{"id":14879,"date":"2017-08-29T12:17:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-29T16:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14879"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:05","slug":"fear-no-evil-by-questfan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14879","title":{"rendered":"Fear No Evil (By Questfan)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/strong>My story is based on Kingdom of Fear \u2013 Season 12. Ben, Hoss, Joe and Candy are captured and illegally found guilty of trespassing so they can be used as slave labour in a gold mine. There is no hope of escape and no hope of parole.<\/p>\n

Word Count: <\/strong>9621<\/p>\n

Rating: <\/strong>T<\/p>\n

Written for the Missing Man Challenge \u2013 Add Adam into any Season 7-14 episode as if he never left.<\/p>\n

In the original episode – after the cattle drive is completed, Ben, Hoss and Joe are heading home with Candy and Billy when they decide to take a short cut through the high country. They are arrested for trespassing, Billy is murdered in the saddle and they are found guilty by the Judge. All four of them are then sentenced to hard labour in the man\u2019s gold mine.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.\u00a0 The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.<\/p>\n

Fear No Evil<\/strong><\/p>\n

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. That fateful decision to ride home through the high country had seemed like such a good idea all those weeks ago. He had lost track of just how many days it had been. It was always that moment that came back to haunt his dreams each night as Ben tried to find a comfortable spot on the bare dirt. It was closely followed by the sight of young Billy, lying sprawled on the ground as his lifeblood soaked into another patch of bare dirt. He should have stayed on the road they had first come on and all of them would be safely home by now.<\/p>\n

Ben found his thoughts wandering dangerously as he stared at his hands on the edge of the ore cart. He could have sworn those same hands had blood on them. Billy\u2019s death was on his head. One day, he vowed he would make it back to Virginia City to tell his lovely young fianc\u00e9 that her man had not gotten cold feet and run off. He had been so eager to get home to her that it had cost him his life.<\/p>\n

No!<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t tell Sally that part. He could not cast guilt anywhere, but where it belonged, squarely on his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you doin\u2019 alright there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben jolted at the sound of Hoss\u2019 voice close to his ear and he realised his son was taking the bulk of the weight on the cart.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Just fine, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell them guards is lookin\u2019 right at us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben caught the warning in his son\u2019s words and he straightened a little and pushed harder against the cart. It wouldn\u2019t do to draw any more attention than they already had. His son\u2019s size already attracted enough interest as the guards delighted in belittling Hoss at every opportunity. Ben was thankful for his son\u2019s reserved nature or he could have drawn far more trouble to them. Of course, that one time where the Judge had allowed Hoss to have at it with one of his men had served as a warning too. Even in leg irons and manacles, Hoss had bested the man and then been merciful where he could have snapped the man\u2019s back. It was that same mercy that caused the guards to continue to taunt him even now. Of course, they did it from behind the safety of their rifles like the cowards he knew them to be.<\/p>\n

As they pushed the loaded ore cart towards the tipping point, Ben dared take a guarded look around to see where Joe was. They had passed Candy only a moment ago as he was chained to a section of men who were chipping away at the rock wall behind them. Ben felt panic rising in his chest as he realised he couldn\u2019t see his youngest son anywhere and hadn\u2019t laid eyes on him for quite some time. As if reading his father\u2019s anxious thoughts, Hoss lifted a single finger to point to his left.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s down there, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben let out a slow breath as he turned to look where Hoss was pointing. Joe was further down the ledge than he had been earlier, but he could tell by the way his sledgehammer was swinging that his son was just fine.<\/p>\n

Well \u2026 as fine as an unlawfully detained prisoner in chains could be when he had no hope of reprieve or rescue.<\/p>\n

\n

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. That decision to ride home via his friend\u2019s ranch had seemed like such a good idea all those weeks ago.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been all too eager to take his father up on his offer of a couple of days to himself after the long cattle drive. The hands had been given three days leave and he assumed most of their hard-earned pay would soon be spent in the local saloons on watered down whiskey, pretty girls and poker games. It wasn\u2019t that long ago that Joe would have been bucking to be allowed to stay with them, but he had other reasons for wanting to head home. A certain little redhead would be looking for someone else to escort her to Saturday night\u2019s dance if his brother didn\u2019t appear pretty soon.<\/p>\n

Adam had smiled indulgently as Billy had expressed his own wish to get home as quickly as possible. He just didn\u2019t have the same sense of urgency, given he didn\u2019t have a pretty little thing waiting for him to make an honest woman out of her. Instead, as they\u2019d sat by the campfire, he\u2019d mentioned that it was only a half a day out of the way for him to call in and see his old friend on the way home. He didn\u2019t see the need to drag his family along with him or to delay Billy\u2019s reunion, so he\u2019d said his goodbyes at the junction and ridden off alone.<\/p>\n

Adam felt his jaw tighten as he rode into the empty yard again. Almost before he dismounted, Hop Sing came scurrying out onto the porch. The short-lived look of hope was quickly replaced by a scowl. Adam couldn\u2019t blame him. He felt the same way. He thought he\u2019d found a lead into his family\u2019s disappearance and it had turned out to be another dead end.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hop Sing. That sheriff had the wrong people. It could have been them \u2026 but it wasn\u2019t.\u201d His voice dropped along with his head as he turned to walk his horse towards the barn. The fatigue he felt had settled into his bones weeks ago and he had become so accustomed to it that he barely noticed.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing hadn\u2019t missed it though. The one Cartwright he could currently do anything for was dead on his feet. Weeks of riding back and forth over old ground had produced nothing new. Even though it seemed his family had vanished into thin air, Hop Sing knew that Adam would not quit until he found them or died trying. That was the part that worried him the most.<\/p>\n

