{"id":13922,"date":"2010-07-14T11:17:00","date_gmt":"2010-07-14T15:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13922"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:25:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:25:59","slug":"bushwhacked-the-missing-scenes-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13922","title":{"rendered":"Bushwhacked – The Missing Scenes (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, Bushwhacked.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (6,975 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bushwhacked: \u00a0The Missing Scenes<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This story is my version of the missing scenes in the episode Bushwhacked. It picks up the story as Ben and Hoss are standing in Joe\u2019s room after the Hoss has tossed the bad guy who tried to smother Joe out the window.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite Hoss\u2019 assurances that Joe was all right, Ben hurried over to his son\u2019s bed and put his hand on Joe\u2019s chest. Ben could feel the heat of Joe\u2019s fever, but he also could feel the steady rise and fall of his son\u2019s chest, as well as the strong beat of Joe\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ben turned back to Hoss. \u201cYou stay with him. Don\u2019t let anyone into this room except me or the doctor. We don\u2019t know how many more may be involved. I\u2019m going to round up the two we caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d answer Hoss with a grim expression. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. Ain\u2019t nobody gonna get at Joe again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giving his middle son a quick nod, Ben hurried out of the room. He rushed across the kitchen and out the door to the wide porch which surrounded the house. Walking rapidly, Ben reached the back of the house where the man who had tried to smother Joe was laying unconscious on the porch, surrounded by shards of broken glass. Blood was trickling down the unconscious man\u2019s face from several small cuts, and a large cut on the would-be killer\u2019s shoulder was oozing more red liquid.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben pulled his gun from his holster before reaching down and snatching the pistol out of unconscious man\u2019s holster. He placed the attempted assassin\u2019s gun in his own holster, then roughly shook the arm of the man lying on the porch. The man groaned and began to stir.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOn your feet,\u201d Ben ordered in a harsh voice as he pulled the man up by the arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The would-be killer lurched to his feet and staggered forward a step. He put his head in his hands for a moment then looked up to see Ben standing in front of him, holding a gun pointed in his direction. The forbidding expression Ben\u2019s face told the man that any show of resistance would likely result in a bullet being fired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, start walking,\u201d said Ben, his tone reflecting the hard look on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m bleeding,\u201d complained the would-be killer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you are,\u201d Ben answered unsympathetically. \u201cNow move!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking slowly around the house, Ben and his prisoner approached the door which led to the Griswold\u2019s kitchen. Ben saw Ern, the Griswold\u2019s young ranch hand, holding a gun on the partner of the man in front of him. The pair were standing just outside the corral in which the other rustler had been shot. He could see the rustler was holding his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBring him into the house,\u201d Ben called to the young ranch hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding to indicate he had heard Ben, Ern motioned with his gun and watched as the wounded man started shuffling toward the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cInside,\u201d Ben ordered the man in front of him, and the pair walked into the kitchen. \u201cSit down,” commanded Ben as he motioned to one of the kitchen chairs with his gun. The man walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. As he seated himself, the would-be killer stared at Ben with a sullen expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hearing the sound of footsteps, Ben glanced over his shoulder and saw the other rustler walking into the kitchen followed closely by Ern. He could see blood trickling through the fingers that the rustler held against his right shoulder. The sight evoked no sympathy from Ben. \u201cSit down next to your partner,\u201d Ben commanded the man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the second man eased himself down onto a chair, more footsteps clatter across the kitchen floor. Once more, Ben looked to see who was entering the room. This time it was Pat Griswold and her daughter Julia who came into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOrv Pettus and Jim Fenton!\u201d exclaimed Mrs. Griswold. \u201cWhat on earth have you been up to?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThese two have been stealing your cattle,\u201d Ben explained quickly. \u201cJoe kept saying the words wagon wheel and tepee over and over. Your husband and I finally figured out that these two have been changing your tepee brand to their wagon wheel brand on your cattle. Joe must have caught them at it and they tried to kill him. When they heard Joe was still alive, they tried again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRustling our cattle!\u201d Mrs. Griswold said in surprise. Then her eyes narrowed and her face took on a hard look. \u201cAfter all we did to help you, you steal from us. You ought to be horsewhipped!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMa, they\u2019re bleeding,\u201d Julie declared in a frightened voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey can bleed to death, for all I care,\u201d replied Mrs. Griswold unsympathetically. Then she took a deep breath. \u201cWell, I suppose we can\u2019t let them ruin our kitchen floor with their blood. Julia, go get the bandages.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

