{"id":13974,"date":"2008-05-13T17:37:54","date_gmt":"2008-05-13T21:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13974"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:12:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:12:30","slug":"the-long-ride-to-home-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13974","title":{"rendered":"The Long Ride To Home (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: A simple hunting excursion turns deadly.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a010,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/span><\/p>\n

Author\u2019s note: This story was published in the 2002 Bonanza Convention Anthology. This story features Jamie in a prominent role; Mitch Vogel was one of the honored guests at the Convention and the story was written with that in mind. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Long Ride to Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I\u2019m going to take a few days off to go hunting,\u201d Joe Cartwright said as he filled his dinner plate.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the table, Ben Cartwright was startled by his son\u2019s words. It wasn\u2019t that Joe was going hunting that surprised him. It was that Joe announced his intentions, rather than asking permission.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at his son, Ben suddenly realized that it had been a long time since Joe had asked for permission to go anywhere. His youngest son was a man almost thirty \u2013 a mature, responsible and reliable adult. Ben turned his gaze to the other side of the table where Hoss sat, enjoying his dinner as always. Hoss already was in his thirties, and a grown man in every sense of the word. Ben sighed a bit, wondering when his boys had turned into men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Anything wrong?\u201d asked Joe with a bit of frown as he heard his father\u2019s sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, no,\u201d replied Ben quickly. \u201cI was just thinking of something else. How long do you think you\u2019ll be gone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust a couple of days,\u201d Joe told his father. \u201cThis will probably be my last chance to get a deer before we get busy moving the herd to the winter pasture and the cold weather starts settling in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you figure to go, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss, as he swallowed the bit of bread in his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

The phrase \u2018little brother\u2019 brought a smile to Ben\u2019s face. No matter how old Joe was, Hoss always would call his younger sibling by that name. Ben briefly pictured Joe as a gray-haired grandfather and still being called \u2018little brother\u2019 by Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie Mains said he saw a herd of deer up on Waycross Mountain a week or so ago,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cI thought I\u2019d go up there and see if I can thin the herd a bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWaycross Mountain, eh,\u201d Hoss remarked. He gave Joe a wry smile as he shook his head a bit. \u201cI remember the first time I took you hunting up there. You weren\u2019t much older than Jamie here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the sound of his name, the boy sitting at the far end of the table looked up. Jamie Hunter was a new addition to the Cartwright family, an orphan taken in by Ben only a few months ago. The red-haired boy was still struggling to find his place in the close-knit Cartwright family, and his contributions to the dinner conversation were usually minimal.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow old was Joe when you took him hunting?\u201d asked Jamie curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn Waycross Mountain? I guess about 13 or 14,\u201d Hoss answered. Then he grinned. \u201cI think Joe used up a whole box of ammunition on that trip and never hit a thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah,\u201d retorted Joe. \u201cThe way I remember it, I got the deer and you were the one shooting at air.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour memory is as bad as your aim,\u201d advised Hoss, still grinning. Then he sighed. \u201cI wish I could go with you, Joe. I\u2019d much rather be hunting than delivering them cows to Fort Churchill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, somebody has to deliver them,\u201d Ben declared firmly. \u201cJoe did it last time, so it\u2019s your turn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa,\u201d agreed Hoss with resignation. \u201cI was just saying that I\u2019d rather be hunting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a speculative look on his face, Joe turned to Jamie. \u201cHey, Jamie, how\u2019d you like to go with me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d said Jamie, his eyes widening in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, why not?\u201d replied Joe with a smile. \u201cSchool doesn\u2019t start for another week yet. You did a good job helping with the branding. I figure you\u2019re due a little vacation.\u201d Joe quickly turned to his father. \u201cIf that\u2019s all right with you, Pa,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

