{"id":13910,"date":"2007-12-12T08:45:20","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T13:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13910"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:15","slug":"a-wanted-man-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13910","title":{"rendered":"A Wanted Man (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Far from home, Joe is charged with a crime he didn’t commit, and the dead man’s brother wants justice…or is it revenge?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (14,525 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Wanted Man<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet in there,\u201d growled the man as he pushed Joe Cartwright in the back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stumbling a bit, Joe entered the sheriff\u2019s office and then turned to face the individual behind him. He saw a small, wiry man holding a rifle pointed right at his chest. The thought fleetingly crossed Joe\u2019s mind that this guy didn\u2019t look like any lawman he had seen before. Dressed in a faded checked shirt, worn brown pants, and scruffy boots, the man looked more like a farmer than a sheriff. Only the tin star pinned to the man\u2019s suspenders gave any indication of a lawman\u2019s authority. Joe knew River Bend wasn\u2019t very big, but he still found it hard to believe this rather non-descript person could keep order in the town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow look, sheriff\u2026\u201d Joe began.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t the sheriff,\u201d the small man wearing the badge interrupted. \u201cThe sheriff\u2019s off chasing rustlers north of here. Don\u2019t when he\u2019ll be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, deputy\u2026\u201d Joe tried again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t the real deputy,\u201d the man announced before Joe could go further. \u201cHe broke his leg yesterday. I\u2019m just filling in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, whoever you are\u2026\u201d Joe started once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJakes, Bob Jakes,\u201d declared the temporary deputy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Losing what little patience he had left, Joe yelled, \u201cWould you let me finish a sentence!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, go ahead,\u201d Jakes agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe calmed himself before continuing. \u201cLook, Jakes, I haven\u2019t done anything wrong. I don\u2019t know why you arrested me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou killed Billy Fulton,\u201d Jakes replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t kill this Fulton or anyone else,\u201d Joe argued. \u201cI was having a beer in the saloon, just wasting time until tomorrow when I\u2019m taking the stage home to Virginia City. A fight broke out in the back of the saloon, and someone pulled a gun and shot a man. That\u2019s all I know. I didn\u2019t have anything to do with it. I wasn\u2019t even in the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou say you weren\u2019t in the fight. That bruise on your face says different,\u201d said Jakes with a smirk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I admit it. Someone hit me and I hit him back,\u201d Joe conceded. \u201cBut I never drew my gun and I sure never fired it. Check it. You\u2019ve got my gun right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pulling Joe\u2019s revolver out of his waistband, the deputy looked at the gun and then sniffed it. \u201cDon\u2019t smell like it\u2019s been fired lately,\u201d agreed Jakes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee. Now just let me go, and I\u2019ll go back to the hotel and wait for the stage,\u201d Joe said with relief.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, can\u2019t do that,\u201d Jakes replied in an indifferent voice as he returned the pistol to his waistband.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Joe angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you were the only stranger in the saloon,\u201d explained the deputy. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t kill Billy Fulton, that means someone who lives here in River Bend did. Once Billy\u2019s brother Ed finds out that Billy\u2019s dead, Ed ain\u2019t gonna wait around for a trial. He\u2019s going to hang whoever did it. I\u2019d rather Ed hang a stranger than someone I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s crazy!\u201d exclaimed Joe. \u201cYou\u2019d rather that they hang me, an innocent man, than one of your friends. That\u2019s murder!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but the murder will be on Ed\u2019s head, not mine,\u201d Jakes said with a shrug. \u201cNow go on; get into the cell. It\u2019s right through that door.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cAre you just going to lock me up and wait for this Ed Fulton to come get me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s about the size of it,\u201d agreed Jakes. \u201cAin\u2019t had a lynching in this town since Sheriff Burns took over. Kind of missed seeing \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long until Ed Fulton gets here?\u201d Joe asked nervously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHard to say,\u201d Jakes admitted. \u201cSomeone has got to ride out to their ranch and tell Ed about Billy, and then Ed will have to round up his men. Could take some time. But he\u2019ll get here soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill Sheriff Burns make it back before Ed gets here?\u201d Joe pressed the deputy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe might, but I wouldn\u2019t count on it,\u201d Jakes replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCould I at least send a telegram to my family and let them know what\u2019s happened?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cMaybe they\u2019ll get here before Ed does.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey over in Virginia City?\u201d Jakes asked with a cocked head. When Joe nodded, the deputy continued, \u201cSure, go ahead and write it out. I\u2019ll send it. Don\u2019t think they\u2019ll get here before the lynching but they can claim the body. Save the town the cost of burying you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking around, Joe spotted some paper and a pencil on the desk in the middle of the office. He hurried over to the desk and bent over it. Jakes followed close behind him, keeping the rifle aimed at Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Picking up the pencil, Joe wrote some words on the paper, then stopped. He looked over his shoulder and asked, \u201cHow much is this going to cost?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see how many words you got,\u201d stated Jakes, leaning forward to look at what Joe had written.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe\u2019s elbow jerked upwards and landed square against the deputy\u2019s jaw. Jake\u2019s head snapped back and the temporary lawman took a small, staggering step. In one quick motion, Joe knocked the rifle out of Jake\u2019s hands and then landed a hard punch on the small man\u2019s jaw. Jakes fell to the floor in a heap.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After checking to make sure the deputy was unconscious, Joe stood still, biting his lip as he decided what to do next. As much as he hated the idea of running from a murder charge, staying in River Bend certainly wasn\u2019t an option. Based on the way Jakes had acted, Joe was sure that everyone in that saloon would swear he had shot Billy Fulton. He couldn\u2019t afford to wait for the sheriff to return and get to the truth. Joe decided that the only thing he could do was to \u201cborrow\u201d a horse and head for Virginia City. Once he was home, he could explain the situation to Sheriff Coffee and let Roy sort things out. He was confident that Roy Coffee would make sure any charges against him were dropped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bending down, Joe took his revolver from Jakes\u2019 waistband and then checked again to make sure the deputy was simply unconscious. Having a bogus murder charge hanging over his head was one thing; killing a deputy \u2013 even a temporary one and by accident \u2013 was an entirely different matter. Satisfied that Jakes was just out cold, Joe moved to the door and looked out cautiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The main street of River Bend was deserted and the town seemed unusually quiet. Even the saloon appeared unnaturally silent. Joe guessed that everyone had hurried home, wanting to be as far away as possible from the jail when Ed Fulton showed up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A roan horse was tied to the hitching post in front of the sheriff\u2019s office. The animal had its head down and looked half asleep. Walking quickly, Joe untied the reins of the horse from the hitching post and vaulted into the saddle. The horse seemed startled when Joe pulled up its head and turned him to the right, but the animal responded when Joe gave him a quick kick in the sides and started to trot. Another kick sent the horse into a gallop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without looking back, Joe rode out of River Bend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Three hours later, Joe was walking the roan through a forest of trees and brush. While he was fairly sure that so-called deputy Jakes would have a hard time rounding up men for a posse to chase him, Joe had decided staying off the roads and trails was a wise move. Now he rode cautiously through the dark, letting the horse pick his way between the trees. Joe thought he was heading north toward Virginia City, but the truth was he had no idea which direction he was going. He was more intent on getting as far away from River Bend as possible than following a true course. He figured that once morning came, he could use the position of the sun and perhaps a landmark or two to guide him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe yawned and then rubbed his eyes. Now that he was safely away from River Bend, Joe was starting to feel tired. He noted the horse\u2019s head was beginning to droop a bit also. Joe decided to ride for another hour or so and then find some place where both he and the roan could rest for awhile. He nudged the horse\u2019s sides with his heels to keep the animal moving. Joe\u2019s eyes began to close a bit as he was lulled by the soft chirping of the crickets in darkness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The quiet of the night was broken suddenly by the loud scream of a mountain lion. The horse stopped abruptly and whinnied, frightened by the roar.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, boy,\u201d Joe said in a soothing voice as he patted the horse\u2019s neck. \u201cThat cat\u2019s nowhere near us.\u201d He pressed his heels against the roan and the horse started forward but now the animal\u2019s head was up and its ears were forward. Joe could feel the tension in his mount, and he gripped the reins a bit tighter. Joe could understand the horse\u2019s nervousness; an unfamiliar rider was taking him through the night into some woods full of mountain lions. He guessed the roan was wondering what the heck was going on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once again, the scream of the lion split the air. The roan started at the sound and took a few quick steps, preparing to run. Joe pulled hard on the reins and the horse stopped, but the animal began tossing its head, trying to loosen the bit that was now pressing hard against its mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A third scream filled the air, and that was all it took to start the horse running. Joe pulled hard on the reins again but the horse ignored his command. Joe flattened himself against the roan\u2019s neck, hoping to avoid any low hanging branches, while continuing to tug hard at the reins. The terrified horse, more frightened by the sound of the mountain lion than bothered by the metal sawing against its mouth, kept running through the dark woods despite Joe\u2019s desperate attempts to stop him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe never knew what tripped the horse \u2013 it could have been a root, a fallen branch or simply the roan\u2019s legs getting tangled \u2013 but he knew when the horse started to fall. One minute he was pressed against the roan\u2019s neck and the next he was flying through the air over the animal\u2019s head. An instant later, he hit the ground, landing on his side. Stunned by the fall, Joe couldn\u2019t move, couldn\u2019t get out of the way of the frightened horse. He felt something hard clip the side of his head, and then everything turned black.