The sound of hoof beats and baying dogs echoed through the night air as Tom Griswold and Sheriff Bob Trussell rode up to the Griswold ranch house. The Sheriff was holding a rope which was attached to the collar of the four hounds he had planned to use to track the men who had attempted to kill Joe. He had been decidedly unhappy when he arrived at the area where Joe had been found only to be told by Griswold that the dog were unnecessary, as Griswold and Ben had figured out who had attacked Joe. Not only was the sheriff skeptical of the two men\u2019s conclusions, he also was irritated because he had been forced to get the dogs and was now told they were not needed. His annoyance had deepened when Griswold insisted they return to the ranch in case Pettus and Fenton tried to get to Joe again. Sheriff Trussell was a man who liked to do his job with as little effort as possible, and all the riding he already done today was more work than he cared for. He had only agreed to ride back to the Griswold ranch because of the look of disgust on Tom Griswold\u2019s face when he had initially resisted the idea.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a scowl on his face, Trussell dismounted and tied both his reins and the rope leash for the dogs to the hitching post in front of the Griswold ranch house. \u201cThis is a lot of nonsense,\u201d the sheriff muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring the sheriff\u2019s comment, Griswold hurried up the steps and into his house. He stopped just inside the doorway to the kitchen, surprised at the scene in front of him. Orv Pettus was sitting on a chair by the kitchen table, his shoulder neatly wrapped in white bandages. Jim Fenton was in the chair next to Pettus with his hands tied behind his back. Griswold\u2019s wife, Pat, was dabbing some cuts on Fenton\u2019s face with alcohol and not being gentle as she did so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Griswold in a stunned voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTom!\u201d exclaimed Mrs. Griswold. \u201cI\u2019m so glad you\u2019re here\u201d. She threw the cloth she had been using to treat Fenton\u2019s cuts on the table and rushed over to her husband.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Standing behind Griswold in the doorway, Sheriff Trussell peered into the room and his scowl deepened. He pushed his way into the kitchen, and turned his glare on Ben. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Cartwright?\u201d he demanded. \u201cWhat happened to these men?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re the ones who tried to kill Joe,\u201d answered Ben in an even voice. \u201cThey tried to do it again tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Turning to face Griswold, Ben quickly explained about the fire in the shed which had been used to lure everyone away from the house, how Pettus had shot at him when he rode in, and how Hoss had found Fenton trying to smother Joe with a pillow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the sheriff listened to Ben\u2019s story, his look of displeasure shifted toward the two men sitting at the table. \u201cHave they admitted the rustling?\u201d growled Trussell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey haven\u2019t said anything,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cBut we caught them red-handed trying to kill Joe, as well as burning down the shed. That should be enough to hold them until Joe is well enough to talk. I\u2019m sure Joe will tell us he caught them rustling and that they tried to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou two made me look bad, and I don\u2019t like being made to look bad,\u201d the sheriff told the men as he glared at them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps on the porch signaled the arrival of yet another individual at the Griswold ranch. This time it was the doctor who walked into the kitchen. Like Tom Griswold, the doctor stopped just inside the kitchen door and surveyed the scene in front of him with surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here,\u201d Ben said. \u201cYou need to check on Joe.\u201d Once again, he quickly explained the events of the evening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll check on Joe right away,\u201d declared the doctor as Ben finished. He started toward the bedroom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d whined Pettus. \u201cI\u2019ve been shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor stopped and turned toward the pair sitting at the table. He gave them a perfunctory examination with his eyes. \u201cYou\u2019ll live,\u201d he said in an even voice. \u201cI\u2019ll take a look at you after I\u2019ve had a chance to tend to my real patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After watching the doctor walk into the bedroom, followed closely by Ben, Tom Griswold turned to his wife. \u201cAre you and Julia all right?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fine,\u201d Pat Griswold assured her husband. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need a new storage shed, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take care of that as soon as I get home from the cattle drive,\u201d Griswold told his wife with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better be getting out to the drive camp,\u201d Mrs. Griswold suggested. \u201cThe others will be wondering what happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Griswold agreed. \u201cThey\u2019re sure going to be surprised to hear about Orv and Jim.