{"id":13917,"date":"2006-12-12T10:35:03","date_gmt":"2006-12-12T15:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13917"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:18","slug":"black-stallion-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13917","title":{"rendered":"Black Stallion (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Pa’s away, leaving the boys in charge of….what else?\u00a0 Trouble.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (36,380 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Black Stallion<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The moonlight glistened off the black coat of the stallion as he circled the corral. The horse held himself with almost regal dignity as he trotted slowly around his small kingdom. He knew who was the master of the corral, as did the mares that stood patiently in the center of the pen. The mares watched the stallion with unconcerned eyes, deferring to the male but not afraid of him. The stallion ignored the mares as he once more circled the corral, a king guarding his small realm. If the horse had understood what price he was going to command at the auction tomorrow, he might have been proud. But then, maybe not. He might not have been proud of what it was going to cost several men in their quest to own him.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cEat up, boys; we\u2019ve got a lot of work to do today,\u201d declared Adam Cartwright as he began to cut up the pancakes on his breakfast plate.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe Cartwright took a sip of coffee. He looked almost wistfully at the empty chair at the end of the table. It had only been three days since his father, Ben Cartwright, had left for Sacramento. To Joe, it felt like three weeks. He didn\u2019t understand how his brother Adam always seemed to find twice as much work that had to be done than their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe, don\u2019t dawdle,\u201d Adam urged his brother. He glanced at his brother Hoss, sitting opposite Joe. \u201cYou need a hearty breakfast, like Hoss is having.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, how come you always get to be in charge when Pa\u2019s away,\u201d asked Joe in an exasperated voice. \u201cHow come I never get to be in charge?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re twenty, and I\u2019m not,\u201d answered Adam in an overly patient voice. He had heard this complaint many times. \u201cYour signature on contracts isn\u2019t even legal until next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe that\u2019s right,\u201d conceded Joe grudgingly. \u201cBut how about Hoss? Why can\u2019t he be in charge for a change?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want to be in charge,\u201d said Hoss with a shrug as he chewed the large bits of pancake in his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t talk with food in your mouth,\u201d advised Adam in an automatic tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Hoss waited until he didn\u2019t have any food in his mouth, he\u2019d never say anything,\u201d cackled Joe with a grin. \u201cHe\u2019d be known at the silent Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a big frame,\u201d Hoss said as he speared a sausage. \u201cI need a lot to fill it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, your frame is about as big as the one around this house,\u201d commented Joe laughingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d interrupted Adam. \u201cThat\u2019s enough fooling around. Joe, I want you to check on the herd in the south pasture. See what the grazing is like and let me know if we should think about moving them. And check the water in the creek. I saw some beavers there last week, and they might decide to build a dam on that creek. On the way back, stop by the sawmill and make sure they\u2019re on schedule. That broken blade they had a few days ago slowed things down. I\u2019m meeting with Vern Higgins today about renewing the timber contract for his mine, and I want to be sure we don\u2019t commit to anything we can\u2019t deliver on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing again, Joe nodded. \u201cAnything else you\u2019d like me to do?\u201d he asked in a weary voice. \u201cMaybe I could stop at the lake and drain a few feet from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring Joe, Adam turned to Hoss. \u201cYou ready? We\u2019ve got a lot to get done before that horse auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiping his hands on a napkin, Hoss nodded. \u201cYeah, I just got to get that list of supplies from Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed suspiciously. \u201cWhere are you going, Hoss?\u201d he asked in a dark tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting supplies today, little brother,\u201d answered Hoss nonchalantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow wait a minute,\u201d said Joe. He looked back and forth at his brothers. \u201cYou\u2019re going to meet with Vern Higgins, Adam, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d agreed Adam with a confused look.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd his office is in Virginia City, isn\u2019t it?\u201d continued Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Adam acknowledged with a nod. He looked at Joe cautiously, beginning to understand what his brother was thinking.<\/p>\n

Turning to Hoss, Joe said, \u201cAnd you\u2019re going to pick up supplies, right? I assume you\u2019re going to do that in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Hoss with a frown, not understanding the question. \u201cThat\u2019s where the store is, little brother. Been there for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, let\u2019s see if I\u2019ve got this right,\u201d declared Joe, glowering at Adam and Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m making the long ride to the south pasture, checking on a bunch of dumb steers and maybe undamming a creek. Then I\u2019m making a ten mile detour to the sawmill on the way back. You two, on the other hand, are going into Virginia City.\u201d Joe cocked his head and his eyes narrowed again. \u201cDoesn\u2019t that strike you as just a tad unfair?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Hoss, genuinely not understanding Joe\u2019s complaint. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be working, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, you\u2019ll be working all right,\u201d agreed Joe with a tinge of disgust in his voice. \u201cAdam will be sitting in a nice cool office, maybe drinking lemonade, while he works on that contract. And after Hoss loads those three or four sacks into the wagon, he\u2019ll be so tuckered out that he\u2019ll just have to go get himself a beer. Meanwhile, I\u2019m stuck on a dusty trail, sucking warm water from a canteen. Something is just not right with this picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe,\u201d explained Adam in a patient voice. \u201cWe\u2019ve all got work to do. It just happens that Hoss and I need to be in Virginia City today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t you pick up the supplies after you meet with Harris?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cThen Hoss could check on the sawmill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Sam Bennett is having a horse auction, and I won\u2019t have time to pick up the supplies and make the auction,\u201d Adam replied, his patience starting to wear thin. \u201cThis way, Hoss and I can both take care of our business and both go to the auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t take two of you to look at some horses,\u201d grumbled Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Sam Bennett,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cHe mixes in some good horses with some pretty average stock. It\u2019s always a good idea to have two of us looking at his animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can tell a good horse from a bad one just as well as Adam can,\u201d complained Joe. \u201cMaybe even better. Why can\u2019t I go to the auction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m not going to argue with you,\u201d said Adam in a heated voice. \u201cNow I\u2019ve told you what I need to you to do, and I expect you to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just who put you in charge?\u201d Joe asked angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa did!\u201d replied Adam in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

The mention of their father\u2019s name brought the budding argument to a screeching halt. All three brothers glanced around the dining room with guilty looks, as if they expected Ben Cartwright to magically appear and chastise them.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe,\u201d Adam continued in a reasonable voice. \u201cI know you\u2019re getting the rotten end of the stick today. I\u2019m sorry, but there\u2019s not much I can do about it. I promise we\u2019ll make it up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, little brother,\u201d added Hoss in a soothing voice. \u201cWe\u2019ll give you a nice easy day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve got a better idea,\u201d said Joe with a calculating look on his face.<\/p>\n

Now it was Adam\u2019s turn to look suspicious. \u201cAnd just what is that?\u201d he asked in a skeptical voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, since you\u2019re meeting with Higgins, I think it would be better if you went out to the sawmill and made sure they can meet his schedule,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI\u2019ll check on the herd, then meet Hoss in town for the auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds reasonable to me,\u201d agreed Hoss with a shrug.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep out of this,\u201d Adam said with a frown to Hoss. He turned back to Joe.
\n\u201cWhy are you so anxious to go to that auction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo reason in particular,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cI just think we should all concentrate on what we do best. You\u2019re good at timber contracts, and you should keep your focus on that. I\u2019m good at horses, so I should go to the auction. Besides, you\u2019ll know better what to check on at the sawmill than I would, especially after you\u2019ve talked with Higgins.\u201d<\/p>\n

A thoughtful look crossed Adam\u2019s face as he tried to find a flaw in Joe\u2019s argument. As Adam considered his idea, Joe looked down, trying to hide the smug expression on his face. But Joe couldn\u2019t resist watching Adam out of the corner of his eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d sighed Adam. \u201cI guess your idea makes sense, although for some reason, I get the feeling I shouldn\u2019t agree to this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe attacked his breakfast with gusto. \u201cRelax, Adam,\u201d he said as he forked a piece of pancake into his mouth. \u201cIt\u2019s only a horse auction. What can happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Leaning against the fence of the corral, Joe studied the horses Sam Bennett was offering for auction. His face was impassive, showing virtually no interest in the animals he watched. Only a close inspection would have revealed the gleam in his eye as Joe observed the black stallion circling the pen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe, see anything of interest?\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Joe saw his brother, Hoss, nearing the corral. Joe shrugged with an exaggerated air of indifference. \u201cThere\u2019s one or two in there that might be worth bidding on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning against the fence, Hoss peered at the horses. His practiced eye immediately spotted the stallion prancing around the pen. \u201cThat black don\u2019t look too bad,\u201d he said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cHe\u2019s got a nice build. Might be some Tennessee Walker in him. Look at the way he lifts his feet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea how old he is?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took a close look at him awhile ago,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI figure he\u2019s about five or six years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys ain\u2019t thinking of buying that black stallion, are you?\u201d said a man standing to Joe\u2019s right. His voice was tinged with alarm.<\/p>\n

Turning a bit to his right, Joe recognized the speaker as Abe Stevens, a rancher who had a small spread west of the Ponderosa. Stevens was an older man, as evidenced by the white hair that was visible under his battered hat and the gray in his beard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might be,\u201d acknowledged Joe in a cautious voice. \u201cAny reason we shouldn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t you heard?\u201d Stevens replied. \u201cThat horse is bad luck. I\u2019d stay far away from that animal if I was you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBad luck?\u201d said Hoss in a puzzled voice. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hear tell that the night he was born, lightning struck the barn,\u201d explained Stevens in a serious voice. \u201cBurned about half the place down. Then Bennett\u2019s top hand broke his leg trying to ride him. Sam sold him about three months ago to a fellow over near Dawson. Two days later, the fellow was killed in a stampede. His widow sold the horse back to Bennett because she needed the money. About a week after Sam got him back, the horse got loose. Bennett\u2019s men finally found him up in Coldwater Canyon. Right after they roped him, there was a rock slide. Two of Sam\u2019s men got hurt real bad, and a horse was killed.\u201d Stevens shook his head. \u201cThat animal don\u2019t bring nothing but bad luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hardly think the horse caused the barn to burn or started a rock slide,\u201d Joe observed in a dry voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome animals is just cursed,\u201d insisted Stevens. \u201cAnd anyone who hangs around them, well, they just get cursed too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Abe,\u201d said Hoss in a skeptical voice. \u201cYou don\u2019t believe that, do you? That\u2019s just superstition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys suit yourself,\u201d Stevens responded, shaking his head. \u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t buy that stallion, if I were you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re not us,\u201d Joe asserted. \u201cIf the price is right, we can use that stallion to improve our stock. We\u2019re not going to be scared off by some wild tales of bad luck and cursed animals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pulling his battered hat down over his eyes, Stevens turned away from the Cartwrights. \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry if you buy that horse,\u201d he muttered as he walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe,\u201d said Hoss, eyeing the stallion nervously. \u201cYou don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything to what Abe was saying, do you? You don\u2019t think that buying that stallion is, well, a bad idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d Joe declared firmly. \u201cAbe\u2019s just telling tales. Nothing bad is going to happen if we buy that horse.\u201d He clapped Hoss on the shoulder with a reassuring gesture. \u201cCome on; help me decide which of those mares are worth bidding on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss were still studying the horses when the four men approached them. Joe saw them coming, and watched them out of the corner of his eye. The men were dressed in worn but clean clothes. They looked like miners, with their tall boots and woven pants held up by suspenders. Each man wore a holster, but the leather belts were wrapped high around their hips, as if the men weren\u2019t used to having them on. The holsters and the pistols in them looked new, further evidence that these were not men who were comfortable with guns.<\/p>\n

A heavy-set man with thick arms seemed to be the leader. He walked purposely toward the Cartwrights, while the other three followed on his heels. As they came closer, Joe wondered who they were and why they were at the auction. To Joe, they looked like men more comfortable holding a pick or shovel, than the reins of a horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cOld man over there says you are planning to bid on that black horse,\u201d announced the leader as he stopped next to Joe.<\/p>\n

Turning slowly, Joe faced the men. \u201cI don\u2019t see where that\u2019s any business of yours, Mr.\u2026\u201d answered Joe in a voice than implied curiosity rather than offense.<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend, Harry Townsend,\u201d the leader supplied. \u201cThis here is my brother Jed.\u201d Townsend cocked his head over his shoulder toward a younger man. \u201cThe other two are our partners, Ed Neeley and Jake Campbell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease to meet you,\u201d Joe acknowledged the men with a nod. He looked at Townsend. \u201cI don\u2019t want to sound rude, but it\u2019s really none of your business whether we bid on that stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just trying to save us both some money,\u201d replied Townsend. \u201cWe want that horse, and we aim to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then I suggest you bid on him,\u201d said Joe politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will and we\u2019ll get him,\u201d Townsend stated confidently. \u201cYou won\u2019t be able to out-bid us and all your bidding will do will raise the price. I\u2019ll pay whatever it takes to get that horse but I don\u2019t want to have to shell out a lot of money just because you are upping the price.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why should I be concerned about the price if you\u2019re going to buy the horse?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat stallion is coming up last,\u201d explained Townsend. \u201cNow if you were to hold back on buying other horses \u2018cause you\u2019re saving your money for that stallion, you\u2019d come up with nothing. I figure I\u2019m doing you a favor by telling you up front you won\u2019t get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is that horse so important to you fellas?\u201d asked Hoss in puzzlement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe and my brother and our partners, we just bought ourselves a piece of land with some money we made from a silver strike,\u201d Jed answered. \u201cWe got ourselves some brood mares, but we need that stallion to get our horse ranch really running.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut there\u2019s lot of places where you can buy a stallion,\u201d commented Hoss, still puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but we don\u2019t know much about horses,\u201d replied Jed. \u201cEven a fool can tell that stallion is a good one. My brother got taken before when he brought some broken down old nag. We don\u2019t aim to let that happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Jed,\u201d snarled Townsend. He turned and slapped his brother across the face. \u201cYou don\u2019t need tell everyone our business.\u201d The two men standing next to Jed seemed unconcerned by Townsend\u2019s conduct toward his brother.<\/p>\n

Rubbing his cheek, Jed looked down. \u201cSorry, Harry,\u201d he mumbled apologetically.<\/p>\n

Turning back to Joe, Townsend demanded, \u201cWhat about it? You going to stay out of the bidding?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Townsend with distaste. He disliked men who used their fists to make a point. He deliberately turned his back on the four men and looked into the corral. \u201cI\u2019ll think about it,\u201d said Joe, his tone clearly implying that he was dismissing the men.<\/p>\n

The narrowing of his eyes and the red flush that was creeping up his neck showed the anger growing in Townsend. \u201cYou be smart and don\u2019t bid on that horse,\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

Ignoring the men, Joe continued to stare into the corral.<\/p>\n

The anger continued to grow in Townsend as he saw that Joe wasn\u2019t going to respond. Finally, he stamped his foot. \u201cCome on, boys,\u201d he snapped to his brother and partners, \u201clet\u2019s get out of here.\u201d Townsend turned on his heel and stalked away, the other three men following in his wake.<\/p>\n

Leaning against the corral next to Joe, Hoss didn\u2019t say anything for a minute or two. Finally, he asked, \u201cAre you going to bid on that stallion, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d replied Joe without looking at his brother. \u201cWhatever it costs, we\u2019re buying that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend\u2019s not going to like that,\u201d advised Hoss shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too bad,\u201d Joe said evenly. \u201cBut I\u2019m not going to let him have that stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Turning, Joe rested his shoulder against the corral and looked at Hoss. \u201cMen like Townsend expect to get their way, and if they don\u2019t, they get mad,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cYou heard his brother say they don\u2019t know much about horses. And based on what Abe said, that stallion is a handful. If Townsend gets him, he won\u2019t be able to handle the horse. When the horse doesn\u2019t do what he wants, Townsend probably will get angry and abuse the animal. I would hate to see that happen to a fine young stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking away, Hoss thought about what Joe had said, and then he slowly nodded his head in agreement. \u201cLet\u2019s buy ourselves a stallion,\u201d Hoss told his younger brother.<\/p>\n

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

Sam Bennett\u2019s auctions always followed the same format. Bennett brought out the average horses first, which sold for average prices. Joe supposed that Bennett hoped that one day an unsuspecting buyer would pay a lot for one of those average horses, but so far, that hadn\u2019t happened.<\/p>\n

The auction was being held just outside of Virginia City, in a corral with a barn attached. The site was rented regularly for horse auctions, and Bennett was a frequent customer. The horse breeder acted as auctioneer, standing on a crate in the middle of the corral. The horses had been herded into the barn, and then brought out one at a time. Bennett extolled the virtue of each horse as one of his men led it around the corral. When the bidding was over, the horse was returned to the barn for collection by its new owner after the auction price had been paid.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights leaned against the fence surrounding the enclosure, looking as bored as they felt while the first few horses were sold. Bennett had looked expectantly in their direction as he opened the bidding on each animal, but he wasn\u2019t surprised when Joe and Hoss made no move to buy any of them.<\/p>\n

When horse number six, a bay mare, was trotted out, Joe\u2019s attention was drawn to the animal, although the bored expression on his face hadn\u2019t changed. \u201cThat one of them?\u201d he asked in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d replied Hoss, his voice equally as low.<\/p>\n

The bidding started slowly. Joe waited until the price had reached $35, then offered $40. His bid drew looks from a number of people around the corral. The Cartwrights were known to be pretty fair judges of horses. If Joe Cartwright was interested in a horse, then the animal must be pretty good. The bidding proceeded at a much brisker pace until Joe finally bought the mare for $70.<\/p>\n

As Sam Bennett pounded his gavel and yelled \u201cSold for $70 to Joe Cartwright\u201d, Joe looked toward Townsend who was leaning against the fence a few fee away. When Townsend stared back with a malevolent expression on his face, Joe shrugged and looked away. Evidently, the name Cartwright didn\u2019t mean anything to the miner turned horseman. It wasn\u2019t often that Joe wanted to use his family\u2019s name to impress someone, but in this case, he had been hoping the name Cartwright, and the imposing amount of resources attached to it, might discourage Townsend from trying to out-bid him on the stallion.<\/p>\n

Horse number seven was trotted out as Joe walked slowly to a table near the corral gate. He glanced at the horse to confirm that it wasn\u2019t an animal on which he wanted to bid, then continued to the table. Sam Bennett\u2019s foreman was sitting at the table, acting as cashier.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got yourself a good one,\u201d the man at the table said with a smile as Joe counted out $70 and handed it to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Joe with a nod. He cocked his head and studied the man at the table. \u201cThat stallion is going to cost me a lot more than $70.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he should go pretty high,\u201d confirmed the foreman. \u201cUnless the rumors about him being cursed scare people off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t believe he\u2019s cursed!\u201d exclaimed Joe a bit alarmed that Abe Steven\u2019s story might actually be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he did break my leg,\u201d the man at the table told Joe solemnly. \u201cAnd he\u2019s black as the devil himself.\u201d The foreman shook his head, then broke into a grin. \u201cNaw, I don\u2019t believe that horse is bad luck. He\u2019s frisky, that\u2019s all. It\u2019s my fault my leg got broke. I didn\u2019t check the saddle cinch, and it came loose when he bucked. I got all tangled up in the stirrup. If I had done my job right, it never would have happened. Makes a good story, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning back at the man, Joe declared, \u201cWell, it will either drive up the price or drive people away. I\u2019m betting it will drive the price up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re right, for Sam\u2019s sake,\u201d remarked the foreman.<\/p>\n

Glancing at the wallet from which he had taken the bills for the first horse, Joe said, \u201cThe price might be more than I brought with me. Think Sam would be willing to wait an hour or so for his money if I have to go to the bank to get it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Joe,\u201d answered the man at the table, nodding. \u201cWe know the Cartwrights are good for the money.\u201d The man grinned again. \u201cBesides, if the price goes as high as you think, Sam will be more than happy to wait a bit to get that much cash.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding his thanks, Joe took the bill of sale for the mare and walked back to the corral fence.<\/p>\n

Waiting patiently, Joe and Hoss watched as horses number eight, nine, and ten were sold to other buyers. Several of the men around the corral glanced at the Cartwrights before bidding on the animals, looking for some sign that the two men might have an interest. The buyers had conflicted feelings about any sign of interest from the Cartwrights. A Cartwright bidding on a horse confirmed that it was a good one, but none of the buyers wanted to get into a bidding war with the men from the Ponderosa. They all knew they could never match the resources available to the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

Horse number eleven, a roan, brought a quick nod from Hoss. \u201cThat\u2019s the other one,\u201d he said in a low voice. Joe gave no sign that he had heard his brother, but when the bidding was done, he had bought the animal for $85 dollars.<\/p>\n

Seeing that the stallion was the next \u2013 and last \u2013 horse to be brought to the center of the corral, Joe sent Hoss off the pay for the mare he had just purchased. He didn\u2019t want to take a chance on missing the bidding for the black animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, here\u2019s a fine young stallion,\u201d announced Bennett as the horse was trotted around the corral. \u201cFour years old and sound as a dollar. You can use him as working stock, breeding stock or both. You can see what a fine chest and strong legs he has, and the animal has a lot of spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpirit or the devil in him?\u201d shouted one of the men from the fence. A low murmur from the other buyers buzzed around the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse has a lot of spirit, that\u2019s all,\u201d repeated Bennett in a firm voice. He looked around at the men leaning against the corral. \u201cWhat am I bid for this magnificent animal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA hundred dollars,\u201d yelled Townsend.<\/p>\n

The bid caused another buzz of comment and even Joe\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. An opening bid of a hundred dollars was way too high, in his mind. The stallion was a fine animal, even if Sam had cheated a bit on his age, but not worth an opening bid of a hundred. Joe could only guess that Townsend was trying to keep all the other buyers from bidding.<\/p>\n

\u201cA hundred and twenty,\u201d called Joe. Once more, a hum seemed to speed around the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cA hundred and fifty,\u201d countered Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo hundred,\u201d shouted Joe in a firm voice.<\/p>\n

An almost eerie quiet descended on the corral. The other men watched silently as the bidding progressed. They knew a bidding war when they saw one, and no one wanted to miss the action.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo fifty,\u201d yelled Townsend. He turned and glared at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree hundred,\u201d replied Joe almost indifferently.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour hundred dollars,\u201d said Townsend. He shrugged off the hand one of his partners had put on his shoulder as a warning.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour fifty,\u201d offered Joe.<\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, Townsend turned and talked with the three men behind him briefly. His brother stood impassively as the other two men shook their heads. Townsend made an angry comment which Joe couldn\u2019t hear. Joe saw Townsend push the two men away with a violent shove, and again he vowed the young stallion would not fall into the hands of such a man.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive hundred dollars,\u201d shouted Townsend. He gave Joe a nasty grin, confident that he had out-bid his opponent at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive fifty,\u201d said Joe immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t do that!\u201d cried Townsend. \u201cFive hundred dollars is all we have!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you should have brought more money,\u201d replied Joe in a cold voice. He turned to the man standing on the crate in the middle of the corral. \u201cWhat about it, Sam? Is the horse mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

Almost too astonished to speak, Bennett turned toward Townsend. Bennett had expected a good price for the stallion but never in his wildest dreams had he expected to the bidding to pass five hundred dollars. \u201cAre\u2026are you done, mister?\u201d he asked Townsend in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