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Matilda, get moving,\u201d shouted the woman as she lightly kicked the gray mare she was riding. \u201cYou keep going this slow and we won\u2019t get home until noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The mare ignored both the woman\u2019s voice and kick; the gray continued to plod slowly through the forest of trees, deftly stepping over any debris in its path.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI swear you\u2019re as old and stubborn as I am,\u201d the woman grumbled in a loud voice. \u201cI should have turned you out to pasture years ago.\u201d She pushed up on the brim of the straw hat that covered all but a few loose strands of her dark hair, exposing a face lined by both age and weather.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know it was the crack of dawn when we left McGrevey\u2019s salt mine,\u201d continued the woman, speaking aloud. \u201cAnd I know how much you like sleeping in. But we got things to do today, so don\u2019t take your mad out on me by pretending you got sore feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite her complaints, the woman was enjoying the ride through the woods. The mid-morning sun was filtering through the trees, spotlighting a patch of purple wild flowers. The air smelled fresh with just a hint of dampness from the morning dew. She saw a rabbit hopping into the underbrush and heard a dove cooing in one of the branches overhead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lost in her observation of the nature around her, the woman didn\u2019t see the body lying on the ground until her mare came to a halt. She started to rebuke the animal for stopping but then became abruptly silent as she saw the man sprawled on his stomach in front of her horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we have here, Matilda?\u201d the woman asked as she slid off the saddle. She walked slowly toward the man, noting his stillness as well as his green jacket and gray pants. A tan hat laid nearby. The woman didn\u2019t know it, but she had found Joe Cartwright lying in the woods.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMister, you all right?\u201d she called as she approached the figure on the ground. Mentally she berated herself for asking such a silly question. Obviously the man wasn\u2019t all right. The only question was whether he was dead or not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bending down, she put her hand on Joe\u2019s neck and felt the warmness of his skin as well as the pulse of his heart. \u201cWell, he\u2019s alive, Matilda,\u201d she told the mare in a loud voice. The woman lifted Joe\u2019s shoulder and slowly turned him onto his back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just a boy!\u201d exclaimed the woman loudly as she looked at the young man\u2019s face. She could see a small cut and a large bruise on the left side of Joe\u2019s forehead; a trickle of blood, smeared and now dried, had run down his face. \u201cHe must have been laying here awhile,\u201d she said. \u201cI wonder what happened to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kneeling down, the woman began to check Joe\u2019s injuries. Moving her hands expertly over Joe\u2019s body, she felt for broken bones and discovered some damaged ribs and a displaced wrist on his right side. \u201cProbably got some more bruises under his shirt, too,\u201d she declared. Sitting back on her heels, the woman stared at the young man. \u201cWhat are we going to do, Matilda?\u201d she pondered aloud. \u201cI can\u2019t leave him here like this. But I sure can\u2019t lift him on to you either.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scrambling to her feet, the woman walked back to the mare and grabbed a canteen hanging from her saddle horn by its strap. Returning to the young man, she knelt down again and poured some water from the canteen onto Joe\u2019s face. \u201cCome on, wake up, boy,\u201d she said a forceful voice. \u201cWake up. You have to wake up if you want me to help you.\u201d The woman poured some more water on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly, almost imperceptively, Joe moved his head. He groaned softly, then moved his head a bit more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d said the woman enthusiastically. \u201cCome on now. Open up those eyes. You can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the voice, although he couldn\u2019t quite make out what it was saying. His head was pounding and it hurt every time he took a breath. He moaned and was about to slip back in the darkness when he felt a slap on his cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWake up!\u201d urged the voice and this time Joe understood the words. He understood them but didn\u2019t want to obey them. He felt another slap followed by a splash of water and decided to open his eyes just to find out what was going on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe blinked a few times then squeezed his eyes shut; the light made the pain in his head even worse. He felt a slap against his cheek again and more water. Joe forced his eyes open, trying to see who seemed to be intent on drowning him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my boy,\u201d declared a voice from the hazy figure hovering a foot or so over Joe\u2019s head. \u201cNow keep those eyes open and listen to me. You got move, got to stand up. I\u2019ll help you all I can, but you\u2019ve got to do a lot of the work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026can\u2019t,\u201d Joe mumbled. He started to close his eyes but felt the slap and water once more. He decided keeping his eyes open was better than being battered and soaked, so he forced his eyelids up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me,\u201d the hazy figure stated in a no-nonsense voice. \u201cYou got yourself banged up. I can patch you up but I can\u2019t do it here. I can\u2019t lift you up on to my horse either. So you have a choice to make. You can either get up or you can lay here and hope somebody stronger than me comes along before a bear or mountain lion decides to make a meal of you. Now what\u2019s it going to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Even though his thinking was muddled, Joe could understand enough of the words to know his choice was to try to move or simply lay here and die. Considering the pounding in his head, the pain in his side and the throbbing in his wrist, Joe briefly thought dying might not be a bad option. But Joe knew he didn\u2019t really want to die, so he slowly lifted his shoulders from the ground. He felt a hand on his back, pushing him forward. Joe felt his head begin to spin and a sharp pain in his side. He moaned and started to lie back down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t,\u201d declared the voice, pushing on his back again. \u201cYou got this far; you can\u2019t stop now. I know it hurts but it\u2019s got to be done. Come on, keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite the pain and dizziness, Joe forced himself to sit up. He tried to take a deep breath and grunted as he felt a stab in his side. He was still trying to make up his mind what to do next when a pair of hands grabbed him under his shoulders and started tugging him to his feet. Another sharp pain in his side caused Joe to groan loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with your legs, as near as I can tell,\u201d the voice stated firmly. \u201cIt\u2019s not going to hurt any worse if you stand. In fact, you might even feel better. So, up you go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Deciding he had nothing to lose if he obeyed the voice, Joe put his left hand on the ground and pushed while the hands kept pulling. The pushing and pulling bore fruit as Joe somehow managed to get to his feet. Almost immediately, he felt his left arm being thrown around a pair of shoulders; Joe slumped against a body next to him but managed to stay standing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMatilda, get over here,\u201d shouted the voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In his foggy mind, Joe wondered who Matilda was and why she wasn\u2019t helping. But the thought disappear as he felt himself dragged forward a few steps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said the voice with a sigh. \u201cNow we have to get you up into the saddle. Lift your hand and grab the saddle horn. Do you understand me? Lift up and grab.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Obediently, Joe lifted his arm and a hand guide it until his fist wrapped around the hard leather on the front of the saddle. He leaned against what seemed to be the warm body of a horse and waited for further instruction. A hand lifted his leg and placed his foot into a stirrup. Joe stood in this awkward position for a moment, then felt something grasp the back of his belt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOn the count of three, we\u2019re going to get you into the saddle\u2026I hope\u201d stated the voice. \u201cWhen I say three, you pull yourself up. Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding slightly, Joe waited as the voice counted. At three, he felt something tugging on his belt and he used the last of his strength to pull himself up. He slid his right leg over the top of the saddle and then slumped in leather seat. Joe felt like the top of his head was going to explode and ache in the other parts of his body got worse. He closed his eyes and let his body go limp. The last thing he heard as the darkness enveloped his mind was a voice saying, \u201cLord Almighty, boy, I sure hope you\u2019re worth all this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Three men rode their horses down the main street of River Bend and pulled to a stop in front of the sheriff\u2019s office. Silently, the trio dismounted, tied their reins to the hitching post and then walked rapidly into the office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, I\u2019m Ben Cartwright,\u201d declared the oldest man of the three as they entered the building. \u201cThese are my sons Adam and Hoss. We got a telegram from you telling us to come to River Bend about an urgent family matter. What is this urgent family matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sheriff Tom Burns leaned back in the chair behind his desk. A big man with solid muscles, the sheriff couldn\u2019t have looked any different from his temporary deputy if he tried. Neatly dressed in a light blue shirt and black pants, the sheriff had an air of authority that seemed to fill the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for coming, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d answered the sheriff. He hesitated and then continued. \u201cDo you have a relative \u2013 another son, maybe \u2013 who\u2019s missing?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have another son, Joseph, but he\u2019s not what I\u2019d called missing,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s on his way home from delivering some timber to the mines down near Beaver Creek. Why do you ask? What\u2019s this all about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCould you describe your son Joseph to me?\u201d asked the sheriff, ignoring Ben\u2019s question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s 22, small build, dark hair,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cWhy do you want to know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWas he wearing a green jacket and gray pants?\u201d Burns inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Ben answered. A knot of fear was beginning to form in his stomach. \u201cWhy do you want to know? Where\u2019s my son? What\u2019s happened to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I know, your son is fine. As to where he is, I can\u2019t exactly tell you right now,\u201d the sheriff admitted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop playing game, sheriff,\u201d Adam Cartwright demanded as he stood at his father\u2019s side. \u201cWhat happened to Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sighing, Burns shook his head a bit. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to be so vague. I guess I\u2019m trying to avoid having to tell you an ugly story about justice here in River Bend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care how ugly the story is,\u201d Hoss Cartwright stated with a frown, taking a step forward. \u201cYou better get to telling it. What happened to my little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Putting up his hand, the sheriff sighed again. \u201cNothing happened to him, at least not here.\u201d Burns took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \u201cA young man whom I believe to be Joseph Cartwright was arrested here two nights ago. The charge was murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMurder!