{"id":13980,"date":"2003-12-12T17:48:47","date_gmt":"2003-12-12T22:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13980"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:08:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:08:45","slug":"revenge-of-the-smiler-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13980","title":{"rendered":"Revenge of the Smiler (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, The Smiler.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (1,925 words)<\/p>\n

Revenge of the Smiler\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The flames seemed alive and hungry as the fire traveled up the walls. Barely conscious, Joe shook his head to try to clear his thinking. He could feel the heat and smell the smoke. In an almost detached manner, he wondered where he was. The last thing he remembered was riding into Clarence Bolling\u2019s camp. Bolling, whom Joe had privately nicknamed The Smiler because of the almost constant grin on the man\u2019s face, had been blaming Joe\u2019s brother Hoss for the death of his own brother, Arthur. Joe thought he might be able to explain the circumstances surrounding Arthur Bolling\u2019s death and why Hoss shouldn\u2019t be held responsible for it. Arthur\u2019s death had been an accident, and Joe wanted The Smiler to understand that. He also wanted to make it clear that if Clarence Bolling did anything to Hoss, Joe would see that he paid dearly for it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surprisingly, Joe had found Bolling to be reasonable. With the ever-present smile on his face, Bolling had agreed that Hoss was not responsible for his brother\u2019s death. The Smiler had even offered Joe a cup of coffee while they talked further. Joe recalled taking several sips from the cup, and then nothing more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head again and his brain finally started to make sense of his surroundings. Joe\u2019s eyes opened wide with fear as he realized he was tied to a chair in the middle of a burning room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Twisting and turning, Joe tried to free himself from the chair but only succeeded in knocking himself and the piece of furniture sideways onto the floor. Three strands of thick rope wrapped around his chest and arms held him tight again the back of the chair, and his ankles were bound securely to its legs. A sick feeling formed in Joe\u2019s stomach as he came to understand there was no way to free himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d yelled Joe. \u201cSomebody help me! Help!\u201d He listened for an answer but heard nothing except the crackle of the flames. \u201cHelp me, please!\u201d he shouted desperately. \u201cSomebody help me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Outside the small line shack, the smile on Clarence Bolling\u2019s face widened as he heard the frantic cries from inside the building. He turned toward the big man who was tied to the tree behind him. Bolling slapped Hoss Cartwright\u2019s face twice to wake his captive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stirred, grimaced for a moment and then opened his eyes. He looked around until his gaze rested on the man standing over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Bolling?\u201d Hoss asked with a frown. \u201cWhat are you planning to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTo you, nothing,\u201d replied The Smiler. \u201cI brought you here simply to watch.\u201d Bolling spun around and walked to the burning line shack. The flames were licking up the side of the building and the smoke was seeping through the wooden slats. Bolling kicked open the door of the shack and then took a step back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The frown on Hoss\u2019 face turned into an expression of horror as he saw his younger brother lying in the middle of the shack, tied to a chair. \u201cJoe,\u201d Hoss said almost in a whisper. With effort, he tore his eyes away from Joe and looked at Bolling. \u201cGet him out of there!\u201d Hoss demanded. \u201cHe\u2019ll burn to death!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot for a little while,\u201d The Smiler answered. \u201cI figure it will take another five minutes or so for the building to go up in flames. Of course, he might choke on the smoke first. I\u2019m not an expert on such things but I hear smoke can be deadlier than the flames.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Twisting and pulling, Hoss tried to free his tied hands from behind the tree. He felt the ropes give a bit, but they stubbornly refused to separate. \u201cGet him out of there, please,\u201d Hoss pleaded. \u201cHe don\u2019t have anything to do with what\u2019s between you and me. Put me in there if you want, but get him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d said Bolling with a smile. \u201cI decided this was the appropriate revenge. You killed my brother, so I\u2019m going to kill yours. The only difference is that you\u2019ll watch your brother die.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Inside the burning building, Joe coughed and choked as he inhaled some smoke. Unwittingly, he had given himself a few precious moments of reprieve from the thickening haze by throwing himself to the floor where there was still some air to breathe. But it wouldn\u2019t be long before that air was gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp!\u201d shouted Joe once more. He heard a loud crack as the front door was kicked open, and sagged with relief at the thought of rescue. But his relief turned to dismay as he saw a figure backing away from the door, apparently abandoning him to his fate. \u201cHelp me!\u201d Joe yelled. \u201cI\u2019m tied up in here. Get me out!