{"id":13869,"date":"2004-03-01T10:09:32","date_gmt":"2004-03-01T15:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13869"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:31","slug":"that-which-makes-a-better-man-by-camera-chic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13869","title":{"rendered":"That Which Makes a Better Man (by Camera Chic)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: After Ben and Adam arrive back at the Ponderosa to find Joe beaten, starved and almost dead, tied in his room, the Cartwrights search for the answer to the question, “Why?”.<\/p>\n

Rating: PG-13 for violence\u00a0 (21, 030 words)<\/p>\n

*Author’s Note: I would like to thank the wonderful beta readers here at BW for their time and invaluable advice in helping make this story what it is.*<\/p>\n

That Which Makes a Better Man<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the town is still standing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright glanced at his eldest son, and noticed the slight smile at the corner of his mouth. Even though he knew the meaning behind what had been said, he couldn\u2019t help but ask, \u201cHow\u2019s that, Adam?\u201d The grin that appeared on Adam\u2019s face confirmed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe must have been so busy on the ranch he didn\u2019t have time to come into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed in spite of himself as they started to ride through Virginia City. This was actually the first time in almost a year that he and Adam had been gone longer than a few days, and even longer since they left Joe in charge. They had been hesitant to leave ever since they came home once to find wanted posters displaying a picture of Hoss and Little Joe, who were believed to have robbed the bank. Ben hoped the youngest Cartwright had learned a lesson from the last time he was in charge.<\/p>\n

During the last two and a half weeks, Adam and Ben had been away from the ranch on business, drawing up two new timber contracts and finalizing a land purchase along the northern border of the Ponderosa. It was rough country, but Adam had a plan to divert part of the river that ran through it to create a reservoir, in case there was ever a drought as serious as the one they had experienced the previous year. Over this past spring the number of cattle had finally been increasing, and they didn\u2019t want to lose the young animals. Ben didn\u2019t quite understand how it would work, but he had faith in Adam\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s thoughts turned to Hoss, who should have been left in charge during their time away but at the last minute he had been asked to help out at a neighbor\u2019s farm. Jeb Carter, an old friend, had broken his leg, and was unable to move from his bed. Having a wife and three young children to care for, as well as the spring planting to do, Hoss went to help them out. Ben wished he could have sent Joe instead, but the plowing and planting were very labor intensive, and Hoss was more suited for it.<\/p>\n

Ben left the ranch with a great deal of reluctance, and a bit of nervousness. He had given Joe a long list of instructions entailing what he could and couldn\u2019t do during the rest of the family\u2019s absence; still, he was worried that his son had forgotten everything, and Ben would arrive home to a charred mess, or a yard full of gypsies.<\/p>\n

Adam noticed his father shudder, and he chuckled to himself. He wished he could have told his father not to worry many times, but frankly if anything could go wrong it usually did when Joe was in charge. They were just hoping that he had risen to the occasion, and behaved responsibly the entire time they were gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d said Ben, breaking Adam out of his musings. \u201cThere\u2019s Hop Sing. Hop Sing!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d exclaimed Hop Sing, turning to greet them. \u201cMr. Adam! Not expect back for five days. All go well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything went great, Hop Sing,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cHow are things here? How is your cousin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had left the ranch at the same time Ben and Adam did. One of his cousins had been ailing for some time, and with only Joe at the ranch and not needing much, it had been a perfect opportunity for Hop Sing to spend time away.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing smiled. \u201cMuch better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear that,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Hoss in town. Just saw. He went to store.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe\u2019ll go see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, I don\u2019t want to cut your visit short, so just come back to the ranch when you had planned to,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no! Be there tomorrow. Need clean, and cook. Joe not keep things way Hop Sing like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam laughed, and Ben said, \u201cThat\u2019s fine then. We\u2019ll see you back at the house tomorrow.\u201d The two men turned and went back up the street towards the general store.<\/p>\n

They came to a stop next to it, just as Hoss and the two Carter boys, who were seven and four, came out. \u201cHey, Pa! Adam! I didn\u2019t expect to see you two here for another week,\u201d Hoss said, a huge smile on his face, shaking first his father\u2019s, and then brother\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, glad to see you,\u201d greeted Ben, clapping him on the shoulder. \u201cWe decided to come home early. How are things with the Carters?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine, Pa. We\u2019re pickin\u2019 up some supplies right now. The doc said Jeb should be able to get out of that bed in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good! Send him our best when you go back today,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s that younger brother of ours?\u201d Adam asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged. \u201cI expect he\u2019s keeping himself pretty busy running things on the ranch. I haven\u2019t seen him since before you left. Oh, I saw Hop Sing earlier today, and he said his cousin\u2019s doing better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we just saw him. He said he\u2019ll be back at the ranch tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cThat means everything\u2019ll be cleaned up and there\u2019ll be good food when I get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cDo you have some reason to think things will be a mess?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope. Just Joe,\u201d Hoss said with a shrug.<\/p>\n

Adam snorted, and Ben cast a glare at him, but didn\u2019t say anything. There wasn\u2019t much he could say; chances were, the place would be a mess. Especially since they were arriving home unexpected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell I got to go get these supplies over to the Carters. I\u2019ll see you in a few days.\u201d Hoss picked up the youngest boy, and swung him onto his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you, Hoss, take care,\u201d Ben and Adam called after him as he went down the street towards the wagon. They started out of town, each lost in his own thoughts. As they neared Ponderosa land, Adam turned to Ben. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we ride by the west fence? Joe was supposed the see that it was repaired. I\u2019m curious to see how much he got done.\u201d<\/p>\n

After a couple moments, Ben nodded, and then he and Adam detoured slightly through the trees. Pretty soon, they came out of the woods and were able to survey the wide-open field. Tiny dots that were cattle could be seen in the distance, and there was a breeze blowing through the grasses and changing the shade of the spring green as it went. It was a breathtaking sight.<\/p>\n

Adam and Ben paused to enjoy it for a moment, and then spotted two men a little ways away working on the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell look at that,\u201d Adam said, satisfaction in his voice. \u201cI must say I\u2019m pleased with that younger brother of mine already.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grinned and urged his horse on. \u201cIf the rest of things are running this smoothly, I think your brother\u2019s going to deserve some well-earned time off.\u201d<\/p>\n

They came to a stop near the fence. \u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d The men put down their tools and went towards them. \u201cHow\u2019s Hoss doin\u2019? Heard he was hurt,\u201d one of them said.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam exchanged a glance. \u201cHoss? No\u2026I just saw him in town. He didn\u2019t say anything,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

The man looked puzzled. \u201cReally? Well, Little Joe left about a week and a half ago for the Carter\u2019s place. He got a message that Hoss was injured, and when we didn\u2019t hear nothin\u2019 we figured he was, and that Joe was staying there to help them out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss hasn\u2019t seen Joe in three weeks,\u201d said Ben, not really talking to the man. He turned and starting riding in the direction of the ranch house. Adam started after him in an instant, leaving the two men staring after them, rather frightened at their reaction and wondering what this all meant.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart was pounding as he followed his father. Why had someone lured Joe out of the house? What could they have wanted? And why had no one heard from Joe? Adam pushed the last thought out of his head and raced into the yard, pulling his tired horse to a stop next to Ben\u2019s and then dismounting.<\/p>\n

They pulled out their guns before cautiously making their way to the front of the house. There was no telling what they might find.<\/p>\n

Slowly pushing the door open, Ben led the way inside. \u201cNothing looks touched,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

The rooms downstairs seemed undisturbed; the only thing amiss was that one of the dining room chairs was tipped over.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam exchanged a glance, and then Ben began to search below as Adam took the stairs.<\/p>\n

Adam walked down the hall, his heart pounding as he carefully opened each door to make sure no one was inside.<\/p>\n

Coming to Joe\u2019s door, he took a deep breath and pushed it open. When he saw the still figure on the bed, he choked back a cry and ran towards it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Joe!\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n

His brother was lying on his side, blindfolded, and deathly pale and thin. His hands were bound together, with the rope tied to the headboard. Swallowing hard, Adam put his hand on Joe\u2019s head and leaned over him. As soon as he touched him, the younger man stirred slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026Joe, you\u2019re alive,\u201d Adam whispered, and bolted for the door, yelling, \u201cPa! Come quick! It\u2019s Joe!\u201d Moving quickly back to the bed, he untied the blindfold as Joe moaned. \u201cJoe, Joe I\u2019m here. It\u2019s Adam.\u201d He pulled the blindfold away, noticing many cuts and bruises on his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

As the light hit Joe\u2019s eyes, he winced and cried out before weakly turning his head back into the pillow. There was a noise behind Adam, and he turned as Ben quickly crossed the room and bent over his youngest son in fear. \u201cJoe. Is he\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d Adam said. \u201cI\u2019ll get some water.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he got back, Ben had untied Joe\u2019s wrists. As Adam reached to help lift Joe, Ben said, \u201cBe careful; his shoulder is injured.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Joe\u2019s right arm, and could tell that it was. Together, they lifted him carefully and Adam held the water to his mouth. Joe groaned as soon as they moved him, but drank the water until Adam pulled it away. \u201cNot too much,\u201d Adam said, and they lowered him back to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp\u2026help\u2026\u201d Joe opened his eyes slowly, wincing in pain against the sudden light after such a long period of darkness.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush, son. We\u2019re here,\u201d whispered Ben. \u201cDon\u2019t try to talk.\u201d He worriedly scanned his son\u2019s body, trying to decide as to the best course of action. Judging by his son\u2019s emaciated frame and the soiled bedding, Ben figured he had been a prisoner for days. There was no telling what kind of injuries there were. Glancing up at Adam, Ben started to unbutton Joe\u2019s shirt. \u201cGet the guest room ready. We need to move him out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and left quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWater\u2026\u201d groaned Joe as Ben finished undoing the buttons on his shirt and pants.<\/p>\n

Ben gently lifted his son, and put the glass to his lips. Joe sipped carefully, and then his head slumped against his father\u2019s vest. Ben quickly looked down, afraid that he had passed out. When he saw Joe blink, he was relieved somewhat, and gently wrapped his arms around him. \u201cOh my son\u2026\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

There was a bit of a clatter as Adam came back into the room, as he had a basin, a pitcher of water, and an armful of towels and sheets. He set the items down on the chair next to his younger brother\u2019s bed, and\u00a0 then without a word, he pulled out his knife and cut away Joe\u2019s sleeves. While Ben gently held him, Adam pulled the ripped and stained shirt away, revealing cuts, bruises, and scratches, too many to count. Next the filthy pants came off, and as Adam pulled them away, Joe gasped and his body jerked in pain. Adam slowly looked up at Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s been burnt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked to the end of the bed, and as he took in the injury his face darkened. His son\u2019s feet were badly burned, from the soles up past his ankles. The skin was red and peeling, and it looked quite painful. \u201cWho did this?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at these stab wounds\u2026\u201d Adam ran his hand gently over one of the wounds on his brother\u2019s leg. It was red, and warm to the touch. Adam frowned, and then moved around the bed and soaked one of the cloths in the basin, and then began to gently wipe his brother\u2019s body, washing dirt and dried blood away from the wounds. \u201cHe must have been outside,\u201d Adam murmured as Ben grabbed another cloth.<\/p>\n

As they cleaned him, they noticed his right shoulder was out of the joint, and appeared to be broken as well. There was a lot of bruising on his left side, and Adam suspected a rib might be broken. Five knife wounds on his left leg, and the chance that two were infected, along with many cuts, scrapes, and bruises all over his arms, legs, and chest. Some of them looked as though they were made by his being dragged along the ground, judging from the amount of dirt in and surrounding the patches of raw skin. What was most noticeable was how emaciated he was.<\/p>\n

As soon as they were done washing him, they wrapped him in one of the sheets and then, together, they lifted the all-too light nineteen-year-old and carried him down the hall into the guest room where they put him down on the fresh bed.<\/p>\n

Adam stepped back and looked up at Ben. \u201cPa, I\u2019m going for the doctor\u2026will\u2026will you be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cPlease hurry,\u201d he replied, and then listened as Adam ran down the stairs and out of the house. Pulling a chair close to the bed so he could monitor his son\u2019s condition, Ben thought about this morning, and how little they would have suspected this. There was no warning, no reason. Ben couldn\u2019t think of anything any one of his family might have done to cause this, but here it was\u2026his youngest son almost dead as proof that someone was angry with them. Hated them, but for what reason, Ben would have to be patient. First they had to save his son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

Glancing at the clock on the other side of the room, Ben shifted in the chair a little. He knew he was in for a long, nerve-racking wait.<\/p>\n

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

The first thing Joe noticed was that it wasn\u2019t so dark anymore. The pitch black that he had been accustomed to was fading into a dark gray. He must be waking up. It would be the same as the last time he woke up, and the time before that\u2026and he would start to hurt again. Soon.<\/p>\n

