{"id":13985,"date":"2007-12-12T18:04:54","date_gmt":"2007-12-12T23:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13985"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:10","slug":"rim-rock-station-by-susan-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13985","title":{"rendered":"Rim Rock Station (by Susan G)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>With the Paiutes on the warpath, Ben, Adam, Little Joe lead an Army patrol to cover.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (11,200 words)<\/p>\n

Rim Rock Station<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright always liked the sight of green fields and towering trees. For some reason, a field of grass rimmed by lofty pines always gave him a feeling of security, a sense of safety and home. He never got tired of looking at lush pastures and sturdy tree trunks. As he pulled his horse to a stop at the top of the rise, Ben scanned the land stretching in front of him. This view, however, offered no feeling of protection or welcome. His eyes saw only the same barren territory through which he and two of his sons had been riding for the past day \u2013 hard earth dotted with some scrub brush and a few scraggly cottonwoods which barely covered a man\u2019s head. He knew it would be at least another half day\u2019s ride before he and his youngest and oldest sons reached the foothills they needed to traverse in order to get to where the grass and trees flourished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, do you think we can reach the foothills by dark?\u201d asked Joe Cartwright, Ben\u2019s youngest son, as he pulled his pinto to a stop near his father\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe might, if we push it,\u201d Ben answered, his gaze still fixed on the inhospitable land in front of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your hurry, little brother?\u201d inquired Adam Cartwright, Ben\u2019s eldest, as he rode up to join his father and brother at the crest of the hill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe sooner we get home, the sooner I can sleep in a soft bed and eat Hop Sing\u2019s cooking instead of yours,\u201d Joe replied.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t get enough sleep and good meals in Sacramento?\u201d Adam asked his 22-year-old brother, arching eyebrows with the question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI only got to spend one day in Sacramento,\u201d Joe complained good-naturedly. \u201cIt took me almost a week to deliver those stallions to the Peterson ranch and get up to Sacramento to meet you and Pa. Meanwhile you spent four days lolling around up there after delivering those cattle, with nothing to do while Pa finished negotiating the deal with the railroad for the timber.\u201d Joe gave his brother his best hangdog look. \u201cI always get the short end of the stick.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt if your brother Hoss would agree,\u201d observed Ben with a smile. \u201cAfter all, he\u2019s back at the Ponderosa cleaning up mud holes and chopping down thorn bushes to get the south pasture ready for grazing.\u201d He shook his head a bit sadly. \u201cPoor Hoss. He always seems to end up with the worst jobs. Even when I try to give out the work fairly, like I did this time by seeing whose match burned fastest, he always seems to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stole a glance at Adam. There was a bland expression on his older brother\u2019s face, although Joe did notice the sides of Adam\u2019s mouth twitched upward as if he were suppressing a smile. Neither one of the Cartwright boys were willing to let their father know that they had figured out to wet their fingers in order to avoid losing the contest with burning matches. \u201cWell, Hoss is just unlucky, I guess,\u201d Joe noted quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, look over there,\u201d said Adam suddenly. \u201cThere\u2019s an Army patrol coming our way.\u201d He turned to Joe. \u201cWhat did you do this time, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing bad enough to send the Army out after me,\u201d Joe answered with a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s forehead furrowed as he looked toward the small band of soldiers Adam had pointed out. \u201cIt\u2019s unusual to see a patrol this far west of Fort Churchill,\u201d he declared. \u201cIf the Army is out this way, something must be going on. Let\u2019s find out.\u201d Ben kicked his horse lightly and started the animal down the hill; Adam and Joe quickly followed their father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing the three riders coming toward him, the officer at the front of the patrol raised his hand and stopped the six troopers behind him. In his mid-thirties, the captain leading the patrol had enough experience with Indians and outlaws to judge these riders posed no threat. The soldiers, all with the look of battle-tested troopers, waited patiently until the Cartwrights rode up to them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon, gentlemen,\u201d the officer greeted the three men who had halted in front of him. \u201cI\u2019m Captain James Howard. Can I be of help?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy name is Ben Cartwright, and these are my sons, Adam and Joe,\u201d Ben said by way of introduction. \u201cWe saw your patrol, and wondered if there was some reason you were out this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes are on the warpath,\u201d replied Howard briefly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What happened?\u201d Adam asked in surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho knows,\u201d answered Howard with a shrug. \u201cMaybe some white men were where they shouldn\u2019t be and Winnemucca got a bee in his bonnet about it. Or it could be some braves got restless and the old chief is letting them feel their oats. All I know is they\u2019ve been attacking wagons and small ranches for a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAround here? We haven\u2019t seen any sign of them,\u201d Joe told the officer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly where they are,\u201d the captain admitted. \u201cThe raids have been pretty spread out. I\u2019ve been sent out here to see if I can find them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWith only six men? You\u2019re not going to be able to do much against the Paiutes with just a handful of soldiers,\u201d Adam declared almost disdainfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t plan on fighting them, just finding them,\u201d explained Howard. \u201cWe\u2019ve got small patrols out all over the territory. The idea is to figure out where they are and then send enough troopers to that area to discourage them from continuing on the warpath. If our patrol finds them, our orders are to make a strategic retreat.\u201d The captain grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s Army talk for \u2018run away as fast as possible\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf the Paiutes are raiding, maybe we\u2019d better make camp at Rim Rock Station,\u201d Ben told his two sons with a look of concern. \u201cThat would be safer than camping out in the open.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRim Rock Station?\u201d Howard repeated the name with a frown. \u201cI don\u2019t think I know where that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an old trading post a few miles from here,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cIt\u2019s been abandoned for years. But there\u2019s enough of the building left to offer some protection, and it\u2019s got a well that almost never runs dry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt sounds as if you know this area pretty well, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d observed Howard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy sons and I have been traveling this way between Sacramento and Virginia City for more years than I can remember,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cWe probably know this part of the country as well as anyone, maybe better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain,\u201d Joe said suddenly, looking over the top of the officer\u2019s head, \u201cnow might be a good time to make one of your \u2018strategic retreats\u2019. Look.\u201d Joe pointed to a hill behind the patrol. Three Indians were sitting on horses at crest of the hill; one abruptly turned and rode off while the other two braves continued to watch. \u201cI think that Paiute is going to get some of their friends,\u201d added Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d agreed Howard as he watched the same hill. He turned back to face Ben. \u201cI think it might a good idea if all of us headed to this Rim Rock Station. Could you show us where it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFollow me,\u201d Ben called as he started his horse forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For almost two miles, Ben led the small band of men over the hard-packed earth at an easy canter. Ben wanted to get to the old trading post as soon as possible but not at the expense of exhausting the horses. He knew if the Paiutes attacked, their mounts would need to have enough energy to make a run for cover.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he rode, Ben\u2019s eyes searched the rocks and hills around him for any sign of the Indians. So the did men who followed him in a ragged formation. Captain Howard was right behind Ben, flanked by Joe and Adam. The six soldiers were spread out in back, with four troopers ahead of the two bringing up the rear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The countryside seemed to swell upward around the men as they traveled on. Rocks turned into jagged formations of sandstone and granite. Hills slanted upwards until they mushroomed into small mountains of stone and dirt. Large boulders lay scattered near bushes which grew tall and wide. The landscape now offered a number of hiding places for anyone waiting in ambush.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Urging his horse forward, Captain Howard caught up to Ben. \u201cHow much further?\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUp ahead, just past that outcropping,\u201d Ben called back, never slowing his horse\u2019s gait. \u201cWith a little luck, we might get there before the Paiutes catch up to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As if to belie Ben\u2019s words, the air suddenly was filled with the sound of war hoops. A stream of Paiute braves began pouring over the hillside to the right of the riders, shouting and shooting as they descended to level ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

