{"id":13938,"date":"2005-12-12T13:43:56","date_gmt":"2005-12-12T18:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13938"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:33","slug":"hero-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13938","title":{"rendered":"Hero (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Living up to the responsibility of being a Cartwright, places Joe’s life in jeopardy, more than once.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (22,430 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThree queens,\u201d said the young cowboy, slapping his cards down on the table. Steve Rutledge began to reach for the pile of chips in the middle of the table. The man sitting to the cowboy\u2019s right grabbed the young man\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it,\u201d cautioned the man. He laid his cards on the table. \u201cThree kings,\u201d declared the man. \u201cI win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn!\u201d exclaimed Rutledge as he sat back in his chair. He shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve been just short of winning the pot all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe you\u2019ll win the next hand,\u201d suggested one of the men sitting across the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered the cowboy, shaking his head again. \u201cI\u2019m cleaned out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCleaned out?\u201d said the winner in surprise. \u201cI thought the Rutledge ranch was a big spread. I heard that, except for the Ponderosa, it was one of the biggest ranches around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d replied Rutledge. \u201cBut it\u2019s my father\u2019s ranch. I just work on it.\u201d Rutledge looked around the Golden Nugget saloon, trying to find someone he could convince to lend him some money. He recognized most of the men in the saloon, but didn\u2019t know any of them well enough to ask for some money. Rutledge turned back to the men at the table. \u201cI\u2019m out,\u201d he said in a discouraged voice. Without waiting for a reply, he pushed the chair from the table and stood up.<\/p>\n

The frown on Rutledge\u2019s face turned into a smile as he saw the saloon doors swing open. A young man in a green jacket and tan pants strolled into the saloon.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a beer, Bruno,\u201d said Joe Cartwright, throwing a coin on the bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe!\u201d yelled Rutledge, walking over to the bar. \u201cGood to see you, friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to look at who called his name. \u201cHi Steve,\u201d he replied pleasantly.<\/p>\n

Rutledge put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHow about buying me a beer?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Joe. He nodded at the bartender and reached into his pocket for another coin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brings you to town?\u201d Rutledge asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just picking up supplies and the mail,\u201d answered Joe as he sipped his beer. \u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Pa\u2019s in Reno so I kind of took the day off,\u201d explained Rutledge with grin. He reached for his beer. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be madder than a hornet when comes home and finds out I didn\u2019t finish the fencing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve, why do you do that?\u201d said Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cYou know your Pa is going to get mad and you take off anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rutledge sipped his beer. \u201cI know I shouldn\u2019t do it,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut I just get so bored out at that ranch. All I do all day is fix fences or chase cattle or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what would you rather be doing?\u201d asked Joe with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything but that,\u201d Rutledge answered. \u201cI want to go to San Francisco, or St. Louis, or someplace like that. I want to dance with some pretty girls, and play a little poker. I\u2019d like to sleep late and eat in those fancy restaurants. I want to have some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t we all like that,\u201d agreed Joe with a wry grin. \u201cBut it takes a lot of money to live that kind of life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, don\u2019t I know it,\u201d said Rutledge. He looked at Joe. \u201cSay, Joe, you got any money on you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA couple of dollars,\u201d answered Joe as he continued to sip his beer. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was hoping you\u2019d stake me in that poker game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStake you?\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhy would I do that? You\u2019re even a worse poker player than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting better,\u201d Rutledge replied defensively. Then he shook his head. \u201cBut I guess I\u2019m not good enough yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou lose all your money playing poker?\u201d asked Joe with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d answered Rutledge. \u201cA month\u2019s wages and then some. I was trying to win enough to get out of this two-bit town. I figured if I won enough I could go some place and live it up for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd instead, you lost all your money,\u201d said Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cSteve, you\u2019ll never learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rutledge eyed Joe thoughtfully. \u201cHey, Joe, let me ask you a question. Your Pa pay you wages to work on your ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d said Joe with a frown. \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it just don\u2019t seem right to me,\u201d Rutledge answered. \u201cI mean, I work as hard as my Pa on that ranch.\u201d He saw Joe\u2019s skeptical look. \u201cWell, most of the time I do,\u201d Rutledge added. \u201cI\u2019m out chasing cattle in the freezing rain, and fixing fences in the broiling sun. I\u2019ve cleaned out the barn more times than I can count. And chopped hay out of the pasture until my hands were raw. And what do I get for it? $60 a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you do get room and board too,\u201d said Joe with a ironic smile. \u201cWhat\u2019s your point?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe point is, that ranch is as much mine as it is my Pa\u2019s,\u201d Rutledge continued. \u201cI ought to get more than $60 a month. I ought to get a part of whatever profit my Pa makes from that ranch. Don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cI don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t?\u201d Rutledge said in surprise. \u201cDon\u2019t you think you deserve some of the profit from the Ponderosa? You work just as hard your Pa and brothers on that place. Don\u2019t you think you deserve more than just whatever your Pa wants to pay you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do get more,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI get good meals, clean clothes, and a fine horse. I get to live with my family in a pretty nice place. And I get to help build up the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I mean,\u201d said Rutledge in exasperation. \u201cI mean, don\u2019t you think you deserve some of the money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Steve, my Pa built the Ponderosa,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cHe worked and sweated fifteen hours a day, sometimes more, building his dream. He put his whole life into building the ranch, just like your Pa has done. All I did was get born. I don\u2019t figure that entitles me to anything more than what I earn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just don\u2019t understand,\u201d Rutledge muttered, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d said Joe patiently. \u201cI just don\u2019t agree. You figure just because your Pa has worked hard and made a little money, you deserve that money so you have some fun. Well, it doesn\u2019t work that way. You have to earn what you want out of life. Nothing gets handed to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like some preacher,\u201d mumbled Rutledge. He drained his beer glass.
\n\u201cHow about lending me some money, Joe?\u201d asked Rutledge. \u201cJust enough to get me back into that game. I\u2019ll win enough to pay you back, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills. \u201cAll I have is about $15,\u201d he said, handing the bills to Rutledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be enough,\u201d replied Rutledge confidently, taking the money. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you back, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d replied Joe. He finished his beer. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go pick up the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe\u201d, said Rutledge. He was already walking back toward table where four men were playing cards.<\/p>\n

Joe watched for a minute as Rutledge sat down at the table. Then he shook his head and walked out of the saloon.<\/p>\n

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

The other Cartwrights were already at the dinner table when Joe walked into the house. He hurriedly removed his gunbelt and put the rolled leather belt on the bureau near the door. Joe slipped off his hat and jacket, and hung them on the peg near the door. He rubbed his hands on his pants, figuring that would clean them enough for dinner. Then he hurried into the dinning room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry I\u2019m late, Pa,\u201d apologized Joe as he slid into his chair at the table. \u201cIt took me longer than I thought to unload the grain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright nodded at his son. \u201cAny mail?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe answered, reaching for a bowl of mashed potatoes that was sitting in the middle of the table. \u201cThe stage from Carson City was late. I waited almost an hour but it never did show up. I figured I\u2019d better head for home or I\u2019d be in town all night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded again, satisfied with Joe\u2019s explanation. But Joe\u2019s brothers couldn\u2019t let the opportunity to give him a hard time pass so easily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, you passed up the chance to spend a couple of hours in Virginia City?\u201d asked Hoss Cartwright as he forked a piece of fried pork chop into his mouth. \u201cJoe, you feeling all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the girls must have left town for the day,\u201d added Adam Cartwright with a grin from the end of the table.<\/p>\n

Joe plopped a spoonful of potatoes on his plate, and put the bowl back in the center of the table. \u201cI thought I\u2019d better get home before you two managed to burn down the ranch or something,\u201d answered Joe as he reached for the platter of pork chops.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow there\u2019s a switch,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cHim worrying about us causing problems. Usually it\u2019s the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, somebody has to look after you, older brother,\u201d said Joe with a grin. \u201cAt your age, you start to forget things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam threw his napkin at Joe while Hoss roared with laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, that\u2019s enough,\u201d Ben chided his sons in a mild tone. He was used to his sons\u2019 ribbing each other, and truth be known, he enjoyed it. He wanted his sons to feel close to each other, and the jokes simply confirmed that they did. \u201cSave the horseplay for after dinner,\u201d added Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I want to ride over to Frank Rutledge\u2019s place tomorrow,\u201d said Adam, as he retrieved his crumpled napkin from the floor. \u201cHe bought a breeding bull from that outfit down in Arizona. I want to find out if their stock is as good as they claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Rutledge is in Reno,\u201d Joe offered before Ben could reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know that, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou developing some special powers or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be nice if I did,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cThen I could figure out how to get to the dinner table before you. No, I ran into Steve Rutledge in town. He told me his father was in Reno.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf his father is in Reno, what was Steve doing in town?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cShouldn\u2019t he have been taking care of things at the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Steve,\u201d said Joe, with a shake of head. \u201cHe\u2019d rather be in town having a good time than working on the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cAll Frank has to do is turn his back, and Steve takes off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he would have grown out of that by now,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s old enough to know better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve never means any harm,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cHe just doesn\u2019t think past what he\u2019s doing at the time. When we were kids, he was always getting in trouble for missing school. He\u2019d be off fishing because he figured it was too nice to be inside. He never thought about what would happen if he skipped school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeems to me he managed to talk you into a couple of those fishing trips,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he did,\u201d replied Joe. He glanced at his father. \u201cBut I learned real fast what happened when I skipped school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes you did,\u201d said Ben with a grin. \u201cI recall several times when you spent days chopping woods and cleaning stalls as punishment. For awhile there, we had the cleanest stalls in Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was Steve doing in town?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was playing poker,\u201d answered Joe as he began to eat his dinner. \u201cHe was trying to win enough money so he could go some place and live high on the hog for awhile. Only, instead, he lost all his money.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy is going to drive Frank Rutledge crazy,\u201d said Ben with a shake of his head. \u201cHe never knows what Steve is going to do next. One of these days, Steve is going to get into real trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve\u2019s a good guy,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cHe just likes having a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but someone who doesn\u2019t think about the consequences of his actions can cause a lot of grief,\u201d pointed out Adam. \u201cI\u2019d stay away from him, Joe, or you\u2019re liable to be caught up in something he started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve is an old friend,\u201d Joe replied a bit heatedly. \u201cWe\u2019ve known each other since we were kids. I think I know him well enough to keep us both out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping out of trouble ain\u2019t exactly your strong suit, little brother,\u201d said Hoss with a smile.<\/p>\n

Joe smiled back at Hoss, not realizing that he would have bristled at a similar remark from Adam. Joe easily accepted Hoss\u2019 teasing but found Adam\u2019s comments often irritated him. Joe never really thought much about his different reaction to his brothers. He just knew that there was a special bond between Hoss and him. One that, for some reason, he could never share with Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Hoss,\u201d Joe assured his brother with a grin. \u201cIf I get into trouble, I\u2019ll make sure I\u2019ll come to you to bail me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe guided his pinto through the narrow trail in the Big Horn Canyon, his eyes searching the rocks for stray cattle. It had been a week since he had seen Steve Rutledge in Virginia City, and he had been too busy to give his friend more than a passing thought. But now as he rode through the canyon, he found he was thinking about Steve and wondering about his friend.<\/p>\n

Adam had visited the Rutledge ranch the day before, and returned with good reports about the bull. But Adam also had told the other Cartwrights about a heated argument he had witnessed between Steve and Frank Rutledge. Once again, Steve had wandered away from the ranch, leaving his work undone. Steve hadn\u2019t understood why his father was so upset, and Frank Rutledge couldn\u2019t understand his son\u2019s lack of concern.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head as he rode. He liked Steve, and when they had been young boys, the two had shared a lot of good times. Steve had talked Joe into a few \u201cadventures\u201d that had gotten them both in trouble with their fathers. But while Joe had been punished for these escapades, Steve usually got off with a lecture when he promised never to do something like that again. Except Steve seemed to forget this promise the minute he gave it.<\/p>\n

Both boys had loved the freedom of growing up on a ranch. But Joe knew the responsibilities of running a ranch and, as he grew older, he had accepted his share those responsibilities. Steve, on the other hand, seemed determined to remain in his carefree childhood, no matter how old he got.<\/p>\n

A distant rumble shook Joe out of his reverie. He looked to the sky, thinking the sound was the thunder of an approaching storm. But the sky was blue and cloudless. Joe reined in his horse and looked around, trying to figure out what had caused the noise. He heard the rumble again, this time closer. He looked up the hill to his right just in time to see a shower of rocks cascading down the stony bluff above him.<\/p>\n

Immediately, Joe kicked his pinto forward, hoping to outrun the rock slide. But his reaction was too slow. The horse began to move just as the rocks hit a ledge. The rocks ricocheted off the lip of the ledge and began flying in all directions. Joe felt something hard hit his shoulder. Almost instantly, another rock hit him in the back. Joe arched his back at the blow, pulling up on the reins in his hands as he did so. Cochise, his horse, stopped at the pull in his mouth, as he had been taught. But the flying rocks also frightened the horse. He reared suddenly, pawing the air with his front legs. Joe struggled to keep his seat, but another rock crashed into him, throwing him off balance. Joe slid from the saddle and hit the ground with a thud. He was dimly aware of the hard stones rolling over him before one hit him in the head. Joe felt a sharp pain, and then the curtain of blackness descended.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe! Joe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe heard a voice. It seemed to be both close and far away at the same time. He felt a hand on his chin, and the hand was shaking his head not too gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Come on! Wake up! Do you hear me? Wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Joe heard the voice and struggled to open his eyes. He groaned as he felt a sharp pain in his temples. Joe blinked and tried to open his eyes. He could feel something sticky trickling down into his left eye. Joe blinked again and this time he succeeded in opening his eyes.<\/p>\n

