{"id":13964,"date":"2006-12-12T16:34:26","date_gmt":"2006-12-12T21:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13964"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:10:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:10:16","slug":"nothing-but-the-truth-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13964","title":{"rendered":"Nothing But the Truth (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 On the precipice of an Indian uprising; can Ben prevent the unimaginable?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (23,200 words)<\/p>\n

Nothing But the Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bright morning sun glistened off the polished brass buttons of the two officers as they rode into the yard in front of the Ponderosa ranch house. Ben Cartwright stood by the corral and watched the two Army men more with surprise than alarm. He had been around the Nevada territory long enough to know a troop of soldiers meant trouble. But two officers, riding alone on horses loaded with bedrolls and thick saddlebags, meant something else. Ben just wasn\u2019t sure what the something else might be. Ben threw the last horse blanket over the rail of the corral before strolling across the yard toward the house. By now, the soldiers had stopped their horses by the hitching post in front of the house and had dismounted. They were tying the reins to the post as Ben approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning,\u201d said Ben in a pleasant voice. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man wearing a major\u2019s insignia turned to Ben. He was an older man, probably in his fifties, with tufts of white hair visible beneath his hat. He sported a white mustache on his tan face. He wore a dour expression, the look of a man who had seen too much and been disappointed by life. The major eyed Ben, trying to decide if he was a ranch hand or someone of more importance. With a barely perceptible shrug, the major took a step forward, evidently deciding the identity of the man who had spoken to him was unimportant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for a Ben Cartwright,\u201d said the major. \u201cCan you tell me where I might find him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright,\u201d replied Ben. He heard heavy footsteps coming up behind him and glanced over his shoulder to see a big man with a tall white hat crossing the yard from the barn. \u201cThis is my son, Hoss,\u201d added Ben, crooking his head toward the large figure who was walking toward them. Ben looked at the major curiously. \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Major Thomas Walker,\u201d replied the major formally. He turned his head toward the younger man beside him. \u201cThis is Captain David Andrews,\u201d the major said, introducing the captain. \u201cDoctor Andrews, I suppose I should say,\u201d added the major.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, major, you must be a pretty important man, riding around with your own doctor,\u201d said Hoss Cartwright with a grin. Doctor Andrews grinned back. He was much younger than the major, and a full head taller. Andrews had light blond hair and his handsome face was set off with a set of deep blue eyes. His ready smile was flashed with the ease of someone who used it often.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Walker is allowing me to ride with him to the Presido in San Francisco,\u201d explained Andrews. \u201cI\u2019ve spent my life in the East, and just got back from two years of medical study in Europe. I\u2019ve always wanted to see the West and I\u2019ve decided you can\u2019t see much of it from a train or a ship. So I persuaded the major to let me ride with him from Denver.\u201d Andrews shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s been quite an experience,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Major Walker cleared his throat. \u201cWell, yes, I\u2019m sure Dr. Andrews has found it interesting,\u201d said the major. He turned to Ben. \u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019ve come to the Ponderosa because I\u2019m looking for my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour son?\u201d said Ben with a frown. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I don\u2019t\u2026.\u201d Ben stopped in mid-sentence. His face cleared as understanding dawned. \u201cWalker. You must be Lieutenant Walker\u2019s father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCorrect,\u201d said the major. \u201cI was told at Fort Harrison that my son was out on a training patrol. I also was told that your son Joseph had agreed to act as a guide for that patrol. I was hoping that you might have an idea where I could find my son. I only have a few days in this area and I didn\u2019t want to wait at the fort for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben extended his arm toward the house. \u201cMajor, why don\u2019t you and Doctor Andrews come into the house,\u201d said Ben. \u201cJoseph isn\u2019t back yet. But maybe we can figure out where he and your son might be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The major nodded briefly and turned to walk to the house. Ben, Hoss and Doctor Andrews followed Walker. Ben escorted the major into the house and gestured toward the sofa in the middle of the room. Both the major and the doctor removed their hats as they crossed the room to sit on the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you get some coffee?\u201d suggested Ben as he watched the soldiers settle comfortably on the sofa.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo thank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Major Walker. \u201cWe won\u2019t be staying that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss arched his eyes at Ben who merely shrugged. Ben walked over and sat in his favorite red leather chair. Hoss crossed to sit in the blue chair near the bottom of the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m curious, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Dr. Andrews said. \u201cHow did your son end up being an army guide? I would think that a ranch as big as this one would keep him more than busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really was a favor to Colonel Dickinson,\u201d explained Ben. He looked at the major. \u201cYour son is new to this area, and he\u2019s not familiar with the territory.\u201d Major Walker nodded in agreement. \u201cThe men in the patrol were also new to the area,\u201d continued Ben. \u201cThe Colonel had arranged for a sergeant who knew the area to act as guide. But the sergeant broke his leg. The Colonel didn\u2019t have anyone else he could send with the patrol. We were at the fort, selling some remount horses. Colonel Dickinson explained his problem and my son volunteer to act as guide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was very generous of him,\u201d commented Dr. Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a way for him to get out of doing work around here for a week,\u201d said Hoss with a snort. \u201cHe\u2019d rather be riding around with those soldiers than checking fence or chasing strays.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t like the idea of civilians acting as scouts,\u201d said the major. \u201cMy experience has been that they unreliable. They don\u2019t have the discipline or the skill that an army regular has.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at Hoss. Hoss shook his head slightly at the major\u2019s reproachful remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son Joseph has spent his whole life around here,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe knows this country like the back of his hand. The Colonel was anxious for your son and his men to get to know the area as soon as possible. It seemed like an ideal solution to have Joe act a guide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, I still don\u2019t believe it is a good idea to have a civilian leading an army patrol,\u201d insisted the major. \u201cThere\u2019s no telling what trouble they might run into.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, major, they were just going to ride around for a week or so, getting to know the country,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cThe Paiutes are peaceful, and we ain\u2019t had no trouble with outlaws or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never know what trouble might occur when there\u2019s Indians around,\u201d said the major with a grim expression. \u201cI\u2019ve spent most of my life fighting those red devils. I\u2019ve seen what they can do, the death and destruction they can cause.\u201d The major shook his head. \u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as a peaceful Indian.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss stared at the major. \u201cYou mean, the only good Indian is a dead Indian,\u201d said Ben coldly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say that,\u201d protested Major Walker. \u201cBut I know enough about Indians to know that you can\u2019t trust them. When they\u2019re acting peaceful is when they are usually plotting something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Mr. Cartwright, do you have any idea where your son and Lieutenant Walker might be?\u201d interjected Dr. Andrews hastily. He could see the growing distaste on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cThe major and I might be able to meet up with them.\u201d Andrews smiled. \u201cIt would give me a chance to see more of the country around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath before answering. \u201cThey should be pretty close to here,\u201d said Ben, trying to keep his voice neutral. \u201cI saw the route the patrol was planning to take when we were at the fort. If they kept on schedule, they should be less than a day\u2019s ride from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker reached into his tunic and pulled out a piece of paper. He opened the paper on the table in front of him, revealing a map. \u201cMaybe you\u2019d be good enough to show me on this map where my son and his patrol might be,\u201d said the major, smoothing out the paper. \u201cI\u2019m sure Dr. Andrews and I can find our way from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben bent forward to look at the map, then frowned. \u201cMajor, I\u2019m afraid this map isn\u2019t going to be of much help,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIt covers too large an area, almost everything between here and San Francisco. The patrol should be somewhere near the Oak Ridge foothills. That\u2019s not even shown on the map.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker leaned over the map. \u201cCould you point out the general area?\u201d asked the major. \u201cMaybe if Dr. Andrews and I rode to that area, we could find my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pointed to a section on the map. \u201cThey should be in this area,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut on this map, we\u2019re talking probably a 100 square miles or so. You\u2019ll never find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker sat back on the sofa. \u201cWell, I suppose we could simply wait somewhere around here,\u201d said the major in a disappointed voice. \u201cIf the patrol will be arriving in a day or so, that would give me some time at least with my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, how about if you and me take the major and the doc out to Oak Ridge?\u201d asked Hoss. While he didn\u2019t particularly like the major, Hoss\u2019 naturally good heart made him feel sorry for the man who was so obviously disappointed. \u201cWe ain\u2019t got anything pressing around here,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cBesides, we could make sure Joe gets home and starts doing his share of the chores. Otherwise, he\u2019s liable to think of a bunch of excuses to stay at the fort for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if the major wants a couple of \u2018civilians\u2019 showing him the way,\u201d replied Ben pointedly. The major had the grace to redden a bit. \u201cMr. Cartwright, I would be grateful if you could show us the way,\u201d said Walker. \u201cI have such a short time in the area, and I would like to visit with my son as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice day for a ride, Pa,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cWe could leave a note for Adam in case he gets back from the timber camp before we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really would like to see a bit more of the country around here,\u201d added Andrews.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and put up his hands. \u201cAll right, all right,\u201d agreed Ben. \u201cI can tell when I\u2019m out-numbered. Hoss, go saddle the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned and winked at Doctor Andrews as he walked across the room toward the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Major Walker stiffly. He hesitated, then added. \u201cI\u2019m sorry if my earlier remarks seemed, well, a bit blood thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, we\u2019ve spent a good many years trying to make peace with Paiutes,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIn almost all cases, the peace was broken because of something the white man did, and not by the Paiutes. The Paiutes want peace but they\u2019ll defend what is theirs, just like any one else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand your position,\u201d replied the major in a non-committal tone. He turned to Dr. Andrews. \u201cDoctor, let\u2019s get out to our horses,\u201d said the major. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to keep Mr. Cartwright away from his ranch any longer than necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Several hours later, the four riders were nearing the Oak Ridge foothills. en rode in the front of the group, followed by Major Walker. Hoss and Dr. Andrews brought up the rear, riding side by side. During the ride, Andrews had chatted with Hoss about his two years in Europe. He told the big man about studying the latest techniques in medicine, and the sights he had seen. As they rode, Hoss found himself liking the doctor more and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, doc, let me ask you a question,\u201d said Hoss as the two men rode over the grassy hill. \u201cIf the Army sent you all the way to Europe to study, how come you\u2019re out here and not in some fancy hospital back East?\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrews grinned. \u201cI was posted to a hospital in Washington for a while,\u201d admitted the doctor. \u201cBut I got tired of taking care of generals whose biggest problem was developing blisters from sitting behind a desk all day. I kept reading about the West and I knew there was a real need for doctors out here. I finally convinced my commanding officer to get me a new assignment. I was hoping for something a little more, well, shall we say, rugged than San Francisco, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think San Francisco is like Washington,\u201d warned Hoss. \u201cIt can be a pretty rough town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cBut it still isn\u2019t what I had in mind. I wanted an assignment where I could experience the real West. Or at least, what I thought was the real West based on what I read.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, this isn\u2019t what you expected?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Andrews shook his head. \u201cNo, not at all,\u201d he replied. \u201cThe mountains are much bigger and more spectacular than anything they described in the periodicals. The sunsets are glorious, and at night, you can see a million stars. There\u2019s no words to describe how wonderful the scenery is out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it ain\u2019t all wonderful,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cIt can also be hot, and dusty and lonely. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cThe major and I sometimes rode for days without seeing another living soul. It was a bit frightening. Everything out here is so big, so larger than life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you hook up with the major?\u201d asked Hoss curiously. \u201cHe don\u2019t seem like the type of fellow who makes friends easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Walker isn\u2019t all that bad once you get to know him,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cI met him in Denver at the Army post. When I heard he was going to ride across country to San Francisco, I begged him to take me along. I made a real pest of myself. I think he finally agreed to take me just to shut me up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe don\u2019t seem like someone who can be persuaded real easy,\u201d remarked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Walker is all Army,\u201d replied Doctor Andrews cautiously. \u201cHe joined the Army at 15 and has spent his entire life working his way up the ranks. He\u2019s done more than his share of fighting over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come he\u2019s going to the Presidio? That\u2019s a pretty tame assignment for an old Indian fighter,\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cYou\u2019d think he\u2019d be at some fort in Arizona or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t what exactly led to his posting in San Francisco,\u201d admitted Andrews. \u201cI heard some talk. The general feeling seems to be that the Army has changed its attitude toward the Indians, and is more willing to make peace than in the past. Major Walker doesn\u2019t think this new policy makes sense. He thinks the Army\u2019s mission should be to eliminate all the Indians they can, and he\u2019s let a lot of people know how he feels. So the Army decided to send him some place where he can\u2019t do much harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up ahead of the two men, Ben reined his horse to a stop. \u201cHoss, come here!\u201d shouted Ben, turning back toward his son. Hoss urged his horse forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the creek,\u201d Ben said as Hoss rode up. \u201cYou and Joe have been up here a lot. Where is he most likely to make camp?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pointed to a clump of trees about 50 yards away. \u201cOver there,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cJoe and I usually make camp over by those trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, and gave his horse a gentle kick. He rode toward the trees with Hoss, Doctor Andrews and Major Walker following. Ben reined his horse to a stop again as he neared the trees. He could see the remnants of a recent campfire near the edge of the trees, a few feet from the creek. Ben dismounted and bent down to look at the ashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis fire isn\u2019t more than a day old, maybe less,\u201d declared Ben. He looked around with a frown. \u201cIf the patrol made camp here, we should have met them on the trail. They should have been heading in our direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss dismounted and studied the ground around the campfire. He walked a few feet from the fire, eyes glued to the grass. He stopped and turned back toward Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cThere\u2019s tracks over here. Looks like seven or eight horses. Except those tracks are heading toward the foothills.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would the patrol be heading toward the foothills?\u201d asked Major Walker. \u201cWhat\u2019s in that direction?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe knows better than to lead the patrol to those hills,\u201d replied Ben, his frown deepening. \u201cThe Paiutes have their sacred ground in those hills.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSacred ground?\u201d asked Andrews. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the area where the Paiutes take their dead chiefs,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cThey consider the ground to be holy. They conduct their ceremonies there, and ask the spirits of their dead chiefs to guide them. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds sort of like a church,\u201d remarked the doctor.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cIt is,\u201d he said. \u201cExcept there\u2019s no buildings or temples. Just a small camp near the edge of the ground where the tribe\u2019s holy men live. Some braves live in the camp also, to help protect the area from intruders. No one is allowed into that area uninvited, and certainly no white man. The braves who protect the land are the elite of the tribe. It\u2019s considered a great honor to be chosen to defend the sacred ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA bunch of Indian foolishness and superstition,\u201d said Walker with a snort.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Joe wouldn\u2019t lead the patrol up there,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cHe knows it would cause trouble with the Paiutes if any of them soldiers went into their sacred ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked toward the hills thoughtfully. \u201cMaybe Joe just wanted to show them where it was, so they wouldn\u2019t ride on to it accidentally,\u201d said Ben. \u201cAfter all, the Lieutenant and his men don\u2019t know this area. They could easily ride across it and not realize what they had done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think we ought to go up there and meet them?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cI mean, if Joe is just showing them where it is, they ought to be coming back this way soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t answer. He stood looking toward the ridge. For some reason, Ben felt an urgent need to go looking for Joe. He couldn\u2019t explain why, but suddenly, he felt it was important that they find the Army patrol as soon as possible. \u201cLet\u2019s go find them,\u201d Ben said to Hoss. He turned and mounted his horse. Hoss looked at his father curiously. The expression on Ben\u2019s face had been an odd one, almost a fearful one. Hoss couldn\u2019t figure out what had caused it. With a shrug, Hoss mounted his horse and followed Ben toward the ridge. Major Walker and Doctor Andrews rode after the Cartwrights. Ben\u2019s horse broke into a canter as the buckskin recognized Ben\u2019s sense of urgency. The other riders kicked their horses into a canter also, trying to keep up. Ben led them to the top of the ridge, then stopped his horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Piaute sacred land is just on the other side of those trees,\u201d said Ben pointing to a thick grove of oaks. He looked around. \u201cI don\u2019t see any sign of Joe or that the patrol.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think we should go any closer?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben sat thinking for a minute. He knew that he was courting trouble by being this close to the area where the Paiutes had forbidden any white man to go. But he couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Ben pursed his lips. \u201cLet\u2019s ride through the trees,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s a small clearing before you get to entrance the sacred ground. Maybe we can find some sign of the patrol there.\u201d Without waiting for a reply, Ben kicked his horse forward.<\/p>\n

