{"id":13979,"date":"2007-12-12T17:53:29","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T22:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13979"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:10","slug":"the-fastest-gun-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13979","title":{"rendered":"The Fastest Gun (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0 Living life through his son, a father seeks revenge after refusing to accept that his son, who forced the confrontation, was outdrawn and killed.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a07750 \u00a0Rated: \u00a0T<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Fastest Gun<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even if the people in Virginia City hadn\u2019t known what happened, the sight of Ben Cartwright and his two older sons riding hard down the main street of the town would have told them that something was wrong. Individuals as well as small knots of people stopped what they were doing and watched with knowing eyes as the three Cartwrights hurried their mounts toward the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pulling his horse to a stop at the hitching post in front of Roy Coffee\u2019s office, Ben quickly dismounted and hurried toward the steps leading up to the\u00a0building. Adam and Hoss imitated their father\u2019s actions, pausing only long enough to wrap the reins of their horses, as well as Ben\u2019s, around the rail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben was halfway\u00a0up the steps when Sheriff Coffee emerged from the office and stood waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he, Roy?\u201d Ben demanded as he climbed the steps. \u201cIs he all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his hand up, the sheriff stopped the three men on the stairs. \u201cJoe\u2019s inside, Ben,\u201d Coffee said in a soothing voice. \u201cHe\u2019s not hurt but he is pretty shook up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he under arrest?\u201d Adam asked with a scowl.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s not under arrest,\u201d Coffee replied, still trying to calm the men in front of him. \u201cUnder the circumstances, though, I thought it best to bring him over here to my office and let him wait here until you showed up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cAll Frank told us was Joe was involved in a shooting and Jimmy Miller is dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubbing his chin, Coffee thought for a moment before answering. \u201cMaybe it would be best if Joe told you. He can probably do a better job of it than I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Giving a brief nod, Ben pushed past the sheriff and entered the office. He stopped just inside the door and looked at the young man sitting in the chair across from the sheriff\u2019s desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright was the picture of misery. His head was down and his shoulders were slumped; he was playing with the tan hat in his hands, turning it slowly as if he didn\u2019t recognize what he held. Although Joe had turned 22 a few months ago, he looked much younger to his father right now \u2013 an unhappy boy who was lost in a sea of desolation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d said Ben in a quiet voice. He took a step forward. \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning his face toward the sound, Joe looked his father with sad eyes. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. Joe swallowed hard and then looked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben repeated. He walked over to his son and placed his hand lightly on Joe\u2019s shoulder. Ben glanced to his left and saw Adam and Hoss as well as Roy Coffee standing silently in the doorway, watching and waiting. Ben turned back to his youngest boy. \u201cAre you all right, son?\u201d he asked softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still looking away, Joe nodded his head, a movement that was barely perceptible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened, Joe?\u201d Ben pressed his son. When Joe didn\u2019t answer, Ben tried again. \u201cTell me what happened, boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, Joe sat silently in the chair, looking at the hat in his hands. Then he slowly turned to look up at his father. \u201cIt was an accident, Pa,\u201d he said earnestly. \u201cI swear it was. I didn\u2019t mean to kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it was, son,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cJust tell me what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI…I went over the Silver Dollar to get a beer after ordering the feed at Simmons,\u201d Joe began slowly. \u201cJimmy\u2026Jimmy Miller was sitting at a table in the back, drinking and sounding off like he usually does.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben nodded his understanding. The nice little boy who had gone to school with Joe and spent Saturdays fishing with his son had grown up into a bully and a braggart. Left motherless at ten, Jimmy was raised by a father appeared to barely notice he had a son. The only time Caleb Miller seemed to acknowledge his son was when Jimmy got into trouble for fighting. When Jimmy won a fight, Caleb praised his son for being the toughest kid in town, but if Jimmy lost, his father berated him as a failure. So Jimmy quickly learned to bully anyone weaker than him and to brag about his accomplishments, knowing that was the only was to get his father\u2019s attention and approval. Joe tried to stay out of Jimmy\u2019s way and Jimmy in turn usually ignored Joe. Ben had never been sure whether it was the memory of their one-time friendship or Jimmy\u2019s uncertainty about the consequences of taking on Joe which kept the two young men apart, but whatever the reason, an unspoken truce had existed between them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy was bragging about being the fastest gun in Virginia City,\u201d Joe continued. \u201cSome of those so-called friends of his started riding him about how he wasn\u2019t as fast as me. I heard them arguing but I just stayed at the bar, drinking my beer. Next thing I knew, Jimmy was standing next to me and challenging me to a gun fight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou could have walked away, Joe,\u201d Ben suggested quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did, Pa!