa that Little Joe skipped school. He was sure to be hopping mad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe tugged on the ropes binding his hands in front of him to the tree, but as hard as he struggled he felt no give. He bit his lip and looked around him, but there was nothing helpful within reach. The man had left some time ago after tying him up, and now it was getting dark. Joe shuddered at the cold familiarity of it. The last time he had been tied in a clearing, he was ten years old and a crazy ranch hand with a knife had told him he killed his horse and left it for Adam and Hoss to find. He still couldn\u2019t remember the details, though. Only what he had pried out of Adam the last few days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up as he heard voices, and then the man who had taken him and another man walked around the rocks. The other man was holding the reins of two saddle horses. \u201cSo is this the kid?\u201d the man asked, and then as Joe looked away he laughed. \u201cHe don\u2019t look like much, Matt\u2026\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t use my name.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other man shrugged. \u201cDon\u2019t make much difference now, does it? He won\u2019t be able to tell nobody either way.\u201d He walked over to Joe and looked down at him. \u201cMy name\u2019s Troy Wilkins. Who you gonna tell, kid?\u201d When Joe didn\u2019t look up or move he brutally kicked him in the side, and then chuckled as Joe grunted and bent over in pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt walked up to him. \u201cCome on, get out of here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man shrugged. \u201cLet us know when you get the money.\u201d He turned and left the clearing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe could tell Matt hadn\u2019t moved, and after the pain in his side had lessened somewhat he looked up at him. Matt was standing next to him, watching him with his gun in his hand. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt laughed and crouched down next to him. \u201cWhy should you even ask that? The Cartwrights are known all throughout this territory as one of the wealthiest families. I\u2019ll bet there are any number of men who would jump at a chance like this\u2026but we got you first.\u201d Matt laughed nastily and stood up and started to pack some supplies on the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched him for a few moments, and then tried to think of a way out of this. He couldn\u2019t believe the brazenness of the man. He actually talked to the sheriff! And still kidnapped him. Surely he would have realized people would be on the lookout for him? Why go through with it after that?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tugged at the ropes again; not willing to believe there was no way out of this except as a bullet\u2019s target. They didn\u2019t budge, and his wrists were starting to feel raw. He looked up as the man finished tying down the last bundle to one of the horses and then walked over to Joe. \u201cWhere are you taking me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt ignored him and quickly untied the ropes. He took hold of the front of Joe\u2019s shirt and shoved him to the ground, and then pressed his knee to his chest. Joe struggled to breathe, and looked up to find the man\u2019s gun pointed at his head. \u201cKid, just shut up,\u201d said Matt. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear another word from you. Next time you open your mouth, I will give you a beating like you never had.\u201d Matt waited a couple of seconds, and then released Joe. As soon as the pressure lifted, Joe struck out. The gun flew from Matt\u2019s hand and landed a few yards away. Joe quickly scrambled up and ran for it. He grabbed the gun and whirled around, aiming it at Matt. Matt slowly stood up. \u201cThis isn\u2019t going to do any good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t waver. \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere with you. I\u2019m going to take you into Virginia City and hand you over to the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt laughed. \u201cYou really think he\u2019ll hold me? On what charge?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKidnapping.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt chuckled. \u201cYou think he\u2019ll believe you? You\u2019re just a kid\u2026a kid who likes getting into trouble, if I guess right. And I\u2019m sure the sheriff knows it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s temper flared, but he managed to control it. He took a deep breath. \u201cHe\u2019ll hold you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt shook his head. \u201cThis is ridiculous. Put down the gun now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tightened his grip on the gun. \u201cNo. You\u2019re coming with me.\u201d He backed a little towards the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matt didn\u2019t move. \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere kid. So what are you going to do, shoot me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe bit his lip and glanced back. The horses were saddled and ready to go. He started to back towards them, while carefully watching his would-be kidnapper. Joe reached out and grabbed a knife from the saddle of one of the horses, then very neatly cut the reins. Matt made an angry noise and started to move towards him. As soon as he did, Joe pulled the trigger, and Matt stopped in his tracks, staring at the little bit of dust just in front of his foot that was kicked up by the bullet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move!\u201d yelled Joe, and then he quickly backed up to the spooked horse and cut the girth. He watched as the saddle slipped to the ground, and then he turned and mounted the other horse. He tugged the reins free, and then without a backwards glance, he galloped away. Behind him he heard Matt swearing, and Joe chuckled to himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he looked at the sky, he realized it would be night before he got back, and his family would probably be worried sick. Joe urged the horse on. He knew it would be hours until he got home now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe saw the front of the house, and he urged the horse into a gallop. \u201cPa!\u201d he yelled. \u201cPa! Adam! Hoss!\u201d He jumped off of the horse and stumbled towards the lit doorway of the ranch house, where he could see the silhouette of his father. He was swept into his father\u2019s arms and held for a moment, but then to Joe\u2019s surprise, Ben released him and gave his backside a few smacks. \u201cHey\u2026what\u2026?\u201d Joe stuttered as Ben pulled him inside so he could shut the door. Joe saw his brothers then, standing a little ways away. Adam had a smug, the-little-boy-is-in-trouble look on his face that he had obviously been perfecting. Hoss looked worried, but at the same time disappointed. Joe was puzzled as to why they all seemed more angry than worried. He had just been kidnapped for goodness sake!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright!\u201d yelled his father, and Joe turned to look at him. \u201cOf all the stupid, hare-brained things\u2026what were you thinking? Skipping school, disappearing for hours on end and worrying me and your brothers sick\u2026what in heavens name were you thinking!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe finally managed to break out of his stunned silence. \u201cPa, no! It wasn\u2019t like that, I-\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, go upstairs. I am very angry with you. I don\u2019t want to see you the rest of the night.\u201d Ben gave him a little push towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, wait! You don\u2019t understand! I didn\u2019t-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t my fault!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to hear-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Joe continued on impulsively. \u201cPa, if you\u2019d just be quiet long enough to let me explain!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly and without quite thinking, Ben slapped Joe across the face. Joe stared at him for a moment, stunned, knowing he went too far with what he said; but also intensely hurt by his father\u2019s unwillingness to listen. He turned and fled up the stairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stared after him, surprised and angry with himself. He hadn\u2019t meant to lose his temper. His hand was stinging, and he knew he had hit his son quite hard. \u201cDamn it,\u201d he hissed, and turned and stormed outside, his anger at his action almost bringing tears to his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard footsteps stop outside his door, and he quickly closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. The door opened, and then after a few moments closed again, whomever it was deciding that he was indeed asleep. Joe slowly exhaled and rubbed his hand across his eyes to wipe away the tears that still lingered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes flew open and with a terrified yell he sat up, staring at Adam. After a few seconds he managed to compose himself enough to yell at his brother. \u201cWhat were you doing, scaring me like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was trying to keep from laughing. Joe\u2019s expression had been priceless. \u201cSorry, Joe\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to scare\u2026\u201d Adam stopped laughing. He reached out and gently pulled Joe\u2019s sleeve up the rest of the way. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, suddenly serious as he observed the angry red welts on the boy\u2019s wrists.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe tied me up,\u201d Joe simply replied, and pulled away from Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam reached out and grabbed his shoulders. \u201cWhat do you mean? Who tied you up?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go,\u201d Joe mumbled, trying to pull away from his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026what happened? Who tied you up?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t believe me anyway.\u201d The effect of Joe\u2019s sullen answer was ruined when his voice broke and he almost burst into tears again. He blinked a few times and bit his lip. Adam hadn\u2019t let go of him, but his grip had softened. \u201cA man tried to kidnap me.\u201d Joe quickly told Adam about his ordeal, and rather to his surprise, his brother listened attentively and didn\u2019t interrupt him once.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe had finished, Adam stood up and gently tugged his arm. \u201cCome on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to tell Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pulled away from him. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stared at him in surprise. \u201cJoe! What\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked down and shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him all about it tomorrow. He was really mad tonight, Adam\u2026\u201d And then without even realizing he did it, Joe reached up and put his hand over the red handprint on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cHe was just angry, Joe. He didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged and sat down on the edge of his bed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026he was worried sick. We all were\u2026we thought something might have happened, and then when you showed up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Something did happen, and then when I showed up, Pa\u2026\u201d Joe looked down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t mean it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe rolled back onto the bed. \u201cI\u2019ll tell him tomorrow,\u201d he said, and then pulled the pillow over his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, and then went downstairs. His father was sitting in front if the fireplace, staring absentmindedly into the flames. Adam walked up to him and sat down beside him on the table. \u201cHe was kidnapped,\u201d he said, and then waited until his father realized what he had said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSome guy tried to kidnap him. He was tied up in the middle of nowhere all afternoon.\u201d Adam shook his head, thinking about the choices his younger brother made. \u201cHe said he would have rather been caught out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked up at Ben and nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s got a couple of cuts and some bruises, but he\u2019s fine. Shaken, but he\u2019ll be all right. He\u2026he said he\u2019d tell you about it tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked away. \u201cYou were pretty mad. He was upset that you were angry with him without listening to what he had to say.\u201d Ben stood up and turned towards Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you blame me?\u201d His voice was slightly raised in anger, but had he known that his youngest son had crept out of his room and could now hear every word that was being said from the landing, he would have been more careful. \u201cThe last two weeks have been nothing but trouble with that boy. If he had done what he was supposed to, he never would have gotten into this mess! Why can\u2019t he ever listen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know Pa. But\u2026he was really scared. I think he knows what he did-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam looked up as a door was loudly slammed from upstairs. Ben realized what happened first, and he took the stairs in a hurry. \u201cJoe?\u201d he called as he neared his son\u2019s room. He opened the door, but the room was empty. \u201cJoe? Joe!\u201d Ben went to the open window, just in time to see his son tear out of the yard on the horse he came in on. \u201cJoseph!\u201d he yelled, but Joe didn\u2019t turn or stop, and within seconds the retreating hoof beats could no longer be heard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben hurried downstairs and ran to the open front door, where Adam was standing. Adam looked back as Ben reached the opening. \u201cWant me to go after him, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. He knew his son was probably headed to the grave of his mother to cool off, and usually he would let him have his time alone; but after almost losing him so recently, Ben found he couldn\u2019t consider just letting his son go off by himself. What if the man who had tried to kidnap him was nearby? \u201cI\u2019ll go, Adam,\u201d he said as he went past his son towards the barn. Why did it seam like Adam and Hoss had a much easier time during the transition from boy to man? Ben was beginning to feel completely powerless to help his son, and he wasn\u2019t sure who felt more frustrated- he himself, who had no idea what to do anymore, or his son, who was lost and confused in a world where no one could help him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere ya go, son,\u201d the shopkeeper said as he handed the parcel across the counter. Joe smiled absentmindedly at him, and then quickly left. He knew he was taking a risk going to the store, but he needed some supplies before his journey to\u2026well, he wasn\u2019t exactly sure where he was going yet, but he knew he had to get away for at least a few days. For everyone\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started down the street, but stopped as he heard him name called. He turned to see one of his friends, Frank, coming towards him. Frank\u2019s father ran the telegraph machine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, this just came in for your father. My Pa saw you and said as long as you were here to give it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said as he took the envelope.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you later!\u201d Frank ran back down the street, and Joe continued to where Midnight was around the corner. His horse had still been tethered at the edge of town where he had left him yesterday, so he switched him with the one he had taken from the man. At least now he couldn\u2019t be accused of horse stealing. He tucked his package into one of the saddlebags, and then opened the telegram.<\/p>\n

Sorry, will have to postpone trip. Will write later to explain. <\/em><\/p>\n

