{"id":13948,"date":"2007-03-01T14:28:29","date_gmt":"2007-03-01T19:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13948"},"modified":"2026-07-29T13:45:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:45:31","slug":"the-guardian-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13948","title":{"rendered":"The Guardian (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 There’s someone from the past keeping an eye on Joe.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (41,740 words)<\/p>\n

Lost Son Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lost Son<\/a>
\nThe Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Guardian<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe! Have you seen an ax around any place?\u201d Hoss Cartwright shouted toward his younger brother. \u201cWe\u2019re one short.\u201d Hoss looked down and frowned at the tally sheet in his hand, a small paper on which he had been making marks as men loaded equipment into the wagon next to him.<\/p>\n

As soon as Hoss asked the question, a picture flashed in Joe Cartwright\u2019s mind \u2013 an ax buried in the stump of a freshly cut tree. He had plunged the ax into the stump this morning so he could easily find it when he returned to get it. Except he hadn\u2019t returned. \u201cYeah, I know where it is,\u201d replied Joe in a voice tinged with disgust at himself. \u201cI left it by that last stand of trees we cut this morning. I was going to go back and get it after I helped Jack with the problem loading the logs, but I forgot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother,\u201d said Hoss as a smile twitched on his face. \u201cSince you\u2019re the only one who knows where it is, I guess you\u2019ll have to go get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe tugged at the black leather gloves covering his hands. \u201cDoggone it, Hoss, it\u2019s way up the hill,\u201d complained Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take me at least twenty minutes just to get up there.\u201d He cocked his head and looked at his older brother. \u201cMaybe we should just forget about it,\u201d he suggested hopefully. \u201cIt\u2019s only an ax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy sure, Joe,\u201d replied Hoss, nodding his head. A solemn look crossed his face. \u201cOnly you\u2019re the one who\u2019s going to have to explain to Pa why we left with a dozen axes ten days ago to cut the lumber for the Silver Slipper mine contract, and came home with only eleven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, Joe blew out a breath of air. \u201cNo thanks,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019d rather take a forty-minute hike than have to listen to one of Pa\u2019s lectures on laziness and responsibility. I\u2019ve had twenty-two years of those lectures, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019m ready for another one.\u201d Joe looked up at the hill and grimaced a bit. \u201cI\u2019ll go get the ax,\u201d he said in a resigned voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of thought you\u2019d say that,\u201d Hoss answered with a grin.<\/p>\n

Turning, Joe started to walk toward a hill a few feet away. \u201cDon\u2019t leave without me,\u201d he said over his shoulder to Hoss. \u201cI don\u2019t mind hiking up that hill but I sure as heck don\u2019t want to walk all the way back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d said Hoss. He looked toward where a group of men were folding tent canvass and sorting through equipment. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take us awhile to get the rest of this gear loaded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe started up a path worn into the grass on the hill, heading toward a grove of trees at the top of the rise. He was silently cursing himself for his forgetfulness and thinking of getting home rather than paying any attention to the landscape around him. Joe had seen everything there was to see as he had made the climb from the camp at the bottom of the hill each morning for the past ten days, and as he had traveled down again at the end of each day\u2019s work of felling and trimming trees. His mind was on a soft bed and dinner at a table. That\u2019s why he was so startled when he reached the top of the hill and saw an ax jutting from the side of the first tree on the crest of the hill.<\/p>\n

Surprised, Joe stopped and looked around. The woods were quiet, with no sign of any movement and only the twittering of a few birds breaking the silence. He pulled the ax from the tree and looked at it with a puzzled expression. The small pine tree brand burned into the wooden hilt confirmed the ax was the missing tool from the Cartwright\u2019s gear. Frowning, Joe looked around again, trying to figure out how an ax he knew he left in a stump deep in the woods had come to be buried into a tree near the path. Obviously, whoever left the ax there meant it to be easily found. Joe wondered, though, about who had put it there for him to find.<\/p>\n

Once more, Joe looked around, trying to identify who his benefactor might be. But all he saw were the trees and bushes of the woods, and all he heard was the quiet chirping of the birds.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe put the over his shoulder, turned and started down the hill.<\/p>\n

It was Hoss\u2019 turn to be surprised when he saw Joe walking toward the wagon a scant twenty minutes after his brother had left. \u201cHey, Joe,\u201d he said, \u201cwhat\u2019d you do, run up that hill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe, shaking his head as he handed the ax to Hoss to put into the wagon. \u201cIt was the oddest thing. I found the ax in a tree right at the top of the hill. It was like somebody put it there for me to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure you didn\u2019t leave it there yourself?\u201d asked Hoss with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I left it in the stump,\u201d Joe stated positively. \u201cBesides, if I had put in the side of that tree, one of the other men would have seen it for sure when they came down the hill.\u201d Joe shook his head again. \u201cWonder how it got there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was there, that\u2019s all that\u2019s important,\u201d said Hoss in a dismissive tone. \u201cThrow the ax in the wagon. Then, why don\u2019t you go over and help Charlie load those chains into that third wagon. He\u2019s got a lot to load and he could use a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Joe, tossing the ax into the wagon next to Hoss. As he started toward a wagon a few feet away, though, Joe stopped and looked up toward the top of the hills, a thoughtful expression on his face. He stared at the trees on the crest of the hills for a minute, his face reflecting the puzzlement in his mind. Taking a deep breath, Joe shook his head and headed toward the wagon.<\/p>\n

In the woods at the top of the hill, the man sat on a log watching the activity below. He had made sure he was hidden by the foliage and shadows before settling down in this spot. As he watched, a satisfied smile crossed his face. He knew it had probably been a mistake to put the ax near the path for the boy to find. But he so seldom got a chance to help that he couldn\u2019t resist. Usually, all the man could do was watch, as he had watched the timber operation for the past ten days. Not that he didn\u2019t enjoy watching. It gave him a sense of pleasure to do so. But he so much wanted to help, and at the same time, knew he couldn\u2019t. When the rare occasion came along when he could do something, he just had to take advantage of it.<\/p>\n

As he watched the men below finish loading the wagons, the man stood and stretched a bit. He knew it was time to leave, but he waited a few more minutes. He saw the men climbing into the wagons, settling themselves on the driver\u2019s seats or on top of the gear in the back. The wagons started to move slowly, rolling over the grass toward a trail several yards away. Hoss was driving the first wagon, and the man admired how he handled the team. The boy was driving the second wagon, and while he wasn\u2019t quite as expert as his brother, the man was proud of the way he guided the heavily loaded wagon smoothly over the grass.<\/p>\n

As the wagons began to pull out of sight, the man turned and walked through the woods toward his own camp. There was no need for him to keep watch for awhile. He knew what would happen over the next few days. There would be a family dinner at the ranch tonight, and conversation around the fireplace as everyone got caught up with each other\u2019s news. Probably an early evening, thought the man as he continued walking. Tomorrow would be spent stowing gear and finishing up the all the little details of the project. The day after tomorrow was Saturday, and that\u2019s when he would need to be in Virginia City. He knew that the reward for a successful job would be a Saturday night in town. He would resume his watching then. But until then, he had things to do. The man\u2019s pace quickened. Yes, he thought, he still had a number of things to do, although most of his work was done. The time was getting close, he thought, and a feeling of pleasure coursed through him. It wouldn\u2019t be long now.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey Pa, we\u2019re home!\u201d shouted Hoss as he banged open the front door of the ranch house.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I hear,\u201d said Ben Cartwright with a smile as he walked from his study toward the door. Seeing his sons almost always brought a sense of happiness to Ben, but it was especially true today. The house had seemed lonely with Joe and Hoss at the timber camp and Adam in Denver. \u201cWelcome home,\u201d he said, his smile broadening to encompass not only Hoss but also Joe who had followed his brother into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to be home,\u201d Hoss said, returning his father\u2019s smile. His tall white hat was already hung on a peg by the door, and Hoss began to unbuckle his gunbelt.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Pa,\u201d said Joe briefly with a smile. Following Hoss\u2019 example, he hung his tan hat on a peg, and began removing his green jacket.<\/p>\n

A small frown creased Ben\u2019s face as he listened to Joe\u2019s somewhat subdued greeting. \u201cEverything go all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmooth as glass,\u201d answered Hoss as he began rolling the belt of his holster. \u201cThe trees we cut were just the right amount to thin out that growth. The logs are on their way to the mill. The Silver Slipper will get the timber they need right on schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

The frown on Ben\u2019s face deepened as he looked toward Joe. His youngest son was also removing his gunbelt, but Joe was staring at the floor as he did so. \u201cJoe? Everything all right?\u201d asked Ben with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? What?\u201d Joe looked up, startled at the question. \u201cEverything\u2019s fine, Pa,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cI was just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that explains why you\u2019re so quiet,\u201d said Hoss with a grin. \u201cIt ain\u2019t something you do often enough to have a lot of practice at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least I do it from time to time,\u201d Joe shot back, his smile widening. \u201cYou ought to try it once in awhile, older brother. It\u2019s a wonderful exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get all the exercise I need working around this ranch,\u201d Hoss assured his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said Joe in a skeptical voice. He gave Hoss an exaggerated look from head to toe. \u201cYou couldn\u2019t tell that by looking at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all muscle, little brother,\u201d answered Hoss, patting his stomach. \u201cAll muscle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as he listened to his sons\u2019 jibes. He was relieved that whatever was bothering Joe wasn\u2019t serious. He knew his youngest son well enough to know that he wouldn\u2019t be trading insults with Hoss if he was really upset. \u201cWhat were you thinking about, Joe?\u201d asked Ben curiously. \u201cUnless it\u2019s something you don\u2019t want to talk about,\u201d he added quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s nothing like that,\u201d Joe assured his father. \u201cIt\u2019s just that something kind of strange happened when we were breaking camp. I left an ax up in the woods, and when I went to get it, I found somebody had put it in a tree near the path where I could find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe someone just found it and didn\u2019t have time to go all the way down to the camp to return it,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Joe doubtfully. \u201cBut there wasn\u2019t anyone around, Pa. We didn\u2019t see another soul except the men on the timber crew the whole time we were up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody could have been riding through up there while we were breaking up camp,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWe were down at the bottom of the hill for a couple of hours before you went back after that ax.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s possible,\u201d admitted Joe. Then he shook his head. \u201cBut it\u2019s not just the ax. Some other strange things have happened. About a week before we left on that timber job, I went down to the breaking corral to get a bridle I had left there. When I left it, it was all tangled up. I threw it over the fence because I figured to get it and untangle it later. Only when I got back to the corral, the bridle was hanging on a post, and it was straightened out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the hands could have done that,\u201d said Ben with a shrug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why did they leave the bridle at the corral?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t they bring it back to the tack room? And another thing. Twice when I was out chasing strays last month, somebody had herded in some cattle to the pasture while I was gone. I knew because there were more cattle in the pasture than when I left, and they were all bunched up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it doesn\u2019t sound like anything to be concerned about, Joe,\u201d said Ben with a smile. \u201cYou got a helping hand a couple of times, that\u2019s all. You should be grateful, not worried. Besides, you don\u2019t even know if it was the same person who did each of those things. It could be just coincidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not very likely,\u201d said Joe, shaking his head. He gave his father a wry smile. \u201cI find it hard to believe that suddenly everyone is going out of their way to help Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you got yourself a guardian angel doing your work for you,\u201d suggested Hoss with a grin. \u201cThat don\u2019t seem like anything to complain about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Joe said, but his voice still reflected an element of doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou boys go get cleaned up,\u201d said Ben abruptly changing the subject. \u201cDinner will be ready in about an hour, and you don\u2019t want to miss it. Hop Sing has been cooking all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has?\u201d said Hoss, his face lighting up with anticipation. \u201cWhat\u2019s he making?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChicken and dumplings for you, Hoss,\u201d replied Ben with a smile. \u201cAnd apple pie for Joe.\u201d Ben shook his head ruefully. \u201cHop Sing said he was saving his really big dinner for when Adam gets home, although I can\u2019t begin to imagine what he\u2019s planning for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen does Adam get back?\u201d asked Hoss, rubbing his hands together.<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure whether Hoss\u2019 eagerness was for his brother\u2019s return or the huge dinner that would accompany Adam\u2019s homecoming, but he smiled nonetheless. \u201cI got a telegram today. He\u2019ll be back on Monday, on the afternoon stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say whether he closed the deal on those cattle?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the wire said the contract was signed,\u201d replied Ben with a nod. \u201cHe didn\u2019t give any details, but knowing your brother, I\u2019m sure he got the price we wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way Denver is growing, I could have probably gotten the price we wanted,\u201d said Joe dryly. \u201cThey want beef pretty bad up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about that, Joe,\u201d said Hoss thoughtfully. \u201cYou would have been so distracted by them pretty gals in Denver that you probably would have given the cattle away.\u201d Hoss took a few steps quickly to the side to avoid the playful swipe Joe made at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo get cleaned up,\u201d said Ben with a laugh. He watched as Hoss and Joe climbed the stairs to their room. His expression grew thoughtful as he pondered what Joe had said about getting a helping hand lately. He had to agree with Joe that it seemed to be more than just coincidence. Then Ben shrugged. He couldn\u2019t see any harm in what was happening. He turned and walked back to his study, already forgetting about Joe\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n

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

The next few days played out just as the man in the woods had predicted. Dinner on the evening that Hoss and Joe had returned was a quiet one, although that was more the result of the Cartwrights enjoying Hop Sing\u2019s cooking than anything else. Friday and Saturday were spent checking the gear and stowing it in a shed behind the barn. Joe had volunteered to check the axes and sharpen them as needed. He wanted to take another look at the ax he had found in the tree. But Joe found nothing unusual. In fact, he wasn\u2019t even sure which ax was the one he found. When he checked the tools, all of the axes looked exactly alike. Joe couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that there was something strange about what happened, but he couldn\u2019t seem to put his finger on what was bothering him.<\/p>\n

As the man had guessed, Joe and Hoss headed to Virginia City on Saturday night. They got to town early, eager for a long evening of play after the hard work they had put in.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks pretty quiet for a Saturday night,\u201d commented Hoss as he and Joe rode down the main street.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s early,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cThe sun hasn\u2019t even gone down yet. Wait until it gets dark. Things will be really hopping then.\u201d Joe looked around. \u201cLet\u2019s head for the Bucket of Blood,\u201d he suggested. \u201cIf anything is going on, it\u2019ll be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights guided their horses toward the saloon. Neither noticed the man who stepped quickly into an alley as they passed him.<\/p>\n

As Hoss and Joe entered the saloon, they looked around. The Bucket of Blood also was relatively quiet for early on a Saturday night. A few tables were occupied, mostly by older men nursing a beer or playing cards. Two men in suits stood at the bar talking. At a table to the far right, four saloon hostesses sat, talking among themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope things pick up or this is going to be really wasted visit to town,\u201d said Joe shaking his head. \u201cLet\u2019s grab a table.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Joe led Hoss to a table in the middle of the saloon, he looked toward where the girls were sitting. A smile crossed his face as he saw Sally, one of his favorites, sitting at the table. Joe liked Sally \u2013 she laughed at his jokes, and even told a few bawdy tales herself. He had exchanged a few kisses with the girl from time to time, but knew neither one of them took the kisses seriously. She was exactly what a hostess should be \u2013 someone with whom Joe could have a drink and enjoy himself without worrying about either one them getting too involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Sally,\u201d yelled Joe as he and Hoss began to sit at the table. Joe waved his hand, gesturing the girl to join them.<\/p>\n

One of the girls looked toward Joe, then turned to say something to the other girls at the table. Slowly, the girl got to her feet. In reality, Sally was no longer a girl, but rather a woman about thirty. She was wearing a jade dress that clung tightly to the upper half of her body, but revealed her white shoulders and arms. The dress flared into a skirt at the waist, a skirt which ended at her knees and showed off her well-formed legs in dark mesh stockings. The green dress was in contrast to the auburn hair pinned up on her head, but seemed to match the green in the woman\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe, Hoss,\u201d said Sally in a cautious voice. \u201cWhat can I get for you boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d like a couple of beers,\u201d answered Joe with a warm smile. \u201cAnd why don\u2019t you get one for yourself and join us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down, Sally said in a hesitant voice, \u201cI don\u2019t know if that\u2019s a good idea, Joe. I\u2019ve been warned to stay away from you \u2013 twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay away from me?\u201d repeated Joe with a frown. \u201cWho said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Jake Fallon from over at the Flying M for one,\u201d admitted Sally. \u201cHe keeps telling me that he\u2019s coming after you if I don\u2019t stay away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJake,\u201d said Joe with disgust as he shook his head. \u201cHe\u2019s said that about every man he\u2019s seen you with, but he never does anything about it. He\u2019s all talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can get kind of crazy when he\u2019s drunk,\u201d Sally said. \u201cA couple of day ago, he was in town. Jake had been drinking pretty heavily and by the end of the night, he was telling me how he was going to shoot anyone who came between him and me. He even pulled a gun from his holster and was waving it around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he use it?\u201d asked Hoss, his voice reflecting his concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no,\u201d admitted Sally. \u201cThis fellow at the next table just kind of knocked the gun out of Jake\u2019s hand, told him to be careful. Jake yelled some stuff at him, but that\u2019s all he did. Jake left right after that. But I\u2019m afraid he might actually use the gun next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJake couldn\u2019t hit the broadside of a barn with a gun even when he\u2019s sober,\u201d said Joe with a smile. \u201cHe\u2019s the worst shot in the county. Like I said, he\u2019s all talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat may be,\u201d said Sally, nodding her head. \u201cBut the fellow who came in this afternoon seemed pretty serious when he told me I shouldn\u2019t being seeing you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat fellow?\u201d asked Joe, more curious than alarmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know his name. I\u2019ve never seen him before. He was about fifty, white hair and a white beard. He talked real nice, kind of formal. Didn\u2019t look like a cowboy, but he wasn\u2019t wearing a suit or anything.\u201d Sally shook her head. \u201cKind of hard to figure out what he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he say, exactly?\u201d pressed Joe.<\/p>\n

Looking off and frowning, Sally tried to remember the conversation. \u201cHe said something like it would be better if I didn\u2019t see you when you came to town. He said you weren\u2019t the right kind of guy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like your reputation is starting to catch up with you, little brother,\u201d said Hoss with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up,\u201d Joe snapped at his brother. His tone was more exasperated than angry. Joe turned back to Sally. \u201cWhat else did he say? Did he threaten you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t like that at all,\u201d insisted Sally. \u201cHe was real nice, real reasonable. It was more like he was trying to warn me than threaten me. He kept saying things like you needed a different kind of girl, just like I needed a different kind of guy. He said us being together would just make both of us miserable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d asked Joe, his curiosity growing. \u201cWhere did he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Sally. \u201cHe finished his beer and walked out. Anyway, after what he said and what Jake said, I figured maybe it would be best if I didn\u2019t sit with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSally, my girl, I don\u2019t want to marry you,\u201d said Joe with a smile. \u201cI just want to have a beer with you. One beer, that\u2019s all. How much trouble can that cause?\u201d<\/p>\n

Studying the men at the table, Sally considered what Joe said. Suddenly, she smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Sally agreed with a brief nod. \u201cBesides, that\u2019s what I get paid to do, entertain the customers.\u201d Sally winked at Hoss. \u201cIf I stayed away from every cowboy who had a bad reputation, I\u2019d never get any work.\u201d Sally laughed at the expression of mock injury on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019ll get us some beers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder who that fellow was?\u201d Hoss mused as Sally walked toward the bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d said Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cFrom the way, Sally described him, it sounded a little like Pa. But unless he\u2019s grown a beard overnight, it couldn\u2019t have been him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it was your guardian angel,\u201d suggested Hoss with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s guardian angel?\u201d asked Sally as she returned to the table with three beers. She put the beer glasses on the table, and eased herself in a chair close to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cWe figure he\u2019s got a guardian angel looking out for him lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope he\u2019s off duty right now,\u201d replied Sally as she leaned toward Joe and put her hand on his arm.<\/p>\n

Putting his hand on top of Sally, Joe replied softly, \u201cSo do I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just outside the door, the man peered into the saloon. He could see the two Cartwrights laughing and drinking with the hostess. The man shook his head, more in sadness than anything else. He had heard the threats against the boy from the cowboy, and he had tried to protect him. Besides, the man knew a saloon hostess wasn\u2019t the right kind of woman for the boy. The man knew he couldn\u2019t approach the boy himself, so he tried to warn him off through the woman.<\/p>\n

Sighing, the man took a step away from the door. He had half-guessed that his warning would be in vain. Young men never seem to know what\u2019s best for them. That\u2019s why they needed someone wiser to guide them. The man looked around, noticing that the street was getting busier. More cowboys were riding into town and heading toward the saloons. He was glad, in a way. The more people who crowded into town, the easier it would be for him to keep watch without being seen. Once more, the man sighed. He hated towns, hated the crowds. But he was willing to put aside his own feelings to watch, to make sure nothing happened to the boy. Tomorrow he would finish what he needed to do. Then he would be ready. All he had to do was wait \u2013 and watch.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey, Pa, is Adam here yet?\u201d Joe said in a loud voice as he walked into the ranch house on Monday afternoon. He felt a trickle of sweat running down his face, and he wiped it away with the sleeve of his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t any of you boys ever enter the house without yelling?\u201d complained Ben as walked down the stairs toward the main room. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and a frown creased his face as he looked at Joe. His<\/p>\n

son\u2019s shirt was dusty and stained with sweat. Joe\u2019s pants were also dusty, and Ben could see the beads of sweat on Joe\u2019s face and neck. \u201cWhat have you been doing?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Wiping the sweat again from his face, Joe gave a lopsided grin. \u201cChasing horses,\u201d he answered. \u201cYou know those wild horses I thought would be so easy to round up in the canyon? Well, it turns out they were smarter than I figured. Instead of heading toward the canyon, they took off across the ridge. We ended up chasing them half-way across Nevada before we finally got them herded back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many did you get?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty, and some pretty good looking animals,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI figure about two weeks to break them and train them. We should have them to the Army remount post by the end of the month easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Ben, nodding. \u201cWe really needed them to fill that contract. I hate to have to buy horses just to turn around and sell them to the Army.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Adam back yet?\u201d Joe repeated his question.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Hoss went into town to pick him up about an hour ago,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThey should be back soon.\u201d He looked at Joe, trying his best to hide his fatherly concern. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go upstairs and get cleaned up? Maybe take a nap? I\u2019ll call you when Adam and Hoss get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d agreed Joe. He unbuckled his gunbelt from around his hips, and rolled it into a ball. \u201cIt was a long day, and a hot one.\u201d Placing the rolled holster on the table by the door, he removed his hat and hung it on the peg by the door. Joe ran his fingers through his hair, doing his best to brush the dust from it. Turning back to his father, Joe said, \u201cI probably should have just headed toward the lake and jumped in. Would have been faster than trying to wash all this dust off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want me to have Hop Sing heat up some water for a bath?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe shaking his head. \u201cIf we interrupt him in the middle of his cooking that big meal he\u2019s planning, we won\u2019t get a decent meal for a week.\u201d Joe rubbed his eyes. \u201cBesides, I\u2019m too tired. I\u2019d rather have a nap than a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on upstairs,\u201d Ben said. \u201cI\u2019ll let you know when Adam and Hoss are home.\u201d Joe nodded and walked past his father, climbing the stairs to his room.<\/p>\n

When Joe woke from his nap, he knew he had been asleep for quite awhile. His room had been bright from the sun as he had stripped off his shirt and removed his boots, then washed about a ton of dirt off his body. The last thing he remembered was stretching out on the bed, planning on getting a few minutes of sleep. Now the room was dim, indicating Joe had been asleep for a couple of hours. Someone \u2013 probably his father \u2013 had covered him with the bedspread.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe sat up, remembering that Adam was due home. His oldest brother had been gone for three weeks, and while Joe had his run-ins with Adam from time to time, he missed his brother when Adam was gone. Joe jumped from the bed and walked quickly to the dresser. He pulled open a drawer and grabbed a clean shirt, a dark blue one. As Joe struggled into the shirt, he walked over to the wash stand. Even in the dim light, he could see the basin was still filled with dirty water. Joe decided not to bother with throwing it out and simply poured a little water from the pitcher on his hands.<\/p>\n

Splashing the water on his face to help himself wake up, Joe walked over and sat down on the bed. He quickly pulled on his boots and buttoned the shirt closed. As he stood, Joe tucked the shirt into his pants. He walked toward the door, stopping only for a minute to wipe his face with the damp, wrinkled towel on the wash stand. Then he hurried out of the room.<\/p>\n

