{"id":13902,"date":"2008-03-21T07:12:09","date_gmt":"2008-03-21T11:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13902"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:12:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:12:37","slug":"a-long-way-home-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13902","title":{"rendered":"A Long Way to Home (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Returning home from running a simple errand for Pa takes a dangerous detour when the stage only runs once a week, and the passengers on this one are a marshal with a prison who says no other tickets are to be sold.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (17,215 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Long Way to Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright had never been so happy to see a stagecoach arrive in his life. He had been stuck for a week in Dawson, a place which surely must be the dullest town in earth. It had all seemed so simple when his Pa had told him what to do. On the way back from ordering new equipment for the sawmill in Sacramento, he was to get off the stage in Dawson. The stage had a four hour lay-over while they changed the horses and the driver ate a meal. He would order the new blades for the sawmill from Will Carson during the lay-over and then get back on the stage for home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only things hadn\u2019t worked out the way they planned. When Joe got off the stage, he went directly to Will\u2019s shop. He had found the shop dark and bolted, with a crudely lettered \u201cClosed\u201d sign in the window. Joe had pounded on the door, more in frustration than expecting an answer, but no one had had responded. Joe had asked around and found out that Will had gone to visit his sister who had just had a baby. Joe was told repeatedly that Will was due back \u201canytime now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had watched the stage leave a week ago while he settled down to wait for Will. He had rented a room at the Dawson hotel, a seedy looking place. The room was small, the bed was hard, and Joe spent as little time as possible in the hotel. He had sat in the saloon, drinking a bitter brew that was supposed to be beer. He had played endless games of solitaire in the saloon, having found no one in town who seemed interested in a poker game. The saloon didn\u2019t even have a barmaid with whom Joe could flirt and exchange sweet lies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After two days of waiting, he had sent a wire to his father, explaining the situation. Joe played even more games of solitaire as he awaited a reply. After another seemingly endless night in the hotel, dreaming of soft beds as he laid on a mattress that was hard and lumpy, Joe received his answer. His father told him emphatically to stay in Dawson and wait for Will Carson. The sawmill needed those blades, and Joe wasn\u2019t to leave Dawson until he had ordered them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe knew what the wire was going to say before he even got it. The sawmill needed new blades and Will Carson made the best saw blades in Nevada. People came from three states to buy his goods. Will\u2019s saws never broke, and they held their sharp edges for an extraordinarily long time. He was a true craftsman, although why he chose to live in Dawson was beyond Joe\u2019s understanding. On the other hand, Joe reflected, maybe that\u2019s why Will\u2019s saws were so good. There was certainly nothing in Dawson to distract him from his work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thinking he would rent a horse and take a ride, Joe had gone to the livery. Anything to relieve the tedium of waiting in such a boring place would be welcome. However, Joe quickly changed his mind when he saw the horses at the livery. Other than the team for the stage, there were only three animals in the barn. All of them were old and tired-looking horses, and Joe could tell by their conformation that their gait would be uneven and uncomfortable. He left the livery without bothering to take any of them out of their stalls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had waited for three more days, thinking he would go crazy with boredom the whole time. Finally, yesterday, Will had returned. Joe had rushed to the shop as soon as he had heard the news. He finished his business with Will in less than an hour. Will promised the new saws in a month, and Joe knew he would deliver on time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The stage was due the next day, and Joe had forced himself to spend one more day in the dullest town in Nevada. Now he saw the stage pulling up in front of the building across the street. Joe grabbed his saddlebags off the bed and hurried out of his room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m checking out,\u201d Joe told the clerk as he threw some money on the counter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The clerk counted the money slowly, then nodded. \u201cThank you for your business. Hope to see you again real soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not if I can help it, Joe thought as he left the hotel and hurried across the street. He couldn\u2019t wait to get out of Dawson, and he promised himself he would never come here again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking into the small building which acted as the stage depot, Joe saw two passengers sitting on the bench against the far wall. One was a U.S. Marshall; Joe could see his badge. The Marshall looked to be in his forties, a tall thin man with gray hair. Next to him sat a young woman wearing a split riding skirt and tall boots. A blue checked shirt clung to her tightly, outlining her fine figure. Joe\u2019s gaze quickly moved from her clothes to her face, one of the prettiest ones he had ever seen. The woman\u2019s coal black hair fell loosely to her shoulders in soft curves, framing the face nicely. Her blue eyes had a deep, soulful look to them. Her face was a perfect oval, topped by a small nose and sensuous lips. Joe tipped his hat at the woman as he stood in the doorway. She looked at him coolly and nodded back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, the ride home was certainly going to have some pleasant scenery, Joe thought to himself as he walked to the desk where the stage manager sat. It might even be fun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI need a ticket on the stage,\u201d Joe declared as he neared the desk. \u201cBook me straight through to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t go on today\u2019s stage,\u201d the manager replied without looking up. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait until next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNext week!\u201d Joe cried in dismay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d the man said. \u201cStage only comes through here once a week. And I got orders not to sell tickets to any passengers on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOrders?\u201d Joe asked with a frown. \u201cWho gave you those orders?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d a deep voice answered from behind Joe. Joe turned to look at the Marshall sitting on the bench.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told the clerk not to sell anyone a ticket on the stage,\u201d the Marshall continued in his deep voice. The Marshall raised his hand, and Joe was stunned to see he was handcuffed to the girl. \u201cI\u2019m escorting a prisoner back to Cold Springs,\u201d the Marshall explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe walked toward the bench. \u201cMy name is Joe Cartwright,\u201d he explained. \u201cMy family has a ranch near Virginia City. I\u2019ve been stuck in this town a week, and I need to get home. I promise you, Marshall, I\u2019m not going to help your prisoner to escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Marshall looked at Joe for a minute. \u201cCartwright, eh?\u201d he said. \u201cYou one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s boys?\u201d Joe nodded. \u201cI know your Pa,\u201d acknowledged the Marshall. \u201cHe\u2019s a fine man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he is,\u201d Joe agreed, his voice tinged with pride and affection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Marshall shook his head. \u201cI still can\u2019t let you ride on the stage,\u201d he stated firmly. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just get yourself a horse and ride home?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t ask that if you saw what passed for horses in this town,\u201d Joe said in reply. \u201cLook, Marshal\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Benton, Jim Benton,\u201d the lawman interjected, supplying his name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cLook, Marshall Benton,\u201d he continued. \u201cI really need to get out of here, and the stage is the only way. I promise you I won\u2019t cause any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand, son,\u201d Benton stated. \u201cThis here is Jenny Coulter. She\u2019s Billy Mason\u2019s girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at the young woman sitting on the bench. She had been watching Joe speculatively, but now she lowered her eyes. Joe had heard of Billy Mason; he was wanted for bank robbery and murder. He couldn\u2019t believe this beautiful girl was associating with scum like Mason.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a week ago, Mason\u2019s gang robbed the bank in Cold Springs,\u201d the Marshall explained. \u201cThe sheriff there saw them as they were leaving the bank. He killed two of the gang, but the rest of them got away. Billy had the money. We caught up with him as he was leaving her place in Black River. Billy tried to shoot it out and got himself killed. But we didn\u2019t find the money. We figure she knows where it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny looked at the Marshall. \u201cI told you that you were barking up the wrong tree,\u201d she protested in an angry voice. \u201cI don\u2019t know where the money is. Billy didn\u2019t tell me anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for the judge to decide,\u201d Benton advised the girl with an indifferent shrug. \u201cHe issued a warrant for your arrest as an accessory.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAccessory!\u201d Jenny exclaimed. She turned to Joe. \u201cThey tore my place apart looking for the money,\u201d she complained. \u201cYou should have seen it. It was a mess.\u201d Jenny smiled sweetly at Joe. \u201cThey didn\u2019t find anything,\u201d she added in a soft voice. \u201cNothing. This is all a big mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be trying your wiles on him, girl,\u201d the Marshall advised. \u201cHe ain\u2019t going with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t understand why I can\u2019t ride on the stage with you,\u201d Joe said with a frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThree of Mason\u2019s gang are still running around loose, including Billy\u2019s brother,\u201d the Marshall answered. \u201cI figure they\u2019re going to try to get Jenny here away from me so she can tell them where the money is. If they make a try for her while we\u2019re on the stage, I don\u2019t want any innocent passengers hurt\u2026or getting in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe thought for a minute. The idea of staying another week in Dawson appalled him. In fact, he hated the idea of staying in this town more than he hated the idea of facing three outlaws. Mason\u2019s gang might not even attack the stage. It was a risk Joe was more than willing to take. Anything to get out of this town, he thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall, if Mason\u2019s gang comes after you, it\u2019ll be three against one,\u201d Joe pointed out. \u201cThose aren\u2019t very good odds.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve faced tougher odds,\u201d the Marshall told Joe with a shrug.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but if you let me come with you, that\u2019s an extra gun,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cTwo against three. That\u2019s much better odds. In fact, it might even discourage them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t take the chance that a civilian might get hurt,\u201d replied the Marshall. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cListen, Marshall,\u201d Joe said, his voice tinged with desperation. \u201cI\u2019ve ridden with posses and I\u2019ve helped out Roy Coffee, the sheriff in Virginia City. You could deputize me and take me along. Then I wouldn\u2019t be a \u2018civilian\u2019. I\u2019d be a lawman, just like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Marshall studied Joe for a minute. \u201cYou handy with a gun?\u201d he asked. Joe nodded. The Marshall thought a minute longer. \u201cYou understand that this ain\u2019t no picnic,\u201d he added. \u201cYou\u2019ll do what I tell you.\u201d Joe nodded again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Marshall thought some more. Finally, he nodded his head. \u201cAll right, son,\u201d he agreed. \u201cIf you\u2019re fool enough to want to go along, I could use the extra gun. It just might come in handy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed with relief. \u201cThanks, Marshall. You won\u2019t regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope you don\u2019t regret it,\u201d the Marshall countered. \u201cRaise your right hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny turned her most radiant smile on Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

