{"id":13960,"date":"2007-12-12T16:03:23","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T21:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13960"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:12","slug":"no-greater-love-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13960","title":{"rendered":"No Greater Love (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Life changes when the Cartwrights return home find the folks in Virginia City scared of those offering ‘protection’.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (23,380 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No Greater Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

The morning sun shone brightly as the wagon, followed by three riders, rolled into Virginia City. Hoss Cartwright was driving the empty wagon, and his father and two brothers followed on horseback.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like a year since I\u2019ve been to Virginia City,\u201d remarked Joe Cartwright to his brother Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s been a while,\u201d admitted Adam. \u201cLet\u2019s see, three weeks for the round-up, two weeks driving the cattle to the railhead, and another week to get back\u2026it\u2019s been almost two months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s changed much,\u201d said Joe, looking around.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you expecting? Dancing girls in the street?\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cNow that\u2019s not a bad idea,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember what I told you,\u201d said Ben sternly over his shoulder to his sons. \u201cWork first, and then, if we have time, you can have a beer. We\u2019re low on just about everything at the ranch so we have a lot of supplies to load.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and you fellows better not leave me to do all the loading,\u201d said Hoss as he pulled the wagon to a halt in front of the general store.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, we wouldn\u2019t do that,\u201d Joe said in an innocent voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t, \u2018cause I\u2019m going to make sure you won\u2019t,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t think older brother trusts us,\u201d Joe said in an injured voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gotten down right suspicious,\u201d Adam agreed as he dismounted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWonder where I got that idea?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cJust cause you two had me chasing strays and riding drag on the herd most of the last two months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, it\u2019s just that you\u2019re so much better than us at that,\u201d Joe said with a grin as he sat on his horse. Hoss climbed down from the wagon and walked over to his brother\u2019s horse. He reached up and grabbed Joe by the shoulders, pulling him off his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, little brother, you can show me how much better you are at loading supplies,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone it, Hoss, now you got me all dusty,\u201d Joe said angrily as he laid sprawled in the dirt. Hoss hauled Joe to his feet and put his massive arms around Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cMr. Perkins don\u2019t care how dusty you are,\u201d Hoss said as he guided his brother not too gently toward the general store. Adam and Ben laughed as they followed Hoss and Joe into the store.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, John,\u201d Ben said heartily to the store owner as the Cartwrights walked into the store. Ben pulled a sheet of paper from his shirt pocket. \u201cI have a long list of supplies we need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Ben,\u201d Perkins said in a subdued voice. \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to fill your list.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben handed the list to the owner and started looking at items in the store. Adam, Hoss and Joe followed suit.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, the price on these shirts must be wrong,\u201d exclaimed Ben as he looked at some clothes. \u201cThey\u2019re at least a dollar more than the last time I looked at them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and look at the price on these boots,\u201d added Adam, holding up a pair of boots. \u201cThey\u2019ve gone up, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe price of everything has gone up,\u201d said Perkins nervously.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cI know you, John. You don\u2019t gouge people. You charge an honest price. What\u2019s cause this sudden increase?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Perkins could answer, two rough looking men walked into the store and started looking around. Perkins watched them for a minute, then turned back to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had some new expenses,\u201d Perkins mumbled. \u201cI\u2019ve had to pass on the cost to my customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Expenses? What expenses?\u201d asked Ben curiously.<\/p>\n

Perkins licked his lips nervously and looked at the two men lounging at the back of the store. \u201cJust expenses,\u201d said Perkins quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll start filling your order,\u201d the man said and disappeared quickly into the back of the store. Ben frowned. He had known John Perkins a long time and never knew him to cheat his customers. He also knew him to be a friendly merchant, ready to gossip for a while whenever Ben visited his store. Perkins\u2019 behavior and his raising prices seemed out of character. Joe was looking at some knives in the back of the store. As he put them down and started to walk to the other side of the building, he accidentally stepped on the foot of one of the cowboys who had followed the Cartwrights in.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe said as he started to walk away.<\/p>\n

“Watch it, sonny,\u201d said the cowboy in an angry voice.<\/p>\n

Joe stopped. \u201cI said I was sorry,\u201d Joe said, his voice cold as ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re one of those Cartwrights, ain\u2019t you?\u201d said the other cowboy. \u201cOne of those high and might Cartwrights who think they own all of Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Yeah, I\u2019m Joe Cartwright,\u201d Joe said, bristling at the man\u2019s tone. \u201cWhat of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked quickly to the back of the store and grabbed Joe by the arm. He knew his son\u2019s temper and didn\u2019t want him to cause any trouble. \u201cJoe,\u201d Ben said, \u201cwe have some other errands to run while Mr. Perkins starts working on our list. C\u2019mon, let\u2019s get to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at the men in front of him, ignoring his father. His face was hard and his fists were balled.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben repeated, pulling at his son\u2019s arm. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d Ben looked around and saw Adam and Hoss were standing still, ready to help Joe. \u201cAdam, Hoss, let\u2019s get to work,\u201d Ben said loudly. Ben literally pulled Joe away from the men and pushed him out the door. Adam and Hoss followed slowly, never taking their eyes off the two cowboys.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, why did you drag me out of there?\u201d Joe said angrily as Ben pushed him on down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just got you out of there before you started something,\u201d Ben said sternly. \u201cI don\u2019t want my sons brawling around Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

“I wasn\u2019t going to\u2026\u201d Joe started to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you were,\u201d Ben interrupted. \u201cIn one more minute, fists would have been flying and I would have had a bill at Perkins store that would take you a year to work off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss came up to Ben and Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with Perkins, do you think?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cHe sure didn\u2019t seem like himself. And those prices! It\u2019s a wonder he\u2019s selling anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Ben could answer, he heard a voice calling his name. Ben looked around and saw Roy Coffee walking toward him.<\/p>\n

“Ben! I haven\u2019t seen you in a month of Sundays,\u201d the sheriff said with a grin as he reached the Cartwrights. \u201cBoys, good to see you,\u201d said Roy, acknowledging the rest of the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Roy,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWe\u2019ve been busy out at the ranch. This is the first chance we\u2019ve had to get to town in almost two months.\u201d Ben inclined his head toward Perkins\u2019 store behind him. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on with John Perkins?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cHe was acting kind of strange.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy shook his head. \u201cSame thing that\u2019s been going on with most of the merchants in town,\u201d said Coffee grimly. \u201cI think he\u2019s paying protection money, but I can\u2019t prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProtection money?\u201d said Hoss with a frown. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, about six weeks ago, a man named Walter Brady showed up in town with about six gunmen,\u201d explained Coffee. \u201cThe mine owners hired him to help guard the mines. They\u2019ve been having some trouble with men sneaking into the mines at night and stealing equipment. I can\u2019t be everywhere, so I thought it was a good idea. It turned out to be a bad idea\u2026a real bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady\u2019s men stopped the stealing all right, but then, they moved into town. Near as I can tell, they\u2019re forcing merchants to pay them each week to \u2018protect\u2019 their businesses. If someone doesn\u2019t pay, something bad happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, you\u2019re the sheriff,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you put a stop to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, Joe, I\u2019ve tried,\u201d said Coffee in an exasperated voice. \u201cBut I can\u2019t arrest anyone without evidence. And no one will testify against Brady and his men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one?\u201d said Ben in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie Burns over at the livery stable complained about Brady,\u201d said Coffee. \u201cThe next night, there was a fire in his stable. Burned about half the building before it got put out. After that, Charlie didn\u2019t have anything to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it, Roy,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard about this in other towns, but I never thought I\u2019d see this in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s not the worst of it,\u201d continued Coffee. \u201cNow I hear they\u2019re moving onto some of the smaller ranches. If the ranchers don\u2019t pay up, their fences get torn down or their cattle get stampeded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, you\u2019ve got to do something,\u201d Adam said. \u201cIf this goes on, there won\u2019t be a Virginia City left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, Adam, I\u2019m open to any ideas,\u201d Coffee said with a tinge of despair in his voice. \u201cIf I could get someone to testify, I\u2019d arrest Brady in a minute. But everyone is too scared.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Hello, Ben,\u201d a woman\u2019s voice interrupted. Ben turned around and smiled as he saw a woman coming up behind him. Her dark hair was sprinkled with gray, and her face was lined with age. She wore a gingham dress, neat but not new. She had a trim figure, and moved with an easy grace that belied her age.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Maggie,\u201d Ben answered in genuine warmth. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie Corcoran smiled back at Ben. She turned to the other Cartwrights. \u201cHello, Adam, Hoss,\u201d she said. Maggie seemed to have a special smile for Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Joe reached over and pecked her on the cheek. \u201cHi, Maggie,\u201d he said with a twinkle in his eye. \u201cHow\u2019s my favorite girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStill old enough to tan your britches, you impertinent boy,\u201d Maggie replied with a snort. But the smile on her face showed her words were an empty threat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter watch yourself, Joe,\u201d Hoss said with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, when are you going to give in and marry me?\u201d Joe continued with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout the same time that hell freezes over,\u201d Maggie answered. Roy Coffee and the Cartwrights laughed heartily at her answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fellows looked awful serious,\u201d Maggie said when the laughter subsided. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy here has been telling us about the trouble in town,\u201d answered Adam. Maggie shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s getting bad,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t understand it. You think someone in this town would have enough guts to stand up to Brady. When my husband was alive and running his mine, he would have thrown Brady and his bullyboys out of Virginia City on their ears.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas Brady been giving you any trouble?\u201d Joe asked in alarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he hasn\u2019t bothered me,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cGot no reason to. I don\u2019t have a business or a ranch. Besides, he knows I wouldn\u2019t stand for his men threatening me. I\u2019d take a shotgun to \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet you would,\u201d Ben said with a grin.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee sighed. \u201cWell, Ben, I\u2019ve got to get going,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cIf you get any ideas about what to do about Brady, you be sure and let me know.\u201d With a wave, the sheriff walked off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had better get about our business, too,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI\u2019ve got to go over to the bank. Adam, Hoss, you go to the feed store and get that grain. Joe, go over to the hardware store and pick up a keg of nails. And, listen, boys. I don\u2019t want you causing any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere won\u2019t be any trouble,\u201d Adam promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat goes for you, too, Joseph,\u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I didn\u2019t start that trouble in Perkins\u2019 store,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but let\u2019s not cause any more problems for Roy,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe\u2019s got his hands full right now. Let\u2019s just get our business done and get out of town. We can talk about this situation later and try to figure out the best way to help Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, Hoss and Joe nodded. As they started to walk away, Adam and Hoss said goodbye to Maggie. Joe tipped his hat and grinned. \u201cYou let me know when to get the preacher, Maggie,\u201d he said as he strolled away. Maggie laughed as she waved him on.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, where are you heading?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cCan I walk you some place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust going to Perkins\u2019 store,\u201d Maggie replied. She suddenly got a serious look on her face. \u201cBen, this Brady fellow, he\u2019s trouble,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019d better watch your step around him\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Maggie,\u201d Ben promised.<\/p>\n

Joe walked into the hardware store and was surprised to see the shelves almost empty. Normally, the store was crammed with ropes, fencing and other miscellaneous items. But only a few ropes laid on the middle shelf, and two ax handles stood in a barrel near the counter. The rest of the store was practically empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright, how can I help you?\u201d a voice said from behind the counter.<\/p>\n

Joe looked up to see a middle age man smiling at him. \u201cHello, Mr. Timmons,\u201d said Joe, still looking around. \u201cWhere\u2019s all your stock?\u201d<\/p>\n

Timmons smile faded. \u201cThings have been kind of rough lately,\u201d he said. \u201cI haven\u2019t been able to afford to buy as many items from the wholesaler as I used to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cWe heard about this Brady character,\u201d he said. \u201cLooks like he\u2019s been hitting your place, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timmons looked down at the counter. \u201cI didn\u2019t say anything about Brady,\u201d Timmons said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cAll you have to do is look around your store to see what\u2019s been happening. Why didn\u2019t you just raise your prices, like Perkins did?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried,\u201d admitted Timmons. \u201cBut people wouldn\u2019t pay the prices I had to ask. They just went over to Carson City or someplace else to get what they need. Hardware isn\u2019t something people usually need right away. They can wait a while until they can buy it cheaper some place else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe leaned over the counter. \u201cMr. Timmons, why don\u2019t you do something about Brady and his men,\u201d he urged. \u201cRoy Coffee says he could arrest him if someone would testify against Brady. If you testified, you could get him off your back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, not me,\u201d said Timmons. \u201cI don\u2019t want my store burned\u2026or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the empty store. \u201cLooks to me like you\u2019re going to lose your business anyway,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d said Timmons sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to,\u201d Joe said. \u201cAll you have to do is sign a complaint against Brady and stand up in court to testify. Brady and his men will go to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be dead before I could testify,\u201d said Timmons.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy Coffee would protect you,\u201d Joe said urgently. \u201cYou could even come out and stay at the ranch with us. We\u2019d protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Timmons said in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Timmons, it\u2019s the only way you are going to save your store,\u201d Joe said. \u201cYou can either stand up to Brady or go bankrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timmons nodded. \u201cLet me think about it,\u201d he said. The tone of his voice changed. \u201cWell, in the meantime, what can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a keg of nails,\u201d said Joe. \u201cDo you have any?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the back,\u201d Timmons said. \u201cI don\u2019t have much left, but I do have nails.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get them,\u201d said Joe walking into a back room.<\/p>\n

As Joe walked into the store room, the door opened behind him. One of the cowboys who had been in Perkins\u2019 store strolled in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here for your weekly payment,\u201d said the cowboy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have the money,\u201d Timmons said in a desperate voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think you do,\u201d the cowboy said easily.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, Marsh, I\u2019m almost broke. Look around you. Does it look like I\u2019m doing a booming business?\u201d Timmons said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care where you get the money,\u201d Marsh replied. \u201cAll I know is you owe Mr. Brady for his protection. If you don\u2019t pay, well, we won\u2019t be able to protect you from all those bad things that can happen. You know, things like a fire. Or maybe, some night you get jumped as you\u2019re walking home. Virginia City can be a very dangerous place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timmons face turned red. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not paying you any more,\u201d he said angrily. \u201cYou tell Brady that. And if anything happens, I\u2019m going to Roy Coffee and file a complaint.<\/p>\n

Marsh pulled his gun from his holster and pointed it at Timmons. \u201cI think you had better re-consider that idea,\u201d Marsh said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

