{"id":14461,"date":"2003-07-10T13:21:51","date_gmt":"2003-07-10T17:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14461"},"modified":"2026-07-22T14:03:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T18:03:58","slug":"mountain-eagle-by-becky-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14461","title":{"rendered":"Mountain Eagle (by Becky S)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong> \u00a0Hoss and Joe work to figure out what’s troubling Adam. \u00a0\u00a9 July 2003, as allowable<\/em><\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0G \u00a0(2,000 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Readers \u2014 \u00a0This story was written almost fifteen years ago for my own pleasure, and I\u2019m happy to share for others to enjoy. \u00a0I know some readers may wish\u00a0there was more, but this how I saw fit to write this story. \u00a0Since I no longer write Bonanza fan fiction, I ask that you honor my request to not post comments asking\u00a0for the story to continue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mountain Eagle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright couldn\u2019t sleep. It wasn\u2019t the hard ground he was lying on that was keeping him awake, though he hadn\u2019t yet found a comfortable place for his hip.\u00a0 He\u2019d had an exhausting day chasing down steers that hadn\u2019t figured out yet that they were supposed to be ambling north, not dodging into every creekbed and draw they passed.\u00a0 First day on a cattle drive was never fun, and he usually slept the deep sleep of the pure and innocent on the first night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not this time.\u00a0 He knew what the problem was.\u00a0 His oldest brother, Adam, had gotten into it with their father at supper.\u00a0 Some point of procedure, who was in charge of what, that sort of thing, but it had resulted in raised voices and stiff backs and oh-so-casual sips of coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What was wrong with his brother these days?\u00a0 Seemed like nothing really made him happy.\u00a0 He\u2019d have spells of lightheartedness when that sunbolt of a grin would appear, transforming his appearance and making Joe\u2019s whole world shine.\u00a0 When Adam smiled, really smiled, his dimples would appear and his eyes would light up, and no one could resist him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Most of the time, he was the hardworking oldest son that most people knew: organized, driven, an irresistible force that men followed instinctively; quick to figure out solutions to problems and explain them in clear simple terms that the men understood immediately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then there were the black times, when Adam sank into dark, deep thoughts that no one, not even their father, could penetrate.\u00a0 These moods were familiar to Joe, they were a part of who his brother was, but he was concerned at how often they\u2019d been turning up, and how the lighthearted, fun Adam seemed to be disappearing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He heard the clank of metal on metal above the usual night sounds and rolled over to see what it was.\u00a0 His other brother, Hoss, who had the midnight watch, was hunched down by the coals of their fire, pouring himself a cup of coffee.\u00a0 Joe pushed his blanket aside, shook out his boots and slipped them on, then crept quietly to his side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss hooked a second blue tin cup with his finger and held it towards him with raised eyebrows.\u00a0 Joe nodded and took the cup, held it out.\u00a0 The thick black coffee didn\u2019t make a sound as it spilled into the cup, and when he sipped it, he was again reminded of Adam\u2019s moods.\u00a0 Dark, heavy, strong \u2013 a man\u2019s coffee, a man\u2019s man \u2013 silently bitter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss cocked his head at him, questioning.\u00a0 No sound; the little camp was snugly tucked near an overhang of rock that reflected and magnified all noises.\u00a0 Both Adam and their father, who had \u2013 surprisingly after their battle of words last night \u2013 set their bedrolls next to each other, were light sleepers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe sighed and poked at the campfire, raising a few bright flames.\u00a0 The smell of burning mesquite brought back memories of happier trips, when the family had ridden as one, with one purpose, one goal.\u00a0 He felt the heavy warmth of Hoss\u2019s hand on his shoulder and looked up to see him jerk his head toward the path that led to the horses.\u00a0 They rose together, tossed their coffee to the ground at the same time, and even set their cups on the same rock.\u00a0 As they walked silently away from the fire, Joe mused on how close he was to Hoss, how sometimes they even seemed like twins.\u00a0 That raised a grin \u2013 he wasn\u2019t really aall that small if a man, himself, but next to Hoss he always looked half-grown.\u00a0 No one would mistake them for twins, but he knew in some ways they were, especially when it came to the heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They reached the remuda, and Joe automatically counted to make sure none had gotten free, while Hoss went to the dappled gray that had taken a fall earlier that day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe gonna be all right?\u201d Joe asked softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss slapped the horse lightly on the neck, and it nuzzled him in return.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, looks okay to me.\u00a0 We\u2019ll give him a light day tomorrow, maybe put Chuck up on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe nodded.\u00a0 Chuck was the lightest rider they had, with the gentlest touch.