{"id":13952,"date":"2007-12-12T15:20:30","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T20:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13952"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:13","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:13","slug":"the-butterfly-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13952","title":{"rendered":"The Butterfly (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 A new foreman at a neighboring ranch causes trouble on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a029,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he stood in front of the mirror combing his hair, Joe Cartwright\u2019s thoughts were on the dance in Virginia City and the young women who were likely to be there. He was ready for a bit of romance, and hoped he might find it that evening at the town hall. With each stroke of the stiff comb through his curly brown hair, Joe pictured a different girl from town dancing with him, and mentally listed her possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t you ready yet? Adam and I are getting tired of waiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Joe looked toward his brother Hoss, who was standing in the doorway of the bedroom. \u201cAlmost ready,\u201d Joe replied. With a grin, he added, \u201cI want those girls in Virginia City to remember why they missed me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStanding in front of that mirror for the next ten minutes ain\u2019t going to make you any prettier,\u201d grumbled Hoss. \u201cAnd Adam and I would like to get to the dance before it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back at the mirror, Joe checked his appearance. At 22, he was still young enough to be concerned about looking mature, and vain enough to want the girls to swoon over him. He stared hard at the image reflected by the glass. His bright white shirt contrasted nicely with his face that had been tanned bronze by a summer of ranch work. The shirt was just snug enough to outline the muscled shoulders and chest built up by the same summer of work. His brown hair was neatly combed, and long and thick enough to tempt some pretty girl to run her fingers through it. Sniffing a bit, Joe could smell the fresh soap from his bath and the touch of bay rum in his hair. With a satisfied nod, Joe picked up the string tie laying on the top of the bureau.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lucky Pa is even letting us go to this dance,\u201d said Joe, looping the tie around his neck. \u201cI didn\u2019t think he was going to let us do anything but eat and sleep until the branding was done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess he figured after three weeks of rounding up cattle and branding calves, we needed a break,\u201d Hoss answered. \u201cYou have to admit we\u2019ve been a bit testy with each other the last day or so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, just because I almost branded you instead of that calf yesterday?\u201d joked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think it was when I dumped Adam into the lake for suggesting we spend another hour chasing steers that did the trick,\u201d Hoss countered with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish Pa had given us some advance notice that he was going to let us go to the dance,\u201d complained Joe. \u201cI didn\u2019t have time to ask anyone to be my date.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither did Adam or me,\u201d Hoss replied, \u201cso quit whining. Now, get a move on or you won\u2019t even have us to go to the dance with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving the now knotted string tie a final pat, Joe turned toward his brother. \u201cI\u2019m ready; let\u2019s go. Although I have to say, you two are the ugliest dates I have ever taken to a dance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Standing by the punch bowl at the back of the town hall, Joe surveyed the crowd of people scattered around the dance floor. He had danced twice, both times with a girl he knew well and whom he considered pleasant and attractive. But neither girl had caused his heart to flutter. Now he was studying the crowd, seeking someone who piqued his interest. Almost all of the women had come with escorts, but Joe knew the unwritten rule that, once a girl had danced with her date, she was free to accept an invitation to join another man on the floor. By now, close to an hour after the dance had begun, virtually all of the women were free to accept Joe\u2019s invitation if they wish to do so. Deciding who he wanted to ask to dance with him was proving no easy task for Joe. Once again, he found himself mentally cataloging the attributes of the young women around the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Joe Cartwright, you look so serious. I thought a dance was suppose to be fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whirling around, Joe was already smiling as he recognized the voice behind him. \u201cSally Randall!\u201d he exclaimed with pleasure. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you were home. It\u2019s good to see you.\u201d He leaned forward to kiss the ash-blonde girl in greeting. Out of the corner of his eye, however, Joe noticed a frown on the face of a cowboy standing next to Sally and turned greeting into a quick hug. \u201cYou look great,\u201d said Joe, surveying with approval Sally\u2019s trim figure accented in all the right places by a low cut mauve dress. \u201cWhen did you get back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout three weeks ago,\u201d answered Sally with a smile. \u201cI looked for you every time I came into town, but no one had seen you. I thought maybe you had moved to Carson City or something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo such luck,\u201d Joe said with a mock sigh of despair. \u201cPa has had us working so hard at the ranch that I haven\u2019t been in town in almost a month.\u201d A devilish glint suddenly appeared in Joe\u2019s eye. \u201cIf I had known you were looking for me, though, I would snuck away and been in town in a flash.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I wasn\u2019t looking THAT hard,\u201d demurred Sally with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow was New York?\u201d asked Joe with genuine curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful,\u201d Sally answered enthusiastically. \u201cMy aunt and uncle took me everywhere \u2013 plays, museums, restaurants, everything. We went to some fabulous parties, one of which was hosted by the mayor. I even managed to find time to do some shopping.\u201d Sally pulled out her skirt a bit and flourished it to emphasize her point.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet you did,\u201d said Joe with a tinge of sarcasm. \u201cI\u2019m surprised there are any dresses left in New York after you were unleashed on the city for, what, about two months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThree months,\u201d Sally corrected him. \u201cIt was wonderful, Joe. I almost hated to come home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost?\u201d asked Joe, raising his eyebrow quizzically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all that rich food and fancy parties do tend to get a bit tedious after awhile,\u201d Sally admitted. \u201cI started missing my father and the ranch, as well as some plain cooking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame old Sally,\u201d said Joe with a laugh. \u201cNever satisfied with what you have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A small frown of displeasure crossed Sally\u2019s face, but quickly disappeared. She turned toward the cowboy standing behind her, \u201cHave you met Jed Baker, Joe?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so,\u201d answered Joe pleasantly as he extended his hand. \u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright. Nice to meet you, Jed.\u201d Briefly, Joe studied the man \u2013 tall, dark haired, and wearing a slightly faded blue shirt, black pants and black string tie. He was, Joe supposed, what the ladies would call good looking, with thick eyebrows perched over deep blue eyes, and a small cleft in his chin accenting face. As Baker briefly shook his hand, Joe had a flicker of recognition, a vague feeling of seeing the man before in circumstances that had been less than pleasant. \u201cBeen around here long?\u201d he asked, still keeping a smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout six months,\u201d replied Baker briefly. \u201cBeen working at the Randall place about four months.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed\u2019s our foreman now,\u201d added Sally proudly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForeman?\u201d said Joe in surprise. \u201cWhat happened to Jake? He\u2019s been your foreman for as long as I can remember.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sally\u2019s face sobered. \u201cJake had a terrible accident,\u201d she explained. \u201cHe got caught in a landslide. He broke his leg, ribs and I don\u2019t what else. The doctor said he was lucky to be alive. He\u2019s staying with his sister while he recovers, and the doctor thinks it could be as long as six months or more before he\u2019s ready to come back to work.\u201d Sally\u2019s face brightened. \u201cJed impressed my father with the way he took charge of things right after Jake got hurt, so he made him foreman, at least temporarily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Joe in a neutral voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just doing my best to help out,\u201d added Baker with a shrug. \u201cI guess Mr. Randall liked what I did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding a bit, Joe turned back to Sally. \u201cHow about a dance?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally\u2019s my date,\u201d interjected Baker with a scowl on his face. He edged closer to the girl — a blatantly possessive move — and gave Joe a hard look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Jed means,\u201d said Sally quickly, \u201cis that we just got here and I haven\u2019t even had a chance to dance with him yet. Maybe later?\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed Joe, not offended. He recognized the look on Baker\u2019s face. The cowboy had staked out his claim on Sally and was prepared to fend off all claim jumpers. Silently, Joe wished the man luck. Knowing Sally, the new foreman would be lucky to get two dances before the night was over.<\/span><\/p>\n

The small band at the front of the hall struck up a waltz and Sally grabbed Baker\u2019s arm. \u201cCome on, Jed, I think this our dance.\u201d A look of relief as well as pride appeared on the cowboy\u2019s face as he lead Sally toward the floor. As the pair walked past Joe, though, Sally peeked over her shoulder and gave him a smile and a wink.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watching Sally Randall and Jed Baker on the dance floor, Joe shook his head. He hoped that cowboy knew what he had on his hands. Joe was sure he would dance with Sally before the night was over, as would many of the other young men in the building. Baker would be unhappy about it, but Sally would sweet talk him out his displeasure. The new foreman at the Randall ranch may have thought he had claimed his prize, but Joe figured he would find out that holding on to Sally Randall was easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The musicians had packed up their instruments and the town hall was almost empty by the time the three Cartwright brothers left the building. Reluctant to end their first break from work in several weeks, the men had lingered in the hall until there was no point in staying any longer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave a good time, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss as he mounted his horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d answered Joe, a bit dispiritedly as climbed into his saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you find some pretty little thing to charm?\u201d asked Adam with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. He kicked his horse forward and started riding slowly out of town, flanked by his two brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most interesting girl there was Sally Randall, and I only danced with her once,\u201d complained Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think she danced with just about every fellow there,\u201d commented Hoss with a grin. \u201cEven Adam and me got a chance to swing her around the floor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d sighed Joe. \u201cEvery time I looked for her, Sally was already on the floor with someone else. Her date didn\u2019t look too happy about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook who\u2019s talking!\u201d laughed Adam. \u201cYou danced with just about every girl in the building.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I didn\u2019t bring a date who spent most of the evening standing by the punch bowl scowling,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cThat fellow, Jed Baker, looked like he could chew nails most of the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least he didn\u2019t cause any trouble,\u201d Adam commented. \u201cRemember what happened a few months ago in the Silver Dollar? He practically tore that saloon apart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe thought back, and the impression of some unpleasantness associated with Baker that had crossed his mind earlier now blossomed into a memory. As Joe recalled, he had been sipping a beer with Adam and Hoss at the bar, and idly surveying the saloon as he drank. He had seen Baker standing at the back of the saloon, talking with one of the girls. Another man had walked over and casually put a hand on the girl\u2019s arm. Almost instantly, Baker had thrown a punch at the intruder and the fight was on. The two men fought viciously as the rest of the men in the bar watched or urged them on. By the time the sheriff had arrived to break up the melee, several tables had been overturned, a number of glasses smashed to shards and at least two chairs broken at the legs. The last thing Joe had seen of Baker was the cowboy\u2019s back as the sheriff led him off to spend a night in jail.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I remember now,\u201d Joe said, nodding slowly. \u201cThat was some fight he had over that saloon girl. I guess he\u2019s calmed down some now that he\u2019s the foreman over at the Randall place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cForeman!\u201d exclaimed Hoss. \u201cWhat happened to ol\u2019 Jake?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome kind of accident,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cSally said Jake got busted up in a landslide, and Baker is acting as foreman until Jake gets better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe moves pretty fast,\u201d Adam observed. \u201cHe\u2019s only been around a couple of months and already he\u2019s foreman at Randall\u2019s ranch, and dating the boss\u2019 daughter to boot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if he thinks he\u2019s going to put his brand on that filly, he\u2019s going to be disappointed,\u201d remarked Hoss. \u201cSally don\u2019t stay in one place or with one fellow long enough to let any grass grow under her feet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she\u2019s like a butterfly, flitting from flower to flower,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cAs soon as she\u2019s had her fill of one person, she moves on to the next one without a backward glance.\u201d He turned to Joe and gave his younger brother a sly smile. \u201cIsn\u2019t that right, Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s talk about something else besides Sally Randall,\u201d answered Joe, scowling a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Joe?\u201d Hoss asked innocently. \u201cDating Sally Randall a sore point with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe just doesn\u2019t like to remember the ones that got away,\u201d said Adam with a chuckle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, shut up,\u201d snapped Joe. He kicked his horse forward and headed toward the Ponderosa at a lope, leaving his two laughing brothers behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Four days of looking for strays distracted Joe from any thoughts of Sally Randall. The majority of the cattle had been rounded up and the calves cut out of the herd for branding. Now Joe and several other hands had the tough job of searching for the remaining cattle while the rest of the crew \u2013 including Adam and Hoss \u2013 kept the herd together and finished the branding. After long hours in the saddle searching the Ponderosa for stubborn steers, the object of Joe\u2019s desire was a hot bath and a soft bed rather than an ash blonde in a mauve dress. Still, the imagine of Sally Randall lingered in Joe\u2019s mind, and thoughts of the girl would pop up unbidden from time to time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carefully guiding his horse toward a box canyon, Joe was surprised to hear the bawling of cattle. The canyon was merely part of the area assigned to Joe, and he hadn\u2019t expected to find any steers so far from the main herd. As he neared the mouth of the canyon, he was even more surprised to see a barrier made of small trees and bushes across the entrance. Behind the crude fence, ten head of cattle were contently grazing on thick grass, or sipping from a small pool formed at the base of the rocks by a steady trickle of water down the side of the canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked around cautiously, keeping his left hand on his pistol, as he rode up to the mouth of the canyon. No one seemed to be around and he could see no evidence of a fire or a camp. Whoever had fenced in the cattle appeared to have left them alone, at least for now. Nevertheless, Joe remained alert for any unusual sound or movement as he dismounted and began pulling apart the barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n

