{"id":13928,"date":"2005-12-08T12:11:36","date_gmt":"2005-12-08T17:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13928"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T18:30:16","slug":"dead-mans-canyon-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13928","title":{"rendered":"Dead Man’s Canyon (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 With Army money in their saddlebags, looking for a faster way home leads Ben and the boys to Dead Man’s Canyon.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (13, 560 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dead Man’s Canyon<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rain was coming down so hard and fast that the four men riding into the small town of Wellington looked likely ghostly images emerging from the storm. The riders\u2019 rain-slicked gray ponchos and sodden hats seemed to blur their forms and blend them into the darkness the storm had produced. Even their horses, with coats and manes soaked by the rain, looked a bit like caricatures of the powerful animals that they really were. The appearance of the four men would have startled the people of Wellington, had anyone been foolish enough to be outside in the driving rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much of a town, is it?\u201d Adam Cartwright shouted to his father, trying to make his voice heard over the noise of the rain hitting his slicker and hat.<\/p>\n

Pulling his horse to a stop, Ben Cartwright studied the small collection of buildings which made up the town of Wellington before answering his oldest son. \u201cThere\u2019s a hotel and a livery stable,\u201d Ben yelled back. \u201cThat\u2019s good enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon they have some place where we can get some hot food,\u201d Hoss Cartwright called from his horse on Ben\u2019s right side. \u201cAfter two days of cold beans, a hot meal is gonna be a real treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see a saloon,\u201d chimed in Joe Cartwright from his brother Hoss\u2019 right. \u201cI figure that\u2019s as good a place as any to get warm \u2013 both inside and out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least you two are consistent,\u201d Adam shouted from his horse on Ben\u2019s left. \u201cFirst thing you look for in a town is food and whiskey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we do our best not to disappoint you, older brother,\u201d Joe called back with a smile. \u201cBesides, what we use to fuel the inner man is a whole lot better than those books you\u2019re always looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring the comments from his three sons, Ben chucked his horse forward and led the small band toward the livery stable. He had heard the jibes, or at least some variation of them, between his sons a thousand times. After two weeks in close quarters on the trail \u2013 the last two days of which had been spent riding through rain storms \u2013 he was just happy his boys were still teasing each other and not bickering.<\/p>\n

The first stop in Wellington was at the livery, where Ben and his sons made sure their horses would be well cared for. Ben wanted to head for the hotel next, but was outvoted by his sons, who insisted that they needed a glass of whiskey in order to warm up. Although he appeared reluctant, Ben silently agreed that a shot or two of the liquor would ease the ache and cold in his old bones.<\/p>\n

Settling at a table in the saloon, the Cartwrights piled their wet ponchos, saddlebags and rifles onto an empty chair. A small, 50-ish man wearing a white apron tied around his waist came around from the bar and walked over to the table and smiled at the foursome. \u201cWhat can I get you boys?\u201d the bartender asked pleasantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cA bottle of whiskey and four glasses,\u201d Joe replied quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d the small man said agreeably. \u201cYou fellows just get into town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cWe\u2019ve been sloshing through the rain for two days and we\u2019re looking for someplace to dry out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have a fine hotel here in Wellington\u2026\u201d the bartender started. His expression suddenly changed from a pleasant smile to an anxious look as the door of the saloon opened and two men walked in. \u201cI\u2019ll get your drinks,\u201d the small man mumbled and he hurried away.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben looked around the saloon, trying to figure out what caused the bartender to leave so abruptly. He saw three men playing cards at table at the back of the building, looking less interested in who was winning than they did in passing the time with each other. Turning a bit, Ben glanced over his shoulder at the two men who had just entered the saloon and were sitting at a table behind the Cartwrights. Their wet slickers were draped over a nearby chair and water still clung to their hats. One was a big man wearing a checkered shirt, sprawled in a chair with a bored expression on his face. He appeared to be no threat. A thin man wearing a tan shirt and black vest was sitting next to him, nervously playing with two chips which had been left on the table. He also seemed unlikely to be the cause of trouble.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Ben swiveled around in his chair and faced his sons. \u201cAll this rain is slowing us down,\u201d he declared. \u201cI hate being away from the ranch so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, it ain\u2019t been but two weeks,\u201d Hoss told his father. \u201cCharlie can look after things for that long. Besides, there ain\u2019t that much to do this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, I\u2019d still feel better if we could find a faster way to get home,\u201d Ben insisted. He turned toward his oldest son. \u201cAdam, where\u2019s that map of yours? There must be a better trail marked on it, one that will get us home sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without saying a word, Adam reached for his saddlebag on the nearby chair and pulled open the flap. He dug his hand around inside the pouch for a moment, and then pulled a thick piece of paper out of the leather sack. Unfolding the paper, Adam spread the map on the table in front of him and began studying it. He didn\u2019t look up when the bartender set the whiskey bottle and four glasses down on the middle of the table.<\/p>\n

Hearing a voice from the table behind him, Ben glanced over his shoulder once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeer. And make it quick,\u201d growled the big man in the checkered shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Frank,\u201d answered the bartender nervously. \u201cYou want one too, Jess?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, as long as my cousin here is buying,\u201d the thin man apparently named Jess replied with a laugh. \u201cI ain\u2019t got any money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, you do have some money, right, Frank?\u201d the small man in the apron asked in a tentative voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got money,\u201d snarled Frank. He reached into his pocket and slapped two coins down on the table. \u201cThat satisfy you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sure,\u201d the bartender replied quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll get the beers.\u201d The small man in the apron hurried away.<\/p>\n

Once more, Ben turned back to the table. He could guess who was sitting behind him \u2013 probably the local bullies. He knew the type. They were men who spent most of their time trying to impress people with their toughness rather than gaining respect by their hard work. Knowing the Cartwrights wouldn\u2019t be in town long enough to tangle with the men, Ben dismissed them from his thoughts.<\/p>\n

Reaching forward, Joe grabbed a glass and the whiskey bottle from the middle of the table. He filled his glass from the bottle, then slowly sipped the whiskey, letting the liquor warm him as it traveled down his throat. \u201cAh,\u201d said Joe with satisfaction. \u201cNow there\u2019s something to warm your insides.\u201d He turned toward his father. \u201cPa, the next time you decide to sell a herd of horses to the Army, how about hiring some wranglers to get all wet and cold instead of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you know the deal,\u201d Hoss told his brother. \u201cThe Army offered us a big bonus if we got them horses to Fort Churchill right away. We didn\u2019t have time to round up any wranglers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cAnd all that money is going to be nice to have when we get home. But right now, those gold pieces don\u2019t make me feel any warmer or drier.\u201d<\/p>\n

None of the Cartwrights noticed the two men at the table behind Ben sit up when Joe mentioned gold coins, nor did they note the look the pair exchanged.<\/p>\n

Ignoring his brother\u2019s complaint, Adam pointed to the map. \u201cPa, there\u2019s a trail that goes northwest from here that might save us some time. It runs right through this canyon, and then cuts back to the west. It could save us a day, maybe two, if you\u2019re that anxious to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you fellows don\u2019t want to go that way,\u201d the bartender declared, stopping at the table on his way back from delivering beers to the men sitting behind the Cartwrights. \u201cThat trail takes you right through Dead Man\u2019s Canyon. People riding into that canyon don\u2019t always come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Hoss curiously. \u201cWhat\u2019s in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t rightly know,\u201d admitted the bartender. \u201cSome people say it\u2019s an old mountain man gone loco. Others say it\u2019s some kind of monster conjured up by an old Indian medicine man. Some folks think it\u2019s the ghost of one of them Spanish soldiers who supposedly died up in that canyon a long time ago. All I know is there\u2019s something mean and nasty in that canyon and it don\u2019t mind killing anything it can get its hands on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally,\u201d said Adam with polite skepticism. \u201cHas anyone ever actually seen this monster or is it all stories?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, people have seen it,\u201d the small man assured Adam. Then he shrugged. \u201cWell, at least they\u2019ve gotten a glimpse of it,\u201d he amended his statement. \u201cThere was an old prospector in here last winter. He found this cave full of bones; ten, maybe fifteen skeletons. He figured that\u2019s where the thing dumped the bodies of the people it killed. Then when he was riding out, something started chasing him. He didn\u2019t stick around to take a good look at it. But he said it was big \u2013 ten feet tall at least \u2013 and roaring loud enough to wake the dead. The thing was pushing down trees like they was matchsticks.\u201d The bartender looked toward the table in the back of the room. \u201cHey Abe,\u201d he called, \u201cdidn\u2019t your wife\u2019s brother see that monster up in Dead Man\u2019s Canyon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d one of the men at the table called back. \u201cHe and another fellow was looking for gold in the canyon. Suddenly, all these rocks started tumbling down on them. They looked up and saw this big monster of a fellow at the top of the hill. He had a long brown beard and was wearing a coonskin hat. And he was throwing big rocks and boulders down at \u2018em. He figured he was lucky to get out of that canyon alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee?\u201d said the bartender. \u201cI told you it weren\u2019t just stories. You fellows take my advice and stay away from Dead Man\u2019s Canyon.\u201d The man turned on his heels and walked back toward the bar.<\/p>\n