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lifting his head, Joe tried to see through the smoke. The billowing darkness parted and he got a clear view of what was just outside the cabin. He was shocked to see his brother Hoss tied to a tree a few feet from the building; Clarence Bolling was standing near Hoss with a wide smile on his face. Joe saw Hoss struggling to free himself but could tell his brother was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took only a moment for Joe to understand The Smiler\u2019s fiendish plan. Joe would burn to death in the shack and Hoss would be made to watch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Straining with effort, Joe tried to drag himself toward the open door. He managed to move only a few inches before realizing the effort was futile. The chair was too heavy to drag, and the air from the open door had fanned the flames into a wall of fire. Even if he could edge his way across the floor, he wouldn\u2019t be able to move through the fire fast enough to prevent the blaze from consuming him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laying his head back on the floor, Joe waited for the inevitable. He kept his eyes fixed on Hoss, blinking them occasionally to clear his vision. The smoke was irritating his eyes, causing them to tear -\u2013 at least, that\u2019s what Joe told himself. He kept his gaze trained on Hoss. While he regretted his brother was going to watch him die, Joe felt a sense of comfort in the thought that the last thing he would see on this earth was Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Outside the cabin, Hoss watched in horror as the smoke thickened and the flames grew higher. He struggled against his ropes again, pulling harder and rubbing the strands against the tree bark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t exert yourself, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Bolling advised, the smile still on his face. \u201cI can assure you that you won\u2019t be able to free yourself in time. Better to just sit back and watch the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Smiler\u2019s words sent a boiling rage through Hoss. Watch the show! His brother dying wasn\u2019t going to be a form of entertainment for this evil man, Hoss told himself angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a strength even he didn\u2019t know he had, Hoss strained his muscles and pulled against the ropes. The strands held for a moment, unwilling to part, but they were no match for the indomitable force tugging at them. With a snap, the ropes broke.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss jumped to his feet, much to the surprise of Clarence Bolling. The Smiler tried to block Hoss, desperate to continue his plan of revenge. He pushed against the big man, attempting to knock him down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But the rage within Hoss knew no bounds. He brought up his massive fist and smashed it into Bolling\u2019s jaw. The blow sent The Smiler literally flying across the across the ground. Bolling\u2019s body landed with a loud thump against a fallen log; his head cracked backwards against the piece of timber as the force of the landing snapped the man\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ignoring Bolling, Hoss raced into the burning shack. He was vaguely aware of the intense heat and the thick smoke, but they seemed like only minor irritations to the big man. Hoss paused a moment to look down at his younger brother; he smiled and nodded his head at Joe. Relief and almost disbelief surged through Joe\u2019s body as he nodded back at Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grabbing Joe by the shoulders, Hoss righted his brother and the chair. He could see at a glance that the knots were tight, and that it would take too much time to untie them. Hoss moved to stand in front of Joe and then reached down to grab the seat of the chair on both sides. Shielding his brother from the fire with his own large frame, Hoss picked up the chair and backed out of the blazing cabin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once in the open air, Hoss set the chair down and started to untie his brother. As he worked, Hoss could hear Joe coughing hard, trying to clear his lungs of the smoke.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss with concern as he loosened the knots on the rope that held Joe\u2019s body against the chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI swallowed some smoke and got a little singed but otherwise I\u2019m fine,\u201d Joe assured his brother. \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Hoss didn\u2019t answer. After opening the knots, he unwrapped the rope from around his brother\u2019s chest. \u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Hoss answered finally. But there was an element of doubt in his reply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still coughing, Joe reached down to untie his ankles. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d he asked as he kicked away the cord.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m all right,\u201d Hoss repeated. He looked over to where Clarence Bolling lay. Hoss could see the unnatural angle of the man\u2019s head and suspected he was beyond help. Nevertheless, Hoss walked over to Bolling and checked for a pulse. The Smiler was dead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he\u2026?\u201d asked Joe, who had crossed the ground to join his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s dead,\u201d Hoss replied. He shook his head slowly and then solemnly said the words again. \u201cHe\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe laid his hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHoss, you didn\u2019t mean to kill him. It was an accident. It was an accident just like the one that killed his brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Hoss answered. He pursed his lips for a moment and then turned his gaze to Joe. \u201cPa always taught me that I had to be careful, that I had to be sure not to use my strength to hurt anyone. Well, I hurt someone. Both Bolling and his brother are dead because I wasn\u2019t careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, they\u2019re not dead because you weren\u2019t careful,\u201d countered Joe. \u201cThey\u2019re dead because they were selfish, evil men. They\u2019re dead because they had no regard for anyone but themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d started Hoss.