{"id":13969,"date":"2008-03-21T17:24:52","date_gmt":"2008-03-21T21:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13969"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:12:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:12:36","slug":"the-gold-wagon-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13969","title":{"rendered":"The Gold Wagon (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: A group of army deserters lay siege to the Ponderosa, waiting for the boys to return home with a very large payroll.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a011,500 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/span><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note: This is a Ben and Joe story; Adam and Hoss are mentioned by don\u2019t make an appearance. Just wanted to warn you! <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Gold Wagon<\/strong><\/p>\n

The buckboard rolled slowly into the yard of the ranch house, heavily loaded with luggage. The driver, a gray-haired man in a colonel\u2019s uniform, guided the horses expertly toward the house, his ramrod straight posture giving proof of his lifetime of military service. His passenger, an attractive young woman with golden hair, looked toward the house eagerly, her face glowing with anticipation.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the wagon pulled up to the house, the front door opened. Ben Cartwright quickly walked out of the house, a smile of greeting on his face. \u201cJohn! You finally got here,\u201d called Ben, approaching the buckboard with an outstretched hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Colonel pulled the rig to a stop and hopped out. \u201cBen, it\u2019s good to see you again,\u201d he replied, shaking the offered hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben clasped the man on the shoulder, then took a step back. \u201cColonel Nolan, you don\u2019t look a day older than when I saw you two years ago,\u201d he declared in mock seriousness. \u201cWashington must have agreed with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWashington may have agreed with me,\u201d the Colonel answered with a wry smile, \u201cbut I didn\u2019t agree with it much. Ben, I\u2019d rather face a band of Apaches on the warpath than those politicians back in the capitol.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t pay any attention to him, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d remarked the young woman as she slide across the seat of the buckboard. \u201cHe did more in two years to get the government to honor their treaties with the Indians than most men have done in two decades.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie, you\u2019re as pretty as ever,\u201d Ben observed with a smile. He rushed forward to help her down from the buckboard. He noted her smart blue traveling suit and graceful style. \u201cAnd all grown up,\u201d he added with an admiring glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was grown up when I left,\u201d Katie stated with an answering smile. \u201cYou\u2019re as bad as Dad, thinking I\u2019m going to be a little girl forever.\u201d She looked around hopefully. \u201cWhere are the boys? And Hop Sing?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing is in Sacramento taking care of sick cousin,\u201d advised Ben. \u201cHe was devastated when he found out he was going to miss you. He thinks of you as one of the family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the boys?\u201d prompted Katie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn Sand Hill, waiting for the payroll wagon. They\u2019ll guide the wagon to the Ponderosa. I expect they\u2019ll be here tonight,\u201d explained Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll three of them?\u201d said the Colonel in surprise. \u201cI would have thought that one of your sons would be sufficient to guide the payroll wagon and its escort to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNormally, yes. But they were delivering a herd up to the railhead near Sand Hill. I got so tired of hearing them argue about who was going to stay behind and wait for the wagon that I finally told them that they all could do it,\u201d Ben replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I do believe you\u2019re getting soft,\u201d the Colonel observed with a grin. \u201cLetting your boys trick you into a few days away from work like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey only thought they tricked me,\u201d Ben told the Colonel with a wider grin. \u201cActually, I had planned to let all three of them stay in Sand Hill to wait for the wagon. But this way, they think they\u2019ve pulled one over on me and that will keep them from trying something else for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou old fox,\u201d chided Katie with a smile. \u201cYou never change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben blushed slightly. \u201cCome on into the house,\u201d he said hurriedly. \u201cI bet you could use a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you\u2019d better let me fix it,\u201d Katie suggested as she walked toward the door. \u201cI remember your coffee. It\u2019s got a kick like a mule. Besides, now that I\u2019m going to be married, I\u2019d better practice in the kitchen.\u201d She strode purposely into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Colonel Nolan watched Katie enter the house, both their faces reflecting the affection they felt for the young woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe Katie is getting married,\u201d Ben commented with a shake of his head. \u201cIt seems only yesterday that she was running around here in pigtails.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed the Colonel. \u201cShe\u2019s right, you know. Even though she constantly reminds me that she\u2019s twenty and fully grown, I still think of her as my little girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHer fianc\u00e9 is in the Army?\u201d asked Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Colonel nodded. \u201cDavid is a fine young officer. Katie met him at one of those parties in Washington that she was always dragging me to. I\u2019m pleased that he\u2019s gotten posted to the Presidio in San Francisco, instead of some fort in Indian country. It will give he and Katie a chance to start their marriage in a more normal fashion than her mother and I did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never heard Beth complain,\u201d said Ben. \u201cShe didn\u2019t care where she was as long as she was with you. I\u2019m sure Katie feels the same way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeth would have liked Washington,\u201d reflected the Colonel sadly. \u201cI miss her, Ben. Even after ten years, I miss her every day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben replied in an understanding voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Colonel suddenly straightened. \u201cIs anyone else around?\u201d he asked, changing the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Ben. \u201cWith the payroll wagon coming in, I thought it was better to send the hands out to check the herd for a few days. I didn\u2019t want anyone to be tempted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hardly think that anyone is going to try to take on an escort of eight soldiers,\u201d declared the Colonel in an ironic voice. \u201cBut it\u2019s probably a wise idea. The less people around when the payroll wagon shows up, the better. You know, $50,000 is gold is quite a temptation. They\u2019ve even taken to calling it \u2018the gold wagon\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in the house, John,\u201d Ben urged. \u201cI\u2019ll see to your horses later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie will be looking for us,\u201d agreed the Colonel with a smile. The two men walked toward the house, chatting easily as they went.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and the Colonel walked into the house just as Katie was bringing a tray of cups from the kitchen. She had removed her jacket and had the sleeves of her white blouse pushed up to the elbows. \u201cDid you two have a good visit?\u201d she asked with a mischievous grin as she set the tray on the low table in front of the fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes we did,\u201d agreed Ben. He looked at the tray on the table. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to do all this, Katie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no trouble,\u201d Katie declared. \u201cI wasn\u2019t kidding about your coffee. Besides, I know this house as well as my own. Now, you two sit down and finish your visit while I make the coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee how bossy she\u2019s gotten?\u201d the Colonel complained with a grin. \u201cEver since she and David got engaged, she\u2019s been doing nothing but ordering me around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been doing it for years, Dad,\u201d Katie observed. \u201cYou just never realized it before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two men laughed as Katie walked briskly back to the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Sipping coffee, Ben, Katie and Colonel sat comfortably in the living room. The horses had been stabled and the luggage carried to the rooms upstairs. Now all three were relaxing in front of the fireplace as Katie enthusiastically described her fianc\u00e9e David and all the plans for the\u00a0upcoming wedding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased you decided to get married in San Francisco,\u201d Ben said when Katie finally paused to take a breath. \u201cThe boys and I are looking forward to being at the wedding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seemed to make sense to get married out here,\u201d explained Katie. \u201cWith David in San Francisco and so many of Dad\u2019s friends scattered out West, well, Washington would have been a pretty lonely placed in get married in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think we could have found one or two people to come,\u201d teased the Colonel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Dad, you know what I mean,\u201d Katie declared indignantly. \u201cI wanted to get married in front of my real friends, like Mr. Cartwright, and Adam and Hoss.