Right now, he wished he could just go back to sleep, before it got worse. He felt his lungs fill with air, and the dullness of familiar pain. He didn\u2019t want to breathe\u2026his body did it for him. It refused to give up. Long after his stubbornness and resolve had been beaten away, his body still clung to life. To the air in his wounded lungs. That was all it had now.<\/p>\n

As his lungs emptied, he listened to the ragged sound of his uneven breaths. The pain was getting more intense.<\/p>\n

Everything hurt so much when he was awake, it was hard to know where one injury stopped and another began. His mind screamed at him to stop the pain, but he couldn\u2019t\u2026at least not until he passed out from it. Joe felt his lungs fill again, but this time something triggered his memory through the growing pain.<\/p>\n

Pa\u2026the air smelled like Pa. Not his cologne, or his freshly laundered suits. It smelled like horses, and leather, and sweat after a long day. Joe wasn\u2019t sure if he really smelled it, or just the memory. His mind played tricks on him. He never quite knew when he was actually awake, or just dreaming that his father came back.<\/p>\n

Joe inhaled again, but suddenly he noticed something different. He tried to force himself to understand what it was, but it was so hard to get his mind to focus. Wait\u2026his arms. He could feel pain in his arm. They went numb so often it felt like they weren\u2019t even there sometimes, but right now he could feel them.<\/p>\n

Hesitantly, he tried to move his fingers. As he did, he became aware of the warm softness that must be a blanket. The pain was becoming sharper, waking him up, but as it did he realized he wasn\u2019t cold anymore. He must be completely covered. Somehow, the warmth spreading throughout his body made things a little easier to bear. He was glad for it.<\/p>\n

Joe turned his thoughts to his father, trying to distract himself from the relentless growing ache of the injuries. He pictured his face, and suddenly Adam appeared too. They seemed to be saying something, but Joe couldn\u2019t hear them.<\/p>\n

Vaguely, like it had been a dream, he remembered them in front if him. He hadn\u2019t been able to answer. It must have been a dream.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The voice startled Joe, and he struggled against the dark. That couldn\u2019t be a dream, it just couldn\u2019t! He never heard voices in his dreams\u2026it was always deathly quiet. Joe fought against the darkness, trying to become fully awake.<\/p>\n

Gasping as pain shot through him, so intense that he almost blacked out again\u2026but his body wouldn\u2019t let him. It faded finally, as Joe struggled to open his eyes. It was getting brighter. It couldn\u2019t be a dream. It was never light in his dreams.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d he whispered, his voice almost nothing after not speaking for so long. \u201cPa\u2026?\u201d he gasped. He wished desperately that it was his father\u2026that he had finally come as Joe so often longed. Please, let him be there\u2026 he begged silently, afraid to allow himself to believe that it wasn\u2019t a dream, knowing he would be devastated if it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

A loving touch smoothed his hair back, and moved over his face, and Joe forced his eyes open at last.<\/p>\n

The blurry face in front of him slowly came into focus. He saw the graying hair, the weatherworn strong features, and the intense worry in his eyes. Longing so much to be in his father\u2019s arms, Joe was only able to whisper, \u201cPa\u2026you\u2019re here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He saw Ben reached down, and then his father gently lifted him. Pain cascaded through his body, but he forced himself to pretend it didn\u2019t hurt, as the comfort of having his father\u2019s arms around him meant more.<\/p>\n

Something touched his mouth, but he didn\u2019t want to look away from Pa\u2019s face to see what it was. \u201cDrink,\u201d his father said. Water\u2026<\/p>\n

Joe opened his mouth, and took a few sips. The sting in his throat grew more intense, but his thirst hurt greater so he drank until his father pulled it away. To his dismay, he felt himself being lowered back to the bed, but it lessened when Ben didn\u2019t move away, and instead leaned close over him, gently caressing his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, the doctor will be here soon,\u201d his father whispered.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t worried, but he could tell Pa was. His forehead was wrinkled, as it was every time his father was concerned.<\/p>\n

Joe wished more than anything he could make him feel better, that he could say, \u201cPa, it\u2019s okay. You\u2019re here now. The pain will be gone soon, and I\u2019ll be all right.\u201d, but he couldn\u2019t force himself to say the words. Not even he believed all of them. The pain wasn\u2019t gone, and he couldn\u2019t imagine it not being there.<\/p>\n

Pa looked towards the door, and Joe wondered if someone else was coming in; but when his father shook his head and turned back to Joe with a slightly more wrinkled brow, Joe knew his father was alone with him. \u201cPa,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right Joe, not much longer, they\u2019ll be here soon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe forced himself to listen and believe the words his father was saying. He knew his father wouldn\u2019t leave him, but what if the pain overpowered him, and he couldn\u2019t hold on anymore? What if all the times he had wished and prayed that it would end came true? Now he realized he did know more than pain. \u201cScared\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, there was noise outside the room, in the hall, and Joe looked towards the door as Adam burst in, followed closely by Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe could tell he was just as worried as Pa as he bent over him. Joe had to struggle for a moment to shift his focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d he whispered. The look in his brother\u2019s eyes was the same one reflected in his father\u2019s, and it frightened him.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to die anymore.<\/p>\n

Coldness descended on him, and he glanced down to see the doctor pulling the blankets away from his naked body. Joe closed his eyes as the doctor\u2019s hands moved briefly over his body, gently touching the spots where he had been hurt the worst.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get his shoulder back into place first. Adam, help me.\u201d Joe felt movement as Adam came near. Joe sensed his brother\u2019s hands on his body, and felt the doctor firmly grasp his arm and start to move it. Immediately, pain ripped through his body, and he felt the dark closing in again. He couldn\u2019t help but cry out in anguish as everything was shut out except the new feeling tearing through his arm and shoulder, so intense that all he could do was yell, and hope for either the darkness to end his misery or his brother\u2019s presence to bring him strength.<\/p>\n

He felt pressure as Adam\u2019s arms tightened around him even as the pain was threatening to take him. His brother was saying something, and Joe struggled to listen, to focus on his words instead. \u201cHold on, just hold on\u2026Joe, please stay with me\u2026it will be all right, just hold on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He tried to answer, but he felt like all the strength he had left had been ripped out of him with his yell. Finally the pain seemed to diminish, and Joe sank back, feeling as though he was fading in and out with each breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome water, Joe,\u201d his father said, and he forced himself to sip from the glass that was held to his lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive him a few minutes to recover. His shoulder had started to heal, so what we just did was probably worse than the original injury.\u201d Joe heard the doctor\u2019s words as though he was speaking from a great distance away, and he wished he could tell him he was right.<\/p>\n

Too soon, Dr. Martin continued his examination of Joe\u2019s body. Time and again Joe was able to hold back his cries as the doctor investigated all of his injuries, although he couldn\u2019t help but weakly clench Ben\u2019s hand tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s put him on his stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father released him, and he felt their hands gently, carefully roll him over. He opened his eyes, and saw Hop Sing standing just outside the room, his face expressing the same emotions everyone else was feeling. Shock. Worry. Fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, please go downstairs and make some broth. He will need food, but only liquids for now,\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing turned and left, and Joe closed his eyes again as Dr. Martin finished his exam, and once again he was placed on his back. He felt as though the room was tipping slowly from side to side, and the doctor\u2019s words to his father were very hazy.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very weak\u2026been deprived of food and water\u2026right arm is broken, will need to be re-broken and set straight\u2026 two broken ribs\u2026bruises, cuts, and his wrists\u2026struggling against the rope\u2026could get infected. Burns\u2026heal in two to three weeks\u2026need bandages changed everyday\u2026knife wounds on his leg\u2026infected\u2026large scrapes and scratches\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tuned out the doctor\u2019s voice as he continued to describe his injuries and the remedies necessary. He felt Pa squeeze his hand, and then release him, and he opened his eyes to see his father and brother walk out of the room. He was scared for a moment, and he tried to call out to them, to ask where they were going.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right son, Adam will be back in a minute with some food.\u201d Joe shifted his focus to Dr. Martin, who was standing at the side of his bed. He sank back into the pillow as the doctor continued. \u201cYou need to get plenty of food and rest, and not worry. Just work on getting strong again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Food\u2026he tried to remember the last time he had eaten. He had fought off the hunger at first, but then, as time went on, he knew rescue was too long in coming. He had wished for death, just wanting it to be over, but now\u2026now he wanted to survive this.<\/p>\n

He had dreamt of his mother a few times, and each time he had asked her if he was going with her now. \u201cNo, mon petit,\u201d she had said. \u201cNot yet, little one. Be brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

The room started to go dark, and he closed his eyes, knowing that soon he would be in blissful darkness, where the pain couldn\u2019t torment him anymore, but to his irritation the doctor called his name. Joe looked up at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t go to sleep yet,\u201d Paul said. \u201cAdam is here with some food for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced towards the doorway, and saw his brother and father come back into the room. Adam had a tray with a bowl on it, which he set down on a nearby table. The bed moved as his brother sat down, and then Adam gently lifted Joe\u2019s head and held a spoonful of liquid to his mouth. It didn\u2019t seem to taste much different than the water, other than being warm, but he still ate it willingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure he eats slowly,\u201d Paul said, and then turned to Ben. \u201cLet\u2019s go downstairs. Joe should be fine with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his father as he bent close and brushed his hand across his cheek, and then he and the doctor left.<\/p>\n

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

Paul watched as his old friend paced restlessly for a few moments, finally stopping at the fireplace. Ben stood staring at the blackened, cold logs for a few minutes before asking the question he had to ask. \u201cWill he make it, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin took a deep breath before carefully answering, \u201cI don\u2019t know. He\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s a strong young man. It\u2019s just\u2026the injuries are so great. Not just the broken bones, weight loss, and possible internal injuries. He\u2019s exhausted, mentally and physically. We\u2019ll just have to wait and see is he can muster enough strength to pull himself out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d given up,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cI could see it in his eyes.\u201d He turned back towards Paul, shaking himself out of his pensiveness for the moment. \u201cHow long was he there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin shrugged and sank slowly onto the settee. \u201cA week? No more than two weeks without food. The thing is\u2026he couldn\u2019t have been more than two or three days without water. He would have died from thirst before his body had begun to show signs of starvation like it does now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pounded his hand against the stone next to the fireplace. \u201cWhy?\u201d He looked back at Paul. \u201cSomeone was here until about three days ago, giving him water, but depriving him of food, beating him, hurting him\u2026for what? Nothing was even taken\u2026look!\u201d Ben pointed angrily at the gun rack on the wall. \u201cNothing! Nothing is missing, nothing was broken into\u2026there was no reason for any of this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc!\u201d Adam urgently called from upstairs.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin stood up and rushed up the stairs, followed closely by Ben. They ran into the guest room, and then hurried to Adam\u2019s side and assisted him in supporting Joe. Together, the three men gently held him over the side of the bed until he had finished throwing up the little bit of broth he had just eaten. Martin frowned as he saw traces of blood in the pan Adam was holding. They gently laid Joe back down, and Ben went to get a damp cloth to wipe Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

If at all possible, Joe felt even worse now. His stomach, along with his throat, hurt, and he had a horrible taste in his mouth. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Joe whispered, and tears started to slip down his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, hush now, son. It will be all right.\u201d Ben gently moved his hand under Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

More tears came, and Joe\u2019s body shook as the silent word formed on his lips\u2026hungry.<\/p>\n

Ben swallowed, and held Joe tighter. \u201cWe\u2019ll try again soon,\u201d he said, looking up to Martin for an approving nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a little while, Joe. We\u2019ll see if you can hold some food down in a half hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, and squeezed his eyes shut as Adam carefully pulled the covers over him again. All he wanted was to stop hurting so much. The room started to fade away, as the events of the last few hours started to finally wear too much on him. It started getting dark, and as the last bit of light faded, Joe saw Marie. Now? he asked her as everything went black.<\/p>\n

Ben sat down on the edge of the bed, and ran his hand over his son\u2019s hair once again. He felt the bed move, and he looked up at Adam who was now perched on the other side. Their eyes met, then they both looked back at Joe. Please, thought Ben. Not yet\u2026<\/p>\n

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

Adam knew he was dreaming. He was between waking and sleeping, that time when it\u2019s possible to realize it is a dream, but be powerless to wake up. In his dream he was watching Joe, who was lying on the ground. He wanted to go to him, but he couldn\u2019t move. He couldn\u2019t call out; all that came from his lips were muted whimpers. It was dark. He just wanted to go to him. Suddenly, from the darkness behind Joe, a large, dark shadow emerged. It had no face. Adam wanted to call to his brother, for him to get up, but he couldn\u2019t. He could only watch as the figure came closer, and lifted something over its head. Adam struggled to move, to cry out, and as the shadow brought the object down onto his brother, Adam gasped and woke up. He quickly leaned over his brother, who was still lying in the bed in the same place as the last time Adam saw him.<\/p>\n