Reaching into his vest, Townsend pulled out a wad of bills. \u201cThis here is my five hundred dollars,\u201d he declared. \u201cI want to see the color of his money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need to see Joe Cartwright\u2019s money,\u201d replied Bennett, his eyes narrowing. \u201cI don\u2019t know who you are, mister, but I do know the Cartwrights own the biggest ranch in Nevada. And they have never, ever failed to pay a debt. Now, unless you have more than five hundred and fifty dollars in that bankroll, you put it away and shut up!\u201d<\/p>\n

If looks could kill, both Bennett and Joe would have been dead men. Townsend\u2019s eyes burned as he slowly put the money back in his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone want to go higher than five fifty?\u201d asked Bennett in a hopeful voice as he surveyed the men around the fence. The breeder\u2019s comment broke the tension and laughter greeted his question. Bennett grinned in return. He pointed to Joe. \u201cSold to Joe Cartwright of the Ponderosa for five hundred and fifty dollars!\u201d said Bennett in a gleeful voice. \u201cJoe, I do believe you\u2019ve just sent my wife on a shopping spree!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to do it, Sam,\u201d responded Joe as the laughter reverberated around the corral once more. He turned his head and watched as Harry Townsend and the other three men walked away. Jed Townsend walked a few feet behind the others. The younger man stopped and stared into the corral for a minute, the disappointment clearly evidenced on his face. Jed watched carefully as the stallion was led back into the barn. Almost as if he felt Joe\u2019s eyes on him, the younger Townsend turned and looked across the corral at the man who had out-bid his brother. The disappointment on Jed\u2019s face turned into a look of determination. Then he spun around and rushed to catch up with his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoowhee! Five hundred and fifty dollars!\u201d a voice exclaimed behind Joe. \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning, Joe looked into Hoss\u2019 broad face. His brother\u2019s big white hat was pushed back on his head and Hoss was shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe agreed we were going to buy that stallion no matter what it cost,\u201d said Joe defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we did, Joe,\u201d Hoss acknowledged. \u201cI just didn\u2019t think it would cost that much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you rather have had that stallion go to Townsend?\u201d demanded Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Hoss answered in an agreeable voice. \u201cYou did the right thing. I\u2019m just wondering what Pa is going to say when he hears about it. I got a feeling that he\u2019s not going to be too happy with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that depends,\u201d replied Joe slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn what?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn whether we can figure out a way to blame this on Adam somehow,\u201d said Joe with a grin.<\/p>\n

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

Standing in the shadows at the side of the barn, Jed Townsend watched as one of the buyers led a horse away. Bennett\u2019s foreman stood near the door, next to another hand. \u201cThat the last one?\u201d asked the hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll except the stallion,\u201d confirmed Bennett\u2019s foreman. \u201cJoe Cartwright is going to come get him as soon as he settles up with the boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right with you if I head for town?\u201d asked the hand. \u201cI could sure use a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed the foreman. \u201cCartwright should be along soon. I\u2019ll meet you over at the Silver Dollar as soon as he collects his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching Bennett\u2019s man walking toward town, Jed moved a bit deeper into the shadows. He wanted to wait until he knew Bennett\u2019s foreman was settled on the bench by the barn door. As he waited, Jed thought again of the stallion. While his brother and their partners drowned their sorrows in beer at the saloon, Jed had sat outside the Silver Door, his thoughts consumed with the black horse and his desire to have it. He had seen the Cartwrights leading the two mares they had bought down the street, and watched as the animals were tied to the back of a buckboard near the general store. The mares had stood placidly behind the wagon.<\/p>\n

When Jed had realized the stallion wasn\u2019t being led into town, his hopes had soared. He began to think that something had gone wrong with the deal, and that he still had a chance to own the horse he coveted. But his hopes were dashed when he saw Joe Cartwright walking toward the bank. Jed saw Sam Bennett standing outside the door of the bank, waiting patiently. As the two men entered the bank, Jed knew the deal was done. The stallion belonged to the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

As Jed waited in the shadows, he thought again of the animal inside the barn. Jed was honest enough with himself to admit that he wanted it horse not only because it was a fine animal, but also to prove to his brother that he wasn\u2019t as useless as Harry thought he was. All right, maybe he had messed up things more than once, Jed thought to himself. But this time, he was going to make things right. He was going to take that stallion and ride him up to their ranch in the hills. They would have to keep the horse hidden for a bit, but once the furor died down, they could breed the horse as they had planned. Jed was sure that his brother would be proud of him.<\/p>\n

Bennett\u2019s foreman had settled on the bench by the barn door. The man was leaning back, his hat pulled low over his eyes. Jed knew the time was right. Creeping around the side of the barn, he walked silently toward the foreman. Jed pulled the new pistol from his holster, the shiny gun that his brother had insisted Jed and their partners needed now that they were ranchers instead of miners.<\/p>\n

As Jed raised the gun, the shadow of his arm crossed the foreman\u2019s face. \u201cHey!\u201d shouted the man, looking up into the face of his assailant. Jed brought the gun down swiftly, knocking the foreman to the ground in an unconscious heap.<\/p>\n

Holstering his pistol, Jed hurried into the barn. He stopped inside the door, giving his eyes a minute to adjust to the dim light. All the stalls were empty, except the one in the middle on the right. There, in the middle stall, stood the black horse.<\/p>\n

Hurrying forward, Jed rushed into the stall. He was as ignorant about horses as his brother, so he didn\u2019t bother to stroke the horse to let the animal know he was approaching. Jed also didn\u2019t realize he was sweating both with excitement and the fear of getting caught.<\/p>\n

Startled by the sudden appearance of the man in the stall, the horse shied and whinnied. The stallion smelled the excitement and fear of his intruder, and that made the animal even more nervous. The horse began to prance in the stall, his whinnies growing louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up,\u201d Jed hissed at the horse, as if the animal would understand him. He quickly untied the lead rope from the ring in the stall. The other end of the rope was attached to the halter around the stallion\u2019s head. Jed snapped the rope, hoping that would make the horse back up.<\/p>\n

Frightened, the stallion backed up quickly, yanking Jed from the stall. Jed fell to his knees, dropping the rope as he hit the straw-covered floor. The horse backed away even further from the intruder.<\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Jed grabbed the lead once more, and again he snapped the rope. \u201cSettle down,\u201d he ordered the animal in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

The voice and the snapping rope scared the stallion even more. The horse began to scream and tried kick the man in front of him. Jed saw the hoof coming toward him, and jumped out of the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to kick me, will you!\u201d snarled Jed. He shortened his grip on the rope, and picked up the loose end with his right hand. Jed flicked the end of the rope into the stallion\u2019s face, stinging the animal\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n

Thoroughly panicked, the stallion began to rear and scream. Jed held the rope even tighter, preventing the horse from raising its feet more than a few inches from the ground. Jed began to whip the rope across the horse\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d yelled a voice from the front of the barn.<\/p>\n

Surprised, Jed dropped the rope and spun around. Standing in the doorway with their guns drawn were Joe and Hoss Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Suddenly free, the stallion ran forward, brushing Jed and knocking him to the ground as the animal made a break for freedom through the open door. Joe and Hoss jumped aside, letting the horse go. Both were smart enough not to try to stop a horse running right at them. Distracted, they didn\u2019t realize Jed had scrambled to his feet and pulled his gun until they heard the click of the hammer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop your guns,\u201d Jed ordered.<\/p>\n

Turning slowly, Joe and Hoss faced Jed, their guns both still in their hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t dumb enough to think you can shoot both of us, are you?\u201d asked Hoss in a menacing tone. \u201cYou hit one of us, and the other will kill you before you can cock that gun again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop your guns,\u201d Jed said again, but this time there was more than a trace of doubt in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut the gun down,\u201d Joe advised in a cold voice. \u201cNobody\u2019s gotten hurt yet. Let\u2019s keep it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring at the Cartwrights, Jed saw the guns in their hands were steady. His own gun was wavering, and Jed could feel the sweat on his fingers and palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut the gun down,\u201d Joe repeated. \u201cI\u2019m not going to tell you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two parts of Jed\u2019s brain warred with each other. One part insisted he be reasonable and drop the gun. The other part insisted that he could get away if he pulled the trigger. For a moment, it looked as if the reasonable side of Jed\u2019s brain would win. He lowered the gun. But then, for some inexplicable reason, the other half of Jed\u2019s brain took over. He quickly raised the gun again and pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n

The three shots rang out almost as one. Jed\u2019s bullet went wild, digging into a post several feet away from the Cartwrights. But Hoss and Joe\u2019s bullets were true. One burrowed into Jed\u2019s shoulder while the other put a hole in Jed\u2019s thigh.<\/p>\n

As Jed fell to the floor screaming in pain, Joe and Hoss rushed forward. Hoss quickly kicked away the gun the younger Townsend had dropped. Joe bent over the form on the ground, then called over his shoulder. \u201cGet the doctor, Hoss \u2013 and the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up into Joe\u2019s face, Jed had one last conscious thought. Boy, thought Jed as he drifted off into the pool of darkness, Harry is really going to be mad this time.<\/p>\n

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

By the time Harry Townsend reached the barn, the building was filled with people. Townsend shoved aside several curious on-lookers standing just inside the door and pushed his way into the barn. \u201cWhere\u2019s Jed?\u201d he shouted to no one in particular. \u201cWhere\u2019s my brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gesturing with his head, Sheriff Roy Coffee replied, \u201cHe\u2019s over there. The doc is still working on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking toward the middle of the barn, Townsend recognized the figure sprawled on the floor as his brother. Jed was partially concealed by an older man in shirt-sleeves who was kneeling next to him. A thick white bandage was wrapped around Jed\u2019s thigh. Jed\u2019s shirt was open, and the kneeling man was tying a bandage around Jed\u2019s shoulder. Townsend took a few steps closer, his legs suddenly feeling shaky.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Townsend asked the man next to his brother. \u201cIs he going to make it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting to his feet, Doctor Martin brushed the knees of his gray trousers before answering. \u201cHe\u2019s going to need a few weeks rest but he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll get plenty of rest in my jail,\u201d declared Sheriff Coffee grimily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour jail!\u201d exclaimed Townsend with surprise. \u201cWhat happened? All I know is some fella ran into the saloon and shouted my brother had been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was trying to steal that black stallion,\u201d explained Coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can thank the Cartwright boys that he\u2019s still alive,\u201d added the doctor. \u201cThey\u2019re dead perfect shots. If they had wanted to, they could have put those bullets in your brother\u2019s chest, and not just his shoulder and leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright!\u201d Townsend spat out the name. \u201cThey the ones that did this? Where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re right here,\u201d said Joe in a quiet voice. He was standing a few feet to Townsend\u2019s right.<\/p>\n

Spinning toward the voice, Townsend shouted, \u201cCartwright! You the one who tried to kill my brother? I\u2019ll get you for this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t try to kill him,\u201d replied Joe in an even voice. \u201cYour brother was trying to steal the stallion. When we stopped him, he pulled a gun on us. We told him to put it down, but he fired instead. We shot him in self-defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d cried Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d said Bennett\u2019s foreman, who was standing next to Joe. He rubbed the side of his head. \u201cYour brother clubbed me. I got a good look at him before he hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Townsend. He looked around wildly as if he were trying to find someone who would confirm the men were lying to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got some men coming with a stretcher,\u201d interjected Doctor Martin in a soothing voice, trying to distract Townsend. \u201cWe\u2019ll take your brother to my office. The bullet went through his shoulder, but there\u2019s another one in his thigh I need to take out. He can rest there for a day or so before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we move him over to my jail,\u201d Coffee finished for the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d This time the word escaped from Townsend as almost a whisper. He swallowed hard. For a moment, Townsend stood still, his eyes wide with fright. Then he spun around. Townsend grabbed the front of Joe\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is all your fault, Cartwright!\u201d Townsend shouted to a startled Joe. \u201cIf you had let us buy that horse like we wanted, my brother wouldn\u2019t be in this mess. Now they\u2019re going to hang my brother as a horse thief!\u201d<\/p>\n

Raising his fist, Townsend appeared to be ready to punch Joe. Although the two men were about the same height, Townsend outweighed Joe by almost a hundred pounds and years of mining had turned his arm and fist into a powerful weapon. Joe put his hand up in an ineffectual effort to ward off the blow.<\/p>\n

Taking a step forward, Hoss quickly grabbed Townsend\u2019s wrist with an iron grip. Townsend looked up, surprised that he couldn\u2019t move his arm. \u201cMister, you hit my brother and you\u2019ll regret it,\u201d declared Hoss in a threatening voice. He shoved Townsend a bit. The startled man released Joe\u2019s shirt and took several steps backward. Hoss took another step forward, putting himself between Townsend and Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, mister,\u201d said Roy Coffee, moving quickly to grab Townsend\u2019s arm. \u201cYou\u2019re brother isn\u2019t going to hang. We gave up hanging horses thieves in this county years ago. But I expect that your brother is going to prison for a stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the sheriff, Townsend\u2019s face showed both relief and worry. \u201cTo prison? For how long?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be up to the judge,\u201d replied Coffee. \u201cBut I\u2019m charging him with three cases of assault in addition to trying to steal that horse. My guess the judge will give him a couple of years, at the very least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Townsend\u2019s eyes drifted from Coffee to the figure lying on the floor. \u201cJed,\u201d he said softly. \u201cWhat have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning his head a bit, Jed looked up at his brother. His eyes were filled with tears. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Harry,\u201d he answered in a choked voice. \u201cI just\u2026just wanted to get you that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two men pushed through the crowd, one of them carrying a stretcher. They laid the canvass carrier on the ground next to Jed, and, with Doctor Martin\u2019s help, moved the young man onto the litter. Townsend watched, his face reflecting his brother\u2019s pain as he was moved.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake him over to my office,\u201d the doctor directed the two men. As they lifted the stretcher and started toward the barn door, Martin turned to Townsend. \u201cMy office is in the middle of town, near the hotel,\u201d he said in a sympathetic voice. \u201cYou can wait there until your brother is ready to see you.\u201d The doctor followed the two men toward the door.<\/p>\n

With a grim look on his face, Townsend\u2019s eyes followed the men out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, this is over,\u201d stated Sheriff Coffee in a firm voice. \u201cYour brother got caught and now he\u2019s going to have to pay for what he did. I don\u2019t want any more trouble out of you, you understand? You cause any grief to the Cartwrights, and you\u2019re going to end up in a jail cell next to your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Townsend looked at Coffee, and then turned to glare at Joe. \u201cCartwright, this is all your fault,\u201d he snarled. Then he brushed past the Sheriff and headed for the barn door.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019d watch my back for a while,\u201d advised Coffee as he watched Townsend leave. \u201cThat fellow looks like he could be trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving the sheriff a small smile, Joe said, \u201cI can handle a man like Townsend. He\u2019s more talk than anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d remarked Roy Coffee, shaking his head. \u201cHe seemed pretty upset. With you outbidding him for the horse and then shooting his brother, well, he\u2019s liable to want to even things up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Roy,\u201d Hoss advised in a confident voice. \u201cTownsend won\u2019t bother Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why are you so sure of that, big brother?\u201d Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother, I figure when Pa finds out you spent $550 on that stallion, he ain\u2019t gonna let you off the Ponderosa for at least a month,\u201d explained Hoss with a grin. \u201cBy that time, that fellow Townsend will have forgotten about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Joe biting his lip, \u201cyeah.\u201d He pulled nervously at the black gloves which covered his hands. \u201cWe\u2019d better go find that horse. If I\u2019m going to have to tell Pa I spent over five hundred dollars of his money, I\u2019d at least better have the horse to show him for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse is outside in the corral, Joe,\u201d Sam Bennett announced as he walked into the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d you find him?\u201d asked Joe in a surprised voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarn fool animal ran right into the middle of town,\u201d answered Bennett, shaking his head. \u201cI saw him and grabbed him. Figured something must be wrong if he got loose like that, so I brought him back here. Couple of fellows outside told me what happened.\u201d Bennett looked at his foreman. \u201cYou all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d replied the foreman, rubbing his head. \u201cI\u2019ve just a got a bit of a headache.\u201d He grinned at his boss. \u201cAin\u2019t nothing that a few beers couldn\u2019t fix.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for bringing the horse back,\u201d said Joe. He gave Bennett a speculative look. \u201cYou, uh, wouldn\u2019t be interested in buying him back, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks,\u201d Bennett responded, shaking his head. \u201cI thought that story going around about that horse being bad luck was just that \u2013 a story\u2026.something that might get people interested in him. Now I\u2019m not so sure. Maybe that horse is cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Sam,\u201d scoffed Hoss. \u201cThat\u2019s just a bunch of baloney. Ain\u2019t no such thing as a cursed animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d agreed Sam. \u201cBut seems like nothing good ever happens when that horse is around. I\u2019m glad to be rid of him.\u201d He looked at the Cartwrights. \u201cI hope he don\u2019t cause you fellows any grief.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just a horse, Sam,\u201d Joe observed. He grinned at Bennett. \u201cAnd an expensive one at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d said Sam, shaking his head. \u201cThat horse seems to cost people a lot more than just money. \u201c<\/p>\n

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

Driving slowly, Hoss guided the buckboard into the yard in front of the Ponderosa ranch house. The two mares tied to the back of the wagon trotted along willingly, content to be led to their new home. Joe rode his pinto into the yard, also, keeping his distance behind the mares and the buckboard. He was leading the stallion, who was prancing nervously. The black horse hadn\u2019t quite recovered from his fright, and being brought to a new place wasn\u2019t calming him down any.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to put him right in the corral,\u201d Joe called to Hoss as he led the stallion to a small pen next to the barn. Joe was so busy getting the stallion into the corral, and then tying his own horse up to the fence that he didn\u2019t notice Adam walking toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you two are finally home,\u201d Adam commented wryly. \u201cI was just about to send out a search party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nervously, Joe finished tying the reins of his pinto to the fence rail. \u201cHow did things go at the sawmill?\u201d Joe asked quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine,\u201d replied Adam as he leaned against the fence and looked in at the stallion. \u201cThat\u2019s a good looking horse,\u201d he noted<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the best of the bunch,\u201d Joe proclaimed. He glanced over his shoulder at Hoss who had walked up behind Joe. \u201cUm, we going to have any problems filling that contract?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Adam still looking into the corral. \u201cWe\u2019re right on schedule. \u201c He shook his head a bit. \u201cI would have never guessed Bennett would have a horse that good. How much did you pay for him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a real fine horse, Adam,\u201d answered Joe nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he is,\u201d agreed Adam. He turned to look at Joe. \u201cHow much did he cost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see the two mares we bought?\u201d said Joe quickly. \u201cThey\u2019re real good animals and I got them each for under a hundred dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crossing his arms, Adam gave Joe a stern look. \u201cHow much did he cost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figure we can always use good stock,\u201d continued Joe nervously. \u201cA horse like that, well, he don\u2019t come up for sale every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much did he cost?\u201d asked Adam again, his voice growing more insistent.<\/p>\n

Joe looked toward Hoss, but found no help. His big brother was looking away, suddenly finding the barn an interesting structure. Joe swallowed hard and nervously ran his finger around the collar of his shirt. \u201cF-F-Five\u2026hundred and fifty,\u201d answered Joe in a tentative voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive hundred and fifty dollars!\u201d exclaimed Adam incredulously. \u201cHave you lost your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wincing at Adam\u2019s tone, Joe added quickly, “He\u2019s a real fine horse. You said so yourself, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care if he\u2019s Pegasus,\u201d said Adam with disbelief. \u201cHe\u2019s not worth five hundred and fifty dollars!<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, let me explain,\u201d pleaded Joe. \u201cSee there was this fellow Townsend. He was a real mean guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, real mean,\u201d Hoss chimed in helpfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd see, he wanted to buy the horse,\u201d Joe continued rapidly. \u201cWell, Hoss and I knew that he\u2019d probably mistreat him, and we decided to buy him. It just cost a little more than we thought it would\u2026.\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off as he finished.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Adam looked at his brothers. \u201cLet me get this straight. You bought a horse for over five hundred dollars because you thought someone else might buy the stallion and possibly mistreat him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not just for that,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cI mean, you can see he\u2019s a good horse, Adam. He\u2019s young and strong and he\u2019ll really add to our stock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you plan to breed this horse,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cBut he\u2019s good riding stock, too. I mean, we can use him as a remount.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you actually ridden this horse?\u201d asked Adam, arching his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cBut Bennett\u2019s foreman has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis wouldn\u2019t happen to be the horse that broke his leg, would it?\u201d asked Adam, his face darkening.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was just an accident,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cHis foreman told me so.\u201d Joe glanced over his shoulder once more toward Hoss, then turned back to his oldest brother. \u201cAdam, he\u2019s a real fine horse. Maybe he cost a bit more than we had thought but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA bit more?\u201d interjected Adam, cocking his head to look at Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, a lot more,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cBut he\u2019s worth it, Adam. He really is. Besides, I just couldn\u2019t stand by and let a bully like Townsend buy him. I just couldn\u2019t do it, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose since you\u2019ve already bought him, we\u2019re stuck with him,\u201d agreed Adam in a tone that indicated he was somewhat mollified. \u201cBut you\u2019re the one who is going to have to tell Pa what you paid for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blowing out a breath of air, Joe scratched the back of his head. \u201cYeah, I know,\u201d he acknowledged. \u201cBut Pa will understand.\u201d Joe looked at his brothers for confirmation, but found none on their faces. \u201cHe\u2019ll understand, won\u2019t he?\u201d Joe repeated, this time his voice more tentative. \u201cDon\u2019t you think he\u2019ll understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clapping Joe lightly on the shoulder, Hoss nodded. \u201cSure, he will, little brother. You just explain it to him.\u201d Hoss looked at Adam. \u201cHow far away do you think we should be when Joe tells him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think California sounds about right,\u201d Adam noted dryly.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his brothers, his face reflecting the misery he was suddenly feeling.<\/p>\n

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

For the next three days, Joe\u2019s new stallion was the center of attention on the Ponderosa. Unfortunately, the attention the horse gathered wasn\u2019t the kind that Joe had in mind.<\/p>\n

Someone in the bunkhouse had heard the rumor about the stallion being bad luck, and spread the story. The men repeated the rumor to each other, and with each telling, the tale became slightly more exaggerated. By the end of the first day, the men were convinced the animal would cause harm to anyone who came near him. The fact that the first time he had taken the horse out for a ride, Joe had ended up walking almost a mile back to the barn because the stallion threw a shoe only added to the rumors of ill fortune.<\/p>\n

For the next few days, every time the Cartwrights looked around, there seemed to be several men leaning over the corral fence, watching the stallion. The hands seemed drawn to the animal, fascinated with the reported omen of doom in their midst. But Joe and Hoss had no luck in convincing any of the men to even get near the horse, much less ride him. Joe found himself putting the horse in the barn each evening, as well as cleaning and feeding the stallion. He was beginning to regret he had bought the horse, but for reasons different from the men in the bunkhouse. Never one to volunteer for extra work, Joe wasn\u2019t pleased that the animal added to his chores.<\/p>\n