The smile on Ben\u2019s face widened; he was pleased that his grown son still recognized his authority over at least some things in the Cartwright family. He also was pleased that Joe wanted to spend time with Jamie. While Joe had a lot of affection for the boy, he still was trying to figure out how to be a big brother. It was an awkward transition for Joe to go from being the youngest in the family to now having to watch out for and guide someone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right with me,\u201d agreed Ben with a nod. \u201cThat is, if Jamie wants to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great!\u201d exclaimed Jamie in a voice filled with enthusiasm. \u201cI\u2019d love to go hunting with you, Joe. I\u2019m sure I can get a deer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laughing a bit at Jamie\u2019s eagerness, Joe told the boy, \u201cJust be sure I get a crack at one or two of those deer. You\u2019d better hit the hay early because I want to leave at sunup. It\u2019s a long way to Waycross Mountain.\u201d Suddenly, a grin spread across Joe\u2019s face. \u201cOh, yeah, and you\u2019re doing the cooking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s why Joe wanted you along, Jamie,\u201d observed Hoss. \u201cHe don\u2019t want to eat any of his own bad cooking. If I were you, I\u2019d make sure Joe stays as far away as possible from anything that even resembles making a meal. You don\u2019t want to end up being poisoned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw shut up,\u201d said Joe in disgust as the others around the table laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The two riders made their way up the mountain in the bright afternoon sun. Joe led the way, his pinto slightly ahead of Jamie\u2019s brown horse. As the pair reached the edge of a small meadow, Joe pulled his horse to a halt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a clearing at the top of that ridge,\u201d Joe advised, pointing ahead and up a bit. \u201cWe can make camp there tonight, and start looking for deer tracks in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Jamie agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe grinned. \u201cYou know, I almost burned down these woods once,\u201d he observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did?\u201d Jamie said in astonishment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, don\u2019t tell Pa, but once when I was up here hunting with Hoss, I saw a bear,\u201d explained Joe. \u201cI ran to get my rifle and tripped over the fire we had made. It knocked the embers everywhere. I was too worried about that bear to think much about it. By the time I had run off that bear with a couple of shots, the embers had set the grass on fire. I turned around and saw the flames and smoke, then started yelling for Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must have gotten it out,\u201d commented Jamie, looking around. \u201cThe woods are still here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we did,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cHoss and I started beating the flames with our blankets. It must have taken us two hours to put that fire out. We never said anything to Pa, but I think he still wonders why we came home with no deer and covered with soot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI bet Mr. Cartwright figured it out. He\u2019s pretty smart,\u201d Jamie said as he laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right,\u201d Joe conceded with an answering smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the two riders started across the meadow, Joe began to spin more tales about his misadventures on hunting trips. Jamie listened with rapt attention, enjoying the stories in which Joe made himself out to be either a bumbling or great hunter, depending on the story. The boy didn\u2019t pay much attention to the landscape around him. In his mind, woods were woods, and he had seen trees before.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sun was disappearing by the time Jamie and Joe reached the clearing. In the dim light of evening, the two quickly made camp. Joe built a fire, then, as promised, turned the chore of heating up beans and brewing coffee over to Jamie. He spread out their bedrolls under two large trees, then leaned back and watched in comfort as Jamie cooked.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time the dark of night engulfed the woods, Joe and Jamie had finished dinner and were relaxing by the fire. The solitude of the woods as well the warmth of the fire had filled both of them with a feeling of companionship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2019s cold chicken, your hot beans, and a good cup of coffee,\u201d Joe remarked with a sigh of satisfaction. \u201cThis is the best meal I\u2019ve ever had on the trail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you I was a good cook,\u201d declared Jamie. \u201cWhen my father got sick, I did all the cooking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s hard to mess up bean,\u201d noted Joe wryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to Hoss, you\u2019ve done it a couple of times,\u201d countered Jamie, giving Joe a sly look. He laughed at the frown that crossed Joe\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a sip of coffee, Joe looked at Jamie. \u201cDo you like being at the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled by Joe\u2019s question, Jamie didn\u2019t answer at once. He poked at the fire with the stick he was holding, nervously pushing the embers. \u201cYeah, I do,\u201d he said slowly after a minute. \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing surprise and a touch of fear on Jamie\u2019s face, Joe quickly re-assured the boy. \u201cWe like having you with us, Jamie. Hoss, and Pa and me, we couldn\u2019t imagine not having you around. But I was just wondering about you. I know how Pa can be sometimes when he gets an idea in his head. He rolls along, pushing every obstacle out of his way and not asking how people feel about it. I just wondered if maybe you just got swept along without getting a chance to tell him how you felt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did kind of get swept up in things,\u201d admitted Jamie. \u201cAfter Dusty and I finally made it rain, I wasn\u2019t sure what was going to happen. Dusty didn\u2019t want to do the rainmaking any more and those men had burned my Pa\u2019s book. I wasn\u2019t sure what I was going to do. Next thing I knew, Mr. Cartwright was inviting me to live at the Ponderosa.\u201d Jamie took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m sure glad he did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you miss traveling around?\u201d asked Joe curiously. \u201cSeeing all those different places, meeting all those people? From what I understand, your Pa was a traveling man all his life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he was,\u201d agreed Jamie. \u201cHe did a medicine show for a while, then switched to rainmaking. I can\u2019t remember being any place for very long. Seems we were always moving to the next town. When my Pa died, I was lucky Dusty came along and was willing to try the rainmaking with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you miss it?\u201d Joe asked again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Jamie, shaking his head. \u201cI hardly ever knew where we were. Pa always kept his wagon outside of town and I never got to see much. I didn\u2019t meet many people either. A lot of times, people got mad because Pa didn\u2019t make it rain quick enough and we had to leave in a hurry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sipping his coffee, Joe stayed silent. His personal opinion was that Jamie\u2019s father was more of a con man than a rainmaker, but he knew enough to keep that opinion to himself. Jamie flew into a rage at the slightest criticism of his father, defending the man with an intense loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about your mother?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cYou remember her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking down, Jamie answered softly. \u201cNo. She died when I was little. I don\u2019t know much about her. I only remember her smelling nice and stuff like that. Pa never wanted to talk about her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once more, Joe sipped his coffee and stayed quiet. His own mother had died when he was a baby, and he had little direct memory of her. But unlike Jamie, Joe knew a lot about his mother. His father had talked of her often, telling Joe stories and helping him to understand the woman who had died before he had gotten a chance to know her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow come you were asking about traveling around?\u201d Jamie asked suddenly. \u201cAre you thinking about leaving the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Now it was Joe\u2019s turn to be surprised. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t plan to leave. It\u2019s just that we get those letters from Adam about all the places he\u2019s visiting, and you\u2019ve traveled so much in your life, I wonder if there\u2019s something wrong with me for just wanting to stay here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould Mr. Cartwright let you go?\u201d asked Jamie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa would never force me to stay,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cHe let Adam go when Adam wanted to travel around the world. Pa misses Adam a lot, but he didn\u2019t stop him from leaving. He wouldn\u2019t stop me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere would you go?\u201d Jamie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Joe shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s just it. The problem is that there\u2019s no place special I want to go. I like visiting places and don\u2019t mind taking trips, but I\u2019m always glad to come home to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to come home to the Ponderosa, too,\u201d agreed Jamie, his voice serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019re happy that you feel that way,\u201d Joe assured the boy. He yawned and stretched a bit. \u201cTime to turn in,\u201d announced Joe, dumping the last of the coffee in his cup on the ground. \u201cI want to start hunting as soon as it\u2019s light.