\u201d Her face softened a bit. \u201cAnd I wanted Joe to be there, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben noticed the look on Katie\u2019s face. \u201cI had hoped Joe and you might one day, well, I had hoped you might get closer,\u201d Ben admitted in a quiet voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie made a face. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to feel romantic about a boy who pulled my hair and chased me with a frog,\u201d she replied in a tart voice. Then her voice softened. \u201cBesides, Joe never felt that way about me, and I lost the crush I had on him a long time ago. We\u2019re friends, good friends, but really only friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose boys of mine,\u201d Ben said in an exasperated voice. \u201cThey never see that the best things are right under their noses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie gave Ben a grateful smile. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you were able to stop for a visit on the way to San Francisco,\u201d Ben added, returning her smile. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice coincidence that you were able to be here when the payroll was passing through the territory. You\u2019ll have a fine escort to San Francisco.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCoincidence!\u201d the Colonel snorted. \u201cIt\u2019s no coincidence, Ben. Katie has been scheming and plotting for months, trying to figure out how to manage a visit to the Ponderosa and still get a military escort to her fianc\u00e9e.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Dad,\u201d Katie protested as Ben laughed. \u201cYou know that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie?\u201d her father prompted in a skeptical voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all right, I did make a few inquiries,\u201d admitted Katie. \u201cBut it\u2019s not like I asked the Army to send their gold wagon miles out of its way or anything. I just suggested to that nice young officer that the Ponderosa might be a good safe place for the wagon to stop for the night.\u201d She tried to keep an innocent look on her face, but failed badly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and Colonel Nolan laughed heartily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie stood. \u201cI\u2019ll take these back to the kitchen and clean up,\u201d she said briskly, gathering up the coffee cups.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie, you don\u2019t have to do that. I can clean up,\u201d Ben offered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an Army brat, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d replied Katie. \u201cI learned a long time ago about cleaning up after yourself.\u201d She picked up the coffee pot and walked toward the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJohn, she\u2019s a fine young lady,\u201d Ben remarked as he watched Katie walk off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she is,\u201d agreed the Colonel. \u201cI\u2019m very lucky, Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The knock on the door startled both men, and a frown formed on Ben\u2019s face. \u201cI wonder who that could be,\u201d he commented as he stood. \u201cMost of the ranchers around here are away, moving their herds to the railhead.\u201d Ben walked to the door and pulled it open. He was startled to see a heavy-set man in his forties, wearing a sergeant\u2019s uniform. The man saluted briskly at Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, sir,\u201d said the sergeant formally. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Colonel Nolan. Is he here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Ben could answer, the Colonel walked to the door. \u201cI\u2019m Colonel Nolan. What can I do for you, sergeant?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sergeant looked the Colonel over carefully for a moment without answering. Then he reached toward his belt. Both Ben and the Colonel were shocked when the man pulled his gun from his belt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cColonel, you can put your hands up,\u201d the sergeant stated calmly. \u201cAnd step back from the door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unarmed, Ben and the Colonel had no choice but to slowly raise their hands and take a step backwards<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in,\u201d the sergeant shouted over his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

From his vantage point a few feet inside the house, Ben couldn\u2019t see into the yard but he heard someone approaching. A minute later, four men dressed in civilian clothes joined the sergeant, each carrying a rifle. Three were unremarkable men whose faces reflected a lifetime of hard living. The fourth, however, was young, tall and blonde; he would have been attractive but the sneer on his face and his cold eyes removed any thought of his being called a handsome man. All of the men pointed their rifles at Ben and the Colonel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDad, what\u2019s going on?\u201d a voice said from behind the Colonel. Nolan spun around to see Katie standing behind him, a curious look on her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the Colonel could answer, the sergeant pushed him roughly toward his daughter. Nolan stumbled forward, then turned to stand protectively in front of Katie. \u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d the Colonel demanded in his most authoritative voice. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sergeant stepped forward. \u201cSergeant Thomas Beck, U.S. Army retired,\u201d he stated in a mocking voice as he saluted again. \u201cOf course, the Army doesn\u2019t know yet that I\u2019ve retired but they\u2019ll figure it out soon enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean they\u2019ll figure out you\u2019ve deserted,\u201d laughed the blonde outlaw.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Carter,\u201d snapped Beck, his face forming into a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cFor now, nothing,\u201d Beck replied calmly. \u201cBut when that gold wagon gets here, we want the $50,000 it\u2019s carrying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re insane,\u201d declared the Colonel. \u201cThey\u2019ll never give you that gold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think they well,\u201d advised Beck. \u201cWhen that troop of soldiers rides up to the house, you\u2019ll order them to give us the gold. Cartwright will stand right next to you and agree with you. I\u2019ll be right behind you with a gun in your backs. The rest of my men will be spread out so the troop will be in a cross-fire. They will either give us the money, or there\u2019ll be an awful lot of dead people around here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Listening to Beck\u2019s words, Ben felt a clutch of fear in his stomach. His sons were riding with the escort. He looked at Beck, Carter and the others, and his fear increased. He knew the type of men who stood in front of him. They would do anything — including killing — for the right price and never think twice about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll never get away with this,\u201d Ben protested. \u201cThe Army will hunt you down. You\u2019ll be killed or at the very least, spend the rest of your days in prison. If you leave now, we\u2019ll forget this ever happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think not, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d advised Beck with a laugh. \u201cSee, I\u2019ve had a lot of time to plan this out. I\u2019ve been thinking about this ever since I heard about the gold wagon at Fort Howard, and the route it was going to take. Why, I even know some of the troopers in the escort.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you would still have them killed?\u201d said Colonel Nolan in an incredulous voice. \u201cWhat kind of soldier are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne who doesn\u2019t have any money,\u201d answered Beck. \u201cAnd one who is tired of taking orders, getting shot at, and living in some crummy fort in the middle of nowhere.\u201d He turned to the three men standing behind the blonde Carter. \u201cGet outside. I want you to keep an eye out for the wagon.\u201d The men turned and walked abruptly from the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, if you, the Colonel and Miss Nolan would be so kind as to return to the chairs by the fire, we can continue our discussion,\u201d Beck requested in a polite voice as he pointed his gun toward the trio.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben and the Colonel looked at each other, both trying to determine what the other man might be thinking. Before they could say or do anything, though, they heard Carter cock his rifle. Understanding the implied threat, Ben quickly jerked his head toward the inside of the house, and he and his guests returned to sit by the fire. Ben perched on the gray rock of the fireplace\u2019s front ledge while Colonel Nolan and Katie sat in the chairs nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA very wise decision,\u201d said Beck as he followed the trio. \u201cCarter here, well, he loves killing almost more than anything else, don\u2019t you, Carter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShut up,\u201d the blonde man snarled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie was sitting in a blue chair near the foot of the staircase. \u201cWhat do you plan to do with us?\u201d she asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you behave, nothing,\u201d replied Beck. \u201cOnce we have the money, you three will accompany us until we are safely in Mexico. That will insure the Army and local authorities won\u2019t try anything foolish. Then we will let you go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we\u2019ll let those old men go,\u201d Carter added, leering at Katie. \u201cBut I think we\u2019ll keep you with us for awhile. We can have some fun.\u201d Katie shuddered at the implication of Carter\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jumping up from the red leather chair on which he had been sitting, Nolan moved to stand next to Katie. \u201cIf you lay a hand on my daughter\u2026\u201d the Colonel warned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOld man, I could kill you right now. You can\u2019t stop me from doing whatever I want,\u201d Carter countered with a sneer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCarter!\u201d Beck shouted in a sharp voice. \u201cGo outside and join the others. I\u2019ll watch them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give me orders,\u201d Carter snapped back in an angry voice. \u201cI ain\u2019t one of your soldiers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in charge,\u201d Beck stated firmly. \u201cIf you want to be part of this, you\u2019ll do what I say. If not, ride out.\u201d The sergeant pointed his gun at the tall man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carter considered the situation for a minute, then turned on his heels and walked out of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing with relief, Ben watched the young outlaw leave; he had been afraid the Carter was going to shoot the Colonel. Now there was only one man to contend with. He started thinking about how he could get to Beck.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Beck seemed to read Ben\u2019s mind. \u201cDon\u2019t try anything, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he advised. \u201cIf you don\u2019t do exactly as I say, I\u2019ll start shooting. And the first bullet goes to this young lady.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyes wide, Katie leaned closer toward her father.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll pay for this,\u201d the Colonel declared in a hard voice. \u201cYou\u2019re a disgrace to that uniform you are wearing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beck laughed. \u201cColonel, you don\u2019t scare me. I\u2019ve been ordered around by officers half my life. Most of them were young lieutenants, still wet behind the ears. I have never found an officer who was smarter than me. Most of them were just a lot of hot air and bluster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting at the front of the fireplace, Ben shifted uneasily on the stone ledge. He desperately wanted to stop Beck and his men, but he couldn\u2019t figure out how to do it without Katie or the Colonel getting hurt. He knew if he made a wrong move, Beck would shoot. And he believed that Beck would kill Katie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, the front door opened. Carter and one of the other men entered the house, dragging a body between them. As they threw the body on to the floor in a heap, Ben sprang to his feet and rushed forward. A look of horror came over the face of Colonel Nolan and his daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d asked Beck his men as Ben knelt next to the crumpled figure on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d replied Carter. \u201cHe came riding in like he owned the place. Took his horse to the barn, and when he came out, I hit him with my rifle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cradling the figure on the floor, Ben murmured to him and brushed back the dark curly hair. He got no response from the young man wearing a familiar green jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho is he?\u201d Beck asked Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked up at the sergeant. \u201cIt\u2019s my son, Joseph,\u201d he answered in an anxious voice. \u201cHe was supposed to be escorting the payroll.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An hour later, Joe was still unconscious. He was lying on the sofa, his head against a cushion and his body covered with a blanket. Ben sat on the low table next to the sofa, gently wiping his son\u2019s head with a damp cloth. A small cut, swollen and bruised, protruded from Joe\u2019s forehead, just above his left eye. Ben periodically pressed against the knot with the cloth, trying to get the swelling down. The Colonel stood by the staircase as Katie sat anxiously in her chairs, both looking worried.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the front door opened, Ben looked up. His face reflected the distaste he felt as he saw Carter walk in. The blonde outlaw walked to the end of the sofa and stood next to Beck. \u201cDid the kid say anything about the wagon?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d answered Beck. \u201cHe\u2019s still unconscious. You shouldn\u2019t have hit him so hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s lucky I didn\u2019t kill him,\u201d Carter said in an indifferent voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d countered Beck coldly, \u201cyou\u2019re lucky you didn\u2019t kill him. If you had, we would never find out what\u2019s going on with that payroll wagon. It should have been here by now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrugging, Carter looked unconcerned at Beck\u2019s words. \u201cWhy do we care? It gets here when it gets here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the longer we stay here, the more risk that someone else will come along,\u201d Beck told the blonde outlaw. \u201cWe may not be lucky enough to stop that person from riding out of here and sounding the alarm next time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A soft groan focused everyone\u2019s attention on the couch. Joe moved his head slightly, then moaned again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben asked anxiously, \u201ccan you hear me, son? Come on, wake up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shifted slightly on the sofa then winced. His eyes still closed, he groaned softly once more. Then his eyes fluttered open.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben studied his son\u2019s face. Joe\u2019s eyes seemed to focus on him, but Ben wasn\u2019t sure Joe was fully conscious. He breathed a sigh of relief when Joe murmured, \u201cPa?\u201d in a low voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, Joe,\u201d Ben said, gently stroking his son\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wincing, Joe closed his eyes. \u201cMy head hurts,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With angry eyes, Ben glanced at Carter, who was standing at the end of the sofa, before turning back to his son. \u201cYou got hit in the head with a rifle butt,\u201d Ben explained. \u201cYou\u2019ve been out a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe winced again as his head began to throb even more. He rubbed his hand slowly across his forehead, and then opened his eyes again. \u201cWho hit me?\u201d he asked. He looked past Ben at Katie and Colonel Nolan. Katie was sitting on the edge of her chair, and the Colonel was standing next to her, his hand on his daughter\u2019s shoulder. Both looked anxious and nervous. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Joe added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStop messing around and ask him about the wagon,\u201d Carter snarled from the end of the couch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his head slightly, Joe looked toward the two men standing near his feet. Not recognizing them, Joe frowned. He was having a hard time figuring out what was happening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are they?\u201d Joe asked in a confused voice<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben was silent as he tried to make up his mind about what to tell his son. There was nothing to be gained by keeping the truth from Joe, he decided. \u201cThey\u2019re after the gold in the payroll wagon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, son,\u201d agreed Beck. \u201cNow if you don\u2019t want anyone else to get hurt, you\u2019ll tell us where the gold wagon is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hesitant to answer, Joe looked up at Ben, who nodded briefly. Joe turned back to look at the men standing near the end of the sofa. \u201cThe wagon broke an axle near Sand Hill,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s going to take them awhile to fix it. I came ahead to tell Colonel Nolan the wagon was delayed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen are they going to get here?\u201d asked Beck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly Joe found it hard to concentrate on what was being said. His head throbbed unmercifully and he felt very sleepy. He rubbed his forehead again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey figure it will take the rest of the day to fix the wagon,\u201d Joe replied in a thick voice. \u201cThey\u2019ll be here tomorrow.\u201d He closed his eyes. The throbbing in his head was getting worse. He felt dizzy and his stomach felt queasy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time tomorrow?\u201d asked Beck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe tried to answer but he was having a hard time talking. All he wanted to do was sleep. \u201cTomorrow,\u201d he repeated in a slurred voice. \u201cThey\u2019re taking the other road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat time tomorrow?\u201d Beck asked again in a more insistent voice. \u201cAnd what other road?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow,\u201d Joe mumbled as he began to drift off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Carter walked from the end of the couch and stood over Joe. \u201cWhat time tomorrow?\u201d he shouted at Joe. When the young man failed to answer him, Carter grabbed the front of Joe\u2019s shirt and began shaking him. \u201cWhat time tomorrow?\u201d he screamed again.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a quick move, Ben pushed Carter hard in the chest. Startled, Carter dropped Joe back against the sofa. Ben pushed the outlaw once more and Carter stumbled backwards; he lost his balance and landed in a heap on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave him alone,\u201d Ben ordered in an angry voice. \u201cHaven\u2019t you done enough to him already?