{"id":14093,"date":"2002-02-28T17:13:44","date_gmt":"2002-02-28T22:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14093"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:05:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:05:57","slug":"inger-3-journeys-end-by-krystyna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14093","title":{"rendered":"Inger #4 – Journey’s End (by Krystyna)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: Ben Cartwright finally finds where he wants to be – and picks up a passenger along the way.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (8,830 words)<\/p>\n

Inger Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inger<\/a>
\nAfter Ash Hollow
\n<\/a>Searching for Elizabeth<\/a>
\nJourney’s End<\/a><\/p>\n

Journey’s End<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eric Hoss Cartwright sat on the bottom step of the porch that protruded from the front of the small cabin.\u00a0 He was far from happy.\u00a0 His bottom lip jutted out and his brow was furrowed while his blue eyes were obscured by the ferocity of his scowl<\/p>\n

He was three years old now and no longer a baby.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had been far too young to remember arriving at the small settlement that nestled in the valley below the vast mountains that was the barrier between them and their future destination. \u00a0 He knew nothing about the disappointment every man and woman had felt at realising that despite the hardships, heartbreaks and tragedies they were too late to cross the snow laden Sierras.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Forced into making decisions that they had not wanted, the families separated, \u00a0some to stay at the small settlement and build temporary cabins in which to live, others to turn back, preferring the security of an army fort nearby for protection.\u00a0 Some died en route due to disease, the extreme weather and Indian attack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright had chosen to stay with his two children.\u00a0 He saw Frank and Rachel Simon, the Sachs family, and the Phillips return with several other wagons under the guidance of Chad Ryan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll return in the spring, Ben, I promise you.\u201d Chad had shaken the young mans hand firmly, \u201cWe\u2019ll take the wagons over then if you still have a mind to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t intend changing my mind, Chad.\u201d Ben replied with a grim smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ryan had said nothing to that, but merely nodded, gave his friend a narrow eyed grin and turned to mount his horse.\u00a0 He wheeled it round to take a last look at the man standing in the doorway with the infant in his arms and the little boy standing resolutely by his side.\u00a0 He had saluted them with a smile,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUntil the spring \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They had watched him gallop to the head of the small convoy of wagons and when spring came they waited for his return.\u00a0 But he never came back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Money was scarce and Ben felt he was something of a liability to the small settlement. \u00a0 He had built a cabin for the three of them, which was shared by Henry Scott who had built a lean-to affair on the back in which he slept. \u00a0 \u00a0When it was clear that Chad was not going to return and there was no one available who could or would lead the convoy over the mountains Ben knew he had to find some form of employment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With promises of a prompt return he left them to ride out to the nearest Fort where he joined the army. \u00a0 It was some kind of irony that he, who was in need of a scout, was employed by the army, as a scout. \u00a0 He saw the irony of it but made no comment.\u00a0 He had regular pay, three meals a day and the assurance that it was not going to last forever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This situation was not new to Adam Cartwright but it certainly was new to Hoss who had not liked it one bit.\u00a0 Put into the care of another family while their father was absent did not sit well with Hoss although they always returned to their own cabin with Henry in the evenings. \u00a0 There Henry Scott would tell them about New York and life in the big city. \u00a0 He would talk until Hoss would slowly fold over on himself into sleep and then he would put Hoss on the big bed that was shared by Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That was how they had slept since Hoss was big enough to have out grown his crib.\u00a0 In the mornings they would waken with their heads touching, close enough to count each others freckles.\u00a0 The first to wake would wait awhile to take in the new morning before jabbing a finger in the others ribs, stomach, or kicking at their feet.\u00a0 That\u2019s how it was every morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam accepted the fact that his father had had to go.\u00a0 He knew that had there been another alternative his father would have taken it.\u00a0 However, each night he would creep to the window and light the candle on the cill.\u00a0 He would say his evening prayer to keep his father safe, and bring him home, very soon.\u00a0 Then he would creep back to bed, snuggle down beside Hoss and go over in his mind all the things his father had taught him until he would fall asleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henry had not been entirely happy with the situation either.\u00a0 He had been torn about leaving himself and riding along with Ben, but then he set eyes on a fine gal who lived not so far away and decided that the time he had in the settlement would give him a fine chance to spark her. \u00a0 He succeeded well enough to find himself being tied to \u2018naming the day\u2019 and he assured her that as soon as Ben Cartwright rode home and freed him from his \u2018obligations to the boys\u2019 he would marry her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was upset this particular day because Adam was going to school.\u00a0 It was not real school, no school house or anything like that, just that Mrs Jenkins, who had been a school teacher, decided that the older children needed schooling and had decided to use part of her cabin as the school room. \u00a0 In Hoss\u2019 opinion it was pure wrong to have a crowd of children herded into a small cabin and made to read and write. \u00a0 He pouted as his brothers footsteps could be heard walking resolutely towards him,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou be good now, Hoss.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice had a tone of bossiness that Hoss resented and he turned and scowled at him. \u00a0\u201cMind what I said, Hoss, you behave yourself at the Whitmores.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t goin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are.\u201d \u00a0Adam stood right close up to Hoss and glared down at him so that the child scampered up to his feet to stand confronting his brother,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t.\u00a0 I is gonna stay put here and wait for Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa ain\u2019t comin\u2019 home today, so there \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 His dark eyes lost their anger as usual when he was talking to Hoss.\u00a0 His baby brother just didn\u2019t understand how things were at times and Adam\u2019s soft heart soon gave way to the little boy\u2019s moods.\u00a0 Not that Hoss was a bad tempered child at all, usually he was as sunny as could be, it was just that his routine was changed and he felt unsettled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Hoss, I shan\u2019t be far from the Whitmore\u2019s cabin.\u00a0 If\u2019n you want me at all you can just come right on over and see me. \u00a0 Henry\u2019s not far either if you need him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want Henry.\u00a0 I want Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam took hold of his brother\u2019s hand in his own and held it gently.