\u201d Joe protested. \u201cHonest, I did. I knew Jimmy had been drinking and was just trying to show off. So I told him I wasn\u2019t interested. Jimmy started saying things like I was afraid of him, that I was too yellow to face him. I admit it got to me a bit but I didn\u2019t want a fight and started to walk away. I heard some hooting and name-calling from the back, but I ignored it. Just as I got to the door, Jimmy yelled my name, and when I turned, he was standing there, ready to draw. Before I could say anything, he reached for his gun. I pulled mine and fired before he did. I thought I hit Jimmy in the shoulder, but he must have moved or my aim was bad or something. When I walked over to him, someone said he was dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, Ben arched an eyebrow toward Roy Coffee, silently asking a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got to saloon right after it happened,\u201d the sheriff said. \u201cBut I don\u2019t doubt what Joe says is true. Everybody there said Jimmy drew first. Doc Martin looked at the body. He said Joe\u2019s bullet hit Jimmy high in the shoulder, but it probably ricocheted off a bone into his heart or lung. That\u2019s the best explanation he could give on why Jimmy is dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I didn\u2019t mean to kill him, honest,\u201d Joe declared fervently. \u201cI tried to walk away, but when he reached for his gun\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I believe you,\u201d Ben interrupted. He closed his hand gently on Joe\u2019 shoulder, reassuring his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe started it,\u201d said Adam as he took a step into the room. \u201cYou had to defend yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Joe,\u201d Hoss added as he followed his older brother. \u201cYou ain\u2019t got nothing to blame yourself for. You didn\u2019t try to kill Jimmy. He was just unlucky that your bullet took a funny bounce after it hit him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen why do I feel so bad?\u201d asked Joe, turning away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I\u2019d be worried if you didn\u2019t feel bad about killing someone,\u201d Ben told his son. \u201cTaking someone\u2019s life \u2013 even if it was an accident \u2013 should never be something you can just shrug off.\u201d Ben moved his hand to Joe\u2019s right shoulder, draping his arm around his son\u2019s back, and then pulled Joe toward him. \u201cI know it\u2019s upsetting, especially since you and Jimmy were friends as youngsters, but you only shot in self-defense. Feeling sad about what happened is only right, but don\u2019t feel guilty. You didn\u2019t start the fight and you didn\u2019t try to kill him. Jimmy is dead because he wanted to prove he was a fast gun, because he tried to shoot you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A small nod from Joe told Ben his son understood his words, but a look at the misery on Joe\u2019s face told Ben that his son didn\u2019t really believe them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking back over his shoulder, Ben asked, \u201cRoy, does Caleb know about Jimmy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows,\u201d Coffee confirmed. \u201cOne of the hands from the Miller ranch was in town, and when he heard what happened, he rode out to tell Caleb right away. Caleb came in a little while ago. He\u2019s over at the funeral parlor making arrangements. That\u2019s why I thought it best to keep Joe here until you arrived. I didn\u2019t want Joe to run into Caleb here in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben looked at the sheriff. \u201cDo you think there\u2019ll be trouble? Will Caleb or his men come after Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben,\u201d Coffee admitted. \u201cCaleb\u2019s pretty upset, naturally. But I\u2019ll talk to him and try to make him understand that it wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault, that Jimmy drew first and that it was an accident his son is dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaleb Miller is a bully and a hothead, just like his son,\u201d Adam stated bluntly. \u201cDo you really think you can calm him down by talking to him?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can try,\u201d replied the sheriff. He turned to face Joe. \u201cJoe, Judge Williams wants to hold an inquest on Jimmy\u2019s death. It\u2019s just a formality. There were six or seven people in the Silver Dollar who confirmed your story. But the inquest might help calm down Caleb. If he hears a judge say that you ain\u2019t responsible for Jimmy\u2019s death, maybe that will end things for him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if it don\u2019t, Roy?\u201d asked Hoss. \u201cWhat if Mr. Miller gets it into his head that he wants to get back at Joe for killing Jimmy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to talk to the judge,\u201d answered Coffee. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll do what he can to make Caleb understand it wasn\u2019t Joe\u2019s fault. But in the meantime, I think you boys better take Joe back to the Ponderosa and keep him there. I\u2019ll let you know when the inquest is scheduled to be held.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about those lowlifes that hung around Jimmy?\u201d Adam pressed the sheriff. \u201cDo you think they\u2019ll come after Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d Roy replied. \u201cThey all took off as soon as they saw Jimmy was dead. He was their meal ticket, and without him, they had no reason to stick around. They ain\u2019t the kind who are real big on loyalty.\u201d The sheriff turned back to Joe. \u201cThis will probably all blow over in a couple of days, Joe. You just stay at the Ponderosa until the inquest. I\u2019m sure everything will be fine by then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Roy,\u201d said Ben in a quiet voice. He turned to his son. \u201cCome on, Joe, let\u2019s go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe simply sat in the chair. Then he took a deep breath and slowly got to his feet. Without a word or a glance at the other men in the office, Joe walked to the door. Ben quickly followed his son, as did Adam and Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

All four Cartwrights stopped on the small porch outside the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s your horse, Joe?\u201d Ben asked, putting his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDown at Simmons,\u201d answered Joe in a flat voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go get \u2018im,\u201d offered Hoss. The big man hurried down the steps from the office and walked quickly across the main street of Virginia City.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I didn\u2019t like what Jimmy had become, but I never wanted to kill him,\u201d Joe said in a voice full of regret. He shook his head. \u201cIt all happened so fast. Once minute Jimmy was yelling at me and the next minute he was dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A loud voice yelling from the street startled the three men standing outside the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMurderer! Joe Cartwright, you\u2019re a murderer!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The shout was coming from a heavy-set man dressed in a tan checked shirt and black pants. The man sported a white mustache on his lip, and wore a faded black hat over his white hair. A finely tooled leather holster was belted around his waist, its holster hiding all but the dark handle of a revolver.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey told me you outdrew my Jimmy,\u201d shouted the man as he approached the sheriff\u2019s office. \u201cI know that could never happen. You shot him, killed him in cold blood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Caleb, that\u2019s not true,\u201d Ben called back. \u201cYour boy drew first. Joe shot in self-defense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb Miller stopped in the street in front of the office and glared up at the men on the small porch. \u201cLiar!