For a moment, the Cartwrights sat in silence, just looking at each other. Finally Hoss asked nervously, \u201cWell, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think some prospectors had a little too much of this rot-gut whiskey,\u201d noted Joe as he took another sip from his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cI certainly don\u2019t think some wild stories about monsters should keep us from following the trail through the canyon,\u201d Ben asserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder what\u2019s really in that canyon?\u201d mused Adam. Seeing the puzzled looks on the other three men\u2019s faces, he continued. \u201cI mean, all legends and stories usually have some basis in fact. Take the story of King Arthur, for example. There probably was a king in England who had a group of men he used to keep order. But I doubt if they had a round table or spent time searching for the Holy Grail. Someone made up a story, and other people repeated it and added to it. Next thing you know, there\u2019s a whole legend built up about King Arthur and his knights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Hoss, his face brightening with understanding. \u201cIt\u2019s sort of like the time that prospector saw that little gal on the Ponderosa, and ol\u2019 Sam Clemens wrote a story that turned her into the \u2018Wildman of the Ponderosa\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember that,\u201d Joe added with a grin. \u201cThat was back when Adam had a hard time telling the difference between a boy and a girl. Sure hope you\u2019ve gotten better at that, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reddening a bit at the memory of his mistake, Adam went on quickly. \u201cThe point is that there probably is someone or something living in that canyon, but people have used their imaginations to blow things all out of proportion. That cave full of bones could have been an old Indian burial place, for example. Somebody probably got a glimpse of a trapper or hunter and their imagination built it into a monster who uproots trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not suggesting we go looking for whatever is in that canyon, are you, Adam?\u201d Ben asked with a frown. \u201cI want to go through the canyon to get home faster, not to lose time chasing some myth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not suggesting we go hunting for whatever is in the canyon,\u201d replied Adam, but there was a hint of disappointment in his tone. \u201cI was just saying that there probably is something in the canyon and we should keep our eyes open.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we shouldn\u2019t go through Dead Man\u2019s Canyon if there is something really in there,\u201d suggested Hoss in a tentative voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cThere\u2019s only one monster and there\u2019s four of us. Ain\u2019t no monster ever lived that couldn\u2019t be beaten by four Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the four men at the table laughed at Joe\u2019s statement, Frank finished his beer and nodded at Jess. The two men quietly left the saloon.<\/p>\n

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

As he came to where the trail wound its way into the canyon, Ben pulled his horse to a stop. After being forced to stay in Wellington overnight because of heavy rains, he was anxious to get home as soon as possible. Yet something about the canyon looming ahead of him made Ben feel uneasy. Maybe it was the mist that hung low in the canyon, a fine cloud formed by the cool weather and damp air, which made the chasm seem eerily quiet. Perhaps it was the terrain — tree-covered hills that ended abruptly at the rim of the high rocky walls, as if a giant hand had slashed an uneven gash through the lush green earth. Or, more than likely, Ben thought, it was his over-active imagination, fueled by stories of monstrous animals, angry ghosts and missing men — and a canyon that held them all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa,\u201d asked Adam as he reined in his horse next to his father\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, nothing,\u201d Ben answered, but there was an undertone of doubt in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you ain\u2019t worried about riding through Dead Man\u2019s Canyon, are ya?\u201d asked Hoss from his horse behind Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d Ben replied, but again, his voice lacked conviction.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Joe solemnly advised his father from the back of his pinto which was standing next to Hoss\u2019 horse. \u201cWe\u2019ll protect you from those big old bad monsters.\u201d Unable to contain himself, Joe began to snicker as he added, \u201cI do think we should send Hoss in first, though, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy me?\u201d asked Hoss in a tone of mock injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I figure you\u2019re big enough to wrestle with whatever is in there long enough for the rest of us to get through the canyon,\u201d explained Joe, now openly laughing.<\/p>\n

Hearing Joe\u2019s laughter seemed to shake Ben out of his nervous state. \u201cCome on,\u201d he ordered briskly. \u201cWe\u2019re wasting time.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben led his sons down into the two-mile long canyon, he was unaware of the human danger that lay ahead. Jess and Frank had left town before sunrise, and now were positioned behind a large rock on a ledge in Dead Man\u2019s Canyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere they come,\u201d Frank announced, pointing to the distant riders working their way slowly through the canyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t gonna kill them, are we, Frank?\u201d Jess asked anxiously. \u201cI ain\u2019t never killed nobody before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we ain\u2019t gonna kill them,\u201d Frank lied to his cousin. \u201cAll we need to do is throw some bullets in their direction. That\u2019ll convince them to leave the money for us and ride on.\u201d In his own mind, however, Frank was already forming the story about how four more men had ridden into Dead Man\u2019s Canyon and disappeared. \u201cNow get that rifle ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trailing behind his father and two brothers, Joe turned his head to look up to the top of the canyon walls. He didn\u2019t really believe the stories about a monstrous beast living in the canyon, but like his brother Adam, he was curious about what was really making a home somewhere in the rocks. He figured it wouldn\u2019t hurt to keep an eye out for a mountain lion ready to spring onto its victim.<\/p>\n

As his eyes strayed to a ledge just ahead, Joe tensed as he saw some movement on the rocky shelf about halfway up the canyon wall. He stared hard at the outcropping, trying to see through the mist. Suddenly, thin clouds parted briefly, giving Joe the clear view of a crouching man pressed up against a large boulder sitting on the lip of the ledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe shouted in warning. \u201cPa! Up on the ledge!\u201d Pulling his pistol from his holster, Joe fired two shots in the direction of the outcropping. He knew he was too far away to hit anything with a handgun, but hoped the shots would distract the ambusher.<\/p>\n

His tactic worked. Startled by Joe\u2019s call and shots, Jess quickly turned his rifle and shot twice in the direction of the youngest Cartwright. His hurried movement ruined his aim, though, and the bullets hit the ground in front of Joe\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

At the sound of Joe\u2019s shout and the ensuing shots, Ben and his two older sons grabbed their rifles and slid off their horses, keeping the animals between them and the ledge. As the frightened horses scampered away, the three men ran to the base of the canyon wall, crouching low and stopping behind a trio of large rocks. Joe, who had also grabbed his rifle and dismounted, ran across the canyon floor and drove behind the rocks, breathing hard as he joined his father and brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are they?\u201d Ben asked as he looked toward the top of canyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn that ledge right above us, behind that big rock,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI saw two men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDagnabit, we can\u2019t get at them from here,\u201d complained Hoss. \u201cLong as they stay behind them rocks, we can\u2019t hit them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they can\u2019t hit us as long as we stay where we are,\u201d observed Adam. \u201cThe question is, who\u2019s going to move first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, send a couple of shots up toward that ledge,\u201d Ben instructed his oldest son. \u201cMaybe we can get them to move.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up on the ledge, Frank was berating Jess for his unwise shooting. \u201cJust what did you think you were doing?\u201d Frank raged. \u201cI told you to wait until I told you to shoot. Now they\u2019re hidden behind those rocks where we can\u2019t see them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Frank,\u201d Jesse whined. \u201cWhen the kid started shooting, I just shot back without thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly three bullets bounced off the rock in front of the two ambushers. Frank and Jess both ducked instinctively, even though the bullets had no chance of hitting them.<\/p>\n

Jess raised up, preparing to fire back, but Frank yanked him back down. Two bullets whizzed over the top of the rock, splitting the air where Jess\u2019 head had been only a moment before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey tried to kill me!\u201d Jess said in astonishment. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t pulled me down, they would have killed me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Frank agreed. \u201cThey\u2019re shooting real bullets. Now shut up and let me think.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the canyon floor, the Cartwrights looked up at the ledge, hoping to see another head emerge from behind the rock. As they waited, Adam asked, \u201cWho are they? What do you think they want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no idea,\u201d Ben replied in an even voice.<\/p>\n