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make breakfast,\u201d Jamie promised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet you will,\u201d said Joe with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Kneeling in the grass still damp with the morning dew, Joe studied the ground. \u201cLooks like six or seven deer went this way,\u201d he stated without looking up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie bent forward a bit to look over Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d said Joe, nodding a bit. \u201cSee those tracks in the grass? Those are deer prints.\u201d Joe looked up and pointed. \u201cThey\u2019re heading toward those trees. You can tell by the direction the blades of grass are bent.\u201d Squinting a bit, Joe studied the trees. \u201cThose trees are pretty young. That would attract them. The deer like the tender bark and low branches with leaves they can reach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go get the rifles,\u201d offered Jaime eagerly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d agreed Joe as he slowly rose. \u201cBut remember what I told you. Keep the barrels pointed up when you\u2019re walking with a rifle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a quick nod, Jamie hurried to where two horses were tied to a bush. The animals were loaded with bedrolls and saddlebags; Joe had decided to break camp after breakfast and take everything with them. Since he wasn\u2019t sure how far the two would need to travel to find the deer, Joe didn\u2019t want to have to worry about returning to the campsite if the daylight faded while they were hunting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grabbing the rifle from the scabbard tied to Joe\u2019s saddle, Jamie hurried to his horse. He had been pleased and proud when Mr. Cartwright allowed him to take a rifle of his own on the hunt. As Jamie pulled the gun from the scabbard on his horse, he remembered Joe\u2019s warning. Walking slowly, with the rifles pointed skyward, Jamie returned to where Joe stood waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he took one of the rifles from Jamie, Joe nodded his satisfaction at the way the boy had carefully handled the weapons. But Joe wasn\u2019t finished with acting as the big brother yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, remember all the rules I told you this morning,\u201d Joe said in a serious voice. \u201cDon\u2019t shoot unless you\u2019re sure of your target and you know where I am. Aim to kill because it\u2019s cruel to simply wound an animal. Only go after the bucks. We don\u2019t want to kill a doe and leave her fawn to starve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d acknowledged Jamie, rolling his eyes a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, Joe grinned. \u201cI\u2019m starting to sound like my Pa, aren\u2019t I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, a little, I guess,\u201d agreed Jamie, giving a small laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mean to preach,\u201d continued Joe, growing serious again. \u201cBut it\u2019s important to know the rules and abide by them. Hoss and Pa pounded them into my head often enough. I guess I\u2019m just passing on what they taught me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d said Jamie, shrugging a bit. \u201cI know it\u2019s important to know the rules.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s go get us some deer,\u201d suggested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two hunters moved slowly toward the trees, walking quietly to avoid frightening any of the deer in the area. Joe noted that Jamie held his rifle up as he walked. Nodding again in satisfaction, Joe turned his attention to the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he and Jamie neared the stand of young trees, Joe suddenly stopped. \u201cThere\u2019s a big buck over there,\u201d declared Joe softly. \u201cSee him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Jamie didn\u2019t see the deer; the trees and brush camouflaged the animal. But when he stared into the trees a bit longer, the outline of a large deer with antlers came into view. \u201cI see him,\u201d Jamie stated, his voice barely audible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get a little closer,\u201d Joe advised. \u201cMove slow and quiet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two hunters walked about ten feet before Joe stopped again. \u201cYou take this one,\u201d he suggested in a voice that was almost a whisper.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Jamie turned his gun from pointing skyward to pointing at the woods. From the corner of his eye, he saw Joe move away from him. Remembering Joe\u2019s rule, Jamie waited until he saw Joe stop a few feet away. Then he pulled the rifle to his shoulder and aimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The buck in the woods moved a bit, either looking for fresh grazing or because he heard something. When the deer changed position, Jamie lost his clear shot. Mindful of Joe\u2019s warning, Jamie took a step toward the woods. He wanted to make sure he had the deer in his sights before he pulled the trigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping his eyes trained down the barrel of the rifle at the deer, Jamie took another step forward. He never saw the hole he stepped into. All Jamie knew was that suddenly his leg buckled under him and he started to fall. As he lost his balance, Jamie abruptly lowered the rifle, jerking it sideways against his chest. He fell forward, hitting his elbow on the ground, and his finger twitched. A loud noise filled Jamie\u2019s ears as the rifle fired.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing a few feet away, Joe had been watching the buck in the woods. He didn\u2019t know Jamie had fallen and the gun had gone off. All Joe knew was that one minute he was staring into the woods and the next minute, something ripped through his side. The impact spun Joe in a circle before knocking him face forward to the ground. At first, Joe only felt surprise as he lay in the grass. Then he felt pain \u2013 a searing, agonizing pain which radiated from his right side.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he scrambled to his feet, Jamie looked around. He gasped in horror as he saw Joe lying on the ground a few feet away. Dropping the rifle, Jamie ran to the fallen man.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie\u2019s horror grew as he reached Joe and looked down at the man on the ground. Joe lay unmoving, and a large stain of red was spreading from his right side to his back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d cried Jamie in a frantic voice. \u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry! It was an accident\u201d. He knelt in the grass and reached for Joe\u2019s shoulder. Pulling Joe toward him, Jamie turned him onto his back. Joe gasped and let out a small grunt of pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jamie repeated. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I tripped and the gun went off. It was an accident!\u201d Tears started forming in the boy\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gritting his teeth and wincing, Joe tried to make the pain bearable. He took some short breaths, then slowly opened his eyes. He saw Jamie\u2019s pale, stricken face peering down at him. \u201cI\u2026know\u2026\u201d Joe started to say, then gasped again as another spasm of pain attacked him. He gritted his teeth again and waited for the agonizing spasm to pass. It took a minute, but finally, Joe was able to swallow hard and take a breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t\u2026your\u2026fault,\u201d Joe said slowly. He opened his eyes and looked up at Jamie. Tears were running down the boy\u2019s face and he looked sick. Joe tried again to comfort him. Not\u2026your\u2026fault,\u201d he muttered again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what should I do?\u201d asked Jamie. His voice was quivering and there was more than a touch of panic in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing his eyes again, Joe tried to think. \u201cDid the\u2026bullet\u2026go through?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the splotch of red spreading on the front of Joe\u2019s shirt and remembering the one on his back, Jamie nodded. \u201cI think so,\u201d he advised the injured man. He wiped his cheek quickly, clearing the tears from his eyes. \u201cJoe, tell me what to do,\u201d Jamie pleaded in a desperate voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBandage,\u201d replied Joe in a slurred voice. \u201cStop\u2026the\u2026bleeding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith what?\u201d asked Jamie, clearly confused.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUse\u2026my shirt,\u201d Joe suggested. His left hand moved to his chest and he started fumbling with the buttons.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d said Jamie quickly. Thankful that he could do something to help Joe, Jamie quickly unbuttoned Joe\u2019s shirt and pulled it open. But as he did so, Jamie felt his stomach lurch and he had to look away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Jamie turned back to Joe, his gazed fixed on the hole in the older man\u2019s side. The skin around the hole was ragged and the wound was oozing blood. Jamie stared at the wound with a horrible fascination, unable to move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie,\u201d Joe whispered, his words barely audible. \u201cJamie\u2026help\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of Joe\u2019s voice seemed to rouse the boy. With an effort, Jamie pulled his eyes from the wound. Taking a deep breath, he began to peel the shirt off of Joe. Each time he moved Joe or shifted him a bit on the ground, Joe let out a grunt of pain. Jamie\u2019s hands were shaking and he could barely hold the cloth as he pulled it toward him. Once he had Joe\u2019s shirt in his hands, the boy froze again, unable to think clearly and unsure what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

