{"id":13901,"date":"2007-12-12T06:36:35","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T11:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13901"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:16","slug":"a-friend-in-need-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13901","title":{"rendered":"A Friend in Need (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>The family assists Roy Coffee to search for a small group of bank robbers, one of whom happens to be a friend of Joe’s.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (9,740 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Friend in Need<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Raising his hand to signal the posse behind him to halt, Sheriff Roy Coffee searched the rugged hills before him with his eyes. The sheriff looked at the land around him, seeking any sign of the three bank robbers the posse was chasing. Thick stands of firs dotted the bottom of the rocky foothills, but only a few hardy plants grew toward the top, petering out about half-way up the harden mounds of rock and solid earth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I do believe we\u2019re going to have to split up,\u201d Coffee declared with a sigh. \u201cThis ground\u2019s too hard to find a trail, and they could be hiding anywhere in them trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Swiveling his head, Ben Cartwright also scanned the area. \u201cI guess you\u2019re right, Roy,\u201d agreed Ben reluctantly. He turned a bit in his saddle to look back at the rest of the posse. \u201cJoe, you\u2019ve hunted this area with Johnny Thornton. Any idea which way he might go?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s youngest son chewed his lip for a moment, then shrugged. \u201cHe could have gone anywhere,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cJohnny knows this whole area. Besides, we don\u2019t know he\u2019s leading them. Those other two might not ask Johnny which way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny is leading them,\u201d Adam Cartwright, Joe\u2019s oldest brother, stated with conviction. \u201cThat\u2019s why they got Johnny to throw in with them. We would have caught up with them by now if Johnny wasn\u2019t showing them all the back trails.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sure never would have figured Johnny for a bank robber,\u201d observed Hoss Cartwright. \u201cHe always seemed like such a hard-working kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a hard-working kid,\u201d Joe argued. \u201cJohnny worked hard to build up that horse ranch. It wasn\u2019t his fault that bear killed his best stock and the rest of his herd disappeared into the hills.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t his fault,\u201d agreed Adam, \u201cbut he\u2019s not the only man who ever had a setback. It happens to a lot of people. The difference is they don\u2019t go around robbing banks to fix their problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe could have come to us,\u201d Hoss added. \u201cWe would have helped him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d said Joe glumly. \u201cI told Johnny that. But he said he didn\u2019t want to ask us for money. He told me he was going to figure out something else to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like robbing a bank,\u201d commented Adam dryly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was probably desperate,\u201d replied Joe defensively. \u201cHe did something stupid but Johnny\u2019s a good guy. He just made a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting at the front of the posse, Ben listened to his youngest son with sympathy. At twenty-two, Joe was still young enough to think of things in black and white. People were either good or bad, and his son expected their actions would reflect that. Now Joe\u2019s view of the world had been shaken, his moral imperative proven untrue. It was a hard lesson for a young man to learn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning back to Sheriff Coffee, Ben declared, \u201cRoy, I don\u2019t think we have any choice but to split up. There\u2019s a meadow on the other side of that ridge. That\u2019s probably as good a place as any to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Ben,\u201d agreed Coffee. He turned his horse to face the six men behind him. \u201cNow listen up. We\u2019re going to split up into pairs of two, then gather again at the meadow on the other side of the ridge up ahead. If anyone finds them bank robbers, or finds their trail, one man keeps an eye on things while the other one comes back and gets the rest of us. If you don\u2019t find anything, head back to the meadow. We\u2019ll meet up in three hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just take care of them ourselves if we find them,\u201d suggested a heavy-set man in the middle of the posse, lifting his pistol meaningfully out of his holster. \u201cThere\u2019s a reward for them, ain\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBronson, they ain\u2019t wanted dead or alive,\u201d Coffee answered sharply. \u201cWe\u2019ll fight them if we have to but the idea is bring them back for trial. And I\u2019m going to make sure no one gets a reward for shooting someone in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou calling me a back-shooter?\u201d Bronson said with a scowl.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re known to be right handy with a gun and not too particular about your targets,\u201d Coffee retorted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow look,\u201d Ben interjected quickly, \u201cwe know there are at least three of them, and they\u2019re quick to shoot. The bullet they put in Bill Kendall\u2019s shoulder proves that. If you try to take them on your own, you\u2019re liable to end up like Bill or worse. So just do what Roy says. It\u2019s for your own protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess when you put it that way\u2026\u201d agreed Bronson grudgingly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After giving Ben a nod of thanks, Coffee studied the men in the posse for a moment. He knew he could trust the Cartwrights, but he wasn\u2019t sure about the other three men. \u201cBronson, why don\u2019t you and Ben cover the area to the north. Adam, you take Sanders there and head east. Joe and Hoss, you go west. Williams, you\u2019ll ride with me. We\u2019ll check out the trees at the bottom of the foothills. We\u2019ll all meet back at that meadow in three hours. And remember what I said. No one tries anything on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

After riding for an hour, Joe and Hoss had covered only about two miles. Their horses moved cautiously through the thick brush, and their progress was slowed even more by Hoss periodically stopping to check the ground for tracks. As the pair emerged from the thick growth onto a stretch of hard-packed rocky ground, Hoss once more pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d reported Hoss with a shake of his head after studying the ground for a moment. \u201cNo tracks, no signs of horses, just nothing.\u201d Looking up, he was surprised to see Joe staring off into the distance. \u201cYou see something, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Joe in a preoccupied voice. \u201cI was just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThinking about what?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe continued to stare silently. Then he turned to his brother. \u201cAbout two years ago, Johnny and I were up this way hunting a mountain lion. We found a trail that went right up the hill and over to the other side. It kind of a split the foothills. The beginning of the trail was hard to find, and once you were on it, you were pretty hidden by the trees and boulders until you got to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think Johnny and his friends might have gone that way?\u201d Hoss probed his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cThe trail would be tough on the horses. It\u2019s pretty steep and there\u2019s all kinds of rocks and debris scattered on it. We had to go real slow and ended up resting the horses about half-way to the top. If you\u2019re on the run from a posse, I\u2019m not sure that\u2019s the trail you would take. It\u2019s too slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you might take it if you wanted to get up and over the foothills without anyone seeing you,\u201d countered Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, maybe,\u201d Joe agreed but his voice was tinged with uncertainty. He scratched his head behind his left ear as he thought. \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you head on over to Miller\u2019s Pass and check out that area. I\u2019ll go take a look at that trail through the foothills.