Jack Trent.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed. He had forgotten that Jack was to be at the Ponderosa for a visit, but now he wasn\u2019t even coming at all. All the questions he had about what he had forgotten flooded his mind again, and he mounted his horse. At least now though, he would likely be back home before Jack came\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe froze as a thought struck him. No, it was too crazy, he couldn\u2019t\u2026but what if he could\u2026? Joe looked at the telegram again. There it was; that was where he was going. \u201cOak Ridge, Arizona, here I come,\u201d Joe whispered as he tucked the telegram into his pocket, and turned towards the east of town. Suddenly he felt adventurous, and bold, and not at all like a little kid getting his wrist slapped for nobody understanding him. He was off on an adventure\u2026and nothing was going to stop him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cQuite sure. Nobody\u2019s seen him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded his thanks to the ranch hand, who left to go back to the pasture. No one had seen his son since he left last night. Ben himself had searched for a good couple hours, but not finding him had assumed that Joe went somewhere where he knew he wouldn\u2019t be found and would be back in the morning. When he didn\u2019t show up, the other Cartwrights were worried, especially when Adam gave them all the details of Joe\u2019s previous day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and I are ready to go,\u201d Hoss said as he came out of the house buckling his gun belt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two be careful. Let me know if you find anything.\u201d Ben wished that he was going with them too, but the herd still needed to be moved; plus, if Joe came back while they were looking for him, someone needed to let the others know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam walked up to them from the barn. He took his gun belt from Hoss and strapped it on. \u201cHe probably is just somewhere around here still sulking. Don\u2019t worry Pa, we\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben watched his sons as they rode out of the yard. He wanted to believe Adam\u2019s words, but something was tugging at him and he was very afraid for Joe. He was dismayed at his last actions and words towards his son, and if it was his own behavior that had caused Joe to leave and something happened to him, Ben didn\u2019t know how he would ever forgive himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks anyway, mister,\u201d Joe called. As he began to walk back down the street, he fought against the feelings of frustration that were starting to build. It had been a week since he left home, a day since he arrived here. He had spent the day wandering around, trying to ask questions without raising suspicions. He knew that in some places people value their privacy. He didn\u2019t want to be hurt for asking the wrong person a question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But even so, he had been genuinely confused by the answers he was receiving. How could no one in this town know who Jack Trent was? This is where the telegram came from, but it was like he didn\u2019t exist. Everyone had responded his questions with a puzzled shake of the head, and \u201cNever heard of him.\u201d or, \u201cGet the hell out of my shop.\u201d Joe kicked at a pebble, and then watched as it bounced away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRobbers!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet the sheriff!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up to where the shouts were coming from. Someone had just run yelling out of the bank up ahead, and already men were taking cover behind barrels and wagons, guns ready for when the robbers came out. Joe stood frozen for a moment, and then started to quickly turn away. If there was to be a gunfight, he would be in the middle of it right now. As he turned back, he bumped into a man standing behind him. \u201cSorry,\u201d Joe murmured, and started to step aside. To his surprise, the man quickly put an arm out and caught him around the waist.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe yelped as the man pulled him close. As he tried to break out of his hold, he felt something hard jab him in the side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man leaned close to his ear. \u201cKeep your mouth shut or I\u2019ll kill you. Move,\u201d he hissed as he pulled the teen down the alley in between the buildings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man kept the gun pressed hard in Joe\u2019s ribcage as he dragged him behind the buildings to where five horses were tethered. The back of the bank was the next building over, and Joe could see several men behind it, cloths tied over the bottom parts of their faces to obscure them. The men saw Joe and his captor, and gestured towards the alley leading towards the street. Suddenly Joe realized their predicament. There was a large open space between the bank and the next building, offering a perfect shot from the street. Behind the bank was a building, but it had no entrance from the back. The robbers were trapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The men in front of the bank realized this too. \u201cThis is Sheriff Day. Give yourselves up, there\u2019s no way out. Give up, and nobody gets hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWrong, sheriff!\u201d the man holding Joe yelled. \u201cLet us go, or someone will get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNobody\u2019s been hurt,\u201d the sheriff called back. \u201cDon\u2019t turn this into a hangin\u2019 crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a kid here, and I\u2019ll blow his head off if you don\u2019t back off!\u201d There was silence for a few moments, and the man holding Joe released him to shove him against the wall. He jabbed the gun roughly into Joe\u2019s stomach, and it took everything Joe had to keep from collapsing on the ground doubled over. \u201cTell them,\u201d the man said. \u201cTell them to do as I say, or I\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe composed himself, then shook his head. \u201cNo. If you shoot me you have no insurance. I\u2019m not helping you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man muttered a couple of curse words, and then backhanded him so roughly that Joe was thrown to the ground. The man kicked him several times, and then pulled the half conscious boy up. He had to hold Joe with his arm around his waist to keep him on his feet as he pulled him into the opening between the buildings. \u201cSheriff, throw down your gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff observed the boy, who had blood streaming from a split lip and dirt on his face and clothes. \u201cFine, you win,\u201d he called. \u201cJust leave the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man laughed. \u201cNo way, we\u2019re taking him with us. You give us a two day head start, and we\u2019ll leave him somewhere along the way where you can find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need-\u201c<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThrow down your guns!\u201d the man yelled. With a glance at the other men near him, indicating they should do the same, the sheriff obeyed. The man holding Joe signaled the others, who ran from behind the bank to the waiting horses. The man slowly backed behind the building, and then handed Joe up to one of the other men who set him in front of him on the horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The men quickly left, and as the pounding of the horses\u2019 hooves became too much for Joe\u2019s aching head, he slipped into painless darkness, with no idea where they were headed or what was going to happen to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t move as he heard someone walk up to him. He stayed where he had been for about the last hour since he woke up, slumped on the ground with his eyes closed, and hoped that the man would think he was still unconscious. Everything hurt, his head was pounding, and the ropes they had bound him with were so tight his hands and feet were almost numb.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet up kid. I know you\u2019re awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI brought you some food. Come on, get up and eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe slowly opened his eyes. He carefully rolled over, and the man helped sit upright against a rock. Joe looked up as the man knelt down in front of him holding a plate of food. \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man looked at him in surprise. \u201cAren\u2019t you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stared back evenly. \u201cOf course I am. I was wondering why you\u2019re feeding me if you\u2019re just going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man stared back at him, visibly unnerved by Joe\u2019s calm manner. \u201cWh\u2026what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes no sense to give me food if you\u2019re only going to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man tried to choke out an answer, and Joe watched with satisfaction as he miserably failed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKid makes sense, Burton,\u201d called one of the other men, the one who had so roughly grabbed Joe to be their hostage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Skinner!\u201d Burton snapped. \u201cI already said, there\u2019s no point in making him suffer needlessly.\u201d The man looked apologetically at the boy in front of him, but Joe just stared stonily back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEven condemned men get a last meal,\u201d said one of the other men, who coolly walked over to Burton and Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything wrong,\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cWhy should I be condemned?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d the man started. \u201cSeems to me you weren\u2019t very cooperative with us, for one. Another thing is, you\u2019re too valuable to that blasted sheriff now. You know our names, our faces. And I\u2019m not keeping a little brat with us, especially one that is more trouble then he\u2019s worth. You mean nothing to us, kid.\u201d He turned away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Joe called to the man\u2019s retreating back. \u201cIt\u2019s coldhearted murder, plain and simple.\u201d The man ignored him and went back to the fire where the others were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Burton sighed, and after a moment held the plate up. Joe looked at him, and then wordlessly shook his head. It was all he could do to keep from bursting into tears. He had guessed what they had planned for him, but it was really hard to hear it being said like that. He had hoped that they would rethink it, and maybe keep him alive or just leave him somewhere. There was no chance of that now though; they had realized just how dangerous he was to them. The thing that hurt the most though was his family. They wouldn\u2019t know what happened to him, or where he was. He wished he had sent some message to them from Oak Ridge. He wished he could see his father again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKid\u2026\u201d Burton said, breaking Joe out of his thoughts. Joe looked up at him, and did his best to hide the feelings of pain and sadness that had almost betrayed him. \u201cYou should eat something\u2026I mean, it might make you feel\u2026I mean\u2026you haven\u2019t had anything all day, and\u2026\u201d Finally Burton trailed off, knowing there was nothing he could say or do anymore to help things. He stood up. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, kid,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI\u2019m sorry this whole thing happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt a tiny bit better as he watched the man walk away. At least one of them had a guilty conscience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The night was long, and Joe hardly slept at all. The ground was damp and hard, and between that and the extreme discomfort from the ropes, it was impossible for him to fall or stay asleep very long. At least one man was up at all times, keeping watch, until it finally became light. Joe watched the men warily as they packed up their camp. He could tell it was going to happen this morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the men were finished cleaning up the clearing and packing, one of them walked over to Joe and cut some of the ropes, but left his hands tied behind his back. He pulled him to his feet and led him to where the men were standing. \u201cAlright Skinner, take him into the woods over there\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked over at Burton. \u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man nodded. \u201cIf it\u2019s going to be done, at least the kid shouldn\u2019t have to suffer.\u201d The sick smile disappeared from Skinner\u2019s face as Burton took Joe\u2019s arm and pushed him away from the men towards the wooded area a little ways from their camp.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine!\u201d Skinner yelled after him. \u201cAt least his blood\u2019s on your hands, not mine!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt sick to his stomach. He was determined to die like a man, not begging or crying, but it was so hard. The child in him wanted to cry out, to plead for his life, but he knew it would be useless. He grunted as Burton tugged his arm. \u201cCome on, struggle, kid,\u201d the man hissed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStruggle or I will blow your head off,\u201d the man replied, and with a puzzled frown, Joe tried to pull away from him. The man jerked him back, not harshly though, and Joe twisted and succeeded in getting from him. He started to run, and made it a few steps away before he felt the man\u2019s hands on him, and he tried to pull away, in vain. The man\u2019s grip tightened, and as they neared the woods, the man hissed, \u201cYell or something. Really fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Realization sank in, and Joe was filled with hope. \u201cDon\u2019t do it! Please don\u2019t kill me!\u201d he cried. He dug his feet in the ground, and after dragging him for a few steps, Burton wrapped an arm around his waist and carried him kicking and struggling towards the trees. \u201cNo! No! Please, don\u2019t do it! Please! No-\u201c Joe\u2019s cries were cut off as the man covered his mouth with his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood boy,\u201d Burton hissed in his ear as he dragged him into the edge of the woods. The other men could see them as Burton forced Joe to his knees. \u201cLie still until we leave,\u201d the man hissed, and then pushed him facedown on the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust lie still until we leave,\u201d Burton repeated, and then there was a loud gun blast. Joe couldn\u2019t help but jump slightly at the loud noise, but he forced himself to relax and lie still as soon as it faded away. He felt Burton\u2019s hand on his face as if checking his breathing, and then the man got up and left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He heard the faint sound of the men talking, and then the sound of horses riding away. Joe was terrified that only some of them had left, and maybe someone else was waiting to see if he moved, if he was still alive; so he lay in the same spot for a while.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After he was quite sure that he hadn\u2019t heard any noises for a while, he slowly turned his head and looked around. He was definitely alone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stumbled to his feet and started out of the woods. His hands were still tied behind his back, and he had no idea how he was going to get out of the ropes, or keep warm tonight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly he came to a dead stop. Ahead were about four men on horses coming towards him. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d he whispered, but it was too late. They had seen him and were riding to intercept him. He turned and bolted back towards the woods, but tripped and fell in his haste. With his arms tied behind him, it was impossible to get up quickly, and within moments, the men had reached him and were pulling to his feet. \u201cNo, don\u2019t do it!\u201d Joe sobbed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKid, it\u2019s okay. We\u2019ve been looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at them then, and instead of the cruel faces of the bank robbers he discovered unfamiliar faces. \u201cYou have?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt the ropes around his wrists fall away, and the men led him towards the clearing where the robbers stayed the previous night. \u201cGet a fire going, and some food and coffee for the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before long Joe was sitting on a comfortable bedroll, gratefully sipping the hot coffee after the meal and telling the men- the sheriff from Oak Ridge, his deputy, and two others from a nearby town- what had happened and everything he knew about the bank robbers. Joe finished, and then looked up at the sheriff. \u201cPlease, if you capture them, one of them did save my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff nodded. \u201cWhen we catch them, we\u2019ll keep it in consideration.\u201d He stood up and took the empty cup from Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s late, and you\u2019ve been through a lot today. Why don\u2019t you get some sleep? Tomorrow I\u2019ll send you back into town with one of the men, and you can contact your family. You live around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe carefully avoided the man\u2019s eyes as he shook his head. The sheriff frowned, and then asked, \u201cThey know where you\u2019re at?\u201d Joe shook his head again, and got settled under the blanket. The sheriff leaned close to him, and tapped his arm. \u201cYou be sure to wire your family when you get back to town, you hear me? This town ain\u2019t no place for a runaway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe bit back an angry answer. He hadn\u2019t thought of himself in regards to that term, and he didn\u2019t like it. Runaways were little kids that left home to become a famous gunfighter or something stupid like that. He wasn\u2019t like that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe went to sleep that night with disconcerting thoughts about his true motives for leaving home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next day Joe walked in the general store with the money the sheriff had given him to send the telegram, \u201cTo make sure it\u2019s sent,\u201d the sheriff had said, even though Joe protested that he had money. A little, at least. He walked over to the counter where a man was seated behind the telegraph machine. The man looked up. \u201cWhat can I do for you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI need to send a wire,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly. Why don\u2019t you write out the message you want to send on this paper? I\u2019m waiting for another message to come in, so you\u2019ll have to wait a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you sir,\u201d Joe said as the man turned back to the machine. Joe wrote down the destination, but when he got to the message itself, he started and stopped a couple times, not sure exactly what he wanted to say. Finally he decided on, Pa, I am okay. I\u2019m in Oak Ridge, Arizona. The sheriff is not allowing me to leave until he hears from you. Joe.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The message the man was waiting for started to come through, and Joe smiled slightly as he interpreted it. Frank had taught him some time ago how to read the dots and dashes and Joe was getting pretty good at it, which he was proud of. As he listened to the message though, the smile faded and his eyes grew wide. That was why no one here had heard of Jack Trent!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe missed a couple of words, but he understood the meaning of the message perfectly. It was from another town a few miles away, Spencer. Joe had come across several people from there. And the message was clear. It was signed Jack Trent, to be relayed to somewhere in California with a message about a wanted man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He must relay his messages through here, Joe realized. But why\u2026unless he didn\u2019t want to be found. More and more questions about who Jack Trent really was kept appearing, and Joe was a little scared now. But still, he couldn\u2019t have come all this way for nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man finished taking the message, sent a response that he received it, and then turned to Joe. \u201cNow then,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat do you want to send?\u201d Joe handed him the piece of paper, and the man let out a low whistle. \u201cVirginia City? That\u2019s pretty far to come on your own, son.\u201d Joe just bit his lip and didn\u2019t say anything as he handed the money to the man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned and left, and then found his horse in the livery. \u201cSorry, Midnight,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to get kidnapped again.