\u201d exclaimed Ben. \u201cWho was he supposed to have killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as it turns out, he didn\u2019t kill anyone,\u201d explained Burns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, you\u2019re not making a lick of sense,\u201d Hoss declared angrily. \u201cWhat happened to Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me start from the beginning,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cI was out of town chasing some rustlers, and while I was gone, my deputy broke his leg. Some of our citizens got the bright idea to make Bob Jakes the deputy while I was gone. Bob Jakes can be kindly described as an idiot. Anyway, there was a fight in the saloon and a man named Billy Fulton was killed. Jakes decided that the only stranger in the saloon at the time must have done the killing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that stranger was my son Joseph,\u201d Ben stated in a flat voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems so,\u201d acknowledged Burns. \u201cJakes is so stupid that he never bothered to get the name of the man he arrested. Apparently Jakes told the man that he was going to get lynched by Billy Fulton\u2019s brother before I got back to town. Naturally that idea didn\u2019t set well with the fellow, so he knocked out Jakes and took off.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut my brother didn\u2019t kill this Fulton, right?\u201d Adam declared firmly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt took me a little while to find out the truth of the matter, but no, your brother didn\u2019t kill Billy Fulton,\u201d acknowledged the sheriff. \u201cOne of the hands from the Double B ranch was playing poker with Fulton and accused Billy of cheating, which he probably was. There was a fight and Fulton pulled his gun. The ranch hand was faster and he shot Billy Fulton in the chest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo Joe\u2019s on the run, thinking he\u2019s going to get lynched for a murder he didn\u2019t commit,\u201d Hoss declared, his frown deepening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s about the size of it,\u201d admitted Burns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing about the situation?\u201d asked Ben in a voice that clearly showed his displeasure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot much, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d the sheriff confessed. \u201cUp until a few minutes ago, I didn\u2019t know the name of the fellow Jakes had arrested. All I had was a vague description from that idiot the town gave a badge.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you didn\u2019t know who Joe was, how did you know to contact us?\u201d Adam asked with a puzzled expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI found a piece of paper on my desk with what looked like the start of a telegram addressed to Ben Cartwright, Virginia City,\u201d explained Burns. \u201cFrom what Jakes told me, your son was writing the message when he \u2013 and these are Jakes\u2019 words \u2013 \u2018viciously attacked\u2019 him and knocked him out. Jakes said the fellow told him he had family in Virginia City, so I figured I send a telegram and see who turned up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, we\u2019re here,\u201d Ben said. \u201cNow, what are you going to do next?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot a lot I can do,\u201d stated the sheriff. \u201cIf your boy has any sense, he\u2019s out of my jurisdiction by now. Besides, I have my hands full trying to keep Ed Fulton from lynching the man who killed his brother. I haven\u2019t got time to go chasing all over the territory looking for a man who isn\u2019t wanted for any crime. But considering this mess got started here in River Bend, I thought the least I could do is find someone who knows the fellow and tell them what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you at least have any idea which direction Joe went?\u201d Adam asked in an exasperated voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he left, your brother took Jakes\u2019 horse, which I figure seemed fitting,\u201d answered Burns. \u201cA rancher who\u2019s got a big spread north of here found the horse wandering around in one of his pastures and brought him in. So I\u2019m thinking your brother headed north. Maybe he was heading for home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat don\u2019t make sense,\u201d Hoss said, looking confused. \u201cWhy would Joe take a horse to ride home and then just turn him loose like that? He sure wouldn\u2019t be thinking he\u2019d walk home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, nothing about this situation makes much sense,\u201d Ben stated, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the truth,\u201d admitted Sheriff Burns. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry this all happened. If I had been in town, this all would have been avoided. But I wasn\u2019t, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, sheriff, I\u2019ll agree none of this is your fault,\u201d Ben said. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t help us find Joe. He could be anywhere. He might head for Virginia City, but if he thinks there\u2019s a murder charge hanging over his head, he might decide to hide out for a while. There\u2019s no telling where he is. And if he thinks he\u2019s a wanted man, Joe might do something that will really get him into trouble. We have to find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do whatever I can to help,\u201d Burns offered. \u201cI just don\u2019t know that there\u2019s a lot I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pursing his lips a bit, Ben thought for a moment. \u201cIf Joe is on foot, he\u2019ll head toward a town or a ranch to get supplies. There are at least half a dozen towns between here and Virginia City, and any number of farms and ranches.\u201d He sighed. \u201cThe only thing we can do is check all of them to see if anyone has seen Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa, that could take weeks!\u201d protested Adam. \u201cAnd even if we find someone who\u2019s seen Joe, that doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019ll be able to catch up with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI could wire the sheriffs in three of those towns and explain the situation to them,\u201d suggested Burns. \u201cThe rest don\u2019t have a telegraph line, but if your son shows up in any of those three, they\u2019ll let me know.\u201d The sheriff looked down in thought and then raised his head. \u201cI could probably round up four or five men to help you search,\u201d he added. \u201cThey could cover the ranches and farms closest to River Bend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat would help,\u201d acknowledged Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing is, I only have a vague description of your boy, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Burns said. \u201cIt would be better if I had a picture or something to give them to show around.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you can draw,\u201d Ben stated, turning to his oldest son. \u201cDo you think you can draw a sketch of Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI could come up with a pretty fair likeness,\u201d Adam agreed. He turned to Burns. \u201cDo you have a newspaper office in this town?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe do, and we have a real fine printer,\u201d the sheriff declared. \u201cYou draw you picture and I\u2019ll have them print up enough copies to cover the territory with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave them make up a poster offering a $500 reward for any information about the whereabouts of Joe Cartwright,\u201d Ben told the sheriff. \u201cThat should get some attention.\u201d He turned to Hoss. \u201cHoss, send a telegram to Roy Coffee and let him know abut this. Tell him to send someone out to the ranch and explain things to Hop Sing also. If Joe shows up at the Ponderosa or in Virginia City, have Roy wire us in\u2026\u201d Ben hesitated, trying to think of the best place to get a message.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow about Deerfield?\u201d suggested the sheriff. \u201cThat\u2019s about as far north a town with a telegraph. I\u2019ll send a message there if one of my people find out anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDeerfield,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cWe\u2019ll split up the search and plan on meeting there. And the first one to find Joe should hog-tie him and not let him out of their sight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The warmth of the sun on his face woke Joe, and he slowly opened his eyes. He waited for a moment and was gratified to find that his head and body ached only with a dull pain. He looked down a bit and saw his right arm, splinted and neatly wrapped in bandages, resting on his chest, just above another series of bandages wrapped around his ribs. A thick blanked covered him to his waist. Joe moved his legs and was happy to find that the limbs not only worked but also didn\u2019t add to the pain when he flexed them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe looked around. The room he was in was large and comfortable furnished with overstuff chairs and tables made of dark walnut. The walls, painted in light blue with white trim, were dotted by small pictures in gilded frames. He could see a doorway at the far end of the room which seemed to lead to a dinning room containing large table and a number of chairs. Joe realized he was resting comfortably on a long sofa sitting just in front of a large window.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning his head a bit, Joe could see a fireplace framed by the dark walnut in the wall behind him. On a small mantel over the fireplace sat a clock in a gold case, flanked by small statues. Continuing to survey his surroundings, Joe noted another doorway past the end of the soft which led to a hallway. He could make out a wide staircase built against the far wall of the house. Leaning back again the pillow under his head, Joe wondered just where he was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned his head to see a woman coming through the doorway from the dinning room and walking toward him. He guessed she was at least forty, her age betrayed by the streaks of gray in her dark hair and the lines creasing the skin on her face. She was wearing a dark blue blouse and ginger-colored skirt, and holding a glass of water in her hand. When she reached Joe, she put the glass to his lips. He drank the water eagerly, grateful for the liquid that cooled his parched mouth and throat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine you\u2019re pretty thirsty,\u201d said the woman as she watched Joe drink. \u201cI haven\u2019t been able to get much into you but a little broth from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t know the woman but he sure recognized the voice. \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026the one\u2026\u201d Joe started. He cleared his throat and tried again. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who tried to drown me,\u201d Joe finished, giving the woman a weak smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the one who found you in the woods and tried to help you,\u201d the woman corrected him primly. Then she smiled. \u201cI guess I did get a bit carried away with the water. But it was the only way I could think of to keep you awake. I needed you awake to help me get you on my horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe water tastes good now,\u201d Joe said, handing the glass back. \u201cThank you.\u201d He looked around the room again. \u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re at my place,\u201d answered the woman. \u201cI brought you here, let\u2019s see, I guess about three days ago. I found you in the woods. You\u2019ve been unconscious most of that time. I had to drag you into the house, and that probably didn\u2019t help you any. For a while there, I wasn\u2019t sure if you were going to die on me. But you started stirring around this morning, so I decided you were a long way from dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThree days!\u201d Joe exclaimed. \u201cI\u2019ve been here three days?\u201d He started to sit up but his head, side and arm protested the move simultaneously by shooting pangs of pain through his body. Falling back against the sofa, Joe laid still for a moment. Then he turned his head and said in a weak voice, \u201cThank you. Thanks for looking after me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d replied the woman. \u201cI\u2019m Amanda Davis. You can call me Mandy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you, Mandy,\u201d Joe responded. \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After acknowledging the introductions with a nod, Mandy turned and walked back into the room a bit. She put the glass on a table and then pulled a chair toward the couch. She settled herself comfortably in the chair. \u201cYou feel up to talking, Joe Cartwright?