\u201d he yelled in an angry voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true, Mr. Miller,\u201d Joe declared, trying to keep his voice steady. \u201cI never meant to kill Jimmy. I\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m sorry about what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Glancing to his right, Ben could see the look of misery had returned to Joe\u2019s face. He put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder to both reassure and steady his son. As he did so, Ben could see from the corner of his eye that Roy Coffee had emerged from the office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaleb, there\u2019s going to be an inquest into Jimmy\u2019s death,\u201d Coffee announced in a loud voice. \u201cBut I can tell you right now that all the people in the saloon told me the same story. Jimmy drew first, and Joe shot him in self-defense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiars! They\u2019re all liars!\u201d Miller spat back at the sheriff. \u201cYou\u2019re just protecting the Cartwrights, like you always do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody is protecting anyone,\u201d Adam called to the man. \u201cWe\u2019re just telling you what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know what happened,\u201d retorted Miller, shaking his fist at the men on the porch. \u201cJoe Cartwright killed my son, shot him before Jimmy had a chance to draw his gun. It wasn\u2019t a fair fight. It couldn\u2019t have been. You think you can get away with murder? I\u2019m not about to let that happen!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Caleb Miller lowered his fist and moved his hand toward his gun. But before he could grab the weapon, two massive arms pinned his elbows against his body. As Miller felt himself being pulled into a crushing bear hug, he looked over his shoulder into the face of Hoss Cartwright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go!\u201d shouted Miller furiously as he struggled to free himself. \u201cLet me go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow you just calm down, Mr. Miller,\u201d Hoss ordered as he tightened his grip. \u201cThere\u2019s been enough shooting in Virginia City for one day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as Hoss wrapped his arms around the angry man, Adam had rushed down the stairs to help. Now the oldest Cartwright brother pulled the gun from Miller\u2019s holster and stuck it in his belt. He nodded at Hoss, and when the big man released his hold, Adam grabbed Miller\u2019s right arm in an iron grip. He didn\u2019t need to look to know Hoss had done the same with the man\u2019s left arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, boys, bring him into the office,\u201d called Sheriff Coffee in an almost matter-of-fact tone. He watched as the two Cartwright marched Miller to the steps. When the trio reached the top of the stairs, the sheriff added, \u201cPut him in the first cell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t arrest me!\u201d yelled Miller. \u201cI haven\u2019t done anything!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re disturbing the peace,\u201d explained Coffee in an even voice. He looked at Adam. \u201cThe keys are on the post. Lock him up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After Adam and Hoss had dragged Miller away, Ben turned to the sheriff. \u201cYou not really going to arrest him, are you, Roy?\u201d he asked with a frown. \u201cCaleb\u2019s upset; he just lost his son. He doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not going to arrest him,\u201d Coffee reassured his old friend. \u201cI\u2019m just going to keep in a cell for a few hours. That\u2019ll give him time to cool off and give you time to get Joe back to the Ponderosa. It\u2019ll also give me a chance to talk to him, try to make him see reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you can\u2019t\u2026\u201d Ben started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou just take Joe home,\u201d declared Roy firmly. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of things here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben turned to Joe, who had been watching events unfold with a stunned expression on his face \u201cLet\u2019s go home, son,\u201d he said, patting Joe lightly on the back.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe continued to stare into the office. Then he nodded and murmured, \u201cYeah, let\u2019s get out of here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It took three days of riding fence and chasing strays before Joe came to terms with the death of Jimmy Miller. His father and brothers knew Joe well enough to let him alone while he replayed the scene in the saloon in his head repeatedly and wondered what he could have done to have changed the outcome. They were wise enough to ignore Joe sitting silently at the dinner table while they discussed ranch business. No one on the Ponderosa discussed the death of Jimmy Miller or tried to tell Joe that he shouldn\u2019t feel guilty about shooting a man who drew on him first. Everyone knew that Joe would have to come to that conclusion himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

At breakfast on the fourth day, Adam noted that the herd on the south pasture needed to be moved to better grazing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe grass is pretty thick north of Boulder Creek,\u201d commented Joe as he sliced the breakfast ham on his plate. \u201cI saw it the other day when I was chasing strays. It looks like a good place to move the herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The other three men sitting at the table breathed a silent sigh of relief. They knew if Joe was ready to talk about the ranch, the youngest Cartwright had put aside whatever demons that had been pestering him about Jimmy Miller\u2019s death.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Ben replied, trying to sound casual. \u201cWe can start moving them next week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid Roy send word about when they\u2019re going to hold the inquest on Jimmy Miller?\u201d Joe asked as he reached for the coffee pot on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s scheduled for tomorrow morning,\u201d answered Ben carefully. \u201cI was going to talk with you about it after breakfast. You\u2019ll need to testify.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Joe acknowledged with a sigh. \u201cI\u2019m not looking forward to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a formality, Joe,\u201d advised Adam. \u201cRoy said the witnesses confirmed what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not worried about the inquest,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026well, Mr. Miller will be there. You saw how he was the other day. Now I\u2019m going to have tell him again how Jimmy died, and that\u2019s not going to be easy for Mr. Miller to hear. It\u2019s sort of like pouring salt into a wound. I hate the thought of doing that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny father is going to be devastated by the death of his child, Joe,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing worse than that. He wonders why it happened, what he could have done to prevent it. Caleb was always pushing Jimmy to be tough, to never back down. Maybe he feels he pushed Jimmy too hard.