As Joe descended the stairs, he saw Adam and Hoss sitting comfortably on the sofa, and Ben relaxing in his favorite red chair by the fireplace. \u201cAdam, welcome home,\u201d said Joe as he bounded down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Sleeping Beauty finally awakes,\u201d replied Adam with a smile. \u201cHello, Joe. It\u2019s good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were going to wake me when Adam and Hoss got here,\u201d Joe said to his father in an accusing tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cBut you were sleeping so soundly, I didn\u2019t have the heart to wake you. You were pretty tired when you got home, and I decided to exercise my rights as a father to make sure you got some rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t miss dinner, did I?\u201d asked Joe as he turned to look at the tall clock near the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, little brother,\u201d Hoss assured Joe. \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t dare let you miss dinner tonight. Hop Sing is bent on having a special family meal for us, and they\u2019d heard the screaming all the way to China if you weren\u2019t at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner won\u2019t be ready for another half hour or so,\u201d added Ben.<\/p>\n

Turning to his oldest brother, Joe asked, \u201cHow was Denver, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cI was just telling Pa and Hoss that we\u2019re going to sell our cattle for four dollars a head higher than we figured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s great,\u201d said Joe, with a nod. \u201cSo did you do anything in Denver besides negotiate that cattle contract?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked down as if weighing was he was about to say. He looked back up at Joe and said, \u201cI met someone in Denver who might interest you. His name is David Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s David Williams?\u201d asked Joe curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe works at the Denver Mint,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cHe\u2019s a friend of Don Parker. I met David and his fianc\u00e9e at a party at Parker\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so special about David Williams?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

Biting his lip a bit, Adam hesitated, then said, \u201cHis father is Tyler Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened at the name, and he felt the familiar conflict of emotions rising him as he thought of Williams, a man Joe always thought of as Paul. That was the name Joe had called the man for weeks, until Joe<\/p>\n

had found out the reason why Williams had called himself by that name.<\/p>\n

Turning to look into the flames burning in the fireplace, Joe could feel the usual combination of both fear and gratitude that thinking about Paul seemed to cause. Joe had thought about Paul often over the last year or so, and each time he did, he was never quite sure what he felt about the man. Paul had found Joe in the mountains, shot in the side and with his leg caught in a bear trip. He had rescued Joe, taking him back to his house in the mountains and nursing Joe back to health. Joe had been grateful to the man, and found he liked his intelligent, witty rescuer. He had enjoyed his stay with Paul \u2013 the two had played chess and cribbage,<\/p>\n

while Joe recovered, as well as having long discussions on every subject under the sun. Joe had felt he had found an interesting new friend.<\/p>\n

But Joe\u2019s enjoyment of staying with Paul had ended abruptly when the man declared that he was going to force Joe to stay with him and become a surrogate son. Joe shuddered a bit when he remember that time \u2013 Paul\u2019s sudden shift from intelligent friend to violent madman had frightened Joe. Paul had been willing to chain Joe, and perhaps worse, in order to prevent him from leaving. Only a daring escape through a window and a desperate trek through the rough mountain forest with an injured leg had enabled Joe to avoid becoming part of Paul\u2019s sick plan. Even then, Joe almost had failed to get away. By a stroke of luck, Joe had been found by his father in the woods as Paul was catching up with him. Ben had convinced Paul to leave Joe with his father, to allow Ben to take Joe home. But Joe had never forgotten the look on Paul\u2019s face as the man had<\/p>\n

stared at Joe before disappearing into the woods. He had seen the determined look on Paul\u2019s face \u2013 and the hint of madness in the man\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas David seen his father lately?\u201d Joe asked, still looking into the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot since he left that house in the mountains almost two years ago,\u201d replied Adam. He waited, letting Joe take the lead. Adam wasn\u2019t sure how much he should tell Joe about his conversation with David Williams, so he decided to let his brother ask the questions. Whatever Joe wanted to know, Adam would tell him. And whatever Joe didn\u2019t want to know, Adam would keep to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid David say anything about why he left?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me that he got tired of living up in the mountains with only his father for company,\u201d Adam said slowly, framing the answer in his mind as he spoke. \u201cHe wanted more out of life, but his father refused to let him leave. He also said that his father had started acting a bit, well, odd. From what he said, I gather David wasn\u2019t willing to put up with his father any longer. So David waited until his father was out hunting, and then simply took off. He had some money, and took the stage to Denver. He told me he had been an accountant in St. Louis before\u2026before his father\u2019s troubles, so he got himself a job at the Mint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe didn\u2019t say anything. He thought about David\u2019s story, and decided it matched what Paul had finally told him about his son\u2019s departure. For awhile, Joe had thought David had died. It was only when Paul tried to claim Joe as a son that he had admitted his real son had left him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he\u2019s found a girl and getting married,\u201d Joe said, not really caring. He was only making conversation as he tried to decide whether he wanted to ask the next question.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he\u2019s getting married at the end of the summer,\u201d said Adam in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe turned slowly. He wasn\u2019t sure why he was so reluctant to ask what he wanted to know most. Looking at Adam, Joe swallowed hard, then said, \u201cDid you ask\u2026 Joe stopped and took another breath. \u201cWho does David think killed his mother?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as you can imagine, it\u2019s difficult to ask a man if he thinks his father killed his mother, especially in the middle of a dinner party,\u201d Adam replied. He looked toward Ben, seeking some guidance on whether he should continue. Seeing Ben\u2019s encouraging nod, Adam added,\u201d But David and I had lunch the next day. He told me he still thinks his father is innocent<\/p>\n

although he admitted he\u2019s not as sure as he once was. David evidently had some rather fierce arguments with his father up in those mountains,<\/p>\n

and well, he\u2019s just not sure as he once was that his mother was killed by<\/p>\n

someone breaking into the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning back to look into the fire, Joe thought about the story Paul had told him, of how Paul had been falsely accused of murdering his wife. Joe had been sympathetic at the time to Paul\u2019s tale of languishing in jail for months until David had proved his innocence. He had even understood Paul\u2019s bitterness toward the people who had turned their backs on him, and had snubbed him even when released from jail. Joe could see why Paul had wanted to live in the mountains, away from people with accusing looks. It was only later, when the man\u2019s madness had become evident, that Joe had wondered what really happened to Paul\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you tell David about what happened between me and \u2026and his father?\u201d asked Joe in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

Once more, Adam glanced at his father before continuing. \u201cYes,\u201d said Adam. \u201cDavid told me he wasn\u2019t all that surprised. He said his father is the kind of man who thinks he always knows what\u2019s best for everyone. Apparently, he was always telling David and his mother how to live their lives, not to mention his students at the university. And he would get very upset when his advice was ignored. That\u2019s one of the reasons David left his father, I gather. David got tired of never being able to make any decisions, of never being allowed to live his own life. Anyway, he said that he wasn\u2019t surprised that his father found someone else to, well, \u2018guide through life\u2019 as David put it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Standing mutely by the fireplace, Joe thought back over his time in the mountains with Paul. Images of events and bits of conversation flashed through his mind. Joe hadn\u2019t realized it at the time, but during his entire stay with Paul, he hadn\u2019t really made a single decision. Paul had been in control of everything \u2013 what they did, what they discussed, even what they ate. And when Joe had \u2018disobeyed\u2019 Paul, the man had become enraged.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe realized his father and brothers were staring at him, waiting for him to say something or do something. He turned back to face them. \u201cI..I think I\u2019ll go outside and get some air before dinner,\u201d Joe said, giving his family a shaky smile. He didn\u2019t wait for anyone\u2019s response, but rather walked quickly across the room and out the front door.<\/p>\n

Watching his son leave the house, Ben commented, \u201cHe\u2019s still bothered when he thinks about that man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Adam. \u201cThat\u2019s why I didn\u2019t want you to wake him until we had a chance to talk. I thought my meeting with David might upset him, and I wasn\u2019t sure whether I should even tell him about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping it from Joe wouldn\u2019t have served any purpose, Adam,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd telling him what David Williams said about his father might help Joe sort out his feelings about that man.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cI know from the little Joe has told me that he feels a huge sense of gratitude and maybe even a bit of affection for the man for having saved Joe\u2019s life and treated him so well for all those weeks. But I also know that what he tried to do — and why — scared Joe.\u201d Ben looked toward the door again. \u201cI imagine it\u2019s difficult for Joe to figure out exactly what he does feel about that man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Williams fellow is sure a strange one,\u201d said Hoss, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cImagine him thinking he could just keep Joe with him, like he was a stray pup or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he would have had his hands full,\u201d said Adam with a wry smile. \u201cJoe isn\u2019t exactly known for following orders and taking advice.\u201d Adam turned to his father. \u201cIsn\u2019t that right, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still staring at the door, Ben nodded slowly. \u201cYes,\u201d he said. \u201cJoe goes his own way, sometimes. That\u2019s what worries me most about him. He keeps things to himself, especially when he\u2019s upset. I wish he would\u2026\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cI guess it\u2019s a little late to expect him to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, you worry too much,\u201d said Hoss, trying to ease his father\u2019s concerns. \u201cIf it\u2019s something really important, Joe would talk to you about it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is right,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIt may take Joe a little while to get around to it, but eventually, he lets you know what he\u2019s thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d said Ben. But his voice held even less conviction than his words.<\/p>\n

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

For the next few days, Joe went about his work on the ranch in a quiet, almost distracted manner. It was the same demeanor he had brought to the dinner table when he had finally returned to the house for Adam\u2019s homecoming meal. Ben, Adam and Hoss refrained from commenting on Joe\u2019s subdued manner, both at dinner and over the following days. They knew there was little they could say to help Joe. All they could do was give him time to work out his emotions for himself.<\/p>\n

Just after lunch on Wednesday, Ben was in the barn currying his horse when Joe rode in. Ben had tired of working on the accounts, and decided he needed some physical activity for awhile. He hadn\u2019t expected to see Joe until dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d said Ben, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice as he saw Joe leading his pinto into the barn. \u201cYou\u2019re back early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t find many strays,\u201d answered Joe, \u201cso I thought I\u2019d head on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing to brush his horse, Ben said nothing. He knew Joe\u2019s excuse for riding out this morning had been to look for strays. Ben suspected that Joe had really wanted an opportunity to have some time to himself. He waited, knowing it was up to Joe to decide if he wanted to tell him what was on his mind.<\/p>\n

As Joe led his horse into the stall, he wondered what he should say. He knew his family had been giving him a lot of space lately. He was grateful for their concern, but he also was tired of it, just as he had grown tired of thinking and brooding about Paul. Nothing was being accomplished. Joe hadn\u2019t come any closer to resolving his feelings about the man, and he suspected he never would.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to start breaking those horses tomorrow,\u201d said Joe, as he began to unsaddle his pinto.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s hand stopped moving over the back of his buckskin. \u201cAre you sure you want to do that?\u201d he asked cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why not?\u201d replied Joe with a shrug as he picked up a brush and began working on his own horse. \u201cThose wild horses should be settled down enough for us to start working on them. And we need to get them to the Army by the end of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBreaking horses takes a lot of concentration,\u201d said Ben, his tone still cautious. \u201cA rider can get hurt if he\u2019s not paying attention to what he\u2019s doing.\u201d Ben swiped the brush over his horse quickly. \u201cI can have Adam start on them if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need for that,\u201d Joe said in a firm voice. \u201cLook, Pa, I know I\u2019ve been kind of moody the past few days, but I\u2019m done with that. We\u2019ve got a ranch to run, and it\u2019s time I started pulling my weight again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ben began to brush his buckskin with vigorous strokes. \u201cI\u2019m glad you feel that way,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll tell the boys in the bunkhouse tonight to plan on starting with those horses first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Joe, as he continued to curry his pinto.<\/p>\n

Smiling a bit, Ben said, \u201cYou know, Joe, since you\u2019re back early, there are a few things we could use some help with.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time it\u2019s was Joe\u2019s hand that stopped in mid-air. \u201cUm, well, Pa, I was kind of thinking I would take it easy this afternoon. You know, breaking horses is tough work, and I want to be rested when I start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d answered Ben, trying to hide his smile. \u201cBut what I have in mind should tire you out too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said Joe, a hint of suspicion in his voice. \u201cAnd what did you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Hoss is going into town to pick up supplies and the mail,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI thought you might go along with him and help out.\u201d Ben brushed a few finishing strokes over his horse\u2019s flanks. \u201cOf course, on a hot day like today, you boys might want a little refreshment while you\u2019re in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Joe swiped the brush over his horse. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Pa,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI ought to help Hoss with those supplies. It\u2019s not right that he should have to do all that work by himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might feel that way,\u201d said Ben with a smile.<\/p>\n

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

On a hill overlooking the Ponderosa ranch house, the man frowned as he watched Hoss and the boy hitching up the buckboard. He had settled down on the hill, several yards from where he had built a rough camp in the trees. He had been sure the boy was going to be home for the rest of the day, and had planned to watch for only a little while before returning to his camp. Now it appeared he had guessed wrong. Obviously, Hoss and the boy were getting ready to leave the ranch, and since they were taking the buckboard, the man guessed they were heading for Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Cursing silently, the man scrambled to his feet and hurried back to his camp. He hated going into Virginia City, and even more so when he didn\u2019t have time to plan his actions. He thought briefly about not making the trip but quickly decided against it. The boy needed someone to watch over him, and if he didn\u2019t do it, who would? He couldn\u2019t count on Hoss and the others to watch over him like he did. They simply didn\u2019t understand how much guidance the boy needed. They had a tendency to let him handle things on his own, and the man knew that wasn\u2019t right. He knew the boy needed a guardian, someone to show him the right way. And soon, he thought, the boy would know it too.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey, Hoss, why don\u2019t you go pick up the mail?\u201d suggested Joe as he put a small box into the back of the buckboard. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you over at the Bucket of Blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carrying a large sack over his shoulder, Hoss approached the buckboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all tuckered out from all the work you done?\u201d asked Hoss sarcastically as he tossed the sack into the back of the wagon. \u201cSeems to me I\u2019ve been toting all the heavy stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I was out chasing strays all morning,\u201d explained Joe solemnly. \u201cAll that riding, it tires a man out. Then I had to carry those three boxes from the store on top of it.\u201d Joe wiped his face with an exaggerated gesture. \u201cI\u2019m lucky I have enough strength to go over and get a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all admire the way you manage to keep yourself going no matter what,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s an inspiration to the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said Joe, nodding. His face broke into a grin. \u201cBesides, Pa was the one who suggested we might need a little refreshment. And you know how I always do what Pa says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince when?\u201d snorted Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince he started suggesting cold beers on hot days,\u201d answered Joe, his grin widening. \u201cHow about it? You get the mail, and I\u2019ll buy you a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019re buying, that\u2019s different,\u201d Hoss said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said A beer,\u201d replied Joe quickly. \u201cI don\u2019t have enough money to fill up that big frame of yours. Anything after the first one is on your tab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take whatever I can get, even if it\u2019s only one beer,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you at the saloon.\u201d He turned and started walking down the street toward the post office.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Joe turned in the opposite direction and strolled slowly toward the Bucket of Blood. He smiled and tipped his hat to two pretty girls who passed on the sidewalk. Both girls smiled back at Joe but continued on their way. Joe stopped for a moment and considered whether he should follow the girls. But after a few seconds of thought, he decided he was more interested in a cold beer than romance right now. Joe didn\u2019t notice the man taking advantage of Joe\u2019s distraction to hurry across the street and into an alley near the saloon.<\/p>\n

Stepping off the sidewalk, Joe began to cross the wide dirt street toward the Bucket of Blood. He was only a few feet from the saloon when a man lurched out of the swinging doors and staggered toward him. Joe put up his hands to prevent the man from running into him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, easy, Jake,\u201d said Joe as he steadied the obviously drunken cowboy. \u201cYou\u2019d better be careful. You\u2019re liable to hurt yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peering at Joe through bleary eyes, it took Jake Fallon a minute to recognize his rescuer. But as soon as he realized that Joe was standing in front of him, Jake became enraged.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright!\u201d shouted Jake in slurred tones. \u201cYou mangy dog! What are you doing here? Come to see Sally, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just going in to get a beer, Jake,\u201d said Joe in a reasonable voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou come to see Sally, ain\u2019t you,\u201d Jake shouted again. He pushed Joe away from him. \u201cSally\u2019s my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure she is, Jake,\u201d replied Joe in a soothing voice. \u201cEveryone knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay away from her, you hear,\u201d Jake said in a loud voice. \u201cI don\u2019t want no Cartwright moving in on my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t think of it,\u201d said Joe, nodding slowly. \u201cNow why don\u2019t you go on back to the Flying M and sleep it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d like that, wouldn\u2019t you,\u201d growled Jake. \u201cYou\u2019d like me to leave so\u2019s you can have Sally all to yourself. Well, we\u2019re going to settle this right now.<\/p>\n

Get ready to draw, Cartwright.\u201d Jake staggered back a few steps into the street and stuck his arm out a bit, positioning his hand over the gun in his holster.<\/p>\n

Joe watched Jake carefully, not particularly alarmed but still being cautious. He knew Jake Fallon. The man wasn\u2019t particularly good at drawing his gun when sober, and Joe wasn\u2019t sure he could even pull the gun out of his holster when drunk. And even if he did manage to draw his gun, as Joe had told Sally, he knew Jake was probably the worse shot in Nevada. Nevertheless, he kept a careful eye on the drunken cowboy. He had no desire to be felled by a lucky shot. Joe was pretty sure he could talk Jake out of drawing, but just in case, he kept a close watch on Jake\u2019s hand, already fixing his aim on the man\u2019s wrist in case he had to shoot. Joe knew he could outdraw Jake any day of the week, even when Jake was sober. He really didn\u2019t want to put a bullet into the cowboy\u2019s arm, but was confident he could do so if he had to.<\/p>\n

In the alley, the man felt the cold hand of fear around his heart. He could see the cowboy was drunk, but even drunks could draw their guns swiftly and shoot someone. Even more alarming to the man was the fact that the boy seemed unconcerned. He didn\u2019t seem to realize the danger he was in.<\/p>\n

The boy merely stood there, arms at his side, talking to the drunken cowboy.<\/p>\n

The man reached down and pulled his own gun from the holster on his hip.<\/p>\n

He seldom used the gun, and usually only wore it when he was in Virginia City. A man without a gun stood out like a sore thumb in town, and the man had no desire to be noticed. He aimed the pistol at the drunk in the street. He knew he wasn\u2019t very accurate with a handgun but he had no choice. He had to protect the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJake, I don\u2019t want to hurt you,\u201d said Joe in a calm voice. \u201cNow, why don\u2019t we call this thing off. I\u2019ll buy you a beer and we can talk about this.\u201d From the corner of his eye, Joe saw several figures gathering nearby in the street to watch. He hoped somebody had enough sense to go get the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t going to let you weasel out of this, Cartwright,\u201d said Jake. He frowned as he looked at the blurry figure in front of him. He had already forgotten why he was mad at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a hot day,\u201d said Joe. \u201cDon\u2019t you want a beer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Listening to Joe, Jake suddenly had an urge for a cold beer. He decided that things could wait to be settled until after he had had a beer. Besides, he wasn\u2019t sure any more what needed to be settled. Jake dropped his arm, intending only to let it hang at his side. He never meant to go for his gun. Almost everyone watching could tell that. Almost.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a shot rang out and Jake clutched his chest. His eyes opened wide in surprise as he felt the sticky blood on his hand and the piercing pain in his body. His mouth worked as if he were going to say something. Then he pitched forward, face first, into the dusty street.<\/p>\n

Shocked, Joe watched with an open mouth as Jake fell to the ground. For a few seconds, he merely stood still, too surprised to move. Then Joe rushed forward.<\/p>\n

Kneeling on the ground, Joe gently turned Jake onto his back. He put a hand on Jake\u2019s neck, feeling for a pulse, even though he knew he wouldn\u2019t find one. The gaping wound in the middle of Jake\u2019s chest told Joe that the man was dead.<\/p>\n

suddenly realizing that a crowd of people had formed a ring around him and the body on the ground. Joe jumped to his feet. \u201cWho fired that shot?\u201d he demanded, looking around. \u201cWho killed Jake?\u201d<\/p>\n

At first, no one said anything. The people crowded around Joe looked at each other, their faces reflecting both the puzzlement and surprise that they felt. Finally, one man said, \u201cI think it might have come from the alley, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pushing his way through the crowd, Joe hurried to the alley next to the saloon. As he neared the narrow opening, Joe pulled his gun, ready to take on the coward who had killed Jake from ambush. But when he entered the alley, Joe saw it was empty.<\/p>\n

With a frown on his face, Joe whirled back to face the crowd who had followed him to the alley. \u201cI thought you said the shot came from here,\u201d he said angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I thought the shot came from here,\u201d the man who had spoken up corrected Joe. \u201cIt could have come from someplace else. Or maybe whoever fired took off right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked over his shoulder and back into the alley, as if expecting to see someone. Then he turned back to the people standing in front of him. \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone see who fired that shot?\u201d he asked in an exasperated voice. His own answer was a few heads shaking and a telling silence.<\/p>\n

Pushing his way through the crowd once more, Joe walked slowly toward the spot where Jake laid on the hard packed dirt of the street. He could see Sally standing a few feet away from Jake, looking down at the body with an expression of both shock and grief. Joe hurried forward to stand next to the woman. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d said Joe in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

Turning her head, Sally looked at Joe with wide eyes. \u201cWho\u2019d want to do a thing like this?\u201d she asked. \u201cWho\u2019d want to kill Jake?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Sally,\u201d answered Joe, shaking his head. He put his arm around her.<\/p>\n

Hearing the sound of rapid footsteps, Joe turned and looked down the street. He could see Sheriff Coffee hurrying toward him, with Hoss following the lawman. Joe waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Coffee asked Joe, clearly surprised to see the body on the ground. \u201cSomebody came by the office and said Jake had called you out. I was coming over to break things up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t shoot him, Roy,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI just about had him talked out of doing anything. All of a sudden, there was a shot and Jake was dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see who shot him?\u201d asked Hoss as he stood a few feet away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Joe with a shake of his head. \u201cAnd nobody else seemed to, either. Somebody said they thought it came from the alley next to the saloon, but nobody was there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Jake,\u201d said Sally in a choked voice. \u201cHe never meant any harm. He was a good guy.\u201d She looked at Joe for confirmation. \u201cHe was, wasn\u2019t he, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Jake was all right,\u201d Joe said in a soothing voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m going to need a statement from you,\u201d said Roy in a firm voice. \u201cBut I want to talk to these folks here first. Why don\u2019t you go over to my office and wait for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing at the woman standing next to him, Joe said, \u201cI\u2019ll be there in a little while, Roy.\u201d He turned and gently guided Sally away from the body.<\/p>\n

A few buildings away, in the shadows of another alley, the man stood watching. He was breathing hard, both as a result of running from the alley near the saloon and from a rush emotion. He hadn\u2019t meant to kill the drunken cowboy; his aim had been poor. He had only meant to wound the man, to protect the boy from harm. He kept telling himself that killing the cowboy had been an accident. But he was having a hard time ignoring the knot of excitement in his stomach and the feeling of power that raced through him. He had to admit it was a pretty heady feeling \u2013 the feeling that he had the power to decide whether someone lived or died.<\/p>\n

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

At the dinner table, Joe was twirling his fork in his mashed potatoes, his mind a thousand miles away from the conversation which was swirling around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d said Ben sharply. \u201cEither eat your dinner or leave the table. Don\u2019t sit there and play with your food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, yeah, sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe replied, startled to hear his name. He quickly forked some potatoes into his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I know you\u2019re upset by what happened in town today,\u201d continued Ben in a sympathetic voice. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking across the table at his father, Joe replied, \u201cPa, I just keep thinking if I had handled things differently, Jake would still be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what could you have done differently?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cYou didn\u2019t draw your gun. You said you had him talked into going into the saloon with you. How were you to know someone else would shoot Jake down like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d answered Joe sadly. \u201cI just have the feeling that somehow it\u2019s my fault Jake\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you don\u2019t know who shot him or why,\u201d Hoss said from the other side of the table. \u201cIt was probably somebody who had a grudge against Jake, and just took advantage of the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut who?\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cJake didn\u2019t have any enemies. He got drunk and acted a little crazy sometimes, but he never hurt anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that for sure,\u201d commented Adam from the end of the table. \u201cYou just said Jake acted crazy when he was drunk. He could have done something by accident, or somebody could have thought he was threatening them. Not everyone might have known Jake was all talk and no action.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Joe said morosely. He pushed the pieces of meat around n his plate. \u201cI just wish I knew who killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy Coffee is investigating,\u201d said Ben in a firm voice. \u201cHe\u2019ll tell us if he finds out anything. In the meantime, you need to stop worrying about who shot Jake Fallon, and start thinking about all the work we have to do. You need a clear head if you\u2019re going to start breaking those horses tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d answered Joe, but his tone implied his response was more automatic than heartfelt. Joe pushed his food around on his plate once more. Then he dropped his fork. \u201cI\u2019m not very hungry,\u201d said Joe, getting up from the table. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go on up to my room.\u201d Without waiting for a comment from his father and brothers, Joe walked quickly away from the table.<\/p>\n