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d Hoss replied doubtfully. \u201cRemember what Roy said about not splitting up. What if one of us finds them yahoos? We ain\u2019t got nobody to keep an eye on them while the other one goes for the posse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Hoss, if we both go check out that trail, we might miss them going through Miller\u2019s Pass,\u201d argued Joe. \u201cThe odds of them taking that trail are pretty slim but it\u2019s worth a look. And both the Pass and the trail through the hills end up in Redwood Valley, so if they\u2019ve taken either one, we know where they\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d agreed Hoss reluctantly. He pursed his lips, then gave his younger brother a fierce look. \u201cNow listen, Joe. You find any sign of them bank robbers, you turn around and head for the meadow, you hear? I ain\u2019t kidding about this. Don\u2019t try to take them bank robbers all by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss, I\u2019m no hero,\u201d Joe reassured his brother with a smile. \u201cBesides, I\u2019m probably going to be making a long ride for nothing. If they came this way, Johnny and those two men are sure to head for Miller\u2019s Pass.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d replied Hoss, sounding somewhat mollified. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you back at the meadow. Be careful, will ya? I don\u2019t want to end up having to do your chores just \u2018cause you got careless.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Joe promised. \u201cI don\u2019t think Johnny would hurt me, though. We\u2019ve been too good friends for that to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but Johnny ain\u2019t alone,\u201d Hoss reminded his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Stopping his horse near a clump of bushes, Joe dismounted and walked a few feet to his left. He remembered the start of the trail as being partially hidden by some shrubbery, so Joe was surprised he found the beginning of the pathway without difficulty. The branches of the undergrowth concealing the trail had been broken away. Kneeling, Joe picked up one of the small branches lying nearby and bent it a bit. The twig was still flexible, which meant that it had been broken off only a short time before.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he stood, Joe stared at the trail in front of him. He couldn\u2019t see any hoof prints but the ground was so hard that a horse might not leave a mark. Besides, anything could have broken the branches heading up the trail \u2013 some deer, a bear, maybe even a mountain lion. Joe hated the thought of leading the posse up the track only to find a herd of deer grazing at the top.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Searching the trail with his eyes, Joe looked in vain for some sign of movement, for some trace of who or what had gone up the path. He knew he needed something more than broken branches to prove that Johnny and the two outlaws had come this way. He recalled the spot where he and Johnny had rested their horses \u2013 an unexpected side path that led to a small pool of water and some clumps of grass. If the three men had ridden up the trail, they would have surely stopped there to rest the horses. Joe was positive he\u2019d find some evidence of their presence near the pool.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three bank robbers also might be there right now, Joe reminded himself. If so, he\u2019d be an easy target coming up the trail on horseback. But on foot, darting among the rocks and bushes, he\u2019d be hard to see. It\u2019d be a tough climb, but worth the effort if he found some signs of three horses by the pool.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once more, Joe\u2019s eyes searched the trail in front of him. The path was narrow and dotted with clumps of scrub brush and boulders. He felt confident he could climb the trail without being seen. Taking a deep breath, Joe started up the hill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

High above, at the beginning of the passageway to the pool, a man with a rifle sat behind a boulder watching the trail below. He frowned then turned to call over his shoulder. \u201cHey, Waco, kid, come over here! I thought I saw something moving on the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two men hurried from the pool toward the boulder. One was a man in his 40\u2019s, lean but solidly built, with a face as long and hard as his body. The other man was young, in his early twenties. Tufts of blonde hair sprouted from under his hat, and his soft, round face was crinkled with lines from a ready smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up, Bailey?\u201d asked Waco, the older man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI saw something moving down there, near the bottom of the trail,\u201d answered Bailey, a man in his mid-30\u2019s whose face was covered by a thick black mustache and beard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three men stared down the hill for almost a minute, seeing no movement. Then suddenly, a figure darted out from behind a rock, climbed a few feet up the trail, and then disappeared into some bushes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe,\u201d whispered Johnny Thornton, the youngest of the trio.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said no one else knew about this trail,\u201d growled Waco.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI said only a few people knew about it,\u201d Johnny corrected the man. \u201cJoe Cartwright is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, eh?\u201d commented Bailey. \u201cThat\u2019s them folks that have the big ranch outside of Virginia City, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d confirmed Johnny. \u201cHe must be riding with the posse that\u2019s chasing us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll just reduce the posse by one,\u201d Bailey said, lifting his rifle to his shoulder. \u201cWhen he comes out of those bushes, I\u2019ll have a clear shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d exclaimed Johnny. He reached over and pushed the barrel of Bailey\u2019s rifle down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you, kid?\u201d asked Waco with a scowl. \u201cGoing soft on us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Johnny answered hurriedly. \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026well, if you shoot, you\u2019ll liable to bring the rest of the posse here. I know the Cartwrights well enough to know that if one of them is with the posse, the rest of them are too. And they won\u2019t be far behind Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stroking his chin, Waco looked thoughtful. \u201cThe kid\u2019s got a point,\u201d he conceded. \u201cWe sure don\u2019t want the posse knowing exactly where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we can\u2019t just let him climb up here,\u201d argued Bailey. \u201cSoon as he spots us, he\u2019ll turn around get the rest of the posse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe could just ride out,\u201d Johnny suggested. \u201cBy the time Joe gets down the hill and gets the rest of the posse, we\u2019ll be long gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the posse will know exactly which way we\u2019re headed,\u201d Waco snapped. He shook his head. \u201cNo, we\u2019ve got to get rid of him, or at least slow him down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d asked Johnny with a trace of fear in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring Johnny\u2019s question, Waco looked around. He spotted some knee-high rocks near the edge of the trail, laying by a fallen log. Nodding to himself, the outlaw walked over to the debris and studied it carefully. \u201cBailey, get over here,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Johnny asked once again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to send a surprise down the trail,\u201d answered Waco. He turned to the man standing beside him. \u201cWhen I give the word, you push that log down the trail. Then come back here and help me push these rocks down after it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s all kinds of loose stuff on that trail,\u201d Johnny said nervously. \u201cYou\u2019re liable to start a landslide.