He silently laid supper out on the table and watched as Adam slid into the chair. His actions seemed almost detached from his thoughts as he reached for the potatoes. It was sheer stubbornness that made him eat as he knew he needed to keep up his strength, but nothing tasted right. Hop Sing knew he didn\u2019t need to make a separate plate of each thing as he usually did for the whole family, but he could not put the habit aside. He would not indulge the fear that said he would never again lay a table for his family. He paused, as if checking to make sure that Adam actually would eat and not just stare at the plate. He was surprised when Adam waved at the chair across from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease \u2026 sit down and share some of this food with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing was about to object that he had already eaten when he suddenly understood what wasn\u2019t being said. Even though he knew that Mistah Ben\u2019s eldest boy was normally quite content with solitude, he was not all right with this. He could see the ache in the tired eyes that watched as he hesitated. He nodded as he slipped into the kitchen to collect another plate and cutlery before settling himself across the table. Neither of them spoke much as they ate the meal, but each felt grateful to have the other there nonetheless. It somehow made the silence a little more bearable.<\/p>\n

\n

Ben watched as Hoss sat back on his haunches and shook his head. \u201cHe\u2019s gettin\u2019 worse, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

For three days, Candy had gotten progressively sicker with some kind of fever. He\u2019d tried telling them he was fine and could still work just as well as any of them, but they all knew better. He should have been resting, lying in the shade and drinking cool water. Instead he was swinging a rock pick and sweating out more than he was taking in. The alternative meant a possible flogging from the Judge\u2019s guards. Candy was shaking as he lay propped up against a log and he tried to wrap his arms around himself, but the shackles stopped him from doing so. His eyes had slipped closed as Hoss stepped away from him and beckoned his father and brother towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t take much more of this. We gotta do somethin\u2019 to get him to a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned as he looked around his brother towards his friend. Candy was one of the toughest men he\u2019d ever worked with and he could take most things in his stride. He was an army brat who\u2019d had to grow up as a little kid and be a man well before his body got there. There was nothing soft or weak about him, so if Hoss said he was in trouble, he wasn\u2019t stretching things.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy plan could still work.\u201d The urgency in his voice wasn\u2019t lost on either of them. They\u2019d had this discussion already, several times. Each time, Ben had vetoed the plan as being too dangerous. Each time, he had assured them that Adam would have raised every rider in the West to get out looking for them and he would come soon enough. All they had to do was bide their time and wait.<\/p>\n

Except they had apparently run out of time.<\/p>\n

Joe pointed towards his friend and lowered his voice. \u201cI\u2019m not going to sit here and watch Candy die!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben opened his mouth to object and promptly closed it again. His son was right. He looked across at Hoss, who was torn between caring for his friend and placing his brother in danger.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can do this, Pa! You know I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned as he felt his son\u2019s hand on his forearm. Reluctantly, he agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need some help if this is going to work. Spread the word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe would have grinned at him under other circumstances as his father gave in to his idea. The solemn nod he got instead was enough to tell him what he didn\u2019t want to know. Joe wasn\u2019t half as confident as he said he was.<\/p>\n

\n

The next morning dawned grey as steady rain fell on the camp. The men were all so exhausted from the gruelling physical labour that many of them had slept right through it. The flimsy shelter that barely kept the sun off did little to keep the rain off and each of them was soaked before their day even started. Joe helped Candy to his feet and noted his friend\u2019s grip on his arm. The skin felt warm to the touch, but Candy forced himself to hold out his plate as the guard came along and slopped something onto it.<\/p>\n

As the man moved down the line, Joe nudged at Candy\u2019s side. \u201cI\u2019m gettin\u2019 you out of here today, buddy. Last time you\u2019ll have to eat this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy turned towards him as Joe\u2019s eyes lit up. They\u2019d discussed the plan over and over and refined the details for days, but he\u2019d been unsure if they were ever going to be ready to put it into action. He knew the plan hinged on Joe\u2019s ability to outrun the Judge\u2019s dogs and guards. That and the fact that his father still balked at letting Joe put himself in such danger.<\/p>\n

Something had changed and he wasn\u2019t sure what that was.<\/p>\n

\n

The same chilling rain was running down the back of Adam\u2019s slicker as he pulled his horse into the yard of his friend\u2019s ranch. The guilt still rose up to greet him as he knew he should have been with his family instead of visiting a friend. Maybe if he\u2019d been with them, he could have done something. It was an accusation that swirled in his thoughts each night as he tried to sleep.<\/p>\n