\u201d He looked at the pair sitting at the table, and frowned. \u201cThere\u2019s no telling how many of our cattle they changed the brands on. We\u2019re going to have to cut all of their steers out of the herd and check them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Tom, my guess is these two ain\u2019t gonna be around to collect their cut of the herd,\u201d Sheriff Trussell commented. \u201cIt seems to me if you took their share, that\u2019d be ample compensation for the damage they did to your ranch. It\u2019d save you the trouble of cutting out their steers and checking on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think that would be all right?\u201d Griswold asked a bit anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure the other ranchers will agree,\u201d declared Mrs. Griswold.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fix it with the judge,\u201d Trussell said, nodding, \u201cjust to make sure there\u2019s no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, thanks, Bob, I appreciate that,\u201d Griswold replied. He turned to his wife and gave her a hug, followed by a kiss on the forehead. \u201cI should be going.\u201d Take a few steps to his left, Griswold put his arms around Julia, who had been standing in the back of the room watching with a fascinated expression on her face. He hugged and kissed his daughter, then turned back to his wife. \u201cYou two take care of yourself. I\u2019ll be back in about six weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be fine, don\u2019t worry,\u201d Mrs. Griswold assured her husband.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning his gaze toward Ern, who was lounging against the kitchen wall with his gun still held loosely in his hand, Griswold said, \u201cErn, you take care of things here while I\u2019m gone.\u201d When the young ranch hand nodded, Griswold added, \u201cOh, by the way, there\u2019s a pack of dogs outside. Put them in the barn for tonight, and then take them back to Howie in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Mr. Griswold,\u201d said Ern. \u201cYou have a good trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giving his daughter a squeeze, Griswold headed for the door. He stopped long enough to give his wife another peck on the check, and then walked out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Inside the bedroom of the Griswold ranch house, Ben and Hoss watched anxiously as the doctor examined Joe. After checking Joe\u2019s pulse and breathing, the doctor turned the youngest Cartwright on his side and pulled back the bandages which covered his wound. He nodded to himself as he looked at the wound, then slowly eased Joe onto his back once again. Pulling down the covers, the doctor also inspected Joe\u2019s leg wound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unable to stand quietly by any longer, Ben asked, \u201cHow is he, doctor?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs well as can be expected,\u201d replied the doctor, pulling the covers up to Joe\u2019s chest once more. \u201cHis fever is down a bit, and the wound in his back isn\u2019t showing any further signs of infection. He\u2019s not out of the woods yet, but I\u2019d say he has a good chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giving out a sigh of relief, Ben glanced toward Hoss. He could see his middle son\u2019s face reflected his own feeling of hope.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe best thing for him now is plenty of rest,\u201d the doctor continued. \u201cOnce his fever breaks, he should begin to recover quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long will it be until his fever breaks?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way of telling,\u201d admitted the doctor. \u201cI would guess a day, maybe two, but I can\u2019t be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFenton didn\u2019t do him any more harm, did he?\u201d Ben pressed the doctor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I can see,\u201d the doctor replied. \u201cIt looks like your son there got to him in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching over, Ben placed his hand on Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d answered Hoss, clearly embarrassed. \u201cI didn\u2019t do nothing. I couldn\u2019t let that yahoo hurt Joe. Besides, I\u2019m really good at throwing out trash, and that\u2019s exactly what I threw through that window.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben patted Hoss\u2019 shoulder. \u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d he agreed. Then his face sobered. \u201cWe came much too close to losing Joe. We can\u2019t let that happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take a look at those two out in the kitchen,\u201d the doctor declared. \u201cThen I\u2019ll come back and stay with Joe. You two look like you could use some rest. Go get some sleep. Doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

As the doctor predicted, another day passed before Joe\u2019s fever broke. He slept peacefully for several hours, then began to stir. Hoss, sitting near his brother\u2019s bed, watched Joe carefully for a few minutes. Once he was convinced Joe was about to wake, Hoss stood and walked to the door of the bedroom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Joe\u2019s coming around,\u201d Hoss called. Without waiting for an answer, Hoss took a step back into the room and waited. Only a few seconds passed before his father hurried into the bedroom and rushed over to Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Joe, can you hear me?\u201d Ben asked softly, putting his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe, open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the recess of darkness in which his mind had huddled for the past few days, Joe heard his father\u2019s voice. At first, he resisted the call, sure that he was having another one of those bizarre dreams which had plagued him. But then he felt Ben\u2019s hand on his shoulder and heard the tone of concern in his father\u2019s voice. Joe knew this wasn\u2019t a dream.