Timmons swallowed hard. \u201cMarsh, you wouldn\u2019t,\u201d he said in a shaky voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, I would,\u201d said Marsh.<\/p>\n

Joe came out of the storeroom with the keg of nails in his hands. As he walked back into the main room of the shop, he stopped. He saw Marsh with his gun pointed at Timmons. Timmons pushed Marsh away from him. Marsh took a step back and fired his gun, hitting Timmons in the middle of the chest. Joe dropped the keg and pulled his own gun, firing in a instant and hitting Marsh in the shoulder. Marsh spun around and dropped to the floor. Joe rushed over to Marsh and kicked the gun away from his hand. Then he rushed behind the counter where Timmons had fallen. The noise of the gunshots brought a crowd of people rushing to the store. Three or four stood in the doorway. Roy Coffee pushed his way through the crowd and entered the store. Roy looked at the man laying on the floor, groaning in pain as he clutched his bleeding shoulder. Roy also saw Joe Cartwright kneeling near the counter. Joe was staring at Timmons, who was laying lifeless on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what happened here?\u201d asked Coffee.<\/p>\n

Joe continued to stare at Timmons body. \u201cThat fellow shot Timmons,\u201d Joe said in a low voice. \u201cI winged him, but it was too late. Timmons is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright pushed through the crowd into the store. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his father and nodded. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said in a flat voice. \u201cBut Mr. Timmons is dead. That man shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Marsh sprawled on the floor. \u201cWho is he, Roy?\u201d Ben asked. \u201cWhy would he shoot Timmons?\u201d<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s one of Brady\u2019s men,\u201d answered Coffee in a grim voice. Roy turned to the people still standing at the door. \u201cSomebody get the doc over to the jail,\u201d said Coffee.<\/p>\n

Coffee walked over and pulled Marsh to his feet. \u201cBen, help me get him over to the jail, would you?\u201d Ben nodded and grabbed Marsh by the collar. Roy turned to Joe. \u201cJoe, I need you to come with us,\u201d Roy said. \u201cI want you to write down a statement about what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and stood. He turned and took another look at Timmons\u2019 body on the floor. Joe squared his shoulders and his face hardened. \u201cI\u2019ll write down what happened,\u201d Joe said grimly. \u201cI want to be sure there\u2019s no mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two hours later, the Cartwrights were still sitting in Roy Coffee\u2019s office. Adam and Hoss had rushed over to the office as soon as they heard what had happened. As the doctor patched up Marsh, Joe wrote out a statement about what he had seen. Roy had asked the Cartwrights to stay around the office until he could talk with them. Ben sat in a chair next to Joe as Adam and Hoss stood against the wall. Ben was concerned about the troubled look on Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you had to shoot Marsh,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe might have killed you if you hadn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Joe said. \u201cThat\u2019s not what\u2019s bothering me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is bothering you?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe hesitated. \u201cI feel responsible for Mr. Timmons\u2019 death,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t told him to stand up to Brady and his men\u2026.\u201d Joe shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault that Timmons is dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you can\u2019t say that,\u201d Adam said. \u201cYou don\u2019t know what Timmons said to Marsh before Marsh pulled his gun. Maybe Timmons said something that made Marsh angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how I feel, Adam,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t opened my big mouth, Timmons would still be alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee came out of the cell block, and locked the door behind him. He walked over to the desk and sat down. \u201cJoe, are you sure you wrote down everything you saw and heard?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cEverything. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Marsh refuses to talk. Won\u2019t say what happened or why he shot Timmons,\u201d answered Roy. \u201cIf he won\u2019t talk, I can\u2019t arrest Brady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou said he worked for Brady. Why can\u2019t you arrest Brady for putting Marsh up to shooting Mr. Timmons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I have no evidence that Brady did that,\u201d Coffee replied. \u201cJoe here only said that Timmons pushed Marsh and Marsh shot him. Joe didn\u2019t hear Marsh threaten him or mention Brady\u2019s name. I can have Marsh tried for murder, but I can\u2019t do anything about Brady. I told Marsh if he would admit Brady put him up to this, I\u2019d make sure he went to prison instead of hanging. But he said he won\u2019t say anything until he talks to Brady.\u201d Coffee shook his head. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m afraid Brady is going to try and keep you from testifying,\u201d said the sheriff in a grim tone. \u201cThat\u2019s the only way he can keep from going to prison. Because if you do testify, Marsh will talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then, the door of the jail opened, and a heavy-set man in his early 40\u2019s walked in. He was dressed in a suit and walked with the air of a confident man. \u201cHello, sheriff,\u201d the man said pleasantly. \u201cI understand you have one of my men in jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Brady,\u201d Roy Coffee said. \u201cYes, Marsh is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I see him?\u201d asked Walter Brady.<\/p>\n

Roy hesitated. \u201cI guess so,\u201d he finally said. \u201cYou\u2019re not wearing a gun, so I guess it\u2019s all right.\u201d Roy stood and walked to the cell block door. He unlocked the door, and led Brady to Marsh\u2019s cell. Marsh was lying on a bed in the cell, his right arm heavily bandaged. He sat up when he saw Brady near the cell. Brady turned to Coffee. \u201cI\u2019d like to talk with him privately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Coffee shrugged. \u201cYou have five minutes,\u201d he said as he walked away. As soon as Brady heard the cell block door close, he leaned over to the bars of the cell. \u201cWhat were you doing?\u201d Brady asked in an angry voice. \u201cWhy did you shoot Timmons?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t pay up,\u201d said Marsh. \u201cI pulled my gun to make sure he paid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou fool!\u201d said Brady. \u201cTimmons is dead. He\u2019s never going to pay now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marsh shrugged. \u201cIt was an accident. Timmons shoved me and I shot him before I realized what I was doing. Besides, what are you so upset about. The rest of your so-called \u2018clients\u2019 should be more than ready to pay up when they hear about Timmons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady studied the man in the cell. \u201cYou\u2019re awfully calm for a man who is facing the gallows,\u201d Brady said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I\u2019m not going to the gallows,\u201d Marsh replied. \u201cThe sheriff offered me a deal. If I testify that you\u2019re the one who told me to collect the money from Timmons, he\u2019ll arrange it so that I go to prison instead of hanging.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like much of a deal,\u201d said Brady. \u201cYou\u2019ll get twenty years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeats hanging,\u201d said Marsh.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, wait a minute,\u201d said Brady hastily. \u201cWe can work something out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t told the sheriff anything,\u201d said Marsh. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t, at least, not until that trial starts. You get me out of here by then, I\u2019ll just disappear. But if I go to trial, I\u2019ll tell the sheriff everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow am I suppose to get you out of here?\u201d said Brady. \u201cThis place is built like a fort. I could never break you out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marsh grinned. \u201cMr. Brady, you just don\u2019t think right,\u201d said Marsh. \u201cThe only reason I\u2019m in here is that Cartwright kid saw me shoot Timmons. If Cartwright don\u2019t testify, then I\u2019m a free man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady nodded. \u201cIt could take a little time,\u201d Brady said. \u201cThose Cartwrights don\u2019t scare easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but they bleed easy,\u201d said Marsh.<\/p>\n

Brady looked alarmed. \u201cCartwright is a powerful man,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I kill one of Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons, he\u2019ll have every lawman in the territory after me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marsh laid back down on the bed. \u201cIt\u2019s up to you, Mr. Brady,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t care what you do. All I know is if I go to trial, you\u2019re going to prison. Maybe we can share a cell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s other ways of handling you,\u201d said Brady in a threatening voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try it,\u201d Marsh said, sitting up quickly. He winced at the pain the sharp motion caused. \u201cBilly and Fred, they\u2019re friends of mine. Anything happens to me, they\u2019ll come after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady swallowed hard. Billy and Fred were two of the men who worked for him. He knew Marsh\u2019s threat was no idle boast.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d said Brady. \u201cI\u2019ll handle things. You just keep your mouth shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marsh laid back on the bed. \u201cFine with me,\u201d he said with a grin. \u201cI ain\u2019t going anywhere. I got a soft bed and fine food until my shoulder heals. And until that trial begins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady turned on his heel abruptly and walked away from the cell. He left the cellblock and walked into the sheriff\u2019s office. Roy Coffee and the Cartwrights looked at him curiously. Brady straightened his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears this is all a misunderstanding,\u201d Brady said. \u201cMarsh tells me that Timmons threatened him, and he shot in self defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie,\u201d said Joe in an angry voice. \u201cMr. Timmons wasn\u2019t wearing a gun. All Timmons did was shove him. Marsh shot him down in cold blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, son, you don\u2019t know that,\u201d said Brady.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was there; I saw it,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Brady looked at Joe. \u201cMaybe that\u2019s only what you thought you saw. Maybe after awhile, you\u2019ll change you mind,\u201d Brady said pointedly.<\/p>\n

Ben stood. \u201cDon\u2019t threaten my son,\u201d he said in a grim voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThreaten? I didn\u2019t threaten anyone,\u201d Brady said. \u201cAll I said was maybe your boy would change his mind.\u201d Brady turned to Sheriff Coffee. \u201cWhen is Marsh\u2019s trial?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figure it will take about three weeks for the circuit judge to get here,\u201d said Roy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree weeks,\u201d said Brady. \u201cThat\u2019s a long time.\u201d Brady looked at Joe. \u201cA lot can happen in three weeks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss moved closer to Brady. \u201cNothing is going to happen,\u201d said Adam in a grim voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can count on that,\u201d added Hoss.<\/p>\n

Brady just smiled. \u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d he said. With a nod to Roy, he walked out of the office.<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe,\u201d he said in a comforting voice. Joe just nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I think it would be best if you stayed out of town until the trial starts,\u201d said Roy Coffee. \u201cYou should be safe at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to Coffee. \u201cI can take care of myself,\u201d he said confidently. \u201cIf Brady or his men come after me, I\u2019ll take care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d said Ben, \u201cI think Roy\u2019s right. There\u2019s no sense asking for trouble. Besides, we\u2019ve got plenty to do at the ranch. You just stay out of Virginia City until the trial starts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, little brother, think of all the money you\u2019ll save,\u201d said Hoss with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d said Adam, trying to lighten the mood also. \u201cIf you really get an urge to lose all your money playing poker, I\u2019ll be happy to oblige you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned ruefully. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll stay at the ranch. But, I think it\u2019s going to be a long three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben Cartwright was laying on his bed in a dressing gown, reading. Although it was late, he didn\u2019t feel much like sleeping. The events of the day had him too agitated to relax. When they left the sheriff\u2019s office, the Cartwrights had quickly loaded their supplies and rode out of town. As they went down the Virginia City road, each of them had scanned the rocks and brush on the side of the road nervously. Even though none of them wanted to admit it, all four were worried that some of Brady\u2019s men might be waiting in ambush for them. All of them were relieved when they reached the ranch without incident. Ben was convinced that Brady would do something to prevent Joe from testifying against his man. He wished he knew what Brady had planned, and how best to protect his son. He knew Joe would chafe at being guarded, but that\u2019s what he planned to do. No matter how old his sons got, Ben still thought of them as his little boys. Ben frowned as he heard a noise from downstairs. At this hour of the night, the house should be quiet. He grabbed his robe and the lamp from the table next to his bed, and went to see what had caused the noise. Ben stopped at the landing on the stairs. He could see Joe, still dressed, sitting on the low table near the fireplace. Joe was staring into the fire, an intense look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Are you all right?\u201d asked Ben quietly from the stairs.<\/p>\n

Joe turned quickly to the stairs. \u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d he said in an equally quiet voice. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to wake you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben descended the stairs and put the lamp on a table. He walked over to Joe. \u201cYou didn\u2019t wake me,\u201d he said. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYeah, I just couldn\u2019t sleep,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorried about Brady?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said with a shake of head. \u201cI can take care of any trouble Brady might cause. I was thinking about Mr. Timmons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou can\u2019t blame yourself for what happened to Timmons, Joe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it wouldn\u2019t have happened if I had kept my mouth shut,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI\u2019m the one who told him to stand up to Brady. I\u2019m the one who got him killed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, it\u2019s not your fault,\u201d said Ben. \u201cTimmons made his own choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa, if I hadn\u2019t encouraged him\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n

Ben sat down next to Joe. \u201cJoe, listen to me,\u201d he said. \u201cTimmons decided not to knuckle under to Brady any more, for whatever reason. Maybe he decided he had enough, maybe he just didn\u2019t have the money. We really don\u2019t know. But he decided to stand up to Brady\u2019s man. Unfortunately, it cost him his life. The best thing you can do now is to pick up where Timmons left off. You must continue his fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of pick up the fallen flag on the battle field?\u201d said Joe with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cDon\u2019t kid yourself that this is going to be easy. I know men like Brady. They\u2019ll stop at nothing to get what they want. He\u2019s going to do anything he can think of to convince you not to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll testify, Pa,\u201d said Joe firmly. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said Brady would do anything,\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe might even try to have you killed. Are you willing to risk that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe thought for a minute. \u201cTimmons was willing to risk his life to stand up to Brady. I guess I can do the same,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you have nothing to feel guilty about,\u201d said Ben. \u201cTimmons was willing to risk his life, and so are you. You didn\u2019t ask him to do anything you aren\u2019t willing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Pa,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cI guess I didn\u2019t think about it that way. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slapped Joe lightly on the back. \u201cCome on upstairs,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss were checking fence in the north pasture the next day. Normally, checking fence was a one-man job, and it was Joe\u2019s turn to do the work. But Ben insisted that Hoss accompany Joe. Given Brady\u2019s threats, he was not about to let Joe ride around the ranch by himself. So far the day had been uneventful. Joe and Hoss had ridden several miles, checking the fence, and stopped twice to repair broken sections. As they neared a section that shielded a steep drop into a gully, Hoss pulled his horse to a stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at that, Joe,\u201d Hoss said in disgust. \u201cAnother fence down. At this rate, we\u2019re never going to get home in time for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell you what, Hoss,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWe\u2019ll fix this fence and then head for home. The rest can wait. I know you don\u2019t want to miss dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 face brightened. \u201cGood idea,\u201d he said. \u201cHop Sing is making fried chicken for dinner. I hate cold chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d eat it, though,\u201d said Joe with a smile as he dismounted near the fallen fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cBut just so as not to hurt Hop Sing\u2019s feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head as he walked to the fallen timber. Hoss would eat Hop Sing\u2019s chicken cold, hot, or anywhere in between. Joe bent to pick up a fallen piece of timber. Just as he bent, a bullet whizzed over his head and struck the fence post behind him. Joe dove into the brush behind him, pulling his gun from his holster as he fell. Hoss landed next to him about a second later, his gun also at the ready. Both men looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee where it came from?\u201d asked Hoss, his eyes searching the landscape.<\/p>\n