As he tied his horse off to the hitching post, he heard the door unlatch and boots on the wooden porch.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny news yet?\u201d The worry in James\u2019 voice matched his own thoughts and he looked up to see his friend watching him intently.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing! It\u2019s like the ground opened up and swallowed them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I might have something that could help. Come on in and get dried off. Nessie has some coffee on the stove and she\u2019ll rustle up some grub for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam soon found his hands clenched around the coffee mug as James relayed what he had discovered since they had last seen each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the last time you rode through looking for them, we got to thinking. If your family didn\u2019t ride back the way they came, then maybe they took the high country pass. It\u2019s about four or five days faster, but it\u2019s rough country. Most folks don\u2019t go that way since you\u2019d never get a loaded wagon up there and it takes a sturdy rider to pick their way through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had already stopped there once as he backtracked, looking for his family. He\u2019d since sent through a couple of telegrams, but nothing had turned up. Sheriff Coffee had sent out wires everywhere he could and Adam had sent hands out looking as well. Everything had drawn a blank and nobody had seen anyone matching the descriptions he\u2019d sent out, until that sheriff had wired back saying he\u2019d had a possible sighting. Adam had ridden there as fast as he dared push his horse only to find another dead end. He felt hope rising for the first time in weeks as James suggested an idea that finally made sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were all on horseback with just one pack horse. No wagons. Billy was in a surefire hurry to get back for his wedding and Pa might have considered this high country trail. It\u2019s worth checking out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow just hold your horses there. There\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned as James\u2019 voice took on a serious tone. He recognised the warning for what it was, but had no idea why until James began to explain. His wild tale of the number of folks who had gone missing in recent times in the high country seemed like some kind of precursor to one of Hoss or Joe\u2019s ridiculous campfire stories. He would have dismissed it as local gossip, if not for the fact it suddenly rang true.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow as I\u2019ve been asking around, there\u2019s a bunch of wild theories with everything from a man-eating bear to a rustlers’ hideout up there. So whatever\u2019s going on up there in them hills, you\u2019re gonna need another gun with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched as James\u2019 wife, Nessie, had gone as still as a rock and almost burned the eggs she was cooking. She was just barely showing, but they\u2019d told him about the baby when he first came to visit. Nessie needed her husband right there and not traipsing through the hills looking for man-eating bears. Or worse. He watched helplessly as she slid a plate of well-cooked eggs towards him and quickly turned back to the stove, refusing to make eye contact with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d he commented to her back as Nessie continued to clean up as if they weren\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

\u2018I can\u2019t ask you to come with me, James. You\u2019ve got responsibilities here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to ask. I\u2019m offering. Besides, I should have done this the first time you rode in here looking for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured then they\u2019d just run into some trouble and I\u2019d find them soon enough. I didn\u2019t think that \u2026 that it would be this long.\u201d<\/p>\n

James watched as his friend slumped a little lower in the chair. He knew how close Adam was to his family and almost two months of no news would be killing him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNessie\u2019s gonna put together some travel rations for us and we\u2019ll be heading off as soon as you\u2019ve had some sleep.\u201d He stood up as he spoke and kissed the top of his wife\u2019s head, as if making peace with her.<\/p>\n

Adam was about to object when James pointed towards the bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cSleep! I ain\u2019t gonna catch you when you fall right out that saddle and a few more hours ain\u2019t gonna matter much.\u201d<\/p>\n

For some reason he couldn\u2019t define, Adam almost shuddered at the thought that maybe a few hours would matter. He rose from the table and followed his friend across the room. Sleep would be good.<\/p>\n

\n

The end of the day couldn\u2019t come soon enough for any of them. Joe patted at his pocket once again to ensure his reed was still where he\u2019d put it. The whole plan hinged on him being able to breathe long enough under that pile of dirt so the guards would walk past him and one flimsy little reed was all he had. Candy needed him to make it work. They all did, but Candy was going south too fast and needed him the most to get the job done.<\/p>\n

The rain had continued on and off all day and he felt his shirt sticking to his skin. As the signal for the end of the shift came, Joe glanced across to where Hoss was. His brother\u2019s head barely moved to indicate he was ready and Joe stepped slowly closer, ever wary of where the guards were. Candy and Farley had the cart in place to let it go as Joe slung the chain over the rail and waited for it to roll past. He hoped they hadn\u2019t misjudged things, but it was too late as the ore cart came barrelling towards him. He felt the chain link snap and his feet pulled apart for the first time in months. Hoss had his cart of dirt ready as Joe dived for the hole they\u2019d been secretly digging all day.<\/p>\n

Joe felt the dirt and rock raining down on him and he held his breath as the hole closed around him. It felt something like being buried in his own grave and he prayed he\u2019d live to see the next day. Discovery now would mean a bullet between the eyes for all of them.<\/p>\n

Candy found himself flying through the air as he took a wild swing at Farley. He couldn\u2019t see straight, but it didn\u2019t matter. He just needed to keep up the ruse long enough to give Joe time to get hidden away. Guards rushed towards him, rifles pointing at his chest as he staggered to his feet. His ears were ringing and he couldn\u2019t really hear what they were shouting. This part of the plan had been laid out well before he got sick and Hoss had tried to trade places with him, but Joe needed Hoss right where he was. Candy\u2019s groan of pain along with his slowness to get to his feet was no act. He didn\u2019t dare turn around, but he was relieved when he felt Ben\u2019s hand on his shoulder. So far, so good.<\/p>\n

It seemed like barely ten minutes had passed before somebody noticed something was wrong and raised the alarm. They tried to stall, but the guards knew the family and quickly realised that one of them was missing. Candy felt himself stagger up the incline with Ben and Hoss as they each hoped and prayed that Joe really was a fast as he boasted he was.<\/p>\n

\n

Joe had been running almost since he could first walk. He was nine when he found he could finally outrun Hoss and not much older when he learned he could outstrip Adam\u2019s longer legs, if only for a certain distance. It had come in handy as he ran from them after pulling a stunt that had earned their wrath. It had saved Tuck and Lucy\u2019s lives as he ran from Sharp Tongue and his friends. He prayed as he ran this time that his body would have the strength to keep going for as long as he needed it to.<\/p>\n

His filthy shirt that had been soaked in the earlier rain was now covered in dust from the hole he\u2019d been buried in. It was also drenched in sweat as he strained to keep going. Candy was depending on him to keep going. It only took a momentary lapse of concentration for him to miss seeing the rabbit hole until his foot snagged in it and he found himself tumbling sideways down a rocky slope.<\/p>\n