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling his gun from his holster, Carter aimed it at Ben. \u201cYou\u2019ll pay for that,\u201d he stated in an angry voice as he cocked his pistol. Suddenly, a boot crashed into Carter\u2019s hand, knocking the gun away. Carter looked up in surprise and saw Colonel Nolan standing over him. Springing to his feet, the blonde outlaw balled his hands into fists. He reached back to take a punch at the Colonel but took an involuntary step backward when he felt his arm grabbed in an iron grip. Carter spun around to find Beck\u2019s left hand gripping his wrist, and the sergeant\u2019s right hand holding a gun pointed at his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d Beck declared. \u201cWe need them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need them that bad,\u201d Carter growled in an angry voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCarter, calm down,\u201d Beck told the young outlaw. \u201cI can replace you easier than I can replace them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Carter stared at Beck and the pistol in the sergeant\u2019s hand. Then he slowly lowered his arm. He brushed off Beck\u2019s hand and bent down to pick up his gun. As he shoved the revolver back into his holster, he looked over his shoulder at Ben and the Colonel. \u201cI\u2019ll get you two later,\u201d he promised. With a fuming expression, he stalked past Beck, stopping at the front door. He slouched against the door, watching the other men with narrowed eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Ben turned back to the sofa and sat down next to Joe. Joe\u2019s head was turned to the side, barely on the cushion. Ben gently eased his son\u2019s head back on to the center of the cushion. \u201cJoe?\u201d he said as he stroked his son\u2019s head. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes remained closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting down next to Ben, Colonel Nolan studied the young man. \u201cHe\u2019s got a concussion, Ben,\u201d the Colonel advised softly. \u201cI\u2019ve seen quite a few. He\u2019ll probably drift in and out for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben picked up the cloth he had dropped and began wiping Joe\u2019s face slowly again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did he mean by the other road?\u201d Beck asked as he moved to stand near the sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Ben ignored him. He slowly wiped Joe\u2019s face, looking up at Beck only when the sergeant repeated his question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cThere\u2019s several ways to reach the Ponderosa from Sand Hill. The most direct route is through the hills, but if the wagon was damaged, that trail might be too rough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the other ways?\u201d Beck asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a road through Virginia City, and one from the west,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cBoth are longer but much easier to travel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beck thought for a minute. \u201cIs there somewhere you can see both roads?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursing his lips, Ben looked as if he might refuse to answer. But when Beck pointed his gun at Joe with an implied threat, Ben hurriedly replied, \u201cThere\u2019s a place up near Buckhorn Pass where you can see both roads if you ride back and forth across the ridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Beck turned to the Colonel. \u201cWhich road will they take?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d answered the Colonel. \u201cIt depends on the road.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Beck nodded thoughtfully He turned to Carter who was still standing by the door in silent anger. \u201cGet Johnson in here,\u201d Beck ordered. Carter stared at the sergeant, then, without a word, pulled the door open. He walked out, slamming the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou two are going to take a little ride with Carter and me,\u201d Beck stated, turning back to Ben and the Colonel. He motioned his pistol toward Ben. \u201cI want you to show me this Buckhorn Pass and tell me how long it will take the wagon to get here on each road. The Colonel here is going to offer his expert opinion on which road his soldiers will choose to take. That will give me the information I need to decide on where and when we\u2019re going to hold our little meeting with the escort.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy son\u2019s hurt. I can\u2019t leave him,\u201d Ben protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe girl can take care of him,\u201d advised Beck. \u201cI need you two to help me scout the area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d declared Colonel Nolan firmly. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving my daughter here with your men.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need you two, but I don\u2019t need the boy,\u201d Beck said, cocking his gun. \u201cI can make sure Cartwright and the girl don\u2019t have a reason to stay here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben shouted in a panicked voice as he moved protectively in front of Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019ll both come with us,\u201d Beck said in a confident voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked at Colonel Nolan, his eyes pleading.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, the Colonel stared hard at Beck, then slowly nodded his head. Walking over to his daughter, Nolan laid a hand gently on her shoulder. \u201cKatie, I want you to do everything they tell you until we get back. Don\u2019t give them any trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From her chair, Katie had been watching with a mixture of horror and fascination. She felt like she was viewing a play; it was hard to believe this was really happening. Now she roused herself and gave her father a trembling smile. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about me, Dad,\u201d she advised with a confidence she didn\u2019t feel. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d She glanced at Beck, then turned back to her father. \u201cYou just take care of yourself,\u201d she added.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Colonel put his hand on his daughter\u2019s shoulder and squeezed it hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling herself out of the chair, Katie walked over to the sofa. Ben was gently stroking Joe\u2019s head, hoping to wake his son, but his efforts were in vain. Katie watched for a moment, her heart full of fear for Joe, as well as Ben and her father. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she said in a soft voice. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked up at Katie. \u201cI know you will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The front door burst open and Carter strode in, followed by a heavy-set man carrying a rifle. \u201cHere\u2019s Johnson,\u201d Carter announced in a sullen voice. \u201cWhy did you want him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and I are going to take a little ride with the Colonel and Mr. Cartwright,\u201d explained Beck. \u201cI want Johnson to stand guard here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to go anywhere,\u201d Carter complained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need you,\u201d declared Beck, the exasperation evident in his voice. \u201cCartwright is going to show us the roads in, and the Colonel is going to help us decide which one the wagon will take.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake Johnson with you,\u201d suggested Carter. He looked at Katie. \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to stay here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI said you\u2019re coming with me,\u201d Beck said sharply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if Johnson is up to this,\u201d Carter protested. Johnson scowled at the young outlaw.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA girl and a half-dead kid,\u201d Beck observed ironically. \u201cI think he can handle it. Now, go get the horses ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Carter started to protest again but saw the look on Beck\u2019s face. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beck turned back toward Ben and Colonel Nolan. \u201cNow, I want to be very clear about this. If either of you try anything, your kids will pay for it. I need you two alive, but I don\u2019t need either of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both Ben and Colonel Nolan paled at the threat. Each look at their child, their faces filled with anxiety and concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet moving, you two,\u201d Beck ordered, motioning with his gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stroking Joe\u2019s head one last time, Ben stood. He squeezed Katie\u2019s arm gently, then turned and walked toward the door. Colonel Nolan kissed his daughter quickly, and followed Ben, while Beck walked slowly behind the two men. Katie watched with her heart in her throat as the three men left the house. Then she sat down on the table next to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t gonna give any trouble, are you, girlie?\u201d growled Johnson from a few feet away. His hand rested on the pistol in his holster.<\/span><\/p>\n

With big eyes, Katie looked up at the outlaw. \u201cNo,\u201d she said softly. She turned back to Joe and gently pulled the blanket up to his shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving a grunt of satisfaction, Johnson looked around the room, spotting the desk to his right. With a smile, he walked over to the desk, grabbed the bottle of brandy sitting on top of it, and eased himself in the chair behind the desk. He propped his feet up, balancing the rifle across his legs. He watched Katie for a minute, then took a pull from the brandy bottle. He shifted slightly, settling more comfortably in the chair, and took another drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Katie wasn\u2019t sure how long had passed before Joe began to stir again. It seemed like hours, but she knew it had been only 20 or 30 minutes. She had been wiping his face with a damp cloth, and talking softly to him, but Joe showed no reaction. The knot of fear in her stomach eased a little when Joe finally began to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moaning softly, Joe opened his eyes He blinked twice, then stared at the figure above him. \u201cKatie?\u201d he asked in a tentative voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Joe,\u201d Katie replied with a small smile. She brushed his hair back from his forehead. \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe declared, despite the fact that his head hurt like the devil.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiar,\u201d countered Katie, her smile widening.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe gave a small grin. \u201cWell, maybe my head hurts a little,\u201d he admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore than a little, I\u2019ll wager,\u201d Katie retorted briskly. \u201cYou had a pretty bad crack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you,\u201d Joe said, squeezing her hand lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you manage to get Adam and Hoss to let you come ahead by yourself?