\u201d Ben shook his head. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s just easier if you can find someone else to blame for your child\u2019s death. Blaming someone else means you don\u2019t have to take a hard look at yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Mr. Miller will cause trouble at the hearing, Pa?\u201d asked Hoss with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cBut perhaps hearing the testimony at the inquest about what happened will help him to stop blaming Joe for Jimmy\u2019s death and realize it was just an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaleb Miller doesn\u2019t strike me as the kind of man to forgive and forget,\u201d stated Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Joe,\u201d injected Hoss quickly as he saw the look of concern on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cAll you have to do is give your testimony and let the judge rule you weren\u2019t to blame for Jimmy\u2019s death. Then it will all be over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d replied Joe wistfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The Cartwrights rode into Virginia City on the morning of the hearing looking solemn but also a bit wary. As they stopped their horses at a hitching post near the courthouse, Ben kept a sharp eye out for any sign of Caleb Miller or his men. Adam and Hoss also searched the street with their eyes, looking for any sign of trouble. Only Joe seem unaware of what was going on around them; his eyes were focused on the courthouse and his expression was grim.<\/span><\/p>\n

The streets of Virginia City seemed deserted. Ben guessed the townspeople were either in the courthouse waiting to see what would happen at the inquest, or staying at home to avoid being caught up in any conflict between the Cartwrights and Caleb Miller. He was surprised to hear his name being called, and even more taken aback when he realized Roy Coffee was the one walking down the street shouting his name.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I\u2019m glad I got a chance to see you and the boys before the inquest started,\u201d declared the sheriff when he finally reached the Cartwrights.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Roy?\u201d asked Ben with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t rightly know, Ben,\u201d admitted Coffee, \u201cbut there\u2019s something strange going on. I had lined up Pete Johnson, Fred Taylor and few others to testify today. They were all in the saloon when the shooting happened and they all told me that Jimmy Miller drew first. Yesterday I rode out to make sure Pete knew to come to town this morning and I found his shack empty. It looked like he\u2019d be gone a day, maybe longer. Then when I got to the Taylor place, Fred\u2019s wife told me he was sick \u2013 too sick the make the trip to town today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think Miller got to them?\u201d Adam asked, his frown matching his father\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t prove anything,\u201d the sheriff replied. \u201cPete Johnson\u2019s been known to take off to go hunting whenever he feels like it, and Fred Taylor did look kind of pale and sickly when I talked with him at the saloon. I thought it was because of Jimmy dying right in front of him but it could have been something else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the other witnesses?\u201d asked Ben in a concerned voice. \u201cWill they testify?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSam, the bartender at the Silver Dollar, told me yesterday that he\u2019d be at the inquest,\u201d Coffee answered. \u201cBut last night there was a fire in the storage shed at the back of the Silver Dollar. It didn\u2019t do much damage but Sam seemed pretty shaken up when he heard about it. I got him to the courthouse this morning but he seemed a bit skittish when we were walking over. The other witness is Toby Green, and you know how much he likes the bottle, Ben. I made sure he was sober this morning, but, well, he ain\u2019t the most reliable fellow around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat should we do, Roy?\u201d Hoss asked as he glanced at his younger brother. Joe was still staring at the courthouse, seemingly impervious to the conversation swirling around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t nothing to do,\u201d Coffee declared. \u201cI can\u2019t prove Miller scared off Pete and Fred, and both Sam and Toby are inside. So we\u2019ll have to go on with the inquest. I just thought you should know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Roy,\u201d said Ben, nodding at his old friend. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to see what happens.\u201d He turned to Joe and patted his son lightly on the back. \u201cCome on, Joe, it\u2019s time to go in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe seemed almost startled by his father\u2019s touch and voice. He looked around for a moment as if he suddenly realized where he was. Then, without a word, he walked toward the courthouse.<\/span><\/p>\n

Inside the building, the seats were filled people and the buzz of their conversation filled the air. The room fell silent, however, when the Cartwrights and Sheriff Coffee entered and made their way to the five empty chairs at the front of the room. As the sheriff nodded his thanks to a man who obviously had been shooing people away from the chairs, Ben looked around. He saw Caleb Miller sitting the aisle, in a chair in the middle of the crowd. Miller glared at Ben, who looked back at him with a stony expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights and Roy Coffee had barely settled in their seats when a door opened at the front of the room and a man in a dark robe walked out. As everyone in the room stood up, Judge Williams climbed to the chair behind the large judicial bench and sat down. He banged his gavel once and waited for the gathering to be seated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of James Miller,\u201d announced the judge in a loud voice. \u201cThe purpose is to hear testimony to determine if any further legal action is required. This hearing is informal in the sense that there are no lawyers and I\u2019ll ask the questions of the witnesses. But the rules of evidence still apply. Witnesses will be sworn in and will be obliged to tell the truth. Witnesses may only testify to what they saw and heard themselves. After the testimony has been completed, I\u2019ll make my ruling.\u201d Williams paused and looked around the room, making sure that his words were understood by everyone sitting in front of him. Satisfied, he consulted a paper and then called Joe\u2019s name. Joe rose and slowly walked to the chair in the witness stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