The grove of oaks was not very deep. It took the riders only a few minutes to pass through the trees. As the four men emerged from the trees, they stopped their horses. Each of the men looked at the scene in front of them in shocked silence. On the other side of the trees was a hillside covered with thick grass. The hill paralleled the grove of oak trees, so the riders were about halfway up the hill as they left the grove. At the top of the hill, two tall rocks marked the entrance to the Paiutes sacred ground. The rocks were decorated with symbols and drawings, and two lances were stuck into the ground on either side of the entrance. Seven horses wearing Army saddles were wandering over the hill, grazing on the thick grass with an unconcerned air. A few yards from the tall rocks, the bodies of seven soldiers laid in the grass.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Oh, God, no!\u201d said Major Walker in a choked voice. He kicked his horse forward, racing the animal across the grass.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at each other, the faces reflecting the fear and horror both felt. They too kicked their horses forward and raced across the grass. Dr. Andrews followed the others at a slower pace. Ben and Hoss halted their horses near the bodies. Seven men wearing blue uniforms were sprawled in the grass. All had at least one arrow protruding from their chest; most had two or three. There was no question that all the men were dead. Major Walker had already dismounted and was frantically searching through the bodies. He froze as he came across one sporting lieutenant\u2019s bars on a blue shirt. With a cry of anguish, Walker dropped to his knees and pulled the shoulders of the motionless form into his arms. It was the body of a young man, with thick brown hair. The major began rocking the body slowly, stroking the man\u2019s hair with his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I don\u2019t see Joe!\u201d Hoss said in a frantic voice as he looked around at the bodies on the ground. \u201cI don\u2019t see his horse either!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben also was searching desperately for some sign of his son. Initially, he had felt a sense of relief when he realized all the bodies on the ground were wearing blue uniforms. But the relief had quickly disappeared when he realized that whole patrol had been slain. Ben\u2019s heart was in his throat. He knew it was unlikely that Joe had not been with the patrol.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d shouted Ben, turning his head quickly from side to side. He prayed that Joe had somehow managed to escape the fate of the soldiers. He hoped his son might be alive, perhaps wounded and hiding. \u201cJoe!\u201d Ben shouted again.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, look!\u201d said Hoss, grabbing his father\u2019s arm. Hoss pointed down the hill. A familiar pinto horse was grazing near a tree far down the hill. Ben quickly turned his horse and rode down the hill toward the pinto. He could hear Hoss\u2019 horse following him. Ben stopped his horse near the pinto, and dismounted. \u201cJoe!\u201d shouted Ben, searching the grass desperately with his eyes. He listened for a reply, as he looked for some sign of his son. Suddenly, Ben stood rigid, staring at something in the grass. Giving out an anguished cry that echoed Major Walker\u2019s, Ben ran a few feet down the hill. Sprawled face down in the grass lay a body wearing a green jacket and tan pants. Ben knelt next to the body and slowly turned it over.<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright\u2019s face was covered with blood. A deep groove was cut into the left temple of Joe\u2019s head, and blood obviously had poured from the wound. Thick rivulets of blood, some dried and some still wet, had streamed down Joe\u2019s face. Any part of the face not stained with blood was a pale, almost translucent white. Imitating the major, Ben pulled his son\u2019s shoulders off the ground and cradled Joe\u2019s head in his arms. Hoss stood over his father and brother with tears in his eyes.<\/p>\n

Up the hill, Doctor Andrews watched the scene unfolding before him with a sickening feeling. The feeling was not caused by the dead bodies. Death was a familiar foe to the doctor, although he was more familiar with it in the rather sterile confines of a hospital than in the midst of an idyllic hillside. While he deeply regretted the loss of life he saw before him, Doctor Andrews had seen death before. What he hadn\u2019t seen before was the deep anguish of two fathers as they cradled their sons. In the hospital, Dr. Andrew had told fathers of the death of their loved ones. But he had never seen those fathers holding the bodies of their sons, cradling the heads of their children in their arms, while they tried in vain to bring life back into them. David Andrews lowered his head, unable to watch any further the raw emotion that was being displayed around him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor! Come quick!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Andrews looked up as he heard the shout.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor! He\u2019s alive! My son\u2019s still alive!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Andrews realized the shout was coming from down the hill. He looked down the grassy plain and saw Hoss was waving to him with a frantic motion. Dr. Andrews turned his horse and rode down the hill. The doctor stopped his horse a few feet from the Cartwrights and dismounted. He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a small case. Then he walked rapidly to the men in the grass.<\/p>\n

Ben was still cradling Joe in his arms. Joe\u2019s eyes were closed and his body was limp. Ben was stroking Joe\u2019s head and murmuring Joe\u2019s name. He looked up at Andrews as the doctor approached. Ben\u2019s face was streaked with tears. \u201cHe\u2019s alive,\u201d said Ben in almost a whisper. \u201cPlease. Help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Andrews nodded. \u201cLay him down so I can examine him,\u201d said the doctor in a brisk, professional tone. Ben gently laid Joe back on the grass, easing his son\u2019s head to the ground. Dr. Andrews could see the streamers of blood which had cascaded down Joe\u2019s face and neck. But he also could see the faint rising and falling of the young man\u2019s chest. He quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a stethoscope. Sticking the tubes into his ears, the doctor placed the other end of the instrument on Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n

Dr. Andrews listened to Joe\u2019s heart for what seemed a long time to Ben and Hoss. The doctor moved the stethoscope around on Joe\u2019s chest, listening to the young man\u2019s lungs. With a quick movement, he pulled the instrument from his ears and set it aside. Dr. Andrews gently laid his hand on Joe\u2019s forehead. He move his thumb so he could lift Joe\u2019s right eyelid, and he stared into the unseeing eye. The doctor let the right eyelid fall close and moved to open the left. The dried and clotted blood made it difficult for the doctor to open Joe\u2019s left eye, but he managed to get the eyelid up a bit. Again, the doctor studied the eye, then let the lid close. Doctor Andrews ran his hands down Joe\u2019s arms and body, looking for any other signs of injury. Finding none, he moved to feel Joe\u2019s legs and nodded in satisfaction when this examination also showed nothing.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss watched the doctor anxiously. When the doctor turned to reach into his bag again, Ben could stand it no longer. \u201cDoctor?\u201d he asked in a fearful voice.<\/p>\n

Andrews turned to the Cartwrights, a white cloth and bottle of alcohol in his hands. \u201cHis heartbeat is a bit rapid but it\u2019s steady, and his lungs seem clear,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cOther than that bullet wound to the head, I can\u2019t seem to find any injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBullet wound?\u201d said Hoss with a frown. \u201cAre you sure that\u2019s a bullet wound?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure,\u201d replied the doctor in a puzzled voice. \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s just that those other soldiers were killed with arrows,\u201d answered Hoss. \u201cCouldn\u2019t it been an arrow that creased his head.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor shook his head as he turned back to his patient. \u201cNo,\u201d said the doctor as he began cleaning the deep gash on Joe\u2019s head. \u201cThis wound is deep, too deep for anything but a bullet to have caused it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor, is he going to be all right?\u201d asked Ben anxiously.<\/p>\n

Andrews didn\u2019t answer for a minute, but continued to dab the wound with the cloth. He then laid the cloth across the wound, and sat back on his heels. He turned to Ben. \u201cMr. Cartwright, I can\u2019t predict anything,\u201d said Andrews slowly. \u201cHead wounds are\u2026difficult. He may recover fully or there may be some permanent damage. I just can\u2019t tell at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019ll live,\u201d insisted Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I would guess that he\u2019s been laying here for several hours,\u201d said Andrews cautiously. \u201cHe lost a lot of blood, but his condition seems to be stable. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s in any immediate danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss both let out a deep sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to minimize the seriousness of his condition,\u201d continued the doctor has he turned back to work on Joe. \u201cHe has a concussion, and possibly a fractured skull. He\u2019s lost a lot of blood and is probably dehydrated. He seems to be holding his own for now, but there\u2019s no guarantee that will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at each other, the fear returning to their faces. They watched as the doctor continued to clean the wound, then reached into his bag for a small bottle. The doctor sprinkled some of the contents on the cut, then reached into his bag for some bandages. The Cartwrights were so focused on Joe and the doctor that they didn\u2019t even hear the rider approaching. Only when Major Walker spoke did they realize the officer had ridden down to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright?\u201d said the Major. \u201cHow is your son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up at the major. Walker\u2019s eyes were red and glistened unnaturally, but his face was now passive and he held himself with the rigid pose of a veteran soldier. \u201cThe doctor says he is seriously injured but he\u2019s holding his own,\u201d replied Ben. Ben pursed his lips and swallowed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry about your son,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The major nodded briefly. \u201cWe should leave here as soon as possible,\u201d said the major. \u201cIf those Indians return, we wouldn\u2019t have much of a chance against them. If you or your son would help me, I would like to collect the\u2026the bodies as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned to Andrews. \u201cDoctor, can we put Joe on a horse?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Andrews looked up thoughtfully. \u201cIf we move him carefully, and ride very slowly, I don\u2019t think it will harm him,\u201d replied the doctor. The doctor looked around. The air seemed unnaturally still and quiet. \u201cIt probably is a good idea for us to get out of here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help the major,\u201d said Hoss, turning toward his horse.<\/p>\n