Adam could tell he was breathing just by listening; Dr. Martin had determined the swelling around the broken rib was causing his ragged breaths, and it probably wasn\u2019t a damaged lung. Once the swelling went down they\u2019d know for sure though.<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed his hand over his face. If he was to analyze his dream, he would surmise that the dark figure was the person who had done this, and his own inability to move was a result of the helplessness he felt. All they could do was hope that he was strong enough to heal. They had been rousing Joe to eat every hour or so, and he was finally able to keep the broth down. Last time they woke him he said he felt hungry, which the doc said was a very good sign.<\/p>\n

There were footsteps outside the door, and then it was slowly opened as Hoss came into the room. He paused for a brief moment, looking at his brothers, and then went to the bed. He smoothed his hand over Joe\u2019s bruised face, and looked at his bandaged arm and shoulder. Finally he looked up at Adam. \u201cIs he gonna be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cWe don\u2019t know,\u201d he was forced to answer quietly. \u201cRight now\u2026we just have to get him stronger. He\u2019s got broken bones, and infected cuts, and he\u2019s so weak\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled one of the other chairs in the room over to the bed, and sat down across from Adam. \u201cWhy would someone do this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and shook his head. \u201cJoe hasn\u2019t been able to say anything, but he\u2019s afraid. Every time he wakes up, it\u2019s like he\u2019s waking up from the same nightmare, over and over. I wish we knew. I feel so\u2026\u201d Adam angrily trailed off and slammed his hand onto a table.<\/p>\n

They had such a long journey ahead of them, and why, they had no clue. This took malicious forethought\u2026not just someone happening by. Nothing was taken. No reason was left. Why do this\u2026it made no sense. None of it made sense.<\/p>\n

Someone hated\u2026wanted revenge so badly, that they sought to wreak it in the most horrible way possible. But why?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we catch them they\u2019re gonna pay dearly,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish he could tell us who did this. I hate waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe patient, Adam. He\u2019ll tell us when he\u2019s able.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and sank back into the chair. Hoss was right; he needed to be patient, but at the same time, he was anxious to find the persons responsible. He had looked around outside, but there were no tracks other than on the road leading to and from the Ponderosa. Whoever it was stuck to the paths. The only other disturbance was a trail of broken branches leading a little ways into the woods, but it didn\u2019t go anywhere. Whoever did it just went in, and then back out the way they came. Adam had a horrible suspicion that that was the place Joe had received the scratches and scrapes the doctor mentioned.<\/p>\n

After several minutes of silence, Hoss began to speak quietly. \u201cRemember that time, when Joe was still in school, and that new kid was picking on him? He came home for three days straight, crying and beaten, but he didn\u2019t tell any of us what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

The kid was older and bigger than Joe, who was eight at the time, and he only went to school for about a week. His mother was the gossiping kind, who relished in learning all the dirt from the local people, and had latched onto the story of the richest man in the area whose wife had died a few years prior. The man\u2019s wife had had a mysterious past, and the local busybodies entertained themselves by creating scandalous scenarios of which she must have been involved with.<\/p>\n

Little Joe bore the brunt of their overactive and indelicate imaginations in the form of cruel taunts and insults about his mother from the new kid.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was madder than heck when he finally told us. That boy had no right to pick on Little Joe like he did, but we didn\u2019t do anything. We gave Joe a few pointers, and then let him fight his own battle, and he was stronger for it. Well I ain\u2019t gonna do that this time. There\u2019s no way they are gonna get away with hurtin\u2019 him like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re all agreed on that, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then Joe moaned, and turned his head slightly. His eyes fluttered open, and Adam and Hoss leaned over him. It took him a couple of seconds to focus on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cHoss\u2026\u201d He smiled a tiny bit and reached out towards Hoss. His brother caught and held his hand, and then smiled down at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re you feelin\u2019?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter. Hungry,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Adam. \u201cYou were able to eat nearly half the broth before. Think you can eat all of it this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded slightly, and the smile grew a little stronger.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d Adam said, and left to get the food. When he came back, Hoss helped prop Joe up, and then Adam fed him the broth. Adam was pleased he was able to eat almost all of it before he started to fall asleep again. They set him back onto the pillows. Adam put the bowl down, and then couldn\u2019t stifle a yawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, how long you been up?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t really know. It\u2019s been awhile. Pa is going to get up in three hours to relieve me,\u201d he said, looking up at the clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m relieving you now. Go on and get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled gratefully and started for the door. \u201cOh,\u201d he said, turning back. \u201cMake sure his breathing doesn\u2019t get worse, and that he isn\u2019t developing a fever. Put some of the stuff from that bottle onto the knife wounds on his leg in about an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss held up the bottle. \u201cThis one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s the one. Doc Martin will be up in a little while to change the dressings on the burns. Thanks, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you in a little while,\u201d Hoss replied, and then turned back to his brother. Knife wounds, broken bones, and beatings.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t wait until he knew who had done this to his brother\u2026and his family.<\/p>\n

Adam stumbled into his room and collapsed onto his bed, where he was asleep almost instantly, still fully clothed.\u00a0 Thankfully, his sleep was a dreamless one.<\/p>\n

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

Ben put his book down as he realized that he had just read the same paragraph three times and still had no idea what the words meant. Quietly standing up so as not to wake his son, he walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside. The last four days had been difficult; days of worry, sleepless nights, and questions. Ben glanced back at the bed. They had been so close. If they hadn\u2019t arrived home when they did, they would have lost him. Ben shuddered and forced away the images. He went back to the chair and sat down, closing his eyes. It had been close\u2026but they had been very lucky. At least Joe had been showing signs of improvement. The doctor was still closely monitoring his condition, as his breathing was still very rough, and he was concerned about the burns and larger cuts; however, Joe was able to eat more and more each day, and was finally staying conscious for more than a couple hours at a time. Yesterday, he had been able to talk more, even though he didn\u2019t say anything about his ordeal.<\/p>\n

Adam had questioned all the hired hands, but hadn\u2019t come up with anything they didn\u2019t already know. A man had arrived with a message that Hoss was hurt. Joe had given their foreman responsibility of the ranch and the jobs that needed to be completed, but after Joe went back to the house to leave, they didn\u2019t see him or anyone else around the ranch. One of the hands had been near the house taking care of the animals daily, but he never went inside, and never saw anything suspicious.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The faint whisper caused Ben to open his eyes to see Joe looking up at him. Ben smiled. \u201cHow do you feel, son? Any better?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cA little stronger, I think,\u201d he said, his voice quiet, and a little raspy. \u201cStill hurt, but not as much.\u201d He tried to smile. Ben watched sadly as he failed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Ben started softly.<\/p>\n

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

Ben watched him for a few moments, and then got up. \u201cI\u2019ll get you some food,\u201d he said, brushing the tips of his fingers over Joe\u2019s arm, and then left.<\/p>\n

Joe watched him go, and then moved a little to try and get comfortable. There was really no other way for him to lie, though. His left side hurt, and his right arm was broken. The doctor had re-broken it yesterday, because it hadn\u2019t been set properly, and then tightly strapped it and his shoulder so he couldn\u2019t move them. Joe looked down at what he could see of his hands and arms. They looked so\u2026thin. Joe wondered what the rest of his body looked like, and started to push away the blanket, but then stopped. He\u2026actually didn\u2019t want to see. He didn\u2019t know what his body looked like. He didn\u2019t want to know. He knew what he felt like, and that was enough.<\/p>\n

Ben walked back in the room, followed by Hoss. \u201cAdam will be right up with a tray,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019re you feelin\u2019 today, younger brother?\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter,\u201d Joe said. \u201cCould you help me sit up, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Ben said, and then he carefully lifted Joe as Hoss adjusted the pillows, and together they propped him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that better?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Joe grimaced slightly as he moved to ease the pain in his side. \u201cNow it\u2019s better. Thanks,\u201d he replied. He looked at his father, and saw the love\u2026and sadness in his eyes. Joe blinked back tears and quickly looked away. He wished that Pa didn\u2019t have had to see what he did. He wished that this had never happened. He didn\u2019t even know why it did. Joe glanced at his hands again, and clenched them into fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere you are,\u201d said Adam as he came in with a tray. \u201cA glass of milk, and some broth. Still no solids allowed, but the doctor said we can see how you do with the milk. And as soon as you\u2019re done, he needs to examine you and change those bandages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded as Hoss helped him sip the milk. He smiled. \u201cThat tastes real good,\u201d he sighed, and then hungrily ate the broth with Hoss\u2019s assistance.<\/p>\n

While he was eating, Adam turned to Ben. \u201cI just finished talking with Roy in town,\u201d he said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t notice anyone suspicious hanging around town or asking questions about us, but he said he\u2019d ask around and see what he could find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had stopped eating, and was staring vacantly at the foot of the bed. \u201cJoe?\u201d prodded Hoss, and the younger man looked at him, and then looked at the others, who were watching him. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d he said quietly. \u201cRoy\u2026should be able to find something. He asked plenty of questions about us. He knew I was here by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know who it was?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNever saw him before in my life. I don\u2019t even know why\u2026\u201d He trailed off, fingering the edge of the blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d said Ben, and when Joe didn\u2019t move or say anything, Adam leaned forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026it\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam said, and put his hand on his arm. \u201cPlease tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him, and then nodded, \u201cIt was\u2026just the one guy. He came in with a message from the Carters, or at least I thought it was. It said Hoss was hurt so I made arrangements with the foreman to watch the ranch while I was gone. I came back in the house to get some things, and that\u2019s when he pulled a gun on me. He tied me up, and\u2026\u201d Joe trailed off.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe said that he was going to kill me.\u201d Joe whispered. \u201cHe beat me, quite often, while I was tied so I couldn\u2019t defend myself. He had planned on tying me up and leaving me to starve, but\u2026I got away. That\u2019s where most of these injuries came from. I had only made it a few yards when he spotted me. I ran, but\u2026he caught up to me on his horse, and roped me and dragged me back. My arm got caught funny, which is how it got hurt. And I hit plenty of trees on the way back. After that, he said I wouldn\u2019t be able to run away again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe burned you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s right. That\u2019s where the knife wounds came from as well.\u201d He could see the anger on their faces, and in their clenched fists, and he knew all of them would chase after this man the first moment they could.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pondered the question carefully. \u201cJust that he knew the best way to get at Ben Cartwright was through one of his sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about his name?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked away. He didn\u2019t want to tell them the name, not yet. He was afraid they would leave if he told them, and go hunt this man. He still needed his father, and his older brothers; but most of all, he needed Adam with him. During the hours of loneliness tied in his room, he had thought often of his childhood, and the times he spent with Adam, both before and after he had been away at school. The ones that stood out most weren\u2019t when they had disagreements or arguments; rather, he remembered the times when he had sought out his brother for his advice, when the problem was too serious to take to his father, or when they had worked together on something, with Adam imparting on him the fundamentals of how to be a man. As many times growing up that Joe had rebelled against his eldest brother\u2019s disciplines and principles, he had also accepted them and they had grown with him.<\/p>\n

Throughout his ordeal, Joe had thought about his brother, and his strength and the values he lived by, and relied on the lessons that had been taught by him. Trying to imagine how Adam would have dealt with the situation, and not given up. How he would never had given his tormentor the reaction that he wanted. When Joe failed, he relied on his brother\u2019s strength to give him hope to keep trying.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Do you know his name?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Adam. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t do it, don\u2019t go after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Adam replied, sitting next to him on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2026I need you here. You can\u2019t leave, you can\u2019t leave me now! Don\u2019t go\u2026don\u2019t\u2026go after\u2026him\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s breath was coming faster, which was irritating the swelling around his lung. He started to cough, and tears welled in his eyes as pain shot through almost his entire body.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d called Adam, and reached for him, holding his uninjured arm and cupping his hand around the back of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm down, just breathe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t\u2026leave. Promise\u2026\u201d Joe choked out.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Ben had moved forward too, as Joe bent over, coughs ripping through his whole body. \u201cJoe, hush son, just breathe slowly,\u201d said Ben, slowly rubbing his son\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on boy, calm down,\u201d coaxed Hoss, until finally Joe was able to slow his breathing and the coughs subsided.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I won\u2019t leave until you\u2019re well. I promise, Joe,\u201d Adam said, his mouth close to Joe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin had rushed in at the end of Joe\u2019s coughing fit, and he quickly moved to them. \u201cHere, let\u2019s lay him down so there\u2019s not so much pressure on his side.\u201d<\/p>\n