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With what felt like a herculean effort, Joe pushed his eyes open. At first, all he saw was a blur. He blinked once, then twice, and a room came into focus. It was a strange room, one he didn\u2019t recognize. The furniture, the boarded-up window, the patterned wallpaper \u2013 all were items he hadn\u2019t seen before. Joe wondered where he was, and then as he winced at the pain in his leg and his back, he wondered what had happened to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d a voice said softly in Joe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It seemed to Joe that it took a lot of energy to turn his head to look at the voice. But when he saw his father looking down at him anxiously, he was glad he had made the effort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pa,\u201d mumbled Joe. Those two words were all he could manage to get out his from his dry mouth. He licked his lips, and tried again. \u201cThirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go, little brother, drink this.\u201d Hoss put a glass half filled with water to Joe\u2019s lips and held it steady as Joe drank from it slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said softly after drinking his fill and pulling his head back a bit. As Hoss took the glass away from him, Joe turned again toward Ben. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou were shot, Joe,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cOnce in the back, and once in the leg. You were a pretty sick boy for awhile, but the doctor says you\u2019ll be all right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frowning a bit, Joe thought about what his father had told him. He remembered the odd images in his dreams \u2013 the two men by the fire who had seemed friendly until he had spotted the running iron. He recalled seeing two calves, one branded with a teepee and another with a wagon wheel. It hadn\u2019t taken Joe long to figure out the men were changing brands. Joe remembered the bullet that pierced his leg, causing him to fall from his horse. After that, the images were all jumbled up in his mind. His desperate attempt to run to safety, a sharp pain in his back knocking him to the ground, wagon wheels, teepees, heat of burning fires, and a darkness that seemed to be pulling at him \u2013 all were confused pictures which seemed to make no sense.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But one thing Joe did know. He had seen the men who were changing brands and they had tried to kill him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, there were two of them,\u201d Joe started to explain in a voice filled with urgency. \u201cThey were changing brands\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh. Don\u2019t try to talk, Joe,\u201d Ben told his son as he patted Joe lightly on the shoulder. \u201cWe know all about the men who tried to kill you. You told us all about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did?\u201d Joe responded in a confused voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you told us enough that we finally figured it out,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cIt took us awhile, but we got the two men who did this to you. You\u2019re safe now, Joe. Those men won\u2019t be bothering you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding slowly, Joe accepted his father\u2019s words. He didn\u2019t quite understand everything that had happened but he was too tired to try to make sense of things now. His eyelids grew heavy, and, suddenly, staying awake was taking a lot of effort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou go to sleep, Joe,\u201d Ben crooned softly. \u201cWe\u2019ll tell you all about it later. You go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he closed his eyes, the thought crossed Joe\u2019s mind that there were many things that needed to be explained, but only a few that his father and brother would be able to tell him about.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Over the next ten days, Joe\u2019s condition improved significantly. At first, he was a model patient, accepting the medicine, broth and soft food, and the changing of his bandages without complaint. The truth was that Joe was too tired, too weak to do more than obediently open his mouth when told, and to stay still as the doctor worked on him. He slept for long periods of time, silently grateful that his rest was no longer interrupted by perplexing scenes in fevered dreams. When he was awake, Joe often found Hoss or Ben sitting by his bedside. Mostly he just listened as his father and brother talked, filling in the details of what had happened to him as well as the men who had tried to kill him, or telling him about the work they were doing around the Griswold ranch to help out the family to whom they owed so much. In the beginning, Joe didn\u2019t have the energy to contribute more than a few words here and there to these conversations, but no one minded. Ben and Hoss were just happy to see Joe alert and listening, and Joe liked the reassuring sound of his father\u2019s and brother\u2019s voices.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But as his strength grew, Joe became less compliant and more impatient. He was fed up with doing nothing but lying bed, bored by his forced inactivity, and he wasn\u2019t shy about making his feelings known.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hoss brought the new pane of glass into the bedroom, Joe looked up from the piece of leather he was working on as a present for Julia. \u201cWhat do you have there?\u201d he asked in an interested voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful new thing called glass,\u201d Hoss answered dryly. \u201cSee, you put it into a frame and it makes a window.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout time you replaced that broken window,\u201d Joe grumbled. \u201cI could use seeing a little sunshine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had a few other things to do,\u201d Hoss said, sounding more than a bit testy. \u201cClearing away that burnt wood, rebuilding the shed, taking care of the stock\u2026 Making sure you had some sunshine wasn\u2019t very high on the list. Besides, you\u2019ve been sleeping more than staying awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I\u2019m sleeping a lot because it\u2019s always dark in here,\u201d countered Joe in a grumpy voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Hoss could say anything more, Julia walked into the room with a small bottle and spoon in her hand. Happy that Joe had someone else to complain to, Hoss turned to pulling the boards off the window.