A shout from the rocky shelf above answered part of Adam\u2019s question. \u201cYou below, listen to me,\u201d called the voice. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to hurt anybody. All we want is them gold coins you got from the Army. Just throw them out on the trail where we can see them, and ride away. Nobody\u2019ll get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now we know what they want,\u201d declared Joe. \u201cI\u2019m guessing the who is a couple of those fine citizens from Wellington.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019ll let us ride off if we give them the money?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d replied Adam in a wry voice. \u201cThey\u2019ll let us ride just far enough to get a good shot at our backs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Joe suddenly, \u201csee that path over there to the right? It leads up to the ledge. If I can get up that path, I can get a good angle on them and pick them off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s too dangerous, Joe,\u201d Ben replied, shaking his head. \u201cIf they see you, they\u2019ll shoot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t see me,\u201d Joe stated confidently. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of brush to hide me. But just to be sure, why don\u2019t you fire some shots up there so they\u2019ll keep their heads down.\u201d Without waiting for a reply, Joe got into a crouch and started moving away from the rocks.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Wait!\u201d Ben called but his youngest son ignored his shouts. \u201cHe\u2019s going to get himself killed,\u201d Ben muttered in a voice filled with frustration as he watched Joe disappear into the brush. He took a deep breath and turned to Adam and Hoss. \u201cAll right, boys, you heard him; start firing up to that ledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three Cartwrights behind the boulders had fired only a half a dozen shots when a loud road suddenly echoed through the canyon. The men stopped shooting and looked up. Their mouths dropped open in astonishment as they stared at the figure on the rim of the canyon.<\/p>\n

Standing on its hind legs at the top of the canyon was the biggest grizzly bear any of the Cartwrights had ever seen. But it wasn\u2019t just the size of the animal which astounded the men on the floor of the canyon; the bear apparently had decided to dress for the occasion. A metal chain made of large links was draped around the neck of the bear, and the grizzly was sporting a coonskin cap with a badge or emblem of some type pinned to its front.<\/p>\n

As the stunned men watched, the bear bellowed again and waved its paws threateningly in the air. Then the grizzly got on all fours and lumbered a few feet to its right, toward a pile of fist-sized rocks. With one swipe of its massive paw, the bear sent the pile of rocks tumbling down the wall of the canyon to the ledge below.<\/p>\n

Crouching behind the rock on the ledge, neither Frank nor Jess could see what was standing on the rim above. But they could hear the roar, and they could feel the rocks which pelted them as the stones fell onto the ledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the monster!\u201d Jess screamed in terror. \u201cHe\u2019s after us! Let\u2019s get out of here!!\u201d He didn\u2019t wait for Frank to answer him. Jess started skittering along the ledge toward a path hidden by rocks and bushes, a path opposite to the one which Joe was slowly climbing.<\/p>\n

The trail led down to a small crevice between the canyon walls in which his and Frank\u2019s horses stood waiting. Jess moved down the dirt track with the speed of a jack rabbit.<\/p>\n

Back on the outcropping, Frank hesitated, torn by his fear of the creature on the rim above and his desire to get the gold coins from the men below. But his mind was made up when he heard another bellow from above and saw a log rolling over the rim of the canyon and toward the ledge. Frank got to his feet and ran after his cousin as quickly as his legs would move him.<\/p>\n

Hidden in the bushes on the opposite trail, Joe also was frozen by fear. He could hear the roars and see the rocks tumbling down to the ledge, but couldn\u2019t see the creature at the top of the canyon. He also saw the log fall and watched it hit the side of the stone shelf, bouncing off the edge in the direction of the path in front of him. It took a few seconds for Joe to realize the huge branch was coming right at him.<\/p>\n

Getting to his feet, Joe started to run down the steep path, hoping to find a spot where he could jump out of the way of the lumber which was now rolling toward him. But in his haste, Joe tripped and his momentum sent him tumbling down the path, only a foot or so ahead of the log.<\/p>\n

With a sense of horror, Ben watched as Joe rolled down the trail and landed at the bottom. Sprawled in the dirt, Joe laid still. Ben was sure the log was going to roll over his son, crushing the motionless figure which lay in its path. Miraculously, however, the limb hit a rut on the trail which sent it up and into the air. The log sailed over Joe, missing him by inches, before landing with a loud thud a few feet away.<\/p>\n

As Ben got to his feet to rush to his son, he heard another roar. Looking up, he saw the grizzly bear was once more standing on its hind legs and waving its paws in the air. Ben hesitated for only a second. \u201cKeep an eye on that thing,\u201d he yelled at Adam and Hoss. \u201cAnd if it comes any closer, shoot it!\u201d<\/p>\n

A knot of fear formed in his stomach as Ben ran across the canyon floor and knelt next to where Joe laid face down on the ground. He put his fingers on his son\u2019s neck and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a strong, steady pulse. After probing Joe\u2019s neck to insure it was intact, Ben gently rolled his youngest son over.<\/p>\n

Blood was splattered across Joe\u2019s face; the red fluid was oozing from half a dozen small cuts on his cheek and chin. Ben could see the skin around a small cut on Joe\u2019s forehead was already darkening into an ugly bruise.<\/p>\n

Quickly untying the bandana from around his neck, Ben daubed the cloth over Joe\u2019s cheeks and chin, trying to remove some of the dirt and blood. While he worked, Ben talked gently but urgently to his son. \u201cJoe? Joe, can you hear me? Come one, Joe, open your eyes. You can do it, son. Just open your eyes.\u201d But despite Ben\u2019s pleas, Joe\u2019s eyes remained closed and his body stayed motionless.<\/p>\n

Putting the cloth aside, Ben began to run his hands over Joe\u2019s arms and legs. He could see his son\u2019s pants were ripped near both knees and a small patch of blood had stained the material around them. But thankfully, Ben felt no broken bones in either Joe\u2019s arms or legs.<\/p>\n

Just as he was beginning to unbutton Joe\u2019s shirt to check for further injuries, Ben heard the sound of running. He looked over his shoulder and saw Adam and Hoss approaching with rifles held firmly in their hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, don\u2019t move,\u201d Adam shouted. \u201cThat bear\u2019s coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Twisting his head, Ben looked up the trail. He could see the strangely-clad grizzly lumbering down the path with the metal chain swaying gently around its neck. The tail of the coonskin cap had fallen onto the bear\u2019s shoulder, and it jiggled a bit as the grizzly walked. The animal seemed in no hurry to reach its prey; the bear stopped and sniffed at the bushes for a moment before continuing slowly down the dirt track.<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot in front of it,\u201d Hoss advised his brother. \u201cSee if you can scare him off. Don\u2019t hit him unless you\u2019re sure you can kill him. We don\u2019t want a wounded bear taking his mad out on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam nodded his head and raised his rifle, Ben moved quickly to position himself between Joe and the bear. He was sure that Adam and Hoss would be able to scare off or kill the grizzly, but just in case, he wanted to be sure the bear would have to get past him to reach his unconscious and defenseless son.<\/p>\n

Aiming carefully, Adam fired two shots in the dirt about a foot in front of the lumbering bear. The grizzly stopped and looked around, as if surprised by the bullets being fired at it. The animal raised its head and sniffed the air, then slowly began walking down the path once more.<\/p>\n

Adam raised the rifle a bit and began zeroing in on the grizzly\u2019s head. But his finger froze on the trigger when he saw another figure coming down the dirt track.<\/p>\n

Seemingly to have appeared of nowhere, a man was running down the path, shouting and waving his arms. Wearing a battered old hat, washed out blue shirt, and discolored dark pants, the man looked almost like a faded picture of a human being. The thick white beard covering the lower half of his face suggested an older man, but the figure running down the trail appeared spry and agile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait! Wait!\u201d yelled the man, \u201cdon\u2019t shoot! He won\u2019t hurt you. I promise you. Don\u2019t shoot!\u201d<\/p>\n

He halted in front of the now stopped bear, shielding the animal from Adam\u2019s bullet, and continued to wave his arms and shout. \u201cDon\u2019t shoot! Please! Don\u2019t shoot!\u201d The grizzly, sitting on its haunches in the dirt, leaned forward and rubbed its face against the man\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

Lowering his gun, Adam shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t believe it,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI just don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up the trail, the man in the faded clothes took a deep breath as he saw the rifle below being lowered. Then he turned and faced the bear. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d he scolded the animal. \u201cYou know you aren\u2019t suppose to come down the trail. You\u2019re suppose to stay up there at the top of the canyon. You trying to get yourself shot?\u201d<\/p>\n