\u201d He saddled him, and then started away from Oak Ridge. It was best to leave before the sheriff got back and stopped him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for a man named Jack Trent,\u201d Joe said. \u201cYou know him?\u201d The first clue that he had stumbled onto something was the look the man from the livery gave him. His bored mask had very briefly been replaced with suspicion. The second clue was what he said- almost everybody he had asked before had just shook their heads and replied, \u2018no\u2019. Instead, he looked up at him and asked, \u201cAnd why are you wanting to know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was filled with hope that maybe he had reached the end of his journey. \u201cHe\u2019s an old friend of my father\u2019s. I was just trying to find him, that\u2019s all. Could you tell me where he\u2019s at?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man finished giving Midnight hay, and he slid out of the stall and hooked the rope across the opening. \u201cSure kid,\u201d he said as he turned and picked something up. When he turned back, Joe gasped and backed up a few steps upon seeing the metal rod in the man\u2019s hands and the look on his face. \u201cBut first, you\u2019re going to tell me why you\u2019re looking for Jack.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe put his hands in front of him protectively as the man started towards him. \u201cNo, wait, I didn\u2019t mean to make trouble. Wait\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too late for that, boy. Nobody comes looking for Jack Trent unless they mean some kind of trouble.\u201d The man swung the rod at Joe. Joe jumped back to avoid getting hit, and he looked around in panic. On the other side of the barn were a bunch of tools.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned and started to run but the man caught up with him quickly and shoved him into one of the empty stalls. Joe got off the floor and backed up against the wall, then stared up at the man who was towering over him with the metal pipe in his hand. \u201cYou gonna talk?\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart was racing as the man lifted the pipe into the air. Just then the sound of men talking and horses hooves could be heard, and the man turned to see who had come in. As soon as he did, Joe bolted from the back of the stall and threw himself into the man. The man fell to the ground, and Joe turned and raced out of the barn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop him! Catch that boy!\u201d he heard behind him as he ran. He ran until he thought his lungs were going to burst out of his chest, and then collapsed behind a building in between some crates. He put his head down and tried to calm his breathing. As soon as the roaring in his head cleared, he made a plan. Tonight, when it was dark, he was going to try to sneak into the barn and get Midnight. Then he was going home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d had enough adventures on this trip to last him for years. In some ways he hated giving up when he was so close to finding Jack Trent, but if someone wanted to hurt him because of it, he\u2019d rather just forget the whole thing. He had no idea what he was getting himself into when he started this trip, and now he\u2019d much rather be back home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s stomach growled, and he suddenly realized how hungry he was. He\u2019d had a meal yesterday when the sheriff had found him, but before that\u2026 Joe frowned as he realized he couldn\u2019t remember. It was before the robbers had captured him for sure. New plan, he decided. Find something to eat, get Midnight, then go home. Joe reached for his belt, but then a cold feeling overtook him. His money was still in the saddlebags back in the livery. \u201cDamn it,\u201d he hissed, and felt a little better. Well, maybe later tonight the man would leave the livery, and he could get Midnight and then go back to Oak Ridge to see if Pa replied to his message.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unless\u2026 Joe looked down the alley. There were a couple of stores down the street. As much as his pride hated it, maybe he could do some work in exchange for a meal for one of them. And as long as he didn\u2019t mention Jack Trent again, he would probably be fine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe walked slowly into the store and looked around for a moment before approaching the counter. He took a deep breath. \u201cExcuse me, sir,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man behind the counter looked up and Joe shrank back a little, half expecting to be yelled at, but instead the man smiled. \u201cWhat can I do for you son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe licked his lips before answering. \u201cI wondered if I could do some work for you in exchange for food.\u201d Joe watched as the man frowned thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally he answered. \u201cWell, son, I\u2019m just about ready to close for the day, so there\u2019s not a whole lot to do. But if you want, you can stay in one of the rooms upstairs tonight, and I\u2019ll put you to work tomorrow. How\u2019s that sound? A good day\u2019s work for a night\u2019s stay and a couple of meals?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. \u201cYes, sir, thank you.\u201d It was a larger town, and the livery was way on the other side. There was a chance he might accidentally see the man from the livery tomorrow, but the temptation of a bed and a meal was overpowering his fear at being discovered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, come on this way then.\u201d The man led the way up the stairs in the back and down a hall. He opened a door on the left, and then went in and lit the lamp inside. Joe glanced over the little room. There was a bed, a chair, and a stand with a pitcher and basin on it. The only entrance was the door, and there wasn\u2019t a window. It was nowhere near home, but it was better than what he had the last few weeks. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said to the man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man didn\u2019t reply as he left the room. He swung the door shut\u2026and then Joe heard it lock. \u201cHey,\u201d Joe called as he went to the door. He tugged on the handle, but it refused to give. \u201cNo! What are you doing? Let me out! Unlock the door!\u201d Joe pounded on the door, but there was only silence from the other side. \u201cOpen the door, please! Don\u2019t do this! Let me out!\u201d Joe backed away from the door, panic starting to set in. He looked around the room again, but there was nothing; no other door or way out. He was trapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned and threw himself onto the bed. He was a prisoner now. He just hoped the man stayed true to his word and that he had only locked him in here for his own piece of mind. Joe tried not to think about any other reason for this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After about a half an hour, he heard muffled voices outside, and the key in the lock. He stood up as the door swung open. The store owner came in, followed by the man from the livery and two others. \u201cThat\u2019s him,\u201d the man from the livery said, and the store owner walked out of the room, closing the door behind him without a glance back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe backed up as the men started towards him. He quickly sized them up, and then went for the smallest one. He managed to get a few good punches in before one of them pinned him from behind and the two others quickly grabbed him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOver there,\u201d one of them said, and they dragged the still kicking and fighting boy to the chair. It took two of them to hold him in place while the third one tightly tied his arms and legs to the chair, rendering him completely helpless. Joe bit his lip to keep from crying out as the man tightened the last knot and the rope dug into his still raw skin. \u201cStill going to fight us, little boy?\u201d one of them said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The men laughed as Joe angrily pulled against the ropes. \u201cLet me go,\u201d Joe yelled as the men let go of him. \u201cYou can\u2019t so this, you won\u2019t get away with it! You better untie me right now; or-\u201c Joe was cut off as the man behind him suddenly, and quite harshly, pulled a cloth into his mouth. He held the ends of it, pulling it tight as Joe choked and gasped, struggling to even breathe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the men leaned forward towards him. \u201cShut up,\u201d he said slowly, and then turned and left the room. Joe tried to yell through the gag as he struggled against the ropes. The man behind him leaned up next to his ear. \u201cKeep still,\u201d he snapped, and jerked the gag tighter. Tears sprang to Joe\u2019s eyes as he started choking on the cloth. The man loosened it after a moment, and Joe gasped for air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door opened, and Joe looked up as a man walked in. The expression on his face sent a shiver down Joe\u2019s spine. He seemed\u2026cold. There was no warmth or sympathy in his eyes. Joe wondered if he wouldn\u2019t hesitate to kill him. Joe shrank back in the chair as the man slowly approached. \u201cSo,\u201d he said, and his voice was like gravel. \u201cThis is the child who is so interested in Jack Trent. Care to tell us why, boy?\u201d He waved his hand, and Joe\u2019s gag fell away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gingerly licked his lips, and then choked out, \u201cPlease, he was an old friend of my father, Ben Cartwright. I just wanted to see him, that\u2019s all. I didn\u2019t mean to cause trouble. Just let me go, and I\u2019ll leave. Please\u2026\u201d His voice died to a whisper as the man leaned close to him, placing his hands on his shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man chuckled, and Joe hated the sound. \u201cA very creative story,\u201d he said, and then became serious. \u201cDon\u2019t play games with me, boy. I know why you\u2019re here, and it\u2019ll be a lot easier for you if you just tell the truth. Lie to me again, and I\u2019ll have you beaten.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head, terrified. \u201cI\u2019m not lying,\u201d he whispered. The man looked at him for a moment, then straightened up and slapped him sharply. Joe couldn\u2019t help but cry out at the suddenness of it, and tears sprang to his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man grabbed his chin tightly, and forced him to look up at him. \u201cDo you not understand me, boy?\u201d he snapped. \u201cTell me who sent you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to shake his head. \u201cNo\u2026nobody sent me. I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about. I came on my own. I just wanted to find Jack Tre-\u201c This time, Joe managed to hold back his cry as the man hit him. \u201cPlease,\u201d he begged. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to do anything wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man laughed. \u201cOh, you did something wrong,\u201d he said. \u201cLying to me is what you did wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not lying,\u201d Joe protested, and cringed as was hit again and he felt a cut on his lip open, and tasted the blood in his mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho sent you?\u201d the man yelled in his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you\u2026nobody sent me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy were you looking for Jack Trent?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe knew my father a long time ago! He sent him a telegram\u2026and I traced him here. I didn\u2019t know what I was doing would cause trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll never see your father again if you don\u2019t stop lying,\u201d the man snapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not lying!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man shrugged. \u201cFine,\u201d he said angrily. \u201cThis isn\u2019t hurting me any.\u201d He grabbed a couple of cloths from one of the men, and tied one tightly over Joe\u2019s mouth, and then one over his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt a cloth settle over his face, and he realized that the man had put a bag over his head as well. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d he tried to call through the fabric, but he could tell by the silence that answered his moan that they had already left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the door open, and fought the urge to cry out. His heart started racing, his breath coming fast. There was no hiding or defending himself. They had come and gone many times during the night. Each time, they yelled at him, hit him, threatened him, hurt him\u2026trying to make him tell them something he didn\u2019t know. They didn\u2019t believe him when he said he was telling the truth. Each time they left, they shoved the same gag back in his mouth, blindfolded him, and put the bag over his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t slept at all. He was exhausted, and near breaking down. He just wanted it to end.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He felt the bag come off, and then the gag fell away but they left the blindfold on. This time though, the ropes loosened as well. The relief was short-lived as they tied his hands in front of him, and then tied his ankles together. He was pulled to his feet, and then pushed harshly. He fell to the floor, hitting his shoulder as he landed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKid, this is your last chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shuddered at the familiar, hated voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell the truth!\u201d the man yelled, and then Joe felt a hard object, probably someone\u2019s boot, hit him in the side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been telling the truth,\u201d Joe gasped. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing else to tell. Why won\u2019t you believe me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was silence for a few seconds. \u201cFine,\u201d the man said. \u201cKill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe held his breath as he heard footsteps come to a stop next to his head, and then he heard a gun cock.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait. Let\u2019s wait until morning and take him somewhere. That way we don\u2019t have to worry about a body.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me,\u201d said the person standing next to Joe, and then there was movement. Joe felt the cloth bag being forced over his head again, but he wasn\u2019t gagged. The men spoke quietly for a few minutes, and then he heard them leave. When he was sure they were gone, he reached up and tried to pull the bag off. When it didn\u2019t loosen, he felt around the edge until he found a knot. There was a string running through the end of the bag, pulled tight and knotted. He quickly tried to find the ends, to undo it. He just longed for fresh air; to enjoy it without pain, or being screamed at. He tugged at the knot, and then realized his fingers were quickly losing feeling. They had tied his wrists so tightly the circulation was being cut off. He hurriedly pulled at it, willing it to become undone; but then soon he realized it was hopeless. He couldn\u2019t make his numb fingers undo the tiny knot. Joe sank to the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside the open door, two of the three men who had been watching Joe struggle in vain quietly walked away where he wouldn\u2019t be able to hear them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell Jack. Let\u2019s let him decide.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the name of the person the kid mentioned? His father?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember. It\u2019s probably not that important anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSir, we got that kid who was asking questions about you.\u201d Carl waited as the man finished writing. He always felt a little intimidated by him; not just because he was his boss, or that he had killed so many men. It was an air he had about him- you don\u2019t mess with Jack Trent. Not if you expect to live to tell about it. Carl crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked up. \u201cCarl\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSir?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re doing it again. It\u2019s no secret that you admire me\u2026lord knows why\u2026but at least you can keep the monologue to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carl stood up and uncrossed his arms, looking quite sheepish. \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about the kid,\u201d Jack said as he stood up and put the book in a nearby cabinet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pete\u2019s been questioning him pretty roughly for the last couple hours. All he\u2019s got out of him so far is that he was looking for you because you were an old friend of his father\u2019s. No mention of the Messler family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack shrugged. \u201cWell, I\u2019m sure he wouldn\u2019t just go blurting it out the second he got in trouble, otherwise they wouldn\u2019t have sent him. Old friend, huh? What\u2019s the kid\u2019s name?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carl opened his mouth to answer, then paused. \u201cUhh\u2026I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack turned and stared at him. \u201cYou\u2019re not sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carl shifted his weight. \u201cWell\u2026he mentioned it\u2026but I don\u2019t remember\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes as he finished putting away his writing materials. \u201cWell what does he look like, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019s about thirteen years old, I think. He\u2019s small, brown curly hair and\u2026like, greenish eyes. Quite a pretty boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack shook his head. \u201cDoesn\u2019t sound familiar. Where\u2019s he at?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHarry\u2019s got him in one of the rooms upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack walked to the door. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They walked out into the alley and up the back staircase of the general store, then down the dark hall. \u201cIn here,\u201d Carl said, and led the larger man into the room where the boy was tied up. Pete and one of the other men followed them in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy lifted his head up as they entered. \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d he whispered hoarsely. \u201cMay I have some water?