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, Ma said it was time for you to take your medicine,\u201d Julia announced as she approached the bed. \u201cShe told me to give you a spoonful of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Putting his hand lightly on Julia\u2019s wrist, Joe smiled at the girl. \u201cJulia, you are the prettiest nurse a man could ask for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking down, Julia blushed a bit. \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I appreciate everything you\u2019ve done for me,\u201d Joe continued. \u201cBut I really don\u2019t need to take any more of that medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Ma said\u2026\u201d Julia started to protest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your Ma is doing only what the doctor told her,\u201d acknowledged Joe. \u201cBut I really don\u2019t need any more of that medicine. I\u2019m feeling fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJulia, honey, don\u2019t you listen to him,\u201d declared Hoss as he walked from the window toward the bed. \u201cJoe has been complaining about taking his medicine for as long as I can remember. Why, when he was just a little shaver, we used to have to hold him down and force his mouth open just to get a spoonful inside him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d exclaimed Julia, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t listen to him,\u201d Joe retorted with a frown. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s talking about. He can\u2019t even put a window in the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow just how do you figure that, little brother?\u201d Hoss asked, returning Joe\u2019s frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I just know,\u201d replied Joe, sounding a bit less sure of himself. \u201cI\u2019ve put in more windows than you have and I just know you\u2019re going to mess this up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve broken more windows than I have, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Hoss noted. \u201cBut it seems to me that you\u2019re a whole lot better at breaking windows than putting them in.\u201d He held his hand up as Joe began to protest. \u201cNow don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to sidetrack me, Joe. I\u2019m here to tell you that you\u2019re going to take your medicine and you\u2019re going to do it now.\u201d\u00a0 He took the bottle and spoon from Julia, and after taking the stopper out of the bottle, poured some medicine onto the spoon. \u201cNow, open up, little brother. Otherwise, I\u2019m going to have to force this down your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou and what\u2026\u201d began Joe. But before he could say another word, Hoss stuck the spoon into Joe\u2019s mouth and dumped the contents.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee, now wasn\u2019t so hard was it?\u201d said Hoss with a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you big\u2026you tricked me!\u201d sputtered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d agreed Hoss, as he handed the spoon and bottle back to Julia. \u201cAnd it weren\u2019t hard either. Now why don\u2019t you just lay down and take a nap while I finish working on that window.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Hoss walked back to pick up the pane of glass, Joe called after him. \u201cI\u2019m going to watch every move you make, just to be sure you do it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Standing by the bed, Julia\u2019s head swiveled back and forth between the two brothers; she had a bewildered look on her face. \u201cI\u2019d better go help Ma,\u201d she mumbled and turned to leave the room. As she left the bedroom, she could still hear the voices behind her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSee what you did? That’s all wrong.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I did? I didn\u2019t do nothing, little brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Julia entered the kitchen, she was glad to see Mr. Ben (as she privately called him in order to keep the Cartwrights straight in her mind) sitting at the table with her mother. \u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d Julia said, clearly distressed, \u201cyour sons\u2026they\u2019re arguing something fierce.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey are?\u201d replied Ben. His face brightened, which confused Julia even more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Julia confirmed. \u201cThey\u2019re arguing over putting in the window and\u2026well, just everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laughing a bit, Ben nodded his head. \u201cJulia, when Joe and Hoss start arguing, that means that Joe is getting better. It\u2019s when they\u2019re quiet that I start getting worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJulia, you go out and feed the chickens,\u201d Mrs. Griswold told her daughter. \u201cMr. Cartwright and I have some talking to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma,\u201d Julia said obediently. She put the medicine bottle and spoon on the table and hurried out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning back to Ben, Mrs. Griswold continued their interrupted conversation. \u201cSo Orv and Jim have decided to plead guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Hoss said,\u201d Ben confirmed. \u201cHe talked with Sheriff Trussell when he went into town to pick up the window pane and the other supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope the judge throws the book at those two,\u201d declared Mrs. Griswold. \u201cThey ought to be locked up until they\u2019re old and gray.