A face, blurred and fuzzy, seemed to be only inches away. Joe blinked once more and the face started to come into focus.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had me worried there for a minute,\u201d said Steve Rutledge as looked down at Joe. His voice was filled with relief. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to answer but found it hard to talk. \u201cUm, I\u2026I don\u2019t know,\u201d mumbled Joe. He winced again as the pain in his head seemed to grow sharper. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you got caught in a rock slide\u201d answered Steve. He grinned down at his friend. \u201cGood thing I spotted that green jacket of yours among all those rocks. I almost rode right past you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026what are you doing up here?\u201d Joe asked in a slurred voice. He shook his head, trying to clear it, and instantly regretted the action. The pain in his forehead seemed to spread to the top of his skull. A new stream of sticky fluid trickled into his eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just riding around up here,\u201d replied Steve vaguely. \u201cI found your horse down the trail a bit and figured I\u2019d better come looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Something in what Steve said didn\u2019t seem right to Joe, but his head hurt too much for him to think about it. Joe just nodded, moving his head as little as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI checked you over and I don\u2019t think you broke anything,\u201d said Steve in a reassuring voice. \u201cBut you have some pretty nasty cuts. Probably some pretty good bruises, too. I cleaned you up the best I could. We\u2019d better get you home. Do you think you can sit a horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Steve. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s find out,\u201d said Steve. Before Joe could answer, Steve pulled him to his feet. Joe groaned as he felt the pain almost explode in his head. His arms and back ached, and his legs felt like they were made out of putty. Joe felt his knees buckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d muttered Joe. \u201cI can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve looked around anxiously. \u201cYes, you can,\u201d he said to Joe in a firm voice. \u201cYou can\u2019t stay here. Come on, Joe,\u201d urged Steve as he grabbed Joe under the arms. Steve began to drag Joe across the rocky ground. Joe tried to walk, but he was having trouble making his legs work properly. Blood began flowing faster down Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Steve seemed to be oblivious to his friend\u2019s distress. He dragged Joe a few feet to the pinto standing at the side of the trail. The horse eyed Joe nervously, confused by the smell of blood mixed with the familiar smell of his rider. Steve gabbed the reins and held the pinto in place, then pushed Joe up against the side of the horse.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe reached up and grabbed the saddle horn with his left hand. He hung against the saddle, too weak to do anything else.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Joe,\u201d urged Steve once more. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get you on this horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his friend through half-opened eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t think I can,\u201d admitted Joe in a barely audible voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you on,\u201d said Steve. He grabbed Joe\u2019s collar with one hand, and Joe\u2019s belt with the other. He lifted Joe as if his friend were a bale of hay, and threw Joe up to the saddle.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s leg hit the back of the saddle, then slid over to the far side. He groaned as he landed on the leather, every inch of his body seeming to be jarred by the landing. Joe fell forward, his head resting on the neck of his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou grab that saddle horn and hang on,\u201d Steve ordered. Joe lifted his head slightly, and nodded, then grabbed the saddle horn under his chest with his left hand.<\/p>\n

Walking the animal slowly, Steve led Joe\u2019s horse forward a few feet to where a big bay horse was standing. Still holding the reins of Joe\u2019s horse, Steve climbed onto the bay. He looked back at Joe, and shook his head. \u201cWe\u2019d better get you to my place,\u201d Steve announced. \u201cIt\u2019s closer than the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer. He was already beginning to drift into a fog, neither really awake or unconscious. Joe felt the horse beneath him move forward and he clung tightly to the saddle horn. He was only dimly aware that the horse was moving down the trail.<\/p>\n

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

Joe woke to find himself in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. The wallpaper in the room was a pale blue and dotted with white flowers. The wood trimming the door and walls was painted white as was the door across the room. A cheerful picture of children playing hung on the wall. The room obviously had a woman\u2019s touch in the decorating.<\/p>\n

Shifting on the bed, Joe grunted in pain. His shoulders and back were sore and every muscle in his body seemed to ache. He felt the pain of a dull headache, and his face seemed stiff. Joe pulled himself up a bit on the bed, and realized he was naked under the covers. He turned to rub his sore shoulder and wasn\u2019t surprised to see a large bruise. Joe figured he had bruises everywhere. Joe lifted the covers and confirmed his suspicions. Splotches of dark black and blue covered his chest and ribs.<\/p>\n

Joe quickly dropped the covers as the door on the other side of the room opened and a woman with white hair and wearing a print dress walked in. \u201cI thought I heard you moving around in here,\u201d she said with a smile.<\/p>\n

With a jerk, Joe pulled the covers on the bed up to his shoulders. \u201cMrs. Rutledge!\u201d he exclaimed both in surprise and in embarrassment. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Joe looked around the room. \u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re at our ranch,\u201d replied Jane Rutledge. \u201cSteve brought you in yesterday. Don\u2019t you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned a bit as he thought. He remembered the rock slide, and some of the ride down the mountain. He also remembered being poked and prodded, as well as someone shaking him awake from time to time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of remember,\u201d said Joe slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not surprised you don\u2019t remember what happened,\u201d replied Mrs. Rutledge with a smile. \u201cDoctor Martin said you have a concussion in addition to all those cuts and bruises. You\u2019re lucky nothing was broken. A few days in bed, and you\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid anyone tell my family where I am?\u201d asked Joe in a worried voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey know,\u201d Mrs. Rutledge assured him. \u201cAdam and Hoss were here until the doctor assured them you were going to be fine. Your Pa stayed until almost midnight. Frank finally convinced him to go home and get some sleep. I expect he\u2019ll be back here any time now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe relaxed against the pillows. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to have caused you so much trouble,\u201d he said apologetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be silly, Joe,\u201d replied Mrs. Rutledge in a brisk tone. \u201cYou\u2019re Steve\u2019s friend. Practically one of the family. I\u2019m just happy Steve found you. Now how about some breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBreakfast would be great,\u201d said Joe. He shifted on the bed a bit and the blankets slide down to his waist. Quickly, Joe pulled the covers up to his chest again. \u201cOnly, um, well, um\u2026\u201d Joe blushed and seemed unable to find the right words to say. He pulled the blankets up a bit higher and he suddenly seemed unable to meet Mrs. Rutledge\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Jane Rutledge tried to hide her smile. \u201cI\u2019ll have Steve bring you a nightshirt and robe while I\u2019m fixing you something to eat,\u201d she offered. \u201cI expect you\u2019ll be a bit more comfortable with some clothes on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thanks, I will,\u201d said Joe, gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just rest,\u201d advised Mrs. Rutledge as she turned to leave the room. \u201cI\u2019ll send Steve in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laid back on the bed, happy to let his sore body relax against the soft mattress. He didn\u2019t realize he had dozed off until he felt a hand shaking him gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, hey, Joe, wake up,\u201d said Steve.<\/p>\n

Joe woke with a start. He looked up and saw Steve standing over him, a nightshirt and robe draped over his arm. Joe started to sit up, and winced as his aching muscles protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d asked Steve, his voice tinged with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I got run over in a stampede,\u201d Joe replied as he eased himself up on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa sent me in to help you get dressed,\u201d said Steve with a grin. \u201cShe figured you might be pretty sore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said, smiling back at him. He reached for the nightshirt in Steve\u2019s hand. Joe lifted his arms to slide the nightshirt on and then abruptly stopped. He groaned as he tried to lift his arms again.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, let me help you,\u201d offered Steve. He pulled the night shirt from Joe\u2019s hands and guided his friend\u2019s arm\u2019s into the sleeves. Then Steve lift the shirt over Joe\u2019s head and slid the shirt on. Steve also helped Joe into the robe he had brought.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Joe gratefully, as he eased himself back into the bed. Joe looked up at Steve. \u201cThanks for saving my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything,\u201d answered Steve with a wave of his hand. \u201cAll I did was pull some rocks off you and plop you on your horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a little more than that,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cI\u2019m grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember what happened?\u201d Steve asked. He tried to make the question seem casual, but his eyes had a wary look.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, \u201c Joe replied. \u201cAll I remember was riding in the canyon, and the next thing I knew those rocks were all over me.\u201d Joe looked at Steve. \u201cI might have died if you hadn\u2019t helped me. I owe you, Steve, and I won\u2019t forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve looked at Joe thoughtfully for a minute. \u201cI do have a favor to ask,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cName it,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if my Pa should ask, tell him I found you in Pine Cone Canyon, all right?\u201d said Steve.<\/p>\n

\u201cPine Cone Canyon?\u201d Joe replied in surprise. \u201cThat\u2019s a good ten miles from where you found me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d said Steve. \u201cBut see, that\u2019s where I was supposed to be, hunting strays.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Steve suspiciously. \u201cSo, what were you doing in Big Horn Canyon?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just cutting through there,\u201d said Steve with a shrug of his shoulders. \u201cI was coming back from meeting some pals of mine up on Willow Crest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cSteve, you\u2019ll never change, will you? Always running off when you\u2019re supposed to be working.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just gone a little while,\u201d Steve protested. \u201cPa don\u2019t like these fellows much, and he always gives me grief when he sees me with them. So I figured it would be easier to meet them up there. Besides, there ain\u2019t enough strays in Pine Cone Canyon to bother about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the point,\u201d said Joe. \u201cYou were supposed to be out chasing strays, not riding up on Willow Crest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you ought to be grateful that I wasn\u2019t chasing strays,\u201d retorted Steve angrily. \u201cOtherwise, you\u2019d be still laying out in Big Horn Canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cYeah, I guess you\u2019re right,\u201d he said. \u201cI do owe you my life.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cI just don\u2019t like the idea of lying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot, Joe, probably nobody will ask,\u201d advised Steve with a grin. \u201cIt ain\u2019t lying if you just don\u2019t say anything.\u201d Then Steve\u2019s face grew serious. \u201cLook, Joe, these friends of mine, well, they ain\u2019t plan on hanging around Virginia City much longer. I\u2019m trying to convince to let me go with them when they leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere would you go?\u201d Joe asked in an astonished voice.<\/p>\n

Steve shrugged. \u201cDon\u2019t matter much,\u201d he answered. \u201cAny place where\u2019s some good times. These fellows seem to have some plans, although I don\u2019t know much about them yet. They\u2019re kind of secretive. That\u2019s why I kind of hustled you out of the canyon when I found you. I didn\u2019t want them to see you with me. They might think I was telling you about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned. \u201cThese friends of yours sound kind of suspicious. Do you think it\u2019s a good idea to be hanging around with them? Sounds like you might get yourself into some trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble and me are old friends,\u201d said Steve with a smile. \u201cSeems like everything I do causes trouble.\u201d He looked at Joe intently. \u201cWhat about it, Joe?\u201d Steve asked. \u201cWill you go along with me on this? Nobody has to know I wasn\u2019t in Pine Cone Canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed in resignation. \u201cI\u2019ll cover for you. I won\u2019t say anything about you being up in Big Horn Canyon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d said Steve. \u201cI knew I could count on you.\u201d Steve turned and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe laid back against the pillows and sighed again. He hoped nobody would ask about where Steve had found him. If they did, Joe figured he could say he didn\u2019t remember for sure. Steve was right, thought Joe. It\u2019s not exactly lying if you don\u2019t say anything. There was no harm in just keeping quiet.<\/p>\n

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

Ben drove the wagon into the yard in front of the gray house and pulled it to a stop. As he climbed down from the wagon, he heard a voice calling his name. Ben turned to see a white-haired man walking toward him from the side of the house. The man was wearing a plaid shirt and dark pants, and his hand was raised in greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Frank,\u201d Ben called in return to the greeting he had received. \u201cHope I\u2019m not too early. I wanted to take Joe off your hands and get him home before he causes you any more trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, you\u2019ve spent enough time here during the past three days to know you\u2019re not too early,\u201d Frank Rutledge replied with a smile. \u201cAnd having Joe here hasn\u2019t been any trouble. In fact, it\u2019s been kind of a blessing. Steve has been staying close to home, keeping an eye on Joe, rather than hanging around with those no accounts in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben leaned back against the wagon. \u201cI can\u2019t thank you and Jane enough for looking after Joe for the past few days,\u201d said Ben gratefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we didn\u2019t do much,\u201d replied Frank, dismissing Ben\u2019s thanks with a shrug of his shoulders. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t send Joe home after the doctor said it was best he wasn\u2019t moved for a few days. Besides, you\u2019ve been here most of the time helping out. It hasn\u2019t been any trouble at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Steve around?\u201d asked Ben looking around the yard. \u201cI wanted to thank him again for bringing Joe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s up in Pine Cone Canyon, looking for strays,\u201d Frank answered. \u201cAt least, that\u2019s where he\u2019s supposed to be. With Steve, I never know for sure.\u201d Frank shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve\u2019s a good boy,\u201d commented Ben. \u201cHe just gets\u2026distracted. And I am grateful to him for saving Joe\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he did do that,\u201d agreed Frank. \u201cAnd I\u2019m right proud of him for doing it.\u201d Frank looked at Ben with sorrowful eyes. \u201cYou know, that\u2019s all I ever wanted,\u201d he added. \u201cI just want to be proud of my son, the way you\u2019re proud of your boys. Only Steve, he hasn\u2019t done much that I can boast about. Most of the time, when somebody mentions Steve, I cringe and wait to hear what trouble he\u2019s gotten himself into.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it just takes some boys a bit longer to grow up than others,\u201d Ben advised. He slapped Frank lightly on the shoulder. \u201cSteve will turn out all right, you\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d said Frank.<\/p>\n

Ben straightened and took a step toward the house. \u201cWell, at least I can take my troublesome son off your hands,\u201d Ben stated with a smile. \u201cIs he up yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast I saw, Jane was fussing over him and trying to get him to eat more breakfast,\u201d answered Frank with a grin. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a chore getting Joe away from her. She\u2019s been like a mother hen for the past three days, and now you\u2019re going to take her chick away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and took another step toward the house. \u201cMaybe I\u2019d better get in there,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIt sounds like Joe needs some more rescuing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank\u2019s prediction proved accurate. Before Jane Rutledge would let Joe leave, she checked his bruises and made sure his cuts were healing. She also insisted that Ben take a blanket with him in case Joe got cold on the ride to the Ponderosa. When Ben left the house to carry the blanket to the wagon, Jane started looking around the room, muttering about pillows. Finally, Frank grabbed his wife by the arm and held her still.<\/p>\n