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing,\u201d interrupted Joe. \u201cHoss, you use your strength help those who need it.\u201d A smile crossed Joe\u2019s face. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t been as strong as bull, I\u2019d be dead right now. I think that\u2019s a pretty good argument that you use those muscles of yours the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at his brother. Joe was covered with soot and his clothes were charred in several places. But Joe was alive. Joe was alive because he had been strong enough to break the ropes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, little brother,\u201d said Hoss with a smile, \u201csometimes you\u2019re downright smart.\u201d He patted his brother on the shoulder. \u201cCome on, Joe, let\u2019s go home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 A WHN for the episode, The Smiler.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (1,925 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":13982,"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":[23,13],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-13980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whn","tag-hoss","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1368,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/the-smiler.png?fit=734%2C492&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61919,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61919","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":0},"title":"A Wise Man Said (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"January 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Insightful observations from the Journal of Hop Sing Rating: G\u00a0 \u00a0WC: 445 Venerable Hop Sing has been a mostly silent witness to pivotal Ponderosa events through the years, Cartwright triumphs, tragedies, and misadventures. But he has been taking notes. Here are a few excerpts from his journal, his observations\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hop Sing"","block_context":{"text":"Hop Sing","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1010"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vlcsnap-error737.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vlcsnap-error737.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vlcsnap-error737.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/vlcsnap-error737.png?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1585,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1585","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":1},"title":"A Misconstrued Statement (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"January 11, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss attempts an explanation to Ben of who is coming down the street, and why. Rating:\u00a0 K+ (900 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6022,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6022","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":2},"title":"Reflections on a Gentle Soul (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"November 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Rating: K \u00a0WC 2500 Summary:\u00a0Three short WHIB scenes for Vengeance written for the November fanfic challenge.","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\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Hoss.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24942,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=24942","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":3},"title":"The Mysterious Death of Amos Snead (by Bakerj)","author":"Bakerj","date":"October 31, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Hoss\u2019 suspicions over a death leads him and Joe to an unexpected encounter. This is my entry for the October Chaps & Spurs and the Bonanza Spooktacular challenge for October 2019. Word Count: 1735 Rating: K","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\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/01-9-1.jpg?fit=577%2C433&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13815,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13815","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":4},"title":"A Day in the Life – A Bonanza of a Tale (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"January 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0It's 1860-something, a typical day for the Cartwright brothers, on the trail of a confidence man who suckered them during their Pa\u2019s absence. Bonanza aficionados will find 104 episode titles embedded in the story.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (2,615 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Brothers"","block_context":{"text":"Brothers","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1009"},"img":{"alt_text":"Joe, Adam, Hoss","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/S03.21_Gift-of-Water-4.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/S03.21_Gift-of-Water-4.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/S03.21_Gift-of-Water-4.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/S03.21_Gift-of-Water-4.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/S03.21_Gift-of-Water-4.png?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23433,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=23433","url_meta":{"origin":13980,"position":5},"title":"Double Cross (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"August 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"SUMMARY:\u00a0 This started as a pinecone, Cousin Bette, but needed closure.\u00a0 This is it.\u00a0 Adam met a beautiful woman and the romance progressed rapidly.\u00a0 But was it too rapid, and what else was going on? 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