After creating an opening in the roughly built fence, Joe remounted and rode toward the cattle. It took him only a few minutes to bunch up the steers and head them toward the opening. As he herded the cattle out of the canyon, Joe inspected the steers. A deep frown crossed his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost an hour later, Joe\u2019s little bunch of steers was nearing the main herd. Joe stopped the steers and allowed them to start grazing a short distance from the much larger group of cattle. At the edge of the main herd, his father, Ben Cartwright, sat comfortably on his buckskin horse, watching as Hoss flipped a calf onto its side and Adam quickly applied a branding iron to the flank of the bawling animal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa,\u201d Joe shouted as he rode up to the three men. \u201cI found ten head up in that box canyon near Snowshoe Ridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning a bit in the saddle, Ben nodded approvingly at his youngest son. \u201cGood. Drive them into the main herd. Any calves with that bunch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo calves,\u201d answered Joe as he stopped his horse next to his father, \u201cbut there\u2019s something strange about those cattle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not sick, are they?\u201d asked Ben in an alarmed voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know better than to bring diseased cattle so close to the main herd,\u201d added Adam in disapproving tone as he looked up from the branding fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they\u2019re not sick,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cBut they are branded with a rocking R. They\u2019re Randall steers, not Ponderosa cattle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRandall steers?\u201d said Hoss in surprise. \u201cUp by Snowshoe Ridge? What were they doing up there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey must have found the Ponderosa grass awfully tempting to wander so far from home,\u201d remarked Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if they did, then they also built a fence across the canyon to keep themselves there,\u201d Joe stated with a small smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRustlers?\u201d said Ben, frowning. \u201cDid you see anyone around?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t, \u201c answered Joe. \u201cNo camp, no running irons, nothing. I figure whoever took those cattle penned them up in the canyon for now and was planning to come back for them later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy drive Randall steers all the way over here to the Ponderosa?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cWhy not just take some of our cattle?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably the rustlers started with Randall\u2019s herd and were planning to add some of our cattle to their collection,\u201d suggested Adam. \u201cThey drove the steers over here so it would be easier to keep track of them while they stole some of our cattle. Only we put a crimp their plans by starting the round-up early. Joe found their little cache before they could add to it, or change the brands and sell them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou may be right, Adam,\u201d Ben agreed. He thought for a moment, then continued. \u201cTell the men to be on the lookout for any strangers or anything unusual. If those rustlers are still around, I don\u2019t want any of the hands running across them and getting surprised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about those Randall steers?\u201d asked Hoss, jerking his head a bit in the direction of the small bunch Joe had left several yards away. \u201cWhat are we going to do with them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose the best thing to do is take them back,\u201d answered Ben slowly. \u201cSomebody will have to drive them over to the Randall ranch and tell John what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d Joe volunteered quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAwful eager, ain\u2019t you, little brother,\u201d said Hoss, grinning. \u201cCouldn\u2019t be that you\u2019re hoping to see Sally Randall when you return them steers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrading in a hard saddle for a soft chair in the Randall\u2019s parlor,\u201d Adam added, also with a wide smile. \u201cNot a bad way to spend the afternoon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just trying to do what\u2019s best,\u201d replied Joe, trying hard to keep an innocent look on his face. \u201cWhoever returns those steers should be able to tell Mr. Randall where we found his cattle.\u201d Then Joe\u2019s face broke into a smile. \u201cBesides, it\u2019s finder\u2019s keepers. I found those cattle and I\u2019m keeping them until they\u2019re home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a step away from rustling to me,\u201d grumbled Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about it, Pa?\u201d asked Joe as he turned to his father. \u201cIs it all right if I take those steers back to the Randall place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d answered Ben, smiling indulgently at his youngest son. \u201cBut be sure to tell John where you found those steers and about the rustlers. He\u2019ll probably want to put some extra men on his herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d Joe turned his horse and quickly kicked the pinto into a lope, wanting to be off before his father changed his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd be home in time for supper,\u201d Ben called toward the back of his retreating son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe waved a hand in acknowledgement as he rode toward the small herd. Whether the wave meant that he would be back in time for supper or merely that Joe had heard his father, no one was sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better warn Hop Sing that Joe might be late,\u201d said Ben with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Herding ten steers who were interested in staying in the thick grass was no easy task, but Joe was up to the challenge. He whistled, cajoled and pushed the cattle in the direction of the Randall ranch for close to two hours. Once the steers started to recognize the landscape that surrounded their home pasture, they began to move forward more rapidly, displaying an eagerness to return to familiar territory. But Joe had no intention of letting the cattle merely return to their pasture. He guided them away from the open grass and toward the main house of the Randall ranch. He wanted John Randall to see the cattle he was returning and explain how he found them. The fact that Sally might be around to see him rescuing her father\u2019s property was just an added bonus as far as Joe was concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Randall ranch house was in view of both Joe and his reluctant charges when a rider came racing toward him. Joe wasn\u2019t surprised to recognize the man as Jed Baker. It was only natural that the foreman would come to check out a lone cowboy herding steers toward the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright!\u201d exclaimed Baker as he pulled his horse to a stop a few feet from Joe. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d The foreman took a hard look at the steers in front of Joe. \u201cWhere\u2019d you get them cattle? They got a Randall brand on them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe answered evenly. \u201cWe found them on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A startled look crossed Baker\u2019s face, almost as if he were shocked by Joe\u2019s announcement, but the expression was quickly replaced with a scowl. \u201cFound them? I\u2019ll bet you did. More than likely, somebody from the Ponderosa stole them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe bristled at the accusation from the foreman, but kept his temper in check. \u201cBaker, you\u2019re new around here, so I\u2019m going to let that pass. I told you we found these steers, and that\u2019s all there is to it. But let me give you a piece of advice. You\u2019d better have some hard evidence before you accuse anyone from the Ponderosa of stealing cattle. Otherwise, you\u2019re going to find yourself with more trouble than you can handle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning away from Baker, Joe yelled and whistled at the cattle in front of him, spurring them on to a quicker pace. He ignored the man riding a few paces behind him and kept the steers moving toward the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the yard in front of the Randall house, a man was sitting at a grindstone, his feet peddling slowly to move the abrasive rock while his hands held the edge of an ax against the turning stone. John Randall was a tall, wiry man whose weather-beaten face and hands were testament to a lifetime of ranching. Tufts of black hair salted with white stands poked out from beneath a sweat-stained hat, and flecks of dust dotted his blue shirt and dark brown pants. As he spotted the riders and the cattle moving toward the house, Randall dropped the ax to the ground and got up from his seat He waited patiently until the cattle had moved past him and the two riders stopped in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d Randall greeted the young Cartwright. \u201cWhat have you got here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of your cattle, Mr. Randall,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cWe found them on the Ponderosa.\u201d He glanced over his shoulder at Baker. \u201cYour foreman here seems to think maybe we stole them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStole them!\u201d exclaimed Randall with a laugh. \u201cWhat a ridiculous idea! The Ponderosa has more cattle than any other spread in Nevada. Why would you want a couple of my steers? And even if you did, why would you return them after you stole them?\u201d The rancher shook his head in disbelief. \u201cCartwrights stealing cattle? That\u2019s the dumbest thing I ever heard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the corner of his eye, Joe saw Baker lower his head and press his lips into a tight line as a light flush of red crept up the man\u2019s neck. Satisfied that he had his revenge for the cowboy\u2019s rash accusation, Joe turned his attention back to John Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he may not be all wrong,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cI found them in a box canyon up on Snowshoe Ridge. Somebody had put up a rough fence to keep them in the canyon. That\u2019s a long way for your cattle to stray, and they sure didn\u2019t put up that fence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Randall, nodding slowly. \u201cLooks like someone has been helping themselves to my herd. Why do you think they hid them on the Ponderosa? Trying to get you Cartwrights in trouble maybe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould be,\u201d Joe said. \u201cBut Adam figures it\u2019s more likely they stashed the cattle in the canyon until they could change the brands and sell them. Maybe add a few steers from our herd and some others before they moved out. Nobody goes up that way much and the rustlers probably figured the cattle safe in the canyon for awhile. They would have been, too, except Pa started the round-up and branding a month early.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou doing round-up already?\u201d asked Randall in surprise. \u201cHow come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Union Pacific offered to buy 200 head to feed the crews building track near Sacramento,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cSince we already have a deal with the cattle broker in Salt Lake City, Pa wanted to be sure we had enough cattle to fill both contracts. That meant rounding up the herd and counting them. And since we\u2019re doing round-up, Pa figured we might as well get the branding out of the way too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you got enough cattle?\u201d asked Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I haven\u2019t seen the tally, but the herd sure seems big enough,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cPa has us out scouring the countryside, though, making sure we don\u2019t miss any. That\u2019s how I ended up at Snowshoe Ridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell your Pa that if he comes up short, to let me know,\u201d said Randall. \u201cI\u2019ll sell him whatever extra beef he needs at cost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll appreciate that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, a figure in a green dress strolled out of the house and gracefully perched on the low fence around the porch, her back resting against the pole supporting the roof. \u201cHello, Joe,\u201d said Sally in an inviting tone. \u201cNice of you to come calling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Sally,\u201d replied Joe, touching the brim of his hat. \u201cI\u2019m afraid this isn\u2019t a social call, though. I was just bring back some cattle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long ride from the Ponderosa,\u201d Sally observed. \u201cWouldn\u2019t you like to stay awhile and catch your breath before heading back?\u201d Seeing a frown forming on Baker\u2019s face, she hastily added, \u201cYou look like you could use a break, too, Jed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Mr. Cartwright has to head back to the Ponderosa right away, \u201c stated Baker, still frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Mr. Cartwright can answer for himself, \u201c Joe countered, smiling at Sally. \u201cI guess I could spare a few minutes to visit with an old friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a shrewd eye, John Randall looked at the inviting smile on his daughter\u2019s face, then turned to observe the grin on Joe\u2019s face as well as the frown on Baker\u2019s. It was obvious to the rancher that some sparks were about to fly, but he wasn\u2019t sure between whom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, why don\u2019t you and Jed herd those cattle into the corral by the barn,\u201d Randall suggested almost abruptly. \u201cI want to feed and water them here tonight so I can check the steers before sending them back out to pasture. When you\u2019re done, come on up to the house. I think all of us could use a break.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed Joe, still smiling in Sally\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go in and make up a pitcher of lemonade,\u201d offered Sally. Slowly, she uncoiled her body and stood up straight. Then, walking unhurriedly, she returned to the house, making sure the men behind her could see the slight sway of her hips as she walked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go give Sally a hand,\u201d Randall said. \u201cYou boys come on into the house as soon as you get those cattle settled.\u201d The rancher walked quickly to the front door of his house, wanting to have a word with his daughter about playing with fire before the two potential powder kegs joined them.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took only a few minutes for Joe and Baker to guide the cattle from the front yard into the corral. Neither man looked at each other and the only sound was the low bawling of the cattle, punctuated by an occasional whistle or low shout from their two drovers. As soon as the steers were in the pen, Baker dismounted and closed the gate. He watched as Joe got off his horse and led the pinto toward the side of the corral.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Cartwright,\u201d Jed started tentatively, \u201cI guess I shouldn\u2019t have said what I did before. It\u2019s just that, well, I guess I was trying to protect Mr. Randall\u2019s property. I don\u2019t like the idea of anyone taking something that don\u2019t belong to him, whether it\u2019s Mr. Randall\u2019s \u2013 or mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he tied the reins of his pinto to the rail of the corral, Joe neither looked at or answered Baker. He understood the implied apology as well as the implied threat in the foreman\u2019s words, and wasn\u2019t sure how he wanted to react to them. He used the brief time it took to finish tying the reins and give his horse an affectionate pat on the neck to decide, and elected to the give the tall cowboy the benefit of the doubt. Walking over to Baker, Joe leaned against the corral and looked the foreman squarely in the eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, Baker, you\u2019re new around here,\u201d began Joe in an even tone, \u201c and I\u2019ve known Sally and her father most of my life. So let me tell you a few things. First off, John Randall doesn\u2019t need anyone to fight his battles for him. He built this place from a small cabin and a few head of cattle into one of the finest ranches in Nevada. No one does something like that without being smart and tough, and Mr. Randall is both. He may give his hands a good bit of leeway, but he knows how to run his ranch. You\u2019d be better off remembering who is really in charge of this place.\u201d For the second time in the last hour, Baker looked down and flushed a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as Sally goes,\u201d Joe continued, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t get my hopes up if I were you. Sally is a nice girl and fun to be with but she….well, let\u2019s just say she\u2019s easily distracted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Abruptly, Baker looked up. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I mean is,\u201d answered Joe, struggling to find the right words to explain, \u201cthat Sally can be very enthusiastic about something but then someone or something else will suddenly attract her attention. Next thing you know, she\u2019s moved on. My brother called her a butterfly and that\u2019s a pretty good description. She stays in one place long enough to make you think you can catch her, but, then all of a sudden, she\u2019s gone and you\u2019ve got nothing but air.\u201d Seeing the look of disbelief on Baker\u2019s face, Joe continued. \u201cDo you know what she was doing six months ago? Dating this young lawyer in Virginia City. Sally was all excited about the idea of living in town and talking about how this lawyer could be a judge someday soon. Then she got a letter from her aunt, inviting her to come visit her in New York. She started packing right away. The way I heard it, the lawyer begged her to stay and even asked her to marry him, but Sally suddenly wasn\u2019t interested in anything except going to New York. He was so broken up that he left town the day after she took the stage east.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou make her sound mean,\u201d Baker protested. \u201cSally isn\u2019t like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Sally isn\u2019t mean,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cShe just doesn\u2019t know what she wants out of life, but she keeps right on looking for it. Sally was ten when her mother died, and that\u2019s about the time her father started indulging her every whim. Somewhere along the line, Sally decided the whole world would treat her like her father. She really believes that if she wants to do something, she should just go ahead and do it, and never mind the consequences. Sally never intends to hurt anyone, but she honestly believes her feelings are more important than anyone else\u2019s. And she thinks the rest of the world believes that also.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Baker frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t believe you. You\u2019re just saying all this because you\u2019re interested in Sally for yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201c replied Joe with a grim laugh. \u201cI was one of Sally\u2019s early conquests. For three months or so, I thought I was the love of her life. Then there was a rodeo in Virginia City and I lost the bronc riding contest to this big, good-looking cowboy from the Bar B. Next thing I knew, Sally was sitting next to him at the barbeque and I was sitting there nursing my bruises. Suddenly, she didn\u2019t have time for me any more, at least until the day I finally caught up with her in town and she gave me the \u201clet\u2019s be friends\u201d speech. I was pretty mad about the way she treated me, and I didn\u2019t like seeing her with this other fellow. Then one day, she gets invited to go to San Francisco with Donna Burke\u2019s family. Next thing you know, she\u2019s kissing her cowboy good-bye and heading for California. When she got back about six weeks later, Sally barely remembered the guy\u2019s name. That\u2019s when I realized what happened had nothing to do with me. Sally is\u2026.just Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she may have been like that in the past, but Sally is different now,\u201d said Baker, sounding a bit unsure about the truth of his statement. \u201cShe told me she\u2019s home to stay and wants to build a life here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally always believes what she\u2019s doing at the time is what she really wants,\u201d Joe answered, shaking his head a bit. \u201cMaybe she has changed. But I wouldn\u2019t count on it if I were you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem awfully anxious to spend time with Sally,\u201d commented Baker, the suspicion evident in his voice. \u201cEspecially for someone who doesn\u2019t think she\u2019d be interested in him for very long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like Sally a lot,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cShe\u2019s pretty, interesting and fun. I was hurt when she dropped me, but that was a long time ago, and I understand her now. I don\u2019t have any illusions about Sally, but that doesn\u2019t spot me from wanting to be with her.\u201d He hesitated a moment, and then added honestly, \u201cI think in the back of my mind, I\u2019m like you \u2013 hoping that she\u2019s changed and maybe she\u2019s ready to get serious about someone. I guess I\u2019m curious to find out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou had your chance,\u201d Baker stated with a scowl. \u201cI think Sally made it clear you weren\u2019t for her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Joe could reply to the foreman\u2019s pronouncement, the subject of their conversation appeared on the front porch. \u201cJoe! Jed!\u201d called Sally from the house. \u201cHurry up! The lemonade\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn our way,\u201d shouted Joe as he straightened up and started toward the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abruptly, Baker grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cCartwright, I\u2019m not sure what your game is but understand this. Sally is seeing me now, and I don\u2019t want you hanging around her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s up to Sally to decide,\u201d answered Joe, pushing Baker\u2019s arm away. He walked with long strides toward the girl waiting on the porch, forming his face into a warm smile as he deliberately left Baker behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next hour was more like a chess match than a refreshing break in the day. Sally maneuvered her willing pawns, smiling sweetly at Jed but casually resting a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder as she refilled his glass. She made both men feel like she was talking only to him as she chatted about New York as well as asked about the work on their respective ranches. For their part, Joe and Jed tried to checkmate each other as they bragged about their accomplishments. And all the while, John Randall tried to protect his queen from the two knights by dropping strong hints that Sally\u2019s plans for the future didn\u2019t include settling down. By the time Joe reluctantly got up to leave, the competitive atmosphere in the ranch house rivaled any game played by aspiring grand masters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell your Pa thanks for sending those cattle back, Joe\u201d, Randall said as he walked Joe to the door. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget what I said about selling him some steers if he comes up short.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Joe promised. He looked past the rancher and smiled Sally. \u201cThanks for the lemonade and cookies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Joe,\u201d Sally replied, smiling at the young Cartwright in return. \u201cI hope I\u2019ll see you again soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s going to be pretty busy finishing the round-up and branding,\u201d Barker said with a triumphant look on his face. \u201cHe probably won\u2019t be getting away from the Ponderosa much. Just like me, he\u2019s going to have stay close to home for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, it might not be a bad idea for us to start round-up and branding,\u201d remarked Randall thoughtfully. \u201cThe sooner we get it done, the better position I\u2019ll be in to sell some of the herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSound like you might be out riding the range for a while, Jed,\u201d said Joe, returning Baker\u2019s smug look. \u201cOf course, we\u2019re almost finished and I\u2019ll have a lot more free time pretty soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure both you young fellows have plenty of work to keep your busy,\u201d Randall stated pointedly. He subtly moved Joe out the door. \u201cGive my regards to your father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll be seeing you, Sally,\u201d His smile was directed at the girl, but his eyes were on Baker. \u201cIt\u2019s important for old friends to keep in touch, you know,\u201d Joe added pointedly. Turning quickly, Joe left the house and walked across the yard toward his pinto. He whistled a tune softly as he untied the reins of the horse and mounted. The whistling was a bit off-key and hard to identify but any listener would have been able to recognized the sound of a victory march.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Almost another week passed before Ben was satisfied that the whole herd had been rounded up, all the calves branded, and steers accurately counted. Joe was profoundly grateful to hear his father finally announce that the men could stop searching for strays; he felt like he had ridden over every square inch of the Ponderosa looking for steers. The thought not having to spend long days in the saddle for awhile brought a gleam of happiness to Joe\u2019s eye for more than one reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

