{"id":14872,"date":"2017-08-27T23:13:24","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T03:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14872"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:05","slug":"shadows-of-friendship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14872","title":{"rendered":"Shadows of Friendship (by AC1830)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/strong>In The Paiute War, Adam and Young Wolf, son of Chief Winnemucca, were once friends. What made Young Wolf end his friendship with Adam, although Winnemucca continues it with Ben and Adam?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating – T, Word Count\u00a0– 4799<\/p>\n

Shadows of Friendship<\/strong><\/p>\n

From The Paiute War<\/u>:<\/p>\n

Joe:\u00a0 It\u2019s said that Young Wolf and Adam Cartwright used to ride the Washoe together as brothers.<\/p>\n

Young Wolf: Children do foolish things.\u00a0 But they become men.<\/p>\n

————–<\/p>\n

Young Wolf:\u00a0 You remember this knife?<\/p>\n

Adam: Yes, my father gave it to you.<\/p>\n

Young Wolf:\u00a0 I\u2019m going to return it to him now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shadows of Friendship<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the morning sun cleared the top of the rocky canyon dark brown eyes peered out from behind a stony outcropping.\u00a0 He silently watched the proud stallion guard his small herd of mares.\u00a0 The Paiute had been watching this regal horse for two years.\u00a0 He felt his wild spirit and understood it.\u00a0 Now this Paiute was a warrior and he would select his mount to match his position in the tribe.\u00a0 The Chief\u2019s son moved as silently as a shadow across the rock shelf, preparing to rope the wild stallion.\u00a0 By the end of this day Young Wolf would ride his new mount, his new spirit brother up to his father, his Chief to affirm his warrior status.<\/p>\n

Early morning sunlight glinted off the taut muscles beneath the dapple gray coat of the stallion as he shook his proud head allowing his long black mane to fly through the air.\u00a0 Somehow he knew he was powerful and uncatchable.\u00a0 Man\u2019s rope had never lain around his neck though many had tried.\u00a0 The stallion pawed at the earth and sniffed the air sensing the nearness of the enemy.\u00a0 Snorting and neighing loudly he began to run all out, strong muscles carrying him over the open terrain.\u00a0 His mares recognized his nervousness and followed his lead.\u00a0 They too began to race, hooves thundering over the dry, packed ground, manes of all colors flying in the wind.\u00a0 After a few miles, feeling a sense of freedom and safety, the stallion sprinted onto an overlook and surveyed his mares as they slowed their pace and began to graze again.<\/p>\n

Pointing across the small valley to the west, Adam Cartwright spoke in hushed tones, \u201cThere he is brothers.\u00a0 That\u2019s the stallion we need to catch.\u00a0 We get him and the rest of the herd will follow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow!\u00a0 He sure is somethin\u2019 else. But Adam, look at him.\u00a0 We\u2019ll need at least twenty men to run him down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Adam.\u00a0 How\u2019re we s\u2019posed ta capture him when there\u2019s just you, me an\u2019 Little Joe. \u2018Sides Pa would have our hides ifn he knew little brother here was ridin\u2019 for a stallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked reflectively at his two brothers.\u00a0 He still couldn\u2019t get over the changes in them. They had both grown up so much during the years he had been away at college. Hoss was now sixteen, as tall as Adam, and working the ranch with their father and ranch hands.\u00a0 Little Joe was no longer so little.\u00a0 At ten years old he was acting more like he was Hoss\u2019 age.\u00a0 He carried a rifle for hunting and Adam quickly learned his youngest brother had a sharp eye for shooting.\u00a0 Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly.\u00a0 Hoss was right.\u00a0 Despite their ages, Pa would be livid if he knew his twenty-two year old son had brought his younger brothers on a hunt for wild mustangs.\u00a0 But Adam had been watching this stallion for weeks as he checked on the cattle in this area.\u00a0 He understood the stallion\u2019s ways and knew the best plan was to force him into a small box canyon nearby.\u00a0 There he and Hoss could rope him and settle him enough to bring him home.\u00a0 As Adam had studied the mustangs, he also learned that the small herd of mares went nowhere without their stallion.\u00a0 They moved as he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need the horses and Pa knows I found a good herd.\u201d\u00a0 Adam crossed his arms across his pommel and surveyed the herd of a half dozen mares in the valley below them.\u00a0 The stallion was on an outcropping near the mares and not far from the narrow canyon Adam wanted to use.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, Pa said he\u2019d send men up here tomorrow to round \u2018em up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Hoss but they won\u2019t be here tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen signs of Paiute in the area and I think they may be looking to catch the same herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe suddenly became fidgety in his saddle.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, if there\u2019s Paiute around we best be high-tailin\u2019 it back home.\u00a0 We don\u2019t wanna get tangled up with any Paiutes.\u00a0 Pa said to leave them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what Pa said Joe.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen any today.\u00a0 Besides, the horses aren\u2019t on Paiute land and we\u2019re a long way from it.\u00a0 Look, we will split up and surround that stallion on the overhang.\u00a0 He has nowhere to go but backwards. Moving slowly closer together we can force him into the box canyon behind him.\u00a0 From there, Hoss and I can rope him.\u00a0 When we get him in there, Little Joe you keep near the entrance but stay out of the way in case he bolts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned his horse around and led his brothers back to their camp.\u00a0 They laid out the plan and in less than two hours, they had the stallion cornered and lassoed in the canyon.\u00a0 Adam decided to wait another hour for him to settle down, then he and Hoss could lead him out and down to the herd.\u00a0 It had been decided that from there, Adam would lead the stallion and his brothers would flank the mares to keep them from straying.\u00a0 They figured it would take about three days to get home with their new mustangs.<\/p>\n

