{"id":1498,"date":"2013-04-07T01:27:01","date_gmt":"2013-04-07T05:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1498"},"modified":"2025-08-01T13:29:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T17:29:19","slug":"a-ride-in-the-sun-survived","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=1498","title":{"rendered":"A Ride in the Sun; Survived (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Missing Scenes<\/strong> \/ <\/strong>WHN for the Episode A Ride in the Sun <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis<\/strong>: In the tenth season episode, \u201cA Ride in the Sun\u201d the Cartwrights are scammed by brother\/sister con artists, Tobias and April Horn. As their scam came to a conclusion, not only did they murder the Bank President, but they severely wounded Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers set out with the posse and are determined to bring these siblings to justice. Hoss and Joe lead the posse to a certain point, only to separate off to follow their own leads which go against the facts and logic; ultimately, Joe ends up trailing the fugitives alone through the desert. This story is told from Joe\u2019s POV as he heads into the desert.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating<\/strong>: T (teen) (9,460 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

The final page contains reviews from the original BonanzaBrand Library.
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A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A pretty face, yep, that\u2019s what I first thought when I saw her sitting there in the buggy after Hoss and I thwarted whoever was shooting at her and her brother as they raced their horse away from their pursuer. Her dark hair, fair skin, bright eyes, and that smile\u2026 Yep, a pretty face\u2026April Horn\u2026 Hoss knew without even knowing, I was smitten. Guess he\u2019d say that about me whenever I first met a pretty gal. But\u2026 I should have listened to Hoss, I should have listened to Hoss. If I had\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout my life how many times have I thought those sentiments… \u2018I should have listened,\u2019 \u2019If I had\u2026\u2019 How many times had Adam offered sound advice that I brushed aside? How many times had Pa warned along those same lines? And Hoss\u2026 Big, gentle, compassionate Hoss\u2026 I wish he\u2019d knocked me over the head with his revolver that day when I ignored his comments about how their horse wasn\u2019t winded nor sweated and surely hadn\u2019t run the three miles that Tobias had claimed\u2026 He doubted the horse had even run a half a mile. Hoss also tried to point out what a poor shot the gunman was\u2026 Even though the siblings tried to convince us there was more than one man after them, said the other man\u2019s horse appeared to have pulled up lame. But still, Hoss noted regardless how many were after them, there wasn\u2019t a scratch or a bullet hole in the buggy and all I could say was, \u201cThat April Horn sure was a good looking girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since we all were traveling towards Virginia City, we agreed to sort of be their escorts. Later, while April, Hoss, and I sat outside the hotel, I was enamored by her tales of their home and Tobias\u2019 business. When her brother came out from seeing their luggage to their room, he asked Hoss and me which bank we could recommend. And\u2026 I didn\u2019t hesitate to tell him the Virginia City Bank and agreed to introduce them to Harry Bishop. After the introduction, Harry jumped at the chance to do business with the President of Horn Enterprises, especially when Tobias pulled out and deposited $30,000\u2026 cash. Now we knew the reason for the potential robbery out on the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

Little did I know that when the Horn\u2019s had accepted an invitation to visit the ranch that they\u2019d be setting Pa up for trouble\u2026 Trouble\u2026 that word pales when I realized he could have been killed. No\u2026 I didn\u2019t see the trouble coming, I just saw that pretty face. It was several days later when the Horns finally visited the Ponderosa. I was aware of Tobias talking with Pa about 1,500 head of cattle he was willing to purchase and have his drovers help round-up and deliver the herd to the Sacramento Valley in California\u2026 Yeah, I heard, but didn\u2019t pay too much attention, I was focused on April. Pa and Tobias dickered around on the price, at one point I\u2019d heard them comparing \u2018run of the range cattle\u2019 vs. Cartwright cattle before finally coming to an agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guess I wasn\u2019t the only one who was taken in by a pretty face\u2026 After verbally agreeing to the sale over a glass of brandy, Tobias left and eventually returned to the ranch to hand Pa a bank check for the agreed price and Pa signed the bill of sale for the cattle, everything was completed, legal and proper. I felt good about my part in helping the Ponderosa secure such a large sale, Hoss only shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then that telegraph came, immediately delivered from town to Tobias, followed by an announcement that they had to return home, quickly… One of their ships was lost at sea during a storm, with all hands presumed dead. I could see both were visibly upset and Tobias refused to discuss the details any further, but not April. Here I thought she was just a pretty face, but she proved that she was a very astute business woman. She said that included in the wire was the news that the payment for a particular cargo that the ship was carrying was due in full within four days. Tobias tried to play down this dire news by stating that the ship had been insured. Only to have April announce that it wasn\u2019t enough to cover the cost of the shipment and the insurance money wouldn\u2019t arrive before payment was due. Upon hearing that Tobias was now in desperate need to sell the cattle he just purchased, Pa, being the generous man he is, immediately gave the bank check back to Tobias. Once Tobias pointed out there wasn\u2019t much he could do with it, since it was made payable to Pa, well Pa agreed to go with them to town to explain the situation to Harry Bishop, thus allowing Tobias and April to return home with the money required to settle their debt.<\/span><\/p>\n

But here I am\u2026 Alone, no horse, with only what little water that remains in my canteen as I track the people\u2026 Humpf! People\u2026 Con-artists, swindlers, \u2026murderers\u2026 Don\u2019t go there, Joe\u2026 Doc Lewis said Pa was going to be okay, but he was so weak when I last saw him, lying face down there on Doc\u2019s operating table. Hoss stood over Pa and asked him what happened, while I knelt at his side in order to hear him tell us who had shot him\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

One of them is a murderer, Bank President Bishop was killed outright and I guess God was looking out for Pa\u2026 I hope God is still looking out for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Right now I\u2019d give anything to be sitting uncomfortably in a wing-backed chair or worse yet, one of those straight back chairs Doc always has in his waiting room, wiping sweat from Pa\u2019s brow and encouraging him to wake up; while trying to keep myself from falling asleep. Arguing with Hoss over who would spend the night with Pa versus who would go get a room at the International House for a few hours of sleep in a bed. I could have been there\u2026 If I had\u2026 But no, not me\u2026 I was furious\u2026 not just me, Roy Coffee was furious as was Hoss and a number of others who we consider friends; they all joined the posse without any qualms.<\/span><\/p>\n