None of the white men needed an order to kick their horse into a full gallop. As the horses began to run, each rider leaned forward, urging his mount to even greater speed. No one pulled a gun to fire at the braves who were now chasing them. They all knew that aiming a rifle or pistol was virtually impossible on a galloping horse, and the bullets were more likely to strike one of the men behind them than one of the Paiutes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Paiutes, on the other hand, had no such worries. The braves at front of the charging band fired a hail of bullets at the fleeing white men. Bullets whizzed around the Cartwrights and the soldiers as the Indians shot in their general direction. One bullet found its mark; a soldier at the rear of the group arched backwards and then fell from his horse. The men ahead of him raced on, unaware of the soldier\u2019s plight. They wouldn\u2019t have been able to stop and help the man even if they had known he had been hit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another bullet zipped through the knot of white men, slicing Joe\u2019s right arm before landing harmlessly. A small grunt escaped from Joe\u2019s lips and he winced at the pain, but the youngest Cartwright rode on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coming to the outcropping of rocks, Ben risked a shout over his shoulder, \u201cThere it is! Follow me in!\u201d As he passed the pile of boulders which appeared to form a wing jutting out from the mountain, Ben steered his horse into a sharp right turn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Still pressing his horse for speed, Ben led the group of riders toward the shell of what at one time been a rather large building. The roof was gone, blown away long ago by wind and storms, and the sides of the building had collapsed into heaps of rocks and rubble about three feet high. Only the front of the building gave evidence of what the structure must have once looked like. A wide doorway, held up by solid wooden jambs, was flanked by a wall of plastered stone. The wall spread out about four feet wide on either side of the entrance before the jagged edges showed where it had crumbled into piles of debris. The back of the old trading post was flush against the stony mountain behind the building. A shelf of granite extended out from the mountain, covering the rear of the structure \u2013 a rim of rock which had given the trading post its name.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without looking back to see who was behind him, Ben rode his horse through the entrance of the ruined building. Once inside the structure, he grabbed his rifle from the scabbard on his saddle and jumped off his horse. Ben gave his buckskin a swat on the rump, sending the horse trotting to safety under the rocky shelf in the back. As he ran to find his own shelter among the debris to the right of the doorway, Ben noted with satisfaction that his sons and the soldiers had followed his example. Horses were trotting to the rear while men with rifles scurried everywhere, seeking protection behind the rocks of the fallen walls. Captain Howard positioned himself a few feet to Ben\u2019s right, while Joe and Adam crouched behind the rubble to the left of the doorway. Five soldiers spread themselves out along what remained of the front and side walls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seconds later, the Paiute raiding party came charging from around the outcropping. The braves in front, however, turned their horses sharply when they saw the ruins of the trading post. Knowing that the men they pursued were probably hidden among the rubble, the braves led the rest of their band in a path parallel to the front of the old structure. As they galloped by, the Paiutes fired toward the trading post. Bullets hit the dirt and ricocheted off stones as the braves shot randomly at the piles of rocks and rubble which outlined the abandoned building.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now it was the white men who had the advantage. In set positions, the Cartwrights and the soldiers were able to take careful aim before firing. Although Indians riding at full speed were difficult targets, the men crouched behind the rocks were able to hit a few of them. Two Paiutes fell from their horses, and another one pitched forward to the neck of his mount. It didn\u2019t take the braves long to figure out their tactic wasn\u2019t working; the Indians turned their horses and headed back behind the large rocks extending out from the mountain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll talk about it for awhile before they come again,\u201d Howard called out. \u201cIs everybody all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, the men scattered amid the rocks looked right and left, checking on the others around them. \u201cJohnson is missing,\u201d shouted one of the troopers. \u201cThe Paiutes must have got him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kneeling next to his brother, Adam noticed for the first time the blood stains on the sleeve of Joe\u2019s jacket and the rivulets of red trickling from Joe\u2019s hand. \u201cJoe\u2019s been hit!\u201d Adam yelled as he began searching his pockets for a cloth handkerchief.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Joe shouted almost immediately. \u201cIt\u2019s just a scratch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite Joe\u2019s protest, Ben hurried over to his sons. Adam had already pulled the rip in Joe\u2019s green jacket wider and was doing the same with the tan shirt underneath. Both Ben and Adam studied the furrow gouged by the bullet into Joe\u2019s upper arm for a moment before Adam pressed his white handkerchief against the wound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t look too deep,\u201d Ben noted as he untied the bandana from around his neck and handed the cloth to Adam. \u201cI think you just lost some blood and an inch or two of skin.\u201d He watched closely as Adam wrapped the bandana around Joe\u2019s arm to hold the white cloth in place and then tied the ends tightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you it was only a scratch. I\u2019ve cut myself worse than that shaving,\u201d insisted Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I\u2019ll believe that\u2026 for now. But if you start feeling dizzy or that arm starts hurting, you head back by the horses,\u201d Ben ordered his youngest son sternly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop worrying, Pa,\u201d Joe said, giving his father a smile. \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reassured, Ben patted Joe lightly on the shoulder. He started to move back to the other side of the doorway but stopped when the sound of a war hoop echoed through the air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

All the men huddled inside the old trading post watched as a single Paiute rode out from behind the rocks. The brave was leading a horse over which was slung a body dressed in a blue uniform. Blood was dripping from the head of the body, where the man\u2019s scalp should have been. Stopping well out of range of the white men\u2019s rifles, the Indian reached back and tipped the body from the trailing horse; the soldier tumbled to the ground, landing face down. Quickly turning the horses, the Paiute rode back to the outcropping. A moment later, two more braves, carrying lances, came galloping from behind the rocks. Both Paiutes rode up to the figure on the ground and thrust their lances into the body. Giving a shout of triumph, the braves wheeled their horses around and hurried back to the shelter of the rocks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe watched the scene unfolding, he felt his stomach begin to churn. He turned his head, unable to look at the fallen soldier. \u201cDo you think he was already dead, Adam?\u201d Joe asked in a low voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Adam almost whispered. His eyes darted to the left and he noted the sick look on his brother\u2019s face. \u201cProbably,\u201d Adam added quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf not, that\u2019s a bad way to die,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben noted the way Joe swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Once more, he laid his hand on his youngest son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDeath is waiting for every man, Joe. We never know when it\u2019s going to appear. And it\u2019s never a pleasant caller.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Joe agreed softly. Then he gave his father a shaky grin. \u201cI\u2019m kind of hoping to die of old age, though. I\u2019ve got a lot I want to do before I meet up with the grim reaper.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Squeezing Joe\u2019s shoulder gently, Ben said in a reassuring tone, \u201cDon\u2019t worry. We\u2019ll get out of this. You\u2019ll have plenty of time to do all the things you want.