Ben watched his son as Joe crossed the living room and headed up the stairs. Turning to Hoss, he asked, \u201cAre you sure Roy doesn\u2019t know who killed Fallon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I was right there when the sheriff talked to all those people,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cNobody saw who fired the shot. They weren\u2019t even sure where it came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben said, \u201cJoe is taking this whole thing on himself. I wish he would understand that it wasn\u2019t his fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty disturbing to see a man killed right in front of you like that,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIt\u2019s only natural that he\u2019s upset. But you know Joe. In a day or two, he\u2019ll forget about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Pa,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cOnce he starts breaking those horses tomorrow, he\u2019ll be too busy to worry about what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re right,\u201d said Ben fervently.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cRide him, Joe!\u201d Hoss shouted his encouragement from his perch on top of the corral fence. \u201cHang on to him!\u201d<\/p>\n

In the middle of the corral, Joe heard Hoss\u2019 voice but was too busy to try to listen to the words. He was concentrating on keeping his seat atop a bay mare as the horse twisted and bucked, trying to dislodge him. The horse jumped and kicked, but Joe stayed on the animal as if glued to the saddle. Finally, after a few more seconds of bucking, the mare realized she wasn\u2019t going to rid herself of the unwanted weight on her back, and that life would be much easier if she simply gave in to the rider. The mare gave one more buck and then slowly began trotting around the corral.<\/p>\n

Thighs pressed against the horse\u2019s side, Joe let the mare trot for a minute, then slowed the animal to a walk. After another minute, he halted the horse. Another horse and rider came along side. Joe tossed the reins to the rider, and slid off the mare. He watched as the rider started to lead the mare away, then turned. He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants as he began to walk toward the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice ride!\u201d called Hoss from his seat on the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe acknowledged his brother\u2019s praise with a short nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood job, Joe,\u201d added another voice from behind the fence.<\/p>\n

Looking to Hoss\u2019 right, Joe saw his father leaning against the corral fence. Joe grinned at him. He hadn\u2019t known his father was coming down to the corral. Joe was glad he had ridden the mare to a stop, glad that he could show off his expertise in breaking horses to his father. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe said. his grin widening as he came to the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many horses have you broken?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

A thoughtful expression crossed Joe\u2019s face as he mentally counted. \u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d he said. \u201cSince we started day before yesterday, we\u2019ve been breaking about five or six horses a day.\u201d Joe frowned a bit as he thought. \u201cWe have 17 horses green-broke,\u201d he said finally. \u201cAnother day and we ought to be able to start schooling them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c17!\u201d exclaimed Ben. \u201cThat\u2019s great, Joe. You\u2019re doing a real fine job, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Joe said, trying to sound modest but not succeeding. His voice reflected his pride in both his accomplishment and his father\u2019s compliment.<\/p>\n

The sound of shouts from the middle of the corral told all three men that another rider was trying his hand with a wild horse. Joe turned and watched for a minute as the rider tried to stay on the animal\u2019s back. He winced a bit as he saw the horse buck and the rider slip to the ground. Quickly, another horseman rode forward and guided the bucking horse away from the cowboy on the ground. The cowboy scrambled to his feet, and started walking rapidly toward one of the fences on the opposite side of the corral. Joe smiled as he saw the man rubbing his backside as he walked.<\/p>\n

Turning back to his father, Joe asked, \u201cWhat are you doing down here, Pa?\u201d He wasn\u2019t alarmed to his see his father, only curious.<\/p>\n

Leaning against the fence, Ben looked into the corral for a minute before answering. \u201cRoy Coffee rode out to the house a little while ago. He wants you to come into town and see him tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah? What for?\u201d asked Joe, again more curious than alarmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe found someone who thinks they saw who fired that shot at Jake,\u201d answered Ben. \u201cHe wants to talk to you about it, see if you know the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho saw the shooting?\u201d Joe asked with quickening interest.<\/p>\n

Ben hesitated a minute before he answered. \u201cAndy Wilson said he thought he saw someone in the alley next to the saloon with a gun just before the shot was fired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAndy Wilson!\u201d exclaimed Hoss. \u201cThat poor old guy is about half-blind. He wouldn\u2019t recognize his brother if he was standing right next to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said Ben with a sigh. \u201cBut so far, he\u2019s the only one Roy\u2019s found who even thinks he saw something. Apparently, everyone was so intent on watching Joe and Jake that no one noticed anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Andy recognize the person in the alley?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Ben with a shake of his head. \u201cAnd he could only give Roy a pretty vague description. But Roy wants to ask you about it anyway. He\u2019s hoping that you might recognize the man Andy told him about. Roy\u2019s not too optimistic but he has to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ride in tomorrow morning,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWe should finish up with breaking these horses today, and the hands don\u2019t need me around to start schooling them.\u201d Joe gave his father a small smile. \u201cYou going to stick around and watch for awhile?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I might,\u201d Ben said mildly, but his smile matched his son\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cI\u2019m up again right after Charlie.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a small cluster of trees on a nearby hill, the man sat with a pair of binoculars in his hand. He was a good distance away from the corral, father than he would have liked. But he couldn\u2019t get any closer without being seen. The ground around corral was flat and without cover. It had taken the man awhile to find a spot where he could even see the corral and the men working with the horses. He easily picked out the boy among the distant figures. He recognized the clothes \u2013 the brown shirt, tan pants, and light colored hat — but even more, he knew how the boy walked, how he acted. He didn\u2019t need the glasses in his hand to find the boy; he could have picked him out in a crowd from even further away. He used the binoculars only when he saw the boy mounting one of the horses in the middle of the corral, so that he could have a clear view of the boy\u2019s ride.<\/p>\n

Clutching the binoculars tightly, the man watched as the boy talked with his father and brother by the fence. He recognized the other men also, and he felt angry at them. How could they let the boy put himself at risk by riding those wild horses, he wondered. He knew the boy was good at riding the bucking animals; he had been watching most of the last three days. But nevertheless, the man felt the boy shouldn\u2019t be allowed to do it. Riding those horses was much too dangerous, and the boy\u2019s family should have realized that. He was angry that the men who should have been watching out for the boy seemed to care so little about what happened to him.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, the man told himself that it was just another reason why he was needed. If nothing else, this callous disregard for the boy\u2019s safety reinforced the reason why the plan he had formed made sense. At least, it made sense to him. He would have been surprised that others might have found his plan and the logic behind it a bit twisted.<\/p>\n

Down in the corral, Joe had moved to the other side, in anticipation of riding another horse. He sat on top of the fence near the small pen where three or four horses were waiting. He whistled and shouted encouragement as one of the hands rode a horse to a trot, almost the same way he had done earlier. Joe jumped down from the fence as the man finished his ride and slid from the horses back.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood ride, Charlie,\u201d said Joe to a rangy cowboy with a face burned brown from sun and wind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Joe,\u201d replied Charlie as he walked toward Joe. A horse snorted and whinnied, and both Joe and Charlie looked to where a rider was leading a black horse to the center of the corral. \u201cYou gonna try that black?\u201d asked Charlie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I would,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out for him,\u201d said Charlie. \u201cHe pretty tricky. He tossed Sam yesterday and me this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d said Joe. \u201cBut I think I have him figured out.\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s why I let you boys ride him first. So I\u2019d have a chance to see what not to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re all heart, Joe,\u201d said Charlie with an answering grin.<\/p>\n

Joe walked to the center of the corral where two riders had the black horse pinned between them, each man holding a piece of the leather bridle the circled the animal\u2019s head. The horse pawed the ground nervously. Twice before he had been in this position, and he knew what was coming. The horse didn\u2019t like the idea of yet another man trying to ride him.<\/p>\n

Moving cautiously, Joe climbed up behind one of the riders, then eased himself into the saddle on the black. The horse took a small step to the right as he felt the weight on his back, but the horses on either side of him prevented the black from moving further. Joe carefully set his feet in the stirrups of the saddle and gathered up the reins. He pushed himself down, making sure his seat was firmly in the saddle, and tightened his thighs. His knees gripped the side of the black horse tightly. Joe reached up pulled his hat down on his head. Then with a quick nod, he said, \u201cLet him go.\u201d<\/p>\n

The riders on either side of the black horse released their grip on bridle and quickly rode off. For a moment, the black stood still, not realizing at first that he was free. But as soon as the animal realized the confining riders were gone, he started bucking.<\/p>\n

Anticipating the horse\u2019s move, Joe leaned forward and rode out the buck. The black took a few steps forward then kicked out his back legs, hoping to dislodge the rider. But Joe had anticipated this move also, and stayed in the saddle. Unsuccessful with his first few moves, the horse tried something else, kicking and twisting his back legs to the right. But once more, Joe was ready for the horse and he stayed on the animal\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

For the next few minutes, a battle of wills was fought. The black horse kicked, twisted and bucked, trying everything he could to throw the rider from him. Joe answered every move with one of his own, shifting his weight to maintain his balance, and moving his legs to keep their grip on the horse\u2019s side. Neither the horse nor the rider was willing to concede to the other.<\/p>\n

The encouraging shouts from the men around the fence grew louder as they recognized the fierce battle that was evolving between the horse and the rider. Joe heard none of the shouts; his concentration centered on trying to anticipate the horse\u2019s next move. He knew it was only a question of which one of them tired of the fight first, and Joe was determined that he wouldn\u2019t be the one to give in.<\/p>\n

At last, the black horse seemed to realize he wasn\u2019t going to rid himself of the rider. He stopped bucking and circled the corral a few times at a run, trying for a last bit of freedom. Joe let him run for a bit, then gradually slowed the animal. Finally, Joe brought him to a halt in the middle of the corral.<\/p>\n

Sitting on top of the horse, Joe could feel the animal breathing hard. He relaxed his grip on the horse\u2019s sides, and sat back in the saddle, confident that he had won the battle.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, without warning, the horse kicked up its rear legs and bucked once more.<\/p>\n

Unprepared for the move, Joe bounced in the saddle. His feet slid out of the stirrups as he was thrust forward. The horse kicked out again and Joe fell out of the saddle. He landed on the ground on his left side, hitting the hard dirt with a loud thud.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben shouted in alarm as he saw his son lay unmoving on the ground. He scrambled over the fence and rushed forward, racing past Hoss who had also jumped from the fence. Ben had seen his son thrown by horses before, but Joe had been ready for the fall and knew how to land. Ben had seen Joe relax in the saddle just as the horse began to buck again. He knew Joe hadn\u2019t been ready this time.<\/p>\n

The two out-riders were forcing the black horse to the other end of the corral as Ben reached the spot where Joe laid. He could hear footsteps and from the corner of his eye, saw the other men running toward the same spot. Ben knelt, and gently turned Joe on his back.<\/p>\n

Mouth wide open, Joe gasped for air. He had the awful feeling that he couldn\u2019t breathe, that he couldn\u2019t get any air into his lungs. His eyes were<\/p>\n

closed as he thought of nothing but sucking in as much oxygen as possible. Joe felt a large arm reach under his shoulders and push him up, not quite to a sitting position but enough to allow him to inhale air more easily. Grateful, Joe leaned against the large shoulder and chest at his back. His breathing changed from desperate gasps to deep, rapid intakes of air. As Joe continued to breathe deeply, he felt a hand brushing gently against his side, then fingers probing his shoulder. The hand moved slowly down his left arm. He heard a familiar voice say, \u201cI don\u2019t think anything\u2019s broken.\u201d The hand began to brush the dirt carefully from his cheek. Joe opened his eyes and looked into his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked anxiously as he peered into Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d answered Joe between breaths. \u201cI just\u2026got the wind\u2026knocked out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, take a drink,\u201d said Hoss as he continued to support his brother\u2019s back. Hoss put a canteen that someone had handed him to Joe\u2019s lips. Joe took a few sips of water, then nodded his thanks.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can walk?\u201d Ben asked with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, just help me up,\u201d replied Joe.<\/p>\n

Two pairs of hands pushed gently against Joe\u2019s back as they simultaneously pulled on Joe\u2019s arms. As Joe stood, he was surprised at how shaky he felt. His knees buckled a bit, but the hands around his arms kept their grip and held him up.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him over by the fence and sit him down,\u201d said Ben. He gave Joe a small push on the back. Joe took a step forward on rubbery legs, but he managed to walk.<\/p>\n

The hands who had been crowded around took a step back to give the Cartwrights some room. As Ben and Hoss helped Joe across the corral, Charlie said, \u201cTold you that black was tricky.\u201d Joe gave him a shaky grin.<\/p>\n

It seemed to Joe that the walk to the fence was a long one. His legs felt weak, as if they wouldn\u2019t support him. He knew that only the firm hands of his father and brother kept him from falling to the ground. When the trio finally reached the fence, Ben and Hoss turned Joe so he could lean against the post. Joe sank to the ground and closed his eyes. He leaned his back against the post and tried to stop his body from shaking.<\/p>\n

Up on the hill, the man also was shaking, but his tremors were caused by rage and fear. He had jumped to his feet when he saw the boy fall, and it had taken every ounce of will power he had to stop himself from running down the hill to join the men who crowded around the boy. He had put the binoculars to his eyes, desperately trying to see through the gaps between the men. His sigh of relief when the boy got to his feet was audible.<\/p>\n

Once he knew the boy was all right, the man\u2019s anger took over him. He knew the boy would be hurt riding those wild horses. It was a miracle he wasn\u2019t killed. If he could see that, why didn\u2019t his father and brothers see it.<\/p>\n

Why didn\u2019t they stop him from doing something that obviously so dangerous. The man was angry, both at the boy for doing something so foolish, and at the men who let him do it.<\/p>\n

As he watched the boy being helped to the fence, the man decided he could wait no longer. The men below obviously had no idea how to take care of the boy. He couldn\u2019t trust them to watch over him, to protect him.<\/p>\n

Mentally, the man went over the preparations he had made and he was satisfied. He was ready and the time had come. As soon as he got the chance, he would put his plan into action.<\/p>\n

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

At breakfast the next morning, Joe eased himself gingerly into the chair. He knew he was late coming down \u2013 Ben, Adam and Hoss had already finished eating and were sipping their last cup of coffee \u2013 but Joe also knew this was one of the few times his father wouldn\u2019t complain about his being late for breakfast. In fact, Ben had encouraged Joe to sleep in when Joe had headed for bed last night, an action that occurred almost immediately after dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d said Joe with a nod. He reached for the coffee pot and winced as his sore shoulder protested the action.<\/p>\n

Seeing Joe\u2019s wince, Ben asked with concern, \u201cHow are you feeling this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little stiff,\u201d admitted Joe as he poured himself some coffee. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw that nice set of bruises you have when I helped you off with your shirt last night,\u201d commented Hoss. \u201cI expect they\u2019re a pretty color of purple about now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPurple and a few other colors,\u201d said Joe with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joe, it works a lot better if you actually stay on the horse when you\u2019re trying to break him,\u201d said Adam, his tone serious but his eyes twinkling with humor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHa, ha, very funny,\u201d answered Joe as he filled his plate. \u201cSomebody\u2019s got to break those horses. I didn\u2019t see you out there, older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I\u2019m the smart brother,\u201d said Adam with a smile. \u201cI leave breaking horses to the younger, not quite as smart brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam has gathered his own collection of bruises over the years,\u201d commented Ben. He took another sip of coffee. \u201cAre you still planning to go into town and see Roy Coffee today, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight as well,\u201d said Joe with a shrug as he began to eat. \u201cI\u2019m in no shape to break horses today. The boys can finish those last few horses.\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cI hope Charlie gets that black one.\u201d Joe reached for his coffee cup and winced a bit as he did so.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you feel up to riding to town?\u201d asked Ben with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d Joe assured his father. \u201cJust a little stiff and sore. Besides, Cochise has a gait like a rocking horse. Riding him into town is probably the easiest thing I could do today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is Joe going to see Sheriff Coffee?\u201d asked Adam curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndy Wilson thinks he might have seen who shot Jake Fallon,\u201d answered Ben. \u201cRoy wants to talk to Joe about it, see if he might recognize the man.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cRoy\u2019s not too optimistic, though. I gather Andy\u2019s description of the man is pretty vague.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Roy have any idea why Jake was shot?\u201d Adam asked. \u201cIf he can figure out the why, it might be easier to figure out the who.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy thought of that,\u201d Ben said. \u201cBut so far, he can\u2019t come up with a motive. He told me he\u2019s talked to all the hands at the Flying M and just about everyone in town. Nobody seemed to have a reason to want Jake dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still can\u2019t shake the feeling that somehow I was the reason,\u201d said Joe with a frown. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t let him call me out like that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019ve been over and over this,\u201d interrupted Ben. \u201cEveryone saw the way you had talked Jake down. The shooting had nothing to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forking the last of the eggs from his plate into his mouth, Joe didn\u2019t answer. He knew what his Pa said made sense. But he couldn\u2019t rid himself of the feeling that his showdown with the drunken cowboy had caused Jake to be shot, especially when there didn\u2019t seem to be any other reason.<\/p>\n

Wiping his mouth with his napkin, Joe pushed back from the table and stood. \u201cWell, I\u2019m going out and saddle Cochise,\u201d he announced. \u201cMight as well get this over with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed some help, little brother?\u201d Hoss asked as he stood up also.<\/p>\n

Flexing his bruised shoulder a bit, Joe nodded. \u201cThanks. I think I could use some help.\u201d Joe took a few steps from the table, moving stiffly as he walked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you\u2019re in town, stop by and have Doctor Martin look at that shoulder, just in case,\u201d called Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa\u2026\u201d Joe started to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t hurt to have him take a look at it,\u201d interrupted Ben in a firm voice. Then he smiled and said in a gentler voice, \u201cIt will only take a few minutes and I\u2019d feel better if the doctor checked it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe in an exasperated voice. \u201cIf he\u2019s in his office, I\u2019ll let him take a look.\u201d Secretly, he hoped the doctor might be out on a call.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Ben, satisfied with Joe\u2019s compromise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should be home by noon,\u201d said Joe with a nod, and he headed for the front door.<\/p>\n

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

Half an hour later, Joe rode slowly on the road to Virginia City, his head filled with thoughts of his upcoming conversation with Roy Coffee. For about the hundredth time, Joe went over the confrontation with Jake in his mind, trying to remember something new. It wasn\u2019t the words he had with Jake that he tried to recall as much as the people who had been around him. Joe tried to remember if he had seen anyone who seemed out of place, or had done something odd. Sighing, Joe shook his head. His attention had been fixed on Jake, and everyone else in that street day were merely blurred images in his mind.<\/p>\n

As he thought about the shooting, Joe also remember how upset Sally had been. She really liked the guy, thought Joe, more than anyone realized. He wondered what her reaction would have been if he had been the one laying face down in the street that day. Joe resolved to see Sally while he was in town, to offer her whatever comfort he could. Grinning wryly, Joe admitted to himself that the visit also would give him an excuse to have a beer or two. Not that he really needed an excuse, but somehow visiting Sally would make his trip to the Bucket of Blood in the middle of the day seem justified.<\/p>\n

Distracted by thoughts of what he planned to do in Virginia City, Joe paid little attention to the landscape around him as he rode. He had made the trek to Virginia City thousands of times, as had Cochise. The horse needed little direction to follow the road, and the familiar scenery held little interest for Joe.<\/p>\n

Far behind Joe, the man followed the boy slowly. He wanted only to be sure the boy was heading for Virginia City. Now he pulled his horse to a stop on the road and watched as the boy disappeared around a small curve. He was convinced the boy was headed for town, and he didn\u2019t need to follow him further. He tugged on the reins of his horse and started the animal off the road, heading across a small field. The man had broken his camp early this morning, erasing all traces of it in the woods near the ranch house. He had been sure that today was going to be the day he would get a chance put his plan into action. He was pleased with himself for being right.<\/p>\n

He was a bit surprised to see the boy heading for town, but it didn\u2019t really matter. Being in Virginia City made things both easier and more dangerous, but he could do what he needed to do in the town. He took one last look over his shoulder toward the road and saw the boy in the distance, a barely visible figure continuing toward Virginia City.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding with satisfaction, the man turned and kicked his horse into a faster gait. The waiting and watching were over. It was time to begin his work.<\/p>\n

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

Pushing open the door to the sheriff\u2019s office, Joe called a hearty \u201cHi, Roy\u201d as he walked in.<\/p>\n

Seated behind a desk strewn with papers, Sheriff Coffee looked up from the wanted poster he was reading and gave Joe an answering smile. \u201cMorning, Little Joe,\u201d said Roy in a voice filled with both greeting and affection.<\/p>\n

Sighing to himself, Joe walked across the room. He had long ago given up trying to get Roy not to use the nickname with which he had been tagged as a little boy. Roy Coffee had been the sheriff of Virginia City for as long as Joe could remember, and he supposed he would always be \u201cLittle Joe\u201d to the lawman.<\/p>\n

Lowering himself slowly into the chair in front of Roy\u2019s desk, Joe said, \u201cPa said you wanted to talk with me about Jake Fallon\u2019s shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy nodded as he sat back in his chair. \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d he answered. \u201cI appreciate your coming into town. I would have talked with you yesterday when I was out at the Ponderosa, but your Pa said you busy breaking horses. I don\u2019t think much is going to come of this, so I didn\u2019t want to bother you when you were busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of wish you would have,\u201d said Joe with a rueful smile. He winced a bit as he shifted his weight in the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot thrown, did you?\u201d asked Roy with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe with an answering grin. \u201cI\u2019ve got enough bruises to make me wish I had a nice soft job like yours.\u201d Joe\u2019s face grew sober as he added, \u201cPa said Andy Wilson saw the man who shot Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe thinks he might have,\u201d amended Roy. \u201cAndy said he heard the ruckus in front of the saloon, and was heading down that way to see what was going on. When he passed the alley next to the saloon, Andy saw a man standing there in the alley, just watching. He thought it was kind of strange that someone would stay in the alley like that when everyone else was rushing toward the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Andy get a good look at the man?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Roy, shaking his head. \u201cAndy\u2019s eyesight isn\u2019t too good, and the man was standing in the shadows. That\u2019s why I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be much help, but I have to check it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what did this man in the alley look like?\u201d Joe asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to Andy, he was a big man, not fat but tall with broad shoulders,\u201d said Roy as he picked up a piece of paper from his desk. He read for a minute, then added, \u201cAndy thinks he might have been an older fellow. He said he remembered the man had a white beard. He was wearing a white shirt and dark pants. According to Andy, he didn\u2019t look like a cowhand but he didn\u2019t strike Andy as someone who worked behind a desk either.\u201d Roy put down the paper, and looked across the desk at Joe. \u201cSound like anyone you know?\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s first instinct was to say no. Roy\u2019s description didn\u2019t bring anyone to mind. But then Joe hesitated. Something Roy had said has triggered something in the back of his mind. He frowned as he tried to get a seed of memory to blossom into a full-blown thought.<\/p>\n

Sitting back in his chair again, Roy waited patiently. He had been a lawman long enough to know that sometimes it paid simply to be quiet.<\/p>\n

He could see Joe was thinking hard, and he had no intention of interrupting or trying to rush the young man who sat on the other side of the desk. He also felt a glimmer of hope that Andy\u2019s information might not be quite as useless as he had thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know him,\u201d said Joe slowly as he began to recall a conversation. \u201cBut Sally over at the Bucket of Blood told me about a man who might be the same guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho did she say he was?\u201d asked Roy sharply.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Joe answered, \u201cSally didn\u2019t know his name. She said he came by a week or so ago to talk with her.\u201d Joe gave Roy a small smile. \u201cAccording to Sally, he was warning her to stay away from me. Said I wasn\u2019t the right kind of man for her.\u201d Joe frowned a bit as he tried to remember what Sally had said about the man. \u201cShe described him the same way \u2013 about 50, white hair and beard, a big man. She also said she didn\u2019t think he was a cowboy or a banker. She couldn\u2019t quite figure out what he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that doesn\u2019t help us much,\u201d said Roy almost sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you see, Roy,\u201d said Joe, his voice rising with excitement. \u201cThat could be the reason for the killing. If the man warned Sally to stay away from me, he could have done the same with Jake. Only Jake didn\u2019t listen to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI talked with Sally after the shooting,\u201d Roy said doubtfully. \u201cShe said she didn\u2019t know any reason why anyone would want to shoot Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Joe wasn\u2019t about to be dismissed. He was beginning to think he might have found a motive for a seemingly senseless killing, and he was relieved that motive didn\u2019t have anything to do with him. \u201cSally might not have known about it,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cIf he and Jake had words, it might not have been around Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Sally said she didn\u2019t know the man,\u201d said Roy pointedly. \u201cIf he and Jake were fighting over her, wouldn\u2019t she have known him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot necessarily,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cThere are a lot of guys who wait until they think they have a clear field before approaching a girl. Maybe this guy was trying to run off the competition before he made his move. Only Jake wouldn\u2019t run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe,\u201d said Roy, shaking his head. \u201cIt\u2019s a stretch thinking this guy killed Jake just to get close to a saloon girl. He could have been with her anytime that Jake wasn\u2019t around. It\u2019s not like Sally is hard to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Joe had to agree with the sheriff. \u201cThat\u2019s true, but what other motive could there be?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was kind of hoping you might know this fellow,\u201d said Roy, watching Joe carefully. \u201cHe might have been aiming for you and missed, or maybe he thought he was doing you a good turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slumping in his chair, Joe nodded. \u201cYeah, I thought of that,\u201d he said in a glum voice. \u201cI hate to think I was the reason Jake Fallon died.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know the guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy could see the thought that Joe might have been the cause of Jake\u2019s dying upset the young man. \u201cWe don\u2019t know you were the reason,\u201d the sheriff said quickly. \u201cIt might not have anything to do with you. It was just a thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat other reason could there be?\u201d asked Joe, his voice reflecting his distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Roy. \u201cBut I\u2019ll find the man who did it, and I\u2019ll find out why he did it. It may take awhile, but I\u2019ll find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure you will, Roy,\u201d said Joe. His voice clearly showed he didn\u2019t believe the sheriff. Joe looked down and stared at the floor.<\/p>\n