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re lucky,\u201d agreed Waco. From the corner of his eye, the bank robber saw some movement on the trail. He quickly turned his head and watched as Joe emerged from the bushes and started to climb toward a trio of small trees on the opposite side of the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow Bailey!\u201d shouted Waco.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe was about three feet from the small trees when he heard the faint rumble coming from above. Pausing to take a look, Joe\u2019s eyes opened wide with fear as he saw a log rolling down the trail, sweeping stones and branches along with it as it descended the path. Joe\u2019s brain noted a large rock following the tree limb, although the image never formed a conscious thought in his mind. He was too busy trying to scramble out of the way of the shower of the debris that seemed to be coming right at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The steep trail prevented Joe from actually running, but his legs pumped hard as the youngest Cartwright tried to reach the safety of the trees on the far side of the trail. He had almost reached them when the log rolled into his ankle, knocking Joe\u2019s feet out from under him. As he felt himself starting to slide down the trail, Joe desperately grabbed for some type of handhold \u2013 a rock, a bush, anything that he could hang on to in order to stop his fall. He felt the stones and small branches knocking against his body, bruising his skin. The rough trail beneath him tore at his legs and arms, scraping both his clothing and the skin underneath them. Joe\u2019s hand closed around a tuft of grass but the force of his slide pulled him downward, causing him to yank the blades from the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling rather than actually seeing the boulder that was heading down the trail, Joe twisted his body just enough to allow the large rock to rumble by without hitting him. But another shower of pebbles, twigs and loose dirt followed in the rock\u2019s path, pelting Joe in the face and shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just when Joe thought he was going to slide to the bottom of the trail, his feet hit a solid mass and his momentum was abruptly stopped. Dazed, Joe bent his body and looked with dull eyes at the small mound of rocks in the middle of the trail which had halted his fall. His boots were pressed firmly against the granite, preventing him from sliding further down the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hearing the sound of more debris coming down the trail, Joe glanced over his shoulder. A stream of stones, small branches and gravel was flowing down the hill toward him. Quickly Joe curled his body and tucked his head under his arms, hoping to protect himself at least a bit from the onslaught of the landslide. He felt sharp pricks against his legs and back as the debris tumbled into him. Dust and dirt swirled around and found its way into Joe\u2019s lung as he tried to breathe. He coughed and then inhaled, taking in more dust which caused him to cough again.<\/p>\n

A stone pelted Joe in the head, causing a momentary wave of black flecked with pricks of light to float across his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After what felt like an hour but in reality was only a few minutes, the landslide seemed to have ended. Joe lifted his head to look up the trail with eyes blurred by dust. He could see nothing else falling in his direction, at least, not now. Joe tried to will his battered body to move, tried to get his legs to take him from the middle of the trail to the safety of bushes on the side. But his body felt like a mass of putty, unable to do anything but simply lay there. His head hurt and what seem like a thousand cuts and bruises began to sting and throb. Joe made one more attempt to move but when this was unsuccessful, he simply closed his eyes and shut out the world.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Standing in the middle of the trail high above where Joe laid curled against the rocks, Waco studied the figure below him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think, Waco? Did we kill him?\u201d Bailey asked with only the mildest of interest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d admitted Waco. \u201cBut we gave him a pretty good licking. He won\u2019t be going anywhere for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Emerging from behind the bushes, Johnny stared at the sight of Joe lying unmoving below him. He swallowed hard, trying to ease the sickening knot that was forming in his stomach. \u201cIs he dead?\u201d Johnny asked almost in a whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not yet,\u201d Waco replied. \u201cIf he ends up staying there all night, though, he probably will be.\u201d The outlaw shrugged and turned to Bailey. \u201cGet the horses. They should be plenty rested by now. It\u2019s time to move out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just going to leave him there?\u201d said Johnny, sounding stunned at the prospect of riding away from the young man on the trail below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the idea,\u201d Waco answered with a frown. \u201cWe didn\u2019t send him falling down that trail just so we would have to stick around and look after him. By the time the rest of the posse finds him \u2013 if they find him \u2013 we\u2019ll be so far away that nobody will be able to catch up with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Waco and Bailey walked toward the horses, Johnny looked down the trail again. The young man below continued to lie still, curled against the rock. Johnny bit his lip as he thought about what he should do. Then he took a deep breath and turned to the other men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want my share of the money now,\u201d Johnny announced.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Spinning around, Waco eyed the blonde cowboy suspiciously. \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked bluntly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny took a deep breath and let it out slowly before replying. \u201cI\u2019m staying here. You two don\u2019t need me any more. You can follow the trail into Redwood Valley and from there, you can go wherever you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to help that kid, aren\u2019t you,\u201d Bailey said, his eyes narrowing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m going to help him,\u201d admitted Johnny. \u201cJoe\u2019s a friend, a good friend. I can\u2019t just leave him there.\u201d Seeing the look of mistrust on his partners\u2019 faces, he added hastily, \u201cLook, it\u2019s going to take me a while to patch him up and send him on his way. You\u2019ll be in the Valley by then. I\u2019ll ride to Miller\u2019s Pass from here. If the posse shows up, they\u2019ll probably follow my tracks. That\u2019ll give you even more time to get away. And if they catch me, I can\u2019t tell them which way you went because I won\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf they catch you, they\u2019ll liable to shoot you rather than ask questions,\u201d observed Bailey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take my chances,\u201d Johnny replied. \u201cNow, give me my cut.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Waco studied the young man in front of him, weighing Johnny\u2019s words. Then he shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s your funeral,\u201d the outlaw said indifferently. He walked with long strides to his horse, reached into his saddlebag and pulled out three bundles of money.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s about three thousand dollars,\u201d Waco stated, handing the bundles to Johnny. \u201cI haven\u2019t stopped to count what we took, but I figure that\u2019s a fair share.\u201d Johnny nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, Bailey, let\u2019s get out of here,\u201d ordered Waco. He and the other bandit mounted their horses. \u201cGood luck, kid,\u201d Waco called over his shoulder as he guided his horse toward trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still holding the money, Johnny watched the two men ride up the trail. He waited until his partners were well up the hill before walking toward his own horse. After sticking the bundles of cash into his saddle bag, Johnny grabbed the reins of his horse and started walking toward the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