I guess we can be thankful that Roy\u2019s deputy spotted the back door to the bank open, otherwise, it might have been\u2026 too late for Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

We were able to follow their buggy tracks and found it and signs of where they had stashed other horses in a rope corral. We were surprised when we found three sets of hoof prints continuing to race away from Virginia City, not surprised that they were racing further from town, but that there were three of them. At the pace they were setting, they didn\u2019t give any thought to covering their tracks, maybe they didn\u2019t think anyone would have found Bishop and Pa so soon, considering it had been a Friday and Pa had mentioned to us that he was planning to spend the night in town to see the Horns off in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

The posse stopped when we came upon their abandoned buggy, I just had to look around\u2026 It didn\u2019t make sense them leaving the horse and buggy… I signaled my horse to move out, he was rearing to go, almost as much as Cochise would have been, but Hoss and I both chose other mounts from the corral at home when we received word of Pa being shot. Both Chubs and Cochise had put in a long, hard day while rounding up strays, long before we heard that fateful pounding on the door to our home. It wasn\u2019t fair to either of them to ask them to carry us on our race into Virginia City. So, I found myself sitting in the saddle on this black gelding, even taller than Chubs was. It felt strange to be sitting higher than any of the other riders after all the years of riding my pinto. This horse had strong legs and a wide breadth of chest\u2026 I knew he had the capacity to carry me as far as I needed to go. He surged under my legs as I asked him forward after I returned to the others and told them about the rope corral and the tracks leading away.<\/span><\/p>\n

As one, the posse followed the trail over the terrain; each member silently riding, saving their energy, and following me.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then\u2026 we came to our first disagreement. Hoss and I headed towards the desert while Sheriff Coffee and the others continued on their own, both groups trailing after our quarry. Sheriff Coffee was of the opinion they wouldn\u2019t stand a chance in the desert and didn\u2019t give it a second thought. The Horns were heading south when they left town and south when we lost their trail. But Hoss\u2026 Hoss agreed with me that Toby, April, and whoever, had planned this well\u2026 Well in advance\u2026 And it wouldn\u2019t surprise either of us if they hadn\u2019t set up water stops out in the desert. Any casual bank robber wouldn\u2019t risk racing through the desert, but if you had planned it\u2026 So we set out.\u00a0\u00a0 I knew where the first water hole would be, just as well as Hoss did. Neither of us could wait to replenish the water in our canteens, we\u2019d drank sparingly, but still\u2026 It was hot out.<\/span><\/p>\n

We were well separated from the posse when we found definitive proof, three sets of hoof prints heading out into the desert, three\u2026 I didn\u2019t voice it to Hoss but I wondered if Tobias\u2019 superintendent\u2026 oh\u2026 what was his name\u2026 could have been riding that third horse or maybe it was a horse carrying a load of water bags and canteens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then we came to the watering hole, and Hoss warned me away from the water, said it didn\u2019t smell right. He spotted the dead rabbit and further away a tin can\u2026 He walked over and picked it up\u2026 death\u2026 that\u2019s what it was\u2026 Arsenic! Well, this hole was ruined. Not much we could do to warn off any desert dwellers, unless they were of the human variety; I placed the tin can upside-down on a stick hoping it would be enough of a warning. Anybody who worked the land would know by the smell that something was wrong, but there was always the chance an unfortunate tin-horn would need to be warned away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here I\u2019m worrying about tin-horns, funny how your mind works, when I should be worried about Pa. Anyway, we both returned to our horses and I recognized the same look on Hoss\u2019 face that he probably recognized on mine. Two riders, two horses, and two half empty canteens. Hoss\u2026 big, gentle Hoss. He\u2019d been profusely sweating ever since we left Virginia City, but then so was I, and whether he would admit it or not, we both knew it would be more dangerous for Hoss to continue\u2026 There have been many times in my brother\u2019s life where I knew he wished he wasn\u2019t as big as he was, and I know this was another time to add to his list. I saw it in his eyes as he handed over his canteen and agreed to go back for Roy and the others. He didn\u2019t want to leave me on my own, but he had no choice\u2026 He knew there was no way that both of us would survive if we went together. And\u2026 someone had to alert Sheriff Coffee and the posse they were on the wrong trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heading out alone, keeping my horse to a steady pace, I prayed I\u2019d be able to catch up with those… What do I call them? I couldn\u2019t call them murderers because that would remind me too much that I really didn\u2019t know if Pa continued to live\u2026 So I continued after the Horns\u2026 hoping against hope that I\u2019d catch up with them. And\u2026 I did\u2026 As I was walking along side my horse, I hadn\u2019t given any more thought to who was riding on that third horse, I should have\u2026 But, I was focused on the two who pulled the triggers. So, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, following their obvious trail. That is until the rifle shot spit up the sand at my feet. Too close\u2026 Dropping the canteen I had stopped to drink from, I ran a short distance and hurled my body behind a small sand dune, grabbing my pistol at the same time. Carefully, I looked up as the rifle fire continued, and I cursed when I realized the shooter was aiming at my horse that I had abandoned to save my own sorry hide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heart, I had to admit the horse had heart to continue in the heat, but he hadn\u2019t stood there for that many shots striking the ground at his hooves before he finally turned to run away. Watching him flee, I wondered how many more shots Cochise would have stood or would he too have finally high-tailed it away. High tail away, yep, that\u2019s where that expression comes from. Bolting, four hooves thundering the ground, tail set like a flag on a pole streaming out horizontal as a stiff wind blew. Self- preservation, it\u2019s in all of us, man and animal, I just wished I\u2019d have been as self-preserving as that horse. But no\u2026 I had to go and think about recovering the money and\u2026 Damn, my canteen! Putting my gun back in my holster, I bolted, no tail to flag, and ran for my open canteen\u2026 precious water spilling out the opening, all the while trying to avoid being shot.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Why was I set to risk it all? Was it revenge? Was I after revenge? Revenge for what they did to Pa? No\u2026 I know what revenge is and how it feels\u2026 Adam, Hoss, and I, all had revenge in our hearts years ago when Buck came home without Pa; his blood on the saddle told us all we needed to know, he\u2019d been ambushed. I remembered joking with Pa before he sent me on home that day. That day I had been the last to see Pa, and revenge burned in my heart, all our hearts as the Cartwright brothers rode out to find those responsible for our father\u2019s death. We reached a way-station and realized the perpetrators had split up, and so did we; each vowing to avenge our father\u2019s death. It wasn\u2019t until several days after I returned home that I actually felt good about what I\u2019d done. But\u2026 until I saw Pa standing there in the front yard, arm in a sling, but alive\u2026 Oh how I had kicked myself while traveling home for not being anywhere near the man that Adam and Hoss were. I knew they\u2019d trail their quarry and deal with the man, maybe making him plead and beg for his life before they shot him down for murdering our Pa. Before I rounded the corner of the barn and rode into the yard, I had long convinced myself that I was a pathetic example of a Cartwright son. The smallest and most worthless\u2026 runt\u2026 I fought many a friend and foes over the years when I would hear them say that word as they compared me to my brothers, \u2018But face it Joe\u2026 It\u2019s the truth,\u2019 I\u2019d told myself over and over. Maybe that\u2019s all that Pa ever expected me to be, a runt who paled in comparison to any real Cartwright. A runt who failed to carry through with what needed to be done. But, when I saw Pa standing there, I realized I hadn\u2019t been seeking justice and maybe that was why I\u2026 I swallowed guiltily. But why had I felt guilty? Pa was alive. Oh God, I could have murdered a man in cold blood. I had been wrong. Turns out we all had been wrong. Yes, I know revenge\u2026 There was also Red Twilight.<\/span><\/p>\n