Half an hour later, the small party was ready to leave the hillside. Hoss and the major had collected the loose horses and placed the body of one of the slain soldiers over the saddle of each horse. Each body was carefully wrapped in a blanket taken from the bedrolls that had been still attached to the saddles. Hoss had led Joe\u2019s horse up the hill and then tied the pinto\u2019s reins together with the reins of three other horses. Major Walker tied the reins of the other four horses together. Each man would lead four horses off the hillside. After he had bandaged Joe\u2019s head, Doctor Andrews helped Ben carry his son to Ben\u2019s horse. The two had carefully lifted Joe onto the saddle, and Ben quickly climbed up behind his son. He pulled Joe\u2019s limp body against his chest, and rested Joe\u2019s head on his shoulder. Ben held his son tightly, and placed his hand where he could feel the reassuring rising and falling of Joe\u2019s chest. Doctor Andrews quickly mounted his own horse and then grabbed the reins of Ben\u2019s animal. The doctor slowly led Ben\u2019s buckskin up the hill.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Major Walker waited near the oak grove for the doctor and Ben. Hoss\u2019 face was grim as he watched Ben ride up the hill, clutching Joe in his arms. Joe\u2019s body sagged in the saddle, and his mouth hung open. The white bandage around Joe\u2019s head was already showing splotches of red. Dried blood still stained Joe\u2019s face and neck, and rusty brown streaks were visible on Joe\u2019s shirt and jacket.<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing as the doctor led his horse past Hoss and into the grove of trees. Hoss watched the two riders disappear into the oaks, then urged his horse forward, leading the four horses behind him. The major followed Hoss into the woods. The solemn procession rode slowly down the ridge, each rider concerned with the precious burdens in his care. The riders were silent, each lost in their own thoughts. When the riders reached the creek at the bottom of the ridge, Doctor Andrews reined his horse to a halt. He turned back to look at Ben who was still clutching Joe tightly against him. \u201cMr. Cartwright, is there any place around here where we can take your son?\u201d he asked. \u201cAny place where we could at least get a wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he answered miserably. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing between here and the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Hoss, urging his horse forward. \u201cWe\u2019re far enough away from them Paiutes. We can stop long enough to make a travois.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA travois?\u201d said Dr. Andrews. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a kind of sled,\u201d said Hoss, struggling to explain. \u201cYou make it out of some long poles, ropes, and blankets, and then tie it to a horse. The Indians use it to carry their furs and anyone who can\u2019t ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would certainly be better for Joe than sitting a horse,\u201d said the doctor with a nod. \u201cHow long would it take you to make it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked around. He saw some likely branches in the clump of trees ahead of them. \u201cNot long,\u201d answered Hoss. He rode back to the major and handed Walker to reins to the horses he was leading. Then Hoss rode quickly toward the trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a good place to stop for a while,\u201d said the doctor. He dismounted and walked over to Ben. \u201cHand him down to me,\u201d instructed the doctor. \u201cI want to change the bandage and try to get some water into him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hesitated a moment, hating to let Joe out of his arms. Then, he slowly eased Joe out of the saddle and into the doctor\u2019s arms. Doctor Andrews carried Joe a few feet to the creek and gently laid him on the soft grass. Ben hurried to his son\u2019s side. He gently stroked Joe\u2019s head then looked up at the doctor. \u201cHe\u2019s still unconscious,\u201d said Ben with concern. \u201cHow long do you suppose it will be before he wakes up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo way to tell,\u201d answered Andrews. \u201cIt\u2019s a bad head wound, though. In cases like this, it\u2019s not unusual for the patient to be unconscious for quite awhile.\u201d He laid a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI know it\u2019s frustrating, but there\u2019s really nothing we can do but wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned back to his son, and stroked Joe\u2019s head again. \u201cHang on, son,\u201d he said softly. \u201cWe\u2019ll have you home soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Hoss built the travois in record time, and Ben helped him tie the long ends of the poles to the saddle of Joe\u2019s horse. As they worked, Hoss was silent, a puzzled expression on his face. Ben was too distracted with thoughts of Joe to pay much attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Hoss finally. \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking. There\u2019s something really strange about what happened up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStrange?\u201d said Ben. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, them soldiers were killed by the Paiutes,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cBut when was the last time a Piaute raiding party left without taking the horses with them? And they didn\u2019t take any scalps, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped and thought a moment. \u201cYou\u2019re right, Hoss,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThat is strange.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd another thing,\u201d added Hoss. \u201cThose soldiers were all killed by arrows. Joe was shot. And he was at the bottom the hill. Those soldiers were killed near the top.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think happened?\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it, Pa,\u201d said Hoss, shaking his head. \u201cI can\u2019t figure out exactly what did happen. I mean, it must have been Paiutes. They wouldn\u2019t have let anyone else that close to their sacred ground. But if it was Paiutes, why didn\u2019t they take the horses and scalps? And why was Joe shot and the others killed with arrows? It just don\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cI don\u2019t understand it either,\u201d said Ben. He took a deep breath. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to wait for Joe to tell us what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright?\u201d a voice behind Ben said. Ben turned to see Major Walker standing a few feet away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, major?\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019m going to go on to the fort,\u201d said the major. \u201cI want to get to Fort Harrison as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d said Ben in a sympathetic. \u201cI understand. You must have some people to notify.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker stood a bit straighter. \u201cNo, there\u2019s no one to notify,\u201d he said. \u201cMy wife passed away a few years ago. We didn\u2019t have any other children.\u201d The major\u2019s voice seem strained. He took a deep breath. \u201cI want to get to the Fort so we can organize an action against the Paiutes as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn action?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cYou mean you want to attack the Paiutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d said Major Walker. \u201cIf you want to put it in those terms.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Major,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cYou don\u2019t know which Paiutes did this. You don\u2019t even know exactly what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d answered the major. \u201cThe Paiutes must be punished. They killed seven members of the United States Army. That demands punishment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, you can\u2019t be serious,\u201d said Ben in alarm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m perfectly serious,\u201d replied the major. \u201cI\u2019m sure Colonel Dickinson will agree with me.\u201d He looked at Ben. \u201cI\u2019m surprised at you, Mr. Cartwright. I would have thought that you\u2019d want those Indians punished for what they also did to your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, I don\u2019t know what happened to my son, or who shot him,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cBut I do know if you attack the Paiutes, you\u2019ll start a war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes have already started the war,\u201d replied the major. He turned and walked away.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we got to stop him,\u201d said Hoss in an urgent voice. \u201cIf he attacks the Paiutes, they\u2019ll go after every rancher or settler within a hundred miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Hoss, I know,\u201d Ben said. He looked back toward the creek where the doctor was still tending to Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave Joe, though. Not until I know for sure he\u2019s going to be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I know you want to stay with Joe,\u201d said Hoss slowly. \u201cI know how you feel. I feel the same way. But there\u2019s nothing you can do for him right now. And you and I both know you\u2019re the only one with a chance of heading off Major Walker. Colonel Dickinson will listen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew Hoss was right. He knew he should go to the fort with the major. But his heart ached at the thought of leaving his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Hoss in a gentle voice. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of Joe. You know I will. I won\u2019t let anything happen to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben opened his eyes and looked at Hoss. He nodded and walked away without another word. Major Walker was mounting his horse as Ben approached. \u201cMajor!\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cWait. I\u2019m going to the fort with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker looked surprised. \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I want to talk with Colonel Dickinson, also,\u201d replied Ben just a bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think I\u2019ll tell the Colonel the truth?\u201d asked the major in an icy tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019ll tell him the truth,\u201d answered Ben, \u201cbut perhaps not the whole truth.\u201d Ben\u2019s face softened a bit. \u201cMajor, I know how it must be hurting you to lose a son,\u201d added Ben. He glanced back toward the creek. \u201cBelieve me, I know. But starting a war with the Paiutes isn\u2019t going to bring your son back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker stared at Ben with a cold expression. \u201cI can\u2019t stop you from riding to the fort,\u201d he said. With that, he reached down and grabbed the reins of the seven horses that he had tied together. The major kicked his horse hard, and the animals moved forward quickly. Ben raced back to his horse and mounted. He stopped a moment to take one last look toward the creek. Then he turned his horse and rode after Major Walker.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAn investigation!\u201d shouted Major Walker as he pounded his fist on the desk in front of him. \u201cHow can you say you won\u2019t do anything until you\u2019ve conducted an investigation!\u201d<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson looked up at the major from behind the desk. \u201cMajor, I know how you must feel, losing your son,\u201d said the Colonel in a sympathetic voice. \u201cBut we can\u2019t just go and attack the Paiutes without knowing for sure what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know what happened!\u201d shouted Walker. \u201cThe Paiutes attacked and killed seven soldiers, including my son. What more do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need more information than I have right now,\u201d insisted the Colonel. He nodded toward Ben who was sitting in a chair at the edge of the desk. \u201cBased on what Ben has said, there are a lot of unanswered questions,\u201d continued the Colonel. \u201cI want those answers before I do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker pounded his fist on the desk in frustration once more. \u201cColonel, while you sit here conducting your investigation, those Paiutes could be running wild, attacking every ranch within fifty miles,\u201d said Walker. \u201cThere is only one course of action that makes sense. And that course is to attack and kill the Paiutes before they can do any more harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, my patrols have been out all day,\u201d replied the Colonel, his voice rising in anger. \u201cNot one of them has reported any sign of trouble from the Paiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBah!\u201d said Walker, turning away from the desk in anger. He took two steps, then wheeled back to the desk. \u201cYou\u2019re as bad as those addle-headed politicians in Washington,\u201d said the major, pointing his finger. \u201cYou sit here and do nothing while those who are responsible for my son\u2019s death get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one is going to get away with anything,\u201d said the Colonel heatedly. He took a deep breath to calm himself. \u201cMajor, you are overwrought,\u201d said the Colonel. \u201cIt\u2019s understandable. But you must understand we can\u2019t mount an action against the Paiutes until we have all the facts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd by the time you have all the facts, my son\u2019s death will have been forgotten,\u201d said Walker bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI assure you, Lieutenant Walker\u2019s death will be fully investigated, as will be the death of his men,\u201d replied the Colonel.<\/p>\n

Ben sat silently, watching the exchange. He had been heartened by Colonel Dickinson\u2019s willingness to listen to the facts as he had presented them. And by the fact that the Colonel wanted to investigate the killing of the soldiers further before taking action. But now, he felt he had done everything he could at the fort. All Ben wanted to do was get home to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel, I have to get back to the Ponderosa,\u201d said Ben rising from the chair.<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson turned to Ben and nodded. \u201cOf course,\u201d he said. \u201cI know you want to be with your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send word as soon as Joseph is able to talk,\u201d said Ben, silently praying that his son would be able to talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Doctor Andrews that he is to stay at the Ponderosa as long as he is needed,\u201d said the Colonel. \u201cI\u2019ll wire the Presidio and let them know he is being delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Ben gratefully. He took a step toward the door, then hesitated. Major Walker was glaring at Ben from across the room. \u201cMajor, I am sorry about your son,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry!\u201d Walker spat out the word. \u201cI don\u2019t want your sympathy,\u201d said the Major angrily. He looked from Ben to the Colonel. \u201cI want to see those who are responsible for my son\u2019s death to pay for what they\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor,\u201d said Ben in a cold voice, \u201cif you attack the Paiutes, every rancher in this territory will pay for it with blood. A lot of innocent people on both sides will be killed. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a very good epitaph for your son.\u201d With a nod to the Colonel, Ben walked out of the office.<\/p>\n

Ben hurried to his horse, which was tied to a hitching post in front of Colonel Dickinson\u2019s office. The sun was low in the sky, and night was fast approaching. But Ben gave no thought to staying at the fort until morning. His only thought was that if he rode hard, he could be back at the Ponderosa before midnight.<\/p>\n

And Ben did ride hard, pushing his horse almost to the animal\u2019s limits. He was vaguely aware that the buckskin was tired and sweaty, but Ben gave little thought to his horse. His thoughts were fixed firmly on a room upstairs at the ranch house, a room in which he knew his injured son was lying. A hooting owl greeted Ben as he rode his exhausted horse into the yard in front of the Ponderosa a little after midnight. Ben could see the house was ablaze with light even at this late hour. A buggy with a horse standing patiently was parked near the corral. Ben recognized the buggy as belonging to Paul Martin, Virginia City\u2019s doctor. As he pulled his horse to a halt, Ben wondered if it was a good sign or a bad one that Dr. Martin was in the house. The sound of his horse must have attracted the attention of the hands in the bunkhouse. The door opened and several men walked out into the yard. One of the men walked slowly toward Ben as he dismounted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, you\u2019re back,\u201d said Charlie, one of the hands with relief.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, not bothering to answer. He merely handed the reins of his horse to Charlie. \u201cTake care of Buck for me,\u201d said Ben with a distracted air. \u201cHe\u2019s worked hard today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben started toward the house, but stopped when he heard Charlie call out his name. He turned back toward the hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Ben almost angrily. He hated the thought of anything delaying him from getting to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to know what happened at the fort,\u201d said Charlie apologetically. \u201cHoss told us what happened. He said that major wanted to go after the Paiutes.\u201d Charlie\u2019s face showed the worry he was feeling. \u201cIs the Army going to attack the Paiutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben suddenly remembered Charlie\u2019s brother a small ranch in a valley not far away. He realized why Charlie was worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Ben, regretting his earlier anger. \u201cThe Army is not going to do anything, at least right now. They want to investigate.\u201d Ben glanced to the house. \u201cThey want to talk with Joe first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie nodded, the relief evident on his face. \u201cLet us know how Joe is doing,\u201d said Charlie as he began to lead Ben\u2019s horse toward the barn. \u201cWe haven\u2019t heard anything in a couple of hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fear and worry began building in Ben once more. He nodded curtly, then turned to walk hurriedly toward the house. Ben pushed open the front door of the ranch house. He stopped just inside the door. The house was strangely quiet. The stillness only added to Ben\u2019s fears. He quickly undid his gunbelt and threw the holster on the chest near the door. He threw his hat on top of the gunbelt and walked rapidly across the room toward the stairs. His foot was on the first step when he looked up to see Adam coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Ben said. He swallowed hard. \u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head as he walked down the stairs. \u201cStill unconscious,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Doctor Andrews with him?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled ruefully. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty crowded up there,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Andrews and Dr. Martin are arguing over what to do, and Hoss keeps talking to Joe. It\u2019s a wonder that the noise alone doesn\u2019t wake Joe up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave Adam a small smile, and started up the stairs. Adam grabbed his arm as Ben started to pass him. \u201cPa, what happened at the fort?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel Dickinson is going to wait until he can talk to Joe before he does anything,\u201d answered Ben. Ben glanced to the top of the stairs. \u201cI told him I\u2019d let him know when Joe was awake,\u201d added Ben.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded. \u201cGood,\u201d he said. \u201cBased on what Hoss said, there\u2019s a lot of questions about what happened at Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope Joe will be able to tell us what happened,\u201d said Ben, his voice betraying his fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will,\u201d Adam said reassuringly. He gave Ben a wry smile. \u201cJoe\u2019s got a hard head, like all the Cartwrights. He\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and walked up the stairs to Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

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

The first thing Joe felt was a stabbing pain in his head, the worst headache he could ever remember. He moaned slightly at the pain, and tried to move his head but that only made the pain worse. Joe felt someone squeezing his hand, and he heard a muffled voice calling his name. Joe wanted to open his eyes but it seemed like it took a lot of effort to do so. He finally managed to open his eyelids a bit but even such a small bit of light caused another stab of pain. Joe quickly shut his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Come on, son. Time to wake up. Open your eyes,\u201d the voice said. Joe could hear it clearly now. He recognized his father\u2019s voice. He wondered if Pa knew how much effort it took for him to open his eyes, and how much it hurt when he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Joe, please, open your eyes,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

His father\u2019s voice had such a pleading tone that Joe wanted to obey him. It was just so hard and so painful for him to do so. Joe felt his hand being squeezed again, and felt someone rubbing his arm gently. He knew it must be his father. Why didn\u2019t Pa just let him sleep, wondered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, son, you have to wake up,\u201d said Ben, his voice even more urgent than before. \u201cPlease, Joe, open your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe decided his father wasn\u2019t going to let him sleep. He might as well open his eyes and get it over with. Maybe then he could slip back into that darkness where he didn\u2019t feel any pain. Joe took a deep breath and slowly forced his eyes open. He grunted at the stab of pain the light caused, and almost shut his eyes again. But he forced himself to keep his eyes open. For some reason, his Pa thought it was important he do, and Joe wanted to please his father. The face was only a few inches from Joe but the image was blurry. Joe blinked slowly and the face started to come into focus. It didn\u2019t take much for Joe to recognize the face. He would have known that white hair anywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d croaked Joe. He was surprised at how dry and raspy his throat felt. Joe tried to swallow. \u201cWater,\u201d he croaked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, give him a sip of this,\u201d said a voice from somewhere in the room.<\/p>\n