They quickly followed his directions, and then stepped back as he examined Joe\u2019s broken ribs. After a few moments he stepped back. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to take it slow for the next few days,\u201d he said to Joe. \u201cIf you push yourself, you may not heal correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cAdam?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned over him. \u201cYes, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeth Morgan,\u201d Joe whispered, and then his eyes closed and he slumped back into the pillows.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances. \u201cPa, we\u2019re gonna go talk to the sheriff,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cBe back before dark,\u201d he said, as Adam and Hoss started to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d said Paul. \u201cI\u2019m almost out of urtica-urens. If you could pick some up for me, I\u2019d appreciate it. It\u2019s the liquid for burns I\u2019ve been using.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing doc,\u201d said Hoss, and then the two brothers left.<\/p>\n

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

Adam and Hoss burst in the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Adam called.<\/p>\n

He and Hoss tossed their hats and guns onto the sideboard, and then went into the main room. There was no sign of their father. Adam was just about to follow Hoss up the stairs, when a letter on the table behind the settee caught his attention. He picked it up, and read it with a growing frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Pa,<\/em><\/p>\n

You may think that I love you, but it\u2019s not so. In fact, it\u2019s not hard to write what I want to say. I hate you. Know that if I\u2019m dead when you get this, that I meant what I said, and don\u2019t feel sorry for it. I only wish I had been able to write more, and see your face one last time as I told you how I feel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As Adam read the note, he felt his anger building. It was quite obviously written in his brother\u2019s hand. What had his captor done to him, to make him write something like that?<\/p>\n

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

Adam looked up at Hoss, who was standing in the middle of the stairs, waiting for him. Just then Ben walked around the corner at the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up at him, and asked, \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis breathing has gotten worse, because the swelling went up. He asked for you. I told him you went into town for more supplies for Doc Martin. Did you find anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure did, Pa. I\u2019ll let Adam explain while I go stay with Joe,\u201d Hoss said, and then went upstairs.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed as Ben came down into the room. \u201cWell, this Seth Morgan was hanging around in town just after we left.<\/p>\n

The man at the hotel recognized his name and gave a description; and from that we were able to find out about him. He asked lots of questions about us, and the Ponderosa, and some of the people became a little leery because he seemed so interested. We did find out a couple of people mentioned to him that Joe was going to be here by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would they tell him that?\u201d Ben wondered out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026it seems like they were joking about it. About how he\u2019d handle things and whether the bank would be robbed again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cDo you know anything else about him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe mentioned to someone that he was from Texas, and told someone else it was Arizona,\u201d Adam said. \u201cHe also said he was going either to San Francisco or north. Not very much to go on, but Roy is making some inquiries. I really wish we could go after him now, Pa, and see what we could find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d was Ben\u2019s answer. \u201cYou did make a promise to him, Adam. And I think you\u2019d better stick to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and nodded. \u201cWhere did this come from, Pa?\u201d he asked, indicating the note.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was in the top drawer of my desk,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI found it this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not something Joe would have written easily,\u201d Adam said quietly, knowing that his statement both helped and hurt his father. He studied the note. There was something wrong with the phrasing. Some of it sounded like Joe, and yet, it was wrong, somehow\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe young patient is asleep again,\u201d announced Dr. Martin as he descended the staircase into the main room. \u201cI redressed the burns, they\u2019re looking better. I\u2019m still worried about the infected wound on his leg, and those broken bones especially now that the swelling has gone up, so we all need to try to limit his movement as much as possible. I know that will be difficult, but all this sleep is good for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s good. You think the infection will spread?\u201d he asked, worry marking his voice.<\/p>\n

Paul sighed. \u201cThere\u2019s a good chance, especially because his body doesn\u2019t have enough strength to fight it off right now. We\u2019ll just need to clean it often, and keep a close eye on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got it!\u201d said Adam, and they looked oddly at him. He held the note up. \u201cNo, this\u2026it\u2019s every other line. If you read it straight through, it makes no sense. It\u2019s every other line\u2026listen\u2026 \u2018Dear Pa, I love you, but it\u2019s hard to write what I want to say,\u2019\u201d Adam\u2019s voice rose as he read the paper, and Ben\u2019s face was white. \u201c\u2018Know that if I\u2019m dead I meant what I said, and I only wish I had been able see your face one last time. Joe.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached over and took the note, reading the hidden message for himself. He was speechless; that his son had anticipated dying, and managed to leave this message, despite its intentions by his would-be murderer.<\/p>\n

He stood up and crossed the room to the stairs, and then went up and entered the guest room where his son was sleeping fitfully with Hoss by his side. Joe moaned, and Ben put his hand on his son\u2019s arm. \u201cHush\u2026I\u2019m here son, no one\u2019s going to hurt you\u2026\u201d The sound of his voice seemed to calm his son, and Joe settled back into the pillow.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d he murmured in his sleep. \u201cPa\u2026not yet\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched as Joe slipped into restful sleep. \u201cOh, son,\u201d he whispered. \u201cWhat you went through\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next morning, Adam was quietly reading next to Joe\u2019s bed when his brother woke up.<\/p>\n

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

Adam closed his book and smiled at Joe. \u201cGood morning. How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter.\u201d He had spent the whole night waking up with coughing fits, but towards the morning they had subsided as the swelling finally went down a bit after many applications of cool cloths. His lungs still felt constricted, but at least he wasn\u2019t coughing anymore.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, and Adam stood up. \u201cWait a minute, I\u2019ll go get\u2026\u201d then he broke off and laughed. Joe looked towards the door, and smiled too.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing was just coming in with a tray of food.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou beat me, Hop Sing. I was just coming down.\u201d Adam took the tray from him, sniffing the contents. \u201cThat smells good, what is all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMilk, raw egg, cornmeal mush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled. \u201cSounds a lot better than broth,\u201d he said. \u201cExcept the raw egg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRaw egg good. Make Joe strong again,\u201d he replied, and then turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hop Sing,\u201d called Adam, and set the tray down on the stand next to the bed. \u201cHere, let me help you,\u201d Adam said, and he gently lifted Joe and propped him against the pillows.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Can I see that paper?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at the paper Joe pointed out. He picked it up from the stand and glanced at it, before handing it to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa found it, didn\u2019t he?\u201d Joe asked quietly. He had forgotten about it, or else he would have made Adam find it before their father did. He hadn\u2019t wished to inflict that hurt on him, unless it had been the only way to leave a message.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. He found it yesterday.\u201d Joe looked up at him, and Adam almost had to catch his breath as he observed the intensity of emotion in Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe, he understood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat it really meant? He read it\u2026every other line, right Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joe. Every other line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Joe whispered, and looked back at the note. \u201cI never wanted him to have to read something like that, but it was the only way I could give Pa any sort of message. He said he would give me water if I wrote it. I didn\u2019t write it for the water; I wrote it so I could leave a message for Pa. It was the only way, Adam! I hated writing it, but I thought Pa\u2026or you, would figure it out, and know I didn\u2019t mean those things\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did, Joe. We were just trying to figure out\u2026\u201d Adam sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. \u201cWhy, or how, really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cHe\u2026just wanted to hurt Pa, as much as possible, and he figured finding something like that would. He\u2026 he hates Pa, but I don\u2019t know why. I\u2019ve never seen him before. I don\u2019t know why, or where he was from. I don\u2019t know anything about him.\u201d Joe hesitated, and then softly continued. \u201cHe\u2026he didn\u2019t know who I was either. He knew that Joe Cartwright was on the ranch by himself, that\u2019s all. He didn\u2019t care\u2026\u201d Joe looked away from him at the memory. The man didn\u2019t care what his name was. He\u2019d just wanted to kill him. \u201cHe wanted me to die in the worst way possible, is what he said. That\u2019s why I wrote the note. I thought I could leave something behind other than\u2026that.\u201d Joe looked up at Adam, but then he had to avert his gaze again. There were a few moments of silence. He didn\u2019t know how to say the rest. Finally he asked, \u201cDo you want to hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t look up, but he could tell his brother nodded. He reached over and took hold of Adam\u2019s hand. He needed his strength now. \u201cI\u2026was so angry\u2026and then frightened. It\u2026it was horrible. He beat me, until I either passed out or begged him to stop. Anything he could do, to hurt me, or\u2026make me feel\u2026inferior, but I just wanted it to end. I knew\u2026\u201d Joe trailed off and closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew that you and Pa wouldn\u2019t be home in enough time,\u201d he said quietly. He felt Adam\u2019s hand tighten, and he couldn\u2019t bring himself to look up. \u201cAt first I was so afraid\u2026that I was going to die. I\u2026didn\u2019t want to. I didn\u2019t want you to come back to that. But\u2026after awhile\u2026it\u2026\u201d Joe leaned back, not sure if he wanted to hear himself say it out loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Joe, keep going,\u201d Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up, startled, as he hadn\u2019t notice Ben and Hoss come in. He slowly shook his head. \u201cPa\u2026I can\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam squeezed his hand. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWe want to hear the rest. Please tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him, and then finally nodded. \u201cI\u2026just wanted it to be over. He was going to kill me, I \u00a0knew he was. I just\u2026I\u2026just\u2026wanted him to do it. I hurt\u2026hurt so much\u2026I just wanted it to end\u2026an end to the pain, and\u2026I mean I didn\u2019t want to die, but\u2026I wanted it to be over\u2026\u201d Joe felt tears slip down his face, and his father moved to his side, and then he felt strong arms wrapping around him, holding him close. Joe buried his face in Ben\u2019s shirt, and let all the pain, terror, and fear out. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he sobbed. Joe felt the pressure around his lungs increase, and he tried to control his breathing. He didn\u2019t want another coughing fit.<\/p>\n

Ben tightly held his son, but carefully, to not aggravate the injuries. \u201cJoe\u2026\u201d he whispered. He didn\u2019t know what to say.<\/p>\n

What words could ease the nightmare his son had endured?<\/p>\n

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

Adam stepped out of the guest room with the empty tray. Joe had been so upset that it had taken a lot of coaxing before he ate everything. Adam walked down the hall, and paused outside Joe\u2019s room. After a moment, he pushed the door open and went in.<\/p>\n

He and Ben had taken care to clean the room thoroughly, so that no trace of Joe\u2019s ordeal had remained. They destroyed all the bedding, and put a new mattress and linens on the bed. In fact, everything was ready for Joe to move back in.<\/p>\n

Adam set the tray down on the bureau, and went over to the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t likely to be moved here anytime soon. Adam sat down and looked around the room. All of Joe\u2019s things were hanging on the walls or set on shelves or tables, they way he liked them. There was a little picture of his mother on the stand next to the bed.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at the headboard. He had noticed it earlier, but he wasn\u2019t sure if his father had. There were raw spots in the wood that had been worn by the ropes as Joe had struggled against them. He reached out and fingered them.<\/p>\n

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

Adam looked up at Hoss, and then stood up. \u201cSorry, just thinking,\u201d he said, and picked up the tray from the bureau.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy Coffee just came by. He said the man lives in Texas, but was recently in a town near San Francisco, where he was in jail for a night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded. \u201cCatch up with me when you can,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cI will. It might take a couple weeks. You telling Joe?\u201d Hoss nodded. \u201cWhat about Pa? Did he agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled mirthlessly. \u201cI think he wants to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Adam said, a little louder than he meant to.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Joe said back there\u2026it really got to him, Adam. He blames himself for what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Hoss, Pa couldn\u2019t have done anything to prevent this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe figures he must have given this guy a reason to hate him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t have an answer. He pushed past Hoss, and then left to put the tray in the kitchen for Hop Sing. When he went downstairs, Ben was standing next to the fireplace talking to Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up to you, Ben,\u201d Roy was saying. \u201cI don\u2019t know if you want to leave Joe for that long\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as Paul says that Joe is out of any danger\u2026Adam.\u201d Ben turned to look at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026you\u2019re not serious,\u201d Adam protested. \u201cYou should stay with Joe. I can go instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you don\u2019t know this man. I certainly don\u2019t remember him, but he apparently knows me, and what he did to my son\u2026\u201d Ben broke off and looked back towards the fireplace. \u201cI can\u2019t just sit by and let this go unanswered, Adam. Besides, I\u2019d feel better not sending Hoss alone, and you made a promise to your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I did make a promise,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cBut I certainly don\u2019t intend to let you-\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben snapped, but then he rubbed his hand over his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I just\u2026I know I have enemies. I\u2019ve never gone out of my way to hurt anyone, and yet\u2026this was my fault! I\u2019m going to bring the man that did this to justice!\u201d he hissed. \u201cAnd Joe needs you, Adam. More than he needs me right now.\u201d As much as that hurt him to admit, he knew it was the truth and there was no denying it. He had seen it in Joe\u2019s eyes, and when he had begged Adam to stay\u2026only Adam.<\/p>\n