All went well the first day.\u00a0 They had found a canyon that had been used before to corral horses. It was large enough that the horses didn\u2019t try to run plus it contained a supply of water.\u00a0 The stallion was secured in a smaller pen to keep him near the nervous mares.<\/p>\n

On the second day, the brothers had been traveling for nearly two hours after lunch when Hoss spotted a cloud of dust coming toward them.\u00a0 They stopped and watched, finally determining it was a group of riders coming fast.\u00a0 Being in the Sierras, steep slopes alternated with low valleys and pastures.\u00a0 The brothers would not reach true open ground for a few more hours.\u00a0 They decided to make a run for a canyon nearby that held a series of caves where they could hide.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe rode with Adam and the stallion, letting the mares follow.\u00a0 Reaching the canyon, they released the stallion and mares, just as bullets started flying over their heads.\u00a0 The boys pulled out their rifles, jumped from their horses and fled to a nearby cave for protection.\u00a0 Adam guarded the entrance, trying to hold the men off while Joe and Hoss ran inside.\u00a0 Adam ran after them and collapsed onto the ground his leg twisting under him.\u00a0 While Joe and Hoss continued shooting, Adam ignored his pain and crawled to the entrance to help them out. It was a standoff of three Cartwrights to three outlaws.<\/p>\n