Seeing Joe\u2019s distress, Roy tried to think of some comforting word, but all the phrases he thought of seemed trite or insincere. Finally, he said frankly, \u201cI wish I could tell you something for sure one way or the other, Joe. But I just don\u2019t have the answers yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe nodded. \u201cYeah, I know,\u201d he said. \u201cThanks anyway.\u201d Joe stood, moving slowly and wincing as he got up. \u201cI think I\u2019ll go over and talk to Sally. Maybe she remembered something that might help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead if you\u2019re a mind to,\u201d said Roy. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be talking with her later.\u201d The sheriff cocked his head a bit. \u201cYou seem pretty sore. Maybe you ought to have the doc check you over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound just like Pa,\u201d complained Joe with a brief smile. \u201cHe made me promise to see the doctor while I was in town.\u201d Joe gave a brief sigh. \u201cSeems like every time I turn around, somebody is telling me what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because you got lots of people who care about you, Little Joe,\u201d stated Roy. \u201cWe\u2019re just watching out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, I think I have too many people watching out for me,\u201d replied Joe a bit grimly. He started toward the door. \u201cLet me know if you find out anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d agreed Roy with a nod. He watched as Joe walked out of the office, then shook his head sadly. He wished he had been able to say something to ease Joe\u2019s feelings that he had been responsible for Jake\u2019s death. Picking up a piece of paper, Roy resolved to find out for sure who had fired that fatal shot.<\/p>\n

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

Outside the sheriff\u2019s office, Joe stopped in front of the hitching post where his pinto was tied. He decided to lead the horse down to the Bucket of Blood, which was on the other side of town, so he could leave right from the saloon. His promise to see the doctor pricked at his conscience. He decided he should talk with Sally first. Besides, he thought ruefully, a beer or two would might not only ease the pain in his should but also make being poked and prodded by the doctor more palatable.<\/p>\n

Leading his horse, Joe walked slowly down the street. This time of day \u2013 late morning \u2013 only a few people were on the street. Most people were working or at home. Joe didn\u2019t pay much attention to the people he passed as he walked toward the saloon.<\/p>\n

When he reached the Bucket of Blood, Joe looped the reins of his bridle around the hitching post in front of the saloon, and gave his horse a brief, reassuring pat. Then he went into the saloon.<\/p>\n

The Bucket of Blood was almost as empty as the street. Two men in suits sat at a far table, papers spread between them. The bartender stood behind an empty wooden bar, polishing glasses. Joe saw Sally sitting at a table in the back, talking with another girl. Joe walked over to the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Sally,\u201d Joe greeted the woman. \u201cCan I talk with you for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Joe,\u201d answered Sally, obviously surprised to see the young man.<\/p>\n

Cocking his head a bit, Joe said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go over to that table in the middle.\u201d Sally nodded and got up. She looked at Joe curiously as she moved to the table Joe had indicated.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo beers, Bruno,\u201d Joe called to the bartender as he followed Sally.<\/p>\n

Seating herself at the table, Sally waited until Joe had joined her and the beers had been placed in front of them. Then she asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking a sip of his beer, Joe replied, \u201cI just wanted to see how you were doing. I know you were pretty upset about what happened to Jake. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Sally reached across the table and put her hand on Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cYou\u2019re a nice guy, Joe. Thanks for thinking about me.\u201d Sitting back, Sally took a sip of her own beer. \u201cI\u2019m doing all right,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry about what happened, Sally,\u201d said Joe in an earnest voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you are,\u201d replied Sally. She sighed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry about it, too. I liked Jake a lot. I know he could get loud and drunk sometimes, but whenever he was around me he was always real nice and polite. He treated me like a real lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a real lady,\u201d said Joe gallantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank, Joe,\u201d Sally smiled at him. \u201cYou\u2019re one of the nice guys, too.\u201d Sally shook her head. \u201cI still can\u2019t figure who would have wanted to shoot Jake like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rotating the beer glass slowly on the table, Joe looked down. \u201cI was just over talking to Roy Coffee,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cHe told me Andy Wilson might have seen the shooter. The description Andy gave Roy sounded a lot like the fellow you told me about, the one who told you to stay away from you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said Sally in a surprised voice. She took a sip of beer. \u201cThat\u2019s kind of a funny coincidence, isn\u2019t it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s not a coincidence,\u201d suggested Joe. \u201cMaybe the guy shot Jake because he was interested in you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally frowned, considering what Joe had said. Then she shook her head. \u201cI don\u2019t think so, Joe. Jake and I weren\u2019t serious about each other, at least I wasn\u2019t. I just liked being around him. But it\u2019s not like I didn\u2019t talk with other men.\u201d She looked at Joe seriously. \u201cThat\u2019s my job, Joe. I\u2019ll talk with anyone who will buy me a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Jake was warning people to stay away from you,\u201d pressed Joe. \u201cMaybe somebody took his warnings seriously. After all, that fellow you told me about told you to stay away from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo guys fighting over me?\u201d said Sally with a wry smile. \u201cI hardly think so. Besides that guy who talked to me about you seemed more interested in you than me. It was more like I wasn\u2019t the right girl for you than the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe slumped a bit in his chair. \u201cWell, it was just a thought,\u201d he said, his voice sounding discouraged.<\/p>\n

Staring at Joe, Sally frowned. \u201cLook, Joe, you don\u2019t think that you were the reason Jake got killed, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere doesn\u2019t seem to be any other reason,\u201d admitted Joe glumly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat shooting wasn\u2019t your fault, Joe,\u201d Sally insisted. \u201cI heard you trying to talk Jake out of drawing. You didn\u2019t do or say anything that would have caused someone to shoot Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Joe. He took a big drink from his beer glass. \u201cI just can\u2019t help thinking that someone shot Jake because of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s silly,\u201d Sally said. \u201cEveryone knows you\u2019re the fastest draw and the best shot in the territory. If you had wanted to, you could have taken Jake on and put a bullet in him yourself. But you didn\u2019t.\u201d Sally shook her head. \u201cNo, it had to be some other reason, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could be sure,\u201d said Joe, sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d state Sally positively. She saw the glum expression on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cHey, listen, Joe,\u201d she said brightly. \u201cLet me tell you this funny story I heard the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the next half hour, Sally joke and kidded with Joe, trying to lift his spirits. Joe smiled back at her and made an attempt to return the kidding, but it was a half-hearted attempt at best. Finally, Joe pushed back from the table. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get going,\u201d he said. \u201cI promised Pa I\u2019d stop by and see the doc before I went home, and I\u2019ve got to be back by noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee the doctor?\u201d said Sally with alarm. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing serious,\u201d Joe assured the woman with a smile. \u201cI just got thrown hard yesterday, and Pa wants to be sure the bruises I got are just bruises.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well,\u201d said Sally obviously relieved. \u201cYou\u2019d better get down there, then.\u201d She gave Joe a wicked grin. \u201cI want you in top shape next time you come to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I\u2019m always in top shape,\u201d Joe replied with a matching grin. He tipped his hat a bit and walked toward the door.<\/p>\n

Joe left the saloon and walked to the sidewalk \u2013 and froze. The hitching post in front of the saloon was empty. Joe\u2019s head swiveled from side to side as his eyes searched the street for his beloved horse, Cochise. He let out a sigh of relief as he saw the pinto tied in an alley a few buildings away. Joe walked toward the horse with deliberate steps, feeling angry at whoever played such a stupid trick on him.<\/p>\n

When Joe reached the alley, he saw the reins of his horse were tied to the back wheel of a wagon parked in the narrow passageway. There was barely enough room on either side of the wagon for a man to walk.<\/p>\n

Walking into the alley, Joe patted his pinto on the neck. \u201cSo who\u2019s the jokester?\u201d he asked the horse, almost as if he expected the animal to answer. Joe took another step, reaching toward the reins.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped itself around Joe\u2019s chest and pulled him back. Almost at once, another arm pushed a cloth over Joe\u2019s nose and mouth. Joe felt himself pulled against another body and he began to struggle to free himself. But the struggle was a brief one. His sore shoulder and ribs prevented Joe from jabbing his elbow into the body behind him, as he normally would have done to free himself. In his surprise, Joe also inhaled deeply, his mouth and nose taking in a sickening sweet odor. Almost instantly, Joe\u2019s head began to spin and he felt like he was in a fog. It only took another second or two before his whole body sagged and Joe was unconscious.<\/p>\n

The man held the boy firmly, his right arm supporting the boy\u2019s body and his left hand clasping the cloth to the boy\u2019s face. He let the boy inhale the ether for another minute or so. He knew that the more the boy inhaled, the longer he would sleep. And the man wanted him to sleep for a long time.<\/p>\n

Finally, the man removed his left hand from the boy\u2019s face, dropping the cloth to the ground. He dragged the boy a foot or so to the wagon. In the dim light of the alley, Joe had noticed the mattress and pillow in the back of the wagon. Now the man heaved Joe onto the mattress, and quickly climbed into the wagon. The man pulled Joe further into the wagon, making sure he was laying in the middle of the thick mattress. He took Joe\u2019s hat off and laid it carefully aside, then eased the pillow under Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Reaching down, the man unbuckled the gunbelt from around Joe\u2019s hips and pulled the belt out from under him. The man scrambled out of the wagon, knowing he had to move quickly. Throwing the gunbelt over the saddle of the pinto, the man moved to the end of the alley. He grabbed a roll of canvass from the ground, and began to tie the canvass onto the wagon.<\/p>\n

Following a routine that he had practice several times, the man had the canvass tied tightly over the back of the wagon in just a few minutes. He checked to be sure that there was a gap between the heavy cloth and the front of the wagon, allowing air to reach the sleeping figure that was now hidden from view. The gap was small; only the closest inspection would have enabled someone to see the tufts of dark hair peeking out from under the canvass.<\/p>\n

Inspecting his work, the man gave a satisfied nod. He walked to the end of the alley and to the pinto that was watching him with wide eyes. The man took the gunbelt from across the saddle and rolled it into a tight ball. He stuck the gunbelt onto the horn of the saddle, then reached down to untie the reins from the wagon wheel.<\/p>\n

The pinto took a step back and snorted nervously as the man pulled on the reins to lead him away from the wagon. The horse didn\u2019t like the smell of the man, and liked even less the idea of a stranger pulling on his reins. The man reached up and patted the animal\u2019s neck, a soothing gesture that the horse had felt many times from his rider. But the gesture was different this time, and did nothing to calm the animal\u2019s alarm. The man tugged on the reins again, firmly telling the horse to follow him, and the bit in the pinto\u2019s mouth pressed against the horse\u2019s jaw. The pinto started to walk reluctantly. But as he left the alley, Cochise turned his head to look back at the wagon. His eyes seemed sad, almost as if he was going to cry at the thought of leaving his rider behind.<\/p>\n

Stopping in the street, the man looked cautiously around him. His luck was holding. The street was deserted. If he had had to, the man would have left the horse tied to the nearest hitching post. But now he could move the horse to where it would be out of sight for awhile.<\/p>\n

Walking quickly, the man led the pinto down the street, keeping his head down so anyone looking would have a hard time seeing his face. He had to walk only a short distance to the stable on the edge of town, and as far as he could tell, he passed no one along the way.<\/p>\n

Outside the stable, the man stopped. This was going to be tricky, he thought. He doubted if his luck would continue, and no one would be in the stable. He had his story ready, just in case. But so far, things had gone just as he had planned. As he pulled open the stable door, he mentally crossed his fingers.<\/p>\n

In the dim stable, the man at first thought his luck was running true. No one seemed to be around. He could simply leave the pinto in one of the stalls. But then he heard a sound at the back of the barn, and saw a man with a pitchfork walking out of the shadows.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I help you, mister?\u201d asked a tall, thin man wearing a battered hat and clothes that had been washed too many times. The man with the pitchfork suddenly frowned. \u201cHey, what are you doing with Joe Cartwright\u2019s horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that the boy\u2019s name?\u201d said the man with exaggerated surprise. \u201cHe didn\u2019t mention it.\u201d He peered at the man with the pitchfork. \u201cAre you the owner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I just work here. Name\u2019s Abel Turner,\u201d replied the tall, thin man.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you, Abel.\u201d the man said. \u201cLook, I need a favor. This young fellow came up to me on the street. He asked me to take this horse out to a place called the Ponderosa for him. I said I would, only now I find I have to leave town right away. I\u2019m hauling some freight to Oregon, and I have to leave now if I\u2019m going to catch up with some other freighters heading that way.\u201d The man shook his head. \u201cOregon\u2019s a long way to go by yourself and I don\u2019t want to miss the freight train. So I was wondering if you might take the horse out to this Ponderosa for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would Joe ask you to do that?\u201d said Abel suspiciously. \u201cHow\u2019s he going to get home without a horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied the man with a shrug. \u201cI didn\u2019t ask him.\u201d The man reached into his pants pocked and pulled out an envelope. \u201cThe boy did give me this letter. He told me to give it to his family, that it would explain everything.\u201d The man had planned to leave the letter tucked under the saddle, but delivering it would accomplish the same purpose. Now he looked at Abel with an earnest expression. \u201cWill you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scratching the back of his head, Abel said, \u201cI don\u2019t know. Seems kind of funny if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe boy also gave me this for delivering the horse,\u201d said the man quickly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar gold piece. \u201cSince I\u2019m not going to deliver the horse, I figure the man who does should get this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abel\u2019s eyes widened as he looked at the gold piece. Twenty dollars was almost as much as he earned in a month. \u201cWell, I guess it\u2019s all right,\u201d said Abel slowly, his eyes never leaving the coin in the man\u2019s hand. \u201cOnly I won\u2019t be able to take the horse out to the Ponderosa for a couple of hours. I\u2019ve got to wait until Mr. Harris, the owner, gets back.\u201d Abel didn\u2019t add that he would have to wait for an opportunity to leave when the stable owner wouldn\u2019t notice. Abel considered himself an honest man, and if he took the gold coin, he would do what he promised. He just didn\u2019t see any reason to tell anyone else about his little chore \u2013 or the money.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d said the man, trying to hide the gleeful smile on his face. Several hours would suit his purposes. \u201cThe boy didn\u2019t seem to be in any rush to get the horse out there. Just wanted to make sure it got done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take care of it,\u201d said Abel with a nod. He reached forward and took the letter and the coin from the man\u2019s hand. He tucked both into his shirt pocket. \u201cYou can count on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure I can,\u201d agreed the man solemnly. He handed the reins of the pinto to Abel. \u201cTake good care of the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d said Abel with a grin. \u201cI know how particular Joe Cartwright is about this animal. I\u2019ll make sure he\u2019s treated right. Joe\u2019ll skin me alive if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to get going,\u201d said the man. \u201cThanks for the help.\u201d He turned and walked quickly out of the stable.<\/p>\n

Outside the barn, the man stopped and took a deep breath. He knew his plan had escaped detection. Fortunately, the stableman didn\u2019t think to ask about the holster rolled up on the saddle, or to question where the boy had gone. The twenty dollar gold piece probably had a lot to do with that. Asking questions might have caused the coin to disappear.<\/p>\n

Straightening his shoulders, the man started walking quickly down the street. Now was no time to linger, not with success within his grasp. The man hurried back to the alley and quickly ducked into it.<\/p>\n

The wagon sat covered, just as the man had left it. He walked to the front of the wagon, and picked up the edge of the canvass. He looked under the cloth, making sure the boy was still sleeping soundly. As far as he could tell, the boy hadn\u2019t moved.<\/p>\n

Dropping the canvass, the man walked forward to the horses that were hitched to the wagon. He grabbed the harness and began pulling on it,<\/p>\n

clucking with his tongue as he did so. The horses took a step back, pushing the wagon with their broad rumps as they did so. The man continued to pull at the harness, forcing the horses to ease the wagon out of the alley.<\/p>\n

As soon as the wagon and horses were out of the alley, the man stopped the animals. He climbed up on the driver\u2019s seat and untied the reins that had been looped around the edge of the seat. Settling into the seat, the man looked over his shoulder, peering into the small gap between the canvass and the front of the wagon. Satisfied that there was no movement under the canvass, he turned forward. Snapping the reins, the man started the horses walking down the street. No one paid any attention to the wagon as it headed out of Virginia City.<\/p>\n

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

Hearing the sound of horses, Ben slammed the pencil in his hand down on his desk. He had spent the last few hours working on the books but also listening for someone to ride up to the house. As he pushed back from the desk and stood, Ben couldn\u2019t decide if anger or worry was the paramount emotion he was feeling. He decided it really didn\u2019t matter. He was going to give his youngest son a piece of his mind for causing both feelings.<\/p>\n

Ben reached the front door just as it opened. He stopped, surprised to see Adam and Hoss walk in. \u201cHave either of you seen Joe?\u201d he asked without preamble.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, why?\u201d replied Adam as he walked into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he\u2019d be back from Virginia City by noon,\u201d replied Ben, \u201cand it\u2019s almost three o\u2019clock. He should have been back hours ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that surprises you?\u201d said Adam, arching his eyebrows.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, if you had a nickel for every time Joe was late coming back from Virginia City, you\u2019d be a rich man,\u201d added Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a rich man, and an angry one,\u201d snorted Ben. \u201cIt\u2019s about time that younger brother of yours learned some responsibility. He should be home when he says he will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy the worry?\u201d Adam asked curiously. \u201cJoe will show up soon. He always does.\u201d<\/p>\n

Turning away, Ben put his hands in his pants pockets. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI\u2019ve just had this feeling\u2026\u201d Ben stopped and shook his head. \u201cMaybe I\u2019m just worried that Doctor Martin found something seriously wrong with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he had, he would have sent word,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben agreed. He shook his head again. \u201cI just can\u2019t shake the feeling that something\u2019s wrong. Joe should have been home a long time ago. It bothers me that he\u2019s not here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want us to go look for him?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

Before Ben could answer, a voice shouted from the yard outside. \u201cMr. Cartwright! Mr. Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Adam and Hoss a worried glance, Ben hurried out the front door and into the yard. His sons quickly followed him out of the house.<\/p>\n

Looking at the sight in front of him, Ben froze almost in shock. Sitting on an old horse was a tall, thin man wearing a battered hat. The man was holding the reins to a second horse \u2013 a familiar pinto who was standing quietly next the aging animal. Wrapped around the saddle horn was a gunbelt with a familiar pearl-handled pistol jutting out of the holster.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbel,\u201d exclaimed Ben, recognizing the stableman. \u201cWhat are you doing with Joe\u2019s horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBringing him home, just like I promised,\u201d replied Abel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho did you promised?\u201d asked Adam in an aggressive tone as he came up beside his father. \u201cAnd where\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d answered Abel nervously. Seeing the look on the Cartwright\u2019s faces, Abel was beginning to wonder what he had gotten himself into. \u201cThis fellow came by the stable. Said Joe had asked him to bring his horse home for him, only the fellow had to leave town sudden-like. So he asked me to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would Joe ask him to bring his horse home?\u201d said Ben in voice filled with both confusion and worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d said Abel. He reached quickly into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope. \u201cFellow said Joe gave him this to give to you. Said it would explain everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rushing forward, Ben snatched the envelope from Abel\u2019s hand. He quickly tore open the sealed paper and pulled a letter from inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Pa, Adam, and Hoss,\u201d Ben read aloud. \u201cI\u2019ve decided I need to change the way I\u2019m living. I\u2019m going away for awhile so I can find a new path, and perhaps someone who can guide me. Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019m fine. I just need to find a new direction to my life. I appreciate everything you\u2019ve done for me. I will be in contact. Joe.\u201d Ben looked up with a bewildered expression. He turned to Adam and Hoss. \u201cWhat does this mean?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ignoring Ben\u2019s question, Adam took a step forward. \u201cWho gave you the letter, Abel?\u201d he asked in a harsh voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI done told you, Adam,\u201d said Abel, his voice quivering. \u201cJust some fellow. I don\u2019t who he was. He asked me to do a favor for Joe, and I agreed.\u201d Abel didn\u2019t think it was wise to mention the twenty dollar gold piece.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did this fellow look like?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t see him too well,\u201d answered Abel. He was quickly coming to the conclusion that whatever was going on, he didn\u2019t want to be involved. \u201cThe stable was dark and he was standing in the shadows. I couldn\u2019t see his face.\u201d He quickly dropped the reins to the pinto. \u201cLook, I\u2019ve got to be getting back. I promised I\u2019d deliver the horse and I did. That\u2019s all I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abel turned his horse and gave the animal a kick, urging the horse to take him out of the yard as fast as possible.<\/p>\n

Eyes wide, Ben read the letter in his hand again. The words hadn\u2019t changed, and their meaning wasn\u2019t any clearer to him. He looked up at Adam and Hoss. \u201cDid Joe say anything to you about what might be troubling him?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he ain\u2019t said a word,\u201d answered Hoss, shaking his head. \u201cFar as I know, nothing was bothering him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was upset by Jake Fallon\u2019s death,\u201d said Adam. \u201cYou heard what he said at breakfast this morning. But I don\u2019t think he was bothered enough by it to do something like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why?\u201d asked Ben almost plaintively. \u201cWhy would he just take off like this? And where would he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d said Hoss, his confusion evident. \u201cI just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe went into town to talk with Roy Coffee,\u201d said Adam thoughtfully. \u201cMaybe Roy told him something about the shooting that shook him up. Or maybe something else happened while he was in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben tucked the letter into the pocket inside his vest. \u201cGet your horses, boys. We\u2019re going to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Fighting through the fog that seemed to surround him, Joe realized he was lying in a bed. He could feel the soft pillow under his head, and the mattress under his body. He felt a blanket covering him, keeping him warm. Joe\u2019s head ached, and his mouth felt dry. His stomach churned also, and Joe swallowed down the acrid bile he felt rising in his throat.<\/p>\n

Eyes closed, Joe shifted his weight on the bed, moving his arms and legs carefully. He waited for a stab of pain to tell him where he had been shot, knifed or otherwise injured. But the only pain he felt was a small ache from his bruised shoulders and ribs.<\/p>\n

Confused, Joe tried to think why he might be in bed. The last thing that he could recall was seeing Cochise tied to the wagon in the alley. He realized his thinking was dull, but Joe couldn\u2019t quite figure out what had happened to him. He could tell he was still fully dressed; only his boots had been removed. That fact only added to his confusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Are you awake? Can you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe heard the voice, and it sounded vaguely familiar. He turned his head toward the sound, and tried to force his eyes open. His eyelids felt gritty, and when he opened them a bit, all he saw was a blurred image. Slowly blinking, Joe tried to clear both his vision and his head. He brought his hand up and rubbed his eyes. Opening his eyes wider, the image started to come into focus. Joe blinked again, convinced he must be dreaming. The figure sitting by the bed smiled at him, and Joe suddenly knew he wasn\u2019t in a dream. He was in a nightmare, a very real one.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul!\u201d exclaimed Joe in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d replied Tyler Williams, the man Joe familiarly called Paul. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re finally awake. You had me worried a bit. You\u2019ve been asleep for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pushing with his hands, Joe started to sit up and immediately wished he hadn\u2019t. He felt dizzy, and his small headache suddenly became a pounding one. The churning in his stomach turned into a fierce nausea, and Joe felt as if he might throw up. He let his arms collapse and fell back to the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy,\u201d cautioned Paul in a soothing voice. \u201cIt takes awhile for ether to wear off.\u201d Paul stood. \u201cI\u2019ll get you a cup of coffee. It\u2019ll make you feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lying in the bed, Joe looked around. He knew he wasn\u2019t in Paul\u2019s rather elegant home in the mountains. He had spent weeks in that place and knew every inch of it. What Joe saw around him was a log cabin \u2013 the wooden timbers were evident as walls. He could see a table and chairs in the middle of the room, and a fireplace on the far wall. Paul was bending by the fireplace, pouring coffee from a pot on the fire, Joe presumed. Joe turned his head a bit and saw cabinets and shelves on the left wall. He counted four shelves, the top two filled with what looked liked tins of food. The bottom shelves held books, papers, and a board of some kind. A door with a padlock on it was next to the shelves.<\/p>\n