Joe felt a glass being put to his lips and he raised his head a bit to drink. Another stab of blinding pain shot through Joe\u2019s head. He grunted once more. Joe felt a hand supporting his head and the glass being pressed against his lips. He started to drink, slowly at first. But as he felt the cool water in his mouth and throat, he began to drink more eagerly. He greedily gulped the liquid, grateful for the way the water was easing the dryness in his throat. Finally, the glass was removed, and Joe\u2019s head was eased back on the pillow. He looked up and saw his father\u2019s face in clear focus now. Ben looked worried, and lines of fatigue were evident on his face. The stubble of a beard was visible on Ben\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes briefly, trying to ease the pounding in his head. Then he looked up at his father. \u201cHi,\u201d he said simply. He couldn\u2019t think of anything else to say.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face broke into a grin. \u201cHi yourself, young man,\u201d said Ben, his voice full of relief. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a headache as big as Mount Shasta,\u201d replied Joe truthfully. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you remember?\u201d asked Ben with a slight frown.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head slightly, careful not to move it too much. He already knew moving his head caused the pain to get worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the last thing you remember?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe thought for a minute. \u201cI remember sitting around a campfire with some soldiers,\u201d he said with a frown. Joe tried to remember what happened after that, but his head began to throb. He put his hand to his forehead and was surprised to feel a bandage. He glanced around and realized he was in his room at the Ponderosa. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Joe asked in confusion. \u201cHow did I get here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced over his shoulder. Joe couldn\u2019t see who was standing behind his father. But he did hear the voice say, \u201cGo slow.\u201d Joe saw his father nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we don\u2019t know exactly what happened,\u201d said Ben, choosing his words carefully. \u201cWe found you up on Oak Ridge, near the Paiutes\u2019 sacred ground. We brought you home. You\u2019ve been unconscious for almost two days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s words confused Joe even further. \u201cOak Ridge?\u201d he said. \u201cWhat was I doing up there? What did the soldiers say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hesitated. \u201cThe patrol, the soldiers you were with, they are all dead,\u201d said Ben slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead?\u201d said Joe in alarm. He started to sit up, but quickly laid back on the bed as another stab of pain shot through his head. \u201cDead,\u201d he said again. \u201cAll of them? Even Lieutenant Walker?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cWe found them almost near the entrance to the Paiutes\u2019 holy ground,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThey all had been killed by arrows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at the ceiling. \u201cDead,\u201d he said softly. He turned his head slightly, wincing at the pain. \u201cPa, what happened?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben stroked the top of Joe\u2019s head gently. \u201cSon, we don\u2019t know what happened,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were hoping you could tell us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned and tried to think. He remembered sitting around the campfire, talking with the soldiers. Then, nothing. Everything was blank after that.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I don\u2019t remember what happened,\u201d said Joe, a note of hysteria in his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe,\u201d said the voice from behind Ben in a soothing tone. \u201cDon\u2019t try too hard to remember right now. You\u2019ve had a bad head wound. It\u2019ll take some time for you to heal properly.\u201d
\nJoe saw the figure behind Ben approach the bed. He was a tall, blond man, wearing an Army uniform. The man had circles of fatigue under his eyes, and the uniform was rumbled, as if the man had been sleeping in it. \u201cWho are you?\u201d Joe asked in a confused voice.<\/p>\n

The man smiled. \u201cMy name is David Andrews,\u201d said the officer. \u201cI\u2019m a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA doctor?\u201d Joe said. His confusion grew. \u201cWhere\u2019s Doc Martin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re quite a fortunate young man,\u201d said Andrews with a grin. \u201cYou\u2019ve had two doctors looking after you. Doctor Martin just left to deliver a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, and then regretted the action. His head began to throb again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs your head hurting?\u201d asked Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like someone is pounding on it with a hammer,\u201d answered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised,\u201d answered Andrews. He moved to the table next to Joe and poured something into a glass, then added some water and stirred. Andrews brought the glass back to the bed. \u201cHere,\u201d he said, handing the glass to Ben. \u201cHave him drink this. It\u2019ll help the headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, and put the glass to Joe\u2019s lips. Joe lifted his head, and again, felt the stabbing pain. But he drank from the glass. Joe drank most of the liquid in the glass, then laid back against the pillow. He tried once more to remember how he had been hurt but his memory remained blank. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with me, doctor?\u201d he asked fearfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got creased in the head by a bullet,\u201d said Doctor Andrews. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a concussion. But you\u2019ll recover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t I remember what happened?\u201d asked Joe, his voice betraying a note of panic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not unusual for someone to have a loss of memory when they\u2019re injured, particularly when it\u2019s a head injury,\u201d replied Andrews soothingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s as if the brain doesn\u2019t want to remember the pain, so it deliberately blocks out the memory of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded slightly, but his face betrayed the panic he was feeling. He blinked his eyes rapidly and he was breathing hard.<\/p>\n

Ben stroked Joe\u2019s arm lightly. \u201cJoe, we\u2019ll find out what happened,\u201d he assured his son. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it now. The important is for you to get well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes went to Ben\u2019s face and he swallowed hard. \u201cThey\u2019re all dead, Pa,\u201d said Joe. \u201cAll of them. Why can\u2019t I remember why they died?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cOh no you don\u2019t, little brother,\u201d said Hoss, pushing gently but firmly against Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cYou ain\u2019t getting out of that bed. Now you lay back down there or else I\u2019m going to have to sit on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I just wanted to get some water,\u201d Joe protested weakly. But he laid back against the pillows. Joe was wearing a thin cotton nightshirt, and a white bandage was still wrapped around his head. Some color had returned to his face, but he still looked pale and drawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it for you,\u201d said Hoss in a firm voice. He moved to the table next to the bed, and poured some water from a pitcher into a glass. \u201cHere you go,\u201d said Hoss, handing the glass to Joe. \u201cDrink it up, and then you need to get some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Joe as he took the glass. He lifted his shoulders off the bed and began to drink.<\/p>\n

Hoss watched his brother carefully as Joe drank. He was concerned that while Joe was improved, his brother had been having headaches and dizzy spells. Both doctors had assured Hoss that this was to be expected and would pass, but their assurances didn\u2019t make Hoss any less worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said again, handing the glass back to his brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss put the glass back on the table, then turned back to the bed. Joe was laying on the bed, his head supported by two large pillows. Hoss pulled the covers up to Joe\u2019s shoulders. \u201cNow, you take a nap,\u201d Hoss ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDay before yesterday, everyone was trying to keep me awake,\u201d grumbled Joe. \u201cNow that I don\u2019t feel like sleeping, everyone tells me to rest. I wish you\u2019d make up your minds.\u201d Joe knew he was being unreasonable. But he felt another headache coming on and it made him irritable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just naturally hard to please,\u201d said Hoss with a grin. Then his face grew sober. \u201cLook, Joe, you were unconscious for almost two days,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWhen you finally woke up a couple of days ago, we had the devil of a time trying to keep you awake. The doctors just don\u2019t want you to overdo things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he scrunched his eyes closed. His headache was definitely coming back. He could feel his stomach churning and knew the dizziness would reappear shortly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother headache?\u201d asked Hoss with concern.<\/p>\n

Joe just nodded. He closed his eyes, hoping to control the nausea and the dizziness.<\/p>\n

Hoss walked to the window and closed the curtains, darkening the room. \u201cYou try and sleep,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI\u2019ll see if Doc Andrews is back yet. He was going to bring some more of those powders back with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack?\u201d said Joe softly, his eyes still closed. \u201cWhere\u2019d he go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe went over to Fort Harrison to talk to the Colonel,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cHe wanted to tell him how you were doing and that you still\u2026.\u201d Hoss\u2019 voice trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat I still can\u2019t remember what happened,\u201d Joe finished for his brother. Joe opened his eyes and looked up at Hoss. \u201cHoss, I keep thinking about it, but nothing comes to me. I\u2019m trying, I really am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know you are, Joe,\u201d said Hoss in a soothing voice. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re trying too hard. Try not to think about it for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes again as the pounding in his head started to get worse. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said bitterly. \u201cTry not to think about seven men being killed, probably right in front of me. You\u2019d think that wouldn\u2019t be something I could forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss stood silently, not knowing what to say. Finally, he simply said, \u201cGet some rest.\u201d And then he turned and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

As Hoss was walking down the stairs to the main room below, he saw the front door open, and Ben walk in. \u201cPa,\u201d Hoss called across the room as he continued down the stairs. \u201cIs Doc Andrews back yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Ben. He looked at Hoss with alarm. \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked. \u201cIs something wrong with Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got another headache,\u201d explained Hoss. \u201cThe doctor was going to bring back some more of those powders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid said he\u2019d be back late this afternoon,\u201d Ben said with a frown. \u201cMaybe I should send one of the hands into Virginia City to get some of the powders from Doctor Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s sleeping now,\u201d said Hoss, hoping he was right. \u201cI think we can wait until Doc Andrews gets back.\u201d Hoss hesitate a moment, then continued. \u201cJoe\u2019s pretty upset that he still can\u2019t remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know,\u201d said Ben with a nod of his head. \u201cHe said something to me about it this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he\u2019ll ever remember?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged. \u201cYou heard what David said at dinner last night,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe thinks it\u2019s unlikely that Joe will remember what happened. That\u2019s why he wanted to ride over to the fort and talk with Colonel Dickinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think the Colonel\u2019s going to do?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d replied Ben with a shake of head. \u201cI know Colonel Dickinson is a good officer, and he does want peace with the Paiutes. But I also know he can\u2019t just ignore seven of his men being slaughtered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed. \u201cI wish we had some answers,\u201d he said. \u201cFor Joe\u2019s sake as well as everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben was working at his desk two hours later when he heard the horse ride into the yard. He was relieved at the thought that David Andrews was returning. Joe had awaken a little while ago, and insisted his headache was gone. He had finished the broth Ben brought him and even complained he was still hungry. Joe told him that he was fine but Ben still worried. Ben knew he was probably acting like a mother hen, but he still felt better when the doctor was nearby. Ben was surprised to hear a knock on the front door. If Doctor Andrews was returning, he would have simply walked into the house. With a frown, Ben put down his pen and walked to the door. He was even more surprised when he pulled open the door and saw Major Walker standing on the porch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said the major in a neutral tone. \u201cMay I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d said Ben, pulling open the door. He didn\u2019t try to hide his surprise. \u201cI thought you\u2019d be on your way to the Presidio by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been granted leave while I clear up my son\u2019s affairs,\u201d said the Major.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I\u2019ll get right to the point. I would like to see your son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d said Ben. He looked at the Major suspiciously. \u201cWhy do you want to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for the obvious reason that he was the last one to see my son alive,\u201d said the Major. \u201cI\u2019d like to hear what he has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t remember what happened up on Oak Ridge,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I understand from Doctor Andrews,\u201d replied Walker. \u201cNevertheless, I would like to talk with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Andrews is due back shortly,\u201d said Ben cautiously. \u201cPerhaps we\u2019d better wait and see what the doctor says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor Andrews will not be returning to the Ponderosa,\u201d said Major Walker. \u201cHe\u2019s received orders to report to the Presidio as soon as possible. I\u2019m to pick up whatever he may have left here and take it with me back to the fort.\u201d Major Walker reached into his pocket and pulled out some white envelopes. \u201cDoctor Andrews sent this medicine. He said you would know what to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took the envelopes from Major Walker. \u201cI\u2019m sorry David is not coming back,\u201d said Ben slowly. \u201cWe would have liked to thank him for what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Army officer doesn\u2019t have the luxury of being able to do whatever he wants,\u201d said Major Walker. \u201cNow, may I see your son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He didn\u2019t like the idea the idea that Major Walker was still around while David Andrews was being sent to the Presidio. And he liked the idea of the major talking to Joe even less.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son is still recovering from his wound,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI\u2019m not sure he\u2019s up to visitors yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise I\u2019ll be brief,\u201d Walker assured Ben. When Ben still hesitated, the major continued. \u201cDr. Andrews has advised me that a short talk with your son should cause him no harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said reluctantly. He walked to the stairs, and Walker followed him.<\/p>\n

As they climbed the stairs, Ben asked, \u201cHas Colonel Dickinson any new information about what happened at Oak Ridge? I understand he was going to send a message to Chief Winnemaka.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of good that did,\u201d said Major Walker bitterly. \u201cAll that Piaute said was they were not on the war path.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped at the top of the stairs. \u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d said Ben with relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you choose to believe those lying devils,\u201d replied Walker.<\/p>\n

Ben stared at the major, but said nothing. He walked down the hall and pushed open the door to Joe\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

Joe was sitting up in bed, his head resting against two pillows. He looked at Major Walker curiously as the soldier followed Ben into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, this is Major Walker,\u201d said Ben. \u201cLieutenant Walker was his son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down for a moment, then raised his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sorry about your son,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Major nodded. \u201cI was hoping you could tell me what you remember about being on patrol with my son,\u201d said Walker.<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at Ben. Ben nodded his head. Joe turned back to the major.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not much to tell,\u201d said Joe. \u201cWe spent a week riding around. I showed your son and the rest of his men some of the landmarks, where the ranches were, and where there were water holes. They mostly just looked and marked some things on the map.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the last night?\u201d asked the Major. \u201cWhat happened then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned as he tried to remember. \u201cWe camped down by the creek,\u201d said Joe. \u201cLieutenant Walker wanted to ride up on Oak Ridge the next morning, but I explained to him why we couldn\u2019t do that. I told him if the Paiutes saw an Army patrol up by their sacred ground, it would cause trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what did my son say to that?\u201d asked Walker.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe called it a bunch of Indian foolishness and superstition,\u201d replied Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben was startled by Joe\u2019s words. Those were the exact words that Major Walker had used when he had told the major about Oak Ridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you argue about going to Oak Ridge?\u201d asked the major.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d he said. \u201cAt least, I don\u2019t remember having an argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happened after that?\u201d asked Walker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember anything after that,\u201d Joe said miserably.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t remember or you don\u2019t want to remember?\u201d asked the major sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor!\u201d said Ben in warning.<\/p>\n

Walker ignored Ben. \u201cI find it awfully convenient that you can\u2019t seem to remember what happened,\u201d said the major in an accusing tone. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain how you led seven men to their deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked stunned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, that\u2019s enough!\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were the scout on that mission,\u201d said the Major heatedly. \u201cThose men wouldn\u2019t have been on Oak Ridge if you hadn\u2019t led them there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, I think you\u2019d better leave,\u201d said Ben angrily, grabbing Walker\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Walker shrugged off Ben\u2019s arm and walked to the bed. \u201cAdmit it!\u201d he shouted in Joe\u2019s face. \u201cYou led those men to Oak Ridge, and when you realized what you had done, you turned and ran. That\u2019s why you were found so far away from the rest of the troop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared at the major, a shocked look on his face.<\/p>\n

Walker grabbed Joe by the nightshirt. \u201cYou sniveling coward!\u201d screamed Walker. \u201cYou led my son and his men to their death, and now you\u2019re afraid to admit it. You ran to save your own hide while my son was being slaughtered by the Paiutes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d shouted Ben. He grabbed Walker by the arms and pulled him away from Joe. \u201cMajor, I want you out of this house. Now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Major Walker shook Ben\u2019s arms away. He pulled down his uniform tunic and straightened his back. \u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d he said in a cold voice. He gave Joe a look of pure hate. \u201cBut don\u2019t think this is the end. Before I\u2019m done, everyone will know you are responsible for my son\u2019s death.\u201d With that, Walker turned and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben, his face reflecting his shock at the major\u2019s accusations. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry \u201d said Ben in a soft voice. Joe turned his head and looked away.<\/p>\n