A ripple of pain caused Joe to twitch and grunt loudly. He gritted his teeth yet again and squeezed his eyes close. When the spasm eased, Joe opened his eyes and looked at the frightened boy. \u201cJamie,\u201d Joe gasped. \u201cHelp. Bandage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nodding, Jamie slowly began to fold the cloth in his hands. Moving almost in slow motion, he doubled over the material until the shirt was a thick pad. Only the sleeves hung loosely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swallowing hard, Jamie inched closer to Joe. He put part of the padding across the front wound, then turned Joe to his side a bit to position the rest of the cloth on the back wound. Jamie slid one sleeve under Joe, then eased him again on his back. On trembling legs, Jamie climbed over Joe, reached under him and pulled the sleeve toward him. He stretched his shaking hand to grab the other sleeve, then began to pull the cloth together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTight as you can,\u201d advised Joe softly. \u201cDon\u2019t\u2026don\u2019t worry about\u2026.\u201d Joe winced, then continued. \u201cTie it tight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Biting his lip a bit, Jamie began to tug on the sleeves, pulling them together as tightly as possible. Joe grunted and winced, then nodded encouragingly at the boy. Jamie kept tugging at the cloth until it felt taut, then quickly tied the sleeves into a knot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d said Joe quietly. \u201cNow get the horses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Jamie began to run across the grass to where the horses were waiting. He hurried not only because Joe needed help but also because he wanted to get away \u2013 just for a minute \u2013 from the sickening scene of the injured man lying on the grass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost too quickly, Jamie reached the horses. He untied the reins and led the animals back to Joe at a trot.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Jamie neared Joe, he could see the injured man was struggling to sit up and not succeeding. Each time he moved, Joe twisted in pain. Finally, he fell back to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019ve got the horses,\u201d announced Jamie, his voice still quivering.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his eyes closed, Joe didn\u2019t answer for a moment. Then slowly, he opened his eyes and turned his head. \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026sit a horse,\u201d admitted Joe almost apologetically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie\u2019s stomach lurched again. \u201cWhat should I do?\u201d he asked, the panic returning to his voice. \u201cI can\u2019t leave you here. What should I do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing the distress in Jamie\u2019s voice, Joe tried to calm the boy. \u201cListen to me, Jamie. It\u2019s\u2026going to\u2026be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo it\u2019s not all right,\u201d cried Jamie as tears started to form in his eyes again. \u201cIt\u2019s never going to be all right. I didn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d The rest of Jamie\u2019s words disappeared in a sob as the boy began crying harder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie!\u201d said Joe sharply. \u201cStop it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In surprise, Jamie jerked his head toward Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mustering all of his strength, Joe began to speak as calmly and rationally as possible. He knew Jamie was the only help, the only one who could keep him from dying on the mountain. He couldn\u2019t afford to have the boy fall apart on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie, you have to do exactly what I tell you,\u201d ordered Joe. He took a breath and continued. \u201cYou have to make a travois. Remember how Hoss showed you? There\u2019s a hand ax in my saddlebag.\u201d Joe winced and tensed his body for a minute. \u201cMake a travois,\u201d he repeated in a fading voice. Suddenly, Joe shivered a bit. \u201cCold. So cold.\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d exclaimed Jamie in alarm. The figure on the ground laid still. Dropping the reins in his hands, Jamie knelt beside Joe. He put a shaking hand on Joe\u2019s chest and let out a sigh of relief as he felt Joe\u2019s chest moving and the faint beat of his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising to his feet again, Jamie took a deep breath and swallowed. He felt a resolve building in him. He had cared for his dying father for months; he could take care of Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moving the horses a little way from Joe, Jamie dropped the reins again. He knew the horses would stay put. They had been trained to stand still when the reins were dropped. Besides the animals were already nibbling at the lush grass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening the saddlebag tied to Joe\u2019s pinto, Jamie reached in and pulled out the small ax.<\/span><\/p>\n