While searching the all the nooks and crannies of the Ponderosa for missing cattle, Joe had spent time sorting out his feelings about Sally. He was honest enough to admit that part of his desire to attract the young girl had to do with Baker. He disliked the man, thought the Randall foreman was arrogant and opportunistic. Joe would like nothing better than to win Sally\u2019s affection away from Jed Baker.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, Joe wasn\u2019t sure that he really wanted to get involved with Sally again. Despite his pronouncement to Baker about understanding the girl, Joe knew he could find himself falling into the old trap of thinking he really was the true object of Sally\u2019s affections this time, only to be rebuffed by the girl when some other man caught her eye. He had been hurt by Sally once, and he sure didn\u2019t want to put himself through that pain again. And he wasn\u2019t even sure how Sally felt about him. Sally had flirted with him at the Randall ranch, but then, Sally flirted with everyone. She had encouraged Baker as much as she had encouraged Joe. After one dance with him at the town hall, she had moved on to other partners without a backwards glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

After days of riding and thinking, Joe was no closer to sorting out his relationship with Sally than when he had left the Randall ranch. He did, however, have a strategy. He would find an opportunity to talk with Sally and see if he could ascertain her feelings toward him. His encounter with her would be casual — a \u201cchance meeting\u201d rather than a formal date like a picnic — to avoid the risk of putting both of them in an awkward situation. He would be an old friend, simply catching up on news, talking about mutual acquaintances, and reviving shared memories. Joe felt sure he would be able to tell if there were a strong attraction between Sally and him if he could only spend a little time alone with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trick, Joe decided, was going to be finding time to be alone with Sally. With two separate herds to move, Joe was sure to be tied up on a cattle drive for awhile. He tried to decide which drive to volunteer for. The Union Pacific herd needed to be driven to Sacramento right away. That meant about two weeks away from home, herding cattle over a rough mountain trail. Two weeks was a long time to give Baker a clear field.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, the cattle drive to the railhead in Ogden wouldn\u2019t be leaving for two or three weeks. The downside to being on that drive, though, was that this herd was a large one and Ogden was a good distance away. That meant being away from home for close to four weeks, not to mention the time needed beforehand to prepare for such a large drive. If Joe volunteered for that drive, he\u2019d probably have a chance to \u201crun into\u201d Sally. But then, Joe would be gone for almost a month \u2013 long enough for Sally to change her mind about him, or have Baker do it for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

The long days chasing strays gave Joe a chance to think but brought him no closer to any answers about Sally, the cattle drives, or much else. By the time his Pa had declared the herd was all rounded up, Joe decided that cattle were much easier to deal with than people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once he and Hoss had set the rotation of hands to watch the herd and keep the steers from straying again, Joe rode hard to the Ponderosa ranch house. He wanted to be in the house when his father and older brother finished checking the tally of the herd and completed their calculations of what was needed to fill the contracts. He had told Ben of John Randall\u2019s offer to provide extra cattle, but Joe wanted to be near to remind his father of the offer if necessary, as well as volunteer to ride over to the Randall ranch to talk to John Randall\u2026.and perhaps Sally.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa!\u201d called Joe as he entered the house, slamming the door behind him. \u201cDid you finish the tally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, couldn\u2019t you just once walk into this house without trying to wake the dead?\u201d Ben complained in a loud voice from behind his desk in the den.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe apologized as he hurried toward the alcove where his father and brother sat. Adam was perched in a chair next to his father\u2019s desk, studying a piece of paper in his hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s the tally?\u201d Joe asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in good shape,\u201d answered Adam. \u201cEven taking into the consideration that we miscounted by a few head, we have more than enough to fill both contracts and still have a good sized herd left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s\u2026good new,\u201d Joe said slowly. He was disappointed but not surprised at Adam\u2019s announcement. His practiced eye had estimated the size of the herd was going to be sufficient to meet their needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it was a good summer,\u201d agreed Ben, nodding. \u201cThe herd grew nice and fat.\u201d He turned to Adam. \u201cWhen you send the telegram to the Union Pacific confirming the contract, tell them they can send their drovers to pick up the cattle whenever they want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPick up the cattle?\u201d said Joe, taken aback. \u201cYou mean we aren\u2019t going to drive them to Sacramento?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the contract says the railroad will pick up the cattle,\u201d replied Ben. He raised his eyebrows a bit. \u201cIt was your idea, remember?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs I recall, your exact comment was that if the railroad wanted those steers so much, they should come get them and save us the trouble of driving them over the mountains to Sacramento,\u201d Adam added in a dry tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost at once, Joe recalled the remark he had made when a four Cartwrights were discussing the possible contract with the Union Pacific Railroad a month or so ago. At the time, he had been voicing a complaint rather than making a serious suggestion, but if it would avoid having to drive a herd of steers over the rugged trail to California, Joe was all for the idea. \u201cOf course, I remember saying it,\u201d Joe told his brother. \u201cI just didn\u2019t think anyone was listening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe always listen,\u201d Adam said wryly, \u201cin the off chance that you might actually come up with an intelligent idea. It just doesn\u2019t happen that often.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben admonished his oldest son, \u201cJoe\u2019s idea was a good one. You said so yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess I did,\u201d admitted Adam with a shrug.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen did the railroad agree to pick up the cattle?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t remember you telling us about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mentioned it the night you came back from delivering those steers to Randall\u2019s place, \u201c answered Ben, looking a bit puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I had other things on my mind that night,\u201d Joe said a bit sheepishly. \u201cSo the railroad really went for the deal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good deal for both sides,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cWith the railroad sending their own drovers, we can save the cost and trouble of hiring an extra crew. We reduced the price of the cattle a bit to reflect that savings. Since the Union Pacific keeps their drovers on salary, it doesn\u2019t cost them extra to send drovers and they get the cattle at a cheaper price. We\u2019ll be able to concentrate on getting ready to drive the rest of the herd to the railhead at Ogden. And the railroad will be able to deliver the steers to their camps faster since they won\u2019t have to wait on our herd to show up in Sacramento. Everyone is happy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcept maybe the drovers who were counting on a few days in Sacramento, waiting for us to deliver the cows to them,\u201d said Joe with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, why don\u2019t you plan to go to Virginia City tomorrow to send that telegram,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Sally\u2019s comment at the dance about looking for him in town crossed Joe\u2019s mind. \u201cHey, Pa, how about letting me send that telegram? After all, it was my idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose that would be all right,\u201d Ben answered slowly. \u201cAdam, do you see any reason why Joe couldn\u2019t make the trip to town tomorrow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOther than he might get sidetracked in town?\u201d Adam said with a grin. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t see why not. Anyone can send a telegram. I\u2019ll write it out tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It occurred to Joe that the next day was Friday, the day when most of the women from the ranches came into town to do their shopping for the week. The ladies liked to avoid Saturday when the town was filled with cowboys hung over from their Friday night drinking or arriving early to start their Saturday revelry. If Sally was in town the next day, she would almost certainly come to the General Store eventually.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, while I\u2019m in town, it might not be a bad idea for me to stop by the General Store and let Mr. Greevey know what we\u2019re going to need for the drive to Ogden in a few weeks,\u201d Joe offered. \u201cThat way, he can make sure he has everything and we\u2019ll save time when we\u2019re ready to pick up the supplies.\u201d He didn\u2019t add that such a list would give him a good excuse to hang around the General Store for awhile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, two good ideas in one month!\u201d exclaimed Adam, opening his eyes wide. \u201cThat\u2019s got to be a record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d Ben warned his oldest son once more with the tone of his voice. Looking at Joe, he nodded approvingly. \u201cThat is a good idea. Why don\u2019t you work out a rough list tonight to give to Greevey. It doesn\u2019t need to be exact, just close enough to make sure he has the supplies on hand when we need them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Joe agreed readily. In the back of his mind, he was already working out a plan to \u201cbump into\u201d Sally in Virginia City and invite her to coffee at the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joe,\u201d said Adam in a serious tone, \u201cyou are starting to come up with some pretty good ideas. I would have never thought it of you, but I guess I was wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d replied Joe, giving his brother a cheeky grin, \u201cyou\u2019d be amazed at the ideas I can come up with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

After almost two hours in Virginia City, Joe\u2019s confidence in his plan was beginning to ebb. When he arrived in town, Joe had tied his horse to the hitching post near the hotel and strolled toward the General Store. He had appeared to be walking casually; only the most alert observer would have noticed his eyes moving rapidly as they searched the streets and sidewalks for a familiar figure. At the General Store, Joe had stood by the door and looked inside. Four women were busy with their shopping, but none of the four were Sally.<\/span><\/p>\n