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

That night, the nightmares started. Joe had refused to discuss Major Walker\u2019s accusations further with Ben. When Ben had pressed the subject, Joe had turned his back to him and said he was tired. But Ben could see his son was staring at the wall with unseeing eyes. Ben had shaken his head and left the room, unsure what to say. Joe had barely touched his dinner, and when Adam and Hoss visited his room, he had told them he didn\u2019t want to talk about what the Major had said. Ben knew Joe was upset, but he was at a loss as to what to do about it.<\/p>\n

Now, Ben was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling while his mind churned. He was trying to find the words to reassure Joe, but what could he say to his son? Ben was convinced Walker was wrong, but no one knew for sure what had happened on Oak Ridge. Ben also was worried about what Major Walker planned to do. The Major\u2019s parting words kept coming back to him. Ben knew Walker was going to make trouble for Joe but Ben wasn\u2019t sure exactly how.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! No, don\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard the shouts coming from the room down the hall. He sprang out of his bed and quickly slipped on his robe.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Stop!\u201d The cries were louder.<\/p>\n

Ben hurried out of his room. He saw Adam in the corridor and Hoss\u2019 head peaking out of his room. He waved both of them back as he rushed to Joe\u2019s room. A lamp was burning low in the bedroom, giving Ben just enough light by which to see. Joe was tossing and turning in bed, his legs thrashing against the covers. He was moaning and shouting, but his eyes were still closed. Joe clawed the air as if he were trying to grab some unseen enemy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d said Ben as he crossed the room to the bed. He reached down and shook his son\u2019s shoulder hard. \u201cJoe, wake up!\u201d said Ben urgently. \u201cWake up, son!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to push Ben\u2019s hand away, but Ben held his son\u2019s shoulder firmly. He shook it again. \u201cWake up, Joe!\u201d said Ben once more. \u201cYou\u2019re having a nightmare! It\u2019s just a dream. Wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe laid still for a moment, then his eyes opened slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d said Joe in a confused voice.<\/p>\n

Ben could see Joe was covered in sweat and was breathing hard. He stroked his son\u2019s shoulder gently as he stared into Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cJoe, are you awake?\u201d he said carefully.<\/p>\n

Joe blinked his eyes and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were having a nightmare,\u201d said Ben, trying to sound reassuring.<\/p>\n

Joe nodded again, and swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to tell me about it?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d said Joe. He closed his eyes briefly, then looked at Ben. \u201cNo, I\u2019m all right,\u201d said Joe in a shaky voice. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I woke you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s cheek. Despite the sweat, Joe felt cool. \u201cLet me get you some water,\u201d said Ben. He walked to the table by the bed. He poured some water in a glass. Then he turned and handed the glass toward Joe. Joe took the glass with shaking hands, the water splashing against the sides. Joe quickly put the glass to his lips, and took a deep drink. Then he handed it back to Ben. Ben put the glass back on the table, then sat on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that was some nightmare you were having,\u201d said Ben, trying to smile. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and shook his head. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t want to talk about it,\u201d he said. He shuddered slightly. \u201cIt didn\u2019t make any sense anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes if you talk about it, it makes a bad dream go away,\u201d insisted Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe gave Ben the ghost of a smile. \u201cPa, I\u2019m 22, not 2,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t need you to scare the monsters away, like some kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave a small laugh. \u201cJoe, no matter how old you are, you\u2019ll always be my little boy,\u201d admitted Ben. Then he turned serious. \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d said Joe. But his voice still sounded shaky.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll sit with you awhile if you want,\u201d offered Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Joe. \u201cGo back to bed. I\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Ben said in a hesitant voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Pa,\u201d Joe insisted. As if to prove his point, he turned on his side and pulled at the covers.<\/p>\n

Ben stood. \u201cAll right, Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cYou get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Night, Pa,\u201d Joe said in a firm but muffled voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, son,\u201d answered Ben. He took a few steps from the bed, then stopped. He watched Joe for a minute. Then he turned and left the room. With Joe\u2019s back to him, Ben couldn\u2019t see that his son was staring at the wall, his face reflecting a mixture of terror and confusion.<\/p>\n

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

From then on, the nightmare visited Joe almost every night. A few nights, Joe was able to keep the bad dreams at bay, managing to wake up as the now familiar images started to build in his mind. But most nights, he found himself being waken by his father or one of his brothers, finding that he had roused them with his shouts. Despite the persistent efforts of Ben, Adam and Hoss, Joe managed to avoid talking about Oak Ridge and Major Walker\u2019s accusations. He told his family, truthfully, that he still couldn\u2019t remember anything that had happened near the Piaute holy ground, and, not so truthfully, that he wasn\u2019t worried about Major Walker\u2019s charges. He also refused to discuss his nightmares, repeatedly saying that the dreams were merely a collection of confused images.<\/p>\n

But Joe couldn\u2019t prevent himself from thinking. As he laid in his bed recovering from his injury, his mind kept returning to that last night around the campfire, and his conversation with Lieutenant Walker. He tried to remember beyond the campfire, and occasionally, he thought he had a glimpse of a memory. But the memories proved elusive and Joe could picture nothing beyond the campfire. Ten days after Ben had carried his son down from Oak Ridge, Doctor Martin examined Joe and declared him fit enough to leave his bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure he takes it easy for awhile,\u201d Doctor Martin told Ben, Adam and Hoss as he sipped a cup of coffee. He was relaxing with the Cartwrights before visiting his next patient. \u201cNo hard riding, no brawling and no heavy lifting for awhile.\u201d Doctor Martin hesitated, then added. \u201cAnd make sure he gets plenty of rest. He looks tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe hasn\u2019t been sleeping too well,\u201d said Ben in a worried voice. \u201cDo you think maybe you give him some sleeping powders?\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin shook his head. \u201cI hate to do that when there\u2019s a head injury involved,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cJoe seems to be recovering and I don\u2019t want to take the chance of giving him something that might slow that recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, he still can\u2019t remember anything about what happened to him,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cIt\u2019s really been bothering him. Ain\u2019t there something you can give him to help that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more, Doctor Martin shook his head. \u201cNo, Hoss, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cThere\u2019s no medicine that\u2019s going to restore his memory. I doubt if he\u2019ll ever remember what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hate the thought of Joe having to live with the doubt of what happened for the rest of his life,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really taking it hard,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cI wish there was something I could do to help. All I can do is heal his body. Unfortunately, there\u2019s nothing we can do to heal a troubled mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Adam walked over and pulled open the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel Dickinson!\u201d Adam said in surprise. \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Colonel nodded and walked into the house. He removed his hat and walked over to the other men who were watching him with a surprise that matched Adam\u2019s. \u201cHello, Ben,\u201d said the Colonel. He nodded an acknowledgment at Hoss and Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel, I\u2019m surprised to see you,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIs there anything new? Have you found out something about Oak Ridge?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Colonel looked reluctant to answer. \u201cNo, we haven\u2019t learned anything new,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cBut there is a development, and I wanted you to hear about it from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Colonel looked around the room. \u201cMajor Walker has asked for an formal inquiry into his son\u2019s death,\u201d said the Colonel. \u201cHe\u2019s asked that the inquiry be held in Virginia City, with the expressed purpose of deciding Joe\u2019s responsibility for what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d said Ben. \u201cCan he do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s his right,\u201d said the Colonel. \u201cAn officer can ask for an inquiry into any mission. Considering what happened to the major\u2019s son, the Army would be hard pressed to deny his request.\u201d The Colonel looked down. \u201cBen, I\u2019m just sick about this. Joe took on the mission as a favor to me,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I had any idea that there was going to be trouble\u2026\u201d The Colonel looked up. \u201cMajor Walker has requested two other senior officers be assigned to the panel. It will take them awhile to get here. The inquiry will be held in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, how can the military hold Joe responsible?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cHe\u2019s not a soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but he was under military command when the incident occurred,\u201d replied the Colonel. \u201cAs a civilian scout, he\u2019s held to the same rules as any soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about your investigation?\u201d demanded Adam. \u201cHave you found anything new?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d replied the Colonel, with a shake of his head. He looked at Ben. \u201cI\u2019ve done everything I can think of. I\u2019ve talked with every cowboy or trader who might have been within 50 miles of that ridge. I sent one of my best sergeants, in civilian clothes, up to that ridge to look around. Nothing has turned up. We still haven\u2019t a clue about what happened up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Winnemaka?\u201d asked Ben urgently. \u201cHas he said anything?”<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered the Colonel. \u201cBen, I sent another message to the chief, explaining the situation and asking to meet with him. He refuses to meet with me, and his only answer continues to be the Paiutes are not are on the war path.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinnemaka is a shrew old bird,\u201d said Adam. \u201cHe probably figures if he doesn\u2019t meet with you, he won\u2019t be put in a position of lying to you, or having to admit his braves were involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich probably means he knows something,\u201d said Hoss thoughtfully. \u201cPa, do you think you could get him to meet with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019ve already tried,\u201d said Ben. Adam and Hoss looked at their father in surprise. \u201cI sent a message to Winnemaka through Charlie Two Feathers, the wrangler who works on the Peterson ranch. Charlie is a full Piaute, even though he\u2019s no longer living with the tribe. Charlie said Winnemaka refuses to meet with anyone; he won\u2019t discuss what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I haven\u2019t wanted to say anything,\u201d said Doctor Martin. \u201cBut the rumors are already floating around Virginia City. Major Walker has been in town several times. And he\u2019s let it be known that he\u2019s sure the Army is going to find that Joe was responsible for causing the death of those soldiers.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s outrageous!\u201d said Ben angrily. \u201cWhat right does he have to accuse Joe. No one knows what happened up on Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one but me,\u201d said a voice from the stairs.<\/p>\n

The men in the living room turned to see Joe walking slowly down the stairs. He was fully dressed, and the bandage was gone from his head. A dark scab covering the gash on his forehead was the only sign of his wound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the only one who knows what happened,\u201d said Joe. \u201cOnly I can\u2019t remember.\u201d He looked at the doctor. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a good chance I\u2019ll never remember, isn\u2019t that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d said Doctor Martin.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Colonel Dickinson. \u201cWhat will happen if the inquiry finds that I\u2019m responsible for the death of those soldiers?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could be found guilty of dereliction of duty and sentenced to a prison term,\u201d said the Colonel. \u201cBut I doubt that will happen,\u201d he added quickly as he saw the outrage on the face of the Cartwrights. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to directly implicate Joe. All the evidence is circumstantial at best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d demanded Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means the board will probably find that there\u2019s not enough evidence to convict Joe of anything,\u201d explained the Colonel.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut everyone in Virginia City will think I\u2019m guilty,\u201d said Joe. \u201cEveryone will think I led those soldiers to their deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, that ain\u2019t true,\u201d protested Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo?\u201d said Joe. \u201cAnd just what do you think that people will say when I testify that I can\u2019t remember what happen? How many people do you think are going to believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we believe you,\u201d said Ben. \u201cAnd others will too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at Ben, his eyes reflecting his misery. \u201cPa, how can I truthfully say I\u2019m innocent?\u201d said Joe. \u201cHow can I say that when I\u2019m not even sure myself?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The next two weeks were slow torture for all the Cartwrights. Joe found himself restricted to the area around the ranch house by the doctor and his father. He didn\u2019t mind; it allowed him to avoid the rest of the hands on the ranch. Joe worked hard at every chore he could find. He was trying to work himself into exhaustion, so he could fall into a deep, dreamless sleep at night. Adam and Hoss tried to act as if nothing were wrong when they were with Joe. But the harder they tried to act naturally, the more strained their conversation became. Finally, Joe started avoiding his brothers as much as possible also. Ben spent the time watching and thinking. He watched Joe, noting the signs of strain in his son\u2019s face. He watched Adam and Hoss as they became increasingly awkward around Joe. And he spent hours staring into the fire, trying in vain to think of something to help his youngest son.<\/p>\n

Despite his efforts, Joe couldn\u2019t seem to avoid the nightmare. The images came every night, and they seemed to grow in intensity. Joe\u2019s cries were becoming a routine part of the night at the Ponderosa. Three days before the inquiry was scheduled to begin, Ben was lying in his bed in the middle of the night. He couldn\u2019t sleep, couldn\u2019t relax. He was waiting tensely for Joe\u2019s now expected shouts. As the hours passed in silence, Ben moved from waiting to worrying. He began to wonder why Joe was so silent on this particular night. Finally, Ben could stand it no longer. He threw back the covers and climbed out of his bed. Ben shrugged into his robe and silently padded down the hall to Joe\u2019s room. He quietly pushed the door open, then froze. Joe\u2019s bed was empty. Ben looked around the room, searching for some sign of his son. Finding nothing, he turned and hurried down the hall. He started down the stairs, then stopped. Joe was sitting on the low table in front of the fireplace, staring into the smoldering logs. He was dressed, but his shirt tail was hanging outside his pants, as if he had dressed quickly. His shoulders were slumped, and his head was hanging down. Joe was the picture of misery.<\/p>\n

Ben descended the stairs slowly. At the bottom of the stairs, he stopped again. \u201cJoe, it\u2019s late,\u201d he said in the a soft voice. \u201cDon\u2019t you think you should get some sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to look at his father. \u201cSleep?\u201d he said with a bitter laugh. \u201cYou and I both know sleep is the last thing I\u2019ll do tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked across the room and sat next to Joe on the table. He put his arm around his son\u2019s shoulders. \u201cYou should try,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cPa, I can\u2019t,\u201d he said. \u201cI can\u2019t bear the thought of that nightmare coming back one more time. I just can\u2019t stand it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded in understanding.<\/p>\n