\u201cTarnation, woman,\u201d said Frank in exasperation. \u201cYou\u2019d think Ben was taking the boy to St. Louis. It isn\u2019t more than a twenty-minute ride to the Ponderosa. And the doctor said Joe is as fit as he can be after three days in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou men never take these things seriously,\u201d Jane replied with a sniff. \u201cI just want to make sure Joe\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Mrs. Rutledge, really,\u201d said Joe with a grin as he stood by the door. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how much I appreciate everything you\u2019ve done for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you rest if you start feeling tired,\u201d instructed Mrs. Rutledge. \u201cAnd be sure to eat everything Hop Sing fixes for you. I swear, you didn\u2019t eat enough in the past few days to put any meat on your bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d said Joe, raising his hand solemnly. But the twinkle in his eye belied his serious tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cJane, that\u2019s enough!\u201d exclaimed Frank, his exasperation growing. \u201cBen\u2019s managed to raise the boy for the last twenty years or so. I think he knows enough to get him home safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d said Jane with resignation. She looked at Joe fondly. \u201cYou take care of yourself, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Joe promised. He crossed the room and offered his hand to Frank Rutledge. \u201cThank you again for everything,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure, boy,\u201d replied Frank, shaking Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

Joe turned to Jane Rutledge. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said softly. Joe kissed Jane lightly on the forehead.<\/p>\n

Jane blushed, and tried not to show how pleased she was at Joe\u2019s show of affection. \u201cGo on, get out of here,\u201d she ordered brusquely. \u201cYour Pa is going to get tired of waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving a brief nod, Joe turned to leave. He was about half-way across the room when a thought seemed to strike him. Joe stopped and turned back to the Rutledges. \u201cTell Steve thanks for me, too,\u201d Joe added. \u201cI promise I won\u2019t forget what he did for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank Rutledge nodded. He seemed to stand a bit straighter and his chest puffed out a bit a Joe\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

Moving slowly, Joe walked out of the house and across the yard to the wagon. Ben stood near the wagon, waiting to help Joe climb into the seat. He knew his son well enough not be fooled by Joe\u2019s pretense of being well. Ben could see the scabs on the cuts over Joe\u2019s eye, and Joe\u2019s stiff walk was proof that his muscles were still sore.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see Jane Rutledge finally let you go,\u201d said Ben with a smile as Joe approached the wagon. \u201cYou ready to head home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cPa, you have no idea how ready I am to go home,\u201d replied Joe with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little too much tender loving care?\u201d suggested Ben, arching his eyebrow and smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s just say I\u2019m not used to being fussed over that much,\u201d admitted Joe. He looked around. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Steve\u2019s not around,\u201d he added, looking at the empty yard. \u201cI wanted to thank him, too. I really do owe him my life. I feel like I ought to pay him back somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Steve knows how you feel,\u201d said Ben. \u201cYou can think about a way to repay him later. Right now, we need to get you home. Hop Sing is anxious to do a little fussing of his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe groaned and rolled his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m not sure which is worse. Getting hurt, or getting tended to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed as he helped Joe climb into the wagon seat, then walked around the wagon to the other side. He climbed into the seat next to Joe and picked up the reins. As Ben chucked the horses forward, Joe looked around the Rutledge ranch again. The thought struck him that Steve Rutledge didn\u2019t appreciate all he had. And then another thought came to Joe. He wondered where Steve Rutledge really was.<\/p>\n

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

The next three weeks were so ordinary that Joe never really could remember them. Whenever Joe thought back to that unremarkable period, he only remembered a blur of usual chores. Vague images of chasing strays, fixing fences, and tending the stock were all Joe could recall when he tried to think about those weeks.<\/p>\n

He did remember coming home from the Rutledge ranch. As Ben had predicted, Hop Sing did his own fussing over Joe once the younger Cartwright was back at the Ponderosa. The Chinese cook may not have been as sympathetic as Jane Rutledge, but in his own way, he was just as much a mother hen. He made Joe\u2019s favorite meals, and stood over Joe, arms folded and a scowl on his face, until Joe ate as much as Hop Sing thought he should. The cook checked Joe\u2019s cuts every morning and insisted on rubbing the soothing ointment on Joe\u2019s bruises each night. Joe tried to be tolerant and appreciative of Hop Sing\u2019s efforts, but it was a chore. He disliked being fussed over, and it took a major effort on Joe\u2019s part not to ask Hop Sing to just leave him alone.<\/p>\n

Joe also remembered the relief he felt when Doctor Martin declared him fit to go back to work after four days of Hop Sing\u2019s ministrations. Adam and Hoss both watched with unconcealed amusement as Joe made sure he was up on time and the first one out of the house each morning, eager to escape Hop Sing\u2019s watchful eyes. They had loudly speculated on how long it would take for Joe to fall back into his old habits of sleeping as late as possible.<\/p>\n

But most of all, Joe remembered the day his father had asked him to ride to Virginia City to arrange a wire transfer from the bank. It was a day Joe would never forget \u2013 no matter how hard he tried.<\/p>\n

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

The sun was already setting as Joe rode his pinto into Virginia City. The street was almost deserted. Most of the population of Virginia City were busy with dinner. Joe\u2019s own stomach rumbled a bit as he stopped his horse at the hitching post in front of the bank. He promised himself a good dinner at the hotel after he finished his chore at the bank.<\/p>\n

Turning the handle of the door of the Virginia City bank, Joe was not surprised to find it locked. He knew Wilbur Stone closed the bank at precisely 4:30 every day, and Joe figured the time was about 5:00 or so. But he also knew Mr. Stone worked in the bank for several hours after closing each day.<\/p>\n

Joe knocked hard on the door of the bank. He waited a few minutes, then rapped on the door again. A muffled voice called back to him that the bank was closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Stone, it\u2019s Joe Cartwright,\u201d called Joe through the door. \u201cMy Pa needs to transfer some money to an outfit in Arizona right away. They need some earnest money for some stock he wants to buy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome back tomorrow,\u201d called the voice. \u201cWe\u2019re closed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa needs the money transferred today,\u201d said Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe waited patiently on the other side of the locked door for a minute, and his patience was rewarded with the sound of a bolt sliding open. The bank door opened.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t do this for anyone but Ben Cartwright,\u201d grumbled Wilbur Stone with a scowl on his face. The bank manager sighed. \u201cCome on in, Joe. Let\u2019s get this taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Mr. Stone,\u201d said Joe with a smile as he stepped into the bank. \u201cI know Pa will really appreciate this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d better,\u201d replied Stone. He closed the door behind Joe. \u201cNow, how much do you need transferred and where?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Joe could answer, the sound of shouting distracted him. Joe heard several frantic voices from the street. He turned and opened the door behind him, then stepped out of the bank.<\/p>\n

Several men were rushing down the middle of the street in front of the bank. Joe could hear one of them yelling \u201cFire!\u201d as he ran.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d yelled Joe as the man rushed past him. The man stopped and turned to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire!\u201d shouted the man. \u201cThe old warehouse at the end of town is on fire. It\u2019s going good. We\u2019ve got to get it out before it spreads.\u201d Without waiting for a reply, the man started running down the street again.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Joe took a step toward the street, but Wilbur Stone grabbed his arm. \u201cJust where do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d asked Stone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going down to help fight the fire,\u201d Joe answered with a puzzled expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no you\u2019re not,\u201d said Stone firmly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got some business to take care of for your Pa, and I haven\u2019t got all night to wait around for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Mr. Stone, there\u2019s a fire,\u201d replied Joe in an urgent voice. \u201cI should go down and help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure they have more than enough help,\u201d said Stone in a tart voice. \u201cEverybody in town will be down there. You\u2019ve got business here. Let\u2019s get it handled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut…\u201d Joe started in protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing,\u201d interrupted Stone. \u201cEither we take care of this right now, or you wait until tomorrow to make that transfer of funds. It\u2019s up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Undecided, Joe turned and looked down the street. He could see the smoke billowing in dark clouds at the far end of town. He also could see more men rushing down the street toward the blaze. Wilbur Stone was right. Every man in town seemed to heading toward the fire.<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said reluctantly. \u201cPa wants that money transferred today. I guess we\u2019d better get it done.\u201d With a last regretful look toward the smoke, Joe turned and re-entered the bank.<\/p>\n

Stone nodded in satisfaction and closed the door behind Joe once more. As Joe walked across the bank toward Stone\u2019s desk, Stone threw the bolt on the door.<\/p>\n

Joe stopped and watched Stone lock the door, a look of surprise on his face. \u201cWhy the lock?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got $20,000 in newly minted gold coins in the vault,\u201d explained Stone as he walked past Joe toward his desk. \u201cWe\u2019re holding them until a special detail from the Army picks them up tomorrow.\u201d Stone sat down behind his desk. \u201cNow, exactly how much do you need transferred and where does it need to go?\u201d he asked briskly.<\/p>\n

Walking over to the desk, Joe sat down in the chair across from Stone. He pulled a piece of paper from the pocket of his jacket. \u201cPa wants you to transfer $1,000 from his account to this address,\u201d said Joe, handing the paper to Stone. Stone took the paper and looked at it briefly. With a nod, he pulled open a drawer in his desk and took out a piece of paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do the paperwork,\u201d said Stone, slamming the drawer shut. He put the paper on his desk and reached for a pen. Suddenly, there was a pounding sound from the door of the bank. A voice shouted for Mr. Stone.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d said Stone in exasperation. \u201cDoesn\u2019t anyone in this town believe in closing time?\u201d Stone stood and walked around the desk. He walked quickly to the door of the bank. \u201cWe\u2019re closed,\u201d yelled Stone through the door. \u201cCome back tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Steve Rutledge,\u201d a muffled voice called through the door. \u201cI\u2019ve got some important business for my Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stone rolled his eyes and shook his head. \u201cCome back tomorrow,\u201d called Stone again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t wait, Mr. Stone,\u201d called Steve.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Stone reached for the bolt on the door. \u201cGod save me from my biggest depositors,\u201d muttered Stone. Joe grinned as he watched the banker unbolt the door and pull it open. But the grin on Joe\u2019s face quickly faded as Steve Rutledge pushed the door open abruptly, knocking Stone back. Joe saw his friend had a gun in his hand. Three men followed Steve into the bank, guns also drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026what\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Stone in a voice that combined both surprise and fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d growled one of the men as he slammed the door shut behind him. \u201cWe\u2019re robbing the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe jumped to his feet. \u201cSteve, what are you doing?\u201d he asked in astonishment.<\/p>\n

One of the men pointed his gun at Joe. \u201cGet your hands up!\u201d the man ordered. \u201cYou make a move for that pistol you\u2019re wearing and you\u2019re dead.\u201d Joe slowly raised his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said Stone would be here alone,\u201d said another of the men.<\/p>\n

Steve stared at Joe before answering. \u201cI thought he would be,\u201d replied Steve. He frowned. \u201cJoe, what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t bother to answer. \u201cSteve, you must be crazy, thinking you can get away with something like this,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up!\u201d ordered one of the men. He turned to Stone, who was standing nervously near the door. \u201cNow, all we want is them gold coins you\u2019re holding for the Army. You get them and give them to us. You don\u2019t do anything foolish, and no one will get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stone looked at the four men standing in front of him with guns in their hands. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the vault behind the teller\u2019s cage. Stone knelt next to the vault and began working the dials. Two of the robbers followed him and stood over the bank manager, watching carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is the big plans you were talking about,\u201d said Joe to Steve.<\/p>\n

Steve looked away from Joe. \u201cThis is my chance to get some money and get out of this town,\u201d he answered in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve, don\u2019t do it,\u201d pleaded Joe. \u201cThey\u2019ll catch you. You\u2019ll never get a chance to spend that money. You\u2019ll go to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey won\u2019t catch us,\u201d Steve stated, but his voice betrayed a trace of doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d said the robber standing next to Steve. \u201cThey won\u2019t catch us. We got it all figured out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll catch you,\u201d declared Joe. He looked at the man and his eyes narrowed. \u201cThe whole town will be after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole town is down at that fire we set,\u201d replied the man with a laugh. \u201cThey\u2019ll be so busy trying to put out that fire that they won\u2019t even know the bank has been robbed until we\u2019re long gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The creak of the vault door told Joe that Stone had opened the safe. Joe watched at the two men pushed Stone aside and reached into the vault. They pulled out two canvas sacks. \u201cWhat about the rest of the money that\u2019s in here?\u201d asked one of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust take anything that looks like old bills,\u201d said the man standing next to Steve.
\n\u201cI don\u2019t want anything that can be traced.\u201d<\/p>\n

The robber reached into the vault and pulled a stack of money. The bills looked faded and worn. He looked around and saw a small leather sack on the counter. The man grabbed the sack and pushed the bills into it. Then he swung the door of the safe shut.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Stone eased himself away from the vault and cautiously worked himself around the end of the counter. He was only a few feet from Joe when the man near the door shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d shouted the man in an angry voice. \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stone froze and didn\u2019t answer. He raised his hands and watched the men with a frightened expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what, Steve?\u201d asked Joe in an angry voice. \u201cYou going to murder us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve looked surprised at Joe\u2019s question. \u201cNo, no,\u201d he replied quickly. \u201cWe\u2019re just going to tie you up. By the time anyone finds you, we\u2019ll be out of the territory.\u201d Steve looked at the man standing next to him. \u201cRight?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure, that\u2019s right, kid,\u201d said the man. \u201cGo tie them up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holstering his gun, Steve pulled some rawhide strips from his belt. He looked at Joe, and an expression of guilt crossed his face. Steve started to walk slowly across the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, please don\u2019t hurt me,\u201d begged Stone in a quivering voice as Steve approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to hurt you, Mr. Stone,\u201d Steve assured him<\/p>\n