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe considered the question and then answered, \u201cYeah, I can talk. Moving might not be a good idea, but I can talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo what caused you to end up in those woods all broken and battered?\u201d Mandy inquired curiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d Joe took a deep breath then immediately regretted the action as he felt a sharp pain in his side. He winced and let out his breath slowly until the ache subsided. Turning his head, Joe saw Mandy sitting patiently, waiting for him to continue. He took another, much shallower, gulp of air and then went on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was having a beer in the saloon over in River Bend when a man got killed,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you kill him?\u201d Mandy posed the question more as a clarification of the facts rather than with alarm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d declared Joe forcefully, then winced again as he felt a pang in his side. \u201cNo,\u201d he said again, this time more quietly. \u201cI had nothing to do with it. But I was arrested for it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you were innocent, why were you arrested?\u201d Mandy asked with a frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe sheriff was out of town and this yahoo they made a deputy decided it was easier to blame a stranger than someone from the town,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cHe was going to hold me in jail until the man\u2019s brother came to town to lynch me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t much fancy that idea,\u201d interjected Mandy with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t,\u201d agreed Joe, giving the woman a grin. \u201cSo I knocked out the deputy and took off. I grabbed a horse and got out of town as fast as I could. I was going to ride to Virginia City and turn myself in there. The sheriff in Virginia City is an old friend of my family and I figured he could get it all sorted out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, you\u2019re a long way from Virginia City,\u201d observed Mandy, shaking her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cI was riding in the general direction of Virginia City when I saw the woods. I thought they\u2019d make good cover in case someone was chasing me, so I headed for them. I was making my way through the trees when a mountain lion scared the horse I was riding. The horse bolted, and then tripped. I remember hitting the ground. The next thing I knew you were trying to drown me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting back in her chair, Mandy stared at Joe as she pondered his story. After a moment, she seemed to make up her mind. \u201cNo reason not to believe your story,\u201d she declared. \u201cYou told me your name right off and didn\u2019t hem and haw about what happened. A guilty man wouldn\u2019t have done that. Besides, I\u2019ve heard of the Cartwrights. Word is they\u2019re good people. I like helping good people. So you can stay here until you\u2019re fit to travel\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d acknowledged Joe with a smile. But his smile quickly turned into a frown. \u201cIt might be a good idea if you didn\u2019t tell anyone I was here,\u201d Joe added cautiously. \u201cI don\u2019t know who might be looking for me. The people in River Bend might still be after me.\u201d He looked Mandy straight in the eyes. \u201cI\u2019m innocent; I swear I am. But the people in River Bend may not think so. I might still be a wanted man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Mandy. \u201cIt\u2019s probably a good idea that no one knows you\u2019re here. Once you\u2019re fit, you can ride to Virginia City and get things cleared up.\u201d A smile crossed her lips. \u201cI don\u2019t get many visitors, so it shouldn\u2019t be much of a problem. The people in Elk Grove think I\u2019m a bit strange so they don\u2019t come to call.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cElk Grove?\u201d Joe repeated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the town at the bottom of the hill,\u201d Mandy explained. \u201cIt\u2019s not very big but it\u2019s got everything the folks around here need. People in these parts mostly just go about their own business, and don\u2019t bother me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your husband?\u201d pressed Joe. \u201cWill he keep quiet about me being here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo husband, at least no any more,\u201d Mandy answered. \u201cNo children either.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou live here alone?\u201d Joe asked, his eyes roaming around what seemed to be a very large house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust me,\u201d Mandy acknowledged. \u201cWell, me and my menagerie.\u201d Seeing the puzzled expression on Joe\u2019s face, she went on. \u201cMy father was a mine owner, a man who became rich by taking silver out of the land and destroying everything as he did it. He bought this hill and the land around it, then built a house on top of the hill so everyone in Elk Grove could see how rich and important he was.\u201d Mandy shook her head. \u201cI hated what he did \u2013 cutting down trees, scarring the land, sending the animals away or shooting them. It seemed a terrible thing to do just to make money. So I started taking care of the animals around here \u2013 putting out salt for the deer, patching up any injured creatures I found. I guess that was my way of trying to put right the awful things my father did to the land. After my mother died, I married a man who worked for my father \u2013 an engineer \u2013 and he and I lived here in this house until he was killed about a year later in a cave-in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe murmured sympathetically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a long time ago,\u201d said Mandy with a shrug. \u201cWhen my father died, he left me with a pile of money, this house and a lot of land. So now my land is a sanctuary, so to speak, for any animal that wants to live on it Lots of days, I just go out in to the woods and sit, watching the deer or feeding the squirrels. I call them my menagerie. I like them a whole lot better than most people I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding his understanding, Joe offered no comment. He knew quite a few people who preferred animals over people \u2013 his brother Hoss, to name just one. While that wasn\u2019t his view of life, he could appreciate the value of people who watched over the creatures who shared the land with people, who protected the animals who had no defense against guns and traps.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho patched me up?\u201d asked Joe, already guessing the answer. \u201cIs there a doctor we need to ask to keep quiet?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo doctor in Elk Grove. I took care of you,\u201d replied Mandy, confirming what Joe already suspected. \u201cAs I said, I\u2019ve been taking care of animals for years. Not much difference between patching up animals and patching up people.\u201d She gave Joe a smile and added, \u201cNow you get some rest. When you\u2019re feeling up to it, I\u2019ll help you move to\u2026\u201d Mandy suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on something she had seen through the window over the sofa on which Joe was lying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Joe, alarmed. \u201cIs there someone out there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring Joe\u2019s questions, Mandy hurriedly got to her feet and rushed to the front door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The feeling of alarm grew in Joe. He wondered if a posse had somehow tracked him to the house. Pushing himself up gingerly, Joe peered over the top of the sofa and out the window.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now standing on the porch in front of her house, Mandy was looking into the woods which began about ten yards from the building. Her hands were on her hips and her body seemed rigid with anger. \u201cRufus! Charlie!\u201d she yelled. \u201cYou come out of there. I see you. Now you come out of there right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe could see nothing but the yard in front of the house and the forest which began on the other side of it. Then two shadows started to emerge from between the trees. Joe saw two men walking a bit sheepishly toward the house. Both looked like they had seen better days. One wore a faded undershirt and soiled vest; the other sported a dingy gray shirt. Both men had on dark pants that were as dusty and dirty as their boots, and battered hats with tears and holes in the brim. The only thing that looked even reasonably cared for were the rifles each carried in their hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two know there\u2019s no hunting allowed on my land,\u201d Mandy shouted. \u201cNow you take those guns and get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Miss Mandy, we ain\u2019t doing no harm,\u201d the man in the gray shirt called back. \u201cRufus and me, we\u2019re hungry. We just wanted to take down that buck we\u2019ve been tracking.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be hungry, Charlie, if you\u2019d stop drinking up every penny you come across,\u201d Mandy replied angrily. \u201cNow get off my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we been tracking that buck for hours,\u201d complained Rufus, the man in the faded undershirt. \u201cIt ain\u2019t our fault he wandered up here. It ain\u2019t like he\u2019s one of your critters.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAny animal on my land is safe from being shot; you know that,\u201d retorted Mandy. \u201cBesides, I find it hard to believe you\u2019ve been tracking a deer for hours. I haven\u2019t seen either of you spend more than ten minutes doing anything that takes work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow that ain\u2019t very nice of you to say, Miss Mandy,\u201d growled Charlie, the one in the gray shirt. \u201cBesides, how you gonna stop us? You ain\u2019t got no gun. We can shoot that deer and there ain\u2019t anything you can do to stop us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t stop you,\u201d Mandy admitted. \u201cBut I can tell the sheriff what you\u2019ve done. You want to spend some time in jail for poaching?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJail?\u201d Rufus said nervously. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t do that to us, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes she would,\u201d snapped Charlie. \u201cShe\u2019s mean enough to do it.\u201d He raised his rifle a bit, not pointing it at Mandy but enough to threaten her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be stupid, Charlie,\u201d Mandy called to the man, sounding more disgusted than afraid. \u201cYou don\u2019t look like the kind of man who\u2019d want to be hanged.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie, let\u2019s go,\u201d urged Rufus nervously. \u201cThat deer ain\u2019t worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is to me,\u201d answered Charlie stubbornly. He raised his rifle a little higher, until it was pointed at Mandy\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, the door to the house opened and a young man walked out on unsteady legs. Rufus and Charlie saw only a man with bandages wrapped around his arm and middle and sporting a number of bruises, including a large one on his head, until the man raised a pistol and pointed it directly at the pair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you two should do what Miss Mandy said and leave,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cShe may not have a gun, but I do.\u201d Joe cocked the gun. \u201cGet moving. Now!