As the stage finally pulled out of Dawson, Joe felt the relief washing over him. He hoped never to see that place again. He was sprawled over the seat in the stage, comfortable to have it all to himself. Jenny and Marshall Benton sat on the seat opposite him, their backs to the driver.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny smiled at Joe, her pretty face lighting up as she did so. She looked demurely to the floor, but raised her eyes to look at him. Joe grinned back at Jenny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo Irwin didn\u2019t still doesn\u2019t have any decent horses in that stable of his,\u201d Jenny remarked to Joe, her smile widening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but how did you know?\u201d Joe asked in a startled voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up around here,\u201d Jenny answered. \u201cI remember those nags Irwin used to keep. He never got anyone around Dawson to ride them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe thought about the sad-looking horses he had seen in the livery. \u201cI know why,\u201d he said ruefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny laughed. Her laugh was like the tinkling of glass, Joe thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know why you were anxious to get on this stage,\u201d Jenny continued. \u201cDawson has to be the most boring place on earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t, then I don\u2019t want to visit the place that is,\u201d Joe agreed with a smile. Jenny laughed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure that\u2019s the only reason you wanted to ride on this stage?\u201d Jenny asked in a seductive voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe not the only reason,\u201d Joe replied, his boyish grin on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the Marshall would let you trade places with him,\u201d Jenny suggested, her voice even more inviting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou just be quiet,\u201d the Marshall ordered in a rough voice. When Jenny turned and made a face at him, Joe laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall, you\u2019re just wasting your time,\u201d Jenny told the lawman. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything. I can\u2019t tell that judge what I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I keep saying, it ain\u2019t up to me,\u201d the Marshall growled. \u201cTell it to the judge.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny turned away from Benton, her face in a pout.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you doing in Dawson, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d Jenny asked, turning a radiant smile on Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCall me, Joe,\u201d said Joe, smiling in return. \u201cI was ordering some saw blades from Will Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill makes the best blades in the world,\u201d she agreed. \u201cHow come you got stuck here for a week?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill was out of town,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI had to wait on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPoor you!\u201d Jenny sympathized with a sweet smile. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to do in Dawson.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,” Joe answered ruefully. \u201cI found that out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you own a timber camp?\u201d Jenny asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa does,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cWe have a ranch just outside of Virginia City. Cattle, horses and some lumbering. Keeps me pretty busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot too busy, I hope,\u201d Jenny said with a smile. \u201cI have a feeling there are a lot of women in Virginia City who wouldn\u2019t want you to be tied up on your ranch all the time.\u201d Grinning, Joe shrugged his shoulders a bit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you grew up around here. When did you leave?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An odd look came over Jenny\u2019s face. She turned and looked out the window. \u201cA lifetime ago,\u201d she answered quietly. She continued to look out the window, her thoughts focused on something other than Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s enough chit-chat,\u201d growled Benton. \u201cBoy, you keep your mind away from her. She\u2019s nothing but trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The trio rode in silence for several miles. Joe would have like to talk with Jenny some more, but the scowl on the Marshall\u2019s face discouraged him. Jenny also was ignoring him, staring out the window with a wistful look on her face. Finally, Joe pulled his hat down over his face and started to doze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe woke abruptly when the coach suddenly lurched hard to the right and skidded to a stop. He pushed his hat back and looked out the window.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The stage had stopped in the middle of nowhere, at least as far as Joe could tell. He could see rolling hills and tree-covered field, but no sign of a building or people. He wondered briefly where they were.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe asked as he saw the Marshall leaning out the window. The Marshall pulled himself back inside the coach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStage hit a rut in the road,\u201d the Marshall replied with disgust. \u201cLooks like we lost a wheel.\u201d He turned to Jenny. \u201cC\u2019mon, we\u2019re getting out.\u201d The Marshal started climbing out of the coach, pulling Jenny along behind him. Following the pair, Joe tried to help the girl get down from the coach. Jenny threw a grateful smile over her shoulder at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he climbed out of the coach, Joe could see the right front wheel was off. The driver was standing next to the wheel, scratching his head. Benton and Jenny stood a few feet away, the handcuffs holding them together gleaming in the sun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking up to the driver, Joe asked, \u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The driver shook his head. \u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted with a frown. \u201cGuess we\u2019ll have to try to put the wheel back on. Looks kind of bad, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inspecting the axle, Joe could see it looked intact. If they replaced the wheel and secured it somehow, the coach might be able to limp along until they got to a way station where it could be fixed properly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall, we think we can get the wheel back on,\u201d Joe shouted to Benton. \u201cBut we\u2019re going to need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Benton walked over to Joe and the driver, pulling Jenny along behind him. The Marshall reached into the pocket of his shirt and pulled out a small key. He put the key in the bracelet of the handcuff around his wrist, and with a turn, opened the cuff. After looking around for a minute, Benton pulled Jenny forward again. Standing her next to the coach, he put the open bracelet around one of the spokes of the wheel on the left side of the coach and snapped it close. With a satisfied nod, Benton brushed his hands and walked to the other side of the coach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had watched Benton cuff Jenny to the wheel. Now, as the Marshall approached, he asked, \u201cDo you really think that was necessary?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know what I\u2019ve been through with that girl,\u201d Benton retorted with disgust. \u201cShe\u2019s tried everything to get away. I\u2019m not taking any chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at Jenny, who smiled at him and slowly shook her head. Shrugging a bit, Joe turned back to the coach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took some time for the men to figure out how to lift the coach to replace the wheel. A look in the boot of the stage showed them that there was no jack or other equipment. There weren\u2019t any trees close enough to use a rope over a branch. After much discussion, they finally decided to let the Marshall and the driver lift the axle while Joe slipped the wheel back on. Joe was doubtful that the two men could lift the heavy coach, but they insisted they could. All the while, Jenny listened and watched.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The driver unhitched the horses and led them a few yards from the coach then walked back to the coach, dusting his hands on his pants as he crossed the grass. While Joe went to get the wheel, Benton and the driver moved near the axle. After rolling the wheel back to the coach, Joe positioned it so he could slide it quickly on the axle. With a nod, he told the other two men he was ready.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Marshall and the driver pulled on the axle, grunting as they tried to lift the stage. At first, nothing happened. Then slowly the axle began to rise. Joe waited anxiously, ready to slip the wheel on as soon as the axle was high enough. The axle rose with infinite slowness. It was almost at the right height when suddenly the stage began to rock. Surprised, the Marshall and the driver began to lose their grip. The stage rocked harder and both men dropped the axle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The driver quickly jumped back from the stage, but Benton wasn\u2019t as agile. He hung on to the axle a fraction too long. The axle came crashing down on the Marshall\u2019s leg, with the full weight of the stage landing on top of it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Benton screamed in agony as his leg was crushed under the axle. Dropping the wheel, Joe rushed forward. \u201cHelp me get it off him!\u201d Joe yelled to the startled driver. Both men grabbed the axle, and with a heave, they lifted the wood about a foot and Benton quickly pulled his leg out. As Joe and the driver dropped the axle, the stage crashed back to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s happening? What\u2019s going on?\u201d a voice from the other side of the coach shouted. Ignoring the questions, Joe bent to examine the Marshall\u2019s leg and was sickened by what he saw. There was no doubt that Benton\u2019s leg was broken; a piece of bone was jutting out of the skin and blood ran pouring freely down the leg. Joe glanced up at the Marshall\u2019s face. Benton was barely conscious, his face pale. Joe could only guess what pain the man must be feeling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d a voice shouted from the back of the coach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Marshall broke his leg,\u201d Joe yelled in reply. \u201cThe stage came down on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s too bad,\u201d came the response. Joe detected a lack of sincerity in the supposedly sympathetic comment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou ever set a leg, boy?\u201d a barely audible voice asked. Joe turned to see Benton looking at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath. \u201cYeah, I\u2019ve set a leg,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut never one broken as bad as this. I don\u2019t know if I can do this right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we\u2019re going to find out,\u201d Benton said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe turned to the driver. \u201cSee if you can find some wood or something we can use as a splint,\u201d Joe told the man. The driver nodded and hurried off. Getting to his feet, Joe walked to the back of the stage. The jack had been left behind, but not the emergency kit. Joe pulled a leather sack from the boot of the stage. He opened the flap of the sack and started rooting through it. Joe pulled a canteen and some bandages from the sack, then dropped the sack to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help?\u201d Jenny asked. She had pulled herself as far as possible toward the back of the stage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know anything about setting a leg?\u201d Joe asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Jenny could answer, the Marshall roared out with a loud \u201cNO!\u201d Joe looked back at the man, a startled expression on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let that she-wolf near me!\u201d cried the Marshall. \u201cShe\u2019s the one who started rocking the stage. She tried to kill us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall, I never did,\u201d Jenny protested in a pouty voice. \u201cHonest.\u201d But Joe thought he detected a ghost of a smile on the girl\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou just wait here,\u201d Joe told Jenny. He grabbed the canteen and bandages, then hurried back to the fallen lawman. Joe gave Benton the canteen, and the Marshall gulped the water gratefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe studied the broken and bloody leg before him. He felt his stomach churn as he thought about what he had to do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, boy,\u201d a voice said. Joe looked up at Benton. The Marshall had put the canteen on the ground and was lying on his back. He nodded encouragingly at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe maneuvered himself to the bottom of Benton\u2019s leg. He grabbed the Marshall\u2019s ankle with a tight grip. Then he pulled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard two sounds almost simultaneously. He heard the howl of agony from Benton and the snap of the bone as it clicked back into place. Joe quickly released Benton\u2019s ankle and ran his hand up the Marshall\u2019s leg. He couldn\u2019t feel any sharp edges, but he wasn\u2019t sure the bone was set in place either. He glanced at Benton\u2019s face, but the Marshall was passed out on the ground. Joe hesitated, wondering what to do next. He finally decided that no action was probably the best action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grabbing the bandages, Joe quickly tied them around the split skin, hoping to stop the bleeding. He looked around and saw the driver walking toward him from a small stand of trees. The man was carrying two pieces of wood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he waited for the driver, Joe chewed on the bottom of his lip. Once he splinted the leg, Joe knew he had to get the Marshall to a doctor. He just wasn\u2019t sure how they were going to do that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The driver dropped the two pieces of wood on the ground next to Joe. Giving a brief nod of thanks, Joe quickly tied the Marshall\u2019s leg in between the wood, hoping they would hold the bone in place.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hot and thirsty,\u201d came a plaintive cry from the other side of the coach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at the Marshall, who was still unconscious. Then he grabbed the canteen and walked to the other side of the stage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere,\u201d Joe said, handing the canteen to Jenny. \u201cBut go easy. That\u2019s all the water we\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Jenny took a sip from the canteen. \u201cThank you,\u201d she murmured, flashing a grateful smile. \u201cHow\u2019s the Marshall?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHis leg is in pretty bad shape,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cWe need to get him to a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDawson is probably the closest,\u201d Jenny advised thoughtfully. \u201cThat\u2019s about three hours from here. Cold Springs is too far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, son, he\u2019s coming around,\u201d the driver shouted from the other side of the coach. Grabbing the canteen from Jenny, Joe rushed back to the Marshall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Benton had propped himself up on his elbows and was looking at the splint on his leg. Joe quickly handed the canteen to the Marshall who took a long drink before giving the container back to Joe. \u201cLooks like you did a good job,\u201d commented Benton.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe replied doubtfully. \u201cWe\u2019d better get you to a doctor right away.\u201d He turned to the driver. \u201cDo you think the two of us can get the wheel on?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The driver shook his head. \u201cWe can\u2019t do it by ourselves,\u201d the driver declared. \u201cBut it don\u2019t matter. I took a look at the axle. When the coach fell, that axle busted. Even if we could get the wheel on, this stage ain\u2019t going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giving a distracted nod, Joe began thinking. He had to figure out a way to get the Marshall back to Dawson. After a few minutes, he turned to the driver.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUnhitch the horses,\u201d Joe ordered. \u201cWe\u2019ll make a travois and ride the horses back to Dawson.