But now\u2026 I\u2019m not seeking revenge, I\u2019m seeking justice. And now I\u2019m seeking justice without a horse and with only what little water I have remaining in my one canteen. As I stumbled over the sand, I dropped to the ground when I heard the first shot. I fired several shots and moved my position from where I had just been.\u00a0 Scampering along the sand dune, I looked over the rise and saw two of their canteens lying away from where they took cover from my returning fire. Seeing the canteens, I did what I could to delay them. If I delayed them long enough, maybe the posse could catch up with us. So, I shot holes in their canteens; and then ran away. I knew there was scant cover if they decided to come after me, but I continued to run any way — Better to run away and live to fight another day. When I finally stopped running, I was thankful no one had followed me, but now I had to backtrack to where I had already been.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing slowly to my feet, I returned to where they had rested. Again, their tracks were easy to follow in this sand\u2026 It\u2019s not like trailing on hard pan. So again, one foot in front of the other\u2026someone should write a song about that. I\u2019m sure Adam could\u2026if he were here. Damn, we didn\u2019t even send word to Adam about Pa before we left\u2026 I know he couldn\u2019t get here in time to do anything, but maybe\u2026maybe his added prayer would see Pa through to a full recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

So engrossed in my thoughts I didn\u2019t see the body lying still on the ground until I almost tripped over him. My hand quickly went to my weapon as I leaned down to turn the body over, wary of this being a trap. Before I touched the man on the shoulder, I looked up and scanned the horizon\u2026 nothing as far as I could see. My hand and body relaxed as I rolled him over and saw the growing bloodstain soaking into the dry desert sand and a mirroring stain on his shirt. Tobias Horn. Quickly I thought of that pretty face, his sister\u2026 April. Had they been unwitting accomplices forced into this? Had whoever the third person been killed Tobias and kept his sister as a hostage? Even now, her pretty face was addling my brain\u2026 Remember, Pa told us that Tobias and April were the two shooters. No innocent person would shoot two men in the back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still one could only hope that our assumptions were wrong.\u00a0 Scanning the ground, I looked to see if April had put up a struggle, but her boot prints indicated she had casually walked from where they had lain down for the night to where their horses had been tethered. So much for brotherly and sisterly love. Taking another sip of water, I contemplated whether to bury Tobias or to leave him for the posse.\u00a0\u00a0 Guess Pa raised me right\u2026 using my hands and hat, I dug a shallow grave into the desert sand in order to roll Toby\u2019s body into it and cover him over. Before I picked up my hat, canteen, and gun belt, I offered a silent apology to the vultures in the area regarding their missed-opportunity for a meal. I wasn\u2019t sorry he was dead, just one less shooter I\u2019d have to worry about, later.<\/span><\/p>\n

I continued to walk, one foot in front of the other.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the darkest part of the night, I couldn\u2019t continue any further and plopped down on the ground, oblivious to find I was asleep in moments. A couple of hours later, I woke feeling rested and eager to go. Funny, if I\u2019d been at home on the Ponderosa I\u2019d probably be lying in my bed, trying to sleep longer\u2026 But that was the Joe of old\u2026 The Joe who was the youngest son of Ben Cartwright, the youngest brother who\u2019d been doted upon all his life\u2026 a life that changed after Adam left. Oh, Pa and Hoss still doted on me; they knew I grieved over Adam\u2019s leaving\u2026 But\u2026 after the first month he\u2019d gone, I realized I looked forward to\u2026 What was it that I had looked forward to? I don\u2019t remember now, but whatever it was, it surprised me when it happened. Even now, I find that Pa relies on me almost as much as he ever did on Adam, if not more. Not to say that I\u2019m better at managing the ranch than Adam was, but there\u2019s just so much more of it. The Ponderosa, an island unto itself(1)<\/sup>\u2026 No\u2026 Not an island, we\u2019re not surrounded by water, I laughed. Without realizing it, I\u2019d become Pa\u2019s right-hand man, but I\u2019d always sat to the right of Pa at meal times\u2026 Adam sat at the opposite end of the table from Pa\u2026 unless we had company. No, with fewer Cartwrights at the ranch, I instinctively filled in the holes created when Adam left.<\/span><\/p>\n