Joe grasped at his ankle and groaned as he tried to contain the pain and make himself stand up again. He didn\u2019t have time to spare sitting on the ground. He knew that his absence would have been discovered by now and he tried not to think how that might play out against his family. Would the Judge take retribution against them? There was no predicting what the man would do, except to be sure he was capable of anything.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been so sure he could make it to Glacier Lake without being caught. He\u2019d promised his father he would do it. Joe forced himself onto his feet and clenched his jaw as pain shot up his leg from his ankle. He didn\u2019t think it was broken, but it hurt like hell as he limped forward again. The fear that his family would pay for his failure was the thing that drove him forward, even as tears of pain welled in his eyes. He scrubbed at them angrily as he stumbled onward towards freedom and help.<\/p>\n

\n

Failure was not an option. Not if he wanted a share of that gold that was sitting up in the Judge\u2019s cabin. As Jenson ran, he knew he had to find Cartwright or not bother going back. Failure was not an option.<\/p>\n

Somewhere behind him, he knew that Hatch would have the dogs coming after them. He shuddered as he\u2019d seen the Judge turn those dogs on one of their own and knew the man was capable of doing it again. He ran out of obedience, but he also ran out of fear. He was almost at the end of his strength when he found himself walking through a scrubby area. It was the perfect hiding place and he had no intention of being caught out. He held his rifle close as he stalked the area, but he wasn\u2019t aware as hands reached over his head and he found his arms pinned by a length of chain. He struggled against his captor, but Joe\u2019s desperation was stronger than his and the rifle dropped to the ground.<\/p>\n

Joe twisted himself free of the other man and lunged for the rifle on the ground before Jenson could reach for it again. He shoved the rifle towards the guard and nodded towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake off your shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenson looked at him as he tried not to flinch from the rifle. Joe shoved the rifle closer and Jenson quickly complied. He had no wish to die at the hands of the man in front of him and every minute he could keep him from shooting, was another chance to get away. It soon became apparent that Cartwright intended to swap shirts with him and barely held back a grin. That wasn\u2019t going to work as he could simply strip the shirt again after Cartwright ran away.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow move!\u201d<\/p>\n

That wasn\u2019t at all what he\u2019d expected as he found himself being nudged forward with the muzzle of the rifle. He turned and began walking across the open ground that the prisoner was pointing to. They were both out of breath and he hoped he could stall long enough for Hatch to catch up to them. He didn\u2019t count on the man\u2019s stubbornness as he shoved him forward again.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaster!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe loped along behind the guard as his ankle screamed at him in protest. He knew they only had a certain amount of time before the dogs appeared and he had no wish to still be with Jenson when they did.<\/p>\n

It was almost another mile before Joe called a halt to their trek and Jenson spun back towards his captor, wondering why they were stopping in an open field.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake off my shirt.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cTake off my shirt!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenson fumbled with the buttons as he felt the hairs on his neck stand up. It was quickly becoming apparent what was happening and he searched desperately for a way out. As he handed Joe the shirt, he was horrified to see it flung to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow run.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a one-way ticket to certain death and Jenson froze on the spot. He knew the dogs were coming and his scent was all over that shirt lying between them. Cartwright was clearly smarter than he\u2019d given him credit for.<\/p>\n

Joe glared at the man as he waved the rifle closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The instruction was cold and crystal clear and Jenson turned and started running for the tree line. It was his only hope to get to Glacier Lake and lose the dogs by taking a swim. He gulped in a deep breath and sprinted for all he was worth.<\/p>\n

Joe only waited a few seconds before turning and hobbling off at another angle to where he\u2019d sent Jenson. He had no idea of where he was or where he might find help. He just knew those dogs were coming and he also had no idea if his ruse with Jenson\u2019s shirt would work.<\/p>\n

\n

Hatch smirked as he watched the Judge stroll down the line of men who sat huddled under the shade. He\u2019d seen the dogs pick up the smell and tear away from them and he knew it was inevitable that Cartwright was a dead man. If he\u2019d hoped to evade them by throwing away his shirt, it wasn\u2019t going to work. The dogs had simply picked up his scent from the shirt and gone after their victim. And they never failed. He\u2019d waited for over an hour for them to return and the telltale bloodstains around their mouths and down their front legs told him everything he needed to know. Yessir \u2013 those dogs never failed. He hadn\u2019t seen hide nor hair of Jenson, but figured maybe Cartwright scored one point on his way down.<\/p>\n

The Judge stopped just short of where Ben sat. He recognised his son\u2019s shirt even before it unfurled onto the ground. His heart almost ceased beating in his chest as fear gripped at him. Joe had faced down his share of dangers, but he was no match for two dogs that were bred to kill, especially being completely unarmed and hampered by shackled hands. The words coming out of the man\u2019s mouth were barely registering as he envisaged his son being torn to shreds. He closed his eyes and just prayed that it had been quick. Beside him, Hoss\u2019 head dropped as he considered the loss of his brother. It seemed so unreal that he could not bring himself to believe it. Joe was the fast one. After all, he\u2019d promised his father that nobody could catch Little Joe on foot. He barely contained a groan as he closed his eyes against the pain.<\/p>\n

\n

Adam took a deep drink from his canteen and he stared around the area as he carefully stowed it once again on his saddle horn. He had followed James\u2019 lead into the hills, but so far they had found nothing. There was no trace of his family or even a hint of tracks to follow. He was beginning to wonder if the stories of men disappearing were nothing more than local legend that somebody had made up to keep people away. Maybe somebody had some reason to spook potential travellers. Maybe there really were rustlers holed up somewhere. Maybe there were bank robbers hiding in the caves.<\/p>\n

Maybes were driving him crazy!<\/p>\n

He huffed in frustration as he nudged his horse forward again. Maybes wouldn\u2019t find his family. James had given up trying to engage his friend in conversation as they rode along. Instead, he was content to keep scouting the hillside for anything that might give them some kind of clue. So far, they had found nothing and he was running out of ideas of where to try next. The hill country wasn\u2019t that well known to him and he\u2019d only suggested it because it seemed like a logical option when other ideas had proven fruitless. He was beginning to second-guess his own wisdom as they trudged further into the high country.<\/p>\n