\u201d As the driver walked to the horses, Joe turned to face the Marshall. \u201cIt will be a rough ride,\u201d he said apologetically. \u201cBut it\u2019s the best we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe spent the next hour making a travois out of the rope he found in the back of the stage and some long pieces of timber the driver found near the strand of trees. Jenny complained about being hot and thirsty several times as Joe worked, but he ignored her. He couldn\u2019t waste time looking after her. He needed to get the travois finished and the Marshall back to Dawson as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, the travois was finished and tied securely to one of the horses. Joe walked over to the Marshall. \u201cI\u2019ll be as easy as I can getting you on the travois,\u201d Joe promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we do that,\u201d Benton interjected, \u201cI\u2019ve got something to ask you. I\u2019ve been thinking. The driver can get me back to Dawson. I want you to take Jenny on to Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Joe exclaimed in surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been watching you,” Benton continued. \u201cYou\u2019re a pretty responsible young man, and I know Ben Cartwright raises his boys right. I can trust you to take Jenny to Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cMarshall, I\u2019m not really a lawman,\u201d he said. \u201cI just told you that to get a ride on the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t matter,\u201d Benton insisted. \u201cYou took an oath.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the rush?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cWe take Jenny back to Dawson and we catch another stage to Cold Springs. A few days, a week at the most, and she\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bank in Cold Springs doesn\u2019t have a week,\u201d Benton explained. \u201cThe money Billy took? That was the bank\u2019s reserve. If they don\u2019t get the money back in a few days, the bank is going to have to call in its loans, most of which are to small farmers and ranchers who haven\u2019t got the money to pay off all their debt. All those farmers and ranchers will lose their places.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Jenny says she doesn\u2019t know where the money is,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s lying,\u201d the Marshall growled. \u201cShe knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEven if she does, how is getting her back to Cold Springs going to help?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cIf she won\u2019t talk, she can\u2019t help the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think a night or two in the Cold Springs jail will bring her around real quick,\u201d the Marshall commented with a grim smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Joe said, shaking his head. \u201cShe seems pretty, well, determined.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d admitted the Marshall. \u201cBut we got to try. It\u2019s up to you to get her to Cold Springs. You two can share a horse. It\u2019s a seven or eight hour ride, but you should get there by nightfall.\u201d The Marshall reached into his shirt pocket. \u201cHere\u2019s the key to the cuffs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI don\u2019t want to do this. We\u2019ll get you back to Dawson, and find someone there to take Jenny to Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDawson?\u201d the Marshall said with disgust. \u201cYou\u2019ve seen that town. Who you going to find there who will take Billy Mason\u2019s girl to Cold Springs? We\u2019d have to wait for another Marshall. And that will take too long. Those people in Cold Springs will loose their farms and ranches before we get her there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe chewed his lip, trying to decide what to do.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou going to let all those people lose their homes because you\u2019re squeamish about taking a girl to jail?\u201d pressed the Marshall. \u201cI didn\u2019t figure one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s boys would be so hardhearted.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarshall, that\u2019s not fair,\u201d protested Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t play fair,\u201d the Marshall replied with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said reluctantly. \u201cI\u2019ll do it. But somehow, I think I\u2019m going to regret this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched as the driver and Marshall Benton traveled down the trail. The driver was on one of the horses that had been pulling the stage. He led another horse to which the travois carrying the Marshall was tied. Joe and the driver had tried to be gentle as they had eased the injured man onto the travois, but Joe could see the pain etched on the Marshall\u2019s face. Now Joe watched as the two horses walked slowly down the trail toward Dawson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a sigh, Joe decided he had better get started on his job. He walked to the back of the stage, looking for any useful items that might be in the boot. The Marshall had insisted that Joe keep the canteen. Benton said Joe would need it more on the eight hour ride to Cold Springs than he would need it on the trip back to Dawson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pushing his saddlebags aside, Joe looked into the stage\u2019s boot. The only item left was a blanket squashed into the corner. Joe pulled out the cloth and shook it open. The blanket was dirty and moth-eaten, and the edges were frayed. But at least he could throw something over the back of the horse he and Jenny would ride. It wouldn\u2019t help much, Joe decided, but it was all he had.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tucking the blanket under his arm, Joe slung the strap of the canteen over his shoulder. With another sigh, he walked slowly to the side of the stage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny was sitting on the ground, her legs curled under her. Her right arm reached above her head, still cuffed to the wheel. She smiled with relief when she saw Joe approaching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness,\u201d Jenny said. \u201cI thought you had forgotten all about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot much chance of that,\u201d Joe replied with a wry smile. He reached up and unlocked the handcuff from the wheel. Joe noted that the chain between the cuffs was about eight inches long. He had enough chain to be able to move around and still be close to his prisoner. \u201cCome on,\u201d he announced. \u201cWe\u2019d better get started. It\u2019s a long ride to Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rising to her feet, Jenny brushed the dirt from her skirt. \u201cThat\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d she told him with a smile. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to pretend with me. I know you don\u2019t want to take me to Cold Springs. Just uncuff me and I can find my way from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe exclaimed in an astonished voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Jenny continued smoothly. \u201cI grew up around here. I know how to find my way. You don\u2019t have to worry about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Billy\u2019s brother and the rest of his gang?\u201d Joe asked, cocking his head a bit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t worry about Johnny,\u201d Jenny replied with a dismissive air. \u201cWithout Billy, he couldn\u2019t find his way down the street, much less chase after me. The other two are worse. Billy got men for the gang because of their guns, not their brains.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the money?\u201d Joe prompted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI like you, Joe. I really do,\u201d Jenny noted with a smile. \u201cBut not enough to tell you anything about the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you didn\u2019t know where it was,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe I do, and maybe I don\u2019t,\u201d Jenny answered coyly. \u201cBut I\u2019m not going to tell YOU anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe stated, snapping the open handcuff around his wrist. \u201cYou can tell the judge in Cold Springs what you know, and maybe he\u2019ll be able to find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Now it was Jenny\u2019s turn to be astonished. \u201cYou don\u2019t really mean to take me to Cold Springs, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told the Marshall I would,\u201d declared Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Are you crazy?\u201d said Jenny. \u201cYou\u2019re not a Marshall. You\u2019re not even a real deputy. Why should you care whether I get to Cold Springs or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told the Marshall I would get you there,\u201d Joe stated firmly. \u201cI made him a promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you? Some kind of Knight of the Round Table?\u201d Jenny snapped angrily. \u201cMy Ma used to read to be about those guys. They were always doing crazy things because they promised people. And it got a lot of them killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not a knight,\u201d Joe admitted with a smile. \u201cI left my armor at home. Besides, I don\u2019t quite picture you as a maiden in distress.\u201d He ducked as Jenny flung her arm at him, trying to slap his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou self-righteous, pig-headed fool!\u201d Jenny shouted furiously. \u201cYou are going to land me in jail!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think that\u2019s up to you,\u201d Joe said with a grin. He took a step and pulled Jenny behind him. \u201cLet\u2019s go. It\u2019s a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stamping her foot, Jenny looked away and refused to move; Joe pulled her arm a little stronger, but she still didn\u2019t budge. Finally, he turned, and with a quick move, picked the girl up and threw her over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPut me down!\u201d Jenny cried, banging her fists furiously against Joe\u2019s back. \u201cYou put me down right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring both her cries and her blows, Joe carried Jenny to the horses. He stopped in front of one of the horses, and unceremoniously slid the struggling girl to the ground. He quickly threw the blanket over the back of the horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow you have two choices,\u201d Joe announced as Jenny glared at him. \u201cYou can either ride this horse sitting upright, or I\u2019ll sling you face down across it. But one way or the other, you are going to get on that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny stood looking at Joe, her face showing the fury she felt. But Joe looked back at her with an unwavering stare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave it your way,\u201d Joe said, taking a step forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d Jenny agreed quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll get on.\u201d She turned her back to Joe and faced the side of the horse. \u201cGive me a boost, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grabbing Jenny around the waist, Joe lifted her onto the horse. She felt as light as a feather. He reached to gather the leather traces hanging from harness to use as reins. He was still handcuffed to Jenny, but there was enough chain between them to give him room to take a step forward. Suddenly, Jenny yelled and kicked the horse forward. The startled animal started to run.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only Jenny had forgotten she was still handcuffed to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a scream, Jenny fell backwards off the horse. Joe caught her just as she was about to land in the dirt. Both fell to the ground with a thud.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was pretty stupid,\u201d Joe declared as he scrambled to his feet. Jenny stood and brushed herself off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Jenny said primly. She looked around. The horse was running down the trail. \u201cNow what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, lucky for you there\u2019s another horse,\u201d Joe stated, gesturing to the animal still tied to a tree nearby. \u201cOtherwise, it would be long walk to Cold Springs.\u201d Picking the blanket up off the ground, Joe started walking toward the other horse pulling Jenny behind him. He didn\u2019t bother to look to see if she was able to keep up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stopping in front of the horse, Joe untied the animal from the tree and gathered the reins in his hand. Once more, he threw the blanket over the animal\u2019s back. He turned to Jenny. \u201cLet\u2019s try this again,\u201d he said in a grim voice. Without waiting for a reply, he scooped Jenny off the ground and put her firmly on the horses back. Before she could react, Joe vaulted from the ground and onto the horse\u2019s back, landing behind her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny could feel Joe\u2019s arms going around her. For a moment, she leaned back against him and felt his chest against her back. Jenny closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of a strong man with his arms around her. Then, suddenly, she remembered where Joe was taking her\u2026and why. Jenny pulled herself away from Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had felt Jenny relax against him, and he too enjoyed the feel of soft body leaning against his. Then he felt her stiffen. With a sigh, Joe tightened his grip on the reins and kicked the horse under him. \u201cMight as well get comfortable,\u201d Joe advised. \u201cIt\u2019s a long ride to Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf we get there,\u201d Jenny remarked slyly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Jenny rode in silence as the horse plodded down the road. The animal had a comfortable gait, though a slow one. Joe figured at the rate they were going, they would be lucky to reach Cold Springs by midnight. Joe\u2019s thoughts drifted to everything that had happened since he got off the stage in Dawson a week ago. Nothing had turned out as he had planned. He began to think about the Ponderosa, where things seemed to run with clockwork precision. For once, Joe was really looking forward to getting home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny sat in front of Joe, her back still ramrod stiff. Joe couldn\u2019t see the thoughtful look on her face as her eyes darted around the countryside. Jenny was in no hurry to get to Cold Springs. In fact, she was thinking hard about a way not to get there at all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After riding for about three hours, Joe pulled on the leather traces he was using as reins and halted the horse. \u201cWe\u2019d better give the horse a rest,\u201d Joe advised Jenny. \u201cHe\u2019s not used to carrying two people like this.