\u00a0 He wanted to say \u2018So do I want Pa\u2019 but somehow the words wouldn\u2019t come out of his mouth.\u00a0 He just stood there looking at Hoss until he heard Henry close the cabin door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, boys, let\u2019s go.\u201d \u00a0Henry Scott smiled widely at them both and ushered them from the cabin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With his hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants Hoss scuffled along.\u00a0 He had been going to the Whitmores with Adam ever since Pa left the settlement, and now Adam was going to be gone.\u00a0 As if that was not bad enough Adam looked happy to be going.\u00a0 He had talked about books and learning all through supper with Henry who had actually admitted to having gone to college and read many books.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Whitmores cabin was the first they reached and Hoss was duly deposited with the couple.\u00a0 They had a grownup son who was the settlements blacksmith.\u00a0 John Whitmore was big and burly; he had a deep voice and used words and expressions that Hoss found truly delightful. \u00a0 John Whitmore was Hoss\u2019 hero.\u00a0 When John said \u2018Dangblast the thing \u2026\u2019 Hoss would promptly follow suit. \u00a0 He would even try to strut the way John did, which, when he was that much younger and just learning to walk, provided some comic moments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI shall see you soon,\u201d Adam promised his brother who stood and stared at him with tears now welling up in his blue eyes. \u00a0\u201cIt won\u2019t be for long.\u00a0 Hoss, if I learn to read real good I will be able to read you stories.\u201d \u00a0He had squatted down a little, just so that he was eye level with him, and then he sighed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss watched him go. \u00a0 His tears trickled down his cheeks and splashed on to his shirt.\u00a0 He watched as Henry strode off with Adam to the Jenkins and they both disappeared around the corner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBlast ma hide,\u201d a deep cheerful voice came from behind him and he was then lifted up shoulder high to look into the face of young John Whitmore. \u00a0\u201cYa ain\u2019t meltin\u2019 any, are ya, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Hoss struggled to smile and somehow the tears vanished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon on hows you and me needs some victuals inside of our\u2019n selves.\u201d John deposited the boy on a chair and pulled up the one beside him, \u201cMa, what you got for two starving men here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPancakes,\u201d Ma Whitmore replied with a smile, \u201cAnd blueberries.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, blueberries.\u201d Hoss exclaimed and remembered the morning he and Adam went out to pick them from the hillside close by.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDish \u2018em up, Ma.\u00a0 Reckon I could stow away least six.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 me too.\u201d Hoss nodded his blue eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen when we done eating, young Hoss, we\u2019ll go to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was something new to Hoss.\u00a0 Going to work?\u00a0 He looked doubtfully at John who winked very comically.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI need a boy who can blow the bellows,\u201d John said and pulled the plate of pancakes towards him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss frowned, he didn\u2019t know what bellows were, although he knew that Henry sometimes bellowed if he stubbed his toe or anything like that, even Adam bellowed at times.\u00a0 He looked thoughtfully at his plate and then up at John,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can blow out candles, and Adam sometimes lets me blow bubbles with the soap and water, but I ain\u2019t not blowed and bellowed before.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDang it,\u201d John heaved a sigh, \u201cthat sure puts paid to that idea then.\u00a0 You sure you ain\u2019t worked at the bellows before, young Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sorry, but -\u201d Hoss stuffed more pancake into his mouth and dripped blueberry juice down his chin but he shook his head honestly for all that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

John shook his head thoughtfully,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you need educating, young fella.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWill it hurt?\u201d Hoss blinked blue eyes as he looked into John\u2019s face and the young man laughed and shook his head,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNary a bit of it,\u201d he replied and looked over at his Ma and winked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss enjoyed his time with John.\u00a0 He proved to be very adept at \u2018blowing the bellows\u2019 as he sat on his stool and worked the bellows up and down to keep the coals burning red hot.\u00a0 When John told him to ease off he did so and waited patiently until John told him to \u201cstart puffin\u2019\u201d again. \u00a0 He also learned a whole range of new words and expressions that he concentrated hard on remembering for future use.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Even at his age Hoss had a totally different mode of speaking to Adam who had retained the more precise accent of his Boston antecedents. \u00a0 This was hardly surprising as during his infancy Ben was Adam\u2019s main and often sole companion from whom he was to learn everything.\u00a0 The Whitmore\u2019s, however, having had Hoss as their charge for most of his infancy had passed on to him the expressive language of their own region. \u00a0 It was something Hoss was never to change or grow out of, it just seemed to, well, grow with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDang it,\u201d he said when he dropped his spoon onto the floor at supper that evening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t let Pa hear you say that or he\u2019ll whop you.\u201d Adam scolded, looking at his brother sternly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care.\u00a0 John says it and so does Old John and so does Ma Whitmore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMrs Whitmore ain\u2019t your Ma.\u201d Adam replied pensively, \u201cYou don\u2019t call her Ma, you hear me, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShucks, Adam, \u2018cos I hear ya.\u201d \u00a0He scowled at his food and pushed it around the plate with his spoon, \u201cWhy ain\u2019t she my Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause she ain\u2019t.\u00a0 She\u2019s John\u2019s Ma, like Mrs Curtis is Fred\u2019s Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen where\u2019s my Ma?\u00a0 Why ain\u2019t I got a Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSame reason I ain\u2019t got one.\u201d Adam snapped back, \u201cEat your food and stop talking with your mouth full.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHenry, have you got a Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henry glanced over at Adam and then rolled his dark eyes,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReckon I did have some time or other, else I wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d Henry replied, pouring the boys some milk into their mugs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to her then?\u201d Hoss squeaked up with his upper lip now framed by a white moustache.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I lost her.\u201d Henry replied quietly, \u201cLots of folk lose their Ma\u2019s some time or other, ain\u2019t that so, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t saying anything.\u00a0 He buried his face in his mug and wished the subject would just go away.\u00a0 Hoss stared at the meat on his spoon,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMa – Mrs Whitmore made pancakes for me.\u201d he smiled winningly, \u201cI ate six.