He took a step toward the woods, then stopped. Glancing at Joe, Jamie returned to the horses and began untying the bedrolls.<\/span><\/p>\n

It took only a few minutes to wrap Joe in the two blankets and to slip the rolled-up ground cloths under his head. But to Jamie, the task seemed to take forever. Joe\u2019s lack of reaction to being wrapped and moved a bit scared the boy. Jamie knew he was using up time — time that he needed to make the travois, and time that he needed to get Joe home. Time that Joe might not have.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he was satisfied that Joe was warm, Jamie picked up the ax that he had dropped to the nearby ground and headed toward the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

At first glance, the young man atop the brown horse and guiding the pinto pulling the travois through the woods looked like he was in control of the situation. However, a closer inspection would have revealed a very frightened and nervous boy who was desperately wishing for someone, anyone to come along who could help him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder to where Joe was either sleeping or unconscious on the travois \u2013 he wasn\u2019t sure which \u2013 Jamie wished for the hundredth time he had never asked to go on the hunting trip. He also wished Joe would wake up again and tell him what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning from the woods with the tree limbs to use in making the travois, Jamie had been surprised and pleased to find Joe awake. The brief sleep and the drink from the canteen Jamie had given him had seemed to revive Joe a bit. He talked Jamie through making the travois with the tree limbs and ropes from the saddles, and even seemed pleased with Jamie\u2019s handiwork as the boy had taken the ground cloths from under his head to spread on the travois. It had been the move to the travois which had been Joe\u2019s undoing. Despite the fact that Jamie had positioned the travois directly next to Joe and had tried to help him on to it, the move to the travois had been agonizing for Joe. The injured man had groaned softly and broken out in a sweat as he pulled himself onto the travois. In the end, Joe had more rolled onto the framework of ropes rather than climbed in, and had passed out almost immediately. He never moved as Jamie had wrapped in the blankets once more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guiding his horse at a walk, Jamie wished he could move faster. He knew at this pace that it would take all day and then some to get to the Ponderosa. But Jamie also knew that the faster the pace, the more the travois would be jolted and rocked, and that would be bad both for Joe and for what Jamie considered to be a fragile piece of construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he rode through the clearing where they had camped last night and started down the trail, Jamie\u2019s thoughts began to turn to what would happen when he reached the Ponderosa. His mind began to form scenes of accusation and anger from the Cartwrights, arrival of the sheriff, and a jail cell. Jamie had seen his father jailed often enough when the rains didn\u2019t come to know that angry people usually found someone to blame for trouble, even if it wasn\u2019t that person\u2019s fault. He tried to picture difference scenarios with less dire consequences but all of them ended up with him being ordered to leave the place where he had been so happy for the past few months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arriving at the meadow at the bottom of the trail, Jamie pulled the horses to a halt. An expression of confusion crossed his face as Jamie looked at the meadow and the circle of trees around it. He suddenly wished he had paid more attention during the ride up the mountain, and had noted some landmarks along the way. Because Jamie Hunter had no idea which direction to take across the meadow and how to find his way down the mountain once he crossed it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slipping off his horse, Jamie hurried to the travois. \u00a0Joe laid with his eyes closed on the framework of ropes, covered with a thick sheen of sweat. At some point, Joe must have awaken during the trek, because he was turned on his left side and not laying on his back as he had been when the journey started.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and shook it gently. Joe reacted a bit, grunting softly. Jamie shook the injured man harder and Joe began to move, his eyes squeezing tightly in pain as he did so.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wake up,\u201d called Jamie, hysteria building in his voice. \u201cJoe!\u201d Jamie shook him even harder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly opening his eyes, Joe stared dully at Jamie. His mouth worked silently several times before he croaked the single word, \u201cWater\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you some water,\u201d Jamie agreed quickly and hurried back to his horse to grab the canteen. When he returned to Joe, the boy uncorked the canteen, lifted Joe\u2019s head a bit and put the canteen to Joe\u2019s mouth. When Joe pulled his head back, indicating he had had enough water, Jamie corked the canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019re at the meadow and I don\u2019t know which way to go,\u201d explained Jamie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staring back at Jamie, Joe tried to make sense of the boy\u2019s words. \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked in confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know where to go across the meadow,\u201d Jamie repeated. The hysteria was starting to build in his voice again. \u201cJoe, how do I find the trail? How do we get home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With an effort, Joe tried to cut through the fog of pain and fever in his head. \u201cMeadow,\u201d he said slowly. He nodded a bit. \u201cGot to cross the meadow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut which direction?\u201d asked Jamie desperately. \u201cHow do I find the trail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo trees,\u201d Joe answered in a thick voice. \u201cForm an arch at the top. Go through them. Ride southeast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSoutheast?\u201d echoed Jamie with a frown. \u201cHow do I know which way is southeast?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSun,\u201d mumbled Joe as his eyes began to close. \u201cUse\u2026sun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing that Joe was drifting off again, Jamie turned and walked to the edge of the meadow. He studied the trees surrounding the grass until he saw the two that Joe had described. The thick trunks of the trees grew straight and tall but about halfway up, the branches had intertwined and formed the rough outline of an arch. Sighing with relief at spotting the trees, Jamie looked up to the sky. He knew it was late morning, so the sun was still rising. If he traveled toward the sun, he would be heading east. He thought that he\u2019d eventually see a familiar sight that would tell him when to turn south.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climbing back on his horse, Jamie checked to make sure the reins of the pinto were still tied to his saddle horn. Then he gave his horse a kick and started across the meadow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traveling slowly through the woods and then the open ground of the hillside, Jamie rode toward the sun. Every so often, he would glance at the man on the travois behind him. Joe laid still but his labored breathing was just loud enough for Jamie to know he was alive. He had stopped once to give Joe another drink as well as have him confirm that he was going in the right direction, but Jamie had been barely able to rouse the man. Joe had wakened only enough to swallow the water. He didn\u2019t seem to hear or be able to answer Jamie\u2019s desperate question about landmarks to help guide him.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Jamie rode, he looked around him. The countryside seemed familiar, but he couldn\u2019t be sure. To his mind, there was nothing remarkable about the bushes, trees and rocks he passed. It could be that he had seen them on the way up the mountain, or they simply could resemble the landscape of almost any country he had ridden through in his young life. The only consolation Jamie had was that he was sure that once he reached the bottom of the mountain, he was bound to find some help.<\/span><\/p>\n

At some point, Jamie realized the sun was starting to lower in the sky. He switched his focus from riding toward the sun to keeping it to his right. Pleased that he had been smart enough to figure out the sun was now in the west, Jamie pushed his horse onward.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until Jamie reached the creek that he realized he was lost. As he came to the narrow band of water running through the ground, Jamie\u2019s heart dropped. He knew they hadn\u2019t crossed a creek on their way up the mountain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Halting the horses, Jamie climbed down from the saddle and hurried back to the travois.<\/span><\/p>\n

He stared at Joe, wondering if he could wake him, and even if he did, if Joe could help him find the way home. Joe was deathly pale, with only the fever spots on his cheeks showing any color on his face. Beads of sweat covered Joe\u2019s face and neck. His breathing was ragged and labored. Jamie shook Joe gently and then fairly hard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wake up!\u201d begged Jamie. \u201cJoe, please wake up. We\u2019re lost. Joe, you have to help me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Awakened by both Jamie\u2019s shake and the boy\u2019s voice, Joe stared up at the pale young face watching him. He felt confused, puzzled by both the pain in his side and the fright that was apparent on Jamie\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Joe asked in a dull voice that was barely audible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re lost,\u201d Jamie admitted, his voice quivering. \u201cI rode toward the sun like you said, but I don\u2019t know where we are.\u201d Even as he spoke, Jamie realized his mistake. He had ridden toward the sun too long. He should have paid more attention to the movement of the sun and adjusted for it. \u201cI think we\u2019re west of where we should be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Only bits of Jamie\u2019s words made sense to Joe\u2019s fevered brain, but they were the important ones. He understood \u201clost\u201d and \u201cwest\u201d. \u00a0He tried to think, tried to figure out where they were and, most of all, tried to figure out what to tell Jamie that would guide the boy to the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, what should I do?\u201d Jamie asked, panic rising in his voice. Tears started forming in his eyes again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desperately, Joe tried to clear his head. He knew Jamie needed a landmark, something that would show him the right way. The problem was that Joe had no idea where they were, and even if he did, his muddled brain wouldn\u2019t give him any clear instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe lake,\u201d said Joe finally in a voice that was weak and strained. \u201cFind the lake. Follow the\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d cried Jamie. \u201cHow do I find the lake? Tell me how, Joe.\u201d But Jamie\u2019s plea brought no response from the now unconscious man on the travois.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking around, Jamie desperately tried to figure out where Lake Tahoe might be. He saw some rocks in the distance \u2013 tall boulders that seemed to be piled on top of each other. Jamie ran toward the rocks.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as he reached the boulders, Jamie began to climb. He scrambled and crawled up the slabs of granite, scraping his hands as he inched his way upwards. When he finally reached the top, Jamie stood, balancing himself precariously on the uneven stone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning toward what he believed to be east, Jamie searched through the trees with his eyes. He was looking for a patch of blue water that would indicate the location of the lake. But Jamie saw only trees and brush.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he turned slowly, Jamie inspected the landscape. He twisted his upper body, afraid that moving his feet too much would cause him to lose his delicate balance. Jamie felt the panic and fear rising in him as he searched for some sign of the lake. He saw trees, bushes, scrub brush and rock. But Jamie saw no patch of blue, nothing that indicated the direction of the waters of Lake Tahoe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie was almost completely twisted around when he finally saw it. Over his right shoulder, he spotted a large blue lake. Moving carefully on the rocks, Jamie turned his body. He wanted to be sure about what he saw; Jamie couldn\u2019t afford to make another mistake. If he did, he knew Joe could die on the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staring hard, Jamie looked at the bits of blue water visible through the trees. He was sure it was Lake Tahoe. Nothing else could be that large, that blue. Feeling a sense of relief at finding the lake, Jamie began to climb down the rocks.<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as he reached the bottom of the boulders, Jamie started running. He was desperate to return to Joe and start transporting the injured man home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I found it!\u201d shouted Jamie as he neared the horses. \u201cThe lake is behind us. That\u2019s why I missed it.\u201d When he reached the horses, though, Jamie stopped. He could see Joe lying pale and still on the travois. \u201cJoe?\u201d said Jamie in a quiet voice. The injured man made no response.<\/span><\/p>\n