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI feel the same way,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cThe hearing and sentencing is tomorrow. I plan to be in the courtroom to hear what the judge has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Mrs. Griswold. \u201cYou make sure that judge understands what they did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Ben promised. He hesitated a moment, then continued. \u201cI\u2019m also going to pick up some clothes for Joe. The doctor said he\u2019d be well enough to travel in a few more days. It\u2019s time we were heading home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to need a wagon to get him there,\u201d Mrs. Griswold pointed out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cI thought I\u2019d see about renting one when I was in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be silly. Take ours,\u201d declared Mrs. Griswold. \u201cWe\u2019re not going to need it for awhile. Julia and I aren\u2019t going any place until Tom gets back.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019ll need it to pick up supplies, won\u2019t you?\u201d Ben asked a bit anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t need much, since it will just be Julia, Ern and me once you\u2019ve left,\u201d noted Mrs. Griswold. \u201cThe buckboard will be plenty big for what we\u2019ll need to carry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said gratefully. He smiled. \u201cSeems I\u2019m always saying \u2018thank you\u2019 to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt goes both ways, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Mrs. Griswold replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Taking a seat in the courtroom, Ben wasn\u2019t surprised to see he was the only one there. Pettus and Fenton\u2019s crimes had been a one-day wonder in the town, commented on and gossiped about for a short time before everyone had returned to the routine of their lives. What little interest that had continued to circulate quickly died once the word had spread the two men were pleading guilty. A trial might have been a diversion — something to watch as a form of entertainment — but a sentencing was a rather boring legal procedure. Boring, that is, to everyone except the father of the man they had tried to kill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting in the deserted gallery, Ben waited and watched. He saw two men wearing suits enter the courtroom, obviously the lawyers. One went to the table on the left side of the room, and one went to the table on the right. Pettus and Fenton entered next, handcuffed and followed by the sheriff who was holding a shotgun. Both men walked to the table on the left and began talking in low voices to their lawyer. The lawyer nodded, then said something to Sheriff Trussell. Sighing, the sheriff reached into his pocket, pulled out a key, and took the handcuffs off his prisoners. As Fenton and Pettus sat down at the table, Trussell moved to the side of the courtroom. He watched the two men with a scowl on his face\u2026and with the shotgun in his arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only another minute passed before a small white-haired man wearing a black robe entered the courtroom from a side door. The judge sat down behind the bench and looked expectantly at the prosecuting attorney.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat patiently as the prosecutor read the list of crimes which Fenton and Pettus had committed, and listen carefully when both men said \u201cguilty\u201d in response to the judge\u2019s question about their plea. He leaned forward, though, when the judge asked the men if they had any statement to make before sentencing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll speak on behalf of my clients,\u201d the defense lawyer announced as he got to his feet and walked to stand before the judge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour Honor, my clients are truly ashamed of what they\u2019ve done,\u201d the lawyer stated. \u201cBut you need to understand their circumstances. These two men were trying to build up their ranch. They faced some hard times, and things weren\u2019t going well. They decided to take a few cattle from one of their neighbors. It was a bad decision on their part, no question, but they only meant to take a few head to help them make ends meet. Unfortunately, Joseph Cartwright came across them as they were changing the brands, and my clients panicked. They shot the man without thinking. Afraid that they would be found out, they tried to cover up their crime when they learned Mr. Cartwright was still alive. My clients started out only to take a few cattle and the situation got totally out of hand. They never meant to harm anyone. They simply became frightened when they were discovered with a running iron and acted without thinking. They understand what they did was wrong and are sorry for their actions. I ask the court\u2019s mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A frown grew on Ben\u2019s face as he listened to the defense lawyer\u2019s statement. He glanced up at the judge and saw the man was listening carefully. Whether the judge was sympathetic or not was hard to determine. Ben decided not to take a chance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour Honor, I\u2019d like to make a statement before you pronounce sentence,\u201d Ben announced, getting to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d the judge asked, glaring at Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cThe man these two tried to kill is my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I see,\u201d the judge said, his face clearing. \u201cWell, in that case, I think it\u2019s appropriate I hear what you have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Your Honor,\u201d Ben responded. He walked forward and stopped in front of the judge\u2019s bench. Ben took a moment to collect his thoughts and