It was another ten minutes before he saw them. Birds circled above the treeline and he knew it meant one certainty. Death. James had seen them too and with unspoken agreement, they pushed the horses towards the trees. It took a bit of work to pick through the dense trees until they came out into a clearing. The squabbling of carrion birds reached them first before either of them set eyes on their prey.<\/p>\n

Adam almost gagged as he slid down from his horse and worked his way towards the bloodied body. He held a hand over his mouth as he regarded the poor unfortunate man before them. His shirt was missing and his pants were half torn from his body. Deep gouges covered the body and blood had dried on every limb. Adam was glad the body lay face down as he didn\u2019t think he could bring himself to look at what the face may look like. Something had torn the man to pieces and suddenly the rumours of man-eating bears didn\u2019t seem so ridiculous after all. Carrion birds had begun their job and he wanted to pull out his rifle and shoot them all.<\/p>\n

It took them the better part of two hours to dig a hole and bury the man and Adam had barely spoken the entire time. James watched his face as he climbed back into the saddle. He didn\u2019t need to speak his thoughts because it was clear his friend was thinking the same thing. Had the same fate befallen his family?<\/p>\n

\n

Joe had heard the screams rip through the air. His mind reeled as he heard a man dying in a manner that nobody in their right mind would wish on another. He\u2019d hoped to put more distance between them, but his ankle was giving out and his body was protesting the punishment he\u2019d put it through. He had used the rifle as a crutch for as long as he could, but eventually he had been forced to stop and rest. He leaned up against a rock and felt himself falling into a hole. Somewhere in that hole, there was no pain. And no fear. He just needed a few minutes in the hole and he\u2019d be ready to try again.<\/p>\n

\n

Hoss nudged at Candy\u2019s arm and tried to wake his friend. It was time to get up and face another day. Candy\u2019s fever was still rising and it took both Ben and Hoss to haul him to his feet. Hoss tried dipping his sleeve into his water ration and wiping Candy\u2019s face with it. He barely seemed to notice. As the food ration came past, Ben held out three plates. He stared at the slop on the plates and tried to contain the rage welling up inside him. Only the day before, Joe had promised it would be last time Candy would have to eat it. He forced himself to focus on the son beside him and the foreman he counted as a surrogate son. There would be time to mourn the dead later. For now, he needed to help the living.<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, Candy. We need to get this here grub inta you, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was busy spooning the inedible slop into his friend\u2019s mouth as Candy barely moved. Ben felt himself struggling to breathe. He\u2019d always relied on his faith to bring him through the tough times, but the only words that came to mind brought no comfort as they were meant to.<\/p>\n

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.<\/em><\/p>\n

They were in the high country, but it felt like the deepest valley. There was a shadow of death over all of them. He knew David had penned those words in a dark moment and they had always brought comfort before. So why not now?<\/p>\n

Ben struggled to make himself walk up the hill towards the mine. He helped carry Candy between him and Hoss and prayed that the man would find the strength to make it through another day. If sheer stubbornness counted for anything, it was possible. The only person he counted as more stubborn than Candy was \u2026<\/p>\n

Ben felt like a knife had gone through his gut and he blindly pushed forward towards another day without his youngest son.<\/p>\n

\n

James poured a cup of coffee and held out the pot towards Adam. Neither of them had slept well after seeing that mangled body each time they closed their eyes. Adam held out his mug for a refill. He had no idea what he was still running on beyond sheer force of will. Stubbornness was a word he usually associated more with his youngest brother. The ache he had been trying so hard to ignore threatened to rear up and choke him and he tossed the coffee aside before pushing to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou alright, buddy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grabbed at his bedroll and quickly tied it to the back of his saddle as James tipped the rest of the coffee over the fire and kicked dirt on top of it. They\u2019d moved clear of the wretched man\u2019s grave they had dug the day before and with the new morning light, had planned to look for any kind of tracks that might tell them where he had come from. It was the first sign they had seen of any other person in the area since they had begun their climb into the high country.<\/p>\n

For almost two hours they combed the ground for signs and Adam found himself more than once wishing that Hoss was with him. If anybody could find tracks in the soft, muddy ground, he could. Soon enough they discovered wolf tracks and it finally became obvious just what had killed the man they had buried the day before. A rabid wolf could certainly do that kind of damage and both of them were suddenly alert to a danger that could come at them from anywhere.<\/p>\n

Eventually they came to a point on the flat ground where another set of tracks appeared. It was clear something had happened as there were signs of a scuffle in the muddy ground and boot prints going everywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here!\u201d James called out as he waved Adam towards him. \u201cLook. Someone went that way.\u201d He pointed to his left as prints meandered away from them.<\/p>\n

Adam stared at the boot prints and began to follow them away from the direction they had come. Finally he saw the imprint of something round every so often. \u201cWhoever this is, they\u2019re injured. Leaning on something. See?\u201d<\/p>\n

James agreed as he followed the tracks a ways up the hill. He turned in the saddle and waited to see what Adam was going to do.<\/p>\n

\n

Joe grasped at the branch nearest him and hauled himself up the rocks. His ankle felt like it had swollen inside his boot and putting any weight on it was like a branding iron against his skin. He continued to pull against the tree that grew overhanging the rocky incline until he got himself over the top edge. His hands were shaking and sweat dribbled down the side of his face as he slumped down onto the ground. He looked up towards the sky, trying to gauge the time of day. By his reckoning, it had been nearly two and a half days since he\u2019d made it out of hell, but his mind was beginning to play tricks on him. The lack of food he could deal with, but the small dribbles he\u2019d managed to suck out of dips in the rocks, left there by the rain, were nowhere near enough. His vision was beginning to blur over as he lay back against the grass and flung an arm over his face to shield it from the glare of the sun.<\/p>\n