The outlaws decided to try a different tactic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, in the cave.\u00a0 Give it up.\u00a0 We have you covered and apparently we have a lot more ammunition than you have.\u00a0 We have the horses too.\u00a0 You have no place to go so come on out and we won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A brief look at each other and the brothers knew their next step.\u00a0 They decided to wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I-I think I can get that one in the red shirt.\u00a0 He\u2019s not being very careful hiding from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Joe. You\u2019re not shooting anyone.\u00a0 We\u2019ll wait them out and see what they decide to do next.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, our horses are over near the canyon entrance.\u00a0 I can see \u2018em from here.\u00a0 Maybe I can get\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Hoss, they\u2019d pick you off as soon as you left the cave.\u00a0 No we\u2019ll wait for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was feeling light headed but could not fathom why.\u00a0 He shifted his position and felt pain shoot through his knee to his hip.\u00a0 \u201cAgh! My leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss jumped over his brother and reached with his hands where Adam had grabbed.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s pant leg near his knee was soaked through.\u00a0 Joe quickly found a dead branch and lit it with one of Hoss\u2019 matches.\u00a0 The light revealed a pool of blood on the ground and Adam\u2019s pale and clammy face.\u00a0 Hoss cut through the pants with his knife to find a hole on both sides of Adam\u2019s lower leg just above his boot top.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a bullet hit ya and went clean through.\u00a0 I\u2019ll use my shirt to bandage it up.\u00a0 Joe take off your belt.\u00a0 I need to put it \u2018round Adam\u2019s leg to get the bleedin\u2019 ta stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laid as still as he could while Hoss worked. He felt his world spinning around him dragging him down into a vortex of peaceful oblivion.<\/p>\n

~~~~~<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Dawson.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t work out too well.\u00a0 We got men holed up in that cave up yonder ready to pick us off one by one.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t go for yer bluff.\u00a0 We can\u2019t even get the horses out without gettin\u2019 shot at.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up and let me think.\u00a0 Banks, you think you can climb up there without bein\u2019 seen when it gets dark?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure boss.\u00a0 What do ya want me ta do when I get there?\u00a0 Pick \u2018em off?\u201d\u00a0 Banks chuckled at the thought of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course that\u2019s what I want you to do, you ninny!\u00a0 Whoever\u2019s up there seems pretty smart and we can\u2019t take any chances that they can identify us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, we saw them horses first anyways and need to get \u2018em back to California or Mr. Jackson\u2019ll have our hides.\u00a0 You know, I\u2019d much rather jest take them horses on ta Reno and sell \u2018em there an\u2019 keep the money.\u00a0 I don\u2019t wanna ever see Jackson again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m with you on that one, Banks.\u00a0 Dawson, let\u2019s just get these horses and sell \u2018em in Reno.\u00a0 Jackson won\u2019t know what happened.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019ll think the Indians got us or somethin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Blake shivered at the thought of going back to Jackson\u2019s ranch and facing his wrath over something, anything, not being right about the horses they bring back. The man was never satisfied with anything, except making others pay the penalty for his anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do.\u00a0 But first we gotta get rid of whoever\u2019s in that cave. The sun\u2019ll be down in about an hour so Banks you get ready to head over there.\u00a0 Blake and I will cover you then we\u2019ll meet you at the entrance to the canyon with our horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

The outlaws waited out the hour to put their plan into action.\u00a0 What they didn\u2019t know was that a third group was about to join the other two. Under the cover of darkness Banks headed out and made his way up the other side toward the cave. As Banks climbed the rocks, Dawson and Blake saw two Indians riding into the canyon as pretty as you please.\u00a0 The two outlaws slunk down behind the rocks and as soon as the Indians passed, the outlaws moved to their horses and rode out of the canyon.\u00a0 They found a place to hide and wait for Banks to come out. They waited all night.\u00a0 No one came out, not Banks, not the three men and not the Indians.<\/p>\n

As the sky began to lighten up, the outlaws saw a man and a boy mount two of the horses in a field near the canyon entrance and ride south at a full gallop.\u00a0 Realizing two of the ones from the cave were escaping, they decided to follow and kill them, then return for the mustangs and Banks.<\/p>\n

Up on the rocks, a shadow appeared and silently dispatched the climber.\u00a0 No sound was made or heard as the body was removed and the shadow disappeared.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