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The weather was improving every week. \u00a0 Every night Adam lit the candle in the window for his Pa to see should he be out in the dark looking for them.\u00a0 Each night Adam prayed for his Pa and longed to see him again.\u00a0 As Hoss\u2019 soft breath wafted warmly upon his cheek Adam would stare up at the ceiling of the makeshift cabin and remember his Pa\u2019s voice, the dark eyes, the slow smile that would make the eyes crinkle and twinkle. \u00a0 Sometimes he would remember Inger, most of all he recalled her singing and the way she felt as he would lean against her when squished between her and his Pa on the wagon seat during that long and fearsome journey.\u00a0 It all seemed so long ago now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There had been the long nights when he would wake up sobbing and shaking with fear.\u00a0 The same dreams.\u00a0 The same horrors.\u00a0 Always the same, always as terrible. Pa standing at his side and slowly retreating further and further away until he was just a black speck on the horizon.\u00a0 He would call out for him, but unseen hands held him fast and a weight on his feet meant he could not move from the spot which held him fast.\u00a0 He dared not turn to see who held him, but then, inevitably he would slowly turn his head and that was when he would wake up screaming.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dreams didn\u2019t come often now. \u00a0 He could be in bed beside Hoss for a long time going over and over in his mind what had taken place during the day, the things said and done.\u00a0 He\u2019d say his prayer again just in case he had forgotten to mention something.\u00a0 He\u2019d try to fall asleep thinking of something he had enjoyed because Pa had said that worked better than anything else.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was sitting on the floor at Mrs Jenkins (there were limited chairs available and even less room to spare for more) when Mr Curtis\u2019 loud voice shouted aloud<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWagons coming.\u00a0 Wagons heading this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everyone moved.\u00a0 Children scampered to their feet and ran getting in the way of the adults who were streaming from their cabins or shacks. \u00a0 Sure enough there were the white canvas covered wagons lumbering towards them. \u00a0 The Conestoga wagon was leading the others, and as was customary with this type of wagon the owner was walking on the left of the team of oxen, another man sat on the lazy board of the wagon in order to control the brake.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first Conestoga type wagon were built by German settlers during the 1730\u2019s and originally used as farm wagons carrying loads of one ton, but the wagon that rolled into the settlement that day was capable of carrying up to 6 tons. \u00a0 Behind it came five other canvas covered wagons, the type that would one day come to be known as the Prairie Schooner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam screwed up his eyes against the sun to watch the vehicles lumber into the settlement. \u00a0 He knew his heart was pounding with excitement; for there had not been another wagon train arrive since Chad Ryans. \u00a0 He looked at the faces of the excited pioneer families who looked down at him as they passed and finally came to a halt close to John Whitmore\u2019s smithy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a hubble babble of noise as the adults thronged together and children clung to their parents and surveyed the other children of the settlement shyly. \u00a0 Adam just stood very still as though frozen to the spot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve mail,\u201d a man was yelling and holding up a buckskin sack, \u201cCollected from the Forts en route from Independence.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGlory be,\u201d John Whitmore sighed and Adam glanced up at him, not having realised the man was standing close by, \u201cI wonder if there\u2019s news from Jack.\u201d \u00a0he put a hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder and grinned, \u201cJack\u2019s my brother.\u00a0 He done join the army when we wuz on the way here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think my Pa would have written a letter to us?\u201d Adam asked as gathering excitement welled up inside him and the thought of a letter propelled him forwards some paces before he was lifted right off his feet and swung high in the air.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He would have yelled a protest had he not recognised the dark eyes, the wide smile, and the proud face of his father who held him so closely now that the breath was practically pummelled out of his body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright held the reins tightly in the hope that his strength would pass along the lines to the mules pulling his wagon. \u00a0 At the same time he kept his eyes fixed on the destination point ahead. \u00a0 It had taken so long, so very long, to get this last leg of the journey completed.\u00a0 He had never given up hope of achieving it however and now, well, now here they were back in their wagon, and back on the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Henry Scott was a married man now and \u2018inherited\u2019 the cabin they had built together. \u00a0 Mr and Mrs Whitmore and young John had said their farewells and been paid their dues in full for taking care of the boys.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss had said farewell to their friends in the settlement and like their father turned their faces to the mountains and to the fulfilment of that so elusive dream.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had not wanted to go.\u00a0 His Pa was a comparative stranger to him and he wanted to stay and work the bellows with John in the smithy.\u00a0 He wanted to say Dang and Doggone it without those stern black eyebrows knitting over the formidable nose and glaring down at him. \u00a0 He liked the cabin, he knew where he was and where to go.\u00a0 He had no memories of life in the wagons on the trail.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was to no avail that Ben read to him from Paradise Lost; it was wasted on the little boy who had no love for the written word like his other son had from infancy. \u00a0 Hoss wanted to know what a \u2018power -dice\u2019 was, he wanted to see it before he went there, he wanted to taste the food, and he wanted to know if there were animals there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once Ben had located Hoss\u2019 Achilles heel he leaned heavily upon it \u2026 yes, there were lovely animals there waiting for Hoss to look after them, yes, there was plenty of food there, he\u2019d love it all, indeed he would. \u00a0 Hoss was not too sure but having fallen asleep and dreamt of a garden full of delightful little creatures bouncing about he woke up happier and agreed to go with them. \u00a0 \u00a0Not that he would have had much choice in the matter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s alright, Pa, just a mite ornery,\u201d Adam had assured his father as they\u2019d checked the can of grease that was to hang from a hook between the back wheels.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI should have come back sooner, Adam, but to be honest I had no choice but to say a while longer.\u00a0 Old \u2018Fuss and Fudget\u2019 was not the kind of officer to be left in charge of a stray donkey let alone a regiment of recruits.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had nodded sagely having heard all about the Officer known to them now as Old Fuss and Fudget from his father during the past few evenings when Ben had shared some of his adventures with them by the fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you will never have to worry about him anymore, Pa.\u00a0 I guess you\u2019ll never see him again ever.