A bit disappointed but not discouraged, Joe had left the General Store and walked slowly to the telegraph office. He made the clerk read the telegraph to him before the man sent it, and then insisted on waiting for a confirmation of the wire\u2019s receipt. While neither his Pa or Adam had mentioned the confirmation, Joe figured they would be pleased that he had thought to ask for it. Besides, it gave Joe an excuse to hang around the telegraph office for awhile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tucking the piece of paper with the confirmation into his jacket, Joe had taken a leisurely walk toward the General Store once again. He figured at least thirty minutes \u2013 maybe more \u2013 had passed since his first visit. As before, Joe had stopped outside the door and looked into the shop. This time, there were six women in the store, four of them different from the earlier shoppers, but none of them had been Sally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling more than a hint of frustration, Joe had turned and walked away from the store once more. He had headed to the Post Office to pick up the mail, a last minute chore his father had imposed on him before he left the ranch. Joe had made this job take as long as possible — chatting with the clerk, inspecting each letter in the stack that had been handed to him, and strolling slowly back to where his horse was tied next to the hotel. He had carefully placed the mail in his saddlebags, taking the time to tie the leather thongs of the bag tightly. Patting his horse affectionately on the rump, Joe had searched the street and sidewalks again with his eyes. Then he took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and once more headed toward the General Store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, as he stood a few feet from the door of the General Store, Joe wondered what he should do next if Sally wasn\u2019t in the store. The saloon held little appeal for him. He had no desire to chat with Sally with the smell of beer on his breath and the stench of stale cigar smoke on his clothes. He supposed he could wander down to the sheriff\u2019s office and mention finding the Randall cattle on the Ponderosa to Roy Coffee but since the cattle had been returned, the sheriff would probably find the conversation of little interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crossing his fingers a bit, Joe walked to the door of the General Store and looked in. A large grin broke out on his face as he saw the back of an ash-blonde girl standing near the counter in the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026one pound of sugar, and three pounds of flour,\u201d Sally was saying to a balding, middle-aged man behind the counter as Joe walked up next to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Sally,\u201d Joe greeted the young woman, trying to sound as if he were surprised to find her in the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning a bit, Sally smiled at Joe. \u201cWhy, hello, Joe. How nice to see you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOrdering supplies for the ranch?\u201d asked Joe, then cursed himself silently. What else would Sally be doing in the store?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Sally replied. \u201cWah Ming seems to run out of things regularly, although I guess that\u2019s expected with having to feed me, my father and ten hands three meals a day.\u201d Wah Ming was the long-time cook and general housekeeper at the Randall ranch, filling a role similar to Hop Sing\u2019s at the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Sally, it\u2019s going to take me a bit of time to pull this order together,\u201d said Greevey from behind the counter. \u201cThere\u2019s two ladies who put their orders in ahead of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe could have blessed the man for his comment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning to Joe, Greevey added, \u201cWhat can I get for you, Joe? I\u2019ll put your order together right after I finish Ms. Sally\u2019s order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching quickly into the pocket of his jacket, Joe pulled out two papers \u2013 one, the confirmation telegram and the other, his carefully crafted list of supplies. Fumbling with the papers a bit, Joe finally got the right one in his hand. He noticed an amused smile on Sally\u2019s face as he handed the small white sheet to the storekeeper. \u201cWe don\u2019t need anything right away.\u201d Joe explained. \u201cThis is the list of supplies we\u2019re going to need in two weeks for the cattle drive. Pa wanted to be sure you had enough on hand when we come in to pick it up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s right thoughtful of your Pa,\u201d Greevey said, taking the paper from Joe. The storekeeper studied the writing for a moment. He had long practice at reading Joe\u2019s scrawl and deciphered the words with no trouble. \u201cI don\u2019t see anything that should cause a problem. I\u2019m getting a little low on coffee but I\u2019ll send in a double order next week to make sure I have enough when you come in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d replied Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaving on a cattle drive in a few weeks?\u201d Sally asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tried to tell if there was a hint of disappointment in her voice. \u201cYeah, driving the herd to the railhead at Ogden,\u201d he said. He hesitated a moment, then added, \u201cHey, Sally, since it\u2019s going to take Mr. Greevey a while to fill your order, how about you and me having a cup of coffee over at the hotel? We really haven\u2019t had a chance to catch up since you\u2019ve been back.\u201d Joe attempted to sound as if the idea had just occurred to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, that would be nice, Joe,\u201d answered Sally. \u201cThank you.\u201d She turned back to the storekeeper. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a little while to pick up my order.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be waiting for you, Ms. Sally,\u201d Greevey assured the young woman. He quickly brought his hand to his mouth to hide the smile that had formed there. Joe Cartwright looked as pleased as a peacock with himself, and Sally Randall was smiling warmly at the young man as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Some things never change, the storekeeper thought to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201c\u2026and I heard Mary Dawes is marrying Brett Jones,\u201d said Sally, pausing for a moment to catch her breathe and take a sip of coffee. She was seated across from Joe at a small table in the practically deserted dining room of the International House hotel. The only other people in the dining room were a middle-aged man finishing a late lunch, and two older women who were sampling a slice of the hotel\u2019s famous apple pie. All of them were much more interested in their food than the young couple sitting at the small table in the back. Even the waitress, who came by periodically to refill the cups sitting on the starched white tablecloth in front of Joe and Sally, showed only polite interest in the pair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see Mary and Brett at the dance,\u201d Sally added, \u201cso I\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey got engaged at the Spring Harvest Dance,\u201d Joe confirmed. \u201cThey weren\u2019t at the dance last week because Brett is on a cattle buying trip with Mary\u2019s father.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sorry I missed them,\u201d stated Sally. \u201cI would have liked to offer my congratulations, as well as see Mary\u2019s ring.\u201d Suddenly, she grinned widely. \u201cIt\u2019s about time they got married. Mary has been making cow-eyes at Brett since we were in school. And Brett told me over a year ago that he fancied Mary but was too shy to ask her out. I had to practically push him in her direction at the church picnic last summer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning back in his chair, Joe smiled. For the past twenty minutes or so, he and Sally had been chatting about mutual friends and local events. The conversation was pleasant as well as entertaining, and Joe was enjoying himself. But, so far, the discussion had been about rather impersonal topics and Joe was no closer to picking up any clues to Sally\u2019s feelings about him. He decided it was time to nudge their exchange into a new direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d asked Joe, trying to sound casual. \u201cAre you making cow-eyes at anyone special?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Me?\u201d answered Sally, raising her eyebrows. She stirred her coffee and silently contemplated Joe\u2019s question for a moment. \u201cNo, I guess not. No one is making my heart beat a little faster right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling a tug of disappointment, Joe pressed the issue. \u201cAt the ranch the other day, I thought\u2026.well, it kind of seemed like old times. I remember when I was always stopping by your place for a cup of coffee and ending up spending the afternoon with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my father was hovering around like a mother hen, just like he did back then,\u201d added Sally with a laugh. Suddenly, her face sobered as she seemed to realize what Joe was hinting at. \u201cJoe,\u201d she said in a serious voice, \u201cI consider us as friends, good friends. I hope we will always be that. But, that\u2019s all we\u2019ll ever be \u2013 friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked down at his half-filled coffee cup and, for several moments, said nothing. Then, raising his eyes, he said slowly, \u201cI guess, deep down, I knew that. It\u2019s just that when I was at the ranch, you seemed \u2013 I don\u2019t know \u2013 interested in being more than just friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe; that was my fault,\u201d admitted Sally. She looked away for a moment, then turned back to Joe. \u201cWhen I was in New York, I had a long talk with my aunt about what love really means, what it\u2019s like to truly give your heart to someone. I suppose that it was the kind of talk that most girls have with their mothers at some point, but I never had that chance. My aunt helped me realize that what I always considered love was really infatuation. Her thinking was that I always find an excuse to break things off when someone seems to be getting too serious because, somewhere inside, I know it\u2019s not true love, that it\u2019s not going to really work out.\u201d Sally shrugged. \u201cI guess maybe she\u2019s right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat must have been some conversation,\u201d said Joe, giving Sally a small smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was really several conversations,\u201d Sally said, returning Joe\u2019s smile. Then she grew serious again. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what true love really is, but I know I haven\u2019t found it yet. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen what was going on at the ranch the other day?\u201d asked Joe, more curious than upset. \u201cYou acted like you were trying to rekindle the flames.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOld habits die hard, Joe,\u201d replied Sally. \u201cWhen I\u2019m around someone I like, I want to make sure they like me back. I get carried away, I guess.\u201d She reached across the table and covered Joe\u2019s right hand with hers. \u201cI am sorry, Joe. Truly. I didn\u2019t mean to mislead you like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching out his left hand, Joe patted the top of Sally\u2019s hand. \u201cYou know, I told Jed Baker the other day that I understood you,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI guess I was wrong.\u201d He frowned a bit as a thought crossed his mind. \u201cWhat about Jed? You seemed interested in him too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed?\u201d answered Sally, a bit surprised. \u201cHe\u2019s nice. I enjoy his company. But I\u2019m not serious about Jed. He\u2019s just someone I like being with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil someone better comes along,\u201d Joe finished for her. \u201cYou know, Sally, I\u2019m not sure Jed understands how you feel about him. He seemed to think there was something more going on between you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Sally could answer, Baker entered the dining room and walked with long, deliberate strides toward the small table in the back of the room. His face formed into a frown as he noted Joe and Sally holding hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Sally,\u201d Baker said, pointedly ignoring Joe. \u201cI thought you said you\u2019d be at the store.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Sally slipped her hand away from Joe\u2019s. \u201cHello, Jed. I was at the store, but since Mr. Greevey was going to need some time to fill my order, Joe and I thought we\u2019d visit for awhile. You know Joe, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Forced to acknowledge the other man\u2019s presence, Baker turned to Joe. \u201cCartwright, I thought you\u2019d be out doing your round-up instead of wasting time in town,\u201d Baker said curtly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe finished the round-up. What\u2019s your excuse?\u201d replied Joe, equally as brusque as the foreman standing over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThought I\u2019d take your advice,\u201d replied Baker almost smugly. \u201cMr. Randall is running things out on the range and didn\u2019t really need me. We got a stream blocked by a landslide so I offered to come into town and pick up some dynamite to blow it free. Since Sally said she needed some things too, we came together.\u201d He emphasized the last word before turning back to the girl at the table. \u201cYou ready to go, Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a few minutes, Jed,\u201d answered Sally firmly, but she softened her reply with a warm smile. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you see if Mr. Greevey has my order ready yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s already loaded in the buckboard,\u201d stated Baker. \u201cI parked it right in front of the General Store.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, I\u2019ll meet you at the buckboard,\u201d said Sally. \u201cIn a few minutes,\u201d she added pointedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute it seemed if Baker was going to make some kind of comment, but he quickly bit off any reply he had in mind. He merely nodded at Sally, then turned on his heels and walked out of the dining room, throwing a scowl at Joe as he departed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, you\u2019d better be careful with Jed,\u201d warned Joe. \u201cLike I said, I think he figures there\u2019s more between you two than there really is. And he seems the kind of man who likes to get his own way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re making too much of it, Joe,\u201d Sally replied, unconcerned. \u201cI went to the dance with Jed, and he\u2019s been in the house a couple of times for coffee with me, but it\u2019s not like we\u2019re dating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if Jed sees it that way,\u201d Joe said. \u201cIt might not be a bad idea to clear the air with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Sally answered with a shrug. She pushed back her chair and rose gracefully. \u201cI really do have to be going. Thank you for the coffee, Joe. And again, I\u2019m sorry about\u2026everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting to his feet, Joe smiled at the girl. \u201cStill friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlways,\u201d replied Sally, returning Joe\u2019s smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Sally walked across the dining room, Joe sat back down and stared into his coffee cup. Things hadn\u2019t turned out the way he hoped, but perhaps they had turned out the way he knew inside of him that they would. The scowl on Baker\u2019s face suddenly flickered into his mind. He hoped Sally would take his advice and make her intentions \u2013 or rather lack of intentions \u2013 clear to the man. Joe had a feeling that Jed Baker was not a man to be trifled with.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Sally and Baker rode in the buckboard in companionable silence along the road to the Randall ranch, each lost in their own thoughts. Several times in the last mile, however, Baker glanced to his right at Sally. Finally, he took a deep breath and voiced his thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I was surprised to see you with Cartwright today,\u201d said Baker. \u201cI heard that you two were once a couple, but that things were over between you a long time ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking surprised as Jed\u2019s comment, Sally answered, \u201cThat\u2019s true, Jed. I did see Joe for a while, but things didn\u2019t work out, at least not romantically. But Joe is a very old, very dear friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooked like more than friendship to me,\u201d muttered Jed under his breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been gone for awhile, \u201c Sally added. \u201cJoe and I were just talking about what has been happening while I was away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou needed to hold hands to do that?\u201d Jed\u2019s comment was audible to Sally this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was apologizing to Joe\u2026for something,\u201d replied Sally carefully. \u201cBut, Jed, really, it\u2019s none of your business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnything that has to do with you is my business, Sally,\u201d stated Jed. Seeing the startled look on the girl\u2019s face, he added quickly, \u201cYour Pa would want me to look out for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can take care of myself just fine,\u201d said Sally primly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two rode along in a silence that was not as companionable as before. Sally\u2019s thoughts were on Joe\u2019s comments about Baker\u2019s feelings toward her, while the foreman mused about what to say next. He decided now was as good a time as ever to make sure the girl understood his plans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Sally,\u201d started Baker cautiously, \u201cI was thinking. I\u2019ve been saving some money for a place of my own. It\u2019s not much right now, but it\u2019s a start. Once this round-up is over, maybe you and I could take a ride around and look at some places. You know, get an idea of what\u2019s available and how much it would cost to buy a little spread.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The look on Sally\u2019s face was closer to shock than anything else as she listened to Baker. She understood very well what the foreman was hinting at.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d have a better idea of the kind of place you\u2019d want than I would,\u201d Sally said slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019d be of much help to you in picking out a ranch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know about how to look at things like land and water and barns,\u201d agreed Baker. \u201cBut I don\u2019t know much about how to judge a house. I\u2019ve lived in bunkhouses or on the trail most of my life. I don\u2019t know what a woman wants or needs in a house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it would be better to wait until you find someone who was willing to share the house with before you decide on a place,\u201d Sally replied, hoping Baker would understand the meaning behind her words.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Sally\u2019s subtlety was lost on the foreman. \u201cOh, I\u2019ve already found her,\u201d Baker stated, smiling broadly at the girl next to him on the seat of the buckboard. \u201cI know I don\u2019t have much now, Sally, but it won\u2019t take me long to get enough money to buy my own spread and start building it up. Then you and me, we can be together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sigh, Sally realized that her gentle hints were not working and a more direct approach was necessary. \u201cJed, I like you,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019re sweet, and you\u2019re kind and you\u2019re patient. I enjoy being with you. But, I\u2019m not in love with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d replied Baker confidently. \u201cBut give it time, Sally. The better you get to know me, the more you\u2019ll see I\u2019m just the kind of guy you need.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Jed,\u201d said Sally, firmly. \u201cI don\u2019t want you building up your hopes. I like you, but I know myself well enough to know that I\u2019m not in love with, and never will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you say that?\u201d exploded Baker angrily. \u201cHow can you know you won\u2019t ever love me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just know,\u201d Sally answered. She struggled to find the words to explain her feelings but failed. \u201cI just know,\u201d she repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Baker took a deep breath, trying to bring his emotions under control. \u201cI don\u2019t understand, Sally,\u201d he said, sounding confused. \u201cYou went to the dance with me, and you keep inviting me up to the house. What kind of game are you playing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis really is my day for apologizing,\u201d replied Sally with a sigh. \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I misled you, Jed. I didn\u2019t mean to; truly, I didn\u2019t. I like you, and I enjoy your company, but that\u2019s all there is to it. If I implied there was something more, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d She laid her hand lightly on Jed\u2019s arm. \u201cI really am sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a quick move, Jed shrugged off Sally\u2019s hand. \u201cIt\u2019s that Cartwright, isn\u2019t it,\u201d he said bitterly. \u201cHim with his fancy house and big ranch. I should have known you wouldn\u2019t be interested in a poor cowboy like me when you could have the likes of him. Cartwright tried to warn me that I didn\u2019t have a chance with you, and now I know why. He wants you for himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Joe has nothing to do with this,\u201d protested Sally. \u201cWe\u2019re old friends and that\u2019s all. This misunderstanding between you and me is all my fault. I know I can be a terrible flirt, and I guess I just let things get out of hand. I should have realized that you might misinterpret things, but I didn\u2019t. It\u2019s all my fault and I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo there isn\u2019t anything between you and Cartwright?\u201d asked Jed suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing but friendship,\u201d Sally asserted. She gave Jed a warm smile. \u201cJust like I hope you and I will continue to be friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, friends,\u201d replied Jed bitterly. \u201cJust what I need. Another friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The pair rode once more in silence toward the Randall ranch, but now, there was an awkwardness between them. Neither looked at other, and both their minds were filled with unhappy thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Droning meaningless words in a low voice, Joe slowly guided his pinto around the perimeter of the herd. Being the son of the boss did not exempted him from his turn at watching over the cattle the Cartwrights had gathered, and he had spent the day after his return from Virginia City keeping steers from wandering away from the pasture. Now, as day was turning to dusk, Joe spoke in a continuous monotone to the steers, trying to lull them into a stupor and settle them down for the night. Glancing across the sea of cattle, he saw his brother Hoss imitating his actions on the other side of the herd. Two men were following Hoss at spaced intervals, also riding slowly and speaking in low tones. Joe knew that there were two other hands were behind him doing the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing up at the darkening sky, Joe wondered how much longer it would be before he could turn the herd over to the night hawkers, the men who would guard the cattle until morning. The thought of a relaxed evening at home and a good sleep in a soft bed was appealing to him. Joe studied the herd as he rode, and was glad to see that the animals seemed ready for a quiet night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe heard a shout from behind him, followed by several gunshots. The cattle next to him sprang to their feet, confused and upset by the loud noise and trying to decide what to do. Another yell and two more gunshots decided the issue for the cattle. As a large number of the steers started to move forward in a panic, Joe kicked his horse into a gallop. By the time the cattle started running, the youngest Cartwright was already racing toward the front of the herd.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Joe\u2019s horse and the panicking cattle ran side by side, a dead heat between the pinto and the lead steers. Then Joe started yelling and waving his arm wildly.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a tricky move to try to turn a stampeding herd, especially in front. Joe had to get close enough to get the attention of the lead steers, but stay far enough away to avoid getting himself or his horse gored by the sharp horns on the cattle. Joe had seen too many men who got it wrong and ended up paying for their error with blood. He judged the distance between him and the running cattle, and prayed he had it right. Then Joe moved his horse a bit closer to the herd, and yelled at the top of his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled, the steers nearest to the young cowboy moved away from him, bumping and slowing the animals next to them. Joe rode quickly to the front of the herd, and steered his pinto across the path of the leaders. The cattle in front slowed down, surprised to see the rider cutting in front of them. Yelling and waving his arm again, Joe turned the front steers back toward the rest of the herd. Some of cattle tried to follow the front steers, and found themselves running into each other. Steers from the other side of the herd began moving inward also as Hoss and his men turned the steers away from them. As the cattle began bumping and jostling each other, they slowed down, trying to avoid the horns and hooves around them. It took only a few more minutes to bring the herd to a walk and then to stop them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou all right, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss as he rode up to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cFor a minute there, though, I wasn\u2019t sure I was going to be able to turn them. It\u2019s a good thing you got them moving in from your side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were behind the leaders,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cWhat we did wouldn\u2019t have made much difference if you hadn\u2019t got them front steers turned. You did a good job, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging off his brother\u2019s praise, Joe looked around. \u201cAnybody see what happened?\u201d he asked in a loud voice. \u201cWho started the stampede?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the hands rode up to Joe and Hoss. \u201cI turned and looked when I heard the first yell,\u201d said the cowboy. \u201cSaw this fellow shooting into the air. He shot a couple of more times and then just rode off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see who he was?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d replied the cowboy, shaking his head. \u201cHe was too far away. But he sure was trying to get them cows running.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would somebody want to stampede the herd?\u201d Hoss said with a frown. \u201cAin\u2019t no place for them to go except Ponderosa land. All we\u2019d have to do is round them up again, and we\u2019ve got plenty of time to do that before the trail drive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it was the fellow that rustled those Randall cows,\u201d suggested Joe. \u201cHe probably figured he could pick up a few strays while we were busy with the main herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould be,\u201d agreed Hoss. He looked around. \u201cHow many steers do you figure wandered off in all the excitement?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Joe with a sigh. \u201cBut I do know Pa will have us out looking for them tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey couldn\u2019t have gone too far,\u201d Hoss said in a hopeful voice. \u201cMaybe it won\u2019t take too long to find them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d answered Joe, but there was a tone of resignation in his voice. \u201cBut I have a feeling that I\u2019m going to end up on Snowshoe Ridge again tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Joe was only half-right in his assessment of his father\u2019s plans. After hearing about the stampede, Ben did order his sons and several other hands to look for strays. But Joe was given the area west of the pasture to check while Hoss got the job of riding to Snowshoe Ridge to see if rustlers had herded any the Ponderosa strays into the box canyon. Both Hoss and Joe accepted their assignments without comment, but Joe couldn\u2019t help grinning at the unhappy look on his brother\u2019s face when Ben ordered Hoss to ride up to the steep ridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

After spending a fruitless morning riding through brush and across wide meadows, Joe was about ready to call it quits and return home. He hadn\u2019t seen a single steer all morning. Any cattle who had strayed from the herd during the stampede evidently hadn\u2019t headed west. Joe decided to check the small canyon near the border of the Ponderosa boundary, and if there were no cattle there, he would head back to the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n