\u201d asked Katie. \u201cWhat trick did you pull this time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe drew for it,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cOf course, I might have stacked the deck a little.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie laughed softly. \u201cJoe, you never change, do you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to spend some time with you before I had to share you with my brothers,\u201d Joe admitted. He shifted his head slightly and winced at the pain it caused. \u201cI thought getting here early was a good idea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWrong, as usual,\u201d Katie said, trying to keep her voice light. She was worried about Joe. He looked so pale, and she could tell he was hurting. \u201cYou\u2019re lucky that man didn\u2019t crack your skull.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou always said I was hard headed,\u201d Joe observed. Then his face grew serious. Glancing around the room, he asked, \u201cWhere is everybody?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nervously, Katie looked over to Johnson. The outlaw was ignoring the pair in the other room, content to drink out of the brandy bottle and relax in the chair. \u201cTwo of them took Dad and your father to look at the roads where the gold wagon might come,\u201d she answered softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head a bit, Joe tried to clear his thoughts. He knew he had to concentrate, despite the pain. \u201cKatie, what\u2019s going on?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Katie explained Beck\u2019s plan to Joe. His face grew grave when he heard about the ambush and Beck\u2019s plan to take his father, the Colonel, and Katie with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to stop them,\u201d Joe stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Katie agreed. \u201cBut how?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes for a minute, trying to think. \u201cHow many men did they leave behind,\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s one over by your father\u2019s desk and two outside,\u201d Katie replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to take them one at a time,\u201d Joe stated. \u201cWill you help me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Katie agreed. She gave him a small smile. \u201cRemember when we were little? It was you and me against the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, right now, it\u2019s you and me against the three men here,\u201d Joe advised. He winced and wished his head would stop aching; he knew he had to think. Joe closed his eyes for a minute. When he opened them, he looked at Katie with a grim expression. \u201cDo you think you can get that one to come over here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Katie thought for a minute, then her face cleared and she winked at Joe. \u201cClose your eyes and lie still,\u201d she whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

After giving a quick nod, Joe did what Katie asked, although he wasn\u2019t quite sure what she had in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Katie sat by Joe with her eyes closed. Lord, help me to do this, she prayed. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she stood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me!\u201d Katie shrieked. \u201cPlease, help me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnson looked up from the bottle he held tightly in his hands. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked in an angry voice. He didn\u2019t want his drinking to be interrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d Katie shouted again. \u201cHe\u2019s not breathing. I think he\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what?\u201d Johnson said in a disinterested voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, come and take a look,\u201d Katie pleaded. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Johnson put down the bottle. \u201cIf it will shut you up\u2026\u201d He untangled his legs from the desk and stood up. Johnson carried the rifle loosely in his hands as he walked over to the sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing Johnson\u2019s arm, Katie dragged him closer to Joe. \u201cPlease, help him,\u201d she cried. \u201cPlease, check and see if he\u2019s still alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe lay still on the sofa, his eyes closed. He tried to breathe as lightly as he could.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing Katie aside, Johnson bent over and looked closely as Joe. \u201cHe looks all right to me,\u201d Johnson declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just then, Joe\u2019s eyes popped open. He lifted his arm and punched the man standing over him, staggering Johnson. Jumping up off the sofa, Joe hit Johnson again, this time in the mid-section. As Johnson bent over, Joe laced his hands together and brought them down swiftly, landing a powerful blow the back of the man\u2019s head Johnson fell to the floor and laid still.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Katie rushed to Joe\u2019s side. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked breathlessly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded, then winced as the movement caused a wave of pain through his head. \u201cWe need something to tie him up,\u201d Joe said, trying to ignore the ache in his head. He was starting to feel dizzy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get some towels from the kitchen,\u201d Katie offered, hurrying out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a step back, Joe sat down hard on the sofa. He put his head in his hands, and rubbed his temple slowly. The movement reduced pain in his head to a dull ache. He looked up as he heard Katie walk back into the room, carrying several long, thin pieces of cloth in her hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right?\u201d Katie asked with concern. \u201cYou look kind of pale.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe answered, smiling weakly. \u201cJust got a headache. I\u2019ve had worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie studied Joe for a minute, then grinned. \u201cYou look like you did the time we stole that bottle of wine from my Dad,\u201d she said. \u201cRemember? Both of us had a hangover that we thought would kill us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Joe agreed with a grin. \u201cI also remember I couldn\u2019t tell which hurt worse, my head or my backside from the spanking I got.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we were only nine or ten,\u201d Katie recalled. \u201cYou have to admit it was a bit young for us to start drinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe turned serious. \u201cLet\u2019s get this one tied up. We don\u2019t know how much time we have.\u201d Getting to his feet gingerly, Joe took the towels from Katie. After taking a few shaky steps, he knelt beside the unconscious man on the floor and tied Johnson\u2019s hands tightly behind the man\u2019s back. He also tied Johnson\u2019s feet, and put a third piece of cloth around the man\u2019s mouth. As he stood up, Joe cursed himself for moving so quickly. He began to sway as another wave of pain raced through his head. Katie grabbed Joe\u2019s arm, trying to steady him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe closed his eyes for a minute and took a deep breath. When the pain eased a bit, he opened his eyes and looked around slowly. \u201cWhere\u2019s his rifle?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Katie hung on to Joe\u2019s arm, trying to reassure herself that he was going to stay on his feet. When she finally decided that he was steady enough to stand on his own, Katie looked around and saw Johnson\u2019s rifle on the floor near the sofa. She picked up the weapon, then handed it to Joe. \u201cWhat now?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the other two?\u201d Joe inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Katie admitted. \u201cOutside someplace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe thought for a minute. \u201cDo you think you can get one of them to come in?\u201d he finally asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got him over to the couch,\u201d Katie answered with a hint of indignation. \u201cI think I can handle getting one of them into the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie, you always did have a way with men,\u201d Joe commented with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blushing, Katie asked quickly, \u201cWhat do you have in mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you can get one of them to come in, I\u2019ll stand out of sight near the door,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cSoon as he comes in, I\u2019ll bash him with the rifle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A look of doubt crossed Katie\u2019s face, then, slowly, she nodded her agreement to the plan. She knew Joe was not feeling well, but even in his weakened state, he should be able to knock someone out with a rifle. That would leave only one man to deal with. Pulling herself up straight, Katie turned and walked toward the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving slowly, Joe walked to the end of the sofa. He was starting around the sofa when a wave of dizziness and nausea hit him. Joe staggered a few feet and grabbed the post at the bottom of the staircase railing. Bending over slightly, he took several deep breaths, hoping to ease the sudden feeling of sickness he felt. Joe trembled slightly as he hung on to the post.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Katie called from the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, Joe looked up. \u201cI\u2019ll be there,\u201d he answered in a weak voice. \u201cJust give me a minute.\u201d Katie started back toward Joe, but he waved her away. Taking another deep breath, Joe released the post and walked slowly toward the door. He held the rifle by the barrel, and used the gun to help steady himself as he walked. Joe finally made it to the wall near the door. He leaned against the tall clock that was set against the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie stood watching, wanting to help Joe but not sure what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