\u201d and he smiled reassuringly as he closed the drawstrings of the canvas to make it secure for the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI needed to make as much money as I could to buy land -\u201d Ben paused and sighed, then he leaned forward and in a spontaneous motion of love he clasped the boys head and brought it toward him to plant a kiss upon the black curls. \u00a0\u201cI missed you so much, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It made Adam\u2019s heart tremble when his father spoke like that for he knew how much Ben had suffered away from them. \u00a0 He was so at one with his father that there was never any need for words between them. \u00a0 They could sit in complete silence together and walk away feeling like they had just had the best conversation of their lives, it was then, and would always remain so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now the two boys sat either side of their father and clung to the edge of the seat as the bulky vehicle swayed its way along the ledges and narrow passages with the other wagon ahead of them showing the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chad Ryan had never been seen or heard of from the time he left the Simon family all that time ago. \u00a0 But with kind consideration for his friends he had left a recommendation with the Simons of a man who was willing to show them the way across the mountains, a man by the name of Phillip Elder who had been born in a trading post in 1806 and had been a close companion of Jim Bridger during youth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the mountains the air was thin and cold.\u00a0 Mists strung across the valleys like threads of gossamer and seemed to wrap around their throats in a subtly sinister manner.\u00a0 There were soon the inevitable coughs and colds among the travellers and it was not long before the weakest of them became victims of pneumonia and bronchitis.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam could remember trekking across the Missouri plains when it was hot and dry.\u00a0 When they had to pause until the dust settled again because it would rise up like a cloud from the front wagons and mules, causing such a thick veil that they could not see their hands in front of their faces.\u00a0 Now they were travelling through the extreme cold and he wondered if there would ever be warm sunshine upon his face ever again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was spring and below them they could see evidence of the season, poised as they were along the narrow tracks through the mountains.\u00a0 They had been forced to stay stationary for two days after Mrs Curtis had given birth to her new son\u2026 Theo Thomas Curtis. \u00a0 The lustiness of his bellowing evidence enough that this son was going to be every bit as vociferous as the first Thomas Curtis had been in the past.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The wind blew cold around them and Hoss was wrapped in a comforter to keep warm having developed a slight fever the previous day. \u00a0 It was a miserable stop over for the little boy who had forgotten the rigours of a journey such as this and was too young to view anything as \u2018an adventure\u2019.\u00a0 He clung to his brother for reassurance that all was well in this strange crazy world into which he had been plunged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright stood leaning with his back against the rock face. \u00a0 The wind blew cold into his face and yet he remained as still and dark a shadow against the rocks as to have become a part of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He folded his arms across his chest and looked down from his vantage point to the land below. \u00a0 In just two days time they would be there, trailing their way towards the settlement that was growing slowly now, but would one day be the site of one of history\u2019s biggest gold rushes.\u00a0 That was for the future, but for now Ben had his thoughts on other things, particularly on the day he got talking to an old Indian scout at the Fort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA nickel for them, Mr Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pulled himself from his thoughts to turn to Philip Elder, whom he acknowledged with a nod of the head and a wry smile,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just observing \u2026\u201d \u00a0 he indicated with a nod of the head the destination the wagon train was soon to reach, \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since I started my journey and now that I\u2019m here – nearly here – I can scarce believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think several here feel the same way,\u201d Philip Elder replied, leaning heavily upon his rifle, the stock of which was planted firmly on the ground. \u201cI know you\u2019ve had your share of troubles, Mr Cartwright, and sorry I am for them but don\u2019t fool yourself into thinking life down there is going to be any easier. \u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of danger to be faced in taking up this new life of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no stranger to that,\u201d Ben said quietly. \u00a0 For a moment he relapsed into silence before he said quite firmly \u201cBut I don\u2019t intend to settle there, Mr Elder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t?\u201d Philip expressed shock and his rounded eyes turned to Ben anxiously, \u201cWhere, then, do you intend to settle?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a small settlement called Eagle Station about 200 plus miles from there.\u00a0 It\u2019s still in Utah territory so I\u2019ll be back tracking on myself a little way. \u00a0 I\u2019m heading there after I\u2019ve got all I need for provisions and the necessities I\u2018ll require to clear the land and build a home for myself and my boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut -\u201d Philip shook his head, \u201cWhy there? \u00a0 San Francisco is young, still very primitive, it needs men with your drive, your resolution.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it what you were aiming for all these years?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t explain to you what it is that I was aiming for, Mr Elder. \u00a0 I was chasing a dream, pursuing a promise \u2026\u201d his deep voice deepened, softened, trailed away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEagle Station has even less to offer you than San Francisco.\u00a0 It\u2019s merely a ranch with a few cabins, if that even.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 I was talking to an old Indian scout some months back while I was serving at the Fort.\u00a0 He told me about the land there on the Washoe.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lake, mountains, rich forestry. \u00a0 I decided then that that was where I would prefer to go with my sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have heard of it.\u201d Philip Elder nodded, \u201cThe occasional report trickles back to us from various settlers and prospectors there.\u00a0 I heard -\u201d he lowered his voice although the wind was blowing his words away from the wagons so there was little danger of his being overheard, \u201cthat they have found traces of gold and silver there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI heard the same.\u201d Ben nodded, \u201cBut whether or not that is true, it still holds out more for us that anywhere else I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wish you all success then, Ben Cartwright,\u201d Philip Elder put out his hand, a broad rough hand and took that of the other man, shaking it warmly. \u201cIt won\u2019t be easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLife never is easy, Philip.\u00a0 A man is a fool to expect that it would be.\u201d and his handsome mouth parted into a slow smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