Falling to his knees, Jamie began to cry. \u201cJoe, please,\u201d he begged. \u201cAnswer me.\u201d Jamie put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, relieved to feel the heat from Joe\u2019s body. \u201cJoe, please don\u2019t die,\u201d Jamie sobbed. \u201cDon\u2019t die. Everyone else has died and left me. Don\u2019t you do that. Don\u2019t die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of the sobbing voice somehow broke through to Joe. He heard the fear and despair in Jamie\u2019s voice. Using what little strength he had left, Joe managed to open his eyes. He reached out his arm and took Jamie\u2019s hand. The boy was startled by the movement and pulled back. Then Jamie grasped Joe\u2019s hand tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get you home,\u201d promised Jamie in a determined voice. \u201cI\u2019ll get you back to your home at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur home,\u201d Joe corrected him in a raspy voice. Then he closed his eyes again and his body went limp.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

An owl hooted in a tree as Jamie turned his horse to the trail leading to the Ponderosa ranch house. This was one trail Jamie could find with his eyes practically closed, which was good since the dark of night had long since descended. He knew he should feel elated to finally be on this trail, but Jamie was numb, exhausted by the nightmarish journey back to the Ponderosa. Finding the lake had been one thing. Getting to it had proven to be quite another. Without a trail to follow, Jamie had ended up zigzagging around fallen trees, boulders and other obstacles as he made his way to the blue waters which he kept in view. When he had finally reached the wide trail that he knew led around the lake, Jamie had felt like shouting with joy and relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing over his shoulder to look at Joe, Jamie frankly was amazed that the man hadn\u2019t \u00a0\u00a0lapsed into a coma or worse during the tortuous journey through the woods and then on the long ride around the lake But, although he remained feverish, weak and semi-conscious, Joe somehow had managed an encouraging nod or pat on the hand each time Jamie had stopped to give him water. Jamie had needed that encouragement to keep from giving into despair.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the lights of the house appeared ahead of him, Jamie\u2019s stomach started to churn with fear. His vivid imagination had pictured the anger, accusations and worse that would occur when he finally reached the Ponderosa ranch house. In a few minutes, those imagined scenes would become reality. Jamie\u2019s hands began to tremble and, for a brief moment, he considered sending the horses to the house while he escaped into the night. Jamie remembered the times he and his father had fled through the night to avoid an angry mob when the rains had failed to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

But this time, Jamie knew, he had to face the Cartwrights. He couldn\u2019t abandon Joe even so close to the house. Jamie had to insure the wounded man got help, and to do that, he would have to ride to the house. Jamie clung to the slim hope that his punishment wouldn\u2019t include leaving forever the only real home he had ever had.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he pulled the horses to a stop in the yard in front of the house, Jamie sat still for a moment. One ordeal had ended and the next had not yet begun. For just a minute, Jamie wanted a respite from all the emotions swirling inside him. Then he heard the sound of Joe\u2019s labored breathing. Quickly, Jamie slid from the saddle and ran to the door of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing checkers in front of the fire, the last thing Hoss and Ben had expected was to see a distraught Jamie flinging open the front door. Both men watched in stunned silence as the boy ran into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright! Hoss! Come quick!\u201d Jamie shouted. \u201cJoe\u2019s outside and he\u2019s hurt bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost in unison, Ben and Hoss jumped to their feet and rushed toward the door. Neither man said a word as they brushed past Jamie. The boy stood in the middle of the room, head down and shoulders slumped, as he listened to exclamations and shouts from outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Nervously pacing in front of the fireplace, Jamie looked from time to time toward the top of the stairs. It had been hours since Joe\u2019s father and brother had carried him into the house and to his room. In the ensuing turmoil, Jamie had sat quietly in a corner, hoping no one would notice him and trying to think of a way to disappear from view. He finally decided hiding in his room was the safest course, but the fates seemed destined to prevent that course of action. Every time he made a move toward the stairs, someone seemed to be coming up or down them. In each case, Jamie beat a hasty retreat to the corner of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first time he moved toward the stairs, Jamie heard Hoss\u2019 heavy footsteps. As he cowered in the corner, Jamie saw Hoss quickly descending the stairs, yelling in a loud voice for Hop Sing and disappearing into the kitchen. Just as Jamie thought it was safe to try the stairs again, Hoss returned. Ignoring the boy on the far side of the room, Hoss climbed the stairs, carrying rolls of white cloth and cotton. He was followed in a few minutes by Hop Sing, who carried a bowl of steaming water up the stairs. For the next hour or so, Hop Sing and Hoss traveled up and down the stairs. They seemed to be returning to the rooms at the top with an endless supply of bandages and hot water.<\/span><\/p>\n

When things quieted down, Jamie made another move toward the stairs. But just as he took a few tentative steps, the front door was flung open and a harried looking Doctor Martin walked quickly into the house, followed by the ranch hand who had gone to town to get him. The arrival of the doctor seemed to trigger a new wave of people rushing up and down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Jamie decided to stay where he was. The last thing he wanted was to attract attention to himself. He was sure that as soon as one of the Cartwrights realized he was in the room, Jamie would hear the angry outbursts and accusations that he was dreading. The thought crossed Jamie\u2019s mind to rush into the night, grab a horse and start riding as fast as he could. But he rejected that idea, not only because he was so tired but also because he knew he couldn\u2019t leave without finding out whether Joe was going to die.<\/span><\/p>\n