He knew there were different reasons for it, and some caused by him. Joe had grown up with Adam more as a father than a brother, so great was the age difference. And while Ben had taken the disciplinarian role, and physically enforced the rules his youngest son was to follow, Adam had been able to lead solely with example, something Joe responded to with undying loyalty in his younger years. As he grew up, he often went to Adam with his toughest problems. Ben had felt a little hurt the first few times it had happened, but soon saw that the relationship they shared was special. In recent years, when Joe had come into his own as a man, Ben could see the lessons and strengths that Adam had given him, that were separate from the ones Ben had passed onto his son. Even when disagreements rose between the brothers, they never broke the bond that had been created.<\/p>\n

It was that same bond that made it easier for Joe to confide in Adam now, instead of his father. Ben noticed the few times Joe had talked about his ordeal, it had been at the prompting of Adam, and it seemed as though Joe had merely allowed him and Hoss to listen. As much as Ben wished that Joe could freely confide in him, he knew his son couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

He saw the guilt on Joe\u2019s face; the look that he wore only because he recognized that same emotion on his father\u2019s face. Ben couldn\u2019t help it. He blamed himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to tell him?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Ben looked back at him. \u201cThe truth. That Hoss and I are going to look for the man that did this. And that you\u2019re remaining here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to take it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but what else can we do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. They couldn\u2019t wait much longer, or else the trail would be gone. He just hoped that Joe would understand it.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, I think you\u2019re certainly getting stronger,\u201d Dr. Martin was saying as Adam walked into the guest room the next morning. Paul glanced at Adam. \u201cWould you care to help me? I\u2019ll show you how to dress these wounds, since you\u2019ll need to do it after I leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor pulled the blankets down to Joe\u2019s waist. \u201cThe cuts on his chest and stomach need to be cleaned daily. These here,\u201d the doctor indicated the smaller wounds, \u201chave begun to heal so they should heal fine. Just watch for any redness, warmth, or oozing on the others because that could mean infection. You\u2019ll need to unwrap, and then rewrap the bandage around his waist when you clean the wounds. Make sure you rewrap it with the same tension. Don\u2019t worry about his ribs, other than to make sure that he doesn\u2019t move for the next three weeks or so. And of course, I\u2019ll be here every day or so to check. His arm however\u2026will probably take a great deal longer to heal, as it was a pretty bad break. The swelling in his shoulder has gone down, and in a few days he can start to move it. Although,\u201d he directed at Joe. \u201cIt will be quite stiff and sore, and you\u2019ll need to be careful with that arm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, and the doctor went to the end of the bed, and pulled the blankets up to Joe\u2019s thighs. \u201cHere\u2019s the difficult part,\u201d Paul said. \u201cThese burns need to be cleaned and redressed every day. They are oozing a lot right now, but that\u2019s a good sign. The important thing is to make sure no infection develops, which could mean changing the dressing, three, four times a day. When you rewrap them\u2026here, they can be changed now. I\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul directed Adam to carefully unwrap the bandages. \u201cPut them over here, I\u2019m having Hop Sing boil them so we can reuse them. Now, take fresh strips, and soak them in the urtica-urens solution, then gently wring them. When you rewrap them, make sure they\u2019re not too tight. The hard part is the skin cannot touch, otherwise it won\u2019t heal correctly, so you have to get the cloth between his toes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor showed Adam how to wrap the bandage.<\/p>\n

Joe uttered a few muffled cries, and then settled back as soon as he was done. \u201cFeeling better now?\u201d the doctor asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYeah. It\u2019s just the wrapping that hurts. The pain goes away after a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nodded. \u201cVery good. All right, Adam, go ahead and do the other one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tried to be as careful as he could, so that Joe wouldn\u2019t hurt too much, but as the very act of touching him brought pain, it was very difficult. Adam finally finished, and stood up. He looked towards his brother, and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right. It doesn\u2019t hurt that much,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed, and turned back to Paul, who gave him a few final reminders about the infected cut in Joe\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s about it,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI think I\u2019ll be able to leave tomorrow, but as I said, I\u2019ll be back everyday to check. It looks like he\u2019s going to be fine, though. As long as he doesn\u2019t push himself too much right now.\u201d Dr. Martin readjusted the blankets.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at him. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you show Pa and Hoss as well?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin paused, and looked over at Adam. Joe turned and looked at his brother.<\/p>\n

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

Adam watched as Paul repacked his bag, putting all his equipment back in carefully before turning and leaving the room. Finally Adam looked up at Joe. \u201cI think I\u2019ll let Pa explain it.\u201d He started to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going, isn\u2019t he.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam paused near the door. \u201cYes Joe,\u201d he answered quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he even going to tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned back to his brother. \u201cOf course he is, Joe. Don\u2019t say that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam walked back over to Joe. \u201cThere\u2019s not much I can do. We have to get this man. The longer we wait, the farther away he\u2019ll get.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked away from him. He didn\u2019t want any of his family to go, although he knew they would, as soon as they could.<\/p>\n

This man was dangerous. Joe couldn\u2019t bear to think of any of his family being treated the way he had been.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Pa may know this man, and we\u2019re certainly not letting Hoss go off by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa feels guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sank into the chair next to the bed. He glanced towards the doorway, and noticed his father standing there. By the expression on his face, he must have heard Joe\u2019s last statement. When his father didn\u2019t make a move to come into the room, Adam looked back at Joe. \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he shouldn\u2019t,\u201d Joe said angrily. \u201cHe never meant to hurt anyone\u2026ever! He\u2019s tried so hard to help people\u2026this isn\u2019t his fault! There\u2019s no reason this should have happened, and just because he might know this man is not a good enough reason for him to leave!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam heard the silent \u201cme\u201d at the end of Joe\u2019s statement, and glanced briefly toward his father. \u201cHe\u2019s not abandoning you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes he is, he can\u2019t bear to look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sharply inhaled. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said tersely.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you see it? Every time he looks at me, he gets sadder and angrier,\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n

Their father was leaning against the wall outside with his eyes closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why this happened, why this man felt forced to do this\u2026to try to hurt Pa. He wasn\u2019t trying to hurt me, he was trying to hurt Pa. Well, he succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned and left. Adam looked back at Joe. \u201cI guess he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe opened his eyes to complete darkness, his heart pounding. He reached for his face, but couldn\u2019t find the blindfold. Where was it? Why couldn\u2019t he see? Joe cried out, completely disoriented. Where was everyone? He was alone in the house again. What happened? What happened to them?<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d he weakly called. He felt out of breath. His heart was racing. \u201cAdam, where are you?\u201d He knew hardly any sound came out. He gasped for air. He didn\u2019t want to be alone. He didn\u2019t want to be alone! Someone, anyone, please help<\/em>! He silently begged. He reached out. Nothing. Where was he?<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp,\u201d he moaned, his speech almost paralyzed by terror.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d he heard far off. Help me!<\/em> he tried to scream. I can\u2019t talk\u2026why can\u2019t I talk? Help\u2026please\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d the person was closer. The room started to shake.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to die\u2026I\u2019m going to die\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wake up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes, gasping. Tears started to fall down his face, and he reached for the person sitting next to him. Joe found himself being pulled into a protective embrace, and he desperately grasped the man\u2019s shirt. \u201cDon\u2019t go\u2026don\u2019t go\u2026I don\u2019t want to be alone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not leaving you,\u201d Adam said. By the dim light of the moon, he could see Joe\u2019s hand, his knuckles white, clutching his sleeve. \u201cI\u2019m right here, I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were all gone!\u201d Joe cried. \u201cEverybody left me, and I couldn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe. It was just a bad dream.\u201d The bedroom door opened, and Adam looked towards the silhouetted figure in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Ben asked, as he entered and sat down on the edge of the bed. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up, the initial terror of his nightmare fading. \u201cYes\u2026\u201d he whispered. \u201cI\u2019m fine. Adam could you get me some water?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly.\u201d Adam gently released his brother and reached for the pitcher on the table next to the bed. He handed the glass of water to Joe, who drank about half. Adam set the glass back on the stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right now, if you could just put the lamp on. I\u2026I don\u2019t like the dark,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned, and got up and lit the lamp. \u201cThere, is that all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dark never bothered you before, son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does now,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Tonight was the first night they all had gone back to their own beds, and the first time the light hadn\u2019t been burning all night long in the room. Joe sighed and used his free arm to adjust the blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right. You can go back to bed now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and offered a quiet good night, before leaving the room. Ben lingered a moment, contemplating whether it would be a good idea to address the conversation he had heard earlier, waiting there a few moments, thinking about all the things he could say, but finally he just brushed his hand over Joe\u2019s face and said, \u201cSleep well, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

About a week had passed since Hoss and Ben had left. Joe waited anxiously for the telegrams they sent every few days.\u00a0 Most of them just said, \u201cNo sign. Continuing north\u201d. Joe was dreading the day they would reach the end of the telegraph line, and then there would be no word.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss had arrived in San Francisco after two and a half days. A couple of people in the city where the man had been arrested said he was traveling north, so they had gone that way. Joe knew they wouldn\u2019t quit until they found something.<\/p>\n

Joe had been getting stronger as well. He was able to awkwardly push himself up against the pillows now. It was difficult though because he only had the use of one arm, and his feet still hurt. Most of the smaller cuts and scrapes were about healed, and the wounds on his leg were healing nicely. Dr. Martin said he could try some solid foods soon. Joe was looking forward to that.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked towards the door, where Dr. Martin and Adam had just entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is my most impatient patient today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had to laugh as Dr. Martin set his bag down. \u201cI\u2019m better, doc,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. Let\u2019s see those burns.\u201d Dr. Martin pulled the blankets back, and then unwrapped the bandage. \u201cMuch better,\u201d he said. \u201cIt looks like the skin is peeling. Does it hurt?\u201d he directed at Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head slightly. \u201cNot nearly as much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve still been changing the bandages in the morning and at night,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good. Start to carefully wash the burns, just with cool water once a day, and I\u2019ll leave some simple cerate to be applied daily until the burns are completely healed. \u00a0Let\u2019s see the cuts here\u2026\u201d The doctor pulled the blanket up farther.\u00a0 \u201cExcellent. The infection is gone.\u201d He looked up at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ve been a very good patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned as the doctor pulled the blankets back down. Paul moved to Joe\u2019s side, and gently pressed against his ribs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes your side still hurt?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but it\u2019s getting better,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Paul nodded. \u201cLet\u2019s take a look at this shoulder.\u201d The doctor unwrapped the sling. \u201cNo swelling, good. Have you tried to move it at all?\u201d When Joe shook his head, he nodded. \u201cWell, I want you to start moving it. Adam, you\u2019ll need to help him. I\u2019ll show you what to do. Let\u2019s move him away from the back of the bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

They slid Joe farther down on the bed. Paul sat down next to Joe, and gently held his broken arm at the wrist and elbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, this is probably going to be uncomfortable.\u201d He lifted Joe\u2019s arm, and Joe sharply inhaled.<\/p>\n

The doctor continued to lift his arm, until Joe cried out. Paul gently set it back down, and then moved it to the side, once again until Joe called out in pain. Dr. Martin moved his arm very gently in a small circle, and then put it back in the sling.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo this three times a day, and try to make the movements bigger,\u201d he said. \u201cUnless there is swelling. The joint is stiff, it will need to work that out, but I don\u2019t want you to move it on your own,\u201d he said to Joe. Dr. Martin felt his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bit warm. If it swells, put some cool cloths on it to help it go down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and then helped Joe prop himself back against the pillows.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin picked up his bag. \u201cI\u2019m going to have Hop Sing make a special meal for you tonight. How does bread, mashed potatoes, and a little bit of chicken sound?\u201d<\/p>\n

A slow smile crept over Joe\u2019s face. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I think you deserve it. Keep on following my orders, and we might have you out of that bed in another week. You probably won\u2019t be able to walk quite yet, but we should be able to move you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s great, doc! Thanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul laughed. \u201cDon\u2019t thank me,\u201d he said. \u201cJust keep following the doctor\u2019s orders. I\u2019ll be back in three days or so.\u201d He smiled, and then turned and left.<\/p>\n

Joe watched as Adam followed him out, and then happily sighed and sank back into the pillows. Now all he had to do was be patient for a week.<\/p>\n

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

As Adam moved Joe\u2019s wooden peg closer to the finish line, he was happy to see the smile on his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour more,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned at him. He had learned to play Cribbage at college, but hadn\u2019t played in years. When he had seen the set in San Francisco, he felt nostalgic and purchased it. He was excited at how easily Joe had learned it, and was managing to play just fine with one hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a little rusty but you picked up on it right away. I think you\u2019re going to win,\u201d Adam said, looking at the cards he was holding.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re tied now,\u201d Joe said at the end of the hand. \u201cWhoever wins the next game wins the match.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, and shuffled the cards. He dealt out six to each of them, but noticed Joe pause instead of picking up the cards.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d When he saw the look on his brother\u2019s face, though, he knew what it was. \u201cNeed some help?\u201d Joe nodded, and Adam set his cards down on the table, then pulled out the bedpan.<\/p>\n