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

Another shot struck the ground in front of the brush. Joe and Hoss both ducked, then looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it came from behind the tree up there on the hill,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Before Hoss could answer, another bullet whizzed over their heads. Joe and Hoss both fired their guns in the direction of some trees at the top of the hill. They had only fired two or three shots when Hoss grabbed Joe\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cSave your ammunition, Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can\u2019t hit anything up there with handguns. It\u2019s too far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever it is must have a rifle,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

Two more shots struck the ground in front of Joe and Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever it is must be a bad shot,\u201d grumbled Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d agreed Joe. \u201cThe least Brady could do is spend some money to hire a decent gunman.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that\u2019s Brady\u2019s man up there,\u201d protested Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho else would it be?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cYou made some enemies lately that we don\u2019t know about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Three more shots whizzed through the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cDagnabit, this ain\u2019t getting us anywhere,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWe can\u2019t just stay here. That fellow up there is liable to get lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you throw a few shots up there to distract him, while I try to flank him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow wait, Joe,\u201d said Hoss with a frown. \u201cI don\u2019t know if that\u2019s such a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you\u2019re too slow and too big a target to go,\u201d said Joe. \u201cBesides, if we wait here much longer, Adam will eat all that fried chicken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful, you hear?\u201d said Hoss, reluctantly agreeing.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and pulled himself to a kneeling position. He waited a minute until Hoss started firing up the hill then ran in a zigzag until he reached some boulders to the right. The boulders were about ten feet up the hill from the brush. Joe watched the trees carefully, hoping the gunman would show himself. A minute later, he saw the front of a rifle stick out from the trees and fire. Joe couldn\u2019t see the man behind the trees. He turned and waved at Hoss below him. Hoss fired two more shots up the hill as Joe ran closer to the trees, diving into a clump of bushes. His angle wasn\u2019t much better, but he was closer to his target. Joe waited again. He saw the rifle stick out again from the trees, but this time he could see part of arm with it. He took careful aim. As the rifle fired, Joe fired also. Joe\u2019s bullet struck true. He heard a yell and saw the rifle drop. Joe carefully crept up the hill, gun ready. As he neared the trees, he heard a horse galloping away. Joe stood and ran to the top of the hill. As he reached the trees, he could see a man on a horse, riding at top speed away from the trees. Joe fired twice at the man, but the rider was too far away.<\/p>\n

Hoss came panting up the hill behind Joe. \u201cDid you get him?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cI think I winged him, but he got away,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s go find our horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam were working on some papers at Ben\u2019s desk when Hoss and Joe walked into the house. Adam looked at his brothers in surprise. \u201cYou finished already?\u201d he said. \u201cI figured you two had at least another couple of hours of work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a bit of trouble,\u201d said Hoss in a serious voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Ben, instantly concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cA fellow took some shots at us up by Sugar Creek,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d asked Ben in alarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fine, Pa,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cThe guy was a pretty bad shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr maybe he wasn\u2019t trying to hit you,\u201d said Adam. \u201cMaybe that was just a warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cWhatever it was, the man got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you told all the hands to keep an eye out for strangers,\u201d said Ben said in a demanding voice to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did, Pa,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cBut this is a big ranch. They can\u2019t be everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and turned to Joe. \u201cJoseph, I think that you should stay close to the house for awhile. No more riding out,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa\u2026.\u201dJoe began to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo buts,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThere\u2019s plenty for you to do around here. The barn needs a good cleaning and that tack room is a mess. Not to mention wood that needs to be cut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I hate those jobs,\u201d said Joe in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, you will stay around the house,\u201d Ben repeated firmly.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s shoulders sagged. \u201cYes sir,\u201d he said in resignation. He looked at Adam and Hoss. \u201cYou know what? I am really getting to hate that Walter Brady,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Joe spent the next week doing all the unpleasant chores his father had mentioned. The more he worked in the barn, and the more wood he cut, the more furious he became. He hated not being able to leave the area around the house. To make matters worse, it seemed every time he turned around he found his father watching him. He knew his father was just keeping a watch, making sure nothing happened to him, but having Pa hovering over him didn\u2019t improve his temper much. He chafed at the thought of two more weeks of Ben keeping a careful eye on him. He knew his father was right, but that didn\u2019t make things any easier. He was short with Adam and Hoss, and seemed to find everything irritating. Joe just wanted to get the trial over. Joe was working in the tack room when he heard two horses come in at a fast pace. He looked out the door and saw Adam and Hoss dismount and walk toward the house. Adam seemed to be holding his arm. Joe quickly finished hanging up some bridles he had been sorting and walked to the house. Adam was sitting on the couch as Joe walked in. Adam\u2019s arm was extended toward Ben who was sitting on a low table facing the couch. Joe could see a cloth over Adam\u2019s forearm and some blood was seeping through the cloth. As Joe approached the couch, Hoss came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of water.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the hot water,\u201d Hoss said as he put the bowl down on the table. \u201cHop Sing is getting the medicine and bandages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to Adam?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam looked at each other, then Adam shrugged. \u201cWe were up by the herd. Two men came riding out of the trees, firing their guns. They stampeded the cattle. We tried to stop them, and I got nicked,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben was unwinding the cloth around Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cDoesn\u2019t look too bad,\u201d said Ben as he examined the wound. \u201cYou\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was Brady\u2019s men, wasn\u2019t it,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Joe, we don\u2019t know that for sure,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cCould have been anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Adam could have been killed,\u201d Joe said. \u201cThat\u2019s the third incident in the last week. I heard about the fire up at the timber camp. I also heard about those rocks falling when you two were riding up by the canyon.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not worth it. I\u2019m not going to risk one of you getting killed. I\u2019ll tell Brady I won\u2019t testify.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you can\u2019t do that!\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you and Hoss didn\u2019t ask to get in the middle of this,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t want anything to happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t hear us complaining,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIf the shoe was on the other foot, and I was the one who had the testify, would you ask me not to do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe chewed on his lower lip. \u201cThat\u2019s not the point,\u201d said Joe. \u201cThe reason we\u2019re in this mess is because everyone in Virginia City is too afraid to stand up to Brady. Well, fine. It\u2019s their town. If they don\u2019t want to stand up for it, then they deserve what they get.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cJoe, remember what we talked about the other night?\u201d he said. \u201cAbout picking up the fight for Timmons? You can\u2019t give up now, just because the going is a little rough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa, but this is different,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cIf it was just me, I wouldn\u2019t care what Brady did. But you and Adam and Hoss didn\u2019t ask for this. I don\u2019t want something to happen to you because of me. Timmons is dead because of me. I don\u2019t want another death of my conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what do you think is going to happen if you don\u2019t testify?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cDo you think Brady is just going to leave us alone? If he thinks he can scare us, it\u2019s only a question of time before he\u2019s asking us for protection money. We\u2019re going to have to face him sooner or later. I\u2019d just as soon do it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, nothing is going to happen to us,\u201d said Hoss in a reassuring tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, I\u2019m getting a real big dislike for that Brady fellow. Even If you don\u2019t want to take him on, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t much fancy the kind of town Virginia City would be if Brady sticks around,\u201d added Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll take my chances if it\u2019s going to get rid of Brady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his brothers. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d he asked in an uncertain voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re sure,\u201d said Adam firmly. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about us. You just testify against Marsh and let us worry about everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at father. \u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d he said ruefully. \u201cI guess I just got carried away for a minute. Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll testify.\u201d Joe turned to Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll go see what\u2019s keeping Hop Sing and those bandages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben, Hoss and Adam watched Joe walk into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s starting to get to him, isn\u2019t it,\u201d said Adam quietly.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to keep him busy, but he knows I\u2019ve been watching him like a hawk,\u201d said Ben. \u201cStaying around the house hasn\u2019t helped things any. He\u2019s used to riding out every day. He\u2019s really on edge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you going to do, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cNothing. I\u2019m not going to risk anything happening to Joe. We\u2019ll just have to put up with this for another two weeks,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThat trial can\u2019t start soon enough for me, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Walter Brady took a deep breath outside the sheriff\u2019s office, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he had to talk with Marsh again, but hated the thought of another angry conversation. Brady took another deep breath and shook his head. Marsh was such a fool, he thought. They had a real sweet set-up here in Virginia City. His plan was to milk the town for another month or so and then move on. If he left now, Marsh would talk and he\u2019d spend the rest of his life as a wanted man. Brady had no taste for that kind of life. But now he was faced with dealing with the Cartwrights. It was not a pleasant thought. Brady took one more deep breath and opened the door. \u201cGood morning, sheriff,\u201d he said in a pleasant voice.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee looked up from the papers he was reading on his desk. \u201cMorning, Brady,\u201d he said shortly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here to see Mr. Marsh,\u201d said Brady.<\/p>\n

Coffee nodded but continued to sit at his desk. \u201cBen Cartwright sent me a message yesterday,\u201d Coffee said in a harsh voice. \u201cSome mighty strange things have been happening at the Ponderosa. Yesterday, Adam Cartwright got winged by some men stampeding their cattle. You wouldn\u2019t know anything about that, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady licked his lips nervously. \u201cNo, sheriff,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t know anything about it. How is young Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right,\u201d said Coffee. \u201cBen also sent a message saying that Joe is still going to testify against Marsh. You might as well save yourself the effort if you think you\u2019re going to scare the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t know what you are talking about,\u201d said Brady smoothly. \u201cBut I would imagine that the Cartwrights are finding all these \u2018strange happenings\u2019 to be a problem for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really,\u201d said Roy Coffee with the hint of a grin. \u201cBen Cartwright\u2019s been through a lot worse. These little incidents are going to bother him much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady nodded. \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d he said. \u201cMay I see Marsh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy stood and took a ring of keys from a desk drawer. He opened the cell block and let Brady in. Marsh was lounging on the bed in his cell. He grinned as Brady walked toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, howdy, Mr. Brady,\u201d Marsh said. \u201cHow are things going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are not going well,\u201d said Brady harshly. \u201cThat Cartwright kid is still planning to testify, despite all I\u2019ve done to discourage him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, Mr. Brady, there\u2019s only one way to keep him from testifying,\u201d said Marsh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I told you that killing a Cartwright would bring us more trouble than any of us have ever seen,\u201d said Brady.<\/p>\n

Marsh shrugged. \u201cUp to you,\u201d he said. \u201cOne way or the other, I\u2019m going to prison. The only question is: will you be going with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady grabbed the bars of the cell. \u201cMarsh, listen, can\u2019t we work something out?\u201d Brady pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see how,\u201d Marsh said evenly. \u201cEither I tell the sheriff everything I know or I hang. Don\u2019t seem I have much of a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady banged his hand against the cell bars. \u201cAll right, all right,\u201d he said angrily. Brady took a deep breath. \u201cI guess I have no choice. I\u2019ll have Billy get rid of the kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFred is a better choice,\u201d said Marsh. \u201cBilly can be a bit nervous. Offer Fred enough money and he\u2019d shoot his own mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Fred, then,\u201d said Brady with disgust. \u201cJust remember to keep your mouth shut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember,\u201d said Marsh. \u201cJust you remember that my trial starts in less than two weeks. You haven\u2019t got a lot of time left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed as he finished cleaning the last rifle. Only about a week until the trial starts, he thought, only a week more and then he could leave the ranch house. Joe was really tired of doing all the mundane chores around the house. He never thought he would be eager to ride out and check fence or round up strays. Joe sighed again as he got up from the small round table near the stairs. He had spent the morning cleaning rifles that probably didn\u2019t need to be cleaned. He gathered up the weapons and carried them to the gun rack on the other side of the room. He carefully put rifles in the gun rack. Joe stretched and started walking to the front door of the house. He was about half way to the door when a voice stopped him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, where are you going?\u201d Ben asked in a pleasant voice. Ben had been sitting at his desk all morning. He was working on the books but also keeping an eye on Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust going out to the barn,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cThere\u2019s a saddle out there that I want to work on. It\u2019s pretty stiff, and a little soft soap would help it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned. \u201cIt\u2019s getting close to noon. Hoss and Adam will be back soon,\u201d Ben said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let that go until later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, nothing is going to happen to me in the barn,\u201d Joe said with a sigh. \u201cI\u2019ve cleaned every gun we own, and we have enough wood to last a month. I\u2019ve run out of things to do around the house. At least let me do a few things in the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I know it\u2019s been hard for you to stay around here,\u201d Ben said sympathetically. \u201cBut it\u2019s the safest thing until that trial starts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, nothing has happened for almost a week now,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI think Brady has given up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, Brady is not the kind of man to give up,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s probably changing his tactics. He\u2019s also running out of time. That\u2019s why it\u2019s particularly dangerous for you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand that,\u201d said Joe in an exasperated voice. \u201cBut I can\u2019t spend the next week hiding under the bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d said Ben. \u201cGo to the barn, then, but keep your eyes open.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise,\u201d said Joe with a grin. \u201cIf my horse looks at me funny, I promise I\u2019ll lock him in his stall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe strolled out the front door. Ben watched with concern as his youngest son left the house. He couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that Joe was in grave danger. He just didn\u2019t know what to do about it. If he had his way, he\u2019d lock Joe in his room for the next week. But Ben knew he couldn\u2019t do that. Instead, all he could do is keep a close eye on Joe. He\u2019d have to find a reason to go out to the barn shortly. Joe wouldn\u2019t like it, but Ben would feel better if he checked on Joe. With a shake of his head, Ben picked up his pen and went back to working on his books.<\/p>\n