Coming out of the house after lunch on the fourth day after the stallion\u2019s arrival, Joe was surprised to see one of the hands leaning against the fence of the corral next to the barn. Seeing a look of interest on the man\u2019s face, Joe hurried up to the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pete!\u201d Joe called in a voice that was a bit too exuberant. \u201cWhat are you doing here? I thought you were out chasing strays.\u201d<\/p>\n

At first, Pete didn\u2019t answer. In his early 40\u2019s, Pete had worked for the Cartwright for a long time. He was confident enough of his place on the ranch that he wasn\u2019t worried about being reprimanded for returning to the barn in the middle of the day. Pete watched the stallion circling the pen, seeming to the study the horse. Then, he sighed and shook his head. Turning to Joe, Pete finally answered. \u201cMy horse came up lame,\u201d he explained. \u201cI came back to get me another mount.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face brightened, and his mouth broke into a smile. \u201cThat\u2019s too bad about your horse,\u201d sympathized Joe, trying to keep the excitement out of your voice. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take this one? He\u2019s a good animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over his shoulder into the corral, Pete watched the stallion for a minute before replying. \u201cNo,\u201d he said as turned back to Joe. \u201cI ain\u2019t getting near that animal. I heard he\u2019s cursed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pete, you don\u2019t believe that,\u201d countered Joe, his voice filled with disgust. \u201cThat\u2019s just a story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d answered Pete doubtfully. \u201cBut I heard he tried to kick Charlie to death in the barn the other night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse was standing in his stall when Charlie dropped a bucket right behind him,\u201d explained Joe in an overly patient voice. \u201cIt scared him and he kicked out, just like any horse would. It was only one kick and it didn\u2019t even come anywhere near Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about yesterday in the breeding pen?\u201d asked Pete insistently. \u201cI heard none of those mares would even come near him. Animals, they can sense things. Those mares knew they should stay away from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe a young stallion, Pete,\u201d Joe replied, with a wry smile. \u201cHe just got a little, um, enthusiastic about his work. He scared those mares, that\u2019s all. They\u2019ll be fine around him once they get used to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d said Pete, shaking his head. \u201cSome animals, you just don\u2019t want to be around them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you try him?\u201d urged Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll bet you\u2019ll find he\u2019s the best horse you\u2019ve ever ridden.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back into the corral, Pete considered Joe\u2019s suggestion for a minute, then shook his head again. \u201cNo, I ain\u2019t going to take the chance,\u201d Pete stated. \u201cI\u2019ll just go get me one of the horses out of the barn.\u201d Pete started walking toward the structure next to the corral, then stopped. He turned back to Joe. \u201cSorry,\u201d he said almost regretfully. Then Pete walked into the barn.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe leaned on the fence of the corral and pushed back his hat a bit as he watched the stallion trotting around the pen. The sound of footsteps behind him made Joe turn, a smile ready to lighten his face. He was hoping that Pete had changed his mind. When Joe saw the big figure of his brother, Hoss, he sighed once more, and turned back to the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo luck getting Pete to ride him, uh?\u201d said Hoss as he leaned against the fence next to his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe conceded morosely. \u201cHe said he didn\u2019t want to take the chance of riding a \u2018cursed\u2019 horse.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t get it, Hoss. This horse hasn\u2019t done a single thing, and everyone is afraid of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, you know how people get,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cThey hear a story, and they start believing it, even if there\u2019s nothing to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d agreed Joe with resignation. He put his arms on the top of the fence and rested his chin on his crossed hands. He watched the stallion as the horse continued to trot around the corral with nervous energy. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to do something with him. When Pa gets home tomorrow, I\u2019m going to have to tell him what I paid for the horse. He\u2019s going to be even more unhappy if he finds out that all this stallion has done for the past few days is eat and pace around the corral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you put him out in the pasture?\u201d suggested Hoss. \u201cBeing all penned up like this ain\u2019t helping the horse calm down any.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI\u2019m just afraid that if I let him out in the pasture, he\u2019s going to run off or something. When I tell Pa about what I spent, I want to at least be able to show him the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning against the fence, Hoss watched the stallion continuing to circle the corral. \u201cJoe, that horse has got to get some exercise,\u201d insisted Hoss. \u201cYou keep him penned up like this and he\u2019s going to go crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Joe admitted sadly. He stared into the corral, then suddenly his eyes widened. Joe glanced sideways at his brother, and a smile crossed his face. Straightening, Joe said, \u201cHey, Hoss, why don\u2019t you take him out for awhile?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d answered Hoss in a surprised voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why not?\u201d Joe urged his brother. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to go down and check the herd this afternoon. Why don\u2019t you ride him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, um, I would, little brother,\u201d said Hoss, looking around nervously. \u201cBut, um, I, er, I\u2019ve got to give Chub some exercise. He\u2019s just not getting worked like he should.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can ride Chub tomorrow,\u201d Joe persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to ride him today,\u201d Hoss stated firmly.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe looked at Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019re not afraid of that horse, too, are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe? No, no, I ain\u2019t afraid,\u201d replied Hoss quickly. \u201cI just got to give Chub some work, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at Hoss and said in amazement, \u201cYou are, aren\u2019t you! You\u2019re scared of that stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not,\u201d insisted Hoss. \u201cI just want to ride Chub, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re scared,\u201d repeated Joe, beginning to laugh. \u201cAll this talk about bad luck and curses has you spooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I ain\u2019t scared,\u201d Hoss declared as his nose wrinkled into a frown and his chin jutted out defiantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re not scared, why won\u2019t you ride the stallion?\u201d asked Joe, his grin widening.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just\u2026well, I just fit better on Chub,\u201d answered Hoss lamely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fit better on Chub!\u201d howled Joe. He couldn\u2019t contain his laughter any longer. Joe began to shake as his high-pitched giggle filled the air. \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026 chicken,\u201d gasped Joe as he began to laugh even harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow cut that out!\u201d shouted Hoss angrily as he grabbed Joe by the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cChicken!\u201d Joe repeated with glee.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburn it, I ain\u2019t chicken!\u201d insisted Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cPuck-puck-puck,\u201d clucked Joe, sounding like a hen in a barnyard.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, if you don\u2019t stop right now, I swear I\u2019m going to bash you,\u201d threatened Hoss angrily, tightening his grip on his younger brother\u2019s arm a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d said Joe with a grin. He pulled his arm away, and wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, big brother. I won\u2019t let that mean ol\u2019 horsy hurt you.\u201d Joe patted Hoss lightly on the arm.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 eyes narrowed. \u201cLittle brother, you are getting on my nerves,\u201d complained Hoss, his voice reflecting his anger. \u201cI got a good mind to teach you some manners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t come to close, Hoss,\u201d Joe advised, unfazed by his brother\u2019s threat. He put up his hands in mock alarm. \u201cYou might get too near that stallion and then who knows what might happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Startled, Hoss looked up to see where the horse was. He gave a sigh of relief when he saw the animal was on the other side of the corral, then reddened a bit with embarrassment when he realized what he had done. As he heard Joe\u2019s laugh, Hoss turned back to his brother, caught between feeling angry and ashamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re so sure that horse ain\u2019t bad luck, why don\u2019t you ride him?\u201d Hoss dared his brother. \u201cYou keep telling us what a hot-shot horseman you are. Why ain\u2019t you taking that stallion out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already rode him once,\u201d protested Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, for about a mile and ended up walking home, as I recall,\u201d said Hoss, a bit smugly. \u201cYou ain\u2019t been on him since them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only reason I haven\u2019t ridden him is because Adam has been keeping me so dog-gone busy with that branding schedule,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cI haven\u2019t been more than twenty feet from the house in the last two days. Adam has me practically chained to that desk in Pa\u2019s study.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s your story,\u201d Hoss noted skeptically. \u201cI don\u2019t see you working on branding schedules right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI came out to check on the horse,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cSince no one will go near him, I wanted to make sure he was all right. Adam is inside waiting for me, probably tapping that pencil of his against the desk, counting the minutes till I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure he is,\u201d said Hoss, his voice showing he didn\u2019t believe Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo see for yourself if you don\u2019t believe me,\u201d Joe told his brother earnestly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to prove anything to me, little brother,\u201d Hoss told Joe with an exaggerated tone of understanding. \u201cIf you don\u2019t want to ride the horse, you don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do want to ride him,\u201d said Joe, becoming exasperated. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll prove it to you. I\u2019m going to take him out tomorrow and ride him all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? Doing what?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing\u2026whatever,\u201d replied Joe vaguely. He blew out a breath of air. \u201cAdam hasn\u2019t decided what little chore he is going to give me for tomorrow yet,\u201d added Joe in an unhappy voice. He shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ll sure be glad when Pa gets home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I were you, little brother, I wouldn\u2019t be so anxious for Pa to get back,\u201d suggested Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Joe. Then he remembered he still had to tell his Pa about the horse and the money he had spent on him. \u201cOh, yeah,\u201d said Joe, wincing a bit. Then his face took on a determined look. \u201cBut I am going to ride that stallion tomorrow,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you will,\u201d said Hoss in a voice full of skepticism.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch me,\u201d declared Joe with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing is believing,\u201d replied Hoss.<\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder toward the house, Joe took a deep breath. The look of unhappiness returned to his face. \u201cI\u2019d guess I\u2019d better get back inside,\u201d he conceded reluctantly. \u201cOtherwise, Adam will be coming out here looking for me.\u201d Joe turned and started walking slowly toward the house, his pace showing how little he wanted to return to the wooden building. Suddenly, Joe stopped and looked down, as if a thought had just struck him. A grin slowly spread across his face. He looked back toward Hoss, who was still leaning against the corral fence, watching the stallion.<\/p>\n

With a twinkle in his eye, Joe gave out with a loud, \u201cPuck-puck-puck!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss spun around, his face showing his fury. But Joe was already running toward the house, laughing as he rushed away.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNow that we\u2019ve got the branding schedule done, we can start rounding up the herds,\u201d announced Adam over dinner that evening. \u201cWe\u2019ll start with the cattle in the north and work our way south.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think those spring storms scattered them much?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Distracted by other thoughts, Joe was only half-listening to his brothers discussing the work that needed to be done over the next few weeks. His attention kept straying to the empty chair at the head of the table. He was keenly aware that his father would return tomorrow, and that he would have to explain about buying the stallion. Joe\u2019s mind was working hard on how to deflect his father\u2019s unhappiness with the price of his purchase. He didn\u2019t even realize Adam was talking to him until his brother said his name several times.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d said Joe as he looked up. \u201cDid you say something, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said you did a good job on those branding schedules,\u201d answered Adam with almost exaggerated patience.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, thanks,\u201d acknowledged Joe with a shrug. He glanced toward the empty chair again. \u201cWhat time does Pa get back tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLate afternoon,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cHis telegram said he\u2019d be on the two o\u2019clock stage.\u201d He looked at Hoss and winked. \u201cYou, um, want to go into town and meet him tomorrow, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s all right,\u201d said Joe quickly. \u201cWe\u2019ve got lots of work to do, Adam. I\u2019d better take care of things here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t reluctant to see Pa, are you, little brother?\u201d inquired Hoss innocently.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cJust that, you know, the ranch has got to come first. That\u2019s what Pa always says. Got to make sure we take care of things here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that you\u2019re so anxious to work,\u201d declared Adam in an amused voice. \u201cI\u2019ve got a whole list of things that still need to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe looked down at his plate. He knew when he was caught. In his attempt to delay facing his father, Joe had managed to put himself directly into Adam\u2019s hands. \u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe in a voice that showed he was resigned to his fate. \u201cLet me have it, Adam. Give me a list of chores for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a minute, Adam was tempted to give Joe an impossible list of things to accomplish. It wasn\u2019t often that his brother asked for work. But, seeing the mixture of resignation and misery on Joe\u2019s face, Adam decided to take it easy on him. Joe had worked hard for him while their father was gone and deserved to be rewarded for it. Besides, Adam had a feeling that Pa was going to make Joe\u2019s life miserable enough when he heard what the stallion had cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to ride up to Willow Ridge tomorrow,\u201d Adam told his youngest brother. \u201cCheck to make sure we can move part of the herd to the pasture there. I want you to make sure that there\u2019s enough grass and water, and that the ground is solid. It rained pretty hard up there this spring, and I don\u2019t want to move the cattle there unless I\u2019m sure it\u2019s not a sea of mud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCheck the pasture. Got it,\u201d confirmed Joe with a nod. \u201cWhat else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCheck the two line shacks up that way, too,\u201d continued Adam. \u201cMake sure the storms didn\u2019t damage them and make a list of anything we need to do to get them in shape and fully supplied. Once we move the cows up there, I want some men to stay there and keep an eye on them. When you\u2019re finished with that, take a look at that strand of fir on the ridge. Make sure the rains haven\u2019t washed them away. Then you can come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d said Joe in surprise. \u201cThat\u2019s all you want me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s it. Unless of course you want me to try to think of some other chores for you to do,\u201d Adam observed with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s fine,\u201d replied Joe quickly. He ticked off the list on his fingers. \u201cRide to Willow Ridge. Check the meadow, check the line shacks and check the fir trees.\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cI can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWillow Ridge? That\u2019s a long ride in some rough country,\u201d observed Hoss with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not exactly the ends of the earth,\u201d said Adam in a puzzled voice. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not like Joe hasn\u2019t been up there before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was only thinking,\u201d Hoss answered slowly, \u201cJoe\u2019s planning to ride that new stallion tomorrow. Willow Ridge isn\u2019t exactly the best place to be if you end up on foot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was Joe\u2019s turn to frown. He had forgotten his vow to ride the stallion tomorrow. And Hoss was right \u2013 that country around Willow Ridge was pretty wild. But Joe quickly shrugged off his concern. He was confident he could handle any horse \u2013 including the stallion \u2013 up there.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cI\u2019ll get there and back in one piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Hoss is right,\u201d suggested Adam, his voice full of doubt. \u201cThat\u2019s no country to be riding an untried horse. I think you should take Cochise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, somebody has got to ride that horse,\u201d said Joe in exasperation. \u201cWe can\u2019t just let him sit around and eat all day.\u201d He looked at Hoss. \u201cBesides, you\u2019re the one who dared me to ride him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was before I knew you were going up to Willow Ridge,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cI thought you were just going to ride him down to the south pasture or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be foolish, Joe,\u201d added Adam. \u201cIt\u2019s not worth taking chances just to prove you can ride that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are acting like a couple of old women,\u201d said Joe shaking his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not like that horse hasn\u2019t been broken or ridden before. There\u2019s nothing wrong with him except everyone thinks he\u2019s bad luck or something. He\u2019s a perfectly good horse, and I\u2019m going to ride him to Willow Ridge.\u201d Joe glanced at Hoss, and his lips twitched in a smile. \u201cI\u2019m not afraid of that horse,\u201d Joe added. \u201cUnlike some others on this ranch.\u201d He picked up the platter in front of him and held it toward Hoss. \u201cMore chicken, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow just a dadburn minute,\u201d Hoss said angrily, pounding the table with his fist. \u201cIf I told you once, I told you a hundred times. I ain\u2019t afraid to ride that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never said you were,\u201d stated Joe innocently. He looked at Adam with wide eyes. \u201cDid I mention any names?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have to mention any names,\u201d growled Hoss. \u201cYou go ahead and ride that stallion up to Willow Ridge, Joe. I hope he dumps you on your head. Maybe that will drum a little sense into that puny brain of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, I do believe you don\u2019t care about me any more,\u201d said Joe in an overly dramatic tone. He crossed his hands on his chest and closed his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m wounded that you would wish such ill luck on your baby brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting in his chair, Hoss tried to ignore the uncomfortable sensation he suddenly felt. \u201cI don\u2019t want anything bad to happen to you, Joe, not really,\u201d Hoss admitted. He gave Joe a shaky smile. \u201cMaybe just a few bruises to teach you a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to know you care,\u201d Joe told his big brother with a laugh. \u201cRelax, nothing\u2019s going to happen. I\u2019ll ride that stallion up to Willow Ridge and back. Maybe that will prove to people that he\u2019s just a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Hoss, then back to Joe. \u201cAll right, it\u2019s your hide,\u201d he agreed with a shrug. \u201cJust remember, it\u2019s long way to Willow Ridge and back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Adam,\u201d Joe acknowledged. Suddenly, he grinned. \u201cIt\u2019s a real long ride, isn\u2019t it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Ignoring the puzzled looks from his brothers, Joe was already thinking of tomorrow. His father was bound to be home by the time he got back from Willow Ridge. Someone was sure to have told Pa about his buying the horse before he got back. Joe knew his father would still be unhappy about the cost of the horse, but if he had a couple of hours to think about it before Joe got back, he might not be quite as upset with his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWillow Ridge,\u201d remarked Joe with a nod. \u201cMaybe that horse will bring some good luck for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When it came time to saddle the black horse in the morning, Joe hadn\u2019t expected to have an audience. As a result, he was surprised when he led the stallion out of the barn to find not only his brothers but also over half a dozen ranch hands standing in the yard, looking expectantly toward the barn. Joe had decided to saddle the horse in the yard, rather in the confined space of the barn, just in case the stallion got frisky when the weight was added to his back. He hadn\u2019t realized that the word he was going to ride the supposedly cursed horse had spread through the bunkhouse like wildfire. Any of the men who didn\u2019t absolutely have to be some place else were standing in the yard, waiting to see what would happen.<\/p>\n

Grinning, Joe decided to make a show out of saddling the horse. As best he could, given that he held the reins of the bridle that circled the horse\u2019s head in one hand and his saddle in the other, Joe bowed toward his audience. He held his arm out and let the reins drop to the ground. As he had been taught, the stallion stood still when the reins were dropped, but his eyes watched Joe nervously. Joe patted the horse a few times on the neck and murmured a few reassuring words.<\/p>\n

With a flourish, Joe put the blanket and saddle on the stallion\u2019s back. He saw the horse\u2019s muscle tense up, but the black didn\u2019t move. Patting the horse again, Joe began to tighten the cinch. He jabbed the animal lightly in the side a few times, making sure the horse expelled any air he was holding in, then tightened the cinch again. Joe shook the saddle horn a bit, making sure the saddle wasn\u2019t going to slip. Then he picked up the reins and vaulted onto the back of the stallion.<\/p>\n

Once more, the horse\u2019s muscles tensed as Joe settled his weight into the saddle. But the stallion stood absolutely still, waiting for a command.<\/p>\n

Taking off his hat, Joe waved it to the men in the yard, and bowed again to them. He grinned broadly when he saw the disappointed looks on the men\u2019s faces as they started to drift away. Putting his hat back on his head, Joe twisted in the saddle a bit, so he could see Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back this afternoon,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll see you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good ride,\u201d replied Adam with a nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful, Joe,\u201d added Hoss. Then he grinned. \u201cI\u2019ll tell Pa you\u2019re anxious to see him when you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sick look came over Joe\u2019s face at Hoss\u2019 words. He turned to sit straight in the saddle, and kicked the stallion lightly to get him moving. \u201cCome on, horse,\u201d he said in a low voice as the horse started forward. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to prove what a good buy you really are.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he watched Joe ride out of the yard, Hoss\u2019 face grew serious. \u201cYou don\u2019t think Joe\u2019s going to have any trouble, do you?\u201d he asked Adam anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,” answered Adam in a reassuring voice. \u201cYou saw how well behaved the animal was. He won\u2019t give Joe any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t worried about the horse exactly,\u201d said Hoss. He shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just that there always seems to be trouble whenever that\u2019s horse is around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s right,\u201d Adam replied with disgust. \u201cYou\u2019re beginning to sound like some superstitious old woman. Come on, we\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two hours later, Adam was sitting at the desk in the study when he heard a knock on the front door. He had been going over the books and making a list of the work that had been done in preparation for his father\u2019s return. The knock surprised Adam. It wasn\u2019t often that visitors came to the Ponderosa in the middle of the morning.<\/p>\n

Pushing himself back from the desk, Adam rose and quickly walked to the front door. He pulled it open and was even more surprised when he saw Roy Coffee standing on the porch.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Adam,\u201d said the sheriff in a pleasant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Roy,\u201d Adam greeted the lawman in return as he pulled the door wide. \u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d replied Coffee pleasantly as he entered the house. He looked around briefly, familiar with the interior of the building. \u201cYour Pa home yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe gets back this afternoon,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cYou need to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said the sheriff shaking his head. \u201cI was just wondering. We missed him at the poker game last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he would have rather been there than in Sacramento,\u201d Adam told Coffee with a smile. \u201cNegotiating with the railroads is not one of his favorite things to do. Can I get you a cup of coffee or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks,\u201d replied Coffee. \u201cI just stopped by for a minute. Is Hoss or Joe around?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s riding out to Willow Ridge and Hoss is chasing strays,\u201d answered Adam. He looked at the sheriff curiously. \u201cWhat did you want them for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not in any trouble, if that\u2019s what\u2019s worrying you,\u201d said Coffee with a smile. \u201cI just came by to tell them that fellow Townsend and his partners left Virginia City this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend?\u201d For a minute, the name meant nothing to Adam. Then realization came to him. \u201cOh, right, the fellow they had the run in with. Hoss and Joe told me about that. That was four or five days ago, wasn\u2019t it. I\u2019m surprised he stayed around this long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, his brother was still over at Doc Martin\u2019s place until yesterday,\u201d explained the sheriff. \u201cOnce he was well enough, though, I had him moved to my jail. Townsend stuck around to keep an eye on his brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he leave, then?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend\u2019s brother is going to be all right,\u201d Coffee replied. \u201cAin\u2019t nothing for him to do now but lie in bed and he can do that in my jail. The circuit judge won\u2019t be here for about six more weeks. Townsend finally decided to head home and come back when the trial starts. He can\u2019t do anything for his brother until then, and he said he had a ranch over in Paradise Valley he had to get back to.\u201d Roy shook his head. \u201cIt won\u2019t be much of a trial. We caught his brother red-handed, and there\u2019s three eye witnesses. Best the lawyer will be able to do is convince the judge to give him a light sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Adam said, \u201cI don\u2019t understand, Roy. Why did you want to let Joe and Hoss know Townsend left town. It\u2019s really not any concern of theirs, except testifying at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this Townsend fellow, he was pretty mad at your brothers, particularly Joe,\u201d answered the sheriff. \u201cI warned Joe to be careful around him. I just wanted to let them know that Townsend was gone so they wouldn\u2019t have to worry about him when they came to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate that, Roy,\u201d said Adam. \u201cBut surely Townsend isn\u2019t still mad about what happened. All Joe did was out-bid him for the horse. Townsend\u2019s brother was the one who decided to steal it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was still pretty upset yesterday, especially when we moved his brother to the jail,\u201d replied Coffee. \u201cKept saying that none of this would have happened if Joe had just let him buy that stallion.\u201d Roy shook his head. \u201cTownsend is blaming the Cartwrights for all his troubles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he gone so we don\u2019t have to worry about him now,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least not until he comes back for the trial,\u201d agreed Coffee. \u201cWe\u2019ll see what happens then.\u201d The sheriff turned toward the door. \u201cYou tell Hoss and Joe about Townsend leaving for me. Let them know they won\u2019t have to worry about him when they come to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Adam promised, \u201calthough, frankly, I don\u2019t think either one of them have given him much thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not, but I wanted to let them know,\u201d said the sheriff as he walked toward the door. \u201cYou tell your Pa we\u2019ll expect him at the poker game on Wednesday,\u201d added Coffee as he opened the door to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be there,\u201d replied Adam with a smile.<\/p>\n