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Neither of the would-be hunters had any interest in taking on a man who seemed prepared to shoot, regardless of what condition he was in. Without a word, they turned on their heels and started hurrying away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe kept his gun aimed at the two men until they were out of sight. Then he lowered the pistol. \u201cSo much for no one knowing I\u2019m here,\u201d he said with a wry smile. Then his legs began to buckle and Joe started sliding forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moving quickly, Mandy grabbed Joe, putting one hand on his chest and using the other to throw his arm around her shoulders. \u201cWe need to get you back inside before you fall flat on your face,\u201d she declared. \u201cLean on me. I dragged you in the house once, I can do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a nod, Joe let his weight rest against the woman. He felt light-headed and his legs didn\u2019t appear to be working right. He could feel Mandy\u2019s hand helping him to turn and then pushing against his back. The gun was eased out of his hand, and a murmur of words urged him to walk. He took a small step, and then another, staggering more than walking. It seemed to Joe that it took a long time to move to the door and then into the house. The world seemed to be spinning around him as progressed across the carpet and toward the sofa. When Joe finally made out the image of the couch through his blurred vision, he took another step and then collapsed onto the piece of furniture. He winced as a stab of pain shot through his damaged ribs but otherwise laid still.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou trying to kill yourself?\u201d Mandy asked angrily as she lifted Joe\u2019s legs on to the sofa. She took a step toward Joe\u2019s head, then grabbed his shoulders to pull him further along the couch until his head was resting on the pillows. Joe groaned a bit. \u201cHurts, does it? Well, that\u2019s what you get for acting so foolish.\u201d Mandy grabbed the blanket Joe had knocked to the floor when he got up, shook it a bit and then laid it gently over the injured man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe mumbled softly. \u201cThought they might hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThose two?\u201d snorted Mandy. \u201cI could have handled them. They\u2019re nothing but a couple of lazy no-goods.\u201d Then her voice softened. \u201cBut I appreciate the concern. It\u2019s been a long time since someone worried about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Opening his eyes a bit, Joe looked at Mandy. \u201cYou\u2019re good people,\u201d he said with some effort. \u201cI like helping good people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A smile crossed Mandy\u2019s face. \u201cJoe Cartwright, you are something. I\u2019m not sure what but you sure are something.\u201d Her face sobered a bit. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry about those two telling anyone they saw you. They\u2019d have to say where and that would beg the question of what they were doing on my land. Rufus and Charlie aren\u2019t very smart, but they\u2019re bright enough to know talking about being on my land would bring them nothing but trouble.\u201d Mandy reached over and smoothed a lock of Joe\u2019s hair away from his face. \u201cNow you get some rest. You\u2019ve rescued enough damsels in distress for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After barely nodding his agreement, Joe closed his and fell into a deep sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Riding down into Elk Grove, Hoss ignored the saloon, general store and other buildings he passed on the one street of the town. His eyes sought only one building, and he pressed his horse to go a bit faster when he saw it \u2013 the sheriff\u2019s office. For the past four days, Hoss had been looking for his little brother without success. Elk Grove was his last stop before heading to Deerfield to meet with his father and older brother. He desperately wanted to bring them some good news.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After stopping his horse in front of the one-story building with a sign proclaiming it housed both the sheriff and the jail, Hoss quickly dismounted and went inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff, I\u2019m Hoss Cartwright,\u201d announced Hoss as he entered the building. \u201cI\u2019m looking for some information about my brother Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seated in a chair behind his desk, the sheriff looked up. A man in his forties, the sheriff had been around long enough that little surprised him or spurred him to action. He leaned back in his chair and slowly nodded at the big man standing in front of him. \u201cI\u2019ve been half expecting someone to show up,\u201d the sheriff said casually. \u201cI got the telegram from River Bend a couple of days ago about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe telegram?\u201d echoed Hoss in surprise. \u201cYou got a telegraph in this town?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, kinda of shock, ain\u2019t it?\u201d acknowledged the sheriff. \u201cJoshua Davis had it put in a long time ago when he lived here so\u2019s he could keep up with his mining business. Jonah\u2019s long gone now, but no one ever got around to taking it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you got the telegram from River Bend, then you know why I\u2019m here,\u201d declared Hoss. \u201cAny sign of my brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, afraid not,\u201d answered the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you do any looking?\u201d pressed Hoss a bit suspiciously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no,\u201d admitted the sheriff. \u201cBut I would have heard if there was a stranger in town or if someone saw anything that was out of the ordinary. I ain\u2019t heard nothing like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sighing, Hoss nodded his head. The answer he got from the sheriff was the same he\u2019d heard over the past few days \u2013 no sign of a stranger, nothing that struck someone as odd, and no one looking for someone who wasn\u2019t wanted by the law.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a poster here with my brother\u2019s picture on it,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cMind taking a look, just to be sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sheriff took the offered paper out of Hoss\u2019 hand and studied it. Shaking his head, he handed the poster back to the big man. \u201cNope, ain\u2019t seen anyone that looks like him,\u201d the sheriff confirmed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs it okay with you if I tack this up in the saloon?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s the last one I got. Always a chance someone might have spotted him and not said anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay by me,\u201d agreed the sheriff. He got to his feet. \u201cI\u2019ll walk over with you. Introduce you to Bill, the bartender. He can show your brother\u2019s picture around and put the poster up near the bar. I don\u2019t think anything will come of it, but it\u2019s worth a shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men left the sheriff\u2019s office and started down the street to the saloon. They had just started crossing the street when the sheriff suddenly stopped. \u201cYou know what you might try?\u201d the sheriff said a bit abruptly. \u201cRide up to Miss Mandy\u2019s place and ask her about your brother. She\u2019s always tramping around in them woods. She might have seen something.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Mandy?\u201d Hoss repeated. \u201cWho\u2019s she?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAmanda Davis,\u201d explained the sheriff. \u201cJoshua Davis\u2019 daughter. She lives in that house at the top of the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked in the direction the sheriff was pointing and saw a rise south of the town. The hill was heavily wooded but Hoss could see the roof of a house peaking through the trees at the top. \u201cYou think she might have seen Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d the sheriff answered. \u201cBut if he was up in that area, Miss Mandy would know about it. She knows everything that happens in those woods of hers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Half an hour later, Hoss guided his horse up a path through the trees toward the house the sheriff had pointed out. As the lawman had predicted, showing the poster around in the saloon had resulted in a lot of heads shaking no. The bartender had agreed to keep asking, although Hoss doubted he would pursue it for more than a day at most. The last poster with Joe\u2019s picture and the announcement about the $500 reward for information had been tacked up on the wall near the door of the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Deciding he had nothing to lose, Hoss made his way toward the house at the top of the hill. He didn\u2019t expect to find anything there, but wanted to make sure he left no stone unturned before meeting up with his Pa and Adam in Deerfield.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Arriving at the house, Hoss was surprised by both how large and how well maintained the building was. Someone spent a lot of effort keeping the place up, he thought. After dismounting from his horse, he strolled up to the front door and knocked on it with his big fist. He waited a moment but there was no answer. He beat on the door again, this time adding a shout of \u201cHello! Anyone home? Hello!\u201d Hoss was just about to start pounding again when he was startled by a voice behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you looking for someone, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surprised, Hoss spun around to see a woman dressed in dark blue blouse and gray skirt standing in the yard behind him. The straw hat on her head hid her face somewhat, but from the little he could see, Hoss guessed she was at least middle-aged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI said, are you looking for someone?\u201d Mandy repeated in a stern voice. \u201cState your business or get off my land now. I don\u2019t like the idea of strangers carrying guns roaming around my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes ma\u2019am, I mean, yes, I am looking for someone,\u201d Hoss stammered. \u201cI\u2019m looking for a young fellow, slim build, dark hair, probably wearing gray pants, a green jacket and a tan hat. You seen anyone like that around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mandy studied the man standing on her porch. He wasn\u2019t wearing a badge, so he wasn\u2019t a lawman. He could be a friend or relative of the man who was killed in River Bend or even a bounty hunter. Whoever he was, Mandy decided, he posed a threat to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I haven\u2019t seen anyone who matches that description,\u201d declared Mandy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure, ma\u2019am?\u201d Hoss asked a bit insistently. \u201cMaybe on the road or cutting through them woods? There\u2019s a reward for anyone who\u2019ll help me find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Convinced that the man on her porch was a bounty hunter, Mandy shook her head. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen anyone who looks like the man you described,\u201d she stated firmly. \u201cI can\u2019t help you. Now, I\u2019ll thank you to leave. This is my land and you are trespassing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss agreed with a sigh. He could tell the woman wasn\u2019t in the mood to be helpful. Besides, Hoss was convinced his little brother wasn\u2019t in this area. He had only ridden up the hill to ask to make sure he didn\u2019t miss anything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking easily to his horse, Hoss mounted and turned again to face the woman, who continued to glare at him. \u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said politely, then headed his horse toward the path down the hill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lying in a bed in a bedroom at the back of the house, Joe turned from his back to his side. He had heard a noise, a pounding of some kind, which had roused him from his sleep. Barely awake, he wondered briefly what the noise had been. Then he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