Joe stared into the fire. \u201cPa, I keep thinking and thinking but I still don\u2019t know what happened,\u201d said Joe. He looked at his father. \u201cWhat if the major is right? What if I did turn and run?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you didn\u2019t run,\u201d said Ben firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know?\u201d said Joe. \u201cYou weren\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have to be there,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI know you.\u201d Ben rubbed Joe across the shoulders. \u201cJoe, how many times have you faced situations where you could have been hurt or killed? You never ran, not once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut maybe this time I did,\u201d said Joe. \u201cMaybe this time, I lost my nerve. It\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not possible,\u201d said Ben, shaking his head. \u201cYou know the saying about a leopard not changing his spots? You couldn\u2019t change your nature, even if you wanted to. You could never leave seven men to face their deaths while you ran away. You just couldn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could believe you,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI want to believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to believe me,\u201d said Ben. \u201cListen to yourself, Joe.\u201d He pointed to Joe\u2019s chest. \u201cYou know in there what happened. Whether you ever remember what happened or not, you know deep inside of you that you didn\u2019t run away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stared into the fire, his face furrowed with thought. Ben sat silently beside him, watching as Joe tried to reach inside himself. The clock ticked the minutes away as Joe searched his soul. Finally, Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa,\u201d he said miserably. \u201cI just can\u2019t be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m sure,\u201d said Ben with conviction. \u201cYou did not desert those men up on Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen how do you explain the fact that I was yards away from those soldiers?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t explain it, Joe,\u201d said Ben. \u201cBut I do know there is an explanation. We just haven\u2019t found it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem a lot surer than anyone else that we\u2019ll find an explanation,\u201d said Joe wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I have advantage,\u201d said Ben. When Joe looked at him curiously, Ben explained. \u201cI already know what didn\u2019t happen. I know you didn\u2019t desert those men. Now all I have to do is figure out what DID happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

Ben chucked Joe lightly on the back of the head. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you at least try to sleep,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

Joe stared into the fire, then nodded. \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll try,\u201d he said with a sigh. \u201cI guess I can\u2019t spend the rest of my life awake.\u201d Joe slowly pulled himself to his feet. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said gratefully.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cPleasant dreams,\u201d he said pointedly. He watched as Joe slowly climbed the stairs to his room. Then he turned to stare into the fire, looking for some of the same answers that had eluded his son.<\/p>\n

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

The next afternoon, Ben was once again staring into the fire looking for answers. He had spent the morning working on the books, or at least pretending to add up the figures. But the numbers made little sense to him. Finally, he had abandoned the pretense. He turned his mind to Oak Ridge, and spent the last few hours concocting possible explanations for what had happened. None of them seemed plausible, but Ben refused to give up. He was convinced he could find the answer if he thought about it long enough. His thoughts strayed briefly to Joe. Joe had been quiet during the night. There were no shouts to disturb the quiet of the house after he had gone up to bed. Whether he had slept or not was another question. Deep circles ringed Joe\u2019s eyes when he came down for breakfast. Ben had sent his sons to the south pasture to look for strays. Doctor Martin had told Ben that Joe was fit enough to ride. Ben wanted to continue to provide distractions for Joe, to try to keep his mind off the upcoming Army inquiry. He wasn\u2019t sure chasing strays would do that, but it was the best he could come up with. Ben turned back to the fire, once again seeking answers. He was startled by a loud knock on the door. Ben rose slowly from the chair, reluctant to have his thinking interrupted. He pulled the door open.<\/p>\n

David Andrews stood in the doorway. He smiled at Ben. \u201cHello, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid!\u201d said Ben with genuine pleasure. \u201cCome in, come in. It\u2019s good to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said Doctor Andrews. His smile widened as he looked around the familiar house. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d said Ben indicating the sofa. As Andrews seated himself on the sofa, Ben returned to his chair. \u201cWhat brings you back to the Ponderosa?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

The smile left Andrews face. \u201cI\u2019ve been ordered to testify at the inquiry concerning Oak Ridge,\u201d said Doctor Andrews. \u201cMajor Walker wants an impartial observer to describe what we saw there. He doesn\u2019t trust you or Hoss to tell the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWalker,\u201d he said with disgust. \u201cI wish I had never heard of the man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if he hadn\u2019t insisted on meeting up with his son, we might not have found Joe in time,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cIn a way, you could say he saved Joe\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now he\u2019s doing his best to destroy my son\u2019s life,\u201d said Ben bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is Joe?\u201d asked Doctor Andrews. \u201cHas he remembered anything about what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he hasn\u2019t,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cPhysically, he seems to have recovered fine. No headaches or other lingering problems. But he hasn\u2019t been able to remember anything about what happened at Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not surprised,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cI had hoped that maybe something might come back to him, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing,\u201d said Ben. \u201cHe\u2019s taking this all to heart, though. He hasn\u2019t been able to sleep in weeks. He has nightmares almost every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNightmares?\u201d said the doctor, his curiosity peaked. \u201cThe same nightmare or different ones?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cHe won\u2019t talk about them. But he wakes up screaming almost every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d said Andrews rubbing his chin.<\/p>\n

The front door opened again, and Adam, Hoss and Joe walked into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Doc!\u201d said Hoss with a wide smile. He crossed the room and slapped the doctor lightly on the back. \u201cGood to see you!\u201d Andrews grinned at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid, it\u2019s good of you to come see us,\u201d said Adam a bit more formally. But his smile was as welcoming as his brother\u2019s. Adam slipped off his gun belt and hat, placing both on the chest near the door. Then he walked across the room to join the others. Joe took his time removing his gun-belt and hat. He was grateful to Andrews for the care the doctor had given him. But he felt uncomfortable around the doctor. David Andrews was just one more reminder of Oak Ridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, how\u2019s my favorite patient?\u201d asked Andrews with a smile. He had noted Joe\u2019s reluctance to greet him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d said Joe shortly. He placed his hat and gunbelt on the chest, then walked slowly toward the sofa, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up on his arms as he walked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here, Doc?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cNot that we ain\u2019t glad to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to testify at the inquiry,\u201d explained Andrews. Out of the corner of his eye, Andrews saw Joe stiffen. \u201cI told the General at the Presidio I needed a week to get to Virginia City,\u201d continued Andrews, with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though I knew I could make it in five days. But I wanted to be sure to have a chance to see you before, well, before the formalities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate everything you did for Joe,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have a chance to tell you that before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sorry I had to leave so abruptly,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cI\u2019m not sure how he did it, but Major Walker managed to get me ordered to the Presidio right away. I think he wanted me away from Joe, just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust in case?\u201d said Adam. \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust in case there was something I could do to help Joe remember,\u201d Andrews replied. His face grew serious. \u201cWalker wants to punish someone for his son\u2019s death. Colonel Dickinson wouldn\u2019t let him go after the Paiutes. So, unfortunately, he\u2019s decided to make Joe the scapegoat. I think he\u2019s afraid I\u2019m going to do something to help Joe, something that will allow Joe to prove he wasn\u2019t responsible for his son\u2019s death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have to worry about that,\u201d Joe said bitterly. \u201cI haven\u2019t been able to remember a thing about what happened up on Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cYour father told me you\u2019ve been having nightmares. Can you tell me about them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at his father, then looked back to Andrews. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to tell,\u201d said Joe. \u201cThey\u2019re just dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have different dreams or the same one every night?\u201d Andrews pressed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat difference does that make?\u201d said Joe, almost angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dreams might be trying to tell you something,\u201d explained Andrews. The Cartwrights stared at him. \u201cI know that sounds like some kind of hocus pocus,\u201d Andrews continued. \u201cBut when I was in Europe, some of the doctors there were exploring an idea called the sub-conscious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSub-conscious?\u201d said Adam. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the idea is that our brain retains images but for whatever reason, our conscious mind, that is, our brain when it\u2019s awake, doesn\u2019t remember those images,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cBut the images are still there. Doctors were exploring ways of trying to get them out. Some feel that dreams might actually be these sub-conscious thoughts, thoughts that come to the surface only when we\u2019re not awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d demanded Joe. \u201cAre you saying that I\u2019m deliberately trying to forget what happened? Because that\u2019s not true. I\u2019ve spent almost every minute trying to remember what happened at Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you have,\u201d Doctors Andrews assured him. \u201cBut I did tell you that the brain sometimes refuses to recall images that are associated with pain. That\u2019s why people often don\u2019t remember accidents. But there has been some success in getting people to recall incidents through things like dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds pretty strange,\u201d commented Hoss.<\/p>\n

Andrews smiled at him. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a new concept,\u201d he admitted. \u201cAnd not one that\u2019s widely accepted.\u201d He turned to Joe. \u201cJoe, is your dream the same every night?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n

Joe looked around the room. Slowly he nodded his head. \u201cYeah, it\u2019s pretty much the same,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell me about it?\u201d said Andrews in a gentle voice.<\/p>\n

Joe chewed his lip, his reluctance to talk about the dream obvious to everyone. Joe walked across the room and stared into the fire. No one spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dream is really just bits and pieces,\u201d said Joe slowly, not turning from the fire. \u201cIt\u2019s not like it\u2019s a story or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just tell us what you do remember,\u201d urged Andrews softly.<\/p>\n

Joe was silent for a minute. Then he began to speak. \u201cI always see Lieutenant Walker and his men. They\u2019re off in the distance. I try to catch them, to stop them but they\u2019re too far away. I\u2019m riding hard, but I never seem to catch up with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else?\u201d said Andrews, his voice still soft.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings seem to change after that,\u201d said Joe, still staring into the fire. \u201cThere\u2019s a girl who\u2019s dressed like an Indian, but she\u2019s not an Indian. Her hair is too light and she has blue eyes. She\u2019s surrounded by the soldiers, and she seems scared of them. Then White Bear appears.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear? What\u2019s he doing there?\u201d asked Hoss with a frown.<\/p>\n

Andrews motioned for Hoss to be quiet. Joe didn\u2019t seem to hear Hoss\u2019 question. \u201cWhite Bear is explaining something to the soldiers, but they don\u2019t seem to be paying attention to him,\u201d said Joe. \u201cThen they start laughing at him, making fun of him. I try to stop them but for some reason I can\u2019t move. So I start yelling at the soldiers. Then the soldiers are looking at me. They\u2019re angry at me. But while the soldiers are looking at me, White Bear and the girl are riding away. The soldiers look at them, like they want to go after them. But I won\u2019t let them. I tell them to stop. Then Lieutenant Walker comes toward me. He\u2019s got a gun in his hand. I start yelling, telling him to stop.\u201d Joe was quiet for a minute. \u201cThat\u2019s usually when I wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s White Bear?\u201d asked Dr. Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a Piaute medicine man,\u201d explained Ben. \u201cVery respected among his people, and among the white men. He speaks English very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs he a friend of yours, Joe?\u201d asked Andrews.<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t answer. He continued to stare into the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not exactly what I\u2019d call a friend,\u201d said Hoss, answering for his brother. \u201cJoe and I found him a couple of years ago near Oak Ridge. He had taken a pretty bad fall. Had a busted arm and some broken ribs. We took care of him for a couple of days, until he was well enough for Joe and me to get him back to his tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrews nodded thoughtfully. \u201cDoes White Bear live on this Piaute sacred ground?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe lives in the camp that\u2019s at the entrance to sacred ground,\u201d said Adam. \u201cHe leads the ceremonies that take place there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned slowly. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d he asked Andrews. \u201cDoes the dream mean anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted the doctor. \u201cIt could be you\u2019re just making the connection with White Bear because what happened occurred where you know he lives. Or it could mean that White Bear was there, at Oak Ridge, when you were shot. The fact that you keep dreaming about Lieutenant Walker with a gun might mean he\u2019s the one who shot you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalker?\u201d said Joe with a frown. \u201cWhy would he shoot me? That doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of this makes sense,\u201d commented Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf White Bear was at Oak Ridge when the soldiers were killed, he might be able to tell us what happened,\u201d said Adam. He turned to Ben. \u201cMaybe if we sent a message to Winnemaka, he might let us talk to White Bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat for a minute, looking thoughtful. Then he shook his head. \u201cThat won\u2019t work,\u201d he said. \u201cFor one thing, Winnemaka might say no. He\u2019s turned down every request to meet or talk about what happened at Oak Ridge. Even if he says yes, it could take awhile before he actually arranges the meeting. We don\u2019t have that kind of time. The inquiry starts tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have to talk to White Bear,\u201d insisted Hoss. \u201cWe have to know if he can tell us what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI think the only thing to do is for me to got to the Piaute camp on Oak Ridge and see if White Bear will talk to me there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you can\u2019t,\u201d said Adam forcefully. \u201cIt\u2019s too dangerous. The Paiutes are likely to kill you just for coming near their holy ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, we don\u2019t have a choice,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cWe have to find out what happened and fast. Otherwise, Joe could be looking at a prison sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa, I won\u2019t let you do it,\u201d said Joe angrily. \u201cI\u2019d rather spend the rest of my life in prison than have you killed trying to talk to White Bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cThank you, son,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I want to do this. I have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, how about if I go?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWhite Bear knows me. He might be willing to talk to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Ben with a shake of his head. \u201cI almost lost one son on Oak Ridge. I\u2019m not going to take the chance of losing another. I\u2019m the one to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s too dangerous,\u201d Adam repeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if I go unarmed,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThat will show I don\u2019t mean to be a threat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnarmed!\u201d exclaimed Joe. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have a chance against those Paiutes without a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have a chance if I had a gun,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIf those Paiutes want to kill me, having a gun won\u2019t stop them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you can\u2019t go,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI agree with Adam. It\u2019s too dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to go,\u201d insisted Ben. He thought for a moment. \u201cIf I stop before I get to the entrance to the sacred land, someone from that camp will come out. I\u2019ll ask that someone to bring White Bear to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone from that camp is just liable to put an arrow in you,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the chance I\u2019m willing to take,\u201d said Ben. \u201cIf White Bear refuses to see me, I\u2019ll turn around and come home, I promise. But if he does agree to see me, maybe we can get some answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d said Joe in a loud voice. \u201cPa, I won\u2019t let you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I don\u2019t want to see you torturing yourself for the rest of your life over this,\u201d said Ben in a quiet voice. \u201cNot when there\u2019s a chance I can do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSend a message to Winnemaka,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cIf you keep after him long enough, he\u2019ll let you see White Bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not in time to get the information we need for the inquiry,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not important,\u201d insisted Joe. \u201cI don\u2019t care what happens at the inquiry, not if it means something would happen to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I care,\u201d said Ben. He looked around the room. \u201cI\u2019m going to Oak Ridge,\u201d he said in a firm voice. \u201cNone of you are to try to stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n