It was at that moment Joe saw the man standing behind Steve cock his pistol. Suddenly, Joe realized the robbers had no intention of leaving any witnesses behind. He turned and dove at Stone, knocking the banker to the ground just as the man by the door fired his gun.<\/p>\n

The bullet passed over the heads of Joe and Wilbur Stone, splintering the wood in far wall. Steve Rutledge stopped and turned back toward the door, his face a picture of shock. Steve took a step back, trying to get out of the line of fire.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t wait to see what Steve would do. He rolled off Stone, pulling his gun from his holster as he slid across the floor. Joe got one shot off, hitting the man holding the canvas sacks. The man crumpled to the floor.<\/p>\n

But one shot was all Joe could manage before a volley of bullets came back across the bank. Joe felt something strike him hard in the chest, knocking him on his back. He heard a shriek of pain from his right, and another voice shouting \u201cNo!\u201d Joe didn\u2019t see Steve Rutledge fall to his knees and cover his head in terror. Nor did he see the man by door coldly point his gun at Steve. Joe did hear two more shots, and then all was quiet.<\/p>\n

Joe felt a searing pain in his chest. He gasped for air and the pain seemed to get worse. He laid on his back, eyes closed, paralyzed by the pain. Joe tried to take another breath, and felt an agonizing stab radiating through his chest. He coughed and tasted blood. He put his hand to his chest. Joe felt a sticky liquid on his chest, and knew that he was feeling his own blood seeping out of him.<\/p>\n

Weakly, Joe tried to push himself up, determined not to simply lay on the floor of the bank and bleed to death. He managed to prop himself up a few inches off the floor with his elbow. Through the smoke of the gunfire, Joe could see a body near the door. He knew it was the robber he had shot, apparently abandoned by his partners. Joe turned his head slightly, and saw Wilbur Stone writhing on the floor in agony. The bank manager had a bullet hole in the leg and another in the chest. Both wounds were bleeding freely.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe coughed again and moaned at the agony of pain that followed the cough. His chest felt on fire. Dark spots danced before his eyes, and he collapsed back to the floor. Joe clenched his teeth, trying to will the pain to stop. He was finding it hard to breathe, and he could feel his blood oozing down his chest.<\/p>\n

Joe could feel himself weakening and knew he had to get help. He tried again to push himself from the floor, but this time he only was able to roll himself to the right a bit. Joe stared across the floor of the bank, trying to get a brain dulled by pain and shock to work properly. Another spasm of coughing sent splinters of pain across his chest, and again, Joe collapse to the floor on his back. Joe could feel himself drifting into unconsciousness and didn\u2019t try to fight it. He didn\u2019t have the strength to fight against the agonizing pain any longer. As he sank into darkness, Joe\u2019s brain recorded the last image he had seen. It was the image of Steve Rutledge sprawled face down on the floor.<\/p>\n

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

Sheriff Roy Coffee was in the lead as the crowd started up the street of Virginia City and away from the burned out shell of the old warehouse. The fire had quickly the destroyed the old building, but Roy had organized a bucket brigade to save the buildings standing dangerously near the flames. It hadn\u2019t taken long for the empty building to burn, and once it had collapsed on itself, the danger to the other buildings had lessened. Roy stationed several men around the smoldering ruins, giving them orders to continue to douse the what was left of the warehouse with water.<\/p>\n

Now that the excitement of the fire was over, the crowd was starting to drift away. Roy assured himself that the fire was under control then hurried up the street. For some reason, he felt a need to check the town he had sworn to protect.<\/p>\n

As Roy walked rapidly up the street, he saw a man waving frantically. Roy recognized the man as Bill Peterson, the telegrapher from the Western Union office. Bill began running toward Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff! Sheriff!\u201d shouted Peterson. \u201cCome quick! There\u2019s something wrong at the bank!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Roy asked with a frown as Peterson ran up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Peterson. \u201cI went over to slip a telegram under the door for Wilbur Stone. The door of the bank was open. It shouldn\u2019t be open. Not this time of day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you go in?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n

Peterson shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he admitted. He looked down. \u201cI was afraid to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head in disgust, Roy brushed past Peterson. As he hurried up the street, several people started to follow him, the hint of new excitement attracting their attention. Peterson watch the crowd pass him, then turned to follow. As much as he didn\u2019t want to go into the bank, he couldn\u2019t stop himself from finding out what had happened.<\/p>\n

Roy walked down the street in rapid strides, quickening his pace as he neared the bank. He stopped for a moment when he saw the door of the bank was ajar. Roy moved cautiously toward the door, and pushed the door open slowly.<\/p>\n

Standing in the doorway of the bank, Roy was shocked at the scene in front of him. Four bodies laid on the floor of the bank, blood oozing from all of them. Roy\u2019s eyes quickly surveyed the bodies. Two were face down on the floor. Roy looked past the two and saw Wilbur Stone, laying on his side. Roy\u2019s eyes grew wide as he looked to the fourth body. He swallowed hard as he recognized Joe Cartwright laying on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody get the doc!\u201d shouted Roy as he hurried into the building. He stopped and bent to check the first body laying near the door. He quickly determined the man was dead and didn\u2019t waste any more time on him. Roy rushed forward, and turned over the body in the middle of the floor. Roy felt sick as he recognized Steve Rutledge. He saw the two bullet holes in Steve\u2019s side, one in the middle of the rib cage and one just below the ribs. Roy quickly put a hand to Steve\u2019s neck and shook his head. Steve Rutledge was dead.<\/p>\n

Roy stood and glanced at the two remaining people. He hesitated for a moment, then rushed to the boy in the familiar green jacket laying face up on the floor.<\/p>\n

With trepidation, Roy reached down and put his hand on Joe\u2019s chest. Roy could see the bullet hole on the right side of Joe\u2019s chest, and the dark streaks running from Joe\u2019s chest to the puddle of blood on the floor. Roy sagged with relief when he felt the beat of a heart and the faint rise and fall of the chest beneath his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s alive!\u201d shouted Roy to no one in particular. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. Roy knelt on the floor and pressed the cloth against the bleeding wound on Joe\u2019s chest. He could hear the raspy breathing and slight gurgling as Joe struggled for air. Roy pulled Joe into a sitting position, resting Joe\u2019s back against his chest. The sheriff had seen enough gunshot wounds in his time to know that the bullet had hit Joe\u2019s lung. He also knew that sitting the boy up would help his breathing. Roy pressed the now bloody cloth even harder against Joe\u2019s chest. He turned to the crowd of people standing in shocked silence near the door of the bank. \u201cTell Doc Martin to get here fast!\u201d Roy shouted. He saw several people hurry away from the door.<\/p>\n

Roy turned back to Joe. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and his jaw was slack. The young man\u2019s head had fallen limply against Roy\u2019s shoulder. Roy saw how pale Joe looked and heard his raspy breathing. \u201cDon\u2019t you die on me, Joe Cartwright,\u201d Roy said in a grim voice. \u201cYour Pa would never forgive me if I had to tell him you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shadow crossed Roy\u2019s face and he looked up. His deputy, Clem, was standing over him, a look of shock and concern on his face. Roy gestured with his head to the right. \u201cCheck on Wilbur Stone,\u201d Roy ordered Clem.<\/p>\n

With a nod, Clem walked a few steps to where Wilbur Stone laid curled on the floor. Clem knelt down and put his hand on Stone\u2019s neck. \u201cHe\u2019s alive!\u201d said Clem in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t just sit there!\u201d yelled Roy. \u201cHelp him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more, Clem nodded. He pulled a cloth from his pocket and pressed it against the wound on Stone\u2019s chest. Imitating Roy, Clem pulled Stone up to a sitting position. He almost dropped the bank manager back to the floor in surprise when he heard Stone groan. Clem was even more surprised when he saw Stone\u2019s eyes flutter open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWilbur! Who did this?\u201d asked Roy from across the room. He had seen Stone\u2019s eyes open. Stone stared back at the sheriff with glassy eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWilbur!\u201d repeated the sheriff. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stone coughed and gasped for air. He stared at the figures on the floor a few feet away. \u201cJoe..\u201d whispered Stone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d said Roy. Just barely, thought Roy, but he\u2019s alive. He pressed even harder against Joe\u2019s chest. He felt Joe shudder slightly. Roy turned his attention to the boy in his arms, propping him up a bit higher.<\/p>\n

Stone\u2019s head turned slightly. \u201cSteve\u2026\u201d gasped Stone.<\/p>\n

Clem glanced at Roy but Roy\u2019s attention was fixed on Joe. Clem looked down at Stone. \u201cRutledge is dead,\u201d said Clem gently. \u201cWilbur, who did this?\u201d continued Clem. \u201cDo you know who did this?\u201d<\/p>\n

With glassy eyes, Stone looked up at Clem. \u201cSteve\u2026\u201d Stone coughed and winced with pain. His head dropped down, and Stone\u2019s gaze shifted to the figures crouched a few feet away. \u201cTried to save me\u2026\u201d said Stone whispered, looking at Joe. \u201cTried to stop them.\u201d Stone coughed once more. Suddenly, his eyes rolled back in his head. A loud raspy breath escaped from his lungs. Then his eyes closed and his body fell slack.<\/p>\n

Clem reached down and felt Stone\u2019s neck. \u201cHe\u2019s dead,\u201d said Clem, shaking his head sadly. He gently laid Wilbur Stone back on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me through!\u201d a voice shouted from the doorway.<\/p>\n

Both Clem and Roy Coffee looked up. Doctor Martin was pushing his way through the crowd. The doctor was in shirtsleeves, and he had a black bag clutched in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s alive. The rest are dead,\u201d said Roy as the doctor knelt next to him. \u201cI think Joe got hit in the lung.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin nodded, and pulled a stethoscope from his bag. He stuck the tubes in his ears, and put the metal end of the device on Joe\u2019s chest. He listened for a moment, then moved the stethoscope around on Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cHis right lung is definitely injured,\u201d said the doctor, pulling the stethoscope from his ears. \u201cI can\u2019t tell how bad.\u201d He pushed Roy\u2019s hand and bloody handkerchief gently aside and tore Joe\u2019s shirt open. Roy blanched as he saw the ugly hole in Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Doctor Martin reached into his bag and pulled out a thick white cloth which he pressed against the wound. With his hand still on Joe\u2019s chest, he turned slightly toward the door. \u201cI need four or five of you to help me get Joe to my office,\u201d said the doctor over his shoulder. Several men walked forward.<\/p>\n

Silently, Roy watched as the men lifted Joe from his arms and carried him out of the bank. Doctor Martin walked with the men, keeping his hand firmly pressed against Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Roy\u2019s shoulders slumped for a moment, and his eyes closed. Then the sheriff took a deep breath and got to his feet. He saw Clem was watching him.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Roy simply looked down at Wilbur Stone\u2019s now lifeless body. His gaze then turned to Steve Rutledge\u2019s body a few feet away. \u201cWilbur didn\u2019t have any family,\u201d said Roy softly. He shook his head. \u201cI hate having to tell Frank and Jane about Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least Steve died a hero,\u201d Clem offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Roy with a frown. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you hear what Stone said?\u201d answered Clem. \u201cRight before he died. He said Steve tried to save him, tried to stop the robbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what he said?\u201d Roy said. \u201cI guess I didn\u2019t hear him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said it,\u201d Clem assured Roy. \u201cI heard him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cThat don\u2019t seem like Steve,\u201d Roy admitted. \u201cHe was always kind of a wild kid. He never seemed to think of anyone but himself.\u201d Roy shook his head again. \u201cMaybe it will be some comfort to Frank and Jane Rutledge that he died trying to save Wilbur. At least the boy finally did something good with his life, even if it killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clem nodded. \u201cDo you want me to ride out to the Ponderosa and tell the Cartwrights about Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

For a minute, Roy didn\u2019t answer. He stared at the door to the bank, his mind obviously picturing something else. \u201cYes,\u201d Roy said finally. \u201cYou\u2019d better do that. And Clem? Ride fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The three riders raced down the main street of Virginia City at a gallop. No one was surprised to see the Cartwrights charging down the street. The news of the bank robbery and murders had spread quickly through the town. Once it became common knowledge that Joe Cartwright had survived the shooting and was now fighting for his life at the doctor\u2019s office, the only question was how soon Ben and his other two sons would arrive in down.<\/p>\n

Small knots of people lined the street, sharing their rumors and speculations about the crime. They turned and looked when they heard the sound of running horses, and saw a grim-faced Ben Cartwright urging his horse to greater speed. Adam and Hoss followed their father through the town in the fading twilight. Most people simply nodded their approval and understanding, and then went back to their conversation.<\/p>\n

Pulling his horse to a halt in front of the doctor\u2019s office, Ben jumped off the animal. He wrapped the reins carelessly around the hitching post, barely stopping before racing to the door of the office. Adam and Hoss followed suit.<\/p>\n