After being sworn in and at the prompting of the judge, Joe simply repeated what he had told his father in the sheriff\u2019s office \u2013 that a drunk and bragging Jimmy Miller, egged on by his friends, had drawn on him and Joe had shot him in self-defense. Judge Williams asked Joe if he was sure Jimmy had drawn first and Joe reiterated that he had. The judge nodded and dismissed Joe from the witness stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consulting the paper in front of him once more, Judge Williams called for the bartender from the Silver Dollar to take the seat in the witness stand. Sam stood up from his chair in the middle of the crowd and looked around, as if unsure what he should do next. Then he eased himself in front of the people sitting next to him and walked to the witness stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSam,\u201d asked the judge, \u201ccan you corroborate the testimony given by Joe Cartwright?<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam squirmed a bit in the chair and then looked out at the crowded courtroom. His gaze traveled around the room, finally stopping at Caleb Miller. Miller returned the bartender\u2019s look with a hard stare. Sam gulped and then took a deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour honor, I did see the shooting, but I can\u2019t say for sure who drew first,\u201d Sam declared.<\/span><\/p>\n

A murmur rippled through the spectators; Ben exchanged a look with Adam, both men frowning at each other. Joe sat still as a statue while Hoss glared at the bartender.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, hold on, Sam,\u201d shouted Roy Coffee, jumping to his feet. \u201cThat\u2019s not what you told me. You said you saw the whole thing, that Jimmy Miller drew first.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As the murmur from the crowd erupted into loud buzz, Judge Williams banged his gavel. \u201cSilence!\u201d ordered the judge and the courtroom fell quiet. Williams turned to the man sitting in the witness chair. \u201cSam, did you tell Roy Coffee something different than what you just said?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, your honor, I guess I was sort of caught up in everything when the shooting happened,\u201d replied the bartender. \u201cEveryone was saying Jimmy drew first and I just went along with that. But after thinking about it, I decided I hadn\u2019t really seen who drew first. I was busy drawing beers and I didn\u2019t look up until I heard the shot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid anyone threaten you or influence you in any way to change your statement?\u201d asked Judge Williams with a frown.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, Sam took a deep breath and looked around the courtroom. This time his gaze rested on Caleb Miller for only a moment. Then the bartender shook his head. \u201cNo sir, your honor,\u201d Sam stated. \u201cI\u2019m just telling you what I saw, like you said I should. I can\u2019t tell you what I didn\u2019t really see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, you\u2019re dismissed,\u201d advised the judge with a sigh. He glanced at the paper for a third time and then called, \u201cToby Green, please take the stand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A small, thin man wearing a dirty tan shirt and stained black pants stood up at the back of the courtroom. As he made his way toward the witness stand, Toby paused for a moment, looked at Caleb Miller and winked. Then he walked confidently toward the front of the courtroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToby, were you in the Silver Dollar saloon on the day of the shooting?\u201d asked Judge Williams after Toby had made himself comfortable in the witness chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI must have been, your honor,\u201d answered Toby. \u201cI\u2019m there every day. It\u2019s kind of my home away from home, except the saloon is warmer and has whiskey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A laugh exploded from the spectators causing the judge to bang his gavel until the room grew quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Toby, do you remember the day when Jimmy Miller was shot?\u201d asked the judge patiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSort of, your honor,\u201d Toby replied. \u201cThe days kind of run together for me. Things get pretty hazy in my mind around the third drink.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou told Sheriff Coffee that you saw Jimmy Miller draw his gun before Joe Cartwright. Do you remember that?\u201d Williams pressed the witness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but if you say I did, I believe you,\u201d Toby answered with a smile. \u201cYou\u2019re a judge. You wouldn\u2019t lie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The laughter rippled around the courtroom once again as Toby sat beaming proudly in the chair in the witness stand. Judge Williams shook his head in disbelief and told Toby he could leave the stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the crowd has quieted down, the judge looked at Roy Coffee. \u201cSheriff, do you have any more witnesses to call?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have two more witnesses, but neither one of them are here, your honor,\u201d Coffee answered. He turned to stare at Caleb Miller before adding, \u201cOne of them has disappeared and the other has suddenly come down sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any evidence that the witnesses were influenced or in anyway prevented from testifying?\u201d Judge Williams asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, your honor,\u201d Coffee admitted, \u201cI don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Williams said. He looked around the courtroom. \u201cDoes anyone here have any testimony they wish to give in this matter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do!\u201d declared a man getting to his feet. He had been sitting in the chair next to Caleb Miller.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are\u2026?\u201d asked the judge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Bill Peterson,\u201d replied the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWere you in the Silver Dollar Saloon on the day of the shooting?\u201d asked the judge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no,\u201d Peterson admitted, \u201cbut I heard\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A loud bang from the gavel interrupted the man. \u201cMr. Peterson, if you were not in the saloon at the time of the shooting, you can not give testimony,\u201d declared Judge Williams. \u201cAnything you heard about the shooting is hearsay evidence and inadmissible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut Judge\u2026\u201d protested Peterson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Mr. Peterson,\u201d Williams ordered. \u201cYou can not give testimony in this hearing!\u201d The judge looked around the room. \u201cIs there anyone else who wishes to testify?