\u201d Jenny said nothing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Guiding the horse to the side of the road, Joe slid off the animal\u2019s back. He reached up to help Jenny down, but she shrugged away his hand and slowly eased herself off the horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The horse immediately began to graze on the grass by the road. Pulling the blanket off the horse\u2019s back, Joe led Jenny to the shade of some trees nearby. He spread the blanket on the ground, then slid the canteen strap off his shoulder; Joe handed the canteen to Jenny. She took a long drink, then handed the canteen back to Joe. \u201cThank you,\u201d she said shortly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we sit and rest for a few minutes,\u201d Joe suggested, indicating the blanket on the ground. Jenny nodded curtly and abruptly sat down. Her sudden movement yanked on Joe\u2019s arm and he lost his balance. Joe fell forward and found himself sprawled face down on the blanket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe could hear Jenny\u2019s laugh as he quickly righted himself. He still thought it sounded like tinkling glass. \u201cYou ought to do that more often,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo what?\u201d Jenny asked with a frown. \u201cPull you off your feet?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, laugh,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cYou have a very pretty laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot much to laugh about these days,\u201d Jenny declared bitterly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting up, Joe took a quick drink from the canteen. He set it down on the blanket beside him and then looked at Jenny. \u201cI don\u2019t understand you,\u201d he admitted as he studied the girl. \u201cYou\u2019re pretty, and you\u2019re smart. Why are you throwing everything away for some money that isn\u2019t even yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny turned to Joe. \u201cI\u2019m not saying I know where the money is,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cBut if I did, I could use that money to start a whole new life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAt the expense of the farmers and ranchers whose savings were stolen from them?\u201d Joe countered. \u201cBuilt on the ashes of a dozen or more small farms and ranches that would go under? I don\u2019t think that\u2019s much of a way to start a new life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be doing them a favor,\u201d Jenny answered with a bitter laugh. \u201cI grew up on one of those small farms. It was nothing but dirt, hard work, and boredom. I\u2019d be forcing those people to get a real life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019d agree with you,\u201d advised Joe. \u201cMost people are pretty fond of their homes, no matter how small it might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot if you don\u2019t have any choice in the matter,\u201d Jenny said. \u201cNot if all you can think about is trying to get away from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what happened to you?\u201d Joe asked curiously. \u201cDid you run away from home?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really none of your business,\u201d Jenny replied in a cold voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Jenny, I\u2019d like to help you,\u201d Joe told the girl. \u201cBut you have to let me. You have to stop fighting me, and start trusting me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTrust you?\u201d Jenny said. \u201cThe man who wants to take me to jail in Cold Springs? No thanks. I\u2019ve gotten along just fine with trusting no one but me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cAll right, have it your way.\u201d He stood and pulled Jenny to her feet. \u201cWe\u2019d better mount up and get going.\u201d Joe reached down and grabbed the canteen from the blanket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the blanket,\u201d Jenny offered quickly, and snatched the cloth from ground. She folded the blanket over her arms in front of her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started walking toward the horse, pulling Jenny gently with him. Suddenly, Jenny stopped dead. She let out a piercing scream. As the startled horse looked up, Jenny screamed again and began flapping the blanket. Frightened by the noise and the blanket, the animal started running and quickly disappeared into the woods behind Jenny and Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started to run after the horse, but Jenny dug her heels into the ground. Joe dragged her a foot or so before he stopped, realizing he would never catch the horse with Jenny in tow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow look what you\u2019ve done!\u201d Joe shouted in an angry voice as he turned back to Jenny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I saw a snake,\u201d Jenny explained with a sly smile. \u201cI don\u2019t like snakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, right,\u201d Joe said in a disbelieving voice. He looked around. The road ahead of them meandered through some small hills. Joe could see no sign of a farm or ranch. He looked behind them at the woods. The woods were thick and dense. Joe stood thoughtfully, trying to decide what to do now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long walk to Cold Springs,\u201d Jenny pointed out in a sweet voice. \u201cWe\u2019ll never get there by tonight. Maybe the best thing to do is just sit here and wait for someone to come by.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe could wait a week,\u201d Joe advised. \u201cThis road doesn\u2019t look like it gets much use. I haven\u2019t seen another rider or wagon since we\u2019ve been on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s true,\u201d Jenny agreed. \u201cI don\u2019t think many people use it. I guess we won\u2019t get to Cold Springs for at least several days. By then, it\u2019ll be too late for the bank. Doesn\u2019t seem much point in even trying. Why don\u2019t you uncuff me, and go on your way. You can travel much faster alone, and I\u2019ll be fine. I know my way around this country.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at Jenny with narrowed eyes. \u201cWe\u2019re going to Cold Springs together,\u201d he declared flatly. \u201cAnd we\u2019re going to get there in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how do you propose to do that?\u201d Jenny asked in a huffy voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked around again, then closed his eyes. He tried to visualize the area. He wasn\u2019t really familiar with the territory, although he had been through it a time or two. Now he wished he had paid more attention. Joe opened his eyes and looked at Jenny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe start walking,\u201d Joe commanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it will take us at least two days to get to Cold Springs on foot,\u201d Jenny stated, shaking her head sadly. She looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. \u201cMaybe longer. I heard the Marshall say the bank needed to get that money in a few days. We\u2019ll never make it in time. Besides, I don\u2019t know where the money is. We\u2019re going to get hot and tired and dusty walking down that road, and it\u2019s all for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to follow the road,\u201d Joe told the girl. \u201cWe\u2019re going to cut through the woods. That will save us at least ten miles. Once we come out of the woods, there\u2019s a way station about a mile down the road. We can get another horse there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThrough the woods!\u201d Jenny cried with dismay. \u201cI can\u2019t do that! The country is way too rough! There\u2019s streams and gullies and, and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd snakes?\u201d Joe added in an ironic voice. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll get you through.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny stomped her foot. \u201cI won\u2019t go!\u201d she shouted angrily. \u201cYou can\u2019t make me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His face hard and his eyes cold, Joe looked at Jenny. \u201cYou\u2019ll go,\u201d he declared. \u201cEither you will start walking, or I\u2019m going to pick you up and carry you. It\u2019s your choice. One way or the other, you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny stared at Joe. She remembered what had happened when she refused to walk over to the horse. Joe had the same look on his face. She knew he wasn\u2019t bluffing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d Jenny agreed, her voice filled with resignation. \u201cI\u2019ll walk. But you\u2019re going to be sorry you ever suggested this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe picked up the blanket from the ground where Jenny had dropped it. \u201cI\u2019m already sorry about a lot of things on this trip,\u201d he said as he tucked the blanket under his arm. \u201cNow let\u2019s start walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Jenny walked through the dense woods, picking their way carefully over fallen limbs and protruding roots. At first, Jenny walked slowly, hanging back and making Joe drag her through the woods. Joe didn\u2019t slow to help Jenny; he marched grimly on, pulling the unwilling girl behind him. As the terrain got rougher, and Joe continued his unrelenting pace, Jenny walked faster. She was worried she might fall, and half-afraid that Joe would just continue walking, dragging her behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to get us lost,\u201d Jenny grumbled as the pair continued their trek. \u201cI bet you don\u2019t even know where we are. We\u2019re just going to wander in these woods forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can see the sun,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cWe\u2019re heading west.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what happens when you can\u2019t see the sun?\u201d Jenny asked in a whinny voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you\u2019d better hope I don\u2019t lose sight of the sun,\u201d Joe answered shortly. He pulled on Jenny\u2019s arm a bit. \u201cKeep walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tired and I\u2019m thirsty,\u201d Jenny complained. \u201cI want to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll rest in a bit,\u201d Joe advised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to rest NOW,\u201d Jenny cried. \u201cI\u2019m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Letting out a big sigh, Joe stopped. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed reluctantly. \u201cWe\u2019ll stop for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Jenny replied, her voice dripping with irony. \u201cYou\u2019re so considerate.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe slid the canteen off his shoulder as Jenny seated herself on a fallen log. He handed the container to the girl. \u201cGo easy,\u201d he said as Jenny took a long drink. \u201cThat\u2019s all the water we have until I find a stream. That might have to last a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, there\u2019s a steam just up ahead\u2026\u201d Jenny started to say then stopped abruptly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were worried about getting lost,\u201d Joe told the girl with a grin. \u201cYou know exactly where we are, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny looked away for a minute, then turned back to Joe. He simply stood there, grinning at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d Jenny admitted ungraciously. \u201cYes, I know where we are. I told you I grew up around here. I used to cut through these woods with my Pa when we rode to that stage station to sell them ham and bacon. There\u2019s a stream about half a mile ahead. You can fill up your silly old canteen there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced up at the sky. \u201cIt\u2019s going to get dark soon,\u201d he said almost to himself. \u201cSounds like a good place to make camp for the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mean we\u2019re going to sleep out here?\u201d Jenny exclaimed in astonished voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow far is it to the other side of the woods?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cCan we make it before dark?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s about four more hours at the rate we\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t fancy walking around in these woods in the dark,\u201d advised Joe. \u201cWe\u2019ll make camp by the stream, then head for that way station in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d Jenny complained. \u201cAnd it\u2019s going to get cold. Are you planning to freeze me to death or merely starve me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ll survive,\u201d Joe answered with a smile. He pulled Jenny to her feet. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you show me where that stream is?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As she stood, Jenny sighed. She thought briefly about leading Joe away from the water and deeper into the woods, but knew she would be the one would get thirsty first. Besides, she didn\u2019t think it would work. Joe seemed to know how to find his way without her. \u201cThis way,\u201d she said in a tired voice. Jenny started walking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they plodded through the woods, Joe kept pace with Jenny. He was frankly amazed that such a fragile looking woman had lasted this long. He had thought she would have collapsed in a tired heap long before now. Joe began to suspect that there was iron beneath Jenny\u2019s soft exterior.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny walked briskly through the fallen leaves and twigs on the ground, confident of where the pair were heading. Before long, the ground started sloping downward. Joe heard the splash of water before he saw the stream.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A thick wall of bushes guarded the stream, their roots growing toward the water. Joe scanned the bushes until he saw an opening just to his left. He pulled Jenny toward the break in the growth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Jenny walked to the edge of the water and sat down, a tired sigh escaped from her. She immediately began drinking from the stream and splashing water in her face. Joe knelt next to her and also drank from the stream. He was still handcuffed to Jenny, and he was trying to make things as comfortable as possible for the girl, under the circumstances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bending forward, Joe began to drink again from the stream. As he looked at the water, Joe saw a fuzzy reflection. The blurry image was Jenny bending over him, a rock in her hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe rolled to his right as the rock came crashing down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s sudden move pulled Jenny to the ground. She had picked up the rock with her left hand, and had been leaning precariously as she tried crack Joe on the head. His roll pulled her off balance and Jenny fell on to the dirt, landing on her side. Joe quickly grabbed the rock from her hand and threw it away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou little wildcat!\u201d Joe shouted furiously. \u201cYou tried to bash my brains out!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t going to hurt you\u2026much,\u201d Jenny protested as she righted herself. \u201cI just wanted to knock you out long enough to get the key from your pocket.