David Andrews had been watching the exchange among the Cartwrights with an amazed look on his face. \u201cYou\u2019re quite a family,\u201d he said, with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at him ruefully. \u201cI don\u2019t know if that \u2018s a compliment or not,\u201d he said. Then he turned to Hoss. \u201cSaddle my horse for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Joe, Hoss and Adam rode into Virginia City the next morning. Each of them were thinking of their father as they rode down the main street. Right up until the time Ben had ridden away from the ranch, they had tried to talk him out of going to Oak Ridge. But Ben had rebuffed every effort to keep him on the Ponderosa, or have to have one of his sons accompany him. He was determined to go to Oak Ridge, and he was determined to go alone. David Andrews was waiting for the Cartwrights outside the Virginia City Courthouse, where the inquiry was to be held. He had declined their invitation to spend the night at the ranch house, telling them he thought it wiser to spend the night in town. Now he was waiting anxiously. He was disappointed when only three Cartwrights rode up the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen\u2019s not back?\u201d he asked in a worried voice as the Cartwrights pulled their horses to a stop at the hitching post and dismounted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Adam in a grim voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you heard Pa say that he didn\u2019t think he would be back until just before the inquiry got started,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cThat\u2019s why he said he\u2019d meet us at the courthouse.\u201d His face betrayed the worry he felt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t have let him go,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how were we going to stop him?\u201d asked Adam in an angry voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Joe. \u201cBut we should have stopped him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you could have stopped him,\u201d said Doctor Andrews. \u201cHe was pretty determined.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right there,\u201d said Hoss with a wry grin. \u201cWhen Pa makes up his mind, there ain\u2019t nothing that can stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two men walked drunkenly up the street toward the courthouse. They stopped when they saw the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, will you looky there, Floyd,\u201d said one. \u201cAin\u2019t that Joe Cartwright, the fella that ran out and let all those soldier boys get killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, it sure is, Clete\u201d replied Floyd. \u201cI\u2019m surprised he\u2019d show his face in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at the men. \u201cJust ignore them,\u201d he said to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoo, whoo, whoo,\u201d said Clete, fanning his hand over his mouth, making a poor imitation of a war cry.<\/p>\n

Floyd doubled up with laughter. \u201cNow don\u2019t do that, Clete,\u201d said Floyd as he laughed. \u201cYou\u2019ll liable to scare the poor boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes narrowed, and his hands balled into fists. He took a step toward the men, but stopped when Hoss grabbed his arm. \u201cJoe, don\u2019t,\u201d he said in a warning voice. \u201cRemember, the doctor said no brawling for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Cartwright,\u201d shouted Floyd. \u201cEasiest way out of town is the way you came in. Don\u2019t hurt anybody while you\u2019re running away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pushed past Joe and stood in front of the two men. \u201cYou two fellows think you\u2019re pretty funny, don\u2019t you,\u201d he said in a dangerously calm voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Hoss, we was just funning,\u201d said Clete.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, so am I,\u201d said Hoss. He quickly raised his fist and smashed it into Clete\u2019s jaw. The man dropped to the ground. Before Floyd could react, Hoss turned and hit the man in the stomach with his massive fist. Floyd doubled over and gasped for air. With a satisfied nod, Hoss turned and walked back to his brothers. Adam and Joe looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc didn\u2019t say anything about me not fighting,\u201d said Hoss with a shrug. Adam and Joe grinned at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get inside,\u201d said Adam with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n

The inside of the Virginia City courthouse was crowded. Some people had come out of curiosity, willing to watch the drama that anything resembling a trial might produce. But most people had come to the courthouse because they had heard of Major Walker\u2019s accusations. They had come to hear the evidence for themselves\u2026and to make their own judgments about Joe Cartwright. A long table with three chairs had been set up in the front of the courtroom, just in front of the judge\u2019s bench. The chairs were empty. A lone chair was placed at an angle to the table. Several other empty chairs were situated against the right wall. A loud buzz echoed through the crowd as the Cartwrights entered the courtroom. Several people pointed at Joe and lowered their heads to make a comment to the person seated next to them. Joe kept his eyes straight as he walked down the wide aisle toward the front of the courtroom.<\/p>\n

Joe followed the instructions that had been in the formal letter he had received, notifying him of the inquiry. He walked to the side of the room and sat in one of the empty chairs. Hoss and David Andrews followed him. Adam looked around and saw a small space on a first bench for the spectators. He walked to the bench, and squeezed himself into the space. The buzz of the crowd grew louder again when Major Walker walked into the courtroom. He was dressed in a formal uniform, with shiny brass buttons and polished boots. He marched down the aisle of the courtroom without looking around, then walked to the chairs. He stopped for a moment in front of Joe and stared at Joe disdainfully. Joe stared back at Walker, his eyes never wavering from the man\u2019s face. Walker looked away, then quickly moved to sit in empty chair farthest away from Joe. A minute later, a door opened to the left of the judge\u2019s bench. Colonel Dickinson walked into the courtroom, followed by two other men also wearing the insignia of a colonel. Dickinson had a sheaf of papers in his hand. The men walked to the table in the front of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s not here,\u201d whispered Joe in a worried voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be here,\u201d Hoss whispered back, trying to convey an assurance he didn\u2019t feel.<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson rapped the table with a gavel, silencing the courtroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a formal inquiry into the death of the seven soldiers in the United States Army,\u201d said Dickinson in a loud voice. \u201cThis is not a trial. The rules of evidence used in a court are not required here. However, we will ask anyone giving evidence to swear to the truth of what they are going to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dickinson looked around the courtroom. \u201cWe are trying to determine the truth of what happened on Oak Ridge,\u201d he said. \u201cNothing else. We are not accusing anyone of anything nor are we trying to fix blame. Once we hear all the testimony, this panel will make a determination if formal charges should be brought.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dickinson consulted the top paper in front of him. \u201cWe will begin the testimony with Joseph Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

A low murmur went through the crowd as Joe rose slowly and walked to the empty chair in front of the table. He sat in the chair and looked the colonels squarely in the eye. Colonel Dickinson asked Joe to raise his right hand and swear to the tell the truth. Joe complied in a nervous voice. Then Colonel Dickinson asked him about to tell the panel about his scouting mission. Joe slowly told about volunteering to act as scout, and about riding around the country with the patrol. He repeated the story about talking with Lieutenant Walker about Oak Ridge around the campfire on the last night.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happened after that?\u201d asked Dickinson.<\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes, trying one last time to remember something, anything. He opened his eyes. \u201cI don\u2019t remember,\u201d he said, miserably.<\/p>\n

A loud buzz broke out among the crowd at Joe\u2019s words. Major Walker smiled in satisfaction at the crowd\u2019s reaction. Colonel Dickinson rapped the gavel on the table and ordered the crowd to be silent. Then he turned back to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t remember anything else that happened?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he answered. \u201cThe next thing I remember is waking up in a bed at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing else?\u201d pressed Dickinson. \u201cNothing that might shed some light on what happened on Oak Ridge?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said in a low voice.<\/p>\n

Dickinson turned to the other officers. \u201cAny other questions for this witness?\u201d, he asked. Both men shook their heads. Dickinson turned back to Joe. \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said. \u201cYou may step down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe walked back to his chair, shoulders slumped. As he sat down, Hoss patted him on the back encouragingly. Joe merely closed his eyes and shook his head slightly.<\/p>\n

David Andrews was called next. He was sworn in and then asked to recount what he saw on Oak Ridge. Andrews told his story in a straightforward and open manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Andrews, you have experience with head injuries such as the one suffered by Mr. Cartwright, is that correct?\u201d asked Colonel Dickinson.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I studied and treated such injuries both in Washington and in Europe,\u201d replied Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the loss of memory that Mr. Cartwright experienced unusual?\u201d asked Dickinson.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Andrews in a firm voice. \u201cIn fact, I\u2019d say that loss of memory is almost always experienced with this type of injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you feel sure this loss of memory is genuine?\u201d asked Dickinson. \u201cThat Mr. Cartwright is in no way trying to avoid telling this panel what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe loss of memory is genuine,\u201d replied Andrews. \u201cIn fact, based on my own observations, I would say Joe Cartwright has done everything possible to try to remember what happened, unfortunately, to no avail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once more, Dickinson looked to the other members of the panel, and when they shook their heads, dismissed Dr. Andrews. Major Walker\u2019s face reflected his displeasure with Andrews\u2019 testimony. Dr. Andrews ignored the Major as he walked to his seat. During Dr. Andrews\u2019 testimony, Joe and Hoss both kept glancing at the back of the courtroom, watching for some sign of their father\u2019s return. As the time past with no sign of Ben, both men were becoming increasingly worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss Cartwright,\u201d called Colonel Dickinson.<\/p>\n

Hoss took the witness chair next, and repeated the oath. He told the colonels everything he had seen on Oak Ridge. Hoss was quickly dismissed from the witness chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright,\u201d called Colonel Dickinson. He looked around the courtroom, obviously surprised that Ben was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n

Adam stood. \u201cMy father is seeking an additional witness,\u201d explained Adam. \u201cHe thought he would be back by now, but obviously he has been delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdditional witness?\u201d said Dickinson with a frown. \u201cWho would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d prefer to have my father explain,\u201d replied Adam.<\/p>\n

Dickinson looked at the other officers. Both shrugged their shoulders. \u201cAll right,\u201d said Dickinson. \u201cWe\u2019ll move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat down, glancing nervously over his shoulder to the back of the room as he sat.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Thomas Walker,\u201d called Colonel Dickinson.<\/p>\n

Major Walker rose and straightened his tunic. He walked slowly to the chair. After taking the oath, he looked expectantly at the officers on the panel. Colonel Dickinson asked Walker about what he had seen on Oak Ridge.The major repeated the story that both Hoss and Dr. Andrews had told. However, at the conclusion of his story, Walker turned to Colonel Dickinson. \u201cBased on the position of the bodies of the dead soldiers, and the position of Joe Cartwright, the only conclusion I can come to is that Mr. Cartwright must have deserted the patrol,\u201d stated Walker. \u201cHe must have run out on those seven men and left them to their deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

The courtroom erupted in noise, and Colonel Dickinson banged his gavel several times. Joe looked down to the floor. Hoss looked at his brother sympathetically while Adam glared at Major Walker. Colonel Dickinson rapped the gavel again, finally bringing the courtroom to silence. \u201cMajor Walker,\u201d he said sharply. \u201cThat is an improper statement. It is the duty of this panel to conclude what happened, not you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI realize that,\u201d replied Walker with a slight smile. \u201cI was simply giving the panel my opinion based on my many years of service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we wish you opinion, we will ask you for it,\u201d said Dickinson angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d replied Walker. \u201cMy apologies.\u201d But he couldn\u2019t quite keep the smile off his face. He knew the damage he had done to Joe\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson dismissed Major Walker in a cold voice. He looked around the courtroom. \u201cBen Cartwright is not in the room,\u201d he stated. He looked at Adam, who merely shrugged. \u201cIs there anyone else in the room who has any information concerning this incident which might be of interest to the panel?\u201d He waited. Several people shifted in their seats, but no one stood.<\/p>\n

Suddenly the door at the back of the courtroom opened, and Ben Cartwright walked in. His sons let out a collective sigh of relief at the sight of their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel,\u201d said Ben. \u201cI apologize for not being available earlier. However, I have found a witness who can shed light on what happened at Oak Ridge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet again, the crowd began to buzz. This time, Colonel Dickinson made no attempt to silence them. His surprise equaled the spectators.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this witness available to testify now?\u201d asked Dickinson.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he is,\u201d replied Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen ask him to come forward,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n

Ben turned and motioned to someone in the hall.<\/p>\n

The courtroom erupted into chaos as White Bear walked into the courtroom. White Bear was an average sized man but he held himself with quiet dignity. His age was hard to determine, but his braided hair was gray. He wore fringed buckskin pants, and a buckskin shirt decorated with beads. White Bear stood unmoving for a minute at the back of the room, watching the shock and confusion being displayed all around him. Then he walked slowly to the front of the courtroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear is here to tell what happened to blue coats,\u201d he announced to the panel.<\/p>\n

The three colonels were staring at the Indian with open mouths. Finally, Dickinson managed to close his mouth and swallow. He tried to speak, but found no words would come. He simply gestured to the witness chair. White Bear nodded and walked slowly to the chair. He looked at Joe, sitting against the fall wall. Joe was as stunned as the rest of people in the courtroom. A whisper of a smile crossed White Bear\u2019s face. Then the Piaute sat down. He looked at the officers expectantly. The courtroom fell silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cState your name,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am White Bear,\u201d said the Piaute. \u201cI am what you white men call a medicine man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n

White Bear looked surprised. \u201cWhite Bear tell truth,\u201d he said in a voice that implied that it hadn\u2019t occurred to him not to tell the truth.<\/p>\n

Dickinson looked to the other officers, then shrugged. He turned back to White Bear. \u201cCan you tell us what happened on Oak Ridge?\u201d<\/p>\n

White Bear frowned and looked to the back of the courtroom where Ben was still standing. Ben walked forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cColonel, if you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to question this witness,\u201d he said. \u201cI may be able to make things a bit clearer to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not proper!\u201d shouted Major Walker.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll decided what\u2019s proper, Major,\u201d replied Colonel Dickinson. He turned back to Ben. \u201cGo ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear,\u201d began Ben, \u201cdo you remember the day the soldiers came near your camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear remember,\u201d replied the Piaute.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you tell us what happened that day?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear can tell only what he saw,\u201d replied the medicine man.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease let us what you saw,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

White Bear settled back in the chair and began his story. \u201cBraves come to White Bear\u2019s fire. They say soldiers riding toward camp, toward our holy place. The braves want to kill the soldiers. White Bear tell them no. Tell them Winnemaka has made peace with the white man. It is not right for us to break the peace. Only white men break the peace.\u201d White Bear looked at the colonels seated at the table. All three of the men shifted uncomfortably in their seats.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell braves I talk to soldiers,\u201d continued White Bear. \u201cI ride from camp and down hill. Soldiers stopped far down hill. White Bear ride up and see soldiers have Little Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is Little Moon?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Moon is Piaute woman. The gods talk to her,\u201d explained the medicine man.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded. \u201cPlease continue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear tell soldiers that Little Moon is Piaute holy woman,\u201d said White Bear. \u201cTell them she must return to camp with me and soldiers must leave. Soldiers say Little Moon is white woman, and must go with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Little Moon a white woman?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said White Bear firmly. \u201cHer father was white man before he became a Piaute. He was blood brother to White Bear. He teach White Bear to speak white man\u2019s tongue,\u201d said the Piaute proudly. \u201cSince Little Moon\u2019s father is Piaute, and mother is Piaute, how can she be white?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you consider Little Moon a holy woman?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather was god man to whites,\u201d explained White Bear. \u201cSaid his people called him rev-er-end.\u201d White Bear pronounced the word slowly. \u201cRev-er-end talk to white man\u2019s god. Little Moon is daughter. Gods talk to her. When she hears gods, she falls to ground and shakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEpilepsy,\u201d said Dr. Andrews softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Moon scared of soldiers, and want to go back to camp,\u201d White Bear said. \u201cSoldiers say no. Say she must go with them. Say they will go to camp to look for more white women. White Bear tell them no. Tell them white man can not come to holy ground. Tell them no white women in camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