The canyon wasn\u2019t very big, more of a deep ravine than anything else. The walls grew about thirty feet from the uneven floor that was dotted with boulders and patches of grass. The grass was thick near the narrow entrance, covering a small knoll and the ground around it, but the blades petered on the rough ground of interior of the canyon. Joe rode easily through the narrow mouth \u2013 an area less than five feet wide \u2013 and into the canyon. He didn\u2019t expect to find any cattle since there was no water and little grazing, but he checked behind the large rocks anyway. The inspection took just a few minutes and Joe was at the back of the short canyon in almost no time. He wheeled his horse around and started out of the ravine, intending to head for home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as he was leaving the mouth of the canyon, Joe heard his name being called. Surprised, he looked around, and saw the petite figure of Sally Randall perched on a palomino horse coming toward him. Clad in a white blouse and split riding skirt, the girl was urging her horse forward at a slow gallop. Waving a hand in acknowledgement, Joe halted his horse and waited patiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m so glad I saw you,\u201d said Sally in a breathless voice as she stopped her mount next to Joe\u2019s. \u201cI was headed over to the Ponderosa to see if I could find you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Joe curiously. \u201cI thought we cleared things up the other day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Biting her lip, Sally hesitated before answering. \u201cJoe, I need your advice.\u201d She looked around, and then added. \u201cCould we sit down someplace and talk?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d agreed Joe. He thought for a moment. \u201cLet\u2019s leave the horses in those trees and walk to the canyon. There\u2019s a grassy knoll right inside the canyon that should be comfortable enough to sit on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe and Sally dismounted and led their horses toward a small grove of trees, Hoss watched them from high above, on the trail to Snowshoe Ridge. \u201cAin\u2019t that just like that little cuss,\u201d Hoss muttered, shaking his head. \u201cHe goes out looking for strays and ends up finding a pretty gal.\u201d He sighed and headed his horse up the trail, determined to prove that at least one member of the Cartwright family could keep them mind on business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Sally and Joe had walked from the trees to the small hill covered with thick grass. After climbing up a foot or so up the knoll, Sally sat down and stretched her legs out in front of her. \u201cAh, that feels good,\u201d she said with a smile of relief. \u201cI guess I\u2019m out of practice riding horseback.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll that fancy living in New York will do that,\u201d replied Joe with a grin as he sat down next to the young woman. Then his face grew serious. \u201cWhat did you want to talk about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, Sally hesitated. She looked down and nervously picked a few blades of grass while Joe waited patiently. Finally, she turned to look at the man next to her. \u201cJoe, I had a talk with Jed Baker. I told him that I thought of him as a friend, but there was nothing more than that between us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Joe, nodding his understanding. \u201cI take it things didn\u2019t go well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they didn\u2019t,\u201d agreed Sally. \u201cHe got angry and upset. I thought he\u2019d get over it, though. But instead, he\u2019s been acting, well, strange.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrange?\u201d asked Joe, frowning. \u201cLike how?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been watching me,\u201d explained Sally. \u201cEvery time I turn around, there he is. I went to the barn yesterday and he popped out of the shadows. It nearly scared me to death. Last night, after dark, I went out on the porch to get a breath of air, and there he was, sitting in the rocker on the porch like he was waiting for me. Then this morning, he came to the house saying he needed some coffee to take out to the round-up camp. While Wah Ming was getting it, he just stood there and looked at me. It gave me the creeps.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say anything?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he just stands there and looks at me,\u201d replied Sally. \u201cBut the expression on his face is\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026odd is the best way to describe it, I guess. He scares me, Joe. I don\u2019t know what he\u2019s thinking or what he might be planning to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just tell your father to fire him,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t done anything,\u201d Sally answered. \u201cAt least, nothing my father would think was a reason to fire him. Besides, I\u2019m the one who started things. If I hadn\u2019t flirted with him and made him think I wanted him to court me, none of this would be happening. It doesn\u2019t seem fair that he should lose his job over something I started. And if Jed was fired, it might make him angry and there\u2019s no telling what he might do. I don\u2019t want him hanging around me, but I don\u2019t know how to get rid of him.\u201d Suddenly, Sally put her face in her hands and started crying. \u201cOh, Joe, I\u2019ve made such a mess of things. What should I do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe put his arm around Sally\u2019s shoulders and pulled her close to him. \u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d said Joe in a soothing voice. \u201cWe\u2019ll figure out something. It\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A shadow unexpectedly engulfed the huddled couple, and a low voice growled out of the dark shade. \u201cNow ain\u2019t this a pretty picture. I thought you and Cartwright were just friends, Sally. Is this how you act around all your friends?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed!\u201d exclaimed Sally, looking up. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting on his horse at the base of the small hill, Jed Baker was staring down at the pair on the grass and his expression made it clear he was not happy with what he saw.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was going out to blow that landslide when I saw you heading in this direction,\u201d replied Baker with a scowl on his face. \u201cOnly place you could have been going was the Ponderosa. I got curious why you\u2019d be heading there so I followed behind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s any of your business where Sally goes,\u201d Joe said bluntly to the foreman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m making it my business,\u201d snapped Baker. He turned his attention to the frightened girl on the grass. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have lied to me, Sally. I don\u2019t like people who lie to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t lie to you, Jed,\u201d Sally said in a trembling voice. \u201cJoe and I are just friends. I was upset about\u2026something and I came over here to ask his advice. Joe was just trying to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll bet he was,\u201d replied Baker dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBaker, I think you\u2019d better leave,\u201d Joe said firmly. \u201cThis is Ponderosa land, and I\u2019m ordering you off. Turn that horse around and get out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, I\u2019ve had just about enough of you,\u201d answered Baker in disgust. With a quick motion, he pulled his gun from his holster and pointed it at Joe. \u201cYou take that pistol out of your gunbelt real slow and throw it over here.\u201d When Joe hesitated, Baker cocked his gun. \u201cNow!\u201d ordered the foreman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed, what are you doing?\u201d cried Sally as Joe slowly complied with Baker\u2019s orders<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like people giving me orders and sneaking around behind my back,\u201d said Baker angrily. \u201cI thought after that little fracas you had last night, you\u2019d be too busy to try and see Sally, but I guess I was wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou started that stampede,\u201d Joe stated with sudden understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d admitted Baker with a nasty grin. \u201cThought it would keep you busy and away from Sally. Besides, all kinds of things can happen when there\u2019s a stampede. Sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes they even get killed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed, listen to me,\u201d Sally said in a desperate voice. \u201cJoe\u2019s just a friend, really. Maybe I was too hasty the other day. If you put down that gun, we can talk. Just let Joe go, and you and I can ride home together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo late,\u201d replied Baker. \u201cCartwright has got to pay for what he did to me. He stole my cattle, and he stole my girl. I told him once that I don\u2019t take kindly to people who steal my property.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStole your cattle?\u201d said Joe in a puzzled voice. He frowned for a minute, and then his face cleared. \u201cThose steers I found up on Snowshoe Ridge. You took those, didn\u2019t you? You rustled cattle from your own boss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t really rustling them,\u201d answered Baker defensively. \u201cI figured Sally and I were going to get married, and they\u2019d be part of the family herd anyway. I just needed a little money to help me get set up, so I could show her father I could take of her. I didn\u2019t think he\u2019d miss a few steers. Those cattle were going to be half mine anyway,\u201d The scowl returned to the foreman\u2019s face. \u201cBut you spoiled everything, Cartwright. Took my cattle so I\u2019d have nothing to offer Sally, and then took Sally away from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally was never yours,\u201d Joe said flatly. \u201cYou just built up this fantasy in your mind. Marry the boss\u2019 daughter, start a little spread, maybe inherit the Randall ranch. It was a nice dream. Only none of it was real. You took what was just a little flirting and turned it into something you wanted it to be. And now you don\u2019t want to face the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJed, my father doesn\u2019t have to know how took the cattle, and since they were returned, there\u2019s no harm done,\u201d added Sally. \u201cI\u2019m sure Joe will forget about you starting the stampede. You\u2019re not in any trouble, not really. If you ride away now, nothing will happen.\u201d She smiled at the foreman, giving him her warmest and sincerest look. \u201cI would hate to see anything happen to you. Please, just ride away. If not for your sake, do it for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Baker just looked at the girl and said nothing. Then an expression of disgust came over his face. \u201cYou\u2026you Jezebel! You\u2019re as bad as Cartwright here. Pretending and lying to me. You two deserve each other.\u201d He moved his gun to point it at Sally. \u201cYou two want each other, fine. You can have each other. For all of eternity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shrieked Sally. She turned her head and hid her face in Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do it, Baker!\u201d shouted Joe. \u201cYou\u2019ll never get away with it. They\u2019ll find you and hang you. You\u2019ll die for killing us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s words seemed to startle Baker, as if he hadn\u2019t thought about the consequences of killing the two people in front of him. Looking unsure, he lowered his gun and frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBaker, you don\u2019t want to hang,\u201d said Joe in a calmer voice. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just ride away and we\u2019ll forget all about this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursing his lips, Baker appeared to be thinking. Joe and Sally sat quietly, not wanting to say or do anything that might push the foreman back into his rage. Joe let out a sigh of relief when Baker slowly put the hammer back down on his gun and stuck the pistol in his holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twisting in the saddle, Baker reached behind him and pulled something out of his saddlebag. At first, Joe couldn\u2019t figure out what the foreman had dug out of the leather bag, but his eyes opened wide when he recognized the familiar red wrapping around two sticks of dynamite that were tied together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do with that?\u201d Joe demanded in a voice that he hoped sounded calmer than he felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I figure no one can be blamed if you two are killed in a landslide,\u201d replied Baker with a nasty grin. \u201cThese accidents happen. I\u2019m real good a making landslides. Jake found that out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat landslide that hurt Jake!\u201d exclaimed Sally. \u201cYou caused that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just say I wanted to be foreman,\u201d answered Baker almost indifferently. \u201cAnd Jake stood in my way.\u201d He reached into his pocket and pulled out a match. \u201cAny last words?\u201d Lighting the match with the flick of his thumbnail, Baker moved the fuse jutting out of the dynamite toward the flame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Narrowing his eyes, Joe calculated the odds of jumping Baker before he could light the dynamite. The distance was more than five feet, and Baker had the advantage of being on a horse. Even if Joe managed to knock the dynamite from the foreman\u2019s hands before he lit it, there was a good chance Baker would simply pull out his gun and shoot him. Going toward the man on the horse offered little hope, so there was only one other way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jumping to his feet, Joe jerked Sally up with him. \u201cRun, Sally!\u201d he shouted. \u201cHead toward the back of the canyon.\u201d Pulling on the girl\u2019s arm, Joe raced toward the end of the canyon, hoping to get as far away from the dynamite blast as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Surprisingly, Baker seemed not to care that Sally and Joe had run from him. Instead, he simply tossed the dynamite toward the side of the canyon, then turned his horse and rode swiftly away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe figured he and Sally had covered maybe twenty feet when he heard the explosion behind him. Without thinking, he stopped and pushed Sally behind a large boulder, then dropped his body on top of hers. Almost instantly, rocks, dirt and other debris started raining down on them. Joe covered his head with his hands as he felt the hard matter pelting his back and legs. It seemed liked an eternity to Joe before the deadly shower stopped, even though he knew it had lasted only a short time. When he was sure nothing else was going to fall from the sky, Joe got up slowly and brushed himself off. He was dusty and bruised but all in one piece.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, are you all right?\u201d Joe asked anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lying sprawled on the ground, Sally began to push herself up. Her clothes were also covered with dust, but the coating was much lighter than Joe\u2019s. All of a sudden, Sally winced and gave a small whimper of pain. \u201cMy shoulder,\u201d she moaned. \u201cMy left shoulder hurts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me take a look,\u201d said Joe, kneeling next to the girl. Gently, he put his hands on Sally\u2019s shoulder and started to press it. Once more, she moaned softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cit\u2019s not broken,\u201d advised Joe. \u201cFeels like maybe it\u2019s separated, and it\u2019s probably bruised.\u201d He gave Sally an apologetic look. \u201cI probably did it when I pushed you down and fell on top of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it\u2019s a small price to pay for you saving my life,\u201d replied Sally , giving Joe a weak smile. She winced again, then added, \u201cHelp me up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his hands under Sally\u2019s right elbow, Joe gently pulled the girl up. Once on her feet, Sally swayed a bit and winced in pain. Her left arm dangled awkwardly at her side. She closed her eyes and seemed to grit her teeth, then opened her eyes to look at Joe. \u201cI\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m all right,\u201d she said in a shaky voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure you are,\u201d Joe answered in a soothing tone as he continued to support the girl\u2019s elbow. \u201cThink you can walk?\u201d Sally nodded a bit, and Joe helped her take a few steps forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pair turned toward the mouth of the canyon and stopped dead in their tracks. Where once had been the entrance to the box canyon, there now stood a wall of rock and dirt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where by design or pure luck, Baker had thrown the dynamite in precisely the right place to cause the part of the side of the canyon to crumble. The landslide had filled the mouth of the deep ravine, leaving a gouge in the still standing side wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d cried Sally in a panicky voice. \u201cWe\u2019re trapped!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay here,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cLet me take a closer look.\u201d He walked in long strides toward the wall of debris.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping in front of the newly formed barrier, Joe studied it. The wall of rock and other rubble was about eight feet high, lower than the sides of the canyon but still well above his head. While he couldn\u2019t tell for sure, Joe estimated the blockage was about two or three feet deep. Large pieces of stone were balanced precariously on top of each other, while dirt and small rocks filled in the gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what are we going to do?\u201d asked a trembling voice behind him. Joe turned to see Sally standing a foot or so from him, looking at the wall with a frightened expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cWe can\u2019t dig our way out. We don\u2019t have the tools, and even if we tried to, that wall looks like it would collapse on top of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding her understanding, Sally looked around almost desperately. Without warning, she started yelling. \u201cHelp! Someone help us! We\u2019re trapped! Help!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grabbed the girl by the arms and shook her a bit. He instantly regretted the action when Sally let out a small cry of pain. Nevertheless, he held her arms tightly. \u201cStop it,\u201d Joe ordered. \u201cThat\u2019s not going to do any good. There\u2019s no one around to hear you, and even if there was, these walls just absorb the sound. So save your breath.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At once, Sally grew quiet, but her eyes started filling with tears. Joe wasn\u2019t sure if the tears were caused by pain or despair, but he suspected both contributed to the girl\u2019s misery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to die,\u201d sobbed Sally. \u201cWe\u2019re trapped in this canyon forever. No one will ever find us. We\u2019re going to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to die,\u201d said Joe sharply. \u201cDo you understand me? We\u2019re not going to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we are,\u201d replied Sally, still crying. \u201cWe\u2019re going to die in this miserable place. Jed\u2019s left us here to die. I\u2019m never going to see my father or my home again. I wish I had never met Jet Baker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, stop it!\u201d Joe ordered in a harsh voice. Despite the pain he knew it would cause her, he gave the hysterical girl a small shake. She gave out a small cry and her body trembled, but her sobs withered away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I\u2019ll figure out something,\u201d Joe said in a much gentler tone. \u201cLet\u2019s go back by the rock and get you comfortable. I\u2019ll see what I can do about your shoulder.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Sally in a quivering voice. She allowed Joe to guide her back to the boulder that had protected them, and when they reached the large stone, eased herself to the ground so she could rest her back against it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stripping off his jacket, Joe stretched out the arms of the green cloth, then knelt next to the girl. \u201cThis will have to do a sling for now, \u201c he said tying the sleeves in a tight knot. He slipped the makeshift sling over Sally\u2019s head, then slowly lifted her left arm and slid it into the cloth cradle. \u201cThat should help a little.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt does,\u201d answered Sally gratefully. She gave a small smile of relief as the pain in her shoulder was reduced to a dull ache. \u201cWhat do we do now? Wait for someone to find us?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back toward the wall, Joe frowned and thought hard. He knew simply waiting for help wasn\u2019t a good idea. No one knew where they were, and even if they did, it would be evening at least before anyone realized they were in trouble. There was some grass in the canyon but no water and very little wood. Thirst and exposure would take their toll by morning, and there was no guarantee they would be found even then. It could take days for a rescue party to reach them, and by then, it would be too late.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t pull down that wall,\u201d said Joe pensively, \u201cbut I might be able to climb over the top and get out.\u201d He turned to Sally. \u201cIf I do, I\u2019ll have to leave you here alone while I go get help. It could take a couple of hours. Do you think you could stand being here by yourself for that long?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, a look of terror crossed Sally\u2019s face, and her eyes opened wide. Then, she swallowed hard. \u201cI could do it. I could wait if I knew for sure you were coming back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come back,\u201d Joe assured her with a smile. He stood and unbuckled his gunbelt, letting the leather holster drop to the ground. He whipped his tan hat off his head and dropped that also, then unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt. As he rolled his sleeves up a bit, Joe gave Sally a confident smile. \u201cYou just sit here and rest. I\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking with quick strides, Joe reached the base of the wall and then stopped to study it again. He mentally calculated a route to the top, picking out rocks he could use as handholds and footholds. Once he had the route in his mind, Joe stepped onto a rock a few inches off the ground and grabbed another about six inches above his head. He pulled himself up to stand on the first rock, then lifted his left leg and placed it on another stone about a foot above the base rock. Pressing his weight on his left foot, Joe pulled on the rock above his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without warning, the rock in Joe\u2019s hand slid downward, pulling out of the wall and causing dirt and other fragments to tumble after it. The large stone on which Joe was standing tilted down, staying in the wall but rocking loosely in it\u2019s niche. Joe lost his balance and fell to the ground amid a shower of dirt and debris.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cMr. Randall! Mr. Randall!\u201d Jed Baker shouted loudly as he rode his horse toward a group of men sitting around a small fire at the round-up camp. Most of the men were sipping coffee from tin cups, and all looked up sharply at the foreman\u2019s call. A short distance away, a small Chinese man was loading a large pot into the back of a buckboard, setting it beside some tin plates and the other remnants of a mid-day meal. The cook also turned when he heard the shout, and his eyes widened in alarm as he realized Baker\u2019s left arm was stretched out behind him, pulling on the reins of a palomino horse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Randall!\u201d shouted Baker again as he stopped his horse near the camp. \u201cI found Sally\u2019s horse just grazing by the road!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instantly, John Randall jumped to his feet. \u201cWhere did you find it?\u201d he asked in anxious voice. \u201cDid you see Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir,\u201d lied Baker. \u201cI looked all around but there wasn\u2019t any trace of her. The horse must have thrown her and wandered off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you find it?\u201d Randall asked again with a greater sense of urgency than before.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNear the road to Virginia City,\u201d answered Baker. He took a deep breath as if he were trying to collect his thoughts. \u201cI went to blow that landslide at the creek and realized I was going to need more dynamite. So I headed toward Virginia City to pick up some. I saw this horse just grazing by the road and when I went over to look, I realized it was Sally\u2019s. I rode around for awhile, looking and shouting her name but I couldn\u2019t find anything. So I thought I\u2019d better come back here and get a search party.\u201d Baker shook his head sadly. \u201cSally must be somewhere between here and Virginia City, but I don\u2019t know where.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d said a determined voice. The men turned to look at the small Chinese cook who now stood behind John Randall. \u201cMiss Sally not go to Virginia City,\u201d Wah Ming stated firmly. \u201cShe go Ponderosa, go see Joe Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Silently, Baker cursed the cook. He hadn\u2019t counted on anyone knowing where Sally was going when she left the ranch. His plan was to send the search party to the north, while Joe and Sally stayed trapped in the canyon to the east. He figured by the time anyone thought to look in the direction, it would be too late to save the pair from the effects of thirst, hunger and exposure. He had even considered making himself a hero by finding their bodies\u2026but not for at least a week.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe Sally changed her mind,\u201d Baker suggested. \u201cShe might have decided to go to Virginia City instead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d insisted Wah Ming, shaking his head vigorously. \u201cI see her ride off. She go east, go to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why was her horse on the road to Virginia City?\u201d Baker said, trying to look as puzzled as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe important thing is where Sally is now,\u201d Randall said, his worry evident. \u201cWe have to find her.\u201d He frowned a bit as his thoughts raced. \u201cJed, you take the men to where you found Sally\u2019s horse and start searching the whole area. I\u2019ll ride over to the Ponderosa and see if anyone there was seen her. Maybe Ben or one of his boys can tell us something about her. Even if they can\u2019t, I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll help with the search. We can cover both areas that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Baker didn\u2019t like the idea of his boss searching the Ponderosa while he was busy looking for nonexistent clues far to the north. But he couldn\u2019t think of a reason to disagree with Randall or ride to the Ponderosa with him. \u201cAll right, Mr. Randall,\u201d he said, trying to sound enthusiastic about the idea. \u201cBoys, get your horses.\u201d As Randall and the other men hurried toward a picket line where their horses were tied, Baker grew thoughtful. He\u2019d have to find a way to leave the search party and get to the Ponderosa so he could steer those searchers away from the canyon. Suddenly, he felt someone looking at him, and turned to his right. Wah Ming was staring at him and the expression on the Chinese cook\u2019s face was full of suspicion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cJoe! Joe, are you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stunned by the fall and the shower of debris which had pelted him, Joe lay on the ground, trying to catch his breath. He heard Sally\u2019s anxious voice and knew he should answer, but at the moment, all he could do was try to suck air into his lungs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, answer me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing the rising note of hysteria in Sally\u2019s voice, Joe took a deep breath. He inhaled a lungful of the dusty air and immediately started coughing. When he had expelled the dust, Joe took another breath, this time a slow, shallow one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please! Are you all right? Answer me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Two more shallow breaths gave Joe enough air to begin breathing normally again. He pushed himself up from the ground to a sitting position, and looked at the terrified face leaning toward him. \u201cI\u2019m all right, Sally. I just got the wind knocked out of me.\u201d Joe slowly moved his arms and legs to confirm to himself that he was telling the truth. He could feel a few more bruises forming, but the rest of his body seemed to be in one piece. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe said again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank goodness,\u201d answered Sally in relief. \u201cWhen I saw you fall, I thought sure you were hurt or\u2026or worse. I thought sure I was going to die here alone.\u201d A stricken look suddenly crossed the girl\u2019s face. \u201cI mean, I was worried about you, Joe. I didn\u2019t want to see you hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you were worried,\u201d Joe said, leaving it unclear whether or not he believed Sally\u2019s first concern was about him. In his heart, though, Joe knew what the girl had been thinking. Every event was judged first in Sally\u2019s mind on how it impacted on her.<\/span><\/p>\n