As tired as he felt, Jamie was surprised he couldn\u2019t sleep. Worry and nerves kept his body tense. He sat in the corner as long as he could\u00a0but finally felt the need to move around. He had waited until everyone seemed to be busy upstairs, then started to pace by the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie,\u201d a quiet voice said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie spun around, surprised. He hadn\u2019t heard Hoss coming down the stairs. Jamie\u2019s heart sank, convinced that the big man\u2019s quiet movements mean that Joe had died.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s Joe?\u201d asked Jamie in a quavering voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe doc\u2019s still working on him,\u201d answered Hoss. He shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s too soon to tell.\u201d Hoss hesitated, then asked, \u201cWhat happened? All Joe could say was something about an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my fault,\u201d Jamie replied. He started to cry. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean it, Hoss. Honest. It was an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crossing the room, Hoss put his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWe know that, Jamie. Now tell me what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a halting voice, Jamie told Hoss about tripping and the gun going off. He briefly described building the travois, then talked about the long journey back to the Ponderosa. Jamie admitted in a hesitant voice that he had gotten lost, and told Hoss about finally spotting the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to get him home as fast as I could,\u201d Jamie finished in a quick outburst. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t find the trail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Jamie had talked, Hoss stood listening quietly. Now, he patted the boy on the shoulder. \u201cJamie, listen to me,\u201d he said. \u201cYou didn\u2019t do anything wrong. It was an accident that Joe got shot. Me, Pa, anyone could have had the same thing happen to them. We don\u2019t blame you. It was just an accident. It\u2019s not your fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Hoss, I got lost,\u201d Jamie lamented in a plaintive voice. \u201cIf I had paid attention on the trail, it wouldn\u2019t have taken so long for me to get Joe home. It\u2019s my fault that he\u2019s so sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone can get lost,\u201d Hoss stated firmly. \u201cYou can\u2019t expect to know your way around after being here such a short time. The important thing is you found your way and you got Joe home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie looked away, his face still reflecting the misery in his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing the unconvinced look on the boy\u2019s face, Hoss decided that now wasn\u2019t the time to discuss things further. He could see Jamie was exhausted, worried and afraid. \u201cJamie, why don\u2019t you get some sleep,\u201d suggested Hoss. \u201cWe can talk about this more in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Jamie agreed. He started toward the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning a bit, Hoss held Jamie\u2019s shoulder and stopped him. He knew what was going on upstairs in Joe\u2019s room, and Jamie would be able to easily hear the unpleasantness from his own bedroom. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just stretch out on the sofa down here,\u201d Hoss said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026kind of busy upstairs right now. You\u2019ll probably get more rest down here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving Hoss a startled, then frightened look, Jamie nodded his head. \u201cI guess you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know I am,\u201d Hoss declared quietly, and he began leading the boy toward the sofa. \u201cYou just get some sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Jamie lowered himself onto the sofa, he looked up at Hoss. \u201cIs Joe going to die?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss hesitated a minute before answering. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he replied honestly. \u201cHe\u2019s in pretty bad shape. But Joe\u2019s a fighter, and he\u2019s come back from worse than this.\u201d Hoss look directly into Jamie\u2019s face. \u201cBut whatever happens, you can\u2019t blame yourself. It was an accident, Jamie. That\u2019s all. No one blames you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie didn\u2019t answer. He simply turned away from Hoss and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss watched the boy for a minute. Then he sighed and turned back toward the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