As he closed the door behind the sheriff, Adam paused. He wondered about Townsend and what trouble the man might cause for his brothers when he returned for the trial. Then Adam shrugged. The trial was six weeks away. They could worry about Townsend then. He walked back to the desk to finish the list he had been working on for his father.<\/p>\n

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

Holding the reins tightly, Joe kept the stallion to a walk as they crossed the meadow near Willow Ridge. He could feel the horse pulling at the bit, and knew the stallion was eager to run. The horse had been anxious to stretch its legs ever since the two had left the Ponderosa, but the stallion\u2019s eagerness had increased when they reached the meadow.<\/p>\n

Riding slowly, Joe checked to ground to make sure it was solid and there were no holes or mud spots. The meadow looked like a perfect place to let the horse have its head, but Joe was smart enough to know looks could be deceiving. The thick grass could be hiding a muddy bog or other elements that would cause the horse to loose its footing. So far, Joe hadn\u2019t found any dangers, but he wanted to be sure.<\/p>\n

Patting the horse lightly on the neck, Joe said, \u201cSoon, fellow. Just be patient.\u201d The horse tossed his head as if he were indicating his agreement.<\/p>\n

Grinning, Joe relaxed in the saddle as he rode slowly across the meadow. The ride from the Ponderosa had been an easy one. The stallion had a comfortable gait, and, although eager to run, had obeyed when Joe kept him at a slow pace as they covered the miles to Willow Ridge. Joe had wanted to be sure he had the animal under control as they made the trek to the ridge, so he had kept a tight rein on the horse. As the horse carried Joe further and further from the ranch house, Joe had begun to relax. The stallion had obeyed every step of the way, despite the horse\u2019s desire to run. Joe could understand the stallion\u2019s eagerness to break into a wild gallop after being penned up for so long. After spending two days cooped up in the house with Adam working on the branding schedule, Joe felt the same way.<\/p>\n

As the horse and rider reached the edge of the meadow, Joe reined the stallion to a halt. The two had crossed the length of the field, and Joe hadn\u2019t seen any evidence of muddy patches or debris. The ground was as solid as it looked. Joe turned the horse around so they were facing the length of the meadow. He was curious to see what kind of speed the horse had. Joe already was impressed by the animal\u2019s stamina. After the long ride to the Willow Ridge, the stallion was still fresh and ready to run. If the horse had any kind of speed at all, Joe thought, they might be able to race him. He smiled at the idea. If the horse could race in addition to being good riding stock and being able to sire more horses, his father might not think the large amount Joe spent had been so foolish.<\/p>\n

Patting the horse once more on the neck, Joe said to the stallion, \u201cAll right, boy, let\u2019s see what you\u2019ve got.\u201d He kicked the horse into a gallop. The horse responded immediately, and began to run. As he realized the rider wasn\u2019t going to stop him, the stallion lengthened his stride. The animal ran hard, and both horse and rider enjoyed a feeling of freedom that neither had enjoyed for quite some time.<\/p>\n

Up on the ridge, three riders came to the crest and reined their horses to a stop. All three looked down into the meadow below.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, look, Harry,\u201d said Jake Campbell, pointing to the horse and rider below. \u201cAin\u2019t that the Cartwright kid and the stallion you tried to buy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peering down, Harry Townsend watched for a minute before answering. \u201cYeah, that\u2019s him,\u201d answered Townsend in a voice tinged with anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhew! Look at him go!\u201d exclaimed Ed Neeley as he saw the horse racing across the meadow. \u201cThat\u2019s some horse. Too bad we didn\u2019t get him. We could have really made something of that ranch with a stallion like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can understand why Jed made a try for him,\u201d added Campbell. \u201cI might have done it myself if I had thought of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mention of his brother fanned Townsend\u2019s smoldering anger into flames. \u201cThat Cartwright!\u201d he spat. \u201cFirst he steals the horse out from under us, then he shoots Jed, and gets him put in jail. Now he\u2019s out here flaunting that animal in front of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Harry, he didn\u2019t know we was coming this way,\u201d said Neeley in a mild voice. \u201cWe didn\u2019t even know it ourselves until we decided to take the ridge trail. We just run into him by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAccident? Maybe,\u201d countered Townsend. \u201cOr maybe just a bit of luck on our part.\u201d He turned to partners. \u201cI aim to get me that horse. Are you two with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Neeley and Campbell looked at each other. \u201cGuess so,\u201d agreed Campbell with a shrug. \u201cI sure would like that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Neeley added, \u201cFor sure, no one\u2019s going to stop us. Ain\u2019t nobody out here but us and the Cartwright kid.\u201d He looked at Townsend. \u201cHow you gonna get the horse, though?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think on it a bit,\u201d said Townsend, his eyes narrowing.<\/p>\n

Below in the meadow, Joe was unaware that he was being observed. He was having too much fun racing the stallion across the grass to worry about who else might be around. After crossing the meadow twice, however, Joe pulled the stallion is a slow walk and then halted him. The horse obeyed his rider reluctantly. Although breathing hard, the stallion was ready to continue running the length of the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, fellow, easy,\u201d crooned Joe in a soothing voice as he patted the horse and calmed him. The stallion had stopped running, but he demonstrated his eagerness to continue by pawing the ground. \u201cI know you want to keep going,\u201d said Joe as he continued to rub the horse\u2019s neck, \u201cbut we got some work to do. Besides, I don\u2019t want you to be too tired to carry me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

As if he were answering his rider, the horse snorted and tossed his head. Joe grinned at the animal\u2019s actions. \u201cYou\u2019re almost as stubborn as I am,\u201d he laughed. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s cool you down, and then get up the ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

For about ten minutes, Joe walked the horse in a small circle, cooling him off and slowing the horse\u2019s breathing. When he felt the animal was sufficiently recovered from the run, Joe guided the stallion to a small stream at the edge of the meadow and dismounted. He let the horse drink while he filled his canteen, keeping an eye that the animal didn\u2019t consume too much from the stream. After he had gotten back on the horse, Joe pulled the reins lightly and steered the horse away from the stream. \u201cCome on, fellow,\u201d he said in a reluctant voice. \u201cWe\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe guided the stallion to a path at the side of the meadow, where a small trail that led up the ridge. Horse and rider began the gradual ascent to the top of the ridge. As he rode, Joe could feel the easy gait of the stallion underneath him, a much more relaxed walk than before. The run had allowed the animal to expel its pent-up energy.<\/p>\n

As he led the horse up the ridge, Joe didn\u2019t pay much attention to his surroundings. His thoughts were busy with forming the discourse he was going to give his Pa on the advantages of owning a stallion that possessed both speed and stamina, in addition to being good riding stock and a potential sire. By the time he had reached the top of the ridge, Joe felt he had put together a pretty good argument on why buying the horse was a good idea. Or at least, one he hoped was going to be convincing to his father.<\/p>\n

Once Joe reached the tope of the ridge, he pulled his horse to a halt. Looking around, he said, \u201cWhich way do you think, fellow?\u201d The horse stood patiently, waiting for Joe to give him direction. \u201cNo opinion, eh?\u201d continued Joe with a chuckle. He glanced to his left, his eyes following the worn path through the rocks and grass. Then Joe shifted in the saddle, and looked a bit to his right, toward a stand of trees which grew sparsely in front, but seemed to thicken in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s check those trees first,\u201d Joe advised the stallion. \u201cWe can swing back to the line shacks later.\u201d He pulled the reins gently to the right and lightly kicked the horse. The black animal began to walk toward the trees.<\/p>\n

It was less than a mile from the edge of the ridge to the trees. As Joe neared the tall firs, he looked off into the distance, rather than at the closest trees. He was trying to judge the density of the growth, and trying to determine if there were any bare spots or other signs of damage in the grove. As a result, Joe was totally unprepared to for the sight of three men emerging from the trees, holding pistols and blocking his path.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well,\u201d said Townsend as Joe jerked the stallion to a stop in surprise. \u201cLook who we have here. Hello, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend!\u201d exclaimed Joe in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all set to follow you,\u201d Townsend stated with a nasty grin. \u201cAnd here you ride right up to us. Looks like this is our lucky day.\u201d Gesturing with his gun, Townsend added, \u201cDrop those reins and get down off the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes narrowing, Joe tried to judge the chance of leaping from the horse onto Townsend or one of the other men. But his practiced eye told him the men were too far from the horse. And all three had guns aimed at Joe. While Joe suspected none of the three were expert gunmen, even a poor shot would be have a hard time missing him from such a close range.<\/p>\n

Dropping the reins, Joe swung his leg over the saddle and slipped off the stallion. \u201cWhat do you want Townsend?\u201d he asked as his feet hit the ground. Joe took a step from away from the horse and moved closer to the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d shouted Townsend as Joe came nearer. As Joe stopped, Townsend continued, \u201cTake that gun out of your holster and throw it away. And do it real slow. I\u2019d just as soon have an excuse to shoot you so don\u2019t try anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching down, Joe pulled the pistol from his holster with his fingertips and threw the gun into the tall grass. \u201cIf you\u2019re looking to rob me, it\u2019s going to be slim pickings,\u201d Joe advised the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want your money,\u201d sneered Townsend. He gestured with his head. \u201cBut I do want that horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought you learned from your brother\u2019s mistake,\u201d Joe declared with a bravado he didn\u2019t really feel. \u201cYou\u2019re going to end up in a jail cell next to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJed ain\u2019t the smartest guy,\u201d admitted Townsend. \u201cTrying to steal that horse in broad daylight, right there in town, well, that was pretty stupid. Out here, there ain\u2019t nobody but us. No witnesses, if you get what I mean.\u201d He turned toward Neeley who was standing near the head of the stallion. \u201cEd, lead that horse over by ours and tie him up real good. I don\u2019t want him running off while we take care of things here.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Neeley led the stallion away, Joe inched a little closer to the two remaining men. He didn\u2019t know what Townsend had in mind, but he suspected he wasn\u2019t going to be allowed to simply walk away. Joe wasn\u2019t eager to take on two armed men, but two would be easier to handle than three. If he was going to make a move, he had to do it while the third man was busy with the stallion.<\/p>\n

Inching a bit closer, Joe said, \u201cYou\u2019ll never get away with this Townsend. Give me the horse back. I\u2019ll ride away and forget all about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGenerous, ain\u2019t you,\u201d replied Townsend with a laugh. \u201cOnly this time, I\u2019m the one who\u2019s going to call the tune, not you. I\u2019m going to make you pay for stealing that stallion from me, and it\u2019s not going to cost you money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tensing his muscles, Joe decided he couldn\u2019t wait. He didn\u2019t have a firm plan in mind, only some vague notion of knocking the guns from the two men in front of him. Joe kicked out his leg, hitting Campbell in the knee, and brought his left hand down hard on the man\u2019s wrist. As Campbell howled in pain and fell to the ground, Joe spun around toward a startled Townsend. He chopped his right hand onto Townsend\u2019s wrist, then threw his balled left fist at the man\u2019s jaw. Townsend\u2019s gun fell from his fingers, and the man staggered back.<\/p>\n

Bending down quickly, Joe reached for the gun on the ground. But his punch had surprised Townsend more than hurt him. Before Joe could grab the gun, Townsend rushed forward and pushed Joe aside, knocking him to the ground.<\/p>\n

As Joe scrambled to his feet, Townsend grabbed Joe\u2019s arm with his left hand, pulling the young Cartwright toward him. Townsend\u2019s massive right fist connected with Joe\u2019s jaw. Stunned, Joe\u2019s knees buckled and his body sagged. Townsend hit him again, this time in the side of the head. Joe fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d shouted Neeley as he ran toward where Townsend was standing over Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright here got a little frisky,\u201d replied Townsend. He looked toward Campbell, who was slowly getting to his feet. Campbell rubbed his knee then limped forward. \u201cYou two hold him. I\u2019m going to teach the rich kid a lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still stunned by Townsend\u2019s blows, Joe tried to get to his feet. He shook his head quickly, trying to clear it, as he pushed himself up from the ground. Suddenly, his arms were grabbed by two firm grips, and he was pulled up. Joe lifted his head and looked into the face of Harry Townsend. The look of hate on Townsend\u2019s face sent a shiver up Joe\u2019s spine. He tried to twist away from the two men holding him, but their grip was too tight. Then the first blow landed.<\/p>\n

Joe had been in fights before, and had even been beaten up a few times. But he had never experienced as brutal a beating as Townsend administered. The man was almost methodical in punishing his helpless victim. Joe felt, rather than saw, the iron fist land in his face several times and then attack his body. Joe\u2019s head snapped to the left and then the right. He gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of him. The blows were spaced, rather than a flurry of punches, designed to inflict the maximum pain as each one landed. Joe felt as if he was being pounded by a sledgehammer, and he had no possible way to escape the blows. He tried to slip in the oblivion of unconsciousness but as each blow landed, a stab of pain jolted him back.<\/p>\n

The beating went on for what Joe felt was an endless period of time. As the punches landed incessantly, the pain was no longer specific. A sea of agony swept over Joe\u2019s face and body. His knees buckled but the hands gripping his arms held firm. Joe\u2019s shoulders began to ache as the muscles in his upper arms were pulled and twisted.<\/p>\n

Whether it was because Townsend finally got tired, or because the man didn\u2019t think Joe could feel the blows any more, Joe wasn\u2019t sure. All he knew was the beating finally ended. His arms were released, and Joe collapsed to the ground.<\/p>\n

Laying on his side, Joe curled himself into a ball, trying to ease the ache in his stomach and chest. He laid as still as possible, willing to let his attackers walk away without retribution. He foolishly believed his ordeal was over. A swift kick to his ribs told him he was wrong.<\/p>\n

As Joe lay virtually defenseless on the ground, Townsend\u2019s boot landed hard on Joe\u2019s ribs twice more. Each kick extracted a moan from Joe, a fact Townsend seemed to find satisfying. Through his haze of pain, Joe could hear the man laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Harry,\u201d Campbell said in a nervous voice as he watched Townsend\u2019s foot jerk against the body on the ground. \u201cYou\u2019re going to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s kind of the idea,\u201d answered Townsend with a laugh. \u201cNo witnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t going to go along with murder,\u201d declared Campbell, grabbing Townsend\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s going to know we did it?\u201d asked Townsend, pushing Campbell away. \u201cBy the time anyone finds him, we\u2019ll be long gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m with Jake,\u201d said Neeley in an alarmed voice. \u201cI\u2019m not going to stand by and watch you beat the kid to death. Not over a horse. It\u2019s not right, Harry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are gutless,\u201d snarled Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d agreed Neeley. \u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of things, Harry, but I\u2019ve never killed anyone. I don\u2019t aim to start now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEd\u2019s right,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t much like the idea of being partners with a murderer. Sort of makes me wonder what might happen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the determined look on the two men\u2019s faces, Townsend relented. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed reluctantly. He looked at Joe, lying on the ground clutching his sides. He could see the boy was barely conscious, his face bruised and bleeding. He knew he had hurt Joe, maybe had hurt him enough to accomplish his goal anyway.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Townsend\u2019s eyes narrowed and a smile twitched at his lips. He turned to Neeley. \u201cGet me a rope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Neeley. \u201cWhat are you gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to drag the kid into the trees,\u201d answered Townsend. \u201cGet him out of sight just in case someone comes along. That will make sure we have plenty of time to get away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you need the rope for?\u201d asked Campbell suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to tie his hands and legs,\u201d replied Townsend almost innocently. \u201cMake sure he don\u2019t walk away too soon and send someone after us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s he going to go?\u201d asked Neeley with a frown. \u201cBesides, it don\u2019t look like he\u2019s going to be able to walk anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know this area?\u201d demanded Townsend. \u201cHow do you know there ain\u2019t a farm or maybe a trappers place close enough for him to get to? I just want to make sure we don\u2019t end up in jail like Jed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still not sure about the logic of Townsend\u2019s argument, Neeley walked over to the horses. He stopped next to the stallion, which was standing patiently near the other three horses. Neeley untied the rawhide string that held the rope onto Joe\u2019s saddle, and pulled the coil of heavy cord from the leather seat. Then he hurried back to the other men.<\/p>\n

As Neeley approached, Townsend was standing over Joe, watching as the young man moaned and rocked on the ground in agony. Townsend tried to keep the look of satisfaction off his face, but he didn\u2019t succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the rope,\u201d said Neeley, handing the coil to Townsend. He looked at his partner, his suspicions again aroused. \u201cYou want us to help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can manage,\u201d Townsend replied, pulling the coil over his shoulder. \u201cYou two get the horses ready. Make sure that you put a lead rope around that stallion. I don\u2019t want to try to lead him by the reins. We might loose him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHarry\u2026\u201d said Campbell in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust do what I said!\u201d shouted Townsend. \u201cMove!\u201d<\/p>\n

Neeley and Campbell looked at each other, unsure what to do. Finally, Neeley shrugged and the two men walked back to the horses.<\/p>\n

Reaching down, Townsend grabbed Joe under the arms and began dragging him toward the trees. Joe\u2019s groans grew louder. Any movement at all hurt him, and being dragged across the rough ground only added to Joe\u2019s agony. Townsend ignored Joe\u2019s moans, and dragged his victim deeper into the trees.<\/p>\n

A hundred feet or so into the grove, Townsend finally halted and dropped Joe to the ground. He turned Joe on his side and pulled the green jacket Joe was wearing off of him. Then Townsend dragged Joe a few more feet, and pushed him up against a tall, thin tree.<\/p>\n

Slipping the rope off his shoulder, Townsend walked behind the tree. He crouched and reached forward, grabbing Joe\u2019s arms and pulling them back on either side of the trunk. He tied Joe\u2019s hands together behind the tree. Then Townsend grabbed the end of the long rope and moved to the front of the tree.<\/p>\n

Reaching down, Townsend grabbed Joe under the arms again and pulled him to his feet. Joe\u2019s arms scrapped against the rough bark of the tree as Townsend yanked him upward until he was standing. Joe\u2019s knees buckled and he started to slide down, but Townsend pulled him up again. Leaning his shoulder into Joe\u2019s chest, Townsend began to loop the rope around the tree. As the rope circled both Joe\u2019s chest and the tree, Townsend pulled the cord tight. The rope held Joe upright while Townsend reached around again. Three times the rope circled the tree and Joe\u2019s chest, just under his arms. Each time he brought the rope around, Townsend pulled it tightly. When there wasn\u2019t enough rope left to circle the tree again, Townsend reached up and tied the end of the rope to a branch just over Joe\u2019s head, insuring his victim wouldn\u2019t be able to slide down the tree.<\/p>\n

Stepping back, Townsend admired his handiwork. Joe was pinned against the tree, held up by the rope, with his hands tied behind the tree. Joe\u2019s head was down, his chin resting on his chest. Townsend lifted Joe\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n

Blood was trickling down the side of Joe\u2019s face from cuts above his left eye and on his cheek and chin. Joe\u2019s right eye was bruised and beginning to swell. Dark red spots which would turn into bruises were visible on Joe\u2019s chin, cheek and forehead. The left side of Joe\u2019s mouth was swelling and his lip was split.<\/p>\n

Dropping Joe\u2019s chin, Townsend took a step back. \u201cCartwright, I told you that you were going to pay for taking that horse and for sending Jed to jail,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re going to die here, and you\u2019re going to die slow. My only regret is that I\u2019m not going to be able stick around to watch.\u201d Townsend laughed. \u201cYou know, it was just your bad luck that you came out here as we happened along. And even worse luck that you rode right up to where we were waiting.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cI heard the stories about that horse being bad luck. Maybe those stories are true. They are for you, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d Townsend laughed again.<\/p>\n

Raising his head slightly, Joe peered at Townsend through his battered face. \u201cYou\u2019ll get yours,\u201d he said in a thick voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure I will, kid,\u201d replied Townsend in a voice of disbelief. \u201cBut you won\u2019t be here to see it.\u201d Townsend reached down and picked up Joe\u2019s jacket. He balled the jacked up and threw it into the trees. Townsend turned back to Joe one last time and grinned at the battered form bound to the tree. Then he spun around and walked away.<\/p>\n

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

Leaning against the front wall of the stage depot, Adam watched as the coach rolled down the main street of Virginia City. As the stage came to a halt in front of the building, Adam pulled himself upright and took a step forward. He waited as the stagecoach door opened, and an overweight man climbed out, followed by a young cowboy. The third person to leave the stage was the individual for whom Adam was waiting. He took another step forward as he saw his father emerge from the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d said Adam with a smile as his father left the stage. \u201cWelcome home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben greeted his son with his own smile. His greeting was filled with warmth. Ben reached out and grabbed Adam\u2019s hand with his right, while his left hand patted his oldest on the back. \u201cHow are you, son?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d replied Adam with a nod. \u201cDid you have a good trip?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ben could answer, the driver called to him from the top of the stage. \u201cHere\u2019s your bag, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d The driver held a large brown satchel in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Frank,\u201d called Ben as he reached up to take the bag. \u201cIt was a nice easy ride. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny time, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the driver accepted the compliment with a nod of his head.<\/p>\n

Turning back to Adam, Ben said, \u201cHow are things here, Adam? Everything all right at the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is fine,\u201d Adam assured his father. \u201cWe missed you, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI missed you boys, too,\u201d replied Ben with a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe buckboard is over here,\u201d said Adam, pointing to a wagon a few feet away. As the two men started walking toward the buckboard, Adam asked, \u201cHow did things go in Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout like we expected,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cI got the contracts renewed with the railroad to haul our timber and to ship the cattle. The new rates are just about what we had planned on, although it took me awhile to get them.\u201d Ben shook his head wearily. \u201cNegotiating with the railroad is one of those things that I really hate to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but you do it so well,\u201d said Adam with a grin as he climbed into the driver\u2019s side of the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are Joe and Hoss?\u201d asked Ben as he climbed into the buckboard next to Adam. \u201cAnything interesting happen while I was gone?\u201d<\/p>\n

As he snapped the reins to start the horses, Adam considered his father\u2019s question. \u201cJoe bought a horse while you were gone, a stallion that Sam Bennett had up for auction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d said Ben with mild interest. \u201cWhat\u2019s unusual about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll let Joe explain it to you,\u201d Adam replied with a grin.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his son curiously, then shrugged. Whatever story was connected with the horse, he was sure he would hear about it soon.<\/p>\n

As Adam and Ben drove back to the Ponderosa, they chatted comfortably. Ben talked about friends he had seen in Sacramento while Adam commented on the sparse news from Virginia City. Neither men felt any sense of urgency in returning home. That\u2019s why both men were surprised when Hoss rushed anxiously from the house as the buckboard pulled into the yard of the Ponderosa. Ben\u2019s middle son had an air of anxious worry about him.<\/p>\n