The bear lowered its head, and if it was possible for a grizzly to look ashamed of itself, this one did.<\/p>\n

Seemingly mollified by the bear\u2019s reaction, the man stopped his scolding. \u201cI know you\u2019re sorry,\u201d he said in a gentler voice. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry I yelled. I just didn\u2019t want you to get hurt.\u201d Reaching over, he gently rubbed the bear\u2019s nose and scratched the animal\u2019s forehead, just below the hem of the fur hat sitting on the grizzly\u2019s head. \u201cYou have to listen to me, you know. Otherwise, you\u2019ll liable to get hurt. \u201d<\/p>\n

As the Cartwrights watched in amazement, the bear rubbed its face against the man\u2019s leg once more, then looked up expectantly. The man reached down and scratched the bear\u2019s head again.<\/p>\n

Turning back to face Cartwrights below, the man yelled loudly. \u201cWe\u2019re going to come down. Don\u2019t shoot. I promise he won\u2019t hurt anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Too surprised to object, Adam merely nodded and called weakly, \u201cCome on down.\u201d<\/p>\n

It only took a minute for the oddly adorned bear and man to work their way to the bottom of the trail. The man stopped a few feet away from the Cartwrights, and the grizzly promptly plopped its large body onto the ground next to the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m real sorry about all this,\u201d the man apologized. \u201cWe were just trying to help, just trying to scare away those bushwhackers who were after you. I didn\u2019t know the boy was down there in the bushes. I would have never had Goliath push that log over if I\u2019d known he was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoliath?\u201d Hoss echoed the name faintly. \u201cIs that the grizzly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s called Goliath and I\u2019m called Henry,\u201d the man said. He turned to where Ben was kneeling and checking over Joe. \u201cHow is the boy? Is he hurt bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben continued to press and probe Joe\u2019s chest and stomach before answering. \u201cFeels like he\u2019s got a cracked rib or two, and he\u2019s got some nasty cuts and bruises. But I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything broken. I can\u2019t tell if he hurt himself inside. The worst is the bump on his forehead. That\u2019s a bad bruise and he might have a concussion.\u201d Ben stroked the side of Joe\u2019s face gently with his fingers before continuing. \u201cI can\u2019t get him to come to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m real sorry,\u201d Henry repeated. \u201cI never wanted to hurt anyone.\u201d He turned to face Adam and Hoss. \u201cAnd I\u2019m real sorry about Goliath scaring you fellows like that. He knows he isn\u2019t suppose to come down the trail. But he just loves it when he gets to put on his hat, and I guess he just got caught up in the excitement. He hasn\u2019t had a chance to put on his hat much lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut on his hat?\u201d Hoss repeated in a puzzled voice. \u201cWhat happens when he puts on his hat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Goliath puts on his hat, he knows he gets to go into his act,\u201d Henry explained. \u201cHe gets to roar and act menacing, and then he gets to knock the rocks and things I put out for him into the canyon.\u201d He reached down and stroked the nose of the bear. \u201cGoliath thinks it\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is he?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cA pet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA pet?\u201d replied Henry. He cocked his head and thought for a minute. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019d call him a pet. More like a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can talk about this some other time,\u201d Ben declared with a sense of urgency. \u201cRight now, we\u2019ve got to help Joe, get him to a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t a doctor within a hundred miles,\u201d Henry advised. He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then continued. \u201cLook, it\u2019s my fault the boy got hurt. The least I can do is help you take care of him. My place isn\u2019t very far from here\u2026at the top of the canyon and then over the ridge. If you can get the boy on a horse, we can take him there. I got water, bandages, and some medicine. We can probably do as much for the boy at my place as anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding his agreement, Ben turned to Adam and Hoss. \u201cGo find the horses. They\u2019re probably only a little way down the trail. Bring them back here quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Hoss agreed, but then he hesitated. \u201cThe horses\u2026they\u2019re not gonna like being so close to a grizzly bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Goliath would probably scare them to death,\u201d Henry said with a quick nod. He turned to the bear at his side, and pulled the coonskin cap off the animal\u2019s head. \u201cGoliath, the game is over. You go home now, you hear? Go on home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving slowly, the bear rose and took a step toward the path up the canyon. The grizzly stopped and looked over its shoulder, but when Henry waved it on, the bear lumbered forward and started climbing up the dirt track.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Hoss, go get the horses,\u201d Ben ordered. \u201cAnd hurry\u201d.<\/p>\n

As the two older Cartwright sons hurried down the trail, Henry walked over to Ben and Joe. He knelt next to Ben and his eyes seemed to sadden when he looked at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m real sorry, son,\u201d Henry said softly. Then he turned to Ben. \u201cWhat can I do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Sitting beside Joe\u2019s bed, Ben lightly stroked the top of his son\u2019s head and murmured words of encouragement. Joe\u2019s ribs had been bandaged; his cuts and bruises had been cleaned and daubed with medicine. Ben could find no swelling on his son\u2019s body and no hint of fever. Yet the youngest Cartwright still showed no sign of regaining consciousness. Ben held his son\u2019s wrist, making sure the pulse he felt was still steady and strong. Joe was breathing easily and seemed to be sleeping comfortably on the soft mattress of Henry\u2019s large bed. Ben could find nothing seriously wrong with Joe, except that his son wouldn\u2019t wake up.<\/p>\n

Before Joe was laid in the bed, Ben twice thought his son was regaining consciousness. Once on the trail, as he had held Joe tightly in front of his on his horse, Ben saw Joe move his head and heard his youngest son mumbled something. But almost immediately, Joe\u2019s head fell forward and he lapsed back into unconsciousness.<\/p>\n

The second time was when the small group reached Henry\u2019s cabin. As Hoss had pulled Joe from the saddle of Ben\u2019s horse and wrapped his massive arms around his little brother, Ben had heard Joe moan softly. But once again, Joe\u2019s emergence from oblivion was brief. His youngest son was silent and limp as a rag dog as Hoss carried him into the log house.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben looked around the cabin that was as strange as its occupants. Henry\u2019s home was more like a barn than a house; it was twice as long as the average cabin and the roof was easily 15 feet over Ben\u2019s head. The front door was double the size of any door that Ben had ever seen, and it made the shuttered window to the left of it seem even smaller than it was. A large stone fireplace had been built into the middle of the far wall. All the space from the fireplace to the front door was furnished like any home \u2013 a table, chairs, some cabinets, the large bed, and so on. A bookshelf filled with old books was attached to the wall, under which sat a long, narrow table cluttered carvings, and other odds and ends, including the coonskin hat that the grizzly had worn. All the furniture had been carefully placed to give the front of the cabin a \u201chomey\u201d look. But the area from the stone fireplace to the back of the cabin was empty except for a number of blankets and pillows scattered across the floor. It was on these blankets and pillows that the huge grizzly was now curled up, sleeping soundly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny change?\u201d Henry asked as he handed a tin cup full of coffee to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben answered, shaking his head slowly. \u201cHe\u2019s still unconscious. I don\u2019t understand it. He\u2019s battered and bruised but none of his injuries are really bad. He should be awake by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he took a pretty nasty fall,\u201d Henry suggested, \u201cand concussions can be tricky things. All we can do is wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at Henry, Ben studied the man for a moment. Without the battered hat on his head, Henry looked much younger than Ben had originally thought. He guessed that Henry was in the age range that was considered neither young nor old \u2013 40 or so \u2013 and the man\u2019s blue eyes had a look of lively intelligence which Ben wouldn\u2019t have expected to find in someone living alone in the woods.<\/p>\n

Hearing the door open, both Henry and Ben turned toward the front of the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got the horses all squared away,\u201d Adam announced as he walked in carrying saddlebags and rifles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat little patch of grass Henry told us about was just right,\u201d added Hoss as he dumped his load of saddle bags and rifles into the corner of the cabin next to the pile Adam had created. \u201cWe tethered them where they\u2019ve got plenty of water and grazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be much happier there than around here,\u201d Henry affirmed. \u201cThere\u2019s too much of Goliath\u2019s scent around to make them feel comfortable being near the cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas Joe come to yet, Pa?\u201d Adam asked in a concerned voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s still unconscious,\u201d Ben told his oldest son. \u201cLike Henry says, all we can do now is wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fellows want some coffee?\u201d Henry asked. \u201cI got a pot brewing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, if we\u2019re not going to use up your supply,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve got plenty,\u201d Henry said with a smile. \u201cLast time I was in Wellington, I stocked up.\u201d He looked at the grizzly sleeping at the back of the cabin. \u201cGoliath doesn\u2019t like coffee, so I don\u2019t have to share.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances as Henry walked over to the fireplace. Neither could quite get a handle on the strange man. He seemed intelligent and well-spoken, yet treated the bear almost as if it were human.<\/p>\n