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Pete answered gruffly as he and one of the other men pulled the boy up off the floor and pushed him into the chair. They untied his wrists, and then pulled his arms behind him over the chair back. The boy groaned, but didn\u2019t struggle, and so the man didn\u2019t tie him but merely held him there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pete pulled out his knife and cut the knot from the bag, and then pulled it away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack walked closer to the boy, studying him carefully. His head was bowed, and he was slumped in the chair. In fact, it looked as though he would have fallen right out had the man not been holding him. Jack could tell he was exhausted. If they didn\u2019t get an answer out of him now, they never would.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy, sensing that someone was in front of him, tensed as if expecting a blow, and Jack glanced back at Carl who shrugged. In some ways he would have commended his men for doing their jobs, no matter what; but he also felt a bit sorry for the kid. He was sickened at the thought that someone sent him here, possibly knowing what he would go through, and yet they chose to do this to a child.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unless the kid was telling the truth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack reached out and gently but firmly held the boy\u2019s chin, then tipped his head back. \u201cAll right, let\u2019s get to the bottom of this. No more playing around, no more lies,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy looked like he was fighting back tears behind the blindfold. \u201cI\u2019m not lying,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI wish I knew what you wanted to hear, and I\u2019d tell you that, but I don\u2019t know what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want the truth,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cWhy were you looking for Jack Trent?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy whimpered and his shoulders started to shake with sobs. \u201cPlease don\u2019t hurt me anymore\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack loosened his grip a little. \u201cI\u2019m not going to hurt you,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cJust tell me the truth. How did you know to come here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe telegram\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s voice was so low Jack could barely hear him. He leaned closer. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I traced him here. This is where the telegram came from. It was relayed through another town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack mouth opened slightly. If the kid was telling the truth, he was pretty smart. Suddenly, a thought struck him. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d he asked, hoping he didn\u2019t get the answer he was afraid he might.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright\u2026Joe Cartwright\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack closed his eyes for a moment. Damn. He let go of the kid, and then untied the blindfold. The man behind the chair let go of his arms. \u201cGet me some water,\u201d he said to Carl. He knelt down in front of the boy, who was staring at him, fear and confusion in his eyes. \u201cHere,\u201d said Jack as Carl handed him a glass of water. He held it up for Joe, helping him drink.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe emptied the glass, and then said, \u201cAre you Jack Trent?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded, and then quickly reached for the boy as his eyes closed and he fell off the chair. \u201cHere\u2026get him to the bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he really\u2026? He was\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes and yes. Damn it!\u201d How was he ever going to explain this to Ben Cartwright?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe slowly opened his eyes. He was lying face down on a bed. When he sat up he discovered he was in the same room as before, with the chair next to him and the ropes that had held him prisoner draped over the back. Joe gingerly touched his wrists. \u201cOuch,\u201d he muttered grumpily. The ropes had created more cuts over the old ones, and they hurt pretty bad.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to tell me why you went to so much trouble to worry your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked behind him, startled, to see the man known as Jack Trent standing at the foot of the bed. He wasn\u2019t quite as big as Joe remembered him, but Joe had been young then. He still had the same strong features and large build. Joe would have recognized him even if he hadn\u2019t known who he was. \u201cWhat?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have come here,\u201d replied Jack as he walked around and sat in the chair next to the bed. \u201cDoes your father know you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked away from him and shook his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he doesn\u2019t. I received a telegram this morning. If I had received it yesterday, none of this would have happened. \u2018Youngest son Joseph ran away. Last in Oak Ridge. If contacts you please inform.\u2019 What do you think of that?\u201d Joe shrugged, unable to meet Jack\u2019s eyes. Jack stood up then, and angrily kicked the chair across the room. \u201cRan away! That\u2019s what this says, that you ran away. Why did you come here? You thought I would help you do something like that?\u201d When Joe didn\u2019t say anything, Jack leaned over him. \u201cAnswer me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cI just\u2026I don\u2019t know. I needed to get away and it seemed like a good idea at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him. \u201cNow I\u2019m just tired and hungry and I want to go home. I don\u2019t care that much about knowing what happened five years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFive years ago\u2026? Is that what this is about?\u201d Jack ran his hand over his face and took a deep breath. He looked at Joe again, but instead of a stupid, rebellious teenager making a huge mistake, he saw an unsure, frightened ten year old reaching out for help. Suddenly he seemed to understand and he closed his eyes. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said. He opened his eyes and retrieved the chair and set it down next to the bed again. He sat down and stared at the boy for a few moments. \u201cI thought you didn\u2019t remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI didn\u2019t. I had a nightmare, and Adam said I used to have them all the time before. He told me what happened, and I remembered some of it. I\u2026had hoped you could tell me the rest. I didn\u2019t mean to forget you,\u201d Joe finished quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d Jack paused before continuing, \u201cBut you shouldn\u2019t have come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe bit his lip. \u201cI know,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced up. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t come all this way to reminisce about old times. Plus you said you needed to get away. Get away from what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cMy family. I\u2019m sick of being treated like a kid. They expect me to act like an adult, but they treat me like a child. I\u2019m tired of getting into trouble for things they\u2019re allowed to do, especially Adam. He thinks he knows better than anyone else, and that he\u2019s so perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack frowned thoughtfully. \u201cI see. You don\u2019t want to be treated like a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen why are you acting like one?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him, anger flushing his face. \u201cWhat?\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on. When\u2019s the last time Adam ran away?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s different!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood up, right in front of him. \u201cI did not run away! I\u2019m not some stupid little kid, packing a cloth full of sandwiches and crying back home at night. I can take care of myself!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGreat job you\u2019ve been doing so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m never allowed to do what I want, say what I want, go where I want!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat and where do you exactly want to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnywhere! I\u2019m sick of being told what to do! I want to make my own decisions!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Jack stood up, and he towered over the boy, but Joe didn\u2019t move. Jack had to admire his tenacity; to back up would be admitting defeat, something he was sure the young man in front of him wouldn\u2019t do. \u201cMaking your own decisions involves more than just coming and going when you want to. You have to think how your actions affect others, and what\u2019s the best thing to do overall. You can\u2019t just pull this \u2018child\u2019 card whenever you want to, and then expect people to want to treat you like an adult. It doesn\u2019t work that way. If you want to be treated like an adult, you\u2019ve got to act like one. All the time. Not just when it\u2019s convenient. Being an adult also means taking responsibility for what you\u2019ve done. Do you know what you\u2019ve done?\u201d Joe glared at him, but didn\u2019t answer. Jack pushed him none too gently back onto the bed. \u201cI have things to do. I want you to think about every single person you\u2019ve affected by doing this, both positively and negatively, and what you think I ought to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack turned and left the room, and Joe glared at the closed door. \u201cWhat?\u201d he said out loud, and then flopped back onto the bed. He closed his eyes. Jack was going to come back and expect an answer. Well, positives first, he decided. Himself\u2026he got to explore the world a bit. Well\u2026at least Arizona. He got to prove to himself that he could survive on his own, and\u2026he had some time away from his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His family. Pa had to be worried. No, that wasn\u2019t a positive. He received Joe\u2019s message, so he was less worried\u2026 Joe shook his head. That really wasn\u2019t a positive either. Positive effect on his family\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few minutes of thinking, Joe couldn\u2019t come up with a good answer. He decided to come back to them. Jack Trent\u2026 Joe frowned. He couldn\u2019t think of a positive effect on Jack either. Joe knew he must have been busy, which is why he couldn\u2019t come visit; but now he had to worry about Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sat up as he suddenly realized the list of negative effects this journey had had on all of those around him far outweighed the positives. If he hadn\u2019t been in Oak Ridge, the sheriff might have had an easier time catching the bank robbers. They wouldn\u2019t have had a hostage. Jack\u2019s men\u2026they spend hours interrogating him, and even though Joe found it difficult to admit, he had put them too through a lot of trouble too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were a lot of people he had hurt. For the first time since he left, Joe felt guilty for what he had done. He hadn\u2019t meant to cause trouble, but there it was. He single-handedly made a whole lot of people\u2019s lives difficult. But what could he do now?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The door swung open, and Joe looked expectantly at the man who came in. \u201cCome on, follow me,\u201d the man said. Joe got up and walked to the door. \u201cMy name\u2019s Carl. You\u2019re Joe, right?\u201d Joe nodded. Carl led the way down the hall and outside the back of the store, and then down an alley behind the buildings. He opened one of the doors, and then walked in and waited until Joe had entered before closing it. It was dark, and Joe could hardly see in front of him. The man gently tugged his arm, and then led him a few yards from the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe followed Carl into a narrow, dimly lit room. \u201cHere he is,\u201d he heard, and it took a couple of seconds until Joe saw Jack\u2019s face among the other men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, kid.\u201d Joe followed Jack to one of the walls, where Jack carefully pulled away a panel. \u201cLook,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Joe went forward, he saw that he was looking through a small glass pane into a saloon. There were countless men playing cards and faro, drinking, and passed out, drunk. There were women in short dresses flirting with the more sober men. \u201cWhere is this?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ocean\u2019s Breath,\u201d replied Jack. \u201cIt\u2019s just a bit farther down the street from the mercantile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have connections everywhere,\u201d Joe breathed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole town. All of my men know every single person in this town. It took years to do this; to set up this town to look so normal that no one passing through would suspect anything. My men know every person who should be here\u2026and every one that shouldn\u2019t.\u201d Jack pointed past him towards one of the tables. \u201cYou see that man there? The serious, well-dressed one?\u201d Joe nodded. The man Jack pointed out was sitting at one of the tables closest to the bar. He had a drink in front of him, but looked like he hadn\u2019t touched it. \u201cHe\u2019s waiting for someone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned around. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack Trent. That man would pay fifty thousand dollars if he knew where I was. See that other man?\u201d Joe looked as Jack pointed to a man at another table. \u201cHe would kill me the second he laid eyes on me. And that one, with the brown hat and the red neck scarf, has hired three men to kill me. All of them are dead now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned back to Jack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThese people\u2026they watch, constantly, for me. If anyone whispers the name Jack Trent, they know.\u201d Jack put his hands on Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cAnd all it took was one stupid kid to lead them right to me. You were probably followed the whole way here. It\u2019s not safe for me here anymore. You don\u2019t realize what the stakes are, kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack turned away and poured himself a whiskey. Joe wished he could just sink into the ground; or take all this back, and just have done what he was supposed to do to begin with. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack turned back angrily. \u201cYou\u2019re sorry? You\u2019re sorry! You know how many men out there want to kill me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked down, trying to think of a way to undo what he did. Suddenly a thought struck him, and he looked up. \u201cWhat if you were dead?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the other men stood up. \u201cYou caused this mess,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t try to fix what you know nothing about.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d said Jack. He looked thoughtfully at Joe. \u201cHe did cause this mess. Let\u2019s see how he would get out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was suddenly self-conscious as he felt the eyes of all the men in the room on him. \u201cWell,\u201d he started. \u201cIf you let them think Jack Trent\u2019s dead, then they would have no reason to stay around here. It could give you some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the men laughed. \u201cSure. We\u2019ll just walk out of the general store and shout it on the streets. \u2018Jack Trent\u2019s dead. You can all go home now\u2019.\u201d The other men laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe moved in front of the man. \u201cNo, not like that,\u201d he said angrily, wishing they took him seriously. \u201cYou could let it slip. Or\u2026if there\u2019s someone they know to be involved with Jack Trent. They could get it from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt hands on his shoulders and he was tugged away. He turned to see Jack. \u201cThere\u2019s only one problem, kid. They know I\u2019m here because a fifteen-year-old kid was asking questions about me. You. And I\u2019m not going to hand you over to them. You don\u2019t know the stakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen tell me,\u201d Joe replied, but Jack shook his head and turned to one of the other men. \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d Joe said. \u201cYou\u2019re right, I caused this mess. Let me do something about it.\u201d This was the first time he that could remember taking responsibility for something he had done wrong. He thought about all the times that he had implicated Hoss, wrongly or not, in the things he did; but Hoss took it. Whether Pa knew or not, he never let on; but he never punished Hoss in the same way as he did Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked thoughtfully at him. \u201cI like your idea, kid.\u201d He turned to the others. \u201cIf they thought that I was dead, and that you all were just keeping my\u2026legend\u2026alive, for your own purposes, it might work. Not for very long, of course, but for a little while. At least it would buy us some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pete frowned and gestured at Joe. \u201cBut how are you going to give them the kid?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh no! No, no, no, no\u2026we\u2019re not going to give them the kid.\u201d Jack laughed. \u201cHell no. You know what his father would say to that?\u201d Jack shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026\u201d he said once more, and looked at Joe. \u201cBut you can help us, I think. You agreed to work for Harry before, at the mercantile. You think you could do that still?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded, a little puzzled. \u201cSure\u2026I guess so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I want you to keep your eyes and ears open. These men will be everywhere. I\u2019m sure they won\u2019t know that you are the kid who was looking for me. There are several boys your age or so who live here. One more won\u2019t draw any suspicion.