William A. Richardson, an Englishman who had taken Mexican citizenship, had one day erected a canvas tent stretched between pine posts and began to trade wheat and tallow between the ships that came into the port and the local Indians. \u00a0 It stood there until he built the adobe \u2018Casa Grande\u2019 (later to become the Adelphi Theatre) on what he named as Dupont Street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Ben Cartwright\u2019s wagon followed the tracks of the others ahead of him into what was to become known as San Francisco, there were fewer than 500 souls living in the small township. \u00a0 The rudimentary beginnings of its future as one of the foremost commercial cities of the world was already taking shape. \u00a0 Ben Cartwright cast a discerning eye on the place and knew that he was right to travel into Utah territory and towards Eagle Station.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre we staying here, Pa?\u201d Adam asked as he clambered down from the wagon and stood on the dry soil of the main street.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOnly long enough to get another wagon and load up with what we shall need.\u201d Ben replied as he lifted Hoss from the wagon seat and set him down beside his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf\u2019n you get another wagon, who\u2019s going to drive it?\u201d Adam replied with round eyes and a whimsical grin, which made Ben laugh and ruffle the dark curls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to hire a man for the job.\u201d Ben chuckled and then, with a sigh, put his hands on his hips and looked around him, \u201cBest thing is to find the General Store, if there is one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed at Adam\u2019s hand and together they followed their father. \u00a0 Philip Elder came towards them and paused a while to talk to Ben.\u00a0 He was an easy going man, and a friend of many who would one day carve their names in history.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face relaxed into a smile and then the two men shook hands before parting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a wagon and horses.\u201d Ben told Adam, \u201cMr Elder has struck a deal for us with Mr and Mrs Jackson.\u00a0 Once they have relocated they are going to hand over the wagon and trappings to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded and gripped Hoss\u2019 hand tighter.\u00a0 There were so many different people here in this new settlement, a confusion of different languages, and a profusion of rough shanty buildings consisting of canvas tents and rough stone adobe cabins.\u00a0 Indians sauntered as though bemused among the riff raff of settlers, they stopped to stare and comment together at the string of wagons that had now disgorged their occupants. \u00a0 Adam wondered if they were planning when to attack and kill them all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were several buildings allocated for stores of various kinds and here Ben took his sons. \u00a0 The ships that plied their trade to this port proved the point Ben had earlier made to Philip; it was a lucrative and sound commercial location.\u00a0 Ships from France and Spain, Russia and England sailed into the port to do trade, and as a result the stores were full of all their requirements.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t seen no critters yet.\u201d Hoss hissed in his brother\u2019s ear as their father paid for the groceries he had selected for them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou will do, Hoss.\u201d \u00a0Adam assured him and squeezed his hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t even seen a dawg!\u201d Hoss pouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess they\u2019re somewhere hereabouts.\u201d \u00a0Adam\u2019s eyes trailed away to look longingly at the shelves of books close by them, \u201cLook at these books.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t never seen so many!\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t interested in no books, dad burn it.\u201d Hoss grumbled and pulled his hand away from that of his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gave a slight shrug. \u00a0 He was confident that his brother would go no further than their father\u2019s side and so began to look at the titles of the books.\u00a0 His finger caressed the golden lettering of one book, the soft leather binding of another.\u00a0 How he longed to take just one down to read it and he sighed heavily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was so annoyed.\u00a0 Cooped up in a stuffy wagon for days on end.\u00a0 Freezing cold one minute and too hot another.\u00a0 The only animals he had seen were the horses, mules and oxen of the wagon train.\u00a0 There had been a cat at the beginning of the journey but it had got trampled on by one of the oxen. \u00a0 He humphhed and folded his arms across his chest, the very picture of a very disgruntled child.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was standing outside the store now, and feeling incredibly bold. \u00a0 He saw a familiar face across the street, Fred Curtis no less, and he waved to him.\u00a0 Fred came bowling over with his hands in his pockets,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s yer Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cInside thar,\u201d Hoss jerked his thumb in the direction of the store.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat yer doin\u2019 out here then?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJest looking\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat fer?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSome critters.\u201d Hoss wrinkled his nose and tried to convey his disgust at the lack of \u2018critters\u2019 so far.\u00a0 Fred shrugged<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSaw some dogs over there.\u201d he pointed along the street and then bade the boy goodbye before leaving Hoss alone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the store Ben was engrossed in deep conversation with the trader and Adam had taken a book from the shelf and was engrossed in reading \u2026 \u00a0\u2018My raft was now strong enough to bear any reasonable weight. \u00a0 My next care was what to load it with and how to preserve what I laid upon it from the surf of the sea \u2026\u201d \u00a0oh Robinson Crusoe what an adventure \u2026 his eyes glanced down a little further \u201cI first got three of the seamen\u2019s chests, which I had broken open and emptied, and lowered them down upon my raft \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam !\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His name being called summoned him from his reading.\u00a0 He tore himself away from the mental picture of the wretched man, the waves pounding the shore, the raft waiting to be loaded . He turned his eyes upwards to his father,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s -\u201d Adam opened and closed his mouth, glanced about him, blinked. \u201cI thought he went to be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou left him alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d Adam shook his head, true but not strictly so, the matter had to be clarified, \u201cHe let go my hand and went over to be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou should not have let him go.\u201d Ben\u2019s lips thinned and he straightened himself up to look anxiously about him but of his golden haired little boy there was no sign.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He hurried out of the store with Adam close behind him, but still there was no sign of Hoss Cartwright. \u00a0 Adam saw several men from the wagon train and ran to them,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen Hoss?\u201d he begged but the answer was in the negative, a shake of the head, shrugged shoulders and the men walked on.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The dogs looked at Hoss and Hoss looked at the dogs.\u00a0 There were three of them.\u00a0 One was tired and bored, and after staring at Hoss for a matter of seconds, yawned mightily and flopped down upon its belly, rested its head upon his forepaws and went to sleep. \u00a0 The other two strained at their leashes to be free.\u00a0 Hoss gloried in the touch of a wet pink tongue upon his hand,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood little dog,\u201d he whispered to the black and white dog who seemed to agree with him for he gave a sharp little bark.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The other dog came forward and pushed his nose into Hoss\u2019 face, a pink tongue flicked out and licked the boys sticky rosy cheek,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood boy, good dog.