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, then, that\u2019s all right,\u201d Joe said, his voice still filled with anger. \u201cYou were only going to crack my skull a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you would be smart and let me go, then you wouldn\u2019t have worry about getting your skull cracked,\u201d Jenny countered, her voice as angry as Joe\u2019s. \u201cDon\u2019t you think you\u2019ve played Sir Galahad long enough? You don\u2019t even know those people in Cold Springs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had enough of you for awhile,\u201d Joe declared. He stood and jerked Jenny roughly to her feet behind him. Then Joe started back up the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d Jenny asked, her voice tinged with fear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPut you someplace where you can\u2019t cause any more trouble,\u201d Joe answered angrily. He looked around for a minute, then walked purposely toward a thin tree, pulling Jenny behind him. He stopped in front of the tree, reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the key to the handcuffs. In a quick motion, he uncuffed the bracelet from his wrist and cuffed it around the tree. Then he started to walk away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Jenny cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning abruptly, Joe faced the girl. \u201cI\u2019m going to try and find us something to eat,\u201d he declared. \u201cAnd I\u2019m going to get away from you for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t just leave me here!\u201d Jenny wailed. \u201cWhat if something comes out of the woods? What if a bear comes along?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that is a consideration,\u201d Joe admitted, rubbing his chin. \u201cBut if a bear comes, I guess he\u2019ll just have to take his chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe walked away, Jenny called him every foul name she could think of. Joe grinned to himself as he hiked into the woods; he could hear Jenny screaming at him as he pushed his way into the brush.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After watching Joe disappear into the woods, Jenny stopped screaming and plopped down on the ground. She yanked hard at the chain, knowing it was a futile effort, but it was the only way she could think of to release her anger and frustration. The chain held fast. Jenny leaned back against the tree, and waited for Joe to return.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About twenty minutes later, Joe emerged from the woods, carrying a fat rabbit he had shot. He was surprised to see Jenny was asleep, her head resting on her arm as she lay at the base of the tree. He stopped and watched her sleep for a minute. Jenny was such a pretty girl, and asleep, she looked so sweet and innocent, Joe thought. Then he shook his head. He\u2019d better remember she was Billy Mason\u2019s girl and had already tried to escape several times. Keep your mind on your business, Joe told himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, wake up,\u201d Joe shouted as he neared Jenny. \u201cI got us a rabbit for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yawning, Jenny stretched as she awoke. \u201cRabbit, eh?\u201d she said sleepily. \u201cIs that the best you could do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I couldn\u2019t seem to find a steer to shoot,\u201d Joe answered with a grin. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to wait until you get to Cold Springs before you eat steak.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to skin that for you?\u201d Jenny asked. \u201cI know how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that would be real smart, giving you a knife,\u201d Joe replied as he set the rabbit on the ground. \u201cYou\u2019d probably stick it in my ribs.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry about what happened at the stream,\u201d Jenny said contritely. \u201cI really am. It\u2019s just the thought of going to that jail in Cold Springs\u2026\u201d Jenny shuddered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have thought of that before you took up with Billy Mason,\u201d Joe advised. He pulled a pocket knife from his jacket pocket and opened it. Joe started to skin the rabbit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBilly wasn\u2019t all bad,\u201d Jenny commented as she watched Joe work. \u201cHe was funny and he could be sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe also killed people and robbed banks,\u201d Joe pointed out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI never saw him do it,\u201d Jenny protested. \u201cWhen he was with me, he was real nice. Well, most of the time, he was nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that makes it all right,\u201d Joe said with a shake of his head. He finished with the rabbit, and stood up. \u201cI\u2019m going to get some wood for a fire. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere,\u201d Jenny advised with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Jenny dined on the rabbit. It was dry and flat tasting, but to the two weary travelers, it tasted the like best meal they had ever eaten. Jenny ate still chained to the tree. Joe was taking no chances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After eating, Joe built the fire up so it would burn through the night. He threw the blanket at Jenny. \u201cYou\u2019d better wrap this around you,\u201d he suggested. \u201cIt can get cold in these woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you going to unchain me from this tree?\u201d Jenny asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem fine just where you are,\u201d Joe answered. He grinned as Jenny huffed at him, but she took the blanket and wrapped it around herself. Joe unbuckled his gunbelt and laid it on the ground, making sure it was far enough from Jenny so she couldn\u2019t reach it. Then he stretched out next to the fire. In a few minutes, Joe was asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A hand slowly caressing his chest woke Joe. Joe opened his eyes to see Jenny leaning over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhh,\u201d she murmured softly as her lips brushed his. She kissed him on the cheek, then began to nuzzle his neck. Her hand continued to stroke his chest, unbuttoning his shirt. Her head moved down and she kissed Joe on the chest just above his open shirt. Her hand moved down the side of his body, and began to circle his waist. She stroked Joe\u2019s thigh as she continued to lick and kiss his chest. Then she moved her head back up so she could kiss Joe on the lips, and her hand moved to caress the other side of his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny?\u201d Joe said softly as she kissed his shoulder and caressed his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShhh,\u201d Jenny crooned as she nuzzled his neck again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe key\u2019s not there,\u201d Joe whispered as he kissed her on the cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Jenny sat up abruptly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut don\u2019t stop,\u201d Joe advised with a grin. \u201cYou might just find it. It\u2019ll be fun for me while you look.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you\u2026\u201d Jenny yelled angrily. She slapped Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sat up. He could see Jenny had stretched the chain to the limit, and then stretched her arm as far as possible. \u201cYou look kind of uncomfortable like that,\u201d Joe suggested with a smile. \u201cMaybe you\u2019d like me to move closer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou rat,\u201d Jenny said in an angry voice. \u201cYou knew exactly what I was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I did enjoy it,\u201d Joe admitted with a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning her back on Joe, Jenny crawled back to the tree. \u201cYou keep away from me, you, you\u2026\u201d She was so angry she couldn\u2019t even think of a name to call him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well,\u201d Joe sighed with a smile as he settled back to the ground. \u201cI guess our love affair is over.\u201d He laughed and stretched out again next to the fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The sunlight filtering through the trees woke Joe. He sat up and stretched his arms, then looked around. Jenny was curled up in a blanket next to the tree. Joe smiled as he thought about her little visit during the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The fire had died out, and the air had a chill to it. Joe debated about hunting for some breakfast and decided that it would take too much time. He buckled on his gunbelt and rolled his shoulders a bit. Then he turned to Jenny. \u201cHey, Sleeping Beauty,\u201d he called. \u201cTime to get up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly, Jenny sat up and yawned. Her hair was mussed, and her eyes were puffy from sleep. And she was still one of the prettiest women Joe had ever seen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time is it?\u201d Jenny asked in a sleepy voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTime to get moving,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cWe should be at the way station by noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d Jenny complained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll eat at the way station,\u201d Joe advised. \u201cI\u2019m going down to the steam and fill the canteen.\u201d He turned and walked away, giving Jenny some privacy. Joe returned a few minutes later, carrying the full canteen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny had managed to comb her hair with her fingers and straighten her clothes. She sat by the tree, watching. Joe approached her warily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want any more tricks,\u201d Joe warned. Jenny watched as Joe reached into his boot and pulled out the key to the handcuffs. He unsnapped the bracelet from around the tree and quickly snapped it on his wrist. Then he slid the key back into his boot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe ought to be able to get to the way station in a few hours\u2026\u201d Joe began. Suddenly, his attention was drawn to the sound of something crashing through the woods. Joe drew his gun as two men leading horses emerged from in between the trees. Both wore scruffy beards and dirty clothes. They had gunbelts around their waist and carried rifles in their hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, look what we found!\u201d one of the men exclaimed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a love nest,\u201d another said with a grin. \u201cYou got to chain women to you to keep \u2018em, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched the men carefully. \u201cWho are you?\u201d he asked warily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNobody special,\u201d the first man answered. \u201cWe\u2019re just cutting through the woods.\u201d He looked meaningfully at Jenny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny stared at the men, then turned to Joe. \u201cThat\u2019s Johnny, Billy\u2019s brother,\u201d Jenny declared in a breathless voice. \u201cThe other one, he\u2019s called Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Jenny, why\u2019d you go and spill the beans?\u201d asked Johnny. \u201cWe was going to rescue you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStay where you are,\u201d Joe said in a flat voice, pointing his gun at the men. \u201cAnybody makes a move and I\u2019ll shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t going to do anything foolish,\u201d agreed Charlie. But he kept his hand firmly around his rifle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny, it\u2019s been a heap of trouble finding you,\u201d Johnny added. \u201cWe found the wrecked stage and a couple of loose horses. When we couldn\u2019t find you on the road, we had to backtrack. It took a long time to find you in these woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for your concern,\u201d Jenny said ironically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t let Billy\u2019s girl go to jail,\u201d Johnny answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, you couldn\u2019t let me go to jail until you found out where the money is,\u201d Jenny stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat, too,\u201d Johnny admitted. \u201cWe was going to rescue you and then when you told us where the money was, we was going to let you go free.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow nice,\u201d observed Jenny. \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you planned to split the money with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt don\u2019t hardly seem fair to give you any,\u201d Charlie argued. \u201cI mean, we done all the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNobody is going to get any money,\u201d Joe stated. \u201cYou two get out of here. Move!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow that ain\u2019t very polite of you, boy,\u201d Johnny said. \u201cEspecially since Sam over there has his rifle pointed at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned as he heard the sound of a bullet being levered into a rifle. A third man, scruffy and dirty like the others, came out of the woods to Joe\u2019s right. His rifle was pointed at Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust drop the gun,\u201d Johnny ordered. \u201cAnd uncuff the girl. We don\u2019t want anybody to get hurt, do we?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stood with his gun pointed at Johnny. \u201cIf he pulls that trigger, I\u2019ll pull mine,\u201d Joe threatened. \u201cYou\u2019re the ones who are going to drop their guns.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThree against one, son?\u201d Charlie shook his head. \u201cYou ain\u2019t got a chance. One of us is bound to get you. Then we\u2019ll just take the key off your dead body. Don\u2019t be a fool. Drop the gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his pistol so it pointed at Charlie. \u201cMaybe you\u2019d like to be the one I shoot,\u201d Joe suggested in a grim voice. Charlie glanced nervously at Johnny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNobody\u2019s going to get shot!\u201d Johnny yelled. \u201cYou\u2019re being plum silly, boy. Just drop that gun!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny stood nervously next to Joe. If bullets started flying, there was no telling who might get shot. \u201cListen to him, Joe,\u201d she urged. \u201cIt\u2019s not worth dying over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think these three are going to let you go after they get the money?\u201d Joe said, his eyes never leaving the men in front of him. \u201cThey\u2019ll kill you as soon as you tell them what they want to know.\u201d Jenny\u2019s eye widened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe was going to let her go,\u201d protested Charlie. \u201cMaybe not right away, but eventually.\u201d He leered at Jenny and licked his lips. Jenny shuddered and moved closer to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have exactly five seconds to get out of here, \u201cJoe stated firmly. \u201c Then I start shooting. You shoot at me, and you\u2019re liable to hit the girl. Then you\u2019d never find that money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny and Charlie looked at each other. \u201cHe\u2019s got a point,\u201d admitted Charlie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d growled Johnny. He looked around uncertainly, then back to Joe. Joe stood frozen, his gun pointed at Johnny; Jenny stood close to Joe. Johnny couldn\u2019t figure how to shoot the fellow without maybe hitting the girl. He looked back at Charlie, who shrugged his shoulders. Johnny turned back to Joe. \u201cYou win,\u201d he admitted in a low voice. \u201cAt least for now.