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled. \u201cSure. What do you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust\u2026observe. If anyone asks you about me, you never heard of me. Play dumb. Listen for anything that could help us\u2026um, names. Names of these men, or people they talk about. Where they\u2019re from, what they\u2019re looking for. Anything. But,\u201d Jack warned. \u201cKeep your mouth shut. Observe and remember. Every evening when you\u2019re done I\u2019ll want a full report from you. And try not to write anything down, or at least if you do, keep it in a safe place. There\u2019s nothing worse than being caught with incriminating evidence you can\u2019t explain away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir. I\u2019ll only observe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood. And one more thing\u2026if you get yourself in trouble, my men might not be able to do a whole lot about it, so be careful. They won\u2019t compromise themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack smiled and slapped him on the back. \u201cExcellent! Now all we have to do is figure out a way to leak that Jack Trent is dead in a convincing way.\u201d He turned to the others, but then he paused and looked back at Joe. \u201cI suddenly thought of something\u2026are you hungry?\u201d Joe nodded, and Jack realized from the look on his face that he must not have eaten in days. \u201cOkay, first we\u2019ll go get some food. Mary\u2019s restaurant is open now, and we have our own room in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled and followed him out of the back room of the saloon. At least now he felt a little better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe kept his list under the counter at the mercantile, and only made notes when he was completely alone and if he was afraid that he wouldn\u2019t remember something. A few days went by, and more and more strangers showed up. There were about fifteen or sixteen men here, Jack\u2019s men estimated, and from information they obtained and from Joe, they had managed to put names on most of the faces.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today there were two new ones, and Joe was carefully watching them. They looked like cowhands. One was dark, one fair. They didn\u2019t ask anyone questions, but they had been hanging outside the mercantile, listening to others. The fair-haired one was outside talking to Harry right now, while the other had come in and was poking around the store. Joe wondered if they suspected he was the boy who had been looking for Jack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned from the shelf he had been dusting, to see the dark-haired cowboy staring at him from the other end of the counter. The man looked startled, but then tried to smile. \u201cI\u2019m uh\u2026looking for a couple of blankets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOver here,\u201d Joe replied, and then walked past him and around the corner where he pointed to the shelf.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d the man muttered as Joe turned away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled to himself and started back towards the front of the store. He had only taken a couple of steps when a familiar voice from outside store made him stop in his tracks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy there,\u201d he heard his brother say. \u201cI\u2019m looking for a 15 year old boy who was in Oak Ridge a couple days ago. He might have been with a man named Jack Trent. Have you seen him?\u201d Joe squeezed his eyes shut as he strained to hear Harry\u2019s muffled answer to Hoss. Suddenly a hand closed over his mouth, and Joe was pushed into the back room behind the counter before he realized what was happening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dark haired cowboy pulled him around, and then shoved him into the wall. Joe looked up at him as the man leaned close to him. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d the man said. He pulled Joe a couple of inches from the wall, and then slammed him into it again. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d he said louder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe struggled for breath, the wind having been knocked out of him. \u201cLet me go,\u201d he gasped. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man looked up as his companion came into the room. \u201cThe old man just told the other one he didn\u2019t know the kid. Or who Jack Trent was,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dark haired man looked back to Joe. \u201cHe knows. He\u2019s lying,\u201d he said. \u201cTell me the truth! Where is he?\u201d Joe\u2019s response was to look away, prompting the man to slam him into the wall again. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d he yelled, and when Joe still didn\u2019t answer he pulled him away from the wall. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he said, and two men grabbed Joe\u2019s arms and started to drag him toward the back door to the alley.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait, what are you doing?\u201d Joe gasped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to tell us about Trent, if we have to beat it out of you,\u201d the dark haired man said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe spotted movement behind a couple of crates, and he knew he wasn\u2019t alone. Still, there was not a whole lot anyone else could do. Jack had said if he got into trouble, it would be up to him to get out of it. \u201cWait,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you. Let me go, I\u2019ll tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man turned and grabbed Joe\u2019s arms, and the other man stood behind him. \u201cTell me,\u201d the man snapped. \u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked down and swallowed. He hoped the nervousness he felt didn\u2019t show too much. For once in his life, he was glad he was so good at lying. \u201cHe\u2019s dead,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe you,\u201d the man replied. \u201cTell the truth, or I\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him. \u201cThat is the truth. Jack Trent has been dead for months. His men have been keeping his name alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The grip loosened a bit on Joe\u2019s arms. \u201cWhy?\u201d the man asked. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t sound right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged. \u201cYou\u2019re all afraid of him, of the legend surrounding his name. By thinking Jack\u2019s still alive, criminals like you have to be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man chuckled, and then backhanded Joe roughly. \u201cWatch your mouth,\u201d he growled. He thought for a moment. \u201cWhy did you tell me? Don\u2019t you work for them too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was why Adam always said stupid men with guns were dangerous. \u201cBecause you just threatened to kill me,\u201d he said sarcastically, but then hoped the man didn\u2019t hit him again. That had really hurt. Suddenly a better reason popped into his head. \u201cI\u2019m being held here against my will. I don\u2019t owe them anything; least of all a beating for a dead man who means nothing to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen why are you wandering around free?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working in the mercantile so I can eat, and not be tied up all day long.\u201d Joe snapped, and then shuddered; and actually that was real, as he thought of the long hours in the room upstairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dark haired man released Joe, and then looked at the other man. \u201cSo Jack\u2019s dead?\u201d he said. \u201cNo wonder we haven\u2019t seen a trace of him in the last couple months.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re not telling anyone that either.\u201d All of them turned to see two of Jack\u2019s men step out from behind the crates, guns pointed. \u201cWe\u2019ve been working really hard to make people think he\u2019s still alive,\u201d one of them continued. The man looked at Joe. \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of you later. I hope you like water, \u2018cuz that\u2019s where you\u2019ll be spending the rest of your soon-to-be short life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe hoped he was pale as he stepped away from the two outlaws and sank to the floor next to the wall. He put his head down as shots rang out, and then looked up to see one of the outlaws dead on the floor, and the other one running out the door in back. One of the men started after him, while the other one, Carl, put his gun away and went to Joe. \u201cGreat job kid, just great!\u201d he said as he helped Joe to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other man came back in. \u201cHe\u2019s gone. He\u2019ll spread the word. Good job kid; we couldn\u2019t have done it better if we planned it that way.\u201d Joe couldn\u2019t help but smile as the men led him to the back stairs. \u201cJust go up to your room and wait there. You\u2019d better lay low. We\u2019re going to tell Jack what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe replied, and went up the stairs to the room that was given to him. It was a different room than the first one he had been in, and he was very grateful for that. This one had a window. Joe flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly he sat up with a gasp. Hoss! Where was Hoss? Joe started to go to the door, but then stopped and sat down again. It would be too dangerous on the street for him now. He\u2019d just have to wait until Jack\u2019s men came and ask them where his brother was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the door to his room open, but he didn\u2019t move from his spot on the darkened roof. After a couple of seconds the person realized the window was open, and Joe heard him walk to it. He glanced over to see Jack climbing out onto the roof to join him. \u201cHi,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack snorted. \u201cHi yourself. I\u2019m not sure whether to congratulate you or to beat the crap out of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at him with surprise. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you to stay out of trouble and not put yourself in danger, and if anyone asks about me, you\u2019ve never heard of me. Then, the first time anyone shows any interest, you tell them I\u2019m dead! All you had to do was tell them you never heard of me, but you go and say I\u2019m dead!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt confused. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack laughed. \u201cIt was brilliant! Just brilliant! But if I tell you it was brilliant, you\u2019ll think you have free reign to do whatever you want, which is why I think I should beat you senseless instead.\u201d Jack looked at Joe, who had a puzzled half-smile on his face. Jack slowly shook his head. \u201cCongratulations kid. Excellent job.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe grinned at him. \u201cThanks,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be impossible to live with now, I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe laughed too, and then leaned back on the roof. The stars were bright and clear, and there wasn\u2019t a cloud to be seen. \u201cWhat happens now?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sooner or later someone\u2019s going to realize I\u2019m not dead. But until then I\u2019m going to enjoy it. Although, this town won\u2019t be safe anymore. Word is out that I was here last and it\u2019s crawling with killers. That man that grabbed you in the store had a bounty on his head of 10,000 dollars. He killed eight different men, women, and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWow,\u201d Joe whispered. And then a cold shiver went down his spine and he looked up at Jack. \u201cHe\u2019s killed children? He would have killed me then\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cProbably, if Carl and Silas hadn\u2019t been there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cHopefully the last time,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNothing\u2026I just\u2026hope this is the last time I come this close to death again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow many times have you almost died?\u201d Jack asked, sitting up a little in surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cLet me see\u2026one\u2026two\u2026three\u2026three? I think three\u2026Unless you want to count your men, and then it might be four. But only if you want to count how many people wanted to kill me, and not how many times someone threatened or pointed a gun at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack\u2019s mouth was open. \u201cI hope you mean in your life,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the past two weeks.\u201d Joe looked up at him. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack shook his head and looked away. \u201cYour father\u2019s never going to let you off the ranch again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shrugged, but then sat up. \u201cWhat about Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour brother? Well, Harry very kindly informed him that he sent you packing back to Oak Ridge. After he told him that Jack Trent\u2019s name was a dangerous one to use. We didn\u2019t want your brother getting into the same mess as you, spreading my name all over.\u201d Jack pulled out a pouch of tobacco and started making a cigarette.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe got a room at the hotel to stay the night, and then go back to Oak Ridge tomorrow. You can see him later if you like, but he\u2019s going to have to leave tomorrow by himself to keep up appearances.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cWhat about you? How are you getting out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe put the tobacco away and then lit the cigarette, taking a long slow puff on it before glancing over at Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t know yet. Until this whole thing exploded I was planning on taking you back home in a couple days, but plans change. Now your brother\u2019s here so it\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s safer for just the two of us to travel, isn\u2019t it? People would think we were father and son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked at him for a couple of seconds and then nodded. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t need any explanation. The less of a story you have to make up, the less someone could tell if you\u2019re lying. With us traveling it\u2019s pretty obvious what they would think; no one would bother asking.\u201d Jack stood up. \u201cBut like I said, it\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI started this whole thing, and I want to finish it. I told you that before. Hoss being here doesn\u2019t change that.\u201d Joe got up and followed Jack back into the room, grimacing at how stiff and numb his bottom was. The roof wasn\u2019t exactly the most comfortable place to mull.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed and settled into bed. His patience was starting to grow thin in regards to his little brother. Back and forth, from one town to the next\u2026when he caught up with him, watch out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just then a knock sounded on the door, and Hoss groaned and rolled out of bed. He opened the door to an unfamiliar face. \u201cWhat can I do for ya?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou Hoss Cartwright?\u201d the man replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got information about your brother. Get dressed and meet me in room 308 in fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHang on there, what a minute\u2026\u201d Hoss protested, but the man was gone. He shut the door and quickly threw his clothes on, and then buckled his gunbelt over his hips. He opened the door, and crept down the hall and then up the stairs. He paused at the top, listening for any unusual sounds or movements, but there was nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How had the man known his name, unless Joe had given it to him? What if Joe was in trouble? All of these questions ran through his head as Hoss neared room 308. He stopped outside, then gently knocked on the door, his hand resting on his gun in case he needed it. The door swung open, and a man stepped aside. \u201cCome in.\u201d Hoss hesitated, as he couldn\u2019t see very far into the room, but then he set his jaw and stepped in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d he heard, and he turned to see his younger brother seated on a chair in the corner of the room. Hoss glanced around to see two other men in the room. \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d he asked, not sure at all as to what was going on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood up and went to him, smiling. \u201cOf course I am!\u201d he exclaimed, and then threw his arms around his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss returned the hug, and then held him at arm\u2019s length. \u201cYou know I\u2019ve been searching for a week for you? Pa\u2019s worried sick, we all were\u2026I ought to\u2026\u201d Hoss stared at the stricken look on boy\u2019s face for a moment, and then pulled him into a bear hug. \u201cDadburn it, little brother. You beat everything. Are you sure you\u2019re okay? Where did you get them bruises?\u201d Hoss pulled him away again to inspect his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine. I\u2019ll explain those later. Hoss,\u201d Joe turned to one of the men, but before he could introduce him Hoss recognized him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack Trent,\u201d said Hoss, and reached out to shake his hand. \u201cI hope this youngen\u2019 hasn\u2019t been too much trouble for ya,\u201d he grinned, putting his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack snorted. \u201cDon\u2019t get me started.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss read the expression on his face, and then released Joe so he could face him. \u201cJoe, you been causing trouble here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe sighed. \u201cBut look, I want to make it right. We have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat plan is that?\u201d asked Hoss, as one of the men pulled a chair up for him and he sat down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Joe glanced at Jack, who gave him a barely discernable nod. \u201cJack\u2019s got people looking for him. And it\u2019s my fault. I led them here without meaning to. But we figured if I travel with Jack back to Virginia City, it would be less conspicuous than only Jack or a couple of his men traveling with him. They shouldn\u2019t be looking for me, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss pondered what Joe had just said. \u201cSo you mean you want to travel back to the Ponderosa by yourself? Just you and Jack? Joe\u2026I\u2019m not sure if\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, please! You\u2019ve got to let me!