As if to confirm Joe\u2019s thoughts, Sally looked at the barrier of rock. \u201cDo you think you\u2019ll be able to climb out? Do you think you can go get help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot over that mess,\u201d answered Joe, getting to his feet. \u201cIt\u2019s too unstable. There\u2019s no telling what might hold my weight and what might slide down. Next time, I might not be so lucky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Joe,\u201d wailed Sally, \u201cwhat are we going to do? We\u2019re trapped!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst thing is we\u2019re going to get away from this wall,\u201d stated Joe. \u201cIf something else decides to slide down, I don\u2019t want to be in its way.\u201d Immediately, Sally moved back and positioned herself behind the youngest Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go back by the boulder,\u201d suggested Joe. He turned and took Sally\u2019s arm, gently urging her forward. The girl didn\u2019t need much encouragement to walk away from the pile of debris.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they returned to the boulder, Joe helped Sally ease herself to the ground, and then sat next to her. He studied the wall again, as well as the sides of the canyon, looking for a way out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m getting thirsty,\u201d complained Sally. \u201cIs there any water around?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied Joe, shaking his head. \u201cI rode through the whole canyon a little while ago, looking for strays. There\u2019s no water here.\u201d He wished the girl hadn\u2019t mentioned being thirsty because Joe became aware of the dry, gritty feeling in his own mouth. He also could feel the heat of the afternoon sun raising the temperature.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry sucking on a pebble,\u201d Joe suggested. \u201cThat might help.\u201d Once again, he turned his attention to the canyon walls and started frowning in concentration. He knew if he was going to find a way out, it would have to be soon, before heat and thirst began sapping his strength. His eyes searched the rocky sides of the ravine, then stopped and fixed on one area on the left side of the canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I\u2019m going to try again to climb out,\u201d said Joe, almost abruptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you said that was too unstable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cBut see that groove in the wall over there? Looks like there was some kind of landslide awhile ago. There\u2019s rocks sticking out and a couple of holes in the side. I bet I could climb that to the top of the canyon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Sally doubtfully as she looked at the area where Joe was pointing. \u201cIt looks awful steep, and it\u2019s a long climb to the top. It might be loose, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an old slide. By now that dirt has been baked solid by the sun,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cBesides, we haven\u2019t got much choice. I don\u2019t see any other way out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Without waiting for any further comments from Sally, Joe pulled himself from the ground and walked over to the cut in the hill. He inspected groove, noting the number of rocks and small holes he could use for climbing. The gouge was about three feet wide, easily enough room for Joe to maneuver in. Having learned his lesson from trying to scale the wall of debris, he pulled on a rock or two, assuring himself that they were firmly embedded into the hard earth. After a satisfied nod to himself, Joe turned and called over his shoulder to Sally. \u201cI think this is going to work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful, Joe,\u201d shouted Sally in reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving a quick wave, Joe lifted his left foot and placed it on a small rock a few inches from the ground. As in his previous climb, he reached above his head to firmly grasp a larger rock. Gingerly, he began shifting his weight to his left foot and lifted his right foot off the ground, placing it on a wide rock. This time, all the stones stayed in place. With a small sigh of relief, Joe pulled himself up and shifted his weight to his right foot. Then he began searching for a new handhold.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small hole in the side of the gashed dirt was just big enough for Joe\u2019s right hand. He pulled himself up a bit further and started searching with his left foot for a stone or hole on which to stand. His foot found a piece of stone no more that three or four inches wide, but it was solid enough to support his weight if he balanced carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s climb up the canyon wall was agonizingly slow. After pulling himself up a few inches, he would stop and spend several minutes searching for the next handhold and support for his foot. But Joe knew he was making progress, and that was what counted. He was determined to reach the top of the canyon, even if it took him all day to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As he pulled his horse to a stop at the edge of the yard in front of the Ponderosa ranch house, John Randall was surprised to see the flurry of activity going on in the area in front of him. Three men were saddling horses, while another was bringing ropes from the barn. Adam Cartwright was talking to two men standing by their already saddled horses, and Ben Cartwright was walking toward his buckskin, shouting for the men to hurry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Randall had no idea what was causing all the commotion, and he really didn\u2019t care. He urged his horse forward. \u201cBen!\u201d he called as he approached the group of men. \u201cHave you see Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wheeling around, Ben was startled to see his neighbor riding into the yard. It took him a moment to absorb Randall\u2019s question and reply. \u201cSally? No, I haven\u2019t seen her in awhile, not since before she left for New York. Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring Ben, Randall stopped his horse and leaned forward in his saddle. \u201cHave any of you men seen my daughter?\u201d he asked in a loud voice. \u201cShe\u2019s twenty, blonde, and was riding a palomino mare.\u201d The men in the yard looked at each other, waiting to see if someone would reply. The silence that met Randall\u2019s question told him the answer was no.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, why are you looking for Sally over here?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s missing,\u201d Randall explained quickly. \u201cMy foreman, Jed Baker, found her horse grazing near the Virginia City road. But Wah Ming, my cook, told me Sally was headed to the Ponderosa when she left the ranch. I\u2019ve got men searching the Virginia City road, but I was hoping she might be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe didn\u2019t show up here,\u201d stated Adam, coming to stand next to his father. \u201cI\u2019ve been at the house all day, and I would have seen her if she did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just a hope,\u201d Randall admitted. \u201cWhen Wah Ming said she was riding out to find Joe, I thought maybe she was here.\u201d He shook his head quickly, as if to clear it. \u201cBen, I need your help. Can you organize a search party to look for Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally was looking for Joe?\u201d Ben said slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Randall answered, a bit puzzled by Ben\u2019s reaction. \u201cIs Joe around? Has he seen her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were just getting ready to go out and look for Joe,\u201d said Ben. \u201cAdam found his pinto grazing behind the barn a little while ago. I\u2019m afraid Joe is missing also.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d exclaimed Randall. He looked around in confusion. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Ben?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Ben, \u201cbut I think it\u2019s more than a coincidence that Sally was riding over to see Joe and now both of them are missing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe she found Joe,\u201d suggested Randall, with a trace of hope in his voice. \u201cMaybe they were together and their horses were spooked by a bear or something. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hardly think that\u2019s likely,\u201d Adam said. \u201cHorses are herd animals. If a bear spooked them, they\u2019d stay together. Joe\u2019s horse came home. And you said Sally\u2019s horse was found on the Virginia City road. That\u2019s a good twenty miles apart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened isn\u2019t important,\u201d Ben stated. \u201cThe important thing is to find those kids. You said you already have a search party looking by the road?\u201d Randall nodded. \u201cGood,\u201d Ben continued. \u201cWe can search the Ponderosa. Joe was suppose to be looking for strays near the west boundary of the ranch. Let\u2019s start there, and see if we can pick up any tracks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet mounted!\u201d Adam shouted to the men behind him. Instantly, six cowboys climbed on their horses as Adam and his father did the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was just about to lead the group out of the yard when Hoss road in. The big Cartwright looked at the men in the yard and frowned. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cIf you\u2019re organizing a posse to go after them rustlers, you\u2019re wasting your time. I didn\u2019t find anything up on Snowshoe Ridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe and Sally Randall are both missing,\u201d explained Ben quickly. \u201cAdam found Joe\u2019s horse behind the barn, and John says Sally\u2019s horse was found near the Virginia City road. We\u2019re heading out to look for tracks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe and Sally?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI saw both of them late this morning. They were together. They were leading their horses and talking to each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d asked Randall anxiously. \u201cAre you sure it was Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Hoss replied firmly. \u201cI was up on the trail to Snowshoe Ridge, but I could see both of them clearly. It was Joe and Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere were they?\u201d Adam asked his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Hoss\u2019 face puckered as he tried to think of how best to describe the area in which he had seen the two young people. \u201cIt was near a little canyon close to the west line.\u201d He suddenly shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019ll be easier for me to show you than tell you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen show us,\u201d Ben ordered his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a quick nod, Hoss turned his horse and rode away from the yard. Nine riders \u2013 including two very anxious fathers \u2013 followed close behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Panting with exertion, Joe kept his hands wrapped around the pointed stone just over his head and pulled his body upward. He dragged his left foot to rest next to his right one so that he was standing firmly on a small rock ledge. Once he was sure of his balance and firm grip on the stone, Joe let his body sag against the hard dirt of the canyon wall while he tried to catch his breath and rest a bit. His eyes were half closed, both from fatigue as well as to keep from looking down. He had enough problems without taking the risk of triggering the fear of heights that sometimes came over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking up, Joe saw the rim of the canyon looming nine or ten feet above him, and wondered if he had enough strength to make it to the top. He figured he had been climbing for over two hours, and it would take about another hour to reach the rim. The last part of the climb would be the toughest. Joe knew he was going to have to find a way to force himself to scale those last feet of the canyon wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and tried to find the energy he needed for the final ascent. For the past two hours, the hot afternoon sun had shone down on him relentlessly; he knew he was beyond hot and thirsty and probably skirting the edges of dehydration. His body hurt in what seemed like a thousand places. His muscles ached in protest of the straining and pulling that his climb had required, and the bruises from the barrage of debris were beginning to join in with their own brand of pain. But it was his hands that were causing Joe the worst misery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without gloves to protect them, Joe\u2019s hands had been nicked, cut and bruised by the sharp rocks and hard dirt. He had clung so hard and for so long to the makeshift handholds that his fingers were beginning to cramp. He could feel the sharp sting as salty sweat ran into the open cuts on his palms and fingers. Just holding on to the rock that kept him from falling caused his hands to throb and ache.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe! Are you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing the question that Sally called from below, Joe wanted to answer honestly. He wanted to say that, no, he wasn\u2019t all right; he was hot, tired, thirsty, and sore. He wanted to tell Sally that it would take a Herculean effort for him to make it to the top. But Joe knew an honest answer would accomplish nothing except to cause more anxiety and distress to the girl below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Sally,\u201d Joe shouted without even trying to look downward in the girl\u2019s direction. His voice sounded tired and strained, even to his own ears. He coughed a bit and tried to clear his dried throat. \u201cI\u2019m just resting a bit,\u201d he added in a voice that was marginally stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting late, Joe,\u201d yelled Sally. \u201cIt will start getting dark in a few hours.\u201d To an unknowing listener, Sally\u2019s comment might have sounded like a warning to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Joe knew better. Sally was urging him onward because she didn\u2019t want to spend the night alone in the canyon. He couldn\u2019t blame her. Anyone would find that prospect unnerving, but to a hurt, thirsty girl who had been protected all her life, the idea must be terrifying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Joe called back. \u201cI\u2019m going on up.\u201d He looked at the rim of the canyon above him. \u201cI\u2019m going on up,\u201d he repeated but this time there was a firm note of determination in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