During that last hour of daylight, Adam woke up and felt better after Hoss had bandaged his leg.\u00a0 He convinced his brothers that they should leave an hour before sun-up to ride home and get help.\u00a0 After dark Hoss and Joe slipped down to their horses to secure them and bring back food, water and bedrolls, as well as the rifles and more ammunition.\u00a0 The outlaws had been very quiet but the brothers kept watch nonetheless.\u00a0 By sun-up, Hoss and Joe were an hour away riding hard to get home.\u00a0 Adam was positioned where he could watch the cave entrance but not be seen. He had his and Hoss\u2019 pistols plus his own rifle and plenty of ammunition.\u00a0 He also had water and what little food they had left.<\/p>\n

By the second hour Adam was beginning to lose his focus.\u00a0 He had begun to feel chilled during the night and his leg was aching.\u00a0 He managed to hide his condition from his brothers so they would be willing to leave.\u00a0 To distract himself from his worsening condition he examined the cave and saw some markings behind him.\u00a0 Upon closer inspection he realized he had made those carvings. This was the same cave in which he had hid as a child and met his Paiute friend Young Wolf.\u00a0 Memories of that time began to fill his exhausted mind.<\/p>\n

He was about nine or ten years old.\u00a0 He and Pa were laying traps in the mountains north of their cabin.\u00a0 Adam had followed the line one way and Ben had gone the other.\u00a0 A sudden storm had surprised them and Adam found shelter in a cave.\u00a0 The storm seemed to go on forever, or so it seemed to a young mind.\u00a0 Adam fell asleep and was awakened by the sense of someone watching him.\u00a0 Startled he sat up and found himself staring straight at an Indian boy about his age.\u00a0 The Indian stared back but remained silent.\u00a0 Adam backed away slowly and tried to leave the cave. \u00a0His path was blocked by a fallen tree.\u00a0 Turning back, he found the Indian had moved to stand behind him.\u00a0 The boy used hand motions to indicate for Adam to follow him.\u00a0 He led the way out of the cave and Adam followed behind.\u00a0 Adam realized they were heading away from his traps.\u00a0 He tried to get him to stop but the Indian insisted he stay with him and continued on.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

After a few hours of walking they entered a camp.\u00a0 Adam was worn out and the Indian boy showed him to a hut so he could rest.\u00a0 Later, Adam was startled awake and found himself wrapped in his father\u2019s arms.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, where\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re alright.\u00a0 We\u2019re in Chief Winnemucca’s camp.\u00a0 His son found you as he took shelter from the storm.\u00a0 I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re safe.\u00a0 The Chief will help us with our traps and show us the way home from here.\u00a0 He said we can leave in the morning.\u00a0\u00a0 Now we must go and join him and his sons for dinner.\u00a0 Are you up for that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m fine, now that you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Father and son left the hut and joined the Chief at the large camp fire.\u00a0 After sharing the meal, Chief Winnemucca introduced his two sons, Young Wolf and Gray Bear.\u00a0 He then gave Ben and Adam a chance to show their gratitude for helping Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben held a knife out to Young Wolf.\u00a0 \u201cYoung Wolf, I thank you for helping my son and bringing him back to me.\u00a0 I would like you to have this hunting knife as a token of my gratefulness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When Winnemucca gave a brief nod, Young Wolf stepped forward to accept the gift.\u00a0 He bowed his head to Ben then rejoined his father and brother.<\/em><\/p>\n

For the rest of the evening and into the next morning, Adam and Young Wolf played together.\u00a0 The young Paiute teased Adam about being clumsy in his hunting and stalking.\u00a0 Adam challenged Young Wolf that he could learn anything the Paiute would teach him and would do it better than Young Wolf.\u00a0 Thus the challenge was given and accepted, and a friendship was born.\u00a0 Over the next many years, the two boys grew up and spent time with each other learning the other\u2019s ways and languages.\u00a0 Adam taught Young Wolf to shoot the white man\u2019s rifle and to speak the white man\u2019s language.\u00a0 Young Wolf taught Adam to move across the earth without sound or footprints and about the plants to eat and to bring healing. <\/em><\/p>\n

Just before Adam left for college, he told Young Wolf that he\u2019d be gone for many years and he hoped to continue their friendship when he returned.\u00a0 But Young Wolf had begun to change and pull away from all white men.\u00a0 He brusquely told Adam that what they had known as children was over since they were both now men.\u00a0 The words stung Adam\u2019s heart.\u00a0 After he spoke, Young Wolf left and Adam was sure he\u2019d never see him again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pain and flames began to fill Adam\u2019s dreams.\u00a0 He thrashed and cried out; he couldn\u2019t move and fought harder to be free.\u00a0 Hands held his head and words penetrated his mind.\u00a0 Words he shouldn\u2019t know but somehow could understand.\u00a0 They were Paiute words.\u00a0 He opened his eyes and found Young Wolf\u2019s face inches from his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright.\u00a0 You will lie still.\u00a0 You burn with fever and your wound is angry with infection.\u00a0 My brother, Gray Bear, will clean your leg but it will burn as the fires of your hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam could not comprehend all the Paiute said but he felt as if his leg was being burned off of him.\u00a0 Mercifully he succumbed to oblivion as the brothers worked to save his life.<\/p>\n