Carrying three cups of coffee over to the table near the front door, Henry cocked his head. \u201cSit down, make yourselves comfortable,\u201d he invited.<\/p>\n

As he settled himself at the table, Adam could contain his curiosity no longer. \u201cHenry, how did you end up out here all by yourself? And how did you hook up with Goliath?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a long story, Adam,\u201d Henry answered slowly. He glanced over to where Ben was sitting beside the bed in which Joe was laying. \u201cBut I guess we got nothing but time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a teacher in a little town in Kansas,\u201d Henry began. \u201cI taught there for almost fifteen years. One day, an old man living alone on the edge of town died, and the sheriff asked me if I\u2019d go and sort out his belongings. As I was packing things up, I came across this journal. It was old \u2013 pages yellowed, ink faded \u2013 and the writing was in Spanish. I asked the sheriff if I could keep it, and he agreed. It took me awhile to get the hang of the writing, but eventually I was able to translate it. It was the journal of a Spanish soldier, telling all about his travels out west. I figured it must have been close to a hundred years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did the old man end up with it?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Henry. \u201cMaybe he was a descendent, maybe he just picked it up someplace. He never said anything about it when he was alive.\u201d Henry took a deep breath and continued. \u201cAnyway, I was tired of teaching and looking for a little adventure. I had no wife or children, and I had put aside a little money. I decided to follow the trail the soldier had written about and see where it led me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you think you\u2019d find gold or treasure?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe,\u201d admitted Henry. \u201cBut it was more just that I wanted to see what the soldier had seen, kind of walk in his footsteps. About five years ago, I ended up here, in Dead Man\u2019s Canyon. According to the journal, the soldiers had wintered in the caves around here, and a lot of them had died. I figured that\u2019s where the canyon got its name originally. I decided to stay awhile and explore the caves, see what I could find. One day, I went into a cave and saw a grizzly bear laying in it. I started to turn and run, but then I realized the bear was dead. Suddenly, I heard this kind of yelp and saw something moving. I got closer and saw this tiny little bear cub hiding behind the leg of the dead bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that was Goliath,\u201d Hoss stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Henry agreed. \u201cHe couldn\u2019t have been more than a couple of days old. I don\u2019t know what happened to his mother. Maybe she was sick or she had some problem birthing him. At any rate, the mother was dead and this little cub wasn\u2019t far behind. He was so tiny, so cute, so helpless\u2026well, I couldn\u2019t just leave him there to die. So I took him back to my camp. I figured he was probably going to die anyway, but I wanted to at least try to save the little fellow. I kept him warm, fed him some broth, and did what I could for him. And lo and behold, the cub didn\u2019t die. He got stronger and started growing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019d you name him Goliath?\u201d Hoss asked with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at first it was kind of a joke,\u201d explained Henry. \u201cHe was so tiny that I thought I\u2019d give him a name that was just the opposite of what he looked like. I didn\u2019t know he was going to grow into his name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, there was a rustling from the back of the cabin. Goliath, waking from his nap, sat up and stretch a bit, then lumbered across the cabin floor. Ben watched warily as the bear passed the bed, and Adam and Hoss kept their eyes on the animal as it approached the table. But the grizzly ignored everyone except Henry. Sitting down on the floor near Henry\u2019s chair, Goliath thrust his head on Henry\u2019s lap. The man began to stroke the bear\u2019s nose, and scratch the animal\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I probably should have turned Goliath out into the woods, but I just couldn\u2019t,\u201d Henry told Adam and Hoss. He chuckled. \u201cYou should have seen how cute he was when he was just a little fellow. I used to put in him in my pack and carry him when I went exploring. His head and front paws would be hanging out of my pack and he would be looking around at everything. When he got too big for me to carry, he\u2019d trot along side me. I\u2019d laugh watching him chasing butterflies and birds, and just having fun rolling in the grass. I figured one day he\u2019d just wander off and never come back, but he never did. Everyday, he\u2019d just wait around, expecting me to feed him. And I did. We\u2019d have venison stew, or fried fish, or roast duck \u2013 Goliath loves roast duck, don\u2019t you, boy?\u201d Henry patted the bear\u2019s head and stroked his nose. \u201cI think both of us enjoyed having someone to eat with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo wonder he\u2019s so big,\u201d Adam observed. \u201cThere aren\u2019t many grizzly\u2019s that get three square meals a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day, we were out walking,\u201d Henry continued, \u201cand this elk came running out of the words. Something must have been chasing it because the elk didn\u2019t see or smell Goliath until it was almost right on top of us. The elk took one look at Goliath and ran back into the woods. But then, Goliath took one look at the elk and took off running for camp as fast he could go. That\u2019s when I realized what I had done. That\u2019s when I realized Goliath didn\u2019t know he was a bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t know he was a bear!\u201d exclaimed Adam. \u201cWhat does he think he is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t know,\u201d Henry admitted. \u201cMaybe he thinks he\u2019s human. All I know is I realized he didn\u2019t know how a bear was suppose to act or what a bear was suppose to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Goliath began walking away from the table. He stopped in front of the door to the cabin, then turned his head and looked at Henry expectantly. Henry got up and walked over to the door, then opened it for the bear. Goliath walked slowly out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be back in a bit,\u201d said Henry as he returned to the table. \u201cGoliath just needs to take care of his business and probably wants to go exploring for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of his business?\u201d repeated Hoss in astonishment. \u201cYou mean he\u2019s housebroken?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s housebroken,\u201d Henry acknowledge with a laugh. \u201cDarndest thing, isn\u2019t it? I taught him that early on. I didn\u2019t know if you could housebreak a bear, but it worked with Goliath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he does think he\u2019s human,\u201d muttered Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I don\u2019t know what he thinks he is,\u201d Henry replied. \u201cBut once I realized he didn\u2019t know he was a bear, I tried to teach how to be one. I taught him to get up on his hind legs and growl, but Goliath thinks it\u2019s a game. He won\u2019t do it if he\u2019s scared. He just runs away.\u201d Henry shook his head. \u201cOnce I saw a female grizzly and her cubs over in a meadow not far from here, and I took Goliath over there. I figured if he saw another bear, especially a female, well, nature or instinct would take over. But the other bear terrified him. When he saw that female grizzly, Goliath turned tail and ran back to camp, and it was two days before he\u2019d go out walking with me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019ve stayed here to take care of Goliath,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I figured I had to,\u201d admitted Henry. \u201cI mean it isn\u2019t his fault he doesn\u2019t know how to act like a bear. If I wasn\u2019t here, he\u2019d be dead within a month. Oh, he\u2019ll eat berries and nuts when he finds them but that\u2019s about it. When we go fishing together, he\u2019ll wade out into the water and catch a fish, but he won\u2019t eat it raw. He waits until I cook it up before he\u2019ll even touch it. And the other animals in the woods scare him. He\u2019s too afraid of them to hunt them down. So I built a place for us to live. Goliath has his half of the cabin, and I have mine. He comes over to my side to eat, and sometimes I go over to his side to give him a rub. But mostly, we keep to our own side. We respect each other\u2019s living areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what do you do up here, Henry?\u201d Adam asked, clearly puzzled. \u201cI mean, how do you spend your time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I do some hunting and fishing to put food on the table,\u201d answered Henry. \u201cBut mostly, Goliath and I go exploring. This whole area is full of caves, and we go looking to see what\u2019s in them. Every once in a while, we find a few nuggets of gold \u2013 not a fortune, but enough to buy me some coffee, salt, and such when I go into town. We found one cave that had some skeletons and what looks like pieces of Spanish armor. Goliath didn\u2019t like that cave, so I haven\u2019t really had a chance to explore it properly. I think maybe the bones scared him, or maybe he just could tell something had died in there. At any rate, Goliath didn\u2019t want any part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, you know he could turn on you one day, don\u2019t you?\u201d asked Adam gently. \u201cThere are very few wild animals that stay tame forever. What happens then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d shoot him, I guess,\u201d Henry replied, as an expression of sorrow crossed his face. \u201cI mean, if he kills me, he\u2019s going to starve, so I\u2019d shoot him more to save him from that than to save myself.\u201d The man lowered his head and looked into his coffee cup, as if the thought of killing the bear was more than he could stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you come up with this monster thing?\u201d Hoss asked quickly.<\/p>\n