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna tell Adam in the morning that you\u2019ve rearranged his plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss crinkled his nose and, instead of answering his question, asked one of his own.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s really got at you, Joe?\u00a0 You mad at Adam \u2018bout fightin\u2019 with Pa tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He thought carefully about his answer.\u00a0 Did he resent Adam making things more difficult for their father?\u00a0 Was Adam just rubbing him the wrong way, settling out his authority on the first day of the trail?\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not the way you mean.\u201d\u00a0 He stroked the nose of the roan that stood next to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss waited for him to think it through.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, Adam\u2019s got a right to say his piece, and they\u2019ve always rubbed up against each other at the beginning of things like this.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s the ramrod and Pa\u2019s the owner, and that\u2019s gotta be settled.\u201d\u00a0 He paused.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it was settled.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think Adam had to push it like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not.\u00a0 Somethin\u2019s sure diggin\u2019 at him, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve seen it, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s burnin\u2019 in his heart again, an\u2019 the way he\u2019s going, we\u2019re gonna have another mighty explosion.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at the stars that covered the heavens like new snow on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s that same itchin\u2019 look he had back that last year we had your Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It all fell into place and hit him in the gut, blew the air out of him.\u00a0 \u201cHe wants to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now Hoss sighed.\u00a0 He turned Joe back to face the camp, where they could still see the humps of blankets next to the fire.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t a want, Joe.\u00a0 Folks want a cold beer, to dance with a pretty lady, to have them sour balls from the jar at Tom Whitsun\u2019s store.\u00a0 No, what\u2019s burnin\u2019 in Adam is a need, somethin\u2019 that\u2019s gonna rip him from us one day sooner or later.\u00a0 I seen it before, when he wanted to go East to college so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe came back . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and I was mighty thankful he did, \u2018cause it was awful hard on Pa to let him go.\u00a0 Adam knew it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe rubbed at the back of his neck.\u00a0 \u201cHow can he do it again, Hoss?\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t care what he\u2019ll do to Pa?\u00a0 I thought . . . I thought he . . . .\u201d\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t put it into words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe loved him?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss never seemed to have trouble speaking from the heart.\u00a0 He put an arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cLook over there, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gazed over at the other two Cartwrights, their father sleeping on his back, Adam on his side, as usual.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook close at Adam.\u00a0 He\u2019s layin\u2019 on his left side, facin\u2019 Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam usually slept on his right side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook at his hand, Joe.\u00a0 Look at his arm.\u00a0 It\u2019s layin\u2019 right next to Pa\u2019s, back of his hand resting against Pa\u2019s shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So it was.\u00a0 A warmth grew in Joe\u2019s belly, loosening the gripping tension that had kept him from enjoying much of his dinner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa told me once, one time when I thought like you that Adam didn\u2019t love him near enough, he told me that Adam\u2019d been like that his whole life.\u00a0 Never a cuddly feller, not like you were when you were a baby.\u00a0 But sometimes when they was travelin\u2019 west, Pa\u2019d wake up in that wagon in the middle of the night and find Adam snugged up tight against him, his hand resting against his shoulder,\u201d he nodded toward the fire, \u201cjust like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What had always looked so casual, like an accident, took on new meaning.\u00a0 He looked more carefully, studying the sleeping faces of his brother and father.\u00a0 It suddenly seemed to him that there was a hint of contentment on both of their faces, that they slept more deeply for something shared.\u00a0 \u201cHe loves Pa, but he needs to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u00a0 An\u2019 it\u2019s about ripping him apart.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He could see the anguish in Hoss\u2019s face, not for what they would lose when Adam left, but for Adam\u2019s pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy isn\u2019t he more like us, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s words came out on a thread of air.\u00a0 \u201cWhy aren\u2019t we like him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI asked him once.\u00a0 I asked him before he went to college why I felt so strong that my life was here.\u00a0 He showed me some words out of a book that say it pretty good.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at the stars again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And there is a Catskill eagle in some souls <\/em><\/p>\n