Once Adam had helped Joe back into the bed and comfortably propped against his pillows again, he left to empty the pan.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed as he slumped down a little. He couldn\u2019t ever remember being this helpless. He was trying to be patient, as the doctor had told him, but it was very difficult. Even when he was really sick or hurt, he always had something he could do on his own. Whether it be getting dressed, walking around or even just holding a book he wanted to read. Joe glanced at the nightstand next to him, where Adam\u2019s copy of some sort of Enlightenment literature waited for him to read out loud.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t remember the title\u2026but the story was about a girl and a guy, and they liked each other but they wouldn\u2019t admit it and their families wanted them to court. There were a number of people whose names and roles Joe could never remember and so had to ask Adam every time they entered the storyline again. Joe snorted. Never a book he would have picked out, but he really liked hearing Adam read it to him.<\/p>\n

A few times he had fallen asleep during important scenes, and Adam hadn\u2019t noticed so when he started again he\u2019d had to backtrack. When he didn\u2019t fall asleep though, it was very calming to listen to his brother\u2019s deep voice reciting the lines Joe didn\u2019t quite understand, emphasizing the phrases he felt were important and taking on each character through his tone and pronunciation of the words they spoke.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s musings were interrupted when Adam came back in. \u201cYou look thoughtful,\u201d Adam commented as he sat down in the chair next to Joe\u2019s bed again and picked up his cards.<\/p>\n

Joe picked up his hand as well, and put down two cards without quite looking at them. \u201cYeah\u2026\u201d was all he said. After a couple of bad plays, he sighed and set the cards down. \u201cDoc Martin was supposed to be here yesterday to see if I could get up yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cYes he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think he would have said that I could?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cI know you\u2019re terribly anxious, Joe, but you\u2019re going to have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe said quietly. He glanced around. \u201cI\u2019m just sick of being in this same room. It\u2019s been three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned and dropped his head to his chest. He looked up when Adam laughed. \u201cWhat?\u201d he said grumpily.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019ll be a lot happier when Paul comes by this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coming today?\u201d At Adam\u2019s nod, Joe\u2019s mood lifted considerably. He picked up the cards again, and put one down.<\/p>\n

He was surprised when Adam sighed and moved Joe\u2019s peg forward. \u201cWhat did I get?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cRun of four,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI should have told you the doc was coming after this game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI don\u2019t understand it, Pa. What makes a man do somethin\u2019 like that,\u201d Hoss said as he lay next to the campfire, watching the flames dance over the wood.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his middle son. He knew he had no answer that would satisfy him. Hoss was pure, and good. His gentle nature allowed him to have patience with many different people, and be a best friend to children; but at the same time, would not allow him to understand deliberately harming another, for any reason.<\/p>\n

Ben remembered the first time Hoss came home with an animal\u2026the first of many. It was a kitten. It was missing an ear, and could hardly walk as a result of an injured paw. The humane thing would have been to put it out of its misery, but Hoss wouldn\u2019t allow it. He had taken the creature that afternoon from a neighboring farm that Ben, Adam, and Hoss had visited. The two boys who lived there were around the same age as Hoss, but contained none of his gentle spirit.<\/p>\n

With tears streaming down his face, the six year old had confessed to taking the kitten. The two boys had been tormenting the poor animal, and Hoss couldn\u2019t bear to leave it. He had taken great care of the kitten, but it never walked right. It used to wait for him to come out in the morning to do his chores, hobbling after him all day; or more often than not, riding along in a spare pocket or on his shoulder. Ben had been awed by his patience and care, which up until that point had never been so apparent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019re you thinkin\u2019 about, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled slightly and looked up at Hoss. \u201cCat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Hoss gazed into the fire for a few moments. \u201cCat was a good cat. Never had another one like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben snorted. \u201cNo. Not one in the next five litters was like her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled. \u201cI couldn\u2019t get rid of those poor little things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think hiding them all in the supply house was a very good idea.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201c26 cats\u2026poor Bert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know he was going in there that day. And I certainly didn\u2019t know he didn\u2019t like cats. I never did understand him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cNobody did.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a few minutes, they each just watched the fire, lost in their own thoughts. Finally Hoss said, \u201cYou think Joe\u2019ll be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cYes. The doctor said he should be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cNo\u2026not the injuries. I mean\u2026well, Cat was never really normal. I notice animals act different, when they\u2019ve had someone hurt them, or be mean to them. They\u2019re always afraid it\u2019ll happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cI\u2019ve worried about that too, Hoss. At least with people, they can\u2026talk about it, let other people know how they feel. And, hopefully when we catch this man that will take away some of that fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss paused for a moment. \u201cYou\u2019re afraid of that too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf him comin\u2019 back, hurtin\u2019 Joe again, if we don\u2019t get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed, and then nodded. It was a fear that made itself known in his dreams at night, and crept into his thoughts during the day. That\u2019s why he was determined to get this man\u2026so that they all could feel safe again.<\/p>\n

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

Joe held Adam\u2019s hand tightly. The doctor was on his other side, supporting him under the arm, and taking great care not to put pressure on his still healing bone. Joe took a deep breath, and squeezed Adam\u2019s hand. The doctor had told him that standing on his newly-healed feet might cause him pain, and now, that he was so close to standing again for the first time in over a month, he felt very unsure. What if he couldn\u2019t walk again? Dr. Martin had said he should be able to, but he wasn\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere goes,\u201d whispered Joe, and he slowly put weight on his first his right, then left foot.<\/p>\n

He grimaced slightly at the pain, but forced himself to keep going. Holding tightly to Adam\u2019s hand, he pulled himself off the bed. He almost collapsed onto the floor, but the doctor\u2019s and Adam\u2019s hands held him up. There was some pain, but mostly it was because he hadn\u2019t stood in a great while.<\/p>\n

He felt his legs start to shake a bit, and the doctor and Adam lowered him back to the bed.<\/p>\n

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

Joe thought for a moment. \u201cWeak\u2026\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe\u2019ll have you up and around in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n

They started very slowly. A few times a day, Adam would stand in front of Joe and help him to stand. Joe stood for as long as his muscles would hold before sinking back to the bed. For the first few days, he was very sore which made it harder. A few times, he couldn\u2019t even get up on his own. But eventually, with Adam\u2019s prodding and his own stubbornness, he was able to stand up by himself.<\/p>\n

The first day he had managed this, he looked at Adam, who was grinning and cheering his accomplishment. Joe smiled slowly, and then threw himself into his brother\u2019s arms. From that point on, he knew he would be able to walk again.<\/p>\n

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

Joe shifted impatiently. \u201cIs it ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was quite successful in keeping the frustration out of his voice. \u201cJust about.\u201d He went downstairs for two more buckets of water. \u201cThat should do it, Hop Sing,\u201d he said, picking up the pails. \u201cBesides, I think Joe has reached the end of his patience.\u201d<\/p>\n

They had decided to move Joe back into his room. There was no real reason he couldn\u2019t, although Joe was dreading slightly going back to the place he had been held prisoner for so many days. When Adam had suggested a bath, Joe\u2019s face had lit up. He had helped Joe wash a couple of times a week, but Adam could tell he longed to be immersed in the water. Now that his feet and the major injuries were mostly healed, it would be more comfortable for him.<\/p>\n

Adam went upstairs and emptied the last of the water into the tub, and then he turned to Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe pushed the blankets away, and then stood up. Carefully, shakily, he started across the room towards the tub, with Adam right in front of him in case he should fall. Yesterday, Adam had rushed into the room after hearing a loud thud to find Joe lying on the floor. After admonishing him for putting himself in danger, Adam devised a crutch he could use to move around, and insisted that he remain close to the wall when he walked by himself, so that he might not re-injure himself hitting the floor.<\/p>\n

Joe made it over to the tub, and put his hand out to support himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood job,\u201d praised Adam, and Joe smiled. \u201cYou\u2019ve been practicing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam carefully pulled off his brother\u2019s sling, and the bandage around his waist, then gently lifted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll rewrap your arm when you\u2019re done. You don\u2019t want to put any pressure on that break. The doc said your ribs should be just about healed, that will be fine to leave the bandage off.\u201d Adam lowered him into the tub, and then helped him get settled.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then sank under the water. He allowed it to wash completely over him.<\/p>\n

Under the water, he felt as if it he was floating in a cloud. Everything was muted\u2026sounds, colors, and there was a comforting weightless sensation. Joe waited a couple more seconds, and then sat up. When the water dripped from his eyes, he found Adam with an amused smile watching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you were completely better, I would have held you under, little brother,\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cThen it\u2019s a good thing I\u2019m not,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I\u2019m getting there,\u201d he finished quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou certainly are,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

He picked up a scrub brush, and then helped Joe wash. When he was done he settled back to allow Joe some time to relax.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I think other than your arm and needing to build up strength, there\u2019s no other signs of what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cI\u2019m really glad, Adam. The cuts on my leg healed real nice, same for the rest of the small ones. No more bruises or any other marks. I think I\u2019ve gained back all the weight I lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell you\u2019ve been eating as much as Hoss, so I\u2019d say so,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

Joe laughed too, and then splashed water at his brother.<\/p>\n

Jumping away from the water, Adam got up. \u201cI\u2019m going to make sure everything in your room is ready. Call if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe watched him leave, and then settled back. This was the most at peace he felt since before this whole thing had happened. The only thing that was missing was the rest of his family. Hopefully they\u2019d find the man, and then be home again soon.<\/p>\n

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

A few days later Adam stood by to assist Joe should he need it, as his brother pulled himself into Cochise\u2019s saddle. Joe had been walking a lot the last few days, and although he was still a little sore, he desperately wanted to ride again.<\/p>\n

After he was settled, Joe urged the horse into a walk around the corral, and then into a trot, and finally into a canter.<\/p>\n

After a couple minutes, Joe slowed him back into a walk, and then called out to Adam, \u201cFeels great, brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned back at him and mounted his own horse.<\/p>\n

They spent the day riding, eating, and walking; going to all their favorite places on the Ponderosa, and ending up at the lake where they watched the sun set. Finally they headed home, just after dark.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the sheriff\u2019s horse,\u201d Joe said as they arrived back at the ranch.<\/p>\n

Adam dismounted and tied the reins of his and Joe\u2019s horses next to the sheriff\u2019s, and then helped Joe down, who was very sore and tired. Adam put his arm around Joe\u2019s waist, allowing his brother to lean on him as they went inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy,\u201d greeted Adam as they walked in the house. \u201cI hope you haven\u2019t had to wait long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy came towards them as they walked in.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, only about a half an hour. Hop Sing wasn\u2019t sure where you had gone, but I knew you\u2019d be back by dark.\u201d Roy reached out and assisted Adam in getting Joe to the settee. \u201cAre you all right there?\u201d he asked the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure am, just a bit tired,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cWhat news do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d replied the sheriff. \u201cApparently this Seth Morgan\u2019s been spotted in Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Adam. \u201cI though he went north from San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered the room with three cups of coffee, which the brothers and Roy accepted gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo did I,\u201d said Roy, \u201cbut the sheriff in Dry Creek sent me a message, and said he was spotted there. He could have set up a false trail in San Francisco. Any way of getting word to your father?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. \u201cThey passed the last telegraph line five days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you hear from him again, let me know. I\u2019m not sure is this fellow really is in Texas, but he very well might be.<\/p>\n

It makes a little more sense. If he was from there and if\u2019n he believed no one was looking for him, he might as well go back there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. If they hadn\u2019t found Joe alive, then they wouldn\u2019t even have known who the man was.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Coffee went towards the door. \u201cI\u2019ll let you know if I hear anything else. Thanks for the coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, sheriff,\u201d Adam and Joe called after him as he left.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said. \u201cAs soon as I\u2019m strong enough\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath. \u201cAre you sure you want to?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might see him again,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced down for a moment, but then nodded. \u201cI know\u2026but we can\u2019t let him get away with it. He might be gone by the time Pa and Hoss can get there. They must be a month away from Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably, maybe more,\u201d Adam nodded. \u201cAll right, as soon as you\u2019re strong enough. We\u2019ll leave word with a few people so they can contact Pa and Hoss when they send the next message.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Adam and Joe left a week later, with plenty of food from Hop Sing and a list of instructions from Dr. Martin. He was sure Joe\u2019s arm was not completely healed, so he ordered him not to remove the splint or sling for at least another two weeks. Joe had protested that it must have been healed after this long, but when Dr. Martin put a certain amount of pressure on the break, Joe felt pain.<\/p>\n