I woke in the morning, my mind set only on one thing, April Horn and the man. Every hour or so, I stopped for a few minutes to sit down and take a break. Take a small sip of water and swish it around in my mouth before swallowing. It was easier to go longer periods of time without sipping as the hot day turned into a cool night. Sleep pulled at me. Sleep\u2026 An uncomfortable sleep is what I would be experiencing if I\u2019d stay back in Virginia City with Pa\u2026 Not that this was comfortable\u2026 But then\u2026. If I had\u2026 Hoss might be the one out here alone\u2026 The silent implications of that thought shocked me. One foot in front of the other… One foot in front of the other… Walking across the desert, and so I continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d spent a second night in the desert, cat napping for an hour or so before moving on. As day broke, I recognized the scenery on the horizon and thought about something I\u2019d heard from an old prospector\u2026said there was a hidden spring somewhere ahead, outside a cave. Looking at the landscape, I knew I could cut across country and make it to the arroyo opening and wait for April and whoever. The fact they were still leading and riding their horses restricted their options in what route they could travel. For the first time since we received word of Pa\u2019s shooting, I allowed a smile to play across my face\u2026 Hoss would have said it was a \u2018con-chievious\u2019 smile that meant someone was bound to get in trouble; and this time it wasn\u2019t gonna be me.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

With exhausted relief, I sank to the ground, thankful for the shade that these boulders dotting the foothills provided. The small rise gave me a vantage point to see anyone approaching, but as I sat there, my back warmed by the boulder I rested against, sleep pulled at me. I fought the urge, but maybe I am weak, just like\u2026 No\u2026 I wasn\u2019t weak then\u2026 It just took me time to realize the truth. I\u2019m stronger than my brothers ever gave me credit for while growing up\u2026 Or\u2026 Maybe they knew somewhere I had the strength, but that I doubted myself and that\u2019s why they always pushed me\u2026 especially Adam. Old Yankee Granite-Head Adam\u2026 God I miss him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guess I fell asleep thinking of Adam again, because that\u2019s the last thing I remembered before the sun slipped behind these hills, and now it\u2019s apparent the sun had been up for several hours. Sitting up, I scanned the ground leading into the arroyo to see if I slept through the arrival of April and her \u2018friend\u2019. I relaxed back with no new footprints evident.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, shuffling, and pleading woke me from a light doze. Looking up, there weren’t any horses, just two people \u2013 April and the man \u2013 John Spain, I was right. He was a narrow, squinty-eyed man, and she was begging him for water. Hanging on to him like one of those saloon girls who\u2019ve had too much to drink and still wants more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now was my time, they were as desperate if not more so than I was for water. I snickered and smiled, and hoped my best Saturday night poker bluffing would hold true and I\u2019d win the jackpot\u2026 Only I knew if I won, the jackpot wasn\u2019t mine\u2026 It belonged to the people of Virginia City. God, let me know when to hold them and know when to fold them(2)<\/sup>, I asked before I made my presence known.<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened next occurred with morbid fascination as Spain obeyed my command and dropped his rifle before he pulled his handgun from his holster and tossed it aside. Next, he pulled out a hidden weapon that I should have known about and as I stepped forward, he fired at me; his movements appeared slow, like everything was bogged down in molasses. And I watched it all unfold and then I felt myself being flung to backwards to the ground. For a moment, my brain struggled to determine where the bullet had struck my body\u2026 Slowly, I lifted myself up so that I rested back on my elbows and looked my body over.\u00a0 There wasn’t any blood on my shirt nor my pants, and laughed when I told myself, \u201cI don\u2019t hurt\u2026\u201d I guess like a bolt of lightning striking me, my body reacted on its own volition to the threat my brain couldn\u2019t comprehend when the bullet took flight. I wasn\u2019t shot!<\/span><\/p>\n

Once I fully knew I was okay, I scrambled to my feet and fought John Spain. I had to keep him away from his discarded weapons. As bad a shape as I was in, I prayed he was worse. Chalk one up for Team Cartwright!<\/span><\/p>\n

I had banked on their having planned their hold up and escape route so well that I knew there had to be a cache of water around somewhere, and when April brazenly told me her companion wouldn\u2019t tell me anything, I hauntingly informed her, that he would, or he\u2019d die of thirst. God if only I was this lucky every Saturday night. I\u2019d bluffed them with a half-empty canteen and an empty gun. Gullible\u2026 Guess they never planned on meeting up with the likes of me.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, there I stood while April sat looking so pathetic sitting on the ground, her shoulders hitching up and down as if she were crying, but no tears fell from her eyes. She told me of how she and Toby had met John Spain and how bitter she was about all the money Tobias had wasted over the years, especially all the money their father had left THEM. They\u2019d hatched this plan together, all three of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I asked about what happened to her brother, she sat there and told me they were planning to meet him in San Francisco. They had split up in order to distract the posse.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the only posse April\u2026 And I found his body and buried him.\u201d Using my gun to point to John Spain, \u201cHe killed him. He murdered your brother so he could keep your brother\u2019s share of the money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

April looked up and stared incredulously at me as if she couldn\u2019t comprehend my words; I guess she convinced herself of her story because she kept saying that Toby was only pretending to be shot. He\u2019d meet her in a week in San Francisco. That was part of the game\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Game<\/em>\u2026 She thought this a game. Her brother was dead, a good man in town was dead, my Pa wounded maybe dead, and me\u2026 I was out in the desert with a woman on her way to going crazy, whether it was from the heat searing into her brain or the realization that she\u2019d had a hand in the death of her own brother\u2026 I knew when we returned to Virginia City that she\u2019d never stand trial; she\u2019d probably end up spending the rest of her life in an insane asylum\u2026 That is if we ever made it back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three days I\u2019d trailed them across the desert with just a little over one full canteen between the two I\u2019d carried, and now\u2026 Now there were three of us to get back to town and maybe as little as a cup of water remained in my canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Damn\u2026 He had to have water around here somewhere\u2026 They only had the one canteen left\u2026 I reached down to pick it up from beside John Spain and shook it only to hear nothing sloshing around within. Damn\u2026 Why was he heading this way if not for water?<\/span><\/p>\n

With my empty gun in my hand, and the precious canteen slung over my shoulder, I walked towards John Spain\u2026 The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain(3)<\/sup>\u2026 God, why couldn\u2019t it rain right here right now?<\/span><\/p>\n

Even with my refusing to give him water unless he told me where his cache was, John Spain just laid there, smugly begrudging me for having bluffed them. Stubborn old cuss\u2026 So I used the rope from the moneybags to bind Spain\u2019s hands, didn\u2019t figure I should let him wander free while I looked for his water.<\/span><\/p>\n