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another man jumped to his feet, a cowboy who had been sitting behind Caleb Miller. \u201cI\u2019ll testify,\u201d declared the man. \u201cI was in the saloon that day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo you weren\u2019t, Sam Bailey,\u201d stated Roy Coffee, getting to his feet. \u201cI know exactly who was in the saloon that day and you weren\u2019t there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Bailey, you should know that lying in this court is considered perjury,\u201d added the judge. \u201cI have no qualms about sending perjurers to jail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Biting his lip, Bailey looked down at the man sitting in front of him. Caleb Miller stared straight ahead, ignoring the cowboy. \u201cWell, maybe I was confused about which day I was in the saloon,\u201d Bailey mumbled before taking his seat again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow then,\u201d said the judge, looking sternly at the gallery. \u201cIs there any other testimony? Testimony from someone who was actually in the saloon and a witness to the shooting?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The courtroom was silent as the spectators looked at one another. Once again, Ben and Adam exchanged worried looks. Without someone to corroborate what Joe had told the judge, they weren\u2019t sure how Williams would rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll testify,\u201d called a voice suddenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone in the courtroom turn to look to the rear. A woman wearing a green dress cut low in the front was standing at the back of the room. Her blonde hair was piled on her head and traces of powder and rouge were visible on her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll testify, judge,\u201d the woman repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are\u2026?\u201d Williams asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Lila Watson. I work at the Silver Dollar Saloon,\u201d replied the woman. \u201cI saw the shooting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen please come to the witness stand,\u201d the judge ordered.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Lila walked toward the front of the courtroom, several men admired her swaying hips while a number of women whispered among themselves with scandalized expressions on their faces. Ben leaned back in his chair and gave Roy Coffee a questioning look. The sheriff merely shrugged his shoulders in reply.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cartwrights watched carefully as Lila was sworn in and settled into the witness stand. Joe was trying to remember if he had seen Lila at the Silver Dollar that day and where she had been standing. Ben, Adam and Hoss had worried expressions on their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease tell us what you know about the death of Jimmy Miller,\u201d ordered the judge after Lila was had made herself comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, the woman didn\u2019t answer. She looked at Caleb Miller and then at the Cartwrights. A small smile flickered across her face as her eyes rested on Joe. Then she cleared her throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was working at the Silver Dollar on the day Jimmy Miller was killed,\u201d Lila began. \u201cIt happened just like Joe Cartwright said. Jimmy was drinking and then he challenged Joe to a gunfight. Joe walked away, even though Jimmy was calling him all kinds of names, real bad names. Right as Joe got to the door, Jimmy shouted at him. Joe turned around and Jimmy started to draw. Joe was faster. He shot Jimmy before Jimmy\u2019s gun could clear his holster.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This time it was Caleb Miller who leaped to his feet among the buzzing crowd. \u201cShe\u2019s lying!\u201d yelled Miller. \u201cJoe Cartwright could never outdraw my Jimmy. The Cartwrights paid her to lie!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSit down, Caleb,\u201d commanded the judge as he banged his gavel several times. \u201cSit down and be quiet or I\u2019ll have you removed from this courtroom.\u201d Miller looked defiantly at the judge for several seconds and then sat down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure about what you saw?\u201d Judge Williams asked Lila.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure, Judge,\u201d the woman replied. \u201cI saw the whole thing. Jimmy started for his gun first but Joe outdrew him.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cLordy, I ain\u2019t never seen anyone draw that fast except for maybe a gunfighter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d said the judge politely. \u201cYou may leave the stand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After getting to her feet, Lila walked toward the back of the courtroom, again drawing both admiring and scandalized looks as she proceeded down the narrow aisle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anyone else who wishes to testify?\u201d asked Judge Williams. He looked around the courtroom; no one in the crowd moved. \u201cFine, then testimony is concluded.\u201d The judge picked up the paper from the desk in front of him, looked it over and then put it down. \u201cJoseph Cartwright has testified that he shot and killed James Miller after Mr. Miller drew his gun with the intention to shoot him,\u201d announced Judge Williams. \u201cThat testimony had been corroborated by an independent witness. There has been no testimony to contradict the circumstances of Mr. Miller\u2019s death. Therefore, this court rules that James Miller was killed by Joseph Cartwright in self-defense. No further legal action is deemed appropriate in this matter. This case is closed.\u201d The judge banged his gavel to emphasize the finality of his decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the spectator section, Caleb Miller jumped to his feet, outraged at the judge\u2019s decision. \u201cYou mean Joe Cartwright is going to get away with killing my boy?\u201d he shouted. \u201cThat\u2019s not right!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made my ruling, Caleb,\u201d replied the judge in a firm voice. \u201cYour son drew first. Joe Cartwright simply fired in self-defense. That\u2019s the end of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy boy couldn\u2019t have drawn first!\u201d Miller yelled. \u201cHe was faster than Joe Cartwright. He was faster than anyone in this town. I know it. Everyone knows it. The only way Joe Cartwright could have killed Jimmy was by shooting him before he had a chance to go for his gun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A frown appeared on Ben\u2019s face as he listened the Miller\u2019s ranting, and then his face cleared as if a thought had dawned on him. \u201cCaleb, I\u2019m beginning to understand what this is all about,\u201d announced Ben as he stood and faced the angry man on the other side of the aisle. You\u2019re more upset that Joe outdrew Jimmy than the fact that your son is dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a moment, Miller\u2019s eyes dropped to stare at the floor. He raised them again, though, and glared back at Ben. \u201cThat\u2019s not true,\u201d Miller said in a defiant voice. \u201cI\u2019m sorry my son is dead, real sorry. I just don\u2019t want him going to his grave with a lie hanging over him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is true,\u201d insisted Ben. \u201cYou never cared what Jimmy did as long as he had a reputation \u2013 a reputation for being fast with his fist and fast with his gun. You aren\u2019t grieving the loss of your son. You\u2019re grieving the loss of his reputation as the fastest gun in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy son was the fastest gun,\u201d countered Miller angrily. \u201cNo judge, no lying witness, nobody can tell me anything different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does it matter who was the fastest?