A gray fog seemed to surround Joe, and he was grateful for its presence. If he could stay in that netherworld between being awake and unconscious, he would be able to hear the sound of any further debris coming down the trail without fully feeling the pains of what seemed like a hundred cuts and scrapes over his body. He wondered how long he could stay in this state, but couldn\u2019t seem to muster any great interest in thinking about it. For now, he was happy to simply lie in the dirt and let the mist swirl around him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A faint sound reach his ears \u2013 a sort of a crunching noise \u2013 and Joe briefly wondered if he was going to get bombarded with debris once more. But this noise had a steady pace to it, and was approaching slowly. Joe decided that whatever was coming down the trail wasn\u2019t dangerous enough for him to consider moving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Joe, can you hear me? Joe, answer me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The words penetrated the fog around Joe. For a moment, they were just sounds, but then Joe made sense of the noise and understood. \u201cYeah, I can hear you,\u201d Joe mumbled softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A pair of hands turned Joe gently on to his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, you sure are a mess. Let me see if anything\u2019s broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a hand gently felt his arms and legs, Joe looked up at the blurred figure kneeling over him. He tried to blink away the grit from his eyes, tried to focus his vision. He blinked and squinted for a bit and finally the blurred image sharpened into a face. \u201cJohnny?\u201d Joe murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me,\u201d Johnny answered almost reluctantly. \u201cLay still until I figure out how bad you\u2019re hurt.\u201d As his fingers felt and probed his friend\u2019s arms and side, Johnny tried not to look at the blood trickling from cuts on Joe\u2019s left cheek and chin, as well as the large abrasion on Joe\u2019s chest. The bottom of Joe\u2019s left palm and his wrist were red also, showing another place where the skin had been scraped. When Johnny moved to check for any breaks in Joe\u2019s legs, he couldn\u2019t avoid seeing the large gash just above Joe\u2019s left knee from which blood was seeping. Pulling a large white handkerchief out his back pocked, Johnny tied the cloth tightly around Joe\u2019s leg, covering the cut.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think anything\u2019s broken,\u201d Johnny announced in a voice tinged with relief. \u201cYou scraped off a lot of skin, though, and I\u2019m guessing you got bruises in more places than I can count. You think you can sit up?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Joe answered in a weak voice. As he started to push himself up, Joe felt a hand on his back helping him upward. Once he was in a sitting position, Joe closed his eyes, hoping to block out sight of the land spinning around him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou get hit in the head?\u201d Johnny asked with concern. When Joe didn\u2019t answer, the young man gently felt his friend\u2019s head. \u201cYeah, you got a knot all right. It isn\u2019t very big and it isn\u2019t bleeding, but I\u2019m guessing you\u2019re going to have a whale of a headache pretty soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to wait,\u201d Joe mumbled in reply, putting his hands on either side of his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Twisting around, Johnny reached for the canteen tied to his saddle. \u201cHere, drink some of this,\u201d he said as he uncorked the container and held it to Joe\u2019s lips. \u201cI just filled it at that pool up above, so it\u2019s nice and cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After swallowing three mouthfuls of water, Joe handed the canteen back to Johnny. \u201cThanks,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he re-corked the canteen, Johnny looked thoughtful. \u201cLet\u2019s get you down the trail,\u201d he decided. \u201cI\u2019ll get you all cleaned up and settled down there before I take off.\u201d Without waiting for a reply, he reached down and grabbed Joe under the arms, then pulled his friend to his feet. Joe began to reel a bit but Johnny held him tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy horse is right over here,\u201d Johnny told his friend. \u201cJust take a couple of steps forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still feeling dazed, Joe had no energy with which to argue about the command. He took a step forward. Immediately, his left leg buckled underneath him. \u201cMy ankle hurts,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right; I\u2019ll help you,\u201d Johnny advised, tightening his grip around Joe\u2019s body. \u201cJust kind of shuffle your feet and I\u2019ll get you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once again, Joe simply obeyed the words he heard and began moving his feet. Johnny pushed and tugged at him until Joe was standing next to the horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe, now you\u2019ve got to get on the horse,\u201d Johnny told his friend. \u201cDo you understand me? Pull yourself up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a blank look on his face, Joe merely nodded. He reached up and gripped the horn of the saddle. As Joe strained to pull himself upward, Johnny grabbed his friend\u2019s belt and lifted. Joe threw his right leg over the saddle, and settled onto the leather seat. With his shoulders slumped forward and his head hanging down, Joe sat on the horse, waiting for someone to tell him what to do next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gathering the reins in his hand, Johnny started his mount down the trail at a slow walk. \u201cHang on, Joe,\u201d he advised, \u201cthis is a pretty steep trail.\u201d He received no reaction from his friend other than seeing Joe wrap his hand tightly around the saddle horn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he led the horse down the path, Johnny shook his head. \u201cHow did I ever get us both into such a mess?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Almost an hour passed before Johnny was satisfied he had done everything he could to help Joe. He had sacrificed most of his spare shirt to make a bandage for his friend\u2019s leg and used the rest of the cloth to clean the cuts and scrapes. Most of the water in his canteen had been depleted by washing out Joe\u2019s injuries, so Johnny made a quick trip up to the pool to replenish it. Now, as he covered Joe with a blanket from his friend\u2019s bedroll, Johnny felt there was nothing more he could do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s the best I can do for you, Joe,\u201d Johnny admitted to his friend. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lying on the ground with his eyes only half opened, Joe forced himself to answer. \u201cI\u2019m fine as long as I don\u2019t try to move or sit up,\u201d he said, trying to add a smile that was only partially successful. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour horse is tied up over by that bush, and I put your rifle and canteen where you can reach it,\u201d Johnny noted. \u201cYou should be all right until Hoss or somebody finds you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed half-heartedly. He knew it could take some time for help to arrive. No one knew exactly where he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fire off some shots before I leave,\u201d promised Johnny. \u201cSomebody will hear them. They\u2019ll find you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Joe agreed again, trying to sound more positive than he felt. He gave his friend a long look, then added, \u201cWhy did you do it, Johnny?