My own brain was addled from a lack of water, food, and sleep that I never gave any thought to April helping John Spain get away. But then\u2026 I guess they were even more addled as neither of them thought about it either. So I looked, and as I walked for some reason I remembered Old Jonas, that old prospector who had lived in and around the desert for decades and I could hear his words as clear as if he was standing next to me, \u201cJoe, you\u2019re as hard headed as the Devil\u2019s anvil, face away, you\u2019ll find it. Just look up, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Above me, I swear I would have cried if I hadn\u2019t been laughing, there it was\u2026 Weather worn as if deliberately chiseled into the rock face was a rock formation that look like an anvil, and not just any anvil. With the sun shining on it as it was, its reddish hue pulsated and I knew this had to be the Devil\u2019s anvil. Old Jonas had said, \u201cFace away,\u201d so, I turned around and proceeded to walk and within fifteen minutes you\u2019d have sworn I struck Gold. Blessed, liquid \u2018gold\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practically falling on my face I scrambled to the pool of water, and barely remembered to remove my hat before I thrust my head under the surface and shook back and forth. Sitting up, I unbuttoned my shirt, cupped my hands, and began splashing the water upon my body. Cool, blessed water. Kneeling, I began filling both canteens and prepared to return to April and Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carrying the two canteens hanging from their straps in my right hand, I approached her and wondered if she and Spain were talking to plan an escape\u2026 But then I heard her say Tobias\u2019 name. Brain fried, I thought as I pushed one of the canteens into her hands. I almost laughed when she thanked me as if it were the most natural thing, the three of us together in the middle of the desert at the base of the hills.<\/span><\/p>\n

April set the canteen down and in a very unladylike manner, using the whole length of her lower arm, from her elbow to her wrist wiped her mouth. I leaned over and took custody of the canteen, and with my left hand, I pulled her to her feet and led her back to the water pool.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she courteously said again. \u201cI\u2019ll call for you when I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d I asked and turned away as she began to unbutton her shirt to reveal a lacy camisole underneath. \u201cWe don\u2019t have time,\u201d I hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have all the time, Tobias won\u2019t be expecting us for a few more days and I need a refreshing bath. I won\u2019t be but a few minutes,\u201d she said as if she were in one of those fancy spas that Adam\u2019s written about during his travels.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, I chose to climb upon one of the nearby boulders and turned my back, most would say I respected the lady\u2019s privacy\u2026 And there was her accomplice still to deal with. But\u2026 I am a man after all, and I just couldn\u2019t help myself as I heard the splashing and looked to the pool. A pretty face and a gorgeous body I thought to myself as I watched her slip below the waters, before she rose up again, and then I heard, \u201cJOSEPH! Answer me JOSEPH!\u201d Hoss, ever gentle Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Standing up, I raised my hand to shade my eyes to see where my brother was, but couldn\u2019t see anyone. Sitting back down, I heard Hoss hissing at me, \u201cWhat in tarnation do you think you\u2019re a doin\u2019? Ain\u2019t you learned nothin\u2019 from what Pa taught ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Laughing, I remembered, years before\u2026 before Pa finally allowed me to quit school, \u201cHoss, it ain\u2019t my fault. I was here first, how was I supposed to know Miss Caroline would choose here and NOW to go skinny dipping?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Caroline?\u201d I remembered Hoss asking as he peered forward. Before Bessie Sue, Hoss was sweet on Miss Caroline only she never knew it. And then he glared at me and cuffed me against the back of my head, as he realized who really was skinny-dipping. I giggled and threw my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. But, with all sincerity I answered, \u201cHonest Hoss, I couldn\u2019t leave once I knew what Miss Jones was planning to do. She\u2019d a seen me. I been hidin\u2019 here with my eyes closed prayin\u2019 she\u2019d just leave\u2026 she\u2019d get out of the water so I could go home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Home\u2026 Yeah, three days across the desert with a woman who was losing her grip on reality and an old codger who\u2019d just as soon see me dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d was voiced from behind me and I turned to see April fully clothed and trying to do something with her hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, with that, I jumped down and walked to where she waited, and with the canteens slung over my shoulder and a gun in one hand and my other hand guiding her with a grasp around her bicep, we headed back to where Spain laid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not so gentlemanly, I pushed her to sit down as I helped Spain to his feet. I refused his request to untie him by saying, \u201cIf you want water, you\u2019d best walk that way.\u201d When we eventually reached the pool, he never inquired again about releasing his hands, he just fell to his knees and then to his side and rolled into the pooling water. Rolling and rolling and gulping. In time, we headed back to where April waited and the three of us set out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

I sparingly allowed April and Spain to drink as we walked across the desert, stopping more frequently than I had as I trailed them. Reaching down to pull her to her feet I heard Pa\u2019s voice calling for me, \u201cComing,\u201d I quietly answered, \u201cI\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Years before, after Adam had returned from college and we had skirted the desert once\u2026 I had asked him why everything seemed to shimmer and twist out there in the desert, he told me in some locations it was caused partially by what little moisture was in the land being evaporated into the air, but most of the time it was the sun\u2019s rays bouncing back after reflecting off the hard-baked ground. He also went on to tell me of those mirages in the Sahara Desert where many travelers went off course thinking they were real, only for the unwary to perish.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Big Gentle Hoss, I knew he was out there, he was coming\u2026 A whole cavalry of Hoss. I giggled as I remembered back to when I was four and teased Hoss about really being a horse. It wasn\u2019t very nice of me, but when you\u2019re four\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Four\u2026 No\u2026 Four\u2019s not right, three days out, two days back\u2026 so far\u2026 Five\u2026 I think. One to go? Who knows\u2026 The posse is out there somewhere\u2026 So, we kept walking\u2026 canteens and money bags slung over my shoulder, one empty gun in my holster, another in my belt and the rifle\u2026 Who cares about a rifle anyhow? I had a hand in supporting that pretty face\u2026 April\u2026 April showers\u2026 come on\u2026 how I could use an April shower right now. The rain in Spain\u2026 Yeah\u2026 Wish those white clouds floating high in the sky would hang low and be grey, ready to let loose a fury of rain. But no\u2026 one foot in front of the other\u2026 Someone should write a song\u2026 Maybe Adam. Nah\u2026 He didn\u2019t before\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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