As he looked around the yard, Hoss\u2019 face showed his disappointment when he saw the buckboard. \u201cHello, Pa,\u201d Hoss greeted Ben in a subdued voice. \u201cWelcome home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t seem very happy to see me,\u201d said Ben with an amused smile.<\/p>\n

Looking a bit sheepish, Hoss smiled in return. \u201cOh, no, Pa,\u201d he replied quickly. \u201cIt ain\u2019t that I\u2019m not glad you\u2019re home.\u201d He looked around again. \u201cI was just looking for Joe.\u201d Hoss gave Adam a meaningful look. \u201cHe ain\u2019t home yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Adam looked up at the sun. \u201cIt\u2019s only about three o\u2019clock. Joe probably won\u2019t be back from Willow Ridge for another hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your concern about Joe?\u201d asked Ben, more with curiosity than anxiety.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Hoss said, \u201cWell, it\u2019s probably just silly, Pa, but I\u2019ve got a feeling that something is wrong. Joe rode that new stallion up to Willow Ridge, and I\u2019m worried about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Climbing down from the buckboard, Ben gave his sons a puzzled look. \u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d he admitted. \u201cWhat new stallion? And why was Joe riding him instead of his pinto?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Adam climbed down from the wagon and stood next to his father. He put his arm around Ben\u2019s shoulders. \u201cCome on inside, Pa,\u201d he told his father in a resigned voice. \u201cYou can have a cup of coffee while I tell you all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Lifting his head, Joe forced himself back into consciousness. He knew he had passed out, but didn\u2019t know how long he had been in that safe haven of darkness. For a brief moment, he hoped that what had happened had just been a bad dream. But the throbbing in his face and head and the ache in his arms told Joe that his nightmare was, in fact, reality.<\/p>\n

Joe was finding it hard to breathe. The rope that held him tightly to the tree constricted his chest, and the fact that his arms were tied behind him didn\u2019t help his attempts to suck in air. When Joe did manage a deep breath, the effort caused a sharp pain in his ribs.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head a bit higher, Joe tried to open his eyes. His left eye was swollen, and he could only see out a small slit. Joe managed to open his right eye, however, so he could look around.<\/p>\n

The woods were deserted. Nothing moved in the shadows of the trees; the leaves of the plants laid limp and unmoving. The air was still, and an almost eerie quiet surrounded Joe. Not even a bird chirped in the trees. Joe had never felt so alone in his life.<\/p>\n

Filled with a sense of panic, Joe began to struggle against the rope that held him tightly. He twisted and pulled his body, hoping that he could at least loosen the ropes a bit. But all Joe succeeded in doing was hurting himself. The rough cord burned his skin as he twisted against it, and the coarse bark of the tree scrapped his back and arms. The movement caused the cuts and bruises on his face and body to begin throbbing again.<\/p>\n

Gasping for air, Joe slumped against the tree. He knew struggling further was useless; he couldn\u2019t free himself. Joe would have to wait for someone to find him \u2013 if they ever did. Peering ahead, Joe could see the edge of the woods in the distance. The sun brightly lit the grass in the area beyond the trees. The distance to the edge of the forest looked like miles to Joe. Anyone riding by could look into the woods and still not see him.<\/p>\n

Even though he knew it was futile, Joe began calling for help. It was a painful process for Joe to yell. He could barely open his swollen lips, and breathing was still difficult. Nevertheless, Joe called \u201cHelp!\u201d in a hoarse voice for several minutes. He stopped only when his tortured body could no longer stand the agonizing effort.<\/p>\n

The silence that surrounded Joe continued unabated. The only noise he heard was his own gasps for air. Joe\u2019s head ached and he started to feel dizzy. His head fell forward and his body slumped deeper against the ropes. Joe\u2019s eyes closed and he slipped into darkness once more.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cFive hundred and fifty dollars! For a horse!\u201d exclaimed Ben with a combination of astonishment and anger. \u201cJust what was Joe thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting in his favorite red leather chair by the fireplace, Ben had listened with growing amazement as Adam told him about the stallion Joe had purchased. He looked at his oldest son, sitting in the blue chair across from him, then to Hoss, who was perched on the edge of the fireplace. \u201cDid Joe actually think the horse was worth that much?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you have to understand,\u201d answered Hoss as he struggled to explain. \u201cThis fellow, Townsend, he was, well, we could just tell he was the kind of man who would mistreat that stallion. We just couldn\u2019t let that poor horse go to a man like that. Joe was determined to have that horse. The bidding just went higher than we expected. \u201d Hoss\u2019 voice trailed off. He turned to Adam, looking for help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really is a fine stallion,\u201d commented Adam. \u201cGranted he wasn\u2019t worth that much, but Joe didn\u2019t buy a nag. The horse should improve our bloodlines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he is good riding stock,\u201d added Hoss quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s such good riding stock, how come no one but Joe will even come near the horse?\u201d demanded Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, it\u2019s that story that the horse causes bad luck to anyone who around him,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s a silly story, but it\u2019s really got the men spooked.\u201d As he spoke, Hoss avoided looking at Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe spent a considerable amount of money to buy a horse that no one will ride? Have I got that right?\u2019 asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly, Pa,\u201d Hoss replied as he shifted uncomfortably. \u201cIt don\u2019t bother Joe none to be around the horse. That\u2019s why he rode it out to Willow Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy Willow Ridge?\u201d demanded Ben. \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty fair ride. Why didn\u2019t he start with something closer? Or just ride him around the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked down as he answered. \u201cThat sort of my fault. I was giving him a hard time about the horse yesterday, and he told me he was going to ride the horse today, regardless of what he had to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him to go up and look around Willow Ridge before I knew he was going to ride the stallion,” Adam added. \u201cIt\u2019s partially my fault he didn\u2019t get to ride the stallion before now. I kept Joe busy for the last two days working on the branding schedules here in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Ben, his tone neutral. He looked off for a minute, clearly in thought. \u201cWhen did Joe leave for Willow Ridge?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis morning, Pa,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m worried. He should be back by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily,\u201d Adam noted. \u201cIt\u2019s a long way to Willow Ridge and back.\u201d He suddenly grinned. \u201cI got the impression that Joe wasn\u2019t in any hurry to get back and tell Pa about the stallion. He\u2019s liable to take his time about getting home. I\u2019ll be surprised if he makes before supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t make any difference what time he gets home,\u201d said Ben in stern voice. \u201cAfter supper, Joe and I are going to have a little discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Shifting slightly, Joe began to pull himself awake again. The movement caused his back to scrape against the rough bark, but Joe barely felt the wood rubbing harshly against him. His body ached in so many other places that the small discomfort the tree caused was hardly noticeable.<\/p>\n

As Joe struggled back into consciousness, he wondered briefly how long he had been out this time. Then he decided he didn\u2019t care. In fact, there wasn\u2019t much that Joe cared about right now, except trying to breathe and endure the aches and pains in his body.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe tried to rest against the tree. He felt hot and sweaty, and some part of his brain told him that he was probably feverish. His mouth felt dry and gritty, and Joe would have given anything he owned for even a sip of something wet. Joe\u2019s mouth was open, his swollen lips parted and his jaw slack, as he suck in air as hard as he could.<\/p>\n

Realizing his hands were growing numb, Joe began to flex his fingers and palm, and strained his wrists against the rope that tightly held them. He was trying to get some circulation back into his hands, although a part of him cynically wondered why. Joe was starting to believe Townsend\u2019s promise that he would die tied to the tree.<\/p>\n

A distant sound \u2013 the first sound Joe had heard in hours \u2013 cause Joe to stop his movements and listen. For a moment, Joe thought he had imagined the sound, that it was simply a product of his feverish brain. But the noise came again, a bit closer. Joe heard the faint snap of a twig and a slight rustle, as if the leaves of a plant were being brushed aside.<\/p>\n

Opening his good eye as wide as possible, Joe\u2019s head swiveled from side to side as he looked around frantically. He was surprised that he could barely see, that the light was dim. At first, Joe thought that perhaps his eyesight had been damaged in the beating, but quickly realized the woods were darkening as the sun began to set.<\/p>\n

Once more, Joe heard some sounds, definitely closer and coming from his right. He turned his head and began to shout but his cries for help came out as only raspy whispers. Joe tried to swallow, desperate to make his voice louder. He shouted, \u201cHelp!\u201d again, and this time the desperate cry was more audible.<\/p>\n

Staring into the dark shadows of the trees to his right, Joe looked and listened. The woods grew silent again, as if Joe\u2019s shouts had caused whoever was approaching to hesitate. Joe inhaled as deeply as possible, preparing to yell again. But his deep breath caused him to begin coughing, and the precious air was expelled from his lungs. Joe winced as his sore ribs and body were jerked by the abrupt spasm of coughing.<\/p>\n

Gasping for air, Joe heard the movement to his right again. Whoever was in the woods was getting closer, perhaps only yards away. Joe turned his head and looked into the trees, his expression both hopeful and desperate. He could see something moving, a shadow among the growth. He opened his mouth to shout again, but froze as the figure finally emerged from the trees.<\/p>\n

The figure walking slowly out of the dim light wasn\u2019t a man. It was a mountain lion.<\/p>\n

Alarmed at the sight of the big cat, Joe held himself as still as possible. His gaze was fixed on the lion, his good eye wide with both shock and surprised. For a minute, Joe wondered if the lion saw him in the dim light, and desperately hoped the animal would just go away. But that hope died as the mountain lion came closer.<\/p>\n

The lion seemed surprised to see Joe also. The cat stopped a few feet away, his tawny coat sharply contrasted against the dark wood of the trees and the deep green of the plants around him. The mountain lion gave a low growl, and took a step forward. Then the cat stopped again, clearly confused by the sight in front of him.<\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, Joe watched as the cat stared at him, almost as if the animal were studying the scene. The size of the lion told Joe that it was a young animal, probably one that had left the den only recently. But the lion\u2019s tender age didn\u2019t make his teeth less sharp or his claws less knifelike. If anything, a young lion was more dangerous because it could be so unpredictable. And Joe knew he was completely defenseless if the animal decided to attack.<\/p>\n

The mountain lion crept forward and stopped once again. The cat was bewildered, not understanding the mixture of scents in the air. The smell of blood attracted the animal. It was a smell that usually meant food. But the lion also sniffed the odor of a human and he had learned that he should run from that scent. Both attracted and frightened, the lion began to pace, trying to decide if his hunger was stronger than his sense of fear.<\/p>\n

If the mountain lion was afraid of Joe, it was minimal compared to the terror Joe felt at the sight of the lion. He tried not to move, and barely breathed. His mind worked furiously, trying to devise a way to scare the animal off. The cynical part of his brain was sending messages again, wondering if it wouldn\u2019t be better to let the animal have its way with him. It would be a painful but quick end to his ordeal. But the rest of his brain rejected that idea, not willing to give up without a fight.<\/p>\n

Taking a step closer to figure tied against the tree, the mountain lion growled again. He had never faced a prey that simply stood in front of him, and he wasn\u2019t sure what that meant. The growl was designed to frighten his potential victim, to make him run. The lion knew what to do once his prey began to run. But the fierce growl didn\u2019t cause the figure to run. It simply stood there. The lion stopped again, perplexed and unsure what to do next.<\/p>\n

Watching the cat, Joe wondered if the animal would simply go away if he continued to stand still. It was a possibility. On the other hand, the lion might decide that Joe was already dead and his flesh would make a tasty meal. Joe shuddered at the thought of the lion gnawing away at him. He could almost feel the animal\u2019s teeth digging into his legs.<\/p>\n

Desperate times call for desperate measures, thought Joe, surprised that he would remember the quote in these circumstances. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He wasn\u2019t at all sure if what he was going to do next was the right thing. If he was wrong, the consequences would be painful and fatal. But he was determined not to simply stand passively as the lion attacked.<\/p>\n

Opening his eyes, Joe stared hard at the animal, trying his best to look intimidating. The mountain lion stared back at him, the animal\u2019s dark eyes watching him warily. Joe thought he saw a flicker of doubt in the cat\u2019s eyes, but wasn\u2019t sure if this was wishful thinking. Joe took a deep breath, wincing slightly as his ribs protested the action. Then Joe began to scream.<\/p>\n

The scream wasn\u2019t as loud as Joe had hoped, but it was high pitched and piercing, almost a wail. As he screamed, Joe raised his leg and began stomping his foot against the ground. The dirt was hard at the base of the tree, and the heel of his boot made a thumping sound against it. He also kick the tree a couple of times, causing a hollow thud.<\/p>\n

The scream and pounding was like nothing the mountain lion had ever heard before, and the noise had its desired effect. The cat jumped back, startled and then frightened by the harsh sounds. The lion stood trembling for only a moment before it turned and began to run. In only seconds, the animal had disappeared into the trees.<\/p>\n

As the cat ran off, Joe stopped screaming. He sagged against the ropes, exhausted by both his exertions and his fear. His breath came in ragged gasps, interrupted by deep coughs. His legs felt weak, and his knees buckled a bit, although the rope still held his body upright. For several minutes, Joe just stood limply, his body straining against the rope.<\/p>\n

Finally lifting his head, Joe looked around. The woods again seemed empty, and the silence surrounded him once more. Joe\u2019s desperate gamble had worked. He had frightened off the mountain lion, saving himself from a horrible and probably fatal mauling. But as Joe looked around the darkening woods, he wondered about his victory. He wondered if he had saved himself or only managed to delay an inevitable death.<\/p>\n

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

Pulling open the front door, Hoss took a step out onto the porch. He peered into the darkness, hearing rather then seeing signs of a quiet night. The wind rustled the trees, the crickets chirped, and a horse in the corral snorted faintly. Hoss didn\u2019t hear the sounds he wanted, though. He didn\u2019t hear the muted hoofbeats of an approaching horse, or the sound of activity in the barn. There was no evidence that his younger brother had returned home.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Hoss closed the door. He walked back to the center of the room, the disappointment clearly visible on his face. Without a word, he plopped down on the sofa and stared into the fire.<\/p>\n

Sitting in his favorite red chair, Ben was reading letters that had arrived during his absence. These were personal letters, rather than ranch business, containing greeting and news from friends. Looking up from the letters, Ben asked his middle son, \u201cNo sign of Joe?\u201d His question had only the mildest tinge of anxiety to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Hoss with a shake of his head. \u201cPa, I think we ought to go out looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marking the page with his finger, Adam closed the book in his hand and looked up. He was sprawled comfortably in the blue chair near the stairs. \u201cHoss,\u201d he said in reasonable voice, \u201cit\u2019s dark out. We couldn\u2019t see him if he were riding ten feet in front of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still think we ought to go looking,\u201d Hoss insisted stubbornly. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong. I know it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think you\u2019re, well, over-reacting a bit?\u201d suggested Ben. \u201cJoe\u2019s just a couple of hours late. That\u2019s not unusual. Your brother has never been known for his punctuality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially when he knows he has to tell Pa some unpleasant news,\u201d added Adam with wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should have been back by now,\u201d Hoss stated firmly. \u201cHe said he\u2019d be back this afternoon. It\u2019s two hours past dinner. There\u2019s no reason for him to be this late, unless he ran into some trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of trouble could he have run into?\u201d asked Adam. He grinned. \u201cNot that Joe doesn\u2019t have a nose for trouble, but even he would have a hard time finding it between here and Willow Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Hoss. He looked down. \u201cIt\u2019s that horse, Adam. Everyone keeps saying he\u2019s bad luck. Maybe they\u2019re right. Maybe that horse did something to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re worried that the stallion threw him?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cI hardly think that\u2019s likely. Joe\u2019s a good rider, you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, aren\u2019t you the one who wanted that horse to dump him on his head?\u201d joked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean that, Adam,\u201d said Hoss with a stricken look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course, you didn\u2019t,\u201d agreed Adam quickly. He was surprised at how upset and worried Hoss was. \u201cRelax, Hoss,\u201d Adam added, trying to reassure his brother. \u201cJoe will be home soon. He\u2019ll come sauntering in like he always does, surprised that we were worried about him and wondering what all the fuss was about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Hoss doubtfully. \u201cBut them other times, he wasn\u2019t riding that stallion. They say that animal is cursed, Adam. There\u2019s no telling what he might have caused to happen to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Hoss,\u201d Ben told his middle son. \u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as a cursed animal; you know that. Things like curses and omens of bad luck are just stories, tales people tell to explain why things go wrong.\u201d Seeing that Hoss looked unconvinced, Ben decided to try a new tactic. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go on up to bed?\u201d he suggested. \u201cYou\u2019re gong to make yourself sick, worrying over this. We\u2019ll let you know when Joe gets home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring in the fire, Hoss frowned. He was reluctant to go to bed before Joe got home, but at the same time, he knew there wasn\u2019t anything he could really do. \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed in a mulish voice. \u201cI\u2019m going upstairs. But I\u2019m only going to get some sleep now because I want to leave at first light to look for Joe.\u201d Hoss hauled himself up off the sofa and walked in big strides to the stairs.<\/p>\n

Watching Hoss climb the stairs, Ben said to Adam. \u201cHe\u2019s really worried about Joe.\u201d Ben looked at his oldest son. \u201cYou don\u2019t think that something has happened to Joe, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Adam, shaking his head. \u201cJoe\u2019s just late, as usual. I think Hoss is feeling a little guilty because he goaded Joe into riding that stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas the horse acting up when Joe saddled him?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was fine,\u201d Adam assured his father. \u201cHe didn\u2019t give Joe any trouble at all.\u201d Adam smiled. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. Joe will be home soon. This is just a tempest in a teapot,\u201d he stated confidently.<\/p>\n

But Adam\u2019s confidence was shaken as the clock struck midnight, and still Joe had failed to arrive. Both he and his father had stayed downstairs reading, reluctant to go to bed before Joe got home. But as the hours dragged on, both men read less and less. Their concentration began to focus on the front door, rather than the words in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe decided to spend the night at one of the line shacks on Willow Ridge?\u201d asked Ben as the chimes from the clock ended.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t any reason why he should have,\u201d answered Adam with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he got caught up doing some work on one of the shacks,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t going to do any work on the shacks,\u201d explained Adam. \u201cAll I told him to do was ride up to Willow Ridge and look around. He was supposed to come back and tell me what he found. Besides, he didn\u2019t take any tools or supplies with him.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cI wanted to give him an easy day. All he had to do was ride up there, check things out and come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he got sick,\u201d offered Ben. \u201cIf he wasn\u2019t feeling well, he might have decided to bunk in at one of the shacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed fine when left here,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cHe was grinning and making a big deal out of saddling that stallion in front of everyone.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to think, Pa. I don\u2019t know why he\u2019s not home yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stared at the front door, as if trying to will his youngest son to come through it. But the wooden frame remained closed. Suddenly, Ben stood. \u201cI\u2019m going up and get a couple of hours sleep,\u201d he said. \u201cYou should do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026\u201d Adam started to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet some sleep,\u201d Ben repeated, interrupting Adam. \u201cYou\u2019re going to need it. Because we\u2019re going looking for Joe as soon as the sun comes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The pale light of dawn began to filter through the branches. Joe couldn\u2019t remember a sunrise that he was happier to see. He had honestly doubted whether he would make it through the night.<\/p>\n

Joe frankly had little memory of the dark hours. He had tried unsuccessfully to stay awake, to watch for the return of the mountain lion or for other creatures of the forest. But he had repeated drifted off, exhausted by his pain, thirst and increasing fever. When he did wake himself, he had experienced a terrible sense of loneliness and abandonment. He couldn\u2019t see a thing in the inky blackness that surrounded him, and the woods were surprisingly silent. Joe easily could have imagined he was last person left on earth.<\/p>\n

When he had drifted off, Joe\u2019s sleep was anything but restful. His mind was disturbed by turbulent dreams — wild images of attacking animals and fantasies of men laughing as they tortured him in various ways. When Joe could clear his head enough to think logically, he tried to dismiss the dreams. He knew they were the product of his fever and his injured body. But as the night had worn on, the periods of clear thinking had grown less and less. He had spent increasing long stretches either lost in his delirious dreams or fading into a frightening blackness.<\/p>\n

As Joe woke in the early dawn, he felt surprising clear-headed and aware. His body no longer ached. The pain had been replaced with a numbness that seemed to be spreading rapidly. Breathing wasn\u2019t as difficult has it had been; he had gotten used to inhaling shallowly. Even the swelling in his lips and eye seemed less.<\/p>\n

Watching the rising sun slowly erase the darkness of the woods, Joe wondered if this is what it felt like to die. It wasn\u2019t a subject he had ever thought about, and he really didn\u2019t want to think about it now. But he couldn\u2019t help himself. He wondered if dying wasn\u2019t just a gradual loss of feeling, rather than some abrupt ending to life. If that was the case, he wondered how long it took until the last spark of life flickered out.<\/p>\n

It was the emptiness of the woods that bothered Joe more than anything else. Other than that mountain lion, he hadn\u2019t seen or heard another living thing in the forest. If he was going to die here, Joe wanted something \u2013 even a rabbit or a squirrel \u2013 to note his passing.<\/p>\n

A sudden wind blew through the trees, and Joe began to shiver. He felt cold, his body thoroughly chilled by the night air. He knew Townsend had taken his jacket in order to make him suffer the cool night air without even the small protection of the thin coat. Joe supposed he should be grateful Townsend hadn\u2019t taken his shirt, boots or other clothes, although gratitude wasn\u2019t exactly what he felt when he thought of the man.<\/p>\n

Joe suddenly felt tired and a now familiar fuzziness seemed to cloud his thinking. He fought the feeling briefly, not wanting to fade into an eternal darkness before thinking some profound last thoughts. But he couldn\u2019t get his mind to work in that direction. As Joe drifted into unconsciousness, the only images in his brain were the faces of his father and brothers.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like he was here,\u201d said Adam as he emerged from the line shack. \u201cThere\u2019s no footprints in the dust on the floor, and that cupboard doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s been opened since last winter.\u201d Adam took a couple of steps forward to where three men were waiting on horseback for him.<\/p>\n

Perched on his big mount, Hoss frowned as he handed the reins of Adam\u2019s horse to his brother. \u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam climbed into the saddle, he replied, \u201cPa and his men ought to be at that other line shack by now. He said he would fire a couple of shots if he found anything. Did you hear anything that sounded like a signal?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Hoss, shaking his head. \u201cIt\u2019s been as quiet as a grave.\u201d A sick look crossed Hoss\u2019 face as he realized what he had said.<\/p>\n