Raising his head, Henry look at Hoss and smiled a bit. \u201cOne day, not long after I built this place, two fellows came riding up. I was outside chopping wood and Goliath was in here taking a nap. These fellows must have decided I looked like easy pickings, and wanted to rob me. I was standing outside with my hands in the air when Goliath came strolling out to see what was going on. He saw my hands in the air, and figured I wanted to play the game. See, that\u2019s how I taught him when to get up on his hind legs and growl. I\u2019d raise my hands to signal Goliath that it was time to act like a bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never met a bear who needed to be told when to act like a bear,\u201d commented Hoss with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ve never met anything like Goliath,\u201d replied Henry with a grin. \u201cAnyway, Goliath comes out of the cabin, sees me with my hands in the air, and raises up and lets out a bellow. Scared those two fellows near to death. They started running faster than I thought it was possible.\u201d Henry stopped and chuckled as the picture of the outlaws running came into his mind. Then his face sobered. \u201cOne of them took a shot at Goliath as they were running. It didn\u2019t hit him, but it got me to thinking how somebody might come across him one day and shoot him, thinking he was just another grizzly. Goliath would be an easy target; he\u2019d just sit there, thinking they wanted to play or something. So I came up with this idea to keep everyone away, to keep people from doing anything more than riding straight through the canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when you created the monster of Dead Man\u2019s Canyon,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Henry agreed. \u201cI had already taught him how to get up on his legs and roar, so I started adding a few other tricks, like waving his paws in the air, and knocking things into the canyon. Then I figured I\u2019d dress him up a bit to make him even scarier. People\u2019s imaginations have a way of making them see things which aren\u2019t really there. So when they spot Goliath, they don\u2019t see a bear in a funny hat and chain. They see some kind of monstrous beast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d you get all that stuff?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had found the chain in the cave where the Spanish soldiers died,\u201d Henry answered. \u201cIt was lying among the skeletons. There were some other bits a pieces in there, like the badge and a metal helmet, so I went back and got some things. Goliath\u2019s head was too big for the helmet, though. I made him the coonskin cap and pinned the badge on it. I cleaned up the necklace and hung it around his neck. Goliath liked the necklace so I left it on him. I put the hat on him whenever I wanted to scare someone away. Goliath has figured out that whenever he wears the hat, he\u2019s going to get to play what I called the \u2018scare \u2018em game\u2019. So he gets all excited every time I put the hat on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d all the stories get started?\u201d Hoss asked. \u201cBy people getting scared out of the canyon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDead Man\u2019s Canyon already had some stories associated with it, from back when the Spanish were here, I guess,\u201d Henry explained. \u201cThen when Goliath started scaring people, the stories about a monster in the canyon started popping up. I kind of helped them along, though. When I\u2019d go into town for supplies, I\u2019d stop in the saloon and start telling stories about the terrible monster in Dead Man\u2019s Canyon. Wasn\u2019t long before people started staying away. Every once in a while a prospector or hunter will start looking around in the canyon, and that\u2019s when Goliath gets to go into his act. Goliath did his act once for a hunting party of Indians, and we haven\u2019t seen a single Indian since then. We\u2019re real careful not to hurt anyone, though. I always set up the rocks and things for him to swat into the canyon so that they can\u2019t hurt anyone.\u201d Henry looked over toward the bed on which Joe way lying. \u201cWe never hurt anyone, not until today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, we know it was an accident,\u201d Adam said in a soothing voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it was an accident,\u201d agreed Henry. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t help your brother any.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It was only a short time after Henry had finished telling his story when Ben saw the first movement from the figure on the bed. He had listened as Henry related his astonishing tale, but he kept his focus on the still figure of his youngest son. At first, Ben thought he had imagined the movement; the shrugging of Joe\u2019s shoulders on the bed was so slight that Ben wasn\u2019t sure it really happened. But then he saw Joe move his head on the pillow, and shift his body on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wake up, son,\u201d Ben said as he stroked his youngest son\u2019s head. \u201cCan you hear me? Time to wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

A small moan escaped from Joe\u2019s lips, and he moved his head again. Ben kept talking to him, and finally was rewarded with a fluttering of eyelids. Joe opened his eyes slowly, then winced in pain. He took a deep breath and then slowly lifted his eyelids once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d mumbled Joe as he blinked his eyes. \u201cPa? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything is all right, Joe,\u201d Ben crooned softly. \u201cYou took a bad fall, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy head hurts,\u201d Joe complained. He winced again. \u201cIt hurts bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had a bad crack on the head,\u201d Ben explained gently. He heard the scrape of boots against the wooden floor but didn\u2019t bother to look. He knew Adam and Hoss, and probably Henry, were gathering behind him. \u201cYou\u2019ve been unconscious for awhile, but everything is going to be all right now that you\u2019re awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast thing I remember is starting up that path,\u201d Joe told his father. He raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, gently touching the tender skin around the bruise. \u201cDid I trip or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you had a little help, Joe,\u201d Hoss said with a smile as he looked over Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll explain it all to you later, Joe,\u201d Ben interjected quickly. \u201cThe important thing now is for you to stay awake. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, give him this,\u201d suggested Adam, thrusting a tin cup half full of cooled coffee into Ben\u2019s hands. Ben nodded, then reached over to lift Joe\u2019s head a bit from the pillow. He put the cup to Joe\u2019s lips, and was relieved to see his youngest son sipping the liquid without any apparent difficulty. After Joe had finished drinking, Ben handed the cup back to Adam, then positioned the pillows under Joe so that his son\u2019s head and shoulders were raised from the bed. Joe\u2019s eyes seemed clear and bright, but Ben peered closely at his youngest son, looking for any signs of ill-effects from the blow to his head.<\/p>\n

As Ben watched his youngest son anxiously, he heard the sound of the front door opening and the thud of steps accompanied by the scratch of claws along the wooden floor. Ben glanced over his shoulder and watched Goliath lumber by, as did Adam and Hoss. Used to the presence of the bear by now, the three men didn\u2019t react to the grizzly walking by and turned their attention back to Joe.<\/p>\n