When Jamie woke, he knew it was still night. He glanced at the clock by the door and saw that he had slept for only two hours. As he sat up, Jamie realized the house was quiet \u2013 too quiet. He was afraid what that quiet might mean.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slowly, Jamie got up from the sofa and walked to the stairs. He climbed quietly to the floor above and moved stealthily down the hall. Stopping in front of Joe\u2019s room, he saw the door was ajar. Jamie heard voices from inside the room but the sound was muffled. He pushed the door open and saw the doctor and Ben standing by Joe\u2019s bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026.it\u2019s a question of time, Ben,\u201d the doctor was saying as he looked down at Joe in the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s young and strong,\u201d countered Ben in a worried voice. \u201cHe\u2019s always bounced back so easily before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d agreed Doctor Martin with a sigh. \u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s going to make this so hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t there something you can do?\u201d asked Ben, his concern evident. \u201cSome treatment?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaking his head a bit, the doctor answered, \u201cI\u2019m just a doctor, Ben, not a miracle worker. In this case, we just have to let nature take its course. I\u2019ll stay with him tonight and make him as comfortable as I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a heavy heart, Jamie pulled the door closed. He knew what the doctor\u2019s words meant. Joe was dying.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Jamie stood in front of the room, his shoulders slumped. He loved being at the Ponderosa, and being with the Cartwrights. But now that was over. He had killed any affection the Cartwrights had for him, just as surely as he killed Joe. He remembered Hoss\u2019 words about not blaming him for the shooting, but Jamie knew he couldn\u2019t stay. He couldn\u2019t bear the grief he would see on the face of Joe\u2019s father, or stand to be a constant reminder to Hoss about why his brother was gone. More importantly, Jamie didn\u2019t want to be around a place that reminded him that yet another person he felt close to had died. Taking a deep breath, Jamie turned and walked slowly toward his room.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The sun was just rising when Hoss walked out of his room and headed toward Joe\u2019s bedroom. The few hours\u2019 sleep he had gotten refreshed the big man. He stopped as he saw the doctor and Ben coming out of Joe\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoing as well as can be expected,\u201d replied Doctor Martin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s going to be all right?\u201d pressed Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike I told you last night, he\u2019ll recover just fine,\u201d answered the doctor. \u201cThe bullet tore up a lot of muscle but missed all the vital organs. The fever was the result of pain, shock, and loss of blood. The fact that the bullet cracked the top of his hip is the biggest problem. Joe is facing at least six weeks in bed while that bone heals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be hard on him,\u201d Ben added, shaking his head. \u201cLaying in bed for six weeks will drive him crazy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, it\u2019s going to drive us crazy,\u201d observed Hoss, with a grin. \u201cJoe ain\u2019t exactly the best patient in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better tell Jamie that Joe\u2019s going to be all right,\u201d suggested Ben. \u201cYou told me he was pretty upset last night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he was,\u201d agreed Hoss. \u201cHe\u2019ll feel much better once he knows that Joe is going to be all right.\u201d Hoss turned and hurried down the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping at the top of the stairs, Hoss could see the sofa in the room below was empty. With a puzzled expression, he turned and walked back to Jamie\u2019s room. He knocked softly on the door, then pushed it open. Hoss\u2019 bewilderment grew when he saw that the bedroom held no occupant either. Looking around the room, Hoss\u2019 face took on a worried look. He could see a partially open drawer and a cleared desk where Jamie usually kept his favorite pieces and pictures. The closet door was open, revealing an empty space. Quickly, Hoss hurried out of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Jamie\u2019s gone,\u201d announced Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGone!\u201d repeated Ben in an astonished voice. \u201cWhere? Why? I thought you said he was worried about Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was,\u201d replied Hoss. \u201cAnd he was blaming himself for what happened. He must have figured we\u2019d blame him too and run away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe couldn\u2019t have gotten very far,\u201d said Ben. \u201cGo find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll find him,\u201d asserted Hoss, \u201cand I\u2019ll bring him home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Sitting under the tree, Jamie dozed fitfully. He had meant to ride until he reached Carson City, but hadn\u2019t gotten more than a few miles from the Ponderosa before his tired body began to protest. He had decided a short nap wouldn\u2019t hurt and had found a soft patch of ground. He didn\u2019t realize when he settled on to it that his short nap was going to last hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of footsteps approaching woke Jamie. He opened his eyes to see the large frame of Hoss standing over him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t get very far, did you?\u201d Hoss said, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scrambling to his feet, Jamie gave Hoss a determined look. \u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d he declared defiantly. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop me. If you take me back, I\u2019ll just run away again.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I guess we can\u2019t stop you,\u201d agreed Hoss in a reasonable voice. \u201cYou\u2019re free to leave anytime you want. But I think the least you could have done was say goodbye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking away, Jamie replied in a quiet voice, \u201cI couldn\u2019t, Hoss. I couldn\u2019t face you and Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie, there\u2019s a lot of bad things that a man has to face in his life,\u201d advised Hoss. \u201cBut this ain\u2019t one of them. I keep telling you that we don\u2019t blame you for what happened. You can believe that or not. If we can\u2019t convince you, though, and you want to leave, you can do that. But I think you owe it to us to say a proper goodbye to me and Pa\u2026.and Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d echoed Jaime, looking at Hoss with wide eyes. \u201cYou mean he\u2019s going to be all right? He\u2019s not going to die?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s a long way from dying,\u201d answered Hoss with a grin. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be pretty miserable for awhile, though. That bullet broke his hip and the doctor says there\u2019s nothing he can do but let nature take its course. Joe\u2019s looking at six weeks or so in bed, and I can\u2019t think of anything that\u2019s going to be harder on my little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a flash of insight, Jamie realized how he had misinterpreted the doctor\u2019s words when he listened at the door. A sudden feeling of relief and happiness flooded through the boy. He knew he could go back to the Ponderosa now, and Jamie couldn\u2019t think of anything he wanted more. \u201cHoss,\u201d he stated happily. \u201cI want to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The ride back to the Ponderosa was a short one. Jamie urged his horse down the trail at almost a gallop. Hoss followed a bit more slowly, but he was anxious as Jamie to return to the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the riders got to the house, Jamie quickly dismounted, tied his reins to the hitching post, and raced in the house. He ran up the stairs and into Joe\u2019s room, wanting to see for himself that Joe was going to be all right. As Jamie entered the bedroom, however, he stopped, suddenly feeling shy and embarrassed to talk with the man he had shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Propped by pillows, Joe was sitting up in bed. He smiled weakly as he saw Jamie rush into the room. \u201cHi, Jamie,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a step forward, Jamie asked, \u201cJoe, are you going to be all right?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to be fine,\u201d replied Joe. He glanced at Ben who was standing near the bed. \u201cPa says I\u2019m going to be laid up for a while but I should be good as new in no time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn six weeks,\u201d Ben declared sternly. \u201cYou aren\u2019t moving out of that bed for at least six weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019m sorry about what happened,\u201d Jamie apologized, taking a step closer to the bed. \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know it was,\u201d answered Joe. \u201cYou followed all the rules, just like I told you.\u201d Joe shrugged. \u201cThings happen. It was nobody\u2019s fault. I\u2019ll tell you one thing, though. I would have died out there if you hadn\u2019t kept your head. You got me home, and I thank you for that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got lost,\u201d Jamie admitted. \u201cI should have paid more attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI get lost all the time,\u201d Joe said with a grin. \u201cAsk Pa. He\u2019s always wondering where I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was so scared,\u201d Jamie added. \u201cI was afraid you were going to die and that I\u2019d have to leave the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie, the Ponderosa is your home now,\u201d Ben told the boy seriously. \u201cNothing you do can change that. You\u2019re part of our family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pushing the door open a bit, Hoss entered the room. He had walked more slowly into the house and bedroom, secure in the knowledge that Jamie would find Joe hadn\u2019t died. Now, seeing his brother sitting up in bed, Hoss grinned. \u201cWell, little brother, I see you found yourself away to get out of doing chores for a while,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling back at his brother, Joe answered, \u201cYeah, six weeks in a nice soft bed instead of a hard saddle. Not bad. Of course, Jamie here will have to pick up some of the slack. I know I can\u2019t rely on you to do all my chores.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help out,\u201d Jamie agreed eagerly. \u201cI want to make the Ponderosa the best ranch ever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt already is the best ranch,\u201d Joe pointed out with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it is,\u201d Jamie said. He looked around the room. \u201cHome is always the best place.\u201d<\/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 simple hunting excursion turns deadly.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a010,000 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,41],"tags":[15,17,20,16],"class_list":["post-13974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-jhc","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2061,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Jamie.png?fit=642%2C571&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49277,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49277","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":0},"title":"The Cartwright Family (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0A cute new song about the Cartwrights Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 Words:\u00a0 270","rel":"","context":"In "Family"","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49274,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49274","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":1},"title":"Little Joe’s Island (by LindaBl)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"May 22, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Synopsis:\u00a0Little Joe has another crazy dream. All the Cartwrights and Hop Sing are aboard the Dixie I when it is shipwrecked. [It is a comedy parody which combines Bonanza and Gilligan's Island]. There's even a song you can sing along :-) Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a0Words: 1730","rel":"","context":"In "Crossover"","block_context":{"text":"Crossover","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=24"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15511,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15511","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":2},"title":"A Peep Came this Way (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"December 3, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Pa should have known better than to let Jamie run an errand.\u00a0 A WHI for A Stranger Passed This Way. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (13,480 words)","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\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":3},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.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\/10\/feature-2.jpg?fit=338%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19077,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=19077","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":4},"title":"Studio Executives #4 – A Ponderosa Christmas . . . Or Maybe Not (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"December 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Have you ever wondered why we didn\u2019t see more Cartwright Christmas episodes? Turns out, it wasn\u2019t an oversight. . . . Rating: PG Word count: 1,500","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12135,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12135","url_meta":{"origin":13974,"position":5},"title":"Prelude to Rebirth (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.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\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13974","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=13974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13974\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}