\u201d After giving Adam a light slap on the back, Ben got up and ran quickly to the other side of the entrance to the trading post, settling once again behind the fallen rocks<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cListen up, you men,\u201d Captain Howard shouted loudly from his position at the front of the building. \u201cWhat you\u2019ve seen is a message from the Paiutes. They don\u2019t plan to take prisoners, and any man they find alive will wish he was already dead. The only way we\u2019re going to get out of here is to fight them off until they lose more braves than they want. So get as many of them as you can as fast as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After hearing the captain\u2019s words, Adam turned to Joe. \u201cLooks like we\u2019re in for a fight. You feel up to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about me,\u201d Joe stated with assurance. \u201cI\u2019m a better shot with one good arm than you are with two any day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grinning, Adam nodded as he levered a bullet into the chamber of his rifle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sound of shouts and war hoops signaled another attack by the Paiutes. This time the braves spread out in a thin line and headed straight toward the old trading post. The Indians fired almost continuously, sending a fuselage of bullets into the ruins. It was obvious that the Paiutes\u2019 strategy was to force the white men to keep their heads down to avoid the murderous fire, enabling the Indians to get close enough to overrun the old building before the defenders could start shooting back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Indians hadn\u2019t counted on the determination of the men hidden in Rim Rock Station to fight them off. Despite the flying bullets, heads popped up from behind rocks and fired before disappearing again. Three Paiutes fell, then another and another. The screams of war turned into cries of agony. Confused by the white men\u2019s apparent lack of fear, the Indians stopped their charge. A few kept firing while the rest of the braves helped the wounded onto their horses. Then the raiding party turned and rode back toward the rocks once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In almost solemn silence, the men hidden in the old structure waited to see what would happen next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow many Paiutes do you figure are left out there, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d Howard asked quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cIt looked like about twenty-five, maybe thirty, to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI counted about the same,\u201d the captain said. \u201cI also think they were all young braves. I didn\u2019t see any war chiefs riding with them. That could mean that we\u2019re not facing the whole Paiute nation. I think these are just some young warriors that Winnemucca is letting prove themselves before he reins them in. That\u2019s why all the attacks have been on small targets, like wagons. The number of braves on the warpath isn\u2019t very large.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you getting at, Captain?\u201d Ben asked with a frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if I\u2019m right, those Paiutes out there don\u2019t have a whole lot of reinforcements available,\u201d explained Howard. \u201cWinnemucca isn\u2019t going to send anyone to help them; they\u2019re pretty much on their own. That\u2019s the only way they can prove they\u2019re worthy of the old chief\u2019s respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou may be right,\u201d acknowledged Ben, \u201cbut I still don\u2019t understand how that helps us any.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf the whole Paiute nation was the war path, we wouldn\u2019t have much of a chance,\u201d the Captain continued. \u201cThose braves would just keep us pinned down until enough Paiutes arrived to finish us off. But if these are all the braves who are fighting, we might be able to hold them off long enough for a regiment from Fort Churchill to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Ben was silent. Then he nodded his head slowly. \u201cOne man riding a fast horse might make it,\u201d Ben agreed. \u201cIf you\u2019re right, those Paiutes won\u2019t send many braves after him. They wouldn\u2019t want to reduce their numbers by any more than absolutely necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019ll still give us a few less Indians to fight off,\u201d declared Howard with a thin smile. He turned and, in a low crouch, hurried to the high wall on the right side of the doorway. \u201cKelly! Get over here!\u201d shouted the Captain as he knelt behind the protection of the wall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A short, wiry man whose close-cropped hair was more gray than black scampered over to the where the officer waited. \u201cCap\u2019n, Bates got a bullet through the hand,\u201d Kelly announced before Howard could say a word. \u201cCarney\u2019s face got cut up some when a bullet splintered a rock in front of him. Neither one of them is hurt bad, but they need some tending.\u201d Kelly glanced over his shoulder, then continued quickly, \u201cNow, while it\u2019s quiet, might be a good time to get the medical bag and the extra ammunition from the saddle bags.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll do that,\u201d Howard assured the man, \u201cbut I have another job for you. I want you to ride to Fort Churchill and bring back as many men as you can. I think we can scare off this bunch with a show of force.\u201d Seeing a look of doubt flicker across Kelly\u2019s face, the Captain added, \u201cI can\u2019t make you go, of course. You know what will happen if the Paiutes catch you. But you\u2019ll have the element of surprise, and we\u2019ll give you as much cover as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that I ain\u2019t willing to make the ride,\u201d Kelly said quickly. \u201cI can outrun any of them Paiutes. It\u2019s just that\u2026well, it\u2019ll take me a day to reach the fort, and another day to get back. Holding out for two days against them Indians, especially with one less gun, ain\u2019t gonna be easy for you and the rest of these guys. Particularly if the whole Paiute nation comes after you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think this just a band of young braves trying to prove themselves,\u201d Howard replied. \u201cI don\u2019t think there are any other Paiutes coming to help them. If I\u2019m right, then a troop of cavalry will make them run. If I\u2019m wrong\u2026if I\u2019m wrong, one gun won\u2019t make much difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you\u2019re right, Cap\u2019n, it\u2019ll still take me two days to get back with some help,\u201d Kelly persisted. \u201cThat\u2019s a long time to fight them off. And they got us outnumbered pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can cut that time in half if you take the short-cut through the foothills,\u201d called Adam as he hurried over to join the two soldiers. \u201cForgive the eavesdropping,\u201d he continued, \u201cbut I figured we all have a stake in this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou do,\u201d agreed Howard. \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s an old deer trail that cuts through of the foothills,\u201d explained Adam. \u201cIt takes some twists, so you won\u2019t be able travel over it with a lot of speed, especially in the dark. But there are several caves along side the trail and you could hide in one of them for awhile if the Paiutes get too close. Even if you have to stop for awhile, you\u2019ll save five or six hours by using that trail. You\u2019d get to the fort by mid-morning at the latest, and back here by sometime tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Kelly said, nodding. \u201cJust where exactly is this deer trail?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Picking up a twig, Adam started drawing in the dirt. \u201cHere are the foothills,\u201d he said, sketching four triangles. \u201cThe trail goes between the first two hills. As you pass the first foothill, you need to look for a tall oak surrounded by some small fir trees.\u201d Adam made the outline of a tree in the dust, then suddenly stopped. He looked at the picture in front of him for a moment, then abruptly threw away the twig. \u201cIt\u2019s no good,\u201d he declared. \u201cYou\u2019ll never find all the landmarks, not in the dark with some Paiutes on your tail. I\u2019ll have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you can\u2019t!\u201d exclaimed Ben in alarm from his position nearby. \u201cIt\u2019s too\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDangerous?\u201d Adam finished for his father. \u201cPa, I can find that trail and be back here by tomorrow night with some troopers. If I don\u2019t go and Kelly misses the trail, we\u2019ll have to hold out for at least another day and I don\u2019t know if we can do that. I\u2019d say we\u2019re all in a lot more danger if I don\u2019t go.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI agree with Adam,\u201d Joe chimed in, scurrying over to join his brother and the two soldiers. \u201cOnly I think I should go instead of Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d said Adam flatly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I know that country even better than you do,\u201d Joe argued. \u201cHoss and I have hunted it lots of time. I know exactly where that trail is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou also have an injured arm, and you lost some blood,\u201d Adam replied. He raised his hand to stop the protests about to come from Joe. \u201cMaybe you\u2019d be fine making the ride, Joe, but maybe your arm would start bleeding again or you\u2019d develop a fever. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s fair to bet Pa\u2019s life as well as the lives of the rest of these men on you being able to stay in the saddle. Especially not when I have just as good a chance of getting through.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Joe simply glared at Adam. Then he saw the faces of his father and the soldiers; there was no question of the doubt in their expressions as they looked at him. \u201cAll right,\u201d Joe agreed grudgingly. \u201cYou should go. But if you get yourself killed or don\u2019t get back here in time, Adam, I\u2019m never going to let you forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam told his brother with a smile. \u201cI\u2019ll make it, and I\u2019ll be back in plenty of time to save your hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking upward, Adam studied the sun, which was lowering itself in the sky. \u201cIn about half an hour, the sun will be shining right into the faces of those Paiutes,\u201d he declared. \u201cThat\u2019s when I\u2019ll make my run.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKelly, tell the men to get ready,\u201d Howard ordered the soldier squatting next to him. As Kelly scampered away, the Captain turned to Adam. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help you get ready,\u201d Joe told his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Giving a quick nod, Adam got to his feet and hurried toward the rear of the ruins of Rim Rock Station. Joe followed his brother, and was quickly joined by Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The horses were crowded together under the shelf of rock, huddling against the side of the mountain which formed the back of the old trading post. Water from an underground stream bubbled up to fill a small artesian well just outside the protection of the ledge and to the right. From time to time, one of the animals had ventured out for a drink from the well before hurrying back to join the others. Now the horses watched the three approaching men with wary eyes, but none made a move to flee. When Adam grabbed the reins of his mount and pulled the horse forward, the animal came willingly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stopping by the well, Adam pulled the canteen from his saddle and drank from it. He drank his fill and then some before turning to fill the canteen from the well. He also pulled his horse forward and let his mount drink its fill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you have a full canteen, Adam,\u201d Ben advised as he watched his oldest son. \u201cAnd take plenty of ammunition.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d agreed Adam, not offended by the unnecessary direction. He knew this was merely his father\u2019s way of expressing his concern. After corking the now full canteen and tying it tightly around his saddle horn, Adam reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a handful of bullets. He reloaded his rifle, then put the remainder of the bullets in his shirt pocket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take your saddlebags and bedroll,\u201d Joe offered. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to carry any more weight than you have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Adam replied as he checked and tightened the girth on his saddle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you should eat something before you leave,\u201d Ben suggested. \u201cThat\u2019s a long ride on an empty stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have any jerky, and there\u2019s no time to cook something,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cDon\u2019t worry; I\u2019ve ridden on an empty stomach before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHold on a sec, Adam,\u201d called Joe from under the rock shelf where he had been stowing Adam\u2019s gear. As Adam and Ben watched with curiosity, Joe walked toward what had once been the side wall of the trading post. He pushed aside some rubble with his foot, took a few more steps, then suddenly bent down. Joe threw some stones to the side, then tossed a piece of wood and a stick away. Reaching out his hand, he yanked on something. A small wooden door rose out of the dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI found it!\u201d Joe called with a touch of triumph in his voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Ben, hurrying over to join his youngest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a small root cellar or storage area, something like that,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cHoss found it when we were out here a year or so ago. There was a box in there filled with tins of peaches. Hoss tried a can of the peaches, and they were still good.\u201d Joe grinned up at his father. \u201cLeave it to Hoss to find food in the middle of nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs the box still there?\u201d Ben asked, peering down into the hole.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it,\u201d replied Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll go down and see. There\u2019s only room for one man, so you wait here. I\u2019ll hand you up a couple of cans of peaches for Adam.\u201d Without waiting for his father\u2019s reply, Joe grabbed the sides of the hole and lowered himself down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben could see the top of Joe\u2019s hat only a foot or so below him. The hat disappeared as Joe apparently bent to grab something. A few seconds later, Ben saw his son\u2019s hand, clutching a tin can, jutting upward out of the hole. He took the can from Joe\u2019s hand and waited; a moment later, Joe\u2019s hand reappeared holding a second can. After putting the cans on the ground, Ben reached down to grab Joe\u2019s arm. He gave a pull, helping his son out of the hole.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPeaches, just like I said,\u201d Joe declared as he dusted himself off. \u201cThey should help keep Adam\u2019s belly full for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While Joe closed the cover over the cellar, Ben picked up the cans and walked back to Adam. He quickly explained about Joe\u2019s discovery as he handed the cans to his oldest son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s right; Hoss is the only person in the world who could find a cache of food in a place like this,\u201d Adam said with a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After producing a knife from his saddlebag for his oldest son to use, Ben waited silently, with Joe by his side, as Adam opened the tins and scooped the contents into his mouth. Words weren\u2019t needed; all three men knew what each of them was thinking. Just being together for awhile was enough for them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad,\u201d Adam declared, throwing the empty tins to the ground. \u201cI\u2019d better get ready to go, and you two need to get ready to give me some cover.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of yourself,\u201d Ben said in a quiet voice. He put his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder and stared into his son\u2019s eyes for a minute. Ben gave Adam\u2019s shoulder a quick squeeze and then walked away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRide fast, Adam,\u201d Joe told his brother. He hesitated a moment, then put his hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cRide fast,\u201d he repeated softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of that arm, and take care of Pa,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll be back by tomorrow night and I expect both of you to be here when I arrive with those troopers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded his understanding, and then hurried away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment, Adam stood still, just watching his father and brother hurrying across the open ground to the front wall of the old building. Then he took a deep breath, pulled his hat down tightly onto his head and mounted his horse. \u201cReady,\u201d he called loudly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam waited until he saw seven rifles pointed toward the outcropping behind which the Paiutes were waiting. Then he kicked his horse and started the animal forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It took only a few strides for the long-legged horse to cross the open ground and reach the doorway of Rim Rock Station. Adam guided his mount through the entrance, then kicked his horse into a gallop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only a minute or two passed before four Indians rode their horses at a run from behind the rocks, chasing after the man riding away. The men hidden in the old trading post immediately began firing at the braves, knowing that the odds were slim any of them would hit one of the Paiutes. But they kept shooting, hoping to distract or in some other way slow down the Indians.