\u201d Joe threw himself onto his knees on the floor in front of him, but looked up, startled, as the men in the room just barely contained laughter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Joe,\u201d said Hoss, chuckling. \u201cYou just get so dramatic, it\u2019s hard to take you seriously sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glared at him and stood up. \u201cFine,\u201d he snapped, and started out of the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss watched as Jack neatly intercepted him. \u201cHow are you going to prove your point from the hall?\u201d Jack murmured, and then released Joe and left. Joe watched as the other man followed him out, and then he turned back to Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and sat down on the bed across from his brother. \u201cHoss,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2026I really messed up here. I put Jack\u2019s life in danger, and I want to make that right. If I go with him, it\u2019ll be safer for him than if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I\u2019m not sure how Pa would like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019m sure he hasn\u2019t liked any of it so far, so one more thing isn\u2019t going to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease Hoss\u2026I have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? You have nothin\u2019 to prove. Are you sure someone else didn\u2019t force you into it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, this is my decision. Nobody pushed me into it. And, I\u2019ve got something to prove. I\u2019ve got something to prove to myself Hoss- that I\u2019m not a little kid who gets into trouble and then expects someone else to bail me out. I\u2019ve been thinkin\u2019 a lot\u2026I\u2019ve never\u2026taken responsibilities that were mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss snorted. \u201cThat\u2019s for sure. I can\u2019t count the number of times Adam and me had to do your chores, or the times\u2026sorry,\u201d he said, realizing he interrupted his brother and he probably wouldn\u2019t be all that happy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re right, Hoss. And I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou are?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. And I\u2019m sorry for getting you in trouble all those times.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stared at him, puzzled. \u201cAre you feeling okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood up, exasperated. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. He couldn\u2019t tell if Joe meant it, or if he was just trying to get Hoss to agree with him. As soon as he thought that though, he felt bad. Hoss looked at him, and then shook his head. Their father would be less than pleased, but\u2026 \u201cAll right Joe. But you\u2019d better be serious about this.\u201d Hoss was surprised by the look that came over Joe\u2019s face just then; a look of\u2026was it?\u2026responsibility? Could he really have grown up that much in the last two weeks?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks Hoss,\u201d Joe smiled, and then went to the door to find Jack and let him know. They had to plan this out carefully now\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe came back with the firewood, and put it in a pile in the little clearing he had made. As he started to stack the wood, he heard someone coming and looked back. Jack walked out of the woods with two rabbits. \u201cHow\u2019s this?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGreat!\u201d grinned Joe, and worked on getting the fire going while Jack skinned the animals. He thought about Hoss, and wondered how the plan was going. His brother was supposed to go back to Oak Ridge and wire their father that there was no sign of Joe, then start back for the Ponderosa, but by a different route than Joe and Jack. Once he got far enough away he was going to send a wire that he had found Joe, and they\u2019d both be home soon. Joe sighed happily as flames started to spread over the wood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood job. Here,\u201d Jack said, and handed him a stick with the raw meat on it to cook.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After they had eaten and it was getting dark, Joe turned to Jack. \u201cWhat exactly do you do?\u201d he asked. Before, he would have been terrified to ask, but he figured with everything they\u2019d been through Jack might actually tell him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked thoughtfully at him, and then said, \u201cYou really want to know?\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cWell\u2026I\u2019m a bounty hunter, of sorts. People pay me to catch outlaws, rustlers\u2026business partners who took the profits and left for Mexico\u2026things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo people pay you to catch criminals?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack smiled slightly. \u201cNot\u2026exactly. The highest bidder pays me to do what they want. If the business partner who took the money is willing to make it worth my while, I\u2019m willing to look the other way. I know who to help. And they help me in return. The problem is, it often comes down to loyalties. I know who not to hurt for my benefit, but the other side gets mad. That\u2019s why I have so many people after me. I have a bounty, of sorts, on my own head, put there by the people I double-crossed or turned away.\u201d Jack shrugged. \u201cPart of the territory I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe frowned as he poked a stick into the fire, watching the little sparks dance. \u201cI thought you worked with the law, though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the law-men I\u2019m really close with. I bring them criminals and a split of my share, and they do me favors. I\u2019m not ashamed of it. It\u2019s a good life until people start shooting at you. Your father never cared for my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you decide to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you just don\u2019t care. But then it turns into a struggle to survive, and if you stop what you\u2019re doing, you die. So you keep going. And you tell yourself you love it. Eventually you do. But at what price\u2026\u201d Jack trailed off and stared into the fire for some time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched him. He could tell there was something else behind Jack\u2019s explanation, but the man chose to keep it to himself. \u201cHow\u2026how did you meet my father?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked back up and frowned thoughtfully. \u201cA little kid ran into me.\u201d He thought back to what he could remember. It all started with a poker game\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey mister, you interested in a game of poker?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man who had spoken backed up slightly as the larger man put his beer down. After a few moments, the large man tossed a coin on the bar, and, without a glance back, left the saloon. The other man was left staring after him, a little startled and very unnerved. \u201cNo, thank you would have been fine,\u201d he muttered as he went back to the table to tell the others about the unfriendly stranger.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack Trent paused outside the saloon to light a cigarette, and then he walked down the street, not looking at anyone he passed. Not wanting to be part of anyone else\u2019s life. He knew he was an intimidating man. He knew that he was angry. It scared people. Kept them away. And he was perfectly satisfied with that.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He came to a space between two buildings, and just as he started to walk by, a small object plowed into him and bounced onto the ground. Jack stared down at the object; a small boy, with dark hair and dark eyes. A street kid. Jack looked up as three bigger boys ran around the corner, but seeing him, turned and ran away down the street. Jack turned his attention back to the child on the ground, who was still sitting in the same place staring up at him. Jack snorted and walked around him. Stupid kids, he thought as he turned up his collar and continued down the street. But then, something made him stop and look back. He couldn\u2019t quite put his finger on it\u2026 there was something sort of wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack tried to shake the feeling off, and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of coins. He tossed them on the ground in front of the boy, who had stood up and was looking at him. To Jack\u2019s surprise, the kid stared at the money in the dirt for a moment, before bending down and picking it up. When he straightened, there were tears on his cheeks.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, mister,\u201d he said quietly.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack watched as the kid turned and started down the street. Suddenly Jack knew what was wrong. He was scared. Most of them were, but they never showed it. They were defiant, and brazen. He shrugged, and started to turn away, but something in the back of his mind was screaming out at him. Don\u2019t let him go! Not this kid\u2026Jack shook his head. Since when did he care about anyone else? Cordelia would have helped him. Jack froze for a moment, then slowly turned back. \u201cHey, kid.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy turned and looked at him, and Jack sighed. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m doing this,\u201d he muttered as he walked up to the kid. He looked at him, not quite sure what to say. The boy was unremarkable, except for those dark eyes. He looked to be about six years old. His clothes were dirty, yet not as dirty as they should have been if he lived on the street. The whole thing was wrong. Jack saw the boy holding his hand out. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d he said, a little harsher than he realized when he saw the child cringe.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you\u2026want it back?\u201d the boy whispered, and opened his hand to display the few coins, not really enough to buy anything.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Something snapped inside of Jack then. Who was this child, that he just made him feel smaller and less worthy than an insect? Part of him wanted to hit the child, and force him to go away so he wouldn\u2019t be haunted by those eyes and the handful of pocket change. But the other part, the one where her memory was still alive, wouldn\u2019t let him do that. Jack swallowed back his anger; the anger at his own actions, and at the boy for so innocently calling them out. He reached out and knocked the money out of the boy\u2019s hand, and then grabbed the child\u2019s arm and led him down the street.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy let out a little gasp, but didn\u2019t say anything or struggle. Jack was confused by it. It was as though the child knew he wasn\u2019t going to hurt him in any way. As he thought about it, he realized he couldn\u2019t hurt the boy, even if he wanted to. That tiny hand, holding out the coins\u2026 Anything that he did now would make him feel even less of a man- no, less of a person.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack tugged the boy into one of the buildings, a restaurant, and led him to a table in the back corner. The child just sat across from him, staring at him. Jack didn\u2019t say anything. He normally didn\u2019t speak that much, but now\u2026he didn\u2019t know what to say.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello there!\u201d a woman greeted them. \u201cWhat can I get you two gentlemen?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack glanced at her, and she shrank back a bit at the look on his face. He looked back to the boy, and then said, \u201cTwo orders of fried chicken, biscuits, and\u2026whatever vegetable you have.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have fried mushrooms or buttered green beans today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack had watched the slight expression change on the boy\u2019s face, so he replied, \u201cGreen beans.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cComing right up,\u201d she mumbled, and then hurried to another table.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy was still staring at him, but after a few moments he frowned. \u201cWhy do you do that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo what?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMake people afraid of you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack stared thoughtfully for a moment. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he finally said. \u201cI don\u2019t like people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen why are you buying me food?\u201d he said quietly.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d And he honestly didn\u2019t.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy looked around the restaurant for a few seconds. Finally he turned back. \u201cMy name\u2019s Adam Cartwright,\u201d he said. When the Jack didn\u2019t answer, he asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s yours?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack thought of a few responses, but finally said, \u201cJack.\u201d Why wasn\u2019t this kid afraid of him? Not that he wanted to scare him or anything like that, but he was puzzled as to how well, even though he was so young, he was able to read him. \u201cWhat happened to your parents?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy looked down, and Jack could see tears well in his eyes. \u201cMy ma\u2019s dead. And my other ma was killed by Indians. I can\u2019t find my Pa and Hoss.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Jack replied. Two mothers? He shook his head. \u201cHow long since you couldn\u2019t find them?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know. It\u2019s been days and days. Maybe weeks. Or months.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack rolled his eyes. Of course kids have no sense of time. \u201cHow do you know he didn\u2019t just leave you?\u201d he asked, and realized he shouldn\u2019t have asked that, but it was too late. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through his shin and he gasped. He found himself staring into furious eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNever,\u201d Adam said, his voice intense. \u201cMy father would never leave me. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s looking as hard as he can right now, and\u2026and\u2026\u201d His voice started to break, and he looked away.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack rubbed his leg where the boy had kicked him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry, Adam. You\u2019re right, I\u2019m sure he\u2019s looking for you. It\u2019s a big city.\u201d His words surprised him, as he had never really cared how other people felt about things he said.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The woman came back with their meals, and Adam dug into his. Jack looked up at her. \u201cCould I get milk for the boy, coffee for me?\u201d She nodded and went away to get their drinks. Jack watched as Adam ate. He probably hadn\u2019t eaten in days. \u201cHey slow down,\u201d Jack said. \u201cIt\u2019ll be there. You don\u2019t want to get sick.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and reluctantly slowed his eating. Jack sighed as he watched him, and then started on his own meal. Why did I get involved, he thought. He was in for a long few days, and even longer if they couldn\u2019t find the boy\u2019s father. What happens then?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next couple of days went by quickly for Jack; endless days of asking questions, searching the streets, and listening to the child cry quietly at night in the hotel room. He never cried in front of Jack, though. Jack suspected if he knew he could hear him he wouldn\u2019t cry at all.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was a quiet child, but when Jack started to ask him more questions about his family and life, the child opened up. He told him all about his mother, whom he couldn\u2019t remember, and his stepmother, whom he obviously had loved. His brother was named Eric but Adam insisted that they call him Hoss, so his parents did. Hoss is what his uncle wanted him named. Hoss was a baby, and Adam was six. They were heading towards California.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The one person whom Adam rarely talked about though, was his father; yet Jack could tell the boy loved him very much. Jack finally came to the conclusion that he didn\u2019t talk about him because he loved him so much; but when he thought about that more, he didn\u2019t really understand how he came to that conclusion. He was able to understand a lot about Adam\u2019s father, though, just from the way Adam talked about the people around him and his outlook on life. His father must be a strong man.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boy hadn\u2019t been able to remember which hotel he had stayed at with his family, so from hotel to rooming house they went, asking again and again.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The were walking towards the next hotel, when Adam exclaimed, \u201cThis one! I know it is!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instead of being excited, Jack sighed. \u201cKid, you\u2019ve said that about six hotels so far.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned back and glared at him. \u201cBut I know it\u2019s this one. I recognize that-\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRight, let\u2019s just see,\u201d Jack interrupted. He strode into the hotel, with Adam following, a rather hurt look on his face. \u201cHi there, is there a Ben Cartwright registered here by any chance?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man behind the desk consulted his register. \u201cLet\u2019s see\u2026Cartwright\u2026ah. He checked out two days ago.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Jack in surprise. Jack glanced down at the boy, before asking, \u201cDid he leave an address, a way to get in contact with him, anything?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019m aware of, sir.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack watched as the boy turned and ran outside. He nodded his thanks at the man, and then walked out of the hotel. Not seeing Adam immediately outside, he started down the street. It took a couple minutes of searching, but finally he found him huddled next to a building, his head in his arms. Jack sighed, and then crouched down in front of him. \u201cLook, kid,\u201d he said, gently holding the child\u2019s shoulders. \u201cWe\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked up. \u201cYou\u2019re wrong,\u201d he whispered.