It\u2019s just a mirage I told myself as I allowed\u2026 Allowed, geesh as if I really had any control over what was happening at this point. But anyway, we stopped and drank some from what remained in the second canteen. April collapsed in a heap on the ground, calling for Tobias to just let her sleep. Spain just grunted as he hit the ground. The sun was setting anyhow\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

With my face sunburned and my lips cracked, I told myself to ignore the mirage\u2026 Give April a few hours to rest and then we\u2019d move on in the cool of the night, and so I allowed\u2026 like I had any control over gravity\u2026 gravity just took over my body as I too fell to the ground and laid on my side.<\/span><\/p>\n

With my eyes wavering somewhere between open and closed\u2026 Damn that mirage is getting insistent, it continued thundering towards us. If I didn\u2019t know any better, I\u2019d have sworn that was Hoss leading a cavalry charge. Don\u2019t know what they\u2019re so all fired worried about, they got plenty of horses and looks like they got canteens a plenty hanging from the pommels of their saddles. Me\u2026 I got to worry\u2026 Maybe one more day\u2026 Maybe a third of a canteen left and April\u2026 What about April? Something about Spain and showers\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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

In the darkness that surrounded my thoughts, there was water trickling and felt it cool against my hot flesh. Voices\u2026 now Adam didn\u2019t say anything about voices when he talked about those mirages, but maybe he didn\u2019t know — he\u2019d never been to the Sahara, just wait until I tell him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Somebody mention \u2018Ben\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not here Little Joe,\u201d the voice softly answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa? There\u2019s showers in Spain\u2026\u201d Lord was I talking or was I breathing?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShortshanks, you just hush up and sip what I give you, ya hear?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShortshanks\u2026 That\u2019s me. You\u2019re not Pa,\u201d my declaration stated, matter-of-factly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, it\u2019s just me, Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy kingdom for a Hoss!(4)<\/sup>\u201d I declared and giggled after swallowing more water.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow Joe, I don\u2019t know that Pa\u2019d appreciate you givin\u2019 away the Ponderosa in exchange for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShakespeare\u2019s tragedy of Richard the III, wouldn\u2019t Adam be surprised,\u201d I giggled again after Hoss pulled away the canteen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he would be at that little brother, he would at that.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss’ voice was soothing, as if talking to a person who wasn’t totally right up stairs, if you know what I mean.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

My own guardian angel was there to take care of me and as for Miss Showers and Mr. Rain\u2026 I giggled and curled onto my side. Well, if they went anywhere they\u2019d just get lost again. And then I\u2019d let that mirage chase after them. Me, I\u2019m just gonna lie here and dream of Hoss and the posse that were going to show up. Right now, there wasn\u2019t Much Ado about Nothing(5)<\/sup> that I could do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cTime to rise and shine, Shortshanks,\u201d Hoss gently shook my shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot now, too early.\u201d My voice sounded rough, my throat felt like I swallowed gravel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow!\u201d Hoss declared louder and the gentle shake of my shoulder became firmer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d I forced open my eyes to see my big brother kneeling in front of me. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t you remember?\u201d Hoss looked perplexed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking around, there was Sheriff Coffee walking over with a cup and the coffee pot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019 Little Joe. Hope you\u2019re feeling better than you was last night?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLast night?\u201d \u2018When did they arrive?\u2019\u00a0 And wondered just what had happened. My two prisoners were nowhere in sight and at this I bolted up like a startled jackrabbit. \u201cWhere are they?! You didn\u2019t let them escape, did you? Did I?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean Miss Horn<\/strong> and Mr. Spain<\/strong>?\u201d Sheriff Coffee over enunciating their last names before he turned from me.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo need to worry little brother, the deputy and the rest of the posse left earlier this morning to take them and the money back to Virginia City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you didn\u2019t wake me? Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019s a might touched,\u201d Roy tried to hide the mirth from his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTouched?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTouched,\u201d Hoss tapped his temple with his forefinger. \u201cBut you seem better now. Think you can sit a saddle?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I be able to sit a saddle?\u201d\u00a0 Defensively I pushed away his hand from my shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, just worried about you little brother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once camp was broke, Hoss made sure I was square in the saddle before he mounted his own horse. As we rode on, I saw him frequently sneak a sideways glance towards me and try to stifle a laugh, I bet he was laughing thinking about what surely must have been a Comedy of Errors(5)<\/sup>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You know, Adam once told me that when I was younger, I could practically fall asleep standing up, guess now isn\u2019t too different, be danged if the monotonous rhythm of the horse\u2019s gait didn\u2019t put me to sleep. If only I\u2019d known to keep awake. But then\u2026 I guess I\u2019m glad I couldn\u2019t hear Hoss and Roy talking about me and Shakespeare and all those other little jokes I had attempted to make the night before with me laughing when neither of them understood what I was trying to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Hoss waved goodbye to Roy when we came to the turnoff to the Ponderosa from the road that led to Virginia City. Me\u2026 I think I mumbled a, \u201cGoodnight Sweet Prince (5)<\/sup>\u201d and giggled. Don\u2019t ask me why.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Arriving home and walking through the front door, Hop Sing took one look at me and ushered me straight to the bathhouse, he\u2019d planned to have me relaxing in a tub of water at just the right temperature.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa starting to rise from his leather chair only to quickly sit down as he feared Hop Sing\u2019s verbal assault in Cantonese. But me, I knew he was telling me that I\u2019d have plenty of time to visit with Pa, AFTER I smelled better.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

I couldn\u2019t believe it, after my bath when I returned to the main room, and there sat Pa, in Adam\u2019s favorite blue suede chair, wearing his burgundy dressing gown and his arm in a sling\u2026 but he looked good. He looked happy, like he and Hoss had been sharing a good joke. I headed straight for the fireplace and rubbed my hands together, I even commented to Pa about after all that time in the desert, I couldn\u2019t believe I was drawn to the fireplace. As I was rubbing my hands, Hoss gave Pa a \u2018knowing grin\u2019 as he walked over to sit on the arm of the settee having left the fireplace himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was then that I admitted to Hoss how good it had been to see him coming, at least I thought it was him and not one of those mirages, or a dream. I remembered the image, every rider I saw was Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n