Sitting on their horses just behind Hoss, Charlie and Pete looked at each other. They had thought it was silly when Hoss had insisted they add bedrolls, canteens and saddlebags full of food and trail gear when they saddled up in the early morning light. Both had been convinced that they would find Joe quickly, probably weary and footsore as he walked toward home. But after several hours on the trail with no sign of Joe, and now an empty line shack, the two men were beginning to think Hoss had been smart to make them bring the gear along.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll head toward the woods,\u201d Adam decided as he reined his horse around. \u201cWe agreed if neither of us found Joe at the line shacks, both groups would check the woods. Pa and his men will start from the west. Let\u2019s head for the east side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twenty minutes later, Adam raised his hand to halt the riders behind him. The four had arrived at the point where the trails converged. Adam called Joe\u2019s name several times. The four men listened for a reply but the only sound in the still air was the faint echo of Adam\u2019s calls.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll cover more ground if we split up,\u201d declared Adam, looking around. \u201cNo telling which way Joe might have gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to check the woods,\u201d Hoss told his brother in a voice that brooked no argument.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,” Adam agreed. He twisted a bit in his saddle to look at the other two men. \u201cPete, you ride down that trail to the meadow,\u201d Adam instructed. \u201cCharlie, keep going east along the rim of the ridge. I\u2019m going to follow the trail that skirts the edge of the woods. If you find anything, fire a couple of shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Separating, the four men rode slowly in different directions, each of them keeping their eyes to the ground. Hoss guided his horse near the woods, then stopped and dismounted. The growth was too thick for him to get his horse through the trees. After tying the reins around a nearby bush, Hoss cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted \u201cJoe!\u201d twice. Hearing no reply, Hoss started forward into the woods.<\/p>\n

After being in the bright sun, Hoss found it difficult to see in the dim light of the woods at first. He stopped a few feet from the edge, allowing his eyes to adjust to the lack of light. As he looked around, Hoss saw something up leaning against one of the trees far ahead of him. It was too far away and the light was too poor for Hoss to make out exactly what it was, but the object seemed odd, unnatural and out of place. He decided to get a better look at it.<\/p>\n

Walking slowly, Hoss started forward, his eyes straying to the ground frequently. He was more intent on looking for signs of Joe than paying attention to the odd shape up ahead. However, as he got closer, Hoss stopped and squinted toward the object. It looked like something shaped like a man. Hoss thought it was strange that someone would leave a large doll or scarecrow so far into the woods. Curious, he walked a few steps closer, then stopped abruptly. He was close enough to get a good look at the object, and a look of horror crossed Hoss\u2019 face as he realized what it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy God!\u201d exclaimed Hoss in a shocked voice. He couldn\u2019t believe he was seeing. The thing tied to the tree wasn\u2019t a doll or a scarecrow. It was his brother Joe.<\/p>\n

A sense of panic and fear filled Hoss as he began to run, his feet tripping over roots and plants as he rushed forward. He skidded to a stop in front of the tree, and looked at the body lashed to the trunk, a body as limp as a rag doll.<\/p>\n

Hoss was convinced Joe was dead. His brother\u2019s chin was resting on his chest, and his body was slumped against the ropes that held him to the tree. Joe\u2019s arms were stretched behind him, obviously tied behind the tree. Hoss couldn\u2019t see anything that looked like a bullet or knife wound, but he also couldn\u2019t see any sign of life in the figure bound to the tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d said Hoss in a choked voice as he reached forward with a trembling hand. He put his hand to Joe\u2019s neck, afraid that he had found his brother too late. Joe\u2019s skin was cool, almost cold, but Hoss sighed with relief as he felt the faint throb of a pulse.<\/p>\n

With a gentle hand, Hoss lifted Joe\u2019s chin and his shock deepened as he saw his brother\u2019s battered face. Dried blood was streaked down the side of Joe\u2019s cheek and chin. Bruises and swelling tissue dotted Joe\u2019s face. What undamaged skin Hoss could see looked pale and pasty.<\/p>\n

After lowering Joe\u2019s chin slowly, Hoss reached into his pants and pulled out a pocket knife. \u201cHold on, Joe,\u201d he said in an urgent voice as he opened the knife. Hoss hurried to the back of the tree, and with two quick motions, cut the rope that was looped around Joe\u2019s wrists.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s arms swung forward, then swayed loosely at his side. The rope around Joe\u2019s chest began to loosen, no longer held by the knots that also had tied Joe\u2019s wrist. As Hoss realized the rope was unraveling itself from around Joe, he dropped the knife and rushed to the front of the tree. He caught his brother just as Joe was falling toward the ground.<\/p>\n

Lowering Joe slowly to the ground, Hoss cradled Joe\u2019s head and shoulder in his arms. He looked for some sign of consciousness, something that would assure him that his brother really was alive.<\/p>\n

As he held Joe in his arms, Hoss began to stroke Joe\u2019s neck and chest. \u201cJoe!\u201d he said in an urgent voice. \u201cJoe, can you hear me, boy? Joe, answer me!\u201d But the figure in his arms laid still and silent.<\/p>\n

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

Lying on the ground, Joe was dimly aware that he was no longer tied to the tree. He had felt himself falling forward, but had been unable to lift his arms to protect himself. He felt a surge of gratitude toward the huge pair of arms which had caught him and lowered him gently to the ground.<\/p>\n

Feeling the hands rubbing him gently, and the warmth of another body, Joe was suddenly filled with happiness. He didn\u2019t care who held him. He could have wept for joy at the thought that he was no longer alone in the woods.<\/p>\n

Joe wanted desperately to move, to open his eyes. He was afraid if he didn\u2019t, the individual who held him might think he was dead and go away. Joe couldn\u2019t face the thought of being abandoned, of being left alone again among the silent trees.<\/p>\n

It seemed to take ounce of strength he had left, but Joe managed to open his right eye a bit. He could make out a fuzzy image, a figure bending over him. Despite the fact that his arm and hand were almost numb, Joe forced his right hand up and managed to grab a piece of the shirt next to him. His jaw worked as Joe tried to talk. He finally forced the words out. \u201cDon\u2019t…leave.. me,\u201d he said, his desperation evident in the raspy whisper of his voice.<\/p>\n

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

As Adam guided his horse down the trail around the edge of the woods, his puzzlement \u2013 and his anxiety \u2013 grew. He could see the faint prints of several horses in the dirt, but there was no telling who had left the tracks on the trail. Nothing indicated that Joe had come this way, but the fact that there had been several riders in the area recently was causing him concern. Unless the Cartwrights were grazing cattle in the area, there was little reason for someone to be up here. He began to wonder who or what Joe might have run into.<\/p>\n

But whatever thoughts Adam had on the subject disappeared in an instant. They blew away like smoke as soon as he heard two shots booming in the air.<\/p>\n

Turning his horse quickly, Adam kicked the animal into a run. He could tell the shots had come from near the woods. As he urged his horse to speed, Adam prayed that Hoss had found Joe, and had found him alive.<\/p>\n

As he reached the grass near the edge of the trees, Adam pulled his horse to a stop and jumped out of the saddle. He could see Hoss a few feet away, bending over a figure on the ground, wrapped in a blanket. Adam ran, covering the few feet in record time.<\/p>\n

When he reached his brother, Adam looked over Hoss\u2019 shoulder to the figure on the ground. \u201cHoss!\u201d exclaimed Adam. \u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam could barely recognize Joe. His youngest brother\u2019s face was bruised and swollen. Hoss was wiping the dried blood from his chin with a damp cloth. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and Adam couldn\u2019t have sworn he was breathing. But he could tell Joe was alive. The blanket which covered Joe was wrapped over his left shoulder and under his right arm. It had to be wrapped that way because Joe\u2019s right hand was reaching up, clutching Hoss\u2019 shirt in iron grip.<\/p>\n

Continuing to gently wipe Joe\u2019s face, Hoss didn\u2019t look at Adam as he answered. \u201cSomeone beat him, Adam,\u201d said Hoss in a voice as cold as steel. \u201cThey beat him half to death, and then they tied him to a tree. They left him there, left him to die all alone in those woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shocked at Hoss\u2019 answer, Adam swallowed hard. \u201cWho did it?\u201d he asked in a breathless voice.<\/p>\n

His back still to Adam, Hoss replied, \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam. Joe hasn\u2019t said. But I aim to find out. I\u2019m going to get whoever did this.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice was flat, without emotion.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes widened as he heard Hoss\u2019 tone. He would have understood if Hoss had sounded angry or upset. But the lack of emotion in his brother\u2019s voice scared Adam. He knew Hoss had moved beyond anger to a deadly resolve.<\/p>\n

Hearing the sound of horses approaching, Adam straightened and turned. Pete and Charlie were approaching on their mounts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, did you find him?\u201d asked Charlie, craning his head to get a look at the man on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss did,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he all right?\u2019 Pete asked. He knew the answer to that question before Adam replied. He could see the concern on Adam\u2019s face, and the way Hoss was bending over Joe.<\/p>\n

Looking over his shoulder, Adam glanced at the figures behind him, then turned back to Pete and Charlie. \u201cHe\u2019s in bad shape,\u201d said Adam. \u201cHe\u2019s been beaten. And he was in those woods all night.\u201d He hesitated before continuing, almost not believing the words he was going to say. \u201cHoss said he found him tied to a tree in the woods. Whoever did this just left him there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d exclaimed Pete. \u201cWho\u2019d do a thing like that, Adam? And why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Adam, shaking his head. He took a deep breath. His natural bent for taking charge rose to the surface and Adam began giving instructions. \u201cThe important thing now is to take care of Joe. It\u2019s too far to get him back to the ranch. We\u2019ll take him to the line shack. Charlie, you go find my Pa and tell him where we are. Pete, get to town and bring the doctor back here.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a brief nod, the two ranch hands turned their horses and rode off. Adam watched them depart, then turned back to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, we\u2019ve got to get him to the line shack,\u201d said Adam in a quiet voice. He took a step forward. \u201cI\u2019ll help you lift him.\u201d<\/p>\n

But instead of moving out of the way, Hoss moved his shoulder to his right, blocking Adam from helping. \u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d stated Hoss, still not looking at Adam.<\/p>\n

Taking a step back, Adam was surprised at Hoss\u2019 reaction to his offer to help. But he shrugged off his surprise. He would deal with whatever was bothering Hoss later. Right now, his concern was for Joe.<\/p>\n

Throwing aside the wet cloth, Hoss bent forward until his face was only inches from Joe\u2019s. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said softly, \u201cCan you hear me? We\u2019re going to move you to the line shack. You\u2019ll be nice and warm there. And Pa will meet us there. Do you understand me? We have to move you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s uninjured right eye flickered open. He stared up at his brother, trying to make sense of the words. His thinking was still fuzzy and confused. He managed to understand that Hoss was leaving. \u201cTake me\u2026with you,\u201d he pleaded in a raspy voice. His right hand tightened its grip on Hoss\u2019 shirt, and twisted it a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Joe,\u201d Hoss promised his brother in a soothing voice. \u201cI ain\u2019t leaving you. Do you understand me? I\u2019ll stay right with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching as Hoss lifted his brother gently from the ground, Adam asked anxiously, \u201cWhat happened to him out there, Hoss?\u201d What did they do to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d answered Hoss grimly as he walked past Adam, carrying Joe toward the horses. \u201cBut it ain\u2019t nothing compared to what I\u2019m going to do to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Huddled together around a small fire, drinking coffee, the Ponderosa ranch hands who had been in the search party waited outside the line shack. The shack was so small there was barely room for all the Cartwrights, much less the hands. So the men camped outside, waiting anxiously for some word on Joe\u2019s condition. They all liked and respected Joe, and were angered that someone would try to kill the youngest Cartwright.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it true that they tied him to a tree and left him?\u201d asked one of the hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Adam said,\u201d answered Charlie in a grim voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019d do a thing like that?\u201d asked another of the hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Charlie, shaking his head. He looked at the other men. \u201cI\u2019ll bet you my bottom dollar that black horse had something to do with this,\u201d he added. \u201cThat animal\u2019s pure evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie, he\u2019s just a horse,\u201d advised one of the men in a reasonable voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said another hand in a voice full of disbelief. \u201cIf you think that, how come you wouldn\u2019t ride him?\u201d The first man looked down and said nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat stallion ain\u2019t a horse,\u201d spat out Charlie in disgust. \u201cHe nothing but bad luck on four legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think whoever did this has the horse?\u201d asked a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Charlie. \u201cBut I guess I\u2019ll find out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d asked one of the men in a puzzled voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I figure Adam and Hoss are going after whoever done this to Joe,\u201d Charlie responded in a determined voice. \u201cAnd when they do, I\u2019m riding with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d said a hand. The other men\u2019s heads nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

Inside the line shack, Ben sat on a chair next to the bed on which his injured son lay sleeping. The shack was small, and four people almost filled it. A few pieces of furniture, a cupboard and a stove took up most of the space. Hoss sat on the only other chair in the room, while Adam leaned against a small table. All three of the men were watching the sleeping figure in the bed, their faces showing their anxiety and concern.<\/p>\n

Reaching over, Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cHe\u2019s still feverish,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut I don\u2019t think it\u2019s gotten any worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPete should be here with the doctor soon,\u201d Adam assured his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, ain\u2019t there something else we can do for him?\u201d asked Hoss in a pleading voice.<\/p>\n

Looking over at his middle son, Ben felt a thread of worry building in a new direction. When he had arrived at the shack, Ben had found Hoss sitting on the edge of the bed, his arms still wrapped around Joe as the youngest Cartwright laid swathed in blankets on the cot. It had taken all of his fatherly persuasion and authority to get Hoss to release his brother. Ben had been more than a little concerned by the rage he saw in Hoss\u2019 eyes as the big man had stepped away from the bed. It was an emotion Ben seldom saw in Hoss.<\/p>\n

As he had removed Joe\u2019s shirt, Ben felt the rage building inside himself. His jaw had clenched in anger as he saw the ugly bruises that dotted Joe\u2019s chest and stomach. He had felt the cracked ribs in son\u2019s side, and seen the burns from the rope on Joe\u2019s wrists. Those injuries only added to the tale of abuse that Joe\u2019s battered face had conveyed. It had taken more control than Ben knew he possessed to calmly instruct Adam and Hoss to bring the saddlebag with the bandages and medicine into the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done everything we can for him,\u201d Ben said, finally answering Hoss\u2019 question. \u201cHe\u2019s stopped shivering, and he seems to be resting easy. All we can do now is wait for the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching Joe sleep, Ben was relieved his youngest son had drifted off awhile ago. He knew Joe had been cold and exhausted when Hoss carried him into the shack, but as Ben had wrapped his son\u2019s ribs and daubed his cuts and bruises with medicine, Joe\u2019s eyes never even blinked. It has been almost eerie the way Joe\u2019s eyes had stayed fixed on Ben\u2019s face as Ben had dealt with his son\u2019s injuries. Even more disturbing had been the way Joe grabbed Ben\u2019s arm every time his father began to move from the bed. Joe hadn\u2019t said a word, but Ben hadn\u2019t needed to hear his son\u2019s voice to understand that Joe needed him to near him. Ben\u2019s anger grew as he realized whomever had attacked his son had damaged more than Joe\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we have to find whoever did this to Joe,\u201d declared Hoss, his anger evident in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you propose we look?\u201d asked Adam reasonably. \u201cWe don\u2019t know who we\u2019re after much less where they went.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever did this has that stallion,\u201d Hoss stated with certainty.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that,\u201d said Adam. \u201cThat horse could have just run off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe find that stallion and we\u2019ll find who did this,\u201d insisted Hoss.<\/p>\n

The sound of a groan from the bed drew the three men\u2019s attention to Joe, the discussion about the stallion quickly forgotten. Adam and Hoss both stood and moved closer to the cot, while Ben leaned forward.<\/p>\n

Moving his shoulders and legs, Joe shifted on the bed. His movement looked stiff and uncomfortable, and soft grunts confirmed it was a painful process. Joe turned his head and his eyes flickered opened, the right one wide while the swollen left barely moved.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d whispered Joe in a panicky voice as he tried to focus on the figure by the bed. Joe reached out and grabbed his father\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy, Joe,\u201d said Ben in a soothing voice. He reached over and stroked Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cI\u2019m right here, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gesture and words seemed to cause Joe\u2019s alarm to lessen. He relaxed against the bed, although his hand still held Ben\u2019s arm tightly. \u201cWhere am I?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in the line shack,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cHoss and Adam brought you here because it was closer than the house. After you get some rest and feel better, we\u2019ll get you home.\u201d Ben looked up at Adam and Hoss before continuing. He knew the question that they wanted him to ask. He just wasn\u2019t sure whether now was the time to ask it. Taking a deep breath, he said, \u201cJoe, who did this to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe studied the three faces above him. He needed to reassure himself that he wasn\u2019t alone. That was what he remembered most from the woods \u2013 the terrible feeling of being all alone, abandoned by everyone. It was a feeling that he never wanted to experience again.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, tell us who did this,\u201d Hoss urged his brother.<\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, Joe decided he had to answer. He was afraid if he didn\u2019t, his father and brothers might leave him. Joe quickly started to talk. He didn\u2019t realize he was rambling, talking in disjointed phrases. In his feverish mind, Joe was being clear and concise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wanted the horse,\u201d Joe began. \u201cThe stallion. Thought they were going to kill me. I tried to fight. Too many, too many of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho as it, Joe?\u201d Adam asked from the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t seem to hear the question. \u201cI rode right up to them,\u201d he continued. \u201cThey said it was just luck, bad luck.\u201d Joe gave a short, almost hysterical laugh. \u201cThat stallion, he brought me bad luck too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reaching over, Ben took Joe\u2019s chin and gently turned his son\u2019s face toward him. \u201cJoe, listen to me,\u201d he said in a firm voice. \u201cTell me who did this to you. Tell me a name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning a bit, Joe looked at his father. He was puzzled by the question. He thought he had told his Pa who had attacked him. \u201cTownsend,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt was Townsend. He beat me up, then dragged me into the woods.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes closed and he shuddered. \u201cTownsend tied me to that tree,\u201d he added softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend!\u201d The name exploded from Hoss\u2019 lips. \u201cI should have known it was him. I should have known it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waving his hand, Ben gestured Hoss to be quiet. \u201cJoe, let me be sure I understand,\u201d Ben said to his son. \u201cThis Townsend, he beat you up and left you in the woods because he wanted that black stallion. Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe answered in a barely audible voice, \u201cYes.\u201d Suddenly, a look of fear crossed Joe\u2019s face, and his grip on his father\u2019s arm tightened. \u201cHe\u2019s a good horse, Pa,\u201d said Joe in a urgent tone of voice. \u201cHe really is. He runs like the wind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he does,\u201d agreed Ben, in a soothing voice, once more stroking Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to spend that much,\u201d continued Joe, sounding afraid. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa. I\u2019m real sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben reassured his son. \u201cThe money isn\u2019t important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not mad?\u201d asked Joe, his voice filled with relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not mad,\u201d answered Ben quietly. He saw Joe relax against the bed once more. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you get some rest,\u201d suggested Ben. \u201cThe doctor will be here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring at Ben, Joe tried to decide if he could risk going back to sleep. He was tired, very tired, but he also afraid of waking up to find himself all alone. \u201cPa, don\u2019t leave,\u201d he pleaded. \u201cPromise me, you won\u2019t leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise, Joe,\u201d said Ben, holding back the emotion in his voice. He felt the anger growing inside of him again. He was beginning to hate this Townsend, not only for the physical hurts he had inflicted on his son, but also for changing Joe into a frightened boy. He loved his son no matter what, but he preferred the independent, almost bull-headed young man who had been at the Ponderosa when he left over the scared boy who clung to his arm for reassurance. \u201cGo to sleep, Joe,\u201d he crooned in a soothing voice. \u201cGo to sleep. I\u2019ll be right here when you wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blinking his eyes, Joe nodded. His eyes began to close and his body relaxed. He drifted off to sleep once more, but his hand still gripped Ben\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Watching and listening to Joe, Hoss had felt his fury grow also. He saw his brother clutching Ben\u2019s arm and heard the fear in Joe\u2019s voice. As he watch Joe fall asleep, Hoss took a step back from the bed. His anger at Townsend for what the man had done, fueled by a sense of guilt for encouraging Joe to buy and ride the stallion, sent him into a blind rage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get him, Pa,\u201d Hoss stated in an angry voice. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to make Townsend pay for what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning in his chair, Ben looked at Hoss, a fear for his second son starting to build in him. \u201cThis is a matter for the law, Hoss,\u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law!\u201d replied Hoss disgustedly. \u201cWhat are they going to do? Send Townsend to jail for awhile?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what do you want to do?\u201d asked Ben in quiet voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to kill him,\u201d raged Hoss. \u201cI want to tear him apart with my bear hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will that accomplish?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cExcept to land you in the jail cell where Townsend should be. Or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care,\u201d Hoss ranted on. \u201cYou didn\u2019t see him, Pa. You didn\u2019t see Joe tied to that tree like some animal. Townsend left him there to die, left him alone in those woods. He\u2019s got to pay for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his own mind, Ben agreed with Hoss. He couldn\u2019t think of a punishment bad enough to inflict on Townsend for what he had done to Joe. But he couldn\u2019t let Hoss know that. Ben had to work to save two of his sons now. \u201cDo you think killing Townsend will help Joe?\u201d he argued. \u201cDo you think Joe\u2019s going to get any better without you around to help him?\u201d<\/p>\n

A stricken look crossed Hoss\u2019 face at Ben\u2019s words. His anger began to cool and as it did, his sense of guilt began to build. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault, Pa,\u201d said Hoss, shaking his head. \u201cThis would have never happened if I hadn\u2019t dared Joe to ride that horse. Townsend would have never gone after him if he hadn\u2019t been on that stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that,\u201d countered Ben. \u201cTownsend might have gone after Joe regardless of what horse he was riding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Townsend went after Joe at all,\u201d said Adam in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

Surprised, both Ben and Hoss turned to look at Adam. \u201cWhat are you talking about, Adam?\u201d asked Hoss with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Townsend went after Joe,\u201d repeated Adam. \u201cI think it was just an accident, just bad luck that Joe ran into him while he was riding the stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you say that?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Roy Coffee came out to the house yesterday morning,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cHe came out to tell Joe that Townsend had left Virginia City There was no way Townsend could have known where Joe was, or that he was riding the stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew Townsend had left Virginia City and you didn\u2019t say anything,\u201d Hoss said to Adam in an accusing tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think it was important,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cRoy said he was heading back to his ranch.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cThe odds of Joe running into him on the trail, especially while riding that horse, well, they have to be astronomical.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring at Adam, Hoss\u2019 eyes widened. \u201cIt\u2019s that horse,\u201d he said in a soft voice. \u201cHe\u2019s a curse, just like everyone said.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Two hours later, Joe was once again drifting off to sleep. But this time, his slumber was drug-induced, caused by the sleeping powders in the drink Doctor Martin had given him.<\/p>\n

Before the doctor had arrived, Joe had slept fitfully, waking frequently to reassure himself that he was not alone. Ben had tried to persuade Joe to sleep long and hard, knowing that the short naps were offering his son little relief from his exhaustion. But Joe had refused to allow himself to fall into a deep sleep. He was afraid of what he would find when he woke.<\/p>\n