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny didn\u2019t have to ask Joe what he meant. He merely shrugged and answered, \u201cI needed the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t need to rob a bank. My Pa would have lent you the money,\u201d Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t have lent me money for what I want to do with it,\u201d Johnny replied. Seeing the puzzled look on Joe\u2019s face, he continued, \u201cI want the money to get as far away from here as I can. I want the money so I can drink and gamble, and chase a few women. I don\u2019t think your Pa would have given me money for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I thought\u2026I mean, you worked so hard on building up that place,\u201d said Joe in a confused voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI worked hard,\u201d Johnny agreed, \u201cand I\u2019m tired of it. Joe, I\u2019m sick of that ranch. I\u2019m sick of having to look after stock every single day, in the rain, in the cold, and in the heat. I\u2019m tired of never being able to leave that place for longer than a day because the horses need to be seen to. I hate that every penny I make has to be spent on paying something on the mortgage or buying feed or paying vet bills. I\u2019m tired of never having any money, never having any time for myself. I want to see something beyond Virginia City, and have some fun doing it. That bear did me a favor by killing and running off my stock. Let the bank take the ranch. I don\u2019t want it any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re tired of working and you want a little fun, so you rob a bank,\u201d Joe commented, sounding more than little sarcastic. \u201cThat makes a lot of sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t planning on robbing that bank,\u201d insisted Johnny. \u201cBut then I met Waco in the Silver Dollar and, well, one thing led to another. It seemed like a good way to get a lot of money quick, and I signed on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t care who you hurt. As long as you got some money so you could have some fun, that\u2019s all that mattered,\u201d Joe stated bitterly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo one was supposed to get hurt,\u201d declared Johnny. \u201cWe were just going to take the money. Waco shot that teller \u2018cause he looked like he was going for a gun. But he didn\u2019t kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that makes it all right,\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cWhat about all the money you took? What about the people who lost their savings or can\u2019t get a loan they need because of what you took?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bank will figure out how to cover the loss,\u201d Johnny stated confidently. \u201cThey always do.\u201d Then he grinned. \u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019m going to San Francisco. I\u2019ve got $3,000 in that saddlebag. I mean to live the good life for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long do you think that money is going to last you in San Francisco?\u201d argued Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll be broke within a year, maybe sooner if you run into a card shark or some pretty gal cons you out of it. Then what are you going to do? Rob another bank?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t going to rob another bank,\u201d Johnny stated firmly. \u201cThat was a one-time thing. I have to admit I didn\u2019t much care for the way I felt while I was doing it, or while that posse was after us.\u201d He shrugged his shoulders. \u201cWhen the money runs out, I\u2019ll get me a job. Maybe I\u2019ll sign on to one of those clipper ships and go to China. I hear China is an interesting place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think the law in San Francisco isn\u2019t going to hear about a cowboy with lots of money and start checking on you?\u201d Joe asked skeptically. \u201cYou\u2019re going to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, watching for the law or, worse, a bounty hunter. That\u2019s no way to live, Johnny.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Johnny considered Joe\u2019s words. Then he shook his head. \u201cThe law in San Francisco isn\u2019t going to be worried about me. They won\u2019t even know I\u2019m there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny, let me help you,\u201d Joe pleaded. \u201cGo back with me, turn yourself in. You\u2019ll get some jail time, but not much. And then you can start fresh. I\u2019ll help you. My Pa and brothers will help you. Don\u2019t start running. Because if you do, you\u2019ll never stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once more, Johnny thought about what Joe had said. And again, he shook his head. \u201cJoe, you\u2019re my friend and I trust you,\u201d he stated. \u201cBut I can\u2019t go back. I can\u2019t give up my one chance to live a little. I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny, that money will never make you happy,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cEvery time you spend a dollar, you\u2019ll remember what you did to get it. Every time a lawman even looks in your direction, you\u2019ll wonder if he\u2019s going to arrest you. Every time you make a friend, you\u2019ll never know whether he likes you for yourself or for your money. That\u2019s no way to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong, Joe,\u201d Johnny replied in a defensive tone. \u201cThis money is my ticket to the good life. I\u2019m going to spend it and enjoy every minute doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe\u2019s body went limp and his eyes began to droop. \u201cYou do whatever you want, Johnny,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cI can\u2019t stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A frown crossed Johnny\u2019s face as he looked at his friend with concern. \u201cYou all right, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, just need some rest,\u201d Joe answered in a tired voice. He forced his eyes open. \u201cYou better get going,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Johnny got to his feet. He pulled his pistol out of his holster and shot three times into the air. Then he turned to Joe. \u201cSomebody will be here soon,\u201d he declared. \u201cYou just rest. Somebody will hear those shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure they will,\u201d Joe agreed but his voice made it clear that he didn\u2019t really believe it. He looked up at Johnny. \u201cStay away from Miller\u2019s Pass. Hoss is over that way. And the rest of the posse is meeting up in the meadow on the other side of Pine Ridge. Don\u2019t go there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d replied Johnny, sounding surprised. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect you to\u2026\u201d He swallowed hard, and then continued. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck,\u201d Joe added as his eyes closed. He heard the sound of Johnny walking away and then the sound of hoof beats. \u201cWe\u2019re both going to need it,\u201d he mumbled to himself. Then he allowed himself to fall into a deep sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe! Come on, Joe. Wake up!\u201d The voice that accompanied the hand shaking Joe\u2019s shoulder had an urgent ring to it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo away,\u201d mumbled Joe. \u201cLet me sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWake up, Joe, or I swear I\u2019m going to dump this whole canteen on your head,\u201d the voice threatened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe forced one eye open and looked up at blurry figure standing over him. \u201cGo away,\u201d he mumbled again, and then closed the eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A stream of water poured down on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sputtering and shaking his head, Joe quickly sat up and opened his eyes. He instantly regretted the move as a wave of pain seemed to pierce his head. Joe winced and put his hand over his face until the pain receded into a dull ache. Then he slowly lowered himself back onto the ground. Finally, he looked up at the figure kneeling over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny?\u201d Joe asked in bewilderment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s me,\u201d Johnny answered, sounding almost sorry to have to admit the fact.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat…what are you doing here?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI came back to get you,\u201d Johnny explained with a shrug. \u201cI got up to the top of the trail and spotted a cougar prowling around in the rocks. If that ol\u2019 cat got a whiff of the blood and saw you just laying there\u2026well, I couldn\u2019t just leave you here to be cougar bait. I\u2019ve got to get you on your horse and get you out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Joe protested weakly. \u201cHoss or somebody will be here soon. You better get out of here before they show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they ain\u2019t here yet, and I don\u2019t want to take a chance they\u2019ll get here before that cat does,\u201d Johnny countered. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you up.\u201d Slipping his arm under Joe\u2019s shoulder, he pulled his friend to a sitting position.