then began speaking. \u201cYour Honor has heard one interpretation of the events surrounding the attempted murder of my son Joseph. Pettus and Fenton\u2019s lawyer says they are merely two men who got caught up in circumstances. I disagree. I say these are two vicious, hardened men who didn\u2019t care who they hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After taking a deep breath, Ben went on. \u201cWe don\u2019t know how many head of the Griswold\u2019s cattle these men stole by changing the brand. But the truth is, the number doesn\u2019t matter. Pettus and Fenton stole from their neighbors. I can tell you from my own knowledge that the Griswold\u2019s are fine people, people who would do anything to help a total stranger. If they would do that for someone they didn\u2019t know, just imagine what they would do for a neighbor, for friends. But these two didn\u2019t care about that. They repaid the Griswolds\u2019 friendship by stealing from them. They changed the brand on the cattle from the Griswolds\u2019 teepee brand to their own wagon wheel brand so they could claim those steers as their own.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy son Joseph caught them changing the brands,\u201d Ben told the judge. \u201cHe didn\u2019t threaten or confront these men; he just rode off, planning on reporting what he had seen to the sheriff. But Pettus and Fenton couldn\u2019t let him do that, so they shot my son. They shot him twice \u2013- once in the back — and then they rode off, leaving my son to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The judge turned to look at the two men sitting at the table; his eyes narrowed and his face hardened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut my son didn\u2019t die, Your Honor,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cHe fought to stay alive, and was found by Mr. Griswold. Griswold took Joseph into his home, got a doctor for him, and his wife and daughter nursed him. When Pettus and Fenton heard about this, they didn\u2019t panic. While Joe was hovering between life and death, these two schemed and planned. They waited until the Griswold ranch was almost deserted and then they went after Joseph again. They started a fire as a diversion, not caring what damage that fire might cause, and then they tried to kill my son once more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The emotion was evident in Ben\u2019s voice as he spoke. \u201cMy son Joseph was lying sick and helpless in his bed, fighting for his life, when Fenton broke into his room. Fenton tried to smother my son; he put a pillow over Joe\u2019s face and held it down. If my other son hadn\u2019t stopped him, Fenton would have murdered my son. And while this was happening, Pettus was shooting at me, trying to kill me because I also was trying to save my son\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Again, Ben took a deep breath. The emotion was gone from his voice, replaced by a tone that was both determined and unwavering. \u201cPettus and Fenton are not men caught up in circumstances. They are men who knowingly stole from their neighbor, men who shot a man in the back and left him to die, and men who would have killed a sick, helpless man if my other son and I hadn\u2019t intervened. Your Honor, I ask that you show them no mercy. In fact, I ask that you give them the harshest penalty you can.\u201d\u00a0 Ben pressed his lips together, forming a hard line. Then he simply added, \u201cThank you, Your Honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the judge responded quietly. As Ben turned to walk back to his seat, the judge suddenly called out, \u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stopping, Ben looked back at the judge. \u201cYes, Your Honor?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, will your son recover fully?\u201d asked the judge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Your Honor, he will,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cThrough the grace of God and the skill of a dedicated doctor, Joseph will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d the judge said once more, and looked down at the papers in front of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Returning to sit in the gallery, Ben wondered what the judge was thinking. Would the fact that Joe would recover make a difference to the judge? Had his impassioned plea fell on the deaf ears? Ben waited anxiously for the judge to pronounce the sentence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Pettus and Mr. Fenton, please stand,\u201d ordered the judge. When the two men were on their feet, the judge looked at them for a long moment, then continued. \u201cYou have pled guilty to cattle rustling and two counts of attempted murder. Frankly, from what I\u2019ve heard today, arson and assault could have been added to those charges, but they weren\u2019t, so I will have to ignore those facts. I\u2019ve listened to your lawyer\u2019s explanation on your behalf and I\u2019ve listened to Mr. Cartwright. Now I am ready to impose sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Out in the gallery, Ben held his breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI am agreeing with Mr. Cartwright\u2019s view of the facts,\u201d announced the judge. \u201cI can think of no more despicable acts than to steal from your neighbors, shoot a man in the back, and then try to kill that man as he lies in his sickbed.\u201d The judge\u2019s face grew hard. \u201cI am sentencing you to five years for the rustling, and ten years for each of the attempted murder charges. The sentences will run consecutively. You will spend the next twenty-five years of your life in prison.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Fenton. \u201cYou can\u2019t do that!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe said we were sorry, judge,\u201d whined Pettus. \u201cYou can\u2019t send us away for twenty-five years. That ain’t fair.