Joe soaped the saddle with hard, fast strokes, pressing the leather with more pressure than it needed. He was trying to ease the frustration he was feeling. He knew his father and brothers had his best interests in mind, but Joe was tired of being protected. All he wanted was to be able to jump on his horse and ride someplace\u2026any place. Joe was working on the saddle when he heard the footsteps behind him. He turned with a sigh, expecting to see his father. He froze when he saw the figure of a big man, holding a gun, standing just inside the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally,\u201d the man said with an evil grin. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting almost a week to get you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d said the man. \u201cI want you not to testify against my friend Marsh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe said nothing. He was unarmed, with only a brush in his hand. He knew the man planned to kill him, regardless of what he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to testify anyway, aren\u2019t you?\u201d said the man as Joe stood silent. The man cocked his pistol. \u201cWell, I know one way to make sure you aren\u2019t going to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the man raised his gun, Joe threw the brush and hit the man square in the face. Startled, the man lowered the gun. Joe charged the man, and knocked the gun from the man\u2019s hand. The big man recovered quickly. With a quick motion, he brought a fist up and hit Joe square in the stomach. Joe bent over as the punch knock the breath from him. The man raised his fist again, but this time Joe ducked the blow. Joe brought his own fist up and hit the man on the jaw. The two grappled for a minute until the big man pushed Joe back. The big man grabbed some reins hanging from a peg and whipped the rawhide at Joe. Joe put his hands up to protect his face and felt the sting of the leather on his arms. Joe charged the man again, hoping to knock him off his feet. But the man was strong. He staggered back a few steps, then regained his balance. The man came at Joe again, fists flying.<\/p>\n

Joe felt the blows land on his face. His head snapped back and he fell to the ground. The big man pulled Joe to his feet and landed another punch on Joe\u2019s face. Joe\u2019s legs buckled. The man pushed Joe hard. Joe staggered backwards a few feet and fell to the ground, stunned. The big man stood over Joe for a minute, breathing hard. With a satisfied grunt, the man turned and began searching the ground for his gun. Joe shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. He sat up and saw the man reaching down to pick up his pistol from the ground. Joe scrambled to his feet, just as the man turned to aim the gun. Joe dove into an empty stall as the man fired his gun. Ben was still working at his desk when he heard the shot from the barn. He jumped to his feet and ran to the front door, stopping only to pull a gun from a holster laying on the table by the door. Ben pulled the door open, and ran to the barn, gun ready. As Ben reached the barn door, he saw a man walking slowly toward a stall. The man was moving cautiously, gun poised.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold it!\u201d shouted Ben at the man. The man whirled around, firing his gun as he turned. Ben jumped to the side, and heard the bullet whiz by. Ben fired twice, hitting the man in the middle of the chest. The big man grabbed his chest, then fell face forward.<\/p>\n

Ben moved forward slowly. He stood over the man and nudged him with his foot. Satisfied that the man was dead, Ben began to frantically look around the barn for Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe!\u201d Ben shouted as head went from side to side, searching for his son. He heard a voice answer from a stall to his right. Ben rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the stall.<\/p>\n

Joe was huddled in the corner at the back of the stall. His body was tense, and he had a pitchfork in his hands, pointed at the front of the stall. When he saw Ben\u2019s face, Joe\u2019s body went limp. He dropped the pitchfork and rested his head against the back of the stall. Ben stared at his youngest son for a minute. Joe\u2019s face was bruised and a cut over Joe\u2019s eye was bleeding. But even more alarming was a spreading patch of red on Joe\u2019s thigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! You\u2019re wounded!\u201d Ben cried as he rushed forward. He knelt next to Joe and started tearing open Joe\u2019s pants over the wound. He looked at the bullet hole in Joe\u2019s thigh. \u201cThe bullet is still in there,\u201d said Ben in a worried tone. He looked at Joe\u2019s face. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and his face was pale. Joe\u2019s jaws were clenched in pain. \u201cHang on a minute, Joe,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll get something to stop the bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rushed out of the stall and ran to the front of the barn. He turned to his right just before he got to the door, rushing into a work area. He ran to a small cabinet in the area and pulled open the doors. He grabbed some cloth from the shelf and rushed back to the stall. Joe\u2019s eyes were open and he was breathing hard as Ben returned. Ben began wrapping the cloth tightly over Joe\u2019s wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was one of Brady\u2019s men,\u201d gasped Joe as Ben worked. \u201cHe said\u2026\u201d Joe groaned as Ben pulled the cloth tight. \u201cHe said he had been waiting for me,\u201d finished Joe in a gasping voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about that now,\u201d said Ben as he worked. He pulled the cloth as tight as he could, trying to stop the bleeding, even though he knew the tight bandaged was causing Joe pain. He knotted the cloth and sat back on his heels. He looked at Joe\u2019s face again. Joe\u2019s eyes were once again closed and his breathing was fast and heavy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, if I help you, do you think you can walk?\u201d asked Ben anxiously. \u201cI have to get you to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and sat up. Ben reached down and grabbed Joe under his arms. He pulled his son to his feet. Joe grunted in pain as he tried to stand. He put his arm over Ben\u2019s shoulders, and leaned heavily on his father. Ben grabbed Joe\u2019s hand with his left hand, and put his right arm under Joe\u2019s left arm. \u201cEasy, now,\u201d Ben said. \u201cLet\u2019s take it real slow.\u201d Joe nodded again.<\/p>\n

Ben walked slowly out of the stall. Joe managed a few steps, dragging his injured leg behind him. He was breathing even harder as he tried to walk. Joe grabbed the front of Ben\u2019s shirt with his free hand and hung on. Ben dragged his son slowly out of the barn. The house seemed to be miles away. Ben held on to his son as tight as he could and started slowly toward the house. He was about halfway to the house when he heard horses coming up behind him. He turned to see Hoss and Adam riding into the yard. Both men reined their horses to a stop. Hoss jumped off his horse and rushed to the pair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Brady\u2019s men got to Joe,\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s got a bullet in his leg. Get to town and get the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw the doc heading toward the Miller place a little while ago,\u201d said Adam as he turned his horse. \u201cI\u2019ll get him.\u201d Adam kicked his horse into a gallop.<\/p>\n

Hoss slipped Joe\u2019s left arm over his massive shoulders. \u201cI got him, Pa,\u201d said Hoss as he shifted his brother from his father. He reached down and put his arm under Joe\u2019s knees. As he stood, he lifted his brother into arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can walk,\u201d said Joe in a weak voice. But even as he spoke, Joe\u2019s head flopped against Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you can,\u201d Hoss said in a soothing voice. \u201cBut this will be faster.\u201d Hoss nodded at Ben who ran ahead to clear the way for Hoss.<\/p>\n

As Ben ran into the house, he vowed to himself that Walter Brady was going to pay for what had happened to Joe. He promised himself that he would see Brady in prison. One way or the other, Brady was finished in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

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

Doctor Martin pulled the blanket up under Joe\u2019s chin, and patted Joe lightly on the head. Martin took a few steps back toward the end of the bed, where Ben, Adam and Hoss were standing in anxious anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d the doctor said, nodding at Joe. \u201cIt\u2019s a painful wound, but fortunately, there\u2019s no permanent damage. The bullet nicked the bone. It also nicked an artery, which is why he lost so much blood. He\u2019ll need a few days in bed and a couple of weeks on crutches, but he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben breathed a sigh of relief. He had had a hard time stopping Joe\u2019s wound from bleeding, and was concerned that the injury might be worse than he thought. He was grateful that Adam had found Doctor Martin so quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust make sure I\u2019m up and around in time to testify,\u201d said Joe in a thick voice. His eyes were only half opened and had a glazed, unfocused look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stop fighting that sedative and go to sleep,\u201d said the doctor sternly to Joe. \u201cWhat you need now, young man, is plenty of rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded as his eyelids grew heavy. \u201cJust get me on my feet,\u201d he said in a slurred voice as he began to fall asleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be well enough to testify?\u201d asked Adam anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen does the trial start? In about a week?\u201d asked the doctor. \u201cHe should be on his feet by then. Just make sure he gets a lot of rest until then. He lost a lot of blood. He\u2019s weak, and I don\u2019t want him picking up any infections.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ll watch him,\u201d Ben said. He looked at the doctor. \u201cI would appreciate it if you didn\u2019t say anything about this to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t go around talking about my patients, Ben,\u201d said the doctor in slight indignant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut no one knows what happened except the people in this room. I want to be sure it stays that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you want to tell the sheriff?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially not the sheriff, at least not right away,\u201d said Ben firmly. \u201cIf Roy knows about this, he\u2019ll do something that will let Brady know his man failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d said the doctor with a frown.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady doesn\u2019t know if his man got to Joe or not,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cIf we keep this quiet for a day or so, that will buy us that much more time. Brady won\u2019t do anything as long as he thinks his man still has a chance to get Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat makes sense,\u201d says Adam. \u201cBut, Pa, we can\u2019t keep this quiet for long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know,\u201d said Ben with a sigh. \u201cBut every day we can prevent Brady from finding out about this is a day less that Joe is in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin walked over to the table and picked up his bag. \u201cI\u2019ll stop by and check on him in the morning, Ben,\u201d the doctor said. \u201cI have to check on Will Miller anyway. I\u2019ll let everyone know I\u2019m heading to the Miller place so no one will think it odd if I\u2019m heading in this direction. And don\u2019t worry, Ben, no one will hear about this from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said quietly as the doctor left the room. Ben walked around the end of the bed and pulled a chair next to the bed. Ben sat down in the chair and stared at Joe.<\/p>\n

Adam nudged Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s go downstairs,\u201d he said to his brother. \u201cI have something I want to talk with you about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evening was turning into night as Ben Cartwright left Joe\u2019s room. Joe was still sleeping peacefully, and Ben felt he could leave his son for a short time. Adam and Hoss were sitting in the living room, drinking coffee, as Ben descended the stairs. They looked expectantly at their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill asleep,\u201d answered Ben as he walked over and sat down in his favorite chair next to the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant something to eat?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cHop Sing has been keeping something warm for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not hungry,\u201d said Ben in a weary voice. \u201cI could use a cup of that coffee, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood and walked over to the low table in the middle of the room. A coffee pot and several cups sat on the table. Adam poured a cup of coffee and handed it to his father. Ben nodded his thanks and sipped the hot liquid.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady\u2019s man came close this time,\u201d Ben said as he sipped the coffee. \u201cReal close. We\u2019re going to have make sure we keep the front door locked and everyone away from the house. I\u2019m not going to let them have another chance at Joe. I\u2019m going to do whatever it takes to protect him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss looked at each other. \u201cWe agree, Pa\u201d said Adam. \u201cThat\u2019 why we think Joe should be moved to Virginia City as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d said Ben in astonished voice. \u201cAre you out of your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow hear us out, Pa,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cAdam and I have been talking about it, and we think moving Joe is a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Pa,\u201d said Adam urgently. \u201cBrady is going to get tired of waiting for his man to report back. There\u2019s no telling what he might do. He could attack the house, even burn it. Joe\u2019s liable to get hurt worse if he stays here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cOn the other hand, if you announce in Virginia City that we\u2019ve hidden Joe away, Brady won\u2019t know where to look.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he would never think of looking in Virginia City, right under his nose,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Ben doubtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Joe is going to have to get to Virginia City to testify,\u201d said Adam. \u201cIf we wait for the day of the trial, Brady is liable to have his men waiting on the trail for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have enough hands to give Brady a fight,\u201d said Ben stubbornly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but it\u2019ll be a heck of a fight,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cPeople are liable to get hurt, even killed, on both sides. I know you don\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re right,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cI don\u2019t want anyone hurt. But when and where would we take Joe to Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen would be as soon as the doctor says he\u2019s fit to travel,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWhere is the tough part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about it,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWe just can\u2019t figure out where to hide Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe jail\u2019s no good,\u201d said Adam. \u201cFor one thing, it\u2019s a drafty and cold place. With the shape Joe\u2019s in, I wouldn\u2019t want to risk him in there. Besides, it would be too easy for someone to send a bullet through a window.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the hotel is no good, either,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cToo many people around. Someone\u2019s bound to see Joe and report back to Brady. Joe would be too easy to get to if Brady knew he was in the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we need is someplace in Virginia City where no one would think of looking,\u201d said Adam. \u201cSomeplace where Joe can hide out for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you haven\u2019t been able to think of a place?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, we haven\u2019t,\u201d admitted Hoss. \u201cEveryone we think of is either too scared of Brady to take in Joe or has a family or something that makes it too dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we could find the right place, we could get Joe to town safely,\u201d said Adam. Ben thought for a few minutes, then looked at Adam and Hoss. \u201cI\u2019m still not convinced this is a good idea,\u201d he said. \u201cBut if Joe agrees to your plan, I think I know just the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin finished examining Joe\u2019s wound the next day about mid-morning. He smiled at Joe as he stood. \u201cI think you\u2019ll live,\u201d he said with a wry grin. The doctor turned to Ben, Adam and Hoss who were once again standing around the foot of the bed. \u201cJust keep him quiet for another day or so,\u201d the doctor said. \u201cHe\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow soon could we move him?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cMove him?\u201d said the doctor in a startled voice. \u201cMove him where?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better you don\u2019t know where,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cAll you need to know is Joe is going somewhere safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to have to know,\u201d said the doctor with a frown. \u201cIf nothing else, I\u2019m going to have to take out those stitches. And I want to keep a close eye on Joe to make sure there\u2019s no infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, doc,\u201d said Joe from the bed. \u201cI\u2019ll be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where did you get your medical degree?\u201d demanded Doctor Martin. He shook his head. \u201cI appreciate what your trying to do, but I\u2019m sorry. I need to check on Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, Hoss and Ben looked at each other. They had thrashed out a plan last night, examining it from all angles and looking for weaknesses. They were convinced they had thought of every possible problem. Joe had agreed with them when they outlined the plan to him this morning. However, visits from the doctor were a complication they hadn\u2019t anticipated.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, when do you need to see Joe again?\u201d Adam said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019ll probably be all right for a day or two,\u201d answered the doctor. \u201cBut I really should see him again day after tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cMaybe we should forget the whole thing,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t like the idea of moving Joe, anyway. I\u2019d feel better if we kept him here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we talked about this,\u201d said Joe firmly. \u201cIf I stay here, all of you could be in danger. It\u2019s better if I go\u2026.someplace else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen can we move him?\u201d repeated Adam to the doctor.<\/p>\n

The doctor frowned. \u201cIf you must move him, he should be well enough to move tomorrow,\u201d he said in a reluctant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about tonight?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