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kneeling behind the stones of the fallen wall, Ben fired until the Paiutes were nothing more than small figures in the distance. Then he pulled up his rifle and stared at the puff of dust left behind by the riders, imagining that he could see a man dressed in black galloping a tall stallion far ahead of his pursuers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For ten minutes, Adam did nothing but urge his horse to run as fast as possible. He knew his mount would run as long as he asked it to\u2026or until the horse fell from exhaustion. He had no intention of riding his horse into the ground, but he wanted to build up as much a lead as possible on the Indians he knew were coming after him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally, Adam decided he could risk a peek, and he turned his head to look over his shoulder. He could see four figures following him; he guessed they were only a few minutes behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam kept racing his horse until he spotted two large boulders lying next to each other at the foot of a tall hill. He guided his horse around the boulders and pulled the animal to a stop. Quickly dismounting, Adam pulled both his canteen and his rifle from his saddle. He took a quick drink from the canteen, then filled his cupped hand with water to offer to his horse. The animal\u2019s sides were heaving as it sucked in air; the horse bent its head to lap up the water gratefully from Adam\u2019s hand. Twice more, Adam filled his hand with water, giving his mount enough to take the edge off its thirst. Then Adam positioned himself at the edge of the boulders and waited, his rifle at the ready.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The four braves galloped into view almost at once. Adam waited until he was sure they were in range before firing. His bullet knocked one rider from his horse; the other three Paiutes quickly pulled their horses to a halt, then scattered to safety behind rocks and bushes. Adam fired again in the general direction of the braves before rushing back to his horse. He quickly looped the canteen strap around the saddle horn and then mounted. After thrusting his rifle back into its scabbard, he kicked his horse into a gallop and raced out from behind the rocks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For the next three hours, Adam played a cat-and-mouse game with the Paiutes. He would ride hard for twenty minutes or so, then duck behind a rock to wait while his horse caught its breath. No fools, the braves chasing him quickly understood that when they lost sight of the rider ahead of them, the man was waiting in ambush. The Paiutes would slow their horses and ride cautiously until Adam fired in their direction. He would shoot two or three times, forcing the braves to take cover, then mount his horse and ride off. The Paiutes would wait until they saw the man ride out from the rock and then take up the chase again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sun had almost disappeared by the time Adam passed the first of the foothills and saw the large oak tree surrounding by a ring of fir trees. He rode on, passing the second landmark of three rocks piled on top of each other, then slowed as he looked for a boulder shaped roughly like a triangle. As soon as he saw the stone marker, Adam turned his horse. He guided the animal through the brush then pulled his mount a stop. In the dim light, the trail was hard to see, but it took only a moment for Adam to spot the path winding its way through the rocks. Urging his horse forward, Adam started up the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After riding for several minutes, Adam stopped and looked behind him. A curse escaped his lips as he saw the Paiutes pushing through be bushes at the start of the trail below. The braves obviously knew about the deer trail and it hadn\u2019t taken them long to figure out where the man they were chasing had disappeared to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rode for another ten minutes, passing two caves which he felt were too noticeable to his pursuers. The trail got steeper and began to twist its way through the mountains. The light from the sun had almost disappeared and the path became harder to see. Adam guided his horse through a series of turns, then suddenly stopped the animal. He had spotted what he wanted: a cave with its entrance barely visible behind a large, leafy bush. He quickly turned his horse toward the cave, hoping the Paiutes would think he was somewhere still ahead of him, or at the very least, be unable to find the cave in the dark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once inside the cave, Adam dismounted and gave his sweating horse a pat of gratitude. He took off his hat and poured a generous amount of water into it, then offered the water to his thirsty mount. He knew the canteen was now only about a third full, but he didn\u2019t begrudge his horse the water. The animal deserved it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After his horse had finished drinking, Adam took a quick look around the cave. It was too dark to see much, but it was evident that cavern had been used before as a hiding place. Adam saw a few burned sticks \u2013 remnants of a fire \u2013 and a tin cup lying on its side in the dirt. Seeing an oddly shaped item a few feet behind the cup, Adam walked deeper into the cave. As he got closer, Adam could make out a canvas sack with a long strap sitting upright on the hard-packed dirt. Out of curiosity, he picked up the sack and opened it. He was surprised to find a flag and bugle inside the pack. Apparently a soldier had left it behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dropping the sack back to the ground, Adam returned to the front of the cave. He lowered himself the ground about two feet away from the opening, far enough from the entrance to be hidden in the shadows but close enough to see anyone approaching his refuge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After making himself as comfortable as possible, Adam settled down to wait, to watch \u2013 and to think.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Back at Rim Rock Station, the men hiding in the ruins also began settling down for the night. The Paiutes had made a half-hearted raid on the old trading post shortly after Adam had ridden off, more to show their displeasure at one of the men having escaped than a serious attack. The defenders had easily beaten the Indians off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now, as the sky blackened, the men began to relax. They knew the Paiutes would not attack again until dawn. Indians didn\u2019t like to fight at night for many reasons, not the least of which was a horse could easily stumble and hurt itself in the dark. None of the Paiutes were eager to risk the humiliation of being a warrior without a horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Captain Howard set a rotation of two men standing guard at all times near the fallen wall at the front of the old building, just in case a Paiute or two tried to sneak up to the ruins in the dark. Kelly and another uninjured soldier took the first watch. Ben, Joe and the rest of the soldiers head toward the back of the trading post, toward the well and the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While the rest of the men piled saddle bags and bedrolls near the well, Ben collected some sticks and pieces of wood for a small fire, just enough of a blaze to provide a bit of light and heat up some beans and coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBates, Carney, get over here,\u201d Howard ordered as he pulled a leather packet from the pile of saddle bags. \u201cLet me see those wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing the captain pulling bandages and cloth from what was obviously a medical bag, Ben hurried. \u201cCan I take some of these bandages for Joe?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHelp yourself,\u201d Howard answered agreeably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sticking his hand into the leather sack, Ben felt a small bottle. He pulled the blue vial out of the pack and held it up. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLaudanum,\u201d Howard replied, glancing at the bottle. \u201cLuckily, I don\u2019t think we need it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding his agreement, Ben put the bottle back into the medical bag. He took a cloth and some thin strips of bandages out of the pack, then walked over to where Joe was kneeling by the saddle bags.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have the coffee going in a minute,\u201d Joe announced as he saw his father approaching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet that go for now,\u201d answered Ben. \u201cI want to change the bandage on your arm.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Joe told his father in an irritated voice. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, I\u2019m going to change that bandage,\u201d Ben declared sternly. His tone implied that any protest would be futile. \u201cNow sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d replied Joe meekly. He looked off to the side, trying to hide the wince on his face as Ben untied the bandana from around Adam\u2019s handkerchief and pulled the square of cloth off the wound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat wound broke open and bled some more,\u201d Ben said with a frown as he looked at blood-soaked cloths in his hand. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say something?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe were a little busy fighting Indians, Pa,\u201d answered Joe with a wry smile. \u201cBesides, it\u2019s not that bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching out his hand, Ben felt Joe\u2019s forehead. \u201cYou\u2019ve got a bit of fever,\u201d Ben observed, his frown deepening. \u201cAny dizziness?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, though I have to admit I\u2019m feeling kind of tired,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut then I guess we are all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot all of us are bleeding,\u201d countered Ben. \u201cMaybe you should lay down for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing, Pa,\u201d Joe insisted. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine.\u201d He shook his head a bit. \u201cI guess Adam called it right. He was the best one to go for help.\u201d Then Joe grinned a bit. \u201cI wonder if Adam ever gets tired of being right all the time.