After taking one more deep breath, Joe looked up at her and nodded. He pulled the rifle from the floor and held it in his hands like a club.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening the front door just a fraction, Katie looked out. She could see one man leaning against the corner of the house, several feet away. She opened the door a little wider. A second man was standing near the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMister,\u201d Katie called in her most timid voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man leaning against the house whirled around and pointed his rifle toward the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie gave a small shriek. \u201cDon\u2019t shoot!\u201d she screamed. \u201cI\u2026I just wanted to tell you that something\u2019s wrong with your friend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d the man asked with a frown. \u201cWhat friend?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe man inside here,\u201d Katie replied, her voice still sounding timid. \u201cHe\u2019s sick or something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJohnson? He ain\u2019t no friend,\u201d the man declared. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t know,\u201d Katie advised in a trembling voice. \u201cHe was drinking some brandy, and then all of a sudden, he kind of went limp.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As he listened from behind the door, Joe grinned. The Katie he knew would never sound so timid and frightened. When Katie was scared, that\u2019s when she acted the bravest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man outside sighed. \u201cHe ain\u2019t sick,\u201d he said with disgust. \u201cHe\u2019s drunk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what should I do?\u201d Katie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better take a look,\u201d the man conceded. \u201cIf Beck finds him drunk, he\u2019s liable to kill him. Not that that would be any big loss, but we might need him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the outlaw walked toward the house, Katie pulled the door open wide, as if to let the man enter. Just as the gunman walked through the doorway, Joe swung the rifle with all the strength he had, crashing it into the man\u2019s head. As the outlaw crumbled to the floor, Katie quickly closed the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee, I told you I could do it,\u201d Katie declared, her voice now bold and full of pride.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned wryly. \u201cKatie, I never doubted you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get some more towels,\u201d Katie said. She turned and walked rapidly to the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving slowly, Joe knelt next to his victim and looked at lump forming on the man\u2019s head. He felt the man\u2019s neck with his fingers, relieved to find a pulse. For a moment, he thought he had killed the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie came rushing back into the room, her hands once again filled with towels.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to waking up for quite awhile,\u201d Joe advised, looking up. \u201cBut I\u2019d guess we\u2019d better tie him up anyway.\u201d Suddenly, Joe began to sway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d Katie offered quickly. \u201cYou just sit still.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe eased himself to the floor. He leaned against the bureau near the door and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quickly, Katie tied the outlaw\u2019s hands and feet, just as she had seen Joe do with the other man. She knew she probably wasn\u2019t tying the man as tightly as Joe had done, but she didn\u2019t think it would matter much. She agreed with Joe that this one would be out for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

When she was finished tying up the man, Katie knelt next to Joe. She put her hand on his forehead, and frowned as she noted how damp and clammy Joe\u2019s skin felt. He looked pale and he was breathing hard. Joe opened his eyes as he felt Katie\u2019s touch. She could see his eyes looked glazed; Katie wondered how much longer he could stay awake. \u201cJoe!\u201d Katie said in a sharp voice. \u201cJoe, can you hear me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a minute, Joe didn\u2019t answer. Then he shook his head slightly, trying to clear his head of the fog which seemed to be descending on him. He looked at Katie and was surprised that she seemed blurry and out of focus. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temple with his left hand. When he opened his eyes again, Katie seemed to come back into focus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you,\u201d Joe told Katie in a thick voice. He was finding it hard to talk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we need to get you to a doctor,\u201d Katie said with concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Joe insisted. He put his head down and rubbed his temples again. Then he looked up at Katie. \u201cWe\u2026.we have to get that third guy. Where is he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was over by the barn,\u201d Katie advised. \u201cBut, Joe, I don\u2019t think\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get him,\u201d Joe interrupted in a firm voice. \u201cWe have to. If we don\u2019t, your Pa and mine could get killed. And my brothers and those soldiers. We have no choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Katie in a no-nonsense voice. \u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee if that fellow is still by the barn,” Joe ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting to her feet, Katie walked to the door. She opened it a crack and looked out. The third outlaw had moved from the barn. He was walking slowly through the yard, seemingly on patrol. The man was carrying his rifle lightly in his hands, an unconcerned look on his face. Katie slowly closed the door, then turned and knelt next to Joe again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s walking around outside,\u201d she reported, \u201cmoving from place to place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe tried to think. The pounding in his head made it difficult but he knew he had to come up with a plan. \u201cWe can\u2019t go out through the front door,\u201d Joe said, thinking out loud. \u201cHe\u2019ll spot us right away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about through the kitchen?\u201d Katie suggested. \u201cIf we can sneak out the side and get behind the trees, he\u2019ll never see us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d agreed Joe. He knew the odds of them getting outside without being seen were slim, but the side door offered a slightly better chance. \u201cHelp me up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing Joe\u2019s arm, Katie helped him stand; Joe started swaying as soon as he got to his feet. Katie quickly looped his arm over her shoulders and grabbed Joe around the chest, steadying him as best she could.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holding on tightly to Katie, Joe desperately tried to keep his balance. After a minute, he felt steadier and started walking. His gait was more of a shuffle than a walk but he knew he was moving forward. He dragged the rifle with him as he walked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie felt Joe leaning heavily on her as they walked. She put her hand on his back and pushed him lightly, trying to keep him moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

It seemed to take a long time but finally the pair made it into the kitchen. Katie eased Joe on to a chair next to a large table in the middle of the room. Immediately Joe put his arm on the table, then laid his head on his arm. The rifle fell from his left hand, landing on the floor with a loud rattle.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Katie looked at Joe, her worry grew. He could barely walk, much less hold a rifle. How was she going to sneak him into the trees? she wondered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Walking to the door of the kitchen, Katie opened it slightly. She could see the third outlaw in the yard, standing near the water trough. His back was toward the kitchen door. Katie eased the door closed, and walked back to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Katie neared the table, Joe raised his head. \u201cGet me some water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing a tin cup from a stack at the edge of the table, Katie hurried to the pump. With a few quick motions, she worked the handle and water started trickling out of the pump. She filled the cup and brought it back to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Joe said, taking the cup from her hand. He drank some of the water in several quick gulps. Then, to Katie\u2019s amazement, Joe poured the rest of the water in the cup over his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shook his head sharply several times. The cold water seemed to clear his senses. He knew it was probably just a temporary respite, but he hoped he could stay on his feet long enough to get Katie away from the house. \u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d Joe stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want another cup of water?\u201d Katie asked with a mischievous grin. \u201cI could throw it in your face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary,\u201d Joe answered with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie sighed. \u201cOh, all right. I\u2019ll just wait and dump you in the water trough later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s smile widened. Despite all their problems, Joe was glad Katie was around. He had really missed her. He just hoped he could get her out of danger.<\/span><\/p>\n