The doctor looked at Joe with a thoughtful expression. \u201cIf he stays in bed all day and rests, and you bundle him up against the night air, and if you don\u2019t take him too far, he should be able to travel tonight,\u201d the doctor said in a reluctant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, then,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe\u2019ll move Joe tonight. We\u2019ll figure out some way to get the doctor to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t know about this,\u201d said Ben again in a doubtful voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d Joe said with a weak smile. \u201cBesides, all I have to do is lay around for a few days until that trial starts. I can do that anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if Brady\u2019s men find you\u2026.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can take care of myself,\u201d Joe said in a confident voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t exactly done a bang up job of taking care of yourself,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI\u2019d feel better if you were staying here at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo would I,\u201d added the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Joe said. \u201cPa, you just take care of the things we talked about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright rode into Virginia City with two of his ranch hands. Adam and Hoss insisted that he take the two men with him, in case Brady tried to grab Ben to use as leverage against Joe. Ben reluctantly agreed. He was beginning to understand how Joe felt with someone watching him all the time. Ben reined his horse to a stop in front of a building in the middle of town. The ranch hands dismounted from their horses as Ben did the same. Ben turned to the two men. \u201cYou wait here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said one of the men. \u201cBut if you\u2019re not out of there in fifteen minutes, we\u2019re coming in after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and walked to the door of the building. He pushed the door open and walked in. Walter Brady sat behind a desk in the middle of the room. He had a sheaf of papers in his hand, and a cigar in his mouth. Brady looked up in surprise as Ben walked into the office.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d said Brady, trying to keep his voice even. \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can call off your men,\u201d said Ben in an angry voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall off my men?\u201d replied Brady. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you do,\u201d said Ben, the anger in his voice growing. \u201cYour men have harassed my sons and disrupted the work on my ranch. I want it stopped \u2013 now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I assure you that I have no idea what you are talking about,\u201d said Brady in a smooth tone of voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady, I\u2019m warning you. If anything happens to Joe, or to any of my sons, I\u2019m going to come after you,\u201d Ben said. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t make idle threats.\u201d Ben turned on his heel and stalked out the door.<\/p>\n

Brady chewed on his cigar. From what Ben Cartwright said, Brady surmised that Fred hadn\u2019t made his move yet. Cartwright would have said something if he had. Silently, Brady cursed his gunman. What was taking him so long? If Fred didn\u2019t get to that Cartwright kid soon, he\u2019d have to come up with another plan.<\/p>\n

Ben walked out of the office with a satisfied smile. He felt sure Brady still thought his man was laying in wait for Joe on the Ponderosa. If Brady thought his man was still out at the ranch some place, the Cartwrights would have the extra day or two they needed to put their plan into action. Ben turned to the two hands still standing near the hitching post. \u201cGo get yourselves a beer,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI need to see an old friend. I\u2019ll meet you at the saloon in about an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said one of the hands doubtfully. \u201cAdam said we was to stay with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d said Ben said with a smile. \u201cBrady\u2019s not going to try anything in broad daylight in the middle of Virginia City. Go get that beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The streets of Virginia City were dark and quiet as a buggy drove quietly through down followed by two riders. The top of the buggy was up to prevent anyone from easily seeing into it. But at 3 am, there was no one around to look into the buggy. The saloons were closed and even the most raucous cowboys were sleeping it off. The buggy and riders turned down a back street and came to a halt behind a big house. A single lamp shown in the window of the house, seeming even brighter than usual since all around it was in darkness. A dark figure climbed out of the buggy and walked to the other side, looking around cautiously. The two riders halted their horses behind the buggy and dismounted. Satisfied that all was quiet, the figure reached an arm into the buggy to help a second figure awkwardly climb down. The second figure teetered a bit as his feet reached the ground; his hand grabbed the side of the buggy to steady himself. The first figure reached back into the buggy and pulled out a pair of crutches. He handed the crutches to the figure next to the buggy. It took a minute for the figure to steady himself on the crutches. Then the two figures moved forward as silently as possible, followed on foot by the two riders. As the four of them reached the back door of the house, the door opened. A woman holding a lamp was outlined in the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, Ben,\u201d Maggie Corcoran said in a low voice. \u201cYou\u2019re right on time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and turned to help Joe up the low steps to the house. Maggie stepped back and pulled the door open as Joe swung himself up to the top step on crutches. He positioned the crutches inside the doorway, and swung himself in. As he moved into the house, Joe was followed by Ben, Adam and Hoss. Maggie quickly closed the door behind them. The group was standing in a large kitchen in the back of the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, I always knew you would finally relent and let me move in,\u201d said Joe with a shaky grin. His face was pale and sweaty. He was surprised how tired and shaky he felt after just those few steps from the buggy.<\/p>\n

Maggie looked at Joe with concern. She could see he was trying to put up a brave front and decided to go along with him. \u201cDon\u2019t be getting any ideas,\u201d she said with a snort. The grins that appeared on the faces of the Cartwrights showed Maggie that her efforts to keep things from being too serious were being rewarded. Maggie turned to lead the men through the house. \u201cFollow me,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ll show you to your room.\u201d Joe followed her slowly, grunting with effort. Ben followed Joe, his hand ready to steady his son if he should falter. Adam and Hoss were behind Joe. A saddlebag was slung over Hoss\u2019 shoulder.<\/p>\n

Maggie led the men from the kitchen, and through a narrow hallway. A large room with a sofa and stuffed chairs was visible at the end of the hall. Maggie stopped in front of a door to her left near the end of the hall. She looked behind her to make sure Joe was managing all right, then pushed open the door. Maggie set the lamp on a table next to the bed in the room. Another lamp was on the table, and Maggie quickly lit it, making the room seem even brighter than before. Joe struggled into the room behind Maggie and made his way straight to the bed. He sat down quickly on the edge of the bed, sighing with relief. Beads of sweat were visible on Joe\u2019s face as he rubbed his aching thigh.<\/p>\n

Ben, Adam and Hoss followed Joe and Maggie into the room. Hoss walked to the end of the bed and pulled the saddlebags off his shoulder. \u201cThis is really nice,\u201d said Hoss looking around at the well furnished room. A dresser was pushed against the back wall, and a desk and chair were against the wall to the right. An overstuffed chair was positioned near the bed. A pitcher and basin were on top of a small table next to the dresser, and fresh towels hung over a bar attached to the side of the table. Several pictures dotted the walls. \u201cLooks like you\u2019re going to be living in the lap of luxury, little brother,\u201d Hoss continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you approve,\u201d said Maggie with satisfaction. \u201cWhen my husband was alive, he often had the men he was doing business with stay in this room. Said it made them easier to deal with than if they were staying over at the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked over to Joe, and put his hand lightly on his son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and nodded. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine,\u201d he said with a small smile. \u201cJust a little tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you get Joe settled and into bed,\u201d said Maggie, picking up the first lamp. \u201dI\u2019ve got some coffee brewing in the kitchen if you want some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie busied herself in the kitchen. She took the coffee pot off the stove and put it on the center of the wooden table in the middle of the room. She was taking some cups out of a cupboard when she heard footsteps coming down the hallway. She was surprised to see Ben walking into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe kicked me out,\u201d Ben explained with a smile. \u201cSaid I was hovering. He said he could manage fine with Adam and Hoss to help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie nodded. \u201cWell, sit down and have a cup of coffee,\u201d she said as she placed the cups on the table.<\/p>\n

Ben sat at the table and poured a cup of coffee. \u201cMaggie, I can\u2019t thank you enough for doing this,\u201d Ben said with a sober expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cPish,\u201d said Maggie briskly as she sat down at the table also. \u201cAnything I can do to help get Brady and his men out of this town is fine with me. Besides, you know how I feel about Joe.\u201d Maggie looked at Ben for a minute. \u201cAre you sure he\u2019s going to be all right?\u201d she asked. \u201cHe looked awfully pale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not as strong as he thinks he is,\u201d said Ben. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to watch him to make sure he doesn\u2019t try to do to much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll watch over him, Ben,\u201d Maggie said in a reassuring voice. \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u201d She chuckled suddenly. \u201cRemember the first time he asked me to marry him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled. \u201cHe was about seven or eight, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that,\u201d replied Maggie. \u201cI found him in an alley next to the general store, crying his eyes out. His shirt was torn and his face was bruised. He told me he had gotten into a fight with one of the other boys at school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cAs I recall, the boy made fun of Hop Sing when Hop Sing brought the lunch Joe had forgotten to school,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWhen the boy repeated what he said after school, Joe really lit into him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I found him, Joe was afraid to go home,\u201d Maggie continued with a smile. \u201cHe was afraid that you would be mad at him for fighting, even though he gave that other boy a good licking. I brought him here, cleaned him up, and fed him cookies while I mended his shirt. I finally convinced him that I would make things right with you so he would agree to go home.\u201d Maggie\u2019s face softened. \u201cOn the way to the Ponderosa, Joe said wanted to marry me. I\u2019m not sure if it was me or my cookies he liked. But he was terribly disappointed when I explained I already had a husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed softly. \u201cYou were always his first love, Maggie,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen my husband died, Joe stopped by the house every day for almost a month,\u201d recalled Maggie. \u201cHe always had some excuse but I knew he was just trying to help me get through it. I don\u2019t know if I could have managed without him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sipped his coffee. \u201cMaggie,\u201d he said in a serious voice. \u201cYou need to be very careful. If Brady finds out Joe is here, he\u2019ll do anything to get to him. He\u2019s liable to harm anyone who gets in his way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Ben,\u201d Maggie replied in an equally serious voice. \u201cAnd I know how hard it must be for you to leave him here. Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll watch over him as if he were my own. I\u2019m honored you think enough of me to trust one of your sons to me. I know how much they mean to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached out and covered Maggie\u2019s hand with his own. \u201cI can\u2019t think of anyone I would trust more,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben heard a door close softly and turned to see Adam and Hoss walking into the kitchen. \u201cYou get Joe settled all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d said Adam. \u201cWe got him into bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was pretty much asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow,\u201d added Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben stood. \u201cWe\u2019d better get going, then,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to be back to the Ponderosa before it gets light.\u201d Ben turned to Maggie. \u201cThank you again. I\u2019ll stop by this afternoon like we planned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie nodded and followed the Cartwrights to the door. She stood at the door for a minute and watched as Adam and Hoss mounted their horses and Ben climbed into the buggy. She closed the door, and, with a loud click, slammed home the lock on the door.<\/p>\n

Joe woke to the smell of coffee and bacon. As he woke, for a moment, he was disoriented, trying to figure out where he was. Then he remembered he was at Maggie\u2019s house. He remembered Hoss helping undress and get into his nightshirt as Adam stored his things in the dresser. Joe looked around the room. The crutches were leaning on the wall next to the bed. His gunbelt with his pistol were hanging on the bedpost at the top of the bed.<\/p>\n

Joe shifted his weight on the bed, wincing as he moved. His leg hurt a lot more than he was willing to admit, and all that walking he had done hadn\u2019t helped things. There was a soft knock on the door, and then it opened. Maggie walked in with a smile on her face. \u201cWell, sleepy head, I see you\u2019re finally awake,\u201d she said briskly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Maggie,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost nine,\u201d Maggie replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNine o\u2019clock?\u201d said Joe. \u201cI must have been more tired than I thought.\u201d He started to pull the bed covers off.<\/p>\n

Maggie walked to the bed and gently but firmly pushed Joe back. \u201cYou stay where you are,\u201d she said in a stern voice. \u201cI\u2019ll bring your breakfast in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can get up,\u201d Joe protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re spending today in bed, no arguments,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cI told your Pa that I\u2019d take care of you, and that\u2019s just what I mean to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he said for what seemed the hundredth time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re going to stay that way,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cA day in bed won\u2019t hurt you. Now, I\u2019m going to get your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laid back on the pillows, smiling as Maggie left the room. The truth was that a day in bed sounded awfully good. He still felt tired and his leg ached. He was happy to let Maggie order him around, at least for now. Maggie brought Joe a tray of bacon, eggs, toast and coffee. She sat in the chair in his room and chatted idly with Joe as he ate. When Joe was finished, Maggie stood and took the tray. \u201cIt must be getting close to ten,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve got to get over to the doc\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doc\u2019s?\u201d Joe said in alarm. \u201cYou\u2019re not sick or anything, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not sick or anything,\u201d said Maggie with a smile. \u201cBut I\u2019ve figured out a way to get the doc over here to check on you without anyone getting suspicious. But to do it, I\u2019ve got to be over at the doc\u2019s at ten, when Mary Wilson gets there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with Mrs. Wilson?\u201d asked Joe curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, except having too much time on her hands,\u201d said Maggie with a snort. \u201cShe imagines all kinds of aches and pains. So every Friday at ten o\u2019clock, she shows up at the doc\u2019s. Doc Martin listens to her complaints and gives her a tonic. Probably just sugar and water. Anyway, that keeps her satisfied until the next Friday, when they go through the whole thing again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t get it,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWhat does Mrs. Wilson have to do with the doctor coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMary Wilson is also the biggest gossip in Virginia City,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cI\u2019m going to make sure she knows the doc has a good reason to be visiting here. Because if she knows, then half Virginia City will know by noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will be the reason?\u201d asked Joe, his curiosity growing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to cut my hand,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cOnly not really\u2026just a little chicken blood on a cloth wrapped around it. I\u2019ll go rushing over to the doc\u2019s while Mary is there. She\u2019ll spread the word about the accident all over Virginia City. Probably add that I\u2019m getting senile, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laughed. \u201cMaggie, you\u2019re a lot of things,\u201d he said. \u201cBut senile ain\u2019t one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie smiled then sobered quickly. \u201cI\u2019m locking up the house when I leave, Joe,\u201d she said. \u201cIf anyone comes by, don\u2019t answer the door. In fact, it probably would be best if you don\u2019t leave this room. Just stay in bed, like I said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t really think Brady would try anything here?\u201d said Joe. \u201cIn the middle of Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter Brady is a desperate man,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cAnd desperate men are dangerous men. I\u2019m not taking any chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure who\u2019s in jail any more\u2026Marsh or me,\u201d Joe complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least you have the nicer prison,\u201d Maggie said with a grin. \u201cNow, take a nap while I go see the doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright rode into Virginia City in the early afternoon. He was leading a horse that had a body wrapped in canvas slung over the saddle. Two ranch hands were following him into town again. A crowd of curious townspeople began to follow the men down the Virginia City street. Ben rode slowly but looked straight ahead, his expression grim. He rode straight to the sheriff\u2019s office. Ben halted the horses in front of Roy Coffee\u2019s office and dismounted. The two hands sat in their saddles as Ben climbed the steps to the office. The crowd around the office was growing. Ben knocked on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, it\u2019s me, Ben Cartwright,\u201d he yelled as he knocked. \u201cCan you come out here a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee opened the door and stepped outside. \u201cWhat can I do for you, Ben?\u201d he said. Coffee\u2019s eyes caught the body over the saddle. He looked quickly at Ben and swallowed hard. \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat,\u201d Ben said in a loud voice, \u201cis a man who tried to shoot my son, Joseph. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s one of Brady\u2019s men.\u201d Ben turned to face the crowd. \u201cI wanted all of you to see what happens to anyone who tries to harm a Cartwright. I wanted everyone to know so that the next time Walter Brady tries to get one of you to come after Joe, you\u2019ll know what\u2019s going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Joe all right?\u201d asked Coffee anxiously.<\/p>\n