\n

Adam muttered under his breath as they moved onto rockier ground and the trail they had been following began to peter out. It wouldn\u2019t be long before the rocks swallowed up the trail altogether and then they would be forced to follow on instinct and luck. The afternoon shadows were growing longer as they picked their way up the hill. He glanced up to see the same carrion birds from the day before circling overhead and he looked across to see James had noted them too. After the previous day\u2019s horrendous surprise, both men were on edge as they moved forward. The birds ignored their approach and continued to circle well above them. As Adam pulled his horse over the edge of a ridge, he was horrified to see another body lying several feet in front of him. He quickly dismounted and edged forward, half expecting to see the same kind of mauling as the day before.<\/p>\n

This body wasn\u2019t injured at all and he hurried over to see if the man was still alive. He paused for a moment as he saw the manacles and broken leg irons and figured they had caught some runaway prisoner from a chain gang. If this were one of the rumoured outlaws roaming the hills then that could certainly explain why people were disappearing. Adam felt his hand slide to his gun and he reached out with his other hand and grabbed at the man\u2019s arm to uncover his face. He almost stopped breathing as he took in the gaunt, unshaven face of one of his missing brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe! Joe, can you hear me?\u201d He shook the lifeless body urgently, but got no response. He laid a hand alongside his brother\u2019s face and felt the breath against his palm and almost wept with relief. Before he could ask for it, James handed him a canteen and he lifted Joe against his leg to dribble some water into his mouth. It took a moment before Joe\u2019s lips began to work of their own accord and he sucked in the moisture.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? Come on, buddy. Open your eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n

A small groan was the only answer he got, but it was enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was another few minutes before the water seemed to do its job and Joe\u2019s eyes flickered open. He almost laughed at the mirage staring down at him until he felt the grip of his brother\u2019s hand around his shoulder and realised he was actually there.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYeah, Joe, it\u2019s me. Think you can sit up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to pull himself upright, but found he had no strength to do so and he reluctantly allowed his brother to tug him into a sitting position.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is James.\u201d Adam nodded towards the other man crouched down beside them and Joe tried to acknowledge him. Suddenly he grasped at Adam\u2019s wrist.<\/p>\n

\u201cCandy! You gotta help Candy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy now, Joe. Just take another \u2026\u201d Adam tried to offer the canteen again and Joe shoved it aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! You don\u2019t understand!\u201d He grabbed at his brother\u2019s shirt and twisted the front of it in his fingers. \u201cHe\u2019s real sick. They\u2019ll shoot him if he can\u2019t work!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho? What are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to push himself up off the ground and failed miserably as Adam grabbed at his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got Candy and Pa and Hoss and a bunch of other men working up there at the gold mine. All of us were arrested for trespassing and sentenced without a trial. They shoot prisoners who can\u2019t work and Candy\u2019s got a fever. It\u2019s why Pa let me try my plan and \u2026.\u201d Adam was acutely aware of the desperation in his brother\u2019s eyes and he reached a hand up to the back of Joe\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy, little brother. Let\u2019s get you sorted first and we\u2019ll work out how to get to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pointed towards the two horses grazing beside them. \u201cWe need to ride! Now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you\u2019re in no condition to ride anywhere. We\u2019ll get you fixed up and then we\u2019ll \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Don\u2019t you hear me, Adam? It was the day before yesterday that I got away from them. Candy could be dead already! I\u2019m not sitting here while you nursemaid me.\u201d<\/p>\n

James had kept his thoughts to himself as he\u2019d taken in Joe\u2019s story. He had never met the younger brother of his friend, but he\u2019d heard Adam talk enough about him. The kid was stubborn enough to get up and start walking back himself if they didn\u2019t do something soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many guards has this mine got?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swung towards the man, relieved that somebody was taking action.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey only have two on at night. The men are all chained and nobody can get away, \u2018cause of the dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDogs?\u201d Adam and James looked at each other and Joe understood almost immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m guessin\u2019 you saw Jenson. Woulda been me if I hadn\u2019t gotten him to trade shirts with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared at his brother as the horror of that image registered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. We head towards this camp and do some scouting and then we wait \u2018til nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded in agreement as finally his brother was talking sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you ain\u2019t leavin\u2019 me here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam patted his brother\u2019s shoulder as he reluctantly agreed. Before long, the trio were headed back the way Joe had hobbled the day before, sticking within the treeline and keeping a sharp eye for the Judge\u2019s lookouts. As they rode along, Joe filled them in on what had befallen their group, including the cold-blooded murder of Billy. Adam held the reins in his clenched fists as he listened and more than once he found himself glancing down at his brother\u2019s hands wrapped around his waist. Joe leaned into his back as they rode and Adam knew it was nothing short of sheer cussedness that was keeping him in the saddle. He\u2019d barely mentioned his ankle, but both men had seen the grimace as Joe tried to put weight on it. Joe might have succeeded in getting Adam to take him along, but he was carefully searching for somewhere he could drop his brother and make him wait. That argument would come soon enough and in the meantime, Adam was grateful to have at least one of his family so close after so long apart.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d It was a pointless question as it was obvious that Candy was seriously ill. Ben had to ask anyway and he wished he hadn\u2019t as Hoss looked up at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if he can take much more of this. Today just about done him in.\u201d Hoss poured water onto a rag and wiped at his friend\u2019s face once again as Candy dozed against the lean-to. He\u2019d barely managed to stay ahead of the guards as Hoss and Ben had covered for him as best as they could.<\/p>\n