that can alike dive down into the blackest gorges, <\/em><\/p>\n

and soar out of them again <\/em><\/p>\n

and become invisible in the sunny spaces. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Adam all right,\u201d Joe interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cHe can go down into the pits of hell, and he doesn\u2019t do it too much but he can have as much fun with things as me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHush.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t him he was talkin\u2019 about,\u201d Hoss replied, and continued:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And even if he forever flies within the gorge, <\/em><\/p>\n

that gorge is in the mountains; <\/em><\/p>\n

so that even in his lowest swoop <\/em><\/p>\n

the mountain eagle is still higher <\/em><\/p>\n

than the other birds upon the plain, <\/em><\/p>\n

even though they soar<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c. . . even when he\u2019s in the blackest, lowest gorges,\u201d Joe repeated softly, \u201cthe mountain eagle is still higher than the birds on the plains.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe called me a mountain eagle, an\u2019 you are, too.\u00a0 More than me, most like.\u00a0 But him . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s there in him, too.\u201d\u00a0 Joe was sure of that, sure as he could be of anything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but Joe?\u00a0 It ain\u2019t right to keep an eagle in a cage or where he ain\u2019t happy, even if it means he flies down to the plains or across the oceans and ain\u2019t never again as high in the air as he was when he was in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe gazed at the man who slept so peacefully next to their father.\u00a0 \u201cWe gotta let him go.\u201d\u00a0 When Hoss didn\u2019t answer, he looked up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was choking on it, too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Epilogue<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they returned to the ranch after seeing Adam off on the morning stage, Joe didn\u2019t follow his father and brother into the house.\u00a0 He went instead to the barn and saddled up his pinto.\u00a0 When he led his horse from the barn, Ben was standing on the porch, but didn\u2019t say a word \u2013 just waved a hand.\u00a0 One small gesture that said he understood.\u00a0 Joe touched the brim of his hat once in answer, then swung into the saddle and rode up into the mountains.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t go where his father likely expected, though.\u00a0 Usually when he was upset, he\u2019d head to the beautiful grove by the lakeshore that held his mother\u2019s grave.\u00a0 This time he rode high to the rim, along a trail that his oldest brother loved.\u00a0 He rode all afternoon until he reached a certain break in the trees.\u00a0 His breath caught at the full glory of the deep sapphire lake that was set into pewter-gray mountains and surrounded by the emeralds of thick stands of Ponderosa pines.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He gazed at the beauty around him and wondered, once again, how Adam could bear to leave.\u00a0 Hoss had been right, though.\u00a0 The two of them had talked to their father, and then the three had approached Adam.\u00a0 It was like a thread had been cut, the way that quiet, underlying tension in his brother had suddenly snapped, and he\u2019d dropped into a chair, hands scrubbing at his face.\u00a0 Joe still remembered his words:\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d have to fight you, that I\u2019d wreck what we have, that I could never come back after doing that to you.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An eagle\u2019s cry split the mountain air, and Joe searched through his tears.\u00a0 Yes, there it was.\u00a0 Flying straight out of the western sun, arrowing across the ridge, and down to the Carson Valley plain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Adam would be back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Quote from \u201cMoby Dick\u201d by Herman Melville<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the Brandsters \/ Librarians \u2014 Any comments that do not respect the author\u2019s wishes as posted above shall be removed<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0Hoss and Joe work to figure out what’s troubling Adam. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0G \u00a0(2,000 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8546,"featured_media":13274,"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_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1009,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brothers","category-drama","wpcat-1009-id","wpcat-23-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Abigail.jpg?fit=510%2C680&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14461","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\/8546"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14461"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14461\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}