Ben ignored Roy\u2019s question and continued to address the crowd. \u201cJoe\u2019s no longer at the Ponderosa,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s somewhere safe so he\u2019ll be able to testify at that trial on Monday. You\u2019ve let Walter Brady walk all over you. And the result is that my son has been threatened and forced to leave his home. My son is sacrificing everything to try and save this town. He thinks you are worth it. I hope he\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n

A murmur went through the crowd. Most of the people lowered their eyes and looked away from Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben turned back to Roy. \u201cWhat time does the trial start on Monday?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen o\u2019clock sharp,\u201d said Roy. \u201cThe judge arrives late Sunday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cJoe will be at the Virginia City courthouse at ten o\u2019clock,\u201d he said. Ben gestured toward the body on the horse. \u201cWill you take care of things?\u201d he asked. \u201cI\u2019ll come by later and write out what happened.\u201d Roy nodded and moved toward the body. Ben scanned the crowd of people who were slowly drifting away. He saw Maggie standing in the crowd with her hand heavily bandaged. Ben hurried down the steps to Maggie.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, what happened?\u201d he said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I just cut my hand,\u201d Maggie said in a loud voice as she looked Ben straight in the eye. \u201cThe doc patched it up this morning. But he said he would stop by and check on me later today, and probably for the next few days. Wants to make sure there\u2019s no infection. He also said something about having to take out stitches.<\/p>\n

A smile twitched at Ben\u2019s mouth. \u201cNothing seriously wrong, then, I presume,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing wrong at all,\u201d Maggie said, continuing to look at Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll walk you home,\u201d Ben said, taking Maggie gently by the arm. He started to ask something more, but Maggie quickly quieted him with a shake of her head. Ben walked with Maggie down the streets of Virginia City until they reached her house. Maggie pulled a key from the purse hanging from her arm and handed it to Ben. \u201cBeen keeping the house locked since all this trouble began,\u201d she said. Ben nodded and unlocked the door. He held it open to let Maggie enter first.<\/p>\n

Maggie waited until Ben had closed the door behind them before saying anything. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s me,\u201d she said in a loud voice. There was no answer. \u201cProbably asleep,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cHe\u2019s been sleeping most of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded but his eyes searched the room for any sign of a disturbance. The house seemed awfully quiet. Ben walked to Joe\u2019s room and slowly opened the door. As he opened the door, he heard the click of a gun being cocked. Ben pushed the door open quickly, his hand on his gun, ready to draw. As he burst into the room, he saw Joe sitting up in bed, with a pistol aimed at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe said ruefully, as he uncocked the pistol and lowered the gun. \u201cI was asleep and something woke me. I heard you coming, but I wasn\u2019t sure who it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d said Ben as he moved his hand from his gun. \u201cWe\u2019re all a little nervous. I\u2019ll tell Maggie to yell a little louder next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe put his gun back in the holster hanging on the bedpost. He laid back against the pillows. \u201cThree more days,\u201d he said. \u201cThis could be a longest three days of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Brady paced back and forth in his office as four of his men watched. \u201cFred\u2019s dead and the Cartwright kid is hidden away,\u201d he said angrily. \u201cWe\u2019ve really botched this up. We\u2019ve got to find that kid before the trial starts on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can always get him on Monday,\u201d said one of the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne the steps of the courthouse? With half of Virginia City watching?\u201d Brady answered angrily. \u201cYour showing about as much sense as Marsh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Brady, we\u2019ve talked to just about everyone in this town. Made it real clear what would happen if they didn\u2019t tell us where young Cartwright was,\u201d said another man. \u201cEvery one of them swears they don\u2019t know where he is. I believe them. These folks are too scared to lie to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to find him,\u201d said Brady. \u201cBilly, you and Peters start checking around the Ponderosa. Be careful. I don\u2019t want Ben Cartwright or any of his men to see you. Check the line shacks and the cabins. He can\u2019t have gone too far. Not with the trial starting on Monday.\u201d Brady pointed at the other two men. \u201cYou two start asking around town again. Keep your ears open. Anyone even mentions the name of Joe Cartwright, I want to know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The four men nodded and started for the door. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget,\u201d said Brady as they started to leave. \u201cYou see Cartwright, you kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie walked into Perkins\u2019 store with an empty basket. Her hand was still bandaged. The doctor had remembered to re-do the bandage when he came by to check on Joe. Maggie was concerned about Joe. He seemed too quiet, and still looked pale to her. The doctor had assured her that there was nothing wrong that rest and some nourishing food wouldn\u2019t cure. While Joe was getting some rest, Maggie was determined to buy some tempting morsels to improve his appetite.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon, Maggie,\u201d said Mr. Perkins in greeting as she walked into the store. \u201cI heard about your accident. How\u2019s your hand feel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine, Mr. Perkins,\u201d she said as she placed her basket on the counter. \u201cI need a few things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Maggie, what can I get you?\u201d replied Perkins.<\/p>\n

Before Perkins could answer, Maggie heard the door behind her open. She turned and saw one of Brady\u2019s men stroll in. Maggie frowned at the sight of him. She turned back to the store owner. \u201cI\u2019ll sure be happy when that trial starts on Monday,\u201d she said in a loud voice. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine what poor Joe Cartwright must be going through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perkins looked nervously at the man standing behind Maggie. \u201cI think we\u2019ll all be happy when that trial starts,\u201d said Perkins. \u201cNow what can I get you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want a jar of peaches,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd some of that ham you just got in. Throw in six of those potatoes, also.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perkins nodded and began reaching for the items. \u201cPlanning to cook for some thing special?\u201d he asked. \u201cThis is an awful lot for one person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d said Maggie with a distracted air as she looked around. \u201cDo you have any of any saltwater taffy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to look,\u201d said Perkins. \u201cDon\u2019t sell much of that except to the Cartwrights. Joe Cartwright can\u2019t get enough that stuff. Eats it every chance he gets. Didn\u2019t know you like it, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie saw the man behind her come to attention. She berated herself silently for asking about the taffy. \u201cJust acquired a taste for it,\u201d Maggie said quickly. \u201cBut never mind. I\u2019ll come back later for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can look; it\u2019ll only take me a minute,\u201d said Perkins, heading into the back of the store.<\/p>\n

Maggie stood nervously at counter. The man behind her was staring at her thoughtfully. Maggie wanted to turn and walk out the door, but felt that would just add to the man\u2019s suspicions. It seemed forever before Mr. Perkins came out of the back room. \u201cSorry, Maggie,\u201d he said. \u201cI seem to be out. Joe Cartwright must have cleaned me out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Maggie said. She picked up her basket which Perkins had filled. \u201cJust put this on my bill, please.\u201d With a brief nod, Maggie turned and hurried out the door.<\/p>\n

Maggie tried to walk down the street to her house at a normal pace, but she glanced over her shoulder as she walked. The man from the store was following her. She hurried her walk a bit, wanting to get home as soon as possible. Maggie nervously fumbled with the key to her door when she reached the house. She finally got the door unlocked. As she entered the house, she looked over her shoulder again. The man was standing a few feet away, watching her carefully. Maggie slammed the door shut behind her. Joe was sitting in a chair in the living room, his injured leg propped on a footstool. He put down the newspaper he was reading when Maggie walked in. He was surprised at the look on her face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs something wrong?\u201d Joe asked as Maggie sagged against the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Maggie admitted. \u201cJoe, I was such a fool. I went to Perkins and bought enough food for the two of us\u2026more than I usually buy. And I tried to get some of that taffy you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe grinned. \u201cI hardly think that\u2019s something to get upset about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d replied Maggie. \u201cOne of Brady\u2019s men was in the store and heard everything I said. He followed me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to get to his feet quickly, but his injured leg wouldn\u2019t support him. He fell back into the chair, with a grimace of pain on his face.<\/p>\n

Maggie rushed to the chair. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d she demanded. \u201cYou want to break open that wound? You do and your Pa\u2019ll never forgive me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Joe mumbled as he rubbed his sore leg. \u201cI keep forgetting. I was just going to see if Brady\u2019s man was still hanging around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, in that case, I\u2019m glad you can\u2019t walk,\u201d said Maggie with a shake of her head. \u201cYou\u2019re even a bigger fool than I am. If you start peeking out windows and Brady\u2019s man sees you, he\u2019ll know for sure you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

A small smile crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Maggie,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re not very good at this, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie smiled back at him. \u201cI guess not,\u201d she said. \u201cSneaking around has never been one of the things I do well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned serious. \u201cWhat do you think we should do?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Maggie thought for a moment, then sighed. \u201cI think the best thing to do is nothing,\u201d she said. \u201cYour Pa or Adam will be by later today. We can ask them what they think. In the meantime, Brady can\u2019t be sure you\u2019re here. Let\u2019s see if we can keep him guessing for a while longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was filling his saddlebags with some slices of pie and cookies that Hop Sing insisted he take to Joe. Ben knew Maggie was probably feeding Joe well, but Hop Sing was convinced that Joe would starve without some of his delicacies. Ben knew there was no way to talk Hop Sing out of sending the food; it was easier just to agree to take them along. He was buckling the saddlebags closed when Adam and Hoss walked into the house. He was surprised to see the look of concern on their faces. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa, there\u2019s nothing exactly wrong,\u201d said Hoss with an uncomfortable look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat Hoss means is we saw some strangers over by the line shacks on Willow Ridge,\u201d said Adam. \u201cThey were looking around. We think they were Brady\u2019s men, looking for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWe watched them for a while and they rode off. We decided we\u2019d better let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded in satisfaction. \u201cGood,\u201d he said. \u201cIf Brady\u2019s men are up here checking the line shacks, that means they have no idea where Joe is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but Pa, how long is it going to take them to figure out Joe\u2019s not on the Ponderosa?\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not much longer,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cBut it\u2019s Saturday, and the trial starts on Monday. We only have to keep them guessing for another day or so. After that, it\u2019ll be too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rode through Virginia City slowly, making sure he was seen. The plan was to ride boldly to Maggie\u2019s house, and not to sneak into town. He, Adam and Hoss were convinced that no one would suspect Maggie of hiding Joe if Ben was open about visiting her. Two hands from the Ponderosa were following Ben once more. Both men were alert, looking for trouble. Adam had made it very clear to them that he would hold them responsible if anything happened to Ben. Ben stopped his horse in front of the saloon. \u201cYou boys go get a beer,\u201d he said over his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll meet you here later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said one of the hands. \u201cAdam told us not to let you out of our sight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam is not the boss,\u201d Ben said firmly. \u201cI am. And I will be perfectly all right. You get yourselves a beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two hands looked at each other in confusion. There was no question that Ben Cartwright ran the Ponderosa. But they also took Adam\u2019s warning seriously. Finally, one of the them shrugged. \u201cAll right, boss,\u201d the man said, dismounting. \u201cAs along as you explain things to Adam\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grinned. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll tell Adam you did your job well,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