Turning his head further, Joe saw a second bed. The bed was several feet away, separated from his by a table and small dresser. Two lamps sat on the dresser, both shining brightly. Joe realized the cabin was well lit, both from the lamps as well as sunlight that was streaming in from his right. Joe looked to his right and saw another door, this one with a handle and latch. Two windows with open shutters flanked the door. Under the window nearest Joe stood a table with a large basin and pitcher. Another table was under the far window, a larger wider table on which a bucket and small oval tub sat. Leaning against the wall by the door were two fishing poles.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, drink some of this,\u201d said Paul as he came back across the room, a thick coffee mug in his hand. Joe turned his attention to the man who approached, and felt a familiar mixture of confusion and fear. He stared at the big man with white hair and a white beard, and wondered why he hadn\u2019t recognized the description of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit up slowly,\u201d suggested Paul as he sat down in the chair by the bed. \u201cYou\u2019ll be all right. It just takes a couple of hours for the effects to wear off.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eyes still locked on the man in the chair, Joe did as Paul suggested and pushed himself up slowly. When his shoulders and back were off the mattress, Joe scooted back on the bed a bit, then leaned back against the pillows and headboard of the bed. His head ached and his stomach churned, but not as violently as the first time he had tried to sit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Paul, leaning forward to hand Joe the coffee mug. \u201cNow drink some of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking the mug, Joe continued to stare at Paul. To anyone else, Paul looked like a considerate, friendly man. But Joe knew the violence and madness that lurked under Paul\u2019s seemingly normal exterior.<\/p>\n

Bringing the mug to his lips, Joe took a sip of coffee. The coffee tasted good, as Joe knew it would. He had learned from his weeks in the mountains that Paul was an excellent cook. In fact, Joe knew, Paul excelled at almost everything he tried. Those talents were what made Paul such a fascinating man \u2013 and such a dangerous one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are we?\u201d Joe asked finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in my house in the mountains, obviously,\u201d said Paul gesturing around him. \u201cThis is just a little place I built for us to live in for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUs? Like you and me?\u201d said Joe, trying not to let the fear show in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you and me,\u201d agreed Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Joe flatly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought maybe it would best if we could spend some time alone together, to get to know each other better,\u201d explained Paul. \u201cMaybe we can come to an understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to know you any better, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever understand you,\u201d replied Joe in a firm voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill as stubborn as ever,\u201d said Paul smiling. \u201cThat\u2019s one of things we\u2019ll have to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWork on?\u201d said Joe suspiciously. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re an intelligent, personable boy,\u201d explained Paul. \u201cYou have the potential to do a lot with your life. But you need some help, some guidance. I want to give you that guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a boy,\u201d said Joe adamantly, \u201cand I don\u2019t need any help from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re what? 22? Trust me, that\u2019s still a boy,\u201d said Paul with a smile.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t bother to argue the point. \u201cI\u2019m old enough to make my own decisions,\u201d said Joe in a stubborn voice. \u201cI don\u2019t need you to tell me what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you do, Joe, you do,\u201d Paul said gravely. \u201cThe decisions you are making are unwise. I hate to see you throw your life away. It\u2019s such a waste. You might say I want to save you from yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know what decisions I\u2019ve made,\u201d Joe challenged him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019ve been watching over you,\u201d replied Paul. He smiled at Joe. \u201cYou didn\u2019t know that, did you? For the last year or so, in between building this place, I\u2019ve kept an eye on you. I\u2019ve watched what you\u2019ve done, who you have been with. Many a time I wanted to step in, but you weren\u2019t ready for me yet. Now you will be. Soon you\u2019ll see the wisdom of my advice and accept me as your guardian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe felt a shiver up his back. He had figured out that Paul was the mysterious man that had visited Sally, and probably the man who had killed Jake. He also was sure that Paul had been the one \u201chelping\u201d him over the past weeks. But that fact that the man had been watching him for close to a year both surprised and alarmed Joe. He felt a knot of fear inside him, wondering what the man might have done, who he might have harmed during that time, in his insane attempt to help Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your help,\u201d repeated Joe in what he hoped was a determined voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone needs some help from time to time,\u201d Paul said in a gentle voice. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve never felt the need to ask for some guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I have,\u201d admitted Joe grudgingly. \u201cBut if I do, I already have some one I can turn to. I already have a father and he\u2019s pretty good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father!\u201d Paul practically spat out the word. \u201cThat man who raised you has forfeited the right to the title,\u201d Paul said angrily. \u201cHe\u2019s stood by and done nothing while you have done some foolish things, even some dangerous things. He doesn\u2019t deserve the privilege of having you for a son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s anger worried Joe. He knew how volatile the man could be, moving from reasonable discussion to physical violence almost in the blink of an eye. Joe knew he was in no shape to resist the man if Paul decided to attack him. He quickly decided to change tactics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you want to help me? I\u2019m nobody special,\u201d said Joe in what he hoped was a calming voice. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you help your own son? He\u2019s the one you should care about most.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s question seemed to have a soothing affect on Paul. He sat back in the chair and looked off to the side a bit. \u201cDavid,\u201d said Paul softly. He shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t even know where he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in Denver,\u201d said Joe in a quiet voice. \u201cAdam met him there a few weeks ago. He\u2019s working in the mint.\u201d Seeing the surprise on Paul\u2019s face, Joe continued. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go see him?\u201d Joe urged Paul. \u201cI\u2019m sure he would be happy to see you, to talk with you. He\u2019d want you to meet his fiancee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid is getting married?\u201d asked Paul in surprise. Joe nodded. Paul looked off again, thinking silently for a minute. Joe felt a surge of optimism building inside of him, a hope that Paul would abandon him for his own son. But that hope was dashed with Paul\u2019s next words.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too late for David,\u201d said Paul in a sad voice. \u201cHe\u2019s already chosen his path in life. He\u2019s decided on a career, a girl to take as a wife. It\u2019s too late for me to give him any meaningful guidance.\u201d He looked at Joe. \u201cBut it\u2019s not too late for you. I\u2019m going to show you the right path, Joe. I\u2019ll help you find the kind of work and the kind of wife that\u2019s best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The knot of fear grew in Joe. If Joe had had any doubts, the words Paul said, and the way he said them, confirmed to Joe that the man was mad. Paul honestly believed that he was going to guide Joe through his life, including choosing a wife for him. Joe understood why Paul had visited Sally at the saloon. He had been afraid that Joe was becoming serious about her. Joe also was sure Paul had killed Jake, probably because he thought Jake meant to harm Joe. The fact that Paul had misjudged the situation with Sally as well as with Jake made him even more dangerous, in Joe\u2019s mind. Paul had been increasingly aggressive in his attempts to offer what he saw as help to Joe and there was no telling what other flawed judgments he might make in the future. What frightened Joe the most was the anger Paul had displayed when he had mentioned his father. Joe was afraid of what Paul would do if the man decided his Pa was a danger to Joe, or even merely an impediment to his mad scheme to become Joe\u2019s guardian.<\/p>\n

Thinking hard, Joe tried to decide what to do next. His head ached and his shoulder and ribs were sore. Paul was a strong man, and Joe knew he couldn\u2019t overpower him, at least right now. His best bet would be the humor the man until he could find an opportunity to escape.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens now?\u201d Joe asked in a quiet voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suggest you take a nap while I start making us some dinner,\u201d said Paul with a smile. \u201cUnless you\u2019d like another cup of coffee first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down at the mug in his hand, Joe was surprised to see it was empty. He had sipped the hot liquid without even realizing it. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant,\u201d said Joe, ignoring Paul\u2019s suggestion about the coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said Paul with a nod. \u201cBut I imagine you\u2019re still feeling a bit rocky, and I\u2019m getting hungry. I think it would be wise to postpone any further discussions until both of us are feeling up to snuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down into the empty coffee mug, Joe considered the idea. He was feeling a bit sick and his body ached. Joe was sure that Paul wouldn\u2019t harm him. That would be counter to the man\u2019s plan to take control of Joe\u2019s life. A few hours sleep and a little food would go a long way to making Joe feel stronger. And he knew he would have to be strong in order to free himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe putting the coffee mug on the table next to the bed. He slid down under the covers, deliberately turning his back to Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get some rest,\u201d said Paul as he stood. \u201cI\u2019ll wake you when dinner is ready.<\/p>\n

Feeling the lingering effects of the ether Paul had used on him, Joe began to drift off to sleep almost at once. But he was awake enough to hear Paul\u2019s next words and they sent a chill through him. As Paul had stood over the bed watching Joe, he said softly, \u201cWelcome home, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhat happens now?\u201d asked Ben, unaware that he was echoing his youngest son\u2019s words. Ben\u2019s question was directed toward Roy Coffee, who sat across the desk from him in the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

This was the second time that Ben had been in the sheriff\u2019s office today. He had visited it the first time a few hours ago, when the three Cartwrights had raced into Virginia City. Ben had stormed into Roy\u2019s office, demanding to know what the sheriff had said to Joe earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

But Roy had been as surprised as Ben when he read Joe\u2019s letter. He had repeated their conversation as best he could remember it, and assured Ben that he had not said or seen anything that would cause Joe to want to leave his family. A hasty conference between Roy and the Cartwrights had resulted in the four men hurrying in various directions around Virginia City, all of them intent on finding Joe, or at least, a clue to where he might have gone.<\/p>\n

Now Ben sat in a chair in Roy\u2019s off, his shoulders slumped and discouragement etched on his face. The four men had returned to Roy\u2019s office to exchange information. But the little they had found out was of no help to them in their quest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens now?\u201d Ben asked again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing the law can do,\u201d said Roy, shaking his head. \u201cJoe\u2019s of legal age, and according to that letter, he\u2019s gone away of his own free will.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve got no legal reason to go chasing after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care about any legal reasons,\u201d said Ben angrily. \u201cI just want to know what we can do to find my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I know how you feel,\u201d said Roy in a soothing voice. \u201cBut my hands are tied. I can\u2019t go searching every place in Virginia City just because you want me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he has to be around here someplace,\u201d insisted Ben. \u201cVince over at the stage depot told Hoss that Joe didn\u2019t take a stage out of town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Roy,\u201d confirmed Hoss from where he was perched on the edge of the desk. \u201cVince said he hasn\u2019t seen Joe in weeks. And nobody gets on the stage without Vince seeing them. I asked around, and no one saw Joe leaving town. He didn\u2019t hitch a ride on a wagon or anything as near as I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t buy any supplies at the general store, and Abel brought his horse and gun out to the ranch,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t have walked out of town without a gun or supplies. That means he must be in Virginia City someplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning against the far wall of the office, Adam had a pensive look on his face. Suddenly, he straightened and walked over to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, can I see that letter from Joe?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh sure,\u201d answered Ben in a distracted voice. Reaching into his vest pocket, Ben pulled out the letter and handed it to Adam. Ben\u2019s attention returned to Roy Coffee while Adam retreated back to the far side of the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I can\u2019t go searching every building in Virginia City, not with a legal warrant,\u201d said Roy. \u201cAnd just knocking on doors isn\u2019t going to do much good, not if Joe doesn\u2019t want to be found.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sagging back in his chair, Ben admitted in a discouraged voice, \u201cYou\u2019re right, Roy. I know that.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just that I don\u2019t understand,\u201d he added in a frustrated voice. \u201cWhy would Joe go off like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seemed fine when he left my office this morning,\u201d said Roy. \u201cMaybe a little down because of Jake, but nothing that sent off any warning bells to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSally said the same thing,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cHe was kind of low when she talked with him but she didn\u2019t think anything was really wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he told both you and Sally that he was going to see the doctor,\u201d said Ben. \u201cOnly Paul Martin told me he never saw Joe, and he was in his office all day. Something happened after Joe left the saloon, something that stopped him from going to Paul\u2019s office and caused him to write this letter.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand it. What would cause Joe to write that letter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Joe wrote this letter, Pa,\u201d said Adam, walking across the office again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about, Adam?\u201d Ben said with a frown. \u201cThat\u2019s Joe\u2019s handwriting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a good imitation of Joe\u2019s handwriting,\u201d Adam corrected his father. He looked at the three puzzled expressions that faced him. \u201cLook, we all know that Joe isn\u2019t much of a letter writer. Most of the time, he just scrawls a note when he has to. But he did write me from time to time when I was in Boston. So I\u2019ve seen his handwriting more often than probably anyone. I don\u2019t think Joe wrote this letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d said Ben, reaching for the letter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs sure as I can be,\u201d answered Adam. He pointed to a word. \u201cLook at the r\u2019s in this letter. Each one is exactly the same. In the letters I got from Joe, his r\u2019s tended to vary, sometimes looking like an r and sometimes looking like something else. And each of the dots over the I\u2019s is very visible. When Joe even remembers to dot an I, it\u2019s usually a speck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he was just a little more careful with his writing this time,\u201d suggested Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d admitted Adam. \u201cBut look at the phrases in the letter — \u2018find a new path\u2019, \u2018new direction to life\u2019. Joe doesn\u2019t talk like that. He doesn\u2019t even think like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Joe didn\u2019t write that letter, who did?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cAnd why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone who wanted us to think that Joe had gone away on his own, stated Adam. \u201cSomeone who didn\u2019t want us to go looking for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut who?\u201d Ben echoed Hoss\u2019 question.<\/p>\n

Looking grim, Adam didn\u2019t answer right away. He had an idea but wasn\u2019t quite sure if he was right. \u201cPa,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cYou\u2019re the only one besides Joe who has ever seen Tyler Williams. What does he look like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWilliams?\u201d said Ben in a surprised voice. \u201cHe\u2019s a big man, about 50, white beard\u2026\u201d Ben stopped as he realized who he had described. \u201cMy God!\u201d exclaimed Ben in dismay. \u201cWilliams is the man who shot Jake. Why didn\u2019t I see it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably for the same reason that Joe didn\u2019t put it together,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cNeither of you had any reason to think he was around here so it didn\u2019t occur to you or Joe that he might be involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Williams fellow sounds like the man who told Sally to stay away from Joe,\u201d said Roy thoughtfully. \u201cThat means he\u2019s been around for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d agreed Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if he\u2019s been around for awhile, why would he come after Joe now?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d admitted Adam, shaking his head. \u201cWilliams\u2019 son told me that his father is a man who likes to be in control, who wants to run people\u2019s lives for them. It sounds like Williams has interfered in Joe\u2019s life at least twice \u2013 probably doing things that he thinks is protecting Joe, first from Sally, and then from Jake. And we already know Williams was fixed on Joe as some kind of son. My guess is he decided for some reason Williams has decided he can run Joe\u2019s life for him. But he had to take Joe away from here to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re right, Adam,\u201d said Ben nodding slowly. He waved the letter in his hand. \u201cWilliams wrote this letter not only to keep us from looking for Joe but also to convince us that Joe had chosen to go with him freely.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why the letter said Joe would be in contact,\u201d Adam said, nodding his head. \u201cThere\u2019s probably going to be more letters later, telling us that Joe has decided to stay away permanently. Only Joe won\u2019t have written them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf this Williams has snatched Joe, where would he take him?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cTo that house of his up in the mountains?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not,\u201d said Adam. \u201cHe knows that\u2019s the first place we\u2019d look if we thought he was involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t keep him here in Virginia City,\u201d said Ben with a frown. \u201cSomeone might see him and tell us about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s probably got him in some isolated place,\u201d said Adam. \u201cSomeplace where\u2019s there\u2019s no one else around, and where Joe would have a hard time getting away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen could be almost anywhere,\u201d said Ben, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid so,\u201d admitted Adam.<\/p>\n

The four men sat silently, each of them thinking about what Adam had said, and imaging what Joe must be facing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not accomplishing anything here,\u201d said Ben suddenly getting to his feet. \u201cFirst thing in the morning, we\u2019re going to start checking every line shack, cabin and empty ranch in the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, that\u2019s a lot of places,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cIt could take awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care how long it takes,\u201d stated Ben flatly. \u201cWe\u2019re going to find Joe.\u201d A grim expression crossed Ben\u2019s face. \u201cIf Tyler Williams thinks he can simply take my son, he\u2019s wrong. Dead wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

A hand shook Joe gently, waking him from a sound sleep. He turned over in bed, and looked up groggily into the face of the man standing over him. It took Joe a few seconds to remember where he was, but when he did, his face took on a stony look.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d said Paul with a smile, ignoring Joe\u2019s obviously cold look. \u201cI had forgotten what a sound sleeper you are. Feel up to having breakfast this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n

Last night, Joe had refused to join Paul for dinner, both a small act of defiance as well as the result of a still queasy stomach. Paul hadn\u2019t pressed the matter. He merely brought Joe another cup of coffee and let him go back to sleep. But Joe had a feeling that he wouldn\u2019t be allowed to miss breakfast. Besides, Joe\u2019s stomach was grumbling for food.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I could eat something,\u201d said Joe indifferently.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d replied Paul in a hearty voice. \u201cIt\u2019s almost ready. There\u2019s some water in the pitcher over there. Why don\u2019t you get yourself cleaned up while I finish cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throwing back the covers, Joe sat on the edge of the bed. He was relieved that his headache and nausea were gone. Even his shoulder and ribs felt better. He glanced to where Paul was standing near the fireplace, then looked toward the front door. For a brief instant, Joe had the desire to race to the door and run out. He would be gone before Paul even realized it. But Joe quickly realized how foolish that was. He had no idea where he was or which way to go once he was out the door. And it wouldn\u2019t take very long for Paul to catch him.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe reached down and picked up his boots from the floor next to the bed. As he pulled them on, Joe tried to figure out what to do. He knew he had to have a plan if he had any hope of escaping forever from the clutches of a madman.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurry up, food\u2019s ready,\u201d Paul called from the other side of the cabin.<\/p>\n

Standing, Joe walked quickly to the small table under the window. He poured some water in to the basin and quickly splashed it on his face and neck. A small bar of soap sat on the table. Joe picked it up and worked it into a lather, then rubbed the lather over his face. A few quick splashes rinsed his face, and Joe dried it with a towel sitting by the pitcher.<\/p>\n

Tucking his shirt into his pants, Joe walked over to the table. He couldn\u2019t hide his surprise at what he saw. The table was covered with a checked cloth. Plates sat on the table \u2013 not china but certainly not the tin plates Joe had expected. Eating utensils and napkins were set next to the plates, as were glasses filled with water and coffee mugs. A platter of bacon and fried eggs sat in the middle of the table. Steam rose from a coffee pot sitting on the corner of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cBacon and eggs all right with you?\u201d asked Paul as he smiled at the look on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cI guess it will have to be since that\u2019s what I cooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t quite what I expected,\u201d admitted Joe as he sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose it is,\u201d said Paul in an amused voice. \u201cBut you should know I\u2019m a man who likes my comforts, Joe. I wasn\u2019t planning on having us rough it while we\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the comforts of home,\u201d said Joe, his voice full of irony.<\/p>\n

Ignoring the irony, Paul smiled, \u201cI do my best. I have a few chickens out back \u2013 not many but enough to keep us supplied in fresh eggs and an occasional chicken dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beginning to eat, Joe looked around him. The cabin was furnished as comfortably as possible, he admitted. But he wasn\u2019t going to give Paul the satisfaction of knowing he was impressed. \u201cYou didn\u2019t figure out how to get<\/p>\n

some running water in here,\u201d complained Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right there,\u201d sighed Paul. \u201cI\u2019ve got some full water barrels outside but eventually, we will have to haul water from the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing his first clue as to where he might be, Joe tried not to show his excitement. \u201cThe lake?\u201d he said as indifferently as possible. \u201cThere\u2019s a lake around here?\u201d<\/p>\n

For some reason, Paul found Joe\u2019s question amusing. \u201cYes,\u201d he answered with a chuckle. \u201cYou could say there\u2019s a lake around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is it?\u201d asked Joe, trying to sound casual.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot far,\u201d said Paul vaguely. \u201cWe can go fishing there sometime if you want. I also brought the chessboard and cribbage board. We had some nice talks while playing chess and cribbage. I\u2019m hoping we can do so again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing to eat, Joe carefully chose his words before responding. He wanted to make his position clear but didn\u2019t want to trigger any violent reaction from the man across the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep me here,\u201d said Joe slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d said Paul almost indifferently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know my father and brothers are looking for me,\u201d Joe continued cautiously. \u201cIt\u2019s only a question of time until they find this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be too sure,\u201d smiled Paul. \u201cThis place isn\u2019t easy to find. And your family may not have any reason to search for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sudden sick feeling robbed Joe of his appetite. \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d he demanded. \u201cFake my death or something?\u201d The thought of his family grieving over him was almost unbearable to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt crossed my mind,\u201d admitted Paul. \u201cBut despite their faults, that family of yours is tenacious. I knew they wouldn\u2019t believe you were dead, not without seeing your body. Besides, it would complicate things. I don\u2019t want us to have to have to worry about someone recognizing you after we leave here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Letting out a sigh of relief, Joe began to sip his coffee. \u201cSo you don\u2019t plan to keep me here forever,\u201d he said as casually as possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d snorted Paul as if he found Joe\u2019s comment ridiculous. \u201cOnce we\u2019ve come to an understanding, we can leave. You have a full life in front of you, Joe, and I mean to see that you live it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith your guidance, of course,\u201d said Joe contemptuously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my guidance,\u201d agreed Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s to stop my family from looking for me?\u201d asked Joe, unable to contain his curiosity. \u201cOr come after me once we leave here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve written them a letter,\u201d explained Paul. \u201cThe letter tells them how you\u2019ve decided to seek out a new life. In a few weeks, a lawyer in Sacramento will send them another letter on your behalf, telling them how well you are doing and how happy you are. Letters and instructions have been left with lawyers in several towns. Those letters should convince your family not to waste their time looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019VE written them a letter?\u201d said Joe in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, of course, I wrote it for you,\u201d admitted Paul. He shook his head. \u201cLord, that scrawl you call handwriting was almost impossible for me to copy. It took me a long time to get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting down his coffee cup, Joe realized he was on his own. He couldn\u2019t be sure that his father and brothers hadn\u2019t believed the letter Paul had written. And even if they did search for him, his family might not be able to find him. He couldn\u2019t rely on them to find him and save him from the madman who could plan such a devious scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t watch me all the time,\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cYou know I\u2019ll try to leave. Are you going to chain me up to keep me here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Paul shaking his head sadly. \u201cI realize now that my talk of chains last time was a mistake. I know how much I hated those things when I was in jail, and I can only imagine how much the thought of them must have terrified you. I won\u2019t do that to you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen what\u2019s to stop me from trying to leave?\u201d said Joe, almost afraid to hear the answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can walk out that door anytime you want,\u201d said Paul in a mild voice as he sipped his coffee. \u201cI won\u2019t try to stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking at the man across the table suspiciously, Joe said, \u201cYou mean I can just get up and leave? Right now, if I want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wish,\u201d said Paul in an unconcerned voice.<\/p>\n

Pushing back the chair from the table, Joe stood. \u201cThen I\u2019m leaving,\u201d he said. He walked to the door and pulled his hat and jacket from a peg on the wall. Slipping on his jacket, Joe looked back at the table. Paul was continuing to just sit there, sipping coffee. Keeping an eye on the man, Joe pulled on his hat. \u201cGoodbye,\u201d he said briefly and headed out the door.<\/p>\n

Once outside, Joe took a quick look around. He didn\u2019t honestly believe the man in the cabin would just let him walk out. There had to be something to stop him \u2013 a trap of some kind. But as Joe searched the area around the cabin with his eyes, he could see nothing unusual. Trees had been cleared in the immediate vicinity of the cabin, probably those same trees had been used to build the house. A thick growth of pines and bushes covered the rest of the ground surrounding the cabin.<\/p>\n

Not wanting to take the chance that Paul might change his mind and come after him, Joe started walking forward. The ground also immediately began to slope downward as he entered the forest. Joe moved cautiously, looking for traps or barriers but nothing in the woods seem unusual or out of place.<\/p>\n

The lack of any means to stop him puzzled Joe but he wasn\u2019t about to sit around trying to figure it out. He continued down the slope.<\/p>\n

As the ground began to flatten out, the growth in front of Joe thinned. He could see through the trees, and what he saw stopped him. If he continued his path, he would walk straight into water.<\/p>\n