\u201d His face sobered, though, when he added, \u201cI hope he\u2019s right about being able to get back here in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For the next few hours, the men in the old trading post ate beans, drank coffee, and snatched a little sleep when not on guard duty. Joe and Carney took their turn looking out into the inky night from behind the walls at the front of the building. Just after midnight, Ben and Captain Howard came to relieve the two men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling, Joe?\u201d Ben asked as he approached his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, Pa,\u201d replied Joe quietly, without turning around. He stood as still as a statue while his father inspected the bandage on his arm and felt his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour arm isn\u2019t bleeding, and I think you only have a touch of fever,\u201d Ben declared. \u201cA little food and rest seems to have helped. You go get some sleep. I\u2019ll take over.\u201d He was surprised when Joe didn\u2019t move from his spot behind the wall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, do you think Adam made it?\u201d Joe asked softly, still looking out into the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cIf the Paiutes had caught him, they would have\u2026\u201d He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. \u201cThey would have shown us something to make sure we knew Adam hadn\u2019t gotten away from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nodding, Joe stood silently for a moment. The he sighed. \u201cWhat do you think our chances are? Those Indians seem a pretty determined bunch and they have to know Adam will be bringing help. They\u2019re going to want to finish us off pretty quickly. Do you think we can hold out?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once more, Ben hesitated before answering. He thought of his comment earlier in the day to Joe about having a long time to do whatever he wanted. It had been a lightly made promise, almost off-handed, and Joe and taken it the same way. Joe was asking a serious question now, and he expected an honest answer. Ben wanted to tell Joe that everything would be all right, that the small band of men could easily hold off the Paiutes until Adam arrived with help. But Ben had never lied to his sons, and he decided now wasn\u2019t the time to start.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going happen, Joe,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cI wish I did. But we have guns, ammunition, water\u2026and a group of men who know they are fighting for their lives. It won\u2019t be easy for the Paiutes to take us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe almost whispered. \u201cOne way or the other, it\u2019s not going to be easy.\u201d He took a deep breath and let the air out slowly. \u201cYou know, I never thought much about dying before. We\u2019ve been in a lot of fights, but those all seemed to end before I realized\u2026 I guess until now I never thought about what could happen. I never thought we might not get out alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, the situation isn\u2019t hopeless,\u201d Ben asserted. \u201cA lot of things can happen. We just have to fight on until Adam arrives with help, or the Paiutes decide to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Almost as if he hadn\u2019t heard his father, Joe talked on. \u201cThere are so many things you take for granted, so many things you figure you\u2019ll get around to doing some day. You think you have all the time in the world. You don\u2019t realize you could be wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, no man is guaranteed the length of time he\u2019ll live,\u201d Ben said slowly. \u201cThat\u2019s why we should live every day to the fullest.\u201d He tried to lighten Joe\u2019s mood. \u201cI\u2019d say you do a pretty good job of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once more, Joe let out a sigh. \u201cI sure wish we were back on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Furrowing his brow, Ben tried to think of some words of reassurance he could offer his apprehensive son. But there was nothing he could say, no promise he that he could guarantee to keep. Finally, he simply put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cGet some rest, Joe,\u201d advised Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning, Joe reached out his arm and rested his hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder. He looked at his father for a long minute, then nodded. \u201cYeah,\u201d Joe mumbled in a low voice. He squeezed his father\u2019s shoulder, and then hurried off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a pained look on his face, Ben watched Joe walking toward the back of Rim Rock Station. He didn\u2019t notice Captain Howard approaching until the man was standing next to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVoices travel over the night air,\u201d Howard observed quietly. \u201cYou know, when it\u2019s quiet like this, when a man has time to think, that\u2019s when the doubts creep in. Your son will be all right in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cBut he\u2019s right about one thing. Come morning, those Paiutes will come at us with everything they can think of. And they have all night to think and talk and plan. It won\u2019t be easy to hold out until help arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d the captain agreed, \u201cit won\u2019t be easy. But it\u2019s not impossible. And I know my men. None of them will run and hide. They\u2019ll fight to the last man if they have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly, Ben frowned, as if a thought had come to him. \u201cRun and hide,\u201d he repeated softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After watching Ben for a minute, Captain Howard asked, \u201cWhat are you thinking, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Startled by the sound of the soldier\u2019s voice, Ben looked up quickly. He pursed his lips, reluctant to share his thought. Then Ben realized he needed to voice the idea that had crossed his mind. \u201cI was just thinking how one young man could be hidden in that storage cellar, especially if he was knocked out by a dose of laudanum. The Paiutes would never find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be doing your son any favors if you do that,\u201d Howard stated in a firm voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt would keep him alive,\u201d Ben countered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he would be alive,\u201d the captain acknowledged. \u201cHe\u2019d live to spend the rest of his life wondering if his gun could have made a difference, if he might have been able to save your life, and why his father didn\u2019t think he was brave enough to fight beside him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut at least he\u2019d be alive,\u201d insisted Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be a life full of guilt, doubt, and uncertainty,\u201d insisted Howard. \u201cI\u2019ve seen it in other men who managed to survive when others didn\u2019t. You know, Mr. Cartwright, sometimes living can be worse than dying.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frowning, Ben thought about the captain\u2019s words. Suddenly, he sighed. \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cBut it\u2019s hard not to want to do something, anything to keep your son alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your son is thinking the same thing about you,\u201d Howard offered. He smiled a bit, and then added, \u201cYou and your son will be watching out for each other. I can\u2019t think of anything better for a father and son to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Dawn found the seven men inside Rim Rock Station moving around behind the fallen walls. It had been a long night for all them; thoughts of what waited for them in the morning made sleep difficult. Now, with the new day, the men busied themselves with getting ready for battle, concentrating on filling canteens and reloading rifles in order to keep thoughts of the possible outcome of the fight at bay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the pale light grew brighter, the men inside Rim Rock Station settled in to wait for the attack they knew would come. Ben was sitting behind some rocks just to the left of the entrance wall, next to Joe. Neither of them commented on their conversation last night. They simply looked at each other and nodded. Reassurance, determination, confidence\u2026all were expressed without a word.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The sun rose halfway toward its high point in the sky, and still no Indians made an appearance. The men behind the rocks began to get a bit restless.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think they\u2019re gone?\u201d Joe asked in a hopeful voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt it,\u201d Ben replied, shaking his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen what are they waiting for?\u201d Joe pressed his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d admitted Ben. \u201cMaybe they\u2019re doing some ceremony to prepare for battle or waiting for more braves to arrive. Most likely, they\u2019re just hoping we\u2019ll get nervous or rattled and do something foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they\u2019re getting on my nervous,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cAnd that\u2019s a bad idea. You know how I am when I get grouchy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do,\u201d Ben acknowledge with a smile. \u201cThose poor Paiutes don\u2019t know what they\u2019re in for.