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A groan escaped from Joe\u2019s mouth as he winced with pain. Putting his hand on his forehead, Joe rubbed his temples. The move eased the pain in his head a bit but did little to help sting from the cuts or the soreness of stiff muscles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to get to your feet, Joe,\u201d Johnny urged. He leaned forward, moving his hands under Joe\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe grabbed Johnny\u2019s shirt to stop him. \u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI figure I owe you,\u201d Johnny replied almost nonchalantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor all the times you helped me round up some wild horses and all the falls you took when you helped me break them,\u201d answered Johnny. \u201cFor all the beers you bought and for all the laughs we had together.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t seem enough to risk getting caught,\u201d Joe said with a frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is to me,\u201d Johnny stated. \u201cI haven\u2019t got that many friends that I can take a chance on losing one. Now let\u2019s get you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once more, Johnny went through the arduous process of pulling Joe to his feet, dragging him over to the pinto standing nearby and getting the injured man onto the horse. Once Joe was in the saddle, Johnny went back and collected the rifle and canteen lying on the ground. Walking back to the pinto, he put the rifle into the scabbard tied to the saddle, and looped the strap of the canteen around the saddle horn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI found this on the trail,\u201d Johnny advised as he reached down to his belt and pulled out a pearl-handled revolver. \u201cYou must have lost it when you fell.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching down, Joe took the pistol Johnny offered and stuck it in his holster. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said in a tired voice. \u201cWhat happens now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow I get you going in the right direction,\u201d Johnny answered. \u201cI\u2019ll get you close enough to the meadow that you can get there on your own. Then I\u2019m heading for San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Two horses slowly followed the rough trail toward the meadow. Johnny kept his mount at a measured pace as he led the pinto behind him. The young man kept looking over his shoulder at the figure slumped in saddle behind him, and with each glance, his worry increased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was trying hard to stay upright in the saddle, but the task was increasing difficult. His head hurt and his body ached. Trickles of sweat ran down his face and chest, caused by both the warmth of the afternoon sun as well as from the fever that was building inside him. The sweat and movement produced a stinging pain from all the cuts and abrasions scattered across his body. His bruises and stiff muscles ached in protest at the movement also. Blood was seeping through the bandage on his leg, and his sore ankle throbbed. Joe\u2019s breathing was labored, interrupted from time to time by small grunts of pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHang on, Joe,\u201d Johnny called to his friend. \u201cIt\u2019s not far now. We\u2019re almost there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s answer was a slight nod. He was hurting too much to talk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe\u2019s horse stopped. Johnny had dropped the reins of the pinto and ridden back to Joe\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re getting worse,\u201d Johnny stated. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cYou\u2019re starting to fever. I guess I didn\u2019t clean out those cuts as good as I thought I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Forcing himself to sit up a bit, Joe looked at Johnny. \u201cWhere are we?\u201d he asked in a flat, toneless voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dazed expression on Joe\u2019s face and the vacant look in his eyes disturbed Johnny. He could see Joe was hanging on to consciousness by the slimmest of threads. \u201cThe meadow is just up ahead,\u201d he explained slowly, hoping Joe would understand. \u201cJust past that stand of trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe stared down the trail. At first, everything was a blur; his vision was clouded by sweat and pain. Joe blinked a few times and the trail came into focus. He could make out the group of trees about a hundred yards ahead. \u201cLet\u2019s\u2026get\u2026going,\u201d he gasped. Then he lowered his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grabbing the reins of the pinto once more, Johnny slowly led Joe\u2019s horse down the trail. Although it didn\u2019t take him long to reach the trees, Johnny felt as if the ride had taken forever. He was anxious to get help for Joe but knew he couldn\u2019t speed up the pace of the horses without hurting his friend. As soon as he passed the trees and led the horses to the edge of the meadow, Johnny sighed with relief.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here, Joe,\u201d Johnny announced. \u201cWe\u2019re at the meadow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe roused himself enough to raise his head and look around. He nodded briefly when he saw the wide expanse of grass in front of him. Joe could feel the movement of his horse underneath him as Johnny led him deeper into the field.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d called Johnny suddenly as he pointed to the far end of the meadow. \u201cSee those riders coming this way? That must be your Pa and brothers and the rest of the posse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once again, Joe merely nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning his horse so he could face Joe, Johnny thrust the reins of the pinto into Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cListen, Joe,\u201d he said quickly, \u201cI\u2019m going to swat your horse and send you on to your pa. I\u2019ve got to get out of here before the posse spots me. Now you hang on tight, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hear,\u201d Joe mumbled. He stared at Johnny for a moment and then added, \u201cThanks, Johnny. Thanks for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, you\u2019re welcome,\u201d Johnny replied with a shrug. \u201cI wish\u2026well, I wish things had turned out differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful,\u201d cautioned Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about me,\u201d Johnny answered with a grin. \u201cI can take care of myself. Now hang on tight.\u201d Reaching down, he whacked the backside of the pinto, causing the horse to start forward at a trot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Anxious to be sure Joe would be all right, Johnny turned his horse to watch his friend bouncing lightly in the saddle as the pinto trotted across the field. But Johnny\u2019s anxiety turned to dismay when he saw Joe\u2019s horse suddenly veer to the left toward a clump of tall bushes. Hungry, thirsty and without direction from his rider, the pinto decided that a small pool of water surrounded by thick grass near the bushes looked inviting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Johnny said softly as he saw the pinto stop to drink and chew on the grass by the tall shrubbery. He knew the men riding across the meadow would never see Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cursing the pinto under his breath, Johnny kicked his horse forward and started toward the bushes. But he stopped abruptly when he heard the sound of a shout coming from the other end of the meadow. He looked in the direction of the riders and saw two men pointing toward him. Johnny hesitated, glanced over his shoulder at Joe, and then wheeled his horse around. Kicking the animal furiously, Johnny started his horse at a run back toward the edge of the meadow. The posse also started galloping their horses, and one man fired a shot at the fleeing rider.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he sat atop his horse, Joe heard the shouting and gunfire. It took a moment for his befuddled brain to work out what was happening, but finally he realized that the men in the meadow were going after Johnny and ignoring him. Vaguely aware that the he was hidden behind the tall shrubs, Joe pulled on the reins in his hands and tapped his horse with his foot. The pinto raised its head and began walking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once he was past the bushes, Joe turned his horse to face the middle of the meadow. He could see seven riders racing across the grass, one of whom had a pistol in his hand and was shooting toward the stand of trees from which Joe and Johnny had emerged a few minutes earlier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Joe shouted as he waved his hand in the air. But his voice was weak and his hand barely moved. The riders could neither see nor hear him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching down, Joe pulled his pistol out of his holster. The gun felt as if it weighed a ton and the trigger seemed much too stiff to be pulled. Nevertheless, Joe managed to raised the gun into the air and use what little strength he had to fire the revolver.