They left word at the telegraph office that should Ben or Hoss send a message, the clerk was to reply with the new information about the man\u2019s location, and that Adam and Joe had gone after him.<\/p>\n

When they arrived in Dry Creek, Seth Morgan had already left, but some of the townspeople pointed Adam and Joe towards the direction of the Morgan place, and told them it was a rundown farm that didn\u2019t really amount to much.<\/p>\n

They also revealed that only his wife was there now.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe had logically discussed everything, but the closer they got to the Morgan farm, the more nervous Joe became. The last thing he wanted to do was come face-to-face with his tormentor again. At least not on his ground. The plan was to see where the place was, and who was there. If Morgan was there, they were going to go back to the town and alert the authorities in the nearest larger town. The last three places they went through didn\u2019t even have a proper sheriff, let alone a jail.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess they\u2019re all law-abiding citizens here,\u201d Adam had wryly commented.<\/p>\n

Joe highly doubted that. More likely any prospective sheriffs took one look at the citizens and ran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reined in next to Adam, and looked past the clump of bushes they were behind. A little ways off, they could see a house, surrounded by a broken-down fence and various pieces of wood and damaged equipment scattered about the dirt clearing in front of it. Joe looked up at Adam. \u201cYou think that\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think what\u2019s it?\u201d a voice snapped behind them.<\/p>\n

Joe and Adam looked to see a woman standing there, having just exited the brush on the other side of the road with a pail of wildflowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell? What are you looking for?\u201d The woman was thin and small, and not unattractive. She looked to be older than Adam\u2026and judging by the lines in her face and the roughness of her hands, her life had been difficult.<\/p>\n

Adam cleared his throat. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for the Morgan place. Is this it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs\u2026\u201d Adam paused. \u201cIs Seth Morgan at home?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman shook her head. \u201cHe ain\u2019t been home in months. It\u2019s just me here now. I\u2019m Carrie, his wife. You friends of his?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head quickly. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou the law?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Carrie looked irritated. \u201cWell if you don\u2019t mind my askin\u2019, who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright, and this is my brother, Joe,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

He and Joe noticed the look that crossed her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d She looked up at Joe, and he could see her examine him with her eyes, observing his still-bandaged arm.<\/p>\n

When she caught his gaze, he couldn\u2019t force himself to look away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t what, ma\u2019am?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Carrie looked up at Adam as he spoke, and said, \u201cAt least let me offer you some water, for you and your animals,\u201d and started across the field towards the house, the pail of flowers in tow.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe exchanged a look before dismounting and following her. Whatever she knew, they suddenly wanted to find out.<\/p>\n

She led them to the trough next to the barn, and as their horses drank she fetched a pail of water from the well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam said as he took the cup she offered him. He drank from it, and then handed it to Joe. \u201cYou run all this by yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

Carrie took the cup from Joe and thought for a moment before looking up at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will say, it\u2019s not easy. I have a small garden in the back, with enough vegetables for me, and extra to sell. Mr. Brody down the road helps me out as well. It\u2026\u201d she paused, and looked away. \u201cIt don\u2019t take the place of a man around here, though.\u201d She put the cup back on the hook on the side of the well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did he go?\u201d asked Adam after a few moments.<\/p>\n

She looked evenly at him. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a step forward. \u201cWe want to know if it\u2019s the same man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carrie looked at him, staring at his bandages for a moment before asking, \u201cDid he go after you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed, and then hoarsely answered, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

She gazed at him. Joe could see the look of sorrow in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am truly sorry,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cThere was nothing I could do\u2026\u201d She trailed off, staring into space. \u201cThere was nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Adam exchanged a look as she turned away from them. \u201cPlease excuse me,\u201d she said, and then walked away towards the overgrown field.<\/p>\n

Joe watched her as she left, and then looked at Adam. \u201cShe must have known he was going to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cShe certainly knew he was going to do something.\u201d Adam tugged Sport towards one of the sections of fence that wasn\u2019t in pieces and tied the reigns around it. He looked back at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m going to find out what. You coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and then tied his horse next to Adam\u2019s. Together they walked across the field towards the tree where Carrie was standing, staring at something on the ground. As they came to a stop next to her, they saw what she was looking at. \u201cWhose grave is this?\u201d Adam asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Carrie knelt down and ran her hand over the plain wooden crosses that adorned the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey died too young. Bridgett was seven, Willie was nine. The doctors\u2026the doctors said it was fever\u2026\u201d Carrie looked up at Adam, tears glistening in her eyes. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t been the same since. He left\u2026I think it was too much for him. It killed him inside\u2026I saw it. He died the day we buried them\u2026\u201d Carrie dropped her head, crying quietly with her shoulders shaking.<\/p>\n

Adam stood quietly for a few moments. \u201cMa\u2019am, I\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be. I couldn\u2019t stop him. He blamed your father for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cWhat did my father do?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stood up, wiping her tears with her apron. \u201cIt\u2019s what he didn\u2019t do. We tried to buy some land from your father, years ago, but he wouldn\u2019t sell the land my husband wanted. Your father was going to try to help him settle some land further north, but it wasn\u2019t good enough for my husband. He felt the southern pasture was better, and he wouldn\u2019t listen to anything your father had to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cBut the southern area floods every spring. That\u2019s not good settling land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Carrie whispered. \u201cBut he wouldn\u2019t listen to reason. We came out here, bought this land. It hasn\u2019t been easy. We\u2019ve had to fight for everything we have, but then things started to get better. The crops were finally doing well. We were able to buy some more land. He started to believe in himself again. He started to be proud of himself again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Carrie looked at the little graves next to her feet. \u201cIt happened so fast. Seth did what he could, but there wasn\u2019t anything else he could do. That anyone could do. He\u2019s a very stubborn man, especially when he gets an idea set in his head. He had to blame someone, so he blamed your father. He always felt if he\u2019d been able to settle in Nevada, we would have had money, and anything else we wanted.\u201d She took a deep breath and stood up a little straighter. \u201cI never wanted money. I just wanted my husband, and my family, and for this farm to be something from the hard work we put into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She paused. \u201cNow I don\u2019t have any of it,\u201d she finished quietly, and then turned and walked back towards the house.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe watched her walk inside. Finally Joe spoke. \u201cYou think there\u2019s anything we can do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at him with a trace of a smile. He knew that his brother might say something like that. \u201cI thought you wanted to get out of here as fast as you could.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged, not noticing his slightly teasing tone. \u201cI know. But\u2026she\u2026hasn\u2019t done anything wrong. He hurt her too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his older brother. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we find out if there\u2019s something we can do to help? I\u2019m sure we could fix something\u2026or, well, you could fix something\u2026\u201d he said, glancing at his bandaged arm.<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cWhy is it I\u2019m always stuck doing the work?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned cockily. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam. I guess those brains of yours are good for something\u2026hey!\u201d Joe ducked as Adam swung at him. Adam shook his head and put his arm around his brother, then they went back towards the house.<\/p>\n

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

As they rode into the town, Joe couldn\u2019t help but survey it with distaste. The buildings, streets\u2026even the signs were filthy. \u201cWho would want to live here?\u201d he said quietly to Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head. He was almost afraid to breathe it was so dirty. \u201cI guess them,\u201d he said, indicating the sordid men and women along the street. Some of them watched the two Cartwrights ride past, while others ignored them. Some, seeing their better, more expensive clothes and gear, shouted obscenities as they rode by. Carrie had given them the names of a couple of towns that she knew her husband used to frequent, and they had been traveling through them the last couple of weeks. In the last town, someone mentioned this one as being the place Seth Morgan now lived. They sent another wire to Virginia City, updating the sheriff of the new information, and then came here.<\/p>\n

They dismounted in front of a not-so-grimy looking saloon, tying the reins to the post in front, and then went inside.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere of the room was distinctly unsavory; the air was heavy with dirt and malevolence. Adam and Joe exchanged a glance, and then went to the bar. \u201cTwo beers,\u201d Adam said, and then took the mugs the bartender handed them. They moved to the back of the room, and sat down at a gloomy corner table. Joe glanced around the room. The person they were looking for was distinctive, but only among normal, upright people. Among these low-lifes, a man like that could blend in easily, and remain incognito no matter how hard they searched. They were hoping to listen to the word around town, and see if anyone mentioned his name. It would be dangerous now to ask questions.<\/p>\n

Several people came and went as they slowly drank their beers. None of them, or the other men in the place, were familiar to Joe. Their drinks finished, Adam and Joe left, trying to gather as little attention as possible. They stood out here.<\/p>\n

Outside, as they readied their horses to leave, Adam said quietly, \u201cWe can\u2019t just go from place to place. Someone will get suspicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you suggest, staying here?\u201d Joe replied in equal tone as he finished adjusting Cochise\u2019s girth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m thinking. We could check in at that hotel, and get some supper, and then go to one of the other places down the street.\u201d Adam mounted his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if people ask what we\u2019re doing here?\u201d Joe said as he swung carefully into the saddle, still favoring his newly unbandaged arm.<\/p>\n

Adam finally looked over at him, and then said with a wry smile, \u201cKnock them senseless for asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head and rolled his eyes, but he knew that Adam was only half joking. There was a not-so-grimy hotel about halfway through town, boasting baths, so they got a room there for the night. It was a bit less disgusting than the rest of the places they had seen in town, but neither of them felt like testing if the bath was any cleaner. The restaurant next door served a rather unappetizing dinner, and Joe hardly ate. It wasn\u2019t entirely from the quality of the meal, though. He was getting more uneasy the longer they remained in this town. The uncomfortable feeling of being watched and the malice the town boasted were making him jumpy; afraid that someone was going to sneak up behind him at any moment or pull a gun without warning.<\/p>\n

As soon as they were finished, they left and headed towards a saloon farther down the street. This one seemed a bit more rowdy; there were several tables of men talking and laughing loudly, playing cards and drinking. They paid no attention to the two Cartwrights. Adam and Joe went up to the bar, and ordered their beers. Just as they were about to turn to the back of the room, someone yelled, \u201cMorgan!\u201d Several other men joined in greeting the newest arrival, and Adam glanced at Joe. \u201cThat\u2019s him,\u201d Joe whispered so quietly Adam almost didn\u2019t hear him. Joe\u2019s face had gone pale, and he was staring intently at the drink in front of him.<\/p>\n

Adam looked at the man who had just entered, who was talking and laughing with some of the other patrons. For the first time, Adam saw the man who had tried to kill his brother. He looked as mean and callous as the town he now lived in. It was hard to imagine him as the loving husband and father whom Carrie now missed.<\/p>\n

Seth Morgan pounded one of the men on the back, and then turned towards the bar. \u201cWait, I\u2019m gonna get me a drink,\u201d he called as he started across the room.<\/p>\n

Joe froze as he heard the man coming closer. He closed his eyes, wishing he were invisible as he heard Seth\u2019s footsteps slow. The man stopped behind him, and the seconds seemed to crawl by, until he felt his hair being grabbed and his head was yanked back. Joe found himself looking into the face of the man who had filled his nightmares for the past months.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well\u2026\u201d Seth said, and then released him. \u201cI thought I killed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew Adam had moved as soon as the man touched him, and now his brother was standing slightly in front of him, shielding Joe. He was glad he was there; Adam\u2019s presence had helped him not to betray the terror that had taken over him. Forcing himself to swallow back the feeling, he replied, \u201cI don\u2019t die that easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth laughed. \u201cAlways a smart answer.\u201d He picked up the glass of whiskey the bartender handed him, and drank it in one mouthful. He picked up the bottle, and turned towards the table where his friends were waiting, tensed as they watched the scene in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to get away with it,\u201d Adam said, stopping the man in his tracks.<\/p>\n

Seth slowly turned, and scrutinized Adam for a few moments before replying, \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019re as much a hothead as your brother, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam refused to be provoked. \u201cYou can come quietly or we\u2019ll come back with a sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth barked out a laugh. \u201cSheriff? What crime did I commit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tried to kill me,\u201d Joe replied, quietly but firmly.<\/p>\n

Seth walked back to them, and stood right in front of Joe. The man stood a head higher, and was a great deal bigger than the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Joe felt his heart start to beat faster, as familiar feelings of fear and helplessness started to overtake him. He felt anger rise with the realization that this man still made him afraid. He wasn\u2019t tied to a bed anymore, the hunger and thirst and indignity of being left for days driving him to desperation. Begging for a sip of water to take away the dry pain in his throat. Terrified that his family might come home too late, or even worse, that they might come home and be subjected to the same torment he had been forced to bear.<\/p>\n