Ben burst into the waiting room of the doctor\u2019s office, then halted. He looked around the seemingly empty room, unsure what to do. Adam and Hoss pushed past him into the office, their faces also showing worry and confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor\u2019s still working on him, Ben,\u201d said a voice. Ben turned toward the sound and saw Roy Coffee sitting quietly in a chair in the corner of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d asked Ben. His voice was laced with fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d answered Roy with a shake of his head. \u201cDoc Martin has been in there with him for over an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened, Roy?\u201d asked Hoss with a frown. \u201cClem said there was bank robbery, and that Joe was shot. He also said Wilbur Stone and Steve Rutledge were killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all we know,\u201d Roy admitted. \u201cThere was a fire at the other end of the town. The whole town was down there. We didn\u2019t even know the bank was robbed until Bill Peterson came running to get me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think the bank robbers started the fire?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes I do,\u201d answered Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll ride with the posse,\u201d Hoss stated. \u201cWhen are you leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sending out a posse, at least not yet,\u201d answered Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sending out a posse? What not?\u201d demanded Adam angrily. \u201cI want the men who shot my brother caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I, Adam,\u201d Roy agreed in an even tone. \u201cBut I have no idea who they are. I don\u2019t know if there was one man, or three or six. I don\u2019t even know which way they headed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, you have no idea who did this?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cDidn\u2019t anybody see anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody saw a thing,\u201d replied Roy. \u201cEveryone was down at the fire.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cWhoever did this planned it carefully. Probably the only thing they didn\u2019t count on was Joe and Steve Rutledge being in the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had been standing still, staring at the door to the surgery. But at the sound of Steve Rutledge\u2019s name, he turned his head. \u201cHas anyone told Frank and Jane yet?\u201d Ben asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe minister is headed out there,\u201d Roy answered. \u201cI thought I\u2019d better stay here just in case\u2026.\u201d He stopped abruptly. \u201cAnyway, the minister will tell them. He\u2019ll do his best to soften the news, although I don\u2019t know how.\u201d Roy cocked his head. \u201cSteve died trying to save Wilbur Stone\u2019s life. Maybe that will bring some comfort to the Rutledges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben turned to stare at the door to the surgery once more. His eyes seemed to burn as he fixed an intense look on the door. Almost as if Ben had willed it to happen, the door opened.<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin walked out of the room, drying his hands on a towel as he approached the Cartwrights. No one said anything. Everyone knew the question that was foremost in each of their minds. But no one asked the question. The Cartwrights and Roy Coffee simply watched the doctor. Each of them held their breath, and waited with a combination of dread and hope for the doctor to speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in very serious shape, but he\u2019s alive,\u201d announced the doctor as he dried his hands.<\/p>\n

A collective sigh of relief came from the men in the room. The tension seemed to melt from all their faces. Ben closed his eyes for a minute and his mouth moved in silent prayer. Then he opened his eyes and looked at the doctor. \u201cHow bad is it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bullet hit him in the side of the chest,\u201d explained Doctor Martin. \u201cIt nicked his lung. I\u2019ve repaired the damage as best I could.\u201d The doctor shook his head. \u201cThe only question is whether the patching I\u2019ve done will hold together long enough for his lung to heal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean it might not?\u201d asked Hoss with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean that I\u2019ve had to sew up an organ that\u2019s constantly expanding and contracting,\u201d answered the doctor. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to keep him as still and quiet as possible. Any sudden movement, any deep breathing, and those stitches could tear.\u201d Doctor Martin looked directly at Ben Cartwright. \u201cHe\u2019s lost a lot of blood, Ben,\u201d added the doctor in a soft voice. \u201cHe could never stand another operation. It would kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Ben paled and swayed a bit, Adam put his hand on his father\u2019s arm and steadied him. Ben took a deep breath and swallowed hard. \u201cWhat can we do?\u201d he asked in a choked voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got him heavily sedated,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cAnd I want to keep him that way for awhile. The more he sleeps, the more likely his breathing will be steady. And the steadier his breathing, the less likely the stitches will tear. Someone is going to have to be with him all the time. We\u2019ve got to keep him quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, any chance I\u2019ll be able to talk to him?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for quite a while,\u201d answered Doctor Martin with a shake of his head. \u201cTalking is the worst thing for him. My guess is that it will be at least a week before he\u2019ll be able to tell you anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a week, the trail will be stone cold,\u201d said Roy. \u201cWe\u2019ll never catch those bank robbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Roy,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cBut catching those robbers isn\u2019t my concern. Keeping Joe alive is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we see him?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cIn fact, I want all of you to help me move him to a bed.\u201d The doctor looked around the room. \u201cAnd you might as well stable your horses. I\u2019m going to need all of you to help me for the next few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe felt as if he were floating, as if he were flying among the clouds. He had never felt so relaxed, so unconcerned about what has happening around him. He knew he slept a lot, but even when he was awake \u2013 or at least thought he was awake \u2013 nothing seemed important.<\/p>\n

From time to time, Joe saw faces, but they were merely images. He couldn\u2019t seem to recognize the faces but that fact didn\u2019t bother him. He simply saw the images and accepted them, just as he docilely accepted the liquid from the glass pressed to his lips and the food spooned into his mouth. No one seemed to talk to him but that was fine with Joe. He had no inclination to talk. He couldn\u2019t think of anything to say even if he had wanted to talk.<\/p>\n

Joe spent three days in his drug-induced stupor, blithely unaware and unconcerned about all that was happening around him. Occasionally, he would feel a sharp pain in his chest. But each grunt of pain would result in a glass being quickly brought to his mouth, and Joe would drink a bitter-tasting liquid. The pain would quickly disappear, and Joe would once again feel himself floating.<\/p>\n

In his dream-like state, Joe was unaware of the anxiety and worry he was causing the men who sat by his bed. Ben was with his son almost constantly, leaving only when he was too exhausted to stay awake. Adam and Hoss took their turns, often one staying with Joe while the other forced Ben to eat and rest. But Joe\u2019s brothers were alone with him only for brief periods. Ben never was gone for long. As soon as he would awaken from his exhausted sleep, Ben would hurry to be with his son again.<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure what worried him the most — the long hours when Joe simply slept, or the glassy, unknowing look in Joe\u2019s eyes when his son was awake. The hardest part was not talking to his son. The doctor was afraid any conversation would induce Joe to answer, and talking would put a strain on Joe\u2019s fragile lung. Ben knew in his head that Doctor Martin was right, but knowing that fact didn\u2019t prevent Ben\u2019s heart from aching for the sound of his son\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

When Doctor Martin climbed down the stairs from his living quarters on the fourth morning after the shooting, he went immediately to check on his patient. The doctor wasn\u2019t surprised to see Ben sitting by Joe\u2019s bed. It seemed every time the doctor entered the room, Ben was there. Doctor Martin stood in the doorway for a moment and watched. He saw Ben reach out and stroke Joe\u2019s head lightly, a gesture the doctor has seen many times over the past few days. Ben Cartwright may not have been able to talk with his son, but he knew how to communicate his feelings in other ways. No one could have watched Ben and not known how he felt about his son.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin cleared his throat softly. \u201cMorning, Ben,\u201d said the doctor as he walked into the room. \u201cHow is Joe doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed to be in some pain a few hours ago,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI gave him another dose of the medicine, just like you said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin nodded, and reached for the stethoscope on the table by Joe\u2019s bed. He spent the next few minutes examining his patient as Ben watched both of them anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis lung sounds good,\u201d said the doctor, as he removed the stethoscope and placed it on the table. \u201cI think we\u2019re out of the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a minute, Ben didn\u2019t say anything . Then he looked up at the doctor, his eyes glistening. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said in a choked voice.<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin merely nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be pretty groggy for the next day or so,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take a little while for that sedative to leave his system. I\u2019d also like to keep him as quiet as possible for awhile, just to be sure.\u201d The doctor smiled at Ben. \u201cWith Joe, that\u2019s going to be quite a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you mean,\u201d agreed Ben said with a grin. He looked down at his sleeping son, then reached out and stroked Joe\u2019s head lightly. \u201cBut you know what?\u201d said Ben softly. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to tell him to be quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe stirred on the bed and tried to force himself out of the fog that seemed to be surrounding him. His chest felt tight, and he felt a twinge as he took a deep breath. He knew he had been shot. He remembered the bank robbery clearly. What he didn\u2019t know was how long ago it had happened.<\/p>\n

Bits and pieces of the past few days surfaced in his memory. Joe recalled waking to see his father sitting anxiously by his bed, and he remembered the look of relief on his father\u2019s face when he had called his name. Joe also remembered Adam talking to him, although he couldn\u2019t seem to remember exactly what his brother had said. Other images — of the doctor bending over him and of Hoss spooning food into him \u2013 appeared in his mind. It seemed to Joe that he had been in a fog for several days, breaking through the mist for brief periods only to sink back into it. Joe was tired of being in the fog. This time he was determined to break through it for good.<\/p>\n

Stirring again, Joe slowly opened his eyes. He smiled at the figure sitting next to the bed. Hoss was reading a newspaper, seemingly engrossed in the whatever was printed there. The picture was so unusual that, for a minute, Joe wondered if he was dreaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d Joe said in a voice that was barely a whisper.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up, surprised. He quickly dropped the newspaper to the floor. \u201cHey, little brother,\u201d said Hoss with a smile. \u201cYou\u2019re awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d replied Joe softly. He looked around the room. \u201cWhere am I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re at Doc Martin\u2019s place,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019ve been here for almost a week.\u201d Suddenly, a thought seemed to occur to Hoss. \u201cThe doctor said you were to stay quiet,\u201d he added with a frown. \u201cHe don\u2019t want you talking unless you have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is..\u201d Joe started to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, didn\u2019t you hear me?\u201d Hoss interrupted. \u201cI just said you were not suppose to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Hoss with astonishment. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t fine,\u201d stated Hoss firmly. \u201cYou will be, but it\u2019s going to take awhile. So just lay there and be quiet.\u201d Hoss looked at Joe thoughtfully. \u201cNow what was it you were going to ask?\u201d he wondered. \u201cWhere is everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa\u2019s getting some sleep,\u201d Hoss told his brother. \u201cAdam had to practically drag him over to the hotel. Doc Martin is out delivering a baby. And I\u2019m here with you,\u201d finished Hoss triumphantly.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned at his brother.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe heard the tolling of a bell. The bell rang in slow cadence, tolling a death knell. Joe looked to the window, and then at Hoss, his face showing his puzzlement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s from the church,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cThey\u2019re having a memorial for Steve Rutledge. Adam was going over to represent the Cartwrights after he got Pa to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the mentioned of Steve\u2019s name, Joe\u2019s expression changed. He lowered his eyes, and felt a stab of pain, but the pain wasn\u2019t physical.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve\u2019s dead,\u201d said Joe, making a statement more than asking a question.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he is,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cHis folks took his death pretty hard. They buried Steve on the ranch, kept the burial real private. But the minister told everyone how much Steve\u2019s folks were grieving. So the town figured having a memorial service to honor him might help them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonor him?\u201d said Joe in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cWith Steve dying trying to save Mr. Stone and all, well, a lot of people feel like he was a hero.\u201d Hoss reached down and picked up the newspaper off the floor. \u201cThere\u2019s a big article about him in the paper.\u201d Hoss showed Joe the paper. . The headline over the article read in big letters: \u201cThe Death of a Hero\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hoss took the paper back. \u201cI\u2019ll read you the story,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

As Joe listened to his brother reading the newspaper article, his astonishment grew. Joe heard about Stone\u2019s dying words, and how Steve was considered a hero. He heard the speculation from the reporter that Steve had thrown himself in front of Stone in a vain attempt to save the bank manager. Hoss also read the quote from Steve\u2019s father, a line or two about how proud Frank was that his son gave his life trying to save another man.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Hoss. \u201cThis isn\u2019t true,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I figured it wasn\u2019t,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cThat reporter fellow mostly guessed what happened since no one could tell for sure. But it don\u2019t really matter how it happened. It\u2019s just a comfort to his folks to know he tried to save you and Mr. Stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at Hoss, his confusion growing. It was obvious to Joe that no one knew Steve had been part of the gang that robbed the bank. Everyone thought Steve had tried to prevent the robbery.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said. He sat up in the bed, wanting to explain to Hoss what had happened. \u201cNo,\u201d said Joe again. Then he winced as he felt a stab of pain. Joe closed his eye briefly. He opened them and looked at his brother. \u201cHoss..\u201d Joe started to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Joe, you got to be quiet,\u201d interrupted Hoss in a firm voice. \u201cThe doctor said you shouldn\u2019t be talking. Now you just lay there and shut up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Hoss\u2026\u201d Joe tried once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you\u2019re getting me riled,\u201d said Hoss in a threatening voice. \u201cNow if you don\u2019t stop talking, I\u2019m going to come over there and gag you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laid back on the bed, his mind churning. He wanted to tell Hoss that Steve wasn\u2019t a hero, that Steve had tried to rob the bank. But even as he thought that, another thought occurred to Joe. Hoss had said that Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge were finding some comfort in the fact that their son had died a hero. If Joe told the truth about how Steve really had died, the Rutledges would have to face the fact that their son died as an outlaw.<\/p>\n

Looking up at the ceiling, Joe tried to decide what to do. As he struggled with his dilemma, Joe heard the bedroom door open. He looked toward the door, and his mouth dropped. Standing in the doorway was Jane Rutledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d said Mrs. Rutledge. \u201cI heard you were feeling better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still surprised, Joe stared at the woman in the doorway. Jane Rutledge was dressed in black, an outward sign of mourning. But Joe wouldn\u2019t have needed to the black dress to know Mrs. Rutledge was grieving. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her face looked pale and drawn. The smile Joe remembered was missing from her lips. Instead, her mouth had a tight, pinched look.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to stop by and see how you were doing,\u201d said Mrs. Rutledge. \u201cWe were in town for\u2026\u201d she stopped and seemed to choke back a sob. \u201cAdam told me you were feeling better,\u201d she finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about Steve,\u201d said Joe in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d replied Mrs. Rutledge. Her eyes seemed to well with tears. \u201cI\u2019m going to miss him.\u201d Mrs. Rutledge wiped her eyes. \u201cI know you\u2019ll miss him, also,\u201d she added. \u201cA lot of people will. It was so nice at the memorial. The church was practically filled. So many people came. And so many told me what a fine boy my son was.\u201d Mrs. Rutledge turned her head and a small sob escaped her.<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss looked at each other, neither of them sure what to do. Both men felt helpless and uncomfortable at the sight of Mrs. Rutledge\u2019s grief.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Rutledge sniffed and wiped her eyes again. She took a deep breath and seemed to get herself under control. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to do that. I really did come to check on you.\u201d Mrs. Rutledge managed a small smile. \u201cAfter all that patching up I did on you at my place, I wanted to make sure the doctor didn\u2019t spoil my handiwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled reassuringly at Mrs. Rutledge. \u201cI\u2019m all right.\u201d .<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am, I don\u2019t want to be rude or nothing,\u201d interrupted Hoss. \u201cBut the doctor said Joe wasn\u2019t to do any talking unless he had to. He needs a lot of rest and quiet right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course,\u201d said Jane Rutledge. \u201cHow stupid of me. Joe, you just lay back there and take care of yourself. Don\u2019t say another word.\u201d Mrs. Rutledge smiled at Joe. \u201cYou get well,\u201d she ordered softly. Then she turned and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe watched the door close, and thought of another unfamiliar bedroom in which he had laid. He thought about Steve Rutledge saving his life, and how Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge had looked after him. And he remembered something else. He remember how Steve Rutledge said it wasn\u2019t lying if you just didn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m afraid that we probably won\u2019t ever catch those bank robbers,\u201d sad Roy Coffee, shaking his head sadly. \u201cBut anything you can tell me will help. You never know what might lead us to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. He had be aware that Roy Coffee wanted to talk with him about the bank robbery, and he had been nervously anticipating the conversation all day. Joe had been unusually quiet during the day, debating what to tell Roy about Steve\u2019s involvement in the robbery. No one seemed to have noticed how quiet Joe had been. They simply thought that Joe, for once, was following doctor\u2019s orders.<\/p>\n