When Doctor Martin had finally arrived at the line shack, all three of the older Cartwrights had breathed a sigh of relief. Ben had had a quiet word with the doctor, explaining both Joe\u2019s ordeal as well as his son\u2019s injuries, before Martin had examined Joe. The doctor had listened silently, offering only a curt nod in response before walking to look at his patient in the bed. His examination had been brief \u2013 the doctor had listened to Joe\u2019s heart and lungs with his stethoscope and checked the cuts and bruises Ben had treated. The Cartwrights watched anxiously as the doctor gently probed Joe\u2019s ribs and midsection. Joe had emitted a few sharp grunts during the examination but otherwise simply laid on the bed, a guarded look on his face. After daubing a few of the bruises with medicine of his own, Doctor Martin had mixed the potion which would send Joe into the oblivion of sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should sleep for six or seven hours,\u201d advised the doctor, with a satisfied nod as he watched Joe sink into a deep sleep. \u201cThat\u2019s the best thing for him. Sleep is a wonderful healer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s going to be all right,\u201d said Ben, relief evident in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should be,\u201d agreed the doctor in a cautious voice. \u201cAssuming there\u2019s no complications.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComplications?\u201d asked Adam with a frown. \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInfection, for one thing,\u201d replied the doctor as he got up from the chair by the bed. \u201cThat\u2019s always a danger.\u201d Doctor Martin hesitated before continuing. \u201cThere\u2019s no sign of any internal bleeding, but his stomach and abdomen are severely bruised. There\u2019s no way to tell how much he\u2019s bruised on the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean he\u2019s hurt bad inside too?\u201d asked Hoss, his eyes wide with fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily,\u201d Doctor Martin answered in a voice that was cautiously reassuring. \u201cIt depends on how bad the bruising is. If it\u2019s fairly mild, his \u2018insides\u2019 will heal just like the rest of him. But if the internal bruising is too severe, it could cause an organ like a kidney or a spleen to shut down, perhaps even wither and die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow will we know?\u201d asked Ben in almost a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way to tell for sure,\u201d the doctor admitted. \u201cAll we can do is watch for symptoms \u2013 high fever, sharp pains, nausea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Hoss said, \u201cJoe\u2019s got a fever now. He\u2019s had one since I found him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d agreed Doctor Martin. \u201cBut his fever isn\u2019t any higher than I\u2019d expect from someone who is badly bruised and suffering from exposure. His body is simply reacting to the punishment it received. That fever will disappear in a day or two \u2013 unless there\u2019s some severe damage to his internal organs. If his fever suddenly climbs, then we need to be concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walking over to the table, the doctor took the stethoscope from around his neck and replaced it in the bag. \u201cJoe\u2019s a tough kid,\u201d he commented, with a small smile. \u201cI\u2019m betting he\u2019s as tough on the inside as he is on the outside. But we need to keep an eye on him, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen will we know?\u201d asked Ben anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few days,\u201d answered Doctor Martin. \u201cIf none of the symptoms have showed up after three days, then there\u2019s probably no reason to worry.\u201d The doctor shut his bag with a snap. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t move him, though. It\u2019s too risky. Riding in a wagon over these rough trails could aggravate any internal injuries. Best thing to do is keep him where he is. Just make sure he gets plenty of rest and lots of liquids.\u201d Martin looked thoughtful for a minute. \u201cI\u2019ll plan to come back up here and check on him day after tomorrow. But send for me right away if any of the symptoms I mentioned show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben asked in a hesitant voice, \u201cIs there anything else we can do for him? He seems so, well, anxious. He acts as if he thinks we are going to leave him. He keeps checking to make sure someone is here with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, the doctor thought for a moment before answering. \u201cI can heal his body, Ben,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cBut I\u2019m not an expert on the mind. I\u2019m not sure anyone is. There\u2019s no medicine that will erase Joe\u2019s memory of what happened. to him. He was deliberately hurt and put in a position where there was no one to help him. That\u2019s not an experience that he can just shrug off.\u201d The doctor smiled reassuringly. \u201cBut, like I said, Joe\u2019s a tough kid. I have a feeling he\u2019ll bounce back. He just needs a little time.\u201d With a nod, Doctor Martin walked toward the door. \u201cI\u2019ll be back day after tomorrow,\u201d he promised as he left the shack.<\/p>\n

For a few minutes, the Cartwrights simply stood where they were, silent and unsure what to do. None of them were very good at just waiting, yet that seemed to be all they could do. Finally, Hoss walked over and picked up his big white hat from where he had left it in the corner of the shack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Ben asked sharply as Hoss headed for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter Townsend,\u201d replied Hoss with a determined expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we agreed\u2026\u201d Ben started with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t agree to nothing, Pa,\u201d Hoss interrupted. \u201cI listened to you, Pa, and I heard you. But I\u2019m still going after that skunk. There ain\u2019t nothing you can do to stop me, so don\u2019t even try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with him,\u201d added Adam. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing we can do here for Joe. If we bring back Townsend, that could be the best medicine for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a matter for the law,\u201d argued Ben. \u201cThe best thing to do is ride into town and tell Roy Coffee what happened. Roy can issue a warrant and arrest Townsend. Let the law handle this. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law won\u2019t touch Townsend,\u201d Adam said in a grim voice. \u201cRoy mentioned that Townsend has a ranch over in Paradise Valley. That\u2019s across the state line, in California. Roy has no authority there, and we all know the law in California won\u2019t do anything about a crime in Nevada.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cIf we don\u2019t bring Townsend back, he\u2019ll get off scott free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that ain\u2019t going to happen,\u201d added Hoss grimly. \u201cHe\u2019s going to pay for what he did to Joe. I\u2019m going to see to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the determined faces of his sons, Ben gave up trying to talk them out of their quest. If the truth be known, he wanted Townsend as much as Adam and Hoss did. But he was also afraid \u2013 afraid that another of his sons might become lost because of Harry Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Ben reluctantly. \u201cYou go and bring him back. But you bring him back alive, do you understand? I mean it, boys. I know how you feel and what you want to do.\u201d He glanced over to the bed where Joe was sleeping. \u201cBelieve me, I know,\u201d he repeated softly. Turning back to Adam and Hoss, Ben continued in a stern voice. \u201cBut I won\u2019t have my sons going outside the law. Find Townsend, and bring him back to stand trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watching Adam and Hoss exchange looks, Ben tried to read the message in their eyes. He thought he knew his sons, but looking at their stony faces, Ben wondered if he really did. He wondered if they could honestly say they would look at the man who brutalized their brother and not take their revenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll bring him back,\u201d Adam said finally, the words conveying a promise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlive?\u201d pressed Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at Hoss, then nodded. \u201cAlive,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Ben asked, not needing to finish the question.<\/p>\n

Looking down at the floor, Hoss nodded. \u201cAlive,\u201d he said reluctantly. He turned and walked quickly out the door. Adam followed his brother.<\/p>\n

The ranch hands huddled outside the shack stood as Adam and Hoss emerged. They looked at the two expectantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor thinks Joe will be all right,\u201d Adam told the men. \u201cPa is going to stay here with him for a few days though, just to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor told us the same thing when he left,\u201d said Pete, nodding. He looked at the other men, then turned back to Adam. \u201cWe figure you\u2019re going after whoever did this to Joe. We want to go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our business,\u201d advised Hoss. \u201cYou fellows don\u2019t need to get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to go with you,\u201d insisted Pete. \u201cJoe\u2019s a good kid, and what they did to him ain\u2019t right. We want to get our licks at them dirty cowards, same as you.\u201d The men standing next to Pete murmured their agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, you two might need some help,\u201d added Charlie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can handle this ourselves,\u201d said Adam, frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe you can and maybe you can\u2019t,\u201d replied Charlie. \u201cIt won\u2019t hurt none to have us along, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the faces of the men standing in front of him, Adam felt a rush of emotion. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said gratefully. He looked at Hoss, and saw his brother\u2019s face showed the same feeling. \u201cWe appreciate this,\u201d Adam added. He took a deep breath. \u201cBut we can\u2019t take all of you with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d challenged Pete.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause Pa is going to need someone here, just in case,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cIf Joe\u2026well, someone should be here to go for the doctor if Joe needs him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrank, you stay here with Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Charlie ordered, nodding to one of the men behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also have a ranch that won\u2019t run by itself,\u201d Adam continued. \u201cSomebody is going to have to look after the stock and keep an eye on things for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a point there,\u201d agreed Charlie reluctantly. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then turned to the other men. \u201cBob, you and Fred go back and keep an eye on things at the ranch. Pete and I will ride with Adam and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho put you in charge, Charlie,\u201d complained Fred,<\/p>\n

\u201cI did!\u201d answered Charlie, giving the man a fierce look. \u201cYou want to make something of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Fred meekly. \u201cI was just asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, it\u2019s settled then,\u201d said Charlie. He turned back to Adam and Hoss. \u201cPete and I are ready whenever you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Adam nodded. \u201cRemind me never to cross you, Charlie. I have a feeling I probably wouldn\u2019t like the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be sorry,\u201d grinned Charlie. Then his face grew grim. \u201cBut not half as sorry as those fellows who beat up Joe are going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Paradise Valley was named by someone who obviously appreciated the assets of the area. Thick grass seemed to grow easily, evidence of the rich soil, and streams with sparkling clear water snaked throughout it. Ranchers and farmers who owned land in Paradise Valley needed to invest only some time and a bit of effort in their property in order to make it productive. As a result, it wasn\u2019t surprising that all of the homesteads in the valley looked prosperous and well run. All, that is, except the Townsend place.<\/p>\n

It had taken a little more than a day for Adam, Hoss, Pete and Charlie to reach Paradise Valley, and another half day of asking around before they found the ranch they wanted. Now the four riders from the Ponderosa halted their horses behind some rocks near Townsend\u2019s ranch, making sure they could see the area around the house and barn without being seen. After passing the well-kept ranches and farms in the area, the Townsend ranch looked even seedier than it might have, a sharp contrast to the other residences in the area.<\/p>\n

While the houses and yards of the other homesteads had been neat and clean, the Townsend place had an air of neglect. Peeling paint hung from the weathered wood of the house, and a railing was missing from the porch fence. A broken chair sat on the porch, and the front windows of the house were grimy. Next to the house was a patch of land surrounded by rocks \u2013 land which had been a garden at one time but now was only a home for weeds. An old wheelbarrow stood a few feet from the house, its pan and wheel badly rusted. The barn was several yards from the house, the wood also looking weathered and splintered and its door hanging open as if broken from the frame.<\/p>\n

But it was the small corral next to the barn which drew the men\u2019s attention. Built to accommodate two or three horses, the pen held at least six animals. The horses were crowded together, having barely enough room to move. The animals didn\u2019t seem interested in moving, though. They stood still, with their heads down, their coats matted and manes tangled. The horses looked underfed; hip bones jutted sharply from thin bodies.<\/p>\n

Only one animal seemed well fed and lively. That horse pawed the ground as it tried to move around in the crowded pen. But even the coat of this animal was splotched with mud and dirt \u2013 the coat of a black stallion.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at those poor critters,\u201d muttered Pete in disgust as he gazed at the corral. \u201cThem fellows are too lazy or stupid to take care of them horses properly. We ought to shoot them just for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring Pete\u2019s comment, Adam\u2019s eyes searched the ranch looking for any sign of the men they sought. Other than the nervous shifting of the stallion, there was nothing moving around the ranch. If Adam hadn\u2019t known better, he would have sworn the place was deserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe somebody warned them and they took off,\u201d suggested Hoss as he also studied the house and yard.<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d replied Adam. He remembered the looks on the faces of the men at the places they had stopped to get directions to the Townsend ranch. It was obvious Harry Townsend was not well liked. \u201cI don\u2019t think anyone around here feels friendly enough toward Townsend to care what happens to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink we ought to go down and check the house?\u201d asked Charlie. \u201cMaybe they\u2019re inside.<\/p>\n

Before Adam could answer, the distant sound of a horse whinnying drew all four men\u2019s attention. They turned almost as one to their left. Three men were riding toward the house across the field, the slow walk of their horses showing they apparently felt no sense of urgency or danger. The Ponderosa men crouched low on their mounts, keeping themselves hidden behind the boulders, and waited.<\/p>\n

Riding into the yard with his two partners, Harry Townsend looked as shabby and worn as his ranch. A thin layer of dust covered his clothes and boots, and his shirt was stained with sweat. His partners looked no better. Both wore dirty shirts and dusty pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cEd, you put the horses up,\u201d ordered Townsend as he dismounted and tossed his reins to the man on the horse next to him. The third man did the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come I have to do it?\u201d complained Neeley as he got off his horse. \u201cI\u2019m tired. It\u2019s a long ride from that trading post. And it was all for nothing. There weren\u2019t any women there like you said there would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I was wrong,\u201d shrugged Townsend. \u201cYou seemed eager enough to go when that cowboy told us about the place the other night.\u201d Townsend laughed derisively. \u201cYou sure weren\u2019t getting any looks from them gals in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re all stuck up and snooty,\u201d mumbled Neeley.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, saloon gals are real picky about their men,\u201d agreed Townsend sarcastically. \u201cNow put up the horses like I told you.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Neeley led the horses toward the barn, Townsend turned to Campbell. \u201cJake, you\u2019d better feed them horses. And while you\u2019re at it, fix that latch on the corral. It\u2019s loose, ready to pop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeed the horses, fix the corral,\u201d said Campbell in a mimicking voice. \u201cI thought you said a horse ranch was going to be easy. You said all we\u2019d have to do was buy them horses, let them breed and sell them. You never said anything about having to feed them, and water them, and fix the corral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019d fix the fence around the pasture, we wouldn\u2019t have to feed them,\u201d answered Townsend angrily. \u201cWe could leave them out there. If I told you once, I told you twenty times to fix that fence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m your partner, not your hired hand,\u201d replied Campbell with a shrug. \u201cYou want that fence fixed, you do it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Jed were here, he\u2019d fix it,\u201d said Townsend shaking his head. \u201cAt least my brother would do some work around here.\u201d He sighed. \u201cJust feed them horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are you going to be doing?\u201d Campbell asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got work inside,\u201d replied Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said Campbell, raising his eyebrows. \u201cLike the work you were doing yesterday when I found you sleeping?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeed them horses,\u201d repeated Townsend angrily. His hands balled into fists. \u201cYou want me to tell you another way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I\u2019m going,\u201d Campbell said quickly, obviously not wanting to face Townsend\u2019s anger. He walked a few steps and then stopped. \u201cIt\u2019ll take me awhile,\u201d he added in a sullen voice. \u201cI got to clean out those stalls before I bring the horses into the barn. Ain\u2019t no one touched them stalls in days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet Ed to help you,\u201d suggested Townsend. \u201cBesides, they don\u2019t have to be too clean. They\u2019re just horses. They don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning on his heel, Townsend walked quickly toward the house as Campbell strolled to the barn.<\/p>\n

Watching Townsend and his partners disappear inside the buildings, the four men crouched behind the rocks sat up. \u201cHow do you want to do this, Adam\u201d Hoss asked his brother.<\/p>\n

Looking thoughtful, Adam replied, \u201cWe can\u2019t just ride in there with guns blazing. They\u2019re too spread out. Besides someone might get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care, as long as it\u2019s one of them,\u201d said Pete.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but it\u2019s liable to be one of us that gets hurt and I do care about that,\u201d answered Adam. He studied the ranch for another minute, then turned to Hoss. \u201cIs Townsend the one in the house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cWhy do you want to know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rubbing his chin, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019ve got an idea. Townsend doesn\u2019t know me. I\u2019ll ride up to the house and pretend I want to buy some horses. Lure him outside where I can get the drop on him. While I\u2019m keeping Townsend busy, you three sneak around the back and take care of the two in the barn.\u201d Realizing what he said, Adam added quickly, \u201cJust tie them up. No gun play unless you have to, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Exchanging looks, Pete and Charlie nodded. \u201cAll right, Adam,\u201d Charlie agreed, obviously reluctant. \u201cYou\u2019re the boss.\u201d His face grew grim. \u201cBut if they give us any grief, I ain\u2019t going be too nice with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding at Charlie\u2019s comment, Adam turned to his brother. \u201cHoss?\u201d he said, his question unspoken.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you, Adam,\u201d answered Hoss in a grim voice.<\/p>\n

Deciding he had to be satisfied with that answer, Adam pulled his hat down a bit and turned his horse. \u201cGive me a couple of minutes to get to the house, and then start working your way to the barn,\u201d he told the men. Without waiting for a reply, Adam guided his horse toward the ranch house.<\/p>\n

Stopping in front of the house, Adam dismounted and tied the reins of his horse around a post that he supposed was once part of a hitching rail. He walked a few feet and then stopped in front of the house. \u201cHello!\u201d he shouted. \u201cAnyone around?\u201d Adam waited patiently for a reply. He wanted Townsend to come to him, rather than enter the confines of the house. \u201cHello?\u201d he shouted again and waited.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s patience was rewarded when the front door finally opened and Harry Townsend emerged from the house. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d asked Townsend, looking at Adam curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d replied Adam, a friendly smile on his face. \u201cHeard you had some horses for sale. I\u2019m interested in buying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHorses for sale? Who\u2019d tell you that?\u201d Townsend said in a puzzled voice. \u201cYeah, yeah, we got horses for sale,\u201d he added quickly. \u201cDidn\u2019t plan to offer them up right now, but I\u2019d be willing to make a deal if the price is right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I see them?\u201d asked Adam, continuing to smile. He felt as if the false look of friendliness was painted on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here,\u201d replied Townsend with a nod. He walked past Adam and started toward the corral. Adam followed behind, walking slowly, the smile no longer on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting a buyer, so they really aren\u2019t ready for showing,\u201d Townsend said as he stopped near the corral. As he turned toward Adam, Townsend froze, his eyes showing his surprise at seeing the man behind him with a gun in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this about?\u201d asked Townsend. \u201cYou going to try to steal these horses?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not interested in the horses,\u201d answered Adam in a deadly quiet voice. \u201cI\u2019m only interested in you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn me?\u201d said Townsend in surprise. \u201cWhy me? I ain\u2019t nobody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a sadistic brute who beat a twenty year old kid half to death, then tied him to a tree and left him,\u201d Adam replied grimly.<\/p>\n

Townsend\u2019s eyes widened, reflecting both his fear and his surprise at Adam\u2019s words. But Adam was the one who was astonished when Townsend suddenly began to laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the kid didn\u2019t die,\u201d Townsend stated with a sarcastic grin on his face. \u201cHe\u2019s a lot tougher than I gave him credit for.\u201d Townsend studied Adam for a minute. \u201cYeah, Cartwright must still be alive. Otherwise, you wouldn\u2019t have known to come after me. You some kin of his?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Adam Cartwright,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cYou almost killed my brother. Now I\u2019m taking you back to Virginia City to stand trial for attempted murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAttempted murder?\u201d said Townsend. His eyes narrowed and an almost thoughtful expression crossed his face. \u201cYou\u2019ll never make attempted murder stick. Maybe assault, but they might even throw that out. It\u2019s my word against the kid\u2019s, and I got two witnesses. Ed and Jake will back up my story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what story is that?\u201d asked Adam with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever I can come up with,\u201d replied Townsend, with a sly look on his face. \u201cI\u2019ll probably claim self-defense. Yeah, that\u2019s it. The kid attacked us, and we were just defending ourselves. Ed and Jake, they\u2019ll say the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou defended yourself by beating up my brother and tying him to a tree?\u201d said Adam in a skeptical voice. \u201cI think a jury is going to find that hard to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot when I tell them how your brother was acting crazy, practically foaming at the mouth,\u201d sneered Townsend. \u201cWe had to tie him up to keep him from coming after us, maybe killing us. Hell, by the time I get finished, you\u2019ll be lucky if they don\u2019t lock up your brother instead of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

As much as he hated to admit it, Adam could see the logic of Townsend\u2019s defense. No one had been on that ridge except Joe and his attackers, and the jury might believe the three men if they all told the same story. \u201cThere\u2019s still the matter of you stealing the stallion,\u201d said Adam, jerking his head toward the corral.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that might be a bit harder to explain,\u201d agreed Townsend. Then he grinned. \u201cBut the sheriff told me horse stealing only gets you three years. Maybe even less if I get me a sympathetic judge. I might even be able to convince him to let me serve it in a county jail.\u201d Townsend laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s not all bad. Three meals a day and I don\u2019t have to do anything but lay in bed all day. Probably sell this place. It turned out to be a lot more work than I figured. The money will be in the bank, collecting interest the whole time.\u201d Townsend nodded. \u201cA nice little vacation, and I come out richer than when I went in. Hell, Cartwright, you\u2019ll be doing me a favor taking me in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angered by Townsend\u2019s arrogance and by the fact that what he said was probably true, Adam raised the gun a bit and cocked it. \u201cWhat if I just take care of things now?\u201d he threatened. \u201cSave the law the trouble of trying you.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, a look of fear crossed Townsend\u2019s face. But the look disappeared quickly, and was replaced by an insolent one. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll do it, Cartwright,\u201d he said smugly. \u201cYou shoot me and it\u2019s murder.\u201d Townsend raised his arms a bit. \u201cLook I\u2019m not even wearing a gun. I know you want to get even with me for what happened to your brother, but I don\u2019t think you want it bad enough to swing for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not murder if I shoot you for resisting arrest,\u201d said Adam angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cResisting arrest!\u201d exclaimed Townsend with a laugh. \u201cYou ain\u2019t no lawman, Cartwright, and I\u2019m betting there\u2019s not even a poster out on me. You\u2019re just some fellow who rode onto my place and pulled a gun. Resisting? Hell, yes, I\u2019m resisting, just like anyone would. There\u2019s not a man in this country who wouldn\u2019t do the same. They\u2019d probably end up calling me a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand tightened around the gun. He had killed men before, but always in self-defense. He had never deliberately shot anyone. He had always felt that to do so was morally wrong. But right now, he wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off Townsend\u2019s face with a bullet, to punish the man who had treated his brother so brutally. He was convinced the world would be a better place without the likes of Townsend. It took every ounce of willpower Adam possessed to stop himself from pulling the trigger.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s mine, Adam\u201d said a voice behind him.<\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder, Adam saw Hoss standing a few feet away. His brother\u2019s face looked grim. \u201cWhere\u2019s the other two?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cPete and Charlie have them tied up in the barn,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cThey\u2019re keeping an eye on them. I told them I\u2019d take care of this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smug look faded from Townsend\u2019s face as he turned toward Hoss. He could see the determined expression on Hoss\u2019 face, and the hate burning in Hoss\u2019 eyes. He knew this was a man who would be deterred by mere words. Townsend swallowed hard. \u201cCartwright,\u201d he said, recognizing Hoss from the auction, \u201cyou can\u2019t kill me. Like I told your brother here, that\u2019s murder. You\u2019ll hang for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard what you told Adam,\u201d replied Hoss in a cold voice. \u201cThat don\u2019t bother me none. Like you, I got my own witnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, this is a matter for the law,\u201d Adam said quickly. As much as he hated Townsend, Adam couldn\u2019t let his brother kill the man. \u201cLet the law handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law?\u201d scoffed Hoss, his eyes never leaving Townsend. \u201cI heard what he said, about the law giving him a slap on the wrist. That\u2019s ain\u2019t good enough, Adam. Not for what he did.\u201d Hoss took a few steps toward Townsend, and his hand reached down toward the pistol on his hip.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know what will happen,\u201d argued Adam. \u201cNeither does he, for sure. He could end up in prison.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrison isn\u2019t enough,\u201d Hoss stated, still staring at Townsend. \u201cHe beat Joe, beat him bad. Then he tied him to a tree, like a dog, and left him to die. No one does something like that to my little brother and gets away with it.\u201d Hoss took a step closer to Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you can\u2019t do it!\u201d exclaimed Adam in a desperate voice. \u201cYou promised Pa you\u2019d bring him in alive, remember. You kill him, and all you\u2019ll end up doing is ruining everyone\u2019s life. You\u2019ll go to jail, or worse. Think about what that would do to Pa. And to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s words found their mark. Hoss turned to look at his brother, and his eyes blinked as his thoughts raced. A look of doubt flickered across his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take him back and make him stand trial,\u201d Adam continued, pressing his home his advantage. \u201cNobody in Virginia City will believe his story. They all know Joe and they know Townsend wanted the stallion. His brother even tried to steal it. They\u2019ll punish him for what he did to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 gaze swung back to Townsend. The man\u2019s fear had disappeared from his face, replaced by the smug look once more. Hoss\u2019 eyes narrowed, and he took another step closer to Townsend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, don\u2019t!\u201d shouted Adam. He could see Townsend\u2019s arrogance grated on Hoss as much as it did on him. Adam wanted to see Townsend suffer, just like Joe had. His finger tightened on the trigger of his gun a bit. For a moment, Adam thought about pulling the trigger, a simple solution to what could become a complex problem. But the moment passed as Adam\u2019s moral compass led him away from outright murder. \u201cHoss,\u201d he said in an urgent voice. \u201cWe have to take him back alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staring at the man in front of him, Hoss didn\u2019t answer. Suddenly, his hands moved to the buckle his gunbelt. \u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Hoss, his reluctance evident. \u201cWe\u2019ll take him back alive.\u201d Hoss undid the gunbelt and dropped it to the ground. \u201cBut I figure we owe it to Joe to bring him back in the same condition he left Joe.\u201d Hoss\u2019 hands balled into fists and he took two more steps, stopping only a foot or so away from Townsend.<\/p>\n