In the saloon in Elk Grove, Rufus and Charlie sat a table nursing their beers, trying to make the drinks last as long as possible. They\u2019d spent the last of their money buying the beers and were trying to decide what to do next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou come up with any ideas, Charlie?\u201d Rufus asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still thinking on it,\u201d answered Charlie. He shook his head. \u201cI sure do have a hankering for some fresh venison.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t thinking about going back up to Miss Mandy\u2019s place, are you?\u201d Rufus said in a startled voice. \u201cShe catches us hunting on her land, she\u2019ll send us to jail for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe ain\u2019t going to catch us,\u201d Charlie declared confidently. \u201cShe has a lot of land and she can\u2019t be every place. We\u2019ll hunt down toward the bottom of the hill. She\u2019ll never know we was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Rufus argued. \u201cThat close to town, someone else might see us or hear the gunshots. Everyone knows Miss Mandy don\u2019t allow no hunting on her land. Somebody might tell the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, do you have a better idea?\u201d snapped Charlie. \u201cWe ain\u2019t got no money and we ain\u2019t got no food \u2018cepting a few tins of beans. Between the two of us, we got maybe five bullets for our rifles. We best make use of them or we\u2019re going to starve.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFrank down at the livery said he\u2019d pay us to clean out the stables,\u201d proposed Rufus. \u201cWe could make a little money from that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t mucking out no stalls,\u201d Charlie replied in an irritated tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t got much choice, the way I see it,\u201d countered Rufus. \u201cWe either clean the stables or take a chance of getting thrown in jail. I\u2019d rather clean the stables.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you\u2019re right,\u201d Charlie agreed with a sigh. He finished the last of his beer and got to his feet. \u201cAt least we\u2019ll make enough to buy something to eat and a few more bullets for the rifles. Come on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rufus and Charlie were nearly at the door of the saloon when Charlie stopped suddenly, coming to a halt so abruptly that Rufus almost ran into him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you stop\u2026\u201d Rufus started to complain. But he grew quiet when he saw the poster on the wall that Charlie was studying. \u201cHey, isn\u2019t that the fellow we saw at Miss Mandy\u2019s house?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure looks like him,\u201d agreed Charlie.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the poster say,\u201d asked Rufus. \u201cYou know I can\u2019t read.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSays there\u2019s a $500 reward for this fellow,\u201d Charlie replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the rest of them words underneath say,\u201d Rufus asked with a curious expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Barely literate, Charlie couldn\u2019t read the rest of the poster that stated that Joe was merely missing, and the reward was for information that would lead to his safe return to his family. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Charlie admitted. \u201cI can\u2019t make out them big words. Probably just says what he\u2019s wanted for and who to contact for the reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he wanted dead or alive?\u201d Rufus pressed his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frowning, Charlie tried to find some words he could understand. \u201cI guess so,\u201d Charlie said, finally giving up on trying to read the paper on the wall. \u201cMost of them are.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two seen that fellow?\u201d called Bill, the bartender, as he came toward the end of the bar near the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2026\u201d Rufus started, but stopped and let out a grunt as Charlie\u2019s elbow jabbed his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure haven\u2019t,\u201d Charlie finished for his friend. \u201cBut we was thinking about going out and looking for him. Looks like there\u2019s a reward for finding him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, there is,\u201d agreed Bill. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll have much luck. The sheriff and this big fellow were in here asking about him a couple of hours ago. From what I could tell, the big fellow has been looking all over for him and hasn\u2019t seen hide nor hair of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe he was just looking in the wrong place,\u201d Charlie commented. He turned to his friend. \u201cCome on, Rufus, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside the saloon, Charlie stopped and pulled his friend aside. \u201cWe could have a real nice payday for bringing in that fellow. Nobody but us knows where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a wanted man,\u201d Rufus replied. \u201cYou don\u2019t think he\u2019s just going to give himself up to us, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll make him give himself up,\u201d Charlie stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s got a gun,\u201d whined Rufus, \u201cand he seemed ready to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe got rifles,\u201d Charlie said confidently.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and only five bullets between us,\u201d argued Rufus. \u201cThey ain\u2019t going to last long if it comes down to a gunfight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d Charlie conceded. Rubbing his chin, he thought for a minute, then lifted his head. \u201cLet\u2019s go see Frank about that job at the stable.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFrank ain\u2019t going to pay us enough to buy more than a couple more bullets,\u201d Rufus pointed out. \u201cWhat good is that going to do us?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know Frank has a box of rifle shells squirreled away in the back of the barn,\u201d Charlie explained. \u201cWhen he ain\u2019t looking, I\u2019ll go get it. That\u2019ll give us plenty of ammo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, that\u2019ll work,\u201d agreed Rufus. He suddenly grinned. \u201cLet\u2019s go clean out them stalls and then go do some hunting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside the saloon, the bartender frowned as he watched Charlie and Rufus huddled together just outside the door. Something didn\u2019t seem right about the way the two men were acting. They had appeared more interested in that poster than Bill would have expected, and now they looked like they were planning something. Charlie\u2019s comment about looking in the right places was a bit odd, too. He had a feeling the pair knew more than they were letting on. Bill looked around the saloon and spotted a man at a table finishing his beer. \u201cHey Sam,\u201d the bartender called. \u201cOn your way home, stop by the sheriff\u2019s office and tell him I want to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Yawning and stretching a bit, Joe woke up from his long nap and slowly sat up in bed. Mandy must have been listening at the door because she entered the room not more than a minute later, carrying a tray with a sandwich and a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you stirring,\u201d remarked Mandy, \u201cand I figured you\u2019d be ready for something to eat. How are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA lot better,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cMy head doesn\u2019t hurt, the room isn\u2019t spinning, and I\u2019m only getting a twinge from my ribs and wrist every now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour bruises look better,\u201d agreed Mandy. \u201cThey\u2019re starting to fade to a dull purple. You\u2019re not nearly as colorful as you were a few days ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I think it\u2019s time I got out of this bed,\u201d Joe offered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow,\u201d Mandy promised. \u201cYou can get up tomorrow. Now eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe started munching on the sandwich, Mandy studied the young man. The effect of the knock on his head seemed gone, he had shown no sign of fever and his color was good. Mandy decided he was well on his way to recovery, that he only needed some time now for the broken bones to heal. She gave a satisfied nod of her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Mandy started, speaking a bit hesitantly, \u201cthere was a man here earlier today. He was looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFor me?\u201d repeated Joe, putting down the sandwich in his hand. \u201cAre you sure he was looking for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe described you to a tee,\u201d answered Mandy. \u201cI think he was a bounty hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly losing his appetite, Joe pushed the tray to the side of the bed. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get out of here,\u201d he declared. \u201cThere must be a wanted poster out on me. That deputy or the brother of the dead man must have put it out. I\u2019ve got to leave before there\u2019s any trouble. I don\u2019t want you caught up in anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow that\u2019s just about the silliest thing I ever heard,\u201d Mandy said in a sharp voice. \u201cI already told him I hadn\u2019t seen you and he seem satisfied with that. He\u2019s not going to come back. I only told you about him because I think it\u2019s a wise idea if you stay inside the house and out of sight when you get out of bed tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut if one bounty hunter came looking, another one might show up,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cThat could mean trouble. I\u2019ve got to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just where do you think you\u2019d go?\u201d Mandy shot back. \u201cYou\u2019re not well enough to sit a horse, much less ride to Virginia City. You leave here, you\u2019ll just be a sitting duck for that bounty hunter. I didn\u2019t fix you up just so you could go out and get yourself killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Joe started to protest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing,\u201d interrupted Mandy. \u201cYou\u2019re staying here and that\u2019s final. I only told you about the bounty hunter to make sure you knew to stay out of sight. If he comes back, I\u2019ll deal with him. Now finish you sandwich.\u201d She turned on her heel and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe laid back against the pillows and thought. Mandy was right; he felt much better but knew he wasn\u2019t ready to ride very far. If he left, he had place to hide until he felt fit. Still, he was worried. The last thing he wanted was to put Mandy in any danger. Reaching over to the table at the side of his bed, Joe pulled his pistol out of the gunbelt that was curled up on top. He opened the barrel and checked to make sure the revolver was fully loaded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Rufus and Charlie\u2019s grand plan to capture Joe had hit a few snags. First, Frank, the livery owner, had watched them like a hawk as they cleaned the stables, making sure they did the job properly and preventing Charlie from searching for the box of bullets. Then the sheriff had shown up, asking them questions about what they knew about the fellow on the poster. Rufus had almost spilled the beans when he nervously started to answer the lawman, but Charlie quickly intervened. Talking fast, he assured the sheriff that they didn\u2019t know anything but thought it was worth looking for the fellow; the reward money was big enough that it was worth their effort to do some searching. Charlie wasn\u2019t sure he convinced the lawman but the sheriff didn\u2019t have any reason to arrest the duo and eventually left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Things had improved a bit when Charlie hit on the idea of talking Frank into letting them sleep in one of the newly cleaned stalls for the night. The livery owner had been reluctant but finally agreed after Charlie promised they\u2019d curry the horses in the morning. After Frank had paid the pair the two dollars he\u2019d offered for cleaning the stable and left, Charlie decided that a little celebration was in order and sent Rufus to buy a bottle of whiskey. Rufus returned and settled himself in one of the stalls while Charlie searched for the box of cartridges for almost half an hour before finding them tucked away in a bottom drawer of the desk in the small room Frank used as an office. Returning to the stall to show off his prize, Charlie found half the whiskey gone from the bottle and Rufus asleep on the hay. Shoving the box of shells into his pocket, Charlie settled down to finish the whiskey and soon was snoring away as he laid on the hay next to his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning, the plan ran into more delays. Frank had woken the pair with a kick and then insisted they curry the three horses in the stable as they had promised. Tired, hungry and a bit hung-over, Rufus and Charlie decided to spend the money they had left for some food and coffee at the restaurant. Then the pair decided a little nap was in order and they settled down for a snooze in the shack they called home at the edge of town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was mid-afternoon when Charlie woke. Groggy with sleep, he only vaguely remembered that he and Rufus had something to do. It took him several minutes to wake up enough to recall that this was the day he and Rufus were going to bring in a wanted man and get a big payday.