\u201d pressed Ben. \u201cJimmy is dead. Nothing can change that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t change the fact that my son is dead,\u201d Miller acknowledged. \u201cBut I won\u2019t have anyone saying Joe Cartwright was faster on the draw than my boy. It just ain\u2019t true.\u201d The angry man pointed a finger at Joe. \u201cYou know you couldn\u2019t out-draw my Jimmy. Admit it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With an almost sad expression, Joe rose slowly and stood by his father. \u201cMaybe Jimmy was faster than me,\u201d he agreed. \u201cBut that day, he was drunk; maybe that made him a little slower than usual. I thought Jimmy was going to shoot me; maybe that made me a little faster than usual. I don\u2019t know what would have happened if the circumstances would have been different. I do know that I don\u2019t want to be known as the fastest gun in Virginia City. So if you want to bury Jimmy with that title, that\u2019s fine with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou admit that Jimmy was faster than you?\u201d asked Miller<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d answered Joe, shrugging a bit. \u201cOn any other day, he probably could have out-drawn me. That day, well, maybe I just got lucky. But if you want me to say Jimmy was the fastest gun in Virginia City, I\u2019ll be happy to.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou all heard him,\u201d Miller declared in a loud voice. He swept his arm around the room. \u201cYou all heard him,\u201d he repeated. \u201cJoe Cartwright admitted my Jimmy was the fastest gun. You remember that.\u201d He placed his hat on his head, then turned and walked out of the courtroom. Miller didn\u2019t look back, so he didn\u2019t see the expressions of the people sitting in the gallery. Some were looking at him with pity but most watched him with disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what kind of man cares more about his boy\u2019s reputation than his life?\u201d Hoss asked as he moved to stand by his father and brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Hoss,\u201d Ben admitted, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Jimmy never had a chance,\u201d observed Adam as he got to his feet. \u201cHe was doomed the day his father gave him a gun. The way Caleb pushed Jimmy to show fast he was with a gun, it was only a question of time before someone outdrew him and shot him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I was the one who did it,\u201d said Joe glumly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not knowing what to say, Ben simply put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders and patted his son gently. Joe looked over at his father and nodded, acknowledging the gesture of comfort and support. After taking a deep breath, Joe closed his eyes for a moment, as if erasing some image from his mind. Then he opened his eyes and straightened his shoulders. Once more he nodded at his father; this time the gesture was sharp and sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben looked his son in the eye and then turned to Hoss and Adam. \u201cCome on, boys,\u201d he announced, \u201cit\u2019s time to go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Outside the courtroom, Ben saw Lila Watson walking on the boarded sidewalk; he called to the woman, and hurried toward her when she stopped and looked back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Watson, I just wanted to thank you for testifying,\u201d Ben said when he reached Lila.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo thanks needed, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Lila stated with a smile. \u201cI just told the truth.\u201d She looked over Ben\u2019s shoulder to where Joe and his brothers now stood. \u201cJoe was always nice to me. It wasn\u2019t right that he got blamed for something that wasn\u2019t his fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re easy to be nice to, Lila,\u201d Joe said, flashing his own smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt took some courage to speak up,\u201d Adam declared. \u201cFrom what we\u2019ve heard, Caleb Miller did his best to make sure none of the witnesses would testify.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the advantage of being nothing but a saloon girl, as Jimmy used to call me,\u201d replied Lila. \u201cNobody really sees you or pays any attention to you. Mr. Miller probably never gave me a second thought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThings ain\u2019t going to be easy for you in Virginia City after this,\u201d Hoss noted. \u201cMiller\u2019s ranch hands might not be real polite around you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Lila answered with a shrug. \u201cI\u2019m leaving tomorrow morning for San Francisco. I got a new job waiting for me there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something we can do to help?\u201d offered Ben, reaching for his wallet in the pocket of his vest. \u201cPay for your stage coach ticket perhaps?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lila put her hand on Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cNo, that\u2019s not necessary, Mr. Cartwright. I\u2019m fine, really I am.\u201d She shook her head a bit. \u201cBesides, how would it look, me taking money from the Cartwrights? That would just confirm what Mr. Miller said about me being paid off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d Ben agreed, lowering his arm. \u201cIf you ever do need anything, though, please let us know. You know how to reach us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d promised Lila, and then smiled. \u201cNext time, you\u2019re in San Francisco, come see me at the Golden Palace. You can buy me a drink.\u201d Giving a small wave, the woman walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Cartwrights turned to walk back to their horses, a rider coming down the street pulled his own mount to a halt next to them. The rider was a young man dressed in a gray shirt and black pants; he wore a gunbelt low on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one of you is Joe Cartwright?\u201d the man asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho wants to know?\u201d countered Adam, looking suspiciously at the young rider.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cName\u2019s Will Fleming,\u201d answered the young man. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Joe Cartwright.