The men sighed in relief, then grinned. They were going to get to spend time loafing around the saloon and would get paid for it at the same time. \u201cBest job I ever had,\u201d one muttered as the men walked into the saloon.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s smile grew even wider at the comment. But he instantly sobered as he thought about Joe. His concern for his youngest son nagged at him. He was anxious to check on Joe. Ben chucked his horse forward and rode straight to Maggie\u2019s house. He was surprised to see a man lounging near the house. The man was a stranger, but Ben could tell he wore his gun low, like someone who was used to using it. The man was leaning against a tree near the side of the house, watching. Ben frowned as he stopped his horse and dismounted. Ben pulled the saddlebags from his horse and walked to the door. The man continued to watch Ben carefully. Ben stared back at him, hoping his face showed only curiosity. Ben walked boldly to the front door and knocked hard on the door. He waited, then after a minute, heard the click of a lock. Maggie opened the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Ben! What are you doing here?\u201d she said in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Hop Sing about your accident,\u201d Ben replied in an equally loud voice. \u201cHe insisted I bring you some of his baking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that nice!\u201d Maggie said, her voice still unnaturally loud. \u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked into the house. Maggie quickly closed the door behind him and locked it. Ben looked around and frowned slightly. Joe was no where in sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d Ben asked as Maggie walked up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn his room,\u201d she said. \u201cI told him to stay there until I came and got him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that fellow outside?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Brady\u2019s men,\u201d Maggie said, her voice full of misery. \u201cOh, Ben, I made a terrible mistake. I went to the store and bought too much food. Brady\u2019s man saw me and followed me home. He\u2019s been hanging around every since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes he know Joe is here?\u201d Ben said, alarmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m sure he doesn\u2019t,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cBut I think he suspects it. He\u2019s been watching the house for hours. That\u2019s why I insisted Joe stay in his room. I\u2019ve got all the curtains closed, but I\u2019m not taking any chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben patted Maggie\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sure it will be all right,\u201d he said soothingly. In his own mind, Ben was concerned, but he wasn\u2019t sure what to do. They couldn\u2019t move Joe now. \u201cI\u2019ll go see Joe,\u201d Ben continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s in the saddlebag?\u201d Maggie asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, slices of pies and cookies for Joe,\u201d Ben said, a little embarrassed. \u201cI wasn\u2019t lying about Hop Sing insisting I bring his baking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie laughed. \u201cHop Sing thinks I can\u2019t take care of Joe?\u201d she said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d Ben said, his embarrassment growing. \u201cYou know how he is about the boys, though, especially Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie took the saddlebag from Ben. \u201cWell, I have to admit I like Hop Sing\u2019s pies and cookies, too,\u201d she said. \u201cYou get Joe while I unpack this stuff and start some coffee. We can sample them in the kitchen. That fellow can\u2019t see into the kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled in relief, and walked down the hall to Joe\u2019s room. \u201cJoe!\u201d he called loudly, warning his son of his presence. He didn\u2019t want Joe pulling his gun on him again. Ben pushed open the door of Joe\u2019s room and walked in. Joe was sprawled on the bed, fully dressed. He was sitting up, his back resting against some pillows. Joe had a book in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa!\u201d Joe said cheerfully as Ben entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look comfortable,\u201d said Ben with a smile. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cMaggie is taking real good care of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor looked at you,\u201d declared Ben. \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame thing he said before,\u201d answered Joe, with a tinge of disgust in his voice. \u201cRest a lot, don\u2019t do too much walking, and keep the leg up. I think he worries too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just follow his orders,\u201d said Ben sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d said Joe with a sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny trouble?\u201d asked Ben in a serious voice.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo, not really,\u201d he said. \u201cOne of Brady\u2019s men has been hanging around, but I\u2019m sure he hasn\u2019t seen me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful,\u201d Ben warned. \u201cIf there\u2019s any trouble, I want you to promise me that you\u2019ll send Maggie to get Roy Coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe cocked his head toward the holster hanging on the bedpost. \u201cIf there\u2019s any trouble, I can handle it,\u201d he said confidently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I want you to avoid,\u201d said Ben quickly. \u201cIf bullets start flying around here, someone could get hurt. And that includes Maggie. Getting her shot is poor payment for her hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face turned grim. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa. I\u2019ll make sure nothing happens to Maggie,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee that it doesn\u2019t,\u201d Ben said forcefully. Then he sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s only a few more days, Joe,\u201d Ben said. \u201cJust keep out of sight and I\u2019m sure everything will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded. Then he sniffed the air. \u201cIs Maggie making coffee?\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cYes, she\u2019s making coffee. Hop Sing sent some apple pie. She thought you\u2019d want some,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet!\u201d said Joe, swinging his legs off the bed. Joe grabbed the crutches propped against the wall, and started to stand. Ben rushed over to help Joe. Joe winced as he stood. His leg still ached, more than he was willing to admit. Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s back to steady him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right?\u201d asked Ben with concern.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe said firmly. \u201cLet\u2019s go get some of that pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe started moving across the room awkwardly, trying to use the crutches properly. He was used to rushing around, and hated the need to move slowly because of his injured leg. Ben watched Joe maneuver across the room. He was afraid to help Joe, afraid that he might upset his son\u2019s balance. Joe moved across the room in halting steps. He was hurrying to get to the kitchen and not paying attention to what he was doing. As he got to the doorway of the bedroom, the heel of his left boot caught the edge of the carpet in the hall. His leg was pulled abruptly to a stop by the carpet. Joe lost his balance and fell to the floor. He landed hard on his injured leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d Ben yelled as Joe cried out in pain. Ben rushed to his son. Maggie came running down the hall, alarmed by the shouts. Joe was laying on his side. He grabbed his injured leg and groaned. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly as a wave of pain traveled up his leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Maggie in a concerned voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe fell,\u201d said Ben quickly. He knelt next to Joe, and slowly turned Joe onto his back. Joe groaned again. A splotch of red appeared on Joe\u2019s thigh, and was quickly spreading.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up at Maggie. \u201cI think he\u2019s broken open that wound,\u201d Ben said. \u201cGo get the doctor!\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie nodded and rushed away. Ben put his left arm under Joe\u2019s shoulders and his right under Joe\u2019s knees. He lifted Joe from the floor and carried him back to the bed. Ben looked around the room and spotted the towels on the small table opposite the bed. He rushed over and grabbed a towel, then hurried back to Joe. Ben wrapped the towel tightly around Joe\u2019s thigh. Joe\u2019s eyes opened slightly as Ben wrapped Joe\u2019s legs. He looked up at Ben. \u201cWe have to stop doing this,\u201d Joe said in a shaky voice. He winced and grunted. He looked at Ben again. \u201cI\u2019m going to ruin every pair of pants I own,\u201d he said through clenched teeth.<\/p>\n

Two hours later, the doctor was washing his hands in the basin in Joe\u2019s room. Joe was laying on the bed, the blankets pulled up to his chest. His eyes were closed, and his face was pale. Maggie and Ben stood by the bed, watching him with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Joe to take it easy,\u201d said Doctor Martin as he dried his hands. \u201cThat boy never listens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be all right?\u201d Maggie asked, her voice betraying his worry.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said the doctor as he unrolled his shirt sleeves which had been pushed up to his elbows. \u201cLuckily, he only broke open a couple of stitches. I\u2019ve sewed his leg up again.\u201d The doctor looked sternly at Maggie and Ben. \u201cBut I don\u2019t want him to leave that bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, doc,\u201d Maggie said firmly. \u201cI\u2019ll keep him down if I have to tie him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easier said than done,\u201d said Ben. \u201cTrust me, Maggie, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cThat\u2019s why I gave those sleeping powders. They should knock him out for a couple of hours at least. Give him another dose tonight about eight o\u2019clock. That will keep him asleep through the night and into tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill he be able to testify on Monday morning?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin nodded. \u201cHe should be well enough by then,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cIf he spends the rest of today and all day tomorrow in bed, he should be able to get up on Monday. But you have to keep him in bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor picked up his bag from the bottom of the bed and snapped it closed. \u201cI\u2019ll see my own way out, Maggie,\u201d he said, his voice softer. He knew the fall was simply an accident, and that Maggie felt terrible about it. \u201cI\u2019ll stop by and see him tomorrow after church.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie nodded distractedly, her attention focused on Joe. The doctor nodded at Ben and walked out of the room. Doctor Martin let himself out of the house and turned to walk back up the street toward his office. Suddenly, a rough looking man barred his way.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, who\u2019s sick in the house?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see where that\u2019s any of your business,\u201d the doctor replied, his voice cold as ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just concerned,\u201d said the man. \u201cI saw Ben Cartwright go in. I thought he might be sick. I was going to ask if I could send word out to the Ponderosa for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin hesitated. He didn\u2019t know if Ben was going to stay at Maggie\u2019s and if he left, the man would know he wasn\u2019t sick. \u201cBen Cartwright is fine,\u201d the doctor said finally.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, who\u2019s sick?\u201d said the man persistently. \u201cI saw the old lady run and get you, so I know it\u2019s not her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor pulled himself to his full height. \u201cI don\u2019t discuss my patients,\u201d he said firmly. \u201cNow, if you\u2019ll excuse me\u2026\u201d Doctor Martin pushed past the man and started up the street.<\/p>\n

The man stared after him thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

Maggie and Ben sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee. The apple pie was sitting on the table, forgotten. Neither had any taste for Hop Sing\u2019s cooking now.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I\u2019m so sorry,\u201d said Maggie, her voice filled with distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, it wasn\u2019t your fault,\u201d Ben said in a reassuring voice. \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie shook her head. \u201cYou asked me to watch over Joe and I let this happen,\u201d she said. \u201cI can\u2019t tell how sorry I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, don\u2019t blame yourself,\u201d said Ben firmly. \u201cI know how hard it is to keep Joe still. Sometimes I feel like dosing him with those sleeping powders myself!\u201d<\/p>\n

A weak smile appeared on Maggie\u2019s face. \u201cHe does have a lot of energy, doesn\u2019t he?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo much for his own good sometimes,\u201d agreed Ben.<\/p>\n

Maggie looked at the clock on the wall. It was close to six in the evening. \u201cYou\u2019d better get going,\u201d she said. \u201cThose hands from the Ponderosa must be looking for you by now. And Adam and Hoss will be getting worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought maybe I\u2019d just stay here,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

Maggie shook her head. \u201cYou can\u2019t do that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed. \u201cMaggie, I know it doesn\u2019t look right\u2026.,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I would worry about that!\u201d said Maggie. She grinned. \u201cIt might even do my reputation some good.\u201d She suddenly grew solemn. \u201cNo, I was thinking about Brady\u2019s man outside. If you don\u2019t leave, he\u2019ll be sure Joe\u2019s here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes widened in alarm. \u201cI forgot all about him!\u201d Ben said. \u201cHe must have seen you go for the doctor, so he knows you\u2019re not sick. Maybe I should stay here, and let him think I\u2019m sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that won\u2019t work,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cIf you stay, Adam and Hoss will come looking for you, and then we\u2019ll have half the town here. It\u2019s better if you leave. Brady\u2019s man is still guessing about Joe. If you leave, he\u2019ll be convinced he\u2019s wrong. He wouldn\u2019t believe you would leave if Joe were here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He hated the idea of leaving Joe here alone with Maggie. On the other hand, what she said made sense. He just wasn\u2019t sure what to do.<\/p>\n

“Go home, Ben\u201d Maggie urged. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of Joe. Don\u2019t worry about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood. \u201cAll right, Maggie,\u201d he said reluctantly. \u201cThe boys and I will be coming to town for church services in the morning. We\u2019ll stop by after church. I\u2019ll think of some story to spread around. But you go get Roy Coffee if there\u2019s even the hint of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Ben,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cI let Joe get hurt once when he was in my care. I\u2019m not going to let it happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI tell you he\u2019s in that house!\u201d, the gunman insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know?\u201d said Brady. \u201cDid you see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d admitted the man. \u201cBut I told you. The old lady was buying a lot of food at the store, including some taffy Joe Cartwright likes. Then I see Ben Cartwright visiting the house. A little later, the old lady goes running for the doctor. Then Ben Cartwright leaves. And the doctor wouldn\u2019t tell me who was sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Ben Cartwright would leave if his son was there?\u201d Brady said in disgust. \u201cI hardly think he\u2019d leave that precious brat of his with nobody but an old lady to guard him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere else could he be?\u201d the gunman said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t found a trace of Joe Cartwright anywhere on the Ponderosa or in Virginia City. I\u2019ll bet you anything that Fred nicked him before he got killed. That\u2019s why the doctor was there. I know he\u2019s in that house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe could be anywhere,\u201d said Brady. He puffed on his cigar and thought a minute. \u201cBut I have to admit it does look suspicious that Ben Cartwright was visiting her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee!\u201d said the gunman triumphantly. \u201cI\u2019ll get the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow hold on,\u201d said Brady. \u201cI said it looked suspicious. We can\u2019t just go shooting up that house without knowing for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just break in,\u201d said the man. \u201cI mean, how hard can it be to break down a door and push an old lady aside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Saturday night, with the town full of ranch hands? And half those hands being Ponderosa men?\u201d asked Brady. \u201cWe cause a ruckus and twenty men will rush to help her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, you\u2019re right,\u201d replied the man. \u201cWell, what do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady didn\u2019t answer. He simply puffed on his cigar for several minutes while he thought. Finally, he smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to ride to Gold Hill and send a telegram,\u201d Brady said. \u201cOn the way back, you round up the rest of the men. I have an idea on how we can get into that house.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The sun shone brightly on Sunday morning as Ben, Adam and Hoss rode into Virginia City, heading for church. Ben had spent a sleepless night worrying about Joe. His instinct was to rush back to Virginia City and stay with his son, no matter what Maggie said. But he also had to agree with Maggie\u2019s logic. Staying with Joe could tip off Brady. Ben was happy to be riding into town. He had thought about skipping the church service and going right to Maggie\u2019s house, but decided that also might tip their hand. He wondered if he was going to be able to stand staying in church through the whole service.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow don\u2019t forget what I told you,\u201d said Ben to Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you done told us fourteen times,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cWe know what to do. We tell everyone at church that Maggie\u2019s sister is visiting her, and she\u2019s not too well. Then we tell people we are going to go check on her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI only hope no one asks why Maggie has never mentioned her sister before,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anyone asks, you can tell them that her sister was back East and just got out here,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThat should satisfy them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d said Hoss doubtfully.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights rode into the center of town. Ben pulled his horse to a stop suddenly. He could see Roy Coffee outside his office. He was checking the cinch on his saddle. Then Coffee mounted his horse and turned to ride off.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy!\u201d Ben shouted and kicked his horse forward. Adam and Hoss followed Ben.<\/p>\n

Roy Coffee pulled his horse to a stop and waited for Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoy, you going somewhere?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I got a telegram last night from Gold Hill,\u201d said Roy. \u201cThe judge wants me to ride over there and meet with him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned. \u201cWhy does he want to meet with you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t say,\u201d said Coffee. \u201cJust that I was to meet with him today, as soon as I could get to Gold Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about Marsh?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou ain\u2019t leaving him alone in there, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you know me better than that,\u201d said the sheriff. \u201cCharlie Taylor and Bob Wilson are going to guard him until I get back. They got orders not to leave the office and not to let anyone in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think it\u2019s wise to leave Marsh with them?\u201d asked Ben with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t like the idea,\u201d admitted Coffee. \u201cBut I really don\u2019t have any choice. Those boys will do what I say. And if they don\u2019t let anyone in, no one will get to Marsh. My jail is built solid.\u201d With a wave, Coffee turned and rode off.<\/p>\n

\u201cKinda of funny the judge sending for Roy like that,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cDo you think Brady had anything to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Ben thoughtfully. \u201cBut I don\u2019t see what Brady would gain sending Roy out of town, unless he planned to break Marsh out of jail. But Roy\u2019s right. If that door stays locked, Brady won\u2019t get to Marsh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should go over and help them,\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo, Charlie and Bob won\u2019t let you in, I\u2019m sure of that,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBesides, we need to check on Joe. I want you boys to start talking to everyone after church, then meet me at Maggie\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss nodded. The three men urged their horses forward and rode on to church. Ben was anxious and worried as he sat in the church pew. He mentally urged the minister to hurry. All he could think of was getting to Joe. He wasn\u2019t really paying attention as Reverend Winters began his sermon. But as the minister started speaking, Ben\u2019s attention was pulled toward the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe topic of my sermon today is courage,\u201d said Winters in a solemn voice. \u201cOr rather, the lack of courage I\u2019ve seen lately in this town. The Bible says \u2018No greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another.\u2019 I\u2019m afraid there\u2019s very few people in this town who have that kind of love.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd began to shift uncomfortably. Several people looked down, suddenly finding the floor to be fascinating.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to tell any of you what has been going on in this town,\u201d continued Winters. \u201cThe intimidation, the pay-offs. And the death of a good man, Mr. Timmons. And yet no one except Joe Cartwright has had the courage to do anything about it. Here\u2019s a young man who doesn\u2019t even live in this town, but who is willing to sacrifice himself to stop a man like Walter Brady, and not one of you seem to care. Joe Cartwright could have just walked away from what\u2019s been happening here, he could have refused to testify. But instead, he has gone into hiding, away from his home and family, in order to try to put an end to Walter Brady\u2019s reign of terror. He is risking his life to save this town. And not one of you are lifting a finger to help him. I hope you are proud of yourselves.\u201d The minister turned abruptly and walked away from the pulpit. The church was silent. No one moved. The minister had pricked their consciences with his sermon, and everyone in the church was feeling it.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam and Hoss, his face showing surprise. Adam and Hoss looked back at their father, the surprise even more evident on their faces. A wide grin split Hoss\u2019 face. \u201cThat was some sermon,\u201d he whispered. Ben nodded in agreement.<\/p>\n