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, wake up!\u201d Charlie shouted, roughly shoving Rufus\u2019 shoulder on the bed next to his. \u201cGet up, you lazy bag of bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? What?\u201d a startled Rufus replied. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Where\u2019s the fire?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo fire, just a big chuck of money,\u201d Charlie advised. \u201cWe got to go get that wanted man, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d agreed Rufus, sounding less than enthusiastic. \u201cYou figured out how we\u2019re going to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing to it,\u201d Charlie assured his friend. \u201cWe just go up to Miss Mandy\u2019s and tell him to give himself up. If he don\u2019t, then we start shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if he shoots back?\u201d Rufus asked nervously. \u201cHe looked like the kind of guy who was pretty handy with a gun. There ain\u2019t a whole lot of cover there at Miss Mandy\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Charlie. He rubbed his chin and thought. \u201cTell you what we\u2019ll do. We\u2019ll sneak around the back of the house and get that buckboard Miss Mandy has and pull it to the front. Then we\u2019ll hide behind that. The wagon will give us some cover. Besides we can use it to haul that fellow back into town once we get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, Charlie,\u201d Rufus said, his enthusiasm for the project returning. He got to his feet. \u201cLet\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After loading their rifles with the stolen ammunition, the two men left their shack and started walking down the street of Elk Grove. They paid no attention to the three riders who passed them on the street, heading for the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say for sure Rufus and Charlie know anything about your son, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the sheriff explained to the man sitting across the desk from him. \u201cBut they\u2019ve been acting awful strange. Bill over at the saloon thinks they recognized his picture, and when I asked them about it, they hemmed and hawed around. Then they said they were going looking for your son. Now Rufus and Charlie are about the laziest fellows in this town. They\u2019re not the type to go looking for something unless they think they know where it is. That\u2019s why I sent you the telegram last night. Maybe they\u2019ll tell you what they know, especially if you offer them some money.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know where this Rufus and Charlie are?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLast time I heard, they were sleeping it off in Frank\u2019s stable,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cI expect they\u2019re either there or maybe at their shack at the end of town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you arrest them?\u201d demanded Adam, who was standing behind his father. \u201cYou should have kept them in jail until we could talk to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cArrest them for what?\u201d countered the sheriff. \u201cThey haven\u2019t done anything wrong. There\u2019s no law against a man keeping something to himself. It\u2019s not like they were hiding information about an outlaw. Your son\u2019s not a wanted man.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Standing next to his brother, Hoss shook his head. \u201cLet\u2019s stop all this jabbering and go find them fellows. It ain\u2019t doing us any good just staying here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust what I was going to suggest,\u201d agreed the sheriff as he got his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took the four men only a few minutes to walk down the street of Elk Grove to the livery stable, and less time than that to determine Rufus and Charlie weren\u2019t there. The Cartwrights and the sheriff then walked to the shack in which the pair lived but found the small building empty. Next, they tried the saloon but the bartender swore he hadn\u2019t seen Rufus and Charlie since yesterday.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sure don\u2019t know where they could be,\u201d admitted the sheriff, scratching his head as he leaned against the bar in the saloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have kept an eye on them,\u201d Adam said in angry voice. \u201cThey could be going after Joe right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf they did, then they\u2019ll just bring your brother in,\u201d the sheriff remarked. \u201cNo harm done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if Joe don\u2019t want to come with them?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cHe don\u2019t know the sheriff in River Bend dropped the charges against him. Joe might not be real trusting of a couple of strangers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that could be a problem, I guess,\u201d the sheriff answered. \u201cCharlie and Rufus might insist and thing could get ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they would hurt Joe?\u201d asked Ben anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instead of answering Ben\u2019s question, the sheriff turned and faced the large area of the saloon. \u201cAnybody here seen Rufus or Charlie today?\u201d he said in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, no one answered; then a man at the back of the saloon called out. \u201cI seen them a little while ago. They was walking out of town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich direction?\u201d the sheriff asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSouth,\u201d the man answered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSouth? That don\u2019t make no sense,\u201d the sheriff observed with a frown as he turned back to face the Cartwrights. \u201cAin\u2019t nothing out that way but Miss Mandy\u2019s place. They know better than to go tramping around on Miss Mandy\u2019s land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI rode up that way the other day,\u201d Hoss added. \u201cThe woman there said she hadn\u2019t seen Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe the reason they were headed in that direction has nothing to do with Joe,\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care why they were heading south,\u201d Ben declared. \u201cThose two know something about Joe and we need to find them. Let\u2019s get our horses and go after them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go with you,\u201d offered the sheriff. \u201cIf they\u2019re hunting on Miss Mandy\u2019s land, then I\u2019ve got a reason to arrest them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Seated in the living room, Joe moved a checker on the board atop the table in front of him. Out of bed and fully dressed for the first time in days, Joe felt like a new man. The only sign of his injuries were his arm resting in a sling Mandy had made from an old scarf and the fading bruise on his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re pretty good at this,\u201d Mandy remarked as she reached from the other side of the table to move a checker.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I do spend a lot of time beating my brother Hoss,\u201d Joe admitted with a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet you do,\u201d replied Mandy, her smile matching Joe\u2019s. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I\u2019ve had someone to play with. I used to be pretty good\u2026\u201d Abruptly, she stopped talking and stared across the room toward the window. \u201cWhat in heaven\u2019s name is going on out there?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning to look out the window, Joe saw the two men he had chased off from Mandy\u2019s land. They were moving a buckboard toward the front of the house. One man was in front, dragging the wagon by the tongue, while the other was pushing it from behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think those two would be dumb enough to try to steal my buckboard in broad daylight, do you?\u201d Mandy asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe answered. He watched out the window for a moment. \u201cThey seem to be moving it in front of the house, not trying to steal it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going out to see what they\u2019re doing,\u201d declared Mandy. \u201cYou go back in the bedroom, stay out of sight.\u201d Without waiting for an answer, she got up and walked toward the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe headed for the bedroom, not as a place to hide but because that\u2019s where his pistol was.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking out the door to the porch, Mandy called to the two men who were now standing behind the buckboard in the middle of her front yard. \u201cRufus! Charlie! What are you two doing? You put that buckboard back right now!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Mandy, we don\u2019t want no trouble,\u201d Charlie shouted back. \u201cWe just came here to get that fellow who\u2019s been staying with you. There\u2019s a reward out for him and me and Rufus aim to claim it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no one here but me,\u201d Mandy told the men. \u201cNow go on, get out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that ain\u2019t true, Miss Mandy,\u201d yelled Charlie. \u201cWe saw him here. The way he was all busted up, he weren\u2019t fit to go anywhere. Now you send him out so\u2019s we can take him back to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling you, there\u2019s no one here but me,\u201d Mandy insisted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly Rufus raised his rifle and fired; the bullet smashed the front window and landed somewhere in the house. Alarmed, Mandy turned and rushed back inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy in tarnation did you do that?\u201d Charlie demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI saw, Charlie,\u201d Rufus answered excitedly. \u201cI saw him through the window. I figured he\u2019d be much easier to take in dead than alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside the house, Mandy rushed to where Joe was crouched behind the sofa. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI heard what those two said. They want to take me in. Maybe I should give myself up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like they want to take you in alive,\u201d pointed out Mandy. \u201cI told you before \u2013 I didn\u2019t fix you up just so you could get yourself killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another shot rang out; this time, the bullet hit the wooden frame of the window. Joe raised his head and shoulders a bit and fired through the broken window, putting two bullets into the far side of the buckboard behind which Charlie and Rufus were hiding. Both ducked behind the wagon and then came up again. The pair fired their rifles, sending two bullets into the front of the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Half-way up the path leading to Miss Mandy\u2019s house, the sheriff suddenly pulled his horse to a stop. \u201cDid that sound like a gun shot to you?\u201d he asked the Cartwrights, not really expecting an answer. \u201cI swear, if Rufus and Charlie are hunting on Miss Mandy\u2019s land\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sound of another shot echoed through the trees, followed by in rapid succession by several more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Ben said in an urgent voice, and started his horse galloping up the hill. The other three riders followed suit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside the house, Joe and Mandy stayed low behind the sofa. After the two shots hit the house, another bullet had splintered the wood on the porch. Joe lifted himself up just enough to shoot once, and then ducked back down. He turned to Mandy. \u201cOnly three bullets left,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you have to get out of here,\u201d Mandy declared. \u201cGo out the back door to the barn. You can take my horse. I\u2019ll keep those two busy while you get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cForget it,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving. Those two are liable to kill you trying to get to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do?