Hours later, Adam awoke to a sweet smell of herbs and the bright light of a fire.\u00a0 A cup was placed at his lips and he drank.\u00a0 It was bitter but he was so parched he would drink anything to slake his thirst.<\/p>\n

Young Wolf sat back on his haunches and studied this man whom he once called friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou will live, Adam Cartwright. But you must not move.\u00a0 Gray Bear has put a poultice on your leg to draw out the poison.\u00a0 Tomorrow you will be able to ride to your home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung Wolf, where did you come from?\u00a0 We were pinned down by some outlaws trying to steal the mustangs we caught.\u00a0 How did you get in here without them seeing you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Wolf glanced at his brother then back at Adam. He scowled and hissed.\u00a0 \u201cThose whelps are gone. I am but a shadow on the land to them.\u00a0 I killed the one about to attack you last night.\u00a0 The other two have ridden off like the cowards they are.\u00a0 You have taken the horses from me.\u00a0 I have tracked the gray one for two years.\u00a0 I am a warrior now and have claimed my mount.\u00a0 I claim the stallion for myself and I claim the mares for the Paiute.\u00a0 They will be moved out tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pushed himself off the ground to sit up and face Young Wolf, hiding the pain it caused him.\u00a0 He saw what Young Wolf was trying to do and it was a matter of honor that Adam wouldn\u2019t let him get away with it.\u00a0 \u201cThe stallion is mine and by default the mares as well.\u00a0 I caught the stallion and I tamed him to follow us.\u00a0 You did not challenge me or my brothers when I chased the stallion.\u00a0 He does not belong to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite his pain and weakness, Adam held his position and glared at Young Wolf.\u00a0 The Paiute spat at the ground near Adam and moved off to the cave entrance.\u00a0 Adam held his position for another minute then carefully lowered himself down to rest.\u00a0 That argument and posture of defense cost him dearly but he knew he could show no weakness or he would lose the herd to Young Wolf\u2019s lies.<\/p>\n

Young Wolf remained silent the rest of the night.\u00a0 Gray Bear tended to Adam\u2019s leg but said nothing.\u00a0 Breaking the silence, Adam called out to Young Wolf.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung Wolf.\u00a0 Do you remain silent as the stone and let your anger burn inside you?\u00a0 Do you not recall how we made these carvings on the wall when we met and learned from each other?\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Wolf turned and moved slowly toward Adam.\u00a0 He acknowledged the carvings above Adam and frowned as he studied them.\u00a0 Adam could see there was much conflict within his former friend.\u00a0 Now Young Wolf\u2019s dark eyes penetrated to Adam\u2019s soul. .<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we become men and warriors we put away childish ways.\u00a0 We will no longer speak of that time.\u201d\u00a0 He turned and left the cave.\u00a0 Adam sighed and closed his eyes.\u00a0 His would be a restless sleep this night as he let this friendship go.<\/p>\n

When morning came, Adam\u2019s fever had broken but he could barely walk on his leg much less ride the distance to his home.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung Wolf, take your brother and leave.\u00a0 I will wait for my family so they can help with the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Wolf scoffed at Adam\u2019s thinking.\u00a0 \u201cYou think as a stupid child, Adam Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 He handed a pack to his brother then waited for Adam to respond.<\/p>\n

Although the friendship was over Adam could see that Young Wolf still had some connection to Adam.\u00a0 Adam knew he wouldn\u2019t win the argument so he changed tactics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will offer you seven head of our cattle for help from you and Gray Bear to take the mustangs back to my ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam could see that Gray Bear was willing to accept the trade, but Young Wolf held out for more.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen head of cattle, Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam agreed and offered his hand for Young Wolf to shake.\u00a0 Young Wolf nodded once, and scowled at Adam\u2019s proffered hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou change from stupid child to old woman who forgets the ways of the People.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam dropped his hand and chuckled at the insult.\u00a0 Speaking in the Paiute language he said he hadn\u2019t forgotten all the ways of the People.<\/p>\n

It took a while to get Adam to the horses.\u00a0 Once mounted the white man and two Paiutes set out for Adam\u2019s home, with seven wild mustangs following behind. The three men held a tenuous peace between them for the trip to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 They talked little and Adam knew the friendship he once cherished was over.\u00a0 A chasm not of his making had grown between himself and Young Wolf, one that could never be crossed in this lifetime.<\/p>\n