\u201d Hoss cried and clapped his hands in delight.\u00a0 The dogs began to bark and jump up and down, \u201cGood dogs.\u201d Hoss laughed and reached out a hand to stroke their heads.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeave them brutes be \u2026\u201d a coarse voice yelled at him and something hard and heavy was flung at him, landing with a thud beside the sleeping dog.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss immediately scrambled to his feet and took flight, the dogs barking and yipping behind him. \u00a0 He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him before realising that he was lost.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stood alone.\u00a0 No one was near by.\u00a0 Above him the clouds scudded across a denim blue sky, and the sun shone down relentlessly.\u00a0 It was not yet too hot, for the spring was a pleasant season in that locale, but for Hoss, having done so much running and now so frightened at finding himself so alone, it seemed as though he was being scorched through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to the left, to the right.\u00a0 He looked behind him and then to the front of him.\u00a0 He found himself looking at a black tunic with shining buttons.\u00a0 His eyes travelled up and fastened onto the round face of a man with very black eyes, a wide smile, and a gentle expression on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy lost?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 The Chinese man nodded in return.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded again and the Chinese man smiled more broadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy follow Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Boy did so.\u00a0 He followed behind this man with the black tunic and soft shoes, with the long plait that bounced down his back, with the hands tucked into the sleeves of his loose tunic top. \u00a0 He followed until Hop Sing came to a small canvas covered dwelling, he pulled aside the flap of canvas that made up the doorway,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, boy enter.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss did so and sat down on the cushions that were carefully placed upon the ground.\u00a0 There were strange and wonderful smells coming from several small pots that were cooking on a makeshift grid over a fire. \u00a0 He watched Hop Sing avidly as the Chinese began to take off lids and ladle out food into a dish which he offered to his guest.\u00a0 Hoss accepted the dish with alacrity.\u00a0 He sniffed it and then looked up at Hop Sing with a wide smile, all fear gone, all thought of his anxious father and brother disappeared. \u00a0 Here was food, not just any old food, but the best he had ever tasted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing watched the boy eat.\u00a0 There was something about the child that touched the gentle heart of the man and he began to wonder from where he had come, and what was to be done with him. \u00a0 He took a little food himself, while his eyes watched the boy thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss eventually realised there was only so much room to accommodate all the food in his small stomach. \u00a0 He burped, smacked his lips together and sighed contentedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou like the food?\u201d Hop Sing asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 I did.\u201d \u00a0Hoss replied and then yawned, \u201cCan I go back to my Pa now, mister?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe go find Father of small boy.\u201d Hop Sing nodded his head sagely.\u00a0 He got to his feet and carefully extinguished the flames upon which the food had been cooked. \u00a0\u201cYou show me where Father to be found now.\u201d he smiled at Hoss and opened the flap wide for the boy to step outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once he was out of the little makeshift cabin Hoss looked around him in a confused and bewildered manner.\u00a0 Nothing looked quite as he remembered it at all.\u00a0 He would have cried had Hop Sing not been close beside him and placed a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t remember where my Pa is.\u201d Hoss said in a whisper of a voice so that Hop Sing had to lean down to catch the words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe go to place where Father may be found.\u201d \u00a0Came the calm response, \u201cFather no doubt looks for lost boy.\u00a0 We look for anxious Father.\u00a0 We soon find where boy should be again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded without too much confidence. \u00a0 Together they retraced their steps, past the dogs and their surly owner, back into the centre of the settlement.\u00a0 Hoss blinked and tears attached themselves to the stumpy blond lashes from the blue eyes that seemed unable to locate his Pa. \u00a0 He stood still and gazed about him, wiped his nose on his sleeve several times, before starting to blubber.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy not cry.\u201d Hop Sing cried in the gentlest tone of voice and he knelt down on one knee so that he could look into the boys face, \u201cWe look for Father, together.\u00a0 We soon find.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss slipped his hand into that of his newfound friend. \u00a0 Something in Hop Sing\u2019s heart tumbled over a little as he remembered a time in his own past, in his own country, when another little boy had slipped his hand into his \u2026 he drew in his breath sharply and the grip on Hoss\u2019 hand tightened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome.\u201d Hop Sing said resolutely, \u201cWe find Father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Panic had reached the stage in Adam Cartwright where the legs seem like jelly, and the stomach churns over and over in a sickening cycle of pain and nausea. \u00a0 He knew only too well that there would be an accounting for his neglect of his younger brother, and there was no possibility of escaping his punishment by claiming that he\u2019d assumed Hoss was going to stand with Ben. \u00a0 \u00a0It had been his task and his responsibility to care for his younger brother and if Hoss wasn\u2019t found soon – well – Adam felt a shiver trickle down his back, life wouldn\u2019t be worth living.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had paused outside the hardware store to catch his breath when he saw the man and boy on the opposite side of the street. \u00a0 For a moment he could barely believe his eyes but then with a cry of delight and relief he realised that the boy really was Hoss and that they were walking in the direction of their wagon. \u00a0 He ran, sprinted, across the road and along the sidewalk to catch up with them<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u00a0 Hoss.\u201d he cried breathlessly, \u201cWait for me, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss tugged at Hop Sing\u2019s hand and brought their preamble to a halt.\u00a0 He turned and with a sweet smile watched as Adam ran towards them, pausing once to pick up his hat which had fallen off.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, where\u2019ve you been? \u00a0 Pa\u2019s gonna tan my hide for good -.\u201d he stopped to draw breath and then realised Hoss was not alone, as the gentleman standing by the boy had not moved from his side, \u201cI\u2019m his brother.\u201d he explained, blinking rapidly and brushing aside the dark hair that had fallen across his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing bowed and smiled, his eyes resting kindly upon Adam\u2019s flushed face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBoy very tired.\u00a0 He eat well but needed father.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, of course.\u00a0 Come on, Hoss, I\u2019ll take you to Pa.\u201d \u00a0Adam grabbed at his brother\u2019s hand and then smiled briefly at Hop Sing, \u201cThank you very much for looking after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou are welcome.\u201d Hop Sing bowed politely once again and then turned to Hoss \u00a0\u201cThank you for coming to humble abode.