By the expression on Seth\u2019s face, Joe knew that the man realized he still had some power to intimidate him. Seth smiled, and leaned close to Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to turn me in, are you, Little Joe Cartwright?\u201d Joe forced back a shudder as the man put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. Adam pushed it away. Seth cast a glare at him, and then looked back at Joe. \u201cI think we both know exactly what would happen when I got out of prison\u2026that is, if I was even sent there.<\/p>\n

Why don\u2019t you just forget the whole thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Anger darkened Joe\u2019s face. \u201cNo,\u201d he snapped. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to get away from paying for what you\u2019ve done by trying to frighten me with stupid threats. You\u2019re going to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth laughed. \u201cStupid threats? Sonny, if you send me to jail, your father will be the first that I go after when I get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

His laugh was cut off when Joe\u2019s fist made contact with his jaw. The blow was firm and took him by surprise, and he was knocked to the ground.<\/p>\n

Within seconds, the other men in the room were out of their seats, but before they could reach him Joe jerked his gun out of the holster and leveled it at the man on the floor. \u201cDon\u2019t move!\u201d Joe snapped, and everyone froze uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. Seth looked up at him for a few seconds, and then started to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t move?\u201d Seth snorted. \u201cWhat if I did move\u2026what would you do, Little Joe Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glared at him, and the man met his gaze with a sneer. Seth pushed himself up to his knees. \u201cI said, don\u2019t move,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Seth stood up. \u201cI know what you said\u2026now what are you going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe forced himself to keep looking at the man in front him; to ignore the mocking smile on his face. He felt the cold hard metal of the trigger under his finger. The gun seemed to be gaining weight in his hand, and he tensed his muscles, fighting against any shakiness or wavering. He could not let him win.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Seth asked. \u201cShoot me? Go ahead\u2026shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe could picture it now\u2026the gun recoiling in his hand, and the lethal bullet flying, striking sharply in Seth\u2019s chest. The man falling to the ground, blood staining the floor, those hate-filled eyes closing, his family safe\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot!\u201d Seth yelled.<\/p>\n

What does it feel like to kill a man in cold blood?<\/em><\/p>\n

Seth laughed. \u201cI don\u2019t think you have enough guts to do it. You pretend to be so brave on the other side of that gun. You\u2019re not\u2026we both know you\u2019re not. Did you tell your brother everything that happened? How you cried like a snotnosed little brat? I hope you didn\u2019t tell him you took everything like a man; we both know it\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d snapped Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t\u2026\u201d Adam said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you tell your brother how you begged me to stop hurting you? Just end it, you said. End it!\u201d Morgan laughed. \u201cWe both know you\u2019re not man enough to pull that trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe heard his brother, but he didn\u2019t shift his angry glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, shoot!\u201d the man laughed.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s finger tensed on the trigger, and for a split second, he almost made himself pull it. He glanced down at the gun in his hand, and then looked at Adam. He looked up at the man once more\u2026and then backed away as he slowly lowered the weapon. \u201cNo,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWhat you did was wrong, but I\u2019m not going to make it worse by actually committing a murder. You\u2019re going to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth muttered something, and before Joe realized what had happened he was on the floor, blood streaming from his lip from the force of the blow. He kicked out, and the older man was knocked to the floor. Joe was on him in an instant. He managed two swift punches to Seth\u2019s face, before the man pushed him away. Joe started to get up, but he found himself being pulled to his feet. He felt an arm wrap around his neck from behind, and his arms were pulled behind his back.<\/p>\n

Looking past the men who were starting to surround him, he saw Adam being held by three men, and another one had a gun pointed to his head. His view was cut off by a rough looking man in a dirty blue shirt. \u201cThis is for pulling a gun on Morgan,\u201d he muttered, and then Joe doubled over in pain as he was punched harshly in the stomach.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he heard Seth snap, and then the men holding him allowed him to fall to the floor. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rolled away and pushed himself off the floor as the man came towards him. He ducked Morgan\u2019s first swing, and blocked the second with his arm while throwing a punch of his own. His hand stung from the force of the blow, but he barely registered the pain. Morgan grabbed the front of his shirt, and then threw him backwards into a table. It struck Joe solidly in the back, and he slid onto the floor, landing with a crash in a pile of chairs. Rolling over, he started to push himself up but was interrupted by Morgan\u2019s boot landing sharply in his side. He grunted as he was kicked again, and reached for a piece of one of the broken chairs, swinging it into the man\u2019s shin. Seth howled in pain, and lost his balance, falling on the floor with a loud thud.<\/p>\n

Joe stood up and looked towards Adam. His brother had broken away from the men who had been holding him, but was struggling to remain free as five men tried to overtake him. Joe frowned, and started to move towards them when a fierce pain erupted in his right arm. He cried out and clutched it with his free hand, looking up to see Morgan holding the solid piece of wood he had just struck him with.<\/p>\n

Joe stared at him, shocked, as waves of pain cascaded through his arm and shoulder. He vaguely heard the struggle behind him cease, as Adam was overtaken. Morgan sneered at him. \u201cWas that your injured arm?\u201d he asked, cruelty and sarcasm tainting his words. The man struck out, and Joe found himself on the floor with Morgan on top of him, using his weight to hold Joe to the floor. It was all Joe could do to keep from screaming out in pain and terror. \u201cLet him go-\u201c he heard Adam yell, before he was cut off. Joe could hear them punching, beating his brother, and he tried to struggle away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d he gasped as Seth tightened his hands around Joe\u2019s neck. It took every ounce of strength he had, but he managed to push the man off of himself. Joe rolled off the floor, gasping for breath, and looked over at the other man.<\/p>\n

Seth stood up and started towards him again, but Joe said, \u201cMy father didn\u2019t kill your children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth froze, staring at him, pure fury in his face. \u201cYou shut your mouth, Cartwright,\u201d he growled. \u201cYou know nothing about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know enough to know it wasn\u2019t my father\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seth stared angrily at him for a few seconds, and then reached down and pulled out his gun, pointing it straight at Joe.<\/p>\n

There was no trace of false amusement or mocking smile on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop it!\u201d Joe heard someone yell, but before he could turn towards the familiar voice, three shots rang out. Joe couldn\u2019t break his gaze from Seth; he waited for the look of achievement on his face, a laugh, anything that would acknowledge what he had just accomplished- murder. Instead, a frown furrowed his brow, and a confused look crossed his face. Seth looked down, and when he did, Joe\u2019s gaze dropped too\u2026to the dark red stain spreading across Seth\u2019s shirt. Joe glanced down at his own clothing. It was clean. He looked back up as Seth fell onto the floor, dropping the gun. It was then Joe started to realize the only pain in his body was the sharp sting from his arm, and he hadn\u2019t been shot. Seth\u2019s bullet had missed him.<\/p>\n

He glanced towards the door, where Ben and Hoss stood, guns still held ready, in case anyone else should try anything.<\/p>\n

He looked back at Seth, who was holding his hand over the bleeding spot on his chest. \u201cWhy did you do it?\u201d Joe asked, not really expecting an answer.<\/p>\n

Seth snorted, and then coughed, as the pool of blood spread underneath him. \u201cEasiest way to hurt a man like Ben Cartwright. Hurt his son,\u201d he choked out. The man\u2019s sick smile faded and he slumped to the floor.<\/p>\n

Joe slowly shook his head. \u201cBut\u2026why\u2026?\u201d he whispered. There was a groan, and Joe looked up to see Adam lying almost unconscious on the floor. Quickly standing, he went to his brother and pulled Adam\u2019s arm around his shoulders to help support him. \u201cCome on,\u201d he whispered, and then, with Hoss\u2019s help, he carried Adam out of the saloon. Outside, Joe led the way to Cochise, where he and Hoss set their brother in the saddle. Joe started to swing up in front of him, but Hoss tugged his shirt. Joe looked back to see his brother staring, concerned, at him. Joe smiled slightly, trying to ease his worries. \u201cHoss\u2026I have to help him,\u201d he said quietly. His brother glanced at their father, who was still in the doorway of the saloon, and then nodded and helped Joe into the saddle in front of Adam. There was no time for arguments. Hoss helped Joe pull Adam\u2019s arms over his shoulders so he could hold him up, and then he mounted his own horse.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly joined them, grabbing the reins of Adam\u2019s horse, and then they rode out of town. They kept up a steady pace, weaving their way through the rocky pass and across a stream, doing their best to leave no trail for any angry saloon patrons to follow. It was almost dark by the time they stopped a few hours later. Little conversation had been exchanged during the ride, particularly because Joe was trying to focus all his remaining strength on keeping his brother firmly behind him. Ben and Hoss had tried several times to relieve him of carrying Adam, seeing the bruises and look of pain on his face, but each time he had refused.<\/p>\n

They came to a stop in a little sheltered area in some rocks, and Ben and Hoss quickly went to Joe, who was still stiffly seated on his horse, tightly holding Adam\u2019s arms around his shoulders with one hand, and his newly injured arm lying weakly in his lap, reins looped through his fingers. Their arrival in the clearing was a tribute to the bond that he shared with Cochise; he had been physically unable to give his horse any directions the last few miles, and any other horse might have taken its freedom and made the ride more difficult, but Cochise followed closely to the others, seeming to know the seriousness of his rider\u2019s inability to lead.<\/p>\n

Joe saw his father reaching for him, and he finally allowed himself to let go. He felt the saddle slipping away beneath him, and his father\u2019s hands catching him before he fell. His father lifted him, so carefully, and set him on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere son, drink this.\u201d Joe looked down to see Ben holding a canteen to his lips, and he gratefully sipped the water. The trees started to become blurry, as exhaustion began to overtake him. He forced himself to look towards his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d he forced out. \u201cGlad you made it,\u201d he whispered, and then surrendered to the growing darkness.<\/p>\n

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

Joe grunted in pain as Hoss ran his hands over his arm. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s broken,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cSeems it\u2019s just badly bruised. Does it feel like it\u2019s broken?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI oughta know,\u201d he muttered. As soon as he had awoke this morning, his father had given him some food and then Hoss thoroughly examined him. The only serious injury seemed to be his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna wrap it just to make sure,\u201d Hoss said, and then got up to get some cloths and a splint.<\/p>\n

Joe sank back against the tree, and looked at the large bruise on his arm. It hadn\u2019t hurt so much when it happened as taken him completely by surprise. The expression on the man\u2019s face flashed in front of him, and he closed his eyes. He didn\u2019t understand. He thought that finding the man who had hurt and tried to kill him would answer his questions, but it didn\u2019t, really. Now he was left with more questions, and the frustration of knowing they would never be answered.<\/p>\n

Joe felt movement near him, and he opened his eyes to see his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you doing?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Joe snorted. \u201cJust fine,\u201d he said, bitterness tingeing his tone. He looked at the bandage around Adam\u2019s ribs, and the bruises on his face. \u201cHow about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled slightly. \u201cI\u2019ve been hurt worse.\u201d He sat down next to Joe, leaning on the tree. \u201cYou know,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI really am proud of you for what you did yesterday. You did the right thing. It would have been so easy to pull the trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down, and then nodded. \u201cIt was so hard not to. I\u2026almost talked myself into pulling it, Adam. I just\u2026wanted him to die for what he did, but I couldn\u2019t do it. It would have been wrong. No better than what he did.\u201d Joe picked up a twig, fingering it and then breaking it into pieces before finally looking up at his brother. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t fair, Adam,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam watched as tears started to slip down his brother\u2019s face, and Joe put his hand over his eyes. Adam reached out and wrapped his arms around his brother\u2019s shoulders, and as soon as he touched him, Joe buried his head in his shoulder, sobbing.<\/p>\n

Adam just held his brother tightly, allowing him to come to terms with what happened. With what had happened in the last two months. To finally realize, to know, that he was the one who had triumphed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: After Ben and Adam arrive back at the Ponderosa to find Joe beaten, starved and almost dead, tied in his room, the Cartwrights search for the answer to the question, “Why?”.<\/p>\n

Rating: PG-13 for violence\u00a0 (21, 030 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":7527,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":4193,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/QIXI-chapter13.jpg?fit=400%2C320&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49277","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":0},"title":"The Cartwright Family (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0A cute new song about the Cartwrights Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 270","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":1},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5454,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5454","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":2},"title":"Autumn’s Surprise (by deansgirl)","author":"deansgirl","date":"October 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Autumn is setting around the Ponderosa and with it comes a very dear and long awaited surprise.\u00a0 \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,180 words) Autumn Series, links to all the stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11341,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11341","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":3},"title":"Sharp Draw (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"June 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben has to accept that his youngest is growing up. \u00a0His older sons help him and Little Joe make that transition with one very important lesson that Little Joe has to learn from Adam and Hoss. \u00a0 Rating = PG \u00a0WC = 1153","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/brothers.jpg?fit=296%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":4},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12132","url_meta":{"origin":13869,"position":5},"title":"Chinese Molasses (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"January 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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