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the sound of the shot, the posse pulled their horses abruptly to a stop. The seven men milled around for a moment, looking for the source of the gunfire. Suddenly a big man wearing a tall white hat pointed in Joe\u2019s direction. Three riders split off from the posse, riding hard toward Joe. The other four men stayed in the middle of the meadow, apparently discussing what to do next. After a minute or so, the men began galloping their horses toward the edge of the meadow, once again chasing Johnny Thornton.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still holding the gun, Joe let his hand fall to his side. He didn\u2019t have the energy to put the pistol back in his holster; in fact, he didn\u2019t have enough energy to do anything but sit and wait. With his eyes half closed, Joe heard rather than saw the three horses ride up to him and come to a halt. Hearing a familiar voice calling his name, Joe made what seemed to be a monumental effort to open his eyes and look down at the figures standing next to his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe, what happened to you?\u201d Ben asked in an anxious voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI fell,\u201d Joe simply replied. He didn\u2019t have the strength to say anything more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you get here?\u201d asked Adam with a frown. \u201cWhat was Johnny Thornton doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you hurt bad?\u201d Hoss added with concern. \u201cYou don\u2019t look too good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI fell,\u201d repeated Joe, saying the only words he could seem to get out. He looked down at his father, closed his eyes, and tumbled out of the saddle into Ben\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

It took a lot of effort for Joe to fight his way out of the cloud of darkness in which he found himself, but somehow he knew he had to do it. Maybe it was the gentle touch of the damp cloth on his face and head, or maybe it was the indistinct sounds he heard from a familiar voice which spurred him on. Regardless, Joe knew he had to leave the comfort of black, unfeeling place where there was no pain, no dizziness, and no sense of weakness. He took a deep breath and forced open his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe was laying flat on his back, in the shade provided by a tall tree. A blanket covered him, and a still-tied bedroll acted as a pillow under his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was no surprise to Joe that he saw his father kneeling over him, cloth in hand, and looking at him with an expression of concern. \u201cHi,\u201d Joe said, trying to form the stiff muscles in his face into a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi yourself,\u201d Ben replied, doing a poor job of keeping the relief out of his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have I been out?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout two hours,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cYou gave us quite a scare.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d mumbled Joe. He closed his eyes and grit his teeth as the now familiar feeling of pain washed over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, son,\u201d Ben counseled, putting his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJust lie still. Hoss has gone for a wagon, and Doc Martin should be waiting at the Ponderosa by the time we get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe took a deep breath and tried to will away the pain. The throbbing and stinging finally receded to the point that he could endure their presence. Then he opened his eyes again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve refilled the canteen,\u201d declared Adam as he knelt next to Ben and offered the container to his father. Seeing Joe\u2019s eyes were open, he smiled. \u201cWell, it seems you are back among the living, little brother. How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hurt in places I didn\u2019t know you could hurt,\u201d Joe admitted. He looked at his father. \u201cCan I have some of that water?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben replied, putting the canteen to Joe\u2019s mouth. He waited until his son had satisfied his thirst, and then pulled the container away. The he put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cYour fever is down. I cleaned and bandaged your cuts and scrapes. That plus the long sleep you had must have helped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I feel better,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cEverything hurts but not quite as bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell us what happened?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was heading up the trail on foot,\u201d Joe replied slowly, trying to recall the exact sequence of events. \u201cI wanted to see if I could find any sign of Johnny and the other two before I came back for the posse. There was a landslide or something, and I got knocked down the trail. The rocks and stuff clobbered me pretty good. Johnny found me, patched me up and brought me back to the meadow. He took off when he saw the posse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Johnny is the one who started that landslide,\u201d observed Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so, Adam,\u201d Joe said, shaking his head a bit. \u201cI mean, why would he try to help me if he had tried to hurt me in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe took a pretty big risk bringing you back to the meadow,\u201d Ben noted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he did,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cHe could have just left me out there, but he didn\u2019t. He\u2019s a good friend, Pa.\u201d He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering what Johnny had said about wanting to have a little fun in his life. \u201cHe just got on the wrong track,\u201d Joe added. \u201cHe didn\u2019t mean for anyone to get hurt. Johnny just wanted to see what life was like outside of Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he robbed a bank to finance it,\u201d Adam remarked in a wry voice. \u201cI\u2019d say he really got on the wrong track.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not knowing how to defend Johnny\u2019s actions, Joe merely shrugged. \u201cWhat happened to Johnny?\u201d he asked. \u201cDid he get away?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe got away,\u201d stated a voice to Joe\u2019s left as a shadow suddenly fell over the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe saw Roy Coffee and the man he remembered was named Bronson standing over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe got away,\u201d the sheriff repeated. \u201cWe lost sight of him and had to track him. He got up into the hard rock country and we lost his trail. There\u2019s no telling where he is now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe could have caught him if you hadn\u2019t fired that shot,\u201d Bronson added with a scowl. \u201cYou held us up long enough for your good friend to get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d Joe started but then he stopped. Had he fired that shot to distract the posse and allow Johnny to get away? He wasn\u2019t sure. His thinking had been so muddled at the time that he wasn\u2019t sure why he had done it. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe finished, trying to sound apologetic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe would have ridden right by you if you hadn\u2019t fired that shot, Joe,\u201d Ben stated. \u201cThere\u2019s no telling how long it would have been before we found you. I for one am glad you did shoot.\u201d He reached out his hand to stroke Joe\u2019s head. \u201cI\u2019d rather lose a bank robber than a son,\u201d Ben added in a voice full of emotion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid Johnny say anything about what direction he was headed? Where he was going?