An expanse of clear blue water stretched out in front of Joe as far as he could see. There didn\u2019t seem to be any shoreline, any indication of land except for the earth on which Joe was standing.<\/p>\n

So this was the lake Paul had mentioned, though Joe. The cabin must be on some stretch of land that extended out into the lake. Joe turned to his left and started walking. All he had to do was find the path that led away from the lake and back up into the hills.<\/p>\n

As he continued to walk, Joe kept peering through the trees. At first, he wasn\u2019t surprised to continue to see the water through the growth. He figured the lake must circle the area on three sides. Knowing Paul\u2019s devious mind, Joe guessed there was only one way off the peninsula on which he imagined the cabin was situated, and Paul probably had that blocked. Joe was determined to find the way back to land from which this finger of earth jutted, and to find a way around whatever barrier Paul had constructed.<\/p>\n

But as Joe continued to walk, he also continued to see nothing but water through the trees. He became confused by the lack of any indication of a trail away from the lake. He knew that the cabin had to be on the edge of Lake Tahoe; there was nothing else in Nevada which held as much water as Joe was seeing. What Joe didn\u2019t understand why he hadn\u2019t found a way up from the lake and back into the mountains.<\/p>\n

Pushing through the woods with a determined stride, Joe continued to search for the trail he knew must exist. He changed his path so that he was closer to the water, wanting to be sure he didn\u2019t miss the land that connected the peninsula to the main shoreline.<\/p>\n

With grim determination, Joe walked through the woods for over an hour before he finally admitted the truth to himself. Paul hadn\u2019t been worried about Joe leaving because he knew Joe couldn\u2019t. The cabin wasn\u2019t built on a peninsula. It was built on an island.<\/p>\n

Cutting down to the shoreline, Joe continued to circle the island, in the vain hope that his conclusion was wrong. But deep inside him, he knew no matter how long he searched for a path to the mountains, he would never find it, because it didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n

Filled with frustration, Joe finally stopped and plopped down on the ground. He picked up a rock and threw it as far as he could, feeling a small measure of his anger disappear with the rock that sank into the lake. He stared across the expanse of blue lake, seeing a shoreline in the distance.<\/p>\n

Joe tried to figure out where the island might be, but from this view, the mountains looked unfamiliar. He looked to his left and saw another shoreline, this one a bit closer. Seeing the shoreline didn\u2019t ease Joe\u2019s anger and frustration much. It was close enough to see, but too far to reach by anything but a boat.<\/p>\n

As he sat and thought, Joe felt a grudging admiration for what Paul had done. Building the cabin from the trees on the island hadn\u2019t been difficult but furnishing it and stocking it with food must have required Paul to row out to the island dozens of times. Once on the island, the man would have had to carry all the items he had brought to the cabin up on the hill. On his last trip, Paul would have had not only supplies to tote up the hill but also Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe had to admit it was quite an accomplishment. But, more importantly, if Paul had brought him to the island, then Paul must have a way to get him off. He must have a boat stashed someplace. The question was where.<\/p>\n

Getting to his feet, Joe began to search for signs of a landing area on the island, a place where a boat might be hidden in the bushes. He circled the island yet again, this time much more slowly, as he looked for some clue to a hidden boat. When he reached the point where he had started his search, Joe sat wearily on the ground once again. He had suspected from the start that his search would be fruitless, that Paul was too smart to leave any obvious indications of where he had hidden the boat. But Joe had to try. He couldn\u2019t simply give in.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe rose and started up the hill. It didn\u2019t take him long to find his way back to the cabin. When he got to the small house, Joe pushed open the door and looked in.<\/p>\n

Sitting in a chair by the fireplace, Paul had a book in his hands. The table had been cleared and the dishes put away. Paul looked up and asked innocently, \u201cHave a nice walk?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny,\u201d said Joe bitterly as he leaned against the door jamb. \u201cAll right, we\u2019re on an island. How do we get off?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s time to leave, there\u2019s a way,\u201d said Paul as he looked back down to the book.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready to leave now,\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to have a boat stashed around here someplace. Where is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be rather foolish of me to tell you,\u201d said Paul calmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Joe said in a flat voice. \u201cI\u2019ll find it myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead and look if you wish,\u201d said Paul with a shrug. \u201cYou\u2019re free to come and go as you please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll find it,\u201d said Joe with grim determination. His eyes suddenly strayed across the cabin to the door on the other wall, the one with the padlock on it. Joe tried to remember what the cabin had looked like from the outside, and how large the room behind the door might be.<\/p>\n

Seeing Joe\u2019s eyes go toward the locked door, Paul said with amusement, \u201cThat would be rather too obvious, don\u2019t you think? No, I can assure you it\u2019s not there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why the lock?\u201d demanded Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s behind that door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have my reasons for locking that store room,\u201d replied Paul. He put a slip of paper in the book to mark his place and closed it. \u201cHow about some lunch?\u201d he asked. \u201cMaybe we could play a game of chess afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe walked into the cabin. He was hungry and tired, and at least for now, had nothing better to do. \u201cJust out of curiosity,\u201d he said as he slipped off his jacket and hung it on the peg by the door, \u201cexactly where are we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe they call this Emerald Bay,\u201d replied Paul. \u201cA picturesque cove, I would say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe knew exactly where they were. He had ridden the mountain trail past Emerald Bay dozens of times, and had see the island sitting in the middle of the bay. He had never paid much attention to it, and had surely never suspected that it would one day become his prison.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would you like for lunch?\u201d asked Paul walking toward one of the cabinets.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Hop Sing\u2019s chicken dinners,\u201d answered Joe in a discouraged voice.<\/p>\n

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

Riding up to the ranch house, Hoss was only mildly surprised to see Adam\u2019s and Ben\u2019s horses already tied to the hitching post in front. They had agreed to meet back at the house after another two days of searching. It was late in the day, and Hoss had figured he might be the last one back.<\/p>\n

After tying his horse next to the other two, Hoss looked around. The ranch should have been bustling with activity this time of day. Men should have been returning to the bunkhouse after a day of riding the range or fixing fences. Someone should be in the barn, cleaning and feeding the horses.<\/p>\n

There should have been a the noise of shouts and laughter, mingled with jingling harness and the clop of horses\u2019 hooves.<\/p>\n

Instead, the area was as deserted as a graveyard. Not a man or horse were visible, and the only sound was the soft chirping of birds. Not that Hoss was surprised by this. He knew every hand they could spare, and probably more than they could spare, was out searching deserted mines, old caves and hidden valleys. For the past few days, very little work had been done by anyone on the Ponderosa except to search for some clue to Joe\u2019s whereabouts. The silence in the yard told Hoss that none of the men had found a sign. If they had, a posse the size of a small army would be assembling in the yard, and Ben and Adam wouldn\u2019t be sitting inside the house.<\/p>\n

Blowing out a breath of air, Hoss pushed his hat back on his head and walked into the house.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam were seated in the living room, near the fireplace. Ben was leaning forward from his favorite red leather chair, while Adam was crouched over on the sofa. Both were studying a map spread on the table in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything?\u201d asked Ben as he looked up as Hoss approached. His tone suggested that Ben didn\u2019t expect a positive answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d replied Hoss tentatively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d demanded Adam in a testy voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat it means is I don\u2019t know where Joe is,\u201d replied Hoss, his voice sounding equally ill-tempered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d said Ben putting up his hand. \u201cCalm down, both of you. We\u2019re all tired and worried, and snapping at each other doesn\u2019t help things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d said Hoss, apologetically. \u201cSorry, Adam.\u201d Adam nodded his apology in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, exactly what did you find?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I talked to this fellow who\u2019s got a small farm over by Fallen Leaf Lake,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cFor the last year or so, he\u2019s been renting out a wagon from time to time to a fellow who sounds likes Williams. The last time was about a week ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say where Williams took this wagon?\u201d asked Ben, his voice rising with excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, he didn\u2019t know,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cSaid Williams would just show up, pay him some money, and take the wagon. About a week later, he\u2019d bring it back. The farmer didn\u2019t ask any questions. Evidently, Williams paid him pretty good, and he didn\u2019t want to mess up the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the last time?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cDid Williams bring back the wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s the funny part,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWilliams told the farmer where to pick up the wagon. Told him there would be a saddle horse with it and the farmer could have the animal. He also told the farmer he wouldn\u2019t be coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did the farmer pick up the wagon?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the middle of nowhere,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cHe found it on the trail that leads around the lake, not too far from Emerald Bay. The wagon was empty, and there wasn\u2019t anyone around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that doesn\u2019t help us any,\u201d said Adam, shaking his head. \u201cAll we know is that Williams probably used a wagon to get Joe out of Virginia City. It doesn\u2019t tell us where he took him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you it wasn\u2019t much,\u201d Hoss said, shrugging.<\/p>\n

Studying the map, Ben said slowly, \u201cIt might be a clue. It could mean that Williams has Joe hidden someplace on that side of the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr it could mean that Williams just transferred him to another wagon and rode off in a different direction,\u201d said Adam sounding practical.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the first real evidence we\u2019ve found,\u201d argued Ben. He leaned forward and pointed at the map. \u201cThere\u2019s a little settlement near Fallen Leaf lake. Someone there might have seen something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought of that, Pa,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI rode in and asked around. Nobody has seen Joe. The fellow at the trading post there remembers Williams buying some supplies there but he said that was months ago. He ain\u2019t seen him lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Williams was stocking up, he wouldn\u2019t buy supplies in the same place,\u201d said Ben thoughtfully. \u201cBut he also wouldn\u2019t want to haul them too far.\u201d He studied the map in silence for several minutes. \u201cI think we should search that area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, there\u2019s nothing there,\u201d said Adam with a frown. \u201cNo mines, no line shacks, nothing where he could be hiding Joe. I think we\u2019d do better to concentrate on the north side of the lake. That\u2019s the area that has the most mines and ranches, and the most likely places for Williams to hide with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben said, \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d But his eyes continued to stare at the southern part of the lake on the map.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m going fishing,\u201d announced Joe, clamping his hat down on his head and reaching for one of the poles near the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps I will come with you,\u201d said Paul starting to get up from the breakfast table.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe in a flat voice. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Paul, sitting back down. He picked up his coffee cup and began to sip from it. \u201cIf you decide to take a swim, be careful. Stay close to the shoreline If you go out too far, you\u2019ll get caught in the current that goes around this island. It\u2019s very strong, and can slingshot you around the island and into the middle of the lake before you even realize it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Joe answered automatically, then stopped. He scowled as he pushed opened the door, then slammed it shut behind him.<\/p>\n

Damn the man, thought Joe angrily as he stomped down the hill from the cabin. It\u2019s almost like he could Joe\u2019s mind. Joe had only half-formed an idea of testing the waters in the lake to see if there was any way he could swim to freedom.<\/p>\n

But it was more than just Paul\u2019s warning that angered and frightened Joe. For the past several days, he had spent the daylight hours scouring the island, looking for some indication of where Paul had hidden the boat. Each evening, Joe had returned to the cabin where Paul had solemnly told him that he wasn\u2019t even close to finding the object of his search. Even worse, Joe had played chess with the man each evening, more out of boredom than for any other reason. Although Joe had vowed to play chess only and not say a word, each evening he had found himself engaged in a lively conversation on some subject with Paul before he realized it and clamped his mouth shut.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s desire to leave the island was growing desperate, not only because he had been here for almost a week, but also because he realized that he was slowly but surely being sucked into playing his role in Paul\u2019s mad scheme.<\/p>\n

Arriving at the edge of the lake, Joe settled on the grass and threw his fishing line into the water. He really wasn\u2019t interested in whether he caught anything. Joe only wanted an excuse to sit quietly and think. And there was only one thing he wanted to think about \u2013 how to get off the island.<\/p>\n

As he sat by the water, Joe had to admit his search for the boat had been in vain. The island was covered with bushes and other plants. In three days, Joe had made only a cursory search. It would take him a year to thorough search the island, and even then he might not find what he was looking for. So now, he had to come up with another idea to get him back to the mainland.<\/p>\n

Sitting in the warm sun, Joe thought of and rejected a number of ideas. Signals, such as smoke or cloth, might not be able to be seen, and besides there had to be someone to see them. The land around Emerald Bay was wilderness country \u2013 no ranches or farms. Joe couldn\u2019t count on the occasional rider on the mountain trails to spot a signal. And trying to swim to the mainland was suicide. As Paul had pointed out, the current would pull any swimmer to the middle of the lake where the only escape would be drowning.<\/p>\n

Distracted by his escape plans, Joe paid no attention to his fishing line until he felt a tug. He quickly turned his attention back to the water, ready to pull in the monster fish he could feel pulling at his line. Joe laughed at himself when he saw that the fishing line had become tangled around a large branch that had been floating by.<\/p>\n

Joe pulled his line slowly toward him, pulling the branch toward shore in order to untangle the line. As he did, however, a glimmer of an idea began to form in his head. The branch had floated in the lake. If one branch would float, three or four tied together would surely float also. And tied together, the branches would make a raft.<\/p>\n

Pulling harder on the fishing line, Joe managed to get the branch to shore. It wasn\u2019t very big, nor very straight, but it was a start. Joe slowly untangled the fishing line from the branch. As he threw his fishing line back into the water, he began forming a plan. And, for the first time in a week, he also began to have hope.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNothing, Pa,\u201d Hoss said as he eased his big frame wearily on the sofa. \u201cWe\u2019ve searched every place we could think of, and some we found by accident, and there\u2019s no sign of Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben sat back in his leather chair, his body also feeling the fatigue of days in the saddle. \u201cMaybe Adam and his men found something,\u201d suggested Ben, although he knew his son would have been back at the ranch by now if he had.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he ain\u2019t around here,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cMaybe this Williams took Joe back to his place in the mountains after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Roy Coffee telegraphed the sheriff up by Three Pines,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cThe sheriff checked the house. His wire back to Roy said it looked like the place hadn\u2019t been lived in for months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019re running out of places to look,\u201d Hoss said, his voice full of frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Hoss,\u201d replied Ben with a sigh. \u201cBut we can\u2019t give up. Joe\u2019s around here someplace. I know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut where?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t answer. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the chair. Hoss waited, hoping that his father would find some inspiration on where to continue the search. But after a few minutes, Ben opened his eyes and shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss,\u201d Ben said in voice filled with sadness. \u201cI just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m going up and get a couple of hours sleep,\u201d said Hoss, pulling himself up from the sofa. \u201cI\u2019ll start out again at first light. Maybe we\u2019ll get lucky tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Hoss climbed the stairs, Ben turned his attention to the fire burning brightly in the fireplace. His thoughts drifted to his missing son and he began to wonder what Joe was doing, what he was feeling. He wonder if his son was lonely or scared or angry. He also wonder what kind of battle Joe was waging to free himself from Williams, because Ben had no doubts that his son would be fighting to escape.<\/p>\n

Ben began thinking the thoughts that he couldn\u2019t voice \u2013 what if they didn\u2019t find Joe, or if by the time they did, Williams had turned him into something other than the impetuous, fun-loving son that he loved? How long could he put his life and the life of his other two sons on hold while they searched for Joe? At what point could he admit that the search for his youngest son was costing too much \u2013 too much time away from the ranch and too much strain on both bodies and emotions?<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben tried to rid himself of such thoughts. He couldn\u2019t give up; he wouldn\u2019t give up. Joe was in the area someplace. Ben couldn\u2019t explain how he knew it, but he did. All he had to do was find him.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben pulled himself up from the chair. He decided that a few hours sleep would help him clear his head. As he climbed the stairs, Ben thought about Williams and how one man\u2019s obsession could destroy his life as well as that of his son. He had hated few men in his life, but as he reached the top of the stairs, Ben cursed Tyler Williams and wished the man a speedy descent into hell.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWant to play a game of chess?\u201d asked Paul as he slowly dried his hands on a towel. \u201cDishes are done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stretched out on the bed, Joe looked up at the man. \u201cNo,\u201d he said in a flat voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about cribbage, then?\u201d suggested Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot interested,\u201d replied Joe, looking away.<\/p>\n

Coming closer, Paul said almost eagerly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got something on your mind, boy. Tell me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had something on his mind all right, but he didn\u2019t feel that planning his escape from the island was appropriate subject to discuss with his captor. \u201cNone of your business,\u201d said Joe in a sullen tone.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Paul turned away. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said. \u201cI suppose it\u2019s too soon to expect you to open up to me.\u201d Paul put the towel on the table near the far window and looked out. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice evening,\u201d he said in a thoughtful voice. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll take a walk. I haven\u2019t been out of this cabin much in the last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tensing his muscles, Joe felt a sense of alarm. Had Paul suspected what he had been up to all day? Then Joe relaxed. Let him look around he thought. He won\u2019t find anything. It was about time that Paul searched as fruitlessly as Joe had done earlier.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink I\u2019ll walk down to the lake,\u201d said Paul, watching Joe out of the corner of his eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself,\u201d replied Joe in an tone that clearly showed he didn\u2019t care.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Paul walked to the door. \u201cBe back in awhile,\u201d he said as he left.<\/p>\n

In the quiet cabin, Joe went back to his planning. He had realized that ridiculous branch he had pulled from the lake would be of little help in making a raft. But the branch had inspired Joe to look for more suitable wood. He had spent the day searching for fallen trees or large branches that he could somehow tie together. He had found six pieces of wood that met his needs. Granted, the branches he found were of different lengths and didn\u2019t fit quite together, but they would do. Joe had spent the rest of the day using a sharp rock to strip the branches of leaves and twigs, and to shape them as best he could. He had even managed to fashion a crude oar from hard tree bark he had found.<\/p>\n

It was at that point Joe decided he needed to be as secretive as his captor. He couldn\u2019t leave the branches together. Paul might find them and figure out what Joe was planning. So he had carefully hid each branch in a different place, putting each one under a large bush which he marked with a rock. Even if Paul found one or two of the branches, he probably wouldn\u2019t see them as anything other than branches.<\/p>\n

But now Joe pondered his biggest challenge. He needed rope, something to lash the branches together tightly. And that\u2019s what he had been thinking about as he laid on the bed.<\/p>\n

The quiet of the cabin intruded on Joe\u2019s thoughts, and he suddenly realized he was alone in the cabin for the first time. His eyes went immediately to the locked storage room. Springing up from the bed, Joe hurried to the door.<\/p>\n

The padlock on the door appeared to be tightly closed, but Joe pulled on it nevertheless. Not surprising, the lock failed to open. Joe looked around the cabin, trying to think where the key might be hidden. He quickly decided that searching for a key was a waste of time. It could be anywhere \u2013 maybe even in Paul\u2019s pocket. Joe would have to break the lock somehow. Paul would know he had been in the room, but there was no help for that. Besides, if there was something in that room that could help Joe escape, it would be worth whatever consequences he faced from Paul for entering the room.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes quickly searched the cabin, looking for something heavy he could use to smash the lock. At first, he saw nothing that would serve his purpose, but his eyes strayed to the shelves. Several large cans stood on the top shelf, and one look particularly big. Joe walked quickly to the shelf and reached for the can. It was sealed tightly and had the word coffee stenciled on the outside. But more importantly, the can felt heavy.<\/p>\n

Returning to the door, Joe studied the lock. The padlock was hung on a small metal loop bolted to the door. A latch slipped over the loop and the padlock prevented the latch from being opened. Joe took careful aim and then hammered the can onto the metal loop.<\/p>\n

It look several minutes of pounding before the loop began to give way. Joe hammered it hard and quickly, as a mental clock in his head ticked away the minutes. He had no idea how long it would be before Paul returned but he knew he didn\u2019t have any time to waste.<\/p>\n

A loud crack was the sound of Joe\u2019s success. The pounding had forced the metal to separate from the wooden door. Putting the can down, Joe grabbed the edge of the metal and pulled hard. The wood splintered and the lock came off. Joe pushed on the door and it swung open.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t really expected to find a boat behind the door, but still, Joe was disappointed to see almost an empty storeroom. Two axes laid on the floor, along with a small hatchet. A rifle stood in the corner, with several boxes of bullets piled next to it. Several hunting knives laid next to the rifle.<\/p>\n

Two ropes laid coiled near the axes as well as a box filled with tools.<\/p>\n

At first, Joe was puzzled by the virtually empty room and the lock. And then it came to him. Everything in this room could be used as a weapon. Paul had locked away anything that Joe could use to harm him or force him to help Joe escape.<\/p>\n

Thinking quickly, Joe walked into the room and grabbed one of the coils of ropes. This was the item he needed most right now. If all else failed, he would need the rope to lash together his raft. Joe walked out of the storeroom to the middle of the cabin, then stopped. He had to hide the rope, put it someplace where Paul wouldn\u2019t find it or see him retrieving it. Joe looked around the cabin and immediately rejected hiding the rope in the house. He walked quickly to the door of the cabin and pulled it open.<\/p>\n

Looking around, Joe couldn\u2019t see any sign of Paul. He hurried down the hill, going deep into the woods. He was looking for a place to hide the rope, someplace where Paul wouldn\u2019t find it, but that he could remember. Joe saw a tall bush with several red flowers growing from the top. He quickly walked to the bush and stuck the rope in the middle of its branches.<\/p>\n

Hurrying back up the hill, Joe continued to look for any signs of Paul\u2019s return. He breathed a sigh of relief as he reached the cabin. The man was nowhere in sight. Joe entered the cabin, pulling the door tightly closed behind him.<\/p>\n

Inside the cabin, Joe walked back to the storeroom and stood looking in. He tried to decide which of the weapons would be most useful to him. The hatchet would help with building the raft, but so might the tools in the box. But even as Joe considered these items, his eyes went to the most logical choice \u2013 the rifle. Holding a loaded gun on Paul might convince the man to show him the boat and row him off the island.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d roared an angry voice from behind Joe.<\/p>\n

Joe wheeled around to see Paul standing inside the front door, his face almost red with rage. Before Joe could even move, Paul ran across the room and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. Paul yanked Joe back from the storeroom and pushed him. Surprised and off balance, Joe fell to the floor, landing on his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you to stay away from that room,\u201d shouted Paul as he stood over Joe.<\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Joe took a step back, giving himself some room. \u201cYou can\u2019t tell me what to do,\u201d shouted Joe in a voice as angry as Paul\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes I can!\u201d roared Paul in reply. \u201cThat\u2019s why you\u2019re here. To listen to me. To do what I say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019re going to be disappointed,\u201d said Joe almost contemptuously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou WILL learn to obey me,\u201d shouted Paul. \u201cYou will!
\n\u201cAnd if I don\u2019t, what are you going to do,\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cKill me, like you killed Jake Fallon. Like you killed your wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving out an almost animal-like roar, Paul charged across the room. His hands hit Joe in the shoulders, propelling Joe backwards. Joe\u2019s head and back slammed into the wall behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t..don\u2019t say that,\u201d said Paul, his face only inches from Joe\u2019s. \u201cI killed that cowboy, yes. I admit it. It was a mistake but I shot him. But I didn\u2019t kill my wife. Do you understand me? I never touched her. You must never, ever say that I did. Do you hear me?<\/p>\n

Stunned by his head cracking into the wall, Joe didn\u2019t answer. He was trying to clear his head of the fog that seemed to surround it. Suddenly, he felt a hard slap across his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you hear me?\u201d repeated Paul. He slapped Joe again. \u201cAnswer me, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI..I hear you,\u201d replied Joe in a groggy voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Paul, taking his hands off Joe\u2019s shoulders and stepping back. \u201cGood. I\u2019m glad you understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