But Joe had spent hours staring at the ceiling, trying to decide what to do. He rationalized that no harm would be done by not telling anyone about Steve\u2019s true involvement in the bank robbery, and his omission would spare Steve\u2019s parents further grief. But at the same time, Joe felt uncomfortable about not telling Roy Coffee everything.<\/p>\n

Joe still hadn\u2019t decided what to do when Roy Coffee entered his room in the late afternoon. Ben had replaced Hoss in the chair next to the bed. Ben\u2019s presence didn\u2019t help Joe. If anything, it made him even more uncomfortable. Joe knew how much stock his father put in always telling the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we found one of the robbers dead in the bank,\u201d said Roy as he stood at the end of Joe\u2019s bed. \u201cCan you tell me how many got away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cThey took the sacks of coins and a smaller pile of bills with them. The bills were in a leather sack.\u201d Joe frowned as he thought. \u201cI think the sack had the name of the bank on it, but I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you recognize any of the bank robbers?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen the two who got away,\u201d Joe answered carefully. \u201cWhat about the one I\u2026about the one who was killed? Do you know who he was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Roy with a shake of his head. \u201cHe didn\u2019t have any identification on him. A couple of people said they saw him around town a time or two, but no one seems to know who he is.\u201d He looked at Joe with a hopeful expression. \u201cCan you describe the two that got away?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning in concentration, Joe described the two men he had seen in the bank as best he could. He had made up his mind not to lie to Roy. But he also didn\u2019t feel a need to tell Roy anything that the sheriff didn\u2019t specifically ask. He just hoped Roy wouldn\u2019t ask any questions about Steve.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny idea where they were heading?\u201d asked Roy. \u201cDid they say anything about which direction they might go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Joe, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

Roy sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s not much,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll wire the descriptions to as many towns as I can. But I doubt if it will do any good.\u201d Roy turned to leave the room.<\/p>\n

Nodding his understanding, Joe relaxed on the bed. But he tensed again when Roy stopped and turned back to the bed. \u201cSay, Joe, can you tell me about Steve Rutledge?\u201d asked Roy. \u201cDid he say why he came by the bank that day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he was there on business for his Pa,\u201d answered Joe cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s odd,\u201d said Roy with a puzzled expression. \u201cHis Pa thought he was working on some fences. He didn\u2019t even know Steve was in Virginia City until the minister told him what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Steve had a habit of not being where he was supposed to be,\u201d Ben commented. \u201cThat boy was always running to town instead of working. He probably was going to ask Wilbur Stone for some money from his father\u2019s account.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe you\u2019re right, Ben,\u201d agreed Roy with a nod. \u201cI saw Steve playing poker over at the saloon more times than I can count. And he usually was losing.\u201d Roy turned to Joe again. \u201cJoe, did you see how Steve got shot?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the ceiling, thinking hard about how he should answer. Ben watched his son anxiously. Ben could see Joe was upset by Roy\u2019s question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know exactly what happened to Steve,\u201d answered Joe truthfully. \u201cIt must have happened after I was hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quickly, Ben laid a comforting hand on Joe\u2019s arm. He could understand how reliving the bank robbery and his friend\u2019s death might cause Joe distress. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d said Ben, stroking Joe\u2019s arm. Ben turned to Roy. \u201cI think that\u2019s enough for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy nodded his agreement. \u201cIt really doesn\u2019t matter exactly how Steve Rutledge died,\u201d said Roy. \u201cClem heard what Wilbur Stone said just before Wilbur died. That\u2019s probably comfort enough for his folks. Knowing all the details won\u2019t help anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let out a sigh of relief and relaxed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, if you think of anything else I should know, you send for me,\u201d ordered Roy. Without waiting for a reply, Roy turned and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Frowning in concern, Ben turned to Joe. \u201cSon, I know how hard it must be to think about Steve\u2019s death,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut sometimes, keeping things bottled up only makes them worse. If you want to talk about it, I\u2019m here to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his father and wondered if he should tell Ben the truth. Joe licked his lips nervously. He wanted to share his secret, but he also knew his father. If he told Ben the truth about Steve, Ben would insist on telling Roy. And the Rutledges would learn their son died as a bank robber, not a hero. \u201cPa\u2026,\u201d said Joe in a hesitant voice. Then he stopped and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about it, Pa,\u201d said Joe. He took a deep breath, and winced at the ache in his chest. \u201cI think I want to rest for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d said Ben in an understanding voice. \u201cYou rest. We can talk about this later, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, maybe later,\u201d Joe replied. But he knew he wouldn\u2019t be sharing his secret with Ben or anyone else.<\/p>\n

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

It took a week of Joe\u2019s complaining and badgering before Doctor Martin finally agreed to let him go home. Joe half-listened to the list of instructions the doctor gave him about resting and taking it easy for a few weeks. He agreed to follow doctor\u2019s orders. Joe would agreed to anything if it would have gotten him out of Virginia City and back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Ben was helping Joe into the seat of the buckboard when a familiar voice called Joe\u2019s name. Joe closed his eyes briefly and steeled himself . Then he turned and looked at Frank Rutledge coming down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Frank,\u201d said Ben, his voice full of sympathy. \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank Rutledge looked down at the street for a moment. \u201cAs well as can be expected, I guess,\u201d he mumbled. Frank swallowed and then raised his eyes. \u201cThe important question is how is Joe? Looks like you\u2019re going to be all right, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d answered Joe, nodding. \u201cThe doc is finally letting me go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad,\u201d said Frank. \u201cI\u2019m real glad. I\u2019m sorry I haven\u2019t come by to see you. It\u2019s just been hard\u2026everything seems to remind me of Steve, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand, Frank,\u201d Ben told the rancher, his voice full of sympathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry you weren\u2019t well enough to come to the memorial service, Joe,\u201d said Frank. \u201cI know Steve would have wanted you to be there. We would have liked you to be there too. So many people said nice things about Steve. I know you would have wanted to say something, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down, avoiding Frank Rutledge\u2019s eyes. He thought about having to talk at the memorial service and was glad he missed it. He knew he couldn\u2019t have stood up and sang the praises of the man who had been involved in Wilbur Stone\u2019s death and his own injuries. The outlaws would have never made into the bank without Steve\u2019s help. He may not have pulled the trigger, but Steve was as much responsible for what happened as the men who did.<\/p>\n

Once again, Joe felt the tug of war going on in his conscience. He was unhappy about the idea of Steve being hailed as a hero. Joe knew Steve was anything but a hero during that robbery. But at the same time, Joe felt he owed something to the people who had saved his life.<\/p>\n

Joe could feel Frank\u2019s eyes on him and knew he had to say something. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t there,\u201d mumbled Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned at Joe\u2019s reaction. He wondered why Joe seemed to become uncomfortable every time Steve\u2019s name was mentioned. He knew Joe was upset by Steve\u2019s death. But he also knew Joe wasn\u2019t grieving for his friend. There was some other emotion involved. Ben just wasn\u2019t sure what it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou take care of yourself, Joe,\u201d said Frank in a concerned voice. \u201cAnd when you\u2019re feeling better, if you want to come by the ranch, we\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded numbly. He knew he wouldn\u2019t be visiting the Rutledges. He knew he couldn\u2019t face them, knowing the truth about how Steve died.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019d better get going,\u201d Joe said to Ben, a slightly desperate look in his eyes.<\/p>\n

Ben understood that Joe wanted to be away from Frank for some reason. He wasn\u2019t sure why, but Ben knew this wasn\u2019t the time or place to question his son. He nodded and walked around to the other side of the buckboard. Ben glanced at Joe as he climbed up onto the seat next to his son. Joe\u2019s eyes were down, as if Joe were determined not to look at Frank Rutledge. Ben shook his head in puzzlement as he picked up the reins.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care, Joe. You come see us soon,\u201d called Frank as Ben chucked the horses forward and guided the buckboard down the street.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up, but he didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n

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

For the second time in less than two months, Joe found he had to tolerate Hop Sing\u2019s brand of nursing. The cook hovered around Joe, insisting that he eat and rest. Joe dozed in the red chair by the fire several afternoons, and each time, he woke to find Hop Sing standing near the chair, watching him anxiously. Joe couldn\u2019t convince the cook that it was a big meal and the warmth of the fire that caused him to grow drowsy. Hop Sing was sure Joe needed even more of his attention. Joe chafed at all the attention he was getting now.<\/p>\n

Joe had been home for little over a week. Joe had spent the week deliberately not thinking about Steve Rutledge. He was sure, in time, Steve and his supposedly heroic death would fade to a minor footnote in everyone\u2019s minds. Joe told himself that all he had to do was wait.<\/p>\n

As Joe sat at the dinner table with his father and brothers, his mind was not on Steve Rutledge. His attention was drawn to the huge slice of apple pie that Hop Sing had just put in front of him. The cook had already checked to make sure Joe had eaten a good portion of everything he had cooked for dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis must be Hoss\u2019 plate,\u201d said Joe, handing the plate back to the cook.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing pushed the plate down on the table. \u201cNot Mr. Hoss pie,\u201d he answered firmly. \u201cLittle Joe pie. You eat all. You get well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing, I can\u2019t eat all this,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll explode if I try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou eat,\u201d replied Hop Sing in a firm voice. He stood watching until Joe picked up a fork and ate a piece of the pie. Hop Sing grunted in satisfaction, and turned to walk back to his kitchen. Joe watched him out of the corner of his eye. As soon as the cook was gone, Joe picked up the plate and handed it to Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuick, Hoss,\u201d said Joe in a low voice. \u201cTrade plates with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joe, if Hop Sing finds out, he\u2019s just going to bring out another slice of pie for you,\u201d advised Ben in an amused voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell him, Pa,\u201d pleaded Joe. \u201cI just can\u2019t face any more food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother,\u201d said Hoss, as he took the plate. \u201cI\u2019ll help you out. Just as a kindness.\u201d Hoss handed Joe his plate, one containing a much smaller piece of pie.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned as he watched his brothers. Then he turned to Ben. \u201cPa, when I was in Virginia City today, I ran into Frank Rutledge,\u201d he said casually.<\/p>\n

Joe froze, not sure he wanted to hear what Adam had to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is Frank?\u201d replied Ben as he began to eat his own portion of the pie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Frank has decided he wants to make sure Steve\u2019s not forgotten,\u201d replied Adam as he also started to eat. \u201cSo he\u2019s going to build an orphan\u2019s home in Virginia City and name it for Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cYou know, we\u2019ve been trying to get some place for those kids for years. Seems like every year, there\u2019s more that need a place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s been trying to get something organized for years,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cBut up until now, nobody seemed interested. Frank has talked to a number of mine owners and they\u2019re all going to contribute. So is the new bank manager and several of the other big ranchers in the area. None of them had the heart to turn down Frank when he told them the reason why he wanted to build it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shame that it took Steve\u2019s death to get it built,\u201d commented Ben. \u201cWhere is Frank going to build this place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight on the edge of town,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cNear the road, so everyone riding into Virginia City can see it. He\u2019s talking about putting a statue of Steve or something out front.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at his plate. He had lost his appetite. In fact, his stomach felt queasy. The thought of having to look at a statue of Steve every time he rode into Virginia City made Joe feel decidedly ill.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d said Adam turning to his brother. \u201cI think Mr. Rutledge is going to want you to speak at the dedication when the place is ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Adam and swallowed. \u201cI..I don\u2019t think I want to do that,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

Adam looked puzzled. \u201cWhy not?\u201d he asked. \u201cI thought Steve was your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t want to,\u201d answered Joe in angry voice to Adam. \u201cIsn\u2019t that enough for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put his hand up. \u201cWhoa, don\u2019t get mad at me,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI was just asking. You don\u2019t have to explain to me. But I\u2019m sure Mr. Rutledge is going to ask you. You\u2019ll have to explain it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe looked down at his plate. How could he explain to Steve\u2019s father, he wondered. How could he tell Mr. Rutledge that he didn\u2019t have the stomach to honor a would-be bank robber?<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d asked Ben with concern. He noticed that Joe had gone pale.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at Ben. \u201cI\u2026I\u2019m not very hungry,\u201d Joe answered. He gave his father a shaky smile. \u201cI guess all those big meals Hop Sing has been forcing on me have caught up with me. May I be excused?\u201d Without waiting for an answer, Joe stood and walked away from the table.<\/p>\n

Ben watched Joe with concern as his son climbed the stairs to his room. \u201cWhat brought that on?\u201d asked Ben<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced toward the stairs. \u201cAw, Pa, Joe\u2019s just getting restless,\u201d offered Hoss. \u201cHop Sing has been chasing him around the house for a week now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s more than that,\u201d Ben said with a frown. \u201cEvery time Steve Rutledge is mentioned, Joe seems to turn away. Something about Steve is really bothering him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s only natural that Steve\u2019s name would upset him,\u201d Adam told his father with a shrug. \u201cEvery time Steve is mentioned, it must bring back what happened in the bank. I imagine the memories are still pretty painful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d said Ben. But he wasn\u2019t convinced.<\/p>\n