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBe quiet or I will add contempt to your sentences,\u201d ordered the judge harshly. \u201cYou are lucky that Mr. Cartwright\u2019s son is still alive. If he wasn\u2019t, I would have happily sentenced you to hang. As it is, all I can do is impose the maximum sentences allowed. Sheriff, take these two away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Trussell walked over to place the handcuffs on the two now sullen men, Ben let out his breath. Twenty-five years in prison was more than he expected, but less than he felt Pettus and Fenton deserved. If it had been up to him, they would have spent the rest of their lives in prison.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Picking up his hat from the chair next to him, Ben stood and looked at Pettus and Fenton for a moment. Then he deliberately turned his back on them and walked out of the courtroom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Fully dressed for the first time in weeks, Joe laid on the covers atop the bed waiting impatiently for Hoss to finish tugging the boots on to his foot. While he was grateful for the care and attention he had received from the Griswolds, Joe was eager to get home. He couldn\u2019t wait to sleep in his own bed, to wake up in a room where everything was familiar. He had listened with only half an ear to the doctor\u2019s admonishments yesterday. His attention had strayed the minute the doctor said he was fit to travel back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go, little brother,\u201d declared Hoss, stepping back from the bed. \u201cYou\u2019re all set.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe muttered. He sat up and then swung his legs off the bed. A feeling of lightheadedness suddenly came over him, and Joe gripped the edge of the mattress. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened his eyes to see Hoss watching him with a concerned frown on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, Joe?\u201d asked Hoss anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cJust moved too fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pushing himself up, Joe stood carefully. He winced a bit at the pain the movement caused. He felt a pain in his back, as if someone had poked him with a dull stick, and a twinge in his leg.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you can walk, Joe?\u201d Hoss pressed his brother. \u201cI can carry you out to the wagon, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can walk,\u201d Joe answered in a tight voice. He took a tentative step forward, making sure his sore leg would hold his weight. The muscles in his lower limb responded with a dull pain of protest but did their job. Joe took another step forward, then stopped. He stood still for a moment, making sure he kept his balance. Then he took a small step forward once more. The pain in his leg didn\u2019t seem any worse, only more persistent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning to his brother, Joe smiled ruefully at Hoss. \u201cI can walk but I guess I could use a little help,\u201d he admitted. \u201cAt this rate, it\u2019s going to take me all day just to get to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a smile on his face, Hoss moved next to Joe. \u201cYou just lean on me, little brother,\u201d he told Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll have you out to that wagon in no time.\u201d \u00a0Hoss wrapped his arm around his brother\u2019s waist as Joe placed his right arm across his shoulders. \u201cReady?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d Joe answered. He took a deep breath. \u201cBoy, am I ever ready to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe set the pace as the two men walked slowly across the room. Hoss shortened his stride and tried to match Joe\u2019s slow and tentative gait. The pair lurched a bit until they got into a rhythm, then began moving easily across the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe and Hoss entered the Griswold\u2019s kitchen, Ben watched his two sons anxiously. He trusted the doctor\u2019s judgment that Joe was ready to go home, but nevertheless, he couldn\u2019t help worrying that Joe was trying to do too much too soon. \u201cYou all right, Joe?\u201d he asked as Hoss helped his brother cross the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d Joe assured his father. \u201cJust got to keep moving. Once I stop, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m going to want to do this again for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnly a little further, Joe,\u201d Hoss said in an encouraging voice. \u201cThe steps are going to be the tricky part. Just take it slow and we\u2019ll get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben followed his sons as they moved across the room and out the door. His hands were extended a bit, ready to help Joe if he faltered. But Joe kept moving steadily, if slowly, out of the house and across the porch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the top of the steps which led from the porch to the ground below, Hoss stopped. \u201cOne step at a time, Joe,\u201d he advised his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m doing. Taking things one step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A smile broke out on Ben\u2019s face as he watched Hoss and Joe maneuver down the steps and across the dirt toward the waiting wagon. Somehow, he suddenly knew everything was going to be all right. They would go home to the Ponderosa and Joe would recover. It would take awhile but Joe would be fine. All they had to do was take it one step at a time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, Bushwhacked.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (6,975 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":6413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-13-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/bush1.jpeg?fit=240%2C160&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13922","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=13922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6413"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}