\u201d he said and stepped back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two boys turned and hurried towards the wagon where they stood by the horses\u2019 heads to await the return of their father. \u00a0 From his location on the side walk Hop Sing waited also, his eyes not straying from them for a moment. \u00a0 It was some minutes before Ben came hurrying towards them, his face stern and his lips grim.\u00a0 He said nothing for a moment or two, merely picked Hoss up and lifted him upon the wagon seat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did you go?\u00a0 Haven\u2019t you been told often enough not to wander off, Hoss?\u00a0 You could have been hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI had something to eat.\u201d Hoss replied merrily, \u201cNice things.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWith what?\u00a0 You didn\u2019t have any money to buy things to eat.\u00a0 Adam, get here and make sure he doesn\u2019t wander off again.\u201d Ben turned to his eldest son and roughly took his arm to pull him to the wagon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMan gave me something to eat.\u00a0 In his place.\u201d Hoss sighed contentedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMan?\u00a0 What man?\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat man – over there.\u201d Hoss replied and pointed to where Hop Sing was standing, still watching them with a slight smile on his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Something about the way the man stood looking over at them calmed down the anger that had come as a result of the anxiety and worry over the loss of his son.\u00a0 Ben inhaled sharply and strode over to Hop Sing who bowed slightly at the other mans approach<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for bringing my son back safely,\u201d he mumbled and held out his hand \u201cI was worried about him.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like Hoss to wander off in a strange place.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI understand.\u201d Hop Sing nodded, \u201cBut little boys like little dogs are not predictable.\u201d and he bowed slightly once again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben opened his mouth to speak when he noticed Philip Elder striding towards him, and after a wry grimace at Hop Sing he turned to give the other man his attention.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen, the other wagon is just over by the General Store.\u00a0 Jackson\u2019s agreed the price you\u2019re willing to pay him for it.\u201d \u00a0he smiled, \u201cNow all you need is a driver.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben scratched his chin thoughtfully and nodded,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d want to come along for the ride, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d Philip shrugged, \u201cI need to get back to the Fort.\u00a0 They\u2019ll miss you there, Ben, you helped them out of some dangerous situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s best to get priorities in order.\u00a0 I need to get my boys a home they can call their own now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They began to walk back to wagon where Hoss and Adam sat closely together, so close that their hips touched. \u00a0 Hoss was sucking his thumb which he did when feeling anxious or tired.\u00a0 His blue eyes were fixed upon the Chinese man who was standing on the sidewalk looking deep in thought as he watched the two men walk away from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Ben drew level with his wagon he looked at the two boys sternly,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want either of you to stir from here, do you understand?\u201d he raised his finger as though emphasising the fact and both boys nodded dutifully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together they walked further along the road until they reached the wagon where Jackson paced the ground waiting their arrival. \u00a0 The men shook hands warmly, over the weeks of travel they had formed some bonds of kinship after all, and now that there was business to be seen to between them it was good to be reminded of that<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to hear you ain\u2019t staying round here, Ben.\u201d Jackson said with a slight frown, \u201cCould do with knowing you were a neighbour of our\u2019n.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I\u2019d go back into Utah territory, Howard. \u00a0 There\u2019s a small place been built on the Washoe.\u00a0 Heard it was good country, plenty of timber and good grazing for cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWal, perhaps in a whiles time I may come a-visiting and if\u2019n I likes the look of it mayhap I\u2019ll stay there too.\u201d \u00a0 Howard Jackson smiled, scratched his chin through the stubble of his beard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben produced from his pocket a small leather pouch and from this shook out the amount of money agreed upon between Howard and Philip. \u00a0 Money was exchanged and hands shaken. \u00a0 After some little conversation between the three of them the men parted company, with Ben left to look over his purchase more closely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing meanwhile had stationed himself near the wagon where Adam and Hoss were seated.\u00a0 He said nothing but had stood with his back against the wall of the building near which the Cartwright\u2019s wagon was parked. \u00a0 \u00a0When Ben returned with his head down, and his eyes dark with various concerns that he was mulling over and over in his mind, he collided with the other man who immediately stepped back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou need driver for wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben looked startled and stared somewhat at Hop Sing who smiled, bowed and nodded politely as though he had expected no other reply than the one he had received,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDriver for wagon?\u00a0 You need help?\u00a0 I – Hop Sing – very good driver of wagons.\u00a0 Also very good cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need a cook.\u201d Ben replied bluntly, stuffing the leather pouch of money back into his pocket and wondering if the other fellow was a thief who, upon noticing the money, had intentions of stealing it from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMay be not now, but later. \u00a0 You travel far.\u00a0 Build house.\u00a0 Who look after boy?\u00a0 Who cook?\u201d \u00a0Hop Sing raised his eyebrows and gave a wide smile as though the answer was obvious – it only needed Ben to see it for himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben took off his hat and wiped his brow on the back of his sleeve, then looked at his two boys, and then again at Hop Sing.\u00a0 Hoss was nearly asleep, his head resting upon his brother\u2019s shoulder, and Adam was watching and listening intently to the conversation between the two men.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d he asked abruptly, as though the decision was still in abeyance and he was asking merely out of interest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing.\u00a0 I come to here with cousin who do laundry.\u00a0 I not do laundry.\u00a0 I cook.\u00a0 Clean maybe.\u00a0 Help build house if need to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben knit his dark brows together and lowered his head to hide a smile,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s rough country where we\u2019re going.\u00a0 Indians.\u00a0 Wild animals.\u201d he muttered as though he and his boys, one of them barely 3 years old, could handle all those things with their hands tied behind their back, but it was probably beyond the abilities for anyone else to do so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 Hop Sing know all about Indians and wild animals.\u201d the other man nodded sagely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not running away from anything, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head. \u00a0 He looked around him at the people passing by and then looked Ben straight in the face,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing no more run away from anything than anyone else here.