\u201d He motioned to Sam. \u201cC\u2019mon, Sam. Let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe watched carefully as the three men slowly backed away from him. In a minute, they disappeared into the woods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abruptly, Joe grabbed Jenny\u2019s arm. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s go,\u201d he shouted. Joe turned and raced toward the stream, pulling Jenny behind him. As the girl ran beside him, Joe plunged into the bushes. The two splashed their way across the stream and quickly climbed up the bank on the other side. As soon as they were on level ground, Joe started running again with Jenny struggled to keep up with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Jenny ran for ten minutes or so until they were deep into the woods again. Finally, they stopped. Both were breathing hard and sweating.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019re following us?\u201d Jenny gasped as she leaned against a tree.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, they\u2019re following us,\u201d Joe answered as he tried to catch his breath. \u201cI can\u2019t believe they bought that story about hitting you. They had us cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you they weren\u2019t too smart,\u201d Jenny said. She looked up at Joe. \u201cThank you. You saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t thank me yet,\u201d Joe advised as he started to walk. \u201cThey\u2019re still after us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny looked around fearfully. \u201cWhere do you think they are?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe admitted as he pulled Jenny behind him. \u201cJust keep moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The pair walked rapidly through the woods, not bothering to try to hide their tracks or quiet their movements. Speed was more important than stealth. Joe tried to look for the men as they walked, but the thick brush made it impossible to spot anyone moving near them. He only hoped the same held true for them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two had gone about a hundred yards when a bullet crashed into a tree above their heads.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny screamed as another bullet hit the ground near her feet. A third shot rang out and Joe fell to the ground. Jenny screamed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Jenny yelled hysterically as she looked at the body face down in the dirt. She grabbed his arm and tried to pull him to his feet. \u201cGet up!\u201d she shouted. But Joe\u2019s body was a dead weight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOver here!\u201d a voice called from the trees. \u201cI got him!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny screamed again as someone pushed his way through the brush. Charlie approached cautiously, his rifle ready. But Joe laid unmoving on the ground. Charlie grinned at Jenny and lowered his rifle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe sprang to his knees, pulling his gun from his holster as he got up. He fired the pistol as soon as it cleared the holster, hitting Charlie in the middle of the chest. Charlie took a step back, then crumpled to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s move,\u201d Joe gasped as scrambled to his feet. Jenny needed no further urging. She began to run into the woods, with Joe trailing behind her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheer terror kept Jenny running. For the first time, she took the lead. Jenny ran blindly through the woods, pulling Joe after her. She was surprised he seemed to have a hard time keeping up with her. \u201cCome on, hurry,\u201d she shouted over her shoulder at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny ran toward the deepest brush she could see. She felt Joe\u2019s weight dragging on her arm. She pulled at him as she pushed through the brush. She was running toward a small stream when suddenly she felt Joe fall to the ground behind her. His fall yanked her to the dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d Jenny yelled as she scrambled to her knees. She turned back to look at Joe who was face down on the ground. She gasped as she saw a patch of red spreading across his lower back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! You\u2019re hit!\u201d Jenny cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe lifted his head. \u201cOne shot high, one shot low, and one on target,\u201d he said as he grimaced in pain. \u201cCharlie must have been in the army.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me you were hurt?\u201d Jenny asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t really a chance,\u201d Joe answered with a weak gin. He grimaced again. \u201cHelp me up,\u201d he ordered in a tired voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching down, Jenny helped Joe to his feet. She put her arm around him and helped him to walk. Joe staggered forward a few steps. Then his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can go any further,\u201d Joe gasped. He coughed and grimaced. Joe lifted his head. \u201cGet me over by that stream,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny nodded and put her arms around Joe once more. She pulled him to his feet, but just barely. The two staggered forward for a few feet. As soon as they reached the stream, Joe fell to the ground again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inching his way forward, Joe stuck his hand into the stream. He cupped the water into his mouth and splashed his face. Jenny knelt next to him. \u201cHow bad are you hurt?\u201d she asked with concern.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at her. \u201cI haven\u2019t exactly had a chance to look,\u201d he admitted. He grimaced once more. \u201cBut I think it\u2019s worse than a flesh wound.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching down, Jenny pulled Joe\u2019s jacket and shirt up. She paled as she saw the blood oozing out of a wound in Joe\u2019s back. There was another, larger wound in his side, and it was bleeding freely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like the bullet went clean through,\u201d Jenny told Joe. \u201cIf we can stop the bleeding, you\u2019ll be all right.\u201d Jenny reached up and grabbed the sleeve of her shirt at her shoulder. With a rip, she pulled the cloth off her arm. She folded the cloth and placed it against Joe\u2019s side and back, covering both wounds, then pressed down hard. Joe groaned in pain, but Jenny ignored him. She continued to press against the wounds for several minutes, then lifted the now bloody cloth. The wound in Joe\u2019s back had stopped bleeding, and the blood coming from his side had slowed considerably. Jenny reached up to her other shoulder and ripped her shirt again, pulling the second sleeve off. She took the bloody cloth and pressed it hard against Joe\u2019s body. As Joe moaned again, Jenny wrapped the second strip of cloth around Joe\u2019s waist, and tied it tight, holding the folded cloth in place.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the best I can do,\u201d Jenny admitted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can walk?\u201d Jenny asked with concern.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tried to push himself up off the ground but only raised his shoulders a few inches before he fell back to the dirt. \u201cI don\u2019t think\u2026\u201d Joe started. He stopped as he grunted in pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Breathing hard, Joe laid on the ground for a minute, trying to gather his strength. Then he lifted his head and looked at Jenny. \u201cThe key,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s in my boot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny nodded and reached into Joe\u2019s boot. She found the key at once and pulled it out. Quickly she unlocked the handcuffs on both her wrist and Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou make a run for it,\u201d Joe advised. \u201cHead for the way station.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d Jenny asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t go\u2026\u201d Joe coughed. \u201cI\u2019ll stay. Hide. Cover you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny bit her lip, wondering what to do. She hated to leave Joe. But at the same time, she knew what would happen if Johnny or Sam found her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll drag you into the bushes,\u201d Jenny declared as she grabbed Joe under the shoulders. Joe moaned as he felt the pain radiating through him. Jenny started to drag him across the dirt. Joe used his legs to push as best he could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny pulled Joe behind some bushes near the stream, then laid him as gently as possible on the ground. She could see the pain on his face, and saw the sweat beading on his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d Jenny said regretfully. \u201cBut I\u2019ve got no choice. I have to leave you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe replied. He looked into her eyes. \u201cGood luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking down at Joe, Jenny hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran. Joe watched her until she was out of his sight, then closed his eyes. He laid there, breathing hard and grimacing in pain. He tried to listen for the sounds of someone coming. The pain in his back and side were intense, and Joe found it hard to concentrate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure how long he laid in the bushes before he heard the sounds. The pain in his back and side were now a dull ache, and his breathing was more regular. Joe pulled the gun from his holster. The pistol felt as if it weighed a ton. He tried to lift it, but his hand fell weakly to the ground. Joe managed to raise the gun a bit as the bushes in front of him parted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t shoot!\u201d Jenny cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stared at Jenny. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cBut I just couldn\u2019t leave you here to bleed to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d Joe ordered. \u201cThose two could show up any minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot without you,\u201d Jenny said firmly. \u201cI found a cabin about a mile from here. We can hold up there. It\u2019s on a hill, so we can see those two idiots coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can make it,\u201d Joe admitted in a weak voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me that,\u201d Jenny replied angrily. \u201cYou men are all the same. You get a little tiny gunshot and you fall to pieces. And you call us women the weaker sex. Now, you get on your feet and start walking, or I\u2019m going to drag you to that cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling weakly, Joe put the gun back in his holster. He took a deep breath and started to pull himself up. Jenny grabbed his arm and helped him to stand. Joe\u2019s knees started to buckle, but Jenny put herself under his shoulder and held him up. Joe hung on to her, and managed to stand. He looked down at Jenny. \u201cYou\u2019re crazy,\u201d he murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if I am, I caught it from you,\u201d Jenny grumbled. \u201cStart walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe staggered and Jenny pushed, the pair somehow managed to move forward. The ground was rough and uneven, and that made walking even harder. Joe lost all track of time. His back and side burned, and he felt as if he couldn\u2019t breathe in enough air. But he grimly kept putting one foot in front of the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe figured they had covered maybe half a mile when his legs felt as if they could no longer support him. He leaned even more on Jenny, and felt her sag a bit. \u201cGot to rest,\u201d Joe gasped as he felt his legs buckling beneath him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stopping, Jenny looked around. \u201cOver here,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s some bushes. We can hide in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure how he managed to walk those few steps to the bushes. But somehow he did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny pushed the brush aside. A small bit of clear ground lay between the bush and some rocks. Joe sank to the ground in a heap.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Breathing hard and grimacing in pain, Joe laid on the dirt. His face was covered with sweat. He was so tired, and all he wanted to do was sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStay awake, Joe!\u201d Jenny ordered as she saw Joe\u2019s eyes beginning to close. \u201cI can barely manage you now. You fall asleep and I swear I\u2019ll leave you here.\u201d Joe nodded and tried to keep his eyes open.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes sprang open when he heard the sound of a horse. He looked quickly over his shoulder but the bush which concealed them also hid the rider from view. Joe looked at Jenny. She was staring at the brush, her face full of terror.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSam! Sam!\u201d a voice called. \u201cYou around here, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here,\u201d another voice answered. It seemed further away. Jenny and Joe lay frozen as they heard the sound of a second horse approach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou find anything?\u201d asked the first voice. Joe thought it belong to Johnny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d replied Sam with disgust. \u201cI saw a cabin up ahead, but it\u2019s empty. Ain\u2019t no sign of them anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey got to be around here someplace,\u201d Johnny insisted. \u201cThey killed Charlie. They can\u2019t be too far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a moment of silence. Then Sam asked hopefully, \u201cDid you see any tracks or anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I don\u2019t know nothing about tracking,\u201d Johnny admitted. \u201cCharlie was the only one who knew how to track. Without him, you and I will lucky to find our own way out of these woods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Johnny, why don\u2019t we just forget it?\u201d Sam suggested. \u201cLet\u2019s just get out of here. Maybe head to Mexico or California.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I want that money,\u201d Johnny declared. \u201cIt\u2019s going to have to last us awhile. Without Billy to do the planning, I don\u2019t think we\u2019re going to be robbing many banks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if the girl won\u2019t tell us?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it out of her,\u201d Johnny answered in a grim voice. \u201cBy the time I\u2019m done with her, she\u2019ll be more than ready to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced at Jenny. Her face seemed even more terror-stricken than before. He reached out and patted her hand. At first, Jenny recoiled from his touch. Then she turned and gave him a weak smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to do now?