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack closed his eyes, and tried to come up with some sort of response. Why did I get involved, he thought, for about the hundredth time. \u201cAdam-\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re wrong! He couldn\u2019t have left me; he couldn\u2019t have! He\u2019s my Pa, and\u2026and\u2026\u201d Adam broke down and started to cry. \u201cYou\u2019re wrong! You\u2019re wrong!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack reached out and held the child. \u201cI know,\u201d he whispered in his ear. \u201cI was wrong, Adam. I know he wouldn\u2019t have left you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d Adam asked, his voice muffled in Jack\u2019s shoulder.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, no one who cares as much for you as your Pa obviously does could ever just leave.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked down at the boy, who had pulled away so he could see his face. \u201cI mean, that no one who took as much time as your father did, to raise you right, to give you everything you needed, and everything he had\u2026 Believe me\u2026when you love a person that much, you don\u2019t just leave.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked uncertain. \u201cThen why did he check out?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack could see the hurt, the doubts in his eyes, and just then he realized how cruel his words had been. The kid was only six. He believed what people told him. And Jack\u2026Jack had introduced doubts and pain into his already aching heart. He never would have doubted if it wasn\u2019t for me, Jack realized. How cold; how callous he had become. He had his own hurts\u2026but he had no right to inflict them upon this innocent child. Jack put his hand out and brushed the hair out of Adam\u2019s eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t know why. But I\u2019m sure there\u2019s a good reason. Let\u2019s go get some lunch, and then ask around some of the places here and see if anybody\u2019s seen him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and let Jack help him up.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright walked down the street, his infant in his arms. The rest of the party had moved on, and Ben couldn\u2019t afford to remain here any longer. He had spent the last few days looking for work in the area, so he could stay nearby in case anyone spotted Adam. The guilt was starting to eat away at him; what kind of father loses his son?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben walked into the hotel. The clerk was in the backroom, which gave him time to pull the slip of paper with his current location out of his pocket. He looked up as the manager came out.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright! Someone was just here asking for you! Seth, Seth come out here!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The clerk came out of the backroom. \u201cMr. Cartwright! A man was just in here about an hour ago, looking for you. I didn\u2019t know where you had gone though, so I merely told him you checked out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben felt like his heart was going to explode out of his chest; it was beating so hard. \u201cPlease\u2026did my son\u2026? Was my son with him?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seth frowned. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what your son looks like\u2026but he did have a boy with him. A dark-haired lad about seven, I think. He was quite upset when I said you had checked out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben breathed. It had to be. He handed the note to the manager. \u201cIf they come back, please give them that note.\u201d He turned to Seth. \u201cDo you know where they went?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The clerk shook his head. \u201cNo, the boy ran out and then the man left after him. I\u2019m not sure where they were going.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The manager put the note behind the desk. \u201cDon\u2019t worry though, Mr. Cartwright. If they come back, we\u2019ll be sure to let you know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said, and then hurried out. They were here not too long ago\u2026maybe they still were.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Jack handed the man the money for the meal, and then he stood up. Adam didn\u2019t move from his chair. He had eaten lunch, but only with a lot of prodding and coaxing from Jack. Jack sighed and picked him up. He swallowed as the child put his head on his shoulder, but forced himself to relax. No one had ever shown this much trust in him before, and it made him feel different. Partly uncomfortable, yet at the same time\u2026bigger. If that made any sense.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He walked out of the restaurant, and started down the street. What was he going to do now? He had to leave here in a week, and as much as he enjoyed the child\u2019s company, he surely couldn\u2019t take him with him. First of all the child probably wouldn\u2019t go; secondly, it would be too dangerous for the boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He really wasn\u2019t paying too much attention to the people around him, but a man caught his eye. He was farther down the street, and he had just exited the hotel where the boy\u2019s father had stayed. He looked worried and sleep deprived\u2026and he had a baby in his arms. He started to walk down the street away from Jack and Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack increased the pace of his steps. The man was pausing to talk to people along the way, so Jack was catching up to him. The man was talking to a woman, who started to shake her head until she noticed Jack. She just looked at him, and after a moment the man turned and looked too. His mouth fell open, and he started towards them. \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The child stiffened in Jack\u2019s arms, and Jack stopped to set him down. \u201cPa?\u201d the boy said as he turned.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Adam!\u201d the man rushed towards them and swept the boy into a hug. The baby was jostled and started to cry, but the man didn\u2019t notice. \u201cAdam, my son\u2026\u201d he gasped, and then just held him.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was crying, and his little arms were wrapped around his father. \u201cPa,\u201d he sobbed into his shirt.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right son, don\u2019t cry\u2026it\u2019s okay.\u201d Finally Ben looked up at the man standing in front of them. \u201cHow can I ever thank you?\u201d he said, his arm around his son.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack shook his head with a sarcastic smile. \u201cYou can\u2019t,\u201d he answered. \u201cJack Trent.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cThank you so much for bringing my son back to me.\u201d Ben squeezed Adam\u2019s shoulders, and the boy smiled up at him.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack wished he could tell him how grateful he was that he had found Adam, and what the days of companionship with the boy had meant to him. How he had become cold and hardened to the world and its problems, but having another person, a young and defenseless person to care for had changed things a little. Finally he took a deep breath. \u201cI have a lot to thank you for too\u2026but it doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019d best be on my way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack turned, but behind him he heard, \u201cNo! Wait, Jack!\u201d He looked back to find Adam\u2019s little hand gripping his holster. He turned and crouched in front of him, and the boy\u2019s hands moved to his shoulders. \u201cPlease, you can\u2019t just leave like that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack chuckled. \u201cHow do you want me to leave?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The child blinked a few times and looked back at Ben. \u201cPa\u2026?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben moved forward. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to join us for supper tonight. I would like to talk to the man who brought my son back.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked at the little boy in front of him. He knew that every little bit mattered to settlers during these cross-country moves, especially to a man with two small children to feed. Yet the man had asked. And Jack wanted to learn more about him as well. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said, and Adam grinned. He shook his head with a smile. What if I hadn\u2019t gotten involved?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s how you met my father?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded. \u201cWe became pretty close friends. I went with them to California, and your father eventually bought property in the Nevada Territory, where the Ponderosa is now. I went back and visited about every year or so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you stop being friends?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s a story for another night,\u201d he said, and put a couple of logs on the dying fire. \u201cGo on to sleep now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe pulled open his bedroll and lay down. He looked up at the stars, which were bright and clear. Before too long, he was asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack stayed awake for a mush longer time, thoughtfully smoking a cigarette. He hadn\u2019t thought of Cordelia in awhile. He forced himself not to think of her. There was work to be done, and brooding about the past wouldn\u2019t help things. You can\u2019t change the past. Not any of it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The next few days went by fairly quickly, and Joe was surprised that the return trip to the Ponderosa was going so much faster than his trip away from it. As much as Joe wanted to slow down, though, Jack wouldn\u2019t let him. He suspected Jack knew he wasn\u2019t looking forward to facing his oldest brother and father, but he wasn\u2019t letting him shirk away from it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Over the course of the days, Jack told Joe further about his friendship with the Cartwrights, until finally he came to the point in his story that involved the end of good feelings between them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack had grown silent after telling Joe about celebrating Adam\u2019s tenth birthday at the Ponderosa, and Joe was trying to think of something to say when the man looked up at him. \u201cYou really want to hear the rest?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cI think so,\u201d he said quietly. What could be so horrible that Jack hesitated to tell him?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded. \u201cAll right then. It\u2019s not that it\u2019s anything terrible, it\u2019s just\u2026it wasn\u2019t a good ending to all those years. Some of those years were the best in my life,\u201d he said quietly, and Joe wondered if he meant to say that out loud. \u201cWe were in San Francisco. I was in town on business; your father was buying some land north of where the Ponderosa was back then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked out the door behind him for the third time, an angry frown darkening his face. He looked back at the banker. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, could you excuse me\u2026?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The banker nodded, and Ben got up and went out of the office. He came to a stop, towering over his two bickering sons. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d he hissed. \u201cYou are in a bank\u2026can\u2019t you manage to behave yourselves for ten minutes?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam did his best not to glare back at him. There was no use in asking for a spanking. \u201cPa, Hoss won\u2019t quit it. And it\u2019s been more than ten minutes,\u201d he finished darkly, immediately forgetting his resolve to not provoke his father.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben angrily took a deep breath, and looked at the clock intending to argue that point, but when he saw how much time had passed, he was genuinely surprised. The frown faded from his face, and he looked back down at his sons. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mouth fell open. He had expected a talking to with a promise of punishment later, not acknowledgement. \u201cUh\u2026what\u2026?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled slightly. \u201cHere,\u201d he said, taking some money out of his pocket. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take your brother to the general store, and both of you get some candy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled and happily took the money, then grabbed his brother\u2019s hand and tugged him out of the chair.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStay together,\u201d Ben said as they left. He watched them start down the street, before turning and going back into the manager\u2019s office.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s Pa mad?\u201d asked Hoss, happily eating some of the taffy Adam had bought.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he said. Their father had been short-tempered since they arrived in the city it seemed. Last night, Adam heard Pa and Jack arguing about something after he was supposed to be asleep, and all day today Pa had been cross. Adam didn\u2019t really understand what they had been quarreling about, but he didn\u2019t like it. Pa had said Jack took too many risks, and thought what he was doing was dangerous. They had talked about more, but Adam didn\u2019t remember what they had said. He only remembered what their raised voices had sounded like.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d Hoss called. Adam looked across the street to see Jack walking down a path between two buildings. \u201cCome on,\u201d said Hoss, and started to run across the street.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam ran after him and quickly caught up. \u201cHoss, Pa said we were supposed to stay together!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well come on,\u201d replied the four year old, and Adam rolled his eyes and followed him. They walked down the little alleyway, which led into a bigger alley running behind all the buildings. Hoss started walking along the path, but Adam hurried to catch up to him. \u201cHoss, I don\u2019t see Jack. I don\u2019t think we\u2019re supposed to be here. Let\u2019s go.\u201d Just as he finished, a door in one of the buildings opened. Adam quickly scanned the alley, and then pulled Hoss behind a pile of boxes, crouching down so they wouldn\u2019t be seen. \u201cHush, Hoss,\u201d Adam warned.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They could here a couple of men talking as they got near the boxes. \u201cI still say we oughta just blow up the safe,\u201d one of them said.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and bring every person in the city running?\u201d replied another.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have to use that much explosive,\u201d answered the first.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook you two,\u201d said a third person. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to use any explosive if we can get this plan to work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026if. We blew up the safe in the bank in Williams Flats\u2026nobody heard that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShut up about blowing up the safe!\u201d snapped the third person, and Adam heard them moving farther down the alley. He looked at the child next to him. \u201cThey\u2019re robbing the bank,\u201d he hissed in his ear.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at him with huge eyes. And then his mouth opened. Adam\u2019s reflexes were slow, and even as he put his hand out, Hoss was saying loudly, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand clamped over his mouth. \u201cShhh!\u201d he whispered urgently, but it was too late.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A few seconds later two of the men walked around the boxes. \u201cWhat have we got here?\u201d one of them said, and grabbed Adam\u2019s arm and dragged him into the open.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other man grabbed Hoss. \u201cWhat are we going to do with them?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet us go! You won\u2019t get away with this!\u201d Adam struggled against the man holding him, who muttered, \u201cBe quite,\u201d and then pushed him into the building they had just came out of.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s take them upstairs, and then see what Bill has to say about it.\u201d Adam looked back as the man started pushing him up a flight of stairs. One of the other men was carrying Hoss after them, and Adam\u2019s heart skipped a beat as he saw the terrified look on the child\u2019s face. \u201cMove,\u201d the man behind him muttered, and nudged him to go faster.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They came to the top of the stairs and entered a hall, and the man in front of them opened the first door and led them in. It was a plain hotel room, Adam realized. There were two beds and a chair and a nightstand, and that was all. The man behind Adam picked him up and tossed him on the bed farthest from the door, and the other man set Hoss down beside him. All three men moved to the far corner of the room, where they began to talk quietly, occasionally glancing at the two children.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam held Hoss close as the child started to cry. \u201cHush, Hoss. It\u2019ll be okay,\u201d he whispered.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want Pa!\u201d the boy cried, and Adam hugged him tighter.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a couple of minutes, one of the men left the room. The other two walked over to the children, and one of them leaned over them and snapped, \u201cShut up, kid! Enough of that blubbering!\u201d They turned to leave.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was startled, and only started to cry harder. The man turned back and grabbed him away from Adam, and even as Adam was scrambling off the bed, he had started to spank the frightened child. \u201cI said be quiet- ow!\u201d the man yelped as Adam kicked him.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet go of my brother,\u201d Adam yelled. The man dumped the child back onto the bed, and Hoss crawled away and cowered against the headboard, tears running down his face. Adam glared at the man as he turned to him.