\u201d Mandy asked. \u201cWe can\u2019t just stay here and wait for them to run out of bullets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to leave,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cGo out the back and get the horse. Then ride as fast you can away from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the worst idea I\u2019ve ever heard,\u201d Mandy stated firmly. \u201cI\u2019m not letting anyone run me out of my own house. We\u2019ll just have to come up with another plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside behind the buckboard, Charlie and Rufus also were discussing the situation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe ain\u2019t coming out, Charlie,\u201d Rufus stated. \u201cWhat are we going to do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep shooting,\u201d Charlie told his friend. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll get lucky and hit him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut what if we don\u2019t?\u201d Rufus asked. \u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll think of something,\u201d promised Charlie. \u201cJust keep firing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So intent were the two men at shooting toward the house that neither heard the horses coming up behind them. Rufus and Charlie fired twice more before both men felt the gun barrels pressing into their backs. Startled, they froze, not daring to turn their heads.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two drop those rifles and get up very slowly,\u201d instructed Adam as he pushed his pistol against Charlie\u2019s back. \u201cDon\u2019t make any sudden moves or I\u2019ll pull this trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I got a mighty itchy trigger finger,\u201d added Hoss from behind Rufus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Terrified, Rufus and Charlie quickly dropped their rifles and raised their hands into the air. The two stood slowly, still too afraid to turn around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust what the heck do you two think you\u2019re doing?\u201d demanded the sheriff as he walked up to the pair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hearing a familiar voice, Charlie took a chance and looked over his shoulder. \u201cThere\u2019s a wanted man in there,\u201d he explained. \u201cMe and Rufus was just trying to bring him in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWanted? For what?\u201d countered the sheriff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw the wanted poster in the saloon,\u201d Rufus said, turning to face the lawman. \u201cWe seen him up here the other day when we was hunting and figured we\u2019d bring him in for the reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are more stupid than you look!\u201d exclaimed the sheriff. \u201cThat man isn\u2019t wanted by the law. His family was just trying to find him. You almost killed an innocent man. And what were you doing hunting on Miss Mandy\u2019s land anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Realizing his mistake, Rufus took a big gulp and determinedly close his mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hearing Rufus\u2019 explanation, Ben hurried forward. \u201cJoe!\u201d he called toward the house. \u201cJoe, are you in there!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The front door of the house opened, and Joe walked out, followed by Mandy. \u201cPa!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe my eyes when I saw you, and Adam and Hoss out there. How did you find me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring his son\u2019s question, Ben rushed to the porch. He put his hands on Joe\u2019s shoulders and raked his son with his eyes, noting the arm in the sling and the bruise on Joe\u2019s head. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust a broken wrist and some busted ribs,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cNothing that\u2019ll keep me down for very long. Mandy here is a pretty good doctor. She\u2019s been looking after me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Satisfied, Ben pulled Joe toward him and gave his son a quick hug. Then he turned to the woman standing next to Joe. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said simply. \u201cThank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d Mandy answered with a nod.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Since the sheriff was holding his gun on Rufus and Charlie, Adam and Hoss walked to the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle brother, you sure caused us a heap of trouble,\u201d Hoss declared as came up to Joe. \u201cWe\u2019ve been looking for you for days.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe, we\u2019ve got better things to do than chasing around half the country looking for you,\u201d added Adam as he joined his brothers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just figured you two were getting bored doing ranch work,\u201d Joe said with a grin. \u201cI thought I\u2019d give you something interesting to do for a change.\u201d His faced sobered, though, when he turned to his father. \u201cPa, there was some trouble over in River Bend\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe know all about it, Joe,\u201d Ben interrupted his son. \u201cThe sheriff arrested the man who killed the other man in the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I heard one of those fellows out front say there was a wanted poster out on me,\u201d Joe stated, clearly confused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe put out a poster asking for information about your whereabouts,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cWe thought it would help us find you. Clearly that idea backfired on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe realized Mandy was standing nearby. He quickly made introductions all around.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were a bounty hunter when you were out here before,\u201d Mandy said to Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. If I had known you were Joe\u2019s brother, I would have told you he was here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my fault, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss replied. \u201cI didn\u2019t really explain why I was looking for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBrother Adam here is the one who is good with words,\u201d Joe added with a smile. \u201cHe would have probably given you my life history. Hoss, on the other hand, is better around animals than people.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d Mandy said with a spark of interest in her eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Mandy,\u201d called the sheriff from a top his horse in the yard. He had a rifle pointed at Charlie and Rufus, who were standing with their hands tied behind their backs in front of the lawman\u2019s horse. \u201cI\u2019m taking these two back to town. You all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, sheriff,\u201d Mandy assured the lawman. \u201cAre you going to put them in jail?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes ma\u2019am,\u201d acknowledged the sheriff. \u201cI\u2019m arresting Rufus and Charlie for assault with a deadly weapon and trespassing. I\u2019ll probably think of a few more things I can charge them with by the time I get to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d agreed Mandy. \u201cThat\u2019ll keep them away from my land for quite awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Miss Mandy,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cI doubt if you\u2019ll ever see them around here again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the sheriff marched Rufus and Charlie back toward town, Mandy turned to the Cartwrights. \u201cYou all should come in. I think we all have some stories to tell. I think telling them inside with some sandwiches and coffee would be more comfortable for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d said Hoss eagerly, rubbing his hands in anticipation. \u201cI could use a bite or two to tide me over. I\u2019m starting to feel kind of puny.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re unbelievable,\u201d remarked Adam, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the group started into the house, Joe pulled his father aside. \u201cPa, I\u2019m really sorry about all the trouble and worry I caused. I wasn\u2019t going to run away from the trouble in River Bend. It\u2019s just when that deputy started talking about lynching, well, I thought going was a better idea than staying. I would have been in Virginia City days ago if that fool horse hadn\u2019t fallen and thrown me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe,\u201d Ben told his son. \u201cThis whole situation was nothing but a series of misunderstandings.\u201d He put his hand on Joe\u2019s neck and squeezed it lightly. \u201cI\u2019m just glad we found you and that you\u2019re going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be you\u2019re glad to know your son isn\u2019t really a wanted man,\u201d Joe said with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh you\u2019re a wanted man all right,\u201d replied. Ben. \u201cBut it\u2019s not the law that wants you, it\u2019s us. We very much want you back home on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to give myself up for that, Pa,\u201d Joe acknowledged, his smile widening into a grin. \u201cTake me in. I\u2019m ready to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Far from home, Joe is charged with a crime he didn’t commit, and the dead man’s brother wants justice…or is it revenge?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (14,525 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":376,"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":[15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-drama","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1691,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11839,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11839","url_meta":{"origin":13910,"position":0},"title":"Do as I Say (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"September 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben has always tried to teach by example, tried to get it through to his sons how he expects them to act. But do they ever listen? A 2015 Camp in the Pines story and a WHN for Quality of Mercy.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (1,255 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/joe-pa.jpg?fit=640%2C514&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14189,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14189","url_meta":{"origin":13910,"position":1},"title":"What Child is This? (by Anne G)","author":"AnneG","date":"February 18, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis: The Cartwright's hire a new hand and his wife.\u00a0 A young Little Joe is especially drawn to the wife.\u00a0 The true meaning of Christmas revealed once again. Rating:\u00a0T \u00a0due to language \u00a0(24,300)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57883,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=57883","url_meta":{"origin":13910,"position":2},"title":"Payback (by Wrangler)","author":"Wrangler","date":"June 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: It's time for payback when Little Joe is unwittingly duped by Pete Timmons, setting the stage for one final battle between them. The conclusion of \"The Third Son\" Trilogy. Rating T\u00a0 \u00a0 WC 22,067 The Third Son Series: The Third Son The Devil's Hold Payback Payback (the follow-up story\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ben \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Ben \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1015"},"img":{"alt_text":"Little Joe","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot_20250804_152018_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=909%2C701&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot_20250804_152018_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=909%2C701&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot_20250804_152018_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=909%2C701&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot_20250804_152018_YouTube-1.jpg?fit=909%2C701&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13851,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13851","url_meta":{"origin":13910,"position":3},"title":"Belonging (by Camera Chic)","author":"Camera Chic","date":"February 28, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: It's 1859, and Joe has received a letter that sends him on a journey to discover where he truly belongs. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (9,750 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1314,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1314","url_meta":{"origin":13910,"position":4},"title":"A Question of Doubt (by KateP)","author":"KateP","date":"May 4, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is left to face the future alone when the unthinkable happens. 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