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a long silence as Johnny seemed to be thinking. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you ride toward that stage stop?\u201d Johnny said finally. \u201cThey might be heading there for help. I\u2019ll double back to where we found Charlie and then work my way toward you. We\u2019ll meet at the stage stop in a couple of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I guess that\u2019ll work,\u201d Sam agreed, his voice full of doubt. \u201cWhat\u2019ll I do if I find them?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKill the kid and grab the girl,\u201d Johnny stated. He laughed. \u201cJust be sure you don\u2019t get it mixed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re funny, real funny,\u201d Sam said dryly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny and Joe laid unmoving as they heard the sound of the horses walking away. After a few minutes, Jenny turned to Joe. \u201cDo you think they\u2019ve gone?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe listened for a minute before answering. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said. \u201cI think they\u2019ve gone. Not too bright, are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny laughed. \u201cI told you Billy kept them around for their guns, not their brains,\u201d she stated. Her face sobered. \u201cDo you think you can walk? The cabin\u2019s not too far from there. We should be safe there. Doesn\u2019t sound like they\u2019ll be heading back to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grunting in pain, Joe pushed himself up with his arms. \u201cHow far is it to the cabin?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cMaybe ten or fifteen minutes from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can make it that far,\u201d Joe declared, a grim look on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny helped him stand, then threw his arm over her shoulders again. She slowly pushed the bushes aside and looked around. The woods seemed empty. Jenny shouldered her way through the branches, pulling Joe with her. She took another quick look around, then turned Joe to his left. Jenny started walking, pulling and tugging Joe as she moved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The pair staggered through the woods. Joe\u2019s back was starting to ache again and each step seemed to jar it more. He began to wonder if he could make it to the cabin. Ten or fifteen minutes, Jenny had said. He hoped she was right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt as if he had walked a hundred miles when he finally saw the cabin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny was breathing hard also, both from the walk and from Joe\u2019s weight on her shoulders. But she smiled when she saw the cabin ahead. \u201cJust a little further,\u201d she gasped as she urged Joe forward. Joe nodded dully, and tried to keep walking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They made it as far as the doorway before Joe\u2019s strength gave out. As Jenny pushed open the door, Joe\u2019s knees buckled again. He tried to stand, but his legs felt like jelly. He saw the cabin but it seemed to be spinning. He heard a voice talking to him as he fell to the ground but it seemed a long way away. Then he sank into a pool of darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe woke to find himself in a bed, lying on his side, with covers pulled over his shoulders. He tried to figure out where he was, then remembered the cabin. Joe moved his head slightly, trying to look around. But it was so dark he could barely see. He wasn\u2019t sure whether it was night, or if the cabin was just a naturally dark place. Joe decided he couldn\u2019t tell much from lying on his side, staring at a wall a foot or so away. He turned, and then groaned when the movement sent a stab of pain through him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re finally awake,\u201d a voice said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe lifted his head slightly and saw some movement in the dimly lit cabin. Jenny emerged from the shadows and sat on the edge of the bed. \u201cAre you feeling better?\u201d she asked with concern.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His side and back still ached, but the pain seemed to be less than before. \u201cSome,\u201d he answered truthfully. \u201cHow long have I been asleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cA long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe looked around. In the semi-darkness, he could tell he cabin was small, just big enough for a bed, a table and a couple of chairs. Joe could see a fireplace against the far wall, but the hearth looked empty.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny saw where Joe was looking. \u201cI was afraid to light a fire,\u201d she explained as she followed his gaze. \u201cEven though they\u2019re dumb, Johnny and Sam are smart enough to smell smoke.\u201d Joe nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have none of the comforts of home,\u201d Jenny continued with a smile. \u201cNo food, no fire, and just a couple of old blankets on the bed. I hope you like it.\u201d Jenny stood and walked away from the bed. She returned in a minute with a battered tin cup. \u201cI did go back to the steam and filled a pot with water,\u201d she added. \u201cIt\u2019s probably warm by now, but at least it\u2019s wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking the cup, Joe drank gratefully. Jenny was right. The water was tepid, but Joe didn\u2019t care. He was thirsty, and the water tasted better to him than champagne. He drank every drop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe murmured as he handed the cup back to Jenny. He studied her for a minute. \u201cThanks for getting me here and staying,\u201d Joe added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny dismissed Joe\u2019s thanks with a wave. \u201cIt was nothing,\u201d she said. \u201cAll I had to do was drag you through the woods while two killers were searching for me.\u201d Then her face turned serious. \u201cI thought I could leave you behind, but I couldn\u2019t. Guess that makes me as big a fool as you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe replied with a smile. \u201cIt makes you human.\u201d Jenny smiled back at him as she sat down on the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCan I ask you a question?\u201d Joe said. Jenny nodded warily. \u201cHow did you end up with the likes of Billy Mason?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny looked away for a minute then turned back to Joe. \u201cI told you I grew up around here. My folks have a farm a couple of miles from here. It\u2019s not much. Just a couple of acres of dirt. But my Pa loves that place. And my Ma loves my Pa. She didn\u2019t care where they were as long as they were together. Me, I hated it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at Joe with an earnest expression, Jenny continued, \u201cYou have to understand what it was like. Nothing to do except feed the chickens and slop the hogs. No one to talk to except my Ma and Pa, and they didn\u2019t seem to be interested in anything I had to say. And when we did go to town, we went to Dawson. You\u2019ve seen what an exciting place that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled ironically as he remembered the week he spent in Dawson. It had seemed like a year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, one day, I ran off,\u201d Jenny explained. \u201cI walked all day but I made it to the way station. I had a little money, not much, and bought a ticket as far away from here as I could go. It wasn\u2019t very far. I ended up in Black River. But, at the time, I thought it was the most exciting place I had ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do when you got there?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I didn\u2019t have any money,\u201d Jenny answered. \u201cSo I got myself a job in the saloon. I thought it would be fun, exciting, and full of adventure.\u201d Jenny laughed bitterly. \u201cBoy, was I wrong. Instead of excitement, I got to let old men buy me drinks while they cried on my shoulder. Instead of fun, I had to dance with drunken cowboys who stepped on my feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Billy?\u201d Joe prompted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOne day, Bill Mason walked into the saloon and bought me a drink,\u201d Jenny said. \u201cHe seemed to be everything I wanted in a man. He was charming, he had money, and he made me feel special. I thought I was in love with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThought?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cYou mean you weren\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe bloom went off the rose pretty fast, as they say,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cHe was charming all right. But he could also be mean. He\u2019d get mad if I didn\u2019t do what he said. He never hit me or anything, but he scared me. By the time I figured out what Billy was, it was too late. I was stuck. I didn\u2019t have enough money to go someplace else and besides, I was afraid Billy would follow me. So I just stayed where I was. Billy came around whenever he had money or was bored. At least when I was with Billy, I could pretend I had some kind of a life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your folks?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cDidn\u2019t they come looking for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa did,\u201d Jenny admitted. \u201cI saw him one day in the Black River. I hid out until he left.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised he didn\u2019t find you,\u201d Joe said. \u201cBlack River\u2019s not that big.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny Coulter isn\u2019t my real name,” Jenny explained. \u201cI changed it when I got to Black River because I thought it sounded better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your real name?\u201d Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny looked away for a minute and then looked back to Joe. \u201cEmma,\u201d she said reluctantly. \u201cEmma Hornsby. And if you laugh, I swear I\u2019ll box your ears!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lips twitched but he managed to keep his face straight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why the money is so important to me,\u201d Jenny went on. \u201cI want to go back to being Emma. I want to use the money to lead a normal life. Heck, I might just buy a farm and raise chickens!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just go home?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could,\u201d Jenny said wistfully. \u201cBut I can\u2019t. My Pa and Ma, they\u2019d never understand. I can\u2019t tell them what I\u2019ve done, who I\u2019ve become.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re selling them short,\u201d advised Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll bet they\u2019d be happy if you came home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Jenny said. \u201cBut I\u2019m too scared to find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you keep the money and all those farmers and ranchers go broke,\u201d Joe stated with a shake of his head. \u201cJenny, that\u2019s not right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy for you to say,\u201d Jenny countered angrily. \u201cYou\u2019re not the one stuck in a saloon, working ten hours a day, and barely making enough to keep a roof over your head.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut at least you have some choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cChoices?\u201d Jenny said in a confused voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cYou can choose to do what you want with your life. You can choose to give back the money, or you can choose to go to jail. You can even choose to go home if you want. But those people in Cold Springs, they have no choice. If the money\u2019s not returned, they\u2019ll lose their homes. Whether they like it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frowning, Jenny didn\u2019t reply. She saw Joe\u2019s eyes were growing heavy, and he winced as he shifted on the bed. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get some rest,\u201d Jenny suggested. She stood and walked away from the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, the door burst open. Joe saw a lone figure standing in the doorway, gun drawn. He heard Jenny scream, and instinctively, Joe reached to his hip to draw his own gun. But his gunbelt was gone. Jenny must have taken it off when she put him in the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, ain\u2019t this sweet,\u201d Johnny said in a low voice. \u201cYou two been having some fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Johnny,\u201d Jenny acknowledged the intruder in a quivering voice. \u201cI was wondering when you\u2019d find us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh sure,\u201d Johnny declared. \u201cYou\u2019ve been just waiting for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have,\u201d Jenny said. \u201cWhy do you think we\u2019re holed up in the cabin? I left a trail even you could follow.\u201d She looked past the man. \u201cWhere\u2019s Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe got tired of looking and lit out,\u201d Johnny answered. “I came back here to get me a little rest before deciding what to do. I guess I hit the jackpot instead.” He looked at Jenny suspiciously. \u201cSo you\u2019ve been waiting on me, eh? That why you ran? That why you killed Charlie?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was his doing,\u201d Jenny responded, jerking her head over her shoulder toward Joe. \u201cI never wanted any part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny stood by the door, looking uncertain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we just get on your horse and get out of here?\u201d Jenny continued. \u201cI\u2019ll show you where the money is and the two of us, we can have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny lowered his gun a bit. \u201cJust like that, eh?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust like that,\u201d Jenny replied evenly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me finish him off,\u201d snarled Johnny. \u201cThen we can go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny took a step so she was standing between Joe and the gunman. \u201cNO!\u201d she cried. \u201cYou hurt him and I\u2019ll never show you where the money is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he to you?\u201d Johnny growled. \u201cHe\u2019s just a lawman. If we don\u2019t finish him now, he\u2019ll follow us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t follow us. He\u2019s hurt,\u201d Jenny pointed out. \u201cCharlie shot him. Like as not, he\u2019ll die anyway. I just don\u2019t want to be part of any murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny stood still. His uncertainty was even more evident.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cForget him,\u201d Jenny said quickly. \u201cYou and me, we\u2019ll just ride out of here. He\u2019ll never find us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Johnny said nothing for a minute. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed reluctantly. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny, no!\u201d Joe cried as he struggled to sit up in bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo long, Cartwright,\u201d Jenny said easily over her shoulder. She started to walk slowly toward Johnny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny, don\u2019t do this!\u201d Joe shouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Jenny ignored him and continued toward Johnny. As soon as she was next to the outlaw, she turned back to Joe. He was still trying to get out of bed, but was finding it difficult. He doubled over in pain as he swung his legs to the floor. \u201cHe won\u2019t be any trouble,\u201d Jenny said with a laugh. Johnny nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Jenny grabbed Johnny\u2019s gun hand and jerked it against the wall. Surprised, Johnny dropped the gun. But he grabbed Jenny and swung as if to hit her. Jenny ducked and drove her fist into Johnny\u2019s middle as hard as she could. Johnny let out a whoosh of air and grunted. He pushed Jenny to the floor and bent over.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring the pain in his back, Joe jumped to his feet and rushed Johnny. He drove a fist into Johnny\u2019s middle with all the strength he had. But his punch was even weaker than Jenny\u2019s. All Joe managed to do was anger Johnny even further. Johnny grabbed Joe and threw a punch that landed on Joe\u2019s jaw. Joe\u2019s head snapped back and his body sagged. Johnny threw him to the ground and Joe landed on his back with a thud. He groaned in pain as his injured back hit the floor. He laid on the floor, too weak to move.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grinning, Johnny took a step toward him. He lifted his foot as if to kick the helpless man on the floor. But before Johnny could follow through, a shot rang out. Johnny froze, a startled expression on his face. He arched his back slightly and fell to the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe could see Jenny kneeling a few feet a way. She had Johnny\u2019s gun gripped in both hands, and the gun was smoking. Jenny looked stunned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe crawled across the floor until he reached Jenny. She still knelt on the floor, holding the gun, a look of horror on her face. Joe reached up and gently took the revolver from her hands. Joe\u2019s movement seemed to bring Jenny out of her daze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cHow about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Jenny echoed Joe\u2019s words. Then, she turned and buried her face into Joe\u2019s shoulders. Jenny began crying hysterically. Joe stroked her head and let her cry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few minutes, Jenny raised her head. Her eyes were red and her face was tear-stained. She sniffed twice and quickly ran her hand across her nose. \u201cI bet I\u2019m a sight,\u201d Jenny said in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Joe replied with a smile. He pushed himself up to a sitting position and kissed Jenny lightly on the cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jenny gave him a wry grin. \u201cI bet you say that to all the girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnly the ones who save my life,\u201d Joe said with a grin. Jenny smiled back at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I bet if we rode Johnny\u2019s horse, we could get to Cold Springs in a couple of hours,\u201d Jenny suggested. \u201cWe might get there in time to keep that bank open. Think you can ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled weakly and nodded his head. \u201cI think I can get there\u2026.if you help me,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you there,\u201d she said confidently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Sitting in the warm sun in a chair outside the doctor\u2019s office in Cold Springs, Joe waited patiently for his Pa and his brother Hoss to appear and take him home. His eyes searched the street, looking for any sign of Jenny. But all he saw was two cowboys heading toward the saloon, a well-dressed man walking down the street, and two women holding baskets talking in front of the general store.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe wondered for the hundredth time where Jenny was. The ride to Cold Springs was a blur in his memory. All he could remember was how painful it was to ride. But he also remembered holding on tight to Jenny as they rode. Joe smiled as he thought about how good it felt to have his arms around her. Admittedly, he didn\u2019t remember much of the feeling, but what he did remember was good.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe vaguely remembered arriving in Cold Springs and several hands pulling him off the horse. After that, his memory was a blank. He remembered nothing until he woke up in a bed in the doctor\u2019s office, with his Pa and brother standing over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had asked about Jenny but no one seemed to know where she was. The doctor informed him she had told the judge where to find the money from the bank robbery. She waited at the doctor\u2019s office until the doctor assured her that Joe was going to be all right. Then she disappeared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joseph, are you ready to head for home?\u201d a voice said to Joe\u2019s right. Joe looked up to see his father, Ben Cartwright, standing over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took another quick look around the street and then sighed. \u201cI guess so,\u201d he said reluctantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss should be here with the wagon any minute,\u201d Ben advised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI still think the wagon isn\u2019t necessary,\u201d Joe grumbled. \u201cI made it to Cold Springs on a horse. I can make it home on a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou barely made in to Cold Springs on a horse,\u201d Ben corrected him. \u201cThe doctor said you were bleeding pretty badly when you got here. That\u2019s why he had the judge send us the telegram. He wasn\u2019t sure you weren\u2019t going to bleed to death right there in his office. We\u2019re not taking any chances of you opening those wounds again. You\u2019re going home in the back of a wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe answered with a sigh.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A wagon came slowly down the street; Joe saw his brother Hoss was driving it. Joe took one last look around Cold Springs, his eyes searching desperately for Jenny.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pulling the wagon to a stop in front of the doctor\u2019s office, Hoss climbed down off the driver\u2019s seat. \u201cWell, little brother, we got the wagon all fixed up for you,\u201d Hoss declared with a smile. \u201cA nice soft mattress, a pillow and some blankets. Be like riding home in a feather bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot the way you drive,\u201d Joe answered with a snort. \u201cDo me a favor and try avoid at least some of the ruts in the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPretty cranky, ain\u2019t he,\u201d Hoss said to Ben. \u201cJust \u2018cause he\u2019s some kind of hero, saving the bank and all, he thinks he can order us around.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHero?\u201d Joe stated with a wry smile. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the people in Cold Springs think you are,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cAnd so does Marshall Benton. The doctor in Dawson wired us that he\u2019s going to fine. Said you did a real good job setting his leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was mostly dumb luck,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI wasn\u2019t sure I did it right.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cNo, Jenny\u2019s the real hero. She saved my life, Pa. And she\u2019s the one who saved the bank from going under.\u201d Joe looked around. \u201cI wish I knew where she was,\u201d he added in a wistful voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnce she turned over the money, there were no charges against her,\u201d Ben said. \u201cThe judge told her she was free to go.\u201d Ben saw the sad look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cSon, she\u2019s old enough to make her own decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI just wish\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off as he looked back down the street. He wasn\u2019t sure what he wished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright? Mr. Cartwright?\u201d a voice interrupted Joe\u2019s thoughts. He looked up to see a man wearing a white shirt, string tie and vest walking toward him. The man had a paper in his hand and was waving it in Joe\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou Joe Cartwright?\u201d the man asked as he approached Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m Joe Cartwright,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGot a telegram for you,\u201d the man explained. \u201cJust came in. The telegrapher in Dawson added that I was to deliver this to you right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said as he took the paper from the man. He opened the folded message, then smiled as he began read it. His grin widened as he finished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s it from?\u201d Hoss asked curiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJenny,\u201d Joe answered. He read from the paper. \u201c \u2018Arrived home safe. Found it wasn\u2019t scary. Folks happy to see me. Even chickens happy. Come see me sometime. Emma\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEmma? I thought you said it was from Jenny?\u201d Hoss said with a puzzled expression on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no Jenny,\u201d Joe replied mysteriously. \u201cAt least not any more. There\u2019s only Emma. And Emma is pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Ben, his face showing his confusion. Ben just shrugged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe read the paper again, then looked up at Ben. \u201cHey, Pa, I\u2019m not going to be able to do much work for awhile. Is it all right with you if I take few days off when I\u2019m fit?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose so,\u201d answered Ben slowly. \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, there\u2019s a little farm near Dawson I want to visit,\u201d Joe explained with a smile. \u201cI want to see how they raise their chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, then stopped as understanding dawned on him. He smiled at Joe. \u201cI think that would be an excellent idea, Joseph,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cYou can\u2019t know enough about raising chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Joe and Ben, now thoroughly confused. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he started. But Ben held up his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll explain it to you later,\u201d Ben promised. \u201cRight now, I think we ought to get started for home. We have a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed. \u201cSometimes home is a long way away. But that\u2019s the nice thing about home. No matter how far away you go, it\u2019s always there waiting for you. Getting there isn\u2019t easy sometimes, but there\u2019s nothing better than going home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Returning home from running a simple errand for Pa takes a dangerous detour when the stage only runs once a week, and the passengers on this one are a marshal with a prison who says no other tickets are to be sold.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (17,215 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":5289,"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":[16],"class_list":["post-13902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","tag-joe","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2155,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13949,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13949","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":0},"title":"Treasure (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Hoss and Joe end up with old Jim Bridger's treasure map. Word Count: \u00a023,100 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T","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":4176,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4176","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":1},"title":"The Wainscots (by ViveAdam)","author":"ViveAdam","date":"April 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0After a meal washed down with plenty of wine and whisky, Ben makes a bet and that's trouble for Adam Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC \u00a02400","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\/panorama.jpg?fit=400%2C307&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13989,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13989","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":2},"title":"Second Chances (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"February 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, Second Chance. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (14,400 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\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14191,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14191","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":3},"title":"Blind Faith (by Mary S)","author":"MaryS","date":"February 18, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Ben is reunited with a boyhood friend who's less than honorable reputation precedes him. \u00a0 Adam does some investigating for his father's sake and finds himself wishing he'd left well enough alone. \u00a0 Rated: \u00a0G\u00a0 (18,000 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\/06\/Ben-Draw.jpg?fit=278%2C354&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3114,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3114","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":4},"title":"The Dawson Gang (by freyakendra)","author":"freyakendra","date":"July 9, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Heroism comes in all shapes and sizes, as the good folks of Virginia City discover when Sam Dawson and his notorious gang of outlaws hold the whole town under siege\u2014all because Joe tried to help a woman in need and Adam was thirsty for a beer. Rated: T WC\u2026","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\/2014\/04\/wanted1.jpg?fit=960%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/wanted1.jpg?fit=960%2C763&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/wanted1.jpg?fit=960%2C763&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/wanted1.jpg?fit=960%2C763&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13697,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13697","url_meta":{"origin":13902,"position":5},"title":"A Very Present Help (by Gillian)","author":"Gillian","date":"March 24, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A stranger hired on to help when the Cartwrights find themselves shorthanded has a secrect. Rating:\u00a0 T (5,925 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\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10338"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}