\u00a0 Come from China by boat, come into harbour here, work with cousin and family in laundry.\u00a0 Not work for Hop Sing.\u00a0 Hop Sing would like to go to where there are Indians, wild animals and little boy to look after.\u201d \u00a0he smiled his ingenuous smile and the dark eyes softened in his round face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVery well then, Hop Sing.\u00a0 I\u2019m Ben Cartwright, my sons, Adam and Hoss. \u00a0 Be here tomorrow morning early with your belongings.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing bowed lower than he had done at any other time, he murmured thank you softly and then turned to go back to his retreat and to contemplate his future with the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs he going to be our driver, Pa?\u201d Adam asked as he moved to make room for Ben on the hard wooden seat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSeems like he\u2019s pretty determined to be, Adam.\u00a0 But, as they say in the army, one volunteer is worth more than ten pressed men.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded and kept his mouth shut. \u00a0 He\u2019d puzzle over that for a while until it made some semblance of sense to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was waiting for them with his hands hidden in the folds of his sleeves, and his baggage by his feet on the planked sidewalk. \u00a0 His face was impassive although the eyes gleamed and twinkled when he saw them approach in their wagon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben clambered down from the seat and approached him,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t ask you about terms and conditions to payment,\u201d he said in his rather brusque manner, \u201cHow much do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing shook his head<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe talk about such matters another time.\u201d he said in such a tone of voice that Ben had to accept the subject closed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The two men looked at one another as though they were two antagonists in a boxing ring, each getting the measure of the other.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face relaxed into a smile and he extended his hand once again,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, Hop Sing.\u00a0 For better or worse then?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing nodded slowly and took the proffered hand which he shook gravely. \u00a0 It was the perfect arrangement, one which neither man was ever to regret making with the other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He \u00a0took his seat and picked up the reins and smiled at the boy seated at his side, Hoss smiled back, perfectly happy to be the one selected to sit with Hop Sing that morning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They left the settlement and began their journey on to Eagle Station which was then in the territory of Utah. \u00a0 Never could Ben have imagined what the journey\u2019s end would bring them in the years ahead. \u00a0 Never could Hop Sing have realised that the time he took those reins in his hands he would become such an integral part of the Cartwright\u2019s lives. \u00a0 They rode out of the settlement and into the unknown, each of them seeking something that neither of them could put into words, but which both would find in the times ahead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A matter of months later they cut down the first tree on the land that was to become known to all in the territory as The Ponderosa. \u00a0 For Ben Cartwright it was Journeys End at last. \u00a0 For Adam and Hoss Cartwright it was – home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Ben Cartwright finally finds where he wants to be – and picks up a passenger along the way.<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (8,830 words)<\/p>\n

Inger Series, links to all stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145,"featured_media":5894,"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":[23,1008,30,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":964,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Lake-Tahoe-Sunset-Blue.jpg?fit=300%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35385,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35385","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":0},"title":"The Paper Toy-Theater (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"December 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Adam wishes to share a Christmas memory with Hoss, a memory begun by Inger. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 \u00a01175 words\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Hoss"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1090"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14131,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14131","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":1},"title":"A Brief Family Moment (by Krystyna)","author":"Krystyna","date":"December 15, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam's curious ... Inger's busy ... so questions are asked, but will the answers satisfy an inquisitive little boy. Rating: \u00a0G (1,070 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\/04\/inger.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/inger.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/inger.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/inger.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15649,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15649","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":2},"title":"Every Day Is a New Day (by Hart4Ben)","author":"Hart4Ben","date":"February 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A brief window into the Cartwright family if Inger had lived. Rating: K Word Count: 1,482","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/inger.jpg?fit=279%2C363&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14091,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14091","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":3},"title":"Inger #1 (by Krystyna)","author":"Krystyna","date":"January 29, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 This story covers the adventures of Ben, Inger and Adam Cartwright on the wagon train journey that was the dream that turned into a nightmare. The episode Journey Remembered was a very sanitized version of the hardships these pioneers would have encountered so this story is about bringing a\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\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Caption-1.png?fit=546%2C418&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8133,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=8133","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":4},"title":"Pa’s Best Man (by Visage)","author":"Visage","date":"September 7, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Just a little unanswered scene (in my humble opinion) from \u2018Inger, My Love.\u2019 After Ben proposes to Inger in the street they both go off in the opposite direction of the boarding house forgetting all about poor Adam! (Which they seem to do a lot in this episode\u2026) This\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\/04\/Screen-Shot-2014-05-04-at-4.30.52-PM.png?fit=464%2C289&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17578,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=17578","url_meta":{"origin":14093,"position":5},"title":"A Quiet Legacy (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"June 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Even when the time together is brief, memories can last a lifetime. This story was originally published in the Bonanza 2009 Friendship Convention Anthology. Word count: 3,500 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\/2018\/06\/Ben-and-Inger.jpg?fit=328%2C253&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\/14093","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\/145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}