As Hoss led the riders behind him to the area where he had seen Joe and Sally, he rode at a deliberate pace. He wanted to get to the spot where he had seen the pair, but if Joe and Sally were on foot and trying to walk out of the area, Hoss didn\u2019t want to miss them. The two fathers who followed him understood why Hoss was riding relatively slowly, but that fact didn\u2019t keep them from chafing to get to the canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he finally got to the meadow that was spread out in front of the mountainous region, Hoss held up his hand and halted the riders. \u201cEverybody keep your eyes peeled,\u201d he ordered. \u201cI saw Joe and Sally leading their horses to the little stand of trees up ahead. If they\u2019re on foot, they could be around here anywhere.\u201d Without waiting to see the heads nodding in agreement behind him, Hoss urged his horse forward toward the mouth of the canyon. He stopped his mount again a few feet from the entrance to the narrow ravine, but this time, Hoss was too surprised to speak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a landslide has blocked the canyon,\u201d speculated Ben as he rode up next to his middle son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, that landslide wasn\u2019t there this morning!\u201d answered Hoss, regaining his voice. \u201cThat must have happened in the last few hours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Joe and Sally might have been near when it happened?\u201d asked Randall in a worried voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Hoss said, shaking his head. \u201cThey were heading away from the canyon when I saw them, but that don\u2019t mean they couldn\u2019t have headed back in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Hoss! Look!\u201d exclaimed Adam, pointing to a spot high on the canyon wall. \u201cIt looks like someone is trying to climb out!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the fact that the figure was far away and partially hidden by the groove in the canyon wall, Ben instantly recognized the climber. \u201cMy God! That\u2019s Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have been trapped in the canyon when the landslide hit,\u201d said Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to help him!\u201d cried Ben. He looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s the trail to the top of the canyon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBack about half a mile,\u201d Hoss answered. \u201cThe trail winds around and then goes up to the rim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kicking his horse forward, Ben rode up to the wall of debris that blocked the entrance to the canyon. \u201cJoe!\u201d he shouted as loudly as possible. \u201cJoe, stay where you are! We\u2019re going to the top of the canyon. We\u2019re going to help you.\u201d He waited a minute to see if the figure high above him acknowledged his call. Ben thought he saw a small wave, but he couldn\u2019t be sure. \u201cHold on, Joe!\u201d he yelled. \u201cWe\u2019re coming!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Clinging precariously to the rocks on the canyon wall, Joe hadn\u2019t been sure he had really heard his father\u2019s voice. He was so tired and so thirsty that he thought he might be hallucinating. Nevertheless, he turned his head and risked a look to the ground below. Despite his fatigue, a smile broke out on Joe\u2019s face when he recognized the hat and vest of the rider sitting on a familiar buckskin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe looked up and noted that the top of the canyon was about eight feet above him. Part of his brain urged him to keep going, to finish the arduous climb he had started hours ago. Another part of him told him not to be foolish, to wait patiently for help to arrive. The practical part of Joe\u2019s brain easily won the argument.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holding on tightly to the stone jutting out of the side of the cut in the wall, Joe rested and waited. He tried to figure out how long it would take his father to get to the rim above him. He thought ten or fifteen minutes seem about right. Joe tightened his grip on the rock, and steadied his feet on small ledge of hard earth. He could hold on for another fifteen minutes, he told himself; he had made it this far and help was on the way. All he had to do was wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

The wait, however, seem to last forever. Joe\u2019s sore and bleeding hands ached as he clutched the rock, and the muscles in his legs were starting to twitch from fatigue and strain. Joe tried counting the minutes but his tired brain seemed to lose track of the count each time he reached 100. Closing his eyes, Joe thought of nothing but holding on to the rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

After what seemed an eternity to Joe, he finally heard a voice calling to him from the top of the canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cJoe, we\u2019re here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Joe tried to yell in return. The sound came out like more of a croak from his dry throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally!,\u201d another voice shouted from above. \u201cSally, are you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe heard the response from the canyon floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy! I\u2019m thirsty .\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, all was quiet, as if the men gathered at the top of the canyon were talking among themselves. Joe tried to be patient, but the anxious part of his mind was silently urging the men to hurry<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I\u2019m throwing down a canteen. Drink the water slowly,\u201d a voice yelled, and almost immediately an object hurtled past Joe on its journey to the ground below him. Once more, Joe silently exhorted the men above to turn their attention to him. His mute plea was quickly rewarded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019re going to throw down a rope. Can you grab it?\u201d Ben asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d replied Joe in a tired voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

A hemp rope tumbled from the rim of the canyon and dangled a foot or so from Joe. He reached for the rope, and pulled it toward him. But his sore and bleeding right hand couldn\u2019t grip the rough cord tightly, and without a firm hold, he risked slipping down the rope until he fell to the floor of the canyon. Joe knew he didn\u2019t dare let go of the rock to which he was clinging with left hand in order to try to tie the rope around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t\u2026I can\u2019t hold the rope,\u201d called Joe, his exhaustion evident in his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, the men above were quiet for several minutes, and then Ben\u2019s voice called again to his son. \u201cJoe, Adam is coming down. Just hang on. He\u2019ll tie the rope around you and we\u2019ll pull you up. Hang on, Joe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded his agreement, but the movement was so slight, he wasn\u2019t sure if anyone saw it. He knew it didn\u2019t matter. Adam would be coming down to help him regardless of whether he indicated his understanding or not; besides, there was nothing else Joe could do but wait.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing the scrape of boots against hard dirt, Joe looked up. He watched with an almost detached interested as Adam, with a second rope tied around his waist, came down the side of the canyon in a series of quick hops. It took only a minute for his oldest brother to position himself next to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you certainly got yourself in a pickle this time,\u201d commented Adam as he braced his feet against side of the canyon. Without waiting for a reply, Adam maneuvered himself to the left until his body was directly behind Joe\u2019s. \u201cGive me the rope. I\u2019ll tie it around you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a tired but grateful smile on his face, Joe handed the rope he had be holding to Adam. His oldest brother quickly tied the cord around Joe\u2019s waist, tugging on the knot twice to make sure it would not unravel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can push off from the wall by yourself, or do you want me to help you up?\u201d asked Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

A wry smile formed on Joe\u2019s face. \u201cWho\u2019s holding my rope?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and three ranch hands,\u201d answered Adam, a bit puzzled by the question. \u201cI\u2019ve got Pa, John Randall, and three other hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you go ahead and climb up,\u201d said Joe. \u201cBecause there\u2019s no way you\u2019re going to be able keep up with me if Hoss is pulling on my rope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Adam with a grin .\u201cYou\u2019ll probably beat me to the top.\u201d He patted Joe lightly on the shoulder, then slid his body a foot or so to the right. He braced his feet against the hard dirt so that he could literally walk up the side of the canyon with the help of the rope. \u201cPull me up!\u201d Adam called to the men above. Almost immediately, he began to ascend toward the rim.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe watched Adam rise above him for a moment, then took a deep breath. He wrapped his damaged hands around the rope as tightly as he could, ignoring the stinging pain caused by the raw skin grasping the rough hemp. Then he leaned back a bit and braced his feet against the wall as Adam had done. \u201cI\u2019m ready. Pull me up!\u201d Joe shouted and immediately, he felt a tug on the rope wrapped around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

While his ascent wasn\u2019t nearly as graceful as Adam\u2019s, as Joe predicted, it was faster than his brother\u2019s. Even though his tired legs didn\u2019t offer much help, Joe still found himself being pulled up rapidly to the top of the canyon. As he approached the rim, Joe reached out his right arm. His father\u2019s hands grabbed the arm at the wrist and just above the elbow with a vise-like grip. Joe felt a strong tug on both his arm and the rope around him as he was pulled up and out of the canyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Joe in a soft voice. He took two steps before his legs gave out and he crumpled to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the canteen,\u201d Ben ordered as he knelt and braced his youngest son against his body. One of the ranch hands thrust an open canteen at Ben, who snatched it from the man\u2019s hands. He put the container to Joe\u2019s mouth and tilted it a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing the water in rapid gulps, Joe thought the tepid liquid was the best thing he had ever tasted. He gingerly put his hands around the canteen and lifted it upward, trying to force more water into his mouth. But the canteen was suddenly pulled away from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too much, Joe,\u201d advised Ben. \u201cYou\u2019ll make yourself sick. You can have more in a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe closed his eyes and leaned back against his father, letting his body relax for the first time in hours. He felt someone untie the rope from around his waist, but didn\u2019t bother to see who was doing that deed. He simply laid his head against his father\u2019s shoulder and sucked in air with deep breaths, letting the men around him do whatever they wanted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get him out of the sun,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHelp me carry him over by that big oak tree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wanted to protest that he could walk, but he didn\u2019t have the strength to talk, much less move. He felt himself being lifted from the ground and carried, then gently set on the soft grass with his back against the rough bark of a tree. The hot sun which had seemed to bake him all afternoon was replaced by a cool shade. Joe felt the canteen placed against his lips and began drinking again. He decided that, with the cover of tree and constant sips of water, there was a chance that he might actually feel human again sometime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Forcing his half-closed eyes to open, Joe looked into the worried face of his father who crouched next to him. \u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d he said in little more than a whisper and managed a weak smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Ben merely stared at his son, and then gave him an answering smile. \u201cI believe you will be. Do you want some more water?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d answered Joe. He reached forward to take the canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

But instead of handing Joe the canteen, Ben grasped Joe\u2019s wrist and gently turned it over. \u201cLet me take a look at your hands,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small frown formed on Ben\u2019s face as he inspected his son\u2019s hand. A score of cuts \u2013 some small, a few deep and long \u2013 ran across Joe\u2019s palm and fingers in an uneven pattern. In between the jagged lines of the cuts, the flesh was scraped to a dull red. What skin that was intact was dotted with bruises as well as streaked with dirt and dried blood. Cramped muscles curled Joe\u2019s fingers inward.<\/span><\/p>\n

As his father examined first his left hand and then his right, Joe watched almost as if he didn\u2019t recognize the flesh at the end of his arm. He hadn\u2019t looked at his palms and fingers much during his ascent, and had endured the stinging pain of the cuts and raw skin during his climb by merely accepting it as something he had to live with if he wanted to survive. Joe found it odd now to see the sources of his misery displayed in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we need to clean out those hands,\u201d Ben said in a soft voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a drink first,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cI need that more.\u201d He reached forward again and this time, his father handed him the canteen. Holding the canteen with his fingertips, Joe tilted it upward and poured a stream of water into his mouth, then moved the container upward a bit to allow the liquid to splash into his face. A look of relief came over Joe as he lowered the canteen and handed it back to Ben. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re start to look a mite better, little brother, \u201c declared Hoss, who was standing behind Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam walked into Joe\u2019s view and stood next to Hoss. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter,\u201d Hoss said, repeating a part of his statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Randall\u2019s getting anxious about his daughter,\u201d Adam told Ben. \u201cI\u2019m going to take the hands and get started on punching a hole in that wall of debris so we can get to her. Randall is going to stay here, up on the rim, where Sally can see him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCareful,\u201d said Joe in a tired voice. \u201cThat wall is pretty loose. I tried to climb it and the whole almost came down on top of me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be careful,\u201d Adam assured his brother, then turned and walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a quick motion, Ben untied the bandana from around his neck and wet the cloth from the canteen. As he began to gently daub the cuts on Joe\u2019s left hand, he asked, \u201cWhat were you and Sally doing in that canyon? How did you get trapped by that landslide?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a landslide,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cJed Baker, Randall\u2019s foreman, tried to kill Sally and me. He blew up the side of the canyon with some dynamite, and when that didn\u2019t get us, he left us trapped in the canyon. He left us to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I hear you right?\u201d Randall asked incredulously from a few feet away. \u201cDid you say Jed Baker did this? That he tried to kill Sally and you? Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his head toward Randall, Joe answered, \u201cSally and I were just sitting there talking and Baker rode up. He started saying all kinds of crazy things \u2013 that Sally was cheating on him, and I was trying to steal his girl. He wanted to kill us because he thought Sally wanted me instead of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t makes any sense,\u201d Randall said, shaking his head. \u201cSally wasn\u2019t interested in him, not seriously. She told me that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe told him that, too, but Baker wouldn\u2019t listen,\u201d stated Joe. \u201cLike I said, he was acting crazy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know where Baker is now?\u201d Hoss asked with a look of anger on his face. \u201cI\u2019d sure like to get my hands on him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s leading the search party to the north,\u201d Randall replied. His eyes widened as if something just occurred to him. \u201cBaker was trying to lead us away from here,\u201d he added almost in amazement. \u201cHe was trying to make sure to make sure we wouldn\u2019t find Sally and Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just lucky Hoss saw them from the trail,\u201d said Ben. \u201cOtherwise, we wouldn\u2019t have found them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a hand of Divine Providence involved,\u201d agreed Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the men talked, Ben had continued to dab and clean Joe\u2019s hands. He picked up the canteen to wet the cloth again, but only a bit of water trickled out of the container. \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben said, \u201cGo get another canteen; this one is empty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a full one on my horse,\u201d declared Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll go get it. Be back in a minute.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe Jed Baker did this,\u201d Randall stated, shaking his head. \u201cHe\u2019s been doing a good job as my foreman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe told Sally and me that he started the landslide where Jake got hurt,\u201d Joe told Randall. \u201cHe wanted to be foreman and he had to get Jake out of the way. He also said he stole those cattle I found up on Snowshoe Ridge. He thought he and Sally were going to get married so he figured it wasn\u2019t really rustling. He called it \u2018borrowing some steers from the family herd\u2019 so he could get some extra money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe man must be insane,\u201d Ben stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning to his father, Joe nodded his agreement. \u201cYeah, he was crazy enough to stampede our herd last night. He did it to try to keep me busy and away from Sally. But he also didn\u2019t care if someone got hurt. He\u2019s crazy as a loco steer and just as mean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been called worse,\u201d a voice said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben, Joe and John Randall all snapped their heads to look a Jed Baker emerging from some bushes nearby. His gun was already drawn and pointed toward the three men. \u201dDon\u2019t anyone move,\u201d Baker ordered, stepping closer. \u201cI\u2019m not afraid to use this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here, Baker,\u201d demanded Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Boss, I was going to help you with the search,\u201d replied Baker almost casually. \u201c Saw you riding in this direction, and kind of thought I\u2019d suggest you look north of here. But now that Cartwright here has blabbed everything, I guess I\u2019m here to get rid of some witnesses.\u201d He waved his pistol menacingly. You two, take your guns out of your holsters and throw them over here.\u201d Both Ben and Randall hesitated. \u201cDo it!\u201d ordered Baker harshly. \u201cYou give me any trouble, Joe here will be the first one to get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are crazy, Baker,\u201d Ben said as he and Randall threw their pistols aside. \u201cYou can\u2019t get all three of us. And even if you did, it wouldn\u2019t do you any good. Sally will tell the sheriff what happened. Right now, you\u2019re only looking at jail time. You pull that trigger and you\u2019ll hang.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ve got it wrong,\u201d answered Baker. A strange look came over his face. \u201cSally is in love with me. Once I get rid of all of you, I\u2019ll go get her. She\u2019ll come away with me and we\u2019ll start a new life together. She won\u2019t tell the sheriff. She loves me too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t love you, Baker,\u201d said Joe. \u201cShe\u2019s scared of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say that!\u201d shouted the foreman. He pointed the gun at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who confused her. You\u2019re the one who caused all this trouble. It\u2019s all your fault, Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think Sally\u2019s just going to overlook the fact that you tried to kill her? That you left her to die in that canyon?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a mistake,\u201d Baker said. \u201cI got mad and wasn\u2019t thinking straight. I\u2019ll explain that to her. She\u2019ll understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure she will,\u201d Joe said in a voice dripping with irony. \u201cJust like she\u2019ll overlook the fact that you\u2019re going to shoot her father. \u201c He shook his head. \u201cGive it up, Baker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A wild look came into Baker\u2019s eyes. \u201cShut up, Cartwright! You hear me? Just shut up! I should have shot you when I had the chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBaker, you don\u2019t want to kill anyone,\u201d said Ben in a reasonable tone. \u201cUp until now, you\u2019ve done everything to avoid killing someone. So drop the gun. We\u2019ll work something out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A look of uncertainty crossed Baker\u2019s face. \u201cI don\u2019t want to kill anyone,\u201d he admitted slowly. Then his gaze shifted to Joe. \u201cBut I have to. Without Cartwright around, Sally will be mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally will never be yours,\u201d Joe said firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong!\u201d shouted Baker. The wild look returned to his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m going to show you! I\u2019m going to kill you so Sally will love me!\u201d He turned the gun to point it directly at Joe\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben moved forward and put his body in front of Joe, trying to protect his son. \u201cDon\u2019t do it, Baker!\u201d he shouted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to kill all you Cartwrights!\u201d Baker screamed. But before he could pull the trigger, a massive hand grabbed his arm and pulled it into the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled, Baker turned his head and looked into the face of Hoss Cartwright. The glimpse the foreman got of the face was a brief one. The next thing he saw was Hoss\u2019 large fist coming toward his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