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

Joe rode slowly beside his brother Hoss. For the first time in weeks, he was being allowed to do something besides sit around the house. Granted, all he was being allowed to do was ride down to the south pasture and check on the fences with Hoss, but at least it was something.<\/p>\n

As Joe rode, his thoughts were full of Steve Rutledge. Adam had brought more news about the proposed orphan home, and how everyone seemed to want to contribute to it to honor the fallen hero. Joe felt sick every time he thought about it. But he also didn\u2019t know what to do.<\/p>\n

Joe kept telling himself that no harm was being done by the honors being paid to Steve Rutledge. His parents were finding comfort from it, and the town was getting an orphanage that it desperately needed. But Joe couldn\u2019t convince himself. Deep down, he knew all this was wrong. But he also knew that speaking up and telling the truth now \u2013 weeks after the robbery \u2013 was impossible. What excuse could he give for keeping quiet? And what would he accomplish except to hurt and upset a number of people, including the Rutledges who had save his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d Hoss asked with concern.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up, startled at his brother\u2019s comment. He had been so deep in thought that he had forgotten Hoss was riding next to him. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou look like you were about a million miles away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled briefly at Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said again. \u201cI just have something on my mind.\u201d Joe studied Hoss for a minute. \u201cHoss, let me ask you something,\u201d added Joe in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire away, little brother,\u201d replied Hoss in a confident tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, what if you knew something about somebody, something that no one else knew,\u201d said Joe, struggling to find the words. \u201cAnd what if telling what you knew really wouldn\u2019t change anything. I mean, it really wouldn\u2019t make any difference to
\nanyone except to make them think worse of the individual. Would you say anything or just keep quiet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. The convoluted question that Joe posed was hard for him to follow. \u201cYou mean, like if I knew something about someone\u2019s past?\u201d asked Hoss trying to clarify the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, something like that,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI mean, if the guy couldn\u2019t go to jail or anything, and telling would just let everyone know what he had done, would you say anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss thought for a minute. \u201cNo,\u201d he answered with a shake of his head. \u201cI\u2019d probably keep quiet. I mean, what good would it do to stir up something like that? It wouldn\u2019t make any difference now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and nodded. He thought Hoss\u2019 advice would help. He was surprised that he didn\u2019t feel any better.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why did you ask?\u201d said Hoss, his curiosity piqued.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Hoss. For a minute, he was tempted to tell his trusted older brother the truth about Steve Rutledge. But Joe didn\u2019t. He knew he couldn\u2019t share his secret. Instead, Joe just shrugged his shoulders. \u201cNo reason,\u201d he answered. \u201cJust something I was thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked at Joe, then shook his head. \u201cLittle brother, you better watch yourself,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019re beginning to sound like Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Two days later, Joe was sitting on the porch, mending some reins. Fixing the leather straps qualified as the \u201clight work\u201d he was being allowed to do. Joe couldn\u2019t wait to get back to a full schedule of work. The \u201clight work\u201d was giving him too much time to think.<\/p>\n

Joe looked curiously down the road as he saw a rider approaching. His stomach lurched a bit when he recognized the rider as Roy Coffee. He wondered what possible reason the sheriff could have to visit the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

As Joe watched Roy ride up to the house, he tried to tell himself that Roy and his father were old friends, that there could be a hundred reasons why the sheriff was visiting, none of which had anything to do with the bank robbery and Steve Rutledge. But for some reason, Joe knew he was wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d called Roy in greeting as he rode into the yard. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, Roy,\u201d answered Joe, trying to smile. He had a feeling his smile was less than convincing. He watched warily as Roy dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post. \u201cWhat brings you out to the Ponderosa?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

Before Roy could answer, the front door to the house opened, and Ben strode out into the yard. \u201cHello, Roy,\u201d Ben greeted his friend heartily. \u201cGood to see you. Want to come for a cup of coffee?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks, Ben,\u201d answered Roy with a smile. \u201cI can only stay a minute. I just came out to talk to Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about?\u201d asked Joe cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I wanted to ask you to come to Virginia City day after tomorrow,\u201d said Roy. \u201cThe sheriff down in Branden thinks he caught one of those bank robbers. I sent Clem down to fetch him. They ought to be back late tomorrow. I want you to come take a look at the fellow and tell me if he\u2019s one of the fellows you saw in the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think he\u2019s one of the robbers?\u201d asked Joe, his heart sinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe fits the description you gave me of one of those fellows,\u201d answered Roy. \u201cAnd he had a stack of newly minted gold coins. He also had some cash. The sheriff in Branden said he saw him pull the bills out of a leather sack when the fellow was playing poker at the saloon. The sack had the Virginia City Bank stamped on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sure sounds like one of the robbers,\u201d said Ben excitedly. He turned to Joe. \u201cThat\u2019s good news, isn\u2019t it, Joe,\u201d he said to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure, Pa,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s good news.\u201d But Joe\u2019s reply was decidedly less than enthusiastic.<\/p>\n

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

Joe rode into Virginia City two days later with his father. He had spent the last two days trying to think of some way to avoid identifying the bank robber. He didn\u2019t want to face one of the men who had shot him. More importantly, he was afraid of what the man would say to Roy Coffee about the robbery.<\/p>\n

Joe thought briefly about faking a relapse. But he knew that would only postpone what he had to do. Besides, he knew if he feigned illness, Hop Sing would go back watching after him again. Joe didn\u2019t think he could face another round of Hop Sing\u2019s playing nursemaid.<\/p>\n

So Joe said nothing and rode into Virginia City, his heart in his throat. As he pulled his horse to a halt in front of the sheriff\u2019s office, he swallowed hard. After he dismounted, Joe took an long time tying his horse to the hitching post. When he was finally done, he looked up to see Ben watching him with a curious expression. Joe gave his father a shaky grin, and took a deep breath. He walked slowly up the stairs to the sheriff\u2019s office, feeling like someone who was climbing the stairs to a gallows.<\/p>\n

Roy greeted Ben and Joe with a smile as they entered his office. \u201cHello, boys,\u201d he said. \u201cRight on time. Thanks for coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Roy,\u201d Ben replied with a returning smile. \u201cClem get back all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he sure did,\u201d said Roy. He turned to Joe who stood silently in the middle of the office. \u201cThe fellow is in the cell inside, Joe. I want you to take a look at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he\u2026did he admit to the robbery,\u201d asked Joe nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t,\u201d said Roy. \u201cHe says he didn\u2019t have anything to do with it. He claims he won that sack of money in a card game.\u201d Roy shook his head. \u201cBut you\u2019d hardly expect him to admit to robbery and murder. A fellow like him, he\u2019ll do anything to avoid being convicted.\u201d Roy turned and picked up a ring of keys from his desk. He walked across the room and unlocked the door to the cell block.<\/p>\n

Joe stood in the middle of the room, not making any move toward the cell. Ben watched his son with concern. He knew Joe was reluctant to face one of the men who had shot him. Ben patted Joe lightly on the back, urging him forward. Joe walked across the room, practically dragging his feet.<\/p>\n

Standing inside the door of the cell block, Roy pointed to the first cell. A man stood in the cell, looking out from behind the bars. Joe recognized the man immediately. It was the robber who had stood near the door during the robbery, the one who had fired the first shots.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, can you tell me if you recognize this fellow?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n

Joe licked his lips, trying to decide how to answer.<\/p>\n

The man in the cell looked at Joe. \u201cI ain\u2019t never seen this fellow before,\u201d stated the man. \u201cI told you I won that money. I wasn\u2019t involved in any bank robbery.\u201d The man stared at Joe and added pointedly. \u201cI heard there was some fellow killed in that robbery. They\u2019re calling the fellow a hero. It\u2019d been a shame if you had to have a trial. A trial would bring up all kinds of things about that robbery. Things that maybe his folks wouldn\u2019t want to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard and looked away.<\/p>\n

Ben watched Joe, and was puzzled by his son\u2019s reaction. \u201cJoe,\u201d he said softly. \u201cI know you think it would be hard on Jane and Frank Rutledge to hear how Steve died. But you can\u2019t let that bother you. I know that they would want to know the truth about what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes. His father had no idea what the truth was.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d asked Roy. \u201cIs this one of the fellows?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe opened his eyes and stared at the man. In his mind, he saw the man standing near the door. He pictured again the man cocking his gun and deliberately pointing it at Wilbur Stone.<\/p>\n

Another image flashed briefly through Joe\u2019s mind. It was the image of Jane Rutledge dressed in black, grieving over her son.<\/p>\n

Joe knew this was the moment of truth. If he refused to identify the bank robber,
\nRoy Coffee would have to let the man go. But if he did identify the man as being
\none of the outlaws, he would tell the truth about Steve\u2019s involvement in the robbery. Joe saw his father and the sheriff watching him, anxious to hear what he had to say. Joe licked his lips nervously.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the man in the cell, then at Ben and Roy Coffee. He knew what he had to do. He took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Joe said in a barely audible voice. \u201cHe\u2019s one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong!\u201d the man in the cell shouted. \u201cYou\u2019re dead wrong. You think again, boy. You tell them you\u2019re mistaken. You don\u2019t want me to go to trial. You tell them you\u2019re wrong! I go to trial and I\u2019ll tell them everything. You hear me? Everything!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked away. He felt sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be quiet!\u201d Roy ordered the man. Roy turned to Ben and Joe, and with a nod of his head, urged them back into the office. Ben and Joe quickly left the cell block. Roy carefully locked the door to the cell block behind them.<\/p>\n

Joe stood in the middle of the office, eyes firmly fixed on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all I need from you for now, Joe,\u201d Roy said, walking over to his desk. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to the judge and the prosecutor. I\u2019ll let you know when the trial is going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe walked to the door without saying a word. He opened the door and quickly walked out of the office.<\/p>\n

Ben watched his son, his confusion growing. He turned to Roy. \u201cWhat did that fellow mean in there about telling everything at the trial?\u201d Ben asked Roy.<\/p>\n

Roy shrugged. \u201cWho knows?\u201d he said. \u201cWhen a man is facing the gallows, he\u2019ll say anything. I\u2019ve heard stories and lies that you wouldn\u2019t think anyone would have the nerve to tell. The judge and jury will handle everything at the trial. Don\u2019t you worry, Ben. That fellow is going to hang. We\u2019ve got Joe as an eye witness. There\u2019s nothing that fellow can say that will change that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked to the door through which Joe had exited the office. \u201cI hope you\u2019re right, Roy,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

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

Ben hadn\u2019t said anything to Joe on the ride home. He knew his son was upset and troubled, and he waited patiently for Joe to tell him what was bothering him. Ben knew his son well enough to know that he would have to wait for Joe to come to him.<\/p>\n

But Joe said nothing on the ride home, and he was silent as he stabled the horses. As soon as the horses were taken care of, he mumbled something about being tired and went to his room.<\/p>\n

Laying on his bed, Joe stared at the ceiling. He simply didn\u2019t know what to do. If he didn\u2019t testify at the trial, a murderer would go free. But if he did testify, the whole town would know the truth about Steve Rutledge and Joe\u2019s deception. On the surface, it seemed an easy decision. Joe couldn\u2019t let a murderer go free. But the thought of what the truth would do to Steve\u2019s parents, as well as what the town would think about Joe hiding the truth, made Joe feel physically ill.<\/p>\n

Joe was still staring at the ceiling, his mind in turmoil, when there was knock on his bedroom door. He looked at the door, and saw his father walk into the bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d asked Ben with concern.<\/p>\n

Joe looked back at the ceiling. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m all right,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben hesitated. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d he pressed. \u201cYou didn\u2019t say a word all the way from town, and you looked kind of pale. If you\u2019re not feeling well, I can get the doctor out here to check on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need the doctor,\u201d replied Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Ben. He watched his son for a minute longer, then turned toward the door. His face showed the worry he was feeling.<\/p>\n