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another half-hour passed, and then without warning, the Paiutes charged out from behind the rocks, yelling their war hoops as they rode toward the old trading post. The men in hidden behind the rubble of the old building tensed and aimed their rifles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Paiutes rode closer to the old trading post, then abruptly split into two groups. One band of braves rode toward the right and another toward the left.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re coming in from the side,\u201d yelled Howard. \u201cMove!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning, Joe saw Carney and Kelly scurrying toward the side of the building, firing as they went. The braves outside the fallen wall rode hard, trying to reach the low barricade before the soldiers. One Indian managed to jump his horse over the rubble, giving a shout of triumph as his mount landed inside the trading post. Joe swiveled quickly and fired his rifle; the brave fell from his horse, landing face down on the dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re heading toward the front,\u201d shouted Howard. \u201cCarney, stay there. Kelly, move back to the corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Paiutes\u2019 strategy was apparent. The braves kept shifting their area of attack, forcing the men inside the old building to keep changing position. Moving made it more difficult for the defenders to aim; it also exposed them to the bullets being shot into the trading post.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Crouching low, Joe hurried to a pile of rocks half-way between the doorway and the corner of the building. He figured he could get a shot at the braves both in front and on the side from that position. Joe saw a brave riding around from the side of the old trading post; the Indian rode out about five feet, then turned to charge to the front of the building. The Paiute raised his rifle, and Joe realized the Indian was aiming toward his father. A quick glance told him that Ben didn\u2019t see the brave. His father was busy pointing his own gun toward a trio of Paiutes off to the right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t hesitate. He raised himself up a bit, and fired three times in rapid succession before ducking down behind the rocks. The Paiute screamed as he fell from his horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hearing the Indian\u2019s yell, Ben turned quickly and saw a riderless horse trotting by. He looked over at Joe and saw his son grin, then give him a quick salute. Ben caught his breath a bit as he realized Joe had probably saved his life. Turning back to his right, Ben saw two braves riding near each other. He aimed carefully, and shot his gun twice; the thought crossed Ben\u2019s mind that there were now two less Paiutes who might endanger his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chaos seemed to reign both inside and outside of the old trading post. The Paiute braves rode at the building from one direction, then abruptly switched their track. The men behind the rocks shifted position and turned their bodies as they tried to keep up with the changing direction of the attack. Bullets seemed to be flying everywhere \u2013 into the building, out of the building and across the open ground of the trading post.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although it seemed liked hours had passed to the men inside Rim Rock Station, the battle had been raging for only about twenty minutes when the sound of a bugle split the air. The tinny sound seemed to freeze both the Indians and the white men. To a man, all turned and looked in the direction for which the sound had come.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three men sat on halted horses about two hundred yards away from the embattled trading post. One wore an officer\u2019s uniform, and the second was dressed in the uniform of a cavalry trooper. The trooper was holding a tall stick to which an Army battalion flag was attached. The third man, sitting atop a tall horse, was dressed in black.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Adam!\u201d Joe shouted. \u201cHe\u2019s back!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The three men in the distance seemed to be waiting for something. The trooper turned a bit in his saddle and brought a bugle up to his lips. Once more the tinny sound echoed through the air. Far behind the three men, a large cloud of dust became visible and the cloud that was moving forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Paiutes outside Rim Rock Station looked at each other nervously. One said something in a low and another nodded his head. The second brave raised his arm into the air and shouted. The band of Indians wheeled their horses around and raced away from the old trading post.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inside the ruins of the building, seven men stood and looked toward their rescuers. \u201cHow did he get back here so soon with the troops?\u201d Captain Howard asked in a stunned voice. \u201cHow did he do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Captain\u2019s astonishment grew as he watched the three riders start forward. Behind the three, almost obscured by the cloud of dust surrounding them, rode six troopers in a column of two. Each of the troopers dragged a large bushy branch behind them. Howard watched carefully, waiting for the rest of the cavalry to appear. But no riders followed the six men dragging the branches.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he finally reached the old trading post, Adam dismounted and hurried toward his father. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d Adam asked Ben anxiously. \u201cIs Joe all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re fine,\u201d Ben reassured his oldest son. \u201cAt least we are now that you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joining his father and brother, Joe grinned at Adam. \u201cYou sure do know how to make an entrance,\u201d he declared. \u201cYour timing couldn\u2019t have been better.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a look of puzzlement on his face, Howard walked over to the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand,\u201d the Captain said, clearly confused. \u201cWhere are the rest of the troopers?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey should be here in a couple of hours,\u201d Adam answered with a smile. \u201cAt least, they will be if the soldier Lieutenant Pickens here sent to the fort makes good time.\u201d He jerked his head toward the officer sitting on his horse. \u201cI presume you know the Lieutenant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPickens, good to see you,\u201d Howard acknowledged the officer in a somewhat dazed voice. He turned back to Adam. \u201cI still don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, maybe you had better tell the Captain the whole story,\u201d Ben urged his son. \u201cI\u2019d kind of like to hear it myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t shake those Paiutes who were chasing me,\u201d Adam explained, \u201cso I hid out in one of the caves off the deer trail. I was hoping the braves would think they lost me and leave. While I was in the cave, I found an old Army kitbag which contained a bugle and a regimental flag. I figure some soldier left it behind after hiding out in the cave like I did. Anyway, the Paiutes didn\u2019t leave. They kept searching for me, and I was getting worried because I wasn\u2019t getting any closer to the fort.\u201d He looked a Ben directly. \u201cI knew time was important, and the longer it took me to get back here with help, the worse it was going to be for you. Based on what I saw when we rode up, I was right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe did have our hands full,\u201d admitted Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs I sat in that cave, waiting for the Paiutes to leave, I got an idea,\u201d Adam continued. \u201cI thought maybe I could scare the braves away if they thought a troop of cavalry was in the area. So I grabbed the sack I found and headed out into the brush. I blew the bugle, trying to make it sound like some kind of military call.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you could play the bugle,\u201d Joe commented. \u201cI thought your musical talent was limited to the guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d admitted Adam, smiling ruefully. \u201cThe noise that came out of that horn didn\u2019t sound like any kind of military call, but at least it sounded like some sort of a signal. I moved around a bit and kept blowing on the bugle. The sound of the bugle must have made those braves nervous about a regiment of soldiers being in the area because I saw them ride off at a pretty good clip.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was either that or you scared them to death with that racket,\u201d observed Joe with a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut how did you meet up with Pickens and his men?\u201d Howard asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was my doing,\u201d the Lieutenant chimed in. \u201cWe were out on patrol and camped near the top of that trail. I kept hearing this strange noise out there in the dark, and I finally sent some men to find out what it was. They found Adam and brought him into camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI explained to the Lieutenant what was happening,\u201d said Adam, picking up the story, \u201cand he sent one of his men off to the fort. Then I got to thinking about how I had scared away those braves with the bugle. So Pickens and I cooked up this plan to try to scare the Paiutes away from Rim Rock Station.