~~~~~~<\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss rode hard and fast trying to get home.\u00a0 They knew they were being followed but managed to keep ahead of the outlaws for most of the trip. They rested only a short time whenever they came upon a stream.\u00a0 By midafternoon they were nearing the ranch house.\u00a0 Hoss knew they wouldn\u2019t make it together. The outlaws were closing in.\u00a0 He told Joe to ride hard and Hoss would keep pushing his horse to get there as soon as he could.\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t like the idea but he agreed to it.<\/p>\n

Joe rode like fury into the yard screaming for his Pa.\u00a0 Ben and a ranch hand ran from the barn and listened to Joe\u2019s broken story as it spilled out between gasps for air.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss behind me\u2026.bad\u2026..men\u2026..need help\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n

He sank to his knees and Ben ordered his horse to be saddled.\u00a0 He got Joe some water then ran inside to get a rifle and bullets.<\/p>\n

By the time Ben returned his horse was ready and Joe was mounted on a fresh horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Joe, you\u2019ll stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa I have to go.\u00a0 I can shoot and you\u2019ll need help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe kicked his horse into a gallop with Ben chasing after him.\u00a0 Ben caught up to his son just as he spotted Hoss hugging the neck of his horse and riding wildly as two men shot at him.\u00a0 Ben and Joe jumped off their horses and took aim.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s first shot went wild but Ben got one of the men.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s second shot hit the other man in the leg and knocked him off his horse.\u00a0 All was silent as Hoss steered his horse back to his Pa and brother.<\/p>\n

With help from a couple of hands the dead man was wrapped up and put in the barn, the injured man was treated, tied up and placed in the barn under heavy guard.<\/p>\n

Although Joe and Hoss were anxious to get back to Adam, Ben insisted they eat while they told him their story.\u00a0 When the telling was finished and all three were heading out with a wagon and two ranch hands, Hoss and Joe kept looking at their Pa then at each other.\u00a0 Ben had not spoken except to give orders, and that was in clipped tones.\u00a0 His eyes were the blackest his young sons had ever seen and his expression was pure stone.\u00a0 They knew their Pa was furious at Adam and that he and Adam would have serious words as soon as Ben had determined his oldest son was okay. Hoss hoped Ben would have his temper in check when they finally returned to the cave to rescue Adam.<\/p>\n

Traveling with the wagon made the journey longer.\u00a0 The rescue party was forced to stop for the night.\u00a0 Ben continued his silent vigil even into the next morning.\u00a0 As the group headed out the next morning and began their climb into the hills, Hoss called out to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, look ahead.\u00a0 I think that\u2019s Adam and the mustangs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled the wagon to a halt and squinted his eyes to see what Hoss saw.\u00a0 When he saw his son coming closer all his anger melted away.\u00a0 He had never been so relieved to see his son in his life.<\/p>\n

Ben climbed down from the wagon and stood in front of the team waiting for Adam to ride up to him.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t notice the mustangs or the two Paiutes; he only had eyes for his son.\u00a0 Adam swung a leg over his saddle and eased himself down to the ground.\u00a0 He limped toward his father and stood a few feet away wary of what his father might have to say.<\/p>\n

A horse snorted and suddenly Ben was aware of the rest his surroundings.\u00a0 He recognized Young Wolf and acknowledged him and his brother with a nod.\u00a0 He was amazed at the wild mustangs that waited patiently behind the men.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, are you alright?\u00a0 Your leg, is it bad son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0 Gray Bear cleared out the infection.\u00a0 It\u2019s still sore but it\u2019ll heal.\u00a0 Hoss did a good job when I first got hurt.\u201d He winked at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cYoung Wolf and Gray Bear stayed with me until I could travel.\u00a0 They killed one of the outlaws that was coming after me.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked toward Hoss and Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to the other two?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cOne\u2019s dead and the other slightly injured.\u00a0 Both are in the barn back at the house.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shifted his stance and took in the wild ponies.\u00a0 \u201cSon, your brothers told me how all three of you captured those mustangs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam allowed himself a small smile and drew himself up straighter.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right, Pa.\u00a0 Young Wolf and Gray Bear have agreed to help me bring them to the ranch in exchange for ten head of cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a moment to let that statement soak in.\u00a0 He had a strong feeling there was much more to that offer than Adam was revealing.\u00a0 He needed to acknowledge the offer quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, of course.\u201d\u00a0 Acknowledging the Paiute brothers, \u201cIf you would like to ride with our hands, they will cut the cattle out of our herd and, if you like, assist you in taking them back to your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Wolf nodded and turned his horse, ready to leave.\u00a0 He and Adam locked eyes for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cFarewell, Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben noticed Adam watching the Paiutes ride away.\u00a0 There seemed to be a sadness about him but then it was quickly gone as Adam turned back to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go home, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a last look at Ben, Adam mounted his horse and turned toward home, leading the gray stallion, with the mares following.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Joe silently dropped in behind him.\u00a0 Ben turned the wagon around and slowly followed his sons home.<\/p>\n

As much as he thought it was over, Adam and Young Wolf would cross paths one last time.\u00a0 That encounter would bring heartache to many more than just two former friends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Indians<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: In The Paiute War, Adam and Young Wolf, son of Chief Winnemucca, were once friends. What made Young Wolf end his friendship with Adam, although Winnemucca continues it with Ben and Adam?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rating – T, Word Count\u00a0– 4799<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8333,"featured_media":14873,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":true,"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":[23,616],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-whb","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-616-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\/2017\/08\/Shadow-Collage.jpg?fit=1023%2C767&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14872","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\/8333"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14872"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14872\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}