Ben hunkered down on the ground beside his son and handed him a plate of slop. Grief threatened to swamp him, but he pushed it down and began to eat instead. He had another son who needed him to keep in control and a foreman who may soon follow his boy into the afterlife. He almost smiled at the sudden image that arose in his mind of Joe and Candy wreaking havoc up there together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s so funny, Pa?\u201d Hoss shovelled a spoonful of whatever it was they were eating into his mouth as he watched his father almost laugh. There was nothing to laugh at that he could see.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking \u2026 about some of the stunts that Joe and Candy pulled together.\u201d The smile slid off his face as Ben barely choked off a sob.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon God might figure he\u2019d have his hands too full with both of them and leave Candy right here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up to see tears glistening in his son\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon you might just be right.\u201d<\/p>\n

That comment played over and over in Ben\u2019s mind as he tried to get to sleep later. Why did God need to take his son so soon anyway? Couldn\u2019t he have had just a few more years with him? It was a futile exercise and he knew it so he rolled over and tried to find a more comfortable position. He almost shouted aloud as he felt a hand slide across his mouth and another hand grasp at his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuiet, Pa! It\u2019s me.\u201d Ben felt himself go limp as he heard his son\u2019s voice in his ear.<\/p>\n

As Adam slipped his hand away, Ben grabbed at it and squeezed his fingers around his son\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? Oh, thank God!\u201d<\/p>\n

Right beside him, Hoss shifted and turned towards them as James clamped a hand across his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it easy. We\u2019re here to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged off the hand as he recognised Adam crouched nearby.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam? How\u2019d you ever find us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind that now. You need to let these other men know we are here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, the guards! There are men patrolling the perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not anymore.\u201d Ben could barely make out his son\u2019s face in the moonlight and could have sworn he saw a momentary grin. \u201cWe took care of them. Guess they didn\u2019t figure on anybody coming at them out here in the middle of nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they\u2019re more concerned with keeping us all here than any external threat.\u201d Ben held up his shackled hands and this time his son really did grin at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you\u2019ll be needing these?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben almost laughed with relief as Adam handed over a key. He quickly went to work unlocking the chains that had bound him for far too long before turning towards Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou get the men loose and we\u2019ll take care of the rest. Now, how many more are there up in that cabin, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Judge and Hatch at least. Maybe a couple of others?\u201d<\/p>\n

Candy was oblivious as the murmur ran through the group of men huddled beneath the flimsy shelter. He was unaware as Hoss patted him on the shoulder and told him he would be going home soon. He had no idea that he was free as the chains slipped off his wrists.<\/p>\n

\n

Joe had been told in no uncertain terms to stay put. He\u2019d tried arguing the point, but as always, Adam and logic overrode his passionate argument. He gripped the rifle tightly as he tried desperately to make out movement below them. He\u2019d tried calculating how long it should have taken them to make it down to the camp and dispatch the guards on watch. He\u2019d second-guessed himself a hundred times over as to whether or not he\u2019d gotten the guard count right. It was hard to tell from under the lean-to just how many men patrolled each night, but he\u2019d tried his best to give Adam and James enough information to stay safe.<\/p>\n

His thoughts were taking an ugly turn as he suddenly heard shouts and multiple shots rang out through the night air. More shouts followed and then suddenly a roar rolled up the valley as the camp seemed to come to life. He knew what Adam had said, but danged if he was going to sit on the hillside and watch. His ankle protested loudly as he stumbled down the slope towards the noise, but he ignored it. His whole world was down there in that fight.<\/p>\n

It felt like hours before he staggered to the bottom and somehow there were men milling around everywhere. It took a while to register that they were walking free and not bound and chained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d He cupped a hand to his mouth and shouted over the melee of voices that swirled around him. \u201cAdam!\u201d<\/p>\n

When no answer came, he stumbled further into the group and tried to push his way through. Someone saw the raised rifle in his hand and before he knew it, a fist came at him from his right and he was too slow to block it. He felt himself drop to the ground and he tried to push himself upright again, but the rifle butt slammed into his head as he cried out in protest.<\/p>\n

\n

Hoss found himself torn between helping his brother and making sure that Candy was protected. Adam solved his dilemma for him by insisting he stay put and assuring him that they had enough men and guard\u2019s rifles to storm one little cabin. Candy had barely stirred as the men had passed around the keys to their shackles. He tried to sit up as shots carried through the still night air, but Hoss pushed him back towards the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be just fine, buddy. Ol\u2019 Adam\u2019s here and we\u2019re gonna be free real soon. Just you take it easy down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe made it through?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss winced at Candy\u2019s comment and tried to hold himself in check.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew he could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. He done real good.\u201d Hoss clapped a hand on Candy\u2019s shoulder as he decided the man didn\u2019t need to be reminded of the fact just yet that his best friend was dead. There were some benefits to fever-induced delirium after all. If only he could forget as well.<\/p>\n

Suddenly the crowd of men seemed to surge before him as a guard appeared out of the darkness waving a rifle at them. Hoss was on his feet before he stopped to think and he rushed towards the man. Somehow, Adam and James must have missed one of them. He saw the man go down as somebody took a swing at him. The fool tried to get back up until another man grabbed his rifle off him and slammed it into his head. In the moonlight, he could barely see it was Simmons who had the rifle and he watched as the man swung it around and took aim at the guard\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons looked up as Hoss rushed towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t no murderer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons pointed the rifle again and would have fired if Hoss hadn\u2019t charged at him. The smaller man was no match for him and he crashed backwards onto the ground. Hoss was about to take a swing at him when he took in the body lying in front of him. He sagged to his knees and grasped at Joe\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? What are you \u2026? Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