No longer supported by Paul, Joe slip to the floor. He put his head down and rubbed the back of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d said Paul in apologetic voice. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hurt you. But you have to learn. It\u2019s unfortunate that learning often requires some disciplining.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe couldn\u2019t believe the transformation he saw in Paul. His demeanor had changed from a raging madman to a calm, almost serene look in an instant. The sudden shift in moods frightened Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI..I think I\u2019ll go to bed,\u201d said Joe in a shaky voice as he slowly got to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d agreed Paul. \u201cWe have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. We\u2019re going to start discussing some plans I have for you. You want to be well rested for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not answering, Joe started across the room, teetering a bit as he walked. He fell onto the bed, gratefully resting his sore head against the soft pillow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tomorrow was going to be a big day all right, he thought. Tomorrow he was going to leave this island.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d asked Adam as he dismounted from his horse in front of the house. He was covered with dust and sweat, evidence of his days on the trail.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe left early this morning,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cDid you find something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Adam shaking his head. \u201cBut I wanted to talk with him about trying something new. I don\u2019t think this searching is getting us anywhere. I think we need to do something different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d asked Hoss curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike try to think like Tyler Williams,\u201d said Adam. \u201cTry to figure out where he might decide is the perfect place to hole up with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how just are we going to do that?\u201d asked Hoss, his voice tinged with disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we could contact his son in Denver,\u201d said Adam. \u201cTell him what\u2019s happened and ask him if he has any ideas. After all, he knows his father better than anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he hasn\u2019t seen his father in a long time,\u201d replied Hoss with a frown. \u201cHow\u2019s he going to know where he is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s worth a try,\u201d said Adam in an angry voice. \u201cWe\u2019re not getting anywhere just riding around the countryside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Hoss, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least, let\u2019s talk to Pa about it,\u201d insisted Adam. \u201cWhere did he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe rode down to that settlement near Fallen Leaf Lake,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cSaid he wanted to talk with those people down there again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not going to help,\u201d Adam said with a frown. \u201cYou already talked to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d answered Hoss with a sigh. \u201cBut he couldn\u2019t think of anything else to do, and he didn\u2019t just want to sit around.\u201d Hoss\u2019 face soften. \u201cHe misses Joe, Adam. He misses him a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Adam softly. \u201cWe all do.\u201d Adam looked down for a minute, lost in his own thoughts. Then he looked up. \u201cWhen will Pa be back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, probably late,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Adam turned back to his horse. \u201cI\u2019m going to get some food and rest. When Pa gets back, I\u2019ll talk with him about contacting David Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Adam,\u201d agreed Hoss, turning back to the house. \u201cWhatever you say.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Hidden in the brush, Joe pulled tightly on the rope, testing to make sure the lashing was secure. He glanced around him, checking once more to make sure Paul hadn\u2019t followed him down the hill. He was relieved that all seemed quiet.<\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe saw the sun was low in the sky. It was much later in the day than he had planned to come to the lake. But he couldn\u2019t get away from the cabin any earlier. Joe had been forced to endure a morning of lecture from Paul, a lecture that outlined new rules of behaviors as well as elaborate plans for Joe\u2019s future. Joe had sat quietly at the table, his face impassive. He had been afraid not to agree to listen to Paul this morning, afraid that refusal would trigger another violent outburst, that would somehow prevent Joe from leaving for the lake. So he had sat quietly at the table, his face turned to Paul as he talked but his mind on his plans to escape. Finally, after lunch, Paul had agreed that he could go down to the lake. Joe\u2019s excuse what that he wanted to think about what Paul had said that morning. The idea seemed to please the man.<\/p>\n

As he pulled on the rope once more, Joe inspected his raft, and he even he had to admit it was a pitiful looking craft. It was small \u2013 there would be barely enough room for him to kneel on it \u2013 and the thick branches were of different lengths. Though fairly straight, the branches hadn\u2019t fitted tightly, and Joe had caulked the gaps with mud which he hoped had tried into hard dirt by now. He wasn\u2019t even sure the thing would float. But Joe had to try. He couldn\u2019t endure the thought of spending even another hour on this island, trapped with a madman.<\/p>\n

Moving to the edge of the water, Joe pulled the raft beside him. He slipped off jacket as well as his boots and socks. He knew there was a fair chance that the raft would overturn or be swamped, and he didn\u2019t want to be pulled down by anything on his feet if he went into the water. Joe looped a the end of the rope that held the raft together around his left wrist and tied it. He also knew if he ended up in the water, his only hope would be to cling to the raft, to use it to keep his head above water. He didn\u2019t want to take a chance on losing the raft.<\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe picked up his make-shift oar and stepped into the water. He slowly pulled the small raft into the water next to him and watched with satisfaction as the craft bobbed and floated on the edge of the lake. Joe pushed the raft out a bit farther taking a few more steps into the water. He could feel the icy cold of the lake already beginning to chill his ankles and feet. Joe pushed the raft in front of him and climbed on.<\/p>\n

The sudden addition of Joe\u2019s weight cause the raft to sink under the water, and Joe was afraid his escape plan was going to come to an abrupt end, But the raft bobbed back up, the buoyancy of the wood overcoming his weight. With a triumphant whoop, Joe knelt on the raft and started paddling.<\/p>\n

Joe knew the current around the island ran from left to right, so he had entered the water on the far left side of the island. He knew he would have to paddle across the current, and that the current would more than likely pull the raft around the island. He hoped he could get across the current and close to the mainland before he was pulled out into the lake. Joe didn\u2019t care where he landed, as long as it was away from the island.<\/p>\n

Paddling furiously, Joe was making good progress away from the island. He was yards away from it when he heard the shout.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d called a voice that Joe knew could only be Paul\u2019s. \u201cNo! Don\u2019t do it! Don\u2019t leave me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring the voice, Joe continued paddling. He didn\u2019t bother to look back, both because he was afraid it would tip his fragile balance on the raft and because he didn\u2019t care about Paul\u2019s frantic pleas.<\/p>\n

Joe heard the voice shouting more words, but the sound was father away and harder to understand. Joe smiled, knowing he was leaving his island prison behind.<\/p>\n

Continuing to paddle, Joe lost track of how long he had been on the water. The raft was drifting and the resistance Joe felt in the water was stronger. He knew he must be in the current, and he dug the paddle deeper into the lake.<\/p>\n

Concentrating on staying afloat, Joe didn\u2019t hear the renewed shouts behind him. But he heard the shot, and he saw the bullet whiz into the water.<\/p>\n

Startled, Joe froze for a moment. He couldn\u2019t believe that Paul would shoot at him. He had believed that once he was gone, Paul would accept the inevitable. Two more shots were fired and two more bullets splashed into the water. Both were a good distance from Joe. Joe leaned forward and began paddling harder. He was convinced that Paul was only trying to scare him, to force him into turning the raft around. Joe had no intention of turning the raft.<\/p>\n

Another trio of bullets splashed into the water, these much closer to the raft. Joe twitched in surprise but continued to paddle grimly. The next bullet came even closer to the raft, but Joe did his best to ignore it.<\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure if the last bullet was poorly aimed or aimed with great care. It didn\u2019t really matter. The last bullet didn\u2019t land in the water. It struck Joe in the back of the right shoulder, digging it\u2019s way into his flesh.<\/p>\n

As the bullet struck, Joe arched his back in shock and pain. Then he toppled forward and to the right. The sudden shift of weight tipped the raft, and Joe plunged into the icy water of the lake.<\/p>\n

The shock of the cold water combined with the shock of the bullet paralyzed Joe. For a few seconds, nothing worked \u2013 not his legs, not his brain, and not his lungs. Water filled Joe\u2019s mouth, but his frozen lungs didn\u2019t suck it in. Joe simply hung in the water as an unfeeling body, a rag doll being buffeted by the current.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s left arm was suddenly yanked upward, pulled to the surface by the raft that had bobbed to the top of the water. The movement sparked a survival instinct; Joe\u2019s brain suddenly ordered him to close his mouth, hold his breath and kick. Without conscious thought, Joe obeyed the part of his brain that seemed to be in charge. His powerful legs kicked hard and his mouth clamped shut. Within seconds, Joe\u2019s head broke the surface of the water.<\/p>\n

Emerging from the water seemed to clear Joe\u2019s head. Immediately, he began to gasp for air. His legs kicked harder, pushing his shoulders out of the water. Joe coughed up some water, then gasped for more air. He saw the raft floating in front of him, still tied to his left wrist. Joe pulled at the rope and kicked with his legs until the raft was next to his head. He reached out with his left arm and grabbed the rope that lashed the wood together. He pulled and tugged until he somehow managed to get the upper half of his body on the raft.<\/p>\n

Breathing hard and coughing up water, Joe laid across the raft, his head resting on the wood. His legs and right arm floated in the water as his left hand holding onto the lashing with an iron grip. For a minute, Joe simply clung to the raft, thankful to be alive. But he felt the raft moving, drifting rapidly, and Joe realized his gratitude might be short-lived. The current was pulling the raft around the island and toward the middle of the lake.<\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe looked around. He could see the shoreline to his right, but he wasn\u2019t sure if it was the shore of the island or the mainland. He was disoriented and confused. He knew he had to start kicking, start propelling the raft across the current. But he also wanted to go in the right direction. He didn\u2019t think he would be able to bear it if he propelled himself back to the island.<\/p>\n

Pulling his right arm toward the raft, Joe felt a searing pain. The cold water had numbed his shoulder but the movement caused his wounded shoulder to begin aching. Gritting his teeth, Joe pulled his arm onto the raft, and pushed his head and shoulders up. Joe looked straight ahead of him, and saw a channel of water, a channel whose not so distant mouth widened into an endless expansion of blue lake.<\/p>\n

Quickly, Joe turned the raft to his left and started kicking. He knew if the lake was in front of him, the mainland was to the left. All he had to do was keep the raft heading in that direction \u2013 and hope he could cross the current before he drifted past the land.<\/p>\n

For a moment, the raft seemed to be stalled in the water, held between the power of the current and the strong kicks of the man who clung to it. But the hours of riding had developed powerful muscles in Joe\u2019s legs, and his strong kicks began to inch the raft forward.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s world was reduced to two things \u2013 holding onto the raft and kicking with his legs. Nothing else mattered. His body felt nothing but pain, a searing pain from his shoulder, and fiery protests from his aching leg muscles. His left hand began to cramp as it held tightly to the rope. Joe\u2019s mind was blank, unable to comprehend any rational thoughts. The pain and increasing fatigue robbed him of the ability to think of anything but trying to survive. His legs continued to churn the water, kicking with an almost mechanical rhythm.<\/p>\n

Lost in his mindless activity, Joe had no idea how long he had been the water or that he was slowly approaching the shore. It took Joe a minute to realize his feet were scraping the bottom of the lake, and even longer to understand what that meant. He lifted his head and saw a small beach only yards away. Joe stopped kicking, and eased himself cautiously off the raft, refusing to believe he was in shallow water. But his feet felt the soft mud underneath them and as Joe stood, the water came to only mid-thigh. Joe waded forward, dragging the raft in his wake. He walked through the water until he reached the small beach and even then took a few more steps across the hard sand. He walked until his legs finally buckled and he fell to the ground. Laying on the hard packed earth, Joe fell into an exhausted sleep.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019re sure you haven\u2019t seen a man that fits either of the descriptions I gave you,\u201d demanded Ben as he faced the trading post owner. \u201cNeither of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already told you, mister,\u201d growled the owner, \u201cjust like I told that big fellow. I saw the man with the beard once, maybe three months ago. I\u2019ve never seen the young fella.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe someone else saw them, someone else sold them supplies when you weren\u2019t here,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMister, I\u2019m always here,\u201d replied the owner in exasperation. \u201cWhere am I going to go?\u201d He saw the disappointment on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cBut you might ask Charlie over at the stable, or check at Bloody Mary\u2019s down the street,\u201d he added sympathetically. \u201cMaybe they seen something, especially at the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already have,\u201d answered Ben with a sigh. \u201cThey don\u2019t know anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sorry, mister,\u201d said the owner, shaking his head. \u201cI wish I could help. I already promised that big fella I\u2019d send word if I see them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Ben, with a nod. He turned and walked out of the trading post.<\/p>\n

Standing by the hitching post, Ben absentmindedly rubbed the nose the nose of his buckskin. Ben didn\u2019t want to ride home, but he didn\u2019t have any better idea of where to go. Ben decided to ride up the west side of the lake. He had ridden down the east side of Lake Tahoe to get to the trading post. Maybe riding home the other way would give him an idea as where to look next.<\/p>\n

Pulling his brown coat closed around him, Ben smiled briefly. He would stop at Emerald Bay and visit his \u201cthinking rock\u201d, at least that\u2019s what the boys had always called the large piece of granite on which Ben had like to perch as he admired the scene below. In his younger days, he had come there often, using it as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the ranch and to think about his problems and worries. He had often found solutions in the peaceful surroundings. Maybe the \u201cthinking rock\u201d would work once more.<\/p>\n

Climbing into the saddle, Ben turned his horse and walked him away from the trading post. The thought of Emerald Bay was drawing him like a magnet. Suddenly, Ben couldn\u2019t wait to get there.<\/p>\n

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

Water lapped gently against Joe\u2019s chin, waking him from his sleep. At first, Joe thought he was still on the raft, still floating endlessly on the lake. But he felt the hard ground under his body, and gritty dirt against his cheek. Joe knew he was on solid land, although for some reason there was water on that land also.<\/p>\n

Sitting up slowly, Joe saw the water had risen, covering his legs and inching up his body. He realized the tide must have changed and that his small beach would soon be under water.<\/p>\n

Even though he was tired and sore, and his shoulder throbbed with a fiery pain, Joe knew he couldn’t stay where he was. Not only was the water coming toward him, so, he suspected, was Paul.<\/p>\n

Looking up at the sky, Joe tried to calculate how long it had been since he left the island. The sun was low, almost ready to dip behind the horizon. Joe figured he had left the island about two hours ago. He had no idea how long it would take Paul to uncover the boat from wherever he had hidden it and to get it into the water, but Joe was sure that was what Paul would do. The man wouldn\u2019t give up on his mad scheme so easily.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe wondered if Paul thought Joe was dead, killed by his bullet or drowned in the lake. Joe couldn\u2019t take the chance. He had to disappear into the woods, and plan on playing a game of cat and mouse with Paul until Joe could reach help.<\/p>\n

Something bumped into Joe\u2019s left arm, and he smiled as he saw his small raft floating on the water, still tied securing to his wrist. The pitiful, dubious craft had held together and done more than it\u2019s job. It had not only taken him from island, the raft had saved his life. Lifting his wrist, Joe used his teeth to undo the knot that held the rope around his arm. As the cord unloosened, Joe could see the rope burns on his wrist and hand \u2013 a small price to pay, he thought, for staying alive. Sitting in the water, Joe watched as the raft started to drift away, and he bade it a fond farewell.<\/p>\n

The throbbing in Joe\u2019s shoulder reminded him again of the bullet Paul had put in him. Joe looked down at his shoulder, and he could see the front of his shirt was stained with blood. That meant the bullet went right through him. The knowledge did nothing to ease the pain or slow the blood that was oozing from the wound, but Joe was somewhat comforted by the fact that the worry of infection was lessened. The bullet was out, and the lake water would have cleaned the wound.<\/p>\n

Laughing ironically, Joe shook his head. He was sopping wet, without anything to protect his feet, and his shoulder was bleeding. He\u2019d probably die of exposure, cold, or bleeding to death, but he wouldn\u2019t have to worry about infection.<\/p>\n

Pushing himself to his feet, Joe looked around as the water dripped in steady streams from his clothes. He wasn\u2019t sure where he was, or which way to go. He knew the land behind him would lead to the mountains and the trail that ran through it. He would have to climb to the trail and then follow the trail to the settlement down by Fallen Leaf Lake. It was a trek that would challenging for a healthy man, much less a cold, exhausted man with bare feet and a bullet hole in his shoulder. But Joe was determined to try to make it to the settlement. The only alternative was to wait for Paul to catch up with him, and Joe would rather die than return to that island.<\/p>\n

Sloshing through the water, Joe climbed from the beach to the grassy ledge above it. He shivered with cold, as the wind blew against his wet clothes. Joe winced as the throbbing in his shoulder grew. He looked up at the tree-covered mountain looming above him. Taking a deep breath, Joe started to walk.<\/p>\n

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

Tying his horse to the limb of a nearby tree, Ben walked to large, flat boulder jutting out from the side of the mountain. He sat down on the large chunk of granite, his \u201cthinking rock\u201d as the boys had called it, and looked out over the bay.<\/p>\n

Emerald Bay was just as beautiful as he had remembered it. The blue waters of Lake Tahoe flowed around the island in the middle of the bay and out the large expanse of water beyond. Ben felt a sense of peace, the first he had felt in over a week.<\/p>\n

He remembered how much Marie, Joe\u2019s mother, had loved this sight. She had persuaded Ben to bring the family here often for summer picnics. The boys had usually grown bored at looking at the bay after a short time, and usually scampered off to play some game. But Marie had sat here for hours, just looking at the scenery, usually with Ben perched next to her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. After Marie\u2019s death, it had taken Ben a long time to return to return to this spot. He couldn\u2019t remember exactly when he had come back. Probably he had stopped when he had ridden the mountain trail for some reason. But after that, he had come here often when he felt worried or overwhelmed by the task of raising his boys and building up the ranch. He always found the view lifted his spirits.<\/p>\n

Sitting on the rock, Ben wondered if anything could lift his spirits. His youngest son was missing, in the hands of a madman. Though he hated to admit it, a small part of Ben wondered if he would ever see Joe again. Adam and Hoss were searching diligently for their brother, but Ben knew they were wearying of the search, believing it fruitless. It was only a question of time before they would try to persuade him to call it off. The work around the ranch was practically non-existent as almost all the hands were out searching. Ben could hardly believe how quickly his life had turned into shambles.<\/p>\n

Sighing, Ben looked out over Emerald Bay, waiting for the view to work its magic on him.<\/p>\n

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

In the woods, Joe stumbled and fell to the ground, an act he had done more times than he could count in the last hour or so. His legs, already tired and sore from swimming in the lake, protested his demands for more movement with burning muscles. Joe\u2019s shoulder also burned with pain, the blood continuing to tickle from the jagged hole in the skin. Although Joe had tried to walk on soft grass and pine needles, his feet were bruised and scrapped. A soft breeze blew over his wet clothes, and Joe\u2019s teeth began to chatter with cold. Keeping to the shadows of the trees might have kept Joe from being seen, but staying in the dark woods had also prevent his clothes from drying.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re a mess, Joe Cartwright, thought Joe as he laid on the ground, too weak to lift even his head off the dirt. His grand plan of climbing to the road and walking to the settlement seemed absurd now. He might as well have planned to fly to the moon.<\/p>\n

Wind rustled through the trees and Joe began to shiver even harder. He knew he had two choices. He could simply lay here and wait \u2013 wait to die of cold and exposure, or wait for Paul to show up. In Joe\u2019s mind, it didn\u2019t make any difference which of these two events occurred first; either one would mean the end of Joe\u2019s life, as far as he was concerned.<\/p>\n

The other choice Joe had was to muster whatever strength he had left and somehow make it to the little-used trail, where he could hope for a stroke of luck and a rider would come by to rescue him.<\/p>\n

Although he was cold and exhausted, Joe knew he really didn\u2019t have a choice. He wasn\u2019t ready to throw in the towel and call his life over \u2013 not yet, at least. Somehow, some way, he was going to get to that road.<\/p>\n

Getting to his feet was a task easier said than done, however. No matter how much his mind and heart desired to continue walking, the rest of his body resisted the idea. Joe felt it took all the strength he had to just move his legs, much less to get those tired limbs to bend and push his back end up from the ground. But somehow, Joe managed to do just that. Next, Joe slowly bent his left arm, and pushed his left hand against the ground. His shoulders and head rose slowly from the dirt. With his right arm dangling uselessly, Joe pushed again with his left hand until he was upright. He saw a bush to his left and grabbed one of the branches. Closing his eyes, Joe used a strength he didn\u2019t know he had to pull himself to a standing position.<\/p>\n

Rocking slowly, Joe held on to the bush as he got his balance. He shuffled a bruised foot forward, moving it only a few inches, and dragged his second foot to join it. He released the branch and shuffled forward another few inches. Joe took a deep breath. With his teeth chattering, Joe once more started walking toward the road \u2013 and praying for a miracle.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t really believe in miracles. That\u2019s why when he emerged from the woods and saw the granite rock ahead of him, he thought he was delirious or perhaps had gone mad like Paul. It wasn\u2019t just that he recognized the large boulder as what he had called \u201cPa\u2019s thinking rock\u201d as a kid. It was also that Joe thought he saw a man sitting on the rock, looking out over the bay.<\/p>\n

Blinking rapidly in disbelief, Joe waited for the image to disappear. But the man stayed in front of him, a familiar figure wearing a brown coat and tan hat. Joe would have recognized the figure from a mile away, much less the several yards that separated him from the rock. \u201cPa!\u201d exclaimed Joe softly.<\/p>\n

Indescribable relief and joy flooded through Joe. He not longer felt the pain and exhaustion of his body. Taking a step forward, Joe called loudly, \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting on the rock, Ben heard a voice and turned his head in surprise, amazed that anyone else would be in the area. His surprise turned to shock as he saw the figure shuffling toward him. At first, he thought he had somehow conjured up an image of his son, that his intense desire to see Joe had caused him to picture him. But Ben knew his imagination would never picture Joe in the way he saw him now \u2013 limping barefooted toward him, hair plastered to his head, with dirt and blood smeared over the front of his shirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben shouted in both joy and concern. Ben jumped to his feet and started to scramble from the rock. His eyes never left the figure coming toward him from the woods, in fear that the figure would disappear if he did. \u201cJoe!\u201d cried Ben again as the image of his son reached out it\u2019s hand \u2013 and then collapsed to the ground.<\/p>\n

Ben ran to the figure laying face down in the grass and knelt next to it. Turning Joe slowly on to his back, Ben gathered his son into his arms. \u201cJoe,\u201d Ben said once again, this time in a soft voice filled with tenderness and wonder.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d replied Joe in a voice filled with same emotions as his father. Joe swallowed hard. \u201cI\u2026got\u2026away,\u201d he said needlessly.
\nPulling Joe to his chest, Ben buried his face into his son\u2019s shoulder. He held Joe against him and murmured words of thanksgiving for having his son returned to him.<\/p>\n

As he held Joe, Ben stroked his son\u2019s head \u2013 and felt the damp hair. He suddenly realized the shirt which his hands grasped was wet. Drawing Joe back from him a bit, Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s face and felt skin that was cold and clammy. Removed from the warmth of his father\u2019s body, Joe began to shiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, Joe!\u201d exclaimed Ben as he laid his son gently on the ground. Ben began to unbutton his coat, and as he did so, examined his son with his eyes. Ben could see the tell-tale signs of a bullet hole in Joe\u2019s right shoulder. His son\u2019s shirt was streaked with blood and mud. Large patches of dampness darkened Joe\u2019s shirt as well as his pants. Joe\u2019s face was pale, splotched with dirt and mud. Glancing down at Joe\u2019s bare feet, he could see the bruises and scrapes that covered them.<\/p>\n

Removing his coat, Ben lift his son\u2019s shoulders from the ground and wrapped the coat around Joe. His son winced and gave out a small grunt of pain as Ben pulled the coat over his right shoulder. Ben didn\u2019t bother to try to put Joe\u2019s arms through the sleeves.<\/p>\n

Holding Joe against him, Ben looked around frantically. The light was fading as day became early evening. The wind was picking up and once the sun disappeared completely, the night air would be cold. Ben had to find someplace to shelter Joe, someplace where he could warm his son.<\/p>\n

Looking back toward the granite rock, Ben saw the flat ground underneath it, an almost bare plot of ground several feet below the stone. The rock jutted out, forming a ledge over the ground, and the earth that held the rock so firmly sloped down behind it.<\/p>\n

Picking Joe up from the ground, Ben carried his son to the ground under the granite rock. The area didn\u2019t offer much protection from the elements, but it was the best Ben could offer his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d said Ben as he gently laid Joe on the ground. \u201cI\u2019m going to get my bedroll.\u201d Joe indicated his understanding with a weak nod.<\/p>\n

Hurrying back up the hill, Ben rushed toward his horse. He had tied a bedroll and saddlebags full of trail gear to his saddle early this morning, in the faint hope that he might learn something at the settlement which would put him on the trail of his son. Ben said another prayer of thanks for whatever divine inspiration had prompted him to bring the bedroll with him.<\/p>\n

As Ben reached the buckskin which was contentedly picking at the nearby grass and leaves, he hesitated. He wondered if he should simply throw Joe on the horse and take his son to safely. But Ben knew it would take close to an hour to reach the settlement at the slow pace he would have to travel with Joe, and more than twice as long to get back to the Ponderosa. Joe couldn\u2019t wait that long; he needed to be warm and dry as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Quickly untying the bedroll and saddlebags, Ben pulled the gear from the back of his horse. He also grabbed the canteen that was looped around the horn of his saddle. Ben started to turn away, then suddenly stopped. Dropping the bedroll, leather bags and canteen to the ground, he turned back to his horse. Ben flipped up the stirrup and quickly undid the girth that held the saddle on to his buckskin. He pulled the saddle off the horse, and dropped it to the ground. Ben reached down and grabbed the blanket from under the saddle, then picked up the other items piled nearby.<\/p>\n

Returning to the flat ground under the rock, Ben dropped the gear into a pile and knelt next to Joe. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed, rimmed with dark circles of exhaustion. It didn\u2019t take a genius to figure out that Joe had been in the lake far below and had climbed from the water to the mountain road high above. What Ben couldn\u2019t begin to imagine was how Joe ended up in the lake \u2013 or where his son found the strength to make that climb with a bullet in his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Reaching down, Ben stroked Joe\u2019s head gently. \u201cI\u2019m back, Joe,\u201d he said in a soft voice. \u201cYou\u2019ll be warm and dry soon.\u201d Ben wasn\u2019t sure Joe heard him until he saw his son\u2019s curt nod.<\/p>\n