Looking up at Hoss, Townsend sneered, \u201cYou think you can take me, big man? You\u2019re wrong. I\u2019ve brought down bigger men than you. You\u2019re going to end up looking just like your brother \u2013 or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to pay for what you did to my little brother,\u201d Hoss promised Townsend harshly.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Adam lowered his gun and relaxed. He almost smiled as he saw the two men glaring at each other. He was going to enjoy this. It was going to be one whale of a fight, and Adam had no doubt Hoss would win.<\/p>\n

Never one to wait, Townsend threw the first punch, a quick blow which landed on Hoss\u2019 chin and snapped the big man\u2019s head to the right. Hoss took a step back and rubbed his chin. Then he threw his own punch, his massive fist crashing into Townsend\u2019s face. The blow staggered Townsend and he reeled a bit. But the man stayed on his feet, and the fight was on.<\/p>\n

Holstering his gun, Adam crossed his arms and took a few steps back as he watched the combatants throwing punches at each other. Townsend was obviously getting the worse end of the fight. Twice he tried to hit at Hoss\u2019 face, only to have his blow blocked by Hoss\u2019 huge left arm while Hoss\u2019 right fist rammed him in the stomach. Townsend doubled over both times and fell back even closer to the corral fence. He managed to land a punch to Hoss\u2019 ribs, but Hoss barely seemed to notice. Hoss countered with an uppercut that knocked Townsend to the ground. Townsend pulled himself back to his feet and aimed a blow at Hoss\u2019 midsection, a weak punch at best. Hoss almost ignored the punch as he sent his fist into Townsend\u2019s face again. Townsend fell back once more, this time landing hard against the corral fence. The horses in the corral neighed nervously and began to shuffle around.<\/p>\n

Glancing to his right, Adam saw Pete and Charlie coming out of the barn, obviously attracted by the noise. Two men walked between them, looking sullen with their hands tied behind their back. One had a bruise on his cheek and a split lip. Adam motioned to Pete and Charlie to join him.<\/p>\n

As the five men watched, Hoss landed two punches for every one of Townsend\u2019s blows. Twice more, Townsend was knocked against the corral fence by Hoss\u2019 blows. Blood was trickling from Townsend\u2019s cheek and lip, and he was breathing hard. But Townsend kept coming at Hoss, refusing to believe he could be beaten by any man. His arrogance was becoming his downfall.<\/p>\n

Almost patiently, Hoss waited until Townsend tried to throw another punch. He blocked Townsend\u2019s move and hit the man once more in the face. Townsend fell back again, this time landing against the gate of the corral. The broken latch on the gate snapped, and as Townsend pulled himself away from the corral, the gate swung open. From the corner of his eye, Townsend saw the gate open. His back to the horses in the corral, Townsend moved to his right, to the open area in front of the corral, hoping to give himself more room in which to maneuver.<\/p>\n

Inside the corral, the stallion\u2019s head lifted and his ears twitched when he saw the gate open. He pushed aside one of the mares and started for the gap in the fence. Then he saw the man move into the wide space at the front of the pen, and the horse stopped. A man standing in front of him was usually enough to keep the horse from running. But the stallion was angry and frustrated, penned up for days in a small corral with no room to move and little food. He pawed the ground, becoming even more frustrated as he saw his opportunity to escape blocked. Lifting his head, the stallion decided he had had enough. He started forward, picking up speed as he ran to freedom and the mares following in his wake.<\/p>\n

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

Waking from his nap, Joe turned to look drowsily around the cabin. Abruptly, though, his eyes snapped open wide and his head rose from the pillow. Joe saw that he was alone, that the cabin was empty and silent except for the sound of his suddenly panicky breathing.<\/p>\n

Throwing aside the blanket that covered him, Joe swung his legs off the bed. He was wearing only a pair of wrinkled tan pants, but Joe didn\u2019t stop to look for his shirt or shoes. He quickly got up from the bed, wincing and clutching his side as his sore ribs protested the movement. Joe stood for a moment, rocking slightly as he tried to get his balance. He forced himself toward the door, his bare feet shuffling over the hard wooden floor. Joe had only taken a few steps when the door opened, and Ben walked in, his arms full of thick, short branches.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out of bed!\u201d exclaimed Ben in alarm as he saw Joe standing near the door. He hurried to the table, and dumped the wood on it, then rushed to his son\u2019s side. Putting his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders, he gently turned his son and guided him back to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I woke up and everyone was gone,\u201d said Joe in a tentative voice as he walked slowly. \u201cI was afraid everyone had left me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just went outside to get some wood for the stove,\u201d explained Ben in a soothing voice. He helped Joe sit down on the edge of the bed. \u201cI was only gone for a minute or two. I thought you were still asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just woke up,\u201d admitted Joe as he eased himself back further onto the bed. He lifted his legs from the floor and swung them back onto the bed. \u201cI guess I got worried when I\u2026. well, I just got worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben stood by the bed and waited. He had been waiting for the past two days, waiting for Joe to open up and talk about what had happened to him. Ben had decided it was up to Joe to broach the subject, that his son would talk when he was ready. But Joe was apparently reluctant to discuss his ordeal and its effects on him. Joe slept whenever he could, and when he was awake, talked about anything but what had happened. Now Ben waited once more, hoping this was the time Joe would finally talk to him.<\/p>\n

Scooting back on the bed, Joe leaned up against the pillows. He looked at his father, then turned his head. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d he asked, obviously trying to divert Ben\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

Turning from the bed, Ben gave a small sigh. He knew that Joe was once more avoiding the subject of the woods. \u201cIt\u2019s almost noon,\u201d answered Ben as he walked to the table and began picking up the wooden limbs. He walked over to the stove, and dropped the branches on the floor next to it. \u201cWe\u2019ve got some of Hop Sing\u2019s beef stew for lunch, and a fresh apple pie. Frank brought them from the ranch when he came back with the wagon.\u201d Ben opened the door of the stove, and started putting a few sticks of wood inside. \u201cIt won\u2019t take long to heat up the stew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Frank?\u201d asked Joe from the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDown at the other line shack, gathering up his gear,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cI told him to go on back to the ranch. Once the doctor gets here this afternoon and checks you out, I figure we\u2019ll be heading back home too.\u201d Ben was thankful that Joe had shown no symptoms of the complications that the doctor had mentioned. His son was healing nicely, at least physically. Ben wondered, however, whether Joe would heal in other areas. He fiddled with the stove, trying to decide what to say next. \u201cIt\u2019ll be good to get home,\u201d Ben said finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe answered without enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know so,\u201d asserted Ben with a smile, turning back to Joe. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to sleep in my own bed. You\u2019ve had that nice soft bed and Frank\u2019s been sleeping at the other line shack. I, on the other hand, have been stuck sleeping on this hard floor.\u201d Ben grinned, trying to convey that his complaint was to be taken lightly. \u201cI\u2019m too old for this. I need soft mattresses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, Joe chewed his lip silently. He knew his father had been sleeping on the floor next to his bed, making sure Joe knew he was there. His father had comforted him when Joe woke with a nightmare, and had stood by the bed with a reassuring smile when Joe woke normally. Joe hadn\u2019t known how to tell his father how much he had needed him to do that. He was grateful that his Pa seemed to know what Joe needed without his asking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019ve been acting kind of funny,\u201d Joe said slowly. He looked up at his father. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be this way, I really don\u2019t. I just can\u2019t seem to help it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Joe,\u201d replied Ben in a sympathetic voice. He sensed the opening he had been looking for. \u201cMaybe if you talked about it, it would help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down again, Joe sat quietly for a minute. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to put into words,\u201d he told his father, obviously struggling to express himself. \u201cWhen I was tied to that tree, I felt so alone, like no one cared what happened to me. It scared me, feeling that alone. I don\u2019t ever want to feel like that again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his understanding, his silence encouraging Joe to continue.<\/p>\n

Now that he had started to talk about what happened, it was if Joe couldn\u2019t stop himself. The words came out in a rush. \u201cThose woods were strange, Pa. I\u2019ve never seen a place so empty. The whole time I was there I never saw even a squirrel. The only living thing in those woods seemed to be that mountain lion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain lion?\u201d said Ben with alarm.<\/p>\n

Giving his father a small smile, Joe nodded. \u201cYeah, a young cat,\u201d he explained. \u201cHe came down to see if maybe he\u2019d like to have me for dinner. I managed to scare him off.\u201d Joe\u2019s face grew serious. \u201cBut after awhile, I would have been happy to have that lion come back. At least, I would have been able to see something else alive in the woods, even if it killed me in the process. Those woods were so quiet, so empty. I really thought I was going to die there, and no one would even care. I\u2019ve never felt so lonely, so\u2026abandoned, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you had to know we cared what happened to you,\u201d Ben told his son. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t think that your brothers and I would ever abandon you like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d said Joe, shaking his head. \u201cI guess I knew, but it didn\u2019t seem to help much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking thoughtful, Ben asked his son, \u201cDid you even think about us when you were\u2026were in those woods?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d answered Joe in a surprised voice. \u201cI thought about you all the time. I wondered where you were, what you were doing. I kept looking for you, or Adam, or Hoss, hoping one of you would show up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd one of us did show up,\u201d declared Ben. \u201cHoss found you. It took us longer than any of us would have liked, but Hoss did find you. It could have been Adam or I that found you. We were searching just as hard as Hoss.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really matter which one of us found you. The point is, all of us were looking. You have to remember that, Joe. All three of us were worried, concerned, and looking for you. We all care what happens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess I know that,\u201d agreed Joe with a shrug. His words implied, however, that the knowledge wasn\u2019t much help.<\/p>\n

Pursing his lips, Ben looked at his son, trying to find the right words. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said suddenly, \u201cwhy didn\u2019t you just give up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d exclaimed Joe, shocked at his father\u2019s question. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you were in the woods,\u201d Ben clarified his statement, \u201cyou said you felt abandoned, alone. Why did you continue to struggle? Why did you prolong things? Why didn\u2019t you just give up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Joe answered frowning. He thought about the question. \u201cI guess I just figured there still was a chance that someone would come and find me,\u201d he conceded slowly. \u201cI guess that I thought if I just hung on long enough, just stayed alive, well, things would turn out all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn other words, you were waiting for us,\u201d stated Ben with a nod. \u201cWhether you realized it or not, you were waiting for one of us to show up. You expected us. That\u2019s why you didn\u2019t give up. Because, deep down, you knew we were looking for you. You knew we would come eventually. It was only a question of when we would find you, not if we would.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking off, Joe thought about what his father said. \u201cYou might be right,\u201d he agreed, although his voice still lacked conviction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019m right,\u201d said Ben confidently. \u201cThe problem is you\u2019ve been focusing on the wrong side of the coin. All you\u2019ve been thinking about is how alone you felt. Try thinking about what else you felt. Try to remember how you were waiting for us, how you knew we would come. It might help.\u201d Ben turned back to the stove. He knew Joe needed some time to consider his words. \u201cI\u2019ll start heating up that stew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting on the bed, Joe stared at the floor. He didn\u2019t answer his father. His thoughts were far away. He had avoided thinking about what happened in those woods, afraid of the feelings those thoughts might evoke. But now, for the first time, his mind was returning to the woods.<\/p>\n

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

Sitting in his favorite chair by the fireplace the next afternoon, Ben stared into the flames. He was thinking about his sons \u2013 all of them \u2013 and wondering what he could do to help them. Ben knew his sons were no longer boys but rather men, and as such, they had to make their own decisions. Nevertheless, Ben worried and fretted over what to do to help them.<\/p>\n

At least with Joe, he knew what the problem was and had made some strides. Joe had spent the night alone in his room \u2013 no nightmares, no anxious wandering around the house, no searching for reassurances in the middle of the night had interrupted his sleep. Ben knew Joe had had a quiet night, because he had lain awake in his own bed most of the night, listening for sounds from the room down the hall. He knew it would take some time before Joe\u2019s memory of those woods faded entirely, but he was relieved to see the haunted look had left Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

With Adam and Hoss, Ben\u2019s worries were different. He didn\u2019t know what his older sons might be facing. He didn\u2019t even know where they were. Ben hadn\u2019t heard from Adam and Hoss since they had ridden away from the line shack four days ago. And with each passing day, Ben\u2019s worry grew. He had seen the anger in their faces when they left, and understood their desire for revenge. He had felt the same emotions. But as Joe\u2019s condition had improved, Ben\u2019s anger had cooled. He still wanted Townsend punished, but he no longer felt the urge to strike back at the man with his own hand. He would be content to let the law deal with Townsend. Unfortunately, Hoss and Adam hadn\u2019t had the opportunity to see Joe getting better, to know their brother would be all right. Ben wondered if their anger had cooled or grown hotter as they rode.<\/p>\n

The sound of horses arriving outside the house drew Ben\u2019s attention. He waited, almost without breathing, for footsteps on the porch. When he heard the footsteps and saw the front door opening, Ben jumped to his feet. \u201cAdam! Hoss!\u201d he exclaimed as his sons walked into the house. \u201cYou\u2019re home at last.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHome and in one piece,\u201d agreed Adam with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2026is everything?\u201d asked Ben, his voice sounding shaky even to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is fine,\u201d Adam replied, nodding. His eyes conveyed the message that Ben wanted to see. Adam looked at his father with a steady gaze, making no attempt at evasion. Ben let out a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d asked Hoss with concern as he looked around the room. \u201cWe stopped by the line shack on the way home and saw it was empty. We figured Joe must have been well enough to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s fine,\u201d Ben assured Hoss. \u201cHe\u2019s up in his room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlone?\u201d said Hoss, looking surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I certainly hope so,\u201d joked Ben. Then he grew serious. \u201cHe\u2019s dealing with things. It\u2019s going to take awhile, but he\u2019s getting there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,” said Adam with a nod. \u201cThe doctor said he was a tough kid. Guess he was right,\u201d added Adam with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened with Townsend?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Before Adam and Hoss could answer, a voice called from the stairs. \u201cAdam! Hoss! You\u2019re home!\u201d<\/p>\n

All three of the older Cartwrights turned to see Joe coming down the stairs. He moved gingerly, his arm wrapped around his stomach and ribs as he slowly descended the stairs. But Joe was smiling, giving his brothers a welcoming grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t he the smart one, Adam?\u201d said Hoss with a smile as Joe approached. \u201cHe recognized us right off the bat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA real genius,\u201d agreed Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I see four days on the trail hasn\u2019t made you two any less cantankerous,\u201d Joe snorted. Then he smiled. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to you, little brother,\u201d replied Hoss, with heartfelt words. He was relieved to see the swelling was gone and the bruises on Joe\u2019s face were fading. \u201cYou\u2019re looking almost human again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, another week or so and I can go out in public,\u201d Joe said. Then the smile faded from Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI heard Pa ask you what happened with Townsend and his partners. I didn\u2019t hear you answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeeley and Campbell are sitting in the Virginia City jail,\u201d advised Adam. \u201cWhen we left, Roy Coffee was making up a list of charges against them a mile long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Townsend?\u201d pressed Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cTownsend\u2019s dead,\u201d declared Hoss flatly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead?\u201d said Ben, his eyes widening in alarm. He turned to Adam. \u201cI thought you said…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t kill him, Pa,\u201d Adam interrupted. \u201cHoss roughed him up some, but we were going to bring him back alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what happened?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cWho killed him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you could say that black stallion did,\u201d replied Hoss. He shook his head. \u201cThat horse was bad luck for him, just like he was for everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop talking in riddles,\u201d demanded Ben, \u201cand tell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and Townsend were fighting near the corral when the gate popped open,\u201d explained Adam. \u201cThe stallion decided to make a run for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he trampled Townsend,\u201d Joe finished for his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t,\u201d Adam said, contradicting Joe\u2019s statement. \u201cThe stallion tried to avoid Townsend, tried to run around him. But he knocked Townsend down as he went by. Before Townsend could even more, the mares following the stallion ran over him. They\u2019re the ones that trampled him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere wasn\u2019t nothing we could do, Pa,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cIt happened so quick. I barely got out of the way myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Townsend\u2019s dead,\u201d said Joe, looking at the floor. He tried to figure out what he was feeling. He didn\u2019t regret the man\u2019s death, but he wasn\u2019t glad Townsend had died either. Yet, Joe felt Townsend\u2019s death somehow closed the book on what had happened to him. For the first time, he felt he really could forget about his night in the woods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to the stallion?\u201d asked Joe, raising his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast time we saw him, he was heading up into the hills with those mares,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought it was more important to bring in Townsend\u2019s partners and tell you what happened than to chase the horse,\u201d added Adam. \u201cBut we can go looking for him, if you want us to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe tried to decide how to answer. He knew he would never ride the stallion again. The horse would bring back too many memories of things he wanted to forget. He turned to his father. \u201cI spent an awful lot of your money to buy that stallion, Pa,\u201d he said in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe money isn\u2019t important, Joe,\u201d Ben replied quietly. \u201cI told you that. It\u2019s your decision, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe turned back to his brothers. \u201cLet him go,\u201d he stated emphatically. \u201cHe\u2019s better off where he is. Those stories about him being bad luck are just going to get worse now. Nobody would ever ride him, much less buy him from us. He\u2019d spend the rest of his life penned up,\u201d Joe shuddered a bit as he spoke the words. \u201cThat horse doesn\u2019t deserve to be forced to stay confined, not for something that isn\u2019t his fault. He\u2019ll be a lot happier running free.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you feel that way, little brother,\u201d said Hoss in a relieved voice. \u201cI wasn\u2019t looking forward to chasing that horse, much less having him around the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

An impish smile twitched on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWhy, Hoss,\u201d he asked innocently. \u201cYou aren\u2019t still afraid of that stallion, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Hoss admitted, \u201cand I ain\u2019t ashamed to say it. There\u2019s a reason why that horse was black, just like there\u2019s a reason why there\u2019s black cats. It\u2019s suppose to warn us that they\u2019re bad luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you don\u2019t really believe that, do you?\u201d Adam asked his brother. \u201cThere no such thing as black cats \u2013 or even black horses \u2013 causing bad luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Ben with a nod. \u201cNo animal or thing is inherently unlucky. They just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and get blamed when accidents happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d Hoss said, shaking his head. \u201cIf something or someone can be lucky, why can\u2019t they be unlucky? I mean, you hear all the time about how some people are just plain lucky, so why can\u2019t the opposite be true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuccess in this world has little to do with pure luck, Hoss,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cMost people make their own luck, through hard work, honesty, and even loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d Joe said suddenly. \u201cHoss might have something there.\u201d He looked into the faces of his father and brothers, the men whom he knew had worried over him and searched for him. \u201cHoss might be right,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cSometimes, a fellow just gets born lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Pa’s away, leaving the boys in charge of….what else?\u00a0 Trouble.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (36,380 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,17],"class_list":["post-13917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-hoss","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1753,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Black-Stallion.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3823,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3823","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":0},"title":"The Mustang (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"July 2, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe sets his heart on capturing a skewbald stallion, and breaking him. Will giving his heart so recklessly to the horse cause it to break instead? Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0\u00a0(8,746 words) The Mustang Series, links to all stories within the series are included.","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\/paint.png?fit=552%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/paint.png?fit=552%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/paint.png?fit=552%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14872,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14872","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":1},"title":"Shadows of Friendship (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"August 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: In The Paiute War, Adam and Young Wolf, son of Chief Winnemucca, were once friends. What made Young Wolf end his friendship with Adam, although Winnemucca continues it with Ben and Adam?\u00a0 Rating - T, Word Count\u00a0- 4799","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Shadow-Collage.jpg?fit=1023%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Shadow-Collage.jpg?fit=1023%2C767&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Shadow-Collage.jpg?fit=1023%2C767&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Shadow-Collage.jpg?fit=1023%2C767&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48193,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48193","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":2},"title":"Mixed Up, Jumbled Up Work on the Ponderosa (by Michele B)","author":"Michele B","date":"December 15, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What would happen if every Cartwright had to do a job they hated? Or at least disliked? This is a story of jumbling up the work and distributing it in a whole new way. Let\u2019s see if the Cartwright sons can really pitch in and fill in for another\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/El-Toro-Grande.png?fit=903%2C743&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/El-Toro-Grande.png?fit=903%2C743&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/El-Toro-Grande.png?fit=903%2C743&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/El-Toro-Grande.png?fit=903%2C743&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62772,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=62772","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":3},"title":"The Black Stallion (by VickiC.)","author":"vickic","date":"March 6, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A wild horse helps Adam and Joe come to a new understanding Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (10,275 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2700,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2700","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":4},"title":"My Kingdom for a Horse (by Rona)","author":"Rona","date":"August 14, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0Joe is determined to own the bay stallion. Is he willing to pay the price to do so? Rated:\u00a0 T \u00a0(10,650 words) Behind the Picture series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Black-Stallion.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2698,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2698","url_meta":{"origin":13917,"position":5},"title":"The Dreaming Eagle — Book 1 — As it Began (by Hooded Crow)","author":"Hooded Crow","date":"January 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam falls in love with a rather unusual young lady and has a lot of trouble come his way. While facing his father\u2019s strong disapproval, he will have to confront his own deepest feelings and find out what he really wants in his life. Matters are complicated by an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10338"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13917"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13917\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}