With an effort, Joe pushed himself to his feet. He leaned against the table for a minute, steadying himself. Katie started to help him, but he brushed her arm away. \u201cHand me the rifle,\u201d he ordered. Katie picked the gun off the floor and gave it to Joe. \u201cStay behind me,\u201d Joe said. \u201cAnd don\u2019t come outside until I tell you.\u201d Joe walked slowly to the door. Katie followed him, ready to grab Joe if he faltered. But Joe made it to the door on his own.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe levered a bullet into the rifle. He hoped he wouldn\u2019t have to use it, but he wanted to be ready to shoot if he had to. Joe opened the door slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third would-be robber was standing near the water trough, his back to the door. Joe pulled the door open a bit wider, and slipped outside. Katie stood in the doorway, watching.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe wasn\u2019t sure what alerted the man, but he had only taken a step or two when the outlaw suddenly turned toward the house. With a startled expression on his face, the outlaw raised his rifle as if he was going to shoot. Joe didn\u2019t bother to aim; he just pointed rifle at the man and pulled the trigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the expression on his face turned to shock, the outlaw dropped his rifle and grabbed at the middle of his body. He staggered backwards a step or two, then fell to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Joe started forward, the dizziness came over him again. He took another step, then leaned heavily against a large fir tree a few feet from the house. The rifle fell from his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rushing out the kitchen door, Katie ran to Joe. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you would stop asking me that,\u201d Joe grumbled. He looked up at her and tried to smile but his effort failed dismally. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe added in a thick voice. He felt the fog starting to form in his head again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biting her lip, Katie looked at the outlaw on the ground, lying next to the water trough. There was no question the man was dead. She felt a queasiness in her stomach as she saw the blood oozing out of the man. Then she took a deep breath. This was no time to become some kind of hysterical female. Despite what he said, she knew Joe needed help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie grabbed Joe\u2019s arm. \u201cLet\u2019s get you back into the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe said. His voice sounded strange even to him. \u201cThe barn,\u201d he mumbled in a tired voice. \u201cWe have to get to the barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe barn?\u201d Katie repeated, clearly puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe started to explain but he couldn\u2019t seem to get the words to form in his head. He wasn\u2019t sure exactly what he was thinking. But somehow he knew they had to get to the barn. \u201cThe barn,\u201d he repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie shrugged. The barn was as good a place as any to hide, she thought. She put Joe\u2019s arm over her shoulder again and once more grabbed him around the chest. Joe shifted his weight and leaned heavily on Katie. Her knees bent slightly as she felt his weight against her, then she straightened. \u201cCome on,\u201d she ordered sharply. \u201cStart walking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shuffling his feet, Joe started forward. His head had begun to ache again, and he felt so sleepy. He looked toward the barn, and the building seemed to be fading in and out of focus. Joe wondered if he could make it there; the barn seemed miles away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insistently, Katie pulled at Joe and kept him moving. \u201cKeep walking,\u201d she commanded. She tried to hide the fear in her voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Somehow, Joe managed to keep his legs moving. He was losing all sense of time and place. All he wanted to do was close his eyes and sleep. His legs started to buckle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Cartwright, don\u2019t you collapse on me now,\u201d Katie declared in an angry voice. \u201cYou got me into this mess and you have to get me out.\u201d Katie knew her words really didn\u2019t make sense. But the phrase was an old one, used often when they were children. She hoped it would spark something in Joe that would keep him going.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her words worked. Joe straightened up and gritted his teeth. His walk was a bit steadier and his stride a bit longer. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Katie,\u201d Joe replied in a thick voice. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of you.\u201d Joe\u2019s answer was the same one he used to give her when they were young.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grinning, Katie pulled and dragged Joe across the yard. Just like the old days, she thought. She and Joe often found themselves in trouble when they were together. Then Katie sobered quickly. This was no child\u2019s game where the consequences were only a spanking or a lecture. This was truly a matter of life or death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie was sweating from exertion as she and Joe finally neared the barn. Her shoulders ached from Joe\u2019s weight, and she felt her legs beginning to tire. She couldn\u2019t believe how happy she was to be able to pull open the barn door.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the pair entered the barn, Joe\u2019s legs began to buckle again. This time, Katie let him slide slowly to the ground. She knelt and caught Joe by the shoulders before his back hit the floor of the barn. With what seemed the last of her strength, she pulled Joe a few inches to a bale of hay tightly bound with wire, and leaned him against it. Joe\u2019s head slumped forward, his chin resting on his chest. Getting wearily to her feet, Katie yanked at the barn door, pulling it almost to a close; she left a small opening through which she could view the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abruptly, Katie plopped to the floor next to Joe. She was breathing hard, and felt tired and sweaty. She wondered what to do next.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost desperately, Katie looked around. Several horses were standing patiently in the stalls, and saddles and reins were scattered throughout the barn. Katie spotted a canteen hanging from a peg on a post.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scrambling to her feet, Katie walked over to the canteen. Taking the container off the post, she heard some water sloshing around inside it. She knew the water was probably warm, but it was wet, and that\u2019s all she cared about. Pulling the plug off the top of the canteen, she took a drink. Then she walked back to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe was still slumped against the hay, eyes closed. Katie took a deep breath, then poured the water over Joe\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head a bit, Joe roused himself. He felt dazed and confused, wondering where the water was coming from. He looked up and saw Katie standing over him, canteen in hand. Joe wanted to make some kind of wisecrack, but he didn\u2019t have the strength. His head felt as if it weighed a ton, and the dizziness and nausea were back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Katie knelt next to Joe. \u201cWe made it to the barn,\u201d she told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe nodded as he tried to remember why he wanted to get to the barn. He looked at Katie and suddenly, he knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaddle a horse,\u201d Joe ordered in a weak voice. \u201cGet out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you can\u2019t sit a horse!\u201d Katie exclaimed. \u201cYou won\u2019t last a mile, even with me helping you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot me,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019ll slow you down. You go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to leave you here,\u201d Katie protested. \u201cThose other men, they could be back any time now. If they find you, they\u2019ll kill you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to go,\u201d Joe insisted, his voice starting to fade. \u201cGet help. There\u2019s no one else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie hesitated. She didn\u2019t know what to do. If she rode fast, she might be able to get help before Beck and Carter got back. But if she didn\u2019t make it in time, she was sure Beck would kill Joe. He would probably kill her father and Ben Cartwright, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Katie\u2019s dilemma was solved as she heard horses outside the barn. She ran to the barn door and looked through the crack she had left. She could see four men riding up to the house. Beck, Carter, and their two prisoners had returned.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a rush, Katie returned to Joe. \u201cThey\u2019re back,\u201d she announced in a hurried voice. \u201cWhen they see what we did to the rest of their men\u2026.\u201d Katie couldn\u2019t finish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Joe looked around. He saw a rifle sticking out of a sheath on a saddle. It must have belonged to one of the outlaws since the Cartwrights never left their guns in the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet me the rifle, quick,\u201d Joe ordered. \u201cThen open the barn door.\u201d As Katie rushed to get the rifle, Joe dragged himself behind the bale of hay. He still felt tired and dizzy, but he knew he had to do something. If he didn\u2019t act, his father and the Colonel were dead men.<\/span><\/p>\n