Just as Ben reached the door, Joe made a decision. \u201cPa?\u201d he said quickly, sitting up on the bed. \u201cCan I talk to you for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s shoulders sagged with relief. He had been waiting anxiously for Joe to say exactly those words. He turned back to Joe. \u201cOf course,\u201d he agreed with a brief smile. \u201cWhat\u2019s on your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe chewed his lip, wondering how to begin. Now that he had made the decision to tell his father the truth about the robbery, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He just was having a hard time finding the right words.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about the robbery,\u201d said Joe. \u201cAnd Steve Rutledge.\u201d Joe looked at Ben, his eyes full of misery. \u201cSteve was in on the robbery. He was the one who got Mr. Stone to open the door and let them in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Ben in astonishment. \u201cJoe, what are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Now that he had finally started to unburden himself, Joe couldn\u2019t wait to tell the whole story. \u201cSteve got Mr. Stone to open the door,\u201d explained Joe in a rush of words. \u201cHe told Mr. Stone he had some business for his Pa. When Mr. Stone opened the door, Steve and the others pushed their way in. Steve held a gun on me while the others got Stone to open the safe. He was going to tie us up when the shooting started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cHow did Steve get killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cHe was standing there in the middle of the bank when the shooting started. I managed to get one of the bank robbers, and then I was hit. There bullets flying everywhere. I heard some yelling but I couldn\u2019t see exactly what happened. That bullet knocked me flat. When I finally managed to look around, Steve was laying on the floor, and so way Mr. Stone. The other two were gone. I figured Steve must have gotten hit by accident or something.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cThose other outlaws, they were pretty cold blooded. They might have decided they didn\u2019t want to share their loot with Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben and saw the puzzled look on his father\u2019s face. \u201cAll I know for sure is Steve isn\u2019t any hero,\u201d Joe stated. \u201cI must have thought about what happened a hundred times, going over everything in my mind. Steve jumped out of the way when the shooting started. Steve didn\u2019t try to save Mr. Stone. He tried to save himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why didn\u2019t you say something about this sooner?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at the floor, his face a picture of misery. \u201cI didn\u2019t know much about anything for a week or so. By the time I heard what was going on, everyone was calling Steve a hero,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cHis folks, well, the only thing that seemed to comfort them about Steve\u2019s death was that he died a hero. I couldn\u2019t tell them the truth about him being in on the robbery. I just couldn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Clem heard Wilbur say Steve tried to save him,\u201d said Ben in a puzzled voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d replied Joe. He shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe Clem misunderstood Mr. Stone. I just don\u2019t know. But I do know that those outlaws wouldn\u2019t have gotten into the bank and Mr. Stone wouldn\u2019t have died if Steve hadn\u2019t helped them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s what that fellow in the jail was talking about,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe was threatening to tell the truth about Steve\u2019s involvement at the trial.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYeah,\u201d he agreed. Then Joe looked down at the floor again. \u201cFor a minute there, I almost was going to say that he wasn\u2019t one of the robbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d exclaimed Ben. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe raised his head. \u201cSteve saved my life and his parents took care of me after I got hurt in that rock slide,\u201d said Joe. \u201cAnd Steve\u2019s father is building that orphan\u2019s home that\u2019s needed. I knew if I identified that fellow as one of the outlaws, he\u2019d tell everyone that Steve was part of the robbery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laid a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe, I know you\u2019re grateful to Steve and his parents. But you can\u2019t let some misguided loyalty make you lie about what happened. And you can\u2019t let that man go free. He has to pay for what he\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Joe reluctantly. \u201cI know. That\u2019s why I told Roy the truth about who he was.\u201d Joe looked away, unwilling to meet his father\u2019s eyes. \u201cI didn\u2019t think they\u2019d ever catch one of those outlaws. I knew how much pain Steve\u2019s death caused the Rutledges. And I kept hearing everyone say how much it meant to Steve\u2019s parents that at least he died a hero. I didn\u2019t want to hurt them any more by telling them Steve was killed trying to rob a bank so he could get away from the ranch. It was easier not to say anything.\u201d Joe turned to his father with a pleading look. \u201cI really didn\u2019t lie,\u201d he said. \u201cI just didn\u2019t say anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a lie of omission, Joe,\u201d Ben counseled his son. \u201cThat\u2019s still a lie. And by not saying anything, you\u2019ve made things even more difficult for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that now,\u201d said Joe in voice full of misery.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to have to tell Roy the whole truth,\u201d advised Ben. \u201cAnd Frank and Jane will have to know. We can\u2019t have them learning the truth about Steve at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down. \u201cPa, I can\u2019t tell them,\u201d said Joe in anguish. \u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to, Joe,\u201d Ben insisted. \u201cYou said you owed them for taking care of you. You can repay them by letting them know the truth about Steve before the trial. It\u2019s the only way. You can\u2019t let them find out about this in a courtroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded again, his eyes still downcast. \u201cI\u2019ll tell them,\u201d said Joe in a voice that could barely be heard.<\/p>\n

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

Ben and Joe rode into the yard in front of the Rutledge ranch house. As Ben dismounted, Joe sat on his horse, staring at the house. He wasn\u2019t sure which was churning more \u2013 his brain or his stomach.<\/p>\n

Joe thought briefly about dinner the evening before. He had told Adam and Hoss the truth about the bank robbery over the meal. Adam has whistled his surprise and Hoss had looked stunned. Neither asked Joe many questions. They could tell by the look on Joe\u2019s face that talking about the robbery was painful for him, for a lot of reasons. Joe had left the table early, barely touching his food. He had gone straight to bed, and then spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, unable to rest as he thought about having to tell the Rutledges about their son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down and saw Ben standing next to his horse, waiting for him. Joe closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post.<\/p>\n

Ben put his arm lightly over Joe\u2019s shoulders as they walked toward the house. Joe had offered to visit the Rutledges alone, but Ben had insisted on accompanying him. He knew how hard this was going to be for Joe. Ben wanted to be along to help and support his son anyway he could.<\/p>\n

Now, as Joe stood on the porch in front of the door, Ben was happy he came with his youngest son to the Rutledge ranch. Joe stood staring at the door, reluctant to announce his arrival. Ben patted Joe lightly on the shoulder. Joe looked up at his father, his eyes full of misery and Ben nodded understandingly at Joe. Then Ben reached out and rapped on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Ben! Joe! What a surprise!\u201d said Jane Rutledge as she opened the door. She saw on the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cIs something wrong?\u201d she asked with concern.<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath. \u201cMrs. Rutledge, I need to talk with you,\u201d Joe stated firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly, Joe,\u201d replied Jane. Her face reflected her puzzlement. She pulled the door open wider. \u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Joe walked into the house. Both men were surprised to see Frank Rutledge coming out of the kitchen, coffee cup in hand. They had supposed they would need to find Frank after they had visited with Mrs. Rutledge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, boys,\u201d Frank greeted the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrank, I\u2019m surprised to find you home at this hour,\u201d said Ben in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I should be out working,\u201d Frank answered. He looked away. \u201cIt\u2019s just hard to keep working these days. I built this ranch for Steve. I wanted to give it to him someday. Now, well, there doesn\u2019t see much point in worrying whether the fences are fixed or the cattle are straying.\u201d<\/p>\n

His misery mounting, Joe looked at the floor.<\/p>\n

Jane looked at all three men with a growing conviction that something was wrong. \u201cBen, Joe, why don\u2019t you sit down,\u201d she offered graciously.<\/p>\n

Silently, Ben and Joe walked over to a sofa at the far end of the room. Both removed their hats. Joe held his hat in his hand, and he played with it nervously as Frank settled himself into an overstuffed chair and Jane sat in a rocker.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get you something?\u201d asked Jane. \u201cSome coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe quickly. He looked into Jane\u2019s face and then into Frank\u2019s. \u201cI have to tell you both something,\u201d Joe added slowly. \u201cI wanted you to hear it from me. It\u2019s about Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Steve?\u201d asked Frank warily.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at Ben, then swallowed hard. \u201cSteve\u2026Steve wasn\u2019t in that bank by accident the day he was killed,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cHe was part of the gang that robbed the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d exploded Frank. \u201cWhat are you saying!\u201d His wife sat still, looking stunned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve was part of the gang that robbed the bank,\u201d Joe repeated. \u201cHe got Mr. Stone to open the door, and he held a gun on both of us while the rest of the gang came in. He didn\u2019t try to stop the robbery. Steve helped them to rob the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Frank, jumping to his feet. \u201cYou\u2019re lying! It\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true, Mr. Rutledge,\u201d stated Joe, his voice full of sorrow. \u201cI know I should have told you sooner, but I didn\u2019t want to hurt you. I thought if I just kept quiet about what Steve did, maybe no one would ever have to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d said Frank again. \u201cWhy are you lying about this? Steve was a hero. He died trying to save Wilbur Stone. What you\u2019re saying\u2026it\u2019s not true!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true, Mr. Rutledge,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cSteve said he wanted the money so he could take off someplace and have a good time. After Steve died, I didn\u2019t want to say anything. But then they caught one of the robbers.\u201d Joe looked at Ben, his eyes pleading for help.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fellow they caught is going to testify at his trial,\u201d Ben added quickly. \u201cHe\u2019s going to tell the whole story, including Steve\u2019s involvement in the robbery. Joe wanted you to know the truth before you heard it in the courtroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Frank once more. \u201cIt\u2019s a lie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Frank, it\u2019s not a lie,\u201d said Jane Rutledge in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

All three men looked at her in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew something wasn\u2019t right about what happened,\u201d Jane continued, her eyes full of tears. \u201cSteve was my son and I love him. But I also know him. He was selfish and thoughtless.\u201d She looked at Frank. \u201cA few days ago, Clem brought Steve\u2019s horse out to the ranch. You were out working. When I put the horse in the barn, I saw there was a full bedroll tied to the saddle. The saddlebags were full, stuffed with clothes, food, and a few things I know were important to Steve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane looked at Ben and Joe. \u201cI knew then that Steve had been planning to leave,\u201d she explained. \u201cHe was just going to leave. Not say goodbye or anything to his father or me. He never even gave a thought to our feelings. That was the kind of boy that Steve was. When I heard the story about him dying to save Mr. Stone, I found it hard to believe. I guess I wanted to believe it, though. I wanted to believe that Steve had done something good before he died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did something good,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cHe saved my life. He pulled me from that rock slide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSteve started that rock slide,\u201d replied Jane quietly.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHe told me about it,\u201d said Jane. \u201cWhen you were still unconscious, before the doctor told us you were going to be all right, he told me about it. I think he was afraid you were going to die, and he wanted me to help him. He was riding on the ridge above you, and he thought it would be funny to kick down a few rocks to scare you. Except the rocks he kicked knocked into some others, and before he knew it, it seemed like half the hill was sliding down. Steve was afraid you had seem him on the ridge. He told me because he wanted me to help him figure out how to cover it up. Then the doctor said you would be all right, and that you probably wouldn\u2019t remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe still could have just left me there,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was afraid someone else would find you, or that you\u2019d manage to get home on your own,\u201d replied Jane. \u201cSteve was afraid you\u2019d come after him. So he brought you here, hoping you\u2019d be grateful. And you were.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane shook her head sadly. \u201cSteve always thought of only himself,\u201d she said. \u201cWhatever he did, he did it because it pleased him or because it was to his advantage. That\u2019s why I thought the story about what Steve did in the bank was so odd. I knew Steve would never put himself in harm\u2019s way to save someone else. Steve was never a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head in disbelief. He had been trying to save Steve Rutledge\u2019s good name because of what Steve had done for him. And all the time, Steve had caused the rock slide that could have killed him. In fact, Steve Rutledge had almost caused Joe\u2019s death twice, once in the canyon and again in the bank. Joe wondered why he ever thought Steve was his friend.<\/p>\n

Jane looked up at Frank. \u201cYou know in your heart what Joe is saying is true,\u201d she said to her husband.<\/p>\n

Frank didn\u2019t answer for a minute. Then he nodded slowly. \u201cYes,\u201d he agreed with a sigh. \u201cI know. All I ever wanted was for Steve to have a good life, to be a son I could be proud of. I let him get by with a lot when he was young, thinking he could learn about responsibility when he was older. Only he never did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank looked down at the floor. \u201cMaybe I gave him too much freedom when he was young,\u201d he added a choked voice. \u201cI thought I was teaching him how to enjoy life. I guess I never taught him about consequences. Maybe I never really taught him how to care. I guess all I ever taught him was how to take.<\/p>\n

The four people in the room were silent, none knowing what to say next. Finally, Ben cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrank, Jane, we have to go see Roy Coffee,\u201d Ben stated. He stood and Joe got to his feet also.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d said Joe. He started to say something else, then stopped, realizing there was nothing else to say. Joe put his hat on his head and walked to the door, with Ben close behind.<\/p>\n

Joe and Ben walked silently to the horses. As they untied the reins, Joe looked at Ben. His eyes mirrored his confusion. \u201cPa, I thought Steve was my friend,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI kept quiet because I felt I owed him something. Now it turns out everything that happened was Steve\u2019s fault.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cI guess I was pretty dumb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you did what you did because you cared about Steve and his parents,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cThat\u2019s the difference. You cared. Steve didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked back to the house. \u201cWhat about the Rutledges?\u201d he asked. \u201cThey\u2019re good people, Pa, they really are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know they are, son,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cIt will be hard for them for awhile, but the truth is always better than a lie. Deep down, I think they both knew the truth about Steve. They\u2019ll learn to live with that truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down. \u201cBut I still made a mess of things,\u201d said Joe. \u201cEveryone in Virginia City will know I kept quiet about Steve being part of the robbery. That orphan\u2019s home probably won\u2019t get built now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think the people in Virginia City will understand why you kept quiet,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cAnd as far as the orphan\u2019s home goes, I think we can keep the project going. Especially when we tell everyone that we\u2019re going to name it after Wilbur Stone. Wilbur grew up as an orphan. I think he\u2019d like it if his name was put on the home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d said Joe doubtfully. \u201cEveryone seemed to want Steve to be a hero. They\u2019re not going to like when they find out they were wrong about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cPeople like heroes. They like knowing there are good people in the world, people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others. The problem is, most people are looking the wrong place for heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d said Joe with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of heroes in the world, Joe,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cPeople, like Roy Coffee, who put their life on the line every day to protect others. They\u2019re true heroes. But there\u2019s also people who work hard, and sacrifice, so their families can have a better life. There are people who give up their own comforts and dedicate their lives to helping others. There are families who take children who have no one and make them part of their lives, just because they want to help. And doctors and nurses who spend incredible amounts of time and energy, working to save the lives of people they barely know. Those people are heroes just as much as the men who win medals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked thoughtful. \u201cYeah, I guess they are,\u201d agreed Joe. He looked at Ben, his eyes shining with admiration. \u201cI guess you could call someone a hero who raised three sons by himself while trying to build a ranch in the middle of nowhere. And someone who is willing to stand by those sons and help them, no matter what stupid things they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben flushed. \u201cI don\u2019t know about that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d stated Joe firmly. \u201cI don\u2019t have to look far to find a hero.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said softly. Ben squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder. Then he cleared his voice. \u201cWe\u2019d better get to town,\u201d he said abruptly. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to tell Roy the truth about Steve. Roy is probably going to ask us to talk to the judge, too.\u201d Ben turned to mount his horse.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and moved to do the same. As he climbed on his pinto, Joe looked at Ben again and smiled. \u201cLet\u2019s go, Pa,\u201d said Joe as he settled on his saddle. \u201cI\u2019ve got some real heroes to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Living up to the responsibility of being a Cartwright, places Joe’s life in jeopardy, more than once.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (22,430 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":11263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-13938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2669,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/normal_Leprechauns3.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13915,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13915","url_meta":{"origin":13938,"position":0},"title":"Between Heaven and Earth: The Aftermath (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, Between Heaven and Earth. 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Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (28,560 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15580,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15580","url_meta":{"origin":13938,"position":2},"title":"The Caf\u00e9 Scene (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"May 5, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Ben raised them better than this.\u00a0 We know he did. 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