The service ended shortly after that. The final hymn was sung by less than enthusiastic voices. Most of the people in the church were torn between their shame and their fear. But many felt the minister was being unfair, also. He didn\u2019t have to face the threat of Brady\u2019s men. They all knew what could happen if they tried to stand up to Brady or help Joe. What happened to Timmons could happen to them. The congregation began filing out of the church, many of them quickly leaving. Few stopped to shake hands with the minister at the door.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright stopped, however. He shook Reverend Winters\u2019 hand hard. \u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said gratefully. \u201cThank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing to thank me for,\u201d said the minister. \u201cIt had to be said. I don\u2019t know if I did any good, but I had to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did more than try,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI have a feeling that there\u2019s a lot of people in this town who will have a hard time sleeping tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d replied the minister, with a smile. He turned back to Ben. \u201cIf there\u2019s anything I can do to help Joe, you let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ve already helped him,\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the sound of a shotgun blast roared through the air. Ben turned, his stomach churning with fear. The blast seemed to come from the next block. The block where Maggie lived. Ben rushed down the steps with Adam and Hoss close behind him. He ran to Maggie\u2019s house. Ben stopped abruptly when he got to Maggie and stared open-mouthed at the scene in front of him. Maggie was standing in front of her house, with a shotgun. The shotgun was aimed directly at Walter Brady and five of his men.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, what\u2019s going on?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaw these fellows coming toward my house,\u201d answered Maggie, her eyes never leaving Brady\u2019s face. \u201cI warned them to stay away. When they kept coming, I shot into the air.\u201d Maggie\u2019s face was grim. The shotgun never wavered. \u201cThe next shot goes directly at them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady put his hands up. \u201cMadam, you misunderstand my intentions,\u201d he said smoothly. \u201cI\u2019m just here to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t misunderstand anything,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cNow you clear out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady put down his hands. \u201cMay I point out that there\u2019s six of us, and one of you,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t think you can get us all with that scatter gun. And I assure you if you pull that trigger, my men will shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached down for his gun, and realized he was unarmed. Like everyone else in town, he had left his holster on his horse when he went into church. Ben took a deep breath and walked forward. He stood next to Maggie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your men fire, they\u2019ll have to shoot me,\u201d Ben said grimly. \u201cI\u2019m unarmed. It will be murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady smiled a nasty smile. \u201cAnd just who do you think will testify against us?\u201d Brady asked. \u201cAs far as anyone in this town is concerned, you are threatening me. It\u2019ll be self-defense. One more body won\u2019t make any difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam quickly rushed to his father\u2019s side. \u201cMake that two,\u201d he said grimly.<\/p>\n

Hoss walked over and stood by Maggie. \u201cThree,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Brady looked surprised. He hadn\u2019t counted on any resistance. He turned to the crowd of people standing a few feet away in the street. \u201cYou heard me,\u201d Brady said confidently. \u201cI warned them to move away. If anything happens, it\u2019s their fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

A murmur went through the crowd. Suddenly, a black coated figure pushed his way through and stood next to Maggie and the Cartwrights. \u201cIf you kill them, you\u2019ll have to kill me,\u201d said Reverend Winters. \u201cBecause I will testify against you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brady hesitated, unsure what to do. Before he could do anything, he saw some more movement in the crowd. John Perkins, the store owner, silently walked from the crowd and stood next to Hoss. Charlie Burns, the owner of the livery, followed him and stood firmly behind Maggie. Doctor Martin joined the group. One by one, more people left the crowd on the street and joined the people in front of Maggie\u2019s house. Soon there were more than twenty people standing in front of the building.<\/p>\n

Joe was awakened by the noise of the shotgun. He sat up groggily, his head still fuzzy from the sleeping powders Maggie had given him last night. He wasn\u2019t sure exactly what had wakened him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie?\u201d Joe called in a voice still thick with sleep. \u201cMaggie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe began to worry when there was no answer. He thought about the noise for a few seconds and began to realize it was a shotgun blast. He swung his legs out of bed and reached for the pants hanging on the bedpost. He quickly struggled into the pants, wincing at the pain from his thigh. He grabbed his gunbelt from the bedpost and strapped it around his hips. Then he grabbed the crutches and struggled to his feet. Joe moved slowly across the room. His feet were bare, and he was finding it hard to walk. He was shirtless, the only clothes he was wearing were his pants. The crutches seemed to dig into his armpits. Joe tried to ignore the discomfort and move faster. He didn\u2019t know what was wrong, but he was sure Maggie was in trouble. He shook his head, trying to clear it. He wished he didn\u2019t feel so groggy. Joe forced himself to continue to walk despite the pain in his leg and managed to get to the front room. He stopped, and leaned on his crutches. He was breathing hard and sweating from the effort of walking. \u201cMaggie?\u201d Joe called again.<\/p>\n

When there was no answer, Joe continued across the room to the front of the house. He lifted the curtain slightly to look out. What he saw was an astonishing sight. Walter Brady and five of his gunmen were standing in the street. Between them and the house stood a crowd of twenty people or so. Joe could easily see Hoss standing in the crowd, and thought he could make out Ben and Adam. Joe knew his father and brothers were in danger. Brady and his men could start shooting at anytime. He pulled his pistol from his holster. If his head hadn\u2019t been so fuzzy, Joe would have realized that walking out into the middle of the confrontation would be dangerous for both him and the other Cartwrights. But the sleeping powders hadn\u2019t completely worn off, and he wasn\u2019t thinking straight. All he could think about was helping his family. Joe pulled open the front door and awkwardly stepped out.<\/p>\n

Walter Brady stared at the crowd of people in front of him. The situation had rapidly gotten out of hand. He knew he could never shoot all those people and get away with it. And he really didn\u2019t have much stomach for a massacre. He was about to call the whole thing off when the front door of the house opened.<\/p>\n

“There\u2019s Cartwright!\u201d one of his men shouted, pointing toward the house. Brady and his men reached for their guns.<\/p>\n

Several women on the street screamed at the sight of guns being pulled from holsters. Ben turned toward the house and saw Joe struggling out the front door. \u201cJoe, get down!\u201d he shouted. Brady\u2019s men started spreading out, trying to get a clear shot at Joe.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the blast of a shotgun filled the air again. Three of Brady\u2019s men fell to ground, bleeding from their arms and side. Hoss rushed forward and grabbed another man who had his gun drawn. Hoss pulled the man\u2019s gun straight up with one hand and then hit him hard on the jaw with the massive fist of his other hand. Adam ran toward the last gunman and hit him square in the chest with his shoulder, knocking the man to the ground. Ben hurried toward Brady. He grabbed the pistol from the astonished man\u2019s hand. Maggie stood calmly as the crowd swirled around her, a smoking shotgun in her hands. She watched the chaotic scene for a minute. Then satisfied that Brady and his men were no longer a threat, she dropped the gun and rushed back to her house.<\/p>\n

Joe was standing on the porch with a dazed look on his face. His face and chest were covered with sweat, and he was breathing hard. The effort of walking to the porch had taken a lot out of him. His pistol was in his hand, ready for use. He still wasn\u2019t sure what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d demanded Maggie in an angry voice.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head as if to clear it, hen turned to Maggie. \u201cWhat\u2026what\u2019s going on?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing you need to be concerned about,\u201d Maggie said primly as she took Joe\u2019s gun from his hand. She grabbed Joe\u2019s arm and gently steered him toward the house. \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get you back to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin shook his head as he pulled the covers over Joe yet again. He had rushed to the porch to help Maggie get Joe back into the house. Ben was close on his heels. The trio had managed to get Joe back to his room without the young man injuring himself further. The doctor had checked Joe\u2019s leg, just to be sure, and was satisfied that the stitches had held.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this time, you stay in bed,\u201d said the doctor in a firm voice. \u201cI haven\u2019t got the time or the energy to keep patching you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut doc, I was only trying to help,\u201d Joe protested weakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou almost got yourself killed,\u201d Ben said grimly. \u201cWhat were you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I wasn\u2019t thinking too clearly,\u201d Joe admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d said Maggie.<\/p>\n

Just then, Hoss and Adam walked into the room. \u201cWe finally got Charlie and Bob to open the door of the sheriff\u2019s office,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady and his men are safely locked up in jail,\u201d added Adam. \u201cDoc, you\u2019d better get over there. Three of them are still bleeding and I think one has a broken jaw.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll go get my bag,\u201d he said and turned to leave. He stopped at the door and looked back at Joe. \u201cYou do what I said,\u201d he declared firmly. \u201cStay in that bed!\u201d With that, the doctor left.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, little brother, you sure caused some excitement,\u201d said Hoss as he walked over to the bed. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cJust a little tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNext time you decide to take a stroll, try not to cause a riot,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not strolling anywhere,\u201d said Maggie. \u201cAt least, not until he has to testify tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe judge is going to find a lot more on hands than just Marsh\u2019s trial,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWhen Roy gets back, I\u2019m going to make sure he charges Brady and his men with attempted murder. And this time, Roy will have plenty of witnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be people lining up at Roy\u2019s office when he gets back,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI heard a lot of fellows say they were going to tell Roy about Brady and his men threatening them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re awfully brave now that Brady and his men are locked up,\u201d said Adam in a ironic voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t discount what those men did,\u201d warned Ben. \u201cIt look a lot of courage for John Perkins and the others to stand up to Brady unarmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right about that,\u201d admitted Maggie.<\/p>\n

Joe yawned and shifted on the bed. He suddenly felt like he could sleep for a week. Maggie saw him yawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, you three, out,\u201d she ordered Ben, Adam, and Hoss. \u201cJoe needs his rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned back to the bed. \u201cAnd you get some sleep,\u201d she said sternly to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes ma’am,\u201d said Joe meekly. Then he grinned. \u201cDoes this mean you\u2019re going to marry me now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright, you are the most exasperating person I know,\u201d Maggie said. She tried to sound angry, but failed badly. She smiled. \u201cGet some sleep,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

She ushered Ben, Adam and Hoss out of the room and closed the door behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaggie, I don\u2019t know how to thank you for what you did,\u201d Ben said gratefully as they entered the living room. \u201cYou saved Joe\u2019s life. Brady and his men would have killed him for sure if they had gotten into the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPish,\u201d said Maggie briskly, waving her hand in a dismissing manner. \u201cI didn\u2019t do anything. Brady and his men made me mad. Just gave me a chance to get back at them.\u201d Maggie\u2019s voice softened. \u201cBesides, Ben, I promised you that nothing would happen to Joe,\u201d she added. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t break promises.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll come get Joe tomorrow and take him to the courthouse,\u201d Adam said. \u201cHe\u2019s safe now, but he\u2019s probably going to need help getting down there to testify.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie nodded. \u201cDo you think Marsh will hang now?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWith everyone else willing to testify against Brady, Marsh\u2019s testimony isn\u2019t so important. But the judge may still show some leniency if he adds his story to the others. Either way, we won\u2019t have to worry about him any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrady and the rest of his men will be locked up for a long time, too,\u201d added Adam. \u201cMaggie, you managed to clean up this town practically single handed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned. \u201cYou should have been in church today,\u201d he said. \u201cThe minister could have used you as an example in his sermon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was his sermon about?\u201d Maggie asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cCourage,\u201d answered Ben.\u201d And love. The kind of love you showed for Joe. He doesn\u2019t know how lucky he is to have you looking after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie blushed. \u201cDon\u2019t got saying that around Joe,\u201d she said briskly. \u201cHe\u2019ll be sending for the minister for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights laughed. \u201cCome on, boys,\u201d Ben said, heading for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s head for home. We\u2019ll see you in the morning, Maggie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggie walked them to the door and waved as they left. She shut the door behind them, and automatically locked it. Then, with a smile, she unlocked it. She leaned against the door. I\u2019ll talk Ben into letting Joe stay here for a few days after the trial, she thought. She knew she was going to miss having Joe around. She was almost grateful to Walter Brady for forcing Joe into her house. Ben\u2019s the lucky one, she thought. I wonder if he knows how lucky he is. Then she remembered the look on Ben\u2019s face when the doctor was checking Joe a little while ago. Ben was at first concerned, then relieved when the doctor said Joe would be all right. There was no mistaking the final look that had come across Ben\u2019s face\u2026the love of a father for a son. He knows how lucky he is, she thought. He knows.<\/p>\n

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

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 Life changes when the Cartwrights return home find the folks in Virginia City scared of those offering ‘protection’.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (23,380 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":9860,"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":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-13960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2152,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/feature-4.jpg?fit=387%2C387&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"position":0},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12750,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12750","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"position":1},"title":"A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 – A Quarter\u2019s Worth of Glory: Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":48047,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48047","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"position":2},"title":"The Fair – an Adam and Emma Story (by AH83)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"July 14, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Summary:\u00a0 The Cartwrights plan a visit to the Virginia City Fair. Rating: K, Word Count: 1491","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"Preserving Their Legacy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15509,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15509","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"position":3},"title":"A Moving Tale #1 (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"December 3, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0There's no reason, but a story to send any woman's heart a-fluttering. Rating:\u00a0 M\u00a0 (3,040 words) A Moving Tale Series, links to all stories of this series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39020,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=39020","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"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? Rating: T\u00a0\u00a0 Word Count: 1717","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/brothers.jpg?fit=296%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15871,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15871","url_meta":{"origin":13960,"position":5},"title":"Never, Ever Mess With His…..? 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