\u201d asked Coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe thought hard. He didn\u2019t want to lie, but he knew if he told the sheriff that Johnny was headed to San Francisco, Roy Coffee would alert the lawmen in every town along the way as well as the lawmen in that city. Joe felt he owed Johnny for saving his life; he owed Johnny a chance to get to San Francisco and have his wild spree. \u201cHe said he was heading for a big city,\u201d Joe answered truthfully. \u201cSomeplace where he could have some fun and live it up for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat could be any place \u2013 San Francisco, Denver, Sacramento \u2013 almost anywhere,\u201d Coffee mused. The sheriff shook his head. \u201cNo telling which way he went. He could be anywhere by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOr he could be standing on the edge of this camp,\u201d Adam declared, looking past Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The five men under the tree turned to look, and saw a figure standing next to his horse, nervously playing with the reins in his hand. Johnny dropped the reins and put his hands into the air. \u201cI\u2019m giving myself up,\u201d he called as he began walking forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Immediately, Roy Coffee pulled out his gun and rushed toward the young man. \u201cJohnny Thornton, you\u2019re under arrest for bank robbery and assault,\u201d the sheriff announced. He grabbed the pistol out of Johnny\u2019s holster. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything,\u201d warned Coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t, sheriff,\u201d Johnny promised. He looked over the lawman\u2019s shoulder toward Joe. \u201cYou all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI will be,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cThanks to you.\u201d He cocked his head and look at Johnny with a curious expression. \u201cWhy did you come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking down, Johnny pushed the dirt around with his toe for a minute before answering. Then he raised his head and said, \u201cA couple of reasons, I guess. I couldn\u2019t stop myself from worrying about you, about whether your pa and brothers found you. I also couldn\u2019t stop thinking about what you said, about how the money wasn\u2019t going to make me happy. The harder I rode, the more I started thinking I was making a mistake. So I turned around and came back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad, Johnny,\u201d Joe told his friend, then shifted his gaze to the sheriff. \u201cRoy, I want to talk to the judge in Virginia City. I want to tell the judge what Johnny did for me, how he saved my life even though he risked getting caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the fact that he did that as well as gave himself up should carry some weight with the judge,\u201d the sheriff admitted. \u201cBut he\u2019s still going to be in jail for a stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let the judge decide anything until I talk to him,\u201d pleaded Joe. \u201cI just need a day or two\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can talk to the judge once you\u2019re feeling better,\u201d Ben interrupted in a firm voice. \u201cAnd that\u2019s going to take longer than a day or two, young man.\u201d He pulled the blanket covering Joe up a bit. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure the judge waits to hear what you have to say. In the meantime, you need to get some rest. Hoss will be back soon with the wagon, and then we\u2019re going to get you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, thanks for talking me out of making the biggest mistake in my life,\u201d Johnny declared. \u201cI figure I can use the time in jail to think about what I want to do when I get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be there to help you with whatever you decide,\u201d Joe promised. \u201cAnd thanks for saving my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A grin broke out on Johnny\u2019s face. \u201cSeems all we\u2019ve been doing lately is saying thanks to each other,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what friends do \u2013 look out for each other and help each other when they need it,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAnd you\u2019re my friend, Johnny.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough talking for now,\u201d Ben declared. \u201cJoe, you get some sleep. We\u2019ll wake you when Hoss gets here with the wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed as he shifted his body to a more comfortable position. He closed his eyes, suddenly feeling grateful for the chance to sleep. Joe knew he\u2019d be home soon, and he wanted to get well, to get back on his feet as soon as possible. He wanted to be able to stand by his friend, both literally and figuratively. As Johnny had said, most people don\u2019t have that many true friends that they can afford to lose one. Johnny Thornton was one friend Joe was going to make sure he never lost.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 The family assists Roy Coffee to search for a small group of bank robbers, one of whom happens to be a friend of Joe’s.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (9,740 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":12270,"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":[2,23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1866,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/roy.jpg?fit=612%2C663&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15006,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15006","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":0},"title":"Pieces Trilogy (by Starlite)","author":"starlite","date":"September 14, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Part One:\u00a0One of Ben Cartwright's sons is missing, will they ever learn what happened to him?\u00a0\u00a0Rated:\u00a0 G Part Two:\u00a0\u00a0More in the continuing saga of Missing Pieces.\u00a0\u00a0Rating:\u00a0 G Part Three:\u00a0\u00a0The conclusion to Missing Pieces.\u00a0\u00a0Rated:\u00a0 PG Word Count:\u00a0 25,225\u00a0","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\/2023\/06\/Gabrielle-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gabrielle-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gabrielle-1.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15526,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15526","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":1},"title":"Beyond Looney (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"December 4, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: We find the need to apologize to Looney Tunes. Rating: T (4,640 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11904,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11904","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":2},"title":"Doing the Right Thing (by HazelMom)","author":"HazelMom","date":"January 17, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Word reaches the Ponderosa that Hoss was legally hung, setting off a chain of events that sets the law against justice when it comes down to doing the right thing. \u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (11,035 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7278,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7278","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":3},"title":"The Deputy (by lminzer)","author":"lminzer","date":"October 7, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe's first turn as a deputy isn't quite what he thought it would be. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a06600","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4653,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4653","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":4},"title":"Unwilling Accomplice (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"February 19, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe walks into a bank robbery and is taken hostage. To his horror, he is forced to go along on other robberies. Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0 \u00a0(12,154 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bank-robber.jpg?fit=225%2C224&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13961,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13961","url_meta":{"origin":13901,"position":5},"title":"The Full Moon (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It should be just an ordinary day, but with a full moon, it's anything but normal. 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