It humbled me to hear Pa admit how good it was to have the two of us back home, as well as the money back where it belonged. And then\u2026 his voice became serious, saying how good it was knowing that those two were locked up in the Virginia City jail. He didn\u2019t need to clarify who he was talking about. We all knew.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that, Hoss stood up and stated that I deserved a drink; he offered me a brandy. Now, my hair\u2019s been turning grey for more years than I\u2019d like to count so it really wasn\u2019t a surprise that he\u2019d offer me that kind of a drink, but\u2026 I just had to decline the brandy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2026 No, no brandy for me, Hoss. No. Thank you. I\u2019d really like a great big cool glass of water.\u201d My hands emphasized the size of the glass of water I was wanting. \u201cYou have no idea how good water tastes. You ought to try it some time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With a smile on my face, Hoss headed out the front door and I turned to Pa and gave him a smile that I hope conveyed how pleased I was to see that he was doing so well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you do know that I\u2019m here\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you\u2019re here Pa,\u201d I answered trying to avoid acknowledging the real meaning of his statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that way, but if you want to talk about what happened\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe later, but right now\u2026 I\u2019m just happy to be home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Adam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about him? Did you get a letter while we were gone?\u201d I evasively asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa was staring at me, not just looking at me, but like he was trying to evaluate me, was he comparing me against Adam?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust what?\u201d Again, I’d become defensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust that Hoss mentioned you quoting Shakespeare quite a bit when they first found you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Hoss might be the one missing Adam\u2026 Me? Quoting Shakespeare? Nah. But I do wish Adam would write\u2026\u201d Sitting down on the stones of the hearth, I looked to Pa and asked, \u201cDo you think\u2026 maybe we should wire him and tell him what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll write it all in a letter, no need to worry him with what briefly could be written in a wire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, when I was out there\u2026\u201d Why couldn\u2019t I let this be?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joseph?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The question was on the tip of my tongue, but I struggled to ask it. Why? Maybe because I thought my father would think the question foolish? Or did I fear his answer?\u00a0\u00a0 Taking a deep breath I asked, \u201cPa, have I grown up to be the man you expected me to be? Or did I fail\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Somehow, I get the feeling that Pa knew this question was the one I was going to ask because he didn\u2019t take much time before he answered, and that in and of itself gave me the jitters until I heard his words.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, all three of my sons have grown to be more than I expected them to be. And you have not failed, but maybe I have, if you felt the need to ask that question.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s just that out there\u2026 in the desert\u2026 I had a lot of time alone to think\u2026 I know you miss Adam\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all do,\u201d Pa answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, for some reason\u2026 I got to thinking that had he stayed\u2026\u201d I stood up and walked over to Pa, and knelt down in front of him, my hands resting on his knee, \u201cI\u2019d of never gotten the chance to show you what I\u2019m made of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you never had to show me what you were made of. I knew\u2026 So did Adam\u2026 and Hoss. The only person who ever doubted you, was you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pa lovingly poked me in my chest and told me that before I went to bed, Hop Sing had some aloe vera to help take away some of the sting from the sunburn on my face and neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa. I kind of figured that out on my own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour doubt or the aloe vera?\u201d teased Pa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy doubts\u2026 I guess I realized it over time, but with all that time alone, it sort of put a voice to what I subconsciously already knew.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I stood up and bid Pa good night, I\u2019d been too long in the sun and my body was ready to sleep in the cool comfort of my own bed\u2026 Maybe I\u2019d have a Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream (5)<\/sup>\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~THE END<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for taking the time to read; this was my first fan fiction story written for Bonanza.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Episode Written by<\/strong>: John Hawkins, Peter Germano
\nDirected by<\/strong>: Leon Benson
\nGuest Stars<\/strong>: John Spain(Anthony Zerbe), Tobias Horn(Robert Hogan), April Horn(Marj Dusay), Harry Bishop(Jack Collins), Dr. Lewis(Harry Holcombe)<\/p>\n

Acknowledgements:\u00a0 <\/strong>(Writer claims artistic license to include the following within the story)
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(1) <\/sup>Inspired by a line from “Meditation XVII<\/a>,” by the English poet John Donne<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

(2) <\/sup>“Know when to hold them, know when to fold them”, was borrowed from Kenny Rogers’ song, The Gambler<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

(3) <\/sup>The reference, \u201cThe Rain in Spain\u201d was inspired by My Fair Lady, <\/em>a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe.<\/span><\/p>\n

(4) <\/sup>Inspired by a line from \u201cRichard III,\u201d by William Shakespeare.<\/span><\/p>\n

(5)<\/sup> Works or phrases by William Shakespeare.<\/span><\/p>\n

The phrase, \u201cOne foot in front of the other,\u201d as thought by Joe throughout this story was borrowed from the Rankin\/Bass holiday special, Santa Claus is Comin\u2019 to Town<\/em>, lyrics by Jules Bass.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Story Tags: Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, JPM, Roy Coffee<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The following page contain the comments\/reviews left on the old BonanzaBrand Library.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewer: faust<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 17 Apr 2013 01:16 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

Great first Bonanza story, BWF! very well told. I now hope that you’ll give us an Adam story next time (hint, hint….); I think that would make me a very happy woman!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Faust, thank you for the welcome!\u00a0 I have an original story\u00a0in the works, and it is posted in The Reading Room.\u00a0 It’s more of a Joe story with plenty of Adam and the whole family.\u00a0 Once I’m finished I’ll post it in the Library.\u00a0 Let me think on a story\u00a0surrounding for Adam… (hint and challenge accepted)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewer: sklamb<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 16 Apr 2013 11:21 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

A very enjoyable debut in the fandom, Bluewind Farm–I enjoyed your exploration of the relationship between Joe and Adam as well as the Joe-Hoss interactions, and of course the excellent concluding JPM! I’ll look forward to more of your stories–thank you for sharing this one!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