\u201d Fleming lifted his gun slightly in his holster and then dropped it down again. \u201cI hear Joe Cartwright is the fastest gun in Virginia City. I aim to find out if that\u2019s true.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Joe Cartwright,\u201d announced Joe. \u201cBut I\u2019m not the fastest gun in Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I hear,\u201d Fleming said with a frown. \u201cBut if you ain\u2019t, who is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy Miller,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cJimmy Miller is the fastest gun in Virginia City. We just heard that stated for a fact in court.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The frown on Fleming\u2019s face deepened. \u201cI heard you killed Jimmy Miller. If you did, then that makes you the fastest gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI killed Jimmy,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut like I said in court, he probably would have outdrawn me if he hadn\u2019t been drunk. I was just lucky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if Jimmy Miller is dead and you weren\u2019t really faster than him, then who is the fastest gun in Virginia City?\u201d Fleming asked in a confused voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess that would be you,\u201d declared Adam. \u201cGood luck with that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The confusion grew on Fielder\u2019s face as the Cartwrights walked away from him.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the four Cartwrights reached their horses, Ben stopped and turned to face his youngest son. \u201cJoe, I think it would be a wise idea to stay away from town for awhile. There may be a few others like that Fleming kid looking for the fastest gun in town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just how long do you want me to hide out at the ranch?\u201d demanded Joe, his eyes flashing with anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s see,\u201d Adam said in a calm voice. \u201cI figure it will take two or three days to round up all the strays, and probably another four days after that to move the herd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and that fence needs fixing up at Boulder Creek before that. I think that would be a real good job for you, little brother,\u201d added Hoss with a chuckle. \u201cI can think of three or four other little chores to keep you busy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s anger cooled as he realized both the wisdom of his father\u2019s suggestion and the work that needed to be done on the ranch. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re going to give me every rotten job there is to do for a while,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the plan, little brother,\u201d Hoss agreed amiably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, there\u2019s enough work to keep you busy for two weeks or so,\u201d Ben declared. \u201cThat should be long enough for any gunmen who are looking for a fight to get bored and leave town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a feeling it\u2019s is going to be a long two weeks,\u201d Joe said with a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt probably will be,\u201d agreed Ben with a smile. Then his expression sobered. \u201cJoe, I want you to know that the only reputation I want you to have is that of being a good man. Nothing else is important to me and it shouldn\u2019t be important to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, Pa,\u201d Joe stated firmly. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be known as the fastest gun or anything like that. If people think that I\u2019m half the man that Ben Cartwright is, then I\u2019m happy. That\u2019s all the reputation I want.\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:\u00a0 Living life through his son, a father seeks revenge after refusing to accept that his son, who forced the confrontation, was outdrawn and killed.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a07750 \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":[23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2113,"today_views":0},"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":1984,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1984","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":0},"title":"Rattlesnake — aka After the Gunfight (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"November 12, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A gunfight and the resulting collateral damage.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 T \u00a0(1,845 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6308,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6308","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":1},"title":"Gunplay (by debpet)","author":"debpet","date":"August 7, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0What starts out as a happy birthday turns traumatic for Joe. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a02200","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/bonanza7.jpg?fit=720%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47164,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47164","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":2},"title":"Measure of a Man (by Kimberley)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 31, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam's principles are put to the test. Rating:\u00a0 PG Words:\u00a0 5,390","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/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":13965,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13965","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":3},"title":"One Night in Bear River (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Having delivered the herd, the Cartwrights were only planning to spend one night in town before heading home. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (6,960 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\/Bear-River.png?fit=527%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Bear-River.png?fit=527%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Bear-River.png?fit=527%2C527&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13963,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13963","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":4},"title":"The Hideaway (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Joe is accused of murder. Word Count: \u00a018,000 \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":13999,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13999","url_meta":{"origin":13979,"position":5},"title":"The Hand of Fate (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The stage on which Joe is riding home is held up and robbed, sending Ben and Hoss on a mission to rescue Joe. Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (19,900 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\/2016\/06\/Fathers-Day.jpg?fit=300%2C300&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\/13979","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=13979"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13979\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}