White Bear looked up at Ben expectantly, as if seeking Ben\u2019s approval. Ben nodded encouragingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen Joe Cartwright ride up,\u201d said White Bear. \u201cHe angry at soldiers. Say they lie to him. Say they promise go to fort, but do not do it. Soldiers laugh at Joe Cartwright. Chief soldier tell him\u2026\u201d White Bear stopped and framed the words before speaking. \u201cTell him none of bus-iness.\u201d The Piaute nodded to himself, as if confirming to himself that he had the words right.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened next?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoldiers tell Joe Cartwright they take Little Moon. Tell him they go to camp to look for more white women,\u201d said White Bear. \u201cI tell Joe Cartwright that Little Moon is Piaute, not white. I tell him about rev-er-end. Joe Cartwright tell soldiers they can not take Little Moon. Tell them they can not go to holy ground. Soldiers laugh. Tell him to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

White Bear turned to look at Joe, who was staring at the old Indian intently. \u201cJoe Cartwright pull gun from holster,\u201d said White Bear. \u201cHe tell soldiers he shoot if they try take Little Moon. He make soldiers drop guns, and get off horses. Soldiers very angry at Joe Cartwright. Joe Cartwright tell White Bear to take Little Moon and leave. White Bear does this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what happened next?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear riding up hill with Moon,\u201d said the Piaute. \u201cHear shot. Turn to look. Joe Cartwright lying on ground. Soldiers running for horses. White Bear make horse run up hill. Soldiers come after White Bear. Ride fast. Some shoot. Braves come from camp to top of hill. Braves shoot arrows. Kill soldiers so they not kill White Bear, or take Little Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd began to buzz, but Colonel Dickinson rapped his gavel sharply on the table. The crowd quieted instantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see who shot Joe Cartwright?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear not see,\u201d replied the Indian.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned a moment, then rephrased the question. \u201cDid anyone tell you who shot Joe Cartwright?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGray Fox, one of braves, tell White Bear that chief soldier shoot Joe Cartwright,\u201d replied White Bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a lie!\u201d shouted Major Walker as he jumped up. \u201cThis whole story is a lie! Ben Cartwright got this Indian to tell this far-fetched story to get his son off the hook!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear not lie,\u201d said the Piaute in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Walker, be quiet,\u201d shouted Colonel Dickinson. \u201cSit down! That\u2019s an order.\u201d<\/p>\n

Walker looked around uncertainly, then slowly sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear, why did you agree to come here to tell your story?\u201d ask Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear must do this to keep honor,\u201d explained the medicine man. \u201cJoe Cartwright save White Bear\u2019s life. White Bear must repay debt. White Bear did not save Joe Cartwright on hill, did not go to help him. Must do it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why didn\u2019t you do help him on Oak Ridge?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cOn the hill,\u201d he said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear think he dead,\u201d said the Piaute sadly. \u201cGray Fox tell White Bear this. Little Moon has falling down time, and White Bear must be with Little Moon. White Bear must also do\u2026\u201d the Indiana hesitated as he sought the right word. \u201cMust do cer-e-mony to take stain of blood from braves who kill on holy ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Piaute looked at Joe with sorrowful eyes. \u201cWhite Bear not know Joe Cartwright alive,\u201d he said apologetically. \u201cNot until other white men come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s why you did nothing for the soldiers?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

White Bear nodded. \u201cSoldiers dead,\u201d he said in a flat voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the braves did not scalp them or take their horses?\u201d Ben pressed the Indian. White Bear looked surprised. \u201cBraves did not kill soldiers in war,\u201d he explained. \u201cDo not deserve horses, scalps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what happened to the braves who killed the soldiers?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n

White Bear\u2019s face darkened. \u201cWinnemaka very angry at braves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite Bear very angry at braves. Both tell braves killing soldiers wrong. Bring no honor to Paiutes. Braves sent back to villages. Can no longer be on holy ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded at the Piaute, then turned to Colonel Dickinson. \u201cDo you have any other questions?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson had looked stunned as he listened to White Bear\u2019s testimony. Now he cleared his voice and spoke. \u201cWhite Bear, do I understand you to say the soldiers were killed because they were chasing you? Because they wanted to take this Little Moon from the tribe? Because they wanted to kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n

White Bear listened to the colonel carefully. \u201cWhite Bear not know if soldiers want to kill him,\u201d he said. \u201cBut rest is true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Lieutenant Walker, that is the chief soldier, shot Joe Cartwright because he tried to stop them?\u201d continued Dickinson.<\/p>\n

White Bear nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the braves who did the killing, they\u2019ve been punished,\u201d said Dickinson.<\/p>\n

White Bear nodded once more.<\/p>\n

Dickinson turned to the other colonels on the panel. \u201cI think we have our answers, gentlemen,\u201d he said. The other two officers nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Major Walker again. He jumped up and ran to the table. \u201cYou can\u2019t accept the word of a lying redskin,\u201d he screamed. \u201cI won\u2019t let you put the blame on my son. You can\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Major!\u201d said Dickinson in a cold voice.<\/p>\n

Walker ignored Colonel Dickinson. He turned to Ben and pointed his finger. \u201cYou!\u201d he shouted. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who concocted this story. You had this Indian lie to save your son. It\u2019s not true. The Paiutes killed my son. They are to blame. And your son led that patrol to their deaths. He is also to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone but your son is at fault, is that it?\u201d said Ben angrily to Major Walker. \u201cYou want to put the blame any place but where it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d shouted Walker. \u201cYou\u2019re twisting things, trying to hide what really happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor, all I want, all I\u2019ve ever wanted is the truth about what happened on Oak Ridge,\u201d said Ben. \u201cAnd now we have it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d shouted Walker. \u201cIt\u2019s not true! None of it is the truth!\u201d The Major was enraged. He turned to face Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who\u2019s responsible for my son\u2019s death!\u201d he shouted at Joe. Walker reached under his tunic and pulled out a gun. Before anyone could react he pointed the gun at Joe and fired. Several people in the crowd screamed. Colonel Dickinson jumped to his feet. Adam ran toward his brother.<\/p>\n

Ben rushed forward and grabbed Walker, knocking the gun out of his hand as he struggled with the man. Ben pulled back his arm and punched Walker on the jaw, knocking the major to the ground. Then he turned to look at Joe. Ben froze. He suddenly felt as if he was the one who had been punched. Hoss and Dr. Andrews were bending over a figure on the floor and Adam was standing over them. Ben could see the arm of a familiar green jacket on the floor between the men. With his heart in his throat, Ben rushed forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d said Ben in a breathless voice. \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned and looked up at his father. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be all right, Pa,\u201d Hoss assured Ben. \u201cBullet just clipped him in the side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben let out a sigh of relief. Dr. Andrews was pressing a cloth against Joe\u2019s side. He looked up at Adam and Hoss. \u201cLet\u2019s get him over to Doctor Martin,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s bleeding pretty bad. I want to get him stitched up before he loses any more blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bent down as if to lift Joe off the floor. Suddenly Joe\u2019s hand lifted from the floor, and he pushed Hoss away. \u201cI can walk,\u201d said Joe, grunting in pain. Ben thought those were the most beautiful words he had ever heard. Adam and Hoss helped Joe to his feet, each supporting one of their brother\u2019s arms. Joe\u2019s hand was holding a cloth pressed against his side. His shirt was stained with a large splotch of blood.<\/p>\n

Joe began walking slowly across the room, with Adam and Hoss helping him. He stopped as he approached Major Walker. Walker was being held by several men, including one of the colonels from the panel. He looked scornfully at Joe. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who should have died, not my son,\u201d said Walker with a growl.<\/p>\n

Joe just shook his head. Then he started to walk again. Ben watched as Adam and Hoss helped Joe walk slowly from the courtroom.<\/p>\n

Colonel Dickinson came up to the men holding Walker. \u201cTake him to the jail,\u201d he ordered them. \u201cThe sheriff can hold him there until I prefer formal charges.\u201d The men pulled Walker across the room and hustled him toward the door. Dr. Andrews walked up to Ben and Colonel Dickinson. \u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen to him?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be charged with attempted murder,\u201d said Dickinson. \u201cAnd this time, I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll have any trouble finding witnesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Joe?\u201d asked Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo charges will be brought against Joe Cartwright,\u201d said Dickinson. He shook his head. \u201cIf I had to make a ruling, I\u2019d say it was death due to poor judgment. Poor judgment on Lieutenant Walker\u2019s side for starting the trouble. And poor judgment on the side of the braves who killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrews nodded. He turned to Ben. \u201cI\u2019ll look after Joe,\u201d said the doctor. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be fine,\u201d added Andrews reassuring. He gave Ben a small smile. \u201cI\u2019ve already learned how tough you Cartwrights are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, David,\u201d he said gratefully. The doctor just nodded and walked toward the courtroom door.<\/p>\n

Ben looked past Dickinson to the witness chair. White Bear was still sitting in the chair. He had been calmly watching the chaos around him. Ben walked over to the Piaute.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for what you did,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

White Bear shrugged. \u201cDebt is paid,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will ride with you until you are near your camp,\u201d said Ben. White Bear nodded. He looked around the courtroom, noting the people who were milling about. He looked at Colonel Dickinson who was picking up the papers off the table. Then he turned back to Ben. \u201cWhite man justice very strange,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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

Two weeks after the inquiry, Joe was chafing at still being confined to the house. His side was no longer pained him; the wound itched more than anything else. He was frankly tired of being treated as an invalid. But Ben insisted he not leave the house until Doctor Martin said he could. Joe sat on the sofa with a book, turning the pages in boredom. He had tried to read, but his interest in the words had waned. Joe pulled his feet up on the sofa and laid back against the cushion. He began to daydream about fishing in the lake. Joe looked up as the front door opened, and saw Ben, Hoss and Adam entering. The three men looked tired. Joe knew they had spent the day building a new branding pen down on the south pasture.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet the branding pen done?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, finally,\u201d said Hoss, slipping off his hat and gunbelt. \u201cIt sure was hot work. I thought that sun was going to burn me to a crisp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe baby brother over there will be well enough to start helping us with the branding next week,\u201d said Adam. He scowled at Joe. \u201cHow much longer are we going to be doing your work for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Adam,\u201d said Joe. \u201cYou know I can\u2019t do any heavy work until the doc says it\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d said Hoss. \u201cWhich doctor? You got so many of them, I can\u2019t keep them straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slipped off his hat and gunbelt, then walked slowly across the room. He sank down into his leather chair with a sigh. He looked across to the sofa. \u201cJoseph, take your feet off the furniture,\u201d he said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Joe said. He spun around quickly and put his feet on the floor. Joe winced as he felt a stitch in his side from the quick movement. Ben saw his son wince. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured him. He glanced quickly at his brothers who were crossing the room toward him. \u201cNot well enough to go back to work yet, though,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Hoss glared at Joe as he walked over to sit on the blue chair near the stairs. Adam also gave his brother a frown as he strolled over to sit on the edge of the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Roy Coffee came by today while you were out,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHe wanted to tell me that Major Walker is going to prison. Ten years for attempted murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cWhat a waste,\u201d he said. \u201cA career, a whole life really, thrown away. Just because he couldn\u2019t accept the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe bit his lip. \u201cDo you think White Bear really told the truth?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Joe with a startled expression. \u201cYes, I do,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s just that I still don\u2019t remember what happened,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI heard what White Bear said and I guess it makes sense. But I just don\u2019t know for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, White Bear ain\u2019t got any reason to lie,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Joe, just because you don\u2019t remember it doesn\u2019t mean it didn\u2019t happen,\u201d added Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI\u2019d just feel better if I could know for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you do know for sure,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his father with a puzzled expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe nightmares have stopped, haven\u2019t they?\u201d said Ben. \u201cI think that means that, somewhere deep inside you, you know what White Bear said was true.\u201c<\/p>\n

Joe thought about it for a minute then nodded slowly. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you know?\u201d said Adam with a grin. \u201cPa\u2019s always right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot always,\u201d said Ben leaning back against the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d said Hoss with a smile. \u201cWhen have you been wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled back at his sons. \u201cI\u2019ve been wrong many times. I\u2019ve just never let you boys know it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m glad you were right this time,\u201d said Joe fervently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one time I didn\u2019t have to wonder if I was right,\u201d Ben said in a serious voice. \u201cI knew there was an explanation. I just had to find it.<\/p>\n

You have many faults, Joseph,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cMany, many faults. But a lack of courage isn\u2019t one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled back at his father gratefully. \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cThank you for everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa, Joe ain\u2019t so bad,\u201d said Hoss with a grin. \u201cI kind of like him the way he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Hoss,\u201d said Ben with a wink. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019d want to change him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, if we could only figure out a way to get some work out of him, he\u2019d be just about perfect,\u201d added Adam with a grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t that the truth,\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 On the precipice of an Indian uprising; can Ben prevent the unimaginable?<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (23,200 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":5796,"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-13964","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":1650,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Best-Day-He-Ever-Saw.jpg?fit=630%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12741,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12741","url_meta":{"origin":13964,"position":0},"title":"Joe’s Way (by DonnaM)","author":"DonnaM","date":"March 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A What Happened Later for A Time to Step Down. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (2,350 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\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-14.jpg?fit=649%2C542&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12878,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12878","url_meta":{"origin":13964,"position":1},"title":"Adam’s Day Off (by Jenny G)","author":"Gwynne & JennyG","date":"December 10, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A just for fun story wherein Adam finally gets a break. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (4,750 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ac-pic.jpg?fit=335%2C328&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12147,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12147","url_meta":{"origin":13964,"position":2},"title":"He Said Not To Tell (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"The author requests those who wish to read this series contact her via eMail: DLB1234@aol.com","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\/1-joe.jpg?fit=238%2C226&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15000,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15000","url_meta":{"origin":13964,"position":3},"title":"A Hard Lesson (by Starlite)","author":"starlite","date":"September 14, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Adam recounts a tale from his boyhood. 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Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 1351","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\/2016\/10\/guardian-angel.jpg?fit=250%2C233&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10359,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10359","url_meta":{"origin":13964,"position":5},"title":"Hoss Defined (by bahj)","author":"bahj","date":"September 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: You'll find it under \"H\" in the dictionary :0) Rated: Family Friendly \/ Word count: 1140","rel":"","context":"In "Prequel"","block_context":{"text":"Prequel","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=30"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10338"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}