Lying in the bed, however, Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide with surprise and fear. He swallowed hard as he watched Goliath settle himself into his nest of blankets and pillows. \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Joe managed to squeak out. He swallowed again. \u201cPa, I must have hit my head harder than I thought. I thought I just saw a grizzly bear walk by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unable to stop himself, Ben chuckled before answering. \u201cYou did, son. That was Goliath. He lives here with his friend Henry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoliath?\u201d Joe repeated in weak voice. \u201cWho\u2026who\u2026what is a Goliath?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike your Pa said, he\u2019s a friend of mine,\u201d answered Henry as he joined the men standing by the bed. \u201cMy name\u2019s Henry. Don\u2019t worry, son. He won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d said Joe as he kept his eyes glued on the animal at the back of the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Henry answered confidently. He cocked his head a bit and studied Joe. \u201cYou need to keep awake, so let me tell you all about him. I think you\u2019ll find it interesting enough to keep you awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe agreed, still eyeing the grizzly with nervously. \u201cI don\u2019t think you have to worry about me falling asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The two men riding down the ridge cast long shadows in the mid-afternoon sun. One stopped his horse and dismounted, crouching down to get a closer look at the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tracks still lead in this direction,\u201d Frank told his cousin Jess. \u201cThey\u2019ve got to be up here someplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like this, Frank,\u201d Jess replied uneasily. \u201cThere\u2019s four of them and only two of us. And there\u2019s all them bear tracks around too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, the bear has to be long gone,\u201d Frank said with more than a hint of exasperation in his voice. \u201cThe horse prints are on top of the bear prints. Besides, those four wouldn\u2019t be coming this way if there was a bear around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just give it up and head back to town,\u201d suggested Jess. \u201cWe don\u2019t even know how much gold they\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got plenty,\u201d Frank snapped back. \u201cThe Army pays good money for remounts, and they got a bonus on top of it. All we have to do is find them. We\u2019ll surprise them, take the money and ride out. It\u2019ll be easy pickings.\u201d He didn\u2019t add that he planned to leave four bodies behind when he left.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the boss, Frank,\u201d Jess acknowledged with a shrug.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and don\u2019t you forget it,\u201d growled Frank as he remounted his horse. \u201cNow let\u2019s get moving. I want to find them before it gets dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only fifteen minutes later, Frank and Jess halted their horses in some trees near the clearing on which the large cabin sat. Both men stared silently at the odd looking structure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho do you figure lives in that thing?\u201d Jess asked Frank in a wary tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Frank. \u201cBut that\u2019s where them four fellows have to be. The tracks lead right up to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are we going to do now?\u201d pressed Jess. \u201cThat place is built like a fort. Ain\u2019t no way to surprise them or get in without them seeing us. And if we start shooting, they\u2019re probably just hunker down in there until we run out of bullets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still studying the cabin, Frank didn\u2019t answer for a minute. His eyes narrowed as he tried to think of a way to get the men inside the cabin to come out. He had no interest in camping in the woods until the men with the gold decided to leave. That could take days or even longer. But he also knew, as Jess had said, that shooting at the well-built structure wouldn\u2019t encourage the men to leave it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, that cabin\u2019s made out of wood,\u201d Frank finally said slowly. \u201cAnd wood burns. If we set fire to that cabin, they\u2019ll have to come out. It\u2019ll a be a turkey shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re going to give them a chance to give up the gold first, aren\u2019t we, Frank?\u201d Jess asked anxiously. \u201cI mean, just killing them without giving them a chance to give us the gold ain\u2019t right. We gotta give them a chance, Frank.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning in his saddle, Frank looked at his cousin in disgust. He almost told Jess to ride out, to go back to town if he didn\u2019t have the stomach to kill. But he stopped himself at the last minute. He needed Jess with him. For one thing, there\u2019s no telling what the man might blab all over town if he wasn\u2019t part of the robbery. Besides, his plan wasn\u2019t foolproof. If there was some shooting or other trouble, Jess could be helpful. Frank decided it wouldn\u2019t hurt to give the men inside the cabin a chance to give up the gold without bloodshed. He didn\u2019t mind killing, but there was no sense taking a chance on getting killed himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Jess,\u201d Frank assured his cousin, \u201cwe\u2019re going to give them a chance. But if they don\u2019t give us the gold, we\u2019ll have to set fire to the cabin and do some shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d answered Jess, sounding mollified. \u201cI just want to give them a chance to give up the gold. If they don\u2019t, then whatever happens is on their head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head at Jess\u2019 odd sense of fair play, Frank dismounted. \u201cLet\u2019s go find something we can use to make a torch,\u201d he declared. \u201cWe\u2019ve got us some gold to get.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Inside the log house, a contented air filled the cabin. While Adam and Henry sat at the table discussing books, Ben was rewrapping the bandages around Joe\u2019s ribs, trying to make his son more comfortable. Hoss sat at the back of the cabin, near where Goliath was sleeping peacefully on the blankets, watching the bear with a fascinated expression on his face. Occasionally, Hoss would reach out and lightly touch the bear\u2019s paw or run his hand over the animal\u2019s fur. If Goliath felt the touch, he ignored it.<\/p>\n

The quiet atmosphere in the cabin was suddenly shattered, however, by the sound of three gunshots, followed by a shout.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou! Inside the cabin! Listen up!\u201d called a voice from outside. \u201cWe want the gold coins you\u2019ve got. You have five minutes to throw them out the door. If we don\u2019t get the gold in five minutes, we\u2019re going to burn you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the sound of the shots, Henry, Adam and Hoss had rushed to the front of the cabin. Ben quickly finished tying the bandages around Joe, and muttering, \u201cstay here\u201d, hurried to join his older sons and Henry. Goliath had lifted his head, awaken by the noise, but stayed in the back of the cabin.<\/p>\n

Pushing a shutter on the window open a little, Adam looked out of the cabin. He couldn\u2019t see anyone; the area in front of the cabin seemed deserted. His eyes strayed to a large rock about ten feet to the right of the cabin door. Small licks of flame and a curl of black smoke were drifting upward from behind the rock. Adam started to push the shutter open wider when a shot rang out and a bullet ricocheted off the front wall of the cabin. With a quick tug, Adam pulled the shutter closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are at least two of them out there,\u201d Adam declared to the men standing behind him. \u201cOne is behind a rock holding a torch. The other one is somewhere near the side of the cabin with a rifle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPersistent little cusses, ain\u2019t they,\u201d muttered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019re the same ones who tried to ambush us in the canyon?\u201d asked a voice behind Ben.<\/p>\n

Turning abruptly, Ben scowled with displeasure as he saw Joe standing at his shoulder. Clad only in his pants, and with his right hand holding his bandaged ribs, Joe had a look of grim determination on his ashen face. His skin looked almost as pale as the white bandages wrapped around body, but his dark eyes showed nothing but resolve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out of bed?\u201d Ben demanded of youngest son. \u201cAre you trying to hurt yourself worse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to just lay there and be shot or burned,\u201d Joe answered in a firm voice. He raised his left hand in which he held a pistol. \u201cI\u2019m ready to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not much fighting to do,\u201d Adam explained in a calm voice. \u201cWe can\u2019t open the window to take a shot, even if we could get a bead on the one behind the rock. The one on the side will have a clear shot at anyone in the window. Same thing with the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree minutes!\u201d called the voice from outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just give them the money,\u201d Hoss suggested. \u201cMaybe that will satisfy them and they\u2019ll go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut they also might burn the cabin to smoke us out anyway. Outlaws tend not to like leaving behind witnesses or people who can trail them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we throw out a saddlebag with the money, we might get a clear shot at one of them when they come to get it,\u201d Joe pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d acknowledged Ben, \u201cif they are foolish enough to just march out in front of the cabin to pick it up. Somehow, I don\u2019t think they\u2019re that stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another gunshot came from outside the cabin, and the men inside heard the bullet strike the front door. The shot was followed by a shout of \u201cTwo minutes!\u201d<\/p>\n

The thud of heavy paws and the scratch of nails on the wood floor announced Goliath\u2019s arrival at the front of the cabin. The grizzly had grown curious about the noise and had lumbered up to the door to see what all the fuss was about.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoliath, get down,\u201d Henry said sharply, gesturing downward with his hand. The grizzly cocked his head, seemingly puzzled by Henry\u2019s tone, but immediately laid his massive body on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fellows are running out of time!\u201d yelled the voice from outside the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see what they plan to do,\u201d suggested Ben. He walked to the window and pushed open the shutter just a bit. \u201cWe\u2019ll give you the gold,\u201d called Ben. \u201cWe\u2019ll throw it out the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you can shoot one of us?\u201d shouted back the voice. \u201cNo, one of you carry it out and give it to my friend behind the rock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we know you won\u2019t shoot the man with the gold?\u201d Ben yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just want the gold. We don\u2019t want to kill anybody,\u201d answered a different voice, this one coming from behind the rock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now we know they\u2019re not stupid,\u201d Adam said with a shrug. \u201cWhat do you want to do, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know one of them is behind the rock and from the sound the voice, the other one is at the right corner of the house,\u201d Ben replied thoughtfully. \u201cIf there was only some way to get one of us out to the left side of the house, he\u2019d have a shot at both of them.\u201d He looked around the cabin, as if hoping a back door or another window would magically appear. \u201cBut there\u2019s no way to do that,\u201d finished Ben in a discouraged voice.<\/p>\n

Chewing his lip a bit, Adam looked at Henry. \u201cHow well will Goliath obey you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

A frown crossed Henry\u2019s face as he answered. \u201cHe pretty much does whatever I tell him. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last thing those men will expect when the door opens is a roaring bear wearing a coonskin cap,\u201d explained Adam. \u201cIf you can get Goliath to go into his act, I\u2019ll slip out behind him before those men realize what\u2019s happening. I can get to the side of the cabin before they have time to gather their wits and start shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re liable to shoot Goliath!\u201d exclaimed Henry in alarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if he\u2019ll run into the woods when you tell him,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cLook, all we need is for him to stand in the door and bellow long enough for me to get by him and to the corner of the house. It will only take a few seconds. Then he runs into the woods. By the time those men get over their surprise and get ready to shoot, he\u2019ll be gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam,\u201d Henry muttered doubtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you coming out or do we start a big fire?\u201d shouted the voice from outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry,\u201d said Ben in a gentle voice as he put his arm around the man\u2019s shoulders, \u201cif we don\u2019t try this, we\u2019ll all either burn or be shot as we run out of the burning house. That includes Goliath. At least this way, we have a chance. And Goliath will have a better chance than all of us by running into the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, Henry stood looking uncertain. Then he took a deep breath. \u201cAll right, it\u2019s worth a try.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam and Hoss went to the corner of the cabin to get the rifles, Ben went to the window once more. \u201cWe\u2019re going to send someone out,\u201d he called. \u201cGive us a minute to decide who it will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got one minute,\u201d the voice shouted back.<\/p>\n