Several more men gathered in as they came to see who it was and murmurs took off around the group like wildfire. Someone stepped forward with a canteen and Hoss poured out a handful of water before dribbling it onto Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, little brother. Time to wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked up to see Hoss grinning at him as tears dripped down his cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaking.\u201d Joe tried to smile as he raised a hand to his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cDadburnit, Little Joe. Don\u2019t you ever do nothin\u2019 like that to me again! You hear me?\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing. Next time you outrun them dogs, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before he could do anything more than offer him another drink, he heard a commotion from behind them and he twisted back to see what was happening. The Judge and Hatch along with a couple of other men were marching down from the cabin with their hands clasped together on their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody get some shackles for this lot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Judge!\u201d Hoss waved an arm at him as the man stalked past. \u201cLooks like your dogs don\u2019t always get their man.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Judge paused in front of him and stared at the man who was trying to sit up. There was no way he\u2019d outrun their dogs. Suddenly he understood how young Cartwright had tricked them and he spat onto the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you all in Hell one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready been there. Now I\u2019m leavin\u2019.\u201d Joe stared at him defiantly as somebody shoved from behind and his former tormentor was shackled to a post. He could barely hold himself upright and would have sagged to the ground if he hadn\u2019t felt strong arms wrap around him from behind. His father\u2019s hand grasped at his and he felt himself sink back into safety as his body gave out once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph. How is this possible?\u201d Ben felt his son\u2019s weight against his chest and he bowed his head so his cheek rested against filthy curls. Every desperate prayer he had prayed for days suddenly rose up in his mind and he lifted his eyes to the heavens in silent gratitude.<\/p>\n

Somebody was speaking to him again and finally Ben looked around to see who it was.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa \u2026 we gotta get Candy outta here \u2026 tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was reluctant to release his grip on his son, having just gotten him back from the dead. The urgency in his middle son\u2019s voice began to register with him and he could hear other voices. Men milled around, almost at a loss now that they had finally achieved their freedom. The mine was a long way from anywhere and it wasn\u2019t exactly like they were on the stagecoach route.<\/p>\n

By the time somebody managed to get Hatch\u2019s wagon down to where they were, a heated argument had broken out. There were only about fifteen horses in the Judge\u2019s remuda and more than forty men. Nobody wanted to risk being left behind and forgotten about. Finally Adam fired a warning shot into the air and the voices suddenly dropped off.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow listen up! We\u2019ve got two men here who need medical attention. Here\u2019s what\u2019s going to happen. We\u2019re taking them in that wagon and we\u2019ll take as many of you as can ride and keep up. Whoever owns one of those horses up there, stake your claim. My family will be leaving as soon as we are loaded. We\u2019ll send help back for the rest of you along with the law to take care of these men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scattered murmurings were enough for Adam to raise his voice again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you\u2019d like to do with them, but these men will<\/em> stand trial. I promise you that justice will be done here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Ben sat in his familiar safe chair and stared into the fire without seeing the flames. It had been almost a month since they had been rescued from their nightmare in the high country. There were still nights where he jolted awake and couldn\u2019t stop himself from making the short trek down the hall to his son\u2019s room. Just to check. If Joseph knew about his father\u2019s nocturnal visits, he never let on.<\/p>\n

The journey back to the nearest town had seemed interminable and the doctor who had seen to them had quietly mentioned that Candy was closer to the edge than any of them had dared admit. His foreman was as stubborn as his youngest son and they both had complained loudly at being forced to stay put in bed in the hotel. If it hadn\u2019t been for the trial, he thought the two of them may have hatched a plan to ride for home instead. Then again, a trial and several hangings were worth waiting around for.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled to himself as he recalled the men divvying up the gold that had been hoarded in the cabin. He\u2019d been offered a share, but declined. There were men whose lives had been torn from them and a bit of gold to get them on their way was nowhere near enough. No, he didn\u2019t need a share. He had all that he needed sleeping under his roof.<\/p>\n

When they got home, Ben had called Paul out to see for himself that Joe\u2019s foot was healing as it should. He still carried a pronounced limp and Paul assured him that it would go, with time. He had thought he\u2019d run out of time, but God had seen fit to grant him some more.<\/p>\n

The brandy glass was empty and Ben gently set it back on the table. His hand was once again steady. The book sitting on the arm of his chair was worn smooth from years of service. He didn\u2019t need to open it to hear the verse once again in his thoughts.<\/p>\n

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.<\/em><\/p>\n

For a time, fear had him in a death grip. Fear had screamed at him that his son was dead and soon the rest of them would follow.<\/p>\n

Fear was a liar.<\/p>\n

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

* Psalm 23:4 (King James Version) <\/em><\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright, Angst, Ben Cartwright, Candy Canaday, ESA, ESJ, Family, Grief, Hop Sing, Hoss Cartwright, hostage, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, JPM, SAS, SJS, trapped<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: Written for the Missing Man Challenge \u2013 Add Adam into any Season 7-14 episode as if he never left. Based on The Kingdom of Fear episode. Ben, Hoss, Joe and Candy are captured and illegally found guilty of trespassing so they can be used as slave labour in a gold mine. There is no hope of escape and no hope of parole.<\/p>\n

Word Count: 9621 Rating: T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9743,"featured_media":15722,"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":[1005,23,41,27,40],"tags":[774],"class_list":["post-14879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","category-whi","category-challenges","tag-mmc","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id","wpcat-27-id","wpcat-40-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\/12\/CF6B97F4-6BBD-4149-BCA4-8B2B5E3AD24C.jpeg?fit=634%2C627&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14879","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\/9743"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14879"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14879\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}