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll teach you to kick me,\u201d the man growled, and pulled off his belt.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes grew wide, and he backed away as the man advanced towards him, holding the folded belt in his hand. He looked at Hoss, and then clenched his jaw, determined to take it like a man for his brother. \u201cDon\u2019t look Hoss,\u201d he cried, and then the man pulled him under his arm. He sharply inhaled at the first hit, and did his best not to cry out. The man had only hit him a few times when he stopped, and Adam was pulled away from his abuser and lifted into someone\u2019s arms. He turned to the person holding him, and immediately recognized Jack Trent.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack stared at the two men. \u201cSo you\u2019ve got nothing better to do than hurt kids, huh? No bank to rob in the near future, anything like that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The men squirmed at his biting words. One of them started to mutter some sort of explanation, but Jack just snapped, \u201cGet out,\u201d and the two men hurriedly exited. Jack set Adam down. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss jumped off the bed and ran to Adam, who held him tightly. \u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen to us?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack sat down on the bed. \u201cNothing, okay? You\u2019re going to be\u2026it\u2019ll be okay. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan we go now?\u201d Adam asked. Jack put his hands over his face for a few moments, and when he pulled them away Adam was scared at the expression on his face. \u201cJack?\u201d he whimpered.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack closed his eyes, as if the sight of Adam and his baby brother was painful to him. \u201cDon\u2019t ask me that,\u201d he said. \u201cLook, I\u2026I don\u2019t run things here\u2026I\u2026can\u2019t do anything right now. I\u2019ll talk to the person in charge, okay?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack\u2026please\u2026\u201d whispered Adam, but the man stood up suddenly and left the room.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside in the hall, Jack slammed his fist into the wall. Damn it! Damn! What now? He needed to set those kids free\u2026but Bill\u2026Bill wouldn\u2019t let them go until after the robbery had taken place. And if Jack did anything or said anything that indicated that he knew who those kids were, their lives would be in danger. Bill would kill them, and then demand a ransom. And if Jack didn\u2019t want to be found out, he would have to go along with it. He\u2019d never go along with murdering children, but if he protested to holding them, Bill would know that he wasn\u2019t who he said he was and his own life would be in danger. What help would he be to them then? I should have listened to Ben, he thought to himself. Bill Rivers is not to be messed with.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack went back into the room, where Adam and Hoss were curled up on the bed. Adam was whispering to Hoss, but when he noticed Jack and looked up, the look was accusing and angry. Jack quickly sat down next to them. \u201cListen to me,\u201d he said, holding Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t tell anyone your names, or who your father is, you hear me?\u201d A terrified look came over Adam\u2019s face, and he hugged Hoss closer. \u201cDon\u2019t talk to anyone, don\u2019t say anything, understand?\u201d Adam nodded, and as Jack started to leave again he put his hand out and grabbed his sleeve.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack\u2026are we in danger?\u201d he whispered, quite simply thought Jack. The man glanced at the door as the handle turned, and then nodded. The door swung open, revealing a mean-looking unshaven man.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The man walked into the room, barely acknowledging the children. \u201cRed tells me our problem is solved.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack smiled, even though he felt as though his stomach was tied in ten knots. \u201cOh really?\u201d he replied to the man known as Bill.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bill looked then at the kids, who put their heads down and huddled closer together. \u201cWe have hostages. No one is going to shoot at us if we have kids. We\u2019ll get in with the kids, get the money, and then leave as we planned.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack hesitated. \u201cI don\u2019t know about that. I mean they\u2019re kids, Bill\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExactly,\u201d the man replied, and then went to the other side of the room and picked up a hat that had been on the table. \u201cMake sure they don\u2019t get away.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d interrupted Joe. \u201cYou used my brothers as hostages?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s not something I\u2019m proud of. I just\u2026I made a pretty big mistake. My plan was to turn on Bill in the middle of the robbery. He had a pretty big bounty on his head, and I knew a lot about his contacts and methods. I\u2019d worked my way into his trust so I could get all that information. But with your brothers there, there was no way I wanted to risk their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you went ahead with the robbery?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack sighed. \u201cYeah. We did the robbery. Bill wanted to kill the kids, but I talked him out of it. Instead, we left them locked in a room at the bank and we took off. From what I understand, they were found a few hours later, unharmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWas that the same bank where my father was doing business?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe understood now. Both his brother\u2019s lives had been jeopardized, and so had the Ponderosa by what Jack had done. No wonder his father had been so angry with him. Joe watched as Jack stood up. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a few minutes,\u201d he said, and then left the lit clearing. Joe felt incredibly sad. He wished things hadn\u2019t happened like they had. So many years of anger and hurt. At least now his father and Jack were on better terms. Even if Jack was still doing the same work he did years ago. Joe hoped his father wouldn\u2019t be angry at Jack for what had happened, or what Joe had done.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thinking about that made Joe dread going home even more. What if this trip only served to ruin the rebuilt friendship between the two men? Joe didn\u2019t think he could live with himself if that happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Adam glanced out the window, and noticed the horses coming in. He hurried down the hall to his father\u2019s room. \u201cThey\u2019re here, Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cDo you need anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben put the book down he\u2019d been trying to read without success. \u201cNo\u2026but, Adam\u2026don\u2019t tell Joe what happened to me, all right? I don\u2019t\u2026want him to feel guilty for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took in his father, with his leg bandaged under the covers, the bullet wound healing, finally. It had been a rough week, but a couple days ago his father\u2019s fever had broken and the doctor said the infection was going away. \u201cBut it is sort of his fault, Pa.\u201d They had tracked down the man who had first kidnapped the youngest Cartwright, fearing perhaps he had something to do with Joe\u2019s disappearance. The man had resisted arrest, and in the scuffle, shot and wounded Ben. It had been a nasty wound; the bullet hitting and shattering part of the bone in Ben\u2019s upper thigh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, let\u2019s see what your brother has to say for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and then left to find his brother and Jack Trent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Downstairs, Joe heard someone coming down the stairs and he turned, expecting to see Ben, but instead it was Adam who came down to greet them. Joe was disappointed. In all the scenarios he imagined, coming home like this wasn\u2019t what he had pictured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJack! Hello, it\u2019s good to see you again,\u201d Adam shook Jack\u2019s hand warmly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Adam. Glad to finally arrive.\u201d Jack saw Adam\u2019s gaze turn to Joe, and he released Adam\u2019s hand and quietly moved away to let the brothers have some time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and stood in front of Adam. Even though he felt about six inches tall under his brother\u2019s gaze, he did his best to stand up straight and look him in the eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The effort wasn\u2019t overlooked or wasted on the elder Cartwright. Adam waited a few moments. \u201cSo,\u201d he finally said. \u201cYou decided to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s gaze faltered for a moment, but just as quickly it returned and he squared his shoulders. He knew what he had to say, even though he hated admitting he was wrong. Pushing aside his feelings of dread and anger, in anticipation of what Adam was going to say in reply, he took a deep breath. \u201cAdam,\u201d he said, his voice softer and quieter than he wished it to be. He cleared his throat. \u201cI was wrong to leave here like I did. I know there\u2019s nothing I can say or do to take that back, and all the trouble and worry I caused you and Pa and Hoss. But I am sorry. I was acting very childish, and\u2026I was wrong\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice faltered, but he took a deep breath and tried again. \u201cIf you could\u2026see it in your heart\u2026to forgive me, Adam\u2026\u201d He trailed off and looked up at his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam knew it had taken a lot for Joe to say what he had just said. His apologies were at most casual words tossed out to soothe their father\u2019s or Adam\u2019s anger; they were hardly ever well thought out and sincere. Adam stood there, looking down at his younger brother so desperately wanting his forgiveness and understanding. As many times as Adam was angry and frustrated with him, especially over the past few weeks, he found that he could forgive him for doing what he did; almost what Adam did once, although at least when Adam went off to school he did so with his father\u2019s blessing and a little more maturity. But he had come back like Joe was now- more grown up. He had seen that the world was a hard, unforgiving place; very unlike a family\u2019s love and patience. The world has no patience for children. Adam gazed down at his brother. Yes, he was proud of him. Proud that instead of coming back like a little child, crying and wounded and expecting sympathy, he had come back taking responsibilities for his wrongs and asking forgiveness. Hoss had arrived yesterday, and had filled them in on what Joe had done in Arizona as well. And now, Adam could tell that Joe had come back more a man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled at him. \u201cWelcome home, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face broke out in a huge grin, and he reached forward to Adam, who warmly embraced him. \u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam released him then, and placed his arm around his shoulders and led him upstairs, quietly explaining that their father had been injured but he was much better now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

After dinner that evening, Joe, Adam, Hoss, and Jack had moved into Ben\u2019s bedroom, as the doctor had confined the elder Cartwright to his bed despite his protests. There, Joe recounted everything that had happened to him on his trip. Well, almost everything. He left out a few of the details of his treatment at first by Jack\u2019s men. He was worried that Ben might take it badly, even though it had hardly been their fault that they didn\u2019t know he was coming.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, he looked at Ben. \u201cJack told me what happened, all those years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYour brothers have known some of it for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at Jack. \u201cDid anything else happen, after Hoss and Adam were rescued?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack looked a little uncomfortable with the question. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cJust a note that I left, but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked puzzled. \u201cA note?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded. \u201cAt the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d said Jack. \u201cWhen Ben Cartwright checks out, can you make sure he gets this?\u201d Jack slid an envelope across the counter and two dollars into the man\u2019s hand.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The owner looked up at him and smiled. \u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ll leave it right here and be sure he gets it.\u201d He put the envelope on the left hand side of the desk next to the ledger, where he would be sure to see it when the Cartwrights checked out.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack nodded his thanks and left the hotel. Not two minutes later, a boy ran into the room. \u201cMr. Gibson!\u201d he yelled.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gibson sighed. He had just hired the boy last week, and he wasn\u2019t working out very well. He was easily excited, and very forgetful. \u201cYes, Todd,\u201d he sighed.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the singer lady\u2026she\u2019s fainted! She\u2019s out cold in the restaurant, sir!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gibson stared at him for a moment, completely aghast. Then he took a deep breath and sprang into action. \u201cTodd, watch the desk. I\u2019m going to go to the dining room.\u201d Gibson hurriedly left the desk and went across the hall into the next room.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Todd grumbled, but took his assigned post behind the desk. A couple of minutes later a tall brown-haired man with two children came to the desk. \u201cI\u2019m checking out,\u201d the man said.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Todd slid the ledger to him, and watched as he signed it before taking it back and looking at the name. Todd looked up. \u201cThank you Mr. Cartwright. I hope you had a nice stay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright didn\u2019t answer; he just picked up his bag in one arm and his smallest child in the other, and then went outside to wait for the stage.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A half an hour later, Gibson came back into the room. \u201cThank you, Todd,\u201d he said. \u201cEverything is fine now, you can go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Todd got up from the desk, grumbling slightly at having missed all the excitement. He was stopped in the doorway by Gibson\u2019s exclamation. He turned back. \u201cSir?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright\u2026he checked out and you didn\u2019t give him his message.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat message? I checked the box, there was nothing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. This one.\u201d Gibson held up the envelope\u2026that had \u2018Ben Cartwright\u2019 written on the other side. He looked at the letter and sighed. \u201cMaybe the other fellow will come back to see if he got it, and I can explain the mix up.\u201d Gibson placed the envelope on the shelf behind the desk.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The letter remained there for about a week, until it was knocked off the shelf accidentally by Todd, who was having a clumsy day. He was fired soon after that, and the letter was forgotten until much later when Gibson\u2019s new wife was loudly scolding his lack of cleaning skills and happened to sweep it from under the counter. She looked at it for about a second, then not deeming it to be anything of importance, tossed it into the fireplace with the rest of the old newspapers, letters, and dime novels she found.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew you left a note,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew you didn\u2019t get it,\u201d Jack replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men sat quietly for a few moments, thinking about all the misunderstandings and bad decisions that had hurt their friendship. Finally, Jack took a deep breath. \u201cWell,\u201d he said. \u201cThe past is behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a very bright future ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jack grinned, and he warmly shook Ben\u2019s hand. \u201cYou remember the time when Hoss found that barn cat?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben rolled his eyes. \u201cThe meanest thing in the world and more trouble than it was worth. But I couldn\u2019t get him to get rid of the thing. This cat,\u201d he said, turning to his sons. \u201cIt had a missing eye and a torn ear, and it was the orneriest thing you ever came across. There was one time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The stories, laughter and memories continued far into the night. Finally, Joe could hardly keep his eyes open any longer, so Hoss coaxed him out of the room and into bed. Adam bid the two men goodnight, and as he left them, he glanced back. So many memories of his childhood came back, of his father and Jack enjoying each other\u2019s company in the firelight at night, talking of things only they knew about.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled and shut the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: Little Joe decides to find an old friend of Ben’s, and along the way learns about growing up and responsibility. .<\/p>\n

Rating: PG-13 for mild language, strong language, violence\u00a0 (28,670 words)<\/p>\n

At the Hands of Strangers Series<\/p>\n

At the Hands of Strangers
\nFriends and Strangers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":14809,"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":[2,23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-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\/2014\/04\/hands.jpeg?fit=260%2C194&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13861","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\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13861"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13861\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}