Turning back from the window, Ben grabbed the gun out of Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cYou get back to bed, young man. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd miss the show?\u201d answered Joe with a cheeky grin. \u201cI\u2019m staying here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but you sit over at the table, away from the window and door,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to have to dig a bullet out of you on top of everything else. Now move.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe made his way toward the table on shaky legs, Adam and Hoss returned to the window carrying rifles. Hoss handed his father one of the rifles, and then said, \u201cI\u2019m going with Adam, Pa. Two of us will have a better chance at getting those yahoos than one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctant to send even one of his sons outside, Ben hated the idea of sending two of them. But he knew Hoss was right. Two men at the corner of the cabin would be able to fire at two different targets, increasing the odds of getting both outlaws. \u201cBe careful, both of you,\u201d he agreed with a sigh.<\/p>\n

Seeing that Ben, Adam, and Hoss were ready, Henry walked over to long thin table on which the coonskin cap with sitting. Goliath watched Henry, and abruptly rose when he saw the man pick up the hat. As Henry walked toward the grizzly with the hat, Goliath began swaying and lifting his paws, as if dancing in anticipation.<\/p>\n

As he knelt to place the hat on the bear\u2019s head, Henry spoke directly to Goliath. \u201cNow, listen and listen good. You\u2019re going to get to do your \u2018scare \u2018em\u2019 act, but when I tell you to run, you run as fast as you can into the woods. You hear me? When I say run, you take off and don\u2019t look back.\u201d The grizzly stared at the man with unblinking eyes, seeming to absorb the words he had heard.<\/p>\n

Looking over his shoulder, Henry nodded at the Cartwrights. \u201cHe\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved to stand at the window, ready to pull open the shutter and start firing as soon as Goliath was out of the way. Adam and Hoss pressed their backs against the front wall of the cabin, trying not be seen when the door opened. Henry stroked Goliath gently on the nose a few times, then stood up and went to the door.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Henry pulled open the door and then raised his hands high into the air. \u201cNow Goliath!\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

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

Outside the cabin, Frank waited impatiently. He glanced over to the large rock and saw Jess crouching behind it, gun in one hand and torch in another. Frank decided to give the men inside one more minute and then signal Jess to throw the torch onto the roof.<\/p>\n

Another torch, ready to be lit and pressed against the side of the building, laid at Frank\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the front door of the cabin opened. Frank tensed, expecting to see a man carrying a sack or some saddlebags emerging. But instead a large, dark shape emerged from the doorway in the doorway.<\/p>\n

As Goliath roared and waved his massive paws in the air, Frank gaped at the sight. He had never seen a bear so large, and certainly never one wearing a coonskin hat and a metal chain. The bear roared again and Frank almost dropped his rifle in fright. His wide eyes were fixed on the massive grizzly; Frank never saw the two figures squeeze out from behind the bear and run to the side of the cabin. He heard a scream of terror from somewhere on his right but Frank never turned his head to look.<\/p>\n

Two gun shots rang out, and Frank pulled his gaze from the bear. He saw Jess running, rifle and torch still behind the rock where his cousin had dropped them. Another shot rang out, hitting the dirt near Jess\u2019 foot. Frank watched uncomprehendingly as Jess ran screaming into the woods.<\/p>\n

Almost instinctively, Frank pulled his rifle up to shoot at the large bear. He heard a shout, a word that sounded like \u201crun\u201d, and saw the grizzly lower himself to all fours. The bear took off with incredible speed toward the woods. Without thinking, Frank took a step forward, wanting to get a better angle on the fast-moving animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop it!\u201d a voice shouted.<\/p>\n

Frank swung around and saw two men standing near the other end of the cabin, both pointing rifles in his direction. A wise man would have dropped his gun, but no one ever accused Frank of being wise. Frank pointed his rifle and fired, but his bullet missed as the two men dove toward the ground. Another rifle fired, this one from the window of the cabin. Frank\u2019s eyes widened in surprise as he felt the thud of a bullet hitting his chest. Then his eyes closed forever and he fell forward.<\/p>\n

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

It was almost dusk when Adam walked into the cabin with a shovel in his hand, followed closely by Hoss. \u201cWe buried him in the meadow down by the horses,\u201d Adam announced as he leaned the shovel against the right wall of the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s a pretty little placed,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cProbably better than he deserves\u201d. He threw a leather wallet on the table at which Henry and Ben were sitting. \u201cWe found this on him. It\u2019s got some papers in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Ben, picking up the wallet. \u201cI\u2019ll take it to the sheriff in Wellington tomorrow and explain what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExplain what happened?\u201d Henry asked nervously. \u201cWhat are you going to tell him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth,\u201d Ben replied with a smile. \u201cTwo men tried to ambush us. We killed one and the other ran away. The wallet was on the body of the man we had to kill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sign of the other one?\u201d called Joe from the bed to which Ben had persuaded him to return.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I figure he\u2019s still running,\u201d Hoss answered with a grin. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to stop until he reaches California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019ll talk about what he saw?\u201d asked Ben with a slight frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cTalk about a bear wearing a coonskin cap living in a cabin at the top of Dead Man\u2019s Canyon?\u201d answered Henry with a smile. \u201cI doubt it. Even if he does, who will believe him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I hadn\u2019t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn\u2019t have believed it,\u201d admitted Joe from his bed. Then he grinned. \u201cBut I sure am glad I saw it. Goliath was a sight to behold. I almost jumped out of my skin when he let out that roar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking around the cabin, Adam asked, \u201cIsn\u2019t Goliath back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but he\u2019ll be here soon,\u201d Henry predicted with a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s almost dark and Goliath doesn\u2019t like the dark. Too many scary things in the woods at night for his taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Right on cue, a large figure appeared at the door. Goliath looked around for a moment, then lumbered into the cabin. Instantly, Henry got to his feet and rushed to the bear. He put his arms around the grizzly\u2019s neck and hugged the animal. \u201cYou did good, Goliath, real good,\u201d Henry murmured. He pulled the hat off the bear, and scratched the animal\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Taking a step forward, Hoss cautiously put his hand on the grizzly\u2019s back. He stroked the animal lightly. \u201cThanks, fella,\u201d Hoss said softly.<\/p>\n

After exchanging looks and shrugs, Ben and Adam also walked over to the bear. Adam patted the grizzly lightly on the back while Ben rubbed the animal\u2019s head. Goliath stood patiently, accepting his praise with a low rumble of contentment.<\/p>\n

When the four men finally finished their petting, Goliath walked slowly toward the back of the cabin. As the bear passed the bed, however, the animal suddenly veered and lumbered in Joe\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n

With wide eyes, Joe watched Goliath come toward him, but breathed a sigh of relief when the bear merely plopped himself on the floor next to the bed. Goliath put his head on the bed and looked up at Joe expectantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you want thanks from everyone, eh?\u201d declared Joe with a smile. He reached forward and gently stroked Goliath\u2019s head. \u201cGood job, Goliath,\u201d Joe murmured.<\/p>\n

Apparently satisfied that he had gotten his just due from everyone involved, Goliath got up and walked away from the bed. The bear lumbered to the back of the cabin, and settled himself comfortably on the blankets and pillows.<\/p>\n

Ben hadn\u2019t realized until now he was holding his breath as he had nervously watched the grizzly approaching Joe. He let the air escape from his lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Hoss, I think you should ride on to the Ponderosa tomorrow,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll follow along with Joe when he\u2019s better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, can\u2019t we stay?\u201d Hoss complained. \u201cCharlie can handle things at the ranch. I ain\u2019t never going to have a chance to get this close to a grizzly again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019d kind of like to take a look at the cave where Henry found the remains of those Spanish soldiers,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like I have a rebellion on my hands,\u201d Ben answered with a smile. Turning to Henry, Ben inquired, \u201cIt will be three or four days before Joe is fit to travel. Do you think you and Goliath can put up with us for that long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed Henry with a smile. \u201cWe\u2019d enjoy the company.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the back of the cabin, Goliath raised his head and snorted loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it\u2019s unanimous,\u201d declared Henry with a laugh. \u201cYou are officially invited to be the guests of the monster who lives in Dead Man\u2019s Canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 With Army money in their saddlebags, looking for a faster way home leads Ben and the boys to Dead Man’s Canyon.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (13, 560 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13929,"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":[23,1008,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-halloween","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-29-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\/2017\/03\/Dead-Mans-Canyon.jpeg?fit=218%2C164&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13928","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=13928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}