SKLAMB, thank you very much for the hearty welcome and the high praises.\u00a0 I’m looking forward to posting more\u00a0stories as it has become addicting to write<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewer: Inca<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 14 Apr 2013 01:40 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellent first story here, Bluewind.\u00a0 Loved how you caught Joe’s voice so well.\u00a0 I haven’t seen that episode, but that didn’t detract here as the story stands on its own.\u00a0 Joe’s self doubts were wonderfully conveyed, and his confusion was done beautifully.\u00a0 It’s so like Joe to be led astray by a pretty face, even in the face of trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it, but I’m very pleased I did, and I hope you’ll be writing lots more here.<\/span>
\n Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Inca, Thank you very much for the compliments; I appreciate them.\u00a0 And it’s not been that long since I posted the story, so no need to apologize, I know that people have other lives besides reading fan-fiction (Shock, Gasp, Horrors, Egads!\u00a0 ;0)\u00a0 As for more stories… I am currently writing an original\u00a0‘Bonanza’\u00a0story and posted\u00a0the beginning this afternoon in The Reading Room within the Forums — The Tears of Growing Up.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: Dodo<\/span>
\n Date: 10 Apr 2013 05:13 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellant first BZ story and I can only hope there’ll be many more to come.\u00a0 You had Joe to a T and that JPM at the end with Joe and\u00a0his insecurities\u00a0was so touching and\u00a0true to the characters.\u00a0 Great job BWF and you’re a welcomed addition to the library.\u00a0 Thank you.<\/span>
\n Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Dodo, Thank you very much for the compliments.\u00a0 In the beginning I didn’t plan for the JPM at the end, but\u00a0when it came time to address what I felt was lacking once Joe returned\u00a0home during the episode, it just felt natural to have that moment.\u00a0 I hope to add more to the library at some time.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: maria vaz<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 08 Apr 2013 11:30 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

I loved this wonderful story!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope you will write others for our pleasure!!!! Congratulations!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Maria, thank you for taking the time to read and leave a review. I hope to write more in the future, I just need to wait\u00a0until I\u00a0feel inspired to write; those stories are the easiest to write.\u00a0 When\u00a0I try to force a story, I struggle to write and the scenes do not flow…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: Cheaux<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Date: 08 Apr 2013 10:27 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to the library, BWF! \u00a0I enjoyed reading your story and hope you write more. Favorite paragraph:<\/span><\/p>\n

“High tail away, yep, that\u2019s where that expression comes from.\u00a0 Bolting, four hooves thundering the ground, tail set like a flag on a pole streaming out horizontal as a stiff wind blew.\u00a0 Self- preservation, it\u2019s in all of us, man and animal, I just wished I\u2019d have been as self-preserving as that horse. But no\u2026 I had to go and think about recovering the money and\u2026\u00a0 Damn, my canteen!\u00a0 Putting my gun back in my holster, I bolted, no tail to flag, and ran for my open canteen\u2026 precious water spilling out the opening, all the while, I was trying to avoid being shot.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Good stuff!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Cheaux, thank you for the welcome and the review.\u00a0 I enjoyed writing this one, not sure exactly what inspired me to try to write it, but I’m glad I did.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Once I wrote ‘high-tailed it’, I decided to try to explain the meaning of the phrase to those who maybe hadn’t thought about what it meant or had witnessed it, but never paid it any attention.\u00a0(I’ve\u00a0witnessed my own horses high-tail it across the pasture on many occasions.)\u00a0I think this scene is one of the first scenes where Joe\u00a0starts to be mentally\u00a0distracted due to the heat and lack of enough water, and then I had to bring his attention back to his situation…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Reviewer: jfclover<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 08 Apr 2013 01:50 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellent, bwf! \u00a0You filled in the blanks nicely. \u00a0Glad to see you writing Bonanza. \u00a0We definitely need new Joe stories. \u00a0I’ve reread so many, I love seeing new ones coming forth! \u00a0Again – great job!<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for the compliments, I’m glad I could fill\u00a0the void.\u00a0 I’ll have to\u00a0wait and see if another episode inspires me to write a WHB\/WHD\/WHN story or maybe… I might decide to write something original.\u00a0 Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read and review.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

**********<\/span>
\n Reviewer: Krystynaw<\/a><\/span>
\n Date: 08 Apr 2013 01:26 pm Title: A Ride in the Sun; Survived<\/span><\/p>\n

So very well done, Deanne, I applaud you on your very first BZ fanfiction. You have Joe perfectly and the tension in the story was excellent as were the touches of humour, nostalgia and affection asides for the other Cartwright members. I so enjoyed reading this story, thank you so very much. Looking forward to your next one … Best wishes, Krystyna<\/span><\/p>\n

Author’s Response: <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Krystyna,\u00a0thank you for taking the time to read and review.\u00a0 It is always difficult to know if how I chose to interpret the characters\u00a0will be acceptable with the readers.\u00a0 I’m so glad you agreed with my interpretation on Joe.\u00a0 Until next time…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Synopsis: In the tenth season episode, \u201cA Ride in the Sun\u201d the Cartwrights are scammed by brother\/sister con artists, Tobias and April Horn. As their scam came to a conclusion, not only did they murder the Bank President, but they severely wounded Ben.<\/p>\n

The brothers set out with the posse and are determined to bring these siblings to justice. Hoss and Joe lead the posse to a certain point, only to separate off to follow their own leads which go against the facts and logic; ultimately, Joe ends up trailing the fugitives alone through the desert. This story is told from Joe\u2019s POV as he heads into the desert.<\/p>\n

Rating: T (9,460 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,4,1007,61,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-humor","category-joe-cartwright","category-missing-scene","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-61-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1489,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cowboysunset.jpg?fit=259%2C194&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46601,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46601","url_meta":{"origin":1498,"position":0},"title":"Life Isn’t Always Sunshine and Rainbows (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"November 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Whether being stubborn as a mule or butting heads like big horn sheep, they do care about each other; and he\u2019d waited long enough Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (Words:\u00a0 1,120)","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 1.5x, https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Adam-and-Joe-Desert-Justice-2.bmp 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12927,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12927","url_meta":{"origin":1498,"position":1},"title":"Studio Executives #2 – Little Joe Cartwright’s Very, Very, Very Bad Day (by pjb)","author":"pjb","date":"May 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 \u00a0The ever-helpful Cartwrights come to the aid of studio executives who need to develop a special episode for Sweeps Week. 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Rated:\u00a0K+ (8,345 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/bonanza.jpg?fit=295%2C295&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13901,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13901","url_meta":{"origin":1498,"position":4},"title":"A Friend in Need (by Susan G)","author":"SusanG","date":"December 12, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The family assists Roy Coffee to search for a small group of bank robbers, one of whom happens to be a friend of Joe's. 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