The gun fell from Baker\u2019s hand as he staggered back a step. The foreman threw a punch at Hoss, but the blow hardly fazed the big man who held his arm. Hoss jabbed Baker hard in the face twice, then punched him in the stomach. As Baker doubled over, Hoss dropped his grip on the man\u2019s arm and sent an upper cut straight to the foreman\u2019s jaw, sending Baker to the ground in a heap. Hoss pulled the man up by his shirt collar and was ready to hit him again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold it, Hoss,\u201d yelled Randall, walking forward in deliberate strides. He stopped in front of his foreman, who was dangling almost helplessly in Hoss\u2019 grip. \u201cThis is for Jake,\u201d said Randall as he punched Baker the midsection. The foreman bent forward and gasped for air. \u201cAnd this is for Sally,\u201d added Randall, throwing a punch at Baker\u2019s jaw. The foreman\u2019s head snapped to the side as Hoss released him from his hold. Once more, Jed Baker crumpled to the ground — this time unconscious and bleeding –and Hoss let him lay there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Picking up the gun Baker had dropped, Hoss walked toward his father and brother. \u201cYou two all right?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to you,\u201d replied Ben in relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure do come in handy, older brother,\u201d added Joe with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, someone has to watch out for you,\u201d retorted Hoss. \u201cYou ain\u2019t doing such a good job of watching out for yourself lately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, there was a shout from inside the canyon. Randall rushed to the edge and looked down. \u201cAdam has broken through,\u201d he said in a voice that mingled both relief and happiness. \u201cHe\u2019s got Sally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, go to town and get the sheriff and the doctor,\u201d Ben told his middle son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBring them to my place,\u201d Randall added walking back to the Cartwrights. He looked at Ben. \u201cMy ranch is closer than the Ponderosa ranch house. We can take care of Joe there.\u201d He saw the hesitant look on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cBen, Joe needs to get some rest, and the sooner we get him in a bed, the better.\u201d Randall grinned. \u201cBesides, it will keep us from fighting over which of our kids the doctor will visit first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben agreed. \u201cThank you, John. I appreciate it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben,\u201d said Randall. \u201cI\u2019m the one who should say thanks. Joe almost got himself killed himself trying to get help Sally. If he hadn\u2019t been around, there\u2019s no telling what might have happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Two hours later, Ben sat beside the bed in the spare room of the Randall house, waiting for the doctor and watching his youngest son sleep. Joe had slept almost all of the way from the canyon to the Randall ranch, sitting in the saddle of Ben\u2019s horse, and leaning his back against Ben\u2019s body.<\/span><\/p>\n

He would have never said anything to Joe about it, but Ben had been thankful to be able to hold his son on the ride to the Randall ranch. Not only did it reassure him that Joe was all right, but it gave him an opportunity to be physically close to Joe for awhile. Now that his sons were grown, Ben seldom did more than shake their hands or pat them on the shoulder. He missed the days when his sons were small and he could hold them tight without embarrassing them. Holding Joe in his arms during the ride to ranch gave Ben not only a feeling of nostalgia but also one of contentment. He wondered if John Randall had felt the same way as he held his daughter in his arms on the ride home. He suspected Randall had; fathers everywhere felt pretty much the same about their children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe stirred a bit on the bed, turning onto his side so his back was to his father, then laid still. His clothes had been removed, whisked away by Wah Ming who promised they would be washed and ready for him in the morning. His hands were wrapped in white cloth, temporary bandages to protect them until the doctor arrived. One bandaged hand laid across his bare chest, partially hiding some of the bruises sprinkled across it, while the other hand was propped up on the pillow, near his head. Most of Joe\u2019s bruises were on his back, but he didn\u2019t seem to mind any of them. He looked comfortable and peaceful in his sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching over, Ben placed his hand lightly on Joe\u2019s forehead, assuring himself again that his son wasn\u2019t feverish. He knew Joe was exhausted more than anything else, but he couldn\u2019t help but worry about infection and other ill effects of his son\u2019s ordeal. In Ben\u2019s mind, that\u2019s what fathers did. Worry and watch out for their children.<\/span><\/p>\n

The door to the room opened, and Ben turned to see John Randall walk in, with Doctor Martin behind him. The doctor brushed past Randall and moved to the side of the bed, his black bag held firmly in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny sign of fever, Ben?\u201d Doctor Martin asked as he put the bag on the edge of the bed and opened it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s been sleeping quietly,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cHow\u2019s Sally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After pulling a pair of scissors from his bag, the doctor lifted Joe\u2019s hand from the pillow and began cutting the cloth that surrounded it. \u201cDislocated shoulder and some bruises,\u201d answered Doctor Martin as he worked. \u201cShe\u2019s also tired, thirsty, and hungry. But she\u2019ll be as good as new in no time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A slight frown crossed the doctor\u2019s face as he inspected Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cHe tore this one up pretty badly. Does the other one look the same?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI did my best to clean them up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s no sign of any infection, and none of these cuts are deep enough to need stitches,\u201d replied Doctor Martin. \u201cBut he won\u2019t be using these hands much for a few weeks.\u201d He reached into his bag and pulled out a jar and a roll of bandages. \u201cThis cream will help, but there\u2019s really not anything to do but let them heal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After spreading some of the cream from the jar on Joe\u2019s hand, the doctor expertly bandaged the hand again. He repeated the procedure on Joe\u2019s other hand, occasionally glancing at his patient as he worked. Joe slept through the whole process.<\/span><\/p>\n

With efficient motions, Doctor Martin checked the bruises on Joe\u2019s chest, and then pulled Joe toward him to look at the discolored areas on his back. Joe stirred a bit but never really woke. As the doctor eased Joe to his original position, he put a hand on the young man\u2019s forehead, confirming Ben\u2019s statement about the lack of fever. Doctor Martin also put his fingers around Joe\u2019s wrist and silently counted his pulse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d declared the doctor as he put the bandages and jar of cream in his bag and snapped it shut. \u201cHe\u2019ll be sore for awhile, but there\u2019s no real damage. Nothing to do but let those cuts and bruises heal. Just let him sleep, and when he does wake up, get some solid food into him. I doubt if he\u2019ll wake up until morning, though. He\u2019s pretty exhausted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for coming,\u201d said Ben gratefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just glad I wasn\u2019t really needed,\u201d replied Doctor Martin with a smile. He nodded at Randall and walked out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking thoughtful, Randall took a few steps forward and stood at the end of the bed. He watched Joe for a minute then turned to Ben. \u201cIf you want to stay here with Joe, you can, Ben. I understand.\u201d Randall shook his head ruefully. \u201cBelieve me, I understand. But you don\u2019t have to. You can go home and get some rest. I promise I\u2019ll watch over Joe like he was my own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben said nothing. Then he looked up at Randall. \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss and Adam?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is guarding Baker. He\u2019s got him tied up in the bunkhouse until the sheriff arrives,\u201d Randall replied. Then he smiled. \u201cAdam is taking charge of things downstairs. He sent one of your hands out to find my men who were searching the Virginia City road, and tell them what happened. Then he sent two of your men to feed the stock. The rest he sent home.\u201d Randall chuckled. \u201cThat boy is a born organizer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is that,\u201d agreed Ben with a smile. He turned and looked at his youngest son, still sleeping. The uncertainty was evident on Ben\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, go home and get some rest,\u201d Randall urged. \u201cJoe will be fine, I promise. I\u2019ll look after him. You come back in the morning with a wagon and take him home then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, the body on the bed stirred. Joe turn his head a bit and opened his eyes just enough to see his father. \u201cGo home, Pa,\u201d he mumbled, then turned over and went back to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It was almost 9 am when Ben drove the buckboard into the yard in front of the Randall house the next morning, followed by Adam and Hoss on horseback. Ben had wanted to leave the Ponderosa at first light, but had been persuaded by his sons to wait long enough to insure Joe would be awake when they arrived. Logically, he knew Adam and Hoss were right, but Ben had chafed at waiting to leave to pick up Joe. He paced in front of the fireplace for half an hour before Adam finally rolled his eyes in resignation and told Hoss to hitch up the buckboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling the wagon to a stop, Ben didn\u2019t wait for Adam and Hoss, but rather jumped out of the driver\u2019s seat and walked quickly to the porch of the Randall house. His two quick raps on the wooden door were answered almost instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Ben,\u201d said Randall with a pleasant smile as he opened the door. \u201cCome on in. Joe\u2019s just finishing breakfast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben hurried into the house, walking quickly through the living room to the doorway of the dining room. He stopped and smiled at the scene in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting back in a chair, Joe was chuckling softly at something Sally was telling him. A plate with the remnants of a breakfast of bacon and eggs sat in front of Joe, as well as a half-filled coffee cup. A platter with a few strips of bacon and a plate piled with four biscuits on it were sitting in the middle of the table. If it hadn\u2019t been for the bandages around Joe\u2019s hands, and the dark sling in which Sally\u2019s arm was resting, no one would have been able to tell that the two young people who were enjoying themselves had faced a dire situation only yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Joe greeted his father when he saw him in the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re looking much better,\u201d Ben answered with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling much better,\u201d Joe confirmed. \u201cA good night\u2019s sleep and Wah Ming\u2019s breakfast was all I needed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat and a ride home, you mean,\u201d said Adam as he walked into the dining room. He was followed into the room by Hoss and John Randall. Randall walked to the table and sat down on an empty chair next to his daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally is feeling better, too,\u201d Randall said, smiling indulgently at the girl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m fine,\u201d agreed Sally. She shifted her arm a bit in the sling. \u201cThis is going to be awkward for awhile, but I\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you fellows want some coffee or something to eat?\u201d asked Randall.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we\u2019re fine,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cWe just want to pick up our stray here and get on home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll have one of those biscuits,\u201d said Hoss. He reached over and grabbed a biscuit from the plate on the table and stuck it into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re unbelievable,\u201d Joe stated, shaking his head. \u201cDon\u2019t you ever stop eating?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot to keep up my strength, little brother,\u201d Hoss told him as he chewed vigorously. \u201cWe got a cattle drive coming up, and I\u2019m going to need all my energy for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m going to be on that cattle drive,\u201d said Joe, looking at the bandages on his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you won\u2019t,\u201d Ben confirmed. \u201cThe doctor said it would take a few weeks for your hands to heal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGee, no cattle drive and probably no chores for a couple of weeks,\u201d said Adam in a wry voice. \u201cThat\u2019s a real shame, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you\u2019re going to be really suffering,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cDoing nothing but sitting around the house while we\u2019re doing all the work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, stop being mean to Joe,\u201d Sally ordered. \u201cHe\u2019s a hero. He saved me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA hero?\u201d said Adam, the disbelief evident in his voice. \u201cAll he did was climb halfway up that canyon wall and get stuck there. If we hadn\u2019t come along, he\u2019d probably still be hanging there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would have made it to the top,\u201d Joe stated defensively. \u201cI was almost there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and what were you planning to do then, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou were too tired to stand much less walk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to rest up and then go get my horse,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI didn\u2019t know Baker had run Cochise off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe glad he did,\u201d said Ben. \u201cOtherwise, we would have never known to go looking for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was some plan,\u201d offered Adam dryly. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t kill yourself trying to climb up that canyon wall, you would have finished yourself off by walking over that rough country to find help. Brilliant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was better than just sitting there,\u201d Joe replied. Then he shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ll admit it wasn\u2019t the greatest idea I ever had, but I had to do something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt took a lot courage to climb out of that canyon,\u201d Randall said. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I would have been willing to try. You\u2019re a brave man, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down, Joe tried to hide his embarrassment at Randall\u2019s praise. \u201cWell, there wasn\u2019t much choice,\u201d he answered in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his head, Ben spotted Joe\u2019s green jacket hanging on a coat rack in the corner of the room. He walked over to the rack and pulled the jacket off of the wooden limb. \u201cCome on, hero, it\u2019s time to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing back from the table, Joe stood and headed toward his father. He stopped, though, when he passed Adam, as a thought seemed to occur to him. \u201cDid you remember to bring my hat and gunbelt out of the canyon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I got them,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cThey\u2019re at the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to lose them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou came pretty close to losing more than a gunbelt and a hat,\u201d stated Adam seriously. \u201cThey\u2019d be easier to replace than you. Next time, just wait, all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Joe, you should have known we\u2019d come looking for you,\u201d Hoss said with a smile. \u201cWe don\u2019t like doing your chores.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I have to wait on you two to find me, I\u2019d never get home,\u201d Joe retorted. \u201cBesides, there was a nice view from up there. I didn\u2019t want to miss seeing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben tried to hide a smile. If Joe was trading barbs with Adam and Hoss, things were back to normal. \u201cCome on, boys. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll walk you out, Ben,\u201d Randall said, getting up from the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the men walked toward the front of the house, Sally suddenly got up and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. He stopped and turned to look at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d Sally said quietly. She kissed him on the cheek. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then she lowered her eyes and added coyly. \u201cMaybe when your hands are better, you could come over and have dinner with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally,\u201d Joe said in an exasperated voice, \u201cwe\u2019re just friends, remember? Let\u2019s just leave it at that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d agreed Sally. She looked away for a minute, then turned back to Joe. \u201cI heard Betty Williams\u2019 brother is coming home next week. Do you know anything about that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d replied Joe firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll send a message to Betty and see if she wants to come visit me,\u201d Sally said. \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019ll want to hear all about what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she will,\u201d Joe replied, already feeling sorry for Betty\u2019s brother. \u201cI have to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he walked out the door and onto the porch, Joe saw his father, brothers, and John Randall waiting for him. Randall patted Joe on the shoulder, nodded at Ben, and returned to the house. As the front door closed behind him, Joe stood on the porch with a bemused look on his face while his father and brothers walked toward the buckboard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? You ready to go?\u201d asked Ben, stopping and turning back to the porch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, yeah, sure,\u201d Joe answered, startled out of his reverie. He hurried to join his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s bothering you, Joe?\u201d Adam asked with concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d replied Joe with a shrug. Then he blurted out, \u201cI just don\u2019t understand women.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s something I never thought I\u2019d hear you say,\u201d hooted Hoss. \u201cI thought you were the expert on the subject.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it women in general or Sally Randall in particular?\u201d asked Ben, with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSally, I guess,\u201d admitted Joe. He shook his head. \u201cShe told me in Virginia City that she realized she hadn\u2019t been fair with the men she dated and she knew that was wrong. She also knows that her flirting with Baker almost got her killed. And yet, she\u2019s already planning her next conquest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why that surprises you,\u201d Adam said. \u201cSally has never been able to stay focused on anyone or anything for very long. She changes her mind as often as most women change their dresses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you\u2019d think she would have learned something from all this,\u201d Joe stated. He sighed. \u201cI just don\u2019t understand what she\u2019s thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cSon, men have been trying to figure out how women think since time began. And failing at the task. You\u2019re no different than the rest of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d Joe said. He climbed onto the seat of the buckboard, positioning his hands carefully as he did. \u201cLet\u2019s go home. Right now, the most complicated female I want to face is that mare in the barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he waited for Ben to climb up next to him on the seat, Joe looked back toward the Randall house. He remembered Adam\u2019s description of Sally as a butterfly and wondered briefly if the girl would ever stay with someone permanently. Then Joe smiled ruefully. He had been the one that made the decision to pursue Sally when she returned home, despite the fact that he had known in his heart that a relationship with her would never last. He had been attracted by her bright personality and encouraging words. He should have known better. A butterfly is a pretty thing to watch, but one should never try to capture it. The best thing to do with a butterfly is to let it flit away, out of your life forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

*****END*****<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A new foreman at a neighboring ranch causes trouble on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a029,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1732,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14457,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14457","url_meta":{"origin":13952,"position":0},"title":"Short Trip Home (by Arien)","author":"Arien","date":"July 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: What could possibly happen to the Cartwright boys between home and Virginia City? 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Rating: K Word Count: 578","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Joe1.png?fit=608%2C570&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39020,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=39020","url_meta":{"origin":13952,"position":4},"title":"The Dating Game (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"April 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The Cartwright brothers compete against one another on Virginia City's newest game show. Will it be bachelor #1, Bachelor #2, or Bachelor #3? 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