Reaching for the bedroll, Ben quickly untied the leather thongs around it<\/p>\n

and spread the groundsheet out next to Joe. Lifting his son slightly, Ben pulled Joe on to the heavy cloth. Picking up the saddle blanket, Ben rubbed Joe\u2019s hair vigorously with the thick fabric, drying it as best he could. A small smile crossed Ben\u2019s face as he worked. Joe would smell faintly like a horse when he was done, but that was a small price to pay to ward off the effects of exposure.<\/p>\n

Once he was satisfied Joe\u2019s hair was fairly dry, Ben put the saddle blanket aside. He bent over his son and eased the coat from around him. Then Ben began to unbutton Joe\u2019s shirt.<\/p>\n

Joe began to shiver violently as Ben pulled open his shirt. Ben worked as quickly as he could, not wanting to expose his son\u2019s bare, damp skin to the cool air any longer than necessary. He tugged the shirt off Joe\u2019s left shoulder and arm, then pulled the damp cloth from under Joe\u2019s back. Grabbing the right side of Joe\u2019s collar, Ben began to peel the shirt off Joe\u2019s right shoulder.<\/p>\n

Wincing at the jagged hole in his son\u2019s shoulder, Ben could tell the bullet had hit the fleshing area under the bone. The blood on the back of Joe\u2019s shirt told Ben that the bullet had gone through Joe, probably from back to front judging from the size of the wound Ben could see. Blood was still seeping from the wound, a small trickle of red fluid that ran down Joe\u2019s arm. The wound looked clean, but Ben couldn\u2019t even guess how much blood Joe had lost.<\/p>\n

Reaching to his neck, Ben untied the bandanna from around his throat. He wrapped the bandanna around Joe\u2019s shoulder, and tied the make-shift bandage as tightly as possible. Joe moaned and turned his head away. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe,\u201d said Ben softly, truly regretting the pain he was causing his son.<\/p>\n

Picking up the saddle blanket again, Ben began rubbing it over Joe\u2019s arms and chest, drying the skin as quickly as he could. Satisfied that he had done at least an adequate job, Ben tossed the blanket aside. He eased Joe\u2019s right arm into the sleeve of his coat, then reached over and did the same with Joe\u2019s left arm. Then he pulled the coat tightly around his son, and buttoned it closed.<\/p>\n

Moving down an inch or so, Ben quickly undid Joe\u2019s belt and stripped the lower part of his son\u2019s body of the wet pants. He once more used the saddle blanket to dry the damp skin. He reached for the blanket of his bedroll and tightly wrapped the blanket around Joe, tucking the warm cloth under Joe\u2019s legs and heels. For the last time, Ben picked up the saddle blanket. This time, he folded the cloth, making a square. Lifting Joe\u2019s head slightly, he slid the blanket underneath then eased Joe\u2019s head down on the not-so-soft pillow.<\/p>\n

Sitting back on his heels, Ben studied his son. Joe was as warm and dry as Ben could make him for right now. But he knew the blanket and coat wouldn\u2019t offer the warmth Joe needed once the sun was completely down and the cold air of night made its appearance.<\/p>\n

Once more, Ben reached forward and stroked Joe\u2019s head. \u201cJoe, I\u2019ve got to get some wood for a fire,\u201d he said. \u201cI won\u2019t be gone long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Revived a bit by the warmth of the clothes and blanket wrapped around him, Joe opened his eyes. He looked up at Ben, a desperate pleading in his eyes as he said, \u201cPaul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Misunderstanding the word, Ben thought Joe was asking him for something. \u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d he said with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul,\u201d Joe repeated, saying the word more clearly but also with urgency. \u201cHe might come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wondered for a moment who Paul was, then realized that Joe was talking about Williams. He remembered how the man had insisted Joe call him Paul, liking the way the name resembled Pa. Joe had told Ben that he couldn\u2019t help but think of Williams as anyone other than Paul.<\/p>\n

\u201cWilliams is in the area?\u201d said Ben in surprise. \u201cIs that what you\u2019re afraid of?\u201d Joe nodded quickly.<\/p>\n

Once he had seen his son stumbling out of the woods, Ben had completely forgotten about the madman who had taken Joe away from him. Now he realized that if Joe had escaped, Williams must be looking for him. Ben quickly turned his head toward the woods, scanning the area for any sign of movement, any indication that someone was nearby. Ben didn\u2019t see anything but that didn\u2019t mean Williams wasn\u2019t around.<\/p>\n

Rubbing his chin, Ben tried to decide what to do. He hated the thought of leaving Joe alone for even a brief period. If Williams showed up, Joe wouldn\u2019t be able to resist the man, and Ben might lose his son again \u2013 this time for good. But Ben also knew that Joe might not survive the cold night unless he built a fire, and to do that, he had to gather some wood.<\/p>\n

Reaching down, Ben pulled the gun from the holster on his hip. \u201cHere, take this,\u201d said Ben, pushing the gun under the blanket near Joe\u2019s left hand. \u201cIf you see Williams, don\u2019t ask questions. Just shoot the son of\u2026just shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

A smile twitched on Joe\u2019s lips as he nodded.<\/p>\n

Standing, Ben took another quick look around. Again, nothing seemed to indicate anyone else was in the area. Ben hesitated, then turned and walked quickly up the hill toward his horse.<\/p>\n

Stopping only to pull his rifle from the saddle on the ground, Ben hurried past his horse toward the growth of trees beyond the animal. He began picking up sticks and branches from the ground, gathering as much fuel as he could quickly rather than worrying about how adequate the wood might be for a fire. As he gathered the wood, Ben kept an eye out for forked branches over which he could spread Joe\u2019s clothes. Once he got the fire going, Ben wanted to dry the clothes and dress his son again, giving him another layer of protection against the cold.<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure how long it took him to collect an armful of wood. The task took longer than he wanted, although he knew he had worked quickly. But Joe\u2019s fear had filled Ben with a sense of foreboding also. He hurried out of the woods with his arms full of wood but also with his rifle in his hand, and his finger on the trigger.<\/p>\n

As Ben rushed down the hill, he could see Joe laying as he had left him, alone on the flat ground. He felt a sense of relief that Williams hadn\u2019t shown up, and an odd sense of gratitude that Joe hadn\u2019t been forced to fire a gun at the man who had caused him and the other Cartwright such misery. Although Ben would never had admitted it to anyone, he didn\u2019t want Joe or anyone else to kill Tyler Williams. That was a pleasure Ben wanted all for himself.<\/p>\n

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

The sound of crickets and the crackling of the fire were the only noise the broke the stillness of the night. Sitting next to the fire, Ben edged a bit closer, grateful for its warmth. He fed more fuel into the fire, building it up higher. As he did, Ben looked over to where Joe lay in an exhausted sleep, and felt anger and concern welling up inside him as it had most of the night. Ben gave in to the concern. H reached over and put his hand lightly on Joe\u2019s forehead. The skin felt warm, a natural warmth and not one caused by fever.<\/p>\n

The feel of Ben\u2019s hand caused Joe to stir a bit and mumble something unintelligible. Removing his hand, Ben say soothingly, \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe. Good back to sleep, son. Go to sleep.\u201d Ben waited, watching until the even rhythm of Joe\u2019s breathing told him that his son had obeyed him.<\/p>\n

Turning back to the fire, Ben stared into the flames and allowed his anger free rein. His anger was directed at the man who had tried to take his son from him, and who had caused Joe to risk his life in order to escape from his clutches. For a few minutes, Ben indulged himself and imagined what horrible punishments he would inflict on Williams if he ever got his hands on the man. Then Ben sighed, and brought both his anger and imagination under control. His thoughts turned once more toward Joe.<\/p>\n

When Joe\u2019s clothes had finally dried, Ben woke his son and helped him back into the now warm albeit dirty shirt and pants. As Joe struggled into the clothes, he had told Ben in disjointed phrases about the island and Williams\u2019 mad plan to keep Joe there in order to mold him into an obedient son. A small smile crossed Ben\u2019s face as he thought of William\u2019s plan. He had been trying to accomplish the same task as Williams for 22 years, and had met with only limited success. But the smile on Ben\u2019s face quickly disappeared as he thought of the bullet hole in Joe\u2019s shoulder. Williams obviously was prepared to use harsh methods to accomplish his aim, much harsher than Ben would have ever dreamed of employing.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head in amazement, Ben thought about the island and Joe\u2019s daring escape. He would have never dreamed that Williams had been holding Joe on that small piece of land in the middle of the bay. Ben had stared at the island for a long time as he had sat on his rock, and had never seen any evidence of someone living on it. Joe had downplayed his escape, too tired to give Ben more than the bare bones of what had happened. But even those small bits Joe had told him had amazed Ben. He knew his son was clever and strong, but until now, he hadn\u2019t realized just how clever and how strong Joe could be.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s stomach rumbled, a reminder that he hadn\u2019t eaten since breakfast. He glanced over at Joe, and saw his son was still in a deep sleep. Ben decided Joe needed rest more than food. In the morning, he would fix Joe as hearty a breakfast as he could manage, and then \u2013 at last \u2013 he would take his son home.<\/p>\n

Reaching behind him, Ben opened the saddlebags on the ground. He was pawing through the contents, looking for some beef jerky, when he heard a twig snap. Ben spun quickly forward, his hand reaching for the rifle on the ground next too him. But his movement was too slow.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d shouted the man with the white beard as he emerged from the shadows of the night. \u201cYou pick up that gun and I\u2019ll put a bullet in you.\u201d The man had a rifle in his hand and it was pointed directly at Ben. Ben\u2019s hand froze only inches from the weapon laying next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMove away from the rifle,\u201d ordered the man, gesturing a bit with the rifle. Ben hesitated, unwilling to move away from his only means of defense. The man levered a bullet into the rifle. \u201cMove,\u201d the man said again. \u201cI\u2019m not adverse to pulling this trigger.\u201d Believing the man meant what he said, Ben moved away from the rifle on the ground \u2013 and closer to Joe.<\/p>\n

The man relaxed a bit as Ben moved. \u201cThank you for leading me to the boy,\u201d he said, a smile crossing his face. \u201cI had almost given up on finding him until I saw your fire. It was a beacon of light in the wilderness. I knew it was meant to lead me to the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silently, Ben cursed himself for not shielding the fire. He had been so intent on building up the blaze so it would warm Joe and himself that he hadn\u2019t even think how it might lead Williams right to them. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d asked Ben cautiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I\u2019ve always wanted,\u201d replied the man, his voice showing his surprise at Ben\u2019s question. \u201cTo take the boy with me, so I can give him the guidance and counsel he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t need your guidance and counsel,\u201d said Ben firmly. \u201cHe\u2019s old enough to make his own decisions, including when to ask for help. And when he does want help, it\u2019s my job to give it to him, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just like I told Joe,\u201d said the man, shaking his head sadly. \u201cYou don\u2019t deserve a boy like him. You don\u2019t understand what he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and you do?\u201d said Ben in a voice filled with contempt. \u201cWhat makes you think you know how to raise a son? Your own son ran away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI made some mistakes with David,\u201d the man admitted. \u201cBut I won\u2019t make the same mistakes with Joe. I can show him how to live his life so it will be meaningful. I\u2019ll guide him, and tell him what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happens when you\u2019re no longer around?\u201d argued Ben. \u201cHow was Joe suppose to have functioned when you\u2019re not there to tell him what to do? You would have turned him into an indecisive, unsure man, afraid to make any decisions on his own. You would have made him afraid of his own shadow. That\u2019s no life, and certainly not the life I want for my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour son?\u201d said the man in a voice full of mockery. \u201cHe\u2019s no longer your son. He\u2019s mine. I\u2019m his guardian now. You no longer have any role in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling his son stirring next to him, Ben put a warning hand on Joe\u2019s leg. He wasn\u2019t sure if Joe was awake, and couldn\u2019t risk turning to check. All he could hope was that Joe would take the cue and lie still.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up to Joe how he lives his life,\u201d Ben said, trying to reason with the man. \u201cI think he\u2019s made his decision pretty clear. He was willing to risk his life, to die rather than stay on that island with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust another example of the boy\u2019s poor decisions,\u201d replied the man. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t understand. That\u2019s why I have to take him back. To make him understand and listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he doesn\u2019t listen, what are you going to do? Put another bullet in him?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hit him,\u201d the man answered. \u201cI just wanted to stop him. It was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn accident?\u201d said Ben with raised eyebrows. \u201cJust like I suppose killing Jake Fallon was an accident? And killing your wife was an accident?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure what he had said to trigger the sudden rage he saw in the man\u2019s face, but he knew he had made a mistake. The man\u2019s face turned red, and his eyes blazed. \u201cI didn\u2019t kill my wife!\u201d shouted the man. \u201cWhy doesn\u2019t anyone believe me!\u201d He took a step forward and pulled the rifle a bit higher, aiming it directly at Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re just like all the others,\u201d the man yelled. \u201cYou judge and you accuse without knowing. Joe doesn\u2019t need that kind of man in his life.\u201d The man raised the rifle and aimed at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m going to do Joe a favor and remove you from his life forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the rifle raised to be fired, Ben dove to his right, toward the rifle laying the on the ground. The man shot just as Ben had moved, and his bullet zinged harmlessly into the ground between Ben and his son.<\/p>\n

Scrambling forward, Ben grabbed the rifle. He didn\u2019t bother to aim; he merely pointed the gun at the madman in front of him. Ben cocked the rifle quickly. The man was turning his rifle toward Ben, preparing to shoot again. Ben pulled the trigger on his own gun. Almost as soon as he did, he heard another gun fire. But the sound of the second gun didn\u2019t come from the rifle in front of Ben. The sound came from Ben\u2019s left.<\/p>\n

The man spun around as two bullets hit him almost simultaneously. His body arched and twitched, and then fell forward to the ground.<\/p>\n

Surprised by the second shot, Ben turned his head to the left. He saw Joe was propped up from the ground, leaning heavily on his left elbow. In his left hand, Joe held a smoking pistol.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Ben asked his son quickly.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t seem to hear the question for a moment. He continued to stare in to the area where the man had been standing. Slowly, Joe turned his head to face his father. \u201cIs he dead?\u201d asked Joe in a voice devoid of emotion.<\/p>\n

Rising slowly from the ground, Ben walked to the body a few away. He kicked the rifle out of the man\u2019s hands, then crouched to turn the body over.<\/p>\n

There was no doubt the man was dead. Ben could see that even before he felt for a pulse. The man\u2019s eyes were open, wide with surprise, and blood trickled out of his mouth.<\/p>\n

Two bullets had entered the body, one near the shoulder and one in the middle of the chest. There was no doubt which bullet had killed the man. But Ben couldn\u2019t be certain which gun had fired the fatal bullet. Perhaps it was better that way, thought Ben. He knew he hated the man and suspected Joe felt the same way. Neither of them would ever be sure if the hate had caused them to kill Williams. It might ease both their consciences a bit.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and turned to where Joe was watching him anxiously. \u201cHe\u2019s dead,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Joe, his voice sounding apprehensive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d answered Ben firmly.<\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe turned to look away. He suddenly sagged to the ground, and his body began to quiver.<\/p>\n

Rushing back to Joe\u2019s side, Ben gathered son into his arms. \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d he said in a soothing voice as Joe sobbed his relief into his father\u2019s chest. \u201cIt\u2019s over now.\u201d As Ben stroked Joe\u2019s head in comfort, he looked toward the body laying on the ground. \u201cIt\u2019s over, Joe. He won\u2019t ever come after you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHey, Joe,\u201d Hoss said with a grin as he walked into the house. \u201cWe got another letter from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up from the chair by the fire, Joe asked his brother. \u201cYeah? Where am I now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking down at the envelope, Hoss read the postmark. \u201cReno,\u201d he said. He looked back up at Joe. \u201cBoy, you sure have gotten around these past few weeks,\u201d Hoss added with a grin. \u201cSacramento, Stockton and now Reno.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I like to be on the move,\u201d answered Joe with a tight smile.<\/p>\n

The door opened behind Hoss, and Ben and Adam walked into the house. \u201cIs that the mail?\u201d asked Ben, seeing the letters in his middle son\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d replied Hoss with a nod. \u201cI was just telling Joe we got another letter from him. This time from Reno.\u201d Hoss turned back to his youngest brother. \u201cWant to read it, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking down at the book in his hand, Joe shifted his right arm a bit, making it more comfortable in the sling that supported it. \u201cNo thanks,\u201d said Joe curtly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take it,\u201d said Ben quickly, snatching the letters from Hoss\u2019 hand. He had no intention of opening the letter and reading the nonsense his son had supposedly written. As soon as Joe was out of the room, Ben was going to throw the unopened letter into the fire.<\/p>\n

Looking across the room at Joe, the only visible sign Ben could see of his son\u2019s ordeal was the injured arm resting in the sling. It was hard for Ben to realize that almost four weeks had passed since he carried his son home, his arms wrapped securely around Joe as the two had shared Ben\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

Weak and sore, Joe had said little on the ride; in fact, he had slept most of the way. But Ben remembered Joe suddenly waking during the ride, and frantically struggling to free himself from Ben\u2019s grasp until Joe had realized it was his father, and not Williams, who held him. And what Ben remembered most about that ride was Joe asking him once more if Williams was really dead. Ben could still hear the tremor in Joe\u2019s voice, a reflection of both his son\u2019s unhealthy state as well as his lingering fear.<\/p>\n

After the brief but joyous reunion between Joe and his brothers, Ben had carried his son to his bed. The doctor had assured Ben that all Joe would recover, that all Joe needed was rest. But Ben knew the doctor didn\u2019t fully understand the harm that might have done to his son, the injuries that might have inflicted to other than Joe\u2019s body. So for two days, Ben sat by Joe\u2019s bed, wanting his face to be the first one Joe saw when he woke, and the last one Joe saw before falling asleep. He wanted to erase any image of Tyler Williams from Joe\u2019s mind, if he could.<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t asked where Hoss and Adam had disappeared to in the days after his return, and Ben didn\u2019t volunteer the information. Ben had waited until Joe was asleep, and even then, had given Hoss and Adam their instructions in a low voice in the living room below. His older sons had reported back to their father the same way \u2013 in low voices, talking after Joe had fallen asleep in his room. Ben had been satisfied with what Adam and Hoss had told him.<\/p>\n

What Ben had wanted to do was destroy any evidence that Tyler Williams had ever existed. Hoss assured his father that the body had been buried deep in the woods, far away from the granite rock and the view from the large stone. Adam had told his father of finding the surprising large rowboat beached near the lake. He and Hoss had rowed to the island and had easily found the cabin hidden in the trees. It had taken Adam and Hoss almost three days to destroy that cabin, scattering the logs around the island. Most of the contents had been buried in a large hole they had found in the side of the hill, a hole in which Adam had guessed the boat had been buried while Joe was on the island. What items Adam and Hoss couldn\u2019t bury, they burned or threw into the lake. They had found no personal belongings in the cabin other than a few clothes and books. Adam has assured Hoss that David Williams would want not want those reminders of his father. Adam\u2019s conversation with David in Denver had convinced Adam that the younger Williams was not interested in any legacy from his father. The only things Adam and Hoss had brought back from the island was Joe\u2019s jacket and boots.<\/p>\n

The one thing that might remind Joe of his ordeal that Ben couldn\u2019t destroy was Emerald Bay. But Ben was sure he could find reasons to keep Joe from that side of the lake, to make sure his son never had to look at that view again. Ben wasn\u2019t even sure he ever wanted to see the bay again.<\/p>\n

Just when Ben had been sure that nothing remained that would remind Joe of Williams, the letter from Sacramento had arrived. Hoss had thought it was harmless fun to announce its arrival and read its contents aloud, which he did before Ben could stop him. Sitting on the other side of the room at the time, Joe had listened with a strange look on his face. Although Joe had joked about the letter, as well as made fun of the words inside which praised Williams and the guidance he was giving Joe, Ben had not been fooled. He had seen the troubled look in Joe\u2019s eyes when Joe hadn\u2019t been aware that he father was watching. The second letter, the one from Stockton, had shown up about a week later. Joe had seen that letter also before Ben had had a chance to burn it.<\/p>\n

And now another letter. Ben wondered how many of those accursed things would show up, and over what time period.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, is there anything in there from Denver?\u201d Adam asked, his eyes sending a message to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Ben a bit startled. He quickly flipped the through the letters. \u201cNo, um, no there isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Adam, trying to sound indifferent. \u201cI\u2019m kind of expecting something, so keep an eye out for a letter from Denver for me, will you?\u201d He had written David Williams about what had happened and of his father\u2019s death. Adam didn\u2019t really expect a reply \u2013 what could David say to the Cartwrights? But he wanted to be sure to intercept any reply that might show up.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I think I\u2019m going to go for a ride,\u201d said Joe, putting his book aside.<\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben said, \u201cThe doctor said to keep your arm in a sling and no riding until Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFriday is day after tomorrow,\u201d said Joe with a shrug. \u201cThat\u2019s close enough, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hesitating, Ben thought before answering. He had been very careful these last few weeks not to give Joe orders. He had vowed to do what he told Williams, to let Joe make his own decisions. But he now he realized that vow was going to be impossible to keep. He couldn\u2019t simply allow his son to do whatever he wanted, not if what Joe wanted to do seemed unwise. Ben looked at Joe and saw his son watching him expectantly. He realized Joe in some way also wanted his father to do tell him what to do \u2013 at least, to tell him occasionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not close enough,\u201d said Ben in a stern voice. \u201cThe doctor said Friday. You will not remove that sling or get on a horse until Friday, do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d said Joe, in a resigned voice. But the look on Joe\u2019s face told Ben that he really didn\u2019t mind his father\u2019s rebuke. Ben gave a small sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, do you think that Williams fellow really killed his wife?\u201d said Hoss curiously. His question was followed by a quick poke in the ribs from Adam\u2019s elbow, and a stern look from Ben. \u201cI was only asking,\u201d mumbled Hoss, looking down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hoss,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cI don\u2019t mind talking about it.\u201d Seeing the astonished look on Ben\u2019s face, Joe added. \u201cEveryone has been avoiding talking about Williams, avoiding his name like it causes plague or something. It\u2019s better if it\u2019s out in the open. We can\u2019t spend the rest of our lives walking on egg shells around the subject, trying to pretend it didn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised you feel that way,\u201d said Ben carefully.<\/p>\n

Shrugging, Joe said, \u201cIt happened, Pa. Nothing is going to change that or make me forget about it. The best thing to do is just deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Ben wondered if trying to get rid of all evidence of Williams\u2019 twisted scheme had been the right thing to do. He had thought that removing anything that might remind Joe of that man would be best for his son. But hearing Joe\u2019s words, Ben realized he could never eliminate everything that had to do with Williams\u2019 and his sick plan. If there were more letters, Ben couldn\u2019t stop them from showing up. And he certainly couldn\u2019t erase his son\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n

Although his intentions had been good, now Ben felt that perhaps Joe needed something different, some reassurance that his life would return to the way it had been despite the disruption Williams has created. Ben wondered what he could do to offer his son that reassurance.<\/p>\n

Turning to Hoss, Joe said, \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think Williams killed his wife. I think that was his problem, or at least part of it. He didn\u2019t kill his wife, but no one would believe him, not even his own son. He needed to find someone who would listen to him, someone who would believe it when he said he was innocent. I think he was trying to create that person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling wryly, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m not sure he made the best choice in picking you to create into his willing slave. He needed someone a little less bull-headed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou calling me bull-headed?\u201d said Joe, feigning shock.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd stubborn, and quick-tempered, and rash,\u201d added Hoss, counting off Joe\u2019s faults on his fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I get the picture,\u201d said Joe with a laugh. He shook his head. \u201cI guess maybe I wasn\u2019t quite the right kind of person for Paul to try to guide through life.\u201d Looking over at Ben, Joe smiled, \u201cBesides, I already have someone to give me advice \u2013 whether I want it or not. And we know Pa is always right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking of how he had asked Adam and Hoss to destroy all traces of Williams\u2019 island cabin, Ben shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not always right, Joe. Sometimes I may do things which I think are right at the time, but they may not always turn out to be the best solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, mark that down,\u201d said Joe with a laugh. \u201cPa has finally admitted he might be wrong once in awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling back at Joe, Ben made a decision. \u201cJoe, how would you like to take a ride with me tomorrow?\u201d he asked. \u201cIn the buckboard, not on horseback,\u201d he added quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d said Joe, a bit surprised. \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we might ride out to what you boys call my \u2018thinking rock\u2019,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI think maybe you and I should take another look at Emerald Bay.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Author\u2019s Note: Readers interested in the original meeting between Joe and Paul can go to my story entitled \u201cLost Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0\u00a0 There’s someone from the past keeping an eye on Joe.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (41,740 words)<\/p>\n

Lost Son series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Family-3.jpg?fit=272%2C320&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13948","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10338"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13948"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13948\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13948"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13948"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}