Katie handed Joe the rifle then pulled open the barn door as quietly as she could.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving his arms was surprising hard for Joe, but he managed to cock the rifle. He steadied the gun against the bale of hay and aimed carefully. He could see the four men dismounting from their horses, and walking toward the middle of the yard. He also heard some shouting. Joe thought that if he could shoot one of the outlaws, his father and Colonel Nolan could jump the other man. The question was, could he hit the right man from a distance of almost 30 feet?<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe knew the shot he had to make would be a difficult one for a man who was well. In his present condition, the shot was almost impossible. Nevertheless, Joe aimed the rifle. His vision started to blur, and the figures started fade in and out of sight. Joe shook his head and the scene in front of him came back into focus. He could see two figures were becoming agitated and were reaching for their guns. He heard more shouting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Joe aimed and pulled the trigger. He felt the kick of the rifle, and then the fog which seemed to be hovering over him descended.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing near the barn door, Katie had been watching the four men in the yard, trying to think of something to do to help her father and Ben Cartwright. The explosion from the rifle startled her. She saw Carter arch his back, then fall to his knees before collapsing face down on the ground. She also saw her father grab the gun from Beck\u2019s hand just as Ben Cartwright landed a punch on the sergeant\u2019s jaw. Beck staggered, and Ben hit him again. Beck fell to the ground and laid still.<\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately, Katie ran out of the barn. \u201cDaddy,\u201d she shouted, as she ran toward her father. The Colonel opened his arms and gathered his daughter to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiously, Ben looked around. \u201cWhere\u2019s Joe?\u201d he asked worriedly. \u201cAnd the other men? What happened to them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Releasing her hold on her father, Katie looked up. \u201cJoe\u2019s in the barn,\u201d she told Ben in a shaky voice. \u201cThe others are either dead or tied up.\u201d Suddenly, Katie started to cry. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she said as she began sobbing.\u201d I\u2019m just acting like some silly girl.\u201d The Colonel hugged his daughter to his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning quickly, Ben ran to the barn. As he neared the structure, he could see Joe slumped over a bale of hay, a rifle in his hand. Ben knelt next to his son and gently raised his head. Joe\u2019s eyes fluttered opened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Joe asked in a whisper, \u201care you all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Easing his son toward him, Ben laid Joe\u2019s head against his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m fine, son,\u201d he replied, as he stroked Joe\u2019s head gently. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid I get him?\u201d Joe mumbled as he closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got him,\u201d Ben answered. He felt Joe go limp against him. Ben put his fingers on Joe\u2019s neck and was relieved to feel a strong pulse. He stroked Joe\u2019s face and cheek. \u201cYou got him, son\u201d Ben repeated quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In the familiar confines of his room, Joe was sitting up in bed, his head resting against two big pillows. He didn\u2019t remember much about the last few days. He had a vague impression of being carried, and seemed to remember seeing the faces of his father and brothers watching him anxiously. He also remembered seeing Doctor Martin a time or two, but wasn\u2019t sure when. It was only this morning that the fog in his head seemed to have disappeared. His head still ached a bit but as long as he didn\u2019t move around too much, he seemed to be all right.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the door to his room opened, Joe looked toward it, wondering which of the vaguely remembered people was coming in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Striding across the room, Ben stopped next to the bed and peered closely at his son. \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe answered, smiling. \u201cThat breakfast you gave me this morning is still in my stomach, and the room isn\u2019t swaying any more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben said with satisfaction. \u201cAre you feeling up to some visitors?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d replied Joe, his curiosity piqued.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling open the door, Ben stood aside as Katie and Colonel Nolan walked in. Katie was dressed for travel, wearing a pale blue suit and had a stylish hat perched on her head. The Colonel was in full uniform.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t leave without saying goodbye,\u201d Katie stated as she sat on the edge of Joe\u2019s bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s had that military escort cooling their heels here for the last three days,\u201d the Colonel added. \u201cKatie wouldn\u2019t let them go without us, and she wouldn\u2019t leave until she was sure you were all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe grinned at Katie. \u201cStill giving orders, I see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Katie answered primly. \u201cWhat\u2019s the sense of having a Colonel for a father if you can\u2019t take advantage of it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry we didn\u2019t get to have much of a visit,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI really was looking forward to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Katie replied. \u201cWhen you come up to San Francisco for the wedding, David and I will entertain you for days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll be able to make it,\u201d Joe admitted with regret. \u201cThe doctor said it could be a few days before he\u2019ll let me out of bed, and a week or two before I can travel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be at least a week before you\u2019re out of bed,\u201d Ben corrected his son sternly from his position near the door. \u201cAnd a month before you\u2019re fit enough to travel all the way to San Francisco.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Joe complained.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t \u2018aw Pa\u2019 me,\u201d Ben countered. \u201cThe doctor says you have a bad concussion. In fact, he\u2019s amazed you stayed on your feet as long as you did. You\u2019re going to stay in bed and take it easy for awhile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll just postpone the wedding,\u201d Katie said with a smile. \u201cI\u2019m not getting married without you being there, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure David will be thrilled to hear that,\u201d Joe declared, his voice dripping with irony.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll understand,\u201d Katie assured him confidently. Suddenly, her face turned serious. \u201cEspecially when I tell him how you saved my life and my father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe shifted uncomfortably on the bed. \u201cI didn\u2019t do much,\u201d he advised in an embarrassed voice. \u201cYou did most of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did it together,\u201d Katie declared. \u201cJust like the old days. You and me against the world, remember?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Joe agreed softly. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting to her feet, Katie took a step toward Joe, and then kissed him lightly on the cheek. \u201cYou take care of yourself, you hear,\u201d she murmured. Then she grinned mischievously. \u201cNext time, duck,\u201d she added. Joe grinned back at her.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Katie left the room, Colonel Nolan lingered behind. \u201cThank you, Joe,\u201d he said, his voice full of gratitude. \u201cThank you so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKatie\u2019s special,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019d never let anything happen to her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d concurred the Colonel with a brief nod. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how much she means to me. And I can never thank you enough for what you did.\u201d The Colonel straightened to attention\u00a0and threw a salute at Joe. Then he turned on his heels and walked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling, Ben walked over to the bed. \u201cYou get some rest now,\u201d he advised, pulling the covers up to Joe\u2019s chest. Joe nodded his agreement\u00a0and slid down between the blankets. Ben arranged the pillows under Joe\u2019s head, then stood over his son for a few minutes, watching Joe\u2019s eyes closed as he seemed to drift off to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u201cThank you for saving all of us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Joe muttered, never opening his eyes. Then he rolled over and went to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: A group of army deserters lay siege to the Ponderosa, waiting for the boys to return home with a very large payroll.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a011,500 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13973,"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":[15,16],"class_list":["post-13969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1702,"today_views":2},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/TinBadge.jpg?fit=730%2C564&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36426,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=36426","url_meta":{"origin":13969,"position":0},"title":"The Hayloft (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"February 16, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 In this prequel, Ben tries for a romantic interlude, but the weather and hay fever conspire against him. Rating: PG\u00a0 Word Count: 1,619","rel":"","context":"In "Ben Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Ben Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1004"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TheHayloft.png?fit=380%2C374&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13939,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13939","url_meta":{"origin":13969,"position":1},"title":"To Be or Not to Be (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A traveling medicine show arrives in Virginia City. Word Count: \u00a038,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13989,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13989","url_meta":{"origin":13969,"position":2},"title":"Second Chances (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"February 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, Second Chance. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (14,400 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\/2017\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Second-Chance.png?fit=614%2C469&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14189,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14189","url_meta":{"origin":13969,"position":3},"title":"What Child is This? 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