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe figured if we could convince the Paiutes that a troop of cavalry was arriving, they\u2019d take off,\u201d Pickens added. \u201cWe hoped those braves who were chasing Adam would come back and tell the others about hearing the bugle. That might have made them think twice about attacking the trading post. And, if nothing else, it would plant the idea in their heads that there was a regiment not too far away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes waited a long time before they started their raid,\u201d Ben noted. \u201cThose braves must have gotten back with the story about the bugle. They must have spent some time arguing about what to do before they came at us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that things got delayed,\u201d Pickens said. \u201cThat gave you some breathing space and gave us a chance to get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLet me get this straight,\u201d Howard interjected. \u201cYou figured to convince the Paiutes that eight men were a troop of cavalry by blowing a bugle and creating a cloud of dust?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that was the idea,\u201d Adam agreed. \u201cLuckily one of Pickens\u2019 men knew how to really blow the bugle. The plan was for Pickens, me, and the soldier to show up near Rim Rock Station, as if we were the advance riders for the regiment. We stuck the regimental flag on a branch to add a bit of realism to the idea. The soldier would blow the bugle as if signaling to some troops behind. The rest of Pickens\u2019 men rode up slowly, dragging branches to make it look like the dust from a lot of horses. We thought it would trick the Paiutes into thinking a regiment was approaching. We were sure that once those braves believed they\u2019d be outnumbered, they would run. And it worked.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t know what to say,\u201d Ben stated, shaking his head. \u201cThat plan was\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBrilliant?\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to say reckless and dangerous,\u201d Ben finished. \u201cWhat if those Paiutes hadn\u2019t believed there was a cavalry troop behind you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we thought if the Paiutes didn\u2019t run off, the worse that could happen was that Pickens and his men \u2013 and me \u2013 would be able to help you fight off the braves until the cavalry did arrive,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cAnother eight men would have evened up the sides a bit and made it a more of fair fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t go so far as to say your plan was brilliant,\u201d Howard stated, \u201cbut it was effective.\u201d He thrust out his hand. \u201cThank you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shaking Howard\u2019s hand, Adam answered, \u201cThank you, Captain, for keeping my father and brother alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have anything to do with that,\u201d the captain admitted with a smile. He turned to look at Ben and Joe. \u201cThey took care of that all by themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another hour passed before the men were ready to leave Rim Rock Station. Wounds were re-bandaged, bedrolls and saddlebags were re-packed, and several soldiers scouted the area to make sure the Indians were really gone. Two men dug a grave and buried Johnson; four more carried the bodies of the dead Paiutes to the outcropping, where the dead braves were laid out as respectfully as possible. The men knew the Paiutes would want to deal with their fallen comrades themselves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Captain Howard decided that he and the rest of the soldiers would ride with the Cartwrights as far as the foothills. Once Ben and his sons were safely on the trail to home, the combined patrols would search out and join the troops from the fort. Now that they knew the general area in which the young Paiute braves were prowling, Howard was sure the cavalry would be able to find and deal with them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Joe tied his bedroll on to the back his saddle, Ben approached him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReady to go?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet,\u201d Joe replied with a grin. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to get out of this place.\u201d Suddenly, Joe looked down. \u201cPa\u2026about last night,\u201d he said in a hesitant voice. \u201cI was, well, maybe it was the fever or something. I had some pretty gloomy thoughts rattling around in my head. They seem kind of foolish now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, I had some pretty strange ideas of my own last night,\u201d Ben admitted. \u201cIn the light of day, things always look different. Fears built up the night can seem a bit unreasonable once a new day begins. But I think both of us learned not to take things for granted, and to appreciate the people around us. Maybe the best thing is to remember what we learned and forget about the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I think you\u2019re right,\u201d Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you two, you going to take all day?\u201d called Adam from a few feet away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your shirt on, Adam,\u201d Joe answered. \u201cWe get home too soon, we\u2019re liable to get stuck helping Hoss clean out those mud holes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think a day or two of rest is in order for all of us when we get home,\u201d Ben decreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEven Hoss?\u201d asked Joe, smiling mischievously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, even Hoss,\u201d Ben agreed with a laugh. \u201cI think the Cartwrights \u2013 all the Cartwrights \u2013 deserve a little time to just enjoying life.\u201d<\/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 With the Paiutes on the warpath, Ben, Adam, Little Joe lead an Army patrol to cover.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0\u00a0 (11,200 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10338,"featured_media":3946,"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],"tags":[14,15,16],"class_list":["post-13985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1232,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cavalry.jpg?fit=742%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14039,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14039","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":0},"title":"Stranger in the Night (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"March 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A Bonanza Gothic poem written for the 2017 \"Once Upon A Midnight Dreary\" challenge honoring the birthday of Edgar Allen Poe. Rating: K+ \u00a0 (251 words)","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\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Robe-e1410283539118.jpg?fit=627%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6768,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6768","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":1},"title":"A Deadly Day (by rosecartwright)","author":"rosecartwright","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Joe is home sick, but things go downhill for this young Cartwright. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (635 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7582,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7582","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":2},"title":"Doctor’s Orders (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0Ben and Adam face off over the doctor\u2019s orders. Rated:\u00a0K+\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0887","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\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam_11.jpg?fit=796%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12307,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12307","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":3},"title":"Stuck (by Debbie B)","author":"DebbieB","date":"July 1, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 While scouting for strays along the rim rocks, Joe finds himself literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not far from where his life hangs in the balance, Adam and Hoss find they're stuck as well\u2026only in another type of predicament. Sort of makes you wonder who's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/2-joe.jpg?fit=237%2C221&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7623,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7623","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":4},"title":"Seeing An Angel (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"May 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A girl from Marie\u2019s past has something for Little Joe. Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0 1351","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/guardian-angel.jpg?fit=250%2C233&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13630,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13630","url_meta":{"origin":13985,"position":5},"title":"A Cry for Freedom (by JennieA)","author":"JennieA","date":"January 7, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It started with Ben giving Little Joe more responsibility for the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Little did the family realize the course Ben was setting in motion. Rating:\u00a0 R\u00a0 (65,725 words) Due to subject matter contained in this series, the stories are only available via e:mail from the author -- ryjennie@comcast.net","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"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\/13985","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=13985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13985\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}